Oswegoland Park Board Hires New Executive Director

The Board unanimously approved Monday afternoon the hiring of former deputy director Rich Zielke as the district’s new executive director.

since . McAdam took the position of executive director at the Downers Grove Park District.

“It’s an honor to be considered for and appointed to this position,” Zielke said at a special meeting called Monday for the sole purpose of promoting him. “I look forward to continuing working with the tremendous staff and leading the district on its path that (the board) has set for us.”

Zielke is the fourth executive director in the history of the park district, which was founded in 1950. He has been with the park district since 2006, and will make an annual base salary of about $110,000. He made about $97,000 annually as deputy director—a position he said likely will not be filled. By comparison, McAdam earned about $127,000 in his final year.

“The Board has been very pleased with the quality of work that Rich has provided while serving as the Interim Executive Director,” said Board President Bob Mattingly. “He has shown the ability to lead the staff in a professional manner, and his strength in handling finances has been evident since he has been with us.”

Zielke’s contract is effective Aug. 1 and runs through April 30, 2013. The board will evaluate whether to renew the contract on an annual basis, Mattingly said.

Zielke is a resident of New Lenox.

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