IAPD Hands Out Top Honors for 2003

COMMISSIONER OF THE YEAR

Mary Garrison,

commissioner of the Winnetka Park District, received one of IAPD's highest honors, the Allan A. Weissburg Commissioner of the Year Award. Garrison was recognized for exemplary leadership in her community. During her 12-year tenure on the Winnetka Park District board, Garrison has sought to preserve and protect land. She has served on the Village of Winnetka Planning Commission and has been a member of the Winnetka Chamber of Commerce for many years. In 1997, she was elected Illinois' representative to the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) Citizen Board Branch, where she currently is vice president. In 2002, she was elected to a trustee position on the NRPA board.

MIKE CASSIDY COMMISSIONER COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Martha Weiss, commissioner of the Buffalo Grove Park District, was presented with the Mike Cassidy Commissioner Community Service Award. Weiss was selected for demonstrating the highest example of community service, personal integrity and ingenuity She has performed a variety of leadership roles throughout her 15-year tenure on the Buffalo Grove Park District board. In 2000, her support helped lead the district into a successful partnership with Northwest Community Healthcare, which paved the way for construction and management of the Buffalo Grove Fitness Center. Weiss has been an active member of the Rotary Club since 2000. She coordinates the International High School Exchange program for most of the northwest suburbs and volunteers for numerous community organizations.

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A RISING STAR

IAPD's Rising Star Award went to Christine Gentes, commissioner of the Round Lake Area Park District. This award recognizes park commissioners who arc serving their fist term in office and have demonstrated excellence in performing their dudes and responsibilities as a board member, Gentes' accolades include serving as vice-chair for the Friends of Round Lake Area Parks Foundation, serving on park district and foundation committees and representing the park district on the state level through involvement with IAPD committees. Gentes also volunteers for the Girl Scouts, the Round Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and numerous other community organizations.

AN HONORED PROFESSIONAL

This year, IAPD introduced a new award to a professional in the field of parks and recreation who has worked closely with citizens and IAPD to improve the quality of life for all people in Illinois. Kevin Kendrigan, former executive director of the Northwest Special Recreation Association, had the honor of accepting the very first IAPD Honored Professional Award. Kendrigan was recognized for making an indelible mark on the park and recreation profession across the nation and throughout Illinois. He has devoted countless hours to help IAPD with events, programs and projects -serving on the Joint Legislative Committee for two decades, speaking at educational programs and writing numerous articles for Illinois Parks & Recreation.

The IAPD's first-ever Honored Professional award goes to Kevin Kendrigan, former executive director of the Northwest Special Recreation Association.

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IAPD CHAIRMAN'S CITATION

Each year, the IAPD chairman selects an individual, or individuals, to receive the Chairman's Citation. The Chairman's Citation honors those who show exemplary leadership and effective action toward advancing parks, recreation and conservation throughout Illinois. Collette Kubiesa, commissioner for the Elmhurst Park District, and Scott Triphahn, commissioner for the Hoffman Estates Park District, were selected by IAPD Chair, Dennis Flanagin to receive this year's Chairman's Citations. Kubiesa and Triphahn have both displayed outstanding dedication and commitment to the park and recreation field, representing their communities at the state level through their positions on the IAPD board. They are leaders who have taken action on the legislative front to benefit not only their agencies, but also those statewide.

OUTSTANDING LEGISLATORS

Senator Don Harmon of Oak Park, Senator Terry Link of Vernon Hills, Senator Dave Syverson of Rockford and Senator Larry Walsh of Elwood were each presented with an IAPD. Outstanding Legislator of the Year Award for 2003. These legislators were honored for their long-standing support of the role parks and recreation play in the lives of Illinois citizens, as well as their efforts to provide recreational opportunities to persons with disabilities.

State Senators Don Harmon (top left), Terry Link (top right), Dave Syverson (bottom left) and Larry Walsh (bottom right) were each presented with on IAPD Outstanding Legislator of the Year Award.

Each of these awards recipients has set high standards for all of us in the park and recreation field. May we all be inspired by their accomplishments to keep Illinois park districts, forest preserves, recreation and conservation agencies among the best in the nation.

And the IPRA Winners Are ... Forget the Golden Globes. The Oscars? Old hat. When it comes to awards for outstanding performances by folks in supporting roles, nobody surpasses IPRA professionals. The following stars are bigger than life and just as beloved, so without further ado, the envelope please! DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO LEISURE AWARD The Distinguished Service to Leisure Award was given Kevin Kendrigan, past executive director of the Northwest Special Recreation Association, A tireless worker on behalf of SRAs and those with disabilities, Kendrigan's lifelong advocacy sets an example few can match. Kevin's contributions are so significant, the board conferred the honor unanimously. The IPRA Board of Trustees agreed unanimously that Kevin Kendrigan deserved 2003's Distinguished Service to Leisure Award.

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ROBERT ARTZ DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD John McGovern, executive director of NSSRA, was tapped for the Robert Artz Distinguished Service Award. Scholar. Attorney. Advocate. Lobbyist. Consummate professional. A voice for the disabled heard above the rest, McGovern's accomplishments would require an entire magazine to do them justice. PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION IPRA's Professional Recognition Award went to Stephen Scholten, executive director of the Bloomingdale Park District. Modest to a fault, Scholten has quietly impacted Illinois' parks and recreation for nearly three decades. Placing people first, Scholten's agency twice became a gold medal finalist. Stephen exhibits all the qualities of a true leader whose staff and community revere him. IPRA FELLOW Roger Key, executive director of the Arlington Heights Park District claimed the IPRA Fellow Award. Over the past 32 years, the world has changed but Roger has remained steadfast and resolute: a shining example of leadership — not just to his community but also to his peers. Looking for someone to serve as your role model? Look no further. YOUNG PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR IPRA's Young Professional of the Year Award went to Maryfran Leno, executive director of the Itasca Park District. Check the dictionary under the word "dynamo" and you'll find Leno's photo. She juggles Itasca's top job while serving as an Arlington Heights Park District Board commissioner plus raising four kids at home. Passionate. Professional. A force to be reckoned with, Maryfran's enthusiasm and energy make her an outstanding role model. IPRA is thrilled to claim each of these outstanding members as its own and wishes all five continued success in the years ahead.

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