Glen Ellyn names public works director
A year after an exodus of top village administrators began in Glen Ellyn, the last of the three vacancies has been filled with the hiring of a new public works director.
The village announced that Julius Hansen, the current public works director in La Grange Park, will take over day-to-day operations of the Glen Ellyn public works department beginning Nov. 29.
Hansen, who has been in La Grange Park since 2002, was selected by Village Manager Mark Franz to oversee the department, which manages fleet and infrastructure operations and encompasses a full-time staff of 28.
Franz was hired by the village board in July and Finance Director Kevin Wachtel started last week.
The search for new administrators had been ongoing since late last year. Former Village Manager Steve Jones stepped down to seek “new challenges,” Joe Caracci left the public works position to pursue a similar role in Bensenville and Jon Batek left to become Carol Stream’s finance director.
The village used the Voorhees Associates search firm to assist in the recruitment of a new village manager and public works director.
Hansen, an Army veteran who served in the Engineer Battalion of the 82nd Airborne Division, has more than 20 years of municipal experience, including work for Elmhurst.
Jeff Perrigo will remain as interim public works director until Hansen takes his new position later this month.