Naperville Heritage Society announces interim president, chairman

The Naperville Heritage Society board of directors announced that it has chosen Mike Krol as interim president and CEO of Naper Settlement, and has elected Sally Pentecost as the new chairman of the board.

Krol brings a wealth of management experience after retiring in 1999 from a 40-year career with Illinois Bell and Ameritech, most recently as vice president of sales and service for a 14-state area. A longtime Naperville resident, he has been involved with the Naperville Heritage Society for a decade, serving as chairman of the board of directors and was a board member prior to that. He also chaired Naper Days from 2004-2006.

“Naper Settlement is a community treasure and it’s quite an honor to be part of this team,” Krol said.

Sally Pentecost is the former principal of Madison Junior High School, who was a longtime educator in Naperville School District 203. She recently was honored by the Naperville Jaycees with the Distinguished Service Award for Education. She is a noted presenter and education consultant.

“The Naperville Heritage Society is thrilled to have Mike Krol at the helm of Naper Settlement,” Pentecost said. “The Society will be in good hands as we look forward to a vibrant future.”

Steve Grosskopf, treasurer of the Naperville Heritage Society who chairs the President and CEO search committee, said, “I am pleased that Mike Krol was willing to bring his community engagement and business skills to Naper Settlement. The Naperville Heritage Society is lucky to have his leadership as the new President and CEO.”

In his new position, Krol will develop community partnerships; work on a succession plan; continue fundraising efforts; and move forward with the capital campaign.

The Heritage Society’s Immediate Past Chairman Chris Birck said, “I appreciate that the next chairman of the Naperville Heritage Society board of directors knows our community’s history and the dreams embodied by the gem that is Naper Settlement. Sally Pentecost is the perfect person to lead. She and Mike will honor our rich legacy.”

“Naper Settlement serves an important role in our community as a place where people can learn about the history of Naperville,” said Naperville Mayor A. George Pradel. “With the appointment of Mike Krol as interim President and CEO, I know that Naper Settlement will continue to grow and be an outstanding resource for our city.”

Naper Settlement is a nationally accredited, award-winning outdoor museum set on 12 magnificent acres in the heart of Naperville, where history comes to play and the community comes to connect. The Naperville Heritage Society is the administrator of Naper Settlement. With a commitment to the community and a focus to the future, the mission of the Naperville Heritage Society is to collect, document, preserve and support the history of Naperville.