Vernon Hills fills one of its top spots with hire from Elk Grove village

A gap in Vernon Hills' administrative hierarchy is expected to be filled Wednesday with the hiring of Joseph T. Carey as assistant village manager/director of community development.

Carey, who was selected from among 71 applicants, has been the assistant village manager in Elk Grove Village for three years. Mayor Roger Byrne will make the appointment with consent of the village board during its regular board meeting.

"Vernon Hills is a very good community to work for and work in," Village Manager John Kalmar said. "That's really beneficial when we go out and recruit people."

In Elk Grove Village, Carey guided businesses through the plan commission process and worked with the business community as part of the village's Beyond Business Friendly initiative, according to an announcement by Vernon Hills.

The 30-year-old Arlington Heights resident also served as public information officer and oversaw the village's media presence, worked with employees during a website redesign and was the contact for refuse and utility contractors.

"He has great work experiences and understands the importance of providing high levels of customer service to residents and business customers," Kalmar said.

Elk Grove Village is home to the largest business park in North America, while Vernon Hills has an extensive retail base.

Carey said he regarded the Vernon Hills post as a "great opportunity," adding the communities are similar in the strong emphasis on economic development and business-friendly environment.

In Vernon Hills, one of the main responsibilities of the $109,500 position is as point person for developers who contact the village. There are several projects in the works, including a Menards store and an ongoing expansion at Westfield Hawthorn shopping center, and other issues to consider such as the pending departure of Walmart.

"We always had a slow undercurrent (of development) but things have ramped up," said Kalmar, who held Carey's position for 14 years before being promoted as of Feb. 1 to replace Mike Allison, who retired.

The job entails project review and coordination with various village departments and other entities, such as the Vernon Hills Park District, as part of the process.

The assistant village manager coordinates various village events, such as the Fourth of July parade and fireworks show, prepares budgets and works on special projects, such as financial studies or medical marijuana, for example.

Carey previously served as fiscal and management analyst for Milwaukee County in Wisconsin. His first day in Vernon Hills will be April 7.