Longtime administrator named new Hoffman Estates parks director
The Hoffman Estates Park District's board of commissioners Tuesday named current Deputy Director Craig Talsma as the new executive director, to succeed the retiring Dean Bostrom on May 1.
"We are pleased to have Mr. Talsma take on the role of leading our team, and look forward to the leadership and experience that he brings to the table," park board President Robert Kaplan said in a written statement.
"I look forward to the opportunity of continuing the excellence of our award-winning park district," Talsma said in the same release. "I'm very excited to move forward with our dedicated park board and talented staff."
Talsma has been in the park and recreation industry for 27 years. He joined the Hoffman Estates Park District in 1997 as director of finance and administration. He became deputy director in 2012.
Talsma has a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Illinois in Urbana and is a graduate of the National Recreation and Parks Association's director school.
Bostrom, who will retire at the end of April, has been in his current position for 21 years and spent more than 35 years in the parks and recreation industry. He announced his upcoming retirement in July.