Park board hires firm to find new director
Naperville's park district board didn't hire a new executive director Thursday, but they hired a search firm to ultimately find someone for the top post.
The PAR Group was chosen over eight other search firms because of its experience filling executive park district posts, and the fact it's based locally out of Lake Bluff, commissioners said.
"They stacked up the best of any group we could find," said Commissioner Charlie Brown, who spearheaded the effort to find a search firm for the board. "It's their business, they specialize in this."
The company will be paid up to $14,500 for the work, with a budget of $4,500 to spend on reimbursable expenses. They were not the lowest bid, Brown said.
The company did similar work finding park administrators for Elmhurst, Fox Valley, Skokie and Wheaton.
Brown said he was swayed when another applicant's reference even recommended The PAR Group.
Commissioners Ron Ory and Andrew Schaffner voted against hiring the company.
"We hired The PAR Group about 10 years ago and my experience with them was less than ideal," Ory said.
That was when Joe Schultz was hired to head the board.
Board President Kristen Jungles argued that Schultz was one of the most respected park district administrators in the district's recent past and The PAR Group should be commended for their help finding him.
"The thing that impressed me most was the company's level of professionalism," Jungles said. "And we made it very clear we want someone who knows the city."
But some commissioners want to go so far as to give preferential treatment to candidates who live in Naperville seeking the job.
"I'm saying Naperville candidates should get the first shot," Schaffner said.
So far, 12 to 15 candidates have applied for the opening since the job was posted earlier this month, said Katie Sepe, the district's human resources manager.
The board did not decide on a deadline to stop accepting applications at Thursday's meeting.
The district has been without a director since Barbara Heller left in March, citing philosophical differences with the board.