Lake Zurich hires new administrator

The top priority for Lake Zurich's new village administrator will be downtown redevelopment, village officials said.

After a nationwide search, the village board hired Bogdan "Bob" Vitas, who served as chief administrative officer for Menasha, Wis., for nine years and as city administrator for Lewiston, Maine.

He replaces John Dixon, who is retiring at the end of this year after 16 years with the village.

Vitas, now an independent consultant, served more than 10 years in village administration for towns throughout the Chicago area. Born and raised in the Chicago area, he has a master's degree in public administration from Northern Illinois University.

Since 2000, Vitas has led several U.S.-sponsored economic redevelopment and government reform projects in Serbia. Recently, he managed community recovery efforts in New Orleans and southern portions of Louisiana.

"The International City/County Management Association speaks highly of the work that he did in Serbia," Dixon said.

His economic development background is the main reason Vitas was chosen, Lake Zurich Mayor John Tolomei said.

Tolomei said Vitas' leadership and guidance is needed to help add momentum to the village's own downtown redevelopment projects that have stalled.

"I think the challenge will be being able to manage whatever resources we have and what additional resources we'll need to try to accomplish some of the redevelopment," Tolomei said.

Another challenge for Vitas and the village is filling empty storefronts and vacant parcels on Rand Road, he said.

Vitas agreed the success of downtown redevelopment is Lake Zurich's biggest test.

"With the economy being where it's at right now, especially with the housing market, I think it had a dramatic impact on the progress or the momentum that should have been there," he said. "It's not like building a new industrial park … you are dealing with a different animal altogether."

Vitas said Lake Zurich needs to find its own niche, like Long Grove has, with developments that draw people to downtown and make them want to live there.

"I think a re-evaluation of the downtown development plan in relationship with today's marketplace needs to be done," he said.

Vitas, 50, his wife, Janet, and three children will soon move to Lake Zurich from Bettendorf, Iowa. He starts his job Dec. 3.