Algonquin picks new community development director

When it came to selecting a new community development director for Algonquin, officials found just the man they were looking for - in DeKalb.

Russell Farnum, now community development director in the city to the west, has been in his current position since February 2006.

The 41-year-old began his career in Galena, where he worked as a zoning administrator.

From there, he moved onto DeKalb in 1994 as a city planner before being promoted to principal planner in 1997.

Farnum was known for supporting quality and controlled growth, proposing and implementing new design standards and working with developers and residents to bring about high-quality, attractive and neighborhood friendly projects to the community, according to a news release.

Recent accomplishments were levying impact fees and contributions on developers, Farnum said.

"I'm not unhappy here in DeKalb, I want to make that clear," Farnum said. "But I always have an eye out for a community I might be interested in working in."

He is thrilled to be part of Algonquin, a town he says prides itself in having a strong planning reputation, and employs the same urban design and conservation principals in which he believes.

"I"m looking forward to new challenges and hope bringing an added level of professionalism and expertise to an already great planning program up there," Farnum said.

About 50 people were vying for a chance to become Algonquin's next community development director, said Village Manager William Ganek.

It was Farnum's experience, leadership skills and knowledge of the same types of development and processes Algonquin employs that made him stand out the most, Ganek said.

Farnum, who will make between $75,000 and $90,000 in the position, replaces Jeff Mihelich, who left in July to head the community development department in Surprise, Ariz. He had been with the village since 1996.

Farnum begins his new job Oct. 1.