New Naperville parks director moves up ladder

The Naperville Park District found an internal candidate to be its new director of parks.

Kevin Finnegan, the district's trades manager, will move up to fill the post vacated in November by Ed Dalton.

Executive Director Ray McGury made the announcement at a park board meeting Thursday and said Finnegan has a "long history of public service."

"I couldn't be happier," McGury said. "We went through the process and did several interviews and he absolutely stood out and shined above all and I'm happy to welcome him to the leadership team. He's already made a difference."

Finnegan will oversee the district's 136 parks. He has been with the district for about three years and has been responsible for maintenance of facilities and infrastructure. He worked under Dalton, who recently left to take a job in Northbrook closer to his home.

"A lot of what we're doing now is following through on the vision (Dalton) put in place and keep that moving along," he said.

Finnegan, 52, lives in Homer Glen. He is married and has four children.

Before joining the park district he spent nearly 28 years with the Chicago Transit Authority in various management positions.

He said his goals in his new position include "being more visible and more transparent with the community."

"Trying to be a better listener," he said, "because we need that in public service."