DuPage County briefs

Polar explorer visits library:

A Glen Ellyn native who made the trek to the North Pole early this year will visit the Glen Ellyn Public Library to speak about his journey. John Huston, along with an expedition partner, reached the North Pole on April 25. The 55-day trip included days that reached 60 degrees below zero. He will talk about his experience at 7 p.m. tonight, Dec. 10, at the library. The explorers dragged about 300 pounds of gear on a sled throughout the 480-mile journey. For more information, call the library at (630) 790-6630 or visit www.gepl.org.

Finance director leaving Wheaton:

Wheaton Finance Director Mark Horton will be leaving his position to become the finance director for Oswego. His final day with Wheaton is Friday. Horton has served as Wheaton's finance director since August 1998. On Wednesday, City Manager Don Rose announced that Assistant Finance Director Robert Lehnhardt will become the acting finance director until a permanent replacement for Horton is found.

Yenchek named CEO:

Stephen A. Yenchek has been named president and chief executive officer of Friendship Senior Options, parent of Friendship Village of Schaumburg, the 15th largest continuing care retirement community in the nation and the largest in Illinois. His responsibilities include serving as president and chief executive officer of Friendship Village. Prior to his appointment, Yenchek served 12 years as the organization's chief operating officer and was named senior vice president in 2004. He was assigned responsibility in fall 2007 for directing development of GreenFields of Geneva, a new continuing care retirement community sponsored by Friendship Senior Options.

Foundation taps Keller:

Ron Killer, director of the Naperville Municipal Band, has been appointed by the Sousa Foundation as project director for the Sudler Scroll award. As project director, Keller will head a committee composed of community band directors who have experienced a number of successful years as band conductors. The Sudler Silver Scroll Award honors community bands that have demonstrated particularly high standards in concert activities and have played leading roles in the cultural and musical environment in their communities. The Naperville Municipal Band received the Sudler Silver Scroll award in 1991. In 1999, the band received the Sudler Historic Award that recognizes bands that are more than 100 years old and are still contributing to the cultural entertainment of the community. The Naperville Municipal Band this year celebrated its 150th anniversary.