E. Dundee public works boss moving to Lake in the Hills

The public works director of East Dundee is leaving the village to take on a prominent role in Lake in the Hills.

TJ Moore, who has headed up East Dundee's public works department since August 2005, resigned effective April 9 to serve as the deputy director of public works and airport manager in Lake in the Hills. Moore will replace Dave Gregoria, who relocated to Florida in December.

"Airport manager certainly catches the eye," said Moore, who starts work on Monday. "But Lake in the Hills is also a full-service department that has a great reputation within the field."

Moore earned a master's degree in public administration from Northern Illinois University and planned to become a village manager. But during an internship in the village manager's office in Bensenville, Moore took on public works responsibilities. His boss, the assistant village manager, was not interested in adding the public works department to his plate and delegated the role to Moore.

"I got down there and fell in love with public works," Moore said. "I have to admit I like the digging - the capital projects and the snow plowing. I like being closer to the projects and get great satisfaction from seeing jobs completed."

East Dundee trustees and village staffers said the new role is a "great opportunity" for Moore, but added the village is losing a valuable employee.

"It is certainly a loss for the village," Village Administrator Frank Koehler said. "His skill set has worked well in East Dundee and will work well within a larger community like Lake in the Hills."

In particular, Koehler said, Moore demonstrates valuable technological aptitude in maintaining the village's Web site and electronic newsletter.

During his tenure, Moore introduced the village's popular shredding event that lets residents properly dispose of sensitive documents. In addition, Moore was instrumental in major projects such as the expansion of the wastewater treatment facility and the preparation of two new wells.

Moore also served as acting village administrator before Koehler was hired in 2007.

"He came in and did a great job," Village President Jerry Bartels said. "He managed to juggle a number of hats and jobs that we threw at him. We're sorry to see him leave."

For now, Bartels said the supervisors within the public works department would oversee operations until a replacement is found. Major decisions would fall to Koehler, Bartels said.