Fox Valley parks picks new executive director

Nancy McCaul will embark on her dream job Dec. 15 because that's the day she takes over as executive director of Fox Valley Park District.

“It's been a career goal of mine,” McCaul said Tuesday. “I've worked at three other park districts. It's nice to feel that you've worked hard and this is what you've been waiting for and you have a possibility of fulfilling your dreams.”

McCaul, 50, of Aurora, has worked in parks and recreation for 22 years, the past five as director of finance and administration for Fox Valley.

Financial experience was something the park board wanted when hiring a successor to Executive Director Steve Messerli, who will retire at the end of the year, President Rose Smilgys said during the search.

“I do have a financial background,” McCaul said. “We have a very good economic base and we are fortunate that we have a good financial standing.”

McCaul also serves on the Illinois Park and Recreation Association's board of directors as administration and finance representative. The chairwoman of that board, Bloomingdale Park District Executive Director Carrie Haupert, said McCaul's financial expertise, as well as her professionalism, will help her excel as Fox Valley's top executive.

“I think she will provide excellent vision and guidance to the agency and is a strong supporter of leisure services,” Haupert said.

McCaul said she will talk with park board members soon to see what their vision is for the park district. She takes over as the organization is moving all its offices into the Cole Administration, Park Operations and Natural Resources Center at 101 W. Illinois Ave, a move she hopes will be complete by the end of the year.

The district also is in the middle of spending about $44 million from a 2008 referendum on several large projects, some of which still are being developed, she said.

McCaul said she wants to consider ways the park district can help eliminate childhood obesity and offer intergenerational programs for children, parents and grandparents alike. As executive director, McCaul said she will look at “how has our population changed and are we serving all the populations that we need to?”

The Fox Valley Park District serves a population of more than 200,000 people in Aurora, North Aurora and Montgomery. It covers portions of four counties and maintains 155 parks, 41 miles of interconnected regional trail and 2,400 acres of parkland.

“I'm the first female executive director of the park district and I'm very proud of that and proud to be at such a large park district,” McCaul said.