Glen Ellyn hires interim manager

A longtime city administrator will serve as interim village manager in Glen Ellyn as officials seek a permanent replacement for Steve Jones.

Terry Burghard, 69, will be paid at the same hourly rate — $68.99 — Jones was receiving when he resigned in November. The agreement does not include any benefits for Burghard, who said he expects to work about 30 hours a week.

Village President Mark Pfefferman said replacing Jones probably will take five or six months and officials have narrowed their list of search firms to two. Jones resigned Nov. 12 and his last day was Friday.

“We like his philosophy in that he likes to get the job done and delegate,” Pfefferman said of Burghard. “We liked his experience and energy. He comes in very objective.”

Officials interviewed several interim candidates, Pfefferman said, before deciding on Burghard.

Burghard has served as city administrator in Homewood, Mount Prospect and, most recently, Plainfield. He retired from city government in 2005 and the Plainfield resident has been working for an area engineering firm as a consultant.

Burghard said he looks forward to helping Glen Ellyn but has no interest in pursuing the full-time job.

“At my age, I'm not looking for a permanent job,” he said. “I'm just starting to enjoy my time off.”

He spent most of his day Tuesday meeting with department heads. Burghard said he was drawn to local government because it has the largest direct effect on residents.

“It is the government that is closest to the people,” he said. “It is, in part, defining what a community is. Can you leave the community better than when you found it?”

The interim hiring will directly affect what the village does in other vacant positions, Pfefferman said.

Public Works Director Joe Caracci resigned Dec. 8, following Jones' departure by less than a month. In mid-October, Finance Director Jon Batek left the village for the same position in Carol Stream.

Larry Noller will continue to serve as acting finance director and public works employee Jeff Perrigo has been interim director since Dec. 23.

Permanent replacements in those departments, however, will not be hired until a new village manager is in place. Pfefferman said the two search firms submitted bids in the $22,000 range and both said six months is a realistic goal to complete the search.

Burghard's name arose after a referral from a Glen Ellyn resident led officials to the South Suburban Mayors and Managers organization. The contract is open-ended and either side can withdraw from the agreement with 30 days notice.

“Obviously anything can happen but we are very much looking forward to the opportunity that these changes provide Glen Ellyn,” Pfefferman said. “We are looking forward to solidifying what the community expects out of a village manager and looking to recruit the right person.”