Marklund names new CEO

Gilbert Fonger is the new chief executive officer and president of Marklund.

He began the job for the Geneva-based charity Monday.

He replaces Joel Rusco.

Fonger, 54, of Gurnee, has been chief development officer at Little City Foundation in Palatine at which he oversaw all fundraising, marketing, communications and business development. Before that he worked with YMCA of Metro Chicago, and was a pastor. Before that, he was an officer in the Coast Guard.

“We’re very excited about Gil joining the Marklund family,” said Karen Golden, a member of Marklund board of directors, “and we look forward to experiencing his vision as it shapes Marklund’s future.”

Fonger has a master’s degree in business administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, a master’s degree from Duke University and bachelor’s degree from the Coast Guard Academy.

Marklund was founded in 1954. Its Geneva campus has six 16-bed residences for adults with severe and profound developmental disabilities, and an education and training center for the residents. It also runs the Marklund Phillip Center for Children in Bloomingdale, including the Children’s Home skilled pediatric nursing facility for infants, children and medically fragile adults.

For more information about Marklund, call Vicki Krystof at (630) 593-5482 or visit marklund.org.