Harper communications director named to national council

• Jeff Julian, executive director of communications at Harper College, Palatine, was appointed District 3 director for the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations. His appointment was announced at the organization's national conference last month in San Antonio.

Julian, who has been in his current role at Harper College since 2018, previously served as director of public awareness at the American Library Association, executive director of communications at Elgin Community College and director of communications and external relations at Joliet Junior College.

As a district director, Julian will oversee district finances and membership services, including the annual district conference. District directors hold a voting seat on the National Board of Directors, where they shape organizational policy and contribute to the planning of membership programs and services.

District 3 covers Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin and the Canadian province of Ontario.

• The Elk Grove Village board of trustees honored Mayor Craig B. Johnson for the distinction of becoming the longest serving mayor in the history of Elk Grove Village. Mayor Johnson officially surpassed Charles J. Zettek as the longest serving mayor on April 3.

In recognition of this achievement, Trustee James Paul Petri presented Mayor Johnson with a proclamation on behalf of the village board. Johnson became mayor of Elk Grove Village on April 22, 1997, and has served in this capacity for almost 22 years.

Throughout his time as mayor, he has overseen numerous infrastructure programs to revitalize and invest in the future of the community and has supported the creation of first-class recreational events for residents.

Among numerous honors and awards, Mayor Johnson has been particularly recognized for his efforts to promote the village as a premiere destination for economic development and support the village's business community's efforts with the U.S. Conference of Mayors Small Business Advocate Award, as well as the ENCLAVE Luminary Leader Award.

• The American Public Works Association named Scott Shirley, Arlington Heights Public Works director, to its list of Top Ten Public Works Leaders of the Year for 2019.

The award recognizes individuals whose work reflects the highest standards of professional conduct for public works officials. Shirley will be honored at the annual American Public Works Association conference in Seattle, Washington, Sept. 9.

Shirley became Public Works director for Arlington Heights in 1999, following six years as Public Works director in Des Plaines.

As Arlington Heights Public Works director, Shirley oversees 102 full-time employees responsible for maintaining all municipally owned property, buildings and vehicles, as well as maintaining village streets, sidewalks, trees, landscaping, water and sewer systems, streetlights and traffic signals.

• Congratulation to Inverness resident Helen Dombrowski, who celebrated her 105th birthday on Easter Sunday, April 21. Rosewood Care Center of Inverness hosted a birthday party for Dombrowski on April 18, which included entertainment by Pocket Circus with magic and balloon creations.

• Submit your 'Neighbor in the News' items to Norrine Twohey at ntwohey@dailyherald.com.