‘What I’ve been working for’: LaPorte returns to lead Vernon Hills Park District

Matt LaPorte jokes that there probably is a spot along Butterfield Road where he could simultaneously stand in Libertyville, Vernon Hills and Mundelein.

That's because he's worked in all three of the neighboring communities. Now, after nine years away, LaPorte is returning to Vernon Hills to lead the Vernon Hills Park District as its executive director.

He'll be filling the role held the past 15 years by Jeff Fougerousse, who is retiring at the end of the month.

“This is what I've been working for,” LaPorte said of his experiences and responsibilities since starting his career as sports director at YMCA of Greater Boston.

“I come at this job with a very broad level of experience. All of that experience has really helped me prepare for this day,” he added.

After working in Colorado for eight years in programming, facility management and special events coordination, the LaPorte family moved to Illinois in 2012, when he was hired by the Vernon Hills Park District as the first facility manager for the Lakeview Fitness Center.

He stayed three years, guiding the transition of the former Central Lake YMCA purchased by the park district, considered a key action early in Fougerousse's tenure.

He left for “a unique opportunity” to open a new recreation facility for the McHenry Parks and Recreation Department. Two years later, LaPorte was appointed recreation superintendent for the Mundelein Park & Recreation District, where he replaced Rita (Gordon) Kipp, who retired after 34 years.

In May 2023, he was appointed recreation director in Libertyville, a village department being reinvented after the sale of the town’s enormous sports complex. He said he expected to stay in Libertyville three or four years, but the opportunity in Vernon Hills surfaced more quickly than expected.

“I had to go for it,” he said.

The district contracted with the Illinois Association of Park Districts, which conducted a search and forwarded 13 candidates for considerations, according to park board President David Doerhoefer.

“Matt distinguished himself,” Doerhoefer said. “His forward thinking stood out. He was very composed, very mature and he's ready to take us to the next level.”

LaPorte received a three-year contact with a starting salary of $165, 000.

The district has grown tremendously under Fougerousse, who will be retiring after 40 years in the parks and recreation field.

He has secured more than $10 million in grants and other revenue, played a key role in acquiring Lakeview Fitness and the Century Park south, and shepherded millions in improvements, including a new park maintenance facility, Sullivan Community Center renovations, enhancing Turtle Creek Waterpark and adding a new sprayground.

Fougerousse’s ability to build relationships also stands out, district officials wrote in a message to residents in the upcoming parks program guide.

“Throughout Jeff's tenure, his leadership, vision and his unwavering commitment to the community have been instrumental in shaping the direction and success of the district,” the message reads.