I's dotted, T's crossed for Naperville park leader

Naperville Park District has finalized a three-year contract with its new executive director, two weeks after the park board voted to hire him.

Daniel Betts, currently Denver's deputy manager of recreation and facility services, will earn a starting annual salary of $145,000 when he assumes his post March 24 in Naperville.

The contract includes the possibility of performance-based bonuses and up to $1,500 a month for six months to pay for temporary housing upon his arrival. Under the pact, he will be required to take up residence in Naperville.

"I'm pleased with the contract," Betts said Friday after packing up his Denver office. "It's a good agreement, and we're ready to get into Naperville and get our sleeves rolled up and get something done."

Betts faxed the signed contract to Naperville on Thursday afternoon. The park board did not discuss it in open session during its meeting that night.

President Kristen Jungles said she signed the contract at home after the meeting. She would not discuss why the pact wasn't signed and made available to the public at the meeting. Other board members said they were unaware of the timeline.

But Jungles did say she believes Betts "has a good handle on what needs to be done at the district."

"He has a lot of experience in things we should be doing that we're not," she said.

Raised in Chicago, the 40-year-old Betts was selected from a field of 89 applicants. He has worked since 2004 for Denver, where he oversaw 29 recreation centers, 12 indoor and 16 outdoor pools, and 283 athletic fields in addition to managing several hundred full-time and seasonal staff.

"He's got a wealth of knowledge," Commissioner Marie Todd said, and with his experience in Denver, "he's going to have a much different perspective" that will help leaders assesses "where we're at as a district."

Betts said it's too early to weigh in on any issues facing the park district concerning open space or indoor recreation. His first goal upon arriving will be to meet with staff and community members.

Jungles and Commissioner Suzanne Hart already have prepared a list of 100 people they'd like him to meet.

"Now our big thing is to get him in and get him settled," Hart said.

She said she's enthused by Betts' breadth of knowledge, his people skills and his energy.

"We needed this," she said.

Betts will replace former Executive Director Barbara Heller, who resigned last year in the midst of a long-running dispute over a proposed indoor recreation center. She did not have a contract with the district.

Since her departure, Business Services Director Mindy Munn has been serving as interim director.

Commissioner Charlie Brown applauded the park district staff for its work during the past year and is excited about Betts' arrival.

"He'll bring a lot of energy, a lot of new ideas," Brown said.

Betts said he hopes to bring leadership and stability to the district. Being its eighth director in 12 years doesn't faze him.

"I know that here at the end of the day my goal is to try to build consensus and work with folks across the aisle. … The common goal is to serve Naperville citizens," he said. "That to me should be the overarching theme.

"We may have disagreements on how we do that, but at the end of the day I'm going into it with a lot of passion, a lot of commitment, and faith we're all going to keep that as our key focal point."