Hoffman parks officials earn national certification

Two Hoffman Estates Park District officials were among five Illinois professionals who recently earned the Certified Park and Recreation Executive certification granted by the National Certification Board in conjunction with the National Recreation and Park Association. Dean Bostrom, executive director, and Mike Kies, director of facilities, are among the first park professionals in the nation to earn this new certification.

The certification program recognizes advanced skills and competencies related to the professional practice and delivery of park and recreation programs and services.

To earn the executive certification, individuals must hold a current Certified Park and Recreation Professional certification, meet specific requirements for education and experience, and successfully pass an exam covering a comprehensive set of topics including communication, finance, human resources, operations and planning.

Dean Bostrom has been in the parks and recreation industry for more than 24 years, with 15 years at Hoffman Estates Park District as executive director. In 2009, he was named Honored Professional of the Year by the Illinois Association of Parks Departments and that same year, the park district won the national Gold Medal award from the National Recreation and Parks Association.

Mike Kies has been in the parks and recreation industry for 20 years, and will celebrate his 10th anniversary in February 2012 as director of facilities with the park district. Before joining the park district, he was the assistant general manager of the Health and Wellness Center at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights.

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