Glen Ellyn hires firm for manager search

Citing the firm's familiarity with the area, Glen Ellyn officials hired Deerfield-based Voorhees Associates to lead the village's search for a new manager.

At its regular meeting Monday, the board selected Voorhees over Norcross, Ga.-based Slavin Management Consultants. As part of the contract, Voorhees will receive $17,900 for the service as well as additional fees for job advertisements, and candidates' travel and accommodations. Some terms of the contract, including additional requests the village plans to make, have not been finalized.

Village officials have previously estimated that the search will take about six months.

“I don't think we could lose with either one,” Village President Mark Pfefferman said. “But Voorhees' local expertise was big. They certainly have connections with almost every village manager in the Chicago region.”

The decision was not unanimous, with trustees Michelle Thorsell and Pete Ladesic preferring Slavin because they were not as local and could reach a larger range of candidates. Thorsell also alluded to speculation around the community about recent departures from the village.

“The wider net might be a better option to consider, one with not as close an attachment to this area,” she said. “There might be bias and knowledge of some of the rumblings going around the community.”

Three top officials have left the village since October. Officials have said the village manager would be put in place before they look for a director of finance or director of public works. The majority of the board felt Voorhees' local connections could help the village overcome those rumblings.

“They know the area well, they know us, they know our warts as well as our good things,” Trustee Phil Hartweg said.

Longtime administrator Terry Burghard took over as interim village manager last week after the village's previous manager, Steve Jones, resigned in November.

Trustee Peter Cooper said he placed high importance on how well the firm knew the area in making his final decision. “I had local knowledge as my highest priority,” said Cooper said. “Illinois laws and procedures are somewhat nuanced.”