Des Plaines hires economic development leader

Des Plaines has hired George Sakas, Schiller Park’s community development director, as its new director of community and economic development, officials said Friday.

Sakas, whose first official day in Des Plaines is Dec. 16, worked in Schiller Park for eight years. He also has been Antioch’s senior planner, the regional manager for the Chemical Safety Company in Schaumburg, environmental manager for the Army Corps of Engineers, and community planner for the Department of the Army.

Des Plaines City Manager Michael Bartholomew appointed Sakas following a nationwide search that started in May when the city’s previous community and economic development director, Alex Dambach, resigned and returned to his native New Jersey.

Bartholomew had been pulling double duty as city manager and interim community and economic development director since that time.

City officials said Sakas has experience in land planning, business development and redevelopment, managing tax increment financing districts, and addressing building code and zoning compliance issues.

His salary will be $117,980.