Bloomingdale Park District hires new finance director

Bloomingdale Park District has hired Antonio Washington as its new finance director.

Formerly the superintendent of finance and human resources at Oak Brook Terrace Park District, Washington was hired May 10 by Bloomingdale Park District and is working with current finance director June Fergus so he can step into the role July 6 after she retires July 2. Fergus has been with the district for seven years.

Washington also has spent time as an external auditor associate at Grant Thornton LLP in 2010 and 2011, and as a tax professional at H&R Block in 2014.

"We are sad to see June go after so many years of valuable service to the Bloomingdale Park District," Executive Director Joe Potts said in a statement. "June as a person and co-worker is a great combination - a personality you want to be with and unmatched professional skills. But at the same time, we're excited to have someone as qualified and talented as Antonio on board. He will be a great addition to the leadership team at the BPD."

Potts said the current priority financially for the district is getting the district to return to its pre-COVID financial standing.

He praised Washington's professional and education background. Washington holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Northern Illinois University, a bachelor's degree in recreational management from Chicago State University and a master's degree in financial management from Benedictine University.

Washington, 34, said his familiarity of park district structures will help him in his new role as he learns more about the community. He is a certified park and recreational professional and lives in Chicago with his wife, Tenisha, and their daughter, Nia.

"Moving districts is almost like one athlete getting traded to a new team," he said. "June is a great person to learn from and I'm really happy to learn from her to take on this new role."