Vernon Hills Park District Executive Director Named 2019 Chair of Illinois Park & Recreation Association
The Illinois Park & Recreation Association (IPRA) has installed Jeff Fougerousse, Executive Director of the Vernon Hills Park District, as its 2019 Chairman of the Board at the association's annual conference, held January 24-26 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.
Fougerousse has over 35 years of full-time experience in the parks and recreation field. He is currently the Executive Director of the award-winning Vernon Hills Park District, and has served in this role since 2009. Prior to Vernon Hills, he served as Executive Director of the Morton Grove Park District from 2000-2009 and Superintendent of Recreation & Facilities from 1987-2000.
Jeff has been successful in developing numerous community partnerships, leading successful strategic planning efforts in parks & recreation, local service clubs and not for profits. He has a proven track record in all aspects of recreation programming, facility management, park maintenance operations, museum programming, special event and financial planning.
He has served the Illinois Park and Recreation Association as a board member, an affiliate chair (North Shore Round Table), Joint Conference Committee member and Co-Chair (1992-2000) and is a Professional Development School (PDS) and National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Sports Management School graduate. Jeff has presented several sessions at the state conference and state universities, and has authored several articles for the Illinois Parks and Recreation magazine. He has also been heavily involved in the communities where he works and resides, including his local YMCA, Rotary Club, Lions Club, Special Recreation District, High School Advisory Board, American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO), American Cancer Society (Relay for Life Captain) and he currently serves as Past Chairman of the American Brain Tumor Association Board of Directors.
A Certified Park and Recreation Professional, Jeff graduated with a M.S degree from Aurora University and a B.S. from Illinois State University. Jeff currently lives with his wife in Elmhurst.
Reflecting on his role, "I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to lead this outstanding association".
"We are looking forward to Jeff Fougerousse's term as Chair. Jeff has been a great leader both for his park district, as well as the Illinois park and recreation community as he served on the IPRA board these last few years. Jeff brings a wealth of leadership experience and we know he will do great things for IPRA." -Debbie Trueblood, IPRA Executive Director.
Established in 1944, the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2019. IPRA's mission is to provide and promote exceptional standards of education, networking, and resources for all professionals in the Illinois park, recreation, and conservation communities. For more information about IPRA, its board and mission, please visit the IPRA website: www.ILipra.org