HEParks Board Commissioner Bickham resigns after 18 years serving the community
Hoffman Estates, Illinois, May 31, 2019 - Hoffman Estates Park District (HEParks) announced today that Mike Bickham officially resigned his elected position from the Hoffman Estates Park District Board of Commissioners.
In his closing message to the Board of Commissioners and Park District Staff, Bickham explained that his decision to leave was prompted by an out of state job opportunity. His sincere and appreciative message ended with "enjoyed is an understatement to express my time serving here, I know [HEParks] is in good hands going forward."
Mike Bickham first began his service to the community and HEParks in 2001 as a Community Representative on the Administration and Finance Committee. HEParks, as a government taxing agency, reports to a board of seven elected officials and up to twenty community representatives who are part of Standing Committees which includes Building and Grounds, Recreation, Administration and Finance and Forward Planning Committees. During his ten years as a community representative, Bickham served on all of the Standing Committees.
In 2011, Bickham was appointed to the HEParks Board of Commissioners to fill the vacated term of Commissioner Scott Triphahn. He was elected and relected following his appointment on the board. During his tenure, he served as Commissioner, Treasurer, Assistant Secretary, Vice President and three terms as Board President. He was an active member of the Board serving as Chair of the Recreation Committee, the Administration and Finance Committee and the Forward Planning Committee. His community service continued into his work with the Village of Hoffman Estates Youth Commission and the Chamber of Commerce Government Relations committee.
HEParks experienced growth and change during the years of Bickham's service. During this period, HEParks obtained the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park & Recreation Management and was awarded national accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Park & Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). HEParks also received the Illinois Distinguised Park & Recreation Agency Award. Under Bickham's leadership HE Parks received over one million dollars in grants, including the recent $400,000 OSLAD grant for the renovation of South Ridge Park. The Triphahn Center expansion added two full-sized ice rinks, a fitness center and training facilities to the community center, and the park district acquired nearly 80 acres of park-land. While president, Bickham was also involved in the dedication of two parks including the much loved Joseph L. Fabbrini Park and implemented a mapping schedule to track all of the District's assets and inventory. Aware of the need for increased community communication, he was part of the committee that approved the installation of the electronic marquee signs at four district facilities.
Focused on providing the best service to the community, Bickham went the extra step and obtained Master Board Member status through the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) in 2015. This award recognizes committee involvement, the pursuit of board member educational opportunities, legislative advocacy and achievements at the local, state and national levels in the field of parks, recreation and conservation by Park Board of Commissioners members.
HEParks is now accepting letters of interest to fill Mike Bickham's vacated term as Park Board Commissioner through April 2021. To qualify for the role, applicants must have resided in Hoffman Estates Park District boundaries for one year, be a registered voter, and be able to attend board and committee meetings on the 3rd and 4th Tuesdays of each month (and other meetings as needed.) For more information on the park district and the Board of Commissioners, please visit www.HEParks.org. Interested parties shall submit their letters of interest by 5:00 p.m. on June 14 to The Hoffman States Park District, Attn: Jane Kaczmarek, 1685 West Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates, 60169 or email at jkaczmarek@heparks.org.
Hoffman Estates Park District proudly offers first-class parks, facilities, programs, and services to meet the needs of a diverse and dynamic population. The award-winning district serves a community of over 50,000 with two community centers, a premier 18-hole golf course, state-of-the-art fitness centers, twin ice arena, family aquatic center, and over 70 parks. The District is a member of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) and Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA). Learn more about the award-winning park district at www.HEParks.org.