1999

•  Graduated from University of Illinois Champaign Urbana with a degree in Parks and Recreation Management

2005

• Starts career at Forest Preserve District of DuPage County as a Ranger

• Promoted to Senior Ranger

• Graduated from Benedictine University with a Master’s degree in Business Administration

2007

2014

• Forms a Union for the Rangers with Metropolitan Alliance of Police (MAP) and voted Steward

2017

• Completes first contract for Ranger Union after winning court battles and ensuring fair conditions and preserving benefits

• Gets outspent $200k to $15k, but outworks incumbent opponent to become first county wide Democrat elected in 80+ years

• Resigns position as Ranger and Union Steward. Next day is sworn in as President of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

• Eliminates political insider “Presidential Assistant” contracted position, saving the taxpayers $25k annually ($100k for 4 year term)

• Refuses any extra benefits as President, saving tens of thousands of dollars

• Passes balanced budget

2018

• Passes “Building Renewal Program” to ensure that bridges, roofs and other preventative maintenance items are funded in the budget and keep preserves safe

• Reviewed Preserve at Oak Meadows Clubhouse project and added solar to the project on the golf cart storage barn that produces 100% solar powered golf carts annually; clubhouse completed 2020

• Added baby changing stations to several flush toilet facilities throughout the District to ensure each and every one has that available to our public

• Added a designated Nursing Mother’s room at our Headquarters facility

• Passed Master Plan for Forest Preserve which included 32 approved projects and 15 initiatives, totaling over $100 million in improvements to the District

2019

2020

• Stayed open every day during COVID pandemic as a needed outlet for our residents

• Kept level of service at same high level as visitation jumped from 4.5 Million annually to over 6 Million visits during COVID pandemic

• Funded study on safety and appropriate policing of preserves which found DuPage has the safest preserves in Chicagoland

• Ensured our Police were fully staffed to maintain our secure preserves and trails, including adding more cameras

• Completed solar array at Willowbrook with $25k private donation

• Passed Responsible Bidder Ordinance to ensure quality, local labor completed our contracts

• Passed $40 million bond issuance without raising taxes

• District won Force of Nature award for creek restoration at Blackwell

2021

• Passed $25 million Max contract for NetZero animal hospital and rehab complex at Willowbrook

• District has budgeted and initiated work on 15/21 Master Plan projects

• District has 1000 acres of restoration in progress from Master Plan

• District hired full-time safety manager and created Director of Public Safety and Services position to coordinate all District security efforts

• Throughout first term, oversaw purchase of 8 parcels that will be preserved in perpetuity as District holdings

2022