Politics & Government

Palatine Park District Hires New Leader

Palatine Park District Executive Director Ron Gbur will retire in March.

The will have a new leader starting in February.

Michael Clark has been hired as the district's new executive director. Clark will replace Ron Gbur who is retiring in March.

"He is a highly-qualified individual with many years of experience," said Park District Board member Sue Gould. "We're confident that he will do an excellent job as our newest executive director."

Find out what's happening in Palatinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Clark had been the executive director of the Batavia Park District since 2000. Clark will have a three-year contract that will pay him $141,000 a year – the same salary as Gbur.

Gbur has worked for the park district since 1981 and has been its executive director since 2002. Clark will begin Feb. 1. Gbur will remain with the park district through March and assist in the transition.

Find out what's happening in Palatinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"We're going to miss him," Gould said. "He has a lot of history with the park district. And he knows a lot of the background on issues."

Park District Board President Jay Cozza said there were 20 candidates who applied for the job.

"I think he knows he's got time to develop his own agenda," Cozza said.

The Batavia Park District website states that Clark has a bachelor's in park and recreation administration from Illinois State University and an MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here