"We are delighted that Tom Grisamore has agreed to accept the job as the district's executive director," said James Crowley, president of the Board of Park Commissioners. "We know the community can look forward to a continuation of the district's quality programs and service to our residents. We expect a seamless transition between directors."

Grisamore, 62, who was born and raised in Wilmette, came to the Park District via a merger between the Village of Wilmette's Recreation Department and the Wilmette Park District in 1972. Prior to that merger Grisamore had been a sports supervisor with the village's Recreation Department. Grisamore's experience with recreation programming stretches back to high school and college summer and part-time jobs. Since joining the Park District Grisamore has served as Assistant Superintendent of Programs, Superintendent of Leisure Services, and Superintendent of Facilities and Recreation.

Grisamore said recreation has come a long way since he started working in the business. "It's not just a dodgeball and two kids on a playground with some arts and crafts thrown in on the side," he said. Over the years many recreational programs were added to fill resident requests. He noted that the small number of recreational programs which first met in the now demolished Laurel School expanded when the Park District took over Highcrest from Wilmette Public School District 39. The variety of programs expanded even further when programming moved into the Community Recreation Center in 1995.

Expectations for quality programs are now high and competition from private industry, especially in the areas of summer camps, golf and fitness demand a careful balance of fees and program content. "We have seen a growth in the cooperation of facility use and independent contractor services to get a better product for our residents," he said.

Grisamore said the Park District has been able to continue to provide affordable programming based on its unique relationship with Wilmette Public School Districts 39 and 37. "We are unusual (compared to other communities) in the way we work with the school districts which allow us to use some of their facilities when the schools are not in use. It lets us keep our programs affordable while sharing community resources, which is a big plus for the taxpayers."

For his part, Grisamore said he is looking forward to carrying on a tradition of excellence. "We are fortunate to have an excellent professional staff and part-time workers. I am also looking forward to working with the elected board members and helping them continue their record of being responsive to the wishes of the community."

Grisamore noted the Park District plans to upgrade its technological base in the near future to better serve the residents. He also said that the Lakefront operations need to be the focus of an in-depth study that would involve the community as a whole and address user and safety issues along the entire public lakefront from Langdon Park to the Wilmette Harbor.

Leading a governmental agency is demanding work that requires maintaining a balance between meeting residents expectations and fiscal responsibility. "I have appreciated how involved our residents are," said Porter. "They are passionate in their beliefs and not afraid to voice their opinions. I believe that by listening to all sides and sorting out the issues we have been able to make decisions in the best interest of the community-we have been able to achieve a balance with good results for everyone."

Porter, 59, began working for the Park District in 1973. He served as Assistant Superintendent of Special Facilities-overseeing the operations of the golf course, tennis, pool, lakefront and ice facilities. In 1978 he became Superintendent of Recreation and served in that capacity until he took over responsibilities as Director of Parks and Recreation in 1985.

The concept of leisure time has changed significantly over the past 30 years, Porter noted recently. "People in this community value their leisure time highly," he said. "Over the years our programs have expanded to include the very young and an older adult population. I've particularly noted that older adults do not discontinue their activities, but they modify them in order to remain active and involved. People in their 60s and older continue to play golf, tennis and even soccer-they are very fitness oriented."

Porter said he leaves the directorship in good hands. "Tom is aware of the community and its sentiment. The professional staff is a good mix of long term employees and newer, younger staff members who bring fresh ideas to the community." Among the projects that need to be addressed in the immediate future are the completion of the skate park adjacent to the Community Recreation Center and the development of a long term plan for the Lakefront, Porter said.

"This has been a great 34 year run," said Porter who plans to remain in the community and pursue other interests, including summer travels with his wife, Chris, who teaches school during the academic year. "The timing just seemed right. I value my leisure time and I am looking forward to having some."

Bingham, 51, came to the Park District in 1979. She worked as the District's Cultural Arts Supervisor until 1995 when the Community Recreation Center (CRC) was opened. She served as recreation programming manager at the CRC for five years, overseeing seven programming areas, and in 2000 she became the facility's general manager. In her new role, Bingham will continue to be responsible for the CRC as well as the Lakefront operations at Gillson and Langdon Parks. She will also oversee recreation programming throughout the district and hopes to seek out grant possibilities to develop further opportunities in that area.

"In this community the expectations are high. Residents look to the park district for entertainment, enrichment, child care, fitness and teen activities," Bingham said. Special events that provide family activities are among her favorite projects. What's ahead? Bingham said the recreation industry's biggest challenges are programming for active Baby Boomers as they age and the issue of childhood obesity. Programming options are wide open, she said. "We are only limited by our imagination."

In her spare time Bingham works closely with the American Cancer Society and its Relay for Life fundraising events which have become one of the largest sources of funds for cancer research world-wide. Bingham holds a Bachelor's degree in psychology and a Bachelor's of Fine Arts from Mundelein College in Chicago. She and her husband, Bill, live in Chicago where they have raised three boys-all of whom consider the park district their second home. Bingham takes over from Tom Grisamore who will become the district's executive director following the retirement of Director Terrence C. Porter at the end of this year.

"We are on the edge of a technology revolution," Bowen said. "The changes that will happen in the next two to three years will upgrade every part of the park district's operations and I want to make sure there is a smooth transition between the facilities and the business office."

In his new role Bowen will be taking on the oversight for the operations of the Wilmette Golf Club and the Centennial Recreation Complex which includes the Centennial Ice Rinks, Centennial Family Aquatic Center and the Wilmette Tennis Club. He will also retain his responsibilities as Human Resources Manager.

Bowen, 42, has worked for the Park District for 14 years-most recently in the capacity of Human Resources and Risk Manager. He credits his work as Risk Manager with giving him a unique insight into the district's operations and counts himself fortunate that so many of the district's facilities have seasoned managers.

He holds a Bachelor's degree from Purdue University in industrial supervision as well as an MBA in general management from Western Michigan University and a Professional Human Resources Certificate from DePaul University. Prior to joining the Park District he worked in the insurance industry and industrial management.