Staff Highlight: Welcome, Emin, Conor and JP!

Staff Highlight: Welcome, Emin, Conor and JP! 

8/20/24 – We’re proud to announce the addition of three new staff members to the Wilmette Park District family. Starting a new position during the bustling summer months can be challenging, but Emin Jakupovic, Conor McCormick and JP McNamara dove right in!

Two departments have returned to full strength with these three new team members. The Wilmette Lakefront and the Marketing and Communications Department needed talented and dedicated staff to keep the engines running. We found that and more!

The Wilmette Lakefront team grew this summer by hiring Lakefront Beach Supervisor Emin Jakupovic and Lakefront Park Supervisor Conor McCormick. Emin was the first to join at the end of May. Having worked eight summers at the Wilmette Lakefront, he naturally progressed into this new role. “Once this current position opened up, I couldn’t see myself anywhere else,” commented Emin. “I am excited to work with our active beach-goers and sailing beach patrons.” Emin’s passion for the beach and lakefront is matched only by his love of aviation. He’s a professional pilot and has been flying for four years!

Conor McCormick joined the Lakefront team following an exciting professional journey in parks and the backcountry. A Chicago native, Conor has an education in Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology and postgraduate work abroad in large predator conservation. He’s held jobs in animal care, veterinary science, research facilities and a seven-year stint as a Parks and Wildlife Officer in Colorado and Washington. “After spending most of my career out in the wild, I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue supporting the mission of parks and to work in a space where most people come to play,” says Conor. His plans as the Lakefront Park Supervisor include looking into a Leave No Trace Gold Standard designation and educating urban populations in the frontcountry with skills they can take into the backcountry.

The Marketing and Communications Department operated for the last two years as a dynamic duo under the guidance of Public Communications Inc. consultants, and they’re over the moon to welcome JP McNamara as their long-awaited Marketing and Communications Manager. JP brings many unique strengths to our creative team with a background in athletics, sports event organizing and business/marketing. His first task is organizing the department and improving process efficiencies with new project management software.

Like many Chicagoland natives, JP grew up with park district programs, starting with preschool and progressing into athletics and swimming. “Now, I am a proud father with my daughter in park district programming,” he says. JP’s professional trajectory brought him to Arlington Heights Park District for three years, followed by another six in the marketing department at Palatine Park District. “Wilmette Park District was an attractive position,” comments JP,” not only as a great career opportunity but in a familiar community which I admire and appreciate.”

Expect a new direction for the Wilmette Lakefront as our two supervisors find their footing and begin settling into their roles. Likewise, our marketing and communications efforts should reflect a fresh burst of energy, with the team increased by a third! Look for more communications and stay informed – subscribe to our email list, watch our website bulletin board, read our featured stories and scroll through the special events calendar!