A New Year... A New Chapter

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The IPRA Board of Directors is pleased to announce it has selected Ms. Jan Arnold to serve as executive director.  Jan is tentatively scheduled to start Jan. 24.

The board engaged in a comprehensive process led by the consultants from Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA).  The search was conducted by Keith Frankland, Ray Morrill, Steve Persinger and Fred Hall of HYA. The process included focus group interviews conducted with past and present leadership of IPRA over two days to determine the qualities and skills we needed in our new executive director. HYA presented several pre-screened candidates to the board that met those qualities and skill sets.  Throughout the process the HYA consultants provided direction to ensure the integrity and equity of the process. The board went through two rounds of interviews to determine the best candidate for the position. 

Jan comes to us with a diversified leadership background, including past experience as a superintendent at the Wheeling Park District, as a vice president at the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, as a recreation specialist for the United States Air Force, as an official for the city of Chicago in the area of aviation and more!    Her most recent position was with Jumpstart for Young Children, where she served as executive director.  

Jan holds a BS in therapeutic recreation from Murray State University, an MS in sports administration from Indiana University and an MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. Please join us on a webinar on Tuesday, Jan. 11, at 10 am to hear an interview with Jan so you can learn more about her and her vision for our association.  You will receive an IPRA e-blast as we get closer to the date with directions on how to listen in on the webinar.

With Gratitude

On behalf of the IPRA Board of Directors, I’d like to thank Michael Selep for his excellent work as our interim CEO.  Mike put in countless hours in to ensure the stabilization and continued success of our association. 

The IPRA board is very grateful to Mike for his leadership, dedication and "can-do" attitude.  He is without question to be credited for helping to get the association back on track.  Thank you to Mike and our IPRA staff for all of their continued efforts.

Looking Forward

Please join me in welcoming and supporting our incoming chair, Ms. LoriKay Paden from the University of Illinois.  LoriKay is an energetic, strong and positive leader who is charged and ready to see IPRA into its next chapter.  She will assume this role at the end of conference in January.

As my term comes to a close, I’d like to thank the IPRA Board of Directors, IPRA staff and our membership for your amazing strength, support and guidance.  It took the efforts of many to get our finances in order, our new strategic plan set and our new executive director at the helm.  Our association is set to stand once again as the premier state association in the country serving the leisure service professionals of Illinois!

- Carrie Haupert, Executive Director, Bloomingdale Park District