Ed Stevenson progresses to new role as executive advisor and opens search for a new executive director
(Dec. 14, 2020) — DuPage Forest Preserve District Executive Director Ed Stevenson will assume a new role as executive advisor and co-lead a search to find a new executive director for the agency.
Stevenson, who has served as executive director since November 2016, said the move is needed to “right-size” for the future.
“The years ahead include ambitious plans for the organization, and there is much to accomplish,” he said. “I believe that now is the time for a change that will give us added support and momentum.”
Stevenson will transition from his executive director role into his new role in the months ahead “to enhance the leadership structure by serving as an advocate for staff, a resource for the board of commissioners, and an advisor to the leadership team, including a new executive director.”
For the full-time executive director position, the Forest Preserve District seeks a creative and mission-driven professional who will be responsible for general leadership and staff management; financial management; commissioner relations; and community and volunteer relations and external management. The position will supervise senior management and report to the Forest Preserve District board of commissioners.
To ensure confidential tracking of applicants, resumes and inquiries will not be accepted via email or phone. For a link to the online application, visit dupageforest.org/get-involved/work-for-us.
Stevenson is leading the search along with District President Daniel Hebreard and Human Resources Manager Janet Van Haren.
“Ed and I work tremendously well together, and through our collaboration the District is on a positive trajectory and ready to go to the next level,” Hebreard said. “I’m excited. We get the best of both worlds moving forward — fresh perspective from a new executive director along with experienced guidance from Ed in his new role.”
As executive advisor, Stevenson will work across departments to provide the District board and staff with strategic support; manage major initiatives assigned by the executive director; and participate in the negotiation of licenses, intergovernmental agreements, contracts, and partnerships with other organizations.
Stevenson, who has worked full-time for the District since 2004, has also served as director of golf operations for the District since 2011. He will continue to have direct involvement in the oversight of the District’s golf operations.
Stevenson is overseeing construction of a new clubhouse at The Preserve at Oak Meadows in Addison, which is expected to be completed by May 2021. The golf preserve became the first in the nation to have all solar-powered golf carts after solar panels were installed on the cart storage building in 2019. Prior to that, he oversaw a major environmental restoration project that earned national awards for the golf preserve.
Under Stevenson’s leadership, the District initiated a Districtwide master plan, restored and re-meandered Spring Brook Creek through St. James Farm and Blackwell forest preserves, installed solar panels at Willowbrook Wildlife Center, built a state-of-the art fleet management building at Blackwell Forest Preserve, and installed a two-lane bridge with separate pedestrian trail at McDowell Grove Forest Preserve.
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has been connecting people to nature for more than 100 years. More than 4 million people visit its 60 forest preserves, 166 miles of trails, six education centers and scores of programs each year. For information, call 630-933-7200 or visit dupageforest.org, where you can also link to the District’s e-newsletter, blog, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.
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Ed Stevenson