Board of Directors

A Board of Directors consisting of seven local community members acts to improve the quality of life for people utilizing the park system.

Terry Steczo, President
Terry A. Steczo of Arlington Heights, Illinois is the Senior Partner of Government Strategy Associates, a legislative consulting/lobbying firm. He was a member of the Illinois House of Representatives for 18 years, from 1977 - 1995, and served as Assistant Majority Leader from 1993-1994. During his years of service in the House he also served as Chairman of the House Committees on Registration and Regulation; Cities and Villages; and Counties and Townships.

In 1992 he was named one of five "Unsung Heroes" in a poll taken among Illinois legislators. The sponsor of over 300 bills that were signed into law, he has been the recipient of numerous awards and commendations for his legislative endeavors, including multiple Legislator of the Year honors from the Illinois Association of Park Districts.

From 1995-2004 he served as Deputy Assessor for Administration and Taxpayer Services for the Cook County Assessor's Office, an agency with over 450 employees and a budget exceeding $32 million.

He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from Southern Illinois University and currently serves as President of the Board of Directors of the Arlington Heights Park District Foundation.

He is married to Kitty Loewy and has four stepchildren.

Stephanie Bertelsen, Vice President
Stephanie is a Vice President of Retail Banking at Village Bank & Trust and is an active member of the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce and their Young Professionals Group, former Uptown Business Association Chairman and a member of BUZZ, a philanthropic organization. Stephanie has served many village-sponsored events, including the Arlington Heights Criterion, Frontier Days, and the Multiple Sclerosis Walk.

"I have enjoyed the Arlington Heights Park District and it's activities since I was a little girl, and am now in a position to give back to the place where I spent so much of my childhood. Getting my pool pass at the end of the school year and going to Camelot Park on my bike was the highlight of every summer day! It is great going to these places as an adult to see all of the improvements. I truly believe the Park District offers something for everyone."

Stephanie and her husband Dan live in Wauconda.

Roger Key, Secretary
Executive Director of the Arlington Heights Park District, Roger began his career at the Arlington Heights Park District in 1973. Roger graduated from Western Illinois University with a degree in parks and recreation administration and received a master of business administration from Keller Graduate School of Management. Active in the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association, he is a certified park and recreation professional. Active in the Arlington Heights community, Key has served on the Frontier Days Festival Committee, Kiwanis, Village of Arlington Heights Youth Commission and the Character Counts Coalition. He is also active serving on the board of the Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA).

Donna Wilson, Treasurer
The Director of Finance and Personnel for the Arlington Heights Park District, Donna has over 29 years of experience in the parks and recreation field. In addition to supervising and managing the Park District's finances and computer system, she serves on the Metro Federal Credit Union Board and the Park District Risk Management Agency Board. She has served on various state and national association boards and committees. She was named Professional of the Year by the Administration and Finance section of IPRA in January 2001 and received the IPRA Chairman's award in 2004. Donna, her husband and son live in Arlington Heights.

Board Members

Carol Gabrielsen grew up in Arlington Heights and chose to live and work here, with her two children, as well as run her business, Unemployment Consultants, Inc. Carol is a member of the Greater O'hare Association, Northern Illinois Business PAC, Management Association of Illinois, Employer's Association of Illinois, and the Illinois Manufacturing Association.

"As a child growing up in Arlington Heights, and now as an adult, my family has enjoyed the parks and all the programs the district has offered. I feel it is time to give back to the area which has given me so much pleasure."

Mike Gordon is the Vice President of Sales for the Chicago Rush. Prior to joining the Chicago Rush, Mike spent 10 years with DePaul University most recently as the Assistant Athletic Director for External Relations. Besides his work at the Rush and DePaul, Gordon has developed surveys and performed research for the Chicago Blackhawks and created a planning model for Minor League Baseball. He served in press relations during the 1994 World Cup in Chicago. Mike is a resident of Arlington Heights and lives with his wife Susan, their 7-year old daughter, and four-year old son.

Robert Nesvacil lives in the Pioneer Park area with wife Carol and their three children, Clara Rose, Zachary and Joshua. Rob is a graphic designer and a graduate of the University of Illinois/Champaign. An avid gardener, Rob is interested in backyard organic vegetable and perennial gardening.

"I believe we have a wonderful park district - with a wide variety of recreation activities and park settings. My goal as commissioner is to continue improving our strong history and to listen and work with park users and staff to keep the District at its best in a cost-efficient manner," Nesvacil said.

Mark Walker, Currently a senior executive with Walker Information, a worldwide consulting firm, Mark has been an Executive VP with Citicorp, and founder of a local financial business. Mark and his family have lived in Arlington Heights for 24 years. He is active in various local organizations, with a special interest in veterans affairs.

He says "My entire career and passion has been in helping organizations better to serve people, and I am proud to be associated with this outstanding Park District."

Michael B. Schroeder is a general dentist and owns a group dental practice in Arlington Heights that his father established in 1954. He is a life-long resident of Arlington Heights and a graduate of St. Viator's High School, Notre Dame University, and the University of Illinois Dental School. Mike was elected Supervisor of Wheeling Township in 2001, and again in 2005, and continues to serve in that capacity. He formerly served as Trustee and Village President for the Village of Arlington Heights and presently serves on the Northwest Community Hospital Dental Advisory Board and is a member of the Prospect High School Parents Football Council.

As a lifetime patron of the parks and former manager of the Recreation Park Pool, Mike believes "the Park District is second to none". He and his wife Cindy live in Arlington Heights with their four children.

Kris Stabler joined Arlington Park in 1982 following eleven years as the senior corporate sales manager, fine jewelry and giftware buyer at Persin and Robbins Jewelers. Her previous experience included interior designer for Petersen Interiors and finance manager at Arlington Park Towers.

Since her arrival, Stabler has filled several positions at the racetrack. Initially the director of group sales, in 1983 she became the director of sales, a position she held until 1988. Under Stablers' direction, Arlington Park ventured into the off-season Expo and event business. From 1989 to 1991 Stabler was the director of administration and from 1992 to 1996 vice president of sales. In addition to her responsibilities in sales, Kris was the Arlington Million coordinator from 1985 through 1996. In 1996, Stabler was named vice president of community relations.

In her current position, Stabler coordinates all community partnerships including the track's Helping Hands program. Track employees volunteer with local organizations such as the Arlington Heights Rotary, Arlington Heights Health and Welfare Department, Wheeling Township, CEDA Northwest, and the Special Olympics Time Trials.

Stabler devotes her time to numerous community groups, serving as immediate past chair of the Greater Woodfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, past chair of the Arlington Economic Alliance and as a board member on the following foundations: Northwest Community Hospital, Arlington Heights Park Board, Community Education Dist. 214 and chair of Special Leisure Services Foundation. In 1995, Rolling Meadows honored Kris as Business Leader of the year. Kris joined the AHCC board of directors in 1996, was president in 1999 and retired from the board in 2001. In 2001 she received recognition as an Illinois Women of Achievement, 2002 was recognized for her years of service by the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce. In 2003, she received a Heart of Gold from the Village of Arlington Heights and most recently was named the 2006 Volunteer of the year by the Arlington Heights Chamber.

Enjoying her pets, interior design, gardening, cooking and entertaining are her favorite past times.