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.

Mike Gordon, President
Michael Gordon is the Vice President of Partnerships with the Chicago Wolves where he oversees all of the team's corporate sponsorship initiatives. Prior to the Wolves, he served as the vice president of sales for the Arena Football League’s Chicago Rush for seven seasons. During his tenure he oversaw all the team’s corporate sponsorship initiatives and ticket sales.

Under Gordon’s direction, the franchise was ranked among the top two teams in the AFL in corporate sponsorship revenue in 2006, 2007, and 2008. Gordon also spent seven years in the athletic department at DePaul University where he oversaw the licensing, marketing, ticket sales, and sponsorships for the athletic department.

Gordon is a 1991 graduate of Knox College in Galesburg, IL. and received his MBA in Marketing at DePaul University in 1995. He has also performed consulting work for the Chicago Blackhawks, the 1994 World Cup and several minor league baseball teams.

Mike and his wife, Susan, have a daughter, Katie, and a son, Alex.

Stephanie Bertelsen, Vice President and Secretary
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.

Donna Wilson, Treasurer
The Director of Finance and Personnel for the Arlington Heights Park District, Donna has over 30 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
Carol 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."

Robert Nesvacil
Rob 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.

Greg Padovani
Greg is President and Founder of PENS Communications Systems, LLC which provides One-to-One newsletters for hospitals and medical schools around the country.  In 1998, he pioneered the technology that made One-to-One newsletters possible while also serving as entrepreneur in starting and growing his company.

Prior to 1998, Greg served for 12 years as the Director of Marketing & Patient Relations at the Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation in Chicago – a 650 physician medical group composed of faculty of the Northwestern University Medical School and on staff at the Northwestern Memorial Hospital. From 1982 to 1986, Greg was an Account Supervisor at Grant/Jacoby Advertising in Chicago working with hospitals as well as medical supply companies like Abbott and Baxter. Greg served in the US Army as a Medical Service Corps officer – 2 years active and 10 years in the Active Reserves retiring a Major.

Greg received his B.S. from the University of Illinois and his M.B.A. from De Paul University in Chicago.
Greg and his wife, Char, have lived in Arlington since 1976 and raised two children here. Cassie and Greg, Jr. both attended St James Catholic School and graduated from Hersey High School. Both are studying pre-medicine at Marquette University in Milwaukee. Char is a Certified Health Educator working at the American Cancer Society in Arlington as Manger of Cancer Prevention Initiatives.

Greg is deeply involved in the community: Serving as Chairman of the Drive to Revive Memorial Park Committee for Arlington’s Memorial Park; member Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce; Co-Chair, American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Arlington; Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training; Manager, Sound of the Big Band (17 piece 1940’s swing band). He is also a nationally certified competition judge for the United States Climbing Association (Greg, Jr. is an advanced competitor) and has served as one of the US National Judges at international events.

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."

Steve Scholten
Executive Director of the Arlington Heights Park District since May 2008, Steve began his career in parks and recreation 1976 after graduating from Illinois State University with a degree in parks and recreation administration. Steve received a master of business administration from Keller Graduate School of Management and has worked for the Bloomingdale, Medinah, Glen Ellyn and Elk Grove Park Districts. He is active in the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association and is a certified park and recreation professional. He is also active serving on the board of the Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA).

Terry Steczo
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.