Board of Directors

Amy Kitzmiller, President
Amy Kitzmiller is the Director of Finance of the Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL), which manages the largest teaching residency program, as well as turnaround schools in low income, under-served neighborhoods of Chicago. Amy also serves on the Executive Committee of Northwest Cook County Sierra Club. Amy co-founded Arlington Heights Cool Cities Coalition, a consortium of Arlington Heights residents, businesses, churches, non-profits, and organizations interested in reducing local carbon emission levels for a healthy, sustainable community environment.

Amy was drawn to Arlington Heights after regularly participating in AHPD programs. "In addition to participating in or coaching AHPD programs each sport season, my family and I are constantly found at the parks. I'm excited about the incorporation of water management and sustainability practices at our parks. I'm also excited to be part of expanding the impact of the Foundation to more residents."

Mark Frighetto, Secretary
Mark resides in the Frontier Park neighborhood with his wife Nancie and their two children Reid (age 8) and Reese (age 6). Mark is a Senior Vice President in Commercial Banking at Glenview State Bank graduating from the University of Illinois Champaign in 1977. He is actively involved in the AHYAA Youth Baseball Program as both a Pee Wee Coach Pitch Manager (3 yrs.) and North Division League Rep. Mark has served on the Board of Directors of Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook and currently sits on the Board of the Chicago Sixteen Inch Softball Hall of Fame and North Suburban Kiwanis.

"With two children actively involved in the CAP, and multiple other AHPD programs, Nancy and I have a vested interest in both maintaining and improving the quality of our recreational resources here in Arlington Heights long term."

Mark has been actively involved in the Frontier Park Redevelopment Plan from Day1.

Cheryl Mosqueda, Treasurer

Cheryl Mosqueda, CPA, CGFM, joined the Arlington Heights Park District in 2016 as its new Director of Finance and Personnel.  Cheryl began working with the District on a part-time and consulting basis in 2004, handling special accounting and financial projects.  Her previous work experience includes more than 10 years of finance, accounting and human resources managerial positions, and she has worked in both the public and private sectors.  Cheryl also held the position of senior auditor with KPMG LLP, and performed all aspects of client audits for villages, townships and park districts.  Cheryl is a Certified Public Account and holds the distinction of being a Certified Government Financial Manager, a professional certification recognizing the unique skills and special knowledge required of governmental financial managers.  Fewer than 80 individuals in the State of Illinois hold this prestigious certification.

Carol Gabrielsen, Member
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."

Ben Jaffe, Member
Ben Jaffe has worked in a variety of Supply Chain Management leadership roles since 1999 and is currently a Global Procurement Director for a manufacturer of industrial packaging products. Ben moved to Arlington Heights with his wife and daughter in 2012 and lives near Festival Park. A native of the Chicagoland area, Ben grew up in the western suburbs and received an undergraduate degree from DePaul University and an MBA from the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. 
 
Ben is the current President of HANA (Historic Arlington Neighborhood Association), is active in multiple ministries at St. James Parish and is a 2013 graduate of the Arlington Heights Citizen Police Academy.
 
“Arlington Heights is a fantastic place to call home. I want to do my part to ensure that statement rings true for future generations.”

Tom McDonnell, Member
Tom is the president of the Surrey Ridge West Homeowner's Civic Association. Working closely with federal, state and local goernment bodies, Tom was instrumental in the development of the Arlington Lakes Golf Club and was heavily involved in the creation of Irish Fest, a local fundraising event benefiting the Arlington Heights Historical Museum.

H. William Ploger, Member
Will Ploger has been involved with the Arlington Heights Park District since 2005 and has two daughters with his wife of 16 years. His children are both involved in the dance, CAP, soccer, and swimming programs at the Park District. Commissioner Ploger lives in the Greenbrier area not far from Frontier Park. Will grew up in a farming community in Dekalb County and enjoyed playing baseball, basketball, soccer, and cycling. He attended Northern Illinois University..

Greg Padovani, Member
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."

Executive Director of the Arlington Heights Park District since June, 2016.  Rick Hanetho began his career in parks and recreation in high school, where he got his first job at the Palatine Park District.  Rick received his degree in Recreation Administration from Southern Illinois University in 1986.  He has worked for the Palatine, Schaumburg, Carol Stream, and Northbrook Park districts.  He is a member of the Board of the Illinois Park & Recreation Association and the Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA).