Joliet Park District board names new executive director

JOLIET — The Joliet Park District named a new executive director Thursday night.

The board unanimously approved a three-year, $135,000-a-year contract with Tom Carstens, who will leave his job as executive director at the Frankfort Park District – a position he has held since 2010 – to join the Joliet Park District.

The contract approval comes just four months after the Joliet district's longtime top exec — Dominic Egizio — resigned from his $160,000-a-year job amid an investigation into complaints made by a female Park District employee.

“It's been a roller coaster day. I met with my staff this morning and let them know my future is with the Joliet Park District so it was pretty emotional,” Carstens told board members Thursday. “I can't explain how excited I am to work with the staff and the park district.”

Carstens starts April 13. Park District Finance Director Matt Pehle will continue to serve as interim executive director until that time. Pehle has been at the helm since Egizio was placed on leave in August.

When asked if he wished the executive director position opened up under better circumstances, Carstens said “of course,” but that he is “looking forward to the future, not the past.”

The district in October hired the Illinois Association of Park Districts to conduct a search for candidates for the job. Joliet Park District Board President Glen Marcum said Carstens was selected from a pool of 10 candidates.

Carstens, who lives in Bolingbrook, said he looks forward to working with the district. Before joining the Frankfort Park District, Carstens said he served as deputy director at the Bolingbrook Park District for 14 years.

“Being in the field 34 years, what I've known about the Joliet Park District is excellence," he said. "And I hope to continue that and only enhance that. I know we'll do great things.”

Board Commissioner Timothy Broderick said Thursday he trusts that under Carstens' leadership “the Joliet community will be well served.”

Marcum said after the meeting Thursday he hopes the arrival of new leadership will give the district opportunity to move past Egizio's resignation.

Egizio had been executive director since 2004. He had worked 26 years with the district.