'26 Facility Management Workshop Sessions

Breakout 1

Speakers

• Laura Guttman - Director of Strategy and Planning
  Laura Guttman is the Director of Strategy and Planning at the Elmhurst Park District, a role she has held since January 2023. Previously, she was Division Manager of Strategy and Planning and has held a variety of positions within the District since 1997. She has led a wide range of cross-functional and strategic plan initiatives and played a key role in developing and monitoring implementation of comprehensive, strategic, and capital plans that guide organizational priorities and financial plans along with leading efforts to strengthen the District’s organizational culture. Previous positions also include Management and Budget Principal Analyst at the Chicago Public Schools and City Management Assistant at the City of Evanston. Laura holds a M.P.A. with a concentration in Public Finance Administration from Indiana University’s O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, and a B.A. in English and Political Science from the University of Rochester.
• Kari Felkamp - Director of Marketing
  With more than 20 years of experience in marketing for parks and recreation agencies, Kari Felkamp brings expertise in strategic communications, community engagement, and public education campaigns. As Director of Marketing for the Elmhurst Park District for more than nine years, she led the team responsible for educating the community on the District’s November 2024 referendum—its first in more than 50 years. Her work focused on translating complex capital planning needs into clear, accessible messaging while ensuring compliance with legal guidelines for public agencies. Kari has extensive experience developing integrated marketing strategies, managing large-scale outreach efforts, and aligning messaging with community priorities. Her practical, real-world insight into referendum planning and marketing makes her a trusted voice for agencies navigating similar initiatives.
• Barbara Stembridge - Director of Finance
  Barbara Stembridge joined the Finance Department at the Elmhurst Park District in June 2001 and has built a distinguished 25-year career in accounting and public finance. Over the years, she has held a variety of accounting and financial management positions, gaining extensive experience in public sector fiscal operations, budgeting, and financial oversight. In April 2021, Barbara was appointed Director of Finance, where she continues to provide strategic leadership and ensures sound financial stewardship for the organization. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Phoenix. Barbara is also an active member of both the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) and the Illinois Government Finance Officers Association (IGFOA), reflecting her commitment to professional excellence and continued development in the field of public finance.
• Angela Ferrentino - Director of Referendum Project Construction
  Angela's journey began with a clear purpose. With a degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Angela was inspired by the idea of helping people and being part of a community. Her early motivation centered on inclusion, creating recreation opportunities where individuals of all abilities, including those with special needs, could feel welcomed, valued, and have a sense of belonging. Angela was also driven to educate others about the importance of inclusion and embracing differences, a value that has guided her throughout her entire career. Over the years, Angela's career has spanned numerous departments and leadership roles. She served as Program Manager overseeing Inclusion, Registration, Aquatics, and Gymnastics; Division Manager of Facilities; Director of Parks and Facilities; and Director of Facilities. In January 2025, Angela stepped into her current role as Director of Referendum Project Construction, taking on complex, high-impact projects that will shape the future of the Park District.

Breakout 1

Speakers

• Thomas Hartwig - Executive Director
  Tom received a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation and Park Administration from Illinois State University and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Governors State University. Tom has been with the Oak Lawn Park District since 1998 where he is currently the Executive Director. Tom spent 22 years working with facilities in several areas of the Park District. The Oak Lawn Park District has 54 full-time staff with 300-600 part time staff depending on the season. We operate five major facilities including a multi-use athletics, Ice Rink, Racquet Center with gymnastics, Cultural Arts, and a Golf Course as well as several other facilities. Over the past 27 years, Tom has been fortunate to have the chance to be a part of several renovations, both big and small.

Breakout 2

Speakers

• Ryan Kertson - Facility Manager
  Ryan Kertson has 10 years of experience in Parks and Recreation. He is currently the Facility Manager of the Vaughan Athletic Center with the Fox Valley Park District. Ryan is passionate about the Parks and Recreation industry and the positive impact it has on the community. He is actively involved with Illinois Park & Recreation Association (IPRA). Ryan is on the Facility Management Workshop Board of Regents and serves on the Facility Section of the Program Conference Committee.
• Stacey Lim - Director of Recreation & Facilities
  Stacey Lim is a certified parks and recreation professional (CPRP) with extensive experience in facility management across a wide range of operations. She currently oversees a large sports and fitness center, along with multiple recreational amenities, including an outdoor aquatic facility, miniature golf course, and community program spaces. Her background includes hands-on leadership in fitness, recreation programming, aquatics, and administrative operations, giving her a well-rounded understanding of both daily facility needs and long-term planning. Stacey has managed budgets, staffing models, maintenance planning, and risk management initiatives while supporting high-volume community use. Her experience across diverse facilities allows her to bring a practical, team-focused approach to operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality experiences for the communities she serves.
• James Huetson - Superintendent of Recreation & Facilities
  Jim Huetson graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a bachelor's degree in Recreation Administration. He has been a professional in the field for 15 years and has worked for SEASPAR, Downers Grove Park District, Lombard Park District, Geneva Park District, Medinah Park District, and Hanover Park Park District in various capacities. He has supervised facilities large and small, including community centers, fitness centers, indoor tennis courts, an outdoor pool, and a miniature golf course. His focus has been on registration operations, customer service, membership acquisition and retention, operations, and concessions.

Breakout 2

Speakers

• Jessica Kronberg - Pediatric Occupational Therapist
  Jessica Kronberg is a pediatric occupational therapist who specializes in working with children with medical complexities and Cerebral Palsy. She also specializes in inclusive design across environments to support individuals in what is important to them. Her practice focuses on empowering people to achieve their fullest potential in daily activities and across environments. She specializes in adapting environments, utilizing equipment and assistive technologies to break down barriers and promote independence.

Lunch & Facility Tours

Breakout 3

Speakers

• Lindsey Robertson - Superintendent of Recreation Facilities
  Lindsey Robertson brings over 15 years of expertise in facility management, recreation programming, and safety & risk management. She currently serves as the Superintendent of Recreation Facilities at the Arlington Heights Park District, where she provides strategic leadership and oversight for the Arlington Ridge Center, aquatics, golf, and racquet sports facilities. In this role, Lindsey is responsible not only for daily operations but also for long-term planning, staff development, and ensuring high-quality recreational experiences for the community. Her professional involvement extends beyond her District work. Lindsey has served as the Community Center Division Coordinator, Facility Management Section Treasurer, and as a member of the ProConnect Board of Regents, where she has contributed to advancing the profession through networking, education, and mentorship. Her dedication and impact have been recognized with multiple honors, including the 2015 IPRA Facility Management Rising Star Award and the 2020 IPRA Young Professional of the Year Award.
• Matt Healy - General Manager of ARC Operations
  With 26 years of dedicated experience in the Parks and Recreation sector, Matt Healy is a distinguished expert in facility management, athletics, and aquatics operations. Currently serving as the General Manager of the Arlington Ridge Center (ARC), he oversees a premier, high-traffic public facility where community engagement meets constitutional reality. Throughout nearly three decades of service, Matt has successfully managed diverse recreational environments, gaining unique, hands-on experience in balancing public access with safety, privacy, and operational order. As a subject matter expert, he specializes in translating abstract legal concepts into practical, day-to-day management strategies for front-line staff. Matt has been instrumental in developing protocols that uphold civic transparency while protecting the integrity of recreation services. In this session, he leverages his extensive professional tenure and leadership at the ARC to provide participants with battle-tested insights and a calm, "prepared, not panicked" framework for navigating First Amendment audits within any public recreation environment.

Breakout 3

Speakers

• James Kim - Director of Parks & Properties
  James Kim has been in the Parks and Recreation Field since 2003. His experience is across multiple facets of parks and facilities maintenance. Starting as an athletic field and landscape specialists to aquatic facilities at Morton Grove Park District to being the Facilities Foreman at Vernon Hills Park District. Overseeing maintenance and projects as well as risk management for facilities and aquatics. In 2016 promoted to Supt. of Parks and oversaw both Parks and Facilities. In 2023, was hired at Northbrook Park District as the Director of Parks and Properties. Besides maintenance and projects, James has been heavily involved in many collaborations with local units of governments for assessing facilities and increasing collaboration for efficient emergency services. His diverse knowledge base has helped career growth and sharing knowledge base.

Closing Keynote

Speakers

• Jan Hincapie - Keynote Speaker
  Jan Peterson Hincapie is a 43-year veteran of the parks and recreation field, working in Illinois and Wisconsin during her career. A pinnacle of the final years of her career was serving as Chairman of the Board for the Illinois Park and Recreation Association. Since retiring as the Director of Parks and Recreation for the Village of Lincolnwood, Jan has consulted in the areas of strategic planning, community focus group/board facilitation, employee culture analysis, and executive coaching. She has also done training for Wintrust Bank, schools, libraries, park districts, and city government. She was the keynote speaker at an all-campus event at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and at the Swedish Historical Society in Rockford Illinois. Jan has spoken at over a dozen state parks and recreation/community education conferences, NRPA, and the Athletic Business Conference.

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