Leadership Team

The Naperville Park District's Leadership Team is comprised of directors and managers who direct business efforts on behalf of the District within their areas of specialty. The vast knowledge base and experience of these professionals is represented in the development of organization-wide initiatives such as the Strategic Plan, Master Plan, development projects, measuring success of the District, budgeting and many other projects throughout the course of the year. The Leadership Team is led by the Executive Director.

Brad Wilson

Executive Director

After 23 years with the Naperville Park District, Brad Wilson was promoted to Executive Director in February 2022.  In this role, Brad oversees a budget of more than $41 million and is responsible for the overall management of 100+ full-time staff, and more than 1,000 part-time employees. As the head of the District, he is additionally responsible for directing the operations and maintenance of 136 parks across 2,400+ acres, several unique facilities, and more than 7,500 recreational classes, teams, events and performances offered annually for all ages.

Prior to serving as the Executive Director, Brad grew his experience and leadership as the Director of Recreation and Facilities for the Recreation Department, which consists of the programming, facilities, customer service, aquatics, and volunteer divisions. Additionally, he was primarily responsible for the largest portion of the District’s budget and managed major projects such as the implementation of new registration software, the addition of programming at several park developments including Nike Sports Complex, Frontier Sports Complex, Commissioners Park and Wolf’s Crossing Community Park and the addition of indoor programming at the Fort Hill Activity Center, the Nature Center and the 95th Street Center. He also has held primary responsibility for widely visible initiatives including the Community Interest & Opinion Surveys completed by the District every 3 to 5 years.

Brad has received numerous awards and honors recognizing his accomplishments and leadership including the Community Impact Award presented by the Illinois Park and Recreation Association in 2020, Paul Harris Fellow distinction from the Rotary Club of Naperville Downtown in 2017, and the Naperville Jaycees Young Professional of the Year in 2010.  An involved community member, Brad has served as the Volunteer Chair for each of Naperville’s Healing Fields of Honor, he coordinates the Park District’s annual Pennies for Pies initiative, and assists with organizing the Naperville Park District and YMCA’s annual Christmas Meal Program for Seniors and Families in Need. 

Brad holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation Management from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse.  He also is a graduate of Indiana University’s Executive Development Program for Parks and Recreation Professionals, the National Recreation and Parks Association’s Rocky Mountain Revenue Management School, and the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Institute.

bwilson@napervilleparks.org
630-848-3532

Kevin Carlson

Director of Golf

Kevin Carlson is the Director of Golf at the Naperville Park District. He is responsible for the management of the District’s two 18-hole golf facilities, Springbrook and Naperbrook, which average a combined 70,000 rounds annually. Additionally, Kevin oversees all clubhouse and course maintenance operations, programming and capital planning. Kevin joined the District in 1997 as Golf Grounds Manager, focusing primarily on the maintenance of the two golf courses. Beginning in 2015, he served as the Superintendent of Golf Operations, managing all golf operations and facilities. Kevin’s background includes over 30 years of experience in the golf industry, managing golf maintenance and clubhouse operations, and including several years in the private sector as a Golf Course Superintendent. 

kcarlson@napervilleparks.org
630-848-5062

Andrea Coates

Director of Recreation and Facilities

A lifelong Naperville resident, Andrea’s career with the Naperville Park District has spanned more than 3 decades. During her tenure, she has lent her professionalism and expertise to various roles across the organization. Currently, Andrea is the Director of Recreation and Facilities with the Naperville Park District. In this role, which she stepped into in early 2022, she oversees five key operational areas including: facilities, programs, aquatics, volunteers and customer service.

 While she started working for the Park District in her teens as a day camp counselor and paddleboat attendant/crew leader, her career with the District started in the early 1990s. She rose through the ranks, beginning as a full-time Program Manager for Preschool and Teen programming, later moving into a team leadership position where she oversaw a unit of cross-functional staff. After a short time working as a Park Supervisor and Assistant Superintendent of Parks, she transitioned to the Facility Manager role for 14 years, managing the Centennial Beach and Paddleboat operations. Most recently, she served as the Superintendent of Recreation, overseeing the day-to-day management of the programming staff who are responsible for coordinating the wide range of programs offered by the Park District.

Andrea has a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation Administration from Eastern Illinois University. 

acoates@napervilleparks.org 
630-848-3544                                                                                                                           

Sameera Luthman

Director of Marketing & Communications

As the Director of Marketing and Communications for the Naperville Park District, Sameera leads the planning, development and execution of marketing and communications related initiatives for the agency that serves a community of nearly 150,000 residents. She is responsible for developing all District communications including the digital quarterly Program Guide, leading email marketing and social media projects, directing public relations efforts across the organization, overseeing the design and branding of promotional materials and managing sponsorship development.

Sameera has represented the Naperville Park District as a speaker on marketing topics at the state level for the parks and recreation industry and has authored several articles on marketing, recreation and special events that have been featured in local and state publications.

Sameera has a Bachelor of Science degree in public relations from Illinois State University and a graduate marketing certificate from North Central College. Although she has spent the bulk of her career working in the public sector, Sameera also possesses private industry experience, having worked as a communications professional in IT and software design.

sluthman@napervilleparks.org
630-848-3570

Steven Mertes

Director of Information Technology

Steven Mertes serves as the Director of Information Technology for the Naperville Park District. In that role, he manages the IT Department, providing administration and support of key technology platforms critical to the District’s daily operations including server and network infrastructure, computers, email and voice communication, and cameras and keyless entry systems. He maintains an ongoing focus to ensure effective information security, complemented by end-user education and support.

Steven began his IT career in the education and social services realms before moving into the private sector, where he worked in technical and management roles for IT consulting companies. In April 2022, he returned to the public sector with the Naperville Park District. He earned a Master of Science from Governors State University and holds several IT industry certifications.

smertes@napervilleparks.org
630-848-3581

Tim Quigley

Director of Parks

Tim Quigley serves as the Director of Parks at the Naperville Park District. He is responsible for the overall management of the District’s 136 parks covering more than 2,400+ acres while directing staff across three regional divisions that care for parks of all sizes with varying aspects and amenities, including the renowned Naperville Riverwalk; he also manages the fleet department. Tim oversees daily maintenance practices and stewardship of the District’s park land in addition to providing support to Park District programs throughout the year.  After graduating from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science degree in Ornamental Horticulture,Tim joined the District in 2001 as a Park Specialist I, progressed to a Park Specialist II and later became the South Division Park Operations Manager before being promoted to Director of Parks. Tim has dedicated his career to the field of recreation, having worked in the golf and baseball sectors prior to joining the Naperville Park District. Tim is a Certified Park and Recreation Professional through the National Recreation and Park Association.

tquigley@napervilleparks.org
630-848-3095

Steve Schindlbeck

Park Police Chief

Steve Schindlbeck is the Chief of Park Police for the Naperville Park District, leading a staff of approximately 27 sworn park police officers and park service officers, most of whom serve on a part time basis. The Naperville Park Police patrol the parks year round, focusing on the busy spring, summer, and fall months with the mission of keeping our patrons safe. Park Police also provide event security and maintain communications with the City of Naperville Police to enhance the community’s ability to respond in an emergency.

Chief Schindlbeck has a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Management from Aurora University and comes to the Park District with more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement, most recently serving as Patrol Commander with the City of Naperville Police Department. He has served as Deputy Emergency Manager for the City of Naperville, and as a member of the Illinois Terrorism Task Force.  He has worked in partnership with Park Police for many years to manage security for large outdoor events such as Ribfest, and was recognized in 2017 by the Board of Commissioners with a resolution thanking him “for his outstanding contribution to the safety and success of Naperville’s largest outdoor public events.”

sschindlbeck@napervilleparks.org
630-848-5049

Katie Sepe

Director of Human Resources

Katie Sepe is the Director of Human Resources for the Naperville Park District. In that role, she is responsible for administering employee benefits, overseeing the risk management program, managing recruiting efforts, employee onboarding, ADA compliance, compensation administration, performance appraisal process and legal compliance matters. Additionally, Katie represents the District on the PDRMA Program Council, PDRMA Membership Assembly, PDRMA Claims Committee, the PDRMA Education and Training Committee, the Management Association of Illinois HR Advisory Committee and the IPBC NIHII Sub-pool. Katie leads the IPRA Salary Study Committee and is an active CAPRA volunteer often serving as a mentor, advisor and visitor to parks and recreation organizations nationwide.

Katie graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Safety. She joined the Naperville Park District in January 1996 as the Risk Manager and assumed the role of Human Resources Manager in January 2005. Katie became the Director of Human Resources in January 2011. She is a Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP).

ksepe@napervilleparks.org
630-848-3508

Eric Shutes

Director of Planning

Eric Shutes is the Director of Planning for the Naperville Park District. In that role, Eric oversees the planning and development of parks and facilities. This is accomplished through two primary functions – park planning and the executing  capital improvements. The park planning function primarily involves the preparation of and monitoring compliance of land acquisition and development grants. In addition to park planning, the function of executing capital improvements is imperative for maintaining and developing much needed parks and facilities. The Planning Department also assists the City of Naperville in administering the Land Dedication Ordinance.

Eric joined the Naperville Park District in May 2001 with a degree in landscape architecture from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Prior to his employment at the Park District, Eric served as a landscape designer and construction foreman for a leading design/build landscape contractor. While employed by the Naperville Park District, Eric acquired a state license in Landscape Architecture and a Master of Science in Public Service Management from DePaul University.

eshutes@napervilleparks.org
630-848-5014

Sue Stanish

Director of Finance

Sue Stanish joined the Naperville Park District as the Director of Finance in January 2011. A Certified Public Accountant, she brings more than 20 years of leadership and work experience in municipal finance with employers that include the Village of Willowbrook, City of Naperville and KPMG Peat Marwick. Sue currently represents the District on the Park District Risk Management Agency (PDRMA) Finance Committee. Her professional memberships include: the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) and the Illinois Government Finance Officers Association (IGFOA) where she currently serves as Past President of the Executive Board. Sue also has served IGFOA in several other capacities including leading the IGFOA's Career Development Committee to develop and provide educational seminars for its members. Additionally, she served as an Executive Board member of the Illinois Metropolitan Investment Fund (IMET). Sue received her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from DePaul University and is a graduate of the Rocky Mountain Executive Management Program.

sstanish@napervilleparks.org
630-848-3514