Naperville Park Board Vice President Attains Master Board Member Status
Monday, January 27, 2025
Naperville Park District Board Vice President, Leslie Ruffing, was presented with the Master Board Member Award this past Saturday, January 25, during the 2025 Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD)/Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) Soaring to New Heights Conference hosted in Chicago.
Master Board Member is the highest level in IAPD’s Board Member Development Program. To achieve this elite status, members participate in educational opportunities, participate on committees, attend events, achieve various distinctions at the local, state and national levels, and through other various endeavors. This award recognizes park district board members who consistently go above and beyond in their commitment to becoming a knowledgeable representative of their community.
Vice President Ruffing wasn’t the only Park District member recognized during the conference. Stacey Fontechia, the District’s Sales & Sponsorship Manager, received the Rising Star Award from IPRA’s Communications & Marketing Section, recognizing her overall contribution.
In addition to individual awards, the Naperville Park District received the Outstanding Facility Award for its Rothermel Family Skate Facility. This award recognizes unique achievements in the design and development of new or renovated recreation facilities. The Rothermel Family Skate Facility officially opened in July 2024 and was made possible, in part, by a $120,000 grant from the Rothermel Family Fund of DuPage Foundation. The facility stands out for its in-ground “bowl” design and accessibility, as well as the large amount of community input received throughout the planning process.
“I am incredibly proud of the Naperville Park District’s visibility and recognition achieved at the recent IAPD/IPRA Conference,” said Executive Director Brad Wilson. “It reflects the great work and professionalism accomplished across the organization for the benefit of our community, and I’m pleased that our efforts were acknowledged in several different ways.”
In addition to the awards received, the Naperville Park District’s involvement was highlighted in other ways throughout the three-day conference. Several Naperville Park District staff members delivered presentations covering various topics, including implementing partnerships, safety preparations for large events, improving spontaneous thinking, sponsorship revenue best practices, standing out in a competitive hiring market, and building community trust with parks, planning and public relations.