ELMHURST CHAMBER INDUCTS GRODSKY INTO CIVIC HALL OF FAME
ELMHURST, Ill., January 17, 2012 – Rich Grodsky, retiring Elmhurst Park District Executive Director, will be honored as the 2011 member of the exclusive Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry Civic Hall of Fame.
Grodsky, who became the EPD’s Executive Director in January of 1997, will became the Hall of Fame’s 20th inductee during the Chamber’s 93rd Annual Awards Gala held the Diplomat West Banquet Halls on Wednesday, January 25, from 6 to 9 p.m.
“During his 14-year tenure, Grodsky has helped the Park District expand and improve its events, programs, properties and facilities, and build lasting partnerships with its many constituencies, our business community and fellow property taxing bodies,” said John R. Quigley, Elmhurst Chamber President and CEO since 1999.
Grodsky has negotiated various intergovernmental and agency agreements, including school/park, labor and vending. One such agreement allowed the Park District to take possession of and renovation the historic Wilder Mansion for public use, while keeping the new Elmhurst Public Library building within Wilder Park.
Grodsky is past member of both the Elmhurst Chamber’s Board of Directors and the now-defunct Elmhurst Economic Development Commission (EEDC). Also, he has served or currently serves on the University of Illinois Recreation, Sports and Tourism Advisory Board and the University of Illinois Leadership Council.
Recipient of several state awards, including the Robert Artz Professional of the Year, Grodsky is involved in the Illinois Association of Park Districts and Illinois Park and Recreation Association joint legislative committee working closely with the Illinois General Assembly on legislative issues important to the state’s parks and recreation.
Grodsky has worked in various park district communities throughout Metropolitan Chicago including Park Ridge, Morton Grove, Dundee, The Chicago Park District, and City of Evanston Parks, Recreation and Forestry.
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Grodsky received his Bachelor of Science degree (1977) in Recreation, Sports and Tourism from the University of Illinois. He is a recipient of the University of Illinois Joseph Bannon Professional of the Year award, as well as a recipient of the University’s Alumni Association Loyalty Award.
Created in 1992, the Civic Hall of Fame recognizes women and men who make major contributions to the Elmhurst community. Up through 2008, inductions were conducted during the Opening Ceremonies of Elmfest. The 2009 inductee was honored at the Chamber’s Spring Luncheon in April of 2010.
Joe Newton, legendary boys’ cross country coach at York Community High School, was the inaugural Hall of Fame inductee.
Preceding Marcucci as Hall of Fame inductees were: Eleanor King Hookam (1993), Elmhurst Art Museum; Dr. Ivan E. Frick (1994), Elmhurst College; Joseph Wagner (1995), York Furrier; Jean Haselhorst (1996), Elmhurst Park District; Robert M. Magnuson (1997), Elmhurst Memorial Hospital; Virginia J. Harmon (1998), Unique Travel Services; Illinois House of Representative Lee A. Daniel (R-46th District) (1999); A.J. “Toche” Terrones (2000), Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry; William C. “Bill” Gooch Jr. (2001), Community Bank of Elmhurst; Willis Johnson (2002), York Theatre; Fred Messerschmidt (2003), Elmhurst Federal Savings & Loan; Jim Van Ewyk (2004), Pfund and Clint Florists; Jacquelyn Haddad (2005), Elmhurst Junior Women’s Club; Thomas O. Myers Jr. (2006), Thomas O. Myers Real Estate; Abner Ganet (2007), Leonard’s Men’s Store and Mayor of Elmhurst; Jan Pauli (2008), Pauli’s Marathon; Bob Schiller (2009), Founder and Owner of Schiller Real Estate; and Tom Marcucci (2010), former four-term Mayor of Elmhurst (1993-2009).
Established in 1918, the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry is a voluntary organization of business and professional men and women who have joined together to promote the civic and commercial progress of the community.
The Chamber also serves the needs of it members through services, programs and events that provide opportunities for networking and referral, business education, development and promotion, governmental representation and community involvement.
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