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Our Leadership Team

Photo of Karie Friling

Karie Friling, Executive Director

630-933-7215
kfriling@dupageforest.org

  • Oversees Forest Preserve District operations
  • Provides administrative support to the board of commissioners
  • Manages Freedom of Information Act–related requests and coordinates responses
  • Develops ways for individuals and businesses to support the District’s mission with tax-deductible donations
Photo of Andrew Brown

Andrew Brown, Director of Finance

630-933-7200
abrown@dupageforest.org

Photo of Anamari Dorgan

Anamari Dorgan, Director of Community Engagement

630-462-5654
adorgan@dupageforest.org

  • Provides educational, cultural, and recreational programs
  • Oversees education centers and programs
  • Supports outreach to our neighboring communities
  • Oversees Visitor Services, which includes customer service, permit sales, and rentals
  • Oversees Community Relations and serves as media liaison
  • Manages website, print publications, and social media communications
  • Promotes conservation-, education-, and recreation-related programs
Kevin-Horsfall-204x250

Kevin Horsfall, Director of Planning and Development

630-933-7200
khorsfall@dupageforest.org

  • Directs Planning, Engineering, and Environmental Services Departments
  • Oversees the programming, planning, design, and implementation of capital preserve improvements as well as stewardship of the District’s landfills and environmentally sensitive sites
Planning
  • Develops preserve masterplans and site planning using nature-based design principles
  • Implements and administers capital improvement projects involving new structures, cultural resources, recreational facilities, trails, parking lots, and landscape restoration
  • Maintains District design standards and specifications
Engineering
  • Administers drainage, hydrology, and stormwater management concerns for the District
  • Implements and administers capital improvement projects involving new bridges, roads, utilities, mass site grading, water resource management, and building renewal projects that involve engineered systems
  • Manages and maintains District’s dams and emergency action plans
 Environmental Services
  • Manages the Forest Preserve District’s former landfills
  • Coordinates environmental compliance and response to the removal and mitigation of hazardous materials on District property
Photo of Jeannine Kannegiesser

Jeannine Kannegiesser, Chief Partnership and Philanthropy Officer

630-933-7220
jkannegiesser@dupageforest.org

  • Develops, enhances, and maintains the Forest Preserve District’s philanthropic relationships with external stakeholders, including DuPage County corporations and businesses, other governmental entities, residents, nonprofits, and the Friends of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County
  • Serves as executive director of the Friends of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County
  • Assists with grant coordination
  • Manages volunteer programs
Erik Neidy

Erik Neidy, Director of Natural Resources

630-933-7227
eneidy@dupageforest.org

  • Manages conservation programs for natural areas, plant and animal communities, and restoration programs
  • Surveys, restores, enhances, and maintains ecological conditions to sustain plant and animal biodiversity to protect and preserve these resources
  • Maintains trails, amenities, and special-use areas 
  • Oversees the Urban Stream Resource Center
Photo of David Pederson

David Pederson, Chief of Police

630-933-7689
dpederson@dupageforest.org

  • Oversees public safety
  • Provides a safe environment for forest preserve visitors, volunteers, and employees by patrolling on bike, foot, boat, ATV, and squad car with 24 sworn officers
  • Protects the Forest Preserve District’s natural resources, wildlife, and physical assets
  • Enforces state laws and District ordinances by issuing citations, conducting arrests, and using education when feasible
  • Engages the community via public events and educational-based interactions
Photo of Joe Potenza

Joe Potenza, Chief Information Officer

630-933-7200
jpotenza@dupageforest.org

  • Oversees computer, network, and data-communications equipment and support
  • Oversees shared-services agreements
Photo of Ed Stevenson

Ed Stevenson, Executive Advisor and Director of Business Enterprise

630-451-3434
estevenson@dupageforest.org

  • Serves as an advisor to the executive director and board of commissioners
  • Advises the leadership team in developing departmental strategies
  • Participates in the negotiation of licenses, contract agreements, and intergovernmental agreements
  • Manages and staffs the Forest Preserve District’s three golf preserves — The Preserve at Oak Meadows, Maple Meadows, and Green Meadows — and their pro shops, maintenance facilities, and food-and-beverage services
  • Oversees Land Preservation department
    • Administers Forest Preserve District property-related agreements and databases for easements, licenses, leases and intergovernmental agreement
    • Manages and maintains records related to land acquisitions and conservation-easement programs
    • Monitors developments that may affect District property by administering the public-notice review program 
christina-watson-204x250

Christina Watson, Chief Human Resources Officer

630-933-7200
cwatson@dupageforest.org

mike-webster-204x250

Michael Webster, Interim Director of Public Safety & Services

630-580-7101
mwebster@dupageforest.org

  • Oversees Site Operations, Facilities Management, and Fleet Services
  • Directs initiatives promoting safety for employees and forest preserve visitors
  • Collaborates with external agencies to strengthen Forest Preserve District services
  • Manages facility and amenity rehabilitation projects
  • Ensures the Forest Preserve District fleet is maintained
  • Supports education and community engagement initiatives