Departments

Forest Preserve District Departments

Ten departments manage the Forest Preserve District's natural areas and resources, facilities and centers, daily operations, and administrative services. 

Executive Director

Karie Friling, Executive Director and Interim Directo
630-933-7215
kfriling@dupageforest.org

• Oversees 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

For FOIA-related requests, contact our FOIA officer Jordan Countryman at 630-933-7200 or email foia@dupageforest.org.

Community Engagement Services

Anamari Dorgan, Director
630-462-5654
adorgan@dupageforest.org

• Provides educational, cultural and recreational programs
• Oversees education centers and programs
• Supports outreach to our neighboring communities
• Maintains DuPage forest preserves and amenities
• Oversees Visitor Services, including 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

Finance & Administration 

Andrew Brown, Director
630-933-7200
info-AF@dupageforest.org

• Collects revenues and satisfies debts
• Safeguards financial assets and provides timely and accurate financial information to management, bond holders, regulating agencies and constituents
• Produces and publishes annual financial reports
• Maintains vehicles and equipment

Golf Operations

Ed Stevenson, Executive Advisor
630-451-3434
estevenson@dupageforest.org

• Manages and staffs the Forest Preserve District’s three golf preserves — The Preserve at Oak Meadows, Maple Meadows and Green Meadows — including the pro shops, maintenance facilities and food-and-beverage services

Human Resources

Christina Watson, Human Resources Manager
630-933-7200
foresthr@dupageforest.org

• Oversees recruitment, training and compensation analysis
• Handles employee benefit administration
• Enforces policies and procedures
• Serves as ADA accessibility coordinator
• Oversees safety and liability programs
  
• Manages volunteer program

Information Technology

Joe Potenza, Chief Information Officer
630-933-7200 

• Oversees computer, network and data-communications equipment and support
• Oversees shared-services agreements

Law Enforcement

David Pederson, Chief of Police
630-933-7689
police@dupageforest.org

• Enforces federal, state and county laws via sworn officers with specialized Forest Preserve District-relevant training
• Enforces the General Use Regulation Ordinance (PDF) and rules and regulations (link) in the DuPage forest preserves

Natural Resources

Erik Neidy, Director 
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 

Partnerships and Philanthropy

Jeannine Kannegiesser, Chief Partnership and Philanthropy Officer
630-933-7220
jkannegiesser@dupageforest.org

• Develops, enhances and maintains the District’s philanthropic relationships with external stakeholders, including DuPage County’s various 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 throughout the District

Resource Management & Development

Dan Zinnen, Director
630-933-7200
dzinnen@dupageforest.org

• Directs Land Preservation and Planning departments
• Manages the Forest Preserve District's former landfills
• Maintains forest preserve buildings

Land Preservation

• Administers Forest Preserve District property-related agreements and databases for easements, licenses, leases and intergovernmental agreements
• 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 

Planning

• Develops master plans for forest preserves by using resource-based design principles
• Implements and administers capital-improvement projects involving new structures, historic preservation, recreational facilities, trails and water-resource management