Our Leadership Team
Anamari Dorgan, Executive Director
- Oversees Forest Preserve District operations
- Advances the District’s conservation, education, and recreation mission through agencywide leadership and strategic direction
- Provides administrative support to the board of commissioners
- Oversees the Community Relations department, including media relations and the District’s website, print, and social media communications
- Strengthens partnerships and collaborative efforts with local municipalities, partner agencies, and community organizations
- Develops opportunities for individuals and businesses to support the District’s mission with tax-deductible donations
- Manages Freedom of Information Act-related requests and coordinates responses
Kevin Horsfall, Director of Planning and Development
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Manages the Forest Preserve District’s former landfills
- Coordinates environmental compliance and response to the removal and mitigation of hazardous materials on District property
Jeannine Kannegiesser, Chief Partnership and Philanthropy Officer
- 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
Brian Kuszewski, Director of Finance
- Collects revenues and satisfies debts
- Safeguards financial assets and provides timely and accurate financial information to management, bond holders, regulating agencies, and the public
- Produces and publishes annual financial reports
- Coordinates risk management and liability insurance
- Oversees purchasing and outlay of resources
Erik Neidy, Director of Natural Resources
- 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
David Pederson, Chief of Police
- 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
Joe Potenza, Chief Information Officer
- Oversees computer, network, and data-communications equipment and support
- Oversees shared-services agreements
Ed Stevenson, Executive Advisor and Director of Business Enterprise
- 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, Chief Human Resources Officer
- Oversees recruitment, training and compensation analysis
- Handles employee benefit administration
- Enforces policies and procedures
- Serves as ADA accessibility coordinator
- Oversees safety and liability programs
Michael Webster, Director of Field Operations
- Oversees Ranger Operations, Facilities Management, and Fleet Management
- 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