John Comerio joined the Illinois Association of Park Districts in June of 1999 as development director. In this role, he is responsible for three key areas: providing technical assistance, grant writing and foundation development for IAPD member agencies; managing the Friends of Illinois Parks program; and directing the association's research program including establishing a research endowment. He is also responsible for fostering partnerships with corporations and other nonprofit organizations.

John has thirty years experience in Illinois state government as a senior level executive involved in conservation, environment and natural resources programs and policies. Prior to joining IAPD, he served as Deputy Director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources from 1991-1999.

He holds a master's degree in Park Administration and a bachelor's degree in Recreation from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Among his many professional appointments, he served on the Great Lakes Commission and is past president of the Leisure Studies Alumni Advisory Board at the University of Illinois.

His many contributions have been recognized through awards including the William Penn Mott Jr. Award of Excellence from the National Society of Park Resources, and from the University of Illinois both the President's Citation and the Joseph J. Bannon Practitioner of the Year Award and the Distinguished Service Award from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

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