Ray Morrill, CPRP, began his career as Recreation Assistant at the Naperville Park District, Naperville, Illinois in 1971. Since 1972, he has been the Director of Recreation & Special Facilities for the Wheaton Park District, Wheaton, Illinois. For the last thirty-one years he has been actively involved in the dramatic growth and development of the Wheaton Park District, which was awarded the National Gold Medal Award three times, in 1984, 1990 and 1996. The district was also recognized with the National Excellence in Aquatics Award in 1991.

Ray served as President of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (1996.) As a member of IPRA he has served on numerous committees, most noteworthy, the IPRA/IAPD Joint Conference Committee (1985-1993), as cochair of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association state conference (1992), and as cochair of the task force to change the Illinois State Aquatic codes (1994-1999.)  He served as IPRA Recreation Section Director (1980) and on the IPRA Board (1994-1997.)  Ray received the IPRA Facility Management Section “Professional of the Year” award (1993), the IPRA Professional Award (1998), and the IPRA Fellow Award (2001.)

He served on the NRPA National Aquatic Council (1993-2001), as chair of the Aquatics Conference three times, as continuing education chair, as membership chair, as representative to the NRPA Congress program committee, and as President of the NRPA Aquatics Branch (2000). Ray is a past Board of Regents member for the School of Managers of Aquatic Facilities at Oglebay (1991-92) and currently serves as a member of the NRPA Great Lakes Regional Council.

In January 2005, Ray was awarded the IPRA Robert Artz Distinguished Service Award, IPRA's highest honor.

Back to Former Members List