Oak Lawn Park District Appoints New Executive Director

Published 9/21/2020

Tom Hartwig was appointed the Oak Lawn Park District’s new Executive Director at the Monday, September 14th Board Meeting. He succeeds long-serving Executive Director Maddie Kelly who has retired after 25 years in the leadership position. 

 “Maddie has built a world class, award winning Park District with a great reputation and amazing staff.  I am humbled to have the opportunity to lead one of the best Park Districts in the state and country and build on the strong foundations already in place,” said Hartwig.

Hartwig was promoted from Superintendent of Special Facilities and has been with the Oak Lawn Park District for 22 years.

He started his parks and recreation career as an Oak Lawn Park District Recreation Intern in 1995, and a year later he was hired by the North Berwyn Park District as a Recreation Supervisor. In 1998, he returned to the Oak Lawn Park District as Assistant Community Pavilion Manager and soon after was promoted to Community Pavilion Manager. He then became Superintendent of Facilities in 2009. 

“I am most proud of creating the FLASH before and after school program 11 years ago,” said Hartwig.  “It started out with one school in School District 123 and before the pandemic it was at all of the schools in both School District 122 and 123. FLASH has an annual enrollment of over 500 children.  I am also proud of working on the expansion of the Community Pavilion in 2014 and the renovation of the Centennial Softball Fields in 2017.“

Hartwig has a Bachelor’s Degree from Illinois State University in Recreation and Parks Administration and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Governors State University. He is also a Certified Park and Recreation Professional.