The board of directors of United Cerebral Palsy Seguin of Greater Chicago (UCP Seguin) has named North Riverside resident Joseph Mengoni as the new president and CEO of the organization.
Mengoni took the reins on Nov. 1, replacing for John Voit, who has held the position for the past 23 years and will assume a new role as relationship manager, providing support for its fund development efforts.
Mengoni, who was elected mayor of North Riverside in April and served as a village trustee for eight years before that, started working at the UCP Seguin in 1987. He most recently served as executive vice president of programs, providing oversight of an array of adult services and children’s services.
He has been instrumental, according to a press release, in the significant growth of UCP Seguin, especially in its expansion of residential services, creating places to call home for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“Joe has exceptional capacity to connect with families, external stakeholders and supporters of UCP Seguin,” said Susan H. Waldman, board chair for UCP Seguin, in a press release. “He possesses the skills, knowledge and dedication to continue UCP Seguin’s legacy of excellence and innovation.”
Mengoni will lead an organization with an annual budget of nearly $50 million and provides services to more than 1,620 persons with disabilities.
Farmers market volunteers recognized
The Brookfield Chamber of Commerce volunteers responsible for organizing and running the Brookfield Farmers Market were lauded for their efforts on Oct. 25, when Village President Michael Garvey presented them with certificates of recognition at that night’s meeting of the village board.
“I think the farmers market is a big jewel in our crown here in the village in terms of bringing people together and a social gathering and providing a key service and gathering point,” said Garvey.
Those recognized included Doug Fiala, Allen Goodcase, C.P. Hall, Brendan O’Toole, Marie O’Toole, Tim O’Toole, Mary Vyskocil and Michelle Ryan.
“Everyone sees the farmers market from 8 to 1 o’clock on Saturdays, but [they don’t see] what goes on behind the scenes to make that happen,” said Trustee Brian Conroy, the village board’s liaison to the Chamber of Commerce. “The work that Marie does during the week — organizing those vendors is almost like herding cats, making sure they’re located by the amenities they need, putting together the market layout, organizing the music talent, dealing with cancellations and new vendors, taking care of the paperwork – it really is going above and beyond.
“It’s the very essence of community. It’s far more than a market.”
Riverside Caucus elects new board
The Riverside Community Caucus, which identifies, vets and recommends candidates to run for Riverside president and trustee, elected a new board of directors in October.
The board’s new chair is Kimber Day Coombes. She is joined by fellow board officers Nilsa Sweetser, secretary; Maya Schultz, membership director and Pete Durbin, community events director.
Remaining on the RCC board are Vice Chair Sandy Briolat and Treasurer Jay Van Cura.
Leaving the board is Kevin Smith, who served as chairman of the RCC since October 2019 when it was reconstituted after dissolving its political campaign committee in December 2018, along with Mary Cerrone, the former secretary and Amy Bilow, the former membership director.
The election of new board members was uncontested. Those leaving the board chose not to run for re-election.
On campus
Isabella Mullins, of Riverside, is one of more than 40 students at the University of Iowa who are helping to shape the future of the school by serving on one of 18 charter committees that advise institutional leadership on topics ranging from diversity and teaching to research and intercollegiate athletics.
Mullins is a member of the Sustainability Committee, which recommends and advises on matters pertaining to sustainability practices and formulation of university policies; advises on the integration of sustainability with existing campus programs in education, research, operations, and community outreach; assists in engaging the campus in an ongoing dialogue about sustainability and instilling a culture of sustainable long-range planning and forward-thinking design through their respective constituencies; and advises on the development and implementation of campus sustainability action plans.
Two Brookfield residents were among those named Lyons Township High School’s Students of the Month for October. Students were nominated by their teachers and then selected by the various departments as the most exemplary students in each subject.
The two Brookfield students recognized were senior Adam Almuhtaseb (Student Council) and junior Abdiel “Trey” Gallardo (Spanish 3A).
