Chuck Balling is a Vice President with GovHR USA, and has held leadership positions over the past 30 plus years at several park districts. He served as the Executive Director of the Glenview Park District for 9.5 years. During his tenure, Chuck, alongside his team of talented employees, oversaw many of the Park District facility improvement projects, was a strong proponent of environmental and historical initiatives, and fostered intergovernmental cooperation.
The Glenview Park District has over 100 full-time and 1,000 part-time customer-oriented employees and is one of the largest Park Districts in Illinois outside of Chicago. The Glenview Park District operates a variety of facilities including a 25 million dollar community center, two state of the art family aquatic centers, the Scram Memorial (former Navy Base church), indoor tennis and ice facilities and 13 field houses. In addition, the Park District operates and owns Wagner Farm, one of the last farms in Cook County, as well as The Grove Nature Center, a national historic landmark. The citizens of Glenview enjoy an abundance of open space with over 40 parks throughout the community and over 840 acres under lease or ownership by the Park District.
Chuck is passionate about the field of parks and recreation. At GovHR, he focuses on client needs in the areas of strategic planning, executive recruitment and new director on-boarding.
Professional Education, Training and Instruction
- Bachelor of Science degree in Parks and Recreation Administration, Eastern Illinois University, IL
- Master of Arts degree, DePaul University, IL
Professional Development and Speaking Engagements
- Presenter at Illinois Park and Recreation Annual Conferences and Workshops
- Published article for Athletic Business Magazine
- Published articles for the Illinois Park and Recreation Magazine
Memberships and Affiliations
- Former Chairman of PDRMA (Park District Risk Management Agency)
- Former President of the Glenview Noon Rotary Club
- Former Co-Chair of the Glenview Values Committee
- Former Board of Directors for the Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association
Awards
- Heart of the Family Award, Family Service Center of Winnetka-Northfield, 2016
- Eastern Illinois University Lifetime Achievement Award, 2015
- Distinguished Alumni Award, EIU Recreation Department, 1989
- Illinois Park and Recreation Association Professional of the Year Award, 1999
- IPRA Fellow Award, 2011
- IPRA Robert Artz Lifetime Achievement Award, 2012
Local Government Professional Background:
Over 30 Years of Local Government Leadership and Management Experience
- Executive Director, Glenview Park District, IL 2006-2015
- Executive Director, Gurnee Park District, IL 1996-2006
- Director of Leisure Services, Elmhurst Park District, IL 1987-1996
- of Leisure Services, Homewood-Flossmoor PD, IL 1981-1987
- Programs Manager/Supervisor Naperville PD, IL 1976-1981
