Former McHenry County Conservation District Board member John Henning will be approved to serve a second time.
Members are term-limited and must sit out some time before being re-appointed.
A summary of Henning’s application and those of others who applied follow:
- John Henning, Marengo, learned of the opening from County Board members. A farmer and fromer MCCD Trustee, he has served as President of the McHenry County Conservation Foundation and leased land from the District. Among his references are a former Chairman of the McHenry County Republican Party and a County Board member and a truck company owner who describes himself as a “grunt” on LinkedIn.
- Allan Adducci, Crystal Lake, retired Chicago real estate professional. Current MCCD Board member Lloyd Everard suggested he apply. Besides Everard, references given are former District 155 School Superintendent Steve Olson and RedTail Golf Course GemeraLL Manager Kenny Goodwin. Adducci has served as Board Member and President of the Board of Directors at The YMCA of McHenry County. He list as a “challenge” “Maintaining all existing conservation areas, while expanding the area footprint.”
- Heather Brady of Oakwood Hills learned of the opening on the MCCD web site. She works for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, based in Annapolis, Maryland, traveling to Maryland for some of her work. She is involved in fundraising, directly assists the organization’s President and manages board meetings. Her references are officers of her employer. Brady writes, “…a unique perspective to offer because, being new to the area, I come to McHenry County conservation work with no preconceived notions and a very open mind about what may help the Conservation District continue to succeed, while also being knowledgeable in a very sophisticated and successful model of ecosystem restoration from my work on the Chesapeake Bay.” Among challenges she lists, “potential funding losses and the need to diversify revenue sources” and “potential harm to sites and physical assets from the impacts of climate change or other unforeseen emergencies.”
- Bryan Doyle lives in Lake in the Hills. He became aware of the opening from Conservation District Email. He works for Huntington Bank overseeing risk for over 2000 vendors. References include members of his profession and a local counselor. An Eagle Scout active with the Boy Scouts, he has volunteered with the MCCD SWEEP program as well as served in responsible board positions in his churches.
- Jarad Hamm from Huntley si a volunteer on the MCCD Prescribed Burn Crew. He is a Civil Engineer with the Illinois Department of Transportation with involvement in most McHenry County projects. He wants to “make sure that as many acres as possible get restored to its original prairie land.” Hamm wants to “Ensur[e] that taxpayers funds are being utilized in the most efficient ways possible.”
- Kurt Kamin, also of Marengo, learned of the opening from a MCCD emailed newsletter. He wors for General Mills in Belvidere as a Production Supervisor. His three references all have an ecological connection. Kamin describes himself as “an avid naturalist.” At his home, “My partner and I bought a house and are currently restoring native plants to our yard and wooded spaces.” He grew up on a farm, majored in Chinese and International Relations at the University of Iowa and has lived and worked in China, where he “witnessed the dangers of unchecked industrialization and resulting losses of irreplaceable natural areas.” Kamin is the only application to reference the November tax hike referendum: “Although this county voted ‘YES’ for MCCD’s ‘Proposition to Increase the Limiting Rate to Protect WATER QUALITY, Preserve WILDLIFE HABITAT and Increase OUTDOOR RECREATION ACCESS FOR ALL,’ there is still work to be done. The diversity and protection of our waterways must continue to be protected–the stewardship of this board is important beyond measure.”
