Bill McAdam Elected to the American Academy for Park and Recreation
DOWNERS GROVE, IL—Bill McAdam, Executive Director at the Downers Grove Park District, has been elected as a Fellow into the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration. McAdam was recently inducted at the Academy’s virtual General Membership Meeting September 14, 2022.
The Academy is a group of distinguished practitioners and educators who are leaders in the parks and recreation profession. They must have served for at least 15 years in a high level of administration in a park and recreation agency or as a recognized educator in parks and recreation administration or they must manage a park and recreation department for an agency with a population of more than 500,000. They also must have demonstrated outstanding ability in administration, management or education in the profession; displayed broad interest with a direct service benefit to the advancement of public parks and recreation or assumed leadership with a keen desire to contribute to the advancement of the field. The Academy is limited to 137 active members.
Established in 1980, the Academy was formed to advance knowledge related to the administration of recreation and parks; to support and encourage scholarly efforts by both practitioners and educators to enhance the practice of park and recreation administration; to promote broader public understanding of the importance of parks and recreation to the public good; and to conduct research, publish scholarly papers and/or sponsor seminars related to the advancement of park and recreation administration.
“The Class of 2022 is a great addition to the Academy,” said President Bill Foelsch, Township of Morris, New Jersey, “The Academy is honored to induct Bill McAdam into its ranks. The Academy represents a diverse group of professionals and educators – all with superior career experience and a dedication to improving the quality of life through the provision of high-quality parks and recreation opportunities. We welcome our 2022 Fellows.”
Bill McAdam has served as Executive Director at the Downers Grove Park District since 2012 where he manages a $13 million budget, leads 400 professionals and oversees over 600 acres on 48 sites. McAdam began his career in parks and recreation at age 14 when he worked as concession stand attendant at the Lemont Park District. Since 2014, Bill has given back to his hometown by serving on the Park Board of Commissioners in Lemont, Illinois. In 2022, Bill was honored as the Professional of the Year by the Illinois Park and Recreation Association.
“The Downers Grove Park District thanks Bill for his dedicated leadership and service to our community,” said Cathy Mahoney, President of the Downers Grove Park Board of Commissioners. “Bill is highly respected by his colleagues as an industry leader and has helped to cultivate the profession throughout the State of Illinois by sharing his knowledge, experience, time and talents. The Board of Commissioners congratulates Bill on this outstanding achievement.”
More information on the Academy is available at www.aapra.org.