Dr. Ted Flickinger IAPD Executive Director Good executive leadership is the greatest asset in the recreation and park field, and paying a good salary to get it is both politically and economically sound. Each park district, forest preserve, recreation or conservation agency is unique and will require different strengths in a chief executive. Good management means a good salary. Taxpayers want efficiency, not false economy in the form of substandard salaries that result in costly turnovers, low morale and poor service.
Cheap leadership is very expensive if unsatisfactory and ineffective services result.
Good executive leadership is the greatest asset in the recreation and park field, and paying a good salary to get it is both politically and economically sound. DO NOT hire an individual because of political affiliation or relationships with board members. DO NOT overrate a candidate who has a ready made program to resolve all problems. DO NOT hire a person to keep the agency out of trouble by not wanting to address controversy. DO NOT be overly impressed by a candidate who seems to know all the answers without getting all the facts.