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Health & Fitness

Desiree van Thorre Promoted to Human Resources & Risk Manager

The Des Plaines Park District announced today that Desiree van Thorre has been promoted to the position of Human Resources and Risk Manager, effective September 30. Van Thorre graduated from Purdue University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Management and an Associate of Science Degree in Technology, with minors in Organizational Behavior/Human Resources and Psychology. She began her career at the Des Plaines Park District as the Aquatics and Youth Programs Supervisor with over five years of on-the-job experience at the Park Ridge Park District. Since March of 2011, she has managed Iroquois and Chippewa neighborhood pools and Mystic Waters Family Aquatic Center during the summer, overseeing a staff of 200. Her responsibilities have included recruiting, training, and mentoring the lifeguard staff, and providing in-service training according to Jeff Ellis and Associates and Park District Risk Management Agency (PDRMA) guidelines. She has also supervised a variety of youth programs, including Fantastic Fridays, Middle School Drop-Ins, School Day-Off Programs, and the Ski & Snowboard youth and family trips.

“This newly created position will develop, update, and maintain District Human Resource procedures and programs,” said Don Miletic, Assistant Executive Director. “In addition, van Thorre will be the Chairperson of the Risk Management Committee which will begin preparing for the 2014 PDRMA accreditation, the comprehensive measure of loss prevention practices in every department.”

As Human Resources & Risk Manager, van Thorre will administer the employee benefits program, including insurance and retirement claims; handle employee relations issues including workman’s compensation; serve as the ethics advisor in conjunction with legal counsel to ensure that the District is compliant with all state laws; and serve as the HIPAA compliance officer. “My focus is on the employee,” said van Thorre, “I am looking forward to strengthening the Risk Management team, establishing consistency across the District in our human resource practices, and becoming a resource for all safety related issues.”

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“We are very fortunate to have Desiree step into this position at the District,” Miletic concluded. “Her organizational and employee management skills, and her commitment to the District and our safety practices make her perfect for the job.”

For more information about the Des Plaines Park district visit www.DPParks.org.

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