Jason Mata is Dedicated to Excellence Since 1998

Jason Mata received the Dedicated to Excellence Award at the May 20 Des Plaines Park Board Board Meeting, from Jennifer Boys, Assistant Superintendent of Recreation. Mata was recognized for his leadership and mentoring skills, his strong work ethic, and his long-standing loyalty to the District. The Dedicated to Excellence Award is presented three times a year to employees who have made a positive contribution to the Park District. Potential recipients are nominated by Park District staff members, and evaluated by the Employee Relations Committee and Administrators for creativity, responsibility, community relations, and customer service.

Mata began his career at the Des Plaines Park District in June of 1998 as a lifeguard at Iroquois Pool. “From the start, Jason demonstrated great leadership potential and quickly rose through the ranks to pool manager at Iroquois, followed by pool manager at Mystic Waters,” said Boys. One of Mata’s most important duties is lifeguard training. He is responsible for making sure that the pools and pool staff are in compliance with the PDRMA (Park District Risk Management Association) safety standards, and that all lifeguards meet the Jeff Ellis and Associates guidelines for gold standard competency. “Mata’s leadership style and passion to serve the community has inspired the summer aquatic staff to return year after year. That continuity, season to season, makes our pools even safer,” Boys said.

“Jason is one of the hardest working people I have had the pleasure to work with,” said Boys. During the year, Mata is a Physical Education teacher at an elementary school in Park Ridge and an athletic trainer with Athletico at North Ridge Preparatory School in Niles. He also spent a summer working as a nationwide auditor for Jeff Ellis & Associates. “Jason’s time and training with Ellis gives him an in-depth understanding of what is required to safely serve the community. No matter the task, whether it is training, management, staff discipline, or critical daily operational tasks, I can always count on Jason to step up and accomplish every job with 100% dedication.”

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