Plainfield Park District - Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

The Plainfield Park District is governed by a five-member group of Commissioners. Commissioners are elected for six-year terms, and the terms are staggered. Elections are conducted in the spring of odd numbered years. Current board members (including their term expiration dates) are:

Michelle Kelly - Board President President
Michelle Kelly (2011)

Michelle Kelly was appointed to the Board of Commissioners to fill a vacancy in 1997 and was elected in 1999 and 2005. She also served as president from 2003 to 2007.

"I ran for election so I could have a positive impact on our rapidly-changing community," said Kelly. "Being part of shaping the Plainfield Park District is very enjoyable and meaningful. The staff and board all work toward that same goal, which makes it a great place to give your time."

Kelly grew up in Plainfield Township, graduating from Plainfield (Central) High School in 1988. She continued her education at the University of Illinois, earning a bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture in 1992. She is currently a principal landscape architect in a firm specializing in park and recreation planning and design.

Kelly and her husband have two children, both who love to try the parks out every chance they get!

michael brann Vice President
Michael Brann (2013)

Michael Brann was elected to the Board of Commissioners in April 2007.

“I ran for the park board because I wanted to give back to the communities in which I live,” said Brann. “I look forward to planning the future of the Plainfield Park District for all of our constituents.”

In addition, Brann has been involved with youth sports all of his life, including soccer, football, and baseball.

Brann, a ComEd employee for 28 years, moved to Plainfield with his wife, Patricia, in 1999. They live on the south side of the Township with five of their six children.

MK Ludemann Commissioner
Mary Kay Ludemann (2015)

Mary Kay Ludemann, the newest Commissioner on the Plainfield Park District Board, was elected in April 2009.

"I ran for the Plainfield Park District Board of Commissioners because I wanted to get more involved in the community. Parks and recreation, as well as green space areas, are very valuable and important to our community and I look forward to working with the community, park district staff and fellow commissioners."

Ludemann, a Fire Inspector for the Plainfield Fire Protection District since July 2005, has been a Fire Inspector for eleven years. Prior to becoming a Fire Inspector, she worked as a 9-1-1 Telecommunicator and was also a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician for a rural department. Her educational background includes two years of studies in Fire Science Technology, Communications and Journalism, plus additional training and certification through the Office of the State Fire Marshall.

Ludeman has lived in Plainfield since 2006. She is married to Mike Ludemann and has one adult step-son.

Commissioner
Larry Newton (20015)

Larry Newton was first elected to the Board of Commissioners in April 2003, and again in April 2009. He served as vice president for two years before being serving as president from May 2007 to May 2009.

"I ran for the board because I wanted the park district to develop a concrete plan for the future. I really enjoy hearing from our constituents and being able to address their issues."

Newton, a Plainfield resident since 1998, works for the Forest Preserve District of Will County as a land preservation coordinator, a position he has held since September 2005. Before that, he was employed by the Will County Land Use Department for more than seven years. Newton has two bachelor’s degrees from Elmhurst College, one in Political Science/German and one in History, and a master’s degree in Geography and Environmental Planning from Southern Illinois University.

Newton and his wife have five children.

Commissioner
John M. Wilson, Jr. (2013)

John Wilson was first elected to the Board of Commissioners in April of 1983. At the time, the Plainfield Park District had only four community parks and two neighborhood parks. Today, the Park District has more than 80 parks including 10 community parks, 5 natural resource areas and 6 special use parks and facilities including the Normantown Trails Equestrian Center.

"The Board of Commissioners has enabled this phenomenal growth to occur, and the executive director and staff make it all happen day-in and day-out. I am so proud to be part of the Plainfield Park District."