Park Board Candidate Michael Schyman

Michael Schyman

Age: 34 
Family: Wife Loren, Daughter (age 9), and Son (age 6) 
Education: MBA, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern, and BS Mechanical Engineering, University of Rochester 
Occupation: Customer Operations Manager, Energy Industry 
Previous Elected or Appointed Offices (please include years of service): Northbrook Park District Board, 2009-present

Other community involvement:  Little League coach, Baseball, Soccer, and Basketball 
Position sought: Northbrook Park District Board

Campaign E-mail address:  mschyman@nbparks.org 
Campaign committee:  Penny Randel, Michael Schyman, and Paul Zima 
Campaign Websites, Facebook or Twitter:  Facebook “Re-Elect Randel, Schyman, and Zima”

Why are you running?

I love being an active member of the community!  I want to continue my existing leadership role on the Park Board which enables me to be active in the Northbrook community and enhance my personal development.  When I was elected to the Park Board in 2009, I began bringing an intelligent and fresh perspective that I believe has served the Park District and residents of Northbrook very well. I am a father of 2 young kids (ages 6 and 8) which diversifies my young family perspective to the rest of the Park Board.

In what ways would the community benefit from your service?

First, I have sound judgment and intellectual capabilities.  I currently use my strong judgment of character to problem solve in my career and assist others through mentoring/tutoring.  My job requires frequent reporting to our corporate Board of Directors and interaction with Senior Officers, so I understand the dynamic between a Board and employees.  Additionally, my background in Finance, Engineering, and Environmental Stewardship have provided many experiences that I reference in the oversight role of a Park Board Commissioner. 

Second, I know Northbrook.  My wife and I have both grew up in Northbrook, we bought a house in Northbrook when we got married, and we love the community.  Growing up in Northbrook, I’ve literally accessed all Park District facilities – such as speed skating at Sports Center, acting in Northbrook Theater productions, playing Northbrook Baseball, golfing at Sportsmans, and lifeguarding at Meadowhill Pool.  Now as a parent, I’ve begun introducing my kids to the parks, facilities, and activities all over again.

Third, I have a passion for the responsibilities of the Park District.  I believe the Park Board and Staff have a responsibility to the taxpayers and customers of the facilities to provide high quality facilities and activities with economic and environmental discipline.  Success by the Board and Staff equates to a better quality of life, community interaction, and property value for all Northbrook residents.

What is the biggest challenge the Park Board faces and what should be done to address it?

The biggest issue facing the Northbrook Park District is Park and Land Development.  The Park District recently invested in Park and Land Development with the acquisition of 180 Anets Drive, investment in the Leisure Center, recent completion of Floral Park, and commitment to repurposing Coast Guard Park into a Dog Park.  The Park District must continue to understand the needs of the community and appropriately invest in new and existing Parks and Properties to meet those needs and improve our constituents quality of life.  As a Commissioner, I will ensure the Park District Board and Staff always work with the community in an open and transparent manner to ensure contemplated investments (e.g., 180 Anets Drive development and the Dog Park) are supported by the Northbrook community while maintaining prudent financial discipline. 

What do you think the Park Board does well?

Financial Stewardship, Transparency, Long-term planning.

What should be some of the Park Board’s priorities be over the next four years?

The most pressing issues facing the Park District are Park/Land development, maintaining Financial Discipline, and Customer Satisfaction. 

The Park District recently invested in Park and Land Development with the acquisition of 180 Anets Drive, investment in the Leisure Center, recent completion of Floral Park, and potential repurposing of Coast Guard Park into a Northbrook Dog Park.  The Park District must continue to understand the needs of the community and appropriately invest in new and existing Parks and Properties to meet those needs.  The Park District Board and Staff must work with the community in a transparent manner to ensure contemplated investments (e.g., 180 Anets Drive development and the Dog Park) are supported by the Northbrook Community. 

The second pressing issue is maintaining Financial Discipline.  The Park District maintains a strong financial position supported by its Aaa credit rating (from Moody’s Rating Agency), annual Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the GFOA (Government Finance Officers Association), and disciplined Capital Investment Program.  While the financial position is strong, the Park District must constantly approach budgeting and Long-Term Planning to maintain a strong balance sheet, adequate liquidity, and sufficient reserves – all with prudency to manage Northbrook taxpayer dollars rigorously.

Lastly, the Park District must demonstrate a commitment to improving Customer Satisfaction.  The 2009 and 2012 Community Interest and Opinion Surveys are examples of how the Park District has been provided a pulse on the needs and uses of Park Facilities and Programs.  The Park District must utilize important benchmarks like the Surveys to understand, serve, and improve the needs of entire community and improve Customer Satisfaction.  Failure to focus on Customer Satisfaction would likely lead to erosion of the community’s trust and reliance on an the amenities that the Park District provides.

What else would you like voters to know?

Professionally I bring sound judgment, customer satisfaction, and financial management skills to the Board.  My background in Finance, Engineering, Customer Operations, and Environmental Stewardship have provided many experiences that I reference in the oversight role of a Park Board Commissioner.  Personally, I live and love Northbrook.  Growing up in Northbrook, I've experienced so much of what the Park District offers – such as speed skating at Sports Center, acting in Northbrook Theater productions, playing Northbrook Baseball, golfing at Sportsmans, and lifeguarding at Meadowhill Pool.  Now as a parent, I'm looking through the parks and programs through the lens of my 6 and 9 year old kids and constantly looking for ways the Northbrook Park District can improve and make kids experiences better and better!