Head of the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County to retire next month

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — The head of the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County plans to retire at the end of next month after a dozen years leading the government agency responsible for protecting natural land and connecting people with nature.

Executive Director Mike Holan, 64, plans to retire March 31, capping off a career that spanned more than 40 years with three different forest preserve agencies. Holan was hired here in March 2013 after three decades combined between the forest preserves in DuPage and Kane counties. He succeeded Tom Kalousek.

“He’s been very instrumental in land acquisition assistance. He’s done a lot for us on budget management and personnel management,” said Jeff Tilly, president of the board of commissioners. “We’re sad to see him go … He will be greatly missed once he retires.”

The district has added hundreds more acres of protected land under Holan’s tenure, increasing its coverage from nearly 9,500 acres to nearly 11,600 acres of woods, wetlands, rivers, prairies and ponds. It has also moved to a more technology-centered operation and improved its website and ability to communicate with the public, Holan said.

The preserves employ 34 full-time workers, one part timer and has about 100 seasonal employees.

“We’ve got a great staff here and we’ve got a lot of great forest preserves,” Holan said. “I’ve worked at three agencies and some of the forest preserves here are top notch as far as quality and what they have to offer.”

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Holan said he and his wife, Gayle, recently purchased a travel trailer and plan to put it into full use in retirement.

“We’re planning on doing a bunch of traveling and hit as many of the national parks as we can while we’re still able to do some hiking,” Holan said.

Holan’s career began in 1983 with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. He worked there until 2003, rising to west sector operations supervisor for the agency. He was then director of operations and maintenance for the Forest Preserve District of Kane County until being hired to lead Winnebago County’s forest preserve agency.

Commissioners have contracted with the Illinois Association of Park Districts to assist in a search for Holan’s successor.

“Definitely Mike’s replacement has big shoes to fill,” Tilly said. “We’re looking for someone who works cooperatively with the board, the staff and the public.”

Tilly said commissioners have a short timeline to find Holan’s successor, and they will entertain a short-term extension with him to assist in a transition period if a new executive director cannot be hired by March 31.

“We’re actively looking for somebody,” Tilly said. “We want to encourage public input on any suggestions or ideas that people may have in regards to the operations of the district.”

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas