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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF MR. CHRIS T. MERENOWICZ
WHEREAS, Mr. Chris Merenowicz has retired from his position as the Director of the Department of Resource Management at the Forest Preserve District of Cook County after a career at the Preserves that has spanned over 28 years; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Merenowicz earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Zoology from Eastern Illinois University in 1981, he began his career at the Forest Preserve District of Cook County as a Naturalist Aide upon graduation, then leaving the District in 1982 to become the Director of Animal Control for the City of Aurora.; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Merenowicz returned to the Forest Preserve to begin his illustrious career and accept full-time employment as a Naturalist I in 1986 in the Conservation Department;
WHEREAS, Mr. Merenowicz accepted the Fisheries Biologist I position in 1987; and was then promoted to Chief Fisheries Biologist in 1993 where he lead the coordination of the Skokie Lagoon's Lake Restoration Project and developed the Tampier Lake Walleye Propagation program, which allowed the stocking of millions of walleye into Preserve lakes. In addition, he coordinated the Urban Fishing Program and established the Fisheries department which manages over forty lakes; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Merenowicz was then appointed as the Director of the Conservation Department in 1999 and led the District's six nature centers, Ecology section, Wildlife section, Volunteer Resources section and Fisheries section; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Merenowicz, during the District's tough financial times in 2002, was instrumental in the creation of the Resource Management Department in 2003. At this time, he was appointed to the position of Assistant Director of the new department and assisted with the implementation of the District-wide trail-signage program, coordinated the department's SB-83 projects, and developed the stocking of large species of game fish such as, walleye and muskellunge. He additionally was integral in the development and implementation of three Illinois High School Association, Sectional Bass fishing tournaments, which began in the Spring of 2008. Mr. Merenowicz also established the Integrated Wildlife Management Program with the United States Department of Agriculture, which has allowed for an increase in biodiversity in many of our preserves; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Merenowicz was then appointed as the Director of Resource Management in 2011, which during this time, he led the department through a transition of a newly created administration and introduced a suite of new directives that helped restructure Resource Management, successfully transported the President along the Happy Canoe Year route; played a vital role in the development of new initiatives and various projects throughout the District including the Camping, Recreation and Trails Master Plans; over saw the expansion of the department's Resource Ecology section, managed the day to day operations of the department; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Merenowicz has had an impact on numerous young lives from very diverse backgrounds outside of his role at the Preserves, with a long career of coaching high school track and field, football, and wrestling at Lincoln Way East, Hillcrest, and currently at his alma mater Tinley Park; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Merenowicz was more than just a "supervisor" to all with whom he worked, by always going the extra mile and providing good, sound advice, whether work related or a personal matter. He was determined in his efforts to produce a comfortable working environment for staff and would rather do something himself instead of asking someone else to assist him. Mr. Merenowicz led by example and earned the respect of all of his staff through his dedication and indomitable work ethic.
WHEREAS, Mr. Merenowicz would want to recognize his wife of 26 years, Christine; and his son Peter, who currently is serving in the United States Marine Corps, for all of their support and understanding over the years; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Toni Preckwinkle, along with the members of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board of Commissioners and on behalf of all citizens of Cook County, do hereby congratulate Chris Merenowicz on a long career of public service and thank Mr. Merenowicz for his many contributions to the Forest Preserve District of Cook County for over almost three decades; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be tendered to Mr. Chris Merenowicz in recognition of his career, contributions to the Forest Preserve District of Cook County and his passion for public service.
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