Pictured: Bret Johnson, new Champaign Park District Director of Operations & Planning
Champaign Park District is pleased to announce that Bret Johnson has been named the new Director of Operations and Planning of the District.
Johnson holds a bachelor’s degree in forestry and began working at Champaign Park District in the fall of 2004 as a seasonal sports field crew member. In December 2005, he was hired full-time as an arborist. Over the last 20 years, he has served in several different operations roles and was promoted to Assistant Director of Operations in 2020.
“Bret Johnson has a proven history of great leadership and work ethic,” said Sarah Sandquist, Executive Director of Champaign Park District. “We are thrilled for him to step into this new role and utilize his experience and skills to lead operations and planning staff in keeping our parks and facilities in excellent shape for the community.”
The Director of Operations and Planning oversees dozens of full-time, part-time, and seasonal staff members and manages essential projects. Operations projects include park planning and development, facility and park maintenance, horticulture, natural areas preservation, tree plantings, grounds work, and sports field upkeep.
“I am excited to step into this new role and continue serving operations and planning staff and our community,” said Johnson. “We have an outstanding team, and I truly enjoy getting to work alongside them each day to keep the Park District beautiful and functional for our patrons.”
Johnson is taking over the role from Dan Olson, who served as the Director of Operations and Planning for eight years. Olson was recently appointed the Executive Director of the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Chelsea Norton
Director of Marketing & Development
Champaign Park District
217-819-3934
chelsea.norton@champaignparks.org
