Bob Gelwicks applied in November, 2003, for the open Commissioner position on the Park Board and was appointed to the Park Board in March, 2004. Bob has been interested in youth recreational activities his entire life and looked at this position as an opportunity to contribute to the community of Downers Grove .

Born and raised in Cincinnati, Bob accepted, upon graduation from Notre Dame, a computer programming position with Sears in Chicago and moved to Downers Grove in 1974 and has been a resident ever since. Bob’s involvement in youth sports began immediately as he became a Babe Ruth League umpire and a team manager. Bob has now been coaching in Downers Grove Youth Baseball for over 30 years.

Bob’s career at Sears progressed through a series of management positions in the data center and eventually in building the Network Control Center which managed the Sears data and voice communications network. Bob was an executive of a division of Sears which entered into a partnership with IBM, and eventually the division was acquired by IBM. Bob became an Account Director at IBM, and eventually became responsible for designing, building and installing customer networks. This IBM division was then acquired by AT&T where Bob was Vice President responsible for installing customer networks. Bob retired from AT&T in 2004.

Bob and Nancy got married in 1987 and have 3 children (Dan –17, Pat – 14 and Katie –10) who have grown up in Downers Grove and participated in Park District activities from the beginning of their active lives, and all 3 went through the Park District’s Pre-School program. Bob, while continuing his baseball coaching, became involved in the DGYB Board of Directors during this time, eventually serving as Chairman of the Board from 1997-2004.

While DGYB Chairman, Bob had the opportunity to work closely with the Park District staff and become acquainted with its operation. Since his appointment to the Park Board Bob has spent considerable time getting to know the vast resources of the Park District and has gained a respect for what the Park District offers the community of Downers Grove . Bob has furthered his knowledge of the role of parks and recreation in the community by attending in October, 2004, the national convention of Parks and Recreation in Reno , NV , and the state convention in Chicago in January, 2005. These events have given Bob new ideas on how to enhance the Park District’s activities.

Having now spent 1 year on the Park Board, Bob is more committed than ever to the role the Park District plays in the lives of the people of Downers Grove . Bob believes his vast management background, his knowledge of the Downers Grove Park District, his personal commitment of time and energy, and his proven track record of doing what’s in the best interest of the Downers Grove community makes him an ideal Park District Commissioner.

Citizens for Bob Gelwicks is a Political Committee

A copy of our report filed with the DuPage County Clerk is (or will be) available for purchase from the DuPage County Clerk, 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, Illinois  60187