Buffalo Grove Park District Executive Director Announces Retirement

BUFFALO GROVE, IL — A career with the Buffalo Grove Park District that began as an intern 30 years ago will come to an end next year when Ryan Risinger retires. The current executive director will retire May 26, 2023, according to a news release.

Risinger first joined the District as an intern in May 1992, and was hired as a full time recreation supervisor in November of that year. He would work his way up, becoming division manager in 1995, superintendent of recreation in 2001, director of recreation in 2010, and was appointed executive director by the Park Board of Commissioners in 2014, following the retirement of Dan Schimmel.

“Not many people can say they’ve spent their entire career in one place. I am so incredibly fortunate to have landed where I did, and spend my entire professional career at an agency like the Buffalo Grove Park District,” Risinger said in a statement.

According to the news release, Risinger entered the parks and recreation field after earning his bachelor’s degree at Illinois State University. He went on to earn a master’s degree in public administration from Villanova University.

While serving the Buffalo Grove community at the Park District, he also served as a member of the Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove for the past 10 years, and was the club president in 2017-18.

Risinger and his wife of 31 years, Pari, have three adult children.

“Ryan has been a tremendous asset to the Park District, and to the Buffalo Grove community. He has devoted his entire career of over 30 years in making Buffalo Grove a great place to live," Buffalo Grove Park District Board President Scott Jacobson said. "He will be missed, but, he has put into place a strong team behind him that will continue making our Park District one of the best park districts in the country. We wish him well in his retirement, which is well deserved.”