Valerie Louthan Named Superintendent of Recreation

For the past several summers, Valerie Louthan has been the energetic and well respected Aquatics Manager at the Clarendon Hills Park District's Lions Park Pool, known for her commitment to aquatics safety, the Sea Lions Swim Team, and "fun in the sun." In the off season, Clarendon Hills' residents knew her as a creative and innovative recreation supervisor, who helped to plan the Daddy-Daughter and Mommy-Son Date Nights, Lunch With Santa, Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, and the Easter Egg Hunt. Earlier in March, this dedicated Clarendon Hills Park District staff member found herself diving into a new role at the Community Center after she was named the new Superintendent of Recreation, replacing Kelly Smith who retired in January. "I am grateful and humbled to have been selected for this position, and I look forward to continuing to work on behalf of this wonderful community. As I begin this new role, I look forward to working with Executive Director Don Scheltens, the Board of Commissioners, our wonderful neighbors, and a dedicated recreation staff," she said. It is my pleasure to lead the Clarendon Hills Park District into and through the new decade," Louthan added. A native of Elmhurst, Louthan grew up swimming and attended college at Illinois Benedictine in Lisle, majoring in marketing with a minor in French. Although she originally considered a career working in a museum, as a young mom in Joliet she decided to revisit her passion for the water, and accepted a position with the Joliet Park District focusing in on aquatics. After joining the Clarendon Hills Park District staff in 2016, Louthan knew she had found the ideal position. As Superintendent of Recreation, she will handle administrative responsibilities for the Community Center, the Active Learners Preschool, camps, the Lions Park Pool, and all recreational programs. She will still remain a familiar face at the Lions Park Pool this summer. In her limited spare time, Louthan enjoys working out and yoga. She is the proud mom of two athletic and active teen age boys, and is the wife of Jay Louthan, a police officer in the Will County area. Congratulations Valerie.