About Brian Charles

Name: Brian Charles

Position sought: St. Charles Park District Board.

Campaign contact information: bccharles@sbcglobal.net, 630-400-4696

What will be your single most important priority if you get elected?

My over-arching priority is to provide the same, excellent level of services to St. Charles park district residents that we have enjoyed to-date while ensuring that budget priorities are met. Achieving balance between community stakeholders and the park district will contribute directly to meeting this priority item

Succeeding in this role requires a board member to engage with the community, and I am ready to undertake that outreach through my association with the Park Board.

Home address: St. Charles, IL 60174

Family members: Ann: wife

Jack: son, 10

Emily: daughter, 8

Education: University of Iowa, 1990, BA

Roosevelt University, 1995, MS

Illinois Institute of Technology, 2002, MBA

Current occupation and employer: Mobility consulting executive for Dell Inc.

Political party affiliation: Independent

Why Are You Seeking Office?

My aim in seeking office is to tap the collective passion that we have as residents of St. Charles to maintain and enhance our exemplary park district services.

I want to bring the engaging and revealing approach that I use in consulting my technology clients to this Park Board role because I believe it will uncover areas for improvement as well as areas where we can share our excellent approach and results with other communities.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

I am a 19-year resident of St. Charles with a family that utilizes all of our wonderful facilities. As such, I will bring to the park district board the perspective of a consumer of park district services combined with the clear focus of being a newcomer to the political scene.

Further, as an advisor to some of the world’s leading corporations, I know how to define and deliver on strategic planning — crucial to this role.

Issue 1: What steps will you take to ensure the Park District keeps its spending within budget?

My agenda will be to ensure that we meet budget priorities while conserving our finances. Rationalizing and conserving will be my key drivers.

In the past financial year, the park district reduced its debt service by approximately $320,000 through paying down bonds issued in 2002. This action shows its commitment to financial management, and I will ensure that -- in all decisions where I can apply my finance skills -- we continue to do so.

Please add any other information pertinent to your campaign.

My background in managing people, systems and finances in corporate settings over a two-decade period is a solid management base for serving on the Park Board and dealing with complex issues affecting our community.

I will ensure that St. Charles residents receive the best value in Park District services for their tax dollar, maintaining St. Charles's status as an ideal place to live and raise a family.