RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF DECEMBER 1, 2016
Title
RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners recognizing Commissioner David J. Walsh’s fourteen months of service to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District
Body
WHEREAS, Commissioner David J. Walsh, having faithfully served on the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago since 2015, has announced his departure effective December 5, 2016; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Walsh was appointed on September 28, 2015 as a Commissioner by Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner to fill a vacancy; and
WHEREAS, William D. and Barbara K. Walsh raised Commissioner Walsh and his seven siblings to enjoy life, be respectful of others, and to give back to the community; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Walsh earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. While attending the University, he served as an elected member of the Faculty-Student Senate; and
WHEREAS, after graduation, Commissioner Walsh served 3 terms as a Director of the University of Illinois Alumni Board; and
WHEREAS, in 1988, Commissioner Walsh’s brother, Tom Walsh, was appointed to serve as Commissioner at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, and while he served faithfully in this role, his accomplishments pale in comparison to those of David; and
WHEREAS, in 2000, he completed the General Management Executive Education program at Harvard Business School in Boston, Massachusetts; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Walsh served as the Vice President of Tribune Interactive, where he oversaw print and online classified strategies for 10 Tribune owned companies; and
WHEREAS, in 2005, he served as the Vice President of Advertising for the Los Angeles Times; and
WHEREAS, after leaving the Los Angeles Times, Commissioner Walsh served as the Senior Vice President of Advertising for the Minneapolis Star Tribune; and
WHEREAS, in 2011 he joined Mark J. Walsh and Company as head of Business Development, a Chicago based commodity trading advisor; and
WHEREAS, during his time as a Commissioner, Mr. Walsh served as the Chairman of the Industrial Waste and Water Pollution Committee; served as Chairman of the Monitoring and Research Committee; served as Vice Chairman of the Information Technology Committee; and served as Vice Chairman of the Judiciary Committee; and
WHEREAS, throughout his time at the District, Commissioner Walsh has developed friendships with many employees which he will treasure long after his departure; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Walsh has an established background of serving citizens and businesses in Illinois, Los Angeles, and Minneapolis; and
WHEREAS, outside of his dedicated service to the District, he serves as a mentor and student sponsor at Holy Trinity High School in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, as a private citizen, Commissioner Walsh will continue to advocate for clean water initiatives, and good business practices; and
WHEREAS, in his retirement, Commissioner Walsh plans on spending more time traveling and relaxing with his friends and family, including Commissioner Alvarez and his family; and
WHEREAS, the District will miss his leadership, integrity, sense of humor, and commitment to the District's mission and the people of Cook County; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, on behalf of ourselves and staff, do hereby recognize Commissioner Walsh’s dedicated service to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and express our gratitude and appreciation for his work on behalf of the taxpayers of the District; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread upon the permanent Record of Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, and that a copy of same, suitably engrossed, be presented to Commissioner David J. Walsh.
Dated: December 1, 2016
Approved: MARIYANA T. SPYROPOULOS, President; BARBARA J. MCGOWAN, Vice President; FRANK AVILA, Chairman, Committee on Finance; MICHAEL A. ALVAREZ; TIMOTHY BRADFORD; CYNTHIA M. SANTOS; DEBRA SHORE; KARI K. STEELE; Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
Approved as to Form and Legality: Ronald M. Hill, General Counsel, RMH:yt:kk