RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF MARCH 20, 2025
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RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners recognizing Executive Director Brian A. Perkovich’s 31 years of service to the District and congratulating him on his well-earned retirement
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WHEREAS, Brian was born the middle child and only son of Anthony and Kathleen Perkovich and grew up in Oak Lawn, IL, sharing close relationships with his parents and his sisters, Linda and Lisa, and his large extended family; and
WHEREAS, Brian graduated from St. Linus Grammar School, where he formed some of the core friendships he carries with him today. From there he attended Marist High School where he excelled academically, expanded his friend group, and he first developed his love of running; and
WHEREAS, Brian received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his Master’s degree in Business Administration in Finance from DePaul University; and
WHEREAS, Brian is a devoted husband to his wife, Alicia, and proud and loving father of his children, Madeline and Aidan. You could say that the District played a part in Brian and Alicia’s love story. Early in Brian’s career, he met Alicia while taking the “L” to and from work and they rode it together for a few years. Now, Brian finishes his career riding the Metra with her each day; and
WHEREAS, Brian has completed many 5Ks, half marathons and marathons over the years, which have come to symbolize his dedication and drive. He was an early supporter of the District’s participation in the Corporate Challenge, before it became the signature event that it did, back when it was a small group of District runners sharing a package of cookies after a race well run. His commute over the past 31 years has involved planes, trains, buses, cars, lots of walking and - of course - his beloved Divvy bike. His morning and evening commutes to and from the office have earned him self-proclaimed platinum level status on Divvy; and
WHEREAS, Brian began his career at the District in 1993 as an Assistant Civil Engineer, and he was later selected to lead the operations at the Egan Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) and at the Hanover Park WRP before being promoted to lead the operations at the Calumet WRP in 2005. Prior to being named Executive Director in 2018, Brian served as an Assistant Director in the Maintenance & Operations Department; and
WHEREAS, Brian has had a varied career at the District and is always able to stay calm under pressure. Throughout his career, Brian was committed to ensuring that the agency is forward thinking, innovative, and a leader in sustainability and resilience, embracing its Utility of the Future designation in the midst of a changing climate; and
WHEREAS, Brian led the District through the pandemic and was instrumental in ensuring the District did not have a COVID outbreak. Brian launched an ambitious five-year Strategic Plan to expand its goals, vision and values. Under his leadership, the District implemented initiatives to continue meeting water quality requirements, expand green infrastructure, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and maintain wastewater treatment facilities to meet evolving environmental challenges; and
WHEREAS, Brian initiated the implementation of combined heat and power (CHP) to maximize biogas utilization and energy efficiency at the Egan WRP. Brian has been very supportive of operations initiatives including implementing efficient aeration for energy savings; and
WHEREAS, beyond his responsibilities at the District, Brian is professionally active representing the District in the Illinois Association of Wastewater Agencies where he served as its past President and was named the recipient of the 2021 Illinois Award, its highest honor. Brian is also a member of the Water Environment Federation and is a Board Member of Current, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, and the Water Research Foundation; 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 honor and express our sincerest gratitude to Executive Director Brian A. Perkovich for his extraordinary dedication and service to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago; 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 Executive Director Brian A. Perkovich.
Dated: March 20, 2025