Park district looking for new leader... again

Susan Knoblauch has decided against taking the position of executive director of the Peoria Park District, less than a week before she was to begin the job.

A Park District news release said Knoblauch, of Washington, cited personal and family reason for her decision. She was scheduled to begin the job on June 1.

“We respect Susie’s decision and wish her the very best in the future,” Park Board President Tim Cassidy said in the news release.

Emily Cahill will continue to serve as the park district’s interim executive director until a permanent director is named, the release said.

Knoblauch was announced as the replacement for long-time executive director Bonnie Noble after an extensive search. One of the keys to her hiring was her experience directing athletic activities at the state and federal levels. Before being named to replace Noble she was director of activities and sports at the National Federation of State High School Associations, based in Indianapolis.

Prior to that she was head of several programs at the Illinois High School Association.

About the Author

Paul Gordon is the editor of The Peorian after spending 29 years of indentured servitude at the Peoria Journal Star. He’s an award-winning writer, raconteur and song-and-dance man. He also went to a high school whose team name is the Alices (that’s Vincennes Lincoln High School in Indiana; you can look it up).