Available Mentors

John McGovern

Title: Executive Director
Phone: 847-509-9400
E-mail: jmcgovern@nssra.org
College: University of New Mexico
College: Loyola University School of Law
Major: BA and MA Recreation Administration
Major: Juris Doctorate

Personal Summary: I started my career in 1975 in Albuquerque as a community center director. The City got a lot of federal monmey and I suggested we use some to start programs for people with disabilities...my boss thought that meant I was volunteering to do so, and he assigned me the task of developing those programs. Ever since then I have been in community therapeutic recreation as a leader or programmer and then as an administrator. I came to Illinois in 1979 after meeting people in Miami at NRPA Congress in 1978 and have never regretted my move here. Many park district and SRA veterans taught me a lot both in New Mexico and here. I have tried to pass on some of that to others and look forward to doing so through IPRA. Were it not for mentoring I would not, perhaps, be in Illinois nor perhaps even in my current job. My life revolves around work. In my spare time I read court decisions about the Americans with Disabilities Act and public recreation, and help others understand those decisions and avoid those problems. For relaxation I play basketball, read a lot, and volunteer for state or national associations. I really enjoy my family too and take advantage of the travel that I get to do now as a consultant.



.


Click here to join the IPRA!