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Mayor Kenneth Nelson

Ken Nelson brings a wealth of experience from the private and public sectors. After graduating from Colorado State University, he spent more than 30 years in the broadcast industry, first as an anchorman and reporter covering state and local governments, then in management positions in television newsrooms. Later Ken moved into corporate communications, working on a variety of projects with top-level management at McDonald’s Corporation and other large companies.

Ken and his wife Carol moved to Rolling Meadows in 1985 and became active in the community. Ken was appointed to the Plan Commission and later was elected as alderman representing the First Ward. He’s been involved in a number of projects in the community including chairing the Economic Development Committee for the past seven years, hosting many events including the Christmas tree lighting and the dedication of the carillon and serving on a number of ad hoc committees.

Ken has also been actively involved in regional activities as well. He currently serves on the Northwest Municipal Conference Sensible Growth Committee and is a member of the Advisory Committee to the William Rainey Harper Journalism Department.

Ken and Carol have three children. A grown daughter in Colorado served as a deputy sheriff before giving that up for the even harder job of raising four sons. Two younger daughters are students at Fremd High School in Rolling Meadows. All are active in their church, where both Ken and Carol have served as deacons and elders.

City Manager Thomas M. Melena

News Release

1st Ward Alderman John Pitzaferro

John Pitzaferro lives and works in the City of Rolling Meadows with his wife and four children.  John has lived in the 1st Ward since 2001 and moved his Chicago based credit card processing company headquarters to Rolling Meadows in 2006.  John’s company employs over 100 people—many of whom live here in Rolling Meadows .

John has a passion for helping people in both his personal and professional lives.  In 2006 he volunteered for a week in Waveland , Mississippi helping rebuild the lives of people devastated by the catastrophe of Hurricane Katrina.  John has opened his home to neighbors, on a regular basis, offering his hospitality to encourage others to serve those who live in the surrounding community.  In addition, John is a member of, and gives joyfully to, Willow Creek Community Church .

John also tries to inspire the people he works with to serve others.  John has implemented policies in his company to motivate others to serve—such as a yearly Christmas “adopt-a-family program” and a “one-day a year” program that encourages his employees to take paid time off of work one-day a year to volunteer in the community.

John Pitzaferro was elected Alderman of the 1st Ward in the spring of 2007.  Due to John’s diverse experience in business he was immediately appointed to serve on the Economic Development Committee.  He is a member of the Rolling Meadows Chamber of Commerce.  John can be reached by email at Ward1@cityrm.org or by phone at (847)655-1390.

2nd Ward Alderman Barb Lusk

Phone: (847) 567-2444

3rd Ward Alderman Larry Buske

New to the City Council, elected in 2003, but certainly not new to the Community, Larry Buske has been a resident of Rolling Meadows for 33 years.  In addition to being a husband and a father of three, and managing his own small business for 38 years, Larry served as a volunteer Rolling Meadows Police Officer for eight years, from 1980 to 1988.  His service to the Community also included being appointed to the Fire and Police Commission from 1995 to 1997.  Larry also volunteered as a Scout leader and also served as a church youth group leader prior to 1980.

Larry Buske has the objective of becoming an effective representative of the voters in his ward, and being a positive influence within the City Council to improve and maintain the quality of life for Rolling Meadows residents.  He sincerely cares about issues that will be decided now, influencing  residents in the future.  Phone:  (847) 255-9126

4th Ward Alderman Tom Rooney

Appointed in July, 2000, to replace Alderman Mark Evenson, who resigned due to a re-location of residency. Rooney has served on the Ad Hoc Veterans Committee, the Library Board of Trustees and the Ad Hoc Historical Committee.

He is also a member of the National Association of Parliamentarians.

Rooney currently is teaching Economics, Sociology, Psychology, and Current Events to seniors at the Honors and Regular levels at West Leyden High School. Rooney has taught at Our Lady of the Wayside School, and was a Youth Minister at St. Francis de Sales Church, in Lake Zurich. Rooney has also spent his past two summers working with the City's Building & Zoning Department and also the Finance Department. Phone: 847-392-2254

5th Ward Alderman Glenn A. Adams

Glenn Adams a resident of the 5th ward for over 30 years, brings to City Council many years of varied business experience in industrial and construction markets.  He believes in a strong economic development program to maintain a balanced community between commercial, retail and residential sectors. Glenn continues to work with staff and his fellow council members to maintain and advance the quality of life and city services within Rolling Meadows. He continues to address issues with O’Hare Airport, understanding the advantages offered by having a major transportation hub in the area but working with staff pushing for quieter aircraft and altered air traffic patterns to reduce air traffic and noise over our community.  Glenn also serves as the alternate delegate to the Joint Action Water Agency. Phone:  847-259-5875.

6th Ward Alderman Kathy Kwandras

Having grown up in Rolling Meadows when her parents brought their young family here in 1955, and living here most of her life, she is a very active member of the Community.  Kathy and her husband John raised their family, two sons, Michael and John W. in Rolling Meadows . 

Serving on many committees, such as Ad hoc Historical Committee, Police Chief search 1998, Ad hoc 50th Anniversary for City, Police Neighborhood Resource Foundation Board, City Council Liaison for the Rolling Meadows Library, Vice President Rolling Meadows Historical Museum, Neighborhood Watch, to name a few.

A resident of the 6th ward for 24 years she believes in getting involved.  She feels it is very important to know your city and cares deeply for its well-being.

Phone: 847-398-7113

7th Ward Alderman Jim Larsen

A sixteen year resident of Rolling Meadows, Jim Larsen and his wife Debby live in the Creekside subdivision.  Married nine years, they have four children – Erin, Cassie, Maggie, and Nolan, all of whom have attended or are currently attending Central Road Elementary School, Plum Grove Junior High and Wm. Fremd High School. Jim has over thirty years of business management experience, including nineteen years in Information Technology, is a graduate of Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, and has done post-graduate work at the University of Iowa.  The Larsens are participating members at Willow Creek Community Church, and in October 2005, Jim had the opportunity to travel to Waveland, MS to assist with the church’s Katrina relief efforts.

Jim favors using city resources wisely, and plans to continue outgoing alderman Rudy Balek’s practice of monitoring city spending.  Jim also favors a proactive  approach to city development, and looks forward to serving the people of Rolling Meadows  to maintain a safe and thriving environment for all our citizens.  

Phone: 630-244-4228