QuickTake:

Springfield resident Veronica McCauley will serve the remainder of Greg James’ term. James retired from the board last month after serving for 23 years. In all, seven candidates applied to fill the volunteer position. 

The Willamalane Park and Recreation District’s Board of Directors last week appointed a new member to fill the seat of a director who is stepping aside after more than two decades.

Ten community members applied for a position on the district’s five-member board. Three applicants rescinded their applications, and seven attended a Feb. 11 meeting at the Bob Keefer Center in Springfield in person or virtually to answer questions from the board. 

Willamalane board members, who are elected to four-year terms, review and adopt the annual budget, determine policy for the district and participate in monthly board meetings.

Board president Brook Reinhard thanked everyone who applied for the position.

“Whoever gets this has big shoes to fill,” he said, referencing Greg James, who submitted his resignation to the board Jan. 14 after 23 years as a director.

Reinhard also said he was “really blown away by the strength of the applicants.” 

After hearing from each of the applicants, the directors used ranked-choice voting to select Veronica McCauley to serve the remainder of James’ term, which expires June 30, 2027. McCauley’s appointment will become effective at the board’s March 11 meeting. The seat will be placed on the ballot “for the appropriate election” in 2027.

McCauley said during the meeting she is passionate about Willamalane’s mission. She mentioned the programs her kids participate in, including an after-school club, tennis, swimming lessons and summer programs. She has served on Willamalane’s budget committee. 

She said Willamalane’s most important role is keeping parks and recreation facilities available and accessible to the community.

“I know that Willamalane has a huge responsibility in stewardship over those financially and the natural resources for the community,” McCauley said.

She said her financial experience is an asset she would bring to the board. She works for Kernutt Stokes accounting firm and told the board she recently completed the requirements for her certified public accountant license.

McCauley also said her mother is an immigrant from Nicaragua, “and when she came here, there were not very many opportunities for people who spoke Spanish as their first language.”

“I’ve spent a lot of my youth and adult life translating things for her and her identical twin to help them understand what’s available,” she said. “So that is what I would bring to the board.”

McCauley also serves on boards for the Springfield City Club and Community LendingWorks.