Changes are coming to Glencoe’s senior leadership team with the upcoming retirement of two longtime department heads.
Both Public Works Director David Mau and Public Safety Director Cary Lewandowski will be leaving their respective roles later this year, the village announced Feb. 7.
Lewandowski retires after leading the Glencoe department since 2013, following 27 years in Lincolnwood. His last day is set for Sept. 1.
“When I was hired in Glencoe, I set a personal goal of being chief for 10 years, and the 10 year mark will come in September,” Lewandowski wrote in an email. “After 37 years in law enforcement, I simply believe it is time for me to call it a career. I am proud and honored to have been part of such a dedicated team of women and men in service to the Glencoe community. They will surely continue to do great work long after I retire.”
Village Manager Phil Kiraly praised Lewandowski’s efforts over the last decade.
“Cary has led the Public Safety Department with great care and steadiness, in both times of great successes and through unthinkable challenges, including the Village’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the tragic Highland Park shooting,” Kiraly said. “In everything he does, Cary serves with great integrity and selflessness.” Kiraly said.
Village officials will now seek to hire a new leader for the department where the budget authorizes 36 sworn officers and seven civilian full-time staff members, according to Kiraly.
Glencoe faces an unusual challenge to find a new leader for the public safety department as the village is only one of two Illinois communities where the officers are cross-trained, not having specific roles such as police or fire.
“Glencoe’s Public Safety Department is unique in Illinois due to our police/fire/EMS structure, but we enjoy an excellent reputation for the quality of service that the department provides, the caliber of the people who work in the department and the care they take to keep Glencoe safe,” Kiraly wrote in an email. “Generally, right now it’s a challenge to hire anyone in the police/fire/EMS environment, though Glencoe continues to attract excellent lateral transfer officers and is planning to conduct entry-level officer testing this spring. I am confident that the things that make us unique, as well our outstanding reputation, will prove attractive for excellent candidates.”
An era is also coming to an end at the public works department with Mau scheduled to retire on Aug. 1. Mau started in Glencoe in 1990 and subsequently promoted to public works director in 1996. Today, he oversees a 44-person department.
“It’s time for me to move on to new and different challenges in my personal life, and it’s time for new leadership to guide the Public Works Department into the next decade,” Mau wrote.
“For more than 30 years, Dave has epitomized public service and leaves a tremendous mark on the community. He has capably guided numerous significant infrastructure improvements, developed wonderful relationships with residents and has served the community with the utmost professionalism, kindness and humility,” Kiraly noted.
The village anticipates hiring an executive search firm to fill the positions. Kiraly expects the village board to vote on a contract to retain a firm at their Feb. 16 meeting.
Kiraly indicated that with several months in between the announcement and the actual retirement dates, the village should have permanent replacements hired in time. He did not rule out there could be interim leadership but he predicted if that were to occur, that would be for a short period.
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Both Lewandowski and Mau had annual salaries of $197,972, according to Kiraly.
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.