Mokena Village Board Approves Appointment Of Ziska To Director Of Community Of Economic Development Role

By Jon DePaolis, the Richard Free Press:

MOKENA, Ill. – The Village of Mokena Board of Trustees has promoted from within to replace its retiring director of community and economic development.

The Village Board members voted 6-0 Monday, April 26, to confirm the appointment of Building and Planning Director Matt Ziska to the role being vacated by Alan Zordan, who is set to retire on Sept. 13.

“Congratulations – you’ve earned it,” Trustee Joseph Siwinski told Ziska prior to the vote. “You’re going to do a great job, and you’re a key component to the Village’s future. I look forward to it, because you really do a great job and you’ve served Mokena well.”

Trustee George Metanias said he and Ziska have worked together a lot on code enforcement and that Ziska “is very professional.”

“I’m glad that you are here,” he added.

During the discussion, Village Administrator John Tomasoski said Ziska’s time with the Village has progressed since Ziska was first hired in 2008 to serve as a planning technician and building inspector.

“He has been promoted several times since, first to a building and planning specialist in 2012 and then to a building, planning and economic specialist in 2015,” Tomasoski said. “His third promotion and his current role with the Village as building and planning director was [made] in 2018.

“Based on his training, his education and his performance at the Village, I believe that Mr. Ziska has proven himself to be a valuable and committed member of the staff and will continue such practices if promoted to the position.”

With the approval of the appointment, Ziska is scheduled to start in his new role on Sept. 14.

Ziska thanked the Village Board members and Tomasoski for the opportunity.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” he said. “I’ve changed quite a bit over the last 13 years. It’s crazy to believe that much time has passed since I was standing up here accepting the planning tech role. I’ve sharpened my skills since that time, but there is still a lot to learn and there is still a lot to do around here. But I’m looking forward to the challenge and looking forward to hit the ground running in late September.”

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