Carlo Capalbo, CPRE is a dedicated park and recreation professional for more than 30 years. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Plainfield Park District. a role he has held since 2014.
The District is the ninth-largest park district in Illinois, serving 120,000 residents across 46 square miles. The District manages over 1,500 acres of parkland with 100 park sites and operates several facilities, including the 40,000-square-foot NetZero Prairie Activity & Recreation Center (opened in 2019 and the Normantown Equestrian Center.
Under Carlo’s leadership, the District has achieved numerous milestones. The agency has twice earned Illinois Distinguished Agency Accreditation (2018, 2024), received its first CAPRA Accreditation (2022), and was recognized as a two-time Gold Medal Award Finalist (2023, 2024). The District has also annually received the GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, and the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.
Carlo is highly active in professional service at the state level. He serves on the Joint Distinguished Park and Recreation Accredited Agency Committee (Chair, 2023), the Joint Conference Committee, and as an Illinois Park and Recreation Foundation (IPRF) Trustee since 2017.
Throughout his career, Carlo has been recognized with several accolades, including the IPRA Chairman’s Award in 2013, 2016, and 2023. He has received section awards in 2002 the Recreation Young Professional Award and the Administration and Finance Distinguished Member Award in 2018.
Carlo holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Illinois Chicago and an MPA in Public Administration from Governors State University.
Passionate about advancing the profession and mentoring future leaders, Carlo has dedicated his career to strengthening the field of parks and recreation. He and his wife, JoEtte, live within the District boundaries with their twin boys and a daughter that resides in Pennsylvania.