Staff at the Skokie Park District ­­–– as well as many of its patrons –– are well aware that the district has a deep pool of talented personnel. When Breanne Labus took the Weber Leisure Center facility manager position last month, it left a key position that Labus had personally developed suddenly vacant. Luckily, Mary Amato, supervisor of the district’s Exploritorium, was ready for a change, and has now been hired to serve as the Weber Center’s new recreation services supervisor.

Amato, who has run the Exploritorium across town for nearly 11 years, led the renovation of that facility in 2011, an upgrade that increased attendance and rentals by more than 50 percent. She also coordinated special events districtwide, supervised various summer camps, and annually co-coordinated the accreditation process for all 37 Skokie Park District summer camps. She won a district exceptional service award in 2011.

In her new position, Amato will plan, develop and manage Weber Leisure Center athletic and recreational programming for tots, preschool and school-aged children, and families. She will manage birthday party programming, special events and other Weber Center recreational programming. Amato will also manage Weber gymnasium operations and the ‘Kids First’ childcare program. She will also supervise the district’s general summer sports camps.

Amato received a bachelor’s degree in human development at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. When not at work she enjoys spending time with her husband and family. She looks forward to welcoming her first child this summer.