Meet the Staff
Susan B. Friend, CPRP, is the Executive Director of SEASPAR and has been with SEASPAR since 1979. She served as Superintendent of Recreation during the formative years and was responsible for developing programs and services as the agency grew to its current eleven member entities. Prior to working at SEASPAR, Susan began her career at Western DuPage Special Recreation Association. Susan has a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation Administration from Eastern Illinois University and a Master’s Degree in Management from National-Louis University. As a part of her master’s program, she wrote a thesis on inclusive recreation services. Susan likes working with the public and enjoys the variety of experiences that working at SEASPAR provides.
Catherine A. Morava, CPRP, is the Superintendent of Recreation and has been with the agency since June 1983 having served as a Recreation Specialist and most recently Staff Coordinator. Cathy is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – LaCrosse where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Therapeutic Recreation and a minor in Psychology. In her role as superintendent, she supervises full – time staff, is the safety coordinator for the agency and supervises core programs and special events. Cathy is very active in state professional organizations and enjoys serving all SEASPAR residents.
Matthew R. Corso, CPRP, is the Assistant Superintendent of Recreation and has been with the agency since January of 2004. Matt started in the field of special recreation as a part-time staff for the Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association (NEDSRA). After graduating from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education, he became a full-time staff for NEDSRA as a specialist and eventually became a manager. Matt left NEDSRA after three and a half years to try his hand in the benefits and staffing industry. During his five years out of the field, he continued to work part time for NEDSRA and even worked part time at SEASPAR. In May of 2002, Matt was hired as Manager of Programs at the Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association (NSSRA) and worked there for almost two years before he finally came to SEASPAR. Matt’s favorite part of his job is coming to work and being a part of a team that provides unique opportunities to SEASPAR residents to help them enjoy their lives.
Anne Cosentino, CTRS, CPRP, is a Coordinator at SEASPAR. She is directly responsible for hiring, training, and assigning part-time staff and volunteers to SEASPAR programs. Anne is also responsible for SEASPAR’s fleet of four vehicles as well as supervising interns. Anne graduated from the University of Iowa in May 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation. She began her career at the Northwest Special Recreation Association as a Program Specialist. She then moved to the Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association where she was the Coordinator of Youth Services and Day Camp for four years. Anne joined the SEASPAR team in June 2006. Anne is also involved with the professional associations in the area. Her favorite part of her job is getting to know all of the participants and part-time staff and volunteers.
Brian A. Houzenga, CTRS, is a Coordinator and has been with the agency since October 2006. Brian is responsible for SEASPAR's Inclusion Program, Leisure Education Programs and coordinating teen and adult weekly programs. Brian started in the field of Therapeutic Recreation as an intern at Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA), and then graduated from The University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Leisure Studies, with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation in May 2003. After he completed his internship, Brian launched his full-time career as a Recreation Specialist at Maine-Niles Association of Special Recreation (M-NASR) in May 2003. Brian worked as a specialist at M-NASR for over three years. Brian’s favorite part of his job is getting to know a variety of people from the member districts SEASPAR serves.
Laura Christensen, CTRS, is the Coordinator for the EAGLES program. Laura graduated from Southern Illinois University in December 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation and a minor in Outdoor Recreation and Psychology. Laura has worked with individuals with special needs since junior high and is very passionate about the field. After completing her field work and internship out west, she returned to Illinois to work at Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association (NEDSRA) for over five years. At NEDSRA, she wore many hats coordinating the outdoor and adventure programs, seniors outings, and youth at risk activities. Laura then moved up to Manager of Adult Services and enjoyed supervising interns as well. She received the ITRS Professional of the Year Award in 2007 for her outstanding contribution in the field of Therapeutic Recreation. Laura left the state to bring therapeutic recreation to the Regional Autism Center at LOGAN in South Bend, IN. There she was able to implement and lead programs that were not previously available to youth and teens with Autism. The impact was huge and beneficial programs will now continue to be offered to individuals on the spectrum to enhance their quality of life. Now, Laura looks forward to helping the EAGLES program soar at SEASPAR!
Lisa M. White, CTRS, is the Senior Recreation Specialist and has been with SEASPAR since June of 2001. Lisa started her career in special recreation as an intern for SEASPAR. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor’s Degree in Therapeutic Recreation. Throughout her years at SEASPAR, Lisa has had many responsibilities. She currently coordinates programs for Special Olympics, Day Camp, and Camping and Traveling. She is also working on getting her certification in Sign Language Interpreting. Lisa truly enjoys what she does. Her favorite part of her job is being "hands on" and seeing how much the participants enjoy each and every activity.
Dayell Muchowicz, CTRS, CPRP, is a Recreation Specialist and has been with SEASPAR since August of 2004. Dayell received a Bachelor’s Degree in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Iowa. After completing an internship for SEASPAR in the summer of 2004, Dayell was hired on as a full-time staff. Dayell responsibilities as a Recreation Specialist include planning teen and adult special events and social clubs, Do-Drop In Center, Stroke Club, Residential/Vocational programs. Dayell favorite part of her job is working with the participants and being able to be a part of their growth, development, and enjoyment of recreational programs in the community.
Kristina H. Neven, CTRS, joined SEASPAR in August of 2005 as a Recreation Specialist to coordinate children and adolescent programs and special events, youth-at-risk programs, and aquatics. Kristina is a former SEASPAR fieldwork and intern student and is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Therapeutic Recreation. She received the ITRS Student Award in 2005 for her excellent academic work and outstanding promise in the field of Therapeutic Recreation. Kristina supervises a variety of weekly programs, special events, and leisure education classes. During her free time she enjoys serving as treasurer for the Lombard Kiwanis Club, committee member on Eastern’s Advisory Council, and President-Elect for Eastern’s Recreation Administration Alumni Association.
Jim Cassidy, CTRS, is a recent graduate of Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Park and Recreation Administration and a sequence in Therapeutic Recreation. After completing an internship at NISRA, he was hired on full time at SEASPAR in June of 2008. At SEASPAR, he will be coordinating and developing programs for the areas of youth at risk, vocational workshops, hospitals in the area, as well as trying to reach out to various community agencies. In addition, I will be leading and assisting with a variety of special events and weekly programs. Some of Jim's interests include sports, camping/outdoor recreation, concerts, and cooking. Jim looks forward to working at SEASPAR, and growing professionally in the field of therapeutic recreation. The favorite part of his job is seeing how much fun the participants are having because of the work SEASPAR does.
Georgia Weber, is the Administrative Secretary at SEASPAR. Georgia began working at SEASPAR in 1983. Prior to working at SEASPAR, she was a legal secretary in Chicago for multiple lawyers. Georgia enjoys working at SEASPAR because she experiences the rewards almost daily from the wonderful staff, parents of participants, and the participants that mere money cannot buy.
Ann Franczyk, a long-time volunteer, joined the full-time staff in March of 2006 as the Administrative Assistant. Her involvement with SEASPAR began in 1999 as a volunteer for special events and the Friday Night Social Club program. Prior to joining the agency, Ann worked for Nalco Chemical Company in public relations and corporate communications for 28 years. After retiring from Nalco, Ann worked at the Downers Grove Park District for more than four years as Administrative Secretary for the Board of Park Commissioners and the district’s Administrator. Through her long association with SEASPAR, Ann has developed a great respect for the integrity of the staff and their dedication to the participants. The joy received by serving the special needs of the community makes this the most fulfilling and rewarding job she’s ever had!