Meet the Candidates: Glencoe Park, Library and School boards (Uncontested)

JUMP TO: Park Board (3 candidates) | Library Board (4 candidates) | District 35 School Board (4 candidates)

The elections for the Glencoe Park Board, Library Board and District 35 Board of Education are each uncontested with all candidates earning the endorsement of the Glencoe Caucus.

Three incumbents, out of four candidates, are running for reelection to the Library Board, while all three Park Board candidates are newcomers. One incumbent and three newcomers make up the candidate pool for the School Board.

Below are basic profiles of the candidates, each of whom submitted a digital form upon request from The Record. The order they are presented was selected at random.

These profiles are a layer of The Record’s election coverage and are meant to provide community members with basic information about those running for and taking public office. The Record will not conduct independent interviews for uncontested races.

GLENCOE PARK BOARD

Name: Nicole Reifman

Professional experience: Attorney

Community experience/involvement: Nicole has lived in Glencoe for 12 years with her husband, Bobby. They have three daughters, in seventh, fifth, and second grades. Nicole has served on the Efficiency Committee for the Glencoe Park District and the Ad-Hoc Design Review Committee for the Glencoe Golf Clubhouse.

Why are you running for this public office?

The Glencoe Park District, through its unique green spaces, facilities, and programming, has provided my family with so much over the years and I want to help continue to enhance the community through its parks and recreation offerings.

Name: Jaqueline Avitia-Guzman

Professional experience: Finance executive

Community experience/involvement: New Trier Education Foundation, treasurer

• Women’s Board of the Joffrey Ballet, member

• Archdioceses of Chicago, Capital Asset Committee member

• Glencoe Junior High Project, member

Why are you running for this public office?

Hello. I would like to introduce you to Jackie Avitia-Guzman.

Jackie and her husband moved to Glencoe in 2015. They have a seventh-grader and a New Trier graduate (Class of 2024) studying engineering on the East Coast. Professionally, Jackie is a finance executive with over 20+ years of experience.  

Jackie wants to be a board member of the Glencoe Park District because she believes it is a valuable asset to the community that offers a multitude of opportunities and benefits. She is eager to leverage her corporate and financial experience to guide and support the park district’s mission.

Name: Gary Hazan

Professional experience: I have been working in the parks and recreation industry for 38 years. My first jobs were running children’s sports programs at the JCC and Skokie Park District. After honing my skills I started my own business, Players Sport & Social Group. My business runs adult sport leagues and has served nearly 2 million recreational athletes. I have spent my entire career in and around parks.

Community experience/involvement: I have coached almost all of my children’s sports teams including baseball, soccer and hockey. I have spent countless hours volunteering in the Glencoe Parks. I also was a member of the Glencoe Bike Race and Block Party as well as the Watts/Weinberg Advisory committee.

Why are you running for this public office?

I wanted to give back to the park system that gave so much to my children. I feel my extensive work experience in the parks and recreational field affords me a unique set of skills and knowledge that I can bring to the board.

GLENCOE LIBRARY BOARD

Name: George Krafcisin (incumbent)

Professional experience: Healthy and safety consulting, teaching, nonprofit management consulting

Community experience/involvement: Moved to Glencoe over 30 years ago. I have served on the Glencoe Sustainability Task Force and contributed to the Glencoe Sustainability Vision Plan. I have also been a trustee of the Glencoe Public Library for over two years.

Why are you running for this public office?

I am running for another library trustee term to assist in helping the library serve the community in the future. Our biggest task is renovating the old building and adding features that will make it a treasured community resource.

Name: Bob Kimble

Professional experience: Technology sales

Community experience/involvement: Former member of the Glencoe Baseball Association Board
• Served as Glencoe Park District Commissioner 2009-2015 — president for one year, treasurer for three. Then served for an additional 10 months to complete another commissioner’s term.

Why are you running for this public office?

I love the Glencoe Public Library and consider it an important part of village life. I would like to play a role in guiding its future. It’s an exciting time for the library.

Name: Nan Weiss-Ham (incumbent, appointed 2023)

Professional experience: Former corporate and marketing research analytics consultant; educator (foreign language, library, and related)

Community experience/involvement: Current/former Glencoe Public Library trustee, PTA/PTO leadership (District 35, New Trier High School), League of Women Voters voter engagement, social service and educational outreach; prior high school school board/search caucuses; referendum committee person, and related initiatives.

Why are you running for reelection to this public office?

As a current (and former) Library Board trustee, coupled with my professional and educational background, I am committed to supporting the Glencoe Public Library as a premier community resource for everyone.

Specifically, I am running for the Glencoe Public Library Board of Trustees to sustain access to resources, materials and technology for lifelong learning and enrichment; to contribute to community partnership; and to be an advocate for innovation.

Name: Michael Pope (incumbent)

Professional experience: Trial lawyer for 48 years, now retired

Community experience/involvement: Longtime supporter of the library and Writers Theatre. Currently serving on the Glencoe Planning Commission

Why are you running for this public office?

The library is one of the jewels of our village. I want to keep supporting it by serving on the board.

GLENCOE DISTRICT 35 SCHOOL BOARD

Name: Hamilton Hill

Professional experience: Attorney

Community experience/involvement: I have previously been on nonprofit boards, volunteered on political campaigns and generally try to stay involved with my community.

Why are you running for this public office?

I decided to run for the Glencoe School Board because we have a wonderful school district, and I wanted to do my little part to keep it strong. I have two kids in the Glencoe public schools, and I thought that serving on the School Board would be a good way to give some of my time and help to a district that does such good things for our kids. My mom was a longtime teacher and administrator, so I have a sense of just how much work, care and wisdom goes into running great schools.

Name: Enna Allen (incumbent)

Professional experience: Marketing executive with over two decades of experience driving audience engagement, leveraging cultural trends, and creating innovative programs that enhance brand impact.

Community experience/involvement: Enna has served on the Glencoe D35 School Board for the past four years. Prior to this role, she served on the PTO for D35 and Glencoe junior kindergarten. She is currently part of the New Trier Senior Grad Party Committee, organizing a memorable celebration for graduating students.

Why are you running for reelection to this public office?

As a longtime Glencoe resident and parent of one D35 graduates and one soon-to-be graduate, I am deeply committed to the success of our schools and community. My background in marketing, combined with my passion for education, has guided my service on the School Board since 2021. I take pride in advocating for policies that improve educational outcomes for all students, supporting our teachers and staff, and strengthening community engagement. My experience and dedication will ensure strategic planning, financial responsibility, and a strong future for District 35.

Name: Brooke Semel

Professional experience: Educator

Community experience/involvement: Glencoe Kids Carnival | 2023 – Present: planning and operations for annual carnival

• Family Services of Glencoe | 2021 – 2024: Associate board member, Communications Committee

Why are you running for this public office?

As an educator, I understand the value of a high-functioning board that works in partnership with the school community, and I am eager to bring my experience and knowledge to the District 35 School Board. I excel at working collaboratively, problem solving, and supporting the implementation of strategic plans. I appreciate all of the moving parts that make Glencoe such a wonderful place to live, and I would like to give back to my community with service to our schools and Glencoe families through the School Board.

Name: Ashley Conrad

Professional experience: Teacher

Community experience/involvement: I have lived in Glencoe for six years. My family and I attend many community and Glencoe school events, and I am an active member of the District 35 PTO. I also work in the Glencoe community as a lead teacher at the JCC at Am Shalom.

Why are you running for this public office?

With three young children who attend or will attend District 35 schools, I have a vested personal interest in preserving and improving the quality of public education in Glencoe.

I am a big believer in public education. I see it as the most equitable and inclusive education option available. Furthermore, it anchors new growth in a community, and offers a broad range of services and benefits that go beyond academics.