MEET OUR TEAM
OPEDC Staff
John Lynch, Executive Director
John joined OPEDC in 2015, bringing more than 20 years of experience in real estate, infrastructure, and economic development with firms including JLL and U.S. Equities Realty (now part of CBRE). As executive director, Lynch works with developers, retailers, brokers, and public stakeholders to promote and implement a new urbanist vision for Oak Park. Lynch holds an MBA from Northwestern University, an M.S. in Civil Engineering from Purdue University, and a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Notre Dame.
Eric Mazelis, Economic Development Manager
Eric joined OPEDC in 2021. He brings local economic development and small business support experience through roles at Accion Chicago, World Business Chicago, and Chase Bank. As the Economic Development Manager, Eric works with existing and prospective Oak Park businesses, real estate stakeholders, and local organizations to support the Village’s efforts to thrive economically. Eric holds a B.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame, and outside of work he enjoys running, hip-hop music, and finding a great cup of coffee!
Allie Moore, Office Manager
Allie joined OPEDC in 2016. She has worked in an Administrative role in the Real Estate and Healthcare industries for over 15 years. As office manager, Moore handles all HR, finance, and document maintenance functions, she provides support for the Executive Director and Economic Development Director and assists in marketing functions. In addition to her OPEDC role, Allie is a visual artist and dance teacher.
OPEDC Board of Directors
One of the strengths of OPEDC is its Board of Directors. From the beginning, community leaders have graciously donated their time and talents to the organization.
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Cory J. Wesley, Chairman Cory J. Wesley runs his own software consulting firm called TekVoyant. He is a ServiceNow Solutions Architect and Business Consultant who partners with companies looking to modernize their IT and business operations. In addition to his extensive IT, Management, and Business Process experience, Cory is a certified ServiceNow Implementation Specialist, a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, and ITIL v3 certified. He has lived in Oak Park with his wife and two children since 2011.
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Aaron Joseph, Vice Chairman Aaron Joseph is a Senior Vice President of Business Development at Blue Vista Capital Management. He is a business and corporate development leader with broad and dynamic experience, focused on building innovative partnerships to unlock sustainable value. He holds an MBA in Finance and Entrepreneurship from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
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David Kennedy, Secretary David Kennedy is a mixed-use design leader for Bailey Edward Design, a Chicago based Architecture and Engineering firm. He is a skilled Leader in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), Real Estate Development, Strategic Planning, Design Research, and Renovation. He holds a Master’s Degree in Architecture from Washington University in St. Louis and an undergraduate degree in Architecture from the University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign.
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Sandeep Sood, Treasurer Sandeep S. Sood owns and operates a real estate investment firm that invests in value-add commercial real estate opportunities in the Chicagoland area where he acts as General Counsel and directs acquisition and re-development activities. He is an active Board Member for various charitable organizations and currently serves as a Commissioner on the Oak Park Housing Authority. He holds a BA from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana and a JD from the University of San Francisco. He has lived in Oak Park since 2015 with his wife and two daughters.
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Mike Warren, Director Mike Warren is a Senior Vice President at US Bank where he manages financially stressed middle-market and large corporate loan relationships across various industries nationwide. Mike has extensive experience in commercial lending and commercial real estate. He has an MBA from Illinois State University and BA from Illinois Wesleyan University. An Oak Park resident since 2005, Mike has served on several local nonprofit boards. Mike, wife Julie, and daughter enjoy outdoor recreation for fun.
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Melissa Cleveland, Director Melissa Cleveland serves as Vice President and Director of Retail Banking at Oak Park Bank. With over 20 years of banking experience, she leads a team of professional bank advisors that support and educate local families and businesses on financial wellness and security. A Huskie Alumni, Melissa has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Loyola University Chicago and an MBA from the Brennan School of Business at Dominican University. Melissa and her husband live in Oak Park with their two daughters.
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Susan Buchanan, M.D., M.P.H., Director Susan Buchanan is an attending physician and clinical associate professor of occupational and environmental health sciences with UIC’s Health and Hospital System and School of Public Health. She is also the director of the Great Lakes Center for Children’s Environmental Health and a recent past member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee. Susan was elected to the Village of Oak Park Board of Trustees in 2019, and was previously a volunteer on the Village of Oak Park Board of Health.
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Kevin Jackson, Village Manager Kevin J. Jackson became the Village Manager in March 2022. His career in local government spans 25 years. Prior to assuming his role as Oak Park’s Village Manager, he had served for more than four years as Deputy City Manager of Long Beach, California. Kevin also spent more than nine years as Neighborhood Services Director for the City of Champaign, Illinois, after serving in progressive roles in city governments in Arizona. Kevin has a Master of Public Administration and Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Sociology from Arizona State University. Kevin’s notable professional activities/affiliations include: International City Managers Association (ICMA), and National Forum for Black Public Administrators.
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Vicki Scaman, Village President Vicki Scaman was elected Village President in April 2021. Prior to her election to the top elected post in the community, she was Village Clerk for four years where she was the keeper of official Village Board records and processed requests filed under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and special events permits. Vicki has a long history of connecting residents with resources available through partner governmental agencies and community organizations.
Additional Support
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Village Liaison: Tammie Grossman
To contact any and all Board members, or to inquire about joining the Board, please send an email to: contact@opdc.net