Brian Reardon, 39, was raised in Springfield and attended the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, where he majored in journalism. He received a graduate degree in Public Affairs Reporting from the University of Illinois-Springfield. During the 1990s, he worked as a radio reporter in Chicago, where he met his wife Lori, who grew up in Chatham. They returned home to Springfield in 1999 to start a family. Raising daughters Calyn and Jane has given Brian a better appreciation for the important contribution parks play in enhancing a community’s quality of life and bringing families and friends together. As a runner, Brian especially enjoys spending time in Washington and Lincoln Parks, and on the Interurban and Lost Bridge trails. Brian is the director of Community Relations for St. John’s Hospital, where he facilitates collaboration among community groups on various health initiatives. In working with the medical community, Brian believes that our parks play an integral role in promoting fitness and wellness.