Longtime Village Employee Alan Zordan Receives Recognition From Mokena Officials On Day Of Retirement

Mokena IL

15 September, 2021

4:07 PM

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By Jon DePaolis, Richard Free Press: MOKENA, Ill. — Another pillar of the Village of Mokena administrative team bid adieu to the Village Board members at the Monday, Sept. 13 meeting. Economic and Community Development Director Alan Zordan, whose retirement from the Village after 28 years of service became official at the meeting, was recognized by staff and the board members. He began as building and zoning administrator in 1989. From there, he was promoted to the community development director position in 2006 and to director of economic and community development in 2010. As part of a proclamation honoring his service to Mokena, it was pointed out that Zordan helped oversee the approval of 45 residential subdivisions and a population increase from about 6,000 residents to more than 20,000. The proclamation also pointed out several commercial projects that he worked on, such as: LaGrange Ridge; Gas N Wash; Mokena Town Square; Mokena Market Place; Mokena Crossing; Mokena Corners; Old Mill Pond; Creekview West Commercial; and Rose Plaza. "Think about [all] we've accomplished and what we've done," Mayor Frank Fleischer told Zordan during the meeting. "You've worked through everything and you got us to where we are today. I appreciate that very much. "You've put a lot of time into this Village. I, for one, as a resident first appreciate what you've done for us, and as an elected official, I can't thank you enough." Trustee George Metanias said Zordan has been "a rock" for the Village. "He is a true professional," Metanias said. "He actually literally helped shape this Village and build it. Not a lot of people can say that. Alan is the type of person who solves problems without even knowing he is solving it. He's got this calming voice. "Without you being here, things could be a lot different. Your dedication and your love for this Village and your job really shows a lot." Staff members and former commission members also gave speeches to honor Zordan and his time with the Village. Near the end of the meeting, Zordan thanked them all for their kind words. "I want you all to know that under this mask is a really big smile," he said. "This is a big night for me." Zordan said the Village Boards and administrations past and present all worked together "to help build this fine community here." "One of the things that I want to point out is that it has truly been an honor working with you all," Zordan said. "This is a great town. It's truly been a team effort." He said his family moved to Mokena when he was a child in 1971. "Mokena was a different town in 1971," he said. "It was a farm town. I tell people there were more farm animals than there were people out here in 1971. Anyone who lived out here at that time will know that on many occasions, you would get stopped by the cow crossing at Yunker Farm, and you'd have to wait 10 minutes or so for the cows to get across." Zordan said he was "thrilled" in 1989 to be able to come to work for the Village. Almost immediately, the town was in the thick of a substantial growth spurt, with Zordan saying the Village was getting in about 300 building permits a year and adding roads and water towers all across town. "We put up fire districts and parks, and we got a new public library and new schools," he said. "One piece at a time, we built this community into the great town that it is now. I feel honored to have been part of the team that was able to do that." Richard Free Press is a one-stop destination for the news that most affects you, the southwest suburban resident. Be an informed citizen of the town you live in and love.