ACCOLADE AWARDED TO ARBORETUM EXECUTIVE

Leading Management Association Bestows Award on Human Resources Director

LISLE, IL (April 13, 2010) - Nancy Peske, PHR, Director of Human Resources at The Morton Arboretum, has received the 2010 HR Professional of the Year award from The Management Association of Illinois, a respected, century-old establishment serving more than 1,000 companies and organizations in the state.

Peske has made "a wide array of contributions" since joining the Arboretum in 1999, MAI President and CEO Mary Lynn Fayoumi said in presenting the honor to the Arboretum executive.

Peske directs all human resources functions for the Arboretum's 330 full- or part-time staff and seasonal workers, and 950 volunteers. These include staffing, compensation, benefits, orientation and training, and internal communications for a multi-faceted workforce of research scientists, educators, horticulturists, visitor services coordinators, and fundraisers, to name a few.

Among her achievements, Peske implemented human resources initiatives to support the Arboretum's major institutional redevelopment, which resulted in augmenting the number and type of staff positions, along with plans for recruiting and retaining workers to meet evolving operational needs. Peske led the review, revision, and introduction of personnel policies to reflect contemporary best practices; enhanced and updated benefits programs; strengthened the new employee orientation process; and redesigned the performance evaluation system.

"Human Resources is about doing many little things that can make a big difference. We do all we can to help the organization achieve its goals and to provide a quality employment experience for everyone," Peske says.

Based on her expertise, she is co-authoring with Arboretum President and CEO Dr. Gerard T. Donnelly a chapter on personnel management for a forthcoming textbook on public garden management.

"Nancy has been a key contributor to the success of the Arboretum. She is dedicated to serving others in a diverse and complex role," Donnelly said.

Employee Benefits By Design sponsored the HR Professional of the Year award, along with The Management Association.

The Morton Arboretum is a world-renowned leader in tree science and education, working to save and plant trees. The 1,700-acre outdoor museum features magnificent collections of 4,117 kinds of trees, shrubs, and other plants from around the world. The Arboretum's beautiful natural landscapes, gardens, research and education programs, and year-round family activities support its mission - the planting and conservation of trees and other plants for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world. Conveniently located at I-88 and Rte. 53 in Lisle, Illinois, the Arboretum is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, from 7 a.m. Central Time until sunset. The Children's Garden is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., March through October, and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., November through February. Visit Press Room at www.mortonarb.org, call to learn more.

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