Thank you to retiring Director Collette Klouda and Secretary Tim Van Hiel for their hard work and efforts over the last 2 years while serving on the West-Win (WW) Board of Directors. Their participation is appreciated, we are grateful for their support, and they will be missed!
WW elections occur annually at the Spring General Meeting. Due to Collette and Tim’s retirement from the Board and the end of term for 2 incumbents, there are 4 Board positions to fill. The 2 incumbents, Mary Bakas and Rose Kuntze, are running for reelection. Additionally, 3 candidates are nominated for Board election. We are excited to have a strong list of candidates eager to continue WW’s mission while providing area oversight and timely updates to our members. What follows provides background information about the candidates.
Current Board:
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Anthony Gosling – CEO of a local Christian Book Publisher and Distributor; 13-year resident of Winfield.
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Eileen Kelly – Retired from local Government, now an avid hunter of antiques; 32-year resident of West Chicago.
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Gib Van Dine – Retired Past President; retired Electronic Engineer; 58-year resident of Winfield Township.
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Kathy Hydo – Manager at an Audit, Advisory & Tax company; 12-year resident of Winfield.
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Ralph (Skip) Watt – Retired Civil Engineer; 25-year resident of West-Win & a 60-year resident of DuPage County.
Nominated candidates:
Giulia Naccarato – Giulia (pronounced Julia) has lived in the Wheaton/Winfield area for 22 years and has called the Woods of Cantigny home since 2017. Originally from Wisconsin, she holds a B.S. in Business with a major in Finance and a minor in Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. She has worked at BMO Bank for 26 years, specializing in commercial banking, accounting, and regulatory reporting. With strong communication and financial skills, Giulia is eager to support the Board in maintaining and improving the beauty and safety of the WW community. She believes in thoughtful progress that enhances, rather than diminishes, the neighborhood’s unique charm.
Lisa Gaspero – A resident of Oak Lane since 2006, Lisa is an attorney and co-owner of a law firm specializing in real estate, business law, and litigation. She and her husband have six children and are passionate about preserving nature and wildlife. An avid marathon runner, Lisa enjoys training on local trails. With extensive experience in business and governance, she is eager to serve on the Board to help protect WW’s natural beauty while fostering a thriving community. She believes in balancing development with conservation to ensure future generations can enjoy the area’s unique environment.
Mary Bakas – Incumbent WW Director since Spring 2017. Mary has called the Woods of Cantigny home for 9 ½ years, living there with her husband Bob and their two dogs, Charlie and Henry. A full-time REALTOR® and Business Coach with Forward Coaching, Mary is deeply committed to the community, with a strong focus on protecting home values and preserving the charm of the area. She believes it’s crucial to maintain the desirability of homeownership and the unique qualities that make this area so loved. In her free time, Mary enjoys exploring the outdoors, biking, and walking along the local trails.
Rose Kuntze – Incumbent WW President since 2023; Board member and Secretary 2020-2023; 35-year resident of Winfield. After retiring in 1990 as an insurance software developer she was actively involved as a hospice volunteer and assumed fundraising oversight as part of her 5-year association with that organization. Rose is deeply committed to the goals and values of WW and dedicates much of her time to monitoring and distributing valuable information to the WW community. Last summer at St James Farm, she achieved her 2024 goal of walking 500 miles. She strongly advocates for the preservation of our rural environment and believes growth should never occur at the expense of residents.
William (Bill) Kovacs – A resident of the Woods of Cantigny since 1989, Bill has been deeply involved in preserving the character of the community, including opposing the Willow Creek and Pulte Homes projects. He served for 10 years on the Winfield P&Z Commission and remains committed to thoughtful, responsible development. Now retired, he has the time and dedication to advocate for smart growth that maintains the area’s beauty and livability. Passionate about protecting WW from overcrowding, he aims to ensure that future changes enhance, rather than diminish, the community’s quality of life.
Winfield