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Board of Directors
Officers
Marty Acks
President
Marty Acks grew up in Decatur, in central Illinois. Shortly after college, he moved into a 1890s-era Victorian home in Downers Grove. He and his wife, Carine, soon joined the Downers Grove Historical Society as Life Members. Marty worked in the software industry in the western suburbs and co-founded Silvon Software in 1987. As retirement neared, Marty attended a Society event and signed up to volunteer. Marty currently serves as the President of the Society and Chair of the Historic Home Program Committee. Marty is also an avid genealogist and enjoys learning more about the history of early Downers Grove residents and their impact on village growth.
Rich Kulovany
Treasurer
Rich joined the Board in January 2018. Before joining the Society, Rich chaired a local historic preservation group. He is on the Historic Home and Events Committees. Rich also served as an elected Village Commissioner. Prior to that, he served on the Plan Commission for two years and Zoning Board of Appeals. Rich has extensive experience as a Sales V.P. in the software industry. He’s travelled to all 50 states and 24 countries. Rich grew up in Downers Grove, moving away and back three times. He married his high school sweetheart Kathleen in 1972. Rich’s three children and 10 grandchildren attended O’Neill School and South High. He enjoys travel and telling stories of Downers Grove from the “old days.”
Deb Howard
Secretary
Not many people can say they grew up in a place where the center of town has a historical cemetery! Who wouldn’t want to live there — especially with the new cemetery lighting? I joined the Historical Society Board in 2020 and volunteered to be Secretary. I learn something new about our town every meeting, event or program. The Historical Society Board is a great group of volunteers who work together to plan a huge variety of activities to promote local history. There’s something for everyone — all ages and interest levels. Come join us any time!
Kurt Metzler
Vice President
Kurt and his wife Cathy first moved to Downers Grove in 1992 and then, after a stint in New York City, moved back to DG in 1997. There, they raised their two sons and are now in their fourth "old" home in Downers. Kurt is our webmaster and serves on the Events and Communications Committees. Kurt works as a freelance art director and web designer and has a lot of experience working with non-profit organizations and educational institutions. In his spare time, he enjoys rehabbing homes, travel, live music and painting.
directors
Amy Gassen
Director
Amy joined the Historical Society's board in 2015 and served as Vice President for three years before being appointed President in 2021. She served as president until 2025. A Downers Grove resident since 2007, Amy is a licensed architect and also teaches architecture courses at College of DuPage. She is chairperson of the Historic Preservation and Design Review Board for the Village of Downers Grove and previously served on the Village’s Plan Commission. Amy, along with her husband Dave, founded American Foursquares of Downers Grove, an initiative that seeks to highlight and celebrate the American Foursquare home type. When not working or volunteering, Amy enjoys spending time with Dave and their 3 kids, baking, and exploring historic buildings.
Andi Kinsella
Director
Andrea “Andi” (Bateman) Kinsella grew up in Downers, graduating from DG South in 1968. Her parents and grandparents also graduated high school in the Village —her grandfather in 1898. Andi first became active in the Society helping with the Montrew Dunham Award Committee, then the Historic Home Program when she and her husband Bill researched their own home before finally joining the Board in 2022. Andi enjoys helping preserve our local history through the Society’s events and programs and is an active member of the First United Methodist Church where she worked for 22 years, retiring in 2019. Andi and Bill raised four children in the house her grandparents built in 1924. Andi’s grandchildren are the sixth generation to attend school in DG.
Ian Ogdon
Director
Ian Ogdon is a lifelong resident of Downers Grove. He has always been very interested in technology, which is how he found his way to a career in IT, and is a part of his focus working with the Society. He is an avid reader, and has a special interest in the history of Downers Grove. He is one of only a few residents who can say he has read our history book, Downers Grove, 1832-1982 from cover to cover. Living in a vintage home, he also has an appreciation for historic Downers Grove architecture.
Lois Sterba
Director
As a history major in college, Lois became interested in local history before moving to Downers Grove in 1991. While a docent with the D.G. Museum, Lois helped with educational programs and summer camps. After joining the Society’s Board, Lois became interested in the history and restoration of the Main Street Cemetery. Researching the lives of those buried there led Lois to create the Living Cemetery event presented each October when the people interred in the cemetery are brought to life by local resident and student actors. Lois truly enjoys and is happy to be involved with this program passing on the history of Downers Grove and its people and places
Bruce Swanson
Director
Downers Grove is a great place to live! After teaching here for many years, my interest in village history grew and grew. I was eager to join the Historical Society and have been a Director for quite a long time. It’s fun to continue to learn more about Downers Grove. My favorite activities for DGHS revolve around award presentations honoring those who helped shape Downers Grove and those who continue to do so. Founder’s Day is a great event held in May with activities for all ages. Another fun outing is Historical Society participation in the Pine Hollow Open at the historic D. G. Golf Club. It has only snowed once, postponing this golf event! So much history-so little time!
Liz Chalberg
Immediate Past President
Liz Chalberg grew up on her family’s farm in Sugar Grove, IL attending local schools and graduating from Kaneland High School. She arrived in Downers Grove in 1981 where she met her future husband and 4 stepchildren. She attended both Aurora University and later graduated from Northwestern University. After spending 18 years in corporate America within the telecommunications industry (Illinois Bell and later GTE), she transitioned to a 30-year career in real estate in Downers Grove. Liz’s love of history evolved from living in (and fixing up) vintage homes during her married life and a love of antiques. Liz was invited to join the Historical Society board in 2014. She served as President from 2016 through 2021, and continues to volunteer on several of the Historical Society sub-committees.