Oak Park

Staff & Board

Frank Lipo
  Executive Director

Frank has led the Historical Society for more than 15 years, guiding it in growth and community service.  Responsible for the day-to-day activities of the Historical Society, Frank has planned exhibits, assisted researchers, coordinated public programs, and worked with volunteers and staff to oversee a wide range of other activities.  

Frank has been active in the community in many ways, including service for six years as a member of the Oak Park Historic Preservation Commission. 

In 2009, Frank was co-author of Suburban Promised Land: The Emerging Black Community in Oak Park, Illinois 1880-1980.  In 2006, he was named a recipient of the Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award by the Illinois Humanities Council.  

A graduate of the University of Notre Dame in history and American studies, he earned a Master's degree in Public History from Loyola University Chicago while employed by the Historical Society.  He lives in Oak Park with his wife, an Oak Park native, and their three daughters.. 

Jan Novak Dressel
  Vice President, Membership

Mary Ann Porucznik
  Secretary 


Kelli Kline                                        
  Past President 
Kelli Kline is originally from Wilmington, Delaware, where she worked in the television industry as a broadcast technician for WCAU NBC 10 in Philadelphia.  In 1994 she received an Emmy for her work. Kelli and her husband moved to Oak Park in 1997, and she became involved with the Historical Society after researching her home. She began her term as president in 2006 after joining the board of directors in 2000. 

Kelli’s interest in history is tied to her love of Victorian architecture.  She and her husband Tom have lovingly restored their Victorian home—the John I. Jones house on South Grove Ave—which was built in 1887.  During the past 10 years, Kelli has been involved in many new and exciting changes at the Historical Society, including the popular restoration seminar “How to Restore Your Old House without going Crazy”, the Hometown Legends and Gangster trolley tours and the annual April house walk.  Kelli also oversaw the implementation of the Society’s historic plaque program.  Kelli, her husband Tom and their three dogs love Oak Park and are proud to live in such an historic and progressive community.  
 
Peggy Tuck Sinko   
  Vice President, Programs


James Taglia
  Treasurer

Board Members

Elizabeth Bach
Jean Guarino
Connie Henderson-Damon
Carlotta Lucchesi
James Mahoney
Lori Owens
Gary Schwab
Georgette Sinkler