Dan Gooch Executive Director Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, Ill.

Years active in NACo: 8; in third term on NACo Board.

Years in public office: 28

Occupation: Executive Director, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, Ill.

Education: B.S./M.S. botany, Iowa State University. Graduate credits: public administration, Illinois Benedictine. Additional credits: School of Hard Knocks.

The hardest thing I’ve ever done: Attempting to meet a myriad of diverse public needs.

Three people (living or dead) I’d invite to dinner: Thomas Jefferson, Truman Capote and Julia Child.

A dream I have is to: Encourage the adoption of a paradigm shift towards monorail-based suburban regional transportation.

You’d be surprised to learn that I: Have cooked meals for four-star chefs and they have returned for more!

The most adventurous thing I’ve ever done is: Constructed and flown my own airplane.

My favorite sport is: Bicycling.

I’m most proud of: How well my country is embracing diversity.

Every morning I read: The side of a cereal box and two local newspapers.

My favorite meal is: The classic Chicago-style hotdog.

My pet peeve is: Electronic phone tag.

My motto is: “The fundamental rule of tinkering is to save all the pieces.”

The last book I read was: “Shadows in the Sun,” by Wade Davis.

My favorite movie is: “Being There,” with Peter Sellers.

My favorite music is: Everything from Cole Porter to Balinese tymbals.

My favorite president is: Thomas Jefferson