Juan Munoz, an Oak Parker with strong ties to the community, was appointed to the Oak Park Township Board of Trustees during a special meeting Monday.
Munoz will serve the remainder of Timothy Thomas’ unexpired term. Thomas, a former trustee who began serving in May 2021, stepped up to fill the township supervisor role after Clarmarie Keenan died July 30.
Thomas was unanimously appointed for the role for the remainder of Keenan’s term that expires in 2025. Keenan was first elected township supervisor in 2017 and served as a township trustee before that.
Township trustees are responsible for setting policies, approving budgets and ensuring services are delivered, according to a former township news release.
Munoz has experience in community service, strategic planning and nonprofit leadership, according to an Oct. 7 township news release. He moved to Oak Park in 2017 with his wife, mother and two children and later got involved with the village’s diversity, equity and inclusion office.
“I am deeply honored to have been selected to serve as Trustee for Oak Park Township,” Munoz said in the release. “I look forward to contributing my skills and experiences to ensure that Oak Park remains a place where diversity, inclusion, and community support thrive.”
He grew up in small towns in the United States and often helped his Spanish-speaking family connect with the communities by interpreting medical information and assisting with financial literacy, according to the release.
Munoz serves as vice chairman of the Great Kids, Inc. board of directors as well as vice president of business development at Kribi Coffee. In college, he was a part of Big Brothers Big Sisters.
“Munoz’s appointment underscores Oak Park Township’s commitment to inclusive leadership and its ongoing efforts to strengthen the community through effective governance,” township officials said in a statement.