RAILS promotes Joseph (Joe) Filapek to Associate Executive Director, effective July 25. Filapek fills the space recently vacated by Monica Harris, who was promoted to Executive Director in February 2023.
Filapek first joined RAILS in 2013 as the Consulting and Continuing Education Manager, developing and facilitating training and consulting support for RAILS member libraries to strengthen their ability to best serve their communities. Before his arrival, continuing education and consulting was not offered as a system service to members.
Prior to joining RAILS, Filapek received his MLIS from Dominican University in 2009 and worked in various library roles in Illinois public libraries, including Circulation Manager for Warrenville Public Library and Head of Adult Services at Naperville Public Library. He received the 2022 ILA Trustee of the Year Award for his work as President of the Board of Trustees at Aurora Public Library District, and stills serves in that position.
“We’re so fortunate to have Joe Filapek joining us in this new role. His deep experience with members and partnerships, collaborative approach, and articulated vision for RAILS makes me confident that he is a great match for the position,” said Monica Harris.
As Associate Executive Director, Filapek will direct the daily operations of multiple departments and services within RAILS, lead special projects to help meet RAILS member library needs, and provide organizational leadership to meet the goals of the RAILS strategic plan.
Filapek’s promotion to Associate Executive Director leaves the position of Director of Consulting and Continuing Education vacant, which will be filled in the next several months.