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Kaup leaving Northbrook to head Brookfield’s public works
Updated: July 29, 2012 6:50AM
Dan Kaup, assistant to Northbrook’s village manager, is leaving his position at the end of July to become Brookfield’s public works director.
Kaup has been working for the village full-time for 10 years, and for five summers before that, while earning a degree in political science from Marquette University the rest of the year.
“During those summers, I turned water valves, flushed hydrants, fixed water main breaks — and thought it was the greatest thing since sliced bread,” Kaup said.
“When I graduated, I had my degree in political science, but a degree like that and a ‘buck-fifty’ will get you a cup of coffee at Dunkin Donuts.”
Kaup noted that he enjoyed the people and the department, and really enjoyed the town. So he decided that working outside wasn’t the worst thing in the world and began working full time in public works in 2002.
After being employed there for five years, he became the union steward for Local 150, representing his fellow employees in 2006 contract negotiations.
“That’s how I met Rich Rich Nahrstadt, the village manager. I guess he liked the cut of my gibes, and that’s how I began working in my current position.”
Now, Kaup is setting up meetings with village staff members to parcel out his duties, which include acting as the village board’s liaison to the Senior Services Commission.
“Especially in public service, a general administrative job morphs as one is in it. And the longer one is in it, the more one picks up as one goes along - like a boulder rolling down a hill,” Kaup said.
“This is a big year for me. I’m engaged right now to Keri Medo of Wheeling, a non-sworn employee of the Highland Park police department, and in the process of buying a house, as well as about to start a new job.”
And Kaup said he was absolutely thrilled about all of it.
“But I am fifth-generation Northbrook, so who knows?” he added. “I could be coming back.”
