2019 Board of Directors’ Election Candidate Biographies

Please review the candidate biographies before the election on Tuesday, April 9.


(i) = incumbant


Patrick Carlson (i)
My name is Patrick Carlson.  I am an attorney who has lived in East Lakeview for nearly 20 years, and have been a homeowner here for 15.  In this time, I have seen dramatic changes and improvements to the neighborhood, but there are still may changes facing the neighborhood.  I have been privileged to serve on the ELVN Board for the past 4 years, and would like to continue for another term.  ELVN provides all members of the neighborhood a forum to raise their concerns, to participate in discussions about changes happening, and to have access to the community leaders who make decisions affecting us every day.  I have been honored to service in this capacity, and would like to continue doing so.

Terie Kata
My name is Terie Kata.  I have been active as a board member of ELVN since 1991, serving as Chair for five years, Treasurer for twelve years and past chair of ELVN’s annual Oktoberfest fundraiser for 12 years.  I have been an active resident and property owner of the Lakeview community for 25 years. I also have been a participating member of LVCC for the past 25 years, serving on many committees as well as planning and coordinating numerous LVCC fundraising events.

Chester Kropidlowski
He has lived in East Lake View since 1991 and has been involved with ELVN in various roles for over twenty years. In 1998, he retired from the City of Chicago after 32 years with the Chicago Department of Transportation as a City traffic engineer.  His duties included dealing with Lake View traffic and parking issues and managing the night baseball Neighborhood Protection Program. Since retirement, Chester has worked as a traffic engineering consultant including consulting for both the City and the Cubs regarding the Wrigley Field program. Chester was Chair of the Transportation Committee for the 44th Ward Master Plan and was active in the development of the 46th Ward Master Plan. He is now Chair of the Lake View Citizens Council Transportation Committee and represents Lake View on the Task Force study to redesign North Lake Shore Drive. Chester and his significant other, Lenore frequently enjoy the many restaurant and entertainment opportunities available in Lake View.

Brian Murphy
I am Brian Murphy and I have lived, worked, and owned property in East Lakeview for most of my life.  Upon marrying my wife Jaime, we moved back into the same apartment that I grew up on Sheffield Avenue.  In the following years, my two sons were born in the same home.  I have worked in my families business at Murphy’s Bleachers and since have managed Mrs. Murphy & Sons restaurant as well as worked in property management.  For the past five years, I have served as the principle organizer for ELVN’s Oktoberfest.  During that time, Oktoberfest has raised well over $100,000 for local area charities and schools.  Throughout my life, I have watched my East Lakeview neighborhood evolve into the thriving community that it is today.  I look forward to continuing to take an active role in helping this neighborhood reach its full potential. 

Jean O’Neil (i)
I am a founding member of ELVN and I have been a property owner in East Lake View since 1971. I  remember the neighborhood’s past struggles with slumlords, gangs and graffiti.  I spearheaded efforts to bring a new Greeley School to the neighborhood and supported beautification of Gill Park. I even remember when the Chicago Bears played at Wrigley Field!  To this day, I continue to support the beautification and safety of the neighborhood.

Aileen Tien (i)
Aileen Tien has lived in East Lakeview for over a decade, beginning in her summer internships during law school at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana.  Aileen currently works for a software company in downtown Chicago that produces applications assisting law firms, corporations, and government entities with managing litigation matters.  She has served on the ELVN board since 2015 and works to ensure that area residents’ concerns are addressed. 

Marty Wallace (i)
I have lived in East Lakeview for the past 40 years. I am currently an ELVN Board Member for the last few years. My wife Diane and I enjoy our walks around the neighbor, lake front, and Wrigley Field.
During our Oktoberfest Diane and I are at Murphy’s working on setting up the Silent Auction area.
I also work hard in bringing new and exciting items for the auction. I am a Real Estate Broker with Berkshire Hathaway Home Service for the last 30 years. I am looking forward in serving ELVN as a Board Member for the next two years.

Heather Way-Kitzes
She is the Manager, Government and Neighborhood Relations with the Chicago Cubs, a position she has held since 2015. Prior to her time with the Cubs, she served as the Executive Director of the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce. Living and working in Lakeview for nearly two decades has given her the opportunity to work with many community based organizations and serve on many local and regional boards. Her favorite thing about Lakeview is the people and their passion for their community; a passion she shares. A native Chicagoan, Heather studied journalism and art history at the University of Missouri-Columbia. She is married with two kids and a small poodle.

Michael Zink (i)
I have lived in East Lake View for more than 7 years and have served as ELVN president since 2018.  I am an attorney at Starr, Bejgiert, Zink and Rowells, a civil litigation firm.  During my professional career, I have been elected and appointed to leadership roles in legal and community organizations throughout Chicago, including the Illinois State Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association, the Chicago Archdiocese, and the Advocates Society of Polish-American Attorneys.

Brandon Cunningham
I have lived on in East Lake View on Dakin for the last 5 years.  During that time, I have been an active member of his community, a registered CPS substitute teacher, and a volunteer at my 6 and 8 year-old daughters’ schools.  I support the conservancy site in Montrose Harbor documenting Purple Martins populations during the summer.  In addition, I am the president of the Kelly Park Advisory Council.  In my spare time, I go to my job as an airline captain.

Tom Rothschild
I have called East Lakeview home for 21 of the 23 years that I have lived in Chicago.  Currently the Treasurer of my condominium association, I have been active on the board of every building in which I have lived.  My work with the condominium board has led me to form relationships with the local Aldermens’ offices.  I am also an avid dog lover as many of you know from seeing me in the neighborhood on strolls with Roz.