Martesha Brown

Martesha Brown is a proud product of the Rockford Park District. She attended Auburn High School, received her undergraduate from Southern Illinois University, and Masters in Business from Rockford University. Throughout her professional and volunteer career her focus has remained consistent; improving our region, removing barriers, and doing it with heart.

Born and raised on Rockford, Illinois' west-side, Martesha had her first encounter with the Rockford Park District as a participant in summer camp at the age of 7 years old. She continued as a participant for many of the park district's programs including flag football, basketball leagues, and arts in the park camps. Just a few years later Martesha joined the Rockford Park District as a Jr. Leader volunteer for Lewis Lemon Community Center, and Wantz Park, before becoming a part-time summer camp counselor, followed by a full-time team member at some of the Rockford Park District's revenue generating facilities (Ice Facilities, Sapora Playworld, and Magic Waters/Aquatics).

During her full-time career at the Rockford Park District she pushed to develop her leadership experience through the Rockford Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Rockford Program where she acted first as a participant before becoming a moderator for the program.

In addition to this experience, Martesha is a graduate of the National Parks & Recreation Association's affiliated Revenue Development School at Oglebay. Following her graduation she pursued an externship at this program and was elected to join their board of regents where she instructed parks and recreation leaders, executive directors, and board members throughout the U.S. on revenue generation, management, budgeting, leadership development, and marketing for parks and recreation.

Martesha Brown has a strong passion for community engagement, business development, and regional economic development shown through community leadership roles such as her current position as the Director of Advancement for the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and previous role as the Regional Community Development Relationship Manager for Midland States Bank, where she assisted in the development, engagement, and implementation of programs to help create financially sustainability and positive economic impact for businesses and individuals.

She has been appointed by State of IL Governor Pritzker to the State of IL Capital Development Board. In this capacity, she alongside other board members, approve the awarding of major construction contracts for over 8,700 state owned properties and ensure minority, veteran, and women representation in projects. She is also in the Goodwill of Northern Illinois Board, volunteer for Transform Rockford, and proud member of the NAACP.

She has been recognized and awarded as one of Rockford’s “Forty Under 40”, as a Rockford Register Star “people you should know” and a recipient of the “25 Black Leaders to Watch” by Soul News Network.

Martesha brings a unique perspective to the Rockford Park District Board of Commissioners. She has moved throughout many stages and levels of engagement within the Rockford Park District and has over 15 years experience in parks and recreation. She understands first-hand as a previous participant, that the Rockford Park District can have a dramatic impact on the trajectory of a youth's life.

Martesha is prepared and ready to be a representative of Rockford Park District residents and the first African-American Woman elected to its board of commissioners.

SHE IS ROCKFORD GROWN, ROCKFORD REGION COMMITTED, AND PROUD TO BE A PART OF ITS FUTURE!