Roger Godskesen has always prided himself on volunteering to help others. Now, he will be dedicating his time and talents to the community that he loves as Geneva’s new City Clerk.
Mayor Kevin Burns appointed Godskesen with the advice and consent of aldermen at the June 19 Geneva City Council meeting. Godskesen fills the vacant seat previously held by Lynn Landberg, who did not seek another term in office this spring after serving a combined 20 years during two different stints.
The City Clerk attends all City Council meetings – and others as required – and prepares full records of those meetings.
Mayor Burns selected Godskesen out of a pool of six candidates who applied for the position. The term of the appointment will run through May 3, 2021.
“The City was pleased to receive a strong and impressive response to the call for candidates,” Mayor Burns said. “We are honored that Mr. Godskesen has accepted our invitation to serve and are confident he will do so with professionalism and efficiency.”
Godskesen was a computer programmer for the U.S. Army at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. for two years during the Vietnam War. He spent the next four decades in the information technology management field working for such employers as McDonald’s Corp. and First Options Chicago/Goldman-Sachs.
Having lived in the Chicago area all his life, Godskesen moved to Geneva in 2006. He is an active community volunteer with the Northern Illinois Food Bank and as a Fabyan Villa tour guide for Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley. Previously, he was a volunteer medical support director at Soldiers’ Angels, a non-profit agency responsible for providing assistance to American military units throughout Iraq, Afghanistan and other theaters of operation.
“When I was growing up, my parents instilled in their children the value of helping others whenever we could,” Godskesen said. “I have tried to honor their ideals by becoming a Scout Leader, organizing the shipment of care packages to support military medical units during the wars in the Middle East and volunteering with the local food bank. My wife and I love the unique history and culture of living in Geneva. When I saw the notice for a City Clerk, I decided this would be a role in which I could contribute to our City.”
The City Clerk’s annual salary is $3,600. Official minutes from Geneva’s City Council meetings, along with advisory board meetings, can be found on the City’s website.