Get to know us...

President

​

Elizabeth Arts has served on the Board of the Oak Brook Historical Society since 2021. She is grateful to work alongside an exceptional board that fosters and promotes the mission of the Society.

She enjoys building relationships with surrounding communities and historical societies to educate others about the vast history of Oak Brook. With a strong background in preservation initiatives, she is dedicated to ensuring the community’s rich heritage is preserved for future generations. Elizabeth and her husband, David, moved to Oak Brook ten years ago. She considers it a joy to live in such a welcoming and friendly community and finds it easy to give back to the Village

Treasurer​

​

Edward G. Tracy, CPA, is an audit shareholder at Selden Fox, a mid-size accounting firm that was established in Oak Brook more than 45 years ago. Ed leads the firm’s governmental audit practice where he supervises several annual audit engagements, the majority of which are in the government and non-profit sector. Ed oversees the outsourced accounting function for the Oak Brook Historical Society and has done so for more than 10 years.

Board Member

​

Barry Cesafsky proudly serves on the Board of the Oak Brook Historical Society, having joined in 2024. A longtime resident of Oak Brook, Barry first moved to the York Woods neighborhood with his family in 1964 and has cherished the community ever since. He and his wife, Marcia, now reside in Briarwood Lakes. His deep appreciation for Oak Brook’s rich history, strong sense of community, and unique character inspires his work with the Historical Society. Barry is passionate about preserving and sharing the stories that make Oak Brook special, ensuring that its legacy continues for future generations.

Vice President

​

Lisa Griffith has called Oak Brook home with her husband, Andrew, and son’s Cayden and Zachary, since 2001. For the past four years, she has been actively involved with the Oak Brook Historical Society, serving a term as President and currently as Vice-President. She also contributes to the Society's Exhibits, Outreach, and Membership committees. Lisa's passion for history is rooted in her background as an opera singer. A graduate of Northwestern University with a Master's degree in Opera Performance, she spent countless hours immersed in music history. She is dedicated to preserving and sharing Oak Brook's unique history for generations to come.

Board Member​

​

John Baar has lived in Oak Brook for 34 years, and married to his wife Janet for 36 years. He is a retired Butler School science teacher, assistant principal, and coach. Mr. Baar presently serves on the Butler District 53 School Board. He has also served two terms on the Oak Brook Village Board of Trustees and fifteen years on the Oak Brook Fire and Police Commission, the last eight as chairman. He is a past president of the Board of the Oak Brook Civic Association, the York Woods Community Association, and served on several Blue-Ribbon Committees for the Park District.

Archives Manager

​

​Ray Paice has been a dedicated volunteer with the Oak Brook Historical Society since the 1980s and currently serves on the Board and is the archivist. A nearly 50-year resident of Oak Brook, he is passionate about preserving the village’s rich history and ensuring its accuracy for future generations. His late wife, Esther, also shared his commitment to OBHS, serving as Treasurer until her passing in 2018. Ray finds great joy in uncovering and sharing the stories that make Oak Brook unique, believing that understanding the past is key to appreciating the present.

Secretary

​

Stana Vukajlovic currently serves as the secretary of the Historical Society and assists with sponsored events. She and her husband have enjoyed living in Oak Brook and raising their three children in its close-knit and vibrant community for the past 35 years. From Native American times to the present, Oak Brook has been a crossroads of commerce and trade, with its residents historically contributing to cultural, political, business, and educational movements that have positively impacted local, regional, national, and international achievements. Stana has truly enjoyed learning about the history of the community.

Board Member

​

Supriya Jasuja, MD, MPH has been a Board Member since 2023.   She grew up in Oak Brook from 1972 during her school years.  The diverse community and the deep history of Oak Brook brought her back to Oak Brook in 2004 to raise her own family.  She brings her historical perspective as a lifelong resident and the changes that have evolved over the years. 

Board Member

​

Raised in Central Illinois, Ron Ariana spent 18 years in Western Springs before settling in the Saddle Brook subdivision of Oak Brook. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Finance from Illinois State University and furthered his education at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management Executive Program. Ron is married to Carol, who works in hospitality management in the hotel industry. Together, they have three adult sons. With his extensive background in business strategy and a deep commitment to his community, Ron brings valuable insights and leadership to the Oak Brook Historical Society as a member of its Board of Directors.