Daryl Richardson Is “2019 Family Member Of The Year”

At the 2019 Peters-Clements-Gazaway family reunion, Daryl Richardson was named 2019 Family Member of the Year. The following information was shared during our reunion, about Daryl and all of his accomplishments.

Daryl Richardson is a dedicated husband to his wife of 20 years, Veronica and proud father of two lovely daughters, Deja and Sydney. He and his wife have emphasized the importance of education and community service in their household. Daryl demonstrates the importance of education and community leadership to his children through his actions. Daryl graduated from Indiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering Technology and a Master’s in Engineering Management from Northwestern University. Daryl is currently the Operations Coordinator for ComEd’s Distribution Automation Program. He has been with ComEd for 18 years, and has served in various roles including manager of Chicago North New Business and manager of Distribution Design Engineering for ComEd’s Northern Region. Daryl takes his role as a leader in the workplace very seriously and understands the importance of helping others. He believes it is his responsibility to develop his direct reports and ensure they have the skills needed to excel. Daryl has been actively involved in Hillside School since Deja started kindergarten in 2008. He started out helping as a PTO room party parent. He would later become one of the Market Day volunteers for PTO. He dressed up as Santa Claus for the annual PTO Santa Breakfasts. He coordinates the volunteers for the annual PTO Fun Fair by encouraging his fellow coworkers from ComEd to volunteer each year.

In 2015, Daryl became frustrated with the lack of leadership and the direction in which Hillside School District 93 was going, so Daryl decided to run to become a board member on the Board of Education for Hillside District 93. In a short period of time, Daryl implemented impactful changes on the Board and for Hillside School. Below are some of Daryl’s accomplishments on the board:

• Board of Education President 2015-Present
• Chair of the Facilities Committee Board Of Education
• Board Of Education Representative for the D209 Community Engagement Committee
• Past Acting Chair IASB Governance Board West 40
• Past Nominating Committee Chair for the IASB Board West 40
• IASB West Cook Master Board Member Level II
• Presented at the District93 Annual Strategic Plan Meetings 2016-Present
• Presented at the IASB Division Meeting on “Becoming a New Board Of Education Member”
• Worked with School Administrators to implement a free lunch and breakfast program for all Hillside District 93 students.

Daryl’s proudest moment as the School Board President was when he was able to hand both Deja and Sydney their grade school diplomas.

Daryl is very humble and credits his education and mentors for changing his trajectory and providing him with opportunities to advance. Daryl has not forgotten the struggles he experienced and willingly mentors African American teenagers and young millennials through Link Unlimited Scholars, ComEd’s Internship Programs and personal requests. He is always willing to help a young African American engineering student or young millennial starting in the engineering profession. He has taken it upon himself to make a small difference where he is able. Daryl and his family also volunteer for various events through the Exelon’s (ComEd’s Parent Company) “Powering Communities” program.

We are very proud of Daryl’s achievements, and wish him and his family continued success.