Board of Trustees

Preston Carter

Trustee, Ward 1 - view map

Preston Carter has served as an NSWRD Trustee since December 2012. Trustee Carter represents Ward 1 (Winthrop Harbor, Zion, Beach Park) and brings hands-on experience to the Board: He was a 34-year employee of the District, working as a Mechanic and serving as Chief Steward for SEIU Local 73 before retiring in 2010.

Trustee Carter, who grew up in North Chicago, has two sons, two grandchildren and a great grandson. He is active in Moose Lodge No. 667 and the Kiwanis Club.

Stephen Drew, President

Trustee, Ward 2 - view map

Stephen Drew has been an NSWRD Trustee since 2002, representing Ward 2 (north Waukegan). He served as Board President twice, 2012 to 2014 and 2004 to 2006. He was also previously Vice President from 2003 to 2004 and 2006 to 2012. Trustee Drew also served on the Waukegan Unit School District 60 Board from 1998 to 2002.

A lifelong Waukegan resident, Trustee Drew recently retired as Superintendent of Public Works for the City of Waukegan.

Beverly Sugar Young, Vice President

Trustee, Ward 3 - view map

Beverly Sugar Young joined the NSWRD Board of Trustees in April 2012 and serves Ward 3 (North Chicago, south Waukegan).

Trustee Young is a retired Contracting Officer at Great Lakes Naval Training Center and currently works in customer service for a transportation company, transporting students. She has served many community organizations including A Safe Place and as CEO of Sugar Love's Seniors.

Thomas Swarthout

Trustee, Ward 4 - view map

Thomas Swarthout has served on the NSWRD Board of Trustees since March 2012, representing Ward 4 (Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, North Chicago). He also served as Treasurer of the NSWRD from 2012 to 2014.

Trustee Swarthout was an Alderman in the City of Lake Forest, serving as Chairman of the City's Parks & Recreation Department. He is also a past Chairman of the Lake Forest Hospital Board of Directors.

Rhoda Pierce, Treasurer

Trustee, Ward 5 - view map

Rhoda Pierce was elected to the NSWRD Board of Trustees in November 2021, representing Ward 5 (Highland Park, Highwood, and sections of Lake Forest and Deerfield).

Rhoda Pierce was the Executive Director of the Illinois Arts Council, an Agency of the State of Illinois, for more than a decade. She was the President of the Highland Park Library Board and of the Highland Park/Highwood Sister Cities Foundation. A Life Trustee of Lake Forest College, she has served as Chair of the Highland Park Human Relations, Historic Preservation, and Cultural Arts Commissions. She is an active member of the Sierra Club and the Illinois Audubon Society.