Thornton Fractional High School District 215 has named Dr. Creg Williams as its superintendent, effective July 1.

Williams, who will replace Dr. Robert Wilhite, has extensive experience on the national level, District 215 School Board member Chas Maricich said.

"We're lucky to have him here. He's highly sought-after in larger districts," Maricich said. "We, being a smaller district, are lucky to have been able to attract him."

In talking with Williams during the interview process, Maricich said the new superintendent is an "outgoing person who has been well-liked in the communities in which he has worked.

"He will fit very well in the community," Maricich said. "His experience speaks for itself."

Williams holds a bachelor's degree in applied behavior science from the National Louis University in Evanston and attended Roosevelt University in Chicago, from which he received a master's degree in education and a doctorate in educational administration.

Most recently, Williams worked as superintendent for the St. Louis Public Schools and a consultant and regional superintendent for the Prince George's County School District in Maryland.

Williams has taught at the Chicago Vocational School, served as a teacher, principal and chief officer for Chicago Public Schools, and was deputy chief academic officer for the School District of Philadelphia.

Wilhite, who has spent more then 37 years in education, was promoted to superintendent in March of 2002, after serving as the assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction and interim principal of the Thornton Fractional Center for Science and Technology.

During his time at District 215, Wilhite helped the district secure $350,000 in Goals 2000 grants, which helped pay for wiring all the schools and classrooms for computer networks. He also designed the district's curriculum development system and led a $40 million expansion of its three schools.

Wilhite, who replaced Doug Long as superintendent, joined the District 215 administrative staff in 1995 as principal of the Center for Science and Technology and director of curriculum. A year later, he was given the title of assistant superintendent.

District 215's Thornton Fractional North and Thornton Fractional Center for Science and Technology in Calumet City, and Thornton Fractional South in Lansing serve students in those communities, as well as students in Lynwood and Burnham.