PRESS RELEASE
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New Board Installation Dominates Polish American Chamber
April Meeting
Chicago, IL
(April 8, 2019) - The Polish American Chamber of Commerce (PACC) Business After Hours gathering on Thursday, April 4, 2019, was a remarkable occasion with regard to the number and quality of guests who attended and the fact that it doubled as the Chamber's annual meeting. Celebrating the 25th anniversary of its organizational life, the Chamber held the event at the Polish Museum of America (PMA), known as the "crown jewel” of the Polish American community. The event was sponsored by the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America (PRCUA), the oldest Polish American fraternal organization in the country.
The large group of PACC members and guests included, among others, Polish Vice Consul Piotr Semeniuk; Chicago Bureau Chief of the Polish Investment & Trade Agency (PAIH) Michal Rzeznik; Honorary Consul of Nepal and long-time member of the PACC Marvin Brustin and wife Allison; Justice Jesse G. Reyes; and President of the Friends of the JCYC of Chicago, PNA Lodge#3279, Kazimierz ‘Casey’ Chlebek. The first President of the PACC who helped establish the organization in 1994, Jan Krynski, was in attendance as well.
Following PRCUA President Jim Robaczewski's brief welcoming remarks, PACC Executive Director Bogdan Pukszta reviewed recent accomplishments and plans of the Chamber for the remainder of 2019. His presentation concluded with the introduction and installation of the PACC’s 2019-2020 Board of Directors, including its Executive Committee.
As a result of the recent election process, the 2019-2020 Board of the association will include the following Officers:
- President - Iwona Filipiak, Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices
- Vice President/Internal - Aneta Szulakiewicz, General Masony Supply Venture, LLC
- Vice President/External/Local - Agnieszka Rapacz, TeaGschwendner
- Vice President/External/International - Malgorzata Borysiewicz, Up-To-Sound, Inc.
- Treasurer - Agnes Bastrzyk, PRCUA
- Secretary - Gregory Handzel, Handzel & Associates Ltd.
And Directors:
- Boguslaw Bosak, Chicago Metal Supply & Fabrication, Inc.
- Henry Kazmierczak, H&L Homes LLC
- Christopher Samulak, Royal Alliance
- Jola Santocka, Polamer Inc.
- Stanley Skoczen, Omega Structures, Inc. (Chair of Advisory Council)
- Elvira Skomorowska, Ambassador Chicago
- Anna Tukiendorf-Wilhite, TTI Medical School
PRCUA Vice President Micheline Jaminski helped administer the traditional charge & oath of office. The new Board of Directors will serve the PACC for the next two years.
One of the highlights of the PACC gathering at the PMA was the introduction of Iwona Filipiak who was elected the new President of the Board.
"I am honored to be entrusted with the position of President of the PACC," said Filipiak. "In 2019, as we celebrate the Chamber's 25th anniversary, we will continue to highlight the PACC's dual role of promoting local Polish American businesses focused on Chicagoland and, at the same time, we will continue to build and strengthen the bridge between the US, Poland, and the EU."
According to Executive Director Pukszta, who helped MC the meeting, "The high caliber of our Board members, and the Board's Executive Committee, bode well for the Chamber's future. It's an excellent mix of successful entrepreneurs and professionals who will take the PACC to new levels, benefiting the entire membership. With dedicated directors such as these, our office staff, and with Iwona Filipiak as President, we can be very confident about the future affairs of our organization."
