Carrie Steinweg Times correspondent
Jerry Czarnecki of Portage has been getting his feet wet at the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce since August as he prepares to move into his new role as executive director in the new year.
He brings with him decades of experience in education as well as in a variety of roles since retiring from teaching.
For almost 30 years, Czarnecki was a science and math teacher in Michigan, where he was named Michigan Teacher of the Year in 2011.
"Following my teaching career, I spent five years in municipal government in a variety of positions -- one of those positions being the city manager of the City of Hastings, Mich.," he said. "Three years ago, we moved to Northwest Indiana, and I have held positions in the nonprofit world."
Czarnecki's other post-education roles have included working with NEO Adult Education, Portage Township YMCA, Family Promise of Porter County and Gabriel's Horn Homeless Shelter.
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"I spent two years as a part-time news anchor and radio personality for the Adams Radio Group," he said. "Since last summer, I have been the public address announcer for the Gary SouthShore RailCats, which was a bucket list job."
He hopes to use this variety of skills and experience to build relationships in the community.
"I enjoy networking with people, finding out what someone needs, and then finding another person to connect them with. Hopefully, the connection will be fruitful and both can gain benefit from the connection," said Czarnecki. "This is a chance for me to give back to this community."
In his new role, he will coordinate and implement chamber activities, supervise staff and pursue the chamber's goals and objectives.
The Michigan native and his wife, Bridgett, were high school sweethearts who have been married for 33 years. They have two children -- a daughter, Alicia, who lives in LaPorte with her husband, Nick, and a son, Aaron, who lives in New York.
Outside of work, Czarnecki enjoys spending time with his children, playing board games, watching movies, walking local trails, spending time at the YMCA and volunteering.
"We enjoy monitoring a trail for the Shirley Heinze Land Trust," he said. He is also a member of the Kiwanis Club of Portage.
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