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Niles Chamber To Welcome New Officers, Directors At Leadership Luncheon


Niles Mayor Andrew Przybylo (right) shakes hands with new Niles Chamber of Commerce Board President, the Late Randy Greco of CHoLAB just after taking the oath of office as chamber president in 2016, as then Chamber Director Katie Schneider looks on at the chamber’s annual leadership luncheon. (Journal file photo)

Niles Chamber of Commerce and Industry officials will conduct their annual officers installation Thursday, when Mayor Andrew Przybylo will also deliver his annual State of the Village address.

Current Chamber President Jeff Curry of State Farm Insurance will stay on for another year as chamber president because of so much transition this year, according to Chamber Executive Chamber Director Alicia Bermes. Former executive director Katie Schneider and several key board members recently left the organization.

On the executive board with Curry are new first vice president Vince Gendusa of Platinum Touch Industries. Christine Pusateri of Christine Pusateri Solutions moves into the second vice president position. Patricia Knoll of Shure Incorporated takes on the treasurer’s responsibilities. Both Pusateri and Knoll are new to the chamber’s executive board, Bermes said. Chuck Hartogh of C & M Auto Service Inc. will remain immediate past president for another year.

Skip Lawson of Notre Dame College Prep and Rich Marsoun of the Leaning Tower YMCA will take the oath as new chamber board of directors members.

Other continuing board members expected to take the oath are Steve Costa of Weichert Realtors Ambassador, Brian Kelly of Home Depot (Niles West), Suzanne Wulf of the Niles-Maine District Library and Ross Klicker, economic development coordinator for the village of Niles.

The chamber’s directors emeritus include Irv Coats, Joanne Cwynar and Niles Village Trustee Dean Strzelecki along with posthumous directors emeritus; Dick Leider (1930-2016), Randy Greco (1948-2016), Chuck Barbaglia (1939-2013), Gordon Faller (1928-2011), Larry J. Ptasinski (1949-2006) and Bob C. Wordel (1921-2008).

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