West Suburban Chamber of Commerce Welcomes New Board Members

Hodgkins, IL— Area business owners and operators can look to 2013 for a fresh collection of ideas from new Chamber Board members, while continuing to rely on the experience of those who will serve another year.  Joining the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce & Industry leadership are James Kucera, Mario Fotino, and Allison Muzal.

Board member James Kucera grew up in Brookfield, raised amidst the work of two family-operated businesses and graduated from Lyons Township High School and DePaul University, Chicago. A 19-year resident of La Grange Park, he has been instrumental in the West Suburban Chamber’s work for many years. That work has included service to the Ambassador Committee and the Business-Education Committee. He has given countless hours of creativity and muscle to Chamber and community events, is a member of the La Grange Park Chamber of Commerce and serves on the board of Interfaith Community Partners in La Grange Park. Kucera resides in LaGrange Park with his wife and children.

Board member Allison Muzal is the President and owner of SBI Financial Services, Inc. A long-time resident of Westchester, Muzal holds an accounting degree and MBA from DePaul University, Chicago. She has served the western suburbs through her commitment to the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce Business-Education Committee and the Ambassador Committee, in addition to which she serves as trustee of the Westchester Library and on the Westchester Economic Development Committee. Muzal, with Kucera and Board Vice President Brian Doruff, was a founding partner of Business Owners’ Strategies and Solutions (B.O.S.S.) and was the recipient of the 2012 Business Leader of the Year Award.

Board member Mario Fotino grew up in La Grange Park where he still resides with his wife and two daughters, doing business as Owner and Business Director of Impact Dance Studio. He serves on the Zoning Board for the Village of La Grange Park and, in May, stands to be elected to the position of Village Trustee. Additionally, he is Vice President of the La Grange Business Association, has been a vital member of the WSCCI Legislative Affairs and Ambassador Committees, and is instrumental on the planning committees for upcoming Chamber events.

Returning Board Member and newly elected Board President Dan Halm has long been in service to the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce and Industry and to the Western Suburbs at large. Co-owner of the family business Comprehensive Roof Maintenance, Halm was raised in La Grange, graduated from Lyons Township High School, and received his degree from Miami University at Oxford, Ohio. Halm’s post graduate work for Ohio speaker of the house, and later employment in government relations, fueled his interest in government affairs, resulting in his leadership of the WSCCI Legislative Affairs Committee. He currently resides with his wife and children in Indian Head Park. 

The Chamber Board will continue to benefit from the dedication of returning members  Paul Guagenti of Republic Bank, Cathy Hunkeler of First National Bank of La Grange, Katrina Ladyga of Coldwell Banker La Grange, Catherine LaBelle of Baird & Warner, Martin Scott of the Village of Western Springs, Bridgette Letizia of The Greater La Grange YMCA, Todd Hale of La Grange Country Club, and Stephen Pleimling of the WSCCI Foundation.

The Chamber Executive Board is led by President Halm with 1st Vice President Ken Grunke of Aging Care Connections, 2nd Vice President Brian Doruff of MB Financial Bank - LaGrange Park, Treasurer Mike Cusick of Helping Hand Rehabilitation Center, Secretary Michele Johann of Green Promoting, Immediate Past President Ed Gervain of Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital, and Member at Large Beth McCormack of Express Employment Professionals.