SMOLAK HONORED AS PCDA’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR.


A surprised John Smolak (L) is presented the PCDA Economic Development Volunteer of the Year Award -1999 by Board President David Kimberling Saturday evening.

November 14, 1999 - Putnam County’s Chamber of Commerce and Development Authority held their joint annual meeting Saturday evening, November 13 at Scarlet Oaks Country Club. The evening, entitled "Millennium Magic" included the announcement of the Development Authority’s Economic Development Volunteer of the Year for 1999.

This year’s recipient was John J. Smolak. John is currently Manager, Economic Development for American Electric Power (AEP). He joined AEP in 1988 and began at AEP’s corporate headquarters in Columbus, Ohio and AEP’s Wheeling Power Company in Wheeling, WV.

John was assigned to AEP in West Virginia in 1993. He also served as a loaned executive to manage the West Virginia Development Office from November 1994 until April 1995. His background included 14 years with the West Virginia Development Office serving in several positions in the economic and community development areas.

He has a Bachelor of Science undergraduate degree from Kent State University and has completed 30 hours toward an MBA degree at Capital University and Wheeling Jesuit University. In addition, he has completed the AEP System Management Development program, the University of Oklahoma - Economic Development Institute program, the American Institute of Banking finance training courses, plus other professional development and leadership programs.

He is currently Vice President of the Southern Economic Development Council, on the Board of Directors of the West Virginia Economic Development Council, an associate member of the International Development Research Council and member of the American Economic Development Council.

John also serves on the Board of Directors of the Discover the Real West Virginia Foundation, Vice President of the Putnam County Development Authority, on the advisory board of the Marshall University - EDA University Center, and a board member of the West Virginia District Export Council.

The Economic Development Volunteer of the Year Award has been given annually since 1992 in recognition of an individual’s volunteer efforts to the Putnam County Development Authority and towards the completion of economic development projects in Putnam County. In order to be considered for the award, individuals must exhibit the following qualities: 1) Show concern for the community and be an active leader in helping to bring about positive change in public policy. 2) Serve in a volunteer position and be a leader in an effort to create jobs or development of community services.

John Smolak joins a distinguished list of past Volunteer of the Year recipients, including: Duane Phlegar, Virginia King, Wayne Bennett, Bob Ellis, John Romano, Laura Gardner, and 1998's Volunteer of the Year Nancy Smith.