Board of Directors

President

Patricia M. Knoll

Vice President, Global Facilities

Shure Incorporated

Early on in my career I started out as a computer programmer because that’s what my father told me I should be doing.  Needless to say it wasn’t for me.  I then found my way to Human Resources in an assistant manager position at Jewel Companies corporate office.  Finally I found my calling in commercial real estate representing various commercial real estate investment trusts as a property manager and licensed real estate broker.   As the commercial real estate market started to falter, I took a leap over to the other side of the table, the corporate world, where I served as Director of Global Facilities and Real Estate for Comdisco Inc.  In 2005  I landed at Shure, my true home. I now lead an exceptional international team responsible for all real estate,  facilities and security  functions within Shure’s offices, manufacturing plants and warehouses worldwide.   I’m honored to serve as 1^st Vice President  for the Niles Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

1st Vice President

Suzanne Wulf

Head of Digital Services

Niles-Maine District Library

After graduating from DePaul University with a degree in English, I soon realized that I my passion was in libraries. I attended the University of Pittsburgh for my Masters in Library and Information Science. Then I returned to Chicago to start my career as a librarian at the Elmwood Park Public Library. I found my niche in technology training and integrating digital platforms into the library environment. I joined the Niles-Maine District Library as the Head of Digital Services in 2015, where I helped launch a digital media lab, circulating technology collection and maker space. I am dedicated to serving the community of Niles and seek out opportunities to help the businesses of Niles.

2nd Vice President

Kimberly Smith

Facility Manager

Athletico Niles/NW Chicago

My career with Athletico began in 2009 when I worked as a Rehabilitation Aide while furthering my education at Governors State University. When I graduated with my doctorate in 2012, I became a staff Physical Therapist at the Bannockburn clinic. In 2015 I was promoted to Assistant Facility Manager and transferred to the Niles/Northwest Chicago location. I was elated to be joining the Niles community, as I grew up in Morton Grove and this area and community felt nostalgic to me. In 2018, I was again promoted to Facility Manager while staying put in my Niles/Northwest Chicago home! I quickly got involved in the chamber, with community outreach events being the main focus of my management.

My family and I bought our first home and currently live in Niles where we are excited to watch our family continue to grow! My favorite part of being involved with the chamber is my love for the community where I live AND work. I am passionate about keeping business local, supporting other community members, and watching businesses thrive!

I am thrilled to be elected to the Board of Directors and join a strong board and staff in Niles. I enjoy serving on multiple committees, especially Women in Business and love networking at all of the events the Chamber has to offer. I can’t wait to meet you!

TREASURER

James Medina

First Financial Credit Union – Lending Manager

I have been with First Financial Credit Union for 8 years. First Financial Credit Union has been serving  Niles and the surrounding communities since 1936 and we are proud to support the Niles Chamber of commerce its members and community.

I have been part of the Credit Union world for 20 years in many capacities. I started as a collector then transitioned to Lending representative somewhere along the way I was a branch manager and now currently I am the Lending Manager of First Financial Credit Union. It is my passion to help members and people of the community with their financial needs. I am fully invested in the Credit Union Movement and what it stands for. I would love to share what the Credit Union can offer to all the residents of our community.

As the Lending Manager for the Credit Union  I pride myself in being able to help members save money by offering lower rates and by helping them budget and structure their finances.

I have personally been involved with the chamber for the past 3 years, most recently on the Golf committee and now I am honored to be on the Board of Directors of the Niles Chamber of Commerce & industry. Thank you Niles!

Immediate Past-President  

Christine Pusateri,

Christine Pusateri Solutions – Owner

Christine Pusateri Solutions is a niche business. We deal with something that affects about half of the population as they age, hair loss. I have been working in the field since I was 18 years old and found it fascinating. There are so many aspects to the business. We deal with everything from total alopecia, cancer hair loss, men and women’s pattern baldness, trichotillomania, and hair loss caused by stress.

I have worked for a few companies honing my craft over the years, and you learn what you think works, and what you would change. At 62, after a promise to buy a business that never came to fruition, I went on my own. I am so glad I did!

Navigating a new business is very scary, but I found great advice from people that were acquaintances and entrepreneurs. I also joined the Chamber of Commerce within a few months. They were great! It was nice to go to the different networking events and get your name out there. It gives you an opportunity to meet the village trustees and learn more about the village you have invested and work in. It will serve as a valuable business tool.

Director

Alan Zielinski

Better Kitchens Inc – Owner

Alan W. Zielinski, CKD, CLIPP, is President and CEO of Better Kitchens, Inc., which as a second generation design firm, has been producing quality kitchens and baths in the Niles area for over 62 years.  Better Kitchens, ….better by design, has been selected as one of the industry’s Top Leaders in the Kitchen & Bath Design Survey by Interior Design Magazine and in November of 2017, Alan was singled out by Kitchen & Bath Design News as one of the top 50 industry innovators whose work, creative talents, business acumen and professionalism are currently leading the way for the industry and elevating the K & B trade.

A 55 year resident of Niles, Alan continues to call Niles home.  At the pleasure of Mayor Przybylo, Alan has the privilege to serve the Village of Niles as an Executive Committee member of the Economic Development and Neighborhood Renewal Committee.  In 2018, Alan along with Niles historian Mike Shields proposed the New Niles Design District along the Milwaukee avenue corridor.  Today, he sits as President of the Niles Design District.

Director

Fred Braun

Village of Niles – Director of Public Works

I was born and raised in the Village of Niles.  When I was a child, I used to follow the Public Works trucks around on my bike and watch them cut down trees, patch asphalt, plow snow and all of the other cool things that big trucks did!  While I was pursuing a degree in Communications from Millikin University, I started a job in the summer as a seasonal employee with the Niles Public Works Department.  I was like a kid in a candy shop! Several years later, I was hired full-time with the department.  I am currently completing my twenty fifth year of serving the Village of Niles in a full-time capacity.  I have been promoted through the ranks from Service Worker to Superintendent and finally my current position of Director of Public Works.

I first volunteered on the Scholarship Committee with the Niles Chamber of Commerce, as I strongly believe in the power of education.  Helping our youth receive continuing education is a top priority of mine.  I am thrilled to have to the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors.  I enjoy meeting new people, volunteering to help the community and making Niles as strong as it can be.  A vibrant business community is critical to that success.

Director

Erica Juris

Uptown Chiropractic Clinic – Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine

Having grown up in Niles, it is an amazing thing to come back to this community and become more involved.  Niles has always been home. Many moons ago I was even given the honor of being the Niles Chamber Youth of the Year and am beyond honored yet again to be invited to join the Board of Directors for the Niles Chamber of Commerce.

I began working at Uptown Chiropractic Clinic as an assistant when I was still in high school. After 3 years working in the clinic, I fell in love with how the doctor helped heal people without drugs or surgery. Soon after, I changed by major from political science to human biology and the rest as they say is history. After my bachelors and a 5 ½ year graduate program, I graduated from The National University of Health Sciences in 2019 with my doctorate in Chiropractic Medicine. After graduation, I was honored to be invited to continue on with Uptown Chiropractic Clinic as a Chiropractor and have been happily pursuing my passion of helping people ever since.

To say that I look forward to working this remarkable group of individuals is an understatement. I have thoroughly enjoyed the various events put on by the Chamber and the connections that I have made in my time thus far. One of the things I love most about this organization is that this is not just about business but about building the kind of strong and thriving community I would want to raise a family in.

Director

Dr. Muhammad W. Paracha, MD, MPH

AHS Family Health Center 

AHS Family Health Center (AHSFHC) Chief Executive Officer, Muhammad W. Paracha, MD, MPH, has been with the health center since its inception in 2001. Dr. Paracha led the creation of the first Asian focused FQHC in Midwest on the northside of Chicago. Dr. Paracha has overseen the successful design and implementation of clinical health programs targeted for diverse Asian and immigrant patient population. He has been recognized for his leadership qualities by the National Association of Community Health Center (NACHC) and by the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO). Under his leadership, AHSFHC constructed or renovated four health center sites to improve access as well as delivery of services for Asian, immigrants and underserved communities in diverse neighborhoods of Chicago, Niles and Skokie, Illinois. He led AHSFHC to get Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) accreditation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) in 2013 – today all AHSFHC four sites are NCQA certified. Dr. Paracha was instrumental in implementing the agency first safety net dental clinic in 2011 and since expanded AHSFHC oral health program across all sites with four integrated oral health programs within each AHSFHC FQHC site. Additionally, he recognized the importance of integrating behavioral health (BH) into primary care for communities where seeking mental health services are often stigmatized. Dr. Paracha always advocated for expanding integrated BH services internally within the FQHCs he is leading and for community wide BH expansion at all external forums. Along with healthcare management Dr. Paracha bring his experience of serving on the not-for-profit Boards e.g., Illinois Healthcare Education Consortium (IHEC), South Asian Heart Lifestyle Intervention (SAHELI) and My Care Chicago an Accountable Care Entity (ACE). Beside serving on several Illinois Primary Healthcare Association (IPHCA) standing committees, Dr. Paracha served as IPHCA Board Treasurer from 2018 thru 2021. Dr. Paracha is an active member of the Niles Chamber of Commerce legislative committee since 2019 and joined the Chamber Board of Directors in January of 2022.

Director

Joe Campagna

Grant Merchant Services

Joe Campagna took over running Grant Merchant Services in 2007 when his step-dad, Gary Glowinski suddenly passed away. Coming from the worlds of finance, tech and hospitality, Joe jumped feet first into the deep end, learning on the fly to manage and grow an existing portfolio. Now, 13 years later, Joe has taken GMS to new levels with clients across the country. He has maintained the relationships his dad built while growing the business. “Twenty years after our founding, I work every day trying to live up to the legacy my dad started,” Joe says. “He was a handshake, good-as-your-word, old school salesman. Having many of our original clients still with us today is the clear indicator of our success.”

Village Liaison

John Melaniphy, Economic Development Director

Directors Emeritus

Irv Coats

Joanne Cwynar

Dean Strzelecki

Dick Leider (1930 – 2016)

Randy Greco (1948 – 2016)

Chuck Barbaglia (1939-2013)

Gordon Faller (1928-2011)

Larry J. Ptasinski (1949-2006)

Bob C. Wordel (1921-2008)