Jim Szymalak
1. Reasons for Running
My professional life has been dedicated to public service and PFC Board membership would be a natural extension of this commitment.
I have served my local community the past ten years in my roles as professor, nonprofit board member, and now as a part of four city commissions. I believe that my legal and academic careers provide the needed competencies to help guide PFC through a challenging operating environment, while also fostering entrepreneurial initiative
2. Relevant Skilss
Served as a senior Pentagon attorney for almost twenty years specializing in employment and general administrative law.
Recently retired public administration & legal studies professor, with specialized knowledge in personnel, ethics, and nonprofit leadership.
Former board president of a leading housing nonprofit. In addition to holding a doctorate in public administration and a law degree, possess an MBA specializing in management and organizations.
Currently serve on four city commissions addressing housing (City Plan and BoZA) and public welfare (Police & Fire and EMS).
3. Relevant Experience
During my seven years on the Greater La Crosse Area Habitat for Humanity Board, including three years as president, we grew annual revenue from $900K to $2.3M and increased assets from $2.1M to $6M while also navigating through the pandemic. I directed a strategic plan requiring programs to be self-sustaining in the absence of government funding/charitable donations, which resulted in anexpansion of capacity and new initiatives such as public policy advocacy and an environmental sustainability program.
4. Upcoming Challenges
It appears operations may be improving, but from the 2024 Annual Report I would be concerned with the cash burn rate, rising SG&A expenses, and likelihood of expanding CoGS due to current trade/immigration policies. Additionally, lack of CEO tenure, combined with unusually short board terms, impedes the effectiveness of strategic planning to address these challenges.
5. Opportunities for PFC
Focus on developing competitive advantages, such as value-added foods and customer convenience. For example, offering fresh pastas with separate fresh sauces to form higher-margin grab and go meals. In addition to more grab and go meal options, leveraging customer convenience may also include expansion to meet population centers. La Crosse’s high-density housing is not being developed close to the current PFC and these very large projects typically have ground floor retail and would benefit from satellite PFC locations offering meal convenience.