Hometown Hero - Alex Pawlowski

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Maybe it‘s that Medford has always been a long way from other population centers, that people here have learned both to be independent and interdependent, a tradition that has fostered an enduring network of individuals always ready to help each other. So it is with Alex Pawlowski, who made that observation while trying to explain the huge number of volunteers in the valley. Like himself, they‘re people who “really get involved," attend unpaid board meetings past 10 at night and pull out the checkbook often for good causes. Residing in the valley only three years, Pawlowski, the vice president and area manager of Liberty Bank on Biddle Road, is already president of Southern Oregon Regional Development Inc (SOREDI) and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) — and for fun and well-roundedness, he‘s in a 1960s rock band. “We really appreciate him. He just put in two hours running a table selling tickets for us at Macy‘s," says Jennifer Mylenek, executive director of CASA of Jackson County. “He cashiers at our auctions, helps in the office ... does brainstorming of events, followed up with the actions that make them happen, including bringing people into the fold here," says Mylenek. “He attends the swearing-in of new CASAs, speaks at our volunteer events, has made endless phone calls for procurement, and isn‘t afraid to implement new ideas that make our work more effective so we can serve more children. He is amazingly busy."

Pawlowski, 57, shrugs. “Well, you‘ve heard that old saying — if you want to get something done, ask someone who‘s too busy. But seriously, I got involved (with CASA) because, once you find out how difficult it is for neglected and abused children, you feel you can make a difference." It‘s something Pawlowski has believed since young adulthood: “The obligation to make it a better place to the full extent I could. We all owe that." Pawlowski eagerly proved it, pitching in on SOREDI, teaming up to create the Southern Oregon Business Conference — directing much of its focus on community-building, “so it‘s not all business" — and being named New Member of the Year of the Medford- Jackson County Chamber of Commerce in his first year here.

A native of Santa Barbara, Calif., and a resident and bank official in Eugene for 25 years, Pawlowski readily shares the credit, observing, “I‘m so impressed with the people in the Rogue Valley, compared to other communities I‘ve lived in. Here, they rely on each other and bring a can-do spirit to it. They say, "if it‘s going to get done, I‘m the guy to do it." Pawlowski and his SOREDI colleagues promote economic development here by “rolling up your sleeves and putting your best foot forward, working on things like land availability, utilities, worker‘s comp, all the boring stuff." Well, the “boring stuff" paid off, helping snag Amy‘s Kitchen, the nation‘s leading organic frozen food manufacturer — with plenty of much-needed jobs for the area. Pawlowski served on the board of Medford Cruise, a hot rod fiesta, is a devoted Rotarian and plays guitar and piano in his band.

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