For almost as long as he can remember, Michael Mazurek has been taking care of business.
“I was in business with my father from the time I was 12 years old,” he said.
Mazurek’s family is from Alberta.
“Grandpa was a homesteader…and my mother was a school teacherd.
“Originally my father owned a couple of gas stations. I used to pump gas and I grew up learning how to fix cars and deal with people, and tender money at the till.”
The Mazureks eventually operated a packaged ice company.
“When I was 25 years old I moved to B.C. to start my own ice business,” said Mazurek, who previously attended the University of Alberta.
He settled in the Lower Mainland and founded Pacific Ice Company Inc. in 1985, and was its president and CEO for almost eight years.
Mazurek believes his business acumen would serve him in the role of director of Area H in the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen.
Mazurek and his wife Monika purchased their property here in 2005.
He was the production manager at the Princeton Pellet Plant for three years, and then was director of infrastructure and parks for the Town of Princeton for two years.
“I learned a lot about local government and just how local politics function.
“I think I can bring a lot of fusion to Area H and the town.
“I think I could help harmonize things.”
Today, Mazurek is the facilities manager for BC Green Pharmaceuticals and Optimi Health, two related companies he believes will play large roles in the future of Princeton and the area.
While living in the Surrey-White Rock area, Mazurek was vice-president of the Surrey Association for the Mentally Handicapped for two years.
In this area, he enjoys volunteering one-on-one.
“In my jobs as a manager in Princeton, I’ve had the opportunity to mentor a lot of young people and that’s what I take a lot of pride in.”
He also enjoys being the go-to for those who need a hand. “I help neighbours and friends. I fix refrigerators and cars for people. It’s what I like to do.”
Mazurek said he brings energy to any project.
“I am very much an action person. My motto when people come to me is ‘where there is a will there is a way.’”
Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email:andrea.demeer@similkameenspotlight.com
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