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The Full Story

Brian A. Blahnik

Brian Blahnik grew up in Appleton, Wisconsin where he lives now with his wife Tracy and son Riker.  Except for a couple of short stints with the US Army in Missouri and South Carolina, Brian has spent most of his life in Wisconsin.  After graduating from Appleton West High School in 1989, Brian attended the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire where he met his future wife, Tracy.  During his time at UW Eau Claire Brian traveled throughout the U.S. and Europe, singing with the world renowned, Singing Statesmen.  Brian, who is an Eagle Scout and Scouting volunteer, started a military career exploration program in 1992, called the Wisconsin Army Cadets. The Cadet Program, now 33 years old, has become Wisconsin’s largest and most successful Army-based Cadet program in operation today. Brian graduated with a degree in Organizational Communications and started his career with the Boy Scouts as a district Executive. In this position Brian was recognized as the region’s top executive in his first year.  Brian also served as a Waterfront Director and Camp Director, managing Camp Rokilio in Kiel, WI.  In 1997, Brian joined the Wisconsin Army National Guard, and served on active duty in counter-drug operations for 2 years. While serving, he was part of a team awarded the Secretary of Defenses Fulcrum and Shield Award.  In 2000, Brian was hired to help build the Marshfield Clinic Health Systems (MCHS) federal AmeriCorps program from the ground up.  After 21 successful years managing this program, Brian felt it was time to consult other nonprofits, businesses and national service programs, so he formed The Service Xchange by BLAHNIK, LLC.  Brian is also a certified Military Youth Intervention Specialist and Community Health Worker (CHW).  Brian, Tracy and their son Riker have hosted 5 international exchange students (Joon Tae, Gavin, Tiago, Manuel, Nathan) and 10 Wisconsin Timber Rattlers minor league baseball players & coaches. Service & helping those who serve is a part of everything Brian does!

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Brian's National Service & AmeriCorps Accomplishments

 

  • Consulted and supported programs across the United States through America's Service Commissions National Service Trainings in person and virtually, including Alburquerque, NM, Burlington, VT and Milwaukee, WI, San Diego, CA, New Orleans, LA.

  • Provided consultation, training and support to multiple state commissions and programs including Wisconsin, New York, Oregon, Colorado, Ohio, Alaska, and Florida.

  • Awarded the largest AmeriCorps grant in Wisconsin history, May 2021, the Marshfield Clinic Health System (MCHS) Community Corps with 80 full-time positions. 

  • Awarded 135 full-time positions across 3 separate programs in May 2021. MCHS AmeriCorps Recovery Corps, MCHS AmeriCorps Community Corps, MCHS AmeriCorps Volunteer Wisconsin.

  • Awarded 45 federal National Service grants over 21 years. 

  • Provided 1,900,000 hours of member service on behalf of MCHS.

  • Provided $51,000,000 in benefit to Wisconsin communities through member direct placement and support activities.

  • Enrolled 1,071 members in MCHS AmeriCorps programs (full-time and part-time).

  • Provided direct support to over 350 community organizations.

  • Awarded $5,000,000 in educational awards to MCHS AmeriCorps members for loan repayment & schooling.

  • Supported 45 National Service events (direct, hands-on support and development).

  • Recovery Corps, a program Brian helped to build & lead was featured in the 2022 Americas Service Commission / Service Year / AmeriCorps - Expanding Service Years in State and Local Community Toolkit as a model program.

  • Directed the support and programming for 100,000 youth over 21 years.

  • Directed the support and programming for 10,000 activities and events for youth and families.

  • Received four Governors Service Awards including members and programs including the Marty Stein Friend of National Service honor.

  • Directed 12 prevention and leadership camps over 9 years for 2,000 youth.

  • Directed the support for 500 educational learning events.

  • Directed members in support of 3,000 parents and adult mentors training (skills, mentoring, family support).

  • Directed and supported 950 individuals in recovery through member service (Coaching and training).

  • Supported 5 major disaster projects through deployment of members in support of recovery operations.

  • Designed, supported, and directed all AmeriCorps operations and administration for the MCHS AmeriCorps program from 2000 – 2021.  Experience includes; recruitment of members and host site partners, orientation and ongoing training for members, staff and host site partners, enrollment of members, host site applications and commitments, member benefits (health, eye and dental insurance, educational awards, childcare), handbooks, conference planning, government affairs, policies and procedures, backdating plans, member and site service plans, member recognition, social media, promotional materials, media and marketing including videos and press releases, service gear, disaster teams training, disaster deployments, camps, retreats, alumni programming and Life after AmeriCorps, organizational capacity assessments, evaluation, budgeting, and logistics.

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What else has Brian done or accomplished?

Why tell you this? Because he is applying for a job with you and he wants you to know why he is qualified to help.  Here are a few more interesting things about Brian we thought you should know.....

  • Senior Military Advisor - WI Army Cadets - 33 years (current).

  • Awarded the Golden Eagle Award by the Bay Lakes Council, BSA - 2023 (Top 50 of 18,000 Eagle Scouts)

  • Waterfront director and lifeguard trainer (former).

  • Built and implemented comprehensive survival and combat training for Cadet Program.

  • US Army Commendation Medal & Volunteer Services Medal recipient.

  • KIWANIS Club member (former).

  • Eagle Scout & BSA Council Leadership Award winner.

  • Received commendation letters for work with Military Cadets from President Bush, Secretary of Defense, Chairmen of the Joints Chiefs and numerous other top government officials.

  • Former team owner and Board of Directors member of Brewers Minor League Baseball team, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.

  • Certified Military Youth Intervention Specialist by the Illinois Law Enforcement Board and IL Army National Guard.

  • Founded Wisconsin Honors Veterans and Military Charity which provided over $2.5 million in materials and dollars. 

  • Committee Chairperson for Quarry Quest which raised $1 million for community organization (former).

  • Certified BSA National Camp School Trainer - Camp Operations (former).

  • UW Eau Claire - Resident Assistant (4yrs) & Chancellors Award for Service.

  • Founder of Wisconsin National Service (AmeriCorps) Program Directors Association.

  • Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Administration, US Army Cadet Corps, Millersburg, KY. (former).

  • Sub Committee Chairperson for Fox Valley Kidz Expo (Valleys largest youth event - current)

  • Board of Directors - Timber Rattlers Give Back Charitable Foundation (current)

  • Certified Community Health Worker (CHW) January 2022

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