I would like to greet and sincerely welcome new A.P.A.A. President Henryk Francala!
At the February 18, 2012 A.P.A.A. Board meeting, Henryk Francala was nominated for the vacant President position and the Board subsequently voted in favor. I ask and encourage everyone that has helped keep the A.P.A.A. going in recent years to continue supporting Henryk and the A.P.A.A. with renewed efforts and to also continue the great works started by Michal Krolewski and others in Polonia many years ago.
Henryk brings a wealth of experience and skills to the A.P.A.A., including his fluency in Polish. Please be patient and helpful to Henryk in his efforts to bring the A.P.A.A. to become a better and stronger organization. I am also continuing as a volunteer at the A.P.A.A. and will still be helping on a regular basis. So, you are welcome to contact Henryk through me, or directly at the A.P.A.A. office. Also check for updates at our website: www.apaa.us
My best wishes, and sincere welcome to Henryk!
By Michael Ostrowski
Henryk Francala about himself:
I am a third generation American descended from four Polish immigrant Grandparents, all of whom proudly became American citizens. I grew up on the northeast side of Detroit and attended Our Lady Queen of Heaven School. Up until June, 2010, I continued to support this parish by donating my services as Organist for the Polish language Masses. I graduated from De La Salle Collegiate, an all young men’s college preparatory. I received my B.A. from Wayne State University, did subsequent studies at The Uniwersytet Jagielloński in Kraków, Poland, The Detroit Institute of Technology and received my M.E. from The Detroit Engineering Institute. My strong Polish upbringing and being fluent in Polish, thanks to my late Mother, were instrumental in my instilling new life into and becoming president of the University’s Polish Club for my four years at W.S.U. and being actively involved in Polonia for many years.
I am an engineer specializing in Climate Control Technology. I was President/Founder of Vistula Management, Inc. which provided multi-unit quality housing to inner city residents throughout the City of Detroit and President/Founder of Mechanical Plant Engineering, Inc. which provided engineering consulting services to and leasing of Operating Engineers to the American Natural Resources Co., a Fortune 100 Company, as well as other major corporations, headquartered in Michigan. Additionally, I provided gratis service including but not limited to consultation, boiler/heating and cooling plant inspection, installation, repair, maintenance, water treatment, etc. to many inner city parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Detroit, including historic Sweetest Heart of Mary and St. Albertus.
I was an active member of Sweetest Heart of Mary Church for over 25 years including serving on the Parish Council. I am an active member of the American-Polish Century Club of Sterling Heights and Chairman of its annual Memorial Day Parade for which we have been honored with several awards.
My education, strong Polish ethnic pride and upbringing, business and life experiences have given me the necessary background to qualify me to undertake the leadership of the American-Polish Assistance Association
