Jeff Kirchner has volunteered for 17 years with Junior Achievement and the Titan Business Challenge.
Kirchner was born in Green Bay and graduated from Pulaski High School. He attended Bemidji State University in Minnesota to become a forest ranger. When the program was cut, he went to the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and earned a degree in business.
While in high school and college, Kirchner worked part time in men’s retail clothing, going from stocking shelves to buyer. In 1992, he opened Gentlemen’s Quarter in Shawano.
“I’m proud to be a part of the Shawano community and the downtown,” he said. “I appreciate the customers and friends I’ve developed over the years.”
Kirchner, who lives in Red River, has two children and one grandchild.
Q Where do you volunteer?
A “I teach Junior Achievement and the Titan Business Challenge, which is sponsored by JA.”
Q What do you do?
A “The Junior Achievement has five segments: how does a community work, jobs in our community, the role of government, building a new business, and how money moves through our community. I’ve taught the Titan Business Challenge for five years. That’s done through the high schools throughout the area. You research a product, develop it, market it, put capital improvements into it to get greatest market share out there. The winners are given $500 scholarships. There are maybe 12 teams, and I get one of those teams. My team won two years ago.”
Q Where else have you volunteered?
A “I was chairperson of the retail committee on the chamber board, past president of the chamber, vice president of the BID board for many years, and past president of the Ruffed Grouse Society.”
Q How important is JA and TBC?
A “Very important. The kids look forward to me coming in each week for their lesson. Kids come in and get prom tuxes and remember me when they were in grade school. I’ve taught different grade levels. When I go back the next week, I quiz the kids from the previous week and see what they have retained. It’s amazing to see the hands that go up.”
Q Why do you volunteer?
A “A sense of fulfillment for both sides. It makes me feel good and I think it gives those that I volunteer for and with a sense of goodwill, too. It makes you feel good that you did something good and not expect anything in return.”
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