Scott Williams, swilliams@wolfrivermedia.com
Leader Photo by Scott Williams Todd Lorbiecki, Bonduel’s new director of municipal operations, works in his office in the village’s municipal operations center, 209 S. First St.
Todd Lorbiecki might be new on the job with the village of Bonduel, but he probably looks like a familiar face to a lot of people.
The new director of municipal operations is a longtime parent in the Bonduel School District who also coaches youth sports in Bonduel.
“We’ve definitely been part of the community,” he said.
So when the village needed a new staffer to oversee a significant part of local government operations, Lorbiecki decided it was time to leave the private sector.
Giving up a management position in the finance department at Green Bay trucking giant Schneider National Inc., he realized a longstanding goal of working in local government.
Village Board members selected Lorbiecki from nine applicants for the $52,500-a-year job, which was vacated in October when Steve Berndt retired after 18 years in the position.
Village Trustee Shawn Thorne said it was a leap of faith for the village to hire someone with no municipal government experience. Thorne, however, said he was impressed by Lorbiecki’s work ethic, personality and character.
Thorne added that the new operations director has made a strong start since assuming the position effective Nov. 18.
“Obviously there’s a lot to learn in that position,” Thorne said. “I definitely think Todd is up for the challenge.”
Lorbiecki, 45, graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a degree in biology and water resources. He spent two years working at a Janesville water testing laboratory, and he dreamed about some day managing a municipal water utility system.
His next career move took him to Schneider National, where he worked for 20 years in finance and accounts receivable.
Along the way, he and his wife, Lisa, found their way to Shawano County. The couple settled in Cecil and had two children, both girls, now aged 14 and 12.
As an active parent in the school district, Lorbiecki got involved in coaching girls basketball and softball. He currently coaches both seventh-grade and freshman girls basketball.
When he heard that the village was searching for a new municipal operations director, Lorbiecki pursued the opportunity with enthusiasm. Not only does the job involve overseeing the community’s water and sewer utility systems, it also gives him responsibility for local parks, street maintenance and economic development.
“It’s a little bit different,” he said. “But this is something I was looking to do.”
Since starting work last month, Lorbiecki has enjoyed getting acquainted with his fellow village staffers and also hearing input from residents.
He hopes to focus much effort on economic development, both promoting growth of existing businesses and trying to attract new businesses. Bonduel has much to offer, he said, with the community’s location, highway access and stable population base.
Lorbiecki said he is happy to be using his business expertise and professional background to improve the quality of life in Bonduel.
“I’m excited,” he said. “I’m looking forward to the potential.”