By SHAWN PIATEK
Like any good older sibling, John Polacek was only looking out for his brother when he tried to talk him out of starting his own business.
He didn’t feel that younger brother Bill would have much success with a welding business in their hometown. He tried to persuade Bill to stay in Virginia, where the younger Polacek had taken residence with his brother, because there was more opportunity than back home in Johnstown.
Fortunately for all involved, as well as the Johnstown region, it was one of the very few times John Polacek ever failed. As a result, JWF Industries was born, bringing hundreds of jobs to the region as well as an opportunity for John to move back home as chief operating officer of JWF Defense Systems after 33 years removed from the area.
John Polacek started in the new position last month. Prior to accepting his brother’s offer, the 50 year old served as vice president and general manager of defense and defense intelligence for BAE Systems in Herndon, Va.
The wheels were set in motion for the job change about two years ago when the Polaceks first discussed the possibilities that defense work may hold for JWF Industries.
“I had a wonderful career going with people working for me all around the world,” John Polacek said. “I knew we were making a difference in the global war on terror.
“When Bill started talking with me about the defense business he was getting here, I found it intriguing. I had 30-plus years in the defense industry and the more we talked, the more I realized it was a good fit.”
Not only was the job opportunity exciting, but so was the opportunity to return home.
John Polacek said when he graduated from Conemaugh Valley High School in 1974, he felt as though he had few options. Not believing he was college material, Polacek said he had to decide between working in the steel mills or enlisting in the military - – and chose the Marine Corps.
For decades, visiting with family was the only thing that brought John Polacek back to the region. But he always kept an eye on any opportunity to return, knowing a better quality of life could be enjoyed.
“The quality of life is amazing here,” said John Polacek, who now resides in Richland Township. “I purposefully lived in the country in Warrenton (Va.), and on a good day my drive was one hour one way, but the average was probably 90 minutes and on bad days it could take as long as three hours.
“It takes me eight minutes to get to work now. That’s something you can’t buy, nor is being able to spend time with your family like I get a chance to do now, especially with Bill.”
The tight-knit, friendly community he found when he returned to the area was nothing that surprised John Polacek, though his wife, Michelle, a lifelong Virginian, has been pleasantly surprised by it. But he said he has noticed many changes to his hometown that bode well for its future.
“It feels like I never left in a lot of ways,” John Polacek said.
“The really neat thing in coming back is seeing the renaissance we’ve had here. I think being removed for so long has given me a real appreciation for all the good things that have and are taking place here.”
