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Piekarski among Ten Outstanding Minnesotans

Published 11:09am Monday, October 26, 2009

By all accounts, Sara Piekarski is a people person.

It’s part of her job as general manager at AmericInn Lodge and Suites, where she’s worked since 2001. But it’s also in the personal time Piekarski spends working with and for members of the Fergus Falls community.

Piekarski’s community service has earned her a spot as one of the 2009 Ten Outstanding Minnesotans, an honor presented by the Minnesota Jaycees. Each year the state organization asks local clubs to nominate outstanding young leaders between the ages of 18 and 40, including non-Jaycees members. Piekarski, a Jaycees member who was nominated by leadership with the Fergus Falls club, is one of 13 professionals selected this year.

Piekarski, 31, learned of the award about two months ago.

“I was blown away — I was flabbergasted,” she said. “It was nice to be recognized.”

Growing up in Fergus Falls, Piekarski said she was “one of those who swore I’d leave and never come back.” But after finishing college in North Dakota, she returned to Fergus Falls for an internship with the Chamber of Commerce. The insight she gained into local business gave her a new perspective on Fergus Falls and she figured she “might as well invest my time and energy into my hometown.”

In the years since, Piekarski has served on the Chamber board, chaired the Summerfest board and completed the Blandin Community Leadership training program. When the MS TRAM Bike Tour stopped in Fergus Falls in 2007, Piekarski coordinated entertainment for riders. She also co-chaired Walk MS in 2007 and 2008.

Piekarski is currently on the board of the Convention and Visitors Bureau and is a committee co-chair with Noon Kiwanis. In June of this year she was honored with the MN-DAK Regional Star Award, a Kiwanis recognition presented among Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota clubs.

“I truly, truly enjoy working with others,” Piekarski said. “I would not be happy in a job if I had to work alone.”

The Ten Outstanding Young Minnesotans Program has honored more than 400 young leaders in the past 59 years, with past honorees including Walter Mondale and Dave Winfield.

Piekarski is scheduled to join fellow 2009 award winners for a banquet in Hastings in December.