My PNA Story....
1980 to 2026.
Produced By Victor Modlinski.
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Content Copyright, 2026, Focal Prism
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PAGE 1
DAY ONE AT PNA.
My PNA journey began on Tuesday, November 10, 1981.
After leaving my previous job,
I was hoping to get hired in the PNA Cashier's
Office under the leadership of Treasurer
Edward J. Moskal. My experience working as the Head
Teller at Liberty
Savings in the past few years might just help me land the job,
because I know how to handle cash and
operate a computer.
Edward J. Moskal
My brother Zyg was
already working at the time in the PNA Mortgage
Department, also under Mr. Moskal. His knowledge, experience,
and reputation at the PNA might also help me get
the job.
I referenced several
people on my application from my previous job at Liberty that could
verify my banking experience to help secure this
position on my behalf. Some time later I found out that my
two good friends at Liberty, Mr. Emil J. Kolasa and
Mr. George Balcar had already been contacted by Mr.
Moskal. It turned out that they had known each other for
a long time.
As Mr.
Moskal would later say to me... "Your
reputation precedes you."
Fortunately, my
reputation was good enough to get the call for the
interview...
I arrived at the office about
9AM on that first day, and had to wait in the PNA Lobby for Mr. Moskal to
arrive. According to the receptionist Florence, he was
running late and asked that I be patient while I awaited
his arrival.
I said no problem, I had no where else
to go and I really needed the job.
Well, he made
me wait until about 10AM... when a short portly
well-dressed gentleman came in through the doors and greeted me with
a smile and a handshake. It seemed to me like we had met
somewhere else before...
I immediately noticed a
scent of onions and freshly cut vegetables on him as we
shook hands.
We went to his office where he
explained what was expected from me in this position and
made me a fair offer of compensation. It was a bit more
than I was making at Liberty, so I accepted the offer.
He asked me when I could start and I told him the
following Monday would work for me... when he quickly asked me
if it was a problem if I could start right away... like
right now, today! He said they were shorthanded and really
could use the help.
I agreed to
start working immediately and was taken straight to
the Cashier's "Cage" and introduced to Blanche
Malinowicz. She would become my first supervisor at the PNA.
Blanche worked with her sister Mary Jankowski in the
Cashier's Office. Mary was the Head Cashier at the time
but was away on an extended vacation and thus the need
for additional help.
I spent my first day at
the PNA learning how things were done in the Cashier's
Office and started doing some menial tasks that were
part of my new job. During the
course of that day, I got to meet
all of the people that I would be working with
in the Treasurer's Department.
They all seemed to be very nice... I
hoped Mary would be just as nice when I got to meet her.
This job for me would be a complete change
from what I was used to at the
bank. Here, at least for now, I was no longer on the front lines
dealing with customers, nor having to supervise ten
other people while managing large amounts of cash. This
was not like working as the Head Teller at Liberty
Savings!
This job at the PNA looked like it just might work out
for me...
I decided that I would stick around for a while and
see what happens. I was confident that my talents would
help me through any adversities that I may come across
in my new position.
But yet, I would still need
to pass the test with Mary, the Head Cashier. That was
stilll to come in a few weeks. I committed myself
to try and learn as much as possible from Blanche during
that time... so maybe Mary would be more accepting of
me upon her return.
I could only hope...
And
so, my first day of employment at the Polish National Alliance was now
complete.
Hopefully, the best was yet to come!
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