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OHL Kitchener Rangers

Rangers Chief Operating Officer Honoured as Citizen of the Year

March 20, 2012 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kitchener Rangers News Release


Steve Bienkowski, Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Kitchener Rangers has been selected as the 2011 Citizen of the Year for Kitchener-Waterloo.

Hosted by the Lions Club of Kitchener, the Citizen of the Year Award recognizes a deserving resident from the Kitchener and Waterloo area.

The award was first presented to Ira Needles in 1957. Steve's name will be added to a long list of esteemed nominees and community visionaries such as Jack Harper, Owen Lackenbauer, Don Willcox, Dennis Watson, and Mac Voisin.

As the leader of one of K-W's flagship sports franchises, Steve has made an incredible impact to the prosperity of our local economy. From player to board member to COO, Steve has shared his passion and commitment to the great sport of hockey in our community for more than 30 years. His professional and business acumen combined with his enthusiasm for the sport has helped guide the Kitchener Rangers leadership team through successful operational and organizational transformation.

Under Steve's direction, the Kitchener Rangers have both won and hosted the coveted Memorial Cup. Most recently Steve is leading an expansion of the Auditorium - creating a lasting legacy to be felt by generations of hockey enthusiasts for years to come.

Steve has brought a strong community focus to the hockey club that has resulted in generous corporate sponsorships and donations to a number of charitable and non profit organizations including: St. John Ambulance, Kitchener Sports Association, Children's Wish Foundation, Kitchener Minor Hockey Association, House of Friendship, Kitchener Panthers Baseball Club, Waterloo Region Food Bank, THEMUSEUM, Waterloo Regional Boxing Academy, and the Royal Highland Fusiliers.

In recognition of his many years of volunteer service to St. John Ambulance, Steve was honoured with the Order of St. John from the Governor General of Canada.

"Steve is such a deserving nominee," shares Dr. Jack Bishop, Citizen of the Year Committee Chair. "The Lions Club of Kitchener is pleased to pay tribute to this remarkable community leader."

A gala to celebrate the 2011 Citizen of the Year will be held on Thursday, May 3rd, 2012 at the Waterloo Inn. Tickets are $95 and are available from Dr. Bishop at (519) 742-0405 or by calling the Waterloo Inn at (519) 884-0220. For more information, please visit www.lionsclubofkitchener.com.

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