JOHN C. ACKERMAN NAMED
DIRECTOR OF NEW OFFICE OF MEDIA RELATIONS
GREEK ORTHODOX METROPOLIS OF CHICAGO
AND
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT, MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS PHILOXENIA HOUSE MISSION OF ROCHESTER, MN
Chicago: The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago, under the leadership of His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos, has created a new Office of Media Relations, hiring John C. Ackerman of Peoria, IL, as the initial Director. This will be under the direct supervision of the Metropolis Chancellor, His Grace Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos.
This Office of Media Relations will act as the liaison between the Metropolis and the media and as a resource for information about the mission of the Church and the ministries of the Metropolis.
The Office will prepare and distribute statements, press releases, and media advisories; respond to queries from the media and the general public; assist in managing internal communications; and provide parish communications consulting.
John Ackerman has been voluntarily been working in a similar position for the Metropolis for several years. On multiple occasions he has been a presenter of Media Relations seminars and has written and distributed press releases and statements both independently and on the behalf of the Metropolis of Chicago and its parishes.
He was a member of the Friends of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople Committee,
involved with organizing, planning and implementation of the 2013 Illinois Statewide Lobbying
Campaign. That effort led to the passage of Illinois Senate Resolution 70 in support of Religious Freedom for the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. The passage of SR 70 was a top priority for the Metropolis of Chicago after several earlier attempts had stalled.
Additionally, he has a record of public service and leadership in central Illinois as a Tazewell County Board Member for nearly a decade, and his prior service on the Washington City Council serve as a testament to his abilities and experience.
Ackerman, his wife (Maria Randitsas Ackerman), and their two young sons will continue to reside in Washington, Illinois. He will be working out of the Offices of the Metropolis of Chicago located on Burton Place in Downtown Chicago multiple times a week while also working from home and traveling as needed.
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago has jurisdiction over all Greek Orthodox parishes in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, eastern Missouri, and northwest Indiana.
In a related noted, the Philoxenia House Mission in Rochester, Minnesota, has announced that it has hired Ackerman as their new Director of Development, Marketing, and Public Relations.
This position will spearhead the movement towards the proposed Philoxenia Village Expansion, including the development of fundraising opportunities and donor outreach, community communications, advertising, and promotional events for this non-profit organization within the Metropolis of Chicago.
Founded in 2004, the Philoxenia House Mission currently consists of two housing units in Downtown Rochester adjacent to the world renowned Mayo Clinic that offer no cost housing for families of patients of the Mayo Clinic in need of shelter.
Currently this no-cost extended stay facility can house just over 20 persons. However, the Philoxenia House Mission Committee is working to finalize plans and designs for the new multi-million dollar Philoxenia Village Expansion, which when completed would accommodate over 200 persons. This nationwide campaign is the main catalyst for this new position and offering employment to Ackerman.
John C. Ackerman will work from his home in Washington, Illinois, as well as out of the offices of the Metropolis of Chicago in Downtown Chicago. He will be traveling to Rochester and other various locations as need arises.
For more information on the Philoxenia House Mission please see www.PhiloxeniaHouse.org or contact:
John Mangouras
Philoxenia House Mission Spokesperson
(507)254-2789
JohnMangouras@msn.com
