Bank manager keeps community involvement front and center

As an enthusiastic local businessman seeks job fulfillment he strives to incorporate community involvement in his goals.

In his commercial ventures, especially banking, Edward Pavlovich learned that his customers and community endeavors are the essence of a successful businessperson. Pavlovich is financial center manager of Citibank Hoffman Estates at Poplar Crossings, 2550 New Sutton Road.

"While recruiting, marketing and sales are all important components of running a successful business I believe community involvement is essential for survival," Pavlovich said. "Since my first job at 16 I learned that community and 'customer first' are the most important aspects of business."

The Hoffman Estates Park District benefits from Pavlovich's expertise. He and his bank have a partnership with the Special Leisure Services Foundation, promoting the park district's summer programs for physically challenged adults and youth who take part in the Northern Illinois Special Olympics.

He and other bank volunteers raise funds for Clearbrook Center in Arlington Heights and Pavlovich says Citibank has logged hundreds of hours of volunteer work.

"Two of our favorite opportunities with Clearbrook are 'Jelly Belly Days' and doing painting and landscaping at community sites, including the center's headquarters," Pavlovich said.

Pavlovich also organized a Kid's Fingerprint Day for kindergarten to fifth graders, in cooperation with the Hoffman Estates Police Department.

"We provided a day of fun and games (and the fingerprinting) so parents have the security of knowing their children will be a little safer," he said

As a member of the Hoffman Estates Chamber of Commerce, Pavlovich has various activities but focuses on raising money for scholarships at the yearly luncheon-fashion show benefit (where he doubles as a guest model).

Although he left his chosen profession for a while to enter the insurance line, Pavlovich is back full thrust in the business he entered as a teenager. He graduated from Roosevelt University with a degree in business administration and joined Harris Trust and Savings Bank centering for more than 10 years on loss prevention, fraud and collections.

"During my many years of community involvement I've learned that my career would not be possible without those high school seniors competing for college scholarships, the Special Olympic athletes at their games or all the messy hands I washed during our fingerprint day," Pavlovich said.