Darrin Utynek, Bernie’s Book Bank’s New CEO was recently interviewed for Forest & Bluff magazine.
When Darrin Utynek met Brian Floriani, founder of Bernie’s Book Bank, at an awards ceremony (where Floriani was also being honored), he had no idea that he would someday take the helm of the nonprofit organization as its first Chief Executive Officer.
“I was immediately interested in the mission and started volunteering with the organization,” says Utynek, a Wilmette resident who was appointed to the new position in May. “My involvement and interest grew organically.” His goal as CEO of Bernie’s Book Bank is to serve every at-risk child in American, ages birth through sixth grade, by giving them 12 quality books annually. “We want to empower them to read their way to a better life. We currently serve more than 300,000 at-risk Chicago area children and nationwide replication is the ultimate goal.”