Croatian Americans working in public service will be highlighted during an upcoming panel at the 10th Annual ACAP Conference in Seattle, taking place October 1 through 4. Sponsored by the ACAP Law and Legal Practice Committee, the panel will focus on Croatian Americans who have made contributions to the communities they serve and will explore their experiences and paths into public service. The panel will feature Marko Pavela, Managing Assistant Attorney General for the State of Washington, who will serve as moderator. Other panelists include Andrew Gilich, Mayor of Biloxi, Mississippi; Maria Jukić, an attorney and healthcare leader who is also a candidate for Congress; and Max Vekich, a commissioner of the Federal Maritime Commission.
Brad Jurkovich and Nancy Long will also participate on behalf of Frank Chopp, the former Speaker of the Washington State House of Representatives. Panelists are expected to share their personal experiences in public service, discuss what motivated them to pursue their careers and reflect on the meaning of serving their communities. The organizers say the discussion is intended to highlight the contributions of Croatian Americans in public service while encouraging others to consider similar paths. The panel will be part of the wider ACAP Conference, which brings together members of the Croatian American community for several days of professional and community-focused events in Seattle.
