Changing people’s lives

Linda Kowalczyk, Payroll Officer

It’s all about the people. The people that depend on her to have their paychecks deposited on a regular basis, the people that turn to GECAC when they’re not sure where else to go, the people who create a warm working environment – and the person linking it all together, Linda Kowalczyk, Payroll Officer.

Linda’s employment at GECAC started in 1977 when her step-mom worked for Aging and suggested she take a summer position as file clerk in Finance. She assisted with payroll during that time but due to the temporary nature of the position she left at the end of the season. In between some stints working in offices at local shops, Linda kept coming back to GECAC. The last time she returned was 28 years ago and she plans to stay until retirement.

For the last 27 years, Linda has served as Payroll Officer. As she puts it, “I AM payroll.” While many organizations GECAC’s size may have a payroll department, Linda is solely responsible for ensuring that approximately 500 staff, Senior Aides, Foster Grandparents and WIA Youth receive their paychecks on a bi-weekly basis. Although her job has gotten somewhat easier with the adoption of ADP (she no longer types every timesheet into the system), Linda still must compare all requests for leave and travel requests against what staff enter into the system. She also completes monthly health insurance billing and wage verifications received from outside the agency.

So what keeps Linda coming to work each day despite the overwhelming responsibility of ensuring the timely distribution of over 500 paychecks? It all comes back to the people, who have created a work atmosphere allowing Linda to consider GECAC “a home away from home.” In this ‘home’, Linda sees the Promise of Community Action fulfilled on a daily basis. “Every day I see the people waiting in the lobby for Head Start, Housing and Aging. I see the people. We are helping people and changing lives.”