University City Report (PDF) - Charlotte Chamber of Commerce

Personal Profile: Paul Petr
A first-generation American, Paul Petr has a unique
backstory that brought him to University City. The youngest
of eight children, Petr’s parents immigrated from the Czech
Republic to the United States after World War II as displaced
refugees. Though a much smaller move, two years ago Petr
and his family relocated to University City so he could be closer
to the YMCA, where he serves as the executive director.
Petr grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. He graduated
from Northern Michigan University with a degree in recreation
administration and then put that degree to use for many years:
he has worked for the YMCA in a variety of capacities for two
decades. After stints in Michigan, Kentucky and Wisconsin,
the University City YMCA was lucky to find someone with his
enthusiasm and experience.
Petr started at the bottom and worked his way up through
the YMCA ranks, enjoying the camaraderie he developed with
volunteers and staff. Early on he worked in various entry-level
positions, slowly climbing toward the leadership role he has
today. He credits his success in part to his upbringing.
“My parents taught me some great life lessons about hard
work, giving your best, compassion for others and sticking to
your goals,” he said.
Petr, his wife and three daughters live in Highland Creek.
All three of his daughters attend nearby Highland Creek
Elementary School. The husband and father listed Rita’s Italian
Ice and Ciro’s Italian Restaurant as local favorites, but it’s easy to
tell that this is one active family.
“When we have time on our hands we like to visit Reedy
Creek Park, catch a Charlotte 49ers athletic event and
participate in all the offerings of the University City YMCA,”
Petr said.
When you live in close proximity to your workplace, it
doesn’t get much more convenient than that. But for Petr,
University City itself provides conveniences all on its own.
Like most residents, Petr enjoys having whatever he needs at
his disposal.
“The University City area is close to all the major
amenities but still provides a great quality of life for a young
family,” he said.
But no matter whom you ask, the strength of University
City seems to be in the people who live and work there. Petr
isn’t the first person to say that, and he probably won’t be
the last.
“The people always make the difference,” he said. “There
is an extremely diverse talent pool of people who want to
get to know you and truly care how you are doing. Besides
the larger international companies, we have some extremely
strong smaller businesses all of which are on the cutting edge
of their industries.”
Coming from Petr, that’s really saying something. Don’t
forget: this is a man who has lived in plenty of other places.
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University City Report