ROSSFORD – Rossford School District earlier this month honored Marilyn A. (Ziemianski) Fox and Col. Louis
M. Durkac at its 2009 Award of Distinction Ceremony for their significant contributions to society.
Fox attended St. Mary Magdalene Elementary School, Rossford, through eighth grade. She graduated from
Rossford High School in 1968 and from Bowling Green State University in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in
education. She was an elementary teacher in the Toledo school system for 18 years. She retired in 2006
as the co-owner and vice president of Human Resources for J.F. Enterprises Inc. dba Barney’s Convenience
Stores.
Fox is currently the president of Brandyniner’s Golf League, a member of the board of trustees for the
Women’s Entrepreneurial Network, and she is serving a second year on the BGSU’s Foundation Board.
She founded The Mazie Foundation (Marilyn Ann ZIEmianski) as a private 501(c)(3) foundation in 2000. The
mission of the Mazie Foundation is to assist women and children in developing self-esteem and
independence to rebuild their lives after abuse.
In addition, Fox is an active member of the following organizations: Brandywine Christmas Auction,
Habitat for Humanity, Bethany House, Cocoon Shelter, Family and Child Abuse Prevention Center Journey of
the Heart, Women Blessing Women, Family Promise of Greater Toledo, and The Furniture Bank.
Durkac was born and raised in Rossford, and graduated from Rossford High School in 1976.
A retired Air Force officer, Durkac is an employee of the Department of Defense, and is senior program
analyst for U.S. Joint Forces Command, Joint Capability Integration and Joint Fires Division (J85). He
is responsible for ensuring enhancements and solutions to shortfalls recognized by Joint warfighters are
integrated into the Department of Defense requirements and resource allocation systems, and providing
oversight, management, and subject matter expertise for the inherently joint and combined mission areas
of Joint Fires, Combat Identification (CID), Close Air Support (CAS), Blue Force Tracking (BFT), Joint
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (JUAS), and Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD).
Durkac retired after 26 years of active duty in the Air Force. He was commissioned in the USAF in 1981
upon graduation from the Air Force Academy, and was a distinguished graduate from pilot training in
1982. He was the director of operations at the Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Test Center at
Tucson, Ariz., and was the Air National Guard Assistant to the Director of Requirements while assigned
to Headquarters Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va. He is a graduate of Squadron Officer
School, Air Command & Staff College, Air War College, and Joint Forces Staff College. He
received a bachelor of science degree from the Air Force Academy, and a master’s of aeronautical science
from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Durkac has been married for 28 years to his high school sweetheart, Chris (Bobak), and they have five
children ages 11 through 23.