Monday, 26 January 2026 02:15 PM
Company Update
UNIONDALE, NY / ACCESS Newswire / January 26, 2026 / Marquis Who's Who honors James Grabowski as a Top Professional for his leadership in the nonprofit sector at Mended Hearts Chapter 350. With over 40 years of experience as an aeronautical engineer and private pilot, Mr. Grabowski has transitioned his professional expertise to applications in nonprofit community service. Today, his efforts contribute to better outcomes in heart health.
A Valuable Childhood Lesson
At about seven years old, Mr. Grabowski learned a key lesson. While building a house, Mr. Grabowski's father gave him bricks and mortar. Mr. Grabowski would attempt to build a short wall with the supplies, then call his father over and ask what he thought. Three times, his father kicked it down. After the fourth time, Mr. Grabowski asked why. Reflecting on the event, he says, "I said, ‘What am I doing wrong?' That's what you've got to ask. You've got to ask the people who know what they're doing. That stuck with me."
A Notable Career in Engineering
Mr. Grabowski's father's lesson inspired him to pursue an education in engineering. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering from the Aerospace Institute. Leveraging this expertise, he found opportunities to become a private pilot and aeronautical engineer for over four decades. Additionally, he has spent time as an aircraft engine designer, materials engineer, manufacturing engineer, test engineer, electronics engineer and construction manager.
Following his extensive career in engineering, Mr. Grabowski transitioned to building project management, earning a PMI Project Management Certification, working with a United States company in the United States and Mexico. He retired from that role but was encouraged by his wife not to spend all his time at home. Looking to his daughter as an example, who ran a church daycare in need of assistance, he chose to help the preschool teachers and children and get involved in community service.
Giving Back Through Community Service
The connections Mr. Grabowski made throughout his career led him to join Kiwanis, where he served as president for four years, and he soon discovered Mended Hearts, a nonprofit organization that assists those struggling with heart disease. He soon became deeply involved with Mended Hearts, serving as vice president of Chapter 350 and initiating the organization's heart scan program. While the program was initially focused on automated external defibrillators, he recognized that a heart scan (CatScan) could indicate possible blockages before a heart attack occurred, being proactive rather than reactive, and encouraged the Mended Hearts Chapter 350 to switch to a no-cost Heart Scan program for participants.
To date, Mended Hearts has provided over 850 heart scans at no cost to participants. Mr. Grabowski, with assistance from Chapter 350 board members, has raised funds to cover the cost of the heart scans, which are $49 each. For his initiatives/contributions, Mr. Grabowski received the Mended Hearts Volunteer of the Year, the Regional Award and District Award. He has accumulated more than 3,500 hours of volunteer service, trained new volunteers, and visited heart patients at a local hospital, which he values as an opportunity to connect with people.
Looking forward, Mr. Grabowski aims to continue his nonprofit work through Mended Hearts, leading to better outcomes for various groups, including first responders and the families of heart patients. At the same time, he has taken up woodworking as a hobby, staying true to his roots as an engineer.
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SOURCE: Marquis Who's Who