POTSDAM -- A former Massena Village Board Trustee and Town Councilman has joined SUNY Potsdam's Division of Advancement as development officer.

John M. Wicke also worked for years at Penski Inc., departing as general manager in 2011.

Wicke had previously served on the SUNY Potsdam College Council since 2008. The council accepted his resignation from the leadership board at its Nov. 18, 2011, meeting.

He told the council that he was stepping down in order to pursue the opportunity to join the SUNY Potsdam team.

Wicke has been very active in community organizations and small business services throughout the North Country. He also has more than 20 years experience in management, public relations, sales and customer service, he brings many skills to the SUNY Potsdam staff.

Wicke attended Potsdam as a student prior to graduating from Clarkson University, and has been a recipient of numerous community awards and citations since then.

As development officer, Wicke will work closely with SUNY Potsdam alumni and friends to seek support to fulfill the College's mission, with a special focus on major gifts, as well as cultivation and expansion of programs to help the students and community members who benefit from SUNY Potsdam's outreach.