Alexander P. Durtka Jr.

Alexander P. Durtka, Jr., is the Past President and CEO of the International Institute of Wisconsin.  He is actively involved is his communities – locally, nationally, and internationally.  He is the Wisconsin State Coordinator for Sister Cities International and the country representative for Japan and a member of its honorary board, and a member of Global Ties>U.S. Advisory Council.  Al has served as president of Japan-American Society-Wisconsin, as a Commissioner with U.S. UNESCO Commission, Board Chair of Global Ties>U.S., foundation chair of the International Festivals and Events Association, served as a board member of United States Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), chair of the Wisconsin Refugee Advisory Committee, chair of the Milwaukee Civic Alliance, secretary of the Wisconsin Consular Corps, chair of the Wisconsin Employees’ Benefit association, editor of Viltis Magazine.  He is a founding Board Member and Past President of National Folk Organization USA, member of Regional Fulbright Advisory Board, member of Wisconsin International Education Council, past president of Milwaukee Human Relations, Radio and TV Council, and chair of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Civic Alliance.

He serves as board secretary of Wisconsin-Chiba, Inc. - Wisconsin’s sister state relationship with Chiba, president and board member of the Japan America Society-Wisconsin, member of the National Japan America Society, member, the City of Milwaukee Sister Cities Committee, and for 35 years in various capacities such as board member, past chair of Cultural Commission, North America representative of the International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts (CIOFF), co-founder of Global Ties>US Emerging Leaders, member of Rotary Club of Milwaukee and served as World Community Service chair, member of the Mayor’s Committee on the United Nations, member of State Advisory Committee for U.S. Global Alliance, member of the Milwaukee Global Health Consortium, member of the President’s Advisory Council of Cardinal Stritch University, and its School of Business Advisory Council, member of President's Community Council of Alverno College, Volunteer Neighborhood Youth Corps Supervisor at the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation and the chair of the Milwaukee Associates in Urban Development – VISTA Volunteer.

He has opened his home to delegations and performing groups, short-term teachers and year-long homestay students from Japan.  Al has also led US delegations and preforming groups to Japan and taught university courses on Japanese education and culture.  He coordinated and hosted programs such as the Japanese Outreach Initiative in Wisconsin and the Walk in U.S.A., Talk Japan exchange to engage with emerging leaders and colleagues in presentations and grassroots discussions about Japanese culture and issues in business, technology with emerging leaders and colleagues.

Over the past 50 years Al has traveled extensively from Japan to Canada, Taiwan to Estonia, from Australia to Russia, from Egypt to Peru and South Africa giving presentations and lectures on a variety of topics including diversity and the safeguarding and transmission of intangible cultural heritage.  A recipient of numerous awards and commendations, Global Ties>US Lifetime Service Award, National Folk Organization-USA: “Preserving Our Heritage” Award, Citizens Academy: United States Department of Justice-Federal Bureau of Investigation, Congressman Clement Zablocki Civic Achievement Award, Polish American Congress – Wisconsin Division, president of Milwaukee Human Relations, Radio and TV Council, Wisconsin Association of Teachers of Japanese Community Service Award for Outstanding Support of Language and Culture Programs, Honorary Member of Folklore Canada International.  He has holds a Certificate of Certified Festivals and Events Executive, two master degrees MSW and MDiv, and an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters: International Relations and the Community, Cardinal Stritch University, and has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.  He has received the Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Commendation and was also recognized by the Emperor of Japan with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays and Rosette - for his contribution to the promotion of the Japan-United States relationship.