by Dennis Dalman
editor@thenewsleaders.com
Troy Goracke, the newest member of the Newsleader team, has many years of experience as a graphics designer and as a printing-plant technician.
Goracke is the Newsleaders’ new graphics designer, and designs ads and other projects for the weekly St. Joseph, Sartell-St. Stephen and Sauk Rapids-Rice Newsleader newspapers.
Born in Wheaton, Goracke graduated from Wheaton High School in 1993, then earned an associate’s degree from Fergus Falls Community College. He then pursued his education further at Alexandria Technical College and earned an associate’s degree in communications art and design.
He completed a year’s internship as a graphics designer for the Kanabec Times in Mora, then worked for nearly three years – also as a graphics designer – for the St. Cloud Times.
He has also worked for Nahan Printing in St. Cloud in its lithographics department until that company laid off 250 of its employees in 2008 when Goracke was one of the last to be let go.
Once again, he furthered his education by earning a bachelor’s degree in elective studies, with an emphasis in education, in 2012 from St. Cloud State University. He did intern teaching for three months in Big Lake.
Having trouble finding a job in the St. Cloud area, Goracke finally landed a job in the lithographics department and as a paginator for the R. Donnelly printing company in Long Prairie, and he would commute to that city from his home in St. Joseph to work the night shift. After doing this for two years, Goracke said he was elated to be hired at the Newsleaders because he can be closer to his family.
“I love it!” he said of his job. “I’m still learning, though.”
Goracke and his wife, Diana, have lived in St. Joseph – next to Klinefelter Park – for 10 years. Diana is a supervisor at the St. Cloud Veterans Administration Hospital. The couple has two daughters – Mara, 12; and Emma, 8 – both students at Kennedy Community School.
Goracke, who is a member of the St. Joseph Parks Department, recently filed to compete in the Nov. 8 general election for a seat on the St. Joseph City Council. His goal, he said, is to help bring more resources, amenities and recreational options to the city, especially for children and senior citizens.
“I like getting involved with my community, my town,” he said. “I want a better city by getting more resources.”
Goracke, a passionate football fan, loves outdoor activities, including frequent fishing trips with his daughters.
