On June 7, a group of current and past OPC governors and presidents gathered at Hutong in Midtown to celebrate Patricia Kranz’s 10th anniversary as executive director of the club.
“We are so lucky to have had an executive director for the past 10 years who was not only a foreign correspondent but who wrote from Moscow, one of the toughest locales in the world. She understands the rigors and unique requirements of the job,” said Paula Dwyer, who organized the luncheon and served as president from 2020 to 2022.
“Many, many things get done behind the scenes by Patty,” she said, but most especially her planning and execution of the OPC Annual Awards Dinner, “which has — and this is just a ballpark estimate — two million moving parts.”
Dwyer was among many attendees who expressed their gratitude.
“As I’m sure all past presidents feel, I was very grateful that Patty was there to guide me through those two years. It was an honor to work alongside her,” Dwyer said.
OPC President Scott Kraft added, “we owe so much of the success of our club to you. You’ve protected the OPC, helped us navigate the shoals of the pandemic and also been hugely responsible for the growth of our organization and especially the growth of its stature.”
“Your skill set is remarkable,” he said. “Somehow, you are a recruiter, a diplomat, a financial wizard, an events coordinator and so much more. You’ve worked seamlessly with so many OPC governors, many of whom, including so many people in this room, are pretty demanding folks! You’ve made a difference and helped our organization grow into what it is today.”
“We are so fortunate to have you at the helm. And I am especially grateful for your wise advice and counsel.”