Dancing With the Geneva Stars: Meet Jim and Maureen Radecki

• Editor's note: The official, online voting for Dancing with the Geneva Stars begins Jan. 3. Be sure to vote often, because your votes raise funds and help determine the winning dance team! In the meantime, you can get familiar with the couples by reading this series of profiles and warm up by voting in our unofficial Geneva Patch poll.

Jim and Maureen Radecki are the newliweds of the group.

The Radeckis were married in June 2010 and have already accepted the challenge of mastering a dance together. Maureen admits that she loves to dance, and Jim, well, he’s merely dancing because he loves Maureen. The couple met during their daily workouts at , became good friends and eventually began dating in 2004. They enjoy cooking, traveling, exercising and spending time with their eight children, one daughter-in-law and their “grand-pug.”

Their eight children include:

• Matthew Christopher, 28, who works for Farmers Insurance as a claims supervisor. Matthew’s wife, Jessica, 26, is studying at NIU to become a PE teacher.
• Natalie Radecki, 27, works for AT&T as a customer service representative.
• Andrew Christopher, 26, works for AT&T as a senior account manager.
• Meghan Radecki, 25, works for Jones, Lang, LaSalle as a senior associate in finance.
• Allyson Radecki, 24, works as a social media and marketing associate.
• Patrick Christopher, 24, is a senior at NIU, studying economics.
• Jimmy Radecki, 21, is a sophomore at Waubonsee Community College.
• Martha Christopher, 18, is a freshman at the University of Iowa.

Bob, 4, is the "grand pug."

Both Jim and Maureen are “humbled” that at least their eight children will be voting for them.

As for their taste in music, they like oldies, especially Dean Martin, but they will also go for more contemporary music, as evidenced by their first wedding song, 1-2-3-4 by Plain White Tees.

Want to follow stories on DWTGS? Click on the Keep Me Posted button below!

The Radeckis are pedigreed Genevans, as well. Maureen was born and raised in Geneva, and Jim has lived here for 21 years. Jim was attracted to Geneva because he claims to be in the witness protection program and thought it looked like a pretty good place to hide. They love to take walks and runs on the Fox River Trail and appreciate the strong sense of community in town.

Prior to serving two terms as an alderman for the city of Geneva, Jim was on the city of Geneva Plan Commission for two years, coached travel basketball and worked on the Park District pool referendum. He works as a vice president in auto claims for Farmers Insurance, where he has worked for 31 years. Maureen has owned her own business, Effective Management of Membership Associations, for 21 years, and her primary clients are dental associations. She is heavily involved in the community, from being a Chamber of Commerce volunteer and History Center program coordinator to lending a helping hand with area schools.

The Radeckis have attended the Dancing with the Geneva Stars event every year and are eager to be a part of it this year.

This profile is courtesy of the Dancing With the Geneva Stars committee. The benefit helps the  and the . The 2012 competition will be held Feb. 4 at .