The friendships and relationships made while attending Marion schools can last a lifetime, and no one knows that better than Chad Pelley, class of ’93.
Pelley grew up in Marion, attended Marion schools, and credits his longtime friends and Principal Larry Twachtmann for helping him become the man he is today.
“I’ve had my battles,” Pelley explained. “But I don’t know if I’d be as community-focused if I hadn’t.”
How it started
A self-described “poor kid who grew up in a [crappy] house on 11th Street,” Pelley’s life had a series of ups and downs, and he often found himself in trouble.
But these were the moments that brought him in touch with Principal Twachtmann, a man who would have a serious impact on Pelley’s life.
“I’d be in detention with him and he’d say: ‘You’re wasting talent.’”
The two grew close, and when Pelley was up for release from a boys correctional facility, Twachtmann testified in Pelley’s defense.
Things changed for Pelley after that.
“I made a pact with myself that I’d never let him down,” Pelley said. “I thought: He needs to see me in the paper for something other than something criminal.”
Continued community
Pelley’s relationship with Twachtmann has grown throughout Pelley’s adult life. Pelley went to Kirkwood, and then the University of Iowa, graduating with a B.S. in civil/structural engineering.
Twachtmann was “that voice in your head when you want to quit something.”
Today the two regularly run into each other at Hy-Vee, particularly around breakfast time.
“I can’t name a person who’s been more important to me,” Pelley explained.
In addition to continued support from his former principal, Pelley has also been “blessed” to remain close with a group of 10+ friends from his Marion days, many of whom he’s known since kindergarten.
“We have a group text, and Roeut Plang keeps us connected.”
Pelley recognizes that lasting friendships like these are rare, given the transient nature of our society today.
“These gentlemen would give you the shirts off their backs, seriously,” he said. They also keep each other grounded. “We’re still the same. Now we’re just immature grown men picking on each other.”
Moving forward
Today Pelley owns and operates Twenty40 Building Concepts, a local construction and development company, with his brother Corey and partner Stefan. He also works closely with his son and friends.
“There is nothing more satisfying than building jobs in your own community,” he said.
Pelley is very active in the Marion community, and keen to support the next generation of Marion students who are finding their way in the world.
He acknowledges that the world is a challenging place right now.
“We fight just to fight. We need to bring everyone together.”
“Team Marion represents what the world should be following as an example. You look at how the chamber interacts with the city manager and his team, and the mayor, and city council, and MEDCO…everyone rallies around team Marion. The world needs more of that. Hugs, not shrugs.”
He hopes students can reach out and appreciate the relationships they have with their teachers, and classmates.
“You need one person to believe in you, but you also need to believe in yourself.”
And no matter where a student is at the present moment, there is room for growth and change within the Marion community.
PHOTO: From L, clockwise: Jesse Thomas, Mike Dooley, Lew Paine, Jake Miller, Chad Pelley, Larry Loney, Roeut Plang, Mike Tope, Jeff Stickley, Kevin Rose. Missing: Tom Jordan.