Franchisee Spotlight: Colleen & K.C. Belitz and Tracie & Rick Chochon of Sylvan Learning

Longtime Columbus residents and community activists the Belitz’s and the Chochon’s are teaming up in business to take over the Sylvan Learning Center in Columbus, Nebraska.

Combining their experience in education and management, the couples hope to continue to serve local students through business ownership with Sylvan .

Both Tracie Chochon and Colleen Belitz are longtime educators in the community and will service as executive director and assistant executive director, respectively.

What were you doing before partnering with Sylvan? K.C.

Belitz- I am a native of Columbus and graduate of Columbus High School and Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman University). I serve on the Board of Directors for several area professional and community organizations including, the Nebraska Community Foundation, Chamber of Commerce Executives, Columbus Community Foundation, Columbus Development Corporation, Columbus Public Schools Alumni Association. I am currently a member of the Nebraska Diplomats, Nebraska Economic Developers Association and Columbus Area Community Foundation Fund.

Colleen Belitz- I went to Scotus Central Catholic High school in Columbus, Nebraska and then spent my college years in Peru, Nebraska at Peru State college where I studied elementary. I worked as a fourth grade and first grade teacher at St. Isidore Grade School in Columbus for over twenty years. K.C. and I are the parents of 17-year-old daughter Emerson .

Rick Chochon- I am the President and CEO of Great Plains State Bank with branches in Columbus and Petersburg and one planned for O’Neill. I have served as the past chairman of the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, past drive chairman for the Columbus Area United Way, past chairman of the Columbus Area Community Foundation Fund and Trustee for the Boys Scouts of America.

Tracie Chochon- I currently work as a school psychologist for Norfolk public schools. My experience in education ranges from teaching in the classroom to working as a guidance counseling and even in school administration. I have also worked as a licensed mental health practitioner and continue to work with students on the public school's crisis team. She and her husband Rick have five grown sons and two grandsons. My husband and I have five grown children Bryan, David (Janae), Aaron, Chris and Eric and one grandson, Dominic.

How did you hear about Sylvan and why did you choose to get? The group of four first heard about the Sylvan Learning Center in Columbus being for sale through K.C. and his work with the Chamber of Commerce in Columbus. When K.C. heard that the local Sylvan center was due to close so the owners could focus on their central territory, the Belitz’s jumped at the chance to partner with the Chochon’s to save the center from closing. Tracie will be the executive director of the center and Colleen assistant executive director.

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