Meet the Donor: Terry Rataiczak

When you meet Terry Rataiczak, one thing becomes clear almost immediately—he’s committed to leaving his community better than he found it.

So, how did he become connected with Marietta Community Foundation? Let’s start at the beginning.

A Foundation of Service

Terry grew up in Bellaire, Ohio, in a family where giving back was simply part of life.

“My grandfather was always taking on big projects that left a big impact on our community. And my dad—he was constantly volunteering, coaching, showing up for others in various ways. That stuck with me,” Terry said.

After graduating from what was then Wheeling Jesuit University, Terry eventually moved to Noble County in 2001.

There, he met his wife, Trina. Together they are proud parents to seven children and have one grandchild. Since 2022, they have called Washington County home.

Taking a Leap

In 2004, Terry took a leap of faith and changed careers.

At the time, he was working in manufacturing, but a strike at the plant made him reassess his path. “It just didn’t feel like the long-term fit I wanted,” he reflected. That realization sparked the launch of Kinetic Networking, his own IT services company.

What began as a brick-and-mortar operation, has since evolved into a fully cloud-based business. Since 2017, Kinetic Networking has remained intentionally flexible, scaling services and team sizes to meet client needs. Whether he’s led a team of 16 or worked more independently, Terry’s focus has always been on providing meaningful, customized support.

Rolling up His Sleeves

Terry has always found ways to stay involved—whether leading local organizations, or giving his time where it’s needed most.

In Noble County, he was constantly active in youth programs and civic efforts. That passion followed him to Washington County.

He has been an active Rotarian for 16 years, where he served as Treasurer and Foundation Chair for the Marietta Noon Rotary Club for 9 years. Currently, he is next in line to become District Governor for Rotary District 6690.

And that’s not all – he also serves on the Board of Trustees for Marietta Memorial Hospital and the Southeastern Ohio Port Authority.

“I don’t like to sit still for long,” Terry joked. “There’s always something you can do to help.”

Building a Legacy

As he and Trina began thinking about retirement, they faced a sobering truth: the time, energy, and skills they’ve poured into their community won’t always be something they can give.

That realization led them to establish a fund at Marietta Community Foundation—a way to ensure their impact continues even after they step back from day-to-day involvement.

“I chose the Foundation because the process was so seamless,” he said. “Heather took the time to ensure everything aligned with what Trina and I envisioned for our fund, and that made all the difference in moving forward with this next step.”

Although Terry and Trina haven't fully defined their long-term goals for the fund, they are drawn to addressing the community's need for transitional housing. “That’s something our community really needs,” he said. “There’s a gap we’re not filling, and I’d like to be part of the solution.”

His Advice? Just Start.

For anyone unsure of where to begin their own journey of giving, Terry offers simple advice: “You don’t need to have it all figured out. Talk to someone. Ask your questions. And let that be your starting point. That’s what I did—and I’m so grateful for where it’s led me.”