If there was an Apopka Chief Hall of Fame, Jackie Trefcer would be in it. She has been an integral part of the Chief for 30 years, orchestrating many key moments and building countless relationships through her sales and marketing roles. 

Today marks Jackie’s last day at the newspaper as she embarks on a well-earned retirement. We are thrilled for her, but admittedly sad for us — because she will be dearly missed. 

Following conversations with the Ricketson family, Jackie was the first person I met at the Chief in late 2024 as we discussed the coming ownership transition. She had always been a leader in the company, but that was especially true after Editor John Peery and Publisher John Ricketson both died within nine months of each other.

One of the traits I appreciated about Jackie right away was that she would tell me what she really thought. We worked through the redesign of the newspaper, overhauled our delivery approach, changed the ad layout and ad rate structure, and discussed countless operational challenges and strategic plans. 

Through it all, Jackie used her deep well of experience to help me integrate into the Chief culture and business process for the betterment of the organization — and, ultimately, the community. 

I was far from alone in my positive experience with Jackie. 

“In all the decades of buying media for my ad agency, I know there was one rep that would always do what she promised, care that our ads were perfect, be a gracious representative of the Chief, and most of all, become a good friend to so many of us in Apopka-SERTOMA, Woman’s Club and the Art & Foliage Festival,” Bev Winesburgh said. “She was one in a million!”

“Jackie has been a true rock star at the Apopka Chief for as long as I can remember,” longtime Chief advertiser Shren Yeager told me. “She has always been a servant leader, bringing a quiet strength, humble confidence, and kindness that are truly rare. Her smile lights up a room, and her dedication to our city and the Apopka Ministerial Alliance Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast has been a blessing to our community.”

Jackie’s involvement in the prayer breakfast is one of “many great memories” she cited, along with receiving the Pillar Award in 2017 for her extensive contributions in Apopka. Those included helping organize the parade for the 2001 Little League World Series winners, the city’s 120th anniversary celebration in 2002, military balls in 2011 and 2012, and the city’s Fourth of July events, when she worked with Z88.3 to bring in nationally known artists. 

Jackie was also the driving force behind the Chief’s award-winning special sections and the annual Best of Apopka contest. 

“I greatly enjoyed working with businesses and the Apopka Chamber of Commerce during the Best of Apopka contests,” she said. “It was an awesome opportunity to bring all the businesses in Apopka together.”

In the very first conversation I had with Jackie in 2024, she told me she was eyeing retirement. She held on through the transition on a full-time basis, moved to part-time in 2025, and even extended her full retirement until we could bring a new media advisor on board. To the very end, she went above and beyond the call of duty. 

The Chief would not be where it is today without Jackie Trefcer, and we wish her all the best in retirement.