FLEX is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Young Professional of the Year.
Nominations are open to the public. Nominees must be 18-40 years of age and live and/or work in Venango County. A review committee will choose the honoree based on their overall civic engagement and community impact, as well as how their lives are an example of the FLEX mission.
Last year, 13 nominees were recognized and Brad Deeter, third generation dairy farmer, 4H leader, and Utica Volunteer Fire Department lifetime member, was named the 2023 Young Professional of the Year.
Forms can also be found at the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce, located at 24 Seneca Street in Oil City, or by contacting the Chamber at chamber@venangochamber.org or (814) 676-8521. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.
Nominees will be recognized at FLEX Presents, tentatively scheduled for Friday, April 19.
This article was published in the Future Leaders & Entrepreneurs Exchange’s (FLEX) February 2024 edition of the FLEX Your Ideas (FYI) Newsletter.
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Pictured from 2023: FLEX Presents Nominees & YP of the Year
FLEX Presents is an annual event that celebrates and honors the achievements of local young professionals who are contributing to their community through civic engagement, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
We recognize the value of retaining our talented and motivated young people, and one great way to do this is by recognizing those who are choosing to work and volunteer here now.
In February, we will be accepting nominations for Young Professional of the Year, so we encourage you to keep an eye out for outstanding individuals under age 40 that you come across in your daily life. By recognizing and appreciating these individuals, we are investing in the future of our region.
For more details on how to nominate someone check out next month’s February FYI newsletter.
This article was published in the Future Leaders & Entrepreneurs Exchange’s (FLEX) January 2024 edition of the FLEX Your Ideas (FYI) Newsletter.
As we bid farewell to 2023, it’s time to reflect on a remarkable year with FLEX filled with laughter, opportunities, growth, and unforgettable moments. Let’s journey through some highlights that made this past year memorable.
Connecting & Celebrating: The annual cornerstone event, “FLEX Presents,” showcased the outstanding contributions of young professionals shaping Venango County. Events Chair Ivy Kuberry said, “My favorite event is FLEX Presents because I love recognizing and celebrating young professionals who work to make Venango County a better place.” Recognizing and celebrating our region’s young professionals is a crucial acknowledgment of those driving the future of our community.
Summer Vibes: The Summer Kickoff brings FLEX members together at Two Mile County Park for an evening of camping, good food, and the camaraderie that defines FLEX. For many, the kayaking trip was a standout—a chance to forge deep connections on the water. “On this trip, I got to know my FLEX peers better. I quickly felt like part of the FLEX family,” reflected Jacy Blum.
Annual Meeting: The Annual Meeting was a night to remember, blending voting on new leadership with delicious food, engaging trivia, and the simple joy of spending time with fellow FLEX members. “My favorite event for FLEX this year was the annual meeting. I loved the food, the trivia, and just hanging out with other FLEX members,” shared Dan Newbury.
Community Involvement: Oil City Cleanup Day saw FLEX members contributing to cleaning up one of our communities. Devin Zagar said, “This is one of my favorite events because it provides an opportunity for us to help in a meaningful way. We are in the streets actively volunteering to better our community.”
Other Events: From Bike N’ Brew, Dinner and a Show, the Super Bowl Party, First Friday Lunches, and the Speaker Series— Opportunities for networking, learning, and camaraderie are endless. Other events included the St. Patrick’s Day Social, Halloween Social, Trunk or Treat, the Ugly Sweater Party and Donation Drive, Coffee Chats, and more!
Building on Success: FLEX is poised for another year of growth and impact in 2024. The connections made, the celebrations shared, and the sense of community fostered in 2023 will undoubtedly lay the foundation for an even more remarkable year to come.
Here’s to the memories, the friendships, and the shared accomplishments of 2023 and to the exciting journey that awaits FLEX in the future.
Cheers to another year of connection and celebration!
This article was published in the Future Leaders & Entrepreneurs Exchange’s (FLEX) January 2024 edition of the FLEX Your Ideas (FYI) Newsletter.
FLEX held its annual meeting last month. The event was a gathering to celebrate the progress we’ve made in 2023, vote on next year’s leadership, and to simply unwind with other local young professionals.
This year’s meeting was held at “237” formerly known as Karma Coffee. Attendees enjoyed networking, complimentary headshots, food and drinks, the premiere of the new FLEX video, and entertaining trivia.
A pivotal moment of the evening was the election of the new FLEX leadership team. A heartfelt thank you is extended to those stepping down from their roles: Saxon Daugherty, Laura Ordaz, and Joslyn Dechant. Your dedication and contributions have played an instrumental role in steering FLEX towards great heights.
Here’s to a new year full of new leaders, experiences, connections, opportunities, and the continued success of FLEX and its members!
This article was published in the Future Leaders & Entrepreneurs Exchange’s (FLEX) December 2023 edition of the FLEX Your Ideas (FYI) Newsletter.
