Search Results for: FLEX

FLEX Feature: Oil Creek State Park with Ivy Kuberry


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Tell us about your position at Oil Creek State Park.
I work for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources out of Oil Creek State Park. This department is responsible for maintaining and protecting 124 state parks, managing 2.2 million acres of state forest land, providing information on the state’s ecological and geologic resources, and establishing community conservation partnerships.

What is your role at the Park?
I am the Environmental Education Specialist at Oil Creek. I provide educational and interpretive programs on the environment and local history for schools, private groups, and the public. I also provide outdoor recreation programming from kayaking to archery, maintain our social media accounts, and act as the park’s volunteer coordinator.

What is your favorite part about your job?
I love getting to talk to people and share information about the park’s cultural and natural resources. I think there is a lot more going on here than most people realize, and watching them get excited and make connections to the land is very rewarding.

What would surprise people about the Park?
We have over 61 miles of hiking trails, a 9.7 mile bike trail, and a network of cross-country ski trails. The park is around 7,300 acres, which is much larger than most people think.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about Oil Creek State Park?
Petroleum Centre is a ghost town that once stood near the park office. During the 1860’s it was the center of the world’s oil industry, and had a huge impact on turning the tide of the Civil War. The money that the federal government made in taxes on oil was enough to support the Union when funds were running dry.

This article was published in the Future Leaders & Entrepreneurs Exchange’s (FLEX) June 2023 edition of the FLEX Your Ideas (FYI) Newsletter.

FLEX Feature: Lessons with Ashleigh with Ashleigh Bennett


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Tell us about Lessons with Ashleigh.
I’m a musician and music instructor and have been actively teaching since 2016. At the end of 2022, I opened Lessons with Ashleigh, so I could provide private lessons to the Venango and Clarion areas. I’m very passionate about cultivating the same love I’ve had for music in the next generation.

What is your role at the business?
I am the owner and teacher! I currently offer lessons on piano, guitar, ukelele, baritone ukelele, and also in songwriting at studios in downtown Franklin and in Knox.

What is your favorite part about your job?
My favorite part of my job is a toss up between getting to teach people a new form of self expression and getting to know a wide variety of people and their unique personalities. I have the best students!

What would surprise people about this company?
I have studios in both Venango and Clarion County! When I started this business, I wanted to be able to reach a broader number of people, so I opened up a space in Knox in addition to my Franklin studio.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about Lessons with Ashleigh?
Music lessons are for anyone! I have students ranging from 5 years old to students in their seventies, and it’s a privilege to work with all of them. Learn more on Ashleigh’s website: lessonswithashleigh.com

This article was published in the Future Leaders & Entrepreneurs Exchange’s (FLEX) May 2023 edition of the FLEX Your Ideas (FYI) Newsletter.

Celebrating Young Professionals at FLEX Presents


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Congratulations Brad Deeter, 2023 Young Professional of the Year

FLEX Presents brought together local leaders, community members, family, and friends to honor 13 remarkable individuals who have made significant contributions to our community. Their dedication and efforts have positively impacted the community in meaningful ways that deserve recognition.

Special congratulations to this year’s Young Professional of the Year, Brad Deeter.

Brad has a long resume of professional achievements and generous community service.

Since 1998, Brad has been a Fireman at the Utica Volunteer Fire Department (UVFD) and was awarded a Lifetime Membership due to 25 years of service to the community. He became President of UVFD over 5 years ago. He has also served for 8 years as a PA Department of Forestry Fire Warden along with obtaining his EMT certification, leading him to become an Assistant Ambulance Captain.

Brad has also volunteered as a board member of the Venango County Fairgrounds since 2002 and has been board President since 2015. He is a Penn State 4-H leader and Sugarcreek United Methodist Church member.

While accepting his award, Brad said: “Congratulations to all the nominees for their service and activity in our community. I take pride in helping our community. I have been very involved in our fire department it gives me a great honor to help people in need in their darkest days. I do have a great passion for the Venango County Fair as well. I want to keep it going for my kids and my grandkids. We’ve made many improvements, and I’m proud to have been a part of that for the past 20 years.

Thank you to my Mom and Dad for giving me an excellent start in life and guiding me down the right track. Also, thank you to my wife and kids for putting up with me running away from the dinner table for an emergency call or spending most of my summers at the fairgrounds. Thank you all for this great honor.”

Other nominees included: Will Price, Jennifer Stevenson, Ashleigh Bennett, Brandon Boocks, Katie Ferricks, Amariliz Sanchez, Kelly Daugherty, Matt Gustafson, Mike Dulaney, Kyle Peasley, Nick Howard, and Bridey Keller.

Congratulations to all of these young professionals!

More photos have been shared on our Facebook page and can be found at facebook.com/VenangoFLEX

This article was published in the Future Leaders & Entrepreneurs Exchange’s (FLEX) May 2023 edition of the FLEX Your Ideas (FYI) Newsletter.

FLEX Names Young Professional of the Year


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Brad Deeter was named the 2023 Young Professional of the Year at the annual FLEX Presents event, which was held on April 21 at Wildcat Mansion. Find more information about Brad, the event, and photos in the FYI section of this newsletter.

Congratulations Brad and all nominees!

This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s May 2023 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.

FLEX Seeking Intern Information for Summer 2023


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Is your business looking to hire interns this summer? Give them the opportunity of a lifetime by connecting them with FLEX, the Venango Area’s very own network supporting young professionals.

FLEX provides local young professionals with a setting to build relationships and develop professionally. The program also helps to cultivate these future leaders and provides them with opportunities for making connections and developing their careers so that they can help shape the future of the region.

With access to inspiring speakers and career-building networking events, they can make meaningful connections that lay down pathways towards future professional success! Connect today via flex@venangochamber.org.

This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s April 2023 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.