For young professionals, by young professionals. This monthly newsletter is published by Future Leaders & Entrepreneurs Exchange (FLEX), the young professionals group of the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce.
Click the image below for a PDF of the full newsletter.
Find articles from the FLEX FYI on the Chamber’s blog.
The COVID-19 pandemic has attacked the physical and financial health of communities across the country.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 6 million Americans have been infected by the coronavirus, but each and every one of us have felt the ripple effect as our economy came to a screeching halt. The economic impact has manifested itself through scenes of boarded up storefronts, millions of Americans out of work, and many families concerned about their wellbeing.
In part, we’ve learned the hard way just how much we rely upon a highly skilled and trained workforce. The pandemic has thrust hardworking men and women who are often overlooked into the limelight, as we rely upon these professionals now more than ever.
Many of these individuals obtained their skills from career and technical education, or CTE. Just prior to the pandemic, there were nearly 7 million job openings across the country. Contrasting that figure with the potential of our nation’s learners—whether they are entering the workforce for the first time, learning a new skill, or reentering the workforce after some time away—and there is an obvious disconnect. This is often referred to as the “skills gap,” and CTE is a proven way to bridge this divide.
As co-chair of the bipartisan House Career and Technical Education Caucus, I’ve been proud to join my friend and co-chair Rep. Jim Langevin (D-R.I.) to advocate for a skills-based education since my earliest days in Congress. Through the bipartisan nature of the caucus and years of advocacy, in 2018 we were able to usher in new investments and put a fresh face on the federal legislation that governs CTE for the 21st Century.
Today, perhaps the most timely piece of CTE legislation is the Skills Renewal Act, a bill that would create a flexible, fully refundable skills training credit of $4,000 to support career and technical education opportunities such as apprenticeships and certificate programs. This would go a long way to benefit those who have found themselves recently unemployed during the pandemic, through no fault of their own.
While the pandemic is at the forefront of all our minds, there is a bright future ahead of us all. We will rise from this crisis thanks to the resiliency, grit, and determination of the American people.
The above is an excerpt of an op-ed that Congressman Thompson wrote for The Hill. To read the rest of the Congressman’s article, visit thompson.house.gov/CTEOpEd.
This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s October 2020 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.
Leadership Venango is a nine-month program designed to identify, educate, involve and motivate individuals who desire to become more effective leaders. This is the second year of the program and there are 11 people in the class of 2021.
Learn more about the program at leadershipvenango.org.
Jenn Burden is the Heritage Program Manager at the Oil Region Alliance. She has a bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Pittsburgh and a master’s degree in Historic Preservation from Ball State University. She is a board member for the Venango Museum, Venango County Historical Society, and the Heritage Society of Oil City, and a member of the Titusville Historical Society and Friends of Oil Creek State Park.
Jennifer Feehan is the Economic Development Manager at the Northwest Commission, where she assists with economic development throughout eight counties of NWPA. She has a bachelor’s degree in Art History from Penn State and worked at the Palmer Museum of Art at Penn State for 12 years before returning to Venango County. Jennifer is a member of Christ Fellowship Church in Venus and hopes to get more involved in local initiatives.
Spencer Mehlburger is a Funeral Service Intern at Morrison Funeral Home. She has an associates degree in funeral service management and specialized business from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, and a Bachelor of Science with a minor in Psychology from Point Park University. Spencer is a certified crematory operator through the Cremation Assoc. of Northern America and certified life celebrant through Insight Institute. She has been a volunteer with the Venango Chamber and is a member of the Oil City Rotary Club.
Jason Hodgkiss is the Second Shift Supervisor at Klapec Trucking Company. He earned an associates degree in High Performance Motorsports Technologies, as well as an associates degree in Medium Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Technologies from the University of Northwestern Ohio. Jason has worked at Klapec Trucking Company for a total of 13 years, starting as a mechanic, then driver, and now working as a supervisor.
Lynnie Burkhardt is a Personal Care Home Administrator (PCHA) and Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at The Caring Place Personal Care. She attended the Clarion County Career Center Practical Nursing Program and earned her Personal Care Administrator License from Butler County Community College. Lynnie received the “Purple Iris Award” through Grove Manor Corp. and gives back to the community through the Community Services of Venango County food pantry and Christmas family adoption.
Taylor Mosher is the Entrepreneurship Program Manager at the Venango County Economic Development Authority. She earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and is currently in her second school year as the Venango Entrepreneurship Academy (eAcademy) Instructor. Taylor enjoys coaching cross country for Oil City Senior and Junior High and coaching swimming for Titusville High School.
Zoe Oakes is the Branch Manager at Franklin Public Library. She is a graduate of Gannon University with an associates degree in Radiologic Science. Before switching career paths in 2017, Zoe worked at Hamot Medical Center for 10 years as a radiological technologist in the emergency and operating rooms. This year, Zoe graduated from Northampton Community College with a specialized diploma of Library Technical Assistant.
Kari Shoup is the Admissions and Marketing Coordinator at Presbyterian Seniorcare Network – Oakwood Heights. She attended both Clarion University – Venango and the LPN program at the Venango Technology Center. Kari started as a CNA at Oakwoods Heights 21 years ago, and has held many positions leading to her current role. She is a member of Oil City Rotary, and helps with monthly blood pressure clinics at multiple local senior centers.
Kyle Vickers is the Learning Skills Specialist & Academic Resource Center Coordinator at Clarion University. He is a CRLA Level III Master Tutor, CLEP and PRAXIS Test Center Administrator, and Project PASS Skill Development Workshop Series coordinator/presenter. Kyle is a board advisor for Venango Campus Activities and Success Coach for students. He has been a FLEX Presents nominee and both a Big Brothers and Big Sisters “Big” and Stay and Play Tutor for Americorps/Keystone Smiles.
Amber Worden is a Shift Business Manager at Webco Industries in Oil city, where she has worked for nine years. She has completed Webco Industries’ Management Readiness Class, as well as many other trainings, including the Speed of Trust, 360 Degree Leader, and 7 Habits of a Leader.
These bios were also published in the Venango Chamber’s October 2020 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.
Nominees for this year’s Young Professional of the Year were asked to respond to the question: What motivates or inspires you to contribute to the Venango Area?
Their answers varied, but one thing is obvious—we have many, many young professionals truly making a difference here.
While some may initially think of this as volunteering, opening businesses, or serving on boards, the capacity in which these YPs make a difference is so much more than that.
In 2020 Young Professional of the Year Laura Ordaz’ acceptance speech, she chose to recognize and thank the many ways young professionals contribute to Venango County. These include:
“Thank you for all these fantastic things and so much more that make our community unique and beautiful,” Laura added. “In any capacity, know that your actions are important and appreciated. You are making a difference in our community.”
We couldn’t agree more. Thank you to ALL young professionals who are helping our area thrive.
Congratulations to Laura Ordaz and to all 13 nominees! FLEX Presents was streamed on Facebook Live on Friday, September 25, and is available to watch on our Facebook page or on YouTube.
Thank you to our FLEX Presents Sponsors: Representative R. Lee James, Komatsu Mining Corp., and Karnish Financial Advisors
For young professionals, by young professionals. This monthly newsletter is published by Future Leaders & Entrepreneurs Exchange (FLEX), the young professionals group of the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce.
Click the image below for a PDF of the full newsletter.
Find articles from the FLEX FYI on the Chamber’s blog.
