By Robbie Banks, Young Professionals Manager, Columbus Chamber
Did you know that Columbus has a Young Professionals Commission to serve as the “pulse” and sounding board on city quality of life issues? The Create Columbus Commission (Commission) is a volunteer working group that identifies strategies and tactics to better attract and retain young and talented individuals in Columbus. Commission members are appointed by Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman, Columbus City Council Member Andrew J. Ginther and Ty D. Marsh, President & CEO of the Columbus Chamber. As the Young Professionals Manager of the Columbus Chamber, I have the privilege to facilitate and support the work of this diverse group of young talent.
Yesterday, Mayor Coleman, Council Member Ginther, Ty Marsh and Alex Fischer, President & CEO of the Columbus Partnership, were invited to participate in a round table discussion at the Commission’s annual meeting. Also, six individuals were installed to serve on the Commission. I am pleased to welcome “veteran” Commission members as well as new members! The 25 individuals that currently serve on the Commission are (* denotes new Commission members installed on May 27, 2010):
- Lourdes Barroso de Padillia, Executive Director, City Year Columbus
- Robert Bickis, Jr., Real Estate Consultant/Broker, reSource Real Estate
- Amy Bishop, Advertising Manager, Dispatch Printing Co.
- *Benjamin Buckner, Enrollment Counselor, University of Phoenix
- Kacey Campbell (Co-Chair), Retail Recruiter, Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District
- Kate Christobek, Student at the Moritz College of Law, The Ohio State University
- Travis Dent, Alternative Energy Resource Coordinator, American Electric Power
- Nicole L. Farrell (Co-Chair), Director of Development, Office of External Relations, Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University
- *Paul Haggard, Community Affairs and Diversity Director, Sterling Commerce, Inc.
- *Shannon Hardin, Policy Advisor, City of Columbus, Office of Mayor Michael B. Coleman
- Dawon Hawkins, Sr. Instructional Designer, EXPRESS
- Leigh Householder, Digital Brand Strategist, GSW Worldwide/Pink Tank
- Kareem Jackson, Co-owner, Milk Bar
- *Steve Michalovich, Communications Specialist, Nationwide Insurance
- Jon Myers, Co-Founder, JUFTi Games
- Yakima Nelson, Special Advisor, State of Ohio, Treasurer’s Office
- *Elisia Newsom, Recruiting Coordinator, Abercrombie & Fitch
- Ken Paul, Legislative Analyst, Columbus City Council
- Greg Schultz, State Director, Organizing for America
- *Nick Seguin, Principal, dynamIt and Principal, weBuild
- Dan Sharpe, Online Media Manager, The Columbus Foundation
- Oyango A. Snell, Attorney, Oyango A. Snell Law Firm LLC
- Mike Valo, Investment Officer, Huntington
- Josue Vicente, Executive Director, Ohio Hispanic Coalition
- TyKiah Wright, Executive Director, WrightChoice, Inc.
Background
In April of 2007, Rebecca Ryan of Next Generation Consulting recommended a work plan for Columbus that highlighted three strategies related to the young professionals demographic: “convince the convincibles; connect YPs to each other and to the City; and build a City that’s a Talent Magnet for Young Professionals.” Under the latter strategy, she recommended that “Mayor Coleman appoint a YP Commission – including transplants from large cities outside Ohio – to serve as his ‘pulse’ and sounding board on city quality of life issues.”
The YP Commission, now referred to as the Create Columbus Commission, was formed on May 24, 2007 by Mayor Michael B. Coleman, City of Columbus, City Council Member Kevin L. Boyce, City of Columbus, and Ty D. Marsh, President and CEO, Columbus Chamber.
The members of the Commission are defined as those who are “young” (e.g., 40 and younger) artists, entrepreneurs and professionals, and who are residents or employed in the Columbus metropolitan area. In addition, the Commission consists of individuals that are representative of the broad and diverse community of businesses, organizations and governments, as well as social, ethnic, and arts groups throughout the Columbus region.
The Commission is led by Co-Chairs, Kacey Campbell and Nicole Farrell. For more information on the Create Columbus Commission and its initiatives, please contact me or “like” the group's Facebook page.
It is indeed a bright, young group, Steve! Columbus is fortunate to have passionate and dedicated young people like you who strive to make a difference in our community.
Posted by: Robbie Banks (young professionals manager at the Columbus Chamber) | June 04, 2010 at 11:13 AM
This is such a bright, young group - I'm honored to be apart of this and am looking forward to getting more involved!
Posted by: Steven Michalovich | May 31, 2010 at 09:00 PM