SALISBURY — Food Lion co-founder Ralph Ketner will be guest speaker when the Salisbury Young Professionals group meets 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Lee Street Theatre,
The organization was founded as Salisbury Young Business Professionals in late 2010 by a group of active young professionals looking to bring attention to the need for improved community involvement among younger generations in the area.
Members have been involved with numerous charity and fundraising events, as well as the Salisbury Ghost Sign Restoration Project featured on multiple television programs throughout the state and nation.
In late 2013, the group decided to drop the “business” portion of its name, making the group more inviting to all individuals 40 and younger.
“We would like for all professionals in the community to feel welcome,” said Tyler Weant, one of the founding members, at the 2014 Kick-off Mingle. “All young professionals are encouraged to become involved; this includes entrepreneurs, office professionals, skilled laborers, at home professionals, emergency responders, religious professionals and students looking to enter the professional environment.”
Following the extraordinary turnout for the first social event hosted at Coopers on Jan. 23, Salisbury Young Professionals are preparing for a year of involvement within the local community.
The SYP mission is to “establish an environment where dedicated young individuals have the opportunity to thrive both personally and professionally thus creating an urgency to reinvest in the local community and be an inspiration to current and future generations.”
The new leaders of SYP feel that it is time to step up to the plate, so to speak, and carry the torch to a new era of growing current business and attracting new industry.
SYP’s focus will be making Rowan County more marketable by improving the current business climate and creating a ready and able workforce to take on new industry.
Salisbury Young Professionals is encouraging all young professionals in Rowan County to be a part of the growing organization. Regardless of whether you are white collar, blue collar or no collar; the young professionals in this community are a vital part of Rowan County being the beacon of economic success.
People looking to become involved are encouraged to attend the event Wednesday. Ketner is also dedicated to improving the business climate in the area through education, entrepreneurship and involvement of local young professionals.
For more information about SYP, contact Tyler Weant at tylerweant@goelium.com or visit the group’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/YoungBizPro.