25 participants left the 2015 Leadership Workshop with inspiration and knowledge on what it takes to be an active volunteer and successful business person. The Barton County Young Professionals Leadership Team organized the “Paving the Path to Success” event on Wednesday, June 17 at the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce.
The three-hour event was headlined by two guest speakers including Desa Marmie-Behr, Sales Manager for Marmie Ford, and Kari Smith, Executive Vice President of Stores for The Buckle, Inc.
“Being a leader is not only being involved in your community but also surrounding yourself with great people that you work with,” said Eric Schoendaler, YP Leadership Team member.
Smith started as a part-time employee at The Buckle and eventually worked her way up to the Executive Team for a company with over 450 stores in 44 states. Smith was joined by other members of the Executive Team at The Buckle that helped tell Smith’s success story.
“Kari’s story was great,” Schoendaler said. “She could go anywhere in the United States to live but she still chooses Great Bend because this is where her roots are and she finds inspiration from living here.”
Participants received a certificate of completion and left with inspiring words from Marmie-Behr on what it means to be a great community leader.
“We had a full house,” Schoendaler added. “All the participants were engaged, asked questions, and left the event learning about leadership and had an opportunity to network with other young leaders.”
Barton County Young Professionals was designed to foster networking, develop young leaders, and give back to the community. The group is open to anyone between the ages of 21 and 40 that live in Barton County. If you wish to become a YP member, you can sign up at the Barton County Young Professionals Facebook page or visit bartonyp.com.
Participants that completed the 2015 Leadership Workshop include: Tyler Ahring, Angie Anderson, Andrea Bauer, Taylor Calcara, AJ Crest, Kelly Curtis, Matt Edward, Aaron Emerson, Megan Hammeke, Lyndsae Hertel, Dolores Kipper, Angie Linden, Rachel Mawhirter, Julie Mazouch, Gerrie Meyer, Craig Newby, Rachael Robben, Eric Schoendaler, Keri Schremmer, Whitney Smith, Shannon Stafford, Brandon Steinert, Joe Vinduska, Keri Vinduska, and Dustin Wheeler.
The Leadership workshop was sponsored by Marmie Ford, Marmie Motors.