YPCC Holds Kick-off Celebration

Left to Right: Ron Lazar, Dr. Drew Bogner, Linda Mitchell, Gregory Galant, William Barrett, Dennis Sneden

On October 15, 2001, the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce launched the Chamber’s newest initiative – the Young Professionals Chamber of Commerce, a division of the Entrepreneurial Institute Foundation.

For several months, a group of businesspeople, educators, high school, college students and young entrepreneurs had been working together to create this unique organization. Sparked by an idea from Ron Lazar, a member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors and Chair of the Economic Development Committee, a proposal was written by Greg Galant, President of Halenet, Inc. and recent high school graduate. With the support of Linda Mitchell, Executive Director of the Young Professionals Chamber of Commerce, the organization was on its way.

The mission of the Young Professionals Chamber of Commerce is to involve high school and college students as well as young entrepreneurs in a program that enhances their leadership skills in a professional environment. The YPCC offers guest speakers, networking opportunities, skill and resume building, entrepreneurial workshops, internships and more.

At the October 15^th Kick-off Celebration, Keynote speaker, Dr. Drew Bogner, President of Molloy College, praised the Chamber for its initiatives in engaging local students, promoting mentoring relationships and providing a vital business resource. Dr. Bogner said that programs such as this encourage local students to remain committed to the Long Island region, furthering the region's influence and prominence as a hub of economic activity.