Look around … lots of young leaders making a difference

March 13th, 2008 at 01:01pm Anna Voelker

I’m a member of Next Rockford. You may have heard about the group, which is made up of Gen X and Gen Y professionals who live and work in the Rock River Valley. The group is active in community service, promoting the region and its young professionals, and making a difference.

I joined the group a year ago after Rebecca Ryan and members of Next Rockford visited the Editorial Board (of which I’m a member). Ryan, a consultant who lives in Madison, Wis., discussed how communities thrive when they focus on attracting and retaining talent. It’s important, she said, to build the next generation of leaders for our community. I believe that.

This morning, I was at Next Rockford’s monthly meeting. Bob O’Brien, the Rockford airport’s top exec, talked about the importance of the airport on the local economy. As I listened to Bob, I looked around the room. There were people around the table that have a lot of talent, passion and expertise. There were doctors, attorneys, public relations execs, bankers, developers, engineers … I could keep going.

There are many news outfits that don’t encourage community involvement like this. I am fortunate that’s not how it is here. I came to Rockford in October 2000. Thought I would be here two years and then move on to a bigger and better market.

But I fell in love with this town and the surrounding region. It encourages me that there are others (around my age) who are vested in this community.

Entry Filed under: Growing and retaining talent, Young professionals, Community involvement, Next Rockford