Raffle ticker winners will be announced at the event, and prizes include a Washington, D.C. tour package for four, with tours of the United States Capitol Building, Capitol Visitors Center, Kennedy Center, Supreme Court Building, Library of Congress and more; a two-hour “flight experience” for four at Lockheed Martin’s Fighter Demonstration Center in Arlington, VA, where you will have the opportunity to “fly” the F-35 Lightning II and F-22 Raptor cockpit demonstrators; or a meal GPCC President and CEO Rob Wonderling.

Each internship position costs employers $1,671. Last year, YPN was able to fund two paid internship positions through donations made by YPN members. It’s not too late, so take advantage of this last chance opportunity to help YPN fund even more summer internships this year!

Click here to make a donation or purchase raffle tickets.

Then nominate a deserving business, including your own, for the most esteemed honor bestowed on small businesses in the Greater Philadelphia region.

The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce Small Business Excellence Awards acknowledge the accomplishments of small businesses and the contributions they make to our regional economy. The awards are presented in 10 categories:

• Small Business Person
• Young Entrepreneur
• Customer Service
• Family Business
• Sustainable Business
• Manufacturer
• Non-Profit
• Professional Service Excellence
• Retailer
• Technological Excellence

Previous winners include: Bittenbender Construction, DiBruno Brothers, ESM Productions, GPTMC, Mondre Energy, National Adoption Center, Steven Singer Jewelers, The Hub, Tria, World Café Live and Yards Brewing Company.

Visit www.greaterphilachamber.com/ea for nomination forms, criteria, and more information. For questions, please call 215-790-3623. The nominations deadline is June 1, 2012.

This was my first year participating as a storyteller in the Read to Me Early Literacy Storyteller event.  It was such an amazing experience to meet the children, see their class room and meet their teacher.

At first I was rather nervous, but once I started to read and had the children help me with the various animal noises in the story, I completely forgot about my nerves. After we finished our story, a student from the class read a beautiful poem to me and her class about reading. She mentioned no matter what, she will always read, every day in order to succeed. A kindergartner read this poem without stumbling on a word!

The power of this program was clear today and can only have more of an impact with more volunteers. The future if these children depend on this program!!

View pictures from this event.

Jack Hain, Blue Sky Power LLC
Jonathan Menk, Blue Sky Power LLC
Laura Krebs, Cashman & Associates
Jaclyn McAdams, Comcast Corporation
Lyndsay O’Herrick, Comcast Corporation
Michael Tarquino, Double Prime
Hasnain Chinwalla, Ernst & Young LLP
Christine Guirate, Executive Health Resources
Austin Arizin, Independence Blue Cross
Jamaine Boose, Independence Blue Cross
Joseph Caloiero, Independence Blue Cross
Chris Curcio, Independence Blue Cross
Anne Donohue-Rolfe, Independence Blue Cross
Li Fang, Independence Blue Cross
Amanda Hunsberger, Independence Blue Cross
Kristen Mariana, Independence Blue Cross
David McDaniel, Independence Blue Cross
Franchesa McLean, Independence Blue Cross
Osayi Osunde, Independence Blue Cross
Kuldeep Ram, Independence Blue Cross
Sumit Sethi, Independence Blue Cross
Kathleen Sullivan, Independence Blue Cross
Karen Toner, Independence Blue Cross
Corinne Vile, Independence Blue Cross
Chinh Vu, Independence Blue Cross
Genae Young, Independence Blue Cross
Tayo Akins, Keystone Mercy Health Plan
Monique Lau, MAC/Multicultural Affairs Congress
Tiffany Newmius, Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority
Mackenzie Crawford, Philadelphia 76ers
Daniel Izzo, Philadelphia 76ers
Ryan O’Neill, Philadelphia 76ers
Tim Reinhart, Philadelphia 76ers
Sean Walsh, Philadelphia Media Network, Inc.
Adeel Chaudhry, PNC
Robert Weyman, Reed Smith LLP
David Maguine, Sooo Special, Inc.
Elan Dweck, The Hub LLC
Christy McCallion, University of the Sciences
Sophia Stogiannis, Water Works Restaurant
Efrain Larios, Wells Fargo

Not a YPN member? Learn how you can become one here!

Q: What do you do for the Philadelphia 76ers?
A: I work in the Premium Sales Department so my concentration is on the sale of contractual luxury suites, club boxes and court side seats. My sales come primarily from B2B with companies that place an importance on relationship development, face time with clients and networking. I’ve enjoyed just working in the NBA and really starting to establish myself within the business community and develop some great relationships.

Q: How did you get started in this career path?
A: I started working in Triple-A Baseball in Tucson, AZ as an intern. I began full time with that team after graduating from the University of Arizona. That team was then bought and relocated to Reno, NV where I was for two years. I’ve always been in some sort of sales position.

Q: How long have you lived in the Philadelphia area?
A: This August will be the two-year mark for me living in Philadelphia.

Q: What do you do when you are not working?
A: Free time during the season is difficult to come by, especially because I’m finishing my Masters in Sport Management at Drexel. When I have time, I enjoy the movies, being outdoors playing sports, drawing and traveling.

Q: What is your favorite part about living in the Philadelphia region?
A: I like how Philly is so close to many other cities on the east coast. I’ve lived in Rittenhouse since I’ve been here so I love that entire area.

On Monday, April 23, members of YPN gathered at The Reserve for a networking event that featured Natalye Paquin, Chief Executive Officer for the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania.

Ms. Paquin spoke about the three core values of the Girl Scouts: courage, character and confidence, and how the core values apply to our everyday life.  Ms. Paquin also shared with the group the four characteristics she looks for in each employee or applicant: vision, talent, resources and creativity. She encouraged YPNers to seek leadership roles in volunteer organizations as a way to develop skills and expand one’s network. 

Of course the topic of Girl Scout cookies came up during the Q&A session.  Last year, the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania generated $15 million in sales of Girl Scout cookies.  What’s your favorite type of Girl Scout cookie?   For me the choice is simple – Thin Mints.

In closing, Ms. Paquin asked for a show of hands of those who had been involved with the Girl Scouts at any level – at least 50% of the female members of the audience raised their hands, a clear indication that the Girl Scouts trains the future female leaders of America.  As a proud member of the Girl Scout alumnae (I started as Daisy Scout and ended my service as a Camp Director), I can attest to the lasting impact of the Girl Scouts.

Please share your favorite Girl Scout memories and how the Girl Scouts impacted your life!

View pictures from this event.

That’s a lie.  I actually really liked Steven Singer and I’m not just saying that because he gave everyone a gift at YPN’s first Know the CEO program.  As he welcomed us into his conference room for the event, he suggested helping ourselves to coffee.  He was right when he claimed that we would need plenty of energy to keep up with him. 

Singer entered the jewelry industry when he was just seventeen years old and at twenty-two he became the youngest person to open a retail store front on Jewelers Row.  During our hour-long informal question and answer session he talked about the challenges he faced as an entrepreneur (being younger), the personality traits that helped him to succeed (curiosity, courage, and an ability to grow beyond the “herd mentality” among other things), and strategies to stay ahead of the curve (“try a lot and keep what works”).

The Know the CEO program series is designed to give YPN members the chance to talk to regional CEOs in an exclusive setting and learn how they can become successful leaders in their fields. Over coffee, pastries, and fruit from DiBruno Brothers, our intimate group of twenty or so YPN members got the chance to pick Singer’s brain about the jewelry industry and how to make the leap from being a smaller store to a national leader.  We discussed personal branding, learned what he looks for in employees and how he helps them to develop, and saw first-hand the kind of personal, genuine, welcoming approach that distinguishes Steven Singer stores from other jewelers. 

As our program was coming to a close one YPN member, who is ready to start ring shopping, snuck in a final question about finding that perfect diamond, and Singer offered the men in the room advice on engagement and marriage.  But, I’m afraid you’ll have to go in to see him for that insight….

View pictures from this event.

Register at:

http://AfterParty2012.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1002585&lis=1

Vincent Morelli, AFLAC Regional Office
Tom Conway, Becker Professional Education
Jackie Plasky, Becker Professional Education
Lisa Vercollone, Black Rock, Inc.
Denise Beek, Ciright
Jason Fogg, Cooper Spirits/Charles Jacquin et Compagnie
Kate Walker, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Michael Swavely, Encompass Elements
Margy Urgel, Exitotelecominc.ancibo.coM
Alex Tablin-Wolf, Fox Rothschild LLP
Ryan Helman, Kabookaboo
Katrina Farber, Line Systems, Inc.
Colleen Dunleavy, Loews Philadelphia Hotel
Avie Blau, Mobius New Media
Greg Smith, North Central Electric
Ann Tye, NorthWind, LLC
Karen Andersen, ParenteBeard, LLC 
Greg Armstrong, ParenteBeard, LLC
Jenna Bagley, ParenteBeard, LLC
Lisa Belisonzi, ParenteBeard, LLC
Angela Bennett, ParenteBeard, LLC
Adelina Burke, ParenteBeard, LLC
Jennifer Cox, ParenteBeard, LLC
Abigail Dalessio, ParenteBeard, LLC
Joseph Daniel, ParenteBeard, LLC
Laura Digiambattista, ParenteBeard, LLC
James Diker, ParenteBeard, LLC
Michelle Garabo, ParenteBeard, LLC
Dean Gentekos, ParenteBeard, LLC
Jason Gentner, ParenteBeard, LLC
KC Handley, ParenteBeard, LLC
Megan Herlihy, ParenteBeard, LLC
Melanie Herrmann, ParenteBeard, LLC
Caroline Hipple, ParenteBeard, LLC
Susan Hughes, ParenteBeard, LLC
Gregory James, ParenteBeard, LLC
Andrew Kaslow, ParenteBeard, LLC
Conor Kennedy, ParenteBeard, LLC
Andrew Kunisky, ParenteBeard, LLC
Kelly Lavish, ParenteBeard, LLC
Fred Massanova, ParenteBeard, LLC
Ryan McDonnell, ParenteBeard, LLC
Allison Minnis, ParenteBeard, LLC
Timothy Murtha, ParenteBeard, LLC
Dana Pasqualone, ParenteBeard, LLC
John Piotrowicz, ParenteBeard, LLC
Christopher Rhoads, ParenteBeard, LLC
Christina Salemno, ParenteBeard, LLC
Phil Schmoyer, ParenteBeard, LLC
John Shmidheiser, ParenteBeard, LLC
Richard Sowalsky, ParenteBeard, LLC
Jennifer Sykes, ParenteBeard, LLC
Erica Terrinoni, ParenteBeard, LLC
Scott Trainor, ParenteBeard, LLC
Alex Vorpahl, ParenteBeard, LLC
Chantee Webb, ParenteBeard, LLC
Ashley Westfield, ParenteBeard, LLC
Robert Yerkov, Philadelphia City Council
David Barber, Radian Group Inc.
Glenn Evers, Radian Group Inc.
Abigail Rodriguez, Radian Group Inc.
Timothy Huff, TCC Group
Howard Brown, TD Bank
Cheryl Poccia, The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania
Lisa Gibson, The Gibson Tarquini Group, Inc.
Shane Riccio, The Graham Company
Christine Guerrini, Tierney
Erica Cosio, Wells Fargo
Emily Vandegrift, Weston Solutions
Kathryn McCabe, Willis

About Matt:

Matt Zeigler is a Marketing Communications professional that grew up in the suburbs of Harrisburg in Central Pennsylvania. He studied Graphic Design and Advertising while earning his Bachelors Degree at Kutztown University. He and his wife currently live in King of Prussia which is not far from the main office of Innovative Print and Media Group, where Matt has been in Business Development for over seven years.  

Q: Could you describe your company and what you’re working on now? 
A: Innovative is a nearly 30-year-old marketing communication management firm. We specialize in helping corporations analyze their printed communications to lower costs, streamline processes and/or improve environmental sustainability. Innovative utilizes a combination of industry-leading technology and customer service excellence to provide print, direct mail and event marketing programs to companies around the region.  Currently I am helping a national non-profit organization reallocate their marketing spending as they encounter deep government funding cuts.

Q: What’s the most interesting or best part of your job?
A:  The most interesting part of my job is the diversity of my day. Each day I am working with different personalities in different industries that need a variety of different services. One day I could be helping a non-profit deal with funding challenges and the next day I could be helping a pharmaceutical company support its national sales force. 

Q: What do you think living in the Philadelphia region offers young professionals?
A:  Philadelphia offers young professionals a great deal of opportunity to grow professionally and personally. The region has incredible universities, great local culture for art/music and delivers an opportunity for employment at some of the country’s leading corporations in a wide variety of industries. Philadelphia has made great strides in becoming a destination for great entertainment and dining in a very navigable city.     

Q: How long have you been a member of YPN?  What motivated you to join?
A:  I have been a YPN member for over five years now. I initially joined YPN to meet like-minded business professionals that I could network with for business. While that may seem a little stuffy, I had checked out a few other networking organizations before YPN but found them way too unprofessional.  I was looking to find an organization that has a balanced approach to philanthropy and the business community while still having good times.

Q: What has been your favorite YPN event?
A:  Any event that Chris Parker sings at!