Page 13 - Coweta NCG 2017

oweta County’s prosperous atmosphere, wealth
of professional and personal opportunities and
innovative spirit are like an incubator for growing
C young leaders. With a median age of 36.5*, Coweta
County is home to some of the brightest young professionals in
the state and even the nation, and the Newnan-Coweta Chamber
is working to create even more through an innovative program
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designed by young professionals for young professionals.
Progressive Heating and Air Sales and Operations Manager
Samantha Brazie, PetSmart Distribution Center Assistant Manager experience
Thomas Watkins and Piedmont Newnan Hospital Marketing and to learn from
Fitness Coordinator Jessica Griffith are a sampling of the young talent others and just
involved in the Newnan-Coweta Chamber’s Young Professionals a great networking
program as participants and council members. All under age 40, these opportunity.”
amazing wunderkinds are not only at the top of their games, but they YPNC members can
are also helping other young professionals in the community make it participate in signature events
to the top. including Cocktails and Connections,
The YPNC, which was re-launched in 2014, invites the which is sponsored by Piedmont Newnan
community’s young professionals 45 and under (or the “young at Hospital and all about networking in a fun,
heart” for those over that age mark but who still have some pep social atmosphere; and the Morning Buzz, which is Samantha Brazie, Thomas Watkins
in their step) to network, learn and grow from one another with a sponsored by PetSmart Distribution Center and provides
variety of exciting events throughout the year. young professionals an opportunity to listen to success stories
“When we decided to start over, we really wanted to align with of community leaders and peers to gain a little bit of wisdom and
what the young professionals in our area were interested in and a lot of inspiration to develop their own visions.
would engage them at this time, not ten years ago. YP is a dynamic “I love the Morning Buzz event,” Thomas said. “I love hearing other
group made up of Gen Xers, Millennials and incoming Gen Zs,” people’s stories. I tell anyone you always have to crawl before you walk. It
explained Samantha Brazie, chairperson of the YPNC. helps me understand the steps and focus it takes to really accomplish
The goal of the program is to “champion professional and goals.”
community growth and serve as the doorway to a meaningful Besides the monthly events, there are also a few parties
career in Coweta County,” and the goal is accomplished through throughout the year including the Children’s Healthcare of
a series of events designed to promote personal and professional Atlanta-sponsored Summer Swing, and the Cancer Treatment Centers
development, service to the community and, of course, networking, of America-sponsored Holiday Party just to get everyone together for
which is one of the greatest features of the program according to camaraderie and fun.
Thomas, Jessica and many others. According to Samantha, there are approximately 75-100 young
“When I look at leadership, one of my main goals is to build professionals involved, and she encourages others to join. “The
relationships in the community. There are so many different Newnan-Coweta Chamber’s YP is by far the most in-depth and
perspectives from people who have experienced things I’ve never well-attended Young Professionals group on this side of Atlanta.
experienced, and I wanted to meet some great people,” Thomas said Join and see what we have down the pipeline!”
about joining YPNC. For more information about the Young Professionals, email info@
Jessica agreed, commenting, “I joined the council in 2015, and I newnancowetachamber.org for YP updates.
found that meeting other professionals closer to my age was a great *Source: Coweta County Development Authority

Coweta County FORE VER Y OUNG

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www.newnancowetachamber.org • 770.253.2270 9