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Peter Shear's The Palace Theatre



Letter from ystark! Director, Aimee Belden

We know that as a young professional in Stark County, one of the most important things for you is to network throughout the region.  So as I sat down to write this newsletter, it struck me that the core of ystark! is about networking, aka connecting people. Our ystark! Ambassadors introduce new members to our organization...we facilitate networking among attendees at our Meet-Ups...we offer local college students a link to YPs at our College Series events...we encourage our members to interact with community leaders at our CEO Meet&Eat events...we strengthen the bond with our Fund Drive donors...we build relationships amongst our volunteer committee members.  And most recently, we launched our brand-new website, ystark.org, to help you connect with our organization and engage with your fellow members.  Those are just a few of the many ways that we help foster connections. 

And from personal experience, I know that when you make local connections, anything can happen! Among the many potential outcomes are friendships, advice, support and even career opportunities.  Interacting with fellow ystarkers! will help you to build a community bond and over time you will link with some pretty cool YPs. So, don't just listen to me - take a look for yourself at our new website, stop by an upcoming event, become an Ambassador or join our ystark! fan page on Facebook.  Let us help you make connections.  It's one of the main reasons you joined ystark! in the first place, right? 

ystark! surpasses $10K goal in first-ever fund drive2010 Fund Drive

We set the bar for our first-ever Fund Drive pretty high - $10,000 in fact!  But, then we blew right past it, raising a total of $15,400, the majority of which came from young professionals in our community.  This shows us that you believe in what we are doing, see value in our mission and are willing to lend your support to help us achieve our goals!  We'll keep you posted about how we spend your dollars, but know that they will help us to deliver the great events, programs and professional development opportunities that YPs need in order to thrive.  Thank you for helping to make our vision of bettering Stark County possible.

Take networking to a whole new level at the new ystark.org

We've launched a brand new website at ystark.org that takes your networking need to the next level. Our new website is built on a social media platform - so while you'll still have access to the same information about our events, and news and details about ystark!, you now have the ability to customize a complete ystark! profile. You can share content over on your other social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, just to name a few). You can chat with other members online, join groups based on your interests, beginning with our dodgeball group, connect with other members in the forum and check out cool photos from all of our events.

One of the best things about having a ystark! profile (besides the fact that it's completely free) is that we're touting it as a resource for the local business community at large. In other words, business leaders from around Stark County have access to a pool of the talented YPs all in one accessible place online - you definitely want to make sure that you're represented on our new site!

We'll be adding new features over time and making suggestions on how to maximize your profile. In the meantime, be sure to head over to ystark.org and get your profile set up - it only takes 5 minutes to get up and running. And don't forget to add a profile photo - you don't want to get lost in the sea of green silhouettes.

Be a part of creating new jobs in our region! Vote Yes on Issue 1!

ystark! and the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce are endorsing the Ohio Third Frontier renewal, State Issue 1. We are dedicated to promoting economic development, job creation and retention in Canton/Stark County. By endorsing Third Frontier, we hope to bring new businesses, jobs, and capital to the area.

The mission of Ohio Third Frontier is to establish Ohio as an innovation leader and to fuel long-term economic growth in the state. OTF is committed to targeting state investments to education, technologies and entrepreneurs. Through June 2009, OTF has created 48,000 jobs and produced $6.6 billion in total economic impact in Ohio. Renewal of Issue 1 would permit the state to sell bonds to raise another $700 million for Third Frontier investments over four years.

In Stark County, OTF has made more than $11 million in investments in Stark State College since 2003. These investments have encouraged three major companies, Rolls Royce, Lockheed Martin and Contained Energy, to develop fuel cell research projects at Stark State. Rolls Royce and Contained Energy are operating facilities at Stark State. Through this research, the companies are developing commercial applications for fuel cell technology, and Stark State is educating the next generation of fuel cell technology workers.

Contributing to the expansion of a technologically proficient workforce, we are proud to support Third Frontier in its mission to create, grow, and attract technology-based enterprises and entrepreneurs in Stark County and Ohio.

See how we've been connected in recent months

  • ystark! CEO Meet&Eat After 5...Mike Minard, President of Delta Media Group and visionary leader, welcomed us to their unique and super modern offices in late January for a ystark! CEO Meet&Eat After 5. It quickly became apparent how committed Minard is to the Stark community. The ideals of Delta are inspiring and surely contribute to the company's success.

  • ystark! get2gather...as you know, ystark! heavily relies on volunteers to make this organization possible and successful. Without the committee members who dedicate
    their time and efforts beyond words, YPs might easily overlook Stark County...and we don't want that!  So, as a little perk for helping out, we hosted a committee get2gather at Bender's Tavern to eat, socialize, and network. And remember, we are always looking for volunteers, so let us know if you want to lend a hand in shaping our organization!

  • ystark! Monthly Meet-Ups...after the holiday celebrations came to a close, ystark! didn't hesitate to start socializing! We gathered at Mulligan's Restaurant and Pub in mid-January
    to enjoy the old-fashioned pub setting.  Along with the snow, February brought two more social events for members to enjoy. The second annual Congregate & Skate was held at Center Ice Sports Complex on February 19. This family-friendly event was complete with hot chocolate at the snack bar and great attendance on the ice! To conclude the month, ystark! partnered with the Canton Comedy Series at the Blue Olive in late February. The show featured Rob Snow, Mike Head, Chad Zumock, Mike Polk and Mike Conley.
    Attendees laughed through the show and enjoyed Karaoke with Magic Mike afterwards.

10 Totally Random Things
about TRICIA KATUSIN, CPA - Bruner-Cox LLP

  1. Is left handed
  2. Not a morning person, has always been a "night owl"
  3. Earned her undergraduate degree from the Kent State University
  4. Earned her graduate degree from The University of Akron
  5. One of the things she enjoys most about her job are the people- fellow employees and clients
  6. Enjoys going out to dinner and loves the variety of restaurants in the area
  7. Most memorable pet was her parakeet, Luther, who would sit on your finger, talk,
    and called her by name
  8. One food she wouldn't want to live without is chocolate
  9. In her free time she enjoys cooking and spending time with family and friends
  10. Through her husband's love of Dallas Cowboys football, she has met Tony Romo
    and Jason Witten



Wednesday, April 28
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Mercy Medical Center
1320 Mercy Dr., NW, Canton


Thomas E. Cecconi, president and CEO of Mercy Medical Center
, will host the ystark! CEO Meet&Eat Luncheon on Wednesday, April 28. A native of Stark County, Tom has worked in the health care field in five different states during the span of his career. Despite what is said on forbes.com, Tom believes Stark County is a great place to live and work, and he will share his thoughts on why he is pleased to be back home serving his community as the CEO of our third largest employer and as a volunteer leader.

ystark! guests should plan to arrive by 11:30 a.m. and park in Mercy's main parking deck off
I-77. Lunch will be served, followed by the CEO presentation and a tour of Mercy Medical Center's premier medical services.

Register Now!
Cost: $10



Get loco with ystark! this Cinco de Mayo
Wednesday, May 5, Cinco de Mayo
6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Free appetizers, cash bar

Chili's Grill & Restaurant
4133 Belden Village Mall, Canton

ystark! is getting hot, hot, hot! Meet us at Chili's to add some spice to your life. You can make it the Cinco de Mayo you'll never forget with food, drinks, and friends. Free appetizers will be provided, the cash bar will be open...throw in the networking and socializing and we have a party. If the mood strikes, why not let loose and dance, too?! Esta loco! This ystark! Monthly Meet-Up is one you won't want to miss. Mark your calendars pronto for our Cinco de Mayo event.

Register Now!
ystark! and The Karcher Group present
BATTLE OF THE BAGS!

Karcher Group
Cornhole Tournament - 2 people per team

Saturday, May 15th -
(rain date - June 19th)
11:30 a.m. - practice begins
12:00 p.m. - 1st round begins


Stretch your arms out for this new event! We're planning an afternoon of cornhole and much more just for you. On Saturday, May 15, ystark! and The Karcher Group will be setting up the boards for an all out battle. Winners of this double-elimination tournament will get cash prizes...but so can anyone else! Your entry includes a minimum of two games, all-you-can- eat food from Pete's Grill and our first ever ystark! commemorative t-shirt all for just $50 bucks per team. That's right - this event has lots of perks tossed in the mix. Sign up soon so you don't miss your chance at baggin' some unique prizes.

Register Now!


ystark! Golf Outing at the Alliance Country ClubKWGD.com


Does this warm weather have you itching to get out those clubs?  Well, mark your calendars now for our Third Annual ystark! Golf Outing on Monday, May 24. This year, it will be held at the exclusive Alliance Country Club. Now's your chance to experience the beauty of this course and enjoy the sunshine with your fellow ystark! members.  ystark! never misses par when it comes to YPs, so come on out for a golfing adventure!

Register Now!
ystark! and The Repository bring you Twenty under 40!

Young leaders of Stark County, it's your time to shine! Join us on Monday, June 14 to honor the Twenty under 40! award recipients with a unique celebration at the Gervasi Vineyard & Italian Bistro. Meet these twenty individuals who are passionately dedicated to making a difference in the community we all love.  Award recipients will be announced by late April and its sure to be another stellar class!

BMSA.com

Teamwork is the formula for success! The law firm of Black McCuskey Souers & Arbaugh has a long history in Canton and Stark County.  In fact, their doors opened in 1922; 88 years ago.  What is the secret to their success?  "Responsiveness and teamwork," says Randy Snow, Managing Partner of the firm.  The firm's size, the breadth of legal experience and efficient use of technology, enable them to be responsive and effective for their clients in a rapidly-changing legal environment. 

A full-service law firm with over 29 lawyers and offices in Canton and Dover; it has the resources to handle nearly any legal issue for businesses and individual clients.  The lawyers of Black McCuskey are committed to finding solutions for their clients, effectively and efficiently.  In addition to their strong commitment to their clients, the firm brings that same commitment to the communities it serves.  The firm supports many organizations in Stark County, Tuscarawas County and surrounding counties through donations, volunteerism and by providing pro bono legal services.  Many of the professionals at Black McCuskey serve on boards and committees for local organizations and some are graduates of the Leadership Stark County program. 

Many of the lawyers at Black McCuskey have been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America publication, Best Lawyers which is based on an exhaustive and rigorous peer-review survey.  Additionally, many have been named top attorneys in Ohio by Ohio Super Lawyers magazine, Super Lawyers.

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