Meet ystark! YP: Chris Kaboth

Name

Chris Kaboth

Age:

37

Occupation/Title/Place of work:

President of Whitacre Greer

Why are you interested in Stark County’s Young Professionals initiative?

I was born in Canton, OH. I went to Jackson from kindergarten to graduation. I'm interested because this is a wonderful place to live and work and I feel it doesn't get the credit that it deserves.

What would you share to encourage other people to join?

yStark and Leadership Stark County have allowed me to expand my network and find other people that feel the same way that I do about Stark County and Canton, Ohio.

Did you grow up in Stark? If so, where? If not, where did you move from and why?

Yes, I was born in Canton. I went to Jackson Local from kindergarten to graduation.

Why do you stay in Stark County, from both a personal and professional point of view?

I stay because this is where I'm from. I left Stark County for college but came back to work for Whitacre Greer. I stay because I love the company that I work for and want it to succeed as much as I want this area to succeed. There are so many untapped resources here.

What do you like MOST about Stark County?

It has everything that you would want; arts, sports, culture, a friendly atmosphere. It is close enough to the big cities but still far away enough to make it almost a small town atmosphere.

What would you change about Stark County if you could?

I would change some of the close-mindeness of the citizens of Stark County, not make them as afraid of change as they seem to be. I would also add a retail component to downtown Canton, I think that is very important to get people to go back down there.

What do you see as valuable opportunities for YPs in Stark County when it comes to career opportunities, cultural access, leadership or community involvement opportunities?

I think there are numerous valuable opportunities for all of these. In career opportunities, there are a number of new companies that need people as well as older companies that are going through a generational change. With Arts in Stark, the Palace Theatre, Players Guild, VOCI, the Canton Museum of Art, the Canton Ballet, and the Canton Symphony there are number of opportunities for cultural access. Leadership Stark County is a wonderful way to gain leadership experience and to expand your network of people that care about Stark and that also leaders to numerous community involvement opportunities. The opportunities are out there, I think high schoolers just don't know about them.

What would attract more YPs to Stark County?

I think that there should be more education in the schools about what Stark has to offer. I didn't know or realize what it had until I came back and started working.

What do you do in the evenings or on the weekends for fun in Stark County or NE Ohio?

My family and I go to the North Canton YMCA. We've gone to pick pumpkins. We've gone to the North Canton Skate Park, we're trying to go bowling.

Could you see yourself spending your lifetime in Stark County and if not, what would cause you to leave?

Yes, I see myself spending the rest of my life in Stark County. The only thing that would cause me to leave would be if there is some reason because of my company.