Meet ystark! YP: Connor Clay

Name

Connor Clay

Age:

26

Occupation/Title/Place of work:

Director of Marketing at Rentwear Inc.

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

I want to help make Stark County a younger, more vibrant place to live. And show that young, fun, smart people actually live and work here.

What would you share to encourage other people to join?

Networking and meeting people is important. ystark does it in a fun way.

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

I grew up in Stark.

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

After graduating from OSU, I knew I wanted to take the skills I learned and use them to help the community I grew up in. I had a professional opportunity at The Karcher Group then moved on to my family business, Rentwear Inc. I also wanted to help my family business grow and stay close to my relatives.

What do you like MOST about Stark County?

Want city life? You got it. Want rural life? You got that too. Suburbia? Check. And all within a 15 minute drive.

What would you change about Stark County if you could?

I'd create a music venue that attracts fun, young crowds and bands in an accessible location.

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?

Stark County has plenty of nonprofits to get involved with. No matter what you're passionate about, you can find it here. Canton and Massillon have plenty of job openings, but plenty of people live here and commute to Akron and Cleveland as well.

What would attract more YPs to Stark County?

More tech companies and a vibrant growing downtown.

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

I enjoy golfing at the many public and private golf clubs we have around here. I also love eating out and supporting the many locally owned bars and restaurants in Stark County.

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

I could spend my life here. I'd just prefer to go south to golf in the winter eventually.