Pensacola Young Professionals

Pensacola Young Professionals
Mission	To develop the Pensacola Bay Area as a thriving and dynamic place to live, work and play by making our fellow young professionals and the community as a whole aware of issues shaping the area through proactive civic, social and professional involvement.
Established	April 25, 2006
Location	41 N Jefferson, Suite 108 Pensacola, FL 32502 (850)332-7820
Membership	190
Staff	Rachael Gillette, Organization Coordinator
Website	PensacolaYP.com

Pensacola Young Professionals, Inc. (PYP) is a non-profit organization of Pensacolians in their 20s and 30s organized in 2006 to provide "networking, education and support services for young professionals" and "to showcase the Pensacola Bay Area as a cool place to live, work and play."

History

In November 2005, Independent News publisher Rick Outzen and Chamber of Commerce president Evon Emerson met with a group of about 20 young professionals to discuss the future of Pensacola. They discussed "being proactive on community issues, networking through social events and enhancing their leadership and professional skills," and how to succeed where defunct predecessor groups like Progress 20/20 and the Culture Club had "fizzled out."

In March 2006 the group elected its initial board of directors, including chairman John Hosman and co-chair Chad McDaniel, and publicly endorsed the Community Maritime Park project. It was officially incorporated on April 25.

Issues and projects

PYP has several standing committees as well as ad-hoc committees to respond to immediate interest or needs of the membership. Teams include: Quality of Life, Governmental Affairs, Fundraising, Membership, Networking, Economic Development, Internship Pensacola, Pensacola Professional Development Institute, and Atheletics.

Internship Pensacola

In early 2007, PYP launched its Internship Pensacola program, a partnership with the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and the University of West Florida. The groups found paid, 12-week internships with local employers that would provide real-world experience and six to nine credit hours.

PPDI

PYP partnered with the Studer Group in 2008 to create the Pensacola Professional Development Institute (PPDI), a self-sustaining leadership training program designed "to help companies improve employee retention and selection, productivity, and satisfaction."

The 20010/11 schedule includes four conference dates. Quint Studer will be one of the speakers. The cost to attend PPDI is $400 for PYP members and $500 for non-members.

Hosted events

Political forums

PYP hosts occasional town-hall-style political forums where its members and the public can ask questions of elected leaders and political candidates. The first such event took place on July 24, 2006 at Pensacola Junior College, where 18 state and local candidates spoke to about 100 people.

Pub Club

"Pub Club" is a bi-monthly social and networking function, held at locally owned establishments.

Forward Focus

"Forward Focus" is the name of PYP's bi-monthly general membership meeting.

Board of directors and officers, 2010-2011

• President: Kristine Karsten
• President Elect: Liz Adams
• Secretary: Leah Harrison
• Treasurer: Zachary Hannah
• VP of Community Development: Justin Spence
• VP of Membership: Chad Stacy
• VP of Marketing: Amber Kelley
• VP of Programs: Jonathan Thompson
• Legal Counsel: Megan Forston
• Immediate Past Chair: Leslie Ingram
• At-Large: Marie Thompson

Team Chairs, 2010-2011

• Fundraising: James Hosman
• Economic Development: Kara Melendez
• Governmental Affairs: Stephanie Terek
• Quality of Life: Jessica James
• Member Services: Will Grace
• Networking: Tristan Harper
• Professional Development: Rob Brooks
• Internship Pensacola: TBD