Young Professional of the Year nominees announced

Ten nominees have been chosen for the region’s Young Professional of the Year award, which will be presented at the sixth annual FLEX Presents dinner Friday, April 1, at the Quality Inn in Franklin.

The annual event celebrates the achievements of local young professionals, who contribute to their community through civic engagement.

The event will feature networking, hors d’oeuvres, beverages and Nick Cianci’s TEDxErie talk about his vision for regional development.

The nominees include Brooke Clarke, house and events director at Wanango Golf Club; Dr. Kate Eckert, owner of Eckert Chiropractic; Kevin Harriett, math teacher at Oil City High School; Shelly Hart, marketing representative at Venango VNA Foundation; Nick Hess, owner of The Printer’s Cabinet & Curiosities; Trevor Johnson, Spanish teacher at Oil City High School; Casey L. McVay, assistant coordinator of admissions and financial aid at Clarion University Venango College; Greg Merkel, attorney at McFate & Merkel; Chris Simms, financial advisor with Stifel Nicolaus Franklin; and Aimee Thompson, first-grade teacher at Hasson Heights Elementary.

The event begins with a reception and cocktail hour at 6:30 p.m. with the presentation of awards to begin promptly at 7:30 p.m.

The cost to attend is $15 per person and reservations may be made at http://www.venangochamber.org/catalog or by calling 814-676-8521.