Best young pros, step right up
Help us prove a point: You don't need too much seasoning to be a highly regarded professional.
For the sixth consecutive year, North Idaho Business Journal is on a quest to recognize the best, brightest and, yes, youngest professionals in Kootenai County. If that's discrimination, we plead guilty - with a grin.
Too many of our county's top young professionals move to bigger markets for better opportunities. While nobody should begrudge them that, we think some of the departures could be avoided by putting a spotlight on these superior performers and, perhaps, helping open doors to opportunities for them right here at home - in their existing workplace or in others.
We call the program 30 Under 40: That's 30 high achievers in Kootenai County under the age of 40. In addition to publishing stories about each of the winners in an upcoming edition of North Idaho Business Journal, the top 30 under 40 and their guests are lauded at a special banquet. This qualifies as a big deal. We keep working to make it a bigger and better deal each year.
Our motives are honorable. By helping prevent brain drain, we believe we're helping strengthen the local economy. When all is said and done, businesses that excel, those making the most profound, positive impacts on the community, are those with the best people. The more we retain, the more as a community we gain.
So please assist us in our not-so-subtle stab at economic development. Go to nibusinessjournal.com and on top of the home page, click on 30 Under 40 Nominations. It takes only a few minutes to fill out the form and get your nominee in the official running. Are they great at what they do? High character with leadership qualities? Do they contribute in other ways to the community? If so, we want them.
The deadline for nominations is Aug. 13. After that, three employment experts - Steve Griffitts of Jobs Plus, Eve Knudtsen of Knudtsen Chevrolet, and Dan Klocko of Kootenai Health - will pore over the nominations and select the top 30.
The rest will be history - and a boost to the economy, as well as to these superb young professionals.
• Nominate a top young professional
Go to nibusinessjournal.com and click on 30 Under 40 Nominations