| Finalists for the Young Professional Leader Award have been announced Three area young professionals have been selected as finalists for the Marion Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professional Leader Award. The finalists are (in alphabetic order): • David Lawler • Cam McCurdy • Jason Powell Members of the Marion Chamber of Commerce were asked to submit nominations in November for the Young Professional Leader Award. Nominations were sought for individuals who demonstrate excellence and initiative in their business or profession and are under the age of 40. The Young Professional Leader Award finalists and winner were selected by the Marion Chamber of Commerce Awards Committee. The winner of the Young Professional Leader Award will be announced during the 98th annual Marion Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet & Auction on Friday, January 18 at The Pavilion. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. Tickets to attend are $60/person or $400/table (seats 8) and are available by calling the Marion Chamber of Commerce at 618.997.6311, visiting marionillinois.com or emailing director@marionillinois.com.  Three area young professionals have been selected as finalists for the Marion Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professional Leader Award. The finalists are (in alphabetic order): Members of the Marion Chamber of Commerce were asked to submit nominations in November for the Young Professional Leader Award. Nominations were sought for individuals who demonstrate excellence and initiative in their business or profession and are under the age of 40. The Young Professional Leader Award finalists and winner were selected by the Marion Chamber of Commerce Awards Committee. The winner of the Young Professional Leader Award will be announced during the 98th annual Marion Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet & Auction on Friday, January 18 at The Pavilion. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. Tickets to attend are $60/person or $400/table (seats 8) and are available by calling the Marion Chamber of Commerce at 618.997.6311, visiting marionillinois.com or emailing director@marionillinois.com. Below are the biographies submitted by the finalists. David Lawler:  David Lawler is a lifelong resident of Marion. One of six sons of Bill and Terri Lawler, David started his “lifelong passion of learning” at Washington Middle School. His first jobs included helping at his father’s dental office in Marion at the age of 13 and then as a cart boy at Kokopelli Golf Club. Lawler attended both Marion High School and Chaminade College Preparatory, an all-boys Christian school.Lawler moved to Chicago to attend Dominican University, where he played soccer all four years. After he earned his bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry in 2006, Lawler moved to London where he worked for six months. When he returned home in 2007, Lawler enrolled into the Southern Illinois University School of Law. He graduated in 2010. “My first job out of law school was working with Charles Garnati as an Assistant Williamson County State's Attorney. I later left and co-founded Lawler Brown Law Firm,” Lawler said. Lawler has served on the Marion Carnegie Library Board from 2011-2015 and on the Food Works Board of Directors from 2012-2015. He has also actively participated in the Marion Chamber for the last several years and hosted a radio show called Lawler’s Hometown Heroes every Saturday for the last year where he has “interviewed local not-for-profits, law enforcement leaders, and leaders and businesses who have made a positive impact on Southern Illinois. “I believe we are on this planet to make a positive impact,” Lawler said. “This nomination is an affirmation that one person can make a difference. My goal moving forward is to get more people involved in our local chambers, not-for-profits and our community. Together with a plan, we can make some real progress. Lawler and his wife, Kate, have one son, Henry, who is three years old. Cam McCurdy:  Cam McCurdy is the founder and owner of ProTek Communications, an internet and commercial IT service provider in Marion. After studying computer and electrical engineering at SIU Carbondale, McCurdy worked as an engineering manager with Park Industries from 2009-2015 before he and his wife, Maci, started ProTek Designs, a business devoted to customized CNC-cut metal decor. The demand for a reliable internet connection to support ProTek Designs led to the creation of the fixed wireless internet service provider, ProTek Communications. In 2016, ProTek Designs was re-branded as a storefront location now known as Magpie Market House where McCurdy and his wife retail metal decor as well as farmhouse-style home decor. ProTek Communications has grown to serve more than 20 local businesses and 700 internet subscribers throughout the Southern-Illinois area with plans to expand over the next several years. McCurdy also works as a sound technician for the Marion Cultural and Civic Center and theater and concert events throughout the region. He also regularly attends Marion First Church of God, where he also serves as a sound technician. “It's an absolute honor to be recognized. To be viewed by my peers and associates as someone deserving of such recognition is a great compliment,” McCurdy said. “The daily grind and long hours of an entrepreneur leads to a diminished perception of the difference you and your team are making in your community. Recognition such as this provides motivation to myself and my team, inspiring us to keep doing what we love doing, while providing a service that our community appreciates.” McCurdy believes that Marion is “a town immune to many of Illinois’ hardships.” “It is my belief that the community of Marion is what truly makes the difference,” he said. “My wife and I are thrilled to be entrepreneurs with a community of support and encouragement as we foster our successful businesses in Marion. This nomination is an embodiment of the community of support that we experience every day.” Jason Powell:  Jason Powell is a director at Pepsi Mid America. “I believe in servant leadership,” Powell said. “I am an advocate for the Rotarian Way – “service above self,” and I belong to many organizations that allow me to be more involved in the community.” Powell is a member of Cornerstone Church in Marion, President of the Williamson County Heartland Rotary, and member of the Board of Directors for the Good Samaritan House.“I believe that giving back is the single most rewarding feeling we can experience,” Powell said. “From being the son of an incarcerated father for the first 10 years of life to finding myself homeless at 15, there was someone always willing to give me a chance.” Powell has been involved in mission work with Cornerstone Church and Farming Gods Way, including installing clean water access to the village of Hatte Cotin in Haiti. “I feel in order to be a good leader you need to inspire others, live with integrity, commitment and passion,” Powell said. “I feel that continuing education and learning from mentors has allowed me to become stronger in each of these categories. I am excited and humbled to be nominated for this award and will continue leading the way in bridging the generation gap in leadership.” While working for Peabody Energy as a coal miner in 2011, Powell was “crushed by a coal hauler.” “After my accident in the coal mines, I was looking for some huge way to give back since my life was spared. After a few years I realized it did not have to be some huge act of kindness but could be many little ‘seeds,’” Powell said. “I feel if you plant enough seeds in your community and inspire others to do so, the community will grow like a forest.” Powell studied at John A. Logan College, obtained a bachelor’s of business administration from Anthem College in 2015, and is fire brigade certified from the University of Illinois Fire Institute, a certified personal trainer and a certified property management specialist. From 2017-2018, Powell served as Branch Manager of Legence Bank. “While there, I received the 2018 Leaders Among Us award, became the President of the Williamson County Heartland Rotary, and started being recruited heavily thereafter and ultimately accepted an offer as director of Pepsi Mid America,” Powell said. “I now lead 200 plus employees and cover a five-state region.” Powell’s volunteer efforts and projects include:
“Being recognized by my peers for this award is even more motivation to continue helping others and leading the way for change in our area,” Powell said. “It makes me proud and humble to see that people realize the impact one ‘little coal miner’ can bring to the table. It's shows that we need to see what everyone can bring to the table and not classify them by job title. “I am more excited to know that I may inspire other young leaders to ‘be the change’ by seeing someone as myself nominated for such an award,” Powell continued. “Furthermore, it is proof that our area and Chamber is full of mentors who can help a young leader such as myself grow daily to become the best leader possible.”  The first Young Professional Leader Award was given in 2010 to Meredith Ashe. Last year’s winner was Ashlee Church. Past winners of the Young Professional Leader Award can be viewed at www.marionillinois.com/award-winners.The sponsor of the Young Professional Leader Award is Centerstone. Published: 12/31/18 |
