FRANKLIN, Pa. — Future Leader’s and Entrepreneurs Exchange (FLEX), the young professionals organization of the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce, will host FLEX Presents on Friday, April 5, at the Barrow-Civic Theatre.

(Pictured: Last year’s FLEX Young Professional of the Year Charlie Cotherman (back row third from right) with the other finalists for the 2018 Venango County FLEX Young Professional of the Year (bottom from left): Laura Anna, Joni Hulse, Ashley Cowles, Bobbie Jones, and Hannah McCarthy. (Top from left): Stephen Reinsel, Alan McBride, Nicholas Hess, Cotherman, Will Price, and Zachary Covington. Submitted photo.)

FLEX Presents is an annual event that celebrates the achievements of local young professionals who contribute to the community through civic engagement, leadership, and entrepreneurship. The event will feature networking, hors d’oeuvres, beverages, and a short program, during which the Young Professional of the Year award will be given.

There are 12 nominees for the 2019 Young Professional of the Year from throughout the county. This year’s nominees are:

• Rachel Brosnahan, Singing Sparrow Designs
• 
Ashley Cowles, Venango Chamber & Core Goods
• Jill Harry, PennDOT
• Nicholas Hess, The Printer’s Cabinet & Curiosities
• 
Angela Kuhaneck, Electralloy
• Jim Marshall, King’s Landscaping
• Ashley McCauley, Rossbacher Insurance
• 
Laura Ordaz, Komatsu Mining Corp.
• 
Dr. Stephen Reinsel, Wagner Family Eye Care
• Dr. Sallie Richards, Rural Mental Health Associates
• Ashley Smith, County of Venango
• 
Rachel Stiller, Borchers Americas

Each nominee has chosen a local nonprofit and the proceeds from a raffle at the event will go to the organization chosen by the FLEX Presents Young Professional of the Year.

The event will be held on Friday, April 5, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Barrow-Civic Theatre at 1223 Liberty Street in Franklin. The cost to attend is $20 per person and all community members are invited to attend. Reservations can be made at www.venangochamber.org/flex-presents or by calling the Venango Chamber at (814) 676-8521.

Founded in 2007 as a working committee under the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce, FLEX represents the needs and interests of young professionals by positioning themselves as leaders, entrepreneurs, and advocates for the sustainability of the Venango Area through civic engagement, leadership development, and networking. To learn more about FLEX, please visit www.venangoflex.org.