The Maryland Business Council is reaching out to young professionals to develop the next generation of business leaders.
The organization, a stalwart of the state?s business community, is creating a new associate membership program for full-time students and professionals under 30 who are looking for a way to develop new contacts and learn leadership skills.
“The focus is trying to shine a bright light on what our economy needs to move forward,” said Jason Hardebeck, the council?s executive director.
The nonprofit Maryland Business Council is a nonpartisan organization working to simplify the state?s government regulations and permitting process, create a business-friendly state tax system, find qualified employees to staff state businesses and reduce the cost of employee health insurance.
While council members focus on addressing issues that impact businesses throughout the state, associate memberships will help keep the best and brightest of the state in Maryland, Hardebeck said.
“We?re recruiting workers from out of state, but not doing what we need to do to keep the ones we have here,” he said. “This is a tremendous opportunity for a young person to interact with their peers and be able to be mentored by our older members.”
Reanna Tarleton, a marketing manager for Hale Properties LLC in Baltimore, said becoming an associate member of the organization will help her develop a network of contacts with established business people across the state.
Tarleton?s company is owned by Ed Hale, founder of the Maryland Business Council.
“It?s a way to meet new people and get yourself out there,” Tarleton said. “This is a local organization … so you will start seeing faces and remembering names that can help your company.”
She said while leadership skills eventually will emerge from young professionals without joining the organization, the council can help speed the process by helping associate members develop contacts with influential business and political leaders.
More information
» For information on joining the Maryland Business Council as an associate member, contact Erica Berry by e-mailing her at [email protected].
