The Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce’s Young Entrepreneur’s Academy (YEA!) held their annual CEO Roundtable Discussion in the Keith C. and Elaine Johnson Wold Performing Arts Center at Lynn University on January 17th.
The eighteen students grades 7 through 12 who are participating in 2013 YEA! questioned five local CEO’s on their experiences as a CEO. The CEO’s who participated were Dan Cane – Modernizing Medicine, Paul Emmett – Duffy’s Restaurants, Dr. Kevin Ross – Lynn University, Kelly Smallridge – Palm Beach County Business Development Board and Mitch Feldman – West Boca Medical Center. The roundtable was moderated by Tom Kruczek, Dean of the College of Business & Management Lynn University.
“Students in the YEA! program represent some of the best and brightest in our school system that wish to pursue a business career. It was a rewarding experience to participate and be tested by these students with their insightful questions .Furthermore, it’s comforting to me, knowing that the future stewardship of our business community can be placed in the hands of these exemplary individuals” said Mitch Feldman. Kelly Smallridge added “It was so refreshing to have a conversation with such young, bright and talented minds in our community. The CEO Roundtable was a great way to interact with the YEA participants and to share our past experiences in the business world. They asked in-depth questions and were well prepared to engage in the dialogue. It truly was an impressive group!”
The Young Entrepreneur’s Academy requires a nine-month commitment from its young executives. In that time they brainstorm and form their enterprises, make pitches to potential investors, obtain funding, register their companies with governmental agencies, and actually launch their own company or not for profit! Business mentors, graphic designers, and local entrepreneurs support the students throughout the program and all of the learning is real and experiential.
Business partners for this year’s program are FAU Adams Center for Entrepreneurship, FPL, NCCI, Bluegreen Corporation, First Citizens Bank, Plastridge Insurance, Modernizing Medicine, Saint Andrews School and the Rendon Center for Dermatology and Aesthetic Medicine. For more information on how your business can get involved, please contact Beth Johnston, Program Director, at the Boca Chamber.
Caption: Boca YEA! Graduating Class of 2013 along with Tom Kruczek, Dean of the College of Business & Management Lynn University; Kelly Smallridge, Palm Beach County Business Development Board; Dan Cane, Modernizing Medicine; Mitch Feldman West Boca Medical Center; Dr. Kevin Ross Lynn University; Paul Emmett, Duffy’s Restaurants