ARTICLE
I wonder at times who will inherit the leadership of this great Lehigh Valley. Which struggling entrepreneur will step up and create something special out of a dream? Who's the young dreamer who will build a local company creating desirable, good-paying jobs in our Valley? Which politically conscious individual will run for office, insistent on making our communities better? Which young professional will be the next CEO and care enough about the community to commit millions to contributing to our quality of life? Which local high school student will emerge as the next secretary of state or governor? Which junior at Allen High School will emerge as Allentown's first minority mayor? I could go on, but you get my point. We've had some superstars who made this Valley and country a great place. Way back in time, Gen. Harry Trexler made millions and today countless Valley residents enjoy the park system he's responsible for creating. Ed Donley not only relentlessly pursued the making of a great corporation in Air Products, but also gave his heart and soul to ensure a better-educated community. And how about the group of Bethlehem business leaders who banded together to build Lehigh Valley Industrial Park, an industrial park that's created more commerce and jobs than ever imagined? Why This Travel Agent Thinks Her Job Is About Relationships This independent travel consultant knows that building personal relationships is key to going above and beyond. Learn how to add more “wow” to your clients’ experiences. Here's the good news. They're out there. I work with many really bright, young, motivated and caring chamber staff. For you millennials who wonder if it's possible — know this: At your age, I was mounting tires on the assembly line at Mack Trucks. Our state representative representing Lehigh County, Danny McNeill, was climbing on steel beams, 20 stories high, in the super-tough environment of iron work. Scott Fainor, former president and CEO of National Penn Bank and now a top executive with BB&T, was in the mailroom. And how about two people who worked as a server and kitchen staffer, Rod and Dyanne Holt? They went on to create one of the Valley’s greatest dining experiences in the past decade, the Apollo Grill. My point? Please don’t ever underestimate the impact you can make on this world or let anyone tell you for one reason or another that you CAN’T do it. Some may say, “It’s too late in your career” or “you don't have enough education.” Whatever roadblock they lay before you, just remember that your legacy will not be determined by your job today. What matters is where you finish. Oh, and don't let the people who say “in my day we walked to school uphill, both ways” make you feel unworthy or that you don't have the necessary, mature focus to make it happen. Their tales of struggle are usually a bit exaggerated. Truthfully, most people were just as fun-loving and youthfully irresponsible as you feel at times. This is a great country and a great Lehigh Valley. Don't ever, ever underestimate what you individually will do to make it even greater. Your time to step up to greatness will be here before you know it. It may not come in the timeline you hoped, or in the exact way you planned, but it's coming. We are very fortunate to have had numerous, incredible leaders in our past. Now it’s your turn … get ready. Your family, your Valley neighbors and the entire country universally await your arrival. We're not just considering your future contributions, it's a guarantee.. We’re gonna need you! Tony Iannelli is president and CEO of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. He can be reached at tonyi@lehighvalleychamber.org.
I wonder at times who will inherit the leadership of this great Lehigh Valley. Which struggling entrepreneur will step up and create something special out of a dream? Who's the young dreamer who will build a local company creating desirable, good-paying jobs in our Valley? Which politically conscious individual will run for office, insistent on making our communities better?
Which young professional will be the next CEO and care enough about the community to commit millions to contributing to our quality of life? Which local high school student will emerge as the next secretary of state or governor? Which junior at Allen High School will emerge as Allentown's first minority mayor?
I could go on, but you get my point. We've had some superstars who made this Valley and country a great place. Way back in time, Gen. Harry Trexler made millions and today countless Valley residents enjoy the park system he's responsible for creating.
Ed Donley not only relentlessly pursued the making of a great corporation in Air Products, but also gave his heart and soul to ensure a better-educated community. And how about the group of Bethlehem business leaders who banded together to build Lehigh Valley Industrial Park, an industrial park that's created more commerce and jobs than ever imagined?
Why This Travel Agent Thinks Her Job Is About Relationships This independent travel consultant knows that building personal relationships is key to going above and beyond. Learn how to add more “wow” to your clients’ experiences. Here's the good news. They're out there. I work with many really bright, young, motivated and caring chamber staff. For you millennials who wonder if it's possible — know this: At your age, I was mounting tires on the assembly line at Mack Trucks. Our state representative representing Lehigh County, Danny McNeill, was climbing on steel beams, 20 stories high, in the super-tough environment of iron work. Scott Fainor, former president and CEO of National Penn Bank and now a top executive with BB&T, was in the mailroom. And how about two people who worked as a server and kitchen staffer, Rod and Dyanne Holt? They went on to create one of the Valley’s greatest dining experiences in the past decade, the Apollo Grill.
My point? Please don’t ever underestimate the impact you can make on this world or let anyone tell you for one reason or another that you CAN’T do it. Some may say, “It’s too late in your career” or “you don't have enough education.” Whatever roadblock they lay before you, just remember that your legacy will not be determined by your job today. What matters is where you finish.
Oh, and don't let the people who say “in my day we walked to school uphill, both ways” make you feel unworthy or that you don't have the necessary, mature focus to make it happen. Their tales of struggle are usually a bit exaggerated. Truthfully, most people were just as fun-loving and youthfully irresponsible as you feel at times.
This is a great country and a great Lehigh Valley. Don't ever, ever underestimate what you individually will do to make it even greater. Your time to step up to greatness will be here before you know it. It may not come in the timeline you hoped, or in the exact way you planned, but it's coming. We are very fortunate to have had numerous, incredible leaders in our past. Now it’s your turn … get ready. Your family, your Valley neighbors and the entire country universally await your arrival. We're not just considering your future contributions, it's a guarantee..
We’re gonna need you!
Tony Iannelli is president and CEO of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. He can be reached at tonyi@lehighvalleychamber.org.