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Archive for Member Spotlight

Member Spotlight: Meet Jerry Haas

Posted by Katie Nehl on Friday, April 5th, 2019 in Latest News, Member Spotlight | Comments (0)

Jerry Haas is no stranger to the Bismarck-Mandan Young Professionals Network. This St. John, ND native is often referred to as the “Godfather” of the Network, having been one of the network’s founding members. Today, Jerry is a Senior Land Agent for North American Coal Corporation, a role he’s held for two years.

Why do you feel it is important to be part of the YPN?
The YPN provides so many awesome opportunities for its members, whether it is with service projects, professional development opportunities, business networking, planning events, serving in leadership roles and much more! I have been very fortunate to have worked with so many outstanding people and made many lasting friendships in the YPN that I never would have had the chance to if it wasn’t for being active in this great organization!

Role in the YPN:
I am a member of the Ambassador and Entrepreneurship Teams, Past Chairman of Epic Impact and also serve as an advisor where needed. I have also had the privilege of serving as YP President, Service team co-lead, Ambassador team co-lead, Entrepreneurship team co-lead and Chairman of the 2010 & 2013 Great Plains Young Professionals Summit.

Are you involved in other organizations in the community?
I’m very involved in the Bismarck Optimist Club where I serve as a member of the Board of Directors. I also serve as the co-chair of our Optimist Easter Egg Hunt and as co-chair of our annual Optimist bowling tournament. I recently completed my term on the Board of Directors for the United Way and remain active as a member of a couple committees. I’m very passionate about giving back to the community and making a positive difference in the lives of others.

What professional advice do you have for other young professionals?
Set goals, work hard and follow your dreams. Shoot for the stars, but keep your feet on the ground. Seek out leadership opportunities. Be sure to get out and network and get involved in the community as well!

How do you spend your free time?
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, going to rock concerts, biking, running, fishing and traveling. I also enjoy going back home when I can to work on our farm in the beautiful Turtle Mountains.

What is your favorite quote?
“Some people look at things the way they are and ask, ‘Why?’ I dream of things that never were and say, ‘Why not?’” – Robert Kennedy

Fun Fact(s)
I have attended nearly 60 rock concerts, including AC/DC six times!

“Jerry is a priceless asset to the YP Network and the E-Team,” says Amy Brown, Entrepreneur Team Co-Lead. She continues “Over the years he has accumulated a wealth of YP knowledge and history. He gives selflessly of his time, attends many events and is helpful to all the teams. He graciously provides insight and serves as a business partner liaison to Capital Credit Union, BSC, NISC and Eide Bailly. Jerry is my “go-to” person if I have any questions regarding YP. He encourages me as a co-lead and is quick to give praise about successful events.”

“The YP wouldn’t be what it is today without Jerry!” – Amy Brown, Entrepreneur Team Co-Lead

We couldn’t agree more with Amy’s comments. Thank you, Jerry, for your undeniable devotion to the network!

Member Spotlight: Meet Justin Thomas

Posted by Katie Nehl on Friday, March 22nd, 2019 in Latest News, Member Spotlight | Comments (1)

Justin Thomas is an Insurance Agent with Kramer Agency Insurance, a role he’s held for nearly nine years. A Devils Lake native, Justin has previously served as an Ambassador Team Co-Lead from 2011- 2013 and then again from 2015-2016. Let’s learn more about Justin our Ambassador Team Spotlight!

Why do you feel it is important to be part of the YP Network? Your mom was right. You are who your friends are. The YP Network is who your mom wants you to associate with. This network is a collection of some of the most ambitious and generous people I’ve ever met. That’s a pretty good combo.

Are you involved in other organizations in the community? I currently serve as the Past Chair on the Young Agent Committee within the Big I of ND. Without getting into the weeds and putting everyone to sleep, it’s simply an organization that helps Independent Insurance Agents, and in my role, agents that are either new to insurance or young in age. I’ve been very fortunate to have an employer that invested in my development early and I feela great deal of purpose in helping to provide similar resources to others trying to earn a living in the profession that may not have the resourcesprovided by their employer.

 What professional advice do you have for other youngprofessionals? Have a mission that focuses on helping others through using your natural strengths. Figure out what excites you. If you don’t know yet, read more books, but never finish a dull one. Then figure out how you can use that passion to serve a purpose. One perk (of many) – networking efforts are quite a bit more effective when you’re helpful.

How do you spend your free time? I’m either competing in a sport (basketball, volleyball, kickball) or relaxing with family/friends, a good book, or a tv show.  From one extreme, to the other.

What is your favorite quote? “Wind extinguishes a candle and energizes fire. Likewise, with randomness, uncertainty, chaos: you want to use them, not hide from them. You want to be the fire and wish for the wind.” ―Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Fun Fact(s) My senior year of high school I set the Devils Lake record for most 3 pointers made in a season (the record has since been broken)

 “Justin is a valuable resource to the YP Network,” says JordanNygaard, Ambassador Co-Lead. He continues, “Having been a co-lead twice and still quite active, Justin provides us with a lot of expertise and experience.”

Thank you, Justin, for your devotion to the network! We are so glad you’re a YPN member.

Member Spotlight: Meet Katie Haarsager

Posted by Katie Nehl on Thursday, December 13th, 2018 in Latest News, Member Spotlight, Personal Interest | Comments (0)

Katie Haarsager is a public information officer for the North Dakota Industrial Commission – Department of Mineral Resources, a role she’s held since May of this year. She’s a Mohall native. Let’s learn more about Katie our December Service Team Spotlight!

Why do you feel it is important to be part of the YP Network? I’m new to the Bismarck/Mandan community and believe the YP Network is such a great avenue for meeting new people, exploring what a new town has to offer, and becoming woven into that town’s social fabric!

Are you involved in other organizations in the community? If so, to what extent and why is this important to you? I joined the Bismarck/Mandan Garden Club and the Sons of Norway! If anyone is interested in helping me bring the average age of these groups down a little more, let me know! Heritage and traditions are important to me, so Sons of Norway was a draw as I come from a very Norwegian family. I grew up on a farm so gardening is something that I love to learn more about, especially soaking up all that knowledge from those who have done it far longer than I have!

What professional advice do you have for other young professionals? Put your phone down, make eye contact, and truly engage with those around you. Make sure your circle is always expanding and never contracting. Meet new people, say hello to those who look like they want to belong but don’t know where to start, you never know what you might learn from that interaction!

How do you spend your free time? I have a dog that requires oodles of attention! We can be found walking by Cottonwood Park or playing fetch at the dog park in Mandan.

What is your favorite quote? I’m a Teddy Roosevelt fan. Man in the Arena is one of my favorites: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

Fun Fact(s)I once worked security at a Def Leppard concert. (My only street cred)

Thank you, Katie, for sharing such great insight! We’re so glad you’re a YPN member!

YPN Member Spotlight: Billy Longmire

Posted by Katie Nehl on Tuesday, July 10th, 2018 in Member Spotlight | Comments (0)

Billy Longmire is a great example of how getting involved in various YPN teams can help you grow personally and professionally. His involvement in the YPN’s social and service teams has led to friendships with fellow members who share career development ideas, public speaking engagements, and the discovery of community organizations for which he’d like to volunteer.

Billy has been a lead medical support assistant at the ND Department of Veterans Affairs since 2013. He calls Horace, ND, home, but his birthplace is many miles away in Hanau, Germany.

Get to know Billy better by checking out his answers to our Member Spotlight questions:

Why do you feel it is important to be a part of the YPN?
I enjoy being a part of the YPN because it allows me to network and socialize with a group of people who have similar interests and goals in mind. I work with mostly retirees, so even though I can learn a lot from their past experiences, it is nice to have a conversation with people my age who have similar goals and aspirations.

I like attending guest speakers to see how they created their own path – their life’s vision, the weird twists and turns their journey took, and how it led to where they are now.

I really enjoyed talking to BHS students about my own journey. I never thought I would be where I am today, and it was fun to share stories about my past and goals for the future with students. As professionals, we sometimes get caught up in our day in and day out activities that we forget to look back and appreciate the journey and accomplishments along the way.

From a young age, I have always enjoyed volunteering. I started as a Special Olympics bowling volunteer, and when I got to high school, I volunteered in numerous capacities as a member of my school’s National Honors Society. Now as an adult, I volunteer with ND Autism and the YPN. It is very rewarding to be able to give back and see how you can touch people’s lives with small gestures. The YPN has helped me to find different avenues to volunteer that I might not have found on my own.

Overall, the YPN is a great place to help professionals find what they’re looking for. I believe if you are goal-oriented, have a passion, or just want to try something new, you can probably find something that you are looking for to benefit you as a person within the YPN.

Are you involved in other organizations in the community? If so, to what extent and why is this important to you?
I am involved with ND Autism in Bismarck. I’ve volunteered for game/sporting event days, meetings, the Light it Up Blue event, Autism Awareness Walk, and holiday parties. I enjoy working with youth and seeing how you can impact their lives.

What professional advice do you have for other young professionals? 
Don’t be afraid of failure. If something interests you, try it! I reflect on an old commercial often about how people never regret the things that they have done, but always seem to wonder what if for the things they never tried. Empty out that bucket list and make it reality. We only get one shot at this thing called life. Oh, and I should take my own advice sometimes.

How do you spend your free time?
I enjoy staying busy. I work on home or construction projects with friends; attend local high school and college basketball games; hang out with my friends who have turned into family; support my friends’ kids by going to their choir, drama, or athletic activities; and volunteer with the YPN.    

Fun Fact(s): I’m going to be an uncle in November!

Photo cutline: Billy Longmire. Photo by Lee Greuel, LG Photography. 

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Thu 21

Epic Impact Speaker Book Pre-Sale through 1/22

December 8, 2020 @ 8:00 AM - January 22, 2021 @ 7:00 PM
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Epic Impact with Paul Long

January 26 @ 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

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