YPN Announces New Steering Team Members     

YPN is pleased to announce the election of four new members to our Steering Team:Kate Drachova of Berman, Goldman & Ribakow LLC, Ryan Rom of Comcast Spotlight, Amy Pierce of TW Telecom, and Erika Rose of Magellan Health Services. Kate, Ryan, Amy, and Erica were elected earlier this year to Earlier this year to fill positions on the Steering Team as other members terms expire.

"We're very excited to bring on board a very talented, and brilliant group of professionals whom I believe represent the future of our local leadership here in Howard County", says Mac Cassity current chair of YPN,  "I think they're a terrific addition to our team."

Kate Drachova is a native of Belarus where she studied at the Belarus National Technical University and was awarded a Bachelors Degree in Business Management. She also holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Belarus State University of Law. She moved to Maryland 10 years ago and finds Howard County to be a great area to live and work. As an accountant at BGR, Kate enjoys challenging situations that can strengthen her analytical and problem solving abilities. She loves to meet and interact with new people on both a personal and professional level.

Ryan Rom is a graduate of the University of Florida. In his role as a Multimedia Account Executive at Comcast he represents over 50 top networks including ESPN, E!, Bravo, Food Network as well as numerous online properties such as Xfinity.com, Fandango and E!Online. In his spare time he enjoys playing golf, television, film and watching sports - especially Gator Football and Basketball, Ravens Football and Major League Baseball.

Amy Pierce has been in the telecommunications industry for 16 years and currently works as an Account Executive at TW Telecom. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Women where she has served as CTO for the past two years. She also serves on the social committee of GCSR. Even before joining the Steering Team, Amy was heavily involved with YPN sponsoring two of the organization's events and participating in YPN's Adopt-A-Highway road cleanup effort. Amy has a strong marketing background and is very enthusiastic about continuing to support all of YPN's initiatives.

Erika Rose is a long-time Howard County resident and attorney. She is currently employed by Magellan Health Services as an Associate Litigation Counsel based in Columbia. Erika is a 2001 honors graduate of the University of Maryland School of Law. She is a member of the Association for Corporate Counsel, the Defense Research Institute, the American Bar Association, and the Maryland State Bar Association. When not practicing law or volunteering her time, Erika can be spotted in the kitchen working on her latest concoction, watching television, driving her kids to one of the fabulous Howard County libraries, or commuting in rush hour traffic on Route 29.

Please join the YPN Steering Team in welcoming our four newest colleagues. 

As always, YPN is also looking for people interested in joining our Events, Sponsorship, Membership, and Marketing committees. More details as well as contact information for all of our committee chairs can be found on the YPN section of the Howard County Chamber of Commerce's website.

 

Five Questions With...

WAYNE JOHNSON  

Why did you get involved with YPN? What makes you keep coming back for more?

Wayne Johnson   BCT, LLC.

I was approached by Jeremiah O'Donovan, past Chair, a few years back to assist with the steering team.  At the time I was employed by Cardoni Waddell, LLC who are large supporters of the Howard County Chamber, but we were unaware that the Chamber had a YPN segment.  I thought it was another way the firm could continue their involvement with the Chamber and assist me with my personal growth in the community that I worked.  Right from the start it was a great fit. I have had the opportunity to meet entrepreneurs and business owners from Howard County and the out-lying areas. I have met many friends and made many connections with people that I still do business with today.  

What is your current role on the Steering Committee? 

I am currently the YPN Chair Elect, with a seat on the Executive Committee.  I oversee the Sponsorship Committee and assist with the Events Committee. (Past treasurer)

What is your HoCo story?

I am from and currently live in Frederick County (my weekend home as my wife says). I did not have much connection to Howard County until nine years ago when I came to work for Cardoni Waddell, LLC.  I worked alongside Bob Cardoni, Ed Waddell, and Greg Schuessler for eight years before moving from public accounting to private, still in Howard County with BCT LLC.  If you don't know Bob, Ed, and Greg you need to get to know them; they are part of the foundation of this Community and the Chamber, and I am lucky enough to call them my friends.            

What is one unusual fact about you that not many, if any, people know?

I worked at McDonald's one winter for a few months in high school.  I think everyone should have to work in the fast food industry at some point in their lives for minimum wage, to gain a little broader outlook on life as a whole.  

If you could get rid of any one of the US states, which one would you get rid of and why?

New Jersey.  It seems like everyone is from an exit and not a city or a town. If everyone is trying to exit the place, it can't be all that great.    

Win A Trip to China!    

We Want To Hear From You!

What would you like to see in future YPN eNewsletters? If there is a topic you'd like to see discussed or if you have something to say that would benefit the young professionals here in Howard County, please send an email to our Marketing Committee at HoCoYPN.Marketing@gmail.com.