Local students in the inaugural class of the Knox County CEO Program got their first taste of what the experience will be like come fall during a meeting on Wednesday in the Pioneer OilBuilding at 400 main St.
“Because that's where I want them to be,” said the program's facilitator Kristi Utt, a computer and business teacher at North Knox Junior Senior School. “Excellence is the only thing we will accept.
“We want them to reach for their goals. We've got a lot of people investing their time and money into them,” she said. “And I've found (with students) that if you tell them what you expect, they will rise to the occasion.”
Eighteen high school students representing each of the county's four high schools were selected to be part of the first CEO class by members of the KCDC's non-profit arm, the Life Enrichment Foundation.
They will spend the next school year — or at least two hours of every morning — meeting more than 40 local business owners, drafting their own business plans, developing a trade show, journaling about their experiences and, essentially, fostering their entrepreneurial spirits.
“This program is designed to enrich you, to get you ready to go and, hopefully, someday you'll come back to us and join our ranks,” said Graham Dycus, chairman of the Life Enrichment Foundation.
And Dycus, too, challenged them to be always at their best.
“You are representing not only us and the foundation but also the business partners who have donated their time and money to get you where you want to go.
“You will think, act, dress and be a professional,” Dycus said. “You will set the bar for future classes, and we want you to set a bar that is almost unattainable. We want excellence.”
Wayne Thomann, a partner with Kemper CPA Group, and Heath Klein, owner of Klein Realty, mingled in the back as the students learned about what's in store for them come August.
Thomann said he wanted to get involved as a business partner in the program due to the success it's had in neighboring Lawrence County, Illinois.
“I've been really impressed with what I've seen over there,” he said. “I saw where one kid said they used to just walk or drive by (a building) and now they know what's behind those doors. They know what it is, what they're doing and who runs it. So I'm hoping that happens here.
“And, I've said it for years, we have got to figure out how to keep more kids right here at home.”
Klein, too, said he'd had the privilege of meeting a couple of those students selected for the program. He called them “bright, smart kids,” and he looked forward to seeing what they do with the opportunity afforded them.
“At school, you don't always learn about business,” Klein said. “So this is a good opportunity for them to see how a business is run and what opportunities are here.
“You always think the grass is greener on the other side, but I hope they see that we have a lot of opportunities — maybe even better opportunities — right here at home.”
And Rev. Georg Karl, too, took an opportunity to wish the students well on their upcoming adventure.
“You've been selected because there's something about you,” he told them with a smile, “something creative and ambitious, and we want you to achieve in the things communities need.
“We hope you choose to build into our own community, but regardless of what you do, you will build into American economies.
There are already successful programs in Daviess County and Lawrence and Crawford counties in Illinois.
KCDC members agreed to pay the $25,000 startup fee, but they still needed support from 35 business owners willing to make a $3,000 financial commitment, or $1,000 per year for three years.
Quickly, 32 local business owners stepped forward and offered their help. They now have nearly 40 representing all facets of business in Knox County.