Times Leader

Around Town: ‘Be where your feet are’

McGinley

“Be where your feet are” said Josh Katyl, the president and founder at The Katyl Agency: Allstate Insurance, at last week’s 2023 Young Professional’s Conference.

Katyl was one of the featured panelists at the conference, which was aimed at encouraging, educating and motivating young professionals in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Katyl is also a business coach and was quoting a mentor of his who always encouraged him to pay attention to where he was at in the moment, stay engaged and avoid distractions.

That was just one piece of advice given during the daylong event sponsored by UGI Utilities at The Think Center in Downtown Wilkes-Barre. The theme was “The Future of NEPA.”

During the panel session on professional development, Katyl was joined by Ryan Buchanan, director of marketing and communications for the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce; Armando Sallavanti, financial planner for Sallavanti Financial Services Co.; and Rose Daniels, cultural implementation and youth engagement specialist at the CYC.

They challenged attendees to find one’s passion, not to give up and tackle failure head on.

I was so glad to be in attendance and tried very hard to stay disconnected from distractions like emails, text messages, Slack and the plethora of apps I have running at all times.

Meaningful advice for the more than 100 in attendance was sprinkled throughout the day.

Another session I thoroughly enjoyed was “Improve Your Health to Improve Your Wealth” hosted by Talia Walsh of Quest Studio in Jessup. Her thoughts on staying mentally and physically healthy were great reminders that what you do in your personal life can affect your work. Stay disciplined.

Another session, “Your Financial Future,” hosted by Mary Hirthler of Jacobi Capital Management and Michelle Pack of Blue Door Financial encouraged saving from an early age, how to invest right and other practical tips.

“It Takes One to Grow One” with Lauren Gorney and Meagan Zielinski of Grassroots Development was equally helpful and inspiring, as both recounted their journeys to their current destinations and their realizations along the way.

There were other sessions I wish I attended too, but it’s impossible to be in two places at once.

I left feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, knowing that the future of Northeastern Pennsylvania is in good hands.

The Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce and partners United Way of Wyoming Valley, Back Mountain Chamber, Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce, Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce, Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce should be commended for their parts in arranging such a powerful event.

I’m sure everyone in the room felt as motivated after the day as I did.

Mike McGinley is a Times Leader columnist who is often called a man about town. E-mail him thoughts at mikejmcginley@gmail.com.