Students and instructor for new LLCEO entrepreneurial program meet

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[June 12, 2015]  LINCOLN - Last Thursday evening there was a lot of buzz happening at By the Bean, and it wasn't so much the coffee.

- It was the enthusiasm and energy of youth as students met their instructor.

- It was the satisfaction of those who had the vision and worked for years reaching a benchmark to get an important program launched.

- It was expectation of gaining a foothold, a tangible method to grow business in Logan County.

- It was the inaugural class of the LLCEO program meeting their future instructor, Mr. Jason Mauhar.
 


There was a lot of positive energy flowing when instructor Mr. Jason Mauhar informally met for the first time with students of a new LTEC program. LLCEO is designed to encourage and guide entrepreneurship.

The students and Mauhar could be seen engaged already developing rapport, often breaking out in laughter. Many of those who helped make the program happen also dropped by to visit. The evening was dynamic with enthusiasm.
 

 


Lisa Steve, a guidance counselor at Olympia High School, visited with the new instructor and students also.

It began as a dream years ago when the Chamber of Commerce hosted a program, Boomtown U.S.A. with author/speaker Jack Schultz. Schultz likened Lincoln and Logan County to other Midwest post-industrial towns where the trend is for youth to leave for college and not return; leaving a net brain drain for rural and small communities, and ultimately a downward economic spiral. One element that he spoke to, was how to increase quality jobs and to offer incentives that would bring our college youth back home to work.

Craig Lindvahl began a program in Effingham that has led to such a turn-around for that community. 'Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities' connects high school students to the business community and inspires youth to develop businesses.

The CEO program is proving to be a cost efficient tool that leads to long-term economic development for communities. Lindvahl closely oversees each start-up of the program to ensure its success.

The class of high school students will meet off-campus in various business locations on school days for 90 minutes each day. The students will hear from guest business administrators, brainstorm ideas, learn skills in business planning and operations, be mentored by a business person and start their own businesses.

This first-year program was offered to next year's seniors, who were chosen by a separate board and a blind application process this past spring. The class of 15 students represent Lincoln Community, Mount Pulaski, Hartsburg-Emden, Illini-Central and Olympia High Schools.
 


The LLCEO program will continue to be offered in future years to all Logan County high school students.

The CEO program is funded by the local business community.

The Lincoln and Logan County Chamber of Commerce, and the Logan County Alliance have lent leadership and assistance in preparation for the program - finding investors, working with Lincolnland Technical Education Center's director, Robert Bagby, and in performing other required preliminary work.

This spring a board was formed, an instructor/facilitator hired, and students were selected by blind application process.

LLCEO Board members actively went out and met with school administrators, guidance counselors and students to explain the program this past spring.

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Board members include: April Doolin and Patrick Doolin of Integrity Data, Andi Hake of the Logan County Alliance, LCHS Superintendent and previous LTEC Director, Robert Bagby; Mount Pulaski School District Superintendent, Todd Hamm; June Harnacke of New Holland Banking Center, Sara Sisk of Lincoln Community High School, Clyde Reynolds of Keystone Risk Management, Dr. Todd Nobbe of Nobbe Eyecare; and ex-officio seats from local higher learning institutions in Lincoln from Lincoln Christian University, Lincoln College and Heartland Community College.

The LLCEO program is administered along with eight other technical programs under the Lincolnland Technical Education Center (LTEC).
 


New LTEC director, Matt Puckett ,visits with LCHS Superintendent Robert Bagby.

The LTEC has a new director, Mr. Matt Puckett. Puckett has been teaching business and technology at Porta. As the LTEC director he will seek funding and write grants for all the programs.

Puckett is excited to be coming to Lincoln and about the new program. He said, "I think the CEO Class is great effort in collaboration between the community, Lincoln Community High School/LTEC, and our surrounding partner school districts. We definitely want to maintain and continue to grow our partnerships with local businesses."

The instructor/facilitator, Mr. Jason Mauhar, was chosen from a field of highly qualified applicants.

Mauhar was born and raised in Lincoln. He resides in Lincoln with wife Ashleigh, two daughters, Arrington age seven and Addisynn age four, and their seven-month-old son, Hollis.

Mauhar graduated Lincoln Christian College with a degree in Christian Business Administration in 2004 and Greenville College where he received a Masters in Teaching and certification in Biology in 2009.

Mauhar taught high school biology, anatomy, and physics for three years in Fort Worth, Texas before moving back to the Lincoln area in 2013.

On his return, Mauhar began managing a beekeeping and honey sales business. He has also continued a landscaping business that he started in 2011 while living in the Fort Worth area.

The Land of Lincoln Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities "LLCEO" inaugural class is now set to begin this fall.
 


Students enjoyed the evening getting a sense of great things to come.

LLCEO board president April Doolin said that the Meet and Greet was arranged for next year’s students to get to know the instructor a little before the school year starts.

She says, "Our hope is that the network of business contacts developed by the students over the course of the year will draw them back to Logan County in the future."

[Jan Youngquist]

See more on the CEO program:

Entrepreneurial program to give high
school students an edge and reward community



Read more about the core CEO program
 developed by
Midland Institute

 

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