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 - 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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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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