Young Professionals Put Down Roots in Rocky Mount
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When Kelley Paynter Deal moved to Rocky Mount in early 2001 to begin a career in public relations, she was originally drawn to the area for its professional opportunities, quality of life and reasonable cost of living. However, despite these attributes, Deal wasn’t planning to stay for the long term.
“Like many recent college graduates, I thought I would move to Rocky Mount and then on to a bigger city. Instead, I found everything I needed here and more,” says Deal, who is the public relations director for Nash Community College. “Now seven years later I am committed to the community and hope to live here for many years to come.”
For Jessie Warren, another transplant who is putting down professional and personal roots in the area, Rocky Mount has provided a number of unexpected opportunities to network and become involved in community organizations while enjoying her leisure time to the fullest. When she’s not participating in recreational volleyball leagues with the city, playing golf, or attending events at the Imperial Centre cultural complex and the Dunn Center for the Performing Arts, Warren can be found at any number of leadership and networking functions around town.
“It seems that some areas have a more closed circle when it comes to who has input and provides leadership for the community, while Rocky Mount is very inviting of new energy and ideas,” says Warren, who works as the coordinator of internships and career services for North Carolina Wesleyan College. “This community is very welcoming and extends open arms and limitless invitations to get involved with organizations and area initiatives.”
Both Deal and Warren are members of the Rocky Mount Young Professionals Network, a nonprofit organization originally formed in 2000 to provide networking opportunities for up-and-coming members of the local business community.
In addition to hosting luncheons and social gatherings after business hours, the group provides opportunities for members to become involved in volunteer organizations and community events.
According to the group’s president, Joseph Bobbitt, the YPN also serves as a vehicle for retaining and attracting talented young business leaders to the area.
“We have a very productive, very involved and very impressive board of directors made up of area leaders from a variety of companies and other industries. Our ultimate goal is to help make Rocky Mount a better place to live,” says Bobbitt, a financial representative. Bobbitt moved to the area after graduating from college three years ago and immediately joined the YPN to explore civic involvement opportunities and make new contacts.
“There’s no other place I’d rather live and have my business. I tell people all of the time that there is no Plan B, only a Plan A, and that means staying in the Rocky Mount area for good,” says Bobbitt. “Once young professionals get here and get involved, they feel the same way.”
Story by Valerie Pascoe
Photo by Ian Curcio
