Sam Elliott, the Vice President of Development for the Young Professionals of Knoxville (YPK), shares his journey from a pilot to a pivotal community leader, detailing the impact of YPK in fostering a vibrant network for young professionals in Knoxville. Discover how YPK's connections, development, and service initiatives are crafting a promising future for the city’s young talent and how young professionals can get involved, grow their skills, and contribute to their community.

(00:00) Introduction.

(01:07) Sam's background in aviation and community leadership.

(02:17) Exploring volunteer opportunities and community involvement in Knoxville.

(03:23) How the city supports a community-driven mindset.

(03:51) Overview of Young Professionals of Knoxville and their activities.

(05:22) Professional development events hosted by YPK.

(06:27) Leadership experiences within YPK.

(07:34) YPK’s affinity groups and personal connection opportunities.

(08:10) Discussion on Knoxville’s transformation into a tech and educational hub.

(09:28) Retaining young talent in Knoxville with strategic initiatives.

(10:33) YPK’s expansion into surrounding areas.

(14:05) Community service projects and their impacts.

(16:32) Regional expansion plans into Oak Ridge.

(17:11) Future partnerships and growth for YPK.

(18:44) Importance of community and professional development.

(25:13) Closing remarks and appreciation for Sam Elliott.

Young Professionals of Knoxville website: https://www.ypknox.com/

Reach Sam via Email: advancement@ypknox.com

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In this episode, we meet John Ewart, the dynamic leader of the Knoxville Chapter of the Associated General Contractors. John shares his inspiring journey from his early days in the Navy to playing football at the University of Tennessee and how these experiences led him to a significant role in shaping Knoxville's construction scene. He discusses the importance of skilled trades like electric work and carpentry, the impact of the Women in Construction initiative, and how he is helping to grow the next generation of leaders in the construction industry. Tune in to discover how John's leadership is building a stronger community in Knoxville.

(00:00) Introduction.

(01:00) John recounts his early experiences.

(02:31) Explanation of what AGC stands for and its significance in the construction industry.

(03:24) Details on the membership composition of AGC and its community impact.

(05:33) The role of AGC in workforce development, focusing on the Apprenticeship Program.

(06:04) Explanation of what a journeyman is and the value of the apprenticeship.

(07:09) Strategies to combat the workforce shortage in skilled trades.

(09:18) Insights into the Women in Construction initiative and its goals.

(11:00) Discussion on large-scale projects and the importance of blueprint skills in construction.

(13:36) The pivotal role of mentorship and networking in professional growth.

(16:00) The importance of community involvement and service in John's career.

(18:45) How AGC connects with legislation and the broader construction industry at the national level.

(20:43) The impact of social media and networking on professional relationships.

(22:35) Closing thoughts on leadership, community impact, and the future of Knoxville's growth.

Links Referenced:

Connect with John on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.ewart.92/

Connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-ewart-79645578/

The Associated General Contractors Of Tennessee: https://www.tnagc.org/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1tYTy1NQthNQ4nuE9ZdoJ9Gx5wYMK66xFKV5f2DHMR6jsdLmG1pBXSEqM_aem_AasVxJi0pfAijcboVz04oicdRqrQ2YjpNRhnK1Ni6J0d2U4s8D9xvbaFrQqBtocM2yUk3KDdvGQcb-M-_uZqzpnv

Connect with ConnectTheKnox

- Follow the Podcast -

- Follow the Podcast -

• iTunes

• Spotify

• Or wherever you listen to Podcasts

• Podcast Created With Riverside. FM

- Connect with Julia -

• Follow me on TikTok

• Connect with me on Instagram

• Find me on Twitter

• Follow me on Facebook

- Buy or Sell a home in Knoxville -

• Just Homes Realty Group: www.justhomesgroup.com

• Find my Home Buyers & Home Sellers Guide here: https://linktr.ee/thejuliahurley

This episode features Rebecca Ramsey, founder of Big Orange Country for Real Producers Magazine, discussing her role and its impact on the Knoxville real estate market. Julia and Rebecca discuss how Real Producers Magazine uniquely recognizes and connects top-producing real estate agents in the area, differentiating itself from other publications by not allowing agents to pay for placement. Additionally, Rebecca shares how she got into real estate publications, the importance of maintaining a solid network among top agents, and how her work helps elevate the professional standards and visibility of real estate professionals in East Tennessee.

(00:00) Introduction

(00:37) Rebecca shares the origins of Big Orange Country for Real Producers Magazine

(02:12) Differences between Real Producers Magazine and other real estate publications

(03:20) Insights into the selection process and criteria for featuring agents in the magazine

(06:04) The importance of timing and organic connections in featuring agents

(07:52) The impact of Real Producers Magazine on Knoxville's real estate market

(10:23) How top agents maintain resilience and adaptability in a fluctuating market

(14:18) The role of exclusive networking events in fostering a community of top real estate agents

(19:22) The significance of sharing resources and vendor relationships among top agents

(26:42) Closing remarks and where to find more information about Big Orange Country Real Producers

Links Referenced:

Big Orange Country Real Producers: https://www.realproducersmag.com/locations/big-orange-country-real-producers-efa3/

Big Orange Country Real Producers on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/bigorangecountryrealproducers/

Big Orange Country Real Producers On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realproducers/

Connect with ConnectTheKnox

- Follow the Podcast -

• iTunes

• Spotify

• Or wherever you listen to Podcasts

• Podcast Created With Riverside. FM

- Connect with Julia -

• Follow me on TikTok

• Connect with me on Instagram

• Find me on Twitter

• Follow me on Facebook

- Buy or Sell a home in Knoxville -

• Just Homes Realty Group: www.justhomesgroup.com

• Find my Home Buyers & Home Sellers Guide here: https://linktr.ee/thejuliahurley