OVConnect, Inc. is an organization of young and young thinking business minded individuals who desire to improve the Ohio Valley region by providing opportunities for like-mined individuals to share ideas and learn more about and get involved in community events.

Our members come from all over the Upper Ohio Valley in the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia, Southeastern Ohio, and the Washington - Pittsburgh, Pennsyvania region. We're represented by a wide variety of individuals from organizations in many different industries.

Our members include bankers, doctors, marketers, non-profit directorsa nd volunteers, attorneys, business owners, Web developers, sales professionals, dentists, insurance providers, accountants, chiropractors, educators, stockbrokers, and many other professions. It's also open to folks entering the work force, getting their education, or staying at home to raise their families.

OVConnect is its own free-standing organization incorporated in the state of West Virginia (although, again, we are very much an organization for Ohio and Pennsylvania). We are currently applying for 501(c)3 status with the IRS.

We are a member organization of Generation West Virginia, an umbrella group of young professional organizations across West Virginia including others that are associated with more than just WV.

We are run by a volunteer Board of Directors, consisting of nine local professionals. Moving forward Director openings will be voted on by our membership base each year, with each Director receiving a three-year term. For 2009, our Board of Directors is comprised of:

Photo courtesy of Brian Cook, The Times Leader, Martins Ferry, OH

• Erin Carenbauer (Vice-President)
• Megan Clark
• Chris Gardill (Secretary)
• Jeremy Lowe
• Timothy McKeen (Presdient)
• Stefanie Panas
• Chad Remp
• Jamie Remp
• Tanner Russell (Treasurer)
• Justin Seibert
• Matt Steele
• John Sterrett
• Jeremy West

We are funded solely by membership dues and events we offer that are above the break-even point. We are also fortunate to have received a very generous grant by Wal-Mart to support our efforts here in the Ohio Valley.

Our members often ask what they can do to help. Besides just spreading the word and letting people know about OVConnect, you can get involved in one of our committees if you're so inclined. These include the following groups with the Chairperson's name following the respective committee:

• Event Planning (Jamie Remp)
• Finance (Chad Remp)
• Marketing / PR (Stefanie Panas)
• Organization (Timothy McKeen)
• Web Communication (Justin Seibert)

Work load depends on the committee, but we're all volunteers so we're keenly aware of how valuable your time is. Other than event planning, which may be a little heavier depending on your role and the time of year, most committees require only 1-2 hours per month and often without in-person meetings.

If you'd like to learn more or volunteer for a committee, please email us and we'll get you in touch with the right person. Thanks for your interest!