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IT and other emerging industries. Broadly investing in the arts and the creative economy will attract highly-talented people and active investors. We must ensure that the top scientific, technical, business and creative talent are generating spinoff companies, expanding and attracting firms to our region. Lastly, we must significantly improve the entrepreneurial climate in NEPA by engaging, encouraging, supporting and mentoring budding entrepreneurs… all to create and propel real, sustainable economic impact, growth and future prosperity for generations to come!” Tara Iona: How can we change the status quo? “If we don’t encourage, train and support both a skilled workforce and entrepreneurs, we won’t be able to start or attract businesses that will contribute to and drive a healthy tax base.”
Photo: James Ruane
Who are your ideal partners to drive momentum for change? “A local government that incentivizes companies to start in or move to NEPA, schools and educators that encourage the entrepreneurial spirit whether it’s a mechanic opening a garage or a tech wiz starting a new company, colleges and universities building research and technology programs that will spawn new companies and provide the support and incentive for those companies to stay in NEPA, and business owners willing to hire a recent local graduate or one who wants to return to NEPA and paying them a competitive wage on par with what they would
Getting Personal with John & Tara Iona Home: Lackawaxen Township, PA
dear friend & Misericordia University's President Dr.Michael John Iona - Chairman & Founder, MacDowell with the 2011 Eminent Radius40; President, i-Consilium, Eagle Award and in recognition of 108 of PA's finest young men for LLC; "Hired-Gun CEO"/industryattaining the coveted rank of Eagle agnostic turnaround & growth Scout strategist; Angel Investor; Chairman,Trustee, Director and Tara Iona - Director & Co-Founder Advisor to multiple corporate and of Radius40; Founder of non-profit boards Future411.com;Volunteer Coordinator for Marley's Mission Hometown: Commack, Long Island, NY
Hometown: Sewell, NJ
Favorite Quotes: "There are three kinds of lies:lies, damned lies,and statistics." Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881) -and (2) "And in the end,the love you take is equal to the love you make." -Sir Paul McCartney (1942- )
Favorite Quote: "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." -Sir Winston Churchill (18741965)
Recent NEPA Honor: Being recognized by Marley’s Mission at their 3rd Annual Blue Recent NEPA Honor: Being asked to deliver the keynote Ribbon Gala as the 2012 recipient address at an event honoring my of The Blue Ribbon Award
make in a similar or slightly larger city. In 2010, the average wage paid here was 28.12 percent lower than the national average, and far lower when compared to wages paid within less than two hours of NEPA.” What was the impetus for Radius40’s S2S (Student to Student) Speed Mentoring Program? “We were continuously hearing stories from high school kids about the lack of career guidance, seeing some of the local High School Guidance pages with little to no career information, realizing that kids in this region, especially in the more rural areas, are just not exposed to as many profes-
sional careers as kids in larger cities and suburbs. S2S pairs college and high school students in a speed mentoring, similar to a speed dating atmosphere whereby college students serve as mentors answering questions about things they themselves were concerned with and likely unaware of just a few years back while in high school. I also recently launched Future411.com (GoFindYourFuture on Facebook); an online educational tool focused on providing students and job-seekers alike a single website where they can access hundreds of college and career planning resources.