RYNE KROCK Age: 24
Employer: LaGrange County Economic Development Corporation Title: President & Chief Executive Officer Education: University of Toledo, Political Science Community organizations with which you are involved: • United Fund of LaGrange County, board member • LaGrange County Community Foundation, board member • Junior Achievement, LaGrange County, board member & classroom mentor • Elevate Ventures, regional advisory board member • LaGrange County Chamber of Commerce • Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership LEDO Council, member • Launch LaGrange County, organizer & mentor Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? My first job was as a “cart boy” or maintenance employee at Heron Creek Golf Club in LaGrange. Better than the paycheck, we received free/discounted rounds of play as employees; unfortunately, I didn’t take advantage much and am still a terrible golfer. Page 28
What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? I have been blessed with tremendous support throughout my young career. First, I have had a few individuals in particular that took a risk in hiring me, likely against their conventional wisdom. Second, I have had more strong mentors and role models in a five year span than I could have asked for in a lifetime. These things coupled with a supportive family have meant all the difference for me. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? It’s difficult to point to one particular project or accomplishment. I would say that the one thing I am most proud of is working to bring community, educational, government and private-sector business partners together in LaGrange County to tackle some very tough issues. The creation of Launch LaGrange County is one example, among many, that has been born from this strong collaboration. What lessons did you learn from it? Anything can be done much faster and with a much higher degree of success when committed, like-minded individuals and organizations come together to act in sync. It’s extremely difficult to break down “silos” in a community, but the
results make it well worth it. What is your current professional goal? I plan to complete my final course at the University of Toledo and then become a certified economic developer. I want to continue work to make LaGrange County and northeast Indiana a great place to live, work, and raise a family. How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? I’m a news junkie, avid reader and frequent traveler; each of these lends itself well to staying current on economic and community development trends and best practices. I also always take the time to talk to people from diverse backgrounds, whether in northeast Indiana or elsewhere, to get their perspective on how a community can be improved and better opportunities can be created. How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? Fortunately, at this point I don’t find this to be a challenge. My career allows me to work with community organizations on a daily basis. Unmarried and without children, I can focus more on my career now, knowing that I am supported by my family and friends. What do you do to relax? I enjoy spending time outdoors. In the summer, I spend as much time as possible on the lake with family and friends. In the winter, I spend much more time reading a good biography or binge-watching Netflix. Do you identify with Gen X or as a millennial? Why? I definitely consider myself a millennial. My management style and the workplace environment in our office is flexible, innovative and non-traditional. Like many other millennials, I have a strong desire to challenge the “status quo” when appropriate and to find alternative methods for solving the problems facing our community. What would you tell your high school self based on what you know now? “Take a leap. Just jump, and figure out how to swim when you hit the water.” I remember agonizing over where to attend school, what to study, etc. Things have a beautiful way or working themselves out if you just jump in and take a chance. Developing that philosophy has made a world of difference to me at this point in my life.
Forty Under 40 • March 2016 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.