News Releases

Posted on 07 Jul 2010

Rob Claunch Volunteers Financial Skills & Knowledge for ELI Program

On June 16, 2010, Rob Claunch, a credit analyst with Citizens National Bank, volunteered to assist with the Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute (ELI) program at the Center for Rural Development. ELI’s purpose is to develop future business leaders and entrepreneurs amongst high school students in Southern and Eastern Kentucky. The program is an intensive, weeklong program focused on developing creativity, teamwork, business and leadership skills.

Claunch assisted a group of five students with the financial plan for “Road Runners of Foreign Language,” a business plan for a non-profit organization, providing on-site instruction for businesses and their employees in Southeastern Kentucky interested in learning five languages: English, Spanish, German, French, and Mandarin Chinese. The team members included Kelsey Arnold, Garrard County; Trey Garmon, Adair County; Jonathan Hubbard, Knox County; Laura Norris, Pulaski County; and Allison Webb of Lawrence County.

“These students were extremely bright and had lots of good questions and input about how to get their business off the ground,” commented Claunch. “I was so impressed with their ideas on starting their business. I think these kids have a lot of potential to be successful business leaders and I had fun working with them."

A total of 32 students graduated from ELI on June 18 after pitching their business plans to a panel of regional business leaders. For more information on the ELI program, contact Jessica Melton at the Center for Rural Development.