Troy Dunn (left) and Brian Moore

July 26, 2011

Two years after its organization, Generation Putnam is making the community a better place to live and work through an agressive program of professional leadership development and social networking opportunities.

Troy Dunn, branch manager of City National in Winfield, and Brian J. Moore brought the message today to Putnam Rotarians at their weekly luncheon meeting. Moore, who is a Charleston partner in the business law firm of Dinsmore & Shohl, is director of the group.

A committee of the Chamber of Commerce, Generation Putnam has no dues or membership fees. Last August, the group affiliated with ten related organizations in the state under the umbrella of Generation West Virginia.

"We want to retain young talent." Moore told Rotarians. "It's well-documented that many of our young people leave the state after college and never come back.

"I could have been one of those statistics," he continued, "but now I wouldn't dream of leaving the area because of the professional contacts and the friendships I have developed. And that's what Generation Putnam has meant to me."

Rotarian David Williams greets guest Shelly Kelley. Kelley is Director of Sales for United Talent Staffing Services.

The organization is keyed to rising young professionals, but no one is turned away because of age. "We encourage members to get involved and make a difference through involvement in the professional, civic, and social aspects of our area," Dunn told the group. "We also are active in development of legislative policy," he said.

GP aims to stimulate the economy, create more jobs, bring more business to Putnam and offer a forum for young professionals.

The group holds professional development and business meetings once a month. Social "Cheers" -- "where everybody knows your name" -- networking sessions are scheduled at various business locations.

GP also promotes healthy lifestyles, and planning is underway for a "healthy kids day" at Valley Park on Saturday, October 22nd.

In volunteer service, GP has collected food for needy families and Christmas toys for children. During "Healthy Kids, Healthy WV Week" last year (October 2-9, 2010), the group hosted a series of related events -- physicl fitness demonstrations, exercises and healthy cooking seminars. The "Spook"-tacular in Valley Park on Halloween, 2009, raised funds for the Putnam Animal Shelter. "We want to get into the schools and work with kids," said Dunn.

Moore and Rotary's Elaine Rader have been nominated to represent the county on the Putnam advisory board for Habitat for Humanity.

"Many of you have been a part of building this county," Dunn told his Rotary audience, "and you've seen this area grow tremendously over the years.

"If one would go to each town and look around, they could see the results of what you've done. We want to help communicate that legacy, to continue that legacy."

Craig Young, the first director of Generation Putnam in 2009, has been a member of Putnam Rotary.