16 MCC Business Directory and Resource Guide
20 UNDER 40
ASHTAN BENNETT Company / organization : Anderson Public Library Position / title : Program and Marketing Manager Work responsibilities : Oversee the programming and marketing efforts of the library , including planning and facilitating in-house and offsite events . Responsible for outreach efforts in the community , forming and maintaining community partnerships and collaborations and attending community events to share library resources and services . Manage public communications , including creating library marketing and promotional items and distributing library news and information to the community . Manage the library ’ s social media platforms and website . Work / life philosophy : “ My work and life philosophy is never to doubt the power of compassion . The ability to understand another ’ s situation and have the desire to take action to help is one of the greatest qualities that we possess . Not only does compassion allow us to look outside ourselves , but it is one of our most powerful assets in terms of resiliency , as people and as a community . Compassion is a driver , a motivator , and it builds strong , healthy relationships . It is never a weakness .”
ANDREA BAKER Company / organization : Operation Love Ministries , Inc . ( OLM ) Position / title : Executive director Work responsibilities : “ As executive director , I manage all aspects of the administration , finances and multi-faceted programming of Operation Love Ministries , a long-standing community nonprofit serving over 6,000 Madison County individuals in need each year . “ Operation Love offers free food and household goods and annual back-to-school and Christmas assistance programs to struggling families . My tasks range from logistics to vision , from creating budgets and securing finances , to overseeing day-to-day operations . I direct a team of employees and volunteers numbering in the hundreds , incorporating as many community partners as possible .” Work / life philosophy : “ I believe in authenticity and the power of relationship . When we are open and honest with one another , we can reveal our struggles and help carry each other ’ s burdens . “ I consistently challenge myself and others to work and grow into the best versions of ourselves . I encourage lifelong learning and personal as well as professional development for everyone who walks through the door at OLM .”
NATE MCKEON Company / organization : Nate McKeon Agency Position / title : Principal / Agent Work responsibilities : Work closely with individuals and businesses with their insurance needs , ranging from home , auto , business insurance and group benefits . About his life / career : “ I grew up in Frankton , where I graduated in 2004 . After high school I attended Lincoln Trail Community College and then the University of Toledo where I played baseball and received my bachelor ’ s degree . After graduating from Toledo , I continued my baseball career playing independent minor league baseball for two years . “ In 2010 , I began a career in financial planning before I found myself in the insurance industry in 2013 , and have been working with individuals and businesses on their insurance needs ever since . In 2017 , I started my own independent insurance agency . I ’ m still very involved in the baseball world , locally teaching the catching position at all ages including collegiately at Throwback Athletics . I currently reside in Anderson with my girlfriend Sarah and our two children , Kash and Remi .”
ELIZABETH SWADENER Company : Red Gold Position / title : PHR , Director of Human Resources Work responsibilities : “ Oversight of operational human resources functions . Additionally , I lead talent , management , training and education , employee safety , diversity initiatives and overall compliance .“ Work / life philosophy : “ Working for the largest privately held tomato manufacturer in the U . S ., I ’ m committed to understanding the needs and concerns of employees to maintain the Red Gold reputation as a career destination for individuals attracted to work and grow for a family-owned company that is large enough to serve , yet small enough to remember . “ Since the early onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic , I ’ ve ensured employee safety and collaborated in cross-functional assignments to help ensure that Red Gold would meet or exceed the industry challenge in keeping grocery stores across America in stock , and cultivated a workforce to sustain the many obstacles and challenges to balance both safety and productivity .”