Aces of Trades: Planning events is a perfect fit for Kelly Little
Kelly Little is pleased with the path she’s on.
“As a child I loved being social and spending time with family,” Little said. “As I got older, I got involved in lots of activities through school and 4-H. I knew I wanted to do something in an office that worked with data, organizing and planning, which is a lot of what I do today."
Today, Little is the project manager at the Marion Area Chamber of Commerce.
“I’m responsible for planning and executing our Chamber events, which includes securing funding, venues and other aspects that go into our events, along with keeping our database current," she said.
Little grew up in Kenton and graduated from Kenton Senior High School and Marion Technical College with a degree in applied business science.
She's always been a people person
“I’ve always liked being social, working with people and helping them,” she said. “When I was in elementary school, I found a love of helping people and asked if I could spend my recess time inside volunteering in the handicapped classroom. I then became a 4-H adviser and love seeing all the kids learn, grow and succeed. Seeing smiles on people’s faces made me happy and continues to do so today.
“After having my second child,” she said, “I took some stay-at-home mom time, until a part-time position opened at the Chamber. The Chamber was so flexible that I could still be involved with the kids as much as possible while still serving the community.”
That was 2020.
Heidi Jones is president of the Marion Area Chamber of Commerce.
'Always goes above and beyond'
“Kelly is a huge asset to the Chamber and all our members,” Jones said. “She’s brilliant, inquisitive and always goes above and beyond. There is no one with her work ethic. I’m very fortunate to have her by my side.”
“I enjoy working with the community and the team we have here at the Chamber,” Little responded.
“I’m pleased with where life has taken me,” she concluded. “With all events in life − good, bad, challenging, celebratory − we learn a lesson, and with that lesson we build the person we are today. I’m thankful for all my experiences, lessons and support systems that have gotten me to the person I am.”
Marion Area Chamber of Commerce is located at 267 W. Center St., Suite 200, Marion. For more information, visit marionareachamber.org.
Aces of Trades is a weekly series focusing on people and their jobs – whether they’re unusual jobs, fun jobs or people who take ordinary jobs and make them extraordinary. If you have a suggestion for a future profile, let us know at news@marionstar.com.
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Marion Area Chamber of Commerce project manager has knack for planning
