Walking through the halls of the Hershey Lodge during the Pennsylvania Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State Leadership Conference, the energy is unmistakable. With over 6,700 students competing, networking, and preparing for their futures, it’s a powerful reminder of where many of our own journeys began.
This quarter, I have the distinct honor of returning to this environment—not as a competitor as I was 25 years ago, but as a speaker in a fireside chat designed to help the next generation of leaders understand a secret weapon that isn't found in any textbook: the power of lifelong professional and personal connection.
From Competitive Events to Life Events
I won’t be on that stage alone. I’ll be joined by three of my closest friends: Brad Eaton, Jason Jerista, and Kyle Kopko. We first met in our high school FBLA club over 25 years ago. Back then, we were focused on competitive events and learning the ropes of the business world. We didn't realize that those early collaborative moments—like working together in small groups on competitive events—were laying the foundation for a bond that would span decades.
What started as shared bus rides to conferences transformed into a "habit of getting together" that never stopped. We got used to keeping in touch, and that consistency turned high school teammates into a chosen family.
The ROI of Lifelong Friendship
Our fireside chat will dive into how to balance career growth with meaningful friendship. In the fast-paced world of business, it’s easy to view networking as a transactional exchange of LinkedIn connections. However, our experience has taught us that the most valuable "ROI" comes from deep, long-term relationships.
Over the last quarter-century, our group has seen each other through every major life milestone. We’ve stood at each other’s weddings and are now serving as godparents to one another's children. We’ve supported each other through career transitions, including Kyle’s leadership role as the Executive Director at the Center for Rural Pennsylvania and my own journey with No Bounds Digital.
Most importantly, we make time for each other. Whether it's through our annual "Friendmas" celebrations or our frequent group texts, we prioritize the connection. Our friendship demonstrates the true value of the networking we first learned in FBLA: the ability to build a network of people who are not just smart, but who you can truly rely on.
Supporting the Next Generation
It is a privilege to support the next generation of Pennsylvania business leaders as they compete for their chance to head to the national competition in San Antonio, TX. My hope for the students in Hershey this week is that they look at the person sitting next to them in their competitive event not just as a teammate or a rival, but as a potential lifelong partner in their professional and personal journey.
FBLA prepares students for the "real world" by teaching negotiation, time management, and leadership. But perhaps its greatest gift is the community it creates. We are honored to play a small part in that mission this year.
