With a vision to help grow White County in the long term, the Carmi Chamber of Commerce has agreed to purchase the CEO Program materials from the Midland Institute in Effingham, Illinois to bring the CEO Program to White County. Targeted to high school juniors and seniors, the program will be a coop between Norris City- Omaha- Enfield and Carmi White County High School with plans to start the program fall 2016.
Current CEO Board members are Dr. Clint Taylor, Taylor Eye Care; Donnie Wilson, Elastec; Nikki Roser, First Bank; Matt Vollman, NCOE School District; Tara Riggs; Jarrod Newell, Carmi White County School District and Dr. Karen Weiss, Southeastern Illinois College. Holly Healy, Executive Director of the Carmi Chamber of Commerce, serves in an ex-officio capacity and will serve as an administrator of the program.
Students accepted into the program will begin class at approximately 7:30 in the morning and return to their school in time for second hour classes. The CEO Board will hire a facilitator to teach the class. They will meet at a different business in the community each quarter. Throughout the course of the year students will hear from area business owners, tour local businesses, write two business plans and establish their own business. Toward the end of the school year, students in the program will host a business expo to show their businesses to the community. Each student will also have a mentor from the business community.
The CEO Board continues to work toward making this program a reality for White County students. Businesses and individuals interested in investing in the program, either financially or with their time, should contact the Carmi Chamber of Commerce at 382-7606 or any CEO Board member for further information. A minimum number of investors at $1000 a year for a three year commitment are required to make the program a reality.