Loading Events

The 2019 YPN yearly Power Dinner, sponsored by Greater Nevada Credit Union, features multiple speakers who will take you through various topics of what they have learned as a Young Professional. Hear from our Keynote Speaker, University of Nevada, Reno Head Football Coach Jay Norvell, who has experienced many different atmospheres as a player and coach and has also written a book, “Complete Wide Receiver,” which was published in 2012.

Girls on the Run-Sierras Executive Director Joy Heuer moved from out of state, found success as the COO of the Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce, and then switched careers to growing a non-profit. How do you handle the pros and cons of switching careers outside of Reno, and also inside of the City?

Lieutenant Colonel Michael C. Firmin of the United States Army has found himself across the country throughout the last 21 years and has held multiple command and staff positions. He holds many awards and decorations throughout that time. LTC Firmin will speak on “Why I succeeded as an abject failure.”

There will be plenty of time to network and catch up with other Young Professionals before and after the speakers.

Food and Drinks: Buffet Dinner with appetizers and entrees to be provided

Price per Person: $35 members, $45 non-members


Event Tickets



 

Check in will open at 5:15 pm

Capacity/Maximum Attendees: 100

 

Speaker’s Information:

Jay Norvell – Head Football Coach – University of Nevada, Reno

Jay Norvell, an innovative offensive mind and former All-Big Ten defensive back as a player, completed his second season as the head coach of the Nevada Wolf Pack football team in 2018.

Norvell’s team made huge strides in his second year at the helm, going from three wins to eight wins and capturing the 2018 NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl title. At 5-3 in the Mountain West, the Pack tied for second in the west division. Individually, Nevada placed 10 on the All-Mountain West team, including Freshman of the Year in running back Toa Taua.

In year one, Norvell established a foundation for his vision of the program, installing new systems on offense, defense and special teams. The foundation was cemented in the final game of the season as Norvell led the Wolf Pack to a 23-16 victory over UNLV in the Battle of the Fremont Cannon to retain possession of the Fremont Cannon.

Norvell arrived at Nevada well versed in the game of football, bringing a resume at the time that included a 31-year coaching career that spans college football’s top levels and the National Football League. Throughout his career Norvell has had a hand in postseason football as well with 14 bowl game appearances, including the 2009 National Championship, four NFL playoff games and the Super Bowl appearance.

Norvell, who hails from Madison, Wis., has a wife, Kim, and son, Jaden. He is the author of a book, “Complete Wide Receiver,” which was published in 2012.

 

Joy Heuer, Executive Director, Girls on the Run – Sierras

Joy Heuer became the Executive Director of Girls on the Run – Sierras in early 2017 and, simply put, she loves it!  Girls on the Run – Sierras is a chapter of the national Girls on the Run program, one of 225 chapters across the country. Driven by the Girls on the Run mission to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident while creatively integrating running, Heuer firmly believes that the life skills girls build in the program are invaluable throughout their lives. While she would say the best part of her job is seeing the girls’ transformations, Heuer enjoys working with coaches and watching them deliver the program to girls.

After all, according to Heuer, the 5 C’s (confidence, character, care, connections and competence) are the most important part of what Girls on the Run does. Moving forward, Heuer hopes to ensure that Girls on the Run – Sierras will make an impact with a generation and a gender. In fact, that was one of the reasons she took the job. “My sincere hope is that every girl we serve – more than 50% of whom come from low-income families – comes to understand, through our lessons, how to have compassion and character. We envision a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams. And we know we will get there.”

Prior to Girls on the Run, Heuer was the COO of the Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce.  When not coaching a Girls on the Run team or working to further the mission of Girls on the Run – Sierras, you can find Heuer at Greater Nevada Field spending time with her husband cheering for both the Reno Aces and Reno 1868 (her husband is the President of both teams).

Lieutenant Colonel Michael C. Firmin – United States Army

Lieutenant Colonel Michael C. Firmin assumed duty as the commander of the Northern California Recruiting Battalion after most recently serving as the Michigan Technological University Professor of Military Science, Houghton, MI.

A native of Washington, Lt. Col. Firmin graduated and received his commission from the University of Colorado Boulder in 1998. He has had multiple command and staff positions throughout the last 21 years.

He has served in command and staff positions from the platoon level through battalion command including 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, and the 63rd Chemical Company, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky; the United States Army Special Operations Command, and the 3rd Psychological Operations Battalion at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

He commanded the Army Recruiting Company, Eugene, Oregon; and served as a Joint Fires and Effects officer and as the Current Operations Planner for I Corps. While serving with I Corps, he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Following these deployments, he commanded the Headquarters Support Company, 7th Infantry Division and served as Executive Officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion I Corps.

Lt. Col. Firmin’s education includes a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Civil Engineering and Master of Science in Geological Engineering.

His awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster; Meritorious Service Medal with four bronze oak leaf clusters; Army Commendation Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster; Army Achievement Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster. He is authorized to wear the Senior Parachutist Badge and Air Assault Badge.

Lt. Col. Firmin and his wife Katrina have two children, Cassandra and Matthew.

Go to Top