Contact: Gabriel O’Shea, 785.221.9240
Topeka, Kan., Jan. 5, 2o17: Forge, Topeka’s young professional’s organization, voted Ty Hysten as the 2017 chair-elect during their December Leadership Team Meeting. Hysten works as employee benefit consultant at Hysten Financial L.L.C. and holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance from Washburn University. He is a licensed insurance agent in the states of Kansas and Missouri for accident, health and life, as well as certified in long-term care insurance. Hysten is a United States Army veteran having served in both the Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom conflicts. He has been involved in the young professional’s organization since 2013.
“Forge, to me means going forward to become something that is greater, driving to become a force that has the ability to follow through with our mission of recruiting, retaining and developing new talent for our community,” stated Hysten. “I believe young professionals in our community will not sit idle anymore. We will move with a purpose and continue focusing on our four pillars of attraction and retention, leadership, diversity and business development. I’m honored with this opportunity as a volunteer leader. Being able to see and create change is an awesome feeling for me. I plan to work hard, building diversity within our organization and encouraging the growth of our new and existing young businesses while creating community partnerships that are diverse.
Sean Frost, current chair of Forge was pleased with the vote and supported Hysten in running this year. “It is an exciting time for young people in Topeka,” Frost stated. “Forge is going to have a great year and I am excited that Ty Hysten was voted in as our chair-elect. Ty has been integral to our efforts since getting involved as a volunteer and has worked his way up to being a very influential member of our leadership team. He has played a central role in some of our most successful efforts over the last two years. His bold ideas and leadership as chair in 2018 will surely help us forge the path for young professionals in Topeka.”
Gabriel O’Shea, executive director of Forge was also very supportive of Hysten running for this position, adding, “I am very excited to work closely with Ty in 2017 as our chair-elect. Ty’s passion and commitment to forging our community ahead show in all that he does. The chair-elect plays an important role in the long-term success of Forge and the foundations that we lay today and tomorrow will affect young people in Topeka for years to come. We couldn’t have selected a better individual to serve in this role.”
The Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce launched the young professionals group called Fast Forward in 1999 to provide a forum for young professionals in Topeka and to develop the next generation of leadership. In 2016, Fast Forward rebranded to become Forge in an effort to address challenges facing Topeka in attracting and retaining young talents. As part of the brand change, membership is now free to anyone under 40 thanks to six business benefactors in the community; Advisor’s Excel, Bartlett and West, Capitol Federal, FHLBank, Washburn University and Westar Energy. New members can sign up and see upcoming events by visiting topekaforge.org.
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