Recipients of the 2009 Young Professionals Association (YPA) Awards were announced at the YPA Gala held at the Howard Johnson Hotel Nov. 13.

The YPA Awards were established to celebrate, encourage and recognize the City of Greater Sudbury’s emerging leaders.

“The YPA Awards Gala is a great evening to meet other successful contacts and organizations to build and establish both new business and personal relations, all while showcasing our winners’ excellence”, said Don Richer, chair of the Young Professionals Association.

This year’s Best Place to Work for Young Professionals Award was given to BESTECH, who has proven to be successful at attracting and retaining their young workers. BESTECH has
numerous strategies in place to allow young professionals achieve their goals through
personal and professional growth.

With more than half of employees being under the age of 35, this organization has created a culture for its workers and is surely an exemplary model whose growth and community recognition is a direct result of the knowledge, ideas an  personal drive of its employees.

Ryan Minor, the owner of Ryan Minor Professional Corporation and Chartered Accountant, was awarded the Male Young Professional of the Year Award.

Minor was also recognized in 2006 at the 40 under 40 awards.

He has been managing his own accounting practice since 2008, and he also works at developing software in his spare time.

He is the current president of the Learning Disabilities Association of Sudbury, and has also participated on numerous boards and committees.

The Female Young Professional of the Year  is Dr. Sherrie Guillet.

The woman devotes much of her time to help local children, educates the community on the importance of health, and is also the co-president of the Sudbury and District Chiropractic Society.

She has her own practice, New Sudbury Chiropractic & Wellness Centre, and was also the first to introduce animal chiropractic services to Sudbury in April 2006.

With all the new knowledge she gains, she hopes to continue to help people grow and move towards better health in Sudbury.

In the celebration of excellence in our community, the YPA will continue to showcase our local emerging leaders and allow them the opportunity for growth and networking.

"The Young Professionals Association is comprised of exceptional young men and women, who not only excel in their fields, but also in their volunteer commitments. The YPA Awards are one way we can highlight their accomplishments and celebrate their success,” said Isabelle Lortie, YPA staff co-ordinator.