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Man leads drive to keep young professionals in area

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By Beth Sears, Contributing writer 2:18 PM Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Lee Lochtefeld was in high school when he embarked on his first business opportunity. While still in college, he was working on another.

So, it seems only natural that the New Bremen man would help with the formation of Helping Young Professionals Emerge, a social networking group for Northern Miami Valley professionals that started earlier this year.

“Getting HYPE off the ground is something I enjoyed,” said Lochtefeld who, at age 24, is the group’s youngest member.

HYPE was formed in collaboration with Chambers of Commerce in Covington, Piqua, Tipp City and Troy. Lisa Whitaker, president of the Piqua Area Chamber of Commerce, said the Chambers were looking for ways to keep young professionals in the Northern Miami Valley area. This past winter, each Chamber selected a few individuals from their area to form a steering committee to get the organization running.

Whitaker said she knew Lochtefeld through his involvement with the Piqua Area Chamber. Also selected to represent the Piqua area were Doug Eaken of Unity National Bank and Nikki Winner, HandsOn West Central Ohio director.

Within a few months, the steering committee put together a mission, vision, and conducted a kick-off event. More than 100 people attended the kick-off event in May.

“It was amazing to sit back and watch this group do this,” Whitaker said.

While the youngest member of HYPE, Lochtefeld is not new to taking on new ventures.

The 2004 New Bremen graduate said he helped his father start a self-storage facility while he was in high school. Upon graduation, he enrolled in the University of Dayton’s entrepreneurship program. He graduated from UD in 2008 with a double major in entrepreneurship and finance.

While at UD, Lochtefeld was looking into starting a car wash. In 2007, Soak-n-Suds Car Wash opened in Piqua and Lochtefeld is a partner in that business. In addition, he’s now working with his father on another business venture.

Lochtefeld explained that starting a small business came naturally to him, as he grew up in a family where several relatives had small businesses.

Working with HYPE has helped him get to know others in the area.

“There are not a lot of us who knew each other before we put together this organization,” he said.

“He’s always putting himself out there. He continually wants to grow and advance,” Whitaker said.

In addition to social networking events, HYPE also plans community service events for its members. Earlier this fall, members helped Miami County Habitat for Humanity with a landscaping project. Just this month, HYPE members participated in home improvement projects at St. Joseph’s House, a homeless shelter and low-income boarding house for men, as part of Make a Difference Day.

Lochtefeld explained the community service projects help develop members of HYPE and also helps them contribute to the community.

Contact this columnist at (937) 448-0101 or sears@erinet.com.

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