2016 Distinguished YP Award Finalists
Congratulations to our Distinguished YP Award finalists, sponsored by Wesley Medical Center! They include: Ambur Alfaro, Delta Dental; Ashley N. Bandasack, Allen, Gibbs & Houlik, L.C.; Josef Hamilton, High Touch Technologies; Jonathan Long, T-Mobile; Dr. Chelsea Peyton, FAAA Hearing Lab Technology LLC. This award is presented to two YPW members who have reached personal and/or professional achievements in their career, has positively impacted our community, and shows promise for continued success. Learn a little more about our finalists below.
Ambur Alfaro, Delta Dental of Kansas
Follow: @amburalfaro | @DeltaDentalofKS
What has been your favorite YPW experience?
The people. The young professionals involved in YPW are an amazing, talented, motivated and caring group of individuals. Building relationships with Wichita’s future leaders who strive to positively grow our city and companies.
What advice do you wish you would have known in college?
The importance of networking. Professional relationships are important for continual development. Building relationships not just within your direct profession, also outside of your core field is an essential part of having a successful career and community.
What is your number one restaurant recommendation in Wichita?
I would have to say Chester’s Chophouse, specifically their bar area seating. It’s a warm and inviting atmosphere, with great service and amazing fare. It’s really fun to walk into a restaurant where you are likely to know at least one person as soon as you enter the room. It’s definitely top notch!
Where would you like to go on a dream vacation?
The Florida Keys… it’s on our bucket list. Love the island life! Spending time exploring new areas, relaxing on a beach, swimming, boating, horseback riding, outdoor living, live entertainment, enjoying unique dining experiences and anything else we could fit into our time vacationing there.
What was your favorite college memory?
Study Groups. Specifically, evenings and late nights spent studying for Dental Hygiene finals and boards at places like Panera, Barnes & Noble and Starbucks with a great group of friends and future colleagues. The time spend absorbing knowledge and creating bonds will always be treasured.
Ashley N. Bandasack, State and Local Tax Associate at Allen, Gibbs & Houlik, L.C.
Follow: @abandasack @ashbandasack| @aghlc
What has been your favorite YPW experience?
My favorite YPW experience has definitely been volunteering with the College Connection team. I have served as an active volunteer with my team for a little over one year now. I was heavily involved in planning and facilitating the 2015-2016 Mentorship and 2016 Intern Return programs. As a fairly recent Wichita State University graduate, I enjoy organizing these events for local college students and interns across Wichita by providing my perspective of a demographic that I can understand and relate to. Also, I very much enjoy volunteering with my team members. Each one of them brings so much positivity, encouragement and creativity to our team. I could not surround myself with a better group of individuals.
Where would you like to go on a dream vacation?
My dream vacation would be taking a family trip to Bangkok, Thailand. I have traveled to Thailand once before when I was younger but I think I would appreciate it more as an adult. I’d love to be able to spend time with all my family who still live there. I would also like to visit all of the major Buddhist temples and explore the never-sleeping city.
What is the best event/show you’ve seen in Wichita?
The best show that I have seen in Wichita so far would have to be the Florida Georgia Line concert at INTRUST Bank Arena. This was one of the best concerts I’ve been to because my floor seats were amazing and the energy of the crowd made the experience even better. FLGALINE was so fun to watch live!
What is your number one restaurant recommendation in Wichita?
My number one restaurant recommendation in Wichita is Wasabi! Sushi is my favorite and Wasabi definitely has the best sushi in town. They have three convenient locations in east, west and downtown Wichita. Even if you’re not a sushi fan, they serve other delicious dishes such as their teriyaki bento boxes. My favorite roll is the jumbo scallop crunch roll with spicy mayo, yum!
What is the most recent book you’ve read? What did you like/learn from it?
The most recent book I’ve read is Strengths Finder 2.0. It is a book that has an evaluation to help you identify your top five strengths. I learned that my top 5 strengths are 1. Relator, 2. Includer, 3. Positivity, 4. Harmony and 5. Consistency. After I received my results, the book then told me how I can build on my strengths. I really enjoyed this book because I like the idea of focusing on my strengths rather than my weaknesses and how I can do what I do best even better! I definitely recommend this book to everyone who wants to develop their strengths.
Josef Hamilton, Process Improvement Manager at High Touch Technologies
Follow: @hightouch
If someone were to ride in your car, what would they hear?
My car radio is always on NPR, so if you happen to ride with me you will be caught up on all of your local and world news.
What has been your favorite YPW experience?
I thought having the candidates for mayor come and speak with us was an incredible event and opportunity. It was good to know that they were interested in what YP’s had to say, and took time to come and speak with us.
What is your number one restaurant recommendation in Wichita?
If you want some delicious breakfast and coffee I highly recommend “Neighbors”. I can often be found there on weekends enjoying the excellent made from scratch food.
What was your first job?
My first job as a kid was bagging groceries at the Albertson’s on 13th and Tyler. They taught me how to work hard, and was my first lesson in managing a paycheck.
Where would you like to go on a dream vacation?
My dream vacation would be to go to Egypt. I am fascinated with ancient sites throughout the world, and it does not get more iconic than the Pyramids and Sphinx.
Jonathan Long, Recruiter at T-Mobile
Follow: @jlongachieves @jlongachieves
What is the best event/show you’ve seen in Wichita?
Call me a prisoner of the moment, but I would have to say The Roots this year at Riverfest. The Roots isn’t a group that tours often so to have the opportunity to see them play live was great. Dave Chappelle introducing them only added to the moment. It was just a phenomenal experience overall and a great way to end a star-studded week.
What is the most recent book you’ve read? What did you like/learn from it?
I keep a copy of Rules of the Red Rubber Ball by Kevin Carroll on my desk at work and on my dresser at home. Whenever I’m looking for inspiration or some sort of clarity I pick it up and it typically provides me with the focus I need to journey down the right path.
If someone were to ride in your car, what would they hear?
Wow. Hmmmmm. I am a fan of the shuffle button in Apple Music. But you’ll probably hear: Young Jeezy, Jay Z, J. Cole, Big KRIT, a montage of Southern rap from 2000-2010, Mixes of ’80s & ’90s rap, a few of today’s hits and jazz renditions of classic hip-hop songs.
I’ve also been listening a lot to an album called Grammy Night by a local artist named BIG SAM. He’s really a dope artist and someone who is working hard to help unify the young, diverse and talented in Wichita.
What was your first job?
I worked at McDonald’s for about one week, but was let go because the manager thought my friend and I were a year older than what we actually were, a teacher got us the job. But then I got smart and my next job was as a sales associated at a shoe store, Just For Feet. Allowing me to fuel my passion for sneakers and even make a couple of dollars to do something other than buy sneakers.
What has been your favorite YPW experience?
YPW is a great organization and provides a lot of great experiences. I don’t know if I can pinpoint one specifically. However, I do enjoy the events where they partner with other organizations such as Wichita Urban Professionals. The cross collaboration I believe has been a great inspiration for other organizations in the city to really take a look at how collaboration can be a benefit and help bolster not just attendance, but also the overall experience.
Dr. Chelsea Peyton, Clinical Audiologist, Au.D, CCC-A at FAAA Hearing Lab Technology LLC
What is your favorite app and why?
Etsy! My creative side gets the best of me at times. There are so many amazing vendors and creative personalized items that aren’t found anywhere else. When I give a gift I want it to be genuine and unique. I find Etsy is best suited for this task and makes it WAY to easy to buy amazing individualized gifts with one click.
If you had to choose an Olympic sport to compete in what would it be?
Curling. The Olympic sport version of shuffle board. It’s the BEST!
If someone were to ride in your car, what would they hear?
Electrohouse Dance Music; Afrojack, deadmau5, or David Guetta. I also switch to the classics and the Rat Pack. The classics will always be my go to after 12 years of ballet. Music has played a huge impact on where I am today. Always helps pump me up but relaxes me at the same time. I absolutely love music and the array of artists! I may be an audiologist but still love to jam out!
What was your favorite college memory?
Sitting behind the audiometer and administering my first hearing test with my first “official” patient while in graduate school. Such a rush and all I could think of was… WOW! I get to start impacting the community and making a significant difference in lives. This was exciting but at the same time the bar was set high with huge expectations to strive to achieve. With guidance and wonderful mentors I have been able to excel and accomplish my goals. New goals have been set and I can’t wait to see what the future brings!
What has been your favorite YPW experience?
My “favorite” YPW experience is meeting others throughout the community at various locations and finding connections locally through YPW. Overall, YPW has a significant impact within the community. An aspect that I love about that is you can be in so many different locations around Wichita and have a connection with someone you just met. That connection being YPW! To me this has been exciting to be a part of an organization that is so focused and excited about building and continually striving for a better and greater community. Our city is a great city! We take pride!
Find out what YPW member will win the Community Service Award at Founders’ Day on July 29 at Mid-America All-Indian Center.
Thank you to Wesley Medical Center for sponsoring the Distinguished YP Award.
