Economic development boosters insist that we need to attract and grow a better-educated, skilled workforce in the region after Louisville and many communities have shifted from manufacturing jobs to more technical skills-based gigs.

Even though Louisville leaders have made a big push to increase the numbers of residents with degrees, the region trails many other mid-sized cities in filling higher paying jobs and attracting the talent needed. It turns out local employers also pay less than in other places where young professionals are flocking.

How does Louisville catch up and ignite a buzz?

Join the CJ’s Grace Schneider as she leads the discussion at this free program with a panel on the front lines: Chris Nation, president of Young Professionals Association of Louisville (YPAL) Stacey Servo, talent attraction and development manager at GLI and the founder of New2Lou. Stacy Griggs, president and CEO of El Toro, a hot internet marketing company.

Stacy Griggs

Stacy Griggs is president, CEO of El Toro, where the bourbon bar is monstrous. El Toro’s rise in the local startup scene has scored it GLI Hot Dozen honors and others. Stacy has led three different organizations recognized on Inc. Magazine’s Inc. 500 list for fastest growing privately-held companies. For balance in his life, he’s a volunteer firefighter in Shelby County. What’s his take on attracting the talent he needs for a tech-based company?

Chris Nation

Stacey Servo

Stacey’s new job at GLI has involved gathering labor statistics that illuminate the challenges and opportunities in growing a better educated, skilled workforce.

She is the Talent Development and Attraction Manager at Greater Louisville Inc. (GLI) and founder of New2Lou, a social resource for newcomers. She is currently helping build a regional talent attraction and retention program at GLI which includes a community branding campaign, online talent toolkit, community on-boarding program, and ambassador program. She is an engineer and entrepreneur with experience in digital marketing, social media management, community outreach, event planning, real estate and sustainability design. She holds a BS degree in Environmental Engineering from the Montana Tech of the University of Montana.