Barnett named PENTA’s Chair of HYPE9 Committee

WESTBOROUGH _ Michelle Barnett, of PENTA Communications, Inc., was recently named HYPE9 Chair for 2011-2012 at the Corridor Nine Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Oscar Awards Breakfast. HYPE9 is an initiative that was developed by the Corridor Nine Chamber of Commerce in 2007 to help connect younger emerging business professionals (21-40 years of age). The Committee meets monthly for a “Brew Before 9,” which includes coffee and networking at a local member’s business, with additional community volunteer projects and networking events throughout the year.

“We are so excited to have Michelle Barnett as the Leadership Chair of the Corridor Nine Chamber’s young professionals group. Michelle has been part of the Advisory Board of HYPE9 since its inception in 2007, and she brings a wealth of ideas and enthusiasm to this group,” said Karen Chapman, vice president of the Corridor Nine Chamber of Commerce. “With Michelle’s leadership and commitment, we believe she can help inspire other young professionals in the region to become actively involved with their community, develop relationships with their own peers, and become future leaders of Corridor Nine and our region.”

“Michelle has been very dedicated to the success of the Corridor Nine Hype9 Committee since its inception and we were so pleased that she was selected as the newly appointed Chair of this vibrant young professionals group,” said PENTA Communications, Inc. CEO, Deborah Penta. “Michelle has been an actively engaged member of the Corridor Nine Chamber of Commerce and has represented our firm at many of its ongoing events. We believe she will be an asset to the Organization in her new and very well-deserved leadership role.”

As an integral part of the HYPE9 Committee, Barnett has worked on numerous projects such as the Community Harvest Project; a toy drive during the holidays that related to each participants’ careers, and various other events.

“HYPE9 offers young professionals a great opportunity to network and make connections in business. I’ve proud to have been involved with HYPE9 since it launched in 2007 and am honored to be able to chair this Committee,” Barnett said. “I look forward to the year ahead.”

Barnett takes over for former Chair Dr. Paul Levine who served from 2007 to 2011.

“I am delighted that Michelle Barnett was recently appointed as Chair of the HYPE9 Committee. She has been an active Board Member in HYPE9 since its inception and has been instrumental in its success. She has many great ideas, and I trust she will do very well in this position,” Levine said.

To find out more information about HYPE9, contact the Corridor Nine Chamber office at 508-836-4444, or visit www.corridornine.org.