Pictured, from left to right: Larissa Coleman, Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce; Shannon Nelson, Parkview Elementary; Joshua Rogers, Wholesale Supply Group; Jodie Grannan, Park View Elementary; and Sherry Crye, Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce
Wholesale Supply Group and Park View Elementary have formed a new BEST partnership. BEST, which stands for Business & Education Serving Together, is a Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce program that unites the efforts of a business and a local school for the betterment of both.
“Park View Elementary is thrilled about the new BEST Partnership with Wholesale Supply,” said Jodie Grannan, Park View Elementary principal. “Our fifth-grade students completed an ‘Invention Convention’ and the top ideas were then presented to some community members in a ‘Shark Tank’ format. One of the judges was Joshua Rogers, Wholesale Supply district manager. I think this event sparked an interest in working and collaborating together in the future.
We are blessed to have community support and look forward to meeting and investing in this partnership together.”
While the initial goal of the BEST program is to forge affiliations between a local business and school for the benefit of both, the ultimate goal is to help prepare students for the labor force.
The BEST program involves a commitment of time, energy and expertise.
Joshua Rogers, director of marketing and public relations for Wholesale Supply Group, said, "Park View is a school that holds a very special place in the heart of Wholesale Supply Group. Wholesale Supply Group’s Director of Distribution and Logistics, Derek Nelson's wife, Shannon, is the school counselor there. Shannon for many years has had me involved in Reading Days, Park View Elementary Shark Tank, fall festivals, and many other things. When the opportunity arose for us to be able to partner with Park View, we knew that it was a great fit! There are so many wonderful teachers and students out there and we are looking forward to working with all of them!"
Each public school in the Bradley County and Cleveland City School Systems has one or more local business partners. For more information about the program, contact Larissa Coleman at 423-472-6587.