Elizabeth Crenshaw

A local group is seeking nominations for the best young professional and the business that is most accommodating to those individuals.

The Young Professionals Association of Chattanooga began accepting nominations Monday for the young professional of the year and the young professional-friendly business of the year and will continue to take names until July 31, group leaders said.

"We're looking for the best of the best in Chattanooga," said YPAC's president, Kate West. "We're looking for individuals that are well-rounded, that give back to the community and excel at work."

YPAC also is looking for businesses that accommodate under-50 employees with education, enrichment and other benefits, Ms. West said.

This is the third year for the awards. Previous winners have been Charlotte Smith, executive director of the College Access Center, and Lori Jenkins, a manager with Comfort Inns and Suites. Previous business winners have been accounting firm Henderson, Hutcheson and McCullough and insurer Unum.

YPAC has guidelines for both the individual nomination and the business award. The guidelines are on the group's Web site, but mostly they want to recognize individuals who are well rounded, said Elizabeth Crenshaw, a spokeswoman.

"We want someone that is involved in two or more charitable causes in addition to being a big contributor at their day job," she said. "For the business award, we want someone that really caters to the needs of the young professional. That really drives home the point that young people are a driving economic force in Chattanooga."

YPAC, made up of professionals under 50, seeks to link younger members of the work force with the hope of bringing positive change in the city through professional development and leadership training, according to its Web site.