FROMONLINE | 2013-05-10

  • By Tami Lange
  • May 10, 2013
  • 334
                        
By Tami Lange About 10 years ago, Justin Starlin was only sure of what he didn’t want to do. A Kent State University education major, Starlin said he was driving home after a day of student teaching. Just shy of graduation, he said, he had pretty much determined teaching wasn’t going to be for him. “So,” he said, “I talked to my best friend and adviser – my father,” who reassured him that he would at least have a college degree. Now the challenge would be to go out and find something he was passionate about. He’d already spent his summers working for the City of Wooster Maintenance Division, where he did everything from drive a dump truck to fill potholes. “Every day was different,” he said. “I liked the camaraderie of all the guys.” In 2003, he took a risk and volunteered at City Hall, which eventually turned into a paying position as Wooster’s economic development administrator. Starlin said he discovered his real passion was “assisting businesses with any issues they have.” Then-city administration director Mike Sigg let Starlin handle his first projects: tax incentives for downtown businesses, expansion of liquor licenses available to downtown restaurants, legislation related to outdoor dining guidelines. He worked closely with developers Mike Rose and Bill Erdos and with Main Street Wooster executive director Sandra Hull. “I was excited to come to work every day,” he said. Starlin developed such a love for the business community that when Jeff Griffin announced late in 2012 that he was stepping down as president of the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce, “It seemed like a natural progression to at least put my name in the hat.” At 31, Starlin says he now feels the Chamber is where he really wants and needs to be. After five months on the job, he admits he’s still feeling his way – giving lots of presentations, working with business leaders and the Chamber staff – all of whom he already knew after years at City Hall. “I am passionate about the positive things happening in Wooster,” said Starlin. “I get excited about further development in Wooster.” With 800 members, Starlin said a lot of his time has been spent just getting out and meeting people, some of whom, he admits, may see his young age as a liability. “It initially hurts me,” he said, although he was quick to note he doesn’t lack experience in putting together business deals both large and small. As an example he cites his work on helping to get the funding to launch the BioHio Research Park. Still, he says he works extra hard on earning respect and being responsible and responsive. “And showing a true belief in the community helps, too,” he added. Some of his relationship in the business community are more than professional. Starlin’s brother, Shawn, is a project manager with the Wayne Economic Development Council, at the opposite end of Liberty Street from the Chamber building. Justin Starlin and WEDC President Rod Crider also have worked together, but now, Starlin jokes, “the WEDC is blood.” In the future, Starlin said, the Chamber is going to focus on “day-to-day, face-to-face business retention,” as well as on the large slate of offerings and events for both the business community and the Wooster community at large – everything from WoosterFest to the Safety Council to Leadershi p Wooster (of which he is a graduate). Starlin is continuing his education through the International Economic Development Council, with an eye toward earning the Certified Economic Developer (CeED) designation, a distinction already held by Crider. He still speaks with both Griffin and to his old boss, Sigg, who he says is a top-notch adviser when it comes to strategic planning and creative problem solving. “I know I’m blest,” Starlin said, to be in a city he loves. Besides, he said, “All my friends and family are in Wooster.” And he sees little reason to think he’ll be anywhere else. He and his wife, Danielle, “are vested in the community,” Starlin said. “We want to raise kids here. We want to retire here.”


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