From staff reports
Greg Merkel was named Young Professional of the Year at the FLEX Presents awards ceremony held April 1 at the Quality Inn & Conference Center in Franklin.
The FLEX event is held each year by the Young Professionals of the Venango Area Chamber. It is meant to celebrate the achievements of local young professionals who contribute to the community through civic engagement.
There were 10 nominees for this year’s award.
Merkel is an attorney with McFate & Merkel in Seneca. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a juris doctorate degree from the Charlotte School of Law, where he graduated with honors.
Merkel serves as vice president of the board of directors for the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce. He also is a member of the boards for the Venango Museum of Art, Science and Industry, the Oil City Salvation Army, and the Open Door Cafe. He is a member of FLEX and the Petrolia Lodge 363 F&AM.
Merkel is active with the group working to keep the Venango Catholic High School open for students.
He resides in Franklin with his wife, Sarah, and their two young children.
FLEX was founded in 2007 as a working committee under the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce.
