The Pick Group is a diverse network of young professionals interested in engaging with and bettering their community while pursuing excellence in their chosen fields. Our membership is uniquely and diversely comprised of career and community minded 21 to 35 year old citizens of Riverside and the surrounding areas working in the business, non-profit, civic, educational, legal, medical, hospitality, and service sectors of our community!

It all started as an idea in the summer of 2007 when a group of friends and associates throughout the community of Riverside, including Matt Shea, Brent Lee, Rob Frye, Rebecca Goldware, and Erin Phillips began talking together about what it would take to keep young professionals in our city and get them involved with one another and with the development of the city into one of the best places to live, work, and play.  It was decided in those early days that Young Professionals needed a space to call their own in the City – something that would draw them out into the community and draw them together not just in pursuing their own benefit but also in owning responsibility for the health and vitality of the community in which they live and work.  Hence the idea for what is now known as “The Pick Group” was brought to life.

These passionate and bright individuals had the foresight to see that the type of citizens they hoped to help foster and bring together in the city had many great local examples in whose footsteps to follow.  A shining star amongst the long list was the late and great Art Pick. Recognized regularly as an accomplished and dedicated leader and servant to the City of Riverside, Art Pick’s life and career embodied the ethos of  engagement that is needed in the City, and hoping to follow in Art Pick’s footsteps, leaving a deep imprint on the culture and development of Riverside the group was named after him.

This new group of friends and partners quickly began pulling together a framework from which others could build in developing this much needed space for Young Professionals and for the City; and they began calling their friends to see if they’d like to help.

The first official meeting was held in February 2008 – where the idea for The Pick Group was shared to see if there was any interest in such a group.  To everyone’s delight, over 55 Young Professionals showed up that night just to check out this new possibility and to weigh in on  their involvement, and the night was nothing short of magical! Young Professionals from all different backgrounds and industries stood up around the room exclaiming our city’s need for such a group, their pleasure regarding such an opportunity, and their commitment to make it happen.  So a board was formed (Including President, Erin Phillips; 1st Vice President, Damien O’Farrell; 2nd Vice President, Rob Frye; Treasurer, Brent Lee; Secretary, Suzi Larson; and Board Members Luke Carrrier, Matt Shea, Rick Hartstock, Leslie East, Rebecca Goldware, Jennifer O’Farrell, Arron Hake, Ana Yeager, and Anthony Griffin) and the work began! From that point forward The Pick Group’s commitment to personal and professional excellence coupled with our value for community and civic engagement has drawn them together to enhance the professional, social, and civic climate of our community while cultivating the leaders of today and tomorrow.

In the course of it’s inception period (2/08 – 8/08) and launch year (9/08-8/09), The Pick Group has proven itself effective in creating a culture of opportunity and engagement amongst young professionals in Riverside, evidenced by the increasing number of Picksters sitting on boards and commissions, serving on exclusive steering committees, socializing, and receiving special invitations for employment and career advancement.  Our Founding year (9/09-8/10) is on track to solidify this foundation and secure a sustainable future for the organization.

These foundational years have not been shy of activity by any means. Some of that activity has included the formation of committees, a Board Development Training Program, an awareness campaign regarding our city’s homeless issues, Professional Development events, social events, and numerous projects with local non-profits; and some of it has included the diligent work of the Board of Directors behind the scenes clarifying the Pick Group’s Mission, Vision, and Core Values.