PILOT Alumni Where are they Now?

PILOT Alumni: Where Are They Now?

CARMEL, NY- In 2013, Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell introduced the Putnam Invests in Young Leaders of Tomorrow (PILOT) program in conjunction with the county legislature. As this year’s chapter comes to an end, interns are using their newly gained skills to help pave the way for their future. The county is now looking back at interns of prior years to shine a light on the impact of the program.

Megan Hoins interned with the Youth Bureau in the summer of 2017.  Her time there allowed her to hone her writing skills, which helped immensely when pursuing her desired career. She now works in California at Crazy Maple Studios, writing and editing stories for a mobile gaming app. Megan shared that the PILOT program gave her critical experience working in teams and collaborating with people of all ages. In this environment, Megan found a secure place to grow and learn as an individual and professional.

Working in the Department of Homeland Security, former intern Richard Casale used his time in PILOT as a stepping stone to his current career. In the summer of 2015, Richard interned in the Legislative office where he gained an understanding of local politics. As a special advisor in infrastructure security at the DHS, Richards utilizes much of what he learned in the program every day. With his position on hold, he is now working towards receiving his master’s degree in business administration from Luiss University in Rome.

The PILOT alumni are not the only ones recognizing the program. Parents have reached out as well to express how much of an impact it had on their children. Two of Brewster resident AnnMarie Chalmers’ children have participated in the PILOT program. She explained that the program gave her children the opportunity to do valuable work within their community and confirm what career paths they wanted to take. She revealed how impressed she was with the environment the program provided, and hopes it continues to supply the same opportunities for students in years to come.