S3E26: YMI Talking to Alex Knauss from Capital Blue Cross

The Season 3 finale of YMI Talking is here!

We’re closing out the season with Alex Knauss from Capital Blue Cross and Chair of the Young Professionals Council. We talk about what it means to be a young professional in the Lehigh Valley, why getting involved matters, and how building real connections can shape your career.

Huge thanks to Zekraft for sponsoring Season 3 and for bringing plenty of laughs with our “Sip Happens” segment, where guests shared some of their most embarrassing stories.

Season 3 might be wrapping up, but we’ve got some exciting things in store. Stay tuned!

For more info on YMI insurance visit our website at ymiagency.com

Or give us a call at 610-868-8762 to see how we can better protect your business and family.

Transcript

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Yeah, I love this area, but to, to be honest. So I like can't just say like I love the Lehigh Valley and like, I always wanted to be here. I mean, I was like a stubborn kid. I like, couldn't wait to like, get the hell out to be honest with you. And it's like, I think, it's a similar story that that we hear locally, and it's like, I couldn't wait to graduate. I couldn't wait to go to college. I couldn't wait to move out of my parents house. I couldn't wait to get out of the Lehigh Valley, which I did. Yeah. I moved to Philadelphia for a couple years, and then you know, you get there and you're like, oh, you know, the Lehigh Valley is actually pretty nice. It's great. It's kind of got everything that I really was looking for the whole time. Yeah. But as, like, irresponsible kid, you know, you don't necessarily think that way, and you don't want to listen to your parents. You know, you kind of have to learn those things for yourself, which ultimately what I did Welcome to YMI Talking! A podcast where the guests are so good you'll wonder why the host is even talking. In each episode, you will hear one of the leaders of the Lehigh Valley’s vibrant business hub. They will tell you the keys to their success, the mistakes they've made, and what they have in store for the future. Here is the host of YMI Talking, from YMI Insurance, Jimi Honochick. Yes, this is it season three finale and we are closing it off on an awesome note. When I said that, Emily, I expected confetti to pop out and boom boom boom lasers. All right, well, we'll talk about that all. This episode is gonna be incredible. We started season three off with the president of the APC, which is the Young Professionals Committee. For the chamber. At that time, it was Krista Barrett. Ellie. But we have the new chair. And this is a guy I've known for a few years now. He is everywhere. He's a genuine human being and someone I've been trying to get on the show and so excited to have him out now. Thank you so much for being here, Jimmy. I appreciate it. Thank you so much for having me. I we said this offline. I'd say, like, absolutely insane that you're having Alex Canals wrap up, the season three. On the finale episode here I was looking at some of your past guests, and there's Andre Reed, there's the owner of Jacko's, which is just, like, absolutely insane. And then Natalie Dawes, Haim are obviously your last guests. Who's currently on the IPC board, which is great. And I mean, she is just has more energy than all three of us. Probably. That's like she just like, has the zoomies. I slept for three days after she. Yeah, I, I believe. Oh but but no, I mean, thank you so much for having me. And we've known each other for a couple of years now, and you've really made quite a name for yourself here in the Valley. And it's good to me it's not a good name, but I'm glad there's a name. People know about it. No, you are, like I said, a really incredible person. I, I believe we met at a chamber event, which does not shock me at all. That would you. That's a great question for me. I think it was a get the most out of your membership thing. And then it was we went up to, what's the restaurant at the top in Bethlehem says thank you, zest. Yeah. You don't actually have to remember because I thought it was like a little bit of a joke because there's like a million. Yes. Yeah. I don't even like that. It's like, what event was it last week? I couldn't tell you. Well, it meant a lot to me. Oh, no, I, but, you know, there's always events going on. We're always at them. How do you, you know, find the time. How do you figure out what's important, how have you kind of prioritized that aspect of your life? To be honest, Jimi, it's it's exhausting, really. I mean, I like, face value right now. I'm. I'm running on a bunch of caffeine. It's. I think it's hard to be in a lot of, places at the same time. But I think they're important places to be. I think being involved in the community is is extremely important. The Lehigh Valley has awarded me, a lot of opportunity here. And I. I feel as though that I am in debt to, not only some of the leaders here in the Lehigh Valley, but also the community. So I think it's important for me to to show up and and do my part and volunteer and, and contribute to something that's, that's kind of bigger than myself. I love that, and I think a lot of people sort of feel that way. And you are born and bred Lehigh Valley, right? Yes. So I, I've pretty much lived here my whole life. I grew up, locally in center Valley. My parents still live in the same house. Where? In the Hunter Valley. So, because that's where I am. Yeah, I'm like, kind of right on the border of, like, Southern Lehigh and Sorkin's. Okay, like black River road. Yep. I grew up there. I went to Saucon Valley. I was just telling you off line. Also, like, great experience at Saucon. Really close with a group of guys from high school and girls, we were the first senior class to go kindergarten through 12th grade in the same school district. So really blessed to have a great, strong, you know, group of friends were still, very in touch. A lot of them, you know, don't necessarily live locally anymore, but, their presence is definitely felt. And, Yeah, I love this area, but to, to be honest. So I like can't just say like I love the Lehigh Valley and like, I always wanted to be here. I mean, I was like a stubborn kid. I like, couldn't wait to like, get the hell out to be honest with you. And it's like, I think, it's a similar story that that we hear locally, and it's like, I couldn't wait to graduate. I couldn't wait to go to college. I couldn't wait to move out of my parents house. I couldn't wait to get out of the Lehigh Valley, which I did. Yeah. I moved to Philadelphia for a couple years, and then you know, you get there and you're like, oh, you know, the Lehigh Valley is actually pretty nice. It's great. It's kind of got everything that I really was looking for the whole time. Yeah. But as, like, irresponsible kid, you know, you don't necessarily think that way, and you don't want to listen to your parents. You know, you kind of have to learn those things for yourself, which ultimately what I did and I read an article recently that was basically that, and the Lehigh Valley benefits because people do move away and they go and they get these great experiences from elsewhere, whether it's Chicago or LA or New York, and they they develop themselves professionally. But then they do realize that it's such a great place and they come back, and now they're bringing all of that here to the Lehigh Valley. And so we're better for that experience. Yeah. And I think what's also really cool about the Lehigh Valley is it's not this massive city. But but it's not small either. Right. It's like kind of like the perfect medium. It's a, it's a city in which, like, a person like Alex Canals could have a name, whereas I don't know that that I'd have that ability in a bigger city, like like the Philadelphia's or, you know, especially the New York's, you know, and nobody would know who I am, but but but the Lehigh Valley is just the perfect size, to where you can really build out a strong foundation and your personal brand, you know, kind of just here locally, which is. Which is awesome. Yeah, 100%. So let's talk about. All right. You finish up at Saucon and now we know where you are. How do you get from there to there. So I graduated from Saucon. You know, I was never I was never a good student. I just didn't didn't necessarily apply myself, throughout high school. So, you know, my parents knew that they were like, you're, you know, not going anywhere. You're staying at home, you're going to community college, which, by the way, North Hampshire Community College is one of the best to this day, like one of the best college experiences I've had. It's so good. And like, I don't talk about it enough on here, but I think it's really an underrated gem for the Valley. And, you know, a lot of their professors are like adjunct professors there. They're working full time in their respective industries. You know, they're they're teaching part time, you know, in the evenings. And, it just a great experience. So I go to Northampton. Still not a great suit. I really wanted to go to Westchester. I wanted to transfer to Westchester after two years at NAC. I didn't get into Westchester. I got into temple. So I was like, all right, I'm going to temple. Yeah, I went to orientation at temple. Going to temple bought a bunch of swag. Came home that day and my acceptance of Westchester was on the table and I was like, all right, I guess I'm going to Westchester. So I went to Westchester, spent a year there. I think at the time, you know, when you're looking for, like, high paying, you know, as, like a I don't even know how old I was, you know, 20 at the time. I was like, you know, highest paying jobs for college graduates, right? Was like computer science software engineers. And I was like, oh, that's perfect. That's what I'm gonna do. I never excelled in math. So I went to Westchester for computer science and, very quickly found out that that was definitely not for me. I struggled a lot. Ultimately, after a year at Westchester, I basically failed out, kind of hit the bottom, came home, went back to my parents house, which was, like, devastating for me. Yeah. I enrolled back at Northampton Community College. I was like, you know, I have, like, two classes left to get my general studies degree or whatever it was. And I was at the promenade jobs and I was with a buddy were a couple of my buddies were in a similar situation. We all ended up kind of back at community college at the same time. And, we were like, I was like at the Fresh Market. And I was we were just going to get like a part time gig just to kind of like, get through the rest of college. And, I saw, like, kind of Capital Blue, like the sky's kind of just like, opened up. And I saw, like, Capital Blue. It was like a new thing in the promenade. And my dad had like an insurance background. And I called him up. I was where like gym shorts. And I was like, hey, like insurance Capital Blue Cross. I was like, what is that? It was like, you know, would that be, you know, good for me to look for an opportunity. I was like, you know, I pulled up my phone, they had an internship that was posted. I was like, can I just go in? He's like, oh, yeah, I don't know. I was like a worm gym shorts. He's like, yeah, probably not. So, I went, I went home, I applied it was so any insurance industry, which I'm sure you're familiar with, like health is might be a little bit different. We call it the cool industry's Coolidge, which is crazy. So, I mean, like, it's nice that there's another insurance person here. Yes. We could just talk about how cool insurance is. Yeah. It's like basically what I wanted to do my whole life. I just grew up and I was like, I want to sell. I'm sure everyone does. Yeah. And then they give up on their dreams at some point in their life. Exactly. So open enrollment is in the fall, busiest time of year. Most groups renew, you know, 12 111 and so capital had an internship posted for the fall and most college all all college kids, with the exception of pretty much myself are back at school during that time. So I apply for this internship, I show up, I'm the only person that applied. So they're basically forced to hire me. And it was a three month internship to, my my bosses there, Rose and Heidi, like to, like, they're like family to me at this point. Like, I feel like they, like, raised me. Yeah. Because, like, you know, at that age, you know, you still like them, don't necessarily want to listen to what your parents are saying. So then, like, you know, like, I feel like they kind of, like, raised me. They were like my work mom. So, like, I still like, I just popped into the store today to say hi to Rose. But, yeah, my internship was like three months long. They were like, look, we don't have a job for you. I was like, I'm whatever. And then, like, they just never got rid of me. I just, like, I ended up interning there for a year. I was like, well, at this point, I might as well go get my health and life license, which I did. Yeah. All of a sudden there was like a job available. So I just kind of moved, into an entry level sales job down at the, the retail store on the promenade. And that's kind of really where it all started for me. And it's been great. That's an amazing story. I feel like we do so many of these interviews and they follow the traditional path right where it's I graduated college, I got the first job, I got the second job, and now here I am in my established profession. Yours could have gone in so many different directions, right? You failed out of college. You're back home. You know, you can see that going in in any direction. And you found the path that made sense. Almost felt like it was destined just to happen. I, you know, it. It's it was a lot of luck. Yeah. You know, and and even at the time at the Capitol, like, I was, I was young, I was so young, I was, you know, 21 years old. Most of my buddies were still in college, and all of a sudden I had this, like, full time gig. Yeah. Which ultimately, like I said, it was it was truly, like, the best thing that ever happened. I ended up going back to to Penn State, Lehigh Valley, which was across the street. I kind of found it. It allowed me to find a little bit of a passion for school. I was like, ooh, health care. Like, this is really interesting. The triple aim theory, like increasing access to care, increasing quality while reducing costs. I was like, that's fascinating. Like, I want to like. I mean, that's like the million dollar question that nobody can solve. But I was like, this is great. Like, I want to be a part of this. Yeah. So I yeah, I graduated from, from Penn State, continue to, to work at Capitol. And here we are now. Yeah. Capital Blue Cross. And it's been incredible. Talk to me about capital kind of what makes them unique, what has kept you there and kind of in love with capital? The people. Yeah, the people of capital are, unlike, a lot of the people. I mean, they're they're like, I, I've met The Lehigh Valley of so many great people. Capital has a lot of great people as well. It's just been an extremely excellent organization to work for, from from top to bottom. The flexibility at Capital is, is incredible. Just giving you know, we had this conversation offline like the ability for young professionals like myself just giving them the ability to go out and do things like, yeah, I mean, this is like, this is my first podcast, but like, so to be on a podcast or to go out to chamber events to get involved in the community, it's just a a really unique opportunity where I get to go out and not only represent Capital Blue Cross and promote the Capital Blue Cross brand, but but I also get to go out and promote the Alex Canals brand, which I think a lot of people might not have the opportunity to do at their respective organizations. Yeah. And that's that's great. There's some sort of autonomy there. Yeah. The Alex Canals Brown brand is pretty awesome. It talk to me about where it is at this point, you know. Yeah, you could be, you know, capital and just kind of sit behind your desk and do your thing. But that's not who you are. So who is Alex Canals? And what's the brand? I like to look, I like to I like to get out. I like to be present. I like to show up for the community. You know, like I said, this, this community has afforded me a lot of opportunity. So I, I do feel in debt a little bit to the Lehigh Valley, which is why it's easy for me to get out and volunteer and serve on boards and, and put the time and, and on on committees and, and really that's, that's kind of where like the PC comes in and it's just been such a incredible experience for me. It's, you know, people when they when they hear that I'm the, the chair of the, the young professionals Council, I mean, it's people people think it's a big deal. I'm like, look like I just I'm like the just the guy that that's the chair. It's really for me. It's it's cool to bring it. A bunch of different people together like that are a lot smarter than me a lot, you know, some of them a lot cooler than me. A lot. Some of them are better looking than me. A lot more creative than me. And I think that's like, really? What's important is, like, I'm just surrounded by so many great people that are better than me and really a lot of aspects, which makes my life extremely easy. That is 100% my secret as well. Like, I just surround myself with people who are better than me, which is a low bar. It's pretty easy to do, but it still makes it a better organization 100%. Well, like, you know, a lot of people I think that don't want to do that. Yeah. Like, you know, my ego isn't that me and, you know, might be a little vague sometimes, but it's it's, you know, I, I, I think that's, you know, kind of key to being a good leader is to surround yourself with people that are better than you. As far as, the Alex Cohen brand, what else do we got? I'm a outside of, you know, the professional space. Like, I'm like an off the grid kind of guy. I've noticed because I follow you on Instagram. Yeah. And you're not off of Instagram, but it's very clear that you are off the grid while you're while you're outside of work. Yes. So I, I'm a big fly fisher. Yeah. So I will kind of do. Can I ask? Yeah. I've always thought I would love fly fishing. Yeah. Do you have to be, like, patient and client? Yeah. I don't think I would know your thing. Yeah. No, I, I enjoy being, like, the piece. Yeah. I will say since Covid, it's like the sports kind of like blown up. And now I like go down to like a little league and there's like 20 people. Yeah. Like what. So like yeah. Now now I got to like I have a group of buddies. We, we go on, these kind of elaborate fishing trips with. We could be like, last year we went to Maine. We hiked in the Baxter State Park, and, wow, backpacked, like, ten miles in, stay there for, like, four days. Yeah. And a lean to. I don't know if you know. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. People some people are fascinated by that term. It's basically like a shelter that's just like open. It's it's covered on three sides and it's. Yes, open. So yeah, we slept there. Yeah. Four nights. So what time of year? Summer. Okay. Yeah. The most beautiful scenery probably I've ever seen. The stars. I mean, like, the sky is. You can just, like, look up and see a shooting star at any given moment. There's, like, moose roaming around your camp and in the water with you. It's just like, this is the craziest thing I've ever seen. Yeah, obviously. Yeah. I like, I like the an outside. Now I did spend some time in Philadelphia and I think that kind of ties into like what, what drew me back to the Valley. I like to well first of all I like I like being able to like use a car and have a car. I also like to be able to access things like, you know, golf courses, streams, parks, things that are accessible in Philly. But, more of a time restraint. Yeah. So, you know, I felt like, you know, if you want to go to Dolphin Philadelphia, I mean, you're just committing an entire day to doing that, right? Which in the Lehigh Valley, it's. And, you know, I could go down to Bethlehem 85 minutes away, you know, get a tee time and and play some golf. Yeah. So, you know, the Lehigh Valley just has so many things that are so accessible. Whereas in a city you might not have that. Yeah. No, I agree 100%. Your board experience let's you were talking a little bit offline. You know, you are now the chair of the IPC. Talk to me about the path to get there. It was not linear. Yeah, I mean, similar, kind of a similar story. So, when I moved into, you know, I spent some time at the retail store at capital, and I eventually moved to the commercial sales team and, you know, being on the commercial sales team at capital, I mean, like I said, the people are just like, you're surrounded by so many high performing people. I'm like, how on earth am I ever going to, you know, like stand out in this room of, you know, 50 commercial sales people? A lot of people sat on boards and I was like, all right, I'm like 25 years old. Was like, I need to be on a board for 26. Whatever it was, I was like, I need to get on board. I didn't know anything about board service. Like nothing. I just started like I was online. I was applying to all kinds of different boards. I think I had, like, I wrote a letter to the Bethlehem Library like, hey, like, you know, I put this, like, really well-written letter together. I want it to be on the board and nobody ever got back to you. It's a big surprise. And you know that I stumbled across, like, the Young Professionals Council. And, you know, to be honest, at first I was I was a little skeptical. I was like, yeah, you know, yeah, sounds a little dorky and lame, and I don't really have interest in making new friends. And I was like, yeah, whatever. So I applied. I sent an application to be on the board and, you know, similar story. They basically reached out to me, you know, like like who are. Yeah. I was like, yeah, yeah. Wow. And they, they're like, hey, you know, there's you know why don't you like start coming to events or, you know, you can get involved in some committee work. And I was like, wow. Yeah, that's sounds like a great idea. So My first event I went to it was at Seven Sirens and it was called like a Yappy Hour so you could bring your dog, which is great because I had, like a one year old dog at the time. Okay. Golden Lab. And I took him to this event. I met a lot of great people. Like, that's where I had met Krista, and I just really just started showing up. After that, I was like, I had a great time. I met a lot of cool people. Collect a little out of business cards. Joined like the events committee, started talking about, you know, upcoming events, planning them with the chamber. And I was having a great time. And, you know, next thing you know, the chamber, probably 4 or 5 months later, they reached back out to me and said, hey, are you still interested to be on the board? I was like, yeah, absolutely. So, you know, I was added to the board and, you know, really the rest is is kind of history. Krista, what has been and, you know, during my time on the board and through today, like, a huge mentor for me, not only personally, but also, professionally and she kind of, you know, twisted my arm and didn't really give me a choice when, you know, she asked me to to step into the vice chair role as she was going to serve as chair. And it's been incredible. And it's awesome. I it's funny because when you think of you versus Krista, Krista strikes me as the exact same sort of person who would chair the IPC, right? Yeah. And then you like you said, you're kind of off the grid. Yappy Hour and Alex Canals don't necessarily sound like they go together, but I think that's the beauty of the IPC is it is bringing people of all different backgrounds. And in that way, like, you are almost the perfect sort of person to kind of give it a more diverse view. Yeah. It's, you know, we really try to be this like almost melting pot, this inclusive place kind of for everybody. You know, we recognize that the Lehigh Valley is one of those places. I mean, there's so many massive employers that, you know, the, the, the economy here in the Lehigh Valley is booming. I mean, Eli Lilly is building a massive facility. You got to bring a ton of jobs here, you know, and with that comes, you know, a lot of times younger people from other areas. So, you know, the whole purpose of the IPC is to give people like that an outlet or a place to come, a place to feel comfortable, a place to to meet some new people. And, you know, like I said, I really had no interest in making any friends. So I got there. You know, I honestly that's just like the type of guy that I am. And now they're like some of my best friends. You know, there's a lot of people that are on the board or involved in the IPC that are some of my closest friends now, you know, after after four years, which I would have never expected. And something you said there kind of struck me and stood out to me, which was, you know, you got rejected from the IPC and they said, get involved. And that's a theme. I think whether it's the chamber or anywhere really is don't ask for things right. Like I want to be on your board if you're not willing to give and get involved. Would you say that that is your experience as well? That is my experience with, pretty much across the entire Lehigh Valley. Yeah. I think like the Lehigh Valley is I don't I can't I don't know if we said this off line or at the beginning of the interview, like the The Lehigh Valley is one of those places like you get out of it what you put in. Like, you could put a ton into this place and it's going to reward you. Or you can kind of sit on the sidelines. I mean, it's there's there's no harm, no foul in doing that, people are different. But the Lehigh Valley is truly, you know, kind of like a little local land of opportunity here. There's there's so much here. I think really what's cool is, is how, accepted, like the young professionals are in this area, like, I don't know, you know, I follow like, some other young professional’s accounts and, you know, different cities. I don't know that that's the case. Like, for us, you know, we have our leadership summit tomorrow, which is like our our annual pretty big marquee event. And every single year I'm just amazed at some of the, some of the biggest leaders in the Lehigh Valley that are willing to take four hours out of their day to come and spend time to talk to, you know, kind of the next generation of leaders. I think that's that's really important. And it's just not something that that you see all the time. And then and then, you know, people like yourself, where you run an organization and, you know, Emily here, you know, you she had mentioned offline as well, like, you know, her second day on the job. You're like, hey, you should go to this IPC event. Yes. You know, like, that's just that's to you that seems, common or easy, but I, that's I just don't that's not necessarily the case. I think on a, on a broader scale, you know, most a lot of young professionals like have to, to earn their seat at the table. You know, we're not always, you know, welcome. You can't just go to a chamber event, you know, and

have a cocktail at 12: 26:55

00 or whatever. You know, whatever the case is. It's it's something that's earned, which I think there is a place for that. But just giving, giving somebody like Emily the ability to to get out, meet new people, get involved in these events, especially for somebody that isn't from this area originally, I think is huge. Yeah. That's because other people know how to run a good organization. Just having it here. Yeah. You've done I mean look at since you, since you've, you've taken this over and I'm sure your date, your dad did an excellent job here, you know, just kind of building the foundation. But I mean, this is like respect your big time. Now, I appreciate that I don't take compliments. So we're going to keep moving there. I would be remiss if I didn't mention that we are sponsored by Z. Kraft, who you know very well. Actually, I do know very well they are in the Capitol building or, office in the promenade. They are, the amount of ice Americanos that I've had from there. Yes. As you go there and, you know, you get, coffee, you get a nice Americano, and you have a sip, but sometimes sip happens and things don't go the way you want them to. I think I know where you're going with this story, and this might be our best ever sip happens. I don't know about that, so I look, I was I was prepped, I was, I was PR trained for this question. I actually, you know, I talked to Natalie. I listen to her podcast, you know, sip happens that I've thought about it for a while and, like, have I'm like, what's what's appropriate to tell on a professional podcast or sip happen. And I just so you know, Christa did not tell something appropriate. The whole thing I got cut out of it, which is hilarious. So, I was like, man, I just, I really don't I really couldn't think of anything. And, I'm getting in my car this morning and I have my coffee and I have a Jeep. So sometimes it's like, if you really don't commit to, like, really, like, launching your full body in there, like, you know, sip could happen. And, I basically I dumped my coffee on my entire leg, and I have, like, white pants on, so I didn't even change them. I was like, oh, this is perfect. Yes. Yep. SIP does happen. And, it was kind of just, the timing of it was a little bit insane, considering I didn't have a story to tell. And then it's coffee. It's an embarrassing story. You brought the receipts? Yeah. On the season finale, pair of pants. So I'm really hoping that I can get the coffee. Stay out of these pants. I believe in you. Yeah. That's awesome. Well, one thing I wanted to hit that we didn't talk about, you know, it goes back to maybe the resilience, which we haven't talked about as sort of a part of the Alex Canals brand. We talked about, you know, you had basically failed out of college or back home to where you are today. You are getting your MBA at Lehigh. I mean, do you sit back and kind of take a little bit of pride in what you've accomplished? Yeah. It's it's it's it's it has really been cool that I mean, even the Lehigh thing was kind of we had a IPC event at Lehigh. Yeah. They hosted the IPC. It was just kind of like I was like, I have no interest in getting an MBA. And, you know, I had like two old fashions. And, you know, I started talking to, their director of admissions. He's like, yeah, you should apply. And I was like, do I need to upload my transcripts? He's like, yeah. And I was like, oh boy. So I it was kind of like it was like, I like to be challenged. And it was kind of like a challenge for me. I was like, I want to see if I can get into Lehigh. Like, I could have never gotten into Lehigh. For undergrad. Yeah. Impossible. Yeah, yeah. So I was like, you know what? I'm going to try to get into Lehigh. And, you know, I had to get a bunch of letters of recommendation. I think ultimately, at the end of the day, they're just happy to take my money. But, I was like, I wasn't even sure if I was going to get in. And then next thing you know, I got in and I'm like, well, I guess I'm going back to school. And yeah, that's kind of what I've been doing. It's been it's been great. I, you know, this area is like there's no shortage of great universities there. So Burg, which Emily had gone to, there's the sales, there's Moravian. Yeah. And yeah, I mean, it's just insane. There's so many in this headset, man. It's killing me like. Oh, yeah, I like the world's smallest hat. So, guests have asked for adjustable headsets forever, and I have not given in time demands. I mean, I'll say it now. I'm an awful host. I just don't take care of my guests. I, I run a mean ship here, but. Yeah. Yeah. No, this is great. But, to your point, yeah, there's there's some pride in that. I think, you know, my whole brand or demeanor typically. You know, I'm really sarcastic and, you know, like, kind of self, you know, I said, you know, at the at the expense of, like, a joke or something, but it's, No, I, I do take, take pride in that. And I do recognize that, you know, there is hard work that that's gone into that. And, you do have to show up. You have to you know, when you commit to something, you know, you have to do it. Like I said, I don't know why the heck I'm on this podcast that you're asking me to be on this podcast and saying, you know, it's uncomfortable for me, to be in this environment. I certainly haven't been. It's uncomfortable for me to get up and speak as the chair of the IPC. But, you know, at the same time, I had a I had a boss at one of my first bosses at capital, and, you know, he always pushed me into uncomfortable situations because, you know, he wanted to see me grow and develop and, and I think once you kind of recognize that, that that's what you've, what it is that you're doing it, it makes it way easier. And I think that is really important. You go back to the VPC event I sent Emily to, where she was like, I don't know anyone there. And I was like, I know. Yeah, I know. Well, we were talking before you came in. Like she's like, yeah, you know, I was texted a couple of people that really texted me, like, are you going to Leadership Summit? Yeah, the people that she's met. Like, which, which is really cool for me to see. I need to do a better job. I'm a little bit of an introvert. I need to do a better job. You know, when I first showed up at the IPC, I didn't know anybody either. Now I know a lot of people. Yeah. It's like now, you know, I find myself getting comfortable and like, gravitating towards people that I already know which, which I shouldn't be doing is a charitable IPC. I think I need to, I need to be a little bit more present and proactive and really making an effort to, to meet, more people. And I love that and talk to about, you know, what it is the IPC is and really kind of what it's done for me. That's great. Anything we didn't hit that. You want to hit anything? You know, kind of. What's next for you? What's next for me? You know, I don't know. Yeah. I feel like five years. Ten years, I don't know. I'd like to retire Capital Blue Cross. I really. Well, I think I think, Capital Blue has been a great organization. The people have been so good to me. You know, I once again, I kind of feel like in debt to them. They've put me through school to put me through another grad program, which is just like, incredible. Yeah. I've been so good to me. I'd love to be there forever. You know, also, if I could really redo life, honestly, like, I have, like, a crazy passion for for cooking and food. Really. Like a food truck. Like a cheeseburger. Food truck. Like that sounds freaking sweet. Yeah, that sounds sweet. I don't know if that's, like, in the cards I've dabbled with, like, you know, the very beginning stages of a business plan and, like, trying to come up with a name. But that's literally what I'm doing right here, right now. So I'm trying. It is hard. And trust me, I've thought about it for like, way too long. It's like I get, like, really hung up on stuff like that. Like, I can't, like, that's like the lease. I can't have my truck because I can't come up with them. That's like the most important part is the name. Yeah. And like, if I don't have the name, like, I can't proceed with anything. Yeah. So until I get the name, the idea really isn't going to go anywhere. But one of these days, maybe I'll get a name, maybe I'll have a food truck and maybe I'll be, like, slinging burgers. And we have Ali. I, you know, we love food people here, so we cannot wait for that. We will have you back on the podcast then, for sure. Awesome. You have to bring burgers though. Oh I will, I'll probably like the black, I don't know, maybe a little bit of fire hazard in here, but, we've got insurance that. Yeah. Oh. Yes, yes. All right. Anything else then? Oh, I think that's it I have. Are we done? Yeah. We're I've just babbled 30 minutes. It was awesome though. I mean, this was you kind of symbolize everything that I wanted this podcast to be. You are Lehigh Valley. You are out there in the business community. You are chairing the young professionals like you are. You're truly the definition of what we want on this podcast. So you do so much for the community. And, I'm just gonna take a minute to thank you for everything you do. Well, thank you. And, you know, like I said, I appreciate your leadership. I appreciate what you do for this community. And, you know, you certainly act as a good role model for not only, you know, people like myself younger, you know, the next generation, but you know, your, your staff and and I think that's, that's, you know, you're doing a great job and, and you know, it seems like you're I only was talking very highly of, of you. And I pay her before every, every one of these. Yeah. So, we will cut this because I don't take compliments. I'm good about. I'm bad at taking those, too. Yeah. So. No. Alex, thank you so much. Again, thank you for everything you do. And thanks for coming on here, man. Absolutely, Jimmy. Thanks for having me. for listening to another episode of the Why Am I talking podcast. If you enjoyed this and want to hear more content from amazing personalities in the Valley, please subscribe. Leave a rating and drop us a quick review.