Yes, the Twinsburg Chamber of Commerce's newest Executive Director, Abby Schroll, is young.

Schroll, 25, graduated Twinsburg High School in 2005 and got her degree in organizational communication from Kent State University in 2009. 

But age is just another number to Schroll, who said she is ready to be the face of the chamber, bringing new ideas and character to the organization.

"People will say, 'You're 25, how did you get this position?'" Schroll said. "It's a lot of motivation."

She replaces Doug Johnson, who held the executive director position for 13 years. Johnson resigned on Aug. 22, spending more time with his own small business.

Schroll just started on Monday, so she hasn't had any comments on her age and her position with the chamber yet, but she is prepared to answer any critic.

"It's just approaching each situation individually," Schroll said. "It will show with the work that I do." 

At the end of her first year, she said, Schroll wants people to look back and say, "Yep, she did it."

She plans to use her age as a strength in her new position, bringing in the "new generation," such as social media. Sites such as Facebook and Twitter are free and an easy way to stay connected with the community.

"Utilizing those tools, like Facebook; constantly keeping it updated and posting photos," she said. Schroll even mentioned creating a smart phone application for the chamber to keep residents updated on upcoming events and news.

Her biggest goal coming into the executive director position is to increase the chamber's notoriety with the community.

"I want the chamber to be so well-known in Twinsburg, that people are coming to us," Schroll said, instead of the chamber always reaching out to local businesses.

"One of the things I've been told is that I'm fearless when I'm talking to people," Schroll said. She believes that will be a major strength as she gets into the community, trying to bring new life into the chamber.

Young, but experienced

While Schroll may be younger, she has had some great career experiences.

While at Kent State, she held an internship in Los Angeles working for Guess Jeans in advertising and public relations. Schroll worked alongside the owners, having ample opportunity to "pick their brains" about working in business.

"They're almost a $1 billion company, so just to sit next to people that important was pretty awesome," Schroll said.

In her department she helped plan events, even rubbing elbows with celebrities and big names in entertainment and fashion.

But Schroll said L.A. was a different world, and while she had a great time, she realized the corporate level wasn't her style. 

After graduating in 2009, it took her about a year to land a full-time job, finally getting in with JOG Our Way in Akron. 

She started as a career and job development specialist, working with at-risk youth, from ages 14-21, helping them develop basic work and life skills.

From there she was quickly promoted to outreach coordinator, going around Akron doing presentations and conferences, helping students build themselves up in various areas from graduating high school to getting into college.

Coming home

Schroll currently lives in Stow and her immediate family in Aurora, but she is a product of Twinsburg.

Her family moved to Twinsburg when she was in second grade, living here for 19 years. She graduated from THS in 2005.

She got her first start in the business world at 16, working at the Dairy Queen on Darrow Road. She even said she and her fiance may be even build a house here in the future.

The newest executive director for the chamber of commerce is committed to the community and its businesses.

Between its historic small businesses, its expanding larger industries and surviving a tough economy, Schroll believes Twinsburg has become a stronger city moving into the future.

"I think Twinsburg is constantly growing and is really becoming a staple community."