Kristopher B. Jones of the Pepperjam Network named Bank of America Young Entrepreneur of the Year

WILKES-BARRE, PA - The Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry, is proud to announce that Kristopher B. Jones, President/CEO of The Pepperjam Network, has been selected as the Great Valley Young Entrepreneur of the Year. The honor, sponsored by Bank of America, is designed to promote the development of future business owners and operators in our region. To be eligible for the award, the nominee had to between the ages of 13 and 30, a resident of Luzerne County and has to either attend school, high school or college, or have successfully completed high school. The entrepreneur also had to have a for-profit business operating in Luzerne County for at least three months, with a customer base of three or more.

Kristopher B. Jones, age 29, obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Penn State University, a Masters Degree from Villanova University and a Law Degree from Albany School of Law. Kristopher developed a gourmet food products, Pepperjam, based on a recipe created by his late Grandmother Jones. In learning how to market Pepperjam, Kristopher educated himself on the emerging medium of online internet marketing. Armed with that education, Kristopher began marketing other company's products and services through online search engines. Soon, The Pepperjam Network had become so large and successful at online marketing, that he needed more people and space to manage his growing business. He now employs 19 people. The Pepperjam Network provides all aspects of online search engine marketing to companies both large and small serving over 1500 companies both regionally and nationally.

Commenting on the Award, Chamber President Donna Palermo states, “Encouraging young people to operate new businesses here at home is key to our region's success into the next century. Kristopher has demonstrated strong business skills and is a true success story. We at the Chamber wish him well in his future endeavors. Ms. Palermo further states, “This is yet another example of regionalization. Working together with the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry, the Great Valley Technology Alliance and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Technology Institute, also the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, who will be acknowledging a Young Entrepreneur Winner in Lackawanna County”.

Stephen Barrouk, President and CEO of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry states, “Kristopher Jones' entrepreneurial success and the success of the Pepperjam Network is truly a testament to the talents and abilities of our greatest natural resource—our young people. As a Chamber, we see it as our job to encourage and celebrate the success of young people like Kris that see the area's potential and are willing to do something to help shape the future.”

Chris Haran, President/CEO of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Technology Institute comments, “Kris and his firm are a glaring example of what happens when you combine entrepreneurial enthrusiasm with a supportive regional business climate. Pepperjam.com is rapidly growing into one of our signature technology companies; one that will be proud to one day say, they started in Northeastern Pennsylvania ”.

Mr. Jones will be honored at the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce's 113th Annual Dinner and Executive Business Exposition on Thursday, May 19th and at an upcoming Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber event.

The Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce unites business and industry with the vast resources of our region in an effort to foster business growth and investment, create quality jobs and improve the quality of life for residents of the Greater Hazleton area.

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