By The Concord Insider - Nov 10, 2015 | 2 comments

That’s Ian West with his wife, Emily. Not pictured is their baby daughter, Violet. We’re kind of surprised it’s not a picture of him running, since it sounds like he does that a lot. (Courtesy photo)

The Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce’s Concord Young Professionals Network (CYPN) introduces you to another “Young Professional of the Month,” Ian West. Thank you to Annika Stanley-Smith who arranged the interview.

How old are you? 32

Where do you live? #concordnh

Where do you currently work? Southern New Hampshire University

Where did you go to school? I spent my formative K-12 years in the ConVal school system in Peterborough, where I was born and raised. After that, I ventured out to Geneva, N.Y., in the heart of the Finger Lakes and attended Hobart and William Smith Colleges, from which I graduated with a BA in Environmental Science. I spent the next year at UNH and graduated from there with an MA in Environmental Education. I also attended the National Outdoor Leadership School for a 94-day excursion in 2009.

What do you like to do for fun? I would say that depends on the season. If it’s summer, fun means paddle boarding, hiking, cycling and running. If it’s fall, fun means hiking, cycling and running. If it’s winter, fun means skiing (downhill and cross country), snowshoeing and running. And if it’s spring, fun means hiking, cycling and running. Did I mention I like to run?

Last book you’ve read? The last book I read for fun was The Martian, by Andy Weir. I haven’t seen the movie yet, but I LOVED the book because I’m a man of science, and that book has a ton of it!

How did you find out about CYPN and how has it benefited your business or you personally? I found out about CYPN through social media almost a year ago, but it took me a few months to start going to the networking events. I’m glad I did start going because for me, that has been where the greatest benefit lies. I love networking with other young professionals in Concord because I get to meet so many awesome people and learn about how all of them came to call Concord home.

Most inspirational person in your life: My wife is the most inspirational person in my life because a little over a month ago she gave birth to our daughter Violet and right now, she is on leave from work for three months to raise her. What isn’t inspirational about that?!

What’s your favorite restaurant in Concord? This is a tough call because there are so many good eats in Concord, but I’ll attempt to break it down by category. Favorite all around: The Barley House. Favorite Classy Establishment: Angelina’s. Favorite Nachos: Hermanos Cocina Mexicana. Favorite Cheese: Wellington’s. Favorite Champagne and Oysters: The Granite Restaurant. I could keep going, but that would be the rest of this article.

What’s your favorite place to go in Concord? This is harder than the restaurant question!

Favorite movie of all time? Jaws. Enough said.

Where is the best place you’ve visited? In 2004 I studied abroad in Australia and New Zealand and I had the opportunity to spend two weeks driving around New Zealand’s South Island. Between the bungie jumping, skiing, surfing, diving and scenery, you can’t go wrong. The South Island, is without a doubt, the coolest place on the planet – besides Concord.

Tell us a few interesting facts about yourself. I have two that few people know about and I think are pretty interesting. The first one is that I have been scuba diving with sharks on The Great Barrier Reef. The second is that I am attempting to get a menu item named after me on The Barley House menu. It’s a Guinness float (Guinness and vanilla ice cream). It’s not on the menu yet, nor is it named after me, but if it sounds good to you, go order one!

The Concord Young Professionals Network (CYPN) is a professional and personal development initiative of the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce. CYPN is a vibrant program that has grown to 2,000 members and promotes networking opportunities for young professionals (generally 22-40s) by helping them make connections in the community and providing them with a professional, casual and non-intimidating setting. Free networking/enrichment events are held on the third Wednesday of every month at various Concord venues. CYPN and the chamber also offer a monthly Lunch & Learn Series on the first Thursday of each month. To learn more, visit concordnhchamber.com or “Like” us on Facebook at facebook.com/concordypn.