This month’s Volunteer of the Month is Lukas Treu, who works at AKHIA and currently serves as NEO AMA’s Secretary.
Who are you?
Lukas Treu
What is your position within the AMA?
Secretary, Board of Directors
What types of activities are you in charge of?
My “official” duties mainly consist of recording Board minutes and submitting them, along with other official chapter documentation, to Support Center (AMA headquarters). Having served on the Board for several years and being a Past-President, I often pitch in with other administrative initiatives and help make decisions on behalf of the chapter, too
What is your “day job”?
I am a content strategy lead and marketing writer at AKHIA, a P.R. and marketing agency located in Hudson, Ohio.
Why did you join the AMA?
I studied Communication and Psychology in college, but didn’t have much marketing experience when starting my professional career. I began attending events put on by local networking organizations like AMA, AAF and PRSA, and I soon found I was learning the most at AMA events. Besides, AMA has a great mix of marketing pros from corporations, agencies and small businesses, so I have made tons of great contacts (and friends) from diverse professional backgrounds.
What do you love about volunteering?
Attending events is a step in the right direction, as is becoming a member of the AMA. That said, you can’t gain the full benefits the AMA offers until you volunteer! It’s the best way to make friends, grow your network, learn new skills and become invested in the organization. My favorite part about volunteering is the close bonds I’ve formed with other local NEO marketing leaders—some of whom are now long-time friends.
What are your hobbies?
Mixology, cooking, listening to podcasts, tabletop/digital gaming, disc golf, racquetball
What are three interesting facts about you?
- My family has roots in Northern Maine and I’ve traveled almost every year of my life. Look up “New Sweden” on a map… it’s an area inhabited by more moose than people, but it’s beautiful!
- Along with the rest of the AMA NEO Board (Cleveland AMA at the time), I helped organize the first-ever AMA Regional Retreat to be hosted in Cleveland. We had around 50 chapter leaders from other Midwestern cities visit for a weekend, and they left quite impressed by our remarkable city.
- I am also involved in the Leadership Hudson program currently, and I serve as a volunteer in several ministry areas at Christ Community Chapel in Hudson. While AMA has helped me grow my understanding and appreciation of the NEO region, I’m now enjoying doing the same on the super-local level.
What are your career and/or personal ambitions?
I want to continue developing my leadership skills and putting them to use through volunteering engagements, my professional career and side projects. If you’re looking to do the same, I recommend AMA volunteering—especially at the Board level!