Malaysian Entrepreneur Assumes International Presidency of the Young Entrepreneurs' Organization

Vijay Tirathrai First Overseas Leader in Groups 16-Year History

WASHINGTON, DC (PRWEB) July 24, 2003 -- The Young Entrepreneurs' Organization (YEO), the premier, peer-to-peer, global community, network and resource for entrepreneurs, has elected new leadership to continue to steer this rapidly expanding worldwide organization, comprised of more than 5,000 successful business owners under 40.

Vijay Tirathrai of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, will take the reigns as 2003-2004 YEO International President, marking the first time that a member outside of North America will run the organization. Born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, Tirathrai briefly lived in Singapore and the United Kingdom, where graduated from Richmond University in London in 1988. Tirathrai and has been a YEO member since 1996.

He founded the Malaysia Chapter of YEO, chaired two regional conferences, acted as director of the Asia Pacific Region, and started YEO chapters throughout Asia and Europe. Vijay owns and manages Globe Silk Store, a chain of retail department stores in Malaysia. Other entrepreneurial pursuits have included manufacturing and worldwide distribution of cycle helmets. He currently resides in Malaysia with his wife and two sons.

Tom Skelly, of Boston, Massachusetts, steps in as the 2003-2004 International President for the World Entrepreneurs Organization (WEO), YEOs official graduate organization. Skelly, who joined YEO in 1994, owns and operates the Skelly Insurance Agency, Inc., in downtown Boston. The agency provides property and casualty insurance for businesses and individuals.

Skelly is on the Board of the FBI-Boston Citizens Academy, Wellesley County Club, and is an elected official in Wellesley. Skelly lives in Wellesley, Massachusetts with his wife and three children. He has held numerous leadership roles in YEO and WEO, including WEO Chairman for the Boston YEO chapter as well as serving on the YEO International Board of Directors for the past two years.

The complete roster of members serving on YEO/WEOs 2003-2004 International Board of Directors assuming office on July 1 include:

Vijay Tirathrai
YEO International President    
Globe Silk Store
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Sean Magennis
YEO International Past-President            
Axxient, LLC
Dallas, Texas, USA

Ashley Postlewaite
YEO International President-Elect
Renegade Animation, Inc.
Burbank, California, USA

Tom Skelly
WEO International President
Skelly Insurance Agency
Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Ken Priestman
WEO International Past-President
Auto Claimco Corporation
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Brian Hansell
WEO International President-Elect
Ball Harrison Hansell Benefits
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Jayesh Patel
Director-At-Large
Parker Mills & Patel, LLP
Los Angeles, California, USA

Howard Getson
Director-At-Large
Capitalogix
Dallas, Texas, USA

Brien Biondi
Chief Executive Officer
YEO/WEO
Alexandria, Virginia, USA

A historic and profound change occurred at the International leadership level at the start of this fiscal year -- 1 July, 2003. The formerly separate YEO and WEO International Boards of Directors voted to merge under one E" or "entrepreneurial" umbrella, shifting leaders focus from being service providers to being custodians of the vision of the two organizations and expanding the participation of member-leaders throughout YEO and WEO. Under the newly formed "E" umbrella, both organizations will be allowed to grow symbiotically, while leaving room for new entrepreneurial groups to emerge as appropriate.

Tirathrai explains that this new governance approach will be far more effective for all concerned. The new Boards duties and responsibilities are more clearly defined -- providing YEO and WEO member volunteers a more direct, and better-thought out role in which to lead."

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Young Entrepreneurs' Organization (YEO) is a global, nonprofit, educational organization for young entrepreneurs that, since 1987 has helped its members build upon their successes through an array of learning and networking opportunities. With 5,000 members in more than 150 cities, spanning 38 countries, YEO's rapidly expanding membership includes entrepreneurs from every size and type of business.

Membership in YEO is by invitation only and is subject to approval by both YEO International and the sponsoring local chapter. Prospective members must be under 40 years of age and be a founder, co-founder, owner or controlling shareholder of a business with gross annual revenues exceeding US$1 million. Members are encouraged to join the World Entrepreneurs Organization (WEO), YEOs alumni sister organization, after turning age 40. Prospective WEO members must meet similar criteria to that of YEO members, but must join WEO before their 46th birthday.