Paul E. CARR

Program Specialist

CENTRAL NEW YORK HEALTH SYSTEMS AGENCY

* Age: 38

* Do you have ideas to attract and keep youth in the Syracuse area? Create better-paying jobs, less a ime, improve the economy, and continue to improve the social attractiveness of downtown Syracuse and the CNY community.

* Where do you see the community and yourself in the next 10 years? I see the CNY community as a leader in the eco-friendly "green" community, assuming that the substance that is driving the movement is actually there. In 10 years, I see myself running an agency or holding a position in public office; anything is possible.

* Who has been the most influential person in your career? Stephen Waldron, network coordinator for the CNY HIV Care Network, has supported me and also has been more than patient with my development, which has allowed me to become a voice for people that have not yet discovered that they have one.

* What are your guiding principles in life? Recognizing opportunities, leadership, motivation, and living is the solution and not the problem.

* What has been your best career decision? Taking a risk and learning from it.

* How has your life turned out differently than imagined? I came from being a homeless person living with AIDS, and decided that there was more to life than the way I was living. I never imagined that I would be on the journey that I am on or given the opportunities that I have been given.

* What is one of your quirks? Sometimes I can get in my own way.

* What are the core values that have been essential to your success? Be honest, keep an open mind, remain teachable, and have fun in life.

© 2008 Central New York Business Journal Provided by ProQuest LLC. All Rights Reserved.