300 Main Street, Suite 200, Dubuque, IA 52001
Mon – Thurs 8 am – 5 pm, Fri 8 am – 12 pm
Matt Thole
YP Co Director of Student Outreach
What is your current position, and where do you work?
Account Executive; Kunkel & Associates, Inc.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
I enjoy hunting, participating in recreational sports, spending time with friends & family, and playing music outside of work.
Tell us about your family.
I grew up in the small town of Princeville, IL, and am the oldest of three children in my family. My parents grew up in Galena, IL so I still have a lot of family in the greater Dubuque area. My brother and sister are both collegiate athletes at my alma mater, St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA. The three of us were lucky enough to have loving parents who pushed us to succeed in everything we took part in.
What is one unique fact about you that many people may not know?
My grandfather has been the mayor of Galena, IL, since 2008.
Who is one person who inspires you, and why?
I am most inspired by my friend, Mitchell Janssen. Before his tragic passing at the young age of 22, he lived his life to the absolute fullest. He was an accomplished commercial pilot, a Division 1 pitcher on the Bradley baseball team, and one of the most thoughtful people I had the pleasure to know. He inspired me not to take any day for granted, to work hard and take risks for what I want, and to make sure everyone around me feels welcome and appreciated in my presence.
Where is your favorite spot in Dubuque?
My favorite spot in Dubuque is the River Walk. There are so many great views along the Mississippi, and the river walk showcases them all incredibly.
What do you enjoy most about being a YP member?
As a YP member, I enjoy connecting with a group of my peers to tackle the issues facing the young workforce in the area. Not only is it fun to network and learn from current business leaders, but it is also extremely rewarding to help other young professionals learn and grow through the process.
What piece of advice would you give a new YP member?
My biggest piece of advice to a new YP member would be to have an open mind to new ideas. No one person holds the key to success on their own, and there are more unique perspectives out there, to help your own personal journey, than you realize. Along with having an open mind, I would definitely encourage new YP members to step out of their comfort zone and take risks; the hardest step of any adventure is the first one.
