Not all Wrestlers in Business Network members have extensive wrestling backgrounds of their own. However, some still manage to impact the sport tremendously. This month's Member Spotlight features Chad Parnis from the Philadelphia WIBN Chapter. Chad came to know and love wrestling later in life and has since been instrumental and immersed in expanding opportunities for young men and women in the Philadelphia area. By his own words, Chad has come to appreciate the intangible benefits that wrestling offers and how the sport prepares young men and women for success in their professional careers.

Originally from Philadelphia, Chad grew up in the Northern Virginia area. Although never having wrestled himself, he was active in other sports (basketball, track, and volleyball) before attending and graduating from West Virginia University with a B.A./Marketing degree. Following his graduation, he returned to Philadelphia. He spent the next year working sales for a business telecommunications company before branching out and starting his own company, Telcom Solutions, with two friends. Over the next several years, Chad would continue to work in sales and learn the business. He considers that time as his "graduate-level education." Chad and his partners agreed to sell the company in 1997, and he moved on to start a new business, '4TelecomHelp' and later 'Light My Fiber' along with another good friend and eventual business partner, Jill Plouffe. Chad would lead 4T for the next 22 years into becoming a successful multi-million-dollar organization. Their clients included Fortune 500 companies needing telecom consulting and expense management. In 2021, Chad agreed to sell 4TelecomHelp and has now shifted focus to helping others within the wrestling community as a primary beneficiary of his efforts.

Chad and his wife Amy were introduced to wrestling through a friend Michael Nichter, and later through his two sons (Sam and Max). It was then that he witnessed first-hand the valuable life lessons wrestling teaches and the establishment of life-long friends and mentors. His oldest son, Sam, is now at George Washington University. Max is a Junior at West Chester East High School with aspirations for state-level post-season appearances and eventual collegiate participation. Chad credits close friends Michael Nichter and Mike Medrow (both WIBN Executive Board members and local youth wrestling league Board members) as having a profound impact on him being a wrestling "dad." He genuinely respects their perspectives on developing young men and women through wrestling.

Since 2020, COVID has been challenging for wrestling, as many school programs were forced to shut down. These restrictions led to decreased gym space opportunities for local Philadelphia wrestlers, and this is where Chad came to the rescue. Tony Fabri and Brad Breese, both local wrestling coaches, partnered with Chad to find and transform space in a local mall. A storefront was opened up to local wrestling programs in need, and this location is still in use today. Every weekend, wrestlers from PA, VA, NJ, MD, CT, and DE show up for excellent instruction and competition led by Tony, Brad, and club coach Chance Marsteller. Marsteller was a dominant high school and collegiate wrestler in his own right. This additional space and training keeps southeast PA wrestling going strong!

Moving forward, Chad is committed to helping mentor student-athletes starting the transition from college to the work community. Chad is also working alongside Dave Groverman and Daniel Chaid to organize an international cadet USA Maccabiah wrestling team to send to Israel this summer.

Chad Parnis has been a great WIBN member and supporter and a tremendous supporter of the sport and the wrestling community. WIBN Philadelphia is fortunate to have his energy and enthusiasm in their member base!