Miranda Pederson/Daily News Jana Sublett (center) is congratulated Tuesday by Romanza Johnson after she was awarded the ATHENA Young Professional Award at Martin Cadillac.

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Bowling Green’s Jana Sublett took home the first-ever ATHENA Young Professional Award on Tuesday afternoon.

“I’m really honored to be the first recipient. It is a great day to be in the community of Bowling Green,” Sublett said to a crowd of almost 50 who gathered at Martin Oldsmobile Cadillac on Scottsville Road.

As community employment services manager at LifeSkills, Sublett goes into work every day not knowing what to expect, but with the expectation that she will do her part to make people’s lives better.

“I just love to give back,” said Sublett, a Western Kentucky University alumna with a bachelor of arts degree in government, adding that working in social services is her passion. She completed her Master of Public Administration degree from WKU in 2006.

According to Doug Gorman, chair of the 2008 Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors, giving the award to Sublett is instrumental in paving the way for the city’s future.

“Our young professionals in Bowling Green are the future of our business community and it is exciting to be able to recognize and honor them so early in their careers,” Gorman said.

Sublett’s community activities include demonstrating an interest in politics by serving as the campaign manager for Judge John Brown’s campaign and being an active member of the Warren County Democratic Women’s Club since 2001.

Sublett also gives her time to Junior Achievement, Eastern Star, CASA, the Kentucky Colonels and the Young Professionals of Bowling Green, acting as its vice president.

Organized by the chamber and sponsored by Martin Management Group, the ATHENA Young Professional award goes to an “exceptional individual who is an emerging leader in her or his business or profession, gives back to the community in meaningful ways, and clearly serves as a role model for young women both personally and professionally,” according to program coordinator Jennifer Breiwa.

Nominees for the award also included Melanie Cook, Nancy Mitchell and Laura Simpson.