The UGA Alumni Association just released the 40 Under 40 Class of 2017. Since 2011, the UGA Alumni Association has recognized the 40 most successful young graduates from the school under the age of 40 each year.
This year’s class of honorees were chosen from over 400 nominees and will be recognized during the seventh annual 40 Under 40 Awards Luncheon on September, 14th at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead, GA.
The eligibility and selection criteria for a UGA 40 Under 40 Alumni are as follows:
– Earned an undergraduate or graduate degree from UGA
– Is under 40 as of September 1, 2017
– Is willing to submit a headshot, if selected, that can be published by units within the University of Georgia
– Aspires to uphold the principles manifested in the three Pillars of the Arch
– Demonstrates a commitment to maintaining a lifelong relationship with UGA
– Has made an impact in their professional and philanthropic endeavors
The 40 Under 40 Class of 2017 honorees include:
Casey M. Bethel, 2005, Lithia Springs, Georgia Department of Education Teacher of the Year, New Manchester High School
Travis Butler, 2009, Athens, president, Butler Properties and Development
Eric Callahan, 2005, Griffin, owner, Callahan Industries
Mariel Clark, 2001, Knoxville, vice president, Home + Travel Digital, Scripps Network Interactive
Andrew Dill, 2006 and 2007, Marietta, director of government affairs, Lockheed Martin
Amelia Dortch, 2006 and 2012, Auburn, Alabama, state public affairs specialist, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Katie Dubnik, 2003, Gainesville, president, Forum Communications
Rebecca Evans, 2010, Savannah, equine veterinarian, Evans Equine LLC
Rebecca Filson, 2005, Roswell, regional vice president of operations, BenchMark Rehab Partners
Matt Forshee, 2000, Evans, region manager for community and economic development, Georgia Power
Nicholas Friedmann, 2006, Washington, D.C., private client relationship manager, Citibank
James Gates, 2001 and 2004, Atlanta, partner, Bell Oaks Executive Search
Christine Green, 2002, New York, general counsel, Leadership for Educational Equity
Lauren Griffeth, 2005, 2008 and 2013, Athens, administrative director of agricultural leadership, education and communication, UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Destin Hill, 2002, Phoenix, physician, Arizona Sports Medicine Center
Dominique Holloman, 2001 and 2004, Atlanta, independent consultant
Katie Jacobs, 2005, Athens, owner, Cheeky Peach Boutique
Jonas Jennings, 2000, Athens, director of player development, UGA Athletic Association; president, JJ 75 Properties LLC
LeRoya Chester Jennings, 2001, Atlanta, managing partner, Chester Jennings & Smith LLC
Adam C. Johnson, 2016, Atlanta, senior consultant, Cognizant
Joshua Jones, 2008 and 2016, Atlanta, president/CEO, Red Clay Communications Inc.
Marcus Jones, 2009, Detroit, president, Detroit Training Center
Kasey Knight, 2005, Quitman, pharmacist/owner, Lee & Pickels Drugs
Matt Koperniak, 2002 and 2004, Sugar Hill, director of bands, Riverwatch Middle School
Dorian Lamis, 2003, Atlanta, assistant professor/clinical psychologist, Emory University School of Medicine
Dan Ludlam, 2004 and 2007, Atlanta, senior manager, real estate attorney, Chick-fil-A Inc.
Gordon Maner, 2004, Charleston, South Carolina, managing partner, Allen Mooney & Barnes
Maritza McClendon, 2005, Atlanta, senior brand marketing manager for OshKosh B’gosh, Carter’s Inc.
Behnoosh Momin, 2015, Chamblee, health scientist, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Travis Moore, 2003, Kirkwood, Missouri, senior brewmaster, Anheuser-Busch InBev
Wes Neece, 2000, Atlanta, merchandising vice president for lighting, The Home Depot
Julian Price, 2000, Watkinsville, physician/partner, Athens Orthopedic Clinic
Tim Puetz, 2006, Silver Spring, Maryland, operations manager, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Tucker Berta Sarkisian, 2000, Atlanta, director of public relations, SweetWater Brewing Co.
Maria Taylor, 2009 and 2013, Charlotte, North Carolina, sports broadcaster, ESPN
Alissa Vickery, 2001, Mableton, senior vice president for accounting and controls, Fleetcor Technologies Inc.
Sam Watson, 2002, Moultrie, managing partner, Chill C Farms/Moultrie Melon Co. ; state representative House District 172
Laura Whitaker, 2007 and 2010, Watkinsville, executive director, Extra Special People
Whitney Woodward, 2000, Covington, vice president for total rewards, RaceTrac Petroleum Inc.
Alex Wright, 2008, Byron, overseas research fellow, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Compiled by Jamie Lewis