The 40 Under 40 Awards are presented annually by StarNews and the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce.
StarNews and the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce recognized the 40 winners of this year’s Under 40 Award at a ceremony Thursday, September 30 at the Brooklyn Arts Center.
The awards, which began three years ago, are designed to recognize young professionals who are making a difference in our community.
With this year’s class, we have now honored 120 outstanding young professionals who not only excel in their careers, but also contribute to countless community organizations.
To be eligible this year, applicants had to be under 40 as of September 30 and live or work in Brunswick, New Hanover or Pender counties.
A six-member selection committee reviewed the nominations and met earlier this year to choose the winners. The panelists were: Natalie English, President and CEO of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce; Sherry Jones, news director of StarNews Media; Katelyn Mattox, NourishNC program coordinator and winner of the 40 under 40 in 2020; Edelmira Segovia, director of Centro Hispano at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington; Linda Thompson, Diversity and Equity Manager for New Hanover County; Woody White, lawyer and former New Hanover County commissioner.
We hope you will join us in congratulating the following recipients of the 40 Under 40 Awards. Click on the links to learn more about each winner.
Jessica Aguilar, 24, Program Coordinator, Juntos 4-H Pender County
Julie Andrews, 30, Marketing Manager, Logan Homes
Sarah Arthur, 34, Community Engagement Manager, Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center
Marissa Bryant Franks, 26, HR partner, nCino
LeeAnn Canady, 31, medical assistant in neurosurgery, Coastal Spine Institute
Jessica Canavan, 32, Assistant Director of Community Family Services, Coastal Horizons Center
Joseph Casares, 37, director of radiology, Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center
Chris DeHart, 39, Owner, All About Energy Solutions
Daniel Duffy, 37, dentist and owner, Live Oak Dental
Jhaniqua Farrar Palmer, 35, Grandparent Support Network Program Coordinator and Advocacy and Racial Justice Program Coordinator, YWCA Lower Cape Fear
Jarett Gattison, 32, Director, Community Boys & Girls Club
Rashad Gattison, 34, director of adolescent services, Brigade Boy’s and Girl’s Club
Vanessa Gonzalez, 35, President / Lawyer, The Law Office of Vanessa A. Gonzalez PLLC
Chris Hoenig, 36, Yacht and Boat Sales Consultant, MarineMax
Emmanuel Ibarra, 31, owner and accountant, EL Cerro Grande, El Arriero Taqueria, Zocalo Street Food and Tequila and Mi Cabana
Jennie Jackson, 39, market executive, Bank of America
Karin Kassab, 37, psychologist and founder, Clarity Counseling Center
Manuel Lloyd, 27, Cultural Enrichment Program Coordinator, Upperman African American Cultural Center at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Lauren McKenzie, 34, Executive Director, Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity
Elliott Miller, 36, Vice President of Finance, PPD
Emmanuel Mitcham, 36, Marketing and Communications Specialist, Office of Community Engagement and Applied Learning, University of North Carolina Wilmington
Chris Montero, 35, Co-Founder and Director of Operations and Sales, Perfect Touch Rental
Justin Parr, 27, Head of Solutions Services, nCino
Narcisa Pricope, 39, professor of geospatial sciences, University of North Carolina Wilmington
Arely Ramirez Diaz, 24, Paralegal and Victims Witness Lawyer, Helen Tarokic Law PLLC
Rob Rens, 36, Chairman, Rob Rens State Farm Insurance Agency and Signal Fire Media Company
Keisha Robinson, 29, Community Programs Manager, Communities In Schools of Cape Fear
Matt Rogers, 39, Regional Vice President, Aramark
Angelica Santibanez-Mendez, 29, Program Director and Outreach Nurse, Manos Unidas at Black River Health Services
Corey Scott, 34, co-owner, On Thyme Catering, On Thyme Catering Food Truck and On Thyme Restaurant
Devin Skipper, 36, President, Salt Air Inc.
Jorey Stanley, 26, Marketing and Administrative Associate, Perfect Touch Rental
Amy Steelman, 39, grade eight language arts teacher, New Hanover County Schools
Barnes Sutton, 28, Director of Planning and Development, Town of Navassa
Andrea Toccia, 38, Head of Market Development, Corning Credit Union
Ramon Villasenor-Castro, 39, business owner and manager, Tequila Comida and Cantina, three Taqueria Los Portales, Los Portales supermarket
Cierra Washington, 24, Strategic Partnerships Coordinator, Northside Food Cooperative
Parker Wilson, 37, Founder and Chief Strategist, Sparked Consulting
Genna Wirth, 25, Executive Director, Travel
Landon Zimmer, 39, Managing Partner, Zimmer Development Company