Wilmington's 40 Under 40 Award recipients receive recognition
The 40 Under 40 Awards are presented annually by the StarNews and the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce.
Sherry Jones
The StarNews and the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce recognized this year's 40 Under 40 Award recipients during a ceremony Thursday, Sept. 30, at the Brooklyn Arts Center.
The awards, which began three years ago, are designed to recognize young professionals 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, nominees had to be younger than 40 years old as of Sept. 30 and live or work in Brunswick, New Hanover or Pender counties.
A six-member selection panel studied the nominations and met earlier this year to pick the winners. The panelists were: Natalie English, Wilmington Chamber of Commerce president and CEO; Sherry Jones, StarNews Media news director; Katelyn Mattox, NourishNC program coordinator and a 40 Under 40 honoree in 2020; Edelmira Segovia, director of Centro Hispano at the University of North Carolina Wilmington; Linda Thompson, chief diversity and equity officer for New Hanover County; Woody White, attorney and former New Hanover County Commissioner.
We hope you’ll join us in congratulating the following recipients of the 40 Under 40 Awards. Click the links to learn more about each honoree.
Jessica Aguilar, 24, program coordinator, Juntos 4-H Pender County
Julie Andrews, 30, marketing manager, Logan Homes
Sarah Arthur, 34, manager of community engagement, Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center
Marissa Bryant Franks, 26, HR business partner, nCino
LeeAnn Canady, 31, neurosurgical physician assistant, Coastal Spine Institute
Jessica Canavan, 32, assistant director of community-based 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
Jarett Gattison, 32, director, Community Boys & Girls Club
Rashad Gattison, 34, teen service director, Brigade Boy's and Girl's Club
Vanessa Gonzalez, 35, president/attorney, The Law Office of Vanessa A. Gonzalez PLLC
Chris Hoenig, 36, yacht and boat sales consultant, MarineMax
Jennie Jackson, 39, market executive, Bank of America
Karin Kassab, 37, psychologist and founder, Clarity Counseling Center
Lauren McKenzie, 34, executive director, Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity
Elliott Miller, 36, vice president of finance, PPD
Chris Montero, 35, co-founder and operations and sales director, Perfect Touch Rental
Justin Parr, 27, solutions services manager, nCino
Narcisa Pricope, 39, professor of geospatial sciences, University of North Carolina Wilmington
Arely Ramirez Diaz, 24, paralegal and victim witness advocate, Helen Tarokic Law PLLC
Rob Rens, 36, president, 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
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, eighth-grade language arts teacher, New Hanover County Schools
Barnes Sutton, 28, director of planning and development, Town of Navassa
Andrea Troccia, 38, market development manager, Corning Credit Union
Cierra Washington, 24, strategic partnership coordinator, Northside Food Cooperative
Parker Wilson, 37, founder and chief strategist, Sparked Consulting
Genna Wirth, 25, executive director, Voyage
Landon Zimmer, 39, managing partner, Zimmer Development Company
