First thing Monday morning, August 17th, you are invited to meet the 2020 Class of the Moody on the Market 40 Under 40 young professionals from across Michigan’s Great Southwest. Despite the distancing forced on us all by the current pandemic, nominations were successfully filed, a rigorous round of paring the more than 84 prospects down to the final 40 was finalized, photography appointments were made, biography surveys taken, and they are ready to meet their public as among the brightest in our midst.
The winner’s revelation will take place beginning at around 7:10am on Monday morning on the Taking the Lead with Jim Gifford and Spencer Rivers radio broadcast on WSJM 94.9FM, and with Zack East on 98.3 The Coast. Shortly after their announcements are complete, you’ll be able to click the tab 40 Under 40 at the top of the page and find each of the winners and the story behind how they got here.
Our thanks to the people who made this years campaign possible including major sponsors, Wightman, Kinexus Group, the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber, McGhee’s Heating & Air Conditioning, and Lake Michigan College with support from the Mason Jar Cafe, Starks Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, United Way of Southwest Michigan, and Schroeder Furniture.
The selection committee was Chaired by Brittany Grasley from United Federal Credit Union and included Sarah Spoonholtz from the SW Michigan Regional Chamber, Anna Murphy from United Way of Southwest Michigan, Michael Nixon from Andrews University, and they let me have one vote, as well. It was not an easy task.
There at 23 women and 17 men in the Class of 2020’s 40 Under 40, and they range in age from 24 to 39. They live in more than a dozen cities across the region, but were born not only here at home but in places as far away as Denver, Los Angeles, and cities in Washington, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and beyond. The average age on the list is 33.
They come from the non-profit sector, the professional ranks, from finance and government, from manufacturing, education, hospitality, utilities, the service industry, and the beverage industry among other sectors of the economy.
There are some great and fascinating stories with some very recognizable faces and some perhaps not so well known, but they all share a passion for making the community of Michigan’s Great Southwest among the best places in the world to call home.
See where these people have been in their lives, where they still hope to head, what super power they would most like to have in their lives, who inspires them the most, some of the quirky things many people likely don’t know about them, what really opened their eyes during the pandemic, and other things like what book they’re currently reading and more.
Thanks to the many people who undertook the task of nominating these people, our sponsors, the selection committee, and to our digital guru at Moody on the Market, Zack East for making this great enterprise an annual success for our entire region. Enjoy, and be sure to send congratulations to the winners who you know for this great accomplishment in their lives.
