To be named one of the “40 Under 40” means you are a young high achiever and puts each recipient in very good company indeed. This prestigious designation means you are at the top of your profession and do exemplary work in whatever that chosen profession is.

One of this year’s nominees, Joanna Folse- Alexander, can now add her name to that illustrious assemblage. The forty under forty are selected by a special committee of the Greater Shreveport and Bossier Chamber of Commerce, out of several hundred nominees, to be honored at the sixth annual Northwest Louisiana Young Professionals Gala presented by CityLife Magazine December 13, 2013 at Horseshoe Casino’s Riverdome. At this year’s gala, one of the forty nominees will be named the 2013 Young Professional of the Year.

Folse-Alexander is Corporate Director of Sales and Marketing for Sunrise Hospitality, a locally owned company that owns and manages a number of area hotels including Holiday Inn Express’ and Hampton Inn.

Folse-Alexander has been in the sales and marketing industry for over fifteen years, having begun her career working with Casino Magic (now Boomtown) while she was attending Louisiana Tech.

On being chosen for inclusion into the “40 Under 40”, Folse-Alexander said, “I do feel like it is an award. I feel honored and blessed to be recognized for being a success in a business that I really love.”

“I really believe this a service business that is 24/7. My cell phone is never off because I remain on call for whenever a client may have a need,” Folse-Alexander said.

“I nurture some relationships by doing volunteer work for some worthy organizations. That is a way of building rapport with businesses to, in essence, become part of their family. Though I do use some social media, I still believe in personal connection in building relationships. Word of mouth is a strong part of my getting new and recurring business,” Folse-Alexander said.

“She worked for me before and I am so happy to have her back with me,” said Kevin Dzurik, managing member of Sunrise Hospitality.

In addition to her busy work schedule, Folse- Alexander finds time to do volunteer work for, among others, The Commission of Women of Bossier City, a volunteer organization that mentors young girls and women. She has also done work for several years on behalf of St. Jude’s Hospital and Easter Seals.

“I am a real people person and I love meeting new people and building relationships,” Folse-Alexander said.

Married this past February, she and her husband reside in Benton, Louisiana.

“When I am not working on something, I really enjoy spending time with my family and friends,” Folse-Alexander said.

“Joanna is simply the best salesperson in the Shreveport-Bossier market and she deserves this nomination and everything that she gets and then some,” said Dzurik.

“I really enjoy every aspect of what I do and I really like being an ambassador for the Shreveport- Bossier market which has so much to offer,” Folse- Alexander said.