Young Professionals Initiative names top young professionals
Forty young professionals under the age of 40 have been selected by a special committee of the Greater Shreveport and Bossier Chamber of Commerces to be honored with the 40 Under 40 award at the eighth annual Northwest Louisiana Young Professionals Gala presented by The Forum on Dec. 5 at Horseshoe Casino’s Riverdome. A cocktail reception will begin at 6:30 p.m. and a dinner at 7 p.m.
From the list of 40 Under 40 honorees, one will be named the 2014 Young Professional of the Year. This special announcement will be made at the gala.
“The YPI is proud to announce the 2014 40 Under 40 award recipients. These 40 young professionals have made an impact in the Shreveport-Bossier community through leadership in their careers, dedication to professional development, and passion for community involvement. They represent a vast range of businesses and organizations from the private and public sectors,” Emerie Gentry, YPI chairwoman, said.
The 2014 40 Under 40 class includes:
Kevin R. Alexander, of Creative Control Firms; Lanya Bernard, of Community Trust Bank; Lindsey Beckham, of Louisiana Association for the Blind; Katie Bickham, of Bossier Parish Community College; Aubre Bauer Clark, of Chemistry Salon; Shondale Coleman, of Magnolia Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center; Nicholas Courville, of Heard, McElroy & Vestal; Ashlie Daigle, of Centenary College of Louisiana; Jamie Davis, of Horseshoe Casino and Hotel; Tiffany DeBlieux, of Community Trust Bank; Ragan T. Dickens, of Louisiana Oil and Gas Assoc.; Melissa Flores, of Blanchard, Walker, O’Quin & Roberts; Jason Gelois, of MLK Health Center; Anna Gleason, of Hardward Resources and Chords; Dr. Marlon Henderson, of Henderson Dentistry; Dr. Ellie O’Brien Hudnall, of The Family Doctors; Lecie Israel, of Volunteers of America; Jazmin Jernigan, of Aesthetic Innovations, LLC.; Patrina Johnson, of Centenary College of Louisiana; Casey Jones, of Shreveport Regional Arts Council and Casey Jones Photography; Christopher S. Lee, of LPL Financial; Kasie Mainiero, of Caddo Parish School Board; Julie McEachern, of Suddenlink; Meredith McGovern, of Bossier Parish School Board; Shane Morgan, of Silver Plate Cakery; Dr. Christina Notarianni, of LSUHSC Shreveport; Alex Person, of Gingerbread Child Advocacy Center; Georgette Price, of Military Child Education Coalition (BAFB); Carlos D. Prudhomme, of Prudhomme Law Firm; Marc Price, of Porter’s Industrial; Kassi Robinson, of Pay It Forward Networking; Bryan Roppolo, of Roppolo’s Insulation; Adam Walsh, of Centenary College of Louisiana; Christina Barrow Washington, of Overton Brooks VA Medical Center; Kendra Wheeler, of Red River Bank; Dr. Felice Williams, of LSU Shreveport; Dr. Melva Williams, of Southern University at Shreveport; Jake Wood, of SMG-CenturyLink Center; Dr. Kimberly Woods, of All the Way Health and Dr. Draper S. Wright, of Wright LLP & University Health Co.
“We are very excited to announce this year’s list of 40 under 40 recipients. It’s a great list of young professionals that encompasses a variety of industries from our Region from healthcare to education,” Katrina Sproles, YPI 40 Under 40 chair, said. “These young professionals represent so much personally by overcoming adversity and persevering to become successful with most keeping their ‘roots’ tied to Shreveport-Bossier City. That’s what our organization fully believes in, keeping our young professionals in the area and thriving with opportunity for growth and still being successful at a young age.”
The gala features a silent auction benefitting the YPI Fund at The Community Foundation, which in turn supports a Philanthropy of the Year. Tickets are available through Dec. 1. Contact the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce at 677-2505 or email [email protected].
