Gala celebrates ninth year with new perks
Forty of the top young professionals under the age of 40 have been selected by a special committee from the Young Professionals Initiative, the
Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce and Bossier Chamber of Commerce.
The 2015 40 Under 40 class includes: Thomas Avallone, Maccentric; Michael Barrett, Community Trust Bank; William Bradford, City of Shreveport; Josh Clayton, The Clayton Law Firm LLC; Valerie DeLatte, Louisiana Second Circuit Court of Appeals; Heather Delia, Williams Creative Group/Aspire Yoga Center; Jerry Edwards, Blanchard Walker O’Quin & Roberts; Ruth Frazier, Chimp Haven; Trey Giglio, Universal Plumbing and Mechanical Inc.; Toya Graham, Carolyn W. & Charles T. Beaird Family Foundation; Robert Hattan, Department of Veteran Affairs (Overton Brooks VA); Kristen King Holmes, Metro Aviation/Hitched Films; Chanel Jackson, Families Helping Families Region 7; Sherell Jefferson, Regions Bank; Pete John, Raising Cane’s; Joshua Knicely, Knicely Builders; Brent Latin, Young Professionals Entertainment; Dr. Stacy Lee, LSU Feist-Weiller Cancer Center; Whitney Loe, ANECA Federal Credit Union; Jamie Lopez, Po’ Folks Promos; Dr. Bryan Lusk, Lusk Eye Specialist; Chris Lyon, Perennial Media & Louisiana Film Prize; Robert Manriquez, DeSoto Parish School Board; Toby Mathew, Overton Brooks VA Medical Center; Andrea McKnight; Campus Federal Credit Union; Grant Nuckolls, Twisted Root Burger Co.; Laura-Ashley Overdyke, The Community Foundation of North Louisiana; Kendra Renae Pullen, Caddo Parish School Board; Valerie Robideaux, Centenary College of Louisiana; Josh Robinson, Margaritaville Casino and Resort; Jessica Schiele, Cohab; Tony Simpson, International Sight Restoration; Daniel Strickland, Gremillion and Pou Integrated Marketing; Brittany Turner, Caddo Parish School Board; John Wagoner, Bossier Parish Community College; Jeff Warren, Dream Hunt Foundation; Blayne Weaver, Secret Identity Productions; Ryan Williams, C.E. Byrd High School; K. Anton Winder, Karthago Strategies LLC and Malia Wollerson, Heard, McElroy and Vestal LLC.
These 40 professionals will be honored with the 40 Under 40 Award at the ninth annual Northwest Louisiana Young Professionals Gala presented by The Forum on Dec. 5 at the Shreveport Convention Center. A cocktail reception will begin at 6:30 p.m. and a dinner at 7:30 p.m.
“This is the gala’s ninth year, and it just keeps getting bigger and better,” Kourtney Washington, 40 Under 40 Chair, said.
“Last year’s event shattered all of our previous attendance records, and we’re aiming to have record breaking numbers again this year. To accommodate our growing numbers we have a new venue, the Shreveport Convention Center, and several new partnerships which will be added perks for the winners and their guests.”
Emerie Gentry, YPI president, mentioned other offers specific to the gala.“The gala will feature four raffle packages, with the main one being a $1,000 gift certificate to Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry. Proceeds raised from the raffle will go toward our 2016 Philanthropy of the Year, which will be announced at the gala,” Gentry said. “Also announced at the gala will be our 2015 Young Professional of the Year, which is presented to one young professional based upon their achievements in career, education, community involvement and more.”
Gentry also said 40 Under 40 guests at the gala can also expect an after party following the event.
General seating tickets are $50 per person, and sponsorships are available. Tickets and sponsorships are available through Nov. 20. Contact Fefe Daniels at the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce at 677-2500 or email Gentry at ypi@shreveportchamber. org. The Hilton Shreveport Convention Center Hotel, located at 104 Market St., will offer YPI a special room rate of $119 for the night of the gala to those who book early. To reserve a room, go to https://resweb.passkey. com/Resweb.do?mode=welcome_ei_ new&eventID=14145863.