Springfield Business Journal_2020-06-15

SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS JOURNAL · 11 JUNE 15-21, 2020 s we navigate the crises before us as a com- munity, nation and globe, young profession- als will be instrumental in creating our path forward. This class of 40 Under 40 honor- ees’ innovation already has shown that. Early in the coronavirus pandemic, honoree Austin O’Reilly of Dynamic DNA Laboratories LLC began a partnership with the local Health Department and hos- pitals to expand testing capacity for the novel virus. As some social services were put on hold under city and country restrictions, The Connecting Grounds Pastor Christie Love found ways to feed and shel- ter homeless people in our community. When CO- VID-19 prompted his employer to close its doors, architect Joel Thomas regrouped and launched the Springfield office of Bentonville, Arkansas-based Buf Studio. The majority of these honorees serve on nonprofit and civic boards. With group events on pause, many of them are brainstorming how to effectively raise funds online. The honorees who work for and lead nonprofits are also dealing with those challenges. A crisis presents a tremendous opportu- nity. This unplanned test allowed many organizations to see leaders emerge. But while a global health pandemic forcing an eco- nomic recession aren’t common occurrences, chal- lenges are nothing new. As you learn more about these young leaders and the impacts they are making in their corner of the world, I think you’ll find the fu- ture is bright. Congratulations to the 2020 40 Under 40 honorees! It’s a year – and a class – we won’t soon forget. Springfield Business Journal Features Editor Christine Temple can be reached at ctemple@sbj.net. The Judging Process Here’s the 40 Under 40 selection process from start to finish: 1. Nominations are submitted from across the community. 2. Nominees are notified and given questionnaires to fill out for judges’ consideration. 3. SBJ selects an independent panel of judges to evaluate each submitted questionnaire, along with a resume and letter of recommendation. 4. Judges individually score each applicant based on their profes- sional accomplishments, leadership/influence and civic engage- ment.  5. Judges are asked to recuse themselves from scoring any nomi- nee who would be considered a conflict of interest. 6. SBJ tallies all judges’ scores to determine the top 40 under 40 years old at the time of the event, with no two honorees from the same organization.* 7. SBJ announces the honorees and reveals the year’s judges. *At the time of selection, all honorees were under 40 years old and no two honorees worked at the same organization. Honorees were selected by an independent panel of judges: • Carrie Brown, partner at Elliott, Robinson & Co. LLP and a 40 Under 40 recipient in 2015; • Tag Kent, senior consultant of supply chain in Information & Technology Solutions for ROi and a 2017 recipient; • Hugo Sanchez, vice president of marketing, advertising and digital for O’Reilly Automotive Inc. and a 2018 recipient; • Karen Braun, community engagement manager for Mercy Springfield Communities and a 2019 recipient; and • Laura Farmer, executive director of Court Appointed Special Advocates of Southwest Missouri and a 2019 recipient. Meet the Judges Brown Farmer Braun Sanchez Kent SBJ FILE The photo shoot location for the 2020 40 Under 40 class. YPs paving a bright future Christine Temple EDITOR’S NOTE 33 Married honorees 2020 Class: By the Numbers 12 Business owners 30 Sit on boards 58 Kids among honorees 51 Pets among honorees 22 Hold advanced degrees beyond a bachelor’s 417-831-5634 | 1-800-884-1918 | www.DeltaRoofing.net CONGRATULATIONS TIM POTTHOFF 2 0 2 0 C L A S S O F 4 0 U N D E R 4 0 Thank you for all your work to GROW , SERVE , and BUILD Nabholz and your community. nabholz.com 40 UNDER 40 5:30 p.m. | June 23 Webcast event with virtual party rooms to follow. SBJ.net/4040