The Alaska Journal of Commerce and the Anchorage Daily News are again recognizing a group of young professionals in the 2021 Top Forty Under 40.
This year we considered 114 nominees and 750 pages of supporting documentation, with members of the selection committee ranking each individual on a scale from 1 to 5 and the best 40 scores joining the 2021 class.
The selection committee was made up of Elevate Alaska President Kea Cuaresma; Peak 2 Peak Alaska Vice President Sarah Boice; Anchorage Daily News Advertising Director Brandi Nelson; Alaska Journal of Commerce Sales Manager Jada Nowling; and Alaska Journal of Commerce Managing Editor Andrew Jensen.
“As we emerge from one of the most difficult years in our history, we are happy to highlight some of the best and brightest representing a diverse cross section of young people from many backgrounds, regions and the private, public and nonprofit sectors,” Jensen said.
The 2021 awards event will be Oct. 29 at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage. Tickets are available at myalaskatix.com. A magazine featuring the 2021 class will be released in the June 20 edition of the Alaska Journal of Commerce.
The 2021 Top Forty Under 40:
Zachary Aregood, 27, President/CEO, ARM Creative LLC, Anchorage
Erin Baca, 37, Director, 49th State Angel Fund, Anchorage
Edwin Bifelt, 36, Founder/CEO, Alaska Native Renewable Industries, Huslia
Dr. Lindsey Cobb, 39, Chief of Staff, Providence Alaska Medical Center, Anchorage
Jeremy Conkling, 39, President, Anchorage Police Department Employees Association
Jenny Di Grappa, 34, Director of Donor Relations and Communications, Food Bank of Alaska, Anchorage
Arran Forbes, 33, President, Arctic Entries, Anchorage
Nyabony Gat, 24, Health Education Coordinator, Alaska Primary Care/Southcentral Alaska Area Health Education Center, Anchorage
Garret Gladsjo, 34, Principal Engineer/Owner, proHNS LLC, Juneau
Aaron Helmericks, 39, Senior Director of Energy and Mining, GCI Liberty, Anchorage
Lauren Hendrix, 32, Director of Marketing and Proposals, ASRC Energy Services LLC, Anchorage
Alisha Hilde, 38, Anchorage School Board
Matt Holta, 39, Director of Business Development, BDO USA LLP, Anchorage
K.C. Hostetler, 31, Sales and Community Marketing Manager, Alaska Airlines, Anchorage
Heidi Huppert, 39, Chief Program Officer, Covenant House Alaska, Anchorage
Kyle Kaiser, 35, President/Founder, VIPER AK Inc., Chugiak
Tanya Kaquatosh, 39, Senior VP of Administration, Doyon Ltd., Fairbanks
Angie Kemp, 39, District Attorney, State of Alaska, Juneau
Lessie Kincaid, 36, VP of Sales, Coca Cola Bottling of Alaska/Odom Corp., Anchorage
Carlene Liesch, 26, Lead Instructor, Alaska EXCEL, Anchorage
John Lincoln, 39, VP of External Affairs, NANA Regional Corp., Kotzebue
Tessa Linderman, 36, Co-Lead Alaska Vaccine Task Force, State of Alaska, Anchorage
Christina Love, 34, Senior Specialist, Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Assault, Juneau
Isaiah Mangum, 39, Counsel to the Firm, Fairbanks Brand Studio, Fairbanks
Ryan Muspratt, 37, CFO, Petro Star, Anchorage
Elizabeth Nicolai, 38, Youth Services Coordinator, Anchorage Public Library, Anchorage
Joshua Norum, 33, Director of Operations, Sourdough Express Inc., Anchorage
Sheron Patrick, 39, District Advisor, Better Business Bureau, Anchorage
Lance Penhale, 33, Owner/District Director, First Command, Anchorage
Michael Rovito, 38, Deputy Director, Alaska Power Association, Anchorage
Milena Sevigny, 39, Community Relations Program Manager, TOTE Maritime-Alaska, Anchorage
Natasha Singh, 38, General Counsel, Tanana Chiefs Conference, Fairbanks
Sharity Sommer, 35, Former Program Officer, Rasmuson Foundation, currently enrolled full-time at University of Alaska Anchorage majoring in dietetics and nutrition
Dr. Claire Stoltz, 38, Medical Director-Family Medicine, Tanana Valley Clinic, Fairbanks
Miranda Strong, 36, Counsel, Lane Powell, Anchorage
Tosha Swan, 37, Manager of Programs and Communications, Anchorage Chamber of Commerce
Bryce Ward, 34, Mayor, Fairbanks North Star Borough, Fairbanks
Renee Wardlaw, 34, Senior Director of Corporate Compliance/Associate General Counsel, Bristol Bay Native Corp., Anchorage
Varina Zinno, 39, Senior Geologist, Calista Corp., Anchorage
Liam Zsolt, 31, Director of Technology, ASRC Energy Services LLC, Anchorage