Business Standouts

YPI NAMES TOP 40 YOUNG PROFESSIONALS UNDER FORTY

The Young Professional Initiative, a young professionals program of the Greater Shreveport Chamber in Northwest Louisiana, introduced its 2019 40 Under Forty class Aug. 15 at Red River Brewery.

YPI enlisted a special committee to select 40 young professionals under the age of 40 from Northwest Louisiana based on values such as achievement, experience and innovation, vision, leadership and community involvement. YPI created the special committee to honor 40 young professionals making significant impact in Shreveport- Bossier, making it a better place to live, work and play.

“This year, the bar was set high. We received more than 200 nominations from all over Northwest Louisiana, and it was a challenge to pick only 40 honorees,” said YPI’s chair committee president, Colton Kyle. “The outstanding level of professional achievement and community involvement we see in this 40 Under Forty class proves that the place we call home is attracting and retaining some of the country’s brightest young professionals.”

“318 Forum Magazine is more than honored to have been the presenting sponsor of this important event for the past 12 years. We continue to be inspired by the outstanding individuals selected to be recognized for their exceptional achievements and community involvement. This is an extraordinary way to nurture our now and future business professionals, responsibly growing the region where we live and work,” 318 Forum Publisher Jay Covington said.

The 2019 40 Under Forty class includes: LaToya Amos, New York Life Insurance Company; Sheena Bryant North Louisiana Economic Partnership; Andrea Butler, Horseshoe Casino & Hotel and Harrah’s Louisiana Downs; Jeremy Cave, CenturyLink; Veronica Cook, Christus Highland Medical Center/Christus Health Shreveport-Bossier; Joshua Copeland, GDIT; Damarcus Davis, Willis Knighton Health System; LaTari Fleming, Seedlinks Behavior Management; Patton Fritze, Red River Chevrolet; Tharwat Ghattas, Sound Physicians; Carie Hart, Lola Magazine; Jessica Hawkins, Centenary College of Louisiana; Michael E. Hollister, United States Air Force; Jennifer Horton, United Way of Northwest Louisiana; Lauren Jackson, Regions Mortgage; Dr. Donna Johnson, Louisiana Tech University; Spencer Kiper, Bossier Parish School Board; Carly Koen, United Way of Northwest Louisiana; Eric Lang, Lang Orthodontics; Deidra Lewis-Robertson, Community Renewal; Elissa Little, Little Realty Inc,; James Lowder, Southern Roots Dentistry; Lisa Mason-Hollins, Caddo Parish Schools; Trey McGuire, The Warrior Network; Taunton Melville, Blanchard, Walker, O’Quin & Roberts, PLC; Candice Mills, Providence House; LaKeisha Myles Towner, AEP/ SWEPCO; Laura Beeman Nugent, Robinson Film Center; Sam Ortiz, The Philadelphia Center; Lindsey Pennington, MD; Lindsey Pennington, MD, Facial Plastics; John Gray Pou, Merrill Lynch; Claire Sevier, Heard, McElroy & Vestal, LLC; Emily Smith, Community Foundation of North Louisiana; Michael Smith, Pioneer Comfort Systems; Aaron Storer, Storer Services; Bevin Sutton Hicks, Lola Magazine; Luke Thaxton, Thaxton Title; Dr. Candice Webert, Caddo Parish Schools; Devin White, Caddo Parish Schools; Joysaline Young, LCSW, NSW-C, Brentwood Hospital.

The honorees will be recognized at YPI’s 13th annual 40 Under Forty Gala, which will be presented by 318 Forum, on Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Shreveport Convention Center. From the list of honorees, one will be named the 2019 Young Professional of the Year during the Gala.

The Dec. 7 Gala will begin with a cocktail reception at 7 p.m., dinner and program at 7:30 p.m. with an after-party to follow at the Shreveport Convention Center. Chamber member early bird tickets are $65 per person. After Nov. 18, the price will increase to $75. Non-member tickets are $95 per person. Tickets and sponsorships are available.

For ticket or sponsorship information, contact the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce at 318-677-2500.

40 under Forty 2019 honorees

1) Colton Kyle, Jana Freeman Forrest and Kirstie Gilliam

2) YPI Honorees 2019

3) Jana Freeman Forrest, Paul Savage Jr., Renisha Sanders, Tracy Whittington

4) Jared Beville of Red River Brewing, Nick Oliver with EAP and Shreveport Chamber President Dr. Tim Mangner

5) Lauren Jackson and Nydia Wilson

6) Dr. Candice Webert and Crystal Mays

7) Emerie Eck Gentry and LaToya Amos

8) SMSgt. Mike Hollister and Amy Hollister

9) Brandon and Jennifer Horton

10) 318 Forum publisher Jay Covington; Jana Freeman Forrest, vice president of BOM and chair of 2019 40 Under Forty; 318 Forum sales manager Angela Haacker