168¿ª½±Íø¹ÙÍø

Alumni Association highlights 20 Under 40

December 1, 2022
The 168¿ª½±Íø¹ÙÍø Alumni Association has announced its '20 Under 40,' which highlights outstanding graduates.

Article By: Denise Ray

The University of North Georgia (168¿ª½±Íø¹ÙÍø) Alumni Association has announced the honorees for its inaugural program. This recognition was established to honor members of the 168¿ª½±Íø¹ÙÍø family for extraordinary accomplishments, significant professional achievements, or distinguished service to others, and was created by Alumni Relations Officer Jared Patterson and the Young Alumni Board.

"The '20 Under 40' program allows Alumni Relations the opportunity to highlight the quality of the outstanding graduates 168¿ª½±Íø¹ÙÍø is producing with every graduating class," Wendi Huguley, '90, director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving, said.

"These individuals will do great things in their communities and around the world, and we couldn't be more delighted to highlight their work and their intelligence. They are a mere representation of the quality of so many of our graduates."

The following individuals made the list:

  • founder and executive producer for the Bentley Media Group.
  • co-owner of Rivers Academy in Alpharetta, Georgia.
  • coordinator of resource development for Forsyth County Schools.
  • software developer for Dark Wolf Solutions.
  • Emory University Hospital nurse.
  • president and CEO of the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce & CVB.
  • head distiller at Cotton & Reed, a rum distillery in Washington, D.C.
  • founder and operations manager Key Title & Escrow, which is based in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
  • civilian physical therapist and clinical director for the 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, working within Holistic Health and Fitness.
  • co-owner and chief strategy officer of Keller Interiors, LLC, a national flooring installation contractor.
  • 168¿ª½±Íø¹ÙÍø WORC Program grant coordinator and Hall County Board of Education member.
  • director of Student Solutions & Momentum Center at the University of West Georgia.
  • senior director of fundraising and events at The Sassafras Group, LLC in Gainesville, Georgia.
  • partner at MDD Holdings and chief information officer and a minority partner in Rugby ATL, the Atlanta franchise of Major League Rugby.
  • Georgia Heart Institute of Northeast Georgia Medical Center nurse.
  • senior pastor at Lakewood Baptist Church in Gainesville, Georgia.
  • Gwinnett County Public Schools special education department chair for the Assisting Developing Adults with Productive Transitions program.
  • owner and operator of North Georgia Wine Tours in Cleveland, Georgia.
  • North America regional investigations manager for Facebook/Meta.
  • crime scene specialist for the Georgia Department of Corrections.

Research projects pair students with faculty

Research projects pair students with faculty

Nine research teams are participating in the Faculty Undergraduate Summer Engagement program funded by the Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities.
Professor presents at conference in Australia

Professor presents at conference in Australia

Dr. Jennifer Sears, associate professor of education at 168¿ª½±Íø¹ÙÍø, recently presented at the Education Support North Network conference in Western Australia.
Camp teaches basics of logistics to students

Camp teaches basics of logistics to students

Twelve high school students from surrounding counties experienced a crash course in logistics and supply chain management from June 23-27 at 168¿ª½±Íø¹ÙÍø's Camp Logistics.
Presidential Awards support faculty projects

Presidential Awards support faculty projects

President Michael Shannon awarded 16 Presidential Awards for the 2025-26 academic year to support faculty projects. They included 11 Innovation Awards and five Semester Awards.