< Previous LIVES: GALVESTON WORKS: VISION GALVESTON Keath Jacoby, 37 Executive director WHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? When I moved back to Galveston, I knew that I wanted to get involved in the community I lived in. My entire career has involved working with people, connecting them to a product or an idea, and working toward a greater mission. Vision Galveston provided a unique opportunity to combine my love for people, informing strategy and, most importantly, advancing the community. AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? I was always fascinated by the human mind, how it functions and what drives behavior so my intent was to become a psychologist. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? Besides babysitting for neighborhood kids, my first job was a scooping snow cones at Jungle Surf (and eating a lot of them, too). WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? Go fast and take a lot of chances. This is something I latched on to at a young age and it has taken me all over the world and brought so many opportunities. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? The people. The best part of my job is talking with such a wide range of community members about their hopes and ideas for the future of our island. Talking with experts and partners to identify ways to combine their knowledge with the voices of Galveston to work toward creative solutions. Because the initiatives at Vision Galveston are so broad and wide ranging, I’m constantly learning new things and being challenged to shift my way of thinking and cultivate an adaptive approach. WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? That the people you look up to and learn from are also trying to figure it out. There is no perfect answer. Just keep moving forward, trust your judgment and look for the next right step. WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT WORK, WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX? I have three kids under the age of 5 at home, so to be honest there’s not a lot of relaxing, but I am grateful for every messy moment with them. My family is my world and especially with the roller coaster of 2020, we spend a lot of time at the beach and exploring Galveston. LIVES: LEAGUE CITY WORKS: BLUEWATER MANAGEMENT Nick Long, 37 Co-founder WHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? After I sold my consulting firm, my wife and I were looking to reinvest the money back into our community. We started out by buying and rehabbing several homes in League City and Galveston. After awhile, we decided to get into short-term rentals. We began by just managing a few of our own units. As our portfolio grew, we built out capabilities like laundry, cleaning and maintenance. Once we hit critical mass, my wife and I brought in a partner and we founded Bluewater Management with the goal of helping other people maximize their real estate investment. AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? As a kid, I always wanted to be a lawyer, but during college, I became enthralled with business and finance in particular. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? I sold fireworks in Baytown. It definitely taught me how to deal with people and how to sell. WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? It’s not the size of the dog in the fight but the size of the fight in the dog. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? I love helping people experience all Galveston County has to offer. It’s great to get notes from guests talking about how great their trip was and knowing we helped facilitate that. WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? Obviously we have made a ton of mistakes along the way – some costly, some humorous – but I think I would encourage my younger self to take more risks and never fear failure. WHO DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR GREATEST MENTOR AND WHY? My grandfather was very entrepreneurial. He was a small-town car dealer, but what really made an impression on me was how everyone seemed to know, respect and truly like him. My ultimate goal is to create a business that not only does well for my family but also creates value for my employees and community. He definitely set that example for me. WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT WORK, WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX? I have two young boys, so when I’m not at work, I’m usually at the ball field or at the pool/lake with them. 20 | The Daily News | 40 Under 40 | 2020Galveston • Pearland • League City • Friendswood • Alvin Meet Your HomeTown Team Internet: www.HomeTown.Bank HomeTown Bank’s loan officers have our community at heart. Whether it’s a business loan to grow our economy or a home loan to meet the needs a growing family, they are here to help. When financing is the question, the HomeTown Team has the answer. Let’s get acquainted! Jimmy Rasmussen President & CEO Allan Rasmussen Sr. Executive Vice President Cesar Hernandez Sr. Vice President Galveston Scott Kusnerik Exec. Vice President Galveston Ray Rusk Sr. Vice President Alvin Bill Provenzano Sr. Vice President League City Sean Murphy Sr. Vice President Pearland Steve Owens Sr. Vice President Friendswood Bay Area Brandon Rogers Vice President Galveston Traci Shugart Garcia Vice President Galveston Chad Dudley Vice President Alvin Donna Rizzo Vice President Pearland Scott Asimakis Asst. Vice President Friendswood Downtown Jim Goebel Vice President League City 2020 | 40 Under 40 | The Daily News | 2122 | The Daily News | 40 Under 40 | 2020 LIVES: LEAGUE CITY WORKS: AMOCO FEDERAL CREDIT UNION Stacey Malbrough, 32 Vice president of Marketing & Business Development WHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? I have always loved writing, especially creative writing. I majored in corporate communications, so my love for writing grew even more in college. I knew I wanted to work in a field in which I could write creatively and build relationships with people. Whether it was a job in public relations or a job in marketing, I wanted to do something that pertained to the communications field. AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? As a child and even into my college years, I wanted to be a sports attorney. I have always loved sports, and my dad will say I used to love a good debate. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? My first job was actually as an intern at the same place I am at now, AMOCO Federal Credit Union. It was the summer before my senior year of high school, and I was an intern in the lending department. WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? My dad has always told me to believe in myself and have faith in my abilities. I remember I used to call him before every exam in college and tell him I was scared I was going to fail. He would always say, “You’ve prepared for this. I know you will do great. You just have to believe in yourself.” WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? I love the people I work with! We have a great team of people who are smart, hard working and fun. I also love helping people through whatever financial stage they are at in their lives. WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? To embrace every moment, even the little ones. The years fly by so fast. I feel like it was just yesterday when I started as an intern in our department. WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT WORK, WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX? I love spending time with my husband, my daughter and our two dogs. I also enjoy reading books and binge watching shows on Netflix. WHAT IS SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW? I’m double jointed in my elbows, and i can bend my fingers back pretty far! My friends used to joke that I could have never been a cheerleader because i would have scared people in the stands when I extended my arms. LIVES: GALVESTON WORKS: EDWARD JONES Samuel Malchar, 29 Financial advisor WHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? I went into the financial services field because it is a great way to impact the lives of our community. Financial literacy is something that is under taught in today’s world. I feel that we can have a huge impact on our clients’ lives by teaching and guiding them to accomplish their long-term financial goals. AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? Without a doubt, I wanted to play shortstop for the Houston Astros (and still do!). WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? My first job was also my toughest, I was a service technician at Discount Tire. It was grueling work but taught me a lot about hard work. WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? The best advice I have ever received was in a conversation I had with a veteran financial advisor at my firm. He asked me, “What is your backup plan for if this doesn’t work out?” As I began to answer, he cut me off saying, “Don’t have a backup plan, just make it work.” Seven years later, I’m still taking that advice. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? My favorite thing about my job is getting to celebrate with my clients as they accomplish a lifelong goal. WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? When I look back to the start of my career, I think the one thing I wish I knew was that it was okay to say, “no.” Early in my career, I felt obligated to say, “yes” to the new project, the extra work or joining a new board. Constantly saying “yes” would take away from my ability to do what was essential to running a successful business and made my work-life balance take a backseat. Today, I value work-life balance more than anything, as the time with our two children is something I can never get back. WHO DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR GREATEST MENTOR AND WHY? My parents are my greatest mentors because they set an incredible example on what being a leader and volunteer in their community looks like. WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT WORK, WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX? If I am not at the office, I am doing one of two things – either spending time with my wife and our two children or on the golf course. LIVES: GALVESTON WORKS: GALVESTON REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Sara Martin, 37 Director of special events WHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? I enjoy the aspect of planning, organizing and watching the process of a plan come to fruition. I am the person who goes on vacation with a three- ring binder with eight tabs featuring all the most promising options. I’ve always loved planning events and bringing people together and today find myself fortunate to be able to do so on a professional level on behalf of the chamber and this community. AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? Full disclosure – and as embarrassing as it might be – I wanted to be a neighbor. I thought this position entailed standing in your driveway talking with other neighbors while watering your yard and sending casseroles to those nearby. It seemed appealing to me for some reason. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? My first job was doing clerical work every summer beginning my freshman year of high school at Martin, Garza & Fisher, LLP. Yes, the Martin in the title is my grandfather George Martin, who is in his 57th year of practicing law in Galveston. He still has my picture on his desk of me with my first paycheck. WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? If you’re not ready to face opposition by doing the right thing, you’re not ready to be a leader. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? This position gives me the opportunity to widen my network and create relationships regionally that otherwise I may never had a chance to do. I enjoy building relationships with people like me who also want to see this community thrive. I enjoy working with individuals from various professions such as caterers, vendors, venue manager, motivational speakers, etc. My job as an events director allows me to interact daily with these professionals. Every day is totally different from the last. I can count on my chamber team to always be there to support me in anything I need. I’m grateful to have such supportive coworkers. WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? Younger Sara cared way too much about what people thought of her. Today I realize that you can’t please everyone, and when I know I am doing the right thing, that is all that really matters. Congratulations CHRIS ARMACOST CHRIS ARMACOST The Hitchcock Chamber of Commerce is proud to have one of our Board of Directors as a 2020 Galveston Daily News 40 under 40 honoree. You deserve it Chris, thank you for all that you do! Chamber of Commerce HITCHCOCK P: 409-986-9224 www.hitchcockchamber.comEst. in 1947 “Big Chamber Benefits at a Hometown Price” To Sara Martin, Congratulations on a job well done, always stay a Proverbs 31 lady! Love, Your Grandfather George D. Martin, PLLC And Your Family CONGRATULATIONS SARA MARTIN! Kudos on a job WELL DONE! We are so proud of you. EST.1845 love, your chamber family Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce GalvestonChamber.com 40 UNDER 40 HONOREE 2020 | 40 Under 40 | The Daily News | 23 LIVES: GALVESTON WORKS: BALL HIGH SCHOOL Allie Martinez, 36 Teacher/ARK sponsor/senior sponsor WHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? I loved talking literature and working with young adults, which led me to my dream job of teaching high school English. I had a wonderful teacher my junior year of high school. She went above and beyond to help me and made a huge difference in my life. I wanted to be able to make a difference in someone else’s life like she did for me. AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? I loved my first day of kindergarten so much that I went home and told my mom I wanted to be a teacher when I grew up. I had so many great teachers throughout my school years that my urge to teach continued to grow. I never strayed from my dream to be a teacher. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? When I was 15, I got my first job in the fast food industry where I stayed until I was old enough to get the job I really wanted. A month before my 18th birthday, I put in my application to work at the YMCA. I was a summer camp counselor and enjoyed working with the kids so much that I stayed on to work in the after- school program. I worked there several years. WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? The best advice I ever received came from acclaimed author Oscar Wilde. “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” I have always believed that people’s uniqueness is what makes them so special. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? I can’t pick just one favorite thing about my job. I love working with my students, talking literature with them, and making a difference in their lives. I also love running my ARK (Acts of Random Kindness) Club by spreading kindness across Ball High and helping students in need through Tor’s Toiletries. WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT WORK, WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX? I enjoy reading Stephen King books or watching movies with my family. I also enjoy crocheting and sewing. During the COVID, I started making masks for my family and the community. I found mask making to be very calming and relaxing. I also enjoy binge watching “Grey’s Anatomy” with my niece. WHAT IS SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW? Most people don’t know I crochet beanies for the homeless and Tor’s Toiletries. I also sew and bake from scratch. LIVES: LEAGUE CITY WORKS: LEAGUE CITY AND TEXAS CITY FAMILY DENTISTRY Mark Martinsen, 40 Dentist WHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? During my junior year, Friendswood High School had a career shadowing day. I signed up to shadow Ronald Groba, DDS, hoping to get out early to head to the beach. I was able to watch him interact with patients and even extract a tooth. Not only did I not leave early that day, I didn’t leave him alone until I left for college. AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? Dentist or professional surfer, maybe not in that order. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? Lifeguard in Friendswood and League City. WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? My dad always told me to not sweat the small stuff, do what you love, and give what your doing everything you got. Advice I will always live by. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? The positive affect I’m able to have on peoples’ lives is hands down my favorite part. On any given day, I can eliminate someone’s pain or give them the ability to smile again. I love what I do and work with folks who do the same. WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? If a kid accidentally bites your finger and you tell them “open, open, open,” they will always close, close, close tighter! WHO DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR GREATEST MENTOR AND WHY? My business partner, Brent Patterson, DDS, and wife, Michele, opened Texas City Family Dentistry and League City Family Dentistry starting in 1999. I have learned how a successful business is run from his wealth of knowledge and work ethic from more than 20 years of experience. WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT WORK, WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX? Anything that involves water and spending time with my wife, Stacey, and three children. WHAT IS SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW? I love to cook for family and friends. The more the merrier! HOW DO YOU HOPE TO GROW IN YOUR CAREER? I enjoy continuing education and always want to keep up with the most current evidence based dentistry available for my patients. 24 | The Daily News | 40 Under 40 | 2020 LIVES: LA MARQUE WORKS: LA MARQUE FIRE DEPARTMENT James Matthews, 39 Captain/paramedic WHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? My entire life I have had a passion for helping those in need. As a firefighter/paramedic, I have the opportunity to do just that. I have the opportunity to touch peoples’ lives in ways that other do not and I take that opportunity with great regard. It’s also a job that is an exciting journey day to day. I guess I am a little bit of a thrill- seeker in a way. AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? As a child, I wanted to be a police officer, fire fighter or serve in the military. I chose firefighter/ paramedic because it was the only one of those careers that I did not have to potentially take someone’s life. Instead, I would be putting fourth my best efforts to preserve a life. Police officers and men and women of the armed forces do a wonderful service to our country and I applaud as well as back them, but for me, I did not want to live with that potential. God bless them! WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? The best advice I have been given is Proverbs 23:7: “As a man thinketh in his heart so is he.” It just means that what a person thinks of themselves is just what they will always be, weather it’s good or bad. The judgment from others about you should never overshadow what you think about yourself. You determine who you are and who you will become. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? My first job was cutting yards as a child. When I was of age to work, I was employed by Popeyes. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? My favorite thing about my job is being able to be a part of a team that brings peace to someone’s storm. WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? I wish I would have known of other certifications/degrees I would have needed in order to advance, so I would not have to be doing them now. WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT WORK, WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX? I hang out with my family most of the time and do a lot of family activities. I am still looking for a hobby! WHAT IS SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW? That I like country music. Oops, did I say that out loud. Also, that I am vegan. LIVES: GALVESTON WORKS: TANTALIZE TANNING SPA Heather Morris, 31 Owner/operator WHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? After graduating from O’Connell High School in 2007 and attending Galveston College, I admit I had no set plan of what I wanted to do when I “grew up.” I tried it all – I was a lifeguard, a secretary, an event organizer, a cocktail waitress, a nanny, a salon attendant, etc. As a salon attendant, I truly began to find what is now my passion. I started from the problems and worked out in an effort to imagine and then build what I felt was an ideal day spa. With my grandparents having opened D’Ambra’s Meat Market in 1964, and my uncle, Anello D’Ambra, having opened his own chiropractic practice, Island Chiropractic, with his wife, Lisa, in 1994, I had a solid support system and unreasonable amount of confidence in my ability to be an entrepreneur. I convinced my then fiancé to move to Galveston to help me, and with help from my amazing lively grandparents, I opened my tanning spa in July 2010 at just 21 years old. AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? As a very young child, I always thought I’d become famous by acting or singing or, of course, marrying a member of N*SYNC. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? My first job was as a lifeguard at Schlitterbahn Galveston in 2006. WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? The best advice I have been given is from my husband: Let others think and say what they want about you and your decisions, you won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. Have confidence in yourself and go into each day with a clean mind and a loving heart. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? I love educating people on safe sun exposure, Vitamin D and provide an affordable spa experience for sun-bed users and non, alike. WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? Every day is a battle against yourself. Comparing yourself or your business to others serves no purpose and ultimately prohibits you from reaching your fullest potential. WHAT IS SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW? Something about me most people don’t know is that I am pretty good at impressions, my best are Celine Dion, Britney Spears and Mickey Mouse. 2020 | 40 Under 40 | The Daily News | 25 LIVES: GALVESTON WORKS: GALVESTON COUNTY CONSTABLE’S OFFICE – PRECINCT 2 Hassan Mustafa, 34 Chief deputy WHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? I feel like it is a great honor to wear a badge every day – the excitement associated with the job unlike sitting in a cubicle at the office. I enjoy the fact that each day will be different and no two days will be alike and, most importantly, to be able to help someone that cannot help themselves. AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? I always wanted to be a police officer. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? Retail. WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? My father always said, “Do not ever forget your roots.” WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? The adrenaline rush and the camaraderie. WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? You are always under a microscope. WHO DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR GREATEST MENTOR AND WHY? I consider my parents to be my greatest mentors. My parents always said to always do the right thing even when it may not be the most popular thing to do and always remember your roots. WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT WORK, WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX? When I am not at work, I enjoy spending time with my family, especially my two sons. WHAT IS SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW? I am always thinking. HOW DO YOU HOPE TO GROW IN YOUR CAREER? Always learn more, make myself more desirable and train future police officers. IF YOU COULDN’T DO WHAT YOU’RE DOING NOW, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING? I would have been an attorney maybe. LIVES: GALVESTON WORKS: GALVESTON’S OWN FARMERS MARKET/SPEAK UP MEDIA Mercedes Pang, 29 Director of operation/Owner WHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? I recognized an opportunity to assist small businesses in our community in reaching their audience in a more effective way and to help them realize the potential of their business. AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? I wanted to be like my dad. Not in terms of his career path, but to emulate who he is as a person – calm, collected and kind. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? I spent most of my childhood working with my mom at her store at Market Square in San Antonio, and then when she opened her second store in the San Antonio International Airport, I helped her there as well. I worked as a cashier and sales associate on the weekends during the school year and full- time in the summer. WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? “If it’s flipping hamburgers at McDonald’s, be the best hamburger flipper in the world. Whatever it is you do, you have to master your craft.” – Snoop Dogg WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? I love the people that I work with, the people we collaborate with and hearing customers’ stories. I enjoy listening to what motivates people and working with that to get the message across. WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? There will be people out there who will want to see you fail or undermine your achievements. Don’t let them get to you! Do the best you can and keep on moving forward. WHO DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR GREATEST MENTOR AND WHY? This is tough! There are many individuals who helped shape who I am today, and I am constantly learning new things. Ultimately, my mother taught me my work ethic when I was younger. She taught me how to be independent, encouraged me to always give my best, and inspired me to start my own business. If I had a hesitation about how to move forward, my mom was the fuel to push me to the finish line. WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT WORK, WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX? Yoga, walking, running or biking around Galveston while listening to audio books. “I enjoy the fact that each day will be different and no two days will be alike and, most importantly, to be able to help someone that cannot help themselves.” 26 | The Daily News | 40 Under 40 | 2020 LIVES: GALVESTON WORKS: UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH James Pittman, 28 Second-year medical student WHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? The medical field offers me the ability to direct positive change and build life-lasting relationships with the people of my community. AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? Growing up in a rural Texas community, I always wanted to become a rural physician. I do have to admit that when I was 4, I wanted to be a T-Rex. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? When I was about 9, I began working with my dad as a chimney sweep. We wore the top hat and everything. WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? Don’t ever stop growing and learning as a person. Second best advice would have to be you can’t squeeze a turkey and call it a cow. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? UTMB offers a class load for medical students that still allows us to pursue our passion projects within the community. WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? We all learn at different speeds and in different ways so don’t ever doubt yourself because you have made it this far. WHO DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR GREATEST MENTOR AND WHY? My mom! She has always shown me that hard work, integrity and kindness will help you go further than anything else in this world. WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT WORK, WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX? FISHING!!! WHAT IS SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW? I can identify a vast majority of the native Texas plant species. HOW DO YOU HOPE TO GROW IN YOUR CAREER? I honestly just hope that one day I will be able to provide my services as a physician at a rate that won’t bankrupt my patients. IF YOU COULDN’T DO WHAT YOU’RE DOING NOW, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING? Becoming a rural physician has always been my passion, so there’s honestly nothing else I could ever see myself doing. LIVES: GALVESTON WORKS: UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH Danny Pope, 26 Third-year medical student WHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? There were a lot of things that steered me toward a career in medicine. I always liked math and science as a kid, and I enjoy working with people, so medicine seemed like a natural fit. I started seriously considering becoming a doctor after I lost my mother to brain cancer at age 15. As painful as that experience was, I thought my life would be well-lived if I could save even one life and protect a family from the hardship that my family endured. During my senior year of college, I had some great mentors in the medical field, namely Dr. Benjie Burke and Dr. Chuck Secrest. Both men performed their jobs with dedication and humility, and helped solidify my notion that medicine was a worthy calling. AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? Growing up, I thought that I wanted to be either an engineer or a doctor. After taking AP Calculus in high school, I quickly realized I wasn’t cut out for engineering and decided to go the doctor route. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? I had a lot of odd jobs before medical school. During my college summer breaks, I made money working at country clubs, recycling scrap metal and trapping beavers. Between college and med school, I painted houses, installed telephones in jails, and worked as a commercial salmon fisherman in Alaska. WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? “Stop worrying so much about what other people want, and focus more on what you want.” I actually received this advice during a job interview. It helped me realize that I was doing a lot of things to gain approval from others, and helped me refocus on things that I actually cared about. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? My favorite thing about med school is the other students at UTMB. We have an incredible student body that promotes cooperation over competition. It makes med school a lot more fun and far less stressful than I expected it to be. WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? I wish that I knew how hard it would be to decide on a specialty. There are a lot of great ones to choose from, but every field has its pros and cons. Med school goes by fast, and you have about three years to figure out what you want to do for the rest of your life. 2020 | 40 Under 40 | The Daily News | 27 LIVES: FRIENDSWOOD WORKS: TWENTY20 VISION CENTER Reagan Ratcliff, 32 Optometrist/owner WHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? I grew up wearing glasses and contacts and wanted to be in the health care field. I also wanted to be a business owner and be able to work in my hometown of Friendswood. Being an optometrist afforded me all of those opportunities. AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? I’m reminded by my family that as a child I wanted to be a “country western singer.” As I got older and realized that I couldn’t sing very well, I had to change gears. In high school, I wrote a scholarship paper about becoming an optometrist and moving back to my hometown and opening a practice. I think it is a neat story that about 8 years later that came true. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? I worked at Golfcrest Country Club out of the maintenance barn – mowing, weed-eating and raking bunkers. WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? Never get too high on the highs or too low on the lows. It is important to stay even-keeled. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? I enjoy the relationships that I have built and being able to see my patients (many now friends) on a regular basis. I also like that the solutions that I bring to the table are most often very practical and can help a person immediately. WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? I wish I knew that it’s okay to not be perfect and you will never be able to please everyone at all times. We don’t strive to be “perfect” any more, rather we strive to improve every day. WHO DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR GREATEST MENTOR AND WHY? My dad. Of all of the people I’ve ever seen or met, I don’t know anyone who is better at forming, keeping and strengthening relationships with people. Without even having to tell me directly, he taught me that to be successful in business, and in life, you have to have genuine relationships and truly care about others. WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT WORK, WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX? I enjoy playing golf. It is the perfect mix of physical and mental challenges. LIVES: GALVESTON WORKS: HELIX INSURANCE GROUP Adam Rust, 33 Managing partner WHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? I got an internship with one of the top agents in the country for Liberty Mutual. He came and spoke to one of our sales classes at the University of Houston, and I wanted to work for him and be one of the best, too! AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? Just an entrepreneur. I had everything from vending machine businesses, to landscaping businesses, to wakeboarding lessons to purchase the boat I wanted, to snow cone stands, to training hunting dogs. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? I had my best friend’s sisters baking cookies in the winter time and paid them to stand on the corner of the streets in our neighborhood selling the cookies. WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? One of my mentors told me in college “Adam you have four businesses right now and you also sell insurance. Imagine how much more insurance you could sell if you put all of your focus on one thing.” He was 100 percent right. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? I get paid to help people. We have a huge impact on people’s financial situations and even sometimes are the determining factor of whether someone is able to purchase a home down on the coast or not. Not very many people can say they truly get paid to help people and I love it! WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? I love life to the fullest so not much. I do wish I would have learned more about authentic trust versus blind trust. It would of helped me with several business partners throughout the years. WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT WORK, WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX? I love to spend time with my wife and dogs and taking the boat to “bands on the sand” at Moody Gardens on the weekends. I offshore fish a lot. I love to duck and goose hunt. WHAT IS SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW? How approachable I am and how willing I am to help others if they would ask for it! 28 | The Daily News | 40 Under 40 | 2020STACEY MALBROUGH CONGRATULATIONS Vice President of Marketing & Business Development Your AMOCO family is proud and commends you for being recognized as one of the 40 Under 40 Honorees in Galveston County. #AMOCOPROUDNext >