< Previous LIVES: GALVESTON WORKS: GALVESTON ARTS CENTER Lisa Shaw, 31 Executive director WHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? Initially I thought I wanted to be a chef or an interior designer. Interior design won out and I ended up spending two years as an interior design student. After doing some heavy thinking over a school break, I realized I have always loved museums but for whatever reason never considered them as a career path. After returning to school at Texas Tech, I visited the university museum, which happened to have a Museum Sciences Graduate program. I asked what I could do for them and the rest is history! Since then, I have been making my career working in an administrative capacity in museums and nonprofits. AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? I would have told you a paleontologist or an archaeologist because I loved digging things up. When I saw this question, I asked my parents and my mom told me I wanted to be a fashion designer. I thought, “they must have me confused with someone else,” but thinking back, I did make my own costumes and clothes for my dolls. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? I was a sales associate in the misses department at Macy’s. It was a typical first job, I learned how to handle stressful customer service situations, which, in my opinion, everyone would benefit from experiencing. WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? The best advice I have ever received is from a longtime friend and it is more like a life motto for me now. “Don’t let the haters get you down” though, admittedly, they used a different word for haters. This advice is something I live by at work and in my personal life. No matter what choices you make, whether it be for the betterment of yourself, your family or an organization, someone will not agree with you and that is okay! In fact, it is beneficial! You cannot grow as a person if everyone around you thinks and behaves the same way, that creates an echo chamber, which inhibits growth. However, for the individuals who seem to be negative about your choices it is important to go with your gut, do what you think is best, and stay positive in light of any negativity thrown your way. Read more about Lisa at galvnews.com/40under40 LIVES: GALVESTON WORKS: GALVESTON URBAN MINISTRIES Brandon Williams, 35 Director of student ministries/media director WHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? I am a product of parents, grandparents and mentors who gave their time and resources to make sure I was able to chase God’s calling on my life and to truly thrive. I want to do the same for my students. So many of my students are labelled as bad kids from the get go, but I know better. I want to bring out the extraordinary within them, so the world can see all of the gifts they have to offer. Every kid deserves this. AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? I actually wanted to be a lawyer. My wife says I love to argue. While that is true, I’m also passionate about advocating for justice and amplifying those whose voices go unheard. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? My first job was on a farm tending to horses and pulling weeds. I had my foot stepped on by one of the horses, but it still didn’t stop me from riding. WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? I’ve gotten a ton of good advice over the years, but there’s a quote from L.R. Knost that I keep coming back to. She says: “Do not be dismayed by the brokenness of the world. All things break. And all things can be mended. Not with time, as they say, but with intention. So go. Love intentionally, extravagantly, unconditionally. The broken world waits in darkness for the light that is you.” I love this quote, and I think it’s perfect for our current time. It reminds us that all things break, but they won’t get fixed by us complaining on social media. It takes intention, it takes being uncomfortable, it takes getting our hands dirty and working with, not against, each other. This is a job for everyone, regardless of age, race or economic status. Everyone has a role to play in Tikkum Olam, or “the repair of the world.” We have to be able to see the divine worth, the Imago Dei, in every person and honor that for our world to be healed. WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? To breathe and to have grace for myself. Early on, I struggled a lot with insecurity. The tiniest mistake would make me feel like a failure. But I’ve learned that it’s all right. I’m going to fail at times, because I’m human. My wife always says to me “What’s a spill? No big deal.” Clean it up and move on. 30 | The Daily News | 40 Under 40 | 2020(409) 762-HELP | www.UWGalv.org A Brighter FutureA Brighter Future CONGRATULATIONS to this year’s 40 Under 40 Honorees! Your leadership and commitment to our future will definitely change everything! CONGRATULATIONS to this year’s 40 Under 40! 409-632-5016 | www.MoodyBank.com At Moody Bank, we applaud all young professionals with the desire to reach higher and achieve more. Your drive to succeed inspires us and is what moves our community forward. MEMBER FDIC 2020 | 40 Under 40 | The Daily News | 31 LIVES: GALVESTON WORKS: VELOCITY AUTO CARE/CROSSFIT TIDAL WAVE Taylor Wilson, 39 President WHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? I’ve always enjoyed mechanical things. Taking things apart, putting them back together, repairing or modifying them. I’ve had a love for cars since I was little and started working on them before I could drive. First installing stereos, later racing and eventually moving into general repair. I’ve also always had an entrepreneurial spirit. Put those two together and here we are! AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? I can’t remember a strong desire to be one particular thing but seeing my interest in mechanics, a lot of people thought I’d be an engineer. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? Helping to clean construction sites, carry lumber, etc., for my dad. He’s a contractor. I did a lot of sweeping and carrying lumber up stairs. WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? I’ve received a ton of great advice, but there’s something my father said in passing while we were working on a project one day that has really stuck with me. He said, in my words, when you’re working on something, you have to make sure each cut, step, etc. is done perfectly because if you’re careless, all those little mistakes build on each other and you have a piece of junk at the end. He may have been referring to building houses, but I feel like that applies to business and almost everything else in life. Do the little things right if you want an excellent end result. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? I just enjoy the variety of things I get to do each day. There are always new challenges and new ways to try to improve. WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? The list of things I didn’t know is pretty long. I think my ignorance and the mistakes I made early on were all learning experiences that have ultimately helped me be successful. I’m not sure I would want to know anything more than I did. WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT WORK, WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX? I love being outdoors — boating, fishing, hunting or even just riding my beach cruiser down the seawall. I also enjoy working out and traveling with my favorite travel partner, my beautiful wife. LIVES: GALVESTON WORKS: MOSQUITO CAFE/PATTYCAKES BAKERY Kyla Wright, 37 Managing partner/chief financial officer WHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? I have always loved food. Growing up, my dad was a professional baker and businessman, working his whole life in the food industry. I was exposed to passion and appreciation for the food industry. After college, I moved to Galveston to help my dad at Mosquito Café, which he had been running for a few years already. While working at Mosquito Café, I earned my master’s degree in business. AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? I really had no clue. Growing up, I loved animals, and we had lots of pets. In college, I volunteered at the local animal shelter in the BUNS division (Bunnies Urgently Needing Shelter), which I thoroughly enjoyed. My undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara is in zoology. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? My first job at 16 years old was at Gold Coast Ingredients in Southern California. My position was quality control at a factory that made food flavorings. I was primarily responsible for approving products made in our facility using scientific analysis. WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? My sixth-grade teacher once said that she absolutely loved it when others would talk about her behind her back, even if it was negative talk. She said that it showed they obviously cared about her so much that they would take the time to talk about her and that made her happy. Over the years, I have remembered this advice. I stay true to who I am, and let others say and think what they like. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? I absolutely love baking! Breads and pastries are my favorite, but I am happiest when I am baking in the kitchen with my dad. WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? Owning and managing a business requires you to be a “jack of all trades.” WHO DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR GREATEST MENTOR AND WHY? My greatest mentor is definitely my dad! He not only taught me how to bake, but has an amazing work ethic that I admire. IF YOU COULDN’T DO WHAT YOU’RE DOING NOW, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING? I would work in the field of science and ecology. 32 | The Daily News | 40 Under 40 | 2020Love Mom, Dad,Love Mom, Dad, Ron, Hannah Rose, Sasha,Ron, Hannah Rose, Sasha, James, Benji, and Josie!James, Benji, and Josie! Kyla WrightKyla Wright We salute Jonathan for his professional achievements and his philanthropic endeavors in Galveston County and beyond. Sincerely, The Board of Directors Galveston Artillery Club The Board of Directors of the Galveston Artillery Club congratulate fellow board member Jonathan Zendeh Del on his selection by The Galveston County Daily News as a 40 Under 40 recipient. The Galveston Island Cigar Lounge congratulates Jonathan Zendeh Del and his fellow honorees on being selected to 40 under 40! Tie off on our boat dock, relax on our covered deck or cool off in our cigar lounge. Stop in and tour our humidor. We have the finest selection of premium cigars in the County. Open Monday - Thursday 11am to 9pm Friday - Saturday 11am to 11pm Sunday Noon to 6pm 1813 61st Street, Galveston, Texas 77551 409-443-5038 • Like us on Facebook! GalvestonIslandCigarLounge.com 2020 | 40 Under 40 | The Daily News | 33 THE NEWS YOU WANT DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SIGN UP TODAY! GALVNEWS.COM/NEWSLETTERS LIVES: GALVESTON WORKS: ZENDEH DEL & ASSOCIATES Jonathan Zendeh Del, 37 Managing attorney WHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? I have always wanted to be a lawyer. AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? A lawyer or an astronaut. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? I worked at Palm Beach at Moody Gardens when I was 16. WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? Don’t take no for an answer and don’t stop until you win. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? I get to help people out in what is often a very difficult time in their life. WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? You catch more flies with honey, but sometimes the bee needs to sing. WHO DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR GREATEST MENTOR AND WHY? The two who have guided me the most have been my older brother (also a lawyer) and my dad (a businessman). My brother has helped me over the years and I have learned from his experiences. My dad is an excellent businessman and that has rubbed off on me. Both have always been there to help. WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT WORK, WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX? I spend time with my children and wife and spend a lot of time on my boats. We also spend time at our family ranch. WHAT IS SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW? I have a black belt in karate (Korean style taekwondo to be exact). HOW DO YOU HOPE TO GROW IN YOUR CAREER? We have grown my firm to four lawyers in the last 10 years. We hope to keep growing and helping people out. IF YOU COULDN’T DO WHAT YOU’RE DOING NOW, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING? I would be doing more real estate investing. “I get to help people out in what is often a very difficult time in their life.” ZENDEH DEL & ASSOCIATES, PLLC www.GalvestonJustice.com DWI • CRIMINAL • PERSONAL INJURY 409-740-1111 34 | The Daily News | 40 Under 40 | 2020TEXAS’ OLDEST NEWSPAPER We have survived through wars, recessions, depressions, floods and hurricanes. We have covered Galveston County since 1842 and continue on today as your local news source. 40 UNDER 40 Adam Rust owns Helix Insurance Group, an independent insurance brokerage, with his wife, Emily Rust. Together, they have grown their agency significantly and continue to help thousands of people with their insurance needs. While Adam was attending the University of Houston in 2009, he worked for Liberty Mutual on the number one Sales Team in the country. This experience ignited a passion and caused him to pursue a career with Liberty Mutual after graduating from The Cyvia and Melvyn Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Houston C. T. Bauer College of Business in 2010. Adam has a bit of an insurance Heritage-His grandfather was a former Insurance Commissioner of Texas under George W. Bush. Adam has developed many high performing sales teams over the past decade which is where his true passion lies. At Liberty Mutual, Adam went above and beyond to build lasting relationships with his customers and referral partners. The emphasis he placed on helping others allowed him to achieve every sales award that Liberty Mutual offered. After having this unique captive/broker roll with Liberty Mutual for almost 7 and a half years, he moved to the broker side of things. Adam and his wife Emily bought in to Helix Insurance Group in October of 2017. In just two and a half short years, they now have a team of agents and customer service representatives with several locations representing over 100 different Insurance carriers including some of the largest Insurers in the world such as; Liberty Mutual, Safeco, Allstate, Berkshire Hathaway, Progressive, Travelers. In 2018 and 2019, Helix Insurance Group won the Gold Award and was voted Galveston’s Best of The Island Insurance Company! Helix office locations are in Katy, Texas and Tiki Island, Texas. Although, Helix writes all types of insurance business across the State of Texas, they are most known in the Galveston area for assisting high net worth private clients along the Texas Gulf Coast.Next >