On behalf of the CITY OF LA MARQUE, kudos to all the 40 UNDER 40 HONOREES with special recognition for one of LA MARQUE'S FINEST. GATEWAY TO THE GULF DETECTIVE Evelyn Arredondo #522 La Marque Police Department Criminal Investigation Division Family Violence Crimes Against Children Public Information Officer Sex Offender Compliance Unit Thank you and congratulations. La Marque is a better place because of you. CITYOFLAMARQUE.ORG 2021 | 40 Under 40 | The Daily News | 3 CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2021 40 UNDER 40 HONOREES The Daily News is shining the spotlight on the best and brightest young professionals in Galveston County who are making a difference in their professions and in the community. To make the list, The Daily News solicited nominations from the public for men and women who are 40 years old and younger and live and/or work in the Galveston County area. An expert panel of judges not affiliated with The Daily News evaluated each nominee based on their professional accomplishments, growth and community service. These men and women represent a broad range of occupations and highlight the diversity of businesses in the Galveston County area. MEET THE DAILY NEWS’ 40 UNDER 40 CLASS OF 2021 Broc Adams ......................................................................4 Taylor Adams ...................................................................4 JoAnna Alvarado ...........................................................5 Blake Apffel ......................................................................6 Evelyn Arredondo .........................................................7 Blair Hamilton Brown ...................................................7 Dewan Clayborn ............................................................8 Melanie Collins ...............................................................8 Lauren Desormeaux .....................................................9 Josh Dorrell ....................................................................10 Amber Ferguson ..........................................................10 Michael Gienger ...........................................................11 Calvin Harp ....................................................................12 Megan Jones .................................................................12 Shanna Kirkpatrick ......................................................13 Rhomari Leigh ..............................................................14 Andrew Leslie ...............................................................14 Samuel Mathis ..............................................................15 Stephen Maxwell .........................................................16 Lee Mencacci.................................................................17 Amy Musick ...................................................................18 Brandon Noto ...............................................................18 Phillip Palmer ................................................................19 Steven Pena ...................................................................19 Shannan Pfeifer ............................................................20 Travis Powell ..................................................................20 Aaron Sanders ..............................................................21 William Schuster ..........................................................22 Mark Scibincio ..............................................................22 Jenna Simsen ................................................................23 Chad Smith ....................................................................23 John Snow .....................................................................24 Clifford Snyder ..............................................................25 Justine St. Cyr ................................................................25 Lisa Stewart ...................................................................26 Darcie Valenzuela ........................................................26 Brittany Viegas ..............................................................27 Justin West .....................................................................28 Crystal Williams ............................................................28 Cathie Woitena .............................................................294 | The Daily News | 40 Under | 2021 LIVES: CITY WORKS: SALTWATER-RECON, LLC AND U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, GALVESTON DISTRICT Broc Adams, 37 Vice president/CTO and Regulatory Project Manager Why did you go into your particular field? Born and raised on the Island, I have always had an affinity with the Gulf and Bay. My mom and dad practically raised me and my brothers to live off the sea. At a very early age, I was exposed to the wild world of angling and seafaring. I have been hooked ever since. My involvement with Saltwater Recon all started with my childhood best friend, Urs Schmid. Urs and I grew up together on the island and have remained best friends to this day. One of our first entrepreneurial endeavors together was a local apparel company. After Urs moved to the mainland, he often would call me and ask about the current conditions of the Gulf and Bay. Soon after, we stumbled on the idea of erecting a camera to embed on our apparel company’s website. After the installation of our first camera, we were itching to set up another. Saltwater-recon.com was born, and we have been expanding our camera network up. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Growing up, I always wanted to be a veterinarian. What was your first job? My first job was working on East Beach, setting up umbrellas and chairs. It was hard work, but when your office is a beach, it’s not really work. Is it? What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take. You’ll never truly know what could have been or what you could have done if you never attempt to try. What’s your favorite thing about your job? I’d have to say my favorite thing about Saltwater- Recon.com is being able to work with my childhood best friends, Urs Schmid and Larry Perez. Starting a business from the ground up and witnessing it grow into a successful enterprise is unlike anything else. We are truly blessed. My favorite thing about working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is knowing that I am supporting the mission of protecting the nation’s aquatic resources so that future generations will be able to enjoy them just as I have. What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started your career? Always put effort into pursuing your passions, and try at an early age to identify your talents. LIVES: GALVESTON WORKS: RESOURCE AND CRISIS CENTER OF GALVESTON COUNTY Taylor Adams, 37 Deputy Director Why did you go into your particular field? Prior to becoming a social worker, I was an undergrad theater major making my way as an actress in New York City. I spent the majority of my 20s chasing my dream of Broadway while working late nights in the service industry to pay my bills. It was as rewarding as it was exhausting. There was a significant moment right before my 29th birthday where I decided that the artist hustle was no longer fulfilling, and I wanted to find a new path. A hard look at my résumé resulted in focusing on my volunteer work. At the time, I was providing advocacy in the emergency room at the local hospital to victims of sexual assault. Not only was it a challenging and rewarding experience, but also it provided me with meeting one of my first mentors in the field. By age 30, after inundating my friends, family and professional contacts with question after question about my new journey, I had been accepted into the Master of Social Work program at New York University. Honestly, it was the best life decision I have made to date. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I spent much of my childhood wanting to be an artist or a veterinarian. At one point in my pre-teen years, I had aspirations of becoming a pet orthodontist after hearing a news story about a rabbit who could not eat due to a significant overbite. I still think about him to this day, and I truly hope that he found the help that he needed. What was your first job? My first job was at a boutique on The Strand called Flores Soneau, which is now the home of Tsunami Bar. It taught me many lessons in money management, as the majority of my checks were spent on clothing instead of saving. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? Breathe. This has been the most valuable piece of advice I have been offered, and I have heard it a lot over the years from a lot of different people in my life. Taking a moment to relax, regroup and refocus — even if just for a five-second breath — is the key to overall health and wellness. When you’re not at work, what do you do to relax? I really enjoy re-watching “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” episodes, reading fiction books and doing jigsaw puzzles. I wish I could say I took more advantage of living by the ocean and doing outdoor activities, but when I get off work I really do enjoy a quiet recharge.Congratulations JoAnna! DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES We are so proud of you! Love, your CCFCU family. www.coastalcommunityfcu.org 2021 | 40 Under 40 | The Daily News | 5 LIVES: TEXAS CITY WORKS: COASTAL COMMUNITY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION JoAnna Alvarado, 37 Human resource/marketing director Why did you go into your particular field? I recently made a career change to human resources one year ago. After being in accounting for more than 10 years, I was offered to make the change, then became certified. It was the best decision I could have ever made because I truly love what I do. I get to help the organization have a better culture as well as be an advocate for the employees. I have a passion to help people, so this was truly my calling. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Growing up, I wanted to be a teacher. What was your first job? I was a hostess/server at Denny’s off NASA Road 1. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? Fake it till you make it. What’s your favorite thing about your job? I love that I get to be a part of the most important aspect of any organization — people. And I get to plan really fun parties. What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started your career? Working in HR during a pandemic was the craziest, busiest and most difficult time of my new career. Who do you consider to be your greatest mentor and why? Other than Wonder Woman because I’ve never really met her, I would say my current boss, Kay Carmon. She has taught me so much in such a short period of time. When you’re not at work, what do you do to relax? I love spending time with my husband, kids, family and friends doing anything fun, like concerts or going to the beach. I’m a typical female; I love to shop and get my hair and nails done. What is something about you that most people don’t know? I used to have my own blog. I started blogging back in 2009 when it wasn’t as cool as it is now. How do you hope to grow in your career? In HR, the knowledge is never-ending, so I plan on getting more certifications as I obtain the years of experience I need to qualify for them. If you couldn’t do what you’re doing now, what would you be doing? I would definitely want to do something where I could help people, maybe nursing. 104 Moody Ave at the corner of 21st and Harborside Dr. 409-744-3597 www.apffellegal.com On being named one of the 40 Under 40 In Galveston County. We are all so very proud of you! D. Blake Apffel CONGRATULATIONS 6 | The Daily News | 40 Under | 2021 LIVES: LEAGUE CITY WORKS: APFFEL LEGAL, PLLC Blake Apffel, 31 Lawyer Why did you go into your particular field? My grandfather was a lawyer, my dad and his brother are lawyers, and three of their four sisters married lawyers. Growing up, I got to watch and hear about all the ways they impacted and helped people. At a young age, I knew that’s what I wanted to do. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I like to tell people that I was born a lawyer. What was your first job? Little League baseball umpire. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? Do it now. Don’t push today’s problem to tomorrow because when tomorrow’s problem comes up, you will have two. What’s your favorite thing about your job? My competitive personality loves being in trial and delivering a closing argument, but the most rewarding part of my job is definitely helping people through some of the most trying times in their lives. What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started your career? Law school teaches you the law, but it doesn’t really teach you how to be a lawyer. I have learned a ton since I started, but I’m actually glad I didn’t know what I didn’t know. Asking questions and learning every step of the way has made me better at what I do. Who do you consider to be your greatest mentor and why? Definitely my dad. I have wanted to be just like him for as long as I can remember. We have been law partners for five years now and he still teaches me something new every day. When you’re not at work, what do you do to relax? The water is my happy place. Anything I can do with my family on or around the water relaxes me. What is something about you that most people don’t know? I love to read. How do you hope to grow in your career? I am a goal setter, and my most ambitious goal is that I want to be the best trial lawyer in the country. If you couldn’t do what you’re doing now, what would you be doing? If I wasn’t a lawyer, I can definitely see myself as the pastor of a church or maybe a baseball coach on some level. NEVER MISS A SINGLE ISSUE! COASTMONTHLY.COM/SUBSCRIBE 409.683.5201 2021 | 40 Under 40 | The Daily News | 7 LIVES: TEXAS CITY WORKS: LA MARQUE POLICE DEPARTMENT Evelyn Arredondo, 33 Detective Why did you go into your particular field? To learn and grow as a person and professional and to help those who have been victims of crimes. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Either a teacher or a police detective. What was your first job? I worked for Luna’s Mexican Restaurant. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? Always treat others as you would want to be treated, and don’t let your personal opinions interfere when a job needs to be done. What’s your favorite thing about your job? Working with different people and learning new and different ways of interacting with people. What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started your career? To always push through, train more and continue education past what is expected. Who do you consider to be your greatest mentor and why? I don’t have a specific person but, anyone close to me who has made an impact in my life to be a better person and do good by people. Never judge anyone because of their circumstances. We are all people of God, and we each go through different trials in our lives. When you’re not at work, what do you do to relax? I enjoy family time with my baby, fiance, siblings and other family. What is something about you that most people don’t know? I have a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. My passion is working cases that involve children because, we as adults, have to protect the innocent children who don’t have a voice. How do you hope to grow in your career? I hope to advance and provide better opportunities for those who can’t seem to find their way to do something they love. Never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. Only you know how strong you are and what you are capable of. If you couldn’t do what you’re doing now, what would you be doing? I would be in a teaching environment with children. LIVES: LEAGUE CITY WORKS: UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH Blair Hamilton Brown, 33 Assistant professor; program director of the Master of Science and Dietetic Internship Why did you go into your particular field? When I went off to college, I still was undecided about what career path I would take. I loved science, helping people and making an impact, but I wasn’t sure if nursing or medical school was for me. My mother, a registered nurse, provided me with several opportunities to shadow medical professionals, one of them being a dietitian. After this, things just kind of fell into place. I was accepted into the Food Science and Nutrition Program at Sam Houston State University, completed my bachelor of science in three years and then was accepted into the university’s Master of Science and Dietetic Internship right after completing my undergraduate degree. This career allows me to creatively pursue my love for people, food and health care. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a lot of things growing up. An optometrist when I got my first pair of glasses. A teacher when I had a fantastic year in middle school. And a fashion designer when I became a teenager. I wanted to try everything. What was your first job? My first job was working weekends in the kitchen of a summer camp located just outside of Huntsville. I worked at this establishment during the off-season (fall and spring) for weekend retreats. I would head to work on Friday afternoons, sleep in a cabin with the other staff members and not get home until Sunday evenings. Hard work and long hours. I learned so much in this position; how to deal with people, food service management, inventory systems and food safety. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? Treat every new personal encounter like an interview. You never know when you will cross paths with that individual again and/or a job opportunity arises from that meeting. Always be networking and building the bridges not burning them down. What is something about you that most people don’t know? Something most people don’t know about me is that I am very much an introvert. My job requires me to be a bit of an extrovert, but when I am home, I enjoy the quiet and smaller crowd.8 | The Daily News | 40 Under | 2021 LIVES: LEAGUE CITY WORKS: LEAGUE CITY REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Dewan Clayborn, 31 President and CEO Why did you go into your particular field? I consider my spiritual gift to be serving others. I took a leap of faith. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? A professional basketball player. What was your first job? Server at Pappadeaux. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? Have some fun, and don’t be so serious all the time! What’s your favorite thing about your job? Helping businesses scale. What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started your career? Don’t try to please everyone. Who do you consider to be your greatest mentor and why? Terry Williams, vice president of H-E-B. He is my greatest mentor because the way he leads a major retail company while also having a grand philanthropic spirit inspires me in what I do every day. When you’re not at work, what do you do to relax? Play basketball and spend time with loved ones. What is something about you that most people don’t know? I am the baby of the family, the youngest of my brothers. How do you hope to grow in your career? I would like to grow to the point where I am here solely for support and visionary inspiration, where my staff run the day-to-day operations and make decisions as the leaders they are. If you couldn’t do what you’re doing now, what would you be doing? I would probably still be in retail. LIVES: SANTA FE WORKS: CITY OF SANTA FE AND SANTA FE ISD Melanie Collins, 29 City councilwoman and educator Why did you go into your particular field? Growing up, I had many educators who instilled in me a passion for history and civics. I love that I am able to share those passions with my students through teaching U.S. History. I believe that it is important for students to understand our history. History is bound to repeat itself, so we must come to understand it to know what direction to go in for our future. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? As a child, I wanted to be a teacher. I am glad that I was able to realize this passion as a child. What was your first job? During college, I worked for U.S. Rep. John Carter in Washington, D.C. This job prepared me for where I am today in many ways. I learned a lot about how our federal government works. I was able to see the history of our country first-hand. I was able to speak with fellow Texans and help them voice their concerns. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? The best advice that I have been given is based on Jeremiah 29:11, to always trust God. My faith is very important to me, and prayer is a major part of how I make my decisions. I have to put my faith in God and trust His will for my life. What’s your favorite thing about your job? My favorite thing about my job is that I am able to watch my students grow as learners. Throughout the school year, I am able to see them overcome challenges and see them find their passions. Each day is different, and I enjoy helping my students achieve success. What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started your career? I wish I knew to not sweat the small stuff. As a teacher, you have a lot of moving parts and some days things don’t go as planned. As a new teacher, you want everything to go perfectly, but unfortunately that is not always the case. The most important thing is that you are there for your students and that you show them compassion. Who do you consider to be your greatest mentor and why? My grandfather. I am following in his footsteps by serving my community. He served as a school board trustee for Dickinson ISD. He gave me great advice and always encouraged me to follow my passions. He was an excellent example of how you should show everyone God’s love. “I CONSIDER MY SPIRITUAL GIFT TO BE SERVING OTHERS.”ISLANDFAMOUS.COM Beachfront day and night done right. — Dennis Byrd and the Island Famous team TO ALL THE HARDWORKING YOUNG PROFESSIONALS RECOGNIZED THIS YEAR! A VERY SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS TO Congratulations FOR BEING NAMED ONE OF 2021 | 40 Under 40 | The Daily News | 9 LIVES: LA MARQUE WORKS: ISLAND FAMOUS INC. Lauren Desormeaux, 34 Director of Operations Why did you go into your particular field? It all started at a very young age with my first job at a busy candy and ice cream shop. There, I learned how rewarding working as a team was and that I really enjoyed the fast pace of hospitality and taking care of guests. Soon after, I found a passion for good food while attending the Galveston Community College Culinary dual-credit program. Through that hospitality program and the job placement resulting from it, I realized there were many career opportunities in the restaurant/hospitality industry, and this would never get old or boring. After that, I was hooked. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? An artist or an architect. What was your first job? Bagging and selling candy at La King’s Confectionery in Galveston. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? “Luck is when hard work meets opportunity” – my husband. ”Don’t get complacent and remember to have fun” – my boss. What’s your favorite thing about your job? That’s tough; it’s a toss up between seeing our team members grow and prosper, engaging with guests and creating memorable experiences for them. What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started your career? I used to think work- life-balance was impossible to achieve, and it was all about hours with family vs. hours at work (of course work wins in hospitality). But now, I understand that it’s more about the quality time spent with family and being fully present during the times you are together. I still struggle sometimes but, now that I know, life is much better. Who do you consider to be your greatest mentor and why? My boss Dennis Byrd. He trusts me and always has allowed me the freedom to take ownership in the business by making decisions and implementing changes where I felt was most important. But, he never made it easy. There was always an analytical process or profitability test to justify the project and accountability to keep it in line and on task. Sometimes, it would be challenging, but I always would learn from it. He has helped guide me through multiple personal financial decisions in my life as well, and he genuinely takes joy is seeing me succeed in all areas of life. On top of all that, he always reminds me to have fun.Next >