2 | The Daily News | 40 Under 40 | 2022 Congratulations to our very own Vice President of Audit, Compliance, Legal, and Risk Management/ General Counsel, Weston Tucker, and our HR Compensation and Benefits Manager, Morgan Muraca, for being recognized as 40 Under 40 Honorees in Galveston County. Your AMOCO family is proud and commends you for your leadership and commitment. AMOCO would also like to applaud all the honorees. Thank you for all that you do to help support, lead, and empower our community! WESTON TUCKER & MORGAN MURACA Congratulations!2022 | 40 Under 40 | The Daily News | 3 Rachel Ashwood ....................4 Shayna Bell ..........................5 Nick Bentley ..........................5 Jeremy Brown ........................6 Caitlin Carnes .......................6 Jordan Collins .......................7 Alan Cooper ..........................8 Aja Cormier ...........................8 Kenshara Cravens .................9 Edem Ekene .........................9 Mackenzie Finklea ...............10 Andrea Francis ....................11 Sasha Francis .....................12 Terrance Franklin .................13 Yessenia Fuentes ................13 Sarah Furman .....................14 Jennifer Galloway ................14 Amy Gonzalez ......................15 Katherine Hughes................16 Erin Keefe-LeBlanc ..............17 DeAndré Knoxson ................18 Samuel Kunz.......................19 Sarah Lindsay .....................19 J. Alberto Maldonado ...........20 Megan Mallory ....................21 Rachel McAdam ..................21 Patrick McDonald ................22 Morgan Muraca ...................22 Darren Muren ......................23 Alaine Nix ...........................23 Jeff Ossenkop .....................24 Elizabeth Overton ................25 Stacia Pfost ........................26 Trey Pruitt ...........................27 Mike Robertson ..................27 Katrina Ross .......................28 J.R. Shaw ...........................28 Weston Tucker.....................29 Ashley Willis........................30 Letrina Young-Swisher ..........30 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 40 UNDER 40 CLASS OF 20224 | The Daily News | 40 Under 40 | 2022 Congratulations, Rachel, on being recognized as one of The Daily News’ 40 Under 40. We’re so proud of you! C o n g r a t u l a t i o n , C o n g r a t u l a t i o n , R a c h e l ! R a c h e l ! JOINNOW TexasCity-LaMarqueChamber congratulatesthisyear's whomakeourlocalcommunitiesgreat! www.TCLMchamber.com OUTDOORS: INDOORS: SHOPPING: TREATS&SWEETS: NIGHTLIFE&ENTERTAINMENT: LIVES: SANTA FE WORKS: TEXAS FIRST BANK – TEXAS CITY RACHEL ASHWOOD, 36 BCM II/Vice President Why did you go into your particular field? I went to College of the Mainland and got a degree in Petrochemical Technology. After getting married and having children, I decided shift work would not be for me. I had a high school friend who was a manager at the bank looking for a teller to hire and the rest is history. I started as a teller at Texas First Bank eight years ago and decided it was where I wanted to learn and grow in my career. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I actually really wanted to be a lawyer because I just loved a good argument. What was your first job? My first job was at Kids and Company Daycare as a teacher, and I worked there for eight wonderful years. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? Never give in! Stand up for what you want and what you know is right. You may experience disappointments, failure, resistance and criticism on your journey to succeed in life, but never, ever, ever give in. What’s your favorite thing about your job? I love everything about my job! The communities we are in, the people and customers, our team and learning and growing every day. Every day brings a new situation, new challenges and new opportunities to learn something new, and that allows for growth and experience. What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started your career? To step back and see the bigger picture. To learn and grow with every single opportunity that presents itself to you. Who do you consider to be your greatest mentor and why? Kathy Marullo — Not only is she a boss who believes in me, but she is also a wonderful friend and mentor. She pushes you to your full potential and will always be your biggest supporter. She has taught me so much as a person and a manager. I tell her all the time I want to be just like her when I grow up. When you’re not at work, what do you do to relax? I absolutely love to plan! I’m happiest when I’m planning a trip (especially to Disney) and when I’m planning my life in general. I also really love watching my kids do what they love most — dance, sports, learning and growing! What is something about you that most people don’t know? I have an associate’s degree in Petrochemical Technology from College of the Mainland. It was a wonderful experience, and although I do not use my degree in my current career, it is where I met my wonderful husband, Derek, so I will forever be grateful. How do you hope to grow in your career? I absolutely love learning new things! I have enjoyed so much my growth here at Texas First Bank, and while I do not know where my growth will take me, I do know that I will continue to grow here and do the most that I can with everything I learn. If you couldn’t do what you’re doing now, what would you be doing? I think I would become a travel agent or event planner. I love planning a good trip and love throwing a good party. These are things I’ve learned I’m pretty good at over the years.2022 | 40 Under 40 | The Daily News | 5 LIVES: LA MARQUE WORKS: UTMB; SA BELL MOBILE SIGNING SERVICES Shayna Bell, 34 Senior administrative manager; CEO and manager Why did you go into your particular field? Following in my family’s footsteps, I entered the health care industry to help people. I found a program at College of the Mainland that would allow me to work in health care without direct medical care. I graduated from the Health Information Management Program in 2008 and began working at UTMB as a front desk clerk shortly after. I was laid off before Hurricane Ike and began working at MD Anderson before returning to UTMB as a Provider Enrollment Specialist. My career continued into outreach where I worked with UTMB, Susan G. Komen and the Galveston County Coalition to provide indigent health care patients with free breast screenings and other health care services. After obtaining my bachelor’s degree, I was promoted to Senior Administrative Manager, where I manage the overall business operations for the Ophthalmology, Orthopedics and Otolaryngology departments. My overall goal is to connect UTMB and other health care services back to the community. My decision to return to college to obtain my master’s degree in 2021 led me to start my own business. I launched SA Bell Mobile Signing Services, which provides safe mobile notary and print services to the LIVES: SANTA FE WORKS: CLASSIC AUTO GROUP Nick Bentley, 37 Fixed Operations Director Why did you go into your particular field? I have been in the automotive industry most of my life. When I was in high school, I started working for my dad, who has been in the auto industry since 1976. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a firefighter. What was your first job? My first job was helping empty trash at the dealership, paint parking stones and help with parts inventory. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? If you are early, you are on time. If you are on time, you are late. If you are late, you are forgotten. What’s your favorite thing about your job? My favorite thing about my job is getting to work with my biggest mentor and hero every day, my dad. What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started your career? Do everything 100 percent, even if no one is watching. Who do you consider to be your greatest mentor and why? My greatest mentor is my dad. He is still one of the most dedicated and hardest working people I know. He started out at the bottom of the industry and through his work ethic, rose to the top. When you’re not at work, what do you do to relax? I work at my house and property. It is my form of meditation and decompression. If I am mowing the property, doing maintenance on the house or finishing up projects, I always enjoy it. What is something about you that most people don’t know? I enjoy woodworking and making furniture. How do you hope to grow in your career? I hope to follow in my dad’s footsteps and continue learning everything I can from him. If you couldn’t do what you’re doing now, what would you be doing? I am a big animal lover. If I could, I would have property to house animals that were abused or neglected so they could have a safe haven. Galveston County and Houston region. I specialize in real estate closings and assist clients who are unable to leave their home. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Growing up I wanted to be a singer. I started singing at 8 years old in the church choir. I still sing today at church, weddings and funerals. What was your first job? My first job was a toddler child care teacher at a day care. It was there I decided to change my career into health care. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? The best advice I have ever received was to never let your present circumstances define your future. Through God you can do anything. What’s your favorite thing about your job? My favorite thing about my job is learning something new every day. I am able to uplift, train and encourage my team on a daily basis. My supervisors have been understanding of my school schedule and have helped me develop and grow my leadership skills. My favorite thing about my business is that I have met many people of different backgrounds, cultures and needs. I have been able to travel to knew places and develop new skills to help the community. As a mobile notary, my connection to UTMB allows me to share information about low-cost or new health care services directly with the community. What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started your career? I wish someone told me that you will put yourself through a lot of heartache rushing what God already has planned and ordained for you. Who do you consider to be your greatest mentor and why? My greatest mentor is my grandfather and parents. My grandfather always instilled the importance of an education and going after my dreams no matter the obstacles. My parents have always had great work ethic. My mom has a master’s degree in nurse leadership and my dad is a lead truck operator. My parents still work two jobs and are laying the foundation for generational leadership. Read full profile at galvnews.com. MY FAVORITE THING ABOUT MY JOB IS GETTING TO WORK WITH MY BIGGEST MENTOR AND HERO EVERY DAY, MY DAD. 6 | The Daily News | 40 Under 40 | 2022 LIVES: PEARLAND WORKS: TIDEWAY PHYSICAL THERAPY Jeremy Brown, 38 Owner/operator Why did you go into your particular field? I have always been drawn to the world of entrepreneurship and never really felt like I settled into a role I worked in until I was in a leadership position. Even if I started at entry-level, I would always observe those above me and try to figure out how to attain that position. Currently, I own four companies with the most recent being Tideway Physical Therapy with my wife, Kendall. The deep satisfaction that comes from being a part of the healing process of a person in need is something that really makes me very happy. To know that we are a part of some of the hardest moments of a person’s life and have the gift to be the bright spot to change their outlook, that is something that I am forever drawn to and inspired by. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be an astronaut, but not finishing high school kind of puts a damper on things. My other dream was to join the military, which I did at the age of 17. What was your first job? I owned a lawn care business when I was 12. My father purchased a 12-inch push mower and “financed” it for me at a rate of 10 percent. He charged me for the fuel/oil for it, so at the end of the day, I would profit about $5 from a 1-acre yard that would take many hours to complete. Without teaching me directly, he taught me the mindset of an entrepreneur. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? “You have to have your mind right.” – Marc Anderson This was told to me while we were fishing one day and didn’t make any sense at the moment, but to this day, it has single-handedly shaped my thoughts and directions in life. If you have the right mindset, anything is truly within your reach. What’s your favorite thing about your job? Tideway Physical Therapy: Being the point of hope for someone and watching our talented therapists work their magic with their knowledge, skills and words. Mind Right Endurance: To lead a team of talented coaches as we utilize technology, science and human interaction to empower people to chase their athletic goals and endeavors. For a lot of our athletes, their journey in endurance sports is life shaping. Mental Mastery: To have the ability to leverage the power of effective communication to provide motivation, inspiration and leadership tools and foundations to both individuals and businesses. Inspired Coffee Co: To provide people with the enjoyment of great coffee that awakens the body and the words on a bag to awaken the soul. Additionally, a large portion of our profit goes to local organizations, such as 22 Lemons Farm and The Capt. Cody Experience. What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started your career? I wish I fully understood and appreciated my “gift” to the world. Effectively communicating with people and meeting them where they are is something that I wish I knew many years ago. Who knows how many lives I could have impacted in a positive way? Read full profile at galvnews.com. LIVES: GALVESTON WORKS: GALVESTON PARK BOARD/ VISIT GALVESTON Caitlin Carnes, 31 Public relations manager Why did you go into your particular field? I’ve always been a word nerd, whether it be spoken or written. There is so much to be passionate about in life, and the ability to effectively communicate that passion has always been important to me — be it personal or professional. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? As a ’90s kid I was obsessed with the entire “Free Willy” movie franchise. I really wanted to be a marine biologist and study marine mammals like dolphins and whales. What was your first job? My first job was a recreational soccer referee at age 13. My parents would drop me off, and I would spend all day refereeing games in between playing my own. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? Privilege isn’t a choice, but what you do or don’t do with it is. What’s your favorite thing about your job? Seeing Galveston featured in some of my favorite publications as more than just a beach town, but as a place of history, culture, amazing food and even better people. What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started your career? To be a good communicator you have to be an even better listener. The only way to tell the whole story is to listen to different points of view and varying perspectives. Who do you consider to be your greatest mentor and why? Way too many to list. From coaches, teachers, co-workers to family and friends — I really look up to and try to emulate people who invest in other people. I am very fortunate to work with a team at Visit Galveston and the Park Board that are not only amazing at what they do, but they pour into the people they work with. My parents are some of the hardest working people I know and they instilled the value of work ethic in my sister and I from a very young age. When you’re not at work, what do you do to relax? I love being outdoors. I try to carve out at least an hour of my day to be outside. It could be as simple as eating dinner on my back porch or a full-on beach day. But, being outside in all most any climate brings me peace. What is something about you that most people don’t know? I’ve been serving in the Oklahoma Air National Guard for more than six years and was deployed to Qatar last year. It only really ever comes up in conversation when I have to leave for training or deployments. How do you hope to grow in your career? In both my civilian and military career, I’d like to grow into or take on responsibilities that allow me to be a resource for others and find ways to give back. I think getting beyond being competent at a job and being a difference maker is the ultimate goal, no matter what your title. It is something that is in everyone’s control. If you couldn’t do what you’re doing now, what would you be doing? Coaching has always been a passion of mine. I was a youth soccer and volleyball coach for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County for five years and a private skills coach for soccer for 10-plus years. I love teaching fundamentals and the mentality it takes to win and lose the right way.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. MEMBERFDIC 409.765.5561 · MoodyBank.com CONGRATULATIONS to this year’s 40 Under 40! 2022 | 40 Under 40 | The Daily News | 7 LIVES: GALVESTON WORKS: COLLINS FOOD GROUP, LLC Jordan Collins, 29 Chef Why did you go into your particular field? I have always had a passion for food and re-creating classic dishes with my own special flare to it. I set out on my path to be in the food industry after I was injured working in the refineries and I never looked back. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? As a child, I wanted to be a barber. What was your first job? GameStop. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? No matter what you do people will always judge you, so live your best life without any regrets. What’s your favorite thing about your job? Watching my clients try food they do not like and enjoy what I created. What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started your career? Building relationships with the right people can help you elevate. Who do you consider to be your greatest mentor and why? Melvin I HAVE ALWAYS HAD A PASSION FOR FOOD AND RE-CREATING CLASSIC DISHES WITH MY OWN SPECIAL FLARE TO IT. Henry and Kevin Gray. Both of these gentlemen have coached me, gave me great advice and tough love when I needed it. When you’re not at work, what do you do to relax? Go to different restaurants and try different cuisines. What is something about you that most people don’t know? I learned how to cook from YouTube videos and just trying things in the kitchen. How do you hope to grow in your career? I would like to grow my brand by having more food trucks and two more brick-and-mortar locations in my community and teach the younger future chefs not to be scared to take risks. If you couldn’t do what you’re doing now, what would you be doing? Obtaining my real estate license. 8 | The Daily News | 40 Under 40 | 2022 LIVES: LEAGUE CITY WORKS: COOPER CONSULTING SERVICE Alan Cooper, 37 Partner engineer/owner Why did you go into your particular field? I went into medical device design because I had been diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease and I wanted to improve medical care. I also was interested in owning my own business and working directly with clients to bring their products to market. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a basketball player. What was your first job? Electronics technician. I assembled and updated circuit boards for testing, ran calibration procedures and organized part kits. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? Customers pay for value, not for your time. What’s your favorite thing about your job? Working with entrepreneurs to develop an idea into a manufacturable product. What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started your career? Many things. Making something repeatable and reliable is much harder and more useful than making something novel. Who do you consider to be your greatest mentor and why? My father because he was a role model in how to handle client relations and build trust. When you’re not at work, what do you do to relax? Spend time with my girlfriend usually visiting friends and family, going to museums, watching movies and walking her dog. What is something about you that most people don’t know? I enjoy making fused glass art as a hobby. How do you hope to grow in your career? I hope to continue to grow my business and hire and mentor younger engineers in serving client needs for product development, product manufacturing and product lifecycle support. If you couldn’t do what you’re doing now, what would you be doing? Programming signal processing/ machine learning algorithms and testing them. LIVES: GALVESTON WORKS: BALL HIGH SCHOOL/GALVESTON ISD Aja Cormier, 30 English teacher/department chair and cheer coach Why did you go into your particular field? Not to sound incredibly corny, but the main reason why I decided to become a teacher is because I wanted to change the world! When I was in high school, my teachers encouraged me and provided me with every opportunity that they could to help me achieve my goals. Those opportunities changed my life, and I wanted to be able to provide other kids like me with those same chances. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? When I was a child, everyone always said that I wanted to be an attorney because I liked to argue. I’ve learned now that really means I was too sassy. What was your first job? My first job was as a bank teller at the credit union at my high school campus. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? The best advice I’ve ever received is to remember that tomorrow is always a new day, and to always start each day with a clean slate. What’s your favorite thing about your job? I don’t know that I have one singular favorite thing about being a teacher and coach. I love helping students grow to their full potential, in both my classroom and cheer. What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started your career? The one thing that I know now that I wish I knew when I first started teaching is that it is okay to go with the flow. In my first year of teaching, I thought I was a failure if things didn’t go exactly as planned, which was very stressful. Learning how to roll with the punches has made life so much easier. Who do you consider to be your greatest mentor and why? I have had so many great mentors in my career. My greatest mentors were the people who helped me during my first year teaching: Catherine Jackson and Allie Martinez. They have both helped me grow as a teacher and become the best that I could be. When you’re not at work, what do you do to relax? My favorite way to relax when I’m not at work is to either read a good book at home, or dance around my kitchen while I’m cooking. What is something about you that most people don’t know? Most people don’t know that I was named after the Steely Dan album, “Aja.” It was one of my dad’s favorite albums. How do you hope to grow in your career? I am not sure that I ever want to actually leave the classroom, but if I do, I would want to work as an instructional coach to help support other teachers. If you couldn’t do what you’re doing now, what would you be doing? It would definitely still be something in the education field. MAKING SOMETHING REPEATABLE AND RELIABLE IS MUCH HARDER AND MORE USEFUL THAN MAKING SOMETHING NOVEL. I LOVE HELPING STUDENTS GROW TO THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.2022 | 40 Under 40 | The Daily News | 9 LIVES: TEXAS CITY WORKS: CRAVING FOR A CHANGE FOUNDATION INC. Kenshara cravens, 29 Executive Director/Founder Why did you go into your particular field? It all started from my Cougar to Cougar scholarship. Once I gave out the first scholarship, it was brought to my attention that there were services that the youth were lacking. I made a decision two years to start my nonprofit from that experience. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? As a child, I wanted to be lawyer. When I got to high school and was able to research the different areas, I wanted to be an entertainment lawyer. What was your first job? My first job was a concession worker at Movies 12 theater. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? Trust your self. What’s your favorite thing about your job? I love working with the youth. As a first-generation college student, I can see myself in the youth. It reminds me of the importance of that work being done. What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started your career? Just because it is a nonprofit, does not mean do not treat it like a business. Who do you consider to be your greatest mentor and why? I would say my parents. They both have different viewpoints that I go to when I am in the decision-making process. They provide a balanced perspective for me to pull from to make the best decisions. When you’re not at work, what do you do to relax? I love to travel. I love to see different parts of the world and learn more about other cultures. What is something about you that most people don’t know? Most people don’t know that I am a doctoral candidate. I have been in school completing my doctoral degree since 2017, and I am now at the finishing stages hoping for a summer completion date. How do you hope to grow in your career? I hope to keep learning, being a business owner is a forever learning process. I want to ensure that I am staying relevant in education to methods and ways that I help my community. If you couldn’t do what you’re doing now, what would you be doing? I am not sure what I would do, but it would be in some educational capacity. LIVES: LEAGUE CITY WORKS: SPHERION - GALVESTON (LEAGUE CITY) Edem Ekene, 36 Franchisee owner/chief operating officer/ vice president of sales Why did you go into your particular field? I entered into the world of staffing and recruiting to make a difference. I have always known and believed that God has blessed me to be a blessing to others, and to be able to impact the lives of so many through employment is truly fulfilling. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? When I was a child, I wanted to be a doctor. This was the avenue I thought I would be able to do what I always wanted to do, which was to help others. Little did I know then that I would be able to do the same thing but in a different way. What was your first job? My very first job was working for my Dad in a health and rehabilitation facility center as an office coordinator. For those who know, working for your family means you wear multiple hats in the office. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? The best advice I have ever received was from my Dad. He said to “bloom where you are planted,” and I believe this is what has motivated me to make the best of every situation no matter where I am in life. What’s your favorite thing about your job? My favorite thing about being a business owner in the staffing industry is meeting and networking with all kinds of people. A motto I like to incorporate into my day-to-day is “It’s not what you know, or who you know, it’s who knows you,” so I love to be able to network with people and build long-lasting relationships. What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started your career? If I could tell my younger self something when I first started in this industry, it would be to ask more questions and be more curious. Assumptions can lead to unfavorable outcomes, some of which I’ve experienced in my career, and I’ve learned that the more questions I asked, the more clarity I received and the better I became as a professional. Who do you consider to be your greatest mentor and why? My greatest mentor would have to be my Dad. He is a God-fearing man, a doting husband to my mother and father to myself and siblings who always had an entrepreneurial spirit. He helped lay the blueprint of the type of man I knew I wanted to become and the role model I wanted to be for my son and future children. When you’re not at work, what do you do to relax? My go-to is working out. Whether it’s running (indoors or outdoors), weightlifting or doing floor exercises, it is a great way for me to relieve stress and drive up those endorphins. Afterward, I enjoy reading, spending quality time with my wife or watching the latest basketball game with my son (He’s 6 months old, so the training starts now!). What is something about you that most people don’t know? Most people don’t know that I am musically inclined. I’ve always had a love for music and have been reading and playing music off and on since the fifth grade. I played the euphonium from fifth grade through senior year of high school and since then have picked up how to play the bass guitar, keyboard and the drums. I am not an expert by any means, but I love to be able to express myself through music when I can. Read full profile at galvnews.com. I LOVE WORKING WITH THE YOUTH. AS A FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENT, I CAN SEE MYSELF IN THE YOUTH. Next >