2008 Austin Under Forty Awards Finalists Announced

The finalists for the 2008 Austin Under Forty Awards were announced today. Austin, Texas is a town that is fueled by exciting and ambitious young entrepreneurs in a variety of industries, and these awards highlight those who excel in their careers and give back to the community. Sponsored by The Young Men's Business League and The Young Women's Alliance, the AU40 Awards is one of the top events of the year in our fine city.


The dinner ceremony will take place on Friday, March 7. 2008.


More information is available at http://www.austinunder40.org/.


I personally know many of this year's finalists (including Corey Blahuta, Managing Director for vcfo...the company where I work!), and can attest that these folks are amazing business professionals and all around good people. There is no doubt that the future of Austin, Texas is in good hands.


Congratulations to all the finalists.


50 finalists are listed by category in alphabetical order:

Arts / Entertainment

1. Justin L. Corsbie, Synthetic Pictures
2. Rodney Gibbs, Amaze Entertainment
3. Matthew Hinsley, Austin Classical Guitar Society
4. Huston Lowell Street, Oakland Athletics
5. Roxanne Wilson, RXW, Inc.

Legal Finalists, presented by Frost

1. Stephanie E. Dreyer, Hunton & Williams, LLP
2. Luke Ellis, Jackson Walker LLP
3. Kimberly Ann Frost, Jack Martin & Associates
4. Michael J. Nasi, Jackson Walker LLP
5. Michael Simons, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

Business / Entrepreneurship, presented by ACTON MBA

1. Rick Engel, Engel Management Services, Inc.
2. Karen Frost, Frost Media Relations
3. Natalie Kennedy, Kennedy Creative
4. Kendra Lee Scott, Kendra Scott Design, Inc.
5. Jeff Turk, Formaspace

Medical / Health Care, presented by St.David’s Community Health Foundation

1. Rodney Ahart, American Cancer Society
2. Chad Paul Dieterichs, MD, Capitol Anesthesiology
3. Dori Flores, The Seton Fund
4. Kenneth Lambrecht, Planned Parenthood, Texas Capitol Region
5. Steven E. Rasmussen, MD, Austin Regional Clinic

Community Service, presented by Capital One Bank

1. Chase Bearden, The Coalition of Texans with Disabilities
2. Caroline Boudreaux, The Miracle Foundation
3. Jim Higgins Walker, Central Texas Sustainability Indicators Project
4. David Pena, National Hispanic Business Association
5. Armando Rayo, Hands on Central Texas, United Way Capitol Area

Real Estate, presented by Brown McCarroll, LLP

1. Taylor Andrews, Andrews Urban, LLC
2. Scott Flack, Live Oak Gottesman
3. Chad Goldwasser, Goldwasser Real Estate
4. Michael A. Luigs, land/water/sky
5. Cord Shiflet, Moreland Properties

Financial Services, presented by Guaranty Bank

1. Corey Blahuta, vcfo
2. Trey Halbert, McQueary Henry Bowles Troy
3. W. Eric Hehman, Austin Asset Management Company
4. Alex Ladage, Merrill Lynch
5. Kevin M. Lalande, Sante Ventures

Technology / Sciences, presented by Grande Communications

1. David James Anderson, URS Corp.
2. Brett Hurt, Bazaarvoice, Inc.
3. Lloyd Jeff McAdams, HigherOut
4. Alisha L. Ring, Austin Technology Council
5. Joe Ross, CSIdentity

Government / Public Affairs, presented by Padgett Stratemann & Co, LLP

1. Perla Cavazos, Texas State Senator Eddie Lucio
2. Gerardo Antonio Interiano, Congressman Lamar Smith
3. Rob Johnson, Office of the Lieutenant Governor
4. Patrick Rose, Texas House of Representatives
5. Kenny Thompson, Obama for America Campaign

Youth / Education, presented by Plains Capital Bank

1. Amy Averett, Austin Voices for Education and Youth
2. Julia Cuba, GENaustin
3. Eric Cunningham, Austin Independent School District
4. Eva Maria Garza, Austin Independent School District
5. Linda Medina, Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce