The WAVE Young Professionals Network is excited to announce the recipients of our inaugural Four Under 40 Awards! These awards recognize four outstanding young professionals between the ages of 18 and 39 who live and work in the Brainerd Lakes Area. Over 100 nominations were received for the Four Under 40 Awards. An anonymous panel of judges reviewed and scored the submissions based on the following criteria: professional excellence, leadership, community involvement, and potential for future success.
The Four Under 40 Awards Gala will celebrate these four outstanding young professionals on September 19th at The Gathering Events Center in Crosslake. Chamber Members, Members of the WAVE Young Professionals Network, and the general public are invited to register and attend the gala and join us as we celebrate the accomplishments of the winners.
Here are the 2024 recipients of the Four Under 40 Awards.
Vanessa exhibits professional excellence through adaptability and innovation. Vanessa’s work at Premier Choice Senior Management Solutions proved critical during the COVID-19 pandemic. She was responsible for keeping the high-risk senior residents and staff safe from the virus for over 2 years. She went from running a whole assisted living facility to being promoted to regional marketing director of Premier Choice. In her tenure, she’s developed hundreds of processes and initiatives to help the assisted living facilities she works with increase profitability, ensure safety, and operate with proper staffing ratios.
Giving back to her hometown community is incredibly important and personal to Vanessa. From volunteering at the local food shelf, making blankets for the area’s homeless, picking up litter on roadsides, and cooking meals for kids in need, Vanessa is always putting community first.
She’s also committed to growing her leadership skills. She’s attended training through the Blue Ox Leadership Experience program, is a Chamber Ambassador, and is on the Anchor Board for the WAVE Young Professionals Network.
Alex joined Widseth in 2017 as an engineer in training. Since then, he has advanced his career by becoming a licensed engineer, shareholder in the firm, and a project manager leading complex, highly visible projects. He also completed the Blue Ox Leadership Experience program to hone his leadership skills.
He smoothly handles balancing communications with clients, adjacent property owners, and contractors while keeping all parties’ needs in mind. Alex delivers consistent quality on the projects he leads and the work he provides. His experience includes many projects that our community and visitors would recognize—including Baxter’s major street improvements of 2020–2024. He also played an active role on the Grand View Lodge Hotel, North Park Rec. Center and Garden Cottages. These are just a few examples of the excellence and rigor that Alex has shown on over 250 Widseth projects he’s worked on.
Alex’s participation in community groups shows his eagerness to grow as a leader and how he gives back to the community. He’s on the Anchor Board for the WAVE Young Professionals Network, and he’s involved with the Brainerd Jaycees—donating his time, talent, and energy to helping those in the Brainerd Lakes.
Cory Jay has built his success and developed professional excellence from the ground up. He started as a roofer learning the ropes of the trade. He also constantly took advantage of professional training to develop his leadership skills. Combining his expertise and experience, he founded his own company, Advantage Home Pros. Cory is always inventing and looking for ways to better the customer experience while also building strong relationships in the community. He has a full-time sales team and crew members to focus on company growth and meeting the needs of customers. He introduced mobile show rooms bringing it directly to customers. He created the Glad Gutter Guarantee to ensure customer satisfaction. Cory is always looking for ways to improve the company—whether it’s materials used, cutting-edge techniques, or new customer experiences.
Cory has a passion for building up community. When people in our area are in need, Cory and his team step in to help. Cory and the Advantage Home Pros team are actively involved in our community through charitable organizations like Brainerd Jaycees, Habitat for Humanity, and Confidence Learning Center. Last year, Cory and his company hosted a back-to-school giveaway in the Brainerd Lakes and supplied dozens of children with backpacks full of their school supply essentials.
As the director of student life at Central Lakes College, Erich Heppner’s dedication to professional excellence is evident in his outstanding contributions to innovative programs and initiatives that are enhancing the student experience. Erich helped create the multicultural student center, which serves as a hub for students from diverse backgrounds to connect and find support. He’s also played a pivotal role in the expansion of extracurricular activities on campus. His efforts have increased student participation and created a more engaged and dynamic student body. Erich’s dedication to student well-being extends beyond academics and social connections. Erich was instrumental in establishing CLC’s food pantry and emergency fund, which provides essential support to students facing financial hardships.
Erich’s community involvement actively supporting local causes and organizations has made a positive impact. Erich serves on several volunteer boards, including the Innovative School Project Board, Crow Wing Energized, Lakes Area Food Rescue Board, and Second Harvest Foodbank Board.
Out of these four winners (Vanessa Ruedisili, Alex Bitter, Cory Jay, and Erich Heppner), one individual will be named the “Young Professional of the Year” and will be announced LIVE at the end of the Awards Gala! This individual will receive additional recognition.
Join us as we celebrate the accomplishments of Vanessa, Alex, Cory, and Erich at the Four Under 40 Awards Gala! Register to reserve your seat or table. Deadline to register is September 12th unless sold out earlier.
RESERVED TABLE: $725 Includes a reserved table in a preferred location and plated dinner for 8 individuals.
INDIVIDUAL SEAT: $80 Includes seating and a plated dinner for 1 individual.
MENUCaprese Chicken Breast with Honey and Thyme Glazed Carrots and Cheddar Au Gratin Potatoes, Salad, Dinner Rolls, with a Peach Bourbon Ugly Cheesecake Dessert
EVENT SCHEDULE5PM: Social Hour6PM: Dinner & Awards Program
DRESS CODEBusiness Casual
FAQ
How many award winners are there?Four individuals will receive a Four Under 40 Award. Out of these four winners, one individual will be named the “Young Professional of the Year” and will receive additional recognition. The YPY will be announced live at the end of the Awards Gala.
What is the deadline to register to attend?Thursday, September 12, 2024.
Who can attend the Four Under 40 Awards Gala?This event is open to the public. You do not have to be a member of WAVE or a Chamber member to attend. You do not need to be under 40 to attend—all are welcome.
What is the Gala dress code?Business Casual.
EVENT SCHEDULE
5 PM: Social Hour (Cash Bar)
6-8 PM: Dinner and Program
TABLE & SEATING OPTIONS
Reserved Table: $725
Individual Seat: $80
DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS SEPTEMBER 12, 2024 UNLESS SOLD OUT EARLIER
DRESS CODE
Business Casual
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