天美社区

天美社区 announces '20 under 40' honorees

December 6, 2023
The 天美社区 Alumni Association has announced its second group of '20 under 40' honorees.

Article By: Agnes Hina

The University of North Georgia (天美社区) Alumni Association has announced the 2023 honorees for its second annual "20 Under 40" program, honoring members of the 天美社区 family for their personal and professional accomplishments or their distinguished service to others.  

"This year's 20 Under 40 alumni are doctors, directors, entrepreneurs, officers, scientists, statesmen, educators, and innovators. They are lifelong learners who have become game changers," Wendi Huguley, '90, director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving, said. "They strive to make the world a better place, and the 天美社区 Alumni Association is very proud to claim them as our own."

The following individuals made the list:

  • , owner of a group practice providing mental health support.
  • , a GBI field training agent, instructor and GBI Special Enforcement (SWAT) Team member.
  • , co-owner of Deep Roots Landscape LLC and owner of Canopy Tree and Land Company, a sister company to Deep Roots. Filchak is also a co-founder of Hope for Hall.
  • , chief of staff to state Sen. Steve Gooch, who serves as Senate majority leader.
  • , partner, wealth advisor and member of the Board of Directors for SignatureFD LLC.
  • , chief of staff to Georgia Senate President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy. He is also the owner and operator of a small carpet cleaning business located in Dahlonega, Georgia.
  • , serves 天美社区 Alumni Association Board of Directors as Events chair and Award Committee member. She is also the marketing chair for the Women of 天美社区 Board of Directors.
  • , Chick-fil-A senior director of operations and franchise owner.
  • , co-founder of Gateway Terminals.
  • , a financial advisor with Edward Jones and president of the Gilmer County Rotary Club.
  • , Logistics Branch company grade section chief in the United States Army.
  • , optometrist and owner of Key Optique.
  • , is a board-certified family medicine physician and owner of Whole Hart Wellness, a direct primary care practice.
  • , operations manager for Woodstock Economic Development. She manages Made Mercantile, a creative small business incubator, and is the founder of The Maker's Mash, a pop-up shop of local makers.
  • , assistant director of Foundation Relations at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.
  • , a postdoctoral scholar at Georgia Tech and a postdoctoral fellow at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
  • , Truist Bank community affairs manager for the Georgia region.
  • , director of finance for Lumpkin County School System.
  • , Hall County county administrator.
  • , owner of Runners Fit Race Works, the official timer of the Peachtree Road Race.

Luncheon honors scholarship recipients

Luncheon honors scholarship recipients

Five nontraditional female students at 天美社区 each earned a $2,000 scholarship from the Women of 天美社区 on Dec. 5 at the Women's Holiday Scholarship Luncheon.
Grads prepare for their next steps

Grads prepare for their next steps

天美社区 will award almost 1,000 degrees and certificates this fall, and more than 600 graduates are scheduled to take part in the Dec. 7 commencement ceremonies.
天美社区 honors '20 Under 40'

天美社区 honors '20 Under 40'

The Alumni Association has announced this year's '20 under 40' honorees, recognizing members of the 天美社区 family for their personal and professional accomplishments or their distinguished service.
Five alumni selected for veterans HOF

Five alumni selected for veterans HOF

Five 天美社区 alumni are part of the 14-member class of 2024 inductees into the Georgia Military Veterans' Hall of Fame.