The University of North Georgia (UNG) Alumni Association has announced the honorees for its inaugural "20 Under 40" program. This recognition was established to honor members of the UNG family for extraordinary accomplishments, significant professional achievements, or distinguished service to others, and was created by Alumni Relations Officer Jared Patterson and the Young Alumni Board.
"The '20 Under 40' program allows Alumni Relations the opportunity to highlight the quality of the outstanding graduates UNG is producing with every graduating class," Wendi Huguley, '90, director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving, said.
"These individuals will do great things in their communities and around the world, and we couldn't be more delighted to highlight their work and their intelligence. They are a mere representation of the quality of so many of our graduates."
Christie Gribble, '08, president and CEO of the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce & CVB.
John Hayes, '13, head distiller at Cotton & Reed, a rum distillery in Washington, D.C.
Megan Huggins, '15, founder and operations manager Key Title & Escrow, which is based in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Rachael Lacey, '17, civilian physical therapist and clinical director for the 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, working within Holistic Health and Fitness.
Brandon Lowell, '06, co-owner and chief strategy officer of Keller Interiors, LLC, a national flooring installation contractor.
Mark Pettitt, '17, UNG WORC Program grant coordinator and Hall County Board of Education member.
Ashlee Pollard, '22, director of Student Solutions & Momentum Center at the University of West Georgia.
Jordan Rowland, '11, senior director of fundraising and events at The Sassafras Group, LLC in Gainesville, Georgia.
Rajpal Sagoo, '16, partner at MDD Holdings and chief information officer and a minority partner in Rugby ATL, the Atlanta franchise of Major League Rugby.
Tyler Smiley, '10, senior pastor at Lakewood Baptist Church in Gainesville, Georgia.
Ashlee Todd, '10, Gwinnett County Public Schools special education department chair for the Assisting Developing Adults with Productive Transitions program.
Josh Walker, '10, owner and operator of North Georgia Wine Tours in Cleveland, Georgia.
Andrea Wells, '04, North America regional investigations manager for Facebook/Meta.
Cody Williamson, '12, crime scene specialist for the Georgia Department of Corrections.
An alumnus working in Army aviation technology and a heart surgeon will serve as the keynote speakers for UNG's Dec. 16 fall commencement ceremonies, which will each also have a student speaker.
McConnell retires from UNG
Dr. Frank J. 'Mac' McConnell, senior vice president for Business and Finance, retired Dec. 1 from UNG. He served the university for nearly 37 years.
Business students gain leadership skills
UNG's Mike Cottrell College of Business has launched a new program this fall to help students grow their leadership and workforce skills. Ten students are part of the initial cohort of the Cottrell Leadership Fellows program.
Events, new space celebrate careers
UNG's Career Services is hosting a pair of Career Signing Day celebrations for seniors and has opened Nigel's Career Closet locations at the Dahlonega and Gainesville campuses.
