Find out who is in this year's 20 Under 40 class in Evansville

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — The Rotary Club of Evansville recognized the newest class of 20 under 40 at a luncheon Tuesday afternoon. 

The event was at Tropicana and featured guest speaker Sen. Mike Braun. 

The 20 Under 40 program recognizes people younger than 40 years old who have exhibited extraordinary leadership skills and made an impact in their communities. The Class of 2020 includes 20 people of diverse backgrounds and professions in the area.

“We want to honor these individuals. The 20 Under 40 program is a perfect way to recognize these leaders and their continued contributions in our community,” Rotary officer Scott Hurt said.

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Below is a list of this year's group and a bit about them from the bios provided by Rotary.

April Abbott is recognized as one of the area’s foremost experts on laboratory testing. Her expertise has been vital during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Deaconess Health System President Dr. James Porter. 

Samantha Buente is the owner and manager of Haynie’s Corner Brewing Co. She also has a full-time job helping people with brain injuries get rehabilitation services as a Resource Facilitator for the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana. Buente also works with LGBTQ youth and is a driving force behind First Fridays and the Front Porch Fest. 

Jeff Dierlam is principal of Harrison High School, where he focuses on creating positive experiences for students they can take into the community after graduation. His approach has resulted in both a graduation rate increase and a growing number of AP students. 

Abby Elpers is the marketing communications manager at Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville. She works with local businesses to improve the workforce and quality of life for residents. She also helped open Co-Work Evansville and spearheaded the project to increase public art Downtown with a mural located on Main Street. Elpers also serves other organizations aimed at improving Evansville, including E is for Everyone. 

Alissa Fricke is the owner of Thrive Marketing Strategies, LLC. She believes in the community and getting involved. Fricke is the president of the Downtown

Neighborhood Association and is on the board of the downtown economic improvement district. As a  Posey County native, she jumped at the chance to serve as the

Vice President for Visit Posey County. She also works with many area nonprofits. 

Ashley Hollen is a partner at Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn, LLP, and strives to solve problems in Evansville through community service. She sits on the Board of Directors for the Ark Crisis Children's Center. Hollen also sits on the SWIRCA board.

Julie Hoon is the Vice President of Philanthropy at Youth First. She uses her sales and branding skills daily to build relationships and strengthen children and families. Her passion for philanthropy comes from seeing the impact donations have not only on the recipient but also the person or business giving the gift.

Joe Kiefer II is a financial advisor for ETFCU Financial Group. He also volunteers as coach and booster for his high school alma mater Memorial. Kiefer was also recently

elected president of the Evansville Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Brandon McClish oversees the multimedia, marketing, rights and social media for

Purple Aces Sports Properties. He volunteers at the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival where he's chaired king and queen contests, booklet sales, ticket sales, entertainment and refreshments since joining. McClish is the current chair of the Young Professional Alliance through the Chamber. 

Luke Nordine is the vice president and co-owner of David Matthews Associates, Inc. He also serves as President-Elect of the Rotaract Club of Evansville, is a participant in Leadership Everyone Inc.’s Community Leadership Class and is the chair of Catholics for Habitat.

Emily Reidford, as executive director of Mental Health America of Vanderburgh County, has helped improve mental health awareness and education in the community with an increase in support groups for those affected by mental health issues and mental health-related medication assistance. She is also the co-chair of the Southwestern Indiana Suicide Prevention Coalition, a member of the HOPE Team and co-chair of the Resilient Evansville Task Force. 

Dr. Allison Royer is an ear, nose, and throat doctor at Evansville Sinus Center. She and her husband opened their clinic offering a minimally invasive treatments for those with sinus problems. Allison also serves as an associate faculty member at the IU School of medicine-Evansville mentoring and hosting medical students.

Bryan Ruder is an associate vice president at Stifel. Ruder is a strong advocate for the Arc Crisis Center, where he is a board member. He helps with the organization’s Fairytale Ball fundraiser. Ruder is also involved with Green River Kiwanis, Student Financial Aid Association, Rotaract Club of Evansville, Thomas A & Sharon K Ruder Foundation and Bosse Boys Soccer.

Brandon Runyon is the CFO and Entomologist at Swat Pest. He uses his time to educate many groups locally about entomology, including  Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, home school kids, nursing homes, neighborhood and apartment associations. He has also been active in the community through 4H in Vanderburgh and Warrick Counties by

volunteering to judge the entomology projects for the fairs. 

Jeff Seymore is the communications officer at Welborn Baptist Foundation, where he oversees the foundation's message, website, social media and video initiatives. He also uses his skill sets to be a resource to area nonprofits in the areas of marketing and communication. 

Patrick Thomas is an associate at  Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn, LLP. He serves as the president of the Tri-State Food Bank. Thomas is passionate about and has helped expand the food bank’s backpack program. Thomas volunteers as an attorney

with the Pro Bono Protective Order Project.

Adam Trinkel is the marketing and events director of Downtown Evansville. One of the events that Trinkel is most proud of is the Night on the Main series, which was canceled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He said he loves being directly involved in helping Downtown Evansville grow.

Nora Walsh is a chemistry teacher at Reitz High School. For Walsh, teaching is all about the relationship with her students. At the start of school, she was required to work remotely, throwing a few wrenches in her original plans. She's quickly adapted and is doing whatever it takes to reach her students

Jordan Whitledge is an investment officer at Old National Wealth Management. He serves the boards of the Old Courthouse Foundation, Southwest Indiana Chamber, Rotary of Downtown Evansville, WNIN Tri-State Public Media, Downtown YMCA and the Youth Resources of Southwestern Indiana. 

Deandre Wilson describes himself as a serial entrepreneur. He started Turn Table Catering, Keep Rolling — a fundraising campaign, and he works as a personal trainer at Chamfit. Wilson can often be seen pushing a tractor wheel with the phrase “cancer sucks” written on the side. Wilson picked up where his father left off.