MONEY

The Advocate’s 20 Under 40

Staff report

1. Nick Adams, 29, of Newark, financial services representative, Tony Adams State Farm Agency. Provides clients with financial planning recommendations. Works in areas of financial services, bank products, life insurance, health insurance, disability insurance, long-term care and annuities. Previously, lead accountant, analyst four years for Department of Defense in Columbus, reporting to director for the Air Force.

Liz Argyle

Board member for St. Vincent de Paul Haven, treasurer for the Licking County Courthouse Lighting Committee, Big Brother in Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, activities committee member for Licking County Governmental Preservation Society, campaign cabinet member for Licking County United Way, volunteer for Area Six Special Olympics, member of Newark Rotary Club. Bachelor’s from University of Dayton and master’s from Ohio Dominican University.

2. Liz Argyle, 37, of Newark, owner-photographer of Argyle Photography, owner-property developer of Argyle Properties, co-owner of Market Street Soda Works. Chosen Best Photographer in Licking County in 2015. In charge of photography, marketing, development, staffing and finances at Argyle Photography, specializing in school and sports photography.

Designs and develops old commercial buildings into spaces for commercial/residential use at Argyle Properties, where she is general contractor on current construction, and manages and does maintenance on finished apartments and furnished corporate unit. General contractor and designer of the space at Market Street Soda Works, managing the food truck scheduling and marketing. Canal Market District advisory committee member. Photography student mentor. Professional Photographer of Ohio member. Church youth group leader. Downtown Newark Association member. Bachelor’s from Brigham Young University.

3. Nathan Arnold, 29, of Granville, marketing manager at Velvet Ice Cream Company. Has overseen marketing, publications and communications for Velvet Ice Cream for seven years. Previously employed with Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Ohio Proud Program. Named Licking County Chamber of Commerce Young Professional of the Year, 2016.

Chamber of Commerce board member and events committee member. Young Leaders of Licking County board member and vice president, marketing. Licking County Aging Program Chocolate Festival committee member. The Works community development committee member. Newark-Heath Rotary Club member. Team Granville Pelotonia member. Licking County Library Renewal Levy Campaign, Marketing Committee, 2014. Attended Ohio State University.

4. Denise Natoli Brooks, 39, of Falls Township, Muskingum County, program administrator for Licking County Soil and Water Conservation District. Oversees all district operations, building partnerships for responsible use of natural resources. Received President's Award in 2013, and Christy Dixon Award in 2008, from Environmental Education Council of Ohio. Adjunct instructor at Zane State College, Hocking College and Ashland University.

Serves on Hartford Fair Natural Resources Area Advisory Committee. Chairwoman of Licking County River Round-Up Committee. Past president for Environmental Education Council of Ohio. COTC Culinary Science Advisory Board member. Zane State College Parks Recreation Wildlife Advisory board member. Ohio Environmental Education Fund grant reviewer for Ohio EPA. Member, Scholarship Review Committee for Licking County Foundation. Bachelor’s from Utah State University and master’s from Miami University.

5. Matt Dole, 37, of Newark, communications consultant for Communications Counsel, Columbus, which won a national award for the Best Public Affairs Campaign in the nation. Job duties include public relations, advertising, crisis communications and political campaign consulting. Writes and produces TV and radio ads, news releases, op-eds and helps organizations with public relations issues.

Secretary of American Political Item Collectors group, which seeks to preserve, study and educate the public about the history of political campaigns. Board member of Newark Lions, which helps raise money in support of people with sight issues, and Lions International member 15 years. Previously served on Licking County Humane Society board, including two years as president. Bachelor’s from Marietta College.

6. Ali Ernest, 25, of Newark, business solutions analyst at Park National Bank. Oversees vendor selection process and business case for new software, and performs preliminary research and investigation for product development. Worked five years for Mary Kay, developing direct-selling strategies, product shows, and coordinating fundraising opportunities.

Assistant cross country coach at Newark Catholic High School. Assistant coach, Little Waverunners Fitness Club, for students in grades 3-6 in Newark Catholic system. President, Blessed Sacrament School Advisory Board. Previously, worked as social media manager for Newark Development Partners, and at Otterbein University, as admission office intern and tour guide. Bachelor’s from Otterbein University.

Q&A with our 20 Under 40 selections

7. Megan Evans, 29, of Newark, donor services officer at Licking County Foundation. Works with foundation donors, including the development of new programs, services, communications materials and outreach. Previously, worked two years at Hospice of Central Ohio in administration and human resources, and served two years as an AmeriCorps member in the role of external affairs project leader in Miami, Fla.

Volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Licking County Soil and Water Conservation District board member. Licking County Chamber of Commerce board member. Newark Rotary Club member. Licking County Leadership Class, 2015. Bachelor’s degree from Ohio Wesleyan University.

8. Danielle Good, 35, of Newark, owner-operator of Park Place Bistro, running all operations of the downtown Newark restaurant that opened June 16, 2015. Life-long Newark resident who returned to work here when opportunity arose to purchase the former Grill Chop House restaurant. Worked at restaurants for 20 years, in every aspect of the business.

Started at Granville Inn the day after 16th birthday, working 13 years as busser, server, bartender, at banquets and the hotel. Started in restaurant management at PF Chang's at Easton Town Center, as front of the house manager. Worked at Milestone 229 as assistant general manager. Downtown Newark Association member. Licking County Chamber of Commerce member. College at Ohio State University.

9. Adele Gorrilla, 39, of Granville, chief investment officer at Denison University. With her team, she manages the college’s endowment. Works with the board of trustees investment committee to implement a comprehensive investment strategy. Honored by Institutional Investor magazine as Small Endowment Manager of the Year in 2014. Invests operating funds and helps define debt strategies.

Previously, director of investments for University of Minnesota Foundation Investment Advisors, investment manager for Okabena Investment Services, and financial analyst for Goldman Sachs in New York. Board member of the Granville Community Foundation. Member of the Sullivan Task Force (of the Licking County Foundation), which seeks to revitalize the Sullivan Bank Building in downtown Newark. Volunteer for the Bluegrass Festival. Bachelor’s from Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

10. Justin Khol, 28, of Columbus, coordinator for student involvement at Newark campus of OSU/COTC. Develops student activity programming, manages student organization operations, works as student conduct hearing officer, deputy Title IX coordinator, adviser to student government, member of campus activities board, and Phi Theta Kappa.

Campus coordinator for Operation Feed Food Drive 2015. Campus adviser for Habitat For Humanity. Completed trip to Dekalb, Ga., in March 2016 for alternative spring break Habitat project. Bachelor’s from Ohio State University, master’s from Kent State University.

11. Brittany Misner, 27, of Hebron, membership and affiliate director at Licking County Chamber of Commerce. Recruits and retains chamber members, helps chamber affiliates, including Licking County Safety Council, Licking County HRMA, Licking County Manufacturers Council and Young Leaders of Licking County. In six months, recruited more than 50 new chamber members, implemented new member orientation series and helped orchestrate the new Young Leaders of Licking County affiliate.

United Way campaign cabinet ambassador. Newark Kiwanis member. Licking County Safety Council steering committee member. Children ministry leader at Hebron New Life UMC. Volunteer at Lakewood Youth Cheerleading Program. Committee member, Work Site Wellness Coalition. Associate degree from Central Ohio Technical College.

12. D’Anna Mullins, 37, of Johnstown, physician for Licking Memorial Hematology/Oncology. Diagnoses and treats patients with cancer or blood disorders. Joined Licking Memorial after completing fellowship at Ohio State University Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute in Columbus. Completed residency in internal medicine at Ohio State University Medical Center. American Society of Clinical Oncology Resident Travel Award for Underrepresented Populations (2011). American Association for Cancer Research Minority Scholar Award for Cancer Research (2005, 2006) P.E.O. Scholar Award.

While a student at University of Toledo, performed research that led to three pending patents for methods that help to identify patients at risk for certain types of lung cancer. Volunteers time at speaking engagements to educate community on ways to prevent cancer, warning signs of cancer, and treatment options. Bachelor’s, Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy from University of Toledo.

13. Nick Myers, 36, of Newark, principal at Hillview Elementary School, Newark City Schools. Leads students, staff and families in the endeavor of education, monitors instruction, provides for the safety of all, creates positive environment. Fourteen years with the district, previously a music teacher, mentor teacher (helping new teachers) and dean of students.

Licking County Leaders for Learning award recipient in 2005-06. Teaches Sunday school and music at First United Methodist Church. Ohio Music Education Association adjudicator for solo and ensemble and large group contests. Led building-level United Way campaign for four years. Bachelor’s and master’s from Mount Vernon Nazarene University.

14. Melissa Robson, 35, of Johnstown, CRM administrator and commissions analyst at MPW Industrial Services, Hebron. Provides support and administration of Microsoft Dynamics CRM application to more than 60 users. Previously worked at Unispace Global, WD Partners, DealerPro Training Solutions and MJR Sales.

Gallon blood donor. Volunteer at Besa, a Columbus-based not-for-profit organization with a mission to connect more people to the community. Northridge High School Athletic Boosters member. Chairwoman for Northridge High School athletic dinner auction last two years, raising more than $20,000 for the school. Certifications in first aid and CPR. Bachelor’s, master’s from Franklin University.

15. Sarah (Matesich) Schwab, 30, of Newark, assistant vice president at Matesich Distributing. Job duties include brewer compliance, brewer relations, project management, government and regulatory affairs. Fourth year with the company. Fourth-generation of the family in the business. Previously worked at Wittenberg University as assistant director of admission.

Received the Wittenberg University Graduate of the Last Decade Service Award. United Way campaign cabinet member 2016. Co-chairwoman of The Works Festa Bianco event. Bachelor’s from Wittenberg University. Master’s next year from University of Dayton.

16. Shani Smith-Reed, 39, of St. Louisville, director of marketing, business development at TrueCore Federal Credit Union. Leads marketing and public relations efforts. Promotes financial education to high school juniors and seniors in Licking County through Mad City Money, a program for more than 800 students from eight Licking County high schools in 2015-16. Led credit union through branding and name change from Fiberglas Federal Credit Union to TrueCore Federal Credit Union.

Vice chairman of Salvation Army, attending National Advisory Conference in Phoenix in April. Member of 20th Century Club. Helps raise funds to send deserving children to Camp O’Bannon, providing transportation to and from the camp for children with no other means. Member of TrueCore Charitable Giving Committee. Eden Township Block Watch coordinator. Former board member of Licking County Coalition for Housing. Former board member of Central Ohio Chapter of Credit Unions. Bachelor’s from Ohio State University.

17. Jack Stickle, 34, of Newark, owner-president, Henderson-Van Atta-Stickle Funeral and Cremation Service, which he purchased in 2008. Board member of Newark Rotary Club. Licking County Prayer Partners Committee member. Member of Foundation Council for Farmhouse Fraternity Alumni Association, Ohio State Chapter. Licking Memorial Hospital Development Council member, serving on the Annual Support Committee.

Past board member of Licking County Chamber of Commerce. Parishioner at Church of the Blessed Sacrament. Certificate from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. Bachelor’s from Ohio State University, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

18. Nathan Strum, 33, of Newark, economic development director at Licking County Chamber of Commerce and Grow Licking County. Works throughout Licking County to recruit and retain new job and business development opportunities, serving as the single point of contact for JobsOhio and Columbus 2020 for new development and job retention.

Established ED-101 Connect, a seminar series connecting local officials and those interested in learning more about economic development with speakers and materials to broaden their knowledge. Accepted into the Newark Rotary Club. Active in assisting the emerging Young Leaders of Licking County organization. Bachelor’s from Muskingum University, where recipient of the Political Science Scholar of the Year award.

19. Sarah Thompson, 30, of Columbus, vice president of marketing at First Federal Savings. Manages all marketing, including outdoor, print and on-property advertising, digital and social media. Seven years in the workforce and 1.5 years at First Federal. Previously employed by Diane von Furstenberg in New York City.

Downtown Newark Association Information chairwoman, helping communicate news to members, managing email and press efforts. FAMFest marketing director, managing marketing, web and press in support of the annual event. Licking County Aging Program Volunteer for various events like Spring Fling or packing Meals on Wheels. College: Miami University. American Banking Association Bank Marketing Video Award Finalist for First Federal Savings in September. Recognized as contributor in Diane von Furstenberg's exhibition book, Journey of a Dress, in 2014.

20. Greg Wallis, 39, of Heath, vice president at Licking Memorial Health Systems Physician Practices. Oversees more than 110 Licking Memorial health professionals providers and their practices. Worked entire healthcare career at LMHS, starting as LMH nursing attendant in 1997. Promoted to scrub nurse in surgery department in 1998, staff nurse in surgery department in 2002, patient care manager for operating room in 2007, director of surgery in 2008, assistant vice president outpatient services in 2013, and vice president of physician practices in 2016. LMHS Manager of the Year in 2011.

Member of Newark Kiwanis, Licking County Chapter of the American Red Cross, First Baptist Church in Heath, Ohio Organization of Nurse Executives and Association of the periOperative Registered Nurses. Associate degree in nursing from COTC. Bachelor’s in nursing from Ohio State University. Master’s in hospital administration from Ohio University.