WQED Multimedia: Pittsburgh Mag: November 2002

Welcome to the fourth edition of "40 Under 40," the annual awards sponsored by Pittsburgh magazine and the Pittsburgh Urban Magnet Project (PUMP) spotlighting the region’s up-and-comers.

Each spring for four years we’ve put the word out for nominations, and each year the names come rolling in. (We had well over a 100 nominations again this year.)

Each year, the nominees and winners have always been tops in their respective fields -- a vibrant, intelligent, diverse group of people who make the region a better place to live.

And each year, our nominees and winners give a snapshot of the Pittsburgh region. The first couple of years, the awards were strewn with tech wizards, showing
the booming technology industry in Pittsburgh and the nation. Business people always make a presence, reflecting Pittsburgh’s rebounding economy.

But this year was a little different. This year we had an overwhelming number of young people working in community organizations and nonprofit organizations. This year, the awards kept coming back to one word: community.

In light of all that has happened in the nation over the past year, it makes sense that Pittsburgh would turn inward, working on all facets of the region—from the arts community to the riverbanks to urban neighborhoods.

These young people see the possibilities and treasures that the Pittsburgh region possesses and realize that it will be clean rivers, charming neighborhoods and a vibrant arts scene that truly make the region a place anyone would want to call home.

Thanks to their efforts, Pittsburgh will be a true community.

Join us in saluting these 40 under 40.

>> The Fourth Annual List

LAST YEAR'S 40

Doug Kreps
Age 32
Co-founder, chief
operating officer and portfolio manager, Fort Pitt Capital Group

Warner Macklin
Age 25
Founder and president, The Macklin Group

Joe Kuklis
Age 30
Senior partner, GSP Consulting Corp.

Kacey Marra
Age 31
Research scientist, Carnegie Mellon University's Institute for Complex Engineered Systems

Sharon McDaniel
Age 39
Executive director, A Second Chance

Jacques Miles
Age 32
Senior attorney, PPG Industries

Tamara Moore
Age 32
Co-curator and co-owner, Blue Ruin Gallery

Donna Nedelk Boyer
Age 38
Founder, Young Women's Leadership Training Program; manager of technical training, Columbia Gas

Walt Nesbit
Age 32
Owner, Nesbit's Karate and Fitness

Ray Obenza
Age 38
Engineer and member of the senior tech staff, Software Engineering Institute, CMU; founder of GLENDA

Michelle Pagano
Age 35
Director of community relations, WQED Pittsburgh

Jon Rosenson
Age 25
Director of strategic initiatives, Stargate Industries

Ken Segel
Age 35
Director, Pittsburgh Regional Healthcare Initiative

Kerry Spindler
Age 30
Associate program officer, Heinz Endowments

Christina Springer
Age 37
Co-founder and administrative director, Sun Crumbs

George Starz
Age 37
Owner, Starz Interior Restoration

Justin Strong
Age 23
President and founder, Seventh Movement/ Shadow Lounge

Adrienne Wehr
Age 39
Filmmaker and performing artist

Marla Werner
Age 26
Project director, Shalom Pittsburgh, United Jewish Federation

Amy Woodall
Age 30
Co-owner, Blue Ruin Gallery