40 Under 40 to add 41st recipient

Last week, Springfield Business Journal announced the 2009 class of 40 Under 40 honorees. This week, I'm announcing that we're adding one.

In a twist to this year's 40 Under 40, SBJ will recognize a 41st recipient. And the great thing is that you get to decide the individual we'll honor.

We're calling on our readers to select this person from a group of six applicants in their final year up for the award. Yes, the 39-year-olds that weren't selected under our judges' strict review now have one more chance to be voted in by their colleagues, friends and family.

Each year, we hand over the applications of qualified 39-year-olds to our judging panel, and some pass, while others don't. We've always thought this process is hardest on those individuals because they are well aware that it's their last chance at 40 Under 40. Much effort goes into those applications, not to mention the years of sweat accumulated in offices, boardrooms, sales floors and public spaces while cultivating their noteworthy careers. We feel it's an honor to get nominated, and I congratulate the more than 300 nominees for this year's awards. I also thank our judges (Kristi Fulnecky, Phil Martiszus, Randy Mayes, Jerrod Wheeler and Gloria Roling) for investing their time and effort in reading more than 130 applications this year and narrowing the field down to 40.

After a decade of organizing this recognition program - now our most popular in numbers of nominees and applicants - we've recently discovered this potential for one more.

The contest begins April 1 at sbj.net/4040, where votes will be collected during the month of April. No, this is not an April Fool's joke.

I know it's a bit unusual for SBJ, but we're drawn by the fun our readers could have with it and the buzz it'll add to an already exciting signature SBJ event that attracts a steady 400 attendees each year.

A new location adds to the flair. Gillioz Theatre in downtown Springfield welcomes this year's bunch, and we think the Hollywood theme plays right into this "people's choice" type of recognition.

Place your votes online next month, and spread the word about your favorite "39er" - as SBJ Publisher Dianne Elizabeth Osis is affectionately calling the group. We expect those in the running will rally their troops and campaign for the honor.

The 40 Under 40 Web page will feature pictures of the "39ers" along with short bios, so readers can make an educated vote. Each participant will be invited to the May 21 celebration at Gillioz, where the 41st recipient will be announced.

We hope you join us to roll out the red carpet for 40 - no, make that 41 - special businesspeople and community leaders.

Readers will select the 41st recipient for the 2009 40 Under 40 Awards from these six 39-year-old applicants:

• Roger Fouché, Fouché Enterprises LLC

• Christine Louzader, Midwest Family Broadcast Group

• Michele Vanater, U.S. Bank

• Barbara Wallace, Empire Bank

• Paul Windisch, Clear Channel Radio

• Phil Young, Pellham-Phillips Architects and Engineers Inc.

Cast your vote at sbj.net/4040 starting April 1.

The 40 Under 40 Web page also features current and past honorees, event ticket information and a chance for past and current recipients to join an alumni group on LinkedIn.

Springfield Business Journal Editor Eric Olson can be reached at eolson@sbj.net.