Mayor’s office unveils 40 Under 40 finalists

More than 190 names were placed into consideration for the final list, Hudson Mayor Kamal Johnson said Thursday. Of those, 40 finalists were chosen by a committee of sponsors for the event.

“I wanted to put this event together to honor those in our county doing amazing work,” Johnson said. “There is a narrative that people under 40 are not working and have no desire to work. This list and the number of nominees show that this narrative is incorrect in our county.”

Johnson will host Columbia County’s first 40 Under 40 event Oct. 28 at Helsinki Hudson at 405 Columbia St. in Hudson.

The evening’s festivities will include an awards ceremony, presentations, speeches and live musical performances, Johnson said. Food and refreshments will be provided at the catered event.

“The night will be an amazing showcase of our county’s talent,” Johnson said. “The caterers are from a local small business run by a woman under 40 and our photographer and video people will be under 40. We have three amazing young local acts performing.”

Following is the list of the finalists in the 40 Under 40 event:

1. Joan Hunt — Director of Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood.

2. Bryan Vandernburgh — U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Sergeant New York State Police, Lieutenant Niverville Fire Department.

3. Conor O’Neil — Paramedic Greenport Rescue Squad, Hudson firefighter.

4. Alex Chevalier — Guest Experience and Programming Manager, Scribner’s Lodge.

5. Michael Hofmann — Hudson Mayoral Aide, singer and stage director.

6. Claire Cousin — Executive Director of Hudson Catskill Housing Coalition, County Supervisor.

7. Jennifer Crawford — President of Crawford and Associates.

8. Michelle Tullo — Urban Planner, Hudson Housing Director.

9. Mark Taylor — Concra Appraisals, Assistant Fire Chief, Greenport Fire Department.

10. Sharece Johnson — Arts and Media Director at Kite’s Nest.

11. Derek LaTorre — Owner, LaTorre Insurance Agency, life member Valatie Volunteer Rescue Squad, deacon Kinderhook Reformed Church.

12. Ryan Wexler — Owner and Operator of Hudson Property Management, Greenport firefighter.

13. Adolfo Lopez — Assistant Director of Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood.

14. Linda McGriff — Director of Education at Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood.

15. Brian MacCormack — Cofounder of Columbia County Sanctuary Movement.

16. Calvin Lewis — Assistant Director of Hudson Youth Center, Hudson Central School District board member.

17. Anneice Cousin — Owner of Beautiful Racket.

18. Nicholas Fox — Owner of Silverfox Homes.

19. Lucy Segar — Teacher, Hudson Central School District board member.

20. Michael Molinski — Photographer, Owner of Molinski Photography.

21. Carlson Tillman — Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.

22. Lauren Williams — Owner of Marsh Meadow Farm.

23. Gunnar Wordon — Legislative Assistant, Office of Assemblywoman Didi Barrett.

24. Brandon Gaylord — Teacher, Chatham firefighter.

25. S. Trianna — Model, dancer, community volunteer, jewelry maker.

26. Manny Folds — Youth Prevention Services Coordinator, Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood.

27. Shaheim Dejesus — Founder of Unity Now Internet Service.

28. Shanatia Bygrave — Branch Manager at Greylock Federal Credit Union.

29. Kevin Maxwell — Owner of Maxwell Inspections.

30. Emily Ree — School Programs Coordinator.

31. Lindsey Faulkner — Owner of Dance Diversity.

32. Brian McSween — Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, School Resource Officer, Military.

33. Hillary Mellville — Worker Owner/Random Harvest Market, Cafe & Community Space.

34. Joe Grimaldi — Transportation Manager.

35. Lena Alessi — Sternfeld Dance Studio.

36. Michael Alert — Founder of Splashy Time Charity Organization, Kite’s Nest Alumni leader.

37. Kristen Zanotelli — KNZ Founder.

38. Sara Barr — Owner of Laazy Studio.

39. Caitie Hilverman — Data Science Manager, President of the Hudson Area Library Board.

40. Ashley Allsop — Controller, A. Colarusso & Sons.