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20 Under 40

Opelika’s 20 Under 40 program is made up of 20 outstanding people under the age of 40 who live in Opelika, love Opelika, and have a vested interest in shaping the direction of this city’s future. The purpose of the program is to bring together young professionals from diverse professions and backgrounds on a regular basis to learn about the various aspects of the intricate workings of a city, school system, business, industry, and public service to give them a better understanding of how all of these separate entities come together to create a working, viable community.  

The 20 Under 40 Program is dedicated to developing leaders by providing these opportunities: 

  • Learning about Opelika through community and government affairs leadership courses 
  • Giving back to the community through a class service project for a local non-profit organization 
  • Developing professionally through training and skill-based learning initiatives 
  • Engaging and connecting with each other as well as forging relationships with local business and organization leaders 

Our intention is to help create amazing future leaders for our community, and there is even a direct feed to city boards from this group. So many 20 under 40 graduates become movers & shapers in Opelika. Some graduates include Alabama Representative Jeremy Gray, City Councilman Todd Rauch, Rosanna McGinnis with the Opelika Library, and even our very own President Ali Rauch!

Welcome our NEW 2022-2023 Class!

Taft

Taft Ledbetter

The Talons Group

Walker

Walker Beams

Keller Williams Realty

Catherine

Catherine Olen

Opelika Chamber

Tiffany

Tiffany Yelder

Opelika City Schools

Austin

Austin Puckett

East Alabama Health

Tamarcus

Tamarcus Milner

Opelika Learning Center

Stephanie

Stephanie Graham

Alfa Insurance

Joel

Joel Alvarado

Baxter International

Savannah

Savannah Douglas

Golden State Foods

Mary Katherine

Mary Katherine Brasher

Himmelwright, Huguley & Boles

Leif

Leif Espelund

Heritage House

Meghan

Meghan Taylor

Ferguson Enterprises

Natalie

Natalie Downs

Home Instead

Preston

Preston Winkles

The Bottling Plant Event Center

Courtney

Courtney Jones

City of Opelika

Preston

Darin Brown

Garan, Inc.

Karen

Karen Gilmore

AO Tourism

Eric

Eric Perry

Machen McChesney

Jessica

Jessica Henderson

Lee County Sheriff's Office

Anna

Anna Jones

Opelika Public Library

Jacob

Jacob Danford

Cafe 123

Tez

Tez Tolbert

Golden State Foods