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 Ledbetter
The Talons Group

Walker Beams
Keller Williams Realty

Catherine Olen
Opelika Chamber

Tiffany Yelder
Opelika City Schools

Austin Puckett
East Alabama Health

Tamarcus Milner
Opelika Learning Center

Stephanie Graham
Alfa Insurance

Joel Alvarado
Baxter International

Savannah Douglas
Golden State Foods

Mary Katherine Brasher
Himmelwright, Huguley & Boles

Leif Espelund
Heritage House

Meghan Taylor
Ferguson Enterprises

Natalie Downs
Home Instead

Preston Winkles
The Bottling Plant Event Center

Courtney Jones
City of Opelika

Darin Brown
Garan, Inc.

Karen Gilmore
AO Tourism

Eric Perry
Machen McChesney

Jessica Henderson
Lee County Sheriff's Office

Anna Jones
Opelika Public Library

Jacob Danford
Cafe 123

Tez Tolbert
Golden State Foods