Trae Covington 33 Occupation: State Farm agent and partner at TD Capital Ventures, LLC Email: trae@traefromsf.com Education: Bachelor’s in criminal justice Family: Wife, Marguerite; parents, Terry and Carla Covington; siblings, Taija Charnley and Terry Grigsby Affiliations/community activities: American Business Club; community sponsors of Gonzo’s Legacy: The Zack Defreitas Project; Rumble Around the Lake; trunk or treat; Voices of […]
Forty Under 40
The Springfield Business Journal proudly features 40 leaders annually who are under the age of 40 in the Springfield and neighboring business communities.
These individuals are selected based on their contributions to our local business community and the community in which they reside. They represent, in part, the future of business in our community and in central Illinois.
The selectees’ career paths, educational background, and community affiliations are varied. They represent the best and brightest from a wide range of occupations. You can expect to hear more from and about these leaders in the years ahead.
The program is able to continue due to the commitment of local businesses that realize the importance of acknowledging these up and coming business leaders and supporting community business programs.
Click to see previous years’ winners.
For nomination deadlines and other details, See our Nominations Form Page
Posted inSpecial Issues
Greg Moredock
Greg Moredock 36 Occupation: Corporation counsel for the city of Springfield Email: Gregory.moredock@springfield.il.us Education: Bachelor of science in business administration, University of Dayton; juris doctorate, University of Cincinnati College of Law Family: Wife, Annie; daughter, Maggie and parents Bill and Sue Moredock Affiliations/community activities: Illinois State Bar Association, Board of Governors; Sangamon County Bar Association, board member; […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Sarah Moore
Sarah Moore 39 Occupation: Chief compliance officer, BOS Asset Management, LLC Email: sarah@bosassetmanagement.com Education: Industry qualifications include: Series 7 General Securities Representative; Series 24 General Securities Principal; Series 66 Uniform Combined State Law Exam Family: Husband, Troy; daughter, Corrine (18); son, Kingston (7) Affiliations/community activities: Community education co-chair, Springfield Old Capitol Art Fair executive board […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Vistrit Choudhary
Vistrit Choudhary 32 Occupation: Health policy coordinator at SIU School of Medicine Email: vistrit.c@gmail.com Education: Master’s degree in public policy, University of Chicago Family: Wife, Melessia; cats, Luna and Benzene; dog, Nala Affiliations/community activities: Rural Health Leadership fellow, National Rural Health Association; chair, Administrative Professionals Council, SIU School of Medicine What led you to your current career? While […]
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Jake Woollen
Jake Woollen 33 Occupation: Orchestra and choir conductor, Illinois Symphony Orchestra and Springfield Choral Society Email: jwoollen@ilsymphony.org Education: Bachelor of music in cello; master’s in orchestral conducting from University of Michigan; post-graduate studies at the Vienna University for the Performing Arts Affiliations: Illinois Symphony Orchestra; Illinois Symphony Youth Orchestra; Springfield Choral Society; UIS Music; Sing […]
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Steve Hott
Steve Hott 34 Occupation: Supervisor of Illinois electrical operations at Ameren; owner of Central Illinois Gutters Email: S.hott1190@gmail.com Education: Bachelor of arts in business administration, University of Maine Family: Wife, Katlyn; children, Mila (8), Sam (6) and Laila (4) Affiliations/community activities: National Society of Leadership; Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce; American Business Club; Better Business Bureau […]
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Zach Stead
Zach Stead 39 Occupation: General superintendent of generation for CWLP’s generating facilities Email: zach.stead@gmail.com Education: Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville; registered professional engineer. Family: Wife, Lauren; sons, Luke and Alex Affiliations/community activities: Rochester Competitive Baseball, head coach; Rochester Junior Football League, coach; Rochester Athletic Booster Club, member What is your guiding principle in life? Each morning I choose to be […]
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Jessica Barney
Jessica Barney 34 Occupation: Department administrator of internal medicine, SIU School of Medicine Email: jbarney@siumed.edu Education: MBA, Master's in nursing leadership Family: Husband, Justin; children, Noah and Sophia; Mom, Reny Drendel and sibling, Adam Drendel Affiliations/community activities: SIU Internal Medicine Community Advisory Board; volunteer with children’s programs at West Side Christian Church What is your guiding principle in life? My mother and my husband taught […]
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Adam McConnell
Adam McConnell 39 Occupation: Human Resources; associate HR business partner and employee relations lead at Horace Mann Email: adam.mcconnell@horacemann.com Education: Bachelor’s degree in human resources management from Concordia University, St. Paul, Minnesota Family: Single Affiliations/community activities: Legislative director, Central Illinois Society for Human Resource Management board of directors (2025-present); Legislative committee member, Central Illinois Chapter SHRM […]
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Jessica Sisk
Jessica Sisk 39 Occupation: Director of residential operations, Hope Email: jsisk@hope.us Education: Bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University Family: My fur babies, Luna and Ryno What led you to your current career? I began working at Hope 15 years ago and quickly realized I was working with a team of amazing people to support a […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Allison Long
Allison Long 29 Occupation: Dentist at Prairie Dental Group Email: drlong@prairiedentalgroup.com Education: Rhodes College, Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine Family: Parents, Rae and Scott Long; husband, Nicholas Koch Affiliations/community activities: Vice president of G.V. Black District Dental Society; board member and volunteer for Wooden It Be Lovely; executive committee member and community service chair of […]
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John Curry
John Curry 37 Occupation: Chiropractor and owner, Curry Chiropractic in Springfield and Petersburg; owner, Cowork Springfield; adjunct biology instructor at LLCC and UIS Email: drjohn@currychiro.com Education: Bachelor of science in biological sciences, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville; Master of Science in sports science and exercise rehabilitation, Logan University; doctorate of chiropractic, Logan University Family: Parents, Dan and Pat […]