age: 39 Occupation: Partner/insurance producer Email: Jrourke@troxellins.com Education: Illinois State University Family: Wife, Katy; son, Miles, 3; daughter, Macie, 11 months Affiliations/community activities: American Business Club; Local First Springfield; Chatham Chamber Ambassador; board member, Kidzeum of Health and Science; board vice president, Family Service Center; Land of Lincoln Professional Networking Group What is your guiding […]
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 inForty Under 40
Katie Romang
age: 37 Occupation: Clinical therapist, co-owner of Luminary Counseling Email: Kromang@luminarycounselingsolutions.com Education: Bachelor’s degree in social work and Master of Social Work, Illinois State University Family: I’ve been married to my wonderful husband, Greg, for 13 years. We have three beautiful kids: Johnny, 12, Melanie, 10, and Julia, 9; lab, Ruby. I also want to […]
Posted inForty Under 40
Sean M. Robb
Age: 35 Occupation: Pediatric nurse, SIU Medicine Pediatrics Email: Sear0choreo@gmail.com Education: LPN from Capital Area School of Practical Nursing, Springfield, 2019; Associate degree in nursing (in progress), Lincoln Land Community College Affiliation/community activities: Springfield Theatre Centre board member as of 2026; director, Springfield Public Schools 186 Collage Show Choir since 2025; freelance and voluntary choreographer; […]
Posted inForty Under 40
Megan Reynolds
Age: 36 Occupation: Director of marketing and communications, United Way of Central Illinois Email: mreynolds@uwcil.org Education: Benedictine University Family: Husband Christopher; children Teagan, Trevor, Peyton, Noah and Dominic Affiliations/community activities: Past president, Rotary Club of Downtown Springfield; past advisory board member, Salvation Army; past board member, One Stop Community Collaboration; Illinois Women in Leadership; Mid-Illinois […]
Posted inForty Under 40
Lakeisha Purchase
Age: 37 Occupation: Ward 5 alderwoman, lobbyist, owner of 5th Street GEM and real estate investor Email: lakeishapurchase217@gmail.com Education: Bachelor of Arts in political science with a minor in speech communication Family: Proud cat mom to Tiger. Affiliations/community involvement:Lifetime member of NAACP; board member, Medics First and SIUC Saluki Women’s Council; member, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority […]
Posted inForty Under 40
Samantha Patrick
Age: 39 Occupation: Vice president, mortgage operations, INB N.A. Email: spatrick@inb.com Education: High school graduate Family: Husband, daughter and family dog, Clyde Affiliations/community activities: Board of directors, Girl Scouts of Central Illinois; Illinois Bankers Association; Youth sports coach and volunteer; St. Jude run participant What is your guiding principle in life? No one achieves success […]
Posted inForty Under 40
Trevor Noonan
age: 38 Occupation: Wealth management, Morgan Stanley Email: Trevor.noonan@morganstanley.com Education: Lincoln Land Community College, Loras College Family: Proud son, brother and owner of a Pembroke Welsch Corgi named Tink Affiliations/community activities: SIU Denim and Diamonds committee member; tribal member of the Brothertown Indians in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
Posted inForty Under 40
Emmanuel Mikaelson
Age: 27 Occupation: Business owner, TPH Strategies Email: mdavis@tphstrategies.com Education: Master of Business Administration, University of Illinois Springfield; Bachelor of Science, accounting, Millikin University Affiliations/community activities: Board member and treasurer, Land of Lincoln Goodwill; secretary, Springfield Old Capitol Art Fair; board member, United Way; co-chair, Impact Life; ambassador, Springfield Chamber of Commerce What is your […]
Posted inForty Under 40
Michael Meyer
Age: 38 Occupation: Farmer and owner, Mueller Family Farm Email: muellerfamilyfarmllc@gmail.com Family: Farm founder, grandma Linda Mueller; mother and stepdad, Mindy and Jody Carter; girlfriend, Amber Risen; fur family, Tank, Lily and Gus Affiliations/community activities: Old Capital Farmers Market; Urbana Market on the Square; Jacksonville Farmers Market; The Farms of Illinois; Slow Food Award; Illinois […]
Posted inForty Under 40
Gregory Marantz
Age: 36 Occupation: Executive vice president, finance and risk management, BOS. Email: gmarantz@bankwithbos.com Education: Bachelor’s degree in general management, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; MBA, Saint Louis University Family: Wife, Hannah; daughters, Palmer and Sloane; dog, Koufax Affiliations/community activities:Currently sit on the Springfield Public Schools Foundation board, Springfield Memorial Hospital board and Springfield Sports Hall of […]
Posted inForty Under 40
Hector Lopez
Age: 38 Occupation: Restaurateur; owner of The Taco Joint Email: hectorlpz88@me.com Education: Jacksonville High School Family: Wife, Maasyel Nunez; daughter, Valentina Lopez What is your guiding principle in life? To build something lasting for my family and those who stand next to me. What led you to your career? I took a year off after […]
Posted inForty Under 40
Lingling Liu
Age: 37 Occupation: Community engagement manager, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Email: mti.lingling@gmail.com Education: Master’s degree, translation and interpretation, University of International Business and Economics; Master of Arts, communication, and Graduate Certificate, entrepreneurship, University of Illinois Springfield Family: Spouse, Tommy; dog, Leia; cat, Mace; other family members in China and Switzerland Affiliations/community activities: Springfield Immigrant and Advocacy Network; […]