The List July 2011
BEN EASTERLING
For Ben Easterling, Vice President of Investments for Stifel Nicolaus and Company, investing is a family affair. Working with his father in the venerable company, Ben has been able to draw on decades of experience. “He has been a great resource for me to draw on his 35 years plus in this business,” Ben says of his father.
“He has certainly shown me the work ethic it takes to be successful in this business.” Ben’s own road to creating financial security for his clients began with an undergraduate degree in business administration from Auburn University. His major in finance proved helpful as the ensuing 18 years have seen him work for such respected financial institutions as Dun and Bradstreet and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney before joining Stifel Nicolaus last year. Asked about the biggest challenge he faces, Ben notes that, “Being able to adapt and change is a necessity on a daily basis. I take the responsibility of handling others money very seriously."
LARRY GOLSTON
For Larry Golston, practicing law represents more than winning and losing cases – it represents an opportunity to give back to the community. About his employer, Beasley Allen Law Firm, he says, “The overwhelming majority of my co-workers not only live in the River Region, but they also were raised in this area.”
Larry explains, “I am motivated to be the best lawyer and person I can be by working and fellowshipping with individuals like these.” Larry received his undergraduate degree in criminal justice from the University of Alabama, and then returned for his Juris Doctorate, which he completed in 1998. He describes this period as the most difficult he has experienced. “The biggest obstacle I overcame was initially not having the finances to afford college.” Asked who his greatest supporter has been, he quickly responds, “God has had the biggest impact on my success.” He also credits the prayers and support of his family.
ANGIE BRADSHER
Angie Bradsher intimately understands the work that goes into maintaining a thriving residential community. Working in sales and development for The Waters, Angie is able to assist incoming families in creating their dream home. “I absolutely love being part of the process as family’s dreams come true as they build or purchase their custom home,” she enthuses.
With a bachelor’s degree in social work from Troy University, she is especially understanding of the complex needs of the modern family. Asked who her biggest influences are, Angie credits the women in her family. “I come from a strong line of women. Both my grandmothers and my mother have always been successful, while still putting their family first. They have always encouraged me to be independent and take life instead of it taking me.” In her own family, the proud mother enjoys her loving husband Michael and their two beautiful children, Sophie and Tristan.
MELISSA JOHNSON
Melissa Johnson, reporter for WSFA 12 News, is a “one man band.” At least that’s what her co-workers in the newsroom call her, because she writes, edits and shoots all of her own stories. In fact, Melissa is about as close to an overnight success as one gets in the business. In January 2008, she joined WSFA as an intern. Soon after, she was hired as a part-time producer, working on weekends and going to school during the week.
She graduated from Auburn University with a degree in radio, television and film in May 2009, and upon graduation, the former War Eagle Girl was hired as a full-time reporter. However, it wasn’t easy for Melissa to get where she is today. “The biggest obstacle for breaking into the news business was my youth,” she explains. “I had to work twice as hard to prove that, despite my age, I had what it took!” For Melissa, working with WSFA has been a little slice of heaven. “My job encompasses everything I love,” she explains. “I love that I am able to be a voice for people who otherwise, wo
JESSICA ROBERTS
For Jessica Roberts, CPA and Financial Officer for the Central Alabama Community Foundation (CACF), the travails of many in this difficult economy hit close to home. Possessor of an MBA from Troy, she experienced hard times herself in 2008. “When the economy took a downturn, I lost my job,” she notes. “I didn't know what my next move would be.”
Yet crisis breeds opportunity, and it was from this crisis that she was able to find her dream job. “I love working for an organization that does so many wonderful things for the community. We give out millions of dollars each year in grants and scholarships. On top of all that, I work with amazing people that make my job fun.” Through the CACF, Jessica is able to also get involved with the Bridge Builders Alabama program, the Montgomery Education Foundation and the Montgomery Dragon Boat Festival – yet her charitable work doesn’t end there. She is also highly involved with Junior League, Big Brothers Big Sisters and River Region Young Professionals.
BRIAN ARRIGHI
For Brian Arrighi, Sales Consultant for Berney Office Solutions, Montgomery is a place where you are never a stranger. “I love the fact that no matter where I go, I can find familiar faces all around me,” he says. Perhaps it’s his connection to local sports that makes Brian such a well-known person in the River Region.
A lifelong athlete, he was a pitcher for the Auburn University at Montgomery baseball team throughout his college years, where he received his undergraduate degree in 2007. Taking a job with Berney fresh out of college, Brian has found just the right work environment. “The people I work with, they make it great.” When he isn’t working, the sports and exercise enthusiast remains constantly active. He is deeply involved with a ministry which works with inner city children called Inner City Evangelism, and he gives pitching lessons to local youth baseball players and teams. Also a humanitarian at heart, the avid traveler recently returned from a voyage to Nicaragua for a mission trip.
HANNAH CHADEE
With her impressive resume, you might expect Hannah Chadee, Business Development Coordinator for Baptist Health's Institute for Patient Safety and Medical Simulation, to be somewhat naturally prideful. But for this humble beauty, her academic, employment and personal life have taught her a valuable lesson.
“My family, friends and the people I’ve met in school and at work have taught me to be patient, humble and ultimately a servant leader,” she explains. Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, Hannah moved to Gainesville, Florida, after high school, where she earned both her bachelor’s degree in health science and master’s degree in public health from the University of Florida. Upon graduation, the diehard Gator fan moved to Montgomery to accept a position with Baptist Health. Though she knew no one at first, the city quickly opened its arms to her through the EMERGE Torchbearers leadership class. Now a member of the Torchbearers Alumni and the Holiday Market Silent Auction Committee for Junior League.
WINFRED HAWKINS
For Winfred Hawkins, Junior Graphic Designer at Auburn University at Montgomery, every corner of life is a potential locale for art. “Sometimes I will just go out to some random place and paint, play music or write,” he explains. “Many times the arts are ignored, because no one really sees it in their daily life, except on TV or the radio.”
A graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2007, Winfred drew the ten roundels that are hanging on the outside wall of the Rosa Parks Museum, a project that he started in high school and which has allowed him to meet the famed civil rights activist. In addition to being inspired by creating, he says it is actually criticism that has most inspired him. “If it weren't for all the people that told me that I was no good or that I should try to get a real job, I would have never developed the drive to keep going forward.” In addition to his work as an artist, Winfred is a self-taught musician who plays bass for the popular local band, Hellakopta of Love.
JENNIFER SUMNER
Jennifer Pratt Sumner is a person of diverse skills and interests. Not only is she the Social Media Coordinator at the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), but Jennie (as her friends call her) is the owner and a fitness trainer at CrossFit Montgomery. In school, she had an impressive academic record, graduating Magna Cum Laude in psychology from Huntingdon College before attaining her master’s degree in applied management from Troy.
“I am a student for life,” Jennie explains. “I always desire to learn more about people and the world.” A world traveler since childhood, Jennie even spent time teaching English to students in China. Today, she is proud to help provide timely health information through the ADPH’s website (ADPH.org). Before and after her work with the ADPH, Jennie offers group strength and conditioning sessions, specializing in bodyweight, endurance and kettlebell training. “As a personal trainer/coach, it is so uplifting to be a part of someone’s life journey to wellness.”
STEPHANIE BROWN
For Stephanie Brown, owner of Hue Studio, life is always bursting forth in vibrant color. The website for her business describes her shop as, “A visual extravaganza overflowing with items for everyday life,” and the look reinforces this description, offering brightly decorative items for sale to suit all walks of life.
Stephanie herself began her journey to entrepreneurship with an undergraduate degree in business administration from Auburn University. After school, she began her career in the business sector before shifting to a vocation in fashion with a New York based company that hosted local shows before she opened Hue Studio in 2006. Even as tough economic times beckoned, the Southern Belle remained a success in this venture. “We had to quickly adjust our buying strategy and adapt to an economic environment that was much more frugal than when we opened our doors,” she explains. The key to her shop’s continued success: customers who come back again and again. “Our customers are loyal customers".