Business leaders, family and friends gathered at the Mississippi Arts+Entertainment Experience Tuesday evening for a reception to honor Meridian’s Top 20 Under Forty Class of 2024.

Sponsored by Mississippi Power and East Mississippi Connect through a partnership with The Meridian Star and Meridian Life magazine, Top 20 Under Forty recognizes local men and women who represent the area’s new generation of leaders.

This year’s honorees represent a diverse group of young professionals who work in different sectors from throughout the community including education, business, healthcare, finance, religion, utilities, military, restaurant and professional services.

“These men and women are proving themselves not only professionally in their careers but also through their commitment, volunteerism and support of the community,” said Glenda Sanders, editor of Meridian Life magazine. “We are pleased to partner with Mississippi Power and East Mississippi Connect to recognize them for their dedication and work to help propel our community forward.”

This year’s Class of 2024 honorees include Dr. Alyse Boswell, obstetrician and gynecologist at Ochsner Rush OB/GYN; Chris Bullock, restaurant managing partner for Cater’s Market; Lance Burnham, a vice president at BankPlus; Kimberly Burton, CEO of Southern Home Care Agency; Brittney Chaney, principal of Southeast Lauderdale Middle School; Dr. Cassie Confait, physician and ophthalmologist at Eye Clinic of Meridian; Caytlin Downey, a paralegal with the Grace Law Firm; Brian Driskill, banquet and catering manager for Weidmann’s Restaurant; Nicole Dye, family and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner for Complex Care Solutions and Headway; the Rev. Austin McGehee, priest at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church; Trent Mosley, loan officer and commercial lender of Commercial Bank; Kendrick Phillips Sr., network systems engineer for Baptist Anderson Regional Medical Center; DeVon A. Pruitt, financial planner and adviser for The Piedmont Group; Chris Rutland, director of emergency services at Baptist Anderson Regional Medical Center; Kenneth Scott, distribution engineer for Mississippi Power; Tyeisha Smith, banker and community development officer of Citizens National Bank; Lt. Ashlee South, security officer at Naval Air Station Meridian; Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Jung Tai, dental assistant at Naval Air Station Meridian; Shannon Weathers, nurse practitioner for Wound Management Specialists; and Marion Whiting, director of housing and student activities at Meridian Community College.

The Top 20 Under Forty Class of 2024 is featured in the latest issue of Meridian Life magazine, which is available at local businesses and at The Meridian Star office at 814 22nd Avenue.