QCBJ recognizes Forty Under 40 honorees

An array of business professionals, nonprofit leaders, construction industry representatives and multi-generational company leaders round out our 2023 QCBJ Forty Under 40 honorees.  In the coming weeks, we will spotlight our newest Forty Under 40 class, in alphabetical order, on our website. The new class was first spotlighted in our Aug. 21 edition and honored at a reception at the Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center, Bettendorf, on Aug. 24. Each honoree was asked to complete a survey. The following eight profiles are excerpts from their surveys, in some cases, edited for space. We congratulate our second Forty Under 40 class and are hopeful for the future that these Quad Citizens will lead us to and help to mold.

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Courtney Brickner

Senior Manager, National Professional Standards Group | RSM US LLP AGE: 34 Home: Moline Education: Bachelor of Arts, Augustana College Family: David, Ellie and David Brickner Hometown (childhood): Illinois Quad Cities First job? Lifeguard at Willow Springs in East Moline How long at your current job? Almost 12 years Who do you consider your local mentors? Anna Kyer, Partner, RSM US LLP; Jennifer Harland, Compensation and Benefits Manager at HNI Corporation. Best advice ever received? Being a working parent is a lot like juggling … Some of the balls that you’re juggling are made of rubber and some are made of glass. If you drop a rubber ball, it’s going to bounce back but if you drop a glass ball, it’s going to shatter. Take the time to reflect on all of the balls you’re juggling … and decide which balls are made of glass and which are made of rubber. Biggest break so far? I had an opportunity to join the firm’s National Professional Standards Group a few years ago. It has given me the opportunity to use my skills in a different way. Biggest issue facing the Quad Cities, why? Over the past few years, it’s felt like the political climate of the two states has drifted further apart. … I worry that issues decided at the state capitals (e.g., COVID protocols) will divide our community or make it harder to function as one community in two states. If you had $1 million to give, what causes would you support? Back-to-school drives and grants for extracurricular programs for children in need. Passions outside the workplace? Spending time with my family. Some of our favorite activities include walking our dogs, playing board games, traveling and swimming. What do you want to accomplish by age 50? I want to continue to have an impact on my communities – my RSM community, the Seton/Alleman community, and the Quad Cities community.

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Thurgood Brooks

West End Revitalization Coordinator | Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center AGE: 30 Home: Rock Island Education: Bachelor’s degree in history, Western Illinois University Family: Son of Cindy Patton and Terry Brooks Hometown (childhood): Rock Island First job? At 16, a counselor for summer day camp at the King Center. How long at your current job? I recently switched positions at the King Center, so I’ve been in my current job about one month. Who do you consider your local mentors? Coach Fritz Dieudonne, head football coach at Rock Island High School; and AJ Julien, pastor at Living Water Christian Center. Best advice ever received? Often, you’re just as culpable to your demise as those who have stacked the deck against you. Biggest break so far? People finding trust in me on their doorstep, at a meet and greet, or even on Instagram. What would most people be surprised to learn about you? I am a very proud uncle to over 20 nieces and nephews. Biggest issue facing the Quad Cities, why? The Quad Cities faces the difficulty of breaking barriers to engage every single citizen, to leave no one behind in decision-making processes, and despite any barrier before us, we must engage in all appropriate means to be the change we wish to see. If you had $1 million to give, what causes would you support? Equitable housing and children’s savings accounts for under-resourced families. Passions outside the workplace? When I have time left over between my day job, being politically engaged and coaching football, I like to spend it with family and friends. What do you want to accomplish by age 50? I aim to help prepare the next generation to overcome challenges that need to be faced in the coming days. I would love to see and help one (or more) of my mentees be elected to public office.

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Ben Bush

Director, Sales and Business Development | McCarthy-Bush Corporation  AGE: 33 Home: Bettendorf Education: Assumption High School, University of Iowa Family: Wife Jenna; daughters Brynn and Blake Hometown (childhood): Davenport First job? Waiter at Jersey Grille How long at your current job? 8 months in my current role; 5½ years with McCarthy-Bush. Who do you consider your local mentors? Jonathan Wilmshurst, retired president of Linwood Mining and Minerals & Oertel Metal Works, McCarthy-Bush Corporation; Mike Bush, president of Linwood Mining and Minerals, McCarthy-Bush Corporation (Mike is my cousin); and Brian Krzyaniak, president of Oertel Metal Works, McCarthy-Bush Corporation. Best advice ever received? You can learn something from every experience. You just have to pay attention. Biggest break so far? My previous boss and current mentor, Jonathan Wilmshurst, provided me with a number of opportunities as soon as I started with McCarthy-Bush. Whether it was sales, business development, or real estate-related, Jonathan always had a new challenge for me to tackle. … Those opportunities have played a large part in shaping who I am today, both personally and professionally. What would most people be surprised to learn about you? I’d be a country music star, living in Nashville, if I knew how to play the guitar and if I could sing. Biggest issue facing the Quad Cities, why? Childhood education. I believe not having enough resources (books, supplies, etc.) and the pandemic have put children behind, relative to previous generations. If you had $1 million to give, what causes would you support? United Way of the Quad Cities, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley, and Habitat for Humanity. Passions outside the workplace? My family, the Iowa Hawkeyes, the Las Vegas Raiders, and golf. Something people should know about your generation in the workplace? If given the opportunities and a path to develop our careers, we are intelligent, hardworking and innovative.

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Alana Carroll

Tax Managing Director | Deloitte Tax  AGE: 39 Home: Bettendorf Education: B.A. Accounting, St. Ambrose University; and Master of Accountancy, University of Iowa Family: Husband Matt; daughters Harper, Addison and Elsie Hometown (childhood): DeWitt First job? Babysitting How long at your current job? A managing director for two years; with Deloitte for over 16. Who do you consider your local mentors? My mom, Christy Kunz, former Senior Vice President at Junior Achievement USA. Best advice ever received? You’re never in any situation completely alone; remember you can always seek others for advice and help. Biggest break so far? Returning to work at Deloitte after taking another accounting position. Changing jobs gave me a different perspective. What would most people be surprised to learn about you? That I have an IMDB page for a movie, and I’ve been in a meme on Instagram. Biggest issue facing the Quad Cities, why? Attracting and retaining talent. The QC has a lot to offer, so spreading that message is important. If you had $1 million to give, what causes would you support? I would set up an endowment and use the money earned to effect change throughout the Quad Cities. Passions outside the workplace? Spending time with my family and friends, gardening, Peloton and reading. Something people should know about your generation in the workplace? We’ve worked hard to soak in the knowledge from those ahead of us and appreciate that opportunity. We look forward to using the skills learned in leadership in our community. What do you want to accomplish by age 50? Is there a 50 under 50 list? (smiley face!)

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Melissa Church

Founder | Digi-Buzz  AGE: 28 Home: LeClaire Education: Northern Arizona University Family: Husband Samuel; daughter Lillian Hometown (childhood): Las Vegas, Nevada First job? Hostess at Outback Steakhouse How long at your current job? Almost 3 years Best advice ever received? “Your life can change with a phone call” – My mother. Biggest break so far? My biggest break was everything else falling apart. … I learned how strong I am and achieved things I never dreamed possible. What would most people be surprised to learn about you? People are always interested in the fact I was a professional actor as a teen and young adult. Biggest issue facing the Quad Cities, why? As a transplant to the area, I've heard a lot of negativity about things for young people to do. … If we want to increase people moving here and staying here we need to really focus on what the younger demographic wants in terms of entertainment. If you had $1 million to give, what causes would you support? St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Passions outside the workplace? I am passionate about education. I created a page called Bad Science Jokes on social media 10 years ago. With over a million followers across the web, I am able to help teach science, math and more to people around the globe. My jokes even made an appearance in Antarctica, printed out for the scientists studying there! Something people should know about your generation in the workplace? Our generation is bringing new ideas, new ways of doing things, and redefining how a business looks and operates. Let us share our thoughts, help lead us to what is realistic and what isn’t. What do you want to accomplish by age 50? I just want to be able to look back and say, “I helped people. I had fun. I lived an amazing life.”

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Beau Dexter Vice President Medical Group | Genesis Health System/MercyOne  AGE: 34 Home: Eldridge Education: Master’s in Business Administration, St. Ambrose University Family: Wife Katie; daughters Nora, Dani Mae and Charley Hometown (childhood): Eldridge First job? Groundskeeper, Genesis Health System How long at your current job? 2 years Who do you consider your local mentors? Peter Voelliger, Genesis Health System, first leader; Dr. Mike Persson, Family Practice, Genesis Health System, physician leader; all of the leaders and physicians I work with each day. Best advice ever received? “Accept what is, let go what was and believe in what will be” – Charley Erpelding. Biggest break so far? I try to build strong relationships with all those I work with. The opportunities I have been afforded are a result of those relationships and partnerships. I transitioned from a support role in human resources to the Medical Group operations five years ago. This was a great transition and has allowed me the opportunity to grow with the help of great mentors and physician partners to advance my career to be in my position today. What would most people be surprised to learn about you? I have worked for Genesis since I was 16 years old as a groundskeeper, mowing grass in the summer and after school. I have been with Genesis for 18 years. If you had $1 million to give, what causes would you support? Cancer support and research. Passions outside the workplace? My family is truly my foundation and my greatest achievement. We are active with three girls in sports, dance and 4-H. We love spending time outdoors and enjoying time with all of our family. What do you want to accomplish by age 50? My goal is to leave a lasting impact in my community.

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Miranda Dresing Mental Health Counselor | St. Ambrose University  AGE: 37 Home: Davenport Education: Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Master’s degree in Social Work, both from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Family: Husband Chad and French bulldog Alma Hometown (childhood): Heyworth, Illinois First job? Dairy Queen blizzard tech How long at your current job? 6 years Who do you consider your local mentors? Anne McNelis, Co-CEO and clinical director at Transitions Mental Health Services, Moline, my clinical supervisor during my MSW internship in 2013. Best advice ever received? To do like every airline says, and first put on your own oxygen mask before you attempt to help those around you. … Take care of yourself so you can take care of others. Biggest break so far? Being hired at St. Ambrose University’s Counseling Center gave me the flexibility of schedule to dedicate a good portion of my time to fundraising and event planning for local nonprofits. Biggest issue facing the Quad Cities, why? One issue facing our community is affordable access to mental health care for all. Another important issue is the need for more options for sushi and riverfront or rooftop dining. If you had $1 million to give, what causes would you support? I’d spread the impact among many local charities, with the largest focus on Big Brothers Big Sisters and Gilda’s Club. Passions outside the workplace? I spend as much time as possible traveling, listening to live music, spending time with friends, and supporting Illini sports. I-L-L! Something people should know about your generation in the workplace? This generation cares about career, but also about giving back to their communities. What do you want to accomplish by age 50? I hope to have traveled to 10 new countries, mentored new social workers, and convinced Whitey’s Ice Cream to bring back their delicious party treats.

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Brian Duffy Chief Executive Officer | Per Mar Security Services  AGE: 36 Home: Davenport Education: B.A. Economics, University of Notre Dame Family: Wife Alex; daughters Grey and Penny Hometown (childhood): Davenport First job? Monitoring center agent at Per Mar How long at your current job? 3 years in current role; 11 years with the company Who do you consider your local mentors? Kent Pilcher, CEO, Estes Construction, Advisory Board member; Dave Steil, owner, Fidlar Technologies, Advisory Board member; Joe Slavens, CEO, Northwest Bank & Trust, mentor. Best advice ever received? The harder you work, the luckier you get. Biggest break so far? Other than being born into a great family with two loving parents, I was very lucky to have two excellent managers at Capital One in my first job after college… learning a lot about hard work, communication, and data analysis. What would most people be surprised to learn about you? I do not have any social media profiles. Biggest issue facing the Quad Cities, why? The issues … are similar to those facing other communities in America -- many youth reach adulthood without a safety net, and without a clear idea of how they will become an independent adult. If you had $1 million to give, what causes would you support? Workforce development, particularly for the late high school or just out of high school population. Passions outside the workplace? Spending time with my family, reading and playing pickup basketball. Something people should know about your generation in the workplace? I believe that once you have spent 30 minutes with a person, it is mentally lazy to categorize them by their generation. What do you want to accomplish by age 50? I would like to have wonderful relationships with my wife and children, and have a more systematic approach to continuous improvement at Per Mar to make the company less dependent on any individual leaders.