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United Way Emerald Coast announces 2025 ’40 Under 40′ honorees

The awards ceremony will take place Sept. 18 at Shoreline Church in Destin to celebrate young professionals.

Jared Williams

United Way Emerald Coast has announced the 2025 honorees for its signature 40 Under 40 Awards, recognizing outstanding young professionals across Okaloosa and Walton counties.

The awards program, hosted by United Way Emerald Coast NextGen United and presented by Florida Power & Light, honors individuals ages 21-40 who excel in leadership, community involvement and professional achievement.

The 40 honorees represent diverse career fields and are recognized for their passion in making a positive impact in the community while upholding NextGen United’s mission of engaging, educating and empowering the next generation of leaders.

The 2025 honorees are:

Alexa Lambert, 25, Tap the Coast
Alyssa Riley, 29, Carr, Riggs & Ingram
Amanda Sanders, 38, Gordon Martial Arts
Andrew B Kindle, 39, Okaloosa County Emergency Medical Services
Austin Bentley, 31, United Community Bank
Brooklyn Peters, 23, Okaloosa County School District & Choctawhatchee High School
Chesley Polk, 35, Polkadot Entertainment
Crystal Weatherington, 35, LJA
Dani Bartley, 31, United States Air Force
Daniel Collins, 34, Community Bank
Daniel Morrow, 36, Dave Morrow: Allstate Insurance
Emily Clarrey, 26, Katie’s House of Flowers & Gifts
Emily Criddle, 31, Community Bank
Emily Dahm, 39, Eglin Air Force Base
Francis Camosse, 39, 3rd Planet Brewing, Niceville FL
Gabby Callaway, 34, Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County
Gerard Bhagwatsingh, 34, Fort Walton Beach Police Department
Hailey Lovejoy, 30, Walton County Sheriff’s Office, Florida
Jae Baldizzi, 27, RELI Marketing
Jennifer Gutai Comella, 39, Hand Arendall Harrison Sale LLC – Florida
Jessica McCormack, 38, McCormack Tax
Joe Gordon, 39, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office
John Feeney, 34, Alday-Howell Engineering, Inc.
Joshua Grace, 39, Crestview Police Department
Justice Jones, 26, Destin West Bayside
Justin Turner 40, Spine Life Chiropractic – Niceville
LXS Fregger, 37, Bit-Wizards
Mariah Reynolds, 40, Homelessness and Housing Alliance
Michael Tomlin, 37, Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC
Nicole Arnett Sanders, 37, FiftySix
Quennie Pearl Kayser, 26, Odom Hotelz
Ryan Fingall, 38, Eglin Federal Credit Union
Samantha Gusoff, 38, Emerald Coast Harley-Davidson & Big Gus Tractor & Equipment
Sara Greco, 37, Air Mobility Command Public Affairs & Lead Into It, LLC
Sean Devlin, 28, Sean Devlin Home + Design
Shae Bonifacio, 29, City of Crestview
Shannettra Francis, 26, City of Niceville
Tarra Wixom-Destin, 35, Pink Coyote Dessert Co.
Tevan Millette, 29, U.S. Army
Tiffany Edwards, 38, Weatherby Consulting

The selection process began with an open nomination period allowing the public to nominate deserving individuals. United Way Emerald Coast then reached out to nominees and invited them to submit applications. A dedicated selection committee reviewed applications to identify the top 40 honorees.

To be eligible, nominees had to be between ages 21 and 40 and either reside or work in Okaloosa or Walton County. Previous honorees are not eligible for consideration.

The 40 Under 40 Awards ceremony will take place Thursday, Sept. 18, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Shoreline Church, 140 Palmetto Street in Destin. Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be served.

Event sponsors include Eglin Federal Credit Union, Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative, Inc., Capital City Bank, The Waters at Crestview, NBI Properties and Publix. Tickets are available at www.united-way.org/40under40.

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