“20 Under 40” Recognizes Local Leaders

Special to The Truth

Brandi Carson, controller for The Anderson’s Ethanol Division; Ebonie Jackson, chief financial officer for the Lucas Metropolitan Housing Authority (LMHA); Getro Jean-Claude, financial analyst for the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority and Will Lucas, co-founder and CEO of Classana, each received a 2016 20 Under 40 Leadership Recognition Award on Monday, September 26 at the 21st annual 20 Under 40 awards ceremony. They were selected from a field of 163 candidates.

In her role at The Andersons, Inc., Brandi Carson is tasked with ensuring that financial information reported to the public and stakeholders is clear of misstatements and reliable. Prior to joining The Andersons, she served as audit manager with PricewaterhouseCoopers Accounting Firm. In 2016 she became an IRS certified volunteer for tax preparation, helping low-to-moderate income individuals and families with their federal and state returns. She has also volunteered with the Big Brothers Big Sisters Workforce Investment Act program.

Carson was nominated by Patrick Bowe, President & CEO of The Andersons, Inc.

As the chief financial officer at LMHA, Ebonie Jackson leads the accounting, procurement and IT functions and serves as the advisor to the executive director and leadership team. She was one of 28 CPAs under the age of 35 from across the country selected by the American Institute of CPAs for its first annual Leadership Academy.  She has served on the national committee overseeing the AICPA Insurance Trust, served on the governing body of AICPA, has served on other national AICPA committees.

In the community, she is treasurer of the Toledo Chapter Jack and Jill, is a trustee of the Ohio CPA Foundation, serves on the United Way Education Committee, Robinson HUB Steering Committee, and is a member of the Toledo Chapter of The LINKS, Inc.

Jackson was nominated by Tianna Anderson and Richard Jackson.

In his role at the Port Authority, Getro Jean-Claude manages the ECDI microloan program that supports entrepreneurs.  A native of Haiti, he is proficient in Haitian Creole, French, Spanish and English and graduated with honors from the University of Toledo in 2014.  While there, he lead the Soma Community and Model United Nations clubs, the Toledo CAN club, and made the President’s List for two consecutive years and the Dean’s List.  UT awards included Best Mentor Award (twice), the best New Student Organization Award and he received honorable mention for Collegiate Council on World Affairs from Ohio State University.

He was recently recognized by the Urban Innovation Exchange national publication in “People changing Cities—Urban Innovator of the Week” and featured in the Toledo City Paper article “Doing Better in Toledo: New Locals.” 

In addition, he was selected by Welcome TLC to share his story in “Love Letters to Toledo” as part of the Immigrants Heritage month celebration. He graduated from Leadership Toledo in 2014 and received the Next Toledo Mayor Award.

Jean-Claude was nominated by Dave Schlaudecker.

He was among the “40 Diverse People In Tech Who Made Big Moves In 2015,” in TechCrunch, was recognized by Business Insider in 2014 in “the 46 Most Important African-Americans In Technology,” and in 2013 in “The 25 Most Influential African-Americans in Tech,” and by NBC New’s The Grio in “top 10 Blacks in tech to look out for in 2013.”

A songwriter, he is credited on the track “How ‘Bout It,” on the album Special Occasion, by R&B artist Bobby Valentino.  The album has sold over 500,000 copies in the US.

 Lucas was nominated by Kristian Brown, Sam Melden and Angela Lucas.

The 20 Under 40 program focuses on individuals in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan under the age of 40 who have distinguished themselves in their career and/or in the community. An independent panel of judges selected the 20 candidates for recognition.  It is intended that the program will further motivate young leaders in our area. Since 1996, 420 young, community leaders have been recognized through the 20 Under 40 program.

Copyright © 2015 by [The Sojourner's Truth]. All rights reserved.
Revised: 08/16/18 14:12:42 -0700.

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