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Top 4 Under 40 Program

The Top 4 Under 40 Program recognizes the efforts of young leaders in our community and region.

Shown above are the 2026 Top 4 Under 40 Award Winners: L to R:  Gloria Hutson, Dan Gallagher, Haley Grandpre, and Josh VanLaecken.

For 2026 we received 24 different applications for the Top 4 Under 40 award. Those applications were reviewed and narrowed down to the Top 10 Finalists which included:

  • Luna Nunez-Israel – Cuzco Peruvian LLC
  • Dr. Michael Babcock – Babcock Chiropractic
  • Alexa Sheldon – Alexa Sheldon Strategy Studio
  • Lauren Bittner – NSU Foundation
  • Haley Grandpre – Dacotah Bank
  • Gloria Hutson – Fifth Circuit CASA Program
  • Matt Campbell – My Place Hotels
  • Curry Kuehl – Dacotah Bank
  • Josh VanLaecken – Northern State University
  • Dan Gallagher – Aberdeen Catholic Schools

The Top 4 Under 40 is a program the Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce which recognizes the efforts of young leaders in our community and region. All nominees for the award must be between the ages of 21- 39; are Aberdeen and/or Brown County residents; exemplify the qualities of a true leader; are enroute or have already truly impacted our community and area for the better through their careers & professions, community & civic involvement, personal or philanthropic efforts, etc.; and make our community and region a better place because they’re in it.

Nominees must:

  • Be between the ages of 21- 39
  • Be an Aberdeen and/or Brown County resident
  • Exemplify the qualities of a true leader
  • Be enroute to, or have a history of, truly impacting our community and region for the better through their career and profession, community and civic involvement, personal or philanthropic efforts, etc.
  • Make the Aberdeen area a better place because they’re in it

 

2026 Winners:

  • Haley Grandpre, Dacotah Bank
  • Josh VanLaecken, Northern State University
  • Dan Gallagher, Aberdeen Catholic Schools
  • Gloria Hutson, Fifth Circuit CASA Program

2025 Winners:

  • Ashley Wolf, Dacotah Bank
  • Krista Bau, Northern State University
  • Joe Mehlhaff, Great Plains Bank
  • Shelby Boettner, Northern State University

2024 Winners:

  • Kristan Morris, Hub City Radio
  • Tim Hanigan, Banner Engineering & Aberdeen Development Corporation
  • Karla Nelson, Brown County State’s Attorney’s Office
  • Tanner White, Avera

2023 Winners:

  • Aaron Smith, Aberdeen Wings
  • Ashley Hansen, Sanford Aberdeen Medical Center
  • Fallon Helm, Revive Day Spa
  • Kerry Konda, Aberdeen School District 6-1

2022 Winners: 

  • David Novstrup – Allevity Entertainment LLC & Wylie Thunder Road Go-Karts & Mini Golf
  • Bea Smith – Sanford Health Aberdeen
  • Spencer Sommers – CO-OP Architecture
  • Sarah Viola – Brain Intercept

 

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