Nominees announced for region’s 40 Under 40


By Karl Henkel

khenkel@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

After stints in Pennsylvania and Illinois, Mahoning Valley native Heather McMahon returned to her roots in 2003.

Two years later, she was nominated as one of the region’s 40 Under 40, an annual list of the top area professionals who excel at their careers and in the community.

She’s stayed here ever since.

“It opened me up to a group of people who were very like- minded,” the 35-year-old managing director of the Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative said. McMahon also was honored in 2009 and was named one of five annual MVPs.

On Monday, she helped announce the 2012 class, a list that includes health-care professionals, bank employees, educators and lawyers.

It even includes one of The Vindicator’s own, Joe Scalzo, a sports reporter who covers everything from Kelly Pavlik to Youngstown State University football.

Katie Seminara, former reporter at The Vindicator, also was nominated.

Also on the list: Ryan Pastore of PNC Bank.

Pastore, who turns 34 today, got an early birthday gift with his nomination.

“When you look at the past nominees and the past winners, it makes you feel good to be part of that group,” he said. “You just never expect to be nominated.”

Some of the past nominees include Phil Kidd, now of the MVOC, state Sen. Joe Schiavoni, U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, former Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams and Judge Diane Vettori.

This year is the seventh year The Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley and the Mahoning Valley Young Professional Club has selected 40 honorees for its 40 Under 40 awards.

The event honors those under age 40 who have excelled in their careers and have demonstrated a commitment to community involvement.

The awards night, on Feb. 3, will recognize five of the 40 as MVP Award winners. A committee formed by the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley selected the 40 and will narrow the list down to the top five.

Julie Scarsella, director of marketing and development for CFMV, said the process of selecting 40, then narrowing that list down to five, is a daunting task, and the committee often has to whittle down from 80 nominees.

“Everyone’s accomplishments really speak for themselves,” Scarsella said. “And every nominee we have is valued in the community.”