Celebrating Utah's rising Business leaders.

• Position: 40 Under 40

One of Utah's many strengths has long been its youthful, innovative population. Join us as we recognize 40 for the state's youngest leaders. Selected by an independent judging panel of Forty Under 40 alumni, this year's lineup is an assemblage of entrepreneurial experts, finance gurus and corporate executives. Utah Business is proud to present the 2010 Forty Under 40.

Event Info:

The Grand America Hotel

Thursday, February 25, 2010

11:00 am

The 40 under 40 event is presented by

KIRTON & MCCONKIE

ATTORNEYS AT LAW

INNOVATIVE STAFFING INCORPORATED

Jason Phillip Dunn

vice President, Operations, Sorenson Communications

Age: 32

Helping others with their communication needs is all in a day's work for Jason Dunn. As vice president of operations at Sorenson Communications, Dunn oversees all video relay services for the deaf and hard-of-hearing, as well as IP relay services and international operations. But the best part of his job is being able to make a difference for others. "I enjoy being able to work in a team environment where we collaborate, evaluate and make decisions that have a positive outcome," he says.

Dunn credits his father for his relatively young success. And today, he hopes to instill in his children the same example his father provided him as a child. "That example is someone who works hard, treats others with respect at all times, is honest, serves others and creates opportunities for others to succeed," says Dunn.

Favorite Movie: Remember the Titans

Favorite Utah Diversion: Boating, golfing and 4-wheeling

Last Book Read: Train to Potevka by Michael Ramsdell

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Nathan C. Anderson

Executive vice president, chief operations officer, Mountain America credit union

Age: 37

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Nathan Anderson says key to success is being able to work beyond challenges and overcome obstacles. And he says the current financial crisis is no exception.

"The key to any challenges is to get the right plan in place and then give the right people the opportunity to execute that plan," he says. But through it all, Anderson keeps the future in mind. "Work in such a way that in 20 years you can look back and be proud of not only your achievements but the way in which you accomplished them."

Anderson says what keeps him motivated day after day is setting a goal and accomplishing it. "I really enjoy working on the strategic planning and then putting into place an action plan of how we are going to accomplish it," he says, adding, "I enjoy working with the incredible employees that I am so privileged to work with and seeing how we can help our members accomplish their dreams."

Last Book Read: The Message by Lance Richardson

Role Model: His father

Favorite Utah Diversion: Cycling

www.utahbusiness.com

Aaron DeRose

Principal, Mercato Partners

Age: 31

It took years for Aaron DeRose to decide what he wanted to do when he grew up. As a student finishing his master's of business administration, DeRose still didn't have a clear picture of what he wanted for his career. It took five years of experimenting with different companies and different roles before he found his perfect fit at Mercato Partners, growth equity venture fund based in Salt Lake City. "I think I overcame my challenge by being open and willing to pursue change," he says.

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DeRose says he enjoys the people he works with, exposure to high growth businesses, and the variety and excitement in his position. "I love that my job is not monotonous. My scope of responsibility ranges from fundraising to generating deal flow, to assisting portfolio companies with their operations, to developing strategic partnerships."

Favorite Movie: The Count of Monte Cristo

Last Book Read: Term Limits by Vince Flynn

First Job: Plumber

Spencer Shaffer

President, ConsultNet

Age: 39

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As president of ConsultNet, Spencer Shaffer serves customers' temporary and permanent staffing needs in the information technology and engineering fields. Shaffer says in order to succeed in the business world, you must do what you love, know what you want, manage your time, find a mentor and take care of yourself. "Regardless of how organized and enthusiastic you are, some days will overwhelm you," he says. "Don't be afraid to step back from work and do whatever relaxes you."

At age eight, Shaffer did landscaping work for the post office located in the small town of Inkom, Idaho. The values he learned then are still with him today. "Be honest and upfront with people, trustworthy, be on time and pay attention to detail," he says. Additionally, he never forgets the principle that people produce profits.

"It is critical [for me] to communicate to employees that they are not only important to the continued success of the company, but also important to me personally."

Favorite Movie: The Legend of Bagger Vance

Last Book Read: Bounce--The Art of Turning Tough Times into Triumph by Keith McFarland

Role Model: George Washington

Todd R. Bingham

President, Utah Mining Association

Age: 39

As president of the Utah Mining Association, Todd Bingham works to promote the state's mining industry and build a favorable business climate for the industry. "Mining remains one of the significant economic drivers for the state," he says. With a desire to make a difference, Bingham hopes to finish every day feeling like he's had an impact on business and the industry's ability to succeed.

Bingham's leadership style could best be summarized as progressive. "Be a leader and not a micromanager," he says. "Hire good people, incentivize them, get out of their way and let them do their job." His inspiration? Theodore Roosevelt, who said "The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good people to get what he wants done, and the self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it."

Favorite Movie: The Shawshank Redemption

Favorite Utah Diversion: Bear Lake

Last Book Read: Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin

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Derek B. Miller

Managing Director, Governor's Office of Economic Development

Age: 37

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As the managing director for GOED, Derek Miller says the best part of his job is being able to honestly tell outside companies what a great place Utah is to live and do business in. "Being able to 'sell' a place you love and help grow the economy for future generations is a dream job for me," he says.

Miller doesn't believe that age plays a factor in success. "Young or old, there is only one way to get a job done and that is through hard work," he says. Good leaders can have different characteristics, but to Miller, two virtues in particular are critical. "Sooner or later, whether a person is honest and kind will show through, especially to those who look to you as a leader," he says.

Last Book Read: Mornings on Horseback by David McCullough

Favorite Utah Diversion: Mountain biking in the summer and snowshoeing in the winter

Role Model: Teddy Roosevelt

John W. Walker

Senior Vice President of Operations, Fusion-io

Age: 35

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Fusion-io's success and popularity with IT professionals is no surprise to John Walker. "Having customers who are raving fans of your product, service and support is my No. 1 goal. Everything else is second," he says. There are benefits to being part of a fast-growing company, he adds. "A company that grows as fast as Fusion-io is growing presents new and fun challenges every single day, and a great team at your side keeps things fun and interesting."

Walker believes that success has a lot to do with living up to your unlimited potential. "I'm a firm believer that a lot of who we are is a direct result of the expectations placed upon us from parents, teachers and mentors who demand high standards."

Favorite Movie: Real Genius

Favorite Utah Diversion: Scenic Sunday drives

Last Book Read: The Soul of Money by Lynne Twist

David Aitken

CEO, HIT Web Design

Age: 34

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David Aitken says a great leader must be honest with himself and willing to admit mistakes. "You must also be willing to solicit negative feedback and use it as an opportunity to improve without getting defensive," Aitken says.

Even with rapid growth, there's a unique set of challenges HIT Web Design faces, says Aitken. Because the company's product is never the same, every sale made requires custom work, smart marketing and an artistic and technical touch. "As we grew we found our ability to sell and market our services quickly outgrew the local market's ability to fulfill them from a talent perspective," he says. As a result, the company hired 500 independent contractors nationwide to keep up with demand.

Role Model: His father

Favorite Utah Diversion: Snowmobiling

Favorite Movie: The Shawshank Redemption

David C. Reymann

Shareholder, Parr Brown Gee & Loveless, P.C.

Age: 35

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As an attorney for Parr, Brown, Gee & Loveless, David Reymann practices commercial litigation with an emphasis on First Amendment and media law. He enjoys the autonomy his firm provides along with the freedom to define his own practice. "I'm far enough along that I'm able to manage cases on my own, which gives me an opportunity to seek creative solutions to clients' problems," he says.

It's his belief that a lawyer's job is to be a professional problem-solver. "I feel like I've done my job well if I'm able to resolve those problems so that everyone involved can move on to happier things."

Reymann's biggest challenge is finding a balance between work and his personal life.

"When you work at a job that can theoretically be all-consuming, you have to make a conscious effort to set aside time for family and non-work endeavors," he says.

Favorite Movie: A River Runs Through It

Favorite Utah Diversion: Fly fishing

First Job: Pizza maker

Scott R. Kaufmann

Vice President, Commercial Development, Kennecott Land/Rio Tinto

Age: 39

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As a child, Scott Kaufmann says he was obsessed...