40 Under 40 Award recipients honored by Kenai Mayor
Alaska's Top Forty Under 40 is a program created by the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce and Alaska Journal of Commerce to recognize the state's top professionals younger than age 40, who have demonstrated professional excellence and a commitment to their community. At last week's Kenai chamber of commerce meeting, Kenai city Mayor Pat Porter congratulated fire fighter John Harris of the Kenai Fire Department, and Brendyn Shiflea, Kenai branch manger of First National Bank of Alaska, and presented them with a certificate of accomplishment from the City. "Who are the business stars of tomorrow?," asked Porter, "In it's eleventh year of recognizing the state's top professionals, the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce and the Alaska Journal of Commerce join together to answer that question. The Forty Under Forty Award recipients capture the entrepreneurial spirit and dynamism of their community. The Forty Under 40 Awards recognizes business people under the age of 40 who balance bottom line results with a desire to participate in charitable and community activities. The City of Kenai and the residents of our community are proud that Mr. John Harris and Mr. Brendyn Shiflea have been selected to receive this award. We will celebrate the accomplishments of this year's top young leaders during this annual awards celebration held at the Dena'ina Center in Anchorage on January 14th," read Porter from the official certificate.
"John is a very dedicated firefighter and a consummate professional. He is a second generation Kenai firefighter standing tall on the accomplishments of his father who is an icon to us all; retired Nikiski Chief Billy Harris. We're proud he was selected for the award and glad to have him as part of our team," said KFD Chief Mike Tilly. Julie Wheeler, First National Bank of Alaska assistant vice president in Kenai said, "Brendyn Shiflea is just a great branch manager. He's a very articulate young man under 40, caring about the customer first. He's great at working with clients inside the bank and outside the bank, exuding enthusiasm for the community and the will to find a way to make the client's project become a reality. He is one of the most community minded individuals I know." For a listing of the other Top 40 Under 40 award recipients go to www.anchoragechamber.org .