County Executive’s Elite 40 Under 40

About the Program

Category: Community and Economic Development (Best in Category)

Year: 2016

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson launched the Elite 40 Under 40 initiative in 2012 to identify young entrepreneurs and businesspeople who live and/or work in Oakland County that have demonstrated outstanding leadership, initiative and dedication in pursuing their careers and are improving the quality of life in their communities before the age of 40. The 40 individuals selected for each class are then integrated in various County programs and initiatives as a way for them to have a voice in what the County does and for the County to stay in touch with the next generation and the future leaders. Since 2012, five classes of 40 individuals have been named to the program, for a total of 200 members. Additionally, the three highest scoring candidates from each class are presented to the public for an online vote to determine the winner. The winner of each class is unveiled at that year’s State of the County Address; this individual introduces County Executive Patterson and serves as the spokesperson for the class. These first five classes have formed a new committee on the nationally recognized Oakland County Business Roundtable working on the interests and needs of Generation Y and beyond.