Cong ratu lati ons!

Justin Smorawske

AGE: 39

CHEIF GROWTH OFFICER EPICOSITY SIOUX FALLS, SD

Justin’s path toward building a successful international marketing agency began right after college, working in sales at Citibank while simultaneously building a video production firm on the side. New Wave Productions grew from a wedding-videography company to a fullfledged advertising agency in 2008, adopting the moniker Epic Multimedia. Through some key partnerships and connecting the right people at the right time, Epic grew toward a company rebrand in 2013—Epicosity. Capitalizing on growth areas in the industry, Justin built up his staff to accommodate clients across 23 states and six countries, eventually outgrowing the Epicosity’s long-time space in east central Sioux Falls and revitalizing an unused space downtown. Since moving in 2016, Epicosity has more than doubled its staff and increased its production capacity to become one of the key advertising agencies in the region, named to the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing companies in America four times over.

Kent Kirkhammer

PRESIDENT & CEO OF NEWKOTA SERVICES & RENT MINOT, ND

Kent Kirkhammer is the President & CEO of NewKota Services & Rentals, an oilfield service company based in Minot. Kent is a native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, and a 2006 graduate of Minot State University. He originally began his career in the oil industry in 1999 in the Canadian oil field. After graduating college, Kent began working in the oil industry in Minot and started NewKota in 2011. Since then, NewKota has grown and expanded into Wyoming and Colorado and currently employs over 130 people. Kent is very active in the Minot community serving on various boards including the MSU Board of Regents, MSU Development Foundation, Minot Y’s Men, Minot Rotary, Chair of the Chamber of Commerce Energy Committee, Minot Country Club Board & Minot Area Development Corporation Board. He was awarded the MSU Young Alumni Achievement Award in 2014 for his exceptional work in his career and community. Kent is married to Chelsea and together they have three children – Elin, Madelyn & Crosby.

Marc Mellmer

AGE: 35 VICE PRESIDENT

JE DUNN CONSTRUCTION DICKINSON AND WILLISTON, ND

Marc Mellmer was born and raised in Dickinson, N.D., and is the middle sibling of five. Marc graduated in 2003 from Trinity Catholic Schools and went on to receive his degree from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. Marc received an athletic scholarship and wrestled for the gophers while attending the U of M. Marc worked part-time for Berger Electric in Dickinson as an equipment operator and apprentice electrician during semester and summer breaks all throughout college.

Upon graduation Marc was hired full time as a project engineer at JE Dunn Construction. He worked on a wide variety of projects in Minnesota and throughout North Dakota. One of the most notable projects early in his career was the Microsoft Campus in Fargo, N.D. Marc has worked his entire professional career for JE Dunn Construction and is responsible for opening two of the company’s 20 offices. Both are in North Dakota.

We ar ep ro ud of Mi ke ’s co mm it men t to pr ov idi ng co mmu ni ti es ac ro ss th er eg io nw it h af fo rd ab le and su st ain ab le wa te r re so ur ce ss olu ti on s.

Th ank yo uf or be ing ag reat as se ttoo ur te am an dc om mun itie s!

Hagstrom Engineering wou ld liketo say Congratulations to JillianR einer our ResidentLandscape Architectfor being one ofthis ye arstop 40 under40. Jillian brings herpa ssionfor cr ea ting me aningful placestoourteamandherclients.Weare fortunateto hav eh er as si stingu si nlistening toourclientsneedsandhelping us maketheir visionbecomea reality.

AGE: 34 FOUNDER OF MARKETBEAT AND STARTUP SIOUX FALLS MARKETBEAT SIOUX FALLS, SD

Matt Paulson is on a mission to grow entrepreneurship in the region through his books, his angel investments, and his community-building efforts. His own entrepreneurial endeavor, MarketBeat, is an Inc. 5000 financial media company that publishes a daily investment newsletter to more than 1.25 million individual stock investors. In 2016, Matt brought together 31 investors to launch Falls Angel Fund, which has invested more than $2 million in regional startup companies. He also founded Startup Sioux Falls, a community organization that aims to connect founders with each other and with startup ecosystem organizations. Matt holds degrees in computer science, information systems, and Christian leadership. He serves on the boards of 1 Million Cups, Sioux Falls Seminary and the Zeal Center for Entrepreneurship. He has published eight books about entrepreneurship, investing and personal finance. Matt lives in Sioux Falls with his wife Karine and his two children, Micah and Adylin