Our view: Be thankful for a bright future in Licking County

The Advocate Editorial Board
·3 min read

This has been a turbulent year in Licking County, to say the least.

Intel's announcement and subsequent groundbreaking of a $20 billion microchip manufacturing plant in Jersey Township has forced everyone to consider the future of our community.

Given this year's 20 under 40 honorees, we think the future of Licking County is in good hands.

The Advocate's ninth 20 Under 40 list, compiled from more than 40 nominations, includes an impressive list working in law enforcement, firefighting, education, real estate, information technology, banking, roofing and cybersecurity.

And that's just their full-time jobs. They are just as impressive in their volunteer work, community activity, second jobs and day-to-day lives.

Trailblazing women dot the list, including Marion Ann Township Fire Chief Keisha Amspaugh, the only female fire chief in the county; April Fleming, the first female sergeant ever for the Newark Police Department; and Brianna David Johnson, the inaugural director of diversity, equity and inclusion at the Newark campus of Central Ohio Technical College and Ohio State University-Newark.

Other public officials also appeared, including Johnstown Councilman Ryan Green, Newark Councilman Michael Houser and Thorn Township Fire Chief Jeremy Weekly, who also serves on the Lakewood school board.

But more impressive than their titles or positions is their dedication to helping Licking County become a better place both in and outside of the workplace. Benjamin Scott helps local municipalities reduce their cyber threats, Kip Rooks started the Blessing Hands organization and a Thanksgiving food drive, Nikki Richards started the Licking County Pay It Forward page on Facebook; and Brittany Fairboarn is a board member for the Lakewood Educational Foundation, Look Up Center and Mental Health America of Licking County.

Licking County is fortunate to have so many young leaders and we would like to thank them all for their dedication to the community. The 20 under 40 for 2022 are:

  • Joshua Altop, 38, vice president of information technology at TrueCore Federal Credit Union

  • Keisha Amspaugh, 36, fire chief at Marion Ann Township Fire Department and interim chief at Buckeye Lake Village Fire Department

  • Lindsey Connell, 32, program evaluator at Licking County Job and Family Services

  • Joshua Doran, 32, president/CEO at Veteran Companion Animal Services

  • Megan Mansfield Ernest, 26, administrative manager at Newark Development Partners

  • Brittany Fairburn, trust officer at Park National Bank

  • Trevor Fisher, 39, CEO/owner of Precision Slate and Tile Roofing Company

  • April Fleming, 39, Newark Police sergeant

  • Ryan Green, 34, real estate agent at Keller Williams Greater Columbus and member of Johnstown City Council

  • Emily Hare, 31, clerk at city of Newark tax office

  • Michael Houser, 23, trust officer at Park National Bank and member of Newark City Council

  • Nathaniel Hurst, 33, attorney with Reese Pyle Meyer

  • Brianna Davis Johnson, 33, director of diversity, equity and inclusion at COTC and OSU-N

  • Drake McArtor, 29, product modification/repair technician at Boeing

  • Lisa Morse, 37, senior mortgage lender at Union Savings Bank

  • Nikki Richards, 34, corporate recruiter at Anomatic Corporation

  • Kip Rooks, 38, real estate agent with Coldwell Banker King Thompson

  • Benjamin Scott, 31, senior solutions architect with Dragos, an industrial cybersecurity company

  • Shane Smith, 37, director of information technology at Licking County Board of DD

  • Jeremy Weekly, 38, fire chief at Thorn Township Fire Department and member of Lakewood Schools Board of Education

Editorial Board

  • Jim Bidigare

  • Olivia Biggs

  • Tim Huffman

  • Paddy Kutz

  • Benjamin Lanka

  • Jody Richter

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Our view: Be thankful for a bright future in Licking County