The Young Professionals of Ames and the Ames Chamber of Commerce hosted the fifth annual 4 Under 40 Awards ceremony on Thursday. 

“These awards strive to recognize business professionals in the Ames community who show outstanding leadership and who are dedicated to growing business in Ames,” said Shelly Greving, YPA president. 

Anyone who is business professional and leader in the Ames community who is between the ages of 21 and 40 is eligible for the award, and the winners are chosen by the Ames Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. 

Young Professionals of Ames and its business professionals are dedicated to community outreach through programs such as Read With Me, Kids Zone at the Ames Farmer’s Market, leadership and professional development and creating strong leaders through the Annual Leadership Symposium. 

“Young Professionals of Ames was founded in 2002 and is in its 10th year, and new members can sign up through the Young Professionals of Ames website,” Greving said. 

Four under 40:

Alicia Clancy, Renewable Energy Group

Clancy is currently the manager of corporate affairs at Renewable Energy Group in Ames. She directs biodiesel education and outreach, press relationships with Renewable Energy Group, product branding, investor relations and legislative affairs.

She has a B.A. in journalism and mass communications and public service and administration in agriculture from Iowa State and she is currently pursuing her MBA.

She is also an active member of the Iowa Biodiesel Board and the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association.

Aaron Mortvedt, Gateway Hotel and Conference Center

Mortvedt graduated from the University of Iowa and has worked at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center for eight years. He is a member of the YPA Board and a graduate of Leadership Ames.

He recently accepted a co-chairman position for the Major Firms campaign of the United Way of Story County for 2012 and 2013, and he is also the chairman of the Ames Chamber of Commerce’s Business Improvement Council.

Jenny Pollard, ISU Alumni Association

Pollard is the assistant director for membership and revenue enhancement with the ISU Alumni Association.

Her primary responsibilities are the development of the ISU Alumni Association’s sponsorship program, business membership program, business networks and membership discounts.

Pollard is a liaison to the Young Alumni Council and is the president-elect for the Young Professionals of Ames. She is on the Alumni Association’s membership and marketing team, which directly serves more than 50,000 alumni.

Brian D. Torreisi, Davis Brown Law Firm

Torreisi joined the Davis Brown Law firm in August 2011 and has a general practice that includes corporate transactions, real estate, business litigation and creditor’s rights.

He is the current president and past vice president, secretary and treasurer of the Story County Bar Association where he serves on the Military Affairs Committee and the Commercial and Bankruptcy Law Section Case Review Subcommittee.

Torreisi also serves on the board of directors for the United Way of Story County, the Octagon Center for the Arts and Gilbert Youth Sports, and is a graduate of Leadership Ames and member of the Ames Noon Rotary Club.