40 North Bay business leaders under the age of 40 in 2011
Gary Quackenbush, Special to the Business Journal
Welcome
The winners of the Business Journal’s fifth-annual Forty under 40 awards were selected from more than 100 nominees and represent new honorees not previously chosen in 2007, 2008 or 2009 and 2010.
The winners were selected by the Journal editorial staff on the basis of their leadership in companies and organizations across the North Bay.
Business leaders tell us frequently that supporting outstanding young people is critical not just to the health of our companies, but to our economy and community.
Once again, for the fifth consecutive year, the winners of these Forty under 40 awards reflect an inspiring and substantial pool of young talent across the North Bay. It is our privilege to honor them and shine a light on them for the whole community to see.
When the Business Journal launched this project five years ago, many told us we would never find 40 business leaders under the age of 40. We thought otherwise. Indeed, we have found 200. Their achievements represent both the current dynamism of the North Bay and the promise of the economy in the future.
Contained in the brief biographies that follow are incredible achievements, good humor, inspiring stories and much sage advice from people so young. Congratulations to this year’s winners and those that preceded them.
The 2011 Forty Under 40 winners were honored Thursday, April 21, at a reception hosted by the Business Journal.
—Brad Bollinger, Associate Publisher, Editor in Chief
Listed alphabetically by last name. To view the photo gallery of winners, click here.
For photo gallery, go to bottom of page 9
Dustin Ballard, M.D., 38
Associate Physician, Emergency Department, and Local Research Chair/Medical Director, of the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, San Rafael
Dr. Dustin Ballard oversees all research activities and projects at Kaiser San Rafael as Chair of the CREST (Clinical Research in Emergency Services and Treatments) clinician-based educational network.
The CREST network has ongoing investigations into stroke care, sepsis initiatives, cardiac care and EMS policies and procedures.
Dr. Ballard also provides medical directorship for the Novato Fire Department and serves as a part-time newspaper columnist (“Medically Clear”) for the Marin IJ.
Last vacation: Hiking 100 miles of the Oregon section of the Pacific Crest Trail.
Hobbies: Basketball, surfing, backpacking, child wrangling and (very occasionally) home plumbing.
Favorite After-Work Drink: Pliny the Elder.
Andrea Ballus, 33
Owner, Sift Cupcake & Dessert Bar, Santa Rosa
Discovering how to run a multi-unit operation and creating continuity across all stores was the greatest challenge for Andrea Ballus.
With 26 employees and three locations in Santa Rosa, Cotati and Napa, Andrea’s next goal is to open a couple of additional stores in the Bay Area.
One of the most important events in her professional life was being featured on the Food Network’s Cupcake Wars – and winning.
She also finds time to volunteer for local school fundraising projects and participates in the Share Our Strength Foundation and the Wish Upon a Wedding program.
Favorite book: “I Love You Stinky Face” (she has a one-and-a-half-year old child).
What you wanted to be when you grew up: A reporter.
First job: Assistant at a TV advertising agency.
Robert Bradley, 37
President, Bradley Real Estate, San Rafael
When not managing all operational aspects of Bradley Real Estate’s nine offices and more than 370 employees and licensed real estate agents, Robert Bradley is busy ensuring the success of the firm’s commercial division.
Two professional accomplishments stand out among the rest – having his firm voted as being among the best places to work in the North Bay and the San Francisco Bay Area, and the fact that his company gives back to the local community with financial and in-kind donations to many organizations.
His best advice: “Those people who take advantage of the real estate market now will be rewarded for their investment down the road.”
First job: Delivering real estate flyers at age 9.
Favorite Movie: “Braveheart.”
Last Vacation: Cactus League spring training.
Emily Buller, 27
Regional Development Officer, American Red Cross of Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake Counties, Santa Rosa
Overseeing and coordinating all fundraising efforts for the Red Cross in the three-county region is all in a day’s work for Emily Buller.
Her job also involves ensuring funding for the continued delivery of life-saving Red Cross services when and where they are needed in the local Santa Rosa chapter as well as in three other chapters in seven counties.
Placing Red Cross fundraising on a stronger footing and with more corporate sponsorships than ever before has been her greatest professional accomplishment, along with applying for and receiving the first large federal grant enabling six Red Cross Chapters to start Nurse Assistant training programs.
First job: I had a babysitting empire at a very young age. I was CPR and First Aid certified and brought babysitting kits full of toys and coloring books to the homes of my customers.
What you wanted to be when you grew up: An astronaut, or the first woman U.S. president.
Gregory Cho, 32
Financial Advisor and Financial Planning Specialist, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, Santa Rosa
As the client relationship manager of The Vick/Cho Group at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, Gregory Cho’s primary focus is to implement advanced planning strategies for high net worth families and privately held companies.
His greatest challenge is staying ahead of the curve when it comes to navigating clients through difficult financial capital markets to help them make informed, non-emotional decisions.
“The most important event in my life in the last 12 months was helping a client transition to another profession after a layoff. I introduced this client to several business leaders and he accepted a position.”
Most admired businessperson: Michael Chobotov for his leadership of the TriVascular team by restarting the company after Boston Scientific shut their doors – a testimony to his belief in his life changing technology.
Hobbies: Training for marathons, triathlons, golfing with friends or snow skiing.
Favorite movie: “Top Gun.”
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