Elite 40 Under 40

Young Leaders Sought for Oakland County’s Elite 40 Class of 2019

Oakland County, MI Government Leave a comment
The 2018 Class of Elite 40 members pose for a photo with County Executive L. Brooks Patterson. The photo is taken outside in front of a building and shot from above.

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson‘s Elite 40 Under 40 initiative, now in its eighth year, celebrates Oakland County’s “Best and Brightest” between ages 18 and 39. If you know a young person who adds value to the community through their compassion, intellect, or entrepreneurial spirit, don’t keep it a secret! Nominate them today or if you fit this criteria, enter yourself:

Enter or Nominate Someone

Elite 40 class members will be featured in Oakland County Prosper, become part of a distinguished network of professionals and business leaders, be invited to signature county events, and much more.

Nominations can be made at Elite40.com between now and November 29th. Candidates may enter themselves until 5:00 p.m. on November 2nd. To be eligible, a candidate must live or work in Oakland County, be 18 years of age or older, and have been born after December 31, 1979. Continue reading →

Meet the 2018 Elite 40 Under 40 Class

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The newly selected Elite 40 Under 40 Class of 2018 came together for the first time at a special reception prior to the 2018 State of the County address on February 7th, 2018 at the Flagstar Strand Theatre in Pontiac. The class was then recognized in Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson’s address.

“These are all outstanding young men and women who, frankly, give me confidence that the future of Oakland County is in good hands.”

During the Elite 40 reception, the class had the opportunity to get to know one another and mingle with L. Brooks Patterson and other Oakland County officials. The room buzzed with excitement as members networked and discussed their passions, achievements, and the future of Oakland County.

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This year’s class of 40 was selected from nearly 400 applications. Nominations were reviewed by a panel of judges, looking for the top young professionals and thought leaders who live or work in Oakland County. The 40 honorees have achieved excellence in their field and contributed to the quality of life in their communities.

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Vote Now for the Elite 40 Class of 2018 Winner

Oakland County, MI Government Leave a comment

Voting is open! We need your help to choose the winner of the Oakland County Executive’s Elite 40 under 40 Class of 2018. The public can cast an online vote for their favorite of three exceptional finalists: Dr. Lucetry B. Dalton, Mat Ishbia, and Ann Marie LaFlamme.

“We are fortunate to have so many talented and passionate leaders who are committed to improving their professions and their communities every day,” County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said. “This is an outstanding class and wonderful ambassadors for Oakland County.”

Voting continues through noon on Friday, January 26th. Individuals may vote once every 24 hours at Elite40.com. Among other opportunities, the top vote-getter will introduce the County Executive at his State of the County Address on February 7th. Online voters may choose between: Continue reading →

Meet the Elite 40 Under 40 Class of 2017

Oakland County, MI Government 1 Comment

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The newly selected Elite 40 Under 40 Class of 2017 came together for the first time at a special reception at the 2017 State of the County on February 8th, 2017. The class was then recognized in Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson’s Address.

“I am continually amazed at the caliber of young leaders we have,” County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said. “We think the whole class is superb and the top three are outstanding. The future of our county is very bright and the region is in good hands.”

The class of 40 was selected from nearly 400 applications. Nominations were reviewed by a panel of judges, looking for the top young professionals and thought leaders who live or work in Oakland County. The 40 honorees have achieved excellence in their field and contributed to the quality of life in their communities.

The members of the 2017 Oakland County Executive’s Elite 40 Under 40 class are:

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Oakland County’s 2017 Elite 40 Winner: Brooke Wilson Vitale

Oakland County, MI Government 2 Comments

Congratulations to this year’s Elite 40 Under 40 winner, Brooke Wilson Vitale! Brooke, 29, Owner of Love & Buttercream LLC, was unveiled as the winner on Wednesday, February 8th in front of more than 600 people at the 2017 Oakland County State of the County Address, where she had the honor of introducing County Executive, L. Brooks Patterson.

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Patterson praised Vitale, “Brooke is an excellent choice. She is creative, thoughtful, has an incredible business sense and is precisely the kind of young leader we want to keep in Oakland County.”

Born and raised in Oakland County, Brooke graduated from Michigan State University and moved away for to work in Chicago’s restaurant industry. Inspired by her love of baking with her grandmother, Brooke began writing a baking blog as a hobby after hours. Taking a chance on what she calls her “true-calling,” she left a job she loved to pursue her dream of owning her own bakery.

“My husband and I were both born and raised in Oakland County. We decided that when I wanted to start my business and wanted to start our family, Oakland County was the place we wanted to be in.”

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