Young Professionals
Young Professionals
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Know an up-and-coming star of the Tri-City business community? Now’s your chance to throw your hat - or someone else’s - into the ring to be named one of our Young Professionals.
The Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business’ annual Young Professionals program is now in its 19th year.
These business-savvy individuals are local, rising stars who distinguish themselves in their careers and make a difference through charity work, leadership and community involvement.
ELGIBILITY
Nominees must:
- Be 40 years of age or under by Dec. 31, 2026.
- Work or live in Benton or Franklin counties.
- Not be a past winner, a sitting politician, or candidate for a public office.
DEADLINE AND SUBMISSIONS
- Submission deadline was Friday, March 27.
- Self-nominations and nominations will be accepted.
Judges review applications for career development, leadership, and charity work or community involvement.
Answers form the basis for the profiles featured in our special Young Professionals edition.
In the May issue of the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business, we highlight the winners in a specialty publication that will be inserted into the Journal.
SAVE THE DATE
Thursday, May 14, 2026 | 4 - 6 p.m.
Doors open at 4 p.m.
Program begins promptly at 4:30 p.m.
Admission includes appetizers and no-host bar.
Zintel Creek Golf Club, 314 N. Underwood St., Kennewick.
Meet the class of 2026
- Veronica Andersen, Hanford Mission Integration Solutions (HMIS).
- Raymundo Gonzalez, The Lawn Guy Complete Landscaping.
- Logan Janin, Taggares Fruit Company.
- Evelyn Martinez-Ostrom, Washington State University Tri-Cities.
- Victor Navarrete, Horizon Air / U.S. Navy Reserve.
- Robert Tyler Pearson, HFG Trust.
- Kyli Placke, Hanford Home Health.
- Kevin Sliger, Ben Franklin Transit.
- Mike Thorn, Thorn Construction Group.
- Joseph Thornton, Big Bro Joe Foundation.
- Cora Whitney, Malek + Malek Attorneys.
- Austin Wingle, Visit Tri-Cities.
PAST HONOREES
CLASS OF 2025:
- Yesenia Nely Aquino Bautista, regional assistant director, Heritage University Tri-Cities
- Jordan Hanes, deputy director, Franklin County Emergency Management
- Brianna Harty, director of donor relations & grant management, Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties
- Nayeli Berenice Aranda Hernández, migrant graduation specialist, Pasco School District
- Amelia Kittson, president, KIE Supply
- Max Lucas, mortgage consultant, Community First Bank
- Shara Morgan, owner/preschool teacher, Smart Ones Preschool
- Taran Patel, managing principal, A-1 Hospitality Group
- Diane C. Torres, emergency response activity manager, Hanford Mission Integration Solutions
- Michelle Twomey, manager of progressive care unit and respiratory therapy, Kadlec Regional Medical Center
- Quentin Wright, airport manager, Port of Benton
CLASS OF 2024:
- Raul Contreras, assistant director, Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
- Kristy Leitze, director - Therapy Services & Wound Care, Trios Health.
- Josh Lozano, senior government and external affairs specialist, Energy Northwest.
- Melissa McCoy, principal architect and owner, CKJT Architects.
- Nicholas Mercer, wealth advisor, Piton Wealth.
- Ryan Nell, geochemist, INTERA Inc.
- Jaylicia-Jinei "Kanani" Patricio-Young, technical integrations industrial hygiene supervisor, Washington River Protection Solutions.
- Austin Regimbal, marketing and communications director, Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce.
- Melissa Torres, director of fire systems maintenance, Hanford Mission Integration Solutions (HMIS).
- Sonee Kulaga Wilson, mission services opportunity specialist, Goodwill Industries of the Columbia.
Young Professional winners, from left, Josh Lozano, Jaylicia-Jinei "Kanani" Patricio-Young, Raul Contreras, Melissa McCoy, Nicholas Mercer, Kristy Leitze, Ryan Nell. Not pictured are Austin Regimbal, Melissa Torres, Sonee Kulaga Wilson who were traveling and could not attend.
TO MEET PREVIOUS WINNERS, CLICK HERE.
