Four top young professionals received the honor of being named Metro Valdosta’s 4 Under 40 at a reception presented by Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) on Tuesday night at the Turner Center for the Arts.

Jennifer Steedley (Valdosta City Schools), Drew DeMott (Moore, Clarke, DuVall & Rodgers, P.C.), Brittney Foster-Hull (Packaging Corporation of America) and Parrish Clark (Guardian Bank) were chosen based on professional accomplishments, experience, community involvement, leadership qualities and entrepreneurial spirit. In recognition of their contribution to our community and local economy, the Chamber will nominate these four local leaders for Georgia Trend’s 40 Under 40.

Vice Chair of the Chamber’s Business Expansion Division, Sue Cox (Covington’s Dining & Catering) presented the awards to the four leaders at the reception. A special presentation was given by Valdosta Junior Woman’s Club’s 2011 Woman of the Year, Sementha Matthews (City of Valdosta).

4 Under 40 is a program of MetroOne Young Professionals Network with the goal of recognizing outstanding achievement among young professionals in our community. Metro Valdosta’s 4 Under 40 were chosen by an outside panel of judges from the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce. There were 23 finalists in the competition. More information about the program and the finalists is available at www.MetroOneValdosta.com/4under40.

MetroOne is a Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce initiative with the goal of attracting and retaining young professionals to the Metro Valdosta area. Founded in September 2007, the group focuses on three key areas: networking and community engagement, professional development and young professional advocacy.