Georgia State University Alumni Association has announced its 2024 class of 40 Under 40, a program that recognizes the most influential and impactful alumni under the age of 40. The honorees come from various fields and backgrounds, and they all share a common trait: they embody the values of Georgia State and make a difference in their organizations and communities.
Hector Gutierrez: A Leader in Education and Politics
One of the honorees is Hector Gutierrez, a city councilman for Forest Park, Ga., and a community schools coordinating supervisor for Clayton County Public Schools. Gutierrez, who earned his Master of Arts in Teaching in Early Childhood Education from Georgia State in 2017, is an elected official and educator who plays an important role in bringing resources to Forest Park’s schools. He has twice been selected as one of Georgia’s 50 most influential Latinos.
Gutierrez was born in Uruguay and moved to Georgia in 2004 as part of the Teach For America program. Before that, he spent six years in the Georgia National Guard, during which time he served a deployment to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. He is passionate about serving his community and advocating for education, literacy, and civic engagement.
He serves on the National Association of Latino Elected Officials board, the GALEO (formerly the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials) Impact Fund board, the City of Forest Park Development Authority and the Georgia Municipalities Literacy Committee. He is also a member of the steering committee of the Latinx Alliances and actively involved with Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity Inc. in Georgia and the Gamma Phi chapter at Georgia State University.
Other Notable Honorees
The 40 Under 40 class of 2024 includes alumni from various colleges and schools within Georgia State, such as the College of Education & Human Development, the College of Arts & Sciences, the College of Law, the J. Mack Robinson College of Business, the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, the School of Public Health, the College of the Arts, and the Perimeter College.
Some of the other notable honorees are:
- Maria Valdes, a soprano who has performed in prestigious opera houses and programs across the country and abroad. She graduated with a Bachelor of Music in 2012 and was featured in the Alumni Magazine in 2023.
- Adam Schultz, a senior advisor for energy and infrastructure at the White House. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 2008 and a Juris Doctor in 2011. He previously served as the deputy director of the Office of Energy Policy and Innovation at the U.S. Department of Energy.
- Tiffany Blackmon, a sports reporter and anchor for NFL Network. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism in 2008 and was a member of the Georgia State women’s soccer team. She has covered various sports events, such as the Super Bowl, the NFL Draft, and the Olympics.
- Davonne Reaves, a hotel owner and consultant who specializes in hospitality real estate. She graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Hospitality Administration in 2008 and a Master of Science in Hospitality Management in 2010. She is the co-founder and chief operating officer of The Vonne Group, a hospitality consulting firm.
- Carra Patterson, an actress who has appeared in Broadway, film, and television productions. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater in 2008 and was the first African American to play the role of Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds in the musical Hamilton. She has also starred in movies such as Straight Outta Compton and The Photograph.
- Wil Lutz, a placekicker for the New Orleans Saints. He graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Managerial Sciences in 2016 and was a four-year starter for the Georgia State football team. He holds the school records for career points, field goals, and extra points. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2019 and signed a five-year contract extension with the Saints in 2020.
- Alaina Percival, the chief executive officer and board chair of Women Who Code, a global nonprofit organization that empowers women in technology. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in 2006 and a Master of Science in Information Systems in 2008. She has led Women Who Code to reach more than 250,000 members in over 120 cities and 80 countries.
Celebrating the Honorees
The 40 Under 40 program was started in 2018 and annually honors, recognizes and celebrates the most influential and impactful Georgia State graduates who embody the values of the university. The honorees are selected by a committee of alumni, faculty, and staff based on their professional achievements, community service, and commitment to Georgia State.
“These exceptional Georgia State alumni are standouts in their respective fields, leaders in their communities and outstanding ambassadors for Georgia State University,” said President Dr. M. Brian Blake. “Through their dedication, creativity, innovation and accomplishment, they shine a spotlight on the great potential that’s inside every Panther. Congratulations to this year’s impressive class.”
The honorees will be celebrated at a special event on Friday, March 22, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the GSU Convocation Center. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased online. The event will also feature a keynote speech by Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, the president and dean of the Morehouse School of Medicine and a Georgia State alumna.
