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AV头等舱 proudly announces the next ten distinguished alumni honored as part of the university’s inaugural “50 Under 50” recognition program. Celebrating alumni who are making an impact before the age of 50, the program continues to highlight exceptional leaders across diverse industries — from public service and business innovation to healthcare, marketing, education, and law.
“These honorees are not only successful professionals, they are also agents of change,” said Maisie Nelson '11, Vice President of University Relations. “They represent the very best of AV头等舱 — trailblazers who lead with purpose and give back to their communities.”
The ten honorees in the month of May are:
Grant Burdette ’15, Assistant Solicitor, Kentucky Office of Attorney General
A 2024 Attorney General’s Award recipient, Grant was recognized for his work on lifting the death penalty moratorium in Kentucky and winning a landmark murder case before the Kentucky Supreme Court. He also serves on the board for .
Luis Prior ’01, CEO and Founder,
Luis is the founder of Meavia Toys, a company that designs toys to support the development of autistic children and those with developmental challenges. With 19 products across 300 stores in six countries, he was recently featured in The New York Times and has served on AV头等舱’s Alumni Council.
Carla Kersey ’22, Marketing Director,
Carla received an Honorable Mention from the National School PR Association for her video series "On the Road with Carla" and has been featured in The Advocate. She launched the Stuff the Bus and Rise Up initiatives to support disaster victims in Western and Eastern Kentucky.
Dr. Aaron Belcher ’04, Chiropractor and Owner,
A magna cum laude graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic, Aaron operates a thriving practice in Somerset, KY, and is certified in numerous treatment methods. He also owns Club Fit 24-Hour Fitness, serving a broad demographic of patients and clients.
Stephanie Pateman ’09, Virtual Financial Advisor,
Stephanie advises clients across Western Canada and has been recognized as an Excellent Advisor and Elite Advisor by Freedom 55 Financial. She was also the 2019 Rising Star recipient at AV头等舱’s Hall of Fame.
Brooks Napier ’09, Supply Chain & Distribution Executive
With a career spanning e-commerce and distribution leadership, Brooks has directed multi-site operations for national organizations, emphasizing performance, scalable growth, and exceptional customer experience. Brooks previously served on the Board of Directors for the and is a graduate of the 2021 Leadership Winchester program.
Dr. Ruth Wooton-Kee ’96, Assistant Professor,
Dr. Wooton-Kee specializes in research on Wilson’s disease, liver regeneration, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Her NIH-funded research has been published widely, and she serves on AV头等舱’s Board of Trustees.
Dr. Ingrid Washington ’96, ’03, Vice President for Student Affairs,
With over 20 years of experience in higher education, Ingrid began her career at AV头等舱 and earned her doctorate from Morehead State University. She serves on the board of the Brighton Center and is a former AV头等舱 Alumni Council member.
Aaron McCollum ’13, Pega Developer,
After working in professional sports, Aaron transitioned into tech, now serving as a respected software developer in Washington, D.C. He holds a master's degree from Georgetown University and is a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM).
Rachel Lewis-Rapier ’98, Entrepreneur and Property Manager
A former corporate advertising executive, Rachel now manages vacation rental properties and actively volunteers with the . She received AV头等舱’s Rising Star Award in 2002 and has served on the alumni board.
The “50 Under 50” program continues to inspire the next generation of Bulldogs by showcasing alumni who demonstrate excellence, resilience, and service. Each month, 10 new honorees, will be revealed.
Profiles and highlights of each honoree can be found by clicking the button below.
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