Judges

John E. Adams

Ashley "A.J." Johnson

Diane Whitney

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John E. Adams

John E. Adams is a senior vice president at Tetra Tech, a global leader in providing environmental, engineering and technical services. An active participant in shaping Connecticut's environmental remediation programs, he has served on task forces revising the property transfer program and developing remediation standards. He is a member of the State Board of Examiners of Environmental Professionals, the Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority Board of Directors, previously served as Granby's first selectman for 10 years and as vice chairman of the Capital Region Council of Governments. John is married to Cindy, and they have two grown children who live in great places to visit. He enjoys skiing, days on the beach and recently completed his first marathon.

Ashley “A.J.” Johnson

Ashley “A.J.” Johnson, 30, is a young man of his community and faith, who over the past several years has demonstrated his passion, devotion and zeal to see the development and advancement of the Greater Hartford community.

In 2008, Johnson graduated with a bachelor's degree in religious studies and education from the W.L. Bonner College of Colombia, S.C. In 2013, after the passing of his father, the late Dr. William M. Johnson, Ashley Johnson took on the responsibility and the challenge of pastoring Urban Hope Refuge located in the heart of the north end of Hartford. In 2014, he was recognized by the Hartford Business Journal as one of the 40 Under Forty award recipients; The Merrilee Milstein Award For Organizing, Activism & Leadership; and The 100 Men Color Award.

Today in addition to pastoring in one of the toughest neighborhoods in Hartford, he runs an organization called Small Business Night Out, which is devoted to assisting small business owners and young entrepreneurs to advance and stimulate economic development in their local area.

Diane Whitney

Diane Whitney practices environmental and land use law with Hartford firm Pullman & Comley. She is a graduate of William Smith College, with a master's degree from Colgate University and a law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law. Prior to law school, she taught high school English.

She serves on the boards of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, the Connecticut Women's Hall of Fame, and the Hartford Club, and she previously served on the boards of Greater Hartford Legal Aid and the University of Connecticut Law School Foundation. Before going into private practice, she was an assistant attorney general with the state of Connecticut.

She lives in Windsor.

Meet the 40 Under Forty for 2015 Winners

Julianne Avallone, Ford & Paulekas

Stephanie Higgins Bealing, Replacement Lens Express

David Bittner, St. Francis Hospital & Medical Center

Anthony Byers, Hartford Youth Scholars

Michael Byrne, UBS Global Asset Management

Megan Carannante, Pullman & Comley

Rebekah Castagno, The Village for Families & Children

Aidan Charles, Charles Coaching & Nutrition Services

Dan Clark, Clark Insurance

Endia DeCordova, Manchester Community College