Behrend community members recognized for early-career achievements

ERIE, Pa. — The Erie Reader’s “40 Under 40” feature, now in its 12th year, recognizes the young innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders who are shaping the future of Erie. This year’s list includes eight members of the Penn State Behrend community.

Honorees are selected for their work and commitment in any facet of the Erie community, including government, art, education, community engagement, and support for small businesses.

This year’s “40 Under 40” includes:

• Katherine Dahlkemper-Yezzi, 30, the co-owner of Dahlkemper’s Jewelry Connection in Erie. She is a 2016 marketing graduate of Behrend.
• Brendan Daugherty, 34, an adjunct theater faculty member at Behrend and the scenic shop manager at the Erie Playhouse.
• Abby DeSantis, 28, the owner and operator of Meals with Abs, an Erie-based meal-preparation service. She is a 2017 Penn State graduate who attended Behrend.
• Jonathan “Jonny” Evans, 36, a booking agent and manager at the King’s Rook Club in Erie, an American Airlines agent and a DJ and rapper. He is a 2010 graduate of Penn State who attended Behrend from 2005 to 2007.
• Franchesca Fee, 32, the director of the archives and art collection at Erie Insurance’s Heritage Center. She is a 2014 graduate of the Arts Administration program at Behrend.
• Ryan Hoover, 34, the experience director for the Erie Downtown Development Corporation. He is a 2013 management graduate of Behrend.
• Jacob Jones, 30, the director of the Center for Family Business, an outreach program of the Sam and Irene Black School of Business at Behrend.
• Adam D. Nelson, 38, a financial adviser for Edward Jones Wealth Management in Erie. He is a 2008 graduate of the finance program at Behrend.

To read more about these honorees and others on the “40 Under 40” list, visit the Erie Reader website.