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OBJ once again honours 40 of the region's most successful, dynamic and community-minded business leaders.

Each year, 40 business leaders under the age of 40 are selected by an independent judging panel including Rogers regional president Robin McIntyre, OCRI's Mike Burnatowski, CellWand's Nick Quain, OBJ publisher Michael Curran and editor Jim Donnelly.

All nominees were judged against a 40-point system – 20 points for business accomplishments, 10 for expertise in their field and 10 for community and charitable activities.

The Ottawa Business Journal Forty Under 40 gala takes place this June 25, at the Hilton Lac-Leamy Hotel.

For more information on Forty Under 40, please visit

www.fortyunder40.com.

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Here is Part I of this year's Forty Under 40 profiles, with profiles of the first 20 recipients in alphabetical order:

MICHAEL ALAM, 30

Business manager, principal, Fidus Systems Inc.

Company profile: Specializes in high-speed electronic product development.

Education: EMBA, University of Ottawa (2009).

Biggest biz achievement: Designing and executing Fidus's Silicon Valley penetration strategy. This resulted in sustained year-over-year revenue growth in excess of 200 per cent, and the highest company margins.

Biggest biz obstacle: The intricacies of navigating individual personalities to accomplish your goals, followed closely by maintaining the focus and drive of your team members.

Biggest lesson learned: Anything can be overcome. The problem is that you have to overcome a seemingly impossible obstacle to learn this lesson. However, once you do it once, you become addicted to doing it over and over.

Three words that best describe you: Honest, personable, tenacious.

Charitable or non-profit involvement: Canadian Lebanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Biggest influence: I have been lucky in that I have had amazing mentors in my life. I cannot mention one without mentioning all. They all took the time to listen and guide me through navigating difficult business decisions.

First job: Working for the Ottawa Public Library, teaching people how to use computers.

Favourite pastime: Renovating my house.

Favourite travel destination: San Francisco and Napa Valley, Calif.

Favourite book: Beyond Reason, by David Shapiro and Roger Fisher.

Favourite movie: Scent of a Woman.

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JAY ANKERSMIT, 39

Athletic therapist, Ottawa High Performance Centre

Company profile: Provides performance care and services to active individuals who want to return to work, sport or play as quickly and safely as possible.

Education: Hons. BA Physical Education, University of Western Ontario (1994), Diploma of Sports Injury Management, Sheridan College (1997).

Biggest biz achievement: Successful word-of-mouth marketing campaign based on the principle of quality one-on-one care and service.

Biggest biz obstacle: Overcoming the general lack of awareness of the profession of athletic therapy among allied health professionals and the public. We have had to continually educate and build awareness of the services we provide and how they differ from those offered by other health-care professionals.

Biggest lesson learned: Surround yourself with competent people with complementary skills and let them do what they do best.

Three words that best describe you: Generous, innovative, practical.

Charitable or non-profit involvement: Canadian Sports Centre.

Biggest influence: Steve MacNeil, my business partner. He has always been able to provide an objective opinion, a steadying hand or a reality check on the direction in which the OHPC was heading.

First job: Tobacco primer, farm labourer.

Favourite pastime: Duck hunting and fishing of any sort.

Favourite travel destination: North Tea Lake, Algonquin Park.

Favourite book: Tumblehome, by James Raffan.

Favourite movie: Slapshot.

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ROBERT BEAUCHAMP, 35

President and CEO, RJR Innovations

Company profile: Brings people, processes and technology together to drive IT service management.

Education: Computer system technician diploma, Algonquin College.

Biggest biz achievement: It is by far the team we have assembled here at RJR. Their efforts, dedication and perseverance are directly responsible for our success.

Biggest biz obstacle: We have had many business partners with a limited vision of RJR's full potential – mostly due to their previous experiences with other organizations.

Biggest lesson learned: When you provide your customers with outstanding service, you not only ensure their satisfaction but in turn, their organization will see the value in developing a long-term relationship with you, even in tough economic times.

Three words that best describe you: Integrity, driven, loyal.

Biggest influence: I would have to say that what has influenced me the most with regards to business was the nine years I spent on the "road" going from one company to another. This allowed me to be exposed to and assist in the improvement of many different corporate policies, processes and procedures.

First job: Clerk at a grocery store.

Favourite pastime: Working around our property and cooking a great meal while enjoying a glass of wine.

Favourite travel destination: The destination is only a small portion of the overall experience. I truly enjoy being anywhere as long as I get to immerse myself into discovering the local traditions and the history of the culture.

Favourite book: It's a tie, McMafia: A Journey Through the Global Criminal Underworld by Misha Glenny and The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown.

Favourite movie: Rocky or The Usual Suspects.

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MARIE BOIVIN, 35

Managing director and CEO, Accu-Rate Corp.

Company profile: We provide currency exchange services and international payments solutions.

Education: MBA, UQO/Canadian Bankers Institute, 2005.

Biggest biz achievement: Growing an already successful local company to global standards by boosting profits by over 1,500 per cent and expanding the premises and human resources three-fold.

Biggest biz obstacle: As a privately owned financial institution, we have to evolve in the current unprecedented economic climate. This is enough to give anyone grey hair.

Biggest lesson learned: I have learned to be a free thinker and not be restricted by the immediate resources around me.

Three words that best describe you: Drive, passion, care.

Charitable or non-profit involvement: Ottawa Hospital Foundation, 20/20 campaign.

Biggest influence: My all-time mentor, Paul Davis. He is the most determined human being I have ever encountered. He promotes the highest standards of accomplishment but at the same time has always encouraged me to develop my business using my own flair.

First job: Selling jeans at Levi's.

Favourite pastime: Dancing ballet.

Favourite travel destination: Paris, France.

Favourite book: The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein.

Favourite movie: Breakfast at Tiffany's.

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THOMAS R. BURNETT, 39

Global marketing director, MDS Nordion

Company profile: Provides technologies for medical imaging, targeted cancer treatments, and sterilization of medical devices.

Education: MBA, University of Western Ontario (1997), M.Sc., Queen's University (1995).

Biggest biz achievement: Driving 90-per-cent growth over two years in TheraSphere, an innovative treatment for liver cancer. The real achievement is in the pride felt when I hear first hand from patients how TheraSphere has changed their lives and given them hope.

Biggest biz obstacle: Finding the right people to build your team. Ensuring the right fit requires patience and uncompromised standards.

Biggest lesson learned: Don't get caught in the weeds – step back from the day-to-day, look at the big picture to ensure you are aligned and on course to succeed both short- and long-term.

Three words that best describe you: Driven, confident, witty.

Charitable or non-profit involvement: Knights of Columbus.

Biggest influence: Two people have influenced me more than anyone else in business. The first is my dad, who continues to show me the value of hard work and epitomizes integrity when dealing with others. The second is Bob Lapsley, my former boss and mentor.

First job: Mini-putt attendant at Storyland Theme Park.

Favourite pastime: Winning radio contests and playing with my two boys, Jack and Thos.

Favourite travel destination: Tokyo, Japan.

Favourite book: Angels & Demons, by Dan Brown.

Favourite movie: The Natural.

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TYLER BURNS, 38

Director of investor relations and communication, Wi-LAN Inc.

Company profile: Develops and licenses intellectual property.

Education: B. Eng., Carleton University.

Biggest biz achievement: The diversity of my career. From being involved in two (failed) startups, providing consulting to large and small U.S.-based high-tech companies, to my present involvement with Wi-LAN, the diversity of experience and insight that I have gained is by far my biggest business achievement.

Biggest biz obstacle: Poor understanding of a business's target market can lead to missed growth opportunities, or worse.

Biggest lesson learned: To be successful in business, and in life, one must be prepared to work outside his or her zone of comfort.

Three words that best describe you: Hardworking, conscientious, driven.

Charitable or non-profit involvement: Canadian Investor Relations Institute.

Biggest influence: Too difficult to select one person. I have learned many valuable lessons or received valuable advice from professors that I had in university, people that I have worked or work with, neighbours and friends.

First job: Paperboy.

Favourite pastime: Boating (it is too bad the boating season in Ottawa is so short).

Favourite travel destination: Hawaii (I was married on a beach in Maui); close second would be South Africa.

Favourite book: The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, by Robin Sharma.

Favourite movie: The Right Stuff/The Shawshank Redemption/Mr. Holland's Opus.

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JODY CAMPEAU, 37

President and CEO, MGC Maplesoft Group of Companies (formerly Maplesoft Consulting)

Company profile: Professional services company with eight divisions (consulting, technology, health care, wealth management, sports management, administrative staffing, legal services, financial services).

Education: Business administration, St. Francis Xavier University (1994).

Biggest biz achievement: The creation of a winning formula and the ability to duplicate that formula. Maplesoft Consulting has grown and been succesful in Ottawa since 1996, and this year we successfully opened a new office in Calgary.

Biggest biz obstacle: Time management. Building a business is exhilarating but you cannot lose sight of your family and health. This is my daily obstacle – there's only 24 hours in day.

Biggest lesson learned: To build a succesful business, park your ego at the door and surround yourself with great people that compliment you.

Three words that best describe you: Passionate, generous, family-oriented.

Biggest influence: My parents and grandparents – they constantly told me anything was possible if you put your mind to it. After years of listening, I started believing.

First job: Burris, Neiman & Associates (Toronto) - sports marketing and player representation.

Favourite pastime: Travelling with my family, going to the cottage, golfing and boating.

Favourite travel destination: The Caribbean.

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CURTIS DODD, 34

Vice-president of patents and counsel, Wi-LAN Inc.

Company profile: Develops and licenses intellectual property.

Education: B.Eng, Carleton University (1997); LLB, University of New Brunswick (2000).

Biggest biz achievement: Revamping Nortel's intellectual property practices, in particular with respect to its 4G wireless portfolio. That initiative provided Nortel with key strategic assets for competing in the hypercompetitive 4G space.

Biggest biz obstacle: The uncertainty as to the value of patents, especially in light of numerous legal decisions that have made monetizing patents much more difficult in recent years and proposed patent law reforms that could further devalue patents.

Biggest lesson learned: When leaving the big law firm for Nortel, a close friend advised me that while one can climb the hill alone, it is easier with friends. He was right.

Three words that best describe you: Hardworking, competent, adaptable.

Biggest influence: For providing me with the opportunity to lead Wi-LAN's patent group, and encouraging me to make business decisions (as opposed to purely legal ones) Wi-LAN CEO Jim Skippen and Wi-LAN general counsel Bill Middleton have been my greatest business influences.

First job: Tennis Pro at the Welland Tennis Club. While that job did not pay as much as my current one, I have never had as much fun working.

Favourite pastime: Surfing – I can't wait to teach my son.

Favourite travel destination: Anywhere with surf (Hawaii, Costa Rica ... Tofino is spectacular).

Favourite book: The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck. Catch-22 (Joseph Heller) and A People's History of the United States (Howard Zinn) are close seconds.

Favourite movie: The Big Lebowski.

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RYAN DONOVAN, 29

Executive vice-president, Cactus Commerce Inc.

Company profile: Design, develop, and manage e-commerce soutions based on Microsoft technologies – including building the Commerce Server product line for Microsoft.

Biggest biz achievement: Developing the joint venture between Microsoft and Cactus Commerce – it is the first of its kind in Microsoft's history.

Biggest biz obstacle: Being able to plan for – and manage – growth, while at the same time not breaking the bank from a pre-investment perspective, as well as dealing with the challenges of a unique joint business venture.

Biggest lesson learned: Without a doubt, patience and perseverance – especially during the tough times – with a focus towards the long term. Successful strategies do not bear fruit overnight.

Three words that best describe you: Focused, visionary, loyal.

Charitable or non-profit involvement: British car enthusiast clubs, and the many charity events they often sponsor.

Biggest influence: Frank Kufel, a middle-school teacher. He helped teach me many of the qualities that have enabled me to be succesful in business.

First job: IT intern at the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Favourite pastime: Cars or photography (or perhaps both together).

Favourite travel destination: Barcelona, Spain.

Favourite book: My Family and Other Animals, by Gerald Durrell.

Favourite movie: North by Northwest.

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CRAIG DOWDEN, 35

Managing director, Andre Filion and Associates

Company profile: Career management firm specializing in selection support, professional development and transition support services.

Education: PhD, Carleton University (2004).

Biggest biz achievement: Led the Ottawa office to its most successful year in its 15-year history in my first full year with the firm.

Biggest biz obstacle: When I first joined the organization, although we had been in the city for 15 years, many people did not know about us or thought I represented our Montreal office.

Biggest lesson learned: It is important to love what you do and be authentic in its delivery. Don't be shy about sharing who you are.

Three words that best describe you: Passionate, authentic, reflective.

Charitable or non-profit involvement: Canadian Diabetes Association, Friends in Sportsfishing.

Biggest influence: Tony Hsieh, the CEO of Zappos, is an awesome case study. His primary interests are innovation, customer service and the pursuit of happiness.

First job: Coach for summer baseball program back in Newfoundland.

Favourite pastime: Playing basketball.

Favourite travel destination: Hawaii, French Polynesia/Bora Bora.

Favourite book: Success Intelligence, by Robert Holden.

Favourite movie: Army of Darkness (B-movie cult classic).

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TIMOTHY GORDON, 39

Owner and president, Event Makers Inc.

Company profile: Total event co-ordination company providing seasonal decor to Ottawa's premier shopping centres and retail spaces.

Education: Event co-ordination, Algonquin College.

Biggest biz achievement: Trusted by 13 shopping centres and 42 office towers to provide Christmas decor.

Biggest biz obstacle: Trust. We hang 42 tonnes of display equipment in the air every year – our clients trust us to ensure a profitable season.

Biggest lesson learned: Labour. Treat your employees like gold – they represent you and what you stand for.

Three words that best describe you: Integrity, honest, demanding.

Charitable or non-profit involvement: Community theatre, Ottawa Hospital and various local smaller charities.

Biggest influence: Santa Claus. No other person has inspired me more profoundly in business.

First job: Providing technical production at Canterbury High School.

Favourite pastime: Flying, travelling, bodybuilding.

Favourite travel destination: Europe. I could spend the rest of my life going from country to country, living the lifestyle of change.

Favourite book: Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, by Steven R. Covey.

Favourite movie: Meet Joe Black.

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CAROLINE GOSSELIN, 39

Owner, Restaurant e18hteen

Company profile: Fine dining restaurant.

Biggest biz achievement: Being able to exercise my own vision, creativity and express myself.

Biggest biz obstacle: Finding good people is key. Assembling a well-qualified team that works well together can be a challenge. You have to have the right people in place.

Biggest lesson learned: Turn difficulties into opportunities. Don't get stuck in survival mode when you really want to be thriving. Don't settle for worry and stress. Be optimistic, keep looking at problems from different angles until promising openings become visible. Every setback is a learning experience.

Three words that best describe you: Creative, fearless, compassionate.

Charitable or non-profit involvement: The University of Ottawa Heart Institute.

Biggest influence: Alain Ducasse. He is a company director, team leader, school principal, head of PR and chief spokesman, head of personnel, talent spotter, teacher and coach.

First job: Baskin Robbins ice cream girl.

Favourite pastime: Skiing, car racing and oil painting.

Favourite travel destination: French Polynesia, Bora Bora.

Favourite book: Three Cups of Tea, by Greg Mortenson and David Relin.

Favourite movie: All-time favourite is La Dolce Vita. Currently, it's The Reader.

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DAVID GOURLAY, 38

Director of business development (public sector – Canada), Oracle

Company profile: Oracle is an enterprise business software company with more than 320,000 customers in more than 145 countries.

Education: BSS, Carleton University and the University of New Brunswick (1996).

Biggest biz achievement: Co-authoring the Canadian Performance-Driven Government Program that has been adopted by a provincial government.

Biggest biz obstacle: I am often confronted with common misperceptions and unawareness about the transformative potential that IT holds for governments to deliver on commitments.

Biggest lesson learned: How the IT sector is responding to rising citizen expectations of their government on service delivery.

Three words that best describe you: Integrity, passion, focus.

Charitable or non-profit involvement: CHEO.

Biggest influence: My father, who served as a diplomat in Iraq, Belgium and England, demonstrated passion and an ability to broker compromise and these values have influenced me in my own career path.

First job: Lumberyard worker at Sandell Perkins in London, U.K.

Favourite pastime: Baseball.

Favourite travel destination: Kensington and Chelsea Borough in London, U.K.

Favourite book: Moneyball, by Michael Lewis.

Favourite movie: Jerry Maguire.

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SPENCER GRABE, 37

President, DICA Electronics Ltd.

Company profile: Contract manufacturer of printed circuit boards and electronic assemblies.

Education: Chartered accountant and B. Comm., Mount Allison University (1995).

Biggest biz achievement: Exceeding our sales growth targets over the past few years which has allowed us to twice be named to the Ottawa Business Journal's list of Fastest Growing Companies.

Biggest biz obstacle: The volatility of the Canadian dollar; the volatility of technology industry itself; the false allure of offshore manufacturers ... you name it.

Biggest lesson learned: Don't get too down when things don't go your way, and don't get too excited when they do.

Three words that best describe you: Fair, honest, patient.

Charitable or non-profit involvement: Carleton Place Memorial Hospital Foundation.

Biggest influence: My father, who taught me the nuances of contract manufacturing. His ability to see the heart of any issue continues to amaze me, and hopefully it is beginning to rub off.

First job: Maintenance at Mississippi Campground, during Grade 9 summer break.

Favourite pastime: Playing with my kids.

Favourite travel destination: Italy.

Favourite movie: Goodfellas.

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JUSTINE HENDRICKS, 36

Regional vice-president of small business solutions, Export Development Canada

Company profile: Provides financing, insurance and bonding solutions to Canadian companies that export goods and services, or invest in other countries.

Education: MBA, University of Ottawa (2004).

Biggest biz achievement: Building a team of motivated people to serve the small business exporting community in Canada.

Biggest biz obstacle: