Georgia Trend - 40 Under 40 Georgia's Best and Brightest

Each year, Georgia Trend’s editorial staff asks the magazine’s readers to help identify those individuals who will lead our state’s business, cultural, academic and governmental institutions in decades to come. In a year that was supposed to have seen a marked decline in magazine readership, it was something of a surprise to note the record-setting level of individual participation in this year’s 40 Under 40: Almost 350 readers nominated 165 candidates.

Selecting the top 40 is never an easy task for the editorial staff, but it always is rewarding. We’re often asked what the selection criteria are, and while there is no set formula, we can boil it down to this: We’re looking for people who are making an impact either on the entire state of Georgia or their own little corner of it.

Rep. Tom Graves | 39

State Representative District 12

Entrepreneur

Ranger

Tom Graves has spent most of the summer and early fall on the campaign trail hoping to make the leap from state representative to Congressman (he’s seeking the 9th district seat that will be vacated when Nathan Deal resigns to run for Governor).

Currently in his fourth term in the Georgia House, Graves was recently named vice chair of the motor vehicles committee. This summer he was named Legislator of the Year by both the 9th District Republican Party and the American Legislative Exchange Council, which recognizes lawmakers who adhere to Jeffersonian principles.

When he’s not under the Gold Dome, he manages multi-family housing and commercial real estate properties in north Georgia. If he wins, it will mean big changes for Graves’ family – wife Julie and children JoAnn, John and Janey – “but it’s something we’ve all agreed and committed to,” he says. As for the opportunity itself, Graves says he is excited about the possibility of being able to “influence change on the federal level” at a time when “the American people are really engaged in the process.” – SW