WATERLOO - The winners have been selected for the Class of 2008 Courier's 20 Under 40 awards.

Twenty men and women who work in Waterloo, Cedar Falls and the surrounding area were selected by a committee, which sorted through more than 100 nominations in the 7-year-old award program.

In June, the Courier began seeking nominations for the award, which honors outstanding young people in the Cedar Valley who are making a difference in their work and personal lives to make the area a better place.

The individuals are featured in the Cedar Valley Business Quarterly magazine this month, and then featured on a daily basis in the Courier beginning in December.

This year's theme is "Making History." Photographs were taken at the the George Wyth Home and the Victorian House and Museum, both in Cedar Falls.

A reception in their honor is planned for 5 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at Allen College's Barrett Forum, 1825 Logan Ave.

This year's Class of 20 Under 40 is:

Brad Best, 29, vice president of Peters Construction Corp.

Eric Braley, 27, owner/producer, Around the Corner Production Inc.

Heather Bremer-Miller, 36, executive director of foundations, Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare.

Molly Brown, 28, director of member recruiting, Greater Cedar Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Aaron Buzza, 29, executive director, Waterloo Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Kelly Christensen, 28, financial adviser, Principal Financial Group.

Andrea Elliott, 38, assistant director of planned giving, University of Northern Iowa, formerly marketing manager at Junior Achievement.

Angie Fuller, 29, community outreach and development coordinator, Allen Health System.

Jessica J. Miller, 35, officer administrator, Service Roofing Co.

Michael Muhammad, 37, CEO/founder of Community Education Outreach Inc. and KBOL Radio and Mi3rdeye Photography.

Marc Riefenrath, 30, principal of Spinutech.

Francesca Zogaib, 28, co-owner of Little Brazil Capoeira Academy and coordinator of sexual assault services at Cedar Valley Friends of the Family.

Jennifer Hartman, 39, principal, North Cedar School, Cedar Falls.

Kristin Schaefer, 38, project manager, Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare

Chad Abbas, 39, tax partner/CPA, Bergan, Paulsen & Co. P.C.

Tavis Hall, 23, case worker, Congressman Bruce Braley's Waterloo office.

Julianne Gassman 38, assistant professor and executive director, UNI American Humanities and Camp Adventure Youth Services.

Dan Daugherty, 34, program manager, John Deere

James "Jamie" Fettkether, 36, executive vice president, Lockard Construction Co.

Dan Kittle, 32, director, Center for Community Engagement, Wartburg College, Waverly