A fusion of the Midlands’ future

To build a stable, caring community, you need a good blend of young business leaders who will repair what’s weak and protect what’s strong.

In our sixth annual 20 Under 40, we’ve got lawyers, bankers, real estate agents, accountants, salesmen, department heads and politicians.

Apart, they carry impressive records. Together, they demonstrate a region’s promising future. They fight for the poor, foster internships for those needing new careers, seek better workplaces for mothers and work to prevent teen pregnancies.

They are role models, breaking glass ceilings or becoming family firsts.

Meet the 20 Under 40 class of 2009

His job: President, Boykin Contracting Inc.

Age: 36

Family: wife, Sharon; children, Erin, 6; and Javon, 5 months

Education: Bachelor’s degree, electrical engineering technology, South Carolina State; master’s degree, business administration, Webster University

Community involvement: City of Columbia Construction Award, 2005; Fastest Growing Company in South Carolina, 2004 and 2005; vice president, trustee, Bethlehem Baptist Church; member, EngenuitySC board; past board member, Columbia Chamber of Commerce

From his nomination: “At the age of 28, he started Boykin Contracting Inc., a minority-owned general and electrical contracting business which has grown to be one of the most successful businesses in the state.” — Thomas Brock Sr., Boykin Contracting

What’s the difference, for you, between business and personal success? “Being the first person in my paternal family to graduate with a bachelor’s degree can only begin to describe my view on personal success. … I look forward to financial stability and a positive legacy. It is said that, ‘You are only as good as the company you keep (and that you are) remembered by your work.’ Your work should always speak for you.”

Do you live by any mantra or saying? “1. Don’t fret over the little things. Think big. 2. Live life to the fullest — as if it would never end. 3. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. 4. Don’t worry (about) falling down because effort and hope will get you up.”

Have you ever failed at something? How did you recover? “As a high school junior, I was presented the opportunity to obtain a scholarship to a well-established university. Due to personal family obstacles and a competitive class of students, I lost my chance. Through perseverance and determination, I did get accepted to another university and received a partial scholarship from the Army. I would not allow myself to get despondent or become depressed. Instead, I pushed forward and looked for other avenues.”

If you could cure the ills of the world, where would you start? “I would start with depression, anxiety and poverty. In my assessment, depression and poverty go hand in hand. People who are dealt unfortunate circumstances are not only left searching for answers or a way to cope but find that depression, and other illnesses … become the controlling force in that individual’s life.”

Right now, people are worrying about the economy. What are you optimistic about? “I am excited about global change and unity. For too long, we have isolated and segregated ourselves in our thinking, choice of friendships and communities.”

His job: Executive director, S.C. Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy

Age: 31

Family: Single

Education: Bachelor’s degree, health promotion, Coastal Carolina University; master’s degree, public health, USC

Community involvement: Coastal Carolina Distinguished Alumnus (2008); past board member, S.C. Association for the Advancement of Health Education; advisory committee, Arnold School of Public Health Campus-Community Partnerships for Health; S.C. Interagency Coordinated School Health Workgroup; member, State Alliance for Adolescent Sexual Health; member, Delta Omega Society, Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce; Young Leaders Society, United Way of the Midlands; member, Columbia Opportunity Resource; member, American Public Health Association, American School Health Association

From his nomination: “Forrest’s leadership has increased the visibility of (the S.C. Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy) beyond the scope of a traditional non-profit to include partnerships with the business community and media outlets throughout South Carolina.” — the board and staff of the S.C. Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy

How do you define success? “I have been raised (to believe) that success is a journey, not a destination. I’ve been blessed in my life to have two great parents and a whole host of mentors that have instilled in me a belief that if you work hard — really hard — and keep doing things the right way, success will come.”

What slogan do you live by? “Benjamin E. Mays once said, ‘Every man and woman is born into the world to do something unique and something distinctive, and if he or she does not do it, it will never be done.’ ”

If you could cure the ills of the world, where would you start? “It starts with investing in young people, ensuring they are prepared for their future and helping them to prevent pregnancy. Teen pregnancy is inextricably linked to a host of other ills in the world like infant mortality, abuse, poverty, juvenile delinquency, an undereducated workforce.”

How much of your success do you attribute to luck and how much to work? “I’ve benefited from both hard work and being in the right place at the right time. … I’m a big believer in ambition, dedication and hard work, but there is something to be said for the influence of family, surroundings, positioning and a little luck.”

Despite the down economy, what are you optimistic about? “The difficult times we are in have forced us to become closer as a people and learn how to work together more efficiently, have encouraged creativity and innovation.”

Her jobs: Co-owner, The Real Estate School of South Carolina; owner, The Marketing Division; broker-in-charge, JGI Properties; writer; UFirst — United First Financial independent agent; co-owner, South Carolina Realty Age: 39

Family: husband, Chip Browne

Education: Bachelor’s degree, criminal justice, USC Spartanburg (Now USC Upstate)

Community involvement: Past chairwoman, March for Meals; Board of Directors nominee, Senior Resources; Governor’s Year of the Child Award; past silent auction co-chair, Festival of Trees, Children’s Hospital of Palmetto Health; Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Midlands; Home Builders Association of Greater Columbia; Central Carolina Association of Realtors; former board member, Trustus Theatre.

From her nomination: “It is sometimes said that people are either ‘left brained’ or ‘right brained.’ Melissa happens to be one of those rare people who uses both sides equally. Her organization and business skills give her the ability to focus on many tasks and projects, while her creativity does it with flair.” — Arlin Coleman Jr., U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, multifamily division

Do you know a lot about a little or a little about a lot? “I’m probably one of those people that I can do anything if you show me enough about it.”

The economic future looks bleak. What are you optimistic about? “From the real estate perspective, I’m very optimistic in our market. We’re at a down point right now, (but) we’ve got the government, we’ve got the state university, we’ve got the fort. I feel that once we get to the spring … everything is going to run around.”

What abiding principle do you live by? Browne says she bought a T-shirt that says “Well-behaved women rarely make history,” which she wears while performing housework. But “basically, I’m a ‘Do unto others’-type person. I just believe that it matters that you’re good to someone. I just do what I can to make someone’s life a little easier.”

What’s ahead for you? A publisher is looking at her book, “A Layman’s Guide to Family Care-Giving,” which concerns caring for aging parents. Browne’s parents died 10 months apart, in 2002 and 2003. She now helps former Gamecock announcer Bob Fulton, who is 88, with care issues. She wrote her book “because it just really irked me that there was not anything out there. That (a publisher’s attention) thrills me beyond words.”

How do you balance everything? “I’m not busy between 2 and 4 — do you need something done? That would be a.m.”

His job: President/owner Agil Staff Inc., which places bilingual or other hard-to-find workers

Age: 37

Family: Married, wife, Heidi; children, Colson, 5; and Sally, 2

Education: Bachelor’s degree, broadcast journalism, USC

Community involvement: S.C. Hispanic Leadership Council; Celebrate Freedom Foundation; youth program at Eastminster Presbyterian Church

From his nomination: “Ken has helped countless individuals advance in their careers and, in some cases, get back on the road to financial stability and independence.” — Ana Drummond, Agil Staff

How did you come to work with bilingual, predominantly Spanish-speaking workers? “I was an Air Force brat and lived in Spain. When I lived over there, (native children) beat me up and told me, ‘Go home, rich American.’” When Carey did come back to the States, he consciously gave up what Spanish he had learned. He has tried to fit in time for a class but has yet to find it. “I’m working on it, slowly but surely,” through conversation. But, “with the economy being the way it is, now would probably be a good time” to take a class because work for his employment agency can be slow.

What mantra do you work by? “I work real hard to finish each day and be comfortable with my activities for each day and not carry any regrets into the next day.” He also tries to live by the Golden Rule but admits that “I’m definitely a work in progress.”

How do you define success? “The success that I’m looking for is balance between work life and family life.” Family life, Carey says, comes first. On a typical day, he will drop the children at pre-school — he admits he often forgets their lunches, which can frustrate his wife, Heidi. Carey also admits he isn’t always as disciplined and organized as his wife, who is a foreclosure attorney. “I was a Marine (for three years) and think I was voted ‘least likely to be a Marine.’ ”

What’s a typical work week? “If I have a client with a deadline, then I’m working more. I’ve got to be willing to take a call and make a call on nights and weekends. . . . But most of the time it’s not like that.” Carey estimates his total hours at 40 to 50 each week.

What’s ahead for you? “I’m successful in that I’ve been able to start a staffing company and make money … but there is a lot of room for growth.” Carey is working to broaden his business outside the state.

To what do you attribute your success? “The harder I work, the luckier I am, is what Thomas Jefferson said. If I work on what I can control, which is finding the right employers,” the business will succeed.

Her job: Founder/owner Cauthen Law Firm; founder/owner of Nationwide Administrators and Cauthen Enterprises; member, Blythewood Town Council

Age: 38

Family: Husband Mark Cauthen

Education: Bachelor’s degree, English, USC; law degree, USC School of Law

Community involvement: Former chairwoman, Blythewood Board of Zoning Appeals; former chairwoman, S.C. Bar Conventions Committee; charter member, Greater Blythewood Chamber of Commerce; Advisor of USC Chapter of Chi Omega; president and chair, Cauthen Charitable Foundation

From her nomination: “She tries to find ways where she believes she can make a difference, either in advocating or educating. She is able to make inroads on issues which matter to her clients, her constituents and area children.” — former client Margie McCoy

How do you define success? “If I get to live my life on my own terms. . . . I’m getting there. In the grand scheme of things, I’m closer now than I was five years ago” when she had yet to establish her solo law firm or her own escrow company, Nationwide Administrators.

Why did you go out on your own? “The actual intention was to work less” than she had in larger law firms. But, as it happens, she works more. “If I think for a minute there’s a free moment, I have to overschedule it.”

Will you recognize when you’ve achieved what you define as success? “I don’t think success, as I’ve defined it, is something I’ll recognize until I’ve passed it. I usually fly by at 75 miles per hour and realize, ‘Hey, that’s my exit.’” She’s working on the “working 15 hours a day” exit. She hasn’t made it because “now I find myself doing (work) at all hours of the day and night. I work the vast majority of the time in my pajamas — and that is pretty close to successful, in my book.”

Is there a mantra or a slogan that you live by? Yes, one by Transcendentalist and early American author Henry David Thoreau: “I had three chairs in my house: one for solitude, two for friendship, three for society. When visitors came in larger and unexpected numbers, there was but the third chair for them all, but they generally economized the room by standing up.” “Basically, he’s saying to limit your universe to make it reasonable, to limit what you let into your life.”

Do you do that? “No. . . . I’m always racing.”

What lies ahead for you? “My goals are pretty selfish. I want to work less (and) be more efficient. I don’t want every waking hour to be consumed by work. But at the same time, I enjoy law. I feel good when I help someone, and that usually means winning. But if I could just spend a little more time with family and friends and travel and do it on my terms, that would be great.”

Her job: Director, Human Resources and Community Affairs, DESA Inc.

Age: 36

Family: husband, Tyrell Sr.; children, Tyrell Jr., 6; and Joseph, 5

Education: Bachelor’s degree, marketing, S.C. State University; master’s degree, business administration, Mercer University

Community involvement: den leader, Boy Scouts Pack 101 Wolf Den; member, Rotary International; Toastmasters International; Forest Lake Elementary School Improvement Council; Forest Lake Elementary School Foundation; Education Policy Fellow, 2008-2009

From her nomination: “Mrs. Fleshman is not only a tremendous asset to her employer and a devoted community member but a mother of two as well. One of her sons was diagnosed with autism at an early age. Ever since, Mrs. Fleshman has made it a part of her life to help not only her son, but others with autism . . . She is an eager advocate against this disorder.” — Darrin Thomas, Thomas/McCants Media Inc.

How do you define success? “Success is becoming content with your life, finding peace within your soul and having love and hope in your heart.”

Tell us a little bit about your work with autism and its importance to you. “My youngest son, Joseph, was diagnosed with autism in August of 2008. That diagnosis changed the way I envisioned my son’s life. I could no longer look at his future plans — college, marriage, etc. — but instead, I have to look closer at his daily challenges. Currently, my work with autism involves research. By better educating myself on this disorder, I can better serve my son and others like him within our community. Research provides ideas on the best ways to face challenges not only for him, but for me, too.”

A lot of your work involves children. Why is that so important to you? “There is nothing more important to me than children who are healthy, emotionally stable and physically strong. … That why I make it my responsibility to involve myself in the lives of children through school involvement, Boy Scout leadership, assistance with the children’s church ministry and other youth programs.”

What advice have you received from mentors? “Always keep your future goals in mind. The choices we make today dictate the choices that we can make tomorrow. No one rises to low expectations.”

What’s ahead for you? “I am currently focused on spending time with my family and helping Joseph, my son with autism, face his challenges. I will continue to engage myself in community events and civic organizations. Eventually, I would like to pursue my doctoral studies.”

Her job: Director of service excellence, Palmetto Health Richland

Age: 34

Family: husband, Michael; children, Hunter, 8; and Matthew, 3

Education: Bachelor’s degree, accounting, USC; master’s degree, business administration, Webster University

Community involvement: Past president, S.C. Society of Hospital Directors of Volunteer Services; past president, Southeast Directors Volunteer Services in Health Care; graduate, Leadership Novant; youth coach, Seven Oaks Park

From her nomination: “Charity has been responsible for hardwiring leadership best practices across our hospital. She has been a key leader in our cultural transformation and the results are extraordinary: Palmetto Health Richland now ranks in the top 1 percent of 600-plus-bed hospitals in America in patient satisfaction.” — John Singerling, chief operating officer, and Stan Hickson, vice president for operations, Palmetto Health Richland

Your first name is “Charity.” Is that something you feel you must live up to? “I was blessed to be given the name Charity by my parents. I live up to the meaning of my name by living my personal values, which I feel defines my character.”

Your work requires you to make people better. How do you accomplish this in the current difficult times? “I support and serve those who are directly providing care for our patients and their families. It is the small things like a friendly greeting, assistance finding a department, an extra blanket, etc., that can make a positive difference in the experience. Even during the current difficult economic times, it doesn’t cost to smile and say ‘hello.’ ”

What’s next to accomplish, and how will you do it? “I will continue to seek opportunities to enhance my personal and professional skills. I strive to balance a successful career along with being a loving and supportive wife and mother of two wonderful, active boys.”

Do you have a personal philosophy or mantra you live by? What is it? “‘Every person has a gift.’ As a leader, it is up to me to recognize the talents and skills of others, so that they may find meaning in their work or cause.”

Think about a time when you failed to accomplish something. How did you move forward? “Failures are opportunities for an individual to learn and grow from the experience. If you look at the experience as an opportunity to improve, it makes moving forward much easier.”

Her job: Director of policy research, lobbyist, S.C. Hospital Association; founder The Motherhood Priority, which works to strengthen mother-friendly policies in the workplace.

Age: 31

Family: Husband, Michael; child, Gabrielle, 2

Education: Bachelor’s degree. health care management, Lander University; Master’s degree, Health Administration, USC

Community involvement: board treasurer, S.C. Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy; elder, Right Direction Christian Center

From her nomination: “Rozalynn is regarded by her peers as a leader in the state’s health-care profession, and she earns that distinction anew every day. … Roz is changing the Midlands for the better.” — Thornton Kirby, president and CEO, S.C. Hospital Association

What makes you successful? “I have a determination — there’s a drive there to make sure that I can help others. … Everything I do goes back to people. … Leadership is about people. They call me the conscience of the SCHA” because she remembers that “behind the numbers are people, are faces of people who may not have access to health care.” … I’ve been blessed and fortunate to be able to work on two of my passions at the same time (health care and mothering).”

How does it feel to have other people define you as a leader? “It’s humbling because there’s nothing extraordinary about me. I come from a small town. It’s called Mount Carmel. It’s 231 people and everybody’s kin. It has a single-wide trailer as a post office (and) one traffic light. A lot of great values came from there. To be considered a leader or successful in the Midlands — it’s huge. … It doesn’t make me all ‘Yeah, I did that.’ I know how my parents had to push me in school. I was very marginal (as a student). The leadership I have had (from parents, pastors and her husband) really makes me believe I could do anything. That’s priceless.”

How do you balance everything? “When I had (my daughter), it was, ‘Oh my God, … I can’t go back to work five days a week. I just can’t do it,” Goodwin says, adding that other mothers feel the same way and deserve the same flexibility she has found. “Ultimate success is to be able to follow a passion like The Motherhood Priority” and to see health care become “more mother friendly.”

What’s ahead for you? “I’m really looking forward to revolutionizing not just South Carolina but our nation” in how it treats mothers in the workplace. Eighty percent of hospital workers are women, Goodwin says. Those women need more flexible schedules that will accommodate their maternal needs as well as their need to work.

His jobs: Real estate agent at Graham Realty and mayor of Camden

Age: 26

Family: wife, Sara

Education: Bachelor’s degree, business administration, Presbyterian College

Honors and memberships: Eagle Scout; board member, vice president/tourism, Kershaw County Chamber of Commerce; chair of The Camden Polo Match for the Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County; board, Camden Rotary; church youth volunteer; chair, Kershaw County Democratic Party; United Way; Kershaw County Housing Partnership; Applied Technology Education Campus Advisory Council; Kershaw County Gang Task Force

From his nomination: “This is his first elected position but not his first leadership role. He’s always been involved. He is motivated and compassionate. He’s very composed.” — Johnny Deal, First Palmetto Savings Bank

You’ve just been elected the youngest mayor of Camden. Does that make you’re a success? “Now I’ve got my work cut out for me.” For Camden, Graham has “goals and objectives (for) where we want to be. … You can be successful without meeting all your objectives. The reality of it is that you do the best you can.”

How much of your current success has to do with being in the right place at the right time? “Obviously, growing up in (Camden) makes it a little easier to run (for mayor), but the other part is working hard. I have always wanted to work hard. I like to make an impression where I’ve been.”

Is there a lot of pressure being declared successful at a young age? “I’m the youngest (sibling). I’ve always had a challenge to keep up with them (a brother and sister). … People want me to be successful. People want me to do a good job, so they’re willing to help.”

Do you live by a certain mantra? “Service has been a huge part of my upbringing. It was John Wesley (the founder of Methodism) who said: Do all the good for all the people you can as long as you can. Serving the community is an important part of who I am.”

You have several lifetimes yet. What will you do with them? “I don’t know. I’ll take opportunities as they come. Right now, I’m interested in Camden.”

There’s a lot to be pessimistic with the economy about now. What are you optimistic about? “We’ve got a new presidential administration. I think they’ll bring some vision and ideas. … I try to look at the positive side of a lot of things. We have a lot of great people (in Camden) who do a lot of great things in their community. … Hard times challenge us to realize that we can work together.”