Under 40 Award nominations open now
The OPE+ Under 40 Award celebrates the younger generation of pros in the OPE industry who are doing amazing work. The award winners work in dealerships, in technology, in services, and in manufacturing; this award program is open to all who work in the OPE industry. Nominated by their peers and chosen by our staff, the professionals honored here are driving improvements in sales, customer service, marketing and technology, engineering, and more. They’re helping grow the industry locally and nationally. And we need your help finding and recognizing them.
Submit your nomination today.
Winners must be under 40 years old on Jan. 1, 2026. We accept nominations from peers and from potential winners themselves. Check the OPE+ website under Events & Awards.
Award criteria is largely subjective; but you know a leader when you see one, and we do too. The Under 40 Award recipients are innovators, solving problems with new ideas, strategies and tactics. They are relentless, with a work ethic that sets an example. They are helpful, working unselfishly beyond their own job title and description. And they are promoters, helping advance the OPE industry for future growth and opportunities.
Past winners of Under 40 awards include:
2025
- Cameron Wedde, Medart Engine, field sales manager (Distributor)
- Kenneth Paul, lead technician, Paul’s Lawn & Garden (Equipment dealer, Massillon, Ohio)
- Michael Broetzman, technical publications and training, Rehklo (Engine manufacturer)
2024
- Justin Espy, Stihl, Inc., sr. manager of national service (Equipment manufacturer)
- Josh Flynn, Power Equipment Plus, CEO (Equipment dealer, Long Island, N.Y.)
- Cameron Gillum, Gillum’s Service and Repair, service manager. (Equipment dealer, Ashland, Ky.)
- Ray Harney, Mowers Inc. Bradenton, general manager (Equipment dealer, Bradenton, Fla.)
- Jacob Mandoza, Kubota, sr. product manager, Utility Vehicles (Equipment manufacturer)
- Nick Vincent, Wooster Power Equipment, Inc., sales manager (Equipment dealer, Wooster, Ohio)
- Jon VantZelfde, Woodland Equipment, sales & marketing (Equipment dealer, Grand Rapids, Mich.)
We will feature the 2025 award winners in the December 2025 issue of OPE+.
Submit nominations on the Events & Awards page, by Nov. 8, 2025.
