Presenting this year’s group of dynamic 40 under 40 movers and shakers who have made and are poised to continue to make a significant impact on the future of our region, thanks to their many talents, interests and passions.
Compiled and location conception and arrangement by John Sotomayor
Photographed by Chris Redd
Ben Bowman, 24
Executive Assistant to State Representative Dennis Baxley
About me: I choose to better myself each day, and God keeps opening doors of great opportunities Noteworthy personal accomplishment: Finding a beautiful, God-lovin’ woman who can handle being married to me Ocala connection: I’m a fifth generation Floridian, originally from Crystal River, my family moved to Ocala during my freshman year of high school Playlist: Mostly country. A lot of Brantley Gilbert and Eric Church lately Strengths: Bringing people together to accomplish a shared goal Favorite food: BBQ, seven days a week Favorite TV show: SportsCenter A drink with one person, dead or alive: Apostle Paul or Dietrich Bonhoeffer, both led revolutions for causes bigger than themselves How would I improve Ocala: More citizen involvement in issues that really matter My motto: Adversity causes some men to break and others to break records Ocala needs a: Bass Pro Shops Save the: Second Amendment I would rather be: in the woods My favorite fictional hero is: Captain America.
David Maurer, 37
NASM (national academy of sports medicine) certified personal trainer
Noteworthy business accomplishment: Tone to the Bone DVD Noteworthy personal accomplishment: Winning a bodybuilding competition 1 year after shattered arm from motorcycle accident Proudest moment: At the American Heart Association Jump Rope for Kids, A girl asked for a DVD for her mom to get healthy Ocala connection: Help my mom Last book: “7 habits of highly effective people” Strengths: Innovation and perseverance Weaknesses: Procrastination Guilty pleasures: Five Guys burgers and beer Favorite TV show: Walking dead Favorite movie: The Matrix Favorite sport: Basketball A drink with one person, dead or alive: Bob Marley Dream car: Ferrari Art or science: Science. Maybe if we all understood the environment we would take better care of our planet Ocala needs a: Dave and Busters Save the: planet If money were no object: riches would be determined by character One career goal I have yet to achieve is: training a pro athlete My favorite hero of fiction is: Iron Man.
Hilary Fairchild Gilbert, 24
Registered Nurse at Munroe Regional Medical Center
About me: I was born and raised in Ocala and had dreams of living in a big city. After being away for five years, I realized the place that made me the happiest was the sweet, friendly town I was raised in Noteworthy business accomplishment: Becoming an RN, a dream of mine since I was five years old Proudest moment: Marrying my best friend Ocala connection: I’m a third generation Ocalan Life-changing event, moment or revelation: Becoming a Christian Playlist: “Wagon Wheel” by Darius Rucker Last book: “The Best of Me” by Nicholas Sparks Strengths: Building relationships with new people Ocala’s best-kept secret: Hammor’s House of Fitness Favorite TV show: Grey’s Anatomy Favorite movie: Pride & Prejudice Marathon worthy: The fight against Childhood Leukemia- www.kaedynlove.com In five years: a mom In 10 years: A Clinical Educator at MRMC My motto: “It’s great to be a Florida Gator!” Ocala needs a: bigger budget for their educators, firefighters and police officers If money were no object: I would own a helicopter .
Chad Karp, 34
Chef de cuisine, La Cuisine, Ocala
Noteworthy business accomplishment: 2011/2012 Golden Spoon Awards Noteworthy personal accomplishment: My happy relationship with my girlfriend Ocala connection: born and raised in Ocala, left for a decade and then returned 4 years ago Playlist: NPR Last book: “The new Larousse Gastronomique” Strengths: Creativity, diligence Weaknesses: I don’t always stand up for myself when I should Guilty pleasures: Diet Mountain Dew Favorite electronic device: Samsung GS3 Favorite food: It’s sad for someone in my profession, but I eat a lot of cereal Favorite TV show: “Arrested Development” Favorite movie: Wes Anderson’s “Moonrise Kingdom” Dream car: VW Eurovan or a single cab mid 90’s Toyota Tacoma Perfect happiness: Sleeping in followed by a quiet day at home with my favorite person Save the: middle class I never leave home without: my cell phone If money were no object: we still would be unable to buy happiness One career goal I have yet to achieve is: to open my own restaurant.
Rainny Delnostro, 29
Owner of Canine Oasis Natural Pet Salon, dog groomer
About me: I have been in my career for 10 years now and will be going into my third year of salon ownership Noteworthy business accomplishment: Opening Canine Oasis in 2011 Proudest moment(s): My son’s preschool graduation and marrying my husband Ocala connection: Born and raised in Citra Last book: Eckhart Tolle “A New Earth” Strengths: Patience, compassion, and perseverance Weakness: Puppies! Favorite movie: “French Kiss” – classic Kevin Kline Favorite sport: Tennis Favorite drink: Coffee A drink with one person, dead or alive: Norah Jones Perfect happiness: Truly loving what you do in life and being with someone who loves and appreciates you My motto: Change your thoughts and you change your world Ocala needs an: aquarium/marine-learning center If I were queen for the day, I would: require everyone to volunteer at the Humane Society I would rather be: reading in a hammock One career goal I have yet to achieve is: attending a national dog show competition.
