“I’m the Susan Lucci of the 10 Over [the Next] Ten Awards,” announced Lansing City Attorney Brigham Smith. Another award winner (who shall remain nameless) stuck out her tongue during the group photo, and Liquid Web CEO Matthew Hill gave tips on the grooming required for a blue-tinged mohawk.

All of this youthful irreverence was fitting for the 2nd Annual 10 Over the Next Ten Awards on September 24, 2008. A joint venture among the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, The Greater Lansing Business Monthly, and Grand River Connection, 10 Over the Next Ten recognizes ten successful, young professionals as people to watch over the next ten years. Nominees must be no older than 35, and professionally centered and working in the tri-county area for at least two years. This year, almost 70 nominations were received, and the top 20 finalists were recognized at the ceremony, along with the ten award winners.

“I think it’s awesome to see us with our own recognition of young entrepreneurs without having to learn what Detroit or Grand Rapids is doing,” said Bill Sepic, former president/CEO of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce.

“There was a diverse pool of applicants who applied this year, as far as education, race and sex,” noted Charles Blockett Jr. of Charles Blockett & Associates, who was one of the seven judges. “It was difficult to narrow it down to ten, but the region will be in good hands with these talented young people.”

One of those with a diverse education is Hill, who decided to graduate from Holt High School, even though he had already been successfully running Liquid Web for two years. As for being named one of the 10 Over the Next Ten, he stated, “We appreciate all the recognition that the city and the area have given to us. We’re a dynamic company and we’re growing rapidly. We’re excited to be here.”

And Smith (who, unlike Lucci, only had to wait one year to win his award), noted, “Both Brian Anderson [of the Lansing Economic Development Corporation] and I were up for the City of Lansing, and we’re both just excited that the city is being recognized for putting us in positions where each of us can play our part. It’s a tribute to the mayor and to the city for the progress we’ve made.”

Karen Stefl’s mother was a college professor who served on former President Jimmy Carter’s Committee on Small Business Owners. Stefl was only a teenager when her mother died from cancer. “Growing up with a parent who was very distinguished and well known, and not getting to know her as an adult, [winning the award] is a connection to her,” said Stefl, partner and owner of Such Video, Inc. “The room was filled with very impressive professionals, so the win was a pretty big deal. I feel very lucky.”

“After hearing all of the work the other nine winners had done and all of their accomplishments, I was especially surprised that I won,” added Jamie Shriner-Hooper, executive director of the Old Town Commercial Association. Schriner-Hooper left a much higher paying private-sector job three years ago to run the nonprofit association. “This year, we had pretty significant Old Town representation [at the awards]. Six of the finalists and three of the winners were from Old Town.” One of the finalists was her sister.

“Usually you see older, established people in the community winning awards,” she continued. “So it’s exciting to be recognized for the contribution young people are making in Lansing. I’m not going anywhere.”

“I don’t think I’m old enough to give advice,” Smith, the youngest person in his office, replied when asked if he had any words of wisdom for those up-and- comers who are even younger.

“I can pass along advice though that I got from my grandfather. He said, ‘Don’t plan. Be prepared, but don’t plan because the best and worst things in life just happen. Don’t think you can determine if they do.’”

“I honestly don’t think you can do anything but succeed when you do the thing you love,” said Stefl, who started as an intern at Such while she was still in college. “Sometimes, that means you just go with your gut.”

“It’s just maintaining a drive and not losing sight of what you’re trying to do,” added Hill. “Be fearless.”