Four Harbert College of Business alumni—Jay Bland, A.J. Lee, Todd McKnight and Nick Wilson—are receiving the Auburn Alumni Association’s 20 Under 40 award for extraordinary accomplishments, significant professional achievements and distinguished service to others.

Jay Bland (economics ’11) serves as GreenCourt’s chief growth officer and a member of the company’s executive team. A member of the Georgia State Bar, Bland assisted with the implementation of software solution PeachCourt, enabling thousands of litigants to electronically file pleadings and research court records remotely. In 2020 GreenCourt unveiled GovLink, the agency performance platform designed to improve government agency operations across the country. Bland serves on the board of directors for the National Child Support Engagement Association, and started the charity Jack’s Army to help raise money for families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

 

 

 

A.J. Lee (marketing ’09) is manager on the customer success team at FranklinCovey, leading a team of learning consultants who partner with corporate clients to identify the critical leadership skills and implementation strategies they need to help accomplish their business results. Utilizing her expertise in organizational leadership and adult learning, Lee has delivered training programs for a diverse array of clientele, including Fortune 500 organizations like Deloitte and Verizon Media Group. A former Auburn gymnast, Lee previously served as vice president of business operations for Game On Nation, a professional development firm that created interactive training programs for corporations, the military, and college as well as professional sports teams. She also earned M.Ed. and Ph.D. degrees from Auburn in higher education administration and sports management.

 

Todd McKnight (accountancy ’08) is a partner in PwC’s Private practice where he specializes in providing financial statement audits of family enterprises, companies owned by private equity, and US subsidiaries of foreign-owned businesses across a variety of industries. McKnight co-leads PwC’s efforts in expanding its digital assurance and transparency practice in their India and Kuala Lumpur Acceleration Centers. He serves as a lead partner in the firm’s recruiting efforts at Auburn University and leads the PwC Private Greater Atlanta business development efforts. Nearly six years ago he co-organized “The Oaks,” an executive association of Atlanta-based business leaders with Auburn ties to network, share business advice, find ways to give back to Auburn through their time and gifts, and connect with one another.

 

Nick Wilson (finance and building science ’12) is vice president and division manager at construction company Brasfield & Gorrie, using years of hands-on construction experience to manage client relationships and services. Focused on creating long-term partnerships as well as quality structures, Wilson has become a trusted resource for planning and building new projects. He is currently involved in the construction of multimillion-dollar projects like the Databank ATL4 Data Center in Atlanta and Wellstar Paulding Hospital in Hiram, Ga.

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Learn more about the Auburn 20 Under 40 award recipients.