The Natchitoches Young Professionals (NYP), an initiative of the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce, has named its 4 Under 40 Award recipients for 2019: Micah Foshee, Rodrick McIntosh, Randee Knapp, & Ryan Todtenbier.

The 4U40 Awards are given to four NYP members who excel in community leadership and professional achievements while maintaining a consistent level of involvement with the NYP. 4U40 Nominations are accepted through an anonymous survey open to anyone in the organization. From there, a committee consisting of former winners, current NYP Board Members, and Chamber Board Members votes until the 4 winners are chosen.

Micah Foshee works at BOM Bank as their Marketing Assistant, where she wears many hats in the Marketing arena. “Community Service and giving back to the wonderful city of Natchitoches has always been a passion and priority of mine,” Foshee stated. Through Les Amies Service Organization, Foshee has volunteered with numerous organizations and events including: Cane River Children’s Home, Kasey’s Heart & Soul Run, local nursing homes, Relay for Life and many more. She was voted “New Member of the Year” in 2012 and “Board Member of the Year” in 2013. As an NYP Board Member since 2017, she has spearheaded all philanthropic initiatives including organizing coat & tie drives for students, collected items for the Women’s Resource Center, collected art supplies for local schools, and more.

After being a volunteer coach at Natchitoches Flipping Athletics for 3 years, Foshee purchased the business in 2018. At NFA, she offers tumbling, competitive cheer, show team cheer, Ninja classes, co-ed stunting, private lessons, birthday parties and field trips to our local youth. Her goal at NFA is, “to provide a safe and fun place for all children of our community. Through NFA, we donated to local athletic departments, collected items for Ronald McDonald House, hosted Open Gym and Kid Care days for NSU Cheer to attend the National Championship in Florida, and collected coats for students in our community.”

Roderick McIntosh has spent the last 15 years learning the world of real estate. With that knowledge, he became the CEO of Rhodes Realty in January 2018. As the Company’s licensed real estate broker, he is in charge of growth and management of the company’s agents. Rhodes Realty achieved over $30 million dollars in sales in their first year and has expanded to 5 offices and 16 agents throughout the state of Louisiana since the company’s inception.

In addition to success in real estate, McIntosh gives back to the Natchitoches community by serving as President of Kappa Alpha Psi Natchitoches Alumni Chapter, an advisor to Theta Lambda Chapter at Northwestern State University, a member of Northwestern State University’s Athletic Council, a member of Natchitoches Jaycees and a former NYP Board Member.

Randee Knapp works in the Human Resources department at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center (NRMC) as the organization’s Professional Recruiter since March 2018. She spent the previous four years working in the Rehabilitation Department at NRMC as a Speech-Language Pathologist. At NRMC Knapp serves on the Wellness Quality Impact Team, and is also a current member of the Natchitoches Service League.

After completing her Masters of Health Administration degree in 2018, Knapp and her husband Wayne decided to become entrepreneurs and purchase Cane River Bar & Grill here in Natchitoches. “This past year my family decided to take a big leap in becoming local business owners, and I truly believe I would not have had the courage to do so without all the amazing support of my fellow NYP Members. My goal is to continue to advance in my career at NRMC to help provide quality care for our community and the surrounding areas and to own a fun, local restaurant where people enjoy dining with friends and family. I hope to encourage others to chase their dreams right here in Natchitoches and support one another to improve the business opportunities and growth necessary to keep moving us forward,” stated Knapp.

Ryan Todtenbier, CPA is a partner at THOMAS, CUNNINGHAM, BROADWAY & TODTENBIER, CPA’S here in Natchitoches and has over 14 years of Accounting & Finance experience. Todtenbier has served on the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce’s Executive Committee since 2011 and held the positions of Treasurer, Vice-Chairman, Chairman and is currently the Past-Chairman. He also serves as Chairman of the Natchitoches Community Alliance Foundation and is an active member in Natchitoches Jaycees as well as a former President.

Todtenbier has been a member of NYP since 2014 and loves being a part of a group of young professionals so engaged in the Natchitoches community. “Community leadership is very important to me, and the NYP is a great way to harvest and grow young leaders in our community,” stated Todtenbier.

These four recipients will be honored at the upcoming Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet Thursday, Jan. 24 at 5:30 pm in the Natchitoches Events Center. This year marks the 100th Anniversary of the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce, and we look forward to seeing everyone there!