20 Under 40 Recognition

Morgan graduated from Auburn University School of Business with a degree in Finance with a Minor in Economics in 2005. After college, Morgan and his wife, Melanie, moved to Mobile, Alabama where Morgan went on to develop a financial educational website. The website was acquired by Financial Media Corp, which was located in Jacksonville, Florida. Morgan eventually purchased the company and became CEO, evolving it into the digital marketing and publishing firm it is today. With Morgan at the helm, FinMC employed over 100 people in 5 countries. In late 2021, a German Digital Publishing company (VNR Verlag) purchased a majority stake in FinMC. Morgan has also been active in launching a Law Enforcement de-escalation training portal and has helped provide seed stage funding to over 20 startups. Morgan and Melanie have two children, Olivia (10) and Charlotte (6). They live in Jacksonville Beach, Florida and are involved in multiple organizations including Wolfson Children’s Hospital, their children’s school, the Bolles School, and their church, River Rock Church. Morgan is a member of the CEO Leaderboard Roundtable, which is the go-to group for anyone seeking political office in the community and state. He is also on the board of Light of the Village, a ministry located in Pritchard, Alabama. In his free time, Morgan enjoys spending time with his family, especially at the beach. They enjoy swimming, paddleboarding and fishing. Morgan is also a long standing, overly optimist and long-suffering fan of the Chicago Cubs.

While studying at Auburn, Christa Cotton helped her parents open Thirteenth Colony Distilleries, Georgia’s first legal distillery since Prohibition. After a stint in advertising in New Orleans, Christa started her own company and purchased the El Guapo trademark. Specializing in zero-proof bitters, El Guapo has expanded into syrups and mixers and is Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) certified. Christa is a 6x Good Food Award winner, LEE Initiative mentor, Les Dames d’Escoffier Legacy Award: Fine Spirits recipient, and a Fellow in both the Tory Burch Foundation and the James Beard Foundation. She’s successfully raised seven figures in investment capital and is currently in the process of opening a bitters brewery, the first of its kind in America.

Susan Scott Carothers is a leader in the fields of corporate event planning and communications. Throughout her career, she has been called upon by Alabama’s largest and most respected companies and nonprofits, as well as The Business Council of Alabama and local chambers of commerce to elevate and advance their corporate event and communications programs. Through her experience, she has had the opportunity to host and work with some of our nation’s top political leaders and celebrities including President George W. Bush and Peyton Manning. Susan is a published children’s author and is currently in discussions about her second book. She has worked as a video spokesperson and on-air personality for international companies and athletic organizations. Susan is President and CEO of SC Events and Communications and holds a degree from the Harbert College of Business at Auburn University in Marketing. Susan loves singing, traveling and collecting art. She and her husband Alex live in Montgomery, Alabama with their two sons, Scott and Holt.

Allison received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in Finance and served as co-founder of The Auburn University Real Estate Society in 2007. After graduation in 2009, Allison returned to Dallas and began her career in commercial real estate. Actively involved in a variety of organizations and charities, Allison is a current board member of The Real Estate Council, The Real Estate Council – Associate Leadership Council Class of 2018 Alumni, Big Brothers Big Sisters and 4word Dallas Christian Women’s Group. She founded an organization in 2012 called Ladies in Commercial Real Estate which has grown to over 700 members and was featured on NBC5 News Dallas in a special segment of women empowering women and gaining success in business as well as a feature article in D CEO magazine. Allison also founded The Barking Project which is an annual event to bring Animal Rescues Groups and shelters in DFW together to promote adoptions and minimize the overcrowding of local shelters. In 2019, Allison received the prestigious North Texas Commercial Association of Realtors – Young Citizen Award in addition to receiving the 2022 CoreNet Global Young Leader Award given to an emerging young leader in the Dallas Fort Worth commercial real estate industry. She was also named a D CEO Magazine Power Broker from 2019-2022.

TBA

Zachary Jones is a native of Spring Garden, Alabama and a 2013 graduate in Agronomy and Soils. While at Auburn Zach was involved in several organizations, including leadership roles in the Crop, Soils, and Environmental Sciences Club and his fraternity. Following graduation from Auburn, Zach completed a Masters and Ph.D in Plant Breeding and Genetics at North Carolina State University. Zach is currently a Research Scientist in Corn Breeding at Corteva Agriscience, where he contributes to product development and plant breeding strategy to produce corn hybrids for the Deep South. In his role, Zach also leads Corteva’s white corn breeding evaluation zone where he and team produce high milling quality hybrids for use in products like cornmeal, tortillas, chips, and everyone’s personal favorite, grits. Zach was recently named a Corteva Associate Laurate in recognition for his scientific contributions to the organization. Zach is also active in several professional organizations, including the American Seed Trade Association and holding several committee leadership roles in the National Association of Plant Breeders. Zach is an active Auburn Alumni member where he previously severed as Co-President of the Triangle Area Auburn Club, established alumni association scholarships, and was awarded Auburn Alumni Association Club Leader of the Year in 2016. Zach currently resides in the Indianapolis, Indiana area with his wife, Kathryn.

Chris Martin graduated from Auburn in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Beginning his career as a coronary care nurse, Chris developed a passion for nursing and graduated from Samford University with a Master of Science in Nursing in 2015. Later in 2015, he helped launch Hospitalist Services of Alabama as its founding director. In 2016, Chris began serving as Cardiac Clinical Excellence Coordinator at Grandview Medical Center in Birmingham, successfully guiding the facility through Chest Pain Center accreditation from the American College of Cardiology. Chris was later promoted to Director of Nursing Education and Staff Development where he successfully re-established the Nursing Education Department and oversaw a 200% increase in nursing recruitment activities. In 2018, Chris was recognized as the Grandview Medical Center non-clinical manager of the year. Today, Chris is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Auburn University College of Nursing where he sits on the Undergraduate Admission, Progression, and Graduation Committee and chairs the Diversity & Inclusion committee. In 2020, he was voted Outstanding Faculty Member by graduating seniors. In April 2022, Chris successfully defended his doctoral dissertation for the PhD in Nursing Education and Administration at William Carey University. Now known by his students as “Doc Martin,” he is blessed to be able to teach and mentor the next generation of Auburn nurses. An active member of the American Association of Men in Nursing, he is also a member of SIGMA International Honor Society for Nursing, the Auburn Alumni Association, and the Alumni Advisory Council for the Auburn University College of Nursing. Chris is happily married to Jennifer, who is also a nurse, and a loving dog dad to their golden-doodle Blanche. Chris enjoys traveling, Auburn sports, and good food.

Dr. Mosley graduated from Auburn University Summa Cum Laude with Honors, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and minor in Spanish. She was a member of Alpha Xi Delta. After graduating from Auburn University, Dr. Mosley pursued her Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology at Palo Alto University. Dr. Mosley focused her studies in Child Psychology. Throughout her graduate experience, she used her clinical and research training to learn to improve the lives of children, adolescents, and their families. After completing her training, Dr. Mosley obtained her license to practice as a psychologist in the state of Georgia. She became employed as a clinician for Anxiety Specialists of Atlanta, focusing her therapeutic work on children, adolescents, and young adults with anxiety-related, Obsessive-Compulsive-related, and disruptive behavior disorders. Dr. Mosley has also worked as an Adjunct Professor for Mercer University’s College of Health Professions, teaching within the Psychology (Psy.D.) program. Since entering the field of Psychology, Dr. Mosley has authored 15 professional works, including publications, book chapters, and posters. As a psychologist, Dr. Mosley is passionate about improving access to quality mental health care. Dr. Mosley uses social media, blog writing, and advocacy efforts to enhance the understanding of mental health principles and access to care for the general public. As an alumna of Auburn University, Dr. Mosley regularly attends campus events, such as football games and gymnastic meets. Dr. Mosley enjoys giving to unique projects on Tiger Giving Day each February. Dr. Mosley engages as both an alumna of Auburn University and Alpha Xi Delta in Auburn and the Atlanta area.

Meghan Nicholas is a global supply chain, operations, and analytics leader with expertise in the retail and e-commerce channels. She has performed leadership roles for companies such as Peloton Interactive, Dollar General, The Home Depot, Unisource Worldwide, and J.C. Penney. Most recently, Meghan has led Peloton as the Global Head of Supply Chain. Outside of her day job she serves as an advisor to several startup companies focused on driving growth and scale within their supply chains. Throughout her career, Meghan has headed large-scale initiatives and driven supply chain transformations with systemic process and corporate culture change. She is also known for leading digital change in the supply chain focused on improving customer experience. She has been featured several in major Supply Chain industry publications and was ranked #12 Top Women in Supply Chain by Supply Chain Digital (2021). Strongly committed to advancing women’s leadership, she has served on the board of the Network of Executive Women for both the Nashville and Atlanta Regions. She is passionate about Employee Resource Groups and most recently was the executive sponsor for the Peloton’s Women’s Alliance and served on the board for Dollar General Young Professionals. Meghan proudly holds a degree from the Harbert College of Business at Auburn University in International Business with a concentration in Supply Chain Management.

Cody Sanders is a seasoned strategist and communications professional who currently serves as a director of public affairs for Washington, D.C.-area based consulting firm—PLUS Communications. With experience and expertise in strategic communications, foreign affairs, homeland security, government relations and crisis management, Cody has attained prominence in both the public and private sectors as a leader in his field. Prior to joining PLUS, Cody spent nearly four years serving at the White House under former President Donald J. Trump’s administration, including a role with the National Security Council. Additionally, he has held positions as a defense contractor with Northrop Grumman and as an aide in the United States Senate to former U.S. Senator Luther Strange. During his tenure at the White House, Cody worked alongside other aides to the President and staff at federal agencies to advance policy initiatives and produce messaging content that highlighted the administration’s priorities and achievements. While at the National Security Council, he worked under the strategic engagement directorate, helping bolster national security through intelligence analysis and strategic communications. Outside of work, Cody is an avid outdoorsman and traveler, spending most of his free time hiking and backpacking, duck hunting and finding new happy hour and dinner spots around D.C. In 2021, Cody competed in his first amateur boxing match through USA Boxing and Haymakers for Hope, where he raised nearly $20,000 for cancer awareness and Coach Bruce Pearl’s AUTLIVE program. Cody is a native of Eufaula, Alabama, and graduated from Auburn University in 2014 with a bachelor’s in political science and in 2016 with a master’s in public administration. He currently resides in Washington, D.C.

Caroline Catchpole Spradlin graduated in 2013 from the Auburn University College of Liberal Arts and in 2017 from the University of Virginia School of Law. She is currently a commercial litigation associate at the Tampa office of Phelps Dunbar LLP, where she specializes in construction law. Caroline is actively involved in the Tampa community, currently serving in her second term as President of the Tampa Bay Auburn Club. Additionally, Caroline is the chair of the Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers’ Table for Eight Committee, a member of the 2021-22 class of the Hillsborough County Bar Association’s Bar Leadership Institute, on the Tampa Council for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and a member of the Tampa Bay American Inn of Court. Caroline lives in the Seminole Heights neighborhood of Tampa with her husband (and college sweetheart) Kollan Spradlin ’11, their three dogs, Maggie, Julep, and Cooper, and their cat, Binx. In their free time, they enjoy taking the pups to their local Auburn brewery, Barriehaus Beer Co., where they can be found cheering on Auburn as an Everything School! Caroline is a third-generation Auburn graduate and would like to thank her mother Valli Todd Catchpole ’77, her father Timothy Catchpole, and her grandparents Kenneth Leonard Todd Jr. ’47 and Ida Newton Todd, who taught her the meaning of the Auburn Spirit and without whom she would not be the woman she is today.

Dr. Brandon Smith (’12) is an Assistant Professor of Ruminant Nutrition in Forage Systems in the Department of Animal Sciences at Auburn University. A native of Slocomb, AL, Dr. Smith received dual bachelor’s degrees from Auburn University in animal sciences and agronomy and soils in 2012, a master’s degree from the University of Arkansas in animal science in 2014, and a doctoral degree from Texas A&M University in agronomy in 2017. After graduation, Dr. Smith was hired by Tarleton State University (Stephenville, TX) as an Assistant Professor of Animal Science; he served in that position from 2017 to 2021. In 2021, Dr. Smith joined the faculty at Auburn University, pursuing research in better understanding the digestive physiology of beef cattle on pasture. Dr. Smith is a highly decorated leader in higher education. The American Society of Animal Science designated him as the Southern Section Emerging Scholar in 2017. He was named the Outstanding Junior Faculty Member for the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at Tarleton State University in both 2019 and 2020, and also received the university-level award in 2020. In 2021, Dr. Smith received three different awards in recognition of his teaching efforts: the NACTA Educator Award from the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture; the Outstanding Early Career Animal Scientist Award in Education from the American Society of Animal Science; and the Distinguished Young Educator Award for Non-Land-Grant Agricultural and Renewable Resources Universities from the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities. Dr. Smith and his wife, Katie Williams Smith (’10, ’12), live in Opelika, AL.

Originally from Dothan, Ala., Evan graduated from Auburn in 2007 with a degree in communication.​As a student, Evan was involved in FarmHouse Fraternity, Auburn University Singers, Concert Choir and served as a Plainsman. From 2004-2006, he was a “Friend of Aubie,” winning the title of UCA National Mascot Champion in 2006 and concluded his final semester in NYC as an intern for NBC TODAY Show.​Since graduation, he has lived in Nashville, Washington, D.C. and back in Auburn, where he worked as the first in-house recruiter for the College of Liberal Arts and as the Development Associate for the College of Architecture, Design, & Construction.​In 2018, he returned to Nashville – for good – to join his twin brother, Elliott, in real estate. The Thomas Twins Team has now grown to three agents, one admin assistant, and a transaction coordinator. They are a multi-year award-winning real estate team, the top producing agents in their office, and in the top 10% of their company and the Greater Nashville Realtors Association. In May 2019, Evan became the President of the Greater Nashville Auburn Club and won Auburn Alumni Association’s Club Leader of the Year in February 2020. His branding, graphics, and communication skills have helped earned GNAC the Most Outstanding Marketing & Communication Award for THREE consecutive years. Additionally, for every Auburn alumni that uses the Thomas Twins Team when buying and selling real estate, Evan donates a portion of his commission to the Greater Nashville Auburn Club’s Endowed Scholarship. To date, he has helped over 20 AU clients and donated over $5,000. In his free time, he enjoys karaoke, exploring Nashville’s exceptional & growing restaurant scene, and sitting around a fire with wine & friends. Evan lives in the Gulch with his goldendoodle, Django.

Emily (Wood) Traylor is originally from Vestavia Hills, Alabama, and is a third generation Auburn University graduate. She graduated from Auburn in 2010 with a degree in Wireless Software Engineering and again in 2021 from Auburn’s Executive MBA program. She is the president of Eye Cloud Pro and Practice Director EHR” or “She is the president of companies Eye Cloud Pro and Practice Director EHR. In this role, Traylor leads these companies in developing electronic medical record and practice management software for the eyecare industry. Prior to this, Traylor worked for Fullsteam corporate and was responsible for the technical integration and operational success of the Fullsteam payment processing platform across the organization’s portfolio of software company acquisitions. Prior to joining Fullsteam, Traylor worked for Equifax where she served as release engineering leader and deputy director of the Equifax Auburn Technology Center. In this role, Traylor helped establish an Auburn talent incubator for the company, hiring nearly 50 recent graduates and leveraging a pipeline of Auburn alumni talent for the organization’s technology transformation. Traylor’s Auburn experience is “never-ending,” and she remains a dedicated supporter of the university through alumni involvement, mentorship, and speaking with classes and student organizations. She was the keynote speaker at the 2021 Auburn Engineering Student Leadership Development Conference and will serve as the keynote speaker for the 2022 MADE (Making a Difference in Engineering at Auburn) event. Traylor is the current Chair of the Auburn Engineering Young Alumni Council, a member of Auburn’s Wireless Engineering Advisory Board, a 100+ Women Strong member, and she was a recipient of the Outstanding Young Auburn Engineer Award in 2020. In addition, Traylor and her husband, Tommy, have endowed two scholarships to support first generation students in engineering as well as students with a financial need in computer science and software engineering. Emily resides in Auburn along with her husband and two rescue dogs. She and her husband are life members of the Auburn Alumni Association, as well as members of the university’s Foy society and the College of Engineering’s Ginn and EAGLE societies.

Richard Wilt graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Turfgrass Management from Auburn University. He then worked on the grounds crew for Dolphin Stadium in Miami, FL for close to five years, gaining experience in field management for baseball and football. During that time, he was invited to work on the grounds crew for Super Bowl XLIII. In 2012, Richard went to work for Bent Oak Farm, managing projects and assisting in farm operations for grass grown on plastic. In 2018, after working briefly at Auburn University, Richard went to work for Pro-Turf LLC as partial owner, managing all aspects of farm operations. He has continued to be on the grounds crew for the Super Bowl, this marking his 11th year. He was also invited to work on the international NFL grounds crew in London in 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2018.