All of these individuals were nominated and completed an application for consideration. Evaluators scored applicants on professional achievements, community involvement, and leadership.
If you know a young alumnus deserving of recognition for next year’s 20 Under 40 list, please email foundation@sae.net. Individuals must be SAE alumni members in good standing and under 40 years old by March 31, 2025. Individuals who made previous SAE 20 Under 40 Successful Alumni Lists are not eligible.
Arly Dungca (Worcester ’08)
Arly is the Vice President of Partnerships at Enigma Technologies, where he manages partnership teams and develops strategies for growth initiatives. Arly served in the US Air Force for four years as an Intelligence Officer and attained the rank of Captain. He remains involved with Massachusetts Delta and his alma mater. In 2018, Worcester Polytechnic Institute recognized Arly with the John Boynton Young Alumni Award.
Benjamin Roberts (Cornell ’10)
Benjamin is a Financial Advisor for The Roberts Group at Merill Lynch, specializing in family business and entrepreneurs. In 2022, his group achieved Managing Director status. Benjamin is the Regional Leader – East of Bank of America’s Native American Professional Network. As an NAPN member, he oversees events to raise awareness of cultural issues and promote financial literacy in Native American communities.
Benjamin Altose (Case Western Reserve ‘07)
Benjamin is the Director of Payment Operations for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Under Altose, the VA lowered its days from care to payment for healthcare claims to an all-time low. Altose serves as Scoutmaster for his local Boy Scout troop and Associate Advisor for the Order of the Arrow Lodge. He has received multiple Boy Scout awards.
Benjamin Joseph Piazza (Southern Mississippi ‘10)
Benjamin is a Lieutenant Commander and Aviator in the U.S. Navy and currently serves as a Training Officer for Strike Fighter Squadron VFA 22. He graduated from TOPGUN in 2021 and was named Instructor Pilot of the Year in 2023. Benjamin served multiple deployments between 2018-2021 and is the recipient of many accolades, including his Wings of Gold and Navy Commendation Medal.
Christopher Overlay (Nevada-Las Vegas ‘12)
Chris is the Founder and CEO of Get Hoptimized, a marketing and advertising company specifically for craft beer businesses. He was a speaker at the Craft Brewers Conference, America’s largest gathering for the alcoholic beverage industry, as well as a judge for the Craft Beer Marketing Awards 2023. Chris volunteers as an Alumni Advisor for Nevada Beta.
Gage Caligaris (Harvard ‘10)
Gage is the Founder and CEO of Ledgebrook, an insurtech startup using technology to enable the processing, pricing, and underwriting of general liability and professional liability policies. Gage started The Foundation to Treat Norrie Disease, which is committed to pioneering gene therapy to allow children with this diagnosis to retain their hearing after his son was born with the rare genetic condition.
Gregory Pierce (Embry-Riddle [AZ] ‘17)
Gregory Pierce is the Owner of Signal of Northern Phoenix and Signal of Maine, part of Signal Security, a private security company. In 2023, he led his team to $2 million growth. He is also the Board President for the Immanuel Canopus of Care Foundation. Under Gregory’s leadership, the organization has seen record donations and community support.
Jacob Groth (Millsaps ‘14)
Jacob is a Vice President and Private Client Relationship Manager at First Horizon, responsible for maintaining financial relationships with professionals and high-networth individuals. He received First Horizon’s Diamond Circle award in 2022, which recognizes the company’s top sales performers. Jacob is involved in various community organizations, including serving on the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Acadiana Board.
James Payer II (South Dakota ‘12)
James is the Area Director of Marketing and Business Development for Simon Property Group, overseeing marketing and business development for three retail properties. James has earned various accolades, including the Simon Property Group’s Rising Star and Excellence in Marketing Awards. He is involved in several community organizations and serves on the Boards of Sioux Empire United Way and Washington Pavillion of Arts and Sciences.
Jeremy Zilmer, Ed.D. (Wyoming ‘07)
Jeremy is the Dean of Students at Bowling Green State University. The Association for Student Conduct Administration has recognized him nationally for his work. This year, he serves as the Chair of the ASCA’s Donald D. Gehring Academy, the leading training institute for professionals in higher education. In 2022, he earned his doctoral degree in education and published his dissertation.
Joseph Mackenzie Long (Western Carolina ‘20)
Mack is the President and CEO of Piedmont Disposal and is responsible for strategic thinking and operational oversight. Under Mack’s leadership, the company grew 30% year over year. He is a Board Member of the ALS-Walk Winston-Salem, where he raises funds and awareness for ALS research, and is a member of the Rotary Club of Winston-Salem.
Joseph Wiedemer (Georgetown ‘14)
Joseph is a second-year urology Resident Physician at Brown University/Rhode Island Hospital. He is the first author on numerous publications and has given several research presentations. He volunteers for the Georgetown University Alumni Admissions Program, interviewing and evaluating high school students applying to the university. Additionally, he has volunteered with multiple community healthcare initiatives and mentored Pre-Med students.
Josh McCain (Georgia Southern ‘09)
Josh is the Founder and CEO of Montana-based nonprofit Big Sky Bravery, which provides post-deployment support programs for active-duty special operations forces. Since 2015, Big Sky Bravery has raised over $22 million and won several accolades, including Big Sky’s Best Nonprofit of the Year in 2021. As Task Force Director and volunteer, Josh has led more than 45 week-long programs for over 270 active-duty members.
Matthew Potter (East Tennessee State ‘17)
Matthew is an Assistant Vice President at Merrill Lynch, where he manages investment assets for private clients across the U.S. In 2023, he was the top-performing Merrill Financial Solutions Advisor at Merrill Lynch. Matt is the Chapter Advisor for Tennessee Alpha and volunteers at the local Freemasons Lodge, hosting meals for the elderly and organizing gift baskets for hospital patients.
Matthew Schulze (Worcester ‘08)
Matthew is the Senior Director of Digital Pioneering Medicines and Regulatory Systems at Flagship Pioneering, responsible for managing the integration of technologies into the processes of developing new medicines. For his work, he has been recognized with several awards. He serves on the Advisory Board for Waltham Fields Community Farm, helping the organization improve its technological framework to increase community food access.
Nicholas Dalzell (Loyola-Chicago ‘09)
Nicholas is the Senior Vice President for JCDecaux Chicago, where he oversees sales and operations for the Midwest region and averages double-digit sales growth year over year for eight consecutive years. He served as an Intelligence Analyst in the US Army Reserve from 2011-2019. Nicholas volunteers with several local non-profit organizations, including Misericordia Chicago, a long-term home for individuals with disabilities.
Peter Adame (Virginia Commonwealth ‘14)
Peter is the Director of Communications & Sustainability at Lusamerica Foods, managing corporate marketing and sustainability initiatives for the seafood wholesaler. He is also the Chair & Ocean Friendly Restaurant Lead at the Surfrider Foundation, where he organizes beach cleanups and outreach events. He contributes his time to other sustainability-based organizations like Whalefest Monterey and is an active volunteer for his local church.
Rudy O’Brien Saunders (Cincinnati ‘16)
Rudy is the Design Director for Dorothy Draper & Company, an interior design firm, where he oversees residential and commercial design projects around the world. Several publications have featured his work, including the Wall Street Journal and Architectural Digest. Rudy is a NextGen leader at The White House Historical Association and participates in various community projects and fundraisers.
Samuel Vercellotti (George Washington ‘19)
Samuel is a Senior Policy Manager at TeraWatt Infrastructure, where he advocates for policy and represents the company before Congress and the Executive Branch. He worked with a team to secure a multi-million dollar USDOT grant to build two high-power truck charging facilities. He is a Securing America’s Future Energy Security Fellow and volunteers as the Province Gamma Deputy Province Archon for Communications.
Santor Nishizaki (Cal State-Los Angeles ‘08)
Santor is the CEO of Mulholland Consulting Group, where he gives presentations and trainings on leadership development and generational awareness. He is also a Professor at Pepperdine University, where he teaches Global Leadership and Change. Santor is the co-author of the #1 bestselling book Working with Gen Z: A Handbook to Recruit, Retain, and Reimagine the Future Workforce after COVID-19.
