From business entrepreneurs to assistant city administrators to a pastor, the winners represented a diverse group of young talent.

"It's clear you all are doers," said Chip Visci, president and publisher of The Tribune, in addressing the group at the awards luncheon. "But one thing you all have in common ... is a deep commitment to giving something back to your community."

The winners were selected by a panel of five judges from the Economic Vitality Corp. of San Luis Obispo County from more than 100 nominations. Each winner was presented with a trophy.

Profiles of the 20 are included in the annual Tribune Book of Lists, which will be inserted in Saturday's edition. The 48 lists of top companies, nonprofit organizations and government agencies that do business in San Luis Obispo County were originally published throughout 2005.

The "Top 20 Under 40" are:

* Paul Brown, owner of Mother's Tavern and SLO Catering, and a San Luis Obispo councilman;

* Robert Covarrubias, vice president and manager of the Paso Robles branch of Santa Lucia Bank;

* Roya Javadpour, industrial engineering professor at Cal Poly;

* Amy Kardel, co-founder of Computer Network Services;

* Tom Lebens, partner at both Sinsheimer Schiebelhut & Baggett and Fitch, Even, Tabin & Flannery;

* Jim Lewis, assistant city manager for Atascadero;

* Hamish Marshall, vice president and principal at WestPac Investments;

* Shawn Milburn, general manager at the Embassy Suites Hotel;

* Davina Palazzo, executive vice president at Coast National Bank;

* Damien Porter, owner of SLO County Passport;

* Greg Porter, assistant vice president at Heritage Oaks Bank;

* Tim Riley, real estate agent for Century 21 Hometown Realty;

* Eric Schwefler, partner at accounting firm Barbich, Longcrier, Hooper & King and founding partner of The DocuTeam;

* Sean Schuur, owner of Sure Mortgage Solutions;

* Margaret Shepard, campaign manager for United Way of San Luis Obispo County;

* Michelle Shoresman, HIV/AIDS Care and Prevention Program coordinator;

* Shelly Stanwyck, assistant city administrative officer for San Luis Obispo;

* Aaron Steed, co-founder of Meathead Movers;

* Tim Theule, lead pastor at Grace Church;

* Tim Williams, founder of Digital West Networks.

-- Ermina Karim

The Tribune

THE TRIBUNE'S TOP 20 UNDER 40

Published: Saturday, January 21, 2006
Section: Book of Lists

DAMIEN PORTER

Owner SLO County Passport, San Luis Obispo

Damien Porter, 31, and his wife, Tina, started SLO County Passport in 2002 to allow them to live on the Central Coast, where they both grew up. The annual entertainment book is now distributed to 80,000 local residents and 60,000 tourists. "Lifestyle-wise, this is the best place to live in California," said Porter, who has a degree in cell biology and physiology from UC Santa Barbara and was working for a biotechnology company in the Bay Area. The Porters have donated countless hours to promoting local tourism through a variety of organizations. They have donated time and more than $20,000 to elementary and high school programs and groups such as the American Red Cross, DREAM for Kids, Big Brother/Big Sister and United Way. They have a 9-month-old daughter, Makena. Maggie Cox, one of several nominators, said, "Damien Porter reflects the best in a young generation: hands-on, hard working commitment to his community, his business and his family."