San Marcos’ Shining Stars

Jason Dixon, Jo Anna Gilland, Dylan Jones, Michael Nolan and Robert Watts were this year’s recipients of the San Marcos Area of Chamber of Commerce Shining Stars Under 40 Award.

The Shining Stars Under 40 Awards are given to five young professionals under the age of 40, who make significant contributions in their professional fields and serve the community. Eligible candidates are those under 40 and currently in a position or operate a business in San Marcos. 

Additionally, eligible candidates should “be shown to have made an impact at their company as well as the potential to be a leader in business, politics and/or the community during the next decade and work for a member of the San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce or be a current member of the Young Professionals.” 

The chamber of commerce in partnership with the San Marcos Young Professionals received 23 nominations for the Shining Stars awards. 

Dixon of Edward Jones; Gilland of Matt Patterson Agency - Farmers Insurance; Jones of San Marcos CISD, Crockett Elementary School; Nolan of McNabb & Co. Real Estate Services; and Watts of Austin Habitat for Humanity, were selected by a committee consisting of two members of the Young Professionals, one past winner and one chamber staff representative.

“I can’t help but think of how lucky we are to live in a community where individuals, particularly young leaders, are being so active and are continuing to make our community a better place to live,” said Justin Payne, board president of the San Marcos Young Professionals. “The individuals that we’re honoring today really are standouts in our community. These individuals have done and will continue to do great things both for the businesses that they represent and also for the organizations that they’re actively involved with. I challenge all of us to emulate these individuals and be more like them in the way that they are involved, the way they volunteer and join a cause that is greater than yourself.”