A box maker, a coffee shop operator, a hotel manager, an airline president, a psychologist, an executive chef, high-tech leaders and a handful of eminently qualified business professionals from law, accounting, finance, marketing and communications, investment and real estate are among the recipients of the Ottawa Business Journal's 2003 Forty Under 40 Awards.

Last week, a four-member judging panel finalized its list of recipients, ranking all of the candidates on a 40-point system based on professional accomplishments, professional recognition and community involvement.

"We reviewed page after page of applications to determine the most deserving recipients. I can tell you, it wasn't always an easy decision," says OBJ publisher Michael Curran. "We were very happy with the high-calibre of applicants. There are some very capable business people in this city who have impressive track records, credentials and commitments to industry and community projects."

The judging panel included Curran, Entrepreneurship Centre director Stephen Daze, J.J. Barnicke senior vice-president David Lees and Labarge Weinstein LLP partner Debbie Weinstein.

The award recipients will be profiled in the June 2 issue of the Ottawa Business Journal. The following day, they will be saluted at an awards gala at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier.

The 2003 nominations reflect the diversity of the region's economy. As in past awards, several high-tech executives were judged worthy, including many professionals that support the knowledge economy. The recipients also hail from more traditional sectors such as hospitality, real estate and retail.

In alphabetical order, here is a list of Forty Under 40 Award recipients: