Bowling Green City Council member Jeff Dennis received a 2024 20 Under 40 Leadership Recognition Award on Monday, Oct. 28, at the 29th annual 20 Under 40 awards ceremony. He was among the 20 selected from a field of 187 candidates.
Dennis, an attorney and one of the youngest individuals to serve on council, is in his second term as an at-large member of the Bowling Green City Council after securing over 60% of the vote in 2023. He is a strong advocate for affordable housing, safer pedestrian and bike infrastructure, sustainability initiatives, and an approach to economic development that puts residents and neighborhoods first.
He is a partner in the law firm of Stearns & Hammer, where he assists clients in the areas of real estate and business transactions, landlord/tenant disputes, estate planning, and civil litigation. He also serves as chief legal counsel for several municipalities in Wood County.
Establishing and running a non-profit foundation, Dennis has helped secure over $185,000 to help fund projects including public art and choir equipment for the Bowling Green High School.
Following three failed levy attempts by the local school district, Dennis helped establish Bowling Green Families for Schools. In 2023, this group raised funds and helped organize a successful campaign securing over 59% of the vote.
He is a member of the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce, Bowling Green Arts Council, the American Association of University Women, and a founding member of Friends of Bowling Green Dog Parks. He is a member of the Wood County Democratic Party Central Committee.
The American Association of University Women named him “Emerging Young Leader” in 2023, in 2019 he earned the Robert Gilsdorf Continued Service award from the Wood County Democratic Party, and he was awarded the Lee Knorek Builders Award in 2015.
Dennis is a graduate of Bowling Green State University and the University of Toledo College of Law.
The 20 Under 40 program focuses on individuals in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan under the age of 40 who have distinguished themselves in their career and/or in the community. An independent panel selects the 20 candidates for recognition.
It is intended that the program will further motivate young leaders in this area. Since 1996, 580 young community leaders have been recognized through the 20 Under 40 program. Sponsors include Eastman & Smith, Fifth Third, Plante Moran, The Andersons, University of Toledo, and Dana Inc. BCAN/Buckeye Broadband serves as media/broadcast partner, Leadership Toledo serves as the community partner, and Telex Communications Inc. is the founding partner.
Ulrich Pinciotti and THREAD are creative partners. Community support is provided by EPIC Toledo, Imagination Station, The Toledo Repertoire Theatre, Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts, Toledo Lucas County Public Library, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo Opera, Toledo Rotary, Toledo Zoo, and the Valentine Theatre.
