2007 40 Under 40 Honorees Include Heinz School Alumni

Each year, Pittsburgh Magazine and the Pittsburgh Urban Magnet Project (PUMP) highlight young leaders who have set the framework for the region’s growth. Among the 40 to be honored on November 9th during the 9th annual celebration are three Heinz School alumni and the son of a Heinz school alumna.

The honorees include Matthew Eicher, MPM 2003; Dan Holland, MPM 2002; Derrick R. Hardy, MPM / METM 2005; and Ben Lewis, Teenage Entrepreneur and son of Anne Lewis, MPM 1990.

After starting a career in accounting and volunteering as a fire fighter Matthew Eicher turned his passion into his full-time career. He's now a firefighter for the Allegheny County Fire Bureau. Eicher also works part-time for Pittsburgh Fire and Safety, ensuring workplaces are complying with public-safety guidelines, and he volunteers with the Red Cross.

Dan Holland founded and chairs the Young Preservationists Association of Pittsburgh, which promotes the preservation of historic buildings through outreach and educational events, educational programs and research reports. Early next year, he'll unveil the region's first tour of places related to African-American history.

Derrick R. Hardy is a public-school assistant principal, second in command at Pittsburgh Vann Pre-K-8 school in the Hill District. He is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, whose primary goal for members is service, and is involved as an alumni leader on both the local and national level, serving on education committees and furthering the mission to fight urban crime and poverty, to support education and to raise awareness politically.

Ben Lewis is a teenage entrepreneur, co-founder of PurBlu Beverages. A portion of product sales is donated to special causes, including impoverished children, breast cancer research and the environment.