The early days of a career may sound like they'd be light on responsibilities and free from significant worries but, as we all know, that is simply not true. The first decade or so of professional work can make or break a career; certainly they establish a reputation in a market for better or worse. With these thoughts in mind, we set about finding 50 individuals under 40 who have forged a strong career path for themselves by delivering a strong value-add to their companies. We hope you agree that we hit the mark with our selection this year.

THOMAS S. ALLEN During the pandemic, the Practice Cos. didn't lose a single employee despite enormous uncertainty in the broader market. As the pandemic progressed, CEO Thomas Allen led the firm to a twofold increase in revenues. Allen has 14 years of industry experience, including eight years as the head of the Practice Cos., which includes Practice Real Estate Group, Practice Transitions Group and Practice Capital. While the company continues to expand, he is responsible for leading development projects and acquisition efforts, while also managing his own list of clients. Allen is a top-performing broker within the firm. He holds a deep understanding of how each business works in commercial real estate negotiations; handling each transaction from the perspective of his clients with the goal of reducing risk and creating a strong economic deal. He is described as ambitious and always on the lookout for growth opportunities. As the organization's leader, Allen focuses on the values that build trust with each client and each member of his team. He demonstrates the importance of the company's core values in his own business dealings, as well as with the company as a whole. Allen was initially drawn to commercial real estate because of its entrepreneurial aspect and the fact that it provides compensation based on effort. He encourages others to outwork everyone around them and to seek growth opportunities that are always available to those willing to work for them.