Canton Resident Named To Georgia Trend's 2014 40 Under 40

Photo credit: Zach Blend

Zach Blend, the residential life director at Goshen Valley Boys Ranch in northwest Cherokee County, has been named to Georgia Trend’s 2014 Top 40 Under 40 list.

The list, published in the magazine’s October edition, features 40 residents under the age of 40 who are making waves in their respective industries.

Blend, 30, told Georgia Trend he sees his role as on that provides a “positive influence” on the lives of the boys he serves.

“I wake up every morning feeling like I am led into doing this work, despite the fact it can be difficult at times,” he said.

Goshen Valley, located in Salacoa Valley in northwest Cherokee County, serves as a stable residential program for at-risk boys in the community.

Blend is a graduate of Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School in Sandy Springs. In 2006, he graduated from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, with a bachelor’s degree in sociology.

Blend also graduated in 2012 from Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Cherokee initiative and was named to the Chamber’s Top 10 in 10 Young Professionals To Watch for 2014.

He’s currently a member of the Rotary Club of Canton and a member of the Cherokee County Juvenile Court Foundation’s Board.