Forty Under 40: Luke Briggs, 31

When opportunity knocks, Luke Briggs is ready.
That was evident when Briggs graduated from Tulane University in 2001 and took a consulting job at Ernst & Young. Working in a “robust, complex environment,” he was thrust into a high-responsibility role.
“It was a good training opportunity because I was expected to be a decision-maker at a young age,” he said.
Briggs worked in New Orleans, Atlanta, St. Louis and New York, sometimes traveling as many as 100,000 miles a year. A chance encounter with his future wife, however, brought the Fort Smith native back to Northwest Arkansas.
“I took the leap and switched industries,” Briggs said, describing his decision to go to work for vendors like Unilever and Dr Pepper Snapple Group.
Briggs didn’t hesitate when his latest opportunity presented itself, either. He joined Steve Blair’s team at Ghirardelli Chocolate Co. in 2009 and later was named its salesperson of the year.
Briggs has been involved with a host of charities, most notably the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. And while he likes to play golf and duck hunt, a lot of recent spare time has been spent preparing for other potential opportunities.
Briggs earned an MBA from the University of Arkansas in June.
“That’s been my hobby for the last two years,” he said, laughing.