PHOS Founder Named a University of Florida 40 Gators Under 40 Awardee
Brandon West, Founder and Chief Purpose Officer of PHOS Creative, is one of a select group of University of Florida alumni named to this year’s prestigious 40 Gators Under 40 list. The annual awards program was established in 2006 to recognize alumni under the age of 40 whose achievements positively reflect on The Gator Nation®. Honorees for the competitive award must demonstrate (1) significant impact on their industry, and (2) notable civic or professional accomplishments at the state, national or international level, among other criteria.
“The 40 Gators Under 40 class of 2025 demonstrates the incredible impact Gators have on society,” said Heather Ashley, interim executive director of the UF Alumni Association. “This year’s honorees are extraordinary leaders and committed visionaries who consistently exceed expectations and leave profound marks on their organizations, industries, and communities. We take immense pride in honoring these outstanding individuals, whose accomplishments shine a light on The Gator Nation® and its capacity to influence positive change on a global scale.”
The 40 Gators Under 40 awards program recognizes graduates from all UF’s 16 colleges. This year’s honorees range from artists and educators to entrepreneurs and engineers, representing the breadth and depth of UF-fostered expertise. Past award winners include Congresswoman Emilia Strong Sykes, NASCAR leader Benjamin Kennedy, TV sportscaster Laura Rutledge, and Olympic gold-medal triple jumper Christian Taylor.
Brandon West is the founder and Chief Purpose Officer of PHOS Creative, a purpose-driven digital marketing agency in Gainesville, FL. Under his leadership, PHOS has earned over 40 awards for growth and culture, including honors from Inc. 5000, Gator100, Florida Trend Magazine, the Best Christian Workplaces Institute, and the Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce.
An author and speaker, Brandon wrote It Is Not Your Business to Succeed, redefining leadership success. PHOS leads by example, donating 50% of its profits to launch care centers around the world that serve women and children experiencing extreme poverty and sex trafficking.
The 170-year-old University of Florida has 480,000 alumni residing in every U.S. state and in more than 150 countries. The university has a long history of established programs in national and international education, research and service, and is one of only 17 public land-grant universities in the prestigious Association of American Universities. The UF Alumni Association oversees a network of nearly 80 Gator Clubs, actively recruits superior students, and hosts outreach and on-campus programs to deepen alumni’s connections with their alma mater.