The University of Alabama National Alumni Association’s 18 Under 31 Young Alumni Awards honor “exceptional young alumni who have made significant contributions to their respective fields and communities.” The awards seem to be tailor-made for The Culverhouse College of Business and Manderson School of Business. Five business alums were recipients of the award. They were honored at a ceremony at Bryant-Denny Stadium in January.
Here are the honorees:
Caroline Aulbach
Caroline Aulbach graduated in 2019 with a degree in commerce and business administration, majoring in management information systems. She also earned a sales certification and completed a concentration in cybersecurity. Following graduation, Aulbach began her career in Tampa, Florida, as an executive advisory consultant in technology at KPMG. She later joined Schellman, where she transitioned into IT audit and compliance, and advanced to the role of service delivery senior manager. In this position, she leads teams across ISO, privacy and SOC practices, helping organizations strengthen their security and compliance programs. Aulbach continues to support Culverhouse’s MIS program and volunteers in the community.
Gretchen Johnson
Gretchen Johnson is the franchise relationship manager at Top 2 Bottom Business Solutions in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she partners with small business owners and franchise brands to deliver accurate financials that support growth and profitability. She earned her degree in marketing and management in 2021 and her MBA in 2023. While at UA, Johnson served as director of communications for Manderson Women in Business, led an ESL program for adult learners in the Tuscaloosa community, and was active in numerous academic and professional organizations, including the Business Honors Program, the Faculty Scholars Program and the MBA Association. She also worked with Parent & Family Programs and the UA Sales Program. Johnson remains actively connected to the Capstone as media and marketing chair for BamaCharlotte, supporting alumni engagement and scholarship fundraising. She also serves as director of administration for the Charlotte Young Professionals Group and holds leadership roles with the Rotary Club of Fort Mill and Transformation Church Lake Wylie.
Kelsi Long
Kelsi Long earned her bachelor’s degree in 2017, majoring in accounting and minoring in Spanish. She also earned an MBA and JD in 2021. She began her legal career at a law firm in Birmingham before relocating to the Huntsville area. Long is currently an attorney at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, where she focuses on corporate and energy law matters. She is actively engaged in professional and community service, serving as a member of the Committee of 100 in Huntsville and Leadership Alabama’s Alabama Leadership Initiative, which connects emerging leaders across the state. She also serves on the Board of Visitors for Culverhouse. Long is a fellow of the Blackburn Institute, class of 2019, and serves as the Huntsville Blackburn Liaison. Her professional interests include economic empowerment, community development and economic development.
McKinley Hatcher
McKinley Hatcher III is a solutions director of global occupier accounts at CBRE, leading real estate solution design for enterprise clients. Since receiving his degree in 2018 with an MBA in 2020, Hatcher has delivered strategic real estate solutions for Fortune 100 companies across technology, finance and retail. His career has taken him to cities such as Seattle, Birmingham, Dallas, Atlanta, Portland and now New York. At UA, Hatcher was deeply involved in campus life, serving as president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and vice president of Capstone Men and Women, where he received the Advisor’s Award. As a graduate fellow in the Dean of Students Office, he helped expand mentorship and food insecurity initiatives. He was recently honored with CBRE’s global Excellence in Mentoring Award and remains active in his community through youth mentorship and service.
Preston McGee
Preston Parker McGee earned degrees in business management and political science in 2023, followed by an MBA in 2024. While at UA, McGee was involved in Capstone Men and Women, the Crossroads Civic Engagement Center, the Blackburn Institute and other civic-focused initiatives.
McGee returned to his hometown to serve as community outreach coordinator for the Selma Resilience Initiative, a societal impact program of the Culverhouse College of Business. In this role, he collaborates with community members, local leaders, and the broader UA campus to support economic development, revitalization, and long-term community advancement in Selma. Deeply committed to service, McGee is active in his local church and organizations such as the Rotary Club and Lighting Selma. He believes his time at the Capstone equipped him with the skills and vision to create meaningful impact wherever he is called to serve.