North West Telegraph (25/02/2009)
As Atlas Iron’s managing director, Mr Flanagan was recognised for his hard work and contribution to Western Australia’s mining and business industries, which has seen Atlas become the first junior miner in WA to ship ore directly to the lucrative Chinese market.
Mr Flanagan said his most significant business achievement was establishing and listing Atlas Iron on the Australian Securities Exchange and subsequently growing it into a leading S&P ASX 200 mining company that is well known and highly respected in the Australian mining industry.
WA Business News chief executive officer Harry HIeyn said the nominations for this year’s 40under40 Awards were of a very high calibre making the selection of winners extremely difficult for the judges.
“The 40under40 initiative recognises Western Australia’s best young business leaders who have achieved local, national and in some cases international success in their field,” he said.
“This year’s winners are a remarkable group of business people who have proven themselves to be creative. innovative and forward thinking in identifying new trends and turning opportunity into success.”
The winners represented a cross section of business including mining, construction, cosmetics, event management, global transporting and human resources.
Mr Flanagan was inducted into the 40under40 Hall of Fame alongside director of coronary care Dr Michelle Ammerer, Australian Mine Services divisional general manager Julie Smith-Massara, iiNet Atlas Iron’s managing director, David Flanagan, has been CEO Mike Malone, recognised by the WA business community for his University of Western impressive work in the resources sector. Australia Professor Dr Lyle Palmer, Azure Capital managing director Mark Barnaba, Commtech Wireless CEO Nathan Buzza and Wills Domain winery managing director Darren Haunold.