Anytime one does something for the first time, that episode becomes a learning experience.
And so it was with BusinessWest’s inaugural Forty Under 40, a compilation of some of the region’s brightest young rising stars. What did we learn? Plenty.
For starters, we learned that there is a large supply of young talent in the region that will bear watching for the next 25 to 40 years (some of them could well retire early at the rate they’re going). We also learned that this pool of talent is diverse, in terms of demographics, business sectors, geography, and more.
And we learned that this group doesn’t restrict its fine work to the office, the farm, the classroom, the photo studio, or wherever else they do what they do for a living. Indeed, all of them are very active in the community, in ways ranging from coaching a Little League team to promoting sustainable agriculture; from serving as one of Ludlow’s selectmen to acting as a mentor for young women at risk; from service on the boards of area non-profit groups to time spent as a Big Brother or Big Sister.
There were several Big Siblings among the Forty Under 40, just one of the many trends that revealed themselves. Among the others is the fact that this is, generally speaking, a very health-conscious group. When members of the ‘40’ club go for runs, it’s often of the 26.2-mile variety. Bike rides are often 50 miles or more, and almost everyone listed the gym as one of the many things they need to make time for.
Other common denominators? This an entrepreneurial group — many started their own businesses (sometimes while they were in high school or even grade school), while those who work for others bring an entrepreneurial approach to their work, often finding new and better ways to help their employers reach goals and set ambitious new ones. And then there’s the “convertible bra,” which ... well.
Overall, and as one might expect with a group labeled Forty Under 40, this is an energetic and inspiring mix of individuals who will either make you feel older or prompt you to examine your own life and career and find ways to pack more into each day. Maybe both.
With that, we give you the Forty Under 40, and a reminder that early next year we’ll be issuing another call for nominations. Reading these stories should trigger some thoughts about who should be on next year’s list.
Meet Our Judges
The task of scoring the nominations submitted to BusinessWest and ultimately selecting the Forty Under 40 fell to a panel of three judges, who were unanimous only in their opinion that all the candidates were exceptional and they were impressed with the depth and diversity of the field.
BusinessWest would like to thank those judges for the many hours they spent poring over nomination forms and supporting material. They are: Debbie Bellucci, dean of Continuing Education and Distance Learning at Springfield Technical Community College; Russell Denver, president of the Affiliated Chambers of Greater Springfield; and Michael Katz, a partner with the Springfield-based law firm Bacon & Wilson.
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| Debbie Bellucci |
Russell Denver |
Michael Katz |
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The Class of ’07
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