Media Director, Garvey Communication Associates Inc. Age: 26
As she talked with BusinessWest for this profile, Mary Fallon was thinking about what she might do on her first real outing with Lashanna, her first ‘little sister,’ whom she had just met through Big Brothers Big Sisters.
The list of options — which includes hiking, playing soccer or basketball, shopping, or dog-walking, among others — reveals just some of the things Fallon enjoys when she’s not working as media director for Springfield-based Garvey Communication Associates. Especially the dog-walking part.
Fallon counts her 95-pound weimaraner, Riley, as her best friend. “We do everything together,” she said, noting that the two walk her neighborhood in Springfield for at least an hour a day, more on weekends. Lashanna is apparently a dog lover, so the two should hit it off.
Her current involvement with Big Brothers Big Sisters is the latest example of how Fallon mixes her job responsibilities — which include public relations, media buying, and social media — with civic involvement. A veteran Facebook user, she is also adept in applying Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn, among other vehicles, and is becoming well-known and regarded as a social-media expert. “I do a little bit of everything,” she said, “which makes each day different and my job challenging, but also fun.”
In the community, Fallon has donated time, energy, and expertise to several organizations and causes. She helped lead efforts to collect personal care and clothing items for the homeless for St. Francis Chapel, a downtown Springfield shelter. She recorded a radio public-service announcement, used social-media channels to build awareness of what the chapel was doing, and coordinated media coverage to further spread the word. Fallon is also a volunteer and presenter for Media and Marketing for Middle School, a vocational mentoring program at the Zanetti School in Springfield.
When asked where her career might take her, Fallon said she has yet to think that through. For now, she’s focused on what she and Lashanna might do next weekend, and what route the next walk with Riley might take.
—George O’Brien
Karen Buell played three sports at Houghton College in Upstate New York — soccer, basketball, and track and field — and she’s still quite an athlete.
James Michael Leahy’s father emigrated from Ireland to South Boston and married the daughter of two Irish immigrants.
Shanna Burke is all about making connections. 
Kristin Leutz is a certified Kripalu yoga instructor who practices its tenets on and off the mat, using her talents to serve others and make the world a better place. 
When he’s not managing auto dealerships, Damon Cartelli likes to take his family out fishing on his boat.
Meghan Lynch studied literature in college, but didn’t want to make it her job. Instead, her creative side blossomed in an unexpected career path: advertising. It started with a stint as a receptionist at a Northampton ad agency.
Natasha Clark says she always manages to keep busy. But the first few months of this year would have to be considered quiet, she said — at least when compared to 2009, or “the year of her life.” So far.
Brady Chianciola knows the importance of mentoring — from both sides. 
Opportunity. 
“If you can hear me … go shhhhhhhhh.” 
It was October 2008 when Eva Thomson called Karen Curran asking if she wanted to come to work for her as a financial consultant.
As far as Kevin Perrier is concerned, Five Star Building Corp. is going to be a household name before long. And listening to the founder of the Easthampton-based construction company explain his trajectory, such lofty aspirations seem like a distinct possibility. 
Adam Epstein can trace his career to a bet. 
Brandon Reed might be one of the few people to thank Enron for launching their career. 
James Krupienski wears multiple hats at Meyers Brothers Kalicka, serving as CPA manager for two divisions, Health Care and Pension Audits — an uncommon combination.
Boris Revsin likes changing established ways of doing things. His first venture into the business world was at age 13, when he created a successful electronic-marketing (e-commerce) site for his grandfather’s printing business.
Susan Mielnikowski will tell you that, after working as an attorney for 14 years, if she’s met her professional goals, then she’s not doing her job properly. “I don’t think there’s ever such a thing as being ‘done,’” she told BusinessWest. “The minute I reach a benchmark, I’ll raise the bar and set a new one for myself.”
Aaron Vega said he never considered himself to be the “big entrepreneur type.”
Foley-Connelly Financial Partners, Foley Insurance Group
When Ian Vukovich is asked, as he often is, just what a project manager does at a bank, his response is, “very exciting work.”
Thomas Galanis says he’s a Renaissance man. “I have good skills, but am able to step outside the box and practice creative problem-solving through the use of technology and other disciplines such as organizational behavior, change management, and project management,” he said.
Thomas Walsh cares deeply about the city of Springfield. He grew up in the historic district of Forest Park and still lives there. “Springfield is a great city. We certainly have our urban challenges, but there are a lot of positive things and positive people who live here,” he said.
At 16 years old, Anthony Gleason was starting his own business while most of his friends were working for others. 
As he talked with BusinessWest for his 40 Under Forty profile, Sean Wandrei was in training for the Boston Marathon. Sort of.
Nancy Bazanchuk says that when individuals with disabilities are competing in sports, they feel like athletes, not individuals who happened to be disabled. 
Meghan Hibner believes the greatest joys in life are found by branching out. “Don’t limit your possibilities,” she says.
Growing up with 11 siblings, Byron White developed a work ethic early on.
David Beturne says it’s very simple to make a difference in a child’s life. 
Amanda Huston is a public face of Junior Achievement of Western Mass., often visible at civic events, raising the profile of the organization that educates young people about business.
Chester Wojcik grew up with a family motto that said, “it is important to put a smile on someone’s face every day.” That principle, combined with his desire to give back to the community and build positive relationships, is a cornerstone of Wojcik’s life.
Raymond Berry says it’s rewarding to know he is making a difference. It’s a mission for him and something he strives to do as an active volunteer in the city of Springfield. 
Peter Zurlino says that his goal when he started out in business was rather simple: “I didn’t want to dread going to work every day.”