Page 56 - BusinessWest September 28, 2020

Lee Pouliot
Director of Planning & Development, City of Chicopee; Age 34 Education: Delaware Valley University (BS); Cornell University (MS)
Pouliot (pictured at left) has been involved in numerous key projects in Chicopee, including brownfield redevelopment, the City Hall rehabilitation, multiple park renovations, initiation of the “Envision Our Chicopee: 2040” plan, and much more.
What did you want to be when you grew up? A marine biologist.
What goal do you set for yourself at the start of each day? I’ve learned to expect the unexpected on a regular basis.
What are you passionate about? Taking on
that project no one else wants to focus on. Easy projects quickly get champions and get completed; I’m attracted to the really complicated projects that take time and cross-sector collaboration to advance. Projects that can be transformational over the long term keep me focused.
What’s been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? Establishing Chicopee’s Community Street Tree Planting Volunteer Program. We work with the Forestry Department to train resident volunteers to plant bare-root trees in the fall or spring.
What do you do for fun? Play clarinet, design and install gardens, read, write, and spend time with our adorable niece, Noelle Grace.
Kyle Rodrigues
How do you relieve stress? The gym and fitness, which is also how I force myself to leave the office on time.
What’s your favorite hangout or activity in Western Mass., and why? Concerts at Tanglewood, which combine my love of music and my love of nature. How often can one go to a live classical concert under the stars?
What person, past or present, would you like
to have lunch with, and why? J.R.R. Tolkien, who is one of my favorite authors. He wrote in a way that painted vividly detailed pictures, and I would love to listen to him explain how life experiences influenced his writings and imagination.
What actor would play you in a movie about your life? Neil Patrick Harris.
What will work colleagues say at your funeral?
I asked my team to respond: “I can’t believe he wanted to be a tree this bad.” “Lee made our community better by making sure we all played
by the same rules. Lee had a wonderful way of easing discussions that resolved many conflict-of- interest situations between different parties. Lee was certainly underappreciated and underpaid!” “Always looked good in gold spandex and a feather boa!”
Director of Sales & Pop-Up Shops, Johnny Cupcakes; Age 30; Education: Framingham State University (BA)
Photo by Rachel Elliot Photography
Among her myriad roles — both with ‘the world’s first T-shirt bakery’ and volunteering in the community — Rodrigues travels
the country monthly to conferences and events, working to inspire companies and organizations to collaborate with the Johnny Cupcakes brand.
What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted nothing more than to be a fashion designer, so it’s pretty wild that, after working up the ranks in industries ranging from toys to candles to web development, I finally landed myself in the most fun clothing company there ever could be.
Who inspires you, and why? My parents are my biggest inspiration. Both of my parents worked so hard and taught me the value of that at a young age. Work to live!
What’s been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? Landing my job. I was ready for a change and reached out to the owner of the company, Johnny, via e-mail. I gave him my ‘Portuguese pitch’ as to why I would be an excellent employee, a hard worker making his life easier, and why he should hire me. Fifteen minutes later, he FaceTimed me, and the rest is history. I always tell others to put yourself
out there because the worst that happens is you are in the same spot you are right now, and the best is getting everything you ever wanted. Also, this past year, after hearing of the devastation in Australia from the fires, I sent my team an e-mail to see if we could produce a pre-order to help raise funds for relief efforts. After two weeks, we sold more than 1,000 T-shirts and raised $100,000 AUD to donate between three charities.
What person, past or present, would you like to have lunch with, and why? It would be my grandmother so I could tell her about visiting her village and how much I love her.
What’s your favorite hangout or activity in Western Mass., and why? It used to be going out for karaoke and dancing with my best friend and sister, Erikka, at the Huke Lau. RIP Huke!
What fictional character do you relate to most, and why? I relate to Leslie Knope of Parks and Recreation the most, professionally and personally. She is always the most positive through adversity, and she is a fiercely devoted friend.
What three words best describe you?
Optimistic, outgoing, resilient.
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BusinessWest
Photo by Leah Martin Photography