Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | August 20, 2018 | Worcester Business Journal 37 4 0 U N D E R F O R T Y F O C U S M E C H A N I C S H A L L W O R C E S T E R , M A Monday, September 17 7:30pm Mechanics Hall Tickets: $59 & $69 www.mechanicshall.org or 508-752-0888 WE WALK FOR THE FIRST SURVIVOR OF ALZHEIMER'S Worcester County Walk to End Alzheimer's Sunday, September 23, 2018 Quinsigamond Community College Worcester, MA JOIN US act.alz.org/worcester 24/7 Helpline 800.272.3900 This year, Matson won the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce's Chamber Advocate Award, memorializing his efforts as a community champion, expert network builder and visionary for the next generation of the Central Massachusetts economy. For eight years, Matson worked in sales at office supply company W.B. Mason, hitting $3 million in sales during his final year. Matson joined SBIA in the past year, obtaining his broker license to sell insurance. While building his book of business and relying on his extensive network of contacts made over the years, Matson encourages clients to pursue other affiliations, landing SBIA partnerships with the likes of Shrewsbury-based Provo Financial Services. He is the cofounder of the Paulsens Putt Against Parkinson's Disease golf tournament – named after his grandfather Bob Paulson, Sr. – which has raised more than $50,000 in two years for the Michael J. Fox Foundation and Parkinson's research programs at UMass Medical School. The Worcester chamber's ambassador group has more than doubled in size since Matson took over as chairman. He is a board member of the Girl Scouts of Western and Central Massachusetts and for the Canal Diggers 5K Road Race, which raises money for St. John's Church and the Hibernian Cultural Centre. Matson volunteered as head football coach for Millbury High School and the defensive back coach for Worcester Polytechnic Institute. – B.K. From judge Michael Arnum: "Ryan is the ideal ambassador for Worcester, working not only to improve his own life, but using his skills to be an advocate for the community." What will the statue they build of you say? Every man has the same potential to succeed. It is your determination and confidence in yourself that dictates whether or not you will. What TV character is most like you? Eddie Haskell from "Leave It To Beaver" as the neighborhood women called me. Ryan Matson, 32 Employee benefits consultant Small Business Insurance Agency, Worcester Lives: Worcester Birthplace: Worcester College: Assumption College Pelletier began his professional career in the biomedical engineering world, but after six years in, he opted to follow his passion and turned a part-time real estate hobby into a full-time gig by starting a team at Keller Williams North Central, growing it to six employees. Pelletier increased the firm's sales volume from $4.7 million in 2015 to nearly $15 million last year. Now he's among the top five agents in Keller Williams' North Central division and has listings in eight counties in Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. Pelletier prides himself on the firm's reputation for putting its clients above all else, but also providing team members with opportunities for growth. He volunteers for the Rise Above Foundation, a nonprofit working with children in the custody of the Massachusetts Department of Children & Families. This year, Pelletier's firm has partnered with Rise Above to help fund everything children need when they leave foster care via age or adoption. That includes furnishing an individual's first apartment or renovating a bedroom so a child has his or her own space. – Z.C. From judge Michael Arnum: "A career shift allowed Nick to find his passion, and turn it into a powerful force to improve the lives of foster kids." Where would you like to live other than Massachusetts? Alaska was pretty amazing! The landscapes and views were remarkable. I'm not sure I could do the dark winters though! What movie character is most like you? Dory from "Finding Nemo" because I just keep swimming, knowing I'll always find a solution to any challenge. Nicholas Pelletier, 31 President Pelletier Properties at Keller Williams North Central, Leominster Lives: Westminster Birthplace: Fitchburg College: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

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