NewHavenBIZ

New Haven BIZ-May.June 2019

Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1107595

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 27 of 51

28 n e w h a v e n B I Z | M a y / J u n e 2 0 1 9 | n e w h a v e n b i z . c o m KEITH B. BISHOP CEO & WINEM A KER BISHOP'S ORCH A R DS FA RM M A RKET & WINERY, GUILFOR D Residence: Guilford College(s): Rochester Institute of Technology, AAS; Cornell University, BS e ultimate "sustainable" enterprise, Bishop's is an exemplar of "extending the brand" — leveraging a successful agricul- tural enterprise into retail and recreation. Mission statement: To be the leader in the farm market, orchard and winery business in Connecticut. Your role in the enterprise: My role has always been rolling up my sleeves, hands-on manage- ment coupled with initiating and leading innovation to keep our family farm relevant, fun, trusted, viable and sustainable in a state where economic pressures are against agriculture and the infrastructure it needs. What was the 'a-ha' moment when you knew you had found your calling? When my father couldn't work due to back surgery in the fall of 1974 and I took a semester leave of absence from college to step into the family business for the fall season. How do you give back? My passion is supporting agriculture and education, hence serving for 22 years on our [town] Board of Education, 40 years in numerous CT Farm Bureau roles. What advice would you give to up-and-coming professionals? Success comes in 'cans,' not in 'cannots.' One unknown fact about you: My Enneagram [personality] type is a 1 ['e Reformer']. CHARLES J. NAGARO FOUNDER & CH AIRM A N CH A BASO BA KERY, NEW H AV EN Residence: New Haven College(s): Brown University, AB; Fordham School of Law, JD Describe your role in your organization and its impact on the region's economy: I started Chabaso in 1995 to produce and distribute all-natural artisan breads. We currently employ 130 people and my proudest achievement is providing jobs with health care and other benefits to a broad spectrum of deserving people. You can find our products in more than 25 states, and we proudly say we hail from New Haven. How do you give back to the community? Chabaso helped to launch a successful nonprofit, New Haven Farms. rough urban agriculture, NHF promotes health and wellness. I am a director of Start Community Bank. I recently joined the board of Common Ground High School. We provide significant quantities of bread to the food pantry and other organizations. But my greatest contribution may well be my wonderful children [Abigail, Charles Jr. and Sophia]. I named the bakery aer them. What advice would you give to young professionals? Take the risk. If you fail, try again. The truth can now be told: I am a reasonably competent cook but I have never baked a loaf of bread or other baked good. Maybe a cheesecake once. BRAD HITTLE PRESIDENT & CEO T WO ROA DS BREWING CO., STR ATFOR D Residence: Greenwich College(s): Colgate University, BA; Northwestern/Kellogg, MBA While the cra brew- ing "move- ment" has exploded in Connecticut (85 brewer- ies at last count), Hittle has built Two Roads into a diversified powerhouse through aggressive marketing, events promotion and distribution. Hittle helped pave the way for the brew boom by spearheading legislation to allow beer sales from taprooms. Two Roads hosted 150,000 vis- itors last year, and the company just opened an "experimental" brewery, Area 2, on its 10-acre Stratford campus. How do you give back to the community? We rarely turn down a charity request. Our biggest efforts are environmen- tal: We have an annual charity beach run called 'Shore to the Pour' that attracts over 300 runners with proceeds donated to the CT Audubon's Stratford Point bird sanctuary. What advice would you give to young professionals? If you aren't excited to go to work four out of five days a week, you need to move on and find something else. Dare to be different: As a child, my mother made me read the Robert Frost poem "e Road Not Taken" and it stuck with me. You'd have to be a little nuts to get out of college and go to work on an off-shore drilling rig in Southeast Asia and then sell oilfield equip- ment in Abu Dhabi — but I loved it. KEITH MAHLER PRESIDENT PREMIER CONCERTS/M A NIC PRESENTS (PKM PRESENTS LLC) Residence: Waterbury College(s): Bryant University, BS, Business Administration/Finance In autumn 2015 he brought the moribund Palace eatre back from the dead, reincarnated as the College Street Music Hall, to emerge as one of the region's premier promoters and entertainment entrepreneurs. Mahler's Premier Facilities LLC also books Hamden's Space Ballroom, which has always punched above its weight as a live venue. New Haven Center for Performing Arts Inc., the not-for-profit owner of College Street Music Hall, commissioned a 2018 economic impact study that tallied a $16 million overall economic impact to the downtown economy. How do you give back to the community? New Haven Center for the Performing Arts Inc. is a not for profit and doesn't ask for much. e mission is to give and serve the community. As College Street Music Hall is still the new kid on the block, we believe an impact has been created. What advice would you give young up-and-coming professionals? Stay committed and focused on your goals. Never give up. NO is just not an acceptable response. Off-key note: As much as I love music, I cannot carry a tune (except in the shower!). NEW HAVEN: POWER 50 >> Culture/Food/Hospitality

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of NewHavenBIZ - New Haven BIZ-May.June 2019