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www.HartfordBusiness.com • August 5, 2019 • Hartford Business Journal 35 40 UNDER FORTY 2019 J onathan Winer has served as ath- letic director of the CREC Magnet Schools in Hartford since 2013. As the district's first athletic director, he oversaw the creation and develop- ment of athletic programs for five high schools and middle schools. He cur- rently oversees 60 sports teams and more than 100 coaches. Winer also serves as commissioner of the Capitol Region Athletic League. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? The growth of CREC athletics has been remarkable. Schools that had no athletic teams seven years ago are now producing all-state athletes, state cham- pionship teams and collegiate student- athletes. The program's culture has been built upon the CREC PRIDE initiative, which encourages and teaches commit- ment, respect, excellence, community service, positive attitude, reliability, integrity, discipline and enthusiasm. Community service is a cornerstone of the program; all teams are expected to complete at least one service proj- ect each season. How are you involved in the community? I have served as a wish granter for Make-a-Wish Connecticut since 2016. I am on the board of directors for Donate Life CT and a team member for Donor to Donor. I have also been a keynote speaker for several Connecti- cut Association of Schools student- leadership events. What do you like to do outside of work? I enjoy spending my time outdoors with my wife, Julia, two-year-old son, Patrick, and one-year-old daughter, Alexandra. Family walks, trips to the playground and to the local splash pads are some of the best ways to spend my free time. We also like to attend as many Hartford Yard Goats games as possible and watch the Chi- cago Bears. Four reasons why you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty: • Led a student-driven sportsman- ship initiative for the Capitol Region Athletic League that has garnered recognition from the Connecticut Interscholastic Ath- letic Conference (CIAC). • Fundraised more than $500,000 to ensure the continuation of middle school sports at CREC Magnet Schools. • Served as head men's basketball coach at Quinsigamond Commu- nity College for a team that won the New England Championship in 2007 and was inducted into the 2015 New England Hall of Fame. • In 2017, became an altruistic non- directed kidney donor, starting a donation chain that resulted in five individuals receiving a new kidney. FUN FACT Was lead-recruiter of two starting players on the 2012 Lehigh University men's basketball team that upset Duke in the NCAA Tournament. Jonathan Winer Athletic Director, Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) Age: 38 No. of years with current company: 6 Town where I live: West Hartford Town where I work: Hartford College: Clark University Highest Degree: Sixth year in educational leadership Who is your favorite superhero: Flash Gordon PHOTOS | J. FIERECK PHOTOGRAPHY