Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | August 17, 2020 | Worcester Business Journal 37 Throughout Person's career, she has spent her time helping veterans and giving back to her community. Person's job is to ensure veteran clients and their families receive necessary services, such as employment, training, supportive services, housing stabilization, and necessary referrals. She has a great understanding of grant requirements in the region, and leads a team of 55 staff members across New England. Person is an avid volunteer of Homeward Vets, a Western Massachusetts organization providing furniture to homeless veterans moving into new homes, and participates in the holiday for joy campaign run by the Salvation Army. She has co-led Veterans Outreach Into Community Engagement and been on the Council of Service Agencies, where she previously served as vice president of the board. After starting at Veterans Inc. in 2014, she was promoted from case manager, to grant lead, to client service manager, then up to her current and highest position. She created the first junior executive committee at Veterans Inc., and after two years of facilitating meetings and events, made a supportive peer network for young professionals. - R.G. Favorite Central Mass. restaurant? Herbie's in Worcester, it's great for a local home-cooked meal and a drink. If you ever stop by, ask for the daily special menu, which is always changing and a great deal. Who is most responsible for your success? John Person, my prior manager and cousin, has mentored me and set the example for the open-minded positive leader I aspire to be. What is your next goal in life? To purchase my first rental property, in order to offer affordable housing to veterans and other working families. Katherine E. Person, 32 Senior manager of client services Veterans Inc., in Worcester Residence: Worcester Birthplace: Templeton Colleges: UMass Amherst, Fitchburg State University, Markova has been many things: a magazine editor, television news reporter, marketing director and, most recently, founder of Earth & Aerial Yoga in Hudson. She helped Good Morning America cover the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013, participated in the launch of the international business publication Wall Street Market Research, and helped her husband, Karim El-Gamal, open the popular Rail Trail Flatbread Co. restaurant in 2012. The local business community knows her best for her work with the Marlborough Economic Development Corp., where she served as director of marketing and communications from 2013 to 2020. She managed MEDC's 2019 rebranding, authored more than 140 press releases and helped attract at least two new breweries to the city's downtown. No matter what field she pivots to, she's consistently determined to rise to the top. Markova's lived many places, but she makes each new landing into her home. From Europe to Dubai to Central Mass., she throws herself into her communities wholesale, even volunteering her expertise to local business owners looking for help managing their own public relations efforts and helping a group of local mothers raise funds to build Hudson's first inclusive playground. - M.B. What four people would you like to travel with for a year? My husband, Karim, and my best friend Sofia; they are fantastic travel partners. Barack & Michelle Obama; I admire them, and they'd be fun. What is your new favorite activity since the pandemic began? Hanging out with my newborn daughter and watching my 5-year-old do crazy tricks on her aerial yoga silk. What is your dream job? Current affairs TV show producer and/ or host. I've always loved working in TV, talking to different people, learning about the world and uncovering untold stories. Lora Markova, 39 Co-founder & creative director Earth & Aerial Yoga, in Hudson Residence: Hudson Birthplace: Bulgaria College: Ryerson University A MAJOR ANNIVERSARY... A NEW BUILDING... A MAJOR COMPANY MILESTONE Can we create a CUSTOM magazine for you? Whether it's the celebration of a major anniversary or the opening of a new headquarters, Worcester Business Journal's Custom Publishing Division can help you create a custom magazine for your business. Our division's top flight team of writers and designers can help you tell your story – and make your business look great! Based on our unique publishing model, it's surprisingly affordable. Call WBJ Custom Corporate Project Director Christine Juetten at 508-755-8004 ext. 270. Worcester Business Journal WBJ Custom Publishing Division 4 0 U N D E R F O R T Y

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