Hartford Business Journal Special Editions

44 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | AUGUST 23, 2021 Mark Lange Q: What did the 40 Under 40 award mean to you? I was so honored to be recognized as a member of the HBJ 40 Under 40 and be included with other accomplished members of the Hartford business community. It validated my work with my employer and in the community. I also enjoyed meeting the other award recipients and was impressed by their contributions. Meeting the other recipients also gave me an appreciation for the breadth of the Hartford business community overall and the impact of our combined commitment. Year Won: 2004 Current Title: Executive Vice President, Strategy & Distribution Company: Arch Insurance Group, Inc. Current Age: 54 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 Stephen Pedneault Year Won: 2005 Current Title: Owner/ Founder Company: Forensic Accounting Services LLC Current Age: 54 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 Q: What is your biggest professional accomplishment since receiving this award? W ithin months of celebrating this award, I graduated from the fi rm I had been with for nearly 14 years, and started my own fi rm specializing in forensic accounting. Sixteen years later, my fi rm continues to thrive, and I am marking 32 years in this fi eld. To further my expertise in forensic accounting, I started teaching at the University of Connecticut in 2008 and published my fi rst book on the topic in 2009. I recently completed my fi fth book and I have traveled as a speaker throughout the country. It has been rewarding to share my expertise with others who are eager to learn more about this fi eld. I continue to be humbled by this recognition and each year I read the backgrounds of all 40 award winners to see who joined the ranks. I am forever grateful to Rose Swiatkiewicz, who nominated me, and Hartford Business Journal, for bestowing this honor upon me. Congratulations on 25 years of 40 Under 40. Bill Gerber Year Won: 2006 Current Title: Co-Founder Company: AccountingDepartment.com Current Age: 50 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 opportunity for countless working professionals to fi nd true work and life balance. Knowing that Accounting Department. com has helped hundreds of American businesses and hundreds of American employees thrive gives me both purpose and pride. While we've been tested many times throughout our company history, there was no greater test than operating as a business supporting businesses during the pandemic. Through our commitment to our clients and employees, a particular moment of pride for me was not laying off a single employee as a result of the economic downturn while also retaining 99% of our clients through meaningful pivots and adaptation that allowed us to work directly with clients to navigate the crisis. Coming out on the other end of the pandemic with a growing business that has both doubled sales year over year while also increasing our overall employee count to over 150+ US, Full-time with benefi ts and 401k match brings me the greatest joy as a business owner. Q: What is your biggest professional accomplishment since receiving this award? I n the years since winning the 40 under 40, my greatest professional achievement has been in building a successful, growing company along with my partner Dennis Najjar, CPA which not only helps American businesses scale and operate responsibility but has also created an Elizabeth DeBassio Q: What is your biggest professional accomplishment since receiving this award? I joined Connecticut Wealth Management just after receiving the 40 Under 40 award, which allowed me to refi ne my career focus on fi nancial planning and wealth management. Over the last eight years, Connecticut Wealth Management has grown signifi cantly to a team of over 40. Throughout that time, my role within the organization continued to grow and I now lead relationships with high net- worth clients – identifying goals and strategizing how to achieve them through smart investing and tax and estate planning. My clients and teammates are more like friends and family. Every new individual or couple that comes to us for help with their fi nancial life reinvigorates my passion for my profession. I found the career I wanted to have when I grew up – and feel very fortunate to be able to say that. Year Won: 2006 Current Title: Managing Advisor Company: Connecticut Wealth Management Current Age: 48 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

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