Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1404446
70 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | AUGUST 23, 2021 Amanda Stanton Year Won: 2019 Current Title: Marketing Manager Company: United Ag & Turf Northeast Current Age: 31 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? M y greatest professional accomplishment since being a member of the 2019 HBJ 40 Under Forty class is merging Stanton Equipment with 10 other John Deere dealership groups in the Northeast. As former Chief Operating Offi cer of Stanton Equipment, I am honored to be part of the leadership team as marketing manager for all 28 United Ag & Turf Northeast locations. I am passionate about the customer experience, and value bringing forward Stanton Equipment's high level of service into the fold of United Ag & Turf Northeast. The most fun is being a member of our culture committee and driving community engagement across the organization. Continuing to support the agricultural community through equipment donations, events, outreach and more is important to myself and United Ag & Turf Northeast. Our incredible team has accomplished so much in our fi rst year as one unifi ed organization and continues to set the bar higher every day. Our focus on exceeding customers expectations, integrity, respect, empowerment, growth and gritty determination will take us far. We are United! Ben Roberts Year Won: 2019 Current Title: Creative Director Company: Ryan Marketing Current Age: 41 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 team eff ort by my creative department and took us almost 10 months to complete. It was a massive undertaking and an incredibly rewarding experience to bring our vision to life and then support our client by launching their website globally. Another project that I'm proud of is our recent Python Launch Campaign for Colt Manufacturing. Working with such an iconic brand that is so deeply rooted in our area has been both fulfi lling and fun. Since 2019, I have also continued to be creative outside of the offi ce, with a full, hands- on renovation and restoration of the house my wife and I purchased in West Hartford. We have also doubled the size of our family with the addition of our son, and our daughter - who is expected at any moment! Q: What is your biggest professional accomplishment since receiving this award? P rofessionally, I would have to say one of the projects I am most proud of is a successful launch of our largest website to date. The design and development of the Ensign Bickford Aerospace & Defense website was a Gregory Calnen Q: What is your biggest professional accomplishment since receiving this award? M y biggest professional accomplishment has been becoming chair of the board at Harc, a nonprofi t that works to improve the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. I had set a personal goal to become one of the youngest chairs in the organization's history and continue my family's legacy with Harc. I am very proud to be in this role, particularly during a challenging period for the non- profi t sector. The HBJ's 40 Under 40 platform helped me accomplish this goal. The skills I learned and the exposure in the community enabled me to strive to make a diff erence and give back. The valuable experience with 40 Under 40 was the foundation for my roles at ZAG Interactive and Harc. Year Won: 2019 Current Title: Director of Account Management Company: ZAG Interactive Current Age: 34 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 struggles to attract the talent it needs to be competitive in the job market. As part of the MetroHartford Alliance (MHA) team, I'm spearheading a best-practice regional talent attraction initiative designed to position Hartford as a premier destination where young professionals can thrive personally and professionally. The focus is on promoting our top industries and valuable assets through an authentic and interactive web platform. AllHart will grow the region, leveraging our top industries, concentration of exceptional educational institutions, and growing status as an innovation hub, while targeting young professionals 24-35 to ensure quality talent stays in the region and grows here. Marketing the region to this population through AllHart provides an authentic voice, and a comprehensive look into life in Hartford. I'm excited to continue to grow and develop the AllHart brand to highlight the culture, community, and opportunity to be found in the Hartford region. Kimberly Bishop Year Won: 2019 Current Title: Executive Director of Talent Attraction & Retention Company: MetroHartford Alliance Current Age: 36 40 Q: What is your biggest professional accomplishment since receiving this award? S ince 2019, my biggest professional accomplishment has been the launching of the AllHart initiative. While HYPE (Hartford Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs) continues to act as a retention strategy for talent, Hartford, like many other regions, WHERE ARE THEY NOW?