Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1471060
Family Business Awards 2022 Total Communications Inc. East Hartford Industry: Technology services provider/advisor Year Founded: 1980 Founder: Richard Lennon Generation Running Company: 2nd Full-Time Employees: 68 Part-Time Employees: 1 Family Members Employed at Company: Scott Lennon, CEO, President, Son of Richard; Lisa Lennon Barbarito, Senior Project Manager, Daughter of Richard; Steve Barbarito, Sales Engineer, Husband of Lisa Website: www.totalcomm.com Annual Revenue: $35 million to $45 million Total Communications is an advisor to organizations, helping plan, develop, implement, protect and support their business operations through technology services. Tell us a bit about your recent accomplishments. In 2015, Richard Lennon sold the business to Frontier Communications. However, at the end of 2021, Scott Lennon solely purchased 100% of Ruane Attorneys at Law LLC Shelton Industry: Law Year Founded: 2001 Founder: Attorney Jim Ruane and Attorney Jay Ruane Generation Running Company: 2nd Full-Time Employees: 32 Family Members Employed at Company: Attorney Jim Ruane, Founding Partner, Jay's Father; Attorney Jay Ruane, Founding Partner, Jim's Son; Attorney Jill Ruane, Lawyer, Jay's wife Website: www.ruaneattorneys.com Ruane Attorneys is a criminal defense law, civil rights and litigation firm. Tell us a bit about your recent accomplishments. Ruane Attorneys is an ever-expanding law firm that is competitive in several legal niches. Our recent hires in our marketing department keep us poised to stay on the cutting edge of the digital marketing sphere. In 2021, we opened two new locations so that we can better serve all of Connecticut. In addition, we continue to research Nancy Hagstrom Interscape Commercial Environments Farmington Industry: Contract Furniture Dealer Year Founded: 2006 Founders: Nancy Hagstrom and Josh Hagstrom Generation Currently Running Company: First Full-Time Employees: 12 Family Members Employed at Company: Josh Hagstrom, President, Son; Julia Kilelee, Senior Account Executive, Daughter Website: www.interscape.com Interscape is a contract furniture dealer providing furniture and design options for businesses, health care, education, and hospitality. Tell us a bit about your recent accomplishments. Our employees accomplish so much every day, contributing to the success of each other and of the company. We can never thank them enough. We are also very thankful to our clients. Contributing to the workplace culture, upgrading the educational experience, and creating space that welcomes and reassures both patients and healthcare heroes defines and rewards us. L I F E T I M E A C H I E V E M E N T A W A R D F O U R T H P L A C E 25 TO 75 FULL TIME EMPLOYEES F I F T H P L A C E 25 TO 75 FULL TIME EMPLOYEES 6 | FAMILY BUSINESS 2022 AWARDS new legal niches to enter so that we can stay ahead of the law and help as many people as possible. How has your company shifted its strategy during the pandemic? We offered virtual services to our clients throughout the pandemic and can still meet virtually if necessary for our clients. We also hired a dedicated videographer to work on our marketing initiatives. We did not slow down our marketing efforts despite the burdens that the pandemic placed on us. Instead, we ramped them up. What are your family values and how do they contribute to your business success? Our family values are to support one another and to push each other to keep growing. We are always striving for excellence in our personal lives and motivating our loved ones to do the same. We bring this same mindset to our business. We encourage our employees to keep learning about the law and get out of their comfort zones so that they can grow. the business back, re-establishing it as privately-held company. While Total works with businesses and organizations of all sizes, holding one of only two of Cisco state contracts, we currently provide services to 40% of municipalities in Connecticut. How has your company shifted its strategy during the pandemic? Total moved to a remote workplace and are now starting to return to a hybrid model. We also shifted our focus to clients who were unsuited for remote work so that they could remain competitive through our collaboration services and products that represent a significant portion of our portfolio. How do you plan to keep your business going even after your current top executive retires? My son, Josh, has been and is the driving and visible force behind Interscape's success. My daughter, Julia, leads development and project management in Massachusetts. Our team is talented and cohesive, and most have been with us for many years. How has your company shifted its strategy during the pandemic? We have certainly learned to be flexible. Our major goal was to retain all of our employees because our team is awesome. With a firm belief in Interscape and a cohesive and collective positive attitude, we did retain all employees, learned how to work together remotely, and adapted to changes and strangeness.