Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | August 22, 2022 | Worcester Business Journal 27 Caffee holds many roles at Webster Five, but, in all his work, community investment is a priority and success is a constant. As the CRA officer, he created a strategic plan for the $1.1-billion bank's community development efforts, focusing on meeting credit needs for Worcester County's low- to moderate- income neighborhoods. In addition to this role, Caffee serves as director of retail lending, overseeing the mortgage and consumer lending teams. Through his tenure, the department has seen continuous growth, reaching record highs in the past two years. In Caffee's four years with Webster Five, he has helped generate a 600% increase in fee income compared with the previous four years. He uses his expertise in lending to assist homeowners and hopeful homebuyers around the community by serving on the board of directors for the Massachusetts Bankers Association and focusing on affordable housing initiatives. He serves on the Mortgage Review Board for the Massachusetts Division of Banks to ensure Worcester County residents are not discriminated against during the loan application process. - K.H. What four people would you take a 10-year, deep-space mission? My wife, my dog, Bobby Flay, and Elon Musk. What will Central Mass. be like in 10 years? I see Central Mass. as a hub for life sciences and business (small and large) with a great housing market driven by continued population growth. Who is most responsible for the person you are today? My parents aside, I grew up in suburban Philadelphia. During my childhood, I idolized Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson. They set my baseline for work ethic and determination. Darryl Caffee Jr., 36 Senior vice president, director of retail lending and community reinvestment officer Webster Five Cents Savings Bank, in Auburn Residence: Shrewsbury Birthplace: Landstuhl, Germany Colleges: Lock Haven University, Massachusetts School of Law Willens has spent almost half his life working at Kinefac, starting as a part-time employee during his undergraduate years and working his way up to head of research and development. Over those 17 years, he has received three degrees from WPI, including a doctorate, and has helped design and construct one of the world's largest thread rolling machines, capable of outputting nearly 700,000 pounds of force and 10,000 pound feet of torque. Beyond Kinefac, however, Willens does a lot for engineering education, coordinating the engagement of schools like WPI and Northeastern University in Boston to sponsor en- gineering student projects, and guest lecturing in an introductory course for manufacturing science course at his alma mater. He co-authored a chapter on the rolling process in the McGraw-Hill Manufacturing Engineering Handbook in 2015. - L.F. Would you prefer to live on the equator or in Antarctica? Equator, not a fan of the cold What is the key to your success? Building a strong foundation of edu- cation, mentors, hands-on experience, and networking relationships, and staying in tune with current and future technological needs and exploring innovative ways of developing it and applying it. Outside of your career and family, what has been your marquee life ex- perience? Going through the process of co-authoring and publishing a book. The book, entitled "Wain-Roy and the Invention of the Backhoe," was inspired by the passion to preserve local area history and to correct claims made by others in a multi-billion dollar industry. It was a lengthy process of deep research and interviews resulting in successful publication in 2018. This was followed by book signings and several published articles in local area newspapers and on the internet. The book has drawn the attention of many worldwide and some big industry construction machine companies to augment their claims. Hum- bling fan letters continue to come in even several years later, and a Facebook group on the topic has grown to nearly 200 members. David Willens, 35 Director of research & development Kinefac Corp., in Worcester Residence: Paxton Birthplace: Boston College: Worcester Polytechnic Institute Congratulations Ben Barner on being named to the 23rd class of Worcester Business Journal's 40 under 40! Your professionalism and commitment to improving health and inspiring hope in the communities we serve—and that of past 40 under 40 recipients from the Fallon family—helps us provide the care our members need and deserve. Care and coverage that goes further. 22-731-083 Rev. 00 8/22 4 0 U N D E R F O R T Y

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