Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1476506
22 Worcester Business Journal | August 22, 2022 | wbjournal.com Motsis is dedicated to her hometown. She's worked at the DCU Cen- ter, where she developed the first-ever group sales guide, secured a long-term contract with a major coffee and donut retail compa- ny, and raised $100,000 in annual sales. She was director of corporate partnerships at the Worcester Railers Hockey Club, where she oversaw and managed more than 143 accounts and secured the second-most corporate sponsorships for any team in the ECHL. And today, at the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester, she has increased branding awareness through social media, expanded reach to the community, developed a new website, and planned special events. She was part of a team that raised more than $3.5 million in fundraising in 2021, the largest amount in the organization's 133-year history. But her community advocacy work goes beyond her day job. Motsis is the leader of a West Boylston Daisy Girl Scouts troop, where all of her 13 girls earned their Daisy petal badges this year, each corresponding to a line in the Girl Scout law. Starting in September, Motsis will be a board member of the Worcester group Women In Development of Central MA. - L.F. What Central Mass. historical figure do you most admire? Sarah E. Wall. She refused to pay taxes and encouraged other women to join her until women had the right to vote! Who is most responsible for the person you are today? My parents raised me to be responsible and accountable for my actions. As long as I can remember, I was given the ability to make choices and wasn't raised being constantly told what to do. I feel by learning at a young age to make choices and learn from those actions (for better or worse), it has given me the confidence to be a leader. When do you want to retire? Retirement feels a long way off. I do know that while I don't know my exact plans, I will always find time to play an impactful role in my community. Leah Motsis, 35 Director of development Boys & Girls Club of Worcester Residence: West Boylston Birthplace: Worcester College: Westfield State University 4 0 U N D E R F O R T Y Nathan Lanier, 39 CEO, head brewer, director of products Tree House Brewing Co., in Charlton Residence: Sturbridge Birthplace: Northampton College: UMass PHOTO/ERIKA SIDOR Photo shoot at Tree House Brewing Co. in Charlton (special thanks to Leeanne Lawrence) As the legend goes, Lanier and his three friends, Damien Goudreau, Dean Rohan, and Jonathan Weisbach, started Tree House Brewing Co. in a small barn in Brimfield. Since that day 10 years ago, the company has become one of the two largest breweries in Central Massachu- setts at 40,000 annual barrels brewed, with Lanier still standing as head brewer and CEO. The company not only survived the COVID pandemic but expanded rapidly, adding two new locations in Deerfield and Tewksbury, on top of its Cape Cod location. Tree House's locations are profoundly important to the business model, as its beer is only sold in-house. Its newest locations have pushed into the entertainment industry, as well, with Deerfield offering a music venue and Tewksbury a former country club with a full golf course. As head brewer, Lanier is focused on creat- ing a cleaner environment throughout the brewing process and setting a precedent for the Massachusetts brewing industry. He oversees 250 employees and provided 100% health insurance coverage for all full-time employees and their dependents during the pandemic. Despite his com- pany's incredible growth, Lanier is committed to maintaining a home- grown and community-oriented feel, reminiscent of his earliest brewing days in Brimfield. - K.H. Who would you take on a 10-year, deep-space mission? My family, but since it's hypothetical: for conversation: Albert Einstein, Richard Feynman, Marcus Aurelius, Da Vinci, Nietzsche for bonus points; for entertainment: Sinatra, Coltrane, Lennon, MJ; for laughs: Robin Williams, Mitch Hedberg, George Carlin, Steve Martin. What is the best location in Central Mass.? Tree House Brewing Co.! :) What is the key to success? Determination and sacrifice - there are no secrets. Our success to date is directly proportional to effort. Who would you like to meet in the next 15 years? I wish Thich Nhat Hanh, but sadly he passed away in January.