Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | August 22, 2022 | Worcester Business Journal 33 Medical school is one of the most demanding endeavors in education. UMass Chan employs people to help students overcome the mental and emotional challenges of its program and stay on track to graduate. Such a job takes tremendous strength and compassion. This is the job Delacruz Davila excels at every day: coaching students by creating a safe space, listening to them, and giving valuable feed- back so that they may succeed in their chosen field. She takes great joy in seeing students she has helped succeed and graduate. Her desire to help people does not stop there. She is the co-founder of The WellStorm Inc. a Southbridge organization which provides assistance with mental health, food insecurity, and homelessness. The organi- zation's first project, The Bridge Fridge, launches in September. She has volunteered her time to help with organizations advo- cating for veterans, women, parents, and students. Delacruz Da- vila, a proud Latina, wants to be a role model for young people, because growing up she did not see role models that looked like her, other than her mother. She wants to inspire young people by giving voice to and empowering the voiceless. - T.D. If you want to live on the equator or in Antarctica? Antarctica, as I wouldn't have any neighbors. LOL! What will Central Mass. will be like in 10 years? I try not to predict the future, as many things can change overtime, but I am always hopeful for a better tomorrow! If you gave a keynote at a college graduation, what advice would you give? Pay attention when things go well, pay extra attention when they don't, and watch how people react to it. Carla Delacruz Davila, 39 Program coordinator, diversity & student success; case manager, coaching program UMass Chan Medical School, in Worcester Residence: Southbridge Birthplace: Guayama, Puerto Rico Colleges: Becker College, Springfield College To say education has played an important role in Kent's life would be an understatement. With Fontaine Bros., which brought in $262 million in revenue in 2021, Kent has overseen more than 1 million square feet of new public school construction in Massachusetts. But his roots in education go deeper, having worked at Worcester's Nativity School for six years, first as an AmeriCorps teaching fellow, then as a history teacher and director of operations. He continues in this vein by managing Fontaine's intern program, having hired and mentored more than 40 students, some of whom still work at Fontaine Bros. Kent demonstrates a commitment to mindful construction, overseeing all of Fontaine Bros.' environmentally friendly LEED-certified projects, and serving on Preservation Worcester's board as vice president and on the endangered structures committee. He serves as a supervisory committee member with Millbury Credit Union and is on the board of Fontaine Community Foundation, which was founded in April. Kent resides in Worcester with his wife, Emily, and two daughters. He is a 2018 graduate of Leadership Worcester, a program designed to foster talent and leadership in the city. - T.D. What has been your favorite nickname? Dad. My wife, Emily, and I have two amazing girls, and a "Dad" or "Dada" can melt me. What Central Mass. historical figure do you most admire? Elbridge Boyden. He was a carpenter, taught himself architecture, and went on to design dozens of buildings in the region, including Mechanics Hall. Who is most responsible for the person you are today? My father, my three older brothers, and my mother, who had to put up with us. When do you want to retire? They will likely have to wheel me out at some point. Joel Kent, 35 Senior project manager Fontaine Bros., Inc., in Worcester Residence: Worcester Birthplace: Kingston Colleges: College of the Holy Cross, Assumption University 12 East Worcester Street Worcester, MA 01604 508-796-5133 | fontainebros.com H A T S O F F T O J O E L A N D A L L T H E 4 0 U N D E R 4 0 H O N O R E E S ! JOEL KENT Senior Project Manager Congratulations to Joel Kent on being selected in the Worcester Business Journal 40 under 40 class of 2022! Since our first project in 1933, Fontaine Bros. has been invested in doing our very best every day. Four generations and hundreds of buildings later, we know that our most valuable assets are our people and we are grateful for Joel's seven plus years with Fontaine. We appreciate the many contributions Joel makes to Fontaine and the positive impact he has on our community. 4 0 U N D E R F O R T Y

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