Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | August 22, 2022 | Worcester Business Journal 35 Education and research in the heart of Massachusetts. Impact all around the world. 4 0 U N D E R F O R T Y Crossman-Nanof measures her success in empowering other women in the trades and in her community, but that's not for lack of achievement in her own business. Within her first year in business, she grew her company by 90%. Now, she has five full-time painters and up to 10 subcontractors at any given time, making Revive one of the largest cabinet refinishing companies in Central Mass. In a male-dominated industry, Crossman-Nanof has not only proven herself as a strong competitor, but advocates and mainly employs women to improve gender equity in construction. Along with being a business owner, she has been a leader in building support systems for Clinton's business sector. She is the president of Discover Clinton, the town's downtown business association. In this role, she helped the group revamp its events and technology, rebuild its board, and regain its nonprofit status. She led the way in bringing the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce to town, where she is president and which has more than 350 member businesses. - K.H. What four people would you take a 10-year, deep-space mission? My husband Chris Nanof, Tom Brady, Katherine Robinson, Machine Gun Kelly What Central Mass. restaurant should everyone try at least once? Clintons Bar & Grille If you gave a keynote speech at a college graduation, what advice would you give? This is another chapter in your book. It's an early chapter. It's okay to not have everything figured out yet. Most likely, you'll fail a few times, but always learn from it. Move forward on your path, enjoy the twists and turns the path leads, and make an impact on a few people along the way. What person would you like to meet in the next 15 years? Kris Jenner Lauren Crossman-Nanof, 29 Owner Revive Painting & Finishing, in Clinton Residence: Lancaster Birthplace: Leominster Colleges: University of Rhode Island, Northeastern University School of Law Being elected mayor of a city at 25 years old is an impressive feat. Taking the reins of a city in 2020, at the beginning of the COVID pandemic and working to keep the public informed and 35,000 patients vac- cinated is impressive at any age. That is what Nichol- son did. He is the youngest mayor in the state and the first Latin American elected official in Gardner's history. His administration has partnered with private developers to purchase 12 buildings in downtown Gardner to create 35 commercial storefronts, 24 office spaces, and 108 apartment units in addition to residential development on Main Street creating another 100 market-rate units. He helped bring in a $13-million in grant to invest in the City's infrastructure and school system. During Nicholson's term, he's made sure that every student has access to their own laptop device, and that, through a diversity audit, every student can find representation of their community's stories in the school libraries. Somehow, Nicholson has found time to earn a law degree from Suffolk University in Boston, completed at night during his time as mayor. He serves on the board of directors for the The Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster Gardner Clubhouse and the Gardner Square Two Inc., a local business association. - T.D. Would you prefer to live on the equator or in Antarctica? Ant- arctica, because there's more room for discovery and new frontiers. What Central Mass. historical figure do you most admire? Gen- eral Rufus Putnam from Rutland, who fought in the Revolutionary War and then decided move West and settle what is now Marietta, Ohio. What key to business success do most people not know? It's okay to try new ideas, even if it's not how things have been done before. People with a that's-how-it's-always-been-done mentali- ty rarely succeed in new endeavors. Mike Nicholson, 27 Mayor City of Gardner Residence: Gardner Birthplace: Gardner Colleges: UMass Amherst, Suffolk University Law School Partner with Visions Internships to meet your goals & better our world Check out visionsinternships.com For more info, contact: Amy Mosher Berry, CEO amy@visionsinternships.com • 508-835-8007 Need project support but lack the time to find, train, and manage interns? Can You Help? Please consider supporting a Young Professional by contributing to our VIP Scholarship Fund VIP (Visions Internships Program) is a 12-week virtual project- based career and leadership development experience for purpose-driven young people in their twenties

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