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10 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | August 15, 2022 40 UNDER FORTY | 2022 Aaron Knight is a grants and contracts specialist for the state Department of Public Health. In this role, he works across the agency to support the administration of more than $500 million of COVID-19 funding from the CDC while working with staff and various stakeholders from other state agencies to coordinate their COVID-19-related activities. Knight was previously a project man- ager for the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development's International Business Development Unit. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? Dana M. Hrelic is counsel at Pullman & Comley, LLC, where she focuses her practice on commercial litigation and state, territorial and federal appeals. She is active in both the American Bar Association and Connecticut Bar Association, serving as a member of both the CBA House of Delegates as well as the ABA House of Delegates. Hrelic is also the Second Circuit represen- tative on the ABA Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary, and a past co-chair of the CBA COVID-19 Task Force. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? I've had the opportunity to travel for work to Germany and Paris. A professional highlight was coordinating the Connecticut presence at the Hannover Messe trade show in Germany the year that President Obama attended, toured our exhibit and spoke at the opening ceremony along with Chancellor Angela Merkel. How are you involved in the community? I've volunteered with various nonprofits over the years through HYPE and United Way ELS. I'm currently focused on my involvement in community activities and fundraising efforts of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and the BSL Educational Foundation. What do you like to do outside of work? I enjoy all of the social activities and commu- nity events that Greater Hartford has to offer, including live music, festivals, breweries and axe throwing. I always enjoy sporting events like Yard Goats, Dallas Cowboys or UConn basketball games. And I still play adult kickball with Clubwaka once a week! Why do you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty? • Currently serve as secretary on the exec- utive board of the Beta Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. • Participated in United Way Emerging Leaders Society (ELS) 2021 Case Competition as steering committee member. • Served as the 2020 chair of the Hartford Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs (HYPE), an initiative of the MetroHartford Alliance. • While at DECD, served the state as a key point of contact for small businesses seeking guidance regarding the COVID-19 sector rules. Winning blanket reversal before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit after a long oral argument in a complicated gov- ernment immunity case was a huge thrill and something of which I'm very proud. I am also proud of the large part I played in the adoption of policy by the American Bar Association that advocates for the provision of clean, safe and private lactation rooms for breastfeeding mothers in courthouses. How are you involved in the community? I am very involved in both state and national bar associations, where I have worked hard to further diversity, equity and inclusion efforts on behalf of others in the legal profes- sion—including, specifically, female lawyers. What do you like to do outside of work? I love spending time with my family. My husband, Anthony, is also an appellate attorney and he is my favorite debate partner and my No. 1 supporter. My children, Ethan (4) and Eliza (2.5), are constantly getting into and learning new things and I love rediscovering the world through their eyes. I also love using my Peloton bike and am proudly a #PeloLawMom! Why do you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty? • Argued over 30 appeals before state, territorial and federal appeals courts in only 14 years of practice. • Served as chair of the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, overseeing approximately 200,000 young lawyers nationwide. • Drafted and successfully presented a resolution advocating for safe, clean and private lactation rooms for breastfeeding women in courthouses nationwide. We congratulate our friend and colleague Dana M. Hrelic and all of the 2022 HBJ 40 under 40 Honorees! pullcom.com BRIDGEPORT HARTFORD SPRINGFIELD WAKEFIELD WATERBURY WESTPORT WHITE PLAINS Dana M. Hrelic, Attorney Litigation and Appellate Practices We congratulate our friend and colleague Dana M. Hrelic and all of the 2022 HBJ 40 under 40 Honorees! pullcom.com BRIDGEPORT HARTFORD SPRINGFIELD WAKEFIELD WATERBURY WESTPORT WHITE PLAINS Dana M. Hrelic, Attorney Litigation and Appellate Practices Commmercial and Industrial Construction Design/Build Services Owner Todd Lessard 40 Under 40 Recipient www.leadingedgeconstructionllc.com Dana Hrelic Age: 38 Company: Pullman & Comley LLC Title: Counsel Number of years with current company: 1; (14 practicing law) Town where I live: West Hartford Town where I work: Hartford College: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; University of Connecticut School of Law Highest degree: Juris Doctor in Law Aaron Knight Age: 38 Company: Connecticut Department of Public Health Title: Grants and Contracts Specialist Number of years with current company: 1 Town where I live: Hartford Town where I work: Hartford College: University of Connecticut Highest degree: Bachelor's in economics and political science