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HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | AUGUST 21, 2023 A3 2023 | 40 UNDER FORTY Kate Baumann is the chief operating officer for the MetroHartford Alliance, an economic development organization focused on attracting jobs and retaining talent in the Hartford region. Baumann leads efforts to convene part- ners to support the organization's mission, while stimulating success for the business community, including promoting things happening through the "Pulse of the Region" podcast, which Baumann hosts. She previ- ously worked for Nexstar Media Group, the New Britain Rock Cats and iHeartMedia. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? With a great team, I am proud of the role I played to relaunch and expand News 8's life- style show to focus on producing branded content. The custom video content was designed to air across multiple media plat- forms and drove significant new revenue at the local, regional and national levels. How are you involved in the community? I've had the privilege of intertwining my work with my community involvement. At the New Britain Rock Cats, News 8 and the MHA, I created opportunities to highlight the incredible work being accomplished by our area nonprofits, spotlighting them in many ways including: video features, podcasts, stories and events. What do you like to do outside of work? My family and friends spark the positive vibe in me, so does a good day at the beach. I love spending time with family and friends trav- eling, on the athletic fields/courts, hiking or at a great restaurant. I enjoy DIY projects (thanks mom) and learning to build things (thanks dad). Why do you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty? • Being nominated — someone went out of their way to recognize me for this — I hope to continue to live up to those expecta- tions of what inspired them to think of me. • Team player and member of the MHA's leadership team. • Creative leader with a strong track record of creating and driving revenue-generating strategies across multiple industries. • Host of the MHA's "Pulse of the Region" podcast — highlighting the positive things happening in the Hartford region. Jerome Baier is the business banking regional manager for M&T Bank. Baier is responsible for leading a team that supports business clients from pre-revenue to $20 million in revenues with an array of banking services. He has been with M&T for 15 years and has held various roles across sales, credit and sales management. Prior to this role, Baier was a business banking team leader sup- porting Philadelphia and southern New Jersey. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? I am proud of leading my business banking team through M&T's largest merger in com- pany history. I grew the team from seven members to 18 within seven months. My focus was on building a cohesive culture due to the banking transition and rapid growth in a short period of time. How are you involved in the community? I am a coach for my oldest son's youth baseball and football teams. My family and I are active members of St. James Episcopal Church in West Hartford. Additionally, I sit on the M&T Foundation committees for northern and southern Connecticut. What do you like to do outside of work? I enjoy spending time with my wife, Mary, and two sons, Lewis and Thomas. I'm an avid sports fan – Buffalo Bills, New York Yankees and San Antonio Spurs. I also enjoy playing golf and making progress on my honey-do list. Why do you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty? • Member of the local leadership team responsible for executing on the People's United and M&T Bank merger. • Leader focused on expanding M&T Bank's SBA presence in the state to assist local businesses. • Responsible for leading and developing a team of 18 relationship managers and team leaders. • Actively volunteers and member of the decision-making team for M&T Foundation's charitable contributions to support local nonprofit organizations. Jerome Baier Age: 37 Company: M&T Bank Title: Senior Vice President No. of years with current company: 15 Town where I live: West Hartford Town where I work: Hartford College: SUNY Geneseo Highest degree: Master's degree in business administration, SUNY Buffalo Kate Baumann Age: 39 Company: MetroHartford Alliance Title: Chief Operating Officer No. of years with current company: 3 Town where I live: Cromwell Town where I work: Hartford College: Springfield College Highest degree: Bachelor's degree in communications/sports journalism and English, minor in marketing Congratulations to Jerome and all of this year's honorees, from your friends at M&T Bank. Equal Housing Lender. ©2023 M&T Bank. Member FDIC. AMP 5365 230801 VF mtb.com Jerome Baier Business Banking Regional Manager, Senior Vice President Hartford Busines