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A10 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | AUGUST 21, 2023 2023 | 40 UNDER FORTY Ryan Humble is the manager of drone operations at ESPN. Humble founded ESPN's internal drone operations team that captures high-flying footage of events like the NBA Finals, Monday Night Football and Sunday Night Baseball. He now coordinates with professional sports leagues and federal government agencies to further grow ESPN's use of drones. In addition to winning several sports Emmy Awards, Humble and his team were nominated for a Best of Disney Technology Award. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? I saw the need for an internal drone team at ESPN and worked with my senior lead- ership team to create the groundbreaking department. Given the success of and demand for drone footage, my team has now grown into a fleet of over two dozen drones and three pilots. How are you involved in the community? I am dedicated to giving back to the Hartford community. I currently serve on the Board of Directors for The Stocker Foundation, which has awarded grants to nonprofit organizations totaling more than $73.3 million, including $1.5 million to Hartford County organizations. What do you like to do outside of work? Originally from Las Cruces, New Mexico, I now live in Southington, with my wife, Kaitlin and children, Wesley, Scarlett and Lila, and our golden retriever Aggie (named after the NMSU Aggies). I enjoy traveling, spending time with my family and outdoor activities like kayaking, hiking and skiing. Why do you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty? • Created and oversees ESPN's drone opera- tions team, providing some of the industry's firsts in drone coverage of sports. • Serves on the Board of Directors for The Stocker Foundation, bringing $1.5 million to Hartford County organizations. • Established and taught a media course at an alternative high school in Las Cruces for students who struggled to succeed in traditional classroom environments. • Three-time sports Emmy Award winner. Andrew Garza is the co-founder and chief legal officer at Connecticut Trial Firm, which provides legal representation to the catastrophically injured. Garza manages the firm's critical case unit and is an instructor at the Keenan Trial Institute. Growing the firm from two to over 30 employees in the last five years, CT Trial has been named to the Inc. 5000 list, and as one of the 10 fastest-growing law firms in the U.S. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? I was fortunate to serve as lead trial counsel in the Cruz v. Spec Personnel case, which resulted in a record-breaking $100 million jury verdict for a very deserving paralyzed man and his wife. The verdict was reported to be the largest verdict in Connecticut history. How are you involved in the community? I've volunteered as a baseball coach for Farmington Little League for the past five seasons, served as co-chair for the Hartford Foundation's Farmington Greater Together Community Fund, and served as a big brother for Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters. What do you like to do outside of work? Outside of work, I am happiest when I am spending time with my wife and three children, coaching baseball, working on carpentry projects in my workshop or playing mediocre golf with friends. Why do you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty? • Serving as lead counsel for victims of the King Soopers mass shooting against Ruger Firearms for violations of state and federal law. • Served as lead counsel on a paralysis case resulting in the largest jury verdict in Connecticut history. • Served as lead counsel on a case resulting in one of the largest jury ver- dicts in Connecticut history for the child of an injured parent. • Named 2022 Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Keenan Trial Institute. Fun Fact I grew up in public housing and bartended my way through college and law school. Ryan Humble Age: 34 Company: ESPN Title: Manager, Drone Operations No. of years with current company: 12 Town where I live: Southington Town where I work: Bristol College: New Mexico State University Highest degree: Bachelor of creative media degree in digital filmmaking Andrew Garza Age: 36 Company: Connecticut Trial Firm LLC Title: Co-Founder/Chief Legal Officer No. of years with current company: 7 Town where I live: Farmington Town where I work: Glastonbury College: University of Connecticut Highest degree: Juris Doctor, New England Law, Boston