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C-SUITE | 2023 AWARDS HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | OCTOBER 30, 2023 B9 H ector M. Rivera is the president and CEO of Our Piece of the Pie (OPP). Rivera heads the organi- zation's leadership team with a focus on the growth of resources and capacity to deliver quality services and positive results for Connecticut's youth. roughout his tenure, he has led OPP to recogni- tion as one of the nation's leading nonprofits in the areas of youth and work- force development and post-secondary academic solutions for teens and young adults. What have been your biggest professional accomplishments over the past year? I led the organization with the fundraising, research, development and implementation of clinical services at Our Piece of the Pie. Our young people now have on-site access to critical mental health services. I led the organization in increasing its budget by almost 20% from $8.58 million in FY 2023 to $10.63 million in FY 2024. In what ways are you involved in the community? Most of my profes- sional life has been dedi- cated to human services, particularly Hartford youth. I strive to give my time, mentorship, and knowledge to others and to learn from my peers across the country and locally. I have sat on numer- ous nonprofit boards, including the National Youth Employment Coalition and Camp Courant. On the job Guiding business prin- ciple: 'ose who build great organizations make sure they have the right people on the bus and the right people in the key seats before they figure out where to drive the bus.' It's a principle created by author Jim Collins in his book 'Good to Great,' and taught and ingrained in me by former OPP CEO Bob Rath. Best way to keep your competitive edge: Always plan and strategize 12 to 18 months ahead. Allows you the abil- ity to capitalize on business opportuni- ties and prepare for the unexpected. P aul Young is the senior executive vice president and CFO of Middletown-based Liberty Bank. In this role, Young is responsible for accounting, treasury, financial planning and analysis, enterprise project management, procurement, digital banking and strategic planning. He has served as a member of the Business & Industry Executive Committee and the Americas Regional Advisory Panel of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). Young is currently a member of the Future of Finance Leadership Advisory Group. What have been your biggest professional accomplish- ments over the past year? As CFO, I lead the strategic plan- ning process and have focused on the development and execution of strategic initiatives that have resulted in record earnings for Liberty Bank. I have worked with the AICPA to help Liberty become the first U.S. bank to imple- ment the Registered Finance Business Partner Program, helping to attract, develop and retain diverse talent. I developed a new CFO rotational program and married that with the Registered Apprentice- ship program to attract diverse talent from our retail branch network and externally from the military. I also part- nered with Excelsior University to provide a special discount off tuition for our team- mates and customers. In what ways are you involved in the community? I volunteer at various Liberty Bank events to help organizations including the United Way and Connecticut Foodshare. I have served on the board of the Liberty Bank Foundation and actively support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. I have been an adjunct professor teaching finance and accounting and enjoy mentoring students. On the job Guiding business principle: Each and every day is an opportunity to make a difference in people's lives and embody our corporate brand to always 'Be Community Kind,' while making the most of the opportunities and enjoying the journey. Hector Rivera President and CEO OUR PIECE OF THE PIE INC. Size of organization: $10.6 million; 70 employees Education: Bachelor's degree in human service, Springfield College; MBA, Albertus Magnus College; MSM, Albertus Magnus College Paul Young Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer LIBERTY BANK Size of organization: $7.4B in assets Education: MBA, Temple University, Fox School of Business WINNER CATEGORY | CEO, SMALL NONPROFIT, LESS THAN 75 EMPLOYEES WINNER CATEGORY | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OR GO TO >> HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM/HBJ-EVENTS CLICK ON C-SUITE & LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS TO REGISTER PRESENTING SPONSOR: MAJOR SPONSOR: SUPPORTING SPONSOR: & TIME TO CELEBRATE EXTRAORDINARY INDIVIDUALS NOVEMBER 28, 2023 | 5:00 - 8:00 PM FARMINGTON GARDENS, FARMINGTON, CT Please join us for this special event as we network with and celebrate the 2023 Class of C-Suite and Lifetime Achievement honorees! SCAN HERE TO REGISTER