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38 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | MARCH 4, 2024 POWER 50 energy storage projects in Connecticut by 2026. They are the first such proj- ects in the state and will help facilitate Connecticut's transition to carbon-free energy by 2040. Battery energy storage allows energy produced by intermittent clean-energy sources, such as solar and wind, to be stored and dispatched to the electric grid when needed. Hoffman joined Pullman in July 2003, and has been a member of the executive committee since 2013. Until recently, he was co-chair of the firm's real estate, energy, environmental and land-use department. Hoffman's practice has been focused on energy projects, environmental regulatory requirements and brownfield redevelopment. As Pullman's leader, Hoffman said one of his priorities is to grow the firm, both in terms of its footprint and roster of attorneys. Recently, he has overseen the expansion of existing practices and the addition of new ones in response to market opportunities and clients' needs. In 2023, Pullman launched a new hospitality law group and added two attorneys who serve as its chair and vice chair. The firm has received accolades under his leadership. In November 2023, "Best Lawyers" included Pullman on its 2024 Best Law Firms list. Twenty-two Pullman practice areas received Tier 1 rankings in the Hartford and/or Stamford regions for the second consecutive year. Pullman has Connecticut offices in Hartford, Bridgeport, Waterbury and Westport, in addition to three out of state in Wakefield, Rhode Island; Springfield, Massachusetts; and White Plains, New York. 40 Drew Andrews H ow do you know you run a well-respected midsize CPA firm? You get constant calls from smaller firms looking for a merger or to be acquired. Those calls come to Drew Andrews, who runs Hartford-based accounting and consulting firm Whittlesey, with about 160 employees. It's a position he's held since 2008. Andrews is well-known in Hartford's business community and a major backer of the city, having led the relocation of his firm to downtown in 2013. Since that time, he's helped grow Whittlesey through mergers and acquisitions into a regional player. The latest deal was in December 2021, when Whittlesey announced that it absorbed Bova, Harrington & Associates, a CPA and finan- cial consulting business in Northampton, Massachusetts. Whit- tlesey also has an office in Holyoke. As managing partner and CEO, he oversees the firm's busi- ness operations and provides internal leadership. Andrews has been working to address perhaps his industry's biggest challenge: a workforce shortage. Last year, he hired Whit- tlesey's first ever full-time recruiter, whose main focus is to help bring in new talent. He's also preparing for what he expects to be explosive growth in the use of artificial intelligence over the next three to five years. Join us as we induct Collins Aerospace, Arburg Inc., HORST Engineering and Otis Worldwide Corporation Announcing the 2024 American Manufacturing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony April 3 rd 8 am - 10 am $50 pp Host site: Farmington, CT Presented By: To honor Connecticut's manufacturing legacy and to support our next generation of makers the American Manufacturing Hall of Fame welcomes you to the 2024 Induction Breakfast Ceremonies, celebrating our 2024 Hall of Fame Class and Women of Manufacturing. Moderator: Kara Sundlun, WFSB TV 3 News Anchor Featured Presenters: LT Governor Susan Bysiewicz Honorary Chair U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal U.S. Representative Jahana Hayes REGISTER: AmericanManufacturingHof.com Founding Sponsor: Steel Sponsor: In Partnership With: Media Partner: Media Partner: Bronze Sponsors: Copper Sponsor: "I can't even fathom where we're going," he told the HBJ in October, when describing the impact AI will have on the accounting industry. Andrews is a graduate of Bryant University and a member of the American Institute of Certi- fied Public Accountants and Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants. He is also an active philanthropist and has held leadership positions with local nonprofits. 41 David Fay P erforming-arts venues took a beating during the global health pandemic and The Bushnell