Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1525409
12 Worcester Business Journal | August 19, 2024 | wbjournal.com PHOTO | JAIME FLORES Westerman Props movie warehouse, in Worcester (Special thanks to Dan Diaz) 4 0 U N D E R F O R T Y Brown is leading the dining service program at WPI with precision and expertise. He has made signifi- cant efforts working with the student body to construct new meal plans allowing them to curate their own dining experiences, lead- ing to increased participation in dining memberships. As resident district manager at WPI, he oversees 20 food service managers and chefs, alongside the supervision of more than 300 hourly associates. Brown worked his way up to his manager role at WPI in June 2023, after holding various roles at Chartwells Higher Edu- cation over the past 15 years. He joined Chartwells as an hourly chef at Northeastern University in Boston in July 2009 and since then has overseen and executed projects at former Becker College in Worcester, Worcester State University, New England College in New Hampshire, and WPI. Brown devotes his free time to volunteer work and helped students at WPI transport unused food to a local shelter on Elm Street during the academic year. Brown is a mentor through nonprofit EforAll Greater Worcester, allowing him to work with other food service entrepreneurs. He serves on the executive board for Monoosnock Country Club in Leominster and assists the team with kitchen operations. – S.B. Would you rather go back in time to meet your ancestors or to the future to meet your descendants? I love history, so I would go back in time to meet my ancestors. Go-to restaurant for a business lunch? The Boynton Who's career would you like to emulate? Gordon Ramsay, my favorite celebrity chef. Class of 2024 Denis Brown, 37 Resident district manager of dining at Worcester Polytechnic Institute Chartwells Higher Education Residence: Leominster Birthplace: Worcester College: Johnson & Wales University Originally from Nashville, Carney earned a master's degree in vocal performance from the New England Conservatory of Music. Carney headed west to Worces- ter following graduation, finding a city with a culture that reminded him of his hometown before it was changed by gentrification. He quickly immersed himself in the local community, participating in the stART on the Street Festival and assisting with the painting of the Black Lives Matter mu- ral on Major Taylor Boulevard. Having performed with groups like the Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra, the Nashville Symphony Chorus, the Nashville Opera, and the Rhode Island Civic Chorale and Orchestra, Carney was a natural fit to helm Mechanics Hall's youth singers program. Since joining the organization, more than 100 young singers have registered. Carney is a musical instructor for Worcester's Black Excellence Academy and has collaborated with other local artists, including for a Juneteenth concert at the First Unitarian Church. A profes- sional singer, in 2023 he debuted as a principal artist in "Omar," an opera that has since won a Pulitzer Prize. – E.C. What would the title of your book of business advice be? "Building A Mountain of Possibilities: A Stone of Hope" Favorite place you've visited? The beautiful mountains and landscapes of West Virginia Class of 2024 Christon Carney, 33 Education and outreach manager at Mechanics Hall Managing director, Many Voices Mechanics Hall Youth Singers Residence: Shrewsbury Birthplace: Nashville, Tennessee Colleges: New England Conservatory of Music and Lipscomb University