Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | August 19, 2024 | Worcester Business Journal 7 CONGRATULATIONS T h i s a c h i e v e m e n t r e f l e c t s y o u r h a r d w o r k , v i s i o n a r y l e a d e r s h i p , a n d d e d i c a t i o n t o e x c e l l e n c e . Y o u r j o u r n e y i s o n e o f a m b i t i o n a n d t r i u m p h , a n d t h i s a w a r d i s w e l l - d e s e r v e d . K e e p p u s h i n g b o u n d a r i e s a n d b l a z i n g t r a i l s — y o u a r e d e s t i n e d f o r g r e a t e r h e i g h t s ! GALEN VERNEY " H A P P I N E S S I S T H E K E Y T O S U C C E S S . I F Y O U L O V E W H A T Y O U A R E D O I N G , Y O U W I L L B E S U C C E S S F U L . " – A L B E R T S C H W E I T Z E R 4 0 U N D E R F O R T Y It wouldn't be atypical for any recently graduated college student to be a bit unsure about their next step. But that wasn't the case for Emily Molstad. Upon receiving her mas- ter's degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 2019, she quickly got to work tackling the issue of sustainability by co-founding VALIS in 2022. The company seeks to use software to enable the remnants of past industrial endeavors to be recycled into the machinery and tech- nology driving today's economy. VALIS' scrap metal sorting technology has potential to meet the growing need for valuable metals while helping cut emissions caused by metal production. Molstad has shown know- how in both the technical and financial sides of the business, participating in efforts to bring the company's flagship software product to market while attracting funding from both private and public sources, including more than $5 million in funding from the National Science Foundation, NASA, and the U.S. Department of Energy. In between all that (and making the 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30 list), Molstad finds time to volunteer to support the next generation of engineering and business students at WPI. - Story by Eric Casey For a year, would you rather give up your cell phone or your favorite food? Cell phone. I can't live without Thai Time's red curry Best coffee in Central Massachusetts? Acoustic Java If you wrote a book of business advice, what would the title be? "Entrepreneurship & Breathing" Who's career would you most like to emulate? Diran Apelian, a leading material science and engineering researcher and professor formerly of WPI Emily Molstad, 26 Co-founder & CEO VALIS, in Worcester Residence: Worcester Birthplace: Newington, Connecticut College: Worcester Polytechnic Institute Ron Ernenwein has grown his transportation business from trans- porting 10,750 children home to school each day in 2006, to 43,000 today, creating the largest independent school bus contractor in Massachusetts. Today, his business employs 650 people, a tremendous increase from 225 employees in 2006. Since he won WBJ's 40 Under Forty award in 2006, he considers his biggest professional accomplishment providing uninterrupted service to customers during the COVID-19 pandemic, a noteworthy achieve- ment as many neighboring communities faced service interruptions and were directly impacted by the national labor shortage. In his free time, he enjoys mentoring young, aspiring entrepreneurs, as he once was one himself when he launched AA Transportation in 1996. Since he began his company, Ernenwein has always given back to the community through charitable contributions and in 2006 was providing buses at discount rates for community services and limos for the Make-A-Wish program. Today, he supports two nonprofits, Project New Hope, a Worcester-based organization dedicated to supporting veterans and their families, and The Kindness Coalition, a Shrewsbury-based coalition striving to improve the wellbeing of unprivileged members of the community. – Story by Sara Bedigian What did getting the 40u40 award mean to you at the time? As a community college graduate, receiving this recognition was a personal validation of my ability to succeed. What does it mean to you now? Although I didn't understand at the time, older people like to see younger entrepreneurs succeed. Today, I can relate as I enjoy helping, mentoring, and watching young, hard-working individuals become successful. The award inspires me to continue to succeed in my business and support our communities. What advice do you have for this year's 40u40 winners? Make a plan you have faith in and follow it. Don't hesitate to take calibrated risks. Thank those who support you. How has Central Massachusetts changed since you won the 40u40 award? Econom- ic growth has provided great opportunities for business. However, increased regulations have made it more difficult to maneuver through business opportunities. Class of 2006 Ron Ernenwein Then: President & CEO at AA Transportation, in Shrewsbury Now: President & CEO at AA Transportation, Shrewsbury 2006 2024 Robyn Kennedy assumed her role as a Massachusetts state senator in January 2023, but not before doing some very heavy lifting back at the YWCA. While still in her leadership position at the YWCA Central Massachusetts, the organization completed a $24-million occupied renovation, expanding every program space during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. While the renova- tion was taking place, the YWCA helped support the community through safety initiatives including hosting testing sites and vaccine equity clinics. In her role as state senator, Kennedy is the chairperson for the leg- islature's Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities and vice chair for the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy, in addition to her member roles on a number of other joint committees including those on agriculture, education, and public health, according to her profile on The General Court of the Com- monwealth of Massachusetts website. Kennedy has sponsored and co-sponsored petitions and bills aimed at addressing social and racial inequities throughout the state, including a petition to au- thorize the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families to create a bias-free child review team to assess emergency child removals and another to address racial and cultural bias training within educator professional development. - M.K.M. What did getting the 40u40 award mean to you at the time? It was powerful to join a collective of young leaders who are committed to improving our community through their unique talents. What does it mean to you now? Each year, that collective of leaders under 40 grows, and the future of our community shines brighter and stronger. What advice do you have for this year's 40u40 winners? Maya Angelou said it best, "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better. Keep striving to know more and do better." Class of 2020 Robyn Kennedy Then: Associate executive director for mission, programs & community impact, YWCA Central Massachusetts, in Worcester Now: State senator, Massachusetts State Senate, First Worcester District 2020 2024

• Cover