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Movers & Shakers 30 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | JUNE 16, 2025 Opinion & Commentary A new 40-bed, inpatient rehabilitation hospital being constructed in Danbury now has a chief executive officer. Encompass Health, the nation's largest owner and operator of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, is preparing to open Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Danbury, at 50 Reserve Road, in September. The company announced it has appointed George Gilliam as CEO of the Danbury hospital. Gilliam, a physical therapist, has 21 years of healthcare expe- rience, including 10 years of experi- ence in ambulatory care, acute care, operations, emergency management and compliance. He previously served as vice pres- ident of operations for HCA Florida Northwest Hospital in Margate, Florida. In that role, Gilliam was responsible for rehabilitation services, respiratory therapy, security, and food and nutrition. Trenton Honda will join Quin- nipiac University on July 7 as the dean of the School of Health Sciences. In addition to his leadership role, Honda will serve as a professor of biomedical sciences and physician assistant studies. Honda joins Quinnipiac from North- eastern University's Bouvé College of Health Sciences, where he served as the founding associate dean of the School of Clinical and Rehabilitation Sciences since 2021. Prior to that, he was an associate professor and division chief in the department of family and preventive medicine at the University of Utah School of Medicine. Waterbury-based St. Mary's Hospital announced new members to its board of directors. At the beginning of the year, in January 2025, the board welcomed five new members, and in April 2025, the board added three new members. They include: • Sandra G. Affenito, provost, chief academic officer, Post University • Angela E. Chapman, associate dean of development, Connecticut State Community College Naugatuck Valley • Tamara Kaliszewski, assistant professor in residence, director, Allied Health Sciences at UConn Waterbury • Donna O. Moore, strategic and oper- ating advisor and C-suite coach • Lynnette Letsky-Piombo, CFO, Amer- ican Heating Service LLC • Christa Chodkowski, principal of the Catholic Academy of Waterbury • Sarah R. Geary, manager of budget development and oversight for the city of Waterbury • Gary M. Steck, CEO, Wellmore Behavioral Health New Haven-based Babbidge Construction Co. announced the promotion of Chris Malerba to director of construction. Malerba brings over 30 years of construction industry expertise to his new role. He works closely with project managers and field operations during the construction phase. Malerba joined Babbidge in September 2024 as a project executive, from Summit Masonry & Building Restoration. Avon advertising agency Mintz + Hoke has named Brian Pike its execu- tive creative director. In his new role, Pike will help shape and champion the creative vision of the agency, overseeing everything it produces, from films and social content to print and Out-Of-Home. Before moving to Connecticut two years ago, Pike spent the majority of his career in San Francisco, working at a variety of agencies that specialized in everything from digital innovation to customer engagement, with a focus on both B2C and B2B. He's helped shape digital experi- ences for major brands like Google, Pepsi and The Meth Project. EXPERT'S CORNER Here's how businesses and individuals can build wealth long term By Carlos Salmon A fter hitting several all-time highs earlier this year, the markets have been on a wild ride — falling sharply, bouncing back, and now continuing to fluctuate. For many investors, this level of vola- tility can be unsettling. But as Warren Buffett reminded us at the recent Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting, if you're rattled when stocks are down, it may be time for a different investment strategy, because "the world (of investing) is not going to adapt to you, you're going to have to adapt to (it)." Buffett's point is spot-on: volatility is part of the market's DNA. But with a well-structured, adaptable plan, you can stay grounded through the ups and downs. Here are some investment strategies through key decades of life: Investing in your 30s: Building a strong foundation Establish financial basics: • Build an emergency fund and manage high-interest debt. • Contribute to retirement accounts (e.g., 401(k), IRA, SEP IRA, Roth IRA, etc.) to harness the power of compounding. • Embrace a higher-risk allocation early on to learn by doing, while understanding that time can help smooth out volatility. For business owners, at this stage you should invest in your company: • Reinvest in growth by priori- tizing technology, talent and market research. • Lay the groundwork for scaling your business with sound financial habits. • Develop a strategy to pay down debt while still investing for the future. Investing in your 40s: Optimize for growth and managing risk Maximize contributions/diversify and safeguard: • Increase your retirement contribu- tions to build your nest egg as your income grows. • Rebalance your portfolio periodically to reflect your evolving risk tolerance. • Incorporate a mix of investments (e.g., stocks, bonds, private investments, real estate, etc.) to spread risk. • Utilize tax-efficient strategies and appropriate insurance products to safeguard your assets and your ability to earn. For business owners, enhance your business strategy: • Assess your business's finan- cial performance and explore opportunities for expansion or operational improvements. • Consult with tax planning and restructuring experts to ensure your business remains robust. • Revisit estate planning documents, including wills and trusts, and adjust coverage as family or business responsibilities evolve. Investing in your 50s: Down- shifting risk and coordinating your complete portfolio • Downshift the risk profile of your overall portfolio rather than completely pivot to capital preservation. • Align your traditional investments, business holdings, real estate, private investments and alternative assets to provide a stable income. • Evaluate how each asset class contributes to your long-term finan- cial stability and income. • Identify asset classes and income-generating investments that can offer stable cash flow during retirement. • Consider and evaluate insurance options to protect against future long-term care needs. • Fine-tune your portfolio to ensure that all pieces — from personal investments to real estate holdings — are aligned toward generating a reliable income stream in retirement. For business owners, plan for a business sale or transition: • Obtain a professional business valuation, clean up financial statements, and begin reducing owner dependency. • Develop a structured exit plan that aligns with personal financial goals. No matter where you are in your finan- cial journey, your strategy should evolve in tandem with your life and career. For business owners, thinking beyond daily operations can help establish your business as a strategic asset in your wealth plan — whether that's scaling for growth, preparing for a transition, or creating durable income streams. Carlos Salmon is a partner and wealth manager at New Haven-based Wooster Square Advisors. George Gilliam Trenton Honda Chris Malerba Brian Pike Carlos Salmon