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HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | AUGUST 11, 2025 2025 AWARDS | 40 UNDER FORTY 21 Congratulations to the Winners Meghan Rickard meghan@compumail.net 860-628-2770 298 Captain Lewis Dr. Southington, CT 06489 compumail.net ! 40 UNDER FORTY FORTY FORTY Design | Print | Mail 2025 AWARDS Family Owned & Operated Since 1990 Family Owned & Operated Since 1990 Justin Orcutt is a director of cyber- security at Microsoft, driving secure digital and AI transformation across the U.S. defense industrial base. A trusted advisor on Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) compliance and sovereign cloud strategy, he has led initiatives generating over hundreds of millions in revenue, with an average Tyler Paparello is the chief operating officer of one of the largest Midas franchise groups in the country, growing Automotive Management Group from five locations to now more than 30 since 2020. Under his leadership, annual revenue increased from $4.2 million to more than $42 million, with projections of over $60 million in 2026. Known for operational excellence and grassroots growth, he drives recruiting, training and financial performance compound annual growth rate of 30%. Known for bridging policy and product, Orcutt empowers defense and aerospace organizations to modernize securely in using Microsoft Government solutions. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? My biggest accomplishment is an ongoing one where I lead strategy for CMMC, shaping guidance that will reach more than 300,000 companies and directly enhance warfighter readiness. This includes enabling secure IT modernization for sensitive defense programs, helping contractors advance beyond controlled unclassified information to support mis- sion-critical national security initiatives. Why do you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty? • Grows Microsoft's defense business by 30%, while juggling cybersecurity, strategy and the occasional toddler meltdown. • Builds scholarships, classes, and futures — one student, one school, one wildly ambitious idea at a time. How are you involved in the community? I use my Microsoft role to open doors and spark change beyond the defense industrial base — linking big-league innovation to local impact. Whether it's teaming up with Digital Defenders, Steam Train or ReadyCT, I'm all about making cybersecurity and career skills click for communities that need them most. across multiple states. Paparello began his career as an automotive service advisor and has climbed the ladder of the organization he now leads. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? Earning the position of COO at Automotive Management Group is my biggest professional accomplishment. Building this team, watching them win, and now leading them is extremely rewarding. How are you involved in the community? I'm a donor and advocate for the YMCA, supporting youth development and summer programs. Being able to give back to an organization that gave so much to me is a great feeling! What do you like to do outside of work? I love spending time with my wife Amber, and my three beautiful kids. I am passionate about leadership develop- ment, constantly reading or listening to podcasts on business growth, systems thinking and team dynamics. Why do you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty? • Scaled a business from $4.2 million to over $42 million in five years. • Built a concept/infrastructure based on recruiting, training, and KPI-based accountability. Used this concept to scale from five locations to more than 30 in five years. • Serve as YMCA donor and advocate. Justin Orcutt Company: Microsoft Title: Director of Cybersecurity, Aero- space and Defense Number of years with current company: 4 Town where I live: North Haven Town where I work: North Haven and across Connecticut College: Post University, University of New Haven Highest degree: Master's degree of business administration Age: 36 Tyler Paparello Company: Automotive Management Group Title: Chief Operating Officer Number of years with current company: 5 Town where I live: Southington Town where I work: Branford Age: 36