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30 Hartford Business Journal • July 21, 2014 www.HartfordBusiness.com 40 Under Forty 2014 40 Under Forty 2014 Adam McLaughlin Age: 35 Title at work/what do I do: Senior relationship manager, senior vice president at Webster Bank, com- mercial middle market group. We are focused on helping our business clients in all areas of banking needs, including financing products like working capital lines of credit, merger and acquisition financing, real estate, equipment, and other capital needs. My clients typically have annual revenues between $20 million and $500 million. Town where I work: Hartford Town where I live: South Windsor College I attended: Springfield College (undergrad); SNHU (MBA) My passion, hobby or special talent: I love baseball. I played for 25+ years, and now I enjoy the game thru coaching my kids. Twitter handle: @amac1619 No. of LinkedIn connections: 548 Favorite place to network: HYPE; HBJ events; MetroAlliance Rising Star breakfasts; LGH After Hours Favorite drink at a networking event: Since I'm not a coffee drinker, I guess a nice red wine. How do I create connections in your profes- sional life? Social media is great for keeping in contact with what's going on in every- one's life, but there is nothing better than actually having a conversation. Whether it's picking up the phone, playing a round of golf, or spending time while supporting a charity, I find that simple communica- tion is the best way to establish a personal connection. It's those personal connec- tions that I believe can help differentiate me from the competition. What's been my biggest challenge professionally? As a father of two amazing children, it is always a challenge balancing work and professional life. My wife is extremely sup- portive in allowing me the opportunity to pursue my goals and ambitions, and com- munication is the key to making our daily routine work! What is the best advice I received? My former boss, Bob Annon, was a Navy man and he lived by the "7 Ps". Proper Plan- ning and Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance. It may not be the most politi- cally correct advice, but I believe it relates perfectly to all aspects of life. What do I want my legacy to be? I hope that I am ultimately looked back on as being one of the leaders in both our industry and the community. I am a big believer in social responsibility, and Web- ster continues to be supportive of this by encouraging its employees to be active in the communities we serve. Whether it is with financial support, volunteering per- sonal time, or serving on various boards and committees, we can help guide not- for-profit organizations to be successful and make a difference in our community. Through my involvement in HYPE, I try to help engage more young professionals in getting involved in reshaping the future of the Greater Hartford area. I hope that I will be seen as a key player in that resurrection over the next 20 or so years, while continu- ing to find success in my banking career. Adam was among the 3.4 million people who retweeted Ellen DeGeneres' selfie at the Oscars. FUN FACT Ryan McKeen Age: 34 Title at work/what I do: Attorney. I practice law. In 2013, I founded McKeen Law Firm. I believe the practice of law is about community – specifically about healing community. Every day, I go to work striving to help my clients. I constantly search for ways to enhance the way I deliver legal services, help my clients, and improve community. Town where I work: Glastonbury Town where I live: East Granby College I attended: Western New England School of Law My passion, hobby or special talent: Running (passion/hobby; not sure about the talent part). Twitter handle: @ryanmckeen No. of LinkedIn connections: 903 Favorite place to network: Online Favorite drink at a networking event: Whiskey How do I create connections in my profes- sional life? I create connections by giving to others. Whether it is helping other lawyers with prob- lems, serving as general counsel to a charity, or listening to a client's problem – it's about being a net positive in relationships with oth- ers. Doing good is the best way that I know to do well. What's been my biggest challenge professionally? Starting a business. I left a great firm at Leone, Throwe, Teller & Nagle in East Hartford. I worked with lawyers that I deeply admire. Deciding to leave and choose a less certain path was very dif- ficult. Founding a company is difficult. Especially at the beginning, it feels there are more decisions to be made than there is time to make them. And the challenges always change. At first, it was about figur- ing out how to survive and now it's figuring out how to grow. It's never boring. What is the best advice I received? "Hills make you stronger." – Running group credo. When I started running, I hated hills. As I've grown, I've realized that run- ning hard up hills is the best way I know to become a better runner. The only way I know to improve my firm is to embrace big chal- lenges, attack them aggressively, and push my comfort zone. What do I want my legacy to be? "To know even one life has breathed easi- er because you have lived. This is to have suc- ceeded." – Ralph Waldo Emerson. I represent individuals and small businesses. Being an attorney provides a unique opportunity to do good. Whether it's helping a disabled woman get a tree taken down, guiding someone safe- ly through a divorce, or trying a major case – the opportunities to help people in my line of work are endless. When all is said and done – I want my legacy to be one of seizing these opportunities and spreading the good to the community. The full Emerson quote reads "To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of chil- dren; To earn the appreciation of honest crit- ics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in oth- ers; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition…" I hope my legacy includes all of those things. On April 1, Ryan tweeted, "Just typed 'she's waiving' instead of 'she's waving'. Don't go to law school." FUN FACT