Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/477247
36 Hartford Business Journal • July 21, 2014 www.HartfordBusiness.com Steven Raider-Ginsburg Age: 39 Title at work/what I do: Co-founding artistic direc- tor of the Hartford-based HartBeat Ensemble, an award- winning theater company that generates dynamic new works based on the most pressing issues of our times. I am an accomplished freelance director and have been commissioned by theaters region- ally. I was honored in American Theatre's 25th anniversary issue celebrating 25 young theater artists who are most likely to influence American Theater in the next 25 years. I am a member of the 2012 Lincoln Center Directors Lab and serve on the City of Hartford's Commission of Cultural Affairs. Town where I work: Hartford Town where I live: New Haven College I attended: Hampshire College (undergrad); Boston University (M.F.A.) My passion, hobby or special talent: Civic and community engagement, action and dialogue Twitter handle: @culturecreate No. of LinkedIn connections: Always growing Favorite place to network: HartBeat Ensemble's Carriage House Theater – HartBeat Happy Hour! Favorite drink at a networking event: Man- hattan, no cherry, dry How do I create connections in my profes- sional life? HartBeat is a hub of artists. We bring in regional, national, and internationally known theater makers. So in some ways the local and global theater connections comes right to my doorstep. I also go and work at other theaters in many locales. So my best networking is done on the job, in HartBeat's theater and around the globe in other the- aters. I continue to meet a world of amazing artists at professional gatherings such as the Lincoln Center Directors Lab, Theater Communications Group, and the Network of Ensemble Theaters as well as at HartBeat and other regional theaters. What's been my biggest challenge professionally? Retaining and attracting theater talent in Hartford and Connecticut has been my toughest challenge. Theater is a collaborative art and cannot be done alone. A good theater will allow the best idea in the room to pre- vail. Great talent, brings great ideas. With the largest theater scene in the country so close, New York City, talent drains quickly. Across the state, youth grow up training in theater at such fabulous institutions such as the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, Kinsella Arts Magnet, and ECA. Then there are many high quality theater degree programs, Yale, Hartt, UConn graduating dozens of talented theater professionals. We want/need them to stay in Connecticut! I am just beginning to work on some retention and attraction ideas but am always open to discussing the solution to this problem. What is the best advice I received? Meet people where they are at and take them further. What do I want my legacy to be? The HartBeat Ensemble Endowment Fund to secure venue, artistic programming, ticket subsidy, and an apprentice program. 40 Under Forty 2014 On Twitter, Steven follows the Mark Twain House, Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, and Wadsworth Atheneum. FUN FACT Ken Procino Age: 38 Title at work/what I do: Project executive, responsible for the overall operations of the Connecticut office for Shawmut Design and Construction. My role is to lead preconstruction and construction services and oversee multiple project teams in the construction of educational, library, commercial, retail, garage, residential, corporate, historic, hospital and healthcare, cleanroom, and assisted and skilled nursing facilities, as well as city and state funded projects. In addition, I am on the executive team that helps guide Shawmut Design and Construction's $900 million in operations nationwide. I am involved with three executive committees: Work-Life Balance Committee – in charge of creating and implementing alternative work practices for all of the 1,000 Shawmut employees; Execution Committee – creating more efficient ways to perform our business with ensuring that we have a streamlined process to deliver the client world-class service; and the three-year Leadership De- velopment Program – where I was selected to be one of the 22 folks to go through training to help grow our company in a leadership role. Overall, I lead a growing team of over 25 people in operations, while working with estimating and business development teams to secure work and support the business development activities by maintaining long- lasting relationships with clients. Town where I work: North Haven Town where I live: Milford College I attended: Penn State University My passion, hobby or special talent: My chil- dren and my family are my passion with cooking, boating, and sports. Twitter handle: @Shawmut_Builds No. of LinkedIn connections: 319 Favorite place to network: Construction conven- tions / seminars and community events Favorite drink at a networking event: Cran- berry juice How do I create connections in my profes- sional life? A majority of my connections are created throughout the projects that we construct. Throughout the construction process, we work closely with the clients, architects, engineers, town officials, government offi- cials and trade contractors. I find that being fair and honest and delivering a 10 on each project makes it easier to develop personal and professional connections. What's been my biggest challenge professionally? To be able to let go of performing the work myself and not getting involved in the day- to-day minute details. I am lucky to have an amazing team to help me with this challenge. What is the best advice I received? Your mind and body are stronger than you think. Push yourself to the limit and you will realize that you have no limit. I learned this throughout my recovery from a serious sports injury and have applied it to my pro- fessional career. What do I want my legacy to be? 1.) Always to be known as an honest and fair person who always does the right thing. 2.) I would like my office/team to be recog- nized as Shawmut's leading division region- ally and nationally and the top construction company in Connecticut. 3.) Be the one leader and role model who has helped my fellow team members succeed in their career and give them the opportunities and growth for them to be the next 40 under Forty. 4.) Make our office in Connecticut onto the "Best Places to Work" list by the Hartford Business Journal. 40 Under Forty 2014 Ken's construction management firm has 4,724 followers on Twitter. FUN FACT