Hartford Business Journal

www.HartfordBusiness.com October 6, 2014 • Hartford Business Journal 7 L i f E t i m E A c h i E v E m E n t A w A r d s 2 0 1 4 John rathgeber: executive profile questionnaire The Basics name of organization: connecticut Business & industry Association (cBiA) Title: president & ceo Size of organization: 81 employees Education: Bachelor's degree from colgate University; Law degree from Suffolk University Previous job(s): Joined cBiA in 1977 On The jOB Guiding business principle: don't do it if you cannot defend it in the press. ethical behavior is essential for any organization to achieve its goals and objectives. Best way to keep your competitive edge: Hire a talented and diverse team of people, encourage them to stay connected to our stakeholders and their communities and trust their advice. Proudest accomplishment: Helping cBiA build its capacity to effectively represent and serve our members. Goal yet to be achieved: Making connecticut a top state in which to do business to unlock our state's enormous potential to be a leader in economic growth, job creation, and strengthen the middle class. Favorite part of the job: interacting with business leaders and owners from across the state who deeply care about their employees, their local communities, and connecticut's future; working with policymakers who are passionate about securing a brighter economic future for our state and; getting to know students from low-income neighborhoods who are both successful in the class- room and role models for their peers. least favorite part of the job: How politics has changed over the last decade or so. there is a growing intolerance among some politi- cians for differing opinions even within their own party. it makes it more difficult to find the com- mon ground needed to address the fundamental issues facing our state, discourages good people from seeking public office, and contributes to the public cynicism about politics. Most influential business book: "redefining Healthcare" by Michael porter and elizabeth teisberg Personal touch in your office: pic- tures in my office of my wife, Susan, three adult children, and black lab. judgmenT calls Best business decision: Hiring and supporting an outstanding team of colleagues at cBiA who believe in the association's mission to serve our members and improve connect- icut's economic competitiveness. Worst business decision: during a very difficult business cycle, not spending enough time with our staff to assure them that we had the right plans and capacity to reverse the trend. i simply assumed that they had the same confidence as i and the senior team did in the future of the organization. Best way to spot trends: Having a diverse circle of friends and col- leagues who are connected to their communities and listening to their points of view. reading and listen- ing to a variety of new sources. next big move: retirement Your pet peeve: thinking that stu- dents from lower income families cannot be successful in the class- room or become future leaders. PersOnal side City of residence: Berlin Favorite way to relax: traveling/ vacationing with family and friends hobbies: running, golf last vacation: wohelo Family camp on Sebago Lake in Maine The car you drive: infiniti Currently reading: "the Bully pulpit" by doris Kearns Goodwin Favorite cause: closing the achieve- ment gap by ensuring that every student has the opportunity for a quality public education. Second choice career: tBd John Rathgeber talks with a student from Hartford's Academy of Engineering and Green Technology. The student was part of a project that built a wind turbine that eventually was sent to Nepal to power a school. Rathgeber is a major supporter of boosting education achievement in Connecticut's cities. P H O T O | c O n T r i b u T e d Employee Benefits | Retirement Plans | Wealth Management What's your target? Today's average retirement age is 61. * Now is the time to make sure you will hit your investment goals. Work with us to move your plan within reach. 207 Pitkin Street, East Hartford, CT 860.882.1112 info@constitutionag.com www.constitutionag.com Securities and Advisory services offered through Registered Representatives of Lincoln Financial Securities Corporation, Member SIPC Constitution Advisory Group and Lincoln Financial Securities Corporation are not affiliated. LFS-873434-030614 * Source: Gallup Poll, April 2013.

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