Hartford Business Journal

www.HartfordBusiness.com July 20, 2015 • Hartford Business Journal 37 40 Under Forty 2015 40 Under Forty 2015 Mark S. Zatyrka M ark Zatyrka is the director of mar- keting at American Homecare Fed- eration (AHF), a national specialty infusion pharmacy helping families who are living with hemophilia and other rare diseases. This is much more than a job for Zatyrka because he was born with severe hemophilia, a lifelong bleeding disorder that attacks his joints and muscles causing intense chronic pain. Zatyrka joined AHF in 2004 as a market- ing associate. Within five years he was asked to join the board of directors and offered an opportunity to become a part-owner. Since that time AHF has seen tremendous growth without ever losing sight of the company's top priority, its patients. AHF receives a 100 percent satisfaction rating from its clients. He has upheld AHF's promise to support the communities it services. AHF has consis- tently been the largest pharmacy donor to organizations such as the New England Hemophilia Association and the Hemophilia Federation of America. Zatyrka is a founder of the Connecticut Hemophilia Society. In addition, he has served on several other nonprofit boards of directors and works closely with camps serving children with chronic illnesses such as the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp and One Heartland. Q&A Where do you get your motivation to succeed? Money is a big motivator. It is important to me that I can ensure a safe and secure future for my family. Living with multiple chronic illnesses, I know how precious life is and I know anything can happen at any time. I need to know my family will be ok. How will you change the world? One person at a time. You have to start somewhere. Leading by example goes far. I've seen it firsthand countless times. We have all witnessed at different times how happi- ness, community and generosity can spread from one person to another. Our world, our country, our state, and even our local communities can always use more positive mindfulness. What would the title of your autobiography be? 'Live Every Day Like It's Your Last' by Mark Zatyrka. In fifth grade, I was given one year to live. I was fortunate to survive, but many of my friends did not. It didn't take long for me to realize how precious life is. Every day I wake up, it's a good day. I'm thankful for every breath I'm given. You can't wait until tomorrow to do the things you love. Whether it was driving cross coun- try to work at MTV Films in Los Angeles at the age of 18, living in New York City work- ing for VH1 and MTV in Times Square, or buying a home and starting a beautiful fam- ily, I knew I couldn't wait until tomorrow. Life's Journey: During my off time, I am most passionate about…. My twin 2-year-old daughters What is your favorite foreign food? Pierogies What is the most exciting destination you've ever traveled to? Backpacked all of Europe Where is the one place you want to travel in your lifetime? Thailand Favorite Connecticut destination: The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp Zatyrka relaxing at the beach in Savannah, Ga. Age: 35 Title: Director of Marketing Company: American Homecare Federation Location: Enfield Hometown: West Suffield College: Quinnipiac University Robert Zanlungo A s a branch partner and senior loan officer at the Glastonbury branch of Primary Residential Mortgage, Bob Zanlungo works every day to help people realize the dream of homeownership. He is inspired and motivated by the legacy of his friend, mentor and the former owner of the Glastonbury branch, Michael J. Newhouse, who passed away after a courageous battle with cancer in 2013. Prior to moving back to Connecticut and entering the mortgage business in early 2006, Zanlungo lived in Arlington, Va. and worked in Washington, D.C. where he was a writer for President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, working at the White House until the change of administration on Jan. 20, 2001. He then ran a successful fundraising program at the Democratic National Committee for Chair- man Terry McAuliffe, who is currently the governor of Virginia. Zanlungo is a member of the Glastonbury Rotary Club and its immediate past presi- dent. He is also a member of the Glastonbury Chamber of Commerce and former chamber ambassador, former chairman of the Glaston- bury Democratic Town Committee, and was an elected member of the Glastonbury Town Council from 2009-2011. He was born in Manchester, grew up in Eastford and now resides in Glastonbury. Q&A At what age did you decide what you wanted to do with your career? In first grade when Ms. Lucy went around the room and asked what we wanted to be when we grew up, I assure you that I didn't raise my hand and say "I want to be a mortgage banker!" I was always interested in current events and politics and remember my parents watching the "CBS Evening News" every night, always tuning in to watch the presidential debates every four years or talking about whatever the issues of the day were with friends and family. While being raised in a household that was tuned in to current events, my parents instilled in me the need to give back and always be grate- ful. To those whom much is given, much is expected, and you need to live your life with purpose. Doing what I do today gives me the chance to do a little of all of that. If you could design a bumper sticker with your advice to the world, what would it say? My bumper sticker would say, 'What Could Go Wrong?' This has to be one of my favorite sayings. I say it enough that my friends laugh at me and say that I'm taunting fate. It's cer- tainly not a phrase for the faint of heart. Even if you are being pelted with lemons you can manage to make a little lemonade. Life's Journey: During my off time, I am most passionate about…. Giving back What is the most exciting destination you've ever traveled to? Caribbean by boat Where is the one place you want to travel in your lifetime? New Zealand Favorite Connecticut destination: Mystic Zanlungo with his friends preparing to run the Spartan Race at Mohegan Sun. Age: 37 Title: Branch Partner and Sr. Loan Officer Company: Primary Residential Mortgage Inc. Location: Glastonbury Hometown: Glastonbury College: Marymount University The tourist destination Zanlungo has traveled to the most is The White House; he previously worked for President Bill Clinton. In fifth grade, Zatyrka was given one year to live.

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