Hartford Business Journal

34 Hartford Business Journal • September 14, 2015 www.HartfordBusiness.com Tom Wood is the chief financial officer of the American School for the Deaf in West Hartford. He oversees the school's business office, facilities, transportation program, information technology services, food ser- vices and various capital budget programs. Before coming to the American School for the Deaf, Wood was the executive vice president/chief financial officer/ treasurer of MECH Financial Inc./ Mechanics Savings Bank in Hartford. Wood earned his BBA and MBA in financial manage - ment from St. Mary's University and did post- graduate work in accounting at the Univer- sity of Houston. He is also a certified public accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Connecticut CPAs. He also completed the executive development program for the Sav- ings and Community Bankers of America at Fairfield University. He is also the treasurer of the West Hartford Rotary. Robin Barrett is vice president, CFO and human resource director of Farming- ton-based Data Management Inc. (DMI) and Infinity Music Hall and Bistro venues in Nor- folk and Hartford. Prior to DMI and Infinity, Barrett worked at local accounting firms and at a home heating oil company in the Farmington Valley, starting her professional career at Price Waterhouse in Houston, Texas. In 2014, Barrett was named one of Hartford Business Journal's CFOs of the Year. She is also involved in Hartford's Camp Courant, serv - ing as a trustee and finance committee mem- ber. Previously she was also a member of the Farmington Town Council. Barrett lives with her husband Dave Bar- rett in Unionville and has two grown sons. Matthew O'Connor is dean and professor of Finance at Quinnipiac University. He has been at Quinnipiac since 1999 when he was appointed assistant professor of finance. From 2005 to 2008, he served as chair of the finance department. In 2008 he was appointed interim dean of the School of Business and in 2009 he was appointed dean. His teaching includes undergradu- ate and graduate courses in corporate finance, financial modeling, invest- ments and portfolio management. In 2005, O'Connor was hon- ored with a Quinni- piac University Excellence in Teaching Award. O'Connor serves on the board of directors of United Methodist Homes, ReSET Social Enterprise Trust, and the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce. He is a corporator for Ion Bank. When Your When Your Business Business Relies on Relies on Technology, Technology, You Can Rely You Can Rely on Us. on Us. Technology Services Technology Services Network Systems and Support Network Security & Encryption Outsourced IT Department Cloud & Hybrid Back-up Systems Business Continuity Systems Outsourced CIO & CISO Services Consulting Services Consulting Services Non-profit Accounting Solutions Fundraising Solutions Software Selection Outsourced CFO Services Network Security Audits SSAE 16 / SOC 1, SOC 2 Audits HIPAA Security Compliance IT Policies and Procedures Business Continuity Planning ASK US ABOUT MICROSOFT OFFICE 365! 280 Trumbull St., 24th FL Hartford, CT 860.524.4400 www.TheTechnologyGroup.com JUDGES Tom Wood Robin Barrett Matthew O'Connor CFO of the Year 2015 P H O T O | L A S S E K R I S T E N S E N , S H U T T E R S T O C K . C O M LEAN Manufacturers are focusing on culture change Susan Powers Partner & Certified Trainer - Sandler Training/PEAK The smartest path to success often involves sweeping change. In manufacturing, embracing the LEAN approach eliminates waste, creates opportunity, and maximizes resources. But while striving for efficiency and increased capacity, best in class manufacturing organizations are paying close attention to the human element at play. Before you begin to go LEAN, prepare, train, and nurture your staff. Change is hard. Key employees will be tasked with additional responsibilities. Do you have the right training system in place to ensure your most valuable talent will continue to succeed? With your newfound capacity, your sales force will want to be in overdrive filling your newly LEAN pipeline. Does your sales staff have the skills to sell harder and maximize the opportunity LEAN creates? LEAN means best employees rise to leadership positions. You will want to have buy-in from these new leaders. Try not to underestimate the disruptive element of change. Is your leadership development process powerful enough to overcome culture shock? At Sandler Training / PEAK, we've guided many companies through significant transitions and were honored in July to be named a top 20 sales company nationwide by Selling Power magazine, which cites our "excellent awareness of the skills and tools required to succeed and remain competitive in today's selling environment." We understand LEAN and its significant challenges and opportunities. Getting ready to implement? Will your workforce embrace radical change and thrive? Your success just might depend on the answer! For more information about Sandler Training/PEAK contact: Susan Powers, Partner & Certified Trainer - Susan.Powers@sandler.com or call (203) 264-1197. 2 Bridgewater Road, Suite 105 Farmington, CT 06032

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