Hartford Business Journal

www.HartfordBusiness.com September 21, 2015 • Hartford Business Journal 25 Richard Sugarman THE BASICS Name of organization: Hartford Promise Title: Executive Director Size of organization: 2 employees, $4 million for scholarships Education: Bachelor's degree, Psychology, University of Miami; Master's degree, Social Work, University of Maryland Previous jobs: Founding president of the CT Forum, investment executive, director of Community Mental Health Center ON THE JOB I love starting things and all the risks, uncertainties, deadlines and creativity that goes with startups. I also love the execution follow through of new ideas. Guiding business principle: Be bold, try things, and be 100 percent true to our mission and values. Best way to keep your competitive edge: Listen intently. Put the effort, care and attention into everything we do to make it the very highest quality. Proudest accomplishment: The CT Forum has always been 100 percent pure to its mission and core values, never compromising or giving in to big and small temptations. Goal yet to be achieved: Helping our region be really proud of itself and its assets, recognizing our needs and fixing them, and helping all of us feel that we are part of one community. Favorite part of the job: No two days are the same; Getting to know so many people, employees, and volunteers of all ages and all walks of life. Least favorite part of the job: Dealing with pushy agents and overly protective advance staffs for panelists. Panelists tend to be great. Advance teams can be awful. Personal touch in your office: Buckeye stickers. JUDGMENT CALLS Best business decision: It's still ahead of me. Worst business decision: Leaving a great investment firm to join another firm because of more money. I have found that money motivated decisions usually turn out badly. Best way to spot trends: Be truly curious, read a lot, and search and explore all sorts of weird ideas. Next big move: Launching and leading Hartford Promise, a new large- scale college scholarship fund and college success program for Hartford students. It will be transformative. Your pet peeve: People who don't listen fully, but really want to hear themselves talk. PERSONAL SIDE City of residence: West Hartford Favorite way to relax: Exercise hard for 60-90 minutes, then sit in a steam bath; riding my bike and smelling the world Hobbies: I am an enormous Ohio State Buckeyes fan. I also love the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates and enjoy talking with anyone about them. I love to do yard work and fix things around the house so much that I will actually help all my neighbors take care of their yards and appliances. That is just a joke … .I never want to touch a tool or rake. Last vacation: Carmel, Big Sur, the Oregon Coast Favorite movie: "Dead Man Walking" The car you drive: I'm driving my fourth Mini … .a bronze and white Countryman Currently reading: "Far From The Tree," by Andrew Solomon Favorite cause: Improving the lives of children and families in Hartford Second choice career: Furniture maker years," Sugarman says. "Once the scholars get to college, we make sure they're comfortable with the transition and support them through the first year with adult and peer mentors." In 2016, the first group of 140 high school seniors will enter the program. "It's truly transformative, for the indi- viduals and for the community, as these scholars go on to help other scholars, work in the area, live here, and so on," he says. "It represents large-scale systemic evolution and change." Rodriguez said Sugarman will set the bar very high to create as much change as he pos- sibly can. "If anyone can make it successful, he can," Rodriguez says of her mentor's new challenge. No doubt Sugarman has more achieve- ments to reach in his lifetime. n P H O T O | S T E V E L A S C H E V E R H ealth insurance is the most important benefit you offer and it's a big part of your budget. You need an insurance program that not only meets the needs of your employees but also helps you control costs. CBIA Health Connections — the most successful private insurance exchange for small business — is the solution. With Health Connections you simply set your contribution level then let your employees choose a plan from Aetna, ConnectiCare, Harvard Pilgrim, or UnitedHealthcare. From medical and dental plans to life, disability and vision options, there's something for everyone with CBIA Health Connections. Contact your agent for a quote or call 860.244.1900. Who do small businesses choose for health insurance? Richard P. Ramondetta President Alloy Specialties, Inc. Manchester CBIA Health Connections allows me to offer my employees a valuable benefits package while helping to control our medical benefits budget.

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