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www.HartfordBusiness.com July 25, 2016 • Hartford Business Journal 29 Q&A: What do you do and what are your goals in your current job? I oversee the growth of Onyx Moonshine while looking for new opportunities for our group. Goals include continuing to expand the Onyx Moonshine brand reach while staying focused on excep- tional quality and exploring new opportuni- ties to expand our brand portfolio with great properties and unique products in spirits and wine around the world. What are your goals for your community involvement? I'm incredibly passionate about helping young and startup entrepreneurs, and expect to continue using what influence and knowledge I have to help them succeed. What's your biggest passion? Creation. Entrepreneurship is creating the reality we live in, and entrepreneurs have an important responsibility to do the right thing. In the spirits business, I'm entirely captivated by the idea that through agriculture and the special craft of producing spirits and wine, we create a reality that helps us to slow down, create memories with family and friends, and enjoy the fruits of the earth. What are your future aspirations? To expose the world to ultra-premium moonshine and Connecticut's first whisky. To discover other equally special places around the world where unique spirits and wines can be pro- duced, and to bring them to market. If you had one wish to brighten Hartford's economic future what would it be, and why? A change in mindset from policy leaders and bureaucrats to create a genuine culture of positive innovation, responsible entrepre- neurship and an overall vibe and system conducive to that — ultimately, an end to the 'This is how it's always been done' mentality. List four reasons why you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty: 1) Founded a Connecticut company that has expanded the state brand nationally, hired local employees and con- tributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to state tax revenues. 2) Supported over 200 local nonprofits. 3) Created or serve on the boards of multiple programs that support startups. 4) Author of nationally released book "Living Proof: Onyx Moonshine's Jour- ney to Revive the American Spirit." Time Tested: What personal possession in your life has with- stood the test of time? Two paintings in my dining room of my Great Great Great Grandmother and Great Great Grandfather from the family that settled Portland and parts of Middletown. What hobby did you develop at a young age that you still enjoy today? Oil and watercolor painting 20 years ago, what did you envision as your future profession? Marine biologist Who do you consider your mentor? Anthony Viscogliosi, Founder, Viscogliosi Brothers LLC Recently, I took a renowned English lord, godson of Queen Elizabeth, for his first hot fudge Sunday from McDonald's. His response … "Living the American Dream, aren't we." He was lovin' it. Von Gootkin sips Onyx Moonshine (right) and runs his business (above) in East Hartford. Age: 33 Company: Onyx Spirits Company Title: Co-founder Town where I live: Bristol Town where I work: East Hartford College: None Adam von Gootkin Q&A: What do you do and what are your goals in your current job? I serve as the chief lobbyist for the city at the state capitol, the mayor's liaison to city council and the point of contact for state agencies and our federal legislative delegation. The primary goal of my job is to build consensus and support for the mayor's legislative and policy initiatives. What are your goals for your commu- nity involvement? My goals for commu- nity involvement are to help build strong, healthy, economically vibrant communities in Hartford through the use of my advocacy and legal skills. I believe the neighborhoods throughout Hartford have tremendous unre- alized potential that need to be harnessed and marketed to the region and the country. What's your biggest passion? Politics is a pas- sion of mine because it impacts everything from government to business to sports. Power, relationships and why and how people make decisions have always been something that intrigued me and made me want to learn more. What are your future aspirations? My future aspirations are to continue using my legal and advocacy skills to help Greater Hartford and impact social change. I really enjoy problem solving and working on policy, but I also love practicing law so something that is a hybrid of the two would be my future career goal. If you had one wish to brighten Hartford's economic future what would it be, and why? My wish would be that the Greater Hartford area embrace a more regionalized approach to governing. For a long time in Connecticut we have talked about regionalism. Unfortu- nately, those conversations haven't yielded real policy changes. The result has been economic decline. Around the country the economies that are growing are places like Charlotte, Atlanta and Louisville, where the region has taken a collaborative approach to governing. If Hartford regionalized marketing and municipal services, the economic future for the Capital City would be very bright. List four reasons why you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty: 1) Started and managed my own law practice for three years. 2) Was the youngest chairmen of the Bloomfield Housing Authority at 28. 3) Helped Hartford achieve 95 percent reimbursement on the Weaver School construction project (typical reimbursement is 85 percent). 4) Helped Hartford win passage of the admissions tax for the baseball stadium. Time Tested: What personal possession in your life has with- stood the test of time? My Yankees cap. I became a fan at a young age and have been wearing them forever. What hobby did you develop at a young age that you still enjoy today? I really enjoy listening to music and going to concerts. Music is the universal language and it really has the ability to unite cross all boundaries. I played trumpet for a number of years. 20 years ago, what did you envision as your future profession? When I was a kid I wanted to be a music producer and executive. Who do you consider your mentor? John Motley, Owner of Motley Consulting When I was in college I interned in both chambers of Congress. Ward is seen greeting kids on the first day of school at Martin Luther King Elementary School in Hartford. Age: 31 Company: City of Hartford Title: Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Town where I live: Hartford Town where I work: Hartford College: Howard University, University of Connecticut School of Law DeVaughn Ward 40 Under Forty 2016 40 Under Forty 2016