Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/706404
www.HartfordBusiness.com July 25, 2016 • Hartford Business Journal 25 Sen. Linares talks to constituents. (Below) In addition to his work at Greenskies Renewable Energy, Art Linares is the youngest senator in the General Assembly. Q&A: What do you do and what are your goals in your current job? My goals are to make Greenskies the best place in America to work, and become the No. 1 commercial and industry solar developer in the world. What are your goals for your community involvement? I would like to help mentor a young entrepre- neur in getting their business off the ground and growing in Connecticut, and use what- ever profits derive from that venture to donate to the community and nonprof- it agencies. What's your biggest passion? My biggest pas- sion is building my business to take advan- tage of the opportunities ahead for solar energy development. As a state senator, my passion is getting our state's fiscal house in order and pass- ing pro-growth economic policies. What are your future aspira- tions? You'll have to wait and see! What needs to happen for Hartford to become a more vibrant city where people work, live and play? In order for Hartford and Connecticut to become a place where Millennials want to live and work, we need to attract the companies that will drive the industries of the future. Big data, clean tech, cyber security, robotics and genomics will drive growth in our globalized world, and Connecticut needs to be home to those innovative companies and industries. List four reasons why you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty: 1) I co-founded a top-five solar development company. 2) I am the youngest state senator in Connecticut. 3) I am an avid volunteer and supporter of various charities. 4) I am committed to the future of Connecticut. Time Tested: What personal possession in your life has with- stood the test of time? A statue of Jesus Christ my family hid from Castro in Cuba and brought to America. We still have it today, at my uncle's house. What hobby did you develop at a young age that you still enjoy today? Reading and exercise 20 years ago, what did you envision as your future profession? NBA basketball player Who do you consider your mentor? My father, Art Linares Sr. I am the youngest state senator in Connecticut. Age: 27 Company: Greenskies Renewable Energy; State Senate Title: Owner and Co-founder; State Senator Town where I live: Westbrook Town where I work: Middletown and Hartford College: The University Of Tampa Art Linares Q&A: What do you do and what are your goals in your current job? I serve as director of com- munity programs for Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters, where I direct Connecticut's largest community-based youth mentoring program, and also executive director of The Susie Foundation, where I lead an agency that serves people with ALS. What are your goals for your community involvement? The goals I set are intimately tied to those I set for my career and life's journey: Work hard at work worth doing, while remaining dedicated to building a strong, vibrant and healthy community. What's your biggest passion? Serving oth- ers. Whether they are local children and families, the terminally ill, my neighbors, my colleagues, or my friends and family, I have always found that I feel most alive, most at peace, and most myself when I am losing myself while serving those I love. What are your future aspirations? Marrying the love of my life, becoming a dedicated father, raising a caring family and devot- ing myself to meaningful, challenging and exhilarating work that makes our commu- nity a better place to live, work and play. If you had one wish to brighten Hartford's eco- nomic future what would it be? I would wish for greater investment in improving the lives and well-being of our youth. Our city and state are brimming with talented, passionate and brilliant young women and men who tragically yearn to pursue greener economic pastures beyond their circumstances and outside their communities. Retaining this intellectual capi - tal means investing now to provide adequate support structures, as well as innovative growth and development opportunities that connect them with the resources they need to build their lives in our region. List four reasons why you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty: 1) After serving as one of my mom's primary caregivers for the final 16 months of her life and watching her pass away from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in 2011, I founded a nonprofit, The Susie Foundation, that is dedicated to serving others struggling with the same horrific disease. 2) I presently direct the state's largest community-based, youth-mentoring program serving 400 children. 3) I have helped launch the agency's first volunteer affinity group, Bigs Ignite, and have also launched the agency's first, holistic volunteer post-match training initiative, Men - tor Academy. 4) Appointed to the Governor's Commission on Youth and Urban Violence. Time Tested: What personal possession in your life has with- stood the test of time? Charms on a necklace that I wear daily, representing love and faith, which were a gift from my mom that I wear in memory of her. 20 years ago, what did you envision as your future profession? Professional baseball player Who do you consider your mentor? Matt Farley, executive director, Connecticut Campus Compact I am a former New Orleanian who is a fan of the New Orleans Saints and brass bands, a gumbo connoisseur and the baker of delicious king cakes. Matthews doing charity work at the home of Cindy Owens (back right) and Harriss Weiss (front right) of Winsted, after a few members of The Susie Foundation's board of directors installed a handicap- accessible ramp to help ease Weiss' travels in and out of his home. Matthews with his fianceé Liz Slot standing in Jackson Square in front of the St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans. Age: 28 Company: Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters; The Susie Foundation Title: Director of Community Programs; Founder and Executive Director Town where I live: Plainville Town where I work: Hartford College: UConn (Bachelor's and M.P.A.) Ryan Matthews 40 Under Forty 2016 40 Under Forty 2016