Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/706404
26 Hartford Business Journal • July 25, 2016 www.HartfordBusiness.com Matthew Necci Q&A: What do you do and what are your goals in your current job? I'm a partner at Halloran & Sage LLP, a law firm that's been based in Hartford for more than 80 years, and chair of its workers' compensation practice group. My goals are to increase our client base, while ensuring our attorneys are trained to provide exceptional service to existing clients. What are your goals for your community involvement? I'm a firm believer that people have a duty to give back to their communities in any way they can. I want to continue work- ing with nonprofits that focus on the positive aspects of our capital region and that look to enhance quality of life for our residents. What's your biggest passion? First and fore- most, family. I love cooking/hosting big din- ners and spending as much time as possible with my wife and kids. My second passion is UConn. I've been an unconditional fan since my youth, and constantly try to promote my alma mater to the masses. What are your future aspirations? I love writ- ing and want to one day contribute to the magazine Wine Spectator. I want to continue growing Halloran & Sage to ensure it's here for another 80 years. As for Hartford, my gen- eration has an opportunity to do things that change the attitude and perception of the city. What role can young leaders play in shaping Hartford's future? One of the benefits of liv- ing in Hartford, as opposed to a larger city, is that you can be more than just another drop in the bucket. You can make a concrete difference and climb the professional ladder quickly if you are willing to work hard. And while that's true, I would put the talent and quality of Hartford's young professionals against their peers from any other city. I will continually promote Hartford's positive attributes to anyone I meet, particularly to neighbors in our suburbs. We have to view Hartford as a capital region as opposed to just another municipality. List four reasons why you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty: 1) Partner and department chair at one of Connecticut's largest law firms. 2) Member of the board of directors for Leadership Greater Hartford. 3) Mem- ber of the board of directors for Special Olympics Connecticut. 4) Chair of the Con- necticut Bar Association's Young Lawyers Section, 2015-2016. Time Tested: What personal possession in your life has with- stood the test of time? Family rocking chair, now four generations strong What hobby did you develop at a young age that you still enjoy today? Completely devout and unconditional UConn and New York Mets supporter 20 years ago, what did you envision as your future profession? History professor Who do you consider your mentor? Raymond Necci, retired, former Northeast Utilities executive Age: 35 Company: Halloran & Sage LLP Title: Partner Town where I live: Glastonbury Town where I work: Hartford College: University of Connecticut While taking part in Leadership Greater Hartford's Quest program, Matt was part of the team responsible for putting concrete chess/picnic tables in Bushnell Park. UConn fan/alum Necci scales down the Mohegan Sun tower to raise money for Special Olympics. Q&A: What do you do and what are your goals in your current job? I ensure KNOX has the resources and friends to empower and lead in Hartford around environmental stewardship, workforce development, green education and local food projects. My short-term goal is to hold a garden bash worthy of KNOX's 50 th anniversary. Long term, my goal is to make the city's beauty a competitive advantage. What are your goals for your community involvement? To be truly present anywhere I'm involved, especially with fundraising as a skillset. Beyond KNOX, I'm helping the Center for Latino Progress ramp up and working with the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving's Catalyst Fund to introduce new folks to philanthropy. What's your biggest passion? I aim for honor and loyalty in work and play. I'm not perfect, but I put the most energy into doing right by people. What are your future aspirations? The skills that go along with fundraising suit me. Relationship building and face-to-face solicitation will always be a focus of my work. Personally, I hope to write a novel and publish a video game having friends kind enough to slog through them. What needs to happen for Hartford to become a more vibrant city where people work, live and play? Hartford has a solid brand. Hartford has an even better product (its people and businesses) — if you take five minutes to explore. What's really missing is the packaging. That's where KNOX, the city's Department of Public Works, other organi- zations and volunteers come in. Fixing and adding 1,000 small pockets of awesome out- performs a massive infrastructure project any day. The curbside appeal of this city has to be an enormous priority if we want new investments. List four reasons why you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty: 1) Tripled KNOX's budget while adding a half-million dollars to the organiza- tion's assets. 2) Secured largest individual gifts and grants since KNOX's founding. 3) Board member for the Center for Latino Progress and steering committee member for the Catalyst Fund at the Hartford Foun- dation for Public Giving. 4) Helped city of Hartford develop a clean- energy plan as part of a taskforce. Time Tested: What personal possession in your life has withstood the test of time? Great-grandfather's lucky putter What hobby did you develop at a young age that you still enjoy today? Video games 20 years ago, what did you envision as your future profession? Too happy to care Who do you consider your mentor? Ron Pitz, Executive Director, KNOX Inc. I attend Connecticon annually and firmly believe it is one of the best teachers of community and inclusivity out there. O'Halloran checks in on a spring tree planting and waters plants in KNOX's largest greenhouse. Age: 31 Company: KNOX Inc. Title: Advancement and Marketing Director Town where I live: Hartford Town where I work: Hartford College: UConn Ryan O'Halloran 40 Under Forty 2016 40 Under Forty 2016