Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/706404
www.HartfordBusiness.com July 25, 2016 • Hartford Business Journal 7 40 Under Forty 2016 American with student Connor Belanger, an expert champion and straight-A student, at his National Honor Society induction ceremony. American participating in a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition. Age: 36 Company: Team Link BJJ Title: Owner/Head Coach Town where I live: East Windsor Town where I work: Enfield College: Roger Williams Q&A: What do you do? I own and operate Team Link Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Enfield and I just retired from active duty last month. What are your goals for your community involvement? I conduct free sexual assault seminars and I'd like to do the same for bullying. Bullies who have the misfortune to target one of my kids will get a very painful lesson in BJJ. What's your biggest passion? Teaching children. The pressure from parents is no match from that of peers. It's not cool to be a good student and 'Just Say No' was a slogan by someone who went to a private all-girls school in the 1930s. When a child has a men- tor, pressure from others is replaced with motivation from within. What's are your future goals? I just want to enjoy life and experience this freedom con- cept I was defending for 20 years. I want to see the world, have fun and spend time with my students, family and friends. I'm going to train like I've always wanted to and win the 2017 World Championships. What role can young leaders play in shaping Hartford's future? By understanding that the role 'leader' is self-imposed and nobody wants to be thought of as followers. Leaders assume their followers are looking to them for a solution. In corporations, a surefire way to increase productivity and efficiency is to ask the person that actually does the task everyday what would make their job easier. If you want a safer city, ask a gang member, or drug addict where they went wrong and why there wasn't a greater incentive to choose another path. How often are soldiers/cops who are on the ground asked about strategy/policy change? To shape the future, start by asking the future how they can best be shaped. The best leaders empower those they lead by appreciating their expertise and giving them responsibility to implement change and shape themselves. Personally, I will shape the future by continuing to give my kids the tools they need to be themselves and make the right decisions. List four reasons why you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty: 1) Built the most successful Bra- zilian Jiu-Jitsu team in Connecticut (six-time NAGA Connecticut Champions) while also serving active duty in the military. 2) Martial Arts Hall of Fame; 2014 Martial Arts Instruc- tor of the Year. 3) Awarded the Bronze Star for leading a platoon of Infantry soldiers at a remote combat outpost in Afghanistan. Successfully brought all soldiers home alive despite constant close-range firefights, near ambushes, large-scale attacks on the out- post, suicide bombings, IED's and frequent mortar fire. 4) Student retention and loyalty is unrivaled as the first seven students to join are still training after 10 years. Time Tested: What hobby did you develop at a young age that you still enjoy today? Martial arts 20 years ago, what did you envision as your future profession? Soldier/martial arts instructor Who do you consider your mentor? Marco Alvan, Team Link Founder and previous 40 Under Forty winner Brian American The best leaders empower those they lead by appreciating their expertise and giving them responsibility... 40 Under Forty 2016 Bakkaloglu accepts a certificate from the Governor's Prevention Partnership, which offers youth mentoring programs. Bakkaloglu with a volleyball trophy given to him by his employer to acknowledge his team spirit and motivation. Age: 37 Company: OFI Title: Chief Financial Officer Town where I live: West Hartford Town where I work: Newington College: University of Hartford Q&A: What do you do and what are your goals in your current job? I direct all financial aspects of the business, and I am directly involved with the company's human resources and information technologies. As part of the OFI management team and holding an officer position as treasurer, my goal will always be to maintain a solid financial structure and maximize operational efficiency through effective IT infrastructure and team collaboration. What are your goals for you community involvement? My goals are simple, to always be involved in my community and to foster positive change wherever I go. I do this by using my financial background to help organi- zations raise funds and sharing my knowledge to help shape the lives of young leaders. What's your biggest passion? My passions are professional and civic work, spending time with people I care about, and Game of Thrones. What are your future aspirations? Along with living in a beach house, I envision myself being a successful business owner of a com- pany that makes a positive difference for its customers and the community it serves. If you had one wish to brighten Hartford's economic future what would it be? I believe that bringing a national professional sports team to the region would help tremendously. It would unite the community, increase job opportunities and bring additional tourism to the area. I would love to see the revenue it would generate fund continuous develop- ment of the downtown area. It could be a catalyst to bringing in additional retail and dining options to the area. List four reasons why you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty: 1) A self-starter who was promoted from senior accountant at OFI to controller in less than two years and then to chief financial officer two years later. 2) An active member of Young Professionals Council at the University of Hartford since 2004 and a mentor to finance students. 3) A proactive member of the Construction Institute, supporting events and assisting in fundraising planning to ensure major events are profitable. 4) Committed to con- tinuous improvement within OFI, including morale and team-building. Time Tested: What personal possession in your life has withstood the test of time? A personal possession that means much to me is a volleyball trophy given to me by my OFI family in appreciation of my team spirit and motivation. What hobby did you develop at a young age that you still enjoy today? I began playing basket- ball at age 11 and continued to play through college. Today, I love to play any team sport. 20 years ago, what did you envision as your future profession? I always envisioned a future in financial management. Who do you consider your mentor? Matt Danyliw, COO of Workscapes, for seeing my full potential and tak- ing me under his wing at OFI. Mehmet Bakkaloglu I hold a CT S.M.A.R.T Professional Bartending Certificate and act as OFI's resident bartender for after- hour team-building events.