Worcester Business Journal

www.wbjournal.com August 29, 2016 • Worcester Business Journal 13 >> 40 U N D E R F O R T Y Craft beer fans and foodies can thank Peterson for bringing their favor- ite things to downtown Worcester. In her role at the SMG-managed DCU Center, Peterson and her colleagues produced the now annual in-house craft beer festival Brew Woo and con- ceptualized the restaurant incubator for the facility, which now houses the Figs & Pigs Kitchen + Pantry. She oversaw the marketing for the $31-million renovation to the arena until its 2013 completion and now supervises all aspects of brand manage- ment for the 14,000-seat facility. Whose career would you like to emulate? We all have a different path, so I don't try to live up to others. I have mentors and those whom I admire. What should older generations know about the up-and-coming workforce? We don't want to replace you. We are a generation driven by col- laboration. Embrace us. The people I work with would tell you I am…resourceful. I don't claim to know it all, but I work hard to find out. Who is the fictional character you are most like? Josephine 'Jo' March, the protagonist in Louisa May Alcott's novel "Little Women," who always strove to be better and achieve more. n DeGray began her finance career as a part-time bank teller, a college job that led her to be an assistant branch man- ager before ascending to her current position, where she is passionate about helping families buy homes. She serves as president of Webster, Dudley, Oxford Chamber of Commerce; on the board for Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce; on the government affairs committee for Central Massachusetts Association of Realtors and was named its 2015 Affiliate of the Year. What will the title of your mem- oirs be? "Enjoy the Moment" – you'll never relive an exact moment of your life again. Enjoy them all, even the bad, because without them, the good just aren't as good. Who gave you the best advice? "We all wake up in the morning and put our pants on the same way. Always remember that.' – A good friend What is the first impression of you want leave with business con- tacts? Genuine – it is so important in all aspects of life and business. Why do you work in Central Massachusetts? Why wouldn't I? It's a wonderful community that I'm proud to serve and be a part of. n Dunn and two friend co-founded Skyscope in 2012. Over the next three years, Dunn worked on finance and business strategy while overseeing daily operations for the video production firm, eventually growing to a 10-employee operation providing ser- vices for dozens of national technology companies. In April, they secured an acquisition deal with Boston-area firm Matter Communications to retain the entire team. Dunn serves on the Community Advisory Committee for the Worcester Redevelopment Authority and acts as a mentor for a STEM incubator. What is your most significant pro- fessional goal? Be on the founding team of a scalable company that can grow a to 500+ employees. What would you like to go back and tell your 10-year-old self? The music industry is about to go through a very turbulent decade. Buy Apple stock now. Sell it when Steve Jobs dies. Where do you get your motiva- tion? My family, audio books, creative chefs and restaurants owners If I hadn't gone down this career path, I would have liked to…become an architect. I hope to design and build my own house one day. n Since joining YOU six years ago, Miller has designed and successfully developed systems and practices to streamline operations and improve effi- ciencies. In the past two years, his efforts resulted in a 60-percent reduc- tion in agency write-offs. He has been a significant contributor to the planning of YOU's signature fundraiser, the annual Gala for Kids, steadily increas- ing its profits the last four years. He serves as the secretary of Rutland Little League and coaches his children in their sporting endeavors. What is your advice to aspiring young business people? Money shouldn't be the only reason you stay in or leave a position; professional growth and opportunities for learning should be just as important. By the time I am 50, I would like to…be the CEO of a nonprofit. I prepare for the unexpected by... ensuring I have a cross-trained, adapt- able team that understands what could happen, prepares for possibilities and executes effectively when they occur. If you could have dinner with any four people, who would they be? WWII Navy Veteran James Miller (my grandfather), Robin Williams, Tim Russert and DB Cooper. n Residence: Auburn Birthplace: Worcester College: Worcester State University Emily DeGray, 31 Branch manager/loan officer, Residential Mortgage Services, Sturbridge & Worcester Alexander Dunn, 27 COO & co-founder, Skyscope, Worcester Residence: Worcester Birthplace: Albany, N.Y. College: Clark University Residence: Rutland Birthplace: Bridgeport, Conn. College: Providence College Jonathan Miller, 39 Chief information & compliance offi- cer, YOU, Inc., Worcester Amy Peterson, 35 Director of marketing, DCU Center, Worcester Residence: Worcester Birthplace: Worcester College: Worcester State University P H O T O / E R I K A S I D O R

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