Worcester Business Journal

www.wbjournal.com August 29, 2016 • Worcester Business Journal 17 >> 40 U N D E R F O R T Y Since Miller became general manag- er of the high-tech manufacturer in 2012, Tegra Medical has growth reve- nue 30 percent. By transforming the management team, adding more than 50 jobs, steering efforts to install auto- mation and driving an engaging cul- ture, his leadership has made Tegra a strategic partner to many of the world's largest medical device companies. In his role as general manager, Miller has led donation efforts for Hasbro Children's Hospital, American Heart Association, Franklin Food Pantry, Franklin YMCA, Toys for Tots, National Education for Assistance Dog Service and the American Red Cross. What will the title of your mem- oirs be? "Family Came First" – my focus in all I do is to provide the best for my wonderful wife and children. Who gave you the best career advice? As a 22-year-old supervisor, my manager (Patrick O'Connor) told me to always have a career plan five years beyond my current position. Where do you get your motiva- tion? I've spent my whole life trying to emulate my mom's work ethic. If I hadn't taken this career path, I would have liked to...follow friends and family into law enforcement. n Sullivan didn't always enjoy the remarkable diversity afforded to him by the health center's Tacoma Street flagship office. Prior to caring for patients in dozens of languages, he worked in a Spanish-speaking neigh- borhood of Salt Lake City. Sullivan decided to take on a leader- ship role where he could support his colleagues in Worcester after seeing how the traumatic histories of his diverse patient panel impacted doctors. Before entering medical school, Sullivan took a six-month solo bicycle journey through Central America. He still enjoys biking, mostly riding off jumps with his children. By the time I am 50...I would like the health center to have successfully navigated payment reform to become an Accountable Care Organization. What is your advice to young business people? Go easy on us doc- tors. Try to have your greatest impact in a place of greatest need. What fictional character is most like you? Either no one has written about me, or I am not well-read enough to have found such a character. The people I work with would tell you I am...patient, approachable, posi- tive, sarcastic, enthusiastic. n Upon receiving his master's degree in business administration in 2002, Valis joined Fidelity Investments, quickly rising to vice president of the private client group, advising high-net- worth clients. After becoming a certi- fied financial planner, Valis exited the corporate world in 2013 to co-found Blackstone Valley Wealth Management, representing businesses, nonprofits, trusts and individuals. Valis works to grow the practice and the team at Blackstone. He remembers those who helped pave the way for his success and works to pay it forward. Whose career would you like to emulate? Perhaps not any one person, but to successfully emulate work-life balance, enriching the lives of others and making a positive impact. What should older generations know about the up-and-coming workforce? We remember those who came before us, we honor their work ethic and the sacrifices they endured. I prepare for the unexpected by...being ready. It's not necessarily what happens, but how to react to it. If you could have dinner with any four people, who would they be? Warren Buffett, Al Pacino, Vince Lombardi, Jim Valvano. n Koci worked for big corporations until four years ago, when she and her husband – Enton Mehillaj, also from Albania – decided hard work and risk- taking could lead to powerful rewards. They opened Livia's Dish restaurant, named after their daughter and intro- ducing the seven-day-a-week brunch concept to Central Massachusetts. The couple is working on a second location in Worcester, called Altea's Brunch. Koci serves on the Worcester Airport Advisory Committee and as first vice president for the Webster Square Business Association. What is your most significant professional goal? Creating Central Massachusetts restaurants that take brunch to a totally different level. What would you like to go back and tell your 10-year-old self? Keep doing what you are doing because all this hard work will pay off!! What is the first impression you like to leave with business con- tacts? I'm all about building trust. It is the foundation of great relationships. Why do you work in Central Massachusetts? The 12 colleges and universities here bring so much youth, you just have to be creative and take risks when introducing new ideas. n Residence: Rutland Birthplace: Charlottesville, Va. Colleges: Boston College, UMass Medical School Dr. Brian Sullivan, MD, 37 Medical director, Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center, Worcester James A. Valis, 39 Owner & founding partner, Blackstone Valley Wealth Management, Hopkinton Residence: Hopkinton Birthplace: Worcester Colleges: Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Bryant University, College for Financial Planning Residence: Worcester Birthplace: Tirana, Albania College: Clark University, Assumption College Oriola Koci, 38 Owner & general manager, Livia's Dish and Altea's Brunch, Worcester Bob Miller, 39 General manager, Tegra Medical, Franklin Residence: Franklin Birthplace: Quincy College: UMass Boston P H O T O / E R I K A S I D O R

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