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www.wbjournal.com August 29, 2016 • Worcester Business Journal 29 >> 40 U N D E R F O R T Y At the age of 3, figure skating became something more than a win- ter excuse for hot chocolate, and Pittinger did whatever it took to make her way to the top. Despite being sidelined from injury and switching sports, her strong inner drive contin- ued, maintaining the same level of commitment in every facet of her life. In addition to her leadership role at Worcester Fitness, Pittinger facilitates the Katie Chalifoux Memorial Scholarship 5K, raising more than $100,000 to date. What is your most significant professional goal? To grow, adapt and lead a successful team by listen- ing, coaching and collaboration. What should older generations know about the up-and-coming workforce? Technology is every- thing. Where do you get your motiva- tion to succeed? Our daughter, Reese – showing her to be a kind, strong, successful female and provid- ing a home for her to grow and learn. Who is the fictional character you are most like? Elizabeth Bennet from "Pride and Prejudice" – we are both bright, complex, intriguing indi- viduals, who are realistic about life. n Treitman started B.T.'s Smokehouse in 2007 out of an 18-foot trailer in Brimfield, having given up as a Boston chef. B.T.'s has expanded twice to 1,200 square feet and 16 seats and then 2,500 square feet and 40 seats. B.T.'s has been ranked the No. 1 BBQ joint in New England and No. 20 in the U.S. He served on the board of Central Mass South Chamber of Commerce. For six years, he has participated in Worcester's Best Chef Competition, benefitting local cooking schools. By the time I am 50, I would like to have accomplished...starting a nonprofit that gives instant need to those in Central and Western Massachusetts. Who gave you the best advice? Mr. Virgili at CIA – You don't choose this career, it chooses you. It is one of the most thankless jobs you'll ever have but can be the most rewarding. What is the first impression you like to leave with business con- tacts? That I'm humble. People enjoy what I do almost as much as I enjoy doing it, and I feel a lot of it is luck. If you could have dinner with any four people, who would they be? Escoffier, Julia Childs, Paul Prudhomme, Anthony Bourdain. n In 2014, Harrigan moved to Worcester here from California to work with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass/Metrowest and has since volunteered with the United Way of Central Mass, Regional Environmental Council, Community Harvest Project and Kaya Children International. Hawley works as a public administra- tion professor at Clark University. Harrigan is an avid traveler and has lived, volunteered and worked abroad in China, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Spain. Whose career would you most like to emulate? Susan Rittscher, CEO of the Center for Women and Enterprise; 75 percent of large non- profit employees are female but hold only 21 percent of leadership positions. We can change this. What would you like to go back and tell your 10-year-old self? Things are not going to go the way you think they are, and that's a great thing! The people I work with would tell you I am...a cheerful, democratic lead- er and obsessed with goats. If I hadn't gone down this career path, I would have liked to...run a bed and breakfast on the beach some- where. n Five months after graduating with a psychology degree, King went out on a whim and opened a Millbury bakery, transforming it into a gourmet cupcake shop and catering service. It is a vendor at prominent wedding venues Tower Hill Botanic Gardens and Crompton Collective. The shop received Best Bakery (2014) and Best Desserts (2014, 2015) awards from the Millbury Sutton Chronicle and Best Cupcakes (2016) by Worcester Magazine. King is 2016's WSU Outstanding Young Alumna. What will the title of your mem- oirs be? "The Queen's Cups Rules Everything Around Me" because I have dedicated my life to my business and can rarely go anywhere without being called Queen's Cup, haha! What is your advice to young business people? Focus on what separates you from your competition. I prepare for the unexpected by... going to work a lot earlier and over- whelming my mom with text messages so she can calm me down, haha! Why do you work in Central Massachusetts? I grew up in Millbury, went to Millbury High School, coach basketball for Millbury High and own my business here. I am a true Woolie! n Residence: Sturbridge Birthplace: Albuquerque, N.M. Colleges: Evergreen State, Culinary Institute of America Brian Treitman, 39 Owner & pitmaster, B.T.'s Smokehouse, Sturbridge Hawley Harrigan, 31 Director of operations, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass/Metrowest, Worcester Residence: Worcester Birthplace: Fallon, N.V. Colleges: Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, University of Nevada Residence: Millbury Birthplace: Worcester College: Worcester State University Renee King, 27 Owner & baker, The Queen's Cups, Millbury Katherine Pittinger, 31 Director of operations & swim & children's program director, Worcester Fitness Residence: Worcester Birthplace: Dallas College: Bridgewater State University P H O T O / E R I K A S I D O R