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18 Worcester Business Journal | August 21, 2017 | wbjournal.com F O C U S 4 0 U n d e r F o r t y Residence: Southborough Birthplace: Tunkhannock, Pa. College: Pennsylvania State University John T. Pitcavage, 35 President, Endless Energy, Marlborough In the last five years, Pitcavage has grown solar installer Endless Energy from 10 to 50 employees while serving Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Before joining the energy services firm, he was chief financial officer of Gemstone Printing, which was acquired by Li & Fung of Hong Kong. Pitcavage served two years in Guayaquil, Ecuador to help people meet physical and spiritual needs and volunteers at food bank Bishop's Storehouse in Worcester and in church- affiliated programs. He enjoys traveling with his wife, Valerie, and their three daughters, Sage, Sydney and Brooke. What do you daydream about? Defying Earnshaw's Theorum. Who gave you the best career advice? My dad said, "Don't ever do a mediocre job." Favorite Central Mass. restaurant? Not Your Average Joe's. I could eat its complimentary focaccia bread and water and be happy, let alone the unique entrees. Four years after joining Ravosa, Cote now manages the firm's Worcester office, growing practice areas of civil litigation, personal injury law and fore- closure prevention. This is the culmina- tion of a life spent in the legal field, having joined the industry as a teenager and working in office positions and managing two businesses while pursu- ing her degrees at night. Cote volunteers as treasurer of the Massachusetts Debt Relief Foundation and has been recognized by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Massachusetts for her pro bono work. She plays disc golf and lives with her husband, Thomas. What person do you look up to? Ruth Bader Ginsburg What goal do you set for yourself at the start of every workday? To be as productive as possible while obtaining the best results for my clients. What actress would play you in the movie about your life? Natalie Portman. She is educated, goal oriented and not afraid to take chances. Not to mention, we are both short. When Merrill received his certified investment management analyst desig- nation from Wharton in 2012, he was one of the youngest holders of the title in the nation. He has used this knowl- edge and five years spent with institu- tional clients at Fidelity Investments to help Clifford achieve substantial busi- ness growth, focusing on individual cli- ents and small business owners. Merrill volunteers for Junior Achievement in Worcester and teaches personal finance at high schools. He is president of networking group BNI Profit Rockets. He lives with his wife, Kat, and twin boys, Jack and Mason. If you spoke at a college graduation, what would the message be? Listen. We are too eager to share our own ideas without hearing others. What one Central Mass. location should everyone visit? Stone Cow Brewery in Barre has something for all ages, especially young families. What did you want to be when you grew up? A New England Patriots play- er. Now 30, I feel the same way. Shortly after turning 23, Aylward opened his inclusive fitness facility, the byproduct of thousands of hours spent with the Special Olympics, Best Buddies and working in disability ser- vices. In one year, the company has steadily grown to nearly 400 athletes of all ages and abilities, while Aylward presents his work at seminars to spread the concept of inclusive fitness. Aylward coached Team Massachusetts at the Special Olympic National Games and received a Best Buddies National Chapter of the Year award. He has participated in almost 50 races with Team Hoyt New England, pushing his best friend, Jacob Wyman. What would a movie made about you be called? "A Level Playing Field" Favorite piece of Central Mass. histo- ry? Nashoba Regional High School's basketball team playing in the 2017 state finals. I was their strength and conditioning coach. What superpower would you like? Be in two places at once. I'm busy and miss time with family and friends. P H O T O / E R I K A S I D O R Residence: Paxton Birthplace: Worcester Colleges: Providence College, Wharton School of Business Aresty Institute of Executive Education Jay Merrill, 30 Financial advisor, Clifford & Rano Associates, Worcester Brendan Aylward, 24 Owner & strength and conditioning coach, Unified Health and Performance, Lancaster Residence: Lancaster Birthplace: Stow College: Lesley University Michelle L. Cote, Esq., 34 Attorney, Law Offices of Richard S. Ravosa, Worcester Residence: Leicester Birthplace: Worcester Colleges: Worcester State University, Westfield State University, Assumption College, Massachusetts School of Law The Grid District, 50 Franklin St. W W W W