2006 40 Under Forty Winners

Click here to view the class photos of the Worcester Business Journal's 40 Under Forty winners for the year 2006 and scroll below to find out where many of them are now (listed alphabetically by last name):

Matthew Brown
Current Job: Chief financial officer, Greenwood Industries Inc., Millbury

What was your job when you won?
Same

How is your outlook today different from your outlook when you won?
When I won the award, the business was less structured and more geared towards growth and profitablity at any cost. Now our goals are more defined and mapped out. Our business is built and focused on our relationships with clients and vendors alike. By developing relationships and providing the best service regardless of our costs, the growth and profitability almost take care of themselves.

What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs?
Work hard and put in the hours you need to get the job done. Treat everyone you meet, from CEOs to maintenance staff, with the utmost respect. Cherish the relationships you have with everyone you come in contact with. You never know when someone that has become a friend can help you out.

What did winning the 40 Under Forty Award mean to you?
The award was a nice way to be recognized at a young age as a leader in the Central Massachusetts business community.

Stephen Buchalter
Current Job: President, Enterprise Cleaning Corp., Worcester

What was your job when you won?
Same

How is your outlook today different from your outlook when you won the award?
Today I have become more involved with the local residential and business community. I donate to organizations to help improve the quality of Worcester. I believe in the city and want to work hard to continue to make it more vibrant.

What advice could you give young entrepreneurs entering the business world today?
Set high expectations. Work hard. Never give up. Always give back to the community.

What did winning the 40 Under Forty award mean to you?
Personally, it was a great achievement. When you face difficult tasks on a daily basis it is an honor to be recognized. It reaffirmed my dedication to my hard work.

Barry Chapin
Current Job: Patent attorney, Chapin Intellectual Property Law LLC, Westborough

What was your job when you won?
Same

How is your outlook today different from your outlook when you won?
I am still in same position owning my own patent law firm. My outlook has never been better and I have branched out and grown the business.

What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs?
Don't be afraid to take risks, always try new things, never listen to naysayers, and always have fun. If you make good money, try new businesses with the extra cash.

What did winning the 40 Under Forty Award mean to you?
I was proud to win it. I want a 50 under 50 award! Steve Buchhalter and I met at the awards dinner (he won it, too) and became good friends. Now he is running for City Council. Go Steve!

Matthew Consigli
Current Job: Vice president, Consigli Construction Co. Inc.

What was your job when you won?
Same

How is your outlook today different from your outlook when you won?
My outlook isn't much different. I feel strongly that if we're going to accomplish the things we want to, it will be through the efforts of many, not just one person.

What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs?
Keep your word.

What did winning the 40 Under Forty Award mean to you?
I was very appreciative of the recognition by the WBJ, and humbled to be acknowledged.

Kevin DeNorscia
Current Job: AVP commercial loan officer, Clinton Savings Bank, Clinton

What was your job when you won?
Leominster Credit Union, AVP business development officer

How is your outlook today different from your outlook when you won?
My outlook really has not changed since the award. I still enjoy the job that I do, and I'd still rather be on a tropical beach listening to Jimmy Buffett music!

What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs?
Love what you do. No amount of salary, bonus or benefits package will compensate for being unhappy at your job.

Christine Devine
Current Job: Partner, Mirick O'Connell LLP

What was your job when you won?
Same

How is your outlook today different from your outlook when you won?
My outlook is much the same. I realize that I am fortunate to work with talented, professional colleagues. The work that I do is interesting and ever-changing.

What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs?
Stay connected to people you meet along the way. Always take the time to pass along an opportunity that might benefit someone else.

What did winning the 40 Under Forty Award mean to you?
It was a great honor to have been recommended and, ultimately, chosen.

Ronald Ernenwein
Current Job: President/CEO, AA Transportation, Shrewsbury

What was your job when you won?
Same

How is your outlook today different from your outlook when you won?
Same

What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs?
No risk...no reward, don't be afraid to take chances just be careful, information is key do the research.

What did winning the 40 Under Forty Award mean to you?
As an individual without a business degree it was nice to be recognized by the business community as a sucsessful entrepreneur.

Liisa Holm
Current Job: Vice President, Employee Benefits, The Protector Group Insurance Agency, Worcester

What was your job when you won?
Same

How is your outlook today different from your outlook when you won?
I've always believed that becoming a strategic partner for my clients and building strong relationships through trust and hard work is the foundation for success.

What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs?
Work hard, build relationships with clients and peers and have perseverance to get through the difficult times.

What did winning the 40 Under Forty Award mean to you?
It was an honor to be included in the top 40 Under Forty in 2006.

Jeff Johnson
Current Job: President, Eagle Cleaning Corp., Worcester

What was your job when you won?
Same

How is your outlook today different from your outlook when you won?
I am still very optimistic about my company and our industry. The recent downturn in the economy has actually created more opportunities for new businesses that are looking to cut costs. But we have also been forced to reduce pricing with some clients to meet their new budgets. I currently have more clients than last year but am generating the same revenue, which is our goal for this year.

What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs?
Do something that you like to do and believe in it. Create a business/career plan to incorporate personal goals. Work harder and smarter than your co-workers or competition.

What did winning the 40 Under Forty Award mean to you?
I was very proud to get this award and to be recognized as one of the successful young business owners in Worcester County.

Paul LaFlamme
Current Job: President and CEO, Centrend Inc., Sturbridge

What was your job when you won?
Same

How is your outlook today different from your outlook when you won?
I'm thrilled that my company has continued to thrive and grow, even in the down economy. My outlook has changed in that every organization needs to do better - and by that I mean provide even better service, reduce costs without compromising service or product quality, and take better care of their employees.

What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs?
Love your idea and make sure you fully believe in it before you get started. When you love your own innovation, it will be much clearer to prospects and investors the tremendous value you are offering.

What did winning the 40 Under Forty Award mean to you?
It was an honor to be recognized by others in the community. It has helped me strengthen some good relationships and form some great new ones.

Michael Lorion
Current Job: Chief financial officer, Homesite Insurance, Boston

What was your job when you won?
Hanover Insurance, divisional CFO

How is your outlook today different from your outlook when you won?
My outlook remains very positive and has not changed materially.

What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs?
I would suggest that young entrepreneurs attempt to always remember that market cycles, both booms and busts, are temporary phenomena and that they should plan accordingly.

What did winning the 40 Under Forty Award mean to you?
It was an important recognition that I was progressing as a business leader and as a member of the community.

Maegen McCaffrey
Current Job: Executive director, Wachusett Chamber of Commerce, Clinton

What was your job when you won?
Same

How is your outlook today different from your outlook when you won?
My outlook today is very similar. The economy has changed since 2006, so our organization has its share of challenges and obstacles. However, our goals and mission remain the same - to support the business community and advocate for local businesses.

What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs?
Do something that's important to you and make a difference in your community. Even if what you do makes a difference to just one person, then you have made an important impact.

What did winning the 40 Under Forty Award mean to you?
The 40 Under Forty recognition made a huge impact on me both personally and professionally. I was celebrated in my local community by our chamber members and among my peers. It is an honor that I will never forget.

Frank McDonough
Current Job: President & co-founder, TCG Network Services, Natick

What was your job when you won?
Same

How is your outlook today different from your outlook when you won?
My outlook today is such that I am little older, a little wiser and more in tune with my business. I have a very positive outlook on business even during these challenging economic times we all face. As I grow personally and professionally, I put more faith and responsibility in my employees and reward them with company sponsored activities, perks whenever possible and compensation as much as we can afford. We have a great crew at TCG and I thank them for their hard work and efforts and making TCG a winning team.

What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs?
Get involved in the community and share your time as much as you can afford. By playing a role in local charities, this will give you a good feeling of doing something for others. But don't go into a giving mode expecting to gain an immediate return on your efforts. Part of giving is the gift of giving and not expecting anything. Good karma will come your way in time and if it doesn't, feel good knowing you did for others and didn't expect anything in return.

What did winning the 40 Under Forty Award mean to you?
The 40 Under Forty Award was a great milestone in my life and one that I proudly display in the lobby of my office in Natick. To be a 40 Under Forty winner makes me proud to be a part of local chambers and communities advocate giving back whenever possible.

William B. Murphy
Current Job: Owner, Fairway Mortgage (franchise), Auburn

What was your job when you won?
Prime Mortgage Financial, branch manager

How is your outlook today different from your outlook when you won?
The mortgage/real estate business has been turned upside down. The housing market has seen its worst slump since the Depression. The workforce in the business has shrunk by 75 percent. The outlook is the same: Just keep focus on the opportunities.

What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs?
Have a plan on what you expect to accomplish with all the action items that will help you accomplish your goals.

What did winning the 40 Under Forty Award mean to you?
It was quite an honor to win the award and to be in great company among some of the top entrepreneurs. There is so much to learn from the other recipients of the award.

Johanna Sagarin
Current Job: Vice president/clinical director, Children's Friend, Worcester

What was your job when you won?
Children's Friend, Clinical Director

How is your outlook today different from your outlook when you won?
Issues that impact my job and my clinic have broadened. I have needed to focus more on what is happening at a state level. With that, I also need to keep my focus on the families we serve. That is the balance I work to keep at work.

What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs?
Find a way to do what you enjoy doing. Otherwise it's just a job.

What did winning the 40 Under Forty Award mean to you?
I had gone to graduate school to become a psychologist. Never did I think I would win a business award. In that sense, it broadened my perspective on myself.

Troy Siebels
Current Job: Executive director, The Hanover Theatre, Worcester

What was your job when you won?
Same

How is your outlook today different from your outlook when you won?
Every bit as optimistic. I have more validation of that now.

What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs?
Don't pull back in times if recession. Calculate risk carefully but push forward.

What did winning the 40 Under Forty Award mean to you?
It was an honor and a pleasure - thanks very much!

Joffrey Smith
Current Job: Founder & CEO, Group Insurance Exchange, Worcester; Worcester City Councilor

What was your job when you won?
Worcester City Councilor and financial service provider with New York Life

How is your outlook today different from your outlook when you won?
I am still motivated to succeed as I was when I won the award. With my experience now I am trying to position myself for hopefully even bigger things ahead.

What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs?
I would tell them you need to be self-motivated, willing to work hard, and form the habit of doing the things that unsuccessful people aren't willing to do - that will separate them from the pack.

What did winning the 40 Under Forty Award mean to you?
It was a great honor for me to win the award when I was 25 years old and building my career in business and politics. It is a prestigious award that I still hang in my office today.