2009 40 Under Forty: Chris Coghlin
Chris Coghlin
Age: 38
Title: President & CEO
Company: Coghlin Cos. Inc.
Company location: Worcester
Residence: Shrewsbury
College: Northeastern University
Career highlights: Upon graduation from Northeastern University, I joined one of our family businesses, Coghlin Electrical Contracting, as an assistant project manager, and was assigned to work with our team at Digital Equipment Corp. in Hudson. Eighteen months later, I was transferred to a new Coghlin subsidiary, Columbia Tech, and became the senior project manager for a few of its growing customers.
Community involvement: I am involved in many social and community organizations, including Young President’s Organization and YBA, Higgins Armory, M2D2, the Spring Street School in Shrewsbury, and Saint John’s High School. I am also a strong supporter of youth football, baseball and cheerleading sponsorships.
Biggest professional success: Becoming the fourth generation president and CEO of the Coghlin Cos. and knowing that I started my informal career with these companies at the age of 14 doing whatever I was asked to do and working hard to do the best I could.
Today, having the responsibility for the Coghlin Cos. vision, leadership and key decision-making elements is a privilege that I greet with passion and enthusiasm every day.
Dream job: I am living it! There are many challenges and rewards associated with running a multi-generation family business, but I am so fortunate to work closely with extremely talented and diverse people who I collaborate with each day.
Businessperson he most admires and why: My father, Jim Coghlin Sr., is the person I admire most for his passion, consistency, fairness, generosity, mentorship and friendship in all areas of life.
Favorite movie: Meet the Parents and Caddyshack. Hysterical every time I watch!
If you were stuck on a desert island what book would you want to have with you? Again, I’d need to bring two: Good to Great and Bringing Down the House.
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