Mission Matters Media

"Our team has the agility and flexibility to take on projects in any industry just like the bigger companies. We design and build projects from scratch." "We have a plethora of internal resources," he continues. "Finding resources, brainpower, and skill all under one roof is a rarity. We&s;re pretty dangerous when it comes to what we can do," he says good-naturedly. Forgione notes that collaboration and relationship-building with strategic partners is critical. "Our customers, clients, colleagues, consultants, fabricators, and shops that make hardware are a big part of our success, and we value those relationships," he says. "Those companies can lean on us too. We&s;re able to move forward together." Do your engineering skills lend themselves to other interests as well? The engineering firm&s;s president and founder notes that his background and certifications lays the foundation for a host of other business and interests, ranging from high-risk engineering projects to farming to skateboarding. "I bought a historic farmhouse to live in," he says. "Maple Leaf Farm is my place. I love the agricultural lifestyle, so I have chickens, ducks, two horses, a farm dog, and a big field on my farm. My family and I enjoy living there." "Teaching is one of my talents-I love to teach, explain and answer things. I started teaching at the University of Massachusetts Lowell last year. I&s;m a visiting professor there and I teach thermal fluids." In Forgione&s;s spare time, he&s;s parlayed nearly three decades&s; worth of skateboarding experience (recreational and professional) into a free weekend skateboarding clinic in Lowell where he instructs as many as 20 young students at a time. What&s;s your advice for young entrepreneurs? "The most important thing with any business is performance and commitment," he says. "You cannot do the project only for money or to be successful. You need to be customer-centric. For the first 10 years, the time commitment is huge but your hard work will pay off after that." What are your plans for the future? ...