Photo by StudioU
Murphy Quint
Master Blender and Director of Operations | Cedar Ridge | AGE: 37
Family: Wife and three children
Residence: Fairfax
Hometown: Cedar Rapids
Education: Kirkwood Community College — liberal arts
Who do you consider your local mentors?
Melvin Matteson – lifelong farmer and family man (my grandpa)
Jamie Siefken – president of Cedar Ridge
Jeff Quint – founder of Cedar Ridge (my father)
What do you consider your “big break” in your career, so far? My biggest career breakthrough was a couple years ago when I committed to increasing my visibility through media interviews and public speaking opportunities, activities that once made me deeply uncomfortable and afraid of embarrassing myself. Overcoming those fears was a pivotal turning point, significantly altering my career trajectory and increasing brand awareness for our company.
What would most people be surprised to learn about you? I was terrible at school. I really struggled to sit still and pay attention, and because of this I had some pretty terrible report cards. For a long time I really struggled with my confidence because I wasn’t succeeding. But then I found a whole industry of people like me and I was able to thrive within it.
If you had $1 million to give, what causes would you support? I would give it to nonprofits that support our veterans as they reintegrate into society, focusing on things like mental health services and job placement programs.
What are your passions outside of the workplace? I like to hang out with my wife and kids. I don’t really care what we’re doing, as long as we’re all together. Outside of that, I love standup comedy and the Chicago Cubs.
What’s something people should know about your generation in the workplace? Our generation has a unique advantage: We are the bridge between two eras. We’re the last to have lived in a pre-digital world, yet we entered our professional lives with smartphones and similar technology in our hands, giving us a crucial perspective on both the past and the future.
What do you want to accomplish by the time you are 50? I have a long list of goals that I’d like to accomplish by age 50. At the top of the list is to raise three happy children who are motivated to pave their own paths and chase their own dreams.
Each year, the Corridor Business Journal shines a spotlight on young professionals who have made a meaningful impact on the region early in their careers. We are proud to introduce you to the 21st class of Forty Under 40 honorees, chosen by a committee of past honorees.
