Kevin Conlin

Kevin ConlinAge: 34

Occupation: Plant manager, Modine Manufacturing

Greatest professional achievements: Setting a new plant safety record for Modine-Washington for days without a recordable injury; the Harvey Holden Special Service Award; Forty Under 40; plant manager at age 31

Who are you mentors: Heather Woody (professional coach, Heather Woody Unlimited)

Best advice you ever received: While working in Ohio, I worked with a trainer (Jerry Kissell) who said that โ€œthoughts createโ€ and focused on having a positive perspective at all times.  โ€œThoughts createโ€ has proven to be very true.  Thoughts create your reality. There are also similar sayings by known figures:โ€œWhether you think you can, or think you canโ€™t, you are rightโ€  โ€“ Henry Ford; and โ€œWhat we think, we becomeโ€ โ€“ Buddha.

What would most people be surprised to learn about you: First date with my wife Megan was at a Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park.

How do you ensure a balance between work and your personal life: Itโ€™s not about balance, itโ€™s making deliberate choices.

What do you know now that you wish you had known earlier in your career: I now have a greater appreciation for emotional intelligence in myself and my members of my team. The soft skills and behaviors a person exhibits far outweighs technical skills; this is accounted for during the selection process of new hires, performance reviews and advancement opportunities.

Whatโ€™s something people should know about your generation in the workplace: We are tech savvy, confident, ambitious, value family and collaborate well.

If you had $1 million to give, what causes would you support? Create educational scholarship funds for industrial engineering students.

What is your biggest passion? Spending time with family.