BBJ Honors Babson College Alumni
The Boston Business Journal has named four Babson College graduates among its annual 40 Under 40 recognition list: Kate Drew Jaspon ’98, Ian So ’08, Andrew Musto ’06 and Ethan Carlson M’12. In addition, BBJ honored Nicole Ledoux, co-founder of 88 Acres with Rob Dalton MBA’14.
“This year’s Boston Business Journal 40 Under 40 honorees are all young and extremely talented professionals. As a group, they represent a wide variety of business industries in the for-profit, nonprofit and government sectors. As individuals, they are the definition of overachievers — each already making a significant, positive impact on Massachusetts as a result of their professional and community contributions,” wrote BBJ.
“We couldn’t be more proud of this year’s class of 40 Under 40,” said BBJ Market President & Publisher Carolyn Jones. “We received well over 300 nominations, and I know the judges had a tough time selecting the best of the best. The 40 young professionals chosen this year really do represent the best and brightest the state has to offer and it certainly bodes well for the future of the commonwealth.”
Andrew Musto
Andrew Musto ’06, COO of U.S. Pavement Services, Inc.
It’s been a banner year for the 32 year old Musto whose innovative leadership style has resulted in the company being named the #1 contractor in the nation for 2016 by Pavement Magazine. Despite all of the accolades he’ll tell you his proudest moment this year was when his longtime girlfriend, Lisa Wright, said yes to his marriage proposal.
Andrew joined U.S. Pavement Services in 2003, while still in college at Babson. He started as the job costing and billing coordinator. In 2006 he became the Executive Vice President, taking the company to a new level by leading the development of the National Account business as well as the 800 Pavement Network with his uncle and CEO/Founder Mike Musto. Now as Chief Operating Officer, Andrew develops and leads the corporate strategy while overseeing all senior directors and executives. Andrew manages the entire organization’s processes, procedures, people, and profitability. His leadership skills offer effective, creative and innovative ways to build on the companies achievements.
Andrew has a Bachelor of Science, Cum Laude with concentrations in Entrepreneurship and Economics, from Babson College. He was recently recognized as Construction Equipment magazine’s 40 under 40 for his outstanding accomplishments. One of his proudest moments while being a part of the company was witnessing CEO Mike Musto receive the award for being named the #1 contractor in the nation. Mike’s determination and devotion to small business development has been a strong influence and guiding force for Andrew. They both share a deep understanding of the inherently risky world of small business ownership and enthusiastically embrace the challenge every day. Mike appreciates the “all in” style of his COO stating, “His hard work and determination has paved the way for opportunity for so many employees and partners.”
In addition to serving as U.S. Pavement Services COO, Andrew is the President of the Board of Directors at the West End House in Boston, MA and the first Vice President of the Board of Directors of The Bridge Center in Bridgewater, MA.
Ethan Carlson MBA’12 is founder and CEO of Carlson Management Consulting.
Ethan Carlson
Ethan founded Carlson Management Consulting in 2010 and brings significant and diverse financial and business experience from leadership roles with a number of private and publicly held companies. In his role at Carlson, he is focused on leading company strategy and business development. As a finance thought leader, he frequently speaks at conferences, seminars and other events. Ethan is on the Steering Committee of the CFO Leadership Council, Boston Chapter and is a former co-host of the ASK ETHAN podcast on the CFO Thought Leader (www.cfothoughtleader.com). He is also an honoree of the Boston Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 for 2016.
Expertise: Ethan has extensive budgeting and forecasting experience for companies of all sizes and industries and works to help clients deploy budgeting and forecasting best practices. Within Adaptive, he excels in system design and creating unique uses of the platform. In addition to overall best practices and system design, he has extensive expertise in helping high growth companies develop and deploy budgeting and forecasting best practices. Ethan is also our Education and Non-Profit industry expert having completed numerous projects in these industries.
Prior Roles: Prior to founding Carlson, Ethan’s prior experience included:
- CFO for Hayes Management Consulting a leading Healthcare IT Consulting firm
- Divisional CFO for GE Healthcare leading a $250M P&L
- Director of FP&A for Picis, Inc. (now part of United Healthcare)
Significant Projects: Ethan has worked on over 45 Client engagements including, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation, City Year, Root Capital, Green Mountain Care Board and Babson College.
Ian So ’08, co-founder of The Chicken & Rice Guys
Ian So
“When we opened our first food truck back in 2011, we had one goal: introduce you nomivores to the ridiculously delicious world of chicken and rice. With high quality ingredients, alluring aromas, and the seduction of self-saucing, we knew our grub would be a hit.
So far, we’ve launched a fleet of trucks, multiple restaurants, and a thriving catering business. Our next step? World domination! Just kidding. But we are working hard to find the next eating experience that will take over your world. Burger-Pizza-Burrito, we’re coming for you, buddy…
And thanks to you, we’re growing—so it’s only fair that we return the favor. We focus on hiring locally, nurturing our employees, and giving back to our community through local organizations.”
Kate Jaspon, Vice President, Finance & Treasury at Dunkin’ Brands Inc.
Versatile Financial Professional with a proven record of accomplishment in all aspects of the Finance, Treasury and
Controllership functions. Interdisciplinary team leader with broad based financial planning and analysis, financial reporting,
Kate Jaspon
technical accounting and treasury management skills. Proven leader during SEC registrations, acquisitions, divestitures, debt transactions, implementation of enterprise risk management and Sarbanes Oxley and several system projects. Excellence in cultivating internal relationships with cross-functional teams and external relationships with vendors, strategic partners and customers. An ethical leader capable of attracting, motivating and managing diverse, high performing teams to achieve results. Demonstrated success in adapting to and facilitating organizational and process change Energetic and passionate team player; willing to roll-up sleeves, thrives in a challenging, high-growth, fast-paced environment. CPA licensed in Massachusetts.
Specialties: ♦ Financial and SEC Reporting ♦ Technical Accounting ♦ Operational Accounting ♦ Sarbanes Oxley ♦ Enterprise Risk Management ♦ Corporate Governance ♦ Contract Administration ♦ Acquisitions & Divestitures ♦ Corporate Treasury
Nicole Ledoux, co-founder of 88 Acres with Rob Dalton MBA’14
Rob and Nicole
“I grew up on an 88 acre organic farm in North Brookfield, Massachusetts. My experiences on the farm gave me a strong connection to food, from tinkering in the kitchen with my mom as a child to working at the family farm stand as a teenager.
A few years ago I met the love of my life, Rob, and on our fourth date he almost died at dinner when his meal was cross-contaminated with nuts. The next day, I got rid of all the peanuts and tree nuts from my kitchen to help make Rob safe. I have no food allergies, but because of his, how I thought about food began to change.
We always struggled to find healthy, convenient snacks that Rob could eat but I would love as well. So I began experimenting at home with craft seed bars. We would take them on bike rides, and hikes, and throw a few in our bags to enjoy at work. Soon enough friends, both with food allergies and without, started to steal bites and place orders. After lots of rave reviews, we realized maybe we were on to something and the journey of 88 Acres began.” – Nicole Ledoux