S8 » INSIDE BUSINESS » OCTOBER 14, 2013
T O P FORTY UNDER 40 Matthew Echaniz, 36 MANAGING PRINCIPAL, LINCOLN FINANCIAL ADVISORS At work I provide leadership, coaching, compliance oversight and strategic guidance to more than 50 financial planners in Southern Virginia. This includes business planning, promoting strategic alliances, recruiting advisers and setting the vision for growth and value for our team in the community. I am also a CFP certificant and have a private wealth management practice. Home and family Chesapeake; wife Maria and children Isabel, 5; James, 3; and Tommy, 1. Volunteer activities Hampton Roads FPA board member, past pro bono volunteer and current president-elect. Chesapeake Noblemen member and past Dictionary Drive volunteer. Junior Achievement of Greater Hampton Roads volunteer. Finance Council member for Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Norfolk. Balancing time I block out important time on a calendar, and I work with a strong team that I can trust while away. Choosing organizations Children- or financial-centered, with shared values. Advice for young people Put in extra hours while you can, stay out of your comfort zone, write down your goals, be
coachable and pinch pennies until your fingers are bruised. Proudest accomplishment Being successful in new environments and cultures. Starting out in New England as a 21-yearold adviser, then developing a branch in Iowa at the age of 25, then leading and growing an office in Hawaii, and now leading advisers in Virginia. I’ve had to learn different cultures, styles, situational leadership and still be able to succeed and be a husband/father at an early age. Professional goal in five years Building my leadership scope of responsibility regionally, while having my firm continue to grow its brand and value in the community. The one thing I’d change about Hampton Roads More business leader involvement in local politics. Dream dinner party My parents, Pope Francis, Larry Bird, Jerry Seinfeld, Ronald Reagan and Jack Welch. Downtime Family time, golf, basketball. What really gets under my skin? Closed minds, unaccountability, ball-hogs, loud eaters.
Jared R. Fabac, 29 CO-FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF CLIENT STRATEGY, IDEA BRIGHT MARKETING At work I lead the strategic direction for both my company and all enterprise clients. Home and family Virginia Beach; wife Danielle, daughters Angelina, Isabella and Zoe; dog Lucius. Volunteer activities American Diabetes Association, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, StudentMentor, MercyCorps, Phi Kappa Sigma International. Balancing time I try to include my family in as many activities as I possibly can and constantly seek opportunities that involve friends and family. Choosing organizations I look for organizations that I feel I can truly benefit in a significant way. The more impactful I can be, the better the fit for everyone involved. Advice for young people Clearly define where you want to be and don’t become content with falling short of that goal. Proudest accomplishment I feel the greatest accomplishments will come when I have the opportunity to make more of an impact
in life. However, I’ve become very proud of my company and finishing my first book. Professional goal in five years? I’d like to see the continued enterprise growth of Idea Bright, but more importantly, I’m very compelled to put out two additional books of value. The one thing I’d change about Hampton Roads Stop trying to force Hampton Roads into something it’s not. Align the vision and improve the area starting with what it is, not forcing conceptual changes based on other areas. Dream dinner party Salvador Dali, Steve Jobs, Abraham Lincoln, Bob Dylan and a stranger chosen at random. Downtime On the rare occasion that it’s plentiful, I enjoy the family I’m blessed with to the fullest. What really gets under my skin? People who form initiatives based on gaining personal media coverage rather than accomplishing something great.