Professional Profile: Erron Smith, 2013

Name: Erron Smith Title: Program Manager, Real Estate Company: Connecticut Economic Resource Center (CERC) Location: Rocky Hill Place of birth: Hartford, CT Family: Amos Smith (father), Gail Smith (mother) College: Temple University First job unrelated to your current field: Worked as a baker's assistant in a bagel shop when I was 15. First job in current field: Economic Development Specialist What your firm does now and its plans for the future? CERC is a nonprofit corporation and public-private partnership that provides economic development services consistent with state strategies, leveraging Connecticut's unique advantages as a premier business location. Hobbies: Dominoes, Basketball, Golf, and just about any activity involving a soft sandy beach Favorite novel: "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell, "The Paradox of Choice" by Barry Schwartz, and "Sway" by Ori Brafman Favorite film: "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" Keys to success: Perseverance; An ability to adapt to changing environments. A willingness to learn; Allowing others to help where they can. Person(s) you most admire (outside of family): Jeffrey Sachs; an economist widely considered to be one of the world's leading experts on economic development and the fight against poverty, and promoting sustainable environmental practices. If you had to choose a different profession, what would it be? Sports analyst, physical therapist