Meet the Impressive List of CT's '40 Under 40' for 2017

Each year, Connecticut Magazine sets out to show us that you don't have to be old to accomplish something impressive.

It accomplishes that feat with its annual "40 Under 40" list, a grouping of some of Connecticut's most formidable residents all of who are under 40 years of age.

These are the go-getters, business owners, educators, athletes, artists, advocates and others, who help make Connecticut such a special place.

True, most of the list is made up of people in their 30s - 30 of them - nine are in their 20s and one is still a teenager. But don't let that fool you, this is one venerable grouping.

"Meet the best and brightest of Generation Next — people under the age of 40 who are excelling in their fields, leading and influencing others, and making a difference," writes Connecticut Magazine.

To view the full "40 Under 40" list, and read why Connecticut Magazin selected each person, click here.

Christian T. Arsenault, 30, Middlebury - School principal

Catherine Rawson, 39, Washington - Conservationist

Matt and Christine Hanko, 33, South Windsor - Animal foster parents

Brent Peterkin, 39, Derby - Coordinator for anti-gun violence program

Brandon Dufour, 33, Middlebury - Business owner

Jason Iglesias, 37, Guilford - Food center owner

Barry Labendz, 35, Kent - Brewery owner

Paul Mannion, 36, Bethel - Food truck owner

Matt Bailey, 39, Durham - Restaurant owner

Reginald N. Preston, 36, Pawcatuck - Navy lieutenant commander, museum director

Frank Di Pietro, 37, Stamford - Police officer

Ilario Altamura, 33, Stamford - Concert promoter

Emanuela Palmares, 34, Danbury - Newspaper editor, community advocate

Amy Kao, 26, New Haven - Co-founder of music and arts nonprofit

Brittany L. Stalsburg, 31, East Haven - Communications strategist and gender expert

Adam Lopez, 28, Naugatuck - Entrepreneur

Rick Lawrence, 36, Hartford - Marketing and civic engagement

Susan Ballek, 39, Farmington - Museum executive director

Jose Emmanuel Alfaro, 31, New Haven - Charter school advocate and political activist

Mohamad Hafez, 33, New Haven - Artist and architect

Danielle Beerli, 37, Bethany - Social worker

Melissa Gonzales, 39, New Haven - Vintage boutique owner

Elizabeth Larkin, 27, New Haven - Youth social worker

Caroline Smith, 24, New Haven - Bicycling and community partnership advocate

Trevor Silver and Amy Wagner Silver, 34 and 35, Weston - Tech entrepreneurs

Onyeka Obiocha, 26, Hartford - Social entrepreneur and events planner

Paul Dano, 32, Wilton - Actor

Mark Abraham, 37, New Haven - Data nonprofit executive director

Sawyer Fredericks, 17, Newtown - Singer-songwriter

Scott Kluger, 34, West Hartford - Baker

Alison T. Burdick, 38, New London - Middle school principal

Jacqueline Rabe Thomas, 33, Hartford - Education reporter

Jordan Reed, 26, New London - National Football League player

Mike Silvestrini, 37, and Art Linares Jr., 28, Middletown - Solar-power company co-founders

Heidi Voight, 34, West Hartford - Television news anchor and reporter

Kevin Phelps, 24, Groton - Skateboarder

George Springer, 27, New Britain - Major League Baseball player

Image via Connecticut Magazine