Brad Suroksy of Sonoma's Transcendence Theatre Company wins Forty Under 40 award

Responsibilities with your company: Oversee all operations and development, and hire all employees and contractors.

How do you exemplify the spirit of being a top Forty Under 40 professional?: I lead with passionate communication and confidence and treat my employees how I would like to be treated. Always remembering to have fun!

Years with company: 10

Length of time in current position: 10 years

Number of employees who report to you: Five

Greatest professional accomplishment: Help lead Transcendence Theatre company from an $83 company to a multimillion dollar company in less than four years. We have inspired over 83,000 people so far at Transcendence performances.

Greatest professional challenge: Time and reach. Days go by too fast. Communication with all of our supporters and donors gets harder and harder as we grow and our base of supporters grows.

Best advice received: Always treat people how you would want to be treated.

Single most important event in your professional life in the last 12 months: The day I hired my assistant.

What steps is your company taking to sustain your organization and morale in the current economy?: We believe in honest, open communication within our company and in our community. We constantly do self-assessments and plan our budgets to have a reserve for needed times.

Next professional goal: To continue to grow Transcendence Company and inspire millions worldwide.

Education: Bachelor of fine arts from New York University

Hometown: Baltimore

Mentor/admired businessperson: Harold Clurman

Typical day at the office: There is no typical day.

Best place to work outside of your office: A coffee shop

Hobbies: Running, ping pong, love watching sports

What you wanted to be when you grew up: Soccer player

First job: Working in the kitchen at age 13 at my Grandparents Catering Hall

Favorite book: “The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom”

Favorite movie: “Shawshank Redemption”

Favorite after-work drink: Glass of wine

Last vacation: Kona, Hawaii

What does your mom or dad brag most about you?: That I lead with my heart and will never give up.