“40 Under Forty” award recipient, Onyx Spirits Company’s Adam von Gootkin with co-owner Pete Kowalczyk, at the 2015 opening of their distillery’s tasting room in East Hartford.

East Hartford’s Onyx Spirits Company co-founder, author and entrepreneur Adam von Gootkin was named to the Hartford Business Journal’s “40 Under Forty” leaders list. Each year the publication selects and celebrates area entrepreneurs for their career and community service achievements. von Gootkin was recognized for his Connecticut company’s brand building efforts, local employees and contribution to state tax revenues, as well as his support for more than 200 local nonprofits, which includes serving on boards of multiple programs that support local business startups. von Gootkin said of the award, “It was an honor to accept the award, but we wouldn’t be anywhere without our team and the support of our distributors, retailers and customers. I think the award is a testament to what can be achieved in Connecticut with positive thinking and a can-do attitude.”