WALLINGFORD -- Jerry Farrell Jr. said he made Hartford Business Journals Top 40 Under 40 list by the skin of my teeth.

Farrell, who will turn 40 in January, was named to the 11th annual list in its Aug. 20 edition.

Being named means success in your endeavors, it means respect from your peers, it means feeling like you ve got what it takes to conquer whatever comes at you, Hartford Business Journal Editor Vincent Valvo wrote.

It s an honor to be selected as part of a group of people who are so well thought of for their business skills and well thought of for their community involvement, Farrell said.

Farrell, a 1986 Choate Rosemary Hall graduate, was named state commissioner of consumer protection in December.

In his profile for the journal, Farrell wrote: Every day is a challenge: tainted toothpaste, chili with botulism, unlicensed home improvement contractors, scam artists.