Worcester Business Journal

Notable Veteran Executives 2025: Andrew Leblanc After his time in the Coast Guard, Leblanc started at All One Credit Union in 2018 as a risk manager.

WBJ Notable Veteran Executives 2025: Leblanc started at All One Credit Union in 2018 as a risk manager, overseeing and enhancing the credit union’s cybersecurity posture.

10 Things I know about ... Massachusetts pay transparency requirements 10) Growing trend. Massachusetts became the 14th state to enact a pay transparency law. The pay range disclosure requirement of the new law became effective on Oct. 29. 9) Applies […]

Hayley Cotter of Mirick in Worcester shares what businesses should know about the state's pay transparency rules.

Champions of Health Care: Penney's dedication, honesty, and transparency led Heywood out of bankruptcy Penney joined the Gardner-based hospital system in 2019 as its chief certified registered nurse anesthetist, and in just four years time, she had become its CEO.

WBJ Champions of Health Care 2025: Penney joined the Gardner-based hospital system in 2019 as its chief certified registered nurse anesthetist, and in just four years time, she had become its CEO.

Koopman Lumber CEO’s sister to take over top role of family business from her brother Dirk Koopman is stepping down as CEO of Koopman Lumber, with his sister Denise Brookhouse taking over the role.

“Denise and I literally grew up just up the street from the Koopman Lumber store in Whitinsville,” Koopman wrote in the LinkedIn post announcing the change.

WPI launches bachelor’s degree program in cybersecurity Worcester Polytechnic Institute has added a bachelor of science in cybersecurity to its degree offerings, nearly five years after the university introduced a cybersecurity master’s degree track in…

The program was designed by the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity, a federally-managed initiative creating cybersecurity educational programs.

Marlborough 140-unit apartment complex opens first building, starts accepting residents Vesa Apartments were built on the former site of the McGee Farm and Jordan Stables.

A former equestrian farm on Route 20 in Marlborough is now a 140-unit apartment complex, as the site has begun welcoming new residents.

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Viewpoint: How community college helped me find my voice and my purpose Between working full time and raising an elementary school–aged child, I needed a college offering flexibility, understanding, and structure. Quinsigamond Community College gave me exactly that: a…

"It’s not just about earning a degree; it’s about discovering your potential through a community that truly cares," Jennifer Hernandez, CEO of GEM Marketing Solutions in Worcester, wrote of her time at QCC.

Champions of Health Care: Walsh elevates community voices to trauma-response mental health care Walsh oversees 27 clinicians, managing five directly, as the vice president of clinical services & director of the Center for Behavioral Health at RFK Community Alliance in Lancaster.

WBJ 2025 Champions of Health Care: One of the very few things that irritates Dianne Walsh is when her staff call her boss.

State refusing Trump demands to hand over SNAP data Healey said Massachusetts already verifies eligibility for SNAP beneficiaries and considers the federal request unnecessary.

The USDA’s administrative funds, which could be withheld, cover the costs states incur to operate SNAP, including processing applications, verifying eligibility and ensuring compliance.

UMass Memorial searches for first-ever chief of medical management UMass Memorial Health is adding a new C-Suite position to its executive team, as the Worcester-based hospital system is searching for its inaugural chief of medical management.

UMass Memorial Health is adding a new C-Suite position to its executive team, as the Worcester-based hospital system is searching for its inaugural chief of medical management.

Museum of Worcester names incoming executive director The Museum of Worcester has selected its incoming executive director, marking the museum’s first leadership transition in half a century.

The Museum of Worcester has selected its incoming executive director, marking the museum’s first leadership transition in half a century.

New pet hospital opens in Framingham BluePearl Pet Hospital has opened in Framingham, after moving from a location in Waltham. BluePearl is now operating from a 19,874-square-foot space at 659 Worcester Road, after having moved there […]

BluePearl Pet Hospital has opened in Framingham, after moving from a location in Waltham.

O’Neil elevated to executive director role at Blackstone chamber Liz O’Neil has been promoted from her role as director of programming and events at the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce to the newly-created title of executive director. Joining the […]

O’Neill is second-in-command to Jeannie Hebert, who’s led the chamber for the past 17 years.

Bar arcade opens in Downtown Fitchburg Power Surge Bar Arcade has opened its doors in Downtown Fitchburg, bringing some life back into a 148-year-old building.

Games at Power Surge include classics like 1982’s “Ms. Pac-Man” and 1985’s “Super Mario Bros.,” as well as more recent hits, like 2002’s “Dance Dance Revolution Extreme” and 2009’s “Guitar Hero.”

How's the economy? Let WBJ know by taking the 2026 Economic Forecast survey Worcester Business Journal is asking its readers to give their opinions on how the Central Massachusetts economy will fare in 2026. The results will be published in the annual Economic […]

Worcester Business Journal is asking its readers to give their opinions on how the Central Massachusetts economy will fare in 2026. The results will be published in the annual Economic Forecast special edition.

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101: Anticipating holiday breaks As the holidays approach, it is important for managers to organize schedules, deadlines, and breaks to make the transition as smooth as possible. Navigating who is off at what time, […]

101: As the holidays approach, it is important for managers to organize schedules, deadlines, and breaks to make the transition as smooth as possible.

Notable Veteran Executives 2025: Jonathan Daige Jonathan Daige joined the U.S. Army Reserve immediately following the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

WBJ Notable Veteran Executives 2025: Jonathan Daige joined the U.S. Army Reserve immediately following the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. He wanted to be part of something bigger than himself and serve his country.

Public health commissioner wants abortion care integrated into primary care Dr. Olivia Liao, president of the Massachusetts Medical Society, called abortion care "essential health care" and said the organization supports "efforts to increase local access for patients across…

The Department of Public Health and Commissioner Dr. Robert Goldstein wrote that, “Abortion care, particularly medication abortion and early procedural abortion, is a common medical practice that can and should be integrated into primary care.”

Saint Vincent Hospital searching for new CEO Less than one year after Denten Park became CEO of Saint Vincent Hospital, the Worcester facility is searching for his replacement, on top of its existing search for a new chief nursing officer.

Less than one year after Denten Park became CEO of Saint Vincent Hospital, the Worcester facility is searching for his replacement, on top of its existing search for a new chief nursing officer.

Main Street Bank executive to retire, as two new SVPs join firm The Marlborough-based bank has added two new senior vice presidents to replace her.

Ruth Cavanagh, Main Street Bank’s executive vice president and chief lending officer, is heading to retirement at the end of 2025, as the Marlborough-based bank has added two new senior vice presidents to replace her.

Notable Veteran Executives 2025: Matthew Casaubon For the past three years as director of veteran affairs at Quinsigamond Community College, Casaubon has supported the veteran community through comprehensive services and individualized care.

WBJ Notable Veteran Executives 2025: Matthew Casaubon joined the U.S. Army because he felt a deep calling to serve and continue his family’s tradition of military service dating back to World War II.

McGovern Liquor Store in Worcester, founded by father of Rep. Jim McGovern, sold for $1M The building housing longtime Worcester business McGovern’s Greendale Liquor and Package Store is under new ownership, following a $1.03M sale. The store, located at 440-444 West Boylston St., was…

The property was sold by Mary Ann McGovern, wife of the store’s late founder, Walter McGovern, and mother of Congressman Jim McGovern (D-Worcester).

Central Mass. students gain access to $25M for behavioral health education Students at five Central Massachusetts colleges and universities now have access to $25 million to support their behavioral health educations as the Commonwealth of Massachusetts enters into the…

Along with the state as a whole, Central Massachusetts has been working to combat its own mental health crisis, with more than 50% of its emergency department beds filled by behavioral health patients this past spring.

BJ’s opening first new Mass. location in 13 years Marlborough-based BJ’s Wholesale Club is opening its first new Massachusetts location in 13 years. BJ’s will open a location at Springfield Crossing, located at 1655 Boston Road in Springfield on […]

Marlborough-based BJ’s Wholesale Club is opening its first new Massachusetts location in 13 years.

WBJ 2025 Champions of Health Care: Dr. Crista Johnson-Agbakwu leads efforts to serve marginalized communities in Greater Worcester, becoming a leading voice for health equity.

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Movers & Shakers for Dec. 1, 2025 Professionals at All One Credit Union, Hoey Wealth Management, and ERA Key Realty Services are taking steps forward in their careers.

Professionals at All One Credit Union, Hoey Wealth Management, and ERA Key Realty Services are taking steps forward in their careers.

Wayland Town Center sold to Chicago firm for $36M, nearly 50% lower than previous sale The purchase included about 144,661 square feet of retail and office space, according to real estate data firm CoStar, including space occupied by tenants like Stop & Shop, X-Golf, Ace Hardware, and…

Wayland Town Center is the lone Massachusetts asset in Northpond’s 100-property portfolio, according to CoStar.

Former Worcester City Councilor candidate founds organization to address systemic oppressions The launch of The Reframe Institute was announced Sunday by Jessica Pepple.

A former candidate for Worcester’s City Council has launched an organization designed to confront systemic roots of oppression in order to promote collective healing and liberation.

WBJ names the 2025 Champions of Health Care The level of talent and commitment among the professionals in the Central Massachusetts business community is awe-inspiring.

WBJ will further honor these healthcare heroes at our WBJ Champions of Health Care Awards & Forum on Dec. 16 at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester.

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Passing the baton at WBJ After 46 years in the publishing industry in Central MA, I will retire at the end of January.

A note from WBJ Publisher Peter Stanton: