Worcester Business Journal

30 Worcester Business Journal | August 17, 2020 | wbjournal.com Richard arrived at O'Connor Maloney as a young staff accountant with limited experience, and throughout her over 10 years there has risen through the ranks, becoming its audit manager. When she first came to the firm, she helped it transition to a new digital client engagement software, a vital step to make the firm a mostly paperless work environment. She now oversees the largest and most difficult audit clients, while supervising quality control procedures and performing annual oversight of client engagement and feedback, which is partially through internal inspection. She was a key part in O'Connor Maloney obtaining the best audit report possible, which allows the company to bid against other CPA firms. Richard mentors young staff with patients and warmth, taking the time to train and teach new employees to ensure the future of O'Connor Maloney. She has been on the volunteer board for the HealthAlliance Hospital Guild of Leominster since 2019 and serves as treasurer and board member of the nonprofit Beacon of Hope since 2015. Richard does all this while raising her two sons, participating in the parent-teacher association at her sons' school, and helping her husband's excavation company. - D.B. What four people would you like to travel for a year with? My grandparents and my children. I grew up living across the street from my grandparents, and they were just the best! They instilled strong family and work-ethic values in me. I would love for my children to experience their love. What is your favorite activity since the pandemic began? At home workouts! My crossfit gym did not miss a beat and immediately started Zoom classes. These workouts, whether with my children by my side (really climbing all over me) or solo, have been such a wonderful constant! Genie-Rae C. Richard, 39 Audit manager O'Connor Maloney & Company, P.C., in Worcester Residence: Leominster Birthplace: Leominster College: Assumption University Plunket plunged into the cannabis industry in 2016 and hasn't looked back since. At Sira Naturals, a vertically integrated medical marijuana company, he has led the growth of two production facilities, with a third planned later this year. He helped create a wholesale program, which places Sira's product in 70% of all Massachusetts dispensaries. Plunket has proven himself not only dedicated to cannabis, but adaptable, too. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Plunket led the Sira initiative to pivot to manufacture more than 200 gallons of hand sanitizer, which the company then donated for use in response to the pandemic. Under Plunket's watch, Sira donated 16,000 disposable gloves and more than 500 masks to local charities, hospitals and police departments. He serves as one of the forces behind the company's donations to the Milford Youth Football program, the Claflin Hill Symphony, the Milford Youth Center, Saint Mary's Parish and the Milford Regional Medical Center's Mélange Gala, an annual fundraiser for cancer research. One of the first 10 people to work for Sira, which now employs more than 200, Plunket is as enthusiastic and as dedicated as ever about the budding industry's future. - M.B. What is the first thing you'll do after the pandemic is over? Visit my family in Pennsylvania Who is most responsible for your success? My wife. She encouraged me to take job opportunities I felt passionate about, is supportive when I work long hours, and always gives great advice. What is your dream job? The cannabis Industry. I was always passionate about cannabis but never imagined I could have a career in it. Everyday is a new, exciting challenge in this rapidly growing industry. Tom Plunket, 38 Vice president of production operations Sira Naturals, in Milford Residence: Hopkinton Birthplace: Harrisburg, Pa. College: University of Delaware 4 0 U N D E R F O R T Y

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