Worcester Business Journal

16 Worcester Business Journal | May 10, 2021 | wbjournal.com P O W E R 5 0 N O N P R O F I T S & G O V E R N M E N T Jessica Strunkin EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVENS MASSDEVELOPMENT Residence: Sterling Colleges: Colgate University and Boston University A quarter century after Fort Devens closed as a military base, ambitious plans by MassDevelopment for remak- ing the site as an economic development hub are being realized. Today, Devens is seeing the type of investment most Massachusetts communities could only dream of: a $500-million life sciences complex from Boston devel- oper King Street Properties, a $300-million facility for Cambridge energy firm Commonwealth Fusion Systems, a 244,000-square-foot expansion by drugmaker Bristol Myers Squibb, and hydroponics grower Little Leaf Farm expanding to 10 acres. All this came after a 2020 report from the UMass Donahue Institute found Devens con- tributes $4 billion to the economy. Much of that is thanks to Strunkin, who serves as the de facto town manager. Among her many roles is to recruit and maintain effective working relationships with Devens businesses, which total nearly 100 and employ more than 6,000 workers. What do you think the future holds for Central Mass.? "People previously not familiar with the region are discov- ering a more reasonable cost of living, quintessential New England downtowns full of delightful shops, restaurants, and other businesses, cool and historic architecture and spaces, many existing and new cultural resources and attractions, and, of course, myriad recreational opportuni- ties." Pool shark: "I'm no Minnesota Fats, but once upon a time I was quite the pool player." Edward M. Augustus, Jr. CITY MANAGER CITY OF WORCESTER Residence: Worcester Colleges: Suffolk University and Johns Hopkins University Developers, companies, and industries interested in setting up shop in Worcester often talk about how business- friendly the city government is: willing to make the right connections, offering tax breaks, and navigating through any regulatory process. Augustus, the de facto CEO of a city of 185,000 with a budget of $700 million, sets that tone entirely. Little development happens in Worcester without his knowledge, and many times, he and his economic development team are the ones actively pursuing it, especially – but not limited to – the $160-million Polar Park public baseball stadium, making its debut this May with the first home game for the Worcester Red Sox. The team's move from Pawtucket was a high-profile win for Worcester, which has attracted attention from media, baseball fans, and developers eying the property near the stadium. As perhaps the biggest symbol of his power – although certainly not the only one – the man most often credited for making the WooSox and Polar Park happen is Augustus. What do you think the future holds for Central Mass.? "Bloomberg News ranked Worcester among the top 10 cities in the U.S. best poised to recover from the pandemic, and that will have a positive impact not just on the city, but on Central Mass. as a whole ... I am extremely excited about many of the projects that are coming online or in the pipeline ... We really are cooking on all burners." History buff: He loves taking road trips to historic places. Residence: Worcester Colleges: Anna Maria College, Worcester State University, and Becker College At MAWOCC, Johnston Blue pushes hard on the city and state levels to get better representation of women – and particularly women of color – in high-level government and business positions, in order to be more reflective of the communities they serve. This advocacy includes calling for a state law requiring better diversity on public boards and commissions. In the wake of George Floyd's murder by Minneapolis police last year, business and government officials of all races are paying more attention to institutional racism, and advocates like Johnston Blue help ensure this can result in meaningful change. Her latest effort with the MAWOCC includes a partnership with the Mass. Office of the Treasurer on a yearlong webinar the 2021 EqualPayMA Roundtable Series, focusing increasing pay for women in the workplace. What do you think the future holds for Central Mass.? "Here is what I'd like to see: A vibrant city where the playing field is leveled, more women of color, BIPOC are reflected in the city's workforce and City Hall in leadership positions, thriving WOC, BIPOC businesses. Increased percentage of procurement are awarded to WOC, BIPOC businesses, the makeup of City Council, and School Committee to reflect the diversity of our community, police/criminal justice reform, which means fundamental changes in how we are doing business in the city." Movie buff: "I like romantic movies." Tim Garvin PRESIDENT & CEO UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS, IN WORCESTER Colleges: Clark University and the American University of Cairo Garvin's value as a nonprofit leader in and around Worcester has long been known. After all, it was 2015 when Garvin won the lifetime achievement award from the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network. But nothing is like what Garvin – whose enthusiasm for the Worcester area is clear to anyone – did while leading the United Way during a massive fundraising during the coronavirus pandemic. The United Way, aided by Garvin's broad local contacts, teamed with the Greater Worcester Community Foundation to raise more than $10 million in the span of five months and quickly doled out the cash to a wide range of groups, from homeless shelters and hot meal deliveries to child care centers and summer programing for kids. He also donates blood every 56 days to the American Red Cross. What do you think the future holds for Central Mass.? "Seeing and feeling the collaborative spirit, being part of the 'compassion in action' of Worcester Together allows me to know – TO KNOW – that in this community, we work together to lift up lives and strengthen community." Quite the teacher: "When starting elementary school, I lived with my family in Beirut, Lebanon … Simply, I was a terrible reader, but I loved baseball. The summer after 1st grade ... my mom and dad made a deal with me. They would buy me a pack of baseball cards if I could read each one, then buy another pack ... I am convinced that the San Francisco Giants MVP Willie Mays taught me to read!" Celia Johnston Blue PRESIDENT, CEO, VISIONARY & FOUNDING MEMBER MASSACHUSETTS WOMEN OF COLOR COALITION, IN WORCESTER

• Cover