Worcester Business Journal

6 Worcester Business Journal | November 28, 2022 | wbjournal.com Go with the strong, in-house candidate F L AS H P O L L If a strong in-house successor is in place, would your organization still search for candidates to fill your top leadership position? On Nov. 15, the Worcester City Council appointed Eric Batista the city manager on a permanent basis, making him the first Latino to serve in the powerful position. Batista was the assistant city manager under former city manager Edward Augustus, and Batista has been serving as acting city manager since Augustus left at the end of May. Although the City Council initially voted to conduct a nationwide search to find candidates for the position, the council later killed that search without soliciting any other candidates, in favor of simply giving the job to Batista. When polled online, the majority of WBJ readers said companies don't need to conduct searches for top executives if a strong internal candidate is available. COMMENTS "Businesses with the best sustained results build their internal talent bench. They deliberately recruit, develop, and position their talent for increasing responsibility. Where they've done this well, an executive search would be superfluous." - Stanley Davis, founder of Standish Executive Search, LLC No. We don't want to waste everyone's time if we already know who our next leader will be. 34% $200,000 to be awarded! December 1 - 5:30 pm - DCU Center Don't miss this history-making event where finalists will pitch their business to judges and a live voting audience. Up to five winners will receive no-strings-attached cash grants to help fund their social equity business. Learn more and register at elevatene.org/socialequityfund/ Clark in Worcester, Manok will have full leadership over fundraising, corporate and foundation relations, and alumni engagement. Restauranteur expands Canal District property holdings with $1.25M purchase Less than four months aer buying the former location of Harding Tire Co., restaurateur Ed Russo has purchased the former Harding Glass Co. location next door at 162- 168 Harding St. in Worcester for $1.25 million. Harding Glass is relocating. e sale by Fast Eddie LLC, regis- tered to Russo, was finalized on Nov. 8, according to the Worcester District Registry of Deeds. Russo is the owner of the eateries Lock 50 and Russo Italian Restaurant, both in the Canal District and within about a block of the property he purchased. In July, Russo purchased 16-20 Harri- son St., the former location of Harding Tire, which closed aer nearly 100 years in business. at sale was also for $1.25 million. Berlin spends $1.2M to buy Horseshoe Pond for conservation e Town of Berlin has purchased three parcels of land from the Sudbury Valley Trustees to complete its purchase of Horseshoe Pond at Mount Pisgah. e $1.15-million deal was completed on Nov. 8, according to the Worcester District Registry of Deeds. e property comprises 100 acres at the intersection of Linden Street and Lyman Road and was formerly known as McGrail Farm. Sudbury Valley Trustees purchased the property in September as the Town secured grants and created a public con- servation area, according to the organiza- tion's website. e Town received $874,268 from the Continued from page 5 B R I E FS Probably not, unless the in-house candidate has deficiencies leaving the door open for someone else. 25% Yes. Other candidates, both internal and external, can bring fresh ideas and perspectives, even if they aren't picked. 12% Yes. It's important to perform your due diligence for a role as vital as your next leader. 29% Ed Russo, owner of Lock 50 and Russo Italian Restaurant

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