Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | May 1, 2023 | Worcester Business Journal 9 R E A L E S T A T E P O W E R 5 0 STEVEN GENTILUCCI GENERAL MANAGER CONSIGLI CONSTRUCTION CO., INC., IN MILFORD Residence: Worcester College: Worcester Polytechnic Institute Longtime Worcester resident Gentilucci started with Consigli more than 25 years ago as an assistant superintendent and worked his way up to his position as general manager. Consigli is an employee-owned giant of a construction company, the largest based in Central Massachusetts with offices from Maine to North Carolina. Consigli built notable local projects like Worcester Technical High School, One Mercantile, Girls Inc., and recently the 100,000-square-foot Unity Hall at WPI. In February, the company was selected by the National Park Service to lead the $69-million renovation of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. Gentilucci oversees 650 employees as head of Consigli's self-perform team, where the company has its own tradespeople and craftsmen on staff, instead of relying on subcontractors for particular work like electric and plumbing. Gentilucci's division brings in annual revenues of $220 million. He supports the team by recognizing the importance of constant reinvestment in the team by providing the tools and resources necessary for success and identifies new technologies to support their work. Gentilucci believes in serving his community and is a longtime member of the student-run Working for Worcester board of advisors and a member of the Diocese of Worcester Catholic Schools Board, which helped guide the merger of St. Peter-Marian and Holy Name into St. Paul Diocesan Junior-Senior High School. He is an active volunteer with Why Me & Sherry's House, which provides no-cost lodging to families while their children receive treatment for cancer in New England area hospitals. Gentilucci is a trustee of the Massachusetts Laborers Health and Welfare Fund. n How should professionals best use the power they wield? "You have to pay it forward. No one has all the answers, and sharing experiences and insight is how we can all succeed. It's about doing your part to help the next generation of industry leaders. Share, teach and mentor." CHARLES "CHIP" NORTON PRESIDENT & OWNER FRANKLIN REALTY ADVISORS, IN WELLESLEY Residence: Dover College: University of New Hampshire Norton has had the foresight to recognize the value in Central Massachusetts. He redeveloped the Mercantile Center in Downtown Worcester starting in 2015 and in the past year has filled it to almost 100% occupancy. He has changed the landscape of downtown hospitality and nightlife, by leasing space for the various ownership groups to open The Mercantile, Ruth's Chris Steak House, and the Harpoon Worcester Beer Garden at his properties. He expanded his holdings in Northborough in 2022 with the $10.7-million purchase of a 29,000-square-foot UMass Memorial Health facility and completed 48 units of a 275 affordable housing complex in Southbridge. He is one of the largest commercial property owners in Central Massachusetts, including at the Southbridge Innovation Center. Norton understands the importance of giving back to the communities in which he invests. He was co-chair of the UMass Memorial Health Hope and Healing Celebration, which raised $1.5 million, and he was awarded the 2022 United Way Ted Coghlin Award for vaccine efforts. He even rappelled off of the Mercantile Center to raise money for Canines for Disabled Kids. n How should professionals best use the power they wield? "With substantial presence comes substantial responsibility. I want to leave Central Massachusetts a better place than I found it, and through my influence and investments, I'm trying to build a better today for our communities, on the way to an even better tomorrow. I hope the next generation will also blend altruism into their ambitions." n For those about to rock: "I own a full drum set that I play in my garage (so I don't drive my wife and dogs nuts). I'm currently learning my first full song, "T.N.T." by AC/DC. If I can master that, I eventually hope to learn more songs and, if anyone will have me, play in a band some day!" KAREN LaFOND SHAREHOLDER & ATTORNEY FLETCHER TILTON PC, IN WORCESTER Residence: Worcester Colleges: University of New Hampshire, Suffolk University Law School in Boston With more than 20 years of experience in commercial finance and real estate, LaFond brings a wealth of interdisciplinary knowledge to the transactional practice group at 200-year-old Worcester law firm Fletcher Tilton. LaFond has been with the firm since 2010 and was named as a director in April 2022. That transactional practice team is composed of individuals with complementing areas of expertise, including real property, finance, zoning/permitting, leasing, corporate, and tax. In the past 12 months, her team was involved in more than $150 million in financing for commercial development and redevelopment projects, housing projects, industrial and manufacturing facilities, and business acquisitions and sales. LaFond represents clients in matters involving bond financing, U.S. Small Business Administration debenture financing, tax credit financing, and private equity. In addition to her work at Fletcher Tilton, LaFond joined the Worcester State University board of trustees in 2015. She serves as the chair of the Academic and Student Development Committee and sits on the Human Resources Committee. She serves on the board of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau. n How should professionals best use the power they wield? "All professionals have certain skill sets that should be used to enrich the quality and life of the people who live and work in their communities. The law is no exception; it is a service business and therefore service, to clients and community alike, should be first and foremost." n Cooking with flames: LaFond is a novice pit boss who finds relaxation in entertaining friends and family.

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