Worcester Business Journal

42 Worcester Business Journal | April 29, 2024 | wbjournal.com P O W E R 1 0 0 C O M M U N I T Y D E V E L O P M E N T Sue Mailman President Coghlin Electrical Contractors, in Worcester Employees: 3 Residence: Worcester College: Northeastern University Mailman has been with her family's 139-year-old Coghlin business for nearly 40 years and run the electrical contracting company for more than two decades, but she, like her well-known father before her, uses her influence to improve the Greater Worcester community, particularly advocating for women, people of color, and disadvantaged populations. Understanding the need for a skilled workforce, she is committed to improving public education and vocational training. Her father, Edwin "Ted" Coghlin, was instrumental in the construction of Worcester Technical High School, and she served on the school's general advisory committee. Mailman says her strength is in finding and liing up the next generation of professionals. She has served on the boards of organizations throughout the area, including UMass Memorial Health, Quinsigamond Community College, and United Way of Central Massachusetts, all based in Worcester Mailman was elected to Worcester School Committee 2021, where she champions vocational education, early childhood education, and diversity. Mailman questioned the disparity in pay between the School Committee and the Worcester City Council. Councilors earn $33,960, twice as much as School Committee members. Mailman sees it as a gender/equity issue, suggesting it may stem from a time when schools were viewed more as women's work. Mailman acknowledges that may not be a popular position, but she's accustomed to speaking her mind. When she first took over at Coghlin, many in senior management believed they knew when it would be time to retire. at was not always the case, she said "I think of this because in so many spaces outside of the business I see a need to transition power and control to the next generation; senior people can be helpful or a hindrance. Let's be helpful!" Mailman said. - N.C. Joseph Corazzini Vice president of government and community affairs Clark University, in Worcester Employees: 953 Residence: Worcester College: Worcester State University Corazzini had big shoes to fill when he stepped into his role in November 2021, succeeding Jack Foley, who held the post for decades and has a campus roadway named aer him. Corazzini serves as the primary liaison between Clark and its surrounding community, and now the university's long-held positive relationship with the low-income Main South neighborhood hangs in the balance. Corazzini, who once worked in community organizing in the Main South neigh- borhood for United Way of Central Massachusetts, has faced the delicate task of maintaining community relations with Main South business owners and residents during the planning and construction of a mixed-use, 502-bed student housing block on Main Street, which includes the demolition of an entire building housing long-time Main South businesses. e project received an initial backlash from the Main South community, over concerns the new project would change the fabric of the neighborhood. Business owners will be given first rights to the new retail spaces but will be displaced during construction, which is slated for completion by August 2026. One of Corazzini's big tasks has been to listen to stakeholders at public meet- ings and help negotiate compensation for impacted businesses. As Clark is outgrowing its campus, new projects could create similar challenges for the university and Corazzini. Beyond real estate projects, Corazzini has helped to expand the University Park Scholarship zone, offering free tuition to an additional 1,100 potential students living in the University Park neighborhood for at least five years. Previously the assistant superintendent of equity, diversity, and community de- velopment for Framingham Public Schools, Corazzini is president of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce's Diverse Professionals Roundtable. - E.M. Meredith Harris Executive director Marlborough Economic Development Corp. Employees: 4 Residence: Marlborough Colleges: University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, University of Massachusetts Boston When you're leading economic development in a bustling hub like Marlborough with ideal highway access and plenty of amenities, you can afford to be picky. For Harris, adhering to a vision is the driving force, and the efforts pay off in real results. Making the right calls is the challenge in a city drawing major corporate headquar- ters like life sciences firm Boston Scientific and retailer BJs Wholesale Club. MEDC, a quasi-public nonprofit established in 2007, is independent but collaborates closely with the City of Marlborough to work with investors, developers, and business owners supporting their growth through a variety of tools. ese include expedited permitting, financial support, and even rental assistance. Harris, the MEDC's well-connected leader who seemingly knows every important official and serves in capacities such as on the board of corporators for Marlbor- ough-based Main Street Bank, is quick to offer any assistance to businesses looking to invest in the city. MEDC's high-profile accomplishments in the last year included working on tax- break agreements leading to investments of $350 million by Cambridge pharmaceutical company Moderna and $100 million by Germany-based life sciences firm Sartorius North America, resulting in the addition of more than 300 jobs. Harris must invest an annual budget from the City of Marlborough economic devel- opment fund – $715,000, according to a 2022 filing with the Internal Revenue Service – to support strategic development. Its focus isn't limited to large corporations; in 2023, MEDC awarded $90,000 in grants and loans to six small businesses. Harris pointed to the Alta-Marlborough housing development under construction as a prime example of finding the right project for Marlborough. e 276-unit luxury apartment and retail project at Lincoln and Mechanic streets, which includes improve- ments to the Assabet River Rail Trail, will help revitalize the inner core of the city. - E.M. PHOTO | COURTESY OF CLARK UNIVERSITY

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