Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | August 19, 2024 | Worcester Business Journal 25 Member FDIC The financing from Rockland Trust allows us to continue to build the capital stack of resources necessary to revitalize this large track of underutilized property at the former Saint-Gobain Abrasives property. For more information, contact: Eric Goodwine VP, Commercial Banking 508.361.3865 Eric.Goodwine@RocklandTrust.com Craig L. Blais, President Worcester Business Development Corporation Graduate Programs clarku.edu/graduate The Clark MBA | Finance | Fintech Accounting | Analytics and Big Data Computer Science | Project Management Communications | Sustainable Development Public Administration Generous Scholarships for Central Massachusetts Students Local, Flexible, Career-Focused 4 0 U N D E R F O R T Y Robbins is all about forging genuine and meaningful connections. He credits his ability to do so as a main reason Ginny's has seen a 13% increase in revenue under his leadership. Robbins originally started out as a volunteer at Ginny's in 2017 while still in college. By 2019, he was manager, and by 2022 he was named executive director. When Rob- bins assumed his current role, Ginny's food pantry served 15,525 individuals throughout North Central Massachusetts in fiscal 2022, but by the end of Robbins' first year as exec- utive director, that number had grown by more than 64% to 25,478 individuals served. When floods raged through Leominster in September, Robbins tapped into his skillset once again to help coordinate an emergency shelter at the Fran- ces Drake Elementary School, setting up more than 150 cots and providing food and water for those displaced. Robbins became an at-large Leominster School Committee member in 2020 as one of the youngest residents to be elected to the committee. Wanting to further his commitment to putting kids first, Robbins ran for and was elected to an at-large seat on the Leominster City Council in November. - M.K.M. For an entire year, would you rather give up access to your cell phone or to your favorite food? As a devoted foodie, I'd gladly give up my cell phone for the year. Go-to restaurant for a business lunch? This region offers a plethora of options, but Bar 37 at Brady's in Leominster has become an absolute favorite for me. Class of 2024 Brandon Robbins, 28 Executive director Ginny's Helping Hand, in Leominster Residence: Leominster Birthplace: Leominster College: UMass Lowell Starting as a social & media relations manager at The DAVIS Cos. in 2012, Galen Verney has methodically climbed his way up the corporate ladder for the past 12 years. Propelled by what a colleague referred to as his boundless energy and genuine candor, he ascended to the role of the staffing firm's managing director of man- ufacturing, leading the company's largest team as it works to connect the region's manufacturers with the necessary staff to run their facilities. He played a big role in the company's restructuring efforts as it transitioned from a branch mod- el to a more vertically-aligned structure, which increased revenue from $20 million to $40 million annually. When his recently married sister was diagnosed with breast can- cer, he helped organize fundraising efforts to support her battle and rallied local businesses to provide auction items to support the cause. His generosity has been extended to humanity's four-legged friends, as Verney and his wife have fostered more than a dozen rescue dogs. – E.C. If you had your own late night talk show, who would be your first guest? Keanu Reeves Best coffee in Central Mass.? Cumberland Farms If you could deliver a message to incoming college freshmen, what would you say to them? Wake up early and accomplish the hardest thing first. Don't get into credit card debt in your 20s. What is your favorite place you've ever visit- ed? Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Class of 2024 Galen Verney, 36 Managing director, manufacturing The DAVIS Cos., in Marlborough Residence: Merrimack, New Hampshire Birthplace: Nashua, New Hampshire College: Salem State University

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