Worcester Business Journal

February 10, 2025

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4 Worcester Business Journal | February 10, 2025 | wbjournal.com I N B R I E F Banking merger "This merger was always about the people – not only our employees but also the com- munity. It provides an immense opportunity to invest in people, communities, technology, and, of course, growth." Todd Tallman, CEO of Worcester-based Cornerstone Bank, on the $6-billion merger of the holding companies of Holyoke-based PeoplesBank and Worcester-based Cornerstone Bank Pipeline dreams "Our focus in this program is to activate these students in the local community, remind them that they belong here and have something to contribute, and then follow through to help them speak the language of medicine and science." Dr. Cherise Hamblin, on Worcester-based UMass Chan Medical School's Pipeline Dreams program offering high school students early exposure to career fields of health, science, and racial health disparities research Entrepreneurship hub "Worcester is on the rise, and Auxilium will play a vital role in shaping its future as a hub for entrepreneurship." Zachary Dutton, executive director of Auxilium Worcester, a newly launched entrepreneurship support center from Worcester Railers Owner Cliff Rucker BY ERIC CASEY WBJ Managing Editor A whistleblower featured in a WBJ investigation detailing dysfunction and toxicity at the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission has been suspended by the agency. CCC Business Operations Manager Meghan Dube was placed on paid administrative leave on Jan. 6, according to a letter addressed to Dube from the agency's human resources department. Dube was one of several employees who spoke to WBJ regarding systematic issues at the seven-year-old agency tasked with regulating the state's legal cannabis industry. e letter did not state the reason for the administrative leave, only saying it was pending the review and assessment of an unspecified internal investigation. e agency's human resources department is led by Chief People Officer Debbie Hilton-Creek, who is also serving as CCC's acting executive director until newly hired Travis Ahern takes over the role, which is expected to happen in March. In a statement to WBJ, Dube said she feels the suspension is direct retaliation toward her attempts to inform the public of the agency's issues. Dube has accused Hilton- Creek of fostering a hostile and retaliatory work environment. "I am incredibly disappointed, but not surprised, that the retaliation against me has continued to increase exponentially, including now being suspended," Dube wrote. "Myself and others who have raised concerns about fraud, waste, abuse, and other ethical issues such as conflicts of interest concerns, have faced systemic retaliation, harassment, and discrimination." Similar claims about Hilton-Creek were made by three other current or former employees who spoke to WBJ under the condition of anonymity because they fear retribution against their careers and livelihoods. Dube was one of two employees willing to be identified in the story; she said the need to alert the public to the CCC's problems outweighed any negative CCC suspends whistleblower who brought attention to cannabis agency's dysfunction Meghan Dube, business operations manager at the Cannabis Control Commission, decided to go on the record about the toxicity at the CCC because she felt fixing the issues is more important than the impact on her career. PHOTO | EDD COTE impacts on her career. In response to a WBJ inquiry regarding Dube's suspension, CCC spokesperson Neal McNamara wrote in an email the agency does not comment on personnel matters. Hilton-Creek made $202,823 in her dual roles at the agency in 2024, according to state salary data, making her the highest-paid employee at the commission. e second highest-paid employee was former CCC Chair Shannon O'Brien, who made $173,943. O'Brien was suspended for most of 2024 before being fired by State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg in September, with Goldberg claiming an investigation found O'Brien committed gross misconduct. O'Brien has fought back with legal action, claiming her firing was the result of her attempting to be a change agent at the agency and her criticism of former Executive Director Shawn Collins, who she claimed was being protected by Goldberg. Dube said she is among several inaugural and early CCC staffers, who have been targeted by current leadership. ey tie that observation back to statements made by O'Brien, who has said she was brought into the troubled agency by Goldberg to clean house. Before she was suspended, Dube filed a complaint with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, a state agency that enforces anti- discrimination laws, over her treatment at the commission. W

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