Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | June 2, 2025 | Worcester Business Journal 5 "John Whitlock stepped down from CEO of MetroWest Medical Center in early April to return to a finance leadership role with another health system. We remain grateful for John's contributions during his tenure with our organization," Weiss Friedberg said in the email. Whitlock did not return WBJ's request for comment and LinkedIn profile had not been updated with his new position as of 10:30 a.m. on May 13. MetroWest Medical Cen- ter has named George Rizzuto as interim CEO. Rizzuto comes to Framingham aer previously serving as CEO of West Boca Medical Center in Florida for nearly six years, retiring from the role in 2019, according to his LinkedIn profile. Whitlock joined MetroWest from his role as CFO at Saint Vincent Hos- pital in Worcester, succeeding David Elgarico, who exited the CEO position aer just seven months to return to his family on the West Coast. Prior to Elgarico, former Saint Vincent CEO Carolyn Jackson acted as interim aer Ava Collins stepped away from the C-suite role aer just 17 months on the job. Before her, Andrew Harding served as interim and then permanent CEO from September 2018 to December 2020 aer Jeffrey Liebman held the role for about a year, resigning in August 2018. BBB CEO departs after one year, succeeded by Hanover Theatre VP e president and CEO of the Worcester-based Better Business Bureau of Central New England has stepped down from his position aer just one year on the job. Aer joining the BBB in April 2024, Alex Guardiola served his last day as leader of the BBB on April 26, he told WBJ. "We decided we were parting ways," Guardiola said, adding he had no further comment on the reason for his departure. Guardiola has now turned his atten- tion to building his own independent consulting company. Guardiola succeeded the organiza- tion's veteran leader Nancy Cahalen, coming to the organization having most recently served as vice president Virtusa buys Australian tech firm to strengthen Asia-Pacific presence Virtusa, a digital engineering and IT firm based in Southborough, has acquired Mav3rik, an Australian-based company focused on helping firms utilize Salesforce products. e move is designed to improve Virtusa's own Salesforce-related capabil- ities while strengthening the company's footprint in the Asia-Pacific region, according to a Virtusa press release issued May 20. "We see these regions as technology powerhouses that will serve as engines of innovation and growth both for Virtusa and the digital economy in the years to come," Nitesh Banga, president and CEO of Virtusa, said in the press release. "Bringing Virtusa and Mav3rik capabilities together demonstrates our strong commitment to deliver purpose- fully on our regional clients' strategic imperatives." Serving clients in the public sector, healthcare, and other industries, Mav3r- ik helps companies implement Sales- force's customer relationship manage- ment tools and other soware provided by the company, including MuleSo, a product which helps connect applica- tions, data, and devices across various environments. "We're proud to join forces with Virtusa," Sean Finucane, director and co-founder of Mav3rik, said in the press release. "is will enable us to move faster, go further, and deliver even more value to our clients in Australia, New Zealand, and beyond." Virtusa has more than 27,000 em- ployees and 220 clients in 25 countries, according to its website. Banga, a former CEO of GlobalLogic, a subsidiary of Japanese conglomerate Hitachi, became the company's leader in February. MetroWest Medical Center CEO resigns John Whitlock, CEO of MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham, has resigned, putting an end to the tenure of the hospital's sixth leader since 2017. Whitlock's exit came in early April, said Shelly Weiss Friedberg, director, public relations of the medical center's parent company Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare, in an email to WBJ. He had served as the medical center's permanent CEO since July 2023 aer previously acting in an interim capac- ity since January of that year, making him the longest-serving CEO out of the center's previous four leaders since December 2020. John Whitlock, former CEO of MetroWest Medical Center Our workplace doesn't allow dogs In June, Worcester Business Journal will publish its first-ever edition focused on the pet economy, and some of our most beloved four-legged work companions: dogs. The number of workplaces throughout the U.S. allowing dogs, or other employee pets, is growing. Many major companies throughout the nation allow dogs in the workplace, such as Salesforce, Ben & Jerry's, and Google, and a number of local establishments allow patrons to bring their dogs indoors, such as the Worcester coffee shops Cordella's and New Tradition. When polled online, the majority of WBJ readers said their businesses don't allow dogs. Does your workplace allow dogs? of government affairs and public policy at the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce. "Alex's departure was a mutual decision based on different views of the future of the organization," Casey Cormier, chair of the BBB board of di- rectors, said to WBJ. "As a board, we're grateful for the contributions he brought … I'm confident Alex will continue to have an impact on the city and am looking forward to what he does in his next chapter." e BBB has named Lisa Swanson as its incoming president and CEO, starting June 2. Swanson comes to the BBB from her position as vice president of sales and strategic partnerships at e Hanover eatre & Conservatory for the Performing Arts in Worcester. "I'm honored to join the BBB team at such a pivotal time," Swanson said in a May 13 press release. "e organization plays a vital role in supporting ethical business practices, and I look forward to building on its strong foundation while fostering innovation, transparency, and community trust." Cormier said he's excited for the goals Swanson will fulfill in her upcoming role, including those he wished the organization could have completed this past year. "Lisa brings a fresh vision, a deep commitment to integrity, and a passion for strengthening trust in the market- place," Cormier said in the release. "We are confident that under her leadership, BBB will continue to grow its impact while staying true to its mission of advancing marketplace trust." Arch Therapeutics files for bankruptcy, as company accepts stalking horse bid Two months aer its CFO abruptly resigned, Arch erapeutics, a Framing- ham-based biotechnology company, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. e firm filed for voluntary bank- ruptcy on April 18, citing capital market challenges including those leading to the company's downgrading from the OTCQB market to the OTC Expert Market and its inability to meet payroll, according to Arch's Chapter 11 filing. Furthermore, at the time of the filing, Arch's President and CEO Dr. Terrence Norchi was the company's sole employ- ee, filling in as CFO and chairman while remaining unpaid. Arch's phone lines were down on May 27, and the company did not immedi- ately reply to WBJ's email request for comment. Continued on next page Yes, for employees only 25% Yes, for everyone 17% 2% Yes, for patrons only No, my workplace doesn't allow dogs. 57%

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