Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1542456
wbjournal.com | January 12, 2026 | Worcester Business Journal 13 P R O F E S S I O N A L S E R V I C E S B E S T O F B U S I N E S S BEST PUBLIC RELATIONS COMPANY Winner: empHowered PR*, in Leominster empHowered PR provides brand strategy, executive communications, thought leadership, corporate social responsibility, community engage- ment, media relations, media training, and public affairs services. The firm works with businesses and nonprofit organizations to develop communica- tion strategies based on organizational mission, stakeholders, and community impact. empHowered operates under the firm belief that everyone has a story to tell. Website: www.empHoweredPR.com Top executive: Lauren Howe, principal and owner Founded: 2020 Employees: 1 BEST BUSINESS VALUATOR Winner: McLaren & Associates, CPAs, in Shrewsbury McLaren & Asso- ciates conducts business valuations for buying, selling, or transitioning businesses, estate tax purposes, and settlements. The company uses forensic approaches in valuation work and ensures an estate does not overpay its estate taxes. Website: www.dmclarencpa.com Top executive: David McLaren, founder & managing partner Founded: 2005 Employees: 20 BEST FORENSIC ACCOUNTANT Winner: McLaren & Associates, CPAs*, in Shrewsbury McLaren & Associates provides forensic accounting, tax strategy, and business valuation services. The firm's forensic accounting services support litigation cases including corporate fraud, estate disputes, bankruptcy filings, and divorce proceedings. McLaren & Associates works with business attorneys and law enforce- ment agencies on fraud detection, money laundering investigations, and asset tracking. The firm operates from offices in Shrewsbury and Boston. Website: www.dmclarencpa.com Top executive: David McLaren, founder & managing partner Founded: 2005 Employees: 20 BEST LAW FIRM Winner: Mirick*, in Worcester Mirick is a full-service law firm with practice areas including business law, creditors' rights, bankruptcy and reorganization, family law and divorce, labor, employment and employee ben- efits, litigation, public and municipal law, real estate and environmental law, and trusts and estates. Website: miricklaw.com Top executives: Paul Carey and Robert "Bob" Kilroy, co-managing partners Founded: 1916 Employees: 142 total; 135 in Central Massachusetts Notable runners-up: Fletcher Tilton in Worcester, Bowditch & Dewey in Worcester BEST BUSINESS INSURANCE AGENCY Winner: Sullivan Group Insurance & Risk Management Services*, in Worcester Sullivan Group provides business insurance including workers' com- pensation, property, liability, auto, umbrella, cyber, directors and officers, and surety coverage. The independent agency offers personal insurance for auto, home, condo, renters, motorcycle, boats, fine arts and jewelry, and umbrella insurance. Website: www.sullivangroup.com Top executive: John Andreoli, president & CEO Founded: 1957 Employees: 55 total, 46 in Central Massachusetts Notable runners-up: Knight-Dik Insurance in Worcester, Gaudette Insurance Agency in Whitinsville BEST BANK Winner: UniBank*, in Whitinsville UniBank provides deposit accounts, mortgage solutions, and business banking services across Central Massachusetts and MetroWest through 14 branch locations. The bank operates the Invest Worces- ter Program, which directs customer deposits toward affordable mortgages and small business loans in Worcester. UniBank contributes over $2.1 mil - lion annually to community initiatives through charitable gifts, sponsorships, and the UniBank Charitable Foundation. Website: www.unibank.com Top executives: Michael Welch, CEO; Christopher Foley, president; Justine DeNorscia, executive vice president Founded: 1870 Employees: 269 Notable runners-up: Cornerstone Bank in Worcester, Webster Five in Auburn, Bay State Bank in Worcester BEST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Winner: Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce*, in Worcester With more than 2,200 members across 35 communities, the Worcester Re- gional is the largest chamber of com- merce in Massachusetts. Offering a variety of networking and educational events, the chamber facilitates growth for existing businesses and actively works to recruit new businesses into the region. Its leader, former Worcester mayor and lieutenant governor Timo- thy Murray, is one of the top business advocates in Central Massachusetts. Website: www.worcesterchamber.org Top executive: Timothy Murray, president and CEO Founded: 1875 Employees: 13 Notable runners-up: Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce in Whitinsville, Wachusett Area Chamber of Commerce in Holden W W W W W W empHowered PR's promotion of the hockey movie "Shat- tered Ice" W David McLaren McLaren & Associates unwinds at the School Yahd Mirick's management committee (from left) Paul Carey, Diane Power, Bob Kilroy, and Stephen Madaus (From left) Terry Sullivan, John Andreoli, AJ Andreoli, and Fran Shea from Sullivan Group Gov. Maura Healey (center) stands with the Worcester chamber team.