Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | June 8, 2026 | Worcester Business Journal 19 WBJ Power 100 Brian Westerlind President & CEO, Webster Five Member FDIC | Member DIF Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition. Your leadership strengthens our communities and shapes the future of banking in Central Massachusetts. Charran Fisher CEO Fisher Contracting, in Worcester Age: 51 Employees: 22 Construction projects shape the physical future of Central Massachusetts, and Fisher has become one of the region's most influential voices on how that growth should occur. Beyond overseeing a respected commercial contracting firm, she serves as chair of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, helping guide advocacy and economic development initiatives affecting businesses across the region. She continues to champion stronger opportunities for local, diverse, and small businesses to participate in major institutional, healthcare, education, and commercial projects. - B.K. What unique skill sets you apart from others? I lead with authenticity, resilience, and a strong work ethic, which has allowed me to earn trust and create opportunities. What is one habit powerful leaders should practice every day? Listening. e best leaders stay accessible, observant, and willing to learn. Why do you do business in Central Mass.? is is home. Central Massachusetts has given me tre- mendous opportunities, and I am proud to continue investing in the region's economy, workforce, and future growth. Dave Fontaine Jr. CEO Fontaine Bros., in Worcester & Springfield Age: 38 Employees: 125 Central Mass. employees: 65 Annual revenue: $450 million Construction is not oen viewed as a technology industry, but Fontaine is working to change that by launching Udor Studios. e venture is named aer his great-grandfather, Eudore Fontaine, who found- ed Fontaine Bros. in 1933, and develops soware and technology solutions for an industry oen slow to change and modernize. e effort reflects his be- lief that construction's future depends on embracing innovation while solving real-world problems in the field. At the same time, Fontaine continues to over- see some of the region's largest building projects, including the $110-million Clinton Middle School and the $95-million David Prouty High School in Spencer, while helping shape conversations around workforce development, housing, and the future of the trades. - B.K. What unique skill sets you apart from others? My brain works a mile a minute, connecting dots between things that seem unrelated and recognizing patterns others miss. We focus on blameless prob- lem-solving and solutions that work for everyone involved. Steve Goodman Founder GFI Partners, in Boston Total employees: 22 Total portfolio: 20 million square feet Under development: 8 million square feet Goodman's GFI Partners already plays a key role in Central Massachusetts' commercial real estate industry, but two new development projects in the region will see it play a bigger role in tackling the region's persistent housing shortage. With more than 10 million square feet of its portfo- lio already based in Central Massachusetts, GFI Part- ners will grow its presence with a 197-unit apartment building planned for Worcester's Canal District, taking over a key development near Polar Park. It's expanding in North Central Massachusetts as well, partnering with Fitchburg State University to construct housing at the site of a former theater in Downtown Fitchburg. ese new projects build upon GFI's already broad presence in the region. e company has built more than 1 million square feet of space in Devens for companies including metal manufacturer SMC Corp. and life science tool firm Avantor Sciences. It's constructing a 1.2 million square foot distribution facility in Charlton expected to come online in 2027. An MIT graduate, Goodman has completed $4 billion in commercial real estate transactions since founding GFI in 1997. - E.C. "Power is NOT authority and position." - Charran Fisher, Fisher Contracting R E A L E S TAT E P OW E R 1 0 0

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