Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | June 8, 2026 | Worcester Business Journal 27 Congratulations The impact of your work strengthens manufacturers across Massachusetts everyday to our President & CEO, Kathie Mahoney, on being named to the WBJ 2026 Central MA Power 100 From the team at MassMEP Congratulations to all 100 honorees driving Central Massachusetts forward We're oud to celeate Eric Dickson, MD, and Cynthia Barginere, RN, DNP, for earning a place on the Central MA Power 100 — an honor reflecting their influence in advancing health and well-being for our patients and community. Eric Dickson, MD President and CEO, UMass Memorial Health Cynthia Barginere, RN, DNP, FACHE Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, UMass Memorial Health President, Community Entities Bob Mumgaard Co-founder & CEO Commonwealth Fusion Systems, in Devens Employees: 1,000+ Central Mass. employees: 330 Total funding raised: $3 billion Mumgaard is leading one of the most ambitious scientific and business ventures in the world: the race to commercialize fusion energy. If Common- wealth Fusion Systems succeeds, the Devens compa- ny could fundamentally reshape how humanity gen- erates electricity, producing abundant carbon-free energy using the same process that powers the sun. Since the start of 2025, CFS has raised $863 mil- lion, secured power purchase agreements with Goo- gle and Italian energy giant Eni worth more than $1 billion, expanded its partnership with Google, and teamed with NVIDIA and Siemens to use artificial intelligence to accelerate development of its SPARC fusion demonstration machine. e company expects SPARC to come online in 2027 and remains on track to construct its first com- mercial-scale power plant in Virginia in the early 2030s. As nations around the world compete to lead the next era of energy production, Mumgaard has positioned Central Massachusetts at the forefront of a technological breakthrough that could have global consequences. - B.K. Girish Navani CEO & cofounder eClinicalWorks, in Westborough Age: 59 Employees: 6,577 Central Mass. employees: 357 Annual revenue: $1.03 billion (2025) Navani leads one of Central Massachusetts' largest technology companies and is helping reshape how healthcare is delivered nationwide. rough eClinicalWorks, he has championed AI-powered tools designed to reduce administrative burdens on physicians and give them more time with patients. Since 2025, the company has accelerated deploy- ment of its Sunoh.ai ambient listening technology while growing beyond $1 billion in annual revenue, with ambitions to surpass $1.5 billion. - B.K. What unique skill sets you apart from others? Empathy, treating employees as peers, and building trust and credibility with customers. I listen closely and focus relentlessly on solving problems that cre- ate value for healthcare providers and the communi- ties they serve. What is one habit powerful leaders should practice every day? Active listening and reading every day – listening to customers, employees, and partners. e best decisions come from listening with clarity, empathy, and accountability. How do you unwind? Spending time with family, weekend cookouts, and watching sports. Clifford Rucker Founder Rucker Investments, in Beverly Central Mass. headquarters: Central Exchange Building, 311 Main St., Worcester Employees: Rucker Investments has 21. Combined portfolio companies more than 2,500 employees Central Mass. employees: 200 full and part-time at The Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center, The Palladium, Secure Event Services, Worcester Railers Hockey Club, Auxilium, and Off the Rails Whether through the Worcester Railers, e Palladium, Auxilium, or a growing portfolio of businesses, Rucker continues to place large bets on Worcester's future.. In 2025, his firm launched the Auxilium innovation center, which has generated more than $2 million in startup investment while revitalizing nearly 20,000 square feet inside the Central Exchange Building. His influence expanded further this year with the acquisition of Pulse Mag- azine and CM Pride Magazine, the launch of Merit House Media, and the expansion of Worcester's Off e Rails into Downtown Boston. - B.K. What unique skill sets you apart from oth- ers? What sets me apart isn't a single skill – it's the people I surround myself with. I've built a circle of sharp, driven, and genuinely good people who challenge me and sharpen my thinking. "Power is taken, not given." - Clifford Rucker, Rucker Investments T E C H N O L O G Y P OW E R 1 0 0

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