Worcester Business Journal

30 Worcester Business Journal | June 8, 2026 | wbjournal.com P OW E R 1 0 0 M A N U FA C T U R I N G Sam Hendler CEO Hendler Family Brewing, in Framingham & Worcester Age: 36 Employees: 334 Central Mass. employees: 186 Annual barrels brewed: 101,000 Beer remains a significant part of Central Mas- sachusetts' hospitality economy, and Hendler has helped turn a local cra brand into one of the state's largest brewing operations, with brands like Jack's Abby, Wormtown, and Night Shi. Since 2025, he completed a major renovation of the Wormtown taproom on Shrewsbury Street and launched Be Hoppy 12-packs, which became the top-selling new beer item by volume in Massachusetts liquor stores. His next focus is transforming the Worcester brew- ery into a long-term cultural hub for the city. - B.K. What unique skill sets you apart from others? ere are a ton of amazing people in our region with amazing skill sets and leadership qualities. I see my- self as a steward who has been lucky enough to have opportunities and make the most of them. What is one habit powerful leaders should practice every day? Listening. Why do you do business in Central Mass.? It is home. How do you unwind? My favorite way is a hike with my daughters. Purgatory Chasm is their favor- ite right now. Kathie Mahoney President & CEO Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership, in Auburn Age: 60 Employees: 34 Central Mass. employees: 20 Annual revenue: $12 million While manufacturing remains one of Massa- chusetts' largest industries, many companies face mounting challenges from workforce shortages, cybersecurity threats, supply chain disruptions, and global competition. Mahoney has become a key advocate helping manufacturers navigate those pressures. Since 2025, she secured more than $2 million in grant funding, won a $1-million award supporting the Maritime Industrial Base, and posi- tioned MassMEP to host the Massachusetts APEX Accelerator, strengthening support for defense-re- lated manufacturers across the commonwealth of Massachusetts. - B.K. What unique skill sets you apart from others? e ability to build trusted partnerships across industry, government, and academia while bringing people together around solutions that strengthen manufacturing and its workforce. What is one habit powerful leaders should practice every day? Active listening. Taking time to understand employees, partners, and clients builds trust and helps leaders make informed decisions. Michael McCarthy Vice president David Clark Co., in Worcester Founded: 1935 Employees: Between 201-500 Known for its role in de- veloping space suits and communications equip- ment for NASA's Apollo program, Worcester-based manufacturer David Clark Co. has spent the last year proving the company's legacy isn't stuck in the 1960s. When Artemis II astronauts completed the first lunar fly-by in 50 years in April, the manufacturer's survival suits (pictured) were in the capsule, ready to be donned in case of an emergency. As NASA continues to work toward returning humans to the moon, David Clark will continue to be a key player. McCarthy joined David Clark Co. in 2015, aer working for a number of years at the company's Mil- ford, Connecticut-based subsidiary Air-Lock Inc. McCarthy was awarded the Silver Snoopy Award, a coveted, NASA-awarded honor highlighting achievements by its contractors, in 2010. David Clark Co.'s return to the moon comes as the company works toward relocating from its longtime home on Franklin Street to a $48-million, state-of- the-art facility on Northeast Cutoff, the former head- quarters of Allegro MicroSystems. Featuring 88,370 square feet of manufacturing space, the new location should allow David Clark Co. to play an even bigger role in space exploration and beyond. - E.C. PHOTO | COURTESY STILLMAN QUALITY MEATS Kate Stillman President Stillman Quality Meats, in Hardwick Age: 45 Employees: 12 Central Mass. employees: 10 Annual revenue: More than $1 million Rural economic development and food security intersect in Stillman's work. Aer years of navigating bottlenecks in the meat-processing industry, she invested nearly $3 million to build an 8,000-square- foot U.S. Department of Agriculture-inspected smokehouse and value-added meat processing facility. e project expands capacity for hundreds of farms across Massachusetts and New England, cre- ates new jobs, and provides a rare regional resource for farmers seeking to turn locally raised livestock into marketable products. - B.K. What unique skill sets you apart from others? I'm extremely hands-on and willing to learn every part of the business, from livestock management and meat processing to regulatory compliance and customer service. What is one habit powerful leaders should practice every day? Patience. Farming, business, and leadership all require the ability to slow down, listen, and think long-term. Why do you do business in Central Mass.? Hard- wick is one of the strongest agricultural communities in the region, and local food strengthens rural econo- mies, protects farmland, and supports food security. "I've oen led through experience, persistence, and my perspective as a woman and mother, which gives our business a unique edge." - Kate Stillman, Stillman Quality Meats

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