Worcester Business Journal

16 Worcester Business Journal • February 16, 2014 www.wbjournal.com B U S I N E S S L E A D E R S O F T H E Y E A R << SMALL BUSINESS Francis R. Carroll, Small Business Service Bureau, Worcester NONPROFIT Jack Healy, Massachusetts Manufacturing Extention Partnership (MassMEP), Worcester CORPORATE CITIZEN Morgan Construction, Worcester 2011 LARGE BUSINESS Greg Yurek, American Superconductor (AMSC), Devens SMALL BUSINESS Ned LaFortune, Wachusett Brewing, Westminster NONPROFIT Jim Donahue, Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge CORPORATE CITIZEN Fallon Clinic (Reliant Medical Group), Worcester 2012 LARGE BUSINESS George Sakellaris, Ameresco Inc., Framingham SMALL BUSINESS Mark Durrenberger, New England Clean Energy, Hudson NONPROFIT Charles Faris, Spectrum Health Systems, Worcester CORPORATE CITIZEN Commerce Bank, Worcester 2013 LARGE BUSINESS Kris Canekeratne Virtusa Corp., Westborough SMALL BUSINESS Philip V. Adams, World Energy Solutions, Worcester NONPROFIT Dennis H. Rice, Alternative Unlimited Inc., Whitinsville CORPORATE CITIZEN MCPHS University, Worcester P R E V I O U S H O N O R E E S ( c o n t i n u e d ) Where 'community' is part of the culture CORPORATE CITIZEN Bay State Savings Bank, Worcester M any corporations pride themselves on how they give back to their commu- nities, and in how that fos- ters and strengthens relationships within the cities and towns they serve. When that message is communicated from the top of the organization, that part of the mission occupies a high spot on its list of priorities. "Community banking is community banking," says Peter Alden, the CEO of Worcester-based Bay State Savings Bank, the 2015 Worcester Business Journal Corporate Citizen of the Year. And that's par for the course for the industry, says the banker whose career stretches back into the mid-1980s. Giving back to the community has always been a hallmark of the local bank. "If you're going to be in" community banking "and hopefully enjoy it, you embrace it," Alden says. Bay State Savings Bank's standing as a place to do business has also earned it the highest rating – A-plus – from the Better Business Bureau. The bank had been a BBB-accredited member since 1968. The generosity of Bay State, which was founded in 1895, touches many parts of the Greater Worcester commu- nity. Last year, its foundation donated $29,000, including $2,000 to the Regional Environmental Council of Central Massachusetts, which used the money to help fund the development of farmers' markets in Worcester and to Bay State Savings Bank 's charitable donations last year included $4,500 to the Worcester Junior Sharks Youth Hockey Pre- Concussion Testing Program. Finz, the hockey team's mascot, exchanges a high-five with program coordinator Michelle Domey. At right is bank CEO Peter Alden. >> Continued on Page 18 120-year-old Bay State Savings has a long history of reaching out to help lift Greater Worcester BY RICK SAIA Special to the Worcester Business Journal

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