Celebrating Massachusetts Family Businesses

Online, June 20, 2014 (Newswire.com) - Winners of the 2014 Massachusetts Family Business of the Year Awards were announced last week by the Northeastern University Center for Family Business at its annual celebration event hosted at the Henderson House in Weston, Mass.

The winners were Mark's Moving and Storage of Westborough in the small firm category (less than 25 employees), Fuller Automotive Companies of Auburn in the medium firm category (25 to 100 employees), and Fallon Ambulance Service of Quincy in the large firm category (more than 100 employees). Three Massachusetts family businesses celebrating 100+ years in business were also recognized and welcomed to the 100 Year Club: Woodman's of Essex, Fuller Automotive Companies of Auburn, and Snow's Home and Garden, which celebrated its 127th anniversary this year.

"When you look at family businesses you see the best of business," noted Ted Clark, director of the Northeastern University Center for Family Business. "This is a group with an impressive history of long-term success that deserves to be recognized for their achievements."

Hugh Courtney, Dean of Northeastern University's D'Amore-McKim School of Business gave remarks, and Maureen Woodman of Woodman's of Essex delivered a keynote presentation. Peter Howe, Business Editor at NECN, moderated the ceremony.

In her remarks, keynote speaker Maureen Woodman commented, "As a member of the Woodman's of Essex family business, I feel lucky most of the time, but I feel proud all of the time."

She continued her heartfelt presentation, sharing words of wisdom from Virginia Woodman, a second generation member of her family's business: "When the good times come, make a big deal of it and embrace it, because it's the good times that get you through the bad times." Maureen acknowledged that she lives by those words.

Each year, the Northeastern University Center for Family Business recognizes family businesses in Massachusetts, based on size, with the Massachusetts Family Business of the Year Awards. Recipients of the Massachusetts Family Business of the Year Awards are selected by a panel of independent judges based on the following criteria: business success, positive business and family linkages, multi-generational family involvement, contributions to the community and industry, and innovative business practices or strategies.

This year's finalists represent a combined total of more than 1,200 years in business, with an average age of 54 years old. Applicants represented a wide range of industries from all across the state. Generational achievement certificates were given to all family business companies in attendance.

About the Northeastern University Center for Family Business

The Northeastern University Center for Family Business, housed within the D'Amore-McKim School of Business, is a membership organization that provides education, networking opportunities, and support to business families. The center helps its members identify and avoid potential pitfalls, solve complex interpersonal and family business issues, and plan for future family business success in an increasingly more competitive environment.

For more information about the awards program, please visit http://www.mafba.com/, or contact Katelyn Husereau, Northeastern University Center for Family Business, [email protected], 617.373.3718.

About D'Amore-McKim School of Business
Northeastern University's D'Amore-McKim School of Business provides its students - undergraduate, graduate, and executive - with the education, tools, and experience necessary to launch and accelerate successful business careers. The school credits its success to expert faculty, close partnerships with the business community, and its emphasis on rigorous academics combined with experiential learning.

The school is nationally ranked by several prestigious publications. Most recently, Bloomberg Businessweek ranked the school's undergrad business program at #19 in the U.S. Bloomberg Businessweek also ranks the full-time MBA program #51 in the nation's top U.S. MBA programs. U.S. News & World Report ranked the school's undergraduate International Business program #8 nationally.