Meet the WBJ's Fittest CEOs

Richard Aronovitz

President
Lincoln Liquors, Westborough
Fitness Regimen: Weight training and jogging
"Staying fit allows me to show up for work every morning at the crack of eleven, ready, willing, and able to take on the coffee break and whatever other challenges come along."

Brian Barlow

Executive Director
WICN 90.5 FM, Worcester
Fitness Regimen: Tennis, weight training, and sit-ups
"I always feel young and vibrant and have energy to do more than most of my peers."

Mark Bilotta

CEO
Colleges of Worcester Consortium, Worcester
Fitness Regimen: Cardio and weight training
"I think being physically fit helps me to create and sustain a healthy work environment where the balance between work productivity and family commitments is well respected and valued."

Hamish Blackman

President
Wellness Corp., Shrewsbury
Fitness Regimen: Running and Pilates
"I'm more alert, more stress resistant. Generally [personal fitness], helps me to maintain a 'large world' view of challenges."

Karin Branscombe

VP, Managing Partner
Quaker Special Risk, Worcester
Fitness Regimen: Power walking and running
"Lead by example, get started on some type of physical exercise program and encourage your employees to make time for themselves."

Dianne Bruce

Executive Director
Edward Street Child Services, Worcester
Fitness Regimen: Aerobics, weight training, and bicycle riding
"Being fit allows me to deal with stress in a healthy manner. I have kept 60 pounds off for over 20 years."

Stephen Buchalter

President
Enterprise Cleaning Corp., Worcester
Fitness Regimen: Cardio, abdominal workouts, and weight training
"Being fit has given me an enormous amount of energy. It is important in my business to be visible and try to attend as many events both early in the morning and late in the evening as possible. I am also involved with many different organizations volunteering my time in many different areas. Being fit has given me the energy to take on all of these extra projects."

Marc Capalbo

Vice President
Ski Market, Waltham
Fitness Regimen: Weight training and cardio
" [Personal fitness] gives me a vehicle to relieve daily stresses associated with my job responsibilities. I feel more alert, focused and determined to meet the daily needs of my job responsibilities and challenges."

James Carbone

CEO
The Wellness Corp., Shrewsbury
Fitness Regimen: Cardio
"In this day and age you cannot run a business and not prioritize personal and employee health."

Brian Carroll

President
Carroll Enterprises Inc., Worcester
Fitness Regimen: Running, swimming, bicycle riding, and annual marathons and Ironman competition
"Our organization applauds workers who work out and creates a helpful environment to stay in shape. Employee retention has been helped along with company morale and work ethic...The payback is hard to measure at first, but over time you will see the results in employee retention, more energy in the workplace and lower health care costs."

Deb Cary

Director, Central Sanctuaries
Massachusetts Audubon Society, Worcester
Fitness Regimen: Hiking and bicycle riding
"Make [personal fitness] social and fun. Do it with others you like to see.  Adopt a hobby that is exercise intensive."

Brigitte Casemyr

President
Turfbuilder Marketing LLC, Westborough
Fitness Regimen: Strength training and cardio
"Start with a personal trainer for at least six months (I did that almost an entire year), to make sure you learn the proper routines and decrease risk of injuries. Then commit yourself to a schedule, come hell or high water!"

Jeffrey Chin

Executive Director
Shrewsbury Youth & Family Services Inc., Shrewsbury
Fitness Regimen: Running, basketball, and weight training
"Start with something reasonable and realistic for yourself, and then push yourself to constantly strive for improvement!"

Kenneth Clark

Manager
SemiCon Precision Industries Inc., Southbridge
Fitness Regimen: Walking and weight training
"My cholesterol has come down a great deal; for the first time in over five years, I am no longer on medication."

James Coghlin

Chairman
Coghlin Cos. Inc., Worcester
Fitness Regimen: Strength training, core exercises, and aerobics
"Personal fitness enhances my attitude, energy, and clarity so I am able to focus on the high-payoff activities that are important to the success of both my for-profit and not-for-profit work life."

Patrick Collins

Director of Business Operations
Assabet Valley Regional Vocational High School, Marlborough
Fitness Regimen: Running, swimming, and bicycle riding
"Working out in the morning provides a nice adrenaline rush and that energy carries me through the day."

Jeff Crowley

President and CEO
Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, Princeton
Fitness Regimen: Golf, sailing, paddle ball, squash, skiing, hiking, and running
"While exercising I think of things that could help our business. Personal fitness helps when working long hours in the winter to avoid burnout."

Neil Feldman

President
Central Massachusetts Podiatry PC, Worcester
Fitness Regimen: Swimming, biking, and running
"Being fit allows me to maintain a high level of energy throughout my busy work day. My personal fitness also serves as a healthy example for patients."

Gus Gerulskis

CEO
Capital Advisors LLC, Framingham
Fitness Regimen: Running and weight training
"Keeping fit is an important part of our organization. Whether trying to make healthy choices on what we eat or taking time to exercise, it is important for everyone to achieve balance in their lives and feel good about themselves. A healthier workforce is going to inevitably lead to a happier, more productive workplace."

John Graham

CEO
Graham, Huckins & Shepherd PC, Worcester
Fitness Regimen: Weight training, cardio, tennis, golf and skiing
"Taking the time for fitness will make the rest of your day more productive. It will increase your productivity and reduce your hours at the office simultaneously."

Harrison Greene

President
Unique Selling Systems Inc., Northborough
Fitness Regimen: Cardio and strength training
"If you don't take care of your body, where are you going to live?"

Lisa Kirby-Gibbs

President
Highland March Executive Suites, Westborough
Fitness Regimen: Pilates, spin, and speed walking
"I will feel like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders and I go for a spin or a fast walk and I come back feeling like I don't have a care in the world."

Denis Leary

Executive Director
Massachusetts Veterans Inc., Worcester
Fitness Regimen: Cardio
"In the beginning, it's important just to 'show up' at the gym even if the workout is minimal. Getting into the daily habit of actually going to the gym is half the battle. Then, start small in terms of goals and activity and then gradually increase them."

Dave L'Ecuyer

CEO
Central One Federal Credit Union, Shrewsbury
Fitness Regimen: Running
"Exercise tends to reduce my stress level. It allows me to sleep better and therefore perform much better during the work day."

Pete Lombardo

President/Owner
PJ Lombardo Insurance Agency Inc., Worcester
Fitness Regimen: Cardio four to five times per week
"Being fit gives me more energy, clearer thinking, a better attitude and inner/outer confidence."

David Massad

Chairman
Commerce Bank & Trust, Worcester
Fitness Regimen: Cardio
"Everyone owes it to themselves to look after their health and to set an example for others to live better, feel better, and hopefully live longer in good health."

Steve Messineo

Executive Director
All-Access Physical Therapy, Shrewsbury
Fitness Regimen: Weight training, resistance training, and cardio
"[Personal fitness] allows me to do my job without fatigue or injury, and allows me to be on my feet all day treating patients."

Steven Migridichian

Vice President
Corporate Environmental Advisors Inc., West Boylston
Fitness Regimen: Weight training
"I'm more focused, on the ball and alert with customers, employees, and business associates. A strong, firm handshake (and body), lets people you interact with know you mean business. Your physical stature also helps when you're out making collection efforts!"

Jennifer Morrison

President
Sterling Engineering Co. Inc, Sturbridge
Fitness Regimen: Weight training, core exercises and cardio
"Being fit helps encourage goal-directed behavior, which is essential when you are in a position of leadership, as in any CEO."
Margaret Naylor
Executive Director
Goddard Homestead, Worcester
Fitness Regimen: Pilates, swimming and weight training

Margaret Naylor

Executive Director
Goddard Homestead, Worcester
Fitness Regimen: Pilates, swimming and weight training

Chris Palatucci

Practice Leader, Life sciences
Polachi, Framingham
Fitness Regimen: Swimming and weight training
"Take the first step, and get into a gym, no matter what shape you are in. Make it an unshakable part of your daily routine."

Lisa Piehler

CEO
American Red Cross of Central Massachusetts, Worcester
Fitness Regimen: Swimming and running
"As a disaster relief organization, the employees of the American Red Cross need to be physically and mentally prepared to work 24/7. During disaster relief operations, days are long and stressful and expectations are high. Being physically fit helps with physical endurance and mental clarity."

John Polanowicz

President and CEO
Marlborough Hospital, Marlborough
Fitness Regimen: Running, biking, and aerobics
"As a heart surgery survivor and working with the American Heart Association, I see the benefits of fitness and diet across Central Massachusetts. I sleep better and can keep up with my dogs on our runs!"

Al Prescott

President and CEO
Crescent Innovations Inc., Worcester
Fitness Regimen: Running, biking, and swimming
"Once I was overweight and had major cholesterol and other issues. Today all those issues have resolved themselves and I take no drugs. I am far better focused at work than ever before."

John Ricker

CEO
Mass Megawatts Wind Power Inc., Worcester
Fitness Regimen: Biking and weight training
"If I was not healthy, and preoccupied with being sick, I would have less time to accomplish the work that is required of me. Being unfit could easily become a time management issue."

Stephen Rossetti

Postmaster
US Postal Service, Worcester
Fitness Regimen: Running and weight training
"We all prepare for our financial life after work but we also need to take control of our own health to use those benefits long term."

Bill Sex

President and CEO
New England Coaching, Marlborough
Fitness Regimen: Running and biking
"Being fit provides me with a mental clearing; I'm the same weight today as when I was 16, therefore I feel young (even if I don't look it)."

Gary Sherr

Senior Vice President
Carl P Sherr & Co LLC, Worcester
Fitness Regimen: Climbing, rowing, swimming, sports, and weight training
"When I exercise in the morning I find it's like a jump start to my day. If I exercise after work it is something I can always look forward to."

Christopher Tremblay

CEO
Mortgage Dreams, Worcester
Fitness Regimen: Cardio and weight training
"I believe people like to do business with people who take care of themselves because it shows that they care about themselves."

Jim Wetzel

Executive Officer
Worcester Regional Association of Realtors, Worcester
Fitness Regimen: Running and swimming
"Plan personal fitness as a part of your daily routine. Personal fitness is a lifestyle commitment to excellence, mind, body andspirit."

Rena Zurofsky

Interim Executive Director
Higgins Armory Museum, Worcester
Fitness Regimen: Swimming and aqua aerobics
"If people feel well, they can be present in their day, mission and responsibilities. This fosters better teamwork."