Best Professional Services for 2017

Blue Cross Blue Shield President & CEO Andrew Dreyfus

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BEST HEALTH INSURANCE PROVIDER

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts*

Boston, www.bluecrossma.com

Top executive: President & CEO Andrew Dreyfus

Founded: 1937

Employees: 3,771

Blue Cross provides a wide selection of products at affordable prices while offering a large network of doctors and hospitals as well as tools to help clients manage their health care. The insurer seeks to be a leader in healthy communities by leading on issues like prescription drug costs, opioid addiction and serious illness care.

Notable runner-up: Fallon Health

BEST LAW FIRM

Mirick O’Connell*

Worcester, www.mirickoconnell.com

Top executive: Managing Partner David E. Surprenant

Founded: 1916

Employees: 138

While providing practical and cost-effective legal solutions, Mirick provides access to top-level attorneys, and each client has a backup attorney or team in place to deal with legal matters whenever they arise.

Notable runner-up: Bowditch & Dewey

BEST CREDIT UNION

DCU – Digital Federal Credit Union*

Marlborough, www.dcu.org

Top executive: President & CEO James Regan

Founded: 1979

Employees: 1,075

DCU’s top priority in small business and commercial lending is to help local companies achieve success from the start, with credit union employees advising borrowers how to grow. DCU carries this focus on relationships forward through all subsequent interactions with clients.

Notable runners-up: Leominster Credit Union, Webster First Federal Credit Union

BEST BANK

UniBank*

Whitinsville, www.unibank.com

Top executive: President & CEO William M. Mahoney

Founded: 1870

Employees: 270

UniBank strives to set itself apart by offering quick, local decision making, online banking solutions, and personalized approach to banking, coupled with charitable giving and volunteerism. The bank last year launched an Invest Worcester product designed to keep local deposits in the city.

Notable runners-up: Commerce Bank, Webster Five Bank

BEST ACCOUNTING FIRM

Bollus Lynch, LLP Certified Public Accountants & Consultants*

Worcester, bolluslynch.com

Top executives: Partners Michael J. Bollus, Stephen A. Lynch, Jeffrey C. Swanberg & David G. Eaton

Founded: 1989

Employees: 37

Bollus Lynch made it a major goal this year to attract and retain the best audit and tax professionals in Central Massachusetts, believing the quality of its employees and its commitment to long-term client relationships differentiates it from the competition.

Notable runner-up: McLaren & Associates

BEST BUSINESS INSURANCE AGENCY

Sullivan Insurance Group*

Worcester, www.sullivangroup.com

Top executive: President & CEO John T. Andreoli

Founded: 1957

Employees: 50

Sullivan provides predictable and well-managed insurance and risk-management programs by using long-term professional staff with varied areas of expertise, along with a range of insurance carriers.

Notable runner-up: Marsh & McLennan Agency

BEST FINANCIAL PLANNING/INVESTMENT SERVICES

Provo Financial Services, Inc.*

Shrewsbury, www.ProvoFinancial.com

Top executive: President & CEO Christopher P. Provo

Founded: 1992

Employees: 10

Provo has, by design, committed to partnering with fewer clients than the typical financial planning firm, thus giving them more attention. The company seeks to maintain clients’ trust and confidence by being available 24/7 and offering detailed planning that takes into account all their financial aspirations.

Notable runner-up: Fidelity Investments

BEST EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CONSULTANT

Sullivan Benefits

Marlborough, www.sullivan-benefits.com

Top executives: Principals and Co-owners Gary Goodhile & Chrystine Heier

Founded: 1998

Employees: 10

While staying locally owned and privately held, Sullivan focuses on transparency and predictability in its benefits business, making a concerted effort to ensure all resources, support and ideas tie back into those principles.

Notable runner-up: Aisling Partners

BEST ADVERTISING AGENCY

PENTA Communications, Inc.*

Westborough, www.pentamarketing.com

Top executive: CEO Deborah Penta

Founded: 1989

Employees: 18

For nearly 30 years, PENTA has provided clients with access to high-level strategic integrated marketing, advertising, media planning, creative services, social media, website development, and high-end executive conference and meeting/event services – all while striving for a reputation of achieving excellence for customers.

Notable runner-up: Davis Advertising

BEST STAFFING AGENCY

The Davis Companies*

Marlborough, www.daviscos.com

Top executive: Chairman & CEO Robert Davis

Founded: 1985

Employees: 71

Davis augments its fun atmosphere by offering specialty and niche-focused recruiting, aided by data-driven results and personalized service.

Notable runner-up: CoWorx Staffing Services

*denotes repeat winner