Fred Eppinger: President and CEO, The Hanover Insurance Group

Fred Eppinger, who pitched for the Holy Cross baseball team more than three decades ago, likes to say he just happened to be the head of Hanover Insurance when all good things happened for his company. Not one to display his influence, he credits the rest of the Hanover team.

Under Eppinger’s leadership, which began in 2003, Allmerica Financial Corp. was reborn as The Hanover, which signaled a renewed focus on the property and casualty markets.

IN THE COMMUNITY
In 2010, the long-awaited groundbreaking for the downtown CitySquare finally took place, thanks to Hanover’s $70-million investment.

The Hanover also donated $2 million to help catalyze the restoration of the former Showcase Cinemas into the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts — with Fred and his wife, Patty, privately adding a six-figure donation.

And, in 2005, The Hanover agreed to pay $480,000 annually over 10 years for naming rights to the baseball side of Holy Cross’s Fitton Field, home of the now-defunct Worcester Tornadoes and the future home of the city’s new franchise.

John Prosser: Chairman, Seven Hills Foundation, Worcester

James Paulhus: President and CEO, UniBank for Savings, Whitinsville

Michael O’Brien: City Manager, City of Worcester (Until Jan. 5, 2014)

Tim Murray: President and CEO, Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce

Jim McGovern: U.S. Rep., Worcester

William Manley: Founder and CEO, Calare Properties, Hudson

Gordon Lankton: Founder, Museum of Russian Icons and Gallery of African Art, Clinton

Warner Fletcher: Partner, Fletcher Tilton, Worcester

Gerald Fels: Trustee Emeritus, Nichols College, Dudley

Mary DeFeudis: Philanthropist and Volunteer, Northborough

P. Kevin Condron: Chairman and CEO, The Granite Group LLC, Concord, N.H.

Ralph Crowley Jr.: CEO, Polar Beverages, Worcester