Winner: Sunshine Sign*, in North Grafton
Website: sunshinesign.com
Top executive: Tim Glispin, president
Founded: 1984
Employees: 30
Notable runners-up: Serrato Signs in Worcester, Connor Sign & Graphics in West Boylston
When driving across Central Massachusetts, Tim Glispin loves to see the signs and graphics he and his team worked to create.
Glispin and his brother Brian took over Grafton-based sign company Sunshine Sign from their father in 2024, where they have continued to expand sign and graphic offerings for businesses of all sizes across Greater Worcester.
The company includes a full graphics department where employees do vehicle and sign lettering, and a fabrication department where they bend, cut, and weld metal to construct larger signs, Glispin said. They have added a flat bed 3D printer for additive manufacturing too.
“We feel that we can be a one-stop solution for anybody, and we’re able to help the most amount of people here,” Glispin said. “We do pride ourselves on focusing on quality.”
Glispin said Sunshine Sign is one of the only sign companies in the area with both a sales team and a project management team, allowing the company to take larger corporate accounts regularly across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. In Central Massachusetts, they have worked with healthcare institutions like UMass Chan Medical School and universities in the area including Clark, Worcester State and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
In 2025, the company assisted in the refurbishment of George’s Coney Island’s 85-year-old neon sign, an iconic landmark on Southbridge Street in Worcester.
In addition to larger projects, Sunshine Sign regularly helps small businesses open their doors by crafting signs for them too.
“We are just glad that we can help people get to where they need to be,” he said.
Glispin, who spent the first part of his career working for larger corporations as a military, aerospace, and defense engineer, said this is his first time leading a small business like Sunshine Sign, and he owes all of its success to his team.
“Your success or failure is 100% dependent on the team that you have behind you,” Glispin said. “This is probably the strongest team that I’ve ever been a part of in my working career.”
Of course, he could not do it without his brother as a partner either.
“It can be pretty difficult running a small business, especially in today’s environment, but the opportunity to be in the trenches with my brother and fighting the good fight every day, and doing it together, winning or losing, it’s worth it,” he said.
– Story by Sara Bedigian
*denotes repeat winner
Best Office Cleaner
Winner: Eagle Cleaning*, in Worcester
Eagle Cleaning provides janitorial and cleaning solutions for commercial, industrial, and institutional clients. Services include nightly janitorial, day porter support, floor care, restroom sanitation, and custom projects.
Website: www.eaglecleaning.com
Top executive: Jeff Johnson, founder & CEO
Founded: 2001
Employees: 300
Notable runners-up: Enterprise Cleaning & Restoration in West Boylston, Nandy’s Cleaning Services in Paxton
Best Logistics Company
Winner: Euro-American Worldwide Logistics*, in Worcester
Euro-American Worldwide Logistics specializes in cGMP-compliant, temperature-controlled warehousing for biopharma and life science manufacturers, with global transportation services. The company offers validated storage at multiple temperature ranges, dedicated GMP inventory management, and air, ocean, and ground freight. In-house U.S. Customs brokerage and trade compliance services assist with regulations, tariffs, and documentation.
Website: eawlogistics.com
Top executive: Eric Busenburg, president
Founded: 1966
Employees: 20
Best Plumber/HVAC Contractor
Winner: J.J. Bafaro, Inc.*, in Worcester
J.J. Bafaro is a mechanical contractor in HVAC, plumbing, piping, sheet metal installation, and fire protection systems for commercial and residential projects. It serves markets including life sciences, health care, senior living, education, commercial & industrial, and religious.
Website: jjbafaro.com
Top executive: Joseph Bafaro, president and founder
Founded: 1965
Notable runners-up: McDonald Heating Air Conditioning Plumbing in Auburn, Garabedian Plumbing & Heating in Worcester
Best Commercial Real Estate Brokerage
Winner: Kelleher & Sadowsky Associates*, in Worcester
Kelleher & Sadowsky provides high-impact commercial real estate services rooted in deep local market knowledge, helping clients make informed decisions through leasing, sales, acquisitions, and investment advisory services. The entire team is embedded in the Worcester region and understands its neighborhoods, economic drivers, development pipeline, and long-term potential.
Website: kelleher-sadowsky.com
Top executives: James Umphrey, president; William Kelleher IV, managing partner
Founded: 1981
Employees: 23
Notable runner-up: NAI Glickman Kovago & Jacobs in Worcester
Best Commercial Landscaper
Winner: LEI Corp.*, in Boylston
LEI Corp. provides commercial landscape maintenance and snow and ice management services. Landscape services include grounds care, plant health, irrigation, enhancements, and seasonal cleanups. Snow services include plowing, sidewalk operations, de-icing, liquid pretreating, storm monitoring, and post-storm cleanup.
Website: www.leisite.com
Top executive: Steven Christy, owner and president
Founded: 1987
Employees: 100+
Notable runners-up: Perrone Landscaping in Holden, A. Arsenault & Sons Landscaping in Spencer
Best Property Management Company
Winner: NAI Glickman Kovago & Jacobs*, in Worcester
NAI Glickman Kovago & Jacobs provides commercial real estate services including brokerage, property management, and construction. The firm serves office, industrial, retail, medical, multifamily, mixed-use, and land assets. As a member of NAI Global, the company provides clients with access to global resources while maintaining local market expertise in Central Massachusetts.
Website: www.glickmankovago.com
Top executive: James Glickman, founding principal, and Michael Jacobs, managing principal
Founded: 1990
Employees: 30
Notable runner-up: Chacharone Properties in Worcester
Best Waste Removal Company
Winner: Superior Waste & Recycling, in Worcester
Superior Waste & Recycling offers Dumpster services ranging from 10 to 30 cubic yards, curbside pickup, and same-day services. The company operates a transfer station at 2 Kansas St. in Worcester open to the public from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Superior Waste handles Massachusetts waste ban items including mattresses, box springs, televisions, and tires, and operates a scrap metal yard.
Website: superiorwastema.com
Top executive: Dennis O’Connor, president
Founded: 2009
Employees: 62
Notable runners-up: Al’s Rubbish and Container Service in Sutton, Casella in Auburn, P. Pellegrino Trucking in Shrewsbury
Best Co-Working/Incubator Space
Winner: Venture X Marlborough – Apex Center*, in Marlborough
Venture X Marlborough – Apex Center provides flexible workspace solutions including virtual business addresses, coworking spaces, private offices, and meeting rooms. The facility offers technology-equipped spaces for businesses of various sizes. Situated near the Apex Center, the facility is close to retail, hotel, and entertainment amenities, with easy access to I-495 and the Massachusetts Turnpike.
Website: www.venturex.com
Top executive: Ryan Gagne, CEO
Founded: 2018
Employees: 4
Notable runners-up: Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives in Worcester; EforAll in Worcester
