A Celebration of Family Business

BOSTON, MA, April 19, 2014 (Press-News.org) Northeastern University Center for Family Business announces a call for nominations for their 8th Annual Massachusetts Family Business of the Year Awards. Applications are due May 1, 2014. The awards program to celebrate and announce the recipients is scheduled for June 11, and will be held at the Henderson House, Weston, MA.

Last year the winners were Piesco Sporting Goods of Easton in the small-sized business category, Gardel of Medford in the medium-sized business category, and R.H. White Companies of Auburn in the large-sized business category. Honorable mention went to Tilly & Salvy's Bacon Street Farm of Natick. Additionally, the inaugural Family Business Innovation Award was presented to Shields Health Care Group of Quincy.

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. Generational achievement certificates are given to all family business companies in attendance. All Massachusetts-based family-owned businesses that include, or have included, more than one generation are eligible.

The awards program presents a unique opportunity for family businesses to obtain significant regional press exposure, an opportunity to reflect on their own successes and challenges through the years, and a chance to recognize the valuable contribution of their employees, suppliers and stakeholders.

Ted Clark, director of the Northeastern University Center for Family Business, noted, "The family businesses representing this year's finalists as a group have been in business for a combined total of 740 years, with an average age of 41 years old. This is extraordinarily impressive when you consider that the average life span of a Fortune 500 company is 30 years. These businesses represent the purpose and dedication found in family businesses and it is for this reason that they play such a significant role in the community and the economy."

About Northeastern University's Center for Family Business
Northeastern University's Center for Family 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 or to enter your company, please visit http://www.mafba.com or contact Katelyn Husereau, Northeastern University Center for Family Business, k.husereau@neu.edu, 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.

For more information about the D'Amore-McKim School of Business, visit http://damore-mckim.northeastern.edu/.
SOURCE Northeastern University Center for Family Business Katelyn Husereau, 617-373-3718, k.husereau@neu.edu

PRESS CONTACT:
Katelyn Husereau
Northeastern University
Center for Family Business
617.373.3718
k.husereau@neu.edu