Boston, MA Kaplan Construction, a WBE general contractor and construction management firm providing comprehensive building programs across Greater Boston, has been honored as a Massachusetts Family Business of the Year by the Northeastern University Center for Family Business. Kaplan also received a certificate of generational achievement in recognition of its success as a second-generation family business during the 12th annual Massachusetts Family Business Awards ceremony on June 13 at Northeastern University’s East Village.
The Massachusetts Family Business Awards program was created to promote and highlight the accomplishments of MA-based, family-held businesses and entrepreneurs. The program annually presents awards to recognize family businesses whose policies and business practices have had a positive impact on the business and community. For the last 12 years, recipients of the Massachusetts Family Business of the Year Awards have been 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.
“Family has remained our foundation as Kaplan Construction has grown and evolved since its founding 42 years ago. We celebrate great longevity in our core staff and have welcomed a second generation of dedicated employees to our company,” said Jane Kaplan Peck, COO of Kaplan. “We are honored to be recognized for our success as a family business and proud of our contributions to the economic well-being of the Commonwealth.”
In 2014 Kaplan announced the culmination of a three-year management transition in which Jane Kaplan Peck was appointed chief operating officer (COO) and majority owner and Nathan Peck was promoted to president. Founders Ken and Cathy Kaplan serve as chairman of the board and senior advisor, respectively. Since the transition, business has tripled, staff has doubled, and the company and its leaders have received numerous awards, including ranking annually as a Best Place to Work by the Boston Business Journal and a Top 100 Women-Led Business in Massachusetts by The Commonwealth Institute.
Jane Kaplan Peck led the effort to have the company certified as a Women Business Enterprise (WBE) by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 2014. Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) are entities that are at least 51% owned and/or controlled by women. Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and women owned businesses provide ever increasing value to the Massachusetts economy, making up the state’s fastest growing business sector in the Commonwealth.
