Honoring the leaders of today and tomorrow

Published on Monday, February 01, 2010

Robert (Rob) M. McPhee
Age: 35
Title: Vice President
Company: McPhee Associates Inc.
Company location: East Dennis
Residence: East Dennis

Education: Associates in Business Administration from Dean College; Bachelors in Business Management from Bryant University.

Community involvement: I have been a member of the Harwich-Dennis Rotary Club from 2003 to present. I currently serve as the Vice President of the club and am a past board member. I am most proud of serving as a co-chair for the annual golf tournament for the past 5 years. This is the club’s largest fundraiser – we give out on average 10 to 15 scholarships every year.

Biggest professional success: Making people’s dreams a reality! You’re always sensitive that building a home
is likely the biggest financial decision someone will ever make in their lives.

Dream job: I can’t say I really have one; I love what I am doing.

Businessperson you admire most: My father, Bob McPhee. He has always possessed a keen business sense; dedicated to doing what is right and looking out for his customers’ best interests.

Hobbies: Spending time with my wife and two kids, boating and traveling.

McPhee grew up working in the family business throughout high school and college, learning the construction industry from the ground up. After college he moved to Florida, got a captains license and worked on a private motor yacht for a few years before making the move back to Cape Cod to get involved with the family business, which was his long term goal. He worked his way up and is now Vice President. McPhee also holds a construction supervisors license and is a licensed real estate professional, as well as a board member of the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Cape Cod and Home Builders Association of Massachusetts.


Amanda Converse
Age: 31
Title: Green Consultant and Boutique Owner
Company: greenover and Shift
Company location: Hyannis

Education: BA in Environmental Studies (Union College), MPP in Environmental Policy (The George Washington University)

Community involvement: I am the Chairperson of the Barnstable Economic Development Commission, and I am still involved with the Hyannis Main Street BID, helping with their events and maintaining the street. I am also heavily involved with the Hyannis Area Chamber of Commerce.

Biggest professional success: Definitely opening Shift. It has been my dream to marry my love for the environment and my love of fashion for years.

Dream job: I have it.

Businessperson you admire most: My mother. She is brilliant, diplomatic, creative and thoughtful. I am lucky to have her as my mentor.

Converse’s professional career began in the environmental field, as a private consultant and in nonprofits, but four years ago she was hired by the Hyannis Main Street Business Improvement District as their Resource Development Director, which exposed her to the world of small business and economic development. About two years ago, she started a green consulting company (with Jitka Borowick) to help small businesses through the process of going green. And in November 2009, she opened Shift (with Amy Dufault and Justine Coppenrath), an eco-friendly women’s clothing store.


Allison Quinn Guido
Age: 29
Title: General Manager
Company: Almar Building & Remodeling Co.
Company location: Hanover
Residence: Randolph

Education: BA in Arts Management from West Virginia Wesleyan College

Community involvement: I think the Community involvement I am most proud of is coordinating the Asthma Avengers for the American Lung Associations Asthma Walk. I was diagnosed with almost debilitating Asthma as a kid and for many years my mother walked for me, and I was never well enough to participate myself. After getting really sick my freshman year in college I finally connected with a doctor who was able to help me control my Asthma, and since joining Almar I took over coordinating a team each year to walk and raise money.

In addition to that I am currently on the Alumnae board for Notre Dame Academy, and we participate in numerous charity and fundraising events all year long. I also have been volunteering at the Survivors Tent for The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Boston, and was recently asked to be on the Survivor Tent planning committee for the 2010 event.

Dream job: I love what I do. I love getting to shape the direction and image of my family’s company. I love talking with people who first had their houses remodeled by my grandfather, and are still calling on us. But I also look to the future and what would be next if I got to choose my dream job, and I would love to have a Remodeling Consulting Company and work with other remodelers to build their business.

Businessperson you admire most: Dave Ramsey. He made a fortune as a young man, lost it all and then pulled his boot straps up, rebuilt his life, his business, kept his family intact and then shared his knowledge with the community.

Hobbies: Hiking, biking and camping. I like to read a lot (I’m in a book club with some friends, so that gets me to read a lot of different things).

Favorite vacation spot: I got married in St. Lucia and I still think that is my favorite vacation spot so far.

Guido has found a way to work within a family business and make it function successfully as the company has been transitioning from her father running the day-today operations to her running them. She feels honored to know that her father saw something in her that made him think she’d be a good fit to not only work with him but be his legacy.


Michael McLaughlin
Age: 34
Title: President
Company: Core Computers, Inc.
Company location: Orleans
Residence: Brewster

Education: Bachelor of Arts from Brooks Institute of Photography

Community involvement: Our company offers numerous free Mac seminars throughout the Lower and Outer Cape. In 2010 we are launching a computer donation program that will provide working computers to local charities and nonprofits.

Biggest professional success: Opening and owning my own Mac store. I’ve used my skills to help grow other companies, it’s rewarding to now do that for myself.

Dream job: Frankly, this is my dream job. Staying current on Apple products, providing solutions for customers and planning our future growth – all of that really drives me. Of course, if Steve Jobs were to decide to leave Apple, I’d be happy to take his place!

Businessperson you admire most: Steve Jobs. After all, he is the man behind Apple. Since his return, he has not only transformed Apple, Inc. but is now leading the tech industry in innovation and design.

Hobbies: Golf, teaching my two young sons sports and playing trains with them.

Favorite vacation spot: Vacations? What vacations?! All kidding aside, if I had the time to vacation, I would choose to go back to Santa Barbara, California, to visit with close friends.

Favorite movie: The Matrix

Favorite Book: The E-Myth

Prior to opening his own store, McLaughlin worked at the Christian Science Monitor in Boston, where he supported over 200 Macs. He moved to the Cape in 2003, with his Cape native wife, to manage a local Apple Reseller. While there, he helped to grow the business’s gross margins and expand to multiple locations.


Published in Cape & Plymouth Business February 2010