Beverly's Biggar sisters spend summers working at Cummings Center

While many of her friends are spending the summer babysitting or working in retail jobs, Beverly resident Abigail Biggar is working on a construction site at Cummings Center. The 22-year-old recent Gordon College graduate is spending her sixth year as part of Cummings Properties’ summer crew.

Cummings Properties field division manager Tim Parziale considers Biggar a valued team member.

“Abigail and I have a great rapport,” said Parziale. “I have come to rely on her to lead other summer workers on projects ranging from job site cleanups to moving materials to painting.”

Biggar appreciates that the full-time staff members allow summer crew workers to take ownership of the projects they are assigned. Working with a team on a 19,000-square-foot buildout, she was recently tasked with installing cabinet hardware.

“My friends look at me like I have eight heads when I say that I spent the day learning how to install cabinets,” said Biggar. “I am learning so much that will prepare me for later in life, whether it’s home ownership or just helping a friend.”

Biggar is not the only member of her family who is part of the Cummings team. She is the middle of three sisters. Her older sister, Jordan, is a former summer crew member who now works in sales for New England Labs. Younger sister Phebe is spending her third summer working at Cummings Center. Phebe just graduated from high school and will attend Taylor University in Indiana in the fall.

“Since Phebe is going so far away for school, it’s nice to be able to spend time with her during the work day–it makes it more enjoyable,” said Biggar, who starts a career as a first grade teacher in Gloucester this fall.

For more than 40 years, Cummings Properties has had a strong tradition of employing local area youth as summer workers. This summer, more than 70 high school and college students, including nine Beverly residents, are employed by the commercial real estate firm, in Beverly at Cummings Center and Dunham Road, and at various Woburn properties and other suburban locations.

“The Company prides itself on hiring locally when possible,” said Steve Drohosky, vice president and general manager. “Hiring students is one of the many ways we support the community. Our summer program offers students good full-time jobs with competitive pay and the opportunity to gain valuable skills.”

The students, a mix of young men and women, are primarily employed as grounds crew doing landscaping and property maintenance. A few students work in the office, assisting with administrative duties.

Like the Biggars, many students return summer after summer to earn a steady paycheck and to take advantage of the opportunity to earn scholarship funds. Since 2011, Cummings Properties has given nearly $250,000 in scholarships and tuition reimbursements to its workers, including $79,000 to summer workers.

Recently named one of North of Boston Business’ 25 Best Places to Work, Cummings Center offers first-class, fully built out space for a wide range of commercial uses, including executive offices, healthcare facilities, laboratories, retail storefronts, industrial space, and more.