Three Woburn firms celebrate 20 years at Cummings Properties

Cummings Properties recently recognized the 20-year anniversaries of three Woburn companies. Representatives of the Woburn-based commercial real estate firm presented commemorative captain’s chairs to ACP Facility Services, L-3 Security & Detection Systems, and Scientific Systems

ACP Facility Services

ACP Facility Services was started by husband and wife team Miguel Suarez (president and CEO) and Filomena Homem (treasurer and CFO) 30 years ago.

The maintenance and cleaning services company moved to a 1,500-square-foot office at West Cummings Park in 1996 and has since relocated twice within the Cummings portfolio and expanded multiple times.

When the firm moved to its current 5,600-square-foot headquarters at 12 Gill Street, in 2012, Suarez and Homem were delighted to learn that their new Cummings Properties account manager would be Tony Spencer, an old friend and former fellow Cummings client. Prior to joining Cummings Properties, Spencer owned a West Cummings Park deli that Suarez and Homem frequented.

“Over the course of time, Fil, Miguel, and I have maintained our friendship, mutual respect for one another, and a real interest in helping each other to be successful,” said Spencer. “We have all grown with Cummings Properties, and it has been a pleasure to be part of their journey.”

Now a national company, ACP has acquired several firms outside of New England and employs more than 900 people.

L-3 Security & Detection Systems

L-3 Security & Detection Systems (L-3 SDS), a division of international defense contractor L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL), has been a client of Cummings Properties in various forms since 1996 and was one of the first clients at 10 Commerce Way.

The firm specializes in next-generation security detection systems for use at airports and other facilities. L-3 SDS experienced significant growth after 9-11 and has more than doubled its space in its 20 years with Cummings to a total of 79,000 square feet at the company headquarters on Commerce Way.

Cummings Properties key accounts manager Marc Knittle has worked with the firm for years.

“There is a strong high-tech community on and around Commerce Way that we are proud to support,” said Knittle. “We wish Jim [Cataldo, CFO] and Tom [Ripp, president] and the entire L-3 SDS team continued success.”

Scientific Systems Company

Scientific Systems Company, Inc. (SSCI) is a family-owned and -operated business started in Cambridge 40 years ago by CEO and Harvard graduate Rahman Mehra. His son, Kunal, is senior vice president of strategy and market development.

The firm’s primary focus is portable software applications, integrated technologies, and turnkey solutions to solve today’s most challenging engineering problems for its defense and industrial customers. It is currently working on drone technology.

Cummings Properties founder Bill Cummings joined Account Manager Kara Murphy to deliver SSCI’s commemorative captain’s chair. This came as no surprise to the Scientific Systems team. Pat Kelly, director of admin and security for Scientific Systems, has seen Cummings pull up beside a client whose car was covered in snow, pull out a shovel, and “get straight to work. He would be willing to help anybody at any time,” she said.

Cummings Properties has delivered more than seventy 20-year chairs to clients to date.

Last month, the firm recognized L.H. Sisitzky Sales for becoming its first 40-year client, officially naming the park in the center of the West Cummings Park business campus in Woburn: Sisitzky Park.

PHOTO: Standing left to right: Cummings Properties senior account manager Tony Spencer, ACP Facility Services president and CEO Miguel Suarez, Cummings Properties executive vice president Eric Anderson; seated: ACP Facility Services treasurer and CFO Filomena Homem.

PHOTO: L-3 Security & Detection Systems CFO Jim Cataldo accepts a Cummings Properties captain’s chair from Account Manager Kathryn Jendrick (left) and Key Accounts Manager Marc Knittle (right).

PHOTO: Cummings Properties founder Bill Cummings presents a 20-year chair to Scientific Systems Company president Rahman Mehra.