When Cape Associates learned it had won the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2013 family-owned business of the year award for Massachusetts, it capped a month of expansion – and loss. The company opened a new office– its third – in Chatham at the beginning of April. A short time later, the company was notified by the SBA of its award, partly because of Cape Associates’ growth. “We are a 42-year-old business and we are still growing,” said Matthew Cole, the CEO and president of the building, painting, remodeling and property management company. The company also has offices in Yarmouth-port and Eastham.The timing of the award was poignant for the Cole family and Cape Associates.Michael Cole, who was president of the company from 1986 through last year, died April 9 after a sudden illness.
He sold the business this January to his son, Matthew, and daughters Lindsay
and Casey. Lindsay and Casey work within the operations division of the
company.
