Getting Down to Business
Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno recently announced that Royal & Munnings, LLC is the recipient of a city of Springfield contract providing certain services to minority- and women-owned businesses. The services to businesses under the contract includes technical and legal assistance in obtaining state and federal certification as a minority- or woman-owned business, in responding to procurement opportunities and in obtaining financing and bonding to support these businesses in their participation in construction and supply projects. From left: Maria Lopez-Santiago, chief procurement officer for the city of Springfield; Aimee Griffin Munnings, partner with the law firm of Royal & Munnings, LLC; Sarno; and Amy B. Royal, Partner with Royal & Munnings, LLC.
Parting Thoughts
Paul Digrigoli, founder and president of Digrigoli Salons, was the keynote speaker at the recent national conference for NACCE (the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship) in Anaheim, Calif. Here, he makes his point to an audience of educators looking to develop or enhance programs for teaching entrepreneurship.
Model Operation
Balise Lexus recently hosted a launch reception to introduce the all-new 2010 RX at its dealership on Riverdale Street. The all-new RX is touted as the “reinvention of the vehicle that invented it all,” according to Mike Balise, left, vice president of Balise Motor Sales, seen here with Brant Baird, district sales manager for Lexus. The event drew several hundred visitiors, and was highlighted by an auction of the first few RXs delivered to the West Springfield showroom.
Forging Partnerships
Fagor-Automation Corp. in Chicago recently donated the installation of its new Innova 40i ‘True Vision’ digital readout system in the Machine Tool Technology Program at Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical High School in Springfield. The new computer controls will assist Putnam students to blend their pre-existing Windows computer skills with most of the manual metal-working machines at the school. In preparation for a hands-on open house at Putnam this spring, precision-machining companies that are interested in viewing this new equipment, which will be debuted at EASTEC 2009 on May 19-21, should contact Fred Carrier at Putnam (carriera@sps.springfield.ma.us). Coordination of these donated services to Putnam was lead by Buck Upson, president of Pioneer Tool Supply Co. Inc. of West Springfield, the Putnam Program Advisory Board, and the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County. Installation of the controls was provided by Danny Steidi and Joel Kasnick from Fagor-Automation Corp.
Hometown Heroes
The American Red Cross Pioneer Valley Chapter recently honored several Western Mass. residents at its annual ‘Hometown Heroes’ breakfast. Above, Tony Filipe (left), president of the Home Builders Assoc. of Western Mass., with honoree Joseph Lesniak of Indian Orchard. At right, Sheila Doiron (left), director of Communications and Community Relations for Bay State Gas, with honoree Bobi Steingart of Longmeadow.
