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PITTSFIELD — When it opens on Monday, June 1, the 45-room Hotel on North will add nearly 3,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space for corporate and executive groups to Pittsfield.

Located in a pair of buildings that date from the 1880s and are listed on the National Register of Historic places, Hotel on North exudes character with distinctive design elements formed by the architectural bones of the buildings, such as tin ceilings, exposed brick walls, and wood columns. With an eclectic mix of furnishing and decor, much from the workshops of local artisans and craftspeople, as well as catering from the restaurant and bar Eat and Drink on North, the hotel offers groups a rich blend of Berkshire roots and contemporary style to foster innovation and productivity. The property is outfitted with state-of-the-art technology so meeting attendees can stay connected.

“Hotel on North has an authentic, vibrant spirit with creative touches throughout the property,” said Lindsey Struck, general manager. “Unlike anything else in Pittsfield, the property offers groups an out-of-the-box solution to motivate meeting attendees in fresh new ways that incorporate the surrounding Berkshires.”

For more information or to book, contact (413) 358-4741. Additional details about the property can be found at www.hotelonnorth.com, www.facebook.com/hotelonnorth, or www.instagram.com/hotelonnorth.

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BOSTON — The Baker-Polito administration announced the launch of a new, $10 million initiative aimed at making Massachusetts a national leader in energy storage.

The Energy Storage Initiative (ESI) includes a $10 million commitment from the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and a two-part study from DOER and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) to analyze opportunities to support Commonwealth storage companies, as well as develop policy options to encourage energy-storage deployment.

“The Commonwealth’s plans for energy storage will allow the state to move toward establishing a mature, local market for these technologies that will, in turn, benefit ratepayers and the local economy,” said Gov. Charlie Baker. “Massachusetts has an exciting opportunity to provide a comprehensive approach to support a growing energy-storage industry with this initiative’s analysis, policy, and program development.”

Added EEA Secretary Matthew Beaton, “Massachusetts is nationally recognized for energy efficiency and clean-energy job growth. This Energy Storage Initiative will ensure the Commonwealth continues to be on the forefront of advancing innovative clean technology. Through this initial $10 million announcement and the subsequent studies, Massachusetts is primed to leverage the expertise of the storage industry to reduce barriers to project implementation, ultimately advancing a crucial component of modernizing our electric grid.”

Massachusetts’ $10 billion clean-energy industry already supports a promising energy-storage cluster, said MassCEC CEO Alicia Barton. “By launching the Energy Storage Initiative and fostering this sector at home, Massachusetts will position itself to grab a disproportionate share of the economic opportunities arising out of the fast-growing global markets for storage technology.”

The worldwide market for grid-scale energy storage alone is estimated to reach $114 billion by 2017, according to an analysis by Lux Research. Common methods of energy storage include batteries, flywheels, compressed-air energy storage, pumped storage, hydrogen storage, and thermal-energy storage.

The two-part study will start by analyzing the industry landscape, economic development, and market opportunities for energy storage, while also examining potential policies and programs that could be implemented to better support energy-storage deployment in Massachusetts. The second part of the study will provide policy and regulatory recommendations along with cost-benefit analysis for state policymakers.

In parallel, DOER will leverage $10 million in Alternative Compliance Payments (ACPs) to establish and support the Commonwealth’s energy-storage market. DOER will work to identify and evaluate the appropriate value of the services energy storage can provide to ratepayers and the grid through a market signals assessment, while funding demonstration projects from the utility to residential scales.

DOER will work with MassCEC and key market players, in state and across the country, to assist in the development of innovative projects in the Commonwealth. Through this initiative, Energy and Environmental Affairs will hold several forums to engage experts and industry in storage-policy opportunities in the coming months.

“Massachusetts continues to play a leading role in creating solutions for a more flexible and resilient grid,” said Matt Roberts, executive director of the Energy Storage Assoc. “These investments in studying the positive impact that energy storage will have and funding new projects will undoubtedly spur continued advancement in the industry.”

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SPRINGFIELDU.S. News & World Report has rated Baystate Medical Center as part of an elite group of 34 “high-performing” hospitals in a new form of evaluation that rates hospitals on how well they perform in several surgical procedures and chronic conditions.

Baystate is only one of three hospitals in New England to be rated as “high-performing” in an analysis of 4,600 hospitals nationwide in the magazine’s new Best Hospitals for Common Care ratings released on May 20.

“This latest honor from U.S. News & World Report, in addition to already placing in its Best Hospitals report, is further recognition of the world-class care available to patients at Baystate Medical Center. It is truly an honor and a testament to our clinicians and staff who strive to deliver safe, high-quality care for our patients every day,” said Dr. Evan Benjamin, senior vice president for Quality and Population Health and chief quality officer for Baystate Health.

“The new Common Care report is unique in that it looks at numerical data based on hospital outcomes rather than basing judgment on a hospital solely on its reputation. It also emphasizes what we have known in the healthcare industry for a while, that hospitals that perform many of the same types of procedures tend to have better outcomes with them,” he added.

U.S. News evaluated hospitals based on their performance in three common operations — heart bypass, hip replacement, and knee replacement — and two widespread chronic conditions, congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To be eligible, hospitals had to perform a minimum number of each procedure each year. Hospitals were rated as “high-performing,” “average,” or “below average.” Approximately 10% of the hospitals rated in each condition or procedure were high-performing, but only 34 hit that mark in all five.

The new ratings reflect the magazine’s broadest expansion of its analysis of hospital quality since it established its annual Best Hospitals ranking of medical centers 25 years ago. While the magazine releases its Best Hospitals rankings annually to help patients with life-threatening or rare conditions to identify those that excel in treating the most difficult cases, the new Common Care rankings consider the kinds of diseases and conditions that most commonly lead to hospitalizations.

“The choice of a hospital can be life-changing, even for relatively routine surgery. Hospitals can differ greatly in quality, and excelling in one area doesn’t guarantee that a hospital excels in other areas,” said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis for U.S. News. “The good news for patients is that the majority of hospitals performed average or better.”

For more information on Baystate Medical Center, visit baystatehealth.org/bmc.

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AGAWAM — Jean Deliso, president of Deliso Financial and Insurance Services and a 20-plus-year veteran of the financial-planning profession, recently earned one of the premier designations in financial services as a certified financial planner (CFP). This certification is generally recognized as the highest standard in personal financial planning.

Deliso is committed to educating individuals about their finances and has helped them take control of their unique situations since she has been in practice. Achieving this certification, she said, further heightens her ability to help lead her clients to personal success and financial freedom. She works with many business and high-net-worth individuals providing retirement and estate planning. She also assists women in planning for their financial future, particularly in times of transition such as divorce or widowhood.

The CFP Board holds its members to the highest degree of ethical standards and professional conduct. As a designated certified financial planner, Deliso promises to uphold this high level of conduct and ensures that her clients will receive the most extensive and comprehensive level of financial planning. The CFP Board was founded in 1985 as a nonprofit organization that serves the public interest by promoting the value of professional, competent, and ethical financial-planning services, as represented by those who have attained CFP certification.

Established in 2000, Deliso Financial and Insurance Services is a complete financial-services agency; however, Deliso’s extensive experience in several areas has led to a reputation for certain specializations.

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BOSTON — The state Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is now seeking applications for the first phase of the fiscal year 2016 Partnerships Matching Funds Program from park-advocacy groups, civic and community organizations, institutions, businesses, municipal governments, and dedicated individuals with an interest in improving the Commonwealth’s natural, cultural, and recreational resources.

Through the program, DCR will allocate $1.25 million in matching funds to finance capital projects at the agency’s parks, beaches, and other facilities. Past projects include the design and construction of a new playground, repairs to historic buildings, trail and path enhancements, and landscape improvements.

“The Partnerships Matching Funds Program is a great example of how DCR works together with residents and stakeholder organizations to improve our public resources,” said DCR Commissioner Carol Sanchez. “We are proud to continue to build upon the success of the Partnership Matching Funds Program, which has been responsible for a combined investment by the Commonwealth and public and private partners in trails, green spaces, historic structures, and water resources of more than $10 million since 2004.”

Applications for DCR’s matching-funds program must provide a match of non-state funds for capital projects at the agency’s parks, beaches, and facilities to be considered. Projects that require more than one year to plan and complete will be under consideration. Once approved, DCR will manage the implementation of the projects in close consultation with the partners making contributions. The agency will match projects dollar for dollar and will also consider providing a two-to-one match in certain instances.

For more information on the program, and to receive an application, call (617) 626-4989 or e-mail [email protected]. Information and applications are also available at www.mass.gov/dcr; click the ‘Get Involved’ tab, then click on ‘Partnerships.’

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CHICOPEE — For as long as he can remember, Shawn Wrisley has watched small businesses in Western Mass. grow from ideas to seedlings to thriving success stories. And for him, watching those other businesses grow provided not only inspiration, but satisfaction as well.

“I take more enjoyment in watching small businesses grow than in watching a Wal-Mart or Target pop up,” Wrisley said. “I want to deal with small businesses. And that’s who Western Mass is. The mom-and-pop small businesses here are our lifeblood.”

So when Wrisley, a Greenfield native, neared his 40th birthday this year, he decided it was time to take his years of payroll experience and start Total Business Solutions NE, a small business-solutions company that offers payroll, insurances, merchant services, bookkeeping, and accounting. Headquartered in Chicopee, Total Business Solutions NE provides solutions to small and medium-sized businesses throughout Western Mass.

“I’m here. I’m local. I’m not a big corporation,” Wrisley said. “There aren’t a lot of layers here. When you call TBS, you’re going to talk to me — to the same person every week.”

With his back-office solutions, Wrisley said, he’s able to accomplish everything bigger payroll companies can accomplish, but with a small-business heart. In addition to payroll and merchant services such as credit-card processing, he offers all insurances: home, life, auto, workers’ compensation, liability, and health.

“I can run my business and service my clients in a very hands-on way,” he said. “I’m the business owner now, and what comes with that is the flexibility to be able to do the things that clients ask me for.”

Brian Savlick, co-owner of Friendly Ride Transportation in Springfield, said working with TBS allows him to keep his business local. “Shawn is personable and customer-service oriented,” he noted. “He takes my business seriously and provides exceptional customer service and knowledge of the products he sells.”

Katie Clifford, Owner of Salon 241 in Northampton, said she’s able to contact Wrisley directly whenever necessary. “Shawn is honest and reliable, looking out for the best interest of my business. When I have questions or issues, I know I can get Shawn on the phone and he will handle things in a prompt manner. He allows me to focus on my business with excellent customer service.”

Added Wrisley, “I don’t know how to run a salon or a restaurant, but what I do know is that it’s much easier for those small-business owners to use someone like me who takes as much pride in their businesses as I do my own. Watching other people become successful is incredibly rewarding.”

The benefit of working with TBS, Wrisley said, is that all services are provided through one source. “Whether it’s payroll or insurance or merchant service or bookkeeping, I’m the one company that serves all those needs. As a small-business owner, I understand that everything is so complex. I offer simplicity for the small-business owner.”
For more information, visit www.totalbusinesssolutionsne.com.

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PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Bank has recognized 27 employees for their volunteerism in the community, and has named three “top volunteers” through its Volunteer Service X-ellence Awards Program. These annual awards celebrate bank employees who have made outstanding contributions to their communities.

The three award recipients were selected based on their strong record of volunteerism to nonprofit organizations through both company-supported activities and in individual service to the broader community. An awards luncheon was held in Pittsfield at the bank’s headquarters, where the recipients received their awards from company leadership. Each of the award winners also received a $1,000 donation that will be made to the nonprofit organization of their choice. This year’s Volunteer X-ellence Award winners include:

• Sue Gagne, branch officer in East Longmeadow. She received the Volunteer Service X-ellence award for her leadership and participation in the bank’s corporate volunteer program. Her donation was made to Wolf Swamp Road School in East Longmeadow and Washington Elementary School in Springfield.

• Monica Schlaepfer, financial services representative in West Winfield, N.Y. She received the Volunteer Service X-ellence award for her leadership and service in both company-supported and individual volunteer activities. Her donation was made to Mount Markham Central School District Foundation.

• Michael Provencher, teller in Ludlow, Vt. He received the Volunteer Service X-ellence award for his individual volunteer service outside the bank’s corporate program. His donation was made to Knight-Allen Hose Co.

In addition to the three Volunteer Service X-ellence Award recipients, Berkshire Bank named 27 employees to its Community Service Honor Roll. Employees eligible for the Honor Roll completed a minimum of 150 hours of volunteer service in the last calendar year. Honorees included Dawn Adams-Rea, Theresa Andersen, Barbara Cooney, Joshua Cutler, Jody DeMarco, Marc Dickie, Leigha Durfee, Susan Gagne, David Gonci, Heidi Higgins, James Kochakian, Gary Levante, Elizabeth Mach, Ceroi Mello, Thomas Miller, Beth Molinero, LeeAnn Morrone, Sandra O’Neil, Elizabeth Phillips, Ann Ciepiela, John Prividera, Michael Provencher, Monica Schlaepfer, Ray Smith, Michael Smith, Deborah Stephenson, and Karen Worcester.

“These award winners went above and beyond by donating their time, talent, and skills to help dozens of nonprofit organizations,” said Linda Johnson, executive vice president and chief Human Resources officer at Berkshire Bank. “The employees selected for this year’s Honor Roll embody our values as a company and share in our commitment to making a difference in our community. We applaud them for their continued commitment to our communities.”

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NORTHAMPTON — On May 26, Madelyn Breen, an oncology registered nurse at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, was among the honorees at “the one hundred” — 100 individuals, groups, and organizations from across the country and around the globe who are changing the fight against cancer and inspiring others to take action. Created and supported by the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center in 2008, the one hundred celebrates hope in the cancer community.

Breen officially retired in 2011, but her dedication to caring for people living with cancer brings her back to Cooley Dickinson three days a week as an oncology registered nurse. In a career that spans 45 years — all at CDH — Breen has set an example of providing exceptional nursing care, leading to her selection as one of the 100 honorees who are changing the fight against cancer and inspiring others to take action. Read more about the award at www.theonehundred.org/honorees/madelyn-breen-rn-bsn-ocn.

In addition, Breen received the Mass. Nursing Assoc. Clinical Excellence Award in 1991 and the American Cancer Society’s Volunteers’ Community Partner’s Award in 2012 for her volunteer leadership. In addition, Breen has served in many leadership positions for the Relay for Life.
Nearly 1,000 nominations were submitted for consideration for the one hundred in 2015 from sources around the world. As in previous years, the list includes remarkable and diverse individuals and organizations from all walks of life.

“At the Mass General Cancer Center, we pair the most advanced science with the most compassionate care. As a result of this comprehensive approach, we are recognized around the globe as a leader in the fight against cancer,” said Dr. Daniel Haber, director of the Cancer Center.

“Each year, the one hundred honors those who support our mission to help people living with cancer, in inspiring and often revolutionary ways,” he continued. “Our honorees are truly amazing. They are doctors and nurses selflessly caring for patients and their families, advocates raising awareness for the cancer cause, researchers working tirelessly in their laboratories to make important discoveries, and philanthropists contributing generously to make a cure possible.”

A signature event, the one hundred is also a key fund-raiser for the Mass General Cancer Center. A dinner honoring recipients was held at the Westin Copley Place in Boston on May 26. Funds raised support the Cancer Center’s research into targeted therapies and early-detection technologies, as well as innovative supportive-care programs.

The full list of the one hundred recipients for 2015, along with their photos and stories, can be found at www.theonehundred.org/honorees.

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SPRINGFIELD — The Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield (ACCGS) has named Kate Kane, managing director of Northwestern Mutual’s Springfield office, as its 2015 Richard J. Moriarty Citizen of the Year. The award is given annually to honor the memory of Moriarty, a long-time active participant in the ACCGS and individual who gave of his time, talent, and personal and professional resources to the local community.

“Kate reminds me of Rick in so many ways,” said Patrick Leary, chair of the ACCGS’ award nominating committee and partner at Moriarty & Primack, P.C. “Just like Rick, Kate is very involved in so many community organizations not because it is something that is expected of her, but because she believes it is the right thing to do, and, like Rick, much of her involvement is done quietly without seeking accolades or recognition. I think Rick would be very pleased with Kate as our Citizen of the Year.”

A graduate of Vassar College, Kane was planning to pursue a career in teaching when she took a position at Northwestern Mutual in its Worcester office. Inspired by the financial-services company, Kane rose through the ranks, building her expertise in leadership, recruiting, and guiding clients. Starting as director of Operations in Springfield, she has served in numerous capacities, including director of Development and field director, before rising to her current position as head of the Springfield group.

Kane shares that leadership experience through countless volunteer hours for a variety of civic and community organizations. She spearheaded the agency’s fund-raiser for Alex’s Lemonade Stand to fight against childhood cancer. She serves as the treasurer for the Springfield Museums Assoc. board of trustees, a long-time board member and past president of the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts, a member of Business Leaders for Education, and current chair of the Sisters of Providence Health System board of directors.

She is also a founding board member and past president of Dress for Success, co-writing the original business plan for the Western Mass. chapter, the first one in the Commonwealth, and served as the first female president of the Managing Director Assoc. She is a former board member for the Professional Women’s Chamber and the Friends of the Homeless, and served as the ACCGS’ representative on the Springfield gaming application review task force.

She has been honored as Western Mass Women magazine’s Professional Woman of the Year in 2012, the Professional Women’s Chamber Woman of the Year in 2011, and was named a Difference Maker by BusinessWest in 2009.

Kane will be honored at the ACCGS Business@Breakfast on Wednesday, June 3 from 7:15 to 9 a.m. in the Flynn Campus Union at Springfield College, 263 Alden St., Springfield. In addition to Kane’s honors, the breakfast will feature “A Chamber Year in Review” celebrating the ACCGS’ successes over the past year and will feature guest speaker Katie Stebbins, the state’s assistant secretary of Technology Innovation and Entrpreneurship.

Reservations for the breakfast are $20 for members in advance, $25 for members at the door, and $30 for general admission. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com or by e-mailing Sarah Mazzaferro at [email protected].

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BOSTON — The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported that the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates for April were down in all labor market areas over the month and over the year.

During April, all 15 areas for which job estimates are published recorded seasonal job gains. The largest job gains were in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Springfield, Barnstable, Worcester, and Framingham areas. Since last April, 14 areas added jobs, with the largest percentage gains in the Brockton-Bridgewater-Easton, Lynn-Saugus-Marblehead, Leominster-Gardner, Barnstable, Lowell-Billerica-Chelmsford, and Worcester areas.

In order to compare the statewide rate to the local unemployment rates, BLS estimates that the statewide unadjusted unemployment rate for April was 4.1%, down 0.9% from the March 2015 rate. Over the year, the statewide unadjusted rate was down 1.4% from the April 2014 rate of 5.5%.

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SPRINGFIELD — As a leading labor and employment law firm serving the Greater Springfield area, Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C. understands the complexities of the Earned Sick Leave Law passed by voters in November 2014 and the new ‘safe-harbor’ provision for employers, which was recently announced by state Attorney General Maura Healey.

The Earned Sick Leave Law, which goes into effect July 1, entitles employees to earn up to 40 hours of paid sick time each year if they work for businesses with 11 or more employees. Businesses with fewer than 11 employees must still provide up to 40 hours of annual sick leave, but it can be unpaid. According to a new provision announced by Healey, employers that already offer paid sick time to their employees will have until the end of the year to adjust their policies and comply with the new law.

“Employers who do not comply with the new law risk civil sanctions and lawsuits from wrongfully disciplined or terminated employees,” said John Gannon, an attorney with Skoler, Abbott & Presser. “The new provision announced by the attorney general gives businesses that already offer earned sick time to their employees more time to comply without risk of legal action.”

According to Healey’s safe-harbor provision, employers with a policy that exists as of May 1 that provides at least 30 hours of paid time off to employees for the 2015 calendar year will be in compliance with the law through Jan. 1, 2016.

“These businesses do not need to worry about providing additional paid leave or developing an accrual system under the Earned Sick Leave Law for the employees who are covered under their paid-time-off policy until the beginning of next year,” Gannon said. “However, employers cannot retaliate against or otherwise interfere with an employee who requests and/or uses available paid time off after July 1. Employer policies that were permissible before July 1 — including policies related to attendance, occurrences, notice protocol, and holiday pay — may still need to be changed prior to the law’s effective date.”

If employees are not currently covered by a paid-time-off plan, employers can amend their policies to offer 30 hours of paid time off to employees who do not currently qualify for paid leave, or they can comply with the new law by beginning accrual for other workers at the rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked, beginning July 1.

Business owners seeking assistance in understanding or complying with the Earned Sick Leave Law or safe-harbor provision may contact the employment law attorneys at Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C. For information, visit skoler-abbott.com or call (413) 737-4753.

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SPRINGFIELD — After a successful re-opening last year, the Fort has recently been honored with a Certificate of Excellence award from TripAdvisor, a popular resource for travelers featuring reviews of restaurants, hotels, and other attractions around the world.

The Fort received the award as a result of the high number of positive reviews it has received from people who have visited the restaurant.

“Positive word of mouth is key to the success of any restaurant,” said Andy Yee, managing partner of the Fort. “People are quicker to post a bad review than a good one, so it’s great to see so many people sharing the great experience they’ve had at the Fort.”

The Fort has been going strong since last year’s grand opening, Yee said, with several new developments including Sunday brunch, an updated cocktail menu, and a series of upcoming events.

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SPRINGFIELD — Members of the American International College (AIC) basketball team, along with Men’s Basketball Coach Andy Burkholder and Assistant Coach Chris Oroszko, recently paid a visit to William R. Peck School in Holyoke to visit with eighth-grade students in the school’s Therapeutic Intervention program, which provides an education to students who need a smaller, more supportive educational environment.

The event kicked off with inspirational words from Burkholder, who highlighted the importance of staying in school, including the possibilities of playing sports in college.

In his first season at the helm of the AIC Yellow Jackets, Burkholder led the team to its first Northeast-10 title in 21 years. AIC’s bid to host the NCAA Division East Regional was its first ever, and a 58-53 win over Philadelphia University was its first NCAA tournament appearance since 1994. For his efforts, Burkholder was recently named NCAA Division II Coach of the Year by BennettRank.com.

Peck teacher Jennifer Johnson reached out to the team on behalf of the dozen students in the program. “The students love sports, especially basketball. We use sports as incentive and rewards for them. It is important for the students to know there’s a long way between eighth grade and the NBA. Grades and attitude matter, and the first next step is high school.”

Six of the team’s players — co-captain Bobby Harris, Trahmier Burrell, Henry Vilfort, Max Risch, Nolan Woodward, and Jayvon Pitts-Young — shared their own experiences and encouraged the students who anticipate moving on to high school in the fall to find their interests, follow their passion, and, above all, stay in school. After a little classroom encouragement, the team enjoyed pizza for lunch followed by a pickup game with Peck students.

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PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Hills Bancorp Inc. announced the signing of a definitive agreement for the acquisition of privately held Firestone Financial Corp., based in Needham and specializing in commercial lending, as an operating subsidiary of Berkshire Bank.

“Firestone is a terrific fit for Berkshire Bank,” said Berkshire CEO Michael Daly. “The strength of the management team and their conservative approach to credit has made them a solid-performing finance company. Our strategic decision to complement our strong, asset-based lending platform with this commercial-lending business enables us to further diversify our assets while expanding our client offerings. We look forward to adding Firestone’s expertise to our organization, and taking advantage of the synergies available through this acquisition.”

Added George Bacigalupo, Berkshire’s executive vice president of Commercial Banking, “we are pleased to expand our commercial platform with this attractive acquisition. The addition of Firestone enhances both the geographic and categorical diversification of our loan portfolio while providing a valuable additional growth channel for us. The business will continue to be run by Firestone’s talented management team, and their experience and conservative, relationship-based approach makes this a great fit for our organization.”

Firestone CEO David Cohen said he is “excited to be joining the Berkshire team. With Berkshire’s resources behind us, we believe we can be a significant contributor to the continued growth and profitability of this organization. We remain committed to our markets and customers, and through this partnership, we will be able to offer additional services to help facilitate their continued growth.”

At March 31, 2015, Firestone had approximately $190 million in loans outstanding spread across multiple industries and market areas. The acquisition is priced at 130% of Firestone’s adjusted tangible book value. The deal value is estimated to be approximately $53 million, with 75% of the consideration to be paid in BHLB common stock and 25% to be paid in cash.

The acquisition is expected to be accretive to Berkshire’s 2016 earnings per share and to generate a return on equity in excess of 15%. The transaction is expected to be $0.08 dilutive to Berkshire’s tangible book value per share, with a related payback period of approximately 2.5 years. The transaction is subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions and is expected to be completed during the third quarter of 2015.

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LONGMEADOW — Jewish Geriatric Services Inc. (JGS) held its annual meeting last week, providing membership the opportunity to elect officers and directors of JGS and all subsidiaries.

“We are at a crossroads in our 103-year journey,” said Martin Baicker, president and CEO of JGS, “bridging past and future with Project Transformation, which will transform our campus and the care we provide. JGS is a learning organization. We will enhance services for elders.”

James Rosenthal was elected to a new two-year term on the JGS board of directors. Eric Berg was elected chairman of both the Jewish Nursing Home and Ruth’s House, Brad Foster was elected treasurer for Genesis House, and Mark Katz was elected a director of Genesis House, filling vacancies left by departing board members Michael Hurwitz, Michael Ginsburg, and Donald Frank, who were recognized for their service.

Dr. Robert Baevsky, chair of the JGS board of directors, awarded William Burrows with the annual Chairman’s Service Award, for 35 years of outstanding service, stewardship, and volunteerism. Baevsky said it was an honor to pay tribute to “a man with an ever-present smile and the talent to turn the ordinary into something extraordinary.”

Burrows, the former owner of Wm. Burrows Florist in Longmeadow, has helped plan themes, table settings, and décor for several signature JGS events, from annual donor and Passover dinners to long-time involvement in the Frankel-Kinsler Golf Classic.

Burrows has served on a number of development and event committees. For the past 12 years, he’s also lent a hand on Honorable Menschen Day each Dec. 25, assisting residents and employees of the Leavitt Family Jewish Home and Ruth’s House. A member of the JGS Circle of Honor, he has enriched the lives of residents and families through planned giving at the highest level, and has also helped raise funds in support of JGS programming and services.

Also at the annual meeting, Susan Kimball Halpern, vice president of philanthropy, provided on update on the Project Transformation Campaign, a $9 million capital campaign in support of five campus initiatives that will enhance person-centered care across all services. Six million dollars has been raised to date in the campaign, half represented by a $3 million naming gift for the Sosin Center for Rehabilitation.

Members also learned of the Grinspoon Foundation’s $500,000 challenge grant that will be matched to all new gifts, as well as increased gifts to the campaign. For more information, contact Halpern at (413) 567-6211 or e-mail [email protected].

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SPRINGFIELD — Kirk Smith has resigned from his position as CEO of the YMCA of Greater Springfield, and will continue his 17-year career with the YMCA at the executive level in Florida.

Jeffrey Poindexter, the recently appointed board chair of the YMCA of Greater Springfield, announced that the board will establish a search committee to identify a permanent replacement to lead the organization. The search committee will likely consult YMCA of the USA, the national parent organization, to provide any necessary executive resources in the short term. Smith will continue to be available to the board to assist with the transition through July 3.

“Kirk Smith brought unique talents in his leadership of the Y, and under his direction, the YMCA launched or expanded programming, including the building of the new Agawam YMCA Wellness and Family Program Center on Springfield Street,” Poindexter said. “He also was instrumental in maintaining the services of Dunbar Community Center, a vital asset to the Mason Square community. He expanded programming at the Scantic Valley YMCA in Wilbraham and represented the YMCA in a number of community organizations and causes.”

He added, “Kirk also established the YMCA’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee and helped to secure an additional $4 million from the Department of Education for pre-school expansion and added educational programming sites, one of the YMCA’s key service areas. These initiatives, and Kirk’s leadership, were vital to the YMCA and the varied constituencies we serve. I know I speak for the entire YMCA board in expressing my appreciation for Kirk Smith’s stewardship of the Springfield YMCA, one of the oldest in the United States, and wish Kirk and his family great future success.”

Since 1852, the YMCA of Greater Springfield has been a way of life for thousands of youth, teens, families, and seniors throughout the 14 cities and towns it serves.

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HOLYOKE — In recognition of National Cancer Survivor’s Day, Holyoke Medical Center will sponsor a luncheon for cancer survivors with comic Jane Condon, who will join survivors and lead a feature presentation.

The event will take place Friday, May 29 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mont Marie Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, 36 Lower Westfield Road, Holyoke.

“This is a very special day for us,” said Jolene Lambert, oncology patient navigator. “This is an opportunity for us to celebrate not only our patients, but also the medical advances in cancer treatment that are allowing survivors to live longer, better, and more productive lives than ever before.”

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NORTHAMPTON — American Benefits Group (ABG) of Northampton has been recognized as the 2015 Customer Service Champion by Alegeus Technologies, the industry’s largest healthcare provider of account-based, pre-tax benefits. ABG uses the Alegeus Consumer Benefits Account Management Platform as part of its core service administration system. The award was presented to ABG management on May 8 at the National Alegeus Client Conference in San Diego.

“Through its longstanding partnership with Alegeus, American Benefits Group has continuously demonstrated superb business growth and outstanding customer metrics,” said Bob Natt, executive chairman of Alegeus. “American Benefits Group continues to raise the bar in advancing healthcare consumerism and delivering a truly innovative and excellent healthcare experience for all stakeholders.”

Added ABG founder and CEO Robert Cummings, “with our relentless focus on customer experience and aggressive adoption of innovative technologies, ABG has grown into one of the industry’s top employee-benefits-administration companies. As a result, we have experienced record growth for the past six years and today are serving more than 1,000 employer clients who collectively have more than 150,000 employees.”

American Benefits Group was founded in 1989 by Robert Cummings and provides employers with turn-key, third-party administration of a wide range of pre-tax employee benefits, including health reimbursement accounts, health savings accounts, flexible spending accounts, COBRA administration and compliance, and pre-tax commuter accounts. Customers include more than 1,000 companies — including international, iconic brands such as Ferrari Maserati, Wall Street giant Cantor Fitzgerald, and Mitsubishi — as well as many area employers, such as Mount Holyoke College and Florence Savings Bank.

The company has 27 Northampton-based employees. It recently opened a satellite office in Columbia, Md., and is rapidly expanding in the mid-Atlantic marketplace.

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — As part of the National Day of Civic Hacking, more than 100 people with a variety of computer-technology skills are expected to participate in the Hack for Western Mass. (H4WMA) being held at the UMass Center at Springfield on June 6 and 7.

This ‘hackathon’ will connect these ‘techies’ with more than a dozen nonprofit organizations from throughout the Pioneer Valley to create web­based solutions to help them have greater impact on their communities. Participants are being actively sought; the website www.hackforwesternmass.org is available for information, registration, and sponsorship opportunities.

“Civic hackers are a generous breed,” said H4WMA co­organizer Steven Brewer, director of the Biology Computer Resource Center at UMass Amherst, noting that the hackthon is entering its third year. “The first was held at UMass Amherst in 2013. Last year’s was held in Holyoke. This year, we wanted it in Springfield.”

A hackathon is a gathering of people — many with computer-technology skills but also project managers, scribes, presentation preparers, designers, and social-media mavens — who come together to code collaboratively in a short period of time, usually a weekend, to create IT­based solutions to local problems. More than three dozen local nonprofits have benefited or will benefit from this annual day of local civic hacking.

“It’s a great opportunity to apply local talent to local challenges,” said Bram Moreinis, another H4WMA co­organizer, who ran Tech Scouts in Greenfield last summer.

The organizers, who also include Elyssa Serrilli, a lead mentor for the Full Moon Girls program of the Vermont Wilderness School, and Cristos Lianides­Chin, a FileMaker developer at inRESONANCE in Northampton, have been meeting for months to get ready for this weekend. “It takes a lot of planning to pull this together — recruit project managers, nonprofits, sponsors, and participants; do all the outreach; and set up all the technology” noted Serrilli.

Added Lianides-Chin, “there are many details to keep track of and people to engage to bring it to fruition. We’ve been meeting weekly in person and almost daily online for months. Online collaboration tools have come a long way.”

Participating nonprofits include United Way of Pioneer Valley, Square One, Suit Up Springfield, Springfield Parking Authority, Gardening the Community, DIAL/SELF, Lyme Disease Resource Center, LightHouse Personalized Education for Teens, Permaculture Practitioners in the Northeast, Smith College, Full Moon Girls, and Pioneer Valley Local First.

“This hackathon is such a novel way of helping our regional nonprofit organizations,” said LaTonia Naylor, manager of community impact at United Way of Pioneer Valley. “We’re thrilled on two levels. We’ve submitted a challenge that will help us with engaging the volunteers that give their time to many area nonprofits, and many area nonprofits will benefit from the solutions that emerge.”

The organizers also want to engage youth in information technology and offer a youth hackathon running in parallel to the main event.

Sponsors of the event to date include UMass Amherst’s Center for Public Policy and Administration, Atalasoft, Communicate Health, App­o­Mat, FIT Solutions, Last Call Media, Mad POW, inRESONANCE, AmherstMedia.org, the UMass Center at Springfield, and the Springfield Parking Authority.

For more information and to register or sponsor, visit hackforwesternmass.org or contact Cristos Lianides­Chin at [email protected].

Daily News

LONGMEADOW — Bay Path University announced the appointment of Elizabeth Cardona as executive director for Multicultural Affairs, International Student Life, and assistant to the provost for Diversity and Inclusion.

Cardona, the former senior director and civic engagement advisor to then-Gov. Deval Patrick, comes to Bay Path with extensive experience in state government, education, and nonprofit program management.

In her position, Cardona will provide institutional leadership to support the needs of first-generation and underrepresented minority students by offering academic assistance, mentoring, coaching, and leadership programs to promote multi-cultural awareness, diversity, and inclusion in accordance to the mission of Bay Path University. In addition, she will work with international students to provide ongoing assistance with social and cross-cultural activities to support their immersion and academic experience. Bilingual in Spanish, Cardona also has a working knowledge of Arabic.

“I am thrilled to join Bay Path University’s community to facilitate understanding of multi-culturalism, diversity, equity, and inclusion in an affirming space where students, faculty, staff, and leadership engage collaboratively to enhance academic and social development,” Cardona said.

A graduate of the Women’s Pipeline for Change, an initiative that supports women of color as they enter leadership roles and public life, her expertise also includes serving on state Treasurer-elect Deb Goldberg’s transition team, as an advisory board member for the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts Leadership Institute for Political and Public Impact, and as a founding board member for the CHICA Project, a Massachusetts statewide Latina youth leadership, mentoring, and coaching program.

Cardona holds an MPA and a certificate in conflict resolution from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, and a bachelor’s degree in American studies with a concentration in social issues from Springfield College.

Daily News

HOLYOKE — The Greater Holyoke and Greater Easthampton Chambers of Commerce have joined forces for the second year to host a Move the Mountain networking event on Monday, June 1 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Holyoke Country Club, One Country Club Road.

The event, sponsored by A-Z Storage & Properties, the Dowd Agencies, Easthampton Electric, Easthampton Savings Bank, Marcotte Ford, and the Republican, will offer guests an evening of networking between chamber members as well as an opportunity to meet up with old friends and build new business relationships.

Entertainment is sponsored by Simmer Music, a quartet consisting of a horn player, guitarist, bassist, and drummer, who will entertain guests with a blend of jazz, rock, and funk. In addition to an evening filled with music, food, and networking opportunities, a 50/50 raffle, door prizes, and a cash bar will be offered. The business community will also have a chance to meet Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse and Easthampton Mayor Karen Cadieux.

The networking event is open to all professionals, small-business owners, and entrepreneurs, as well as the general public. Advance tickets cost $10 for chamber members, $15 for non-members. Call the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce at (413) 534-3376 or the Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce at (413) 527-9414 to sign up.

Daily News

UNCASVILLE, Conn. — The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced that it will hold the Hall of Fame Women’s Holiday Showcase on Friday, Dec. 11 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. Three-time defending national champion UConn will take on Florida State, who finished the 2014-15 season with an impressive record of 32-5 and a trip to the Elite Eight.

“We are very excited to be returning to Mohegan Sun Arena for the second annual Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Holiday Showcase,” said John Doleva, president and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. “It’s truly a top-notch facility that we know both the players and fans will enjoy. We look forward to a great game between two of the top women’s programs in the nation.”

These two elite programs last met in December 2010, with the 10-time national champion UConn Huskies claiming the 93-62 win.

“Florida State is very excited for the opportunity to play in the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Holiday Showcase at Mohegan Sun,” said Sue Semrau, FSU’s head coach and 2015 Associated Press, WBCA, and ESPNW National Coach of the Year. “We look forward to the challenge that Connecticut always brings, knowing that this will be a high-profile matchup for fans to see.”

Added UConn Head Coach Geno Auriemma, “it’s an honor to play in an event sponsored by the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame for the third straight year. Florida State has a lot of talented players returning from a team that advanced to the regional final of the 2015 NCAA tournament, and I’m already looking forward to this early-season test. Playing games in Mohegan Sun Arena is always a positive experience, and I hope a lot of our fans in Southeast Connecticut take advantage of this opportunity.”

Game time, television details, and ticket information will be released at a later date.

Daily News

BOSTON — Massachusetts’ total unemployment rate dropped to 4.7% in April, a 0.1% decrease from the previous month, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced.

The new preliminary job estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicate that Massachusetts gained 10,100 jobs in April, marking the eighth consecutive month of job gains.

BLS also revised upward its March job figure, reporting the state gained 12,100 jobs, instead of 10,500, which the agency originally reported last month.

Over the year, the state’s unemployment rate fell 1.1% from 5.8% in April 2014. January 2008 was the last time the state’s unemployment rate was at 4.7%. The state unemployment rate remains lower than the national rate of 5.4% reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The state’s labor participation rate — the total number of residents 16 or older who worked or were unemployed and actively sought work in the last four weeks — increased 0.1% to 66.3%. The April labor participation rate is the highest since May 2010, and this is the third consecutive month there was an increase in the participation rate. Compared to April 2014, the labor participation rate increased 1.1% over the year.

“This is the seventh consecutive month we’ve seen a decrease in unemployment,” Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Ronald Walker said. “Many more residents are employed, and labor participation has increased again.”

April 2015 estimates show that 3,464,500 residents were employed and 169,400 were unemployed. There were 37,700 fewer unemployed persons over the year compared to April 2014.

Over the month, jobs were up 10,100, with a private-sector gain of 9,700. Since April 2014, jobs grew by 66,100, with 57,900 private-sector job gains. Education and health services and professional, scientific, and business services were the sectors with the largest job gains over the year.

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Time is just about up to nominate an individual for BusinessWest’s first annual Continued Excellence Award, with the deadline set for this afternoon, May 22, at 5 p.m.

The new award, sponsored by Northwestern Mutual, is an offshoot of BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty program, which recognizes young professionals for their career accomplishments and civic involvement. The Continued Excellence Award will be presented annually to one former 40 Under Forty honoree who, in the eyes of the judges, has most impressively continued and built upon the track record of accomplishment that earned them 40 Under Forty status. The inaugural award will be presented at this year’s 40 Under Forty Gala on June 18 at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House. All 40 Under Forty winners from 2007 through 2014 are eligible.

Nomination forms are available at businesswest.com/40-under-forty/40-under-forty-continued-excellence-award.

Daily News

HOLYOKE — The Log Cabin has long been one of the region’s most popular outdoor wedding venues, due in large part to the panoramic mountain views from its Mt. Tom location.

Over the past year, the facility has expanded its outdoor facilities on the uppermost clearing above the outdoor patio to create Upper Vista. On May 23, West Springfield couple Adam Hawley and Courtney Juday will be the first bride and groom to be married at the new site.

“The running joke is that no venue was good enough, so I made them build a venue,” said Juday. “While I realize some brides would probably be nervous about this, I have full confidence in the Log Cabin and their staff. I think it’s an honor to be the first wedding.”

Added Peter Rosskothen, co-owner of the Log Cabin, “we are offering couples something very unique. Upper Vista is on the highest point of the property. The view is breathtaking.” Upper Vista features a deluxe tent and building fully equipped with restrooms, a bridal suite, and a kitchen.

Hawley and Juday have many unique features planned for their big day, including a DIY photo booth, homemade props, and hundreds of Japanese cranes, a symbol of good luck. They have also worked closely with the chefs to create a menu that incorporates their favorite food — bacon — into the station concept.

“For some couples, there is a trend toward less traditional venues for weddings,” Rosskothen said. “With Upper Vista, our customers get the experience of the funky outdoor wedding without the logistical headaches of planning it all themselves. They know they can count on our expert wedding staff and excellent chefs to get all the details right.”

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) celebrated the groundbreaking for its new dining commons in April, marking the first full-scale renovation of the facility in 50 years. This week, the College took time to recognize the people who will get the job done.

On May 20, the College took a special lunch break to show its appreciation for the contractors and workers. Seven Massachusetts companies are working on the $8 million project, which is expected to be completed in time for the beginning of the fall semester. Chartwells, a leading higher-education food-service company and provider for AIC, prepared the fare for the guests.

AIC’s new, state-of-the-art facility will expand upon the previous dining-commons space and is designed include a wider variety of seating along with a more abundant variety of food options and services, including customized food preparation, an open-concept kitchen complete with a Mongolian grill, a wood-fired pizza oven, and more, all presented in a contemporary, open setting.

Daily News

CHICOPEE — Willimansett Center West, at 546 Chicopee St., Chicopee, will host a “Mornings with the Mayor” event on Thursday, June 11 from 8 to 9 a.m. This is a change in date from the original date of June 18.

Coffee and light breakfast refreshments will be served, while Chicopee Mayor Richard Kos provides updates and news about what’s happening in the city and topics that impact its residents and businesses. This is also an opportunity for Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce members to ask questions of the Mayor.

This event is open to chamber members only and is free, but registration is required so the host business knows how many will be attending. To register, go to www.chicopeechamber.org and click ‘Upcoming Events,’ or call the chamber at (413) 594-2101.

Daily News

TAUNTON — Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C., a leading labor and employment law firm, announced that partner Susan Fentin will host a seminar for employers regarding the new Earned Sick Leave Law and other leaves of absence. The event, sponsored by FBinsure, will be held Wednesday, May 27 at the Holiday Inn, 700 Myles Standish Blvd., Taunton.

Massachusetts employers have been hit with a number of new statutes that require them to permit employees to take time off. Foremost among these is the new Earned Sick Leave Law, which goes into effect on July 1. In addition, Massachusetts has a new Parental Leave Act and a Domestic Violence Leave Act that will affect many employers, in addition to other legally mandated leaves such as Family and Medical Leave and a medical leave of absence that might be required under the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act or parallel state law.

“The legal environment is rapidly evolving, with more labor-related rules and regulatory requirements for employers to understand,” Fentin said. “Without proper guidance and understanding, the complex responsibilities placed on employers regarding leaves of absence can leave them feeling overwhelmed. Employers need a strong understanding of their statutory obligations in order to protect themselves from inadvertent exposure to costly risks.”

Attendees will learn the basics of Massachusetts’ new Earned Sick Leave Law, what other leave laws and regulations affect company of various sizes, the responsibilities of an employer, and effective strategies to manage leaves of absence.


“Leaves of absence are among the most complicated issues for employers and employees,” said Fentin. “The new Earned Sick Leave Law will create huge headaches for Massachusetts employers. It’s critically important for employers to understand their obligations under this and other leave laws to be sure that employees get all the leave to which they are entitled and also to protect the employer from litigation. Understanding how those laws interact can help business owners make informed decisions about leaves of absence and potentially avoid costly litigation.”

Registration and breakfast begin at 8:30 a.m. The program begins at 9 a.m. and ends at noon. To register, visit fbinsure.com/seminars.

Fentin has been a partner at the firm since 2004. Her practice concentrates on labor and employment counseling, advising large and small employers on their responsibilities and obligations under state and federal employment laws, and representing employers before state and federal agencies and in court. She speaks frequently to employer groups, conducts training on avoiding problems in employment law, and teaches master classes on both the FMLA and ADA. Since 2010, she has been ranked as one of the top labor and employment attorneys in the state of Massachusetts by the prestigious Chambers USA rating firm.

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Dress for Success Western Massachusetts announced that Dawn Creighton, Western Mass. regional director for the Associated Industries of Massachusetts, has been named board president. Dress for Success is a not-for-profit organization promoting the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support, and the career-development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

“As president of Dress for Success, strengthening our community with strong women will be my priority,” said Creighton. “Dress for Success isn’t just about the suit. It’s about the women that fill the suits. I am eager to work with partnering agencies and community leaders to ensure the women of Pioneer Valley have the tools they need to be successful in the workforce.”

In addition to her role with AIM, Creighton serves on multiple committees and boards, including the Human Resource Management Assoc. of Western New England, Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts, Internhere.com, the Hartford-Springfield Economic Partnership, United Way of Pioneer Valley, the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield, and the World Affairs Council.

Also named to the board are Jennifer Brown, Jonencia Wood, and Natallia Furjan-Collins.

Brown has more than 16 years of experience within the staffing industry and currently is assistant vice president of operations for United Personnel, supervising candidate recruitment, client relations, staffing support, and quality assurance. Prior to joining United Personnel, she was the managing director at Staffing Now. She is a member of the Human Resource Management Assoc. and the human resource roundtable with the Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast.

Wood is senior director of programs for the alumnae association of Mount Holyoke College and has more than 10 years of experience focusing on the professional development and advancement of underrepresented individuals. Prior to joining Mount Holyoke, she served as a diversity specialist for Baystate Health and community action and communications coordinator for the Youth Empowerment Adolescent Health Network.

Furjan-Collins is the human resources leader for MassLive. She brings with her an innovative and modern approach to employee relations in the digital environment. Prior to joining MassLive, her career spanned several years in human-resource management in her native Canada, including speaking publicly on topics such as workplace harassment and bullying. She is currently a community business partner in the sophomore business cohort program at Western New England University.

Daily News

HAMPDEN — Monson Savings Bank is holding a complimentary workshop titled “Social Security: The Choice of a Lifetime.” It will be presented by Kevin Flynn, regional vice president of Nationwide Financial, and an expert on retirement planning and helping people to understand Social Security and how to optimize their benefits.

The event is designed to give people a comprehensive understanding of the rules and details regarding when and how to file for Social Security. It will be held Tuesday, June 16 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Hampden Senior Center at 104 Allen St. in Hampden. The free event is open to the public.

“This workshop is back by popular demand,” said Steven Lowell, president of Monson Savings Bank. “Knowing when and how to file for Social Security can have a big impact on retirement income. We have offered this workshop before, and those who attended were very appreciative of the information.”

Those interested in attending should call Anna Driscoll at (413) 267-1221 or e-mail [email protected]. Seating is limited. Refreshments will be served.

Opinion
Pipeline Proposal Makes Economic Sense

When asked to study how a shortage of natural-gas capacity in Massachusetts will affect future power needs, Synapse Energy Economics didn’t mince words.
Specifically, Cambridge-based Synapse reported, even if all technologically and economically feasible alternative-energy resources — including the introduction of Canadian hydroelectric power — are deployed within the next five years, the state will be short by up to 800 million cubic feet of natural gas on a typical cold winter day in 2020, and up to 900 million cubic feet short by 2030. As a result, winter electricity prices — already higher in Massachusetts than in most regions — would spike dramatically during periods of peak demand.
Then-Gov. Deval Patrick commissioned the Department of Energy Resources to conduct the study last summer after meeting with opponents of the Northeast Energy Direct pipeline project, by which energy giant Kinder Morgan would extend natural-gas pipelines from the Midwest into the Northeast, cutting a route across Northern Massachusetts. That proposal has activated a loose (and often organized) cadre of conservationists, alternative-energy advocates, and potentially affected land owners and effectively kept the project at bay (see story, page 6).
Their concerns are legitimate; properties would be disturbed by a pipeline, and their owners left to grapple with right-of-way issues. And there is value in moving toward more renewable energy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
But if the Synapse report is accurate, the state still needs more natural gas — a relatively clean, abundant fuel, at least compared to some others, and one that has kept energy prices low for residents and businesses in regions that use it widely. The Kinder Morgan pipeline could do the same, with the capacity, the company claims, to deliver 2.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day to New England markets and beyond. That would be a relief to New Englanders, who pay, on average, 10 times more for natural gas right now than customers in the Mid-Atlantic states.
But another issue is in play, one that also pits Massachusetts against other regions of the country — this time, in a competition for companies looking to locate in a business-friendly climate.
Economic-development leaders in Western Mass. say this region has become at least more friendly in recent years, touting its affordability, quality of life, cultural amenities, and supply of brainpower from its myriad colleges and universities. As the economic downturn of the past decade moves even further into the rear-view mirror, and an undercurrent of entrepreneurship has the business community excited (see related story, page 20), there is a palpable feeling that Western Mass. is set to surge.
And much of that could be undone if businesses looking to relocate, or small firms based here that need to grow, realize they can’t access the affordable natural gas so plentiful in other areas of the country. In short, a capacity crisis that has already shut off service to new energy customers in many communities could seriously throttle overall economic growth.
That’s why the position taken by the Western Mass. Economic Development Council — which doesn’t back a specific pipeline project, but claims the state needs to approve one, the sooner the better — makes sense.
Economic vibrancy often requires some tradeoffs, and if Massachusetts wants to continue to grow and prosper, more solar and wind energy, by themselves, are not going to get the job done.

Agenda Departments

Celebration of Heroes
May 25: Smith & Wesson Corp. announced it will present its second annual Celebration of Heroes. The company invites the community to join it in honoring those who have served their country by attending the event from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on the grounds of Smith & Wesson, 2100 Roosevelt Ave., Springfield. At 11:45 a.m., Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, along with James Debney, president and CEO of Smith & Wesson, will preside over a program to honor local heroes and our country. Eight-year-old Shea Braceland of Westfield will deliver the national anthem. Following the program, the Celebration of Heroes will commence. There is no admission fee, and proceeds from the sale of food and items at the event will benefit the Friends of Ward 8 and the Friends of the Springfield Vet Center, two local veterans’ organizations supported by Smith & Wesson. Activities will include live stage performances by local bands including Lower Level, Maxxtone, and more. A kids’ tent will feature interactive musical performances by Rachel Hiller of Music Together, a photo booth, activities run by the YMCA of Greater Springfield, and other free activities. Bottled water will be provided free of charge by Big Y. In 2014, Smith & Wesson was honored to restore Springfield’s Veterans War Monument, which had been destroyed by the impact of weather and time. On Memorial Day 2014, a rededication ceremony and the first annual Celebration of Heroes was held to reveal the restored monument and to honor local veterans, active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces, and military families. Proceeds benefited the Friends of the Springfield Vet Center, which offers social, recreational, and educational programs to combat veterans and their families, as well as the Friends of Ward 8, a nonprofit organization that supports the Veterans of Ward 8 at the VA Medical Center in Leeds. Ward 8 veterans suffer from combat PTSD and benefit from a six week in-treatment program to learn how to better cope with the condition.  During the 2015 Celebration of Heroes, funds will be raised for these two deserving organizations through ticket sales for fare from area food trucks and a beer and sangria tent courtesy of Commercial Distributing and Log Rolling. Event T-shirts will be available for a minimal fee. Military personnel (with military ID) will receive a free event shirt. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/celebrationofheroes, call Elaine Stellato at (413) 747-3371, or e-mail [email protected].

Springfield Police Year in Review
May 26: Since taking his post last June, Springfield Police Commissioner John Barbieri has focused his efforts on a collaborative, community-oriented approach to public safety through five priority objectives. He will present an update on his first year as commissioner at the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield’s Pastries, Politics and Policy event from 8 to 9 a.m. at the TD Bank Conference Center, 1441 Main St., Springfield. When he first was sworn in, Barbieri said he would strive to “re-engineer police services to positively impact crime, quality of life, and fear-of-crime issues, and improve quality of service and stakeholder satisfaction” through becoming more proactive, improving response times, increasing levels of service, building relationships with stakeholders, and developing and measuring feedback processes. He has launched an expanded Counter Criminal Continuum (C-3) policing model to the North End, the Hollywood section of the South End, the area around Mason Square, and the Belmont Avenue/Oakland Street section of Forest Park; introduced an innovative, web-based neighborhood-watch program; and continues to conduct successful law-enforcement sweeps across the city, concentrating on quality-of-life issues. The cost of the May 26 event are $15 for members, $25 for general admission, and includes continental breakfast. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com or by e-mailing Sarah Mazzaferro at [email protected].

‘Women Lead Change’
May 28: The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts (WFWM) will host “Women Lead Change: A Celebration of the Leadership Institute for Political and Public Impact (LIPPI) Class of 2015” at the Log Cabin in Holyoke from 6 to 8 p.m. More than 200 participants are expected to attend, including local and state elected officials. The keynote speaker is Attorney General Maura Healey, who began her term in January. She has led groundbreaking cases for civil rights, fair lending and housing, and litigation supporting access to reproductive health care for women. The Women’s Fund will honor her achievements with a “She Changes the World” award at the event. Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse will welcome guests, and Emily McLaughlin, deputy director of the Massachusetts Treasury’s department on Economic Empowerment, will also give remarks. The event is open to the public. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased online until Sunday, May 24 at www.womensfund.net. “We are thrilled to host our distinguished speakers as we welcome 38 highly qualified women into our LIPPI ranks,” said WFWM CEO Elizabeth Barajas-Román. “Our LIPPI program has trained more than 200 women in Western Massachusetts to run for elected office, 20% of whom have run their first race, with a 60% success rate. We know LIPPI women run, and LIPPI women win.” LIPPI is a 10-month program, the only one of its kind in Massachusetts, designed to respond to the shortage of women stepping into leadership at all levels. Focusing on areas such as public speaking, community organizing, the legislative process and policy making, fund-raising and campaigning, collaborative and cooperative working models, and board service, LIPPI gives women the tools and confidence they need to become more involved as civic leaders in their communities and to impact policy on the local, state, and national levels. Representing 40% women of color, LIPPI graduates comprise a wide spectrum of backgrounds, ethnic groups, and ages. They also represent all four Western Mass. counties, and their achievements range from running for office to managing campaigns; from fund-raising for female candidates to entering the Yale Women’s Campaign School. Two graduates are currently running for mayor in Pittsfield and Greenfield. Together, graduates form a strong cohort of like-minded women who support each other when they run for office, meet with policy makers, form coalitions, and conduct get-out-the-vote efforts. The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts is a public foundation that invests in local women and girls through strategic grant making and leadership development. Since 1997, the Women’s Fund has awarded more than $2 million in grants to nearly 100 organizations in Western Mass.

40 Under Forty
June 18:The ninth annual 40 Under Forty award program, staged by BusinessWest, will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House the evening of June 18. The event honors the region’s most accomplished and civic-minded professionals under age 40, and this year’s class was profiled in the April 20 issue. This year’s winners represent virtually every sector of the economy — from financial services to manufacturing; retail to healthcare; technology to nonprofit management; education to law. They also show the seemingly innumerable ways people can give back to the community. This year’s event will feature a new award — the Continued Excellence Award, presented to the previous honoree who has most impressively built upon their track record of excellence. Nominations will be accepted through Friday, May 22 at 5 p.m. The nomination form can be found at HERE. Always one of the most anticipated events and best networking opportunities on the calendar, the gala will feature lavish food stations, entertainment, and the introduction of this year’s class. Tickets cost $65 each, with a limited number of standing-room-only tickets still available. Tickets can be ordered by calling (413) 781-8600, ext. 100, or by visiting HERE. The 40 Under Forty program and gala are sponsored this year by Northwestern Mutual (presenting sponsor), Paragus Strategic IT (presenting sponsor), Fathers & Sons, the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, Moriarty & Primack, and United Bank.

Valley Fest
Aug. 29: White Lion Brewing Co. announced that it will host its inaugural beer festival, called Valley Fest, at Court Square in downtown Springfield. MGM Springfield will be the presenting sponsor. The festival is poised to be White Lion’s signature annual event, introducing the young brand to craft-beer enthusiasts throughout New England and beyond. White Lion Brewing Co., the city of Springfield’s only brewery, launched in October 2014. Founder Ray Berry and brewmaster Mike Yates have released three selections under the White Lion brand and have been busy promoting their efforts in venues all over Massachusetts and other New England states. Berry anticipates that more than 50 breweries and many local food vendors will converge on Court Square for two sessions. Enthusiasts will have an opportunity to sample more than 100 varieties of beer and hard cider alongside pairing selections by local chefs. A number of sponsors have already committed to the event, including MassMutual Financial Group, the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield, the Dennis Group, Springfield Sheraton Monarch Place, Paragus Strategic IT, Williams Distributing, and the Springfield Business Improvement District (BID). “We are honored to sponsor Valley Fest and look forward to it being an annual event that shares in the facilitation of growth within the downtown community,” said Chris Russell, executive director of the Springfield BID. Visit www.valleybrewfest.com for event details, ongoing updates, and sponsorship opportunities. A portion of Valley Fest proceeds will support several local charities.

Western Mass. Business Expo
Nov. 4: Comcast Business will present the fifth annual Western Mass. Business Expo at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield, produced by BusinessWest and the Healthcare News in partnership with Go Graphix and Rider Productions. The business-to-business show will feature more than 100 booths, seminars and Show Floor Theater presentations, breakfast and lunch programs, and a day-capping Expo Social. Details about specific events, programs, and featured speakers will be printed in future issues of BusinessWest. Current sponsors include MGM Springfield, Expo Social Sponsor; the Isenberg School of Business at UMass Amherst, Education Sponsor; Johnson & Hill Staffing, Silver Sponsor; DIF Design, Director Level Sponsor; and 94.7 WMAS, Media Sponsor. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. Exhibitor spaces are also available; booths prices start at $750. For more information on sponsorships or booth purchase, call (413) 781-8600, ext. 100.

Departments People on the Move

Roger Dulude Jr.

Roger Dulude Jr.

Holyoke Medical Center and Valley Health Systems Inc., named Roger Dulude Jr. the system’s corporate Compliance officer and director of Risk Management. A registered nurse who is certified in healthcare compliance, Dulude brings extensive experience leading risk-management and corporate-compliance programs in healthcare. He will institute and maintain the system’s compliance programs, as well as assess, develop, implement, and monitor risk-management plans to enhance patient safety, care, and privacy. “I congratulate Roger and know that his skill and leadership in the area of corporate compliance and risk management are valuable assets to helping us effectively navigate today’s complex and highly regulated healthcare environment,” said Hatiras. Dulude noted the importance of educating and training employees about new and existing compliance issues and risk areas. A key goal is educating employees to increase their understanding of, and compliance with, patient privacy and safety provisions contained in the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Of 1996 (HIPAA). “A rapidly changing healthcare climate poses inherent risks to patients, staff, and our organization, and we must ensure that our compliance and risk-management programs and services are effective and robust,” he said. Dulude most recently served as Holyoke Medical Center’s Corporate Compliance risk manager; Regulatory and Accreditation Compliance coordinator at Johnson Memorial Medical Center in Stafford Springs, Conn.; as well as various nursing, administrative, and clinical-management roles. A 2012 recipient of the Connecticut Nightingale Award given to an individual demonstrating excellence in nursing, Dulude earned a master’s degree in nursing with a secondary concentration in education from the University of Hartford and his bachelor’s degree in nursing at Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas.
•••••
Amie Miarecki

Amie Miarecki

Amie Miarecki has been hired as Marketing and Development manager for Porchlight VNA/Home Care. Miarecki will focus on customer service, business development, and brand awareness for the free-standing, not-for-profit organization. In 2014, Chicopee VNA, Great to Be Home Care, and Porchlight VNA/Home Care merged to cover all of Berkshire, Hampshire, and Hampden counties. The agency has received several awards, including Home Care Elite Awards of Excellence as one of the top 500 home-health agencies in the U.S. according to Decision Health and National Research Corp. Miarecki is a board member for MotherWoman and a member of the Professional Women’s Chamber, the GFWC Agawam Junior Women’s Club, the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield, the AIDS Foundation of Western MA events committee, and the civic and community engagement committee of the Springfield City Library. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UMass Amherst and a master’s degree in corporate and organizational communications, specializing in leadership, from Northeastern University’s College of Professional Studies.
•••••
Michael Hutton-Woodland has been named director of ServiceNet’s REACH program. Last year, REACH provided services to 500 children, including babies born with physical or mental disabilities, toddlers whose speech or motor skills are delayed, and children diagnosed with autism. REACH staff — from physical therapists to speech pathologists — provide interventions during the critical development window of birth to age 3. A key part of the program is support to families to address the d eep, often painful concerns parents have for their young child. The program is available to all families who need the service, regardless of their ability to pay. After many years of teaching clinical psychology, running a health foundation, and private consulting, Hutton-Woodland is grateful to be serving young children and their parents in this role. “It’s wonderful work,” he said, “and the staff are all dedicated, loving, caring, skilled, thoughtful people. They go into people’s homes to work with their children. That’s a sacred occupation.” Since starting at REACH, he’s been sitting down individually with all 45 staff members to learn about their experiences. He brings some new ideas for streamlining program processes so staff can focus more of their time on direct services and less on paperwork, with a goal of ensuring that staff remains “passionate and excited.” He added that “these kids and families need to be helped now, when a child’s brain is growing and developing the fastest in his or her entire life.” Since the program works with any family whose child needs early intervention, REACH also navigates the effects of two troubling trends: homelessness and increased referrals by the Department of Children and Families. Whatever a family’s situation, Hutton-Woodland emphasizes that “this is prevention work, available to all children with developmental issues, all of whom are very, very special little babies.” Families can contact REACH to inquire about services at (413) 665-8717. Staff members include educators, nurses, nutritionists, occupational and physical therapists, speech and language pathologists, social workers, and autism specialists. The program serves Hampshire and Franklin counties and the North Quabbin area of Worcester County. REACH services are funded by private insurance, Medicaid, the state Department of Public Health, United Way of Hampshire County, and an annual participation fee from families.

Court Dockets Departments

The following is a compilation of recent lawsuits involving area businesses and organizations. These are strictly allegations that have yet to be proven in a court of law. Readers are advised to contact the parties listed, or the court, for more information concerning the individual claims.

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT
East PBE Inc. v. Lighthouse General Contractors Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment for equipment provided: $10,094.75
Filed: 4/2/15

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT
Brittany Dalton v. Patrick W. Edmunds, D.M.D.
Allegation: Negligent extraction of wisdom tooth causing permanent damage: $225,000
Filed: 2/27/15

DLW Realty, LLC v. Christian Carey, Architect, P.C.
Allegation: Negligent design of the Pet Hotel: $75,000+
Filed: 4/6/15

HOLYOKE DISTRICT COURT
Hadley Printing Co. v. Signature Advertising and Design Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $24,894
Filed: 3/2/15

NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT COURT
Reinhart Food Service, LLC v. The Sub & Pizza of Amherst Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $6,366.91
Filed: 2/20/15

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT
J.L. Raymakers & Sons Inc. v. Split Excavating Inc.
Allegation: Failure to pay under the terms of a contract: $11,300
Filed: 3/31/15

Lawrence Goodman v. TR Stone Trucking Co. and Thomas R. Stone
Allegation: Failure to pay wages: $25,000
Filed: 4/6/15

Sandra Rodriguez v. Fashion Gallery Inc. d/b/a Rainbow
Allegation: Negligent failure to maintain business premises: $24,000
Filed: 4/7/15

Entrepreneurship Sections
Katie Stebbins Brings Unique Perspective to State Leadership Position

Katie Stebbins

Katie Stebbins says she brings the perspective of an entrepreneur to her state leadership position.

When Katie Stebbins talks with those involved in efforts across the state to create and expand what are coming to be known as ‘entrepreneurial ecosystems,’ she speaks with a good deal of perspective — and experience.
Indeed, the Commonwealth’s recently named assistant secretary for Technology, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, within the Executive Office of Housing & Economic Development, was intricately involved with one such effort as project manager for the Holyoke Innovation District. Meanwhile, she often worked to promote the interests of small-business owners, both individually and collectively, during her 10 years of service to the city of Springfield in planning and economic development.
But Stebbins says she can do more than speak the language of individuals working to inspire and cultivate innovation and entrepreneurship. She’s also lived the life of an entrepreneur trying to get a concept off the ground, and she counts that as perhaps the most valuable experience she takes to her new post every day.
“I have a deep, deep core appreciation for what it takes to be an entrepreneur and just how hard it is,” said Stebbins, who cashed in her municipal retirement account when she turned 40 four years ago to launch Your Friend in Springfield Consulting, a private economic-development and project-management consulting firm that later won the Holyoke contract. “And I think that’s something that’s really helping me in this job — a lot. If I hadn’t had the opportunity to be an entrepreneur, I don’t think I’d be as successful a bureaucrat as I can potentially be right now.”
In her new role with the state, Stebbins is tasked with assisting those providing services and various forms of support to those taking the same kind of leap she did. She works directly with those involved in such endeavors as co-working spaces, incubators, and accelerators, and also with those in higher education, to facilitate technology transfers and encourage and nurture entrepreneurship.
Summing it all up, she said the broad goal involves taking the explosion in innovation and entrepreneurship (much of it technology-related) that has altered the landscape in Boston and Cambridge in dramatic fashion, and essentially making it a statewide phenomenon.
Fulfilling that extensive job description has taken her to communities she’s had to look up on the map, and to initiatives that provide ample evidence that there is entrepreneurial energy on a potentially unprecedented level — and it is evident in virtually every corner of the state.
Over just the past few weeks or so, for example, Stebbins has been in Amesbury on the North Shore to visit that community’s innovation center and meet with the leader of an Israeli company interested in locating in Massachusetts; in Beverly to meet with administrators of something called the North Shore Innoventures Center, a clean-tech and life-sciences incubator space; in Waltham for a visit to the Verizon Innovation Center, which encourages new technologies to help people connect wirelessly; in Boston to meet with 10 leaders of that city’s startup ecosystem; and in Springfield to deliver one of the keynote addresses at Valley Venture Mentors’ first annual Accelerator Awards program (see story, page 20).
She said she came away from each stop smarter than when she arrived, inspired by what she’d seen and heard, and more determined to create more success stories.
For this issue and its focus on entrepreneurship, BusinessWest talked at length with Stebbins about her leadership position, the wave of innovation and entrepreneurship now washing over the Commonwealth, and her efforts to enable more communities and individuals to ride that wave.

State of Things
‘Tech, Trep, Inno.’
It doesn’t say that on Stebbins’ new business card, the one with the state seal in the upper left corner. But that’s the phrase some of her colleagues have started using to sum up what is printed there.
That’s bureaucratic shorthand for ‘technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation,’ and it doesn’t even cover everything in the job description, she said, adding the broad realm known as the ‘creative economy’ also falls under her jurisdiction — and all that definitely wouldn’t fit on the card.
Stebbins said she’s the first administrator to take on that long title — her predecessor, Eric Nakajima, was assistant secretary for Innovation Policy and was not heavily involved with startup ventures — and there is reason for all those additional words.
Indeed, she broadened the job description herself, with the blessing of her new boss, Jay Ashe, secretary of Housing & Economic Development, to reflect her talents and experience.
As she talked about her job description, she returned to that unofficial mission of replicating what’s happened in Boston, Cambridge, and Waltham throughout the state.
In many respects, that work is already well underway, with Springfield evolving into a perfect example of this movement through the work of Valley Venture Mentors and related organizations and facilities, such as TechSpring, devoted to promoting entrepreneurship and mentoring small-business owners. Holyoke is another success story, she went on, adding that there are many others that have mostly been flying under the radar.
“What I found in Holyoke is that innovation is happening everywhere, and entrepreneurship is happening everywhere,” she said. “And innovators and the entrepreneurs are using technology to advance themselves everywhere; part of my job involves developing ways we [the state] can be supportive to these lesser-known ecosystems and help them grow.
“We can tell a better story as a whole state if we know about more of these stories, and not just about what’s happening in the Boston ecosystem,” she went on. “The Boston story is amazing, and it’s one being watched around the world. But to make it a statewide story is even more powerful.”
As mentioned earlier, Stebbins brings a diverse résumé to the job now listed on the top line of that document; over the years, she’s been featured in BusinessWest for involvement in endeavors ranging from revitalization of Main Street in Springfield’s Indian Orchard neighborhood to amateur roller derby (she’s since retired from that sport).
She hasn’t retired from economic-development consulting work, necessarily, but has put it aside to seize an opportunity she said she simply couldn’t pass up — one she considers entrepreneurial in a somewhat non-traditional way, but in keeping with her character.
“I’m disposed to being an entrepreneur — even when I worked for city government, I was always the one inventing the new program or applying for the next grant or thinking up the next idea,” she explained. “So, for me, this is another experience; it’s jumping off another ledge into the unknown. And that’s OK — I don’t have a risk aversion to those kinds of chances.”
She met Ashe, the man who invited her to take this latest leap, while they were both involved with the Working Cities Challenge initiative launched by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston — Stebbins with Holyoke, and Ashe with Chelsea, which he was serving as city manager.
They both led successful efforts to win grants through the program — Stebbins secured $250,000 for the SPARK (Stimulating Potential, Assessing Resource Knowledge) initiative — and, through those experiences, came away impressed with each other’s leadership abilities.
“Jay Ashe, to me, had always been this incredible politician and great city manager whom I just wanted to know more about,” she explained. “The opportunity to learn from him and be mentored by him was a big part of the reason why I couldn’t turn down this opportunity.”

Making It Happen
Stebbins told BusinessWest that there are many aspects to her new leadership position, one she describes as fast-paced.
In many respects, she noted, she acts as a liaison between the state and the business community, keeping the lines of communication between the often-disparate entities open and functioning properly.
“I work to make sure that the private sector feels supported and listened to, and that the government is well-informed of the challenges,” she explained. “Those are two really big worlds, and we don’t necessarily have efficient communication structures between the two.
“Before I got there, Boston had been working really hard on making that happen,” she went on, “and I’m fortunate to continue these efforts.”
As she mentioned, this work is providing her with lessons on state geography and quickly familiarizing her with the Commonwealth’s main transportation arteries, including Routes 495, 95, 2, and 128. More importantly, though, it is introducing her to more of those stories involving entrepreneurial ecosystems and the challenges they face moving forward.
Stebbins said considerable progress has been made in efforts to replicate the success of Boston and Cambridge in other cities and regions within the state, but there is a steep learning curve with such ecosystems, and many of those involved are still getting an education.
“Many mayors and local leaders are still catching up to what a startup economy looks like, what it needs, and how it can be supported,” she noted. “It’s a new model of economic development, and it has a high failure rate. But in that high failure rate, it has enormous amounts of creativity and entrepreneurship that you support, because what we find is that the businesses that might not succeed go right back at it and start something else. So you’re cultivating the person, and not necessarily the business.”
Springfield is moving toward the head of the class with respect to this learning curve, Stebbins told BusinessWest, and its recent successes with building an entrepreneurial infrastructure are being noticed — and recounted — in the State House and elsewhere in Boston.
“Springfield’s moving at a good pace — it’s growing this startup economy at a pace that’s sustainable,” she noted. “It’s building slowly, and it’s scaling at a sustainable rate, which any entrepreneur would do with their own business. When you look around the state, it’s definitely a bright spot.”
But there are many such bright spots, she added quickly, noting that Holyoke is making great strides, as are Worcester, Lowell, Lawrence, New Bedford, Fall River, and others.
Each community is different, but there are many common denominators, said Stebbins, who referred to what she called the ‘continuum,’ the journey a venture — or a group of them — takes from startup stage to being a mature company, and the need to support businesses at each step.
“You have lots of points in between these spaces that need to be supported,” she explained, “so I’m constantly looking for ways we, the state, can support these various stages of the continuum, and make sure that continuum is supported across the state.”

Work in Progress
Stebbins, whose husband is a member of the Mass. Gaming Commission, said she now commutes with him to the Hub a few days each week. Other times, she’ll go in herself, often on a 5:30 a.m. Peter Pan bus.
Through all that traveling, she has a new appreciation for just how long the Mass Pike is.
And while it is not her official job description, she said her role is to shorten the distance to Boston — not literally, and not in terms of highway miles, but in terms of the path to emulating that city’s historic success with stimulating innovation and entrepreneurship.
This job, as she said, is a bit of an entrepreneurial leap, but one that, given her background, she’s certainly not afraid to take.

George O’Brien can be reached at [email protected]

Cover Story Entrepreneurship Sections
VVM Accelerator Participants Continue the Quest for Traction

Jessica Lauren with some of her Olive Natural Beauty products.

Jessica Lauren with some of her Olive Natural Beauty products.

Traction.

Webster has many definitions for that noun, including ‘the adhesive friction of a body on the surface on which it moves’ — and that’s why it’s used frequently, and often with accompanying adjectives, by companies selling tires.

That’s also, although more loosely, why it’s part of the lexicon among those who launch new businesses — and, perhaps more importantly, those who sometimes help finance them.

Indeed, traction is a precious and often hard-to-calculate commodity in business. It is an inexact measure of how effectively a product or service is gaining acceptance, credibility, and, yes, sales.

So, in many ways, the first annual Accelerator Awards, staged recently by Valley Venture Mentors, represented a highly competitive contest of traction — which of the 30 companies in the first cohort of VVM’s Accelerator Program had it, and which ones could gain a lot more of it if they had some more capital to work with.

If the numbers written on the ceremonial checks handed out at the awards ceremony on April 30 are any indication — and most involved would say they are — then Jessica Lauren has certainly achieved some traction with Olive Natural Beauty Inc.

This is a venture that boasts a growing line of products that, as the name suggests, uses olive oil as its base ingredient, but separates itself from others that do the same by the all-natural quality of every item on the ingredient list.

Lauren won a check for $35,000, the largest amount handed out that night by a panel of judges, each of whom had, in essence, $20,000 to apportion and were free to dispense it any way they chose. Lauren intends to stretch those dollars about as far as humanly possible, allocating them for everything from more aggressive marketing programs to building inventory to taking on a strategic partner, as she seeks to take her company to the proverbial next stage.

“It costs money to run a business, and anything would really help push us to the next level,” she said, adding quickly that the amount on her check constitutes far more than ‘anything.’ “This is going to be huge for us.”

For this issue and its focus on entrepreneurship, BusinessWest talked at length with Lauren and others from that first cohort who successfully communicated a level of traction for their businesses to both their peers and those aforementioned judges.

Dave Waymouth, for example, took home a $32,500 check to advance his veture, PetSimpl, which markets a device — one he believes is a vast improvement over anything currently available — that can help pet owners keep track of their furry loved ones.

Lightspeed Manufacturing in Haverhill is now producing the so-called Pip, named after Waymouth’s terrier mix, which in many ways inspired this business (more on that story later).

Waymouth is taking orders, and he expects his product to officially hit the market this summer and be in several outlets in time for the holidays.

Meanwhile, Jake Mazar and his partner, Soham Bhatt, hit their highly competitive market with Artifact Cider roughly a year ago. They now have their product in 40 liquor stores and eight bars along the I-91 corridor, and intend to use the $20,000 they won to help pay for a part-time salesperson to increase their cider’s reach and strengthen its brand.

The accelerator project’s first cohort has 27 more stories like these. They are all different, but there are many common denominators, especially that quest for traction.

Getting a Grip

‘I love you guys, but … no way.’

That’s one of the qualitative assessments used in conjunction with actual numbers (1-9) on the score sheets employed by so-called ‘herds’ within that first accelerator cohort as the entrepreneurs judged their peers and fellow competitors in one of the early phases of the process that decided who received checks on April and how big they were.

Dave Waymouth

Dave Waymouth says his ‘Pip’ device, which helps pet owners find lost loved ones, is a vast improvement over what currently exists on the market.

That phrase obviously pertained to someone who would score a ‘1’ or ‘2,’ and thus it wasn’t used often, if at all, said Paul Silva, executive director of VVM, as he noted that the 30 companies chosen to be in that first cohort were clearly among the more promising startup ventures in this region — and well beyond, as things turned out.

Other assessments, used far more often, included ‘weak story and not enough customer validation,’ ‘somewhat agree/you got me onto the right side of the fence,’ ‘believable story but not enough customer validation,’ and ‘a rare unicorn of perfection,’ which would constitute a ‘9.’

The unicorn has become the unofficial symbol of VVM, and it was on display prominently at the awards ceremony. It represents an ambitious goal, something rare, but also (at least in the VVM universe) something real.

Finding a unicorn is the unstated mission of all the entrepreneurs involved with the accelerator program, said Silva, noting that these individuals went through a rugged period of learning and assessment designed to provide tough love, mentoring, and, for several ventures, very-much-needed cold, hard cash.

Those aforementioned herds were comprised of five entrepreneurs each, and the herds did not judge those in their own group, said Silva, adding that they gathered scores to six questions (statements, actually) — ranging from ‘the company has proven, in-depth understanding of their customers and the customers’ pains’ to ‘the company has a proven revenue model, logical pricing, and has an accurate handle on all applicable costs; they know what can kill them!’ — to effectively narrow the field to 12 finalists.

This smaller field was then assessed by the group of 14 judges, who are also investors, who heard 10-minute presentations from the finalists and then could follow up with more questions and input during a trade-show period before the awards presentation.

Lauren obviously impressed those judges, with both what she’s accomplished to date and the potential to soar much higher.

Like the others we spoke with, Lauren said her venture was born through a mix of necessity and both experience with other products on the market and frustration with them.

“Growing up in an Italian family, olive oil was an important part of our lifestyle in terms of being healthy and taking care of yourself and your skin,” she explained. “And when I went to college, I went to work for an apothecary, and that experience really opened my eyes to the cosmetics industry in the U.S., because there are literally no regulations — there are tons of ingredients that go into cosmetic products that are not regulated or tested or approved by the FDA or any other organization.”

What evolved over time, then, was a business focused on the many beneficial properties of olive oil and featuring the transparency and natural ingredients missing from most products made in the U.S.

She started with a lab in her kitchen, testing various products and providing them to friends and relatives, who started asking for more. And, as she said herself, “the rest is history.”

Explaining in more detail, she said olive oil has become, in many respects, a gourmet product. She is riding that wave, certainly, but in a unique way.

Her products have achieved traction in a number of ways, she said, noting that she’s sold more than 400,000 units to date (like a true entrepreneur, she got more precise, offering the number 404,000). The products are sold through 30 retailers in the U.S. and Canada, and Lauren is in serious negotiations with a major chain she opted not to name that will greatly improve that number if all goes well.

Perhaps most importantly, she’s getting some solid reviews, which are crucial because of the sheer volume of competition.

For example, Michelle Phan, founder of the website ipsy.com, which helps consumers wade through the myriad products on the market through reviews and recommendations, tried some of Lauren’s lip balm and discussed it glowingly in one of her online videos.

As part of that PR and marketing push toward which Lauren wants to direct some of her winnings, she’s striving to win some exposure in People, Good Housekeeping, and other publications with a strong focus on health and beauty and that feature companies making such products.

If all goes as planned — and she expects it will — sales volume, currently around $250,000, should eclipse $1 million in 2016.

A Breed Apart

Waymouth said Pip, his terrier mix, went missing early one evening a few years ago. As anyone who’s been through such an ordeal would understand, this was quite a traumatic experience.

“We live near busy roads, and he sees every car as something with a friend in it,” he explained, adding that, fortunately, the dog was found just a few hours later.

But the experience left Waymouth frustrated by the pet-protection products available on the market — and determined to build the proverbial better mousetrap. He calls it a “LoJack for your pet,” a reference to the vehicle-tracking system designed to help police recover stolen vehicles.

“I’m a big tech guy, so I assumed there were GPS trackers that did this,” he said of his thought process after Pip — now the company’s ‘spokesdog’ and the face of the venture, pictured on the business cards and website — was found safe. “But when I looked, everything was too big for him, or it had horrible battery life.”

At the time, he was enrolled in the MBA program at the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, and decided to enter a business-pitch competition and make his case for a more effective product. He finished third in that contest and then went through several more rounds where he flushed out the business model and came up with a way to make the product smaller and with longer battery life.

He eventually prevailed in the extended competition, winning a total of $30,000 to build a prototype. He was then accepted into MassChallenge, which helped create connections to Verizon and other strategic partners and make the concept reality.

The Pip uses mostly the same cutting-edge technology found in a smartphone to send a text message to the pet owner when the animal in question leaves a so-called ‘safe zone’ — the owner’s home and area around it, as well as a several-foot-wide area around the pet while it’s being taken for a walk, for example. With the press of a button, the owner gets turn-by-turn directions to locate the animal. When the pet is in that safe zone, the device stays in a low-power mode, Waymouth explained, thus greatly extending battery life.

The first manufacturing run will be for 1,000 of the devices, he said, adding that many orders came in through a Kickstarter campaign, and others continue to trickle in through the website. That will be followed by a run of 5,000 and perhaps another of that size if demand warrants.

The Pip will soon be available on Amazon, and Waymouth is expecting that it will become an in-demand item for the upcoming holiday season. The current sticker price is $99, with a $5 month charge for the cellular connection, or $199 for the ‘unlimited option.’ Over time, and as the technology improves, he expects those price points to come down.

While getting ready for the Christmas season, Waymouth is also in hard pursuit of capital for the venture, and is finding many interested parties.

“I’ve gotten more interest than I can really deal with, which is a great problem to have,” he explained, noting that negotiations continue on a first round of financing he expects will approach or exceed $500,000.

One of those interested parties is the Springfield Venture Fund, he said, adding that its participation will require him to move his headquarters from Northampton to Springfield (that’s one of the conditions of the fund, backed by MassMutual). Either way, the company fully expects to stay within the 413 area code.

“We’re planning on staying in this region,” he said. “We want to be a Western Mass. success story.”

Core Business

Those same sentiments were echoed by Mazar, who said his aptly named product is fast gaining that all-important traction in this area.

Elaborating, he gave a rather loose definition of an ‘artifact’ as something created by man, and from another era, that’s been discovered or rediscovered. Hard cider, he went on, was a popular and potent potable in New England a few centuries ago, primarily because the soil here was more suitable for growing apples than it was for cultivating the hops needed for beer.

Dave Mazar says Artifact Cider

Dave Mazar says Artifact Cider is establishing itself within the fastest-growing segment of the alcoholic-beverage market.

And cider remained popular until Prohibition, when many of the apple trees planted more than 100 years earlier were cut down, and in the time it took to grow new ones, many Americans had switched allegiance to beer, he said, continuing the history lesson. But over the past five years or so, hard cider has made a comeback, with a number of products occupying package-store shelves.

The Artifact Cider Project, as it’s formally known, is part of the wave, said Mazar, but the product differentiates itself in what is now the fastest-growing segment of the liquor market by the way it’s made — with local apples and unique blends.

The story begins, sort of, several years ago, when Mazar was diagnosed with celiac disease, an autoimmune disease of the small intestine caused by a reaction to gluten, which is found in wheat and similar crops, including hops.

“I couldn’t have beer, so, prompted by that diagnosis, I discovered cider,” he said, adding that this interest was shared by Bhatt, a friend since middle school whose aptitude in science, engineering, and culinary arts has effectively complemented Mazar’s background in business — he was a consultant for several years — and, most recently, farming.

“Local agriculture is my passion in life, so Artifact is a combination of our respective professional backgrounds,” he noted, adding that the venture was launched on a virtual shoestring in 2013, and the first cider was introduced in June 2014.

Today, the company has three brands, or blends: ‘New World,’ the first product; ‘Wild Thing,’ described as a “supremely tart, sessionable” cider; and ‘Colrain,’ named after the Franklin County town where the apples used to make it grow.

They come in kegs and 22-ounce bottles, or “bombers,” said Mazar, adding that the obvious goal moving forward is to sell more of them, and the $20,000 won through the accelerator program will certainly help with that assignment.

“One of the things we want to do with the money we received through Valley Venture Mentors is hire a part-time salesperson to help build the brand,” he explained. “We’re mostly focused on our existing accounts; we’re not trying to grow too quickly.

“Eventually, we’d like to get our cider into Eastern Mass. and Boston, but we’re really focused on the Pioneer Valley as our home base,” Mazar went on. “We want to be successful here before we expand too broadly.”

Two marketing interns, one from Smith College, the other from Mount Holyoke, will be working for the company this summer, he noted, adding that they’ll be handling, among other things, cider tastings and other events to introduce or reintroduce people to cider and the Artifact label.

Money Talks

Speaking for all those who took home ceremonial checks from VVM, Mazar said the money comes at an important time and provides needed fuel as the company looks to grow its brand.

“We’re a small company, so getting capital at this stage is going to change things quite a bit for us,” he noted. “We really bootstrapped this company — we started it with our own personal finances, and we’ve done everything on the cheap. We’ve made the money we started with go quite a long way.”

Such is life for the startup business owner looking to take an idea from drawing board to reality — and gain that precious commodity called traction.

The companies in this first cohort all have some of it. The challenge — and the mission — is to earn more.


George O’Brien can be reached at [email protected]

Architecture Sections
Dietz & Co. Marks a Milestone with Some Imaginative Initiatives

Dietz & Co. Architects owner Kerry Dietz

Dietz & Co. Architects owner Kerry Dietz in the lobby at the UMass Center at Springfield, which the firm designed.

Kerry Dietz says talk about what to do for the 30th anniversary of the architectural firm that bears her name started last fall, four or five months before the actual anniversary date.

There were discussions about some sort of party, she told BusinessWest, meaning one of those affairs with a deep invitation list including a wide range of clients, elected officials, and area business and economic-development leaders.

But those talks never got very far.

“You can have a party and get a caterer, and everyone can sit around and drink some chardonnay and eat some cheese; that would be cool,” she told BusinessWest. “And I love seeing all those people we’ve worked with over the past 30 years — it’s actually a lot of fun. But this just seems like a different place and time, and those kinds of parties…”

She never actually finished that sentence, but she didn’t have to. She’d already conveyed the message that the employees of Dietz & Co. Architects Inc. had decided to do something much more meaningful — and lasting — to mark a milestone that eludes many in this business, where one’s fortunes are tied inexorably to the peaks and valleys of the economy, and especially the latter.

Actually, they decided to do several things — starting with some much-needed work on the home of an 85-year-old resident on King Street in Springfield’s Old Hill neighborhood. As part of Revitalize Community Development Corp.’s annual Green-N-Fit Neighborhood Rebuild late last month, Dietz employees did some painting, cleaned out the yard, and repaired the decking on his porch, among other projects.

In June, employees will host a cookout for residents of the Soldiers Home in Holyoke and make a $5,000 donation for medical equipment. And later this year, they’ll fund $25,000 worth of needs identified by Springfield public-school teachers through the education-crowdfunding website donorschoose.org. That’s the same initiative to which comedian Stephen Colbert, in partnership with Share Fair Nation and Scansource, recently pledged $800,000 to fund every request made by South Carolina public-school teachers.

“We want to honor initiative … we’re about ideas; that’s what we do here,” said Dietz as she encouraged teachers to log on and submit a project. “We try and be a step ahead, and so we want teachers to be thinking about what kids need to know and what they need to do in order to learn.”

Finding the time to do all this will be a way of saying ‘thank you’ to the community, said Dietz, but it will also be an extreme challenge.

That’s because her team is quite busy right now as the company continues to recover and build its portfolio in the wake of the latest of many economic downturns Dietz has weathered over the past three decades.

“The recession hit us very hard, and it took a couple of years to pull out of that,” she told BusinessWest. “We had our best year ever last year, as in ever, ever, ever — off the charts ever — and I think this year looks to be similar based on our projections.”

Indeed, the list of ongoing and recently completed projects includes everything from the UMass Center in Springfield, which opened last fall, to the new, 21,500-square-foot senior center now under construction in Westfield and slated to open in September; from upgrades to several buildings on the campus of Worcester State University to the zero-net-energy affordable senior housing project in Williamstown known as Highland Woods; from a comprehensive building assessment of the historic Chicopee City Hall and its annex and planned restoration of its second floor to renovation of the Juniper Elementary School on the Westfield State University campus into the new home of the school’s Fine & Performing Arts Program.

As she discussed these and other projects, Dietz said the company has built a solid reputation over the past 30 years for work in a number of realms, in both the public and private sectors, and for meeting client needs — for ‘green’ design elements, more efficient workspaces, and everything in between.

Given its age and the depth of its portfolio, Dietz summoned the term ‘venerable’ to describe what the firm, now the largest in the region, has become, and it’s an adjective she and her staff wear proudly.

“We’re really busy, and I think part of the reason for that is we’ve been around for a long time, and all that experience comes into play,” she said. “People value that.”

For this issue and its focus on architecture, BusinessWest looks at how Dietz & Co. has drafted a blueprint for business success, as well as a working schematic for how to give back to the community.

Learning Curves

As she talked about her 30 years as a business owner and nearly four decades as an architect, Dietz said those in this field earn a good deal of their money — and hang most of those pictures of their work that dominate their lobbies and conference rooms — when times are good.

But it is the ability to slog through those times when things are far from good that often defines one’s career — and determines its ultimate path.

An architect’s rendering of Parson’s Village

An architect’s rendering of Parson’s Village, a zero-net-energy affordable-housing complex in Easthampton, and one of many projects in the Dietz portfolio.

To get her point across, she ventured back to the weeks and months just after 9/11. This was neither the longest nor deepest of the downturns she’s weathered — the one in the early and mid-’90s wins that first honor, and the Great Recession earns the latter — but it was perhaps the most frightening and career-threatening.

“I have never seen things dry up as quickly as they dried up,” she recalled. “Things just disappeared. People got scared; I’ve never seen fear like that.

“I remember meeting with my banker at one point,” she went on, “and basically saying, ‘here are the keys [to the business] — do you want them?’ Fortunately, he didn’t take me up on my bluff.”

Indeed, the company managed to weather that terrible storm and add several more pictures to the conference-room walls. The key to doing so was that aforementioned diversity as well as the diligence and sheer talent of the staff, she said, noting that the firm now boasts 20 employees and 10 architects.

That kind of success might have been difficult for Dietz to envision when she first decided to go into business for herself.

She started down that path after earning a master’s degree in architecture at the University of Michigan. Soon after graduating in 1977, she joined Architects Inc. in Northampton (see related story, page 31) and later became part of the team at Studio One in Springfield.

In addition to her architectural talents, though, she possessed an entrepreneurial spirit, and decided in late 1984 that it was time to put her own name on the letterhead and over the door.

“It seemed like the next logical thing to do,” she said with a touch of understatement in her voice. “It sounds like a rational decision, but it wasn’t, necessarily, nor was it a well-thought-out decision. I didn’t go read a book to see how you start a business, let alone an architecture business. I learned by doing.”

Fortunately, this was a time when things were good. The real-estate boom of the ’80s had just begun, and there was considerable work to be had.

“We rode the historic-tax-credit boom that ended when Reagan’s tax plans made it less lucrative,” she explained, adding that the firm enjoyed solid growth through the end of the decade, when the real-estate boom went bust and the well of projects dried up, offering a challenging, but nonetheless valuable, learning experience.

“I had no concept that things like that could happen,” she said of what turned out to be a lengthy downturn. “What did I know? We got through it somehow.”

There have been several ups and downs since as the company has amassed a huge portfolio of projects in sectors ranging from public housing to education to healthcare, said Dietz, adding that one thing she’s been able to learn by doing is how to read the economic tea leaves, try to anticipate the next downturn, and prepare for it to the extent possible.

“This is a very volatile business, and one of the things you have to have are some planning tools and some prediction tools in place, which I’ve developed over the years that allow me to look out a year and say, ‘oh, look, there’s no work in six months, what am I going to do?’” she explained. “So, every month, I’m doing an analysis of the future on both an accrual and a cash basis.”

Westfield’s new senior center

Westfield’s new senior center is one of two such facilities currently in the Dietz portfolio.

Looking ahead, she sees reason to be concerned about global instabilities and other factors such as national fiscal policies, but she believes the current period of modest growth and solid consumer and business confidence will continue for the foreseeable future.

Growth — by Design

This forecast is reflected, to a large degree, in the number of proposals for new projects being drafted by Ashley Soloman, the firm’s marketing coordinator, who puts the number at several a week on average.

It is also reflected in the current and recent projects list, which reveals not only the firm’s diversity and work across both the private and public sectors (especially the latter), but also current trends in building design and construction.

Indeed, several projects on that list involve new construction or renovation aimed at making the structures in question energy-efficient — or much more so.

One such project involves renovation of 209 units of elderly housing in the Boston suburb of Brighton that Dietz called “an energy monstrosity.”

“We’re looking at ways we can tighten this building up — strategies we can devise for decreasing energy use,” she explained. “Its claim to fame, if you can call it that, is that it’s one of the largest consumers of energy in MassHousing’s portfolio, on a cost-per-unit basis, and we’re hoping to reduce their status.”

Meanwhile, already under construction is a 40-unit, net-zero-energy affordable-housing project in Easthampton called Parsons Village, she went on, and the foundations were just poured for that aforementioned net-zero-energy elderly-housing project in Williamstown.

“Both of these are really exciting projects,” she told BusinessWest, because we sort of pushed the envelope, if you will, on envelope design, insulation levels, and looking at really sealing the buildings using good building-science technology.” Meanwhile, Chicopee City Hall is another intriguing project, said Dietz, adding that there will be a historic-renovation study to examine not only the exterior of the building, built in 1871, but also the feasibility of converting the long-unused meeting space on the top floor into a new chamber for the Board of Aldermen.

That study will also involve the historic stained-glass window in that room, which has been damaged amid deterioration of the ceiling.

Other work in the portfolio includes a series of projects at Worcester State University, said Dietz, adding that many of the buildings on the campus are now 30 or 40 years old and in need of maintenance and renovations aimed at greater energy-efficiency.

And while the company is being imaginative and cutting-edge in the field, it is doing the same, she believes, with its work within the community.

The company has had a long track record for giving back, said Dietz, and years ago, it decided to establish a donor-advised fund with the Community Foundation to help ensure that it could continue to be active, even during those downturns.

“We already had a fairly robust program for charitable giving,” she noted, “but this allows us to be even more … interesting and have a little more money to play with.”

An architect’s rendering of Highland Woods

An architect’s rendering of Highland Woods, a zero-net-energy senior-housing project in Williamstown, and one of many ‘green’ projects the Dietz firm has designed.

The company was to mark its 30th year — and celebrate its best year ever — by pumping $30,000 back into the community, she went on, adding that this number has since risen to $35,000. And the entire staff has provided input into how best to apportion those funds.

The projects eventually chosen reflect the company’s values, and in each case they also involve another of its strengths — teamwork, said Tina Gloster, the firm’s operations manager, noting that 25 employees and family members were involved on King Street, a large crew will be needed for the picnic at the Soldiers Home, and many individuals will be involved in deciding which school projects to support if requests exceed the available funds.

And they anticipate that there will be many to choose from.

The site donorschoose.org enables teachers in a given community to post a specific request, said Gloster, meaning materials or an activity that they cannot afford. Individuals and groups can go on the site and choose initiatives they want to support.

“Between August 1 and September 25, we’re making a big push to get Springfield public-school teachers to log onto this site and put their projects there,” she added. “And then we’re going to pick projects to fund in their entirety.”

There will likely be more projects than can be funded with $25,000, she went on, adding the company is encouraging other businesses and the community at large to get involved with the initiative, either in Springfield or other area communities.

“Rather than send us a plant and say, ‘happy 30th,’ we want people to fund a project,” said Dietz. “That’s a much more interesting way to help us celebrate.”

Drawing Inspiration

The actual 30th anniversary for Dietz & Co. came in February. As mentioned earlier, there was no party for clients, politicians, and friends.

More to the point, there wasn’t even anything small in-house for employees.

“We just couldn’t get our act together,” said Dietz with a laugh, adding that, roughly translated, this means everyone was simply too busy.

As in too busy with all those projects in the portfolio, and too busy with those initiatives within the community and the planning involved in making them happen. These are the things the company has managed to make time for, said Dietz, adding that the sum of these various parts constitutes a great way to mark a milestone and celebrate being “venerable.”


George O’Brien can be reached at [email protected]

Education Sections
Banks, Schools, Colleges Team Up to Boost Financial Literacy

Roosevelt Charles

Roosevelt Charles says financial-literacy programs at STCC help level the playing field for students in need.

Janet Warren has seen the statistics, and met many of the people behind them.

“Thirty-five percent of households in Massachusetts have less than three months’ worth of savings, and 48% of Massachusetts consumers have subprime credit,” she said, citing a study conducted by the Corporation for Enterprise Development. “These statistics show that we have a real problem, and they illustrate the need for financial education.”

Furthermore, said Warren, vice president of marketing at Monson Savings Bank, “it’s worth noting how these statistics work together to create a cycle of debt and worsen financial insecurity. If someone with less than three months of savings faces an unforeseen expense, such as a broken-down car or a medical bill, they have to borrow to cover the tab. If that person also has subprime credit, the only option may be to take out a high-cost — often predatory — loan. It’s difficult for them to get a loan at an affordable rate.”

As a community bank, Monson has encountered many people in just that circumstance. While life’s circumstances are different for everyone, Warren said, many of them graduated from school and entered adult life without truly understanding the importance of credit, debt, savings, and many other facets of finance.

That’s why MSB is one of many area banks that have teamed with schools to reach young people with lessons in how to handle money.

“By teaching financial literacy in the schools, we can teach kids early how to become better savers, spenders, and money managers — so that, maybe, they won’t find themselves in that situation,” she said.

During the annual Statewide Summit on Financial Education — staged recently at the UMass Center at Springfield and sponsored by the financial-education coalition MassSaves — state Treasurer Deb Goldberg, the event’s keynote speaker, talked about how today’s students don’t grow up with the same exposure to financial education as she did, and how it needs to be reintroduced in public schools, as early as the primary grades.

“I believe we can embed into the curriculum financial skills that kids will need,” she said, recalling the bank passbook she received as a child. “Once in a while, my parents would drive me to an actual bank so I could see what’s going on. That’s how you learn. Kids today can program any iPhone, download any app, but ask them to look at these pieces of money and explain to me a penny, nickel, quarter, they can’t do that. It’s fascinating. My feeling is, let’s step back and start with the basics again.”

Polish National Credit Union has a well-established branch at Chicopee Comprehensive High School that doubles as a way to help students — both those who use it and those who work there as part of their education — learn about finance.

“We employ students — we go through the process just as if they’re going to apply here at the main office — and we train them,” said Jennifer Gallant, the credit union’s chief financial officer.

“Then, once the summer comes and the school branch is closed, we bring the employees over here as summer interns,” she continued. “A lot of the students who have worked at the school branch have enjoyed it and stayed on with us in a greater capacity when we’ve had openings at other branches. Some have even gone on to finance in college.”

Even for students who are casually exposed to the Chicopee Comp branch, she told BusinessWest, “it’s an eye-opener to how finance and banking works. I think it also helps encourage all of the kids in the school to at least look into a savings account, a checking account, what else the credit union has to offer, and how it benefits them — to get them on the right road economically.”

Between efforts like the summit — which drew representatives from many banks, schools, colleges, and financial-education organizations — and efforts by community banks and nonprofit entities to reach out to both students and adults, increasing focus is being placed on the broad issue of financial literacy.

After all, “when we talk about financial literacy and educating kids about what they need to understand these decisions they will be making, we are creating an economic foundation in the state that is stable, breaking down inequality,” Goldberg noted. “Through financial education, we see that, when we invest in people, we’re empowering people to invest in themselves.”

Education for Life

It’s not just happening at the K-12 level, said Kelly Goss, associate director of the Midas Collaborative, a statewide organization that focuses on financial literacy and connecting people with a range of financial resources.

“Our bread and butter is our matched savings account programs,” she noted, referring to a number of different programs that, in partnership with public and private organizations, provide low-income individuals with savings accounts and match their contributions. Clients generally use the funds for one of three purposes: home buying, small-business development, or post-secondary education.

Chicopee Comp students Chad LePage and Ludmila Kaletin

Chicopee Comp students Chad LePage and Ludmila Kaletin work as tellers in the school’s Polish National Credit Union branch.

One of those — a program being conducted at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC), Bunker Hill Community College, and Northern Essex Community College — establishes a savings account for participants, where up to $750 in savings is essentially tripled to $2,250 through matching grants by the college and the federal government. The resulting money must be put toward future post-secondary education expenses.

During the one- to two-year period of the matched savings program, the students also join peer groups, attend workshops, and participate in individual coaching sessions to build their financial skills, rectify financial issues, learn about the economy, and engage them in planning for the future.

“Students receiving the matched savings are required to take eight hours of finance education outside of their course work,” Goss said. “The school provides workshops — teaching them what is credit, what is debt, what is the significance of having a bank account? Some of these students have never had a bank account before.”

Roosevelt Charles, director of access and student services at STCC, said the college ramped up its financial-literacy initiatives — including its partnership with the Midas Collaborative — about a year and a half ago, when administrators noticed students dropping out for financial reasons, who didn’t have the knowledge to access different public benefits or navigate the financial arena, period.

“We’ve done a few other things to level the playing field as related to financial literacy,” he added. “We collaborate with Single Stop USA, a national community-college initiative that provides space on campus where students can go for a variety of public and community benefits. Students can apply for food assistance, housing, fuel assistance — all these benefits, all those resources, in one area. We do have a large percentage of students seeking those benefits.”

The school has also teamed up with MassMutual through that corporation’s LifeBridge program, which offers free term life insurance to families in need. These programs and others, Charles said, represent an effort to offer students both tangible financial resources and education and guidance in putting them to use.

“Once we get students talking about their knowledge — or lack thereof — as related to accessing resources, they realize there are other things out there — ‘did you know MassMutual is offering free life insurance?’ It’s amazing for us; we didn’t expect to get this granular in terms of community support. But, over past two semesters, these conversations have motivated us to go back out into the community and seek out additional resources to offer.”

On the state level, Goldberg said, the recently created Office of Economic Empowerment, led by Deputy Treasurer Alayna Van Tassel, is seeking to create more such partnerships between the state, schools, and businesses. Goals include expansion of Credit for Life fairs and more matched college savings accounts like those pioneered by Midas.

Goldberg said studies have found clear correlations between financial literacy at a young age and college enrollment, or vocational or technical training, after high school.

“Why is that important here in Massachusetts? Well, where is our economy? Biotech, high tech, higher education, healthcare — so we need to make opportunities available to kids,” she explained. “If we provide opportunities to educate, kids will seize upon it.”

Breaking Barriers

In short, Goldberg claimed, financial literacy may be the key ingredient to financial stability across Massachusetts, because it affects so many areas of life.

“All the work we do around teaching kids, teaching women, teaching veterans how to empower themselves is not a partisan issue; it’s an issue that creates opportunities for folks, and candidly, if we can empower people to take care of themselves, they don’t need [as many] safety nets,” she told the summit attendees. “Financial challenges impact every one of us — children to adults, students, teachers, advocates, and policy makers.”

MassSaves, which was created in 2011, complements its work in schools and colleges with financial trainings — “train the trainer” sessions, Goss called them — with the United Way and other community-based organizations that deliver financial-education services. But it all starts with those outreaches into schools.

“The reality is, we need financial education to be taught at every level,” she said. “We want to see it in the curriculum as early as possible, so people grow up with it as an early tool, like math. Why would you not? Particularly in this day and age, it’s really difficult to function without a knowledge of finance and access to a bank account. It’s certainly a barrier for those who don’t have that access.”

Warren, who serves on the steering committee of MassSaves, said Monson Savings Bank became a strategic partner with the organization a little over a year ago, in an effort to help members of the community become more financially confident and capable.

“Here at the bank, we do have people coming through the doors on occasion who can’t get a loan, who may not even be able to get a checking account because they have outstanding balances with other banks,” she told BusinessWest. “That’s why we’ve gotten involved in this. We’re a community bank, which means we’re here to help the community, and we want to help everyone who comes through our doors.”

Now, the bank can direct those customers to MassSaves, which can hook them up with a financial coach by phone, e-mail, or Skype, and connect them to other financial resources they might require.

“It’s definitely needed, and that’s why we’re working on this issue in this manner, in this broad collaboration with lots of different partners,” Warren said. “Really, the more, the merrier. Everything we do collectively is a positive thing.”

Starting with a child’s first introduction to pennies, nickels, and quarters.

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Features
Natural-gas Issues Could Hinder Economic Development

Kenn Delude

Kenn Delude says businesses looking to locate in Western Mass. could be scared off by limited access to natural gas.

Rick Sullivan acknowledged the obvious: No one likes paying more for heating their home.

“It’s a very real pocketbook issue. The average resident saw what happened to their electric bill this winter; it went up drastically because of the availability and price of natural gas,” said Sullivan, president of the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council (EDC). “Right now, natural gas is setting the price for power in this region.”

But, on a larger scale, it’s also setting back the region’s economic-development potential at a time when Western Mass. is starting to see signs of growth and recovery.

The issue is natural-gas capacity in Massachusetts. Simply put, demand for natural gas — among the cleaner and more plentiful fossil fuels available today — has begun to outstrip the capacity of the Commonwealth’s pipeline distribution system.

As a result, Columbia Gas stopped accepting new customers in Easthampton and Northampton at the end of 2014. Berkshire Gas did the same for new customers in Franklin County around the same time, and has since imposed a similar moratorium on Amherst, Hadley, and Hatfield. Similarly, National Grid has a moratorium in place on Cape Cod.

Kenn Delude, president and CEO of Westmass Development Corp., which works to attract new businesses to the region, said the natural-gas shutoff to those communities might hinder future development.

As an example, he cited American River Nutrition, a company that develops and produces natural products to stem age-related or degenerative disease states. The firm has been in the region for 17 years and recently signed a deal for 25,000 square feet of additional space in the Hadley University Industrial Park.

“They’re a local company, and they got trapped by the moratorium — shut off, if you will,” Delude said. “They were counting on — and all their permits and plans were approved for — natural gas. And now, because of the moratorium, they’re forced to find an alternative fuel source.”

That source is propane, which is much more expensive than natural gas, and requires outdoor tanks and truck delivery.

“Propane is not necessarily a good alternative,” Delude said. “It can certainly be very difficult and expensive and challenging to run an industrial plant on propane, especially one of any size. Propane is not the ideal substitute for natural gas.”

The impact, however, extends far beyond companies already established in Western Mass.

“We’re already in a region of the country where utility rates are very high compared to other sections of the country,” Delude said. “This is all about competition for businesses, competing with the Southeast or the Southwest or somewhere else that doesn’t have the same challenges.”

And in communities hit by the recent moratoriums — which are expected to last years — developers are going to be very restricted, he went on. “And it occurs at a very, very difficult time. We spent nearly eight years working through an economic downturn as a region, and we might be at the beginning of a recovery, where we’re starting to see growing businesses need to expand. With this situation where we don’t have any gas, we’re not going to be able to attract certain businesses — and it’s not a short-term problem.”

Outside the Lines

Sullivan, who was secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs under Gov. Deval Patrick, said that administration was fretting over a growing natural-gas capacity issue three years ago.

“The Patrick administration was concerned about the growing demands for natural gas,” he said. “In the big picture, you’ve got a lot of newer generators going online with natural gas as the primary source of fuel, or converting over to natural gas. In combination with coal going offline and some of the nuclear generators going offline, there is obviously a need [for distribution].”

Rick Sullivan

Rick Sullivan says the state needs to find a way to balance pipeline expansion with continued development of renewable-energy sources.

That means pipelines. At issue has been the desire of energy giant Kinder Morgan to expand its pipelines from Pennsylvania into the Northeast, including New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire. Berkshire Gas supports that plan and insists that, without it, natural gas will remain unavailable — indefinitely — to new customers in communities affected by the current moratorium. If the Kinder Morgan pipeline is built over the next few years, the moratorium could be lifted by late 2018, the company claims.

“Our first and foremost responsibilities to our customers are safety and reliability,” Berkshire Gas President Karen Zink said in a statement earlier this year. “The only way that we can assure continued safety and reliability, given current circumstances, is to invoke an across-the-board moratorium. We are in the business of selling and delivering natural gas, and as such, be assured that a moratorium is the last option that we would consider. But reasonable system planning and operation requires that we do so at this time to assure continued reliability for our existing customers.”

She and others noted that inexpensive natural gas has never been more plentiful in the U.S., and that the ability to deliver it to customers is the only challenge.

“There’s no doubt there’s a need currently and going forward,” Sullivan told BusinessWest. “We need future additional generation and additional capacity. Some of that can be filled with true energy efficiency, some filled by renewable energy, but even with all of that, there’s still a need for some additional natural-gas capacity.

“Here in New England — Massachusetts specifically — the infrastructure is old, and it’s also built to a standard of years ago, that no longer meets the needs of today,” he added. “So we had the beginnings of discussions — six New England governors talking about the need to bring in some additional capacities, meaning pipelines. Also, at the same time, we talked about how we can build transmission lines for electricity to hook up to wind and renewable sources, mostly to the north, and also Canadian hydroelectric.”

Patrick supported a bill three years ago that would have paved the way for pipeline expansion, but it ultimately did not pass. For its part, Kinder Morgan has run into often highly coordinated opposition from land owners, conservationists, and other citizens concerned about running a pipeline 180 miles across Northern Mass. — even after the company shifted a long portion of the proposed route into Southern New Hampshire.

When the Franklin Regional Council of Governments asked Kinder Morgan why the pipeline couldn’t run along the Mass Pike, the company said routing lines along existing highway or road corridors presents several challenges.

“First and foremost is safety,” it noted. “Highway corridors generally already have existing utility infrastructure located in or around their corridors. By locating a pipeline in a separate corridor, there is much less likelihood that damage will occur to the existing infrastructure during construction, or that the new pipeline will be damaged by third-party construction or maintenance activities by other utilities or road crews. Separate corridors are also generally less populated as compared to road corridors.”

That doesn’t placate Northern Mass. land owners whose property would be disturbed for a pipeline, and Sullivan understands their concerns. “With energy, there’s never an easy solution, never anything everyone can agree on. For every good thing it can do, there is another side of the coin. To get increased pipeline capacity into the region means you have to build new or expand existing pipelines, and that means construction; that means disturbing rights of way. Everybody needs to understand what those impacts are.”

Then there’s the philosophical question of whether the state should build more capacity for fossil fuel or force additional conservation efforts and renewable-energy generation, such as solar and wind. It’s a question, he said, that must be answered eventually.

“We have concerns about being able to do economic development, particularly as we’re coming into a time of increased interest in Western Mass., either by expansion of existing companies or new companies moving into the region,” Sullivan explained. “Obviously, part of what they look at is, what is the reliability and cost of power? We cannot, from an economic-development point of view, be in a position to say, ‘sorry, we’d love to have you come, but we can’t hook you up to natural gas or supply you with power.’”

Waiting Game

Meanwhile, the ability of energy companies to supply natural gas to new customers — existing customers are not expected to be affected by the moratoriums — is dwindling.

“We have not yet issued a moratorium for gas customers; we have capacity at the moment,” said James Lavelle, manager of Holyoke Gas & Electric. “But we are close to the limit of what we can reliably serve; we don’t have a lot of room for large industrial growth. We can bring in the equivalent of a couple of large industrial customers; that’s what we can accommodate at the moment. But we would like to have much more room than that.”

Even without a moratorium, he said, customers have to deal with cost increases during peak periods as a result of capacity constraints.

“It is to some degree a waiting game,” he said. “The pipeline companies would bring additional capacity, but they have to get various approvals. There also has to be a funding mechanism in place. We’ve had discussions about whether pipeline companies are going to get secured contracts from gas-distribution companies like Holyoke Gas & Electric or Columbia. The other discussion is a tariff, through ISO New England, where the electric rate payers would potentially finance the pipeline.”

Lavelle agreed with Sullivan and Delude, however, that the natural-gas capacity problem is very much an economic-development issue.

“Without doubt there will be impacts,” Delude added. “You may not see most of them or hear of most of them. When word gets out that there’s no natural gas available, you won’t know when a site selector Googles an article or two about gas not being available, and decide they’re not able to give your site consideration.”

But the impact of those invisible decisions could be felt over time, he told BusinessWest, adding that the EDC benefits from the leadership of Sullivan, who is well-versed in economic development, energy policy, and the workings of municipal government, as former mayor of Westfield.

“Ultimately,” Sullivan said, “the responsible position, one the EDC has taken, is that we need more capacity, we support additional capacity, but we don’t necessarily pick which pipeline or how that line would be built or where it should go, specifically. The whole process needs to be honest and transparent, and needs to play out. Whatever the answer is, it has to bring some relief to the capacity issues in Western Mass.”

He added that any pipeline expansion doesn’t have to be overbuilt, and there’s no reason why the state can’t continue to move forward on developing new renewable-energy solutions at the same time. He understands, as well, the environmental concerns some people have about accessing the massive shale reserves from which companies like Kinder Morgan draw.

“Again, that’s another issue,” Sullivan said. “Many passionate people argue on the environmental side of things as well. There’s just nothing easy, or something absolutely everyone can agree on, when it comes to energy. It’s not an easy issue.”

But it could be a precarious one for the entire Western Mass. economy if it isn’t resolved soon, Delude said.

“Clearly, this is a broad-based challenge at a time when the region is beginning to show signs of recovery,” he noted. “Businesses have done a great job becoming more efficient, but at some point, you can only do so much with the space you have, and without gas, it’s going to be a challenge to expand and grow.”

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Company Notebook Departments

Westfield Financial Reports Q1 Results
WESTFIELD — Westfield Financial Inc., the holding company for Westfield Bank, reported net income of $1.3 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, compared to $1.6 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2014. Selected financial highlights for first quarter 2015 include:
• Total loans increased $82.2 million, or 12.7%, to $730.4 million at March 31, 2015 compared to $648.2 million at March 31, 2014. This was primarily due to increases in residential loans of $38.9 million, commercial and industrial loans of $29.8 million, and commercial real-estate loans of $13.0 million. On a sequential-quarter basis, total loans increased $5.7 million, or 0.8%, from $724.7 million at Dec. 31, 2014. This was due to an increase in commercial real-estate loans of $8.7 million, offset by a decrease in commercial and industrial loans of $2.8 million, primarily due to normal loan payoffs and paydowns. 

• Securities declined $26.3 million, or 4.9%, to $515.2 million at March 31, 2015, compared to $541.5 million at March 31, 2014. On a sequential-quarter basis, securities increased by $6.4 million, or 1.3%, at March 31, 2015, compared to $508.8 million at Dec. 31, 2014. 

• Net interest and dividend income decreased $65,000 to $7.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 compared to $7.7 million for the comparable 2014 period. On a sequential-quarter basis, net interest and dividend income decreased $288,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, compared to the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2014. The fourth quarter 2014 included $88,000 in deferred fee income recognized upon the payoff of a relationship. 

• The bank prepaid a repurchase agreement in the amount of $10.0 million with a rate of 2.65% and incurred a pre-payment expense of $593,000 for the first quarter 2015 in order to eliminate a higher-cost liability. 

• Non-interest expense was $6.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 and $6.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014. On a sequential-quarter basis, non-interest expense increased by $215,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, compared to $6.5 million for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2014. The increase on a sequential-quarter basis was due in part to an increase in salaries and benefits of $178,000. Of this amount, $51,000 is attributable to salary-related taxes, which are typically higher in the first quarter of each year.
“During the first quarter, harsh winter weather slowed economic activity, and therefore loan demand, particularly commercial construction projects,” said Westfield Bank President and CEO James Hagan. “We continue to cultivate new and existing customer relationships in Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut, and our outlook for growth remains positive for 2015. We have an experienced, disciplined, regional leadership team prepared to take advantage of continued opportunities for organic growth and expansion into demographically attractive markets.” Hagan continued, “the customer response to our strategic initiatives has been very positive. Our Enfield branch, which opened in November 2014, and our Granby branch, which opened in June 2013, have combined deposits of over $23.0 million. We currently have both a commercial lender and a residential lender based in the Connecticut market, and we anticipate adding another commercial lender in 2015. In addition, we relocated a commercial-loan team to downtown Springfield in 2014, which provides proximity to the I-91 corridor and better access to the borrowers and centers of influence in the Greater Springfield area and Northern Connecticut. We have taken action to strategically expand our market reach, and while this initially has increased non-interest expense, we feel this will create opportunities to grow our franchise and generate higher revenue.”

Marcotte Ford Breaks Ground on Truck Center
HOLYOKE — Marcotte Ford will celebrate the groundbreaking of its new commercial truck-repair facility on Monday, May 11 at 11 a.m. Marcotte Ford acquired the property at 933 Main St. in the fall of 2014 and will construct a 16-bay, state-of-the-art truck-repair facility to accommodate the service and repair of all light, medium, and heavy-duty trucks. This project will add six to 10 new jobs in Holyoke. “We believe in the Ford tradition of quality and service and want to deliver the best in product and service to our customers,” said Michael Marcotte, president of Marcotte Ford Sales. “We feel that this is an ideal time for a new commercial repair facility in light of the strong business momentum in the industry.” Marcotte Ford a third-generation Ford franchise that gives back to the local community through involvement with the Holyoke Boys & Girls Club, Kate’s Kitchen, and Margaret’s Pantry, as well as the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce. The new commercial building is located adjacent to Marcotte Ford at 933 Main St. and is scheduled to open this fall.

Holyoke Merry-Go-Round Launches New Website
HOLYOKE — The Holyoke Merry-Go-Round, the region’s prized carousel with a storied history that dates back to the early 1900s, announced the launch of a new website, holyokemerrygoround.org. Site upgrades include a new layout with enhancements for secure payments, easy-to-use forms and downloadable contracts, plus updated historical and photo pages to relive the magic, and more. “Today, more and more people turn to their mobile devices to search the Internet. We wanted a website that would provide them the best, most secure web experience on any device,” said Angela Wright, executive director. “This new site includes easy access to our party and private rental, reservation, donation, and events pages; online store; and forms, all on an easy-to-navigate platform.” The Holyoke Merry-Go-Round is located in Holyoke’s Heritage State Park, which is managed by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation. The carousel includes 48 horses hand-carved by the Philadelphia Toboggan Co., 56 original scenic panels, 864 brightly colored lights, and 98 beveled mirrors. Through the merry-go-round’s new website, users are able to book birthday or private parties and can share their own memories of the carousel’s history from Mountain Park to today. Additionally, secure payment options are available for the merry-go-round’s online store and donation pages. “As a nonprofit organization, we rely heavily on the generosity of the public, many of whom prefer to donate quickly and easily through our website,” Wright said. “With secure payments using PayPal, our supporters can make their tax-deductible donation online with peace of mind.” 

Adam Quenneville Roofing, Siding & Windows Earns Top Honor
SOUTH HADLEY — Adam Quenneville Roofing, Siding & Windows announced that GAF, North America’s largest roofing-materials manufacturer, recently recognized the company with a prestigious 2015 Presidents Club Award for high-quality workmanship, safety, training, and reliability. Quenneville was one of five North American contractors to receive this award. GAF, North America’s largest roofing manufacturer, developed the Presidents Club Award for Master Elite contractors who excel in workmanship, service, and responsiveness. Adam Quenneville Roofing has been recognized for its long-standing support of GAF products, success in offering homeowners peace of mind in GAF warranties, and attention to detail in all GAF roofing systems. “Some people might think, after owning a business for 20 years, that the passion would dwindle,” Quenneville said. “I feel just the opposite. I am more excited than ever to help area homeowners with their roofing concerns. Having this many years of experience, I can offer unique solutions and recommendations.” He added, “I would like to take a moment and thank my team. I couldn’t have achieved this award or any of the success over the last two decades without them.” For more information about Adam Quennville Roofing, Siding & Windows, visit 1800newroof.net.

AIC Breaks Ground for New Dining Commons
SPRINGFIELD — After a winter for the record books, American International College (AIC) recently celebrated spring and the future of dining in style with a groundbreaking ceremony in anticipation of the college’s $8 million renovation to its dining commons. The new, state-of-the-art facility will expand upon the existing dining-commons space and include a wider variety of seating along with a more abundant variety of food options and services, including customized food preparation, an open-concept kitchen complete with a Mongolian grill, a wood-fired pizza oven, and more, all presented in a contemporary, open setting. Guests and speakers at the event included AIC graduate U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno (who also attended AIC), college board of trustee members, and AIC President Vincent Maniaci, who said, “the dining commons is the heart of social interaction between and among students, faculty, and staff. This new dining commons will greatly benefit our current students by providing a spectacular dining experience and meeting center for social engagement.” Compass Foodservice CEO Steve Sweeney donated $1,500 to the local food pantry on behalf of its subsidiary, Chartwells, the leading higher-education food-service company in the world and provider for AIC. Speaking on behalf of the 1,700 undergraduate students at AIC, Student Government Assoc. representative and sophomore Rebecca Gray said, “it’s long overdue, and we’re very much ready for the new programming space and the new dining facilities, and it’s going to be a lot more modern and a lot more comfortable. I am so excited. Being only in my second year, it is really nice to see the school making so much change.” While there was a cosmetic remodel of the dining room in 2007, the last complete renovation of the college’s dining commons was in 1966, nearly 50 years ago. Construction currently involves seven local Massachusetts companies working on the project. The project is expected to be completed in time for the beginning of the fall semester.