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Daily News

PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Bank announced the promotion of Mark Pedrotti to vice president, marketing officer.

Pedrotti began his career with Berkshire Bank as a college intern from Johnson & Wales University in 2006. He was offered permanent employment in 2008 as eMarketing and website administrator and has continued to learn and grow within the marketing department, taking on new titles and increasing challenges as the years have progressed.

“Mark is a key member of Berkshire Bank’s marketing team, and this promotion reflects his dedication to his position,” said Elizabeth Mach, senior vice presient, marketing officer. “We are proud of his accomplishments and look forward to his continued growth in the future.”

Pedrotti continues to cultivate his career by acquiring new knowledge and challenging himself in and out of the office each day. In his new role, he will manage the strategic initiatives of Berkshire Bank’s digital properties, in addition to assisting with the overall integrity of marketing assets.

Outside of the bank’s marketing department, Pedrotti is also engaged with his community. He is an active participant of the Berkshire International Film Festival, and has been since its inception. Passionate about film and the Berkshire region, he does his best to merge the two, spending much of his time immersed in the outdoor community, always with a camera in hand.

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SPRINGFIELD — As part of the ongoing BusinessWest and HCN Lecture Series, Comcast Business will host an informative program titled “Big Data … Your Strategic Advantage” on Wednesday, May 10. The event is part of a series of lectures, panel discussions, and presentations that address timely and important business information. This is an opportunity to meet industry leaders and network with area business professionals.

“Big Data … Your Strategic Advantage” will be presented by Dennis Perlot, vice President, Enterprise Architecture at CleanSlate Centers, and former ‘technology evangelist’ at Microsoft and BI specialist master at Deloitte. It will take place at La Quinta Inn & Suites, 100 Congress St., Springfield. Perlot will address how other organizations are using their data to provide them with a competitive advantage. Attendees will learn how data can be analyzed for insights that lead to better decisions and strategic business moves.

On-site parking is available. Registration is scheduled for 7:15 to 7:30 a.m., followed by breakfast and Perlot’s presentation from 7:30 to 9 p.m. RSVP at businesswest.com/lecture-series.

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HOLYOKE — The Dowd Insurance Agencies announced the launch of a cell-phone-collection drive to benefit the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV). The organization, founded in 1978, works to end violence in the lives of women and men through education and advocacy efforts. The donated cell phones will be refurbished and sold or recycled, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the organization and its programs. Collection boxes will be placed at the reception desk of each Dowd branch location throughout the month of May.

According to NCADV, every minute, as many as 20 people are physically abused by an intimate partner in the U.S.; during one year, this equates to more than 10 million victims. “With such staggering figures, we felt compelled to make a difference,” said Jon Lumbra, Dowd’s chief financial officer.

Seeing multiple benefits to the drive — funding domestic-violence programs and, additionally, environmental benefits to reusing and recycling the electronics — it was unanimously agreed the cause was a noble one, and efforts to accelerate the program began. “We are honored to have the platform to raise awareness and funds for such a worthy cause,” Lumbra noted.

Cellular Recycler, NCADV’s recycling partner, has received responsible-recycling certification, the highest designation from the Environmental Protection Agency and confirmation that donated materials are recycled safely and reliably.

“There is no need to clean or wipe information from the cell phone you wish to donate,” Lumbra explained. “All donated electronics are either refurbished and resold or recycled for parts. If refurbished, all of the item’s software is replaced, which completely wipes all stored information on the device. If the item is recycled, it is crushed down during the process, making data retrieval impossible.”

To date, an estimated 3 million cell phones have been kept out of waste sites due to the efforts of NCADV and cellular recyclers. Items donated fund programming that empowers domestic-violence victims, connects survivors to helpful and potentially life-saving resources, impacts legislation aimed at ending domestic violence, and gives support to organizations across the U.S. working to stop violence in the home.

Those interested in donating a cell phone to the drive may do so through the month of May by visiting a Dowd location in Holyoke, Southampton, Hadley, Indian Orchard, or Ludlow.

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) entered a new chapter in its 50-year history Thursday with the inauguration of John Cook as its sixth college president.

The installation ceremony at STCC’s Scibelli Hall Gymnasium featured a mixture of pageantry, tradition, and celebration. The event opened with a processional led by the STCC Ceremonial Brass Ensemble, followed by the Bearer of the Mace and more grandeur befitting such formal occasions.

The audience of STCC students, faculty, staff, and members of the community witnessed the presentation of colors, heard a rendition of the National Anthem, and listened to greetings from a variety of dignitaries and members of the STCC community.

After the presentation of the presidential medallion, Cook spoke about the college’s rich history, while looking ahead to the future.

“Springfield Technical Community College carries an incredible legacy, and it is an absolute privilege to champion who we are becoming in this, our 50th year, and during a time of renaissance and innovation all around,” he said.

Christopher Johnson, chair of the STCC board of trustees, praised the new president for his efforts since taking the helm.

“The board of trustees is delighted with its selection of Dr. John Cook as STCC’s president. It has been a pleasure working with Dr. Cook during this academic year as we strive to continue to improve the lives of our students. Dr. Cook has done a great job in his inaugural year to keep STCC moving forward as the Commonwealth’s only ‘technical’ community college,” Johnson said.

Brian Tuohey is president of the Collins Companies, sponsor of the inauguration. He also is a longtime member of the STCC Foundation board of directors and its past president. He noted, “I have been very impressed with Dr. Cook’s commitment to and involvement with the STCC Foundation and our new board. His enthusiastic leadership and direction have been key components in re-energizing this very important asset, both for our college and our students.”

Cook’s induction office falls during the 50th anniversary of the founding of STCC. He replaced Dr. Ira Rubenzahl, who guided the college for 12 years. Cook took over the reins to become the sixth president of STCC on Aug. 1, 2016.

Before the inauguration ceremony, the STCC Foundation hosted a VIP luncheon that included business community partners, community stakeholders, and representatives from other education institutions. A 50th Anniversary Gala is planned for tonight at the Springfield Marriott.

Prior to his appointment, Cook was vice president of Academic Affairs at Manchester Community College (MCC) in New Hampshire. In his role as chief academic officer, he was responsible for the administration, leadership, and oversight of all academic programs and faculty at the college. Successes at MCC included working with faculty to revise developmental education, creating early-college pathways, and injecting energy into both a comprehensive program review and assessment process.

Cook also worked for 12 years at Granite State College, one of four institutions that constitute the public university system of New Hampshire; Granite State is known particularly as the leading provider of public online education in the state. He served in multiple roles, including assistant dean of faculty, faculty coordinator, and research and evaluation coordinator for a child-welfare training partnership. For a number of years, he taught Research Methods and Educational Psychology part-time to Granite State undergraduates.

Cook has long held a deep interest in the relationships between communities and their higher-education collaborators. He was nominated and selected in 2010 to be an Emerging Engagement Scholar by the Engagement Scholarship Consortium, whose goal is to work collaboratively to build strong partnerships between communities and colleges and universities.

His service includes membership on the boards of the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County, Partners for a Healthier Community, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts.

Cook holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and anthropology from St. Lawrence University, a master’s degree in community/social psychology from UMass Lowell, and a Ph.D. in education (curriculum/instruction) from the University of New Hampshire.

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AGAWAM — Dave’s Soda and Pet City will host the “Calling All Dog Lovers” book signing and informational event on Sunday, May 7 from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. at the Dave’s store located at 151 Springfield St., Agawam. Well-mannered dogs are encouraged to attend.

The event is sponsored in part by the Springfield Jewish Community Center and Kehillah, the JCC Special Needs Department. Author of The Underdogs, Melissa Fay Greene will share the story of her book about service dogs and the amazing acts they perform for the people they love and explore what can be accomplished through unconditional love. This is a free family friendly event where local nonprofit service-dog organizations and pet-adoption agencies will have informational booths on site. Attendees will be provided a 10% coupon off their entire purchase that day.

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SPRINGFIELD — The Saturday, May 6 performance of the play Wit at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) will be staged as a benefit for Longmeadow-based Survivor Journeys, which provides social and emotional support services to cancer survivors, their families, and caregivers.

The STCC College Theater Workshop will present Margaret Edson’s acclaimed play at the Scibelli Hall Theater at STCC on Thursday, May 4, 11 a.m.; Friday, May 5, 7 p.m.; Saturday, May 6, 7 p.m.; and Sunday, May 7, 2 p.m. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.

Wit focuses on the final hours of English professor Vivian Bearing, who is dying from ovarian cancer. She agrees to undergo an experimental treatment that might not save her but will provide research data for the future of oncology. The character reflects on her life over the course of the play, using the intricacies of the English language. The play chronicles the professor’s journey while touching on the moral and ethical dilemmas of medical research. The professor also, not surprisingly, uses wit to help her to the end.

In addition to winning the Pulitzer Prize in 1999 for Best Drama, the play was made into an HBO movie starring Emma Thompson and was recently revised on Broadway with Cynthia Nixon in the lead role.

“Everyone associated with Survivor Journeys is honored and thrilled that the Springfield Technical Community College Theater Workshop will be donating the May 6 Wit performance proceeds to our organization,” said Dr. Jay Burton, founder of Survivor Journeys and a cancer survivor himself. “We are grateful to all of the actors, stage crew, and supervisory staff, including Professor Phil O’Donoghue, for their recognition of Survivor Journeys and its mission to help provide emotional and social support to cancer survivors, their families, and caregivers.”

Burton will speak at the theater after the Saturday performance.

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SPRINGFIELD — Jessica Gordon Nembhard, author of the groundbreaking book Collective Courage: A History of African-American Economic Thought and Practice, will facilitate an exploration of the rich history of African-American economic cooperation and its role in movements for black civil rights and economic equality today, April 27, from 5 to 7 p.m. at TechSpring, 1350 Main St., Springfield.

Nembhard is a political economist and professor of Community Justice and Social Economic Development in the Africana Studies Department at John Jay College, City University of New York. She is also a member of the Grassroots Economic Organizing Collective, the U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives, the Eastern Conference for Workplace Democracy, and the U.S. Solidarity Economy Network, and also serves on the leadership team of Organizing Neighborhood Equity DC. She was inducted into the Co-op Hall of Fame in 2016.

Workshop objectives include understanding the compelling case for using cooperatives in inclusive economic-development strategies; understanding how cooperatives address poverty and the marginalization of communities of color and immigrants; understanding how cooperatives can bridge divides in the common interest of creating good jobs that are rooted in the community; and understanding how cooperatives create opportunities for business ownership, wealth building, and democratic management.

The event is sponsored by Wellspring Cooperative Corp., Baystate Health and the Worker Cooperative Boot Camp Project. Parking will be validated.

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) is committed to ensuring that its online courses and programs employ best practices based on the existing research literature. Course-development goals are focused on ensuring the highest levels of student learning, interaction, and engagement.

To meet these goals, AIC has become a Quality Matters (QM) member. QM is a faculty-centered peer-review process designed to certify the quality of online courses. The QM Rubric and course-review process were developed from a grant provided by the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education. QM has received national recognition for its peer-based approach to quality assurance and continuous improvement in distance learning and has more than 1,000 subscribers in North American and around the world.

The QM Rubric is research-based and promotes best practice-based quality standards. Alignment, a central concept of the QM Rubric, requires that critical course components — learning objectives, assessment and measurement, instructional materials, learner interaction, and engagement and course technology — work together to ensure that students achieve desired learning outcomes.

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WESTFIELD — Salons throughout the U.S. will be participating in HAIRraising, a fund-raising event benefiting Boston Children’s Hospital’s Heart Center. Puffer’s Salon and Day Spa has joined this initiative with a month-long celebration including raffles, featured items, and promotions. Throughout the month of May, 100% of the proceeds from all children’s haircuts will go to Boston Children’s Hospital.

Founded in 2010 by longtime business partners John Frieda and Gail Federici, HAIRraising brings together the salon and hair communities to help support the life-saving care and breakthrough cures, treatments, and innovations at Boston Children’s Hospital.

“We’re so grateful to the salon community for their ongoing support of Boston Children’s Hospital,” said Frieda. “We’re consistently overwhelmed and amazed by the level of commitment this effort receives from salon owners and stylists.”

Added Federici, “support for Boston Children’s Hospital is critical. We need everyone to understand the huge global impact that this hospital has, not only for children, but for adults as well. Together with this event, we can help save countless lives.”

Judy Puffer, owner of Puffer’s Salon & Day Spa, said she is “thrilled to participate in HAIRraising this year to support Boston Children’s Hospital. It’s exciting to be a part of something that unifies our community and can make such a huge difference in the lives of sick children.”

In the past seven years, salons have raised more than $1 million for Boston Children’s Hospital through HAIRraising and the generosity of the salon community. This year’s event is expected to raise more than $300,000 for the hospital.

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BOSTON — Local unemployment rates decreased in 23 labor-market areas and increased in one area in the Commonwealth during the month of March, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported. Compared to March 2016, the rates were down in all 24 labor-market areas.

All 15 areas for which job estimates are published recorded seasonal job gains in March. The largest gains occurred in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Worcester, Barnstable, Framingham, Haverhill-Newburyport-Amesbury, Lawrence-Methuen-Salem, and Lowell-Billerica-Chelmsford areas.

From March 2016 to March 2017, 13 of the 15 areas added jobs, with the largest percentage gains in the New Bedford, Lowell-Billerica-Chelmsford, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Barnstable, Haverhill-Newburyport-Amesbury, and Pittsfield areas.

In order to compare the statewide rate to local unemployment rates, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the statewide unadjusted unemployment rate for March was 3.9%.

Last week, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported the statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 3.6% in the month of March. The statewide seasonally adjusted jobs estimate showed a 200-job gain in March, and an over-the-year gain of 49,000 jobs.

The unadjusted unemployment rates and job estimates for the labor-market areas reflect seasonal fluctuations and therefore may show different levels and trends than the statewide seasonally adjusted estimates.

The estimates for labor force, unemployment rates, and jobs for Massachusetts are based on different statistical methodology specified by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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STOCKBRIDGE — After nearly a nearly a two-month-long construction project, Main Street Hospitality will unveil the new, 1,600-square-foot kitchen at the Red Lion Inn with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, April 27 at 3:30 p.m. Open only to hotel guests with a select menu since late February, the dining room at the historic hotel has reopened to the general public with new seasonal menus.

The new kitchen represents the third significant renovation project at the hotel in the last 10 years, and brings a much-improved dining experience. Among the necessary improvements that preserve and reinforce the historic building are enhanced work-flow measures for kitchen and wait staff, integration of the bake shop into the renovation, and steps to ensure the dining operation is greener and more ecologically friendly.

At the ceremony, Main Street Hospitality executives Nancy Fitzpatrick, owner and chairwoman, and Sarah Eustis, CEO, will join other key figures from Main Street, the Red Lion Inn, and its partners in the project: Lacey Thaler Reilly Wilson Architecture and Preservation, LLP of Albany, N.Y., and David J. Tierney Jr. Inc. of Pittsfield. Kitchen tours and light refreshments will be available.

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SPRINGFIELD — Jessica Collins, executive director of Partners for a Healthier Community, has been appointed to Gov. Charlie Baker’s Special Commission on Behavioral Health Promotion and Upstream Prevention.

The commission is tasked with investigating “evidence-based practices, programs, and systems to prevent behavioral-health disorders and promote behavioral health across the Commonwealth. The Commission is comprised of an interdisciplinary group of leaders in behavioral health, prevention, public health, addiction, mental health, criminal justice, health policy, epidemiology, and environmental health.

The Commission is zeroing in on three overarching questions: what’s working in behavioral-health promotion and upstream prevention? How can we better fund what’s working? And what can we achieve if we fund what works? More information can be found at promoteprevent.com/mission.

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SPRINGFIELD — Single-family home sales were up 5.9% in the Pioneer Valley in March compared to the same time last year, while the median price was up 1.7% to $188,000, according to the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley.

In Franklin County, sales were up 21.2%, while the median price fell 12.0% from a year earlier. In Hampden County, sales were up 10.2%, while the median price was up 2.8%. And in Hampshire County, sales fell 8.0% from March 2016, while the median price was up 4.3%.

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CHICOPEE — A new master of business administration track at Elms College aims to help shape the future of healthcare.

Healthcare — a field that will experience 19% job growth between 2014 and 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — is in ever-increasing need of innovation. Today’s healthcare organizations are tasked with lowering costs, improving quality, expanding access, and increasing efficiency.

“Innovation is the key to meeting these challenges, and MBA-prepared administrators are the leaders who will guide the healthcare system into the future,” said Kim Kenney-Rockwal, director of the MBA program at Elms College.

Students in this MBA track will learn to evaluate feasibility of ideas, formulate innovative healthcare proposals, and make recommendations to effectively facilitate adoption of new practices and technologies. They will gain leadership skills to lead the transformation from traditional organizational cultures into a culture of innovation. They will emerge from this program ready to identify misalignments in healthcare systems — and to develop business models that respond to those misalignments.

But they will do more than study innovation from a theoretical perspective. All students in the healthcare innovation track will also participate in the Lean LaunchPad, a methodology that offers hands-on, real-world experience in a startup venture.

In the healthcare and life-sciences fields, Lean LaunchPad teaches innovators, entrepreneurs, clinicians, and scientists how to assess whether their idea or technology can serve as the basis for business. The focus of the course is on the marketplace, where an idea must be validated to move into the commercial world. Teams of students will gather data essential to customer purchases before doing the science; define clinical utility now, before spending millions of dollars; identify financing vehicles before they’re needed; and assess regulatory risk before they design and build.

“The healthcare business model is going to change. When you think about innovation and change, it could mean quality improvement, new technologies, or other methods of healthcare delivery,” said Amanda Garcia, adjunct faculty in the MBA program at Elms. “There is great opportunity for people who can manage change and bring in innovative projects or new devices or new business models.”

This program will begin in this fall. Foundation courses for students entering with a non-business background will begin in June.

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CHICOPEE — Jennifer Carlson has joined Phillips Insurance Agency Inc. as personal lines account manager. Her responsibilities will include growing the agency’s client base for personal auto, homeowners, and related insurance lines.

Carlson has more than 20 years of experience in the personal insurance market and holds the designation of CPRIA, chartered private risk and insurance advisor, as well as a Massachusetts brokers license.

Phillips Insurance Agency was established in 1953 and is a full-service risk-management firm with a staff of 24 professionals. The agency handles the personal and commercial insurance needs for thousands of individuals and businesses throughout New England.

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CHICOPEE — The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) announced that Sunshine Village has been accredited for a period of three years for its day-habilitation, employment-services, and day-services programs. The latest accreditation is the 10th consecutive, successful three-year accreditation given to Sunshine Village by the international accrediting body.

This accreditation decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be given to an organization. An organization receiving a three-year accreditation has put itself through a rigorous peer review process. It has demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on-site visit its commitment to offering programs and services that are measurable, accountable, and of the highest quality. CARF accreditation is a useful tool to determine the best organization for services.

Specifically, Sunshine Village was tested against 856 standards in areas including leadership, strategic planning, financial planning, input from people served, risk management, health and safety, human resources, technology, rights of people served, accessibility, and performance improvement, as well as quality individualized services and supports.

“I am so proud that Sunshine Village has again been recognized by CARF with their highest level of accreditation,” said Gina Kos, executive director of Sunshine Village. “This is an outstanding achievement, and it shows that the organization meets our mission of improving the lives of people with disabilities. Every day, more than 230 staff work hard to achieve that mission, and this accreditation is validation of that. It shows that we do deliver on the promise of a great day — and that our employees truly shine.”

Now in its 50th year, Sunshine Village is a nonprofit organization with a main campus in Chicopee and additional sites in Chicopee, Springfield, Three Rivers, and Westfield. It has been providing day services for adults with developmental disabilities, including those on the autism spectrum, since 1967.

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WARE — Holyoke Community College and the Quaboag Valley Community Development Corp. will hold an open house at their joint education and workforce training center in downtown Ware on Wednesday, April 26 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

The center, called E2E, short for Education to Employment: Quaboag Region Workforce Training and Community College Center, is located at 79 Main St., Ware, and has been open since June 2016, offering a range of non-credit classes, including hospitality and culinary-arts training and EMT certification.

The roughly 3,000-square-foot facility includes two classrooms, computer stations, and common areas, as well as staff and office space.

Speakers will include Renee Tastad, dean of HCC Enrollment Services; Karin Moyano Camihort, dean of HCC Online Learning; Jeffrey Hayden, vice president of HCC Business & Community Services; and Sheila Cuddy, executive director of the Quaboag Valley Community Development Corp. The public is invited to attend, and light refreshments will be served. RSVP to QVCDC at (413) 967-3001 or [email protected].

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HOLYOKE — PeoplesBank has issued its annual Corporate Green Report. Through its green values and actions to support environmental sustainability, PeoplesBank believes it can help make the region a healthier place to live, work, and raise a family. The bank puts these values to work throughout the year through its charitable donations and volunteerism. PeoplesBank is also recognized for its support of green-energy projects and its construction of LEED-certified offices.

For Earth Day 2017, PeoplesBank highlighted more than $65,000 in funding for green initiatives in Western Mass. Those initiatives include support for an existing mobile farmers’ market in Springfield and the launch of a new one in Holyoke; the CISA (Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture) Food for All campaign; the Center for EcoTechnology; Grow Food Northampton’s community garden; the Source to Sea Cleanup of the Connecticut River (support of this effort will also include hands-on participation by a team of volunteers from the bank); the Mount Holyoke wetlands-restoration project; and scientific environmental education at the Hitchcock Center for the Environment.

PeoplesBank is also a longtime leader in sustainable-energy financing. “PeoplesBank started financing sustainable energy several years ago when we helped Holyoke Gas & Electric replace hydroelectric generators,” said Thomas Senecal, president and CEO of PeoplesBank. “That sustainable energy source actually provides electric power for four of our offices, including our headquarters in Holyoke.”

Building on that successful effort, PeoplesBank commercial lenders developed a niche expertise in creating financing packages for green-energy power generation and, to date, have financed more than $126 million in wind, solar, and hydroelectric power-generation projects.

Community banks are not generally known for building green offices, But PeoplesBank has a LEED Gold-certified office in Northampton, a LEED Gold-certified office in West Springfield, and a LEED Silver-certified office in Springfield. The LEED-certified office in Springfield, the first of its kind in the city, won a GreenSeal from the city of Springfield. PeoplesBank has also installed electric-vehicle charging stations at three offices, in Northampton, West Springfield, and Holyoke.

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NORTHAMPTON — Cooley Dickinson Health Care was awarded the Greenhealth Partner for Change award by Practice Greenhealth for the fifth consecutive year. Practice Greenhealth is the nation’s leading healthcare community dedicated to transforming healthcare worldwide so that it reduces its environmental footprint and becomes a community anchor for sustainability and a leader in the global movement for environmental health and justice.

The Partner for Change award is one of the organization’s Environmental Excellence Awards given each year to honor outstanding environmental achievements in the healthcare sector. The award recognizes healthcare facilities that continuously improve and expand upon their mercury-elimination, waste-reduction, recycling, and source-reduction programs. At minimum, facilities applying for this award must be recycling 15% of their total waste, have reduced regulated medical waste, are well along the way to mercury elimination, and have developed other successful pollution-prevention programs in many different areas.

Among Cooley Dickinson’s recent environmentally friendly practices, it has recycled 65 tons, or 85%, of the construction waste during the construction of the Comprehensive Breast Center at Cooley Dickinson Hospital; replaced kitchen dishwashers, saving 50% of water and energy use; arranged contracts for 3,500 kwh of solar power under a 20-year agreement, which is 30% of CDH’s annual usage; and replaced and upgrade lighting to LED technology in 15,000 square feet of the CDH property.

“As a Practice Greenhealth Partner for Change Award winner, Cooley Dickinson is committed to improving the health of our patients, staff, and community as a whole,” said Anthony Scibelli, vice president, Operations and chief administrative officer. “Cooley Dickinson’s employees take pride in our sustainability efforts to lessen our impact on the environment and look forward to working with Practice Greenhealth to continue this work across the country.”

The Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Awards will be presented in May at the CleanMed Conference & Exhibition, a national environmental conference for leaders in healthcare sustainability.

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HOLYOKE — May is National Stroke Awareness Month, and the American Stroke Assoc., a division of the American Heart Assoc., will once again host a forum open to stroke survivors and their caregivers. The 2017 Pioneer Valley Stroke Survivors and Caregivers Forum, “The Future Belongs to Those Who Dream,” will take place on Wednesday, May 3 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke.

Close to 300 people are expected to attend the event, which is designed to bring together stroke survivors and caregivers so they may become better connected with the network of resources available. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the day will include exhibitors, local healthcare providers, and stroke survivors who will educate and share information. The forum will once again be hosted by Boston comedian and American Stroke Assoc. supporter Chris Tabb, whose family has been personally touched by stroke.

The Pioneer Valley Stroke Forum is open to the public, and admission is $5, which will include a light breakfast and heart-healthy lunch. For tickets, call the American Heart Assoc. local office at (203) 303-3373.

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PITTSFIELD — Shire City Herbals, maker of the apple-cider-vinegar-based health tonics known as Fire Cider, announced plans to build and operate a production facility in the company’s hometown of Pittsfield. The company plans to begin construction this month, and will relocate its shipping and administrative offices to the new location this spring. In addition, the company is launching a nationwide rollout in GNC stores over the next month.

The new, $1.2 million, 20,000-square-foot facility will enable Shire City Herbals to increase its production capacity with the intent to expand distribution throughout the U.S. and Canada. Production at the new facility is scheduled to begin in fall 2017, with a bottling line to come online in 2018.

Owners Amy Huebner, Dana St. Pierre, and Brian Huebner worked with Billy Keane at Jan Perry Realty; David Harrington, vice president of Lee Bank; and David Curtis from 1Berkshire to purchase 15 Commercial St. in Pittsfield’s East Street neighborhood. The building was originally constructed in 1952 and was used as a bottling plant by Coca-Cola until the late 1950s.

Huebner has also secured the professional services of the Dennis Group for architectural and engineering design. Springfield-based Dennis Group offers complete planning, architectural, process-engineering, and construction-management services exclusively to the food and beverage industries nationwide.

Shire City Herbals contracted Massachusetts-based general contractor Steve Mauter to construct a 6,500-square-foot kitchen to make its line of apple-cider-vinegar health tonics. The company is working with Lee Bank to finance expansion, and has received tax incentives from the city of Pittsfield. Shire City Herbals has also been working with the city’s Community Development Department and the Pittsfield Economic Revitalization Corp. regarding tax incentives.

Started in 2011, Shire City Herbals first produced Fire Cider in a commercial kitchen at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Pittsfield. In 2012, the company moved production operations to the Franklin County Community Development Corp. Food Processing Center in Greenfield. For the past four years, the company’s production needs have grown exponentially to ultimately become one of the largest producers in the space.

“Adding to the economic health and well-being of Berkshire County has always been an underlying tenet of our business philosophy,” said Dana St. Pierre, CEO. “Being able to purchase and revitalize a building along the once vital East Street corridor, while adding jobs to the area, allows us to be a part of the rebirth of a city we love to call home.”

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SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) will offer five-week and 10-week on campus and online summer classes. Session One begins June 5, and Session Two starts July 10.

Summer classes are the perfect opportunity for area college students to earn college credit between June and August, said STCC Dean of Enrollment Management Matthew Gravel.

“The majority of classes available during summer session can be used to fulfill requirements at other colleges and universities,” Gravel said. “Classes fill up very quickly, and we continue to offer classes across the curriculum to meet the demands of STCC students, as well as students from other colleges and universities who are home for the summer.”

Academic subject areas include:  Accounting, Anthropology, Biology, Business Law, Chemistry, Criminal Justice, Economics, Electronic Systems, English, Finance, Graphic Communication & Photography, History, IT, Math, Marketing, Medial Assisting, Music, Office Information Technologies, Philosophy, Physics, Psychology, Sign Language, Sociology, Spanish, and Speech.

Class schedules are available at www.stcc.edu/summer. Students can register online, by phone at (413) 755-4321, or in the Registrar’s Office/Garvey Hall South/First Floor.

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CHICOPEE — The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, CARF International (CARF) announced that Sunshine Village has been accredited for a period of three years for its day habilitation, employment services programs, and day services programs. The latest accreditation is the 10th consecutive, successful three-year Accreditation given to Sunshine Village by the international accrediting body.

This accreditation decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be given to an organization. An organization receiving a three-year accreditation has put itself through a rigorous peer review process. It has demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on-site visit its commitment to offering programs and services that are measurable, accountable, and of the highest quality. CARF accreditation is a useful tool to determine the best organization for services.

Specifically, the organization was tested against 856 standards in areas including leadership, strategic planning, financial planning, input from persons served, risk management, health and safety, human resources, technology, rights of persons served, accessibility, and performance improvement as well as quality individualized services and supports. In the past ten years, this achievement indicates Sunshine Village’s well-established pattern and commitment to practice excellence.

Upon receiving notice of the successful accreditation, Gina Kos, executive director, for Sunshine Village said, “I am so proud that Sunshine Village has again been recognized by CARF with their highest level of accreditation.  This is an outstanding achievement and it shows that the organization meets our mission of improving the lives of people with disabilities.  Every day, more than 230 staff work hard to achieve that mission — and this accreditation is validation of that.  It shows that we do deliver on the promise of a great day — and that our employees truly shine.”

Now in its fiftieth year, Sunshine Village is a nonprofit organization with a main campus in Chicopee and additional sites in Chicopee, Springfield, Three Rivers, and Westfield. It has been providing innovative day services for adults with developmental disabilities, including those on the autism spectrum, since 1967.

Daily News

LONGMEADOW — Bay Path University will stage its 120th Commencement on May 21 at 3 p.m. at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. Kathryn Hayward, class of 1976, founder of International Integrators, will address the Class of 2017.

More than 1,000 Bay Path students earned bachelor’s, master’s, and advanced degrees, with more than 800 students anticipated to be part of the Commencement event.

Hayward will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree for her leadership in the practice of integrative health. With her husband David Thomas, Hayward is the founder of International Integrators, an organization whose mission is to promote a more balanced approach to healthcare by focusing on the blending of the best of conventional medicine, whole food lifestyles, conscious movements, and mind/body/spirit connections. Hayward earned her medical degree from the Boston University School of Medicine, and is retired from her positions as Associate Physician at the Massachusetts General Hospital and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.

An Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters will also be presented to Dr. Susanne Churchill at the University’s 120th Commencement. Churchill received her Ph.D. from the Boston University School of Medicine. She went on to found the Institute for Circadian Physiology in Boston, and was also appointed Associate Dean of Research at the Harvard Medical Center. Dr. Churchill is world-renown in the area of biomedical informatics, and among her many accomplishments, she has worked with Dr. Isaac Kohan to lead the successful and ground-breaking Information for Integrating Biology and the Bedside (i2b2) National Center for Biomedical Computing at Partners HealthCare. Churchill has been a trustee at Bay Path for 15 years, serving as Chair of the Academic Committee, as well as being a member of the executive committee and the committee on trustees.

For those who cannot attend Bay Path’s 120th commencement, the event will be streamed live on www.baypath.edu/commencement.

Daily News

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Medical Center (HMC) has once again earned an ‘A’ rating from The Leapfrog Group, ranking them among the safest hospitals in the United States. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the first and only national health care rating focused on errors, accidents and infections.

The program has been assigning A, B, C, D and F letter grades to general acute-care hospitals in the U.S. since 2012. Holyoke Medical Center was one of 823 hospitals to receive an ‘A’ ranking among the safest hospitals in the United States.

“This is the third consecutive ‘A’ rating for Holyoke Medical Center. As a freestanding independent community hospital, we must rely on providing our patients with the safest, highest quality, affordable care possible, and we appreciate our staff who join us every day in being dedicated to our mission,” said Spiros Hatiras, president and CEO of Holyoke Medical Center and Valley Health Systems Inc.

“When we launched the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade in 2012, our goal was to alert consumers to the hazards involved in a hospital stay and help them choose the safest option. We also hoped to galvanize hospitals to make safety the first priority day in and day out,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of Leapfrog. “So far, we’ve been pleased with the increase in public awareness and hospitals’ commitment to solving this terrible problem. But we need to accelerate the pace of change, because too many people are still getting harmed or killed.”

Developed under the guidance of an Expert Panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses 30 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign A, B, C, D and F grades to more than 2,600 U.S. hospitals twice per year. It is calculated by top patient safety experts, peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public.

To see Holyoke Medical Center’s full grade, and to access consumer-friendly patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit www.hospitalsafetygrade.org.

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — During his lifetime, Rev. Harold C. Smith, D.Div., dedicated himself and his many gifts to Springfield College. Mary-Beth A. Cooper, Springfield College president, announced today that, to celebrate his rich legacy, the college will name its newly reconstructed learning commons to honor his memory and the many ways in which he helped Springfield College grow and prosper.

Smith passed away March 21, 2017, in New York City, at the age of 83.

“Harold had a passion for Springfield College and for the YMCA,” said Cooper. “His life’s work will live on in this learning commons and in the lives of our students who will study and research there.”

Smith was a valued member of the Springfield College Board of Trustees for more than three decades, and served as chair of the board’s investment committee for 25 of those years, as well as on the executive committee, and the committee on business affairs. Under his leadership, and through his investment expertise and strategy, the college’s endowment experienced unprecedented growth through a diverse portfolio.

Smith was recognized for his dedication and commitment to serving others in the Springfield College tradition when he was awarded the Springfield College Honorary Doctor of Humanics degree in 1998. He was a member of the college Naismith Giving Society, which recognizes donors who have given more than $1 million during their lifetime. He is enshrined in the YMCA Hall of Fame located on the college campus.

The Harold C. Smith Learning Commons will be dedicated when the building is opened later this year to honor the man who studied for the ministry, but went on to become the president and chief investment officer of the YMCA Retirement Fund.

Reflecting 21st century library innovations, the learning commons will become the heart of the college’s academic program, providing beautiful facilities where students and faculty can study, research, work in groups, and receive writing and other academic support.

Renovations of the college’s 45-year-old library began in August 2016, and the new facility will include a 24-hour reading room, a café, a technology hub designed to promote collaboration between research and information technology, and will be home to the college’s Academic Success Center.

Smith was a dedicated philanthropist and volunteer throughout his lifetime and volunteered for the League of Women Voters, the Interfaith Committee of Trumbull, and the Bridgeport Area Foundation. He was a trustee of the YMCA Retirement Fund, YMCA Greater Bridgeport, and Ursinus College; and a board member of the YMCA of Greater New York, Bank Mart, and Y-Mutual Insurance.

Born in the Bronx, Smith was an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, and held a bachelor’s degree and Doctor of Divinity degree from Ursinus College, a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary, and a Master of Business Administration from New York University. He was a Chartered Financial Analyst, a member of the New York Society of Security Analysts and a member of the American Economics Association. Mr. Smith had a 40-year dual career in ministry and investments.

Daily News

SPRINGFIELDWhite Lion Brewing continues to root itself as Springfield’s craft beer brand. Pride Stores which has a beer-and-wine selection in five of its 30 locations will feature White Lion as the preferred local beer brand.

“The partnership is part of Pride Stores commitment to the local community,” said David Horgan, director of Advertising. “The company recently announced a distribution partnership with Big Mamou Restaurant, a Springfield based establishment, and we are excited to expand our partnerships through the ‘Support Local’ campaign with White Lion.”

White Lion has accounts throughout Massachusetts, but company president, Raymond Berry, stated “there is no better feeling than knowing local decision makers like Pride Stores want to be part of our growth, this partnership will put the brand and our portfolio in front of people daily. Both companies are committed to the city and surrounding communities.”

The stores will carry White Lion’s portfolio of bottled and soon to be released canned products.

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield College announced that Gary Blanchette has been named vice president for Institutional Advancement, effective April 24.

The move marks the return of Blanchette to his alma mater. He received a B.S. degree with honors from Springfield College in 1980 with concentrations in psychology and counseling.

As vice president, Blanchette will be responsible for the overall leadership and management of the college’s development and alumni relations efforts, including the development and implementation of a long-range fundraising strategy. He will serve as a member of Springfield College President Mary-Beth Cooper’s leadership team.

“I am delighted to welcome one of our own, Gary Blanchette, back to our family,” said Cooper. “It’s wonderful to have an alumnus come back and give back his talents to serve the institution. Gary’s extensive fundraising experience with a highly regarded non-profit such as Junior Achievement distinguished him from other strong candidates in our national search. I look forward to his leadership as we develop a distinctive institutional advancement model at Springfield College.”

Blanchette was the senior vice president of Development for the national Junior Achievement, USA where he was responsible for the successful organization and execution of an unprecedented multi-year national campaign to raise $25 million. Previously, he served the regional Junior Achievement of Central Florida in several executive roles over a 20-year term including president for five years. There, he led a strategic planning process and launched a capital campaign that resulted in the establishment of the first JA Academy for Leadership and Entrepreneurship in the country.

“It is with sincere gratitude and joy that I accept the position of Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Springfield College,” said Blanchette. “As a proud alumnus, the ability to come home to Springfield College and to be part of the team that will continue to create an environment where future students will have the opportunity to experience the life changing education that Springfield College provides is a dream come true. Springfield College has made a difference in so many lives, including mine. I look forward to the opportunity to connect with the Springfield College community as together we move our mission forward.”

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C., a labor and employment law firm serving employers in the greater Springfield area, invites business owners, managers and human resource professionals to an informative webinar outlining ways employers can stay in compliance with what can be some tricky federal wage and hour regulations.

The webinar will be staged April 25 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. and hosted by attorney Kimberly A. Klimczuk of Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C., in conjunction with BLR. A live Q&A will follow the presentation.

“Organizations that don’t strictly follow the rules regarding compensation for work-related travel, on-call time or training that could be at legal risk,” said Klimczuk.

Topics covered during the webinar will include:

  • Key factors that determine whether commuting time or travel during regular work hours qualifies as paid work time, and whether travel between job sites is compensable;
  • When training programs are considered compensable — and whether they qualify for overtime;
  • What to consider when determining an employee’s overtime rate;
  • Compensation for non-exempt employees who work beyond their regular shift and perform legitimate work activities;
  • When pay for on-call time is required (and how much), and when it’s not; and
  • Best practices for drafting effective travel/overtime/on-call policies.

 

Those interested in registering for the course can do so online at HR Hero® Store or by calling (800) 274-6774.

Klimczuk concentrates her practice on labor law and employment litigation including negotiating collective bargaining agreements and advising on contract interpretation; representing clients in labor arbitration; and successfully defending clients in state and federal court and before administrative agencies in a variety of areas of employment law, including wage/hour law, discrimination, harassment, wrongful discharge and breach of contract.

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity (GSHFH) and future Habitat homeowners will work alongside Lowe’s volunteers and all-female construction crews for Habitat for Humanity’s 10th annual National Women Build Week, May 6-14. Habitat’s National Women Build Week invites women to help make a difference and devote at least one day to help build decent and affordable housing in their local communities.

More than 17,000 women, including Lowe’s Heroes volunteers, are expected to volunteer at construction sites across the country as part of Habitat’s 2017 National Women Build Week.

In the Upper Hill neighborhood of Springfield, volunteers will work to frame the exterior walls on the first floor of the house as well as tackle interior walls and prep to start the second floor. “Unskilled volunteers often arrive feeling timid about stepping onto a construction site and being expected to frame, but with encouragement and a little guidance they end up loving the experience and accomplishing a lot,” said GSHFH Construction Manager Kris McKelvie.

This year, Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity will be kicking off its next new construction in Springfield as part of National Women Build Week. In support of Women Build Week and Mother’s Day, the annual fundraising event, Men Can Cook, will be held on May 9, where several men, including local business owners, Habitat board members, and others, volunteer as chefs and waiters to put on an unforgettable evening of food and fun to honor the women in their lives. Mayor Domenic Sarno of Springfield, who has been a local celebrity waiter in the past, will be in attendance again this year to celebrate National Women Build Week as well as State Representative Carlos Gonzales.

Lowe’s helped launch National Women Build Week in 2008 to empower women to advocate for affordable housing and spotlight the homeownership challenges faced by many. Each year, Lowe’s provides the support of their employee volunteers, Lowe’s Heroes, and conducts how-to clinics at stores to teach volunteers construction skills so they can feel equipped to take part in the builds. Lowe’s Heroes will be among more than 70 volunteers joining to help build decent, affordable housing in the Springfield area as part of National Women Build Week.

“Through our partnership with Habitat and support of National Women Build Week, Lowe’s empowers women to get involved in their communities, learn construction skills and make a meaningful impact,” said James Frison, Lowe’s director of community relations. “We’re grateful to all the women in the Springfield area who will volunteer this week to help build and repair decent and affordable housing.”

Lowe’s donated nearly $2 million to this year’s National Women Build Week, including a $5,000 store gift card to Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity. Since 2003, Lowe’s has committed more than $63 million to Habitat’s mission and helped more than 6,500 families improve their living conditions.

Habitat’s first Women Build event was held in 1998. Since then, all-women construction crews have helped build more than 2,500 homes in partnership with families.

For more information on Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build program and to learn about Women Build events in communities across the U.S. year-round, visit Habitat.org/wb.

Daily News

GLASTONBURY, Conn. — United Financial Bancorp Inc., the holding company for United Bank (the “Bank”), announced results for the quarter ended March 31, 2017. The company reported net income of $13.7 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, compared to net income for the linked quarter of $14.6 million, or $0.29 per diluted share. The company reported net income of $11.9 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2016.

“Over the last three consecutive quarters, United Financial Bancorp Inc. has averaged a return on average assets (ROA) of 0.87% and a return on average tangible common equity (ROTCE) of 10.89%, as the company continues to make progress on its four key objectives communicated in April 2016,” said William H.W. Crawford, IV, CEO of the company and the bank. “I want to thank our dedicated employees, executives, and board of directors for their relentless focus on making United Bank a better bank for our customers and communities each day.”

Assets totaled $6.70 billion at March 31, 2017 and increased $97.1 million, or 1.5%, from $6.60 billion at Dec. 31, 2016. At March 31, 2017, total loans were $4.94 billion, representing an increase of $42.3 million, or 0.9%, from the linked quarter. Changes to loan balances during the first quarter of 2017 were highlighted by a $44.6 million, or 6.2%, increase in commercial business loans and a $16.6 million, or 4.0%, increase in owner-occupied commercial real estate loans. Total residential mortgages increased during the first quarter of 2017 by $11.2 million, or 1.0%. Total cash and cash equivalents decreased $6.3 million, or 6.9%, during the linked quarter, while the available for sale securities portfolio increased by $32.3 million, or 3.1%.

Deposits totaled $4.79 billion at March 31, 2017 and increased by $79.2 million, or 1.7%, from $4.71 billion at December 31, 2016. In the first quarter of 2017, money market deposit accounts increased $157.2 million, or 12.9%, and NOW checking deposits increased $39.2 million, or 7.9%, from the linked quarter, reflective of a seasonal increase in municipal deposits and successful new account acquisition. These increases were offset by a $110.1 million, or 6.3%, decrease in certificates of deposit, some of which migrated to money market deposit accounts.

The Board of Directors declared a cash dividend on the company’s common stock of $0.12 per share to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 28, 2017 and payable on May 10, 2017. This dividend equates to a 2.73% annualized yield based on the $17.58 average closing price of the company’s common stock in the first quarter of 2017. The company has paid dividends for 44 consecutive quarters.

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) Veterans’ Alumni Committee will welcomes one of the original Tuskegee Airmen, Enoch Woodhouse, Esquire, as a special guest at the annual Admiral Hines Pinning Ceremony on April 20 at noon in the International Room in Lee Hall

Woodhouse was born in Boston. Now 89, he is one of the last surviving members of the Tuskegee Airmen.

In 1944 at the age of 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He attended Officer Candidate School and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant at 19. He was assigned as Paymaster to the 332nd Fighter Group known as the Tuskegee Airmen. Woodhouse and the Tuskegee Airmen played a key role in the early integration of the Armed Forces. He was discharged from active duty in 1949.

After retiring from the Army Air Force, Woodhouse attended and graduated from Yale University. He earned his juris doctorate from Boston University.

In 2007, Woodhouse and his fellow Tuskegee Airmen received the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest honor, from President George W. Bush for facing two wars — one abroad and the other at home in terms of racial intolerance. The Admiral Hines Pinning Ceremony at AIC is held each spring to recognize members of the senior class who are AIC military veterans or active military.

Admiral John F. Hines served notably in the U.S. Navy before becoming the eighth President of AIC. His son was a Marine captain who was killed during the Vietnam War. This ceremony recognizes his service to his country, followed by his service to the College.

The ceremony recognizes these service members with a pin, certificate, and recitation of their military accomplishments and future career plans in the presence of their fellow service members, their family, veteran alumni, and AIC faculty and administration.

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — On May 6 at 4:30 p.m. the Colony Club in Springfield will the setting for hats, horses and hors d’oeuvres to celebrate the 143nd Annual Kentucky Derby.

Presented by the Gaudreau Group and Northeast IT, with sponsorship support from Nuvo Bank, American International College (AIC), the Colony Club and others, the event will raise much-needed funds for Square One’s programs and services.

“Short of heading to Church Hill Downs, we cannot think of any better way to enjoy the derby,” said Kristine Allard, chief Development & Communications officer for Square One. “We are so grateful to our sponsors and guests for joining us for what promises to be a great party, in support of the work Square One does every day to support at-risk children and families.”

Tickets are $45 in advance and $50 at the door. The event will include big screen monitors to enjoy the race, hearty hors d’oeuvres, and a complimentary mint julep. Prizes will be awarded for the best Derby attire. Tickets may be purchased via Eventbrite or by contacting Heather at Inspired Marketing at (413) 303-0101.

Since 1883, Square One has been committed to ensuring that all children and families have the opportunity to succeed at school, at work, and in life by providing educational programs, family support services, health and fitness resources, and a voice in the community. Square One knows that children grow up to become better educated and more successful academically, emotionally and socially when they have high-quality early education, nurturing adults to care for them, and a safe and healthy community in which to live. At the core of everything they do is the belief, confirmed by research, that children who begin learning early become better learners for life.

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Strengthening its business strategy and development expertise, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) today named Aaron Miller head of Strategy & Corporate Development.

Miller reports to Betsy Ward, MassMutual’s chief financial officer and chief actuary.

In his new role, Miller, who will work closely with MassMutual’s executive leadership team, is responsible for leading the development of the company’s corporate and business strategies, as well as competitive intelligence, helping maximize MassMutual’s long-term performance.

“Aaron’s nearly two decades of experience across many disciplines within the financial services arena will add both breadth and depth to our business strategy and planning thought leadership,” said Ward. “We look forward to Aaron’s business acumen in helping differentiate MassMutual from key competitors through the monitoring of global industries, markets, opportunities and trends – all in support of our purpose of helping people secure their future and protect the ones they love.”

Miller joins MassMutual from Capital One Financial Corporation, where he spent more than six years as managing vice president of Strategy. In this role, he was responsible for supporting the company’s overall corporate development agenda and evaluating potential acquisition targets. Of note, he led Capital One’s February 2012 $9 billion acquisition of ING Direct USA, and the company’s $2.6 billion acquisition of HSBC’s U.S. credit card business in May 2012.

Prior to Capital One, from 2006 through 2010, Miller was a Principal with Boston-based private equity firm Great Hill Partners, where he was responsible for originating and evaluating investment opportunities in the financial services, Internet and business services sectors. He also served on the boards of Ziff Davis Media Inc. (acquired by j2 Global. Inc.), and Central Security Group (acquired by Summit Partners), among others.

Miller began his career in 1999 with McKinsey & Company’s North American financial services practice, eventually becoming a senior consultant. There he helped Global 1000 and earlier stage companies address such issues as strategy, new business development and operations.

Miller received his bachelor’s degree in economics and public policy studies from Duke University, and earned his MBA from The Harvard Business School.

Agenda Departments

Economic Outlook Luncheon

April 20: The stock market is up, and soon, so might be interest rates. The Trump administration wants to make historic budget cuts, and unemployment rates are at historic lows. While these are much better than the worst of times for local businesses, are they going to turn into the best of times? Business leaders, who do not like uncertainty, will get some insights into the economic future at the PeoplesBank Economic Outlook, a free luncheon featuring James Hartley, professor of Economics at Mount Holyoke College. The luncheon will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Willits-Hallowell Conference Center, Mount Holyoke College, 50 College St., South Hadley. It is open to the public, but space is limited, and registration is required. “The economy is improving, and business owners want to know where it is going,” said David Thibault, first vice president, Cash Management at PeoplesBank, who will introduce Hartley. “At this luncheon, we hope to give them some of the data necessary to help with business planning for this year and next.” Registration information can be found at bit.ly/pb-register.

Planned-giving Seminar

April 20: Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires invite nonprofit executive directors, development staff, and board members to attend “Planned Giving Basics: What Every Nonprofit Should Know.” Led by planned-giving consultant Ellen Estes of Estes Associates and attorney Virginia Stanton Smith of Smith Green & Gold, LLP, the workshop will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at Saint James Place, 352 Main St., Great Barrington, Mass. This training will explore the various elements of planned giving, including how to launch a planned-giving program, identify prospects for planned giving, discuss giving options, and build personal relationships with donors and prospects. This event is part of Berkshire Taconic’s popular annual “Seminars in Nonprofit Excellence” series. Tickets cost $40 per person, and light food and beverages will be provided. To register, visit www.berkshiretaconic.org/pgbasics.

Trump’s First 100 Days

April 21: Glenmeadow will present a panel of political analysts who will lead a discussion about President Trump’s actions in office thus far. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to noon at Sleith Hall’s Wood Auditorium at Western New England University, 1215 Wilbraham Road, Springfield. The election of Trump as the 45th president of the U.S. polarized the country. In Glenmeadow’s program, called “The First 100 Days: Governing Across the Great Divide,” the panel will look at Trump’s first 100 days in office and discuss his performance on topics including domestic and foreign policy, healthcare, immigration, polling, and media coverage. Political analyst Bill Scher, a contributing editor to Politico and the founder of the blog liberaloasis.com, will serve as moderator. Other panelists will include Tim Vercellotti, professor of Political Science at Western New England University and director of the New England Polling Institute; political consultant Tony Cignoli; Ron Chimelis, a columnist for the Republican; and Marie Angelides, an immigration attorney with her own firm and chair of the Longmeadow Select Board. The program is free, but seating is limited, and registration is required. To register, call (413) 567-7800 or e-mail [email protected]. Visit glenmeadow.org/learning for more information. Glenmeadow Learning is one of many free programs Glenmeadow offers to members of the wider community. These programs represent one facet of the life-plan community’s mission to serve seniors across the region and to operate as a socially accountable organization.

Real-estate Sales Licensing Course

May 1: Beginning Monday, May 1, the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley will sponsor a 40-hour, 14-class sales licensing course to help individuals prepare for the Massachusetts real-estate salesperson license exam. The course will be completed on June 1. Tuition is $359 and includes the book and materials. The course curriculum includes property rights, ownership, condos, land use, contracts, deeds, financing, mortgages, real-estate brokerage, appraisal, fair housing, consumer protection, Massachusetts license law, and more. Classes meet Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. at the association office, 221 Industry Ave., Springfield. For an application, contact Joanne Leblond at (413) 785-1328 or [email protected], or visit www.rapv.com.

Forum for Stroke Survivors, Caregivers

May 3: May is National Stroke Awareness Month, and the American Stroke Assoc., a division of the American Heart Assoc., will once again host a forum open to stroke survivors and their caregivers. The 2017 Pioneer Valley Stroke Survivors and Caregivers Forum, “The Future Belongs to Those Who Dream,” will take place at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. Close to 300 people are expected to attend the event, which is designed to bring together stroke survivors and caregivers so they may become better connected with the network of resources available. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the day will include exhibitors, local healthcare providers, and stroke survivors who will educate and share information. The forum will once again be hosted by Boston comedian and American Stroke Assoc. supporter Chris Tabb, whose family has been personally touched by stroke. The Pioneer Valley Stroke Forum is open to the public, and admission is $5, which will include a light breakfast and heart-healthy lunch. For tickets, call the American Heart Assoc. local office at (203) 303-3373.

‘Big Data … Your Strategic Advantage’

May 10: As part of the ongoing BusinessWest and HCN Lecture Series, Comcast Business will host an informative program titled “Big Data … Your Strategic Advantage.” The event is part of a series of lectures, panel discussions, and presentations that address timely and important business information. This is an opportunity to meet industry leaders and network with area business professionals. “Big Data … Your Strategic Advantage” will be presented by Dennis Perlot, vice President, Enterprise Architecture at CleanSlate Centers, and former ‘technology evangelist’ at Microsoft and BI specialist master at Deloitte. It will take place at La Quinta Inn & Suites, 100 Congress St., Springfield. Perlot will address how other organizations are using their data to provide them with a competitive advantage. Attendees will learn how data can be analyzed for insights that lead to better decisions and strategic business moves. On-site parking is available. Registration is scheduled for 7:15 to 7:30 a.m., followed by breakfast and Perlot’s presentation from 7:30 to 9 p.m. RSVP by Tuesday, May 2 at businesswest.com/lecture-series.

Run for River Valley

May 20: River Valley Counseling Center (RVCC), an affiliate of Holyoke Medical Center and member of Valley Health Systems, will hold its sixth annual Run for River Valley fund-raiser on Saturday, May 20. Funds raised will support RVCC in providing critical behavioral-health and other supportive services to individuals, families, and groups throughout the Pioneer Valley. The 5K run and 1.5-mile walk will take place at Ashley Reservoir in Holyoke. Registration starts at 8 a.m. at Elks Lodge 902, 250 Whitney Ave., and the race begins at 9:30 a.m. An awards ceremony will be held at the Elks Lodge following the race. The registration fee is $25 ($10 for children 12 and under). Adults who pre-register will save $5, and the first 100 registrants will receive a free race T-shirt. To register online, visit accuspec-racing.com or download a registration form at rvcc-inc.org. The deadline for mail-in registration is Saturday, May 13, with online registration accepted until Wednesday, May 17. Sponsors of the 2017 Run for River Valley include PeoplesBank, Palmer Paving Corp., Holyoke Gas and Electric, Hamel’s Catering, Laurel Pure, and Gallagher Real Estate. For additional information, visit www.rvcc-inc.org or contact Angela Callahan at (413) 841-3546 or [email protected].

40 Under Forty

June 22: The 11th annual 40 Under Forty award program, staged by BusinessWest, will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke, honoring 40 of the region’s rising stars under 40 years old. An independent panel of judges has chosen the winners, and their stories are told in the pages of this issue. The event is sponsored by Northwestern Mutual (presenting sponsor), PeoplesBank (presenting sponsor), Moriarty & Primack, Health New England, the Gaudreau Group, the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, Six-Point Creative Works, Renew.Calm, and the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield. Tickets cost $75. A limited number of tables are available, and some individual and standing-room-only tickets are also available, but are expected to sell out quickly. To purchase tickets, call (413) 781-8600 or go HERE.

Departments People on the Move
Tim Ashe

Tim Ashe

Robert Fazzi, founder and managing partner of Fazzi Associates, has announced that Tim Ashe has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer and is now responsible for the firm’s day-to-day leadership. Ashe joined Fazzi in 2006 and became a partner in 2007. Since that time, he has led the firm’s Operational Consulting division to provide organizational, operational, turnaround, and change-management services to home-care and hospice agencies across the country. Under his leadership, Fazzi has helped hundreds of agencies improve outcomes and profitability through best practices in organizational structure, clinical and operational processes, and new models for staffing, supervision, and care management. More recently, Ashe also assumed responsibility for the company’s Outsourced Billing, Finance, and Information Technology divisions. A long-time leader in the field of home care and hospice, Ashe’s career has included a blend of clinical, operational, fiscal, and academic roles. He is a frequent presenter at national and state conferences and is often asked to contribute to industry forums. He is also the co-director of the 2016-17 National Home Care and Hospice State of the Industry Study. Fazzi will continue as the firm’s managing partner. But in transferring the leadership of the firm’s daily operations to Ashe, he will devote more time to the company’s future investments as well as to national and international community-based care issues that are close to his heart. “I want to say, at this milestone in Fazzi’s history, that I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished and contributed to our industry thus far, and I’m also incredibly excited about what the future holds,” Fazzi said. “Tim is an incredible leader. I am looking forward to working closely with him as we expand our national and international efforts.”

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Regina Alexander

Regina Alexander

Spiros Hatiras, President and CEO of Holyoke Medical Center (HMC) and Valley Health Systems, announced the appointment of Regina Alexander as Director of Health Information Management at Holyoke Medical Center. An accomplished revenue-cycle and healthcare-operations leader, Alexander previously served as associate director of Health Information Management at Yale New Haven Health System in New Haven, Conn., as manager of Health Information at Rutland Regional Medical Center in Rutland, Vt., and most recently as senior product manager of Medicare Advantage for Harvard Pilgrim Health Care in Wellesley Hills. “Now that I’ve settled into my role here as director, I can take the experience of working both in a large tertiary facility along with running an operation of a similar size to HMC [at Rutland] and apply lessons learned — successful and less-successful approaches — to come up with the approach that will work best for the resources we have and the scale that we are,” she said. “Knowing what’s possible equips me to think creatively and come up with the best solutions.” Alexander is a board-certified fellow in healthcare management through the American College of Healthcare Executives, holds a master’s of business administration in healthcare from George Washington University, and a bachelor’s degree in health administration and long-term care from the University of Phoenix. With an affinity for science from a young age, Alexander began her career as a laboratory technician in her native Baltimore. She then served as phlebotomy supervisor at George Washington University and as laboratory technician at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington. “Having a clinical background enables me to speak the language of patient care and continuity of care that is so valuable when working directly with physicians, even if what we’re talking about is revenue-related,” said Alexander, who is looking forward to managing her three areas of expertise: medical coding, HIM operations, and clinical documentation improvements. She also serves as the HIPAA privacy officer for HMC.

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Pamela Sanborn

Pamela Sanborn

James Kelly, president of Polish National Credit Union, announced that Pamela Sanborn has joined the credit union as Assistant Manager of the Westfield branch. Sanborn has almost 20 years of financial-services experience, most recently as retirement service specialist with Westfield Bank. She has also held branch officer positions with Berkshire Bank, Legacy Banks, and the Bank of Western Massachusetts. She holds N.M.L.S. certification, studied at Saint John’s School of Business, and completed training with the Center for Financial Training and Massachusetts Mortgage Bankers. During her professional career, Sanborn has been the recipient of Employee of the Month and President’s Club awards. She has also received recognition for outstanding customer service. Active in charitable and civic causes, Sanborn is a volunteer and team captain for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and a volunteer with Aplastic Anemia and PNH support and awareness initiatives. She also devotes time to the Westfield Food Pantry Community Garden. Her other involvements include the Chamber of Commerce and Rebuilding Springfield. “Pamela is an outstanding addition to our Westfield team,” said Kelly. “Her strong financial-services background, leadership skills, and focus on exceptional customer service are all desirable qualities that will transfer well to her new position with Polish National Credit Union.”

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Amelia Holstrom

Amelia Holstrom

Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C. announced that attorney Amelia Holstrom will be honored as one of the Massachusetts Lawyer’s Weekly “Up & Coming Lawyers” at its Excellence in the Law event at the Marriott Long Wharf Hotel in Boston on April 27. The publication describes Up & Coming Lawyers as “rising stars of the legal community — Massachusetts attorneys who have been members of the bar for 10 years or less, but who have already distinguished themselves despite their relatively junior status.” Holstrom joined Skoler, Abbott & Presser in 2012 after serving as a judicial law clerk to the judges of the Connecticut Superior Court, where she assisted with complex matters at all stages of litigation. Her practice focuses on labor law and employment litigation. “I am truly humbled to be recognized as one of this year’s Up & Coming Lawyers among so many talented attorneys,” she said. Since joining the firm, Holstrom has assisted clients in remaining union-free; represented clients at arbitrations; and defended employers against claims of discrimination, retaliation, harassment, and wrongful-termination claims, as well as actions arising under the Family Medical Leave Act and wage-and-hour law. Additionally, she frequently provides counsel to management regarding litigation-avoidance strategies. In addition to her legal résumé, Holstrom is active in the local community. She is an ad hoc member of the personnel committee for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, a member of the board and executive committee for the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts, and a member of the board for Clinical & Support Options Inc. Additionally, she formerly served as clerk on the board of Friends of the Homeless. Holstrom is a 2011 graduate of Western New England University School of Law, where she was the managing editor of the Western New England Law Review. In 2015, she was named one of BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty honorees, and in 2016, she received the Massachusetts Bar Assoc. Community Service Award.

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative (BFMC) will partner with Vitec Videocom to bring their nationally touring ‘Roadshow’ to the Sheraton Springfield on May 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

This will be BFMC’s 4th Film and Media Exchange — a ‘Day 2 Play’ — with workshops and an exhibit hall showcasing the latest in production equipment. The event will focus on cost-effective production techniques designed for anyone in broadcasting, filmmaking, photography, communications, and marketing. The exchange also includes lunch, keynote speech, and networking opportunities with others in the industry.

According to Diane Pearlman, executive director of BFMC, “Vitec Videocom produces the Roadshow all across the country — we’re thrilled they’re bringing this high-end conference to Western Mass.”

Seminars at the Exchange include:

  • Litepanel’s co-founder, Pat Grosswendt, revealing some of the subtleties of LED lighting;
  • 20-year Anton/Bauer veteran Joe Teodosio explaining the importance of a complete system of batteries and chargers — with new updates from NAB 2017;
  • The latest options for adding teleprompting to your production to keep your cast on script. Find out how using portable tablets such as the iPad, can move teleprompting from the studio into the field;
  • As production moves beyond 4K to 8K and HDR, which tools and technologies should you be focusing your production future on? Join Vitec’s resident technologist, Gary Adcock, for a lively discussion on filmmaking’s constantly evolving future.

There will be a product demo area where attendees can get hands-on time with several Vitec brands such as Sachtler, Vinten and OConnor supports, Litepanels lighting and Anton/Bauer batteries. Talamas will also be there with the latest camera equipment. The Exchange is a unique opportunity for Vitec to educate attendees around workflow solutions and how be most effective with even a small amount of gear.

Sponsors of the Exchange (to date) include: the Community Foundation of Western Mass., the Economic Development Council of Western Mass., Mark G. Auerbach Public Relations, Mass. Cultural Council, New England Public Radio, Take Magazine, Vitec Videocom, The Westfield News Group, WGBY Public Television for Western New England, WRSI/The River, and Northampton Radio Group and Talamas.

For more info on programs and tickets contact: BFMC at berkshirefilm.org or call (413) 528-4223.

Briefcase Departments

Leadership Pioneer Valley Campaign Kicks Off

SPRINGFIELD — Leadership Pioneer Valley’s leadership campaign committee gathered last week to announce outreach efforts for LPV’s class of 2018. The committee includes emerging leaders in education, banking, insurance, healthcare, local government, and nonprofit management. In small teams, they plan to connect with employers, community leaders, and prospective class participants throughout the region. They’ll work through June to identify the most promising applicants. Only 40 spots are available for the class of 2018, which begins in September. LPV’s 10-month regional leadership-development program engages the Pioneer Valley’s up-and-coming emerging leaders through learning and exploration. Participants are trained in leadership skills by experts in a classroom setting. They also attend in-depth field experiences across the region, where they meet with local leaders and explore the region’s economy and culture. Applied leadership experience is developed through work on projects for local nonprofits and government agencies. To date, more than 200 individuals representing more than 90 companies, organizations, and municipalities have participated. “Leadership Pioneer Valley made me a better collaborator, and it’s exciting to revisit that skill in partnership with other alums as we seek out new LPV participants who can help the Pioneer Valley succeed,” said Pat Gagnon of Baystate Health and LPV’s class of 2015. The campaign committee will seek out individuals in all sectors and focus on recruiting those committed to growing their personal, professional, and civic leadership. Applicants will be considered in a competitive application process that prioritizes diversity by employment sector, geography, race, gender, and sexual orientation. Emerging leaders, mid-career professionals with leadership potential, and those looking to better the Pioneer Valley should consider applying. Now entering its seventh class cycle, LPV alumni are leading in many ways throughout the region. Graduates are receiving promotions, growing businesses, running for elected office, and governing nonprofit boards. Together, the group represents a regionally unique leadership network reaching into every community. The deadline for LPV class of 2018 applications is July 3. Applications and further information can be found at www.leadershippv.org.

Unemployment Up in February

BOSTON — Local unemployment rates increased in 22 labor-market areas, remained the same in one area, and dropped in one area in the state during the month of February, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported. Compared to February 2016, the rates were down in 23 areas and remained the same in one area. Six of the 15 areas for which job estimates are published recorded seasonal job gains in February. Gains occurred in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Springfield, Worcester, Peabody-Salem-Beverly, Brockton-Bridgewater-Easton, and New Bedford areas. From February 2016 to February 2017, 13 of the 15 areas added jobs, with the largest percentage gains in the New Bedford, Barnstable, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Taunton-Middleborough-Norton, and Lowell-Billerica-Chelmsford areas. In order to compare the statewide rate to local unemployment rates, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the statewide unadjusted unemployment rate for February was 4.2%. Last week, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported the statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 3.4% in the month of February. The statewide seasonally adjusted jobs estimate showed a 10,100-job gain in February, and an over-the-year gain of 57,700 jobs.

Speaker Sisterhood Adds Two Public-speaking Clubs

NORTHAMPTON — The Speaker Sisterhood, a network of public-speaking clubs for women with clubs in Springfield, Amherst, Northampton, and South Hadley, is adding two new clubs, one in Greenfield and a second Northampton club, for women who want to become more confident speakers. Both new clubs scheduled open houses. The Northampton open house was held on April 6 at Click Workspace at 9 1/2 Market St., and was be led by Cathy McNally, a corporate communication trainer with a background in stand-up and improv comedy. The Greenfield open house will take place on Tuesday, April 18 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 170 Main St., and will be led by documentarian and communication coach Carlyn Saltman, innovator of the coaching method known as Video Mirror Feedback. Angela Lussier, CEO of Speaker Sisterhood, says that the mission of the clubs is to provide a community for “women who want to increase confidence, boost public-speaking skills, have fun, and maybe even change the world.” Lussier, a well-known public speaker and author of three books, added that “each Speaker Sisterhood club is more than just a place to practice speaking in front of a group. It’s a tribe of women who are supporting and empowering each other to follow their dreams by building confidence in their voice.” According to McNally, who is also the Speaker Sisterhood program development director, the program uses interactive activities, humor, and other tools that engage women at all skill levels. “We draw on fun exercises from the comedy world to make sure women have a blast at our meetings. At our open houses, guests can get a sense right away of the lively and supportive atmosphere we create together.” According to Saltman, women can attend two club meetings for free before deciding to join. “We want to give every woman who visits a chance to see if the club is a good match for them.” Saltman said the group covers the topics that meet the needs of most public speakers: storytelling, persuasion, humor, body language, and thinking on one’s feet. “Women are a powerful force in our world, and we want to bring them together to help them better articulate their ideas, stories, and views. We believe that is exactly what the world needs right now,” said Lussier of the Speaker Sisterhood, which formed in 2016, has several clubs in Western Mass., and is expected to expand nationwide in 2017.

Single-family Home Sales Down in February

SPRINGFIELD — Single-family home sales were down 23.3% in the Pioneer Valley in February compared to the same time last year, while the median price was up 3.2% to $180,000, according to the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley. In Franklin County, sales were down 31.3%, while the median price fell 25.4% from a year earlier. In Hampden County, sales were down 21.9%, while the median price was up 3.8%. And in Hampshire County, sales fell 13.0% from February 2016, while the median price was down 4.7%.

Court Dockets Departments

A summary of recent court filings in Western Massachusetts April 17, 2017

HAMPDEN DISTRICT COURT

Fisher Auto Parts Inc. v. Brakes Plus Inc. and Linda Ronen
Allegation: Monies owed for goods and services rendered pursuant to written contract: $7,100.96
Filed: 2/17/17

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT

Doris Baggige v. RRI II LLC d/b/a Red Roof Inn a/k/a Red Roof Plus Inc.
Allegation: Slip and fall causing injury
Filed: 3/8/17

J. Peter Bouvier v. John J. Papale
Allegation: Breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and accounting: $200,000+
Filed: 3/8/17

Lovelle Thomas v. Shree Ram Inc.
Allegation: Slip and fall causing injury: $31,669.62
Filed: 3/9/17

George Ouellette v. Linda M. Trolio and Baystate Noble Hospital Corp.
Allegation: Malpractice: $115,000
Filed: 3/10/17

Michael Emerson v. Asphalt Paving & Maintenance Inc.
Allegation: Slip and fall causing injury: $70,442.38
Filed: 3/16/17

Ryder Truck Rental Inc. v. d/b/a Ryder Transportation Services v. DGM & GMP Inc. f/k/a Martin White Glove Delivery Inc. and HMS Van Lines Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract: $191,626.47
Filed: 3/16/17

Alton E. Gleason Co. Inc. v. Rabecki Excavating and 66 Holyoke LLC
Allegation: Monies owed for services, labor, and materials: $41,068.05
Filed: 3/20/17

HAMPSHIRE DISTRICT COURT

Michael Aquadro d/b/a Aquadro Farms, LLC v. Louthier Routhier
Allegation: Negligent repair of two hydraulic cylinders: $3,490
Filed: 3/8/17

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT

Michael Adair v. Birch Hill, LLC
Allegation: Slip and fall causing injury: $35,701
Filed: 3/8/17

Pioneer Valley Concrete Services Inc. v. Berkshire Hills Music Academy
Allegation: Monies owed for services, labor, and materials: $47,701
Filed: 3/17/17

Phillip Hurteau and Cinda Hurteau v. Alfred M. Roy & Sons Construction Inc.
Allegation: Negligence in stairway construction causing injury: $172,339
Filed: 3/23/17

FRANKLIN SUPERIOR COURT

Michael A. Ward as personal representative for the estate of Marion E. Ward v. Berkshire Healthcare Systems Inc. d/b/a Charlene Manor Extended Care Facility, Jody Rattigan d/b/a Serenity Homecare and Terry Eaklor
Allegation: Wrongful death
Filed: 3/16/17

WESTFIELD DISTRICT COURT

Industrial Handling Systems Inc. v. Raynor Door Sales and People’s United Bank
Allegation: Monies owed for goods and services sold and delivered: $13,500
Filed: 3/9/17

Daily News

SPRINGFIELDSkoler, Abbott & Presser will present a talk on how the Trump Administration mandates could potentially affect employers at the Springfield Regional Chamber Lunch ‘n Learn on May 10, 2017 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lattitude restaurant, 1338 Memorial Ave., West Springfield.

Attorney Amelia Holstrom will discuss recent developments and her predictions about what may happen at both the state and federal levels under the new Administration and what it could mean for employers.

Holstrom will talk about what is happening with the Affordable Care Act and steps Massachusetts may be taking while the issue is sorted out at the federal level; the potential for paid family leave both at the state and federal levels; and her predictions regarding trends in the enforcement of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission requirements, including the new EEO-1 requirements.

She will also address what employers should be watching for relative to medical marijuana and what an employer’s current legal rights are, and her predictions for labor relations developments under the new National Labor Relations Board.

Reservations for the Lunch ‘n Learn are $25 for members ($30 at the door) and $35 for general admission ($40 at the door) and include networking, lunch, presentation and question and answer session.

Reservations may be made online at www.springfieldregionalchamber.com or by contacting Jessica Hill at [email protected].