BusinessWest Staff, Author at BusinessWest

BOSTON — Local unemployment rates decreased in 19 labor-market areas, increased in two areas, and remained the same in three areas in the state during the month of September, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported. Compared to September 2016, the rates were up in 18 labor-market areas and remained the same in six labor-market areas.

Six of the 15 areas for which job estimates are published recorded seasonal job gains in September. The gains occurred in the Springfield, Worcester, Brockton-Bridgewater-Easton, New Bedford, Peabody-Salem-Beverly, and Leominster-Gardner areas.

From September 2016 to September 2017, 14 of the 15 areas added jobs, with the largest percentage gains in the New Bedford, Haverhill-Newburyport-Amesbury, Barnstable, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Lynn-Saugus-Marblehead, and Springfield areas.

In order to compare the statewide rate to local unemployment rates, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the statewide unadjusted unemployment rate for September was 3.5%.

Last week, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported the statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 3.9% in the month of September. The statewide seasonally adjusted jobs estimate showed a 9,300-job gain in September and an over-the-year gain of 62,300 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.

GCAi Increases Its Expertise in Corporate Reputation Management

By BusinessWest Staff October 27, 2017

SPRINGFIELD — John Garvey, president of Springfield-based digital-marketing and public-relations firm Garvey Communication Associates Inc. (GCAi) recently completed a certificate program in corporate reputation management offered by the Public Relations Society of America.

The eight-week program was taught by communications experts from global brands including Weber Shandwick, the Hershey Co., MasterCard, Revlon Inc., and Burson-Marsteller. The program included modules on “Reputation and the CEO,” “Key Performance Indicators,” “Digital Reputation,” and “Reputational Risks.” The program is designed to help communications professionals navigate the space between marketing, public relations, and digital, as well as to recognize the importance of reputation and the CEO’s impact on brand value.

Garvey was also a keynote presenter at the 2017 Massachusetts Bankers Assoc. Executive Officers Conference, where he presented on “Managing the Media and Your Reputation in a Crisis.” He has close to four decades of public-relations and reputation-management experience, having worked as a consultant to a variety of corporations and nonprofits, as well as a political campaign consultant.

Garvey earned a bachelor’s degree from Marquette University and has served as a guest lecturer at the university’s Diederich College of Communications. He earned a master’s degree in organizational development at American International College. He is also a judge and mentor for the Boston-based global startup accelerator MassChallenge, where he has worked with cohorts from Spain, Columbia, Morocco, France, and Mexico.

United Bank Foundation Supports Acute Elder Care Unit at Baystate

SPRINGFIELD — The United Bank Foundation Massachusetts recently approved a $50,000 grant designated to help Baystate Medical Center and Baystate Health Foundation establish a permanent Acute Care for Elders (ACE) unit at the hospital.

Baystate launched its ACE unit as a pilot program in September 2014, providing nationally recognized and award-winning geriatric care that has resulted in many positive clinical outcomes for elder patients at the medical center, including reducing the length of hospital stays for elderly patients, enhancing patient safety, boosting training for medical staff, and increasing the number of patients who return directly home after their hospital stay.

Due to the success of the pilot program, Baystate is seeking partners like United Bank to help establish a permanent, state-of-the-art ACE unit. This 32-bed unit would enable Baystate to provide acute care to more elderly patients in Western Mass. To date, Baystate’s ACE unit has treated approximately 500 elderly patients.

According to the Baystate Health Foundation, the elderly population in Western Mass. — which is currently among the highest in the state — is expected to rise by nearly 15% in 2018. By 2030, the older adult population will increase to more than 70 million and account for one in every five Americans.

“For anyone who has an elderly family member who required a prolonged hospital stay, you want peace of mind knowing your loved ones are comfortable in a compassionate setting, receiving top medical care, and are on course to return home to lead independent lives when they are discharged,” said Dena Hall, the bank’s Western Mass. regional president and president of the United Bank Foundation Massachusetts. “Baystate has a proven record for meeting these patient-care goals and successfully addressing the unique physical and psychological needs of elderly patients. We know our $50,000 financial commitment will help Baystate continue to be a leader in transforming elder care in Western Mass.”

Added Dr. Andrew Artenstein, chief physician executive at Baystate Health, “we’ve proven that this approach works, and the need for it will increase significantly as our population increases. It’s time to move out of the pilot stage and crease a more permanent, expanded ACE unit.”

The Gray House Seeks Turkeys to Feed Neighbors in Need

SPRINGFIELD — Thanksgiving is approaching, and the Gray House, a nonprofit human-services agency in the North End of Springfield, is requesting donations to help ensure that everyone enjoys a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

“There are so many families in our community that would go without a Thanksgiving meal if it weren’t for our community donating turkeys and all of the sides,” said Executive Director Teresa Spaziani-Liberti. “Families who receive turkeys from us are so appreciative that they get to share this meal with their loved ones. Almost every year, we receive at least one turkey donation from a family who previously received a turkey from us. It’s so wonderful to see people giving back to others, even though they still may be struggling themselves.”

The Gray House is seeking donations of frozen turkeys as well as gravy, stuffing, potatoes, canned sweet potatoes, canned vegetables, pie crust, and pie filling. “We are hoping to provide at least 500 families with a turkey and sides. The number of families we can provide holiday meals to truly depends on the number of turkeys donated,” Spaziani-Liberti added.

This year, with the influx of evacuees from Puerto Rico affected by Hurricane Maria, the Gray House expects an even greater need for food on top of the higher demand it typically experiences toward the end of the year. In addition to holiday food, donations of new or gently used warm winter coats, gloves, and scarves are needed for these families.

Donations can be dropped off weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Nov. 17 at the Gray House, 22 Sheldon St., Springfield. To schedule a donation outside of this time or if you plan to coordinate a food drive, call (413) 734-6696. Eligible families in need can sign up to receive a turkey at the Gray House on Tuesday, Nov. 7 from 3 to 5 p.m. More information on eligibility and requirements can be found at grayhouse.org/thanksgiving-food-distribution.

Westfield Bank, Customers Raise Funds for Hurricane Maria Relief

WESTFIELD — Westfield Bank presented a donation for $8,000 to the Westfield Spanish American Assoc. and the Western Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico coalition to aid relief efforts in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria. The funds were raised during the Bank’s “Casual for a Cause” event held earlier this month, in which employees could earn the privilege of dressing casually by contributing to the fund-raiser. Bank customers were also invited to drop contributions in collection boxes located at the Bank’s 21 branch offices. Together, employees and customers donated $4,000, and Westfield Bank matched their efforts with an additional $4,000.

According to Ed Diaz, co-founder of the Westfield Spanish American Assoc. (WSAA) and chairman of the association’s hurricane relief fund, the bank’s donation will be sent directly to the United for Puerto Rico relief fund. Together, the WSAA and Western Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico form a coalition of community groups; civic and business leaders; volunteers from Springfield, Holyoke, Westfield, and Chicopee; and others in Western Mass. working to bring relief to the people of Puerto Rico.

“Over $100,000 has been raised thus far,” said Diaz, “and we have collected other items such as batteries, water, sanitary products, canned foods, and radios at drop-off points at the Westfield Boys & Girls Club, the Westfield YMCA, and the Westfield school superintendent’s office. We have shipped over 250 boxes of goods to Puerto Rico, and we thank Westfield Bank and everyone who donated to this cause and volunteered their time and talent for this effort.”

Both Westfield Bank and the WSAA plan to continue their efforts on behalf of Hurricane Maria relief. With significant support from the WSAA and the Portuguese American Club in Chicopee, a group of Westfield Bank employee volunteers is organizing a benefit dance on Saturday, Dec. 2. The dance will be held from 6 p.m. until midnight at the Portuguese American Club, 149 Exchange St., Chicopee. For more details, the public is invited to visit any Westfield Bank office.

“Our employees and our customers have been eager to support this critical humanitarian effort,” said Westfield Bank President James Hagan. “Their generosity and that of others in our region, along with the diligent work of the WSAA and Western Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico, will send comfort and compassion to the people of Puerto Rico as they recover and rebuild. Westfield Bank is proud to support the WSAA and Western Mass. United in this time of great need. And, I’m personally proud of Westfield Bank employees, who keep asking what more they can do and how they can help.”

Steven Weiss to Discuss Chapter 13 Plan at Bankruptcy Symposium

SPRINGFIELD — Attorney Steven Weiss will speak about the new Chapter 13 plan as part of the 16th annual Western Mass. Bankruptcy Symposium presented by the Massachusetts Bar Assoc. (MBA) on Tuesday, Nov. 7 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Western New England University School of Law. Weiss is a shareholder with the regional law firm Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C.

“I am honored to again be among the distinguished presenters for this symposium,” Weiss said. “This year’s program will provide practical information for bankruptcy professionals and attorneys. I will specifically address the new Chapter 13 plan, form, and rules.”

Weiss concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial and consumer bankruptcy, reorganization, and litigation. He supervises the firm’s bankruptcy, reorganization, and workout practice and represents creditors, debtors, and others in both commercial and consumer bankruptcy cases throughout Massachusetts.

In addition, Weiss is a member of the MBA, the Hampden County Bar Assoc., the American Bankruptcy Institute, and the National Assoc. of Bankruptcy Trustees. He has been a member of the private panel of Chapter 7 trustees for the District of Massachusetts since 1987 and also serves as a Chapter 11 trustee.

Florence Bank Promotes Michelle Cayo

FLORENCE — Florence Bank, a mutually owned savings bank serving the Pioneer Valley through 10 branch locations, has hired Michelle Cayo of Granby in the position of vice president, Credit Administration manager. She brings nearly 20 years of commercial credit experience to her new role.

Cayo studied at Bay Path University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in business with a concentration in finance, and her master’s degree in communications and information management. She completed the New England School for Financial Studies program and is in the process of completing the Graduate Banking Program from the American Bankers Assoc.

Cayo serves her community as a member of the Jimmy Fund Council of Western Mass. In the past, she has also served as president of the Professional Women’s Chamber of Western Mass. In 2013, she was recognized by Western Mass Women magazine as Volunteer of the Year to recognize her work for children with pediatric cancer. She was also recognized by BusinessWest as a member of the 40 Under Forty Class of 2011, which celebrates young business and civic leaders in the Pioneer Valley.

“We are thrilled to announce the addition of Michelle Cayo to our Florence Bank family,” said President and CEO John Heaps Jr. “She has an impressive background in commercial credit, and we feel she’s the ideal candidate to take on the role of VP/Credit Administration manager. I know we will be seeing excellent results from her in the years to come, and I look forward to watching her success.”

State Grant to Boost Continued Development at Ludlow Mills

LUDLOW — Rep. Thomas Petrolati and state Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash visited Ludlow Mills on Tuesday, Oct. 24 to announce a $3.5 million grant for ongoing redevelopment at the 170-acre site, the Republican reported.

Westmass Area Development Corp. bought the former mill complex in 2011, setting out on a 15- to 20-year path of redevelopment. Since then, the site has added 75 apartment units and attracted 39 businesses.

On Thursday, Oct. 26, WinnDevelopment will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Petrolati, Gov. Charlie Baker, and other dignitaries to celebrate the firm’s $20 million transformation of Mill 10 into the Residences at Mill 10, which features 75 mixed-income, age-restricted apartments.

Rachel Turgeon Wins United Personnel Academic Merit Award

SPRINGFIELD — Rachel Turgeon, a United Personnel employee who has worked in a variety of customer-service roles for the past five years, has been awarded the 2017 United Personnel Academic Merit Award. Turgeon received the $1,000 scholarship to defray student-loan payments related to her bachelor’s degree she received from Elms College last June. As an aspiring oncologist, Turgeon hopes to begin medical school next year.

In addition to her work as a United Personnel contract employee, Turgeon is currently a women’s leader at Celebrate Recovery. In 2010, she suffered from an autoimmune disorder, and, in order to grow and heal from that occurrence, she began to counsel women in similar situations. She wanted women to see their beauty and worth beyond their physical impairments, such as hair loss. It was through this experience that she realized her calling and began taking steps to one day specialize in oncology, with the dream of traveling the world through Doctors Without Borders.

“Working at United Personnel has taught me that hard work pays off,” Turgeon said. “United Personnel has been a blessing to work for. They have helped me during an extremely tough time in my life, and through them I found a job that has supported me and my long-term goals. I am extremely grateful to receive the United Personnel scholarship. Because of this scholarship, I can pay off a portion of my student loans and process quite a few medical-school applications. United Personnel has brought me one step closer to my goals, and I am so thankful for their support.”

Each year, United Personnel identifies one United Personnel contract employee, or the child of a United Personnel contract employee, who has worked at least 160 hours and is currently enrolled or is a recent graduate of an accredited college as the winner of its annual Academic Merit Award. This $1,000 award recognizes hard work both inside and outside of the classroom, and can be utilized to defray current costs or for loan forgiveness.

“This scholarship is United Personnel’s way of showing employees such as Rachel that we are invested in their futures. We stand behind everything that Rachel stands for — drive, determination, heart, and community involvement,” said United Personnel President Tricia Canavan. “While the decision was hard with such a great group of applicants, Rachel stood out for her exemplary commitment to being a dedicated employee, student, and member of her community. We are proud to have her on our team.”

Springfield WORKS to Unveil Innovative Job Portal Today

SPRINGFIELD — Anne Kandilis spends a lot of time talking with area employers, so she knows there are jobs to be had. How to connect those jobs to people who can perform them — well, that’s an issue that has plagued Western Mass. for a generation.

“One local employer told me, ‘I’m about half the size I could be, but I can’t find enough skilled workers,” said Kandilis, Working Cities Challenge director at the Economic Development Council (EDC) of Western Massachusetts.

Furthermore, she noted, many of these jobs are blue-collar positions that don’t require a college degree, but the disconnect remains due to a perception among job seekers that it’s too difficult to retrain for a new career.

“For Springfield and the whole region, how do we break down those barriers that make it difficult for job seekers to find jobs, and for employers to find quality workers?” she asked. “That’s really the premise of Springfield WORKS.”

Springfield WORKS, a collaboration by city, community, education, and employer leaders to develop strategies to transform the region’s workforce ecosystem, was funded with a three-year Working Cities Challenge grant from the Boston Federal Reserve Bank. One concrete application of those strategies, an innovative job portal, will be launched today, Oct. 25 at 3:30 p.m. at the UMASS Center at Springfield in Tower Square, 1500 Main Street.

The event, titled “Innovations in Developing and Delivering a Workforce,” will offer the first public presentation of the portal, which aims to connect job seekers and current workers with a roadmap to available positions. Importantly — because this has too often been the missing piece, Kandilis said — the portal will also serve as a resource on where to acquire needed skills with available training.

Prabal Chakrabarti, senior vice president and Community Affairs officer for the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and one of the founders of the Fed’s Working Cities Challenge, will moderate the session. Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno will make opening remarks and will be joined by Delcie Bean, founder of Tech Foundry and CEO of Paragus IT; Mark Keroack, president and CEO of Baystate Health; and Lydia Martinez, assistant superintendent of Springfield Public Schools. Each of these organizations will be providing information about connecting people to jobs, resources, and career paths at their respective organizations through the new Springfield WORKS portal.

The region’s low unemployment rate does not reflect the total number of people not participating in the labor force. Approximately 42 out of 100 Springfield residents age 16 to 64 are not working, and the initiative is a response to employers needing more qualified candidates to support operations and growth.

“We want to change that number from 42% who aren’t working to 25%, and lower if we can get there,” Kandilis said. “We are excited. Everything is ready. We’ve worked really hard. Employers have been phenomenal in their participation. At the end of the day, we want to be the region that companies want to move to because of our workforce.”

Real-estate Sales Licensing Course Starts Nov. 6

SPRINGFIELD — Beginning Monday, Nov. 6, 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 Dec. 13. 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.

Amherst Area Chamber to Host Legislative Breakfast Oct. 26

AMHERST — The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual legislative breakfast brings together legislators, local officials, and business leaders to network and discuss current and upcoming policy issues. This year’s event will be held Thursday, Oct. 26 from 7:15 to 9 a.m. at Lord Jeffery Inn, 30 Boltwood Ave., Amherst.

Speakers include Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito; state Reps. Susannah Whipps Lee, John Scibak, and Solomon Goldstein-Rose; and Senate President Stan Rosenberg. The cost is $20 for members ($25 at the door) and $25 for non-members ($30 at the door). To register, click here.

Michael Koziol Joins Holyoke Medical Center as CFO

HOLYOKE — Spiros Hatiras, president and CEO of Holyoke Medical Center and Valley Health Systems, announced the appointment of Michael Koziol as chief financial officer at Holyoke Medical Center (HMC).

“Mike has over 30 years of experience in nonprofit organizations, including several hospitals throughout New England,” said Hatiras. “His knowledge and successful contributions to organizational financial stability and improved operating efficiencies have already proved to be an asset to the leadership team of Holyoke Medical Center and Valley Health Systems.”

Koziol has served as interim CFO at HMC since April 2017. His prior experience includes executive-level finance positions with Southcoast Physicians Group in Fairhaven, Mass.; MaineGeneral Health in Augusta, Maine; South County Hospital Healthcare Systems in Wakefield, R.I.; Massachusetts Eye & Ear Associates in Boston; Rhode Island Hospital in Providence; and Memorial Hospital of South Bend in South Bend, Ind. He received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Illinois State University and completed his MBA at the University of Illinois.

“I have spent the past six months as interim CFO with Holyoke Medical Center, and I am very happy to be a part of this organization,” said Koziol. “The people who work here are wonderful, and enable a bright future in continuing to provide high-quality, cost-effective care to the community.”

Selfie Challenge Brings Attention to Issue of Bullying

EAST LONGMEADOW — An anti-bullying movement initially started in Western Mass. has spread across all 50 states and to more than 50 countries. Now celebrities are getting into the act.

“The social-media effort was started by the kids of Unify,” said Edward Zemba, president of Unify Against Bullying. “It was their way of bringing awareness to the silence of bullying. As parents, we all know that this issue is difficult enough to address when we talk about it. However, when children are left alone to deal with it in silence, things can get far worse.”

In January, the kids of Unify set a goal. By the end of the year, they wanted to have 50 celebrities participate in their challenge. “Bullying is about trying to look cool,” said 14-year-old Julianna Zemba, one of the organization’s founders. “If celebrities send a message that bullying isn’t OK to kids, they’ll listen differently than if it’s from their parents, or even friends.”

With well-known figures such as Chris Evans (Captain America), Zach Braff (Scrubs), and actors from series such as The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, and Stranger Things participating, they are well on their way. Even celebrities from NASCAR, the WWE, the Boston Bruins, the WNBA, and New England Patriots cheerleaders have posted selfies.

The kids of Unify have also launched a video challenging comedienne and talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres. “She’s kind of the queen of selfies,” Julianna said. “Having her do the challenge would send a message loud and clear to children all over the world. It would be a rallying call to end the silence of bullying.”

No matter where things go from here, the Kids of Unify have definitely left their mark, she added. “Doing the #UnifySelfieChallenge is about bringing attention to the fact we are all important. To me, everyone who’s posted a Unify selfie is a celebrity.”

To see the video challenge to Ellen, or learn more about Unify, visit unifyagainstbullying.org or #UnifySelfieChallenge. The video was donated to Unify Against Bullying by Myers Video Productions and Robert Charles Photography.

CNBC Commentator Ron Insana to Keynote Expo Lunch Event

SPRINGFIELD — The Business & Innovation Expo of Western Mass., the seventh annual business-to-business show produced by BusinessWest and the Healthcare News, slated for Thursday, Nov. 2 at the MassMutual Center, will present a lunch event featuring keynote speaker Ron Insana, senior analyst and commentator with CNBC.

Titled “Trumponomics,” Insana’s talk will address how Washington will affect the economy in the years ahead. As the U.S. and global economies move toward recovery, Insana will apply his journalistic perspective to how Wall Street, Main Street, and Washington shape what the new normal means for everyone.

The event runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., with check-in starting at 11:30 a.m. The cost is $25. To register, visit www.wmbexpo.com.

A financial journalist with the experience of working for and running his own hedge fund, Insana offers clear insights on the ever-changing status of the economy. Currently host of a nationally syndicated daily radio show in addition to his roles at CNBC, he has access to the top financial players in Washington and on Wall Street and translates the market signals and political maneuvers into information everyone understands. His hands-on experience in the financial industry — through some of the markets’ most turbulent times — give an added depth of perspective. He offers practical advice on what individuals and businesses can and should do now to protect what they have and to find opportunities in any type of market condition. Insana is the author of Traders’ Tales, The Message of the Markets, TrendWatching, and most recently How to Make a Fortune from the Biggest Bailout in U.S. History: A Guide to the 7 Greatest Bargains from Main Street to Wall Street.

The Expo will feature more than 150 exhibitor booths, educational seminars, breakfast and lunch programs, and a day-capping Expo Social. Current sponsors include Comcast Business (presenting sponsor), Johnson & Hill Staffing Services, Wild Apple Design Group, and Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. (executive sponsors), Inspired Marketing and Go Graphix (show partners), MGM Springfield (corporate sponsor), Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst (education sponsor), Xfinity (social sponsor), Elms College (information booth sponsor), Smith & Wesson (Workforce Support Center sponsor), Savage Arms (JoinedForces parking sponsor), WMAS, WHMP, Rock 102 & Lazer 99.3, and MassLive (media partners), and the Better Business Bureau and Cartamundi (contributing sponsors). Exhibitor spaces are still available; booth prices start at $800. For more information on booth purchase, call (413) 781-8600, ext. 100.

Governor Appoints Ivonne Vidal to HCC Board of Trustees

HOLYOKE — Ivonne Vidal, a staff attorney for the Committee for Public Counsel Services in Springfield, has been appointed to the Holyoke Community College board of trustees by Gov. Charlie Baker.

Vidal holds a law degree from Boston University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Economics from Brown University. As an undergraduate, she spent a year studying international relations and economics at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

A native Spanish speaker, Vidal grew up in Cuba and has been living in the U.S. since she was 15 and in Western Mass. for the past six years.

“As a public defender and an immigrant, I am keenly aware of the transformative role education plays in a person’s life,” Vidal said. “Holyoke Community College is at the forefront of this movement, finding innovative ways to engage and improve the lives of residents in Holyoke and Western Massachusetts. I am very excited to become a part of this institution, and I’m looking forward to helping advance its mission.”

Before coming to New England for college, Vidal worked as an aide at the English Center in Miami, helping to teach classes in English as a second language and citizenship. She also spent summers during college in Miami working as an executive intern in the public defender’s office. As a law student at Boston University, she worked for Greater Boston Legal Services and as a legal intern with Masferrer & Associates, P.C.

“Ivonne’s background in law and fluency in Spanish will strengthen our already-talented board,” said Robert Gilbert, board of trustees chair. “Our goal is to foster an environment where students can succeed not only academically in college, but in their lives as well. New trustees bring fresh ideas that will help guide HCC into the future and strengthen our connections with community partners.”

Bulkley Richardson Welcomes Elizabeth Quick as Executive Director

SPRINGFIELD — Bulkley Richardson has named Elizabeth Quick its new executive director. In this position, she is responsible for overseeing all business operations including finance, human resources, information technology, business development/marketing, and facilities.

“We are pleased that Elizabeth will be joining us,” said Peter Barry, chairman of the firm’s executive committee. “She has directed many programs and business systems for law firms throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Washington, D.C. Based on her experience and her abilities, we are confident that she will be a major contributor to continuing the firm’s success.”

Quick said she is excited about her new opportunity. “I look forward to working with this talented group of professionals as we continue to serve Bulkley Richardson clients and the community. Continuous improvement of systems and management to foster the firm’s delivery of superior legal services is an important focus for me.”

An experienced operations professional, Quick’s career spans more than 25 years as a legal-industry administrator. She has developed and implemented new processes, along with coordinating all administrative functions required to ensure smooth day-to-day operations. She has a strong network of colleagues and vendors which has allowed her to streamline tasks to bolster productivity and performance.

Prior to joining Bulkley Richardson, she worked as a multi-location administrator for a law firm with offices in New York, Washington, D.C., and Connecticut. She was responsible for strategic planning, expansions and moves, human resources, budgeting, day-to-day operations, business lines of insurance, and cohesive interaction with the management group in benefits, finance, technology, recruiting, and marketing to forward the firm’s overall success and business operations.

Quick earned her bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, from Eastern Connecticut State University, and received her associate degree from Manchester Community College, and was honored with the David A. Greenberg Award for Academic Excellence and the Fred A. Ramey Jr. Award for Outstanding Business Student. She is a member of the Assoc. of Legal Administrators (ALA), and also a member of the Nutmeg and Capitol chapters of ALA.

Quick is based in Bulkley Richardson’s Springfield office. She succeeds Patrick Hourihan, who retired in September after 36 years of service to the firm.

City2City Pioneer Valley to Visit Local Collaborations on Oct. 30

SPRINGFIELD — The City2City initiative, formed in 2010 as a way to identify best practices in metro areas that can be applied to the Springfield metro region, will host a one-day trip around the Pioneer Valley on Monday, Oct. 30 to highlight new or ongoing collaborations.

Organizers will fill a Peter Pan coach, and stops include the Basketball Hall of Fame, where a major renovation is planned; the Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club, which has opened the Connecticut River to rowing and recreation; the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center in Holyoke; the Ludlow Mills project and renovation of Mill 10 into a residential community; and Union Station in Springfield.

As part of the program, the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts will host TED-style talks on a number of collaborative local initiatives, including the Healing Racism Institute of Pioneer Valley, the Springfield Innovation District, Leadership Pioneer Valley, Valley Venture Mentors, and Partners for a Healthier Community/the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts.

The full program can be accessed online by clicking here.

There is limited seating on the trip, but space is currently available, and the cost is $75 to cover meals. Peter Pan Bus Lines has donated a coach to transport participants on the trip, being dubbed “One Day, One Region, One Experience,” as travelers will see and hear about successful collaborations up close.

City2City was created to connect leadership from the Pioneer Valley with other metro areas adopting successful strategies in a number of areas, originally with the assistance of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. Previous learning trips have been taken to Winston-Salem and Greensboro, N.C.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; New Haven, Conn.; Bethlehem and Allentown, Pa.; and Chattanooga, Tenn.

The trip to the Pioneer Valley was designed to take stock of current collaborations in economic development, technology, health and wellness, tourism, and innovation. The initiative is being hosted by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and is co-chaired by Shayvonne Plummer of the Economic Development Office of the City of Springfield and Paul Robbins, principal of Paul Robbins Associates Strategic Communications.

Brightside Golf Classic Raises $110,000

SPRINGFIELD — About 150 golfers hit the links for the 37th annual Brightside Golf Classic on Oct. 16. The tournament, held at Springfield Country Club in West Springfield, raised $110,000 to help continue the work of Brightside for Families and Children as a nonprofit child-welfare and family-support organization for at-risk children, adolescents, and their families.

“Since its founding as an orphanage in 1881, Brightside has strived to meet the needs of the region’s most vulnerable children and adolescents. And while those needs have changed considerably over the years, Brightside has adapted by restructuring its programs and services in order to continue to provide assistance to children in need of behavioral healthcare,” said Mark Fulco, president of Mercy Medical Center and its affiliates.

The funds raised through this year’s Golf Classic will help support Brightside’s efforts to assist children, adolescents, and families in need through family outreach and stabilization, psychiatric and medication evaluation and management, special education, and therapeutic mentoring.

John Kendzierski, president of Professional Drywall Construction Inc., was presented with the 2017 James P. Corridan Memorial Award for his exemplary commitment to Brightside’s mission to serve and support children and families in need. The Corridan Award is presented each year in memory of James Corridan, who worked with community leaders to build awareness about the work done at Brightside and was instrumental in establishing and organizing the annual golf tournament.

Pilot Training Program Underway to Hone Manufacturing Skills

SPRINGFIELD — The Regional Employment Board of Hampden County, in partnership with Springfield Technical Community College and Training & Workforce Options, are piloting a Metrology & CNC Foundations training program.

This eight-week, 160-hour, advanced-manufacturing training program, which started on Sept. 25, is training 12 laid-off workers in manufacturing skills in quality control utilizing micrometers, calipers, and coordinate measurement machinery. In addition, trainees will receive training in blueprint reading, shop mathematics, ISO 9001 and AS9100 quality systems, and basic CNC setup and operations.

The goal of this program is to provide the trainees with manufacturing skills that are in high demand with manufacturing employers and to place them in into on-the-job training opportunities. Future programs will be based on employer response to this pilot training program.

Expo to Feature Seminar on Innovation in Continuous Improvement

SPRINGFIELD — The Business & Innovation Expo of Western Mass., the seventh annual business-to-business show produced by BusinessWest and the Healthcare News, slated for Thursday, Nov. 2 at the MassMutual Center, will feature a wide range of educational seminars and panel discussions.

For instance, what is continuous improvement? Three area experts on the subject will answer that question from their own unique perspectives starting at 2:15 p.m.

Chris Hutchins, continuous improvement expert at Cartamundi East Longmeadow, will discuss his company’s approach to continuous improvement over the past 15 years, and will outline the approach he would take if he were to start again today. He will touch on a few examples of the Lean/Six Sigma tools Cartamundi has employed, and what he wished he knew 15 years ago.

Peter Russo, director of Growth & Innovation at MassMEP, will talk about the new opportunities that exist for startup companies and established manufacturers to work together efficiently and effectively, and the processes that connect both groups on a personal, organizational, financial, and intellectual basis, ultimately contributing to growth in both.

In addition, Peter Reinhart, founding director of the Institute for Applied Life Sciences at UMass Amherst, will discuss new models for academic institutions to become more relevant to industry partners in several ways: as hubs for exploring new-product candidates, by providing access to cutting-edge equipment facilities and providing employee training; by interacting on new research and development project; and through early identification of potential employees.

Marcotte Ford to Break Ground on New Sales and Service Facility

HOLYOKE — Marcotte Ford Sales will break ground today, Oct. 20, on its new, $8 million facility located at 1025 Main St. in Holyoke. The event takes place from 11 a.m. to noon, with refreshments to follow.

The project will bring Marcotte Ford’s sales and service operations into an all-new, state-of-the-art building that will include Ford Motor Co.’s new Trustmark. Upon completion, the project will add 10 new job opportunities in Holyoke.

The 40,000-square-foot facility will showcase a brand-new showroom with indoor delivery areas, administrative and business development centers, as well as a customer waiting lounge. Marcotte Ford’s Rental Department will also grow. Additionally, the Service Department expansion will include a double-door drive-thru, air-conditioned shops, new equipment, as well as 24 bays and a dedicated inspection bay to better serve customers. The popular LugNutz Cafe will also have a dedicated space to enhance the overall experience.

When construction is completed, Marcotte’s full campus will showcase 48 bays at three locations on Main Street to serve the needs of retail and commercial customers as it has been doing for more than 55 years.

Happy Valley Half Marathon & 5K Slated for Oct. 22

FLORENCE — The second annual Happy Valley Half Marathon & 5K will take place at Look Park on Sunday, Oct. 22. This event is designed to combine a challenging course with beautiful foliage and great food. It was voted the third-best road race in the Valley Advocate Readers’ Poll in its first year. This year, the event has partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County, and a portion of the funds raised will support that organization.

The 5K and Half Marathon courses are both USATF-certified. Registration is $65 for the half-marathon and $30 for the 5K. The race fee includes a free beer and taco as part of the post-race party in Look Park.

“We created this race to add to the amazing running scene here in the Pioneer Valley. We want the Happy Valley Half Marathon & 5K to become a destination race that shows runners the beauty of Western Massachusetts in the fall,” said Grant Ritter, Western Mass. native, running coach, and creator of the Happy Valley Half Marathon & 5K. He has been running in the Pioneer Valley for more than 30 years.

“It all started on a run,” added Justin Killeen, owner of 50/50 Fitness and Nutrition in Hadley. “We were talking about how incredible the Valley truly is, and started to brainstorm ways that we could highlight and embody all of its unique qualities. At first, it was about the run and beauty, but then equally as important was the post-race experience and lasting impression.”

Jen Loebel, Big Brothers Big Sisters Development director, added that “we are thrilled to team up with Justin Killeen and Grant Ritter for the second annual Happy Valley Half Marathon & 5K. It’s fantastic to think that not only will we have a hand in presenting an award-winning race to the community we love and serve, but that funds raised from this partnership will support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County in our mission to match more children facing challenges with caring adult mentors. It’s a win-win situation for us and the youth we serve.”

The road race begins at 9 a.m., with post-race activities scheduled shortly after. The top male and female half-marathon finishers will receive a $250 cash prize and a free admission to the following year’s event. Second-place finishers will receive a $100 gift card, third-place finishers will receive a $50 gift card, and the top three finishers in each age group will receive gift cards, coupons, and discounts from local area sponsors. All half-marathon finishers will receive a medal at the finish line.

Single-family Home Sales in Pioneer Valley Down in September

SPRINGFIELD — Single-family home sales were down 5.9% in the Pioneer Valley in September compared to the same time last year, while the median price rose 9.5% to $219,000, according to the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley.

In Franklin County, sales were up 26.3%, while the median price rose 11.8% from a year earlier. In Hampden County, sales were down 8.5%, while the median price was up 7.2%. And in Hampshire County, sales fell 9.8% from September 2016, while the median price shot up 20.5%.

CNBC Commentator Ron Insana to Keynote Expo Lunch Event

The event runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., with check-in starting at 11:30 a.m. The cost is $25. To register, visit www.wmbexpo.com.

American Benefits Group Welcomes Brad Ramer

FLORENCE — American Benefits Group (ABG) recently welcomed Brad Ramer as vice president of Sales & Marketing. His responsibilities will encompass sales-team leadership, driving revenues through the acquisition of new clients, and contributing to the company’s marketing and business strategies.

Ramer boasts more than 20 years of business experience. For the past seven years, he occupied the role of area sales manager, Benefit Services for PrimePay, LLC in West Chester, Pa. While at PrimePay, he oversaw the sales department.

In his new position, Ramer will be responsible for overseeing sales and marketing at ABG and will strive to expand ABG’s client base, strengthening the company’s current broker relationships, along with developing new broker relationships.

Nicole Miner Joins Employee Benefits Team at Smith Brothers

EASTHAMPTON — Insurance broker Smith Brothers has added Nicole Miner as employee benefits account executive, based in the company’s Easthampton office. Her responsibilities include managing and selling employee-benefits products; administering and servicing group medical, Medicare, dental, life, disability, and voluntary benefits; providing annual market analysis and strategy for groups upon renewal; facilitating employee-education meetings; and client services including COBRA administration, enrollment changes, HR consulting, ACA, ERISA, and other compliance communications.

Previously, Miner was a benefits director and licensed agent with Dowd Financial Services. She earned her degree from UMass Amherst, and is also a certified paralegal. With a strong passion for animals and helping others, she is active with her local Animal Control Advisory Board, where she currently serves as chair and secretary.

Elms College to Host Panel Discussion on Healthcare Innovation

CHICOPEE — Elms College will host a panel discussion on healthcare innovation on Thursday, Nov. 9 at 5:30 p.m. in the Dooley College Center dining room annex.

The panel, “Driving Change in the Business of Healthcare,” is presented as a collaboration between the college’s MBA program, Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, and School of Nursing’s doctor of nursing practice program.

The panelists — entrepreneurs and innovators in the business, technology, and clinical sides of healthcare — will share stories of innovating, changing, disrupting, enhancing, advancing, and problem solving in medical and healthcare settings. They will talk about their own paths to innovation: what was easy, what was challenging, and what they would tell new entrepreneurs about getting started. In addition, they will discuss how to identify needs in the field and create solutions that meet those needs.

Panelists include entrepreneur Rick Crews, president of Medvest LLC, d/b/a AFC Urgent Care; healthcare innovator Grace LaValley, cardiovascular nurse at Baystate Health; technology entrepreneur Bryan Shnider, co-founder and CEO of TrueMedIT; and healthcare app designer Robert Horton, nurse manager at Baystate Health.

This event is free and open to all entrepreneurs, business leaders, and people who work in the healthcare field. Refreshments will be provided. Seating is limited, and registration is requested. To register, visit www.elms.edu/innovationpanel.

Mathew Geffin of Webber & Grinnell Earns CIC Designation

NORTHAMPTON — Mathew Geffin, vice president of Webber & Grinnell Insurance, earned his Certified Insurance Counselors (CIC) designation from the National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research.

The Society of Certified Insurance Counselors has been providing high-quality continuing education to insurance professionals since 1969. Because of its high standards, CIC has become the nation’s premier designation program for insurance professionals throughout the U.S.

“We are proud of Mat’s accomplishments,” said Bill Grinnell, president of Webber & Grinnell Insurance, “and his CIC designation is another example of our continued commitment of excellence to the clients and communities that we serve.”

Revitalize CDC #GreenNFit Rebuild Slated for Today in Holyoke

HOLYOKE — Revitalize CDC’s second annual #GreenNFit Neighborhood Rebuild is coming to the city of Holyoke today, Oct. 18. The goal is to rebuild 10 homes and one city park with 300 volunteers and dozens of sponsors, all in one day. Hundreds of volunteers will descend upon the Springdale Park area to rebuild homes on Meadow, Vernon, James, Papineau, and Temple streets and Springdale Avenue.

Volunteer registration check-in will be in the parking lot of the Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps, located at 15 Papineau St. Radio personality Joan Holliday from 93.9 FM (the River) will be broadcasting live from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Leon Nelson has been a resident of Holyoke for the past seven years and enjoys spending time with and helping his friends. He suffers from PTSD and spinal and shoulder injuries, but he was instrumental in spreading the word about the GreenNFit community block rebuild opportunity to his neighbors. Volunteers from PeoplesBank, Extremely Clean Construction, and Westover Job Corps will perform exterior painting; landscaping; repairs to the porch roof, lattice, and storm door; and handicap ramp staining.

The work on the 10 homes will focus on making them safe, healthy, and energy-efficient. Scope of work may include repair or replacement of leaking roofs; installation of new energy-efficient windows and doors, insulation, and water-saving fixtures; installation of age-in-place modifications such as grab bars; electrical upgrades; repair of steps; exterior low-VOC painting; mulch; and planting of shrubs, trees, and flowers.

HCC Ramps Up Center for Life Sciences, Campus Center Projects

HOLYOKE — As construction nears completion on Holyoke Community College’s new Culinary Arts and Hospitality center in downtown Holyoke, two major building projects on the college’s Homestead Avenue campus have just begun.

Construction has started on the new HCC Center for Life Sciences, which will occupy about 7,500 square feet on the first floor of the Marieb Building. The $4.5 million project, funded in part by a $3.8 million grant from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, involves the creation of two state-of-the-art labs dedicated to biotechnology, genetics, and microbiology, as well as lab-prep areas, storage, and classroom space.

A key feature of the Center for Life Sciences will be the addition of an instructional ‘clean room’ to train students to conduct experiments and research in sterile environments, the first of its kind in Western Mass. The Center for Life Sciences is expected to be open by summer 2018 and ready for the fall 2018 semester.

In addition, HCC is already seeking funding from a variety of public and private sources to expand the Center for Life Sciences to encompass the entire three-story Marieb Building. The new center would provide updated facilities for biology, zoology, botany, veterinary technology and animal science, anatomy and physiology, forensic science, environmental science, and sustainability studies. “We’ve been encouraged to think big,” said Bill Fogarty, vice president of Administration and Finance.

Meanwhile, next door, construction fences have been up around the perimeter of the Holyoke Community College Campus Center since before the start of the fall semester. Tannery Brook, the stream that runs along the east side of the building and flows through campus on its way to the Connecticut River, has been channeled underground through six-foot metal pipes and covered with tons of fill and dirt strong enough to support the heavy machines required to renovate the building during the two-year, $43.5 million project.

Demolition on the interior and exterior surfaces is under way. Work crews from Walsh Brothers Construction have been busy chipping, scraping, peeling, stripping, and hauling away tons of concrete and other material. Eventually, the building’s sloping surfaces will be squared off and the concrete façade covered with metal cladding to fix water leaks that have plagued the building since it opened in 1980.

“The main impetus is to get the building watertight,” Fogarty said, “but we also want to improve the operation of the building and bring together programs and departments that complement each other to make the Campus Center a real hub of student engagement.”

A descending exterior stairwell leading to the cafeteria entrance has been excavated, making space for what will eventually become an enclosed, two-story atrium off the HCC courtyard. In the front of the building, exterior walkways on the second floor will be enclosed, adding a total of about 9,000 square feet to the 58,727 square-foot building.

Eventually, Tannery Brook will be returned to its natural state, and the streambed planted with native vegetation.

When it’s all done, a dedicated visitors parking lot will direct prospective students and their families over a new bridge crossing the brook and leading to a first-floor Welcome Center, where they will find a new Admissions, Advising, and Testing suite. The second floor will feature updated and expanded dining facilities, a new Campus Store, lounge areas with charging stations, and a new Student Activities office. On the third flood, the Media Arts Center, home to HCC’s Electronic Media and Photography programs, is being updated with new ductwork, lighting, and ceilings. The Campus Center is expected to reopen for the fall 2019 semester.

Construction on the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute, on the corner of Race and Appleton streets, is expected to be completed next month.

Six-Point Creative Works Acquires Van Schouwen Associates

SPRINGFIELD — Massachusetts brand-strategy firm Six-Point Creative Works has acquired van Schouwen Associates, a Longmeadow-based marketing firm that specializes in business-to-business marketing. The acquisition, which took effect Oct. 2, was announced jointly by the two companies on Oct. 17.

The purchase is a step toward meeting Six-Point goals for strategic growth and diversification, said Six-Point President and CEO Meghan Lynch. “This is the first of several upcoming announcements, and it comes just a month shy of our company’s 10th anniversary.”

She added that “this has been a very positive and beneficial move for everyone involved. It’s been a pleasure over the last few weeks to meet and welcome so many growth-minded clients making the transition to Six-Point.”

Michelle van Schouwen, who founded van Schouwen Associates in 1985, will remain involved as a strategic marketing consultant during the transition. “I have a number of personal projects I would like to move on to, and I’m happy to have a path for those,” she said. “But I also have a roster of long-time, loyal clients whose businesses are important to me. I’m working closely with Six-Point to help them onboard both clients and staff and will continue to be available as needed.”

van Schouwen’s Longmeadow office has closed, she confirmed, and two key staff members have made the transition to Six-Point’s downtown Springfield office. Lynne Turner, who was with van Schouwen for 17 years, has joined Six-Point as Operations manager. Tyler Leahy will continue to serve as a client advocate and copywriter for former van Schouwen accounts.

“We’re excited to have Lynne and Tyler on board to provide additional expertise to our clients. They both exemplify our Six-Point values and bring even more depth to our already accomplished team,” said Lynch.

After 32 years in business, van Schouwen said, “this is a bittersweet moment for me, but it’s also a happy outcome. Six-Point is one of the region’s smartest and most successful agencies, and will be a very good fit for the companies van Schouwen Associates has been serving.”

Six-Point is owned by Lynch, Chief Creative Officer David Wicks, and Chief Marketing Officer Marsha Montori. The company’s current clients include Hyde Group, Farm Credit East, Hot Table, CHD, United Personnel, Detector Technology, Incom, Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, Springfield Public Forum, and Ingersoll Products of Ontario, Canada. The van Schouwen client roster has included manufacturing and industrial firms in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, Rhode Island, and California, many of whom serve global markets.

While the van Schouwen website and phone number continue to be active, the van Schouwen name will be phased out in favor of one unified brand, said Lynch. Six-Point offices are located at 9 Hampden St. in Springfield.

Chamber Corners: Upcoming Events

www.easthamptonchamber.org

Chamber Corners Departments

1BERKSHIRE

www.1berkshire.com

(413) 499-1600

• Nov. 1: BYP Fall Extravaganza, 5:30-7:30 p.m., hosted by Hilltop Orchards, 508 Canaan Road, Richmond. Join Berkshire Young Professionals at Hilltop Orchards, home of Furnace Brook Winery, for a fall get-together. Wear flannel and boots and enjoy music, hikes into the orchards, wine tastings, Johnny Mash cider beverages, cheese plates, cider donuts, and apples galore.

• Nov. 15: Chamber Nite, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Security Supply, 50 Roberts Dr., North Adams. Remember to bring your business card to enter a drawing to win a door prize.

GREATER CHICOPEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.chicopeechamber.org

(413) 594-2101

• Oct. 18: Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Salute Breakfast with Kay Simpson of the Springfield Museums, 7:15-9 a.m., hosted by Collegian Court, 89 Park St., Chicopee. Sponsored by the Arbor Kids and Westfield Bank. Cost: $23 for members, $28 for non-members, including breakfast buffet. Sign up online at chicopeechamber.org/events.

• Oct. 19: Oktoberfest Collaborative Event with Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Munich Haus Biergarten, 13 Center St., Chicopee. Free to YPS and chamber members. Call (413) 594-2101 for more information.

• Oct. 26: Lunch & Learn: New Marijuana Legislation, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., hosted by Residence Inn, 500 Memorial Dr., Chicopee. Sponsored by the Greater Chicopee Chamber and Residence Inn of Springfield/Chicopee. Cost: $30 for members, $35 for non-members, including lunch. Sign up online at chicopeechamber.org/events.

GREATER EASTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

(413) 527-9414

• Oct. 25: The Hampshire County Tourism Council will launch its new tourism guide at Northampton Country Club, 135 Main St., Leeds, 5-7 p.m. For more information, visit www.easthamptonchamber.org or call the chamber at (413) 527-9414.

• Nov. 1: Hampshire County Business Bash, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Lord Jeff Inn, 30 Boltwood Ave., Amherst. This event, a partnership of the chambers of commerce of Easthampton, Amherst, and Northampton, is sponsored by Duseau Trucking and the Lord Jeff Inn. It offers members a unique opportunity to showcase their business to a regional audience. For more information, visit www.easthamptonchamber.org, or call the chamber office at (413) 527-9414.

GREATER HOLYOKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.holyokechamber.com

(413) 534-3376

• Oct. 18: Chamber After Hours, 5-7 p.m., hosted and sponsored by Westfield Bank, 1642 Northampton St., Holyoke. Business networking event. Refreshments, 50/50 raffle, and door prizes. Cost: $10 members, $15 for guests. Call the chamber at (413) 534-3376 to register, or sign up at holyokechamber.com.

• Oct. 25: Holyoke Chamber Business Person of the Year/Volunteer of the Year Award Dinner, 6 p.m, hosted by Delaney House, Country Club Way, Holyoke. Social hour 6-7 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. A celebratory dinner honoring the 2017 Business Persons of the Year: Michael Hamel, owner of Hamel’s Creative Catering and the Summit View Banquet and Meeting House, and the Henry A. Fifield Volunteer of the Year, Harry Montalvo, Community Development specialist at bankESB. Cost: $65. Register online at holyokechamber.com, or call the chamber at (413) 534-3376.

GREATER NORTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.explorenorthampton.com

(413) 584-1900

• Oct. 19: “Microsoft Excel: Tips, Tricks, & Shortcuts,” 9-11 a.m., presented by Pioneer Training, hosted by Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, 99 Pleasant St., Northampton. This workshop will present tips, tricks, and shortcuts that we have collected and developed over 20 years of teaching and using Microsoft Excel. Participants are encouraged to bring laptops and follow along with the instructor, but this is not required. Pre-registration is required, and space is limited. Cost: $35 for members, $45 for non-members. To register, visit goo.gl/forms/My7lF9Xk1aB7xg0Q2.

• Oct. 24: Start Your Business, 9 a.m. to noon, at TD Bank, 175 Main St., Northampton. Presented by SCORE of Western MA. This three-hour workshop will help you clearly understand the details, challenges, opportunities, and rewards of owning and operating your own business. This workshop is a suggested prerequisite to our Business Planning Workshop. Cost: $25. RSVP, as space is limited. To register online, visit westernmassachusetts.score.org/content/take-workshop-38.

SPRINGFIELD REGIONAL CHAMBER

www.springfieldregionalchamber.com

(413) 787.1555

Oct. 27: Super 60, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., hosted by Chez Josef, 176 Shoemaker Lane, Agawam. The 28th annual Super 60 awards luncheon celebrates the success of the fastest-growing privately owned businesses in the region. Cost: $60 for members in advance, $75 for non-members. Reservations for all Chamber events may be made online at www.springfieldregionalchamber.com.

WEST OF THE RIVER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.ourwrc.com

(413) 426-3880

• Oct. 19: Networking Lunch, noon to 1:30 p.m., hosted by Cal’s Woodfired Grill, West Springfield. Must be a member or guest of a member to attend. Enjoy a sit-down lunch while networking with fellow chamber members. Each attendee will get a chance to offer a brief sales pitch. The only cost to attend is the cost of your lunch. Attendees will order off the menu and pay separately that day. We cannot invoice you for these events. Register online at [email protected].

• Oct. 25: Food Fest West, 5:30-8 p.m., hosted by Springfield Country Club, West Springfield. Local restaurants show off their cuisine at this well-attended event. Vote for your favorite restaurant or enjoy a cigar on the patio of Springfield Country Club. A DJ, raffle, and entertainment round out this event. Proceeds raised by Food Fest West will go toward the Partnership for Education and the WRC Educational Fund, which provides grants to businesses for on-the-job training and continuing-education needs. Cost: $25 in advance, $35 at the door. Tickets may be purchased online by visiting www.westoftheriverchamber.com. For more information about this event, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or e-mail [email protected].

• Nov. 8: Multi Chamber Night of Networking & Open House, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Mercedes-Benz of Springfield, Burnett Road, Chicopee. Join us for an evening of networking with the Springfield Regional Chamber as we welcome our newest member to the community, Mercedes-Benz. Cost: $10 for members. Register online at www.westoftheriverchamber.com. For more information, call the chamber at (413) 426-3880.

• Nov. 16: Lunch N Learn Seminar – How to Promote your Business on Social Media, noon to 1:30 p.m., hosted by the Carriage House at Storrowton Tavern, 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. Enjoy lunch while learning about the do’s and don’ts of promoting one’s business on social media, including best practices, target audience, boosting, and other aspects of promotion. Cost: $30 per member or guest. Register online at www.westoftheriverchamber.com. For more information, contact the chamber at (413) 426-3880 or [email protected].

YOUNG PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY OF GREATER SPRINGFIELD

www.springfieldyps.com

• Oct. 18: Professional Breakfast Series: “The EQ Exchange,” 7:30-9 a.m, hosted by the Colony Club in Tower Square, Springfield. Use emotional intelligence to manage your boss. Cost: free for members, $15 for non-members.

• Oct. 19: Oktoberfest Third Thursday with Chicopee Chamber of Commerce, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Munich Haus. Join us for live music, light appetizers, and networking. Cost: free for members, $10 for non-members.

Agenda

Agenda Departments

Springfield Symphony Orchestra 2017-18 Season

Through May 19, 2018: An evening with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra (SSO) is more than a musically memorable experience. To attend an SSO concert is to be part of a rich cultural tradition. Single tickets and subscriptions, including the SSO’s new pops-oriented Wild Card 4 package, are on sale now for the SSO’s 74th season. The public may purchase tickets by visiting the box office at 1441 Main St., Springfield (ground-floor level in the TD Bank Building), or calling (413) 733-2291. The season began Oct. 14 and runs through May 19, 2018. In addition to offering its traditional subscriber options, which include four to all seven of its classical performances, the SSO has introduced the new Wild Card 4 package. Perfect for fans of the pops, the new subscription package includes all three special events — “Holiday Extravaganza with the Grinch,” “Star Wars & Star Trek Sci-Fi Spectacular,” and a performance by the Texas Tenors — as well as one classical performance of the subscriber’s choice. For the opening-night concert on Oct. 14, the SSO and Kevin Rhodes, its longtime music director and conductor, presented selected works of celebrated composers Rossini, Prokofiev, and Brahms, featuring guest pianist Claire Huangci. Next up, on Nov. 4, guest cellist Julian Schwarz joins the musicians for “Viva America,” a toe-tapping nod to American masters Gershwin, Copeland, Bernstein, and Liebermann. Then, on Dec. 9, the Springfield Symphony Chorus joins the orchestra for the much-anticipated “Holiday Extravaganza.” Both this festive show and “Star Wars & Star Trek Sci-Fi Spectacular,” the season’s second special event (March 3, 2018), feature interactive family fun. For the season’s third and final special event on April 21, 2018, the SSO will bring audiences the Texas Tenors, a popular vocal trio whose signature crossover style has topped Billboard charts. The group’s widely viewed debut on NBC’s America’s Got Talent quickly led to a worldwide concert tour and a 2014 PBS special, “You Should Dream,” which earned three Emmy Awards. Free parking at three downtown garages is available to all attending an SSO concert. Subscribers, whether they choose a classical package or the Wild Card 4, enjoy additional benefits, including savings of up to 20% over single-ticket purchases and exclusive access to special events. An SSO subscription makes an ideal holiday gift for friends and family members of all ages. For more information on SSO subscriptions, single-ticket sales, or the 2017-18 concert series, call the SSO box office at (413) 733-2291 or visit springfieldsymphony.org.

Hoarding Conference

Oct. 18: To promote greater understanding of research and treatment for hoarding disorder, a conference titled “Hoarding Disorder: Recovery Is Real” will take place from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Hadley Farms Meeting House, 41 Russell St., Hadley. Jesse Edsell-Vetter, stabilization case manager, Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership Hoarding Team, will be the keynote speaker. CEUs will be offered for licensed professionals. Funding for the conference is being provided by a grant from the Center for Human Development. According to the American Psychiatric Assoc., people with hoarding disorder excessively save items that others may view as worthless. Typically, they save random items they feel have value or that they may need in the future. Their persistent difficulty parting with possessions leads to clutter that disrupts their ability to use their living or work spaces. People with hoarding disorder often feel safer surrounded by the things they save, but items can fill, block, and clutter active living spaces at home. Hoarding can cause problems in social or work settings, too, including hindering a productive and safe environment. Serious hoarding can lead to fire hazards, tripping hazards, and health-code violations, as well as interpersonal strain and conflict, isolation, and loneliness. “Contrary to negative pop-culture portrayals, people who have accumulated a problematic amount of possessions tend to be creative, intelligent, and resourceful,” said Lee Shuer, a consultant with Mutual Support and the creator of WRAP for Reducing Clutter. “Such people are mostly just unsuccessful in the pursuit of moderation, although some people call us the ‘H’ word: hoarders. I call myself a finder/keeper because hoarding has become such a derogatory label, helped in no small part by sensational reality TV shows. People like us who acquire and keep too much stuff are stuck, hung up on something emotional, something unseen beneath the surface of life. What can be seen is merely the tip of the iceberg. It’s complicated. But hoarding disorder is real, and so is recovery.”

Homework House 10-year Celebration

Oct. 19: Homework House is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year, and it will mark the occasion with a 10th Anniversary Celebration and Fund-raising Breakfast from 7:45 to 9:15 a.m. at the Log Cabin in Holyoke to share its story and inspire the financial resources Homework House needs to sustain its programs for the next 10 years and beyond. The anniversary breakfast’s theme is “A Decade of Inspiring Children, Supporting Families, and Transforming Community,” which reflects the broad ripple effect that occurs as a result of children’s participation in Homework House’s academic after-school and summer programming. Founded by retired educators Sr. Maureen Broughan and Sr. Jane Morrissey, Homework House promotes educational success through free, individualized tutoring and mentoring for children. Featuring a program that will highlight the stories of Homework House alumni, parents, and stakeholders, the breakfast will reflect on the powerful work of the past 10 years while looking forward to Homework House’s continued growth. The breakfast is free and will feature a focused ask for donations. Community members interested in attending the event or taking a leadership role as a table captain can register by visiting www.homeworkhousetenth.com.

Healthcare Heroes

Oct. 19: BusinessWest and the Healthcare News will present the inaugural Healthcare Heroes Awards at the Starting Gate at GreatHorse in Hampden. This new recognition program was created by the twin publications to recognize outstanding achievement across the region’s broad and diverse healthcare sector. From a pool of 70 nominations, panel of judges chose eight winners in seven categories, who were profiled in the Sept. 4 issue of BusinessWest, the September issue of HCN, and at businesswest.com. American International College and Trinity Health Of New England are the presenting sponsors of Healthcare Heroes. Partner sponsors are Achieve TMS East, HUB International New England, and Health New England. Additional sponsors are Bay Path University, Baystate Health, Elms College, Renew.Calm, and Cooley Dickinson Health Care. This event is sold out.

Dress for Success Panel

Oct. 24: Area employers and human-resource professionals are invited to join Dress for Success of Western Massachusetts for a panel discussion about breaking down the barriers that stand between the region’s workforce and sustained employment. With sponsorship support from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, United Personnel, Sperion Staffing, Armbrook Village, and Western MA HRMA, the event will be held from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield. Tickets for the event cost $25 and may be purchased online at westernmassachusettsdressforsuccess.org or by calling (860) 638-8980.

Business & Innovation Expo of Western Mass.

Nov. 2: Comcast Business will present the Business & Innovation Expo of Western Mass. at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield, produced by BusinessWest and the Healthcare News. The seventh annual business-to-business show will feature more than 150 exhibitor booths, educational seminars, breakfast and lunch programs, and a day-capping Expo Social. Current sponsors include Comcast Business (presenting sponsor), Johnson & Hill Staffing Services, Wild Apple Design Group, and Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. (executive sponsors), Inspired Marketing and Go Graphix (show partners), MGM Springfield (corporate sponsor), Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst (education sponsor), Xfinity (social sponsor), Elms College (information booth sponsor), Smith & Wesson (Workforce Support Center sponsor), Savage Arms (JoinedForces parking sponsor), WMAS, WHMP, Rock 102 & Lazer 99.3, and MassLive (media partners), and the Better Business Bureau and Cartamundi (contributing sponsors). Exhibitor spaces are available; booth prices start at $800. For more information on booth purchase, call (413) 781-8600, ext. 100.

ToGetHerThere Awards

Nov. 3: Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts (GSCWM) announced the recipients of the inaugural ToGetHerThere Awards. The five award recipients have a shared vision of creating a culture of creativity and caring, where young women feel confident in their ability to work hard, dream big, and face with courage any obstacle that stands in the way of making their dreams come true. The winners have affected hundreds of lives and serve as role models for other organizations grappling with how to support underserved members in their communities. The awardees are:

• Entrepreneur: Cassandra Abramson, president and founder, ECi Stores;

• Financial Literacy: Amy Roberts, vice president of Human Resources, Balise Auto Group;

• Health & Wellness: Katie Gauvin, regional safety director, SODEXO; major, Logistics Readiness Squadron, 104th Fighter Wing, Barnes Air National Guard Base;

• Man Enough to Be a Girl Scout: Timothy Murphy, Esq., partner, Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C.; and

• STEM: Martha Baker, associate dean, College of Natural Sciences, UMass Amherst.

Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts will honor the winners at the ToGetHerThere Awards Luncheon at the Tower Square Hotel (formerly the Springfield Marriott). Tickets are $50 each or tables of 10 for $500. To order tickets and for more info on each awardee, visit www.gscwm.org/en/events/special-events/TGHTA.html or contact Melanie Bonsu at (413) 584-2602, ext. 3623, or [email protected].

Court Dockets

Court Dockets Departments

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

CHICOPEE DISTRICT COURT

Donald Kendal v. Home Depot USA Inc. and Electric Eel Manufacturing Co.

Allegation: Personal injury: $9,092.37

Filed: 9/15/17

FRANKLIN SUPERIOR COURT

Jess Douglas v. Monahan Trucking, LLC

Allegation: Failure to pay prevailing wage: $90,000

Filed: 8/9/17

HAMPDEN DISTRICT COURT

Steven Kinsley v. Dave’s Sheet Metal Inc.

Allegation: Motor-vehicle negligence causing injury: $6,488.13

Filed: 9/6/17

Insignia Inc. d/b/a The Sign Center v. Universal Wilde Inc.

Allegation: Money owed for goods sold and delivered: $10,436.48

Filed: 9/15/17

American Builders and Contractors Supply Co. Inc. d/b/a ABC Supply Co. Inc. v. Brian E. Drenen d/b/a Southwick Builders

Allegation: Money owed for goods sold and delivered, unjust enrichment, breach of credit documents: $7,183.76

Filed: 9/15/17

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT

Fanony Montoya-Plavan and Caleb Plavan v. Allegra Daniela Deucher, M.D.; Alice M. Shin, M.D.; and Olivia H. Chang, M.D.

Allegation: Medical malpractice: $231,000

Filed: 9/7/17

Brenda Morales v. City of Springfield

Allegation: Motor-vehicle negligence causing injury: $29,941

Filed: 9/12/17

67 Market Street, LLC v. Service Experts of the Berkshires, LLC; Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning – Massachusetts, LLC; and Berkshire Air Conditioning, LLC

Allegation: Money owed for services, labor, and materials: $225,000

Filed: 9/14/17

N.L. Construction Inc. v. DevelopSpringfield Corp. and 276 Bridge Street, LLC

Allegation: Money owed for services, labor, and materials: $253,894

Filed: 9/14/17

HAMPSHIRE DISTRICT COURT

Cornetta A. Young v. Realty Resources Chartered, LLC and Nash Hill Place

Allegation: Slip and fall causing injury: $6,995

Filed: 9/8/17

PALMER DISTRICT COURT

Shafiis’ Inc. d/b/a TigerPress v. Jamie Jordan d/b/a Stone Age Advertising and d/b/a Ad-Advantage and d/b/a Big Coaster

Allegation: Money owed for services: $10,973.82

Filed: 9/6/17

Picture This

Departments Picture This

Hats Off to Square One

The 12th annual Square One Tea drew about 400 supporters who celebrated the work the provider of early-learning and family services does on behalf of thousands of families throughout the Greater Springfield region. “Year after year, we look forward to this wonderful opportunity to highlight the work we are doing and the impact that our programs and services have had on the thousands of children and parents who have been served by Square One,” President and CEO Joan Kagan said. “It is so gratifying to hear from our guests how much they enjoy being a part of this special day, and it’s always fun to see who is going to have the best hat.”

From left, Yvette Frisbee, Gladys Oyola, Joan Kagan, Denise Jordan, and Marian Sullivan.

From left, Ashley Kohl, Lamont Clemons, Lauri Doleva, Christine Dingler, and John Doleva

From left, Sam Edwards, Jennifer Sanchez, Justin Roberts, Lidya Rivera, and Angelo Puppolo

Keith Minoff Selected to Massachusetts Super Lawyers

SPRINGFIELD — Attorney Keith Minoff has been selected to Massachusetts Super Lawyers for 2017. Super Lawyers selects attorneys based on peer nominations and evaluations combined with independent research. The final published list represents no more than 5% of Massachusetts lawyers.

Minoff has also been recognized by his peers for inclusion in the most recent edition of The Best Lawyers in America in the areas of commercial litigation and corporate law. He specializes in business litigation and employment law and also serves as a mediator with Minoff Mediation Solutions. He maintains a law office in Springfield.

MGM to Detail Contract Opportunities at Business & Innovation Expo

SPRINGFIELD — One of the highlights of this year’s Business & Innovation Expo of Western Mass., produced by BusinessWest and the Healthcare News, comes from corporate sponsor MGM Springfield, which will showcase its contracting opportunities at the event on Thursday, Nov. 2 at the MassMutual Center.

MGM is committed to awarding agreements to regional and certified minority-, woman-, and veteran-owned businesses that provide quality, competitive products and services. The resort will have contracting opportunities in operating supplies, casino supplies, food and beverage supplies, food and beverages, hotel supplies, promotional print services, and more. To explain these, MGM will present two events during the Expo.

The first, “MGM Procurement Introduction,” runs from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. This session is an overview of the current needs of the resort, as well as general information about the new entertainment venue coming to the region, followed by questions and answers from the audience. Speakers will include Alex Dixon, MGM Springfield general manager, and Stacey Taylor, MGM Resorts International senior vice president and chief procurement officer.

During the second seminar, “MGM Matchmaking,” from 1:15 to 3 p.m., various MGM sourcing managers will be on site to meet potential partners. Each session lasts 15 minutes and will feature a sourcing manager at a table with seven seats available to be filled by companies interested in pitching their specific service or product. Each business will have two minutes to share their elevator pitch and a capabilities statement. Open discussion will follow if time permits.

Advance registration is highly encouraged. There will be some open availability the day of the Expo; details will be shared at the morning MGM Procurement Introduction. To register your company in advance, click here.

The Business & Innovation Expo of Western Mass. will also feature more than 150 exhibitor booths, educational seminars, and a day-capping Expo Social. Current sponsors include Comcast Business (presenting sponsor), Johnson & Hill Staffing Services and Wild Apple Design Group (executive sponsors), Inspired Marketing (show partner), MGM Springfield (corporate sponsor), Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst (education sponsor), Xfinity (social sponsor), Elms College (information booth sponsor), Smith & Wesson (Workforce Support Center sponsor), Savage Arms (JoinedForces parking sponsor), and the Better Business Bureau (contributing sponsor).

Exhibitor spaces are still available; booth prices start at $800. For more information on booth purchase, call (413) 781-8600, ext. 100.

Harvard Medical School Neuroscientist to Speak at Bay Path Oct. 19