BusinessWest Staff, Author at BusinessWest

NORTHAMPTON — Gove Law Office announced it has moved its Northampton office into larger space at the historic Old School Commons Building located at the corner of New South Street and Main Street in Northampton.

“With this move to the Old School Commons, Gove Law gains an office identity that reflects our strong Hampshire County presence and accommodates our recent and future growth plans,” said Michael Gove, founder and owner of Gove Law Office. “Both geographically and architecturally, this stunning new space supports the firm’s leading practice areas.”

Gove Law Office, with offices in Northampton and Ludlow, is a bilingual firm with attorneys who provide guidance to clients in the areas of business representation, commercial lending, residential and commercial real estate, estate planning, probate and family law, criminal and civil litigation, personal-injury law, and bankruptcy. For more information, visit www.govelawoffice.com.

Hampshire Mall Welcomes New General Manager

By BusinessWest Staff April 8, 2016

HADLEY — The Hampshire Mall management team recently welcomed Lynn Gray as general manager.

Gray has extensive knowledge of the shopping-center industry. She is a graduate of Holyoke Community College with an associate degree in business administration. She returns to Hampshire Mall after holding the positions of marketing assistant, assistant marketing director, and marketing director within Pyramid Management Group from 1995 to 2005.

Prior to her return, she held various roles within General Growth Management over the past 10 years, most recently as director of field marketing for the East Region. During her time there, she received the MAXI Award for innovative contributions made to Natick Mall. She is a lifelong resident of the Western Mass. area and actively involved with several community and nonprofit organizations, including Alex Scafuri’s Benefit Fund, Harper Yucka Benefit Fund, Chicopee Youth Football Assoc., and CHERUBS.

“We are pleased to have Lynn return to Pyramid Management Group,” said Joe Castaldo, Pyramid Management Group’s director of Shopping Center Management. “With her vast experience in the shopping-center industry, she will be a tremendous asset in the development of Hampshire Mall.”

Springfield Regional Chamber’s Leadership 2016 to Graduate 22

By BusinessWest Staff April 8, 2016

SPRINGFIELD — Twenty-two business professionals will graduate from the Springfield Regional Chamber’s Leadership 2016 in a ceremony on Thursday, April 14 from 6-9 p.m. at the Springfield Sheraton.

Sponsored by the MassMutual Financial Group with scholarship support from the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation, the program is a collaboration between the Springfield Regional Chamber and Western New England University to teach middle- and upper-level managers the crucial thinking and problem-solving skills needed to prepare participants to be effective leaders in service to the community and their workplaces.

This year’s program, “Leadership Skills: For Personal, Organizational, and Community Development,” included an emphasis on strategies and techniques designed to create high-energy and high-involvement leadership, focusing on problem solving, learning to ask the right questions, and implementing creative and innovative solutions for both nonprofit and for-profit organizations.

“Notwithstanding the learning component, the Leadership program is unique in that it brings together people from different business backgrounds, providing an opportunity to view the various learning topics from different points of view, giving participants a greater appreciation of the lessons,” said 2016 graduate Youssef Fadel of New England Promotional Marketing. “The setting is casual and friendly, making it conducive to developing an atmosphere where one wants to learn and observe. You get to appreciate many aspects of leadership and come out with a specific plan for your own leadership journey. You can use what you learned in your professional, volunteer, or personal life.”

Working alongside Western New England University professors, participants actively explored best practices of leaders; analyzed their own leadership, learning, and problem-solving styles; were challenged to think in new ways and to analyze their own strengths and organizational challenges within a dynamic economy; and explored task and interpersonal focus, negotiation orientation, and emotional intelligence, supplemented by self-diagnostics, experiential activities, and case studies.

“The Leadership Institute offers a wonderful refresher on various leadership frameworks such as planning and problem solving. It helps you to stretch your mind to explore ways you can use your influence to help others. If you get the opportunity to participate in the Leadership Institute, I highly recommend it,” said 2016 graduate Gillian Palmer, business development and group sales coordinator with the Eastern States Exposition.

Sessions included “Each Person’s Behavior Makes Perfectly Good Sense to Them: We Are All Different,” which explored how individuals differ in the ways they learn, communicate, lead, and follow, and “Leadership Who Get Things Done: The Power of Influence,” which focused on influence skills such as reading other people and adapting the message so it will be better-understood, understanding the six universal forms of influence, and developing political savvy.

Since 1982, more than 900 area leaders have graduated from the institute.

“TD Bank’s focus on continued development of our rising talent goes hand in hand with the goals of the Leadership program,” said Christine Moran, senior vice president and market commercial credit manager for TD Bank, who has sponsored many of these area leaders. “Year over year, we have seen our employees develop increased confidence and gain negotiation and influential skills to become stronger team members. These accomplishments keep us committed to the program, as we continually grow our next generation of leaders.”

Members of this year’s class include: Bill Raimondi and Christopher Savenko, Baystate Health; Sean Nimmons, Big Y Foods Inc.; Gillian Palmer, Eastern States Exposition; Abby Getman, Food Bank of Western Mass.; Mahera Chiarizio, Ryan Howard, Terri Lombardo, Naida Lopez, and Shawn Teece, HCS Headstart Inc.; Waleska Lugo-DeJesus, Healing Racism Institute of the Pioneer Valley; Steven Facchetti and Tina Whitney, MassMutual Financial Group; Melissa Nelson, Medvest LLC (Doctors Express); Youssef Fadel, New England Promotional Marketing; Latora Godbolt, Ormsby Insurance Agency; Vickie Dempesy, Shriners Hospital for Children; Michael Ehmke and Christopher Scott, TD Bank; Julie Fregeau, the Republican; Marlene Johnson, United Personnel; and Mike Murray, Western New England University.

Reservations for the graduation are $40 per person and required in advance. Reservations may be made online at www.springfieldregionalchamber.com or by contacting Kara Cavanaugh at (413) 755-1310 or [email protected].

Topping-off Event at Sosin Center for Rehabilitation Set for April 13

LONGMEADOW — JGS Lifecare will hold a topping-off ceremony on Wednesday, April 13 to commemorate the placement of the highest steel beam in the new Sosin Center for Rehabilitation located on the Longmeadow campus of the healthcare system serving seniors and their families.

Construction of the 24,000-square-foot Sosin Center began in June 2015. The center will include two self-contained homes for up to 12 people, designed in the small-house model of care. JGS Lifecare is partnering with the Green House Project to implement the patient-centered model of care that reduces medication use and rehospitalizations, while affording greater socialization and interaction with caregivers. The Sosin Center will be the only Green House-certified facility in Western Mass., and is set to open in September.

The April 13 program runs from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., followed by a reception. The site is located at 770 Converse St., Longmeadow. Among the expected attendees are state Rep. Brian Ashe, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, Longmeadow Town Manager Stephen Crane, Longmeadow Select Board Chairman Richard Foster, and Longmeadow Select Board member Marie Angelides.

A topping-off ceremony is a construction-industry tradition marking the moment when the crew puts the highest structural point of a building in place. In addition to signing the beam, it is also customary to put a fir tree on the beam as a sign the building will be everlasting. The American flag that was given to JGS Lifecare as a keepsake of the building’s late benefactor, George Sosin, will also be ceremoniously raised by a Longmeadow Police Department honor guard.

Country Bank Promotes Financial Literacy to Local Middle Schools

WARE — Country Bank recently sponsored an educational presentation called ‘The Brain Show.’ Students from Ware Middle School, Charlton Middle School, Knox Trail in Spencer, and Converse Middle School in Palmer were asked to participate in a game-show-like presentation which tested the students’ knowledge in history, math, science, art, music, and financial education.

“The Brain Show presentation allowed us to promote financial education as well as many other subjects in a way that speaks directly to students, all while working together as a team,” said Jodie Gerulaitis, financial education officer at Country Bank. “Principals and students acknowledged this show as the most exciting presentation they had seen in years. Students were not the only ones dancing and learning; the teachers had a blast too.”

Elms College Launches Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership

CHICOPEE — Elms College announced the launch of its new Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL) to expand business-education offerings at the college through a hands-on, real-world approach.

“In this time of a rapidly emerging entrepreneurial society, we need to create a flexible structure to accommodate not only degree work but also certificate programs, workshops, consulting services, and other assistance needed to make sure that entrepreneurs are equipped not only to start a business but, more importantly, to sustain it over time,” said Elms College President Sr. Mary Reap.

The Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership was developed with that goal in mind. Reap and Elms faculty have worked closely with focus groups comprised of area businesses and officials to assess the specific needs of the local business community.

Amanda Garcia, assistant professor of Accounting, was appointed director of the CEL in January. “We have an opportunity to provide hands-on learning experience,” Garcia said. “That was one of the major things that came out of the focus groups: ‘we need it to be real, and we need it to be hands-on.’”

To that end, the CEL will incorporate Lean Launchpad, a startup methodology in which new businesses receive immediate feedback from customers in the marketplace during the business launch.

“We know that the majority of businesses fail in the first five years, and a big cause of that is due to not understanding specific core business concepts or the marketplace needs,” Garcia noted. The Lean Launchpad model allows startup owners to learn as they grow their businesses and react to market demands.

The CEL’s academic offerings will include an interdisciplinary undergraduate minor in entrepreneurship, which will launch this fall. “We also plan to integrate it into an entrepreneurship track in our MBA,” Garcia said, “and we will explore the needs in the marketplace around business-growth strategies and programming related to business growth and mergers and acquisitions.”

The entrepreneurship track will join existing accounting, healthcare leadership, and management tracks in the Elms MBA program.

“Elms College also has a mission to give back to the community,” Garcia said. “We know that economic development and entrepreneurship is a big part of making our community better, so we’re planning to offer workshops and Lean Launchpad boot camps on weekends, to help people flesh out their ideas. We are also planning programming to help them learn what to do once they flesh out those ideas.”

The CEL will also partner with the college’s nursing and science programs.

“I see great opportunity in collaborating with the Elms Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership in the development of an interdisciplinary healthcare leadership program for master’s-prepared and certified nurse practitioners, as well as master’s-prepared clinical nurse leaders who seek the doctor of nursing practice,” said Dr. Kathleen Scoble, dean of the School of Nursing. “We believe that the Lean Launchpad is an excellent methodology, well-matched for nursing and healthcare, and an extraordinary learning opportunity for these advanced nursing students.”

Added Garcia, “for our biomedical technology program, we’re looking to incorporate Lean Launchpad in bringing research to commercialization. It’s one thing to have research, and it’s another thing to commercialize it and make money off of it. The National Science Foundation has partnered with Lean Launchpad on the national level to be the main method of bringing scientific research to the marketplace.”

The college will renovate space this summer to house the CEL, Reap said.

Tighe & Bond Secures Award for Engineering Excellence

WESTFIELD — The American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts presented Tighe & Bond and Borrego Solar Systems with a Silver Award for the 3.5-megawatt North Adams E Street solar photovoltaic (PV) system during its 2016 Engineering Excellence and Awards Gala.

Held on March 16 at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge, this annual competition and event recognizes recent engineering achievements that demonstrate the highest degree of merit, ingenuity, complexity, and client satisfaction.

Tighe & Bond, a New England leader in civil and environmental engineering, teamed with Borrego Solar Systems to develop a solar PV system on top of the closed E Street landfill in North Adams. Completed last year, the new solar system is one of the largest of its kind in Western Mass.

Its output, when combined with power being purchased from two other nearby PV sites, makes the city 100% solar-powered. All of its municipal buildings and facilities (schools, state-owned skating rink, and street lights) are running on clean, renewable energy. Borrego Solar Systems estimates that the array offsets 2,989 tons of carbon annually, the equivalent of removing 630 cars from the road or the amount sequestered by 2,450 acres of U.S. forests in a year.

Tighe & Bond provided site design, permitting, and construction administration for this project that sits on approximately 11.7 acres of the 31-acre capped landfill. Additional project features included the construction of access roads and the installation of ballast trays with concrete blocks to support the photovoltaic panel racks and solar panels. It also included equipment pads for the inverters and transformers, as well as a variety of other electrical infrastructure and support features.

Borrego Solar Systems was the developer of the solar system, and Syncarpha Capital is the system owner.

Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity Welcomes Back Bob Perry

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity (GSHFH) announced that Bob Perry — a donor, volunteer, partner, and friend who has supported the organization for more than 15 years — will join the team as the new volunteer donor relations manager.

“Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity is thrilled to be able to welcome back Bob Perry as our new volunteer donor relations manager,” said Jennifer Schimmel, the organization’s executive director. “Even with his new title, he’ll still be known by many as Habitat’s chief hugging officer!”

Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity is a housing ministry dedicated to strengthening communities by empowering low-income families to change their lives and the lives of future generations through home ownership and home-preservation opportunities. This is accomplished by working in partnership with diverse people, from all walks of life, to build and repair simple, decent, affordable housing. GSHFH has helped 70 local families (58 through home ownership and 12 through home preservation), as well as 90 international families, over the past 27 years.

HUB International New England Welcomes Melissa Provost

EAST LONGMEADOW — HUB International New England, a division of HUB International Limited, announced that Melissa Provost has joined HUB International New England as a personal lines account manager, responsible for assisting clients with their home, auto, and personal-liability umbrella coverages. She will be based in the South Hadley office.

Provost joins HUB International with several years of customer service experience in the insurance industry, and has held previous positions with Liberty Mutual Insurance, most recently as a senior customer service representative. At HUB International, her role includes assisting in the day-to-day needs of clients, handling client requests, preparing quotes, reviewing and updating policies and certificates, maintaining existing client relationships, generating new business, and keeping abreast of the changing market.

“Over the past few months, we have hired several talented individuals as we continue to expand into one of the largest agencies throughout New England,” said Timm Marini, president of HUB International New England. “Melissa is a perfect fit for our agency as she is clearly a ‘people person’ who will focus on providing extraordinary customer service.”

Employer Confidence Strengthens in March

BOSTON — Massachusetts employers grew more confident during March as turbulence in China and other key global markets subsided. At the same time, a significant gap has developed between the bullish outlook of service companies and a less optimistic view among manufacturers that is also reflective of national developments.

The Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) Business Confidence Index rose 1.4 points to 56.5 last month, its highest level since November and well above the 50 mark that denotes a positive economic outlook.

The index for service companies and other non-manufacturers increased to 61.3, while the manufacturing index fell to 54.8, down 7.1 points from its level in March 2015.

The results come a week after the state announced that the unemployment rate dropped to 4.5% during February and that employers added 14,400 jobs during the first two months of the year.

“The good news is that the Massachusetts and U.S. economies have proven remarkably resilient in the face of weak growth globally that unsettled financial markets at the beginning of the year,” said Raymond Torto, chair of AIM’s Board of Economic Advisors (BEA) and lecturer at Harvard Graduate School of Design. “What happens next? Employers here in Massachusetts appear to be generally optimistic about their prospects during the next six months, though the outlook among manufacturers remains muted by global uncertainty, weakening corporate earnings, the strength of the dollar, and rising credit risk.”

The AIM Business Confidence Index, based on a survey of Massachusetts employers, has appeared monthly since July 1991. It is calculated on a 100-point scale, with 50 as neutral; a reading above 50 is positive, while below 50 is negative. The index reached its historic high of 68.5 on two occasions in 1997-98, and its all-time low of 33.3 in February 2009. The index has remained above 50 since October 2013.

Westfield Bank, Chicopee Savings Bank to Merge

WESTFIELD — Westfield Financial Inc., the holding company for Westfield Bank, and Chicopee Bancorp Inc., the holding company for Chicopee Savings Bank, announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement.

The merger will create the largest locally managed bank in Hampden County and the second-largest bank in terms of deposit market share in the county. The combined company will have total assets of $2.1 billion, tangible equity of over $215 million, and 21 branch locations serving customers throughout Western Mass. and Northern Conn.

“We are excited to combine with such a strong partner as Chicopee,” said James Hagan, president and CEO of Westfield Bank. “As we have gotten to know Bill Wagner and his team over time, we have been pleased at the commonality of our cultures, operating models, and the customer-service focus of our two institutions. Although headquartered in the same county, we currently serve two distinct customer bases, which, when combined, will complement each other tremendously. A merger of our two banks will be extremely favorable for the shareholders, customers, employees, and communities of both institutions.”

Following completion of the transaction, Hagan will be president and CEO of the combined company, and Donald Williams will be chairman of the Board. William Wagner, chairman, president, and CEO of Chicopee, will join the executive management team of Westfield, and will become vice chairman of the board of directors. Four additional board members of Chicopee will also join the board of Westfield. Following closing, the combined bank will do business under the Westfield Bank name, with the holding company to be renamed Western New England Bancorp. The Chicopee Savings Bank Charitable Foundation will remain in place with its original philanthropic mission in the Greater Chicopee area unchanged.

“Westfield is the ideal partner for Chicopee,” Wagner said. “This is the first in-market merger our community has seen in over 25 years and, as such, will not result in a significant outflow of resources or shift the focus of our franchise elsewhere, but rather will intensify and strengthen our combined ability to serve our local markets, consumers, and businesses that make both Westfield and Chicopee successful. I look forward to our future together as a combined institution and to the substantial impact our bank will have in Western New England.”

The merger agreement has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both Westfield and Chicopee. Closing is anticipated to occur during the fourth quarter of 2016, subject to approval by the shareholders of both companies, receipt of required regulatory approvals, and other customary closing conditions.

“Westfield has a strong reputation in commercial business lending to large-scale customers that will enhance our lending platform and ability,” Wagner said. “Moreover, the larger lending limit, breadth of product mix, and deep and sophisticated support functions will allow our bank to be a major competitor in Western New England for years to come.”

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Young Professional Groups Continue to Hone Missions, Programming

Features

Coming of Age

Peter Ellis, president of YPS, with Ashley Clark, vice president.

The region’s growing number of young professional groups were all created to fill a void in the region, a recognized need for an organization devoted to people of generally the same age and facing mostly similar challenges, professionally and personally. This void-filling role has included a good deal of evolution and expansion that goes well beyond networking, and into the realms of education, professional development, philanthropy, and stemming that problem known as the brain drain.

If all goes well — and admittedly, a lot will have to go well for this to happen — by roughly this time next year, the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield (YPS) may be in the Guinness Book of World Records for hosting the largest single-day dodgeball competition on the planet.

The organization had approximately 350 participants for this year’s event, staged a few weeks ago at Springfield College, and is looking to do least as well next spring. If it can get that performance authenticated (and there’s a lot that goes into that, including a $10,000 cost, which the agency is trying to get underwritten), then it will become the record holder.

While that wouldn’t exactly put YPS on the map, it would be a marketing tool of sorts, said the group’s president, Peter Ellis, the so-called “czar of first impressions” (that’s really what it says on his business card) at Springfield-based DIF Design, and a source of bragging rights.

Or another source, to be more precise, he told BusinessWest, adding that, in nine years that went by in a real hurry, the group has succeeded in morphing from a networking group (or partying group, depending on who’s choosing the adjective) into a regional resource on many levels.

A resource, specifically, that has developed programming on everything from helping members become better public speakers to assisting them with that ultra-broad challenge of balancing life and career; from providing information on how to reduce stress (much of it from trying to achieve that balance) to familiarizing members with the people and issues on an upcoming election ballot.

This evolutionary process in many ways mirrors the one that has taken place at Northampton Area Young Professionals, or NAYP. Now boasting 200 active members across the region, the organization has moved well beyond networking, said its president, Christopher Whalen, collections officer at Florence Bank.

Actually, NAYP has always had a strong focus on philanthropy that in some ways differentiates it from many similar organizations, he went on, adding that, from the start, with an event called ‘Party with a Purpose,’ the group has always done more than simply get together.

Its monthly gatherings have always had a designated nonprofit beneficiary, he explained, and NAYP has worked diligently to connect members with opportunities to serve nonprofits, through board fairs and other steps.

Meanwhile, Young Professionals of Amherst (YPA) hasn’t really had any time to evolve. Launched in 2014 and now boasting more than 80 members, it essentially represents what the other young professional groups have developed into, said co-president and co-founder Kate Lockhart, development director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County.

She told BusinessWest that, while the group creates a host of networking opportunities, its mission comes down to creating connections — a term used by all those we spoke with.

For the Amherst group, and the others as well, this means connecting members to each other, connecting them to opportunities, and, most importantly, connecting them to the community with the goal of getting them actively involved.

But there’s another piece to this picture, and Lockhart, echoing sentiments expressed by others, summed it up nicely by saying that these groups give young professionals something they’ve never really had — a voice.

“We want to enable young people to be part of the conversation,” she explained, adding that many people within this constituency don’t believe they have the knowledge or experience to make their feelings known. YPA is not only helping to cure them of such sentiments, it is providing the platform for speaking out.

Kate Lockhart, co-president of Young Professionals of Amherst, says the YP groups give their members something they’ve lacked — a voice.

“Our group is working hard to get people involved,” she went on, “and feeling that what they have to say is really important, and that they’re a crucial part of economic development here in Amherst and across this region.”

For this issue, BusinessWest talked with leaders of several area young professional groups about the ongoing evolution of their missions, rosters of programming, and business plans, and how such work benefits members, but especially the region.

Young Ideas

Those who spoke with BusinessWest said the YP group they now lead was created essentially out of an unmet need, or, even more specifically, a desire to fill a void in a particular region for a group devoted to people of generally the same age and facing mostly similar challenges, professionally and personally.

As Whelan explained, the local chamber of commerce, Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club, and other groups in a similar vein are all fine organizations, and many YP members are also involved with those groups as well, especially the chambers. But they can’t provide all of what a young professional group can — meaning those commonalities and connecting points.

“There was a need for something that went beyond the chamber,” he explained, “a need for a group of professionals at a similar stage in their careers, with common interests and challenges.”

And that’s why, collectively, the officers we spoke with say they stopped counting how many times Baby Boomers have told they them they wished they had something like this to join 20 or 30 years ago, because the number was getting so high.

In Amherst, said Lockhart, there are many groups and initiatives focused on the thousands of college students in that community, and a good number dedicated to older individuals, especially the rising number of retirees who have made the town their home. But the young professionals have been a traditionally overlooked constituency, she went on, and that’s why she and a few others decided to step up and do something about that.

“There’s a gap — there’s the college students, and then the older professionals with their networks, but there was really nothing for us,” she explained. “So a few of us tried to figure out how to make a network for this age group and their specific needs, and, by doing that, build a sense of community in the town we’re living in and working in.”

So, with the goal of filling those voids, YPS and NAYP were launched in 2007, and YPA in the fall of 2014. In each case, the words ‘young,’ ‘area,’ and ‘Greater’ are certainly relative terms. Indeed, while most members are in their 20s, 30s, or early 40s, there are some exceptions. And, in NAYP’s case, for example, the ‘area’ extends well beyond Paradise City and the communities that surround it.

In the beginning, at least with YPS and NAYP, the focus was — and still is, to a large degree — on networking, or bringing people together.

For YPS, the chosen vehicle was named Third Thursday, and it has become a day of the month event planners from other organizations have looked to avoid, at least if they want a large number of young people in attendance. NAYP also chose Thursday, and calls its gathering simply the ‘networking social.’ In Amherst, a town known for doing things differently, Wednesday was the chosen night for what are called ‘after hours events.’

There were, and are, many goals for networking, and most of them involve the professional, career side of the spectrum, said Ashley Clark, YPS vice president and, by day, cash management officer at Berkshire Bank. She noted that she owes her current job to the one she had before it at TD Bank, which she attained (or at the least scored the interview at which she made a suitable impression) through an encounter at a Third Thursday.

“I met the individual who runs all the retail branches in this area, and let him know I was looking for a different position. I met with him, and got the job,” she said, adding that this same scenario has played itself out many times.

But she was quick to note that most of the individuals she now counts as good friends were met through those same YPS events, and this is evidence of the large social aspect of this organization as well.

Ellis agreed, and went on to say that YPS, which counts as members law-firm partners, bank tellers, and everyone in between, can provide different things to people in different professions and stages of their career — be it opportunities for jobs, the ability to solicit new clients, or to build their own “professional network,” as he called it.

And networking remains a huge part of the equation, said Chicopee City Planner Lee Pouliot, the self-described “NAYP elder” (he’s been a member for five years), adding that many members have broadened their business portfolios or gained career opportunities as a result of those monthly get-togethers.

Chris Whelan, right, president of Northampton Area Young Professionals, with Lee Pouliot, vice president.

But the networking always had a purpose beyond the mere exchanging of business cards, he said, adding that, over the years, he’s seen members also exchanging and advancing ideas for getting more involved in the community and also for coping with the many challenges facing this generation of young professionals.

Ellis agreed, and said he’s noted how his networking, and that of others in the group, has changed as their career progressed and their needs evolved.

“Early on, I would go to gatherings, people would say, ‘you need a web site or some design services, let me connect you to a guy,’” he said, noting that he was the guy in question. “Later, I was introducing people to others and creating connections. You become the locomotive, and it’s as if you’re returning the favor.”

Youth Is Served

Over time, the YP groups’ missions and programming have continued to expand and evolve, bringing into sharper focus those terms ‘resource’ and ‘connections.’

All those we spoke with noted that their organizations are looking to broaden their impact in the region, as well as their membership ranks, by partnering with various entities — other YP groups, a host of business and economic-development agencies including the chambers of commerce, area colleges, and even BusinessWest.

“One of the things we’ve identified from a strategic perspective is the need to identify and develop stronger partnerships,” said NAYP’s Whelan. “That includes our chamber, but also other chambers, Leadership Pioneer Valley, MassMutual’s Employee Resource Group, and others. We want to find ways we can collaborate with one another in ways that are mutually beneficial.”

Meanwhile, the groups are also launching new initiatives that fall into the broad categories of education, awareness, and professional development.

At YPS, the group has added something called the work/life balance committee, which, as that name suggests, concentrates on an area almost every young professional struggles with to one degree or another.

Another committee, focused on professional development, hosts, among other things, CEO luncheons (where participants dine with a CEO, hear him or her talk about their work, and then ask questions) and quarterly breakfast meetings featuring seminars on subjects ranging from stress reduction to public speaking, or, to be more specific, the need for developing strong verbal skills.

“These are little things that strike a chord with members,” Ellis said. “These are issues they’ve identified as important to them.”

NAYP also offers some professional-development programming for its members, said Whelan, adding that this is one area the group is looking to expand in the years to come with initiatives such as a webinar series and other vehicles.

Beyond professional development and work/life balance, though, the YP groups are also finding new ways to provide that voice for young people mentioned earlier.

“We want our members to feel that they should be at the table with everyone else,” said Lockhart, “and not think that, because they’re young, they shouldn’t have a voice.”

While most of the YP groups’ efforts are focused on their members, some are aimed at a different constituency that will hopefully become members in a few years — the area’s college students.

Indeed, the groups are now starting to develop and hone programming designed to curb the so-called brain drain in this region by introducing students to area employers and, in general, trying to convince them that they don’t have to leave this region after getting their diploma to find what it is they’re looking for.

Clark said YPS is looking to develop a pilot program that would help area college students develop the so-called soft skills needed to join the workforce, while also introducing them to potential career opportunities within the 413 area code.

“We want them to attend some of our networking sessions,” she said, “so they can meet the people who can say, ‘listen, you’re going to graduate in three months; I have a job for you.’ That’s an example of how we like to say that it’s not networking, but the business of connecting people.”

Lockhart said YPA is doing something similar in the Amherst area, and while the motivation for such programming was already obvious, her own experiences while attending UMass Amherst crystalized this recognized need.

“We’re trying to get the students who are graduating involved with us,” she explained. “We want them to understand that this doesn’t just have to be a stop on their journey; this can be where they live and work — there are opportunities here.

“I graduated from UMass Amherst in 2013, and I never thought about staying here until someone asked me,” she went on, noting that she came to Amherst from the eastern part of the state for her education. “I said, ‘oh, wow, there are opportunities here? I never knew that.’ There’s a huge misperception among students about this region, and we need to address that.”

A New Age

Looking forward, Ellis and Clark said YPS has reached the point in its existence where a full- or even part-time paid executive director is needed to ease the workload of the board members and, more importantly, to put an even sharper focus on all those elements in the mission statement.

But as with that line in the Guinness Book of World Records, a lot of things will have to go right for that to happen, they said, adding that the group will need to ratchet up its cash flow for an executive director to become reality.

In the meantime, however, the area’s YP groups are making many things go right, for their members, for area college students, and for the region as a whole.

In short, they are coming of age, in every sense of that phrase.

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

Courses Look to Take Full Advantage of an Early Start

Cover Story Golf Preview Sections

Spring in Their Step

Kevin Kennedy, head professional at Springfield’s municipal courses, Franconia and Veterans.

The region’s beleaguered golf industry, which has been beset with challenges ranging from the recession to a dwindling number of players, to even stiffer competition in the form of additional courses, caught a break from Mother Nature this spring — several weeks of additional revenue. While working to capitalize on that opportunity, courses, and the industry in general, confront the larger task of creating the next generation of golfers.

That sound you might have heard about a month or so ago — if you were listening carefully enough — was cash registers opening and closing at a few of the region’s public golf courses, especially the smaller, family-owned operations.

A few weeks later, though, it was much easier to pick up that noise, as most area municipal courses also opened their doors and greens to players. And by this past weekend, just about every course in the region was seeing play.

In this business, that’s called an early spring, or — in the case of those that opened several weeks ago or stayed open almost throughout the winter — it was a very early spring. And if any sector of the economy needed a break from Mother Nature, it was the golf industry.

Go HERE for a PDF chart of area Golf Courses

Indeed, this industry has been hit hard by a combination of factors ranging from declining play (and there are several reasons for that) to winters like the one in 2014-15 that have kept courses shuttered, for the most part, until at least mid-April.

How much does the extra month or so help? Kevin Kennedy, the long-time pro at Springfield’s two municipal courses, Franconia and Veterans, said it doesn’t guarantee a great or even good year — 2011 saw an early start, and everyone knows what happened that summer and fall — but it does create a positive vibe and some momentum.

“An early start is quite valuable, and much better than a late fall,” he told BusinessWest, on March 17, the official opening of the season at Franconia, adding that this sentiment applies to not only play, but equipment and apparel sales as well. “People are really excited to be out and playing.”

He barely finished that thought when, as if on cue, maybe his 10th customer of the season came through the door, joining playing partners already warming up on the first tee. “It’s St. Patrick’s Day … I’m playing golf and having a couple of beers,” he told those in the clubhouse as Kennedy counted out his change. “How good is that?”

No one had to answer him, because the answer was obvious. And there were plenty of people expressing similar thoughts.

“It’s another three weeks of play, another three weeks of generating revenue,” said Chris Tallman, head golf professional at Cold Spring Country Club in Belchertown as he talked about the club’s slated March 25 opening. “And after the mild winter, people are psyched to get out and play.”

But while the golf industry is getting a series of breaks from the weather — a first-day-of-spring snowstorm conveniently missed the region, and a misty Good Friday was not a total washout — there is still no shortage of challenges confronting this industry, especially in Western Mass.

For starters, the local sector is usually described with the words ‘saturated’ or ‘oversaturated’ — the latter more than the former — and with good reason. There are four courses the public can play in Agawam, for example, three more in Westfield, and three more in Southwick, where’s there’s also an executive par-3 course.

Chris Tallman says one big challenge facing all course owners and managers today is creating a large pool of golfers for the future.

“There are a lot of courses in this area, and they’re all working hard to attract players,” said E.J. Altobello, head pro at Tekoa Country Club, a semi-private course. “It’s a very competitive situation.”

Meanwhile, the pool of golfers these courses is trying to attract certainly isn’t getting any bigger. In fact, the consensus is that it’s getting smaller, as Baby Boomers retire and move to warmer climes, and young adults continue to struggle with the sport’s cost and time commitment — more the latter than the former.

The challenge, said Altobello, and one that all courses share together, is to create a bigger pool, especially through a hard focus on young people.

And while Kennedy has some doubts about this young generation — “kids today don’t want to hit a shot, go walk after it, wait five minutes, and then hit another shot; they need instant gratification,” he said — Altobello is more optimistic.

“We’ve been making a big push over the past several years with more junior programs, and they’ve generated some real results,” he said. “That’s going to be our base for the future. And as you get more kids to play, you often get their parents out as well, and their usage is going to go up.”

Thus far, Mother Nature has given the industry a reason to be optimistic. For this issue and its focus on sports and leisure, BusinessWest looks at how area courses look to seize whatever momentum they’ve been given and make 2016 a year with lots of round numbers.

Rough Drafts

As he waited for customers on St. Patrick’s Day, Kennedy began the task of filling the racks and shelves in his pro shop, which have been barren since the end of November.

A skilled retailer and keen observer of golfers’ spending habits, he said an early spring doesn’t just help fill the daily sheet of tee times.

“People will buy in the fall, but not as much as in the spring, because they don’t want to buy something and then have to put it in the cellar or garage for four or five months,” he explained. “That’s another way that an early spring helps; if people buy something now, they get a full season’s use out of it.”

Such observations provide insight into how most golfers think and spend. They are creatures of habit, like bargains, and definitely look to get their money’s worth.

Such character traits help delineate the many challenges facing those in the golf industry today. Summing it all up, those we spoke with came back again and again to that word ‘experience’ and the never-ending task of providing one that is meaningful and value-laden.

“You have to take care of people from the minute they arrive to the moment they pull out of the parking lot,” said Tallman, adding that, at Cold Spring, he really means the minute they arrive.

Indeed, visitors to the semi-public course are greeted upon arrival, their clubs are put in a cart, and they’re driven to the pro shop, a perk usually reserved for private courses and expensive resort layouts, although the practice is becoming more common at public facilities, out of sheer necessity.

Such red-carpet service has helped Cold Spring, which opened in 2012, attract steady levels of play and overcome one additional challenge. Actually, two — location and perception of same. Belchertown is not exactly on the beaten path, said Tallman, but the perception is that it’s much further off that path than it actually is.

“I was at the golf expo a few weeks ago, and a number of people came up to me and said, ‘I like your course a lot; if I were closer by, I’d definitely join,’” he said, adding that roughly 160 people have joined, and there is also a steady volume of public play. That comes in form of many first-timers — the course is still new, as courses go — but especially repeat play.

And generating large amounts of that is every club’s goal, said Altobello, adding that customer service, which hasn’t always been a hallmark of this industry, especially when times were much better, courses were full, and tee times were hard to get, is now of paramount importance.

And it involves every aspect of the experience, he added, from the consistency of the greens to the quality of the food; from the availability of tee times to the temperature of the beer being served.

“You need to show people a good time,” he said, speaking for pros and course owners across the region. “If you do, they’re far more likely to come back to your course. If you don’t … there are plenty of other places for them to go.”

Overall, he said the goal for the industry is to generate more play that the region’s bevy of courses can share. And a good, early spring can certainly help.

“What I’m hoping is that the medium-use golfers, those who don’t play a lot, can use this opportunity to play more,” he said. “If they get off to an early start, get a few rounds in during March, that might spur them to play more during the season. If the industry can get that eight- or nine-time-per-year player up to 15 or 16, that really makes a difference.”

But from the bigger-picture perspective, the challenge of creating more rounds for courses to share involves much more than weather.

Tight Lies

That’s why area courses, while keeping one eye on the present and the current legions of players, have the other on the future and the task of generating solid volumes of business for years, even decades, to come.

And here’s where things get a little dicey. In the ’60s, Arnold Palmer and the advent of televised golf combined to give the game a huge boost, one that involved men, women, and children, and as a result, thousands of new courses were built, including dozens in this area. In the late ’90s, Tiger Woods did very much the same thing, inspiring, among other things, the small army of young players from around the world now dominating the tours in the U.S. and Europe — players like Jordan Speith, Jason Day, Rory McIlroy, and Rickie Fowler.

Will those dynamic young players spawn another golf boom and inspire large numbers of young people to take up the game? That’s the $64,000 question.

As he answered it, Kennedy said he’d like to be optimistic, but settled for what he considers realism. He noted that Fowler inspires some clothing and shoe sales — he likes bold colors, and is especially partial to orange, the one worn by his alma matter, Oklahoma State. But, overall, Kennedy noted, today’s young people are not turning to golf like the generations before them.

“They’re into other sports and other activities,” he told BusinessWest. “They don’t want to spend four or five hours playing golf.”

Tallman and Altobello, though, were more upbeat. They acknowledged that golf is competing with many things for the time and attention of young people, but believe it is winning some of those contests. And they and most others in his profession are helping by promoting the game, running youth camps, offering attractive rates for play, and other incentives.

“Our job is to create new golfers,” said Tallman. “We run a lot of junior programs, and they’re packed. I’m encouraged by what I’ve seen, but we have to keep working hard at encouraging the young people; this is our future, after all.”

Altobello agreed, and voiced more concern about those in their 20s and 30s, a constituency that wasn’t exactly courted heavily when they were young because the game was booming, thanks largely to Woods, and active recruitment of new players wasn’t a real priority.

“They were somewhat ignored when they were young because the industry was very healthy, and there just wasn’t a push to get more players into the game; the golf business was resting on its laurels,” he said, adding that, as a result, many Millennials didn’t get into golf, and now find it difficult to do so as they attempt to balance already-busy schedules dominated by family and career.

This current generation of young people is getting much more attention, with the expectation that this will pay dividends decades down the road, he went on, citing, as one example, a pilot program set up by the PGA of America called the PGA Junior Golf League, what he called a Little League for this sport.

“We’ve taken that to a good level in our area,” he said, adding that the initiative was launched in 2012. “In our Greater Westfield league, we’re probably going to have 75 kids this year. The goal is to get them turned on to the game and get them comfortable with it.”

As for those retiring Baby Boomers, the ones who stay in this market, well, many of them do have the time and resources for the game, said Altobello, and they have the potential to make an impact on the local market.

“That’s another strong segment — there are a lot of people retiring, and they have the time and money to play,” he said. “But golf is a difficult game to take up late in life, and those who do generally struggle with it. We’ll see what happens with that group.”

Finishing Hole

Looking ahead, the pros we spoke with said the early start is certainly a blessing and a chance to create some momentum when the industry certainly needs some.

In the larger scheme of things, though, the golf business will need much more than a few additional weeks of revenue to get its game in significantly better shape.

The focus has to be on customer service and, to the greatest extent possible, generating a solid pipeline of customers for the years to come.

Like the game itself, that assignment comes with no shortage of challenge, frustration, or hope.

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

Dockit Creates Co-working Space for Springfield Lawyers

Law Sections

Stop, Collaborate, and Listen

Lauran Thompson says the practice of law, especially for solo practitioners, lends itself to co-working spaces.

Co-working spaces — where solo practitioners ply their trade in a common area to share expenses and collaborate with other business owners — is not a new concept, but it has been slow to catch on in the Western Mass. legal arena. That’s surprising, says Lauran Thompson, considering how many lawyers work alone but could benefit from the dynamics of co-working. That’s why she launched Dockit in January, hoping the downtown Springfield space attracts a mix of new and experienced lawyers intrigued by the benefits of collaboration, idea sharing, and simple convenience.

Joan Williams is a well-established defense attorney, having maintained a solo practice in the region since since 2005.

She worked from an office in Northampton, but after she and her family moved to Connecticut, she found she didn’t relish the hour-long commute, so she opened a new office in Springfield. But she found the space bland and was looking for a change. That’s when she heard about — and became quite intrigued by — a new venture called Dockit.

“It’s the complete package,” Williams said of the new co-working space for lawyers that opened in January in downtown Springfield, a five-minute walk to the Hampden County Hall of Justice. “It’s a nice space. I don’t have to go out and buy furniture or pay for Internet service, and I don’t have to worry about finding conference space.”

Lauran Thompson — a paralegal who had managed her family’s law office, Thompson & Thompson, for 15 years — recognized the value of co-working as well, and saw opportunity in a model popular among law professionals out west and in Boston, but sorely lacking in Western Mass.

“Managing a law office, I’ve seen first-hand how important collaboration is,” she said, adding that her firm was looking for ways to be more collaborative with other attorneys. “I started looking into finding a workspace where we could do more collaborating, and I happened upon this new co-working movement. My research showed there’s a movement in the legal community toward shared space.”

The business she started, Dockit — located just off Main Street, in the pedestrian walkway between Harrison Street and the MassMutual Center known as Market Place — provides exactly that, with plenty of amenities to boot. Members don’t have their own desks or offices, but can work or meet with clients in a number of shared spaces, from open seating areas in the central area to three small, private conference rooms. The modern layout contrasts with the dark wood and exposed brick of the renovated building, creating a vibe that seems to suit the Millennials that will likely comprise the bulk of the facility’s ever-changing membership.

“We’re reaching out to solo practitioners spread out all over the county, offering a space to come and meet with people and share ideas,” she told BusinessWest. “We have WiFi, desktop computers, printing, faxing, scanning, videoconferencing, and a nice kitchen area where we keep lunches.”

Go HERE to download a chart of Law Firms in Western Mass.

Co-working is not a new concept in the Pioneer Valley; business incubators in particular are known for their use of shared space and collaboration. But in legal circles, Dockit is filling a gap regionally. Although lawyers of all types are welcome at Dockit, Thompson said defense attorneys will comprise the majority of members, in part because of a quirk in the system.

“It’s particularly important for people who are working as bar advocates,” she explained. “There’s a requirement for them, if they want to be on the list for Hampden County, if they want to be assigned a case, to have an address in Springfield. That’s for the benefit of the client, so the client doesn’t have to trek around to meet them.”

A quiet space near, but separate from, the courthouse makes sense in other ways, Thompson went on, noting that the courthouse is packed with district attorney’s office staff, judges, clerks, criminal defense lawyers, bar advocates, and others in close proximity, and there’s not much room to discuss matters privately. “Imagine putting both football teams in the same locker room. We give them space to come and collaborate.”

Suiting Their Needs

Dockit offers several tiers of membership with different price points, depending on how often a member needs the space, ranging from five days a month to five days a week. That flexibility is valuable, Thompson said, for lawyers who use the space for an array of reasons, from everyday work to an occasional need for collaboration with fellow attorneys.

“A cornerstone of co-working is co-workers,” Erin Sperger, a legal research and writing attorney in Seattle, wrote in the New Yorker recently. “For single-lawyer firms, it is great to be able to discuss ideas and cultivate relationships with attorney co-workers. When compared to a traditional law office environment, the kind of conviviality found in a co-working space can be a breath of fresh air.”

She warned of privacy issues that can arise by using shared equipment and speaking to clients in an open area, but said common sense and caution eliminates most of those.

“For me, the advantages of co-working far outweigh any possible risk,” she wrote. “It is more than just office space; it’s a rich source of mentoring, referrals, and an opportunity to collaborate by co-counseling with other attorneys. Co-working spaces attract people who like the idea of collaborating and sharing resources — generally a pretty great batch of people.”

Dockit’s location along Market Place in downtown Springfield gives it easy access to the Hampden County Hall of Justice.

Thompson said Dockit isn’t likely to be anyone’s permanent home, and the membership model — it’s renewed monthly, with no long-term leases — means lawyers can come as long as the facility benefits them. Some members, she added, are established attorneys with separate offices seeking the collaboration, continuing legal education (CLE) programs, and convenience offered through co-working — all summed up by Dockit’s slogan, “the firm alternative.”

“A lot of attorneys come out of law school, and to take appointments from the the court, they have to have a mailing address in town. But it can be difficult signing a two- or three-year lease, so we provide a place where they can meet with clients without that lease.”

Thompson would like to see Dockit expand its offerings as well.

“We’ve started doing some e-mail surveys to see where there’s interest in social events after hours — showing movies or doing docket discussions,” she explained, adding that events could center around current hot topics in the legal world, such as the current controversy over a Supreme Court nomination, or some new ruling that may be impactful to the Greater Springfield legal community. “We might talk about it, what kinds of motions we need to draft, what we need to do.”

Others who maintain home offices far away from the courthouse may use Dockit to help their work-life balance, she added. “They’re not going to close their home office, but this gives them an element of professionalism, where they can put their name on the door and have a place where they can meet clients that isn’t Dunkin’ Donuts or Barnes & Noble. There are a lot of benefits.”

Williams appreciates all of them, but came back to one in particular.

“For me, the biggest thing is having people I can bounce things off of. As solo practitioners, we sometimes don’t get that back-and- forth around issues. It’s good to have this space where people can come in and ask questions.”

Case Study

While bringing in more CLE opportunities and expanding awareness of Dockit, Thompson hopes the idea expands in Western Mass., just as co-working has in other industries.

“Within the co-working movement, the legal community is certainly a niche group,” she said. “I’d say we cater mostly to the defense community. We’re open to other types of lawyers, but we cater our CLE events to the defense community, which tends to be a community that doesn’t get a lot of these resources. We want like-minded people to be able to share information, while, at the same time, we’re really conscious of client confidentiality.”

It’s a balance, just like the work-life balance that Millennials — a generation known for not only collaboration, but a mobile lifestyle — crave. “They don’t want to carry the anchor of a five-year lease commitment. If you make that kind of commitment, you feel like you have to be in that space.”

On the other hand, because of its tiered plans, lawyers can make Dockit a space that works for them, not the other way around.

“What’s going to happen with the co-working movement is exactly what we’re doing — it’s starting to branch into niche groups,” Thompson said. “This is the wave of the future with Millennials. They don’t want to sit in the office all the time. Here at Dockit, we cater to that.”

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

ACT Group Makes a Name in the Realm of 3D Printing

Sections Technology

Model Business

3D printing is hardly a new development, but its applications have rapidly expanded over the past decade as companies use it to produce both inexpensive design prototypes and large runs of manufactured parts. Connecticut-based ACT Group has been at the forefront of this revolution regionally, selling and servicing 3D-printing equipment for a wide range of clients in myriad industries. Its success mirrors that of a technology that, clearly, is no longer flying under the radar.

When it comes to the capabilities and applications of 3D printing, Nick Gondek said, “the sky’s the limit.” Which is why he’s glad his company, ACT Group, has established a strong presence in that field.

Specifically, the firm — based in Cromwell, Conn. and formerly known as Advanced Copy Technologies — sells and services 3D printing equipment to a wide range of clients in fields as diverse as aerospace, medicine, and shoe manufacturing.

The company’s bread and butter, said Gondek, the company’s director of Additive Manufacturing and applications engineer, is a process called rapid prototyping, by which manufacturers can produce individual 3D models of potential products much more quickly and cost-effectively than previously possible.

Take, for example, ACT’s clients in shoe manufacturing, which include Timberland, New Balance, and Puma. Rapid prototyping using 3D printing — also known as additive manufacturing — can produce full-scale models of new designs, which can be easily modified numerous times at little cost, compared to making changes after manufacturing a large run.

Nick Gondek

“The technology has been around for some time, but flew under the radar,” said Gondek, whose parents, Greg and Cindi Gondek, purchased the company in 1999, when it focused solely on office-equipment supply. “Now it’s got everyone’s attention.”

They rebranded as ACT Group a couple of years ago to reflect a broadening in scope, including the company’s rise to prominence in the 3D-printing world.

“Five or six years ago, my father was traveling in Europe and was introduced to 3D printing,” Nick Gondek said. “After doing some research to better understand the clientele, he saw opportunity in this industry, on the service side of things.”

3D-printing technology allows users to create three-dimensional, solid objects using a computer-aided design (CAD) program. With a 3D printer, companies can now print a single part, or even complete product, in a matter of hours, when it used to take months. The technology can be used to create both precise, durable prototypes and final products for businesses of all sizes.

“We have a good customer base,” said Gondek, noting that ACT also services clients of 3D Systems, one of the nation’s premier 3D-printing companies, in the Northeast region.

The testimonials and success stories, as shared by Gondek with BusinessWest, are numerous. Daniel Copley, research and development manager at Parker Hannifin, which engineers products for industrial, hydraulic, and aerospace applications, said the company’s in-house 3D-printing capabilities reduced lead time for its prototypes as well as the number of iterations needed, and are saving some $250,000 a year in the cost of prototype parts.

Other clients have similar stories of efficiency and cost savings. Powermate, USA, a provider of power-supply-converting solutions, reports that prototype models of its products can be created in a half-day, with a 65% cost reduction over traditional production.

Meanwhile, John Reed, master prototype specialist at Black & Decker, noted that, “while a design may look good on the computer screen, there is really no substitute for actually holding something in your hand.”

Toby Ringdahl, computer aided design manager for Timberland, cited a dramatic reduction in prototype costs and turnaround time, resulting in more prototyping, better designs, and increased revenue, noting that 3D printing has succeeded in “compressing our design cycles, lowering our costs, and helping us produce better products for our customers.”

Expanding Scope

The 3D-printing process begins with a concept, which is digitally modeled using CAD software — in effect, creating a virtual blueprint of the object to be printed. The program then divides the object into digital cross-sections so the printer is able to build it layer by layer.

The manufacturer then chooses a material, which is sprayed, squeezed, or otherwise transferred onto a platform. The 3D printer makes passes over the platform, much like an inkjet printer, depositing very thin layers of material (each about one-tenth of a millimeter) atop each other to create the finished product.

ACT Group was formerly known as Advanced Copy Technologies, which focused solely on office equipment before expanding its scope, including its recent success with sales and service of 3D-printing equipment.

ACT first specialized in servicing this equipment for its client companies, but, not long after, saw opportunity in the sales of 3D printers, incorporating that end of the business as well.

Increasing numbers of manufacturers are turning to 3D printing, not only for prototyping, but for design, tooling, and delivery of parts and products. Cindi Gondek told Forbes that jewelers can use it to create new pieces, while museums can use it to reproduce rare items for study or display, just to name two applications that might not seem obvious at first.

3D printers can produce precision parts with impressive accuracy in a variety of materials, Nick Gondek said, including plastics, ceramics, wax, and metals.

Invisalign braces, manufactured by Align Technology, are a good example of a rapid-prototyping application most people have heard of, he went on. They are built using CT scanners and 3D printing techniques to fabricate a product that’s different for each user — to the tune of 17 million sets per year.

“Invisalign has a very unique production capacity. They have mastered customized production; every person’s braces are specific to that patient. They 3D print all the models and basically build a retainer over the custom-made molds,” he noted. Without the rapid prototyping allowed by 3D-printing technology, this process — and product — would be much more expensive and labor-intensive.

In fact, the broad field of medicine provides fertile soil for 3D printing, Gondek said, starting with the education and training of future doctors and other medical professionals.

“We have technologies that mimic the properties of human bone for pre-surgical practice, with students cutting bones, drilling bones … and we now have technology to mimic tissue as well, so we can cover them,” he explained.

The technology is also used for designing patient-specific braces and implants to mend broken bones and aid in surgery, Gondek added. “In the news, there’s a lot of talk about printing human tissue. No machine can print organs today, but that’s something that might become a possibility in five or 10 years.”

One ACT client is Maimonides Bone and Joint Center, which produces a 3D color bone model quickly and accurately from a CT scan. This 50% scale model helps doctors discuss medical issues with patients and assists with surgery practice sessions. “I found the 3D model invaluable in patient education, surgical planning, and physician training,” said the company’s Dr. Howard Goodman.

Meanwhile, Battelle Center for Mathematical Medicine developed a full-color 3D model of the F protein, which aided in the development of new perspectives on how respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) works, which promises to aid in vaccine research. “Even with prior access to stereo-3D monitors and professional graphics cards, nothing compares to a full-color, physical 3D model,” said Dr. William Ray, principal investigator and faculty member.

From the Ground Up

Additive manufacturing is also revolutionizing the architecture, engineering, and construction world, Gondek said, producing scale models of buildings faster and at lower cost than before, and allowing designers to make earlier decisions and reduce time to market.

Andrew Chary of Andrew Chary Architect PLLC, another ACT Group client, characterizes 3D printing as a natural outgrowth of building information modeling (BIM), which generates digital representations of buildings in the design phase. “BIM doesn’t reach its full persuasive potential on a computer screen,” he said. “The model comes to life when you hold a 3D print in your hands.”

The dominant material for prototyping is a liquid plastic that turns into a solid when exposed to UV light, Gondek explained. A ceramic material is typically used to mimic human bone, and any number of metals may be used when manufacturing industrial parts.

The move into 3D printing required some major shifts at ACT. The equipment involved in that realm is so different from the traditional office products the company sells that a dedicated team was established for 3D sales, service, and support. They were sent to MIT for professional education in the latest processes. “We couldn’t have their traditional 2D salespeople sell this equipment,” he explained. “The applications are too diverse.”

Thus, ACT Group continues to keep up with the latest 3D printing technology — a rapidly expanding field.

“We do our homework to a high extent so the customer fully understands the capacities as well as the limitations. We can’t be everything to everyone,” Gondek said. “But this is pushing the boundaries of what is possible.”

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Museums School Vacation, Earth Day Programs Filled with “Claws, Paws, Scales and Tales”

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Museums have announced their lineup of activities for the upcoming school vacation week. This year’s theme is “Claws, Paws, Scales and Tales,” in connection with the ongoing Wolf to Woof: The Story of Dogs exhibit at the Springfield Science Museum.

The week kicks off with the Springfield Museum’s 25th annual Earth Day Festival, which takes place on April 17, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. A wide range of environmentally friendly groups will be on the Quadrangle Green, including Western Mass. Master Gardener’s Assoc., the Center for EcoTechnology, Hampden County Beekeepers Association, Girl Scouts of Central and Western Mass., and Keep Springfield Beautiful, along with interactive displays from the Mass. Wildlife Angler Education Program, ECOS (Environmental Center for Our Schools), and the Western Mass Council of Boy Scouts. There will also be the annual appearance by the bluegrass trio “The Boys of the Landfill” (11:30 a.m. & 1 p.m.), plus free seedlings from the Springfield Forestry Division and free ice cream, while supplies last. The event is free to the public; however, if weather forces a move inside, general museum admission will be required to attend the Festival. Event sponsors are Astro Chemicals, Doctor’s Express Urgent Care, GZA Geoenvironmental, and Solenis.

In honor of the 25th anniversary the Earth Day Festival, two nature-oriented events are taking place off-site on April 17. From 10:30 a.m. to noon, the Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club will host a Riverfront History & Photography Tour. Parking is available at 121 West Street, Springfield. At noon that day, the Naturalist Club and Springfield Science Museum will host a field trip to explore the Fannie Stebbins Wildlife Refuge. Space is limited for both events, and preregistration is required; call (413) 263-6800, ext. 404, or email to [email protected]. The Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge’s mobile Watershed on Wheels (WoW) Express Program will be stationed on the Quadrangle starting April 17 and remain throughout the week.

Monday, April 18 marks the beginning of the Museums’ “Claws, Paws, Scales and Tales” programs for April school vacation, featuring daily family shows, live animal demonstrations, hands-on science and art activities, and planetarium shows, all free with museum admission unless noted. The schedule of performances includes:

April 18 (11 a.m.): In the Nick of Time. Nick Deysher presents his energetic, interactive, and joyful performance featuring a generous blend of rock, pop, reggae, jazz, and funk;
April 19 (11 a.m. and 1 p.m.): Live Birds of Prey with Tom Ricardi. Using a variety of live birds, Tom shares his considerable knowledge to inspire viewers to appreciate, respect and conserve these important members of our animal kingdom;
April 20 (11 a.m. & 1 p.m.): Animal Adventures presents The Premium Live Animal Show. This engaging program, offered by an “Adventure Guide” features a variety of rare and exotic animals;
April 21 (11 a.m. & 1 p.m.): Pumpernickel Puppets presents The Three Billy Goats Gruff and The Lion and the Mouse. Two classic tales filled with a cast of colorful puppet characters, audience participation, sound effects, and fast-paced scripts; and
April 22: (11 a.m. & 1 p.m.): Magician Jungle Jim performs Star Wars Jedi Knight Training. Star Wars fans get a chance to interact with a real Jedi Knight through a series of challenges like Jedi Force Magic, the Laser Balloon Barrage and Jedi Teamwork culminating in an epic lightsaber duel with the Jedi Master himself.

The Museums have also scheduled a full slate of educational activities during the week, including live animals from Forest Park’s “Zoo on the Go” program on Tuesday and Thursday from 1 to 2 p.m. Visitors can also check out the Science Museum’s emu egg incubator for any new arrivals. Rounding out the week’s activities will be the following daily events (Monday – Friday):

Gallery activities (locations vary): 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Science Museum
Seymour Planetarium shows at 11:15 a.m., noon, 1 and 2 p.m. (extra fee applies); and
Hasbro Games Art Discovery Center, 12-4 p.m., GWVS Art Museum.

Admission is $18 for adults, $12 for seniors and college students, $9.50 for children 3-17, and free for children under three and museum members. General admission is free for Springfield residents with proof of address. There is a $5 per person special exhibit fee to view Wolf to Woof. Hours during school vacation week are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. MassMutual is the 2015-16 premier sponsor of the Springfield Museums.

Houff Named Director of Physician Services for HMC Specialty Practices, WMPA

HOLYOKE — Spiros Hatiras, president and CEO of Holyoke Medical Center, announced the appointment of Michael Houff as director of Physician Services for the HMC Specialty Practices as well as Western Massachusetts Physician Associates.

Houff brings more than 20 years of extensive healthcare leadership experience in executive-level physician-group management, project consulting, revenue cycle management, hospital outpatient operations, managed care payer and provider operations, and IT implementations.

He most recently served Meridian Medical Management in Windsor, Conn. as director of operations and previously, Hampden County Physician Associates, LLC in Springfield as chief operating officer, vice president of operations and director of operations.

“Mike brings the leadership necessary to help Holyoke Medical Center and Western Mass Physician Associates provide the highest levels of patient care and satisfaction,” said Hatiras. “His experience in managing physician services will be an asset to ensuring that our providers and office staff continue to deliver high quality and compassionate care to our patients.”

A native of Enfield, Conn., Houff graduated from American University in Washington, D.C. with a bachelor of arts in international affairs and received a master’s degree of General Administration Health Care Management from the University of Maryland in 1996. From 1988 to 1992 he served as active duty combat arms officer in the U.S. Army and then worked for Kaiser Permanente in Rocky Hill, Conn., Tulane University Hospital and Clinic in New Orleans, and at GE Healthcare.

“I really wanted to get back to the patient-care-delivery side of the business of healthcare,” said Houff of choosing to work at HMC. “It’s a much more meaningful mission to know that what you’re doing every day in outpatient operations has a real impact on people’s lives — helping people who are going through very difficult times with their health issues and being able to help them have one good day amongst many bad ones is a really good motivation.”

Springfield Named One of the Best Cities for African Americans

SPRINGFIELD — The City of Springfield has been named one of the 10 Best Cities for African Americans, 2016 by Livability.com. The cities were selected based on basic indicators of livability including cost of living, health care availability, economic equality, commute time, access to parks, and safety. Editors looked for cities with higher-than-average and growing African-American populations, and where they are succeeding in terms of income, academic achievement, and homeownership.

Springfield is cited for its diverse economy and recovery from the financial recession of 2008, as well as ongoing economic development. Also noted are the strong presence of corporate headquarters, which offer employment opportunities and commitments to workforce diversity. Local nonprofit organizations are noted for leveling the educational and economic playing field for African Americans through providing afterschool programs for children, as well as mentoring, and housing and parenting skills training.

Livability.com states that African Americans are the ethnic group most likely to stress the importance of a college education, and Springfield and the surrounding area is home to more than two dozen colleges and universities.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno stated, “In this age of ‘reality TV’ where negativity sells with some media outlets, especially in how they depict our urban American cities, it’s nice to know that our Springfield does and will continue to make ‘good lists’ too. We’ve always believed there is plenty of good that our diverse city has to offer.”

More information on the 10 Best Cities for African Americans can be found at: http://www.livability.com/top-10/families/10-best-cities-for-african-americans/2016.

Hoop Hall Announces Hall of Fame Class of 2016

HOUSTON, Texas — At a press event Monday presented by Haggar Clothing Company, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced the 10 members of the Class of 2016 to be honored Sept. 8-10, during this year’s enshrinement festivities in Springfield. The class announcement was made in Houston, the site of the 2016 NCAA Men’s Final Four, and televised live on ESPN SportsCenter.

This year’s class includes 27-year NBA referee Darell Garretson; 11-time NBA All-Star Allen Iverson, two-time NABC Coach of the Year Tom Izzo, the first African-American coach in a professional league John McLendon; three-time NBA Finals MVP Shaquille O’Neal; and four-time WNBA Champion Sheryl Swoopes. Distinguished committees focused on preserving all areas from the game also selected four directly elected members. They include Zelmo Beaty from the Veterans Committee, Yao Ming from the International Committee, Cumberland Posey from the Early African American Pioneers Committee and Jerry Reinsdorf from the Contributor Committee.

“The impact the Class of 2016 has had on the game of basketball is gigantic,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. “To have several icons of the game be recognized in the same year makes this class one of the most memorable to date. We look forward to honoring each of these inductees during Enshrinement in September.”

To be elected, North American and Women’s Committee finalists must receive 18 of 24 votes from the Honors Committee for election into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Direct elect committees are incorporated into the election process to maintain a strong focus on keeping history on the forefront of the voting procedures and to preserve a balance between two eras of basketball.

“The Class of 2016 is big in stature, personality and impact,” said Jerry Colangelo, Chairman of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Board. “These 10 inductees have each contributed to the game in their own meaningful way and we are very pleased to honor them in Springfield.”

The Class of 2016 will be enshrined at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield on Sept. 9. Ticket packages to the 2016 Enshrinement Ceremony presented by NIKE and all Enshrinement Events are on sale now and available online at www.hoophall.com by calling the Basketball Hall of Fame at (413) 231-5540. Premium Sponsors of Enshrinement 2016 include Haggar Clothing Company, Zales, Nike, Mohegan Sun and Panini.

Old Heritage, New Horizons for Town of Lenox

Community Spotlight Features

Community Spotlight

By JACLYN C. STEVENSON

John McNinch (left), owner of the Olde Heritage Tavern, and Kameron Spaulding, director of the Lenox Chamber of Commerce, take a moment on Housatonic Street, one of the busiest centers for retail and restaurants in Lenox.

John McNinch jokes that his Lenox establishment, the Olde Heritage Tavern, is the “nerve center of the town.”

“That’s why I get all the tough questions,” he joked. “Because the tavern is the heart of any community, including ours.”

Still, it’s true that all walks of Lenox life pass through its doors regularly — members of town government, residents, tourists, and the in-town workforce among them. McNinch himself is a former selectman, current town moderator, and property owner in Lenox — and with his restaurant situated smack in the middle of Lenox Village, the Berkshire County town’s walkable center, he has both a birds-eye view and an ear toward the undercurrent of what’s happening.

Common topics of conversation, according to McNinch, include the overhaul of zoning laws to better accommodate new and diverse businesses. The lack of a vibrant evening and late-night scene in the village is another, and most recently, Lenox has been abuzz about an influx of new hotel developments and renovations, and concurrent discussions about tax incentives for new arrivals in the hospitality sector.

“I think the Planning Board needs to work on revamping our zoning bylaws — and they are — to make it easier to entice businesses to come and do what they need to do, and keep some of our young professionals in the area,” he said. “When we lose them, it’s a big loss to Lenox.”

Indeed, Lenox is a town that is trending older, with a median age of 51, not unlike most of Berkshire County. It’s also not a community that has the infrastructure for big-box stores or office construction for large outfits, said McNinch. But it is primed for small businesses, regional offices, and niche services.

“We need to entice companies here to build small offices, and also continue to offer more to those people and to our visitors and residents,” he said. “I would like to see more shops open later — that’s what we should be offering as a beautiful New England town. Lenox Village is essentially two blocks, but if nothing is open, there is no reason to walk the town past five o’clock. If we could successfully implement things like that, we could change the entire footprint of the town.”

That’s not to say all of the action happens in Lenox Village. Lenox, which abuts Lee, Stockbridge, and Pittsfield, is surrounded by walking and riding trails, most notably those in Kennedy Park — a town-owned network of former carriage roads — and also has a bustling commercial sector along Pittsfield Road (Routes 7 and 20), featuring the Lenox Commons shops and restaurants, outdoor outfitter the Arcadian Shop, and Guido’s Marketplace, a specialty grocer of some acclaim in the region.

Lenox includes two properties often described as ‘spa getaways’ — Cranwell Spa & Golf Resort, which also has an historic, 18-hole golf course built in 1926 and several banquet rooms — and Canyon Ranch, one of five international locations of this high-end resort that often caters to clandestine celebrities. Lenox Dale, a southerly section, represents the town’s small industrial center, and is situated on the banks of the Housatonic River.

Hotels, motels, inns, and bed & breakfasts appear in nearly every section of town, including the Yankee Inn and the adjacent Hampton Inn & Suites owned by Joseph Toole, a Lenox-based developer who is currently heading up construction of a new Courtyard Marriott on the same stretch. The project will add 92 more rooms to the town and represents an $8.3 million private investment. Another Berkshire-based developer, Vijaysinh Mahida, owns the newly opened Hilton Garden Inn on South Street in Pittsfield, just over the border from Lenox, and is planning another Lenox construction project on the site of a recently razed hotel — this time an extended-stay property with an event center. Plans are also afoot near Shakespeare & Co., a popular theater venue, to construct a luxury resort named Spring Lawn on the grounds of an historic mansion.

David Roche, chairman of the Lenox Board of Selectmen, agreed that building on existing strengths — in the tourism sector in particular — is the best course of action for the town in terms of maintaining its residents and business base while at the same time attracting new, younger audiences. He said town government and the Lenox Chamber of Commerce have been working more closely together than ever before to identify areas of opportunity.

“I think we’re in a spot where we recognize what needs to be addressed, so now we can plan,” he said. “We’ve identified several projects, and now we need to fund them — and our primary source of funding are the meals and rooms taxes.”

Tourist Trappings

Roche jokingly refers to these funding sources as the “tourist tax,” underscoring how important that income is to Lenox, and also where the town and its chamber most often converge.

“We recognize that tourism is our business,” he said. “It’s what will ultimately fund the necessary improvements in the community, fill a void in the county, and create new jobs.”

Kameron Spaulding, newly appointed director of the Lenox Chamber of Commerce (as well as a member of the Planning Board), has a similar outlook on the future of Lenox — one that sees many opportunities for growth, starting with the already-strong tourism sector.

It was ‘Reuben Day’ at the Heritage Tavern when he spoke to BusinessWest, and the dining room was packed.

“It’s an exciting time — we’re expanding what we’re doing as a chamber,” he said, noting that, in the past, the Lenox chamber has functioned more as a visitor’s bureau. Now, with Spaulding at the helm along with an influx of new blood on its board of directors, attention is turning to more fiscally minded matters.

“We get calls almost every day from people looking to open a business in downtown Lenox, and there actually isn’t a space for them right now,” he said. “So we’re doing pretty well. We don’t always do the best at communicating that — it’s a classic New England thing in that we tend to talk about what’s wrong, but the sky isn’t falling, and we’re having a massive year.”

Spaulding broke the tourism argument down further, calling attention to the role the restaurant and hotel sectors play.

“The strength of Lenox is always going to be the tourism industry,” he said. “We bring in $2.5 million in taxes alone annually. If you do the simple math off the tax rate, we’re talking about a $100 million industry, which is big for a town of 5,000.”

The warmer months are key for Lenox, which houses one-quarter of all of the hotel rooms in Berkshire County and also plays host to the Boston Symphony Orchestra at its ‘summer home’ at Tanglewood every year. It’s this busy season that Spaulding said the town must capitalize on, and this year marks a jumping-off point into several new endeavors bolstered by some strong numbers.

“Lenox is on track to record the best year in our history for restaurants for fiscal year 2016 that will end in June,” he noted. “That’s a jump of nearly 8%, and we know that from the meals-tax numbers. Protecting these strengths is what we focus on every day, making sure they don’t go anywhere.”

Spaulding said hotel tax numbers are also up, with about 2% growth, and adding to that base to meet the county-wide demand for rooms — which typically reach 90% occupancy or higher in the summer — is one way Lenox can position itself for further development across many different sectors. To this end, the chamber is aiming to become more involved at Town Hall — almost as a lobbying entity — speaking in favor of hotel development as one way Lenox can grow and prosper incrementally.

Still, not everyone is in favor of the move.

“People worry we will have a glut of ‘white elephant’ hotel rooms sitting empty in the off-season,” he said. “But I can say that lending right now for hotels is extremely tight, so if these hotel developers are getting financing — $25 to $30 million per hotel — then the need is out there. Where the chamber has been most involved is helping the town create a general policy for tax-increment financing.”

Having a TIF

Known as TIF, this public financing method is used as a subsidy for redevelopment, infrastructure, or other community-improvement projects around the world, and is not a new concept to many towns and cities. Tax incentives for new construction projects are considered by the Board of Selectmen on a case-by-case basis, and ultimately presented to voters with a recommendation from the board.

McNinch echoed his support of the hotel-based tax incentives, adding that they create a direct stream — in terms of both funding and needs for services — into Lenox as new projects are wooed to the region with attractive offers.

“The reason behind TIF is to entice businesses that are going to be good for Lenox to come here — not to offer tax breaks to businesses already building here,” he said. “Berkshire County has a need for more rooms, and with those rooms in Lenox, we will have a greater need for more things to do — especially more restaurants and more shops.”

McNinch has a keen sense of the balance between the summer months and year-round business, and how a greater balance can be achieved by playing to strengths. He said he notices growing confidence among his own patrons — seeing them more often, and more comfortable with spending some of their disposable income — as well as new activity in Lenox Village, the town’s busiest retail and dining center.

“I’ve seen more people coming into town more often, and while we still see some naked shops, we’re also seeing new businesses coming in and trying things out,” he said. “A good tourist year is a great year, but building local business year-round will only make it better.”

The Spaces Between

Spaulding added that there’s long been a misconception of many empty spaces in Lenox Village, which is largely made up of small retail businesses and restaurants situated on a small network of visible streets.

“There’s this magic number we hear all the time of ‘eight empty spaces,’ while in reality there is one empty retail space and one empty restaurant space now available, with several new operations moving in.”

The chamber itself will be moving into a new space on Main Street, which will provide better visibility, and a Great Barrington staple, Asia Barong, with its massive oriental sculptures, will soon open a new location in Lenox Village.

Speaking to the level of activity during shoulder seasons, Spaulding added that the fall of 2015 was almost as good numbers-wise as the summer season, due in part to the habit among Lenox residents to ‘reverse hibernate’ during those busy warmer months.

In fact, the chamber’s largest fund-raiser of the year and the town’s largest community event, the Apple Squeeze in September, marks the close of the summer season and will be expanding further this year to include an outdoor farm-to-table dinner, 25 more vendor booths (and a waiting list of more than 40), and musicians who will play the streets as well as a capstone Sunday concert.

A traditional fall event in Lenox, the ‘tub parade’ hearkens back to the Gilded Age of the 1800s and the autumn carriage tours made by the wealthy to bid farewell to the region. It, too will be expanded through collaborations with other nonprofits to create a Gilded Age weekend. Meanwhile, the town’s holiday event, Making Spirits Bright, just launched last year and will repeat this year with plans to add more involvement from the town’s restaurants and retail shops.

So, when people ask Spaulding — or McNinch, Roche, and their fellow Lenox leaders — what’s new, they’ll often settle into a seat at the Olde Heritage Tavern to tell tales of upcoming excitement.

“People need options,” said McNinch. “We have a lot, and whatever we can do to build on those colder months in the year, that’s what I’m hoping we continue to do. It’s our job to attract people to Lenox, but it’s also our job to make them want to stay here.”

Lenox at a glance*

Year Incorporated: 1767
Population: 5,025 (2010)
Area: 21.7 square miles
County: Berkshire
Residential Tax Rate: $12.16
Commercial Tax Rate: $14.95
Median Household Income: $51,089 (2013)
Family Household Income: $74,531 (2013)
Type of government: Open Town Meeting
Largest employers: Canyon Ranch, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Cranwell Resort and Spa

* Latest information available

YP Groups Have Become a True Resource

Opinion

Editorial

Several weeks ago in this space, we noted that one thing this region has certainly done well in recent years is establish and then refine programs to groom leaders for the years and decades to come.

Along much these same lines, the creation — and ongoing evolution — of the region’s young professional (YP) groups is another important source of positive energy for the four counties of Western Mass.

As the story on page 6 reveals, these groups — Springfield, Northampton, Amherst, and the Berkshires each boast one — have become true resources and vital connecting points. Indeed, they connect the region’s many young professionals with each other, potential career opportunities, area nonprofits (with the goal of having them become active with one or more of them), somewhat older and wiser business leaders from whom they can learn, experts who can counsel them in matters ranging from stress reduction to effective public speaking, and, most importantly, the communities in which they live and work.

Their collective missions and slates of programming continue to grow and evolve, but the YP groups have already come a long way.

Indeed, in the beginning, these were mostly social, or networking, groups that met monthly at area restaurants and clubs. These ‘Third Thursdays’ were quite successful at bringing people together — so successful that more than a few area employers were starting to dread third Fridays.

But while networking remains a key piece of the mission, the social aspect has in many ways taken a back seat to that real work of making connections, as mentioned earlier, and becoming part of that process of grooming leaders for the future.

The Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield, for example, now has a work/life balance committee to help members address the many aspects of that universal challenge. Meanwhile, Northampton Area Young Professionals has been relentless in its efforts to introduce its members to the many nonprofits that populate this region and inspire them to take active roles in helping those groups fulfill their various missions.

And Young Professionals of Amherst, the youngest of the group, is filling a glaring need in that community for an organization that can give voice to an overlooked constituency in a community where having a voice is all-important.

But maybe the most important work these groups are undertaking involves individuals who are not even members — yet. The hope is, they will be.

These are area college juniors and seniors, people who will be hitting the job market soon. And as many prepare to do so, they’re not exactly focusing their sights on the Western Mass. area.

The YPs are working to change that equation, and this is vitally important work. As we’ve noted many times, people from across the country and around the world come to Massachusetts to be educated because it has a large number of quality colleges and universities, public and private, within its borders.

Unfortunately, as we’ve also noted, most of the people who come here to be educated don’t stay here. And one of the many reasons for this is a simple lack of awareness when it comes to the opportunities that exist.

The YP groups are trying to build awareness by connecting (there’s that word again) area college students to young professionals who are making it here, and the employers who are helping them make it.

Only time will tell how successful these efforts will be when it comes to slowing the so-called brain drain in this region. This much we do know: efforts like this certainly can’t hurt, and they may wind up being a tremendous help.

And this is only one of the ways in which the YP groups are becoming a real resource across this region. n

Updating the Language of Disability

Opinion

By JENNIFER BOGIN, M.S. Ed., BCBA

Language can be a powerful tool that enables human beings to convey not just information but also ideas, emotions, and subtle shades of meaning. While often it is beautifully expressive and kind, it also has the potential to be hurtful. This is especially true when societal attitudes evolve faster than language.

Now, the citizens of Massachusetts can celebrate a meaningful victory in this realm. By a unanimous vote of 36-0, members of the Massachusetts Senate approved (and then sent to the House) a bill that changes language in state laws, including replacing the outdated term ‘mentally retarded’ with ‘individuals with a developmental disability’ and ‘handicapped’ with ‘disability.’

State legislators also addressed important issues for the disabled community in addition to language. Legislation was passed regarding standards for identifying and recruiting qualified job applicants who have disabilities. Going forward, all state employees involved in hiring decisions will be educated and trained about details of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Legislation was also passed to make public buildings and spaces accessible for safe use by people with disabilities and help to eliminate disparities in access to quality healthcare based on disability.

Similar changes have been moving forward, albeit slowly. In 2009, Gov. Deval Patrick signed legislation that renamed the Department of Mental Retardation as the Department of Developmental Services. In 2010, President Obama signed legislation requiring the federal government to replace the terms ‘mental retardation’ and ‘mentally retarded’ with ‘intellectual disability’ and ‘individual with an intellectual disability’ in federal health, education, and labor policy. Most federal agencies and other states already use such language. Our state’s official language was antiquated and long overdue for an update.

No one wants to be identified by negative or derogatory terms that emphasize our lesser abilities. Rather, we want to be identified by our greater abilities and by what we can contribute to society. Just like any member of an underserved or minority population, a person with a disability wants to be considered first as a person, and not with a label that society places on them, often carelessly.

The Center for Human Development is proud to be an innovator in the design and delivery of programs, services, and supports for people with disabilities. Every day we provide activities, access, and advocacy to children and adults who have a disability; for adults raising a child with a disability; and for anyone who cares deeply about someone who has a disability. For example, our Disability Resources program provides adaptive sports and recreational opportunities for children and adults with physical disabilities. Our Meadows Home program provides safe and structured residential living for adults with developmental disabilities. Our Adult Day Health program enables adults with a range of physical, developmental, and intellectual disabilities to socialize and be active with peers in supervised, stimulating, and caring environments.

It is critically important that our representatives in the Legislature have people with disabilities constantly on their radar, so it was wonderful to learn of the Senate’s actions to make changes to improve the lives of people impacted by disabilities. Things sometimes take a long time to get through our legislative process, but CHD applauds the Senate for tackling these important issues. In particular, CHD is thrilled that official state language will now more clearly reflect how we already treat individuals in the Commonwealth.

Language is not static; it changes with impetus from society. In this case, the change is entirely positive.

Jennifer Bogin, M.S. Ed., BCBA is vice president of Disability & Elder Services for the Center for Human Development.

Crestview Owners Add Elmcrest, Gain New Opportunities

Sections Sports & Leisure

Doubling Down

Dave Fluery says there are many advantages to owning two golf courses instead of one, and this explains his pursuit of Elmcrest Country Club.

Dave Fleury says it wasn’t long after he and business partner Greg Lindenmuth acquired Crestview Country Club in Agawam that they started thinking about the various benefits — especially the many economies of scale that would present themselves — if they owned two courses instead of one.

So they kept at least one eye on several potential acquisition targets in the region, not knowing when an opportunity might present itself.

Elmcrest Country Club, the private course in East Longmeadow, wasn’t actually one of them. But that changed, in dramatic fashion, in the days, hours, and especially the final minutes before that club and all the items in it were set to be auctioned off in January.

Indeed, maybe a week before that scheduled auction, and while Fleury, a golf-course designer by trade, was in Spain working on a project on the Costa Del Sol, the plan — if he could get to the auction upon his planned return — was to look at acquiring some tables and chairs, a request that came from his banquet manager.

But upon driving to the auction, picking up Lindenmuth on the way over, the discussion turned to maybe coming home with something much more, like the course itself. And after talking to those handling the auction upon arriving, Fleury was told this was eminently doable — if he could produce a check for $50,000 in 18 minutes and meet some other obligations.

“It was close, but we made it back with two minutes to spare,” he recalled, adding that, upon calling his lender at Westfield Bank, Fleury was pleased to learn it had a branch in East Longmeadow. A call was made, and the check was waiting for him when he got there, enabling the partners to race back and acquire the club for what would have to be considered the bargain price of $1 million.

All that constitutes an exciting, page-turning first chapter in this unfolding story. What happens next? Well, the authors are looking to script something along the lines of the comeback story they wrote for Crestview, which has recovered from the depths of economic gloom and rebuilt its membership to the desired 300 mark in four years.

But there will likely be some different plot twists, and, in essence, there has already been one.

Fleury said the turnaround at Crestview didn’t exactly start well. Members at the private club weren’t happy with the way they were left in the dark in the months before the course was sold, and weren’t thrilled, to put in mildly, with Fleury’s plans to make it a semi-private operation — one that’s open to the public but with many perks for members.

It took a while, but the Crestview ship was eventually righted. Members who stayed came to appreciate the new model, and many who left decided to come back when they saw how well it was working.

At Elmcrest, the semi-private plan has been given a much warmer initial response than the one originally received at Crestview, said Fleury, noting that many long-time members saw Crestview’s success — in fact, many of them had moved there as Elmcrest started its spiral — and welcomed the model for their former (and likely future) club.

“The members were so supportive and so positive,” he said of the Elmcrest members. “They believed in us because they thought we saved Crestview and resurrected that club; now they saw us as someone who could come into their club and effect positive change.”

For this issue and its focus on sports and leisure, BusinessWest looks at Fleury’s latest entrepreneurial venture within the highly competitive local golf market, and what this gambit means for him — and the playing field.

Fore Example

When asked what happened at the East Longmeadow club to bring it to precipitous decline and finally that auction in January, Fleury, a fairly close observer of the local golf market who was helped in this assessment by some insider information gleaned from long-time Elmcrest members who moved to Crestview, paused for a moment. He then said he would select his words carefully in a bid to be diplomatic, which he was.

“Let’s just say the club was struggling with the current economic and cultural environment that golf is in,” he explained. “The economics are still not the best, and it seems that, in a way, golf has lost its way somewhat, because of the economics, the time constraints, and everything that’s been said about the game.

“The owners didn’t know how to move forward,” he continued, adding that they told members theirs was a private club, but they didn’t run it like one, with numerous outings, specials, promotions, coupons, and other business-generating moves that private clubs just don’t take.

“The members didn’t feel appreciated,” said Fleury, adding that the situation, and the club’s finances, deteriorated to the point where the course and its various assets had to be auctioned.

With this acquisition, Fleury said he will soon enjoy those economies of scale, or cost synergies, as he called them, which are critical in a business where expenses keep rising and revenues are generally flat.

To make his point, he cited a piece of equipment known as a greens aerator, a vehicle that punches holes into the greens to allow air into the soil beneath. Such a procedure, called aeration, is undertaken at least once or twice a year.

“If you have to buy one of them, and the cost is $50,000, you’re much better off when you can spread the cost of that equipment over two courses instead of one,” he explained. “That’s a real cost synergy, and I can think of probably 25 more examples like that.”

But while having two golf courses can be advantageous, it has to be the right two courses, meaning operations that complement one another and don’t necessarily compete.

“We wanted to continue to grow the brand and the company,” he explained. “And the way to do that is by finding another course close enough, but not too close, in the same market, but not in the exact same market, from the standpoint of the price point and the property.”

To explain, he offered thoughts blending geography and economics in a way that resonates with many area business owners.

“I don’t have an issue with the Connecticut River, but apparently, a lot of people do,” he said, noting that it acts as a kind of borderline that many people looking to do business — and that includes playing golf — don’t want to cross.

Elaborating, he said that, while Crestview has done well since he acquired it, one area where it continues to struggle is with attracting players from communities east of the river, in both Massachusetts and Connecticut.

The Elmcrest acquisition gives the company an opportunity to tap into both geographic quadrants, and with courses that won’t exactly compete with one another because they will be at different levels price-wise and customer-experience-wise — Crestview at the high end, with Emcrest just one notch below.

Course Correction

As he talked with BusinessWest in mid March, Fleury was anticipating that Elmcrest would be open the first weekend in April.

“The course is in great shape, we’ve got our team in place, and we’re ready to go,” he said, uttering words he probably couldn’t have imagined just a few months ago.

But the landscape has changed, and very quickly. Now, Fleury wants to keep on altering it, making his small family of courses — and it would have to be called that — a formidable presence in the local market.

You might just say he’s changing the course of things — or courses, to be more precise.

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

Area Clubs Respond Imaginatively to a New Normal

Sections Sports & Leisure

Private Conversations

David Brosseau says that, while conditions have improved somewhat for the area’s private clubs, many challenges remain.

David Brosseau has been a member of Springfield Country Club for a quarter-century now, so he can speak from experience about how the landscape has changed over that time.

Not at the club, necessarily — although there have been renovations at the stately clubhouse, the building of a skating rink on property formerly occupied by tennis courts, and tweaks on the course, especially the treacherous, downhill, par-4 sixth hole — but in the marketplace.

Indeed, over the past several years, Brosseau, now in his second year as president of the private club off Route 5 in West Springfield, has seen developments that wouldn’t have been contemplated in 1991 — because they didn’t have to be. Things like membership drives, promotional ads in area publications, special introductory rates, and elimination of initiation fees.

But all those steps and more are part of a new reality for private clubs (most of them, anyway), who have seen waiting lists become a thing of the distant past, replaced by spirited competition for a dwindling number of golfers and families willing to make the investment needed to join a club.

“It’s very competitive out there right now, and it’s been that way for a while, especially the past five or six years with the turndown in the economy and the turndown in golf,” said Brosseau, adding that the number of clubs has actually increased, with the addition of Great Horse in Hampden, while the pool of prospective members is flat at best. “But we’re starting to see things improve somewhat.”

Mary McNally, the recently installed president of the Country Club of Wilbraham, a semi-private course that sees most of its play from its members, agreed. She said her facility, which she described as primarily a golf club — it doesn’t have a pool, tennis courts, or other family-oriented amenities — has confronted everything from the general decline in the number of people playing golf to an evident lack of loyalty among members at area clubs, in part because they’re not paying any initiation fees.

The Wilbraham club is more than holding its own — membership is currently at 300, a solid number, and it is working to hard to increase public play — but, like most clubs in the area, it must work much harder to maintain those numbers than it did years ago.

The good news for clubs is that what would be considered the worst seems to be over. That would be the lingering effects of a devastating recession on top of all those factors, a perfect storm that made for some lean and trying years.

“I think conditions are improved overall — the economy is better, and more people are looking to join a club,” said Attilio Cardaropoli, owner and general manager at Twin Hills Country Club in Longmeadow, one of the healthier facilities in the region.

That was certainly not the case seven or eight years ago, when the club was in financial distress and rumors swirled that the valuable real estate in the northeast corner of the town would be transformed into a subdivision.

But Cardaropoli not only resuscitated the club, he’s returned it to full membership — 300 or so members — and undertaken extensive renovations and additions, on the course and in the clubhouse, to better serve those members.

He said the key to success is catering to members, providing value, and offering a return on their investment. For this issue and its focus on sports and leisure, BusinessWest looks at how clubs strive to do just that.

Members Bounce

As she talked with BusinessWest in late March, McNally echoed what the leaders of virtually every club in the region have been saying for years now — that there is at least one too many of these facilities serving the general population.

Such sentiments explain why the recent auction of Elmcrest Country Club in East Longmeadow, a private facility that has been struggling for several years, was watched very closely: perhaps now there would be one less club with which to compete.

Attilio Cardaropoli says Twin Hills Country Club in Longmeadow has staged a dramatic comeback through a strong focus on serving members.

But the news that the partners who acquired Crestview Country Club in Agawam and converted it into a semi-private facility would do the same at Elmcrest after submitted the winning bid for the property (see related story, page 19) put an end such speculation — and optimism.

Which means the bounce that Wilbraham might have seen if Elmcrest closed — the clubs are only a few miles apart — certainly won’t be as great, said McNally, adding that this development merely adds another small layer to the ongoing challenge facing area clubs.

In a nutshell, that comes down to closing the proverbial gap between where the membership total stands and where a club’s leadership would want it to be. Years ago, most clubs didn’t have gaps, and if they did, they were small and easily closeable.

In recent years, though, and especially during and after the Great Recession, the gaps became wider, and to close them, clubs responded with a number of measures. Some were time-tested tactics, such as offering the fall months for free when someone signs on for the following year. But most were relatively new (at least for private clubs in this market), like advertising, membership drives, price incentives, waiving initiation fees, and creating new products in their form of specially tailored membership packages for constituencies ranging from young professionals to retirees.

Overall, such steps have worked at SCC, said Brosseau, adding that the club has closed its gap significantly, thanks to a recent membership drive (the first in several years), which added nearly 70 new members, and other steps.

For example, the club would at times offer three years of membership for the price of two, while it also restructured fees for existing members to bring them more in line with what recent recruits were offered, a step that has helped improve retention, as well as morale.

Overall, the club has evolved somewhat over the years, he went on, and is now more of a social club for families than a golf club, another clear sign of the times.

And this is reflected in some changes in scenery, such as that aforementioned skating rink.

“We put in a skating rink, and we get the warmest winter in years,” he joked, adding that, while the club struggled to keep the ice surface clear, it has generally succeeded in its mission to become more family-friendly.

That word ‘friendly’ was also used by Cardaropoli, who summoned it when talking about how Twin Hills does not levy assessments on members for capital improvements, maintenance, or any other reason, and this greatly improves morale.

And it gives the club another addition to an already solid list of selling points, including accessibility, price, course quality and walkability (there are few steep hills, despite the name on the sign), and large practice facility.

“We have a great course and a great location, and we cater to the membership,” he explained. “Every year, we’re taking on some improvements or renovations to the course, but the big thing is that we never have any special assessments or initiation fees, so when someone joins, they know exactly what they’re going to be paying, and there’s no surprises at the end of the year.”

The Country Club of Wilbraham, which expanded from nine to 18 holes in 2002, has fewer and different selling points — it lacks many family-friendly facilities and, thus, focuses on its strengths, intimacy and golf.

“We’re a small club, and we’re low-key,” she said. “We don’t have tennis or a pool or a fancy dining room, but we have a lovely facility and a relaxed atmosphere; we just try to be who we are and not pretend to be something we’re not, and I think that’s going to be the key to our success.”

Historically, that formula has worked well, she said, adding that the club has picked up several new members in recent months (many of them returnees who had left) and is ahead of the budgeted number for 2016.

Keeping it in or above that ballpark is an ongoing challenge, she went on, in part because of the competition and attractive offers from other clubs, but also that lack of loyalty she mentioned earlier.

“Someone might to go to one club one year because it’s $300 less,” she explained, adding that this happens more frequently now because people aren’t paying initiation fees. “But then, people often wind up coming back to where their friends are.”

Dues and Don’ts

Lately, more people have been coming back to the country-club lifestyle or experiencing it for first time.

It’s certainly not like it was 25 years ago, when Brosseau first joined SCC, or even 10 years ago, but conditions are improving gradually.

Still, stern challenges remain, said those we spoke with, adding that clubs must continue to be diligent and imaginative in their efforts to attract and then serve members.

Because the current environment constitutes a new normal.

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

Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club Expands Its Offerings

Sections Sports & Leisure

Communion with Nature

Benjamin Quick hopes to strengthen and grow programs at Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club so more people can experience the beauty of the Connecticut River.

Sunlight dances off sparkling water as Emily Quirk sits on a platform overlooking the Connecticut River. Her white socks are wet and muddy, but the 17-year-old pays no heed to the chilly breeze blowing along the riverfront; her focus is upstream as she watches for the two boats she helped launch — thus, the muddy feet — return from their first outing this season.

Quirk has been rowing since eighth grade, and is a member of the Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club’s (PVRC) competitive team. “The sport is unique. Not many people are involved with it, but just being on the river is so peaceful,” she said.

It’s that same feeling and sense of wonder that newly appointed PVRC Executive Director Benjamin Quick hopes to promote in his mission to expand the club’s visibility, programming, and sponsorship. He also wants to upgrade some of the equipment and improve the boathouse, and although he has only been on the job a few weeks, new programs have already been put into place, and marketing efforts have begun to meet those goals.

“Most people don’t know anything about rowing. They think the only way to get on the water is to rent a kayak. But our rowing program provides recreational and competitive opportunities,” Quick said, adding that it only takes one day to learn to paddle a dragon boat.

His efforts to raise awareness about PVRC will get a decided boost in early December, when PVRC hosts the 2016 U.S. Rowing Annual Convention.

“This will be the most momentous rowing event in Springfield in a century; it will be the culmination of our work this year and put Springfield on the map,” Quick said, explaining that the convention is the premier event for organized rowing and teaching.

The multi-day affair will highlight the history of rowing, look to its future, and include a number of seminars and programs.

“We’re the gateway to the Connecticut River in Springfield, and this will be dream exposure,” Quick continued. “The rowing community is international but very networked, and since PVRC is the host club, it lends a degree of legitimacy to what we have felt here internally.”

More than 600 rowers, coaches, and interested people are expected to attend, along with several dozen vendors, and although the events will be held in Springfield hotels, PVRC will offer boathouse tours and is planning a Saturday-evening gala to make the convention memorable.

The last convention was held in Philadelphia, which boasts 12 private, exclusive boathouses that date back to the 19th century. “It’s a tough act to follow, but we are the people’s solution to getting on the water in Springfield,” Quick said, explaining that the City of Homes was selected as the 2016 venue due to efforts by the Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau.

GSCVB President Mary Kay Wydra said outreach began when there was talk of hosting the Olympics in Boston in 2024. During that time period, the tourism board worked hard to make connections that would promote sports-related activities in Western Mass., which led to winning the bid to have the U.S. Rowing Convention held here.

“We want to bring sporting events to the region that have an economic impact on our local economy,” said GSCVB Director of Sales Alicia Szenza. “We’re really proud that Springfield was selected.”

Changing Landscape

Springfield has a storied rowing history, and in 2012 PVRC took up residence in a century-old building that formerly housed Bassett Boat’s showroom. It sits on the edge of North Riverfront Park, which recently received a $1.3 million makeover, and is backed by the 3.7-mile Connecticut River Walk and Bikeway.

Quick said the club is delighted with the new pergola, pavilion, picnic tables, nautical flagpole, and sitting walls at the park, and works closely with the city to maintain it.

The views and the new amenities were designed to attract more people, and the improvements are important to the public face of PVRC, which is dependent on sponsorships, grants, and donations to fund its annual $500,000 budget.

The clubs sponsor a large number of youth programs, and Quick said the business community has been very supportive, with many companies stepping forward to help, such as Peter Pan Bus Lines, which houses some of its boats during the winter.

The Dragon Boat Festival on June 25 offers businesses a unique team building opportunity on the Connecticut River that includes entertainment, food, and a chance to compete for prizes.

The clubhouse has undergone recent renovations; new men’s and women’s locker rooms with showers have been added, and a new community room is slowly taking shape, where parents can relax and young people can do their homework if they arrive before the afternoon programming begins. The floor was just finished, thanks to help from United Water (Suez) in Agawam, which supplied the labor to paint it after a broken pipe destroyed the carpeting last winter. In addition, donations of high-quality, second-hand furniture are being accepted.

“Everyone who is exposed to what we do wants to help,” Quick said. But, unfortunately, many companies that support the club have told him they will have to reduce their contributions this year.

“But I see it as an opportunity, not a challenge,” he continued, adding that the organization has taken a close look at where to make improvements and what can be cut. For example, the club just hired three, part-time seasonal coaches, which is a reduction from the past, when they were overstaffed and didn’t have enough formal programs. “But that leak in the dam has been plugged,” he noted.

To illustrate that point, he told BusinessWest about a few new, formal initiatives that will kick off this summer. They include a five-day learn-to-row program that will take place the first week of each month; a dragon-boat paddling program, and an opportunity for experienced rowers to engage in high-performance training.

Corporate outings are also on the menu, and will range from kayaking to canoeing, with refreshments. “These programs will allow adults to get some exercise, see the city from a new perspective, and have a story to tell, which is part of the century-old rowing legacy,” Quick said, noting that business events will be custom-tailored to suit individual needs.

As mentioned before, youth programs comprise a critical part of the club’s mission, and about 100 young people are exposed to start rowing through the club — and hopefully develop a passion for it — each year. They come from a wide range of area communities, and many receive scholarships.

“Rowing is not a high-school sport, and our program gives kids from Springfield public schools an opportunity to see the city from the river,” said Quick. “If it opens one door even a few inches wider, we consider it a success.

“We’re trying to get kids to feel good about doing something well and set the bar high for them,” he went on, adding that this constitutes a commitment the PVRC has made to the city and its sponsors.

Rowing has another benefit for young athletes; almost 50% of females who apply for rowing scholarships receive them, and last year one of PVRC’s competitive rowers earned a full scholarship to George Washington University.

Adults who join the club become part of the Master’s Program and can choose to row competitively or simply enjoy lazing along the river on warm summer nights. However, most contribute financially or through donations of time, and many become mentors to teens in the youth programs.

“They work shoulder to shoulder with them during volunteer activities, which is an experience these teens couldn’t get anywhere else,” Quick said.

One of the club’s largest events is its Dragon Boat Festival, which will be held June 25, and will attract more than 500 paddlers from all over the Northeast. “The boats are magnificently decorated and have drummers who sit in the bow and set the beat for the paddlers,” he noted.

Teams are still needed, and groups and organizations are invited to sign up. The cost is $2,000, which includes a half-day of training, all that is needed — life jackets, the boat, coaching — and more.

“The festival is the perfect event for businesses and organizations looking for a new team-building opportunity,” Quick said, adding that no experience is needed. The day will also include a breast-cancer-survivor flower ceremony, Asian-themed entertainment, music, food, and vendors.

But not everyone wants to compete, so people can sign up to learn how to paddle and join others several nights a week on the club’s dragon boats. “We need more paddlers,” Quick said, noting the activity is well-suited to a variety of abilities, and women make up the majority of people who choose to navigate the river in this manner.

Tom Siddall was recently appointedthe new varsity and master’s rowing coach, and his goal is to change the way training is conducted by focusing on strength and conditioning, mobility, flexibility, volume, and intensity.

“I’ve been able to scale the program so participants can do as much as they want,” he said, explaining that, since rowers spend so much time indoors practicing during the offseason, it’s important for them to gain functional strength, which includes doing exercise such as squats, dead lifts, or one-leg unilateral movements.

Worthwhile Venture

On a recent day, Julia and Luis Cortes were rowing on machines overlooking the riverfront. “I like the discipline and commitment this requires,” said 16-year-old Luis, explaining that each person strives to break through their own personal barriers.

Julia was excited about getting out on the river, and said her enthusiasm has grown since they signed up five months ago.

Quick doesn’t find that surprising. “Sometimes you just have to stop and gawk at the wildlife,” he said. “We see bald eagles fishing on the river, and it’s an inspiring sight.”

And it is in line with the soaring goals of this club, which introduces people to a form of exercise that nourishes the mind, body, and spirit.

Changes May Be Coming to White-collar Overtime Exemption Rules

Law Sections

Employers, Prepare Now

By KARINA SCHRENGOHST

This year, the Department of Labor (DOL) is making some significant changes to the regulations governing which executive, administrative, and professional employees (white-collar workers) are exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA) minimum wage and overtime pay protections — and employers need to be ready.

Karina L. Schrengohst

Under FLSA, ‘non-exempt’ employees are entitled to overtime pay while ‘exempt’ employees are not. The largest category of exempt employees is white-collar workers, who generally fall within the exemption only if the following three requirements are met:

• The employee is paid a predetermined, regular, fixed amount, without regard to the number of days or hours he or she works;
• The employee earns a minimum salary of $455 per week, or $23,660 per year; and
• The employee’s duties involve certain tasks, authority, or training.

With respect to the third requirement (duties), the regulations provide some specific guidance. ‘Professional’ employees generally include those in the learned professions. An ‘executive’ employee regularly supervises others, is primarily involved in management duties, and has the authority to hire or fire. Finally, the ‘administrative’ exemption includes employees who exercise independent judgment, and whose primary duty involves office or non-manual work that is directly related to management or business operations.

The new DOL rule, which is anticipated in the spring or summer, increases the current salary threshold for exemption from $455 per week ($23,660 per year) to $970 a week ($50,440 a year), and will also implement automatic annual increases to the salary threshold, tied to certain economic indices.

In order to remain compliant with the regulations and avoid potential litigation, employers must identify those employees whose status may be affected by the anticipated salary-threshold revisions. Now is the time to conduct an internal wage-and-hour audit to assess your employees’ FLSA classifications. This assessment should become an annual practice.

When evaluating your employees’ status, keep in mind that not every employee who receives a salary is automatically exempt — they must also perform exempt duties. You should assess an employee’s day-to-day duties in order to determine whether or not those duties fall within the parameters of the regulations. You may find that a few employees fall into the gray area between exempt and non-exempt status. In such cases, it is prudent to err on the side of non-exempt status, bearing in mind that the employer bears the heavy burden of proving that an employee clearly falls within the terms of an exemption.

With careful review and early preparation, your company can be equipped to act when these sweeping changes to the law go into effect. If you have any questions about the FLSA or the white-collar exemptions, contact any of the attorneys at Royal, P.C.

Karina L. Schrengohst, Esq. is an attorney at Royal, P.C., a woman-owned, boutique, management-side labor and employment law firm. Royal, P.C. is a certified women’s business enterprise with the Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office, the National Assoc. of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms, and the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council; (413) 586-2288; [email protected]

Physician Practices Increasingly Turn to Telemedicine Services

Sections Technology

Easy Access

By JAMES DZIOBEK III and RYAN MARLING

Patients are looking for convenient ways to access healthcare services when they are unable to be physically present for a traditional office exam. Over the past couple of years, some physician practices across the country have started using telemedicine technologies in innovative ways to increase patients’ access to services.

A successfully implemented telemedicine service can increase access to care, and may also improve the operational efficiency of the practice and patient experience. Several factors are contributing to the spread of telemedicine, including a greater demand for convenient healthcare, improved technology to facilitate virtual visits, and the need for a focus on care coordination in many emerging payment models. Telemedicine may serve as a mechanism to help bridge the gap between patient demand and managing population health by providing improved access and convenient care.

While many interesting use cases exist, there have been a number of concerns raised about telemedicine. These include reimbursement, identifying appropriate patients for telemedicine visits, the ease of use of the technology, maintaining continuity of care, and concerns about providing care for patients across state lines. If you are thinking about implementing telemedicine in your practice, here are a few key considerations and best practices:

• Target your patient populations. Consider which patients in your practice may be candidates for use of the technology. Consider the clinical and demographic factors that may make video visits a practical solution.

• Be sure to designate a virtual visit champion. Having a clinical and administrative champion is important in developing your practice’s strategy for telemedicine. Champions would strategize and monitor the processes both administratively and clinically to ensure the healthcare needs of participating patients and physicians are met.

• Ensure a smooth virtual visit. Consider what the process and responsible person will be to ensure that requisite logistics are set up and a test run is completed prior to the virtual visit. Make sure that the patient is able to use the technology and that all systems are working properly in advance.

• Determine how virtual visits are incorporated into physician schedules. Will virtual visits be scheduled during a virtual-visit block, or will they be handled at certain points during the day? Advance consideration in this area may help with enhanced efficiencies for both virtual and in-person encounters.

Although it might not be perfect for all patients, telemedicine could help boost patient satisfaction and allow patients to be seen sooner during some routine follow-up visits. Telemedicine may also help physicians connect to patients in new ways outside of traditional care settings.

James Dziobek III is a research and data analyst at the Mass. Medical Society (MMS). Ryan Marling is an intern, Practice Solutions & Policy Research at the MMS. This article first appeared at massmed.org.

Building Permits

Building Permits Departments

The following building permits were issued during the month of March 2016.

AMHERST

150 Fearing Street, LLC
150 Fearing St.
$3,000 — Roof over exterior stairs

Amherst Pelham Regional School
170 Chestnut St.
$25,000 — Interior renovations

Town of Amherst
70 Boltwood Walk
$102,500 — Bathroom renovation on first floor

GREENFIELD

Alliance Church
385 Chapman St.
$13,000 — Install suspended ceiling

Baystate Franklin Medical Center
164 High St.
$4,000 — Install new ceiling

Lisa Alber
33 Riddell St.
$12,000 — Remodel doctor’s office

Stop & Shop
89 French King Highway
$6,000 — Replace outdated fire alarm system

LUDLOW

American Tower Corporation
31 Ravenwood Dr.
$9,000 — Cell tower alterations

SPRINGFIELD

1350 Main Street, LLC
1350 Main St.
$55,000 — Renovations on the 16th floor

City of Springfield
1385 Berkshire Ave.
$3,732,000 — School renovations

City of Springfield
1476 Roosevelt Ave.
$8,814,000 — 11,282 square feet of new construction

Verizon Wireless
1100 Dickinson St.
$181,000 — Construct 80-foot monopole with related equipment and shelter

WESTFIELD

Lynn Wolak
555 Russell Road
$45,000 — Exterior renovations

Ohima, Inc.
60 East Silver St.
$75,000 — Conversion of conference room and office to gym

WEST SPRINGFIELD

1st Niagara Bank
225 Park Ave.
$3,000 — Install shed

73 State Street, LLC
73 State St.
$358,000 — Interior alterations in existing building

McClure Insurance
103 Van Deene St.
$26,000 — New roof

Sunnyside Corporation
177 Norman St.
$85,000 — Erect 3,420-square-foot storage building

Real Estate Transactions

Departments Real Estate

The following real estate transactions (latest available) were compiled by Banker & Tradesman and are published as they were received. Only transactions exceeding $115,000 are listed. Buyer and seller fields contain only the first name listed on the deed.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

ASHFIELD

28 Meadow Lane
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $166,000
Buyer: Matthew J. Glassman
Seller: Karen S. Kaplan
Date: 03/04/16

BERNARDSTON

65 Deane Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Robert A. Deane
Seller: Drew, Mark E., (Estate)
Date: 02/23/16

128 Fox Hill Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $351,300
Buyer: William E. Savitri
Seller: Dennis M. Shockro
Date: 02/26/16

BUCKLAND

120 State St.
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Sarah Davenport
Seller: Ruthe W. Jubinville
Date: 02/26/16

DEERFIELD

6 Pocumtuck Dr.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $416,000
Buyer: Jonathan D. Lewis
Seller: David G. Spoolstra
Date: 02/24/16

GILL

67 Dole Road
Gill, MA 01354
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Scott A. Newton
Seller: Brian D. McComb
Date: 02/29/16

GREENFIELD

653 Bernardston Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $485,000
Buyer: Patrick Mahoney
Seller: James H. Lunt
Date: 02/29/16

147-151 Conway St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: David J. Larue
Seller: Aardvark Apts. LLC
Date: 02/29/16

153 Conway St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: David J. Larue
Date: 02/29/16

111-113 Deerfield St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $131,600
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Leroy H. Stewart
Date: 03/01/16

264-266 Federal St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Mark A. Sirum
Seller: US Bank
Date: 02/25/16

16 Grove St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: David J. Larue
Seller: Aardvark Apts. LLC
Date: 02/29/16

63 James St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: James R. Gleason
Seller: William E. Savitri
Date: 02/26/16

35 Lakeview Dr.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $296,250
Buyer: Robert J. Sagor
Seller: Margaret S. Barry
Date: 03/04/16

28 Park Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $169,000
Buyer: Jose L. Castillo
Seller: Desiree A. Frank
Date: 02/22/16

56 Silver St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $174,000
Buyer: Robert Howe
Seller: John J. Mackin RET
Date: 02/26/16

HEATH

1 Bray Road
Heath, MA 01346
Amount: $268,000
Buyer: Heather C. Hathwell
Seller: Steven A. Michel
Date: 02/26/16

LEYDEN

140 Alexander Road
Leyden, MA 01337
Amount: $287,400
Buyer: Robin W. Symonds
Seller: Edward W. Quinlan
Date: 03/01/16

MONTAGUE

23-25 Griswold St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $217,000
Buyer: Simon E. Scher
Seller: Ronald F. Bovat
Date: 03/02/16

8 West Chestnut Hill Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $143,000
Buyer: Bank Of America
Seller: Laurie D. Williams
Date: 02/24/16

NEW SALEM

214 Cooleyville Road
New Salem, MA 01355
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Gary P. Skaza
Seller: Patricia A. Skaza
Date: 02/23/16

NORTHFIELD

821 Millers Falls Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $239,900
Buyer: Jeanne K. Moore
Seller: Robert Howe
Date: 02/26/16

96 Mount Hermon Station Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $222,000
Buyer: John A. Jones
Seller: Pamela J. Veith
Date: 03/03/16

ORANGE

20 Burrill Ave.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Morgan A. Sisson
Seller: Edward J. Dornig
Date: 02/23/16

110 Oaklawn Ave.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Thomas P. & K. A. Thompson LT
Seller: Michael H. Barnard
Date: 02/29/16

SHELBURNE

119 Bridge St.
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $227,000
Buyer: Thomas C. Johnson
Seller: Brian F. Clare
Date: 03/03/16

WHATELY

110 Christian Lane
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $670,000
Buyer: Rich & Co. LLC
Seller: Samson Associates LLC
Date: 03/03/16

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

373 Barry St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $252,500
Buyer: Michael R. Renkawitz
Seller: Richard T. Ward
Date: 02/29/16

262 Colemore St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $127,500
Buyer: Andrey K. Domnenko
Seller: US Bank
Date: 02/26/16

55 Elm St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Amber Dutton
Seller: Ronald R. Napolitan
Date: 02/29/16

41 Fernwood Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $257,500
Buyer: Jason A. Bassett
Seller: Anthony Depalma
Date: 02/29/16

145 High St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $142,000
Buyer: Ryan P. Fitzemeyer
Seller: Christopher J. Bednarzyk
Date: 02/26/16

84 Highland St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $183,850
Buyer: Albert J. Liquori
Seller: 84 Highland LLC
Date: 02/29/16

42 Poinsetta St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Timothy J. Garner
Seller: Maxine J. Bolly
Date: 02/26/16

215 Poplar St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $173,223
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Joseph J. Liquori
Date: 03/02/16

108 Reed St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Benjamin E. Nuzzolilli
Seller: Michael A. Santaniello
Date: 03/03/16

717 River Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $177,000
Buyer: Moustafa I. Tahoun
Seller: US Bank
Date: 02/29/16

346 Springfield St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Sharol A. Menard
Seller: Nancy Gentile
Date: 03/04/16

583 Suffield St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Edward Quinlan
Seller: David M. Tangredi
Date: 03/01/16

BRIMFIELD

45 Brookfield Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $244,000
Buyer: Courtney M. Williams
Seller: Nathan M. Clairmont
Date: 02/26/16

CHESTER

404 Route 20
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Marie L. Morrissey
Seller: Michael A. Morrissey
Date: 03/02/16

CHICOPEE

2 Access Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $126,000
Buyer: Robert Larkin
Seller: USA VA
Date: 02/23/16

22 Bardon St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Edward J. Montemagni
Seller: CRA Holdings Inc.
Date: 02/24/16

245 Broadway St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $140,349
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Gayle L. Crochiere
Date: 02/29/16

547 Broadway St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $117,050
Buyer: Citifinancial Servicing
Seller: Raymond T. Peltier
Date: 03/02/16

455 Burnett Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $1,888,400
Buyer: Chicopee Gardens Rehab & Care
Seller: Guilford Health Mgmt. Inc.
Date: 03/04/16

198 Carew St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $138,000
Buyer: Thomas A. Conroy
Seller: Russell A. Hedges
Date: 03/03/16

247 Chicopee St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $117,560
Buyer: Grzegorz Nowakowski
Seller: USA HUD
Date: 03/03/16

48 Claire St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $172,000
Buyer: Jeffrey Bagge
Seller: Keith W. Lemay
Date: 02/26/16

914 Front St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $160,500
Buyer: Julie Gardner
Date: 02/23/16

117 Gilbert Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $149,000
Buyer: Teresa Chadwick
Seller: Godaire, Ernest R., (Estate)
Date: 02/26/16

255 Grattan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $137,000
Buyer: William D. Bouthillette
Seller: Yvette Guyette
Date: 02/22/16

48 Hamilton St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $171,000
Buyer: Robert Galica
Seller: US Bank
Date: 03/04/16

48 Hamilton St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Dorothy Dorobisz
Date: 02/26/16

22 Harrington Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Alexandre C. Holan
Seller: Scott E. Graham
Date: 02/24/16

28 Harrington Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Christopher J. Mayo
Seller: Julian S. Tenczar
Date: 03/03/16

51 Helen St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Thomas J. Pepin
Seller: Thomas W. Connor
Date: 02/29/16

94 Manning St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Joseph R. Ricker
Seller: Cheryl Soucy
Date: 02/25/16

75 Murphy Lane
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $189,000
Buyer: Diane M. Mercier
Seller: Riverbend 2 Properties
Date: 02/26/16

44 New Lombard Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $1,888,400
Buyer: Chicopee Gardens Rehab & Care
Seller: Guilford Health Mgmt. Inc.
Date: 03/04/16

455 Oldfield Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $116,000
Buyer: Andrei Katykhin
Seller: US Bank
Date: 02/25/16

54 Pembroke Place
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $147,000
Buyer: Paul J. Caban
Seller: Lydia Garcia
Date: 02/26/16

42 Reedstone Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $159,900
Buyer: Marissa L. Cloutier
Seller: Susan M. Baez
Date: 02/26/16

63 Silvin Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $158,900
Buyer: Edward A. Rivera
Seller: Kevin Montemagni
Date: 02/26/16

165 Trilby Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Robert J. King
Seller: Robert F. King
Date: 02/26/16

29 Warregan St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Jesus J. Torres
Seller: Micks, Preston L., (Estate)
Date: 03/04/16

EAST LONGMEADOW

389 Chestnut St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Tan D. Nguyen
Seller: Joseph Scalia
Date: 02/29/16

7 Dewey Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Horace Parker
Seller: Tracy A. Lavoie
Date: 02/25/16

21 East Circle Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Tara A. Edson
Seller: Dean C. Edson
Date: 02/25/16

255 Elm St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $162,500
Buyer: Prudence L. Maloni
Seller: FNMA
Date: 02/26/16

11 Park Place
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $201,000
Buyer: Robert H. Caldwell
Seller: John D. Perenick
Date: 02/29/16

188 Parker St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $237,500
Buyer: Dennis P. McManus
Seller: Belorusky, Nadia J., (Estate)
Date: 02/26/16

434 Prospect St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Dennis M. Goldrick
Seller: Boudrew, Joseph A. V., (Estate)
Date: 02/26/16

GRANVILLE

734 Main Road
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Joshua L. Rutola
Seller: James C. Jensen
Date: 02/22/16

15 Old Westfield Road
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Clark C. Boynton
Seller: Olsen, Peter J., (Estate)
Date: 02/25/16

231 Silver St.
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $274,900
Buyer: Eric D. Lane
Seller: Ralph W. Emerson
Date: 03/02/16

HAMPDEN

62 Pondview Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $247,500
Buyer: John D. Moriarty
Seller: Kathleen A. Charest
Date: 03/04/16

Thresher Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $174,000
Buyer: Cumberland Blues RT
Seller: Nicholas C. Camerota
Date: 02/29/16

375 Wilbraham Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $208,000
Buyer: Yellowbrick Property LLC
Seller: Carol A. Andree
Date: 02/22/16

HOLLAND

6 Ardmore Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $137,283
Buyer: Bank New York Mellon
Seller: Michelle M. Damon
Date: 02/26/16

HOLYOKE

184-186 Beech St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $163,069
Buyer: Anthony Witman
Seller: Witman Properties Inc.
Date: 02/22/16

1104 Dwight St.
Holyoke, MA 01107
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

1106 Dwight St.
Holyoke, MA 01107
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

1124 Dwight St.
Holyoke, MA 01107
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

1138 Dwight St.
Holyoke, MA 01107
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

1140 Dwight St.
Holyoke, MA 01107
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

1154 Dwight St.
Holyoke, MA 01107
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

1156 Dwight St.
Holyoke, MA 01107
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

1373 Dwight St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

1375 Dwight St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

48 Elliot St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $152,500
Buyer: Matthew J. McDonough
Seller: Philip M. Rugo
Date: 03/04/16

213 Locust St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $166,000
Buyer: David M. Cowan
Seller: Heather M. Rush
Date: 02/26/16

82 Memorial Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $149,000
Buyer: Jason L. Paulo
Seller: Clifford W. Laraway
Date: 03/04/16

40 Moss Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $142,000
Buyer: David Morrissey
Seller: Eleanor M. Morrissey
Date: 02/22/16

7 Ross Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $139,900
Buyer: Erich R. Dittrich
Seller: C. L. Callahan-Swindell
Date: 03/03/16

31 Washington Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $171,000
Buyer: Louis A. Lebron
Seller: Alden Pond Properties LLC
Date: 03/04/16

LONGMEADOW

188 Burbank Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $324,000
Buyer: Christopher P. Rennix
Seller: Thomas J. Haberlin
Date: 02/23/16

159 Edgewood Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Thomas G. Conway
Seller: Foundation Investors Inc.
Date: 02/29/16

12 Erskine Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Ian L. Goldsmith
Seller: Douglas W. Taylor
Date: 02/25/16

120 Inverness Lane
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Gary A. Popovich
Seller: Timothy F. Keane
Date: 02/26/16

112 Kenmore Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $263,500
Buyer: Geoffrey Putnam
Seller: Paul J. Kipetz
Date: 03/01/16

110 Knollwood Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Michael J. Przyborski
Seller: Catherine M. McCarthy
Date: 02/26/16

21 Lincoln Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Rajendrasinh S. Mahida
Seller: Campagnari Construction
Date: 02/23/16

29 Lincoln Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Kalpanaben S. Desai
Seller: Campagnari Construction LLC
Date: 02/29/16

19 Oak Hollow Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $399,000
Buyer: Jonh A. Benson
Seller: Michael D. Caban
Date: 02/29/16

101 Osceola Lane
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $332,000
Buyer: Sara K. Perry
Seller: Goldstiek, Eleanor, (Estate)
Date: 02/29/16

LUDLOW

1680 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $128,000
Buyer: Bank New York Mellon
Seller: David J. Chaves
Date: 02/29/16

972 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $218,600
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Diane M. Hernandez
Date: 02/24/16

1275 East St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $313,000
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Debra C. Derose
Date: 02/26/16

615 Fuller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Lupa Development Co. LLC
Seller: Strycharz FT
Date: 03/04/16

38 Grimard St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Cody R. Binette
Seller: David A. Yelle
Date: 02/29/16

30 Jackie Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $445,000
Buyer: Timothy J. Simard
Seller: Kevin P. Pycko
Date: 02/26/16

102 Longview Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Brian M. Liberty
Seller: William J. Liberty
Date: 02/26/16

614 Moore St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $185,313
Buyer: Bank New York Mellon
Seller: Frankie J. Albano
Date: 03/01/16

7 Spring St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $399,000
Buyer: Joseph Teixeira
Seller: Miguel Goncalves
Date: 03/01/16

129 West Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $132,000
Buyer: Jeffrey M. Higgins
Seller: William A. Nichols
Date: 02/23/16

MONSON

11 Gates St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $138,600
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: James A. Burke
Date: 02/26/16

3 Homer Dr.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $206,912
Buyer: FHLM
Seller: Patricia A. Courtemanche
Date: 03/03/16

PALMER

4437 High St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $151,000
Buyer: Mark Baldwin
Seller: Marcia L. Copeland
Date: 03/04/16

3201 Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $123,000
Buyer: Crystal A. Dennison
Seller: William J. Brown
Date: 02/29/16

3051 Pine St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $133,500
Buyer: Bradley Lord
Seller: Wells Fargo Bank
Date: 02/26/16

3058 South Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $194,000
Buyer: Thomas M. Mcgrath
Seller: May L. Rooney
Date: 03/03/16

1046 Thorndike St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $163,261
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Michelle L. Bennett
Date: 02/29/16

363 Ware St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $193,450
Buyer: Michael J. Senecal
Seller: Miriam J. Jorge
Date: 02/26/16

SOUTHWICK

14 Bungalow St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $136,000
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Peter G. Sprague
Date: 02/24/16

17 Ed Holcomb Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Timothy G. Gerrish
Seller: Red Oak Investments LLC
Date: 02/26/16

6 Junction Station Road #6
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Goldsmith FT
Seller: 20 Depot Square LLC
Date: 03/04/16

SPRINGFIELD

57 Albee St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $138,000
Buyer: Michael Connors
Seller: Gary Forney
Date: 03/04/16

15 Allendale St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

17 Allendale St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

18 Allendale St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

20 Allendale St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

25 Allendale St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

28 Allendale St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

30 Allendale St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

35 Allendale St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

37 Allendale St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

38 Allendale St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

40 Allendale St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

5 Allendale St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

50 Allendale St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

52 Allendale St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

7 Allendale St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

65-67 Ardmore St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $176,500
Buyer: Michael J. Keane
Seller: Jason M. Fitzgerald
Date: 02/26/16

101 Bancroft St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

103 Bancroft St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

112 Bancroft St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

114 Bancroft St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

56 Beaufort Circle
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $158,500
Buyer: Tomasz J. Laskawiec
Seller: Lucid Development Inc.
Date: 02/29/16

53 Belvidere St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Tenita M. Smith
Seller: Mary P. White
Date: 02/25/16

248 Bolton St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Jenny I. Gonzalez
Seller: Angela Cosenzi
Date: 02/26/16

108 Bulat Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Etulia Faustin
Seller: Griffin, Thomas W., (Estate)
Date: 02/26/16

75-77 Clantoy St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Orange Park Management
Seller: Orange Park Management
Date: 03/01/16

33 Coleman St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $162,700
Buyer: London Realty LLC
Seller: USA HUD
Date: 02/22/16

114-116 Commonwealth Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Ricard Martinez-Berdecia
Seller: London Realty LLC
Date: 02/22/16

16 Conklin St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $120,128
Buyer: Hickory Street Dev. LLC
Seller: Hickory Street Dev. LLC
Date: 02/23/16

72 Curve St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Daniel Marti
Seller: Ricard Martinez-Berdecia
Date: 02/22/16

101 Derryfield Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $152,500
Buyer: Luke D. Hands
Seller: Terrie A. Henrich
Date: 02/26/16

88 Ellsworth Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Christopher M. Lombardi
Seller: James Niedbala
Date: 02/26/16

34 Emerson St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $170,676
Buyer: USA HUD
Seller: US Bank
Date: 03/04/16

131 Fargo St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Helena M. Monteiro
Seller: Dennis B. Chechile
Date: 02/24/16

17 Gertrude St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $162,000
Buyer: Emmanuel Pena
Seller: Misael Ramos
Date: 03/02/16

97 Gillette Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $154,500
Buyer: Sandra Urbanski
Seller: Layne M. Breton
Date: 02/29/16

55 Glenvale St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $171,000
Buyer: Trudy-Ann Wilson
Seller: Stephen D. Foy
Date: 02/25/16

37 Granger St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $164,900
Buyer: Brittney L. Twohig
Seller: AMP Real Estate Group LLC
Date: 02/26/16

800 Grayson Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Carissa Tryba
Seller: Nelson Garcia
Date: 02/26/16

10 Hebron St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

15 Hebron St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

17 Hebron St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

34 Hebron St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

36 Hebron St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

44 Hebron St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

46 Hebron St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

5 Hebron St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

7 Hebron St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $2,235,000
Buyer: DM Property LLC
Seller: Bel Air Homes Assocs. LP
Date: 02/29/16

63 Hope St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $150,300
Buyer: FHLM
Seller: Carmen L. Farrow
Date: 03/01/16

47 Home St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Wilmington Trust
Seller: Angel Soto
Date: 02/25/16

274 Island Pond Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $117,000
Buyer: Aztec 425 LLC
Seller: Tran, Michael Q., (Estate)
Date: 02/29/16

73 Kenwood Park
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $124,000
Buyer: Jeannette Blyther
Seller: Vincent R. Siniscalchi
Date: 03/01/16

147 Magnolia Terrace
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $181,000
Buyer: Enrique Santos
Seller: Arthur H. Helmus
Date: 02/22/16

24 Oxford St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $221,000
Buyer: Felicita Saenz
Seller: Michael D. Friedman
Date: 02/23/16

22-24 Palmyra St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Buyer: Lisa W. Cassidy
Seller: Alan M. McMenamin
Date: 03/01/16

42 Perkins St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $148,500
Buyer: Mekhaiel Tahir
Seller: JJJ 17 LLC
Date: 03/04/16

197 Plainfield St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: NRJ Davis LLC
Seller: Michaelson, Edward, (Estate)
Date: 03/01/16

85 Rochelle St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $134,000
Buyer: Yellowbrick Property LLC
Seller: Yellowbrick Property LLC
Date: 03/03/16

46 Shumway St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Kimberly Santiago
Seller: Patricia A. Lavallee
Date: 02/26/16

81 Thorndyke St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Furnival A. Nyarko
Seller: Zhong X. Chen
Date: 02/26/16

120 Timothy Circle
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Christine L. Higgins
Seller: Jeffrey M. Higgins
Date: 02/23/16

17-19 Webster St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $124,900
Buyer: Pork Meas
Seller: Mirna Gomez
Date: 02/23/16

175 West Allen Ridge Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $118,650
Buyer: Kristyana E. Daitch
Seller: Philip J. Moynihan
Date: 03/03/16

82 Westbrook Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $133,000
Buyer: Davin Robinson
Seller: Jason R. Ochotnicky
Date: 02/26/16

64 Whittum Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $124,000
Buyer: William F. Baker
Seller: Edward H. Lynch
Date: 02/26/16

147 Wollaston St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $124,000
Buyer: Bank New York Mellon
Seller: Michael Power
Date: 02/29/16

WALES

6 Grove Point Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $241,000
Buyer: Joseph Romonosky
Seller: Donna H. Patrie
Date: 02/22/16

WEST SPRINGFIELD

24 Chapin St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Henry Pavel
Seller: Susan M. Zemba
Date: 02/29/16

25 George St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $228,000
Buyer: Prem L. Gurung
Seller: Sergey Petlyakov
Date: 02/26/16

55 Hillside Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: David An
Seller: MAA Property LLC
Date: 02/26/16

48 Mountain Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $294,000
Buyer: Jamie L. Horton
Seller: Oak Ridge Custom Home Builders
Date: 03/04/16

36 Northwood Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Steven A. Georgeopolus
Seller: John J. O’Hara
Date: 03/02/16

WESTFIELD

98 Berkshire Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Donald J. McClellan
Seller: David F. McClellan
Date: 02/26/16

63 Beverly Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $168,000
Buyer: Justin Curran
Seller: Leonard Colson
Date: 02/29/16

64 Big Wood Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Christopher E. Pinney
Seller: Mark E. Vasicek
Date: 02/26/16

38 Dartmouth St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $192,000
Buyer: Joshua S. Bruso
Seller: Paul K. Backholm
Date: 03/02/16

89 Foch Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Carlos Maldonado
Seller: Ginette S. Senecal
Date: 02/25/16

78 Granville Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $357,090
Buyer: Daniel D. Call
Seller: Granville Road LLC
Date: 02/25/16

78 Granville Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $367,900
Buyer: Roger L. Ringenbach
Seller: Granville Road LLC
Date: 03/04/16

110 Little River Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $181,000
Buyer: Timothy J. Howe
Seller: Christopher E. Pinney
Date: 02/26/16

184 Munger Hill Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $485,000
Buyer: Thomas A. Galanis
Seller: Thomas E. McMahon
Date: 02/29/16

60 Scenic Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Buyer: Viktor Nikitchuk
Seller: Charles V. Fortin
Date: 02/25/16

81 Springfield Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $1,400,000
Buyer: 4 MH LLC
Seller: Francis E. Hartnett
Date: 02/25/16

57 Squawfield Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Sherry L. Karnolisz
Seller: Garde, Philip M., (Estate)
Date: 02/26/16

Union St. (off)
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $127,500
Buyer: Westfield Realty LLC
Seller: Claire M. Casey
Date: 03/04/16

WILBRAHAM

9 Cadwell Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $182,000
Buyer: Ashley M. Holden
Seller: M. Marcella Sundberg
Date: 02/26/16

3 Duffield St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $228,003
Buyer: Marvina M. Lowry-Brook
Seller: Vincent L. Langone
Date: 02/29/16

4 Pearl Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Frank J. Fortune
Seller: Berrett, Keith A., (Estate)
Date: 02/26/16

32 Pleasant View Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $259,000
Buyer: Richard E. Burns
Seller: Ruolin Zhou
Date: 02/25/16

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

635 Main St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Norman D. Brown
Seller: Jeanne Shumway
Date: 02/26/16

35 Pelham Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $348,000
Buyer: Michael Kirschenbaum
Seller: Marie Hess
Date: 03/01/16

47 Shumway St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $181,000
Buyer: Chestnut Street Realty
Seller: Richard G. O’Rourke
Date: 02/22/16

BELCHERTOWN

12 Barrett St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Stephanie C. Barthelette
Seller: Harvey A. Sansoucy
Date: 03/04/16

416 Bay Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $292,000
Buyer: David A. Cunningham
Seller: Gary S. Moore
Date: 02/26/16

25 Depot St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $200,599
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Andre P. Grenier
Date: 03/03/16

570 North Liberty St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $256,000
Buyer: Cynthia A. Czaporowski
Seller: Property Edge LLC
Date: 02/26/16

3 Terry Lane
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $286,500
Buyer: Eric C. Merullo
Seller: Doreen M. Curry
Date: 02/26/16

39 Underwood St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $224,000
Buyer: Arthur J. Dybizbanski
Seller: Korman, Thomas P., (Estate)
Date: 02/26/16

EASTHAMPTON

19 Chapin St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Heather McLean
Seller: Nathan G. Davis
Date: 02/26/16

246 East St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $139,916
Buyer: Aleta G. Kennedy
Seller: Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity
Date: 03/04/16

248 East St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $139,916
Buyer: Angelique Baker
Seller: Pioneer Valley Habitat Humanity
Date: 03/02/16

493 East St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $208,000
Buyer: Amber Black
Seller: Kristan A. Lagueux
Date: 02/25/16

12 Holyoke St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $194,500
Buyer: Aurelio Pagan
Seller: Tracy K. Mulvey
Date: 03/04/16

27 Holyoke St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Nathan G. Davis
Seller: J&A Homes LLC
Date: 02/26/16

16 Sterling Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $199,220
Buyer: Brian N Jourdain
Seller: USA VA
Date: 02/26/16

18 Summit Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Heather M. Rush
Seller: Jane A. Nathan
Date: 02/26/16

GOSHEN

59 Aberdeen Road
Goshen, MA 01032
Amount: $137,500
Buyer: John Sidney-Webb
Seller: Jennifer A. Webb-Fusaro
Date: 02/23/16

59 South Chesterfield Road
Goshen, MA 01096
Amount: $436,000
Buyer: Catalina Arrubla
Seller: William A. Celatka
Date: 03/04/16

GRANBY

141 Pleasant St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Glen S. Masiuk
Seller: Eric Merullo
Date: 02/26/16

145 Pleasant St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Roxanne C. Costigan
Seller: Mary E. Fortier
Date: 03/03/16

HADLEY

River Dr.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Szawlowski Realty Inc.
Seller: Lyndell Day-Nuttelman
Date: 02/24/16

190 Russell St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Mohammad Moini
Seller: Thomas Witzenberger
Date: 03/01/16

12 Wampanoag Dr.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $389,900
Buyer: Ina A. Forman
Seller: James E. Harrison
Date: 02/26/16

HATFIELD

44 Linseed Road
Hatfield, MA 01088
Amount: $249,999
Buyer: Crystal M. Callahan
Seller: Caroline Hopfenspirger
Date: 03/04/16

HUNTINGTON

68 County Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Casey J. Mitchell
Seller: Arthur D. Medeiros
Date: 03/04/16

MIDDLEFIELD

1 Skyline Trail
Middlefield, MA 01011
Amount: $217,000
Buyer: Michael C. Stimpson
Seller: Colleen M. Budness
Date: 02/26/16

NORTHAMPTON

63 Bradford St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $199,000
Buyer: Ralph H. Litwin
Seller: John P. Regish
Date: 02/25/16

79 Hawley St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $843,000
Buyer: AE Properties LLC
Seller: Wang FT
Date: 02/25/16

3 James Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Katherine M. Hicks
Seller: Gloria B. Ayvazian FT
Date: 02/24/16

109 Laurel Park
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Marah M. Macrostie
Seller: Kate Greenough
Date: 02/26/16

88 Laurel Park
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Melanie M. Miller
Seller: Jennifer Snyder
Date: 02/24/16

36 Manhan St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $229,000
Buyer: Northeast Ent. Realty
Seller: Soliwoda NT
Date: 03/01/16

25 Market St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $1,000,000
Buyer: 300 Elm Street LLC
Seller: Robert P. Andrews
Date: 02/25/16

88 Massasoit St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $700,000
Buyer: Erin E. Eppsteiner
Seller: Mark A. Casey
Date: 02/29/16

206 North Main St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $455,000
Buyer: David C. Velez
Seller: Joslad & Associates PC
Date: 02/26/16

SOUTH HADLEY

28 Ashton Lane
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Mark S. Kendall
Seller: Richard L. Bayeur
Date: 03/04/16

20 Ferry St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: CRA Holdings Inc.
Seller: HSBC Bank
Date: 02/24/16

6 Gaylord St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $144,000
Buyer: Norwich Properties LLC
Seller: Mount Tom Properties LLC
Date: 02/23/16

5 Lexington Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $214,000
Buyer: Kyle R. Brunault
Seller: Robert J. Brown
Date: 02/23/16

54 School St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $119,000
Buyer: Lukasz Socha
Seller: Michael J. Pijar
Date: 03/01/16

7 Silver St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $489,900
Buyer: Scott T. Lynch
Seller: Richard L. Lovelace
Date: 02/23/16

18 Susan Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Karl E. Grochowalski
Seller: Arthur J. Dybizbanski
Date: 02/26/16

22 Waite Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $224,900
Buyer: Jason P. Pearlman
Seller: Krok, Lillian, (Estate)
Date: 02/23/16

SOUTHAMPTON

9 Cold Spring Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Matthew Stine
Seller: Amber E. Black
Date: 02/25/16

99 Gilbert Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $361,000
Buyer: Troy E. Chilson
Seller: David Garstka Builders
Date: 02/26/16

87 Gunn Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Buyer: F&G LLC
Seller: Carr, Helen G., (Estate)
Date: 02/23/16

22 Katelyn Way
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $485,000
Buyer: Thomas Wnetrzak
Seller: Renata U. Robak
Date: 03/01/16

WARE

27 Berkshire Dr.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $197,500
Buyer: Michael J. Harney
Seller: Jennifer Matos
Date: 03/04/16

29 Fisherdick Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $197,798
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Rose M. Bilodeau
Date: 02/26/16

15 Highland St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $164,000
Buyer: Edward L. Masse
Seller: Mark F. Kuras
Date: 02/26/16

Bankruptcies

Bankruptcies Departments

The following bankruptcy petitions were recently filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Readers should confirm all information with the court.

A+ Roofing and Home Improvement
Warren, Nathan J.
26 Harding St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/01/16

Barrett, Sean E.
164 Bonair Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 03/02/16

Baskerville, Maritza
108 Harvey St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/01/16

Cady, Michael A.
128 Hampden St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 03/07/16

Callinan, Brian
Callinan, Andrea
PO Box 128
Warren, MA 01083
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/05/16

Divenuto, Maarika
57 Weaver Road
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/01/16

Doty, Richard M.
48 Pleasant St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/02/16

Drake, Patrick E.
49 Pembroke Place
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/08/16

Fishburn, Sara Christel
108 James St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/07/16

Germain, Sara-Ann
27 Amherst Ave.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/05/16

Hamel, Philip J.
74 Springfield St.
Trailer #15
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/08/16

Hasan, Sheraz
33 Norwood St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/04/16

Hayward, Michael Douglas
149 East Hill Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/08/16

Jendrysik, James Francis
2 Village Green
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/08/16

Jernigan, Stephanie Lynne
PO Box 2101
Amherst, MA 01004-2101
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/07/16

Laflamme, Ernest D.
39 Ivy St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 03/07/16

Liriano, Ana
14 Summit St., Apt. 6
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/02/16

Madison, James Arthur
53 Powder Mill Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/03/16

Neylon, Theresa D.
465 Old Field Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/05/16

Pranes, Cheryl A.
105 Britton St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/02/16

Riley, Jason
15 Harrison Ave.
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 02/29/16

Roncarati, Lynndia
309 Parker St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 03/04/16

The Murri Agency
Murri, Kathryn Nebel
50 Laurel Park
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/07/16

Towle, Kathleen M.
168 Sycamore St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/05/16

Turner, Lee D.
13 Annies Way
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/04/16

Doing Business As Certificates

DBA Certificates Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of March 2016.

AGAWAM

1 Call Cleanout
188 South Westfield St.
Daniel Shamir

Country View Primitives
159 Main St.
Tanya Rogalski

Gino’s Pizza
350 North Westfield St.
Sinan Turan

CHICOPEE

Baystate Academy
25 Cross St.
Elizabeth Frangioso

Biroh Gardens Nursery
44 New Lombard Road
Diana Johnson

Furniture Outlet
187 Exchange St.
Wajid Mahamood

Price Rite
1600 Memorial Dr.
Neal Duffy

Weibel’s Welding & Home Improvement
94 Fernwood St.
Matthew Weibel

GREENFIELD

Byrne Racing & Used Auto
86 River St.
James Byrne

Chinese Body Work
91 Main St.
Liuping Song

Full Moon Ghee
401 Chapman St.
Hanna Jacobson

Herns Electrolux Service
40 Bank Row
J.M. Marketing, LLC

Poulin Cleaning
15 Frederick Road
Kurt W. Poulin

The Spirit Shoppe
402 Federal St.
Deerfield Spirit Shoppe Inc.

HOLYOKE

Holyoke Animal Hospital
320 Easthampton Road
Linda Henderson

Mt. Tom Kennels
3210 Easthampton Road
Linda Henderson

STOP
50 Holyoke St.
Sedighen Ahou

The Stylist’s Edge
50 Holyoke St.
Stacie Pride

Valley Talent Showcase
92 Race St.
Mark Sherry

Western Mass. Pediatrics
10 Hospital Dr.
Valley Health Systems

PALMER

Deco Painting
274 Breckenridge St.
Scott Rohan

Rapid Home Improvements
36 Elizabeth St.
Leon Marsh

Shields Auto Repair
1316 South Main St.
Evan Shields

SPRINGFIELD

4 Princesses Hair Salon
47 Jefferson St.
Waniera Rodrigues

Ace Tuning Entertainment
92 Cherrelyn St.
Raul Aceteno

Air Care Service
146 Arvilla St.
Brendan Patrick

All Task Movers
9 Cleveland St.
Luis Vizcarrondo

CC Catering
55 Tyler St.
Carol Comberbatch

Carmex Auto
145 Michon St.
Mohamed Abdalla

City Mini Mart
150 Belmont Ave.
Herbert Singleton

DM Property
513 Main St.
Debra Katz

EV Automotive
11 Front St.
Vance Dion

First Chance Life Coaching
1242 Main St.
Kency Gilet

Food for the Soul
892 Sumner Ave.
Stephanie Denise

Holyoke Jerome
180 Fort Pleasant Ave.
David Moore

Industrial Roofing Company
24 Burlington St.
Salvatore Circosta

Jesus & Angel’s House
263 Commonwealth Ave.
Jesus Alicea

Kassy Mart
604 Page Blvd.
Lourdes Regaldo

Longevity Greens
35 Wendover Road
Pedro J. Fernandez

WESTFIELD

Forever Dream Boutique
20 Goose Hollow Road
Holly M. Janisiski

GP Hastings
459 North Road
Glenn Hastings

M.D. Siebert Renovations
51 Barbara St.
Mark D. Siebert

Rockstar Cinema Productions
150 Hillside Road
Jeffrey Masotti

Spath Transport
12 Old Stage Road
Adam Spath

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Express Inn
1557 Riverdale St.
Anil Rana

J Squared
136 Nelson St.
James J. McMahon

Point Blank Paintball
1457 Riverdale St.
Arthur Doty

Richard’s Deli Restaurant
875 Memorial Ave.
Brian Cleveland

Silva Cleaning
60 Hanover St.
Jose Vierra

USI Northwest
123 Interstate Dr.
Kibbe & Prentice

Incorporations

Departments Incorporations

Incorporations were not available at press time. They will be published in the next edition of BusinessWest.

Briefcase

Briefcase Departments

Advertising Club Seeks Pynchon Nominations

SPRINGFIELD — The Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts is seeking nominations from the four Western Mass. counties for the 101st annual William Pynchon Award, the area’s oldest and most prestigious community-service award. Established in 1915, the award honors individuals from all walks of life who go beyond the call of duty to enhance the quality of life in Western Mass. Past recipients have included social activists, teachers, philanthropists, historians, clergy, housewives, physicians, journalists, and business leaders — a diverse group with one thing in common: a drive to make the region a better place for all who live here. To nominate an individual, submit a one-page letter explaining why the nominee should be considered. Include brief biographical information, outstanding accomplishments, examples of service to the community, organizations he or she is or has been active in, and the names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of at least three people who can further attest to the nominee’s eligibility for induction into the Order of William Pynchon. All nominees will be considered and researched by the Pynchon trustees, comprising past and present presidents of the Advertising Club. Nominations must be submitted by April 30 to William Pynchon Trustees, Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts, P.O. Box 1022, West Springfield, MA 01090, or by e-mail to [email protected]. Pynchon medalists for 2016 will be announced in August.

Cultural District Welcomes 15 New Members

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Central Cultural District recently welcomed 15 new organizations to its membership. They include the Armory Quadrangle Civic Assoc., Bay Path University, the Bing Arts Center, Blues to Green, the Drama Studio, Classical Condominiums, Enchanted Circle Theatre, Martin Luther King Family Services, New England Farmworkers Council, Panache Productions, Partners for a Healthier Community, the Performance Project, Springfield Public Forum, Springfield Technical Community College, and SilverBrick Lofts. They will join the ranks of 25 current members, mostly comprised of downtown arts and culture organizations. The Springfield Central Cultural District (SCCD) is an independent nonprofit that attained the designation of cultural district from the Massachusetts Cultural Council in 2014. Its mission is to foster civic engagement and arts education in the city of Springfield by creating and sustaining a vibrant cultural environment that positions the city as the cultural capital of the region. “We are honored to have such amazing members join the fold,” said Morgan Drewniany, executive director of the SCCD. “Increasing the size of our membership only increases the possibility of work we can do in making Springfield more friendly to arts and culture. Having a connected network of not only arts organizations, but businesses and higher ed, helps the district grow stronger together.” For more information about current and new members, how to become a member, or the work the SCCD is doing, visit springfieldculture.org or contact Drewniany at [email protected] or (413) 781-1592.

State Unemployment Drops to 4.5% in February

BOSTON — The state’s total unemployment rate dropped to 4.5% in February from the January rate of 4.7%, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported Thursday. The preliminary job estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate Massachusetts continues to gain jobs, with 13,300 added in February. Year to date, Massachusetts has added 14,500 jobs. In February, over-the-month job gains occurred in education and health services; professional, scientific, and business services; financial activities; leisure and hospitality; other services; construction; trade, transportation, and utilities; and government. “Massachusetts continues to add jobs, and the labor force showed positive gains with 14,100 more residents employed and 7,400 fewer residents unemployed over the month,” Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Ronald L. Walker II said. The February state unemployment rate remains lower than the national rate of 4.9% reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Over the year, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped 0.6% from 5.1% in February 2015. There were 24,600 fewer unemployed people over the year compared to February 2015. Over the year, the largest private-sector percentage job gains were in construction; professional, scientific, and business services; education and health services; and financial activities.

Insurance Survey Finds Coverage Gains, but Access, Affordability Gaps

BOSTON — Results from a survey of Massachusetts residents regarding health insurance released by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation reveal a continued high rate of insured among the state’s population, but also challenges with access and affordability, particularly among those with lower incomes and those with higher healthcare needs. The Massachusetts Health Reform Survey (MHRS), conducted in the fall of 2015 by the Urban Institute, highlights “sustained gains” in health-insurance coverage since the 2006 passage of the state’s healthcare reform law, with 95.7% of non-elderly adults reporting coverage when surveyed last fall. The near-annual survey tracks trends in the state’s healthcare system since the 2006 passage of health reform. This is the first MHRS following the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that began in January 2014. The survey revealed that people who are healthier generally have more confidence in their ability to keep their insurance in the future, and have an easier time affording healthcare. Sicker respondents with chronic diseases indicated a higher degree of difficulty obtaining healthcare services and were more likely to be worried about their ability to pay for their medical bills in the future. “The survey’s top-line trend is affirming for Massachusetts residents and policy makers alike, as the rate of adults covered at the time of the survey is very high — in fact, it is the highest ever since we began measuring in 2006,” said Audrey Shelto, president of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation. “However, the fact that 43% of insured adults report problems with affordability is a significant issue. Furthermore, these continued financial problems are disproportionately affecting our most vulnerable residents, suggesting that simply having health insurance does not guarantee access to affordable care.”

Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretaries Support Hydropower Bill

BOSTON — Gov. Charlie Baker received bipartisan support from three former secretaries of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Maeve Vallely-Bartlett, Rick Sullivan, and Ian Bowles, for the administration’s efforts to diversify the state’s energy portfolio through the procurement of cost-effective hydropower generation. The announcement followed a State House meeting between Baker, current Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Matthew Beaton, and his predecessors to discuss the need to stabilize New England’s electricity rates, meet the Commonwealth’s Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA) goals, and provide ratepayers with a clean, cost-competitive alternative to coal and oil generation. “I appreciate the support from our state’s former top energy officials as our administration aims to pursue a balanced, diversified energy portfolio through the pursuit of hydroelectric power,” Baker said. “This endorsement is illustrative of the pressing need to address Massachusetts’ rising energy costs, increase electricity-grid reliability, and reduce carbon emissions to meet the Commonwealth’s energy and environmental goals.” Added Beaton, “I thank former Secretaries Bowles, Sullivan, and Vallely-Bartlett for their endorsement of the Baker-Polito administration’s legislation for the procurement of hydroelectric power, which will provide needed generation capacity, while positioning the Commonwealth to achieve our Global Warming Solutions Act goals. As part of the administration’s balanced approach to making the necessary investments in our regional energy infrastructure, this legislation strikes an important balance between climate and environmental awareness and the Commonwealth’s need for clean, reliable, cost-effective generation resources.” In July, the Baker-Polito administration filed Senate Bill 1965, “An Act Relative to Energy Sector Compliance with the Global Warming Solutions Act,” to require Massachusetts utilities to jointly, and competitively, solicit long-term contracts for clean energy-generation resources and associated transmission together with the Department of Energy Resources. In addition to the benefits this legislation aims to bring to the regional electricity market, clean energy generation will position Massachusetts to reach its ambitious greenhouse-gas-reduction targets, Baker said. A recent update to Massachusetts’ “Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2020” concluded that the Commonwealth is well-positioned to meet, or exceed, a greenhouse-gas-reduction goal of 25% by 2020 through the full implementation of the Baker-Polito administration’s energy policies, which include hydropower and solar legislation. “The Commonwealth is a national leader in clean energy and has built a world-class clean-energy industry that is increasing homegrown energy and reducing carbon emissions,” said Rick Sullivan, who served as secretary from 2011 to 2014, and currently serves as CEO of the Western Mass. Economic Development Council. “We must build on this success while continuing to work to reduce the high cost of energy for residents and businesses across Massachusetts. Bringing in cost-effective, large-scale hydro and other renewable-energy resources is critical to these efforts.”

Parsons Paper Site to Be Remediated, Redeveloped

HOLYOKE — On March 14, Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse was joined by city and state officials to mark the official start of the demolition and cleanup of the former Parsons Paper in preparation for the expansion of Holyoke manufacturer Aegis Energy Services. The announcement capped a multi-year effort to remediate the site and make it ready for development. The expansion of Aegis Energy Services will entail a private investment of approximately $7 million, the retention of 65 jobs and the creation of at least 30 new jobs, as well as the creation of up to 4 megawatts of renewable energy, making it the city’s largest manufacturing expansion in years. “This is a significant milestone in our city’s revitalization that should be celebrated and praised. Redevelopment of the Parsons site has been an extremely difficult challenge, bringing with it significant legal, environmental, and financial constraints that have impeded progress for years,” Morse said. “The staff in the Office of Planning and Economic Development and the Law Department should be applauded for their efforts as they’ve worked diligently with the Redevelopment Authority and a cross-collaboration of public and private partners to make this project a reality. I’d be remiss if I did not offer my sincere appreciation to Lee Vardakas of Aegis Energy for his commitment to Holyoke; we are fortunate to have this innovative company stay and grow in our city, and I thank him for his investments and contributions.” Located at 84 Sargeant St. between the first and second level canals, the 4.7-acre Parsons Paper site has been unused and vacant since 2004. In 2008, a fire significantly destroyed a majority of the structures, and the city officially foreclosed on the property and took ownership in 2012 for failure to pay taxes. In 2014, the Redevelopment Authority engaged Tighe & Bond to undertake environmental assessments, specifications for demolition and cleanup, and project permitting to prepare the site for reuse. Many sources of funds are being used to make the demolition and cleanup phase of the project possible and have been amassed through the HRA, including $250,000 in funds from an agreement with Eversource Energy (formerly Northeast Utilities) as part of a mitigation payment associated with cleanup of contaminants in the Connecticut River; $2 million from the state Brownfield Fund through MassDevelopment; $1 million in capital investment by Holyoke Gas & Electric, which secures an easement on the site for potentially 2.5 MW of hydroelectric generation; and a $400,000 capital loan from the Holyoke Economic Development and Industrial Corp., to be paid from the sale proceeds of the land to Aegis Energy Services. The city also provided its most aggressive tax-incentive schedule in its history: a 100% property-tax exemption for 10 years. “This is an incredibly challenging site and a costly endeavor, one that would have been very difficult for the city to do by itself,” said Marcos Marrero, director of Planning & Economic Development for the city, as well as executive director for the Holyoke Redevelopment Authority. “Consequently, the financing framework for this project is probably the most complex that Holyoke has seen in decades. The implications a year from now will be significant: blight reduction, building reuse, job creation, expansion of manufacturing, more renewable energy, and improved property values in the neighborhood.” The contractor for the work is McConnell Enterprises Inc. Demolition and cleanup is projected to be completed by August, after which the site will be taken over for redevelopment by Aegis Energy Services, rehabilitating one 40,000-square-foot building — a 200% expansion of the company’s square footage — and adding at least 30 new jobs, an approximate 50% growth in the company’s employment.

Company Notebook

Company Notebook Departments

SBA Honors Chamberlain Group, Berkshire Bank

BOSTON — A handful of Bay State businesses were recently honored by the Small Business Administration (SBA) as part of National Small Business Week, including two Western Mass.-based companies. The Chamberlain Group, LLC in Great Barrington, represented by Lisa Chamberlain, vice president and managing partner, was named Small Business Exporter of the Year. Meanwhile, Berkshire Bank, represented by Peter Rice, senior vice president, business banking, was recognized as Financial Services Champion. “We are extremely excited to honor a truly amazing line up of small business owners and champions this year,” said Bob Nelson, SBA’s Massachusetts district director. “It is so important to recognize our small businesses in the Commonwealth, as they are the job creators, innovators, and the fabric of our local communities.” This year, National Small Business Week will be celebrated May 1-7 with national events planned across the country. The slate of leading small businesses in the Commonwealth will be honored at the annual Small Business Week Awards Luncheon at the Doubletree in Westborough on Wednesday, May 4.

Country Bank Offers Scholarship Program

WARE — Country Bank will honor 15 high-school seniors who exemplify a commitment to community spirit and volunteerism through its Country Bank for Higher Education Scholarship Program. Fifteen awards of $2,000 each will be presented to high-school seniors who will be attending a two- or four-year college in the fall. Applications and complete rules are available at guidance offices of public high schools in the Country Bank market area, as well as at www.countrybank.com/about-us/community-scholarship-program, or at any of the bank’s 14 branches. A selection committee will review each entry, and winners will be notified by mid-May. Any questions should be referred to Deb Gagnon, Corporate Relations officer, at [email protected] or (413) 277-2236.

GCC Foundation Kicks Off 2016 Annual Campaign

GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Community College Foundation’s 2016 annual campaign, Opening Doors to the Future, will kick off on March 31 with campaign co-chairs Rich Fahey and Nicole Fahey at the helm. Rich Fahey is returning as co-chair, while daughter-in-law Nicole is joining the campaign for the first time this year. Greenfield Community College serves 5,500 students in five locations throughout Franklin and Hampshire counties. The 2016 campaign has established a goal of $825,000 by May 31 in support of students and programs at the college. “Our nation’s higher-education system is increasingly replicating the great divide of our nation’s economic system. Social and economic mobility has all but disappeared — so too the middle class,” said GCC President Bob Pura. “But GCC, our foundation, alumni, and community have created a contradiction to that national narrative. We all help keep the doors to education and a better life open for all who are eager to work hard to achieve it.” Rich Fahey, retired Advertising director for the Greenfield Recorder, noted that “many believe the cost of a higher education is becoming too expensive for many families. What we are doing in support of GCC is helping keep the doors open for all who come to the college to better themselves and enter into the middle class. I didn’t hesitate when I was asked to return for a third year helping out with the GCC Foundation annual campaign. My wife, daughter, and daughter-in-law are just a few whose lives were changed by GCC, and many generations into the future will continue to benefit from our work today.” Nicole (Duprey) Fahey, a clinician at the Franklin County House of Corrections, enrolled at GCC at age 16 as an early-entrant student from Pioneer Valley Regional School in 2000, marking the start of a focused and accelerated educational journey from high-school sophomore to recipient of a master’s degree in just five years. “My GCC experience laid the groundwork for a career that I love,” she said. “Everybody at the college — teachers and classmates — opened their doors and were so welcoming. And attending classes at GCC, with the range of ages and experiences each classmate represented, was humbling and inspiring. Witnessing their hard work to effect positive change encouraged me to direct my life’s work to helping do the same for others.” For more information about the GCC Foundation and supporting the annual campaign, visit www.gcc.mass.edu/give or contact Regina Curtis, executive director of Resource Development and the GCC Foundation, at (413) 775-1600.

Chamber Corners

www.explorenorthampton.com

Chamber Corners Departments

AMHERST AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.amherstarea.com

(413) 253-0700

• April 7: Amherst Area Chamber Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m., Courtyard by Marriott, 423 Russell St., Hadley. Guest speakers include Ginny Hamilton, a pain specialist, yoga instructor, and Reiki practitioner with a multi-faceted approach teaching people how to release pain, realize habits causing pain, and revitalize healthy habits for painless living; and Brandon Wawrzonek, a Strides Human Performance Institute coach specializing in holistic fitness, functional movement training, sport performance, and injury prevention for athletes of all ages and abilities. Whether your concern is workplace productivity, athletic performance, or personal comfort, pain prevention strategies are a worthwhile investment. Cost: $15 for members, $20 for non-members. Registration begins at 7:15 a.m.

• April 13: Chamber After 5, 5-7 p.m., Hillside Pizza, 173 Russell St., Hadley. Beer tasting provided by White Lion Brewing Co., the first craft brewery in Springfield. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-members.

EAST OF THE RIVER FIVE TOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.erc5.com

(413) 575-7230

• April 14: Lunch & Learn, noon to 1:30 p.m., Crestview Country Club, 281 Shoemaker Lane, Agawam. Co-hosted with West of the River Chamber of Commerce. This educational event will teach you how taking advantage of solar energy might save your business money and how to take advantage of available tax credits and incentives. Cost: $35 for both members and non-members. Cost includes buffet lunch.

• April 19: Feast in the East, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Twin Hills Country Club, 700 Wolf Swamp Road, Longmeadow. Come sample dishes from area restaurants and have a chance to vote for the People’s Choice award. There will be ample time to mingle and network in a relaxed atmosphere. Silver spoon sponsor: the Republican. Restaurant sponsors: CMD Technology Group Inc., Freedom Credit Union, the Gaudreau Group, Glenmeadow Retirement Community, JGS Lifecare, Life Care Center of Wilbraham, NUVO, and Robert Charles Photography. Cost: $25 per person.

GREATER CHICOPEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.chicopeechamber.org
(413) 594-2101

• April 20: April Salute Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m., La Quinta Inn & Suites, 100 Congress St., Springfield. Cost: $23 for members, $28 for non-members.

• April 21: Mornings with the Mayor, 8-9 a.m., Polish National Credit Union, 46 Main St., Chicopee. Free for all chamber members.

GREATER EASTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.easthamptonchamber.org
(413) 527-9414

• April 29: Legislative Luncheon, noon, Log Cabin, 500 Easthampton Road, Holyoke. The Greater Easthampton and Holyoke chambers are partnering once again on this event; stay tuned for details. For more information, contact the chamber at (413) 527-9414.

GREATER HOLYOKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.holyokechamber.com

(413) 534-3376

• April 12: Table Top Expo 2016: Let’s Get Down to Business, 4:30-7 p.m., Log Cabin, 500 Easthampton Road, Holyoke. With four area chambers, 180 businesses, and hundreds of visitors, sponsoring the Table Top Expo has consistently been a premier networking and marketing tool for the region’s business community. Another sell-out event is expected. Exhibitor tables are $150 and are exclusive to chamber members. To register or for more information, e-mail [email protected].

GREATER NORTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

(413) 584-1900

• April 7: Northampton Chamber Monthly Arrive@5, 5-7 p.m., Yankee Candle Village, South Deerfield. Arrive when you can, stay as long as you can. A casual mix and mingle with colleagues and friends. Sponsors: Greenfield Community College Foundation, Freedom Credit Union, and Pioneer Saab Volvo. Cost: $10 for members.

• April 22: Workshop: “Waste Reduction & Energy Efficiency,” 9:30-11 a.m., Center for EcoTechnology, 320 Riverside Dr., Northampton. Waste reduction and energy-efficiency upgrades can save your business money. This workshop will cover incentives, benefits, and options to green your business. Learn from case studies of other local businesses that have started waste-diversion programs or installed energy-efficiency improvements. RSVP required, and space is limited. To register, contact Cate Foley at [email protected] or (413) 586-7350, ext. 240.

GREATER WESTFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.westfieldbiz.org

(413) 568-1618

• April 4: Mayor’s Coffee Hour, 8-9 a.m., Holiday Inn Express, 39 Southampton Road, Westfield. Event is free and open to the public. To register, call the chamber office at (413) 568-1618.

• April 13: After 5 Connection, 5-7 p.m., Betts Plumbing & Heating Supply, 14 Coleman Ave., Westfield. Refreshments will be served. Bring a business card and make connections. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-members (cash). To register, call the chamber office at (413) 568-1618.

• April 18: “The Painkiller Epidemic: Legal Implications of Prescription Drug Use in the Workplace,” 8:30-10 a.m., Holiday Inn Express, 39 Southampton Road, Westfield. Prescription drug use in the workplace is on the rise. From an employer’s perspective, employees who are abusing prescription medication tend to be less productive, less reliable, prone to absenteeism, a greater safety risk, and create unnecessary costs, burdens, and liabilities to the company. Royal, P.C. will present an informational seminar that will address some of the most common areas employers express uncertainty and concern about, including maintaining a safe workplace, enforcing drug-free workplace policies and conducting drug testing, and the risk of disability-discrimination claims. Light refreshments will be served. Cost: free for chamber members, $30 for non-members.

• April 26: Sixth annual Southwick Home & Business Show, 4:30-7 p.m., Southwick Town Hall, 454 College Highway. The Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce is once again partnering with the Southwick Economic Development Commission on this tabletop event to promote Southwick businesses. Cost to display: $25 per business (Southwick businesses only). Registration form and payment due by April 11. The event is free and open to the public. Questions can be e-mailed to [email protected], or leave a message at (413) 304-6100.

PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S CHAMBER

www.professionalwomenschamber.com

(413) 755-1310

• April 12: Professional Women’s Chamber Ladies Night, 5-7 p.m., Added Attractions, 180 Shaker Road, East Longmeadow. An evening of networking, complimentary wine, and refreshments. Reservations are free but required by e-mailing Debra Chamberland at [email protected].

SPRINGFIELD REGIONAL CHAMBER

www.myonlinechamber.com

(413) 787-1555

• April 6: Business@Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m., Delaney House, 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke. Featuring the ever-popular Mayor’s Forum with Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, Easthampton Mayor Karen Cadieux, and West Springfield Mayor Will Reichelt. A personal and humorous discussion moderated by Western Mass News anchor Dave Madsen. Sponsored by United Personnel and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. Cost: $20 for members in advance ($25 at the door), $30 for general admission. Reservations may be made online at www.springfieldregionalchamber.com.

• April 13: Speed Networking @ Lunch, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., La Quinta Inns and Suites, 100 Congress St., Springfield. Make up to 50 contacts in an hour in this round-robin networking format. Cost: $25 for members, $35 for general admission. Reservations may be made online at www.springfieldregionalchamber.com.

• April 14: Springfield Regional Chamber Leadership Institute Graduation, 6-9 p.m., Sheraton Springfield, One Monarch Place, Springfield. Cost: $40 per person. Reservations may be made online at www.springfieldregionalchamber.com.

• April 27: Beacon Hill Summit, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Massachusetts State House. Co-hosted by state Sen. James Welch and state Rep. Angelo Puppolo Jr. Day-long opportunity to meet with members of the Baker-Polito administration and the Massachusetts delegation. Sponsored by Comcast and WWLP-TV 22, presented in partnership with the East of the River Five Town Chamber of Commerce, and supported by the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce. Cost: $180 per person, which includes continental breakfast, transportation, lunch, reception, and all materials. Reservations may be made online at www.springfieldregionalchamber.com.

WEST OF THE RIVER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.ourwrc.com

(413) 426-3880

• April 6: Wicked Wednesday networking event, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Stitches & Ink/From the Red Tees, 128 Myron St., West Springfield. Register online at www.ourwrc.com.

People on the Move

Departments People on the Move

Michael Schneider

Michael Schneider has been named a shareholder at Doherty, Wallace, Pillsbury & Murphy, P.C. His practice is focused on corporate law, mergers and acquisitions (including international business transactions), land use, and commercial real estate. He is a member of the Massachusetts and Connecticut bars. Schneider is a past member of the Longmeadow Conservation Commission and past vice president and director of the Children’s Chorus of Springfield Inc. He was also a BusinessWest 40 Under Forty honoree in 2014 and a judge for the 40 Under Forty class of 2015. He earned his law degree, magna cum laude, from Suffolk University Law School in 2007. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Dickinson College in 1997. Doherty, Wallace, Pillsbury & Murphy, P.C. is one of the largest law firms in Western Mass., providing a wide range of legal services including litigation, corporate, probate, real estate, taxation, estate planning, and intellectual property law.

•••••

Monson Savings Bank (MSB) announced the following:

Kevin Hicks

Dina Merwin

• Kevin Hicks has been promoted to Vice President, Information Technology Officer. Hicks joined MSB in early 2015 as assistant vice president, information technology officer. He has more than 16 years of experience managing a financial-institution IT department. He is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the bank’s technology infrastructure as well as security. He holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering with a minor in psychology from UMass; and

• Dina Merwin has been promoted to Vice President, Compliance and BSA officer. Merwin began her career at MSB in June 2013 as a compliance officer and was quickly promoted to assistant vice president, compliance and BSA officer. She has more than 20 years of experience in community banking. She is responsible for coordinating all regulatory changes throughout the bank, improving processes that enhance efficiency and compliance, as well as ensuring adherence to all rules and regulations. She is a graduate of the ABA National School of Banking at Fairfield University.

•••••

Raj Parikh

Raj Parikh has joined American International College (AIC) as Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. Prior to joining AIC, he was professor of Accounting and Finance and dean of the Walker College of Business and Management at Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pa. Parikh has more than 30 years of experience as an academic executive and five years as a financial executive. Prior to joining AIC, he served as a senior-level administrator at several universities, including Mercyhurst, Southern Oregon University, Delaware State University, Wilmington University Delaware, and St. Bonaventure University. He also served as the commissioner for academic accreditation for the government of the United Arab Emirates. In addition to expanding programs and increasing enrollments, he has led or been actively involved in strategic planning, budgeting, and academic prioritization. He has led accreditation efforts at several institutions. Parikh co-authored World Accounting, a three-volume treatise on international accounting which is updated semi-annually. He has presented his research in accounting, finance, and organizational leadership at several regional and national conferences, in addition to being an invited guest speaker. Parikh is passionate about higher education, international education, and improving access to traditional students and working adults. As an academic entrepreneur, he has successfully engaged in a variety of ventures, such as establishing and enhancing branch campuses, increasing enrollments and retention, creating new academic programs, and establishing programs in international locations in partnership with local institutions. “In coming to AIC, I was intrigued by the opportunity to use my experience as a dean to help the college climb to even higher levels of academic excellence,” he said. “I am sincerely honored to join President [Vincent] Maniaci’s leadership team and look forward to this opportunity to make a difference.” A graduate of the Indian Institute of Technology, Parikh completed graduate work in chemical engineering. He received a Ph.D. in accounting and finance at the State University of New York at Buffalo. In addition, he is a certified managerial accountant (CMA), a certified financial manager (CFM), and a chartered financial analyst (CFA). For obtaining the highest score in the nation on the CMA examination, he was awarded the Robert Bayer Gold Medal.

•••••

Robert Harrison, principal architect and founder of Harrison Design Associates, announced that Mark Eichorn and Robert Viel Jr. have joined the firm as both architectural designers and project managers. “I am pleased to welcome Mark and Robert to our team. They each bring a wide range of experience in residential and commercial design and detailing,” said Harrison. “In their new positions, they will enhance and carry forward Harrison Design’s tradition of architectural innovation and our singular focus on creating structures that tell a story and that inspire, delight, and surprise our clients.” Eichorn brings more than 20 years of experience in the design and building industry. His expertise encompasses all phases of work for residential and commercial architectural-design projects, from drafting and code compliance to design and construction administration. His prior experience as an architectural project manager includes eight years with Pamela Sandler AIA in Stockbridge and three years at William Caligari Interiors/Architecture in Great Barrington. He is a 1992 graduate of Vermont Technical College, where he studied architectural and building engineering technology. Viel joins Harrison Design with more than 19 years of experience in the architectural and interior-design professions. He received his bachelor’s degree in 1999 from the Wentworth Institute of Technology’s School of Architecture in Boston. He most recently served for five years as sole designer/draftsman at Kohl Construction in Hadley, while also managing his own architectural-design studio in Springfield. Prior to that, he was employed for 10 years at Pamela Sandler AIA as senior designer, job captain, and draftsman.

•••••

Tighe & Bond recently hired Principal Engineer Wayne Bates to better serve its clients in the Greater Boston area. He will work out of the firm’s Westwood office. Bates specializes in water and wastewater treatment technologies with a focus on industrial wastewater treatment, process improvement, waste minimization, EH&S compliance, and sustainable manufacturing strategies. He has almost 30 years of engineering and environmental, health, and safety consulting experience, and is also a certified Envision sustainability professional. He holds licenses in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Bates is also an adjunct professor at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and serves on the board of directors for the Center for Business Sustainability at WPI. In addition, he serves on the town of Ashland’s sustainability and water-policy committees, and is a sustainability facilitator for the Associated Industries of Massachusetts. “We are happy to welcome Wayne to our growing team of experts,” said David Pinsky, president and CEO of Tighe & Bond. “His expertise will benefit our Greater Boston-area clients greatly as they seek process improvements, EH&S compliance, and sustainable-manufacturing strategies.” Bates earned his Ph.D in environmental/civil engineering from WPI. He also holds a master’s degree in environmental engineering from Northeastern University, as well as a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from UMass Dartmouth.

Agenda

Agenda Departments

‘Poets for Life: Poets Respond to AIDS’

April 9: Patrick Donnelly, 2015-17 poet laureate of Northampton, will host “Poets for Life: Poets Respond to AIDS,” a benefit reading in support of A Positive Place (formerly AIDS Care/Hampshire County), a nonprofit organization providing a wide array of services for people with HIV in Hampshire and surrounding counties. The event will be held at 3 p.m. at the Paradise Room, Conference Center, Smith College, 51 College Lane, Northampton. The Northampton Council for the Arts and the Poetry Center at Smith College are co-sponsors of the benefit. Tickets for the event are $20 and may be purchased online at poetsforlife.brownpapertickets.com, or by phone at (800) 838-3006, ext. 1, or at the door at the event. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit A Positive Place. Those unable to attend the event can designate a tax-deductible donation through poetsforlife.brownpapertickets.com to make it possible for one of A Positive Place’s clients to attend. “In the 35 years since AIDS began, there has been not only a medical and social-service response to preventing and treating the disease, but there has also been a response from artists of all kinds, mourning the losses and celebrating the victories,” Donnelly said. “Specifically, American poets have created an entire literature of AIDS, leaving for the future an important record of this time.” Poets for Life will feature readings by award-winning poets Eduardo C. Corral, Patrick Donnelly, Michael Klein, and Joan Larkin, who will read not only from their own poetry about the epidemic, but from the work of other notable poets, living and dead. Singer-songwriter Laura Wetzler will also perform. Since 1991, A Positive Place has been providing comprehensive, confidential case management and health-related support services, filling life-saving needs for people living with HIV/AIDS in the county. Anyone living with HIV or AIDS is eligible for services regardless of level of need, health status, or ability to pay. Services are free to people living with HIV.

Not Just Business as Usual

April 14: The Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) Foundation’s Not Just Business as Usual (NJBAU) event, a networking event for business leaders in Western Mass., will be held at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The event, now in its seventh year, is a celebration of innovative thinking giving participants the opportunity to learn from business experts while raising significant funding for the STCC WORKS scholarship program. A cocktail and networking reception will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m., with dinner and keynote speakers to follow from 7 to 8:30 p.m. This year, NJBAU will host a discussion of diversity in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields with panelists Emily Reichert, CEO of Greentown Labs; Laurie Leshin, president of Worcester Polytechnic Institute; and Frank Robinson, vice president of Public Health and Community Relations for Baystate Health. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are now available. Tickets are $175 each, and sponsorships begin at $2,500 for a table for 10. For additional information or to become a sponsor, contact Christina Tuohey, STCC’s director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, at (413) 755-4475 or [email protected]. To purchase tickets online, visit www.stcc.edu/njbau.

Spring Fling at Eastworks

April 17: Eastworks on Pleasant Street in Easthampton will play host to a Spring Fling vendor event that will benefit the Easthampton Community Center food pantry. The event will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 2 p.m. The public is invited to attend. Participating vendors currently include How-Charming, Magnabilities, Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, Pure Romance, Rodan & Fields, Scentsy, Waldorf Natural Gifts – Hedge Hog Farms, Young Living Essential Oils, and Younique, with more vendors expected to be added. For more information about Spring Fling, e-mail Mary Ann at [email protected].

Spring Sip & Shop

April 28: The Arbors at Chicopee will host a Spring Sip & Shop event in honor of Mother’s Day on Thursday, April 28 from 4 to 8 p.m. at 929 Memorial Dr. More than 15 vendors will gather and display their products for sale. Items include scarves, jewelry, totes, bags, makeup, homemade lotions and soaps, and much more. The event is sponsored by Tastefully Simple, and all proceeds will go toward the Alzheimer’s Assoc. The event will feature a silent auction, raffle, passed hors d’ouvres, and complimentary sangria. The suggested donation upon admission is $5. RSVP by calling Noelle at (413) 593-0088 or e-mailing [email protected]. Walk-ins are welcome.

‘A Night of Laughter’

April 30: Smith & Wesson will host its annual live comedy show, “A Night of Laughter,” to support two local children’s charities, Shriners Hospitals for Children and the Ronald McDonald House. The event will be held at the Cedars Banquet Facility, 419 Island Pond Road in Springfield. The show will feature two comedians, Chris Zito and Tony V. Zito is a mainstay of the Boston comedy scene and made appearances on Comedy Central, USA, A&E, and NESN. He has been heard on New England radio for more than 20 years, and currently “Zito and Kera” can be heard on weekday mornings on Mix 93.1. Tony V started his comedy career in 1982 in Boston. In 1986, he was named “Funniest Person in Massachusetts” by Showtime. He has also appeared on HBO, A&E, Comedy Central, and MTV. His big-screen performances include State and Main, Celtic Pride, Housesitter, One Crazy Summer, and Shakes the Clown. The doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and the comedy will begin at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are $35 per person and include an evening of laughs, hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, raffles, and more. Tickets are now available at eventbrite.com. For more information, contact Elaine Stellato at (413) 747-3371 or [email protected].

Walk of Champions

May 1: The community is invited to come together at the Quabbin Reservoir to mark the 11th annual Walk of Champions to benefit the Baystate Regional Cancer Program at Baystate Mary Lane Hospital in Ware. Since its inception, the Walk of Champions has raised more than $662,000. All funds raised remain local to support those cared for in the Baystate Health Eastern Region at Baystate Medical Center’s Mary Lane Satellite Unit and for things such as family-support counseling, educational outreach, pastoral care, medications, state-of-the-art equipment, and the Healing Garden located in the courtyard of the hospital. Pledge forms, fund-raising resources, giving opportunities, and more are available at www.baystatehealth.org/woc for businesses, community organizations, and individuals who wish to participate.

Community Enterprises Anniversary Luncheon

May 12: Richard Venne, president and CEO, invites the public to join Community Enterprises Inc. in celebrating 40 years of empowering individuals with disabilities to live, learn, work, and thrive in the community. A luncheon will be held at the Log Cabin in Holyoke from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Individual tickets are $50 per person, a reserved table for eight is $400, and tickets for clients and staff of Community Enterprise are $30. For more information about tickets, sponsoring the event, or placing an ad in the program, e-mail Krystle Bernier at [email protected] or call (413) 584-1460, ext. 120. Community Enterprises is a human-service organization that provides employment, education, housing supports, and day supports for people with disabilities. Headquartered in Northampton, it maintains 27 service locations in Massachusetts and across the U.S.

‘Maximize Your Website for Business Growth’

May 13, 20, 27: MarketingWorks, a series of educational programs for business owners, marketing professionals, and entrepreneurs hosted by Stevens 470 in Westfield, announced an upcoming program called “Maximize Your Website for Business Growth.” It meets weekly for three Friday mornings, May 13, 20, and 27. Customers, prospects, and associates make an immediate assessment of a business based on the content of its website. Participants in this group program will evaluate their current website and clarify the steps needed to make it the company’s most valuable marketing channel. For program details, visit www.stevens470.com/educational-programs.html or call Tina Stevens at (413) 568-2660.

Youth Mental-health First-aid Training

May 13, 20: Funded by a three-year grant by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) through the White House’s “Now is The Time” initiative, Clinical & Support Options Inc. is now offering free youth mental-health first-aid trainings to the community. The free, two-day training will be held at CSO’s administrative offices in Northampton; attendance both days is required. Youth mental-health first aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addiction challenge or is in crisis. The training is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental-health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a five-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including ADHD), and eating disorders. Identified on SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices, the training helps the public better identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses. Registration is required; e-mail [email protected] for a registration form. CSO is also available to bring this training on site to local agencies and businesses that wish to have a group of people trained for free. For more information on bringing this training to your agency or business, contact Allison Garriss, director, Business Development and Projects at Clinical & Support Options, at (413) 773-1314, ext. 5502 or [email protected].

40 Under Forty

June 16: The 10th 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 will be told in the April 18 issue. The event is sponsored by Northwestern Mutual and Paragus Strategic IT (presenting sponsors), EMA Dental, Health New England, Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, Moriarty & Primack, United Bank, and YPS of Greater Springfield. More details on the gala will be revealed in upcoming issues.

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