Company Notebook

Napatree Capital Merges with Bradley, Foster & Sargent

WESTERLY, R.I. — Bradley, Foster & Sargent (BFS) has completed a merger with Napatree Capital, bringing together two of Southern New England’s leading wealth-management and investment firms. The former Napatree Capital will maintain its offices in Westerly, R.I. and Longmeadow. BFS also has offices in Wellesley; Hartford, Litchfield, and Stonington, Conn.; Delray Beach, Fla., Portland, Maine; and Chicago. BFS is a Barron’s Top 100 RIA Firm with approximately $8 billion in client assets under management and was recently named one of the Hartford Business Journal’s Best Places to Work for a third consecutive year. Napatree Capital was founded by Jeff Liguori in 2018, where he served as managing partner and chief investment officer, and currently has approximately $350 million in assets under management. Liguori joins BFS as an executive vice president and portfolio manager following the merger. Liguori and Aaron Simmons, a key member of the Napatree team who is also joining BFS as a portfolio manager through the merger, previously worked with BFS President and CEO Galan Daukas and other members of the BFS team in past roles at People’s United Advisors and Washington Trust Investors. Daukas, Liguori, and Simmons all grew up in Westerly. In addition to Liguori and Simmons, chartered financial analyst Matt Landon, a partner at Napatree Capital, will bring more than 25 years of investment experience to BFS as a portfolio manager. Mike Moses, who is a chartered market technician and capital markets and securities analyst with more than 25 years of broad investment experience, joins BFS as a securities trader.

Summerlin Floors Continues Tradition with Donation to GCC

AMHERST — Summerlin Floors, a family- and woman-owned flooring business based in Amherst, has made its annual contribution of $2,500 to Greenfield Community College (GCC). This donation is an ongoing commitment to support the success of GCC students. Ann Bronner, owner of Summerlin Floors and a GCC alumna, is passionate about giving back to the community and investing in the future generation of scholars, and makes the annual donation in memory of her daughter, Erin Summerlin. With a deep belief in the power of education and the importance of a strong community, Bronner aims to ensure students have the resources they need to be successful and pursue their dreams both academically and personally. Summerlin Floors is confident that Erin would be honored to be remembered in a way that supports others in their educational journeys. They are thrilled to ensure her legacy lives on and thank Greenfield Community College for making a lasting impact on the lives of its students and beyond.

Serv-U Locksmiths Acquired by Island Master Locksmiths

SPRINGFIELD — The Vann Group, a strategic consulting and transactional advisory services firm, announced that its client, Serv-U Locksmiths of Western Massachusetts, has been acquired by Island Master Locksmiths (IML). The company, originally founded in 1954, has been a trusted physical-security provider across Western Mass. and Northern Conn. Steven Horowitz, former owner of Serv-U, will stay on in a consulting role during the transition. IML Security was acquired by Northwoods Partners, a family office investment group, in April 2023. Since then, the company has experienced rapid growth and continues to expand its footprint from Maine to Virginia.

Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast Announces Executive Peer Group

AGAWAM — The Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast (EANE) announced the launch of its Executive Peer Group, an exclusive leadership forum designed to connect senior executives across industries in a confidential, collaborative setting. This invitation-only group provides C-suite and senior leaders with a trusted network to exchange ideas, tackle challenges, and strengthen leadership impact. Through expert-facilitated sessions, members will engage in strategic discussions on key business issues such as workforce planning, succession, change management, innovation, and executive decision making. Key benefits of participation include confidential peer-to-peer sharing and problem solving, insight on emerging trends and executive-level challenges, access to expert facilitation and curated leadership resources, and a trusted circle for accountability, innovation, and personal growth. This program is ideal for CEOs, presidents, COOs, CFOs, and other senior decision makers looking to elevate their leadership in today’s complex business environment. To learn more or express interest in joining, email Ebner at [email protected].

JC Sports Opens at Holyoke Mall

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Mall celebrated the grand opening of JD Sports, a global leader in athletic footwear, apparel, and accessories, on April 19. The new store, located on the lower level near Aerie, offers brands like Nike, HOKA, and UGG, as well as limited-edition releases. “We’re thrilled to welcome JD Sports to Holyoke Mall,” Marketing Director Kristen Hinckley said. “Their focus on high-quality products and exclusive releases will appeal to visitors who are passionate about athletic style and performance.”

Berkshire Bank Foundation Invests in Local Nonprofits

BOSTON — Berkshire Bank Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Berkshire Bank, invested more than $400,000 in communities through grants and other giving in the first quarter of the year. Several Berkshire County organizations were among the 118 nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Vermont that the foundation supported from January to March, including Berkshire Innovation Center Inc., Berkshire Community College Foundation Inc., Blackshires Community Empowerment Foundation, Hillcrest Educational Centers Inc., and Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires Inc. The foundation supports the success of the communities the bank serves by investing in programs that aim to provide everyone with an equal opportunity at economic prosperity.