People on the Move
Carla Cosenzi
TIME magazine announced the nomination of Carla Cosenzi, president of Country Nissan in Hadley, for the 2026 TIME Dealer of the Year award. Cosenzi is one of a select group of 47 dealer nominees from across the country who will be honored at the 109th annual National Automobile Dealers Assoc. (NADA) Show in Las Vegas on Feb. 5, 2026. The TIME Dealer of the Year award is one of the automobile industry’s most prestigious and highly coveted honors, recognizing the nation’s most successful auto dealers who also demonstrate a long-standing commitment to community service. Cosenzi was chosen to represent the Massachusetts State Auto Dealers Assoc. in the national competition, one of only 47 auto dealers nominated for the 57th annual award from more than 20,000 nationwide. Second-generation president of TommyCar Auto Group, Cosenzi has grown the family business through strategic expansion — adding new franchises, launching TommyCar Collision and TommyCar Towing, and making significant investments in modern, customer-centric facilities. She also established the Carla Cares program, which reviews thousands of local requests annually and mobilizes volunteers and funding across youth programs, women’s shelters, food banks, and more, giving team members ownership of the causes they champion. The group’s signature event, the Tom Cosenzi Driving for the Cure Charity Golf Tournament, held in memory of her father, is one of the largest charity golf tournaments in Western Mass. and consistently ranks among the top 10 events supporting the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Since its founding in 2009, it has raised more than $2 million for glioblastoma cancer research, with more than 90% employee participation each year. In addition, the Tom Cosenzi Scholarship, also created in her father’s memory, awards $5,000 annually to local graduating seniors.
•••••
Steven Weiss
Attorney Steven Weiss, a shareholder at Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., a regional law firm with offices in Springfield and Northampton, is now bringing his legal expertise to a national stage. He has been elected president of the National Assoc. of Bankruptcy Trustees (NABT), the premier organization advocating for and supporting the interests of bankruptcy trustees across the country. Weiss, who has served as NABT’s first vice president, assumed the new role on Oct. 1. He has been a member of the NABT for more than two decades and is co-chair of its amicus committee, which evaluates requests for friend-of-the-court briefs to be filed in cases for which the bankruptcy profession may have an interest. He concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial and consumer bankruptcy, reorganization, and litigation. He supervises the bankruptcy, reorganization, and workout practice at Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin. He is also a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute and has been part of the private panel of chapter 7 trustees for the District of Massachusetts for 38 years. He is a graduate of Boston University School of Law.
•••••
Country Bank announced the appointment of David Gentleman as retail loan officer. With nearly 20 years of experience in the lending industry, he brings a wealth of knowledge, dedication, and customer-first values that align with Country Bank’s mission to make a difference in the communities it serves. Throughout his 18-plus years in the financial industry, Gentleman has focused on helping customers navigate the often complex process of buying a home. He takes pride in making the experience as smooth and understandable as possible, especially for first-time homebuyers. His approach to lending is built on transparency, education, and trust, qualities that have earned him long-standing relationships and even generational referrals. He also brings a strong sense of community to his work. He serves on the board of directors for North Central Massachusetts Habitat for Humanity and the Worcester Children’s Chorus, organizations that align with his passion for affordable housing and youth development through music.
•••••
Janice Pirog
Monson Savings Bank announced the promotion of Janice Pirog to Digital Systems manager. In her new role, she will oversee the workflow operations of digital banking products and services, while also managing and training employees within the eBanking Department. Pirog brings a wealth of experience to her new position. She has worked in the finance and banking industry for 33 years, including 23 years with Monson Savings Bank. Her deep understanding of banking operations and commitment to excellence have made her a valuable asset to the community bank. Like Monson Savings Bank, Pirog is involved in community initiatives. She volunteers her time as a reader in local elementary school classes and Rays of Hope, reflecting her dedication to making a positive impact both inside and outside the workplace.
•••••
Jacqueline Robles
Holyoke Community College (HCC) Police Chief Jacqueline Robles was honored on Oct. 10 as one of ‘100 Women of Color’ during a celebration at the Bushnell Theater in Hartford, Conn. The 100 Women of Color gala and awards ceremony, sponsored by the June Archer Foundation, recognizes the contributions of women of color in leadership, business, education, government, entertainment, healthcare, and public and community service, and the impact they have made on the lives of people in Connecticut and Western Mass. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Springfield, Robles is a graduate of Holyoke High School and has been a member of the HCC Police Department for 22 years. With her swearing-in in May, she became the first Latina to serve as HCC Police chief. Since then, Robles has received a slew of honors. She was named a Commonwealth Heroine by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, recognized with proclamations at the State House from both the House of Representatives and Senate, and selected as the civil service ambassador for the Springfield Puerto Rican Day Parade. A portion of the proceeds from the 100 Women of Color event supports programs and scholarships for young women of color.
•••••
Berkshire Money Management (BMM) announced that Brendan Bullett has joined its team as a financial advisor. He brings more than 20 years of experience helping Berkshire County residents navigate the transition from saving for retirement to retiring with confidence. Bullett’s experience and local roots enhance BMM’s ability to serve the growing number of people seeking retirement guidance in the Berkshires, especially in Northern Berkshire County. He has extensive experience leading employees of Williams College and Berkshire Health Systems into confident retirements and provided vital support to nurses and hospital staff who faced unexpected retirement transitions following the closure of North Adams Regional Hospital in 2014.
•••••
Xiaolei Hua
Shadia Coley
Florence Bank announced that Xiaolei Hua has joined the bank as vice president / commercial loan officer, while Shadia Coley has been named branch manager / branch officer of the bank’s new Holyoke office set to open in 2026. Hua has 20 years of banking experience, and prior to joining Florence Bank, he held the positions of commercial credit officer, assistant vice president / portfolio manager, and vice president / commercial lending. He is skilled in business development, relationship management, financial and credit analysis, and underwriting. In his new role, he will develop, manage, and deepen client relationships while supporting the bank’s strategic growth goals. Hua holds both a bachelor’s degree in finance and an MBA from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst. He also attended the New England School for Financial Studies at Babson College, which trains banking professionals. He is a board member and finance & investment committee member for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and a board member and finance committee member for Tech Foundry. He was named to the 40 Under Forty class of 2013 by BusinessWest. Coley has more than 10 years of banking experience and previously held the positions of assistant branch manager / business specialist and branch manager. In addition to managing Florence Bank’s newest branch, she will oversee community outreach and engagement, team leadership, and coaching and customer service. Coley holds both a bachelor’s degree in business administration and an MBA with a concentration in finance from Southern New Hampshire University. She sits on the board for Dress for Success Western Massachusetts.
•••••
Stacy Farber
Whittlesey announced that Partner Stacy Farber has been named to Forbes’ “America’s Top 200 CPAs” list for 2025. This prestigious list honors the nation’s most accomplished and trusted CPAs across various specializations and regions, recognizing those with exceptional expertise, leadership, and community service. Forbes’ editorial team selected honorees through a rigorous process involving independent nominations, direct outreach, and comprehensive editorial review. Farber joined Whittlesey in 2025 as an assurance partner, bringing more than 25 years of experience in public accounting. She provides assurance and advisory services to closely held entities in manufacturing, construction, retail, franchising, and employee benefit plans. Her prior roles as CFO and controller for privately held businesses give her an understanding of clients’ financial and operational challenges. Her professional excellence has earned her numerous accolades, including recognition as one of the Hartford Business Journal’s Top 25 Women in Business (2023) and the CTCPA Women Distinguished Service Award (2024). She is active in the Assoc. of International CPAs and the Connecticut Society of CPAs, where she serves as chair of the employee benefit plan committee and a member of the advisory council. She also previously served as treasurer and board member at Gifts of Love, reflecting her deep commitment to community service.
•••••
Western Mass.-based author J.D. O’Brien is among 20 featured writers in this year’s Best American Mystery and Suspense short fiction collection. His story, “Outlaw Country,” follows a struggling Nashville country singer who decides the best way to get his name in lights is to commit a high-profile crime. It originally appeared in the journal Starlite Pulp and was selected for the Best American Mystery and Suspense anthology by New York Times bestselling author Don Winslow and series editor Steph Cha. The annual series features the finest mystery short fiction published in the previous year. O’Brien is the author of the novel Zig Zag, a 2023 Southwest Book of the Year.
•••••
Dana Robb
Ray Smith
Pittsfield Cooperative Bank announced the promotions of Dana Robb and Ray Smith to senior vice president positions. Robb was promoted to senior vice president, Retail Banking & Operations, bringing more than two decades of experience in the financial services industry. A graduate of the 2016 Berkshire Leadership Program, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing customer experience and operational excellence within the bank. Deeply rooted in the community, he is also involved with the Dalton Community Recreation Center and serves on the board for Girls Inc. He is a 2024 graduate of the New England School of Banking. Smith was promoted to senior vice president, Marketing and Communications. He brings 30 years of experience in marketing and communications, spanning industries such as technology, consumer goods, travel, healthcare, and finance. His community involvement includes past service on the boards of the Southwestern Vermont and Williamstown chambers of commerce, as well as volunteering for Williamstown’s annual Holiday Walk. He received his bachelor’s degree in communications from Colby-Sawyer College and his master’s degree in corporate communications from Ithaca College.
•••••
Advantage Truck Group (ATG) diesel technician Riley Sullivan has been named one of the 2025 NEXT Top Talent Award winners by the Next Generation in Trucking Assoc. This national recognition celebrates young diesel technicians and CDL drivers under age 30 who are setting a new standard for excellence, professionalism, and purpose in the trucking industry. Sullivan is one of 20 diesel technicians from across the country to be recognized with this award. Sullivan joined ATG’s shop in Westfield in 2020, beginning his career as a diesel technician through the cooperative education program at Westfield Technical Academy. Today, he not only actively mentors and guides co-ops and apprentices, but has also completed more training hours than any other technician his age across all eight ATG locations.
•••••
Matthew Sheridan
Michael Johnson
Matthew Sheridan, founder and managing director of Salmon Falls Wealth Advisors, announced that Michael Johnson has joined the firm as associate director and senior wealth advisor. Sheridan and Johnson first worked together at the former A.G. Edwards & Sons office in Greenfield and have maintained a long-standing professional respect for one another. Both have extensive experience managing investment and insurance programs at local financial institutions and share a client-first philosophy rooted in trust and integrity. Salmon Falls Wealth Advisors, in partnership with LPL Financial, provides independent financial guidance and personalized strategies for retirement planning, investment management, and estate and tax planning. The firm is located at 50 State St., Shelburne Falls. Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, member FINRA/SIPC.
•••••
Eight attorneys with Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., a multi-disciplinary law firm with offices in Springfield and Northampton, were selected for inclusion in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers in America or Ones to Watch, with two receiving the prestigious Lawyer of the Year designation in their practice areas. Carol Cioe Klyman was named Lawyer of the Year in Springfield for both trusts and estates and elder law. She was also recognized in Best Lawyers in America for her work in these fields, marking the 19th consecutive year she has received Best Lawyers recognition. Steven Weiss was selected for Best Lawyers in America for bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights / insolvency and reorganization law for the 14th consecutive year. He was additionally honored as Lawyer of the Year in Springfield for this practice area. Timothy Mulhern, managing partner, was recognized for his excellence in corporate law and tax law. Michele Feinstein was honored in Best Lawyers in America for elder law, litigation – trusts and estates, and trusts and estates. She was previously named Lawyer of the Year in trusts and estates in 2025 and has been honored annually since 2013. Gary Fentin, founding shareholder, was recognized for banking and finance law and commercial transactions / Uniform Commercial Code law. Steven Schwartz, founding shareholder, was recognized for business organizations (including LLCs and partnerships), closely held companies, and corporate law. James Sheils was honored for commercial transactions / Uniform Commercial Code law. A partner with the firm since 1985, Sheils has been recognized by Best Lawyers annually since 2015. Stephen Sobey was recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for trusts and estates.
•••••
Kathy Martin
Glenmeadow Inc. announced that President and CEO Kathy Martin has been elected to a three-year term on the board of trustees of LeadingAge Massachusetts, an association dedicated to supporting the work of not-for-profit aging service providers. The appointment was made during LeadingAge Massachusetts’ 71st annual meeting of the membership and awards ceremony, held at College of the Holy Cross. Martin’s election reflects her commitment to advancing the mission of not-for-profit aging service providers and her leadership in reframing perceptions of aging more broadly. Western Mass. is well-represented on the LeadingAge Massachusetts board. At the same ceremony, Margaret Mantoni, CEO of the Loomis Communities, was elected chair of the board, succeeding Walter Ramos, president and CEO of Rogerson Communities, who will continue to serve as immediate past chair.
