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Month: January 2014
Carol Campbell Thrives in the Male-dominated Construction Field
As she spoke with BusinessWest last week, Carol Campbell was preparing to head down to Walt Disney World to run in her fourth half-marathon.
“I have to be competitive in business, but I’m not a good runner,” she laughed. “You’ll never see me in the top 100; my goal is to finish. But the training keeps me healthy, which allows me to do everything else I do. And it’s a good time for thinking.”
Of course, a few days in Florida in January — while much of the northern U.S. deals with something ominously called the polar vortex — isn’t a bad thing in itself. Or, as Campbell put it, “I’ll go run anywhere that’s flat and warm.”
But running isn’t the same thing as running a company, and she’s thrilled that her firm, Chicopee Industrial Contractors (CIC), has largely recovered from a very flat period that began in late 2009 and lingered through a crippling recession. “We’re good,” she said. “We’ve had better years, but I’m happy that we’re on a nice, steady incline.”
To get to this point, however, the company endured what she called the first crisis of morale in its 22-year history.
“We have had great years, and we have had OK years. Then, in 2009, I experienced something I had never seen in business — we just hit a brick wall,” Campbell said. While other types of businesses had been struggling since early 2008, CIC — whose services include rigging, millwrighting, plant and machine relocation, and structural steel installation — benefited, sadly, from a number of area plant closings.
“We were quite busy. We had a great year in 2008 and most of 2009, and then in December, I knew what everyone else was talking about.”
That began a period of downsizing and relative inactivity so severe that CIC essentially had to return to the infancy stage of its business to recover.
“We still had an infrastructure, but it had been chipped away because we had dealt with layoffs, dealt with downsizing, and lost some positions to attrition, and then, as the market started to increase, we were expected to do everything we had done before. We had the bones, but just the bones.”
And she’s not talking about the milk bones that Abigail, her 10-year-old llasa apso, snacks on when she accompanies Campbell to work every day. She’s long joked that Abigail has a role at CIC just like any other employee, even if it’s just providing stress relief through a few moments of therapeutic petting.
Hopefully the next several years will bring less stress than the last few, but if not, well, she and her team have overcome plenty of challenges before.
Moving Parts
Before launching CIC in 1992, Campbell was working as director of marketing and development for the UMass Fine Arts Center, but looking for an entrepreneurial challenge.
The recession of the early ’90s had taken a toll on various sectors of the economy, and three area rigging plants had shut down. CIC was a way to rescue many of those workers — including Campbell’s now-ex husband — and hit the ground running with a skilled team and equipment bought on the cheap.
“Some other businesses were not surviving, so there was a ready workforce for us. We were also able to get a lot of equipment at 50 cents on the dollar because of the auctions happening in the companies that closed,” she recalled. “So our entry into the market was a reasonably easy one.”
The economic landscape was still challenging, though, and Campbell faced personal trials as well, including a difficult divorce. But she gradually grew CIC’s client base to close to 1,500, with the majority of work coming form a core of a couple hundred repeat customers.
Carol Campbell says CIC’s rebound from the recession has allowed it to invest more heavily in personnel and equipment.
“We had the same customer base, but they were dealing with their own issues from the recession,” she said. “All of a sudden, price just became the number-one driver in sales — whoever could provide the best price. Also, some businesses were trying to do their own rigging in house, as opposed to taking on that extra cost.”
She said it was “many months” before CIC got to the point where it could start investing in new equipment and regrowing the business — and to start rebuilding morale.
“One of the hardest things that came from the recession — and you find a thread of this with everyone you talk to — is, when there’s such uncertainty about work, there’s a change in morale,” she told BusinessWest. “We never had issues with morale prior to this; we had always been very solid. That’s why we spend so much of our resources on our workforce, training our workforce and keeping them at the level they need to be able to perform.”
That focus on rebuilding from within, Campbell said, has helped coax CIC back onto a steady incline of growth.
“We’ve been working with a grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to educate our workforce on computers — we’ve had a big difference in the level of knowledge about computers — and we’ve brought in outside facilitators and also had training from within,” she explained. “We’ve invested in a lot of new equipment, too; over the last couple of years, we’ve really increased our equipment inventory.”
Campbell repeatedly came back to the value she places on her workers — “we’ve been very fortunate, and many of our employees have stayed here many years,” she noted — partly because such a specialized field of construction faces a regional skills gap.
“We need to find programs to educate the workforce,” she said. “Having the desire to do this is not enough. You have to have experience. We do a lot of on-the-job training, but you still have to come in with years of experience.”
To that end, she’s teaming with other firms to develop more training programs in the community, as well as trying to create smoother career paths from technical schools into her industry.
“It all comes back to the same thing — we want to expand the company and offer new services, but we still need the workforce,” she said. “They say unemployment is high, but we don’t see that here.”
Growth Plans
That said, rigging, millwrighting, and CIC’s other specialties don’t tend to follow a specific business cycle, as evidenced by the flurry of plant-shutdown activity of 2008 and that figurative brick wall in late 2009. “It’s a feast-or-famine type of business,” Campbell noted.
But while the Great Recession might have changed the bar, she told BusinessWest she’s happy with where the company is right now, despite the fact that major expansion plans in Louisiana several years ago didn’t come to fruition — partly because of the difficulty penetrating a stubborn old-boys network.
“Our goal had always been to open up down south,” she said. “But we’re looking at some other opportunities up here for expanding our services. In the ’90s, everyone was, ‘do what you do best and outsource the rest.’ Now, everyone is looking for that one-stop shop. We’re pretty turnkey — from concrete and foundation installation to some structural steelwork to rigging and assembling — but we want to expand on that.”
She says being a female CEO in a male-dominated industry is neither the challenge nor benefit some might believe. Rather, what Campbell brings to the table is far more than her gender, as evidenced by an embroidered pillow in her office bearing the expression, “behind every successful woman is … herself.”
“There’s certainly no advantage to being a woman in this business,” she said. “Certainly we have all the certifications [as a woman-owned company], but I can count on one hand how many times we were hired because of those. It’s just not part of the hiring process for us. When they need our skills, they need our skills.”
And companies really do need those skills. She recalled one recent project where the client said CIC made the work look easy.
“But the next time they try it themselves, they get in trouble, and we get a last-minute call,” she said. “It’s a skill, and it’s an art. Sometimes it can be enjoyable to watch, like a ballet, watching someone set this large, awkward, heavy piece almost on a dime. I saw someone today who did not have an eighth of an inch of clearance as he moved the piece around. It’s a touch; it’s a feel.”
At the same time, she has a feel for the community around her, long making civic involvement a key part of her life.
“I feel Chicopee Industrial Contractors has an obligation to give back to the community,” said Campbell, who serves on the board and executive committee of Westmass Development, the executive board of the Women’s Fund of Western Mass., the board of Associated Industries of Mass., and the board of directors for the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce, as well as recently being invited to the Dress for Success board of directors, just to name a few activities.
“It’s a way I can give back, but I’d be foolish not to say it’s a good way to network, too,” she told BusinessWest. “There’s a good feeling of pride and self-worth in being able to use the skills and knowledge and experience that you just take for granted to help your peers, to help their organizations meet their goals.”
Bottom Line
It’s not much different, after all, than helping CIC’s clients reach their goals.
“The follow-up calls with customers are always positive,” Campbell noted. “That’s because we work hard to meet and exceed our customers’ expectations, and I think we’ll continue to do that.”
After all, running a successful business is a marathon, not a sprint. Well, a half-marathon, at least.
Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]
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
BERNARDSTON
77 Martindale Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Sarah M. Burnap
Seller: Robert J. Stetzel
Date: 12/02/13
BUCKLAND
19 Bray Road
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $116,235
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Paul B. Gray
Date: 12/12/13
CONWAY
42 Delabarre Ave.
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: JP Morgan Chase Bank
Seller: Abigail A. Brahms
Date: 12/03/13
DEERFIELD
85 North Main St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Laurie Cuevas
Seller: Roman Catholic Bishop of Springfield
Date: 12/05/13
30 Old Main St.
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $437,500
Buyer: Richard W. Wilby
Seller: Katharine Wilby
Date: 12/11/13
ERVING
4 Goodell Place
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Steven A. Miss
Seller: Kevin S. Dubreuill
Date: 12/06/13
GILL
52 Center Road
Gill, MA 01354
Amount: $249,900
Buyer: Jason A. Coombs
Seller: Marlee E. Kaplan
Date: 12/02/13
67 Mount Hermon Road
Gill, MA 01354
Amount: $269,000
Buyer: Northfield Mt. Hermon School
Seller: Christine T. Scace
Date: 12/13/13
GREENFIELD
40 Mary Potter Lane
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $218,000
Buyer: William C. Whiteman
Seller: Viola M. Knowlton RET
Date: 12/06/13
106 Meadow Lane
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $322,000
Buyer: Robert K. Moorhead
Seller: Joseph R. Charron
Date: 12/06/13
148 Montague City Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Center for Human Development Inc.
Seller: Jorden Quinn Consult LLC
Date: 12/09/13
20 Prentice Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $182,500
Buyer: Jessie L. Graham
Seller: Kara W. McCormic
Date: 12/04/13
7 Raingley Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $118,000
Buyer: Andrea S. Martin
Seller: Alice E. Melaven
Date: 12/03/13
19 Shattuck St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $189,000
Buyer: Bernard V. Mann
Seller: Valerie P. Widdison
Date: 12/05/13
28 Wunsch Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $166,000
Buyer: Andrew M. Cloutier
Seller: Paul Eldridge
Date: 12/06/13
LEVERETT
53 Richardson Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Rosemarie Lega
Seller: Carol S. Hetrick
Date: 12/09/13
MONROE
Main Road
Monroe, MA 01350
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: John T. Hasenjaeger
Seller: James A. Natta
Date: 12/09/13
10 Willey Road
Monroe, MA 01350
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Erich Hasenjaeger
Seller: Daniel J. Cassidy
Date: 12/09/13
MONTAGUE
90 5th St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Rich Young Property Mgmt.
Seller: John D. Campbell
Date: 12/04/13
9 Clark Ave.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Angela M. Amidon
Seller: Parker, Helen F., (Estate)
Date: 12/06/13
7 Madison Ave.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $152,500
Buyer: Christopher M. Fisk
Seller: Jeol A. Burnap
Date: 12/02/13
74 Park St.
Montague, MA 01349
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Tim A. Dusenberry
Seller: Leslie G. Cromack
Date: 12/06/13
NORTHFIELD
78 Main St.
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: David G. Quinn
Seller: A. R. Sandri Inc.
Date: 12/11/13
50 Warwick Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Adam T. McCarthy
Seller: Samuel J. Browning
Date: 12/06/13
ROWE
312 Zoar Road
Rowe, MA 01367
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Unitarian Universalist
Seller: John N. Hoffman
Date: 12/05/13
SUNDERLAND
351 Montague Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Susan A. Ahulman
Seller: Robert A. Shotwell
Date: 12/12/13
215 North Silver Lane
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $189,000
Buyer: Meegan L. Schreiber
Seller: Wood, Janice, (Estate)
Date: 12/06/13
66 Old Amherst Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Valley Building Co. Inc.
Seller: Servicenet Inc.
Date: 12/09/13
HAMPDEN COUNTY
AGAWAM
46 Country Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $164,809
Buyer: Gary R. Couture
Seller: Raymond E. Provost
Date: 12/09/13
176 Forest Hill Road
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $138,135
Buyer: Beneficial Mass. Inc.
Seller: Maryann A. Ferrigno
Date: 12/05/13
33 Forest Ridge Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $319,000
Buyer: Scott E. Stuckenbruck
Seller: Francis J. Campbell
Date: 12/02/13
20 Princeton Ave.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $199,900
Buyer: Susan M. Murray
Seller: Stanley H. Skorupski
Date: 12/03/13
425 South Westfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $190,900
Buyer: Ashley E. Jacobs
Seller: Geraldine Waniewski
Date: 12/06/13
253 School St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Danielle Korona
Seller: Robert G. Dellagiustina
Date: 12/03/13
235 Silver Lake Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $321,000
Buyer: Palmarina L. Ochoa
Seller: Daniel F. Walsh
Date: 12/03/13
44 Wilson St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $146,000
Buyer: Jessica D. Darosa
Seller: Ann E. Levenson
Date: 12/06/13
CHICOPEE
68 Bernard St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Colleen A. Zemrock
Seller: Labonte, Gertrude M., (Estate)
Date: 12/11/13
7 Bunker Lane
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $468,000
Buyer: James C. Leonard
Seller: Country Club Estates NT
Date: 12/13/13
74 Daniel Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Edward L. Senecal
Seller: Joseph C. Paulo
Date: 12/03/13
29 Elliot St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $172,000
Buyer: Joseph Chmielewski
Seller: Joseph W. Fagan
Date: 12/04/13
147 Fairview Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $124,900
Buyer: Mary A. Anderson
Seller: Jacqueline A. Mortell
Date: 12/06/13
Hampden St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Jorge V. Santos
Seller: Richard A. Grabiec
Date: 12/12/13
81 Laclede Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $237,156
Buyer: James B. Nutter & Co.
Seller: Jean A. Tougas
Date: 12/03/13
56 Marble Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $142,000
Buyer: Seamus P. Cullen
Seller: Kelly J. Bartolo
Date: 12/09/13
106 Medford St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Ali Y. Alatea
Seller: Noga RT
Date: 12/11/13
84 Oakwood St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Scott M. Martin
Seller: Timothy B. Martin
Date: 12/02/13
19 Post Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $274,000
Buyer: Richard W. Leduc
Seller: Kenneth R. Willette
Date: 12/11/13
18 Robert St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $142,500
Buyer: 18 Robert Street RT
Seller: Sheri A. Hayes
Date: 12/11/13
11 Veterans Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01022
Amount: $1,150,000
Buyer: Apex Realty Holdings LLC
Seller: JFM Realty LLC
Date: 12/13/13
EAST LONGMEADOW
20 Betterley Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: Floyd J. Young
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 12/03/13
31 Birchland Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Michael Araujo
Seller: Stefania Raschilla
Date: 12/03/13
29 Fenway Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Margaret A. Blais
Date: 12/05/13
23 Glynn Farms Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $367,000
Buyer: Michael D. Bareiss
Seller: Anne M. Rideout
Date: 12/05/13
35 Industrial Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $2,050,000
Buyer: Garden Park LLC
Seller: Kimball Brothers Realty LLP
Date: 12/10/13
126 Prospect St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $211,000
Buyer: Paul C. Spedero
Seller: Stephen Beek
Date: 12/12/13
310 Prospect St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Jeffrey M. Cabral
Seller: Donatelle FT
Date: 12/13/13
9 Westminster St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $189,900
Buyer: Evelyn Paige
Seller: Robert J. Peskin
Date: 12/03/13
HOLLAND
30 Hamilton Dr.
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $199,500
Buyer: Thomas P. Wilhelm
Seller: Joanne M. Roberts
Date: 12/06/13
HOLYOKE
Cherry St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Cade M. Jerome
Seller: William C. Phaneuf
Date: 12/12/13
1632 Northampton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Almark Realty LLP
Seller: Fredric P. Sellica
32 Ridgeway St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $169,000
Buyer: Alexander I. Temkin
Seller: Andrew B. Madera
Date: 12/09/13
11 Scott Hollow Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Bruce Richardson
Seller: Jason D. Canaway
Date: 12/13/13
246 Suffolk St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Terrence D. Bernard
Seller: James P. Hobert
Date: 12/12/13
LONGMEADOW
28 Edgemont St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Soennato RT
Seller: Richard H. Theriault
Date: 12/05/13
33 Summit Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $234,000
Buyer: Melissa M. Contois
Seller: Denise M. Greenberg
Date: 12/03/13
81 Windsor Place
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $242,000
Buyer: Linda A. Magnani
Seller: William M. Lafrance
Date: 12/12/13
LUDLOW
600 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $253,000
Buyer: Gen E. Battistini
Seller: Ann Parrini
Date: 12/03/13
42 Deroche Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Fernando A. Pereira
Seller: Paulo L. Roxo
Date: 12/13/13
306 Lyon St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Stephen Santos
Seller: Anthony W. Schabowski
Date: 12/11/13
204 Prospect St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Amy M. Laberge
Seller: Barbara J. Picard
Date: 12/06/13
228 Sewall St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $132,215
Buyer: HSBC Mortgage Services Inc.
Seller: Romeo Costea
Date: 12/04/13
93 Tilley St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Westover Metropolitan Development Corp.
Seller: Richard W. Leduc
Date: 12/10/13
MONSON
7 Old Stagecoach Dr.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Arthur T. Wnuk
Seller: Ann E. Eckl
Date: 12/11/13
230 Silver St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $247,500
Buyer: Matthew G. Shiel
Seller: Ronald L. Hasenjager
Date: 12/03/13
PALMER
23 Birch St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $132,000
Buyer: Michael J. Skozylas
Seller: Bruce J. Charwick
Date: 12/12/13
1 Bowden St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $159,900
Buyer: Richmond E. Young
Seller: Mary J. Heede
Date: 12/13/13
6 Fieldstone Dr.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Steven Weigel
Seller: Mark Olson
Date: 12/13/13
4137 High St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $124,000
Buyer: Nathan A. McClain
Seller: Tamara L. Ketchum
Date: 12/03/13
28 Juniper Dr.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $212,000
Buyer: Andrew D. Sullivan
Seller: Pamela Outhuse
Date: 12/13/13
57 North St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $133,000
Buyer: Rafal D. Grabarski
Seller: John A. Kislo
Date: 12/06/13
8 Old Farm Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Daniel P. King
Seller: Michael R. Freeman
Date: 12/03/13
1076 Overlook Dr.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $228,454
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Todd A. Goulet
Date: 12/04/13
4024 School St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Richard A. Lavigne
Seller: Lorraine Novak
Date: 12/02/13
RUSSELL
286 Woodland Way
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $333,000
Buyer: Albert Grimaldi
Seller: George S. Turner
Date: 12/13/13
SPRINGFIELD
110 Arnold Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $137,000
Buyer: Norma I. Lopez-Reyes
Seller: Joseph Basile
Date: 12/06/13
112 Bellamy Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Katia B. Gonzalez
Seller: Rita M. Letendre
Date: 12/10/13
501 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Vincenzo Amore
Seller: JC Consulting Corp.
Date: 12/13/13
180 Benz St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $129,500
Buyer: Highridge Real Estate LLC
Seller: Dawn W. Rodgers
Date: 12/03/13
117 Bremen St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $143,000
Buyer: Andreas G. Groussis
Seller: Joseph Norton
Date: 12/03/13
672 Chestnut St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Yellowbrick Property LLC
Seller: Yellowbrick Property LLC
Date: 12/12/13
149 Cooley St.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $191,427
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Kim M. Santinello
Date: 12/11/13
109 Eddywood St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $129,000
Buyer: Matthew J. Foley
Seller: Scheehser, E. J., (Estate)
Date: 12/03/13
111 Emerson St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Alex E. Ortiz
Seller: Leonard J. Simmonds
Date: 12/02/13
131 Florida St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Mister Mister LLC
Seller: T&T Florida Street LLC
Date: 12/10/13
73 Holly St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Andre B. Martins
Seller: Albert O. Stonge
Date: 12/13/13
28 Huron St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Wanda I. Rivera
Seller: Lalonde, Mary E., (Estate)
Date: 12/13/13
61 Irene St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Gendron FT
Seller: Callahan, Jeremiah C., (Estate)
Date: 12/13/13
364 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: JPMT Realty LLC
Seller: Hispanic Resources Inc.
Date: 12/02/13
98 Manchester Terrace
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $174,000
Buyer: Barbara Y. Damato
Seller: Celeste A. Asikainen
Date: 12/04/13
53 Mayflower Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $160,500
Buyer: Joel Padilla
Seller: Robert F. Kirchherr
Date: 12/10/13
132 Merrimac Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $122,750
Buyer: Christine M. Wood
Seller: Campagnari Construction LLC
Date: 12/13/13
55 Old Farm Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $169,063
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Patricia A. Donovan
Date: 12/04/13
619 State St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: 619 State Street LLC
Seller: Bronson Inc.
Date: 12/09/13
154 Tremont St. #223
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $179,900
Buyer: Leishla Dones-Ayala
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 12/11/13
196 Wachusett St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $156,000
Buyer: Vincent Desantis
Seller: Joseph A. Barbieri
Date: 12/06/13
24 Wait St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Eliezer Soto
Seller: Terri L. Casiano
Date: 12/10/13
127 Winton St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $115,500
Buyer: Mary K. Frodema
Seller: Mark G. Leonard
Date: 12/03/13
SOUTHWICK
10 Grandview St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $236,000
Buyer: Anthony A. Rotondo
Seller: Mary E. Ripley
Date: 12/03/13
301 Granville Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $162,900
Buyer: Andrew J. White
Seller: Dennis W. Russell
Date: 12/06/13
91 Granville Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $223,000
Buyer: Sage R. Fury
Seller: Michael F. Ruccio
Date: 12/13/13
159 Klaus Anderson Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Brenna L. Comee
Seller: Brian P. Houlihan
Date: 12/13/13
6 Maple St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $182,000
Buyer: Kenneth M. Parentela
Seller: James J. Comee
Date: 12/12/13
WESTFIELD
20 Fairview Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Richard H. Theriault
Seller: Eileen Scagliarini
Date: 12/05/13
17 Knox Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: Douglas A. Reed
Seller: Richard D. Frost
Date: 12/06/13
180 Loomis Ridge
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $389,900
Buyer: Daniel H. Estee
Seller: Angelo Correa-Denoncourt
Date: 12/11/13
28 Mechanic St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Joshua A. Toomey
Seller: Benjamin Aspinall
Date: 12/02/13
76 Orange St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $127,000
Buyer: William F. Barry
Seller: Tina M. Polley
Date: 12/13/13
28 Otis St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Anatoliy Ivanenko
Seller: Lynn M. Markel
Date: 12/06/13
48 Pineridge Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Charles E. Fuller
Seller: Arthur A. Natella
Date: 12/06/13
7 Pinewood Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $172,500
Buyer: Travis B. Fanion
Seller: Regina D. Zalenski
Date: 12/12/13
168 Prospect St. Ext.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Stephen Foster
Seller: FNMA
Date: 12/13/13
23 Russellville Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Sergey Gut
Seller: Aleksandr Gut
40 Waterford Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $376,500
Buyer: Lynn M. Poulin
Seller: John J. Parrow
Date: 12/05/13
79 Westwood Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $258,000
Buyer: Michael J. Gibbons
Seller: Daniel H. Estee
Date: 12/12/13
12 Woodcliff Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $269,000
Buyer: Kelly J. Bartolo
Seller: Neil M. Gibree
Date: 12/09/13
WILBRAHAM
12 Carla Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $359,900
Buyer: Raymond E. Antaya
Seller: Black River RT
Date: 12/11/13
12 Devonshire Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Norman D. Dudley
Seller: Irene F. Gendron
Date: 12/13/13
7 Laurel Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Jules O. Gaudreau
Seller: Edmond Akubuiro
Date: 12/04/13
22 Manchonis Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $185,773
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Tyron J. Zaitshik
Date: 12/10/13
55 Soule Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $136,000
Seller: Tammy A. Boland
Date: 12/03/13
1 Sunnyside Terrace
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $177,000
Buyer: Vitor M. Tavares
Seller: Raymond E. Antaya
Date: 12/03/13
WEST SPRINGFIELD
57 Armstrong St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Elliot A. Szlachetka
Seller: Tags Asset Management LLC
Date: 12/12/13
135 Chestnut St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Pasquale G. Albano
Seller: Donna J. Viens
Date: 12/02/13
389 Gooseberry Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Ellen R. Dagostino
Seller: Diane L. Ansty
Date: 12/12/13
88 Janet St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $159,000
Buyer: Auri M. Gibbons
Seller: Lynch FT
Date: 12/10/13
86 Jensen Circle
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: David A. Congo
Seller: Vincent Desantis
Date: 12/06/13
57 Maple Terrace
West Springfield, MA 01089
Buyer: Cynthia Capella
Seller: RSP Realty LLC
Date: 12/13/13
101 Norman St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Jibber Holdings LLC
Seller: Domenic V. Battista
Date: 12/06/13
321 Prospect Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $253,000
Buyer: Leo H. Blain
Seller: Richard F. Seidell
Date: 12/12/13
57 Russell St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Elmira Afrailova
Seller: Dmitriy Shapovalov
Date: 12/05/13
380 Westfield St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: MOR Services Inc.
Seller: Adolf O. Kastel
Date: 12/06/13
HAMPSHIRE COUNTY
AMHERST
40 Dickinson St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $474,000
Buyer: Amherst College
Seller: Todd Volk
Date: 12/06/13
12 Duxbury Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Arthur W. Berg
Seller: Claire Christopherson
Date: 12/10/13
233 East Pleasant St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Stephen J. Payne
Seller: Trachy, Kathryn M., (Estate)
Date: 12/13/13
31 Maplewood Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Kurt C. Wise
Seller: Joyce M. Conlon
Date: 12/03/13
8 Whippletree Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $530,000
Buyer: Deepak K. Ganesan
Seller: David M. Graham
Date: 12/13/13
BELCHERTOWN
5 Dogwood Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $372,000
Buyer: James E. Tisdell
Seller: J. N. Duquette & Sons Construction
Date: 12/06/13
1111 Federal St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Michael T. Frangakis
Seller: Earlef F. Shumway
Date: 12/13/13
25 Old Sawmill Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Edward R. Heroux
Seller: Peggy J. Battaini
Date: 12/05/13
27 Tucker Lane
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Robert R. Saltis
Seller: Gilles A. Gagnon
Date: 12/13/13
CUMMINGTON
13 Jordan Road
Cummington, MA 01026
Amount: $179,000
Buyer: Deborah R. Gavito
Seller: Maryanne Pacitti
Date: 12/13/13
17 West Main St.
Cummington, MA 01026
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Phillip Perrault LT
Seller: Mary E. Heon
Date: 12/03/13
EASTHAMPTON
32 Brook St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $264,000
Buyer: Shawn O’Brien
Seller: Gloria F. Tremblay
Date: 12/06/13
97 Ferry St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $291,550
Buyer: Colby E. Quinn
Seller: Alicia E. Hackerson
Date: 12/12/13
2 Grant St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $208,500
Buyer: Stephen C. Robinson
Seller: Stanley F. Perzan
Date: 12/05/13
80 Maple St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $191,888
Buyer: Shelley E. Kaluche
Seller: Robert E. McCarthy
Date: 12/09/13
12 River Valley Way
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $299,900
Buyer: Michele A. Cooper
Seller: EH Homeownership LLC
Date: 12/06/13
8 Robin Road
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $262,700
Buyer: Suzanne O’Donnell
Seller: James M. Moynihan
Date: 12/02/13
100 Strong St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $284,000
Buyer: Brian R. Sorel
Seller: Robert R. Saltis
Date: 12/13/13
20 Underwood Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $134,000
Buyer: Richard M. Zafft
Seller: US Bank
Date: 12/06/13
48 Williston Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $204,900
Buyer: Diana Mendrek
Seller: Cleary, Arnold V., (Estate)
Date: 12/12/13
17 Willow Circle
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $349,900
Buyer: Allison B. Thorpe
Seller: James Splain
Date: 12/13/13
GOSHEN
153 Berkshire Trail East
Goshen, MA 01096
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: H. L. Crocker-Aulenback
Seller: Ann M. Hennessey
Date: 12/11/13
GRANBY
159 Carver St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Cory D. Lawler
Seller: Michael J. Rogalski
Date: 12/13/13
104 Munsing Ridge
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: UB Properties LLC
Seller: Jeffrey J. Picard
Date: 12/13/13
9 Norman Ave.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Eric M. Baldwin
Seller: Matthew Dibartolomeo
Date: 12/06/13
HADLEY
107 Middle St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Shane R. Conklin
Seller: Richard J. Niedbala
Date: 12/06/13
78 Russell St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Pioneer Valley Rental Mgmt.
Seller: Gelibean LLC
Date: 12/03/13
84 Russell St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Pioneer Valley Rental Mgmt.
Seller: Gelibean LLC
Date: 12/03/13
2 Sylvia Hts.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Michael Dibartolomeo
Seller: Valley Building Co. Inc.
Date: 12/06/13
HATFIELD
343 West St.
Hatfield, MA 01066
Amount: $203,000
Buyer: Michael D. Sucharzewski
Seller: Michael A. Lowry
Date: 12/11/13
NORTHAMPTON
20 Bridge Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $496,741
Buyer: Nettler Green LT
Seller: Bridge Road LLC
Date: 12/03/13
137 Damon Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $3,780,000
Buyer: Easthampton Mahadev LLC
Seller: Richard R. Boyle
Date: 12/05/13
66 Franklin St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $480,000
Buyer: David A. Caruso
Seller: Donald W. Miner
Date: 12/13/13
36 Holyoke St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $239,000
Buyer: Charline Cauley
Seller: Barry Kozaczka
Date: 12/13/13
22 Hooker Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Valley Building Co. Inc.
Seller: Servicenet Inc.
Date: 12/09/13
48 Lexington Ave.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $244,500
Buyer: Cory E. Mescon
Seller: Marcia A. Kennick
Date: 12/13/13
534 North Farms Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: N. P. Nangle
Seller: Matthew G. Martin
Date: 12/06/13
45 Park St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Alexia Manin
Seller: Janice E. Frey
Date: 12/12/13
117 Riverbank Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $145,000
Seller: Eva S. Weber
Date: 12/06/13
430 Rocky Hill Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $243,000
Buyer: Rebekah E. Madera
Seller: Michael St.Martin
Date: 12/09/13
228 State St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $428,000
Buyer: Mary C. Higgins
Seller: Donald R. Lamica
Date: 12/05/13
SOUTH HADLEY
33 Dale St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Dyanne M. Rousseau
Seller: Wesley C. Harnois
Date: 12/03/13
5 Greenwood Lane
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Ronald W. McMahon
Seller: Karen Foss
Date: 12/03/13
78 High St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $237,000
Buyer: Shawn R. McFarland
Seller: Pamela D. Estes
Date: 12/09/13
N/A
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $184,500
Buyer: Matthew T. Parent
Seller: Sheila A. Parker
Date: 12/13/13
54 North Main St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Jason G. Estes
Seller: Linda Anderson
Date: 12/09/13
136 Woodbridge St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: George R. Dempsey
Seller: David J. Fitzgerald
Date: 12/03/13
140 Woodbridge St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $284,000
Buyer: Valerie Ypung
Seller: R. A. Ryan
Date: 12/13/13
SOUTHAMPTON
250 College Hwy.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: William G. Pfau
Seller: Myrna J. West RET
Date: 12/11/13
WARE
83 Church St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: John E. Carroll
Seller: Kmon, Michael M., (Estate)
Date: 12/06/13
104 West St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $7,152,542
Buyer: CPI Ware LLC
Seller: JSD RT
Date: 12/09/13
WESTHAMPTON
54 Laurel Hill Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $201,500
Buyer: Jessica Henry
Seller: Taylor, Harold G., (Estate)
Date: 12/10/13
WILLIAMSBURG
146 Main St.
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Haydenville Gas & Electric
Seller: Sandri Realty Inc.
Date: 12/05/13
The following bankruptcy petitions were recently filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Readers should confirm all information with the court.
Baldwin, Robert D.
Baldwin, Kathleen H.
98A Carr St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/29/13
Bard, Michele M.
a/k/a LaBrie, Michele M.
45 Enterprise St.
Adams, MA 01220
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/02/13
Barrett, Christopher M.
220 Montcalm St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/04/13
Barrett, Janet Lynne
a/k/a Chadwick Barrett, Janet L.
5 Breckenridge Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/07/13
Bell, Joseph J.
45 Willow St., Apt. #311
Springfield, MA 01103
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/06/13
Birch, John J.
7 Loomis Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/03/13
Bricault, Kurt
324 Russel Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/04/13
Caraballo, Pedro
Caraballo, Maria
138 Avery St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/02/13
Collette, Delima Mary
10 Judith St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/10/13
Collis, Amy L.
94 Farnum St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/30/13
Galvin, Richard S.
Galvin, Jessica L.
311 Brattle St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/03/13
Gilardi, Josephine T.
379 East St., Apt. 321
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/03/13
Glacken, Donna L.
8 Harvey St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/02/13
Halla, Lawrence D.
24 Feeding Hills Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/13/13
High Winds Farm
Campos, Sandie J.
19 Laurel Lake Road
Royalston, MA 01368
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/11/13
Hohenberger, Dennis P.
15 Village Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/02/13
Hunter, James L.
15 G St., 1st Fl.
Turners Falls, MA 01376
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/03/13
Kopec, Karla M.
a/k/a Lawrence, Karla M.
5 Enterprise St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/05/13
Ladr, Deanna E.
5 Laflamme Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/09/13
Leiper, Nancy N.
201 Paco Road
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/09/13
Lozada, Jessie
Lozada, Alexis
34 Lamont St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/10/13
Malave, Javier
52 Westminster St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/11/13
Martin, Steven C.
39 Lucerne Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/06/13
McLeod, Karen J.
a/k/a Cosme, Karen J.
9 Macomber Road
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/12/13
Mickle, Bettejean
16 Regency Court
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/12/13
Mojica, Mark A.
23 Frederick St., Apt #1
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/04/13
Noble, Matthew D.
318 Winsor St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/11/13
Olivo, Chasity
a/k/a Saez, Chasity
17 Stearns Terrace
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/02/13
Pereplyotchik, Dimitry
27 Sunnyslope Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/12/13
Pope, Thomas F.
16 Regency Court
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/12/13
Potter, Daniel George
Potter, Debra Anne
19 Conrad St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/10/13
Ramirez, Doel R.
15 Indian Leap St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/29/13
Sanders, David M.
19 Cora St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/30/13
Starzyk, Todd J.
94 Farnum St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/30/13
Syniec, Robert J.
151 Nassau Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/06/13
Talley, Nyree
35 Collins St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/06/13
Tefft, Dennis J.
Tefft, Lana M.
a/k/a Sherman, Lana M.
a/k/a Stojkovich, Lana M.
14 Soisalo Road
Chester, MA 01011
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/05/13
Thompson, Michael Robert
24 Bliss St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/04/13
Villegas, Magdiel
71 Brown Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/09/13
Vincent, Jeffrey Scott
Vincent, Jessica Lynn
a/k/a Nacsin, Jessica
14 Evergreen Terrace
Hampden, MA 01036
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/09/13
Whitney, Theresa E.
6 Burt St.
Adams, MA 01220
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/09/13
Zemianek, Virginia A.
35 Fairview St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/06/13
The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of and December 2013.
AGAWAM
Brady Mechanical Services
147 Maple St.
Nicole Brady
Country Flowers & Gifts
501 Springfield St.
Linda King
Coverting Solutions
77 James St.
Jonathan Long
Crown Gutters, LLC
600 Cooper St.
Sergey Bratnichenko
Drewnowski Pools & Spas
1815 Main St.
Brian Juliano
Feeding Hills Pawn
762 Springfield St.
Luis Lopez
Simple Reef
1 Michael St.
Michael Kent
CHICOPEE
Bourdeau & Son Flooring
20 Patrick St.
Christopher Bourdeau
Denicki Cleaning
94 Walter St.
Diane Gallier
KLM Auto Repair
600 Front St.
Maria Christy
Polished a Salon
1263 Granby Road
Marisol Figueroa
EAST LONGMEADOW
Capital Butane
782 Parker St.
Kenneth J. Lucas
CMJ Advocates
75 Hanward Hill
Christine McNary
Countryside Store
334 Somers Road
Ramesh Patel
Gifted Tones
60 Shaker Road
Alberto Navarro
JL Communications
67 Nottingharri Dr.
Janet Lupacchino
Joseph Remodeling
58 Bond Ave.
Robert Tariff
Kenia Permanent Cosmetics
280 North Main St.
Kenia M. Caputo
Pioneer Valley Painting
149 Braeburn Road
Vincent Settembre
Springfield Valley Hypnosis Center
280 North Main St.
Sandra Newmann
Subway
24 Shaker Road
John L. Moylan
The Cashmere Sale
41 Maple St.
Janice Lattell
Veritech Corporation
80 Denslow Road
Steven Graziano
HOLYOKE
Cleanin
1073 Dwight St.
Emmanine Guiteau
Holyoke Market
648 High St.
Priya D. Parker
K & D Auto Sales
18 Kay Ave.
Alexander Oquendo
Ulta Beauty
15 Holyoke St.
Jodi Snedigar
LUDLOW
KJA Associates
20 Longfellow Dr.
Jose Castro
Sweet Seconds
61 East St.
Amanda Farace
Walgreens
54 East St.
Walgreens Eastern Company
NORTHAMPTON
All About You
2 Conz St.
Maria Tranghese
Auto Plus
125 Carlon Dr.
Frederick Pitzer
Filos Greek Tavern
279 Main St.
Konstantine Sierros
Pete’s Property Maintenance
304 Damon St.
Peter Lucia
Unbounded Growth
90 Conz St.
Jane Katz
Valley Green Events
15 Park Ave.
Elizabeth Wabham
PALMER
Blushed
9 Springfield St.
Amy Felicetty
Essentials
1022 Central St.
Erica Enos
Junction Variety Store
4279 Church St.
Bharat Patel
Saporito’s Pizza
2022 Main St.
Michael Sabourin
SOUTHWICK
Gatalyst
183 Feeding Hills
Constance Ocrutt
Totally You Hair Studio
208 College Highway
Malin Cannon
SPRINGFIELD
Jimmy’s Auto Services
199 Laconia St.
Jimmy C. Pantoja
Los Bravos Restaurant
1003 St. James Ave.
Miguel A. Santiago
Michael Vumbaco Construction
92 Pidgeon Dr.
Michael Vumbaco
Michael’s Auto Body
1207 Worcester St.
Michael J. Partynski
New England Fit
340 Main St.
Milton L. White
Ogirri Corporation
324 Wilbraham Road
Henry B. Ogirri
Ronald R. DeSellier Elect
97 Goodwin St.
Ronald R. DeSellier
Rosegar Inc.
590 Boston Road
Tahmina Kausar
Sunrise Painting
118 Cardinal St.
Liliya Dudrova
The Picky Diva Catering
92 Kenyon St.
Mari L. Graves
Traveling Mall, LLC
914 State St.
Nikki D. Johnson
United Personnel Services
1331 Main St.
Patricia Canavan
Washington Inventory Services
603 Sumner Ave.
Tom Compogiannis
WESTFIELD
Ed’s TSP Company
45 Parker Ave.
Eduard Doroshenko
IM Promoting Services
123 Prospect St.
Ion Mata
Journey Massage
33 Phillip Ave.
Jean Fisher
Promoting Home Improvement
43 Mechanic St.
Ivan Mokan
WEST SPRINGFIELD
A2 Business Services
5 Sunnyside St.
Jeanette M. Brennan
Camp Collectibles
23 Bonnie Brae Dr.
David S. Camp
Donut Dip Inc.
1305 Riverdale St.
Paul C. Shields
Fred Astaire Dance Studio
54 Wayside Ave.
R.K.R. Dance Studio
Joe’s Landscaping
62 Worthen St.
Joseph Schmidt
Kelly Bouchard
103 Van Deene Ave.
Kelly Bouchard
Lincare Inc.
181 Park Ave.
Theresa Perry
Liz’s Hair Care
242 Westfield St.
Elizabeth Porter
Mercy Companions
2112 Riverdale St.
Kevin Jourdain
Music Sound
105 Hampden St.
Svetlana Paliy
R and D Marine, LLC
1654 Riverdale St.
Harold H. Demarco Jr.
Riverdale Imports
1497 Riverdale St.
Joseph Spano
TJ Maxx
239 Memorial Ave.
Kristin Adams
The following business incorporations were recorded in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties and are the latest available. They are listed by community.
SOUTHWICK
Western MA Horizon Properties LTD., 49 Sam West Road Unit 1, Southwick, MA 01077. Jared Hamre, 68 Redwood Dr., Agawam, MA 01001. Property rental/management of owned properties.
SPRINGFIELD
Aaron’s Sushi Inc., 1941 Wilbraham Road, Springfield, MA 01129. Kyung Am Choi, 395 Porter Lake Dr. #210, Longmeadow, MA 01106. Sushi stand.
Best 2 Impress Car Club Inc., 17 Grover St., Springfield, MA 01104. Jose Luis Gonzalez, same. Work with the community. Show up on special events to show cars. Involve more youth on how to be safe out in the streets.
Formal Elements Inc., 26 Clayton St. Unit 1, Springfield, MA 01107. Reinaldo Graceski, 14 Eldert St., Springfield, MA 01109. Men’s clothing and suits.
I&GN Co. Inc., 29 Waldorf St., Springfield, MA 01109. India Anderson, same. Non-profit assisting youth participation in sports and art.
Labrador Recycling Inc., 115 Stevens St., Springfield, MA 01104. John D. Freedman, same. Recycling.
LOA Marketing Inc., 14 Gatewood Road, Springfield, MA 01119. Mary Buffum, same. Online internet store.
Paola Grocery & Restaurant Corporation, 74 Eastern Ave., Springfield, MA 01109. Rafael Almengo, same. Retail and food service.
Perez Cleaning Services Inc., 855 Liberty St., Apartment 1, Springfield, MA 01104. Petronila Perez, same. Cleaning services.
Shree Umiya Convenience Inc., 156-158 Island Pond Road, Springfield, MA 01118. Jaydeep B. Patel, 128 Main St., Building 3 Apt. 2, Groton, MA 01450. Convenience store with lottery.
Universal Real Estate Services Inc., 181 Chestnut St., Springfield, MA 01103 Daniel D. Kelly, 115 State St., Springfield, MA 01103. Real estate services.
Western Massachusetts Primary Care, PC, 405 Armory St., Springfield, MA 01104. Frank J. Stirlacci MD, same. The practice of medicine.
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Allstate Fire Equipment Fuel Island Fire Suppression Division Inc., 64 Bosworth St., West Springfield, MA 01089. William M. Fournier, same. Installing, inspecting and servicing fire-suppression systems
WESTFIELD
Armada Transport Corp., 9 State St., Westfield, MA 01085. Eduard Klyuchits, same. Transportation.
New England Chimney Sweeps and Masonry Inc., 19 Spring St., Westfield, MA 01085. Bruce Faria, same. Chimney cleaning, maintenance and repair.
FamilyFirst Merging with North Brookfield Savings
NORTH BROOKFIELD — North Brookfield Savings Bank (NBSB) in North Brookfield and FamilyFirst Bank (FFB) in Ware have entered into a definitive agreement to combine into a single mutual savings bank. The combined bank will operate under the name and charter of North Brookfield Savings Bank. The transaction is subject to the approval of the corporators of NBSB and the shareholders of FFB as well as the approval of the banks’ regulators. FamilyFirst Bank operates three banking centers in Ware, Three Rivers, and East Brookfield. “These branch locations complement the North Brookfield branch system very well,” said NBSB President and CEO Donna Boulanger. NBSB operates four banking centers in North Brookfield, West Brookfield, Palmer, and Belchertown. All existing FamilyFirst branches will continue to operate, as will all North Brookfield Savings Bank branches. “FamilyFirst has created a customer-first culture with a strong focus on community, making this a natural fit for North Brookfield Savings Bank,” said Boulanger. “We look forward to introducing NBSB’s products and services to FamilyFirst’s customers and to supporting the local communities.” NBSB, founded in 1854, is a mutual savings bank with more than $200 million in assets. NBSB has received the highest Five Star Superior Bank rating from Bauer Financial for 74 consecutive quarters. The combined bank will have in excess of $260 million in assets. “I look forward to working with NBSB to complete this transaction for the benefit of FamilyFirst customers and employees. NBSB has a history of being committed to providing superior products and services delivered with a true personal touch,” said FamilyFirst President and CEO Michael Audette. Both banks use the same core technology providers, so the integration of the banks should be an easy transition for FamilyFirst customers. The transaction is anticipated to close in the late first quarter or early second quarter of 2014.
HMC Welcomes Donation from Holyoke HealthCare
HOLYOKE — Holyoke Medical Center announced a recent donation from Holyoke HealthCare Center in the amount of $4,810. The donation was made possible by the generosity of the center, a member of National HealthCare (NHC) and its philanthropic arm, the Foundation for Geriatric Education (TFGE). The donation will help participants in a five-day ‘boot camp’ for people recently diagnosed with congestive heart failure (CHF) that will be offered through the multi-agency Cross Continuum Team consisting of Holyoke Medical Center, Holyoke HealthCare Center, the Care Center, the Holyoke Visiting Nurse Assoc., and Renaissance Manor. The funding will provide boot-camp participants with large-number bathroom scales to weigh themselves every day. “Monitoring weight is a very important part of the self-management process for patients with CHF,” said Cherelyn Roberts, Holyoke Medical Center manager for the State Action on Avoidable Rehospitalizations Program. “Any change in weight could signal the need for medical attention, so these scales are crucial and will help patients be a stronger partner in their care. The goal is to help people avoid unnecessary hospitalizations and stay at home, where they want to be.” Holyoke HealthCare Center Administrator Thomas Accomando explained that the funding provided by TFGE was raised locally through events such as car washes, bake sales, and tag sales held at Holyoke HealthCare Center, along with personal donations. “The teams here at Holyoke HealthCare Center and NHC are proud to assist in education-related projects for our community involving the care of our elders, thus continuing the philosophy of our founder, Dr. Carl Adams,” said Accomando. Funding was also provided to Holyoke Medical Center for the purchase of a Resusci Anne QCPR torso mannequin with wireless skill recorder and carrier, a special training IV arm for intravenous insertions into elderly patients with thinner skin, and video equipment for recording educational sessions provided to Cross Continuum Team partners.
Big Y Nets 126,000 Pounds of Food for Area Needy
SPRINGFIELD — In a chain-wide effort to help the hungry within their local communities, Big Y’s fourth annual Sack Hunger/Care to Share Program brought 15,741 bags of food to local charities. Sack Hunger bags are large, brown, reusable grocery bags filled with staple non-perishable food items for local food banks. Customers purchase a Sack Hunger bag of groceries for $10, and Big Y distributes the food to that region’s local food bank. In turn, the food banks distribute the filled sacks to area soup kitchens, food pantries, senior food programs, day-care centers, as well as many other member agencies. All of the donated sacks are distributed within the supermarket’s marketing area, so every donation stays within the local community. Since its inception four years ago, more than 55,000 bags have been donated to the area’s needy via the Sack Hunger Program. This year’s endeavor ran from Oct. 31 through Dec. 31. All five food banks within Big Y’s marketing area are participating in Sack Hunger. These food banks represent more than 2,100 member agencies throughout the region. They include the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, the Greater Boston Food Bank, the Worcester County Food Bank, Foodshare of Greater Hartford, and the Connecticut Food Bank.
State Touts Benefits of Energy-efficiency Projects
BOSTON — State Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rick Sullivan recently announced that energy-efficiency improvements by homeowners, businesses, and government agencies across the Commonwealth from 2010 through 2012 resulted in significant electric and natural-gas savings, as well as reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions. In total, the Commonwealth’s three-year statewide energy-efficiency plans delivered 2,390 gigawatt hours, 49 million therms, and nearly 1.4 million metric tons of energy savings and greenhouse-gas reductions. These reductions are equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of more than 314,000 homes, the natural-gas usage of 52,000 homes, and, in terms of greenhouse-gas reduction, the equivalent of taking nearly 290,000 cars off the road. The plans were authorized by the Green Communities Act of 2008 (GCA) and approved by the Department of Public Utilities in January 2010. “This year’s report shows that more than 14,000 small businesses and 6,000 large businesses engaged in energy-efficiency efforts in 2012, proving once again that efficiency is a win-win with economic and environmental benefits alike,” said Sullivan. “By implementing these three-year plans, the Patrick administration is reducing greenhouse-gas emissions, cutting energy use, and creating jobs.” Under the three-year plan, Massachusetts committed to one of the most ambitious energy-efficiency efforts in the nation, investing more in energy efficiency per capita than any other state. The 2013-15 plans, underway now, are equally ambitious, projected to deliver nearly $9 billion in benefits from an investment of $2.2 billion. The electric savings are projected to reduce retail sales of electricity by 2.6% in 2015. These results are significant enough to be included in long-term load forecasting by the Independent System Operator New England (ISO-NE), the organization responsible for determining New England’s grid reliability. “Massachusetts’ energy-efficiency programs are delivering nation-leading economic and environmental benefits to residents and businesses throughout the Commonwealth,” said Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Mark Sylvia. “I thank the EEAC members, the utilities, and energy-efficiency service providers that deliver the Mass Save programs for continuing to push the envelope in making energy efficiency our first fuel.” The Global Warming Solutions Act, signed by Gov. Deval Patrick in 2008, made the Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2020 a requirement. The plan mandates a gradual greenhouse-gas emissions reduction and a scheduling of emissions goals that is designed to spur innovation and promote research and development in the clean-energy industry. The Commonwealth has set a 2020 reduction target of 25% below 1990 levels, and has released a plan outlining a portfolio of policies and programs to meet the goal. This year, Patrick set a new solar goal after reaching the previous goal of 250 megawatts four years early. The Commonwealth now aims to install 1,600 megawatts of solar capacity by 2020. The clean-energy revolution is yielding economic benefits as well, with 11.8% job growth in the last year and 24% growth in the last two years; nearly 80,000 people are employed in the clean tech industry in Massachusetts.
Construction Spending Increases as Private-sector Demand Grows
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Total construction spending increased between October and November, and for the year, amid growing private-sector demand, according to an analysis of new Census Bureau data by Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted, however, that the spending levels were held back by declining public-sector investments for both the month and the year. “The non-residential construction spending figures are even more positive than they appear, with most categories now positive year over year,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “The outlook appears favorable for many types of private non-residential and multi-family construction, but remains flat or negative for public spending.” Construction put in place totaled $934 billion in November, rising 1.0% since October and 5.9% since November 2012. Private residential construction spending increased by 1.9% in November and jumped 17% from a year earlier. Private non-residential spending climbed 2.7% for the month and 1.0% year over year. Public construction spending dropped 1.8% for the month and 0.2% over 12 months. Over the past 12 months, the biggest jump in construction spending has occurred in new multi-family construction, which rose 0.9% for the month and 36% year over year. The lodging sector recorded the second-highest annual gain, with spending rising 32.7% for the year and 0.3% for the month. Spending on communications facilities experienced the largest monthly increase, jumping 11.2% in November, although it is still down 10.5% for the year. The largest private non-residential category, power construction — which includes oil and gas field and pipeline projects as well as power plants, renewable power, and transmission lines — increased by 3.3% in November but is actually down 24.2% for the year. Simonson noted, however, that there was a surge in power construction during the last quarter of 2012 as contractors rushed to finish wind projects before the expected expiration of the wind-production tax credit at the end of 2012. Those credits were extended for projects that broke ground by the end of 2013, explaining the more recent surge. “Both the electricity and oil and gas components of power construction should do well in 2014,” he added.
MMS, AMA Oppose E-cigarettes for Youth
WALTHAM — A resolution on electronic cigarettes led the list of the policies adopted by physicians of the Mass. Medical Society (MMS) at its interim meeting held last month. The interim meeting brings together hundreds of Massachusetts physicians from across the state to consider specific resolutions on public-health policy, healthcare delivery, and organizational administration by the society’s House of Delegates, its policy-making body. Resolutions adopted by the delegates become policies of the organization. Delegates voted for a resolution stating that the MMS opposes the marketing, sales, and use of e-cigarettes and other nicotine-delivery products among youth, particularly for people under the age of 18, and urging the MMS top keep working with state lawmakers and officials to develop strategies to prevent the marketing, sale, and use of those products for individuals within that age group. In voting for the policy, MMS noted that the use of electronic cigarettes by U.S. middle- and high-school students (grades 6-12) more than doubled from 3.3% in 2011 to 6.8% in 2012, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. The society also expressed concern that the nicotine-containing vapor generated from the battery-powered e-cigarettes is often flavored, which can make them more appealing to young people, and that the use of e-cigarettes has the potential negative impact of nicotine on adolescent brain development and may encourage young non-smokers to become users of conventional cigarettes or other tobacco products. The statement coincides with the American Medical Society’s similar concern over e-cigarettes. At the recent interim meeting of its own House of Delegates, the AMA adopted policy advocating for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to extend its tobacco regulations to include all non-pharmaceutical tobacco and nicotine products, including e-cigarettes, pipes, cigars, and hookahs. The AMA said FDA oversight of these products is necessary in order to ensure safety and proper labeling, and to deter adulteration and the sale of tobacco products to minors. The AMA’s existing policy on e-cigarettes from 2010 recommends that they be classified as drug-delivery devices, subject to the same FDA regulations as all other drug-delivery devices, and supports prohibiting the sale of e-cigarettes that are not FDA-approved. “This policy recommendation for FDA could help ensure that e-cigarettes and other tobacco products have proper oversight and regulation to limit the detrimental health consequences that come from these products,” said AMA board member Dr. Albert Osbahr III. “Very little data exists on the safety of these tobacco and nicotine products, and the FDA has warned that they are potentially addicting and contain harmful toxins.”
Massachusetts Adds 6,500 Jobs in November
BOSTON — The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported that the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) preliminary estimates show that Massachusetts added 6,500 jobs in November, and the total unemployment rate was 7.15%. Over the year, the unemployment rate was up 0.4% from the November 2012 rate of 6.7%. The private sector added 4,900 jobs in November, particularly in professional, scientific, and business services; manufacturing; financial activities; education and health services; information; and construction. Since December 2012, Massachusetts has gained 46,600 jobs. Over the year, from November 2012 to November 2013, Massachusetts added 55,300 jobs in total, 53,800 of which were in the private sector. Revised BLS estimates show that 9,400 jobs were added in October. The unemployment rate is based on a monthly sample of households. Job estimates are derived from a monthly sample survey of employers.
Gomes, Dacruz & Tracy, a Ludlow-based certified public accounting firm, recently hired James Crabtree as a Tax Accountant. Crabtree has 10 years of accounting experience and is a graduate of the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst.
•••••
The Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau recently hired two associates:
Leah MacPherson
Luke Trahan
• Luke Trahan will serve as Sports Sales Manager for the newly developed Western Mass. Sports Commission. He will pursue and handle bookings for sports tournaments and events, in addition to conducting bid presentations and site inspections for sports-related business. Trahan is a graduate of the University of Hartford and was previously employed by Poyant, Brasseler USA Dental, and Expeditor Systems.
•••••
Jody Gross
•••••
Maj. Darren Mudge has been named the new officer in charge of the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center in Springfield. Mudge will oversee the center, which provides spiritual, social, and emotional assistance for men and women in a organization that is supervised by trained, commissioned officers who have undergone extensive two-year courses in residence at Salvation Army colleges throughout the U.S.
•••••
TD Bank has promoted Adam Lahti to Assistant Vice President and Manager of the Newton Street, South Hadley branch. Lahti is responsible for new business development, consumer and business lending, managing personnel, and overseeing day-to-day operations.
ACCGS
www.myonlinechamber.com
(413) 787-1555
• Jan. 15: ACCGS After 5, 5-7 p.m., at the Melha Shrine Temple, 133 Longhill St., Springfield. Come clown around with us at this after-hours networking event, presented by Shriners Hospital for Children and sponsored by Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame with support from Berkshire Bank and the Springfield Falcons. Reservations are $5 for members, $10 for general admission. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com or by contacting Cecile Larose at [email protected].
• Jan. 28: ACCGS Pastries, Politics and Policy, 8-9 a.m., at the Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy, 1300 State St., Springfield. Join us for a roundtable discussion with Springfield Schools Superintendent Daniel Warwick. Cost is $15 for members, $25 for general admission, and includes continental breakfast. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com or by contacting Cecile Larose at [email protected].
AMHERST AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.amherstarea.com
(413) 253-0700
• Jan. 15: Chamber Annual Meeting and Lunch, noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Lord Jeffery Inn. The chamber has a fantastic array of networking events lined up, but we need your ideas. The meeting will also feature the formal election of the 2014 chamber board of directors, including the installation of Lawrence Archey as board president for a second year. Sponsored by Amherst College, Hampshire College, and UMass Amherst. Tickets are $25 for members, $30 for guests.
CHICOPEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.chicopeechamber.org
(413) 594-2101
• Jan. 15: January Salute Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m. at Willits-Hallowell at Mt. Holyoke College. Tickets are $20 for members, $26 for non-members. Reservations may be made online at www.chicopeechamber.org.
• Jan. 22: January Business After Hours, 5-7 p.m., at the Collegian Court, 89 Park St., Chicopee. Tickets are $5 for members, $15 for non-members. Reservations may be made online at www.chicopeechamber.org.
• Feb. 19: February Salute Breakfast & Annual Meeting, 7:15-9 a.m., at the MassMutual Learning & Conference Center. Tickets are $20 for members, $26 for non-members. Reservations may be made online at www.chicopeechamber.org.
• Feb. 26: February Business After Hours, 5-7 p.m., at Elms College, 291 Springfield St., Chicopee. Tickets are $5 for members, $15 for non-members. Reservations may be made online at www.chicopeechamber.org.
FRANKLIN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.franklincc.org
(413) 773-5463
• Jan. 24: FCCC Breakfast Series, 7:30-9 a.m., at Greenfield Corporate Center,101 Munson St., Greenfield. Sponsored by Franklin County Home Care Corp. and Gilmore & Farrell Insurance. The speaker will be U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, who represents the 2nd Congressional District in Massachusetts, covering many Franklin County towns. Since his election in 1996, McGovern has been widely recognized as a tenacious advocate for his district, a tireless crusader for change, and an unrivaled supporter for social justice and fundamental human rights. Over the past 17 years, he has consistently delivered millions of dollars for jobs, vital local and regional projects, small businesses, public safety, regional and mass transportation projects, and affordable housing around Massachusetts. He has authored important legislation to increase Pell Grant funding to allow more students access to higher education, to provide funds to preserve open space in urban and suburban communities, and to give tax credits to employers who pay the salaries of their employees when they are called up to active duty in the Guard and Reserves. A strong proponent of healthcare reform, his legislative efforts included reducing the cost of home healthcare and giving patients the dignity to be cared for in their own homes with the help of medical professionals. Currently serving his ninth term, McGovern serves as the second-ranking Democrat on the House Rules Committee, which sets the terms for debate and amendments on most legislation, and is a member of the House Agriculture Committee. Cost: chamber members, $13 (prepaid or pay at door) or $14 (billed); non-members, $16. Reservations can be made online at www.franklincc.org or by calling (413) 773-5463.
GREATER EASTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.easthamptonchamber.org
(413) 527-9414
• Jan. 23: Big Raffle Drawing, 6 p.m. Only 300 tickets are for sale each year. Grand prize, $5,000; second prize, $500; third prize, $200; fourth prize, $100; fifth prize, $50. The drawing takes place at the annual dinner meeting on Jan. 23, and you do not need to be present to win. For more information or to enter, visit www.easthamptonchamber.org.
GREATER HOLYOKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.holycham.com
(413) 534-3376
• Jan. 15: Chamber After Hours, 5-7 p.m., at Homewood Suites, 375 Whitney Ave., Holyoke. Cost: $10 for members, $15 cash for non-members.
• Jan. 24: Legislative Coffee Hour, 7:45-9:15 a.m., at the Summit View Banquet and Meeting House, 500 Northampton St., Holyoke. The event will feature local legislators discussing the challenges and opportunities facing the Commonwealth, Holyoke, and local businesses in the months ahead. Cost: $26 for members, $35 for non-members, which includes a buffet breakfast.
• Jan. 30: Marketing Roundtable Workshop, 8:30-10 a.m. This unique roundtable event is designed to foster informative discussions among business owners and marketing professionals as well as brainstorm new ideas to help with revenue-producing initiatives. Cost: $10 for members, $20 for non-members. A continental breakfast is included in the price. Call (413) 534-3376 or visit holyokecham.com to register.
• Feb. 13: Chamber Table Top Workshop: “How to Get People’s Attention and Attract Them to Your Table,” 8:30-10:30 a.m., at the Chamber Conference Room. A no-nonsense informational session on how to set up your booth, how to add visual interest, and what to do to keep potential customers engaged. Cost: $10 for members.
• Feb. 19: Chamber After Hours, 5-7 p.m. at Wistariahurst Museum, 238 Cabot St., Holyoke. Cost: $10 for members, $15 cash for non-members.
• Feb. 26: Holyoke Chamber Economic Development Breakfast, 8-10 a.m., location to be announced. Hear about local projects and how they will affect businesses. Cost: $26 for members, $35 for non-members, which includes a buffet breakfast. Call (413) 543-3376 or visit holycham.com to register.
GREATER NORTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.explorenorthampton.com
(413) 584-1900
• Jan. 28: Nonprofit Marketing Roundtable 2014 Workshop, 8-9:30 a.m., at the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, 99 Pleasant St., Northampton. Presented by the Creative Marketing Group. Struggling to gain visibility with your target audience? Are your marketing materials producing tangible results? Are your best messaging ideas living only in your head? The chamber has help on the way. Three women business owners — Janice Beetle, Ruth Griggs, and Maureen Scanlon of the Creative, a marketing and communications collaboration in Northampton — will lead a nonprofit Flash marketing workshop. They will meet with business owners, listen to your marketing and communications concerns, and help you brainstorm practical, professional solutions on the spot. Learn more about how to strategize, advertise, brand, and promote your business; reach the media; and maximize your message in person, in print, and online. The workshop is free, but pre-registration is required, and space is limited. To register, contact Jasmin Tomic at (413) 584-1900 or [email protected].
GREATER WESTFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.westfieldbiz.org
(413) 568-1618
• Jan. 13: Health Care Symposium, time to be announced, at the Dever Stage, Parenzo Hall, Westfield State University. Presenter: Lynn Nichols, president of the Mass. Hospital Assoc. Sponsored by Noble Hospital. For more information or to register, contact Pam at (413) 568-1618.
NORTHAMPTON AREA YOUNG PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY
www.thenayp.com
(413) 584-1900
• Feb. 13: February Networking Social, 5 p.m., at the UMass Amherst Fine Arts Center.
PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S CHAMBER
www.professionalwomenschamber.com
(413) 755-1310
• Jan. 15: PWC Tabletop Business Expo/Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Carriage House, Storrowton Tavern, West Springfield. Showcase your product or service. For more information about the Professional Women’s Chamber, contact Cecile Larose at (413) 755-1310 or [email protected].
THREE RIVERS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.threeriverschamber.org
(413) 283-6425
• Feb. 3: Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce Monthly Meeting, 7-8 p.m., at the Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce, 2376 Main St., Three Rivers.
WEST OF THE RIVER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.ourwrc.com
413-426-3880
• January: Coffee with Mayor Cohen, date, time, and location to be announced. Keep checking the website for updates, or email [email protected].
• Feb. 5: Wicked Wednesday, 5-7 p.m., at Crestview Country Club, Agawam. Wicked Wednesdays are monthly social events hosted by various businesses and restaurants. These events bring members and non-members together to network in a laid-back atmosphere. Cost: free for chamber members, $10 for non-members. Event is open to the public; attendees must pay at the door if they’re non-members. For more information, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880, or e-mail [email protected].
• Feb. 26: West of the River Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast, 7-9 a.m., at the Storrowton Tavern Carriage House, West Springfield. Cost: $25 for members, $30 for non-members. For more information, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880, or e-mail [email protected].
YOUNG PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY OF GREATER SPRINGFIELD
www.springfieldyps.com
• Jan. 16: January Third Thursday YPS Open House, 5-7 p.m., at the Colony Club, 1500 Main St., Springfield. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to become more involved with the YPS. Complementary parking in the Tower Square garage with elevator access directly to the venue. YPS is a guest of the Colony Club for this event. We ask that you respect and follow their business-casual dress code; jeans will not be permitted. There will be a cash bar and hors d’oeuvres. Invite your friends and bring plenty of business cards. Cost: free for YPS members, $10 for non-members, which includes food and a cash bar.
Training for Real-estate Sales
Jan. 21: Springfield Technical Community College’s Workforce Development office will offer “Preparation for the Real Estate Exam,” a state-approved course for those interested in becoming licensed real-estate salespeople. This course is designed to acquaint the prospective real-estate salesperson, as well as the potential buyer or seller of a home or investment property, with the fundamentals of real-estate law and procedures in Massachusetts. The program begins on Jan. 21 and will convene on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. Space is limited. To register, visit www.stcc.edu/wd or call (413) 755-4502.
Nonprofit Marketing Roundtable
Jan. 28: Struggling to gain visibility with your target audience? Are your marketing materials producing tangible results? Are your best messaging ideas living only in your head? The Nonprofit Marketing Roundtable 2014 Workshop will be held from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, 99 Pleasant St., Northampton. Three women business owners — Janice Beetle, Ruth Griggs, and Maureen Scanlon of the Creative, a marketing and communications collaboration in Northampton — will lead a nonprofit Flash marketing workshop. They will meet with business owners, listen to your marketing and communications concerns, and help you brainstorm practical, professional solutions on the spot. Learn more about how to strategize, advertise, brand, and promote your business; reach the media; and maximize your message in person, in print, and online. The workshop, presented by the Creative Marketing Group, is free, but pre-registration is required, and space is limited. To register, contact Jasmin Tomic at (413) 584-1900 or [email protected].
Ad Club Luncheon
Jan. 29: In the toughest of times, smart marketing is a must. Join John Chandler, chief marketing officer of MassMutual Financial Group, for the Advertising Club of Western Mass. Luncheon, starting at 11:45 a.m. at the Springfield Sheraton, 1 Monarch Place. Learn how this Fortune 100 financial-services company has used a straightforward, results-driven marketing strategy to help create six straight years of record sales results and expand into new markets, all during the worst economic downturn in more than a half-century. Chandler will share the company’s marketing principles and examples of its work that are driving marketplace success.
Registration begins at 11:45 a.m., and the program runs from noon to 1:30 p.m. Cost: $25 for members, $35 for non-members, and $15 for students. Parking is free in the Springfield Sheraton garage (bring your ticket or coin for validation). To reserve a seat, call (413) 736-2582 or e-mail [email protected] by Jan. 24.
Difference Makers 2014
March 20: The sixth annual Difference Makers award program, staged by BusinessWest, will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House. Details on the event will be published in upcoming issues of the magazine. Difference Makers is a program, launched in 2009, that recognizes groups and individuals that are, as the name suggests, making a difference in this region. The editors and publishers of BusinessWest have examined this year’s stack of nominations and have chosen the class of 2014, and the winners will be announced in the magazine’s Feb. 10 issue. For more information, call (413) 781-8600.
The following is a compilation of recent lawsuits involving area businesses and organizations. These are strictly allegations that have yet to be proven in a court of law. Readers are advised to contact the parties listed, or the court, for more information concerning the individual claims.
CHICOPEE DISTRICT COURT
Capital One v. Walter E. Gazda, DMD
Allegation: Breach of credit agreement: $5,055.16
Filed: 12/3/13
David Pepin v. NCR Corp.
Allegation: Defendant failed to pay accrued vacation and personal pay: $5,786.84
Filed: 12/4/13
HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT
Laura E. Gormally v. William F. Milbier, Northeast Grounds Management Inc., Donald F. Anderson, Markdon Realty, LLC, Anderson Services, LLC, and Hampden Bank
Allegation: Defendants Northeast Grounds and Milbier are in default on an $800,000 promissory note. All other defendants conspired with Milbier and Northeast Grounds to avoid paying amounts due under the note so as to enrich themselves at the plaintiff’s expense: $629,683.66
Filed: 11/27/13
HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT
Amara Davis v. Karen Judge d/b/a Marche for Hair
Allegation: Negligence in property maintenance causing injury: $12,958.50
Filed: 12/9/13
NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT COURT
Easthampton Savings Bank v. Brian Burrows General Contracting & Home Improvement
Allegation: Breach of credit agreement: $10,567
Filed: 11/26/13
Jose Baez v. Beaudry Home Inspections
Allegation: Mold remediation to the basement of a home: $26,920.71
Filed: 10/25/13
TBF Financial v. Metal Mammoth Inc. d/b/a Heavy Metal
Allegation: Breach of lease agreement: $8,715.39
Filed: 10/22/13
SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Jane A. Brooks v. West Springfield Fish and Game Club
Allegation: Negligent maintenance of property causing trip and fall: $5,141.29
Filed: 11/12/13
Jaya Lodgings, LLC d/b/a Candlewood Suites v. Iron Horse Preservation Society Inc.
Allegation: Defendant owes for room charges for 392 nights at Candlewood Suites: $17,945.75
Filed: 12/2/13
Kasson & Keller v. Interstate Products
Allegation: Non-payment for services rendered: $20,097.36
Filed: 11/15/13
WGGB Inc. v. Donald D. Stowers Jr. d/b/a D&L Fence Co.
Allegation: Non-payment for advertising services rendered: $5,713.75
Filed: 11/19/13
Send photos with a caption and contact information to: ‘Picture This’ c/o BusinessWest Magazine, 1441 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103 or to [email protected]
Heartfelt Check
Holyoke HealthCare Center, a member of National HealthCare (NHC), and its philanthropic arm, the Foundation for Geriatric Education (TFGE), recently presented a check for $4,810 to Holyoke Medical Center to cover the cost a five-day ‘boot camp’ for participants who have been recently diagnosed with congestive heart failure (CHF). Large-number bathroom scales can now be purchased for those with CHF to weigh themselves everyday, an important part of the self-management process. The camp is offered through the multi-agency ‘cross-continuum team’ consisting of Holyoke Medical Center, Holyoke HealthCare Center, the Care Center, Holyoke Visiting Nurse Assoc., and Renaissance Manor. Pictured, from left, are HMC President and CEO Spiros Hatiras, HMC Education and Training Manager Carlene Bailey, HHCC Director of Nursing Mary Walas, HMC STAAR Program Manager Cherelyn Roberts, and HHCC Administrator Thomas Accomando.
OnCore Performance
Employees of Springfield-based OnCore Manufacturing donated gift bags and boxes filled with items to complete the wish lists of 30 elementary-school-aged children served through Square One’s after-school programs. OnCore, a provider of product- commercialization services to international blue-chip aerospace and defense, industrial, and medical companies, is a partner with Square One, a nonprofit that provides low-cost education and care programs, along with transportation, to encourage and support local children who will be the leaders of the future. Pictured, from left, are OnCore employees Nancy McDonough, Anne DeCillis, and Heather Ferreira.
SBA Stakes Out Strategies to Help Women-owned Businesses Grow
By KAREN GORDON MILLS
Today, women-owned businesses are the fastest-growing segment of new businesses in our economy.
In fact, an analysis by American Express suggests that the number of women-owned businesses has risen by 200,000 over the past year alone, which is equivalent to just under 550 new women-owned firms created each day.
Regardless of how you slice the data, we know that this trend is growing and that women are over-indexing in entrepreneurship.
As administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), I’ve traveled all around the country meeting with small-business owners and entrepreneurs. I see how their businesses are transforming their industries and rebuilding their communities following the economic downturn.
These are businesses like UEC Electronics in South Carolina. Rebecca Ufkes, an engineer and the company’s president, is laser-focused on growing her successful electronics manufacturing business. She is supplying products to major manufacturers, such as Boeing, Cummins Engine Co, as well as the U.S. Marines and Air Force. And she is creating good American manufacturing jobs in the process.
UEC employs 194 workers, an increase of 49% since August 2011. And Rebecca is part of a growing American supply chain of innovative small businesses that is driving large, multi-national manufacturers to bring more production back to the U.S.
However, today, many women-owned entrepreneurs face what we call the ‘missing middle.’
For example, take my home state of Maine. According to the most recent census data, men owned 54% of businesses in Maine, and women owned 26% of businesses in the state (the remainder were co-owned). However, when you look at the receipts of these businesses, women-owned businesses lagged behind, capturing only 7% of receipts, compared to 78% of receipts earned by male-owned firms. A similar trend is occurring in states across the country.
Clearly, women-owned firms are growing greater in numbers, but challenges persist in scaling their operations and garnering market share.
At the SBA, we have the proven tools needed to bridge that missing middle, and to ensure that all entrepreneurs have the tools they need to grow their businesses, reach new markets, and realize their full potential. These include:
• Access to capital. According to the Urban Institute, SBA loans are three to five times more likely to go to women- and minority-owned businesses than conventional loans. And since President Obama took office, SBA has supported more than $12 billion in lending through more than 35,000 SBA loans to women-owned businesses.
• Contracting. At the SBA, one of our priorities is making sure that more qualified women-, veteran-, and minority-owned small businesses have access to government and commercial supply-chain opportunities. That’s why we put into place the Women’s Contracting Rule, which means that, for the first time, federal agencies can set aside contracting opportunities for women-owned small businesses in more than 300 industries where women are underrepresented. Congress gave SBA this authority in 2000, but it was never implemented. Under President Obama’s leadership, we have made it a priority — and have gotten it done. And recently, we expanded the limits to ensure that women-owned businesses are eligible for larger government contracts.
• Counseling. Our Office of Women’s Business Ownership oversees a national network of 106 Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) that support women who want to start or grow their business. We’re connecting with more women every day, and, in FY 2012 alone, we counseled and trained more than 136,000 women entrepreneurs.
We are committed to helping women entrepreneurs because we know how much potential they have to contribute to America’s economic growth. n
Karen Gordon Mills is a former administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration. This article first appeared on the SBA’s community blog;
www.sba.gov
City Tire Wants to Build on an 85-year Legacy
Peter Greenberg in the showroom at City Tire’s Avocado Street location.
A Nor’easter was slowly moving its way through the region, blending light but persistent snow with temperatures well below freezing, a combination that made the roads exceedingly slick and difficult to traverse.
Personally, Peter Greenberg, like the rest of us, doesn’t much like this kind of weather. But as a businessman, well, let’s just say he’s pragmatic.
“We haven’t had a good winter in a couple of years,” he said, using the language and tone typically reserved for frustrated ski-area operators and snowblower dealers, as he looked out the window. “You have people who have bought cars over the past few years who don’t even realize they may need snow tires. You get weather like this, and they understand that they need to do something.”
Elaborating, he said that while the extreme conditions that day kept the bays at City Tire’s flagship Avocado Street location in Springfield relatively quiet, they also provided that effective education for drivers. And this knowledge would certainly help Greenberg reduce an inventory of snow tires that hadn’t been substantially dented until very recently.
Coping effectively with what Mother Nature has dished out — good, bad (however those terms are deployed), or “good snow-tire-selling weather,” as he called it — has been one of many reasons why City Tire has survived to be a three-generation company and recently celebrate 85 years in business.
The original store in downtown Springfield, where the Civic Center parking garage now stands.
And while their grandfather probably had to stock a handful of different sizes and competitors were few, Peter and Daniel have to stock (or provide) hundreds of different sizes and brands and face many types of competitors.
But some things about this business haven’t changed since Calvin Coolidge was in the White House, said Peter. Chief among them is the fact that this is, first and foremost, a service business, one where the successful players are the ones who can perhaps take some of the sting out of something he places firmly in the grudge-purchase category.
“This isn’t like selling diamonds; no one really likes buying tires — it’s just not fun,” he explained, adding that the simple mission of the company has always been to make that experience, and others involving automobiles that are equally disagreeable, a little more tolerable.
Greenberg said there have been many keys to the company’s success over the years, particularly an ability to keep up with both the times and the competition.
When it comes to the latter, there is an ever-increasing amount of it, and it’s coming from many different directions, including national and regional tire chains (Town Fair is the most prominent one in this area); company stores, such as those operated by Goodyear and Firestone; wholesale clubs (Costco and BJ’s); Internet suppliers; and, increasingly, auto dealers.
Indeed, while once that constituency had a reputation for being too expensive or offering inferior service when it came to tires and other services, it has closed those gaps in recent years, said Greenberg. City Tire has responded by renovating and upgrading a number of its locations to make them better able to compete with the spacious and well-appointed dealerships that now dominate the landscape (more on this later).
Meanwhile, after more or less standing pat for the past few years, the company is looking to add more locations, he said, adding that one of his informal New Year’s resolutions is to be more aggressive in scouting new locations and taking the City Tire name to more cities and towns in New England and perhaps beyond.
“My goal would be to at least double the size of the company over the next five years, to 25 locations,” he said, adding that this is an aggressive goal, but one he believes is also realistic.
For this issue, BusinessWest takes a look at a regional business with considerable miles on it, but one with plenty of tread left and an entrepreneurial outlook about what could happen down the road.
In a Groove
The screen saver on Peter Greenberg’s PC is a picture definitely worth more than a thousand words — at least to Springfield history buffs.
It’s a shot looking north on Dwight Street in Springfield, circa late ’40s or early ’50s (he’s not sure). Prominent in the left-center of the photograph is the store his grandfather got things started with, located on the property later taken by the city to build the Civic Center parking garage. The City Tire sign is actually dwarfed by others hyping the products sold there — namely U.S. Royal (United States Rubber Co.) tires, later known as Uniroyals, manufactured just a few miles away at a plant (closed decades ago) in the center of Chicopee.
Greenberg, who said he often finds himself explaining the geography, as well as the signage, noted that his daughter put it on his computer recently in recognition of just how much this company values its past.
Indeed, on one wall in the main lobby is a large collage of photos spanning several decades. Meanwhile, in Peter’s office there are a number of pictures, including one featuring all three generations (the only one he’s been able to find), and another depicting his grandfather at work. And on the wall behind his desk is the original site plan for the current Avocado Street facility; the business was relocated to the former landfill situated across from the old Pynchon Park by the Springfield Redevelopment Authority as it was reshaping downtown Springfield in the early ’70s.
The three generations of ownership at City Tire: founder Irving Greenberg (second from right), his son, Larry (left), and grandsons Peter and Daniel.
He set up shop on Dwight Street at a time when car ownership was exploding across the country — and when tires needed to be replaced far more often than they do now.
“This has always been a good business — people always need tires and service — but it was a lot simpler back then,” he said. “There weren’t that many kinds of vehicles or brands of tires. It’s much more complicated now.”
Irving Greenberg was eventually joined by his son, Larry, who would begin an expansion process, continued by the third generation, which would take the enterprise to Chicopee, Pittsfield, Greenfield, Wilbraham, Amherst, and Worcester, as well as Waterford, Conn., Williston, Vt., and Keene and West Lebanon, N.H.
Peter told BusinessWest that, while he did consider, and actually start down, some other career paths — he spent two years doing pre-med work before shelving his plan to be a doctor, then ventured out west to be a “ski bum,” and later worked for Uniroyal selling tires wholesale — there was a certain manifest destiny attached to his birth announcement. It told of the “latest U.S. Royal Master” — a top-of-the-line model in the late ’50s — “bouncing out of the maternity ward,” or words to that effect.
Greenberg, who returned to the family venture in 1983, said he grew up in the business, handling tasks ranging from sweeping floors to changing tires to retreading work, and believes he benefited from those experiences because they exposed him to all aspects of the industry.
Today, he and Daniel split most of the administrative duties, with Daniel focused primarily on sales, and Peter on purchasing, advertising, inventory control (an important assignment in this and any other business), and further expansion opportunities.
But in the bigger-picture scheme of things, they share the assignment of constantly sharpening the company’s competitive edge and responding to change, which has come in many different forms.
“There are fewer and fewer independent tire dealers because it just costs a lot more to operate a business,” he said, noting that players must keep large inventories and be able to quickly provide virtually any size and make of tire through regional wholesalers. “You have to buy more tires, you have to stock more tires, and you need to have people who know what they’re doing, so you have to pay people better. It’s a much more complicated business than it was in the ’20s or the ’60s or the ’70s.”
Where the Rubber Meets the Road
Summing up the accomplishments of the second and third generations of the company’s ownership and management, Greenberg said they’ve expanded geographically, but also in terms of service.
He used the phrase “one-stop shopping” early and quite often as he talked with BusinessWest to drive home the point that customers can stop at the company’s locations for much more than new rubber or to get a slow leak plugged.
And this is an important consideration from a competitive standpoint, he went on, adding that consumers value convenience as well as quality service, and operations that can package both — and he believes this chain does — will fare well.
“We provide full auto care, and that’s what makes us different from a lot of our competitors,” he said, specifically referencing independent tire sellers such as Town Fair. “And our managers are local — when someone walks in the door, they know the people — and most of our staff have been here for a long time.
“We come across as local people who are here to stay,” he went on. “We’re easy to do business with.”
Looking ahead — something the brothers do more than looking back, despite their company’s rich history — Greenberg said City Tire must continually respond to new trends and challenges within the industry.
At or near the top of that list is escalating competition and the emergence of auto dealers as a viable threat when it comes to market share.
“Our fiercest competitor on the horizon is the car dealers,” he explained. “For years, they were known as the most expensive place, and we were able to essentially pick their pockets.
“But they finally realized that they need to keep their customers,” he went on. “So they’ve changed their cost basis so now they can afford to compete with us. Because of the number of tires they buy as original equipment, they’ve gone ahead and cut deals with the tire manufacturers. And even though they don’t have the space for the tires, they’ve worked things out with the wholesalers to get product.”
And the dealers have been able to couple this new math with large, comfortable showrooms, he went on, adding that, in response, City Tire has renovated the showrooms in six of its 11 locations over the past few years to make them more inviting and more comfortable, and others will be redone in the near future.
“We have to be more presentable to the public when they walk in the door — they need to feel comfortable,” he said, adding that such renovations are an example of how the company has historically been quick to respond to changes within the industry to stay ahead of the curve.
And then, there’s that New Year’s resolution to scout for new locations.
Greenberg said the company would like to undertake additional expansion, and will target markets where the City Tire name doesn’t exist, and also existing businesses for acquisition rather than start-up ventures.
“When you buy an ongoing business, the day you open, you have customers,” he explained. “When you start your business from scratch, you have to drive people in the door. So my first choice is to buy an existing business.”
Another component of the strategic plan is to continue to aggressively market the City Tire brand, he said, adding that the goal of such activity — including the well-known jingle “the best place by far for your car” — is to simply drive traffic to those 11 locations.
If those efforts are successful, he believes the company’s track record for quality service and providing a pleasant experience — or at least as pleasant as possible given the grudge-purchase nature of this work — will create repeat customers.
Getting a Grip
“But with weather like this, I don’t need any marketing,” he said with a laugh as he again gestured out the window to the accumulating snow.
Turning serious, he said that, through more than 85 years in business, the three generations of this family have learned that the formula for success involves much more than a well-timed nor’easter or two.
It comes down to staying ahead of marketing trends and treating customers like Irving Greenberg did, even when he worked with the third generation of ownership a half-century after getting started.
“I don’t know how many times customers would come in and he would say, ‘you don’t need new tires — they’re fine,’” Peter recalled. “He would say, ‘come back in six months when you really need them.’
“That’s how you build up trust with customers,” he went on, adding that this has essentially been the business plan for the first nine decades, and it will continue to be that way in the years to come.
George O’Brien can be reached at [email protected]
