2015 - Page 36 of 45 - BusinessWest

Doing Business as Certificates

By BusinessWest Staff March 24, 2015

DBA Certificates Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of March 2015.

AGAWAM

Nota Bane Music Studio
98 Riviera Dr.
Irina Sidoryuk

Rube
168 Elm St.
Sara Vincent

CHICOPEE

Austin Family Cleaning
76 Armory Dr.
Paula Austin

Complete Property Preservation
55 Beauregard Terrace
Paul Martin

DK Express
172 Prospect St.
Dmitriy Kudrya

Pol Tours West Travel
178 Center St.
Kazimierz Irzyk

Saint Joseph Builders
28 Allen St.
Joseph Ramah

Sal’s Barbershop
824 Chicopee St.
Saul Sanchez

Tru-Clear Window Cleaning
196 Pendleton Ave.
Jared Martinez

HOLYOKE

5 Martin
5 Martin St.
Venus Chartier

Bath & Body Works, LLC
50 Holyoke St.
Harriete Hansell

Cheap Thrills
167 Chestnut St.
Joe Cox

Elevation Art and Framing
92 Race St.
Colleen Conlon

Sam’s Quality Motors
170 Main St.
Enoc Rosa

United Capital Financial Services
330 Whitney Ave.
Caryn Westman

LUDLOW

Lorraine’s
19 Prospect St.
Lorraine Carreira

SAS Comfort Shoes
433 Center St.
Donna Wishart

NORTHAMPTON

Berkshire Oyster Company
1 Ventures Field Road
Wesley Malzone

Creative Therapy
241 King St.
Siobhan Silver

Gan Keshet Jewish Community Preschool
253 Prospect St.
James Sagalyn

J. Rich Clothing for Men
153 Main St.
Nancy Donato

Northeast Mobile Repair
2 Conz St.
Richard Lodigigani

R-Kade Games
221 Pine St.
Richard Kalin

Whole Body Healing, Acupuncture, and Chinese Medicine
30 North King St.
Elizabeth Girard

PALMER

Michael Cardin Photography
1142 South Main St.
Michael Cardin

SPRINGFIELD

AGV Transport
76 Brittany Road
Joseph Richard

AKH, LLC
266 Belmont Ave.
Syed Imam

Antim, LLC
32 Hancock St.
Lynn Bledsoe

Appliance Plus Service
224 Chapin Terrace
Eliezer Cortes

Arctic Rental and Leasing
1601 Page Blvd.
Carl A. Jasmin

Arfe Art
1655 Main St.
Milagros Martinez

Assarian Electric
64 Abbe Ave.
Nelson A. Assarian

Attorney Robert H. Astor
1 Monarch Place
Robert H. Astor

Bartman
117 Governor St.
Bartholomew Moriarty

Brightwood Press Company
121 Chestnut St.
Adam Gomez

D.R.S. Painting
223 East St.
Daniel R. Sheldon

Dany Argueta
47 Home St.
Dany Argueta

Dayspring
177 Westford Ave.
Michael J. Wilson

De Todo Un Poco
152 Rifle St.
Damaris Morales

Dining Furnitures, LLC
182 Draper St.
An V. Nguyen

Downtown Convenience
160 Worthington St.
Nafees A. Awan

E’S Convenience
23 St. James Blvd.
Efrain Elliot

Eagles Quality Cleaning
43 Wait St.
David Tapia

Elahi, LLC
1350 Main St.
Rehan Hussain

Glory Inc.
595 Main St.
Hyo Lee

Goddess Couture
269 Main St.
Danielle Leysath

Health Relaxation Location
803 Belmont Ave.
Liu Yang

JLJ Construction
94 Lamont St.
Joe C. Long

John Mastronardi & Sons
281 Cooley St.
John Mastronardi & Sons

Journeys
1655 Boston Road
Julie Galbreth

Junior’s Auto Body
151 Pine St.
Catalino Maldonado

La Fama Beauty Supply
28 Bancroft St.
Jose A. Martinez

Y Solutions
431 Main St.
Yevgeniy Loboda

WESTFIELD

Mount Tekoa Group, LLC
254 Falley Dr.
Mount Tekoa Group, LLC

New Corner Variety
2 Crown St.
New Corner Variety

Royal Icings
68 Gary Dr.
Susan Forest

Westfield Yarn & Thread Studio
22 School St.
Katherine F. Coache

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Chicopee-Holyoke Macaroni
31 Field St.
Jessica Dziewit

Inter-Technologies Inc.
451 Dewey St.
Yury Altyev

Long Radio
1102 Riverdale St.
Matthew S. Imbriglio

M.J.’s Window Cleaning
49 Homestead Ave.
Michael J. Ferrarini

Park West Auto Sales Inc.
326 Park St.
Anthony L. Calabrese

Tony G. Saville
660 Main St.
Tony G. Saville

Incorporations

By BusinessWest Staff March 24, 2015

Departments Incorporations

The following business incorporations were recorded in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties and are the latest available. They are listed by community.

AMHERST

The Coffee Grind Inc., 450 West St., Amherst, MA 01002. Isabel Mercado, 18 Hunter Hills Circle, Amherst, MA 01002. Coffee bar and tea house.

GRANBY

Alphabet Soup Childcare Center Inc., 166 West State St., Granby, MA 01033. Bobbi L. Rougeau, same. Childcare services.

HATFIELD

A & S Building and Remodeling Inc., 123 Depot Road, Hatfield, MA 01038. David Jagodzinski, same. Construction.

HOLYOKE

Aircraft Management Service & Sales Inc., 330 Whitney Ave., Suite, 440, Holyoke, MA 01040. Michael J. Kane, 6 Old Pasture Dr., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Management and sale of aircraft and related industries.

LONGMEADOW

Renal and Transplant Associates of New England, P.C., 15 Pendleton Lane, Longmeadow, MA 01106. Krishnan Babu, same. Medical services.

MONTAGUE

Andrew Cavanagh Inc., 555 Turners Falls Road, Montague, MA 01351. Andrew Cavanagh, same. Building websites and applications.

NORTHAMPTON

A2Z Science Inc., 57 King St., Unit A, Northampton, MA 01060. Andre Boulay, same. Retail sales.

PITTSFIELD

Anthony Gianacopoulos Attorney at Law, P.C., 75 North St., Suite 320, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Anthony Gianacopoulos, same. Legal services.

SOUTHWICK

4Life Entertainment Orgaization Inc., 389 North Loomis St., Southwick, MA 01077. Spencer Lavoie. Same. Event production for charitable causes.

Adam Transport Inc., 628 College Highway, Southwick, MA 01077. Erdem Akca, same. Trucking.

Allied Tree Service Inc., 237 Hillside Road, Southwick, MA 01077. Adam C. Roberts, same. Commercial and residential tree service including but not limited to tree removal, stump grinding, and chipping.

SPRINGFIELD

Save Cathedral High School Inc., 110 Atwater Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107. Al Dilascia, 16 Ginger Road, Chicopee, MA 01020. Charity for Catherdral High School.

WESTFIELD

Western New England Amateur Boxing Inc., 5 Princeton St., Westfield, MA 01085. Dean Fay, same. To support charitable and community organizations through amateur boxing and related events.

Yagmur Inc., 18 School St., Westfield, MA 01085. Yagmur Hamurcu, 19 Pine St., Ludlow, MA 01056. Pizza restaurant.

Briefcase

By BusinessWest Staff March 24, 2015

Briefcase Departments

<strong>Unemployment Rises Slightly in January
BOSTON — The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported that the seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates for January were up in all 24 labor market areas, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), compared to December 2014 rates. However, compared to January 2014, over-the-year unemployment rates were down in all of the labor market areas. BLS also released job and unemployment estimates for the new geographical boundaries of the labor market areas that were redrawn based on 2010 Census area delineations. These changes allow job estimates to be published for 15 areas, and labor-force and unemployment-rate estimates to be released for 24 areas. During January 2015, both Massachusetts and the 15 local areas for which job estimates are published experienced seasonal job losses. Since January 2014, all 15 areas added jobs. The Barnstable, Lawrence, Worcester, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Framingham, and Pittsfield areas added more jobs than over the same time period last year. In order to compare to the local unemployment rates, the statewide unadjusted unemployment rate for January was 5.6%, up 0.7% from the revised December 2014 rate. Over the year, the statewide unadjusted rate was down 1.3% from the January 2014 rate of 6.9%. The seasonally adjusted statewide January unemployment rate, released on March 10, was 5.1%, down 0.2% over the month and down 1.0% over the year. The rate was 0.6% below the national unemployment rate. The statewide seasonally adjusted jobs estimate showed a 2,600-job gain in January and an over-the-year gain of 68,000 jobs. Once a year, BLS revises and updates area job estimates, which are available back to 1990. The revised labor-force and unemployment rates go back to 2014. The labor force, unemployment rates and jobs estimates for Massachusetts and every other state are based on several different statistical methodologies specified by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. The unadjusted unemployment rates, labor force, and job estimates for the labor market areas reflect seasonal fluctuations and, therefore, may show different levels and trends than the statewide seasonally adjusted estimates.

MGM Springfield Names VP, Slates Groundbreaking
SPRINGFIELD — MGM Resorts International announced that Brian Packer has been named vice president of Development and Construction for MGM Springfield, as it makes preparations for a March 24 groundbreaking event. As part of the MGM Resorts development team, which provides oversight and construction management on all regional and international integrated-resort projects, Packer will provide executive oversight for all aspects of construction and program-management activities at MGM Springfield. He has been an owner’s representative for MGM Resorts for more than 10 years, specializing in large, complex design and construction projects. He most recently served as director of Design and Construction. While in this role, he assembled the team that helped open ARIA Resort & Casino, one of the largest private developments of its kind. “Our team designs and delivers the most distinct hospitality properties in the world,” said Michael Mathis, MGM Springfield president. “Brian is the right person to assist in developing MGM Springfield, the largest development in Springfield and one of the largest in the region’s history.” Added Packer, “I was thrilled to have been asked to come to Springfield on behalf of MGM. Our company has been abuzz about the revolutionary and integrated downtown design and what we hope to accomplish for the Western Massachusetts region. I look forward to working together with our local partners to achieve this new vision for Springfield.” The construction of MGM Springfield will offer opportunities in a wide range of property components, such as early work and off-site work for the garage, casino, hotel tower, and retail plaza. Each component will allow for various bid opportunities for local contractors, in both prime and sub roles. MGM has and will continue to advertise additional opportunities for future construction packages as they become available. Interested bidders will learn about the scope of work, how to participate in the pre-qualification process, and MGM Springfield’s policy on minority contractors, vendors, and purchasing. “As certain aspects of the construction phase become the next priority, we will roll out this meeting process to get the right people for each piece of this design,” Mathis said.

ACCGS Releases 2015 Legislative Agenda
SPRINGFIELD — The Affiliated Chamber of Commerce of Greater Springfield (ACCGS) has released its 2015 legislative agenda, addressing the major legislative issues intended to strengthen business competitiveness, lower business costs, and stimulate growth in the Greater Springfield region. The agenda touches upon key issues in the areas of tax policy, workplace ethics, healthcare, and workforce development. The ACCGS will continue to update the legislative agenda throughout the session so to stay current with the evolving nature of the region. With revenues growing at a 4.5% rate, the chamber will focus on how those revenues are prioritized and spent in the areas of Gateway Cities, infrastructure, and local aid. The chamber continues to work hard in making the region competitive when it comes to the costs of doing business, and is addressing issues in the workplace with a focus on mandated sick leave, unemployment insurance, treble damage, and non-compete legislation. Healthcare costs are a major priority in this session’s agenda and remain a point of concern for the chamber and its members. The chamber will focus its efforts on addressing the federal Affordable Care Act, mandated benefits, and insurance disbursements. With more than 6,000 pieces of legislation filed at the commencement of the session on Jan. 1, the ACCGS will be monitoring the progress of these bills to better assert its position throughout the 2015-16 legislative session.

Springfield Establishes Casino Liaison Office
SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and the Office of Planning & Economic Development have officially announced the establishment of the Casino Liaison Office. In order to meet the requirements of the Gaming Act found under Section 96 of Chapter 194 of the Acts of 2011, a host community is required to take action to help coordinate and expedite local permitting of a gaming facility. The Casino Liaison Office will act similar to a local permitting ombudsman to help coordinate and expedite local permitting of the development. The role of this office is to work with MGM Springfield and its construction-management team to resolve the myriad issues likely to occur during the construction period and to help streamline city permitting. This office will be in existence for a short time covering the period of construction and the first year of operation, with an expected span of 39 months. This office will be overseen by Kevin Kennedy, the city’s chief development officer, and will be staffed by Al Chwalek, retired director of the Department of Public Works, and attorney James Hannifan. The Casino Liaison Office will coordinate the efforts of the various city departments involved in the development and construction of the casino project and serve as an information resource for the developer and as a representative and facilitator for developer in the processing of its permitting, licensing, and regulatory approvals. “Due to the size and complexity of this multi-million-dollar project, it is imperative that the city provide a direct point of contact as we move forward with the realization of this tremendous economic-development project for the city of Springfield,” said Sarno. “Both Al and Jim have direct knowledge of the development process and will be instrumental in making sure that, when issues arise, they can be dealt with directly and in a timely manner to ensure this project stays on track.” In addition to the Casino Liaison Office staff, Sarno will also be bringing together a number of key departments as part of a casino-development team. This team will include the Office of Planning & Economic Development, Department of Public Works, Law Department, Building Department, Police Department, Fire Department, Water & Sewer Commission, and Office of Administration and Finance. As part of this team, the city will also be re-engaging the services of a number of outside casino-related consultants. These include Fuss & O’Neil, a local traffic-engineering consultant; the Chicago Consultants Studio Inc., a Chicago-based planning firm, which will review site-planning-related issues; and Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, formerly Shefsky & Froelich Ltd., for its expertise concerning legal matters relating to the gaming industry. The city will fund the office staff through payments received in conjunction with the host-community agreement. Outside consultants used for their expertise will be funded pursuant to the terms of the agreement, which obligate the developer to pay development process cost fees. “As we did during the casino-review process, the city wants to ensure that we have a transparent and open process and that we also have the most qualified people to help guide one of the largest development projects in the city’s history,” Kennedy said. “This team of city departments and consultants, which will also be fully available to the City Council as part of their review, will help to play a major role in the permitting process and provide much-needed input as we look forward in anticipation of the casino’s opening in 2017.”

Company Notebook

By BusinessWest Staff March 24, 2015

Company Notebook Departments

Hampden Bancorp Stockholders Approve Berkshire Hills Merger
SPRINGFIELD — Hampden Bancorp Inc. announced that its stockholders have voted to approve the previously announced merger of Hampden with Berkshire Hills Bancorp Inc. The companies expect to complete the merger in April 2015, although there can be no assurance that the closing will occur then. Consummation of the merger is subject to approval by state and federal regulatory agencies. On Nov. 4, Hampden and Berkshire announced that they had entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Berkshire will acquire Hampden and its subsidiary, Hampden Bank, in an all-stock transaction. Under the terms of the merger agreement, each outstanding share of Hampden common stock will be exchanged for 0.81 shares of Berkshire Hills common stock. Berkshire will have a pro forma market cap of approximately $740 million and 100 branches serving customers and communities across New England and New York. Hampden Bancorp Inc. is the holding company of Hampden Bank. Established in 1852, Hampden Bank is a full-service community bank serving families and businesses in and around Hampden County. The Bank has 10 office locations in Springfield, Agawam, Longmeadow, West Springfield, Wilbraham, and Indian Orchard, as well as Internet services, including online banking and bill payment.

Eric Carle Museum Shortlisted for 2015 National Medal
AMHERST — The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) announced that the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst is among 30 finalists for the 2015 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries for service to the community. For 21 years, the award has celebrated institutions that demonstrate extraordinary and innovative approaches to public service to make a difference for individuals, families, and communities. “Museums and libraries are the lifeblood of our communities, serving as trusted providers of critical resources, educational training, skills development, and civic and cultural enrichment,” said Maura Marx, acting director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. “We salute the Carle for exemplary leadership in promoting lifelong learning while engaging and inspiring the public.” Finalists are chosen because of their significant and exceptional contributions to their communities. “In 12 short years, the Carle has brought the art of children’s books to the big stage, traveling exhibitions here and abroad, and has encouraged parents everywhere to make museum-going an integral part of their children’s experience,” said Christopher Milne, the Carle’s chairman of the board. The National Medal winners will be named later this spring, and representatives from winning institutions will travel to Washington, D.C. to be honored at an award ceremony. Winning institutions also receive a visit from StoryCorps, a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to recording, preserving, and sharing the stories of Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs. IMLS is encouraging community members who have visited these institutions to share their stories on the IMLS Facebook page, www.facebook.com/usimls. To see the full list of finalists and learn more about the National Medal, visit www.imls.gov/medals.

Winstanley Garners Four Addys
LENOX – Creative agency Winstanley Partners highlighted its strength in packaging design this month, garnering four ADDY awards at the annual competition. Sponsored by the American Advertising Federation and hosted by the Albany AdClub, the ADDY awards honor creative work in the fields of marketing and advertising in its many forms, including print design, television, web, radio production, and elements of advertising such as logo design and photography. Winstanley Partners earned its awards for work completed in 2014 including labels for two new wines from Balderdash Cellars of Pittsfield, print advertisements created for Yo-Zuri America, Inc., a purveyor of high quality fishing lures, and the ‘Winstanley Fish Call,’ a self-promotional item used at the 2014 iCAST (International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades) show. For more information, visit winstanley.com.

AIC Offers Family Nurse Practitioner Program
SPRINGFIELD — The new Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program at American International College (AIC) is a unique program that expands and compliments other health professions programs within the School of Health Sciences. With the passage of the Affordable Care Act, a predicted shortage of primary-care providers is on the horizon. The FNP program is designed to help meet that need. Nurse practitioners provide direct patient care and are able to assess patients, order and interpret diagnostic tests, diagnose, and manage treatment plans, including prescribing medications. Coming from a nursing background, family nurse practitioners approach patient care by employing a holistic, collaborative, and patient-centered model with the goal of helping people live the fullest lives possible. The FNP program at AIC is the only master’s-level nurse-practitioner program in the area. The flexible program provides a blended approach of classroom and online study. Its eight-semester, part-time schedule allows students to continue working while earning their advanced degree. According to AIC Dean of Health Sciences Cesarina Thompson, “the Family Nurse Practitioner program adds another level of expertise to the college’s other advanced degree programs in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Nursing within the School of Health Sciences. And, in terms of the workforce, there is an ever-present need to work better together for the safety and quality of healthcare.” For more information about the Family Nurse Practitioner program, contact Associate Director for Graduate Nursing Programs Ellen Furman at (413) 205-3561 or [email protected]. To learn more about AIC’s graduate and undergraduate programs, visit www.aic.edu.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff March 24, 2015

Departments People on the Move

PeoplesBank has announced the promotions of several key associates:

Karen Buell

• Karen Buell has been promoted to Vice President, Customer Innovation Lab. Buell possesses more than a decade of banking experience. She joined the bank in 2006 and previously served as assistant vice president, eChannel officer. Buell holds an MBA from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Houghton College. In 2010, she was recognized as a BusinessWest 40 Under Forty award winner, and she received the Uncommon Volunteer award from the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce in 2011. Buell volunteers at Chicopee Comprehensive High School, where she teaches financial literacy.

Gail Richard

• Gail Richard has been promoted to Vice President, Information Systems. Richard has more than four decades of banking experience. She joined the bank in 1971 and previously served as assistant vice president, Information Systems Officer. A resident of South Hadley, she graduated from the Mass. Bankers Assoc. School of Banking.

Michael Sugrue

• Michael Sugrue has been promoted to Vice President, Compliance. Sugrue has close to two decades of banking and auditing experience. He joined the bank in 2009 and previously served as assistant vice president, Compliance. Sugrue holds an MBA from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst and a bachelor’s degree in marketing from American International College. He is a graduate of the ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Sugrue is vice president and a board member of the Western Mass. Compliance Assoc.
• Cynthia Wszolek has been promoted to Cash Management Officer. She has 15 years of banking experience. She joined the bank in 2013, serving as a cash management sales and support specialist. She volunteers for the American Cancer Society, serving on the planning committee for the Evening of Hope Gala. Ms. Wszolek is currently working toward an associate degree in business administration at Springfield Technical Community College.
• Starr McGrath has been promoted to Consumer Loan Officer. She has more than three decades of banking experience. She joined the bank in 1983 and previously served as consumer loan analyst.
• Patricia O’Brien has been promoted to Underwriter Officer. With more than two decades of banking experience, she joined the bank in 2008 and previously served as underwriter. O’Brien holds an associate degree in business administration from Holyoke Community College. She serves as a director of the Holyoke Kiwanis Club.
•••••

Moyah Smith

William Crawford IV, CEO of United Financial Bancorp Inc. and United Bank of Glastonbury, Conn., announced the hiring of Moyah Smith, who has taken on the primary role of United’s community outreach officer, responsible for covering Western Mass. In this role, Smith has assumed a number of key responsibilities, including organizing and participating in financial-literacy programs and classes where local residents can learn more about a range of important topics such as money management, the homebuying process, and how to repair and maintain good credit. She will also leverage her mortgage banking experience and strong ties to the Western Mass. region to promote and guide local residents through the entire homebuying process from application to closing. Her volunteerism and reputation in the Western Mass. community is extensive; she has dedicated her time to several nonprofit organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Together Springfield, Relay for Life, the Alzheimer’s Assoc., and Project Clean Up Springfield, among others. She also volunteers weekly as a personality for the local nonprofit community radio station WTCC-FM at Springfield Technical Community College. In addition to serving as the community outreach officer in Western Mass, Smith will also hold the title of mortgage loan officer for United Bank. She gained considerable mortgage banking experience while working as a MLO for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage in West Springfield from 1998 to 2004. Smith was also a Realtor and MLO with Keller Williams Realty in Longmeadow from 2004 to 2009. Before coming to United, Smith was a regional account executive with Elavon Inc., where she worked with banks and credit unions in delivering business solutions for small to mid-sized banks and providing merchant services to the company’s commercial customer base. Smith is based at United Bank’s offices at 95 Elm St. in West Springfield. She reports to Lisa Kraus, vice president and Western Mass. sales manager.
•••••
The Springfield Symphony Orchestra (SSO) announced that Peter Salerno will return to the post of Executive Director for an interim period as the board of trustees begins a nationwide search for permanent leadership. Salerno, a local business leader and long-time member of the orchestra’s board of trustees, served in this capacity prior to the hiring of outgoing Executive Director Audrey Szychulski. In January of this year, Szychulski announced her acceptance of a new position with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, leaving the Springfield Symphony Orchestra with enhanced sponsorship and a strengthened business plan. In addition to serving on the orchestra’s board of trustees, Salerno teaches at Bay Path University and Clark University, serves as Finance chair of the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School Committee, and is lead consultant for Management Solutions, LLC. He looks forward to bringing his decades of business experience to his position with the symphony. In the upcoming months, the SSO board of trustees will oversee a nationwide search for a permanent executive director, with the goal of having that individual in place by early fall 2015, as the symphony enters the beginning of its 72nd season.
•••••

Nicole Griffin

Nicole Griffin, president of Griffin Staffing Network, LLC in Springfield, has been selected as the recipient of the Urban League Community Builder Award for 2015. Griffin began her career in the financial industry, but after 12 years, she shifted into the staffing and recruitment field. She has several years of experience as a human-resources professional, including employee relations, recruitment, and retention. Her ability to understand the needs of a client led her to establish Griffin Staffing Network (GSN), now made up of a team with a combined 26 years of experience in staffing and recruitment. Focusing more on quality than quantity, GSN places top talent from call-center to C-level management positions in temp, temp-to-hire, contract, and permanent-placement structures. Griffin says her goal is to empower the community through employment opportunities and career development. Griffin was named to the 40 Under Forty by BusinessWest magazine in 2014. She serves on the board of SABIS International Charter School, the board of directors for Intercity Youth Inc., the committee of the Women Leadership Council, and the Plan for Progress Coordinating Council, and is a participant in the 2014-15 Leadership Institute for Political and Public Impact Program. For more information about Griffin Staffing Network, visit www.griffinstaffingnetwork.com. For more information about the Urban League of Springfield, visit www.ulspringfield.org.
•••••

Samantha Peia

Residence Inn Chicopee announced that Samantha Peia has been appointed the hotel’s new Director of Sales. The four-story, 115-room hotel is located at 500 Memorial Dr. and has been open since September 2013. In her new role, Peia will be responsible for leading and directing the development and implementation of strategic sales and marketing plans. Prior to joining Residence Inn, she was senior sales manager at Courtyard by Marriott in Farmington, Conn. She holds a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from Boston University and has worked in multiple positions with Marriott hotels. “Based on Samantha’s outstanding record, we are confident that she will be instrumental in ensuring the success of the Residence Inn Chicopee,” said Karen Warren, the hotel’s general manager.
•••••
Climate scientist and Distinguished Professor Raymond Bradley, director of the Climate System Research Center at UMass Amherst, has won a 2015 national Texty award for excellence for his book, Paleoclimatology: Reconstructing Climates of the Quaternary, which provides an overview of methods for reconstructing ancient climatic and of historical climate changes during the past 3 million years. The Text and Academic Authors Assoc. (TAA) announced seven 2015 Texty awards on Feb. 25. They will be presented to the authors during a lunch at the association’s 28th annual Textbook & Academic Authoring Conference in Las Vegas in June. Bradley’s 700-page text, published in its third edition by the academic press division of Elsevier this year, discusses such topics as natural climate variation, dating methods, ice cores, marine sediments, lake sediments, non-marine geologic evidence, pollen, corals, tree rings, and historical documents. In the introduction, he explains that paleoclimatology is the study of climate in the period before the tiny fraction of the Earth’s history that can be told using instrument measurements. He points out that a longer view can be obtained by studying climate-dependent natural phenomena that provide a proxy record of climate in the past. Such records can be combined and built up to help scientists theorize and test hypotheses about causes and mechanisms of climate variation that may still be at work today. Bradley, professor of Geosciences at UMass Amherst, said, “I was quite surprised to learn about this award, but I’m really pleased. I learned a lot writing the book, so it’s gratifying to know that others appreciate the result.” The TAA is the only nonprofit membership association dedicated solely to assisting textbook and academic authors. Its mission is to support textbook and academic authors in creating top-quality educational and scholarly works that stimulate love of learning and foster the pursuit of knowledge.

Chamber Corners: Upcoming Events

By BusinessWest Staff March 24, 2015

Chamber Corners Departments

AFFILIATED CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE OF GREATER SPRINGFIELD
www.myonlinechamber.com
(413) 787-1555

• Thursdays, through March 26: ACCGS Leadership Institute 2015, 1-4 p.m., at the TD Bank Conference Center, 1441 Main St., Springfield. In partnership with Western New England University.

• March 24: ACCGS Pastries, Politics and Policy, 8-9 a.m., at the TD Bank Conference Center, 1441 Main St., Springfield. For political and policy junkies. Reservations are $15 for members, $25 for general admission. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com.

• April 1: ACCGS Business@Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m., at the Delaney House, 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke. Mayor’s Forum, featuring Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, West Springfield Mayor Edward Sullivan, and Westfield Mayor Daniel Knapik. Emceed by abc40’s Dave Madsen. Sponsored by United Personnel. Reservations are $20 for members in advance, $25 for members at the door, and $30 for general admission. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com.

• April 8: ACCGS Lunch ‘n’ Learn, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at La Quinta Inn and Suites, 100 Congress St., Springfield. “When Creative Meets Data.” Learn the ‘where’ and ‘how’ to harness the power of real one-to-one personalized marketing. Presented by Mary McCarthy of Andrews Associates. Reservations are $25 for members, $35 for general admission. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com.

• April 16: East of the River Five Town Chamber Member Appreciation Night, 5-7 p.m., at Europa Black Rock Bar & Grill, 782 Center St., Ludlow. Enjoy networking, games of chance, and more. Reservations are $5 for members, and may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com. East of the River Five Town Chamber is an affiliate of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield.

• April 29: ACCGS Beacon Hill Summit 2015, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at the Massachusetts State House. Hosted by state Sen. James Welch. Day-long opportunity to meet with members of the Baker-Polito administration and the Massachusetts delegation. Reservations are $180 per person, including continental breakfast, transportation, lunch, reception, and all summit materials. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com.

AMHERST AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.amherstarea.com
413-253-0700

• March 26: Margarita Madness 2015, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the Hadley Farms Meeting House, 41 Russell St., Hadley. Taste a variety of margaritas and vote for your favorites. Step into the tropics and pretend you’re on a Caribbean island. This is a Division One competition between restaurant and business margaritas. Your votes will determine who will take home the coveted Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce trophies. Business margaritas provided by: Alden Credit Union, New England Promotional Marketing, Hadley Farms Meeting House, Country Nissan, Lord Jeffery Inn, TD Bank for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County, Encharter Insurance, Applewood at Amherst, and more to come. Restaurant margaritas provided by: Bistro 63 at the Monkey Bar, Bread & Butter, Bridgeside Grille, Chandler’s Restaurant, the Pub, Lord Jeffery Inn, Hadley Farms Meeting House, Chez Josef, Johnny’s Tavern, and more to come. Food Provided by: Emily’s Gourmet to Go, Something Special Catering, Pallazo Café, Glazed Donut Shop, Pop’s Biscotti, and Johnny’s Tavern. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. For more information, contact the chamber at (413) 253-0700.

GREATER CHICOPEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.chicopeechamber.org
(413) 594-2101
 
• March 25 : 21st Annual Table Top Expo and Business Networking Event, 4:30-7 p.m., at the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House, 500 Easthampton Road, Holyoke. Exhibitor cost: $125 for a table. Admission: $10 in advance, $15 at the door. For more information or to register, contact the chamber at (413) 594-2101 or visit www.chicopeechamber.org.

• April 15: Salute Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m., at the Summit View Banquet & Meeting House. For more information or to register, contact the chamber at (413) 594-2101 or visit www.chicopeechamber.org.

• April 16: Mornings with the Mayor, 8-9 a.m., at the Boys & Girls Club, 580 Meadow St., Chicopee. For more information or to register, contact the chamber at (413) 594-2101 or visit www.chicopeechamber.org.

• April 17: Lunch & Learn, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Hampton Inn, 600 Memorial Dr., Chicopee. Attorney Kate O’Brien from Sullivan, Hayes & Quinn will present “No Union, No Worries? No Way!” This is an informative program about what almost all private-sector, non-union employers need to do to avoid being a target of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). For more information or to register, contact the chamber at (413) 594-2101 or visit www.chicopeechamber.org.

• April 22: Business After Hours, 5-7 p.m., at La Quinta Inn & Suites, 100 Congress St., Springfield. For more information, call the chamber at (413) 594-2101.

• May 15: Lunch & Learn, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Hampton Inn, 600 Memorial Dr., Chicopee. “ACA Compliance: Employer Requirements and Management Tools.” Learn about a solid, user-friendly road map for understanding compliance issues. For more information or to register, contact the chamber at (413) 594-2101 or visit www.chicopeechamber.org.

• May 20: Business After Hours, 5-7 p.m., at Renaissance Manor on Cabot, 279 Cabot St., Holyoke. For more information or to register, contact the chamber at (413) 594-2101 or visit www.chicopeechamber.org.

• May 21: Greater Chicopee Chamber Golf Tournament, 10 a.m., at Chicopee Country Club. For more information or to register, contact the chamber at (413) 594-2101 or visit www.chicopeechamber.org.

• May 27: Salute Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m., at Elms College, 291 Springfield St., Chicopee. For more information or to register, contact the chamber at (413) 594-2101 or visit www.chicopeechamber.org.

GREATER EASTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.easthamptonchamber.org
(413) 527-9414

• March 25: 21st Annual Table Top Expo and Business Networking Event, 4:30-7 p.m., at the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House, 500 Easthampton Road, Holyoke. Exhibitor cost: $125 for a table. Admission is $10 in advance, $15 at the door. To register, contact the chamber at (413) 527-9414.

• April 2: Greater Holyoke & Greater Easthampton Chambers of Commerce Legislative Luncheon, 11:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House, 500 Easthampton Road, Holyoke. Sponsored by Easthampton Savings Bank, Holyoke Community College, H&R Block, United Bank, United Personnel, and TD Bank. Ask questions, get answers, and hear issues defined. Cost: $30 for members, $35 for non-members, and $240 for a table of eight. Call the Holyoke chamber at (413) 534-3376 or the Easthampton Chamber (413) 527-9414 to sign up.

• April 13: Monday Morning with the Mayor: Getting Down to Business about Business. Casual conversation with Mayor Karen Cadieux, 8-9 a.m., at Burger King, 113 Northampton St., Easthampton. Free and open to the public.

• May 11: Monday Morning with the Mayor: Getting down to Business about Business. Casual conversation with Mayor Karen Cadieux, 8-9 a.m., at Easthampton Savings Bank, 36 Main St., Easthampton. Free and open to the public.

GREATER HOLYOKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.holycham.com
(413) 534-3376

• Greater Holyoke & Greater Easthampton Chambers of Commerce Legislative Luncheon, 11:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House, 500 Easthampton Road, Holyoke. Sponsored by Easthampton Savings Bank, Holyoke Community College, H&R Block, United Bank, United Personnel, and TD Bank. Ask questions, get answers, and hear issues defined. Cost: $30 for members, $35 for non-members, and $240 for a table of eight. Call the Holyoke chamber at (413) 534-3376 or the Easthampton Chamber (413) 527-9414 to sign up.

• May 15: Chamber After Hours at Pic’s Place, 5-7 p.m. Sponsored and Hosted by Pic’s Place, 910 Hampden St., Holyoke. Tickets: $10 for members, $15 for the public. Call the chamber at (413) 534-3376 or sign up online at www.holycham.com.

• May 18: Annual Chamber Cup 2015 Golf Tournament, celebrating the chamber’s 125th anniversary, 10:30 a.m. at Wyckoff Country Club, 233 Easthampton Road, Holyoke. Registration and lunch at 10:30 a.m.; tee off at noon (scramble format); dinner following game with elaborate food stations catered by the Log Cabin. Cost: $125 per player includes lunch, 18 holes of golf, cart, and dinner. Dinner only: $25. Awards, raffles, and cash prizes follow dinner. Tournament sponsors: Log Cabin and PeoplesBank. Corporate sponsors: Dowd Insurance, Goss & McLain Insurance Agency, Holyoke Gas & Electric, Mountain View Landscapes, Holyoke Medical Center, People’s United Bank, the Republican, and Resnic, Beauregard, Waite & Driscoll. For reservations, call the Chamber Office at (413) 534-3376 or register online at www.holycham.com.

• May 21: Chamber Business Connections, 5-7 p.m. Sponsored and hosted by PeoplesBank, in the atrium in the PeoplesBank Building at 330 Whitney Ave. Cost is $10 for chamber members, $15 for non-members. Join your friends and colleagues for this fun and casual evening of networking. Refreshments, door prizes, and 50/50 raffle.

• June 19: Save the date for the chamber’s 125th Anniversary Gala Ball at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House, 500 Easthampton Road, Holyoke. Cocktails at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. Enjoy an elegant meal and dance to the music of the Floyd Patterson Band. Join Marcotte Ford as one of the major event sponsors by calling (413) 534-3376. Event is open to the public. More details to follow.

GREATER NORTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.explorenorthampton.com
(413) 584-1900

• March 25: 21st Annual Table Top Expo and Business Networking Event, 4:30-7 p.m., at the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House, 500 Easthampton Road, Holyoke. Exhibitor cost: $125 for a table. Admission: $10 in advance, $15 at the door. To register, contact the chamber at (413) 584-1900

• May 6: May Arrive @ 5, 5-7 p.m. at Whalen Insurance Agency. For more information or to register, contact the chamber at (413) 584-1900

• July 1: July Arrive @ 5, 5-7 p.m. Sponsored by Pioneer Landscapes and Easthampton Electrical. For more information or to register, contact the chamber at (413) 584-1900.

GREATER WESTFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.westfieldbiz.org
(413) 568-1618

• April 6: Mayor’s Coffee Hour, 8-9 a.m., at Dever Auditorium at Westfield State University, 577 Western Ave., Westfield. This event is free and open to the public. Call Pam at the chamber office at (413) 568-1618 to register for this event, so we may give our host a head count.

• April 8: April After 5 Connection, 5-7 p.m., at Vantage Sports & Rehab, 130 Southampton Road, Westfield. Refreshments will be served. Bring your business cards and make connections. Tickets are $10 for members, $15 cash for non-members. To register, call Pam at the chamber office at (413) 568-1618.

• April 28: Southwick Home to Business Show, at Tucker’s Restaurant. For more information, contact Pam at the Chamber office at (413) 568-1618.

• May 4: Mayor’s Coffee Hour, 8-9 a.m., at Renaissance Manor, 37 Feeding Hills Road, Westfield. This event is free and open to the public. Call Pam at the chamber office at (413) 568-1618 to register, so we may give our host a head count.

• May 13: May After 5 Connection, 5-7 p.m., at Armbrook Village, 551 North Road, Westfield. Refreshments will be served. Bring your business cards and make connections. Tickets are $10 for members, $15 cash for non-members. To register, call Pam at the chamber office at (413) 568-1618.

• May 18: Save the date for the annual golf tournament at 10 a.m. at Tekoa Country Club. More details to come.

PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S CHAMBER
www.professionalwomenschamber.com
(413) 755-1310

• April 14: Professional Women’s Chamber Ladies Night, 5-7 p.m., at Hofbrauhaus, 1105 Main St., West Springfield. Enjoy complimentary wine and refreshments. Reservations are complimentary but required. To reserve a spot, contact Gwen Burke at (413) 237-8840 or [email protected]. The Professional Women’s Chamber is an affiliate of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield.

WEST OF THE RIVER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.ourwrc.com
(413) 426-3880

• April 1: Wicked Wednesday, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at Kaptain Jimmy’s, 916 Suffield St., Agawam. Sponsored by Easthampton Savings Bank. Wicked Wednesdays are monthly social events hosted by various businesses and restaurants, which bring members and non-members together to network in a laid-back atmosphere. Free for chamber members, $10 at the door for non-members. Event is open to the public. For more information, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or e-mail [email protected].

• April 16: Networking Lunch, noon to 1:30 p.m., at Cal’s, 1068 Riverdale Road, West Springfield. Enjoy a sit-down lunch while networking with fellow chamber members. Each attendee will get a chance to offer a brief sales pitch. The only cost to attend is the cost of lunch. Attendees will order off the menu and pay separately the day of the event. Please note, we cannot invoice you for these events. Attendees must be members or guests of members.  For more information, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or e-mail [email protected].

Agenda

By BusinessWest Staff March 24, 2015

Agenda Departments

‘Creating and Leveraging Networks for Success’
March 25: Leadership Pioneer Valley (LPV) will present “Creating and Leveraging Networks for Success” from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Gateway City Arts in Holyoke. The program will feature Gibran Rivera, senior associate at the Interaction Institute for Social Change in Boston. He will provide a crash course on strategic networking and educate attendees on how to thrive in a networked world, strategize as a networked professional, and overcome networking obstacles. Rivera moved from Puerto Rico to Westfield at age 12 and says the experience of “becoming a minority” has come to define his life’s work. He is the originator of Start & Thrive Studio and maintains a long-time affiliation with the Interaction Institute for Social Change, where he works on the development of leaders, organizations, and networks, and uses coaching, training, process design, and facilitation in service of those who are committed to social transformation. The program is being sponsored by Griffin Staffing Network. The cost is $45 for LPV members and $60 for non-members. For more information or to register, call (413) 737-3876.

Spaghetti Supper
March 25: The Gray House will hold its 24th annual Spaghetti Supper from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Greek Cultural Center, 22 St. George St., Springfield. This special event is a crucial fund-raiser for the Gray House, typically attracting about 400 attendees. Tickets for the event are $5 for adults and $3 for children, and may be purchased at the door. In addition to the supper, there will be a raffle and a silent auction. This year, first prize at the raffle is a foursome to the Ranch Golf Club in Southwick, valued at $400. The East Longmeadow Knights of Columbus Council #9960 will once again be cooking the meal for the spaghetti supper. All proceeds will help the Gray House provide food, clothing, and educational services to neighbors in need. This year, the Gray House will honor Bay Path University (BPU) for its overall support. “We’re excited to honor Bay Path and acknowledge their assistant director of Student Activities, Michelle Mirti, and Dr. Kathryn Wiezbicki-Stevens from the Psychology Department,” said Dena Calvanese, executive director of the Gray House. “These two women have introduced many fantastic Bay Path students to the Gray House, and some of those students have become dedicated, compassionate, and very active volunteers. The Gray House relies on volunteers, and the Bay Path community truly makes a difference for the Gray House and, more importantly, to the people we serve.” The Gray House is a small, neighborhood agency located in and serving the North End of Springfield, one of the city’s poorest neighborhoods and one of the poorest in the state, where than 50% of residents live in poverty and struggle to meet their daily needs. The Gray House assists by providing food, clothing, adult education, and after-school and summer programming for children, and has been providing such support for 30 years and assisted nearly 11,000 people in 2014. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (413) 734-6696, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.grayhouse.org.

EANE Management Conference
March 26: The Employers Association of the NorthEast (EANE) announced that its 11th annual Management Conference will be held at the Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel, with a focus on employee engagement. The full-day conference will address how managers and supervisors can create a culture of engagement, alignment, and loyalty to improve organizational performance. “Statistics show that only 29% of the workforce is engaged, while 45% is not engaged and, most alarming, 26% is disengaged,” said Meredith Wise, EANE president. “The benefits of high employee engagement are clear.” The program will feature Kevin Kruse, an expert on the power of leadership and employee engagement, and leadership columnist for Forbes. He is a New York Times bestselling author of Employee Engagement 2.0 and Employee Engagement for Everyone. The conference also includes a peer panel discussion on engagement, breakout sessions, and a special presentation on “Creating a POP! Culture of Engagement” with Rich Trombetta of Innovation Is Easy. The cost for the program is $325 per person, with discounts for three or more. Register at www.eane.org or by calling (877) 662-6444. The program will offer 6.25 credits from the HR Certification Institute. Sponsoring the program are United Personnel and the CPA firm Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C.

Red Cross Open House
March 26: The American Red Cross of Western Massachusetts will host a recruitment event and open house 2 to 7 p.m. at its new location at 150 Brookdale Dr., Springfield. The goal of the event is to showcase all of the volunteer opportunities available in community. Prospective volunteers will be able to visit table displays representing the programs and services of the Red Cross. Attendees can speak with active volunteers who can answer questions about what is involved. Opportunities exist to respond to local disasters and provide relief to victims, including sheltering and feeding on larger events, working as a liaison with Red Cross partners, assisting with registration at blood drives, or staffing the reception desk. There are also openings to teach CPR, first aid, and preparedness education or help with various office-related tasks. “The Red Cross provides the training and resources to enable our volunteers to truly make a difference in our community,” said Mary Nathan, disaster program manager. The Red Cross asks that people consider sharing their time and talent to make a difference in the community, and visit the open house. Tours will be offered to all who attend. For more information, e-mail [email protected].

Home & Garden Show
March 26-29: The original Western Massachusetts Home & Garden Show will take place at the Eastern States Exposition, in the Better Living Center and the Young Building, showcasing the latest trends from local home-improvement businesses, including Boilard Lumber, Baystate Rug & Flooring, Hampden Zimmerman Lighting Design Showroom, Ondrick Natural Earth, Serv-U Locksmiths, and Yankee Mattress Factory. The Home & Garden Show is the region’s premier show for preparing consumers and construction professionals for the upcoming building season. From first-time homeowners and weekend-warrior renovation enthusiasts to lawn and garden experts and contractors, the Home & Garden Show offers home-improvement and commercial-building solutions for a wide audience. The days and hours are Thursday, March 26, 2 to 9 p.m.; Friday, March 27, 1 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, March 29, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $10 per person. Children under 12 are free. Active military and veterans get free admission on Thursday with valid ID. Visit the Home & Garden Show website, westernmasshomeshow.com, for reduced-admission coupons.

Legends of Music
March 29: A rock and roll tribute to the legends of American music will help to raise funds for the local USO of Pioneer Valley. The show will take place at Chez Josef in Agawam, with cocktails at 4 p.m., seating at 5 p.m., and the show beginning at 6 p.m. Local tribute artists include Ray Guillemette Jr. as Elvis Presley, Rick Larimore as Rod Stewart, Ben Ashley as Buddy Holly, Charlie Lask as Neil Diamond, Atoa Ripley with a tribute to Lou Rawls and Tom Jones, Brian McCullough with a tribute to Roy Orbison, Erving Lewis as Lionel Ritchie, Patrick Tobin with a tribute to Frank Sinatra, Nicky Fuller as Lady Gaga, Gregorio Malante as Tina Turner, and Vicki Rose with a tribute to Celine Dion. All will be backed up by Joe Perreira’s Western Mass All Stars. Tickets cost $20 and are available at Chez Josef. Call the Chez Josef box office at (413) 355-5394 to reserve a seat.

Transitioning Business Ownership
March 31: One of the largest challenges facing business owners today is how to solve the question, “how do I get out of my business?” If you are like 2.7 million American business owners over the age of 55, the answer carries a greater significance. The country is embarking on the largest transition of business ownership in history, yet three out of four owners haven’t taken a single step to prepare for what will be the most competitive sellers’ market ever. The good news is, it’s not too late to start planning. Kevin and Michael Vann of the Vann Group are providing a primer on what you need to know about the succession/transition planning process from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Colony Club in Springfield. Topics to be discussed include the current transition/succession landscape, establishing transition expectations and objectives, business valuation facts and realities, family and partner dynamics, exit options and structure considerations, preparing the company for transition, and your advisors and the value they create. Breakfast will be served, and each attendee will receive a free, customized Business Exit/Transition Readiness Analysis ($1,000 value). To register, contact Michael Wright at (413) 543-2776 or [email protected], or register online.

ACCGS Business@Breakfast
April 1: The Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield (ACCGS) April Business@Breakfast will feature a Mayors’ Forum as the highlight of the event from 7:15 to 9 a.m. at the Delaney House, 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke, sponsored by United Personnel Services. Dave Madsen, managing editor and primary anchor for abc40, will moderate an informal discussion with West Springfield Mayor Edward Sullivan, Westfield Mayor Daniel Knapik, and Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno. The discussion will provide attendees with an inside look at the personal and professional lives of these elected officials. Sullivan is halfway through his first term as mayor. Knapik has served as mayor of Westfield since 2010 and announced this year that he is seeking out new challenges and will not be running for another term. Sarno has announced his candidacy for a fourth term in office. If elected and he completes the entire term, it would make him the longest-standing mayor in Springfield’s history. Business@Breakfast is a monthly series that pays tribute to individuals, businesses, and organizations for major contributions to civic and economic growth and for actions that bring honor to the region. Tickets are $20 for ACCGS members and $30 for general admission. Reservations are suggested and can be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com or by contacting Member Services Director Sarah Mazzaferro at [email protected]. Sponsorship opportunities are also available; contact Mazzaferro at (413) 755-1313 for information.

Employment-law Seminar
April 9: Due to the high volume of interest, Royal LLP will present an encore of its seminar pertaining to three major changes in employment law that every employer needs to be aware of for 2015. The seminar will take place from 8 to 9 a.m. at the company’s offices at 270 Pleasant St., Northampton. At this roundtable, the company will focus on sick leave, domestic-violence leave, and paternity leave, and will also flag an issue with respect to the Affordable Care Act relating to healthcare reimbursement, as well as minimum wage. The seminar will be led by principal Amy Royal. Cost is $30 per person; payments may be mailed to Royal LLP, 270 Pleasant St., Northampton, MA 01060. Advance registration is required, and seating will be limited. Contact Ann-Marie Marcil at [email protected] to register.

Not Just Business as Usual
April 30: The Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) Foundation’s Not Just Business as Usual (NJBAU) event is one of the premiere networking events for business leaders in Western Mass. This annual celebration, in its sixth year, is a celebration of innovative thinking which gives participants the opportunity to learn from business experts while raising significant funding for the STCC WORKS scholarship program. The event will be held at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. A cocktail and networking reception will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m., with dinner and the keynote speaker, Google Engineering Director Steve Vinter, to follow from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Vinter has overseen the growth of Google’s Cambridge site from 15 software engineers in 2007 to more than 900 today. He is responsible for developing digital-publishing products such as Google eBooks, Google Play Newsstand, and Play for Education, and has over 20 years of industry experience working in the Boston area, focusing on building products and services for hundreds of millions of users of mobile and cloud computing. He also is the co-founder of MassCAN, a partnership of organizations which collaborate to inspire and educate students in Massachusetts to learn computing and prepare them to lead and innovate the future economy, which will be driven by computer technology. This year, NJBAU will feature interactive workstations featuring the STCC Mobile SIM and Engineering program. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are now available. Tickets are $100 each, and sponsorships begin at $1,500. For additional information or to become a sponsor, contact Christina Tuohey, STCC director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, at (413) 755-4475 or [email protected]. To purchase tickets online, visit www.stcc.edu/njbau.

EASTEC
May 12-14: With manufacturing a driving force of economic growth in the Northeast, as well as across the U.S., more than 12,000 business owners, engineers, designers, production managers, and purchasing executives will gather at EASTEC, the East Coast’s premier manufacturing event. Produced by SME, the biennial event takes place at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield and features more than 650 exhibitors and three days of complimentary educational sessions. In its 34th year, the event showcases the latest manufacturing technologies from additive manufacturing/3D printing to waterjet cutting, and provides access to industry experts sharing insights on how to foster innovation, increase productivity, and improve profits. This year, attendees will also get to see more than 300 new products being highlighted at the show. At EASTEC, attendees will have the opportunity to connect with resources, research and purchase the latest technologies, and discover ways to improve productivity and increase profits. Meanwhile, the complimentary educational sessions will address trending topics such as automation innovations and Lean creativity, along with other major advancements in manufacturing. New features in 2015 will include keynote presentations from Carl Palme, applications product manager, Rethink Robotics; and Jason Prater, vice president of Development, Plex Systems, that will help with solving complex issues that U.S. manufacturers face today. EASTEC also will highlight the Bright Minds Program, designed to educate the next-generation workforce on the advancements in manufacturing that make it an exciting and rewarding career path. Winners of the Bright Minds Dream It! Do It! Student Challenge will be recognized at a special program during the three-day event. EASTEC is recommended for professionals in industries such as aerospace, defense, medical, automotive, commercial machinery, electronics, fabricating, and plastics. The event is nearly sold out, so SME encourages companies to reserve exhibit space before it’s too late. To learn more about EASTEC, view full conference and exhibit details, or register, visit easteconline.com.

40 Under Forty
June 18: The ninth annual 40 Under Forty award program, staged by BusinessWest, will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House. Details on the event, which honors the region’s most accomplished and civic-minded professionals under age 40, will be published in upcoming issues. The class of 2015 will be revealed and profiled in the April 20 issue.

Court Dockets

By BusinessWest Staff March 24, 2015

Court Dockets Departments

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

CHICOPEE DISTRICT COURT
Marie Desources v. Early Childhood Centers of Greater Springfield Inc.
Allegation: Negligent failure to maintain property: $4,974.17
Filed: 2/26/15

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT
Camfour Inc. v. Flint Armament Inc.
Allegation: Failure to comply with previous judgment: $213,573+
Filed: 2/27/15

Certified Laboratories Inc. v. Lansal, Inc. d/b/a Hot Mama’s Foods
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $100,112.63
Filed: 2/2/15

George H. Holsten III, M.D. v. Noble Health Systems
Allegation: Lost compensation for professional services rendered: $25,000+
Filed: 2/4/15

Springfield Housing Authority, as third-party beneficiary and as assignee for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Housing and Development v. Wall Construction Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract and conversion: $250,000
Filed: 2/27/15

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT
John and Darcy Guimond v. Chicopee Concrete Services Inc. and L & L Realty Trust
Allegation: The plaintiff, in his capacity as an employee of the Mass. Department of Transportation, was inspecting cement mixers when he fell into a lube pit: $25,000+
Filed: 1/26/15

William H. and Ilene Mitchell v. James M. Kiely and Ziad Kutayli, M.D.
Allegations: Medical malpractice in the performance of colorectal surgery: $120,000
Filed: 2/3/15

HOLYOKE DISTRICT COURT
Dream Cymbals and Gongs Inc. v. Jose Dias d/b/a Paper City Music Shop
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $9,876.61
Filed: 1/23/15

Hadley Printing Co. v. Signature Advertising and Design Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $24,894
Filed: 3/2/15

NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT COURT
Physicians Services v. Kimberly Lange d/b/a Lange Chiropractic
Allegation: Unpaid medical billing services: $6,313.77
Filed: 1/30/15

Rosyln Rochester v. Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
Allegation: Plaintiff seeking relief for injuries sustained in slip and fall: $2,000+
Filed: 2/12/15

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Irene and Walter Greenia v. Balise Mazda
Allegation: Breach of contract for sale of a motor vehicle: $14,920.63
Filed: 2/25/15

Perkins Paper, LLC v. Linda L. Briggs d/b/a Codfather Restaurant
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $10,702.54
Filed: 3/2/15

Wolverine World Wide Inc. v. Kids Footwear Outlet Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $3,691.13
Filed: 2/25/15

WESTFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Inspan, LLC v. James P. Ayotte, d/b/a Country Cottage Construction
Allegation: Breach of contract: $14,711.37
Filed: 2/12/15

Picture This

By BusinessWest Staff March 24, 2015

Departments Picture This

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]

Celebrating Springfield

More than 700 people flocked to the MassMutual Center on March 12 for DevelopSpringfield’s Celebrate Springfield Annual Dinner. The nonprofit organization, dedicated to spurring economic development in the city’s many neighborhoods, honored three individuals — Springfield Chief Development Officer Kevin Kennedy; Jerald Jay Griffin, co-founder of the Stone Soul Festival; and Evan Plotkin, president of NAI Plotkin — for their efforts to stimulate growth and vitality in the city. Pictured: the crowd during networking hour.
From left, Steve Davis, senior trustee of the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation; Paul Silva, executive director of Valley Venture Mentors; Delcie Bean, founder and CEO of Paragus Strategic IT, and Bob Stevens, president of Stevens & Associates, P.C.
From left, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno; Jay Minkarah, president and CEO of DevelopSpringfield; Armando Feliciano, DevelopSpringfield board member and event chair; Kennedy, Griffin, and Plotkin; and Jill Monson-Bishop, mistress of ceremonies.

School Building Authority Announces ‘My Ideal School’ Contest

By BusinessWest Staff March 24, 2015

Daily News

BOSTON — State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, chair of the Mass. School Building Authority (MSBA), and MSBA Executive Director Jack McCarthy announced the 2015 “My Ideal School” contest. The goal of the contest is to promote discussion among students and teachers about how thoughtful design and construction of schools in Massachusetts support student learning.

The contest is open to all first-grade students currently attending a Massachusetts public school. Regional winners will receive a prize donated by Santander Bank. One grand-prize winner will have his or her “My Ideal School” contest picture featured on the cover of the MSBA annual report. All winners will be honored at an awards ceremony at the Massachusetts State House on May 27. Contest submissions must be postmarked by April 24 for consideration. More information can be found on the MSBA website at www.massschoolbuildings.org.

The Mass. School Building Authority partners with Massachusetts communities to support the design and construction of educationally appropriate, flexible, sustainable, and cost-effective public-school facilities. Since its 2004 inception, the authority has made more than 1,500 site visits to more than 250 school districts as part of its due-diligence process, and has made more than $11.2 billion in reimbursements for school-construction projects.

WSU Hosts Lecture to Spark Interest in International Politics

By BusinessWest Staff March 24, 2015

Daily News

WESTFIELD — As part of its annual Month Celebrating Women calendar of events, Westfield State University will host British South Asian scholar Dr. Alka Kurian, who will present her lecture, “Women as Militarized Bodies: Subject or Objects?” today at 5 p.m. in Wilson Savignano Auditorium C.

For nearly 30 years, Westfield State has held events dedicated to awareness and celebration of women’s rights and issues involving women globally. What started off as a week-long celebration organized around International Women’s Day (March 8) is now a month-long tribute complete with guest speakers, concerts, and art exhibits. The month is organized by faculty and staff and the department of Diversity, Inclusion, and Student Activities, and is led by Ron’na Lytle, administrative assistant of the Ethnic and Gender Studies and World Language Studies departments.

Kurian is a lecturer at the University of Washington Bothell, where she teaches courses in film studies, literature, women’s studies, and human rights. She is the author of Narratives of Gendered Dissent in South Asian Cinemas and served as the co-director of the ninth Seattle South Asian Film Festival. She holds a Ph.D. in film and cultural studies from the University of Sunderland in the U.K.

During her lecture, Kurian will focus on women’s participation in the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the armed wing of the Tamil resistance movement in the post-colonial Sri Lankan civil war. She will draw a comparison between Sri Lanka women’s participation in suicide missions with several geopolitical locations in the Middle East and initiate a conversation on the transformative potential of revolutionary violence for the gendered subaltern.

The lecture was organized by Shoba Sharad Rajgopal, associate professor of Ethnic and Gender Studies, who met Kurian at the National Women’s Studies Assoc. “I hope audience members develop more of an interest in international politics through attending this lecture,” Rajgopal said. The lecture is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Lytle at (413) 572-5573.

UMass Amherst Nursing to Explore Social-justice Issues in Health

By BusinessWest Staff March 24, 2015

Daily News

AMHERST — The College of Nursing at UMass Amherst will explore new frontiers in social-justice issues in healthcare as part of a March 30 symposium titled “Health as a Human Right: A Call to Action.” The symposium takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the university’s Campus Center Auditorium.

Leading a session on digital storytelling will be nurse, filmmaker, philanthropist, and social-justice activist Susan Hagedorn, professor emerita at the University of Colorado College of Nursing. Hagedorn, a 1977 alumna of the UMass Amherst nursing program, established the Seedworks Professorship in Social Justice at the College of Nursing in 2013. Her films include Island Nurse (2013) and Disruptive Innovator (2012).

In preparing for the symposium, Hagedorn and a film crew from the Berkeley, Calif.-based Center for Digital Storytelling are filming the personal stories of UMass Amherst students and faculty, focusing on social-justice issues and experiences. Many of these films, each several minutes in length, will be shown during the symposium and act as launching pads for discussion and breakout sessions in areas such as aging, diversity, violence, and sexual and reproductive health rights.

“Nurses are at often the front lines in seeing everything from post-traumatic stress disorder to elder self-neglect, and are the most likely to advocate on behalf of an underserved population,” said UMass College of Nursing Dean Stephen Cavanagh. “This symposium will feature some very real, very personal stories that moved people to action.”

Daniel Weinshenker, Midwest director of the Center for Digital Storytelling, who will help lead the workshop, said he has seen it become “an absolutely life-changing workshop for many people.”

Peggy Chinn, professor emerita from University of Connecticut School of Nursing and editor of the journal Advances in Nursing Science, will present the keynote. She has consulted worldwide on doctoral curriculum development, feminism and nursing, publishing, and a number of topics related to holistic healing modalities in nursing.

Also featured will be Beverly Malone, CEO of the National League for Nursing. Named one of Modern Healthcare’s “100 Most Powerful People in Healthcare,” she is among America’s most vocal leaders in the national conversation about the nursing and nurse-educator shortage, and the role of nursing in ensuring access to safe, quality, culturally competent care to diverse patient populations. Other program participants include:

• UMass Amherst College of Nursing professor Jean Swinney, chair of the American Public Health Assoc. Public Health Nursing Section. A champion for social justice for more than 25 years, she continues working to decrease health disparities, increase workforce diversity, and provide insight regarding the impact of racism and inequality on health and the related challenges faced by people and communities of color;

• UMass Amherst College of Education professor Ximena Zúñiga, whose interests include social-justice education, student development in social-justice and diversity education, multicultural group processes, intergroup dialogue and relations on college campuses, and action research;

• Sarah Szanton of the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, whose specialties include gerontology, aging in place, and racial and socioeconomic health disparities; and

• Aline Gubrium of the UMass Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences, whose areas of specialization include sexual and reproductive health rights and justice; participatory digital, visual, and narrative research methodologies; and holistic and culture-centered approaches to health promotion.

The general registration fee for the symposium is $50, or $15 for students. Breakfast and lunch are included. The event is co-sponsored by the UMass Amherst College of Education and the UMass Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences.

Keith Tatlock Attains CFP Designation

By BusinessWest Staff March 24, 2015

Daily News

EAST LONGMEADOW — Keith Tatlock of New England Financial Group, an office of MetLife and a part of the MetLife Premier Client Group, has been authorized by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. to use the certification marks ‘CFP’ and ‘certified financial planner practitioner’ in accordance with CFP Board certification and renewal requirements.

Tatlock met the rigorous experience and ethical requirements, completed financial-planning coursework, and passed the CFP certification examination. He has also agreed to meet ongoing continuing-education requirements and to uphold the CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Financial Planning Practice Standards.

Tatlock has 10 years of experience in the financial-services sector. He is a graduate of Westfield State University and holds securities series 7 and series 63 as well as life- and health-insurance licenses. He is a member of the Estate Planning Council of Hampden County, the Financial Planning Assoc. of Massachusetts, and Business Networking International. He is also currently a major in the Massachusetts Air National Guard at the 104th Fighter Wing in Westfield.

Braman Termite and Pest Elimination Earns Angie’s List Award

By BusinessWest Staff March 23, 2015

Daily News

AGAWAM — Braman Termite and Pest Elimination, a provider of pest-management services in Southern New England since 1890, has earned the service industry’s coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award, reflecting an exemplary year of service provided to the local marketplace, according to the consumer-review site in 2014.

“We are honored at Braman Termite and Pest Elimination to have once again earned the Angie’s List Super Service Award, especially this year as we celebrate 125 years in business,” said Jerry Lazarus, third-generation owner. “I am confident that we provide a superior level of customer service that our customers have come to expect. This service is the result of our entire staff, but also under the leadership of several dedicated members that have been with Braman for decades.”

Only about 5% of the companies in the Greater Springfield market have performed consistently well enough to earn the Super Service Award, said Angie’s List founder Angie Hicks. “It’s a really high standard.” Service-company ratings are updated daily on the website. Companies are graded in areas ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality.

Angie’s List Super Service Award winners have met strict eligibility requirements, which include an ‘A’ rating in overall grade, recent grade, and review-period grade. The company must be in good standing with Angie’s List, pass a background check, and abide by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

Teresa Petit de Mange Recognized as 2015 Power Broker

By BusinessWest Staff March 23, 2015

Daily News

EAST LONGMEADOW — Hub International Limited, a leading insurance brokerage, risk-advisory, and employee-benefits firm, announced that Teresa Petit de Mange, producer, was selected as a recipient of the 2015 Power Broker Awards distributed by Risk & Insurance.

According to the publication, the criterion for this award is based on customer service, depth of industry knowledge, and what each individual has done to help manage risk in the past 12 months. Petit de Mange was selected as a winner in the Energy Specialist category. She was recognized for being the vertical leader for Hub’s energy vertical.

“We are extremely proud of Teresa on receiving this tremendous honor and being recognized for her achievements,” said Shawn McLaughlin, chief sales officer. “Her dedication to serving the energy industry is evident in her strong client relationships and proven results.”

Headquartered in Chicago, Hub International Limited is a leading global insurance brokerage that provides a broad array of property and casualty, life and health, employee-benefits, investment, and risk-management products and services through offices located across North America.

CHD Slates Annual Cammer Cup for March 28

By BusinessWest Staff March 23, 2015

Daily News

WESTFIELD — The Western Mass. Knights, the Center for Human Development (CHD) Disability Resources junior and adult sled-hockey teams will host the annual Cammer Cup at Amelia Park in Westfield on Saturday, March 28. Members of CHD’s Disability Resources program will face off against local celebrities in the first game at 3 p.m. and then uphold an annual tradition by taking on the Charter Oak Men’s League team in memory of their teammate, Alex Camerlin.

Proceeds from the $10 admission, raffle, and concessions will benefit the Western Mass. Knights adult and junior sled-hockey programs to help pay for ice time, purchase and maintain equipment, and offset travel costs to annual USA Hockey Disabled Festivals (2015 in Buffalo, N.Y. and 2016 in Detroit, Mich.). Tickets can be purchased through participating players, at Amelia Park in Westfield, or at CHD’s home office at 332 Birnie Ave., Springfield.

The following local celebrities have already committed, with a few more expected to join: Jim Goodwin, CHD president; Julie Schwager, CHD vice president of Adult Services; Elizabeth Preston, Westfield State University president; Pat Kelly of Laser 99.3; Bob Kester of Rock 102; Shaggy of Kix 100.9; Mike Skurko of CBS 3 Springfield; Ryan Walsh of WWLP 22; and Andy Zilch, Springfield Falcons broadcaster.

CHD’s Disability Resources program provides barrier-free recreational and competitive opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities or visual impairments. Through a variety of activities, including adaptive sports, recreational outings, social gatherings, and educational events, Disability Resources seeks to enhance the self-confidence, interactive skills, and physical abilities of program participants.

Endangered Connecticut River Sturgeon Gets Its Own Beer

By BusinessWest Staff March 23, 2015

Daily News

GREENFIELD — The People’s Pint Brewery and the Connecticut River Watershed Council (CRWC) are partnering to raise awareness of the shortnose sturgeon with a new beer, the Shortnose Stout.

The shortnose sturgeon is an endangered fish that lives and reproduces in the Connecticut River. The public can learn more about this fish at CRWC’s open house on Wednesday, March 25 from 4 to 6 p.m. at 15 Bank Row, Greenfield, and at the People’s Pint uncorking celebration on Friday, March 27 from 4 to 6 p.m. at its pub on Federal Street, Greenfield. Both events are free and open to the public.

“Sturgeon coexisted with dinosaurs,” noted Boyd Kynard, a local researcher on migratory fish and Connecticut River shortnose sturgeon, “so having shortnose sturgeon living in the Connecticut River is biologically special. Our Connecticut River shortnose was greatly diminished by 19th- and 20th-century damming, but today, federal and state agencies are involved in improving the survival for the few shortnose that remain in the river.”

CRWC works along the 410-mile Connecticut River basin to protect rivers and fish. “Over the years, we’ve created many obstacles for migratory fish to overcome as they return to our rivers from the ocean,” said CRWC Executive Director Andrew Fisk. “But there has also been lots of great work throughout New England to remove those obstacles and make our rivers more fish-friendly. Thanks to the support of our members and many great partners, we have been working on projects to benefit fish all along the Connecticut River basin.”

Recent projects include installing a fish ladder that opened last spring on the Rogers Lake Dam on Mill Brook in Connecticut, removing two deadbeat dams on the upper Wells River in Vermont, and planting over 8,700 trees and shrubs along streams to reduce erosion and improve fish habitat.

“Brewing the Shortnose Stout, and working with the Connecticut River Watershed Council, is a great opportunity to make a real difference with the beer we brew here at the Peoples Pint,” said Chris Sellers, People’s Pint brewer. “I am very excited to continue to use our brewery and restaurant as a platform and a tool to raise awareness of issues affecting both our local environment and our local community. So join us at the Peoples Pint, or buy a bottle at your local package store, and raise a glass of Shortnose Stout to helping increase awareness about improving the health of our local waterways and all the species who reside in them. Cheers!”

Shortnose Stout is a traditional dry Irish stout. It has a light body with hints of caramel followed by a deep, roasted finish. A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of this beer go to the Connecticut River Watershed Council.

To learn more about the CRWC, or to join the effort and help protect area rivers, visit www.ctriver.org or call (413) 772-2020, ext. 201.

Baystate Rug & Flooring Touts Safety on Formaldehyde Emissions

By BusinessWest Staff March 20, 2015

Daily News

CHICOPEE — Baystate Rug & Flooring, a local, family-owned provider of flooring, announced that it complies with all emissions standards regarding formaldehyde often used by manufacturers of flooring adhesives, unlike some big-box competitors.

“It was very disappointing to hear that a big retailer was selling foreign-made products that did not comply with formaldehyde emission levels,” said Joseph Montemagni, president of Baystate Rug & Flooring, with locations in Chicopee and East Longmeadow. “We are a family company and have grown over the years on the value of developing relationships that create customers for life — a long, healthy life. Customers concerned about levels of formaldehyde, especially in laminate flooring, can feel safer shopping at Baystate Rug & Flooring.”

A class-action lawsuit against a national competitor, Lumber Liquidators, was filed earlier this month in the U. S. district court on behalf of Massachusetts consumers who were sold laminate wood flooring tainted with hazardous levels of formaldehyde, a carcinogen that can cause respiratory issues at high levels and and can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation at lower levels.

Monson Savings Bank Elects New Corporators

By BusinessWest Staff March 20, 2015

Daily News

MONSON — Monson Savings Bank recently announced the election of five new corporators who are advisors to the bank, representing the communities the bank serves. They also possess certain governing functions, including the election of the bank’s president.

Monson Savings has 55 corporators, including the five elected at the bank’s annual meeting on March 4: Louis Abbate, president emeritus, Willie Ross School for the Deaf, Longmeadow; Mark Borsari, president, Sanderson MacLeod, Palmer; Joseph Lawler, benefits consultant, the Gaudreau Group, Wilbraham; Roy St. George, vice president, Moulton Insurance Agency Inc., Ware; and Julie Quink, managing principal, Burkhart, Pizzanelli, P.C., West Springfield.

“We’re extremely fortunate to have these folks join our team,” said Steve Lowell, president of Monson Savings Bank. “We rely on our corporators to keep us in touch with the needs of our communities, provide invaluable insight into our operations, and also to help us spread the word of all that we have to offer. Our corporators are leaders in the communities we serve, they are highly engaged with us, and we very much appreciate their involvement.”

February Unemployment Rate in Massachusetts Drops to 4.9%

By BusinessWest Staff March 20, 2015

Daily News

BOSTON — The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) released preliminary February 2015 estimates that show the Massachusetts total unemployment rate dropped to 4.9% from the January rate of 5.1%, a 0.2% decrease. Over the year, the unemployment rate fell by 1.1% from 6.0% in February 2014.

The share of working-age residents employed or unemployed, also known as the labor participation rate, was 65.9%, an increase of 0.3% since January. Compared with February 2014, the labor participation rate increased a full percentage point over the year. February 2015 estimates show that 3,430,500 residents were employed and 177,300 were unemployed. Compared with February 2014, February 2015 had 34,400 fewer unemployed, the largest annual decrease in the number of unemployed since October 2011.

Over the month, jobs were up 800, with a private-sector loss of 800. Since February 2014, jobs grew by 58,100, with 46,300 private-sector job gains. The sectors with the largest job gains over the year were education and health services and professional, scientific, and business services.

Westfield State University to Host Second Annual Relay for Life

By BusinessWest Staff March 20, 2015

Daily News

WESTFIELD — Following up last year’s successful event, Westfield State University will host its second annual Relay for Life on Friday, April 17 in Woodward Center’s indoor track. The event begins at 6 p.m. on the April 17 and concludes at 7 a.m. on Saturday, April 18.

The inaugural Relay for Life raised more than $40,000. “Even thinking about it now, I am blown away by last year’s success,” said event organizer Beth Teague, president of the Relay for Life club. “With the short amount of time we had to plan and with how small our school is, nobody expected us to raise anywhere close to the amount we reached. The generosity of our community here, as well as our home communities, astounds me.”

Relay for Life is the main volunteer-driven fund-raising event of the American Cancer Society. Created in the U.S., the event has spread to 21 countries. Relays are held in local parks, campus universities, and military bases, and all proceeds go to cancer research and to improving the lives of those living with cancer. Relay for Life events have raised nearly $5 billion to date.

Teague has volunteered for numerous Relay for Life events during the past decade and wanted to bring the iconic fund-raiser to Westfield State.

“I participated in Relays off campus and realized there was no reason we shouldn’t have Relay for Life on the Westfield State campus,” Teague said. “I wanted to bring something that could make life better to the WSU campus, and it has been received so well. With such an amazing first year, I know this is going to be an event that stays strong at Westfield State in years to come.”

Teague said that the Relay for Life club plans to beat last year’s fund-raising total, setting a goal of $55,000 from this year’s event.

Westfield State University’s Relay for Life is open to students, faculty, staff, and the community. To sign up or donate, visit www.relayforlife.org/wsuma. The minimum fund-raising suggestion is $100 per participant.

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. Each year, more than 4 million people take part in this global phenomenon and raise much-needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer. To learn more about Relay for Life, visit www.relayforlife.org or e-mail Teague at [email protected].

Dave Griffin Jr. Earns Certified Insurance Counselors Designation

By BusinessWest Staff March 18, 2015

Daily News

HOLYOKE — The Dowd Agencies announced that Account Executive David Griffin Jr. has received the Certified Insurance Counselors (CIC) designation. This accomplishment is not mandated for the insurance industry, but provides an extensive knowledge base to benefit consumers.

“Prestigious designations like CIC are essential if you want to be considered among the leaders in our industry,” said John Dowd Jr., president and CEO of the Dowd Agencies. “It shows a true commitment to professionalism and excellence in the business of insurance sales. David is a rising star here in the Pioneer Valley business community, and we are proud of his accomplishments.”

The CIC program includes 20 hours of rigorous coursework for each of the five industry categories: personal insurance lines, commercial casualty insurance, commercial property insurance, life and health insurance, and agency management. After completing the coursework, Griffin completed the exams for each course and the final essay exam to earn his designation, all while working full-time and maintaining several community-based leadership positions.

The CIC program was developed in 1969 by the National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research. It continues to be the leading organization for creating, developing, and delivering practical continuing-education programs for insurance and risk-management professionals.

Griffin works in the Holyoke office of the Dowd Agencies. Since joining the firm in 2009, he has grown in his role and now assists the leadership team. He began his career in the insurance industry as a property and casualty underwriter for Liberty Mutual, where he supported the company in Schaumburg, Ill. and Charlotte, N.C., before joining the Dowd Agencies. He is a 2007 graduate of Bentley University, where he earned a degree in finance.

Additionally, Griffin supports the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce and volunteers on the boards of directors for the Holyoke Rotary Club, the Sisters of Providence Health System, and Wistariahurst.

Pioneer Valley USO to Present Military Ball & Gala on April 25

By BusinessWest Staff March 18, 2015

Daily News

HOLYOKE — The Pioneer Valley USO announced that the fifth annual Military Ball & Gala Honoring Our Troops will be held Saturday, April 25 at 5:30 p.m. at the Log Cabin in Holyoke.

Presenting sponsors include Steve Lewis Subaru and 1812 Auto Body, and the Purple Heart sponsor is Bay Path University. Music will be provided by the Bronx Wanderers. Tickets are available by calling the USO office in Chicopee at (413) 557-3290.

The Military Ball & Gala is the largest fund-raising effort of the year and funds many of the Pioneer Valley USO’s programs and services. It was designed in keeping with the long-standing traditions of formal military balls while allowing the public to attend and participate in a gala evening. Military formal and business dress is required.

The Pioneer Valley USO serves the needs of active military and their families through the individual efforts of the volunteers, board of directors, and the public.

WomenUpFront Accelerates Women Business Owners’ Growth

By BusinessWest Staff March 18, 2015

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — In support of the growth and success of Pioneer Valley women presidents and the businesses they own, WomenUpFront is launching a new monthly roundtable for women business owners whose annual revenues have passed the $200,000 mark but have not quite reached $1 million.

Sponsored by PeoplesBank and hosted at the Business Growth Center at Springfield Technology Park, WomenUpFront is looking for business owners from Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties for this newest program, set to begin on Wednesday, April 15. WomenUpFront is bringing its successful model piloted in Berkshire County to the Pioneer Valley because there is a need to support women business owners of growing businesses.

“There have been conversations over the years about starting this, but none has materialized until now,” said Cathy Crosky, founder and facilitator of WomenUpFront. “Scaling a business has its challenges, and this is a proven model that helps women business owners succeed. They really appreciate this kind of facilitated peer mentoring, too.”

Joan Leahy, vice president of Marketing for PeoplesBank, said the bank “is proud to sponsor WomenUpFront and bring this important opportunity to area women business owners. As an organization that runs on innovation and collaboration, we know the benefits of mentoring, teamwork, and the free exchange of ideas. We support WomenUpFront because it will provide these entrepreneurs with many of the same opportunities and successes that we have enjoyed.”

The roundtable provides a learning forum for owners to get out of the weeds of the day-to-day and look at their businesses more strategically. The objective is to help women accelerate their businesses to the next level and place their companies in a better position to access new opportunities and continue to prosper. Lasting and meaningful relationships are formed among the participants.

“I’m thrilled that the Business Growth Center is hosting WomenUpFront,” said Marla Michel, director of the center. “Women business owners are focused, dedicated, and strong, and often have overcome many obstacles to get to where they are. WomenUpFront can help them learn skills and get advice in a very collegial environment to accelerate further success.”

Monthly roundtable meetings will be held at the Business Growth Center the third Wednesday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon.

Last Chance to Purchase Tickets to Difference Makers Gala

By BusinessWest Staff March 18, 2015

Daily News

HOLYOKE — Time is running out to purchase tickets to the seventh annual Difference Makers award program, staged by BusinessWest, to be held Thursday evening, March 19, at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke.

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 class of 2015 — Katelynn’s Ride, MassMutual Financial Services, Judy Matt, Valley Venture Mentors, and the new ownership group of the Student Prince and the Fort — was profiled in the Feb. 9 issue and on businesswest.com.

Tickets cost $60 per person. To reserve a spot, call (413) 781-8600, ext. 100, or e-mail [email protected].

Loomis House Nursing Center Recognized for Excellence

By BusinessWest Staff March 18, 2015

Daily News

HOLYOKE — The Loomis Communities announced that the Loomis House Nursing Center has received perfect scores on surveys from the Mass. Department of Public Health (DPH) for the third year running.

The DPH reviews all areas of care practices to make certain that all regulations are followed. These areas include resident rights, facility practices, infection control, quality of life, resident satisfaction, quality of care delivered, culinary services, all nursing and ancillary services, rehabilitation, physical environment, and administration. In addition, a second life-safety survey reviews the physical plant issues that make a safe living and working environment.

“Deficiency-free surveys are a top indicator of excellence in nursing homes,” said David Scruggs, president and CEO of the Loomis Communities. “We are extremely proud of the dedicated staff at the Loomis House Nursing Center.”

Loomis House Nursing Center was the first nursing home in Massachusetts to receive certification as a leader in providing person-centered care, a concept that adapts the way care is delivered to accommodate each resident’s preferences. “This holistic approach to successful aging and self-determination honors and respects the individual,” Scruggs said. The certification comes from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities International, an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human-services organizations.

With a mission of enriching the lives of older adults, the Loomis Communities offers independent-living apartments and cottages, assisted living, and skilled nursing care at campuses including Applewood in Amherst, Loomis House in Holyoke, Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing in Springfield, and Loomis Village in South Hadley.

Vining Sparks Chief Economist Speaks at MSB Annual Meeting

By BusinessWest Staff March 18, 2015

Daily News

MONSON — Craig Dismuke, senior vice president and chief economist for Vining Sparks IBG, was the guest speaker at Monson Savings Bank’s recent annual meeting.

Dismuke, who is responsible for the projection and publication of Vining Sparks’ economic and interest-rate forecasts and is a frequent guest on CNBC, Fox Business, and Bloomberg TV, told the group that there is good news for the economy in the short term, but several factors present challenges to strong growth in the longer term.

Among the positive short-term markers, the deleveraging process appears to be complete, in that household debt as a percentage of net worth and real-estate assets has leveled off, ending the deleveraging process for the consumer, Dismuke noted. Secondly, the economy, having added more than 1 million payrolls in the last three months, is showing the best pace of job growth since 1997. And while wages have not yet increased, strong corporate profits and historical patterns suggest that some level of wage growth is on the way.

This good news for the short term was tempered, however, by Dismuke’s discussion of longer-term challenges to continued strong growth in GDP. These include an aging population, which means both fewer workers and lower consumer spending; mounting federal debt, with a growing gap between government spending and tax receipts; a housing market that is still somewhat shaky because its recovery has been fueled more by invest-to-rent purchases than by traditional home ownership; and weak global growth.

“We were extremely pleased to host Craig at our annual meeting,” said Steve Lowell, president of Monson Savings Bank. “He is a wealth of trusted information, data, and research, and our trustees, corporators, and officers were very appreciative of his highly informed and objective insights.”

Also at the annual meeting, Lowell reported on the bank’s outstanding 2014 results, focusing on the themes of strength, stability, and community-mindedness. “I am proud to report that our bank is extremely healthy and strong,” he said, “with strong growth, increased capital, extremely low loan delinquencies, and exceptional profitability, with the fifth-highest return-on-assets ratio of all banks of $300 million or less in assets across the Commonwealth.”

Lowell also reported that the bank continued its practice of giving more than $100,000 back to the communities it serves, with more than $130,000 in charitable giving and also a significant investment in its Dollars & Sense financial-literacy program. “This is always what I’m most proud of,” he said.

NiSource Receives Ethics Award for Fourth Consecutive Year

By BusinessWest Staff March 18, 2015

Daily News

WESTBOROUGH — NiSource Inc. has been designated as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute for the fourth consecutive year. The designation recognizes those organizations that have had a material impact on the way business is conducted by fostering a culture of ethics and transparency at every level of the company.

“We are greatly honored to have again been recognized for our team’s commitment to ethical leadership, compliance practices, and corporate social responsibility,” NiSource President and CEO Robert Skaggs Jr. said. “This commitment begins with the nearly 9,000 NiSource employees, who embody our company’s core values of fairness, honesty, integrity, and trust.”

NiSource is one of 132 companies recognized by Ethisphere for leadership in promoting ethical business standards as measured in five key categories: ethics and compliance program, corporate citizenship and responsibility, culture of ethics, governance and leadership, and innovation and reputation.

“The World’s Most Ethical Companies embrace the correlation between ethical business practice and improved company performance. These companies use ethics as a means to further define their industry leadership and understand that creating an ethical culture and earning the World’s Most Ethical Companies recognition involves more than just an outward-facing message or a handful of senior executives saying the right thing,” said Ethisphere CEO Timothy Erblich. “We congratulate everyone at NiSource for this extraordinary achievement.”

Added Steve Bryant, president of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, “I am proud to work in and lead an organization that is serious about ethics, honesty, and transparency. These are elements that are truly woven into our culture and that are evident in the work that our employees do each and every day.” 

More on NiSource’s commitment to ethics and compliance, as well as the company’s overall sustainability priorities, can be found in the 2013 Sustainability Report, available at www.nisource.com/sustainability. The 2014 report will be published later this year.

Summer Beer Festival Coming to Downtown Springfield Aug. 29

By BusinessWest Staff March 18, 2015

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — White Lion Brewing Co. announced that it will host its inaugural beer festival, called Valley Fest, at Court Square in downtown Springfield on August 29. MGM Springfield will be the presenting sponsor.

The festival is poised to be White Lion’s signature annual event, introducing the young brand to craft-beer enthusiasts throughout New England and beyond. White Lion Brewing Co., the city of Springfield’s only brewery, launched in October 2014. Founder Ray Berry and brewmaster Mike Yates have released three selections under the White Lion brand and have been busy promoting their efforts in venues all over Massachusetts and other New England states.

“Valley Fest will have the best of the best local, regional, and national beer and hard cider brands,” Berry said. “Even in our inaugural year, Valley Fest will be the largest one-day beer festival in Western Massachusetts. We expect to draw up to 2,000 enthusiasts from throughout New England. We are very excited to showcase the fourth-largest city in New England and all of its amenities.”

Berry anticipates that more than 50 breweries and many local food vendors will converge on Court Square for two sessions. Enthusiasts will have an opportunity to sample more than 100 varieties of beer and hard cider alongside pairing selections by local chefs.

Michael Mathis, MGM Springfield president, said his company “is excited to take the lead in sponsoring the inaugural Valley Fest. The local entrepreneurial spirit of White Lion Brewing, coupled with the historic Court Square setting, is a winning combination to start a new Springfield tradition. We look forward to Aug. 29.”

A number of sponsors have already committed to the event, including MassMutual Financial Group, the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield, the Dennis Group, Springfield Sheraton Monarch Place, Paragus Strategic IT, Williams Distributing, and the Springfield Business Improvement District (BID).

“We are honored to sponsor Valley Fest and look forward to it being an annual event that shares in the facilitation of growth within the downtown community,” said Chris Russell, executive director of the Springfield BID.

Visit www.valleybrewfest.com for event details, ongoing updates, and sponsorship opportunities. A portion of Valley Fest proceeds will support several local charities.

PVPC Receives Award from PolicyLink to Advance Equity Agenda

By BusinessWest Staff March 17, 2015

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC), on behalf of LiveWell Springfield, is one of just six organizations across the country to receive an award from the Leadership Conference Education Fund and PolicyLink to advance affordable, accessible transportation policy.

PVPC will use the funds to embed transit-equity principles into LiveWell Springfield, and will host local activities to engage, educate, and empower local leaders within communities of color to lift up the Equity Caucus agenda locally and federally. Specifically, PVPC is collaborating with Joseph Krupczynski and the Center for Design Engagement, Natalia Muñoz of Verdant Multicultural Media, and Evelín Aquino to expand the successful capacity-building sessions implemented in 2014 for emerging leaders in Springfield. (For a summary of this work, visit www.pvpc.org/content/new-video-building-skills-equity-and-engagement-planning).

“When we completed our three-and-a-half-year, HUD-funded equity and engagement work last year, we knew we needed more funding to expand our capacity-building workshops,” explained Catherine Ratté, principal planner and section manager at PVPC. “Our civic-engagement goal is not just to engage individuals from under-represented groups, but also to create pathways for them into positions of power. Participation in democracy, especially from communities that are too often left out, brings important voices to the table and makes sustainable growth and development possible.”

Equitable transportation investments are crucial to connecting people to jobs, educational opportunities, affordable housing, healthcare, and other basic needs. Through a coalition of more than 100 organizations, the Transportation Equity Caucus is charting a new course for transportation investments, focused on policies that advance economic and social equity in America. For more information, see www.equitycaucus.org.

Live Well Springfield, a movement to promote healthy eating and active living, has been working for the last few years putting systems into action that support safe and friendly walking and biking. As part of LiveWell Springfield’s work in 2012-14, PVPC facilitated creation of the city’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Complete Streets Plan, implementation guide, Complete Streets policy draft, and Complete Streets buildout plan and map (www.livewellspringfield.org).

UMass Economist’s Lecture Ponders ‘When Big Is Too Big’

By BusinessWest Staff March 17, 2015

Daily News

AMHERST — UMass economist Gerald Epstein will offer a new take on restructuring the financial sector as part of his Distinguished Faculty Lecture on Tuesday, March 24, titled “When Big Is Too Big: Do the Financial System’s Social Benefits Justify Its Size?” The third in this year’s Distinguished Faculty Lecture Series, Epstein’s talk begins at 4 p.m. in the Goodell Building’s Bernie Dallas Room. Following his talk, he will receive the Chancellor’s Medal, the highest recognition given for service to the campus.

Epstein will assert that, by virtually any measure, the financial sector has grown spectacularly over the last several decades while failing to promote social well-being. By 2006, financial-sector profits constituted a full 40% of total domestic profits in the U.S. Epstein will argue that, in light of the financial crisis of 2008, the growth of speculative activity in the financial sector has become a continuing threat to the economy’s financial stability.

His research shows that, in the pre-war period, the financial sector did a reasonably effective job in filling a range of socially beneficial roles — including channeling resources into productive investment, providing mechanisms for households to transfer income over time, and helping families and businesses to reduce risk — but that, since the 1980s, financial-sector activity has failed to provide these critical services and, instead, has generated huge profits for the sector itself.

Among the policies Epstein will propose to reduce the volume of speculative trading are taxes on financial transactions, increasing required reserves to offset financial investments gone sour, limiting risk-taking behavior by large financial firms getting public support, and increasing support for “finance without financiers” through credit unions, cooperative banks, and public banks.

Epstein is co-director of the Political Economy Research Institute at UMass Amherst, and was awarded the Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Accomplishments in Research and Creativity in 2012. His work with graduate student Jessica Carrick-Hagenbarth on conflicts of interest facing academic financial economists who consult for the financial industry was widely reported and helped inspire the adoption of a code of conduct on these issues by the American Economics Assoc. He is currently at work on a book analyzing the appropriate size and functioning of the financial sector, under a grant from the Institute for New Economic Thinking.

A graduate of Swarthmore College who earned a master’s degree in public policy degree and a Ph.D. in economics at Princeton, Epstein taught at Williams College and at the New School for Social Research before joining the UMass Amherst faculty in 1987.

The final lecture in the 2014-15 Distinguished Faculty Lecture Series will be presented on Monday, April 13, as Margaret Riley of the Biology department addresses “Rethinking the Antibiotic Arsenal: New Strategies for the Age of the Microbiome.”

Carl Cameron Named COO at Holyoke Medical Center

By BusinessWest Staff March 17, 2015

Daily News

HOLYOKE — Spiros Hatiras, president and CEO of Holyoke Medical Center, announced the promotion of Carl Cameron to chief operating officer of Holyoke Medical Center (HMC).

In his new role, Cameron will lead implementation of important changes to the institution, which includes transforming patient rooms and the expansion of the Rehabilitation unit, including Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Cardiac Rehab, and Pulmonary Rehab. Cameron most recently served as vice president of Operations and was also chief information officer at HMC.

“Over the past 14 years, Carl has continued to guide Holyoke Medical Center in an innovative direction, especially in the area of information systems,” said Hatiras. “He has helped bring HMC to the forefront of electronic medical records, enabling HMC to be of the first in the state to have a health-information exchange and connect to the Mass HIway, securing the sharing of patient medical records with healthcare providers throughout the Commonwealth. His guidance and expertise are key to moving our organization forward in transforming healthcare delivery in the Pioneer Valley and surrounding areas.”

Cameron earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Western New England University and an master’s degree in information systems from WNEU. He also earned a certificate in Lean Healthcare from the University of Michigan. Prior experience includes serving as director of information technology for the city of Holyoke and at Lennox Healthcare, a long-term healthcare company with 150 nursing homes throughout the U.S.

Tech Foundry Starts Recruiting for Class of 2015 with Open House

By BusinessWest Staff March 17, 2015

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Following a successful inaugural year, Tech Foundry has turned its focus to filling this year’s class of students, beginning with an open house on Wednesday, April 8 at its headquarters on the ninth floor of 1391 Main St., Springfield. The open house begins at 5:30 p.m., and prospective students and parents are encouraged to attend.

In addition, the staff at Tech Foundry will be going into area schools and meeting with guidance counselors and other community influencers to drive as many applications as possible before the April 17 deadline to apply. Applications can be found at www.thetechfoundry.org.

Founded by Paragus IT CEO Delcie Bean, Tech Foundry is a nonprofit education and job-placement program looking to transform underemployed and overlooked populations into a powerful and robust workforce in the information-technology field. With partners such as Mass Mutual, the Davis Foundation, UMass, and Baystate Health, it raised nearly $450,000 to get started.

Tech Foundry aims to create a homegrown workforce for the many area businesses looking for tech professionals, and began the program this year with an inaugural class of high-school students. Upon completing the program and graduating high school, the goal is to place students in an entry-level IT job in the Valley in the $30,000-$40,000 salary range. In the long term, Tech Foundry aims to turn Western Mass. into a technology hub, attracting companies from all over the country to locate some of their high-tech jobs in the Pioneer Valley.

AIC Offers Master of Science in Leadership Program

By BusinessWest Staff March 16, 2015

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — In the Master of Science in Leadership (MSL) program at American International College (AIC), students learn the concepts and theories of leadership, qualities that effective leaders possess, and the impact leaders have on their organizations. An overarching concept of the program is entrepreneurial leadership — thinking and acting in new ways to lead organizations to their highest potential. Strategy and innovative concepts are used to explore and refine the skills needed to successfully lead an organization with the goal of enhancing each student’s individual effectiveness as a leader.

The MSL is a 33-credit program, comprised of 11 seven-week courses, each blended to include on-site and online components. Areas of concentration include higher-education leadership, designed to develop and enhance skills of future leaders in academia, and executive leadership, for those who aspire to reach top leadership roles in corporate and not-for-profit environments.

“All of AIC’s MSL program is taught through the lens of leadership, which sets this program apart”, said Kerry Barnes, director of Graduate Admissions at AIC. “And because it is cohort-based, students enter and remain as a group until they graduate. This fosters a close, team-based working relationship between the participants. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be prepared to serve as highly effective entrepreneurial leaders in their respective organizations.”

For more information, contact Barnes at (413) 205-3700 or [email protected]. To learn more about American International College’s graduate and undergraduate programs, visit www.aic.edu.

Red Cross Seeking Local Volunteers at March 26 Open House

By BusinessWest Staff March 16, 2015

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The American Red Cross of Western Massachusetts will host a recruitment event and open house on Thursday, March 26 from 2 to 7 p.m. at its new location at 150 Brookdale Dr., Springfield.

The goal of the event is to showcase all of the volunteer opportunities available in community. Prospective volunteers will be able to visit table displays representing the programs and services of the Red Cross. Attendees can speak with active volunteers who can answer questions about what is involved.

Opportunities exist to respond to local disasters and provide relief to victims, including sheltering and feeding on larger events, working as a liaison with Red Cross partners, assisting with registration at blood drives, or staffing the reception desk. There are also openings to teach CPR, first aid, and preparedness education or help with various office-related tasks.

“The Red Cross provides the training and resources to enable our volunteers to truly make a difference in our community,” said Mary Nathan, disaster program manager.

The Red Cross asks that people consider sharing their time and talent to make a difference in the community, and visit the open house. Tours will be offered to all who attend. For more information, e-mail [email protected].

Waterdog Technologies Secures More Than $500,000 in Funding

By BusinessWest Staff March 16, 2015

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — When Delcie Bean started Waterdog Technologies, his goal was to disrupt the traditional IT distribution model by offering the best products and backing them up with the strongest support. In a field saddled with overseas call centers, terrible response rates, poor customer service, and an overload of substandard products, Bean said Waterdog’s direct, hands-on business model has connected with IT resellers all over the continent.

As Waterdog quickly found success, he realized it had to generate more funding in order to support the growth. Waterdog was able to secure more than $500,000 in funding from River Valley Investors, the Springfield Venture Fund (SVF), and a selection of area business owners. The funding will be used to hire additional staff to keep up with the demand.

“The money from SVF ensures that we will be in Springfield for the long haul,” Bean said. “When we were first seeking funding, we were afraid that we might have to go outside of the area. We couldn’t be happier to be able to stay right here in downtown Springfield and be part of the city’s growth.”

Waterdog is located on the second floor of 1391 Main St. but is currently in talks to build an expanded office space on the top floor to make room for the staff expansion. The company has taken on eight new staff members since this time last year, including Crash Lowe, an experienced, high-level sales director who relocated to the area to take the position. Waterdog plans to hire up to six more in 2015. And that’s just the beginning.

“Waterdog is on a path to reach the $10 million mark with about 30 employees within five years and the $100 million mark with around 50 employees within 10 years,” said Bean, who was recently named BusinessWest’s Top Entrepreneur for 2014 for his work with Waterdog, Paragus IT, Tech Foundry, and other ventures.

Added Lowe, “Waterdog’s growth so far is a drop in the bucket compared to what’s ahead. We have found a niche where the competition is stale and boring, but the market is enormous and growing.”

Western Mass. Home & Garden Show Slated for March 26-29

By BusinessWest Staff March 16, 2015

Daily News

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The original Western Massachusetts Home & Garden Show will take place March 26-29 at the Eastern States Exposition, in the Better Living Center and the Young Building, showcasing the latest trends from local home-improvement businesses, including Boilard Lumber, Baystate Rug & Flooring, Hampden Zimmerman Lighting Design Showroom, Ondrick Natural Earth, Serv-U Locksmiths, and Yankee Mattress Factory.

The Home & Garden Show is the region’s premier show for preparing consumers and construction professionals for the upcoming building season. From first-time homeowners and weekend-warrior renovation enthusiasts to lawn and garden experts and contractors, the Home & Garden Show offers home-improvement and commercial-building solutions for a wide audience.

The days and hours are Thursday, March 26, 2 to 9 p.m.; Friday, March 27, 1 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, March 29, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $10 per person. Children under 12 are free. Active military and veterans get free admission on Thursday with valid ID. Visit the Home & Garden Show website, westernmasshomeshow.com, for reduced-admission coupons.

Blue Heron Restaurant to Host Clown Shoes Beer Dinner

By BusinessWest Staff March 13, 2015

Daily News

SUNDERLAND — Blue Heron Restaurant is teaming up with Clown Shoes Beer of Ipswich to present a Beer Dinner on Thursday, March 19. Doors will open at 6 p.m., and dinner service will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m.

Each of the five courses is inspired by one of Clown Shoes’ beers. The menu will begin with house smoked salmon pinwheels paired with Clementine White Ale, followed by housemade fettuccine with shrimp and Serrano ham, paired with Clown Shoes’ cheekily titled Tramp Stamp Belgian IPA. The braised neck of lamb over stewed white beans will be paired with the Hoppy Feet Black IPA, followed by coffee-spiced Kobe beef with Brown Angel Brown Ale. The final course will be a duet of Oaxacan chocolate cake and sombrero stout ice cream, made with Clown Shoes’ Mexican Style Chocolate Stout.

“I was initially drawn to Clown Shoes because my mother loved clowns,” said Executive Chef Deborah Snow, “and to have a locally produced beer by that name seemed like a perfect fit. As it turns out, their beers are beautifully complex, and beautiful to look at, so I really enjoyed the process of pairing them with each menu item.”

Mike Pettengill, sales and events coordinator for Clown Shoes Beer, will be present to talk about the beers and the company, and will be giving away glassware and other Clown Shoes goodies. The price per person is $55, which includes beer pairings but does not include tax or gratuity. The full menu with beer pairings can be viewed at www.blueherondining.com/special-events. To make a reservation, call (413) 665-2102.

Nicole Griffin Earns Urban League Community Builder Award

By BusinessWest Staff March 13, 2015

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Nicole Griffin, president of Griffin Staffing Network, LLC in Springfield, has been selected as the recipient of the Urban League Community Builder Award for 2015.

Griffin began her career in the financial industry, but after 12 years, she shifted into the staffing and recruitment field. She has several years of experience as a human-resources professional, including employee relations, recruitment, and retention. Her ability to understand the needs of a client led her to establish Griffin Staffing Network (GSN), now made up of a team with a combined 26 years of experience in staffing and recruitment.

Focusing more on quality than quantity, GSN places top talent from call-center to C-level management positions in temp, temp-to-hire, contract, and permanent-placement structures. Griffin says her goal is to empower the community through employment opportunities and career development.

Griffin was named to the 40 Under Forty by BusinessWest magazine in 2014. She serves on the board of SABIS International Charter School, the board of directors for Intercity Youth Inc., the committee of the Women Leadership Council, and the Plan for Progress Coordinating Council, and is a participant in the 2014-15 Leadership Institute for Political and Public Impact Program.

For more information about Griffin Staffing Network, visit www.griffinstaffingnetwork.com. For more information about the Urban League of Springfield, visit www.ulspringfield.org.

Unemployment Rises Slightly in Massachusetts in January

By BusinessWest Staff March 13, 2015

Daily News

BOSTON — The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported that the seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates for January were up in all 24 labor market areas, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), compared to December 2014 rates. However, compared to January 2014, over-the-year unemployment rates were down in all of the labor market areas.

BLS also released job and unemployment estimates for the new geographical boundaries of the labor market areas that were redrawn based on 2010 Census area delineations. These changes allow job estimates to be published for 15 areas, and labor-force and unemployment-rate estimates to be released for 24 areas.

During January 2015, both Massachusetts and the 15 local areas for which job estimates are published experienced seasonal job losses. Since January 2014, all 15 areas added jobs. The Barnstable, Lawrence, Worcester, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Framingham, and Pittsfield areas added more jobs than over the same time period last year.

In order to compare to the local unemployment rates, the statewide unadjusted unemployment rate for January was 5.6%, up 0.7% from the revised December 2014 rate. Over the year, the statewide unadjusted rate was down 1.3% from the January 2014 rate of 6.9%. The seasonally adjusted statewide January unemployment rate, released on March 10, was 5.1%, down 0.2% over the month and down 1.0% over the year. The rate was 0.6% below the national unemployment rate.

The statewide seasonally adjusted jobs estimate showed a 2,600-job gain in January and an over-the-year gain of 68,000 jobs. Once a year, BLS revises and updates area job estimates, which are available back to 1990.

The revised labor-force and unemployment rates go back to 2014. The labor force, unemployment rates and jobs estimates for Massachusetts and every other state are based on several different statistical methodologies specified by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The unadjusted unemployment rates, labor force, and job estimates for the labor market areas reflect seasonal fluctuations and, therefore, may show different levels and trends than the statewide seasonally adjusted estimates.