Month: July 2016

EAST LONGMEADOW — HUB International New England, a division of HUB International Limited, a global insurance-brokerage, risk-advisory, and employee-benefits firm, announced the hiring of two new employees in its East Longmeadow office. Monique Matz has joined as commercial lines service manager, and Jennifer Robinson as employee benefits account manager.

Matz joins HUB International with several years of underwriting and commercial-lines experience. At HUB International, her role is to provide service to medium to large commercial insurance accounts of moderate to high complexity. Acting as the primary liaison between the client and insurance carrier, she coordinates all facets of the clients’ needs from the initial setup procedures to audit processing to policy review. She handles day-to-day client requests while staying focused on meeting the needs of clients, carriers, and client executives.

Robinson has been in the insurance industry for many years and has experience in the customer-service and data-management fields. As part of the employee benefits team, she will work to help employers maintain their employee-benefits packages, and acts as a guide and reference tool for their HR managers. She handles client inquiries and works closely in assisting the producers with new business and sales initiatives.

Employer Confidence Weakens in June

By BusinessWest Staff July 6, 2016

BOSTON — A month of economic uncertainty punctuated by weak U.S. job growth and the United Kingdom’s impending exit from the European Union drove Massachusetts employer confidence lower during June.

The Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) Business Confidence Index fell 1.6 points to 56.1 as employers took an increasingly bearish view of the U.S. economy. At the same time, the confidence reading remained comfortably above the 50 mark that denotes an overall positive economic outlook. Taken quarterly, confidence rose from 55.8 during the first three months of the year to 56.7 during April, May, and June.

The June survey of employers overlapped by a few days the landmark vote in Great Britain to leave the European Union, an outcome that caused financial gyrations and concern about U.S. exports in the face of a rising dollar. The confidence readings also came in the wake of the slowest pace of job creation in the U.S. since 2010.

“Massachusetts employers are trying to balance a range of economic and political distractions that pull them in different directions month to month,” said Raymond Torto, Chair of AIM’s Board of Economic Advisors (BEA) and lecturer at Harvard Graduate School of Design. “The good news is that employers remain highly confident in the Massachusetts economy and in the prospects for their own companies.”

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

All the sub-indices based on selected questions or categories of employer declined slightly during June after rising to a 10-month high in May. The Massachusetts Index, assessing business conditions within the Commonwealth, dropped a modest 0.8 points to 58.5, up 1.6 points from the year earlier. The U.S. Index of national business conditions plunged three points to 48.8. Employers have been more optimistic about the Massachusetts economy than about the national economy for 74 consecutive months. Meanwhile, the Current Index, which assesses overall business conditions at the time of the survey, lost 1.9 points to 55.5, while the Future Index, measuring expectations for six months out, declined 1.5 points to 56.6.

The three sub-indices bearing on survey respondents’ own operations all weakened. The Company Index, reflecting overall business conditions, fell 1.5 points to 57.7, while the Sales Index dropped 2.8 points to 57.0 and the Employment Index lost 0.6 points to 54.5.

“Uncertainty of the sort created by the Brexit vote certainly impedes investment decisions, and with few signs of any pickup in the global economy, we’re probably going to see a slower rebound in capital spending,” said Sara Johnson, senior research director of global economics with IHS Global Insight.

The AIM survey found that nearly 39% of respondents reported adding staff during the past six months, while 19% reduced employment. Expectations for the next six months were stable, with 37% hiring and only 10% downsizing.

AIM President and CEO Richard Lord, a BEA member, said the Brexit vote underscores the profound effect that political discourse has on the global economic outlook. It’s a pertinent lesson for Massachusetts as the Baker administration and Beacon Hill lawmakers wrestle with both a billion-dollar budget deficit and critical debates on energy, wage equity, and the use of non-compete agreements.

“The sustained optimism that Massachusetts employers have shown toward the state economy reflects the ability of the Legislature and several administrations to maintain disciplined fiscal policy while creating an environment that allows employers to grow,” Lord said. “We look forward to working with policymakers to continue that record as the two-year legislative session ends next month.”

Torrid Opens New Store at Holyoke Mall

HOLYOKE — Torrid, America’s fastest-growing plus-size fashion brand, recently opened its 400th retail store at Holyoke Mall at Ingleside.

“Our customers love our fashion collections and exceptional fit, and have been very vocal about wanting us to expand our store base,” said Lisa Harper, Torrid CEO. “Sixty-eight percent of women in the U.S. wear our sizes, but this market represents only 17% of the women’s fashion retail industry.”

Torrid’s collections of fashion apparel, accessories, swimwear, lingerie, and shoes are designed exclusively for women sizes 10 to 30; each piece is made and constructed specifically to fit and flatter curvy figures, rather than being a ‘sized-up’ version of a fashion piece.

The 2,572 square-foot Torrid store is located on the mall’s upper level, near Macy’s.

Berkshire Bank Awards $45,000 to 2016 Scholarship Winners

PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Bank recently selected 30 high-school seniors to receive a total of $45,000 in scholarships through its Berkshire Bank Foundation Scholarship Awards program. Each of the recipients will receive $1,500.

A team of 200 Berkshire Bank employee volunteers reviewed nearly 300 applications to select the winners. The winners all reside in the regions served by Berkshire Bank, including communities in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and Vermont.

This year’s Pioneer Valley recipients include Stephanie Garner, Cathedral High School; Joseph Gardner, Chicopee High School; Joanna Arkoette, Gateway Regional High School; Rachel Pierce, Hampshire Regional High School; Aleeza Suarez Amador, High School of Commerce; Isaais Bermudez, Putnam Vocational Technical Academy; Kamal Watt, Springfield Central High School; and Tymra Garcia, Springfield High School of Science and Technology.

The scholarship awards recognize students who have exemplified community service through their volunteer efforts, been successful academically, and have a financial need. The program highlights the foundation’s support for education and the bank’s commitment to promote volunteerism in the community.

“We are proud to grant these scholarships to so many high-school seniors that share in our passion and commitment to give back to the community,” said Lori Gazzillo, vice president and director of Berkshire Bank Foundation. “With the increasing cost and importance of a college education, we want to do our part to help deserving students achieve their dreams.”

Rotary Club of Springfield Elects Laurie Rosner President

SPRINGFIELD — The Rotary Club of Springfield recently elected a new president, Laurie Rosner, for the 2016-17 Rotary year.

Rosner is the chair of Undergraduate Business Programs and assistant professor of Management at Bay Path University. She is a double Bay Path alumna, with undergraduate and graduate degrees in business. An experienced executive, professor, entrepreneur, and community leader, she led the overall marketing and branding of a community bank at the level of senior vice president for over 20 years. She was part of the executive team who brought the bank from $285 million to $2 billion with public trading on NASDAQ Global Select Market. She has received numerous marketing awards on branding and innovation and has been a guest speaker locally and nationally. She is the owner of a local marketing, business, and leadership-strategy company called A Story Making Co., located in Enfield, Conn.

Rosner taught for several years at Bay Path University in the MBA program with a focus in management, marketing, leadership, and strategy, and was honored with a Distinguished Teaching Award there in 2013. Most recently, she is working to launch a Springfield Rotaract Club for undergraduate women at Bay Path. She is also a past president of the North Central Connecticut Chamber of Commerce. She says her mission is “to inspire others to believe in themselves so they transform into the leader they are meant to be.”

The Springfield Rotary Club, a member of Rotary International, meets every Friday at 12:15 p.m. in the MassMutual Room at the Basketball Hall of Fame. For more information on the club or becoming a member, visit www.springfieldmarotary.org or call membership chairperson Pam Malumphy at (413) 441-2708.

AIC, New England Public Radio Announce Partnership

SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) and New England Public Radio (NEPR) announced a new partnership intended to benefit students at the college and enhance coverage for NEPR. WAIC 91.9 FM has become the newest station to join the NEPR News Network, providing Hampden County with a 24-hour public-radio news service on the FM dial.

New England Public Radio’s programming partners include National Public Radio, American Public Media, and Public Radio International, among others, presenting programs like Morning Edition, Here & Now, All Things Considered, Fresh Air, On Point, and the BBC World Service.

As part of its agreement with American International College, New England Public Radio will offer educational seminars on media to AIC students each academic year. NEPR will work with college faculty to design course curriculum that complies with AIC standards for academic credit. Seminar topics may include the art of recording conversations, conducting research and interviews, drafting interview questions, editing, voice techniques, and other fundamental skills and journalistic practices. These learning opportunities will be hosted at one of NEPR’s two Springfield facilities.

In addition, AIC students will be encouraged to participate in NEPR’s paid internship program, which offers experience in several station departments, including the newsroom, marketing, programming, and NEPR’s Media Lab. American International College students will now join students from New England Public Radio’s other academic partners, including UMass Amherst and Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, Smith, and Berkshire Community colleges in participating in NEPR’s paid internship opportunities.

“This exciting collaboration between AIC and NEPR will provide our students with access to New England Public Radio right here in Springfield,” said AIC President Vincent Maniaci. “They will benefit academically and gain real-life experience with a well-respected media organization.”

1-91 Viaduct Safety Info Issued for Fourth of July

SPRINGFIELD — With Fourth of July celebrations just around the corner, the city of Springfield reminds residents and visitors that the I-91 viaduct and its ramps are active construction sites. They are not appropriate or safe sites for parking, watching fireworks or participating in other holiday events. For safety reasons, the following guidelines issued by MassDOT must be adhered to:

Under no circumstances should anyone attempt to park or walk on the highway or the closed I-91 ramps. State Police detail officers will be posted at the ramps and Springfield Police will also patrol the areas to ensure that they are not used inappropriately; and

I-91 is an interstate highway with busy on and off ramps. The highway and ramps are not safe places to slow down or park to watch the fireworks over the Memorial Bridge. Drivers are urged to obey posted speed limits and use caution in the construction area at all times.

Elms College Receives Nearly $300,000 Grant

CHICOPEE — The College of Our Lady of the Elms has received a grant of $263,817 from the Davis Educational Foundation for the college’s new ASPIRE (Academic Success Program Impacting Retention and Engagement) program.

Central to Elms College’s mission is a commitment to ensure educational success for all students, including those who are traditionally underserved. The main goal of ASPIRE is to help all students successfully finish their degrees by offering dedicated resources and support throughout their studies at Elms College.

“ASPIRE is designed to provide the most critical resources for a comprehensive approach to student success,” said Joyce Hampton, Ed.D., director of student success at Elms and project director for the grant. “We are pleased that the Davis Educational Foundation is partnering with us to provide additional resources for those we serve at Elms College.”

Using the grant funding, the program will create a comprehensive space for a Student Success Center on campus with dedicated academic resources and services, install software programs that facilitate advising and tutoring, and provide professional development in diversity for faculty and staff.

Establishing the Student Success Center will involve renovating the second floor of the Alumnae Library to house the Academic Resource Center/Peer Tutoring, the Student Accommodation and Support Services (SASS) office, student success coaches, and the director of advising. A new conference room will allow for private meetings with students or groups. The Student Success Center also will include expanded technological resources, new computers, collaborative-learning tech-enabled furniture, and access to wireless Internet. Peer tutors and success coaches will work with students either in collaborative learning spaces with loaner laptops or at the drop-in learning lab, equipped with high-tech workstations.

Elms College will use CampusLabs’ Beacon advising software and Baseline outcomes-assessment software programs to track student needs and progress; TutorTrac will integrate student and tutor information to ensure better student tutoring experiences. Data from Student Success Center programs and curricular/co-curricular assessments will allow the college to understand better which student outcomes are being met, and to use that feedback adjust accordingly.

“Today’s Elms students are more diverse, and we want to be better prepared to serve them well,” Hampton said. To foster cultural competency, faculty and staff will participate in process-oriented, multi-session professional development.

This spring, Elms College was ranked in the top five of the list of 314 private colleges in Eduventures’ annual retention ratings, which pay tribute to the institutions that best help their students navigate to graduation. Programs like ASPIRE will help Elms guide even more students from the first day of school to commencement. “The ASPIRE program fits with our mission, and we are very excited to see it take shape for our students,” Hampton said.

The Davis Educational Foundation of Yarmouth, Me., was established by Stanton and Elisabeth Davis after Mr. Davis’s retirement as chairman of Shaw’s Supermarkets Inc. This new grant builds on funding the foundation previously provided Elms for the college’s Office of Institutional Assessment and Research, which enabled the college to understand its student success needs, Hampton added. “The grant letter cites our productive use of institutional research and clear student-success focus as two primary reasons they decided to fund ASPIRE,” she said.

Springfield College Leader Tabbed for Opioid Panel

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield College President Mary-Beth Cooper has been appointed by Gov. Charlie Baker to serve on one of three special commissions created under the landmark opioid legislation signed into law earlier this year.

Cooper and the other appointees to the commission were sworn in by the governor on Thursday at the State House. Cooper will serve on the special commission to study the incorporation of safe and effective pain treatment and prescribing practices into the professional training of students that may prescribe controlled substances.

This special commission is tasked with developing recommendations to ensure future prescribers have an understanding of certain fundamental issues relative to the opioid epidemic, including pain treatment, pain-treatment planning, safe prescribing practices, and prescription monitoring. The appointed commission will submit recommendations on or before Dec. 1.

“I’m honored to serve on this commission, representing our outstanding health care preparation programs at Springfield College,” said Cooper. “I’m excited about the diversity of the commission, which includes family members of those who have struggled with opioid use, current health care providers, other educators, and committed community members all wanting to be apart of solutions to the opioid crisis.”

Joining Cooper as appointees to the special commission are Todd Brown, vice chairman of the School of Pharmacy at Northeastern University; Nitigna Desai, MD, director of Addiction Psychiatry at Bedford Veteran Affairs Medical Center and director of Substance Abuse Service Line at New England Healthcare; Myechia Minter-Jordan, MD, president and CEO of the Dimock Community Health Center; Brad Ulrich, regional vice president for The Walgreen’s Company; and Joan Vitello-Cicciu, dean of the University of Massachusetts Graduate School of Nursing.

OMG Hosts Junior Achievement Job Shadow Days

AGAWAM — OMG Inc. hosted students from three Springfield Middle Schools this month as part of the Junior Achievement Job Shadow Program. OMG has served as a host for the job-shadow program for the past 10 years, and this year’s visits included 48 students from Balliet Middle School, Springfield Public Day Middle School and M. Marcus Kiley Middle School.

The premise behind JA Job Shadow is that while in school students don’t often have the opportunity to develop realistic expectations of their future career and lifestyle options. The job shadow experience lets them see what professionals do in on a daily basis, and is meant to give the students perspective on a professional and diverse work environment.

“During their time at OMG, we introduce them to a few senior managers, take them on a tour, and let them know about our basic hiring requirements, such as the need for a high school diploma or GED, and characteristics we look for such as strong communications and time management skills, and the ability to work well on a team,” said Sarah Corrigan, director of Human Resources at OMG. “We also make it fun and engaging by having the students complete a scavenger hunt of fun facts about OMG during their visit.”

Hubert McGovern, president and CEO of OMG agreed. “The most recent group from Kiley asked great questions,” he said. “They asked about the company’s success record, whether OMG offered benefits like life and health insurance, what percentage of the work force was represented by women, and what we do to help make our employees better. We were really impressed by their level of interest, and the way they conducted themselves during the visit.”

Headquartered in Agawam, Mass., OMG, Inc. is North America’s largest supplier of specialty fasteners and products for commercial and residential construction applications. The company operates two business units: OMG Roofing Products and FastenMaster.

Museums to Stage Annual Indian Motocycle Day