SPRINGFIELD — Beginning Wednesday, Sept. 7, the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley will sponsor a 40-hour, 14-class, sales-licensing course to help individuals prepare for the Massachusetts real-estate salesperson license exam. The course will be completed on Oct. 12.
Tuition is $359 and includes the book and materials. For an application or more information about the course, call the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley at (413) 785-1328.
HOLYOKE — The International Business Innovation Assoc. (InBIA), in partnership with the Assoc. of Cleantech Incubators of New England (ACTION), will host a two-day Northeast Training Institute at the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center in Holyoke on Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 4-5. Four courses will be offered for the professional development of incubator managers or those exploring the development of an incubator or accelerator program in their community.
Those who should consider attending include business incubation and acceleration professionals, university administrators and faculty in entrepreneurship, community influencers and chamber of commerce of leaders, and economic-development leaders. Join other participants from around the region for these world-recognized training programs and hear about development plans for the Holyoke Innovation District.
Learn more at www.actionnewengland.org. E-mail Joan Popolo at [email protected] with any questions.
HOLYOKE — The second-seeded Valley Blue Sox will kick off postseason action against third-seeded North Adams this Thursday, Aug. 4 at 6:35 p.m. at MacKenzie Stadium in Holyoke.
While the Sox’ fate has been decided for a few days now, a tight battle for the fourth seed caused a delay in scheduling. With Winnipesaukee losing Tuesday night and Vermont and Upper Valley splitting their double-header, it sets up a four-way tie for fourth place in the Northern Division, which will be played out in a single-elimination, split double-header tournament on Wednesday. The winner will face top seed Sanford.
As for the Sox, they will begin proceedings on Thursday night in Holyoke. Game 2 will be played in North Adams on Friday, Aug. 5 at 6:35 p.m. If necessary, the Sox will host the final and deciding game 3 on Saturday, Aug. 6 at 6:35 p.m.
Tickets for the series can be purchased at valleybluesox.com, by calling the Blue Sox ticket office at (413) 533-1100, or at the gate on Thursday night.
SPRINGFIELD — Robinson Donovan, P.C. announced that attorney Jeffrey Trapani has been appointed chair of the legislative steering committee for the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The legislative steering committee identifies issues of major concern to the business community, researches the issues, and recommends positions on them. The committee is also charged with educating members on these issues, soliciting member support, and encouraging elected officials to adopt the chamber’s position. This committee also serves as the legislative arm of the East of the River Five Town Chamber of Commerce.
“Jeff is not only an outstanding litigator, but a genuine leader in the community,” said Nancy Frankel Pelletier, head of Robinson Donovan’s litigation department. “We are very proud that he has taken on a leadership role at the Springfield Regional Chamber. He has an unwavering commitment to our business community, and he will be carrying on a decades-old tradition at Robinson Donovan of community service.”
Trapani, a partner at Robinson Donovan, concentrates his practice in civil litigation, including insurance defense, employment law, municipal liability, business litigation, and professional malpractice. Additionally, he represents landlords in summary-process actions and housing-discrimination claims and insurance companies in unfair-settlement claims and coverage issues. He graduated, cum laude, from New England Law in Boston, where he was editor in chief of the New England Law Review. He has been recognized by Super Lawyers since 2008.
HOLYOKE — The Celebrate Holyoke planning committee announced this year’s food vendors set to participate in the three-day festival happening August 26-28. This year’s food vendors include a broad mix of Holyoke restaurants like Sláinte, Fiesta Café, and Capri Pizza, as well as regional favorites like Wheelhouse Farm. A wide variety of mobile food trucks will be set up throughout the weekend as well, including Holyoke Hummus Co., Mothership Gourmet, and Say Cheese grilled-cheese sandwiches.
“We’re pleased to welcome this talented group of local restauranteurs, which all bring something unique and delicious to our festival,” said Jenna Weingarten, executive director for Celebrate Holyoke. “We’re fortunate to have many of our vendors returning from last year, and we’re also really excited for the new food options that are joining us this year that will guarantee there’s something for everyone.”
Guests will be able to purchase food and drinks from the following local establishments: Papa’s Gourmet Hotdogs, Wheelhouse Farm, Nutmeg Concessions, Gateway City Arts, Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House, Sláinte, Say Cheese, Holyoke Hummus Co., Mothership Gourmet, Damn Yankees BBQ, Capri Pizza, Jnd Amusements, Fiesta Café, and Silk Deli and Bistro.
Celebrate Holyoke is a three-day festival that made its return last August after a 10-year hiatus, drawing an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 people downtown over the course of the weekend. This year’s festival will include live musical performances, foods and beverages from local restaurants, and goods from local artists and crafters. Also back by popular demand is Slide the City, which will take place on Saturday, Aug. 27.
GREAT BARRINGTON — The third annual BerkshireSPEAKS will take place Sunday, Sept. 18 at 1:30 p.m. at Hevreh of Southern Berkshire in Great Barrington. This year’s event will feature six Berkshire trailblazers and visionaries sharing their inspirational stories.
BerkshireSPEAKS was established to create an opportunity for the entire community to hear from local residents who have had a significant impact on the Berkshires and beyond.
“BerkshireSPEAKS continues to grow each year, with speakers whose passion reminds us that anything is possible,” said Toby Levine, event co-chair. “We have a fantastic program planned and look forward to an afternoon that brings the community together to share empowering ideas.”
This year’s speakers include John Downing, CEO of Soldier On, a national organization fighting veteran homelessness; Nancy Kalodner, Berkshire Realtor, teacher, and arts supporter; Gwendolyn Hampton-VanSant, CEO and Founder of Multicultural BRIDGE; Mary Pope Osborne, award-winning author of the Magic Tree House series (130 million copies sold worldwide); John Hockenberry, author, journalist, and award-winning public radio host; and state Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli, who represents the 4th Berkshire District. A reception with the speakers will follow the presentations.
Registration costs $15 online and $18 at the door. To register online, visit www.hevreh.org/berkshirespeaks.
SPRINGFIELD — Lisa Casasanta has been named vice president of Population Health for Mercy Medical Center and the Sisters of Providence Health System (SPHS). In this role, she is responsible for overseeing and aligning population-health strategies and the associated performance metrics.
Additionally, she develops business plans that support affiliation with community partners; serves as a key partner with affiliated accountable-care organizations and regional leadership in the development of market growth plans; and provides direction, leadership, and management of all population-health strategies, including transition of care, chronic-disease management, and Bundled Payments for Care Improvement (BPCI) programs.
Most recently, Casasanta served as director of Population Health Marketing and Managed Markets Marketing for Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals in Ridgefield, Conn. She has also served as director of the Customer Marketing Group at Pfizer in New York, and as director of Strategic Initiatives at Pfizer Health Solutions in Santa Monica, Calif. and New York.
Casasanta received her bachelor’s degree in medical technology from the University of Connecticut and her master of public health degree from the UConn School of Medicine. She holds a First Line Management certification and a Franklin Covey Microsoft Project certification.
“A proven leader, Lisa understands the importance of high-quality care delivery and appropriate care management for patients across our continuum,” said Dr. Scott Wolf, president of Mercy Medical Center and SPHS. “This ability, coupled with her broad base of experience and knowledge of disease management, make Lisa a great asset to our team at Mercy Medical Center and the entire health system.”
HOLYOKE — On Saturday, Aug. 20 from 1 to 3 p.m., Wistariahurst, Holyoke’s center for history, art, and culture, will host a free community event featuring lawn games, crafts, family-friendly tours, and more.
Wistariahurst, the former estate of the Skinner family, includes three acres of formal gardens and grounds, a Holyoke history exhibit, an archival facility, and a preserved historic mansion. The afternoon’s activities will be inspired by the history and features of the site, including the fossilized dinosaur tracks which pave the entryway, the historically inspired rose garden, and turn-of-the-century garden parties.
“As the summer season winds down, we want our gardens and grounds to be filled with families exploring and playing,” said Lisa Nicholson, program coordinator. “Dress up and have a cup of lemonade in the garden. Play a game of croquet or badminton like the Skinner family may have done.”
For more information or to view a schedule of other upcoming events at Wistariahurst, visit www.wistariahurst.org.
SPRINGFIELD — DevelopSpringfield acquired a vacant building at the corner of Dwight and Carew streets together with several adjacent parcels to create a large redevelopment site with the aim of bringing new vitality to the area by redeveloping a critically underutilized and vacant site.
The proposed redevelopment concept would rehabilitate the historic Carew Street Baptist Church building’s 11,680 square feet, in a historically sensitive manner, into modern, energy-efficient office space. The surrounding parcels, formerly a brownfields site, would be redeveloped into parking and landscaping. The project represents a more than $3 million investment in this section of Springfield’s North End.
As a part of this redevelopment initiative, DevelopSpringfield forged innovative partnerships with EcoBuilding Bargains (EBB), Roca, and Habitat for Humanity in an effort to reduce waste and recycle as much of the reusable interior furnishings and building materials as possible. In addition, the site is now secured with fencing salvaged from another recent DevelopSpringfield project.
“We appreciate the opportunity to engage with these organizations to help advance our common goals,” said Jay Minkarah, president and CEO of DevelopSpringfield. “Working together, we can really pay it forward.”
A team from Roca, a local organization dedicated to supporting high-risk young men from the community by providing them with mentoring and transitional employment-training assistance, removed salvageable items like church pews, radiators, an organ, and more, to be shared with EBB and Habitat. Roca also assisted in clearing brush and debris from the adjacent lots. No historically significant building features or fixtures were removed.
“It was Roca’s pleasure to participate in this exciting collaboration. Eighty-six percent of the young men we are privileged to serve here at Roca are from the city of Springfield, and it is wonderful to give them the opportunity to give back to their community,” said Chris Judd, director of Roca Springfield. “Young men work hard at Roca to learn new work skills that help them stay out of harm’s way and succeed, and this is exactly the kind of opportunity that help them and our community move forward.”
Both EBB and Habitat’s ReStore have programs to create treasure from salvage in the form of unique resale opportunities of donated household goods which provide each of their organizations with needed resources to support their important programming.
“We’re very excited to be working with DevelopSpringfield to help find new homes for these valuable materials,” said Amy Weber, eco sales specialist at EcoBuilding Bargains. “Our mission is to keep perfectly good materials out of landfills and make these available at bargain prices.”
EcoBuilding Bargains, located at 83 Warwick St. in Springfield, is an enterprise of the nonprofit Center for EcoTechnology. For information about how to donate materials to EcoBuilding Bargains, call Weber at (413) 341-0098.
This redevelopment will be exemplary of sustainable development and smart growth principles. Rehabilitating an existing building, rather than demolishing it and building new, uses less energy and fewer materials, and enhances sustainability by capturing the building’s ‘embodied energy’ — the energy consumed through the processes associated with constructing the building when it was originally built. The project will also result in the redevelopment of a former brownfields site and is located in a densely populated, walkable urban area at a location with excellent transit access.
The rehabilitated building will be energy-efficient, with a new, natural-gas-fired, forced-hot-air system and energy-efficient air conditioning, as well as energy-efficient windows and insulation. The redevelopment will also minimize water use and feature low-impact development with enhanced stormwater management.
BOSTON — Gov. Charlie Baker signed a bipartisan pay equity bill yesterday, passed unanimously by both legislative branches, to ensure equal pay for comparable work for all Massachusetts workers and equal opportunities to earn competitive salaries in the workplace.
The governor was joined by Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo, Treasurer Deb Goldberg, State Auditor Suzanne Bump, state Sen. Patricia Jehlen, state Rep. Ellen Story, state Rep. Patricia Haddad, and members of the Legislature at a signing ceremony in the State House to enact S.2119, An Act to Establish Pay Equity, which will go into effect on July 1, 2018 for Commonwealth employers and employees.
“I am pleased to sign bipartisan legislation to create a more level playing field in the Commonwealth and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to earn a competitive salary for comparable work,” Baker said. “I thank the Legislature for unanimously passing this bill and working closely with the business community to support women and families across the state.”
Added Polito, “this legislation is an important step toward advancing more equal, inclusive, and thriving workplaces throughout the Commonwealth for women and families. We thank the Legislature for their collaboration with the Commonwealth’s employers and their commitment to creating more opportunities for Massachusetts skilled workforce.”
The new law will prevent pay discrimination for comparable work based on gender. The bill allows employees to freely discuss their salaries with coworkers, prohibits employers from requiring applicants to provide their salary history before receiving a formal job offer, and authorizes the attorney general to issue regulations interpreting and applying the expanded law.
Under the new law, employers are permitted to take certain attributes of an employee or applicant into account when determining variation in pay, including their work experience, education, job training, or measurements of production, sales, or revenue.
“This new law is an important step toward ensuring economic security for Massachusetts women and families. It makes vital updates that reflect our modern economy and balance the needs of workers and the business community,” said Attorney General Maura Healey, adding that “pay equity is not only a women’s issue, it’s a family issue, and with this new law on the books, we are closer to closing the pay gap in our state.”
The statute of limitations laid out currently under the equal-pay statute will be expanded from one to three years, and employees will no longer be required to pursue a general claim of intentional discrimination at the Massachusetts Commission against Discrimination before filing a separate equal-pay claim in court.
GREAT BARRINGTON — Members of the Home Builders & Remodelers Assoc. of Western Massachusetts (HBRAWM) can now automatically support their own educational foundation under a new agreement with GoodWorks Insurance. The insurance agency will donate 20% of its commissions to the Home Builders Foundation of Western Massachusetts on all business and personal insurance policies members buy from it.
The Springfield-based contractors’ association has nearly 500 members in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire counties. GoodWorks Insurance is an independent insurance agency with offices in Great Barrington and Worcester.
“It’s a creative arrangement. Our members will be able to support our foundation without spending an extra cent,” said Brad Campbell, executive director of the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Western Massachusetts. “GoodWorks has shown professionalism and commitment to work with our members.”
Just as important are the variety of services and solutions GoodWorks Insurance can offer to association members, he added. “It gives us more top-notch products and services in our holster to offer our members.”
Over the years, HBRAWM has provided $500,000 in scholarships and other grants to support the building trades. Besides college scholarships, the foundation offers $500 tool scholarships to vocational-school graduates to help them get started in their careers.
GoodWorks Insurance donates half its operating profits to local nonprofits that support education, healthcare, and public safety. Besides its Massachusetts offices, it has Connecticut offices in Avon, Columbia, Glastonbury, and New Milford. Serving more than 10,000 clients, GoodWorks has special expertise serving building contractors, nonprofits, fuel dealers, aerospace firms, and manufacturers, providing both insurance and surety bonds.
PITTSFIELD — In its first year, the Museums for All program has been a success at the Berkshire Museum, with more than 800 visitors participating. Initiated in September 2015, Museums for All, a signature access program of the Assoc. of Children’s Museums and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, enables low-income families (two adults and two children) to visit the Berkshire Museum free with the presentation of an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card.
The program is designed to encourage families of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum habits. Berkshire Museum’s participation in this program is funded by the TD Charitable Foundation.
“Adopting the Museums for All and other programs to remove financial access as a barrier to participation is part of a concerted effort to open our doors to ever-larger numbers of people,” said Van Shields, Berkshire Museum’s executive director. “In addition to providing opportunities for more people to benefit from our programs, we are also providing opportunities for more people to connect with each other who might not otherwise do so. We believe that strengthens our social fabric, which is why our mission statement includes a commitment to bring people together.”
Since September 2015, a total of 812 visitors — 503 adults and 309 children — have used the Museums for All program to visit the Berkshire Museum. That’s an average of three people per day, nearly 100 per month. Since the inception of the program, each month has seen an increase in participation over the previous month; in May, 153 visitors used the program to gain access to the museum’s exhibitions and programs.
SPRINGFIELD — The Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley reported that single-family home sales in June were up 16.1% compared to the same time last year. The median price was up 2.0% to $209,000.
County reports vary. In Franklin County, sales were up 71.4%, and the median price was up 17.1%. Hampden County, sales were up 9.8%, and the median price was up 1.6%. And in Hampshire County, sales from June 2015 to June 2016 were up 16.5%, while the median price was down 1.9%.
AMHERST — In celebration of the upcoming 50th anniversary of the book that launched Eric Carle’s career — Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. —the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is sending the book’s famous characters to the main streets and outdoor spaces of its hometown.
This special pop-up exhibition, “Brown Bear Everywhere,” on view from Aug. 8 through Oct. 10, will bring 14 high-quality reproductions of Carle’s original collage illustrations to some of Amherst’s popular restaurants, schools, and recreational sites. The exhibition helps kick off a year of special events to honor the children’s classic, which is one of the best-selling picture books of all time.
Framed reproductions from Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? will be located at Amherst Commons (White Dog), Bangs Community Center (Purple Cat), Bare Mountain (Brown Bear), Black Sheep Deli (Black Sheep), Fort River Elementary School (Teacher), Hampshire College (Red Bird), High Horse Restaurant (Blue Horse), Hitchcock Center for the Environment (Green Frog), Jones Library (Final Page), Amherst College Mead Art Museum (Endpapers), the Mill District in North Amherst (Original Brown Bear, 1967 edition), Mill River Recreation Area (Goldfish), the Norwottuck Rail Trail (Children), and the UMass Amherst campus pond (Yellow Duck). Labels at each location will provide information about the works of art, the book, and Carle’s artistic process.
“We enjoyed matching each picture in the book to a specific location in Amherst,” said Ellen Keiter, the Carle’s chief curator. “Placing Eric Carle’s Black Sheep at the Black Sheep Deli was an obvious fit, as was displaying his image of a teacher at Fort River Elementary School. Perhaps my favorite is Brown Bear atop Bare Mountain, the highest elevation in Amherst. It seems appropriate that Brown Bear look out over the Valley from this majestic perch.”
Keiter also lauded the town’s enthusiasm for the project. “We’ve spent the last eight months working with the host sites, and the response has been overwhelming. Not a single business or organization turned us down. In fact, each location enthusiastically embraced the project. It’s difficult to find someone who doesn’t know and love the book.”
“Brown Bear Everywhere” kicks off a year-long, nationwide celebration, including “Brown Bear Turns 50!” opening at the Carle on Sept. 13. Support for both exhibitions has been provided by Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group. Published in 1967, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? had an immediate appeal to children and adults alike. Martin’s rhythmic call-and-response text builds anticipation at each turn of the page, while Carle’s bold graphics and parade of animals encourage learning and imagination. The book has been translated into 31 languages — from Arabic to Vietnamese — and has sold more than 16 million copies. In addition to the original 1967 book, Carle re-illustrated editions in 1970, 1984, and 1992.
In support of both exhibitions, the Carle will launch a special page on its website with Brown Bear teacher activities, photographs, fun facts, and a video of Carle reading the book. An accompanying social-media campaign asks friends to tag the Carle @carlemuseum and submit selfies taken in town with their favorite character using the hashtag #brownbeareverywhere. Selfies will be entered in a weekly drawing to win a Brown Bear anniversary tote bag.
SPRINGFIELD — The Melha Shriners announced that supporter Wendy Hart has once again organized the third annual Clowning Around for Shriners Hospital event, set for Saturday, Aug. 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
VFW Post 872, at 151 Point Grove Road in Southwick, will host this family-friendly event. Entertainment will be provided by the Shrine clowns, a traveling arcade, a photo booth, a dunk tank, and a DJ. The event will also feature a vendor fair featuring more than 40 local enterprises.
“I am really excited about the opportunity to raise money for Shriners Hospital, and hope to increase the amount we raised over last year’s total,” Hart said. The event raised $2,000 for the hospital in 2015.
Food and beverages will be for sale at the event. The Melha Shrine Clowns will present a skit show and spend the day mingling with children of all ages. Chris Howe, Shriner and president of the Melha Clowns, noted that “our clowns love days like this because we can help raise money for our hospital while just having lots of fun with all of the families in attendance.”
Shriners Hospitals for Children – Springfield will receive 100% of the proceeds as it attempts to raise $900,000 for state-of-the-art X-ray technology (called EOS) which exposes children to a mere one-ninth of the radiation of traditional X-ray studies.
For more information about the event, contact Hart at (413) 875-5743 or visit the Facebook event page.
SPRINGFIELD — Western New England University is welcoming 25 Mexican students through Aug. 20 under the support of the U.S. Department of State’s 100,000 Strong in the Americas initiative, and the complementary Mexican Ministry of Education Proyecta 100,000 initiative.
Western New England University was selected as a host location for the joint U.S./Mexican higher-education programs with the assistance of Bridge Pathways, the university’s international ESL partner. Over the next four weeks, the Mexican students will be living in Commonwealth Hall, dining in the St. Germain Campus Center, and receiving instruction in Herman Hall by ESL faculty and guest speakers. They will also be touring the region, including Boston and other locations.
For more information on the U.S. and Mexican international higher-education programs, click here.
HOLYOKE — Celebrate Holyoke welcomes the return of Slide the City to Holyoke on Saturday, Aug. 27 as part of its three-day event, and will once again sell discounted tickets prior to the event. In addition, the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Holyoke is partnering with Slide the City to raise money for its organization and help secure volunteers for the day of the slide.
Slide the City will return to the same location along Appleton Street. Tickets are currently available at slidethecity.com, and single tickets can be purchased for $20 on the day of the event. Those looking to purchase tickets in advance at a discounted rate can do so at Stop & Shop on Lincoln Street in Holyoke on Sat., Aug. 13, and Sun., Aug. 14, from noon to 4 p.m.; at the mayor’s office on weekdays; and at the Holyoke Farmers’ Market every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Discounted tickets can also be found at celebrateholyokemass.com.
For the second year, the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Holyoke will partner with Slide the City to recruit volunteers for the day of the event. For every volunteer signed up, Slide the City will make a donation to the Holyoke Boys & Girls Club.
“The Holyoke Boys & Girls Club is thrilled to be partnering for the second year with Slide the City and the Celebrate Holyoke committee,” said Eileen Cavanaugh, president and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club. “Last year was a great experience, and we were so pleased with and grateful for the amount of volunteers that came out to support the club. I’m sure this year will be even better! We are looking forward to another fun event that allows our club to be part of Celebrate Holyoke.”
Volunteers are still needed for various shifts throughout the day and will be helping with the following tasks: setup, registration tent (check pre-registered customers, take payment for new customers, etc.), slide monitors (check wristbands, help keep people moving along), cleanup, trash pickup, and loading trucks with gear and merchandise.
Anyone who is interested in volunteering to raise money for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke should e-mail Cavanaugh at [email protected]. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. In exchange for their participation, volunteers will receive a Slide the City T-shirt and be provided snacks and refreshments during each shift.
SPRINGFIELD — Selected from a pool of more than 130 applicants, Tech Foundry was announced as the recent winner of the 2016 Champions in Action award by Citizens Bank. With the award comes a check for $35,000, as well as other support from Citizens Bank that will enhance the work of Tech Foundry. The award also includes significant exposure from New England Cable News.
More than 50 workforce-development stakeholders and Tech Foundry employer partners gathered last week at an event at Tech Foundry to share the news. The organization sees this award as not just affirmation for its program success, but also an award to the collaborative efforts of companies across the region. As Jonathan Edwards of Tech Foundry stated, “this is an award that should be shared with the entire Western Massachusetts region.”
SPRINGFIELD — NAI Plotkin announced it will relocate to the MassLive building, 1350 Main St., in mid-August. 1350 Formerly known as One Financial Plaza, the building is well-known throughout Springfield for its first-, third-, and ninth-floor galleries activating the spaces. This move brings a third-generation family business into the dynamic and changing heart of downtown.
NAI Plotkin’s team of commercial real-estate professionals will occupy 5,884 square feet on the 14th floor in the class-A office tower. The space is currently being renovated to best suit the contemporary property management team.
“As we continue to grow our business in and around the Springfield market, we needed to put down roots in a new space that will grow with us,” said Evan Plotkin, company president. “We’re excited to start this new chapter of our company’s history.”
SPRINGFIELD — The Western New England University Small Business Legal Clinic is now accepting applications from entrepreneurs and small-business owners seeking legal assistance for the fall 2016 semester. Under faculty supervision, law students assist clients with legal issues, including choice of entity, employment policies, contract drafting, regulatory compliance, and intellectual-property issues relating to trademark applications and copyright. This is a free service available to local businesses that would not otherwise have the resources to obtain these types of services.
The Small Business Clinic at Western New England School of Law has assisted more than 300 small businesses. By using the clinic’s services, businesses can avoid problems by getting legal issues addressed early and correctly. It also provides students with an opportunity to get real-world experience.
The Small Business Legal Clinic asks small-business owners to submit their applications by Monday, Aug. 15. Applications received after that date will be considered if additional resources are available. Students will begin providing services in September. For more information, call the clinic at (413) 782-1469 or e-mail [email protected].
SPRINGFIELD — The boards of directors of two area nonprofit organizations, Friends of the Homeless Inc. (FOH) and Clinical & Support Options Inc. (CSO), have voted to pursue a merger.
FOH provides emergency shelter, housing, and support services for low-income residents of Springfield. CSO is a comprehensive behavioral-health organization based in Northampton, providing outpatient and emergency mental-health and substance-abuse services, with regional locations in five counties in Western and Central Mass. FOH will merge into CSO and become a program of Clinical & Support Options.
“This is a merger that is built on mutual, compatible strengths,” said Bill Miller, executive director of FOH. “Friends’ operations will remain largely the same, now with new opportunities for our clients to have ready access to behavioral-health services. We will also have new opportunities to serve the housing needs of communities in Franklin and Hampshire Counties.”
Karin Jeffers, president and CEO of Clinical & Support Options, noted that, in parallel fashion, CSO clients will have access to FOH housing expertise, while CSO expands its behavioral-health services to FOH clients in Springfield. “The leaders of both organizations have been excited to recognize how bringing the two together will benefit our clients and staff. Our communities will benefit from the more efficient use of public resources and broadened access to the resources and services both organizations bring.”
Added Keith Obert, chairman of the CSO board of directors, “the senior management of the two organizations will be combined into one stronger team, with more diverse skills. Also, the two boards will collaborate to create broader and deeper community representation across the region.”
Dan Pouliot, chairman of the FOH board of directors, noted that “FOH has a strong brand recognition throughout the area for critical programming to serve the most vulnerable in our communities. This merger will allow us to keep doing that work, but now with additional resources to expand programming to our clients and support our staff, all of whom are vital to what we do. There will be no reduction in workforce. Rather, we expect that we will be stronger and more efficient together.”
A merger of Massachusetts nonprofit agencies requires filing with the attorney general. Miller said they expect to submit required documents in the coming weeks, with the intent of completing the process before the end of the calendar year.
PITTSFIELD — This summer, the Berkshire Museum is partnering with the Lemelson-MIT Program in mentoring a JV InvenTeam at Monument Valley Regional Middle School in Great Barrington. Lemelson-MIT JV InvenTeams are comprised of students who hone their hands-on skills and enrich their STEM education through invention-based design activities.
Berkshire Museum educators are leading the classes based on materials and coursework provided by the Lemelson-MIT Program. Thirty-two fifth- and sixth-grade students are participating three days a week, July 5 through Aug. 3. The middle-schoolers at Monument Valley have completed a unit on designing and prototyping shoe soles, creating soles for a range of different activities. The students came up with ideas for their shoe soles, modeled them in clay, and cast them in urethane to complete their prototypes. They are now working on sound; they have dissected earbuds to learn about speakers, created their own electromagnets from common household objects, and built speakers out of paper plates.
The Lemelson-MIT Program continues to celebrate outstanding inventors and inspires young people to pursue creative lives and careers through invention. JV InvenTeams are currently located in four states: Massachusetts, Texas, Oregon, and California.
Students participating in JV InvenTeams learn how to safely use tools and explore new materials to use in hands-on projects. Teams of students practice invention-based design activities and apply their learned skills to create useful and unique projects. They build confidence and curiosity around STEM areas including structures, electricity, materials, and robotics.
LENOX — Two of the hottest stars in the contemporary Jewish music scene, Neshama Carlebach and Josh Nelson, will come together at the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires’ annual benefit concert for a powerful evening of hope, unity, and spirituality. The concert will take place Sunday, July 31 at 7 p.m. at the Duffin Theater at Lenox Memorial High School.
All concert proceeds will benefit the Jewish Agency for Israel’s Victims of Terror Fund. General admission tickets are $25, $20 for young adults under the age of 30, and free for children under 10. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Jewish Federation at (413) 442-4360, ext. 10, or at the door. The Duffin Theater is located at Lenox Memorial High School, 197 East St., Lenox.
Carlebach continues the legacy established by her father, Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach. His deep spirituality and love of all humanity filled the songs he wrote and touched the people he encountered as he changed the face of Jewish music. Like her father, Neshama’s talent and charisma endear her to people of all ages and backgrounds as she performs and teaches in cities worldwide.
One of the most popular performers and composers in modern Jewish music, Nelson brings a message of hope, unity, and spirituality to concert stages and worship services across the globe. He is a gifted multi-instrumentalist and songwriter whose work is celebrated and integrated into the repertoire of congregations, camps, and communities around the world.
The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires mobilizes the local Jewish community to care for those in need, and nurtures and sustains Jewish life across the Berkshires, in Israel, and around the world.
SPRINGFIELD — Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Crimson Trace Corp., an industry leader in laser-sighting systems and tactical lighting for firearms, for $95 million.
Crimson Trace has long been a key supplier of laser-sighting systems for Smith & Wesson. For more than two decades, Crimson Trace has provided consumers, military units, and law-enforcement officers around the globe with laser-sight and tactical-light products. Offering more than 225 products, its award-winning innovations include the Lasergrips, Laserguard, and Rail Master platforms. The company’s product line also includes the Defender Series, Lightguard, and its new LiNQ wireless activation system. Based in Wilsonville, Ore., Crimson Trace operates from a 50,000-square-foot, leased facility where it engineers and manufactures its products.
Crimson Trace was founded 22 years ago and has organically generated a 10-year compound annual revenue growth rate in excess of 10%. Its products maintain a premium position with hundreds of independent retailers as well as large sporting-goods retailers, including Cabela’s, MidwayUSA, Nation’s Best Sports, and internet retailer Optics Planet Inc.
“Crimson Trace provides us with an exceptional opportunity to acquire a thriving company that is completely aligned with our strategy to become a leader in the market for shooting, hunting, and rugged outdoor enthusiasts,” said James Debney, Smith & Wesson president and CEO. “As the undisputed leader in the market for laser-sighting products, Crimson Trace serves as an ideal platform for our new Electro-Optics Division. Firearms purchasers frequently buy electro-optic accessories to enhance the capabilities and performance of their firearms. The growth that Crimson Trace has delivered is a testament to the high-product quality and the robust product development capability that Lane Tobiassen, president and chief executive officer of Crimson Trace, and his team have established. That capability, combined with Crimson Trace’s leadership position in the market for laser sights, provides a solid framework for organic and inorganic growth.”
Tobiassen, who joined Crimson Trace in 2005, will serve as president of the new Electro-Optics Division of Smith & Wesson, and will report directly to Debney. The Crimson Trace management team and workforce, as well as its base of operations, will remain in Wilsonville, Ore. after the acquisition.
“It is a great honor to lead Crimson Trace into this exciting new chapter in our history by joining the Smith & Wesson team,” Tobiassen said. “Since 1994, we have designed and brought to market more than 225 products, all of which reflect the passion, dedication, and spirit of innovation of our design engineers, production workforce, customer-service representatives, and marketing and sales professionals. As the new Electro-Optics Division of Smith & Wesson, we believe that our capabilities, combined with inorganic opportunities to acquire related technologies, will expand the reach of our existing market footprint. This makes us a great fit for Smith & Wesson, a legendary company with an iconic brand, world-class products, and markets that include consumer, law-enforcement, and international channels. We look forward to offering consumers exceptional performance from two of the industry’s most trusted names.”
SPRINGFIELD — The Association for Community Living, which provides residential and community services for people with intellectual disabilities, has named Ruth Banta the new executive director, effective Aug. 22.
Banta, who has served as the vice president for administration at the association since 2003, will oversee the $30 million organization, headquartered in Springfield. The association provides a variety of services to people with disabilities through its programs throughout Western Mass., including Community Resources for People with Autism, Specialized Home Care, Whole Children, an extensive residential division, and Valley Tees.
“We are thrilled to have Ruth Banta taking on the responsibilities of the executive director position,” said Mark Germain, president of the association’s board of directors. “Her first-hand knowledge of the challenges and opportunities we face and her relationships within and outside of the organization will allow her to hit the ground running on her first day on the job. We all look forward to working with Ruth in the years to come.”
Banta has more than 30 years of management, including positions at J.P. Morgan and Aetna.
“I am honored and humbled to be selected as the association’s next executive director,” Banta said. “I am looking forward to working with all our constituents to meet the challenges we face to ensure that people with intellectual disabilities are able to build the lives they seek and deserve.”
Banta has a bachelor’s degree from Smith College and an MBA from Yale University. She became interested in the human-services field when one of her sons was diagnosed with autism. She previously served on the board of Community Resources for People with Autism, a program of the Assoc. for Community Living.
The Assoc. for Community Living, which is set to change its name to Pathlight in September, has been providing programs and services to people with developmental disabilities since 1952. Its programs include residential homes, supports for independent living, family-based living, recreation, enrichment, employment supports, family resources, autism supports, and more.
Banta is an amateur photographer whose photographs have been exhibited in Western Mass. She has volunteered with the Special Olympics and coached the unified basketball team for five medal-winning seasons.
PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Hills Bancorp Inc. reported second-quarter GAAP earnings of $0.52 per share in 2016 compared to $0.35 in 2015. Core earnings increased to $0.54 per share from $0.51 for these respective periods. Results increased due to expanded operations and improved profitability.
Core EPS is a non-GAAP financial measure and is adjusted to exclude net non-core charges primarily related to acquisitions and restructuring activities. GAAP results last year included higher non-core charges related to the Hampden Bancorp acquisition.
Second-quarter financial highlights, compared to the prior quarter, include 5% total loan growth, 4% total commercial loan growth, 3.31% net interest margin (fully taxable equivalent), 58.7% efficiency ratio (non-GAAP financial measure), 0.26% non-performing assets/assets, and 0.22% net loan charge-offs/average loans.
BOSTON — Local unemployment rates increased in 21 labor-market areas in the state during the month of June and dropped in two areas, while one remained the same, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported Tuesday. Compared to June 2015, the local unemployment rates were lower in all areas.
Thirteen of the 15 areas added jobs over the month, with the largest gains in the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, Barnstable, Framingham, Pittsfield, and Haverhill-Newburyport-Amesbury areas. Some of the job gains in the information sector reflect the end of a temporary labor dispute in May.
From June 2015 to June 2016, 14 labor markets in the state added jobs, with the largest percentage gains in the Haverhill-Newburyport-Amesbury area, along with Taunton-Middleborough-Norton, Pittsfield, and Boston-Cambridge-Quincy.
In order to compare the statewide rate to local unemployment rates, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the statewide unadjusted unemployment rate for June was 4.3%. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 4.2% in June, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported last week. The unemployment rate is down 0.7% over the year.
The state showed an estimated 16,400 seasonally adjusted job gains in June, boosted partially by the resolution of a temporary labor dispute. The over-the-year job gains are estimated at 67,300.
The unadjusted unemployment rates 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. The estimates for labor force, unemployment rates, and jobs for Massachusetts are based on different statistical methodology specified by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.
SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) board of trustees member Peter Vogian made a gift to name a conference room in the new dining commons complex on campus. At a recent ceremony, Vogian was acknowledged for his many years of generous support to the college.
AIC President Vincent Maniaci praised Vogian for his leadership as a trustee and for giving the college a space that provides an ideal venue for professional and academic meetings.
“We know this room will be used by our students for both social occasions and networking opportunities. In this room, our students will learn leadership and presentation skills, they will collaborate and cooperate,” Maniaci said during the dedication ceremony. “Our students will leave this room better than when they walked in. The Peter J. Vogian Conference Room is but one manifestation of your generous spirit and your belief in our students’ potential.”
Vogian has served as a member of the college’s board of trustees since 2001. Graduating from the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce at the University of Pennsylvania, Vogian began his career with Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. in 1960, retiring in 1993 as senior vice president of Pension Management Sales. In addition to his years of dedicated service to AIC, Vogian has donated his time and talent to serving on numerous boards, including Goodwill Industries of Springfield and Hartford and with professional and social affiliations including Chartered Life Underwriters of Pioneer Valley and the Melha Temple Shrine.
The following bankruptcy petitions were recently filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Readers should confirm all information with the court.
Atkins, Donette
53 Denver St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/17/16
Barfitt, Evelyn G.
213 Birnam Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/23/16
Bedard, Jr., Andrew W.
580 State Road, Apt. 1
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/30/16
Benoit, William Joseph
75 Pleasant St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/22/16
Bradford, Steven K.
242 Regency Park
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/28/16
Brown, James Leroy
121 Lincoln St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/20/16
Cherry, Philip R.
Cherry, Yolanda
71 Martindale Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/20/16
Clark, Katie M.
PO Box 521
Hardwick, MA 01037
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/30/16
Clarke, Daniel E.
49 Bernard St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/26/16
Coburn, Joseph E.
96 North Brook Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/20/16
Cook, James E.
Cook, Lisa M.
276 Southwest St.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/21/16
Costa, Valdir Ferreira
76 Maple St. Apt. 1
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/24/16
Cruz, Luis A.
Robles-Cruz, Jacqueline
76 Pinehurst Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/24/16
Cuene, William Edward
Cuene, Marlene Marie
115 Huckleberry Lane
Becket, MA 01223
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/27/16
Daniels, Judith A.
PO Box 251
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/16/16
Delgado, Felicita
318 Goodwin St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/24/16
Donahue, David P.
59 Pleasant St.
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/17/16
Farmer, Raymond F.
Farmer, Doris K.
75 Old Poor Farm Road
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/28/16
Full Circle Bike Shop
Lynne Graves Photography
Graves, Jason Michael
Graves, Lynne C.
29 Harvey Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/30/16
Garcia, Carlos A.
a/k/a Garcia-Martinez, Carlos A.
609 Nassau Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/28/16
Gendreau, Lisa Anne
a/k/a Gendreau Boivin, Lisa Anne
270 Berkshire Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/28/16
Grant, Susan E.
2363 Westfield St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/16/16
Harnden, Michael S.
Harnden, Lillian M.
42 South Maple St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/16/16
Heydare, Hooman G.
Heydare, Christine M.
21 R Lathrop St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/20/16
Horton, Beverly J.
a/k/a Goerlach, Beverly J.
282 Huckleberry Lane
Becket, MA 01223
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/30/16
Hutkoski, Angela Kay
a/k/a Thornton, Angela
149 Christian Lane
Whately, MA 01093
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/23/16
Jacques, Thomas F.
22 Mechanic St.
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/17/16
Kielbowicz, Joseph
8 Carol Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/24/16
Labonte, Jeffrey Michael
Labonte, Mandy Lynn
a/k/a Parker, Mandy
44 Park St
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/21/16
Lanza, Vincent A.
162 Mallard Circle
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/22/16
Lawrence, Richard K.
14 Devonshire Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/29/16
Mallette, Amy Lynne
20 Lakeview Ave.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/30/16
Mancuso, Jennifer L.
90 Harkness Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/16/16
McCarthy, Michael J.
32 Algonquin Place
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/30/16
Mongeon, Peter Whitney
208 Elm St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/17/16
Noyes, Jerome K.
Noyes, Janice E.
61 Ward St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/16/16
Perfectly Posh with Amy
Origami Owl
Carr, Amy Jean
a/k/a Houle, Amy Jean
301 Harkness Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/23/16
Perry, Bryan
Perry, Cynthia
a/k/a Dejordy, Cynthia
14 Sherwood St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/25/16
Rivera, Lizbeth
17 Allyn St., 2nd Fl.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/20/16
Stairs, Patricia J.
22 Second Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/30/16
Stark, William F.
Stark, Tolly
a/k/a Ganotes, Tolly
1221 Keets Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/20/16
Stylista’s Boutique
Johnson, Christine M.
34 Leatherleaf Circle
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/22/16
Sullivan, David J.
4 McGregor Dr.
Sherborn, MA 01770
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/23/16
Suter, Michael
94 Pratt Corner Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/24/16
Tassone, Viola M.
29 Nelson St.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/29/16
The Williamsville Inn
Wendt Enterprise Inc
Wendt, Kandy
286 Great Barrington Road
West Stockbridge, MA 01266
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/21/16
Tidlund, Brian V.
26 Rural Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/29/16
Turner, Raymond E.
75 Milford St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/20/16
Vargas, Oneida
153 Regency Park Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/16/16
Vega, Fernando E.
Vega, Ivette
45 Watling St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/16/16
Wonsey, Sheila A.
17 Pickett Lane
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/20/16
Wright, Melanie Ann
67 West St. #7
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/22/16
The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of July 2016.
AGAWAM
Alpha Dog Stump Grinding
35 Danny Lane
Mathew Wysocki
Class Solutions
417 Springfield St. #111
Vitaliy Yusenko
Hand to Paw
32 Calico Lane
Karen Spinelli
King of Cuts Barber Shop
326 Springfield St.
Pamela Barkyoumb
Nicora Property Service
51 Chestnut Lane
Dominic Nicora
Oksi Company
102 Glendale Road
Yevgeniy Reznichenko
The Back Room
827 Springfield St.
J. Liquori, N. Liquori
Tom’s Home Repair
103 Regency Park
Thomas Gamelli
CHICOPEE
Chicopee Convenience Mart
201 Exchange St.
Amir Maqboul Paracha
Extra Innings Chicopee
340 McKinstry Ave.
John W Roy, Stephen R. LeBel
Josh of all Trades
1246 Granby Road Lot 34
Joshua M. Gendron
MJ Nails Spa
1893 Memorial Dr.
Hang Bui, Huong Dan
Sophisticated Cuts
5 Willow St.
Caridad Cruz
HOLYOKE
A Touch of Beauty Nails and Spa
50 Holyoke St., Unit G313
Hoang Vo
Andrew Gordon Jewelry
30 Fairfield Ave.
James Sutter
Holyoke Strings
256 Pine St.
Jenifer Gelineau
Mercy Women’s Health
306 Race St.
Mercy Inpatient Medical Assoc. Inc.
NORTHAMPTON
Bending Reeds Counseling LLC
78 Main St., Suite 403
Thomas Wahlund
CDT Construction
158 North Maple St.
Eugene Tacy, Richard Tacy
RC Communications
150 Main St.
Ruth Griggs
Structure Chiropractic
32 Masonic St.
Tim Molitoris
Tiny Golem Press
218A North St.
Don Zeller
Transformational Bodywork
53 Center St.
Patricia Gates
Valley Nerd Watch
80 Damon Road, Apt. 2307
James Edward Olchowski
SPRINGFIELD
Berkshire Key Realty LLC
122 Pineview Dr.
Nadine Marie Hiser
Billiard Aiden
391 Belmont Ave.
Giang T. Pham
Brooklyn’s Ottos & Service
824 Berkshire Ave.
Nelson Garcia
Cummins Sales and Service
177 Rocus St.
Cummins Northeast
Dollar Tree #6119
383 Allen St.
Dollar Tree Stores
Ebenezer Cleaning Service
50 Nursery St.
Sergio Gonzalez
Emily Alger & CO
112 Dorset Street
Stephanie Lynn
Express Mini Market
904 State St.
Ismail Elkatib
Gateway Barber Shop
479 Breckwood Blvd.
Jose G. Roldan, Jr.
Hometown Helper
129 Champlain Ave.
Marc Anthony Thompson
Ilia Klimov
34 Sumner Ave.
Ilia Klimov
J’s Cuts: Men’s Grooming
603 Sumner Ave.
Juan G. Rodriguez
La Casa Del Reggaeton
72 Locust St.
Mercedes M. Tejada
Legendary
46 Tinkham Road
Quinisha Naylor
Lularoe Pam McCray
87 Lakevilla Ave.
Pamela McCray
Millennium Nail Salon
1655 Boston Road
Anh Tuyet Diep
Naylor’s Cleaning/Landscape
21 Gerold St.
Louis Naylor
Pham Agency
303 Belmont Ave.
Hung Pham
Quality Home Improvement
222 Pearl St.
Axel Cruz Gonzalez
Rodriguez Grocery
1133 State St.
Pamela C. Rodriguez
Shary’s Cleaning and More
78 Somerset St.
Sharol Llanos Diaz
Storage Discoveries
513 Main St.
Melissa Sheehan
Sunshine Collections
1133 E Columbus Ave.
Glenn Perry Michelman
Vics Cleaning Solution
198 Denver St.
Victor M. Dotel
Western Mass Tire Service
74 Florence St.
Bernie Efrain Nieves
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Y & D Landscaping Services
56 Burford Ave.
Radu Sinigur
WESTFIELD
413 Auto Repair
128 Meadow St.
128 Meadow Street LLC
A Cut Above The Rest
37 Elm St.
Isander Robles
Dr. Vinyl
98 Ridgeway St.
Richard D. Roos
Joyner Custom Homes
20 College Park Lane
Gerald A. Joyner
Keith A. Plant
68 Western Ave.
Keith A. Plant
Pagans Deli
122 Montgomery Road
Luis O. Pagan
Splash Marketing & Creative
16 Union Ave. Suite 3B
Crystal Childs-Gryszkiewicz
Sweet JJs
32 Orange St.
Junghyun Park
Whip City Pitbike
253 East Main St.
Christopher P. Kasperek
The following business incorporations were recorded in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties and are the latest available. They are listed by community.
AMHERST
Futures of Promise Inc., 990 North Pleasant Street, Apt. H10, Amherst, MA 01002. Reda A. Othman, same. To help Arab immigrants make effective use of resources that are already available to them in their community.
CHICOPEE
Infinity Trucking of New England Corp., 337 Hampden St., Chicopee, MA 01020. Kyle Rosa, same. Trucking.
HADLEY
Hadley Education Association Inc., 131 Russell St., Hadley, MA 01035. Jason Burns, 8 Hall Ave., Greenfield, MA 01301. To provide education of the highest quality for the children of the town of Hadley, Mass.
MONSON
Hampden County Construction Services Inc., 56 Munn Road, Monson, MA 01057. Brandy Fagan, same. Construction.
WORTHINGTON
High Pro Inc., 545 Oldpost Road, Worthington, MA 01098. John H. Richiedei Jr., same. Marketing of unique products.
HOLYOKE
Holyoke Chicks with Sticks Inc., 18 Carter St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Eleanor Wilson, same. To promote the development and growth of the sport of lacrosse through the formation of a youth lacrosse league comprised of active youth lacrosse program in Holyoke, MA.
SPRINGFIELD
Iglesia La Ultima Cosecha, 172 Eastern Ave., Springfield, MA 01107. Jose Negron, same. The purpose of the church is to preach the gospel of God, bring families together, and keep the youth out of the street by providing them with the spiritual help they need.
Intituto Biblico Internacional Cristo Sana Y Salva Inc., 300 Hancock St., Springfield, MA 01105. Juan Ocasio, 579 Bay Street, Springfield, MA 01105. The purpose of organization is to preach the gospel and the Bible study of Jesus Christ and to teach our members and each individual with the word of God.
KG Holdings Inc., 94 Monmouth St., Springfield, MA 01109. Gregory Germeil, same. Real estate.
Kingdom Minded International Ministries, 33 Haskin St., Springfield, MA 01109. Annette Simmons Jackson, same. To establish and oversee a place of worship and nontraditional ministries.
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Iglesia Pentecostal Jehova Es Mi Luz, 2070 Riverdale St., Apt. 16, West Springfield, MA 01089. Manuel Jesus Hernandez, same. Organized exclusively for charitable, religious and religious-educational for in-kind purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as an exempt organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code which governs non-profit organizations.
Ion Lighting Group Inc., 900 Riverdale St., No. 270, West Springfield, MA 01089. Sean M. Callahan, 39 Alquat St., Westfield, MA 01085. Retail sale of energy-saving light bulbs.
BOSTON — In the latest display of its R&D firepower, the University of Massachusetts vaulted to 30th globally in the Top 100 Worldwide Universities Granted U.S. Patents in 2015. Winning a record 62 U.S. patents arising out of faculty inventions, UMass placed third in Massachusetts and New England and was tied for 24th place among American universities. “Our faculty continues to shine with cutting-edge research and innovation that places us in the top tier of universities in the world. They lead us to new frontiers of human understanding, and their work opens the door to a more prosperous economic future,” President Marty Meehan said. “We’re proud of this accomplishment because today’s patent is tomorrow’s job-creating startup technology company.” The patents awarded are based on UMass research in areas as diverse as gene silencing, high-technology textiles, polymers, and nanotechnology, according to Abigail Barrow, interim executive director of the university’s Office of Technology Commercialization and Ventures. The 62 patents represent a 55% increase over the 40 awarded to UMass in the previous year and is the highest number issued in a single calendar year since UMass began its technology-transfer program in 1995, she added. UMass is also a national leader among universities in licensing income earned on its patented inventions. “Congratulations to the University of Massachusetts for making the Top 100 again this year and for an impressive increase,” said Paul Sanberg, president of the National Academy of Inventors, which produces the rankings along with the Intellectual Property Owners Assoc. One of the UMass patents relates to Geckskin, a super-strong adhesive discovered at UMass Amherst that can be used multiple times without losing effectiveness. This year’s top 10 ranked universities worldwide were: the University of California system, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, the University of Texas, Tsinghua University (China), California Institute of Technology, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, Johns Hopkins University, Columbia University, and University of Michigan. The rankings are calculated using data from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. UMass is on pace to match or modestly exceed its record 62 patents in the next report, Barrow said. “Our impressive patent numbers reflect the rapid growth and influence of UMass’ research enterprise and the discovery going on at all of our campuses.” UMass shares the number-30 spot with the University of Utah Research Foundation and the Research Foundation of the State University of New York. The National Academy of Inventors is a nonprofit organization of U.S. and international universities and governmental and nonprofit research institutions with more than 3,000 members. The Intellectual Property Owners Assoc. is a trade association of owners of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. This is the fourth year they have collaborated to issue the rankings report.
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Regional Chamber is seeking nominations for its annual Super 60 awards program. Now in its 27th year, the awards program celebrates the success of the fastest-growing privately owned businesses in the region, which continue to make significant contributions to the strength of the regional economy. Each year, the program identifies the top-performing companies in revenue growth and total revenue. Last year, total-revenue winners combined for revenues of more than $1 billion, with only-third of winners exceeding revenues of $30 million. All winners in the revenue-growth category had growth in excess of 20% while one-third experienced growth in excess of 65%. To be considered, companies must be based in Hampden or Hampshire county or be a member of the Springfield Regional Chamber, produce revenues of at least $1 million in the last fiscal year, be an independent and privately owned company, and have been in business for at least three full years. Companies are selected based on their percentage of revenue growth over a full three-year period or total revenues for the latest fiscal year. Companies may be nominated by financial institutions, attorneys, or accountants, or be self-nominated. Companies must submit a nomination form and provide net operating revenue figures for the last three full fiscal years, signed and verified by an independent auditor. All financial information must be reported under generally accepted accounting principles and will be held and considered confidential and not released without prior approval. Nomination forms are available here or by contacting Kara Cavanaugh at [email protected] or (413) 755-1310. Nominations must be submitted no later than Friday, Aug. 12. The Super 60 awards will be presented in partnership with the East of the River Five Town Chamber of Commerce at the annual luncheon and recognition program on Friday, Oct. 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Chez Josef in Agawam.
SPRINGFIELD — On Friday, July 15, the Springfield Central Cultural District (SCCD) will be one of three statewide districts to launch Futurecity Massachusetts, a new approach to transforming cities that puts art, culture, and creativity at the center of redevelopment and revitalization. Futurecity Mass is a joint initiative of the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) and the Boston Foundation. Futurecity Massachusetts will work with mayors, urban planners, and arts and business leaders in Boston, Worcester, and Springfield on key real-estate projects in state-designated cultural districts in the three cities, targeting areas ready for development and job growth. It is the first U.S. effort to advance the strategies of Mark Davy and his London-based Futurecity, which has created more than 200 partnerships across the globe that reposition cultural assets from community amenities to marketplace drivers. Futurecity has been immersed in cultural placemaking projects for more than a decade, and Davy believes Futurecity Massachusetts will secure the Commonwealth’s global position as a cultural leader. Davy will visit Springfield on July 15 to meet and workshop with local cultural and economic-development leaders. He will take knowledge from a walking tour of the Cultural District, an extensive workshop, and a general reception back to his UK team to review. In October, Futurecity will return to present a strategy to the Springfield public. The MCC hopes to eventually expand the program statewide. A press event will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Friday with Davy, MCC Executive Director Anita Walker, Mayor Domenic Sarno, and SCCD Executive Director Morgan Drewniany on the steps of City Hall. Both press and the general public are invited to attend. The Springfield Central Cultural District, which encompasses an area of the metro center of Springfield, is membership-based, involving many of the downtown arts institutions. Its mission is to create and sustain a vibrant cultural environment in Springfield.
CHICOPEE — Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts (JA) and 33 volunteers from area banks, businesses, and colleges teamed up to bring Junior Achievement programs to all 436 students at Fairview School in Chicopee for last month’s JA in a Day event. “This is the sixth year that Chicopee Savings Bank Foundation has sponsored JA in a Day for these students,” noted Jennifer Connolly, president of Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts. “The students and teachers look forward to ending their year with JA, and Junior Achievement looks forward to ending our year with this terrific school. Nowhere else are our JA Volunteers treated to a final assembly with hundreds of cheering students and handmade cards and notes. It is an amazing event.” This year, JA volunteers from Chicopee Savings Bank, Bank of America, Santander Bank, Westfield Bank, Webster Bank, TD Bank, Babson Capital, Elms College, UMass Amherst, and Lead Yourself Youth brought Junior Achievement programs to students in grades K-5 at Fairview School. Carlos DeLeon, a Chicopee Savings Bank volunteer, noted, “the students had a good understanding of how a city runs. They had a great understanding of a savings account, and we talked about how taxes help the city rebuild.” Erika Eisnor, a Santander volunteer who taught JA Our Region in a fourth-grade class, noted that “JA is so much fun and a great learning experience.” Added Kidon Gebersadik from Bank of America, “it’s never too early to learn about good money habits. These exceptional students are learning about building blocks that will lead to more stable financial lives down the road, making our communities and local economies stronger.” Tim Dominick, a teacher at Fairview School, explained that the program “further offered the students a chance to explore their creative thinking process. The students benefited from the teamwork and problem solving the program offered.” JA programs empower students to make a connection between what they learn in school and how it can be applied in the real world, enhancing the relevance of their classroom learning and increasing their understanding of the value of staying in school. Each year, JA reaches more than 10 million students worldwide and helps them develop successful financial-management habits, empowering them to explore the potential of becoming an entrepreneur and providing them with the skills necessary to succeed in a global workforce. Locally, Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts reaches more than 11,000 students.
BOSTON — Gov. Charlie Baker signed into law an anti-discrimination bill, previously passed by the state House and Senate, that gives transgender people the right to use public restrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identities, regardless of their sex at birth. The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination will adopt policies to enforce its provisions, a statement from the governor’s office said. “No one should be discriminated against in Massachusetts because of their gender identity,” Baker said, according to CNN. “This compromise legislation extends additional protections to the Commonwealth’s transgender community, and includes language to address the public-safety concerns expressed by some by requiring the attorney general to issue regulations to protect against people abusing the law.”
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Regional Chamber will hold its biannual Washington Symposium on September 21-23 hosted by U.S. Rep. Richard Neal. This popular event brings the region’s business leaders to Washington, D.C. to listen to and question some of the country’s most influential leaders, including members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, top federal policy makers, and members of the Obama Administration in its last months in office. Past speakers have included political strategist Stan Greenberg, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Rep. John Lewis, U.S. Sen. Edward Markey, House Ways and Means Chair David Camp, U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisors Jason Furman, and Ireland’s Ambassador to the U.S. Anne Anderson. Registrations are limited and include air transportation, airport parking, hotel transfers, hotel accommodations at the Phoenix Park Hotel within walking distance to the Capitol, breakfast and lunch each day, and welcome and closing evening receptions. The reservation deadline is Friday, Aug. 5, and no refunds will be granted after that date. The all-inclusive cost is $1,395 (single) or $1,270 (per person, double occupancy) if made by Friday, July 15. Reservations made after July 15 will increase to $1,495 (single) or $1,370 (per person, double occupancy). Sponsorship opportunities are also available and include complimentary attendance. For reservations or more information, visit www.springfieldregionalchamber.com or e-mail Nancy Creed at [email protected].
SHEFFIELD — Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation’s HousingUs initiative is soliciting proposals from nonprofits, community organizations, and public agencies to plan and convene outreach activities that bring residents together to explore the interrelated issues of affordable housing, economic development, and town-center vitality. Grants of up to $10,000 will be available for projects that result in action-oriented community-development strategies or create broader public awareness of the elements of healthy and resilient communities, including the availability of affordable housing. Only collaborative proposals with one lead applicant and at least one other partner will be considered. Organizations serving Berkshire County, Mass.; Columbia County and Northeast Dutchess County, N.Y.; and Northwest Litchfield County, Conn., are eligible. The deadline for submitting proposals is Friday, Aug. 26. For more information, visit www.berkshiretaconic.org/housingus.
CHICAGO — The American Medical Assoc. (AMA) recently adopted new policy recognizing the public-health benefits of paid sick leave and other discretionary time off. Citing a growing body of evidence that lack of access to paid sick leave results in the spread of infectious diseases, as well as delayed screenings, diagnoses, and treatment, the new AMA policies support paid sick leave, as well as unpaid sick leave, for employees to care for themselves or a family member. “With both dual-earner and single-parent households on the rise in the United States, it is increasingly challenging for workers to juggle family and work,” said former AMA board chair Dr. Barbara McAneny. “Workers without paid sick days are more likely to work sick and are more likely to delay needed medical care, which can lead to prolonged illness and worsen otherwise minor health issues. Lack of paid leave also has a ripple effect across a worker’s family. Paid sick leave has been shown to aid children’s health, shorten hospital stays, and reduce the risk of disease transmission by allowing parents to stay home with sick children. Paid sick leave keeps our homes, offices, and communities healthier while ensuring the family’s economic security.” The U.S. is the only industrialized nation without a federal family-leave law that guarantees workers may receive pay while taking time to care for themselves or their family. Although the Family and Medical Leave Act mandates that companies provide leave, the law does not require that it be paid. The AMA also reaffirmed existing policy supporting voluntary leave policies that provide employees with job security and the continued availability of health-plan benefits in the event that leave becomes necessary due to medical conditions.
SPRINGFIELD — U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, dean of the New England congressional delegation, held a press conference in Springfield last week to release the Northern New England Intercity Rail Initiative (NNEIRI), a study funded by the Federal Railroad Administration and requested by Neal and former U.S. Rep. John Olver to identify and improve rail service in the region, including Springfield to Boston. NNEIRI is a conceptual planning study that examines the benefits, opportunities, and impacts of adding more frequent and higher-speed inter-city passenger rail service on two rail corridors, the inland route and the Boston-to-Montreal route. The inland route would run between Boston and New Haven, Conn. via Springfield. The Boston-to-Montreal route would run between Boston and Montreal, Quebec via Springfield. The two routes would share the trackage between Boston and Springfield. The combination of these two rail routes defines the study area that is collectively identified as the NNEIRI Corridor. “More than 2 million people live within three miles of a station along this corridor,” said FRA Administrator Sarah Feinberg. “For everyone to move safely and efficiently, this region needs a robust rail system, and this blueprint will help achieve that goal.”
BOSTON — The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation released a new report, “Massachusetts Residents without Health Insurance Coverage: Understanding Those at Risk of Long-term Uninsurance.” Massachusetts currently has the lowest uninsurance rate in the nation, and as part of the individual mandate to carry health insurance coverage, the state collects detailed information through its tax-filing process about the health-insurance status of more than 4 million residents. This report analyzes 2011 and 2012 state-tax-filer data and provides new information about Massachusetts residents who are prone to remaining uninsured over consecutive years. The findings can help inform stakeholders who want to maintain the state’s low uninsurance rate and strive to lower the number of individuals without health-insurance coverage. Prepared by Michael Chin of UMass Medical School and Audrey Gasteier of the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority, the analyses in this report represent the first time that tax-filer data is being used to quantify the state’s uninsured population over a period of two consecutive calendar years. No other state has such detailed information on its residents’ insurance status.
SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) will become one of the first local institutions of higher education to become SAT- and ACT-optional beginning in the spring semester of 2017. This will include all applicants for all majors. A growing trend nationally, more than 850 schools, including big names such as George Washington, Wesleyan, and Fairfield universities, are now test-optional. Thirty-five schools in Massachusetts are on board. In a study conducted by the National Assoc. for College Admission Counseling, college performance was evaluated for more than 100,000 students at 33 test-optional colleges. It was determined that the differences in college performance of those students who submitted SAT scores and those who did not were negligent in terms of grade point averages and graduation rates. The study also found that those students who did not submit SAT scores were more likely to be first-generation-to-college applicants, minority students, women, Pell grant recipients, and students with learning differences. “Moving to test-optional admissions is core to our mission of educational access for first-generation students and students from underserved backgrounds,” said Dean of Undergraduate Admission Jonathan Scully. “We’re invested in our students’ success and recognize that standardized tests don’t typically serve those populations well. There is a direct correlation between test scores and economic resources. Students who have the financial means to afford test preparation will do better than those who don’t. We shouldn’t be basing our admission decisions on test scores. It’s important to look at the whole student.” A multi-year study at AIC determined that high-school success — good grades in rigorous courses — is two to three times more predictive of retention and college success than standardized test scores.
WESTFIELD — Based on the survey results of its 2016 “Best Firms to Work For” ranking, Zweig Group recently named Tighe & Bond one of the best civil-engineering firms to work for in the nation. This annual awards competition is based on business-practice data collected from numerous participating firms across the country, including feedback solicited through an employee survey. Zweig Group — a provider of management information and expertise to engineering, architecture, and environmental-consulting firms worldwide — sponsors the program that recognizes the top firms leading the way in creating a work place that inspires, motivates, and rewards employees. The competitive ranking that results is based on comprehensive evaluations of factors such as firm culture and workplace practices, employee benefits, career development and growth opportunities, compensation, performance and recognition, as well as recruiting and retention rates. All firms that apply for this prestigious ranking and recognition are evaluated against each other, not a set standard. “Zweig Group has recognized Tighe & Bond several times as one of the best engineering firms to work for in the nation, and it is always a significant honor. It also exemplifies our ongoing commitment to create a working environment where all of our employees feel valued, and where they can see their contribution to the overall mission and success of the firm and our clients,” said Tighe & Bond President and CEO David Pinsky. “Our ability to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented staff is crucial to providing the high-quality, responsive services that our clients have come to expect and deserve.” Zweig Group will recognize Tighe & Bond, along with the other winners, during the 2016 Zweig Group Hot Firm + A/E Industry Awards Conference in September. This is the industry’s largest and most comprehensive business conference for leaders and aspiring leaders of architectural, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S.
PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Bank announced that its charitable foundation awarded $1,120,862 in grants from Jan. 1 through June 30 to nonprofit organizations across Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and Vermont. In addition to supporting organizations within the foundation’s funding focus areas of education, community, and economic-development projects, it also donated to youth, cultural, and human-service organizations that provide vital services to the community. Berkshire Bank Foundation Inc. plans to award more than $1.8 million this year to nonprofit organizations across the bank’s service area. In total, 365 nonprofits received grants from the foundation during the first half of 2016, including Berkshire County organizations 1Berkshire Strategic Alliance Foundation, Berkshire Community Action Council, Berkshire Family YMCA, and Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity; and Pioneer Valley organizations Baystate Health Foundation, Brightside for Families & Children, Chicopee Neighborhood Development Corp., and ReGreen Springfield.
EAST LONGMEADOW — For the second straight year, MARX Events, along with dozens of participating vendors, will award a U.S. veteran or active service member a free wedding. The giveaway aims to honor the service and sacrifice of the military and create a special atmosphere for a military couple as they embark on the next chapter of their lives together. The nomination process is now open. Community members may nominate themselves or someone they know by submitting either a written or video story to www.marxdreamwedding.com. This second annual MARX dream wedding includes a free wedding-venue space with food and beverage for 50 participants, complimentary flowers and photography, wedding dress, rehearsal dinner, and full entertainment services provided by MARX alongside many other services and providers. Participating vendors and sponsors include Chez Josef, the Delaney House, Operation: Love My Dress, Formal Affair, Pete’s Sweets, Pop’s Biscotti, Durocher Florist, Deluxe Limo, Mikkie Viereck, CJC Lighting & Events, Tanya Constigan Wedding Planning, Robert Charles Photography, Wedding Day Sourcebook, WMAS, Western Mass News, Smith & Wesson, and With Love Jacquelyn. The wedding ceremony will take place at Chez Josef in Agawam, and the rehearsal dinner will be held at the Log Cabin in Holyoke in April 2017. The top three finalists will be announced on Veterans Day, and the winner will be announced on Dec. 20. “This is our way, each year, to give back to the men and women of our military who give so much for us,” said Mark Ashe, managing partner of MARX Events.
SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) has received a one-time $347,000 Nursing Workforce Diversity Grant from the Health Services and Resources Administration (HRSA) in support of the college’s Nursing Education Achievement Program (NEAP). HRSA is the primary federal agency for improving access to healthcare for people who are uninsured, isolated, or medically vulnerable. HRSA programs span across America, providing direct healthcare to 23 million people, particularly those who live in underserved inner cities and rural communities. In addition, HRSA provides scholarships and programs to encourage greater minority participation in the healthcare professions. In partnership with Baystate Medical Center, the Western Mass. chapter of the National Assoc. of Hispanic Nurses, and the Western Mass. Black Nurses Assoc., NEAP will provide professional nurses to mentor participating students along with implementing multiple evidence-based supports that will strengthen the ability of economically and educationally disadvantaged students to pass their courses, graduate, and move into the workforce. “It is an honor for American International College and the Division of Nursing to be awarded this grant, which recognizes AIC’s dedication and success in diversifying our community’s nursing workforce,” said Dean of Health Sciences Cesarina Thompson.
CROMWELL, Conn. — Local organizations banded together to support STEM education in Connecticut while making a positive difference in the community. The ACT Group, Mystic Aquarium, and Mystic Middle School, with assistance from 3D Systems, designed and produced an orthopedic boot for Purps, an African penguin and life-long resident of the aquarium. In 2011, Purps was left with a non-functional flexor tendon following an altercation with another penguin on exhibit. Since then, she has been wearing a traditional hand-casted boot to support her injury. While the traditional boot adequately immobilized, supported, and protected her injury, it posed some concerns for the veterinarian staff at the aquarium. The moldable plastic material it was made of deteriorated quickly, forcing the veterinarian staff to reproduce the boot frequently, a very time-intensive process. The collaboration between local organizations began when Sue Prince, library media specialist at Mystic Middle School, started an innovation lab with the goal of introducing students to 3D technology. She applied for and won a grant from the Stonington Education Fund and used the funds to purchase a 3D printer for the lab. Prince worked in conjunction with Kelly Matis, a member of Stonington Education Fund’s community board and director of Education and Conservation at Mystic Aquarium. Matis, aware of the diverse applications of 3D technology, shared the need for a new orthopedic boot for Purps with Prince. Eager to help and put the 3D printer to use for a great cause, Prince contacted the ACT Group to inquire about assistance with computer-aided design (CAD) and 3D scanning. Nick Gondek, ACT Group’s director of Additive Manufacturing, led his team in demonstrating state-of-the-art 3D technology to Prince and her students. These demonstrations gave the students of Mystic Middle School invaluable hands-on experience using technology from 3D Systems and allowed the ACT Group to provide technical expertise through the course of the project. The ACT Group’s assistance was a crucial part of the successful design of Purps’s boot, ultimately completed by the students of Mystic Middle School.
Jon Lumbra
The Dowd Insurance Agencies announced the appointment of Chief Financial Officer Jon Lumbra. He will be responsible for directing the fiscal operations of the business and supervising the accounting department. In addition, he will assist in the planning, establishing, and maintaining of current systems and procedures. “We are pleased to welcome Jon to the team,” said David Griffin Sr., executive vice president and treasurer of the Dowd Insurance Agencies. “He is an excellent strategic and cultural fit whose breadth and depth of knowledge will help strengthen our brand and provide the best service to our customers and employees.” Lumbra brings nearly two decades of experience in financial services to the Dowd Insurance Agencies. His past experience includes working for Loomis Communities, the city of Holyoke, and Spectrum Analytical. He is a graduate of Southern Vermont College with a degree in criminal justice and minor in corporate espionage. He is currently working toward his MBA at the University of Southern New Hampshire. “The Dowd Insurance Agencies is one of the oldest insurance agencies in Massachusetts, and its headquarters remain in the city of Holyoke, where the business was started 118 years ago,” said John Dowd Jr., president and CEO of the Dowd Agencies. “Making positive contributions to the success of our community has always been important to us, which is why Jon is a great addition to our business. He has demonstrated these shared values by volunteering his time to support many organizations — many of which are based in Holyoke, Jon’s hometown.” Lumbra is president of the Knights of Columbus Council #90 board of directors, former executive board member of the Massachusetts Government Finance Officers Assoc., a member of the Holyoke Taxpayers Assoc., and a member of the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel Federal Advisory Committee. He is also immediate past chairman of the Holyoke Visiting Nurse Assoc. & Community Health Foundation, immediate past president of the Holyoke Rotary Club, and member of the Holyoke Medical Center board of directors.
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Teresa Spaziani
The Gray House announced the appointment of Teresa Spaziani as the new Executive Director of the organization. In 2009, while attending Western New England University, Spaziani began volunteering at Kids’ Club, an after-school program for children from low-income families run by the Gray House, and soon after became a staff counselor for the program. In January 2015, she joined the organization’s board of directors. “After arriving in Springfield for college, I immediately immersed myself in the community through volunteer work and was so impressed by the people and services of the Gray House,” she said. “It is a true community program in every sense. I’m proud to be a part of the organization and work alongside our dedicated staff and volunteers to further the mission of the Gray House.” Spaziani’s brings experience in nonprofit fund-raising as former community relations and outreach manager at the Children’s Study Home in Springfield. There, she also gained experience in licensing and compliance as quality assurance manager. Her most recent role was in the field of marketing at Market Mentors in West Springfield. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration in marketing/communications and advertising from Western New England University as well as a certificate in professional fund-raising from Boston University. She graduated from Leadership Pioneer Valley with the class of 2015. An open house will be held at the Gray House, 22 Sheldon St., Springfield on Wednesday, Aug. 24. Members of the community are invited to stop by from 8 to 9 a.m. and noon to 2 p.m. to meet the staff and learn more about the services offered, as well as volunteer opportunities.
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The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce (AACC) board of directors announced the appointment of Timothy O’Brien as Executive Director, effective Aug. 1. He will assume responsibility for representing the chamber’s diverse business interests in the community, directing the organization’s growth, and maintaining the chamber’s financial stability and commitment to providing value to its members. “Tim brings a wealth of experience and the needed energy and commitment to the Amherst area to serve all of our members,” said Julie Marcus, board president. The appointment had the unanimous support of the board’s executive committee. “I am honored to help lead the Amherst Area Chamber team and excited to continue my career in destination marketing as part of this outstanding organization,” O’Brien said. “I look forward to working with the board, staff, and AACC members in writing the next chapter of the chamber’s influential history.” O’Brien has been active in the Western Mass. destination-marketing industry since 1987. He has served as communications director with the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau as well as serving on that agency’s board of directors. He held top marketing and communications positions with Yankee Candle and Kringle Candle, as well as providing marketing services to the Yankee Candle founder Michael Kittredge and his family, charity, and business interests. O’Brien holds bachelor’s degree in resource economics from UMass Amherst.
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Margo Armstrong
Tighe & Bond recently welcomed Director of Human Resources Margo Armstrong to lead its human-resources functions, as well as strengthen the firm’s staffing growth and employee programs. She brings with her more than 20 years of high-level leadership experience in HR consulting, performance management, succession planning, and employee programs. She will work primarily out of the firm’s Westfield office. “We are delighted to welcome Margo to the Tighe & Bond team at this significant juncture of our accelerated growth. She is an accomplished HR leader who will strengthen employee-related programs across our organization,” said David Pinsky, Tighe & Bond CEO and president. Armstrong has held a variety of senior human-resources and change-leadership roles in several prominent and high-performing businesses. This includes overseeing performance management, employee recognition, talent review, and succession planning; HR planning and analysis; and HR consulting. Known for possessing a strategic business focus and technical expertise, her knowledge base includes influencing and leading in complex and rapidly changing environments. Armstrong holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Alfred University and a master’s degree in industrial/organizational psychology from the University of New Haven. She is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management.
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With the goal of accelerating growth in international markets, OMG Roofing Products has created market manager positions for both Asia and Europe and promoted two executives into these roles. Kingbill Zhao, Asia Market Manager, is based in China and will support the Greater Asian market. Lennard Spirig, Europe Market Manager, is based in Switzerland, servicing the European market. Both are responsible for all OMG sales and marketing activities in their regions, including developing products and services tailored to local market needs. Zhao joined OMG in 2009 as a roofing specialist and was promoted to China sales manager in 2011, where he was responsible for launching the OMG Roofing Products line in China. Since then, he has built a sales and customer-service organization in China to support the company’s rapidly growing business. Prior to joining OMG, he was the international department manager for the China Waterproofing Assoc., where he worked with other international counterparts like National Roofing Contractors Assoc. and the Germany Roofing Contractors Assoc. to market the China Roofing & Waterproofing Show internationally. In addition, he organized Chinese company visits to the U.S. and Europe, and worked with organizations like FM Global and FLL to introduce approvals and standards to China. Spirig joined OMG in 2014 as Europe product marketing manager, responsible for marketing OMG products throughout Europe. Since then, he has been a great resource for helping to expand OMG’s footprint in Europe by assisting system manufacturer partners and developing new distribution in various European countries. Prior to joining OMG, he spent 10 years as product manager for mechanical attachment with SFS Intec. Earlier, he had been an international key account manager based in Mexico. “OMG’s products are designed to enhance rooftop productivity and improve roof-system performance,” said Web Shaffer, vice president of Marketing. “Lennard and Kingbill will be highly focused on developing value-added products and services that meet local market needs in order to accelerate our growth in Europe and Asia respectively, and I look forward to continuing to work with these two outstanding individuals.”
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Chris Jablonski
Mark Melikian
HZ Electric Supply (formerly Hampden Zimmerman Electric), a New England electrical distributor, announced the promotion of Chris Jablonski and Mark Melikian to Branch Managers. Jablonski (in the Northampton branch), and Melikian (Pittsfield) will manage the selling and warehousing of company products, as well as planning, administering, and controlling day-to-day operations. “Both Chris and Mark have been instrumental in the growth of business, and we are proud to recognize their contributions with these promotions,” said Regional President Mark Lauria. Jablonski graduated from UMass Dartmouth and John Cabot University in Rome, Italy. He earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing with a minor in international business. He is also a member of Enactus and the National Assoc. of Electrical Distributors. Upon completion of his degree, Jablonski worked for two years as marketing manager of Hampden Zimmerman before entering the USESI 18-month management-trainee program. Melikian is a graduate of Salve Regina University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in English communications. After being employed in the real-estate and retail industries, he interned at HZ in the marketing department the summer after his junior year at Salve Regina. After graduation the following year, he completed the USESI 18-month management-trainee program.
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Monique Matz
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.
www.easthamptonchamber.org
(413) 527-9414
• July 29: 32nd annual Golf Tournament, 9 a.m. shotgun start, at Southampton Country Club, 329 College Highway. Cost: $125 per person, includes cart, gift, lunch, dinner. Register online at business.easthamptonchamber.org/events/details/32-annual-golf-tournament-july-2016-195 or call the chamber office at (413) 527-9414.
• August 13: 2nd annual Beach Ball, 5-10 p.m. Dance and dine under the stars at chamber’s annual Beach Ball, where a beach party and gala collide. Barbecue feasting by Outlook Farm, music by DJ Jay Pacluiga, full cash bar by Meyers Catering, bonfire on the beach, performance by the Oxbow waterski show team. Register online at business.easthamptonchamber.org/events/details/2nd-annual-easthampton-chamber-beach-ball-august-2016-196, or call the chamber office at (413) 527-9414.
• Sept. 7: September Arrive @ 5, 5-7 p.m., at Spoleto Restaurant. Sponsors: Webber & Grinnell Insurance, Applied Mortgage, BusinessWest, and Lia Honda. Cost: $10 for members.
www.westfieldbiz.org
(413) 568-1618
• August 22: After 5 Connection, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Papps Bar & Grill, 110 Airport Road, Westfield. Join us for a unique networking opportunity on the observation deck. If it rains, we move inside. Cash bar and refreshments available. Don’t forget to bring your business cards. We’ll have a Scholarship Fund raffle to win an aerial scenic view of Westfield. Cost: $5 for chamber members, $10 for general admission.
• July 28: Chamber Golf Tournament at the Ranch Golf Club, 65 Sunnyside Road, Southwick. Schedule: 11 a.m. to noon: registration/courseside lunch; 12:30 p.m.: shotgun start; dinner immediately following. Sponsored by MassMutual Center, VHB, Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, Florence Bank, and Chicopee Savings Bank. Cost: $600 per foursome, $160 per individual golfer. Reservations may be made online at www.springfieldregionalchamber.com.
www.ourwrc.com
(413) 426-3880
• August 15: Annual Golf Tournament at the Ranch Golf Club, Southwick. Schedule: 11:30 a.m. registration; noon: lunch; 1 p.m.: shotgun start/scramble format. Cost: $125 for golf and dinner. Register online at www.westoftheriverchamber.com. For more information or for tickets to this event, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880, or e-mail [email protected].
• Sept. 14: Multi-chamber Night of Networking, 5-7 p.m., at Cal’s Wood Fired Grill, Riverdale St., West Springfield. Cost: $10. Register online at www.westoftheriverchamber.com. For more information or for tickets to this event, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or e-mail [email protected].
• Sept. 22: Business Breakfast with Howie Carr, 7-9 a.m., Chez Josef, Agawam. Cost: $35 for chamber members, $40 for non-members. Register online at www.westoftheriverchamber.com.
Email ‘Picture This’ photos with a caption and contact information to [email protected]
Calling it an “important project for the local community,” bankESB recently donated $75,000 to Transforming Cancer Care – the Capital Campaign for the Sister Caritas Cancer Center. The gift will support the recently completed $15 million dollar expansion of the Cancer Center that added 26,000 square feet of clinical space on two floors. “The Sister Caritas Cancer Center has a strong reputation for providing high-quality cancer care with a compassionate touch,” said Matthew Sosik, president and CEO of bankESB. The recent expansion of the center brings radiation-oncology and medical-oncology services together under one roof, creates the ability to conduct 30,000 treatments per year, increases patient privacy, and provides added convenience for patients undergoing treatment. Dr. Scott Wolf, president of Mercy Medical Center and the Sisters of Providence Health System, called bankESB “a longtime supporter of Mercy Medical Center and our efforts to meet the healthcare needs of the local community. We are grateful for this generous contribution that underscores the vital role of the cancer center as one element of our mission to serve as a transforming, healing presence.” Pictured, from left, are Sr. Mary Caritas; Thomas Brown, executive vice president, Retail Banking, bankESB; Sosik; and Dr. Philip Glynn, director of Oncology, Sister Caritas Cancer Center.
Shriners Hospitals for Children – Springfield was recently honored by Big Y Foods Inc. as a beneficiary of the 35th annual Paul & Gerald D’Amour Memorial Charity Golf Outing. Over the past 35 years, this event has raised more than $2 million for local charities. Wayne Walsilefsky (right), store director, and Barbara Lavoine (left), employee services representative of the St. James Avenue Big Y store, presented Lee Kirk (center), hospital administrator, with a check for $10,000, to be directed to the hospital’s EOS imaging campaign. EOS imaging is a safer alternative to traditional X-ray technology, using 91% less radiation. “Congratulations on the great work of your organization in meeting the needs of our community,” said Clare D’Amour-Daley, vice president of Corporate Communications at Big Y. “We look forward to supporting your efforts.”
New Jersey native Jeremy Antivo barely had his diploma in hand from American International College (AIC) when he began an internship with Spirit of Springfield. Producing numerous major events throughout the year with a full-time staff of only four people, President Judy Matt believes in giving interns significant responsibility and a lot of opportunity. Matt tapped Antivo to work closely with Social Media Coordinator Bridget Delaney to broaden Spirit of Springfield’s social-media presence in an effort to reach younger audiences. Immediately after graduation, Antivo was thrown right in to the Spirit of Springfield Golf Classic held at Franconia Golf Course followed by the Star Spangled Springfield event at Riverfront Park on July 4. “He’s learned by osmosis what it takes to put on these events,” Matt said. She also asked Antivo to share his social-media expertise and ideas for event marketing with the organization’s board members at a recent meeting. “Jeremy was able to explain social-media strategy exceptionally well. His knowledge of the product and confidence in his presentation gave him the ability to impart information in an understandable manner to our board members.” Antivo added, “I’m learning about how great these opportunities are as well as learning how social media impacts marketing and advertising.”
SPRINGFIELD — United Way of Pioneer Valley and Peter Pan Bus Lines will launch the annual Stuff the Bus campaign with a press-conference event on Friday, July 29 at 10 a.m. outside the Target store at the Holyoke Mall. The campaign will collect new school supplies from July 29 through Aug. 16. The supplies will be distributed in new backpacks to children who are homeless in Chicopee, Holyoke, Springfield, Westfield, West Springfield, and South Hadley.
“Many children in our community facing homelessness don’t have the tools needed to excel in school. We want to make sure that these students begin the school prepared,” said Dora Robinson, president and CEO of United Way of Pioneer Valley. “Thanks to the support of our community, last summer we were able to stuff a bus of school supplies for 1,500 children in our local community.”
Individuals are encouraged to donate the following age-appropriate supplies: number-2 pencils, erasers, binders, paper, crayons, highlighters, pencil boxes, pens, glue sticks, rulers, two-pocket folders, and one-subject notebooks. Donations can be brought to either the United Way of Pioneer Valley, 1441 Main St., Suite 147, Springfield, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Holyoke Mall, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; or Balise Kia, 603 Riverdale St., West Springfield, Monday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Donors who provide six to 19 items will receive a $20.16 coupon toward main-gate admission at Six Flags New England. Those who provide 20 or more items will receive a free ticket. The campaign will conclude on Aug. 16 at Six Flags New England, where donations can be made in conjunction with National Roller Coaster Day.
“Six Flags New England is honored to help the United Way and support their annual school-supply drive as we help keep kids on track. Last year, our property collected well over 3,000 items, and our mission is to exceed that for this upcoming school year,” said Six Flags New England Communications Manager Jennifer McGrath.
Financial contributions are also welcome and will be used to purchase additional backpacks and supplies as needed. Contributions may be made online by clicking the ‘donate’ button at www.uwpv.org.
Amica Insurance provided financial support for the project. Other sponsors include Peter Pan Bus Lines, Six Flags New England, Holyoke Mall, Comcast, Western Mass News, Harry Grodsky & Co. Inc., Excel Dryer, UTC Aerospace Systems, and IAMAW Local 743. For more information, visit the Stuff the Bus page at www.uwpv.org or www.peterpanbus.com, or call United Way of Pioneer Valley at (413) 737-2691.
SPRINGFIELD — The J.D. Power 2016 U.S. Home Improvement Retailer Store Satisfaction Study ranked Ace Hardware “Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Home Improvement Retail Stores” for the 10th year in a row. Ace has captured this ranking every year since J.D. Power began surveying the home-improvement industry a decade years ago.
The J.D. Power study is based on responses from nearly 2,995 consumers who purchased home-improvement products or services in the previous 12 months. Ace Hardware ranked highest among major retailers with an overall satisfaction index score of 810 on a 1,000-point scale. According to consumers, Ace performs particularly well in the categories of staff and service, as well as store facility.
The score is based on performance in five areas: merchandise, price, sales and promotions, staff and service, and store facility.
“Given the impressive list of retailers with which we compete, in no way do we take our tenth consecutive J.D. Power award for granted,” said John Venhuizen, president and CEO of Ace Hardware Corp. “My grateful and sincere thanks go to the consumers who have honored us with this award, the Ace team who never ceases to amaze me, and, most importantly, our frontline, red-vested heroes who so passionately serve our customers.”
Rocky’s Ace Hardware, a family-owned business founded in 1926, operates 35 neighborhood-based stores in six states. The Rocky’s team members have been trained and certified in areas of customer service and product knowledge, assuring each and every customer a superior shopping experience.
“I am proud that our store team members have accomplished this kind of consecutive consistency and excellence for the 10th year in a row,” said Rocco Falcone II, president and CEO. “Our mission is to be the hardware store of choice in the markets we serve; this award recognizes our past achievements and helps us strive to earn the ranking in future years. As we celebrate our 90th year in business, I sincerely thank our loyal customers, as without them, none of this would be possible.”
SPRINGFIELD — Dakin Humane Society has named Carmine DiCenso executive director of its organization, effective Aug. 1. The appointment comes following a national search after the departure of former Executive Director Leslie Harris.
DiCenso has extensive experience in animal-welfare program management and innovative project development, most recently as executive director for the Providence (R.I.) Animal Rescue League. Prior to that, he was a program director at the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and a manager at the Animal Rescue League of Boston.
A former board member of the New England Federation of Humane Societies, he previously served as a board member for the Ocean State Animal Coalition, and as the Rhode Island state representative for the Humane Society of the United States Companion Animal Advisory Council.
As the executive director at Dakin Humane Society, DiCenso will oversee all aspects of the organization’s work at its two locations in Springfield and Leverett. Dakin has more than 50 employees and nearly 800 volunteers who shelter, treat, and foster more than 20,000 animals annually. Dakin’s adoption centers find homes for more than 4,000 homeless pets each year. In addition, the Dakin Community Spay/Neuter Clinic, located in Springfield, recently conducted its 69,000th surgery since opening in 2009, making it New England’s largest spay/neuter provider. The organization also provides a pet-food bank, dog-training classes and pet-related workshops, plus humane learning programs.
According to Nancy Creed, president of Dakin’s board of directors, “Carmine will be a terrific executive director. We’re thrilled to have him here to lead Dakin and inspire this organization’s future growth and achievements. He has significant experience in both human services and animal welfare, and understands the need to serve the human — as well as the animal — population of our community. His career has been devoted to making and keeping that connection.”
HOLYOKE — BusinessWest wants to take you out to the ballgame this Thursday, July 28, when the Valley Blue Sox host the Vermont Mountaineers at MacKenzie Stadium in Holyoke.
Call BusinessWest at (413) 781-8600 for free tickets. Bring your kids, your colleagues, and your friends. Youth sports coaches, bring your whole team. It promises to be a fun summer night out, enjoying the play of the Blue Sox, a member of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, featuring a roster of elite collegiate baseball players from around the country, including some who have already been drafted into the major leagues.
Thursday is also King Ward T-shirt giveaway night for the first 250 fans in the park, and there will also be free craft-beer sampling. The gate opens at 5:30 p.m., and first pitch is at 6:35 p.m.
