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Year: 2017

Perhaps the Tide Has Turned

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Opinion

Editorial

In the days and weeks after the Harvey Weinstein story broke and new wrinkles were continually added, there was growing commentary that maybe some kind of milestone had been reached, that maybe the tide was turning when it came to sexual harassment in the workplace.

This commentary was generally greeted with large amounts of skepticism, in the same way that there was skepticism with thoughts, and hopes, that the latest mass shooting would be the one to finally stimulate action (in whatever form it could possibly take) to make sure this was the last such tragedy.

And that skepticism is warranted, because, like gun violence, sexual harassment has longed seemed like a problem we just couldn’t solve, something that people, and especially women, would just to have to live with. There is a ‘that’s just how it is’ sentiment about it.

But increasingly, it seems that, while there is still ample room for skepticism on this topic, there is also space for some optimism, some hope that maybe a sea change is in the offing. Some promise that people may soon be saying ‘that’s how it was’ instead of ‘that’s how it is’ or ‘that’s how it will always be.’

Why? Well, there are several reasons. Let’s start with the manner in which the Weinstein case has shed light on the subject and shown that, when people come forward — even if it’s years or decades after the fact — offenders can be brought to justice (in whatever form it takes), and a situation might change.

As just one example, the Massachusetts Legislature has come under scrutiny in recent weeks in the form of allegations that people in positions of power (most all of them men) wielded that power in ways that created a truly hostile workplace, where women became convinced that saying ‘no,’ or not putting up with harassment, could derail everything from specific pieces of legislation to their careers.

In a statement given to the Boston Globe, House Speaker Robert DeLeo said he was “infuriated and deeply disturbed” to hear that women had described being harassed in the State House. It doesn’t say he was surprised, because he was probably wasn’t. But something else he said is quite telling.

“While I understand and support their desire to remain anonymous, the fact that victims fear the consequences to their careers of reporting the harassment is as upsetting as the harassment itself.” Upsetting, but hardly surprising.

But it’s here where the sea change might lie. There is sentiment that, increasingly, women (and, in some cases, men) are becoming less fearful about reporting harassment, and this willingness to come forward is changing the landscape and bringing the careers of formerly powerful men to an abrupt end.

Harvey Weinstein. Bill O’Reilly. Mark Halperin. Kevin Spacey. The list is growing longer, and that’s a very positive thing. As is the outrage concerning those who protected what have come to be known in some circles as “superstar harassers” and put people in harm’s way because of their actions. In some cases, their careers are being destroyed as well; Bob Weinstein might just be every bit as radioactive as his brother.

Make no mistake, society in general and the business world in particular still have a long way to go when it comes to being able to refer to the Weinstein case and others in anything approaching the past tense — as in ‘that’s how it used to be.’

But there is now much more than hope that some kind of corner has been turned. There is emerging evidence that this is, indeed, the case. And hopefully, we’ll see much more progress in the years to come.

Development Associates Begins Third Northampton Office Building

By
Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — Agawam-based real-estate firm Development Associates has begun construction of a 66,000-square-foot, three-story office building at 15 Atwood Dr. in Northampton, immediately south of I-91 exit 18. The project is being developed by Northwood Development LLC, whose owners are longtime local investors Edward O’Leary and his daughters, Eileen O’Leary Sullivan and Susan O’Leary Mulhern.

The project is located on the site of the former Clarion Hotel and Conference Center that was demolished in 2016 to prepare for redevelopment. The overall site-development plan was recently approved by the city of Northampton, and provides for two new office buildings on the site, the one under construction being closer to Route 5, and a future multi-story building at the rear of the property near Interstate 91.

The new building plan offers professional and medical space for lease with occupancy expected at the end of 2018. The Massachusetts Trial Court has leased 22,000 square feet, consisting of the entire first floor plus a portion of the second floor. The remainder of the second floor and the entire third floor, which offers more than 20,000 square feet, are available for new tenants.

According to Ken Vincunas, managing partner of Development Associates, “the brand-new open floor plan allows the initial tenants the opportunity to have floor plans custom-designed to suit their exact requirements, and we are already attracting quite of bit of tenant interest.”

The construction plans show that the building will have abundant windows, a covered drop-off lane, two elevators, energy-efficient design, and hundreds of parking spaces.

This is the third major office building developed by Development Associates at this location, following two earlier successful three-story buildings on the south side of Atwood Drive. These previous buildings, which came online in 2012 and 2013, are fully leased, primarily to Mass General/Cooley Dickinson Hospital.

The new building is being built by general contractor R.P. Masiello of Boylston, with architectural design by Gregory J. O’Connor Associates Inc. of Worcester. Development Associates is the construction manager and leasing broker for the project.

Dan Berger Joins International Language Institute Governing Board

By
Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — Dan Berger, partner in the Northampton-based law firm Curran & Berger, has joined the board of directors for the International Language Institute of Massachusetts (ILI).

“We are pleased to welcome Dan to ILI,” said board president Eric Wirth. “His legal background and considerable experience in immigration issues bring a wealth of skills and knowledge to support ILI’s work, which includes free English classes for immigrants and refugees, high-quality language instruction and teacher training, and volunteer opportunities throughout the Pioneer Valley.”

Berger has been an attorney at Curran & Berger since 1998, and is active in immigration matters locally and nationally. He is a founding member of the American Alliance of International Entrepreneurs, an honorary member of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, and regulatory practice coordinator for the National Assoc. of Foreign Student Advisers. He has been quoted in various media, including the Atlantic and the Huffington Post; has spoken at conferences and universities across the country; and has edited the books Immigration Options for Academics and Researchers and Diplomatic Visa Guide.

Berger developed his interest in immigration during college, where he studied immigration history and taught English to adult refugees. He is a graduate of Harvard College and Cornell Law School.

Lynn DeNucci Recognized by Working Mother Magazine

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Lynn DeNucci, a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch in Springfield, was named to the 2017 “Top Wealth Advisor Moms” list by Working Mother magazine, the first list of its kind to recognize working mothers in the financial-advice field. Advisors were judged on a number of factors, including assets under management, industry experience, compliance records, and client retention.

DeNucci, a graduate of Brown University, has nearly 25 years of experience helping families, individuals, and business owners manage wealth and achieve their financial goals.

Company Notebook

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Company Notebook Departments

STCC Partners with Northeastern University

SPRINGFIELD — A new educational and workforce-development partnership between Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) and Northeastern University creates an opportunity for current STCC students, graduates, and the general public to earn bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering technology and advanced manufacturing systems on site at STCC. In a recent ceremony at STCC, leaders from both institutions officially signed a memorandum of understanding to mark this partnership. In the planning stages for more than a year, the agreement with STCC marks the first time Northeastern has partnered with a community college to offer bachelor’s degrees on site. “Our engineering and manufacturing programs continue to be a signature of STCC, and we are very pleased to collaborate with Northeastern to deepen and enhance workforce efforts for Western Massachusetts,” said John Cook, STCC president. Added Mary Loeffelholz, dean of Northeastern University College of Professional Studies, “we’re pleased to partner with Springfield Technical Community College as it expands opportunities for students. Both of our institutions value experiential learning and industry-aligned degrees to prepare students for career and life success.” Students may choose either a pathway to a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering technology or in advanced manufacturing systems from Northeastern to be completed online and at STCC. Both degrees are part of the Lowell Institute School at Northeastern, which offers 15 bachelor’s-degree programs, 10 of which are available completely online. “This partnership with STCC is in keeping with the mission and tradition of the Lowell Institute School, which began when A. Lawrence Lowell created the Lowell Institute School for Industrial Foremen in 1903,” said Kemi Jona, founding director of the Lowell Institute School and associate dean of Undergraduate Programs. “The goal then was to bring essential knowledge and opportunity to the people doing the work driving the economy of the new century. Today, the Lowell Institute School is still committed to this goal, reaching students in new ways and places.” The agreement maximizes convenience and cost-effectiveness for STCC graduates who wish to obtain bachelor’s degrees in the two programs, said Adrienne Smith, dean of the School of Engineering Technologies & Mathematics at STCC. Smith said most STCC students have families in the area and would prefer to get their bachelor’s degrees in the Springfield area. In addition to some online courses, classes will take place in the evening and possibly Saturdays.

United Bank Foundation Supports Baystate Project

SPRINGFIELD — The United Bank Foundation Massachusetts recently approved a $50,000 grant designated to help Baystate Medical Center and Baystate Health Foundation establish a permanent Acute Care for Elders (ACE) unit at the hospital. Baystate launched its ACE unit as a pilot program in September 2014, providing nationally recognized and award-winning geriatric care that has resulted in many positive clinical outcomes for elder patients at the medical center, including reducing the length of hospital stays for elderly patients, enhancing patient safety, boosting training for medical staff, and increasing the number of patients who return directly home after their hospital stay. Due to the success of the pilot program, Baystate is seeking partners like United Bank to help establish a permanent, state-of-the-art ACE unit. This 32-bed unit would enable Baystate to provide acute care to more elderly patients in Western Mass. To date, Baystate’s ACE unit has treated approximately 500 elderly patients. According to the Baystate Health Foundation, the elderly population in Western Mass. — which is currently among the highest in the state — is expected to rise by nearly 15% in 2018. By 2030, the older adult population will increase to more than 70 million and account for one in every five Americans. “For anyone who has an elderly family member who required a prolonged hospital stay, you want peace of mind knowing your loved ones are comfortable in a compassionate setting, receiving top medical care, and are on course to return home to lead independent lives when they are discharged,” said Dena Hall, the bank’s Western Mass. regional president and president of the United Bank Foundation Massachusetts. “Baystate has a proven record for meeting these patient-care goals and successfully addressing the unique physical and psychological needs of elderly patients. We know our $50,000 financial commitment will help Baystate continue to be a leader in transforming elder care in Western Mass.”

AIC Named to Top 10 Small Colleges in State

SPRINGFIELD — Zippia.com, a website dedicated to helping people find and pursue the right career, has named American International College (AIC) one of the top 10 small colleges in Massachusetts. Zippia sorted schools in the Bay State by enrollment, limiting their report to institutions with fewer than 2,000 students. They assessed data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and college scorecard data from www.ed.gov to determine what small schools offer the best career opportunities and school performance. Career considerations included mean earnings after six and 10 years, and the ratio of people working to not working after 10 years. School performance was measured in terms of admissions rate (the more selective, the better), graduation rate, average cost of attendance (the lower, the better), and debt upon graduation. Once career opportunities and school performance were calculated, Zippia examined the 32 institutions of higher learning in Massachusetts enrolling fewer than 2,000 students. American International College is one of the private schools to be recognized. AIC admits 67% of its students and is the 10th-least-expensive small college to attend in the Commonwealth.

Westfield Bank, Customers Raise Hurricane-relief Funds

WESTFIELD — Westfield Bank presented a donation for $8,000 to the Westfield Spanish American Assoc. and the Western Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico coalition to aid relief efforts in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria. The funds were raised during the Bank’s “Casual for a Cause” event held earlier this month, in which employees could earn the privilege of dressing casually by contributing to the fund-raiser. Bank customers were also invited to drop contributions in collection boxes located at the Bank’s 21 branch offices. Together, employees and customers donated $4,000, and Westfield Bank matched their efforts with an additional $4,000. According to Ed Diaz, co-founder of the Westfield Spanish American Assoc. (WSAA) and chairman of the association’s hurricane relief fund, the bank’s donation will be sent directly to the United for Puerto Rico relief fund. Together, the WSAA and Western Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico form a coalition of community groups; civic and business leaders; volunteers from Springfield, Holyoke, Westfield, and Chicopee; and others in Western Mass. working to bring relief to the people of Puerto Rico. “Over $100,000 has been raised thus far,” said Diaz, “and we have collected other items such as batteries, water, sanitary products, canned foods, and radios at drop-off points at the Westfield Boys & Girls Club, the Westfield YMCA, and the Westfield school superintendent’s office. We have shipped over 250 boxes of goods to Puerto Rico, and we thank Westfield Bank and everyone who donated to this cause and volunteered their time and talent for this effort.” Both Westfield Bank and the WSAA plan to continue their efforts on behalf of Hurricane Maria relief. With significant support from the WSAA and the Portuguese American Club in Chicopee, a group of Westfield Bank employee volunteers is organizing a benefit dance on Saturday, Dec. 2. The dance will be held from 6 p.m. until midnight at the Portuguese American Club, 149 Exchange St., Chicopee. For more details, visit any Westfield Bank office.

State Awards HCC $229,500 for Culinary Arts Institute

HOLYOKE — The HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute got a big boost yesterday from the governor’s office with the awarding of a $229,500 grant for the purchase of computer and kitchen equipment for the new downtown training facility, which is expected to open next month. During an appearance at Nashoba Valley Technical High School in Westford, Gov. Charlie Baker announced a total of $9.5 million in Workforce Skills Capital Grants to 32 community colleges, high schools, and educational institutions to enhance and expand career training programs like the ones Holyoke Community College (HCC) will be operating at the Cubit Building on the corner of Race and Appleton streets in the city’s Innovation District. “These Skills Capital Grants will help boost our economy and equip students with new skills, knowledge, and experience with state-of-the-art equipment across the Commonwealth,” Baker said. “We look forward to continuing our work with these 32 institutions and previous awardees to enhance their programs and develop a skilled workforce ready to meet the needs of the Commonwealth.” The HCC grant will be used to buy 32 computer workstations, networking infrastructure, and software programs unique to hospitality- and culinary-industry workplaces, as well as kitchen equipment such as refrigerators, grill and fry tables, ice machines, skillets, griddles, steamers, and dishwashers. “All the items purchased with the grant will directly support workforce training for occupations within the growing hospitality and culinary-arts industry of Western Massachusetts, including preparing workers for MGM Springfield, one of our major employer partners,” said Amy Dopp, HCC’s interim vice president of Institutional Advancement. She said the new equipment will allow the college to increase the number of seats available in its credit and non-credit programs and be able to customize instruction to meet the needs of local employers. Construction of the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute, which will occupy nearly 20,000 square feet on the first and second floors of the Cubit Building, is expected to be completed in late November, with non-credit workforce-training programs beginning in December. HCC’s credit programs in hospitality and culinary arts will relocate from the main campus to the new facility for the beginning of the spring 2018 semester.

Owners Need to Get Realistic — and Proactive

By
Banking and Financial Services Sections

Business Valuation

By Brandon Mitchell

Brandon Mitchell

Brandon Mitchell

For business owners looking to sell in the near future, there is plenty to be optimistic about.

Buyers have access to capital at low interest rates through banks. Stocks are at all-time highs, driving individual net worth and access to down payments. The Massachusetts economy is vibrant. Most recent reports show GDP growth and unemployment rates outperforming the national average. There is positivity around MGM coming to Springfield, a new GE headquarters moving to Boston, and the potential for business-friendly legislation coming down the pipeline.

These factors will drive buyers to jump into the market and take the keys to a business, but there is a catch. With more than 1,100 businesses listed for sale across Massachusetts right now, buyers have options and are willing to wait for a value that makes sense.

When figuring the value of their business, owners can fall into the trap of including sentimental value in their estimation. Some are relying on what a similar business sold for in a different market or, worse, have a target number they drew up without any real anchor to reality.

Owners should resist the temptation to ‘pull the parachute’ as they get closer to the finish line.”

For business owners who have dedicated their lives to a business, it can be hard to take a step back and objectively consider what their business is worth. Business owners who are willing to take an objective look at the value of their business can be proactive now instead of reactive when they are ready to retire and list their business for the first time.

The value of a business is dynamic. While there is no way to get a buyer to price sentimental value into a purchase price, there is a potential to make changes to the business that will increase the value over time.

There are three approaches to valuing a business — asset, income, and market approaches. For most privately held companies, valuators rely on either the income approach, market approach, or a combination of the two. The basic formulas for these calculations are widely available online, but what owners can do with this information may be less obvious.

First, it’s important to know that the years leading up to the valuation or sale are the most important. A long history of profits can show stability for a small business; however, only the most recent three to five years are going to be considered in a calculation. Small-business owners with eyes on an exit have a tendency to disconnect from the business during this most important period when they should be pushing in the opposite direction.

Flat revenues or increases in expenses during this period have the potential to erase even decades of growth and profitability. Owners should resist the temptation to ‘pull the parachute’ as they get closer to the finish line. Continue to push for revenue growth, and pay close attention to expense control. This is the time to let the numbers showcase the full potential of the business.

Nobody knows the ins and outs of a small business like the owner. Buyers and valuators weigh heavily on the impact the seller’s exit will have on the future of the business. Owners should focus on replacing themselves in the areas in which they are most intertwined in the business to lessen the impact. To identify these high-dependency areas, owners can interview managers and employees, noting issues that cannot be resolved without them.

Key areas of focus generally depend on the industry or business model but usually include sales generation, relationship management, product development, strategic decision making, or day-to-day business management. If continuity can be achieved through process improvement or process documentation, it should be a key focus. Some results can be found through training current employees and empowering them. Consider restructuring tasks and delegating the current owner’s duties to rising managers.

Finally, clean up the financial statements. For various reasons, including tax motivations, small-business owners have a tendency to let their personal and business lives collide on their company financial statements. Documentation is important for any personal expenses being charged to the business. Owners should be ready to prove which expenses were not necessary for the business so that buyers and valuators exclude the expenses to calculate the value — buyers will not report findings to the IRS.

Performing a financial analysis can also help owners understand how their business compares to the rest of the industry, making them ready to articulate strengths and defend or improve weaknesses.

Overall, the current market is friendly to someone looking to sell their business. It’s also a great time to be proactive in managing an exit strategy, whether it lies around the corner or several years out. Getting realistic about the value of their business enables owners to take steps to improve it and make informed decisions.

Brandon Mitchell is a certified valuation analyst and owner of BLM Valuation Services, LLC, which specializes in certified independent business valuations for SBA lenders and small-business owners; (413) 306-1940.

Picture This

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Departments Picture This

The Super 60

The Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce staged its annual Super 60 Luncheon at a packed Chez Josef in Agawam on Oct. 28. Now in its 28th year, the program recognizes high-performing companies in two categories: Total Revenue and Revenue Growth.

Bill Grinnell (center), president of Webber & Grinnell Insurance, a winner in the Total Revenue category, accepts his plaque from Ashley Allen, vice president of Sales & Marketing for Health New England, the presenting sponsor, and Don D’Amour, chairman of Big Y Foods, a platinum sponsor

Bill Grinnell (center), president of Webber & Grinnell Insurance, a winner in the Total Revenue category, accepts his plaque from Ashley Allen, vice president of Sales & Marketing for Health New England, the presenting sponsor, and Don D’Amour, chairman of Big Y Foods, a platinum sponsor

Ralph Crowley Jr., CEO of Polar Beverages in Worcester, delivers the keynote address

Ralph Crowley Jr., CEO of Polar Beverages in Worcester, delivers the keynote addres

Paul Whalley, vice president of Whalley Computer Associates, the top finisher in the Total Revenue category, accepts his plaque from Allen and D’Amour

Paul Whalley, vice president of Whalley Computer Associates, the top finisher in the Total Revenue category, accepts his plaque from Allen and D’Amour

Drive Time

A host of local and state officials were on hand on Nov. 1 for the ribbon cutting for Mercedes-Benz of Springfield, the $12 million dealership created at the site of the former Plantation Inn in Chicopee. First conceived nearly three years ago, the dealership marks the return of Mercedes-Benz to the Greater Springfield area after a decade-long absence.

Attendees mingle in the showroom prior to the ceremonies

Attendees mingle in the showroom prior to the ceremonies

Jay Ashe, state secretary of Housing & Economic Development, addresses the attendees

Jay Ashe, state secretary of Housing & Economic Development, addresses the attendees

Cutting the ribbon are

Cutting the ribbon are, from left, state Rep. Joseph Wagner, Ashe, Chicopee Mayor Richard Kos, partners Peter and Michelle Wirth, partner Richard Hesse, and his wife, Amy

Peter Wirth says a few words to the attendees

Peter Wirth says a few words to the attendees

Court Dockets

By
Court Dockets Departments

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

FRANKLIN SUPERIOR COURT
Kevin v. Chickering v. City Tire Co. Inc. d/b/a Lodge Tire Co. and John Doe
Allegation: Motor-vehicle negligence causing injury: $105,822.54
Filed: 9/21/17

HAMPDEN DISTRICT COURT
Bob Pion Buick-GMC Inc. v. Daigle’s Truckmaster Inc.
Allegation: Failure to pay for vehicle repairs: $9,619.23
Filed: 9/29/17

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT
Leah LaRock and Sarah Chartier v. Mardi Gras Entertainment Inc. and Anthony Santaniello, individually
Allegation: Breach of employment contract: $1,000,000+
Filed: 10/2/17

Dontay Hall v. Marc L. Nierman, M.D.
Allegation: Medical malpractice, wrongful death: $101,400
Filed: 10/2/17

Emilio Hernandez v. Pyramid Management Group, LLC; Holyoke Mall Co., LP; Fahad Alsadoon; and Sarah Ali
Allegation: Negligence, escalator suddenly stopped, causing injury: $41,371.54
Filed: 10/3/17

Desert Aire, LLC f/k/a Desert Aire Corp. v. Sage Engineering & Contracting, Wojtkowski Bros. Inc., and Khem Organics Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract/mechanic’s lien: $39,338.62
Filed: 10/4/17

Matthew Buchberg v. Six Flags Entertainment Corp.
Allegation: Negligence causing injury on roller coaster: $40,866.79
Filed: 10/5/17

Geraldine DePretto v. Sears Roebuck & Co. and Pyramid Management Group
Allegation: Negligence, trip and fall causing injury: $24,055.03
Filed: 10/10/17

Peter M. Phillips v. Howmedica Osteonics Corp. d.b.a Stryker Orthopaedics
Allegation: Product liability: $2,500,000
Filed: 10/11/17

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT
Thomas Mulrooney v. Whole Foods Market and WS Asset Management
Allegation: Negligence, slip and fall causing injury: $48,000+
Filed: 10/3/17

Lalla Orman v. Cumulus Media Inc.; Atwood Drive, LLC; Securitas Security Services USA; Amherst Development Associates, LLC d/b/a Hampshire Hospitality Group; and Oldway Leasing
Allegation: Negligence, fall in unlit area causing injury and property damage: $96,000
Filed: 10/12/17

People on the Move

By
Departments People on the Move
Elizabeth Quick

Elizabeth Quick

Bulkley Richardson has named Elizabeth Quick its new executive director. In this position, she is responsible for overseeing all business operations including finance, human resources, information technology, business development/marketing, and facilities. “We are pleased that Elizabeth will be joining us,” said Peter Barry, chairman of the firm’s executive committee. “She has directed many programs and business systems for law firms throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Washington, D.C. Based on her experience and her abilities, we are confident that she will be a major contributor to continuing the firm’s success.” Quick said she is excited about her new opportunity. “I look forward to working with this talented group of professionals as we continue to serve Bulkley Richardson clients and the community. Continuous improvement of systems and management to foster the firm’s delivery of superior legal services is an important focus for me.” An experienced operations professional, Quick’s career spans more than 25 years as a legal-industry administrator. She has developed and implemented new processes, along with coordinating all administrative functions required to ensure smooth day-to-day operations. She has a strong network of colleagues and vendors which has allowed her to streamline tasks to bolster productivity and performance. Prior to joining Bulkley Richardson, she worked as a multi-location administrator for a law firm with offices in New York, Washington, D.C., and Connecticut. She was responsible for strategic planning, expansions and moves, human resources, budgeting, day-to-day operations, business lines of insurance, and cohesive interaction with the management group in benefits, finance, technology, recruiting, and marketing to forward the firm’s overall success and business operations. Quick earned her bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, from Eastern Connecticut State University, and received her associate degree from Manchester Community College, and was honored with the David A. Greenberg Award for Academic Excellence and the Fred A. Ramey Jr. Award for Outstanding Business Student. She is a member of the Assoc. of Legal Administrators (ALA), and also a member of the Nutmeg and Capitol chapters of ALA. Quick is based in Bulkley Richardson’s Springfield office. She succeeds Patrick Hourihan, who retired in September after 36 years of service to the firm.

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Jodie Gerulaitis

Jodie Gerulaitis

Country Bank President and CEO Paul Scully announced that Jodie Gerulaitis has been promoted to vice president of Community Relations. “Jodie’s commitment to the local communities we serve and her deep understanding of the bank’s mission made her the obvious choice for this new position,” Scully said. “Jodie will further enhance the bank’s long-standing commitment to helping those in need and work with local nonprofits on various events while managing the bank’s charitable-giving programs.” Gerulaitis has been with Country Bank for 24 years in various positions and holds several certifications from the Center for Financial Training. She is currently attending the New England School for Financial Studies, serves as a local treasurer of the Salvation Army, and is on the West Brookfield Elementary and Stanley M. Koziol school councils.  Annually, Country Bank partners with more than 500 local nonprofits to support their needs and was recently recognized as one of the Top 100 Charitable Giving Companies by the Boston Business Journal.

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Pierre Joseph

Pierre Joseph

The Solidago Foundation, a national social-justice foundation, appointed Springfield native, Amherst College graduate, and Truman scholar Pierre Joseph to the newly created role of program associate. Within this role, Joseph will have a critical role in developing four new signature projects as well as researching, recruiting, and managing new national and state partners. “Pierre is joining our growing team at a pivotal time for the foundation,” said CEO Elizabeth Barajas-Román. “We are excited about the expertise and fresh perspective he’ll bring to our ongoing work.” Prior to working at the Solidago Foundation, Pierre worked as a policy analyst at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. There, he staffed the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services and worked on many issues including two-generation approaches to child poverty, family implications of substance-use disorder, and linking health-systems transformation to the social determinants of health. “In this new role, I am very interested in how emerging financing strategies, blended funding streams, and democratized access to capital can build wealth, expand opportunity, and increase economic mobility in underserved communities throughout the United States,” he said. Joseph is also responsible for working with senior staff on supporting the team’s budgeting, financial analysis, and planning efforts. “I am thrilled to be working alongside Pierre,” said Jeff Rosen, CFO of the Solidago Foundation. “We are lucky to have a person who has gained so much experience in both local and national arenas to bring to the next phase of our work. Pierre offers the rare blend of practical focus and long-range vision. He will be an invaluable field and thought partner, and we look forward to working together on a host of new initiatives.”

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Michelle Cayo

Michelle Cayo

Florence Bank, a mutually owned savings bank serving the Pioneer Valley through 10 branch locations, has hired Michelle Cayo of Granby in the position of vice president, Credit Administration manager. She brings nearly 20 years of commercial credit experience to her new role. Cayo studied at Bay Path University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in business with a concentration in finance, and her master’s degree in communications and information management. She completed the New England School for Financial Studies program and is in the process of completing the Graduate Banking Program from the American Bankers Assoc. Cayo serves her community as a member of the Jimmy Fund Council of Western Mass. In the past, she has also served as president of the Professional Women’s Chamber of Western Mass. In 2013, she was recognized by Western Mass Women magazine as Volunteer of the Year to recognize her work for children with pediatric cancer. She was also recognized by BusinessWest as a member of the 40 Under Forty Class of 2011, which celebrates young business and civic leaders in the Pioneer Valley. “We are thrilled to announce the addition of Michelle Cayo to our Florence Bank family,” said President and CEO John Heaps Jr. “She has an impressive background in commercial credit, and we feel she’s the ideal candidate to take on the role of VP/Credit Administration manager. I know we will be seeing excellent results from her in the years to come, and I look forward to watching her success.”

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John Garvey

John Garvey

John Garvey, president of Springfield-based digital-marketing and public-relations firm Garvey Communication Associates Inc. (GCAi) recently completed a certificate program in corporate reputation management offered by the Public Relations Society of America. The eight-week program was taught by communications experts from global brands including Weber Shandwick, the Hershey Co., MasterCard, Revlon Inc., and Burson-Marsteller. The program included modules on “Reputation and the CEO,” “Key Performance Indicators,” “Digital Reputation,” and “Reputational Risks.” The program is designed to help communications professionals navigate the space between marketing, public relations, and digital, as well as to recognize the importance of reputation and the CEO’s impact on brand value. Garvey was also a keynote presenter at the 2017 Massachusetts Bankers Assoc. Executive Officers Conference, where he presented on “Managing the Media and Your Reputation in a Crisis.” He has close to four decades of public-relations and reputation-management experience, having worked as a consultant to a variety of corporations and nonprofits, as well as a political campaign consultant. Garvey earned a bachelor’s degree from Marquette University and has served as a guest lecturer at the university’s Diederich College of Communications. He earned a master’s degree in organizational development at American International College. He is also a judge and mentor for the Boston-based global startup accelerator MassChallenge, where he has worked with cohorts from Spain, Columbia, Morocco, France, and Mexico.

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Ivonne Vidal

Ivonne Vidal

Ivonne Vidal, a staff attorney for the Committee for Public Counsel Services in Springfield, has been appointed to the Holyoke Community College board of trustees by Gov. Charlie Baker. Vidal holds a law degree from Boston University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Economics from Brown University. As an undergraduate, she spent a year studying international relations and economics at the London School of Economics and Political Science. A native Spanish speaker, Vidal grew up in Cuba and has been living in the U.S. since she was 15 and in Western Mass. for the past six years. “As a public defender and an immigrant, I am keenly aware of the transformative role education plays in a person’s life,” Vidal said. “Holyoke Community College is at the forefront of this movement, finding innovative ways to engage and improve the lives of residents in Holyoke and Western Massachusetts. I am very excited to become a part of this institution, and I’m looking forward to helping advance its mission.” Before coming to New England for college, Vidal worked as an aide at the English Center in Miami, helping to teach classes in English as a second language and citizenship. She also spent summers during college in Miami working as an executive intern in the public defender’s office. As a law student at Boston University, she worked for Greater Boston Legal Services and as a legal intern with Masferrer & Associates, P.C. “Ivonne’s background in law and fluency in Spanish will strengthen our already-talented board,” said Robert Gilbert, board of trustees chair. “Our goal is to foster an environment where students can succeed not only academically in college, but in their lives as well. New trustees bring fresh ideas that will help guide HCC into the future and strengthen our connections with community partners.”

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Shaun Jennings

Shaun Jennings

OMG Roofing Products has hired Shaun Jennings as digital marketing specialist. In his new role, Jennings is responsible for all digital marketing activities for OMG Roofing Products, including company websites, social media, and mobile marketing activities. He is based in Agawam and reports to Sam Everett, director of Marketing Communications. Jennings joins OMG Roofing from SABIC, a manufacturer of high-performance plastics, where he led digital platform development for the Specialties business unit in the Americas region, based in Houston. He holds a bachelor’s degree in interactive media advertising from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Headquartered in Agawam, OMG Roofing Products is a manufacturer of commercial roofing products including specialty fasteners, adhesives, edge metal systems, drains, pipe supports, and advanced productivity tools.

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Michael Koziol

Michael Koziol

Spiros Hatiras, president and CEO of Holyoke Medical Center and Valley Health Systems, announced the appointment of Michael Koziol as chief financial officer at Holyoke Medical Center (HMC). “Mike has over 30 years of experience in nonprofit organizations, including several hospitals throughout New England,” said Hatiras. “His knowledge and successful contributions to organizational financial stability and improved operating efficiencies have already proved to be an asset to the leadership team of Holyoke Medical Center and Valley Health Systems.” Koziol has served as interim CFO at HMC since April 2017. His prior experience includes executive-level finance positions with Southcoast Physicians Group in Fairhaven, Mass.; MaineGeneral Health in Augusta, Maine; South County Hospital Healthcare Systems in Wakefield, R.I.; Massachusetts Eye & Ear Associates in Boston; Rhode Island Hospital in Providence; and Memorial Hospital of South Bend in South Bend, Ind. He received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Illinois State University and completed his MBA at the University of Illinois. “I have spent the past six months as interim CFO with Holyoke Medical Center, and I am very happy to be a part of this organization,” said Koziol. “The people who work here are wonderful, and enable a bright future in continuing to provide high-quality, cost-effective care to the community.”

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Rachel Turgeon, a United Personnel employee who has worked in a variety of customer-service roles for the past five years, has been awarded the 2017 United Personnel Academic Merit Award. Turgeon received the $1,000 scholarship to defray student-loan payments related to her bachelor’s degree she received from Elms College last June. As an aspiring oncologist, Turgeon hopes to begin medical school next year. In addition to her work as a United Personnel contract employee, Turgeon is currently a women’s leader at Celebrate Recovery. In 2010, she suffered from an autoimmune disorder, and, in order to grow and heal from that occurrence, she began to counsel women in similar situations. She wanted women to see their beauty and worth beyond their physical impairments, such as hair loss. It was through this experience that she realized her calling and began taking steps to one day specialize in oncology, with the dream of traveling the world through Doctors Without Borders. “Working at United Personnel has taught me that hard work pays off,” Turgeon said. “United Personnel has been a blessing to work for. They have helped me during an extremely tough time in my life, and through them I found a job that has supported me and my long-term goals. I am extremely grateful to receive the United Personnel scholarship. Because of this scholarship, I can pay off a portion of my student loans and process quite a few medical-school applications. United Personnel has brought me one step closer to my goals, and I am so thankful for their support.” Each year, United Personnel identifies one contract employee, or the child of a United Personnel contract employee, who has worked at least 160 hours and is currently enrolled or is a recent graduate of an accredited college as the winner of its annual Academic Merit Award. This $1,000 award recognizes hard work both inside and outside of the classroom, and can be utilized to defray current costs or for loan forgiveness.

Chamber Corners: Upcoming Events

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Chamber Corners Departments

1BERKSHIRE
www.1berkshire.com
(413) 499-1600

• Nov. 15: Chamber Nite, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Security Supply, 50 Roberts Dr., North Adams. Remember to bring your business card to enter a drawing to win a door prize.

GREATER CHICOPEE
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.chicopeechamber.org
(413) 594-2101

• Nov. 15: Veterans Day Salute Breakfast with Stephanie Shaw, Chicopee’s new Veterans Services officer, 7:15-9 a.m., hosted by the Castle of Knights, 1599 Memorial Dr., Chicopee. Sponsored by the La Quinta Inn & Suites and Westfield Bank. Cost: $23 for members, $28 for non-members, which includes breakfast buffet. Veterans are free. Sign up online at chicopeechamber.org/events.

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

• Nov. 15: Chamber After Hours, 5-7 p.m., hosted and sponsored by Elms College MBA Program, 129 Springfield St., Chicopee. A casual networking event with appetizers, refreshments, and a raffle. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-members. Register online at holyokechamber.com or call the chamber at (413) 534-3376.

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

• Nov. 15: 57th annual Meeting & Awards Dinner, 5:30-8 p.m., hosted by East Mountain Country Club, 1458 East Mountain Road, Westfield. Congratulations to our Award Winners: Business of the Year: ProAmpac; Nonprofit of the Year, Kevs Foundation; and Lifetime Achievement Award: the Perez Family of East Mountain Country Club. Event sponsor: Baystate Noble Hospital. Cost: $50 for chamber members, $60 for potential members. Online registration is available at www.westfieldbiz.org. Sponsorship opportunities are available on the website as well. For tickets, sponsorship opportunities, or additional information, contact Pam at the chamber at (413) 568-1618 or [email protected].

SPRINGFIELD REGIONAL CHAMBER
www.springfieldregionalchamber.com
(413) 787.1555

• Nov. 16: Government Reception, 5-7 p.m., hosted by the Carriage House, Storrowton Tavern, 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. An opportunity to meet socially with local, state, and federal officials. Cost: $60 for members, $70 general admission. Res ervations may be made online at www.springfieldregionalchamber.com.

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

• Nov. 16: Lunch N Learn Seminar – How to Promote your Business on Social Media, noon to 1:30 p.m., hosted by the Carriage House at Storrowton Tavern, 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. Enjoy lunch while learning about the do’s and don’ts of promoting one’s business on social media, including best practices, target audience, boosting, and other aspects of promotion. Cost: $30 per member or guest. Register online at www.westoftheriverchamber.com. For more information, contact the chamber at (413) 426-3880 or [email protected].

Briefcase

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Briefcase Departments

Employer Confidence Hits Another High for 2017

BOSTON — Employer confidence in Massachusetts hit another high for 2017 during October as economic growth accelerated and companies remained optimistic about the national outlook. The Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) Business Confidence Index edged up 0.3 points to 62.7, leaving it 6.5 points better than in October 2016. The uptick was driven by a brightening view of employment growth and firming confidence among manufacturers. The reading came as MassBenchmarks reported that the Massachusetts economy grew at 5.9% during the third quarter, almost double the rate of the national economy. Payroll employment grew at a 2.1% annual rate in Massachusetts in the third quarter as compared to 1.2% nationally. “The acceleration of the Massachusetts economy in the third quarter provided additional fuel to an already solid sense of confidence among employers as we head for 2018,” said Raymond Torto, chair of AIM’s Board of Economic Advisors (BEA) and lecturer at Harvard Graduate School of Design. “At the same time, optimism about the national economy suggests that employers believe growth rates throughout the U.S. will increase even more if Congress follows through on its proposal to lower the corporate tax rate from 35% to 20%.” The AIM Index, based on a survey of Massachusetts employers, has appeared monthly since July 1991. It is calculated on a 100-point scale, with 50 as neutral; a reading above 50 is positive, while below 50 is negative. The Index reached its historic high of 68.5 on two occasions in 1997-98, and its all-time low of 33.3 in February 2009. The Index has remained above 50 since October 2013. The constituent indicators that make up the overall Business Confidence Index were largely higher during October. The Massachusetts Index, assessing business conditions within the Commonwealth, slipped 0.3 points to 65.1, still 4.1 points more than a year earlier. October marked the 91st consecutive month in which employers have been more optimistic about the Massachusetts economy than the national economy. The U.S. Index of national business conditions rose 2.7 points to 62.5, continuing a 13.3-point surge for the 12-month period. The Current Index, which assesses overall business conditions at the time of the survey, increased 0.7 points to 63.6, while the Future Index, measuring expectations for six months out, remained even at 61.9 points. The Current Index has risen 7.6 points and the Future Index 5.6 points during the past year. The Company Index, reflecting overall business conditions, lost 0.3 points to 62.0. There was better news in the Employment Index, a key predictor of economic health, which rose 2.0 points to 57.8.

Arrha President Testifies on Bill to Modernize Credit-union Laws

SPRINGFIELD — Michael Ostrowski, president and CEO of Arrha Credit Union, testified on an act to modernize credit-union laws before the state Joint Committee on Financial Services. Ostrowski testified on allowing technological advances, increasing transactional authority for chartering and merging credit unions, and increasing state authority for low-income designation. “A top priority of Arrha Credit Union is to be able to fully utilize today’s advances in technology. We are not allowed to offer electronic loan applications, along with other credit unions. Our members want technological convenience in today’s advanced electronic world,” Ostrowski said. “Also, mail was meaningful during the time this law was enacted; however, today’s electronic voting has largely taken the place of mail ballot voting, and is more easily accessible for members to actively participate in our governance. Such technological advances will provide convenience, time-saving opportunities, and cost-saving opportunities. It is important for Arrha Credit Union to stay as technically advanced as possible to best serve our membership and communities.” Arrha Credit Union supports the provisions of this bill, which allows the Massachusetts commissioner of Banks to recognize the credit-union low-income designation for state-chartered credit unions. A credit union that receives the low-income designation is a credit union in which has more than half of its members have a family income 80% or less than the median family income for the metropolitan area where they live or national metropolitan area, whichever is greater. This authority will open an opportunity for credit unions to gain access to grant money to provide additional training opportunities for its staff, better and more tailored products for its low-income base, and other such improvements. It will also allow for expedited and easier recognition of credit for Community Reinvestment Act purposes. “Arrha Credit Union is considered a low-income-designated credit union and has used its low-income designation in the area of auto lending with 100% loan-to-value ratios, which allows us to better and more timely serve our members,” Ostrowski said. “It is clear that values and general banking business dynamics change very quickly in this day and age; as a result, it is necessary that our laws are also kept up-to-date, modernized, with today’s needs.

Unemployment Rates Decrease Across State in September

BOSTON — Local unemployment rates decreased in 19 labor-market areas, increased in two areas, and remained the same in three areas in the state during the month of September, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported. Compared to September 2016, the rates were up in 18 labor-market areas and remained the same in six labor-market areas. Six of the 15 areas for which job estimates are published recorded seasonal job gains in September. The gains occurred in the Springfield, Worcester, Brockton-Bridgewater-Easton, New Bedford, Peabody-Salem-Beverly, and Leominster-Gardner areas. From September 2016 to September 2017, 14 of the 15 areas added jobs, with the largest percentage gains in the New Bedford, Haverhill-Newburyport-Amesbury, Barnstable, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Lynn-Saugus-Marblehead, and Springfield areas. In order to compare the statewide rate to local unemployment rates, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the statewide unadjusted unemployment rate for September was 3.5%. Last week, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported the statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 3.9% in the month of September. The statewide seasonally adjusted jobs estimate showed a 9,300-job gain in September and an over-the-year gain of 62,300 jobs. 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.

Board of Higher Education Votes to Join Agreement on Online Learning

BOSTON — The state Board of Higher Education recently authorized the state’s commissioner of Higher Education to submit an application to join the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), a multi-state approach to regulating the growing number of online learning programs offered by colleges and universities across the U.S. The board’s unanimous vote follows an extensive review of what joining SARA would mean for the Commonwealth. Last year, Massachusetts Education Secretary James Peyser chaired a legislative Special Commission on Interstate Reciprocity Agreements, which issued a report that was reviewed by the Board of Higher Education as part of its decision-making process to join SARA. In December 2016, the U.S. Department of Education incorporated recommendations from the state Board and Department of Higher Education, the Office of the Attorney General, and the Executive Office of Education in final authorization regulations for postsecondary online education. “As we strive to make higher education more affordable and accessible for residents of the Commonwealth, adding online learning options is a critical step in the right direction,” Gov. Charlie Baker said. “We are pleased to join SARA with the assurance that we would be able to continue vital consumer protections for our students, and look forward to preparing our application.” Added Peyser, “if Massachusetts’ application for SARA membership is approved, students in the Commonwealth will see a multitude of options in online education open up for them, and our state’s colleges and universities will find it less cumbersome and costly to offer online courses to students in other states.” Massachusetts will be the 49th state to join SARA, if its application is accepted by the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. Currently, the Board of Higher Education regulates the degree-granting authority of most post-secondary institutions with a physical presence in the Commonwealth, granting them the ability to offer specific credit-bearing programs of study and to use the terms ‘college’ or ‘university’ in their names. At present, it does not exercise oversight over out-of-state institutions that offer only online programs to Massachusetts students. With the proliferation of distance-learning providers and modalities, the need for a new, more nimble regulatory approach that will allow for greater access and options for students — while maintaining robust student protections and safeguards — has emerged. “Massachusetts has a strong history when it comes to regulations and standards that benefit consumers — in this case, students — and we were willing to take our time in deliberating whether to join SARA rather than rush into an agreement that might shortchange them,” said Carlos Santiago, state commissioner of Higher Education. If Massachusetts’ application to join SARA is accepted, institutions in the Commonwealth may be able to submit applications to begin operating under SARA by the summer of 2018.

Connecticut Airport Authority Seeks Development Proposals

WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. — The Connecticut Airport Authority is seeking developers to enter into a long-term land lease to develop, operate, and maintain commercial property owned by Bradley International Airport located on a vacant, 4.8-acre parcel on Ella Grasso Turnpike. A pre-proposal meeting will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 8 at 10 a.m. in the Human Resources Conference Room located at 334 Ella Grasso Turnpike, Suite 100, Windsor Locks. Full copies of the request for proposal may be downloaded at www.ctairports.org/economic-development/procurement, or by e-mailing [email protected].

Beloved Earth Names Seth Schultz Commercial Services Manager

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Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — Beloved Earth, the Pioneer Valley’s first green cleaning company, has promoted employee Seth Schultz to the position of commercial services manager.

Schultz has worked for Beloved Earth since April 2016, providing services to commercial customers. In that time, the commercial side of the business has grown to include 30 clients. The residential-services side has 70 clients.

Previously, Schultz was a machine operator in the food-manufacturing industry. He has a bachelor’s degree in English from UMass.

“I’m excited about the promotion. I understand the business, and I feel up to the challenge of a managerial position,” Schultz said, noting that he shares the company’s earth-friendly philosophy.

Terra and David Missildine founded Beloved Earth in 2005 and have since been cleaning homes and offices using eco-friendly and non-toxic techniques. The business serves clients in Hampshire, Hampden, and Franklin counties.

GSCVB Elects Anthony Frasco to Chair Board of Directors

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau (GSCVB) elected Anthony Frasco to succeed Michael Hurwitz as chairman of the organization’s board of directors.

Frasco, who serves as the vice president of Sales & Marketing for Chicopee-based Williams Distributing Co. Inc., was formally installed at the bureau’s annual meeting on Nov. 2. Also elected to seats on the agency’s board were Alex Dixon from MGM Springfield and Sandra Sheehan from PVTA. David Griffin Jr. of Dowd Insurance will complete a one-year term remaining on the seat previously held by Robert Gilbert Jr., also from Dowd.

“Our annual meeting is one of the top highlights of the bureau’s calendar,” said GSCVB President Mary Kay Wydra. “It was wonderful that so many of our members turned out to thank our outgoing board chair, Michael Hurwitz, for his five years of dedicated service. He helped to steer our organization with confidence and vision through budgetary uncertainty and a recovering regional economy.”

Frasco said he is “deeply honored to take the reins from Michael Hurwitz, who so ably led the bureau for so long. I’ve got some very, very big shoes to fill, and I’ll be counting on the GSCVB staff and the rest of the board to help us build on the great momentum we’re seeing. We’ve got a great, new brand and wider visibility than ever. With the arrival of MGM Springfield and so many new or upgraded attractions and hotels, our tourism landscape is changing profoundly, and for the better.”

Hurwitz offered his thoughts on Frasco, noting that “Anthony is absolutely the right person at the right time to lead the GSCVB into its next era. Now more than ever, we want to market and promote Western Mass. in a big way, and he’s got the skill and energy to make that push happen.”

Added Wydra, “we have an incredible story to tell about our region, and Anthony is a great fit, bringing outstanding marketing talent to our organization. Tourism is an increasingly important economic driver, sustaining businesses, supporting jobs, and generating tax revenues. Our staff is delighted to have the opportunity to work with him on many new projects and initiatives.”

NAMIC Announces Chapter Leader Awards at Annual Conference

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Daily News

NEW YORK — NAMIC New England Inc. was an Event Management Award winner at the 2017 NAMIC Chapter Leader Awards competition for demonstrating excellence in planning and executing an event, resulting in significant event attendance. NAMIC New England was recognized in this category for a “Connect for Success” event held in Springfield. The purpose was to bring together communication and diversity professionals, innovators, and educators for an evening of networking and promotion of diversity practices across multiple disciplines.

NAMIC New England also received the Marketing Excellence award recognizing the chapter for its 2016 creative marketing campaign that demonstrated measurable results and clearly conveyed NAMIC’s mission to advocate, educate, and promote diversity and inclusion in the areas of communications, media, and entertainment. NAMIC New England’s marketing campaign included appearances on several community television programs, collaboration with New England academic institutions, and event partnerships with Boston entrepreneurs and small businesses.

“NAMIC New England Inc. is committed to offering diversity initiatives in the New England area and is excited to be honored for our event planning and marketing efforts,” said President Kamilah A’Vant. “The hard work of our chapter board, members, support of chapter sponsors, and our surrounding diverse communities made it possible.”

American International College to Host AIDS Memorial Quilt

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) will host sections of the internationally celebrated AIDS Memorial Quilt, the 54½-ton, handmade tapestry that stands as a memorial to more than 96,000 individuals lost to AIDS. In conjunction with its 30th anniversary, the quilt will be on view at the Griswold Theatre Lobby and West Wing Gallery in the Karen Sprague Cultural Arts Center on the AIC campus from Thursday, Nov. 30 through Sunday, Dec. 3.

Officially beginning in 1987, the quilt is a memorial to and celebration of the lives of people lost to AIDS. In the 1980s, many who died of AIDS-related causes did not receive funerals due to the social stigma attached to the disease and the refusal of many funeral homes and cemeteries to handle the remains of the deceased. Without the ability to hold memorial services or have access to burial sites, the quilt was often the only opportunity family members, friends, and survivors had to remember and celebrate the lives of those they lost.

Today, the quilt is maintained and displayed by the NAMES Project Foundation. Individual quilt panels are typically very personalized and are created by the loved ones of an individual who died of AIDS-related causes. By design, each panel is 3 feet by 6 feet, the size of a human grave. Panels are donated to the NAMES Project Foundation where they are grouped with other similar panels and assembled into 12-by-12-foot sections called blocks, which are on view at local displays of the quilt. There will be 20 blocks on display at AIC. The response to the announcement that the college will host the quilt has been positive, with requests from the Boston area, Cape Cod, and Connecticut to have specific panels included.

One goal of the quilt is to bring awareness to the enormity of the AIDS pandemic and to provide support to those affected by it. Another objective is to raise funds for community-based AIDS service organizations and to increase funding for AIDS prevention and education.

The AIDS Quilt display will be open to the public on Thursday, Nov. 30 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 1 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 2 from noon to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 3 from noon to 5 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public. Parking is available in Lot I across from the Karen Sprague Cultural Arts Center on the corner of State and Maynard streets. Visit aic.edu/quilt for more information.

Cooley Dickinson Launches Trees of Love & Thanksgiving Fund-raiser

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Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — Over the years, holiday lights have illuminated the grounds of Cooley Dickinson Hospital while providing funds for numerous projects that support the healthcare needs of the community. Through a donation of $15 or more per individual, community members can designate a light in honor or memory of someone through the Friends of Cooley Dickinson’s annual Trees of Love & Thanksgiving.

This year, funds will support pediatric rehabilitation services, providing specialized equipment for children with developmental delays or who are recovering from injuries. In addition, funds will again provide infant car beds, which are critical to ensuring the safe transport of underweight babies. This year’s fund-raising goal is $15,000.

Over more than two decades, Trees of Love campaigns have raised more than $300,000, providing funding for pediatric rooms in the hospital’s Emergency Department, an infusion bay in the Mass General Cancer Center at Cooley Dickinson, and 3D mammography.

A lighting ceremony will be held on Sunday, Nov. 19 at 4:30 p.m. in the Healing Garden. A reception will follow in the Kittredge Surgery Center waiting area with refreshments and music by the Horse Mountain Jazz Band.

Those wishing to donate can pick up a form at any hospital information desk or download one at www.cooleydickinson.org/volunteer/trees-of-love-thanksgiving. In addition to lights on the trees in the Healing Garden, names of those being honored and remembered are posted in the corridor adjacent to the Hospital’s main lobby.

Trees of Love & Thanksgiving is a project of the Friends of Cooley Dickinson (formerly the Cooley Dickinson Hospital Auxiliary) and Pastoral Care.

Solidago Foundation CFO to Speak at Regional Food-system Meeting

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Daily News

BOSTON — Jeff Rosen, chief financial officer of the Northampton-based Solidago Foundation, will take part in a meeting organized by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, in partnership with the Federal Reserve Board and Coastal Enterprises Inc. The meeting, to be held on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, is titled “Harvesting Opportunity: The Power of Regional Food System Investments to Transform Communities,” and will focus on the future of regional food-system investments, primarily in New England.

“We are excited to host the regional food-systems discussion this month,” said Prabal Chakrabarti, senior vice president at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and the bank’s Community Affairs officer. “The event is an opportunity for organizations like Solidago to connect with stakeholders to help further advance investment in the sector, and reaffirm and strengthen those partnerships that exist.”

Participants will include food-system investors, funders, and financial intermediaries. Rosen will participate in a panel session moderated by Gray Harris, senior program director at Natural Resources Section Coastal Enterprises Inc., to discuss his more than two decades of experience working in the New England food system. Additional panelists include Lisa Sebesta, Fresh Source Capital managing partner; Alex Linkow, Fair Food Fund director; and Mark Watson, Boston Impact Initiative managing director.

“It is a great honor to work alongside some of the most experienced farm and food enterprise investors in the country,” said Rosen. ”We are doubly honored to be working in a new partnership with the Federal Reserve and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston to work to fill financing gaps in the New England local and regional food system. This presents us all with an opportunity to accelerate the change we seek and to make substantial inroads into revitalizing the region’s autonomous food system.”

Since 2003, Rosen has spearheaded the Solidago Foundation’s efforts to expand the Program Related Investment and Mission Related Investment programs. This has resulted in a focus on community governance of community capital funds. Rosen was instrumental in launching the PVGrows Investment Fund, a collaborative fund of the Solidago Foundation, the first local food fund in the country, open to both accredited and non-accredited investors. Solidago has drawn upon this experience and is working via its Inclusive Economies program with several communities, launching authentic, community-led design processes to manage investment funds. Previously, Rosen worked in the private sector as a serial entrepreneur, developing and selling food-sector businesses, and as a chief financial officer for several restaurant chains and food manufacturers.

American International College to Honor Veterans at Ceremony Today

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — LTC Jonas Patruno, who serves as a Medical Service Corps officer and Army aviator at Barnes Air National Guard Base, will be the keynote speaker at American International College’s (AIC) annual Veterans Day ceremony today, Nov. 10 at 11 a.m. in the Schwartz Campus Center Auditorium. The public is welcome to attend.

An AIC tradition, the Veterans Day ceremony is dedicated to remembering and honoring those men and women who have served their country. AIC’s multi-generational Alumni Veterans Committee sponsors the annual event and is comprised of alumni spanning more than 50 years.

Patruno’s nearly 30-year military career began as an active-duty enlisted soldier in 1989. He is presently assigned as deputy commander of the Massachusetts Medical Command. His three combat deployments include Operation Desert Storm in 1991, Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005 as a medevac helicopter pilot, and Operations officer of the Aviation Task Force – Kuwait in 2010.

Patruno holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UMass and is a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff Course. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Air Medal, and the Senior Army Aviator Badge.

Freshman English students submit patriotic essays in advance of the event. The authors of the top three essays, which are selected by a committee, receive gift certificates to the college bookstore. Winning submissions are announced at the event, and the first-place entry is read during the ceremony.

MGM Springfield to Host Open House to Launch Career Center

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — MGM Springfield is set to open its downtown Career Center on Monday, Nov. 13 from 10 a.m. to noon. Special guests, including local elected and city officials and Massachusetts Gaming Commission representatives, have been invited to tour the center, located at 1259 East Columbus Ave., third floor, prior to the general opening.

The Career Center will be the location for interviewing, hiring, and onboarding processes for MGM Springfield employees ahead of the property’s fall 2018 opening. Activities at the center will cover all aspects of the hiring process, including targeted outreach sessions, interviews, licensing, and training. Resources will include a 20-seat computer lab to help prospective employees build their SkillSmart career profile, two interview rooms for applicant reviews, and an on-site Massachusetts Gaming Commission office to provide hands-on assistance with the employee licensing process.

Parking for the grand-opening event is available on the street via meters or in the I-91 North Garage.

Scenes from the 2017 Business Innovation Expo of Western Mass.

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Business & Innovation Expo of Western Mass. Cover Story Events

Looking Back at an Exciting, Informative Day

expologo2017comcastThe Business & Innovation Expo of Western Mass., the annual show produced by BusinessWest and the Healthcare News and presented by Comcast Business, drew nearly 150 exhibitors and 2,000 visitors to the MassMutual Center on Nov. 2. They enjoyed a series of educational seminars, breakfast and lunch programs, a day-capping Expo Social, and much more. Take a look through the photo gallery below for a recap of all the excitement, insight, and innovation.

Photography by Dani Fine Photography

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businessinnovationexposhowguide2017-page1

CHD Cancer House of Hope to Hold Luminaria Event on Nov. 16

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Daily News

WEST SPRINGFIELD — A Night of Light, the CHD Cancer House of Hope’s annual luminaria fund-raising event, returns to the green at Storrowton Village on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition on Thursday, Nov. 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. Storrowton Tavern will serve hot chocolate.

For the event, hundreds of luminaria bags are lit and placed on the green to remember those lost to cancer and honor those who are survivors. Luminaria bags cost $5 each and can be personally inscribed in honor of a friend or loved one. Bag purchases help the Cancer House of Hope continue its mission of offering comfort and care at no cost to those affected by cancer, their caregivers, and their families. To dedicate a luminaria bag, visit www.chd.org/luminaria.

“A Night of Light is a beautiful evening of music, remembrance, and hope to honor friends and loved ones while supporting the many programs and services offered by CHD Cancer House of Hope,” said Joseph Kane, program director. “Things went so well at last year’s event that we were thrilled when Storrowton Village offered to provide the venue again in-kind. A Night of Light is an important annual fund-raiser for the house, and this year, Advanced Restoration Group in Easthampton is our presenting sponsor for the event. With the generous support of Advanced Restoration Group and our other community partners, we can leverage the energy created by A Night of Light, over and over.”

Country Bank Promotes Debra Cole to First VP of Operations

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Daily News

WARE — Country Bank President and CEO Paul Scully announced that Debra Cole has been promoted to first vice president of Operations. She has been with Country Bank for 33 years, beginning her career there as a file clerk. Over the years, she has held various roles within the Operations area, where her experience and expertise has allowed her to transition seamlessly into her new position.

“We are thrilled to have Deb in this role and know that she will continue to advance the bank’s technology and streamline processes to ensure our customers continue to experience the highest quality that banking has to offer,” said Mary McGovern, CFO of Country Bank.

Cole graduated from the New England School for Financial Studies and the American Bankers Assoc. Stonier Graduate School of Banking. She received high honors while at Stonier and also earned a Wharton Leadership Certification. She is currently a student at Springfield Technical Community College and will complete her degree in business administration in 2018.

“I am passionate about solving problems and improving processes,” Cole said. “I also truly enjoy helping those that I work with grow in their positions and seeing them succeed and advance in their careers.”

Cole has volunteered numerous hours over the years at the Relay for Life event in Belchertown and supports the American Cancer Society annually.

Autism Collaborative Announces Speakers for November Meeting

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Daily News

PITTSFIELD — The Autism Collaborative of Berkshire County (ACBC) announced that state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier and representatives from Massachusetts Families Organizing for Change (MFOFC) will speak at its November meeting on Friday, Nov. 17, slated for 10:15a.m. to noon at 2 South St., Suite 370, Pittsfield.

Farley-Bouvier will talk about her experiences in the world of disabilities and what’s on the horizon at the State House, while MFOFC will address ways individuals and families can empower themselves to advocate for change.

ACBC runs monthly community meetings to discuss autism and services available in the Berkshires. Each month features industry leaders who are able to speak to the state of services in the region. Service providers and caregivers for those on the autism spectrum are encouraged to attend, and all community members are welcome. The collaborative is sponsored by Autism Connections, AdLib, Hillcrest Educational Centers, the College Internship Program, and Berkshire County Arc.

Public Forum on Reducing Opioid-overdose Deaths Set for Nov. 30

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Every day, more than 140 Americans die from opioid overdose. In Massachusetts alone, there were 1,990 confirmed opioid-related deaths last year. To address this national and regional crisis, Baystate Medical Center will be the site of a free forum titled “Reducing Opioid Overdose Deaths — What Works?” on Thursday, Nov. 30 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Open to the public, the community and academic forum will bring together national experts, and regional and community leaders to discuss evidence-based ways to reduce deaths from opioid overdose.

“In this country, in terms of opioid addiction and death, we are seeing the equivalent of an airline crash every three days. More Americans died last year from opioids than in the entire Vietnam War,” said Dr. Peter Friedmann, chief research officer, Baystate Health and president-elect of the Massachusetts Society of Addiction Medicine. “New England has the dubious distinction of having five of the 15 states with the highest death rates nationally.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recognizes the tremendous social and economic burden of the opioid epidemic, noting the total economic burden of prescription opioid misuse alone in the United States is $78.5 billion a year, including the costs of healthcare, lost productivity, addiction treatment, and criminal justice involvement.

Among the speakers at the free forum will be Friedmann; Dr. Robert Roose, vice president, Mercy Behavioral Health Care; Dr. Alexander Walley, medical director, Opioid Overdose Prevention Pilot Program, Massachusetts Department of Public Health; Liz Whynott, director, HIV Health and Prevention, Tapestry Health; Brandon Marshall, associate professor of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health; and Jess Tilley, director, New England Users Union. There will be an opportunity for discussion and questions following the presentation of speakers.

“People are dying in the prime of life, and there are things that we could be doing and doing better,” said Friedmann said. “This special forum will give us an opportunity to look at the science in a clear-headed way as we form a response to this public-health emergency.”

The event is co-sponsored by UMass Medical School – Baystate, the Springfield Department of Health, Tapestry Health, SIFMA Now Western Chapter, the New England Users Union, and the Massachusetts Society of Addiction Medicine.

No registration is needed for the forum, which will be held in Baystate Medical Center’s Chestnut Building, 1 A/B Conference Room. For more information, call (413) 794-7717 or e-mail [email protected].

Partners for a Healthier Community Nabs Complete Streets Study Grant

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Partners for a Healthier Community (PHC), the public-health institute of Western Mass., has received one of only nine national Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Policies for Action Grants for $250,000 to study Springfield’s Complete Streets policy.

Complete Streets refers to policies that support roadways that are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users by prioritizing pedestrian, bike, and public transportation. Springfield’s City Council passed a resolution adopting the Complete Streets Plan and Implementation Guide in October 2015.

PHC and Tufts University, led by principal investigators Kathleen Szegda and Erin Hennessy, will investigate whether Complete Streets policies lead to changes in the built environment, the economic environment, the social environment, and healthy behaviors.

“This is one of the first studies to holistically examine the overall impact of Complete Streets on the health and well-being of a community through an equity lens,” noted Szegda, the director of Research and Evaluation for Partners for a Healthier Community.

This project will be advised by public-health planning and transportation consultant Mark Fenton and will be implemented in collaboration with Springfield’s Department of Public Works and Department of Planning and Economic Development.

According to Scott Hanson, principal planner at the Springfield Office of Planning and Development, “this award will allow us to further study the effects of how Complete Streets initiatives improve the built environment and health of our city’s residents.”

This research project builds on the efforts of the LiveWell Springfield Coalition, which has been working on built-environment policies, systems, and programs since 2007. LiveWell Springfield, convened by Partners for a Healthier Community and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, developed and presented the Complete Street Plan and Implementation Guide for the city of Springfield. Since the adoption of the plan, the coalition has worked on education, advocacy, and supporting implementation of the Complete Streets policy.

This research is a quasi-experimental, mixed-methods, participatory research project using an equity lens. It will holistically examine effects of adoption and implementation of a Complete Streets policy on Springfield, a mid-sized city experiencing numerous health inequities.

The research team will partner with LiveWell Springfield’s Transforming Community Initiative, funded by Mercy Medical Center and Trinity Health, and will engage community residents in data collection (such as bike/pedestrian counts) and interpretation efforts.

Employer Confidence Hits Another High for 2017

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BOSTON — Employer confidence in Massachusetts hit another high for 2017 during October as economic growth accelerated and companies remained optimistic about the national outlook.

The Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) Business Confidence Index edged up 0.3 points to 62.7, leaving it 6.5 points better than in October 2016. The uptick was driven by a brightening view of employment growth and firming confidence among manufacturers.

The reading came as MassBenchmarks reported that the Massachusetts economy grew at 5.9% during the third quarter, almost double the rate of the national economy. Payroll employment grew at a 2.1% annual rate in Massachusetts in the third quarter as compared to 1.2% nationally.

“The acceleration of the Massachusetts economy in the third quarter provided additional fuel to an already solid sense of confidence among employers as we head for 2018,” said Raymond Torto, chair of AIM’s Board of Economic Advisors (BEA) and lecturer at Harvard Graduate School of Design. “At the same time, optimism about the national economy suggests that employers believe growth rates throughout the U.S. will increase even more if Congress follows through on its proposal to lower the corporate tax rate from 35% to 20%.”

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

The constituent indicators that make up the overall Business Confidence Index were largely higher during October. The Massachusetts Index, assessing business conditions within the Commonwealth, slipped 0.3 points to 65.1, still 4.1 points more than a year earlier. October marked the 91st consecutive month in which employers have been more optimistic about the Massachusetts economy than the national economy. The U.S. Index of national business conditions rose 2.7 points to 62.5, continuing a 13.3-point surge for the 12-month period.

The Current Index, which assesses overall business conditions at the time of the survey, increased 0.7 points to 63.6, while the Future Index, measuring expectations for six months out, remained even at 61.9 points. The Current Index has risen 7.6 points and the Future Index 5.6 points during the past year. The Company Index, reflecting overall business conditions, lost 0.3 points to 62.0. There was better news in the Employment Index, a key predictor of economic health, which rose 2.0 points to 57.8.

“The Massachusetts economy continues to grow at a robust pace and to add jobs in a broad array of sectors despite tightening regional labor markets. With the statewide unemployment rate now below 4%, it is not clear the Commonwealth’s economic expansion is sustainable at its current pace,” said Professor Michael Goodman, executive director of the Public Policy Center at UMass Dartmouth and a BEA member.

AIM President and CEO Richard Lord, also a BEA member, said employer optimism continues to be tempered by the prospect of three potentially destructive ballot questions appearing on the 2018 state election ballot.

“Massachusetts employers face an unprecedented public-policy crisis as activists seek to place three questions on the 2018 Massachusetts election ballot that would together impede economic growth for a generation: a surtax on incomes of more than $1 million, an expansive and bureaucratic paid-family-leave program, and an increase in the minimum wage,” Lord said. “Having just honored 16 Massachusetts employers for creating jobs and economic opportunity for the people of Massachusetts, AIM remains concerned about ballot questions that are clearly intended to be punitive toward employers.”

STCC to Offer Certified Auto-damage Appraisal Course

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Workforce Development Center at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) will offer a certified auto-damage appraisal course beginning Tuesday, Nov. 28.

The 60-hour course is designed to train insurance-claims professionals and auto-body technicians for the Massachusetts Auto Damage Appraisers License Examination. Twenty sessions will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., through Feb. 8. The fee is $599, which includes the cost of class materials.

The idea for the course came from William Johnson, a member of the STCC board of trustees, who owns Pleasant Street Auto Body & Repair in South Hadley and Belchertown.

“STCC changed my life,” Johnson said. “I took the course in the late ’70s. I never attended college. I took this one course, and I got my appraiser’s license, which allowed me to open my body shop. It allowed me to expand into the mechanical, towing, and other business entities. It truly was a life-changing experience.”

Johnson said people who complete the certificate and obtain an appraiser’s license will be in demand in the job market. But what does an appraiser need to know?

“You need to have the ability to look at damage and understand the damage and the dynamics of a crash,” he said. “You have primary damage, secondary damage, hidden damage. You need to understand how to reverse that damage, whether it’s by replacing or repairing. You have to have good negotiation skills and good math skills. This course will help prepare someone looking for an entry-level job as an auto damage appraiser.”

An appraisal-industry professional, licensed since 1992, will teach the course. Approved by the Massachusetts Division of Insurance, the training offers an in-depth discussion of insurance regulations, policy arbitration, and work-completion forms. The course will include use of flat-rate manual, collision diagnosis, cost estimation, and preparation of written estimates.

To become licensed, students will need to complete the course and a three-month apprenticeship with a licensed Massachusetts automobile appraiser. In addition, they will need to obtain a certified letter verifying the apprenticeship.

For more information and to enroll online, visit www.stcc.edu/autoappraisal.

Community Collaboration Enhances OT Services for Square One

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — In support of the Square One mission to ensure that all children have the foundation they need to be successful in life, Bay Path University and Eversource have formed a partnership to enhance the clinical services provided to Square One children.

Eversource recently awarded a $2,500 grant to the university for its Play Matters Therapy program. The funding will be utilized to expand current services and broaden the scope of assessments that will be conducted with children in this program, incorporate nutrition curriculum, and to purchase materials and equipment needed to facilitate movement groups or treatment components.

Students and faculty from Bay Path have provided occupational therapy (OT) services to children at the Square One Family Center on King Street in Springfield for nearly three years through Play Matters Therapy. The Eversource grant further cements the longstanding partnership that dates back years prior to the conception of Play Matters.

“From the ground up, we started building the Play Matters Therapy program that provided free, community-based, occupational-therapy services to the children and families of Square One,” said Amanda Lizotte, coordinator of Emerging Practice Fieldwork at Bay Path University. “The purpose of this program is three-fold: to provide services to children in need to support their overall development, prepare them for entrance to kindergarten, and ensure successful participation in life activities; to provide support to the child’s network, which includes parents, caregivers, and educators, by disseminating resources and education; and to provide Bay Path occupational therapy students, the majority of whom will remain in the region to live and work, with critical experiential learning opportunities that enable them to professionally grow and develop into future occupational-therapy practitioners.”

Under close supervision by clinical OT instructors, students hone their skills as OTs as they work with children across a variety of focus areas — gross and fine motor development, visual motor skills, sensory integration, social skills, nutrition, self-esteem, stress relief, and coping mechanisms, to name a few — in an attempt to help bridge a crucial gap during a critical time in the child’s development. A full-time therapist from the university is also on site at Square One so that services may be provided even when Bay Path students are not present.

“We are so grateful to Bay Path and Eversource for this unique collaboration,” said Kristine Allard, chief Development & Communications officer for Square One. “Many of our children experience trauma in their lives as a result of the challenges they are faced with at home. Poverty, homelessness, food insecurity, abuse, and neglect all place a tremendous strain on their health and development. Our partnership with Bay Path is meeting a critical need. We are very grateful to them, as well as Eversource for recognizing the importance of this work.”

Farmington Bank Branch Offices Collecting Food for the Gray House

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Daily News

FARMINGTON, Conn. — Farmington Bank is collecting non-perishable food items through Tuesday, Nov. 14 at its West Springfield and East Longmeadow branch offices. All collections will be donated in time for Thanksgiving to the Gray House Food Pantry, which is located in the north end of Springfield and serves 80 to 120 households per week.

“Thanksgiving is an important time to show appreciation and give back to the communities in which we live and work,” said John Patrick Jr., chairman, president, and CEO of Farmington Bank. “We invite the public to join our food-collection efforts to help our neighbors in need in West Springfield and East Longmeadow.”

The public is invited to donate non-perishable food items at 85 Elm St. in West Springfield and 61 North Main St. in East Longmeadow. During the same time, all Farmington Bank locations in Connecticut are collecting food items for Hartford-based social-service agency Hands On Hartford.

For a complete list of branch offices, locations, and hours, visit www.farmingtonbankct.com/hours-and-locations.

Arrha Credit Union to Close Hadley Branch

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Daily News

HADLEY — Michael Ostrowski, president and CEO of Arrha Credit Union, announced a plan to close the Hadley Branch at 140 Russell St. The credit union submitted a request for permission to Commissioner Terence McGinnis, Division of Banks, Commonwealth of Massachusetts in Boston.

“We have made this request due to the Hadley branch not meeting its original projections,” Ostrowski said. “After two years, the branch has over 80% of its deposits in certificates of deposits. We have made efforts to grow this branch; however, due to the competitive market, we continue to have minimal member transaction accounts.”

He added that closing a branch is a decision the organization does not take lightly.

“We feel that we are part of the Hadley community and will continue to serve our members using convenient technology, online banking features, and welcoming them to our Springfield branch at 145 Industry Ave. or our West Springfield branch at 63 Park Ave.”

The closing will not happen until late January, he went on, and personal letters will be sent to all members who have accounts at the Hadley branch to notify them of the decision.

“We are grateful to the Hadley branch staff for all their hard work and to the members who joined,” Ostrowski said. “We care about our members, and we appreciate their loyalty. The staff at our Hadley branch will be offered comparable positions at our other two branch locations in Springfield and West Springfield.”

bankESB Announces Two Promotions at Annual Meeting

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Daily News

EASTHAMPTON — Matthew Sosik, president and CEO of bankESB, announced two promotions at the bank’s recent annual meeting. Erin Joyce was named assistant vice president – Special Assets, while Erik Lamothe was promoted to Asset Management Liability (ALM) officer.

Joyce joined the bank in October 2014 as Special Assets manager. She was named Special Assets officer in 2016. She boasts many years of experience within the local banking industry, the last nine in the area of residential, consumer, and commercial collections.

Joyce attended UMass and has completed numerous Center for Financial Training courses and received certificates and diplomas in many areas of finance, lending, appraisals, and compliance. She is a volunteer tax preparer for the IRS Volunteers in Tax Assistance Program, a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, and a board member with the Northampton chapter of Dollars for Scholars.

Lamothe joined the bank as ALM Manager in 2017. He is responsible for accounting, budgeting, and modeling and forecasting of Interest rate risk.

Lamothe has almost 20 years of experience in bank accounting, financial analysis, and management. He received a bachelor’s degree in management and accounting from Westfield State University and a master’s degree in banking and financial services from Boston University. He is involved with the Westfield YMCA and the Assoc. of Financial Professionals.

Center for EcoTechnology Wins Recognition for Composting Efforts

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Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — The Center for EcoTechnology (CET), a local nonprofit organization, has been awarded Top Honor in the North American 2017 Rathmann Challenge, “Mitigating Climate Change: Expanding the Use of Compost,” for its pioneering work over the past 20 years to expand the use of composting to reduce wasted food, which in turn reduces greenhouse-gas emissions.

The announcement of the award was made on Nov. 1 by the Rathmann Family Foundation. The Rathmann Challenge, which was launched in 2014, seeks to advance organizations possessing the creativity, entrepreneurial ethos, and innovative spirit to make a positive difference in the world. CET receives $100,000 for its past work and the exclusive invitation from the Rathmann Family Foundation to apply for an Even Bigger Idea grant of $200,000.

Approximately 40% of all food produced in the U.S. is never eaten, at great cost to communities, the economy, and the environment. Every year, American consumers, businesses, and farms spend $218 billion a year growing, processing, transporting, and disposing of food that is never eaten. About 52 million tons of food is sent to landfills annually; another 10 million is discarded or left unharvested on farms. When disposed of, wasted food creates greenhouse-gas emissions and is a significant contributor to climate change. Meanwhile, one in seven Americans is food-insecure.

“We are honored to be recognized by the Rathmann Family Foundation for our leadership in tackling climate change by keeping wasted food out of landfills,” said John Majercak, president of CET. “And we plan to expand our impact in this area, working alongside our many industry and government partners throughout the region.”

Added Rick Rathmann, executive director of the foundation, “as the recipient of the Top Honor, the Rathmann Family Foundation recognizes the Center for EcoTechnology both for its remarkable past accomplishments as well as the ability to make an even bigger impact beyond Massachusetts to the entire Northeast and the rest of the United States. The Rathmann Challenge engages organizations with a proven track record, forward-thinking ideas, and a willingness to challenge themselves and their professional colleagues to come up with a better solution.”

In 2011, CET worked with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) to establish the Massachusetts RecyclingWorks program. RecyclingWorks provides businesses and institutions in Massachusetts with free consultation and expert technical assistance to put into place cost-effective waste-management programs, including composting. In 2014, Massachusetts implemented one of the first statewide food-waste bans in the U.S., banning landfill disposal of organic waste by large-scale producers such as supermarkets and colleges. To date, CET has helped spur an expansion of compost production in Massachusetts by approximately 25,000 tons annually.

CET is embarking on a new, long-term effort to increase its impact by sharing its expertise in wasted food reduction across the Northeast and beyond. The organization has begun performing food-waste-diversion work in Connecticut, New York, and Rhode Island, in addition to Massachusetts. CET is also collaborating with the Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic to produce a white paper that will share food-waste-diversion information and advice nationally, and developing other national partnerships as well.

“There is a growing awareness of the incredible opportunity that reducing wasted food presents our society,” said Lorenzo Macaluso, director of Client Services at CET. “We’ve learned a lot over the past few decades of doing this work, and we’re getting requests for assistance to replicate what we and our partners have been able to accomplish in Massachusetts. This award will be instrumental in helping us plan and implement similar efforts across the region and nationally.”

Area businesses that would like to learn from CET experts and others about reducing wasted food have an ideal opportunity at the Food Sustainability Symposium on Thursday, Nov. 9, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Mill 180 Park in Easthampton.
The event is organized by RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts, Associated Industries of Massachusetts, and the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts. Tickets cost $25 and may be purchased in advance through Eventbrite.

Businesses will learn about food-recovery options across the EPA food-recovery hierarchy, such as source reduction, food donation, animal feed, anaerobic digestion, and composting. Attendees will hear success stories from UMass Amherst, Stop & Shop, the Log Cabin, River Valley Market, and Brew Practitioners about diverting food scraps and surplus prepared food from disposal.

According to Macaluso, there are now more opportunities to cost effectively reduce food waste at businesses in Massachusetts than ever before. “Reducing food waste is great for the environment and often helps boost the bottom line. We have helped facilitate great results from food establishments of all types, and events like these are a great way to learn how to plug into the range of available options.”

Hampden DA to Serve on Governor’s Task Force on Hate Crimes

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Hamden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni has been nominated by Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito to serve on the Governor’s Task Force on Hate Crimes. The task force will advise the governor and lieutenant governor on how to best combat hate crimes in the Commonwealth and support the victims of hate crimes. The task force will also work with law-enforcement agencies and communities to help formulate practices meant to improve the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of hate crimes.

“I am very grateful to Gov. Baker and Lt. Gov. Polito for including me on this task force,: Gulluni said. “In Hampden County, my office has worked hard to protect people from crimes, especially those motivated by bigotry and hate. I am eager to be a part of this worthy effort to fortify the Commonwealth’s policies and laws on hate crimes and their prevention.”

The formal appointment took place on Nov. 6 at the State House in Boston, with the governor signing the executive order and administering the oath of office to Gulluni and the other task-force members.

WNEU to Host Undergraduate Open House on Nov. 12

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Western New England University will host high-school and college students and their parents at an open house on Sunday, Nov. 12, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the St. Germain Campus Center.

Guests will have the chance to tour the campus and residence halls, meet current students, get a general overview of the admissions and financial-aid process, and have academic questions answered by members of the faculty. The day concludes with an exhibit where students can gather more information on student clubs and activities, honors programs, and athletic opportunities at both the NCAA and intramural levels, as well as hear from the Career Development Center regarding the varied internship and career opportunities Western New England University students are receiving.

The event is free, but advance reservation is requested. To register, call (413) 782-1312 or (800) 325-1122, ext. 1312, or visit wne.edu/openhouse.

Prospective students interested in learning more about careers in sport management or social work are invited to specialized information sessions during the open house.

The Career in Sport Management Panel is open to prospective students at all levels who want to learn more about the program’s outcomes. The panel will include Sharianne Walker, chair of the Sport Management program, and several professional leaders in sport management, including Ethan Lang, director of Operations for the XL Center and Pratt and Whitney Field; Chelsea Johnson, director of Educational Programs, Basketball Hall of Fame; and WNEU alum Laura Madaio, marketing manager at Athletes of Valor.

Also on the panel is senior Tim Smith, president of the Sport Management Assoc., who works for the Springfield Thunderbirds as a gameday operations coordinator and recently completed an internship with the Travelers Golf Tournament, and recent graduates who will share how Western New England University’s Sport Management program helped them to break into the field.

Western New England University is one of only three programs in the country with both the Commission on Sport Management accreditation and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accreditation.

The Social Work Luncheon is open to prospective students at all levels who want to have a chance to meet with a small group of faculty members, current students, and alumni of the Social Work program, and to discover more about the program’s accreditation, including the opportunity to complete four internships in four years. This luncheon is open to all students and families who want to learn more about the field of social work and the benefits of the WNEU program.

The Council on Social Work Education has awarded its highest marks to the Western New England University Social Work program. This accreditation qualifies students to apply for advanced standing in master of social work programs to earn their master’s degree in one year, rather than two.

“We are in a time in our nation where there is a lot of focus on the state of higher education, and for good reason. We know that families are not only looking for a quality academic experience, but expect a clear return on investment,” said Bryan Gross, vice president for Enrollment Management and Marketing. “With so much national attention on the rising cost of college, the fact that Western New England University opened the fall 2017 semester with its largest undergraduate class in university history demonstrates our clear commitment to providing value to our students. Our student outcomes are impressive, and both students and employers are taking notice that we are a university with a unique focus on student success. The undergraduate open house is the perfect opportunity to tour our beautiful campus, meet with members of our faculty, ask questions to current students, and get a sense of the community spirit that makes Western New England University a truly special place.”

Nomination Deadline Looming for Difference Makers Award

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Nearly a decade ago, BusinessWest created a new recognition program called Difference Makers. That carefully chosen name sums up what this initiative is all about — identifying and then celebrating individuals, groups, and agencies in this region that are making a difference in our communities.

And now, time is running out to nominate candidates for the Class of 2018.

The nomination form can be found on the magazine’s website, www.businesswest.com. Visit ‘Our Events,’ and then ‘Difference Makers.’ Nominations must be submitted by this Friday, Nov. 10.

Over the first nine years of the program, honorees have included a host of individuals and nonprofit agencies focusing on everything from childhood literacy, to combatting homelessness; from reducing gang violence in Springfield, to creating a walk to battle breast cancer.

The Class of 2017 epitomized such diversity. It featured the Community Colleges of Western Mass., Friends of the Holyoke Merry-Go-Round, Denis Gagnon, president and CEO of Excel Dryer, Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts, and Joan Kagan, president the CEO of Square One. For a full list of previous winners, visit www.businesswest.com.

Those nominating candidates are encouraged to make their submissions detailed and explain why the individual or group in question is a true Difference Maker.

Girls on the Run of Western Massachusetts to Host 5K on Nov. 19

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Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — Girls on the Run of Western Massachusetts will host a 5K celebration on Sunday, Nov. 19 at 10:30 a.m. at Smith College. Girls on the Run is a positive youth-development program that uses physical activities, fun running games, and dynamic discussions to teach life skills to girls in third to eighth grade. During the 10-week program, girls participate in lessons that foster confidence, build peer connections, and encourage community service while they prepare for an end-of-season celebratory 5k event.

Participation in the 5K event on Nov. 19 is open to the public. The program boasts about 400 girls and 120 volunteer coaches this season, and more than 1,200 participants are expected. The registration cost is $20 for adults and $12 for children and includes a GOTR 5K event shirt. After a group warm-up and remarks from Smith College President Kathleen McCartney, the event will begin on the Smith College athletic fields.

Registration is open at www.girlsontherunwesternma.org. Registration on the day of the event will begin at 8:30 a.m. The run will begin at 10:30 am, but the opening festivities will begin at 10 a.m. Early arrival is suggested. Visit the website for more information about the event, how to register, and volunteer opportunities.

Aaron Smith, P.C. Promotes New Shareholders and Directors

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Daily News

EAST LONGMEADOW — Aaron Smith, P.C., a certified public accounting firm serving individuals and businesses in the Pioneer Valley for more than 90 years, announced that Jeremy Leblond and Pierce Keefe have become shareholders and directors.

Leblond has been with the firm since 2010. As director at Aaron Smith, he works directly with clients and manages audits, reviews, and compilations. In addition, he oversees and guides professional-development opportunities for staff while performing day-to-day managerial tasks. Among his main priorities is continuing the firm’s upward trajectory, working to grow its benefit-audit-plan practice.

“Our firm has come to be known for our high-quality accounting and financial services,” said Leblond. “I intend to add to our service offerings to meet the growing needs of our clients.”

Leblond is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants (MSCPA). He received both a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in accounting from Western New England University.

Keefe has been a member of the firm since 2011 and currently serves as its tax director. He is charged with focusing on corporate, partnership, individual, and multi-state tax issues; federal and state tax audits; and estate and gift taxation.

“I’m honored to work with such a distinguished group,” said Keefe. “With our varied backgrounds, clients of Aaron Smith, P.C. can expect personalized attention and service, best suited to their needs.”

Keefe is a member of AICPA, the MSCPA, and the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants. He received his bachelor’s degree in management from Tulane University and his MBA from University of Notre Dame.

STCC Cosmetology Program Aims to Trim Waste

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — As part of a sustainability push at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC), the cosmetology program has connected with Canada-based Green Circle Salons to launch an initiative that could result in the recycling of up to 95% of salon waste.

STCC is only one of two colleges in the country participating in the program, said Amy Goei, the national senior director for Green Circle. She visited STCC on Oct. 24 to introduce the program to faculty, staff, and 35 cosmetology students.

Under the program, hair clippings from the salon at STCC one day would be turned into ‘hair booms’ to clean up oil spills. Hair booms are created by stuffing clippings into nylon hosiery.

“Green Circle Salons donates the hair booms to anybody in North America dealing with an oil spill,” said Tara Lavertue, a clinical instructor in the cosmetology program who organized the effort at STCC. “Hair is effective at removing oil from water because it is so porous. Our students are now collecting clippings to make hair booms.”

Hair, a remarkably strong substance, can be used for other purposes, such as creating bioplastics. Green Circle Salons, which started in 2009, touts its effort as the only comprehensive recycling initiative for the salon industry. According to its website, the company pioneers sustainable solutions for repurposing, recycling, and capturing 95% of salon and spa waste.

“We are so pleased to become one of the first colleges in the country to be part of the Green Circle Salons program,” said Christopher Scott, dean of the school of Health and Patient Simulation. “Joining this initiative allows STCC to reduce the amount of waste produced by the cosmetology program and the direct environmental impact caused by it. I cannot thank our forward-thinking cosmetology faculty enough for inspiring us to join this wonderful program.”

Added STCC President John Cook, “we are so fortunate at STCC to have faculty that ensure we are out front with industry innovation. We know sustainability is important, and I am thrilled for the uniqueness of this program.”

Maureen Socha, assistant vice president of administration and facilities at STCC, said the initiative helps to advance campus-wide goals to increase green and sustainable practices.

“Incorporating the use of the Green Circle Salons initiative introduces the importance of sustainable options to our students,” Socha said. “It is an easy, affordable, practical program to add to our portfolio of green initiatives and programs on campus.”

It’s not only hair that will be recycled. Hair color, foils, color tubes, paper, plastic, chemicals, and other waste are included in the program. Green Circles reports that it has diverted more than 2.3 million pounds of waste from landfills and waterways.

As part of the recycling program, students will transfer the unused color to a bucket. Lavertue said she will weigh the bucket at the end of the semester to show students how much product gets wasted. She will then send it to Green Circle for recycling. Green Circle will extract the chemicals from the color, which leaves a water byproduct that can be safely reintroduced into the waterways.

The salon at STCC has separate boxes labeled for metals, hair clippings, and plastic. Once they are full, the boxes will be delivered to an Illinois warehouse for repurposing.

“What we really like about this effort is that it will teach our students about waste and how it can affect the environment,” Lavertue said. “They will take these ideas with them when they go to work at salons.”

Arrha President Testifies on Bill to Modernize Credit-union Laws

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Michael Ostrowski, president and CEO of Arrha Credit Union, testified on an act to modernize credit-union laws before the state Joint Committee on Financial Services. Ostrowski testified on allowing technological advances, increasing transactional authority for chartering and merging credit unions, and increasing state authority for low-income designation.

“A top priority of Arrha Credit Union is to be able to fully utilize today’s advances in technology. We are not allowed to offer electronic loan applications, along with other credit unions. Our members want technological convenience in today’s advanced electronic world,” Ostrowski said. “Also, mail was meaningful during the time this law was enacted; however, today’s electronic voting has largely taken the place of mail ballot voting, and is more easily accessible for members to actively participate in our governance. Such technological advances will provide convenience, time-saving opportunities, and cost-saving opportunities. It is important for Arrha Credit Union to stay as technically advanced as possible to best serve our membership and communities.”

Arrha Credit Union supports the provisions of this bill, which allows the Massachusetts commissioner of Banks to recognize the credit-union low-income designation for state-chartered credit unions. A credit union that receives the low-income designation is a credit union in which has more than half of its members have a family income 80% or less than the median family income for the metropolitan area where they live or national metropolitan area, whichever is greater. This authority will open an opportunity for credit unions to gain access to grant money to provide additional training opportunities for its staff, better and more tailored products for its low-income base, and other such improvements. It will also allow for expedited and easier recognition of credit for Community Reinvestment Act purposes.

“Arrha Credit Union is considered a low-income-designated credit union and has used its low-income designation in the area of auto lending with 100% loan-to-value ratios, which allows us to better and more timely serve our members,” Ostrowski said. “It is clear that values and general banking business dynamics change very quickly in this day and age; as a result, it is necessary that our laws are also kept up-to-date, modernized, with today’s needs.

Hampden County Bar Assoc. to Hold Lawyer on the Line Event

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Hampden County Bar Assoc., in conjunction with WGGB, will hold a Lawyer on the Line event on Monday, Nov. 20 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The volunteers will provide legal advice on a variety of topics from callers during the evening news broadcast. Individuals needing advice should call (413) 846-0240 to speak to a volunteer.

Founded in 1864, the Hampden County Bar Assoc. is a nonprofit organization representing the interests of lawyers, the justice system, and the public in Hampden County. It provides professional support, education, and networking opportunities to its members, and advocacy on behalf of lawyers, the judiciary, and the public.