Year: 2018

WARE — Country Bank’s employee charitable giving program recently supported Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island by helping to grant the wish of 7-year-old Esmeralda. She is anxiously awaiting her wish to meet the princesses at a Florida theme park, and will do so this summer thanks to Country Bank.

“The staff at Country Bank really stepped it up when asked to support such a meaningful cause,” said Bonnie Trudeau-Wood, employee charitable giving chairperson. “The staff raised money through Friday jeans days, a waffle breakfast, and internal raffles. Everyone is very excited to make this happen for Esmeralda and her family.”

Added Jodie Gerulaitis, vice president of Community Relations, “Country Bank is honored to support programs that provide hope, inspiration, and happiness. We will continue to support our friends and neighbors in meaningful ways. We think giving back is one of the most cutting-edge things a bank will ever do.”

EASTHAMPTON — Mary Rawls, vice president and co-CRA officer at Greenfield Cooperative Bank (GCB) and its Northampton Cooperative division, announced that 59 students at Easthampton High School have received certificates of recognition for the My Financial Future program being sponsored by the bank. Rawls noted that GCB partnered with EVERFI, a nationally recognized educational technology firm to provide the program at no cost to area high schools.

My Financial Future is an interactive, online training program that prepares teachers to use online modules and teaches real-life skills to students so they are better prepared to handle their personal finances in the future. Module topics include how to prepare a budget, how to complete forms such as FAFSA for college aid, the differences between (and risks of) debit and credit cards, how to handle a checking account, and more.

Greenfield Cooperative Bank started with just one school last September, and in its first school year the program has been expanded to four area high schools, with four more actively working with the bank and EVERFI to kick off their own classes. Greenfield Co-op has placed particular focus on connecting with the communities it serves by sponsoring schools in Franklin and Hampshire counties. If any other Franklin or Hampshire county school is interested in the program, they may contact Rawls at (413) 772-0293.

SPRINGFIELD — The fifth annual Gándara Youth Art Exhibit, ArtSong, hosted a gallery reception and silent auction on June 7 at the former federal building, 1550 Main St., Springfield. The family-friendly event featured youth paintings and live music performances.

Youth artists in the ArtSong Arts Enrichment Program spent months working on their pieces as a part of their art therapy. Of the 65 pieces on display, created by youth ages 3 to 17, more than 10 Gándara Center residential DCF programs were represented at the show.

Attendees were able to bid on all artwork on display. Event proceeds from the auction and T-shirts designed by one of the artists will directly support young artists by providing supplies to help sustain this unfunded art-therapy program.

“It’s so inspiring to see what the youth created — not only for me, but also for the artists,” said Amy Porchelli, founder and director of ArtSong. “They really enjoyed the process of making art, and they got a true sense of accomplishment because they saw what they could do for the community as artists.”

The ArtSong program gives the youth a place to say how they feel and what they believe, according to Porchelli. “Most therapy is focused on the individual, but this program is a peer environment, which allows them to have fun, build their confidence, and creates a lot of dialogue. It’s a very therapeutic experience.”

Porchelli said some of the artists were new to the program, and some have been in it for quite a while and came to the reception to perform music they had developed and recorded at the Gándara Center’s Holyoke Youth Development Center media lab studio.

“I’m really excited about that,” she added. “I think it shows a comfort level about being a part of this amazing enrichment program. They want to be heard. I think that ties in nicely with this year’s exhibit theme: ‘Voices of Legacy: Youth United.’ They are creating their own legacy.”

AMHERST — A national program that measures accomplishments in sustainability in higher education has placed UMass Amherst ninth in the nation, a leap of 20 places from the previous rating in 2015.

The ‘gold’ rating from the Assoc. for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s (AASHE) Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) program recognizes sustainability accomplishments in areas such as academics, research, engagement, operations, and administration. The rating is good for three years.

“This new STARS score reflects the university’s continuing commitment to excellence in sustainability,” said Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy. “UMass Amherst is a leader in best practices for energy-efficient construction and sustainable food use, conducting world-class research, and preparing a new generation of students to be inspired stewards of our planet.”

The university scored a 75.77 to earn its gold rating, a significant increase from its score of 68.18 in 2015, which was also a gold. UMass Amherst is now rated ninth in the STARS Campus Sustainability Index among U.S. doctorate-granting institutions, up from 29th in 2015.

To prepare the rating application, sustainability staff and others involved in ‘green’ campus efforts used an online sustainability evaluation tool to report data in the categories of academics, campus engagement, operations, and planning/administration.

In a letter that was part of the reporting process, Subbaswamy cited a number of recent actions, including creation of the School of Earth and Sustainability; installation of the largest solar-power project of any college in New England; the design and construction of the John W. Olver Design Building, which is the largest and most technologically advanced academic contemporary wood structure in the U.S.; and the decision to be the first major public university to divest its endowment from direct holdings in fossil fuels.

EASTHAMPTON — When the day was over for Megan Conner in eighth grade, she’d head to Taylor Real Estate for a different kind of learning in the family business. She built up the courage to answer the phone that seemed to always be ringing, and her grandmother, Bernice Conner, taught her to transfer calls to individual Realtors.

Danica Achin remembers taking messages from clients who were calling their home, looking for her father, Chuck Conner. Her first actual job with the company came when she was 17, answering the phone in the office and helping with administrative tasks.

Recently, Conner and Achin have taken on more responsibility with the business their great-grandfather founded in 1955, marking the beginning of an informal succession plan.

Both women are Realtors with the firm. Conner is also an administrative and advertising assistant with duties that include delving into financial management and handling requests for sponsorships. Achin is the rental division manager. They hope to one day assume ownership of the company and teach the trade to their own children.

“It’s really important the business stay in the family,” Conner said. “My ancestors put a lot of time and work into maintaining the business and building up our reputation. We now have an opportunity to carry on their legacy.”

Conner and Achin’s great-grandfather, Charles Taylor, founded the Easthampton business as the Charles W. Taylor Agency in 1955. Taylor then passed the business to his daughter, Bernice, and her husband, Bob Conner — Chuck Conner’s parents, and Megan Conner and Achin’s grandparents. In 2013, the name changed to Taylor Real Estate.

Chuck Conner started working full-time at Taylor Real Estate with his parents after graduating from college in 1981. Soon after, he took on management responsibilities for the firm.

Megan Conner earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a specialty in developmental disabilities and human services in 2017 from UMass Amherst. She obtained a real-estate license in June 2017. Over the years, she has prepared listings, photographed homes and apartments for sale or rent, and prepared advertising for listings and open houses.

After high school, Achin worked for her mother’s cleaning business while simultaneously working in the office at Taylor Real Estate. In 2014, she became the business’ rental agent. She earned her real-estate license in 2014 and took over the Rental Department.

“Chuck has instilled a great work ethic in both of us,” Achin said. “We work as a team and always help each other out.

Added Conner, “the goal is for us to take care of the business the way Chuck does now and stay as involved as possible in the community. We are both young and driven, which helps us to work as hard as we can to help people every day. We love our community and the people in it.”

LUDLOW — LUSO Federal Credit Union, in partnership with Community Financial Services Inc., will offer a “LUSO Cup” giveaway campaign to coincide with the 2018 Rounds of Russia.

From June 14 to June 29, members of the public will be invited into LUSO at 599 East St. in Ludlow on Thursdays and Fridays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Event guests will receive a custom LUSO scratch ticket for a chance to win one of a number of soccer prizes. Every play wins a prize, while supplies last. Winners will have the opportunity to collect their prize from members of Community Financial Services team, who will be on site during event hours. Games will be televised in the Ludlow branch lobby.

“As a community, Ludlow has always had a great interest in soccer as a sport, so we’re pleased to offer a way for our members/fans to watch games and cheer for their favorite team at our Ludlow branch location,” said Jennifer Calheno, president and CEO of LUSO Federal Credit Union. “Our 2018 LUSO Cup event is just another way for our Credit Union to give back to the community we love so much, with a sport dearly beloved by our members — including myself.”

SPRINGFIELD — Community Bank N.A. team members from the Springfield branch recently participated in Bowl for Kids’ Sake, an annual bowling event that raises funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampden County. The branch donated $2,500 in scholarships for the organization, contributing to a grand total of more than $40,000 in proceeds raised during the 2018 event.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is one of the nation’s largest donor- and volunteer-supported mentoring networks, fostering supportive, one-to-one matches between professionally trained adult volunteers and young adults (ages 6-18) in Hampden County and the surrounding communities facing adversity, poverty, or parental incarceration. All proceeds from the event will directly benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampden County’s mission to provide meaningful programming to help children develop confidence, avoid risky behaviors, and thrive socially and academically.

“Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampden County provides premier services in one-on-one mentoring that really makes a difference in a child’s life,” Community Bank N.A. Vice President, Commercial Banking Officer Michael Buckmaster said. “Our Springfield team is proud to support the organization and help them continue to make a significant impact in our community.”

HOLYOKE — Disability-rights activist Chris Palames is the recipient of this year’s Distinguished Service Award from Holyoke Community College.

Palames is the founder of the Stavros Center for Independent Living in Amherst, executive director of Independent Living Resources in Florence, and a retired consultant for the Massachusetts Division of Capital and Asset Management, which manages construction projects for publicly owned facilities in the state. He has served on the Northampton Commission on Disability and the Massachusetts Disability Policy Consortium, and frequently advises the staff in HCC’s Office for Students with Disabilities and Deaf Services.

HCC President Christina Royal presented the Distinguished Service Award to Palames at HCC’s 71st commencement ceremony at the MassMutual Center in Springfield on June 2.

“Chris has long been a valued friend of HCC, and, as a consultant for the Commonwealth, has had a significant role in helping to make HCC and other Massachusetts colleges more welcoming and accessible to all,” Royal said. “Chris, thank you for your friendship, and for the important work you do to make our world, our community, and our college a better place. We are so happy to honor you today.”

Palames began his life as an activist as a freshman at Wesleyan University in the 1960s, demonstrating for civil rights on the White House lawn. A spinal-cord injury left him a quadriplegic, but, after a year recuperating, he was back, protesting the Vietnam War and completing his bachelor’s degree in psychology.

HADLEY — As part of its ongoing support of local communities, Steve Lewis Subaru recently presented a check for $52,225 to Dakin Humane Society in Springfield.

From Nov. 16, 2017 to Jan. 2, 2018, during its Share the Love event, Subaru of America Inc. donated $250 to a charity of the customer’s choice for every new vehicle purchased or leased. The list of charities included ASPCA, Meals on Wheels America, Make-A-Wish, and the National Park Foundation. Dakin Humane Society was selected by Steve Lewis Subaru as its hometown charity choice. For the customers who chose Dakin, Steve Lewis Subaru added $25 per vehicle, putting each donation made to Dakin at $275.

Subaru of America and its retailers hope to exceed a grand total of $115 million donated since the creation of Share the Love to celebrate the 10th anniversary of this event.

LUDLOW — The board of directors of the Ludlow Community Center/Randall Boys & Girls Club announced that Mechilia “Chile” Salazar has accepted the role of president and CEO of the center.

Salazar previously served as executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Middlesex County in Somerville. Her experience also includes positions as chief Development officer of the Base in Roxbury and Room to Grow in Boston.

“I am excited to join such a committed group of leaders at the Randall Boys & Girls Club and build on the best of the team and organization,” she said. “I look forward to working relentlessly to ensure that the club continues to be a positive place where every young person feels loved, knows that they matter, and has access to the resources and opportunities to succeed. I am excited about harnessing the strength of this tight-knit community that has helped make the culture in and outside the club great.”

SPRINGFIELD — The Cat in the Hat himself will be on hand on Saturday, June 9 at 1:30 p.m. to take Gov. Charlier Baker on a tour of the Springfield Museums — and the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum — after the governor announced $9.3 million in new capital funding to support the creative economy in Massachusetts. The Springfield Science Museum is one of the beneficiaries of this grant cycle.

“We are overjoyed to receive these needed funds to help us improve the infrastructure of our 160-year-old museum,” said Dave Stier, director of the Springfield Science Museum. 

The $9.3 million in new grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund, a state program that fosters the growth of the creative economy by supporting building projects in the nonprofit arts, humanities, and sciences, will impact many throughout Massachusetts. Grants range from $7,000 to $200,000 and must be matched one-to-one from private and/or other public sources.

Locally, awards include $200,000 to the Springfield Science Museum for renovations to the bathroom, lighting, and carpeting; $100,000 to the Northampton Community Arts Trust for exterior site work, including sidewalk and parking renovations and landscaping to create small gathering spaces and an outdoor event space; $100,000 to Shakespeare & Company in Lenox for improvements to wayfinding signage, parking-lot repairs, and energy efficiency; and $165,000 to the Sterling & Francine Clark Art Institute in Williamstown  to replace environmental-control systems in the Manton Research Center and to install central heating and dehumidification systems in the museum building attic.

“From the Berkshires to Cape Cod, Massachusetts is home to a deep cultural history that continues to grow and thrive,” Baker said. “Our administration looks forward to continuing our work to support public-private partnerships like these that will help drive tourism and benefit residents and visitors for years to come.”

Added Kay Simpson, president of the Springfield Museums, “improving the facilities of the wildly popular Springfield Science Museum will attract even more people to our city and increase the impact our museums have to share wonder with our visitors.”

SPRINGFIELD — The deadline to nominate an individual or organization for the second annual Healthcare Heroes awards has been extended to July 9.

Healthcare Heroes, a recognition program involving the Western Mass. healthcare sector, was launched last spring by HCN and BusinessWest. The program was created to shed a bright light on the outstanding work being done across the broad spectrum of health and wellness services, and the institutions and individuals providing that care.

Now, it’s time to start thinking about the next class of heroes, in categories including ‘Lifetime Achievement,’ ‘Emerging Leader,’ ‘Patient/Resident/Client Care Provider,’ ‘Innovation in Health/Wellness,’ ‘Health/Wellness Administrator,’ and ‘Collaboration in Healthcare.’ They will be profiled in both magazines in September and feted at the Oct. 25 gala at the Starting Gate at GreatHorse in Hampden.

To nominate someone, visit healthcarenews.com or businesswest.com, click on ‘Our Events,’ and proceed to ‘Healthcare Heroes.’

Healthcare Heroes sponsors include American International College (presenting sponsor), National Grid (partner), Renew.Calm (supporting sponsor), and the Elms College MBA program (supporting sponsor).

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Thunderbirds recently presented a check in the amount of $20,000 to the Rays of Hope Foundation, the culmination of a second-year partnership with Baystate Health.

The $20,000 was raised through ticket sales and jersey auctions from the Thunderbirds’ second annual Pink in the Rink game on March 10. A sellout crowd of 6,793, many of whom were dressed in pink, witnessed a moving pregame ceremony honoring breast-cancer survivors and battlers.

“We are filled with pride to be able to present this charitable gift to the Rays of Hope Foundation,” said Thunderbirds President Nathan Costa. “This would not have been possible without the efforts of our partners at Baystate Health, as well as our fans who contributed directly to this wonderful cause.”

In their two seasons partnering with Rays of Hope on Pink in the Rink night, the Springfield Thunderbirds have raised more than $30,000 for breast-cancer awareness and research. The Thunderbirds’ full 2018-19 schedule, including the date for the third annual Pink in the Rink, will be unveiled later this summer.

BOSTON — Business confidence surged during May to its highest level since the summer of 2000, driven by improving employer outlooks about the state and national economies.

The Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) Business Confidence Index rose 2.4 points to 66.6 last month after increasing modestly during April. The BCI has risen in five of the last six months and now stands 5.8 points higher than its level a year ago.

Confidence remains well within the optimistic range. The only whiff of concern came in the index that measures hiring, which dropped 1.5 points for the month and 0.2 points during the year. Economists believe the weakness in the AIM Employment Index reflects the persistent shortage of workers in Massachusetts that has forced some employers to postpone expansions or to decline new business opportunities.

Raymond Torto, chair of AIM’s Board of Economic Advisors (BEA) and lecturer at Harvard Graduate School of Design, cautioned that major month-to-month movements in the Index like those in May sometimes reflect statistical or sampling anomalies. He noted, however, that the numbers are consistent with a general sense that the U.S. and state economies are picking up steam in the second quarter after a slow start to 2018.

“There are signs GDP growth gathered momentum early in the second quarter, with solid consumer spending, business investment on equipment, and industrial production,” Torto said.

The nation’s economy grew at a 2.2% rate during the first quarter. Hiring across the U.S. remains strong, with the government reporting on Friday that employers added 223,000 jobs during May.

“The Massachusetts economy continues to operate at virtually full capacity, creating significant constraints on the availability of labor,” Torto said.

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.

CHICOPEE — The Galaxy Community Council announced that the Great New England Air & Space Show kickoff breakfast will take place on Friday, July 13 at Westover Air Reserve Base, 2255 Westover Road, Chicopee. The gate opens at 6:30 a.m., and breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m.

Attendees will dine with local Air Force and civilian dignitaries, and the guest speaker will be NASA astronaut and retired U.S. Air Force Col. Catherine “Cady” Coleman. Immediately following the traditional breakfast and recognition ceremonies, the hangar doors will open to a preview of the weekend’s performances (subject to flying restrictions and weather.) All breakfast attendees must depart the base no later than noon.

Tickets are $35 each (plus a $1.50 processing fee) and must be purchased in advance to ensure base access. To register, click here.

All guests entering the base must have a valid picture ID when approaching the gate (not just the vehicle driver, but all guests). All vehicles and individuals are subject to search. There will be a 100% check of handbags when entering the breakfast. Smoking is allowed in designated areas only.

SPRINGFIELD — More than 2,500 girls, spectators, volunteers, and community members gathered on June 3 for the Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts 5K event at Springfield College, the culminating moment of the Girls on the Run season.

“Girls on the Run is not just changing the girls’ lives, but it is impacting schools, families, and communities,” said Alison Berman, council director. “We hear from teachers that the girls are taking the lessons that they are learning and using them in schools. We see family members out at the 5K that have never walked a 5K but are inspired by their child. The girls are making a difference.”

Girls on the Run is a national, physical activity-based, positive youth-development program that uses fun running games and dynamic discussions to teach life skills to girls in grades 3-8. During the 10-week program, girls participate in lessons that foster confidence, build peer connections, and encourage community service while they prepare for the end-of-season celebratory 5K event.

In Western Mass., more than 190 trained volunteer coaches facilitated the curriculum to 54 teams of girls this spring season, helping equip them with the physical and emotional skills necessary to carry them over the 5K finish line at Springfield College. There were 740 girls in the program this spring from 52 school sites.

FLORENCE — Florence Bank promoted Jeanne Woods to the position of assistant vice president and branch manager for the bank’s Amherst location.

Woods joined Florence Bank in 2001 and previously served as assistant branch manager of the Amherst office. She is a development committee member for the Amherst Survival Center.

“We are thrilled to announce the promotion of Jeanne Woods,” said Florence Bank President and CEO John Heaps Jr. “She is a dedicated and valued employee who consistently delivers great results. She has been an asset to the bank for many years, and I look forward to watching her progress even further in the years to come.”

WARE — Country Bank announce it has donated its former building, located at 65-71 Main St., Ware, to the Quaboag Valley Community Development Corp. (QVCDC).

“The bank is looking forward to the development of this property as a creative, innovative space for artists and crafts people to practice and teach, as well as display their work,” said Paul Scully, president and CEO of Country Bank.

The retail space is currently being revitalized and will provide incubator space to three new small businesses to help them begin their journey. The plans for the retail space include a pottery studio that will work in conjunction with Workshop 13 on pottery classes for the public, an art gallery with a coffee shop, and an additional space for another artistic business.

The QVCDC also received a $75,000 grant from the MassDevelopment Collaborative Workspace program to help with the renovations taking place in the new space. The new businesses are expected to open this summer, and will provide opportunities for people of all ages to experience arts and cultural activities on Main Street.

“This prime location promises to be an important component to the revitalization of the downtown area. It enhances the collaboration with the bank, the town of Ware, and the QVCDC that started with E2E Education to Employment, the Holyoke Community College workforce-training satellite facility that Country Bank donated space for two years ago,” said Sheila Cuddy, executive director of the QVCDC. “We are so pleased to cultivate this community partnership aimed at enhancing the quality of life for the residents of Ware.”

SPRINGFIELD — Link to Libraries recently hosted local author Natasha Lowe at Kensington International School in Springfield. Lowe spent more than an hour with the third grade, discussing life as an author and reading from her latest novel, Lucy Castor Finds Her Sparkle.

“Natasha was so incredibly generous to volunteer to share her experiences and her marvelous new book with students at Kensington,” said Laurie Flynn, president and CEO of Link to Libraries. “The kids sat in rapt attention as she talked with them about courage, persistence, and creativity. And when she gave them each a copy of her book and offered to sign it for them, they were over the moon.

“I believe that reading and writing are equally important when it comes to literacy. Since taking the helm at Link to Libraries this past fall, it’s been my hope that we can incorporate more author visits into our program” Flynn continued. “Connecting with an author can be such a profound experience, inspiring children both to read and to understand that telling their own stories in their own voices is a possibility. We are forever grateful to Natasha and look forward to hosting many authors to come.”

Lucy Castor Finds Her Sparkle is Lowe’s fourth novel.

“I’m just bowled over by the incredible work Link to Libraries does,” the author said. “Getting books into the hands of kids is a small thing that can make a big difference. A book can offer a child a magical world to escape into. They become like old friends, to be read over and over again. I had such a wonderful time visiting Kensington School this morning and sharing Lucy with all the third-graders.”

NORTHAMPTON — Viability Inc. announced that Lynn Ostrowski-Ireland has been appointed chief operating officer, a new position within Viability, reporting directly to President and CEO Dick Venne.

“Viability is thrilled to bring Dr. Ostrowski-Ireland back to Western Massachusetts. She is an experienced leader with an intimate knowledge of what Viability is working to achieve. I am confident that Lynn will bring her impressive track record in the not-for-profit healthcare arena (especially in the areas of public and population health) and her expertise in corporate responsibility and sustainability, to ensure we proactively make a difference in the lives of the members we serve and to grow our organization in the communities we serve.”

As COO, Ostrowski-Ireland will be responsible for overseeing the operation of Viability’s programs and services across the 36 locations in five states in which it currently operates.

Ostrowski-Ireland is the former executive director of the National Aetna Foundation, where she led strategic grants and programs and enterprise-wide corporate social-responsibility strategy and reporting. She also held numerous leadership positions at Health New England, including director of Marketing, Communications and Brand, director of Community Relations and Health Programs, and director of Corporate Responsibility & Government Affairs. She is recognized for her expertise in population health and addressing social determinants of health, and has addressed national audiences on many public-health topics, most recently keynoting at the National Cancer Foundation and the National Oncology Nurses Congress.

Ostrowski-Ireland has achieved several certificates of advanced study from Harvard Business School of Executive Education as well as Johns Hopkins University. She holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Springfield College, and a Ph.D. from Capella University. She was honored at the 2017 Bay Path University Women’s Leadership Conference and inducted into the Bay Path University Women’s Leadership Hall of Fame.

SPRINGFIELD — Bulkley Richardson has formally launched an alternative dispute resolution group, led by former Justice John Greaney.

An experienced trial judge, Appeals Court judge, and justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, Greaney taught law school after leaving the bench in 2008 and then joined Bulkley Richardson in 2016, where he has served the firm’s clients in a range of areas.

He will work with Peter Barry, the firm’s managing partner, who has represented clients in international and domestic commercial and construction arbitration matters. In addition, he has represented clients in the resolution through mediation of complex litigation involving millions of dollars. As a neutral, he has successfully mediated cases.

In addition, the firm has a depth of attorney experience to call upon, including Francis Dibble Jr., Daniel Finnegan, Kevin Maynard, David Parke, Melinda Phelps, Jeffrey Poindexter, and John Pucci.

The ADR group will handle matters in the areas of construction, corporate, healthcare, insurance, real estate, and nonprofits, including schools, colleges, and universities.

HOLYOKE — PeoplesBank announced the appointment of Tracy Sicbaldi as assistant vice president, Commercial and Institutional Banking. She has more than 35 years of financial-services and banking experience. In her new position, she will identify, develop, and manage new municipal, commercial, and institutional deposit relationships.

Sicbaldi is the former treasurer of the towns of Hampden and Monson. She is a member of the Massachusetts Collectors and Treasurers Assoc., the Hampden County Collectors and Treasurers Assoc., the Hampshire and Franklin Collectors and Treasurers Assoc., and the Worcester County Collectors and Treasurers Assoc. She is a former member of the Eastern Mass Treasurers and Collectors Assoc. and attended all educational state and county municipal meetings.

Her professional volunteer service includes serving as treasurer, vice president, and president of the Professional Women’s Chamber; the finance chair of the Rays of Hope steering committee; and a past board member of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield (ACCGS) and the YWCA of Western Massachusetts.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The Farmington Bank WTIC Community Concert Series featuring Simply Swing, a 10-piece swing orchestra, continues Thursday, June 7 at 7 p.m. at Landmark at Monastery Heights, 110 Monastery Ave., West Springfield.

“Farmington Bank is happy to once again offer this wonderful program to the communities we serve in Connecticut and Massachusetts, and with the support of our new media partner, WTIC, we will attract even larger audiences to performances that celebrate America and the music of the Big Band era,” said John Patrick Jr., chairman, president, and CEO of Farmington Bank.

Under the musical direction of Joe LaRosa, Simply Swing’s performances in the Farmington Bank WTIC Community Concert Series will include selections from the group’s newly-released Simply Swing Live! CD. “We love when our audiences sing along and dance during our performances,” LaRosa said.

The seventh annual concert series is free and open to the public, and in 2018 includes performances across Central Conn. through June, July, and August, returning to Western Mass. for the season finale on Saturday, Aug. 25 from 2 to 4 p.m. on the Springfield Armory Lawn. For a complete schedule, visit www.simplyswingmusic.com.

SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) takes great pride in celebrating leaders in the LGBT movement. Whether revered for their artistic talents, athletic prowess, political activism and public service, medicine, the sciences, education, or other fields of endeavor, they have all contributed to championing equal rights for the LGBT community.

Beginning June 1, AIC will be recognizing many of the pioneers, activists, role models, and organizations which have advanced the LGBT movement each day on the college’s official Facebook site.

The month of June has long been associated with LGBT pride celebrations in the U.S. and other parts of the world. In 2009, President Barack Obama issued a proclamation establishing June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots and promote equal justice for all. A decade earlier, President Bill Clinton recognized the 30ht anniversary of this social uprising.

“A hallmark of American International College is the value we place on diversity. It is one of our greatest strengths,” said President Vince Maniaci. “While a college education includes academic and intellectual growth, it must also foster the development of personal and emotional intelligence. Being culturally diverse leads to deeper discussions and increased awareness. The college is proud of our LGBT students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners and commends them for making AIC an integral part of the ever-evolving educational fabric of higher education.”

Visit American International College’s website, www.aic.edu, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AmericanInternationalCollege, or Twitter at @aiconcampus throughout the month of June to celebrate those who have helped to shape our world.

SPRINGFIELD — The ​MassMutual Foundation has awarded Teach Western Mass (TWM) $150,000 to support two teacher-pipeline programs, Generation Teach and the Urban Education Pathway (UEP). Both programs are critical to TWM’s efforts to recruit, prepare, and retain effective teachers to provide access to a world-class education to every student in Western Mass.

“We are committed to ensuring that each and every student in Western Mass. has the opportunity to learn from teachers who are effective, dedicated, and well-supported, and this grant will enable us to expand on our work toward these ends,” said Pema Latshang, founding executive director of TWM.

Launched in partnership with Smith College in the fall of 2017, the first cohort of undergraduate Urban Ed Scholars includes 23 students from Mount Holyoke College, Hampshire College, Smith College, and UMass Amherst. The UEP builds upon a Smith College program, providing Five College students with both academic and internship-based explorations into how social, economic and political conditions influence the education — and, ultimately, life opportunities — of children growing up in urban environments. In joining forces to create the Urban Education Pathway, TWM and Smith College have greatly expanded the range and depth of urban teacher-preparatory opportunities for college students in Western Mass.

Generation Teach is a summer fellowship for high-school and undergraduate students interested in exploring a teaching career. Through partnership with TWM, Generation Teach aims to build diverse pipelines of exemplary educators who reflect the students and communities they serve in Western Mass.

PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Bank will once again close all locations at noon on Tuesday, June 5 for its third annual Xtraordinary Day.

Xtraordinary Day provides all Berkshire Bank employees the opportunity to volunteer in communities the bank and its affiliates serve. This year’s Xtraordinary Day is set to focus on more than 70 community projects with approximately 90% employee participation across the country. Last year, employees helped 75 different nonprofit organizations through 65 service projects and directly impacted more than 400,000 individuals.

In Berkshire County, projects include a Habitat for Humanity multi-site build in partnership with Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity; assembling of teacher-appreciation kits at Farmington River Elementary; landscaping and painting with Hillcrest Educational Centers; and cleanups with Housatonic River Walk, Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires’ Camp Russell, and the West Stockbridge Historical Society.

In the Pioneer Valley, projects include tree planting and park improvements with ReGreen Springfield; painting and landscaping of the Amelia Park Children’s Museum, Girls Club of Greenfield, YMCA of Springfield, and Lupa Zoo; painting the West Springfield Boys & Girls Club; gift wrapping at Birthday Wishes; and shelving books and landscaping at the Westfield Anthaneum.

Xtraordinary Day is fueled by the XTEAM, the bank’s employee volunteer program. The XTEAM provides employees paid time off to volunteer during regular business hours. In addition to volunteer service, Berkshire Bank and its foundation provide more than $2 million annually to support nonprofit organizations in the communities the bank serves.

NORTHAMPTON — Smith Brothers Insurance was recently named to the Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group’s President’s Club. Each year, Jewelers Mutual recognizes top agents nationwide for their expertise in Jewelers Block, a specialized insurance coverage protecting the jewelry trade. Smith Brothers Insurance was one of 25 brokers throughout the nation named to Jewelers Mutual’s President’s Club.

“It’s an honor to be selected to the President’s Club,” said Mary McVeigh, commercial lines producer/account executive. “All of us at Smith Brothers focus on helping our clients protect what matters most to them. It’s rewarding to be recognized for our consistent dedication to our clients.”

SPRINGFIELD — Pioneer Valley Credit Union was recognized for its efforts to encourage Americans and support its members to save money during America Saves Week and Military Saves Week.

“At a time when just two in five American households report making good or excellent savings progress, Pioneer Valley Credit Union went above and beyond to encourage and support its members to save,” said George Barany, America Saves director. “This year’s designees are the leaders in their field at responding to the savings crisis by working directly with American families to open and add to savings accounts. Pioneer Valley Credit Union doesn’t just tell people why it’s important to save, it helps them do it.”

Pioneer Valley Credit Union was one of 15 banks, 17 credit unions, and five military-affiliated organizations recognized around the world.

“Year after year, we work with our members to help them to achieve their financial goals and to become more savvy consumers,” said Anabela Grenier, Pioneer Valley Credit Union president and CEO. “We have been putting the savings needs of our members first for 95 years and are delighted to offer products, financial workshops, and convenient tools geared toward their success. America Saves is a wonderful program which works in concert with our philosophy to help members as they make their journey to a better financial future.”

SPRINGFIELD — Some 43 million Americans have $1.3 trillion in student loans. The average job tenure for Millennials is only 12 to 15 months. When an employee leaves, it costs the employer between 10% and 30% of their annual salary to replace them.

On June 22, the Gaudreau Group and GradFin will host a Lunch & Learn session at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Springfield to help employers overcome these issues. The session is sponsored by the Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast.

College graduates enter the workforce deeply mired in debt that deflates their net worth and keeps them cash-strapped for years. As a result, younger employees are job-hopping to increase pay and help pay down their loans. A recent Oliver Wyman study reported that 80% of participants cited their indebtedness as a major source of stress, and a survey by American Student Assistance found that student-loan debt impairs employees’ focus on the job.

The June 22 event, led by Jenny MacKay and Geoff Urquhart, will focus on increasing employee retention with new employee-benefits and engagement strategies such as loan refinance and consolidation programs, financial-wellness education, and repayment-assistance benefits. Space is limited. Register at www.gaudreaugroup.com/events.

BOSTON — Twenty prominent Massachusetts business organizations representing thousands of employers announced an initiative to save $100 million in healthcare costs by reducing avoidable use of hospital emergency departments.

The newly formed Massachusetts Employer-Led Coalition to Reduce Health Care Costs will work with doctors, hospitals, and health insurers to reduce inappropriate use of emergency departments (EDs) by 20% in two years. State officials estimate that 40% of ED visits are avoidable, a pattern that costs $300 million to $350 million annually for commercially insured members alone.

Coalition leaders Richard Lord, president and CEO of Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM), and Eileen McAnneny, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation (MTF), say the group will help employers take a direct role in the health and healthcare of their employees and beneficiaries.

Healthcare industry organizations — including the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Assoc., Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Assoc. of Health Plans, and the Massachusetts College of Emergency Physicians — are committed to be strategic partners with the coalition.

The coalition’s goal is to shift as many avoidable ED visits as possible to high-value, lower-cost settings to relieve crowded EDs, reduce the cost of care, and improve quality.

Most ED use is necessary, appropriate, and in many cases life-saving. However, providers and payers broadly agree that shifting ED use for non-urgent health problems to more timely, appropriate settings will improve quality and patient experience, and lower the cost of care. Upper respiratory infections, skin rashes, allergies, and back pain are among the most common conditions for which Massachusetts patients seek care in the ED unnecessarily, and the cost of an ED visit can be five times that of care provided in a primary-care or urgent-care setting.

The coalition will focus on four tactics for change:

• Work with employers to communicate information about avoidable ED use with employees and families so they can get the best possible care in settings such as primary-care practices, retail clinics, and urgent-care centers;

• Track and publicly report the rate of avoidable ED visits so employers, stakeholders, and the public may understand and tackle the scope of the issue;

• Work with labor unions, healthcare providers, health plans, employers, and employees to reward and encourage the appropriate use of the ED by aligning financial incentives, and bolster the availability of care in the community, especially during nights and weekends; and

• Advocate for policy changes that will advance new care delivery and payment models, such as accountable-care organizations, telemedicine, and mobile integrated health, which, combined, can improve access to timely care in the right setting.

“I urge employers of any size to participate in the coalition’s initiatives,” Lord said. “These efforts are an opportunity to engage with each other by sharing our successes and difficulties in managing healthcare costs, while also actively educating our employees about their ability to drive down healthcare costs through patient choice. We want to raise the bar for all employers in Massachusetts.”

LENOX — The Lenox Chamber of Commerce welcomes its new executive director, Shaun Kelleher.

Kelleher grew up in the Berkshires and is back home after spending nearly a decade in New York City. He attended Berkshire Community College and, later, Syracuse University. In New York, he cultivated a career in marketing. As senior director of Marketing at 24 Seven, a creative staffing and recruiting company with 12 offices across the globe, he led a team of designers, marketers, copywriters, and strategists to grow and promote the brand. Most recently, he was an account manager at BRIGADE, a marketing and design agency in Hadley, where he worked with clients such as SVEDKA Vodka, BIC, Black Box Premium Wines, Woodbridge, World Hotels, and Audience Rewards. He also sits on the board of the Ad Club of Western Massachusetts as its membership chair.

Jamie Trie, the marketing director for the chamber, will be stepping down from her full-time position to develop her own social-media marketing and graphics firm, Berkshire Media Marketing. She will continue working with the chamber as a consultant for its social-media and weekly member newsletters, and to help out with various projects and events.

“With Shaun’s appointment, we are looking forward to accelerating our momentum to grow Lenox into a year-round tourist destination, as well as to renew our efforts to attract people and businesses to Lenox,” said Robert Murray, chamber board president. “I would like to thank Jamie for her efforts over the past two years in helping to bring national recognition to Lenox, as noted by Lenox winning the USA Today 10 Best ‘Best Northeastern Small Town’ title and landing us on their top-10 list for their ‘Best Small Town Cultural Scene,” numerous Expedia mentions, and national media attention. We wish her the best with her new marketing company and look forward to our continued cooperation.”

SPRINGFIELD — Michael Ostrowski, president and CEO of Arrha Credit Union, congratulates Tony Sanches, assistant vice president of Retail Operations, for receiving a Credit Union Rising Star Award at the Great New England Credit Union Show in Worcester.

The show highlighted new technology and featured breakout sessions in many topics, including cybersecurity, latest trends in digital banking, member satisfaction, and member experience. The morning breakfast was a salute to employees who showed a strong sense of the mission of credit unions and strong abilities in their area of expertise, along with community involvement.

“Tony was nominated for all that he is doing here at the credit union,” Ostrowski said. “He received one of the Rising Stars Awards for all his efforts that he does within our credit union and in the community. We are pleased to congratulate Tony on a very special recognition. The board sends their utmost congratulations to him for his efforts.”

NORTHAMPTON — Heather Loges was recently promoted to the position of chief operations officer at Royal, P.C., a labor and employment law firm in Northampton.

Loges has been with Royal since July 2016, joining as a paralegal. As the COO, Heather is in charge of all aspects of law-firm operations and law-firm management and finances, as well as managing the firm’s business-development and marketing strategies.

Loges has a bachelor’s degree from UMass Amherst and a certificate in paralegal studies from Boston University. She was recently nominated for the 2018 Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly Excellence in Paralegal Work Award.

SPRINGFIELD — BusinessWest magazine decided recently, after much consideration, to launch a new recognition program to honor a specific segment of the local population: women. More specifically, women making an impact in and on this region.

BusinessWest is currently accepting nominations for the Women of Impact honor (www.businesswest.com/women-of-impact), and those who score the highest in the eyes and minds of a panel of three independent judges will be honored at a luncheon in December (date and venue to be determined).

“We decided to create a special program recognizing women because, after careful consideration, we decided that this region needed one and that BusinessWest was the right organization to do it,” Kate Campiti, associate publisher and sales manager for BusinessWest, explained. “While women have certainly made great strides over the past several decades, and many women have made great achievements and broken through that proverbial glass ceiling, doing so remains a stern challenge for many.”

‘Women of Impact’ was chosen as the name for the program because, while nominees can be from the world of business, they can also be from other realms, such as the nonprofit community, public service, law enforcement, education, social work, the mentorship community, a combination of all these — any inspirational women on any level.

Nominations for this honor, due on Aug. 3, should be written with one basic underlying mission: to explain why the individual in question is, indeed, a woman of impact. Nominations should explain, when applicable:

• How the nominee has made impactful accomplishments or contributions that have positively influenced business or the community;

• How the nominee demonstrates unwavering passion and commitment for an issue that has made a difference in the lives of others;

• How the nominee has influenced other women through her actions and contributions;

• How the nominee exemplifies qualities of spirit, service, compassion for others, or professionalism to achieve accomplishments, and how she may have overcome adversity in order to give back to the community;

• How the nominee has applied innovative thinking to push the boundaries and find new and better ways to do things; and

• How the nominee has consistently demonstrated exceptional and progressive leadership.

Additional information and guidlelines to consider when nominating are available at www.businesswest.com/women-of-impact. Nominations may be submitted at businesswest.com/women-of-impact-nomination-information-criteria. For more information, call Bevin Peters, Marketing and Events director, at (413) 781-8600, ext. 100, or e-mail [email protected].

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Medical Center will host a free discussion, “Venous Disease & You,” on Thursday, June 7 at 5:30 p.m. in the HMC Auxiliary Conference Center.

While often considered a cosmetic issue, have you ever wondered if spider veins could be cause for more concern? Join Dr. Sandip Maru, HMC vascular surgeon, to learn all about veins and how to prevent and treat venous diseases, such as varicose and spider veins.

This program is free and open to the public, and is part of Holyoke Medical Center’s community education programming. This is one in a series of workshops held throughout the year to help people learn about specific health issues, wellness, prevention, and treatment. To register, visit www.holyokehealth.com/events or call (413) 534-2789.

SPRINGFIELD — More than 200 golfers are expected to participate in the 38th Annual Brightside Golf Classic on Monday, July 23 at Springfield Country Club in West Springfield.

“This event raises funds to continue Brightside’s mission to support our community’s most vulnerable children and their families,” said Carrie Fuller, executive director of Fund Development for Mercy Medical Center and its affiliates.

Two tee times are available. Registration and breakfast for the morning session will begin at 6:45 a.m. with a shotgun start at 7:30 a.m. Lunch and registration for the afternoon session will begin at 11:30 a.m. with a 1 p.m. shotgun start. The evening reception will be held immediately following the tournament from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Prices include green fees, golf cart, breakfast and/or lunch, a gift and swag bag, and reception featuring cocktails, food stations, auction, networking, and live entertainment. On-course food and beverages will be provided by event sponsors throughout the day. Golfers will also be eligible for a chance to win prizes and participate in raffles.

The 2018 Golf Classic chairs are John Kendzierski, founder and director, Professional Dry Wall Construction Inc.; Matt Sosik, president and CEO, Easthampton Savings Bank; Hank Downey, vice president, commercial loan officer, Florence Savings Bank; and Dan Moriarty, senior vice president, chief financial officer, Monson Savings Bank.

Brightside for Families and Children provides in-home counseling and family support to more than 650 children and their families throughout Western Mass. Services include resource coordination, parenting-skills development, behavioral-technique instruction, community support programs, and other programs tailored to prevent hospitalization from occurring. Specialized assessments such as neuropsychological evaluations and testing are also available. Each year, the Brightside Golf Classic attracts more than 200 business leaders from the Greater Springfield area who support the work and mission of Brightside.

For more information on sponsorships, donations, and attending the event, contact Suzanne Boniface at (413) 748-9935 or [email protected]. Information is also available at www.mercycares.com/brightside-golf-classic.

HOLYOKE — The Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce announced its annual meeting breakfast will take place on Wednesday, June 13 at the Wherehouse?

The chamber’s agenda includes recognition of new members — Hadley Farms Meeting House, Bath Fitter, Dan’s Power Plant, Combined Insurance, Custom Identity Apparel, and VenYOU Events — as well as welcoming WestMass Eldercare’s new executive director, Roseann Martoccia, and celebrating the Holyoke Merry-Go-Round’s 25th anniversary and Holyoke Medical Center’s 125th anniversary.

Additionally, new board members will be confirmed while outgoing board members will be bid farewell; accomplishments and initiatives from the past year, together with goals for this upcoming year, including news on the Chamber Gift Card, will be revealed; and information on SPARK startups, Have a Ball in Holyoke, Grow Holyoke, Leadership Holyoke, the Women’s Leadership Luncheon Series, and Women and the Art of Risk will be shared with breakfast guests.

The chamber will announce the 2018 Business Person of the Year and the Fifield Volunteer of the Year award recipients at the breakfast. The honorees will be honored at a dinner reception on Wednesday, Oct. 24. More details will follow at a later date.

Tickets to the breakfast are $25 for members and $30 for non-members, and may be purchased online at holyokechamber.com/events.

SPRINGFIELD — MGM Springfield and the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) have joined forces to create the Loop — a new public transportation service linking downtown tourist attractions, hotels, restaurants, and arts and culture destinations to provide a more robust travel experience for Springfield visitors.

Debuting Aug. 24 as part of MGM Springfield’s opening day, the Loop will connect Springfield’s most storied landmarks, including Union Station, the Springfield Armory, Springfield Museums, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and MGM Springfield.

The Loop schedule is designed with visitors in mind. In addition to stops at cultural highlights, the shuttle also will make stops at MassMutual Center, Holiday Inn Express, Sheraton, Hampton Inn, and La Quinta Inn & Suites. The Loop will run Wednesdays through Sundays from Union Station from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and complete a full circuit in 60 minutes during the day and 40 minutes in the evening. Traveling on the Loop will be free.

“The Loop is yet another sign that the city of Springfield is on the rise, and tourism is a vital component to its revitalization,” said Alex Dixon, general manager, MGM Springfield. “The Loop will be a welcome boost for tourist-oriented businesses. It will allow us to package the whole area as a consolidated travel destination rather than just individual attractions.”

Sandra Sheehan, administrator with the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, noted that the Loop will be operated with a zero-emissions electric bus as part of PVTA’s goal of providing sustainable transportation.

As part of its host-community agreement, MGM Springfield will provide PVTA with financial support to operate and maintain the Loop. This includes maintenance and insurance of the vehicle, as well as the costs associated with the hiring, supervising, and compensating the driver.

“For the hospitality community, the Loop has always been a key component of the MGM Springfield project,” said Mary Kay Wydra, president of the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The Loop introduces visitors to the many attractions that make Springfield special, provides access to MGM Springfield, and has the potential to increase visitor stays in the region.”