Day: March 8, 2019

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. — Connecticut-based Liberty Bank announced that David Glidden will serve as its new president and CEO, effective March 18, succeeding Chandler Howard, who has led the bank since 2007.

“We extend a warm welcome to David as he joins Liberty Bank,” said Mark Gingras, chairman of the Liberty Bank board of directors. “After an extensive, nationwide search, we are confident that David’s leadership experience and remarkable achievements will lead Liberty Bank toward a future of continued growth, outstanding customer service, and community involvement.”

Glidden brings more than 30 years of industry leadership experience to Liberty Bank. Most recently, he served as regional president for the Northern New England and Upstate New York Region for TD Bank. He was responsible for managing retail banking, small-business, wealth-management, commercial, and specialty banking operations and lending services. Glidden began his banking career at Shawmut Bank’s Commercial Lending Division in Boston and joined TD Bank in 1994, embarking on a path that led to numerous positions of increasing responsibility. 

“I look forward to joining Liberty Bank and working with the team to reach new heights,” said Glidden. “Under Chandler’s leadership, Liberty built a solid foundation and continues to be a top company in Connecticut. During the next chapter of Liberty’s history, we will remain committed to helping customers handle their finances with confidence. I am proud to have the opportunity to lead the team to more successes as we continue to provide outstanding products and services, one-of-a-kind customer experiences, and unparalleled community support to the areas within our footprint.”

HOLYOKE — Whittlesey announced that Amy Richards, CPA has been promoted to manager in its Holyoke office. In this role, she is responsible for expanding and managing assurance, tax, and advisory engagements.

Richards has more than 11 years of experience providing accounting, tax, and advisory services. Over her career, she has managed client relationships, made process improvements, and analyzed data to provide actionable insights for her clients.

“We are pleased to have Amy in the role of manager,” said Steve Erickson, partner-in-charge of the Holyoke office. “As an integral member of our team, Amy has shown the initiative and dedication necessary to not only provide outstanding client service, but also develop our next generation of team members.”

Richards formerly served as a supervisor at Whittlesey. She has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Fitchburg State University and an MBA in accounting from UMass Lowell.

SPRINGFIELD — The board of directors of the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley (RAPV) recently welcomed Brendan Bailey as its new CEO.

“We are so excited to welcome Brendan to the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley. We look forward to his energy and enthusiasm to take our association to the next level,” said Kelly Bowman, 2019 RAPV president.

Bailey began his career in association management with the Raleigh Regional Assoc. of Realtors (RRAR) in Cary, N.C., a board of more than 8,000 members, where he served as chief operating officer. Prior to joining RARR, he served as policy coordinator for the American Assoc. of Colleges of Pharmacy and as a House legislative assistant in the North Carolina General Assembly. On the national level, Bailey currently serves as vice chair for the AE YPN Forum for the National Assoc. of Realtors.

“The members of the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley serve a wonderful, exciting community,” Bailey said, “and I am honored to be joining them in the work they do here.”

SPRINGFIELD — This St. Patrick’s Day weekend, MGM Springfield will bring the community together for “Be Brave & Shave,” a head-shaving event to support the St. Baldrick’s Foundation’s fight for childhood cancer research. 

Open to the public from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, MGM Springfield employees and guests can volunteer to have their heads shaved by the Salon at MGM Springfield staff in the historic Armory to raise money for this worthy cause. Conducted as an expression of courage and endearment, the act of head-shaving allows volunteers to stand in solidarity with children battling cancer, who typically lose their hair during treatment. 

“We are honored to partner with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation to help the youngest in our community battle this terrible illness,” said Alex Dixon, general manager of MGM Springfield. “Every two minutes, a child is diagnosed with cancer worldwide, so knowing that an act as simple as shaving our heads can help provide more research and ultimately, hopefully, cures for these children makes us all proud to participate.”

Since 2000, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation has granted more than $253 million for the development of childhood cancer treatments. The nonprofit continues that effort through its foundation and nationwide head-shaving events. 

Those interested in shaving or raising money can register online by clicking here, or register on site the day of the event. Group registration is also available for teams and organizations. For more information on “Be Brave & Shave” and how to donate, visit stbaldricks.org.

SPRINGFIELD — The Melha Shriners announced they have sold their property and building at 133 Longhill St. in Springfield to the Breakthrough Worship Center of Springfield, with a March 25, 2019 closing date anticipated. The Melha Shriners, the local chapter of Shriners International, supporters of Shriners Hospitals for Children, have been headquartered at the Longhill Street location for almost 60 years.

According to 2019 Melha Potentate Dan Smith, the sale of the building marks the end of an era, but the beginning of a new one.

“With our membership continuing to decline, it was not financially viable to remain in such a large building,” said Smith, noting that the Melha Shriners, who numbered near 4,000 in the late 1970s, now number few than 1,000. “We are very pleased that our buyers, and their planned use of the property, is consistent with the residential character of our Forest Park neighborhood.”

The Melha Shriners will hold a commemoration event at the Longhill property on Saturday, March 16 at 5 p.m. Complimentary tickets are available through the Melha Shrine Center office by calling (413) 736-3647 before Thursday, March 14. During the event, which will include complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a limited cash bar, the cornerstone from the 133 Longhill St. building will be removed, with the hope the Masonic Brothers left something to find. There will also be a slideshow of the history of the Melha Shriners at 133 Longhill St., and the public is encouraged to e-mail photos [email protected] before March 14.

The Melha Shriners, who were chartered in Springfield in 1898, purchased the former Dwight W. Ellis property in the late 1950s after having met around the city and occupying buildings on Sergeant Street and Worthington Street. The building on Longhill Street was dedicated on Sept. 26, 1959.

The fraternity will have temporary office space at the Clarion Hotel in West Springfield until a new, permanent location can be secured. The Melha Shriners also operate a property at the former Knights of Columbus Hall in Ware.