Year: 2019

WESTBOROUGH — Columbia Gas of Massachusetts today announced that Mark Kempic will assume the role of president and chief operating officer, effective May 1.

“Mark will continue to focus on working with our customers, state and local leaders, and community stakeholders as he leads our gas business in Massachusetts,” said Pablo Vegas, executive vice president and president, gas utilities at NiSource, Columbia Gas of Massachusetts’ parent company. “This includes the next phase of the recovery effort in the Greater Lawrence area and continuing to meet our customer and community needs across the state.”

Steve Bryant, who has been serving as president of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, announced his retirement, effective May 1.

Vegas went on to say, “Steve dedicated his career to the important work of providing gas service to his home state of Massachusetts. We thank Steve for his many years of service and wish him all the best in retirement.”

Since January 2019, Kempic has served as chief operating officer for Columbia Gas of Massachusetts. From September 2018 to January 2019 he was a key part of the leadership team for the Greater Lawrence area restoration efforts.

He has more than 35 years of experience in the energy industry and has served in a broad range of functions, including information technology, engineering, gas supply, corporate planning and regulatory policy.

Most recently he served as NiSource Chief Transformation Officer (CTO), responsible for enhancing NiSource’s efforts to integrate processes and technology across the company’s seven-state footprint. He also previously served as president of Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania and Columbia Gas of Maryland, responsible for ensuring safe, reliable, high-quality service to customers and delivering value for stakeholders through our programs.

He holds a law degree from Capital University School of Law, a bachelor’s degree in computer and information science from the University of Pittsburgh and an associate’s degree in solar heating and cooling engineering from Pennsylvania State University.

SPRINGFIELD — Bay Path University has announced its 3^rd Annual President’s Gala, “Dance a Mile in Their Shoes,” to take place on Saturday, April 27 at the Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel. 

Dancing with the Stars professional and season 25 champion, and So You Think You Can Dance fan favorite Lindsay Arnold will be lending her expertise for her second year in a row as the event’s celebrity judge. Arnold will be joined at the judges’ table by actor, producer, Springfield native and Bay Path alumna JoAnna Rhinehart ’78. Rhinehart is currently appearing in My Fair Lady on Broadway.

The Bay Path University President’s Gala will feature a “Dancing with the Stars”-style ballroom dance competition infused with telling the story of the University’s mission — empowering undergraduate women and graduate women and men to flourish in a constantly changing world. Last year’s event netted more than $315,000 in support of the Bold Women’s Scholarship and The Finish Line Fund. These scholarships are awarded to assist students in removing obstacles standing in the way of achieving their goal of receiving a college degree.

“We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to raise funds again this year for student scholarships,” said Allison Gearing-Kalill, Bay Path University’s Vice President for Development and Planned Giving. “The community understands that today’s student has many financial obligations. Businesses, alumni, and friends of Bay Path are incredibly supportive of the work we’re doing and want to help our students reach the goal of attaining a college education.”

This year’s featured dancers at the Gala are Lamont Clemons, Business Development for Secure Energy Solutions, executive vice President, S-Cel-O Painting, and Bay Path Trustee; Erin Hornyak, Bay Path Advisory Council member and Longmeadow resident; and Jillian Jusko, blogger and Longmeadow resident. Clemons, Hornyak, and Jusko are undergoing training with Daryll ’98 and Gunnar Sverrisson, ballroom dance champions and owners of Ballroom Fever (Enfield, Connecticut), as they prepare to compete to raise scholarship funds and take home the Mirror Ball Trophy.

In addition to the captivating performances, the President’s Gala will feature an auction, dinner, and live entertainment by the Boston-based band Protégé, ensuring an evening full of fun and dancing.

Carrie ’86 and Tim Burr, Lauren and Drew Davis, Tiffany ’11 and Ted ’11 Madru, and Carol and Rick Steele, Jr. are the Gala’s honorary chairs. The Mirror Ball Sponsor is MassMutual. Golden Waltz Sponsor is Dr. K. Francis & Melinda Lee. The Gala’s Silver Salsa Sponsors include Mercedes-Benz of Springfield and Andrew Associates. Entertainment Sponsor is Mary ’74 and David Bushnell. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. To learn more about how you or your company can become a sponsor of Bay Path University’s President’s Gala, contact Laura Ziomek at 413.565.1047 or [email protected].  

The President’s Gala will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception and silent auction, followed by a seated dinner at 7:30 p.m. The dancing competition will begin at 8:30 p.m., and at 9:00 p.m. guests will be invited to dance the night away. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at www.baypath.edu/gala.

HADLEY — UMassFive College Federal Credit Union staged its annual cold-weather clothing and blanket drive in itsHadley, UMass Amherst, Northampton, and Mercy Medical Center branches throughout the month of January.

There were more than 900 items collected and donated through the drive, including 185 warm coats, 103 sweaters, 189 hats, 168 pairs of gloves, and 21 blankets. These items were distributed to organizations close to the branches that collected the donations, including the Amherst Survival Center, Northampton Survival Center, and Friends of the Homeless in Springfield.

If you would like to donate to these organizations directly, you can find out more by visiting their websites at www.amherstsurvival.org, www.northamptonsurvival.org, and www.fohspringfield.org.

AMHERST — Coldwell Banker Upton-Massamont Realtors (CBUMR) announced the addition of REALTOR Diana Adair to its roster of professional real estate agents serving Franklin and Hampshire Counties.

Adair is a Western Mass. native and resides in Amherst. She started her real estate career 30 years ago, has purchased several homes, remodeled six properties, and bought investment rentals. In addition, she has accomplished millions of dollars in real estate sales.

She grew up in Belchertown, lived on a farm, and inherited her great love of land from her father, Howard Mann. In 1992, she started, owned, and operated Heartland Farm, in Amherst, where they gave lessons, held summer camps, and trained and sold hunter/jumpers. 

“We’re happy to have Diana on our team,” said Christine Aubrey, owner/broker of Coldwell Banker Upton-Massamont Realtors. “She has an excellent background in residential sales and is extremely knowledgeable about real estate in the valley. She is known for her work ethic. She is organized and detail oriented and an experienced sales negotiator.”

Adair is a member of the REALTOR Association of the Pioneer Valley, the National Association of REALTORS and the Massachusetts Association of Realtors. As a REALTOR with Coldwell Banker Upton-Massamont REALTORS, her primary focus will be residential real estate in Hampshire and Franklin Counties.

SPRINGFIELD — BusinessWest is issuing a last call for nominations for the 40 Under Forty class of 2019. The deadline for nominations is today, Feb. 15, at 5 p.m.

Launched in 2007, the program recognizes rising stars in the four counties of Western Mass. Nominations, which should be detailed in nature, should list an individual’s accomplishments within their profession as well as their work within the community. Nominations can be completed online by visiting www.businesswest.com, clicking on ‘Our Events,’ and then ‘40 Under Forty.’

Nominations will be weighed by a panel of judges. The selected individuals will be profiled in the April 29 issue of BusinessWest and honored at the 40 Under Forty Gala on June 20 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Robert Kelley has been named director of Operations at Eastern States Exposition. A graduate of Agawam High School, he continued his education at Holyoke Community College before starting his career at ESE in 1975.

Over the past 25 years, Kelley has served ESE as its contractor coordinator, overseeing numerous capital-improvement projects. Under his direction, 10 new buildings were constructed, including the Mallary Complex East and West, the food court, the Visitors’ Center East and West, the Transportation Center, the indoor warm-up horse ring, the Young Building and two wine and cheese barns now known as the Farmers Market.

He also supervised the installation of air conditioning in the Better Living Center and Young Building, and a heating system in Mallary Complex. Additionally, he directed projects involving moving all electricity from overhead to underground and the installation of a new sewer and storm-drain infrastructure.

As director, he will oversee all grounds operations, including maintenance, construction, landscaping, and contractors, and continue to supervise all building projects on the grounds.

“Bob knows the 175 acres of Eastern States Exposition better than anyone in the history of the company,” said Gene Cassidy, ESE president and CEO. “He is resourceful, conscientious, and has a vast knowledge of the infrastructure and operation of our physical plant and its many nuances and challenges.”

Added Kelley, “I am pleased to be named director of Operations at ESE. My goal is to continue to preserve and protect these historic grounds and incorporate 21st-century improvements to keep our facility viable for the fair and all of our year-round functions for years to come.”

NORTHAMPTON — HCG announced the official start of the historic Hampshire County Courthouse restoration. This phase of the project consists of repairs to the roof, tower, as well as windows and masonry. The building is owned and occupied by HCG.

“The old courthouse building is an iconic staple of downtown Northampton and a beloved shared resource within the community,” said Todd Ford, executive director of HCG. “We are thrilled to see this restoration through and look forward to showcasing the building as it should be.”

Arlington-based Boston Bay Architects Inc. is overseeing the $1.8 million project, and Wesfield Construction Co. Inc. of New Hampshire won the bid for construction. The restoration will begin at the top of the southern facing tower with the replacement of terracotta roof tiles. Exterior repairs include masonry stone restoration and brick stabilization. The tower interior carpentry work will focus on roof, floor, stairs, and railings. At the completion of the tower, the work will continue down the southern façade with window repair and replacement to energy-efficient historical windows.

In October 2017, the Baker-Polito administration announced the release of Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) funds to HCG for this current phase of repairs. In 2015, DCAMM released $500,000 for safety repairs to the building’s steps and roof.

The Northampton Community Preservation committee has played an integral role in the plans for this phase of renovation, contributing $200,000 to the building restoration. Local Community Preservation Acts contributed an additional $10,000 from Hatfield and $8,000 from Goshen. Area banks have pledged $38,000, and the Hampshire Foundation Buy a Brick program provided $8,800 from local residents and businesses.

GREENFIELD — USA Archery announced the coaches for its newly redesigned teen training program, the Regional Elite Development (RED) program. Kyle Forbes Bissell, owner of Amherst Archery Academy, has been appointed reserve coach for the Eastern Region.

Bissell will work with a head coach and three additional coaches with the goal of making this a successful training program for dedicated Olympic recurve archers ages 13 to 17. He founded Amherst Archery Academy in 2011 and now coaches archery full-time, year-round.

HOLYOKE — The city of Holyoke has been awarded a grant of $398,205 from the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women for a period of three years to create and enhance services for older victims of domestic abuse. This will allow the city to create and design Project Combating Abuse in Later Life (CALL) to address domestic abuse for those aged 50 and older who reside in the city.

Project CALL will partner with the Holyoke Police Department, the Hampden District Attorney’s Office, Womanshelter Companeras, and WestMass ElderCare and receive advanced training on abuse in later life from the Office of Violence against Women, then conduct training to law enforcement, service providers, and residents to enhance effective service.

Project CALL will have an HPD Elder Affairs Officer team up with a victim advocate and conduct direct services and outreach to those designated as high-risk. This team will enhance victim safety by not only providing support and services to the victim, but finding community-based interventions for the abuser while simultaneously placing them on high-risk status and sharing their information with the CALL Task Force and across systems. The collaborative team aims to have contacts at points of abuse and arrests, and include direct support through the court process. This team will also be responsible for community-based monitoring, case management, and responding to emergency referrals and implementing safety plans for the victims. 

The CALL Task Force will also act as a wraparound support system responsible for identifying the underserved Spanish elderly population by developing, implementing, and distributing a safety-plan brochure in Spanish for elder victims of domestic violence.

SPRINGFIELD — Clinton Mathias, associate professor of Pharmacology at Western New England University, was named the recipient of the American Assoc. of Immunologists’ (AAI) Distinguished Service Award for 2019. Mathias is being recognized for outstanding service to the immunology community as director of the AAI High School Teachers Summer Research Program in Immunology from 2012 to 2108. A formal award presentation will take place in May at the Immunology 2019 conference in San Diego.

Mathias is on the faculty of Western New England’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. For the past six years, he spearheaded the AAI’s efforts to support summer research for high-school teachers, connecting them with AAI mentors from coast to coast, many of them world-renowned scientists. Teachers emerge from the summer program with curricula based on their research experience they could then implement in the high-school classroom.

EASTHAMPTON — Riverside Industries Inc., a nonprofit agency empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live rich and full lives, announced Susan Lapointe is the new director of Development and Community Relations.

In her new role, Lapointe oversees fundraising, development, public and community relations, and marketing for Riverside. Fundraising will include Riverside’s annual signature fundraiser auction event, as well as annual campaigns, major gifts, planned giving, capital campaigns, cultivation, and stewardship.

An accomplished business owner, Lapointe comes to Riverside with a strong entrepreneurial background. Her recent career as owner and creative director of TurningLeaf Design included branding and marketing for many nonprofits and businesses in the Valley. In addition to running her business, her community involvement included serving as director and president of the Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce, chairperson for the Hampshire County Regional Tourism Council, development and marketing chair for the Easthampton Cultural Council’s annual Cultural Chaos event. Her community development also included volunteer and marketing consulting for Riverside as well as serving as a board chair and member of Riverside for many years.

“Communicating the mission of Riverside,” she said, “is the key to the success of development for an organization that has successfully set the pace for integration and inclusion for the individuals we serve each and every day.”

SPRINGFIELD — CRRC MA announced plans to build a 42,500-square-foot warehouse at its Page Boulevard factory to house large rail-car components like wheel and motor assemblies and HVAC components, the Republican reported.

The project is expected to be completed by August, according to Lydia Rivera, a CRRC MA spokeswoman.

CRRC is currently building 152 new cars for the MBTA’s Orange Line and will soon begin work on 252 new Red Line cars, at a total cost of $566 million. Following that, the plant will begin building another 120 Red Line cars, with production to begin in 2022.

WARE — Country Bank reported that donations for 2018 exceeded $1 million. Through the bank’s established charitable-giving program, support is provided to local nonprofits throughout the region; in 2018, more than 400 organizations received generous contributions from the program. Among the organizations that received donations, the Salvation Army, the YMCA of Greater Springfield, the Springfield Rescue Mission, Friends of the Homeless, and the USO of Pioneer Valley each received $5,000, while the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and Christina’s House each received $10,000. 

The bank also teamed up with Habitat for Humanity to build a home in Springfield last September. “Spending the day helping a family to build their home was a meaningful experience for our staff members,” said Paul Scully, bank president and CEO.

Country Bank also has an employee charitable-giving program that raised more than $30,000 in 2018, through events such as jeans days, bake sales, and raffles.

“The staff at Country Bank understands the importance of supporting its local communities,” said Jodie Gerulaitis, vice president of Community Relations. “When we add an event to our volunteer calendar, it is filled instantly. This speaks volumes to our culture and our belief in helping others. In 2018, our team volunteered more than 1,100 hours of personal time at various events within the local communities. We served meals to the homeless, watered flowers throughout the summer for Ware in Bloom, and prepared meals for the children and families at the Ronald McDonald House, to name just a few.”

Stabilizing financial markets and continued strong employment were not enough to brighten the outlook of Massachusetts employers during January as business confidence fell for the fifth time in seven months.

The Associated Industries of Massachusetts Business Confidence Index (BCI) lost 0.9 points to 57.7, its lowest level since October 2016. Confidence has dropped 6.4 points during the past 12 months.

The retreat was led by a 7.3-point drop in employer views of the Massachusetts economy, and a 2.4-point drop in opinions about the national economy.

Overall confidence remains within optimistic territory, but every element of the AIM Index is now lower than it was a year ago.

A separate survey within the January Business Confidence Index found that while 71% of Massachusetts employers have seen some effect from the US government’s imposition of tariffs on goods form China and other nations, only 10 percent of companies characterize the effect as “significant” or a threat to the existence of their business.

The most common consequence of the tariffs has been an increase in raw-material prices, followed by changes to the supply chain, supply interruptions, products affected by retaliatory tariffs and loss of overseas customers.

“The Massachusetts economy grew at 2.1% during the fourth quarter of 2018 and continues to operate at near full capacity,” said Raymond G. Torto, Chair of AIM’s Board of Economic Advisors (BEA) and Lecturer, Harvard Graduate School of Design.

“At the same time, employers continue to confront uncertainty surrounding trade policy, demographic constraints on the labor market and the implementation of a sweeping paid family and medical leave program in Massachusetts.”

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.

WEST SPRINGFIELD —  Johnson & Hill Staffing, specializing in administrative, professional, legal, and accounting and finance staffing in the Western Mass. and Northern Conn. region, announced recently that it has won ClearlyRated’s Best of Staffing Client and Talent Awards.

Thanks to its focus on providing exceptional service through building long-term relationships, Johnson & Hill achieved World Class status. This distinction is reserved for firms who receive a 70% or higher net promoter score (on a scale running from -100 to +100). It received satisfaction scores of 9 or 10 out of 10 from 90.9% of their clients and 75% of their talent — significantly higher than the industry’s average in both categories.

“At Johnson & Hill Staffing, we always strive to differentiate ourselves on service,” said Johnson & Hill’s President, Andrea Hill-Cataldo. “We’re focused on relationships and the long-term with our clients, and we push ourselves to offer the best possible experience to each candidate we meet. It’s very exciting to see our efforts recognized in this way. This award is truly an honor for us.”

All data is gathered through ClearlyRated, and includes feedback both from clients and from candidates Johnson & Hill has helped find jobs.  

“In today’s historically tight labor market, hiring managers and job seekers need a clear and reputable way to vet potential staffing and recruiting partners,” said ClearlyRated’s CEO Eric Gregg. “Best of Staffing winners have set themselves apart by demonstrating their commitment to client and candidate service, investing in a survey and feedback program that brings transparency to the client and talent experience at their firm. I’m thrilled to showcase these service leaders alongside their validated client and talent ratings on ClearlyRated.com!”

SPRINGFIELD — The Valley Blue Sox announced today that former Major League pitcher Mike Trombley has been named “special advisor to the team.

“I am really excited to join the Blue Sox family,” said Trombley. “As a college player at Duke University, I enjoyed playing summer baseball in a top league similar to the [New England Collegiate Baseball League]. I’m thrilled to be part of that experience again.” Trombley, 51, spent 11 seasons in the majors with the Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, and Los Angeles Dodgers. A 14th round draft pick in the 1989 MLB Draft, the right-handed pitcher would go on to earn his undergraduate degree from Duke University in 1990. The Wilbraham native appeared in 509 major league games, primarily working out of the bullpen. Trombley logged a 4.48 earned run average in 795.2 innings of work while notching 44 career saves. He is the owner of Trombley Associates — Investment and Retiring Planning, and Trombley Associates — Bookkeeping and Payroll Services, located in Wilbraham.

In his new advisory role, Trombley will serve as a mentor to Blue Sox players both on and off the diamond. He will also assist the coaching staff and front office throughout the season.

“Mike has been a great representative of Western Massachusetts for many years,” said Fred Ciaglo, President of the Valley Blue Sox.

PALMER — The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts awarded Baystate Health Foundation a $26,000 Capital Grant to purchase two patient monitors for the recently opened Baystate Wing Hospital Emergency Department in Palmer.

The Phillips IntelliVue MX450 portable patient monitors will allow team members to quickly check vital signs on one screen, including blood pressure, oxygen levels, and heart rate. That data then moves with patients to their next phase of treatment, if required. 

“These new cardiac monitors will allow us to take care of critically ill patients while offering us greater flexibility in patient care and decreasing wait times in our Emergency Department,” said Dr. Robert Spence, chief of Emergency Medicine who oversees emergency care at Baystate Mary Lane Outpatient Center and Baystate Wing Hospital.

Currently, the emergency department has 13 patient monitors for its 20 treatment bays. The Baystate Health Foundation will continue to raise funds for the additional monitors, which will provide more usable bays and create improved lengths of stay for patients.

“The additional monitors further enable us to care for any patient in any room, improving our patient experience,” said Kim Davis, MSN, RN, CCRN, CEN, nurse manager for Emergency Services at Baystate Mary Lane and Baystate Wing Hospital.  

Baystate Wing Hospital’s new Emergency Department opened in September 2018. The new $17.2 million facility is three times the size of the old emergency department and can accommodate more than 24,000 visits annually.

SPRINGFIELD — BusinessWest, HCN’s sister publication, is currently accepting nominations for the 40 Under Forty class of 2019. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 15, and the region’s healthcare community is encouraged to participate.

Launched in 2007, the program recognizes rising stars in the four counties of Western Mass. Nominations, which should be detailed in nature, should list an individual’s accomplishments within their profession as well as their work within the community. Nominations can be completed online athttps://businesswest.com/40-under-forty-nomination-form/.

Nominations will be weighed by a panel of judges. The selected individuals will be profiled in the April 29 issue of BusinessWest and honored at the 40 Under Forty Gala on June 20 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. 40 Under Forty is presented by PeoplesBank and Health New England.

PITTSFIELD — On the same day the Berkshire Museum opened more than 100 years ago, the museum will welcome Jeff Rodgers as its new executive director on April 1. Rodgers brings more than 20 years of museum experience to the Berkshire Museum’s top job. He currently serves as provost and chief operating officer of the South Florida Museum in Bradenton, Fla.

“The Berkshire Museum is, and must continue to be, an integral part of the Berkshire community. The museum creates experiences that spark new thinking and new connections bridging art and history and the natural world,” said Rodgers. “Over the past few months, I’ve met with leaders from across the community and came away buoyed by the spirit of cooperation in our conversations. I am eager to lead that work with a commitment to collaboration and transparency. I have a lot of listening ahead.”

Rodgers has served in a number of roles at the South Florida Museum. Since 2016, he has held broad leadership responsibilities for strategic planning, creating innovative programming, fundraising, and conducting outreach across the community to build and sustain crucial partnerships and collaborations. A former teacher, he also served in a variety of roles at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, including as director of the Moveable Museum Program.

Rodgers was the unanimous selection after a four-month search led by the museum’s board of trustees. The search was facilitated by a national firm, Brent D. Glass LLC, that specializes in museum management, and attracted a strong pool of applicants. Berkshire Museum staff and Berkshire community members participated in the search process. David Ellis, who has served as interim executive director, will work with Rodgers through a transition period.

“Jeff brings a track record of innovative leadership and creative thinking that will, true to our unchanging mission, take the museum into a secure and successful future,” said Elizabeth McGraw, president of the board of trustees. “Jeff shares our commitment to finding new and meaningful ways to connect art, science, and history for people of all ages across our community and this region. We are grateful to David Ellis for his leadership and wise counsel in this important time.”

HOLYOKE — As a freshman and sophomore, Biannca Colflesh was very active in her school community. For the most part, during those two years, she enjoyed Holyoke High School. “It’s supposed to be the best time of your life,” she remembers.

Then, she hit “a few bumps.” By the end of her junior year, she was failing all her classes and pretty much stopped going. “This was unlike me, and I realized I had lost myself,” she said.

With the help of her parents, she found her way to Holyoke Community College (HCC) and its Gateway to College program. Gateway at HCC is part of a national network of programs that put struggling high-school students and dropouts into college classes, where they work toward their high-school diplomas and also collect transferable college credits.

Colflesh was one of 15 HCC Gateway students who graduated from the program on Feb. 1, when she found herself on the stage of the Leslie Phillips Theater, giving a speech to her classmates, family, friends, teachers, and Gateway staff. Thanks to Gateway, Colflesh earned 12 college credits and her diploma from Holyoke High School. She is already enrolled full-time at HCC.

“We are not statistics, and labels don’t define us,” said Natasha Perez of Springfield, another student speaker and new Gateway graduate who had been a high-school dropout. “Here we are doing what everyone thought we couldn’t. Was it a struggle? Yes. Was it worth it? Absolutely. It doesn’t matter how the journey starts; it’s how we finish.”

The 15 new graduates from Holyoke, Springfield, Agawam, Westfield, and West Springfield finished with a total of 159 high-school credits and 115 college credits. They represent the 22nd graduating class since the Gateway program was founded at HCC in 2008. 

They are, from Holyoke: Evan Alicea, Bianna Colflesh, Justin Delgado, Oscar Dilone, Johnathan Hodge-Kennedy, Nathanael Mannering, Jaysha Mejia, Britney Moran, and Soniah Roque; from Springfield: Maralyse Montuori, Natasha Perez, and Jeysha Vega Colon; from Agawam: Rodney Sanders; from Westfield: Gemma Lugo; and from West Springfield: Ryan Stenwick.

With a graduation rate of 76%, HCC’s Gateway program is one of the most successful in the U.S. and a two-time winner of Gateway National’s Excellence Award.

SPRINGFIELD — The Hampden County Legal Clinic (HCLC), an award-winning, nationally recognized pro bono program of the Hampden County Bar Assoc. and the Hampden County Bar Foundation, has provided free legal advice and law-related services to the underserved through a variety of pro bono initiatives and community-based programs for 11 years.

The HCLC and its pro bono associate advisory board are delighted to announce the first inaugural Celebrity Bartending Tip-Off Fundraiser to support the Legal Clinic. The event will be held on Thursday, March 7 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Art e’ Pizza, 272 Worthington St., Springfield. Along with food and entertainment, the event will feature local celebrity bartenders and a silent auction.

This event is open to all, and tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available in advance by clicking here. For more information, call the HCLC at (413) 733-6500.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Governors America Corp. has, over the last few years, hired seven past and/or current students from the Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative’s Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC), a half-day high-school vocational and technical training facility located in West Springfield.

CTEC services students from nine communities in and around Hampden and Hampshire counties with 11 program offerings. Governors America Corp. is a leading provider of engine-governing and system controls to manufacturers and power providers worldwide. 

The new hires mainly come from CTEC’S Machine Technology program and have worked directly on the manufacturing floor, operating computer numerical control machines. CTEC has also provided Governors Corp. with support in its Information Technology department. This mutually beneficial partnership has enabled students to apply the skills that they have learned in one of the area’s premier manufacturing environments and provided Governors Corp. with a reliable source of pre-screened talent that has enriched its staff and production.

SPRINGFIELD — United Personnel announced it has won the Best of Staffing Client and Talent Awards from ClearyRated, formerly known as Inavero. These awards were granted to United Personnel for the second year in a row for providing superior service to its clients and placed talent.

Presented in partnership with CareerBuilder, ClearlyRated’s Best of Staffing winners have proven to be industry leaders in service quality based entirely on ratings by their clients and the candidates they’ve helped find jobs. On average, clients of winning agencies are 2.2 times more likely to be completely satisfied, and candidates who have been placed by winning agencies are 1.7 times more likely to be completely satisfied with the services provided compared to those working with non-winning agencies. 

Focused on helping to connect people with the right job openings at local companies, United Personnel received satisfaction scores of 9 or 10 out of 10 from the majority of its clients and talent. The Best of Staffing Client and Talent Awards are distinctions that fewer than 2% of all staffing agencies in the U.S. and Canada have earned. 

“Our team works hard on behalf of our clients and candidates, and we are very proud and honored to be recognized for our efforts in this way two years in a row,” United Personnel President Tricia Canavan said. “We are committed to supporting the continued professional development of people in this region and contributing to the overall growth of our regional economy.”

LONGMEADOW — Bay Path University was named a winner of a philanthropic funding contest by national nonprofit Strada Education Network. Bay Path was awarded $1,582,600 for a three-year project titled “Closing the Gaps: Building Pathways for Adult Women in a Technology-driven Workforce.”

Implemented through the American Women’s College of Bay Path University, the project will address a critical national need for developing a digitally fluent workforce — applicable not only in cybersecurity and the tech sector, but in other fields as well — that is well-prepared with foundational 21st-century skills in digital technologies, coding, data science, and systems thinking, and the ability to apply these skills across different problems, settings, and industries.

“No one sector can close skill and equity gaps alone. All of the recipients share our commitment to engaging with an ecosystem of educators, community organizations, and employers to help individuals bridge the divide between education and economic opportunity,” said William Hansen, president and CEO of Strada Education Network. “We’re excited to support Bay Path University. They’re listening to education consumers as well as employers, and designing solutions that are relevant to the real-world challenges — and opportunities — today’s students face.” 

Bay Path will use its grant to undertake extensive employer research and engagement and to build capacity of the American Women’s College to scale enrollment of adult women and prepare them with core cybersecurity and information-technology competencies that meet the needs of employers, support them as they persist to degree completion, and assist them to successfully transition to careers in cybersecurity and IT-related employment.

“The advancement of women is central to Bay Path University’s mission as a women’s university,” said Amanda Gould, chief administrative officer at the American Women’s College. “Through the American Women’s College, our strategic priority has been to scale up our capacity to reach more adult women through high-quality online learning which, in turn, will help them achieve career-focused degrees and credentials. The Strada Education Network grant will help us strengthen this pipeline and address a critical national need to prepare a digitally fluent workforce that is fully inclusive of women and minorities.”

CHICOPEE — Elms College will host a day of reflection titled “Living Contemplatively in a Busy World” on Sunday, March 3 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Decice Hall at the Marian Center, 1365 Northampton St., Holyoke.

“Beginning with the Gospel story of Mary and Martha and their friend Jesus, we will visit their home. Then we will look around in our own homes — the homes of our lives, the homes of our hearts. This day of reflections, personal exploration, and prayer invites you to respond, from the busy-ness of your days, to God’s desire for deeper life with you,” said Virginia Collins-English, a certified spiritual director, retreat director, writer, and psychotherapist who will lead the day of reflection.

All are welcome, including those who are ‘spiritual but not religious,’ those who feel marginalized by the church, and those of all faiths. Attendees should bring a bag lunch. Beverages and dessert will be provided.

Sponsored by the Religious Studies Department and the Institute for Theology and Pastoral Studies, this event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. To register, call (413) 265-2575 or e-mail [email protected].

HOLYOKE — More than $200,000 in scholarship money is available for new, current, and transferring Holyoke Community College (HCC) students for the 2019-20 academic year. The application deadline is Wednesday, March 20.

Students must be currently enrolled at HCC or have been accepted for the upcoming academic year to be eligible for scholarships, which are awarded through HCC’s nonprofit fundraising corporation, the HCC Foundation, a 501(c)(3).

“Scholarships through the HCC Foundation support and recognize the accomplishments of students pursuing any field of study, from various backgrounds, across all the communities we serve,” said Amanda Sbriscia, HCC’s vice president of Institutional Advancement and the foundation’s executive director. “Thanks to our donors, HCC students have the chance to benefit from funding that will set them up for even greater success.”

For the 2018-19 academic year, the HCC Foundation awarded 140 different scholarships to 223 students.

For more information or to fill out the online application, visit hccscholarships.org. Questions should be directed to the HCC Foundation scholarship office at (413) 552-2182 or in Donahue 170 on the HCC campus, 303 Homestead Ave.

SPRINGFIELD — BusinessWest is currently accepting nominations for the 40 Under Forty class of 2019. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 15.

Launched in 2007, the program recognizes rising stars in the four counties of Western Mass. Nominations, which should be detailed in nature, should list an individual’s accomplishments within their profession as well as their work within the community. Nominations can be completed online by visiting www.businesswest.com, clicking on ‘Our Events,’ and then ‘40 Under Forty.’

Nominations will be weighed by a panel of judges. The selected individuals will be profiled in the April 29 issue of BusinessWest and honored at the 40 Under Forty Gala on June 20 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke.

SPRINGFIELD — Margaret Carlson, columnist for the Daily Beast, will be the keynote speaker at the Springfield Regional Chamber’s annual Outlook luncheon on Monday, March 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 pm. at the MassMutual Center, 1277 Main St., Springfield.

Presented by Health New England, the Springfield Regional Chamber Outlook is the area’s largest legislative event, attracting more than 700 guests and presenting expert speakers on local, state, and federal issues. The event is sponsored by platinum sponsors Eastern States Exposition, Eversource, MassMutual Financial Group, and United Personnel; and gold sponsors Bulkley Richardson and Berkshire Bank. Program/reception sponsors are Comcast, Mercy Medical Center, BusinessWest, and the Republican, with Zasco Productions as sound sponsor.

Carlson was formerly chief political columnist for Bloomberg News and White House correspondent for Time. She appeared on CNN’s Capital Gang for 15 years. She has won two National Headliner Awards as well as the Belva Ann Lockwood alumni award from George Washington University Law School. She serves on the boards of the German Marshall Fund and the Newseum. A former editor at the New Republic, Carlson has been a fellow at Harvard University’s Institute of Politics, a Poynter Fellow at Yale University, and a journalist-in-residence at the University of Notre Dame. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Penn State University and a law degree from George Washington University Law School.

Speaking about the federal outlook will be U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, whose new role is chair of the powerful, tax-writing Ways and Means Committee. He will provide his insights into the committee’s work, the 116th Congress, and front-burner issues facing the American people.

In addition, Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Mike Kennealy will offer the state outlook. In his role, Kennealy is responsible for advancing the Baker-Polito administration’s agenda to create economic opportunity for residents, collaborative leadership in communities, an environment that supports job creation and business growth, and new housing for residents through targeted investments.

Tickets cost $60 for Springfield Regional Chamber members and $80 for general admission. Reserved tables of 10 are available. Reservations must be made by Wednesday, Feb. 20 by visiting www.springfieldregionalchamber.com or e-mailing [email protected]. No walk-ins will be accepted, and no cancellations will be accepted once the reservation deadline has passed.

SPRINGFIELD — In celebration of women everywhere knocking down doors and breaking through glass ceilings, Bay Path University will host its 24th annual Women’s Leadership Conference (WLC) on Friday, March 29 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield.

This one-day event, which has become the region’s prime women’s leadership event for professional networking and enrichment, will challenge women seeking to make career or life changes to look at the power within to make their dreams a reality, and to dare to ask “why not me?” instead of “why me?”

“I see and hear all too often from women how we either let others put boundaries on our ambitions, or we set limits on ourselves not to dream too big,” said Caron Hobin, vice president for Strategic Alliances at Bay Path University. “When confronted with life decisions, big and small, I like flipping the question about whether or not to boldly go forward with an idea or action from ‘why me?’ to ‘why not me?’ I believe this shift in mindset becomes easier if you can hear from others how they have gotten themselves over that hurdle.”

Delivering the keynote address will be award-winning actress, dancer, and singer Rita Moreno, one of only four women who have achieved the EGOT, the grand slam of entertainment-industry awards, by winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. Throughout her 70-year career, Moreno has had memorable roles in the musical films The King and I and West Side Story, and in 2004 was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honor.

Mel Robbins, a serial entrepreneur, best-selling author, life strategist, internationally recognized social-media influencer, and one of the most sought-after motivational speakers in the world, will deliver the conference’s luncheon keynote. She is the CEO and co-founder of the Confidence Project, a media and digital learning company working with Fortune 500 brands to help employees build habits of confidence and courage.

The conference’s opening keynote speaker will be announced soon.

In addition to the three keynote speakers, breakout sessions focused on reimagining the narrative around women in leadership will be led by Cy Wakeman, drama researcher, global thought leader, New York Times best-selling author, and president and founder of Reality-Based Leadership; Kim Meninger, certified executive and leadership development coach and president and founder of Executive Career Success; Dr. Kristina Hallet, board-certified clinical psychologist, and associate professor of Psychology at Bay Path, executive coach, and best-selling author; and Kim Lear, founder of Inlay Insights, storyteller, writer, and researcher.

For further information on the conference and to register, visit www.baypathconference.com.

ABINGTON — Andrew Raczka, CEO of Abington Bank, announced that Abington Bank will merge with Pilgrim Bank, a member of Hometown Financial Group, MHC, the holding company that includes Easthampton-based bankESB. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of this year. Raczka will lead the merged bank as its CEO.

“We are thrilled to join forces with Pilgrim Bank,” said Raczka. “Our combined resources and expanded branch network will enable us to better serve customers in Plymouth and Norfolk counties. We will have the size and scale needed to be a meaningful player in this market and be able to offer the products and services our customers need with the local commitment they deserve. This transaction will allow us to truly set ourselves apart from the competition.”

Hometown Financial Group recently closed on its acquisition of Pilgrim Bank. “Pilgrim Bank was our entry point into the Eastern Massachusetts market,” said Matthew Sosik, president and CEO of Hometown Financial Group Inc. “From the start, we knew that finding the right mutual partner would be the key to our success with our acquisition of Pilgrim Bancshares Inc. We are very excited about our partnership with Abington Bank. Andy Raczka and his board are well-known and respected bankers in this market, they know the region, and they have experience with bank mergers and integrations. Their customer-first approach, employee-centric culture, and commitment to mutuality mirrors our philosophy here at Hometown Financial Group.”

Following the transaction, Hometown Financial Group will have consolidated assets of $2.7 billion and 30 branches across Massachusetts and Northeastern Conn.

Under its holding-company structure, Hometown Financial Group is able to share resources such as human resources, marketing, facilities management, asset/liability management, investment management, compliance, and information technology with the banks under its umbrella.

“We realize significant efficiencies from our operating model,” Sosik said. “Banks in the Hometown Financial Group family operate independently, with their own identity, management teams, and boards, and avail themselves of back-office resources that are critical to effectively and efficiently compete. We strongly believe that this will be an increasingly attractive business model to other community banks as we move forward.”

SPRINGFIELD — At its recent holiday event, held each January, MHA employees were asked to bring non-perishable items for a food drive to benefit low-income families, and the response was tremendous. Fifteen large bags of food items were collected, including canned vegetables and fruits, pasta, soup, and more, and delivered on Feb. 1.

“We’re thrilled to be able to make such a needed donation to the Market at Gray House,” said Kimberley Lee, vice president, Resource Development & Branding for MHA.

The Gray House is a private, nonprofit social-service agency in the North End of Springfield, which is one of the poorest areas in the city and in the state.

“More than 45% of residents here live below the poverty line,” said Teresa Liberti, director of Gray House. “That’s four times more than the statewide rate. Many visitors to the Market at Gray House find themselves having to choose between buying food and paying for rent, utility bills (including heat), child care, medical bills and prescriptions, and purchasing school uniforms and winter coats. Food is often the first area where people make sacrifices.”

Many visitors to the Market at Gray House report that they are turning to emergency food support for the first time. Many are newly unemployed, employed part-time with their hours greatly reduced, grandparents find themselves unexpectedly caring for family members who can no longer support themselves, and seniors choosing between food and prescriptions.

“As a nonprofit provider of vital community supports and services, we more than understand the important role contributions play in an agency’s ability to serve,” Lee said. “We saw the holiday event as an opportunity for us to reach out and to support the work on an organization like the Gray House, who is serving a very different population than our own. While the majority of our program participants are young and older adults, we wanted to do something that would positively affect the lives of children and their families. We are thrilled to be able to help stock the shelves of the Market at Gray House.”

Open hours for the Market at Gray House are Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon, and the second and fourth Fridays of the month from 4 to 6 p.m. On average, the Market at Gray House serves 80 to 120 households per week. Households are able to visit 12 times each calendar year, and with each visit, they receive three to four days’ worth of food.

In an effort to destigmatize food assistance, the name the Market at Gray House was adopted in 2018, replacing the previous name, the Gray House Food Pantry. “As always, when people come to the Market at Gray House, they are treated with respect and welcomed by our friendly staff and volunteers,” Liberti said. “Recently we have been getting a lot of families visiting who have never gotten this kind of assistance before, and we are welcoming them and helping them get the food that they need.”

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Museums is seeking nominations for the 28th annual Ubora Award and the 10th annual Ahadi Youth Award. These prestigious awards — conferred by the African Hall Subcommittee — honor African-American people from Greater Springfield who have gone above and beyond in demonstrating commitment to fields of community service, education, science, humanities, and/or the arts.

The African Hall Subcommittee is a volunteer group comprised of educators, business people, and community leaders from the African-American community. The nomination deadline for both awards is March 31.

True to the Swahili word that comprises its name, the Ubora Award recognizes an adult of African heritage who exemplifies excellence in their commitment to creating a better community through service. In 2018, the Ubora Award was given to Keshawn Dobbs, who leads the Springfield Boys and Girls Club Family Center.

Named for the Swahili word for ‘promise,’ the Ahadi Youth Award is presented to a young African-American who excels in academics and performs admirable service to the Greater Springfield community. Eligible candidates must be age 19 or younger, live in or have strong ties to the Greater Springfield area, and be currently enrolled in grades 10, 11, or 12. In 2018, the Ahadi Award was given to Karissa Coleman.

The Ubora and Ahadi Awards will be presented at a ceremony at the Springfield Museums in September. Nomination forms can be downloaded by visiting springfieldmuseums.org/ubora. Nominations may be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to African Hall Subcommittee, c/o Valerie Cavagni, Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield, MA 01103.