Home 2022 December (Page 4)

Month: December 2022

HCC’s 11-day Wintersession Term Begins Dec. 29

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Daily News

HOLYOKE — Seats remain open for Wintersession classes at Holyoke Community College (HCC), offering new and returning students — as well as those from other colleges home for the holidays — the opportunity to earn a semester’s worth of credits for one class in 11 days.

HCC’s Wintersession term begins Thursday, Dec. 29 and ends Friday, Jan. 13.

Students can earn up to four transferable credits by taking Wintersession classes in a wide variety of subjects, including anthropology, communications, criminal justice, economics, education, environmental science, geography, law, management, mathematics, nutrition, social science, and sociology. Most Wintersession classes are offered entirely online.

“We’re starting our Wintersession classes five days earlier than previous years, which will allow both current HCC students and guest students from other colleges to earn a few quick credits and get a jump-start on classes before the spring semester,” said Mark Hudgik, HCC’s director of Admissions.

The registration deadline for Wintersession classes at HCC is Wednesday, Dec. 28.

Registration is also open at HCC for spring 2023 classes. Full-semester classes (14 weeks) begin Tuesday, Jan. 17, with additional Flex Start dates on Feb. 6 (12-week classes) and March 20 (seven-week classes). All spring-semester classes conclude by May 11.

To enroll for a Wintersession class, visit hcc.edu/wintersession. To enroll for spring 2023, visit hcc.edu/register.

Students must submit proof of COVID-19 vaccinations before registering for on-campus classes. Those who plan to register only for online classes do not have to submit proof of vaccination.

BusinessTalk with PeoplesBank President and CEO Tom Senecal

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Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest has launched a new podcast series, BusinessTalk. Each episode will feature in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders, providing thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachuetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running during these challenging times.

Go HERE to view all episodes

Episode 139: December 5, 2022

George Interviews Tom Senecal, PeoplesBank President and CEO

Tom Senecal

The economy. Inflation. Interest rates. Quiet quitting. The housing market. The outlook for 2023. These are just a few of the subjects that BusinessWest Editor and PeoplesBank President and CEO Tom Senecal touch on in a wide-ranging installment of BusinessTalk. It’s all must listening, so tune in to BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest in partnership with Living Local 413 and sponsored by PeoplesBank.

 

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Rocky’s Ace Hardware Inducted into Retail Hall of Fame

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Rocky’s Ace Hardware, one of the country’s largest family-owned Ace Hardware dealers, was recently awarded the Award of Excellence in Retail by the Retailers Assoc. of Massachusetts and inducted into the Retail Hall of Fame. Recipients are nominated by their industry peers and local chambers of commerce and are recognized for their overall excellence, innovation, and service within the retail industry.

“We’re really excited to be inducted into the Retail Hall of Fame,” Rocky’s Ace Hardware President Rocco Falcone said. “We thank all our associates who made this possible. We call them our ‘red-vested heroes.’ We’d also like to thank our customers for supporting us for the last 96 years.”

Falcone’s grandfather, also named Rocco but nicknamed Rocky, opened the first Rocky’s in 1926 in Springfield. In 1966, Rocky’s son James began running the business, eventually expanding to a successful seven-store chain before affiliating with the Ace Hardware Co-op. James’ son Rocco is the third generation of the family to serve as president. Rocky’s Ace Hardware now has 47 locations in nine states: Connecticut, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.

Rocco’s son John represents the fourth generation to join the family business, currently serving as the company’s director of Merchandising. He attributes the success of the company to its three core values.

“We focus on service, convenience, and quality,” John Falcone said. “The customer’s expectation when coming into our store is that we’re going to have very helpful associates. It’s our team’s expectation that we will provide much better service here than you’ll get at any big-box store.”

The Retailers Assoc. of Massachusetts Awards of Excellence were created in 1998 as a way to acknowledge retail excellence in the Commonwealth. Throughout their history, these awards have honored small and large retailers, rookies and veterans, identifying hidden gems from all corners of the state.

White Lion Brewing Co. Recognized Nationally

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Brewbound, a leading multimedia industry trade publication, recently announced its 2022 award winners and class of Rising Stars during the trade publication’s Brewbound Live business conference in Santa Monica, California.

The Brewbound Awards recognize large and small beverage/alcohol companies that thrived over the last year, while also celebrating notable industry figures, change agents, up-and-coming entrepreneurs, and philanthropic initiatives. Springfield-based White Lion Brewing Co. was named a Rising Star, joining seven other emerging beverage companies to keep an eye on.

“The challenges facing the beer category in 2022 were unrelenting, but Brewbound’s award winners and class of Rising Stars were standouts for not just business performance, but the way they helped their teams, their communities, and the overall industry,” Brewbound Editor Justin Kendall said. “We are thrilled to honor this year’s award winners and Rising Stars.”

White Lion founder and President Ray Berry noted that “there is a huge playing field in the beverage space, and it continues to evolve. We work hard to adjust to those changes. This recognition is attributed to community support and an incredible team that takes pride in what we do day in and day out. To be recognized as a Rising Star pushes us to work harder and be a voice within the craft-beer community. We look forward to what the future holds.”

HCC Welcomes Jane Johnson Vottero as Director of Marketing

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College (HCC) recently welcomed Jane Johnson Vottero as its new director of Marketing and Strategic Communications.

Vottero joins HCC after 21 years at Springfield College, where she has worked as manager of editorial services, publications director, director of executive communications, and, most recently, editorial director. Her work includes award-winning publications, executive speech writing, supervision of creative and volunteer teams, advertising campaigns, newspaper reporting, freelance correspondence, development writing, web writing, video production, and strategic communications for businesses, nonprofits, and political and social-issue campaigns.

“We’re very excited to welcome Jane to HCC,” said Amanda Sbriscia, vice president of the college’s division of Institutional Advancement. “She brings a breadth of experience in marketing and communications, a passion for all that we do at HCC, and a commitment to our students and our mission that I believe will advance our work.”

At HCC, Vottero will oversee the operations of marketing, media relations, social media, graphic design, website management, publications, and other internal and external communications.

“I am delighted to serve at an institution that has such strong leadership and is committed to removing all barriers that stand between students and their education,” she said.

Vottero holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature from UMass Amherst and a master’s degree in psychology from Springfield College. She has worked as a writer, editor, and publicist in Western Mass., including at Baystate Health, the Western Massachusetts Business Journal (now BusinessWest), the Westfield Evening News, and Barron’s Business and Financial Weekly. She is a past president of the Junior League of Greater Springfield, the founding president of CISV Greater Springfield, and a graduate of the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts Leadership Institute for Political and Public Impact.

bankESB Promotes Meridith Salois to Vice President

By
Daily News

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB recently promoted Meridith Salois to vice president, Commercial Credit Systems Management.

Salois joined bankESB in 2001 as a loan servicer and progressed over time to collections assistant, credit analyst, and senior credit analyst before being elected officer in 2015 and promoted to assistant vice president in 2016. In 2020, she was promoted to assistant vice president, Commercial Credit Systems manager. She was responsible for leading the commercial integration group for bankESB parent Hometown Financial Group’s recent acquisition of Randolph Bancorp and Envision Bank.

Salois holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Bay Path College and is a graduate of the New England School for Financial Studies. She currently serves as vice president of the LoanVantage User Group and is an active volunteer in her community with the Southampton Road PTO and All 4-Kids Consignment Sale.

Bob ‘the Bike Man’ Charland Wins Hyundai Salute to Heroes Car Giveaway

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — The Western Mass. Hyundai dealers (Balise, Gary Rome, and Country) surprised Bob “the Bike Man” Charland with a new 2023 Hyundai Tucson yesterday at his repair shop at the Eastfield Mall in Springfield.

Charland is the founder of Pedal Thru Youth Inc. He started working with children in 2003 when he led a Girl Scout troop for his daughter and coached her softball team. He started teaching automotive for Willie Ross School for the Deaf in 2012. Around the same time, he started fixing up bikes to donate to less fortunate kids.

In 2017, after being diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease, he decided that he wanted to create a formal organization and start donating bikes to large groups of children. Thus, the idea for Pedal Thru Youth was born. Charland has made significant contributions to the community that also includes volunteering his time to supply law-enforcement agencies around Massachusetts and Connecticut with backpacks filled with essential supplies for the homeless.

Hyundai Salute To Heroes is an annual event that was launched in 2021 and brought to the Western Mass. region by Gary Rome, president of Gary Rome Hyundai and president of the Hyundai Dealers Advertising Assoc., to recognize local, everyday heroes. The Hyundai Tucson SEL AWD is valued at $33,495, and the dealers are paying for all taxes and fees associated with the vehicle.

“Salute to Heroes is our way, as a dealer body, to acknowledge the ordinary people of our Western Mass. community who selflessly do heroic things,” Rome said. “Our local communities continue to go through so much; Salute to Heroes is the Western Mass. Hyundai dealers’ way of saying thank you.”

The 29-day nomination period ended on Nov. 20, and anyone at least 18 years old who lives in Franklin, Hampshire, or Hampden county was eligible to win. Nominations were entered at www.hyundaisalutetoheroes.com, where 300-word essays about why the nominee is deserving of a new car were submitted.

Thirty finalists were chosen, and three local community leaders volunteered their time as honorary judges to vote on the final winner. This year’s appointed judges were Anthony Cignoli, president of A.L Cignoli & Associates; Denise Jordan, executive director of the Springfield Housing Authority; and Linda Thompson, president of Westfield State University.

Last year, Westfield High School teacher Kristen Biancuzzo was the winner of the Salute to Heroes contest.

UMassFive Employees Raise More Than $20,000 for Local Nonprofits

By
Daily News

HADLEY — UMassFive College Federal Credit Union announced that its employees have raised more than $20,000 for two local nonprofits during the fall of 2022. Specifically, $15,700 was raised in support of the UMass Cancer Center via participation in the UMass Cancer Walk and Run, and $4,800 was raised for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts via participation in Will Bike 4 Food.

A longstanding and top supporter of the UMass Cancer Walk and Run event for more than 20 years, UMassFive employees joined together as Team UMassFive to raise funds for the cause, both personally and in branch locations. In 2022, fundraising efforts included raffle baskets, bake sales, candy sales, and art and jewelry sales. Donations were also sought from credit-union corporate partners, whose support helps bolster efforts each year. Including the funds raised so far this year, Team UMassFive has raised more than $173,000 in donations to the UMass Cancer Center over the lifetime of their participation.

For years now, UMassFive employees have also jumped on their bicycles in support of Will Bike 4 Food, a major fundraising event for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. In 2022, six team members worked together to raise $4,800 from supporters, which equates to 18,800 meals for neighbors in need. At the Will Bike 4 Food event, the team rode 300 total miles for this cause.

“We are so proud of our employees for supporting local causes that they care about,” said Cait Murray, Community Outreach manager at UMassFive. “Together, our team can make a more significant impact than if we all participate in events on our own. These organizations make such a big difference in our communities, and we are thrilled to support those efforts.”

Anyone who wishes to support Team UMassFive may donate before the end of 2022 by visiting support.umasscancerwalk.org/umassfive22 or foodbankwma.org/events/will-bike-4-food and search for Team UMassFive.

Market Mentors Welcomes Four New Team Members

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Market Mentors, the region’s largest marketing, advertising, and public-relations agency, is proud to announce the addition of four new team members, adding to the depth and expertise of its staff. The hires span multiple departments, including account services, media buying, and administration.

“We are always looking for top talent to join our growing team,” said Michelle Abdow, president. “Each of these four new members has a depth of expertise in our industry. They have already been serving up results for our clients, while also allowing us to accommodate new business.”

John Miarecki joined the agency as director of Growth and Development. A marketing guru with almost 15 years of experience in various roles, as well as degrees in marketing and psychology from West Chester University in Pennsylvania, he is tasked with assisting with business development, client services, internal operations and talent development.

Shawna Griffin is the agency’s new media planner/buyer, bringing with her two decades of experience in the field. A graduate of Hofstra University, she is adept at creating comprehensive media plans that drive action and results.

Erica Moulton joined the agency as an account executive with nearly 20 years of expertise in all things communications, including social media, public relations, referral relations, fundraising, account management, and more. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the Catholic University of America and has extensive expertise in the healthcare and nonprofit verticals.

Susan Mayhew made her return to Market Mentors as office manager, a position she previously held for four years before moving to Colorado and then South Carolina. With more than 25 years of business administration experience, she is responsible for office management, including financials (including accounts payable, accounts receivable, and reporting) and some human-resources duties.

Market Mentors partners with clients locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally across a range of industries, including automotive, banking and finance, education, energy, healthcare, home improvement, legal, manufacturing, nonprofit, political, and retail.

United Way of Pioneer Valley Launches Annual Hope for the Holidays Campaign

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — United Way of Pioneer Valley (UWPV) has launched its annual Hope for the Holidays campaign, a holiday gift drive for children in the region.

“We have the opportunity to collect toys from many of our donors and corporate partners, and then ensure they get into the hands of families who need a little extra help during the holidays,” said Jason Newmark, chair of the UWPV board.

Thanks to a local businessman, a vintage Fiat will sit inside the TD Bank building at 1441 Main St. in Springfield for the next several weeks. UWPV invites donors to help fill the Fiat with educational toys this holiday season. This serves as one of the main donation drop-off sites. Other drop-off sites include the Tavern Restaurant, Shortstop Bar and Grill, and Westfield Gas & Electric (100 Elm St.), all in Westfield. Additional drop-off locations are the Granville Library, the Russell Library, and Good Works Coffee House in Chicopee.

UWPV seeks new, unwrapped toys appropriate for children ages 0-12, such as games, trucks, dolls, sports equipment, books, and puzzles. For those who wish to purchase online and have toys shipped, they may be sent to United Way of Pioneer Valley, 1441 Main St., Suite 147, Springfield, MA 01103. Hope for the Holidays will run through mid-December.