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Year: 2024

Worthington Assembly Focuses on ‘Humanizing Manufacturing’

By
Rafal Dybacki (left) and Neil Scanlon
Franklin County

Blueprinting a Unique Culture

Rafal Dybacki (left) and Neil Scanlon

Rafal Dybacki (left) and Neil Scanlon are focused on continued growth and something they call ‘humanizing manufacturing.’

It’s called “The Pick, Place, Podcast.”

It’s co-produced by Worthington Assembly Inc. (WAi) and a collaborator — and tenant within its space in Deerfield’s industrial park — called CircuitHub, and it’s billed as an electronics show where representatives from the companies, which specialize in circuit-board design and assembly (contract manufacturing), discuss the printed circuit board (PCB) assembly process, offer design tips, and talk to industry guests.

“It’s a unique show — no one else is doing anything quite like this,” WAi principal Neil Scanlon said. “And we have a lot of fun doing it.”

But while proud of their own podcast, Scanlon and Worthington co-owner Rafal Dybacki preferred to talk about a different podcast, called “Uncover the Human,” featuring consultants who talk with guests about … well, how to make the workplace more human.

This has been one of the overriding goals for the two partners since they acquired the company, originally based in Worthington (hence the name) and moved it to Deerfield, and, long story short, they were featured on an episode of “Uncover the Human” just over a year ago.

“It’s a couple of consultants out of Colorado, and they’re trying to find … one way to say it is to peel back the layers and find the good in work and try to make workplaces more human and be not what they are today,” Scanlon said.

“One of our employees is good friends with one of the employees at this consulting company, and they were on a trip together, and our employee was telling her about our culture and how we make decisions. And she kept asking her questions and saying, ‘this doesn’t make any sense,’ and ‘let me try to understand this more.’ She became so fascinated, she said she had to get us on their podcast.”

They told the host what they told BusinessWest — that they take a different approach to hiring and developing employees. It’s an approach hinted at broadly in the headline over the company’s posting on jobsinthevalley.com, which features the two words ‘humanizing manufacturing.’

The two explained what that means.

“We have a flat, decentralized organization,” Scanlon said. “We don’t have supervisors, and everyone works in teams, and the teams work together to deliver quality product to our customers.

“We’re focused on people who are interested in problem solving, learning, and growing,” he went on, adding that part of the team’s culture, as we’ll see, is involving all employees in the work to find people who will make good fits.

Elaborating, Dybacki explained that, after inititial interviews, job candidates will then take what he called a “self-guided tour” of the factory and its various departments, seeing what’s done and asking any questions they might have. By doing this — something that very few, if any, other manufacturers would allow — the applicant gets a sense of not only of the work, but the people he or she will be working alongside.

“We have a flat, decentralized organization. We don’t have supervisors, and everyone works in teams, and the teams work together to deliver quality product to our customers.”

If that candidate is still interested, they begin what Scanlon described as a “three-day working interview,” during which the individual is assigned to work with specific teams. And if they’re still interested, things get taken to the next level — a 30-day working interview.

Overall, this process was blueprinted — there’s that word again — to get the right people on the company’s teams, and a workforce where members are both focused and happy.

For this issue and its focus on Franklin County, BusinessWest talked at length with Scanlon and Dybacki about Worthington Assembly and what’s in their business plan moving forward, but also about humanizing manufacturing and the unique culture they’ve created.

 

Making It Here

The consultants behind the “Uncover the Human” podcast aren’t the only ones interested in talking with these two entrepreneurs lately.

Indeed, Yvonne Hao, secretary of the state’s Executive Office of Economic Development, got them on the phone late last month as part of a larger effort to assess the climate for small businesses in the Commonwealth, especially those in advanced manufacturing, and better understand their issues and concerns.

Scanlon and Dybacki said they talked about a number of things with her, from the millionaire’s tax and how they feel it penalizes S corporations, like Worthington Assembly, to the gross-receipts tax and how it also it also hamstrings small-business owners. They also talked about the company’s culture, said Dybacki, speculating that Hao may have heard the “Uncover the Human” episode.

Whether she did or not, the call is an indication of how the company and how it operates have gained traction and visibility as it continues to grow and evolve — and mark a half-century of working on the cutting edge of circuit-board contract manufacturing.

Indeed, it was back in 1974 when Tom Quinn, the company’s founder, set up shop in his bedroom and soon developed processes for assembling circuit boards, first for a Boston-based client called Cyborg Inc.

The company moved from Quinn’s bedroom to a small barn in Worthington, where it continued a pattern of steady growth. Quinn and his wife, Barbara, sold the operation to Scanlon and Dybacki in 2008 and, seeking larger quarters, more reliable power, and faster internet, moved it to the industrial park in Deerfield a year later.

There, they’ve continued and enhanced the company’s reputation as a contract manufacturer, amassing a deep portfolio of clients, most of them in New England, in sectors ranging from medical-device manufacturing to industrial controls; from HVAC to segments of the automobile industry.

“We essentially build to a blueprint, much like a machine shop builds to a blueprint,” Scanlon explained. “A customer will come to us with a blueprint, and we will build that product for them precisely as that blueprint states.”

WAi does a considerable amount of work with CircuitHub, a designer of circuit boards for customers around the globe, and ships directly to its clients, Dybacki said.

It is one of the few circuit board assemblers in Western Mass., and a relatively small player in a large and extremely competitive sector, where, in this case, the smaller size is a competitive advantage because it comes with flexibility and the ability to handle the smaller orders that the larger players would not even consider, Scanlon explained.

“We handle things at lower volumes, where it’s too much work to send it off the China because the volume isn’t there, and other competitors simply don’t want to get involved with a $4,000 or $5,000 order,” he said, adding that the company can handle orders of a few dozen of an item to several thousand.

 

True Grit

WAi has enjoyed steady growth over the past several years, growing its workforce to 35, said Dybacki, adding that the focus has always been on “finding the right person and getting them in the right seat, and making sure they stay here.”

And this is where we return to the company’s culture and that notion of humanizing manufacturing.

Finding the right people is crucial, Scanlon said, because of the custom nature of the work being done.

“We do so many unique assemblies,” he explained. “On a given day, with this team of 35 people, we might be shipping 10 different assemblies that have in some cases never been built by anyone else. In order to do that, you need really good people that have a thorough understanding of how this works.

“You can’t have memorizers, you can’t have button pushers … our people that work here do the same thing over and over again for an hour, and then they move on to something totally different,” he went on. “They need a unique skill set.”

To find the right people — and then keep them — the company has created a comprehensive hiring, training, and onboarding process, one that secures input not only from those doing the interviewing and hiring, but those who will be working alongside the candidate in question.

It begins with that headline over the job placement and accompanying job description — ‘humanizing manufacturing.’

“This catches their eye, and they read about it, and then a lot of times they’ll reach out to us,” Scanlon said. “The type of person you get doesn’t necessarily have the exact skills you’re looking for, but they have the right attitude and a willingness to learn.

Dybacki concurred, adding, “in a lot of cases, that’s more important than having the needed skills.”

That aforementioned process, including the three-day and 30-day working interviews, includes something called a ‘360 form,’ whereby team members are evaluated by colleagues using core values and successful habits. These are listed with accompanying phraseology, so employees know just what they’re looking for, and ‘scores,’ if you will, ranging from ‘excellent’ to ‘average’ to ‘poor.’

These core values and descriptions provide some real insight into the degree to which the company wants people who are good fits, and how everyone at WAi is involved in finding those fits.

Under the core value ‘humility,’ we find “puts the team first; works well with others; open to change; open to learning; check any arrogance at the door; listens to others. No, really listens.”

Under the core value ‘honesty’ (described as “to be candid, straightforward, and fair”) is written, “our ability to be candid with our teammates is essential for our success; we cannot continuously improve if we aren’t talking about opportunities for improvement.”

Other core values and successful habits include ‘have fun,’ ‘contribute,’ ‘work well with everyone,’ and even ‘grit’ — “we need to always stay focused and push through the hard tasks all day, every day without becoming bored or complacent, and take pride in the simple yet at times difficult tasks.”

“Our teammates here will let you know if you have grit, if you’re able to do this work or not,” Scanlon said. “They’ll know just by the sound of the screwdriver.”

Using tools like the 360 form and a rigorous interviewing and onboarding process — which includes listening to that episode of “Uncover the Human” — the company has managed to successfully hire and maintain a workforce when many in manufacturing, and other sectors as well, are struggling to do so.

And much of it comes down to getting everyone at the company involved in this process.

“People here can’t complain about who they’re working with because they helped choose them and they have the ability to put feedback into a person’s 360,” said Scanlon, adding that, overall, these processes have created an environment where everyone is happy with who they’re working with, and they work together to take the company to the next level.

This is a true blueprint for success and a reason why this company is getting some attention — not just for the circuit boards it produces, but for the culture it has created.

UMass Awarded $5.5 Million to Apply Research to Real World

By
Peter Reinhart
Technology

Keep Moving Forward

Peter Reinhart

Peter Reinhart calls the grant “an unprecedented opportunity to build a sustainable innovation engine.”

 

A team from UMass Amherst recently won a $5.5 million Accelerating Research Translation (ART) award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support and expand faculty and student researchers’ efforts to translate research conducted in campus laboratories into tangible solutions to real-world problems.

The UMass team, which includes the Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS), the Technology Transfer Office, the Office of Research & Engagement, and the Office of the Provost, is one of only 18 nationwide announced in the program’s inaugural year. It is the only award made in New England, and one of just three in the Northeast.

“NSF endeavors to empower academic institutions to build the pathways and structures needed to speed and scale their research into products and services that benefit the nation,” NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan said, adding that the ART program “identifies and champions institutions positioned to expand their research-translation capacity by investing in activities essential to move results to practice.”

UMass Amherst Chancellor Javier Reyes noted that “the resources and nationwide network that this award brings to the campus will open new opportunities for our researchers to make a positive impact on society and will strengthen their ability to contribute to economic development in the region and beyond.”

Provost Mike Malone added that “receiving ART funding from NSF is a vote of confidence in the excellence of campus researchers and the potential for their work to translate into products, spinout ventures, and social enterprises that solve important real-world problems.”

Each ART awardee will benefit from a partnership with a mentoring institution of higher education that already has a robust ecosystem for translational research. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) will serve in that role for UMass. As such, the UMass Amherst team will be able to take advantage of MIT’s research-translation prowess to develop individual faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate-student researchers, as well as its knowhow in the development of new startup companies.

“The project will equip diverse groups of scientists and engineers, from undergraduates to senior faculty, with skills to extend research excellence toward impactful translational outcomes.”

Roman Lubynsky, executive director of the New England Regional Innovation Node at MIT, has already begun to work with the UMass team as lead mentor, noting that “the IHE mentor role provides an ideal opportunity for us to build upon and expand our ongoing relationship with UMass Amherst, including facilitating access to and adaptation of best practices from across MIT’s translational enterprise.”

 

Seeking Impact

The four-year award will fund seed translational research projects, training to prepare postdoctoral fellows and graduate students for careers related to translational research, and a network of ART ambassadors, who will serve as role models, peer mentors, and advocates for societally impactful translational research.

In addition, UMass Amherst’s ART ambassadors will be part of a nationwide network of ART ambassadors from all funded institutions. Diverse, equitable, and inclusive efforts will prioritize and champion the involvement of members of traditionally underrepresented groups in every aspect of the project.

“This award provides the campus with an unprecedented opportunity to build a sustainable innovation engine that will prepare students and faculty to contribute to the innovation economy, shorten timelines between ideation and de-risked technologies, and result in enterprises that include diverse leaders in the development of technologies to address important societal needs,” said Peter Reinhart, founding director of IALS. “The project will equip diverse groups of scientists and engineers, from undergraduates to senior faculty, with skills to extend research excellence toward impactful translational outcomes.”

Reinhart will serve as the grant’s principal investigator. Co-principal investigators include Provost Mike Malone; Burnley Jaklevic, director of the UMass Amherst Technology Transfer Office; and Karen Utgoff, director of IALS Venture Development. Partner organizations include MassVentures, the Berkshire Innovation Center, Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives, and Somerville-based innovation accelerator FORGE.

According to the National Science Foundation, more than $100 million was awarded to the 18 teams. Each awardee will receive up to $6 million over four years to identify and build upon academic research with the potential for technology transfer and societal and economic impacts, to ensure availability of staff with technology-transfer expertise, and to support the education and training of entrepreneurial faculty and students.

“Congratulations to the IALS team and the UMass Amherst campus on this significant award,” said Jeanne LeClair, vice president of Economic Development & Partnerships for the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center. “The center is incredibly proud of its significant investments in IALS as an anchor institution of our burgeoning Western Massachusetts life-sciences cluster. This award will only further spur innovation, translational research, and entrepreneurship for the region and our Commonwealth.”

Massachusetts Secretary for Economic Development Yvonne Hao added that “this ART award will help to grow the innovation economy in Western Massachusetts. The region has a lot to offer talented people who want to create new businesses, expand them, and to really succeed and thrive here.”

 

More Successes for IALS

The ART announcement came on the heels of two IALS core facilities receiving sophisticated microscopy instruments — the first such instruments to be located in Western Mass. — through grants totaling more than $3.2 million from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC).

The UMass Amherst grants are included in a funding package of more than $30.5 million to support life-sciences innovation, workforce, and STEM education across Massachusetts.

The first award of $1,655,774 will fund the IALS Electron Microscope facility’s purchase of a cryo-transmission electron microscope, technology that the microscopy facility did not possess, and which will be the first to be located in Western Mass., according to facility director Alexander Ribbe.

The second award, $1,555,276, will allow the Light Microscopy facility, under the direction of James Chambers, to purchase technology that was missing from its imaging portfolio, expanding light microscopy offerings for biomedical training and research at UMass Amherst and beyond.

Keiter Executive Headquarters to Move to West Springfield Later This Year

By
Daily News

FLORENCE — Keiter, a construction-services firm located in Florence since 2008, recently announced it will relocate its executive headquarters to a 6,000-square-foot facility at 1 Interstate Dr., West Springfield later this year.

Keiter is comprised of Keiter Builders, the commercial/institutional division; Keiter Homes, the residential arm; and Keiter Properties, the real-estate venture. Its pre-construction, sales and marketing, finance and administration, and operations departments will be located in the new space.

The move is prompted by growth and will allow Keiter much-needed space to collaborate with customers and partners on projects.

“We have purposely grown our company over the past few years to better serve the needs of our customers and the broader community,” CEO Scott Keiter said. “Keiter needs to continue growing in other ways so we can continue to meet the needs of our customers, employees, partners, and communities.”

The new location will also help Keiter better serve clients in Hampden and Berkshire counties while continuing to serve clients in Hampshire and Franklin counties.

“The move will be phased in,” said Keiter, who is one of BusinessWest’s 2024 Difference Makers. “Keiter will continue to service all of its clients and customers in a business-as-usual way. We will not skip a beat. We are excited to make this move and look forward to growth and expanding our reach.”

Virtual Workshop to Explore How to ‘Build a Better Relationship with Your Boss’

By
Daily News

PITTSFIELD — Dulye Leadership Experience announced its next Culture Chat program, “Build a Better Relationship with Your Boss,” a one-hour, virtual event taking place on Friday, April 12 at noon.

Seasoned leadership coaches Jeff Schreier and Janet Forest will provide actionable advice for mending differences through better communication, collaboration, and self-awareness. The interactive Culture Chat format features a mini-workshop with the experts followed by small-group discussions.

There is no fee to attend, thanks to the sustained sponsorship of Dulye & Co. consulting firm. Click here to register.

Tighe & Bond Opens Second New York Office in Troy

By
Daily News

WESTFIELD — Tighe & Bond announced the opening of a new office in Troy, N.Y. Located at 433 River St. in the Hedley Building, this location will allow the firm to better service its growing base of clients in the Albany region.

Tighe & Bond’s newest location brings the firm’s total office count to 16 throughout the Northeast and is the firm’s second New York location, in addition to the Hudson Valley office located in Rhinebeck. Vice President Erin Moore will provide leadership for the establishment of the Troy office as location manager. A lifelong resident of New York’s Capital District, with more than two decades of experience in municipal water, wastewater, and stormwater projects, she has been actively engaged in expanding Tighe & Bond’s services throughout New York in response to clients’ needs.

“Establishing a base in Troy allows us to better meet the needs of our clients in the Capital Region and offers the opportunity to expand to meet client demands in that geography,” Tighe & Bond President and CEO Bob Belitz said. “Our team has been working to grow our client base and employee count in New York, and this new office location is a natural step in that expansion.”

Massachusetts Tops Recent Study on Work-life Balance

By
Daily News

SEATTLE — Work/life balance is becoming increasingly important in today’s world, and a new study reveals which states have the best and worst balances, with Massachusetts topping the list.

The study, by AI productivity platform Plus Docs, analyzed Bureau of Labor Statistics data and looked at the average weekly hours worked, as well as average weekly earnings, in order to give each state an index score out of 100 for how good — or bad — its work/life balance is.

Massachusetts takes the top spot on the list, with a work/life balance score of 60.29 out of 100. With the highest average weekly income ($1,329.02 per week) and, as a result, the highest average hourly wages ($39.32 per hour), the people of Massachusetts were found to be among the states with the lowest average weekly hours worked, working only 33.8 hours per week on average.

Rounding out the top five, in order, are Washington, California, New York, and Alaska. Mississippi was found to be the state with the worst work/life balance, scoring only 0.19 out of 100. In Mississippi, the average person works 34.6 hours a week and earns only $829.71 per week.

“The study highlights significant variations in work/life balance across different U.S. states. Massachusetts takes the lead with a notably high index score, showing a fine balance between working hours and earnings,” said Daniel Li, CEO and co-founder of Plus Docs. “In contrast, at the lower end of the spectrum, Mississippi indicates a distinct pattern with lower weekly wages and a relatively higher number of weekly hours worked. These findings underscore states’ diverse approaches in managing the delicate balance between professional commitments and personal time.”

Louie Theros Transitions from the Courtroom to the Casino Floor

By
Louie Theros
Cover Story

Making His Case

Louie Theros

Louie Theros

 

Louie Theros is a trial lawyer by trade. In fact, his wife has told him on numerous occasions that she has never seen him happier than when he’s in the courtroom trying a case.

He would agree with that assessment wholeheartedly.

“I loved the strategy of it and sitting down with my colleagues and working themes of cases,” he told BusinessWest. “How we were going to deal with the opposite side’s parries, changes in strategy, and how we had to learn and deal with the jury and get them to like us and our case. I loved everything about it.”

But while he’s energized by the various elements of a courtroom fight, he acknowledged that his current challenge is probably the biggest and most intriguing of his career.

Indeed, Theros has seen his most recent career aspiration come to fruition with his appointment as president and chief operating officer of MGM Springfield, succeeding Chris Kelley, who held that role for four challenge-laden years (he arrived not long before the pandemic descended on the region) before departing at the end of 2023.

Prior to his arrival in Springfield, Theros served MGM as vice president, legal counsel, and assistant secretary at MGM Grand Detroit, and then in those same roles for MGM’s Midwest Group, which also included a casino in Ohio. In those various positions, he said he learned all aspects of the casino business, and especially what he called the “human-resources side,” a natural byproduct of working in employment law for 25 years before joining the casino giant and then continuing that type of work.

“I’ve told people here during my first few weeks that I’m sort of a ‘culture person,’” he said. “I’ve been on the human-resources side my entire career, working with a variety of companies, spanning Fortune 10 corporations to single-person entities, and I’ve learned a lot about the human element. So one of my goals here is to drive culture among employees and between our hourlies and our managers.”

“When we designed this … we didn’t design a glass, Vegas-like place; this fits into the community. Corporate-wise, we really felt the vibe of Springfield, and we really paid a lot of attention to this fitting into the community.”

That’s one of many goals he brings with him to MGM Springfield, where he becomes the third president and COO of that facility. He acknowledged that his predecessors, Mike Mathis and then Kelley, had specific assignments.

Mathis’s was to open the facility — a four-year process that ended in August 2018 — and then put it on solid ground. Kelley was then charged with ramping up, he said, adding that this process was complicated by COVID and then dominated by the introduction of sports gambling.

Generalizing, Theros said his assignment is to build on the foundation that’s been laid and simply try to improve on every aspect of the operation, a long list that includes the gross gambling revenue (GGR) generated at the facility, the entertainment shows at various venues, and the broad impact MGM Springfield has on the surrounding South End area and the region in general.

There are already some items on his to-do list — reactivating the former church that was home to a Kringle Candle outlet but has been vacant for several years, energizing the hotel’s spa, and adding to the entertainment calendar, for example — but mostly, at this early stage, he’s still watching, learning, getting to know the region, and, overall, setting the bar higher for the casino complex.

casino complex

As Louie Theros takes the helm at MGM, he senses growing momentum, both at the casino complex and in Springfield’s South End.
(Photo by Jose Figueroa)

“This should be the best that Springfield has to offer — we have the resources to have the best steakhouse, the best Italian restaurant, the best food court, the best experience for someone who’s looking for something exciting to do on any night of the week,” he said, adding that, in most respects, the casino is already there, and with the others, it’s his job to get it there.

For this issue, BusinessWest talked at length with Theros about everything from the path he took to Springfield to what he wants to do with this opportunity to oversee his own casino.

 

Odds Are…

Theros is certainly no stranger to Springfield and its casino. Indeed, he came here during the pandemic to help prepare the facility for its reopening and was also part of the large team that opened the facility five and half years ago.

“I spent two weeks here then,” he said, gaining during that brief stint an appreciation for the property, what it meant to Springfield and the region, and the role it would play in helping to transform that section of the city.

“I’ve always loved this building,” he said, adding that his affection reflects both what the property is and what it isn’t. “When we designed this … we didn’t design a glass, Vegas-like place; this fits into the community. Corporate-wise, we really felt the vibe of Springfield, and we really paid a lot of attention to this fitting into the community.”

Overall, his role is to continually improve that ‘fit,’ and to build on a general sense of momentum at both the casino and the area surrounding it, punctuated by everything from solid GGR numbers to the recent naming of a preferred developer — Chicago-based McCaffrey Interests Inc. — for three properties across Main Street from the casino that have long been vacant or mostly vacant and in most ways eyesores.

Theros, who officially took the helm on Jan. 2, navigated a winding and somewhat unusual path to casino management.

He graduated from Vanderbilt University Law School in 1989, returned to Michigan, where he grew up, and soon thereafter began practicing civil-rights law on the defense side, handling human-resources and labor issues for clients of all sizes, including, eventually, MGM Resorts, which had opened a casino in Detroit in July 1999.

He handled work for the company for several years before joining MGM as one of its in-house lawyers in 2015, eventually becoming vice president, legal counsel, and assistant secretary, first for the Detroit casino and then for the Midwest Group.

Prior to joining MGM, though, he served on the board of the Detroit-based law firm he was with, Butzel Long, getting a taste, as he put it, of operating a large business.

“This was an $80 million to $90 million law firm at that time, and now, it’s much bigger,” he noted. “I really like operations, and I always have.”

Indeed, he said that, from the days he would bus tables for some of the Greek restaurant owners in town who counted his parents as their accountants, he’s always had a fascination for the operational side of companies and knowing and understanding every facet of a business.

“People have put their trust in me to lead this organization and lead this property into the future, and I really feel privileged to do this.”

And this fascination continued with MGM’s Detroit casino, he said, adding that he chose to stick his nose, as he put it, in places generally not frequented by in-house lawyers.

“I was very deliberate in educating myself about all aspects of a casino during my eight-plus years in Detroit,” he told BusinessWest. “I spent a lot of time socializing, whether it was having a cup of coffee with someone from table games or the slots department. And the food and beverage leader and VP of Hospitality were right next door to my office, so I spent a lot of time talking about that aspect of the business.”

And many others as well, he went on, adding that, as he acquired this broad base of knowledge, he arrived at a place where he believed himself ready to lead his own casino. He applied for such a role at MGM’s Ohio facility, and while he didn’t get the job, he said he certainly sharpened his teeth through the lengthy interview process and then “did some more learning.”

And when Kelley, with whom he worked at MGM’s Detroit casino, announced he was leaving his role in Springfield late last year, Theros applied again, and this time won the position. It’s a role, and a challenge, that he embraces.

Springfield’s newest gaming option: sports betting.

One of Louis Theros’s challenges will be to build on MGM Springfield’s newest gaming option: sports betting.

“People have put their trust in me to lead this organization and lead this property into the future, and I really feel privileged to do this,” he said. “I would most likely have run my law firm if I had stayed there, if I had not come to MGM — I was one of the top two or three people running the firm when I was there — and I’ve always felt the desire to lead some organization, and when I got to MGM and learned the business and got more involved in it, a few years in, I said to myself, ‘I know I can do this.’ I’m honored that they picked me to do this.”

 

Betting on Himself

When asked to informally write his own job description for the president and COO of MGM Springfield, Theros said there are two sides to that equation — internal and external.

With the former, he said his job is to set a positive tone for the staff, something he believes comes naturally. “I’ve always been a ‘set a positive tone at the top’ person,” he said. “And I would never ask my employees to do something I would not do, and I expect my leaders to set that same tone.

“And I want people to feel, as I do, that this is an absolutely fantastic place to work — I love coming to work every day,” he went on. “So, my job is to come in, make sure our employees like coming here and treat everyone with respect, and make sure they have an opportunity, much like I’ve had, to move up in the company.”

On the external side of the equation, he said his job description involves creating an experience for the guest and prompting them to put MGM Springfield top of mind when it comes to gatherings and ways to celebrate occasions and milestones in their lives — or just or a random Saturday evening.

“When they’re thinking of a special event — an anniversary, a birthday party, whatever it is — we want them thinking, ‘we should go to MGM Springfield because it’s a wonderful place to go, we get great service, and we could get great food.’ My job is to deliver that.”

Theros said it’s also his job to get involved in the community, and to inspire others to get involved as well.

Overall, he’s encouraged by what he sees, both at his casino and in the community, citing everything from apparent progress on the properties across Main Street, including the Clocktower Building and the Colonial Block, and the rapid leasing of the apartments in the revitalized former Court Square Hotel (a project MGM has taken part in), which is a source of pride but also some frustration for Theros, who has been looking for a place a live.

“At 31 Elm, they have 74 units; they rented them all in 30 days,” he said. “I couldn’t find a place, even across the street. That’s fantastic; that shows me that the city and the surrounding area are really robust.”

Theros’s personal car didn’t arrive in Springfield until late last month, but he made use of the casino’s limo to visit various communities in the region — and even one of his competitors — while also walking to events ranging from a few Thunderbirds games to Red Sox Winter Weekend at the MassMutual Center.

“At 31 Elm, they have 74 units; they rented them all in 30 days. I couldn’t find a place, even across the street. That’s fantastic; that shows me that the city and the surrounding area is really robust.”

Returning to his casino property and the multi-faceted operation there, Theros said that, to date, he’s mostly been observing and making notes as he compiles a more comprehensive to-do list. He stressed that the operation is maturing and reaching, if not exceeding, many of the expectations the city and region had when the casino opened to considerable fanfare on that hot August day in 2018.

“Chris [Kelley] has gotten us to a nice place; the whole team has,” he told BusinessWest. “My goal, quite simply, is to build on that.”

 

Bottom Line

When asked what he’d rather be doing — trying a case or managing a casino — Theros paused briefly before answering.

“For pure adrenaline, trying a lawsuit, trying a case in front of a jury — that’s an adrenaline rush,” he said. “When someone high-fives you after you’ve cross-examined someone — I had one of my associates do that — that’s a big rush.

“For personal satisfaction, though, it’s running a casino,” he went on. “I have more direct impact on an outcome here than I do at a trial because the jury is the arbiter at the end of the day.”

Still, he’s hoping to create something approaching those cross-examination rushes at the casino on Main Street as he takes on what he called the “cherry on the top of his career,” and an opportunity to really make a case for MGM Springfield.

Area Banks, Credit Unions Stress Philanthropy, Volunteerism

By
Mary McGovern, incoming president of Country Bank.
Banking and Financial Services Special Coverage

Community Interest

Mary McGovern, incoming president of Country Bank.

Mary McGovern, incoming president of Country Bank.

 

When asked why Country Bank supports local nonprofits, incoming President Mary McGovern gave a simple answer. “It’s a way for us to make a difference in our community.”

Then she elaborated.

“We have a tagline we adopted two years ago, ‘made to make a difference.’ We feel that encapsulates what Country Bank is all about, trying to make a difference in our community. It’s something we’ve done over the history of Country Bank, and we continue to make a positive impact by supporting local nonprofits, specifically the kind that rely on donations from their local businesses to help support them.”

Those efforts have focused in recent years on a number of priorities, she added, including food insecurity, health, education, and financial literacy, as well as homeless shelters, senior-serving programs, youth organizations, and more.

To that end, Country reported more than $1.2 million in donations in 2023, with 463 organizations receiving grants. One highlight last year was a partnership with (and $30,000 donation to) the Wonderfund, which aims to improve the lives of individuals in the Department of Children and Families system.

That large number of supported nonprofits resonates with Matt Bannister, senior vice president of Marketing and Corporate Responsibility at PeoplesBank, who was named a 2024 Difference Maker by BusinessWest last month for his extensive role in the bank’s community-support efforts. PeoplesBank recorded $1.6 million in donations last year to more than 550 area nonprofits, making the average grant just under $3,000.

“We continue to make a positive impact by supporting local nonprofits, specifically the kind that rely on donations from their local businesses to help support them.”

“We give a little to a lot of groups. We don’t tend to do large capital campaigns,” he said. “One big ‘yes’ often means a lot of little ‘no’s.’ So many nonprofits out there are doing good work, so it feels wrong to say ‘no’ to people.”

So, outside of a few big splashes — like a major donation to help the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts build its new headquarters — spreading the wealth around is a guideline the bank tends to stick with.

“The overall philosophy for our funding is we want to level the playing field — give opportunities to those who are disadvantaged and need more help,” Bannister added. “We have funding areas — food insecurity, housing, economic development, etc. — and the overarching principle of all these funding areas is to level the playing field.”

Many area institutions share their donation figures each year; Pittsfield Cooperative Bank donates nearly $200,000 — a striking number, considering it boasts around $385 million in total assets — through its charitable contributions to regional scholarships, youth mentorship programs, and nonprofit, economic-development, and health and human-service organizations.

Meanwhile, the Liberty Bank Foundation granted $1,453,742 to local nonprofits in 2023, including $10,000 as an annual ‘holiday gift’ from the bank, with the recipient chosen by bank customers. And Greenfield Savings Bank (GSB) gave more than $1 million in 2023 to more than 300 organizations.

Peter Albero, GSB’s chief financial officer and treasurer, noted that, while profits have been challenged over the past couple years by rising interest rates, the bank has not cut back on its financial support in the community, or its level of employee volunteerism.

Freedom Credit Union President Glenn Welch (right) presents a check to John Beaulieu

Freedom Credit Union President Glenn Welch (right) presents a check to John Beaulieu, president of the Westover Galaxy Community Council, one of the recipients of Freedom’s Month of Giving campaign.

“Profitability may be reduced, but we have not reduced our commitment to our communities. I think we are a pillar of Greenfield and the broader community,” Albero said. “So we continue to reinvest in the community, and everyone benefits from that.”

A.J. Bresciano, first vice president and commercial loan officer at GSB, agreed.

“Even in a higher-interest-rate environment, we’re taking measures to ensure our impact in the community is not being impacted and not deteriorating. So many local organizations throughout the Pioneer Valley rely on contributions of time, talent, and treasure. We make supporting those organizations a priority at Greenfield Savings Bank, and we want our team members to invest going forward.”

 

Philanthropic Priorities

Bannister made it clear that banks are required, to some degree, to be involved in their communities in a charitable way, noting that bank examiners make sure a bank’s locations and loan activities are representative of where it does business — meaning not just serving and lending to those with high incomes or profits — and they also ask how the institution gives back to the community.

“The challenge with that is there’s no right answer. We just have to go to the examiners each year and say, ‘here’s what we did.’ And when we give, we make sure a substantial amount that we give away benefits LMI — lower- to middle-income communities.”

Area banks and credit unions have increasingly inspired employees and customers to involved in giving efforts as well. In 2023, Freedom Credit Union contributed $181,898 to more than 70 charitable organizations throughout the four counties of Western Mass.

Of that, corporate charitable giving accounted for $130,432, but throughout the year, Freedom also conducts Month of Giving campaigns, in which customers can support a specific organization each month; those programs raised $17,316 in 2023. And local branch and department giving contributed an additional $34,150 to local charities.

“Our members and staff are passionate about supporting the community where we live, work, and serve,” Freedom Credit Union President Glenn Welch said. “In 2023, we were proud to donate funds for a wide variety of deserving institutions.”

“We give a little to a lot of groups. We don’t tend to do large capital campaigns. One big ‘yes’ often means a lot of little ‘no’s.’ So many nonprofits out there are doing good work, so it feels wrong to say ‘no’ to people.”

Other institutions take customer involvement to the polls. Both Florence Bank and Monson Savings Bank boast popular programs — called the Customers’ Choice Community Grants Program and the Community Giving Initiative, respectively — that complement other bank philanthropy by letting customers vote for nonprofits to support.

Through that initiative, Florence Bank awarded $150,000 to 46 area nonprofits in 2023, the 21st year of the program; the higher-than-usual total commemorated the bank’s 150 years in business.

“It’s amazing to see so many community organizations being recognized, and the fact that the recognition comes from Florence Bank customers in the form of votes is really special,” President and CEO Matt Garrity said.

Meanwhile, in the 14th year of its community-giving program, Monson Savings Bank awarded a total of $15,000 to the 10 top vote-getting nonprofits.

PeoplesBank employees volunteers

A team of PeoplesBank employees volunteers at Kent Memorial Library in Kent, Conn.

“Everyone’s passion for our annual Community Giving Initiative is always so exciting,” said Michael Rouette, the bank’s executive vice president and chief operating officer. “As a locally operated bank, Monson Savings has a great desire to support the residents, businesses, and nonprofits of the communities that we work in and live in.”

President and CEO Dan Moriarty added that “these organizations are worthy nonprofits that supply important resources to our communities. It is clear why they were chosen by our community members to receive support from Monson Savings.”

 

More Than Money

But community banks and credit unions in Western Mass. aren’t just giving money; many also emphasize a culture of volunteerism, even providing time for their employees to get involved in the community.

For example, employees at UMassFive College Federal Credit Union raised more than $18,000 for two local nonprofits last fall — $13,677 for the UMass Cancer Center via participation in the UMass Cancer Walk and Run, and $4,800 for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts via participation in Will Bike 4 Food.

A supporter of the UMass Cancer Walk and Run for more than 20 years — during which time it has raised more than $186,600 for the cause — UMassFive employees join together annually as Team UMassFive to raise funds, both personally and in branch locations. In 2023, fundraising efforts included raffle baskets, bake sales, candy sales, and art and jewelry sales, and the credit union’s corporate partners also pitched in.

Will Bike 4 Food is a more recent priority at UMassFive, as employees have taken part since 2020, raising a total of $17,500 in just four years, which equates to providing 70,332 meals to neighbors in need.

“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.”

Country Bank reported that its team members volunteered 1,255 hours of community service in 2023, while 37 team members served on 65 nonprofit boards and committees.

“Oftentimes, we can supplement or replace a monetary donation with volunteers, whether it’s picking vegetables at a local farm to be donated out, or helping nonprofits clean up the facility, or doing outdoor work like volunteering with Habitat for Humanity,” McGovern said. “We’re still putting the bank’s dollars to work, but the hands of our employees are helping to sustain some of these nonprofits as well.”

Liberty Bank reported 13,721 employee volunteer hours, including nearly 170 hours at Connecticut Foodshare, the aforementioned recipient of the bank’s holiday gift in 2023. The bank also actively solicits nonprofits to share information on what types of volunteer help is needed — whether working on a project or serving on a board or committee — and aims to meet those requests.

At PeoplesBank, employee volunteerism is considered part of the bank’s culture, Bannister said — part of its DNA, in fact, and something made clear to job applicants.

“We report volunteer hours to the bank examiners, and we were third in the state last year in hours volunteered per employee. It’s something that’s expected, and it’s something that builds camaraderie,” he said.

And it’s something that community banks simply should do.

“We’re more engaged in the community, where national banks are not known for that as much,” Bannister told BusinessWest. “And we consider it a competitive advantage. When you’re choosing a bank, hopefully the bank’s values are something you consider, and hopefully that volunteerism reflects well on the brand.”

 

Mill Town Capital Aims to Make an Impact in Pittsfield

By
The Mill Town Capital team atop Bousquet Mountain Ski Area.
Commercial Real Estate Special Coverage

A Visionary Approach

The Mill Town Capital team atop Bousquet Mountain Ski Area.

The Mill Town Capital team atop Bousquet Mountain Ski Area.

 

Real-estate development can be a profitable business. In fact, it’s safe to say that’s the key driver for most players in this sector.

For the team at Mill Town Capital, it’s about impact — on more than the bottom line.

Formed in 2016 and based in Pittsfield, Mill Town is an “impact investment platform,” said Tim Burke, the company’s CEO. “Our overall mission and mandate is to really make the area of Pittsfield and the Berkshires a better place to live through traditional investments, impact investments, and pure philanthropic community work.”

But what is impact investment?

“To us, impact investment means focusing on key assets or amenities or projects that have a high potential positive impact on the region,” he explained. “So it’s a little bit different than maybe a traditional impact investment that might look at energy or other areas of impact. Ours is really place-based in terms of our approach.

“When we think about impact, it’s taking on investments that most traditional investors wouldn’t take on either because the rate of return is lower, or it takes a much longer time to realize it, or they’re just really difficult projects,” he added. “We’re not necessarily restrictive to different sectors or industries. It’s really about, is this project good for the region? Is it good for the local economy? Does it have the chance to spur economic development or other potential investment, and, if so, how can we make it work?”

The company’s first ventures into real estate centered on housing-development projects in Pittsfield.

“Impact investment means focusing on key assets or amenities or projects that have a high potential positive impact on the region.”

“Pittsfield used to be a 60,000-person city, but now has 40,000 people. So you would think that there is enough housing for everyone, but the stock itself is significantly deteriorated,” Burke explained. “You have a lot of really old stock, things that are run down, properties where absentee landlords have a lot of deferred maintenance. And the living conditions in some of these are really tough.”

Since taking what he called a “clustered approach” to housing stock in the area, Mill Town has accumulated more than 200 units of housing in Pittsfield alone, as well as a few commercial buildings and mixed-use properties, with apartments on the upper floors and commercial space on the lower floors.

“So the real-estate approach there has been trying to improve neighborhoods with housing at the forefront, but also supporting small businesses and restaurants where we can.”

Bousquet complex

Tim Burke calls the Bousquet complex “a critical local asset that had fallen on some tough times.”

Public investment has sometimes followed that private investment, Burke said, with the city or state coming in with utility upgrades or streetscape improvements.

“So it’s really a multi-faceted approach, and it certainly has a patient-capital component to it as well, where we’re not looking to get in and monetize things really quickly. We have more of a patient, long-term approach to it.”

On the business-enterprise side of the ledger, Mill Town now owns about a dozen local businesses, either directly or in partnerships.

One example is Bousquet Mountain Ski Area, one of the oldest continuously operating ski areas in the country. “We felt that’s a great example of a critical local asset that had fallen on some tough times and needed a lot of investment,” Burke said. “I don’t think many rational investors would have gone in there with a pure investment business case, but we felt like it was worth saving.”

These enterprise investments tend to be clustered in regional assets in real estate, recreation, and hospitality, such as the Central Downtown Inn & Suites in Pittsfield; Gateways Inn in Lenox; Blueprint Property Group in Pittsfield; Framework, a Pittsfield co-working space; and others — about a dozen in all.

“We’ve been involved in those types of projects for a number of years, some of which are business-oriented projects, and some are philanthropic, that we do through our our 501(c)(3) foundation. That includes things like improvements in Springside Park, which is a large, local park in Pittsfield where we helped reshape and reinvest in trail networks there.”

Tim Burke

Tim Burke

“Is this project good for the region? Is it good for the local economy? Does it have the chance to spur economic development or other potential investment, and, if so, how can we make it work?”

Mill Town has also provided contributions to the Berkshire Natural Resources Council for a project that connects the various trail networks in the Berkshire mountains.

“And then we have two businesses that are in the recreation space,” Burke said. “We own an athletic center that’s called Bousquet Sport, which is across the street from the ski area, where we’re currently undergoing a 15,000-square-foot addition plus renovation to the facility, and that’s an investment in tennis, fitness, and pickleball.”

Then there’s Camp Arrow Wood, where the former Lakeside Christian Camp on Richmond Pond was converted into a new, sleep-away summer sports camp.

“We run three- and six-week summer camp sessions out of that property. That’s another project that we kind of uncovered during the COVID period … and we’ve been building that up over the past year and a half or so.”

 

Coming Home

Prior to Mill Town, Burke spent a number of years in corporate finance roles with United Technologies and then later with a couple different biotechnology companies, most recently Biogen in Boston’s Kendall Square biotech cluster.

Camp Arrow Wood

Mill Town transformed the former Lakeside Christian Camp on Richmond Pond into Camp Arrow Wood, a new, sleep-away summer sports camp.

But his connection to Pittsfield was strong, having grown up there, and around 2015, he met Dave Mixer, Mill Town’s founder “and really kind of the motor and the initiative and the capital behind everything that we do,” Burke said. “So I ended up meeting with Dave, and he had a general idea of what he wanted to do.”

Mixer, like Burke, is a Berkshire native and had just come back to the area after being away for a long period of time, and he wanted to make an impact, Burke explained.

“His view of making an impact is a little bit non-traditional from a philanthropic standpoint. He didn’t want to just write checks and then walk away. He really wanted to see if he could drive economic development and job growth and population stabilization and new housing and educational improvements — all across the spectrum of economic development and quality of life.

“It’s been a great, challenging, unique run for us over the past six or seven years, and we’re at a point now where, through Mill Town and our businesses, we employ over 300 people in the area. We’re constantly looking to grow and make this engine work and also kind of preach what we’ve learned over the years to other communities and people and investors and philanthropists and see if there are ways we can help other areas progress with what we’ve done in Pittsfield.”

“I think we’re pretty hard on ourselves in that we think we have a ways to go before we achieve the impact that we want to achieve. But it is validating to a certain degree that people see that we’re heading in the right direction.”

Indeed, Burke firmly believes Mill Town has a replicable model, but it’s one that’s still evolving. “We think we’re in the second or third inning of what we’re doing here in Pittsfield.”

And as someone with a lifelong heart for the city, he envisions what a vibrant, thriving Pittsfield can one day be.

“I think it’s a place where people from all aspects of the economic spectrum can find quality housing. They can send their kids to schools and get them a good education. They can find jobs that will allow them to live here productively and raise a family.

“And then we can provide those systems on the periphery that allow people to have a good quality of life here — places where kids have opportunities to have athletic endeavors in camps, places where adults can enjoy the natural assets that the area has,” he went on. “That comes back to trail networks and all the outdoor recreation assets that we have here.”

After all, he added, those are some of the things the Berkshires are most known for.

“Making sure that we can maximize those benefits for the people of Pittsfield is where we want to make a difference,” Burke told BusinessWest. “That involves a lot of different things and broader socioeconomic issues that are much harder to solve, like education and poverty and addiction. But we still should try to get involved in some of those things through partnerships with organizations who have that expertise.”

 

Moment of Recognition

Last fall, at 1Berkshire’s Celebrate the Berkshires event, Mill Town Capital was recognized as a special honoree for “putting the Berkshires on the map” — an honor that recognized the company’s investments in housing and downtown redevelopment, as well as its philanthropic support around the region.

“When our regional economic-development group recognized Mill Town for the work that we’re doing, it was tremendously gratifying for our team to see that people see the work that we’re doing and that it is having a positive impact,” Burke said. “I think we’re pretty hard on ourselves in that we think we have a ways to go before we achieve the impact that we want to achieve. But it is validating to a certain degree that people see that we’re heading in the right direction.

“That hasn’t always been the case,” he added. “I think when we first started out, there was a lot of skepticism and questioning: ‘what’s the angle?’ ‘What are you trying to accomplish?’ So it was great to see that, at a minimum, people view it as positive-intent work that has the potential to drive change.”

Franklin County Businesses Face Challenges, but Also Opportunity

By
Franklin County Special Coverage

Big Ideas in Small Towns

Lucy Damkoehler has developed a strong following from both within and outside Franklin County for her bakery and cooking classes.

When Lucy Damkoehler returned to Western Mass. after 20 years away, she opened a bakery in a town she knew well — Bernardston, to be exact, with its population of 2,000.

That was in 2018. Today, Sweet Lucy’s Bakeshop is thriving, demonstrating, like many other businesses already have, that it’s possible to succeed in a county whose 26 communities total around 71,000 residents — less than half of Springfield alone.

“It took off right away,” she said. “My prices were competitively high. I knew the cost of food was going up and the cost of labor was going up, so I priced it so I didn’t have to change my prices too often. But people didn’t complain about it, and I felt like it was doing pretty well.”

When COVID shut down much of the world, Damkoehler pivoted to a concept called Take & Bake Meals, which, at its height, was sending 50 to 60 meals out the door each day, which wound up expanding her reach and widening her exposure.

“We were getting people from Connecticut, from New York, discovering us,” she recalled, and those days partly explain why her customer base went from 90% local before 2020 to a ratio today of about 60% repeat customers — who come anywhere from every day to once a month — and 40% travelers checking out the bakery for the first time.

And Damkoehler’s success continues; she used a crowdfunded grant and a bank loan to build an addition, doubling her kitchen space and allowing her to begin offering cooking classes last September. She now employs six full-time bakers and six front-of-house staff, and is looking to hire a chef instructor as well.

“It blows my mind that I’ve only had one class that’s had to cancel due to low enrollment. They usually sell out within a couple of weeks, if not days,” she told BusinessWest. “It shows there’s a major need for that part of the business; there’s nothing like that around here. We’re doing kids’ classes now, too.

“I’m amazed every day that we’re able to do this successfully,” she added, especially in a community of just over 2,100 residents. “The prices are not cheap. But people recognize the value, and they appreciate it, and they’re willing to spend more money on something that’s done right. It doesn’t scare people away.”

So that’s what Damkoehler brought to the table: talent, quality, drive, and the instincts to pivot to what the market needed, which, both during the pandemic and with her classes, generated further opportunities for growth. Meanwhile, other businesses throughout this mostly rural county bring their own differentiators, but they also testify to a supportive, if small, community.

“Business owners here who are thriving have really committed, loyal customers. They have customers who love to come out and spend time there, spend their dollars with them, and they’re focused on providing a really great experience every time someone comes in,” said Hannah Rechtschaffen, director of the Greenfield Business Assoc. (GBA).

“One thing that I hear from some business owners is a sense of community and mutual support,” she added, noting that one of the GBA’s goals is to keep building opportunities for business owners to know each other better, so they can recommend each other.

“I think it’s organizations like ours and like the chamber that are able to listen to business owners and respond and really be another set of hands in their business success. That’s not overrated when you’re wanting to have a brick-and-mortar presence. So I hope businesses will think about opening here; I hope businesses will think about opening a second location here.”

“We were getting people from Connecticut, from New York, discovering us.”

To that end, Rechtschaffen added, “when we’re in conversation with Greenfield Community College about getting an internship program going, or when we’re in conversation with the Franklin County CDC about small-business support and entrepreneurship, all of those relationships are so, so crucial. None of us want to feel like we’re toiling away alone. We want to feel like we’re part of a larger ecosystem.”

Jessye Deane, executive director of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce and Regional Tourism Council, agreed.

“Partnership and collaboration are the special ingredients in Franklin County. The way our communities come together to support our small businesses, it’s not like anything I’ve seen elsewhere,” she said.

“What I love to see here are thoughtful partnerships and strategies around how to best support business owners in filling in some gaps and resources that some more populated areas have, and how to attract different industries to the area,” she continued, touting, as Rechtschaffen did, the partnership between the chamber and GBA, but also Greenfield Community College, the CDC, and various economic-development entities.

“We want everyone’s business to be as successful as possible and have as many resources as they can tap into to ensure that success,” Deane said. “We wake up every day asking how to best support them.”

 

Declining Numbers

Such partnerships and mutual support are especially meaningful in a county that, after years of plateauing population, has seen those numbers start to creep downward, especially in the small towns beyond Greenfield and Deerfield.

“Certainly, population decline — or the projection of population decline we see — is a pretty major threat to many rural parts of Massachusetts,” said Linda Dunlavy, executive director of the Franklin Regional Council of Governments. “As Baby Boomers age, we need help, and not attracting young people to our region will be a concern for us. So we’re working on that.

Double Edge Theatre in Ashfield

Double Edge Theatre in Ashfield is just one example of the many cultural offerings in Franklin County.

“But population decline also hurts Franklin County and its rural areas because so many state and federal funding formulas, the distribution of aid money to municipalities, is based on population,” she continued. “So as our population decreases, the amount of money we have for infrastructure improvements, for education, etc., also decreases, which compounds the problem: how do we get people to come to our region if we’re not caring for our infrastructure, our assets, adequately?”

Dunlavy, who was named one of the Difference Makers for 2024 by BusinessWest, has been working for the benefit of Franklin County for decades, so she understands its assets — from arts and culture to outdoor recreation to that supportive business community others mentioned — but she understands the challenges of an aging, shrinking population base, too.

“Because we’re so rural, we have to work together,” she told BusinessWest. “We are a very collaborative region, probably one of the most collaborative regions in Massachusetts, because all the regional organizations are working together. We combine services of municipalities, our businesses work together, and they are served by strong regional support systems. It’s a great region to live in — if you know about us.”

A.J. Bresciano, first vice president and commercial loan officer at Greenfield Savings Bank (GSB), has been lending in Franklin County for the past 16 years, and he feels good about the current strength of business activity in the region.

“In terms of business lending, I think there’s some growth and some optimism, post-pandemic, in starting businesses and seizing opportunities to capitalize on improving economic markets. I think there is some opportunity for people with great ideas and a passion for what they do to come in and start something new,” he told BusinessWest.

That said, “there are certainly some challenges in the interest-rate environment,” he added, especially on the residential side, where higher rates and a shortage of housing have taken away the ‘churn’ of a vibrant market. “But I think that will change. Hopefully we’ll see rates start to come down in the near future, which will give people an opportunity to go out and seek new opportunities. We’re pretty optimistic about what the future holds.”

On the plus side, “there’s a lot of interest in this market because it’s less expensive than other markets that are overdeveloped. So a lot of borrowers see opportunity here,” said Peter Albero, chief financial officer and treasurer, noting that GSB originated $100 million in commercial loans and $70 million in residential loans last year. “The residential side is still a little bit lower … but the commercial side is very strong. A lot of banks are competing for strong borrowers.”

The aging of the population has created a fair amount of business turnover, Bresciano added, as long-time business owners are looking to retire and move into the next chapter of their lives.

“So there’s definitely opportunity for someone else to come in with new ideas, new ambitions, and to cultivate a new environment,” he said, pointing to one project — the conversion of the former Wilson’s Department Store in downtown Greenfield to a mixed-use property — as an example of forward thinking.

“None of us want to feel like we’re toiling away alone. We want to feel like we’re part of a larger ecosystem.”

For her part, Deane has seen a pipeline emerge of younger leaders in many Franklin County communities as older leaders, like those older business owners, look to retirement. “I’m excited about the leadership we’re seeing step into those roles,” she said.

 

Plenty to Promote

Rechtschaffen is acutely aware of what a spread-out county like Franklin faces in terms of housing, transportation, and access to amenities, but she tends to light up when talking about what she loves about the region — and there’s a lot of that.

“We have so much amazing outdoor arts, outdoor activities, whitewater rafting, skiing, theater … there are so many things. So I always want to make sure that people know what there is to visit up here.”

The target audience isn’t just visitors from afar, though.

“We have an advantage in Franklin County, which is that people really do want to support local, so it’s important that we have the right retail mix and experience mix here for people to be able to do that,” Rechtschaffen said, which is the impetus behind efforts like the “find it in Greenfield” campaign running on Bear Country radio and through other outlets.

“A lot of people don’t realize what’s so close by. So getting the word out can be a challenge,” she added. “We’re really trying to keep beating that drum and making sure that things are affordable, things are accessible, and we’re bringing businesses into Greenfield and Franklin County that people really want. That’s also a crucial part of the puzzle.”

Dunlavy has helped put many pieces in place, from north-south rail to broadband access to a planned partnership with other regional councils of government on a Connecticut River climate-resiliency plan.

“You do nothing alone. Everything takes partnership and many people working together,” she said. “And I like that part of the job. I like that challenge, and I like that focus. I’m never bored, ever. There’s always something to work on and always something to think about.”

Rechtschaffen never stops thinking about Franklin County, either.

“This is really creative work,” she said, “to be problem solving, to be listening, to be connecting people with one another so that their business can thrive, maybe in ways they didn’t think about. I really love all of this work to grow Greenfield and Franklin County in a way that feels good, for as many people as possible.”

 

Ames Electrical Consulting Drives Efforts to Automate

By
Randy Ames
Special Coverage Technology

Current Events

Randy Ames

Randy Ames says robotics will be the main focus of the next chapter in the intriguing Ames story.

 

As he talked with BusinessWest, Randy Ames gestured out the window of his tiny office to the traffic on Greenfield Street just a few dozen feet away.

He guessed that several thousand cars pass that spot every day, and further speculated that few, if any, of those travelers would have any idea at all what goes on inside the small, nondescript building that has been home to his business for the past 15 years.

That’s a pretty safe bet, actually. In fact, it’s easy to drive right by Ames Electrical Consulting without knowing it’s there. And soon, it won’t be there.

Indeed, as he talked, Ames noted that he was in the very early stages of packing up for a move to much larger quarters in Greenfield Industrial Park, just a few miles away. That move is a big part of an exciting next chapter in one of the more intriguing, and still evolving, business stories in Franklin County.

The first chapter saw Ames abandon a career, if it could be called that, as a chef — because he needed something more financially rewarding as he started a family — and enroll in an electrical engineering technology program at Springfield Technical Community College.

“Manufacturers can’t find people to work — and it’s not just manufacturers, it’s everyone.”

The next chapters would see him put that degree to work in jobs for several different companies in the region — from Elm Electrical in Westfield to Kellogg Brush in Easthampton — while also earning a degree in electrical engineering at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston on weekends (“three years of Saturdays,” as he called it), and also doing a little of what he described as “moonlighting.”

Specifically, he was developing and installing systems to help businesses automate various operations and processes.

Eventually, and with some real incentive after he was pink-slipped by a downsizing Kellogg Brush, his work with automation evolved from moonlighting into a risk-laden entrepreneurial venture, one that somehow managed to survive the Great Recession of 2008 and 2009, when OEMs that made the equipment he installs all but shut down.

Today, Ames boasts clients in a wide range of sectors, from breweries to plastics; food and beverage to paper; recreation (think ski lifts) to municipal water and wastewater facilities. Indeed, the company designs electrical hardware and software control systems for companies that make everything from golf balls to Play-Doh to ketchup bottles.

“We’re the automation guys,” Ames said simply, adding that, over the years, the company has enjoyed steady growth while expanding and diversifying its portfolio of customers, which it provides with turnkey operations.

The next chapter for Ames, and a big reason behind its move to larger quarters, involves the growing, ever-changing world of robotics.

The company has become New England’s only authorized distributor and integrator of NACHI Robotics Systems, said Ames, adding that, as manufacturers and machine shops across the region and throughout the Northeast continue to struggle to attract and retain employees, more of these companies are increasingly looking to robots and cobots (‘collaborative robots’ that work together with people) as a solution.

NACHI Robot Roundup

Randy Ames, center, and a large delegation of local, state, and business leaders gathered at the company’s facility in Deerfield last summer for the NACHI Robot Roundup.

“Manufacturers can’t find people to work — and it’s not just manufacturers, it’s everyone,” said Ames, adding that his company is now primed and well-positioned to take full advantage of this technology and what it can do for companies.

It was this next chapter and what it might it might mean for the company and the region that drew business leaders and elected officials — more people than had come to his door in decades — to the office on Greenfield Street last summer for what was dubbed the NACHI Robot Roundup.

At that gathering, attendees got a good look into the future — of manufacturing, Ames Electrical, and, in many respects, the region.

For this issue and its focus on Franklin County, BusinessWest takes an in-depth look at Ames and what comes next for a company where success hasn’t come automatically, but through entrepreneurial energy and a willingness to keep current — figuratively, but also quite literally.

 

Watt’s Happening?

Ames joked early and often about the acronyms that dominate his business.

There are many of them — from PLCs (programmable logic controls), which are small devices, “the heart of automation,” as Ames called them, that can be programmed to turn things on and off; to HMIs (human-machine interfaces), the operators’ touchscreens; and even RAT (remote access technology), which provides a secure, cloud-based IT network that allows Ames to access remote locations and control machines with just a few clicks.

These acronyms come together in an industry, and a business, that has emerged, grown, and evolved over the past four decades, and continues to do so.

As noted earlier, Ames was a chef before enrolling at STCC and then working at Elm Electrical and then Kellogg Brush and eventually starting that moonlighting with automated systems.

He started in 1992 at Yankee Candle as it was opening its village in South Deerfield, specifically with developing, building, and programming ‘Santa’s toy machine,’ which made it appear that toys were going into a huge box in pieces and coming out as finished products.

“Part of it was to make it sort of this Willy Wonka/Rube Goldberg machine-looking mechanical contraption,” he recalled, adding that he worked with Yankee Candle founder Michael Kittredge on the project. “He said, ‘I want it to do this … I want this valve to make this thing spin, and all these lights to blink, the conveyer to run, to turn the snow on and off in the windows outside, etc.’ I’ll bet there were 25-foot-diameter gears on the wall with little motors that I had to make run.”

From there, Ames worked with several other moonlighting customers offering their own versions of ‘I want it to do this.’ Those experiences provided him with the confidence to go into business for himself in the spring of 1992 when he was laid off from Kellogg Brush as it was downsizing.

“I made four phone calls that day, and three people called me back,” he said, adding that one of them was Hillside Plastics in nearby Turners Falls, which would go on to be a steady customer.

He initially operated out of his house in Montague, working there during the day and then for OEM Kingsbury Corp. in New Hampshire at night, before focusing exclusively on his own work.

Over the past 30 years, the company has survived disruptive forces ranging from the Great Recession, when the phone stopped ringing and he started thinking about returning to work as a chef, to the pandemic, and thrived mostly by growing and diversifying its portfolio of customers while developing strong partnerships with both those clients and the makers of the equipment it installs.

Elaborating, Ames said the company takes a collaborative approach to what amounts to finding solutions for a client, whether it’s a manufacturer looking to automate a production process or a municipality operating its wastewater treatment plant.

He said the phone started ringing again in 2011, and with few exceptions, it hasn’t stopped ringing since, with customers finding Ames mostly through its vendors and all-important word-of-mouth from existing clients. Along the way, it has developed a niche — mostly smaller systems — and a reputation for being able to move quickly and nimbly, separating it from its much larger competitors.

Most of its customers are along the I-91 corridor in Western Mass., but it has also expanded into the North Shore, the Worcester area, and other parts of New England.

This expansion process may be accelerated by the partnership with NACHI Robotic Systems, Ames said, noting that a growing number of companies, including machine shops, are looking to robots as their workforce challenges mount.

“Manufacturers are tired of the revolving door,” he explained. “They bring someone in, they train them for a week, and then they’re gone. So, increasingly, they’re looking at robots.”

Indeed, he said he’s taking calls from potential customers ranging from bakeries to machine shops exploring the possibility of using robots to handle some of the work currently carried out by people.

Elaborating, Ames said he’s given two quotes to machine shops for robots that can handle what’s known as ‘machine tending,’ yielding yet another acronym (MT). And as he talked, he played a video of a NACHI robot picking and placing parts and putting them into a chuck on a computer numerical control system.

“This machine costs $92,000 — it comes with a cart and a robot,” he told BusinessWest. “If you can keep loading that, it will work all day and all night long; we just quoted one company where the ROI on one of these was three months.”

The company hasn’t installed any robotic systems yet, but Ames said the pace of phone calls inquiring about the equipment and what it can do has certainly picked up over the past several months. And he expects that call volume to only increase as workforce issues across all sectors continue.

 

Wired for Growth

Returning to the matter of that Willy Wonka/Rube Goldberg contraption he developed for Yankee Candle, Ames said that Michael Kittredge, who passed away in 2019, told him years ago that someone from the Smithsonian Institution called, saying they would be very interested in putting it on display once Yankee Candle was done with it.

Unfortunately, the toy machine had been taken down and dismantled by that time, Ames went on, adding that he never thought about his work winding up in the Smithsonian one day.

Instead, he’d gladly settle for satisfied customers and continued growth of the business he started from scratch and developed into something that has remained on the cutting edge of an emerging sector.

You certainly can’t see any of that driving past the company’s soon-to-be-former home on Greenfield Street, and that’s part of this engaging story — one with some intriguing chapters still to come.

Study Says Economic Opportunity Hiding in Plain Sight in Western Mass.

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — A new report by MassINC and Cambridge Econometrics finds the Pioneer Valley has considerable strength in industries and technologies poised to grow with the transition to a low-carbon future. Billed as a “prospectus for transformative economic investment,” the study catalogs the region’s competitive advantages in food science, advanced materials, and clean energy.

“From sustainably producing alternative proteins from cells to protecting our drinking-water supplies from pollutants and extreme weather events, our region is developing the technologies of the future,” said Rick Sullivan, president and CEO of the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council. “It is imperative that we collectively recognize the opportunity and make strategic investments in these growing sectors.”

Citing the recent announcement of a $10 billion investment in Albany’s semiconductor sector and other notable examples of state-backed efforts to grow advanced industries, the report calls for the establishment of a $500 million economic-development fund for Western Mass. Resources from the fund would be deployed to draw federal and private investment into the high-growth sectors where the region is well-positioned to gain competitive niches in the innovation economy.

“UMass Amherst is committed to working closely with our partners in Western Massachusetts to play a central role in fostering economic development and growth for the benefit of our region,” UMass Amherst Chancellor Javier Reyes said. “As the Commonwealth’s land-grant university, our researchers make new discoveries and develop technologies that support local industry and prepare the workforce required for the Commonwealth to flourish in the decades ahead.”

Charles D’Amour, executive chairman of Big Y, added that Western Mass. can capitalize on disruptive changes in the food industry. “From biotechnologies under development at UMass to innovative efforts to support local food entrepreneurs, the Pioneer Valley is situated to generate broadly shared wealth, positioning itself as a leading producer of sustainable food products.”

The federal government is eager to see the transition to a low-carbon future spur new forms of economic activity in slower-growth metropolitan areas across the U.S. Similarly, Gov. Maura Healey has called for the development of a clean-energy corridor across the entire state.

While the Pioneer Valley has many competitive strengths, including top-ranked programs in food science and advanced materials at UMass Amherst, the report indicates substantial investment is needed to increase research and development in the region, partner with existing businesses, commercialize new technologies, accommodate industrial growth with limited land available for development, and prepare the workforce to build the products of the future.

“This research illuminates promising opportunities unique to the Pioneer Valley as we develop low-carbon technologies,” said Jay Ash, president and CEO of the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership. “We must work together to help the region tap these opportunities to generate strong and equitable growth.”

Ben Forman, MassINC research director and co-author of the study, is eager to see the state act with urgency in this moment. “As a commonwealth, we have overlooked the Pioneer Valley for decades, jeopardizing its economic base,” he said. “It’s time to recognize and build on the region’s considerable economic assets.”

Franklin County CDC Receives $125,000 from M&T Bank’s Amplify Fund

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Daily News

GREENFIELD — The Franklin County Community Development Corp. (FCCDC) received a grant of $125,000 over two years from the M&T Charitable Foundation, the philanthropic arm of M&T Bank. FCCDC provides a host of direct services and opportunities that help businesses start, stabilize, and grow throughout Western Mass.

With this grant, FCCDC is partnering with Springfield Neighborhood Housing Services (Springfield NHS) to provide business assistance and mini-grants to early-stage businesses in Springfield, where there is a history of underinvestment in Black-owned businesses.

“We are genuinely excited to partner with the FCCDC to reshape equity, justice, and access for small businesses in Western Massachusetts,” said Jeff Hamilton, president and CEO of Springfield NHS. “With the support from M&T Charitable Foundation’s Amplify Fund, Springfield NHS will amplify our initiatives to support small businesses, providing access to the support and funding often denied to historically underserved small-business owners.”

FCCDC Executive Director John Waite added that “we are grateful to the support of the M&T Charitable Foundation and are excited to get these Amplify funds to work bringing solid business support to the local entrepreneurs and small-business owners whose enterprises bring jobs and increase economic opportunities for their communities.”

The grant is part of the second round of giving through the Amplify Fund, providing more than $8.2 million to 68 nonprofit organizations throughout New England, Long Island, and Rockland County, N.Y.

“Through the Amplify Fund, we are committed to continuing our partnership with organizations like the FCCDC that work hand-in-hand with community members in the field to provide the critical resources and programming necessary to truly make a difference,” said Dominique Goss, executive director of the M&T Charitable Foundation. “At M&T, addressing the institutionalized and systemic issues preventing disadvantaged communities from accessing opportunities and achieving long-term success is key to our mission as a community bank. We are proud to provide the Amplify Fund as a difference-making resource in the communities we serve.”

MCLA to Host Two Graduate-program Information Sessions

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Daily News

NORTH ADAMS — MCLA will host a virtual information session on Thursday, March 14 and an in-person session on Wednesday, March 27 for its graduate programs — master of business administration (MBA) and master of education (MEd) — as well as the Leadership Academy.

Potential students will have the opportunity to meet with faculty and staff to learn more about how to continue education in three of MCLA’s programs that are designed to support rising workforce needs in the Berkshires and beyond.

The MBA program offers a broad-based, multi-disciplinary education that combines the strengths of MCLA business faculty with those of practicing managers actively involved in day-to-day decision making in the field. It is a part-time, 30-credit program designed for working professionals in partnership with the Berkshire Innovation Center.

The MEd program offers a blend of classroom and fieldwork experiences that prepare students to make a meaningful impact in their school communities. Programs include MEd with initial licensure, professional teacher licensure with MEd, MEd with individualized plan of study non-licensure, and accelerated 4+1 bachelor’s degree with MEd.

MCLA Leadership Academy prepares candidates to serve as effective leaders of educational institutions and active citizens in their communities.

The virtual information session on March 14 will begin at 5 p.m. The in-person information session on March 27 will begin at 5 p.m. on the MCLA main campus in North Adams.

To register, visit www.mcla.edu/graduate or call the Office of Graduate and Continuing Education at (413) 662-5575.

Springfield Rescue Mission’s Run to End Homelessness Raises Nearly $60,000

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — With more than 300 participants, Springfield Rescue Mission announced that its 2024 Run to End Homelessness raised nearly $60,000 in needed funds. The 5K/10K run/walk was held on March 2 at Forest Park in Springfield.

“This was our most successful run ever,” said Kevin Ramsdell, executive director and CEO of Springfield Rescue Mission. “It was a little chilly, but our runners, walkers, and their cheering squads brought the heat, along with tons of enthusiasm.”

Springfield Rescue Mission also saw a tremendous turnout for its first-ever spaghetti buffet and early-registration event at the Basketball Hall of Fame the night before the run.

“We enjoyed a spirited night of food, fun, music, prizes, and spending time with our supportive community,” Ramsdell said. “We are so grateful to all our walkers, runners, volunteers, and supporters.”

Funds raised will help Springfield Rescue Mission expand its services and support its workforce-development and higher-education programs.

“Our services are desperately needed by a growing number of people every year, and with the support of the community, we can continue to respond to the call,” Ramsdell said.

The Springfield Rescue Mission offers much-needed services for the poor and homeless in Greater Springfield. As an emergency shelter, mobile feeding program, rehabilitation and transformation center, and transitional living facility, it provides food, shelter, clothing, medical attention, Christian counseling, financial literacy, workforce development, high-school equivalency, higher-education opportunities, and more, free of charge. These programs help local men take meaningful steps toward becoming responsible and productive members of the community.

Company Notebook

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Company Notebook

Bay Path University to Acquire Cambridge College

LONGMEADOW — The boards of Bay Path University and Cambridge College announced today that Bay Path has entered into a formal agreement to acquire Cambridge College. This move reflects a strategic focus by both institutions on planning for future success providing career-focused education models to a diverse student population. Each based its decision to join together on the shared mission of the two institutions. The two institutions have shared their plans and the greater opportunity created by a combined organization with both the Commonwealth’s Department of Higher Education, which has regulatory purview over both Bay Path and Cambridge, and the New England Commission of Higher Education, which accredits both institutions. Both organizations will be working with Bay Path and Cambridge to ensure the process to combine the institutions meets their respective standards and regulatory requirements. The acquisition of Cambridge College will nearly double the number of students served by Bay Path and bring total enrollment to more than 5,000, including a growing number of international students. The geographies served by Bay Path will expand to include Cambridge’s Eastern Mass. location as well as its growing Puerto Rico location. Opened in downtown San Juan more than 20 years ago, the campus provides graduate programs in business and technology as well as education and counseling to working professionals. Bay Path currently operates two locations: its Longmeadow campus, which serves women at the undergraduate level, and the state-of-the-art Philip H. Ryan Health Science Center in East Longmeadow, which provides graduate degrees in education, healthcare, and psychology. The university also grants undergraduate degrees online through the American Women’s College. Bay Path’s acquisition of Cambridge College is likely to be complete in June. Full integration of Cambridge College into Bay Path will take 18 to 24 months, pending a series of approvals by accreditors and appropriate state and federal regulators.

 

Florence Bank Supports West Springfield’s 250th

FLORENCE — Florence Bank has donated $4,000 to the city of West Springfield to help support four events the city has planned in 2024 as part of a year packed with 250th-anniversary festivities. Florence Bank’s backing of the West Springfield 250th celebration specifically offers support for three 5K races, happening in March, July, and November; a block party on June 22 and 23, when Elm and Central streets will be closed for activities from dancing to vendors and food trucks; family photo sessions at historic town locations; and a golf tournament in July. Also part of the 250th events in West Springfield are a birthday celebration in Clark Field today, Feb. 23, the same day West Springfield was incorporated in 1774; a black-tie ball in May; various ongoing public art projects; and a Bright Nights display next winter. In addition to the financial support, a team of bank staff will volunteer at some of the events in town. Since 2007, Florence Bank has had a presence in West Springfield, which was enhanced five years ago when the current full-service branch opened at 1010 Union St.

 

Second Chance Composting Program Comes to Pittsfield

PITTSFIELD — Second Chance Composting recently brought its residential community composting program to Pittsfield. Memberships are open and ongoing for the 9 South Atlantic Ave. dropoff location. The program runs continuously all year, through all four seasons. Memberships start at $9.99 per month, offering unlimited dropoff of household food scraps to the location each month. Members simply save their food scraps at home and, at their convenience, bring them to 9 South Atlantic Ave. and drop their material into the tote. Members can come as little or as often as needed each month. All food and food scraps are accepted, including meat, fish, dairy, bones, and shells. Other membership pricing options are available for those who wish to receive finished compost back. In addition to the new Pittsfield location, Second Chance Composting currently has dropoff locations in North Adams, Williamstown, and Adams, which have continuous and ongoing membership signups. Every week, Second Chance Composting picks up the material, which is brought to its MassDEP-certified facility in Cheshire to process the food scraps into compost, which is then distributed back to the community to grow more food, flowers, plants, and trees. Those interested in learning more or signing up for a membership can do so by visiting www.secondchancecomposting.com.

Incorporations

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Incorporations

The following business incorporations were recorded in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties and are the latest available. They are listed by community.

AGAWAM

SDS Mobile Welding Services Inc. 450 Silver St., Agawam, MA 01001. Scott Swenson, same. Welding fabrication and related services on real-estate, personal, and business property.

AMHERST

Vivid Vision Inc., 186 College St., Amherst, MA 01002. Jacob Torres, 419 Enterprise Dr., Somerset, MA 02725. Nonprofit organization established to foster and promote emerging musical talent within the academic and greater community and provide resources, support, networking opportunities, and education.

CHICOPEE

FZ Corp., 643 Prospect St., Chicopee, MA 01020. Maninder Arora, same. Convenience store.

Rybachuk Pro Master Inc., 26 Sampson St., Chicopee, MA 01020. Andrii Rybachuk, same. Construction services.

EAST LONGMEADOW

Dust Collectors Cleaning Service Inc., 20 Hillside Dr., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Kathryn Koske, same. Cleaning services.

FLORENCE

Play Incubation Collective Inc., 264 Riverside Dr., Florence, MA 01062. Sarah Marcus, same. Supports the development of new theatrical work and fosters creativity, collaboration, and a celebration of the creative process through programs and workshops for all ages.

HATFIELD

Skawski Farms Inc., 455 Main St., Hatfield, MA 01038. Michael Skawski, 40 Straits Road, Hatfield, MA 01038. Agricultural farm.

LONGMEADOW

Community Alliance for Peace and Justice Inc., 468 Inverness Lane, Longmeadow, MA 01106. Mehlaqa Samdani, same. Alliance to amplify the political voice of the American Muslim community in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

NORTH ADAMS

Live Balanced Bookkeeping Inc., 382 West Shaft Road, North Adams, MA 01247. Stephanie Roy, same. Bookkeeping and tax services.

PITTSFIELD

Avalor Technologies Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Raanan Raz, same. Provides SAAS solutions.

Garden Blossoms Florist Corp., 31 Essex St., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Sean Colombari, same. Retail florist shop.

Silverspace Technologies Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Mounish Soni, 806 Green Valley Road, Suite 200, Greensboro, NC 27408. Connects businesses with qualified candidates for temporary, permanent, and contract positions.

SHELBURNE FALLS

Hill Street Concrete Designs Inc., 107 State St., Shelburne Falls, MA 01370. Taylor Powell, 12 Dungarbin Dr., Shelburne Falls, MA 01370. Design and fabrication of custom concrete home and commercial furnishings such as sinks, countertops, exterior floors, and patios.

SOUTHAMPTON

Western Mass Masons Inc., 383 College Highway, Southampton, MA 01073. David Osiecki, same. Masonry services.

SPRINGFIELD

Clearer Vision Foundation Corp., 1690 Boston Road, #1073, Springfield, MA 01129. Tracy Hill, same. Nonprofit organization established for the purpose of empowering youth through diverse mentorship for clearer career paths.

Pearl Food Mart Inc., 1112 Bay St., Springfield, MA 01109. Mian Saleem, 188 Clearwater Circle, Ludlow, MA 01056. Retail food sales.

Winter Sports Retailers Inc., 235 Cadwell Dr., Springfield, MA 01104. Gary Fleming, same. Retailer of winter sports gear.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

A&T Carpentry Inc., 17 Herrman St., West Springfield, MA 01089. Engages in the acquisition and/or disposition of sports and/or snow goods, equipment, accessories, and products for wholesale and retail business.

WILBRAHAM

Dispatch Dogs Inc., 6 Mountain Brook Road, Wilbraham, MA 01095. John O’Keefe, same. Dog therapy services providing support and healing to individuals within the law-enforcement, fire, EMS, and mortuary communities, with secondary services in victim advocacy, youth initiatives, addiction support, and senior/assisted-living programs.

Picture This

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Picture This

Email ‘Picture This’ photos with a caption and contact information to [email protected]

 

Brrrrrr

The polar plunge and draft horse wagon rides were just two highlights of Winterfest 2024, a series of events, culminating on Feb. 11, presented by the Nashawannuck Pond Steering Committee as a fundraiser for the committee’s cleanup and preservation efforts in and around the pond in Easthampton. The committee’s annual maintenance and operating costs are approximately $10,000, which is why Winterfest is so important.

Photo by Colin McGahan

 

 

Special Experience

American International College (AIC) hosted the 2024 Western Massachusetts Basketball League Tournament for Special Olympics Massachusetts (SOMA) at AIC’s Butova Gym on Jan. 21, Feb. 4, and Feb. 17. The campus community supported three weekends of games, with student volunteers assisting with scoring and timing, student-athletes interacting with players, and others cheering from the stands, creating an uplifting experience for the 79 SOMA participants.

Photo by AIC student Swastik Chuke

 

 

Welcome Home

Bluebird Estates, a Holiday by Atria independent-living community in East Longmeadow, recently completed a renovation project for capital upgrades in design and amenities. A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on Feb. 22 with state Sen. Jacob Oliveira, state Rep. Brian Ashe, East Longmeadow Town Manager Thomas Christensen, Deputy Town Manager Rebecca Lisi, and others, followed by refreshments, live entertainment, and community tours.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on Feb. 22 with state Sen. Jacob Oliveira, state Rep. Brian Ashe, East Longmeadow Town Manager Thomas Christensen, Deputy Town Manager Rebecca Lisi, and others, followed by refreshments, live entertainment, and community tours.

 

 

Shining Stars

The Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce hosted its 39th annual Shining Stars Awards Gala, themed “The Greatest Show in Chicopee,” on March 1 at the Castle of Knights in Chicopee. Presented by Westfield Bank, this year’s event featured performers from SHOW Circus Studio in Easthampton roaming about the event.  (Photos by Michael Epaul Photography)

The evening’s hosts, Hayley Procon (left) and Jeremy Procon (right), present the Business of the Year honor to Michelle and Peter Wirth of Mercedes-Benz of Springfield

 

Citizen of the Year Ashley Kohl with her “ohana,” which is Hawaiian for family

 

a group of attendees, including Amie Miarecki and Tracey Alves-Lear from Nonprofit of the Year Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts, along with Volunteer of the Year Daryl Grabowski, pose for a selfie with a stilt walker

 

 

 

Agenda

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Agenda

Pynchon Award Nominations

Through March 31: The Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts is seeking nominations from throughout Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire counties for the Pynchon Award, which recognizes area citizens who have rendered outstanding service to the community. To nominate an individual, submit a letter explaining why the nominee should be considered. Be sure to include biographical information, outstanding accomplishments, examples of service to the community, organizations he or she is or has been active in, and the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of at least three people who can further attest to the nominee’s eligibility for induction into the Order of William Pynchon. The Pynchon trustees reserve the right to eliminate nominations from consideration due to insufficient information. Qualifying nominees will be considered and researched by the Pynchon trustees, composed of the current and five past presidents of the Advertising Club. Nominations should be submitted to William Pynchon Trustees, Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts, P.O. Box 1022, West Springfield, MA 01090-1022 or by email to [email protected]. The 2024 recipients will be announced in June, with an awards ceremony tentatively scheduled for the fall.

 

Spirit of Girls Fundraiser

March 22: Girls Inc. of the Valley’s annual major fundraiser is back at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield. Spirit of Girls: Rewind // Fast Forward features co-lead sponsors PeoplesBank and the Women’s Foundation of Boston. Guests and attendees will hear the impactful stories of Girls Inc. youth, families, alumni, and more. The evening will include heavy appetizers and a cash bar. Girls Inc. of the Valley is actively seeking sponsors and volunteers to support the event. Sponsors include PeoplesBank, the Women’s Foundation of Boston, Hazen Paper Co., bankESB, BonaVita Aesthetics, the Collins Companies, Monson Savings Bank, SourcePass, UMass Amherst, Parker’s Portables, Kuhn Riddle Architects, and the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts.

 

Bay Path President’s Gala

March 23: Bay Path University announced its fifth President’s Gala, themed “Breaking Through,” will be held at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. The evening will begin with a 5:30 p.m. VIP reception, followed by dinner, program presentations, and dancing. Tickets can be purchased by visiting baypath.edu/gala or calling (413) 565-1063. The gala will focus on supporting learners enrolled in healthcare degree programs, recognizing their resilience and dedication. Like many regions across the country, Western Mass. faces shortages in many healthcare professions, including primary-care physicians, nurses, and mental-health providers. Through its more than 20 undergraduate and graduate healthcare degrees, Bay Path is educating and training future healthcare workers to be on the front line of helping to keep communities safe and healthy. Proceeds from the gala will directly contribute to scholarships, resources, and initiatives that benefit learners pursuing healthcare degrees, reinforcing Bay Path University’s commitment to fostering excellence in the healthcare field, she added. Both healthcare policy and advocacy play crucial roles in shaping the healthcare landscape in Western Mass. To that end, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal and Sr. Mary Caritas, SP will be honorary chairs for this event. To view a full list of gala committee members, sponsors, and additional event details, visit baypath.edu/gala.

 

Second Chance Dinner Auction

March 23: Tickets for the 25th annual Second Chance Dinner Auction are now available for purchase. This significant fundraising event marks the kickoff of Second Chance Animal Services’ year-long 25th-anniversary celebration, promising an evening of philanthropy and joy to benefit homeless shelter pets in need of veterinary care. The event will take place at the La Salle Reception Center in Southbridge. The evening will commence with a cocktail hour at 4 p.m., giving attendees the opportunity to peruse and bid on myriad silent-auction items and try their luck with raffle prizes. The main event unfolds with dinner at 6 p.m., followed by the highlight of the night, the auction. Tickets are $55 per person with the option to reserve a table of nine for $495. The success of the event relies on the generosity of sponsors and item donors. Second Chance encourages businesses and individuals to consider lending their support by becoming a sponsor or contributing items. As noted, the event features both a silent and live auction featuring hundreds of items ranging from gift certificates for local businesses and restaurants to gift baskets and everything in between. To enhance the auction experience, a selection of gift cards and small, easy-to-ship items will be available for advance online bidding March 14-21. For those interested in sponsoring, donating items, or attending the event, complete information and tickets can be found at www.secondchanceanimals.org/dinner-auction.

 

Women’s Leadership Conference

April 4: Bay Path University announced that real-estate legend, investor, best-selling author, entrepreneur, producer, and Shark Tank shark Barbara Corcoran will be the keynote speaker at the 27th Women’s Leadership Conference (WLC), taking place at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield. Corcoran has been an investor/shark on ABC’s four-time Emmy award-winning show Shark Tank for 10 seasons, investing in more than 80 businesses to date. She chronicled her rise from waiting tables in a New York diner to heading a $5 billion real-estate company in her bestselling book, Shark Tales: How I Turned $1,000 into a Billion Dollar Business! She’ll bring her personal brand of no-nonsense wisdom and supportive advice to the more than 1,600 attendees who are expected to attend this year’s WLC. The WLC will also feature lunchtime speaker Amy Purdy, a three-time Paralympic medalist in snowboarding for Team USA. This year’s conference will also feature breakout sessions led by business experts and authors, including Yvonne Camus, the former COO of SPINCO, Canada’s largest indoor cycling brand and the only female to outperform the Navy Seals in the multi-terrain adventure race known as Eco-Challenge. In addition, the WLC will welcome Sylvia Baffour, an author, podcast host, and emotional-intelligence coach recently ranked by HubSpot among the top 15 female motivational speakers. Additional keynote and breakout session speakers will be announced soon. For further information on the 2024 conference, sponsorship information, and ticket sales, visit baypath.edu/wlc.

 

Margarita Madness

April 4: The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce will host its largest event of the year, Margarita Madness, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Interskate 91 at the Hampshire Mall. Attendees will network and enjoy an evening of tasty margaritas and vote for this year’s fan favorite. Local restaurants showcase their culinary skills, and dozens of raffle prizes are donated by Amherst Area Chamber members. The event’s presenting sponsor is TommyCar Auto Group, and the supporting sponsor is Hampshire Mall. The cost is $35 pre-registered or $45 at the door. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Cooley Dickinson Hospital’s Emergency Department. Visit business.amherstarea.com/events/details/2024-margarita-madness-24121 to purchase tickets.

 

Difference Makers 

April 10: The 16th annual Difference Makers Gala will be held at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. Since 2009, BusinessWest has been recognizing the work of individuals, groups, businesses, and institutions through this recognition program. The 2024 Difference Makers — profiled in the Feb. 19 issue of BusinessWest and at businesswest.com — are Matt Bannister, senior vice president, Marketing and Corporate Responsibility, PeoplesBank; Delcie Bean, CEO, Paragus Strategic I.T.; Linda Dunlavy, executive director, Franklin Regional Council of Governments; Dr. Fred and Mary Kay Kadushin, co-founders, Feed the Kids; Scott Keiter, CEO, Keiter; the staff of Rock 102; Shannon Rudder, president and CEO, Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services; and Springfield Symphony Orchestra and Springfield Chamber Players. Tickets cost $95 each, with reserved tables of 10-12 available and available now through March 29. Partner sponsors for the 2024 Difference Makers include Burkhart, Pizzanelli, P.C., Keiter, Mercy Medical Center/Trinity Health, the Royal Law Firm, and TommyCar Auto Group. Supporting sponsors include the Springfield Thunderbirds and Westfield Bank. For more event details and to reserve tickets, visit businesswest.com/difference-makers/difference-makers-tickets.

 

Hooplandia

June 21-23: Registration is now open for Hooplandia, the second annual 3×3 basketball tournament and festival, at www.hooplandia.com. The three-day event includes levels of play for all ages and divisions. Hooplandia launched in 2023. Taking place in the heart of Greater Springfield, the birthplace of basketball, the event is hosted by Eastern States Exposition (ESE) in West Springfield and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield. Most games will be played on the ESE grounds, with special games held at the Hall of Fame. Seventy-five basketball courts will be set up to accommodate more than 650 games played by approximately 2,100 participants of all ages. Divisions of play have been created to provide an all-inclusive environment for players of all ages and playing abilities. The diverse divisions include young girls, boys, women, men, high-school-level, college-level, OGs, veterans, and more. Players are invited to build teams of four, create their own unique team name and uniforms, and register at www.hooplandia.com. Team fees range according to age, and children in the under-8 category are free of charge. Hooplandia will once again partner with Boys and Girls Clubs throughout the region as its designated philanthropic partner.

Doing Business as Certificates

By
DBA Certificates

The following business certificates and/or trade names were issued or renewed during the month of February 2024.

AMHERST

Alkemia LLC
150 Fearing St.
Sara Russell

Alpine Commons
133 Belchertown Road
Mass Alpine Commons LLC

Amherst Grant Consulting
6 University Dr., Suite 206
Michael Wright

Amherst Guitar Works
3 Sand Hill Road
Maximo Heuck

Aspen Chase
615 Main St.
Aspen Chase Woodbridge LLC

Borges Co.
370 Northampton Road, Apt. A
Oscar Borges

Gordon’s Gardens
95 Columbia Dr.
Gordon Kaufman

Hair by Harlow
220 North Pleasant St.
Lora Gross

J&J Farms
324 Meadow St.
Michael Waskiewicz, Joseph Waskiewicz Jr.

Johnson Woodworks and Remodeling LLC
333 Strong St.
William Johnson

The Laundry Club
6 University Dr.
Peter Colt

Newmarket Dentistry
28 University Dr.
Ayad Ahmed

Nouria Energy Retail Inc.
399 Northampton St.
Tony El-Nemr

PhD Painting
151 Shays St.
Laura Quinn

PZ Home Care Solutions LLC
1175 Bay Road
Heather Monoc

Stone House Farm
649 East Pleasant St.
Candace Talley

Unique Potential Educational Consulting
48 Fairfield St.
Karen Harrington

BELCHERTOWN

Barton Beeswax Candles
72 Barton Ave.
Melissa Hibler

Cold Spring Country Club
336 Chauncey Walker St.
Xiaowei Guo

Pioneer Valley Brews Cruise
18 Pepper Ridge Dr.
Scott Beaulieu

Upright Home Improvements
241 Franklin St.
Douglas Murray

DEERFIELD

2 J’s Landscaping
60 North Main St.
Joshua Candelaria

HADLEY

Exotic Auto S&S
373 River Dr.
Paul Narus

Hadley Concrete Service
35 Middle St.
Christopher Baj

Hukowicz Farm
35 East St.
Andrew Hukowicz

Joy Bowl
344 Russell St., Unit 13
Ru Jing Zhao

Meadow Street Styles
31 Meadow St.
Heather Salvatore

Smithland Pet Center
335 Russell St.
CT Gardens LLC

Supercuts
344 Russell St., Suite 7
Peterborough Group LLC

ZHI Services
245 Russell St.
Zachary Zahradnik

HOLYOKE

Clean Queen Car Wash
185 South St.
Richard Sherwood, Nicole Stasz

Jo-Ann Stores #677
2267 Northampton St.
Jo-Ann Stores LLC

Pandora
50 Holyoke St.
Pandora Ventures LLC

Rewarding Tax Services
284 Maple St.
Lidia Rodriguez

Sabracadabra
2 Loomis Ave.
Sabrina Vaissiere

Scorpio’s Lair Creations
33 Maple Crest Circle
Sarah King

A Touch of Beauty Hair and Nails
50 Holyoke St.
Hoang Vo

SOUTH HADLEY

BSS Additive
46 North Main St.
Brainstorm Studio LLC

Fishing Hole
103 Main St.
Matthew Yacovone

People on the Move

By
People on the Move
Hannah Pimenta

Hannah Pimenta

Alex LaValley

Alex LaValley

1Berkshire announced the addition of two staff members, one on the Member Services team and one on the Economic Development team. In addition, 1Berkshire has also added four new members to its board of directors. Hannah Pimenta assumed the role of Member Engagement associate. In her position, she will support the director of Member Services with membership-related initiatives, special events, and the Berkshire Leadership Program. Additionally, she will work in conjunction with the 1Berkshire business office, President and CEO Jonathan Butler, the 1Berkshire Strategic Alliance board of directors, and the 1Berkshire Foundation board. Pimenta is certified in project management and has a bachelor’s degree in English and communications from MCLA. She previously worked for Berkshire Family & Individual Resources before joining the 1Berkshire team. Alex LaValley joined the Economic Development team as Economic Development associate. In this position, he will work with both the vice president of Economic Development and the deputy director of Economic Development. 1Berkshire also announced that Ari Zorn of Devine Retail Cannabis, Christian Hanson of Balderdash Cellars, Scott St. George of Berkshire Health Systems, and Dubois Thomas of Blackshires Community Empowerment Foundation have joined the 1Berkshire board of directors for 2024.

•••••

Evan Garber

Evan Garber

Evan Garber has been named senior consultant and vice president of A.L. Cignoli & Associates Inc. Garber, who received his master’s degree in public affairs from the UMass Amherst School of Public Policy, started working with the firm as an intern during his time as an undergraduate student at UMass studying political science and education. He attended Chicopee High School and found his first interest in history, theater, leadership, economics, and politics there. Throughout his time at UMass, he was able to refine those interests. While in college, he chaired the UMass Theatre Guild, got experience working in grassroots political campaigns, was on the student staff of the UMass Marching Band, and got his class B commercial driver’s license to work at UMass Transit. Garber will be responsible for oversight of all Cignoli client efforts. He works directly with company President Anthony Cignoli on all daily client operations, including drafting strategies, media monitoring, designing solutions that are customized to the firm’s unique clients, and contributing to the successful results of clients.

•••••

Maybury Material Handling, a leading provider of industrial products and services to manufacturing, distribution, and warehousing customers throughout New England, announced a transition of leadership as John Maybury, who has served as president for almost five decades, assumes the role of chairperson, and his son, William Maybury, assumes the role of president. John established Maybury Material Handling in 1976, and the company began by making benches, stools, and cabinets. From there, it got into warehouse racks and shelving and now provides many automated material-handling products, including conveyors, conveyor systems, lift trucks, and more. Will has been involved in the business for as long as he can remember. From taking out the trash as a child to working in inventory to learning how to install warehouse equipment, to then coming back in 2015 and working in the Accounting department and serving as controller, he has learned the business from various points of view.

•••••

Christine Byrne

Christine Byrne

Eastern States Exposition (ESE) announced the promotion of Christine Byrne to the position of director of Finance. She assumes this role following the retirement of Jerry Richard in December. Byrne holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in accounting from Western New England University. Her love for numbers started in high school when she took her first accounting class, and she has never looked back. She joined the ESE team last May, initially serving as assistant director of Finance. With more than 25 years of experience in accounting and finance, she brings a wealth of expertise to her new role. Prior to joining ESE, Byrne held the position of chief financial officer at Center of Hope Foundation Inc., demonstrating her commitment to financial excellence and strategic management. Byrne has also held finance and accounting roles at the Tri-Community YMCA, Howlett Lumber Co., Wing Memorial Hospital, and Court Square Group.

•••••

Rose Colon, chair of the board of directors of Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services (MLKFS), announced the addition of the following new board members: William Davila, Byron Jones, Rania Kfuri, Dr. Yolanda Marrow, Awildo Morales, and Kimberly Robinson Williams, who will fill the Dora D. Robinson legacy board seat. Davila is vice president of Diversion, Shelter & Housing for the Center for Human Development Inc. in Springfield, as well as a licensed independent clinical social worker in Massachusetts and a licensed clinical social worker in Connecticut. Jones is a digital strategist and government contractor for the International Trade Assoc. (ITA) through Platinum Technologies (PT78) and has 19 years of business and digital strategy experience. Kfuri is a Philanthropy officer at the Baystate Health Foundation and has more than 20 years of development and related experience. Marrow is a pediatric trauma and Acute Care Surgery program manager at Baystate Medical Center and has 31 years of healthcare experience. Morales is a branch manager and Retail Banking and Security officer for Monson Savings Bank and has over 12 years of financial-services experience. Williams is Managing Partner of FDR & Associates LLC, which offers engagement with companies, organizations, and individuals committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). She has more than 27 years of experience working in HR, development, alumni relations, and DEI positions.

•••••

Richard Greco

American International College (AIC) announced the appointment of Richard Greco as assistant vice president for Academic Affairs and Student Life. With his experience and proven success in leading teams that drive student success, Greco brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to the institution. In his new role, he will be leading efforts to integrate and align academic affairs and student life, ensuring a seamless support system for students. He will also spearhead innovative program development and foster community partnerships that provide meaning to students and community beyond the classroom. Bringing more than 25 years of management experience, both within and outside higher education, Greco previously served as dean of Liberal and Professional Studies at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) and has been a faculty member at AIC since 2012. He holds a master’s degree in biology from the University of Saint Joseph, as well as bachelor’s degrees in human biology and biochemistry from AIC and an associate degree in general studies from STCC. He is currently working toward a doctorate in public administration at West Chester University.

•••••

The International Language Institute of Massachusetts (ILI) announced that La Wanza Lett-Brewington, Dora Tseng, and Jenni Greenhouse have joined ILI’s board of directors. Lett-Brewington led Old Dominion University’s Women and Gender Equity Center in Norfolk, Va. for nearly a decade. She is now Title IX coordinator and Affirmative Action officer for Greenfield Community College (GCC) and Berkshire Community College. A graduate of GCC and UMass Amherst’s University Without Walls and Graduate School of Education, she is known for innovative work in leadership development, diversity, equity, inclusion, conflict resolution, human-services administration, and crisis management. Tseng is access coordinator of Disability Services at UMass Amherst. In 2023, she celebrated her tenth year in the U.S., having arrived from Taiwan in 2013, and is now a permanent resident. She earned an associate degree from Greenfield Community College and a bachelor’s degree and master of education degree from UMass Amherst. As an immigrant, she is eager to share her experiences with newcomers and also continue her passionate commitment to social justice. Greenhouse moved from her home country of Colombia to Northampton in 2013, quickly enrolled in ILI’s intensive English classes, and studied at GCC. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Western New England University and an MBA from Boston University and is now senior manager of operations for Customer Support at Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, Conn. She plans to put her business and leadership skills to use in making an impactful contribution to ILI’s growth and future.

•••••

Jacqueline Charron

Jacqueline Charron

Greenfield Cooperative Bank announced the appointment of Jacqueline (Jackie) Charron as its new senior vice president of Strategy & Implementation. She brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this role. With nearly 40 years in the banking industry, she possesses a track record of leadership and innovation. Charron’s focus will be on navigating the evolving CRA landscape and ensuring the bank thrives under the new regulations. Additionally, she will lend her support across various initiatives within the bank. Her deep understanding of the banking industry is expected to be instrumental in driving the bank’s continued success and reaffirming its commitment to its customers and communities.

•••••

The Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) welcomed five new board members at its first meeting of 2024. Together, they bring to the chamber diverse experience as entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and business managers. The new board members are Jamie Cocco, Caroline Gear, Taylor Robbins, Elena Sharnoff, and Cigdem Turkomer. Cocco owns Empowered Digital Marketing and Empowered Social Media. In addition to his role on the board, he serves on the GNCC’s executive committee and chairs the ambassador committee. He brings an extensive marketing background to the GNCC, along with strong interests in building community and business development. Gear is the executive director of the International Language Institute of Massachusetts in Northampton. As executive director of a nonprofit organization, she brings to the chamber rich experience in working with a board, budgets, fundraising, and more. Robbins is a business relationship manager at UMassFive College Federal Credit Union. With a focus on commercial lending and cash management, she uses her experience in the field to offer individualized advice for business owners. Sharnoff owns B Strategic Communications and brings more than 25 years of experience in strategic communications and marketing, branding, and messaging to her role at the GNCC. She has served on che chamber’s ambassador committee for several years. Turkomer grew up in Istanbul and has spent more than 25 years creating set designs for commercial and documentary films. After studying for several years at San Francisco State University, Cigdem moved back to Northampton to open LeBonNton, which supports women artists and business owners from the U.S. and around the world.

•••••

Derick Santos

Derick Santos

Holyoke Community College (HCC) recently welcomed Derick Santos as its veterans-benefits and financial-aid counselor. He joined HCC on Jan. 22. Originally from Lajas, Puerto Rico, Santos holds a bachelor’s degree in computational mathematics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla., where he also worked in the Military and Veterans Services department for the university’s online campus. His father is an active-duty serviceman with the Puerto Rican National Guard. In his new role, Santos is HCC’s school-certifying official and will process all benefits for U.S. veterans and military-affiliated students. He will also counsel prospective and returning students through the financial-aid process and serve as part of the counselor on-call rotation.

•••••

Dulye & Co. founder and President Linda Dulye, who 16 years ago established a philanthropic organization to develop and connect emerging leaders in the Berkshires and beyond, has been honored for her achievements by the Zonta Club of Berkshire County. After receiving nominations from the public, Zonta Club members voted on their final choices of Berkshire County women whose outstanding work is building a better world for women and girls. Dulye joins five other women who have made significant contributions in their fields and to the Berkshire community in receiving this annual award. They were recognized at the Zonta International Women’s Day celebration dinner on March 8.

•••••

Robert Tyrol III

Robert Tyrol III

Pearson Wallace Insurance announced a new hire, Marc Membrino, and shared the achievement of current employee Robert “Bobby” Tyrol III, who has acquired his property and casualty insurance producer license. Membrino joins the team with an extensive background in the insurance industry. He moved to the Berkshires in 1979 and worked for his family-owned insurance company, which he later bought in 1989 and subsequently sold years later. Membrino’s current role with Pearson Wallace Insurance is customer service representative, in which he rates and services policies and provides help to customers. Tyrol has been with Pearson Wallace Insurance for two years. After working as an assistant golf professional at Berkshire Hills Golf Course in Pittsfield for six years, he joined Pearson Wallace Insurance in 2021 as a personal lines client manager. After receiving his insurance designation of a property and casualty producer, Tyrol has been promoted to customer service manager. He takes charge of all personal-line services for Pearson Wallace Insurance, with the goal of making customers’ experiences seamless.

•••••

AXiA Insurance Services recognizes the recent professional achievements of two employees in its West Springfield location. Aidil Cortinhas, personal lines account relationship manager, earned the certified insurance service representative (CISR) designation. The CISR program is nationally recognized with the mission to further develop insurance-related competencies for industry customer-service representatives. Cortinhas has been with AXiA since October 2017, servicing clients’ home and auto insurance coverage. She is also a current member of the company’s team and events committee, which coordinates company employee events, and an active volunteer in AxiA Charitable Fund programs. Colin Dandy, administrative coordinator, earned his property and casualty insurance license, having passed the Massachusetts state exams. This qualifies him to now sell insurance coverage, continuing his growth track at the agency and in the industry. Dandy has been with AxiA since September 2022, after graduating high school that same year. He currently is a member of a company process/procedural committee.

•••••

Advantage Truck Group (ATG) named its 2023 Pete DePina Legacy Award winners for Massachusetts, recognizing one individual from each of its locations in Raynham, Shrewsbury, and Westfield for making an impact on their fellow employees, customers, and the company. Gerry Avery received the legacy award for ATG’s Westfield facility. Employees were nominated by their peers for the award, and a winner was selected from each of ATG’s eight locations. Winners were presented with a monetary award that they will continue to receive as part of their profit-sharing bonus each year throughout their employment with the company.

•••••

Sylviana Lopez

Sylviana Lopez

Viability Inc. announced the appointment of Sylviana Lopez as its chief people officer in Human Resources. She brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the organization, and she is expected to drive Viability’s commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. For more than two decades, Lopez has been at the forefront of solving complex problems at scale across industries from the private sector to human services, blending human-resources strategy with forwardthinking creativity. She is expected to be an asset to Viability in its pursuit of building a strong, diverse culture and strengthening its resolve to build a world in which individuals with disabilities and other disadvantages realize acceptance, inclusion, and access. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in San Juan, Puerto Rico and an MBA in human resources management from the University of New Haven in Connecticut.

•••••

Springfield College Professor of Exercise Science Samuel Headley has been accepted as a fellow in the inaugural cohort of the Clinical Exercise Physiology Assoc. (CEPA), a recognition of his outstanding service to the field of clinical exercise physiology (CEP). Headley, currently program director of the Springfield College master’s and doctoral programs in exercise physiology, is one of the founders of CEPA and previously served as its president. Clinical exercise physiology is a branch of exercise physiology that focuses on the acute and chronic responses of both healthy individuals and individuals with chronic diseases to exercise. Headley is a well-known scholar in the field, with more than 50 peer-reviewed publications, 30 peer-reviewed abstracts, and six books or book chapters in exercise physiology. His scholarship has recently focused on the impact of exercise on patients with chronic kidney disease. During his time at Springfield College, he helped develop the college’s nationally accredited clinical exercise physiology program.

•••••

William Pitt Sotheby’s announced that Richard Aldrich has joined the company. He will work with Steven Weisz to expand the company’s current market leadership role in commercial property sales and leasing. Aldrich has been in sales since 1971. As a real-estate broker in the Berkshires, he has become a leader in commercial property sales, leasing, and business brokerage. He has been involved with the sale of the Countryside Landscaping building in Williamstown, Camp Half Moon in Monterey, Country Curtains in Lee, and Patrick’s Pub in Pittsfield. He is currently representing the Fuel Coffee Shop and the Gorham & Norton Market.

•••••

Michelle Muro

Michelle Muro

Dietz & Company Architects Inc. announced the addition of Michelle Muro, AIA to its staff in the role of senior architect in the Cambridge office. She holds a bachelor of architecture degree from Montana State University and is a licensed architect in Massachusetts, Vermont, New Jersey, and Kansas. She brings more than 26 years of experience to Dietz & Company, having worked for firms in Massachusetts and Colorado. Muro has worked on a variety of projects in the industrial, multi-family, commercial, retail, and sports-entertainment sectors. She has expertise in code compliance and accessibility and specializes in project management and construction administration. As such, she will be managing the construction process at the Walkling Court senior-housing development project in Medford.

Bankruptcies

By
Bankruptcies

The following bankruptcy petitions were recently filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Readers should confirm all information with the court.

Avella, Giuseppe
Avella, Marlene B.
18 Vail St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/14/2024

Cormier, Anthony J.
59 Mary St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/15/2024

Dotson, Delores
120 Sunrise Ter.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 13
Date: 02/12/2024

Feliberty, Natasha Lee
7 Clark St., Apt. 1
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/06/2024

Kenney, James Francis
19 Andersen Road
Chicopee, MA 01022
Chapter: 13
Date: 02/12/2024

Murard, Daril
19 Lockhouse Road, Apt. 4-1
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/08/2024

Quinones, George J.
1348 Page Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Date: 02/04/2024

Nieves, Veronica
a/k/a Rodriguez, Veronica
a/k/a Nieves-Rodriguez-Sonner, Veronica
1880 Main St.
P.O. Box 3790
Springfield, MA 01101
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/14/2024

Ray, Miasyn
76 Northampton Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/05/2024

Salazar, David
121 Brewster St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/14/2024

Skidmore, Daniel Joseph
54 Spring Hill Road
Barre, MA 01005
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/08/2024

Stasiowski, Debra A.
16 Bartlett Ave.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/14/2024

Torres, Felix
408 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Date: 02/15/2024

Valdes, Charles G.
Valdes, Maria R.
1021 Maple St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/14/2024

Wright, Arnold Bishop
148 Arcadia Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 13
Date: 02/09/2024

Real Estate Transactions

By
Real Estate

The following real estate transactions (latest available) were compiled by Banker & Tradesman and are published as they were received. Only transactions exceeding $115,000 are listed. Buyer and seller fields contain only the first name listed on the deed.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

BUCKLAND

12 Main St.
Buckland, MA 01330
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Grace A. Kennerly
Seller: McCutchen, Martha J., (Estate)
Date: 02/06/24

CHARLEMONT

2151 Route 2
Charlemont, MA 01339
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Reo T2021-NR4
Seller: Michael D. Odell
Date: 02/13/24

ERVING

11 Church St.
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $342,000
Buyer: Timothy W. Momaney
Seller: Lemieux FT
Date: 02/16/24

17 Maple Ave.
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $326,000
Buyer: Cole G. Larose
Seller: Lewis Int.
Date: 02/15/24

5 North St.
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $247,000
Buyer: Kenneth A. Rounds
Seller: Michael J. Richardson
Date: 02/06/24

GREENFIELD

7 Congress St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $685,000
Buyer: Greenfield Elizabeth
Seller: 325 Canton St. LLC
Date: 02/15/24

110 Cottage St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $278,000
Buyer: Robyn D. McKelvey
Seller: Dauntless Path LLC
Date: 02/12/24

81 High St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $522,500
Buyer: Zoe D. Smith
Seller: Steven Lanciani
Date: 02/16/24

231 Hope St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Congamond Management LLC
Seller: Wicked Deals LLC
Date: 02/08/24

41 Norwood St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $286,500
Buyer: Spencer Telega
Seller: Bosch, Roland, (Estate)
Date: 02/08/24

100 Silver St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Michael J. Marotto
Seller: Katherine Buttolph RET
Date: 02/08/24

200 Wisdom Way
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Mark Wightman
Seller: Damon Blake
Date: 02/08/24

LEVERETT

295 Shutesbury Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $118,000
Buyer: Frederick P. Hartwell
Seller: Barbara J. Raymond
Date: 02/05/24

MONTAGUE

113-115 Avenue A
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Avenue A. Group LLC
Seller: 113 Avenue A LLC
Date: 02/05/24

7 Avenue C
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $189,900
Buyer: Eds Enterprises LLC
Seller: Ann Engley
Date: 02/09/24

257 Wendell Road
Montague, MA 01349
Amount: $540,000
Buyer: Diana L. Tobin
Seller: AGT Homes LLC
Date: 02/09/24

NORTHFIELD

21 Meadow St.
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Joshua Willis
Seller: MW&MW Realty LLC
Date: 02/09/24

ORANGE

125 East Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Anne M. Pole
Seller: Steven S. Barnes
Date: 02/14/24

63 Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $901,000
Buyer: James B. Berry
Seller: Lorrett A. Estabrooks
Date: 02/08/24

82 Mechanic St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Schwowens Properties LLC
Seller: Mary Chapli
Date: 02/07/24

ROWE

58 Tatro Road
Rowe, MA 01339
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Joshua W. Giard
Seller: William, Albert R., (Estate)
Date: 02/15/24

SHUTESBURY

North Laurel Dr.
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Thomas C. Miller
Seller: Stein, Richard S., (Estate)
Date: 02/16/24

94 Pratt Corner Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $487,500
Buyer: Allen H. Pease
Seller: The Suter FT
Date: 02/09/24

SUNDERLAND

Hadley Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: 282 Hadley Rd LLC
Seller: Charles W. Smiarowski LT
Date: 02/12/24

WHATELY

282 Haydenville Road
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $529,000
Buyer: Nicole L. Pietraszkiewicz
Seller: Brenden J. Monahan
Date: 02/09/24

62 Long Plain Road
Whately, MA 01373
Amount: $605,000
Buyer: Kathleen P. Harrington
Seller: Nicole L. Pietraszkiewicz
Date: 02/09/24

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

Doane Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $680,000
Buyer: Denali Investments LLC
Seller: J. D. T. Rosati Inc.
Date: 02/08/24

174 Edgewater Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $560,000
Buyer: Margaret M. Cahillane
Seller: David Kutz
Date: 02/15/24

48 Fairview St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $324,000
Buyer: Sean P. Burke
Seller: Berkshire Land Co. LLC
Date: 02/06/24

210 Meadow St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: NSP Residential LLC
Seller: RCF 2 Acquisition TR
Date: 02/08/24

210 Meadow St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $294,000
Buyer: Vincent M. Canavan
Seller: NSP Residential LLC
Date: 02/08/24

11 Randall St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Appleton Grove LLC
Seller: Michelle Amanda TR
Date: 02/16/24

77 Reed St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Colemac NT
Seller: Allyson Sacco
Date: 02/12/24

405 Silver St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $343,000
Buyer: Denali Investments LLC
Seller: J. D. T. Rosati Inc.
Date: 02/07/24

415 Silver St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $680,000
Buyer: Denali Investments LLC
Seller: J. D. T. Rosati Inc.
Date: 02/08/24

431 Silver St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Denali Investments LLC
Seller: J. D. T. Rosati Inc.
Date: 02/07/24

250 South West St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $332,900
Buyer: Luis E. Aponte-Ortega
Seller: Brian D. Kibbe
Date: 02/12/24

BRIMFIELD

62 1st St.
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Kevin McManaman
Seller: McManaman RET
Date: 02/15/24

1538 Dunhamtown Brimfield Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Erik Ramsland
Seller: Josephine R. Sears RET
Date: 02/16/24

228 Sturbridge Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $1,060,000
Buyer: Kyle Twarowski
Seller: Leszek Twarowski
Date: 02/06/24

CHESTER

110 Old State Hwy.
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Amanda N. Ursia
Seller: Watson, Susan Lynn, (Estate)
Date: 02/09/24

CHICOPEE

66 Beaudry Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Peter A. Lemieux
Seller: Alfred J. Albano
Date: 02/15/24

43 Chapin St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $361,000
Buyer: John R. Dimatteo
Seller: Robert J. Lefebvre
Date: 02/09/24

360 Chicopee St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Christopher S. Dodson
Seller: Lucas Real Estate LLC
Date: 02/14/24

158 College St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Kevin G. Ryan
Seller: Soren W. Johnson
Date: 02/08/24

25 Freedom St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Robert E. King
Seller: Lynn M. Chlosta-Menard
Date: 02/12/24

310 Front St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $840,000
Buyer: Jonah Holdings LLC
Seller: Paf IRT
Date: 02/16/24

318 Front St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $840,000
Buyer: Jonah Holdings LLC
Seller: Paf IRT
Date: 02/16/24

339 Front St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Steven Hoheb
Seller: Paf IRT
Date: 02/09/24

433 Front St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Frantz E. Laporte
Seller: BMM Realty LLC
Date: 02/14/24

37 Hajec Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Michelle L. Lancto
Seller: Roman Catholic Bishop
Date: 02/09/24

18 Harding St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Diomedes Chavez
Seller: DCL General Construction LLC
Date: 02/12/24

68 Kaveney St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $277,000
Buyer: Takuya Seaver
Seller: Mark S. Hager
Date: 02/08/24

499 Montgomery St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $1,802,077
Buyer: Mercury Storage 1-B LLC
Seller: UH Storage LP
Date: 02/07/24

115 Saratoga Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Azusa RT
Seller: Kimberly A. Runkle
Date: 02/13/24

6 Sesame Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $467,100
Buyer: James McInerney
Seller: Haleigh R. Scott
Date: 02/16/24

24 Walnut St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $251,000
Buyer: Ricky L. Cates
Seller: Hussein Hamadi
Date: 02/14/24

17 Woodcrest Court
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Robert Lussier
Seller: Thomas Trudell
Date: 02/12/24

EAST LONGMEADOW

5 Brynmawr Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Devan P. Summers
Seller: Mark A. Haraty
Date: 02/09/24

4 Crescent Hill
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $334,500
Buyer: Suzanne V. Weber
Seller: Russell L. Morton
Date: 02/16/24

42 Knollwood Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: 18 Knollwood Drive LLC
Seller: Donald F. Anderson
Date: 02/09/24

66 Nelson St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Ramon Tapia
Seller: Daponde, Karen M., (Estate)
Date: 02/15/24

217 Porter Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $492,000
Buyer: Samuel Oseibonsu
Seller: Jaclyn M. Predergast
Date: 02/07/24

HAMPDEN

15 Wilbraham Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Richard C. Gelinas
Seller: Victor B. Scibelli
Date: 02/09/24

HOLYOKE

77 Central Park Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $212,000
Buyer: Marcelo F. Rocha
Seller: EPB Real Estate Services LLC
Date: 02/16/24

360 Chestnut St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Antonia Santos
Seller: Greater Springfield Habitat
Date: 02/16/24

99 Knollwood Circle
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: John P. Larose
Seller: Richard A. Moussette
Date: 02/15/24

154 Rock Valley Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Christopher J. Larose
Seller: John P. Larose
Date: 02/15/24

HOLLAND

8 Heritage Dr.
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: John D. Holdcraft
Seller: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
Date: 02/16/24

LONGMEADOW

73 Bel Air Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $312,000
Buyer: NRES LLC
Seller: Janee Mays
Date: 02/16/24

166 Converse St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: David Obrien
Seller: Gary S. Veratti
Date: 02/15/24

173 Farmington Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $574,750
Buyer: Steven A. Carra
Seller: Gail C. Wesson TR
Date: 02/09/24

286 Hopkins Place
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $457,500
Buyer: Usman Aslam
Seller: Anthony Aveyard
Date: 02/14/24

83 Longfellow Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Anthony P. Aveyard
Seller: HUD
Date: 02/09/24

LUDLOW

Balsam Hill Road, Lot 73
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $176,400
Buyer: Georgiy Sinigur
Seller: Whitetail Wreks LLC
Date: 02/15/24

54 Cady St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: William Raleigh
Seller: Patricia Bernard
Date: 02/13/24

436 Chapin St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $379,999
Buyer: Akhmad Abdul-Razzaq
Seller: Plata O. Plomo Inc.
Date: 02/08/24

274 East St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Tati & Cristi LLC
Seller: Ana P. Dias
Date: 02/16/24

24 Elm St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $242,000
Buyer: Turan Gun
Seller: Dorothy A. Lobik
Date: 02/16/24

102 Motyka St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $243,000
Buyer: Diane Crane
Seller: John A. Pisarczyk
Date: 02/13/24

100 Pine St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $146,000
Buyer: Privilne Real Estate LLC
Seller: Sandy D. Kudla
Date: 02/09/24

7 Ventura St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Michael S. Hajdamowicz
Seller: Dianne M. Easley
Date: 02/15/24

MONSON

14 Upper Palmer Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $639,000
Buyer: Alexander B. Tsagaris
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 02/16/24

PALMER

2026 Cross St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $368,000
Buyer: Nicholas Tiscione
Seller: Dorcas RT
Date: 02/09/24

2158-2160 Main St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $299,900
Buyer: Derek R. Beaulieu
Seller: Joseph Sawicki
Date: 02/15/24

4 Meadow Lane
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Joseph E. Messer
Seller: Christopher Welsh
Date: 02/16/24

51 Squier St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $334,000
Buyer: Kevin J. Serio
Seller: Samuel Cobb
Date: 02/06/24

RUSSELL

501 Woodland Way
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $409,000
Buyer: Andrei Filistovich
Seller: Judith M. Stolfo
Date: 02/14/24

SOUTHWICK

17 Castle St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Sergey Domnenko
Seller: Robert, John E., (Estate)
Date: 02/12/24

21 Sterrett Dr.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: Kimberly Hatch
Seller: Randy Wessels
Date: 02/14/24

SPRINGFIELD

500-508 Armory St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: 500 Armory Street LLC
Seller: C. & A. Realty Co. Inc.
Date: 02/07/24

1 Balboa Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $565,000
Buyer: Leo Best
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 02/08/24

164 Balboa Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $319,900
Buyer: Jack Palladino
Seller: Federal National Mortgage Assn.
Date: 02/14/24

167 Berkshire St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $214,900
Buyer: Manuel M. Morocho
Seller: Bonita Amtmann
Date: 02/13/24

476 Berkshire Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Unlimited Property Services LLC
Seller: US Bankruptcy Court
Date: 02/08/24

39 Blanding St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Christian Hegland
Seller: Manchester Enterprises LLC
Date: 02/16/24

469 Boston Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $700,000
Buyer: Pinkal & Hiral LLC
Seller: 469 Boston Road RT
Date: 02/13/24

212 Breckwood Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $243,000
Buyer: Teresa F. Young
Seller: Ronelson Lovaincy
Date: 02/09/24

28 Burke St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $247,000
Buyer: Evelyn S. Sanchez
Seller: Round Two LLC
Date: 02/14/24

6 Carlos St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $263,000
Buyer: Aaron D. Roberson
Seller: Margaret M. Pilon
Date: 02/07/24

23 Catalpa Ter.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Joselyn Arroyo-Lopez
Seller: John P. Doty
Date: 02/14/24

72 Chesterfield Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: DS Group Investments LLC
Seller: Mary Fitzgerald
Date: 02/16/24

11-15 Clantoy St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: B-9 Industries Inc
Seller: 11-15 Clantoy St. TR
Date: 02/09/24

261 Connecticut Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $299,000
Buyer: Josentt Thompson
Seller: Patrick O’Neil
Date: 02/08/24

77 Daviston St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Richard Abankwah
Seller: Equity Trust Co.
Date: 02/16/24

60 East Alvord St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $337,750
Buyer: Cindy Tai
Seller: Adolphus P. Christian
Date: 02/16/24

25-27 Eagle St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Inas S. Alitbi
Seller: Ian A. Riley
Date: 02/16/24

199 Eastern Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Wagner B. Soto
Seller: Grace M. Melendez-Riva
Date: 02/12/24

48 Enfield St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Ming Tsang
Seller: JPS Realty LLC
Date: 02/09/24

30 Farnsworth St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Sophia N. Samms
Seller: Roberto Rivera-Negron
Date: 02/12/24

80 Fenimore Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Cynthia J. Mulcahy
Seller: Kathryn A. Mulcahy
Date: 02/14/24

12-14 Foster St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Robert A. Fournier
Seller: Brvsa Associates LLC
Date: 02/16/24

44 Georgetown St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Xavier Cody
Seller: Stebbins, Jennie A., (Estate)
Date: 02/14/24

67 Harmon Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $297,500
Buyer: Paul D. Arrighi
Seller: Michael P. Whitehead
Date: 02/08/24

25 Huntington St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Muhammad M. Taqi
Seller: Jaime J. Melendez
Date: 02/13/24

82 Jardine St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Catrina M. Hamilton
Seller: Janusz Lecko
Date: 02/16/24

25 Laurence St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $379,900
Buyer: Christa Nunez
Seller: Laurie T. Lauture-Best
Date: 02/08/24

61 Leslie St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $184,000
Buyer: Eduardo A. Ramos
Seller: Katherine M. Nogiec
Date: 02/16/24

44-46 Lexington St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $322,000
Buyer: Yongyao Cai
Seller: 44 Lexington Street RT
Date: 02/16/24

60 Lexington St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Israel Calderon
Seller: Citizens Bank
Date: 02/09/24

79 Mandalay Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Jill K. Barlow
Seller: Barbara M. Barlow
Date: 02/08/24

103-105 Maryland St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: MDDO LLC
Seller: Lisa M. Martin
Date: 02/09/24

8 Maxwell Place
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Alcimar R. Dasilva
Seller: Mary F. Auldridge
Date: 02/09/24

136 Maynard St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Tyrus T. Ferguson
Seller: Ferguson, Classie, (Estate)
Date: 02/09/24

Methuen St.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Preferred Property Management Inc.
Seller: Courageous Lion LLC
Date: 02/12/24

171 Methuen St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Preferred Property Management Inc.
Seller: Courageous Lion LLC
Date: 02/12/24

93-95 Middlesex St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Justin C. Ching
Seller: Junior R. McKenzie
Date: 02/16/24

83 Oak St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Jose R. Garcia-Sanchez
Seller: Rejuvenate Real Estate LLC
Date: 02/15/24

78 Pennsylvania Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $282,500
Buyer: Michelle Urban-Flores
Seller: Mary K. Miller
Date: 02/16/24

Pine St.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: MA Pine Street LLC
Seller: Brvsa Associates LLC
Date: 02/16/24

123 Pine St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: MA Pine Street LLC
Seller: Brvsa Associates LLC
Date: 02/16/24

40 Price St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $175,200
Buyer: Valery E. Nater-Pagan
Seller: Julie Kamrowski
Date: 02/15/24

20-22 Rutledge Ave.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Paul S. Roberts
Seller: Paul D. Calder
Date: 02/15/24

893 Saint James Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Bryan E. Negron
Seller: Tony E. French
Date: 02/16/24

136 Samuel St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $168,795
Buyer: Javed Shah
Seller: Rmtp TR Series Bkm-Tt-V
Date: 02/09/24

78-80 Shamrock St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $175,923
Buyer: Phoenix Development Inc.
Seller: Chuong Truong
Date: 02/09/24

Switzer Ave.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Daniele Manzi
Seller: Secretary Of Veterans Affairs
Date: 02/06/24

82 Temple St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $248,000
Buyer: Cassi Stewart
Seller: Temple G3 Realty NT
Date: 02/09/24

61 Victoria St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Preferred Property Management Inc.
Seller: Courageous Lion LLC
Date: 02/12/24

208-210 White St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Julian Solano
Seller: Daniel Cruz
Date: 02/15/24

283 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $188,182
Buyer: Cascade Funding Mortgage TR Hb4
Seller: Shirley L. Richard
Date: 02/12/24

61-63 Woodlawn St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $237,500
Buyer: Livingwater Capital LLC
Seller: Jason Gobin
Date: 02/07/24

38 Worthy St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Brandon Garey
Seller: Pah Properties LLC
Date: 02/09/24

WALES

12 Church St.
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Anthony R. Felix
Seller: Scott M. Carrigan
Date: 02/08/24

100 Stafford Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Bradley Arcoite
Seller: James R. Reilly
Date: 02/09/24

98 Stafford Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Bradley Arcoite
Seller: James R. Reilly
Date: 02/09/24

WEST SPRINGFIELD

46 Fox St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Jared M. Longley
Seller: Disantis, Lindsay D., (Estate)
Date: 02/09/24

189 Morgan Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $490,000
Buyer: Ansh Arya Inc.
Seller: Paul R. Seymour
Date: 02/16/24

107 Nelson St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: James Roberts-Manning
Seller: Goodhind, Susan M., (Estate)
Date: 02/16/24

146 Nelson St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $188,000
Buyer: Steven Thompson
Seller: CIG4 LLC
Date: 02/06/24

45 Piper Cross Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $910,000
Buyer: Ansh Arya Inc.
Seller: Paul R. Seymour
Date: 02/16/24

68 Plateau Circle
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Lawanda Cox
Seller: Deepon Realty LLC
Date: 02/13/24

379 Riverdale St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $1,210,000
Buyer: Lakshmi Bhula Inc.
Seller: Thirteen Views Realty NT
Date: 02/14/24

WESTFIELD

23 Clinton Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Coalie RT
Seller: Champion, Richard G., (Estate)
Date: 02/12/24

52 Court St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Baypoint Real Estate LLC
Seller: Flowers By Webster LLC
Date: 02/16/24

Falcon Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Raymaakers Properties LLC
Seller: Koziar Capital LLC
Date: 02/06/24

67 Farnham Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Brandon L. Mobrice
Seller: Brian P. Barnes
Date: 02/14/24

88 Glenwood Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Sandra A. Stevens
Seller: Andrew J. Martindell
Date: 02/07/24

85 Granville Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Frankie Cortes
Seller: Surprenant, Hilda, (Estate)
Date: 02/14/24

21 Mainline Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $1,020,000
Buyer: Brennan & Sons LLC
Seller: 21 Mainline LLC
Date: 02/13/24

135 Meadow St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Lismary P. Ortiz
Seller: Kmak LLC
Date: 02/16/24

49 Roosevelt Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $252,000
Buyer: Steven R. Rosinski
Seller: Brandon L. Mobrice
Date: 02/14/24

14 Stuart Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: No Limit Assets LLC
Seller: Progulske, Doreen, (Estate)
Date: 02/16/24

WILBRAHAM

117 Bartlett Ave.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $286,500
Buyer: Jon T. Kurowski
Seller: Joseph Belanger
Date: 02/12/24

2391 Boston Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $975,000
Buyer: D&V Property Holdings LLC
Seller: KS Diner Inc.
Date: 02/09/24

4 Hillcrest Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Wilson & Family Real Estate LLC
Seller: Tony Vital
Date: 02/16/24

939 Monson Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Joshua D. Easley
Seller: BP LLC
Date: 02/16/24

1 Old Bay Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Jason Cochran
Seller: Clonmacnoise Realty LLC
Date: 02/16/24

6 West Colonial Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Andrew Croteau
Seller: Ronald B. Hale
Date: 02/15/24

8 West Colonial Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Andrew Croteau
Seller: Ronald B. Hale
Date: 02/15/24

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

166 College St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $445,000
Buyer: Aews Partnership LLC
Seller: Railroad St Partners LLC
Date: 02/15/24

684 East Pleasant St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $603,000
Buyer: Benjamin H. Detenber
Seller: Anke Voss
Date: 02/05/24

41 Fairfield St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $264,408
Buyer: Lindsay G. Read
Seller: Gerald G. Guider Jr. FT
Date: 02/05/24

176 Flat Hills Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Gary Toth
Seller: Dja-Maa Shepp
Date: 02/05/24

129 Lindenridge Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $1,030,020
Buyer: Helen Wang
Seller: Bercume Construction LLC
Date: 02/15/24

16 South Whitney St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Aews Partnership LLC
Seller: Belchertown Road Partners LLC
Date: 02/15/24

486 Sunderland Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $545,000
Buyer: Christopher Croteau
Seller: John G. Reid
Date: 02/09/24

241 Sunset Ave.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $447,000
Buyer: Sunset Partnership LLC
Seller: Good Ol Daves LLC
Date: 02/15/24

15 Sunset Court
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $499,000
Buyer: 289 East Pleasant St. LLC
Seller: Lincoln Ave. Partners LLC
Date: 02/16/24

BELCHERTOWN

656 North Washington St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $489,000
Buyer: Stephanie C. Bonafini
Seller: M. & G. Land Development LLC
Date: 11/30/23

37 Old Sawmill Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $542,000
Buyer: Jaroslaw Larskarzewski
Seller: Mark T. Jaszek
Date: 02/15/24

20 Pine St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $635,000
Buyer: Michael Kane
Seller: Robert A. Morra
Date: 01/26/24

171 South Washington St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $649,900
Buyer: Jeffrey M. Charron
Seller: Gary G. Decoteau
Date: 12/06/23

30 Summit St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Arpc LLC
Seller: Ronald E. Lakota
Date: 02/12/24

CHESTERFIELD

309 Ireland St.
Chesterfield, MA 01084
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Jordan H. Jaquess
Seller: Rauscher, Laura M., (Estate)
Date: 02/16/24

 

EASTHAMPTON

5-15 Adams St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $1,100,000
Buyer: SGS Holdings LLC
Seller: Krupalu LLC
Date: 02/06/24

422 Main St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $570,000
Buyer: NB Main Realty LLC
Seller: A-Z Storage & Properties LLC
Date: 02/06/24

63 Phelps St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Lindsay N. Dubols
Seller: Silver Snake Prop LLC
Date: 02/05/24

13 Sterling Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $262,000
Buyer: Pah Properties LLC
Seller: Timothy A. Graham
Date: 02/07/24

GRANBY

127 Maximilian Dr.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $835,000
Buyer: Brett R. Diamond
Seller: Kotowicz Custom Homes LLC
Date: 02/09/24

161 South St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Duane C. Noyes
Seller: Laura A. Noyes
Date: 02/06/24

 

HADLEY

6 Kozera Ave.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $680,000
Buyer: James N. Sullivan
Seller: Robert E. Leveille
Date: 02/15/24

NORTHAMPTON

81 Autumn Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $316,000
Buyer: Adam Gladstone
Seller: Walter Warchut
Date: 02/09/24

300-A Elm St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Arthur C. Edelstein
Seller: Antil, Robert E., (Estate)
Date: 02/09/24

8 Swan St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Sasha Statman-Weil
Seller: Karen A. Normand
Date: 02/16/24

SOUTH HADLEY

150 Lyman St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Plata O. Plomo Inc.
Seller: Joanne I. Delong LT
Date: 02/15/24

13 Lyon Green
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $585,900
Buyer: Ahmed Elmogy
Seller: JN Duquette & Son Construction

28 Saybrook Circle
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Jaydon G. Diamond
Seller: Eric C. Jimmo
Date: 02/08/24

SOUTHAMPTON

8 Cold Spring Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $234,500
Buyer: DLJ Mortgage Capital Inc.
Seller: Kimberley F. Coffin
Date: 02/16/24

27 Mountain View Circle
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $323,000
Buyer: Nicole Leadenham
Seller: Kate S. Kelly
Date: 02/09/24

WARE

4 Barnes St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $254,000
Buyer: Kristen A. Foster
Seller: Anthony M. Lapete
Date: 02/07/24

5-7 Bellevue Ave.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Brandon Andrews
Seller: Joseph M. Garbiel
Date: 02/15/24

23-25 Dale St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $155,505
Buyer: Bezviner Real Estate Inc.
Seller: First Landing Investments LLC
Date: 02/16/24

23-25 Dale St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: First Landing Investments LLC
Seller: Virbrant Ventures LLC
Date: 02/16/24

230 Greenwich Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Michael Sadoval
Seller: Donald F. Bullock
Date: 02/09/24

33 High St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Travis Brown
Seller: Blaise P. Berthiaume
Date: 02/16/24

31 Meadow Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: G&W New Construction LLC
Seller: Palano 3rd, Antonio J., (Estate)
Date: 02/14/24

82 North St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: First Landing Investments LLC
Seller: Virbrant Ventures LLC
Date: 02/16/24

82 North St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Veloz & Associates LLC
Seller: First Landing Investments LLC
Date: 02/16/24

160 Osborne Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Drew J. Lavalley
Seller: William J. McCloskey
Date: 02/07/24

121 River Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $472,500
Buyer: Amanda L. Lapete
Seller: Nicole Nesbit
Date: 02/07/24

123 River Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $472,500
Buyer: Amanda L. Lapete
Seller: Nicole Nesbit
Date: 02/07/24

WILLIAMSBURG

26 Mountain St.
Williamsburg, MA 01039
Amount: $453,600
Buyer: Keely S. Sexton
Seller: Sharon A. Loomis
Date: 02/12/24

Building Permits

By
Building Permits

The following building permits were issued during the month of February 2024.

CHICOPEE

City of Chicopee
0 Front St.
$409,500 — Remove exterior doors, windows, existing MEP equipment, concrete slab in basement; asbestos abatement

Dow Jones & Co. Inc.
200 Burnett Road
$107,970 — Roofing

Steve Hoheb
339 Front St.
$28,000 — One window replacement, drywall patchwork, fix fascia trim and soffit on roof, repair slate roof tiles, minor brick repointing, exterior painting

Jerad Ostrowski
50 Orchard St.
$15,000 — Remove old siding and install new siding, remove front porch windows

EASTHAMPTON

Julia Gawle
90-106 Union St.
$22,000 — New plumbing and electrical

Patel Harnish
47 Cottage St.
$4,000 — Erect dividing wall in retail space with two doors

Norwich Properties LLC
17 East St.
$24,700 — Insulation, outlet installation, and siding

HADLEY

Jerry Rybczynski
26 Russell St.
N/A — Finish existing second floor into three-room, two-bath conference room

To Your Health LLC
270 Russell St.
N/A — Roofing

Walter Wanczyk Jr.
180 Russell St.
N/A — Install 12 new construction windows

LEE

Edward Willins, Alison Dick
880 East St.
$15,000 — Remodel kitchen

LENOX

MRG CRW Holdings LLC
55 Lee Road
$412,000 — Roofing

Toole Properties Inc.
461 Pittsfield Road
$100,000 — Replace floor tile, vanity countertop, shower pan, and shower surrounds in 36 guest bathrooms in main building

Toole Properties Inc.
461 Pittsfield Road
$20,000 — Install 33 vinyl windows

PITTSFIELD

Clock Tower Partners LLC
73 South Church St.
$39,000 — Tenant space build-out

Patriot Suites Inc.
8 Dan Fox Dr.
$180,000 — Roofing

Carlo Petrucci Jr.
108 East Housatonic St., #10
$25,330 — Remove and replace four windows and one patio door

Sonal Patel LLC
360 Pecks Road
$10,000 — Construct three baths and one office

SPRINGFIELD

Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church of Springfield
27 Pendleton Ave.
$2,500 — Remove and replace ceiling tiles

Caring Health Center Inc.
1235 Boston Road
$2,800,000 — Alter interior space for build-out for medical office use

City of Springfield
1435 Carew St.
$122,808 — Alter auditorium stage for four new breakout classrooms at Mary O. Pottenger Elementary School

City of Springfield
141 Washington St.
$98,000 — Repair/replace water-damaged plaster ceilings in basement

City of Springfield
300 White St.
$11,500 — Assemble and install prefabricated shade pavilion at White Street Elementary School

Fathima LLC
263 Hancock St.
$11,500 — Close off existing openings on front and back of building, create new opening in interior

FB Development LLC
1537 Main St.
$25,000 — Demolish interior only for future build-out on first floor of Fuller Block

Mari Real Estate Corp.
1781 Page Blvd.
$12,000 — Demolish non-structural wall and install sheetrock to bathroom ceiling at United Rentals

Nalani Capital LLC
494 Belmont Ave.
$60,000 — Demolish three-story portion of former funeral home building, including foundation and canopy

Pioneer Valley Transit Authority
665 Cottage St.
$1,933,400 — Alter interior space for replacement of six electric bus chargers and associated electrical work and upgrade fire protection and structural steel at PVTA bus operations and maintenance facility

Sumner Avenue 473-477 LLC
475 Sumner Ave.
$23,000 — Repair section of failing foundation wall

Unifirst Corp.
295 Parker St.
$180,369 — Roofing

Western New England University
1215 Wilbraham Road
$263,865 — Alter interior space on ground floor of Deliso Building for Marketing Department offices

Baystate Health Names Peter Banko Its Next President and CEO

By
Daily News

Peter Banko

SPRINGFIELD — The Baystate Health board of trustees announced it has appointed Peter Banko as Baystate Health’s new president and CEO. He succeeds Dr. Mark Keroack, who previously announced his plans to retire after serving as the system’s leader for 10 years.

An executive experienced in leading multi-faceted health systems in markets throughout the country, Banko was chosen after an extensive national search by the board of trustees. Banko will officially join Baystate Health at the beginning of June.

Banko most recently served as president and CEO of Centura Health in Centennial, Colo., which was part of the national CommonSpirit Health system. The $3.8 billion hospital and health-services system comprised more than 20 owned and affiliated tertiary and rural hospitals, an extensive network of physician partners, and numerous community-based services and clinics across Colorado, Kansas, and Utah.

“Among a slate of high-qualified candidates, Peter stood out for both his commitment to our community-based healthcare mission and decades of experience leading complex health systems in diverse and competitive markets. He offers a proven track record of strengthening programs and services, growing revenue and market share, improving operations and operating discipline, and serving as a workforce champion,” said Harriet DeVerry, chair of the Baystate Health board of trustees. “We look forward to him joining the organization.”

Banko, a native of New Jersey, started his calling in healthcare as a junior volunteer and has served in CEO-level roles for several health systems for nearly two decades. He has an industry reputation of leading innovation, transformation, integration, and partnerships with hospitals, physician groups, and health plans. He earned his bachelor of business administration degree from the University of Notre Dame and his master of health administration degree from the Sloan Program in Health Services Administration at Cornell University.

“Baystate Health has a stellar reputation around the country, and I greatly appreciate the immense responsibility that comes with joining such a truly mission- and values-driven team,” Banko said. “I am beyond excited to embark on an exciting new era of healthy growth with my fellow 13,000 caregivers — in care for our patients, in community, in business, and in spirit. The possibilities for us together are endless in redefining health and healthcare in Western Massachusetts and beyond.”

In his role, Keroack was a leading voice during the COVID-19 pandemic for the region, offering public-health information and partnering with public-health officials to address the crisis. A native of Springfield, he joined Baystate Health in 2011 as chief physician executive and president of Baystate Medical Practices and was appointed to the CEO role in 2014. He has had a long career in both medicine and health administration, serving in leadership roles at UMass Memorial Medical Group and the University HealthSystem Consortium.

“We are immensely grateful for the contributions of Dr. Mark Keroack as an exceptional leader and clinician who has successfully led the organization for the last 10 years with a deep commitment to Baystate Health and to our community,” said Colleen Holmes, vice chair of the Baystate Health board of trustees. “We congratulate him on his upcoming retirement.”

Monson Savings Bank Promotes Shannon Ortona to Ware Branch Manager

By
Daily News

Shannon Ortona

MONSON — Monson Savings Bank announced the recent promotion of Shannon Ortona to Ware branch manager. In addition to her new role, Ortona will continue to serve as the bank’s IRA administrator. She is now based out of the Ware branch, located at 136 West St.

“We are pleased to share the news of Shannon’s much-deserved promotion,” said Dan Moriarty, president and CEO of Monson Savings Bank. “Her dedication and pursuit of excellence have earned her this new position as a branch manager. Watching her professional development over the past 11 years she’s been with our team has been a pleasure. I am certain she will continue to deliver value to Monson Savings Bank and aid our clients in reaching their goals.”

Prior to joining the Monson Savings Bank family 11 years ago, Ortona began her banking career with Chicopee Savings Bank. After five years there, where she held the positions of full-time teller, senior teller, and head teller, she accepted the position of customer service associate supervisor in Monson Savings Bank’s Ware branch.

During her tenure with the bank, Ortona has earned positions of increasing responsibility. She became the assistant branch manager of the Ware branch and became a certified IRA specialist through Ascensus. Prior to her most recent promotion, she worked as the Wilbraham assistant branch manager.

In her new role, she will draw on her extensive experience and knowledge of retail banking. She will be responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the Ware branch’s operations. She will also aim to foster an environment of teamwork within the branch and provide her team with a high level of leadership. She will work with customers to conduct various banking transactions and help them reach their financial goals.

“I am excited to be back at our Ware branch. It’s where I started with Monson Savings Bank, and it’s nice to be back home where I started my journey with such a great team,” Ortona said. “The Monson Savings Bank team has offered me so many opportunities to grow over the years. The people I work with want me to grow and push me to be the best version of myself, and in turn, I hope I strive to do the same for them. I am thrilled to be a part of our team’s growth.”

Ortona is a lifelong resident of Western Mass. and is enthusiastic about being part of the community. She is currently a board member with the Ware Business Civic Assoc.

“In my new role, I am most looking forward to helping our customers and getting to know the Ware community a little bit better,” she said. “One of my passions in life is helping others. This can mean simply holding a door for someone or opening a bank account for a small business just starting out.”

YWCA Board to Host Golf Tournament on May 6

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Kim Casineau, board chair of the YWCA of Western Massachusetts, announced that the YWCA Golf Tournament will be held at Springfield Country Club in West Springfield on Monday, May 6, with registration now open online at ywworks.org.

Proceeds of the charity golf tournament will support the Children Who Witness Violence program, which offers therapy for children who have witnessed or experienced abuse and violence. The Healthy and Empowering Relationship Education program of the YWCA, which helps Springfield middle- and high-schoolers learn about healthy relationships and friendships, will also benefit from proceeds raised at the tournament.

According to Casineau, the organizer of the event, “the leadership work the YWCA is doing in addressing domestic and sexual violence is critically important. These two youth-oriented programs are providing much-needed support and resources in our community. I encourage all who are interested in supporting our event to contact me at [email protected] or register on the website. We need golfers, cash donations, and donations for our raffle. My goal is to raise awareness to all the great work the YWCA does for our community in a fun way. Please join us on May 6 in support of these very worthy programs.”

Cost per golfer to participate in the tournament is $155, which includes golf, cart, lunch, dinner, and a quarter-zip jacket. There will be a raffle and cash bar at the country club. Individuals or organizations interested in registering or sponsoring the event can visit ywworks.org.

Headquartered in Springfield, the YWCA also provides services and offers programming to children and women in crisis in Northampton, Westfield, Belchertown, and Holyoke.

Advertising Club Seeks Scholarship Applications

By
Daily News

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts scholarship committee announced that applications are now available for a $1,000 scholarship to be awarded to a deserving Western Mass. high-school graduate pursuing higher education in the communication arts in 2024.

Guidelines and an application form can be found at www.adclubwm.org/scholarships or by contacting David Cecchi, scholarship committee chairman, at [email protected] or (413) 786-3236.

Western Mass. high-school seniors who plan to attend an accredited college or technical school to study advertising, communications, marketing, or graphic design and will be attending school this September are encouraged to apply. The scholarship must be applied against tuition and fees at the school. Candidates will be judged on academic performance; extracurricular activities; community service and/or work experience; a demonstrated interest in advertising, communications, marketing, or graphic design; personal recommendations; and a letter of introduction outlining future plans.

Completed scholarship applications and all support materials must be submitted to the Ad Club and postmarked by April 15. The scholarship will be awarded in May.

Gazebo Opens Second Store in East Longmeadow

By
Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — Gazebo, the lingerie, bra-fitting, and swimsuit store in downtown Northampton, has expanded with the opening of Gazebo Too in the location of the former Coughlin’s Place restaurant at 182 North Main St., East Longmeadow. A grand opening is slated for Tuesday, March 26 at 3 p.m.

Gazebo was founded in 1978 by Judith Fine and sold to employees Donna McNeight and Amy Dickinson in 2016. McNeight will run Gazebo Too, and Dickinson will run the original Gazebo in Northampton.

Gazebo prides itself on full-service bra, binder, and cup-sized swimsuit fittings, with cups ranging from AA to N. Gazebo is a proud ally of the LGBGTQ community and is wheelchair- and service-animal-friendly.

Tech Foundry Announces New Slate of Board Members

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Tech Foundry, the regional leader in IT workforce development and training, announced the appointment of 12 new members to its board of trustees. Hailing from a wide variety of professional backgrounds and including an alumnus of the organization’s 18‐week IT support training program, the new slate of directors represents the diversity of the communities served by Tech Foundry.

The organization welcomes Paul Nicholson (treasurer), Finance director at Wellfleet Insurance, and Briana Dawkins (clerk), associate attorney at Litchfield Cavo LLP in Simsbury, Conn. They join veteran officers Mike Walker (chair), retired financial-services professional at MassMutual Financial Group, and Delcie Bean (founder and immediate past chair), CEO of Paragus Strategic IT.

New directors include Jay Ash, CEO of Mass Competitive Partnership; Everton Chin, director of IT at Travelers; Damon DePaolo, director of Human Risk Management at MassMutual; Samalid Hogan, CEO and principal consultant at Greylock Management Consulting; Xiaolei Hua, first vice president at PeoplesBank; Cindy Knowles, Strategy & Change Management lead at MassMutual; George Timmons, president of Holyoke Community College; and Hector Toledo, commercial lender and vice president at New Valley Bank

Patrick Streck, president and founder of Estli Consulting, returns to Tech Foundry after serving on the original board of advisors from 2013 to 2021.

Salam (Sam) Zebian, Information Protection senior advisor at Cigna, graduated from Tech Foundry in 2017 and has been volunteering with the organization as a guest speaker since then.

They join veteran board members Greg Bialecki, principal at Redgate; Ann McFarland Burke, owner of Ann McFarland Burke Consultancy; Dawn Creighton, Community Outreach officer at Liberty Bank; and Dianne Fuller Doherty, one of the original founders of the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts.

“It’s incredibly exciting and humbling to have such a diverse and impressive group of professionals leading Tech Foundry during this time of innovation and growth,” said Tricia Canavan, CEO of Tech Foundry. “We look forward to the board’s continued leadership as we celebrate 10 years of impact in Massachusetts, both on a small and large scale.

“Tech Foundry connects individuals to technical training for quality, living‐wage jobs, but we also support the very foundation of the Massachusetts economy,” she added. “We do this by filling critical employment gaps throughout the Commonwealth with diverse talent who have been historically marginalized from the IT field. Our expanded board will be critical in ensuring that our next 10 years of operations — and beyond — drive equitable workforce and economic-development goals throughout Massachusetts.”

Retrofit Program to Expand High-speed Internet Access in Affordable Housing Statewide

By
Daily News

WESTBOROUGH — The Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) at MassTech announced the launch of the Residential Internet Retrofit Program, a $22 million statewide initiative to equip public and affordable-housing units across the state with high-speed internet for current and future residents.

MBI will bring together internet service providers (ISPs) and property owners to upgrade in-building telecommunications wiring, equipment, and infrastructure within older housing developments to provide residents with the necessary network capabilities to fully utilize high-speed internet service essential for daily activities such as communicating with friends and family, remote work, online educational opportunities, and telehealth appointments.

“Our economic future depends on high-quality internet access for all, especially for low-income populations who have been historically overlooked and disproportionately impacted by the digital divide,” Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao said. “The Retrofit Program takes an equitable approach to addressing the root causes of low-quality internet service in public and affordable housing. This program makes direct investments that will lead to enhanced connectivity for residents, helping them engage fully in 21st-century activities.”

MBI Director Michael Baldino noted that a substantial portion of public-housing buildings are more than 50 years old. “Low-income families in these buildings face barriers to accessing the speeds offered by broadband service if the wiring in their apartments predates the internet ageThe Retrofit Program will lead the charge to engage with property managers and then to engage internet service providers, who will work together to build out cutting-edge infrastructure that fully connects public and affordable housing units to high-speed internet.”

The effort will involve updating the wiring infrastructure of approximately 22,000 units in affordable-housing developments across the state.The funding for the Retrofit Program comes from the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Projects Fund (CPF), a program launched as part of the national American Rescue Plan Act. The project is part of $175 million in total CPF funding overseen by the Executive Office for Administration and Finance to address the digital divide in Massachusetts, which includes the ongoing Gap Networks Grant Program launched by the MBI in October.

Housing operators interested in joining the program should submit an expression of interest via MBI’s online form (click here), which collects basic organizational information, along with the addresses of eligible properties the operator wishes to submit to the program. In spring 2024, the MBI will launch a request for information (RFI), which will help inform the launch of a formal request for proposals (RFP) later in 2024. The MBI will then issue quarterly RFPs with an updated list of eligible locations statewide, based on the submissions of interest from housing operators.

Massachusetts Unemployment Down Slightly in January

By
Daily News

BOSTON — The state’s January total unemployment rate was 3.0%, down 0.2% from the revised December estimate of 3.2%, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced. The Massachusetts unemployment rate was 0.7% lower than the national rate of 3.7% reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Over the year, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was down by 0.5%.

The labor force grew by an estimated 400 from the revised estimate of 3,749,900 in December, with 8,000 more residents employed and 7,600 fewer residents unemployed over the month. The state’s labor-force participation rate — the total number of residents 16 or older who worked or were unemployed and actively sought work in the last four weeks — remained at 64.9% over the month. Compared to January 2023, the labor-force participation rate was down 0.1%.

Annual year-end revisions and updated population controls from the U.S. Census Bureau resulted in changes to the labor-force estimates from 2019 to 2023, with the most notable revisions in 2023. The revisions in 2023 resulted in an increase in the unemployment rate from previously published estimates, ranging from 0.1% to 0.7% during the months of April to November, with the largest revision of 0.7% occurring from June to September. Compared to previously published estimates in 2023, the annual revisions showed an increase in the labor-force estimates for all months, ranging from 0.2% to 1%, with the highest revision occurring in September.

The BLS preliminary job estimates indicate that Massachusetts gained 18,300 jobs in January. This follows December’s revised gain of 4,600 jobs. The largest over-the-month private-sector job gains were in professional, scientific, and business services, leisure and hospitality, and education and health services. Employment now stands at 3,739,400. Massachusetts gained 675,900 jobs since the employment low in April 2020.

From January 2023 to January 2024, BLS estimates Massachusetts gained 25,800 jobs. The largest over-the-year gains occurred in education and health services, leisure and hospitality, and government.

Holyoke Community College to Offer Free Hotel and Front Desk Training

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College (HCC) is running a free, five-week hotel training program starting Tuesday, March 19 for anyone interested in jump-starting a career in the hospitality industry.

The hands-on, in-person classes for hotel front-desk workers and hotel-room attendants will take place in HCC’s hotel training lab on the second floor of the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute on Race Street in downtown Holyoke.

The program runs on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 8 p.m., March 19 through April 18. Each of the 10 class sessions runs two and a half hours for a total of 25 hours of class time. A second spring training program will run from May 7 to June 6.

The course will provide students with up-to-date knowledge of the hotel industry, hands-on experience for front-desk and/or room-attendant roles, workplace skills, résumé building, interviewing, job-search assistance, and connections to local employers.

HCC’s hotel lab is set up like a hotel reception area, with front desk and adjoining guest room, and equipped with the most modern technology and software. The hotel lab gives students the ability to learn in a model hotel room and reception lobby, gain knowledge about key-card access systems, and understand point-of-sale technology.

No high-school diploma or GED/HiSET test is required for admission. Offered as part of HCC’s Business & Workforce Development division, the hotel training course is free to qualifying applicants.

BusinessTalk with Greenfield Business Assoc. director Hannah Rechtschaffen

By
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 204: March 11, 2024

Joe Interviews Hannah Rechtschaffen, director of the Greenfield Business Association

Hannah Rechtschaffen

Hannah Rechtschaffen has long been passionate about the intersection between the arts, economic growth, and community building, and she’s found a place for all that and much more as director of the Greenfield Business Assoc., which promotes the city and region and works to elevate the local business community. On the next episode of BusinessTalk, Hannah talks with BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar about the previous career stops that have shaped her work, the challenges of doing business in Massachusetts’ most rural county, but also about the opportunity this region — pocketed by cultural treasures, stunning outdoor recreation, and a vibrant, resilient business community — poses for employers, residents, and visitors alike. It’s must listening, so tune in to BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest and sponsored by PeoplesBank.

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Dress for Success of Western Massachusetts Executive Director Sheds Interim Tag

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The board of directors of Dress for Success of Western Massachusetts (DFSWM) announced that Jessica Roncarati-Howe is the organization’s new executive director, effective March 1.

Candidates were vetted by a volunteer hiring committee and the board of directors. After four years with DFSWM, most recently as director of Programs and Operations before taking on the interim executive director role, Roncarati-Howe has an intimate understanding of the work of the organization.

“Jess has excelled as interim executive director since she stepped into the role on January 1, and the board is confident that her vision and passion will take DFSWM to the next level,” the board noted in a statement.

Before joining DFSWM, Roncarati-Howe held several leadership roles, including executive director of both the AIDS Foundation of Western Massachusetts and the Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce. She has dedicated her career to promoting dignity and quality of life in the community and has 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, focusing on program development, management, board governance, and leading mission-based organizations toward maximum community impact.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in English and fine arts from Elms College and a master’s degree in nonprofit management and philanthropy with a certificate in fundraising from Bay Path University.

Caolo & Bieniek Principal Bertram Gardner Honored by Boys & Girls Club

By
Daily News

CHICOPEE — Caolo & Bieniek Associates Inc. announced that Principal Bertram Gardner has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 Donald & Lois Prescott Founders Award by the Boys & Girls Club of Chicopee. This recognition is awarded annually to individuals who demonstrate outstanding commitment to the youth, community, and mission of the club.

Each year, the Boys & Girls Club of Chicopee carefully selects community members who exemplify dedication and support toward the club’s vision. Gardner has been chosen as this year’s recipient in acknowledgment of his inspirational commitment, vision, courage, enthusiasm, and leadership.

“Principal Bertram Gardner’s steadfast dedication to the club and its young members over the years truly embodies the spirit of this prestigious award,” the architecture firm said in a statement.

The Donald & Lois Prescott Founders Award, initiated at the Centennial Gala in 2012, honors the legacy of Lois Prescott and the late Donald Prescott, a longstanding member of the club’s board of directors.

AIC Launches Center for Sport Physiology and Exercise Testing

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — What if you, your child athlete, or your sports team could use data-backed physiological testing services to improve health and athletic performance? With the help of American International College’s (AIC) Center for Sport Physiology and Exercise Testing (CSPET), that’s now possible.

The state-of-the-art human-performance laboratory, located in the AIC Colaccino Center for Health Sciences, is the only one of its kind in the Greater Springfield area. CSPET features sophisticated testing equipment used to provide advanced exercise assessments and analyses in all aspects of health and performance, including BOD POD body composition testing, resting metabolic rate testing, and VO2 max testing.

Susie Lachowski, director of the AIC Division of Exercise Science and founding director of CSPET, explained that, with repeated testing over time, the center’s team can track an individual’s progress and highlight areas of improvement that may need to be addressed. “I am excited to provide individuals, athletes, and coaches with exercise testing opportunities to enhance their performance, fitness, programming, and overall health-related goals.”

However, Lachowski added that the CSPET program is not limited to athletes. It’s also open to AIC faculty and staff as well as members of the public who can access the same exercise testing services and education about their results. “The data from the various tests we offer gives individuals a baseline sense of where they are, no matter their health or fitness goals.”

Working in the testing center benefits AIC students in the allied health professions, providing them with learning opportunities to advance their practical knowledge in exercise science. After being trained by faculty, students gain experience administering exercise testing protocols and educating participants on their results, setting them apart from others as they enter their careers.

“Providing applied learning experiences to our students where they can take the content they have learned within our courses and apply it to real-world scenarios is one of the most exciting components to all of this,” Lachowski said.

The CSPET is now open to members of the college and Greater Springfield community by appointment. AIC student-athletes, coaches, faculty, and staff may sign up for testing at a discounted rate. To request information or to make an appointment, visit www.aic.edu/lp/sport-physiology.

Despite Reports, Founder of Steve’s and Herrell’s Ice Cream Alive and Well

By
Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — On March 4, the website obitshighway.com published an article wrongly claiming that Steve Herrell, founder of Steve’s Ice Cream and Herrell’s Ice Cream, had died. Another site, indianhausa.com, picked up the story on March 5.

Judy Herrell, president and CEO of Herrell’s Ice Cream, publicly announced that the reports are not true. “Steve Herrell is in good health, active, and will be celebrating his 80th birthday on April 2,” she said. “It is believed that these websites, where these obits were published, are phishing sites and are attempting to increase their online traffic.”