BusinessWest Staff, Author at BusinessWest

SPRINGFIELD — In response to the community health effort to slow and stem the spread of COVID-19, the Springfield Museums will be closed to the public March 14 through April 3. All public events, programs, classes, trips, and club meetings are canceled or postponed.

“The Museums’ leadership made this decision as a proactive and cautious response to help ensure the health and safety of our staff and volunteers, visitors, and community,” said Kay Simpson, president and CEO of the Springfield Museums.

During this time, all public gatherings at the Museums are cancelled or postponed. Refunds will be issued to visitors who have purchased tickets or registrations for events, programs, classes, or excursions. The Museums will continue to carefully monitor the situation and will share updates as they become available.

“While our doors are closed,” Simpson added, “activity in the Museums will continue as the staff prepares to reopen with new and exciting programming and exhibits for our visitors.”

Governor Bans Gatherings of 250 People or More

BOSTON — Gov. Charlie Baker announced a statewide ban today, March 13, on all gatherings of 250 people or more to combat the spread of COVID-19. The ban is effective immediately.

The order includes, but is not limited to, community, civic, public, leisure, faith-based events; sporting events with spectators; concerts; conventions; fundraisers; parades; fairs; festivals; and any similar event or activity that brings together 250 or more persons in a single room or single space at the same time in a venue such as an auditorium, stadium, arena, large conference room, meeting hall, theater, or any other confined indoor or outdoor space.

Baker said the order does not apply to normal operations at airports, bus and train stations, medical facilities, libraries, shopping malls and centers, polling locations, grocery or retail stores, or other spaces where 250 or more persons may be in transit.

The order also does not apply to restaurants, “provided that they should, when possible, encourage social distancing,” or typical office environments, government buildings, or factories.

Nor does the order apply to higher education or K-12 schools, as long as assemblies or classes of more than 250 people are avoided.

“That guidance gives schools very specific advice about when to close individual schools and for how long,” Baker said. “Our public-health officials do not recommend school systems shut down systemwide at this time. They recommend careful monitoring of students and temporary closures to allow for schools to clean and reopen.”

Wistariahurst Temporarily Shutters Public Offerings, Delays Season Opening

In order to protect the community and join in public efforts to keep any regional coronavirus outbreak under control, Wistariahurst is cancelling its public offerings, suspending its volunteer program, and delaying its season opening for a minimum of 30 days.

“Along with so many of our peers in this community and across the globe, Wistariahurst is taking our role as a heavily trafficked public site seriously and closely monitoring the situation,” Director Kate Preissler said. “Despite having been in our offseason, we have maintained a high level of activity at Wistariahurst in the last months with school groups, college visitors, and special events. Without shifts in our work, those numbers will only increase in the coming weeks. We are committed to aid in the prevention of the spread of this and other viruses in our region in whatever ways we can.”

The decision aligns with the protective guidelines set in place by the city of Holyoke regarding public gatherings, she said, but also takes into account certain special circumstances at Wistariahurst, including the presence on its staff and volunteer team of people with vulnerabilities to this and other infections; the museum’s dual role as an educational facility and steward of the historic preservation of this site, which brings extra challenges when it comes to thoroughly disinfecting its historic materials; the fact that its audience is an eclectic mix of students, people visiting the area from out of town, and individuals over age 60; and the intimate spaces in the old home, making the recommended distancing of three to six feet between people impossible for large groups.

For now, administrative offices will remain staffed and available for questions by phone and e-mail. In-person archival research appointments are suspended but the city historian will remain available for research inquiries via e-mail and phone.

“Our extended seasonal closure will provide us with the time and space to embark on new projects, virtual engagement materials, and more. Stay tuned for additional updates and communications,” Preissler said. “Thank you to everyone in our community who supports us with your presence, your membership, your volunteerism, and your energies. We are inspired, as always, with the way that our fair city bands together in times of need.”

An Appreciation: Tim Brennan Was a Planner and a Visionary

Tim Brennan

Tim Brennan, the long-time executive director of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, who retired only nine months ago, died this week after a short illness. He is being remembered by a legion of family, friends, and people he worked with — and who didn’t work with Tim on something? — as a gentleman, a leader, and, first and foremost, a planner and a visionary.

Tim had a very broad job description in his role with the PVPC, but in large part, it all came down to looking not just years but decades down the road, anticipating (not guessing) what the future would bring, and helping to prepare an entire region for that day.

And he did it exceedingly well. He was passionate about everything from rail service to bike paths to cleaning up the Connecticut River. But mostly, he was passionate about this region and making it a better place — for today, and tomorrow.

Brennan, honored by BusinessWest with its Difference Makers award nearly a decade ago, devoted virtually his entire professional life to the Pioneer Valley and its diverse communities, and this region owes him a great deal. He would say otherwise, of course. He would say only that he was honored to serve.

And that’s just one of the reasons he’ll be greatly missed.

Holyoke Community College Announces Event Cancellations

HOLYOKE — In accordance with recommendations from public health authorities, Holyoke Community College (HCC) has cancelled these previously scheduled college events:

• March 12: HCC Jazz Night at Theodore’s in Springfield

• March 13-14: HCC Jazz Festival

• March 19: HCC College for a Day

• March 24, 25, 31: HCC French Film Festival

• March 25: College Career Centers of Western Massachusetts Spring Career Fair

• March 28: Cannabis Career Fair

Visit www.hcc.edu/about/news-events-and-media/news-stories/event-cancellations for further updates on event cancellations.

STCC Is Closed Friday to Prepare for Deep Cleaning

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) is closed today, March 13, to prepare for a deep cleaning.

Campus Facilities will hire an outside vendor to perform the cleaning over the weekend. While there are no known cases of the coronavirus known as COVID-19 on campus or within the city of Springfield, STCC will undergo an extensive cleaning out of an abundance of caution.

STCC continues to consult with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the city of Springfield, with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Students will be away from campus for spring break, which runs Monday, March 16, through Friday, March 20. The campus, however, will resume normal business on Monday, March 16. College administrators will continue developing plans for continuity of instruction.

Updates will be posted as they become available at stcc.edu/coronavirus.

BusinessWest Postpones Difference Makers Gala, Reschedules Event for Sept. 10

SPRINGFIELD — After much thought and consideration, and out of an abundance of caution, BusinessWest has made the decision to postpone our 12th annual Difference Makers event, which was scheduled to take place on Thursday, March 19. The event will now take place on Thursday, Sept. 10 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke.

With the growing concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, and under the CDC’s recommendations, we felt this was the most appropriate and responsible action to take. We are grateful to our sponsors for making this event possible and are looking forward to celebrating our 2020 Difference Makers with all of you later this year. Thank you for your understanding.

Event sponsors include Burkhart Pizzanelli, Mercy Medical Center/Trinity Health Of New England, Royal, P.C., and TommyCar Auto Group, while the Tom Cosenzi Driving for the Cure Charity Golf Tournament, MHA, and United Way of Pioneer Valley are partners.

Pilot Precision Products Welcomes New Business-development Professional

SOUTH DEERFIELD — Pilot Precision Products, the parent company of duMONT Minute Man Industrial Broaches and Hassay Savage broaching tools, and the exclusive American distributor of Magafor and GMauvaisUSATM products, announced that Marco Morgado has joined the team in the role of the director of National Business Development.

“We’re very excited to welcome Marco to his new and well-deserved role,” said CEO and founder Eric Hagopian. “His extensive cutting-tool and distribution experience is an excellent fit for Pilot and will help us further expand and solidify the strong client relationships for which we’re known.”

In his position, Morgado is responsible for directing marketing, sales operations, management of the company’s independent sales representatives, and leading the business’ growth strategy. He brings more than two decades of experience to his new role, gleaned from previous positions at Atlantic Fasteners, Kennametal, and other industry players.

Educated at Westfield State University in business management, Morgado is the recipient of business leadership awards from the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce and others.

Freedom Credit Union Hires Debra Mainolfi as West Springfield Branch Officer

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Freedom Credit Union announced that Debra Mainolfi has been hired as branch officer at its West Springfield location.

“We’re thrilled to have Debra join the Freedom Credit Union team,” said Glenn Welch, president and CEO. “With over 25 years of experience in finance, and with her previous roles in banking as branch manager and assistant vice president, she has the obvious knowledge, skills, and drive to help manage our West Springfield location and to serve that community of Freedom customers.”

Mainolfi began her finance career as a licensed agent for major national insurance providers, working closely with businesses and families to design retirement and succession plans through both insurance and mutual funds. Following her later roles in banking, she joined Freedom in 2019.

As part of her long commitment to community service, she serves on the executive board of directors for Unify Against Bullying, an organization working to end bullying through the celebration of diversity. In addition to serving on other boards, she previously facilitated a financial-literacy program at Sunshine Village and collaborated on a similar program for refugees with Catholic Charities and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

MBK Donates $10,000 to Fund Non-violent Crisis-intervention Training for MHA Staff

SPRINGFIELD — Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C., (MBK) recently made a $10,000 donation to the Mental Health Assoc. Inc. (MHA) to fund non-violent crisis-intervention training for MHA’s direct-care staff.

“To train in non-violent crisis intervention is an important professional-development opportunity for MHA staff,” said Cheryl Fasano, president and CEO of MHA Inc. “MHA does not use physical restraint in any form, so our staff members need skills to safely de-escalate and manage challenging behaviors in a non-violent manner. Our training curriculum from the Crisis Prevention Institute goes further by also helping better equip our staff to prevent difficult situations from escalating. That’s good for the safety of our staff and the benefit of the people we care for. This kind of specialized training is not covered under the state contracts that fund the operation of our programs. Generous gifts like the one from Meyers Brothers Kalicka make these professional-development opportunities possible.”

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to contribute to the training and programing at the Mental Health Association,” said Rudy D’Agostino, partner at Holyoke-based MBK. “We applaud the challenging work that the professionals at MHA take on every day and understand that non-violent crisis intervention is an important tool for those professionals. Seeking resolutions through de-escalation and helping individuals find the care and treatment they need to heal and grow is an important mission. We’re proud to partner with MHA.”

The Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) is an international training organization committed to best practices and safe behavior-management methods that focus on prevention. Since 1980, more than 10 million professionals around the world have participated in CPI training programs.

Jason MacLeod, director of Training for MHA, oversees the organization and delivery of CPI training for MHA staff. “We kicked off our training in the summer of 2019 using CPI’s train-the-trainer model,” he noted. “Three staff members and I took part in a four-day session led by experienced CPI facilitators. Since then, the four of us have been training MHA’s direct-care staff and supervisors who work with residents of our programs every day. About 150 staff members have been certified to date, and we are working to have everyone certified by the end of 2020. In addition, all new direct-care staff members are trained in CPI’s methods as part of their onboarding. Demand for the training is high as the agency continues to grow, and MHA’s leadership team is considering whether other members of staff should be trained as well.”

MacLeod pointed to the need for greater space to accommodate CPI training. “There’s a lot of physical skill building, role playing and practice going on,” he explained. “Staff training is a full eight-hour day with one or two trainers, depending on the size of the trainee class. Trainers and the staff they train all need to recertify every two years. Staff are finishing our training with vocal, enthusiastic comments about how it improves their ability to do their job. That was a goal going in, so we’re excited.”

Added Fasano, “during a crisis, we have to call for emergency services, which can often lead to the temporary removal of the person to another setting and potentially the use of additional medications. This can be disruptive or even traumatic for that person, as well as for any family members involved. The CPI non-violent crisis intervention training helps our staff to recognize individual triggers and signs of each person in our care who is at risk for having a crisis event, and to help prevent people from reaching that point. The training also helps our staff to more effectively de-escalate a situation if a person does enter a crisis state. This will help create a safer, more stable living and working environment for everyone in our residential and visiting support programs.”

Bay Path’s Women’s Leadership Conference Postponed Due to Coronavirus

LONGMEADOW — Due to concerns around coronavirus and following guidance from the CDC, WHO, and Massachusetts Department of Public Health regarding large gatherings, Bay Path University has made the decision to postpone this year’s Women’s Leadership Conference (WLC), scheduled for March 27 at the Mass Mutual Center in Springfield, to April 9, 2021.

Full refunds will be processed by Eventbrite within 30 business days.

The WLC is the region’s premier women’s leadership event for professional and personal networking. For 24 years, it has assembled a community of women and men for professional development, to honor each other’s experiences, and celebrate each other’s aspirations.

Although Bay Path cannot guarantee the exact speakers at next April’s conference, organizers are doing everything possible to mirror this year’s line-up. “We can promise an amazing conference in line with the delivery of the past 24 events,” the university noted in a statement.

“Although we are deeply disappointed to make this decision, the health, wellness, and safety of our over 2,000 attendees are our number-one priority,” it went on. “We were so looking forward to being with you on the 27th of March. We hope you will be excited to join us for the rescheduled event.”

Participants who have questions concerning the Women’s Leadership Conference should e-mail [email protected].

HCC Welcomes Dale Brown as Assistant Director of Public Safety

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College (HCC) recently welcomed Dale Brown of Sunderland as its assistant director of Public Safety.

Brown comes to HCC with more than two decades of law-enforcement experience, both as a military officer and as a civilian. He most recently worked for the Hampshire County Sheriff’s Office in Northampton, where he was a deputy sheriff and corrections officer in the Hampshire County corrections system, while also serving in part-time positions at Greenfield Community College as a special state police officer and as a patrol officer in Sunderland.

At HCC, Brown serves as second in command to campus Police Chief Laura Lefebvre, the director of Public Safety. He started in his new job in January.

Brown is a 15-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, where he served in military law enforcement as a master sergeant, technical sergeant, staff sergeant, senior airman, and airman. During his service, he experienced multiple overseas deployments, including during operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

Brown earned his associate degree in criminal justice from the Community College of the Air Force and his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from American Military University. He also holds a third-degree black belt in taekwondo.

Behavioral Health Network Receives $15,000 Grant From Country Bank

SPRINGFIELD — Behavioral Health Network Inc. (BHN) has been awarded a $15,000 grant from Country Bank, which will fund direct services for BHN’s domestic-violence programs in Ware.

Country Bank’s grant to BHN will be used for innovative support and advocacy services for domestic-violence survivors, which includes partnering with Country Bank employees in offering the economic-freedom initiative known as Money School. BHN’s Money School program is an award-winning, trauma-informed financial-independence initiative designed to create long-term safety and economic security for survivors of domestic violence.

The grant will also be used to provide prevention-education work in local schools, and for interruption and prevention services for perpetrators of domestic violence.

“Country Bank is honored to support the vital work that is provided to survivors through BHN’s domestic-violence programs. We are fortunate to have programs locally that support our communities and those in need of these services,” said Shelley Regin, Country Bank’s senior vice president of Marketing and an advisory board member of BHN.

Added Kathy Wilson, president and CEO of BHN, “we are thankful to Country Bank for this important funding that supports the critical programming we provide to survivors of domestic violence. These funds, and Country Bank’s prior support, allow us to work with survivors in taking their first steps in achieving financial freedom. This support helps us in the complicated work of recovery with survivors, and we appreciate Country Bank’s community leadership.”

Country Bank has long been a supporter of BHN’s programs and mission, making frequent donations to BHN Valley Human Services in Ware.

OMG Roofing Products Names Geoff Medeiros Vice President of Sales & Marketing

AGAWAM — As part of previously announced organizational changes by OMG Inc. to accelerate growth, the company has named Geoff Medeiros vice president of Sales and Marketing for the Roofing Products Division.

In this role, Medeiros is responsible for developing and executing the division’s overall sales and marketing strategy to support its three business units: Fasteners, Adhesives & Solar, and Metal Accessories, which includes Edge Metal. In addition, he is responsible for overseeing the company’s Marketing Communications and Customer Service departments. He reports to Peter Coyne, senior vice president and general manager of OMG Roofing Products.

“Geoff is a great fit for the company and this position,” Coyne said. “He is a strong leader with a proven track record of helping companies create long-term customer value.”

Medeiros joins OMG from Welch’s, where he was general manager, responsible for strategic growth and marketing for the company’s core product lines. Prior to joining Welch’s, he was vice president of Brand Management and Product Development with the Yankee Candle Co. He started his career at Nestle before becoming a brand manager for Hasbro.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Providence College and an MBA in international business from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University.

Gov. Charlie Baker Declares State of Emergency in Response to Coronavirus

BOSTON — Gov. Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency in Massachusetts on Tuesday to support the Commonwealth’s response to the outbreak of coronavirus.

The Baker-Polito administration also announced new guidance for executive-branch employees in order to prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19. This includes discontinuing all out-of-state work-related travel; canceling or virtually holding conferences, seminars, and other discretionary gatherings; informing employees not to attend external work-related conferences, seminars, or events; reminding employees feeling sick with fever or flu symptoms to not come into work; and encouraging high-risk employees to talk with their supervisors to review possible alternative work assignments.

Regular internal government business will continue, and these new measures complement other precautions that have been put in place in recent days encouraging proper self-care and hygiene and increasing cleaning and sanitizing of government buildings and offices.

“We will continue planning and preparing to mitigate the spread of this disease, and have issued new guidance for executive-branch employees in the Commonwealth,” Baker said. “I urge employers and other large organizations to follow our example and limit or eliminate non-essential travel, limit or eliminate large events where possible, and explore telework where appropriate for your organization. We are also urging older adults and those with health issues to avoid large crowds and large events.”

The guidance for executive-branch employees goes into effect today, March 11, and will be revisited in 30 days or sooner as circumstances dictate.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency has been activated and is bringing together health, human-services, public-safety, and other government leaders. This working group follows the Department of Public Health’s (DPH) infectious-disease task force that was assembled in January.

The administration also issued updated guidance to members of the public. This guidance is posted on the DPH website, www.mass.gov/2019coronavirus.

The administration urges older adults and those with health issues to avoid large crowds and events. Individuals who live in households with vulnerable people, like elderly parents, should also consider avoiding crowds.

Today, DPH will distribute guidance to long-term-care facility operators. This guidance will outline how these facilities should protect elderly residents at higher risk for coronavirus. This will include banning visitors who show signs or symptoms of a respiratory infection (fever, cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat). Visitors will be prohibited if they had contact in the last 14 days with someone with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, are under investigation for COVID-19, or have been sick. Visitors will be prohibited if they have traveled internationally in the last 14 days or are residing in a community where community-based spread of COVID-19 is occurring. Visitors will not be allowed to visit long-term-care facilities if they currently feel sick or exhibit symptoms.

Regarding K-12 schools, the Department of Secondary and Elementary Education (DESE) is providing local schools with relief from attendance and school-year requirements so that schools have the flexibility to make decisions on temporary closures due to coronavirus.

Specifically, the longest any school district will be required to go is its already-scheduled 185th day. No schools will be required to be in session after June 30. For accountability purposes for school year 2019-20, DESE will calculate chronic absenteeism as of March 2 and disregard all attendance data for the remainder of the school year.

In addition, DESE Commissioner Jeff Riley is strongly urging all districts to cancel all out-of-state travel at this time. This is in addition to the administration’s existing request for schools to cancel international trips.

The Department of Public Health will be issuing updated guidance to superintendents on how to address cases that arise at a school, including potential school closures.

Employer Confidence Steady in February Prior to Market Gyrations

BOSTON — Business confidence remained steady in Massachusetts during February in a survey taken mostly prior to the late-month market gyrations touched off by COVID-19.

The Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) Business Confidence Index fell 0.2 points last month to 62.1. The reading was 3.9 points higher than a year ago and well within optimistic territory.

February confidence reflected weakening employer views about conditions six months out and about prospects for their own companies. Those indicators are likely to fall again in March as companies factor in the potential effect of COVID-19 on profitability, employee productivity, and travel policies.

“The underlying indicators of the U.S. and Massachusetts economies remain strong, but fallout from COVID-19 introduces a huge amount of uncertainty into the economic picture,” said Raymond Torto, professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Design and chair of AIM’s Board of Economic Advisors (BEA).

The AIM Index, based on a survey of more than 100 Massachusetts employers, has appeared monthly since July 1991. It is calculated on a 100-point scale, with 50 as neutral; a reading above 50 is positive, while below 50 is negative.

The constituent indicators that make up the Business Confidence Index were mixed during February. The Massachusetts Index assessing business conditions within the Commonwealth fell 0.4 points to 65.8, leaving it 5.0 points higher than in February 2019. The U.S. Index was virtually flat, rising 0.1 points to 60.9.

The Future Index, measuring expectations for six months out, declined 1.0 point to 61.8, a year-over-year gain of 3.0 points. The Current Index, which assesses overall business conditions at the time of the survey, gained 0.5 points to 62.4

The Employment Index was up 0.2 points in February and 2.9 points for the year. The Employment Index continues to lag the overall business-confidence reading amid a persistent shortage of workers that may become more pronounced as large numbers of Baby Boomers retire.

Non-manufacturers (62.8) were more confident than manufacturing companies (61.4). Large companies (66.3) were more optimistic than medium-sized (61.4) or small (56.3) companies. Companies in Eastern Mass. (63.4) were more optimistic than those in the west (59.9).

Edward Pendergast, managing director of Dunn Rush & Co. and a BEA member, noted that confidence among small businesses dropped from 63.0 in January to 56.3 in February, leaving the reading a full point lower than it was 12 months ago.

“Business formation and entrepreneurial activity remain strong in Massachusetts, yet owners of small companies are less optimistic about their prospects than they have been,” he said. “It will be an interesting measure to watch as the year progresses.”

AIM President and CEO John Regan, also a BEA member, said the Massachusetts economy has reached a turning point as lawmakers debate raising taxes to pay for transportation-infrastructure improvement.

The state House of Representatives last week passed a $600 million transportation-financing bill that would increase the gasoline tax and established a tiered minimum corporate tax.

“AIM believes that any transportation-financing source should have some nexus to transportation, and the change in corporate minimum tax lacks that nexus,” Regan said. “We support policies and responsible new investment to reduce congestion, grow capacity to deliver capital projects, lower carbon emissions in the transportation sector, and ensure accountability and transparency in transportation-investment spending.”

Bulkley Richardson Launches COVID-19 Response Team

SPRINGFIELD — As developments surrounding COVID-19 continue to escalate daily, concerns beyond personal health and safety have quickly emerged. The virus has already made a significant impact on the global economy, altering the way businesses operate, as well as potentially seismic shifts in consumer activity.

To address issues critical to businesses and their employees, Bulkley Richardson has launched a COVID-19 response team comprised of seasoned attorneys in the areas of business, finance, employment, schools, healthcare, and cybersecurity. In this time of great uncertainty, businesses are seeking legal counsel to help navigate this fluid landscape and prepare as we enter a period of uncertainty and rapid change.

Bulkley Richardson understands that each business will be affected differently and that taking proactive measures may help to minimize the risk of business interruptions. This COVID-19 response team has prepared an initial catalog of issues to be considered by each business owner or manager and has posted this information at bulkley.com. In the upcoming days, we will be expanding on this list and providing further detailed guidance. If you have specific questions, contact a member of the COVID-19 response team below or call (413) 272-6200.

The team consists Scott Foster (business, cybersecurity), Mark Cress (business, banking and finance), Mary Jo Kennedy (employment), Ryan Barry (business, banking and finance, healthcare, schools, colleges, and universities), Judge John Greaney (strategy), and Christopher St. Martin (employment, teleservices).

Robinson Donovan Law Firm Moves to New, Expanded Northampton Location

NORTHAMPTON — Robinson Donovan, P.C., a full-service law firm, announced it has moved from its previous Northampton office to a more expansive location at 351 Pleasant St. The firm’s phone number, (413) 732-2301, remains the same.

“We wanted to make things as convenient as possible for our growing list of clients in Hampshire County,” Partner Michael Simolo said. “We can now meet with them more comfortably. The response from clients has been very positive.”

Partner Jeffrey Trapani, added that “our new office in Northampton has plenty of meeting space, free parking, and easier access. Quite a few of our attorneys live in Hampshire County, so having an expanded office in Northampton makes sense for us operationally as well and helps us better serve our clients throughout the Pioneer Valley.”

7 Ways to Engage Your Customers in Meaningful Conversation

Marketing Tips

Courtesy of OutBoundEngine.com

As a business professional, you know the importance of engaging your customers. Connecting on a deeper level is the way to build trust and long-term loyalty. In-person and face-to-face are great options to accomplish this. Social media and email marketing have also become important ways to engage your customers in meaningful conversation.

But simply sending out an occasional newsletter or social media post isn’t going to cut it. Therefore, you’ve got to engage customers in meaningful conversation just like you would if you were face to face or on the telephone. You may be thinking of ways to do this right now and coming up short. Good news! We’ve done the legwork for you.

Valley Vodka Inc. Announces Partnership with Julious Grant and Ty Law

HADLEY — Valley Vodka Inc., maker of award-winning V-One Vodka, announced a new partnership with liquor-industry giant Julious Grant and NFL Hall of Famer Ty Law.

Grant brings 29 years of executive-level experience in the spirits industry, having held senior leadership roles in sales and marketing in some of the most successful companies in the world, most recently as chief commercial officer of US Beam Suntory from 2013 to 2019.

Law is widely regarded as one of the best defensive backs of all time, playing 15 seasons in the NFL. He won three Super Bowls with the New England Patriots, and his 53 interceptions rank 24th in league history. In 2019, Law was the 323rd person inducted into the sport’s Hall of Fame.

This partnership comes on the heels of Valley Vodka Inc. completing a multi-million-dollar purchase and renovation of its own ‘farm to glass’ distillery in Kamień, Poland. V-One Vodka had been contract-distilled in Poland, but, being obsessed with the entire vodka-production process, V-One creator Paul Kozub’s dream was to grow his own ingredients, distill, and bottle in one location. For five years, he searched Poland for the ideal spot.

“Once I saw this historic distillery located right next to the world-famous Vistula River, I knew this was the perfect place to craft V-One,” Kozub said. “With our new distillery, expanded production, and new packaging, this is the perfect time to introduce more people to our clean-drinking vodka. Julious and Ty are tremendous assets to help us expand distribution and increase brand awareness.”

Holyoke Community College Receives Record $7.5 Million Donation

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College (HCC) has received by far the largest donation in the college’s 74-year history — $7.5 million — and what could very well be the largest donation ever recorded by a community college in Massachusetts.

The gift comes from a familiar source, the Elaine Nicpon Marieb Foundation, established by the late Elaine Marieb, a longtime HCC faculty member, alumna, best-selling textbook author, and Northampton native.

The $7.5 million includes $5 million outright and a $2.5 million matching gift that will go toward future renovations of HCC’s main science facility, the Marieb Building, as part of a multi-phase plan to expand the recently opened Center for Life Sciences to encompass the entire three-story structure.

“This gift is a testimony to the importance of community colleges in the lives of their students,” said Carlos Santiago, commissioner of the state Department of Higher Education. “Under President Royal’s leadership, HCC is to be congratulated for raising the bar for community-college philanthropy that will benefit all of our public institutions.”

Marieb died in December 2018. During her lifetime, she was the college’s biggest benefactor, donating more than $1.5 million to HCC in large and small amounts, including a $1 million gift in 2014 to support construction of HCC’s Center for Health Education & Simulation and the Center for Life Sciences.

Until then, HCC had received only one other gift of that magnitude, a $1 million donation from alumnus and Yankee Candle Co. founder Michael Kittredge in 2003 to establish the Kittredge Center for Business and Workforce Development.

Last year, the Marieb Foundation made a $1 million legacy gift to the college that Marieb had set up as part of her estate plan, money targeted for HCC programs that benefit non-traditional-age students, particularly women.

The Center for Life Sciences opened in 2018 on the first floor of the Marieb Building, featuring state-of-the-art microbiology and biotechnology labs as well as an ISO-certified, instructional cleanroom.

“This is thrilling,” HCC president Christina Royal said. “We are honored and incredibly grateful for the Marieb Foundation’s generous and unprecedented gift. This will support HCC’s continued investment in high-demand, high-wage fields in STEM and healthcare and help us provide generations of students with the academic space and experience they need and deserve. The Marieb Building represents the heart of her life’s work, since HCC is where her career began.”

According to a database maintained by the Chronicle of Philanthropy, the $7.5 million gift to HCC is the single largest private donation ever made to a community college in Massachusetts. The largest previous gift was a $5 million donation to Cape Cod Community College in January 2019.

“Dr. Marieb’s belief in HCC was extraordinary,” said Amanda Sbriscia, HCC’s vice president of Institutional Advancement and executive director of the college’s nonprofit fundraising corporation, the HCC Foundation. “Private and individual philanthropy to our community colleges sends a powerful message about the exceptional quality of education our students receive, because these gifts come most often from the alumni and friends who have experienced those classrooms firsthand.”

The $7.5 million Marieb donation follows the Feb. 28 grand opening of the HCC Campus Center after a two-year, $43.5 million renovation and expansion.

Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. Promotes Brittany Bird, Welcomes Sarah Rose Stack

HOLYOKE — Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. (MBK) recently promoted Brittany Bird and welcomed Sarah Rose Stack to the firm.

Bird was promoted to senior associate. She holds an associate degree in business administration and management from Holyoke Community College, where she was one of the school’s valedictorians, and a bachelor of business administration degree with a major in accounting from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst.

During her time at the firm, she earned the MBK Thought Leader 2019 Award for published articles on behalf of the firm. Prior to working at MBK, she worked in the customer-service industry.

Stack is the firm’s new Marketing & Recruiting manager. MBK recently embarked on a rebrand, which included a new logo, interior design, and mission and vision statement. Stack will help bring this new mission to maturity and will implement a variety of new strategies and connections to actualize the firm’s vision. With 15 years of digital marketing, design, and communications experience, she will bring a fresh perspective to the firm’s social-media strategy, revamped digital presence, community involvement, thought leadership, and more.

Stack studied music education at UMass Amherst, and has worked in website development and marketing on myriad products and services since 2005. She is a member of the Assoc. for Accountant Marketing.

UniTech Services Group Promotes Michael Bovino to Vice President

LONGMEADOW — UniTech Services Group, a subsidiary of UniFirst Corp., recently announced that Michael Bovino was promoted to vice president, bringing 35 years of contamination-control and management experience to the leadership role.

“I look forward to helping UniTech stay ahead of shifting industry trends by continually innovating to serve the evolving needs of our customers,” said Bovino, noting that his combined perspective on business and engineering will inform his management of the nuclear-industry service provider.

Over the past 23 years, Bovino has climbed the UniFirst management ranks from general manager to division general manager, and ultimately now to vice president of UniTech. He most recently served as division general manager for UniClean, a fellow UniFirst subsidiary, where he was responsible for profit and loss, while overseeing all facets of the business.

The new vice president’s career began with Public Service Electric & Gas of New Jersey, where he acted as technical manager at various nuclear power stations for several years. He then joined UniTech in 1990, playing a vital role in the company’s success as manager of Health Physics and Engineering for six years before pursuing more senior management roles within UniFirst.

Bovino holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental public health from SUNY Cortland, with minors in biology and geology; a master’s degree in environmental and nuclear engineering concentrated in health physics from the University of Florida; a prior certification by the American Board of Health Physics; and an MBA concentrated in business management and financial accounting from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst. Since 2018, he has also served as a voting member of the SUNY Cortland Alumni Assoc. board of directors, as well as the board’s finance and Park Alumni House committees.

Bovino replaces the newly retired George Bakevich, who served as vice president for 36 years. During Bakevich’s tenure, he oversaw major company expansions throughout the U.S., Europe, and Canada, including recent acquisitions in the area of radioactive-waste processing to support power-plant-decommissioning projects.

“Our team and our customers have benefitted from Bakevich’s consistent leadership for a very long time,” said Gregg Johnstone, UniTech Services Group director of Sales and Marketing. “We’re very confident that Bovino’s experience and insights will help us continue to innovate, solve complex industry issues, and act as a true strategic partner to our customers.”

Mercy Medical Center Announces Visitation Policy Change

SPRINGFIELD — As a result of potential cases of COVID-19 in the state and surrounding states, Mercy Medical Center and Providence Behavioral Health Hospital have implemented new restrictions on visitation, effective immediately. These restrictions are in place for the protection of patients and colleagues.

The visitor restrictions are in place at Mercy Medical Center, Family Life Center for Maternity, Weldon Rehabilitation Hospital, and Providence Behavioral Health Hospital. The visitor restrictions are as follows and will remain in effect until further notice:

• Visitors will be limited to one at a time per patient;

• No visitors under 14 years old will be permitted; and

• Do not visit if you have any symptoms of a cold, the flu, or COVID-19.

In order to provide an environment that is as safe as possible for patients, visitors, and colleagues, all visitors are encouraged to wash their hands with soap and water frequently, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer; use a tissue to cover any coughs or sneezes; and assess their own health and, if at risk for illness or displaying any symptoms, consider staying home.

“We recognize that the care and support of your loved ones is important,” the hospital noted in a statement. “With proper authorization in place, we commit to communicating with family and friends as frequently as possible.”

Cooley Dickinson Hospital Announces Visitation Policy Change

NORTHAMPTON — Given the ever-changing nature of the coronavirus/COVID-19, Cooley Dickinson Hospital is changing its visitor guidelines and restricting visitors, effective immediately. The new guidelines include:

• One visitor per patient at a time;

• No children under age 16;

• Anyone with upper respiratory symptoms, including fever, sore throat, or cough, regardless of travel history, should postpone their visit to Cooley Dickinson Hospital patients or staff until they feel better; and

• Anyone who has recently visited China, Iran, Italy, Japan, or South Korea, or other areas where coronavirus has been reported — or has been in contact with someone who is sick and who has been to one of the countries listed above — should postpone their visit to Cooley Dickinson Hospital.

Anyone who need to visit a loved one should practice good hand hygiene and follow the proper steps for cleaning their hands, which are on signs posted around the hospital. Specifically:

• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water, or use an alcohol-based gel;

• Avoid touching your eyes, notes and mouth;

• Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue or your inner elbow, and do not sneeze into your hands. Discard the soiled tissue in a wastebasket and clean your hands.

“At Cooley Dickinson, we take the health and safety of our patients, visitors, and community members seriously,” the hospital said in a statement. For the most up-to-date information, visit the CDC or Massachusetts Department of Public Health website.

Clinical & Support Options Earns Top Honors for Best Practices, Quality Improvement

NORTHAMPTON — Community behavioral-health agency Clinical & Support Options is proving a local nonprofit can make a positive social impact while also employing the best in business practices at the same time.

Clinical & Support Options (CSO) has again achieved national accreditation through the New York-based Council on Accreditation (COA). CSO prepared for a year to earn the four-year reaccreditation, which was originally awarded to the agency in January 2016.

COA accreditation is a sought-after benchmark among human-service organizations. It demonstrates implementation of best-practice standards in all aspects of programming, service, management, and administration.

“It’s validating to have a highly regarded accreditor come to CSO, spend days and weeks scrutinizing all our policies, procedures, services, and locations, and then come to the final determination that CSO conducts business ethically and responsibly,” CSO President and CEO Karin Jeffers said. “Our job is to provide the very best service we can to our individual and family clients. Our commitment to best practices and quality improvement is reflected in this reaccreditation, and I’m very proud of our entire staff.”

Clinical & Support Options, originally founded in Greenfield in 1954, now has 16 locations throughout Western and Central Mass. and employs more than 750 local staff. CSO offers a full range of behavioral-health services, including crisis evaluation and stabilization, outpatient therapy, family and community supports, emergency shelter, substance-abuse services, and more. For the last eight years, CSO has developed a ‘trauma-informed care’ model that takes a holistic approach to understanding, recognizing, and responding to the effects of all types of trauma.

COA evaluated 811 different standards, covering all aspects of CSO’s programs, services, management, and administration.

“COA accreditation is an arduous process, but well worth it,” Jeffers said. “It proves our organization is accountable, reliable, and consistent. CSO is well-coordinated, culturally competent, and employs evidence-based, trauma-informed processes.”

Community Foundation Gives $341,000 to Date Through Innovation Grant Program

SPRINGFIELD — The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts’ (CFWM) Innovation Grant Program has awarded a total of $341,000 to three change-making nonprofit organizations to continue creating innovative solutions around critical issues facing the region. CFWM’s Innovation Grant Program was launched in 2016 to encourage nonprofits to develop and execute novel ideas in partnership with other entities, as well as allow organizations to construct inventive solutions with measurable impact.

In January 2018, CFWM awarded first-year funding to Five Colleges Inc., the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, and Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity to implement innovative projects that were refined and tested during a planning period in 2017. Now entering their third year of funding, these grantees are seeing the tangible impact of their work. Twenty paraprofessionals of color are making their way toward receiving their licensure to become a full-fledged teachers, food-insecure patients are being identified and referred to healthy-food opportunities, and small homes have been built and are being occupied by first-time homebuyers.

Five Colleges Inc. will continue to develop its “Paradigm Shift” initiative and bring in new partners. This initiative is focused on creating a more diverse teacher workforce in Western Mass. by helping para-educators of color overcome obstacles to obtaining licensure to become teachers in area schools. More than 25 member organizations that make up the Paradigm Shift Coalition have laid the groundwork for breaking down barriers that para-educators face, including identifying the steps involved in obtaining licensure and the types of individualized support participants need, helping enroll para-educators in courses in local colleges, and providing mentoring and tutoring for MTEL tests. The coalition has also been able to offset costs associated with these steps to help make it affordable through its partnership with local colleges.

A key success in 2019 was Paradigm Shift’s convening of 113 district and school administrators from Holyoke and Springfield for a day-long professional-development opportunity to gain knowledge and skills for building a diverse teacher workforce, such as recruitment and hiring practices. Paradigm Shift currently has 33 participants enrolled in the program, and it is on target for graduating at least 20 by the end of 2020, and the remaining 13 in 2021.

The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts will spend its third year expanding and analyzing the impact of its Food Insecurity Screening and Referral Initiative that conducts and tracks food insecurity screening and social-service referrals at the Holyoke Health Center and its Chicopee location. Additionally, it will partner with WestMass ElderCare and Springfield Senior Services to address the food needs of patients who screen positive for food insecurity and have a specific medical condition.

With a simple in-person questionnaire, the initiative screens for food insecurity at adult and pediatric practices, and then connects patients with food-assistance resources — and, equally important, referrals to additional resources that patients may need, such as housing, employment, and education. These referrals are tracked in a database which allows for follow-up with patients to identify any changes in behavior and additional needs.

Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity will continue with a third year of its “Big Enough: the Small Home Revolution in Western Mass.” initiative, which aims to launch more individuals and families into the middle class by empowering them to become first-time owners of small, simple, affordable, energy-efficient homes. The organization’s work brings together partners such as local banks to conceive creative financing, cities to implement new zoning regulations, and builders to design small, innovative, energy-efficient housing concepts, as well as to pilot modular construction and alternative land use models.

The first two years of funding allowed for three low-income families to become homeowners in Hampshire County, a dream that likely wouldn’t have been possible within the current housing market. Over this third year, two more sites will be developed in Northampton and Pelham, and Habitat will share what it has learned so other areas can look at adopting these innovative strategies.

WNEU College of Business Honor Society Earns Highest Chapter Recognition

SPRINGFIELD — For the third consecutive year, the Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS) Chapter at Western New England University earned the “highest honors” designation for its campus engagement and programming for the 2018-19 academic year.

According to Beta Gamma Sigma CEO Chris Carosella, earning highest honors “is indicative of a campus where academic excellence is highly valued and where the faculty and chapter leaders work diligently to enhance Beta Gamma Sigma’s stature on campus.”

One indicator of this engagement is participation at the annual Global Leadership Summit (GLS), which chapter President Tessa Wood and Secretary Kathryn Wells attended last year. The GLS enables delegates to participate in professional-development workshops and share best practices with student leaders from other BGS chapters worldwide.

Marielle Heijltjes, chair of the Beta Gamma Sigma board of governors, extended her congratulations in a letter to College of Business Dean Sharianne Walker. In response, Walker said she is “delighted to see the students’ efforts recognized for all their hard work. I’m so proud that the WNE chapter has maintained its high level of engagement deserving of this recognition.”

BGS is the international honor society of AACSB-accredited business schools. Students who rank among the top 10% of their undergraduate class and top 20% of graduate programs are eligible for lifetime membership.

Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts Receives National Honor

SPRINGFIELD — Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts has been awarded one of Junior Achievement USA’s highest honors: the Five Star Award.

The purpose of the award is to recognize staff and boards of JA areas that meet Junior Achievement’s national standards in operational efficiency and through strong representation of the JA brand. Recipients must demonstrate growth in student impact and superior fiscal performance. Achievement against these criteria is certified through JA USA and audited financial statements.

Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts, which serves more than 13,000 students throughout Western Mass. and Vermont, will be presented with the award in July at Junior Achievement USA’s National Leadership Conference in Colorado Springs, Colo.

“These Star Award winners represent the best Junior Achievement has to offer,” said Jack Kosakowski, president and CEO of Junior Achievement USA. “They set the standard by which Junior Achievement’s success is measured at the local level. Their commitment and dedication to young people is reflected in their achieving this honor.”

As an organization, Junior Achievement understands that its effectiveness depends on how well JA areas deliver the organization’s financial-literacy, work-readiness and entrepreneurship programs in local communities.

“We are thrilled to receive the Five Star Award,” said Jennifer Connolly, president of Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts. “We thank our more than 470 classroom volunteers and corporate partners who joined with our board of directors and staff to empower thousands of young people to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices.”

River Valley Counseling Center Holds Training on Suicidal Behavior, Prevention

Daily News HCN News & Notes

HOLYOKE — River Valley Counseling Center (RVCC) held a training titled “Understanding, Assessing, Managing, and Preventing Suicidal Behavior” at Holyoke High School’s North Campus on March 2.

RVCC therapists attended the event, along with school counselors, psychologists, and nurses from 14 local school districts. The training reviewed the spectrum of self-destructive behavior, differentiated suicide from non-suicidal self-injurious behavior, reviewed suicide assessment and intervention, and discussed sitting with misery and self-care.

The presenter, Barent Walsh, has written extensively and presented internationally on the topic of self-destructive behavior. According to Walsh, “the field of suicide prevention is evolving with important new empirically supported theories and interventions.” The author of Treating Self-Injury: A Practical Guide, Walsh is the executive director emeritus of Open Sky Community Services, a human-service agency headquartered in Worcester. He is also a lecturer on Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School at Cambridge Health Alliance.

Alexa Mignano, director of School-Based Clinical Services at RVCC, brought forth the idea of the training in response to an increase in self-harming and suicidal behavior among students in the Pioneer Valley.

“As the premier provider of school-based therapy services, it was imperative for RVCC to offer this training in response to the school districts’ concern of increased self-harming behavior and suicidality amongst students,” she said. “Besides providing school districts with clinicians in the schools, we also try to support school administrators and their staff with tools they can utilize to support their school community.”

RVCC partners with local school districts to offer comprehensive clinical services during the school day, providing families with access to therapy by removing barriers such as long waitlists, transportation, insurance-coverage problems, and scheduling conflicts. RVCC currently partners with school districts in Holyoke, Chicopee, Easthampton, Hadley, Hatfield, Amherst, Granby, Springfield, and East Longmeadow. It also has an office on the campus of Springfield Technical Community College, providing counseling services to students.

Confirmed or Presumptive Positive Cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts Total at Least 28

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced 15 new presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 on March 8, bringing the total number of confirmed or presumptive positive cases in Massachusetts to 28. All 15 cases had a direct connection to the Biogen employee conference in late February, and they include eight men and seven women from Suffolk County, Middlesex County, and Norfolk County.

With this announcement, 23 of the presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 identified in Massachusetts are associated with the Biogen employee meeting. All 15 new presumptive positive cases are isolating at home.

The risk of COVID-19 to the general public in Massachusetts remains low at this time. Specimens from presumptive positive cases will be sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmation.

The Department of Public Health is providing daily updates on the number of confirmed and presumptive positive cases at mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-cases-quarantine-and-monitoring.

As of March 4, 719 people have been subject to self-quarantine in Massachusetts because of COVID-19. Of those, 470 people have completed monitoring and are no longer quarantined, while 249 are currently quarantined. This information is updated online each Wednesday.

For more information on COVID-19, visit mass.gov/2019coronavirus.

New Visitor Policy Announced for All Baystate Health Hospitals

SPRINGFIELD — Baystate Health is taking preemptive measures to protect the health and safety of its patients, the community, and its healthcare workers by initiating a new visitor policy for all of its hospitals.

Under the new policy, only one visitor per patient is allowed at a time, and people experiencing symptoms of fever and/or cough should not visit.

The new policy is in effect at all Baystate Health hospitals, including Baystate Medical Center and Baystate Children’s Hospital in Springfield, Baystate Wing Hospital in Palmer, Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, and Baystate Noble Hospital in Westfield.

Additionally, for Baystate Children’s Hospital, no visitors under the age of 12 are allowed.

Baystate Health’s visitation policy during this time is designed to reduce patient and employee exposure to illness. Visitation is at the discretion of Baystate Health.

The 5 Essential Digital Marketing Skills You Need (& How to Get Them!)

Marketing Tips

Courtesy of WordStream.com

Marketing is not about pitching to customers; it’s about communicating with individuals. It’s understanding what resonates best with them and why, and delivering value on those terms. It’s not asking them to buy, it’s building trust so that when the time comes for them to make a decision, they willingly choose you.

Digital marketing is no different; it’s just that the dialogue occurs over electronic platforms. While the soft skills required for marketing have not changed—communication, curiosity, empathy, for example—the hard skills for digital marketing are slightly different.

Isenberg Ranks First for MBA Online Education in U.S. for Fourth Straight Year

AMHERST — For the fourth year in a row, the online MBA offered by the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst topped the rankings of U.S. programs — and came out number three in the world — in the Financial Times survey.

Isenberg has offered an AACSB-accredited MBA degree program entirely online since 2001, making it one of the most well-established and robust online degrees in the country. Currently, more than 1,100 students are enrolled in the program.

“Isenberg’s pioneering online MBA program is an outstanding representation of a flexible, cutting-edge graduate degree,” said UMass Amherst Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy. “Online education has become an essential part of any major university’s offerings, and the success of Isenberg’s MBA program is a great example of how such degrees can serve students from a variety of professional backgrounds and geographical locations on their own schedules.”

In addition to its overall position in the 2020 Financial Times ranking, the Isenberg online MBA also stood out in a number of data areas, based on information collected by the publication from members of the 2016 graduating class. It ranked first in the world for salary increase, with alumni reporting that they earn 46% more now than they did when they graduated from the Isenberg MBA program; second in the U.S. for average current salary ($168,046); and first in the U.S. for value.

“The online MBA was a revolutionary idea when the school created the program almost two decades ago,” said Isenberg Dean Anne Massey. “It’s thrilling to see the repeated recognition the degree has received from the Financial Times, confirming again that our investments in faculty, curriculum, and technology support a program that’s known to be a game changer for mid-career professionals.”

PeoplesBank, Holyoke Craft Beer to Unveil PeoplesStout at Release Party Today

HOLYOKE — PeoplesBank has found a new way to celebrate its founding on St. Patrick’s Day in 1885, its deep Holyoke roots, and its support of the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Road Race and Parade: a new local beer called PeoplesStout.

The bank partnered with Holyoke Craft Beer to produce PeoplesStout, an Irish stout featuring the traditional warm, roasty character one would expect in a traditional Irish stout, with a subtle twist. It is brewed from mostly local ingredients, including barley from Valley Malt in Hadley.

“When you see the beer and the label with all the shamrocks on it and the name PeoplesStout, it represents PeoplesBank, the city of Holyoke, and Holyoke Craft Beer,” said Matthew Bannister, first vice president of Marketing and Innovation at PeoplesBank. “It’s great for us to all come together and have a toast to the city and the success of small businesses in the city.”

Holyoke Craft Beer has been in business for just over a year. Through help from the program EforAll Holyoke, owner Mike Pratt was able to turn his passion into a business and open his doors in Holyoke.

“When Matt approached us back in October with this idea of brewing a beer in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, I thought it would be unique to collaborate on a beer with a bank,” Pratt said. “Having the opportunity to work with PeoplesBank gave us the opportunity to run our first canning batch, so I’m very thankful for their support and partnership.”

A release party is planned for today, March 6, at 4 p.m. at Holyoke Craft Beer, located in the STEAM Building at 208 Race St., Holyoke. Matt O’Connor will help kick off the event with the playing of his bagpipes. BarRated Trivia will start at 6:30 p.m.

“This partnership shows that there are community members and stakeholders who are invested in Holyoke and want to support local startups, and being able to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, it’s a perfect match,” said Tessa Murphy-Romboletti, executive director at EforAll Holyoke.

PeoplesStout will have a limited quantity and will be available at the brewery and at events during parade weekend.

Bulkley Richardson to Continue CyberSafe Series on March 11

SPRINGFIELD — Bulkley Richardson continues its CyberSafe series on Wednesday, March 11 with a discussion on legal, technical, and law-enforcement responses to common cybersecurity incidents. “There Has Been a Security Breach. Now What?” will take place from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Bulkley Richardson’s office in downtown Springfield.

This will be an interactive, scenario-based discussion, providing a unique opportunity to understand causes and consequences of these thefts and key lessons learned: from the CEO of a company that has twice been the victim of cybersecurity crimes; from the head of an IT company that was responsible for uncovering and responding to those and hundreds of other events (and who will include a demonstration of the depth of the dark web); from a national law-enforcement official responsible for investigating these crimes locally, but in a national and international context, and who is keenly aware of the issues of timing and cooperation; and from a cybersecurity attorney who will discuss what should — and should not — be done to fulfill associated legal responsibilities.

Speakers include attorneys Jim Duda and Lauren Ostberg of Bulkley Richardson’s Cybersecurity Group, Delcie Bean of Paragus Strategic IT, Julie Cowley of the FBI, and Eric Hagopian of Pilot Precision Products.

A networking reception will follow the program. Registration is required by e-mailing [email protected].

Cooley Dickinson Hospital to Begin Childbirth Center Renovation Project

Daily News HCN News & Notes

NORTHAMPTON — After a months-long project-planning review process, officials at Cooley Dickinson Hospital received approval from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) to begin renovation of the hospital’s Childbirth Center.

The construction, which begins Tuesday, March 17, will take place in seven phases over approximately 70 weeks; the Childbirth Center will remain open during the project.

Once completed, the Childbirth Center will offer expanded services in its newborn nursery and more home-like surroundings for patients and families. Other improvements, such as the addition of a dedicated tub room for laboring and more comfortable beds for partners, will be completed earlier in the process so more patients can experience the benefits of the renovation project.

“For many months, staff at the Mass Department of Public Health have been involved in reviewing all aspects of our construction plans to meet their stringent safety requirements,” said Vice President of Operations Anthony Scibelli. “The DPH will continue to be involved as each phase of construction is completed and a new one begins.”

Scibelli says the renovation of the Childbirth Center includes refurbishing all patient-care areas and most support areas to make the space more comfortable for patients and families, as well as creating a warmer, more home-like environment. In addition, the newborn nursery will be upgraded to a Level 1B nursery to provide special newborns with extra care and attention before they are discharged from the hospital. Once renovations are complete, Cooley Dickinson will be the only Level 1B nursery in Western Mass.

“Now that the DPH has given us the green light, we are poised to make our vision for the Childbirth Center a reality,” Chief Development Officer Diane Dukette said. “We are grateful to those who have given. We hope to inspire others to support this center, which is so critically important to our community.”

Dukette noted that community members have already donated $1.7 million to underwrite the cost of the Childbirth Center renovation project, which has been named “Breathing New Life.”

Because the Childbirth Center will remain open during the project, staff will work to minimize noise and distractions as much as possible. Working with the construction company, staff will take the necessary steps to mitigate noise within the site. For example, renovations will be phased so the rooms that are under construction will be worked on as far away from patient care as possible. Noise-cancellation machines will be installed to help with noise reduction, and best-practice construction techniques are planned to ensure dust and debris are well-contained.

“As compared to home or commercial construction sites, hospital construction sites use specially designed construction barriers,” Scibelli said. “These are hard, airtight, temporary walls with a double set of temporary doors that workers pass through on their way in and out of the area that is under construction.”

The architect and construction firm have experience in healthcare, both at Cooley Dickinson Hospital and in the field of healthcare construction in general.

The Childbirth Center was last renovated in 1998. Nearly 600 babies are born in the center each year.

Glenmeadow to Unveil New Space Dedicated to Peace, Tranquility on March 12

LONGMEADOW — Glenmeadow will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, March 12 at 3 p.m. to officially open Fraser’s, a new haven for residents living with dementia that will enhance their sense of purpose.

The space on the second floor of the life-plan community was created to support residents living with dementia or other cognitive loss and is designed for them to engage with staff in activities tailored to their specific interests. Made possible by a gift from two brothers whose mother was a Glenmeadow resident, the space is dedicated to peace, tranquility, and restoration and will also be open and available for staff and all residents seeking a quiet place to decompress and rejuvenate.

An overview on the goals of the room will be presented at the ceremony, and a demonstration will be offered on the use of the room’s resources. Visitors from the public will learn about opportunities to volunteer with residents at Glenmeadow.

Glenmeadow is located at 24 Tabor Crossing, Longmeadow. Guests should request an escort to the room at the front desk in the main lobby.

LifePath to Host Community Learning Session on Social Security and Medicare on March 25