WILBRAHAM — Wilbraham & Monson Academy (WMA) announced a 20% cut in its day student tuition rate for the 2020-21 academic year. The tuition for Upper School day students will decrease from $42,500 to $34,000.

The tuition reset, recently approved by the board of trustees, was made in part because WMA recognized the growing cost of private secondary education, which has outpaced growth in regional household median income. In turn, this has created uncertainty for local families about the attainability of an independent school education.

“WMA understands the need to address this gap and believes it is our responsibility to share the Wilbraham & Monson Academy experience with as many deserving students as possible,” Head of School Brian Easler said.

The reset is paired with a new five-day boarding option, two recent $10 million bequests to the endowment, a $6 million library set to open this spring, and a new, 4,800-square-foot, state-of-the-art STEM Lab that will be ready for use in September.

“The trustees respect the sacrifice of every tuition dollar by every family and are committed to providing an attainable, high-quality private-school experience,” said Scott Jacobs, who chairs the board of trustees. “When tuition goes up, from a natural market standpoint, so does financial aid. Through a detailed process of financial and budgetary modeling, and analysis of our day market, we determined that we could reset our day student tuition to balance revenue and aid at a lower price point. Nearly 10 years ago, we went through a similar reset with our Middle School tuition, and this is the next natural iteration of that process.”

SPRINGFIELD — BusinessWest is currently accepting nominations for the 40 Under Forty class of 2020. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 14.

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

Nominations will be weighed by a panel of judges. The selected individuals will be profiled in the April 27 issue of BusinessWest and honored at the 40 Under Forty Gala on June 25 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. The event’s presenting sponsor is PeoplesBank, WWLP-22News is the media sponsor, and the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield is a partner. Other sponsorship opportunities are available.

BOSTON — Massachusetts employers began 2020 on an optimistic note as business confidence held steady during the first month of the new year.

The Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) Business Confidence Index remained essentially flat during January, rising 0.1 points to 62.3. That reading was comfortably within optimistic territory and 3.6 points higher than a year ago.

January confidence was buoyed by strong gains in the outlook for employment. The Massachusetts jobless rate dropped to 2.8% in December even though the state lost an estimated 5,000 jobs.

Meanwhile, economists at MassBenchmarks reported last week that the Massachusetts economy expanded at a 1.3% annualized rate in the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to a 2.1% fourth-quarter growth rate for the national economy. The U.S. is expected to grow by 2.2% during 2020, largely because of continued strength in consumer spending and a rebound in business fixed investment.

“The U.S. and Massachusetts economies continue to expand at a modest and predictable rate while the uncertainties of tariffs and trade conflicts appear to have abated for the moment,” said Raymond Torto, professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Design and chair of AIM’s Board of Economic Advisors (BEA). “Those factors should pave the way for solid economic growth and payroll gains in 2020.”

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 January. The Massachusetts Index assessing business conditions within the Commonwealth rose 1 point to 66.2, leaving it 8.8 points higher than in January 2019. The U.S. Index declined 2 points during January but remained 8.1 points ahead of where it was 12 months ago.

The Future Index, measuring expectations for six months out, gained 1.2 points to 62.8, a year-over-year gain of 5.5 points. The Current Index, which assesses overall business conditions at the time of the survey, fell 0.9 points to 61.9.

The Employment Index was up 3.0 points in January and 1.9 points for the year. The Employment Index has trailed the overall business-confidence reading amid a persistent shortage of workers that may become worse as large numbers of Baby Boomers retire.

Non-manufacturers (62.7) were slightly more confident than manufacturing companies (62.1). Large companies (65.7) were more optimistic than small (63.0) or medium-sized (60.4) companies. Companies in Western Mass. (62.7) were more optimistic than those to the east (62.0).

Northeastern University Professor Alan Clayton-Matthews, a BEA member, said increased employer confidence about hiring is a good sign, but employers will continue to be challenged finding qualified employees as large numbers of people retire and leave the workforce.

“Massachusetts has an older population than the nation as a whole, and the aging of the workforce will inevitably exert a drag on growth,” he noted. “Those factors underscore the importance of providing education and skills to the broadest-possible population of our citizens.”

AIM President and CEO John Regan, also a BEA member, said employers report an uptick in solicitations from states such as Tennessee, Texas, and North Carolina to move operations out of Massachusetts. The Commonwealth cannot lose sight of economic competitiveness, Regan said, as lawmakers contemplate significant transportation, housing, tax, and other issues.

“The combined effect of the new paid family and medical leave law, escalating health-insurance rates, the potential costs of a transportation initiative, and the specter of a graduated income tax on the state ballot add up to a significant threat for the ability of Massachusetts to maintain its economic vibrancy,” Regan said.

SPRINGFIELD — United Personnel, a leading Springfield-based staffing firm serving Massachusetts and Connecticut, has won ClearlyRated’s Best of Staffing Client and Talent Award for the third consecutive year.

According to ClearlyRated, this industry award recognizes staffing firms that have demonstrated exceptional service quality based exclusively on ratings provided by their clients and placed talent. The Best of Staffing designation serves as a credible point of differentiation for a firm’s commitment to service excellence, providing prospective clients and job seekers with qualitative data critical to vetting staffing and recruiting agencies.

United Personnel is based in Springfield with additional offices in Northampton and Chelmsford, as well as New Haven and Hartford, Conn. The agency manages temporary, contract, and direct-hire placements in professional, administrative, information-technology, and light-industrial roles.

Focused on placing highly qualified candidates with their clients, United Personnel received satisfaction scores of 9 or 10 out of 10 from a significant number of both clients and candidates placed in jobs, resulting in the Best of Staffing Client and Candidate recognition. These two awards are distinctions that less than 2% of all staffing agencies in the U.S. and Canada have earned.

“United’s team has been very focused on delivering excellence consistently in a tough recruitment market. We’re thrilled to have our efforts recognized for the third consecutive year.” United Personnel President Tricia Canavan said. “We are really grateful for the partnerships we have with our clients and candidates around the region and look forward to building on this momentum in 2020.”

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) announced the appointment of Kiyota Garcia as coordinator of the Academic Advising and Transfer Center, effective Jan. 27.

In 2010, Garcia started working in the Academic Advising and Transfer Center, which provides continuous support to strengthen, nurture, empower, and educate students in making informed decisions that will guide their educational experience.

Her background in psychology has been helpful in her approach to working with students, said Jessica Hill, interim vice president of Student Affairs.

“She has been a tremendous resource to faculty in addressing any questions or concerns about academic-advising processes,” Hill noted. “Overall, Dr. Garcia is an integral part of the Student Affairs division and works very hard to meet the needs of STCC students, faculty, and staff.”

Garcia holds a doctorate of education in educational psychology from American International College, a master’s degree in clinical psychology from American International College, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Bay Path University. She will continue to work on advising initiatives that support the success of STCC students with a focus on retention and completion.

“It is an honor and privilege to be chosen to lead such an important and essential department at STCC,” Garcia said. “As the hub of the campus, the Academic Advising and Transfer Center serves a large student body and holds a critical role in student success. I look forward to leading the amazing team we have to reach new heights.”

SPRINGFIELD — Hair-salon owners and their teams are being asked to make a difference in the fight against bullying. On Saturday, April 4, Unify Against Bullying is looking for local and regional salons to participate in a one-day Cut-a-Thon, donating proceeds from haircuts, blowouts, and styling to the anti-bullying organization.

Some salons will also offer temporary pink hair color — the signature color of Unify Against Bullying. In addition, each salon will add its own fun activities and promotions for the event. Although the main event is being held on April 4, some salon owners can choose the option to hold the fundraiser for the whole month to make it easier on their team.

This year, Basia Belz, a Unify Against Bullying board member and owner of Vivid Hair Salon, located at 99 Elm St., Westfield, will chair the event. Salon owners who wish to participate can contact Belz at (413) 564-0062 or [email protected].

“It’s a fun day for a great cause, and everyone leaves the salon feeling and looking fabulous, each in their own unique way,” said Christine Maiwald, executive director of Unify Against Bullying. “We love how each salon is embracing Unify Against Bullying and being creative in their vision for the Cut-a-Thon.”

CHICOPEE — Elms College will host its third annual Executive Leadership Breakfast on Thursday, April 9 for the region’s business executives, state and local legislators, and community leaders.

The keynote speaker for the event is U.S. Rep. Richard Neal. His talk, “Leadership in Turbulent Times,” will examine how our congressional delegation is providing leadership on issues that could impact the economy of the Western Mass. region.

Neal was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1988. He currently serves as chair of the powerful tax-writing Ways and Means Committee. He is a co-chairman of the New England Congressional Caucus, where he advocates for the unique regional interests of the six New England states, and is the Democratic leader of the Friends of Ireland Caucus. Prior to his time in Congress, Neal was a high-school teacher, member of the Springfield City Council, and mayor of Springfield. He is a longtime lecturer at UMass Amherst.

This annual event features talks by the region’s leaders on topics of relevance that impact all sectors of business and the economy in Western Mass. Corporate sponsorships are available for this event, and an invitation is required to attend. For more information on the various sponsorship opportunities or to request an invitation, call the Elms College Office of Institutional Advancement at (413) 265-2448.

HOLYOKE — The Cannabis Education Center, a collaboration between Holyoke Community College (HCC) and the Cannabis Community Care & Research Network (C3RN), has announced the awarding of scholarships to six students enrolled in its entry-level cannabis culinary assistant training program, which began Jan. 25.

These initial scholarships were provided by cannabis businesses Curaleaf, Good Chemistry, Mill Town Agriculture, and Cultivate and awarded to students who either live in the Holyoke area, are unemployed or underemployed, or were disproportionately impacted by drug-enforcement laws before the legalization of marijuana in Massachusetts, among other criteria.

“The goal of the scholarship program is to provide high-quality cannabis training to those who might otherwise not have the financial opportunity,” said Marion McNabb, CEO of C3RN and the 501(c)(3) nonprofit that manages the scholarship program for the Cannabis Education Center. “The initial scholarships provided by leading local cannabis businesses demonstrate their commitment to furthering opportunities that advance social justice via education locally in Massachusetts and in Holyoke.”

The cannabis culinary assistant program started Jan. 25 at the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute and runs for six Saturdays through Feb. 29. Cannabis culinary assistants are responsible for preparing cannabis or cannabidiol-infused products using a variety of cooking, baking, and infusion techniques. Students are also learning about manufacturing operations and security, health, and safety policies and regulations. Course instructors and guest lecturers include representatives from C3RN, HCC, INSA, Cloud Creamery, Ardent, Willie’s Reserve, MCR Labs, and Bay Grown Farms.

Hemp products are being used in place of cannabis on the HCC campus. Students will follow up their classroom sessions with internships at cannabis businesses, including INSA in Easthampton and AmeriCann and BASK in Fairhaven, Mass., and additional internship partnerships will soon be announced. The $3,000 scholarships cover the full cost of the training program, including the internship.

“Curaleaf Massachusetts is proud to partner with C3RN and Holyoke Community College by sponsoring scholarships at the Cannabis Education Center,” said Patrik Jonsson, president of Curaleaf Massachusetts. “We greatly value the opportunity to provide support for individuals from areas of disproportionate impact, and we are looking forward to getting involved in the onsite occupational training aspect as well.”

Additional scholarships are envisioned for future cannabis training programs. The Cannabis Education Center will begin a program to train workers for jobs as patient advocates/budtenders on March 2 at HCC’s Kittredge Center for Business and Workforce Development.

“We’re looking forward to offering these training programs to as many people as possible,” said HCC president Christina Royal. “Thanks to these scholarships, one more barrier to education and training is lessened for those with significant financial need.”

BOSTON — Eversource’s commitment to enhancing system reliability is significantly reducing the number of power interruptions that customers experience, with outages in the Commonwealth down by nearly 17% in 2019 compared to 2018, the company reports.

This improvement stems from the energy company’s investments in strengthening and modernizing its electric system, including a program to install more than 1,000 smart fuses to the system throughout the Commonwealth. These smart fuses can automatically restore power to customers when a tree limb temporarily contacts wires and help to protect the electric system when a problem is detected, such as a current surge or overload.

“Our continued investments in developing a smarter, more resilient, and more flexible grid are delivering direct reliability benefits to our customers and allowing us to reliably and seamlessly connect more clean energy resources onto our system,” said Craig Hallstrom, Eversource’s president of Regional Electric Operations. “Additionally, our commitment to enhancing the electric system throughout the state will help us to reach our goal of being carbon-neutral by 2030 and support continued economic growth across the region.”

Eversource has invested more than $2.5 million to install more than 350 smart fuses on its electric system throughout Massachusetts since 2018. The energy company plans to expand the program in 2020 by installing more than 300 devices on the system throughout the state. In addition to its smart-fuse program, Eversource will continue to install smart switches, devices that enable system operators to remotely reroute power to customers in minutes. The energy company has installed more than 1,100 smart switches over the last five years and continues to replace utility poles with more durable structures, install hundreds of miles of covered wire, and conduct robust tree-trimming programs to ensure the reliable delivery of energy to customers.

Eversource customers across New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut all experienced a significant improvement in reliability in 2019. January through December of this year represented the system’s strongest reliability performance across Eversource’s entire service territory since 2013 — the first full year following the merger in 2012 between Northeast Utilities and NSTAR Electric & Gas.

LONGMEADOW — Intelligent.com has recognized eight Bay Path University degree programs as some of the best online degree programs available in multiple areas of study. The website is a free, privately supported online platform that’s editorially independent and claims to provide unbiased, accurate, and fact-based information on a wide range of issues surrounding education.

According to the website, programs were evaluated on reputation, course strength, cost, faculty, and flexibility. In addition to their numerical rankings, Bay Path’s master of science in accounting and bachelor of science in health services administration degree programs were recognized as “Best Student Resources” in their respective categories, while its bachelor of arts in psychology – counseling foundations and master of science in nonprofit management and philanthropy programs were recognized as the “Best in the Northeast” out of all degree programs assessed in their respective fields. Bay Path’s master of science in leadership and negotiation program was awarded “Best Job Placement Rate” out of the 147 colleges and universities assessed.

Other programs awarded include the master of science in applied behavior analysis, the master of science in higher education administration, and the master of fine arts in creative nonfiction, which ranked in the top 8% of creative-writing graduate programs reviewed.

“It is Bay Path’s mission with both our undergraduate and graduate degree offerings to build robust programs that will not only provide quality instruction and exceptional resources for our students while they are enrolled, but that will also give them the skills, knowledge, and experiences needed to meet the workforce needs of their communities,” Bay Path President Carol Leary said. “It’s an honor to see so many programs within multiple disciplines recognized for both their academic rigor and the value they bring to our students.”

CHICOPEE — Earlier this month at its annual awards gala, the Boston Society of Architects (BSA) presented Caolo & Bieniek Associates Inc. with the 2019 Accessible Design Award for its work at Westfield State University’s Davis Hall. The award honors design excellence in buildings that are accessible for people of all abilities, with an emphasis on projects that exceed the legal accessibility requirements in anticipation of diverse user needs and benefits.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by the BSA for our work with the Massachusetts State College Building Authority,” said Curtis Edgin, president and principal architect at the Chicopee-based company. “We have been fortunate to build a trusting and creative relationship over the years with Westfield State and have been able to reflect the university’s focus on creating a welcoming and dynamic environment for its students.”

The residence-hall addition and renovation, designed in coordination with the university and Stegman+Associates Inc., includes new private and multi-user restrooms, providing access to all students. At the heart of the project is an accessible, four-story point of entry, enhanced by the addition of a sleek glass exterior. The entryway includes a two-sided elevator and an inviting common space on each floor. An enclosed walkway allows for a quick and safe connection to the school’s Dining Commons.

“The challenge, as often happens with accessible design, is to create effortless transitions into and between facilities,” said James Hanifan, vice president and principal architect at Caolo & Bieniek. “We feel like we were able to bring this building back to life while staying in strict compliance with accessibility requirements.”

SPRINGFIELD — Andrea Momnie O’Connor, a principal with the law firm Hendel, Collins & O’Connor, P.C., has been appointed to the panel of Chapter 7 Trustees for the District of Connecticut by the U.S. Trustee Program.

O’Connor previously clerked for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts. She graduated magna cum laude from Western New England University Law School, where she served as editor-in-chief of the Western New England Law Review, and cum laude from the University of Connecticut. She is an adjunct professor at Elms College, where she teaches legal research and writing. She was named a 2019 Rising Star in the area of bankruptcy law by Super Lawyers. Her practice focuses on bankruptcy, insolvency, and financial restructuring for business and consumer clients.

LUDLOW — Pioneer Valley Financial Group has been announced as one of 20 financial-advisory firms selected for the Invest in Others Charitable Foundation’s 2019 Charitable Champions List.

The Charitable Champions List recognizes advisory firms for their exemplary efforts to give back to their communities by promoting a culture of philanthropy among employees and financial advisors. Invest in Others received dozens of applications, which were evaluated blindly by a judging panel made up of financial advisors. Applications were evaluated on criteria including employee benefits, company contributions, and philanthropic events and programs offered by the firms.

In October, Pioneer Valley Financial presented a $5,000 check to DARE, a collaborative program in which local law enforcement and schools join together to educate students about the personal and social consequences of substance abuse and violence. This money will go directly toward the training of DARE officers who will be teaching at schools throughout the Pioneer Valley.

Each summer, PV Financial hosts hundreds of students for Slide into Summer Safety, a fun-filled event that’s intended to foster positive engagement between children and local safety officials, so that they will be comfortable and well-equipped to communicate with their local firefighters and police officers in the case of an emergency. Other initiatives include the PV Financial Plan With a Purpose Scholarship and a partnership with Wilbraham-based nonprofit Rick’s Place.

“At PV Financial, we feel that, as a financial-services company, we need to be at the forefront of helping nonprofits and giving back to the residents in the towns we serve,” said PV Financial Managing Partner Edward Sokolowski. “Being selected for the Charitable Champions List is a reflection of our team’s tireless commitment to improving the community around us.”

CHICOPEE — Elienith (Alyssa) Mercado, a senior at Elms College, recently received the Bishop Joseph F. Maguire Award during the Western Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Assoc. (WMCOPA) annual awards meeting. The award was established by WMCOPA in honor of the late Bishop Joseph Maguire and is given annually to an Elms College junior or senior who is enrolled in the field of religious studies, or has made outstanding contributions to the college’s community service or campus ministry programs.

Mercado is a senior majoring in criminal justice with a minor in Spanish and has a grade point average of 3.5. Throughout her tenure at Elms College, she has been heavily involved in the life of the college. She is currently president of the Diversity Leadership Council, advocating for students and working to bring the campus together on issues of diversity and inclusion. She is also an Admissions ambassador, hosting potential students for tours of the campus, and a key member of the Office of Campus Ministry. She has been both a participant and a student leader in the college’s Dorothy Day Program, a week-long service program, which helps to acclimate first-year students to the college and the community.

“In all areas, Alyssa truly lives out her faith,” said Carol Allan, director of Campus Ministry at Elms College. “From being involved in her home parish of Blessed Sacrament/All Souls in Springfield to her work on the college campus, Alyssa brings the best of herself to others so that they may see the best in themselves.”

The Bishop Joseph F. Maguire Award recognizes an undergraduate student who perseveres and takes responsibility for meaningful engagement in his or her life, faith, and traditions, while exhibiting a generosity of spirit and willingness for devotion to helping others.

“I am honored to have received this award because it represents my commitment to both the Catholic social teachings and Elms College,” Mercado said.

HOLYOKE — To kick off the new year, Hadley and Springfield Lowe’s Home Improvement Stores selected the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke to be the recipient of this year’s Heroes Project. Employees volunteered more than 100 hours to fully renovate and transform an outdated kitchen into a new Kids Café. The renovation entailed a full demolition of the kitchen, new cabinets, countertops, appliances, and customized kitchen furnishings.

The new Kids Café will serve as a nutrition and culinary program space where youth will be exposed to healthy food options, learn about sanitation, acquire cooking skills, explore careers, and overall develop a passion for food. The Kids Café will also allow the club increased capacity to serve more snacks and dinners to youth on an annual basis. Last year alone, the club served more than 44,000 snacks and more than 8,000 dinners to youth.

The Kids Café will officially serve its first dinner on Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 6 p.m. With Lowe’s volunteers in attendance, the Boys & Girls Club will celebrate the Kids Café with a traditional Spanish-style home-cooked meal.

MONSON — Dodie Carpentier, vice president of Human Resources at Monson Savings Bank, was recently elected president-elect of River East School to Career (RESTC).

Carpentier joined RESTC as a board member in 2014, has previously held positions as clerk and treasurer, and is a member of the scholarship committee for this local nonprofit organization. Working under the umbrella of MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board, RESTC promotes K-16 career education and assists in preparing youth for the demands of the 21st-century workplace.

In addition to volunteering for RESTC, Carpentier also serves as chairperson for the Monson Substance Abuse Community Partnership, is a member of the steering committee for Rays of Hope, is a read-aloud volunteer for Link to Libraries, and is a guitarist and vocalist for the Folk Group at St. Thomas Church in Palmer. She has worked at Monson Savings Bank since 2006 and has earned certificates in human resources management and supervision from the Center for Financial Training.

AMHERST — Allison Vorderstrasse, a faculty member and Ph.D. program director at New York University, has been named the dean of the College of Nursing at UMass Amherst. She will begin her appointment on July 1.

Vorderstrasse currently serves as a faculty member and director of the Florence S. Downs Ph.D. Program in Nursing Research and Theory Development at New York University (NYU) Rory Meyers College of Nursing.

“Dr. Vorderstrasse emerged as the best in an exceptionally well-qualified pool of candidates. I look forward to working with her as she leads the College of Nursing into its 67th year,” said John McCarthy, provost and senior vice chancellor for Academic Affairs.

An adult nurse practitioner with clinical experience, Vorderstrasse received her doctorate and master’s degrees in nursing at the Yale University School of Nursing, with specialties in chronic illness self-management research and diabetes. She received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, N.Y.

As a researcher, she focuses on development and implementation of innovative behavioral interventions for diabetes and cardiovascular disease that could expand preventive and self-care management support for adults at risk for, or living with, chronic diseases. Her contributions to chronic-disease prevention have identified that genetic testing for chronic conditions may improve risk reduction in certain groups. She was among the first researchers to demonstrate that virtual environments are an effective way to provide self-management education and support to improve outcomes for patients with diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Prior to joining the faculty at NYU, Vorderstrasse was an associate professor of Nursing and faculty lead for Precision Health Research at the Duke University School of Nursing. She taught at Duke University School of Nursing from 2009 to 2014. In 2014, she received the Duke University School of Nursing Distinguished Teaching Award. She was inducted as a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing in 2015, and in 2017 received the International Society of Nurses in Genetics Founders Award for Excellence in Genomic Nursing Research.

While at NYU, Vorderstrasse led curriculum and program changes in its nursing Ph.D. program that included a new entry point for post-bachelor to Ph.D. students to facilitate earlier entry into careers in research without sacrificing academic rigor in the program. She has worked with global partners to establish a global-track option for Ph.D. students that will launch in the fall of 2020. She also focused on faculty and student culture and wellness as a part of her leadership at NYU.

HADLEY — The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce invites the public the grand opening of Hadley Dental Care today, Jan. 31, from 5 to 7 p.m., with a ribbon cutting scheduled for 5:30 p.m. The practice is located at 1 Mill Valley Road, Unit D, Hadley.

Visitors will learn about the state-of-the-art technology and client-centric care offered by Tapan Pujara, DDS and Chaitalee Ganatra, DDS and celebrate the grand opening with an after-party, including a celebratory toast, next door at the Taproom. The event will feature networking, food, and prizes.

FLORENCE — Florence Bank announced that President and CEO John Heaps Jr. will retire on May 1, 25 years to the day after he took the top job, making him the bank’s longest-serving CEO.

Heaps has grown the bank in terms of staff, the number of branches, the geographic regions it serves, and capital and assets. Florence Bank is a top-performing bank in the industry in the state, with record results over the past five years, according to both the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the Depositors Insurance Fund.

“We’ve kept our focus on the customers, the community, and the employees,” Heaps said. “We are committed to our status as an independent, mutual bank, which allows us to keep that focus. That gives us strength.”

Heaps will be succeeded from within as president and CEO by Kevin Day, Florence Bank’s executive vice president. Day joined the bank 11 years ago as its chief financial officer.

Since Heaps came on board as president and CEO on May 1, 1995, dozens of mutual banks in the Pioneer Valley have been bought out by or merged with larger banks. “There are only a few mutual banks left,” he said. “In light of the economic downturns we’ve seen in the past few decades, that is significant. We are able to continue to focus on what’s right for the community and remaining mutual.”

During Heaps’ tenure, Florence Bank’s capital has grown from $24 million to $161 million, and assets have grown from $283 million to $1.4 billion. The bank grew from four branches in 1995 to 11 now — and soon to be 12. The staff has doubled from 112 full-time employees to 221 now.

“It was very methodical growth,” said Robert Borawski, a 30-year member of the bank’s board of directors and its current chair. He explained that Heaps intentionally targeted commercial lending as a growth opportunity and built the lending team from one person in 1995 to nine now.

Heaps also invested in marketing to raise awareness about Florence Bank, and his strategy for expanding into Hampden County promoted growth as well. “John had deep, local roots,” said Borawski, president of Borawski Insurance in Northampton. “He has great commercial connections and is well-respected, full of energy, very engaging.”

Heaps is proud of Florence Bank’s community giving, which totals nearly $600,000 annually. One component of the bank’s giving that Heaps is particularly proud of is the Customers’ Choice Community Grants program. He recalled the year that his late wife, Jane, suggested the concept for the program, through which bank customers can vote for one nonprofit they would like the bank to support with a grant. “It was such a unique idea,” he said.

Since 2002, the program has provided over $1.1 million to hundreds of Valley nonprofits. This year, the bank will be giving another $100,000 through the program to more than 50 nonprofits.

Heaps grew up in Springfield and began his banking career in 1971 in marketing at Valley Bank, later Bay Bank, in Springfield. In 1987, he was first named a bank president for Bank of Boston, also in Springfield. He was 37 at the time, and the Springfield Union-News reported he was the youngest bank CEO in Western Mass.

At 71, Heaps said the time is right for him to retire. “We have a strategic plan in place that will guide the continued growth of our bank in Western Mass. The marketplace is wide open for us. We have an exceptional senior management team, a dedicated board of directors, and committed employees.”

In addition to serving on many nonprofit boards, Heaps has also sat on many boards in the banking industry, including the Connecticut On-Line Computer Center Inc. (COCC), which provides core data processing to banks, including Florence Bank. “COCC allows Florence Bank and other community banks to compete with the largest banks in America,” he said.

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College (HCC) recently welcomed Narayan Sampath as its vice president of Administration and Finance.

Over the past decade, Sampath has held a number of key fiscal and administrative roles at institutions across the Commonwealth, including Massachusetts General Hospital, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and, most recently, UMass Amherst.

At HCC, he will serve as the college’s chief fiscal officer, managing the college budget and supervising the Business Office, Human Resources, Campus Police, Facilities, and Dining Services. He started Jan. 2.

At UMass, Sampath was administrative director of the Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS), where he managed all day-to-day operations, including administrative, human resource, and fiscal affairs. He was also responsible for the execution of the $95 million capital grant from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center that led to the creation of IALS, now home to three centers with more than 250 college faculty members.

From 2013 to 2015, he managed the Center for Emergent Behavior of Integrated Cellular Systems at MIT, funded by the National Science Foundation, and before that served as MIT’s financial administrator. From 2009 to 2011, he worked as grants administrator at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Originally from India, Sampath holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics in Mumbai. He earned an MBA from the International Business School at Brandeis University in Waltham. He has lived and worked in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Nigeria, and Kenya.

SPRINGFIELD — MGM Springfield unveiled 12 new king and queen suites now available for booking, adding another elevated room experience to the resort’s portfolio.

Created by MGM Resorts Design & Development, the 700-square-foot suites emulate apartment-style residences with exposed concrete-planked ceilings, vinyl tiles, angled area rugs, and more. The rooms also pay homage to the city’s heritage with historical building facades framing the windows and Edison bulb fixtures throughout.

The 240-room, six-story hotel at MGM Springfield now boasts 28 total suites including rotunda suites, deluxe spa suites, deluxe garden suites, and a 1,600-square-foot presidential suite that captures the essence of Dr. Seuss with a custom chandelier featuring vintage hats reflecting the many hats of Theodor Geisel.

For suite reservations and rates, call (413) 273-5000 or visit mgmspringfield.com.

SPRINGFIELD — BusinessWest is currently accepting nominations for the 40 Under Forty class of 2020. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 14.

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

Nominations will be weighed by a panel of judges. The selected individuals will be profiled in the April 27 issue of BusinessWest and honored at the 40 Under Forty Gala on June 25 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. The event’s presenting sponsor is PeoplesBank, WWLP-22News is the media sponsor, and the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield is a partner. Other sponsorship opportunities are available.

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Museums is seeking nominations for the 29th annual Ubora Award and the 11th annual Ahadi Youth Award. These prestigious awards — conferred by the African Hall subcommittee — are awarded to African-American people from Greater Springfield who have gone above and beyond in demonstrating commitment to fields of community service, education, science, humanities, and/or the arts. The nomination deadline for both awards is March 31.

True to the Swahili word that comprises its name, the Ubora Award recognizes an adult of African heritage who exemplifies excellence in their commitment to creating a better community through service. In 2019, the Ubora Award was given to Andrew Cade, vice president of the Urban League of Springfield.

Named for the Swahili word for promise, the Ahadi Youth Award is presented to a young African-American who excels in academics and performs admirable service to the Greater Springfield community. Eligible candidates must be age 19 or younger, live in or have strong ties to the Greater Springfield area, and be currently enrolled in grades 10, 11, or 12. In 2019, the Ahadi Award was given to Michael Denson Jr.

The African Hall subcommittee is a volunteer group comprised of educators, business people, and community leaders from the African-American community. A full list of past awardees can be found on the Springfield Museums website. The Ubora and Ahadi awards will be presented at a ceremony at the Springfield Museums in September.

Nomination forms can be downloaded by visiting springfieldmuseums.org/ubora. Nominations may be e-mailed to [email protected] or mailed to African Hall Subcommittee, c/o Valerie Cavagni, Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield, MA 01103.

SPRINGFIELD — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) will hold its second public meeting on the East-West Passenger Rail Study on Wednesday, Feb. 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the UMass Center at Springfield, Classroom 014, in Tower Square, 1500 Main St., Springfield.

The study examines the costs, benefits, and investments necessary to implement a range of passenger-rail service alternatives from Boston to Springfield and Pittsfield, up to and including high-speed rail. The goal of the meeting is to inform attendees about the study’s analysis of six preliminary alternatives for improving connectivity and mobility in the east-west corridor, and gather feedback from attendees about these six preliminary alternatives and what they would like to see in the three final rail-service alternatives that will be analyzed further,

The meeting will begin with a presentation at 6 p.m., followed by time for questions and answers.

Those who park in the Tower Square garage can get parking validated at $5 per car. Meeting attendees can park on all levels but are encouraged to park on Level A. For those who cannot attend the public meeting, all meeting materials will be posted online, and feedback will be accepted via e-mail. For study questions or comments, e-mail MassDOT Project Manager Makaela Niles at [email protected].

To learn more, visit www.mass.gov/east-west-passenger-rail-study.

HADLEY — Happier Valley Comedy thinks Feb. 14 could use a little updating.

“Yes, we love love,” founder Pam Victor said. “And we would like to expand the celebration beyond just romantic partners to also include gal pals, friends, work buddies, relatives, and more. And what better way to celebrate love than laughter?”

The only comedy theater and training program in Western Mass. is launching a new tradition to celebrate Feb. 14 with the “Laugh with Your Loved One” improv comedy workshop, designed for absolute beginners, including those who might be a little (or even a lot) nervous about improv. Victor will lead pairs through easy, accessible improv exercises and games with a focus on shared fun, play, and laughter. The workshop runs 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14.

“Come laugh and play with us. Then go out for a nice meal with your loved one,” Victor suggested. “Laughter. Good food. Maybe some wine and a nice dessert? Sounds like heaven to me.”

Friends, family, and lovers can register for the “Laugh with Your Loved One” improv workshop at www.happiervalley.com. And remember, as Danish comedian Victor Borge said, “laughter is the shortest distance between two people.”

BERLIN, Conn. — Comcast announced the appointment of Christopher Smith as vice president of Human Resources for the company’s Western New England region, which includes more than 300 communities in Connecticut, Western Mass., Western New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York.

In this role, Smith and his team will support more than 1,600 employees and oversee all of the region’s human-resources functions, including talent management, recruiting, payroll, benefits, and training through Comcast University, the company’s internal training and leadership-development program.

“Christopher’s proven track record of outstanding leadership development and employee engagement make him the ideal person to ensure we exceed the current and future needs of our employees. I’m delighted to have him as part of our team,” said Dennis Mathew, senior vice president of Comcast’s Western New England Region.

Prior to joining Comcast, Smith served for the past decade as HR vice president of NiSource, an 8,000-employee utility company based in Indiana that provides natural-gas and electric power to 4 million customers in seven states. Before that, he spent four years with the Pepsi Bottling Group, first as HR manager in Las Vegas and later as HR director in Newport News, Va., where he was responsible for 1,500 employees in 13 locations. In addition, he held various human-resources roles over the course of four years for Mead Johnson Nutritionals, a former division of the pharmaceutical manufacturer Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Indiana University and an MBA from the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza School of Business, where he recently served as an adjunct professor of Strategic Human Resources.

SPRINGFIELD — Katherine Wilson, longtime president and CEO of Behavioral Health Network (BHN), announced she will retire on June 30. George Marion, BHN board chair, said the organization has named Steven Winn, BHN’s current chief operating officer, as Wilson’s successor.

Wilson was instrumental in the formation of Behavioral Health Network in 1992 when four nonprofit mental-health organizations — the Child Guidance Clinic, the Agawam Counseling Center, Community Care Mental Health Center, and the Hampden District Mental Health Clinic — formed the new entity and appointed Wilson CEO.

Since BHN’s founding, Wilson has built the organization from a $1 million annual enterprise into a leading behavioral-health agency in the region. Under her leadership, BHN has grown dramatically and now serves more than 40,000 individuals in the four Western Mass. counties, employs over 2,300 people, and has an annual budget of more than $115 million.

Most recently, Wilson was named a Healthcare Hero for Lifetime Achievement by HCN and BusinessWest and was celebrated in the book Power of Women published by the Republican. She is regarded as a leader in Massachusetts and the region in behavioral health and the integration of general health and behavioral health.

“Kathy Wilson’s importance to the success of BHN cannot be overstated,” Marion said. “Indeed, BHN came into existence largely due to Kathy’s efforts and vision.”

Under Wilson’s direction, BHN transformed an abandoned factory complex on Liberty Street in Springfield into a sprawling campus that includes BHN’s corporate headquarters, the innovative Living Room drop-in center, Cole’s Place recovery program for men, the 24/7 Crisis Center, an adult outpatient clinic, and its care coordination and outreach services. She also implemented the acquisitions of the Carson Center in Westfield and its affiliate, Valley Human Services in Ware.

With the rise of the opioid epidemic, Wilson guided the strategy to provide more recovery resources in the community, and BHN opened new outpatient and inpatient programming in the rehabilitated Lunt Silversmiths building in Greenfield for those needing recovery services in Franklin County.

Wilson began her career as a psychotherapist and worked for the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health during the critical time when both Northampton State Hospital and Belchertown State School were closed by court mandate. The closings began a period of community-based care and services, and BHN, under Wilson, was at the forefront. Under her leadership, BHN expanded its footprint for those needing residential developmental services.

“It is no exaggeration to say Kathy Wilson is an iconic figure in Western Massachusetts in the area of behavioral health,” Marion said. “She is a trailblazer that helped our community, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, replace the state hospital system with the more humane community-based system we have today. She has left a legacy of caring and serving in a way that has made a difference in the lives of thousands of individuals needing behavioral-health and recovery services. Kathy will be sorely missed but leaves BHN in a strong position to continue its leadership in providing developmental, behavioral, and recovery services throughout Western Massachusetts.”

One of Wilson’s strengths as CEO, he added, has been her ability to develop and mentor a capable and committed executive leadership team. “There is perhaps no better example than Steve Winn, whom we are delighted to name as our next CEO.”

Winn joined BHN in 1995 as vice president and director of the Child Guidance Clinic. He was later promoted to senior vice president and since 2017 has served BHN as chief operating officer.

Winn has extensive experience in the behavioral-health field. He received a master’s degree in developmental psychology and a Ph.D. in clinical and developmental psychology, both from UMass Amherst. He went on to complete his fellowship at Yale University’s Child Study Center. After Yale, he became a staff psychologist at the University of New Mexico Children’s Psychiatric Hospital, where he also taught in the Department of Psychiatry as an assistant professor of Psychiatry. Winn is a licensed clinical psychologist in Massachusetts.

According to Marion, “Steve has intimate knowledge of the organization, its people, and its programs. He also has established strong partnerships and enjoys an excellent reputation with local and statewide funders, key partners, and stakeholders. In short, Steve has been an important contributor to BHN’s growth and success, and the board believes there is no better person than Steve Winn to assume the role of BHN’s CEO and continue that growth and success.”

Added Wilson, “BHN has given me so much personal pleasure, professional pride, and a sense of accomplishment. BHN is a great organization with dedicated staff who are remarkable in their commitment to BHN’s mission. While I am sad to be leaving, I am comforted by the board’s decision to name Steve Winn as the next CEO. He has been a vital part of BHN’s past successes and growth, and his vision for the future will serve BHN well.”