SPRINGFIELD — The Rotary Club of Springfield elected its new president, Robert (Bert) Carter, president and CEO at Willie Ross School for the Deaf, as well as its board of directors for the 2019-20 Rotary year at its June 28 meeting. 

“I look forward to building on the success of this past year and steering the club to continue exemplary service to the Greater Springfield community,” Carter said. “We have a dedicated board of directors, and we’re all looking forward to a productive year together. This past June, the Springfield Club was able to give away $10,000 in grants to local area nonprofits, and I’m looking forward to increasing that amount for next year. The Springfield Rotary Club has a long legacy, and I am excited to be a part of it.”

Carter is an 11-year veteran of Rotary. Before coming to Springfield, he served in the Brattleboro, Vt. club for five years, where he was foundation chair. Since joining the Springfield club, he has served as seargent at arms, director, secretary, second vice president, and first vice president before assuming the post of president. 

Carter is a 38-year veteran in the field of deaf education and school administration. Prior to his tenure at Willie Ross School for the Deaf, he was the president of the Vermont Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, which included the Austine School for the Deaf as well as statewide education and social-service programs. Carter also directed statewide deaf services for FSW Inc., a private, nonprofit agency in Bridgeport, Conn. In that position, he created and directed a 24/365 sign-language interpreter service serving all 31 acute-care hospitals in Connecticut.

An educator, mental-health practitioner, and nationally certified American Sign Language interpreter, Carter holds a master’s degree in deafness rehabilitation from New York University, a master’s degree in expressive therapies from Lesley University, and a bachelor’s degree in art education from Miami University.

AMHERST — Hampshire College appointed as its eighth president Edward Wingenbach, an administrator, faculty leader, scholar, and proponent of liberal-arts education.

For the past six months, he has served as acting president of Ripon College in Wisconsin, the liberal-arts college where he has been vice president, dean of faculty, and a professor of Politics and Government since 2015. Previously, he served for 15 years as an administrator and faculty leader at the University of Redlands in California.

“For 50 years, Hampshire College has represented all that is best in higher education,” Wingenbach said in accepting the appointment. “I see my charge as helping to reinvigorate its proud legacy of innovation because its example is too important, and there are too many students who need and want its high-impact, individualized, student-driven education. I believe in Hampshire, and I’m excited to help lead it into its second half-century.”

Hampshire’s board of trustees voted unanimously for Wingenbach’s appointment last Friday after a formal recommendation from the presidential search committee chaired by trustee Ellen Sturgis and comprising faculty, students, staff, trustees, and alumni. The board’s goal was to name a new president this summer to help guide the college in securing its operations, planning for its future, and preparing for the coming academic year. 

Since its founding in the 1960s by Amherst, Mount Holyoke, and Smith Colleges and UMass Amherst — its partners in the Five Colleges — Hampshire has remained a national innovator and leader in empowering students to design their own degree program and learn by active inquiry, mentored by faculty.

In his 15 years at the University of Redlands, Wingenbach aligned his teaching with the Johnston Center for Integrative Studies. Originally founded as an independent college in 1969, the Johnston Center emerged from the same philosophy as Hampshire, guiding students to direct their own learning. Both institutions belong to the Consortium for Innovative Environments in Learning (CIEL), a working group promoting best practices around education reform and experiential learning. Wingenbach believes this high-impact model is more relevant to today’s global challenges than ever, preparing graduates with skills for the most creative, meaningful work and a lifetime of learning.

“I find Hampshire’s model of education to be thrilling,” he said. “I have seen how it utterly transforms the lives of students, faculty, and staff.”

WESTFIELD — Vista Outdoor Inc. recently announced it completed the sale of the legal entity operating its Savage Arms and Stevens firearms brands to a financial buyer for a total purchase price of $170 million, comprised of $158 million paid at closing and $12 million to be paid upon maturity of a five-year seller note issued by the buyer to Vista Outdoor in connection with the transaction.

“Divesting our Savage brand was a key aspect of our transformation plan,” said Chris Metz, CEO of Vista Outdoor. “While it was a difficult decision to sell such an iconic brand, I remain confident that this was the correct choice to help Vista Outdoor grow in those categories where we can have leadership positions. Savage is a fantastic business, and it deserves to continue to evolve into other firearms categories. At this time, however, we simply do not have the resources to transform Savage into the full-service firearms company that it deserves to be, and, therefore, we determined the brand would be better off with a different owner. We’re excited to see Savage reach its full potential under new ownership.”

Savage was acquired by Vista Outdoor’s predecessor, ATK, in 2013. ATK’S sporting business — which included Savage, Bushnell, Federal, CCI Ammunition, and dozens of other hunt/shoot accessories brands, spun off in 2015 to become Vista Outdoor. 

“The Savage acquisition helped create Vista Outdoor, and we’re grateful for all the success the brand brought to our company over the past six years,” Metz said. “However, this divestiture now gives our ammunition brands flexibility to work with any industry partner to create the best products and meet our consumers’ needs.”

SPRINGFIELD — Freedom Credit Union announced the addition of Andrew Sullivan as commercial lending officer.

“Andrew brings a wealth of education and experience in business to his new role with the Freedom Credit Union team,” said Jeff Smith, vice president and chief lending officer. “He’s a native of West Springfield, and his knowledge of that area will directly benefit the customers of our newly opened branch there.”

As Commercial Lending Officer, Sullivan is responsible for working with new and current business owners on their lending needs and the range of services available to them at Freedom Credit Union. He previously served as a small-business lending officer and portfolio manager at Country Bank.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting/business and an MBA from Elms College. He is the founder of the Andrew Sullivan’s Swing for a Cure charity, a golf tournament that has raised more than $30,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

NORTHAMPTON — On Friday, July 19, the Northampton Jazz Festival will bring New Orleans vocalist Samirah Evans to the Pulaski Park stage in downtown Northampton as part of the Northampton Arts Council’s Summer Concert in the Park Series.

Opening DJ Ron Freshley will start off the event spinning jazz records, starting at 4 p.m. Isosceles Groove will lead off the set starting at 6 p.m. This jazz trio is made up of three high-school jazz musicians: Cameron Campbell on piano, Conway Campbell on bass, and Jacob Smith on drums. After their set, Isosceles Groove will then back Evans. It’s an example of Northampton Jazz Fest’s goal of providing opportunities to mentor young musicians and develop an appreciation for the uniquely American art form of jazz.

SPRINGFIELD — BusinessWest magazine is currently accepting nominations for its second annual Women of Impact, a recognition program launched in 2018 to honor a specific segment of the local population: women who are making an impact in and on this region. Nominees who score the highest in the eyes and minds of a panel of three independent judges will be honored at a luncheon on Thursday, Dec. 5 at the Sheraton Springfield.

‘Women of Impact’ was chosen as the name for the program because, while nominees can be from the world of business, they can also be from other realms, such as the nonprofit community, healthcare, public service, law enforcement, education, social work, the mentorship community, a combination of all these — any inspirational women on any level.

Last year’s inaugural class of honorees included Jean Canosa Albano, assistant director for Public Services, Springfield City Library; Kerry Dietz, owner and principal, Dietz & Co. Architects Inc.; Denise Jordan, executive director, Springfield Housing Authority; Gina Kos, executive director, Sunshine Village; Carol Leary, president, Bay Path University; Colleen Loveless, president and CEO, Revitalize Community Development Corp.; Janis Santos, executive director, HCS Head Start Inc.; and Katie Allan Zobel, president and CEO, Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts.

Nominations are due by Friday, Aug. 2. For guidelines to consider when nominating, and to submit a nomination, click here.

TommyCar Auto Group is the event’s presenting sponsor, Comcast Business is supporting sponsor, New Valley Bank & Trust is speaker sponsor, and WWLP-22 News/CW Springfield is media sponsor. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, call (413) 781-8600.

SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) board of trustees member and alumnus Jim Calhoun was recently honored as Coach of the Year at the ESPYs.

During his acceptance speech and in an article that appeared in AIC’s Lucent magazine in 2018, Calhoun cited the sudden death of his father when he was 15 years old as a challenging time in his life. As one of six children, he put his education on hold for two years, going to work as a stonecutter and taking other manual-labor jobs in order to help his family. Although disappointed because he wanted to play college basketball, the Braintree native credited the people around him, including his high-school principal, coach, and other mentors, for pushing him to enroll in college. 

Speaking with Lucent, Calhoun said Gayton Salvucci, who grew up in Quincy, was coaching football at AIC at the time and suggested Calhoun give AIC a look. According to Calhoun, “I did that, and it all worked out for me. I got another basketball scholarship, and I became team captain in my senior year.” He led the Yellow Jackets in scoring as a junior and senior. In 1966, he helped AIC achieve its first NCAA Division II playoff appearance.

In his ESPY Coach of the Year speech, Calhoun credited “the village around him” for his ability to pursue basketball, adding that “I have dedicated my life to doing for others what those folks did for me,” which allowed him to “reach out and help others” during his more than 40 years of college coaching, including 14 at Northeastern and 26 at the University of Connecticut, during which UConn won three NCAA Division I national championships; and enshrinement in the AIC Athletic Hall of Fame and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, both in 2005. Additionally, 31 of his players went on to careers in the NBA.

Now out of retirement and back in the game at age 77 with the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, Conn., he guided the Blue Jays to a 16-12 mark and GNAC championship-game appearance during the NCAA Division III men’s basketball team’s inaugural season before being honored as  Coach of the Year at the ESPYs.

To read the entire Lucent magazine “Back in the Game” article, visit aic.edu/lucent.

ENFIELD, Conn. — Super Saturday is planned for Aug. 10 at Asnuntuck Community College (ACC). Admissions, advising, financial aid, registration, and the cashier’s office will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and all services will be available on a walk-in basis. Advising for manufacturing programs and all continuing-education licensure and allied-health programs will also be available that day.

ACC’s advanced manufacturing technology program will also hold an open house on Aug. 10. Visitors can see the 27,000-square-foot Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center and learn what the program has to offer. Those who can’t make it that day may call (860) 253-3189 for more information or to arrange a tour.

Placement testing for math and English will be available that morning. SAT and ACT test scores may also be used for placement purposes. Those interested in participating in the Accuplacer placement testing need to pre-register. Testing will begin at 10 a.m. Call (860) 253-1200 to secure a spot. For additional placement-test information, visit www.asnuntuck.edu/admissions/placement.

Students who have not already completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are encouraged to do so. The FAFSA can be submitted online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The school code for ACC is 011150.

Follett’s ACC Bookstore will also be open that day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For those who can’t make it on Aug. 10, open registration is available every Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The college will be open for extended hours every Wednesday in August and on Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 26-27, until 6:30 p.m. Classes begin on Tuesday, Aug. 27.

SPRINGFIELD — The Live Well Springfield coalition will kick off its “Guess What I Did?” Role Model Campaign on Thursday, July 18 at 11:30 a.m. at Duryea Way Park on Stearns Street in Springfield.

The campaign highlights the power people have in making a difference in their community. Live Well Springfield believes systemic change cannot happen without the residents who are most impacted by the issues. Six role models from across the city have several years of advocacy experience and truly believe in the power of leading by example. Over the next year, the coalition will tell the story of their efforts to improve lighting, safe streets, and school food in Springfield.

The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness regarding the power and importance of having residents engaged in community-change initiatives. The coalition invites other residents to see themselves as the next role model by joining the coalition’s new Resident Advisory Council, which will work under the Live Well Springfield coalition on issues including climate justice, childhood obesity, age-friendly communities, safe routes to school, tobacco prevention, complete streets, and food justice.

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — People’s United Financial Inc., the holding company for People’s United Bank, N.A., announced an agreement to acquire United Financial Bancorp Inc., the holding company for United Bank, in a 100% stock transaction valued at approximately $759 million. Completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of regulatory approvals and the approval of United Financial Bancorp shareholders.

“We are excited to welcome United Bank to People’s United,” said Jack Barnes, chairman and CEO of People’s United Financial. “With the fourth-largest deposit market share in the combined Hartford and Springfield market, a complementary array of commercial and retail capabilities, and a shared legacy of community giving, United will solidify our presence in the Central Connecticut market and strengthen our franchise in Western Massachusetts.”

Added William Crawford, president and CEO of United Financial Bancorp, “People’s United Bank has long been a premier brand in Connecticut that is committed to building meaningful relationships with its customers and communities. We are confident their broad array of products and services, in-market knowledge, and the size and strength of their balance sheet will deliver enhanced value to our stakeholders.”

Established in 1858 and headquartered in Hartford, Conn., United Bank is a full-service community financial-services firm with $7.3 billion in assets. The bank has nearly 60 branch locations concentrated in Central Conn. and Western Mass., offering customers commercial, small-business, wealth-management, and consumer-banking products and services. 

Barnes noted that “we look forward to welcoming their well-established customer base and delivering to them our enhanced technology and digital capabilities, combined with our network of expert bankers.”

GREENFIELD — Melanson Heath announced the firm’s merger with longtime Nashua, N.H.-based accounting firm Seelye & Schulz PA CPAs. This merger aims to allow Seelye & Schulz PA CPAs and Melanson Heath professionals to continue to strengthen their position as a premier regional accounting, tax, and audit service provider.

Partners Paul Seelye and Anthony Engaldo have joined Melanson Heath along with their team. The combined firm will operate under the name Melanson Heath.

“Seelye & Schulz PA CPAs has had a successful 40-year history of providing clients with the very best service and advice. Merging with Melanson Heath will create new opportunities for our clients and staff,” said Seelye. “This merger will allow our team to provide a wider array of services to our clients. Melanson Heath is a perfect fit for us as they share in our values. They have exceeded all of our hopes for a firm to merge with and will allow us to continue to provide all of the services you need, while remaining small enough that you always feel welcome and at home.”

Scott Toothaker, managing principal of Melanson Heath, added that “Seelye & Schulz PA CPAs is a highly respected CPA firm in our area. Our objectives, goals, and ethical standards mirror one another. The combined firm will continue to offer a blend of professional expertise and personalized service. We are committed to meeting and exceeding the expectations of not only our clients, but also our dedicated employees, and the betterment of our communities as a whole. We are excited to have their team join ours, and to have Paul and Anthony join us as principals in the firm.”

HOLYOKE — Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. announced the promotion of Matthew Nash from senior associate to audit manager.

Nash began as an intern at MBK in 2011 and was hired as an accounting associate later that year. Since then, he has developed as an expert accountant, leading technical audit engagements and mentoring junior staff through his eight years with the firm. He has a dedicated approach to service and has demonstrated expertise in commercial, benefit-plan, and nonprofit audits, as well as review and compilation engagements. 

“It is rewarding to see a young professional begin their career with our firm and develop into a highly skilled accountant,” said MBK Managing Partner James Barrett. “Matt is a great example of what hard work and determination look like, and we are proud that his career has flourished under our roof. His technical expertise and leadership will be of great value to our clients and staff.”

Nash received his bachelor’s degree from Nichols College and his MBA from Elms College. He is a member of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and recently completed all sections of the CPA exam.

HOLYOKE — Registration is now open for the Holyoke Community College Foundation’s 32nd annual fundraising golf tournament on Monday, Sept. 9 at Springfield County Club in West Springfield.

Proceeds from the annual tournament will support student scholarships and academic-equipment purchases through the HCC Foundation, the nonprofit fundraising arm of Holyoke Community College.

The golf outing begins with an 11:30 a.m. buffet lunch followed by a 12:30 p.m. shotgun start. The $185 fee includes greens fees, golf cart, lunch, dinner, and refreshments on the course. After golf, participants can enjoy cocktails on the clubhouse porch with scenic views of the Pioneer Valley, followed by dinner and the opportunity to enter raffles and bid on dozens of items, including restaurant gift certificates, Red Sox memorabilia, wine baskets, golf outings, and more.

Over the past 31 years, the annual HCC Foundation Golf Classic has raised more than $500,000 for HCC scholarships and educational technology for HCC classrooms. 

Participants can arrange their own foursomes or sign up as singles. To register, visit www.hcc.edu/golf. Sponsorship opportunities are also still available.

AMHERST — CHD’s Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County recently welcomed Katie Lipsmeyer as manager of Development and Marketing.

“We are thrilled to welcome Katie Lipsmeyer to our team in this critical position,” said Jessie Cooley, director of Big Brothers Big Sisters. “Katie has been involved as an event volunteer, an advisory board member, and an ambassador of ours for several years now, and she has demonstrated a deep commitment to the mission of our organization. We know the development and marketing team will be in good hands with her in this role.”

Lipsmeyer’s professional background is in event planning and coordination, marketing and communications, entrepreneurship, and business development. She is currently the founder and owner of Camp Glow It Up and a fitness instructor at 50/50 Fitness/Nutrition in Hadley. In her new position at Big Brothers Big Sisters, she will lead the planning and coordination for annual fundraising events such as the Daffodil Run/Walk and the Northampton Winter Craft Fair, manage the marketing and social-media operations for the organization, and work with the leadership team to create innovative strategies for mentor recruitment and donor stewardship.

“Big Brothers Big Sisters is all about building a better community for ourselves and others,” Lipsmeyer said. “I am elated to broaden its reach and bring fresh energy and ideas to this well-established organization.”

SPRINGFIELD — Big Y Foods Inc. announced it will eliminate single-use plastic bags at the checkouts from its more than 80 supermarket and specialty store locations in Massachusetts and Connecticut on Aug. 1. The grocer will offer discounts on reusable bags through the month of August as customers transition away from plastic.

Big Y has been complying with single-use plastic-bag bans in several Massachusetts communities since 2014. Coming off of recent changes to laws in various towns across the New England region, Big Y has moved up its 2020 timeline to eliminate single-use plastic at checkouts in all of its locations in order to streamline operations and to do its part to support sustainability.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, more than 380 billion plastic bags are used in the U.S. each year. When not disposed of properly, this plastic can end up in waterways and forests, where it can harm wildlife and local communities. By removing single-use plastic bags at checkout and encouraging shoppers to use reusable bags for their groceries, Big Y and its customers can work together to make a difference, eliminating the 100 million plastic bags that were previously distributed each year from the grocer.

“At Big Y, beyond providing great quality, great prices, and great customer service, we also try to be smart about the resources and energy we use,” said Richard Bossie, senior vice president of Operations and Customer Experience. “By working with our shoppers, we can further reduce consumption to make a difference in and around the tight-knit communities that we serve across New England.”

For those shoppers who do not bring their own shopping bags, beginning in August, a ten-cent charge per paper bag will be added to their bill. This fee is in an effort to promote the use of reusable bags instead of paper bags, which also cause harm to the environment.

WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. — The Connecticut Airport Authority announced the launch of a new concession program at Bradley International Airport aimed at highlighting local specialty retail vendors and small businesses.

“We’re very thrilled to be launching this program,” said Kevin Dillon, executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority. “As we continue to increase the sense of place at Bradley, we’re excited to open the doors to local vendors and small businesses and to introduce our passengers to everything our region has to offer.”

To roll out the program, the area commonly known as the food court in Terminal A is currently being redesigned to incorporate a row of dedicated kiosk units aimed at creating a walk-through marketplace that will showcase the local and small businesses.

Vendors and small businesses will have the opportunity to have a presence in the terminal by operating their businesses from one of the dedicated kiosks on a fixed-term, rotating basis. With a pre-set venue and short-term leases, the program has been designed to make the Bradley International Airport passenger market more easily accessible for businesses in the region. 

It is anticipated that four kiosk units will be available for occupancy in 2019, with up to three additional units anticipated for availability in 2020. The first kiosks will be introduced this fall. Small businesses who sell specialty retail items or fully prepared, prepackaged food are invited to apply.

An informational session will be held on Wednesday, July 24. Click here for the call for applications and here for the application form.

CHICOPEE — To prepare professionals in a variety of fields to manage culturally complex healthcare issues, Elms College has established a new certificate in global health program to launch this September. Using global health as a critical lens, students in this certificate program will study how the global burden of disease affects populations locally, nationally, and abroad.

Led by faculty in biology, nursing, psychology, and social work, the certificate program emphasizes diverse frameworks for identifying, understanding, and developing interventions for global health issues. Students will focus on developing an adaptable, interdisciplinary skill set that can be applied to multiple contexts, including clinical nursing, healthcare administration, social work, community activism, education, and mental health.

Coursework will challenge students to engage with global-health case studies, using epidemiological analysis, biostatistics, social determinants of health, and healthcare-management strategies to deepen their expertise and knowledge of the health continuum. 

Establishing a strong foundation in the principles of global health can pave the way for many career paths, including community health program coordinator, health researcher, nurse educator specializing in population health or public health, manager of health promotion and disease-prevention programs, or manager of international healthcare planning and delivery programs.

The certificate in global health includes 12 academic credits, made up of four courses from four majors at Elms: social work, biomedical studies, psychology, and nursing healthcare management. A final capstone project gives students the opportunity to synthesize the coursework and reflect on how they will apply global-health principles to their careers.

With the asynchronous online format, the certificate program can be completed in as little as four 11-week semesters, taking place over one academic year. The online course structure also gives students the option to complete the program at their own pace. The program can be started in either the fall or spring semester. 

Prospective students are encouraged to contact Cynthia Dakin, director of MSN programs at Elms, at (413) 265-2455 or [email protected] for more information.

SPRINGFIELD — Nominations for the third annual class of Healthcare Heroes are due today, July 12 by 5 p.m. Individuals and organizations making an impact in Western Mass. may be nominated in seven different categories: Patient/Resident/Client Care Provider, Health/Wellness Administrator/Administration, Emerging Leader, Community Health, Innovation in Health/Wellness, Collaboration in Health/Wellness, and Lifetime Achievement.

In the spring of 2017, BusinessWest and its sister publication, HCN, created the Healthcare Heroes recognition program. It was launched with the theory that there are heroes working all across this region’s wide, deep, and all-important healthcare sector, and that there was no shortage of fascinating stories to tell and individuals and groups to honor.

Event sponsors include presenting sponsor American International College, partnering sponsors Development Associates and Comcast Business, and supporting sponsor Elms College. To nominate a Healthcare Hero for the class of 2019, click here.

WESTFIELD — Miller Dyer Spears (MDS) has been chosen as the architectural firm to design Westfield State University’s (WSU) $40 million, multi-year Parenzo Hall renovation project.

Following a request for proposals set forth by the Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM), the Massachusetts Designer Selection Board (an autonomous, 11-member board) reviewed and selected Boston-based MDS from three finalists among more than 20 applicants.

“As we observed through the site visit and fuller assessment process, MDS demonstrated innovative strategies to leverage space to meet the vision of the project. We were particularly impressed with the quality of sub-consultants proposed for the project and the firm’s background with state projects and construction-management projects,” said WSU Vice President for Administration and Finance Stephen Taksar.

Westfield State received $21.25 million in state funding last year for the renovation of Parenzo Hall, the university’s oldest building, which opened in 1956. Nearly matching the state’s $21.25 million investment, WSU will invest approximately $20 million of university funds into the project.

“The dated but highly utilized building will be transformed into a state-of-the-art hub for student success and workforce development,” said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Diane Prusank. “The renovations will create two new centers — the Center for Innovation in Education and Industry Partnerships and the Center for Student Success and Engagement. In addition to benefiting Westfield State students, the centers will have far-reaching impact beyond the university’s physical campus.”

Parenzo Hall’s Center for Innovation in Education and Industry Partnerships will leverage technology to serve as the nexus for innovative collaboration in Western Mass., partnering with K-12 school districts, community colleges, and industry partners. It will teach students and community partners how to engage productively in online-hybrid environments that increase flexibility for students, facilitate co-enrollment, expand course choices, and provide a bridge to employment.

The Center for Student Success and Engagement will address the student-outcomes goals of WSU’s Vision Project (increasing retention and graduation rates, and reducing the achievement gap). The project will also address the continuing decline in the number of working-age adults. The center will increase student preparation for advanced learning and support exploration of career pathways in elementary and high schools to prepare them for on-the-job training. New and in-demand certificate programs, as well as advanced study options, will be offered to its business partners, utilizing technology.

In addition to the centers, several academic departments will be located in the renovated facility, including Education and Political Science. The state-of-the-art technology and flexible learning spaces will provide enhanced opportunities to better prepare students for a complex, changing environment.

“Parenzo Hall has served as an important campus building since Westfield State’s founding,” said MDS Principal James Loftus. “This project will modernize the aging facility and create new environments that will help students thrive on campus and beyond. It is an honor to work with Westfield State and DCAMM to craft improvements that advance their vision for innovation and contribute to student success.”

The project’s space-utilization study portion is nearly complete, and an anticipated groundbreaking is expected in early 2021.

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) announced the appointment of Aimee Dalenta as chair of the Early Childhood Education Department and Nancy Ward as Early Education and Care Pathways grant and activity director.

Among Dalenta’s roles is to oversee STCC’s new child development associate (CDA) plus certificate of completion program, which is designed for early-childhood educators and school paraprofessionals who want to get their CDA credential and earn college credit at the same time.

“I believe that this CDA certificate has the potential to be a game changer for early-childhood professionals in the Greater Springfield area,” Dalenta said. “We will be offering seasoned professionals in the field, along with those entering the profession, the opportunity to elevate their credentials in a zero- or low-cost way. The program is a win-win for all involved.”

Dalenta, a professional in the field of education for 14 years, has held roles as a classroom teacher, owned and operated her own preschool, and served as an educational consultant. She has worked at the college level for six years, training future teachers to succeed in the classroom. She will earn a doctorate in education from American International College in August. She received her bachelor’s degree in education from Springfield College and master’s degree in education from Western New England University.

In her new role, Ward will help launch STCC’s new child development associate (CDA) plus certificate of completion program. She has worked in the field of early education and care since 1987, when she began working as a resource developer at New England Farm Workers’ Council’s voucher child-care program. She became the director of the program in 1989 and continued in that role for 14 years.

Ward also worked in the Early Childhood Department at the Collaborative for Educational Services for 15 years, in a variety of positions supporting the professional development of early educators. She holds a master’s of education degree in curriculum and instruction with a specialization in literacy from Lesley University in Cambridge. She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education at UMass Amherst.

SPRINGFIELD — On June 18, members of MP CPAs participated in the Children’s Study Home Charity Bowling Fundraiser, which was held at Shaker Bowl in East Longmeadow. The benefit was put on to raise funds for the educational needs of children and families associated with the Children’s Study Home.

The total funds raised this year eclipsed the $4,000 mark, which exceeded organizers’ expectations. MP CPAs and LLumin Inc. were the two sponsors of the event. All proceeds from the event will be used to further benefit the Children’s Study Home’s charitable purpose.

SPRINGFIELD — Nine months after MGM Springfield’s opening, the UMass research team gathered at the UMass Center at Springfield to present preliminary information about the social and economic impacts of the casino.

In 2013, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission engaged a research team at UMass Amherst to conduct a comprehensive, multi-year study called Social and Economic Impacts of Gambling in Massachusetts (SEIGMA) to understand the impacts of expanded gaming in Massachusetts. The study established baselines for all social and economic variables that may be affected by expanded gaming, and the team now collects, analyzes, and reports each year to identify the actual impacts in the casino host and surrounding communities, providing key information to policymakers.

On May 15, more than 35 people, largely from the Springfield area, were on hand as the SEIGMA team showcased their latest analysis of Springfield and surrounding communities, including their work on the Massachusetts Gambling Impact Cohort study. 

The SEIGMA study is believed to be the first of its kind in the world in terms of establishing a baseline prior to the development of casinos and its comprehensiveness.

Rachel Volberg, principal investigator on the two major studies, led the team’s sixth Public Research Day, with researchers presenting findings on the socioeconomic characteristics and gambling behaviors of the casino host and surrounding communities in the state, gambling behaviors across Massachusetts, and future plans for the team’s research.

“I’ve lived here [in Massachusetts] for many years, and I love it. If I can help this state and my community through the research we conduct, then that’s a great place to start,” Volberg said. “There are not many places in the world that have set out from the very beginning to establish essentially a monitoring system to understand the impacts of expanded gambling within a jurisdiction and then use that information to try to minimize and mitigate those impacts to the best of our collective abilities.”

Information showed that Springfield has the largest population, along with the highest poverty and unemployment rates, of the three host communities, and showed that the city has more at-risk and problem gamblers. The research team intends to further examine whether these indicators have changed since the opening of MGM Springfield in their next Targeted Population Survey of Springfield this fall.

The study’s two other executive team members, Robert Williams from the University of Lethbridge and Mark Melnik from UMass Donahue Institute, were also on hand, explaining the team’s work and numerous data-collection efforts being conducted as MGM Springfield nears the one-year anniversary of its opening.

“It’s the strongest team I’ve ever worked with,” Williams said. “I’ve been involved with many large-scale gambling projects over the last 25 years, and the quality of this team is impressive, as every single team member is an expert in their area.”

Added Melnik, “it’s rare to have an instance where an industry just appears where it hadn’t been before. That’s exactly what we have here when we’re studying casinos in Massachusetts. The state itself had the forethought to say, ‘hey, here’s an industry that’s controversial. People are excited about it because of what it may mean for job creation. On the other hand, they’re also concerned about some of the social problems that may come. How can we track this and better understand it?’”

May’s Public Research Day in Springfield provided the UMass Amherst researchers the opportunity to get real feedback and questions about their preliminary information, helping to guide them for future reports and surveys.

“This was a new format for us,” Volberg said. “This is the first time we had the opportunity to move off campus and come to the community where the casino is actually operating. The goal is to provide information to people who will hopefully be able to use that information to help their community here in Springfield.”

Added Williams, “this is meaningful work. We want to make sure the general public is aware of what we’re doing, what the findings are, and give us feedback in terms of what they would like studied. It’s more interactive, to get the message out and elicit feedback.”

HOLYOKE — Tom Senecal, president and CEO of PeoplesBank, announced four appointments: Amy Roberts to senior vice president and chief Human Resources officer, Steven Gardner to assistant vice president and East Longmeadow Banking Center manager, Jacquelyn Guzie to assistant vice president and regional manager for First Suffield Bank (a division of PeoplesBank), and Nicole Stevenson to West Springfield Banking Center manager.

Roberts oversees all human-resources and employee-engagement activities for 325 employees spread over 21 banking centers and three additional locations under development in Massachusetts and Connecticut. She leads a team that is responsible for talent recruitment and development, HR compliance, benefits, employee relations, compensation management, and HR-related associate communication. She has extensive experience in leadership development and coaching, change management, performance improvement, organizational learning and development, and employee engagement, as well as more than 20 years of experience serving in leadership positions in human resources.

“We were lucky to attract a person with Amy’s experience to our executive leadership team,” Senecal said. “With her previous experience at a large retail organization that has an employee base similar to ours, we know that Amy is the right person to build our team of associates to serve our current needs as well as future aspirations.”

Roberts holds a master’s degree in human resource development from American International College and a bachelor’s degree in communications from Bridgewater State University. She has also earned certificates in leadership development and succession planning, talent development and retention, and human capital management principles from the Human Capital Institute.

Roberts’ volunteer service includes serving as a board member for the Center for Human Development, the United Way of Hampshire County, Leadership Pioneer Valley, and the STCC Foundation, as well as serving as an advisory board member for Big Brothers Big Sisters and a Read Aloud volunteer for Link to Libraries.

In his new position, Gardner oversees and manages all aspects of a full-service banking center, including staffing, sales, lending, operations, business development, and community relations. He has 18 years of financial-services and banking experience.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Westfield State University and an associate degree in retail management from Holyoke Community College. He serves as vice president of the East Longmeadow Rotary Club, is a member of the ERC5 and West of the River chambers of commerce, and is a volunteer for Revitalize CDC and Junior Achievement.

In her new position, Guzie is responsible for assisting in the growth of relationships for the Connecticut region. She has 20 years of banking experience.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and an associate degree in business administration from the New England College of Business and Finance. She has served as treasurer of Suffield Chamber of Commerce and president of Suffield Rotary Club, is a member of the Asnuntuck Community College Foundation, and has volunteered for Suffield on the Green, the Suffield Business Showcase, and the Suffield Volunteer Ambulance Assoc.

In her new position, Stevenson oversees and manages all aspects of the West Springfield banking center, including staffing, sales, operations, business development, and community relations. She will also ensure that the banking center exceeds service and sales goals, provides excellent customer service, operates according to all bank policies and procedures, and serves as a leader within the community. She has 10 years of banking experience.

She holds an associate degree in business administration and management from Holyoke Community College. Her volunteer service includes serving as a committee member for the West Springfield St Patrick’s Day, Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade, and the Agawam St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. She also served as booth chair for Credit for Life Springfield and is a Big Sister for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampden County, second vice president of the Safe Deposit Group of Western Mass., financial group volunteer for Rays of Hope, and a volunteer for Rebuilding Together. She is a member of the finance group for JDRF, the Irish Cultural Center of Western New England, and the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield.

HOLYOKE — The Valley Blue Sox game on Sunday, July 14 against the Vermont Mountaineers will be Military Appreciation Night, presented by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The gates will open at 4:05 p.m., with the first pitch scheduled for 5:05 p.m.

All veterans and active military personnel will be admitted free with one guest at Sunday’s game with valid identification. In addition, throughout the game, the team will honor servicemen and women who have fought for their country. Veterans Affairs will also be present behind the home-plate area to provide more information about the services they provide. Blue Sox players and staff also visited with veterans at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Leeds on July 10. 

Veterans Affairs has been a supporter of the Valley Blue Sox since the team’s inception in 2008.

Military nonprofit organizations seeking tickets for Sunday’s game should contact the Blue Sox at [email protected].

SPRINGFIELD — Nominations for the third annual class of Healthcare Heroes are due this Friday, July 12. Individuals and organizations making an impact in Western Mass. may be nominated in seven different categories: Patient/Resident/Client Care Provider, Health/Wellness Administrator/Administration, Emerging Leader, Community Health, Innovation in Health/Wellness, Collaboration in Health/Wellness, and Lifetime Achievement.

In the spring of 2017, BusinessWest and its sister publication, HCN, created the Healthcare Heroes recognition program. It was launched with the theory that there are heroes working all across this region’s wide, deep, and all-important healthcare sector, and that there was no shortage of fascinating stories to tell and individuals and groups to honor.

Event sponsors include presenting sponsor American International College, partnering sponsors Development Associates and Comcast Business, and supporting sponsor Elms College. To nominate a Healthcare Hero for the class of 2019, click here.

BOSTON — Employer confidence stabilized in Massachusetts during June despite a continued swirl of conflicting economic and political signals around the globe.

The Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) Business Confidence Index rose 0.5 points to 57.6 last month, rebounding from a May drop that left it at its lowest level since October 2016.

The Index has declined 3.7 points since June 2018 but remains within optimistic territory. And though confidence levels are virtually unchanged since January, the AIM Index reflects constantly changing headlines about international trade, economic growth, and the direction of interest rates.

“We’re seeing confidence go up one month and down the next in the same way that financial markets have been whipsawed by almost daily changes in the economic outlook,” said Raymond Torto, chair of AIM’s Board of Economic Advisors and lecturer at Harvard Graduate School of Design. “Employers remain concerned about the prospect of an economic slowdown but were encouraged at the end of June by larger-than-expected job growth numbers, signs of a thaw in the U.S./China trade battle, and signals that the Federal Reserve might ease interest rates.”

Tariffs continue to influence employer confidence. One AIM member reported seeing “cost increases for construction materials due to the effect of tariffs. This is creating some uncertainty in the pricing of new construction projects.”

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

Constituent indicators were mixed during June. The Massachusetts Index assessing business conditions within the Commonwealth rose 0.3 points to 61.2, while the U.S. Index rose 3 points to 58.0. The Massachusetts reading has declined 1.6 points during the past 12 months, and the U.S. reading has dropped 2.0 points during the same period.

The Future Index, measuring expectations for six months out, rose 0.2 points to 56.2. The Current Index, which assesses overall business conditions at the time of the survey, gained 0.8 points to 59.0, 4.5 points lower than a year ago. The Employment Index declined 0.4 points for the month and 2.2 percent for 12 months. Analysts say employers continue to struggle to find qualified workers in a state economy with a 2.9% jobless rate.

Non-manufacturers (60.1) were more confident than manufacturers (54.4), who have seen their confidence levels drop 8.1% since June 2018. Large companies (59.0) were more confident than small companies (58.4) or medium-sized companies (55.6). Companies in Eastern Mass. (58.5) continued to be more optimistic than those in Western Mass. (56.3).

AIM President and CEO John Regan, also a BEA member, said Gov. Charlie Baker and the Massachusetts Legislature have made several decisions recently that boosted employer confidence. Those decisions included postponing the start of contributions for paid family leave and allowing the MassHealth assessment to lapse as scheduled in December.

“Employers have been encouraged by the willingness of state policymakers to meet businesses halfway on some of these complex issues,” Regan said. “Our hope is that lawmakers will continue this mindful approach to the economy.”

AMHERST — State Sen. Jo Comerford and state Rep. Mindy Domb announced they will host Department of Higher Education Commissioner Carlos Santiago for a regional conversation on the topic of preventing and addressing the impact of college closures. The event will take place on Friday, July 26 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the town meeting room at Amherst Town Hall, 4 Boltwood Ave., Amherst.

This event is an opportunity for community members to learn about the governor’s proposal for preventing closures and share questions, concerns, insights, and recommendations with the commissioner.

“Rep. Domb and I represent districts whose communities have deep relationships with higher-education institutions,” Comerford said. “What’s true, therefore, is that any talk of preventing or addressing college closures must take the impact on our communities into consideration. I look forward to our constituents having the opportunity to join in this conversation with Commissioner Santiago, bringing their concerns, questions, and ideas.”

Added Domb, “Senator Comerford and I have partnered on the issue of college closures since taking office, and I’m excited that our constituents will have this opportunity to meet with the commissioner. I greatly appreciate Commissioner Santiago’s willingness to meet and discuss these issues in Amherst, his openness to clarify the governor’s proposal, and his commitment to understand the effect closures have not only on students, but also the significant impact they have on Massachusetts residents, communities, and local economies. I am looking forward to a meaningful discussion.”

The conversation will be interactive, and concerned individuals who are not able to attend in person can submit questions and comments for the commissioner by using the hashtag #askDHE on Twitter. Additionally, in an effort to make the event as accessible as possible, Comerford and Domb will also live-stream the event from their Facebook pages and take questions via those Facebook feeds as well.

“I’m delighted to have the opportunity to visit Amherst and share thoughts on the proposed regulations,” Santiago said. “Massachusetts will continue to see major shifts in the higher-education landscape, most notably due to demographic changes. Our goal is to adopt a more proactive regulatory stance in order to protect students from the devastating impact of sudden college closures.”

SPRINGFIELD — Lauryn Picknelly, a fourth-generation Picknelly, recently joined the family business, Peter Pan Bus Lines, as assistant controller.

She graduated magna cum laude from Providence College with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance. She then worked for a year in Hartford at Deloitte before joining the family business.

SPRINGFIELD — Bulkley Richardson announced the launch of CyberSafe, a series of cybersecurity events and written alerts to provide critical information to businesses and organizations on topics of cybersecurity.

How will the soon-to-be implemented California Consumer Privacy Act impact businesses in Massachusetts? What are the safeguards to put in place to minimize damage caused by a data breach? What are your obligations under new Massachusetts laws? How does the General Data Protection Regulation affect your business? These topics — and more — will be covered in the first event, when Jim Duda and Lauren Ostberg, attorneys in Bulkley Richardson’s cybersecurity practice, team up with Chris Wisneski, IT Security and Assurance Services manager at Whittlesey, on Monday, July 15 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Bulkley Richardson’s office in Springfield. Following the program will be a networking reception. Registration is required by e-mailing [email protected].

The CyberSafe series will meet quarterly to cover topics on preparation, assessment, implementation, and response to help attendees understand their legal obligations, safeguards to stay protected, and what to do in the event of a breach.

MONSON — Monson Savings Bank announced that Darlene Mark has joined the bank as vice president and commercial loan officer, and David Babine has come on board as the bank’s newest mortgage loan originator.

Formerly with Country Bank, Mark has been in banking for 20 years. Her entire banking career has been spent in commercial lending as a credit analyst, portfolio manager, and presently as a commercial loan officer. She has a bachelor’s degree and MBA in business administration from Western New England University and is also a graduate of the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the University of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts School for Financial Studies at Babson College. Actively involved in the community, she is a finance committee member of Ludlow Boys and Girls Club and volunteers for Junior Achievement.

“We are thrilled to have Darlene join our team,” said Steve Lowell, president of Monson Savings Bank. “Her experience, perspective, and ability to develop trusted relationships will be of tremendous value to our business customers.”

Babine brings close to 20 years of experience in banking, many of those in residential lending. He is a graduate of Westfield State College with a bachelor’s degree in communications. He also obtained a master’s degree in education psychology and an advanced graduate degree in guidance counseling from the American International College. He has spent some time as a school counselor at various local high schools and volunteered as a local athletic coach.

“We are extremely pleased to have David join us,” Lowell said. “He has a wealth of knowledge and is completely dedicated to customer service and our communities, which is certainly the right fit for our team.”

NORTHAMPTON — July marks the publication of the premiere issue of Different Leaf magazine, a journal of cannabis culture. Targeted to readers 45 and over, Different Leaf’s editorial content covers the rapidly evolving cannabis industry in Massachusetts and makes it accessible for consumers who are new to cannabis and those looking for new ways to integrate it into their lives.

Launching with a quarterly publication schedule, regular features in Different Leaf will include “Merch + More,” a roundup of cannabis products from Massachusetts and beyond including smoking accessories, THC and CBD products, and books. The back of the book contains practical, educational information on using cannabis for health and wellness, cooking, nutrition, fitness, sexuality, pets, and more.

Features will look in depth at innovators in the industry, medical news, and social and cultural issues surrounding the legalization of cannabis. The premiere issue’s features include a profile of legendary cannabis activist and Harvard professor Lester Grinspoon, an exploration of equity and social justice in the cannabis industry told through interviews with entrepreneurs looking to open stores, and a visit to 3Jane, a secretive crypto-anarchist computer bulletin board for cannabis growers in Vermont who are confronting their own transition to a legal market.

“For those of us who have the experience of purchasing cannabis flower from someone operating in the traditional market, generally we had to accept what was offered. Interacting with and understanding the hundreds of legal products on sale in the typical dispensary can be an overwhelming experience,” said Michael Kusek, founder and publisher. “When I had the idea to start a cannabis magazine, I gravitated toward a gap existing in cannabis media and set out to create a guide for those of us who have limited or no experience and are looking for quality, well-researched information on the full spectrum of adult and medical uses for cannabis.”

Different Leaf will depart from the more traditional publishing model of posting text-based content online and will instead launch a companion podcast series with the October issue. The podcast will expand on the topics in the print magazine and delve into issues and stories that don’t mesh with a print publication timetable. A calendar of events that tie into the print publication is also planned.

Kusek founded the award-winning arts and culture magazine Take, published from 2014 to 2017. The bulk of his creative team of designers, writers, photographers, and illustrators who created Take will also be on the team creating this new publication.

Different Leaf will publish quarterly and will be available at Massachusetts dispensaries, independent book stores, natural food stores, and boutiques, as well as by subscription. More information is available at www.differentleaf.com.

LENOX — DeVries Fine Art International announced it will celebrate sculptor Andrew DeVries’ 40th career anniversary with a reception on Saturday, August 10 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the DeVries Fine Art International Gallery, 62 Church St., Lenox, with picnic fare and art both inside the gallery and outside on the grounds. Rosie Porter and Tommy LeBeau will provide music.

The gallery features original bronze sculptures, pastel paintings, and watercolors by the artist. New for this year is an educational room that gives a detailed description of the lost-wax process Devries uses, with a video and examples of different works in progress.

DeVries began his career in Colorado by drawing dancers at the Ballet Denver Academy in 1978. Encouraged to try his hand at sculpture by the artistic director of the ballet company, he began to model figures in clay and wax. He went on to learn the lost-wax process under Lee Schenkeir and mold making under Raelee Frazier. In 1979, he cast and finished his first works in bronze. In 1984, he left for Europe, traveling to different museums in a period of self-study. Andrew entered the Paris – American Academy of Fine Arts for an academic year, then to the U.S. in the summer of 1985, settling in the small Berkshire hilltown of Middlefield, where he maintains his atelier and casting studio. His sculptures are in public and private collections worldwide. He and his wife, gallery Director Patricia Purdy, established DeVries Fine Art International in 2002.