NORTHAMPTON — On Saturday, June 29 from noon to 4 p.m., six award-winning historic-preservation homes will be open to the public. Tickets are necessary for admission and are available at the Cooley Dickinson Hospital Gift Shop, Cooper’s Corner, State Street Fruit Store, and downtown at Essentials and the Baker’s Pin. Tickets cost $25, and will also be available the day of the event at the CDH Gift Shop.

Friends of Cooley Dickinson is a group of volunteers dedicated to supporting the hospital through fundraising, advocacy, and ambassadorship. Its goal is to make a difference in the health of the community. The Northampton Historical Commission has been designating historic-preservation awards since 1975, recognizing projects that have contributed to the historic character of the city of Northampton and raised awareness about the importance of historic preservation.

The collaborative event includes a tour of the following homes: 41 Lyman Road (award year: 2007), 30 Munroe St. (1996), 302 Elm St. (2018), 78 North Elm St. (2000), 62 Chestnut St. (2003), and 123 Meadow St. (2002).

SPRINGFIELD — MassMutual announced that Gareth Ross has been named head of the new Enterprise Technology and Experience (ETX) organization, which is responsible for all of the company’s internal and external technology and digital efforts, as well as direct-to-consumer marketing efforts. Industry leaders Arthur Riel and Jim Routh have also joined MassMutual and the ETX organization as head of Core Technology & Initiatives and head of Enterprise Information Risk Management, respectively.

“Gareth brings a distinct combination of strategic vision and proven ability to build and lead top teams to this expanded role,” said Roger Crandall, MassMutual chairman, president, and CEO. “I am confident that Gareth and his strong leadership team will continue to develop superior technology and digital solutions to deliver a seamless experience to our policyowners, customers, distribution partners, and employees.”

Since joining MassMutual in 2008, Ross has held various leadership roles, beginning in Corporate Finance and Strategy, heading up the company’s distribution strategy team within the insurance business, and establishing MassMutual’s direct-to-consumer business and industry-leading data-science capabilities. Under Ross’ direction, MassMutual has invested in data science over the past six years, establishing an in-house data-science group that creates knowledge and builds services from data that enable enterprise-wide data-driven decision making through science and applied research.

Prior to MassMutual, Ross held financial-planning, management-consulting, and business-analyst roles with Capmark Financial, General Motors, the New York Treasurer’s office, the Coca-Cola (Japan) Co., the World Bank, Fidelity Investments, and Deloitte Consulting.

Riel has been named head of Core Technology & Initiatives, a newly created role that oversees the prioritization and delivery of strategic technology projects across the company, as well as internal and external information-systems applications, platforms, and infrastructure. 

Riel brings more than 30 years of experience in system and application design and technology delivery to MassMutual, as well as an exceptional track record in developing and executing complex business and technology strategies. He has worked in senior technology-management roles at various organizations, including Moody’s, NYSE EuroNext, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley. Most recently, he served as chief Enterprise architect and chief Information officer of Finance IT for the World Bank.

Riel also founded two technology companies in the areas of computer-science training and compliance-technology solutions, has taught hundreds of courses in both academic and industry environments, and authored several research papers.

Routh has been appointed head of Enterprise Information Risk Management. In this role, he will drive a holistic information risk-management approach across the company, with a focus on managing cybersecurity risks, ensuring all cybersecurity-related regulatory and compliance requirements are met, and overseeing the safeguarding of MassMutual’s information assets.

Routh is a well-known visionary and recognized leader in the cybersecurity industry who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience and a demonstrated track record for delivering security capabilities that drive business results. Most recently, he served as chief Information Security officer (CISO) for CVS Health, where he led the security integration for CVS Health in the acquisition of Aetna and developed a three-year plan for achieving enterprise level resilience. Prior to that, he served as CISO for Aetna, global head of Application and Mobile Security at JP Morgan Chase, and CISO at KPMG, the Depository Trust & Clearing Corp., and American Express.

Routh is a former board and committee chairman of the Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center and the former chairman of the Health Information Sharing and Analysis Center. He received the 2017 Evanta Breakaway Leadership Award and the 2016 ISE Luminary Award among many other awards and honors throughout his career.

“I’m excited to welcome some of the nation’s leading tech talent to MassMutual and our ETX leadership team,” said Ross. “Arthur’s entrepreneurial mindset and proven ability to lead major initiatives and Jim’s reputation as a thoughtful and innovative leader who builds exceptional and diverse teams will be invaluable as we work to establish and drive MassMutual’s vision for all of our technology and digital efforts.”

SPRINGFIELD — Representatives of manufacturing companies in Western Mass. will host a workforce-development discussion on Monday, June 10 at Springfield Technical Community College featuring U.S. Rep. Richard Neal as keynote speaker.

The event, scheduled for 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on the seventh floor of Scibelli Hall at STCC, will feature panel discussions on workforce development and how to do business with defense contractors. Recruiters from General Dynamics in Pittsfield will be on hand to talk to any STCC students or graduates about careers at their company.

Members of the Western Mass. chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Assoc., a group that promotes the precision-manufacturing industry, can attend for free. There is a $10 fee for non-members to cover expenses. A continental breakfast will be served.

To register, visit www.eventbrite.com and search for ‘WMNTMA’ or ‘STCC.’

NORTHAMPTON — Melody Edwards, owner of Renew Window Cleaning, was selected by the Italian Trade Agency to attend the Pulire Trade Show as a U.S. delegate and honored guest. The show, the largest professional cleaning-industry trade show in Italy, was held last month at the Veronafiere Exhibition Centre in Verona.

Edwards was chosen for her creativity and professionalism during her 25-year involvement with the industry, and for her passion for promoting women in this often-male-driven industry. The event was sponsored by the Italian government and organized to give U.S. companies the opportunity to network and meet with leading Italian manufacturers. There were 300 exhibitors and over 17,000 visitors.

Edwards was raised in the Pioneer Valley, and after graduating high school, she started cleaning windows to save money for a trip to Europe. During that trip, her plans to visit Italy fell through. Now, 25 years later, she was able to go. Among the highlights of this trip was “interacting with delegates from other countries,” she said, noting that she was joined by delegates from South Africa, Morocco, Egypt, Canada, and Turkey. “And I got to give input on product development. I love giving input. I made contacts and connections. It was Italy — how could it not be fun?”

FLORENCE — In 2011, it seemed a leukemia diagnosis was the worst thing that could happen to Gayle Bradley’s grandson. But in 2015, after four years of remission, the then-10-year-old Luke Bradley relapsed and also contracted bacterial meningitis.

Luke spent six weeks in intensive care, suffered seizures, and barely survived the damage to his ventricles and brain. Luke spent 15 months living in a hospital and recovered slowly. Now, he is in remission once again, and just completed his freshman year of high school. Clearly impacted by the trauma of Luke’s illness, his family founded a nonprofit, called LukeStronger Inc., to offer financial relief to other families with a child battling cancer.

“We were blessed to have so many people help us as we went through this fight, so this foundation is our way of giving back,” Gayle Bradley said.

In May, the LukeStronger fund received a $500 boost after Gayle Bradley was named one of 11 Florence Bank Community Champions. As part of its Community Champions Sweepstakes program, the bank offered each of the 11 champions a $500 grant to be donated to a nonprofit of their choice.

Bradley chose LukeStronger; all funds raised by the organization this year will support the family of 3-year-old Surai Gomez, who is battling high-risk neuroblastoma. Bradley was nominated for the Community Champion award by Florence Bank customer Jessica Randall of Granby.

In all, 218 nominations were cast at Florence Bank’s 11 branches for 11 champions, and Florence Bank granted a total of $5,500 to 11 nonprofits in Hampshire and Hampden counties, and beyond.

As part of the sweepstakes, customers in each branch were invited to cast one vote in their neighborhood branch for a person in their community who goes above and beyond to ensure that residents are safe, healthy, and happy. Voting took place from April 15 through May 6. Winners were selected at random from all the nominees in each branch. The winners had the privilege of selecting an area nonprofit to receive a $500 grant.

Bradley was nominated in the Granby branch. The following are the other 10 branch champions and the nonprofits they chose to support with the $500 grant: Springfield: Myles Callender, Revitalize Community Development Corp.; West Springfield: Allen Howard, Shriners Hospitals for Children – Springfield; Belchertown: Jim Phaneuf, the Jimmy Fund; Amherst: Naz Mohamed, who split the award evenly between Amherst Community Connections, Amherst Survival Center, and the Sojourner Truth School for Social Change Leadership; Hadley, Gary Glenn, Newman Catholic Center at UMass Amherst; King Street, Northampton: Jane Lyons, Friends of Children; downtown Northampton: Diane Porcella, Northampton Neighbors; Easthampton: Robin Bialecki, Easthampton Community Center; Florence: Jacob Fine, Pioneer Valley Workers Center; and Williamsburg: Sue Labrie, Goshen Firefighters Assoc.

Labrie was the champion recognized by the Williamsburg branch, where she received nearly 30 different nominations. The grant to the Goshen Firefighters Assoc. will support ongoing efforts, including fire-safety education, a topic she is passionate about.

Labrie began teaching fire-safety lessons through the SAFE (Student Awareness of Fire Education) program more than 20 years ago to students at the old Goshen Center School. Over the years, she expanded the program so that children from preschool through grade 6 at New Hingham Regional Elementary School, serving Goshen and Chesterfield, can receive fire- and life-safety education five times throughout each school year. She also teaches fire- and life-safety lessons to Goshen’s senior citizens.

This January, her efforts were credited by a family in Goshen with saving their lives. With temperatures in the teens, Jess and Phil Judd of Goshen put their knowledge to work when a fire in their home blazed out of control. The Judds, with their four young sons, were awakened by smoke alarms and escaped their burning home with only the clothes on their backs.

Firefighters said the family’s quick response was due to them having a prepared family home-escape plan that helped them get out in a matter of minutes. Labrie believed that, if the home did not have working smoke alarms, the headlines would have been tragic.

“The Judds’ story really impacted me and the Goshen Fire Department not only because they’re a family we know and love, but because sometimes you just don’t know if you truly reach people when teaching these programs,” Labrie said. “Houses can be replaced; people can’t. This is why we teach children as young as preschool and keep reinforcing the messages and skills throughout elementary school.”

LUDLOW — U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is investing $3.1 million in the town of Ludlow to help support of the growth of local manufacturing by improving Riverside Drive. The project, to be matched with $3.1 million in local funds, is located in a Tax Cuts and Jobs Act-designated Opportunity Zone and is expected to create more than 950 jobs and generate more than $90.6 million in private investment.

“Improving Riverside Drive will support the needs of larger commercial and industrial users, which require reliable water and sanitary sewer systems, as well as electric and communication services, to be competitive in the regional and global economy,” Ross said. “The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Opportunity Zone designation will further incentives businesses to invest in the area and develop the local economy.”

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal noted that the investment will bring the Riverside Drive project at Ludlow Mills one step closer to completion. “I have visited the site many times and know how important this federal investment is to the town of Ludlow. The transformation of the former mill on the Chicopee River has been impressive, and I am pleased to have been an enthusiastic supporter of this business and housing venture from the start.”

The Riverside Drive improvement project will include construction of approximately 4,500 feet of public roadway, including water and sewer lines and underground utilities, to provide safe and adequate access to new manufacturing space within Ludlow’s industrial area.

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC). EDA funds the PVPC to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic -development road map to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment, and create jobs.

AMHERST — On Monday, June 10, all Bueno y Sano locations in Western Mass. will be fundraising for CHD’s Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County. On that day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., 50% of all sales at Bueno y Sano in Amherst, Northampton, Springfield, and West Springfield will be donated back to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County. This includes dine-in orders, take-out, and Bueno gift cards. Last year, the Bueno Day event raised over $7,000 for youth-mentoring programs, and the goal is to exceed that amount this year.

“We are so grateful to Bob Lowry and the entire team at Bueno y Sano for their enthusiastic support of Big Brothers Big Sisters,” said Jessie Cooley, director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County. “Bob has been a big brother with our program three times, giving so much of his time and energy to the young people in our community. Now, with Bueno Day to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters, Bob is giving back even more and ensuring that more children in our region can be matched with awesome mentors like him.”

HOLYOKE — On Friday, June 14, the United Arc will hold an open house from 10 a.m. to noon at its Holyoke Positive Parenting Center, 208 Race St., Suite 2, Holyoke.

The United Arc invites the public to join legislators, partners, and community members for a conversation on inclusion, choice, and independence, featuring stories of parents, their families, and advocates in Hampden County and beyond.

The only program of its kind in Massachusetts, Positive Parenting was developed for parents who have intellectual disabilities, learning differences, or cognitive challenges. The United Arc Positive Parenting program provides training and support for these parents.

Many people assume parents with disabilities lack the capacity to parent their children. This discrimination has sometimes resulted in children being separated from their parents. The United Arc has been instrumental in the movement to demonstrate that parents with these challenges are capable of parenting, especially when they are offered training and support.

The United Arc opened its Holyoke Positive Parenting Center in November 2015. Beginning in 1998, the program was originally based out of the United Arc’s office in Franklin County. The need for Positive Parenting surpassed this geographic region and soon expanded. Today, the United Arc provides Positive Parenting supports east into Worcester County as well as Springfield. In addition to the Positive Parenting program, the United Arc offers a wide array of services for adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

Founded in 1951, the United Arc supports people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities in achieving the universal goals of inclusion, choice, and independence. The organization provides services to individuals and their families in Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden, and Worcester counties.

SPRINGFIELD — In the spring of 2017, BusinessWest and its sister publication, HCN, created a new and exciting recognition program called Healthcare Heroes.

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. Two years later, that theory has been validated, and stories that needed to be told have been told.

But there are hundreds, perhaps thousands of heroes who stories we still need to tell. And that’s where you come in.

Nominations for the class of 2019 are due July 12, and we encourage you to get involved and help recognize someone you consider to be a hero in the community we call Western Mass. in one (or more) of these seven 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.

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, click here.

BOSTON — Solidifying its reputation as a world-class research and innovation leader, UMass ranks 37th on the “Top 100 Worldwide Universities Granted U.S. Patents in 2018” list released by the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) and the Intellectual Property Owners Assoc. (IPO).

This is the sixth consecutive year UMass has landed on the prestigious list, and the university rose eight places in this year’s rankings. With 58 patents awarded in calendar year 2018, UMass ranks first among public universities in New England, third overall in New England, and 30th overall in the U.S.

“These rankings reflect the significance and the entrepreneurial opportunity of the research enterprise at UMass,” President Marty Meehan said. “Every day, our renowned faculty are unlocking new discoveries and creating new intellectual property with the possibility of creating new products and companies right here in Massachusetts.”

In addition to patent awards, UMass filed 203 invention disclosures, executed 32 licensing deals, and launched eight startup companies in fiscal year 2018. 

“These 58 patents, and the jump in our ranking, are an excellent indicator of the strength of our entrepreneurial activity,” said Katie Stebbins, vice president for Economic Development in the UMass President’s Office. “What these numbers show is that UMass is one of the best in the world at developing world-class research and delivering it to the marketplace.”

UMass is the fourth-largest research university in New England, with more than $650 million in annual research and development. 

Founded in 2010, the NAI is a nonprofit organization of universities and governmental and nonprofit research institutions with more than 4,000 members. The IPO is a trade association of owners of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets founded in 1972.

The NAI and IPO have published the “Top 100 Worldwide Universities Granted U.S. Patents” report annually since 2013. Rankings are compiled by calculating the number of utility patents granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, which list a university as the first assignee on the issued patent.

The University of Massachusetts also ranked 71st on the Reuters list of the “World’s Most Innovative Universities.” The Reuters ranking highlights the educational institutions doing the most to “advance science, invent new technologies, and help drive the global economy.”

BOSTON — Employer confidence weakened in Massachusetts during May amid renewed trade tensions and concerns among companies about increased operating costs from paid family leave and other government mandates.

The outlook among business leaders has moved in a narrow, overall optimistic range for much of 2019. However, the Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) Business Confidence Index lost 3.2 points last month to 57.1, its lowest level since October 2016. The Index has declined 9.5 points since May 2018.

All the constituent indicators that make up the BCI weakened during May, with the largest drop coming in employer views of conditions six months from now. The erosion of confidence during the past 12 months has been driven largely by caution about the national economy and concern among manufacturing companies.

“The Business Confidence Index continues to reflect the Goldilocks economy in which we find ourselves — U.S. GDP growth is expected to remain at a modest level of 2% to 3%, and there is not much inflation or deflation. There are both encouraging signs and red flags,” said Raymond Torto, chair of AIM’s Board of Economic Advisors (BEA) and lecturer at Harvard Graduate School of Design.

Several employers participating in the survey said regulatory costs have become a significant concern. “The cost to operate has increased dramatically — higher wages, benefit costs, supply costs, and cost of compliance with all the new regulations coming out of the State House,” one employer wrote.

Constituent indicators showed a broad-based retrenchment during May. The Massachusetts Index assessing business conditions within the commonwealth fell 2.3 points to 60.9, while the U.S. Index shed 3.3 points to 55.0. The Massachusetts reading has declined 9.1 points during the past 12 months, and the U.S. reading has dropped 14.3 points during the same period.

The Future Index, measuring expectations for six months out, tumbled 4.5 points to 56.0. The Current Index, which assesses overall business conditions at the time of the survey, lost 1.8 points to 58.2, 8.4 points lower than a year ago. The Employment Index declined 1.2 points for the month and 5.1 percent for 12 months. Analysts say employers continue to struggle to find qualified workers in a state economy with a 2.9% jobless rate.

AIM President and CEO John Regan, also a BEA member, said the national economic uncertainty comes at a time when Massachusetts employers are struggling with a series of expensive new employment-law mandates such as the state’s $1 billion paid family and medical leave program.

“AIM has joined Raise Up Massachusetts and other groups in asking the Baker administration to delay the scheduled July 1 start of paid leave by three months to provide employers time to consider how much of the cost they will share with workers and whether they wish to opt out of the state system,” Regan said. “The delay is necessary to ensure a smooth rollout of this new entitlement.”

SPRINGFIELD — Dr. Robert Roose has been named chief medical officer for Mercy Medical Center. In this position, Roose provides clinical leadership and administrative direction in developing and attaining strategic and operating objectives related to medical practice and patient care at Mercy Medical Center and its affiliates. He also serves as a liaison between administration and the medical staff, and provides leadership in advancing quality initiatives, clinical care, patient satisfaction, and provider and colleague engagement.

Roose joined the Mercy team in 2013, first serving as chief medical officer of Addiction and Recovery Services at Providence Behavioral Health Hospital (PBHH), and later as vice president of Behavioral Health for Mercy Medical Center and its affiliates. His many accomplishments include spearheading the expansion of opioid-treatment programs and championing the creation of the clinical-stabilization service at PBHH. He most recently served in the regional role of chief of Addiction Medicine & Recovery Services for Trinity Health Of New England and has been participating in the Trinity Health Strategic Leadership Program with selected leaders from around the nation.

In addition to his clinical responsibilities, Roose has served on the Quality Improvement Council of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, the Clinical Issues Advisory Council and Substance Use Disorder Prevention and Treatment Task Force of the Massachusetts Hospital Assoc., and Gov. Charlie Baker’s Opioid Addiction Working Group. He has presented and published on various aspects of addiction treatment, and has been a prominent community leader and spokesperson on efforts throughout the region to address the opioid epidemic.

Roose earned his doctor of medicine and master in public health degrees at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington D.C. and completed his residency training in Family Medicine at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, N.Y.

“In addition to his clinical expertise and proven leadership skills, Dr. Roose always demonstrates empathy and compassion in his dealings with patients and colleagues,” said Mark Fulco, president of Mercy Medical Center and its affiliates. “He is a valuable resource to the individuals we serve, our health ministry, and the local community.”

NORTHAMPTON — On Thursday, June 13, the Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival Committee will present donations totaling $30,000 to two local organizations that support Pioneer Valley residents with mental-health conditions. Forum House, a program of Viability Inc., and River Valley Counseling Center will each receive a check for their diligent work making the Scottish Festival a success in 2018.

The checks will be presented on at 5:30 p.m. at the Holyoke Council on Aging, 291 Pine St., Holyoke. This will be a celebratory event featuring agency and local leadership and agency members. Light refreshments will be served.

For the past 26 years, the Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival has brought Scottish culture, music, athletic games, and goods to the Pioneer Valley, but the festival does much more than that. The festival organizers have been dedicated to supporting local nonprofit organizations, and have donated more than $230,000 from festival proceeds over the festival’s 26 years as a nonprofit organization.

This year’s festival will take place on Saturday, July 20 at Look Park in Northampton. The festival will feature pipe bands, athletics, dancers, and Celtic rock bands. Forum House and River Valley Counseling Center will again be beneficiaries of proceeds.

When Kevin Kennedy took over as Springfield’s chief Development officer after a lengthy stint as aide to U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, the city was in a much different place — a much darker place.

It was only a year or so removed from being in receivership and only a few months into the complex, and quite overwhelming, task of rebuilding after a tornado roared through the heart of the city. The casino era was just beginning, and no one really dared dream that one might be built in Springfield. No one had ever heard of a Chinese company called CRRC, and the city’s downtown was, for the most part, living in the past.

Flash forward nearly eight years, and Springfield is a much different, much brighter, much more vibrant place, with a billion-dollar casino and, overall, more than $4 billion in new development over the past several years.

Kennedy, who announced Monday that he will be retiring late this summer, didn’t do it all by himself, obviously. But he set a tone, an aggressive tone, a set-the-bar-higher-than-most-people-would-dare tone.

And it has produced results. MGM is the most obvious example, but there are many others, including Union Station (a project Kennedy worked on for more than 25 years), progress on creating much-needed market-rate housing, growth of the entertainment district, and the start of work to redevelop the so-called ‘blast zone.’

At the press conference to announce Kennedy’s retirement, Mayor Domenic Sarno described him as a “nuts and bolts guy,” and that’s a fairly apt characterization. He knew how to bring a project from the starting line to the finish line, and that’s exactly what the city needed at this critical stage in its history.

It was said that he knew how to get things done, and during his tenure, he proved that repeatedly.

These will be big shoes to fill.

SPRINGFIELD — Home City Development Inc. (HCDI) is celebrating completed renovations of 136 units (60 homes) scattered throughout the Bay and Upper Hill neighborhoods of Springfield. The ribbon cutting will take place on Thursday, June 6 from 10 a.m. to noon at Gunn Square Park in Springfield.

Politicians, funders, and partners will attend to speak and join in the celebration, and a home will be open for tours. This project, named E. Henry Twiggs Estates, was completed in two phases over two years.

“This $40 million, 136-unit investment is named after our longtime city counselor, Mr. E. Henry Twiggs, and includes the renovation of 34 apartments first built by Mr. Twiggs over 30 years ago,” said Tom Kegelman, executive director of HCDI. “The completion of these renovations also caps 50 years of work by Home City, helping to stabilize rental properties in the Mason Square neighborhood and the Greater Springfield area.”

The goal of the event is two-fold — to serve as a celebration of the completed renovations, and to honor Twiggs for his 50-plus years of civil service in these neighborhoods and beyond.

Primarily consisting of two- and three-family homes, this project provides modern amenities in an affordable setting for households earning a wide range of incomes. Along with local jobs, more than $50 million in local spending, and increased property taxes, these professionally managed properties will make significant contributions to the Springfield economy.

SPRINGFIELD — Training & Workforce Options (TWO) helped obtain grants to train workers at Savage Arms in Westfield and Conklin Office Furniture in Holyoke.

In March, the Baker-Polito administration announced the awarding of $7.48 million in Workforce Training Fund Program grants that will fund training for almost 6,000 workers and is expected to create more than 1,100 new jobs in the Commonwealth over the next two years.

The awarded grants included $238,485 for customized training for 67 workers at Savage Arms and $48,820 to train 72 workers at Conklin Office Furniture.

The training at Savage Arms will help workers learn to operate computer numerical control (CNC) machines. The grant also includes training in English as a second language. The company expects to add 54 new jobs by 2021.

The grant for Conklin Office Furniture will pay for the training of 72 workers in a range of skills, from customer service and team building to sales and leadership.

“We are thrilled to help area companies provide training for their employees’ professional growth,” said Tracye Whitfield, director of Business Development at TWO, adding that “TWO assisted the businesses in writing the grants and will offer customized training for the employees.” 

The Workforce Training Fund, a program of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, is administered by Commonwealth Corp., a quasi-public state agency that fosters partnerships between industry, education, and workforce organizations.

The Workforce Training Fund provides general program grants ranging from $10,000 to $250,000 to companies in Massachusetts to pay for employee training over a two-year period. Grant recipients contribute a matching investment of at least one dollar for each grant dollar awarded, with wages paid to trainees during training hours included in that investment.

To learn more about how TWO can help your business, contact Whitfield at (413) 221-4443 or [email protected].

SPRINGFIELD — The Valley Blue Sox have announced their promotional schedule for the 2019 season. The schedule features unique promotions for all 22 Blue Sox home games, beginning with the home opener presented by the Isenberg School of Management on Saturday, June 8.

Ticket prices will remain steady with the 2018 season. Admission will be $7 for adults and $5 for children (12 and under), seniors (55 and over), and military personnel with valid ID.

“The organization is really excited about the upcoming promotional schedule,” Blue Sox General Manager Chris Weyant said. “We’ve introduced some fresh promotions such as Wrestling Night and our water-bottle giveaway, while keeping staples such as Military Appreciation Night, Seat Cushion Giveaway Night, and more.”

The season kicks off with a championship pennant giveaway on June 8, commemorating the 2018 Valley Blue Sox and their NECBL championship.

Saturday, June 29 will feature a Blue Sox hat giveaway, presented by Westfield Bank. The Blue Sox will also honor those who have served and continue to serve our country as part of Military Appreciation Night, presented by Veterans Affairs, on Sunday, July 14.

July brings a number of exciting promotions to Mackenzie Stadium. Star Wars Night takes place on Saturday, July 20, including an appearance by stormtroopers. The first 200 fans age 12 and under will receive a free lightsaber.

On Thursday, July 25, the Blue Sox welcome UMass Athletics to Mackenzie Stadium. In attendance will be the UMass men’s hockey team, which reached its first national championship game in the program’s history. Also in attendance will be the UMass football team, and new head coach Walt Bell. The athletes will be signing autographs on the concourse during the game.

In addition to the promotional evenings, the Blue Sox will be honoring youth baseball and softball programs from throughout the Pioneer Valley on specific game nights. For more information on these nights, contact your local baseball or softball program.

SPRINGFIELD — Baystate Medical Center has been awarded $3,949,912 in grant funding from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) in a competitive program designed to sustain the Commonwealth’s competitive edge in advancing human health.

“This support will expand our capacity to perform efficient and compliant clinical trials by building a Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) at Baystate Medical Center, speed medical advances, and make novel treatments available to our diverse patient population. We are grateful to MLSC, our legislators, the Governor and the citizens of the Commonwealth for this investment in the future of biomedical research in Western Massachusetts,” said Dr. Peter Friedmann, chief Research officer for Baystate Health and associate dean for Research at UMass Medical School – Baystate.

“For Baystate Health and our UMass Medical School – Baystate, it is an opportunity to increase access to innovative treatments for the patients and communities we serve, engage faculty and staff in impactful clinical research, expand collaborations with academic and industry partners, and improve the productivity and efficiency with which we conduct clinical trials,” he added.

Baystate is among 11 hospitals, colleges, and other institutions to receive a total of $30.95 million in capital-grant funding to support the state’s global leadership in the life-sciences sector. There were 45 applications. The funding, provided through the MLSC’s Competitive Capital Program, is designed to support advances in human health, accelerate innovation in the areas of clinical and translational research, and expand the capacity of life-sciences development and job growth across the Commonwealth.

The MLSC’s Competitive Capital Program invests capital dollars through a competitive process in high-potential economic-development projects that promise to make significant contributions to the state’s life-sciences ecosystem. The program aims to address funding gaps in capital dollars, industry support, and federal funding for educational institutions, incubators, research institutions, and workforce-training programs, while also catalyzing private and philanthropic investment to match state investment and preparing the life-sciences workforce of the future.

“The grant will expand local capacity to perform clinical trials of new innovations in digital health and medical devices right here in Springfield,” said state Sen. Eric Lesser, who worked to pass the Massachusetts Life Sciences Bill, which funded this grant program, as chairman of the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies.

“We know that Massachusetts is a national leader in the health sciences,” he went on, “and Western Massachusetts is no exception, with new research happening at places like the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and advances in treatment happening regularly at Baystate Medical Center, which makes this new partnership so exciting. This will benefit the entire Massachusetts life-sciences system and keep Western Massachusetts on the map in this critical and growing field.”

HOLYOKE — Enchanted Circle Theater announced that Executive/Artistic Director Priscilla Kane Hellweg has been named a finalist for the 2019 Leadership Excellence Award by the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network.

Hellweg, a master teaching artist, is being recognized for growing Enchanted Circle during her 39-year tenure from a fledgling educational theater company into an award-winning pioneer of arts integration that engages, enhances, and inspires learning through the arts. The Leadership Excellence Award recognizes a nonprofit chief or senior executive who has an extraordinary record of organizational results and exemplifies strategic vision, passion, integrity, innovation, perseverance, and a collaborative spirit. 

Nonprofit Awareness Day highlights the work of the nonprofit sector and raises awareness of important causes throughout Massachusetts. During the ceremony, Nonprofit Excellence Awards will be presented to one finalist in each of the following six categories: Advocacy, Collaboration, Innovation, Leadership, Small Nonprofit, and Young Professional. The ceremony will take place today, June 3, at the Massachusetts State House.

SPRINGFIELD — The Valley Blue Sox announced that Shriners Hospitals for Children will serve as the presenting sponsor of the 2019 Blue Sox Youth Baseball Clinics. This year marks Shriners’ second season partnering with the Blue Sox to present the team’s youth clinics.

Blue Sox coaches and players will provide hitting, pitching, and fielding instruction to participants ages 6-13 from 9 a.m. to noon daily. The registration fee for each four-day session is $100. Athletic trainers will be on hand, provided by Shriners.

All children participating in the clinics will receive a pair of free tickets to Blue Sox Clinic Night on Saturday, July 20 courtesy of Shriners Hospitals for Children, where they will have the opportunity to take the field with the Valley Blue Sox during pregame ceremonies.

The first session will be held July 8-11 at Mackenzie Stadium, 500 Beech St., Holyoke. Interested participants can visit www.valleybluesox.com for information on how to register.

The second session will be held July 15-18 at Burnham Field in the Spec Pond Recreation Area, 2540 Boston Post Road, Wilbraham. Interested participants can register by visiting www.wilbrahamrec.com.

Participating children should bring their glove, a water bottle, and bat and helmet (if able). Ideal attire includes a cap, baseball pants, and cleats or athletic sneakers. Questions about this year’s clinics can be directed to the Valley Blue Sox by e-mail at [email protected].

SPRINGFIELD — Michael Ostrowski, president and CEO of Arrha Credit Union, announced the appointment of a new board member, Ryan Barry, attorney at Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas, LLP in Springfield.

“Attorney Barry embodies the spirit of the community credit-union mission and brings years of experience, talent, expertise, and energy to the table,” Ostrowski said. “We are very fortunate to have Ryan join our board.”

Barry practices primarily in the areas of business law, health law, construction law, and higher-education law. He also leads the firm’s Craft Brew and Distilleries practice group. He has a bachelor’s degree from Colorado College and a juris doctor from Northeastern University School of Law.

EASTHAMPTON — Hogan Technology, a leading managed-technology-services provider, announced that it now offers SD-WAN as a service to its small to mid-sized business customers (SMBs).

SD-WAN is a leading technology; according to research firm Gartner, “by the end of 2019, 30% of enterprises will deploy SD-WAN technology in their branches.” The reason for the technology’s rise in popularity is due to its simultaneous capacities to increase productivity within an organization while also reducing the total cost of ownership.

SD-WAN is an acronym for software-defined networking in a wide-area network (WAN). SD-WAN simplifies the management and operation of a WAN by separating the networking hardware from its control mechanism. This concept is similar to how software-defined networking implements virtualization technology to improve data-center management and operation. A key application of SD-WAN is to allow companies to build higher-performance WANs using lower-cost and commercially available internet access, enabling businesses to partially or wholly replace more expensive private WAN connection technologies such as multi-protocol label switching. SMBs that need to scale up or scale down quickly, or need to run multiple remote offices or would like greater visibility into their networks, can benefit greatly from this technology.

“The organizations that we work with are always looking for these kinds of breakthroughs,” said Sean Hogan, president of Hogan Technology. “SD-WAN enables an unprecedented level of flexibility, and in today’s volatile marketplace, the ability to scale up or down is simply a must-have.”

HOLYOKE — Ross Webber and Grinnell Insurance and Webber and Grinnell Employee Benefits are moving their offices down the street from 150 Lower Westfield Road to 98 Lower Westfield Road, Holyoke. The third-floor office suite located above Pier One has recently been remodeled to accommodate the transition.

“Our team is very excited about our new space,” said Bill Grinnell, president of the agency. “It has wonderful natural light and a very contemporary feel. It also gives us enough space to continue to grow the agency, and, being at the crossroads of I-91 and I-90, it’s an easily accessible location for our clients. We’ll continue our office hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.”

Webber and Grinnell purchased Ross Insurance in May 2018 and moved its employee-benefits company to the Holyoke location last November.

WESTFIELD — The Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its 60th anniversary on Thursday, June 13 at the Ranch Golf Club in Southwick.

The chamber, which was incorporated in 1959, will begin the celebration at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail hour, then enjoy specialty food and carving stations. After dinner, a program will include a quick journey down memory lane, as well as a look at where the chamber is now and what the future holds. The chief greeter will be Barbara Braem-Jensen, who holds a lifetime, honorary membership with the chamber. She will be greeting all guests with a special commemorative gift.

While the office has many old records and scrapbooks, if anyone has the infamous Spark Plug jacket or any other chamber memorabilia and/or photos, they are asked to call the office at (413) 568-1618. To preserve history, a keepsake program booklet is being published to give businesses an opportunity to showcase their companies with an ad. Call (413) 568-1618 to place an ad.

The sponsors for the event include diamond event sponsor Mestek Inc.; gold sponsors Berkshire Bank and United Bank; bronze sponsors Arrha Credit Union and Rehab Resolutions; dessert sponsor G.I.L.T.E. Bakery Service; and pin sponsors Adform Interiors and Andrew Grant Diamond Center.

For sponsorships and tickets, visit www.westfieldbiz.org or call the chamber at (413) 568-1618. The chamber is giving a $100 gift certificate to Andrew Grant Diamond Center for every two tickets purchased.

SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) takes pride in celebrating leaders in the LGBTQ movement. Whether revered for their artistic talents, athletic prowess, political activism and public service, medicine, the sciences, education, or other fields of endeavor, they have all contributed to championing equal rights for the LGBTQ community.

Beginning June 1, AIC will recognize many of the pioneers, activists, and role models who have advanced the LGBTQ movement each day on the college’s official Facebook and Twitter pages. 

The month of June has long been associated with LGBTQ pride celebrations in the U.S. and other parts of the world. In 2009, President Obama issued a proclamation establishing June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots and promote equal justice for all. A decade earlier, President Clinton recognized the 30th anniversary of this social uprising.

“A hallmark of American International College is the value we place on diversity. It is one of our greatest strengths,” said President Vince Maniaci. “While a college education includes academic and intellectual growth, it must also foster the development of personal and emotional intelligence. Being culturally diverse leads to deeper discussions and increased awareness. The college is proud of our LGBTQ students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners and commend them for making AIC an integral part of the ever-evolving educational fabric of higher education.”

Visit AIC online at www.aic.edu, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/americaninternationalcollege, or on Twitter @aiconcampus throughout the month of June to celebrate those who have helped to shape the world.

SPRINGFIELD — Dress for Success Western Massachusetts will host a clothing tag sale this weekend at the Eastfield Mall to raise funds and awareness of its mission of helping women achieve their goal of creating a better life. Women may choose from an extensive array of work-suitable clothing, shoes, accessories, and more.

These new and gently used items include selections from name-brand fashion houses such as Anne Klein, Evan Picone, Ellen Tracy, and many more. Customers can fill a shopping bag for only $25.

There is an abundance of clothing, so items in the tag sale will be restocked throughout the three days. The dates and times are: Friday, May 31, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, June 1, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, June 2, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The event will be held near the food court in the Eastfield Mall at 1655 Boston Road, Springfield, where Dress for Success maintains a boutique managed by Sally Rueli. All proceeds will benefit Dress for Success Western Massachusetts. Volunteers are needed for the event. If you are interested, e-mail [email protected].

SPRINGFIELD — In the spring of 2017, BusinessWest and its sister publication, HCN, created a new and exciting recognition program called Healthcare Heroes.

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. Two years later, that theory has been validated, and stories that needed to be told have been told.

But there are hundreds, perhaps thousands of heroes who stories we still need to tell. And that’s where you come in.

Nominations for the class of 2019 are due July 12, and we encourage you to get involved and help recognize someone you consider to be a hero in the community we call Western Mass. in one (or more) of these seven 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.

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, click here.

GREENFIELD — Michael Tucker, president and CEO of Greenfield Cooperative Bank (GCB), announced that the board of directors has approved the promotions of Brandon Lively to executive vice president, Information Systems, and Anthony Worden to executive vice president and senior commercial loan officer.

Lively has more than 22 years of banking experience and joined GCB in 1999. He is responsible for the bank’s electronic banking department, information systems, and online security, as well as managing the staff that handle these areas. He received his associate degree in information systems from Greenfield Community College and is a graduate of numerous systems-related programs and certificates. He has been active with the United Way allocations panels and several other groups.

Worden has more than 20 years of experience in commercial lending and has been with GCB since 2008. His focus is managing the bank’s commercial lending arm. GCB provides financing for equipment, working capital, and commercial mortgages for small to mid-sized businesses primarily in Franklin and Hampshire counties. Worden earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration and his MBA from UMass Amherst, and also graduated from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the University of Pennsylvania in 2017. He is active with the town of Greenfield Cable Advisory Committee and the Turners Falls Downtown Working Group.

EAST LONGMEADOW — For many professionals, retirement is the golden carrot that looms at the end of a long career. But what happens next? On Monday, June 3, Bay Path University will host “Your Third Act: What’s Next?”

This three-hour interactive session, presented by Carla Oleska of Carla Oleska & Co., and Laurie Cirillo, executive director of Career Services at Bay Path University, will focus on how to share your experience, wisdom, and joy as you craft your next purposeful life adventure.

This session, presented by Strategic Alliances at Bay Path University and Johnson & Hill Staffing, in partnership with the Bay Path University Advisory Council, begins at 6 p.m. at Bay Path University’s Philip H. Ryan Health Science Center, 1 Denslow Road, East Longmeadow.

Tickets to this session include dinner and are available now. To sign up for this session or to learn more, visit baypath.edu/careertransitionseries.

SPRINGFIELD — Bulkley Richardson announced a new series consisting of events, written alerts, and related resources from professionals for professionals within Massachusetts’ cannabis industry.

The launch event will be held on Tuesday, June 18 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Bulkley Richardson’s offices located at 1500 Main St., Springfield. The firm will welcome Tina Sbrega, president and CEO of GFA Federal Credit Union, the first financial institution in the state to serve recreational marijuana companies. She will cover the regulatory hurdles to banking in the cannabis industry, what services are available, how to apply for an account, and how to be a compliant ‘bank customer.’

Restricted by federal laws from opening bank accounts in federally insured financial institutions, legal cannabis businesses are forced to conduct all transactions in cash. Recognizing the risks a cash-based business poses for public safety, Sbrega and the GFA Federal Credit Union board created a subsidiary to bring a turnkey banking service to the Massachusetts and New Hampshire cannabis industry.

“We envision a forum where stakeholders in the cannabis industry, including lawyers, accountants, bankers, investors, insurance agents, consultants, and other professionals, can discuss the evolving cannabis landscape, share information, and work in unison to assist business growth,” said Kathy Bernardo, partner at Bulkley Richardson.

Added Scott Foster, another partner at Bulkley Richardson, “our cannabis team continued to see the need for a resource like this, where professionals within the industry can get accurate information, share lessons learned, and collaborate. Having significant clients in the cannabis space, we are on top of the legal considerations of doing business in Massachusetts, and it made good sense to bring in other business professionals to share their expertise. Tina Sbrega is the perfect example. She is helping to blaze a trail for cannabis companies in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and I expect her perspective from the banking industry to be quite insightful.”

Lunch will be served. Registration is required. To sign up, e-mail [email protected].

HOLYOKE — During her lifetime, Elaine Marieb donated more than $1.5 million to Holyoke Community College (HCC) in large and small amounts she once described as “tokens of gratitude” to the institution where she earned her nursing degree and taught biology for 24 years.

Even after her death in December, Marieb’s generosity continues. HCC is the beneficiary of a $1 million legacy gift Marieb set up as part of her estate plan, money earmarked for HCC programs that support non-traditional-age students.

The gift was officially announced on May 28 at HCC’s monthly board of trustees meeting, followed by the presentation of a $1 million ceremonial check.

“This is incredible. We are so thrilled and grateful,” said Amanda Sbriscia, HCC vice president of Institutional Advancement and executive director of the HCC Foundation, the college’s nonprofit fundraising corporation, which will invest and administer the funds. “This gift will significantly enhance our efforts to support adult students and adult women at HCC.”

This was Marieb’s second $1 million donation to HCC. The first came in 2014 to support construction of the college’s Center for Health Education and Center for Life Sciences. Over the years, her other donations helped establish scholarships, science labs, an endowed faculty chair, and the Elaine Marieb New Pathways Center, a computer room and study area for students in New Directions and Pathways, two support programs that were particularly meaningful to Marieb that will benefit from this new $1 million gift.

“This is very exciting for us, and it’s wonderful going into the next academic year knowing we’ve got new dollars to support some of the initiatives we’ve highlighted as growth opportunities in our strategic plan,” said HCC President Christina Royal.

Marieb was herself a non-traditional college student. A native of Northampton, Marieb earned a bachelor’s degree from Westfield State College in 1964 when she was 28 years old. After that, she received a master’s degree from Mount Holyoke College and a Ph.D. in zoology from UMass. She was hired as a professor of biology at HCC in 1969.

She started writing textbooks on anatomy and physiology to address complaints from her nursing students that the materials then available were ineffective. She enrolled in HCC’s Nursing program to inform her writing, graduating with her associate degree in 1980. She retired in 1983 to devote herself to writing, becoming the author or co-author of more than 10 best-selling textbooks and laboratory manuals in anatomy and physiology.

Though she moved to Sarasota, Fla., she made annual trips to HCC and always visited the Marieb Center to talk to students.

“I can’t believe how fortunate I am to be part of something like this,” said Irma Medina, coordinator of HCC’s Pathways Program, which helps non-traditional students prepare for and transfer to selective four-year colleges. “For her to bestow that kind of generosity … I just hope we can reach more and do more.”

AMHERST — UMass Amherst alumnus Paul Manning and his wife, Diane Manning, have committed $1 million through their family foundation to establish the Manning Innovation Program, which provides three years of support in advancing a robust and sustainable pipeline of applied and translational research projects from UMass Amherst. It will allow the university’s College of Natural Sciences (CNS) to support bold, promising researchers, providing resources for them to innovate in new directions and to develop real-world applications for their discoveries.

The initiative will provide assistance to researchers and business students across campus through the critical early stages on the path to commercialization, such as ideation, proof of concept, and business development. Faculty will receive seed funding and engage in business training and mentorship from a number of campus units, including the Institute for Applied Life Sciences, the College of Natural Sciences, the Berthiaume Center for Entrepreneurship, and the Isenberg School of Management. 

“UMass Amherst researchers are working on some of the most important issues of our day,” said Paul Manning, who earned a bachelor’s degree in microbiology in 1977. “I couldn’t think of a better place to invest in a cutting-edge model — bringing science and business together — that can bring solutions to more people, faster.”

Added CNS Dean Tricia Serio, “we are deeply grateful to the Mannings for their generous support of our mission to move the great science accomplished at UMass Amherst into the real world. By cultivating and mentoring high-achieving scientists and pairing them with business-minded collaborators, this program has the potential to change industries — and lives.”

The first grant to be awarded from the Manning Innovation Program will support research on a topic that hits close to home for the Manning family, Stargardt disease. Both of the Mannings’ sons, Bradford and Bryan, have the disease, which causes loss of central vision. Currently, there is no treatment to delay or cure the disease. The two Manning brothers now run a clothing line called Two Blind Brothers, and they donate all of its proceeds directly to blindness research.

Abigail Jensen, associate professor of Biology, will use a $40,000 grant to support her research on Stargardt disease and possible therapies using zebrafish. Her research seeks to identify how the disease works on a molecular level. Development of zebrafish with therapeutic mutations subverting Stargardt disease at the genetic level provides the first opportunity to discover the molecular mechanism of cone-photoreceptor degeneration and potential pathways for translation of research to therapeutic applications.

In keeping with the university’s core values, the Manning Innovation Program will stimulate, recognize, and reward innovation. It will foster a culture of entrepreneurship in the college and enhance the spirit of collaboration among Isenberg School of Management advisors, science and technology researchers, and industry experts. Further, the Manning Foundation’s gift provides vital investment to support UMass as a partner of choice in advancing and applying knowledge and innovation for the betterment of society.

“The Manning Innovation Program provides much-needed support to enable the development of groundbreaking research from UMass towards product candidates, prototypes, and translational technology,” said Peter Reinhart, founding director of the Institute for Applied Life Sciences. “It will allow CNS to provide a revolutionary educational opportunity for the next generation of scientists and business leaders to experience the power of interdisciplinary applied research.”

Tom Moliterno, interim dean of Isenberg School of Management, added that the program “creates a new way of harnessing great ideas and cultivating them into applicable solutions. By bringing together the greatest minds in science and business, we will be able to tackle larger challenges. I’m excited to see what this new program yields — and I’m hopeful for the patents, products, and solutions that will be born out of it.”

The next wave in the application process for the Manning Innovation Program will result in a new round of applications being submitted by July 15. The review committee will notify recipients at the end of August, and the next round of projects could begin in September.

Paul Manning, an entrepreneur with 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry, most recently founded PBM Capital Group in 2010. PBM Capital is a healthcare-focused private investment group that looks for opportunities to use its entrepreneurial and operational experience to make high-growth pharmaceutical, molecular-diagnostic, gene-therapy, life-science, health/wellness, and consumer product investments. He was the anchor investor in Maroon Venture Partners, the first venture-capital fund at UMass Amherst. Created in 2017, the fund is a $6 million, for-profit investment vehicle created to support alumni, faculty, and student businesses in their early stages. 

HOLYOKE — They call leadership succession “the final act of greatness.” That’s because it’s not easy.

Whether you’re in the middle of transition or it’s a few years away, a Family Business Center of Pioneer Valley workshop on Friday, May 31 will help you clarify the thoughts and feelings you’re experiencing, whether you’re passing or receiving the baton.

Being laser-focused and a fast decision maker are traits shared by many good business leaders. When going through a major transition, however, these strengths can become problematic. In this interactive workshop, Jim Young, a/k/a the Centered Coach, will share keys to success he’s discovered from major transitions throughout 20-plus years in business. And since business is just one slice of the lives that we’re constantly balancing, he’ll also open up the portal into how major transitions are felt in our personal lives. 

Attendees will walk away with improved tools for change management and more confidence in how to lead their organization (and themselves) through the next big transition.

The workshop, slated for 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Holyoke Public Library, is free for Family Business Center members and strategic partners, and $30 for other business and community leaders. To register, click here.

HOLYOKE — Lisa Mahon, HCC professor of English and recipient of the 2019 Elaine Marieb Faculty Chair for Teaching Excellence, will lead the procession of graduates and give the keynote address to the class of 2019 at the 72nd commencement of Holyoke Community College on Saturday, June 1 beginning at 10 a.m. at the MassMutual Center in Springfield.

Armanis Fuente and Tiffany Cavanagaugh have been selected as student orators, while alumnus and U.S. Army Private Jonathan Mendez will sing “The Star Spangled Banner” and “I Was Here.” Student Senate Treasurer Natilie Besner will present the class gift. The college will confer a Distinguished Service Award to Lucy Perez, a member of the HCC board of trustees and one of the founders of the college’s academic English as a Second Language program.

Mahon teaches English and writing and is also coordinator of the college’s Service Learning Program. The Marieb Award, endowed by the late HCC professor emeritus Elaine Marieb, recognizes a full-time member of the faculty for outstanding classroom teaching. Award recipients serve for one year and receive a small stipend for professional development, lead the procession at commencement, and also give the keynote graduation speech.

HCC will stream the commencement ceremony live over the Internet. The live stream will be available through a link on the main page of the college website, www.hcc.edu. Associate degrees and certificates will be conferred to approximately 900 graduates. The event will be American Sign Language interpreted.

HOLYOKE — Employees of Valley Health Systems, which includes Holyoke Medical Center, Holyoke Medical Group, Holyoke VNA Hospice Life Care, and River Valley Counseling Center, generously donated clothing to benefit Dress for Success of Western Massachusetts on May 16.

A Holyoke Medical Center van was filled with women’s professional clothing, shoes, and accessories and delivered to the Dress for Success Boutique, located at the Eastfield Mall in Springfield.

“With over 1,700 employees throughout the Valley Health Systems family, we knew we could help make an impact by providing our team an opportunity to donate toward Dress for Success and improve the lives of women, and their families, in the Pioneer Valley,” said Rosemarie Ansel, executive director of River Valley Counseling Center.

Dress for Success of Western Massachusetts collects new or gently used, freshly dry-cleaned or laundered suits, scrubs, business-appropriate apparel, shoes, and accessories for women. 

“Doing a clothing drive was very generous of River Valley Counseling Center and Valley Health Systems,” said Margaret Tantillo, executive director of Dress for Success Western Massachusetts. “The clothing ultimately helps a woman secure employment and helps her become financially independent.”

SPRINGFIELD — Doherty, Wallace, Pillsbury and Murphy, P.C. has elected Garth Janes as managing partner. He joined the firm in 1988 and concentrates his practice in general business law, succession planning, and mergers and acquisitions.

Janes is past chairman and a current member of the board of tribunes of WGBY-TV, Springfield’s public television station, as well as a past member of the board of directors of the WGBH Education Foundation. He is also past chairman of the board of advisors of the Springfield Enterprise Center at Springfield Technical Community College and past chairman of the Richard Salter Storrs Library in Longmeadow. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Tufts University, a juris doctor from Cornell Law School, and a master of public administration degree from the Kennedy School of Government.

SPRINGFIELD — Do you remember John Perry? He was the guy in the vest who welcomed patrons to the Student Prince & the Fort restaurant for more than 20 years. Perry is back as assistant general manager, and he brings some nostalgia to the new management team, co-partnered by owners Andy Yee and Peter Picknelly.

“I’m the bridge between the old and new. I connect Rudi Scherff’s past with Peter and Andy’s future,” Perry said. “People know Rudi, and they remember his father, Rupprecht Scherff. They also know me. I was part of that regime. I am now the liaison between customers who’ve been coming here for 20 years and new customers who are just getting started.”

As assistant general manager, Perry will oversee day-to-day operations and do a little bit of everything, including interacting with customers. He returned briefly for three years from 2014 through 2017, but he left again to pursue other interests. During his leave, Perry said the Student Prince & the Fort stayed on his mind and in his heart, and he wanted to return.

“This restaurant is something I strongly believe in,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to be part of something bigger than myself, and this is it. Anywhere I go, I run into people who know me from the Student Prince. I was in the water in South Carolina catching waves when a man looked at me and said ‘the Student Prince.’ I was at the Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, and a guy recognized me there. We got into a big conversation about the Student Prince. It happens all the time.”

Yee is happy to have Perry back at the restaurant. “John Perry was an important fixture at the Student Prince for many years, and his name still comes up all the time. We think of John as family, and we’re excited he is joining us as we move into the future with this beautiful, historic restaurant. Welcome home, John.”

Added Perry, “I’ve always tried not to let the Student Prince define me, but it does. Yes, I’m a father, a husband, and a friend to many, but the Student Prince has become that other part of my life. I’m here to witness the birth of the next generation as parents share their Student Prince experience with their children.”

HOLYOKE — The Valley Blue Sox will present a special 2018 championship ring to the city of Holyoke today, May 28, at 12:30 p.m. in the mayor’s office at Holyoke City Hall.

Accepting the ring on behalf of the city will be Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse. Blue Sox Manager John Raiola and the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) Championship Cup will also be in attendance for the presentation.

“I want to congratulate the players, the coaches, and the staff of the Valley Blue Sox for winning the League Championship — again,” Morse said. “I know I speak for the people of Holyoke when I say that you have made us proud, and we are looking forward to kicking off the new season to defend that title. Go Blue Sox!”

The 2018 Blue Sox were named Summer Team of the Year by Perfect Game following a season in which they finished with a league-best 30-12 record. They won four straight games during an undefeated postseason en route to a second consecutive NECBL championship.

This year’s Blue Sox team will kick off the season on Saturday, June 8 at 6:35 p.m. as the 2018 NECBL championship banner will be raised. The first 500 fans through the gates will receive a limited-edition 2018 NECBL championship pennant. The gates will open at 5:35 p.m., and fans are encouraged to arrive early for pregame ceremonies.

SPRINGFIELD — Registration is open for Springfield Technical Community College’s free STEM Starter Academy Summer Bridge program, which runs from July 1 to Aug. 9, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Anyone interested must register by the June 14 deadline and be a Massachusetts high-school graduate in the class of 2017, 2018, or 2019; be a Massachusetts resident; submit an STCC admissions application for the fall 2019 semester; have a grade point average of 2.0 or above; have parent or guardian permission if under 18 years old; and submit a STEM Starter Academy application.

The program, which is ideal for those who are interested in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) careers, offers participants free college credits, books, guest speakers, activities, lunch, field trips, and tutoring. Students will earn a $400 stipend upon successful completion. 

For additional information and to apply, visit stcc.edu/apply/stem. Contact Reena Randhir, director of STEM Starter Academy, with questions at [email protected] or (413) 755-4576.