LONGMEADOW — Taking their cue from Ernest Hemingway, who said, “write hard and clear about what hurts,” writers from all genres and experience levels will gather together at Bay Path University for a four-part series focused on writing about difficult life circumstances such as illness, death, trauma, or family dysfunction in order to understand them in a more profound way.

Attendees will work through the process of re-entering memories, taking them apart, putting them back together again on their own terms, and transforming them into something meaningful, perhaps even beautiful, for both writer and reader. Under the guidance of author and teacher Melanie Brooks, this workshop will provide a compassionate and supportive space for participants to engage in reading and writing exercises that begin peeling back the layers of their experiences and help them uncover the powerful stories they have to tell.

This workshop is comprised of four sessions, to be held on Wednesdays, March 20, March 27, April 3, and April 10 at Bay Path University, 588 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow. This series is open to writers of all genres and experience levels. For more information or to reserve a seat, visit www.baypath.edu/writingworkshop.

GREENFIELD — UMassFive College Federal Credit Union and Greenfield Community College (GCC) will host their sixth annual Reality Fair for local high-school seniors this week. Also joining the event this year are partners from Franklin First Credit Union. The event will take place over two days from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Greenfield Community College.

Students from Greenfield High School, Mohawk Regional High School, Four Rivers Public Charter School, Frontier Regional School, and Franklin County Technical School will attend the event today, March 19. Students from Amherst-Pelham Regional High School, Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion School, and Turners Falls High School will attend the event on Thursday, March 21. It is anticipated that over 400 high-school students will attend the event between the two days.

Originally created by credit unions, the Reality Fair program asks high-school students to envision themselves at 25 years old. With an assigned starting salary based on a career choice they have identified, students are tasked with making important spending and savings decisions by visiting booths where they are asked to choose between housing options, transportation packages, meal plans, clothing choices, and more. Once students have worked through balancing their monthly budget, they will sit down with a financial counselor to review their standing.

Due to its success in helping high-school students understand the weighted realities of their financial decisions, this program has been adopted nationwide by credit unions and banks alike. This particular Reality Fair event is unique because it has brought together not just local financial institutions, but volunteers from GCC, the District Attorney’s Office, and other parts of the community to provide reliable advice and support high-school students.

FLORENCE — Florence Bank recently announced that Bruce Holley of Northampton and Kimberly Jennison of Florence have been named recipients of the President’s Club Award for 2019.

The President’s Club program affords employees opportunities to nominate their peers for the honor, which recognizes superior performance, customer service, and overall contributions to Florence Bank. 

Holley, an e-banking technology specialist in the main office’s eBanking Department, joined Florence Bank in 2015 and has 20 years of technology experience. He is a Springfield Technical Community College graduate and serves his community as a member of the board of directors for the Therapeutic Equestrian Center of Holyoke.

Jennison, a customer-service specialist in the main office’s Customer Service Center, joined Florence Bank in 2014 and has nine years of banking experience. 

“Kim and Bruce have been reliable assets to our organization since day one,” said John Heaps Jr., president and CEO of Florence Bank. “Their energy is boundless, and their ability to encourage their teams is admirable. Bruce and Kim are the consummate employees to be named to the President’s Club.”

SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) is among the state’s top colleges and universities in increasing graduates’ earning potential, according to a recent study.

A 2017 Harvard University study revealed that AIC ranks second among private institutions of higher education in Massachusetts in upward income mobility of its graduates. According to the report, “Mobility Report Cards: The Role of Colleges in Intergenerational Mobility,” the likelihood of an AIC graduate moving up two income quintiles in their lifetime is 24%. This data is based on the anonymous tax records of more than 30 million students over a 15-year period.

“AIC excels at teaching and preparing first generation, low-income, minority, and non-traditional college students for post-college and career success,” said Jack Benjamin, director of grants for the College’s Office of Institutional Advancement. “Injecting economic success into the lives of graduates from populations typically underserved by traditional higher-education institutions is one of the college’s greatest strengths.”

HOLYOKE — Elms College will host a day of reflection titled “What Is Spiritual Direction? Is It for Me?” on Saturday, April 6 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Decice Hall at the Marian Center, located at 1365 Northampton St. in Holyoke.

The event will include an introduction to what spiritual direction is (and what it is not), some exploration of different ways to be with God in prayer, reflection on each participant’s own sacred story, discussion of several approaches to spiritual direction, and time for both shared and personal prayer.

“This day of reflection is for people who been yearning for a deeper spiritual life, for meaning and direction in their lives, to feel closer to God, to find out what God desires for them, to explore their sacred stories in their daily lives, to find companionship on their spiritual journeys, and for a deeper prayer life,” said Virginia Collins-English, a certified spiritual director, retreat director, writer, and psychotherapist who will lead the day of reflection.

All are welcome, including those who are ‘spiritual but not religious,’ those who feel marginalized by the church, and those of all faiths.

Sponsored by the Religious Studies Department and the Institute for Theology and Pastoral Studies at Elms, this event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. To register, call (413) 265-2575 or e-mail [email protected]. Attendees should bring a bag lunch. Beverages and dessert will be provided.

HOLYOKE — The Dowd Agencies, LLC announced that David Hess has joined its staff as an insurance producer. He is responsible for writing personal, commercial, and life-insurance plans at Dowd.

“David holds a wealth of experience in the insurance field,” said John Dowd Jr., president and CEO for the Dowd Agencies. “We believe David has great potential in sales, and his experience in the industry will help him expand his sales network to bring in new business.”

Hess brings more than 14 years of experience to his role at Dowd. After graduating from UMass Amherst in 2003, he worked as an insurance agent with a local agency until his recent transition to the Dowd Agencies. He is licensed as a producer for property, casualty, life, and health insurance in both Massachusetts and Connecticut.

LEE — Berkshire Sterile Manufacturing recently reached a milestone of 100 employees. In addition, it is actively recruiting for another 11 jobs, including entry-level professional and senior-leadership roles.

Jennifer Kratovil-Moriarty, senior manager, Human Resources, said the 100-employee milestone is notable for any small business and particularly noteworthy in Berkshire County. She noted that Gov. Charlie Baker visited the facility in January to check out its expansion and success first-hand.

“I am personally excited about how we engage with young adults. We hire many interns who came to us through the Mass Life Sciences Internship Challenge,” she said, adding that students from Middlesex Community College’s Special Topics in Biotechnology program will visit today for a tour and informational discussion.

She added that “we have a global, vibrant, and professional workplace with an on-site daycare for working parents, a variety of compressed work-schedule programs, attractive insurance, a new bonus incentive program, and we listen to our employees on their needs to ensure we remain competitive.”

SPRINGFIELD —  The Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts scholarship committee announced that scholarship applications are now available online at adclubwm.org. Applications will also be available through guidance departments at high schools in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties, or by contacting the Ad Club at (413) 342-0533.

Western Mass. seniors who plan to attend an accredited college or technical school to study advertising, communications, marketing, or graphics arts and will be attending in September 2019 are encouraged to apply. The scholarship must be applied against tuition and fees at the school. Candidates will be judged on academic performance; extracurricular activities; community service and/or work experience; a demonstrated interest in advertising, communications, marketing, or graphic design; personal recommendations; and a letter of introduction outlining future plans. 

In 2019, one $1,000 scholarship will be awarded. Completed scholarship applications and all support materials must be submitted to the Ad Club and postmarked by Friday, March 29. The scholarship will be awarded at the Ad Club’s Creative Awards show in May.

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College (HCC) recently welcomed Lea Occhialini as its first ombudsperson and chief culture officer. 

Occhialini is the former faculty and staff ombudsperson at Hampshire College and mediator/trainer in the Smith College Office of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity. Prior to that, she worked as a Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court qualified mediator for the Mediation and Training Collaborative in Greenfield and helped oversee the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Face-to-Face mediation program in Holyoke, Northampton, and Greenfield small-claims courts. 

The ombudsperson/chief culture officer position is new at HCC.

“I’m excited about this,” said HCC president Christina Royal. “Although it’s very common at four-year institutions, to my understanding, this is the first time a community college in Massachusetts has had an ombudsperson.”

Occhialini has worked in the mediation field since 2013. She started at HCC on March 4.

“My job is to protect the interests of faculty and staff at all levels of the college and to promote fairness,” she said. “I assist in clarifying issues and determining options for resolving conflicts, and I also bring systemic concerns to the attention of the president, and I do this as a confidential, neutral, and independent resource.”

Occhialini holds a bachelor’s degree from Smith College, a law degree from American University’s Washington College School of Law, and a certificate in the foundations of organizational ombudsman practice from the International Ombudsman Assoc.

HOLYOKE — Turning a simple box into an unusual ‘beauty and the beast’ packaging statement, Hazen Paper Co. was honored for the second year in a row with Product of the Year honors at the annual meeting of the Assoc. of International Metallizers, Coaters, and Laminators (AIMCAL), held recently in Palm Beach, Calif.

The winning entry was a folding carton titled “The Spirit of Innovation” for prestige luxury box maker Autajon Packaging USA, which featured a three-dimensional, jewel-toned snake and a female model whose face transformed from flawless to gorgeously reptilian when the box is tilted.

The folding carton was made with precisely registered custom color-motion holography that reflects and refracts light to bring the snake’s sinuous curves to life and allows the woman’s face and eye to blaze with unexpected snake-like gleam. The box is embossed with a snakeskin pattern and finished with a soft-touch coating. Inside, a sea-green coating contrasts with the rich black exterior.

“It’s a testament to the vision and talent of the Autajon designer that this package is so visually and tactilely stunning,” said Hazen President John Hazen. “In one package, she clearly demonstrated brand-identity and brand-protection benefits that can be achieved with holography. I’m proud that our holographic artists were able to deliver on the brilliance of her idea.”

The judges were impressed with the winner’s visual impact and expert combination of registered holograms, embossing, and matte and gloss finishes. “There’s a lot of complexity,” observed one judge. “The result is a highly premium appearance,” concluded another. 

Hazen also received a “Product Excellence” award for Benefit Cosmetics’ Hoola Quickie Contour Stick packaging, created with silver Ultracure acrylic-coated metallized polyester laminated to paperboard, offset-printed in transparent and opaque colors, and embossed. Judges rewarded the package for its extensive use of embossing, halftone reproduction, tight registration, and vivid green interior. “This is a complete integration of design, metallizing, and other elements,” one noted. 

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield College announced two new grants that assist with funding for Army and Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets enrolled full-time and participating in the ROTC program at Springfield College.

The Springfield College Room and Board Grant covers on-campus housing and basic meal-plan expenses for any Springfield College Army or Air Force ROTC cadet who has earned a national or local full-tuition ROTC scholarship. Additionally, the college will offer an annual undergraduate ROTC grant of $2,500 to any cadet entering Springfield College as a first-year student who does not qualify for an ROTC scholarship. This grant is renewable for up to eight semesters at Springfield College, as long as the cadet continues in the Springfield College ROTC program. 

In a recent ceremony on campus recognizing the ROTC grants, Springfield College junior and ROTC scholarship recipient Madelyn Reppucci was recognized at an official ROTC signing and swearing-in ceremony in the Marsh Memorial Chapel. 

“This is a very special opportunity, to be able to take my oath at such a special place with so many special people here watching,” said Reppucci, who majors in elementary and special education and American studies. “Being a part of the ROTC program has been a blessing. I have enjoyed my time at Springfield College so much. I have met so many wonderful people, made so many lifetime friends already; it’s just a great place to go to college.”

Through the Army ROTC program, students have the chance to work towards a career with the Army for up to four years, where they are taking courses for college credit alongside their academic major. The first two years are voluntary basic courses with no military obligation. These courses provide students with a background on the military’s role in society and the missions of the Army, focusing on leadership, land navigation, marksmanship, military history, and basic military skills. The final two years are advanced courses with military obligation, including a five-week camp prior to the final year. These courses include leadership skills, training, personnel management, ethics, military justice, and military tactics.

Through the Air Force ROTC program, students complete a program designed to train and commission officers into the U.S. Air Force. The first two years allow students to complete the general military courses. The second two years begin with field training, leading to time as Professional Officer Corps, where students will be contracted with the Air Force.

HOLYOKE — BusinessWest launched its Difference Makers program in 2009 to celebrate individuals, groups, organizations, and families that are positively impacting the Pioneer Valley and are, as the name suggests, making a difference in this region. Tickets are still available to celebrate the class of 2019 at the Log Cabin on Thursday, March 28.

This year’s honorees are Carla Cosenzi, co-president of TommyCar Auto Group; the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts; Peter Gagliardi, president and CEO of Way Finders; Frederick and Marjorie Hurst, publisher and editor of An African American Point of View; Joe Peters, vice chairman and former president of Universal Plastics; and the Springfield Museums. They were profiled in the Feb. 4 issue.

The Difference Makers Gala begins at 5 p.m., and limited tickets are still available for $75. To reserve a spot, call (413) 781-8600, ext. 100, or e-mail [email protected]. The presenting sponsor is Baystate Health/Health New England, and other event sponsors include Royal, P.C., Burkhart Pizzanelli, P.C., Development Associates, TommyCar Auto Group, and Viability Inc.

BOSTON — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced that the state reached settlements with seven nursing homes, including Jewish Nursing Home of Longmeadow, after an investigation found “systemic failures” at the facilities that led to the death or injury of some residents.

About $500,000 in penalties were announced during a news conference Wednesday, the Boston Globe reported. The seven facilities will now be enrolled in strict compliance programs and must undergo safety and care-quality improvements.

Settlements were reached with Jewish Nursing Home of Longmeadow (which received an $85,000 fine), Oxford Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Haverhill ($180,000), Wakefield Center in Wakefield ($30,000), the Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Everett ($40,000), Beaumont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center in Westboro ($37,500), Braemoor Health Center in Brockton, and Woodbriar Health Center in Wilmington.

Synergy Health Centers, which owns Braemoor and Woodbriar, is banned from operating in Massachusetts for seven years. Synergy will pay between $100,000 and $200,000 in fines.

“Every senior has the right to quality care, and every family deserves to know their loved one is safe when choosing a long-term care facility,” Healey said. “Long-term-care facilities must be accountable to the public, and to the commitments made to residents and family members.”

SPRINGFIELD — Robinson Donovan, P.C. announced that attorney David Lawless has been named a partner at the firm.

“David has demonstrated strong leadership and commitment to our clients and our community since he joined our firm,” said Partner James Martin. “We are thrilled to welcome him to his new role as a partner in the firm, and look forward to his growing contributions.”

Lawless previously served as an investigative analyst in the Manhattan District Attorney’s office in New York City. He focuses his practice on civil litigation in federal and state courts, including employment law and litigation, business litigation, and municipal defense litigation.

A member of the American, Massachusetts, Franklin County, Hampden County, and Federal bar associations, Lawless graduated from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 2005. He was named to the Super Lawyers Rising Star list every year from 2008 to 2015.

He is active in the legal community, serving as a board member of the Federal Bar Assoc., Massachusetts chapter, and co-chair of its civil rights and new programming committees. He also serves on the board of the Northeast Center for Youth and Families.

HOLYOKE — The Dowd Agencies, LLC announced the promotion of Jennifer Lawton to vice president of Insurance Operations. Lawton, who began her career with Dowd in 2014, was formerly the agencies’ personal-lines manager.

“We’re very excited to welcome Jennifer to her new and well-deserved role,” said John Dowd Jr., president and CEO. “Of her nearly 30 years’ experience in the insurance industry, Jennifer has spent the last five lending her significant talent, expertise, and sense of dedication to the Dowd Agencies. We think Jennifer will thrive in her new position, which not only helps our organization but also, and most importantly, the clients we serve.” 

In her new position, Lawton provides leadership in the development, implementation, and oversight of systems and procedures that align with Dowd’s organizational strategic initiatives, helping to ensure the achievement of business results. She also serves as the primary advisor to the company’s senior executive leadership team on operational efficiencies.

A certified insurance service representative, Lawton received her associate degree in business from Holyoke Community College. She is the chairperson and program coordinator for Distinguished Young Women of Greater Easthampton, a scholarship program for high-school girls.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Eastern States Exposition announced that Timothy Garstka has joined ESE and will serve as the organization’s director of Sales. Garstka comes to ESE from his position at Williams Distributing in Chicopee, where he served as Sales manager and Brand Marketing manager.

He has more than 15 years of experience in strategic direction, coaching and counseling, performance management, and revenue growth, overseeing inside and outside sales professionals. His skills range from direct sales management and revenue growth to team building and training initiatives.

Prior to joining Williams Distributing, Garstka was a Field Sales manager for Molson/Coors Brewing Co. in Burlington, Vt., and worked as a salesperson for Burke Beverage in Chicopee.

“We are extremely pleased to have Tim on board at the Exposition,” said Gene Cassidy, ESE president and CEO. “His experience will bring a fresh, new approach to our year-round program of events and help bring innovative shows and events to our grounds.”

As director of Sales, he will be responsible for the oversight of the department, including the extensive number of year-round events held at ESE, Big E sponsorships and vendor/concessionaire space sales, advance ticket-sales outreach, and group sales.

“As a West Springfield native, I understand the importance of the Big E to the local economy,” Garstka said. “I am honored to be a part of this iconic organization that believes strongly in supporting local business, agriculture, and education. It’s an amazing organization with an outstanding team.”

Garstka graduated from West Springfield High School in 1991. He serves as the vice president of the East Longmeadow Baseball Assoc. and is a former board member of the Red Cross Pioneer Valley Chapter. He and his wife, Christine, are active volunteers for local Jimmy Fund events. He was also an assistant golf professional at Springfield Country Club in West Springfield and the Forest Country Club in Fort Myers, Fla.

NORTHAMPTON — Country Hyundai has been awarded the 2019 DealerRater Dealer of the Year Award and the 2019 Consumer Satisfaction Award, which recognize auto dealerships across the U.S. and Canada that deliver outstanding customer service, based on consumer reviews written on DealerRater.com.

“Car buyers have spoken and have identified Country Hyundai as the best Hyundai dealer to do business with in Massachusetts,” said DealerRater General Manager Jamie Oldershaw. “The quality and number of reviews for Country Hyundai speak volumes of the top-notch experiences they provide to customers.”

The DealerRater Dealer of the Year Awards are based on reviews by new- and used-car shoppers and those who took their vehicles into dealerships for service. Reviewers evaluated Country Hyundai on its customer service, quality of work, friendliness, pricing, and overall experience.

“We want to ensure that our customers are satisfied not only at the time of purchase, but as long as they own their vehicle,” said Carla Cosenzi, owner of Country Hyundai. “The DealerRater Dealer of the Year Award is reflective of our long-standing commitment to create exceptional customer experiences. Exceeding customer expectations is not an easy task. However, this is exactly what we strive to do every day here at Country Hyundai.” 

SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) will host a National Pi Day celebration on Thursday, March 14 that promises to be equal parts educational and delicious.

In honor of National Pi Day, students of AIC Associate Professor and Mathematics Department Chair James Sansalone will hand out pie and pencils to peers and the public while putting their mathematical knowledge to the test. Those who visit the college’s Dining Commons from 10:45 a.m. to noon will not only receive complimentary dessert but will also be challenged by the Wheel of Pi. In a competition between students and non-students, participants will spin the wheel and attempt to identify mathematical formulas that use pi, while also learning fun and historical information about one of the most famous and significant geometric constants.

Pi, represented mathematically by the Greek letter π, is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. While it has been calculated to more than one trillion digits past its decimal, pi is most commonly identified numerically as 3.14. As such, Pi Day is celebrated each year on March 14. In 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution supporting National Pi Day, encouraging schools and educators to teach students about pi and engage them about the study of mathematics.

LONGMEADOW — Bay Path University has been awarded $5,000 in grant funding support from the Charles H. Hall Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., trustee, for its project, “Impacting the Community: Fostering Social Justice Through Student Internships.” The foundation’s support will benefit Bay Path undergraduate students who are performing internships at nonprofits in Hampden County, including Square One, the Jewish Community Center, and Girls Inc., all of whom service at-risk children and youth.

Bay Path requires its traditional undergraduate students to complete a three- or six-credit internship, research project, or field-work experience, depending on their major, to ensure they have the opportunities to develop the skills and competencies that will help them launch their careers. This funding, which will cover four internships, will help relieve the financial worry that unpaid internships can bring for students. Many Bay Path students hold part-time jobs to make ends meet, and adding an unpaid internship to the mix can be stressful.

“Supporting our students as they perform their required internships not only develops leaders and underlines the importance of giving back to our local community, but also enables students to experience a sense of self-discovery and often personal transformation as they undertake their projects and interface with the nonprofit community,” said Kathryn Wiezbicki-Stevens, Bay Path’s chair of Undergraduate Psychology and director of Pre-OT Studies and Human and Health Science Programs, who oversees the project.

The Charles H. Hall Foundation was established in 2007 to support and promote educational, health and human services, religious, arts, and cultural programming for underserved populations. 

NORTHAMPTON — CommunicateHealth announced its 10th anniversary as a national consulting firm specializing in health information design.

CommunicateHealth started as a consulting practice focusing on translating health information into plain language. Co-founders Xanthi Scrimgeour and Stacy Robison started the business in their Northampton attic. “From day one, the demand for our services was off the charts. There was no one else out there doing this type of work,” said Scrimgeour. The couple quickly outgrew their attic space, eventually establishing an office on nearby Market Street.

Over the past 10 years, the company has been successfully evolving into a full-service communications shop. “We’ve brought nearly every service in house, including graphic design, website development, audience research, and usability testing,” said Robison. “All the while, we’ve kept our focus on designing simple, accessible health information.”

The mission-based company works for some of the biggest names in healthcare and public health, including health-insurance companies, health systems, patient-advocacy groups, and government. They also take on projects for local hospitals and community organizations. “Our formula is simple,” says Robison. “We write and design health information that’s easy to understand, and we test it with real people to make sure we got it right.”

CommunicateHealth’s growth is exceptional, noted Scrimgeour, as 70% of businesses fail in the first 10 years. The statistics are even more dramatic when it comes to women-owned businesses. “Only 1.7% of women-owned businesses generated revenues of more than $1 million in 2018,” she said. “CommunicateHealth broke $1 million in our third year of business. In 2018, we did over $12 million [in sales].”

CommunicateHealth is headquartered in Northampton with a second office in the Washington, D.C. area. It employs more than 65 employees across both offices.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled with our arrangement,” said Scrimgeour. “We are proud to be a part of the Northampton community and have an impact at the national level.”

SPRINGFIELD — BusinessWest is looking for nominees for its fifth Continued Excellence Award, and will accept nominations through Friday, May 3. The winner of the award will be unveiled at the magazine’s 40 Under Forty gala on Thursday, June 20.

Four years ago, BusinessWest inaugurated the award to recognize past 40 Under Forty honorees who had significantly built on their achievements since they were honored.

The first two winners were Delcie Bean, president of Paragus Strategic IT, and Dr. Jonathan Bayuk, president of Allergy and Immunology Associates of Western Mass. and chief of Allergy and Immunology at Baystate Medical Center. Both were originally named to the 40 Under Forty class of 2008. The judges chose two winners in 2017: Scott Foster, an attorney with Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas (40 Under Forty class of 2011); and Nicole Griffin, owner of Griffin Staffing Network (class of 2014). Last year, Samalid Hogan, regional director of the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (class of 2013), took home the honor.

“So many 40 Under Forty honorees have refused to rest on their laurels,” said Kate Campiti, associate publisher of BusinessWest. “Once again, we want to honor those who continue to build upon their strong records of service in business, within the community, and as regional leaders.”

Candidates must hail from 40 Under Forty classes prior to the year of the award — in this case, classes 2007-18 — and will be judged on qualities including outstanding leadership, dedicated community involvement, professional achievement, and ability to inspire. The award’s presenting sponsor is Health New England.

The nomination form is available by clicking here. For your convenience, a list of the past 12 40 Under Forty classes may be found here. For more information call Bevin Peters, Marketing and Events Director, at (413) 781-8600, ext. 100, or e-mail [email protected].

AMHERST — The online MBA offered by the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst has been ranked first in the U.S. and third in the world by the Financial Times. 

With one of the largest and most established accredited online MBA programs in the country, the Isenberg School of Management has provided online education opportunities for nearly 16 years. More than 1,100 students are currently enrolled in the program.

“The Isenberg School has established itself as an international leader in online education, offering students innovative pathways to develop advanced skills and enrich their careers,” said UMass Amherst Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy. “This world-class ranking from the Financial Times is yet another recognition of UMass Amherst’s leadership in the business world.”

The Isenberg School stood out in the Financial Times’ 2019 rankings in a number of areas. The online MBA program ranked first for increase in salary after earning an MBA, with a 39% increase; first in the U.S. for total salary; and first for percentage of female faculty, with 45%. Furthermore, the program ranked fifth in online interaction, which measures how well alumni rate interactions between students, teamwork, and availability of faculty.

“We are thrilled by the strides reflected in the latest Financial Times rankings, as they affirm that our recent investments in faculty and technology have provided a gateway for our program participants to excel,” said Tom Moliterno, interim dean of the Isenberg School. “We anticipate sustaining this momentum moving forward, as well as again demonstrating Isenberg’s online MBA bona fides as a pioneering online program.”

Isenberg’s online MBA program offers an expansive course of study, from business analytics, finance, and healthcare administration to marketing and sports management. Isenberg students come from all 50 states and around the globe, and include physicians, attorneys, entrepreneurs, C-suite executives, and scientists.

HOLYOKE — The Dowd Agencies, LLC announced that Suzanne Mlinarcik has joined its staff as a commercial account manager and marketer. She is responsible for marketing new and renewal business and managing in-house accounts.

“Suzanne has done it all in the insurance industry,” said David Griffin Sr., executive vice president and treasurer of the Dowd Agencies. “She is passionate about her work and is proud of the relationships she builds with her clients and co-workers. She’s an excellent addition to our staff, and we are excited to have her on our team.”

Mlinarcik has been an insurance professional for more than 25 years, specializing in commercial insurance and training and mentoring employees. Her career began at an insurance agency in Connecticut, where she climbed the ranks from a part-time employee to manager of the Commercial Lines department. She eventually stepped into the role of senior account manager, where she mentored new hires and managed her own client portfolio.

Mlinarcik is an active member of the motorcycle community, regularly participating in charitable events including Brightside’s Hope for the Holidays Toy Drive/Run, Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, and the Wicked in Pink Cancer Run.

SHELBURNE FALLS — Wanda Mooney, associate-broker with Coldwell Banker Upton Massamont Realtors, has been awarded the 2018 Coldwell Banker International President’s Elite. Only the top 5% of all sales associates worldwide in the Coldwell Banker system qualified for this group.

Mooney also received the 2018 Platinum Award from the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley and the Platinum Award from Coldwell Banker Upton-Massamont Realtors.

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College will host a Majors and Career Fair for students, local vocational high schools, and community agencies interested in exploring opportunities in the biomedical, architectural, civil and mechanical engineering, optics and photonics, social work, landscape and design, digital media, graphic communications, IT security, and many other STEM fields.

The Majors and Career Fair will be held Wednesday, April 3 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Scibelli Hall Gymnasium in Building 2. This event is a collaboration among the Career Development Center, the HSI-STEM Grant, and the Perkins Grant.

Representatives from academic majors, career fields, and local employers will be on hand. With a goal of raising awareness about STEM majors and careers, the fair will give attendees an opportunity to speak with employers about potential opportunities in their field.

For more information, contact Felicia Griffin-Fennell at [email protected] or (413) 755-4819.

SPRINGFIELD — Complete Payroll Solutions announced it saw more than 100% year-over-year revenue growth compared to a year ago, setting a record pace of new customer acquisitions. The momentum reflects the company’s investment in its people and processes to better serve clients.

This momentum is evidenced by several highlights from 2018, including four location openings in Wakefield, Mass., White Plains, N.Y., West Warwick, R.I., and Portsmouth, N.H.; 35 new employees across all offices and an expanded sales force with 10 additional salespeople, providing enhanced resources in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Connecticut; a new HR consulting division that delivers local, personalized HR solutions to clients; partnerships with industry leaders like BankRI, Brookline Bank, and First Ipswich Bank, along with the company’s continued relationship with Webster Bank; and the addition of iSolved, an HCM technology, to complement its existing platform, Kronos. Together, the solutions help clients with their workforce-management processes, including payroll, time and attendance, benefits, and HR to recruit, onboard, and manage employees. 

Founded in 2003 as a startup venture by owners with a long tradition in the industry, Complete Payroll Solutions now has 14 locations throughout the Northeast with 150 employees, and services over 6,000 clients across all 50 states.

“Our expanding client base is testament to the value we deliver in empowering businesses for success,” said John Pettengill, CEO of Complete Payroll Solutions. “I’m grateful for the relationships we’ve built and our dedicated team that have fueled this trajectory and secured our position as an industry leader.”

PITTSFIELD — The Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative (BFMC) received two grant awards for its newly established Community Film Fund, which is a matching fund to help local nonprofit organizations create videos for their branding, marketing, fundraising, and social media. The grants were received from the Berkshire Bank Foundation and the Feigenbaum Foundation, each in the amount of $2,500.

In today’s world, video messaging is becoming increasingly important. Wordstream, an online advertising company, states that the average user spends 88% more time on a website with video. Viewers retain 95% of a message when they watch it in a video compared to 10% when reading it in text, and an initial e-mail with a video receives an click-through rate increase of 96%.

 “Many times, this essential tool is cut from a nonprofit’s budget,” said BMFC Executive Director Diane Pearlman. “The Community Film Fund will help give a voice through video to our local organizations, as well as create jobs for professional filmmakers in our area.”

BFMC is in the process of raising $50,000 for this new initiative, which it expects to launch later this spring. BFMC is partnering with the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires to provide information to local organizations about this opportunity.