SPRINGFIELD — Beginning Monday, March 3, the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley will host a 40 hour, 14-class, in-person sales licensing course to help individuals prepare for the Massachusetts real-estate salesperson license exam. The course will be completed on Thursday, April 3.
Tuition is $425, including the book and materials. For an application, call the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley at (413) 785-1328 or visit www.rapv.com.
SPRINGFIELD — Link to Libraries announce its biennial gala, an evening that celebrates the organization’s transformative impact in the community while raising vital funds to ensure children have access to the books and programming they deserve.
This year’s gala, taking place on Thursday, May 8 at the Basketball Hall of Fame, will feature a Swifty-themed evening inspired by Taylor Swift’s celebrated Eras Tour. Guests will enjoy an elegant night filled with cocktails, dinner, an auction, and the opportunity to connect with others passionate about the power of reading to transform lives.
“Every child deserves access to books — both at school and at home — that spark their imagination and inspire a lifelong love of reading,” said Laurie Flynn, president and CEO of Link to Libraries. “The vast majority of books we distribute go to children who have never previously owned a book. With the support of our community, we can continue to deliver impactful programs and bring the joy of literacy to children who need it most.”
All proceeds from the gala go directly to Link to Libraries, a nonprofit committed to fostering literacy by providing books and programming for children in underserved communities. Every ticket sold helps create brighter futures, one book at a time.
Tickets cost $90 per person, or $250 for VIP tickets that include a pre-gala VIP cocktail reception. Tickets are available at www.linktolibraries.org.
To learn more about supporting this event, contact Laurie Flynn, president and CEO of Link to Libraries, at [email protected] or (413) 654-7241.
SPRINGFIELD — State Rep. Carlos González served as keynote speaker on Jan. 14 as Tech Foundry, the region’s leading IT support training program, graduated its fall 2024 cohort of students, who dedicated 18 weeks to advancing their technology skills. The students completed Tech Foundry’s rigorous classroom training and month-long internships, and earned Google IT support certificates.
The event was held at the Community Music School of Springfield. Brandon Garcia and Florentino Zamarripa IV were elected by their classmates to speak about their experiences in the program. They both talked passionately about the community they built during their time at Tech Foundry and the personal obstacles they overcame.
In introducing keynote speaker González, Delcie Bean, founder of Tech Foundry and CEO of Paragus Strategic IT, noted that, “throughout his career, Rep. González has fought tirelessly to ensure that every voice is heard on Beacon Hill, especially those of underrepresented groups.”
Gonzales recognized the students’ dedication and achievements and encouraged them as they entered the tech workforce. In addition, he bestowed commendations from the Massachusetts State House for all those who completed the fall 2024 program.
“Tech Foundry is special because we foster community and belonging,” Tech Foundry CEO Tricia Canavan said. “We don’t just train people for jobs; we are a powerful network of committed staff members, mentors, employer partners, and donors who believe in these individuals’ capacity for personal and professional success. To see so many parents, spouses, and children of our graduates here tonight is truly inspiring.”
GREENFIELD — Greenfield Cooperative Bank and Northampton Cooperative Bank announced a partnership with All Our Kids Inc. for a month-long pajama drive in February.
Throughout the month of February, Greenfield Cooperative Bank will serve as a drop-off location for new pajamas of all sizes, for kids ages 0-18. Pajamas must be new, with tags, of any type (one-piece, two-piece, short or long sleeves), and for any season. Collection boxes will be placed at Northampton Cooperative Bank’s South Hadley branch at 487 Newton St.
This initiative aims to support All Our Kids’ Community Closet program by collecting essential supplies for foster and adoptive families in Western Mass.
“We are proud to partner with All Our Kids Inc. for this important initiative,” said Lisa Kmetz, executive vice president and Retail & Security Officer. “We encourage our customers and the community to join us in spreading warmth and joy to children in need.”
The collected pajamas will be distributed by All Our Kids Inc., located at 6 Open Square Way in Holyoke. This collaboration strengthens community ties and underscores the importance of supporting foster and adoptive families in Western Mass.
SPRINGFIELD — Baystate Health announced several transitions of its board of trustees for 2025.
Harriet DeVerry, retired senior vice president and group financial officer at Webster, just concluded her two-year term as chair of the board on Dec. 31 and will continue to serve as a trustee on Baystate Health’s board. Bob Bacon, president of Elm Electrical Inc., who served on the board for the past 10 years and as chair of the board from 2021 to 2022, will be stepping down as a trustee. DeVerry and Bacon were members of the board of trustees at Noble Hospital when that hospital became part of Baystate Health in 2015, and they joined the Baystate Health board of trustees at that time.
Colleen Holmes has transitioned to the role of board of trustee chair from her role of vice chair. She is president and CEO of Springfield-based Viability Inc., an organization that partners with employers to meet their business needs by including the workforce of individuals with disabilities. In this role, she builds on her 30-year career in human services, holding leadership roles in human resources, sales, and marketing.
Holmes joined the Baystate Health board of trustees after serving on the quality committee and currently serves on the executive, human resources, and governance committees. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and an MBA from American International College.
Dr. Akinyele Lovelace, a partner at Family Medicine Associates in Westfield, has been named vice chair. He is affiliated with Baystate Noble Hospital, Baystate Medical Center, and Holyoke Medical Center, and has served as a Baystate Health trustee for five years. He most recently served as the honorary chair, with his wife, Christina Lovelace, at the 58th annual Baystate Noble Ball in November.
Lovelace spent several years in Texas, practicing internal medicine at Hereford Health Clinic. During his time there, he was the Hereford Brand readers’ winner for Best Physician in 2012 and 2014. In addition to his medical degree from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, he holds an MBA from Texas Tech University and a bachelor’s degree from Xavier University of Louisiana.
The Baystate Health board of trustees welcomes its newest member, Keith Nesbitt, senior vice president and Business Banking team leader at Berkshire Bank. He has nearly 20 years of experience in commercial lending, portfolio management, and credit administration in regional and community banking institutions. Presently, he manages a team of commercial relationship managers for the Pioneer Valley (Metro Springfield) and Connecticut (Metro Hartford and New Haven) for Berkshire Bank.
Nesbitt earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia, his master’s degree from Georgia State University, and his MBA from the Keller Graduate School of Management. He will fill the board of trustees seat vacated by Bacon.
We are excited to announce that BusinessWest has launched a new podcast series, BusinessTalk. Each episode will feature in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders, providing thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachuetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running during these challenging times.
DJ Tucker understands the value of the Children’s Museum at Holyoke — after all, he grew up in the city and spent a lot of time there as a kid. Today, as the museum’s executive director, he has a much deeper understanding of its ties to the community, corporate supporters, and the families and kids who benefit from all that educational, interactive fun. For the next episode of BusinessTalk, Tucker talks with BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar about all that and much more, including why it’s important that “children discover how the world works by doing.” It’s must listening, so tune into BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest.
SPRINGFIELD — Bulkley Richardson announced the passing of long-time colleague Ronald Weiss.
Born and raised in Springfield, Weiss was an alumnus of Classical High School (1964), Dartmouth College (1968), and the University of Pennsylvania Law School (1972). He was a past member of the U.S. Army Reserves.
“As a senior partner at Bulkley Richardson, Ron has been an integral part of Bulkley Richardson for decades, earning him the reputation as one of Western Massachusetts’ most respected and esteemed lawyers,” the firm said in a statement. “Known for his sharp legal mind and unwavering ethical standards, he was a trusted advisor to many and a guiding force in the legal field. Internally, he was a fierce mentor, laying the groundwork for a legacy of skilled lawyers to follow in his path.”
An advocate of organizational growth and sustainability, Weiss was committed to many leadership roles throughout his career and volunteered his time to community organizations. He was instrumental in the founding of the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, an institution that has provided millions of dollars in scholarships and grants, where he also served as general counsel. He co-founded the Pioneer Valley Family Business Center, was actively involved in the Jewish Foundation of Western Massachusetts, and was a steadfast advocate for the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, where he held leadership roles for decades. His tireless efforts earned him the prestigious Pynchon Medal, awarded for his exceptional contributions to civic life through a “remarkable ability to understand and solve complex problems” and his “long-term dedication and commitment to the success of the organizations he serves and to the region in which he and his family live.”
Bulkley Richardson added that “Ron’s friendship, wit, and brilliant mind will be greatly missed.”
GREENFIELD — Gagne Wealth Management Group has been named to the Forbes 2025 Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams list, a prestigious recognition that highlights the top financial-advisory teams across the country.
Since founding the firm 15 years ago, Merrill Gagne has built Gagne Wealth Management Group from the ground up, developing a client-centric approach that emphasizes goal-oriented financial planning, personalized investment strategies, and risk management. The firm is dedicated to creating customized portfolios tailored to each client’s aspirations, ethical values, and risk tolerance, ensuring a financial strategy that is both empowering and educational.
“This recognition by Forbes is an incredible honor and a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our entire team,” Gagne said. “Our goal has always been to help our clients feel confident about their financial future by providing strategic guidance that aligns with their personal values and long-term objectives.”
Merrill, who now leads a team of financial advisors, has a history of industry accolades, including being named a Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisor last year, along with being featured on Forbes’ Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors list. Earlier in his career, he was recognized as a top producer at Northwestern Mutual, achieving #1 in the Platinum category for the Eastern Region.
Beyond his professional achievements, Gagne is deeply committed to his community. He is a driving force behind the Franklin County YMCA’s development committee and serves as a board member for the Greenfield Public Library Foundation. He is also a dedicated volunteer, donor, and weekly driver for Rachel’s Table, a major sponsor of the Children’s Advocacy Center. Additionally, he served as a project sponsor for Alternative Investments under Mila Sherman at the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst.
“Merrill’s influence extends far beyond financial planning,” said Jessye Deane, executive director of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce. “His dedication to our local community — through his work with the chamber, Franklin County’s YMCA, Greenfield Public Library Foundation, Rachel’s Table, Ja’Duke, youth sports leagues, and more — demonstrates his deep-rooted commitment to enhancing the quality of life in Franklin County. This recognition is a testament to his leadership in both business and philanthropy.”
Vanessa Stratton
CHICOPEE — Polish National Credit Union (PNCU) announced that Vanessa Stratton has joined the institution as vice president of Finance.
Stratton, a certified public accountant, brings more than a decade of experience in the banking industry. She earned an MBA with a focus in finance and has held several key positions throughout her career, including chief financial officer and treasurer at a community bank. Her areas of expertise include financial analysis and reporting, GAAP compliance, internal control, and investment management.
In her role as vice president of Finance, Stratton will oversee PNCU’s financial operations, including financial reporting, budgeting, and cash-flow management. She will also work closely with the executive team to implement strategic financial initiatives and support the credit union’s growth. She is known for her strong leadership skills and her ability to drive process improvements and efficiencies.
“We are excited to welcome Vanessa to our leadership team,” said Jim Kelly, President and CEO of Polish National Credit Union. “Her extensive experience and deep understanding of financial management make her an ideal fit for this role. I am confident that Vanessa will play a key role in furthering the success of PNCU and serving our members with excellence.”
SPRINGFIELD — Big Y’s annual Sack Hunger campaign provides funds for four food banks within its two-state marketing area. In turn, these food banks support local soup kitchens, food pantries, senior food programs, daycare centers, and many others of the 2,100 member agencies they help every day. Their goal is to maximize access to nutritious food and other resources that support food security for those at risk of hunger.
Throughout this past holiday season, customers and employees generously supported Sack Hunger at Big Y supermarkets and Table & Vine Fine Wines and Liquors. Every $5 donation brought 10 meals to those in need of support. Additionally, Big Y added more ways to boost their efforts with specific proceeds from the produce, floral, and meat departments, along with a portion of every one of Big Y’s family of private-label brands.
Big Y’s Sack Hunger campaign started in 2010, when 740 meals were donated. With this year’s 1 million meals, the program continues to expand its efforts to support those in need. Big Y’s Sack Hunger donation is part of its ongoing support throughout the year, including almost daily donations of meat, fresh produce, and bakery products, along with grocery, frozen, and dairy items. The four regional food banks are the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, the Worcester County Food Bank, the Greater Boston Food Bank, and Connecticut Foodshare.
“Each year, our customers and employees come together to support families across Massachusetts and Connecticut impacted by food insecurity during the holiday season,” Big Y President and CEO Michael D’Amour said. “We are thankful for the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those in need, and we appreciate everyone involved in spreading hope throughout our communities.”
New research from Anna Maria Siega-Riz, professor of Nutrition and Epidemiology and dean of the School of Public Health and Health Sciences at UMass Amherst, finds a pervasive low-quality diet among pregnant and postpartum individuals, reflecting “an urgent need for widespread improvement.”
The study, recently published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and co-led by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, assessed diet quality in the same individuals from the beginning of pregnancy through one year postpartum. Few studies have analyzed diet quality in pregnancy and postpartum in the same participants.
Siega-Riz and her colleagues used the USDA’s Healthy Eating Index (HEI), which is based on federal dietary guidelines, to develop a diet quality score for participants in the Pregnancy Eating Attributes Study (PEAS). Because diet quality during pregnancy and postpartum impacts short- and long-term health outcomes for parent and child, the team of perinatal nutritionists and epidemiologists aimed to identify risk factors for low diet quality to develop effective interventions.
The overall average HEI score for the study participants’ diets was ranked on a 0-100 scale at 61.6. On a traditional A-F scale, the grade would be barely passing, a D, although that score is 10% higher than the average HEI score of the overall U.S. adult population. The HEI score is based on the adequate consumption of nine foods — total fruit, whole fruit, total vegetables, greens and beans, whole grains, dairy, total protein, seafood, and plant proteins, as well as fatty acids — and the consumption of four foods in moderation: refined grains, sodium, added sugars, and saturated fats.
Anna Maria Siega-Riz
“You’re only capable of changing your diet if your income and your environment support it. And that, I think, is something that a lot of people forget.”
Among all the study participants, HEI scores were stable from early pregnancy through one year postpartum. But researchers noted differences in scores according to sociodemographic characteristics, weight status, lactation duration, and tobacco smoking.
“You would think that pregnant women are highly motivated to eat better during pregnancy, precisely because they are pregnant. And that’s true in certain populations,” said Siega-Riz, the study’s senior author. “You saw higher-income women having a higher-quality diet, and lower-income women having a lower-quality diet.”
She noted that lower-income women may be working multiple jobs and either don’t have access to higher-quality foods, can’t afford them, or need more overall support from family, friends, and healthcare providers. “You’re only capable of changing your diet if your income and your environment support it. And that, I think, is something that a lot of people forget.”
Unmarried study participants and those participating in more than one federal assistance program recorded the lowest mean HEI scores. In addition, a higher body-mass index (BMI) was associated with a lower-quality diet. The highest mean HEI scores were seen in participants with higher education and among those who reported never smoking.
“What women eat during pregnancy is mostly the same things they eat in the postpartum period, with the exception of a few foods,” Siega-Riz said. “They sometimes return to caffeine and alcohol and resume eating more refined carbohydrates after giving birth.”
The study participants’ diets were assessed at six points — in each trimester of pregnancy and two months, six months, and one year postpartum. Overall, they scored high (A+) on eating enough whole fruits, total protein, and greens and beans. They scored lowest — a failing grade — on eating adequate whole grains and fatty acids, and lower on dairy products. On the moderation side, they scored a lower grade on sodium intake and saturated fats than on added sugars and refined grains, though there were no high scores.
The message of the study? “Healthcare needs to change, to be more comprehensive. And right now, that’s not our model,” Siega-Riz said. “Policymakers and prenatal care providers need to understand that even pregnant women need support and guidance to be able to change their dietary habits for the better.”
In a related PEAS study published in the Journal of Nutrition, Siega-Riz and her team performed a genomic analysis of the gastrointestinal microbiome of participants during the second trimester of pregnancy after collecting fecal swabs.
“We wanted to look at the relationship between diet and what’s in the microbiome, and then also how the microbiome might be at interplay with what’s happening in utero that the fetus ends up being imprinted by,” she said.
The researchers found an association between a diet with higher saturated fat and added sugar and the composition and function of the microbiome during pregnancy. But they don’t know yet what that means. They will continue to examine both the parent’s and the child’s microbiome in ongoing and future research.
“Although the results provide an initial landscape of microbial factors that are associated with specific dietary components, such as dietary sugar, fat, and dairy, the story is complicated and evolving, and we hope that these findings will be a foundation for future hypothesis-driven research and investigation,” the paper concludes.
The numbers tell the story.
Nearly one in three adults are overweight, more than two in five adults have obesity, and about one in 11 adults have severe obesity.
When most people think of obesity, their thoughts usually don’t go much further than the notion of being overweight. But, in truth, there is a lot more to obesity than the numbers on the scale.
“Obesity is itself a disease that often triggers a number of severe health conditions. Over time, those conditions can become chronic, progressive, debilitating, and potentially life-threatening,” said Dr. John Romanelli, medical director of Bariatric Surgery and chief of the Division of General Surgery at Baystate Health. “For many, the struggle to lose weight is complicated by the challenge of managing those health conditions. Individuals who are unable to sustain a healthy weight and are experiencing chronic conditions are often strong candidates for weight-loss surgery.”
Dr. John Romanelli
“Obesity is itself a disease that often triggers a number of severe health conditions. Over time, those conditions can become chronic, progressive, debilitating, and potentially life-threatening.”
Factors that may contribute to excess weight gain among adults include genetics; types and amounts of food and drinks consumed; level of physical activity; degree of time spent on sedentary behaviors, such as watching TV, engaging with a computer, or talking and texting on the phone; sleep habits; medical conditions or medicines; and where and how people live, including their access to and ability to afford healthy foods and safe places to be active.
Here, Romanelli answers several key questions for those considering losing weight to benefit their health.
Q: Why should you always check with your primary-care physician before starting any diet?
A: Changing your diet could alter how your medications work, and you need to be certain that you are in good cardiovascular health before starting a fitness plan.
Q: How can you determine if you truly need to lose weight?
A: The bottom line is, if you think you need to lose weight, you likely do and should discuss it with your primary-care physician. Normal body-mass index (BMI) is 25 or below. Sadly, most Americans are above this number. BMI is your weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. There are many BMI calculators available online to help.
Q: Why is it important to lose weight?
A: Our body physiology works more effectively when we are the correct weight. Virtually every body system is adversely affected by being overweight. The most obvious systems are cardiovascular — high blood pressure, heart disease — and endocrine (diabetes). But all body systems work less well when you are overweight.
Q: Losing weight safely and at a realistic pace is the best way to reach your healthy weight and to maintain that loss in the long term. How much should you lose in a week or month?
A: It is different for all patients, so this is hard to generalize. But the best weight-loss intervention is to do something that is sustainable in the long term. Otherwise, you risk reverting to ‘normal’ eating behaviors and habits, which got you into the need to diet in the first place.
Q: How do you make heads or tails among all the advertising promoting various diets?
A: Any significant diet should be discussed with a healthcare professional prior to starting it. Two tenets: if it sounds too good to be true, you are likely correct, and if it sounds like it isn’t good for you, you are also probably correct.
Q: How can a dietitian help?
A: Most of us know very little about how to eat correctly, and what we are taught in schools is inaccurate, unhelpful, and, for those of us in our 40s or older, has been debunked. Dietitians can teach many things about hunger, appetite, and making good food choices. For example, do you read the labels on the food products that you buy? You should, but very few people do so.
Q: When should bariatric surgery be considered?
A: It should be seriously considered when sustained efforts at dieting and exercise have failed, and a doctor thinks it is the next step for a patient. Ours is a comprehensive program that will take patients anywhere from six months to one year to complete. Patients need to know that this is not something that can be done overnight. Weight-loss surgery is a tool that can be very helpful when employed the right way and only works well in coordination with calorie-burning exercise, substantial behavioral changes, and a firm commitment to eating a better diet.
Weight-loss surgery is an option for people who are severely obese (about 100 pounds over your ideal body weight and a BMI of 35 and above) and cannot lose weight with diet and exercise alone. Improving your lifestyle, eating right, and staying active is still important.
HOLYOKE — Harry Montalvo, president of the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce board of directors, informed chamber members this week that Jordan Hart, who had been serving as the chamber’s executive director, is no longer with the chamber.
“We are incredibly proud of the progress the chamber has made over the past several years and remain committed to building on that momentum,” Montalvo wrote. “The board is focused on maintaining operations and ensuring the continued success of programs and services that benefit chamber members and the community.”
Montalvo noted that the board has launched a search for a new executive director, and Lisa Totz of LT Consulting will oversee operations during this period of transition. He added that Totz has served the chamber and community through many programs and initiatives, including small-business consulting and as president of the Women Business Owners Alliance.
“We look forward to welcoming a new leader to guide the chamber into its next chapter, focusing on advancing the organization’s strategic initiatives, supporting local businesses, driving the economic vitality of the Greater Holyoke area, and working together to strengthen Holyoke’s reputation as a vibrant hub for businesses, innovation, and community engagement,” he wrote.
“I urge you to stay connected and engaged during this exciting period of transition and hope to see you at the annual St. Patrick’s Breakfast and at our upcoming Power Hours, After Hours, and other events. Together, we will continue to build a stronger and more vibrant Greater Holyoke. Please feel free to reach out to me directly with any questions or to get involved.”
Kevin Whitney
NORTHAMPTON — After an extensive national search, Kevin Whitney has been selected as president and chief operating officer for Cooley Dickinson Hospital (CDH), effective March 15.
Whitney currently serves as vice president of Community Operations for the Mass General Brigham (MGB) Community Division. In addition, since last May, he has been serving as interim vice president, Patient Care Services (PCS) and chief nursing officer (CNO) for CDH, where he has helped advance quality and safety initiatives, enhanced nurse staffing, and accelerated recruitment and retention efforts.
“I am confident in Kevin’s ability to lead CDH in delivering the safest, highest-quality care and an exceptional experience for patients,” said CarolAnn Williams, president of the Mass General Brigham Community Division and senior vice president of Operations for MGB.
In his new role, Whitney will oversee hospital operations and inpatient and outpatient clinical care, including the VNA and Hospice, budgeting, and operating performance.
With more than 34 years of experience in healthcare, Whitney is a seasoned clinician and an enthusiastic, strategic, and innovative leader in both community and academic medical-center settings, with proven quality, operational outcomes, and financial performance. Prior to his current roles, he served for two years as chief operating officer for MGB Healthcare at Home.
From 2017 to 2022, Whitney served as senior vice president, PCS and CNO for Newton-Wellesley Hospital, providing strategic and operational leadership for nursing and PCS. From 2011 to 2017, he served as associate chief nurse for Surgical, Orthopedics, and Neurosciences at Massachusetts General Hospital. Prior to joining MGB, he worked at Emerson Hospital for 20 years, serving in clinical and leadership roles, including vice president, PCS and CNO.
Whitney earned his doctor of nursing practice, executive leadership degree from the MGH Institute of Health Professions; a master’s degree in health care administration from Framingham State University; a bachelor’s degree in nursing from UMass Lowell; and an associate degree in paramedic technology from Northeastern University. He is board-certified as a nurse executive – advanced and certified emergency nurse, and is a member of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership and the American College of Healthcare Executives.
In 2024, Whitney received the UMass Lowell Solomont School of Nursing Alumni Award, recognizing his significant contributions to the nursing profession and epitomizing the university’s values of hard work, integrity, compassion, and stewardship.
MONSON — Late last year, Monson Savings Bank asked local community members to cast votes for their local nonprofit of choice. Now, the bank is announcing its 2025 Community Giving Initiative recipients.
This was the 15th year Monson Savings Bank ran its Community Giving Initiative poll. The public’s excitement to cast their vote has grown throughout the years. This year, more than 4,100 people submitted a vote, a record-breaking response.
Monson Savings Bank’s Community Giving Initiative exemplifies the power of collaboration, uniting community members to collectively decide which local organizations receive support. By inviting public votes, the bank ensures that its charitable contributions reflect the community’s values and priorities, fostering a shared commitment to enhancing the well-being of the neighborhoods it serves.
“The community’s enthusiasm for our annual Community Giving Initiative is always so moving,” said Michael Rouette, executive vice president and chief operating officer. “As a bank operated right here in Western Massachusetts, Monson Savings Bank wants to support the area’s local residents, businesses, and nonprofits. Our Community Giving Initiative offers a unique opportunity for our community members to have their voice heard and decide the nonprofits they would like us to support.”
Now that the votes have been counted, Monson Savings Bank is planning to donate a total of $25,000 among the top 10 vote recipients. They are: I Found Light Against All Odds (Springfield), Scantic Valley YMCA (Wilbraham), Friends of Hampden Seniors (Hampden), South End Community Center (Springfield), Women’s Empowerment Scholarship (Greater Springfield), Monson Free Library (Monson), Whip City Animal Sanctuary (Westfield), Miracle League of Western Massachusetts (Springfield), the Graceful Swan (Ware), and Springfield Ballers (Springfield).
“These nonprofits bring important resources to our communities. It is obvious why they were chosen by our community members to receive our support,” said Dan Moriarty, president and CEO of Monson Savings Bank. “On behalf of Monson Savings Bank, I congratulate the top 10 recipients of the 2025 Community Giving Initiative, and I thank you for doing your part to help our community thrive.”
Devan Summers
LUDLOW — LUSO Federal Credit Union announced that Devan Summers has joined the credit union as vice president of Member Services and Community Development. With more than 12 years of experience in the financial-services industry, he brings a wealth of expertise and a strong commitment to member-focused solutions. In his new role, he will oversee member services, foster community partnerships, and lead initiatives aimed at driving growth and enhancing the member experience.
“I am honored to join the LUSO Federal Credit Union family and continue to evolve its member-first mission,” Summers said. “My goal is to deepen our relationships within the communities we serve, develop innovative financial solutions for what our members and businesses are facing, and ensure that LUSO continues to be a trusted partner throughout the area for achieving financial health and well-being.”
Jennifer Calheno, president and CEO of LUSO Federal Credit Union, added that “we are excited to welcome Devan to LUSO. His extensive experience in the financial industry and passion for community development align perfectly with our commitment to helping our members achieve their financial goals. I am confident that his leadership will play a pivotal role in our continued growth and success.”
PITTSFIELD — Hot Plate Brewing Co., the only Latina-owned brewery in Massachusetts, was recently named a finalist for USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best New Brewery.
Since opening its doors in downtown Pittsfield in February 2023, this mission-driven organization has been garnering attention on a local, regional, and national level, for both its beers and the impact it is making in the community.
Sarah Real, owner and head brewer, was also recently elected to the Massachusetts Brewers Guild board of directors as well as the Pink Boots Society board of directors, largely because of the work she has been doing to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in an overwhelmingly male industry.
“For years, I didn’t see myself reflected in the brewhouse or in most leadership positions at other breweries,” said Real, who discovered that fewer than 1% of all breweries in the U.S. are owned and operated by women of color. “And while I know how much representation matters, I also wanted to make sure that I’m empowering and supporting other marginalized people in this industry, which is why we have a mostly female and mostly queer staff, and why so many of the vendors I work with are also small, local, and women-owned.”
While Hot Plate is garnering attention in the world of craft beer, it has also been awarded for its work by organizations as varied as Mass Econ, National Alliance on Mental Illness Berkshire County, and Berkshire Pride. In 2024, it raised more than $10,000 for a variety of mission-aligned nonprofit organizations, including the Pittsfield Area Council of Congregations, which collectively raised more than $27,000 for this year’s Fuel Fund, which the brewery supported in several ways.
“Even though we’re new to the Berkshires, we’re incredibly proud of the partnerships we’ve formed here with mission-aligned organizations and individuals founder,” co-founder Mike Dell’Aquila. Said. “We’ve been able to make a measurable difference in this city.”
GREAT BARRINGTON — Construct announced its 18th annual campaign to Warm Up the Winter for South Berkshire County residents facing hardships due to winter weather. The campaign raises funds for wintertime emergency assistance for fuel and utilities and short-term accommodations for unhoused residents in extreme cold conditions. This year, the Southern Berkshire nonprofit aims to raise $150,000.
“The winter months pose serious challenges for many Berkshire households,” said Jane Ralph, Construct’s executive director. “We’ve already experienced a colder and snowier winter than in recent years. Folks must now buy at least 150 gallons of fuel for most companies to come out. We know people will have to choose between heat and prescription medicines or food — choices no one should make.”
Funds raised from Warm Up the Winter will help households in South Berkshire County. Contributions can be made at constructberkshires.org, by phone to (413) 528-1985, or by check payable to Construct, 316A State Road, Great Barrington, MA 01230. Construct is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and contributions to the campaign are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. People in need of emergency winter assistance can contact Construct at (413) 528-1985.
Sponsors for the Warm Up the Winter include legacy presenting sponsor the Schnesel Family Fund, the Gilson Family Foundation, Judy and Alan Marash, the Jewish Women’s Foundation; Elizabeth and Thomas Marino, Roger and Barbara Manring, Greylock Federal Credit Union, NBT Bank, Webster Landscape, Tristan Osgood Warm Up the Winter for People Fund, and Richard Glaser.
The Warm Up the Winter campaign will culminate with a benefit concert on Thursday, March 6 at the Guthrie Center in Great Barrington. This year’s event, which is a tribute to working families, includes musical guests Wanda Houston and Jeff Gonzales in Big and Bigger; Made in Memphis, a youth Elvis tribute band with Jackson Ducharme; Wild and Orson Handel, a brother-and-sister guitar and voice duo; Luke and George Franco, a father-and-son guitar and banjo duo; Abe and Annie Guthrie; Jackson Whalan’s improvisational rap; and special guest Doug Mishkin.
For more information about the campaign and the benefit concert, visit constructberkshires.org.
BOSTON — The Berkshire Bank Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Berkshire Bank, invested more than $1.7 million in local communities across its five-state footprint in 2024, including more than $450,000 from October to December.
For the year, nearly 400 nonprofits benefited from foundation grants and other giving, which included more than 110 nonprofits in the last three months of 2024. Some of the organizations supported in the fourth quarter included Bennington County Habitat for Humanity International, Covenant Soup Kitchen, Cradles to Crayons, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Habitat for Humanity Metrowest – Greater Worcester, Homeless and Travelers Aid Society, Housing Trust of Rutland County, Initiative for a Competitive Inner City, InterCommunity Inc., Jonnycake Center of Westerly, Madonna Place, Main South Community Development Corp., Regional Food Bank of Northeast New York, the Reading League, Rhode Island Community Food Bank Assoc., Second Street Second Chances, Square One, Urban League of Greater Hartford, Utica Neighborhood Housing Service, and Westside Legends.
“We aim to drive positive, enduring change and vibrant growth in our communities by partnering with local organizations that are committed to making meaningful progress,” said Lori Kiely, managing director of the Berkshire Bank Foundation.
The foundation supports the success of the communities the bank serves by investing in programs that aim to provide everyone with equal opportunity at economic prosperity.
Email ‘Picture This’ photos with a caption and contact information to [email protected]
Monson Savings Bank recently hosted an internal, employee-led winter clothing drive among the bank’s seven offices. The clothing drive benefited local students at Educare Springfield, filling several large boxes with essential winter items, including children’s-sized jackets, hats, gloves, boots, and other warm clothing.
Pictured: Monson Savings Bank Community Relations Manager Carla Carnevale (right) delivers the clothing collection to Educare Springfield Executive Director Nikki Burnett, a Monson Savings Bank corporator.
bankESB’s fourth annual Neighbors Helping Neighbors fundraising drive raised $28,000 for local food pantries, bringing the program’s four-year total to $137,000. As part of bankESB’s charitable giving program, the Giving Tree, the bank invited customers, employees, and members of the community to donate at bankESB branches throughout November. All donations were matched by bankESB, and the total was divided among 14 food pantries in Western Mass. communities the bank serves.
Pictured: bankESB Southampton Branch Officer Betsy Schabacker (left) presents a $2,000 check to Candice Iwanicki, executive director of Southampton Community Cupboard.
Baystate Noble Hospital team members showed their holiday spirit again this past holiday season by donating an abundance of toys and gifts during a three-week hospital toy and gift drive. President and COO Lissette Grimaldi and other hospital leaders delivered the toys to Behavioral Health Network (BHN) in Westfield before Christmas.
Pictured, from left: Jean Frater, program director at BHN; Grimaldi; Jan Mayforth, CFO of Baystate Regional Community Hospitals; and AJ Mazzolini of the Facilities department at Baystate Noble Hospital.
The seventh annual First Responders Appreciation Dinner welcomed 300 first responders and their families for a night filled with food, games, and fun. The evening’s highlights included a visit from Boomer, the Springfield Thunderbirds mascot, and the Massachusetts State Police taking home the win in the annual Chief Games. This event was hosted by Pioneer Valley Financial Group in partnership with the VFW and featured catering by Mills Tavern and Chill, with desserts provided by Chmura’s Bakery.
Pictured at left, from left: PV Financial Group’s Fatima Tavares, Meghan Monaghan, Catarina Sanches, Kelly Haber, Tiffany Lyman, Edward Sokolowski, Linda Martins, Austin Smith, and Karen Nogueira with Boomer. Below: Members of the Ludlow Fire Department.
Members of the Ludlow Fire Department.
Johnson Memorial Hospital recently earned an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade from the Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety, which grades hospitals across the country based on more than 30 performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries, and infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them.
Pictured: Lindsey Gamble (front center), executive director of Patient Care Services & Operations, with Johnson Memorial Hospital colleagues.
Through Feb. 27: BusinessWest is currently accepting nominations for the 40 Under Forty class of 2025. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 27. Launched in 2007, the program recognizes rising stars in the four counties of Western Mass. Nominations, which should be detailed in nature, should list an individual’s accomplishments within their profession as well as their work within the community. Nominations can be completed online at businesswest.com/40-under-forty-nomination-form. Nominations will be weighed by a panel of judges, and the selected individuals will be profiled in the April 28 issue of BusinessWest and honored at the 40 Under Forty Gala in June.
Feb: 7-8: JaDuke Theater in Turners Falls will mount a two-night community performance titled “Lights, Community, Action!” Proceeds from the four-act musical revue will benefit Community Action Pioneer Valley’s Center for Self-Reliance food pantry. Each of the four acts of the show will center around one of the four themes of Community Action’s programs: food, heat, support, and community connection. With numbers such as “Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the Beast, “Circle of Life” from The Lion King, and pop hits like “Lean on Me” and “Walking on Sunshine,” the show’s 95 community cast members are rehearsing weekly to prepare a thigh-slapping, foot-stomping singalong show full of family fun. The Center for Self-Reliance food pantry, which will be the direct beneficiary of the event’s donations and sponsorships, has seen a 34% increase in visitors over the last three years. Right now, the pantry offers fresh meat, dairy, eggs, produce, and shelf-stable goods to more than 1,000 visitors per week. The Center for Self-Reliance serves people in and around Greenfield, and the West County Pantry satellite pantry serves the Shelburne Falls and hilltown area. This is JaDuke’s fourth year of putting on a benefit show for a local nonprofit. The first three years’ beneficiaries were the Children’s Advocacy Center, United Arc, and the New England Center for Women in Transition. Both performances will start at 6 p.m. Tickets are available online at jaduketheater.com.
Feb. 28: The Chicopee Chamber of Commerce announced the recipients of its 2025 Shining Stars, recognizing individuals whose exceptional contributions strengthen and inspire the community. This year’s honorees are AJ Crane, owner of A. Crane Construction, as Citizen of the Year; Ashley Batlle, owner of Beauty Batlles Lounge, as Volunteer of the Year; the Springfield Thunderbirds as Business of the Year; and Health New England as Nonprofit of the Year. The Chicopee Chamber introduced Shining Stars in 1985 when Ernest Laflamme Jr. was recognized as the first Citizen of the Year. Recipients are selected by a nominating committee chaired by Laflamme and including Carol Campbell of Chicopee Industrial Contractors, Ted Hebert of Teddy Bear Pools, City Treasurer Marie Laflamme, Michael Siddall of Siddall & Siddall, P.C., and Jeffrey Sattler of Liberty Bank. The 40th annual Shining Stars Gala will take place from 6 to 10:30 p.m. at the Castle of Knights at 1599 Memorial Dr. Tickets cost $75 per person. To purchase tickets or inquire about sponsorships, visit www.chicopeechamber.org or call (413) 594-2101.
March 29: Second Chance Animal Services will host its 26th annual Auction Gala at the AC Marriott in Worcester. This is Second Chance’s most important fundraiser of the year, raising critical funds to help provide life-saving services to more than 56,000 pets in need. The evening will feature hundreds of silent auction items, raffles, and a small but exclusive live auction offering one-of-a-kind experiences. With a relaxed cocktail and dressy-casual dress code, the event is designed to be an enjoyable evening for all, combining great company with opportunities to make a meaningful impact. All proceeds will support Second Chance’s mission to transform the lives of pets by providing affordable veterinary care, keeping pets with their families, and finding loving homes for animals in need. Tickets are on sale now, and seating is limited, so early reservations are encouraged. Businesses and individuals can also support the event by sponsoring, which includes recognition in event materials, highlighting their commitment to supporting pets in need. Donations to the auction are another way to get involved, with unique goods, services, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences being especially popular. To purchase tickets, become a sponsor, or donate auction items, visit www.secondchanceanimals.org/dinner-auction or email [email protected].
April 9: Tickets are now on sale for the 17th annual Difference Makers awards gala, hosted by BusinessWest at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. The class of 2025 will be profiled in the Feb. 17 issue. Tickets cost $95 per person, and tables of 10 are available. They can be purchased at businesswest.com/eventcalendar/difference-makers-tickets. The 17th annual Difference Makers program is sponsored by Burkhart Pizzanelli, the Royal Law Firm, Trinity Health Of New England/Mercy Medical Center, and TommyCar Auto Group.
June 20-22: Registration is now open for Hooplandia, the third annual 3-on-3 basketball tourney and festival, at hooplandia.com. The event will take place at Eastern States Exposition (ESE) and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Games will be played at the ESE complex, with special games held at the Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2024, 75 basketball courts allowed accommodation for more than 650 games played by approximately 2,100 participants of all ages. Diverse divisions include young girls and boys, women, men, high-school ages, college level, OGs, veterans, and more. Players in the Special Olympics and Unified division can look forward to free registration, and those in the Hoops & Heroes division, such as active and retired first responders and military personnel, have access to discounted registration. Players are invited to build teams of four, create their own unique team name, design their uniforms, and register at hooplandia.com. Fees range according to age. Those that register before the end of the day on March 10 are treated to the 3 Point Perks package, which grants early teams access to limited-edition goodies. 3 Point Perks are not available after March 10, and registration prices increase after May 26 for late teams.
Kiley O’Meara
The directors of the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation announced that Kiley O’Meara has been named the new executive director of the foundation. She will oversee the foundation’s strategic initiatives and brings with her three decades of experience in philanthropy, policy, and education. For the past year, O’Meara has served the Davis Foundation as director of Strategy and Learning. She previously worked as a senior researcher at Stanford University at the PACE (Policy Analysis for California Education) research center. In that position, she supported continuous improvement in policy and philanthropy through research, data-based insights and analysis, and strategic planning. Specializing in improving education for low-income youth, O’Meara has conducted pivotal research on initiatives supported by major foundations, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Her diverse career spans roles such as director of Policy and Research at GreatSchools, program officer at the Stupski Foundation in San Francisco; and policy director of the Bay Area School Reform Collaborative, part of the national Hewlett-Annenberg Challenge school-improvement effort. She served as an AmeriCorps member after graduating college, teaching inmates at the Suffolk County House of Correction in Boston. She then went on to be a TK-12 educator before entering the realm of policy and research. She holds a master’s degree in public policy from the Kennedy School at Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree from Middlebury College. In the community, she serves in leadership roles at Choate Rosemary Hall’s parent association and the Harvard Alumnae Assoc., and also volunteers at Healing Meals in Simsbury, Conn.
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Gerardo Sanchez
bankESB recently promoted Gerardo Sanchez to digital banking product officer, based at its 241 Northampton St., Easthampton office. He has 26 years of banking experience and joined bankESB in 2021 as an electronic banking systems manager. Previously, he was the Financial Center Operations manager at Bank of America and, before that, eBanking manager at Florence Bank. In this new role, he will focus on bankESB’s digital banking roadmap, initiatives, and upgrades. Sanchez earned an associate degree in business studies from Holyoke Community College and a bachelor’s degree in both business management and human resources from Bridgewater State University. He also earned a certificate from the Massachusetts Bankers Association’s New England School for Financial Studies.
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Laura Davis
Andy Zhang
Dietz & Company Architects Inc. announced that Laura Davis has been promoted to the position of senior project manager. She joined the firm in 2019 as an architectural associate and quickly grew to become an invaluable part of the team through her strong project-management skills. Now, as a senior project manager, she leads projects across many states and properties for the firm’s hospitality clients. Dietz & Company also announced that Andy Zhang has earned his professional license to practice architecture in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. To achieve licensure, he successfully completed all six divisions of the Architectural Registration Examination and 3,740 experience hours under a licensed architect, as well as meeting all requirements for architectural licensure in the Commonwealth. Zhang joined Dietz & Company in 2020 as an architectural associate and has since grown within the company, working on a variety of project types and now as a member of its hospitality team. He earned his master of architecture degree from UMass Amherst and his bachelor of architecture degree from Shandong Architecture University in China.
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Mary McGovern, president and CEO of Country Bank, announced the promotion of Melissa Mann to vice president of Customer Experience and Michael Dias to Product Marketing & Business Insights officer. Mann offers a unique blend of skills, including completing the New England School for Financial Studies through the Massachusetts Bankers Assoc. in 2019. She is currently working on completing her project management certification through the Project Management Institute, which shows her ongoing commitment to professional development. She will continue to lead and manage the bank’s Sales and Customer Experience programs and strategies. Dias has been a driving force in integrating data analytics into the bank’s marketing strategies. With an MBA in data analytics from Western New England University and his recent certification as a certified financial marketing professional by the American Bankers Assoc., his strategic mindset and forward-thinking approach have been key in integrating data analytics into the bank’s marketing strategies.
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Autumn Leshinski
Hogan Technology, a leading managed technology services provider, announced the promotion of Autumn Leshinski to the position of voice group manager. She has been an integral part of Hogan for more than 11 years, during which time she has expanded her role significantly, transitioning from client services to technical services and project coordination. “Autumn has become an indispensable member of our team,” said Sean Hogan, president of Hogan Technology. “She engages daily in client-facing roles, making her a crucial element in both client retention and new customer onboarding. Her new responsibilities as voice group manager will encompass partner and resource development.”
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Melisa Loa
American International College (AIC) appointed Melisa Loa dean of students and director of Residence Life. In this role, she will lead the Office of Student Affairs and oversee student conduct, support, and advocacy. She is especially dedicated to advocating for and supporting first-generation students, aligning with AIC’s mission of providing access and opportunity for all. Loa joins AIC with more than a decade of experience in and out of higher education. She most recently served as assistant director of Residence Life for First-year Experience at Anna Maria College, where she worked closely with first-year students. Loa began her professional journey as a resident assistant, steadily advancing in leadership roles. She holds a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and sociology with an individualized focus on higher education from Roger Williams University and a master’s degree in student affairs administration from Michigan State University.
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Courtney Huxley
Greenfield Cooperative Bank announced the promotion of Courtney Huxley to Business Development officer. In this role, she will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies to grow the bank’s customer base and strengthen its market position. She will be responsible for driving business growth by fostering new customer relationships, supporting marketing strategies, and implementing initiatives to attract customers to the bank. She will also be a strong presence at the bank’s numerous community giving and outreach programs. Huxley has a 22-year career in retail banking, including five years as a branch manager at Greenfield Cooperative Bank.
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On Jan. 1, Michael Skillicorn joined Alisa Klein as co-executive director of Grow Food Northampton (GFN). Together, they say their complementary strengths and shared vision will lead Grow Food Northampton into an exciting new chapter, advancing its mission as a food and farming justice organization. Skillicorn joined Grow Food Northampton eight years ago as program director and was promoted five years ago to associate director. Over the last five years, Klein has led Grow Food Northampton as the sole executive director — through the pandemic, the catastrophic flood of the Grow Food Northampton Community Farm in July 2023, and a period of growth and stability for the organization.
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Cliff Hedges
Mackenzie Coburn
Eastern States Exposition (ESE) employees Cliff Hedges, director of Security, and Mackenzie Coburn, Sales Innovation manager, have been appointed chairman of the Safety & Security Committee and chair of the Sponsorship Committee, respectively, by the International Assoc. of Fairs and Expos (IAFE). Hedges has an extensive background in public safety beyond his six years as ESE’s director of Security. He began his career in law enforcement as a police officer in Dallas and was later employed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for 26 years. He maintained various roles while working for the FBI in Tampa, Fla., Boston, and Springfield. While in Springfield, he spent five years conducting criminal investigations as a supervisory special agent for the Safe Streets Gang Task Force and Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Task Force. He was a foreign counterintelligence investigator when he concluded his career with the FBI. Immediately before joining ESE, Hedges was the Compliance director and investigator for Regional Care Healthcare, where he oversaw the security of five hospitals. At that time, he was simultaneously acting as a security consultant for Bee-Line Security. Coburn began her career at ESE more than five years ago as a marketing intern immediately after completing her bachelor’s degree in communications at Westfield State University. Soon after, she joined the team as a brand marketing coordinator and expanded her responsibilities tenfold, overseeing website redesigns for ESE and the Big E, rebranding the Big E’s food competition, refreshing the sponsorship program, and more. In July 2022, she became Sales Innovation manager, re-establishing the internship program, developing a brand style guide, curating a local brewers showcase, and more. Coburn has also completed the Institute of Fair Management graduate certificate program in November 2023 and became an IAFE ambassador in February 2023.
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The Stack Group Inc. announced the hiring of Jordan Stack as an associate. In this role, he will contribute to content creation for SEO clients as well as design for website projects. Stack is currently a sophomore at UMass Amherst, where he is pursuing a major in legal studies. Prior to attending UMass Amherst, he was a business and marketing major at American International College (AIC), where he also competed as a student-athlete on its Division II lacrosse team. An accomplished student, he has achieved dean’s list honors in all his semesters of academic work. He also earned a design certification via Duda and a content certification via HubSpot.
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James Dyment
Tighe & Bond, a Northeast leader in engineering, design, and environmental consulting, recently welcomed James Dyment as a vice president in its Water Business Line. He will help to drive business-development strategy and pursuits within that line, as well as provide coaching and mentoring to staff. In addition to his role at vice president, he will serve as a project director with a focus on wastewater project management. Dyment brings more than 25 years of progressive experience in water and wastewater engineering. His wastewater infrastructure experience includes treatment, collection systems, pumping stations, infiltration/inflow analyses, and sewer system evaluation surveys. He has extensive experience collaborating across engineering disciplines, including instrumental and controls as well as supervisory control and data acquisition, and managing projects throughout the life cycle from conceptualization through design, construction, commissioning, and operation. His drinking-water infrastructure experience includes pump stations, booster stations, and storage tanks. Throughout his career, he has been responsible for a variety of successful, multi-discipline municipal water and wastewater engineering projects. Dyment has worked on significant municipal treatment facility projects in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, including overseeing the design, construction, and startup of the 7.7 MGD advanced wastewater treatment facility in Warwick, R.I. and the 10 MGD advanced wastewater treatment facility in Taunton; developing upgrades to the wastewater treatment facility and remote pumping stations in Bristol, R.I.; and serving as project manager for the design and construction of water storage tanks in Milton. He will be based out of the firm’s Providence, R.I. office.
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Rachel’s Table of Western Massachusetts (RTWM) announced a slate of new board members to its roster, enhancing its community leadership in a cause that has engaged more than 350 volunteers in Western Mass. Board members inaugurated in 2025 include Mallory Probert-Caplan, Cathy Dorison, Michael Paysnick, and Carolyn Martinez, executive director of Christina’s House, as agency representative, a new position on the board of directors. In addition, RTWM also added Janice Dickstein to the board in 2025 and to the executive board in 2025. Jeffrey Sagalyn and Erinn Young, vice president at PeoplesBank, moved from the professional advisory council to the board. RTWM’s new president is Judy Yaffe, and the vice president is Jane Cohen. Laura Katz remains treasurer.
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The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts announced the addition of three community members to its board of directors: Amy Rome, Olivia Aguilar, and Maureen James. Each brings a wealth of experience and a shared commitment to addressing food insecurity in the region. With extensive expertise in fundraising across health, education, performing-arts, international, and faith-based organizations, Rome has held key roles at institutions such as Lincoln Center, Cancer Care, and the William J. Clinton Foundation and Union Seminary. She has also consulted on initiatives for the Guggenheim Museum and the Episcopal Divinity School at Union. She has actively contributed to the Food Bank’s development committee since March 2022. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she has served on the board of the Academy of Music and leads the Banned Book Initiative for the League of Women Voters in Northampton. Aguilar, director of the Miller Worley Center for the Environment at Mount Holyoke College, is a nationally recognized expert in environmental education and community-based learning. A first-generation college graduate, she has earned degrees from Texas A&M University and Cornell University, with research focused on inclusivity in environmental and science learning communities. Her work explores intersections of community, race, and transformative education. Her dedication to equity aligns with the Food Bank’s mission to create inclusive and sustainable solutions to hunger. Her upcoming book, Remembering, Resisting, and Reimagining: The Latinx Outdoor Experience, will be published in 2025. A Cathedral High School alumna, James brings legal and community-service expertise to the board. After earning degrees in political science and English from Boston University and her law degree from Suffolk University, she has specialized in employment defense and insurance law at Skoler, Abbott, and Presser, P.C. in Springfield. Since returning to Western Mass. in 2015, she has become deeply involved in her community, chairing Wilbraham’s Commission on Disability, and, starting this year, serving as vice chair of the Baystate Health Foundation board. Her dedication to community empowerment complements the Food Bank’s vision for a hunger-free region.
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Local nonprofit community behavioral-health agency Clinical & Support Options (CSO) has announced key leadership changes within the organization. Chief Financial Officer Frank Mertes announced his plans for retirement last fall. This month, CSO welcomes Jeffrey Cebula as its new CFO. Cebula comes from Baystate Health, where he served in progressive roles, including six years as director of Finance for Baystate Franklin Medical Center and Baystate Noble Hospital. Also new to CSO’s senior leadership team is Brooke Deren, who joins the agency as its new regional program director of Emergency Services Programs. Like Cebula, Deren also comes to CSO from Baystate Health, most recently working in its Partial Hospitalization Program.
WEST SPRINGFIELD — On Dec. 16, Carnival Warehouse, the fair industry’s most comprehensive news source for carnivals and events, released its annual ranking of the top 50 fairs in North America based on attendance numbers. After a record-setting year, the Big E soared to fourth place. In 2024, the Big E welcomed an unprecedented 1,633,935 fairgoers to the Eastern States Exposition (ESE) complex. Throughout the 17-day fair, seven daily attendance records were set, and Saturday, Sept. 21 set a record for single-day attendance. North American Midway Entertainment (NAME), the Big E’s carnival provider, retained its position as the number-one midway operator in the same study. NAME operates at 11 of the events on the list of top 50 fairs. NAME’s history with ESE dates back to 1979 when Conklin Shows was granted the contract to the Big E. Conklin later united with four other major midway operators to create NAME, an international company with corporate headquarters based in Farmland, Ind. NAME’s reign at the Big E began two decades ago, in 2005. Since its inception, NAME has provided rides, games, and food to fairs and festivals in about 140 communities and 20 states, as well as four Canadian provinces. It boasts more than 200 rides and fair classic food concessions that allow clients to remain novel and competitive. The Big E is an example of ESE’s efforts to connect the larger public with agricultural producers through 17 fun-filled days each September. The fair’s legacy spans more than 115 years, and its growing size and international recognition are a testament to its success. As the agricultural buildings remain at the center of the complex, the impact of the individual farmer remains at the heart of ESE’s mission.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Pyramid Management Group, one of the largest privately-held shopping-center developers in the Northeast, has successfully worked with its lender to secure a three-year extension for the loan on Holyoke Mall at Ingleside. This extension will allow Pyramid to continue to reinvest in the property and ensure its continued health, vibrancy, and success. Holyoke Mall has been the Western Mass. region’s largest enclosed shopping center for more than 45 years. Anchored by Macy’s, JCPenney, Target, Hobby Lobby, and Best Buy, Holyoke Mall offers more than 150 retail shops, as well as restaurants like 110 Grill and Sumo Japanese Steakhouse and entertainment destinations Round 1, Billy Beez, and Altitude Trampoline Park. Holyoke Mall is also a major employment driver in the area and an economic catalyst for the region. The property totals 1.6 million square feet, with more than 3,000 people employed by Pyramid and its tenants.
CHICOPEE — Elms College has introduced the Elms Promise, a financial-aid program designed to provide full tuition coverage for students from families earning less than $85,000 annually. By combining federal and state grants with institutional scholarships, the Elms Promise reflects the college’s commitment to making a high-quality, four-year college education accessible to students of all backgrounds. Full tuition is covered after all federal, state, and institutional grants and scholarships are applied. This includes merit awards, endowed scholarships, and other forms of financial aid. To take advantage of the program this fall, incoming freshmen must maintain a minimum high-school GPA of 3.5, apply for admission to Elms College and be accepted by May 1, and complete the FAFSA by May 1 as well. Students can live on campus or commute to receive full benefits. If a student chooses to live on campus, the cost of room and board is not covered by the program; federal loans and external scholarships may help offset these expenses. Families must be Massachusetts residents. Eligibility is reassessed annually based on income and FAFSA submission. Students must also remain in good academic standing.
SPRINGFIELD — Baystate Health has called off plans to sell it’s not-for-profit health insurer, Health New England, to Boston-based Point32Health. Baystate and Point32Health announced the $165 million sale in February 2024, and it had received approval from state insurance regulators. The announcement means Baystate Health and the affiliated physicians through Baycare Health Partners remain in network for Point32Health plan members. There is no change to current coverage, benefits, or provider network for members. Meanwhile, Health New England will continue to operate as usual, with no change to current coverage, benefits, or provider network for members. Baystate Health will retain ownership of Health New England, and Baystate Health governance and senior leadership will be taking the next few months to evaluate the strategic positioning and performance of Health New England to inform future decisions.
SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) announced it has reached the enrollment threshold for Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation. Official recognition of HSI status — granted by the U.S. Department of Education to not-for-profit, degree-granting institutions with at least 25% of their full-time equivalent undergraduate enrollment identifying as Hispanic — is expected within the next two years. Since its establishment in 1885, AIC has provided access to higher education for underserved populations. This mission was bolstered by the 2022 launch of AIC Reimagined, a five-year strategic plan that prioritized achieving HSI designation. As of last fall, Hispanic/Latino students represent more than 27% of AIC’s undergraduate enrollment, a landmark achievement for the institution. While the growth in Hispanic and Latino/Latina student enrollment has positioned AIC to pursue this designation, the college remains committed to cultivating a vibrant community that serves students from all backgrounds. HSI status will provide access to federal and foundation grants, expanding resources to benefit the entire student body.
SPRINGFIELD — Dress for Success Western Massachusetts (DFSWM) celebrated the opening of its new Women’s Career Center and the completion of its newly constructed office spaces, program areas, and boutique with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 15. The new Women’s Career Center will make DFSWM’s workforce-development programming available to hundreds more individuals each year, both on a drop-in basis and through regularly scheduled workshops. Through the center, clients can receive assistance with résumé creation, job searching, career coaching, digital and financial literacy, and more. Drop-in hours for the center will be Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with some evening hours to be determined and occasional weekend hours by appointment.
WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. — The Connecticut Airport Authority announced that JetBlue will be launching non-stop service between Bradley International Airport (BDL) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Flights will begin on April 30 and will operate daily year-round. The announcement builds on JetBlue’s ongoing expansion in Connecticut, which has resulted in an increase of 35 additional weekly flights between Bradley International Airport and the airline’s Florida destinations this winter. Additionally, in the summer of 2025, JetBlue will offer 30% more seats from Bradley International Airport than last summer.
WESTFIELD — Westfield State University announced its new law enforcement and mental health co-response graduate program, which is designed to address the growing need for collaboration between law enforcement and mental-health professionals. This degree-granting program, the first of its kind in the nation, is a concentration within the university’s master of arts in mental health counseling program or available as a standalone post-baccalaureate certificate. Joseph Camilleri, professor of Psychology; Kimberly Tobin, professor of Criminal Justice; and Lisa Barao, visiting lecturer of Criminal Justice, were instrumental in developing this program. They worked closely with law-enforcement agencies across Massachusetts and Connecticut to create a curriculum that meets workforce needs and equips participants with tools for success in this emerging field. This comprehensive program covers essential topics such as the intersection of mental disorders and crime, relevant legal frameworks, and strategies for conducting rapid mental-health and risk assessments in the field. Students will gain in-depth knowledge and skills to understand mental-health disorders and their relationship to criminal behavior, as well as the broader criminal-justice system. Ultimately, this strengthens relationships between public-safety professionals and the communities they serve. Emphasizing practical application, the co-response program includes research opportunities and culminates in a capstone project where students apply their learning in real-world scenarios. The program is designed to reduce strain on emergency services, connect individuals to appropriate care and resources, and foster trust between community members and public-safety professionals. By bridging the gap between law enforcement and mental-health professionals, the program equips graduates to address critical public-safety challenges while supporting the mental-health needs of communities.
SPRINGFIELD — Western New England University (WNE) and Greenfield Community College (GCC) announced an innovative articulation agreement that streamlines the path for students pursuing careers in occupational therapy. This new associate to doctor of occupational therapy (OTD) transfer program provides GCC allied health students with a seamless transition to WNE’s 3+3 dual-degree programs, culminating in a doctorate in occupational therapy. Designed to provide a structured and efficient academic journey, the agreement allows eligible students to transfer from GCC’s associate in science allied health program into WNE’s bachelor of science in health studies or bachelor of arts in psychology program. From there, students progress into the university’s doctor of occupational therapy program housed within the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (COPHS). Current GCC students in the allied health program are eligible and can transfer to WNE as juniors in the 3+3 OTD program as early as next fall as long as they have taken the necessary coursework, met the GPA criteria, and have graduated with their associate degree. In terms of cost and time, the 3+3 program saves students an entire year of schooling as it takes just six years to earn a doctoral degree in occupational therapy. Students will be informed of this opportunity during their application process at GCC and can indicate their interest at the time of matriculation. WNE and GCC will collaborate on outreach and advising initiatives to ensure prospective students receive the guidance they need to succeed. This agreement underscores both institutions’ dedication to equipping students with the skills and credentials needed to thrive in the dynamic field of occupational therapy.
The following business incorporations were recorded in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties and are the latest available. They are listed by community.
AGAWAM
Iglesia Evangelica la Hora de Restauracion, 238 Male St., Apt. G6, Agawam, MA 01001. Quetcy Rivera, same. Spiritual support for the community.
ASHFIELD
Ethos Award Equestrian Inc., 611 Barnes Road, Ashfield, MA 01330. Roberta Wilmore, same. Nonprofit established to fundraise to support the Ethos Award.
EASTHAMPTON
Mass Park Way Inc., 39 Hannum Brook Dr., Easthampton, MA 01027. Jeffrey James McDonald, same. Buying and reselling of items along with helping others dispose of excess items and offering pro bono help when needed to customers.
EAST LONGMEADOW
Caring Home Health Care Inc., 270 Benton Dr., Suite B, East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Maria Mena, same. Home healthcare services.
GREENFIELD
Jay SBM Corp., 92 Verde Dr., Greenfield, MA 01301. Priyankumar Patel, same. Smoothie store.
HOLYOKE
Maccg Holyoke Inc., 50 Holyoke St., R116, Holyoke, MA 01040. Hong Zhi Liu, 3115 Knorr St., Philadelphia, PA 19149. Restaurant located in food court of Holyoke Mall.
LENOX
Pickni Properties Inc., 31 Hubbard St., Lenox, MA 01240. Michelle Pranger, same. Real-estate investments.
NORTH ADAMS
Fuls Family Entertainment Inc., 41 Roberts Dr., North Adams, MA 01247. Gary Fuls Jr., 82 Elm St., Williamstown, MA 01267. Bowling, video golf, and entertainment.
PITTSFIELD
6 Solferino St. Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Yongmei Zeng, same. The purpose of this organization includes but is not limited to e-commerce trade.
Avazone Works Ltd., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Tao Zhang, same. Consulting service and technical service.
Epique Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Joshua Miller, same. Office for real-estate agents and brokers.
Mtmove Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Hongxia Yuan, same. Real estate.
Revitalize Health and Wellness Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Richard Westhaver, same. Health and wellness products.
Xtrs Corp., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Daniel Rodrigues de Souza, 3204 Founders Way, Saugus, MA 01906. Car towing company.
SPRINGFIELD
7 Star Dickinson Inc., 707 Dickinson St., Springfield, MA 01108. Muhammad Ali Saleem, 188 Clearwater Circle, Ludlow, MA 01056. Gas station with convenience store, tobacco, cigarette, vapor, and lottery.
Springfield Cowboys Inc., 1570 Plumtree Road, Springfield, MA 01119. Chelsea Lester, same. Nonprofit organization whose mission is to make a positive impact on youth across New England through a comprehensive approach that includes sports, mental health, and equity, with a program focused on a variety of athletic activities, including football, flag football, track, and more, to provide young people with opportunities to develop their skills, teamwork, and discipline.
WESTFIELD
5355 Elm Corp., 53 Elm St., Westfield, MA 01085. Binta Modh, 5 Pond St., Ashland, MA 01721. Retail package store, tobacco, and convenience.
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Danger, Alert, Prepare Inc., 521 Union St., West Springfield, MA 01089. Nathan Daniels Jr., 23 Dawes St., Springfield, MA 01109. Nonprofit organization providing educational, charitable and community programs and services for returning citizens so they can be productive and positive individuals in society.
The following business certificates and/or trade names were issued or renewed during the month of January 2025.
AMHERST
Aikido of Amherst
7 Pomeroy Lane
James Heath Atchley
All About Learning
7 Pomeroy Lane, Units 1-6
David Wilder, Melissa Wilder
Amherst Antiques
81 Sunderland Road
Matthew Corcoran
Amherst Inn
257 Main St.
Ann King
Our Foods Bakery
362 Northampton Road, Apt. D
Clara Selorm Danso
The Red Barn
893 West St.
Tana Boone
Ren’s Mobil Service
161 North Pleasant St.
Reynold Gladu
Sandy’s Barber Shop
96 North Pleasant St.
Stacy Kelliher
Sociocracy for All
120 Pulpit Hill Road, Unit 8
Jerry Koch-Gonzalez
Thinqué
362 Northampton Road, Apt. D
Clara Danso, Emmanuel Danso
BELCHERTOWN
Dream Designs Custom Framing
95 West St.
Darvin Martin, Helena Martin
Ed Leary Home Improvement
46 South Liberty St.
Edwin Leary
Goetic Systems
475 South Washington St.
Adam Nyzio
Victor Cueto
11 Barton Ave.
Victor Cueto
HADLEY
CMG Home Loans
195 Russell St., B1
CMG Mortgage Inc.
Hadley Auto Express
212 Russell St.
Amir Mikchi
JC Mattress Co.
81 River Dr.
Justin Carlson
Jiffy Lube #812
347 Russell St.
Atlantic Coast Enterprises
Marshalls #0838
325 Russell St.
TJX Cos. Inc.
Mud Rail Farms Trapping
57 Roosevelt St.
Brandon Daniel
Pride #603
25 Russell St.
Pride Operating LLC
Pride #612
445 Russell St.
Pride Operating LLC
River Drive Auto
81 River Dr.
Stephen Szymkowicz
River Valley Realty Services
114 Bay Road
Timothy Murphy
T.J. Maxx #0136
454 Russell St.
TJX Cos. Inc.
Unlimited Business Service
217 Russell St.
Ruth Parker
Valley Veterinary Hospital
320 Russell St.
VetCor of Massachusetts
PITTSFIELD
Capital Bookkeeping Solution
39 Winship Ave.
Gerardo Gonzalez
Delicias de Mi Tierra
28B Whipple St.
Nubia Toloza Davila
Hair Loft
12 Allendale Road
Corrine Vaughn
Lavender Cleaning Services
111 Lincoln St., Apt. D
Lida Hernandez Ospina
Tom’s Moving Service
234 Lenox Ave.
Thomas Weiland
SOUTHWICK
208 Southwick Inc.
208 College Highway
Ankit Patel
A&Z Auto Corp.
797 College Highway
Fariaan Mufreed
AMV Corp.
587 College Highway
Maunish Shah
Balance Beauty Bar
535 College Highway
Florence Castonguay
Bears n Buses
509 College Highway
Dominic Faretra
Clear 10 Solutions
39 Deer Run Road
Jeff King
DK Design
615 College Highway
Keith King
Faced by Emily LLC
627 College Highway
Emily Burke
FJ Auctions Inc.
58 Fred Jackson Road
Jamie Jacquier
M&D Trucking
134 South Loomis St.
Michael Girroir
Maids Made Affordable
8 Veteran St.
Christina Larosa
Mary Vella
613 College Highway
Mary Vella
Oak’n Keg
20 Point Grove Road
Vimal Patel
Ranpat Inc.
23-25 Point Grove Road
Natalie Lynch
Southwick Forastiere Funeral Home & Cremation
624 College Highway
Frank Forastiere
Southwick Package Store
466 College Highway
Robert Benoit
WESTFIELD
Alpaxion Digital Synergies
26 Hampden St.
Keven Allen
Charles Skop
120 Northwest Road
Charles Skop
Chuck’s Handyman Services
29 East Silver St., #1
Irvin Hooten
Community Chiropractic Care
420 Union Street, #1
Peyton O’Conner
DPM
44 Pontoosic Road
Davyd Prykhodko
Great Clips
249 East Main St.
Catie Laraway
Healing Hands by Sarifa
16 Union Ave.
Sarifa Khan
Madison Construction
264 Buck Pond Road
James O’Sullivan
Ravenwood Investigations
57 Jaeger Dr.
C. Lee Bennett
Simple Website Admin
192 Eastwood Dr.
Richard Hauff
Spirals Massage
1029 North Road
Keilani Tirado
Vessel Coffee Cart
74 Old Holyoke Road
Alyona Brutskaya
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Angelo Bertelli’s Liquor Mart
726 Main St.
Angelo Bertelli’s Liquor Mart
Art Studio
201 Dewey St.
Art Studio
Bell Dental Lab
1111 Elm St., Suite 25
Bell Dental Lab
Costco Liquors
119 Daggett Dr.
Costco Atlantic Liquors Inc.
The Cupcakes Lady
12 Prospect St.
The Cupcakes Lady
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
1053 Riverdale St.
Camrac LLC
Fathers & Sons Inc.
434 Memorial Ave.
Fathers & Sons Inc.
Fathers & Sons Volvo Cars West Springfield
989 Memorial Ave.
Fathers & Sons Inc.
Fathers & Sons Inc.
168 New Bridge St.
Fathers & Sons Inc.
Health Products Shop
440 Main St.
Health Products Shop
Huntington Creative Commercial Photography LLC
132 Myron St.
Huntington Creative Commercial Photography LLC
Pension & Benefits Associates Inc.
131 Wayside Ave.
Pension & Benefits Associates Inc.
Pro Tool and Machine
349 Cold Spring Ave.
Pro Tool and Machine
Skip’s Cleaning
871 Main St.
Skip’s Cleaning
Smart Pick Dental
235 Memorial Ave.
Riverside Dental LLC
Victory International Store
573 Union St.
Victory International Store
The following bankruptcy petitions were recently filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Readers should confirm all information with the court.
Bassette, Matthew W.
Bassette, Diane E.
116 Raymond Circle
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/27/2024
Blais, David J.
43 Converse St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/31/2024
Bradford-Hall, Julissa
a/k/a CollazoJulissa
a/k/a RodriguezJulissa
450 Broadway St., 2nd
Chicopee, MA 01020
Date: 12/23/2024
Brown, Lee Ernest
553-555 Union St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Date: 12/31/2024
Day, John A.
Day, Sara A.
10 Wright Place
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 13
Date: 12/30/2024
Dearborn, Kristina Czepiel
73 Fomer Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/31/2024
Decker, Robert J.
Decker, Brenda L.
a/k/a Shaw, Brenda L.
77 Federal St.
Millers Falls, MA 01349
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/23/2024
Hensley, Lincoln M.
40 Prospect St., Apt. D1
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/24/2024
Jackson, Frank P.
Turner, D. Stephen
405 Rock Valley Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/21/2024
LaFond, William
71 Allen Crest St.
Hampden, MA 01036
Chapter: 13
Date: 12/17/2024
Lewis, Christie L.
599 Williams St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 13
Date: 12/31/2024
Mercado, Pablo Daniel
40 Amherst St.
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/30/2024
Pandell, Larry T.
Pandell, Noelle M.
P.O. Box 114
Cheshire, MA 01225
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/30/2024
Rourke, Sally
15 Davis St., Apt. 2
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 13
Date: 12/17/2024
Thornton, Anthony
Thornton, Jasmin D.
a/k/a Cage, Jasmin
23 Dixie Ter.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/24/2024
Velez, Tatiana
184 Berkshire St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/31/2024
Weir, Thomas P.
Weir, Joanne
52 Lakeshore Dr.
Becket, MA 01223
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/26/2024
Wright, Benjamin T.
8 Simpson St.
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 13
Date: 12/20/2024
Zengotita Bonilla, Cecilia
a/k/a Jimenez Bonilla, Cecilia
45 Duryea St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/30/2024
The following real estate transactions (latest available) were compiled by Banker & Tradesman and are published as they were received. Only transactions exceeding $115,000 are listed. Buyer and seller fields contain only the first name listed on the deed.
FRANKLIN COUNTY
BERNARDSTON
57 Deane Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $349,000
Buyer: Erik A. Bardwell
Seller: Stephen D. Kelsey
Date: 01/02/25
BUCKLAND
142 Bray Road
Buckland, MA 01370
Amount: $302,000
Buyer: Christopher Miner
Seller: Alan Ross
Date: 12/30/24
Charlemont Road
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Peter Q. Warinner
Seller: James R. Schaefer
Date: 01/03/25
CHARLEMONT
River Road
Charlemont, MA 01339
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Peter Q. Warinner
Seller: James R. Schaefer
Date: 01/03/25
GREENFIELD
276 Chapman St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Katharine F. Kyros
Seller: Scott, June F., (Estate)
Date: 12/30/24
LEVERETT
168 North Leverett Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Hanna Freedlund
Seller: Dario Rosenstock
Date: 12/30/24
NORTHFIELD
598 Mount Hermon Station Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $439,000
Buyer: Justin Moody
Seller: Patrick Weyers
Date: 01/03/25
ORANGE
180 West River St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Adonai Marroquin
Seller: Marcia J. Horman
Date: 12/23/24
WHATELY
155 Christian Lane
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: Nicholas Jansson
Seller: Troy T. Martin
Date: 01/03/25
HAMPDEN COUNTY
AGAWAM
29 Editha Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $300,171
Buyer: Skyspec LLC
Seller: Ruperto Perez
Date: 12/24/24
21 Line St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Stephen Grabowski
Seller: Serg W. Abramchuck
Date: 12/30/24
162 Mallard Circle
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Bradley Montanez
Seller: Laura A. Marcoux
Date: 12/31/24
397 Southwick St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Matthew Spinale
Seller: Silver Snake Properties LLC
Date: 01/02/25
322-326 Springfield St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $358,000
Buyer: Chenghao Xu
Seller: Jackie Y. Tang
Date: 01/03/25
25 Westford Circle
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Konstantin S. Skovorodin
Seller: Carrie Mayer
Date: 12/27/24
BRIMFIELD
21 Hollow Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Tyler J. Fournier
Seller: Shannon Kelly
Date: 12/27/24
7 Knollwood Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Nicole M. Look
Seller: Jason Almy
Date: 12/30/24
CHICOPEE
136 Exchange St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $329,900
Buyer: Walkis Figueroa
Seller: Wsp Realty LLC
Date: 12/24/24
5 Gonet St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $470,000
Buyer: Enid M. Swienton
Seller: Steven M. Gutkowski
Date: 12/30/24
1416 Granby Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: A & L Realty LLC
Seller: Rattell Real Estate Holding LLC
Date: 12/23/24
685 James St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Procon Group LLC
Seller: Nicola Difilippo
Date: 01/03/25
9 Massachusetts Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Koda Penny Realty LLC
Seller: Scott Levreault
Date: 12/23/24
1633 Memorial Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: 1633 Property Holdings LLC
Seller: Robert J. Duga
Date: 12/23/24
10 Nadeau Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $329,900
Buyer: Aaron G. Boutot
Seller: Mark Devoto
Date: 12/23/24
41 Pennsylvania Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $287,000
Buyer: Latorya Adams
Seller: 7 One 7 Capital LLC
Date: 12/23/24
50 Sherman Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $268,500
Buyer: John Syper
Seller: Naples Home Buyers TR
Date: 12/30/24
43 Tourtelotte Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $485,000
Buyer: Eliezer J. Ashley
Seller: Harvey Marmolejos
Date: 12/23/24
16 Walton St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $299,950
Buyer: William Stetson
Seller: Jessica Dahlquist
Date: 12/31/24
EAST LONGMEADOW
8 Ainslie Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Quercus Properties LLC
Seller: Willard Brown
Date: 12/31/24
24 Favorite Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $277,000
Buyer: Dina A. Lukina
Seller: Michael Kane
Date: 01/03/25
66 Nelson St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $337,000
Buyer: Leo Fennell
Seller: Ramon Tapia
Date: 12/23/24
108 Shaker Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $1,200,000
Buyer: 108 Shaker Road LLC
Seller: C. & S. Partnership LLC
Date: 12/31/24
33 Taylor St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $354,900
Buyer: Alyssa Guiel
Seller: Daniel S. Gusovsky
Date: 12/23/24
GRANVILLE
614 Main Road
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Weatherwax LLC
Seller: Charlcy G. Oleksak
Date: 01/03/25
HAMPDEN
66 Forest Hill Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $595,000
Buyer: Benjamin R. Rislove
Seller: Yabela RT
Date: 12/31/24
131 Glendale Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Daniel R. Brown
Seller: William Brown
Date: 01/02/25
600 Glendale Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Wenda M. Luff
Seller: Tawnne J. Ostrander
Date: 12/23/24
60 Greenleaf Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Jaime Pardave
Seller: Hebert, Shirley A., (Estate)
Date: 12/27/24
HOLYOKE
41 Arthur St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Cameron M. Asselin
Seller: Michael J. McLellan
Date: 12/31/24
109-111 Brown Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Equity Trust Co.
Seller: Naples Buyers TR
Date: 12/30/24
426 Maple St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $950,000
Buyer: Royal Vibe Homes LLC
Seller: Legacy Property Investment Group LLC
Date: 12/30/24
428 Maple St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $950,000
Buyer: Royal Vibe Homes LLC
Seller: Legacy Property Investment Group LLC
Date: 12/30/24
8 Orchard St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $317,000
Buyer: Blase A. Provitola
Seller: Patrick D. Mulvaney
Date: 12/30/24
HOLLAND
25 Stagecoach Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Jonnathan Blas
Seller: John H. Lindsey
Date: 12/27/24
HOLYOKE
97 Elm St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: 97 Elm Holyoke Rental LLC
Seller: Rinaldi Pease Acquisition LLC
Date: 12/23/24
676 Hampden St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Cocowa Consulting Inc
Seller: Jessica D. Morales
Date: 12/27/24
434 Pleasant St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Raymond O. Edi-Osagie
Seller: Mara R. Lopez
Date: 12/27/24
268 South St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $307,000
Buyer: Nailiyah Alves
Seller: Pah Properties LLC
Date: 12/23/24
18 Steven Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $319,000
Buyer: Christine L. Braen-Futia
Seller: C. Noir Properties LLC
Date: 12/23/24
9 Washington Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Meara Properties LLC
Seller: Gladys M. Torres
Date: 12/24/24
LONGMEADOW
162 Magnolia Circle
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $960,000
Buyer: Victoria L. Wright
Seller: Yong I. Han
Date: 12/31/24
50 Sunset Lane
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Jeanermy Hernandez
Seller: Vini E. Carrillo
Date: 01/02/25
LUDLOW
15 Adams St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $381,000
Buyer: Steven J. Mastalerz
Seller: Joseph V. Casagranda
Date: 01/03/25
10 Alden St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $470,000
Buyer: Dwight Manganaro
Seller: Christine L. Colucci
Date: 01/03/25
46 Fairview St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $197,039
Buyer: Towd PT Mtg. T2017-3
Seller: Amanda J. Kenyon
Date: 12/24/24
1 Parkview St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Ashley Mason
Seller: Numeri Capital Investors LLC
Date: 12/27/24
35-37 Rogers Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Berkant Bayram
Seller: Kazimierz Borawski
Date: 12/27/24
260 Woodland Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $515,000
Buyer: Drew Brissette
Seller: David B. Vieira
Date: 01/03/25
MONSON
74 Cote Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $238,500
Buyer: Mary J. Clavin
Seller: Marcia A. Donovan
Date: 12/31/24
23 High St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $166,001
Buyer: HUD
Seller: David F. Martin
Date: 12/27/24
PALMER
2098 Calkins Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $411,000
Buyer: Stephanie Ruocco
Seller: Citadel Projects LLC
Date: 12/31/24
2015 East St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $181,000
Buyer: Mostafa Yakoob
Seller: Robert H. Hayes
Date: 01/02/25
146 Mason St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Elias Coleman
Seller: Linda A. Regis
Date: 12/23/24
1090 Thorndike St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Robin M. Lamothe
Seller: Charles J. Gilbert
Date: 12/23/24
SPRINGFIELD
127 Abbott St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Jane Gray
Seller: Robert K. Perry
Date: 12/23/24
55 Balboa Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $281,000
Buyer: Phaneth Son
Seller: Kerry P. Carnevale
Date: 12/23/24
112 Barber St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $124,336
Buyer: Ameriquest Mtg. Securities
Seller: Lorrie Smith
Date: 12/27/24
887 Berkshire Ave.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Daniel Defoe
Seller: Walker, Joel, (Estate)
Date: 01/02/25
862 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $285,600
Buyer: Felipe G. Salas
Seller: Celia Y. Pena
Date: 12/27/24
1047 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: To Tran
Seller: Carlos H. Villa
Date: 12/27/24
151-153 Catherine St.
Springfield, MA 01013
Amount: $455,000
Buyer: Ayotunde A. Akinwande
Seller: Northern Flooring & Remodeling
Date: 01/03/25
65 Cherokee Dr.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Christine Colucci
Seller: Wesley Blask
Date: 01/03/25
6 Cornwall St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Michael Biasetti
Seller: Stephen P. Smedberg
Date: 12/31/24
158 Davis St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $242,000
Buyer: Yasmine Mercado
Seller: Dianne Tatro
Date: 12/23/24
68 Fargo St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Shushmabahen Patel
Seller: Federal National Mortgage Association
Date: 12/30/24
64-66 Farragut St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Emtay Inc.
Seller: Constantin Gellis
Date: 01/02/25
329 Forest Hills Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $470,000
Buyer: Aisha E. Caulton
Seller: Dwayne C. Burey
Date: 12/27/24
151 Fox Hill Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Ashley J. Lapointe
Seller: Anthony C. Diaz
Date: 12/27/24
98 Fox Woods Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $412,050
Buyer: Stephanie Garner
Seller: Carolyn E. Loyd
Date: 12/23/24
10 Frederic St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $284,900
Buyer: Jason M. Sisko
Seller: Donna Bihler
Date: 12/23/24
63 Grandview St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $249,000
Buyer: Alessandro Malafronte
Seller: Nres LLC
Date: 01/02/25
14 Hadley St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Benjamin S. St.Amand
Seller: Julia C. Hogan RET
Date: 12/30/24
43 Harmon Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Ntasia Meadows
Seller: Benjamin S. St.Amand
Date: 12/30/24
83 Hazen St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Carlos D. Rodriguez
Seller: Bryon R. Cyr
Date: 12/31/24
48 Hope St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Angelica Mendez
Seller: Daniel Stamborski
Date: 12/23/24
10 Kittrell St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $489,902
Buyer: Mohammad Solaiman
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 12/23/24
165 Laurelton St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Casandra Burgos
Seller: RM Blerman LLC
Date: 12/30/24
174 Locust St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $744,681
Buyer: Havenhub LLC
Seller: London Realty LLC
Date: 01/03/25
99 Lyons St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $281,000
Buyer: My Sweet Spot LLC
Seller: Ernest F. Skwisz
Date: 01/02/25
72 Maebeth St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $269,000
Buyer: Stanley Ortiz-Brown
Seller: Peter J. Waltermire
Date: 12/30/24
2595 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Bethania Market Realty LLC
Seller: Nguyen, Cuong Huu, (Estate)
Date: 12/31/24
110 Maple St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $2,025,000
Buyer: Praveen Devineni
Seller: Maple Springfield Assocs. LP
Date: 12/31/24
120 Maple St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Amount: $2,025,000
Buyer: Praveen Devineni
Seller: Maple Springfield Assocs. LP
Date: 12/31/24
130 Maple St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Amount: $2,025,000
Buyer: Praveen Devineni
Seller: Maple Springfield Assocs. LP
Date: 12/31/24
135 Massasoit St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $129,000
Buyer: Wayne Lawrence
Seller: Xiuyu Ma
Date: 12/30/24
191-193 Middlesex St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $176,400
Buyer: Gary Mapp
Seller: Victor Dupre
Date: 12/23/24
35 Montclair St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Zoe Taylor
Seller: Veteran Stan LLC
Date: 12/23/24
123 Newhouse St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $319,000
Buyer: Christopher M. Hopkins
Seller: Jeffrey McDonald
Date: 12/30/24
40 Norfolk St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: William Forte
Seller: Clinton R. Stonacek
Date: 12/24/24
55 Norman St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Fehmida Biki
Seller: Alison A. Vanderleeden
Date: 12/31/24
27 Ontario St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Ruperto Perez
Seller: Kokoleka RT
Date: 12/24/24
104 Oregon St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $312,000
Buyer: Mark Hayden
Seller: Heather Cooper
Date: 12/27/24
1211 Page Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Jose Urbina
Seller: Adnan Rahim
Date: 12/30/24
1298 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Adrion Watt
Seller: Elizabeth Correa
Date: 12/27/24
43-45 Pasco Road
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $192,208
Buyer: Pennymac Loan Services LLC
Seller: Stacey Smith
Date: 12/24/24
28 Pinta Circle
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Stephanie C. Guerra
Seller: Jaime Pardave
Date: 12/27/24
296 Quincy St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Angela Daniels
Seller: Ileana C. Rodriguez
Date: 12/26/24
123-125 Ranney St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Pilar A. Peralta-Guzman
Seller: Sulla M. Silva
Date: 12/31/24
19 Rogers Ave.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $239,000
Buyer: Elvis J. Pujols
Seller: David B. White
Date: 01/02/25
46-48 Silas St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Azeem Ashraf
Seller: Sylvia J. Parker
Date: 12/27/24
1030 State St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $485,000
Buyer: Cesar Ruiz
Seller: Gregory Vatrano
Date: 12/23/24
16 Stuart St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $176,679
Buyer: Wicked Deals LLC
Seller: Elsie Acevedo
Date: 01/03/25
17 Sycamore St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $159,000
Buyer: RM Blerman LLC
Seller: Waverly G. Rhone
Date: 12/31/24
142 Thompson St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Nehcole J. Felix
Seller: Robert Gallant IRT
Date: 12/30/24
142 Westminster St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: William Lucas
Seller: Manahan, Roger Steven, (Estate)
Date: 12/30/24
37 Wilber St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Jarelys Velez
Seller: Sareen Properties LLC
Date: 12/24/24
SOUTHWICK
33 Point Grove Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $434,900
Buyer: Leonid Ignatyuk
Seller: Bradley Wright
Date: 12/23/24
WALES
23 Holland Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Laura Phifer
Seller: Chandle D. Scanlon
Date: 12/27/24
WEST SPRINGFIELD
24 Angeline St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Angela M. Southwick
Seller: Aleksandr Bak
Date: 12/23/24
21 Craiwell Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Edward C. Guerrero
Seller: Sullivan Sr., Robert D., (Estate)
Date: 12/24/24
96 Garden St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Donald J. Finamore
Seller: Ruth Rivera
Date: 12/30/24
277 Greystone Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $469,500
Buyer: Brian P. Kapinos
Seller: Eric D. Demers
Date: 01/03/25
91 Grandview Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Joseph S. Spano
Seller: Kevin C. Sheehan
Date: 12/27/24
20 Gregory Lane
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Mihail Dobrin
Seller: Manchester Ent. LLC
Date: 12/27/24
43 Hampden St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Ali Abdraba
Seller: John M. McCarthy
Date: 12/30/24
15 Hazel St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $338,500
Buyer: Eric Liptak
Seller: Manchester Enterprise LLC
Date: 12/31/24
1013 Main St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $1,300,000
Buyer: BRVS LLC
Seller: Aptly Main St. LLC
Date: 12/30/24
993 Main St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $1,300,000
Buyer: BRVS LLC
Seller: Aptly Main St LLC
Date: 12/30/24
41 Partridge Lane
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $480,000
Buyer: Dmitriy V. Sergeychik
Seller: Irene L. Balise
Date: 12/31/24
202 River St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $399,000
Buyer: Matthew Sawyer
Seller: Jamie Mitchell
Date: 12/23/24
WESTFIELD
13 Chapel St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Gse Realty LLC
Seller: Chapel Street Realty LLC
Date: 12/30/24
9 Chapel St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Gse Realty LLC
Seller: Chapel Street Realty LLC
Date: 12/30/24
12 Coolidge Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $324,900
Buyer: Zachery H. Naldrett
Seller: Michael S. Chaloux
Date: 12/30/24
225 East Main St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $1,300,000
Buyer: Panther Development Westfield LLC
Seller: 228 East Main Street LLC
Date: 12/31/24
4 Old Quarry Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Samuel Johnson
Seller: Victor J. Strycharz
Date: 01/03/25
24 Rambling Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Lindsey E. Malinowski
Seller: Eric Liptak
Date: 12/31/24
7 School St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: 30 Elm & 7 School St. LLC
Seller: Santander Bank
Date: 12/17/24
404 Southwick Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $2,154,808
Buyer: Oaks Property I LLC
Seller: Westfield Oaks LLC
Date: 12/31/24
189 Springfield Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $970,192
Buyer: River Property I LLC
Seller: Three J. Partners LLC
Date: 12/31/24
161 Steiger Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Teresa Johnston
Seller: Karen A. Shaw
Date: 12/23/24
37 Summit Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Ian P. Dixon
Seller: Orlando Huertas
Date: 12/30/24
WILBRAHAM
11 Longfellow Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $429,000
Buyer: Christopher P. Danalis
Seller: Kimberly A. Goewey
Date: 12/31/24
29 Pineywood Ave.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Alex Kibbe
Seller: Douglas W. Smith
Date: 12/24/24
239 Soule Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Michael D. Pirro
Seller: Pirro, Paul Daniel, (Estate)
Date: 12/30/24
HAMPSHIRE COUNTY
AMHERST
21 Baker St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $700,000
Buyer: Dudleys View LLC
Seller: Snell Baker LLC
Date: 01/03/25
846 East Pleasant St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $915,000
Buyer: Joshua Arnold
Seller: Susan Pearson
Date: 01/03/25
98 East Pleasant St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $432,500
Buyer: Pleasant Hill Apt. LLC
Seller: Rabinowitz, Stanley J., (Estate)
Date: 12/31/24
169 Meadow St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $654,481
Buyer: 169 Meadow St. LLC
Seller: Mosaic Real Estate Amherst LLC
Date: 12/31/24
30 North East St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $800,000
Buyer: Sarah Cowls Mountain View LLC
Seller: 30 North East St. LLC
Date: 01/03/25
149 Pomeroy Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $555,000
Buyer: Jennifer A. Rulf
Seller: Michael M. Powell
Date: 12/27/24
29 Strong St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $750,000
Buyer: Ballett School LLC
Seller: 29 Strong St. LLC
Date: 01/03/25
BELCHERTOWN
39 South Main St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $298,000
Buyer: Bryan Castro
Seller: Lindsay A. Hoadley
Date: 12/30/24
CUMMINGTON
54 Lilac Ave.
Cummington, MA 01026
Amount: $176,000
Buyer: Andrew Liebenow
Seller: Stanwich Mortgage Loan TR
Date: 12/31/24
EASTHAMPTON
22 Chapin St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $387,000
Buyer: Michael J. Greene
Seller: Perrier FT
Date: 01/03/25
128 Ferry St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Donald Robadue
Seller: Deborah A. Burckley
Date: 12/23/24
40 Mineral St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $391,000
Buyer: James T. Jewitt
Seller: New England Remodeling
Date: 01/03/25
239 Park St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Precious King
Seller: Jessica Tierney
Date: 12/27/24
245 Park St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $248,453
Buyer: Citimortage Inc.
Seller: Jason S. Lafosse
Date: 12/27/24
26 South St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Alpi Properties Inc
Seller: Margaret M. Ryan
Date: 01/03/25
GRANBY
133 Aldrich St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $570,000
Buyer: Garrett Postema
Seller: William H. Brawner
Date: 12/23/24
HADLEY
North Maple St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Rocky Hill LLC
Seller: Keith A. Rehbein
Date: 01/03/25
22 North Maple St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $700,000
Buyer: William Goldings LLC
Seller: 22 North Maple St. LLC
Date: 01/03/25
303 Russell St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $4,500,000
Buyer: Bar Hardley LLC
Seller: 303 Russell St. LLC
Date: 12/31/24
HATFIELD
36 Depot Road
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $498,000
Buyer: Minh Le
Seller: Mark T. Huyler
Date: 12/30/24
27 Elm St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Zacahry D. Vollinger
Seller: 119 Real Estate LLC
Date: 12/31/24
153 North Hatfield Road
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $312,851
Buyer: Richard F. Thayer
Seller: Inter Vivos TR
Date: 12/24/24
157 North Hatfield Road
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $312,851
Buyer: Richard F. Thayer
Seller: Inter Vivos TR
Date: 12/24/24
NORTHAMPTON
78 Cahillane Ter.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Daisy C. Marquis
Seller: Capital Group LLC
Date: 12/30/24
286 Coles Meadow Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $555,000
Buyer: Carol B. Waldron
Seller: Renate M. Schulte
Date: 12/27/24
111 Hawley St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Norwich Properties LLC
Seller: Carl E. Glowatsky
Date: 01/03/25
18 Pilgrim Dr.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $672,000
Buyer: Hui Li
Seller: Pfeier-Kotz RET
Date: 12/23/24
87 Prospect St.
Northampton, MA 01063
Amount: $750,000
Buyer: 98 Pine St. LLC
Seller: Elizabeth R. Hynes
Date: 12/31/24
723 Ryan Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Norman W. Rice
Seller: Robnet B. Upham
Date: 01/03/25
197 Spring Grove Ave.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Brett M. Haseltine
Seller: Cindy M. Haseltine LT
Date: 12/30/24
SOUTH HADLEY
16 Central Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $274,000
Buyer: Mariola Rivera
Seller: Liz B. Lescarbeau
Date: 01/03/25
129 College St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: 136 East St. LLC
Seller: Celester A. Pelissier
Date: 01/02/25
47 Columbia St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Emma Zanazzi
Seller: Andre J. Duquette
Date: 12/23/24
77 Fairview St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Sheila Mulvaney
Seller: Vincent Calvanese
Date: 12/30/24
3 Greenacre Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Daniel M. Ouellette
Seller: Michael Dipon
Date: 01/02/25
40 Westbrook Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $358,000
Buyer: Jeryl G. Brown
Seller: Schark, Katherine, (Estate)
Date: 12/30/24
2 Yale St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Samuel Dorval
Seller: Potvin, Gerard J., (Estate)
Date: 12/23/24
SOUTHAMPTON
7 Courtney Lane
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $585,000
Buyer: Jessica L. Tierney
Seller: John L. Enright
Date: 12/27/24
29 Lead Mine Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Lloyd D. Sullivan
Seller: Dexter G. Sullivan
Date: 12/31/24
74 Lead Mine Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $391,000
Buyer: James T. Jewitt
Seller: New England Remodeling
Date: 01/03/25
92 Pequot Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: David Selin
Seller: Yevegeny Selin
Date: 12/27/24
WARE
103 Beaver Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Eric J. Carroll
Seller: Boucher, Roberta F., (Estate)
Date: 12/23/24
5-7 Canal St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Pfgc LLC
Seller: Bennett Properties LLC
Date: 12/23/24
39 Eagle St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Brendan D. Miller
Seller: Trudeau, Robert F., (Estate)
Date: 12/27/24
31 Meadow Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Andrew J. Bonneau
Seller: G&W New Construction LLC
Date: 12/23/24
55 North St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Jeff Amazan
Seller: Pinto Realty Mgmt. LLC
Date: 12/31/24
26 Sorel Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Jennifer L. Lagarda
Seller: Selin Nacar
Date: 12/24/24
31 West Main St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Patricia A. Wilmot
Seller: Sarah M. Stafford
Date: 12/24/24
WESTHAMPTON
1 Chesterfield Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Rmc Real Estate LLC
Seller: Gerald Hinkle
Date: 01/03/25
258 Chesterfield Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Dawn E. Perkins
Seller: David Solomkin
Date: 01/02/25
WILLIAMSBURG
2 Judd Lane
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $470,000
Buyer: Eden Swasey
Seller: Barrack, Lorraine C., (Estate)
Date: 12/27/24
WORTHINGTON
585 Kinnebrook Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Diane M. Reckless
Seller: Mason, Guy, (Estate)
Date: 01/03/25
The following building permits were issued during the month of January 2025.
EASTHAMPTON
Overlook Industries
193 Northampton St.
$61,665 — Modify and extend fire sprinkler system
LEE
Consolati Building Inc.
61 Main St.
$1,020 — Build wall in existing opening
LENOX
Amy Parsley
52 Housatonic St.
$7,000 — Add ADA bathroom
Trinity United Methodist Church
6 Holmes Road
$1,080 — Remove portion of wall to create opening between two adjacent rooms
Ventfort Hall Assoc. Inc.
104 Walker St.
$15,500 — Install new matching fabric for 11 openings
NORTHAMPTON
660 Riverside Drive LLC
660 Riverside Dr.
$2,750 — New door for vault room
Cago Enterprises LLC
17 Brewster Court
$33,793 — Add two partition walls
City of Northampton
210 Main St.
$30,000 — Insulate attic floor
King Barrett LLC
301 King St.
$600,000 — Alter interior tenant space for Chipotle
King Barrett LLC
301 King St.
$5,000 — Front wall sign for Chipotle
King Barrett LLC
301 King St.
$5,000 — North wall sign for Chipotle
King Barrett LLC
301 King St.
$980 — Ground sign for Chipotle
Maplewood Shops Inc.
2 Conz St.
$32,000 — Repairs due to car damage
Ten Main Street Florence LLC
10 Main St.
$3,800 — Install door and exit sign
Trumbull Partners LLC
6 Trumbull Road
$86,644 — Install two condensers
PITTSFIELD
Berkshire Medical Center Inc.
725 North St.
$673,800 — Alter interior space to create new offices and support space
The Berkshire Theatre Festival Inc.
111 South St.
$119,520 — Insulate exterior wall and basement wall of storage facility, interior duct work
Brixmor Property Group
555 Hubbard Ave.
$672,845 — Alter tenant space, including construction of new employee areas and fitting rooms, new flooring, and finishes to interior walls and exterior façade at entry
City of Pittsfield
8 Holmes Road
$90,000 — Window removal and replacement
Elizabeth Freeman Center Inc.
66 Allen St.
$8,300 — Replace fire-alarm panel
Hurricane Properties LLC
75 East Housatonic St.
$26,598 — Roofing
Pittsfield General Electric
303 Crane Ave.
$3,200 — Repair wind damage to panels on barn roof
Pittsfield Massachusetts Storage LLC
428 Merrill Road
$23,700 — Convert three dry fire sprinkler systems to wet systems, relocate three ITVs, add fire protection to new office
ServiceNet Inc.
320 Onota St.
$20,000 — Add insulation to basement ceiling, apply intumescent coating to exposed joists
Vetley Pittsfield LLC
1634 West Housatonic St.
$17,500 — Repair vehicle damage to window area
Zion Lutheran Church
74 First St.
$330,500 — Install fire sprinkler throughout building
SPRINGFIELD
ARG BCSPRMA001 LLC
800 Boston Road
$35,000 — Alter interior space for beauty and cosmetic department of Kohl’s department store
JC Williams Community Center Inc.
116 Florence St.
$3,255,405 — Add second story to existing building; add new elevator, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems; add new commercial kitchen and parking area
North English Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses
58 Wilkes St.
$13,712 — Insulation and weatherization of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Onyx Springfield Crossing LLC
1655 Boston Road
$600,000 — Alter interior space, fit-out for Chipotle
Picknelly Family LP
1414 Main St.
$316,000 — Alter interior tenant office space on 18th floor for Ameriprise
Presbytery of Southern New England Inc.
14 Concord Terrace
$689,350 — Repair fire-damaged MLK Jr. Community Presbyterian Church
Argenis Ramos
770 Bay St.
$2,500 — Repair fire-damaged exterior walls of El Fogón de Yuyu restaurant
Springfield Investors LLC
1105 Boston Road
$2,500,000 — Addition to right side of Walmart building near bakery sales area; alter interior space at grocery sales, checkout area, fitting rooms, and employee lounge and restroom areas
United Cooperative Bank
1410 Carew Ave.
$135,000 — Alter interior office space for 7 Hills Dental
Jonathan Denmark
NORTH ADAMS — MountainOne announced the promotion of Jonathan Denmark to executive vice president of MountainOne Bank. In addition to his new leadership responsibilities, he will continue to serve as president and chief operating officer of MountainOne Insurance Agency.
Denmark will celebrate 10 years with MountainOne in March. Early in his tenure as president and COO of MountainOne Insurance, he led the consolidation of MountainOne’s insurance agencies, True North Insurance and Coakley, Pierpan, Dolan, and Collins, and oversaw the rebranding of the combined agencies to MountainOne Insurance. His efforts also established a strong partnership with OneDigital for the agency’s group benefits business line. Under his leadership, MountainOne Insurance has continued to expand, acquiring three agencies, opening a new office in Stockbridge, and expanding the agency’s presence to the Pioneer Valley. Denmark’s growth strategy, coupled with his expertise and dedication, have positioned the agency as a core contributor to MountainOne’s overall success.
Denmark recently assumed the role of board chair of the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority (PEDA), which oversees the William Stanley Business Park. The park, home to the MountainOne building at Silver Lake and the Berkshire Innovation Center, is poised for significant development in the coming years. Denmark’s leadership at PEDA will further align economic growth opportunities with community development in Pittsfield and beyond.
“It is a true privilege to announce Jonathan’s promotion to executive vice president,” said Robert Fraser, president and CEO of MountainOne Bank. “Over the past decade, Jonathan has consistently demonstrated visionary leadership and a deep commitment to MountainOne’s mission. His ability to drive growth, foster innovation, and inspire collaboration has been instrumental to our success. This appointment reflects our confidence in his ability to guide MountainOne toward even greater achievements.”
Added Denmark, “I am deeply honored to step into the role of executive vice president at MountainOne Bank. As we look ahead, I remain dedicated to advancing MountainOne’s mission of delivering meaningful solutions that create lasting value for our customers, employees, and communities.”
Peter Rosskothen
HADLEY — UMassFive College Federal Credit Union (UMassFive) recently announced the addition of Peter Rosskothen to its board of directors. A seasoned business professional, he brings more than 35 years of business experience to UMassFive. He first became involved with the credit union through utilizing its business banking products and services five years ago.
With an educational background in finance from the Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia, and studies in hotel & restaurant management from UMass Amherst, Rosskothen has demonstrated a wide array of skills in organizational finance, budgeting, branding, marketing, strategic planning, and community relations.
Throughout his career, he has also dedicated time to volunteer work, serving as a board member for several organizations, including People’s Savings Bank, the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Springfield Visitors and Convention Bureau.
As a UMassFive board member, Rosskothen is eager to contribute his extensive knowledge and life experience to the credit union’s continued growth and success. He is passionate about supporting both UMassFive and its members, finding fulfillment in helping the credit union thrive while fostering the success of its community.
“Giving back to the community is a way of saying thank you,” he said. “I look forward to participating in efforts that will make UMassFive an even better institution for its members and our community.”
BOSTON — The state’s December total unemployment rate was 4.1%, a 0.1% increase from the revised November estimate of 4.0%, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced. The Massachusetts unemployment rate was equal to the national rate of 4.1% reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Over the year, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was up by 0.9%.
The labor force increased by an estimated 6,500 from the revised estimate of 3,853,900 in November, with 1,100 more residents employed and 5,500 more residents unemployed over the month. The state’s labor-force participation rate — the total number of residents 16 or older who worked or were unemployed and actively sought work in the last four weeks — increased by 0.1% to 66.5%. Compared to December 2023, the labor-force participation rate increased by 1.6% over the year.
The BLS preliminary job estimates for Massachusetts increased by 6,000 jobs in December. This follows November’s revised loss of 1,500 jobs. The largest over-the-month private-sector job gains were in education and health services; professional, scientific, and business services; and leisure and hospitality. Employment now stands at 3,747,300. Massachusetts gained 683,800 jobs since the employment low in April 2020.
From December 2023 to December 2024, BLS estimates Massachusetts gained 26,200 jobs. The largest over-the-year gains occurred in education and health services, leisure and hospitality, and government.
SPRINGFIELD — BusinessWest is currently accepting nominations for the 40 Under Forty class of 2025. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 27.
Launched in 2007, the program recognizes rising stars in the four counties of Western Mass. Nominations, which should be detailed in nature, should list an individual’s accomplishments within their profession as well as their work within the community. Nominations can be completed online by clicking here.
Nominations will be weighed by a panel of judges, and the selected individuals will be profiled in the April 28 issue of BusinessWest and honored at the 40 Under Forty Gala in June.
In Yiddish, a ‘mensch’ is a good person, a stand-up guy, someone with integrity, honor, and character.
Steve Kaplan, who passed away recently after a lengthy and courageous battle with brain cancer, was a mensch of the highest order.
He was a CPA with the firm Meyers Brothers Kalicka, remembered by colleague and fellow partner Howard Cheney as “a tireless CPA who always set a high standard for us to follow, a great teacher, and as the person who went to the post office on April 15 each year to mail out last-minute tax returns.”
But he was also known for his bowties, and especially for getting involved with the community and encouraging others to do the same. He was a tutor, mentor to young people, great golf buddy, devoted Rotarian, and someone who never waited to be asked to volunteer his help.
He jokingly introduced himself as ‘Mr. Susan Jaye Kaplan,’ a nod to his energetic, equally involved, and perhaps better-known wife, with whom he partnered on many initiatives, especially the nonprofit Link to Libraries, which promotes childhood literacy and puts books on the shelves of school libraries.
They co-founded the agency, with Sue as its face, while Steve kept the books and mostly stayed in the background. Together, with a few others, they built a nonprofit that has drawn the support of individuals and businesses across the region.
There should be emphasis on that word ‘together.’ Indeed, individually, the Kaplans achieved much. Together … they were a force, authors of a love story that was and is a true inspiration.
Theirs was the kind of partnership the writer Antoine de Saint-Exupery had in mind when he wrote that “life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.”
Steve and Sue Kaplan did a lot of that, and in addition to that partnership, Steve leaves behind a legacy of caring and a sense of service to others.
The region has lost a great mensch.
AGAWAM — The Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation has become the newest lead funding partner with a contribution to the Local Farmer Awards, a program in its 11th year providing annual grants of up to $2,500 to Western Mass. farmers, helping them purchase capital equipment used as an ongoing part of farm operations.
Harold Grinspoon — whose foundation, in partnership with Big Y and the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture, and in collaboration with 15 other community funders, makes these awards possible — described the Davis Foundation gift as “a pivotal moment in our ability to help more deserving farmers.”
Founded in 1970, the Davis Foundation has a rich legacy of local support. Kiley O’Meara, executive director, stated that “the Davis Foundation is thrilled to join this program that supports and empowers the local community.”
The 2025 Local Farmer Awards application is open until Friday, Jan. 31. To qualify to receive an award, project applications must be related to growing, harvesting, or processing of farm products. Past award winners have used the grants to expand planting areas, improve fencing to keep their animals healthy and safe, acquire machinery to produce items for market, and put in place a host of other efficiencies. A full list of eligibility criteria can be found at farmerawards.org. This year’s winners will be announced in April.
“Our generous community funders are fundamental to the program’s success,” said Mark Gold, director of the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation. “We will have a complete list of 2025 funders available soon.”
Karen Sargent
PITTSFIELD — Pittsfield Cooperative Bank announced the hiring of Karen Sargent as the new assistant vice president and branch manager of its Dalton branch location. With an impressive track record in banking and a deep commitment to community engagement, she brings a wealth of experience and leadership to her new role.
Sargent joins Pittsfield Cooperative Bank with more than 15 years of experience in the financial-services industry. Her expertise spans branch operations, customer relationship management, business banking, and team leadership at several regional institutions, including Adams Community, Berkshire, Citizens, and NBT banks. In her role as branch manager, she will oversee daily operations, mentor staff, and strive to ensure the delivery of exceptional service to the bank’s customers.
“We are thrilled to welcome Karen to the Co-op Bank family,” said Dana Robb, vice president, Retail Banking and Operations. “Her extensive experience, customer-focused approach, and passion for fostering community connections align perfectly with our mission. We are confident she will make a significant impact in the Dalton branch and beyond.”
A lifelong resident of Berkshire County, Sargent is deeply rooted in the community and has been actively involved in various local organizations. Her commitment to strengthening local ties and supporting community initiatives aligns seamlessly with the bank’s dedication to serving the region.
SPRINGFIELD — Registration for the region’s largest cycling event will officially kick off on Sunday, Feb. 2. Organizers of the Ride to Remember XIV will hold a launch party at White Lion Brewing in Springfield from 2 to 5 p.m., featuring food, drinks, and live music. The event is open to all supporters, friends, and families.
Attendees who sign up for the ride that day can do so for $100, representing a 50% discount from the normal registration fee.
Ride to Remember XIV will take place on Saturday, Sept. 6. This year’s route will be a 70-mile trek from Springfield to Hartford and back. All riders are welcome to participate in this safe, inspiring event, featuring multiple rest stops, nourishment, and an abundance of encouragement along the way. Cyclists will be escorted by a police motorcade for the entire route, stopping traffic at every intersection to ensure the safety of every rider.
Founded in 2012, the Ride to Remember is an annual cycling event to commemorate fallen first responders. Led by retired Springfield Police Sgt. John Delaney and a team of volunteers, the event began as a tribute to fallen Springfield Police Officer Kevin Ambrose, who was killed in the line of duty. To honor his memory and pay respect to his loved ones, 180 cyclists made the initial 100-mile trek from Springfield to Boston.
Since then, the ride has grown to nearly 500 riders and honors all first responders, including police, firefighters, corrections officers, and ambulance workers. Over the years, the ride’s route has included treks to Boston, Worcester, and Hartford, as well as regional rides around Western Mass.
The mission of the ride is to honor fallen first responders by raising funds to support their families and community organizations that work to make the region’s neighborhoods safer and healthier for the families who live here.
Proceeds from the ride have supported Christina’s House, On-Site Academy, Square One, multiple police and firefighter memorials, several neighborhood playgrounds and soccer fields, and other community-based initiatives.
GILL — Northfield Mount Hermon has received its largest-ever gift and one of the largest donations ever to an independent school. The $50 million bequest from the late John Mitchell, who graduated in 1956, will endow need-based scholarships and expand support for faculty, key objectives of the school’s $275 million fundraising campaign.
Announcing the gift to the NMH community, Head of School Brian Hargrove and Monie Hardwick, NMH board chair, described it as “an act of generosity from an exceptionally accomplished alumnus who was modest in his profile but profound in his gratitude for the education he received.”
John Mitchell arrived at the Mount Hermon School for Boys in 1952 as a scholarship student from an unheated home in a small town in Eastern Mass. Recognized early as academically gifted, Mitchell participated in several sports and thrived in his NMH courses, graduating as class valedictorian. Following NMH, he earned degrees from Yale and NYU and went on to a long and distinguished career as president of Global Manufacturing at Pfizer.
“John credited his time at NMH as a turning point in his life and held tight to the habits and values nurtured at NMH: hard work, critical thinking, lifelong learning, and service,” Hargrove and Hardwick said.
Mitchell later served on the NMH board of trustees, where he brought a particular focus on finances and campus planning. With characteristic pragmatism and modesty, he made numerous gifts to top off the budget for faculty housing projects, athletics facilities, the early-childhood center, and related campus improvements.
NORTHAMPTON — Kuhn Riddle Architects & Designers announced that Lindsay Comeaux Schnarr, AIA has joined its growing architectural team. Her primary architectural interest is in public spaces, and she is pleased that her first project is working on CitySpace in Easthampton, renovating an existing historic building to include a theater space and other community-use areas.
“I am excited to join a firm that is woman-owned and is focused on equity, sustainability, and community outreach,” she said.
Schnarr interned as a student with Kuhn Riddle from 2009 to 2011 and continued after graduation through 2014. She described her return to the firm 15 years later as “bookending” her career to date. “It’s satisfying to see how far I’ve come in in those years and to rejoin a firm whose values are so aligned with mine.”
Schnarr received her bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 2002 from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She graduated in 2011 with her master’s degree in architecture from UMass Amherst.
She has been on the Amherst Design Review Board for many years, taught design as an adjunct lecturer at UMass Amherst from 2015 to 2020, co-founded the Emerging Professionals Development Program for the Western Massachusetts American Institute of Architects (WMAIA), and is a member of WMAIA’s Women in Architecture Committee.
SPRINGFIELD — Tickets are now on sale for the 17th annual Difference Makers awards gala, hosted by BusinessWest. The event will take place on Wednesday, April 9 at 5:30 p.m. at the Log Cabin in Holyoke.
The class of 2025 will be announced in the Feb. 17 issue. Tickets cost $95 per person, and tables of 10 are available. They can be purchased at businesswest.com/eventcalendar/difference-makers-tickets.
The 17th annual Difference Makers program is sponsored by Burkhart Pizzanelli, the Royal Law Firm, Trinity Health Of New England/Mercy Medical Center, and TommyCar Auto Group.
The Difference Makers program was launched in 2009 to recognize and celebrate the work of individuals, groups, businesses, and institutions that are positively impacting the Pioneer Valley. As our winners have shown, there are many ways to make a difference within our community: through work on initiatives to improve quality of life; through success in business, public service, or education; through contributions that inspire others to get involved; through imaginative efforts to help solve one or more societal issues; or through a combination of the above.
For more information, call Natasha Mercado-Santana, Marketing and Events manager, at (413) 781-8600, ext. 100, or email [email protected].
DEWITT, N.Y. — Community Bank announced that its charitable giving, in conjunction with its parent company and affiliated subsidiaries, totaled more than $3.9 million in 2024. More than 2,200 nonprofit organizations that provide essential services to the communities the company serves received support through sponsorships and donations. The bank’s parent company, Community Financial System Inc., includes the companies OneGroup Insurance, Benefit Plans Administrators, and Community Bank Wealth Management.
“We’re pleased to continue our tradition of supporting local communities and organizations through charitable giving,” said Pam Brunet, director of Community & Corporate Relations for Community Financial System Inc. “This investment reflects the shared sense of responsibility and passion our team members have for making a difference, and we look forward to continuing to provide lasting support to our communities throughout 2025.”
Community Financial System Inc. has remained committed to its legacy of championing the communities it serves by empowering employees to engage in community events and support the local causes they’re passionate about. Among last year’s charitable-giving efforts, more than $200,000 was given to United Way agencies across the company’s footprint through a combination of corporate contributions and employee payroll deductions.
Beyond financial support, Community Bank branches often host charitable drives and events as a way for employees, customers, and community members to participate in charitable-giving efforts. Employees across Community Financial System Inc. also volunteer their time to a variety of local nonprofits, including cultural, civic, economic-development, and social-service organizations and charities. In 2024, the organization’s team members committed more than 17,800 hours to volunteer initiatives to give back to their communities, and more than 405 team members served on not-for-profit boards and committees.
