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T-Mobile Hometown Grant to Fund LED Lighting Installation in Northampton

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Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — The city of Northampton is the recipient of a $50,000 T-Mobile Hometown Grant to install an artistic LED lighting system on the railway underpass in downtown Northampton. The new lighting system will enhance walkability and the physical connection of Main Street. The city of Northampton will hold a check presentation on Wednesday, April 10 at 5:30 p.m. at 6 Strong Ave.

“I extend my heartfelt thanks to T-Mobile for awarding Northampton a Hometown Hero grant award,” Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra said. “This invaluable contribution allows us to complete our popular bridge-lighting project on Lower Main Street, helping us connect two beloved sections of Northampton’s downtown. This is a true placemaking asset for everyone to enjoy. This project not only enhances the physical connection between Main Street and the area known as Paradise East, it also fosters a stronger sense of unity and community pride.”

T-Mobile Hometown Grants support community development initiatives across infrastructure, education, technology, environment, and more. Northampton is the first city in Massachusetts to receive such a grant. T-Mobile has awarded 275 projects across 46 states since the $25 million, five-year initiative launched in April 2021.

Nonotuck Resource Associates Honored Among Top Workplaces

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Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — Nonotuck Resource Associates Inc. was recently named a recipient of a USA Today 2024 Top Workplaces USA award, issued by Energage. The Top Workplaces program has a 15-year history of surveying more than 20 million employees and recognizing the top organizations across 60 regional markets.

Top Workplaces USA celebrates organizations with 150 or more employees that have built great cultures. More than 42,000 organizations were invited to participate in the Top Workplaces USA survey. Winners of the Top Workplaces USA list are chosen based solely on employee feedback gathered through an employee-engagement survey, issued by Energage.

“We are humbled and honored to be recognized as a USA Today Top Workplace. At Nonotuck, our culture of civility and kindness is not just a philosophy, but a way of life,” Nonotuck President and CEO George Fleischner said. “We prioritize not only professional growth but also the delicate balance between work and home life. This award is a testament to the dedication and commitment of our incredible team who embody these values every day.”

This news comes on the heels of Nonotuck being selected as a Boston Globe Top Workplace.

Report: MGM Looking into Selling Springfield Casino Operations

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — According to a report yesterday in Bloomberg, MGM Resorts International is exploring the sale of its casino operations at MGM Springfield and Ohio’s Northfield Park.

Bloomberg reported that the company is working with financial advisers on potential sales, but the discussions are preliminary and may not result in any action, according to people familiar with the matter who asked to not be identified. A spokesperson for MGM declined to comment on the discussions.

According to the report, MGM’s management has been frustrated with the company’s share price. The stock has climbed less than 5% over the past two years despite growth in sales and profit. MGM won the license to operate in Springfield after Massachusetts authorized casino gambling and opened in 2018.

“Our original valuation of this market simply was off — full stop,” MGM CEO Bill Hornbuckle told reporters after meeting with local officials last year. The property generated $278 million in gambling revenue in 2023.

The real estate at both casinos is owned by New York-based Vici Properties Inc., which declined to comment on the sale talks.

Mei-Ann Chen Named Artistic Advisor of Springfield Symphony Orchestra

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Daily News

Mei-Ann Chen

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Symphony Orchestra (SSO) announced that internationally acclaimed conductor Mei-Ann Chen, who was guest conductor for the SSO’s 2023-24 opening-night performance, is joining the SSO in the newly created position of artistic advisor, effective for the 2024-25 season.

Chen will serve as the orchestra’s artistic face, curating programs, selecting guest soloists, and facilitating other artistic needs. She will also conduct a minimum of two symphonic concerts per season. At the same time, the SSO will continue to engage guest conductors in performances of the symphony.

Since the orchestra’s opening-night concert, “A Festive 80th Anniversary Year,” Chen’s skills were recognized by the SSO as a critical artistic voice as it moves forward in building its audience and diversifying its symphonic offerings.

“We are thrilled, as we surpass 80 years of sharing beautiful music in the city of Springfield and with the region, to begin an exciting new era of innovation, creativity, and memorable music collaborations with the guidance of Maestra Mei-Ann Chen,” said Paul Lambert, president and CEO of the SSO. “Her energy, artistic vision, incredible ideas, and musical drive align perfectly with our plans for growth and engagement as we evolve our music making and work to inspire current and future audiences. Our growing community of music lovers has shared their enjoyment of new faces on the podium for performances, which will continue with Chen’s guidance.”

Added Paul Friedmann, SSO board chair, “on behalf of the SSO board, I welcome Mei-Ann Chen and the energy and artistic sensibility she brings to the SSO. She will be an important creative asset by helping us to present concerts that will inspire both our loyal longtime subscribers and those new to live symphonic music.”

An acclaimed, innovative leader both on and off the podium, Chen has served as music director of Chicago Sinfonietta since 2011. Chief conductor of Austria’s Recreation – Grosses Orchester Graz at Styriarte, she also serves as an artistic partner with ROCO in Texas and Northwest Sinfonietta in Washington.

A sought-after guest conductor, she has appeared with distinguished orchestras throughout the Americas, Europe, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and Scandinavia (more than 150 orchestras to date). Named one of Musical America’s 2015 Top 30 Influencers, Chen is a recipient of a League of American Orchestras Helen M. Thompson Award, a Taki Concordia fellowship, and several ASCAP awards, and is the only woman in the history of the Malko Competition to have been named First Prize Winner.

“It is an honor to join an icon in Massachusetts’ cultural scene,” Chen said. “The extraordinary musicianship, the commitment, and energy of this organization excites me. I look forward to working with this incredibly talented ensemble of musicians and exceptionally devoted staff introducing new ways to experience and appreciate music, sharing ideas and introducing innovative programs that continue to build upon the dynamic legacy of creativity and inclusion that Springfield Symphony Orchestra has achieved over the past eight decades.”

bankESB Parent Wins 2024 Top Workplaces USA Award

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Daily News

EASTHAMPTON — Hometown Financial Group, parent company of bankESB, Abington Bank, and bankHometown, announced it was named a winner of the 2024 Top Workplaces USA award by Energage.

Top Workplaces USA celebrates organizations with 150 or more employees that are dedicated to building an exceptional, people-first culture. Winners are chosen based solely on employee feedback gathered through an anonymous, third-party employee-engagement survey, issued by Energage, a leading provider of technology-based employee-engagement tools. More than 42,000 organizations across the country were invited to participate in the Top Workplaces USA survey. Results are calculated by comparing the survey’s research-based statements, including 15 culture drivers that are proven to predict high performance, against industry benchmarks.

“We’re honored to be nationally recognized as an employer of choice for the second time in three years, and especially humbled that this honor resulted from positive feedback from those who know us best: our employees,” bankESB President and CEO Matthew Sosik said. “Every day, I’m inspired by our compassionate, dedicated, and talented group of employees, who demonstrate passion for unlocking the full potential of our customers, our communities, and each other. We try hard to foster a work environment that’s inclusive, innovative, team-oriented, and fun, and this honor proves that our employees believe we’re doing it right.”

Bulkley Richardson Honors Jeff Poindexter Through YMCA Gift

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — In continuing Jeff Poindexter’s legacy, Bulkley Richardson has partnered with the Greater Springfield YMCA to help area boys and girls attend summer camp. The firm will send 16 youth campers to a YMCA-run camp this summer for one week.

Poindexter was a partner at Bulkley Richardson and the former chairman of the Greater Springfield YMCA board of directors.

“Jeff knew summer camp was a privilege not all kids had access to, and he was a huge advocate of advancing equity in our Springfield neighborhoods,” said Dan Finnegan, Bulkley Richardson’s managing partner. “We felt that honoring Jeff’s longtime commitment to the YMCA and its efforts to provide opportunities to youth in the community was something he would be proud of.”

AIC President Hubert Benitez to Step Down

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) announced that Hubert Benitez plans to step down as president of the college at the end of the current academic year on June 7.

Frank Colaccino, chair of the AIC board of trustees, said Nicolle Cestero, who serves as executive vice president and chief operating officer at AIC, will be appointed interim president immediately.

In accepting Benitez’s resignation, Colaccino said, “I thank President Benitez for the service he provided to AIC over the past two years. Hubert’s leadership in developing the AIC Reimagined strategic plan was exemplary, and AIC will continue to benefit from that leadership as we execute the strategic initiatives embedded in that strategic plan.”

In his letter of resignation, Benitez said, “I want to thank the board of trustees for the opportunity it has granted me to serve AIC. It has been rewarding work with a committed team of colleagues reimagining the future of the college. While there are still vast opportunities to advance the mission of AIC, the collective efforts and progress made to date on executing the institution’s strategic initiatives fill me with hope, and I trust that these efforts will bear fruit in the near future.”

He added that “I made this decision by engaging in a deep process of prayer and discernment, and after thoughtful consideration and reflection with my family, I have decided to focus on the next chapter of our lives.”

Colaccino said the tenure of Benitez’s service as president of the college was marked by a number of progressive actions designed to promote the mission of AIC and his effective leadership in the development of AIC Reimagined, the strategic plan that will guide the initiatives undertaken by the college during the coming years.

“AIC deeply appreciates the contributions made by President Benitez to the mission of the college during his tenure as president, and we wish him well as he embarks on the next new and different chapter of his life and his family’s life,” Colaccino added.

Cestero, who will serve as interim president until the next president is identified, has been with AIC since 2011 when she joined as associate vice president for Human Resources. She has served the college as chief of staff and most recently as executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Prior to joining AIC, her professional journey began in New York City at the Council on Foreign Relations, a leading nonpartisan foreign-policy think tank in the U.S., focused on disseminating information to members, government officials, and the public on matters of international significance. She holds an MBA degree from AIC, a master of arts degree from the University of West Florida, and a bachelor of arts degree from Mount Holyoke College.

According to Colaccino, as COO, Cestero has overseen the day-to-day operations of the college and played a key role in implementing AIC’s strategic plan.

Colaccino said AIC is in the process of engaging a search firm to assist with a national search for the next president.

Community Foundation Receives $560,000 Grant from MassMutual Foundation

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts announced it has received a $560,000 gift from the MassMutual Foundation to support grantmaking in Springfield through the Community Foundation’s Flexible Funding program. Through this grant, the MassMutual Foundation seeks to create more equitable access to social and economic opportunity in its local community.

“The Community Foundation appreciates the opportunity to partner with the MassMutual Foundation for the benefit of our community,” said Megan Burke, president and CEO of the Community Foundation. “Both foundations consistently work to improve the quality of life for residents in our region. This innovative partnership, generously supported by the MassMutual Foundation, offers a new way for us to collaborate to advance equity and opportunity through increased financial resilience.”

Recognizing a need in Springfield to address barriers to financial well-being, the MassMutual Foundation identified the opportunity to support the Community Foundation’s Flexible Funding grant program, which uses a trust-based approach, informed by community, to make resources available to those nonprofits best positioned to increase equity and opportunity for all residents. The MassMutual Foundation’s funding will specifically target programs and organizations with a focus on building financial resiliency through four focus areas: building networks, fostering financial health, fulfilling basic financial needs, and expanding employment opportunities.

“Our success in advancing financial well-being for the community is predicated not only on the value of the programs that deliver services themselves, but also on the direct input we receive from members of our community on where needs are the greatest,” said Dennis Duquette, head of Community Responsibility for MassMutual and president of the MassMutual Foundation. “We’re thrilled to partner with the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts to provide more open access to MassMutual Foundation resources for members of our community and the causes they recommend.”

The Flexible Funding program provides unrestricted financial support to nonprofits and other organizations assisting their communities in Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties, prioritizing organizations actively working to combat racial disparities, promote equity and justice, and create pathways for marginalized communities. The program is designed to uplift the day-to-day operations and sustainability of these organizations.

“We received grant requests totaling over $8 million this past year, but only had $2.3 million to deliver. It’s a clear indication that there’s tremendous need in the region,” said Meredith Lewis, senior director for Community Impact and Partnerships at the Community Foundation. “We’re excited to help shepherd more financial resources through our open grant cycle and collaboratively work to reach more organizations that help residents of Springfield and the surrounding area.”

Applications for the next Flexible Funding round will open in August, and recipient grantees will be announced in December. Click here to learn more about Flexible Funding and Community Foundation events supporting this and other similar work.

Elms College to Present Fifth Annual Rev. Hugh Crean Lecture on April 4

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Daily News

CHICOPEE — Elms College and the St. Augustine Center for Ethics, Religion, and Culture will present the fifth annual Rev. Hugh Crean Distinguished Lecture in Catholic Thought on Thursday, April 4 at 4:30 p.m.

The lecture will take place in person in the college’s Alumnae Library Theater. Click here to register.

The distinguished speaker for this lecture is Dominic Doyle, associate professor of Systematic Theology at the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry (STM). The theme for Doyle’s remarks will be “Christian Humanism and the Theology of Hope.”

Most recently, Doyle led STM’s Neuroscience Education for Theological Training grant from the Science for Seminaries program sponsored by the American Assoc. for the Advancement of Science/Dialogue on Science, Religion, and Ethics. He is currently working on a book exploring the history of theological virtues, tentatively titled Thematic Variations in Theological Virtue.

The St. Augustine Center for Ethics, Religion, and Culture (CERC) at Elms College was launched in October 2020 with support from an anonymous naming gift and several significant contributions. The center aims to increase engagement and discourse on the most pressing and complex questions related to ethics, religion, and culture in today’s society, and to lead the regional community in thoughtful, engaging dialogue.

The founding executive director of the CERC is noted bioethicist Peter DePergola II, Shaughness Family chair for the Study of the Humanities and associate professor of Bioethics and Medical Humanities at Elms.

The annual Rev. Hugh Crean Distinguished Lecture was established through an endowment made by Jack and Colette Dill to honor Crean’s legacy and recognize his academic work at Elms College and his pastoral ministry throughout the Diocese of Springfield and the entire region.

Attorney Karen Jackson to Lead Three Estate-planning Workshops at HCC

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Daily News

HOLYOKE — Attorney Karen Jackson of Jackson Law in Holyoke will lead three one-hour estate-planning workshops at Holyoke Community College, beginning Thursday, April 11 from 6 to 7 p.m. with “Core Estate Planning.”

In this first session, Jackson, an elder-law and estate-planning attorney, will explain the importance of the will, power of attorney, healthcare proxy, and the core estate plan.

In the second session, “De-mystifying Trusts,” on Thursday, April 18 from 6 to 7 p.m., Jackson will review the different types of trusts and how to decide if one is needed.

In the final course, “Saving Your Home from the Nursing Home Bill,” on Thursday, April 25 from 6 to 7 p.m., Jackson will explain the use of an irrevocable income-only trust to save nursing-home costs. She will also explain MassHealth rules and provide tips and traps to avoid.

Students can choose one or two classes at $39 each or register for the series for $90. To register, call (413) 552-2320 or visit hcc.edu/bce.

MCLA Announces Tamar Sarai as 2024 Hardman Journalist in Residence

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Daily News

NORTH ADAMS — Writer and journalist Tamar Sarai will deliver the Hardman Journalist in Residence Lecture on Monday, April 8 at 6 p.m. in the Feigenbaum Center for Science and Innovation Atrium at MCLA. The lecture is free and open to the public.

“Tamar Sarai represents a refreshing journalistic practice which our Beacon and Beacon Web News journalism students will find energizing and modern,” MCLA Professor Michael Birch said. “Her writing will offer new topics and focus for their learning, as will her emphasis on the power and value of good writing in the service of exceptional storytelling. This will be an excellent learning opportunity for our students.”

Sarai is a writer and journalist currently based in Philadelphia. She is a features writer at Prism, a nonprofit media outlet that seeks to highlight the perspectives and voices of those directly impacted by some of today’s most pressing issues. Her work focuses on race, culture, and the criminal legal system. Both her writing for Prism and her freelance work often focus on the ways in which Black women and girls are impacted by policing and the prison system. Her work has been featured in outlets including Shadowproof, Capital B, and Essence. Sarai is a graduate of Wellesley College and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism.

MCLA’s Hardman Lecture Series presents in-depth discussions with some of the leading journalists of our time and is made possible through the generosity of the Hardman Family Endowment.

Square One’s Dawn DiStefano to Present to the Federal Reserve

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Square One President and CEO Dawn DiStefano will be among three panelists from across the country to present to the U.S. Federal Reserve in Washington, D.C. this week.

DiStefano was invited to be a panelist at the Fed Listens event on Friday, March 22 to hear perspectives on current economic conditions and how the pandemic experience has reshaped the economy and the workforce.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell will provide opening remarks, and Vice Chair Philip Jefferson and Governor Michelle Bowman will each moderate conversations with leaders from organizations that include the nonprofit, education, job-search, agriculture, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors.

This event is one in a series of discussions as part of the Fed Listens initiative and aims to engage a wide range of stakeholders to hear how the economy is progressing across the U.S.

The livestream will be webcast at www.federalreserve.gov and www.youtube.com/federalreserve.

Westfield State Art Professor Unveils Portrait of Frederick Douglass at Mechanics Hall

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Daily News

Westfield State University Associate Art Professor Imo Nse Imeh in his studio with his new portrait of Frederick Douglass, which was unveiled at Mechanics Hall in Worcester on March 14.

WORCESTER — Mechanics Hall in Worcester unveiled three commissioned portraits of 19th- century Black Americans at an event called “Beyond Frames” on March 14, as part of its Portraits Project.

Westfield State University Associate Art Professor Imo Nse Imeh contributed with his portrait of formerly enslaved civil-rights leader, orator, and writer Frederick Douglass. Other contributions unveiled included Worcester business owners and abolitionists William Brown and Martha Ann Tulip Lewis Brown, painted by Brenda Zlamany of Brooklyn, N.Y., and formerly enslaved abolitionist and women’s-rights activist Sojourner Truth, painted by Manu Saluja of Long Island, N.Y. The three portraits are the first to be added to the 167-year-old concert hall since 1999.

The Mechanics Hall Portrait Gallery is an installation honoring 19th-century Worcester innovators, social reformers, Civil War heroes, and political leaders.

“This is a historic moment for Mechanics Hall and our vibrantly diverse community,” said Kathleen Gagne, Mechanics Hall executive director and co-chair of the Portraits Project. “Many of the world’s most renowned performers take the Great Hall stage every year. They and their audiences will now share the hall with — and be inspired by — these striking paintings of Black Americans who lived extraordinary lives of courage. Our community, and especially our children, can look up to the individuals honored in the gallery with pride and hope.”

Imeh is a visual artist and scholar of African diaspora art. His work focuses on historical and philosophical issues around the Black body and cultural identity. His works are in the collection of the Petrucci Family Foundation Collection of African American Art; the University Museum of Contemporary Art at UMass Amherst; and the Danny Simmons Collection of Art, among others. Imeh is a recipient of the Mass Cultural Artist Fellowship, as well as grants from the Holyoke and Springfield Cultural Council and the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts.

Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts Invites Applications for 2024 Grant Cycle

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts (WFWM) welcomes grant applications for its 2024 grant cycle and intends to award 10 to 15 grants ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 by summer.

WFWM strongly encourages smaller, community-based, grassroots organizations to apply. Organizations with 501(c)(3) status and those with fiscal sponsors are welcome to apply, and those serving women and girls and transgender and gender-diverse people in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties are encouraged to do so. Priority will be given to organizations aligning with race and gender justice and equity and WFWM’s strategic pillars: economic security, equality in positions of power and leadership, and freedom from gender-based violence.

The two-year, unrestricted grants can be used for general operations or program support, and the WFWM grantmaking committee looks for grant proposals with a meaningful impact.

“We are excited to continue to fund the important work that is being done to support women, girls, and gender-expansive people in our Western Massachusetts communities,” said Amihan Matias, senior director of Community Partnerships at the Women’s Fund. “We have diverse community members and residents from all four counties of Western Massachusetts on our grantmaking committee. We are grateful for their valuable perspectives regarding the needs of their communities. It is so important to hear directly from communities.”

To apply, complete an online application. Click here for the English application, or click here for the Spanish version. Submit a brief, one-page letter of intent. The WFWM strives to make the application process as inclusive and accessible as possible and also accepts video submissions or grant proposals written for other funders in place of the narrative portion of the written letter of intent. To have the application translated into a language other than English or Spanish, email Matias at [email protected].

Applications are due by May 15, and the grantmaking committee will announce recipients on Aug. 30.

Massachusetts Senate Acts to Transform Early Education and Care

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Daily News

BOSTON — Last week, the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed legislation to make early education and care more accessible and affordable for families across Massachusetts. The legislation now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

The EARLY ED Act — an Act Ensuring Affordability, Readiness, and Learning for Our Youth and Driving Economic Development — takes steps to improve the affordability and sustainability of childcare programs by making the state’s Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) operational grant program permanent, expanding eligibility for the state’s subsidy program and capping subsidy recipients’ childcare costs at 7% of family income, and boosting compensation for educators by creating a career ladder and providing scholarships and loan forgiveness.

“An equitable and competitive Commonwealth is one in which every child and family has access to affordable, quality early education,” Senate President Karen Spilka said. “At the same time, we must recognize the incredible work of the providers who are shaping the minds and hearts of our earliest learners. Today I’m proud that the Massachusetts Senate is once again taking action to lower costs for families, open up more opportunities for children, increase pay for our early educators, and make support for providers permanent so they can keep their doors open and thrive for years to come.”

State Sen. Adam Gomez added that “the EARLY ED Act creates an ecosystem where we can ensure affordable, accessible early education and care for our youth and viable career pathways for educators across the Commonwealth.”

The bill would make the state’s C3 grants permanent, providing monthly payments directly to early education and care providers. The grants, which provide monthly payments to more than 92% of early education and care programs across the Commonwealth, have become a national model thanks to their success at keeping programs’ doors open during the pandemic, reducing tuition costs for families, increasing compensation for early educators, and expanding the number of childcare slots available.

The legislation improves affordability by expanding eligibility for childcare subsidies to families making up to 85% of the state median income (SMI), which is $124,000 for a family of four. It eliminates cost-sharing fees for families receiving subsidies who are below the federal poverty line and caps cost-sharing fees for all other families receiving subsidies at 7% of their income, putting millions of dollars back into families’ pockets. Finally, the bill paves the way for expanding the subsidy program to families making up to 125% SMI, or $182,000 for a family of four, when future funds become available.

The legislation provides support for educators by directing the Department of Early Education and Care to establish a career ladder with recommended salaries. This career ladder will help increase salaries in this historically underpaid field. The bill would also make scholarship and loan-forgiveness programs for early educators permanent, as well as direct the state to explore more innovative ways to develop this workforce.

The bill would also create an innovative public-private matching grant pilot program, which would incentivize employers to invest in new early education and care slots, with priority given to projects serving families with lower income and those who are located in childcare deserts. In addition, the bill tasks the administration with completing a study to further analyze ways to incentivize or require employers to partner with the state to expand access to high-quality and affordable early education and care.

The bill also includes provisions that would:

• Ensure that early education and care programs serving children with subsidies are reimbursed based on enrollment, rather than attendance, to provide financial stability to programs;

• Require the cost-sharing fee scale for families participating in the childcare subsidy program to be updated every five years to ensure affordability for families;

• Establish a pilot program to expand access to shared-service hubs, which would support smaller early education and care programs;

• Increase the maximum number of children that can be served by fully staffed large family childcare programs, aligning with states such as New York, California, Illinois, and Maryland; and

• Bar zoning ordinances from prohibiting family childcare programs in certain areas, preventing an unnecessary hurdle to the expansion of childcare slots.

Sen. Gomez Applauds Move Toward Pardoning Marijuana Convictions

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Daily News

BOSTON — State Sen. Adam Gomez joined Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll at the State House last week for a criminal-justice-reform announcement related to pardoning those convicted of simple possession of marijuana.

As the governor stated in her address, the pardons will apply to all adult, state-level misdemeanor possession convictions handed down before March 12, removing criminal records that have become a barrier for residents seeking jobs or housing throughout the years.

“I’m thankful to the Healey-Driscoll administration for answering President Biden’s call and issuing pardons for those convicted of state marijuana offenses,” said Gomez, Senate chair of the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy. “Eight years ago, Massachusetts residents voted yes on Question 4 to legalize recreational marijuana. Today, we are finally beginning to address historic racial disparities for those affected by marijuana prohibition.”

The proposal will still need the approval of the Governor’s Council before taking effect. If approved, the pardons would take effect immediately, although it may take several months for individual criminal records to be updated.

“As chair of Cannabis Policy, I have worked closely with organizations and community members who’ve advocated for this type of reform, but I’ve also been directly affected when I was charged with a low-level marijuana crime as a teenager,” Gomez said. “I encourage the Governor’s Council to vote favorably on the governor’s recommendation to make this a reality for tens of thousands of individuals across the state.”

Forest Park Zoo to Open 2024 Season on March 30 with Annual Eggstravaganza

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Zoo in Forest Park will open for the 2024 season on Saturday, March 30 with Eggstravaganza, presented by M&T Bank. The annual, family-friendly event runs from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with final admission at 2 p.m.

Kids are invited to hop along the Bunny Trail, collecting prize-filled eggs at each stop. There will also be crafts, music from DJ Jonny Taylor, animal encounters, and the opportunity to meet the Easter Bunny. Link to Libraries, a nonprofit organization dedicated to distributing new books to children in need, is providing a free book to every child at the event.

“After being closed for five months, Eggstravaganza is the perfect way to kick off the new season,” said Gabry Tyson, assistant executive director of the Zoo in Forest Park. “It’s heartwarming to watch families return to visit the animals they love.”

Pre-registration is required to participate in the Bunny Trail. Registration closes March 27 or when all tickets are sold. Tickets are available at www.forestparkzoo.org/eggs. In the event of severe weather, Eggstravaganza will be moved to Sunday, March 31. If the rain date is not utilized, the Zoo will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 31.

Beginning April 6, the zoo will be open weekends only from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with last admission at 3:30, through mid-May. After Mother’s Day, the zoo will move to its daily operating schedule.

HCC Receives Grant to Continue Free Paraeducator Training Program

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Daily News

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College (HCC) has been awarded a $104,000 state grant to continue training paraeducators to help address workforce needs in Hampden County public schools.

The grant, from the state’s Training Resources and Internships Network (TRAIN), will fund the next two rounds of HCC’s free, seven-week, online paraeducator training program. The first round begins March 25 and the second June 17.

Paraeducators, also called teaching assistants or teaching aides, typically work in classrooms in a variety of capacities, sometimes assisting classroom teachers with instruction or working one-on-one with students who have individual education plans (IEPs) and require additional assistance.

The 140-hour program blends job-readiness and career-exploration components with education and training specific to the knowledge and skills needed to pass the Professional Certification for Teaching Assistants (PCTA) exam, which qualifies individuals to work in federally designated Title 1 school districts, or those with a significant number of low-income households.

In addition to online instruction, the program includes in-person job shadowing and can lead directly to a four-week internship and subsequent employment with one of HCC’s public school system partners in Springfield, Holyoke, West Springfield, and Chicopee.

“I would never use the word guaranteed,” HCC Workforce Training Manager Andrew Baker said, “but I would say there is such a strong demand for this work that if students make it through our program, they’re pretty certain to get a job if they want one.”

HCC has been running the program four times a year since 2021 and expects to receive additional grants to keep it going beyond the March and June sessions.

The grant to HCC was part of a package of $1.5 million in TRAIN grants awarded to 13 community colleges across Massachusetts meant to prepare residents for careers in fields such as education, healthcare, addiction recovery, cybersecurity, and manufacturing. The grants will provide free career training to more than 400 adult learners at community colleges across Massachusetts, with all programs targeting residents who are unemployed or underemployed. The grant to HCC will pay to train 26 individuals.

HCC’s other grant partners include Springfield WORKS, MassHire Holyoke, MassHire Springfield, DTA Works, and United Way Thrive. Individuals who receive state benefits through the Department of Transitional Assistance or Transitional Assistance to Families with Dependent Children may qualify for a ‘learn to earn’ training and internship stipend of $125 per week.

While the primary focus of the paraeducator program is to prepare students to pass the PCTA exam, also important is the job-readiness curriculum, which covers the basics of applying for a job: writing a résumé, preparing a cover letter, gathering references, and practicing for an interview. The program also covers subjects such as how to function effectively in a professional setting, including working with colleagues, communication, respect for diversity, and reliability.

For more information or to apply, visit hcc.edu/para.

BusinessTalk with Sarah Tsitso, executive director of the Forest Park Zoo

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Business Talk Podcast

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.

Go HERE to view all episodes

Episode 205: March 18, 2024

Editor Joe Bednar talks with Sarah Tsitso, executive director of the Forest Park Zoo

Today’s zoos — the best ones, anyway — have come a long way from what they used to be, and the Zoo in Forest Park and Education Center is a prime example, honing over the years its focus on education, conservation, and rehabilitation, and bringing much of that education into the community through its programs. On the next episode of BusinessTalk, BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar talks with Sarah Tsitso, executive director of the Forest Park Zoo, about her passion for animal welfare, the challenges of funding a year-round operation that’s open to the public for only five months, and how the organization is helping to cultivate the next generation of animal-care professionals — not to mention the next generation of families making new memories together. It’s must listening, so tune in to BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest and sponsored by PeoplesBank.

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Claudia Pazmany Joins Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services

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Daily News

Claudia Pazmany

SPRINGFIELD — Following an eight-month search and interview process, Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services (MLKFS) named Claudia DeVito Pazmany as its new chief Development officer. She will be responsible for developing a sustainable institutional development effort to both support existing programs and expand them to serve the emergent needs of the organization’s clients. Pazmany had served as a volunteer member of the MLKFS development committee before being appointed to her new position.

“Claudia’s dedication to building the beloved community is evident, not only because of her volunteer service to our organization, but also based on her entire career of helping others succeed,” said Shannon Rudder, president and CEO of MLKFS. “She has a long history of social-change fund development mixed with a proven track record of rebuilding and repositioning organizations and nonprofits for success.”

Pazmany comes to MLKFS with 23 years of relationship building, strategic planning, innovative leadership, financial acumen, and visionary critical thinking, most recently serving as executive director of the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce. Her experience includes a history of professional fundraising with a career total of raising more than $15 million in a development capacity for other location organizations, including the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts and Providence Ministries. She also serves as volunteer, advisory board member, and former board president of CHD’s Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County, a development committee member of the United Way of Franklin & Hampshire Region, and as a 2020 and 2021 EforAll Pioneer Valley mentor.

In October 2021, Pazmany received a citation from the Massachusetts House of Representatives for her leadership role in supporting Amherst’s small businesses throughout COVID, leveraging more than $2 million in small-business assistance. She was honored with the Family 2022 Outreach Center’s Helen Mitchell Community Service Award for conceptualizing and implementing a program that provided restaurant relief while feeding families who were disproportionately impacted by COVID. She was also honored as a 2023 BusinessWest Difference Maker along with Amherst Business Improvement District Executive Director Gabrielle Gould for their partnership and leadership to build a stronger community throughout COVID.

“I am deeply honored to step into this inaugural role at MLKFS,” Pazmany said. “I am eager to develop relationships and engage the community to further the inspired vision of its newest president and CEO, Shannon M. Rudder, whilst connecting its rich history to a strengthened role it can play in ensuring MLKFS for our future generations.”

Pazmany earned a bachelor’s degree with concentrations in French and business from UMass Amherst, and an MBA from Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst. She earned a program leadership certificate from the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts’ Leadership Institute for Political and Public Impact.

bankESB hires Suarez as Assistant Vice President, Branch Officer in Holyoke

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Daily News

Hector Suarez

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB recently hired Hector Suarez as assistant vice president, branch officer of its Sargeant Street office in Holyoke.

Suarez grew up in Holyoke and Puerto Rico and has nearly 30 years of banking experience. He says he is passionate about providing a customer-first experience and brings an extensive background to his new role, where he will manage the Holyoke office team while fostering relationships within the community.

Prior to joining bankESB, he was a vice president, branch manager at M&T Bank, People’s United Bank, and United Bank. Before that, he was a branch manager at Key Bank and First Niagara Bank, as well as a personal banker with Baybank, BankBoston, FleetBoston, and Bank of America.

Holyoke Mall to Host Get Hired Job Fair on April 17

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Daily News

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Mall will host its spring job fair on Wednesday, April 17 from 2 to 5 p.m. on the lower level near Macy’s. The Get Hired Job Fair is a convenient opportunity for Western Mass. employers to interview and hire workers, and to help job seekers connect with businesses who need their skills.

Employers from a variety of industries will be in attendance, looking for candidates at all skill levels. The event is free to attend for all job seekers. Employers that have already signed up to staff a table include Baystate Health, PeoplesBank, Holyoke Community College, YMCA Greater Springfield, and more. Last year, the September job fair drew more than 40 employers, representing more than 10 industries, and nearly 400 candidates.

Employers interested in participating in the upcoming job fair should contact Jim Geraghty, advertising representative for Holyoke Mall, at (617) 840-2998 or [email protected]. Click here for full details regarding the event.

94.7 WMAS Radiothon Raises $289,355 for Baystate Children’s Hospital

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The annual 94.7 WMAS Children’s Miracle Network Radiothon, held on March 5-6, transformed the 94.7 WMAS studios at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame into a bustling hub of generosity and compassion. This year, the Radiothon raised $289,355 in support of Baystate Children’s Hospital.

Throughout the two-day event, the Kellogg Krew, alongside other 94.7 WMAS personalities, spearheaded fundraising efforts, rallying listeners and supporters to contribute to this vital cause. The response underscored the compassion and generosity prevalent in Western Mass. to make a difference in the lives of children facing medical challenges.

“We can’t believe the support Radiothon receives from the local community,” Audacy Senior Vice President Craig Swimm said. “We are so lucky to have a hospital like Baystate in our backyard.”

The impact of the 94.7 WMAS Radiothon extends far beyond monetary donations, embodying a collective dedication to nurturing and safeguarding the well-being of the youngest members of the community, while also spotlighting the tireless efforts of Baystate Children’s Hospital’s doctors, nurses, and staff. Since its inception, the Radiothon raised more than $5,000,000 for local children.

Donations are still being accepted. Visit wmaskids.com for more information.

UMass Awarded $5.5 Million to Apply Research to Real World

By
Peter Reinhart
Technology

Keep Moving Forward

Peter Reinhart

Peter Reinhart calls the grant “an unprecedented opportunity to build a sustainable innovation engine.”

 

A team from UMass Amherst recently won a $5.5 million Accelerating Research Translation (ART) award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support and expand faculty and student researchers’ efforts to translate research conducted in campus laboratories into tangible solutions to real-world problems.

The UMass team, which includes the Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS), the Technology Transfer Office, the Office of Research & Engagement, and the Office of the Provost, is one of only 18 nationwide announced in the program’s inaugural year. It is the only award made in New England, and one of just three in the Northeast.

“NSF endeavors to empower academic institutions to build the pathways and structures needed to speed and scale their research into products and services that benefit the nation,” NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan said, adding that the ART program “identifies and champions institutions positioned to expand their research-translation capacity by investing in activities essential to move results to practice.”

UMass Amherst Chancellor Javier Reyes noted that “the resources and nationwide network that this award brings to the campus will open new opportunities for our researchers to make a positive impact on society and will strengthen their ability to contribute to economic development in the region and beyond.”

Provost Mike Malone added that “receiving ART funding from NSF is a vote of confidence in the excellence of campus researchers and the potential for their work to translate into products, spinout ventures, and social enterprises that solve important real-world problems.”

Each ART awardee will benefit from a partnership with a mentoring institution of higher education that already has a robust ecosystem for translational research. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) will serve in that role for UMass. As such, the UMass Amherst team will be able to take advantage of MIT’s research-translation prowess to develop individual faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate-student researchers, as well as its knowhow in the development of new startup companies.

“The project will equip diverse groups of scientists and engineers, from undergraduates to senior faculty, with skills to extend research excellence toward impactful translational outcomes.”

Roman Lubynsky, executive director of the New England Regional Innovation Node at MIT, has already begun to work with the UMass team as lead mentor, noting that “the IHE mentor role provides an ideal opportunity for us to build upon and expand our ongoing relationship with UMass Amherst, including facilitating access to and adaptation of best practices from across MIT’s translational enterprise.”

 

Seeking Impact

The four-year award will fund seed translational research projects, training to prepare postdoctoral fellows and graduate students for careers related to translational research, and a network of ART ambassadors, who will serve as role models, peer mentors, and advocates for societally impactful translational research.

In addition, UMass Amherst’s ART ambassadors will be part of a nationwide network of ART ambassadors from all funded institutions. Diverse, equitable, and inclusive efforts will prioritize and champion the involvement of members of traditionally underrepresented groups in every aspect of the project.

“This award provides the campus with an unprecedented opportunity to build a sustainable innovation engine that will prepare students and faculty to contribute to the innovation economy, shorten timelines between ideation and de-risked technologies, and result in enterprises that include diverse leaders in the development of technologies to address important societal needs,” said Peter Reinhart, founding director of IALS. “The project will equip diverse groups of scientists and engineers, from undergraduates to senior faculty, with skills to extend research excellence toward impactful translational outcomes.”

Reinhart will serve as the grant’s principal investigator. Co-principal investigators include Provost Mike Malone; Burnley Jaklevic, director of the UMass Amherst Technology Transfer Office; and Karen Utgoff, director of IALS Venture Development. Partner organizations include MassVentures, the Berkshire Innovation Center, Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives, and Somerville-based innovation accelerator FORGE.

According to the National Science Foundation, more than $100 million was awarded to the 18 teams. Each awardee will receive up to $6 million over four years to identify and build upon academic research with the potential for technology transfer and societal and economic impacts, to ensure availability of staff with technology-transfer expertise, and to support the education and training of entrepreneurial faculty and students.

“Congratulations to the IALS team and the UMass Amherst campus on this significant award,” said Jeanne LeClair, vice president of Economic Development & Partnerships for the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center. “The center is incredibly proud of its significant investments in IALS as an anchor institution of our burgeoning Western Massachusetts life-sciences cluster. This award will only further spur innovation, translational research, and entrepreneurship for the region and our Commonwealth.”

Massachusetts Secretary for Economic Development Yvonne Hao added that “this ART award will help to grow the innovation economy in Western Massachusetts. The region has a lot to offer talented people who want to create new businesses, expand them, and to really succeed and thrive here.”

 

More Successes for IALS

The ART announcement came on the heels of two IALS core facilities receiving sophisticated microscopy instruments — the first such instruments to be located in Western Mass. — through grants totaling more than $3.2 million from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC).

The UMass Amherst grants are included in a funding package of more than $30.5 million to support life-sciences innovation, workforce, and STEM education across Massachusetts.

The first award of $1,655,774 will fund the IALS Electron Microscope facility’s purchase of a cryo-transmission electron microscope, technology that the microscopy facility did not possess, and which will be the first to be located in Western Mass., according to facility director Alexander Ribbe.

The second award, $1,555,276, will allow the Light Microscopy facility, under the direction of James Chambers, to purchase technology that was missing from its imaging portfolio, expanding light microscopy offerings for biomedical training and research at UMass Amherst and beyond.

Keiter Executive Headquarters to Move to West Springfield Later This Year

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Daily News

FLORENCE — Keiter, a construction-services firm located in Florence since 2008, recently announced it will relocate its executive headquarters to a 6,000-square-foot facility at 1 Interstate Dr., West Springfield later this year.

Keiter is comprised of Keiter Builders, the commercial/institutional division; Keiter Homes, the residential arm; and Keiter Properties, the real-estate venture. Its pre-construction, sales and marketing, finance and administration, and operations departments will be located in the new space.

The move is prompted by growth and will allow Keiter much-needed space to collaborate with customers and partners on projects.

“We have purposely grown our company over the past few years to better serve the needs of our customers and the broader community,” CEO Scott Keiter said. “Keiter needs to continue growing in other ways so we can continue to meet the needs of our customers, employees, partners, and communities.”

The new location will also help Keiter better serve clients in Hampden and Berkshire counties while continuing to serve clients in Hampshire and Franklin counties.

“The move will be phased in,” said Keiter, who is one of BusinessWest’s 2024 Difference Makers. “Keiter will continue to service all of its clients and customers in a business-as-usual way. We will not skip a beat. We are excited to make this move and look forward to growth and expanding our reach.”

Virtual Workshop to Explore How to ‘Build a Better Relationship with Your Boss’

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Daily News

PITTSFIELD — Dulye Leadership Experience announced its next Culture Chat program, “Build a Better Relationship with Your Boss,” a one-hour, virtual event taking place on Friday, April 12 at noon.

Seasoned leadership coaches Jeff Schreier and Janet Forest will provide actionable advice for mending differences through better communication, collaboration, and self-awareness. The interactive Culture Chat format features a mini-workshop with the experts followed by small-group discussions.

There is no fee to attend, thanks to the sustained sponsorship of Dulye & Co. consulting firm. Click here to register.

Tighe & Bond Opens Second New York Office in Troy

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Daily News

WESTFIELD — Tighe & Bond announced the opening of a new office in Troy, N.Y. Located at 433 River St. in the Hedley Building, this location will allow the firm to better service its growing base of clients in the Albany region.

Tighe & Bond’s newest location brings the firm’s total office count to 16 throughout the Northeast and is the firm’s second New York location, in addition to the Hudson Valley office located in Rhinebeck. Vice President Erin Moore will provide leadership for the establishment of the Troy office as location manager. A lifelong resident of New York’s Capital District, with more than two decades of experience in municipal water, wastewater, and stormwater projects, she has been actively engaged in expanding Tighe & Bond’s services throughout New York in response to clients’ needs.

“Establishing a base in Troy allows us to better meet the needs of our clients in the Capital Region and offers the opportunity to expand to meet client demands in that geography,” Tighe & Bond President and CEO Bob Belitz said. “Our team has been working to grow our client base and employee count in New York, and this new office location is a natural step in that expansion.”

Massachusetts Tops Recent Study on Work-life Balance

By
Daily News

SEATTLE — Work/life balance is becoming increasingly important in today’s world, and a new study reveals which states have the best and worst balances, with Massachusetts topping the list.

The study, by AI productivity platform Plus Docs, analyzed Bureau of Labor Statistics data and looked at the average weekly hours worked, as well as average weekly earnings, in order to give each state an index score out of 100 for how good — or bad — its work/life balance is.

Massachusetts takes the top spot on the list, with a work/life balance score of 60.29 out of 100. With the highest average weekly income ($1,329.02 per week) and, as a result, the highest average hourly wages ($39.32 per hour), the people of Massachusetts were found to be among the states with the lowest average weekly hours worked, working only 33.8 hours per week on average.

Rounding out the top five, in order, are Washington, California, New York, and Alaska. Mississippi was found to be the state with the worst work/life balance, scoring only 0.19 out of 100. In Mississippi, the average person works 34.6 hours a week and earns only $829.71 per week.

“The study highlights significant variations in work/life balance across different U.S. states. Massachusetts takes the lead with a notably high index score, showing a fine balance between working hours and earnings,” said Daniel Li, CEO and co-founder of Plus Docs. “In contrast, at the lower end of the spectrum, Mississippi indicates a distinct pattern with lower weekly wages and a relatively higher number of weekly hours worked. These findings underscore states’ diverse approaches in managing the delicate balance between professional commitments and personal time.”

Study Says Economic Opportunity Hiding in Plain Sight in Western Mass.

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — A new report by MassINC and Cambridge Econometrics finds the Pioneer Valley has considerable strength in industries and technologies poised to grow with the transition to a low-carbon future. Billed as a “prospectus for transformative economic investment,” the study catalogs the region’s competitive advantages in food science, advanced materials, and clean energy.

“From sustainably producing alternative proteins from cells to protecting our drinking-water supplies from pollutants and extreme weather events, our region is developing the technologies of the future,” said Rick Sullivan, president and CEO of the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council. “It is imperative that we collectively recognize the opportunity and make strategic investments in these growing sectors.”

Citing the recent announcement of a $10 billion investment in Albany’s semiconductor sector and other notable examples of state-backed efforts to grow advanced industries, the report calls for the establishment of a $500 million economic-development fund for Western Mass. Resources from the fund would be deployed to draw federal and private investment into the high-growth sectors where the region is well-positioned to gain competitive niches in the innovation economy.

“UMass Amherst is committed to working closely with our partners in Western Massachusetts to play a central role in fostering economic development and growth for the benefit of our region,” UMass Amherst Chancellor Javier Reyes said. “As the Commonwealth’s land-grant university, our researchers make new discoveries and develop technologies that support local industry and prepare the workforce required for the Commonwealth to flourish in the decades ahead.”

Charles D’Amour, executive chairman of Big Y, added that Western Mass. can capitalize on disruptive changes in the food industry. “From biotechnologies under development at UMass to innovative efforts to support local food entrepreneurs, the Pioneer Valley is situated to generate broadly shared wealth, positioning itself as a leading producer of sustainable food products.”

The federal government is eager to see the transition to a low-carbon future spur new forms of economic activity in slower-growth metropolitan areas across the U.S. Similarly, Gov. Maura Healey has called for the development of a clean-energy corridor across the entire state.

While the Pioneer Valley has many competitive strengths, including top-ranked programs in food science and advanced materials at UMass Amherst, the report indicates substantial investment is needed to increase research and development in the region, partner with existing businesses, commercialize new technologies, accommodate industrial growth with limited land available for development, and prepare the workforce to build the products of the future.

“This research illuminates promising opportunities unique to the Pioneer Valley as we develop low-carbon technologies,” said Jay Ash, president and CEO of the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership. “We must work together to help the region tap these opportunities to generate strong and equitable growth.”

Ben Forman, MassINC research director and co-author of the study, is eager to see the state act with urgency in this moment. “As a commonwealth, we have overlooked the Pioneer Valley for decades, jeopardizing its economic base,” he said. “It’s time to recognize and build on the region’s considerable economic assets.”

Franklin County CDC Receives $125,000 from M&T Bank’s Amplify Fund

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Daily News

GREENFIELD — The Franklin County Community Development Corp. (FCCDC) received a grant of $125,000 over two years from the M&T Charitable Foundation, the philanthropic arm of M&T Bank. FCCDC provides a host of direct services and opportunities that help businesses start, stabilize, and grow throughout Western Mass.

With this grant, FCCDC is partnering with Springfield Neighborhood Housing Services (Springfield NHS) to provide business assistance and mini-grants to early-stage businesses in Springfield, where there is a history of underinvestment in Black-owned businesses.

“We are genuinely excited to partner with the FCCDC to reshape equity, justice, and access for small businesses in Western Massachusetts,” said Jeff Hamilton, president and CEO of Springfield NHS. “With the support from M&T Charitable Foundation’s Amplify Fund, Springfield NHS will amplify our initiatives to support small businesses, providing access to the support and funding often denied to historically underserved small-business owners.”

FCCDC Executive Director John Waite added that “we are grateful to the support of the M&T Charitable Foundation and are excited to get these Amplify funds to work bringing solid business support to the local entrepreneurs and small-business owners whose enterprises bring jobs and increase economic opportunities for their communities.”

The grant is part of the second round of giving through the Amplify Fund, providing more than $8.2 million to 68 nonprofit organizations throughout New England, Long Island, and Rockland County, N.Y.

“Through the Amplify Fund, we are committed to continuing our partnership with organizations like the FCCDC that work hand-in-hand with community members in the field to provide the critical resources and programming necessary to truly make a difference,” said Dominique Goss, executive director of the M&T Charitable Foundation. “At M&T, addressing the institutionalized and systemic issues preventing disadvantaged communities from accessing opportunities and achieving long-term success is key to our mission as a community bank. We are proud to provide the Amplify Fund as a difference-making resource in the communities we serve.”

MCLA to Host Two Graduate-program Information Sessions

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Daily News

NORTH ADAMS — MCLA will host a virtual information session on Thursday, March 14 and an in-person session on Wednesday, March 27 for its graduate programs — master of business administration (MBA) and master of education (MEd) — as well as the Leadership Academy.

Potential students will have the opportunity to meet with faculty and staff to learn more about how to continue education in three of MCLA’s programs that are designed to support rising workforce needs in the Berkshires and beyond.

The MBA program offers a broad-based, multi-disciplinary education that combines the strengths of MCLA business faculty with those of practicing managers actively involved in day-to-day decision making in the field. It is a part-time, 30-credit program designed for working professionals in partnership with the Berkshire Innovation Center.

The MEd program offers a blend of classroom and fieldwork experiences that prepare students to make a meaningful impact in their school communities. Programs include MEd with initial licensure, professional teacher licensure with MEd, MEd with individualized plan of study non-licensure, and accelerated 4+1 bachelor’s degree with MEd.

MCLA Leadership Academy prepares candidates to serve as effective leaders of educational institutions and active citizens in their communities.

The virtual information session on March 14 will begin at 5 p.m. The in-person information session on March 27 will begin at 5 p.m. on the MCLA main campus in North Adams.

To register, visit www.mcla.edu/graduate or call the Office of Graduate and Continuing Education at (413) 662-5575.

Springfield Rescue Mission’s Run to End Homelessness Raises Nearly $60,000

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — With more than 300 participants, Springfield Rescue Mission announced that its 2024 Run to End Homelessness raised nearly $60,000 in needed funds. The 5K/10K run/walk was held on March 2 at Forest Park in Springfield.

“This was our most successful run ever,” said Kevin Ramsdell, executive director and CEO of Springfield Rescue Mission. “It was a little chilly, but our runners, walkers, and their cheering squads brought the heat, along with tons of enthusiasm.”

Springfield Rescue Mission also saw a tremendous turnout for its first-ever spaghetti buffet and early-registration event at the Basketball Hall of Fame the night before the run.

“We enjoyed a spirited night of food, fun, music, prizes, and spending time with our supportive community,” Ramsdell said. “We are so grateful to all our walkers, runners, volunteers, and supporters.”

Funds raised will help Springfield Rescue Mission expand its services and support its workforce-development and higher-education programs.

“Our services are desperately needed by a growing number of people every year, and with the support of the community, we can continue to respond to the call,” Ramsdell said.

The Springfield Rescue Mission offers much-needed services for the poor and homeless in Greater Springfield. As an emergency shelter, mobile feeding program, rehabilitation and transformation center, and transitional living facility, it provides food, shelter, clothing, medical attention, Christian counseling, financial literacy, workforce development, high-school equivalency, higher-education opportunities, and more, free of charge. These programs help local men take meaningful steps toward becoming responsible and productive members of the community.

Company Notebook

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Company Notebook

Bay Path University to Acquire Cambridge College

LONGMEADOW — The boards of Bay Path University and Cambridge College announced today that Bay Path has entered into a formal agreement to acquire Cambridge College. This move reflects a strategic focus by both institutions on planning for future success providing career-focused education models to a diverse student population. Each based its decision to join together on the shared mission of the two institutions. The two institutions have shared their plans and the greater opportunity created by a combined organization with both the Commonwealth’s Department of Higher Education, which has regulatory purview over both Bay Path and Cambridge, and the New England Commission of Higher Education, which accredits both institutions. Both organizations will be working with Bay Path and Cambridge to ensure the process to combine the institutions meets their respective standards and regulatory requirements. The acquisition of Cambridge College will nearly double the number of students served by Bay Path and bring total enrollment to more than 5,000, including a growing number of international students. The geographies served by Bay Path will expand to include Cambridge’s Eastern Mass. location as well as its growing Puerto Rico location. Opened in downtown San Juan more than 20 years ago, the campus provides graduate programs in business and technology as well as education and counseling to working professionals. Bay Path currently operates two locations: its Longmeadow campus, which serves women at the undergraduate level, and the state-of-the-art Philip H. Ryan Health Science Center in East Longmeadow, which provides graduate degrees in education, healthcare, and psychology. The university also grants undergraduate degrees online through the American Women’s College. Bay Path’s acquisition of Cambridge College is likely to be complete in June. Full integration of Cambridge College into Bay Path will take 18 to 24 months, pending a series of approvals by accreditors and appropriate state and federal regulators.

 

Florence Bank Supports West Springfield’s 250th

FLORENCE — Florence Bank has donated $4,000 to the city of West Springfield to help support four events the city has planned in 2024 as part of a year packed with 250th-anniversary festivities. Florence Bank’s backing of the West Springfield 250th celebration specifically offers support for three 5K races, happening in March, July, and November; a block party on June 22 and 23, when Elm and Central streets will be closed for activities from dancing to vendors and food trucks; family photo sessions at historic town locations; and a golf tournament in July. Also part of the 250th events in West Springfield are a birthday celebration in Clark Field today, Feb. 23, the same day West Springfield was incorporated in 1774; a black-tie ball in May; various ongoing public art projects; and a Bright Nights display next winter. In addition to the financial support, a team of bank staff will volunteer at some of the events in town. Since 2007, Florence Bank has had a presence in West Springfield, which was enhanced five years ago when the current full-service branch opened at 1010 Union St.

 

Second Chance Composting Program Comes to Pittsfield

PITTSFIELD — Second Chance Composting recently brought its residential community composting program to Pittsfield. Memberships are open and ongoing for the 9 South Atlantic Ave. dropoff location. The program runs continuously all year, through all four seasons. Memberships start at $9.99 per month, offering unlimited dropoff of household food scraps to the location each month. Members simply save their food scraps at home and, at their convenience, bring them to 9 South Atlantic Ave. and drop their material into the tote. Members can come as little or as often as needed each month. All food and food scraps are accepted, including meat, fish, dairy, bones, and shells. Other membership pricing options are available for those who wish to receive finished compost back. In addition to the new Pittsfield location, Second Chance Composting currently has dropoff locations in North Adams, Williamstown, and Adams, which have continuous and ongoing membership signups. Every week, Second Chance Composting picks up the material, which is brought to its MassDEP-certified facility in Cheshire to process the food scraps into compost, which is then distributed back to the community to grow more food, flowers, plants, and trees. Those interested in learning more or signing up for a membership can do so by visiting www.secondchancecomposting.com.

Incorporations

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Incorporations

The following business incorporations were recorded in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties and are the latest available. They are listed by community.

AGAWAM

SDS Mobile Welding Services Inc. 450 Silver St., Agawam, MA 01001. Scott Swenson, same. Welding fabrication and related services on real-estate, personal, and business property.

AMHERST

Vivid Vision Inc., 186 College St., Amherst, MA 01002. Jacob Torres, 419 Enterprise Dr., Somerset, MA 02725. Nonprofit organization established to foster and promote emerging musical talent within the academic and greater community and provide resources, support, networking opportunities, and education.

CHICOPEE

FZ Corp., 643 Prospect St., Chicopee, MA 01020. Maninder Arora, same. Convenience store.

Rybachuk Pro Master Inc., 26 Sampson St., Chicopee, MA 01020. Andrii Rybachuk, same. Construction services.

EAST LONGMEADOW

Dust Collectors Cleaning Service Inc., 20 Hillside Dr., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Kathryn Koske, same. Cleaning services.

FLORENCE

Play Incubation Collective Inc., 264 Riverside Dr., Florence, MA 01062. Sarah Marcus, same. Supports the development of new theatrical work and fosters creativity, collaboration, and a celebration of the creative process through programs and workshops for all ages.

HATFIELD

Skawski Farms Inc., 455 Main St., Hatfield, MA 01038. Michael Skawski, 40 Straits Road, Hatfield, MA 01038. Agricultural farm.

LONGMEADOW

Community Alliance for Peace and Justice Inc., 468 Inverness Lane, Longmeadow, MA 01106. Mehlaqa Samdani, same. Alliance to amplify the political voice of the American Muslim community in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

NORTH ADAMS

Live Balanced Bookkeeping Inc., 382 West Shaft Road, North Adams, MA 01247. Stephanie Roy, same. Bookkeeping and tax services.

PITTSFIELD

Avalor Technologies Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Raanan Raz, same. Provides SAAS solutions.

Garden Blossoms Florist Corp., 31 Essex St., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Sean Colombari, same. Retail florist shop.

Silverspace Technologies Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Mounish Soni, 806 Green Valley Road, Suite 200, Greensboro, NC 27408. Connects businesses with qualified candidates for temporary, permanent, and contract positions.

SHELBURNE FALLS

Hill Street Concrete Designs Inc., 107 State St., Shelburne Falls, MA 01370. Taylor Powell, 12 Dungarbin Dr., Shelburne Falls, MA 01370. Design and fabrication of custom concrete home and commercial furnishings such as sinks, countertops, exterior floors, and patios.

SOUTHAMPTON

Western Mass Masons Inc., 383 College Highway, Southampton, MA 01073. David Osiecki, same. Masonry services.

SPRINGFIELD

Clearer Vision Foundation Corp., 1690 Boston Road, #1073, Springfield, MA 01129. Tracy Hill, same. Nonprofit organization established for the purpose of empowering youth through diverse mentorship for clearer career paths.

Pearl Food Mart Inc., 1112 Bay St., Springfield, MA 01109. Mian Saleem, 188 Clearwater Circle, Ludlow, MA 01056. Retail food sales.

Winter Sports Retailers Inc., 235 Cadwell Dr., Springfield, MA 01104. Gary Fleming, same. Retailer of winter sports gear.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

A&T Carpentry Inc., 17 Herrman St., West Springfield, MA 01089. Engages in the acquisition and/or disposition of sports and/or snow goods, equipment, accessories, and products for wholesale and retail business.

WILBRAHAM

Dispatch Dogs Inc., 6 Mountain Brook Road, Wilbraham, MA 01095. John O’Keefe, same. Dog therapy services providing support and healing to individuals within the law-enforcement, fire, EMS, and mortuary communities, with secondary services in victim advocacy, youth initiatives, addiction support, and senior/assisted-living programs.

Picture This

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Picture This

Email ‘Picture This’ photos with a caption and contact information to [email protected]

 

Brrrrrr

The polar plunge and draft horse wagon rides were just two highlights of Winterfest 2024, a series of events, culminating on Feb. 11, presented by the Nashawannuck Pond Steering Committee as a fundraiser for the committee’s cleanup and preservation efforts in and around the pond in Easthampton. The committee’s annual maintenance and operating costs are approximately $10,000, which is why Winterfest is so important.

Photo by Colin McGahan

 

 

Special Experience

American International College (AIC) hosted the 2024 Western Massachusetts Basketball League Tournament for Special Olympics Massachusetts (SOMA) at AIC’s Butova Gym on Jan. 21, Feb. 4, and Feb. 17. The campus community supported three weekends of games, with student volunteers assisting with scoring and timing, student-athletes interacting with players, and others cheering from the stands, creating an uplifting experience for the 79 SOMA participants.

Photo by AIC student Swastik Chuke

 

 

Welcome Home

Bluebird Estates, a Holiday by Atria independent-living community in East Longmeadow, recently completed a renovation project for capital upgrades in design and amenities. A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on Feb. 22 with state Sen. Jacob Oliveira, state Rep. Brian Ashe, East Longmeadow Town Manager Thomas Christensen, Deputy Town Manager Rebecca Lisi, and others, followed by refreshments, live entertainment, and community tours.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on Feb. 22 with state Sen. Jacob Oliveira, state Rep. Brian Ashe, East Longmeadow Town Manager Thomas Christensen, Deputy Town Manager Rebecca Lisi, and others, followed by refreshments, live entertainment, and community tours.

 

 

Shining Stars

The Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce hosted its 39th annual Shining Stars Awards Gala, themed “The Greatest Show in Chicopee,” on March 1 at the Castle of Knights in Chicopee. Presented by Westfield Bank, this year’s event featured performers from SHOW Circus Studio in Easthampton roaming about the event.  (Photos by Michael Epaul Photography)

The evening’s hosts, Hayley Procon (left) and Jeremy Procon (right), present the Business of the Year honor to Michelle and Peter Wirth of Mercedes-Benz of Springfield

 

Citizen of the Year Ashley Kohl with her “ohana,” which is Hawaiian for family

 

a group of attendees, including Amie Miarecki and Tracey Alves-Lear from Nonprofit of the Year Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts, along with Volunteer of the Year Daryl Grabowski, pose for a selfie with a stilt walker

 

 

 

Agenda

By
Agenda

Pynchon Award Nominations

Through March 31: The Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts is seeking nominations from throughout Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire counties for the Pynchon Award, which recognizes area citizens who have rendered outstanding service to the community. To nominate an individual, submit a letter explaining why the nominee should be considered. Be sure to include biographical information, outstanding accomplishments, examples of service to the community, organizations he or she is or has been active in, and the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of at least three people who can further attest to the nominee’s eligibility for induction into the Order of William Pynchon. The Pynchon trustees reserve the right to eliminate nominations from consideration due to insufficient information. Qualifying nominees will be considered and researched by the Pynchon trustees, composed of the current and five past presidents of the Advertising Club. Nominations should be submitted to William Pynchon Trustees, Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts, P.O. Box 1022, West Springfield, MA 01090-1022 or by email to [email protected]. The 2024 recipients will be announced in June, with an awards ceremony tentatively scheduled for the fall.

 

Spirit of Girls Fundraiser

March 22: Girls Inc. of the Valley’s annual major fundraiser is back at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield. Spirit of Girls: Rewind // Fast Forward features co-lead sponsors PeoplesBank and the Women’s Foundation of Boston. Guests and attendees will hear the impactful stories of Girls Inc. youth, families, alumni, and more. The evening will include heavy appetizers and a cash bar. Girls Inc. of the Valley is actively seeking sponsors and volunteers to support the event. Sponsors include PeoplesBank, the Women’s Foundation of Boston, Hazen Paper Co., bankESB, BonaVita Aesthetics, the Collins Companies, Monson Savings Bank, SourcePass, UMass Amherst, Parker’s Portables, Kuhn Riddle Architects, and the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts.

 

Bay Path President’s Gala

March 23: Bay Path University announced its fifth President’s Gala, themed “Breaking Through,” will be held at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. The evening will begin with a 5:30 p.m. VIP reception, followed by dinner, program presentations, and dancing. Tickets can be purchased by visiting baypath.edu/gala or calling (413) 565-1063. The gala will focus on supporting learners enrolled in healthcare degree programs, recognizing their resilience and dedication. Like many regions across the country, Western Mass. faces shortages in many healthcare professions, including primary-care physicians, nurses, and mental-health providers. Through its more than 20 undergraduate and graduate healthcare degrees, Bay Path is educating and training future healthcare workers to be on the front line of helping to keep communities safe and healthy. Proceeds from the gala will directly contribute to scholarships, resources, and initiatives that benefit learners pursuing healthcare degrees, reinforcing Bay Path University’s commitment to fostering excellence in the healthcare field, she added. Both healthcare policy and advocacy play crucial roles in shaping the healthcare landscape in Western Mass. To that end, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal and Sr. Mary Caritas, SP will be honorary chairs for this event. To view a full list of gala committee members, sponsors, and additional event details, visit baypath.edu/gala.

 

Second Chance Dinner Auction

March 23: Tickets for the 25th annual Second Chance Dinner Auction are now available for purchase. This significant fundraising event marks the kickoff of Second Chance Animal Services’ year-long 25th-anniversary celebration, promising an evening of philanthropy and joy to benefit homeless shelter pets in need of veterinary care. The event will take place at the La Salle Reception Center in Southbridge. The evening will commence with a cocktail hour at 4 p.m., giving attendees the opportunity to peruse and bid on myriad silent-auction items and try their luck with raffle prizes. The main event unfolds with dinner at 6 p.m., followed by the highlight of the night, the auction. Tickets are $55 per person with the option to reserve a table of nine for $495. The success of the event relies on the generosity of sponsors and item donors. Second Chance encourages businesses and individuals to consider lending their support by becoming a sponsor or contributing items. As noted, the event features both a silent and live auction featuring hundreds of items ranging from gift certificates for local businesses and restaurants to gift baskets and everything in between. To enhance the auction experience, a selection of gift cards and small, easy-to-ship items will be available for advance online bidding March 14-21. For those interested in sponsoring, donating items, or attending the event, complete information and tickets can be found at www.secondchanceanimals.org/dinner-auction.

 

Women’s Leadership Conference

April 4: Bay Path University announced that real-estate legend, investor, best-selling author, entrepreneur, producer, and Shark Tank shark Barbara Corcoran will be the keynote speaker at the 27th Women’s Leadership Conference (WLC), taking place at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield. Corcoran has been an investor/shark on ABC’s four-time Emmy award-winning show Shark Tank for 10 seasons, investing in more than 80 businesses to date. She chronicled her rise from waiting tables in a New York diner to heading a $5 billion real-estate company in her bestselling book, Shark Tales: How I Turned $1,000 into a Billion Dollar Business! She’ll bring her personal brand of no-nonsense wisdom and supportive advice to the more than 1,600 attendees who are expected to attend this year’s WLC. The WLC will also feature lunchtime speaker Amy Purdy, a three-time Paralympic medalist in snowboarding for Team USA. This year’s conference will also feature breakout sessions led by business experts and authors, including Yvonne Camus, the former COO of SPINCO, Canada’s largest indoor cycling brand and the only female to outperform the Navy Seals in the multi-terrain adventure race known as Eco-Challenge. In addition, the WLC will welcome Sylvia Baffour, an author, podcast host, and emotional-intelligence coach recently ranked by HubSpot among the top 15 female motivational speakers. Additional keynote and breakout session speakers will be announced soon. For further information on the 2024 conference, sponsorship information, and ticket sales, visit baypath.edu/wlc.

 

Margarita Madness

April 4: The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce will host its largest event of the year, Margarita Madness, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Interskate 91 at the Hampshire Mall. Attendees will network and enjoy an evening of tasty margaritas and vote for this year’s fan favorite. Local restaurants showcase their culinary skills, and dozens of raffle prizes are donated by Amherst Area Chamber members. The event’s presenting sponsor is TommyCar Auto Group, and the supporting sponsor is Hampshire Mall. The cost is $35 pre-registered or $45 at the door. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Cooley Dickinson Hospital’s Emergency Department. Visit business.amherstarea.com/events/details/2024-margarita-madness-24121 to purchase tickets.

 

Difference Makers 

April 10: The 16th annual Difference Makers Gala will be held at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. Since 2009, BusinessWest has been recognizing the work of individuals, groups, businesses, and institutions through this recognition program. The 2024 Difference Makers — profiled in the Feb. 19 issue of BusinessWest and at businesswest.com — are Matt Bannister, senior vice president, Marketing and Corporate Responsibility, PeoplesBank; Delcie Bean, CEO, Paragus Strategic I.T.; Linda Dunlavy, executive director, Franklin Regional Council of Governments; Dr. Fred and Mary Kay Kadushin, co-founders, Feed the Kids; Scott Keiter, CEO, Keiter; the staff of Rock 102; Shannon Rudder, president and CEO, Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services; and Springfield Symphony Orchestra and Springfield Chamber Players. Tickets cost $95 each, with reserved tables of 10-12 available and available now through March 29. Partner sponsors for the 2024 Difference Makers include Burkhart, Pizzanelli, P.C., Keiter, Mercy Medical Center/Trinity Health, the Royal Law Firm, and TommyCar Auto Group. Supporting sponsors include the Springfield Thunderbirds and Westfield Bank. For more event details and to reserve tickets, visit businesswest.com/difference-makers/difference-makers-tickets.

 

Hooplandia

June 21-23: Registration is now open for Hooplandia, the second annual 3×3 basketball tournament and festival, at www.hooplandia.com. The three-day event includes levels of play for all ages and divisions. Hooplandia launched in 2023. Taking place in the heart of Greater Springfield, the birthplace of basketball, the event is hosted by Eastern States Exposition (ESE) in West Springfield and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield. Most games will be played on the ESE grounds, with special games held at the Hall of Fame. Seventy-five basketball courts will be set up to accommodate more than 650 games played by approximately 2,100 participants of all ages. Divisions of play have been created to provide an all-inclusive environment for players of all ages and playing abilities. The diverse divisions include young girls, boys, women, men, high-school-level, college-level, OGs, veterans, and more. Players are invited to build teams of four, create their own unique team name and uniforms, and register at www.hooplandia.com. Team fees range according to age, and children in the under-8 category are free of charge. Hooplandia will once again partner with Boys and Girls Clubs throughout the region as its designated philanthropic partner.

Doing Business as Certificates

By
DBA Certificates

The following business certificates and/or trade names were issued or renewed during the month of February 2024.

AMHERST

Alkemia LLC
150 Fearing St.
Sara Russell

Alpine Commons
133 Belchertown Road
Mass Alpine Commons LLC

Amherst Grant Consulting
6 University Dr., Suite 206
Michael Wright

Amherst Guitar Works
3 Sand Hill Road
Maximo Heuck

Aspen Chase
615 Main St.
Aspen Chase Woodbridge LLC

Borges Co.
370 Northampton Road, Apt. A
Oscar Borges

Gordon’s Gardens
95 Columbia Dr.
Gordon Kaufman

Hair by Harlow
220 North Pleasant St.
Lora Gross

J&J Farms
324 Meadow St.
Michael Waskiewicz, Joseph Waskiewicz Jr.

Johnson Woodworks and Remodeling LLC
333 Strong St.
William Johnson

The Laundry Club
6 University Dr.
Peter Colt

Newmarket Dentistry
28 University Dr.
Ayad Ahmed

Nouria Energy Retail Inc.
399 Northampton St.
Tony El-Nemr

PhD Painting
151 Shays St.
Laura Quinn

PZ Home Care Solutions LLC
1175 Bay Road
Heather Monoc

Stone House Farm
649 East Pleasant St.
Candace Talley

Unique Potential Educational Consulting
48 Fairfield St.
Karen Harrington

BELCHERTOWN

Barton Beeswax Candles
72 Barton Ave.
Melissa Hibler

Cold Spring Country Club
336 Chauncey Walker St.
Xiaowei Guo

Pioneer Valley Brews Cruise
18 Pepper Ridge Dr.
Scott Beaulieu

Upright Home Improvements
241 Franklin St.
Douglas Murray

DEERFIELD

2 J’s Landscaping
60 North Main St.
Joshua Candelaria

HADLEY

Exotic Auto S&S
373 River Dr.
Paul Narus

Hadley Concrete Service
35 Middle St.
Christopher Baj

Hukowicz Farm
35 East St.
Andrew Hukowicz

Joy Bowl
344 Russell St., Unit 13
Ru Jing Zhao

Meadow Street Styles
31 Meadow St.
Heather Salvatore

Smithland Pet Center
335 Russell St.
CT Gardens LLC

Supercuts
344 Russell St., Suite 7
Peterborough Group LLC

ZHI Services
245 Russell St.
Zachary Zahradnik

HOLYOKE

Clean Queen Car Wash
185 South St.
Richard Sherwood, Nicole Stasz

Jo-Ann Stores #677
2267 Northampton St.
Jo-Ann Stores LLC

Pandora
50 Holyoke St.
Pandora Ventures LLC

Rewarding Tax Services
284 Maple St.
Lidia Rodriguez

Sabracadabra
2 Loomis Ave.
Sabrina Vaissiere

Scorpio’s Lair Creations
33 Maple Crest Circle
Sarah King

A Touch of Beauty Hair and Nails
50 Holyoke St.
Hoang Vo

SOUTH HADLEY

BSS Additive
46 North Main St.
Brainstorm Studio LLC

Fishing Hole
103 Main St.
Matthew Yacovone

People on the Move

By
People on the Move
Hannah Pimenta

Hannah Pimenta

Alex LaValley

Alex LaValley

1Berkshire announced the addition of two staff members, one on the Member Services team and one on the Economic Development team. In addition, 1Berkshire has also added four new members to its board of directors. Hannah Pimenta assumed the role of Member Engagement associate. In her position, she will support the director of Member Services with membership-related initiatives, special events, and the Berkshire Leadership Program. Additionally, she will work in conjunction with the 1Berkshire business office, President and CEO Jonathan Butler, the 1Berkshire Strategic Alliance board of directors, and the 1Berkshire Foundation board. Pimenta is certified in project management and has a bachelor’s degree in English and communications from MCLA. She previously worked for Berkshire Family & Individual Resources before joining the 1Berkshire team. Alex LaValley joined the Economic Development team as Economic Development associate. In this position, he will work with both the vice president of Economic Development and the deputy director of Economic Development. 1Berkshire also announced that Ari Zorn of Devine Retail Cannabis, Christian Hanson of Balderdash Cellars, Scott St. George of Berkshire Health Systems, and Dubois Thomas of Blackshires Community Empowerment Foundation have joined the 1Berkshire board of directors for 2024.

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Evan Garber

Evan Garber

Evan Garber has been named senior consultant and vice president of A.L. Cignoli & Associates Inc. Garber, who received his master’s degree in public affairs from the UMass Amherst School of Public Policy, started working with the firm as an intern during his time as an undergraduate student at UMass studying political science and education. He attended Chicopee High School and found his first interest in history, theater, leadership, economics, and politics there. Throughout his time at UMass, he was able to refine those interests. While in college, he chaired the UMass Theatre Guild, got experience working in grassroots political campaigns, was on the student staff of the UMass Marching Band, and got his class B commercial driver’s license to work at UMass Transit. Garber will be responsible for oversight of all Cignoli client efforts. He works directly with company President Anthony Cignoli on all daily client operations, including drafting strategies, media monitoring, designing solutions that are customized to the firm’s unique clients, and contributing to the successful results of clients.

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Maybury Material Handling, a leading provider of industrial products and services to manufacturing, distribution, and warehousing customers throughout New England, announced a transition of leadership as John Maybury, who has served as president for almost five decades, assumes the role of chairperson, and his son, William Maybury, assumes the role of president. John established Maybury Material Handling in 1976, and the company began by making benches, stools, and cabinets. From there, it got into warehouse racks and shelving and now provides many automated material-handling products, including conveyors, conveyor systems, lift trucks, and more. Will has been involved in the business for as long as he can remember. From taking out the trash as a child to working in inventory to learning how to install warehouse equipment, to then coming back in 2015 and working in the Accounting department and serving as controller, he has learned the business from various points of view.

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Christine Byrne

Christine Byrne

Eastern States Exposition (ESE) announced the promotion of Christine Byrne to the position of director of Finance. She assumes this role following the retirement of Jerry Richard in December. Byrne holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in accounting from Western New England University. Her love for numbers started in high school when she took her first accounting class, and she has never looked back. She joined the ESE team last May, initially serving as assistant director of Finance. With more than 25 years of experience in accounting and finance, she brings a wealth of expertise to her new role. Prior to joining ESE, Byrne held the position of chief financial officer at Center of Hope Foundation Inc., demonstrating her commitment to financial excellence and strategic management. Byrne has also held finance and accounting roles at the Tri-Community YMCA, Howlett Lumber Co., Wing Memorial Hospital, and Court Square Group.

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Rose Colon, chair of the board of directors of Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services (MLKFS), announced the addition of the following new board members: William Davila, Byron Jones, Rania Kfuri, Dr. Yolanda Marrow, Awildo Morales, and Kimberly Robinson Williams, who will fill the Dora D. Robinson legacy board seat. Davila is vice president of Diversion, Shelter & Housing for the Center for Human Development Inc. in Springfield, as well as a licensed independent clinical social worker in Massachusetts and a licensed clinical social worker in Connecticut. Jones is a digital strategist and government contractor for the International Trade Assoc. (ITA) through Platinum Technologies (PT78) and has 19 years of business and digital strategy experience. Kfuri is a Philanthropy officer at the Baystate Health Foundation and has more than 20 years of development and related experience. Marrow is a pediatric trauma and Acute Care Surgery program manager at Baystate Medical Center and has 31 years of healthcare experience. Morales is a branch manager and Retail Banking and Security officer for Monson Savings Bank and has over 12 years of financial-services experience. Williams is Managing Partner of FDR & Associates LLC, which offers engagement with companies, organizations, and individuals committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). She has more than 27 years of experience working in HR, development, alumni relations, and DEI positions.

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Richard Greco

American International College (AIC) announced the appointment of Richard Greco as assistant vice president for Academic Affairs and Student Life. With his experience and proven success in leading teams that drive student success, Greco brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to the institution. In his new role, he will be leading efforts to integrate and align academic affairs and student life, ensuring a seamless support system for students. He will also spearhead innovative program development and foster community partnerships that provide meaning to students and community beyond the classroom. Bringing more than 25 years of management experience, both within and outside higher education, Greco previously served as dean of Liberal and Professional Studies at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) and has been a faculty member at AIC since 2012. He holds a master’s degree in biology from the University of Saint Joseph, as well as bachelor’s degrees in human biology and biochemistry from AIC and an associate degree in general studies from STCC. He is currently working toward a doctorate in public administration at West Chester University.

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The International Language Institute of Massachusetts (ILI) announced that La Wanza Lett-Brewington, Dora Tseng, and Jenni Greenhouse have joined ILI’s board of directors. Lett-Brewington led Old Dominion University’s Women and Gender Equity Center in Norfolk, Va. for nearly a decade. She is now Title IX coordinator and Affirmative Action officer for Greenfield Community College (GCC) and Berkshire Community College. A graduate of GCC and UMass Amherst’s University Without Walls and Graduate School of Education, she is known for innovative work in leadership development, diversity, equity, inclusion, conflict resolution, human-services administration, and crisis management. Tseng is access coordinator of Disability Services at UMass Amherst. In 2023, she celebrated her tenth year in the U.S., having arrived from Taiwan in 2013, and is now a permanent resident. She earned an associate degree from Greenfield Community College and a bachelor’s degree and master of education degree from UMass Amherst. As an immigrant, she is eager to share her experiences with newcomers and also continue her passionate commitment to social justice. Greenhouse moved from her home country of Colombia to Northampton in 2013, quickly enrolled in ILI’s intensive English classes, and studied at GCC. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Western New England University and an MBA from Boston University and is now senior manager of operations for Customer Support at Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, Conn. She plans to put her business and leadership skills to use in making an impactful contribution to ILI’s growth and future.

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Jacqueline Charron

Jacqueline Charron

Greenfield Cooperative Bank announced the appointment of Jacqueline (Jackie) Charron as its new senior vice president of Strategy & Implementation. She brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this role. With nearly 40 years in the banking industry, she possesses a track record of leadership and innovation. Charron’s focus will be on navigating the evolving CRA landscape and ensuring the bank thrives under the new regulations. Additionally, she will lend her support across various initiatives within the bank. Her deep understanding of the banking industry is expected to be instrumental in driving the bank’s continued success and reaffirming its commitment to its customers and communities.

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The Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) welcomed five new board members at its first meeting of 2024. Together, they bring to the chamber diverse experience as entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and business managers. The new board members are Jamie Cocco, Caroline Gear, Taylor Robbins, Elena Sharnoff, and Cigdem Turkomer. Cocco owns Empowered Digital Marketing and Empowered Social Media. In addition to his role on the board, he serves on the GNCC’s executive committee and chairs the ambassador committee. He brings an extensive marketing background to the GNCC, along with strong interests in building community and business development. Gear is the executive director of the International Language Institute of Massachusetts in Northampton. As executive director of a nonprofit organization, she brings to the chamber rich experience in working with a board, budgets, fundraising, and more. Robbins is a business relationship manager at UMassFive College Federal Credit Union. With a focus on commercial lending and cash management, she uses her experience in the field to offer individualized advice for business owners. Sharnoff owns B Strategic Communications and brings more than 25 years of experience in strategic communications and marketing, branding, and messaging to her role at the GNCC. She has served on che chamber’s ambassador committee for several years. Turkomer grew up in Istanbul and has spent more than 25 years creating set designs for commercial and documentary films. After studying for several years at San Francisco State University, Cigdem moved back to Northampton to open LeBonNton, which supports women artists and business owners from the U.S. and around the world.

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Derick Santos

Derick Santos

Holyoke Community College (HCC) recently welcomed Derick Santos as its veterans-benefits and financial-aid counselor. He joined HCC on Jan. 22. Originally from Lajas, Puerto Rico, Santos holds a bachelor’s degree in computational mathematics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla., where he also worked in the Military and Veterans Services department for the university’s online campus. His father is an active-duty serviceman with the Puerto Rican National Guard. In his new role, Santos is HCC’s school-certifying official and will process all benefits for U.S. veterans and military-affiliated students. He will also counsel prospective and returning students through the financial-aid process and serve as part of the counselor on-call rotation.

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Dulye & Co. founder and President Linda Dulye, who 16 years ago established a philanthropic organization to develop and connect emerging leaders in the Berkshires and beyond, has been honored for her achievements by the Zonta Club of Berkshire County. After receiving nominations from the public, Zonta Club members voted on their final choices of Berkshire County women whose outstanding work is building a better world for women and girls. Dulye joins five other women who have made significant contributions in their fields and to the Berkshire community in receiving this annual award. They were recognized at the Zonta International Women’s Day celebration dinner on March 8.

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Robert Tyrol III

Robert Tyrol III

Pearson Wallace Insurance announced a new hire, Marc Membrino, and shared the achievement of current employee Robert “Bobby” Tyrol III, who has acquired his property and casualty insurance producer license. Membrino joins the team with an extensive background in the insurance industry. He moved to the Berkshires in 1979 and worked for his family-owned insurance company, which he later bought in 1989 and subsequently sold years later. Membrino’s current role with Pearson Wallace Insurance is customer service representative, in which he rates and services policies and provides help to customers. Tyrol has been with Pearson Wallace Insurance for two years. After working as an assistant golf professional at Berkshire Hills Golf Course in Pittsfield for six years, he joined Pearson Wallace Insurance in 2021 as a personal lines client manager. After receiving his insurance designation of a property and casualty producer, Tyrol has been promoted to customer service manager. He takes charge of all personal-line services for Pearson Wallace Insurance, with the goal of making customers’ experiences seamless.

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AXiA Insurance Services recognizes the recent professional achievements of two employees in its West Springfield location. Aidil Cortinhas, personal lines account relationship manager, earned the certified insurance service representative (CISR) designation. The CISR program is nationally recognized with the mission to further develop insurance-related competencies for industry customer-service representatives. Cortinhas has been with AXiA since October 2017, servicing clients’ home and auto insurance coverage. She is also a current member of the company’s team and events committee, which coordinates company employee events, and an active volunteer in AxiA Charitable Fund programs. Colin Dandy, administrative coordinator, earned his property and casualty insurance license, having passed the Massachusetts state exams. This qualifies him to now sell insurance coverage, continuing his growth track at the agency and in the industry. Dandy has been with AxiA since September 2022, after graduating high school that same year. He currently is a member of a company process/procedural committee.

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Advantage Truck Group (ATG) named its 2023 Pete DePina Legacy Award winners for Massachusetts, recognizing one individual from each of its locations in Raynham, Shrewsbury, and Westfield for making an impact on their fellow employees, customers, and the company. Gerry Avery received the legacy award for ATG’s Westfield facility. Employees were nominated by their peers for the award, and a winner was selected from each of ATG’s eight locations. Winners were presented with a monetary award that they will continue to receive as part of their profit-sharing bonus each year throughout their employment with the company.

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Sylviana Lopez

Sylviana Lopez

Viability Inc. announced the appointment of Sylviana Lopez as its chief people officer in Human Resources. She brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the organization, and she is expected to drive Viability’s commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. For more than two decades, Lopez has been at the forefront of solving complex problems at scale across industries from the private sector to human services, blending human-resources strategy with forwardthinking creativity. She is expected to be an asset to Viability in its pursuit of building a strong, diverse culture and strengthening its resolve to build a world in which individuals with disabilities and other disadvantages realize acceptance, inclusion, and access. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in San Juan, Puerto Rico and an MBA in human resources management from the University of New Haven in Connecticut.

•••••

Springfield College Professor of Exercise Science Samuel Headley has been accepted as a fellow in the inaugural cohort of the Clinical Exercise Physiology Assoc. (CEPA), a recognition of his outstanding service to the field of clinical exercise physiology (CEP). Headley, currently program director of the Springfield College master’s and doctoral programs in exercise physiology, is one of the founders of CEPA and previously served as its president. Clinical exercise physiology is a branch of exercise physiology that focuses on the acute and chronic responses of both healthy individuals and individuals with chronic diseases to exercise. Headley is a well-known scholar in the field, with more than 50 peer-reviewed publications, 30 peer-reviewed abstracts, and six books or book chapters in exercise physiology. His scholarship has recently focused on the impact of exercise on patients with chronic kidney disease. During his time at Springfield College, he helped develop the college’s nationally accredited clinical exercise physiology program.

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William Pitt Sotheby’s announced that Richard Aldrich has joined the company. He will work with Steven Weisz to expand the company’s current market leadership role in commercial property sales and leasing. Aldrich has been in sales since 1971. As a real-estate broker in the Berkshires, he has become a leader in commercial property sales, leasing, and business brokerage. He has been involved with the sale of the Countryside Landscaping building in Williamstown, Camp Half Moon in Monterey, Country Curtains in Lee, and Patrick’s Pub in Pittsfield. He is currently representing the Fuel Coffee Shop and the Gorham & Norton Market.

•••••

Michelle Muro

Michelle Muro

Dietz & Company Architects Inc. announced the addition of Michelle Muro, AIA to its staff in the role of senior architect in the Cambridge office. She holds a bachelor of architecture degree from Montana State University and is a licensed architect in Massachusetts, Vermont, New Jersey, and Kansas. She brings more than 26 years of experience to Dietz & Company, having worked for firms in Massachusetts and Colorado. Muro has worked on a variety of projects in the industrial, multi-family, commercial, retail, and sports-entertainment sectors. She has expertise in code compliance and accessibility and specializes in project management and construction administration. As such, she will be managing the construction process at the Walkling Court senior-housing development project in Medford.

Bankruptcies

By
Bankruptcies

The following bankruptcy petitions were recently filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Readers should confirm all information with the court.

Avella, Giuseppe
Avella, Marlene B.
18 Vail St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/14/2024

Cormier, Anthony J.
59 Mary St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/15/2024

Dotson, Delores
120 Sunrise Ter.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 13
Date: 02/12/2024

Feliberty, Natasha Lee
7 Clark St., Apt. 1
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/06/2024

Kenney, James Francis
19 Andersen Road
Chicopee, MA 01022
Chapter: 13
Date: 02/12/2024

Murard, Daril
19 Lockhouse Road, Apt. 4-1
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/08/2024

Quinones, George J.
1348 Page Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Date: 02/04/2024

Nieves, Veronica
a/k/a Rodriguez, Veronica
a/k/a Nieves-Rodriguez-Sonner, Veronica
1880 Main St.
P.O. Box 3790
Springfield, MA 01101
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/14/2024

Ray, Miasyn
76 Northampton Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/05/2024

Salazar, David
121 Brewster St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/14/2024

Skidmore, Daniel Joseph
54 Spring Hill Road
Barre, MA 01005
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/08/2024

Stasiowski, Debra A.
16 Bartlett Ave.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/14/2024

Torres, Felix
408 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Date: 02/15/2024

Valdes, Charles G.
Valdes, Maria R.
1021 Maple St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/14/2024

Wright, Arnold Bishop
148 Arcadia Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 13
Date: 02/09/2024