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Delcie Bean IV

Delcie Bean IV

Serial entrepreneur Delcie Bean IV took home BusinessWest’s inaugural Continued Excellence Award at the ninth annual 40 Under Forty gala on June 18. It was yet another honor for the owner of Paragus Strategic IT, who was named BusinessWest’s Top Entrepreneur for 2014. For the Continued Excellence Award, which will be awarded annually to a former 40 Under Forty honoree who has continued to expand his or her business accomplishments and community impact, Bean was among about 40 individuals nominated by their peers and judged by an independent panel. “Nothing I have done has not been without the help of at least 100 other people,” Bean said to more than 650 attendees of the 40 Under Forty event at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. He cited, as one example, the 24 high-school students who graduated this week from Tech Foundry, a nonprofit he started to provide IT workforce training and job skills to young people. A member of the 40 Under Forty Class of 2008 when he was just 21, Bean has since seen Paragus grow 450% and earn status as one of Inc. magazine’s fastest-growing companies on several occasions, and recently earn the Top Employer of Choice Award from the Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast. He’s also started a second business venture, Waterdog Technologies, a technology-distribution company. Meanwhile, within the community, he has been active with Valley Venture Mentors, River Valley Investors, and DevelopSpringfield; is a board member for Up Academy Springfield; and serves as a board member for the Mass. Department of Elementary & Secondary Education’s Digital Literacy and Computer Science Standards Panel. In his short acceptance speech last night, Bean put the focus not on himself, but on the promise of the Pioneer Valley. “I’m just one of many people who helped me get to where I am,” he said. “I’m so incredibly grateful to be here, to be part of the Valley. And you know what? I think there’s so much more we can do. I really, really think this Valley has a huge story ahead of it. I’m excited to be a part of that, and I hope you guys will join me. And, with that challenge, let’s see what’s next.” The other four finalists for the Continued Excellence Award were Kamari Collins (40 Under Forty class of 2009), dean of Academic Advising and Student Success at Springfield Technical Community College; Jeff Fialky (class of 2008), partner at Bacon Wilson, P.C.; Cinda Jones (class of 2007), president of Cowls Lumber Co.; and Kristin Leutz (class of 2010), vice president of Philanthropic Services for the Community Foundation of Western Mass. The judges for the inaugural award were Carol Campbell, president of Chicopee Industrial Contractors; Eric Gouvin, dean of the Western New England School of Law; and Kirk Smith, former director of the YMCA of Greater Springfield.

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Sue Drumm

Sue Drumm

Sue Drumm, a real-estate agent with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Longmeadow, has been named the 2015 Realtor of the Year by the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley (RAPV). The announcement was made during the association’s annual awards banquet on June 11. As the highest honor given to a member, the Realtor of the Year award is bestowed upon the one person who has shown outstanding service and devotion to the 1,650-member organization during the past 17 months in the areas of Realtor activity, community service, and business activity. A Realtor since 2009, Drumm serves on the association’s board of directors, grievance committee, community service committee, and centennial president’s advisory group. She is a co-presenter at the bi-monthly new-member orientation promoting involvement and explaining the benefits of membership. In 2014 she was a member of the strategic planning committee and affiliate of the year committee. She is a longtime member of the association’s community service committee and an active participant in numerous projects, including a book and blanket drive for Shriners Hospital for Children in Springfield, and shopping, wrapping, and delivering gifts to area homeless shelters during the holidays. She is involved in the association’s charitable fund-raising efforts as a member of the Benefit Golf Tournament subcommittee, Comedy Night subcommittee, and Fantasy Auction subcommittee. Drumm has been a Girl Scout troop leader in Agawam for six years and assists with its annual food drives.
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Springfield College Sport Management and Recreation Department Chair Kevin McAllister was recently elected president of the board of directors for U.S.A. Nordic Sport (USANS). The appointment to president follows McAllister’s role in leading a transition committee that assisted with the merging of the U.S.A. Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined. Under McAllister’s leadership, a new set of bylaws was transcribed for USANS, and a new mission statement was drafted. The mission of USANS is to encourage, promote, and develop the Nordic disciplines of ski jumping and Nordic combined in the U.S.; assist U.S. athletes in achieving sustained competitive excellence in Olympic, World Championship, and other international competitions in the disciplines; and to promote the highest standards of sportsmanship, fair play, and goodwill between individuals of all nations through competition in the discipline sports. “This opportunity to serve as president of the board of directors for USANS is a great honor, and I am excited to have the opportunity to work with so many talented people both with U.S.A. Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined,” said McAllister, who has been a Springfield College faculty member since 2003. In his role with USANS, McAllister has the opportunity to work with Springfield College alumna Signe Jordet, U.S.A. Ski Jumping director of Sport Development since 2012. Jordet earned a master’s degree in sport management and recreation from the college in 2010, and she was instrumental in recruiting McAllister’s leadership for U.S.A. Ski Jumping and Nordic Sport. “We are always willing to assist and work with graduates from our Sport Management program at Springfield College,” said McAllister. “We are very proud of Signe and the work she has done in her role with U.S.A. Ski Jumping. There was an opportunity for me to get involved and assist in some leadership areas, and I am looking forward to the challenge. This experience will also provide some great examples in the classroom when teaching our current sport-management students.”
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Two Baystate Medical Center physicians were honored recently by the Massachusetts College of Emergency Physicians (MACEP) for advancing excellence in emergency care. Dr. Sunny Mani Shukla received the Emergency Medicine Fellow of the Year award, and Dr. Lauren Westafer received the Emergency Medicine Resident of the Year award, during MACEP’s recent annual meeting. The Emergency Medicine Resident and Fellow of the Year awards recognize an outstanding emergency-medicine resident and emergency-medicine fellow in Massachusetts, whose combination of clinical promise, leadership, ability to think outside the box, and commitment to patients and emergency medicine separate them from others. Westafer earned her doctor of osteopathic medicine and master of public health degrees from Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Blogging on emergency medicine even before her residency, today she co-hosts an educational podcast and frequently tweets and blogs about important and interesting articles, keeping her colleagues up to date on the latest in emergency medicine. Westafer regularly takes on additional tasks as part of her residency, including providing statistical mini-lectures to colleagues. An adjunct assistant professor at Western New England University College of Pharmacy, she lectures pharmacy students preparing to enter the field of medicine. She has also been recognized as a Knowledge to Action Fellow by the Emergency Medicine Residents’ Assoc. (EMRA) and the New York Academy of Medicine. “Dr. Westafer is an incredibly talented physician with the potential to contribute greatly to academic emergency medicine. Her ability to review the current literature and distill it into an easily digestible format is incredibly valuable and will make her a strong contributor in the future,” said Dr. Niels Rathlev, chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Baystate. Shukla, who received his medical degree from Manipal University in Karnataka, India, completed a residency in emergency medicine at Baystate. He participated in MACEP’s Leadership & Advocacy Fellowship Program in 2014, and recently designed the Baystate Emergency Department’s Administrative Fellowship. He was also selected by the EMRA as one of 10 residents nationwide to receive an EDDA scholarship, which provides financial assistance to resident leaders to attend the Emergency Department Directors Academy, designed to help them develop leadership skills that will advance their careers, their local emergency departments, and the specialty of emergency medicine. Shukla, who provides emergency care at Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, was also the second-place winner in the Emergency Medicine Physicians’ emp.com third annual Video Challenge, allowing residents to show off their residency program in a creative way. As secretary/newsletter editor for the American College of Emergency Physicians’ Emergency Medicine Practice Management and Health Policy Section, he also uses his talents to mentor residents in writing scholarly articles. “Dr. Shukla has tremendous potential as a future leader in healthcare,” Rathlev said. “He has a particular interest in administrative matters and is currently obtaining his MBA at UMass Amherst. He is an active contributor to important patient-care and safety initiatives at Baystate Health.”
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Candace Pereira

Candace Pereira

Susan Mastroianni

Susan Mastroianni

At its recent board meeting, the Gray House elected two new officers to a one year term: Candace Pereira, treasurer, and Susan Mastroianni, secretary. Pereira has more than 10 years of banking experience. She is a commercial-portfolio loan officer for Farmington Bank in West Springfield.
Mastroianni has more than 25 years of experience in the advertising field. She is director of Media Services and partner in FitzGerald & Mastroianni Advertising Inc. in Springfield. Michael Walsh and David Chase remain as president and vice president, respectively. Walsh is an adjunct instructor in Political Science at Westfield State University and a consultant and legal advisor at MIRA Associates. Chase has more than 20 years of banking experience and is vice president of Member Business Services at Freedom Credit Union in Springfield. The Gray House is a small, neighborhood human-service agency located at 22 Sheldon St. in the North End of Springfield. Its mission is to help neighbors facing hardships to meet their immediate and transitional needs by providing food, clothing, and educational services in a safe, positive environment.
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Dr. Paul Donovan, a long-time practicing physician in North Adams, has written and published the first of a three-part series on the history of North Adams Regional Hospital (NARH). The hospital closed in March 2014 after filing for bankruptcy. Part one of the series covers the years 1882 to 1910. In 1882, a catastrophic train accident galvanized a small group of North Adams residents to initiate the concept of a hospital, which was built with private donations and opened in March 1885. Part one concludes with a major reorganization in 1909-10 due to financial difficulties. Part two will cover the years 1910 to 1955, and part three will cover 1955 to 2014. They are expected to be published in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Donovan is an emergency-medicine and sports-medicine specialist practicing in North Adams and Bennington, Vt. He was a member of the NARH medical staff for 25 years and served as medical staff president from 2008 to 2010, and as director of the NARH Emergency Department. The book can be purchased on www.blurb.com and will be available at local bookstores starting in July.
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Citizens Bank announced the appointment of Quincy Miller, president of Citizens’ business-banking division, as its new Massachusetts state president. He succeeds Jerry Sargent, who will focus full-time on leading Citizens’ middle-market commercial business after serving as state president for five years. Sargent’s responsibilities will continue to include overall leadership for state presidents across the Citizens footprint. As state president, Miller will lead Citizens’ engagement with civic, business, and community leaders across the state. He will retain responsibility for Citizens’ company-wide business-banking efforts, which serve companies with annual revenue of up to $25 million. A member of Citizens Bank’s executive leadership group, Miller serves as a member of the Citizens Bank Charitable Foundation board of directors. He also currently serves as board chair for the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts. Miller is a graduate of Lafayette College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and business. Prior to joining Citizens in 2006, he spent nine years at M&T Bank in New York City and in Harrisburg, Pa. He has received 40 Under 40 recognition from the Boston Business Journal, Crain’s Cleveland Business, and the Central Penn Business Journal.

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Marie Bowen has been appointed assistant vice chancellor for human resources at UMass Amherst following a nationwide search. Bowen, who will join the university administration in August, will serve as the chief human-resources officer for the campus. She will be responsible for developing human-resources policies and strategies, and will advise Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy and the Campus Leadership Council on human-resources policies, procedures, and regulations. James Sheehan, vice chancellor for administration and finance, said, “we are excited to have someone of Marie Bowen’s caliber join the UMass Amherst community. She brings a wealth of human-resources experience to this key position, most recently serving as the associate dean and chief human resource officer at the Harvard Law School. Prior to that, she served as the director of human resources at the Massachusetts Port Authority. We look forward to working with Marie in her new role and on new initiatives that will continue to make UMass Amherst an employer of choice for faculty and staff.” Bowen graduated cum laude from Harvard College and received a master’s degree from Simmons College and a juris doctor degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. She is also certified as a senior professional in human resources.
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Florence Bank announced that Rachel Dionne has been named to the President’s Club for 2015. Employees nominate their peers for the President’s Club honor, which recognizes superior performance, customer service, and overall contribution to Florence Bank. Dionne, a commercial credit analyst who has been with the bank since 2011, was nominated by numerous colleagues. Dionne is a graduate of American International College, where she received a bachelor’s degree in accounting and her master’s degree in nonprofit management. Her numerous volunteer endeavors include serving as a board of trustees member with the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School in South Hadley; she is also a member of the school’s finance committee. In addition, she is a youth ministry group volunteer, eucharistic minister, and lector at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church in Westfield. “We received so many comments about Rachel — everything from ‘I was amazed at how much work she was able to accomplish on a project and still maintain her regular workload’ to ‘she always goes well above what is expected of her,’” said John Heaps Jr., president and CEO of Florence Bank. “Rachel’s remarkable work ethic and sincere desire to contribute make her an outstanding member of the President’s Club.”
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Brian Risler

Brian Risler

Farmington Bank announced the appointment of Brian Risler as assistant vice president, mortgage sales manager for the Western Mass. region. Risler will lead Farmington Bank’s efforts in building a team of residential loan specialists serving the Western Mass. market. In addition, he’ll originate first mortgages in concert with Farmington Bank’s commercial-lending team in Western Mass. and the bank’s future branch offices opening later this year in West Springfield and East Longmeadow. “We are thrilled to have Brian join our growing team of experienced, local banking professionals serving Western Massachusetts,” said John Patrick Jr., chairman, president, and CEO of Farmington Bank. “We look forward to Brian’s leadership, expertise, and local decision-making skills in creating and servicing mortgages for our customers.” Risler has more than 15 years of experience in residential mortgage banking in Massachusetts. He comes to Farmington Bank from Residential Mortgage Services Inc., where he served as branch manager for its Easthampton office. Since 2005, Risler has served as an affiliate member of the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley (RAPV) and serves as the co-chair of RAPV’s Education Fair & Trade Expo Task Force. In addition, Risler serves on the Government Affairs/Realtor Political Action Committee, which promotes the legislative agenda of the Massachusetts Assoc. of Realtors; as president of the Mill River BNI, a networking group of area businesses; and as a member of both the Greater Easthampton and Greater Northampton chambers of commerce. He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration/finance from Stonehill College. Farmington Bank is a full-service community bank with 22 branch locations throughout Central Conn., offering commercial and residential lending as well as wealth-management services in Connecticut and Western Mass. For more information, visit farmingtonbankct.com.
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Heidi-Jo Kemp

Heidi-Jo Kemp

North Brookfield Savings Bank (NBSB) announced that Heidi-Jo Kemp has joined the bank as vice president and residential loan officer. “Heidi-Jo is an excellent and valued addition to our lending team,” said North Brookfield Savings Bank President and CEO Donna Boulanger. “Her experience and expertise are well-known in the area, making her a wonderful asset to our growing customer base and expanding Mortgage Center. I am confident that she will be a great benefit to our current and future customers wishing to purchase or refinance a home.” Kemp is a graduate of the New England School for Financial Studies at Babson College. She began her banking career at Country Bank in 1988 and was a standout performer for 27 years, receiving numerous awards and being active in many community organizations. She joins NBSB’s Mortgage Center team, comprised of a group of skilled mortgage professionals led by mortgage expert Donna Tiso, senior vice president and retail lending manager. “I’m very excited about joining North Brookfield Savings Bank,” Kemp said. “Donna Tiso has assembled a very capable and strong retail lending team at the NBSB Mortgage Center, and I’m very proud to be a part of it. I look forward to helping people navigate the home-buying process, so that individuals, couples, and families can finance the home of their dreams.” Kemp is a member of several community organizations, including the Central Mass. South Chamber of Commerce, the Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce, the Worcester Regional Assoc. of Realtors, and Woman in Business Inc. North Brookfield Savings Bank is a mutual savings bank with full-service branches in North Brookfield, East Brookfield, West Brookfield, Ware, Belchertown, Palmer, and Three Rivers. To contact Kemp for assistance purchasing or refinancing a home, call (774) 452-3918 or e-mail [email protected]. For residential-loan information, contact the Mortgage Center at (508) 867-1302 or [email protected].

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Elizabeth Cardona

Elizabeth Cardona

Bay Path University announced the appointment of Elizabeth Cardona as executive director for Multicultural Affairs, International Student Life, and assistant to the provost for Diversity and Inclusion. Cardona, the former senior director and civic engagement advisor to then-Gov. Deval Patrick, comes to Bay Path with extensive experience in state government, education, and nonprofit program management. In her position, Cardona will provide institutional leadership to support the needs of first-generation and underrepresented minority students by offering academic assistance, mentoring, coaching, and leadership programs to promote multi-cultural awareness, diversity, and inclusion in accordance to the mission of Bay Path University. In addition, she will work with international students to provide ongoing assistance with social and cross-cultural activities to support their immersion and academic experience. Bilingual in Spanish, Cardona also has a working knowledge of Arabic. “I am thrilled to join Bay Path University’s community to facilitate understanding of multi-culturalism, diversity, equity, and inclusion in an affirming space where students, faculty, staff, and leadership engage collaboratively to enhance academic and social development,” Cardona said. A graduate of the Women’s Pipeline for Change, an initiative that supports women of color as they enter leadership roles and public life, her expertise also includes serving on state Treasurer-elect Deb Goldberg’s transition team, as an advisory board member for the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts Leadership Institute for Political and Public Impact, and as a founding board member for the CHICA Project, a Massachusetts statewide Latina youth leadership, mentoring, and coaching program. Cardona holds an MPA and a certificate in conflict resolution from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, and a bachelor’s degree in American studies with a concentration in social issues from Springfield College.
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Dress for Success Western Massachusetts announced that Dawn Creighton, Western Mass. regional director for the Associated Industries of Massachusetts, has been named board president. Dress for Success is a not-for-profit organization promoting the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support, and the career-development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. “As president of Dress for Success, strengthening our community with strong women will be my priority,” said Creighton. “Dress for Success isn’t just about the suit. It’s about the women that fill the suits. I am eager to work with partnering agencies and community leaders to ensure the women of Pioneer Valley have the tools they need to be successful in the workforce.” In addition to her role with AIM, Creighton serves on multiple committees and boards, including the Human Resource Management Assoc. of Western New England, Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts, Internhere.com, the Hartford-Springfield Economic Partnership, United Way of Pioneer Valley, the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield, and the World Affairs Council. Also named to the board are Jennifer Brown, Jonencia Wood, and Natallia Furjan-Collins. Brown has more than 16 years of experience within the staffing industry and currently is assistant vice president of operations for United Personnel, supervising candidate recruitment, client relations, staffing support, and quality assurance. Prior to joining United Personnel, she was the managing director at Staffing Now. She is a member of the Human Resource Management Assoc. and the human resource roundtable with the Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast. Wood is senior director of programs for the alumnae association of Mount Holyoke College and has more than 10 years of experience focusing on the professional development and advancement of underrepresented individuals. Prior to joining Mount Holyoke, she served as a diversity specialist for Baystate Health and community action and communications coordinator for the Youth Empowerment Adolescent Health Network. Furjan-Collins is the human resources leader for MassLive. She brings with her an innovative and modern approach to employee relations in the digital environment. Prior to joining MassLive, her career spanned several years in human-resource management in her native Canada, including speaking publicly on topics such as workplace harassment and bullying. She is currently a community business partner in the sophomore business cohort program at Western New England University.
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Dodie Carpentier

Dodie Carpentier

Monson Savings Bank (MSB) announced the promotion of Dodie Carpentier to assistant vice president of Human Resources. Carpentier joined MSB in 2006 as assistant branch manager and was promoted to branch manager in 2008. In 2012, she assumed a dual role as branch manager and education coordinator. With her growing interest in training and HR, she obtained certification in Supervision in Banking and Human Resources Management from the Center for Financial Training. In 2014, she was named human resources officer after an extensive search to replace her predecessor, who had retired. “There is nothing more important than our employee culture,” said Steve Lowell, president of Monson Savings Bank. “We work very hard to make sure our folks are knowledgeable and caring and that we work together as a team to make our customers’ lives easier and improve their financial future. Having a dedicated and strong leader in HR is an absolute must, and I’m very pleased to promote Dodie to assistant vice president.” Carpentier is a board member of River East School to Career and serves on the steering committee for Rays of Hope.
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Calvin Hill

Calvin Hill

Calvin Hill has been named vice president for Inclusion and Community Engagement at Springfield College, following a national search. With more than 20 years of experience as a faculty member in higher education, Hill most recently served as the university diversity and inclusion officer for the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn. Previously, he developed strong ties to higher education in Massachusetts working as assistant to the president and director of the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Equal Opportunity at Worcester State University; serving as associate provost and chief diversity officer for MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston; and prospering as assistant dean and director of diversity programs at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Hill’s experience has included a commitment to providing equal access to educational opportunities for underrepresented populations, and to lead institutional compliance efforts around the ADA, Title VI, Title VII, VOWA, the Campus SaVE Act, and Title IX. “I am pleased to announce that Calvin will be joining the leadership team at Springfield College,” said Springfield College President Mary-Beth Cooper. “Springfield College recognizes that a diverse and inclusive campus community where different perspectives are recognized and celebrated is an integral part of educating students in the 21st century. In addition, we are proud of our collaborative partnerships with many community organizations, and we are committed to being a strong advocate for greater Springfield. Calvin’s experience in both academic and professional settings will enhance the college’s goals and vision in these areas moving forward.” Reporting directly to the president, Hill will work closely with a broad range of students, faculty, staff, and community constitutes to develop Springfield College as a model for diversity and inclusion in higher education. Striving to connect the college’s intellectual and cultural resources to area communities, his leadership will support the recruitment and retention of a diverse student population. In addition, he will monitor, document, and facilitate the college’s integrated governmental and community relations and serve as a liaison to local, state, and federal government agencies. “I am thrilled to join the Springfield College community in the position of vice president for inclusion and community engagement,” said Hill. “From what I have seen and heard, Springfield College is a special place, and I look forward to working with its dedicated faculty, staff, students, and community partners to not only shape, but to also gain a better understanding of the world around us.” Hill has a doctor of philosophy degree in political science from Howard University, a master’s degree in student personnel administration from Emporia State University, and a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Bethany College.
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Local law firm Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C. recently announced that attorneys Michele Feinstein, L. Alexandra Hogan, Carol Cioe Klyman, and Ann Weber have been selected to the Super Lawyers Top Women Attorneys in Massachusetts list. Klyman and Weber have also been selected to the 2014 Top 50 Women list. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process includes independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations. Super Lawyers magazine features the list and profiles of selected attorneys and is distributed to attorneys in the state or region and the ABA-accredited law school libraries. Super Lawyers is also published as a special section in leading city and regional magazines across the country, including the April 2015 edition of Boston magazine. “Beginning your search for legal counsel is no small feat; knowing where to start, researching attorneys, and finally selecting one you feel comfortable with can be overwhelming tasks,” said Super Lawyers Director of Research Julie Gleason. “All of the women lawyers in this special section have been named to a 2014 Massachusetts Super Lawyers or Rising Stars list. In creating our lists, Super Lawyers performs the type of due diligence that a highly motivated and informed consumer would undertake if he or she had the time, energy, and resources.”
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Zachary Piper

Zachary Piper

Northeast IT Systems Inc. announced the hiring of Zachary Piper as a desktop specialist. Piper has a degree in computer engineering technology from Manchester Community College, where he served as head technician for the college’s volunteer Computer Repair and Share Club. In 2011, he constructed a computer lab for a Boy Scout camp in Connecticut, where he had served as a camp counselor. “The IT field brings unique challenges every day, and I find them to be intriguing. From a very young age, computers have fascinated me. I was able to build my first PC at age 11,” said Piper, adding that his favorite aspects of his job are helping customers, solving strange problems, and learning new things. “It has been great having Zac as a part of our team,” said owner Joel Mollison. “He works hard, and I can always count on him to help with any problem a customer faces.”

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Roger Dulude Jr.

Roger Dulude Jr.

Holyoke Medical Center and Valley Health Systems Inc., named Roger Dulude Jr. the system’s corporate Compliance officer and director of Risk Management. A registered nurse who is certified in healthcare compliance, Dulude brings extensive experience leading risk-management and corporate-compliance programs in healthcare. He will institute and maintain the system’s compliance programs, as well as assess, develop, implement, and monitor risk-management plans to enhance patient safety, care, and privacy. “I congratulate Roger and know that his skill and leadership in the area of corporate compliance and risk management are valuable assets to helping us effectively navigate today’s complex and highly regulated healthcare environment,” said Hatiras. Dulude noted the importance of educating and training employees about new and existing compliance issues and risk areas. A key goal is educating employees to increase their understanding of, and compliance with, patient privacy and safety provisions contained in the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Of 1996 (HIPAA). “A rapidly changing healthcare climate poses inherent risks to patients, staff, and our organization, and we must ensure that our compliance and risk-management programs and services are effective and robust,” he said. Dulude most recently served as Holyoke Medical Center’s Corporate Compliance risk manager; Regulatory and Accreditation Compliance coordinator at Johnson Memorial Medical Center in Stafford Springs, Conn.; as well as various nursing, administrative, and clinical-management roles. A 2012 recipient of the Connecticut Nightingale Award given to an individual demonstrating excellence in nursing, Dulude earned a master’s degree in nursing with a secondary concentration in education from the University of Hartford and his bachelor’s degree in nursing at Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas.
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Amie Miarecki

Amie Miarecki

Amie Miarecki has been hired as Marketing and Development manager for Porchlight VNA/Home Care. Miarecki will focus on customer service, business development, and brand awareness for the free-standing, not-for-profit organization. In 2014, Chicopee VNA, Great to Be Home Care, and Porchlight VNA/Home Care merged to cover all of Berkshire, Hampshire, and Hampden counties. The agency has received several awards, including Home Care Elite Awards of Excellence as one of the top 500 home-health agencies in the U.S. according to Decision Health and National Research Corp. Miarecki is a board member for MotherWoman and a member of the Professional Women’s Chamber, the GFWC Agawam Junior Women’s Club, the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield, the AIDS Foundation of Western MA events committee, and the civic and community engagement committee of the Springfield City Library. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UMass Amherst and a master’s degree in corporate and organizational communications, specializing in leadership, from Northeastern University’s College of Professional Studies.
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Michael Hutton-Woodland has been named director of ServiceNet’s REACH program. Last year, REACH provided services to 500 children, including babies born with physical or mental disabilities, toddlers whose speech or motor skills are delayed, and children diagnosed with autism. REACH staff — from physical therapists to speech pathologists — provide interventions during the critical development window of birth to age 3. A key part of the program is support to families to address the d eep, often painful concerns parents have for their young child. The program is available to all families who need the service, regardless of their ability to pay. After many years of teaching clinical psychology, running a health foundation, and private consulting, Hutton-Woodland is grateful to be serving young children and their parents in this role. “It’s wonderful work,” he said, “and the staff are all dedicated, loving, caring, skilled, thoughtful people. They go into people’s homes to work with their children. That’s a sacred occupation.” Since starting at REACH, he’s been sitting down individually with all 45 staff members to learn about their experiences. He brings some new ideas for streamlining program processes so staff can focus more of their time on direct services and less on paperwork, with a goal of ensuring that staff remains “passionate and excited.” He added that “these kids and families need to be helped now, when a child’s brain is growing and developing the fastest in his or her entire life.” Since the program works with any family whose child needs early intervention, REACH also navigates the effects of two troubling trends: homelessness and increased referrals by the Department of Children and Families. Whatever a family’s situation, Hutton-Woodland emphasizes that “this is prevention work, available to all children with developmental issues, all of whom are very, very special little babies.” Families can contact REACH to inquire about services at (413) 665-8717. Staff members include educators, nurses, nutritionists, occupational and physical therapists, speech and language pathologists, social workers, and autism specialists. The program serves Hampshire and Franklin counties and the North Quabbin area of Worcester County. REACH services are funded by private insurance, Medicaid, the state Department of Public Health, United Way of Hampshire County, and an annual participation fee from families.

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Departments People on the Move

Leykia Brill has been named to the newly created post of assistant provost for diversity at UMass Amherst, effective May 6. Brill will play a leadership role in the university’s ongoing efforts to make the undergraduate student body more diverse and to help foster an inclusive campus community that attracts and supports diversity in many forms. Currently, she works at Amherst College as associate director for student activities and the Keefe Campus Center. “This appointment is an important step in our ongoing efforts to increase recruitment and retention of students from underrepresented groups,” said Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy, who created the assistant provost position last fall. “In her outreach to underrepresented communities, Ms. Brill will play a key role in promoting our campus’ values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and will help us fulfill our goal to create a climate where all students can thrive and excel.” As a member of the university’s Enrollment Management team, Brill will develop contacts and foster relationships with high-school and community-college personnel, communicate directly with prospective students and parents, and collaborate with the Admissions Office in off-campus recruitment efforts. She will train admissions staff on ways to best present the diversity of the university, as well as how to speak about the value of a diverse campus community and work with colleges and departments to coordinate their diversity recruitment and retention efforts with those of Enrollment Management. Brill will also help define and coordinate undergraduate recruitment efforts and marketing materials to reach underrepresented student populations. In her current post at Amherst College, Brill advises, directs, and provides leadership training to the school’s activities board, social council, student association, radio station, yearbook, and more than 100 recognized student organizations. She also oversees $100,000 in the student activities budget and its allocation for programs and student-organized events. From 2009 to 2014, Brill was a member of the admissions staff at Amherst, first as an assistant dean and then as associate dean of admissions/coordinator of diversity outreach. She was involved in developing strategies to increase the enrollment yield of underrepresented students of all backgrounds, focusing additional effort on programming for Native students. She also supervised an assistant dean of admissions, two admissions fellows, and 14 diversity interns for on-campus events, diversity programming, and outreach to community-based organizations. Her achievements included a 50% increase in American Indian applications during one admission cycle and the design of new marketing campaigns for Native student programming and general diversity programs. From 2006 to 2008, Brill was assistant director of admission at Wheaton College in Norton, where she directed the multi-cultural admissions committee and planned programming and recruitment for prospective students of color. She earned her B.A. at Wheaton and an M.S. in higher education policy at the University of Pennsylvania.
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Craig Poisson

Craig Poisson

Craig Poisson has been named the Springfield College director of Athletics, President Mary-Beth Cooper announced. Poisson has more than two decades of athletics administration experience, spending the previous 19 years as a member of the Springfield College Athletics staff and professor of Physical Education. The senior associate director of athletics at Springfield College since 2007, Poisson will begin his new role on July 1. “I admire Craig’s loyalty to Springfield College and his commitment to the field of collegiate athletics,” Cooper said. “I look forward to working with Craig to maintain that standard and to lead our storied program forward as we strive to reach new goals.” Poisson has worked in varied capacities for the previous three directors of athletics at Springfield College: Edward Steitz, Edward Bilik, and outgoing director Cathie Schweitzer, who announced last fall that she would retire in June after 14 years in the position. Poisson’s administrative duties as senior associate director have focused on scheduling and event management for the college’s 26 varsity athletic programs. He has served as event manager or tournament director for numerous NCAA national championships. “I could not be more excited to take this new step as the director of Athletics at Springfield College,” said Poisson. “I would like to express my thanks to President Cooper and the search committee for providing me the opportunity to lead an athletic program with such a rich and storied history. After spending nearly 20 years as a member of the Springfield College family, I am honored to continue the tradition of academic and athletic excellence, and will keep the student-athlete experience as the driver for every decision that we make.” Prior to Springfield College, Poisson served as an athletic administrator and adjunct faculty member at Purchase College, SUNY. He earned a master’s degree in education and a doctorate in physical education from Springfield College and was awarded a bachelor’s degree in elementary and secondary physical education from Southern Connecticut State University.
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Jennifer Brown, Assistant Vice President of Operations at United Personnel, has been elected to the board of directors at Dress for Success Western Massachusetts. Dress for Success is an organization that strives to improve the lives of economically underprivileged women. As a board member, Brown will support Dress for Success’s mission of promoting the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support, and the career-development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Brown has worked in the staffing industry for 16 years and brings a strong understanding of how individuals can succeed professionally to her work with Dress for Success. She noted, “I am so excited to bring my experience in staffing to help women successfully bridge into a career and chapter in their lives.”
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Springfield College Psychology Professors Judy Van Raalte, Al Petitpas, and Britt Brewer are the recipients of a $10,000 one-year NCAA Innovations in Research and Practice Grant focused on student-athlete career development. Research has shown that student-athletes lag behind their non-athlete peers in regard to career readiness, often failing to recognize how sport-related skills can aid in career preparation. The professors will use the grant funds to refine an evidence-based career-development pilot program designed specifically for college student-athletes. A controlled field trial will be conducted to test the pilot program’s effectiveness. The program is expected to help student-athletes understand how qualities acquired in sport pertain to the workplace, enhancing their career readiness. “Student-athletes develop a number of skills, such as leadership, communication, teamwork, time management, and self-motivation, all of which are highly valued in the workplace,” said Van Raalte. “Our project will help student-athletes to identify skills they have learned through sport and understand how such assets can transfer to the world of work.” Prior research has shown that student-athletes have limited access to campus resources like career centers due to academic and athletic obligations. To complement on-campus career-planning resources, Van Raalte and her colleagues have created the website supportforsport.org to host the content they will create for student-athletes. “Providing web-based psychoeducational materials that are available for program use by a range of campus professionals who work with student-athletes may offer solutions to some of the limitations of career center-focused approaches,” said Van Raalte. “This is exciting research that can directly benefit student-athletes. I am thankful that the NCAA selected our project for funding, and my colleagues and I are thrilled to get started on this project.”

People on the Move

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Departments People on the Move

Anne Paradis

Anne Paradis

The Professional Women’s Chamber (PWC) announced that Anne Paradis, Chief Executive Officer for MicroTek Inc. in Chicopee, has been named the PWC 2015 Woman of the Year. The award, given annually since 1954, is presented to a woman in the Western Mass. area who exemplifies outstanding leadership, professional accomplishment, and service to the community. A celebration in Paradis’s honor will be held on May 19 at 5:30 p.m. at the Carriage House, Storrowton Tavern in West Springfield. “We are thrilled with this year’s honoree — a truly inspiring and accomplished woman like Anne Paradis,” said Janet Casey, PWC board president. “She is a domestic trailblazer among women in the high-tech industry, and the opportunity that she has provided to people with disabilities speaks so deeply to her sense of compassion. Her achievements are spectacular and her generosity admirable.” Microtek was founded in 1983 with the mission of integrating individuals with disabilities into the workforce. The company provides custom cable and wire configurations, control panels, and enclosures for customers in the medical equipment, scientific test and instrumentation, life sciences, industrial, and retail industries. Paradis was tapped to lead the organization in 1987. Under her guidance, the company has grown an average of 15% each year, expanded its product lines and client base, and created more than 80 jobs. As well, Paradis has led the organization through construction of a new 22,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, obtained industry certifications as well as ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 13485:2003 registrations, and has been awarded the Massachusetts quality-of-service certification with distinction for employment services every year since 1996. Prior to joining MicroTek, Paradis served as a management and training consultant, served as the marketing director and employment design specialist for New England Business Associates, and spent nearly 10 years in the mental-health field. She is a member of the Baystate Health board of trustees and vice chair of its audit committee, past president of the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts board of directors, corporator of the Wentworth Institute of Technology, and former president of the National Assoc. of Supported Work Organizations board of directors. She also served on the reference services advisory board for UMass and the electronic advisory committee for Chicopee Comprehensive High School. She is also active in the Social Enterprise Alliance, the Wire Harness Manufacturer’s Assoc., the Women Presidents’ Organization, and the Human Right Campaign, and in 2009 was named to the 21st Century Women Business Leaders Hall of Fame at Bay Path University. Tickets for the May 19 celebration, sponsored by BusinessWest, are $55. To register, visit www.myonlinechamber.com or e-mail [email protected].
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Paul Kleschick

Paul Kleschick

Paul Kleschick has joined American International College (AIC) as its new Registrar. Kleschick recently performed consulting work for a variety of colleges and universities. Prior to working as a consultant, he was registrar at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. He previously served as the associate registrar at Georgetown University and Temple University. Kleschick graduated from Cabrini College in Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in biology. He earned his master’s degree from Temple University and his MBA from Philadelphia University.
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Melinda Graulau

Melinda Graulau

The Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield announced that Eastfield Mall and Auburn Crossing General Manager Melinda Graulau has been chosen as its 2015 recipient of the Leadership Community Service Award. The award will be presented at the Leadership 2015 graduation ceremonies on April 16 at the Springfield Sheraton. Leadership 2015 is a unique collaboration between the ACCGS and Western New England University (WNEU) to teach middle- and upper-level managers the crucial thinking and problem-solving skills needed to prepare participants to be effective leaders in service to the community and their workplaces. Since 1990, the award has been presented annually to a citizen or organization that exemplifies the program’s values of leadership in the workplace and in the world and a commitment to community service. A 2012 graduate of the program, Graulau moved to Western Mass. in 2009 to take on the role of general manager at the two shopping malls for Mountain Development Corp. She leads a team of 40 and is responsible for temporary and permanent leasing, expense control, personnel development, contract negotiations, and community relations.
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J. Polep announced the promotion of Adam Kramer to vice president of Purchasing and Food Service. Kramer has been with J. Polep since 2006, most recently as director of Food Service. Over the past nine years, he has also been a field sales representative, district manager, and president of Grote & Weigel (a division of J. Polep).
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Country Bank’s annual meeting was held at the Worcester Art Museum last month. The evening’s agenda included the election of trustees, corporators, and officers, as well as a report of 2014 highlights and financials. The 10 new incorporators are: Dr. Mohammed Ahmed, Sheila Cuddy, Brian D’Andrea, Robert Dik, Mary Falardeau, Janice Kucewicz, Lauren Miller, Timothy Murray, James Paugh III, and Richard Poissant.
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The Westfield-based engineering firm Tighe & Bond announced the following:
Christina Jones

Christina Jones

• The American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts (ACEC/MA) named Christina Jones, a project engineer in the company’s Westfield office, the recipient of the 2014 ACEC/MA Young Professional of the Year Award. The recognition took place during ACEC/MA’s Engineering Excellence and Awards Gala on March 18 at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge. Each year, this competitive award recognizes the accomplishments of one engineer, 30 years old or younger, based on their work and its societal impact. Jones, who is a licensed engineer in Massachusetts, was recognized for achieving significant successes within just five years of launching her civil- and environmental-engineering career. For the city of Chicopee, she provided construction administration and observation, research, and analysis for the first paving project in Massachusetts to implement cutting-edge intelligent-compaction technology. The result was a more streamlined, cost-efficient paving process, and better-quality pavement that is slated to have a longer life. Jones is also developing an integrated management plan for Chicopee, which will include working with regulators to advance green infrastructure as an alternative approach to separating combined sewer overflows. In addition, she is developing a unidirectional flushing plan for cleaning water-distribution pipes that will improve water quality and pressure throughout Chicopee. For two of Connecticut’s major water suppliers, Jones has developed hydraulic models of critical water reservoirs to assess the impact of new fish-habitat-friendly stream-flow regulations on reservoir management. This research enabled her to assist with reservoir-management decisions. Jones earned her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and environmental engineering, as well as her master’s degree in environmental engineering, from UMass Amherst. Her professional affiliations include the American Water Works Assoc., the New England Water Works Assoc. (where she is a programs committee member), and Engineers without Borders. She also previously served as a student activities committee member for the New England Water Environment Assoc; and
Michael Toto

Michael Toto

• Michael Toto has been hired to manage the company’s mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) team. A senior electrical engineer with more than 21 years of experience, Toto has managed a wide range of commercial, industrial, and institutional engineering projects. He has provided engineering services to numerous well-known industry giants and prominent institutions. His expertise includes the study, design, permitting, construction management, construction administration, and startup of numerous building and infrastructure facilities. His portfolio of projects includes all phases of engineering for electrical infrastructure. As a project manager, he has led many project teams during various phases of projects simultaneously, and has been the leader on several jobs with multiple owners during his professional experience. Toto earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical power engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. His professional affiliations include the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Power Engineering Society, the National Fire Protection Assoc., the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, and the Assoc. of Energy Engineers.
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The regional law firm Bacon Wilson, P.C. announced that Attorney Kenneth Albano was recently appointed to the board of directors of the New England Chapter of the March of Dimes. Albano is also currently serving a second term as board chair of Massachusetts’ Western Division Chapter. The March of Dimes is a national organization whose primary mission is to reduce birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. Upon learning of his appointment to the New England Board, Albano noted that “I am very pleased to continue my service to the important mission of the March of Dimes. The good work of the March of Dimes improves the health of Massachusetts babies and provides support to their families.” Albano is a senior partner with Bacon Wilson and a member of the firm’s corporate, commercial, and municipal practice groups. Bacon Wilson is one of the largest firms in Western Mass., with a total of 40 lawyers and approximately 60 paralegals, assistants, and support staff.
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Beloved Earth, the Pioneer Valley’s first ‘green’ cleaning company, hired Andrew Sbrega of Chicopee as its first residential services manager for Hampden County. Over the past four years, Sbrega worked for Tropical Smoothies in Holyoke and oversaw a team of employees while keeping the shop space clean and building customer relations. Beloved Earth owner Terra Missildine said Sbrega’s leadership experience will positively influence his work as a services manager. As a residential services manager, Sbrega will oversee a cleaning team designated to the Springfield area. Since beginning the position in January, Sbrega has gained residential and office clients in West Springfield and Longmeadow. He and Missildine are currently in the process of hiring Sbrega’s team. Beloved Earth’s current teams focus on clients in Hampshire County and book an average of 250 hours of cleaning per week. Missildine wants to expand into Hampden County, and she sees Sbrega as an ideal leader to begin that outreach. “Andrew is committed to green living. He really walks the walk,” she said.
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The Dowd Insurance Agencies announced that Nadine West has joined the organization as a commercial-lines account manager. “We are very excited to have Nadine join our team of insurance professionals,” said John Dowd Jr., president and CEO of the Dowd Insurance Agencies. “She has a great deal of industry experience and brings a lot of enthusiasm for customer service.” West has been specializing in property and casualty insurance since 1998. She is a licensed property and casualty producer and holds the Certified Insurance Service Representative designation. Prior to joining Dowd, West was employed by Borawski Insurance of Northampton. As a commercial-lines account manager, West will manage a roster of insurance clients at Dowd’s Holyoke office and support producers with business-development initiatives. She has a strong focus on customer service and is dedicated to continuing education opportunities as the industry advances. “I consistently challenge myself to stay on top of industry trends and learn all I can about my competitors and carriers to strengthen my industry relationships,” said West. “I have extensive training in sales, management, and customer service, and I look forward to applying these skills for the benefit of our customers at the Dowd Insurance Agencies.”
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Jonathan Soucy

Jonathan Soucy

Molding Business Services (MBS) announced it has taken on a new partner, Jonathan Soucy of Plymouth. He joins forces with partners Terry Minnick, Joel Minnick, and Andrew Munson, and will help bolster the firm’s M&A advisory and recruiting efforts. Soucy has more than 25 years of experience in precision injection molding and manufacturing. He holds a bachelor’s degree in plastics engineering UMass Lowell and an MBA from Suffolk University. For the past six years, Soucy served as the CEO of Plainfield Precision, a multi-national manufacturer of injection-molded components, metal stampings, and complex assemblies. During his tenure with Plainfield, he led a corporate-wide turnaround, developed and executed a strategic plan to build value, and successfully sold the various Plainfield companies to maximize shareholder return. Soucy’s move to MBS coincides with a Jan. 30 transaction that saw Plainfield Precision sell its final production facility — a precision automotive injection molder in San Luis Potosi, Mexico — to the U.S. subsidiaries of Nissha Printing Co. Ltd. Based in Japan, Nissha is a global manufacturer of printed films and owns Eimo Technologies, a Michigan-based manufacturer of decorative, injection-molded components. MBS advised Plainfield in the transaction. Soucy also spent nearly two decades with a Plainfield predecessor company called Pixley Richards. Pixley was a custom plastic-injection-molding company specializing in tight-tolerance parts. During his tenure there, Soucy held various roles in engineering and operations management until eventually leading a management buyout of the company and assuming the role of owner and CEO.
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The Springfield Falcons announced that Corey Cowick has been named the team’s winner of the IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year Award for his outstanding contributions to the Springfield community during the 2014-15 season. The Falcons’ left winger has gone above and beyond with his efforts to give back to the community. He constantly takes part in appearances and volunteer opportunities, meeting fans and doing his part to help improve the local area. The Falcons have a strong dedication to bettering quality of life in the Springfield community by promoting awareness of education, exercise, and health along with donating time and resources. Cowick has been at the forefront of these initiatives, making countless appearances in schools, libraries, and community centers. He became the main speaker for the Falcons’ Stick to Reading program presented by Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, the Teamwork program presented by TD Bank, and the Play It Forward program. Cowick has spoken to numerous students and young fans around the Greater Springfield area about the importance of literacy, ways to stay active and lead a healthy lifestyle, and the qualities of leadership and anti-bullying. Cowick also frequented Friends of the Homeless and served meals to clients along with personally donating winter and toiletry items during the holidays. He visited patients at Shriners Hospitals for Children and donated his time to answer phones at the 14th Annual 94.7 WMAS Radiothon for Baystate Children’s Hospital. He also participated in the sale of team-signed ornaments and green mystery pucks with proceeds donated to Toys for Tots and Baystate Children’s Hospital, respectively. Additionally, Cowick visited the Pioneer Valley PSO, where he visited with military families and spent a great deal of time conversing and getting to know each family. Cowick is now one of 30 finalists for the American Hockey League’s 2014-15 Yanick Dupre Memorial Award, honoring the overall IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year. The league award is named after the former Hershey Bears forward and AHL All-Star who died in 1997 following a 16-month battle with leukemia. The winner of the Yanick Dupre Memorial Award will be announced by the AHL later this month.
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Florence Bank announced that Stephen Bourgeois Jr. of Amherst has been named to the President’s Club for 2015. The President’s Club affords employees opportunities to nominate their peers for the honor, which recognizes superior performance, customer service, and overall contribution to Florence Bank. Bourgeois was nominated by numerous colleagues at Florence Bank. He is a senior teller and customer-service representative at the bank’s King Street office, and joined the bank in 2012. John Heaps Jr., president and CEO of Florence Bank, said, “we received so many comments about Stephen — everything from ‘he is the first to volunteer to take on projects or help in any way’ to ‘he maintains the perfect balance of professionalism and friendliness with our customers.’ His commendable work ethic and genuine desire to contribute make Stephen an outstanding member of the President’s Club.”
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Dr. Laura Iglesias Lino

Dr. Laura Iglesias Lino

Praised for her leadership and for using her skills in geriatrics and palliative care to help Spanish-speaking and other immigrant populations in Springfield, Dr. Laura Iglesias Lino has been named a recipient of the 2015 Hastings Center Cunniff-Dixon Physician Award. Iglesias Lino, medical director for Geriatrics and Palliative Care at Baystate Brightwood Health Center/Centro de Salud and associate medical director for Hospice at Baystate Medical Center, is one of five physicians nationwide recognized with the award. The awards program honors leaders who advance palliative care in underserved areas and forge ties with various medical specialists to help people with cancer. “This cohort of physicians demonstrates that compassion, competency, and a healing presence are cherished by patients and their families and admired and respected by their colleagues,” said Dr. Richard Payne, chairman of the selection committee and the Esther Colliflower Professor of Medicine and Divinity at Duke University and the John B. Francis Chair in Bioethics at the Center for Practical Bioethics. “The awards will make a difference for their careers, and will assist them in building palliative-care programs in their communities.” Each of the five recipients was noted as being exemplary in one or more of four areas: medical practice, teaching, research, and community. Awards were made in three categories: senior, mid-career, and early-career. Recognized in the early-career category, Iglesias Lino will receive $15,000 to further her work in palliative care in Springfield. “Although I was her teacher and am decades older, I hope to match her dedication to patients one day,” said Dr. Maura Brennan, chief of the Division of Geriatrics, Palliative Care & Post-acute Medicine at Baystate Medical Center, and hospice medical director for the Baystate Visiting Nurse Assoc. & Hospice. “Dr. Iglesias Lino has an unassuming, gentle nature and is more likely to design programs for patents in need than write scholarly articles for publication. She has a beautiful soul and is precisely the type of physician our aging society needs. Dr. Iglesias Lino combines the best parts of a geriatrician and a palliative-care physician and is eminently worthy of this prestigious award.” Iglesias Lino received her medical degree from the Universidad Nacional San Agustin de Arequipa in Peru. She completed her internal medicine residency at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital/Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, followed by a geriatrics fellowship at Baystate Medical Center. She is board-certified in both geriatrics and palliative care. While at Baystate Brightwood Health Center, Iglesias Lino has developed a team-based program to ease caregiver stress and provide quality of life for patients with advanced dementias. Her knowledge and diagnostic abilities put her in high demand as a physician and consultant. Her teaching and caregiving skills have generated culture change in a clinic with little previous experience in geriatric or palliative care. The Cunniff-Dixon Foundation, whose mission is to enrich the doctor-patient relationship near the end of life, funds the awards. The Hastings Center, a bioethics research institute that has done groundbreaking work on end-of-life decision-making, co-sponsors the awards. Duke University Divinity School’s Program in Medicine, Theology, and Culture oversees the selection process.

People on the Move

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Departments People on the Move

John Howland

John Howland

Greenfield Savings Bank recently announced that John Howland has been chosen to succeed Rebecca Caplice as the next president and CEO of the bank and its holding company, GSB, MHC. Howland was elected at the bank’s annual meeting of corporators on March 18. Howland served as president of two banks prior to joining Greenfield Savings, most recently the First Bank of Greenwich, based in Greenwich, Conn. He has worked in the financial-services field his entire career, and holds a bachelor’s degree from Bowdoin College and a juris doctor degree from the University of Maine School of Law. “John brings a broad range of experience from both banking and the financial-services sector,” said Ed Margola, chairman of the board. “His commitment to community, management style, and personality are consistent with Greenfield Savings Bank’s philosophy and goals.” Added Howland, “I am honored to have been selected to serve as the president and CEO of this extraordinary institution. Becky Caplice has done an amazing job as the CEO. I’m stepping into a position with a well-run organization led by a strong senior management team and welcoming employees.” Howland, 50, notes that he plans to build on the strong foundation that Caplice built over her 24-year tenure at the bank. Although she is stepping down from the day-to-day operation of Greenfield Savings, Caplice will continue to serve as a director of the bank.
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Monson Savings Bank recently announced the election of five new corporators who are advisors to the bank, representing the communities the bank serves. They also possess certain governing functions, including the election of the bank’s president. Monson Savings has 55 corporators, including the five elected at the bank’s annual meeting on March 4:
• Louis Abbate, president emeritus, Willie Ross School for the Deaf, Longmeadow;
• Mark Borsari, president, Sanderson MacLeod, Palmer;
• Joseph Lawler, benefits consultant, the Gaudreau Group, Wilbraham;
• Roy St. George, vice president, Moulton Insurance Agency Inc., Ware; and
• Julie Quink, managing principal, Burkhart, Pizzanelli, P.C., West Springfield.
“We’re extremely fortunate to have these folks join our team,” said Steve Lowell, president of Monson Savings Bank. “We rely on our corporators to keep us in touch with the needs of our communities, provide invaluable insight into our operations, and also to help us spread the word of all that we have to offer. Our corporators are leaders in the communities we serve, they are highly engaged with us, and we very much appreciate their involvement.”
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David Griffin Jr.

David Griffin Jr.

The Dowd Agencies announced that Account Executive David Griffin Jr. has received the Certified Insurance Counselors (CIC) designation. This accomplishment is not mandated for the insurance industry, but provides an extensive knowledge base to benefit consumers. “Prestigious designations like CIC are essential if you want to be considered among the leaders in our industry,” said John Dowd Jr., president and CEO of the Dowd Agencies. “It shows a true commitment to professionalism and excellence in the business of insurance sales. David is a rising star here in the Pioneer Valley business community, and we are proud of his accomplishments.” The CIC program includes 20 hours of rigorous coursework for each of the five industry categories: personal insurance lines, commercial casualty insurance, commercial property insurance, life and health insurance, and agency management. Griffin works in the Holyoke office of the Dowd Agencies. Since joining the firm in 2009, he has grown in his role and now assists the leadership team. He began his career in the insurance industry as a property and casualty underwriter for Liberty Mutual, where he supported the company in Schaumburg, Ill. and Charlotte, N.C., before joining the Dowd Agencies. He is a 2007 graduate of Bentley University, where he earned a degree in finance. Additionally, Griffin supports the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce and volunteers on the boards of directors for the Holyoke Rotary Club, the Sisters of Providence Health System, and Wistariahurst.
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Samantha Coulter

Samantha Coulter

Samantha Coulter recently accepted the role of assistant director of Sales and Marketing in the Event Service and Summer Program Office at Hampshire College. She is responsible for bringing in external clients for social, corporate, and summer events. Her previous experience includes working with trade-show sales, where she covered the entire U.S. as her territory, handling the marketing, advertising, and sales for a Connecticut-based banquet facility and being the social-catering sales manager for a Massachusetts hotel with more than 300 overnight rooms, 20 meeting rooms, and a large ballroom.
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Jack Ferriter

Jack Ferriter

At its March annual meeting, the board of trustees of the Massachusetts Bar Foundation (MBF) unanimously selected Attorney Jack Ferriter as a member of the board of trustees for a four-year term. The board meets in Boston and is comprised of judges and lawyers from across the Commonwealth. Ferriter is a business and estate attorney at Ferriter Law in Holyoke. He has been a fellow of the MBF for 12 years and has served on the grant-review committee for the last 10 years. The MBF represents the commitment of lawyers and judges in Massachusetts to improve the administration of justice, promote an understanding of the law, and ensure equal access to the legal system for all residents of the Commonwealth, particularly those most vulnerable. He recently received the Distinguished Advisor in Philanthropy Award from the Community Foundation and has served as campaign chair and board chair of the United Way of Pioneer Valley, among many other leadership positions. Ferriter has also been recognized by the YMCA, the Saint Patrick Committee, and the Northeast Public Power Assoc. He is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross, where he was a member of the President’s Council, and Western New England University School of Law, where he served on the Law Review Editorial Board.
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Keith Tatlock of New England Financial Group, an office of MetLife and a part of the MetLife Premier Client Group, has been authorized by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. to use the certification marks ‘CFP’ and ‘certified financial planner practitioner’ in accordance with CFP Board certification and renewal requirements. Tatlock met the rigorous experience and ethical requirements, completed financial-planning coursework, and passed the CFP certification examination. He has also agreed to meet ongoing continuing-education requirements and to uphold the CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Financial Planning Practice Standards. Tatlock has 10 years of experience in the financial-services sector. He is a graduate of Westfield State University and holds securities series 7 and series 63 as well as life- and health-insurance licenses. He is a member of the Estate Planning Council of Hampden County, the Financial Planning Assoc. of Massachusetts, and Business Networking International. He is also currently a major in the Massachusetts Air National Guard at the 104th Fighter Wing in Westfield.

People on the Move

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Departments People on the Move

PeoplesBank has announced the promotions of several key associates:

Karen Buell

Karen Buell

• Karen Buell has been promoted to Vice President, Customer Innovation Lab. Buell possesses more than a decade of banking experience. She joined the bank in 2006 and previously served as assistant vice president, eChannel officer. Buell holds an MBA from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Houghton College. In 2010, she was recognized as a BusinessWest 40 Under Forty award winner, and she received the Uncommon Volunteer award from the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce in 2011. Buell volunteers at Chicopee Comprehensive High School, where she teaches financial literacy.


Gail Richard

Gail Richard

• Gail Richard has been promoted to Vice President, Information Systems. Richard has more than four decades of banking experience. She joined the bank in 1971 and previously served as assistant vice president, Information Systems Officer. A resident of South Hadley, she graduated from the Mass. Bankers Assoc. School of Banking.





Michael Sugrue

Michael Sugrue

• Michael Sugrue has been promoted to Vice President, Compliance. Sugrue has close to two decades of banking and auditing experience. He joined the bank in 2009 and previously served as assistant vice president, Compliance. Sugrue holds an MBA from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst and a bachelor’s degree in marketing from American International College. He is a graduate of the ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Sugrue is vice president and a board member of the Western Mass. Compliance Assoc.
• Cynthia Wszolek has been promoted to Cash Management Officer. She has 15 years of banking experience. She joined the bank in 2013, serving as a cash management sales and support specialist. She volunteers for the American Cancer Society, serving on the planning committee for the Evening of Hope Gala. Ms. Wszolek is currently working toward an associate degree in business administration at Springfield Technical Community College.
• Starr McGrath has been promoted to Consumer Loan Officer. She has more than three decades of banking experience. She joined the bank in 1983 and previously served as consumer loan analyst.
• Patricia O’Brien has been promoted to Underwriter Officer. With more than two decades of banking experience, she joined the bank in 2008 and previously served as underwriter. O’Brien holds an associate degree in business administration from Holyoke Community College. She serves as a director of the Holyoke Kiwanis Club.
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Moyah Smith

Moyah Smith

William Crawford IV, CEO of United Financial Bancorp Inc. and United Bank of Glastonbury, Conn., announced the hiring of Moyah Smith, who has taken on the primary role of United’s community outreach officer, responsible for covering Western Mass. In this role, Smith has assumed a number of key responsibilities, including organizing and participating in financial-literacy programs and classes where local residents can learn more about a range of important topics such as money management, the homebuying process, and how to repair and maintain good credit. She will also leverage her mortgage banking experience and strong ties to the Western Mass. region to promote and guide local residents through the entire homebuying process from application to closing. Her volunteerism and reputation in the Western Mass. community is extensive; she has dedicated her time to several nonprofit organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Together Springfield, Relay for Life, the Alzheimer’s Assoc., and Project Clean Up Springfield, among others. She also volunteers weekly as a personality for the local nonprofit community radio station WTCC-FM at Springfield Technical Community College. In addition to serving as the community outreach officer in Western Mass, Smith will also hold the title of mortgage loan officer for United Bank. She gained considerable mortgage banking experience while working as a MLO for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage in West Springfield from 1998 to 2004. Smith was also a Realtor and MLO with Keller Williams Realty in Longmeadow from 2004 to 2009. Before coming to United, Smith was a regional account executive with Elavon Inc., where she worked with banks and credit unions in delivering business solutions for small to mid-sized banks and providing merchant services to the company’s commercial customer base. Smith is based at United Bank’s offices at 95 Elm St. in West Springfield. She reports to Lisa Kraus, vice president and Western Mass. sales manager.
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The Springfield Symphony Orchestra (SSO) announced that Peter Salerno will return to the post of Executive Director for an interim period as the board of trustees begins a nationwide search for permanent leadership. Salerno, a local business leader and long-time member of the orchestra’s board of trustees, served in this capacity prior to the hiring of outgoing Executive Director Audrey Szychulski. In January of this year, Szychulski announced her acceptance of a new position with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, leaving the Springfield Symphony Orchestra with enhanced sponsorship and a strengthened business plan. In addition to serving on the orchestra’s board of trustees, Salerno teaches at Bay Path University and Clark University, serves as Finance chair of the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School Committee, and is lead consultant for Management Solutions, LLC. He looks forward to bringing his decades of business experience to his position with the symphony. In the upcoming months, the SSO board of trustees will oversee a nationwide search for a permanent executive director, with the goal of having that individual in place by early fall 2015, as the symphony enters the beginning of its 72nd season.
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Nicole Griffin

Nicole Griffin

Nicole Griffin, president of Griffin Staffing Network, LLC in Springfield, has been selected as the recipient of the Urban League Community Builder Award for 2015. Griffin began her career in the financial industry, but after 12 years, she shifted into the staffing and recruitment field. She has several years of experience as a human-resources professional, including employee relations, recruitment, and retention. Her ability to understand the needs of a client led her to establish Griffin Staffing Network (GSN), now made up of a team with a combined 26 years of experience in staffing and recruitment. Focusing more on quality than quantity, GSN places top talent from call-center to C-level management positions in temp, temp-to-hire, contract, and permanent-placement structures. Griffin says her goal is to empower the community through employment opportunities and career development. Griffin was named to the 40 Under Forty by BusinessWest magazine in 2014. She serves on the board of SABIS International Charter School, the board of directors for Intercity Youth Inc., the committee of the Women Leadership Council, and the Plan for Progress Coordinating Council, and is a participant in the 2014-15 Leadership Institute for Political and Public Impact Program. For more information about Griffin Staffing Network, visit www.griffinstaffingnetwork.com. For more information about the Urban League of Springfield, visit www.ulspringfield.org.
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Samantha Peia

Samantha Peia

Residence Inn Chicopee announced that Samantha Peia has been appointed the hotel’s new Director of Sales. The four-story, 115-room hotel is located at 500 Memorial Dr. and has been open since September 2013. In her new role, Peia will be responsible for leading and directing the development and implementation of strategic sales and marketing plans. Prior to joining Residence Inn, she was senior sales manager at Courtyard by Marriott in Farmington, Conn. She holds a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from Boston University and has worked in multiple positions with Marriott hotels. “Based on Samantha’s outstanding record, we are confident that she will be instrumental in ensuring the success of the Residence Inn Chicopee,” said Karen Warren, the hotel’s general manager.
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Climate scientist and Distinguished Professor Raymond Bradley, director of the Climate System Research Center at UMass Amherst, has won a 2015 national Texty award for excellence for his book, Paleoclimatology: Reconstructing Climates of the Quaternary, which provides an overview of methods for reconstructing ancient climatic and of historical climate changes during the past 3 million years. The Text and Academic Authors Assoc. (TAA) announced seven 2015 Texty awards on Feb. 25. They will be presented to the authors during a lunch at the association’s 28th annual Textbook & Academic Authoring Conference in Las Vegas in June. Bradley’s 700-page text, published in its third edition by the academic press division of Elsevier this year, discusses such topics as natural climate variation, dating methods, ice cores, marine sediments, lake sediments, non-marine geologic evidence, pollen, corals, tree rings, and historical documents. In the introduction, he explains that paleoclimatology is the study of climate in the period before the tiny fraction of the Earth’s history that can be told using instrument measurements. He points out that a longer view can be obtained by studying climate-dependent natural phenomena that provide a proxy record of climate in the past. Such records can be combined and built up to help scientists theorize and test hypotheses about causes and mechanisms of climate variation that may still be at work today. Bradley, professor of Geosciences at UMass Amherst, said, “I was quite surprised to learn about this award, but I’m really pleased. I learned a lot writing the book, so it’s gratifying to know that others appreciate the result.” The TAA is the only nonprofit membership association dedicated solely to assisting textbook and academic authors. Its mission is to support textbook and academic authors in creating top-quality educational and scholarly works that stimulate love of learning and foster the pursuit of knowledge.

Peoples on the Move

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Departments People on the Move

Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. announced the following:
• Kayla Helitzer, MSA, has been hired as an Associate. Helitzer began her career at MBK as an intern before acquiring her current position. She holds a master’s degree in accounting from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst. In her free time, she participates in the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield, volunteers at the Knesset Israel synagogue, and enjoys skiing and snowboarding;
• Joseph Vreedenburgh, MSA, has been hired as an Associate. Vreedenburgh comes to MBK with a background as a corporate accountant and experience with small to medium-sized businesses, as well as government entities. This experience provides him with a unique perspective as an auditor at the firm. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Washington and a master’s degree in accounting from UMass Amherst. He is a member of Northampton Area Young Professionals and enjoys hiking and mountain biking; and
• Brandon Mitchell, MSA, CPA, has been hired as an Associate. Mitchell specializes in audits of commercial and not-for-profit entities, reviews and compilations of financial statements for small businesses and individuals, and tax-return preparations. Before joining the firm, he worked as a business manager for a locally owned business. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and a master’s degree in accountancy from Westfield State University and devotes much of his spare time to his alma mater’s Mentoring Program.
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Christine Phillips

Christine Phillips

PeoplesBank announced the appointment of Christine Phillips as vice president, Human Resources. In her new position, Phillips will monitor and administer the bank’s human-resources policies and recruitment plan, oversee employee relations, administer employee benefits, and serve as the bank’s EEO/AAP officer. Phillips brings more than 15 years of human-resources experience including recruiting, performance analysis, and compliance. She not only helped a variety of organizations recruit top talent, she also helped operate a successful human-resources company. A member of the AIM Human Resources Group, Phillips holds a bachelor’s degree from UMass Amherst. She is a member of the South Hadley School Committee, the PTA president of Plains School, and a board member of St. Patrick’s CYO Basketball.
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Elizabeth Hukowicz

Elizabeth Hukowicz

Elms College has appointed Elizabeth Hukowicz dean of the newly established School of Graduate and Professional Studies. Hukowicz has been the associate academic dean of the Division of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education since 2005. Under her leadership, the number, scope, and complexity of programs in her department has increased tremendously. In recognition of this growth, the division has been restructured into a school, with Hukowicz appointed as the first dean. “The new school will serve our non-traditional and adult learners, and also highlight the importance of these programs to the strength and vitality of the institution,” said Walter Breau, vice president of academic affairs. Added Hukowicz, “this restructuring will allow the school to offer a broader array of degree options and services for adult learners on and off campus. The adult learner is at the core of what we do, and we will provide increased opportunities to better serve the adult learner in and out of the classroom, wherever and however that may be. We will continue to find new and better ways to make students successful.” Elms College offers graduate-degree programs in accounting, applied theology, autism-spectrum disorders, education, healthcare leadership, management, and nursing. The college also offers certificates of advanced graduate study in autism-spectrum disorders, communication sciences and disorders, and education.
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Mike Harsh

Mike Harsh

FloDesign Sonics Inc. announced it has added Mike Harsh to its board of directors. Harsh served as vice president and chief technology officer for GE Healthcare until December 2014 and led its Global Science and Technology Organization. “The addition of Mike to our board will have a profound impact on our company,” said founder and CEO Stanley Kowalski III. “Mike has personally been involved with the research and development of acoustic-based products in life sciences. He has the ability to get into the details while envisioning our global strategy. We are delighted to have him join our team.” Added Harsh, “I am really excited to be part of FloDesign Sonics. Their entrepreneurial sprit is contagious, and the convergence of this unique and innovative application of acoustics to filtration will unleash a new tool in healthcare that can also be leveraged into other industries.” Harsh led the global Science and Technology Organization for GE Healthcare, a $18 billion business unit of General Electric focusing its research on the development of innovative diagnostics, healthcare IT, medical imaging and information technologies, medical diagnostics, patient-monitoring systems, biopharmaceutical-manufacturing technologies, and technologies that facilitate new drug discovery. Harsh began his career at GE in 1979 as an electrical design engineer in nuclear imaging, and subsequently held numerous design and engineering management positions with X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, patient monitoring, and information technologies. He was also the global technology leader of the Imaging Technologies Lab at the GE Global Research Center, where he led the research for imaging technologies across the company, as well as the research associated with computer visualization/image analysis and superconducting systems. He was named an officer of General Electric Co. in November 2006. Harsh earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Marquette University, and he holds numerous U.S. patents in the field of medical imaging and instrumentation.
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Luis Santamaria

Luis Santamaria

Luis Santamaria has been chosen as Greenfield Community College’s new director of Campus Public Safety. He will oversee GCC’s Campus Public Safety department and serve as GCC’s chief of police. Santamaria leaves his position as associate director of Public Safety for Curry College in Milton. Prior to his work at Curry College, he served as a sergeant for Tufts University for nine years and as a campus police officer at Simmons College and officer in charge at Western New England University. Santamaria graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in criminal justice administration from Western New England University. He served as vice president of his class at the Special State Police Academy. He holds EMT certification and has certification as a MCJTC sexual assault investigator, defensive tactics instructor, and rape aggression defense instructor. He is bilingual in English and Spanish.
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Kate Bechtold

Kate Bechtold

Anthony Scibelli

Anthony Scibelli

Following nationwide searches, Cooley Dickinson Hospital President and CEO Joanne Marqusee announced that two healthcare executives, Katherine Bechtold and Anthony Scibelli, have joined the organization’s senior leadership team. Bechtold has been selected as Cooley Dickinson Health Care’s vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer. “I am very excited to have someone with Kate’s depth of experience, clear commitment to quality care and service excellence, collaborative style, and ability to inspire staff at all levels join the senior leadership team,” Marqusee said. Added Bechtold, “I am excited about this wonderful opportunity to lead nursing and patient-care services at Cooley Dickinson. I was impressed with the commitment to patient care that I heard from staff and medical staff alike and look forward to being part of the new leadership team that Joanne Marqusee is building.” Most recently, Bechtold served as the senior vice president and chief nurse executive for MultiCare Health System in Tacoma, Wash., where she oversaw system-wide nursing and clinical policies, case management, social work, and quality care for the five-hospital system and its primary-care, urgent-care, and specialty clinics. She also served for eight years as chief nursing officer and vice president of patient care at Centura Health Systems in Englewood, Colo., and Saint Anthony Hospital System. She counts among her accomplishments leading Saint Anthony Central Hospital to one of the highest scores in the nation for nursing quality indicators and significantly reducing nursing-management turnover rates. Scibelli has joined Cooley Dickinson Health Care as vice president, operations and chief administrative officer. He will supervise a number of departments, including Facilities, Housekeeping, Transport, Security, Nutrition, Lab, Imaging, and Human Resources. “I am very excited that a leader with Tony’s range of experience, dedication to service excellence, and ability to lead teams and promote teamwork has accepted this important position. He will add much to the new senior leader team we are building,” Marqusee said. Scibelli has most recently served as senior vice president, Human Resources, Support Services, and Post Acute Operations at Mohawk Valley Health System in Utica, N.Y., which resulted from the affiliation of Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare and St. Elizabeth Medical Center. He oversaw a range of functions, including Human Resources, Facilities Management, Support Services, Home Care, and Long-term Care. Scibelli joined Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare in 2004 as vice president, Human Resources and was promoted several times there. Scibelli earned a bachelor’s degree at Worcester State College and master’s degrees from Lesley College in Cambridge and SUNY Albany.
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Patrick McCarthy, Sodexo Dining Services general manager for the Loomis Communities, has been selected for the Sodexo National Emerging Leaders program, joining 29 of his peers who have been identified as leaders in their field. The Sodexo Emerging Leaders program consists of an intensive, nine-month leadership-development course focusing on leadership at a strategic level. The course study includes trainings at the Sodexo North American headquarters in Gaithersburg, Md., as well as peer project assignments and online interactive trainings. Prior to working for Sodexo and the Loomis Communities, McCarthy attended classes at the Culinary Institute of America and owned restaurants in the Pioneer Valley.

People on the Move

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Departments People on the Move

United Personnel announced the promotion of two staff members, as well as the addition of a new senior staffing consultant:

Jennifer Atwater

Jennifer Atwater

• Jennifer Atwater, Assistant Vice President of Operations for Hampshire and Franklin counties, has been promoted to Vice President of Operations for these regions plus Berkshire County. A graduate of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, her duties will include staff management, client and candidate relations, recruitment, and business development. As a member of the United Personnel team for 15 years, Atwater brings a wealth of human-resources knowledge and recruiting expertise to her new role. In addition to her work at United Personnel, she serves as an ambassador to the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Human Resources Roundtable for Associated Industries of Massachusetts;

Becky Ramah

Becky Ramah

• Assistant Vice President of Information Technology Becky Ramah has been promoted to Vice President of Information Technology and Communications. Ramah has been with United Personnel for 21 years in a variety of progressively responsible roles, including recruitment, placement, and on-site project management. Ramah’s new role encompasses all information-technology operations as well as social media and marketing. She is a graduate of UMass and serves on the board of directors of Womanshelter/Companeras; and



Halina Dumas

Halina Dumas

• Halina Dumas joins the team as a Senior Staffing Consultant. Dumas, a graduate of UMass Amherst, has 15 years of staffing-industry experience in professional, accounting, and administrative placement for a national firm. She will be overseeing placements for both large and small clients in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties.
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Dr. Charlotte Boney, a nationally recognized pediatric endocrinologist and physician educator, has been named to the position of Tufts University School of Medicine chair of Pediatrics at Baystate Health and vice president of the Pediatric Service Line at Baystate Children’s Hospital. Before coming to Baystate Children’s Hospital, Boney was director of the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology in the Department of Pediatrics at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence, and professor of Pediatrics at Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. “I am thrilled to be joining Baystate. Baystate Children’s Hospital has a proven track record in delivering state-of-the-art clinical care, but it is the department’s commitment to serving the community’s children and their families, and to training future pediatricians, which really attracted me to this position,” she said. Boney attended the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn. and the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis, where she was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. She completed her internship and residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore and a fellowship in pediatric endocrinology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She joined the faculty at Brown University in 1994 and became program director of the fellowship in Pediatric Endocrinology in 2003 and director of the Division of Endocrinology in 2005. She received numerous teaching awards at Brown, including the Dean’s Teaching Excellence Award every year from 2004 to 2011 and again in 2013. Boney also has a distinguished research career, supported by National Institutes of Health funding, during which she focused on the biology of adipocyte (fat-cell) development. She has also conducted clinical research in pediatric obesity and diabetes. Additionally, she has served on numerous hospital, university, regional, and national committees. Boney’s professional memberships include the Endocrine Society, the Pediatric Endocrine Society (for which she served on the board of directors), the Society for Pediatric Research, the Obesity Society, and the American Pediatric Society. She recently joined the sub-board in pediatric endocrinology at the American Board of Pediatrics. She has also authored some 40 scholarly publications, including peer-reviewed journals and abstracts, and is the author of several textbook chapters. She also serves as a member of the editorial board of the American Journal of Physiology, Endocrinology and Metabolism. “It is my hope in my new role at Baystate Children’s Hospital to expand clinical programs, strengthen education programs, and generate new knowledge in pediatric medicine,” she said.
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Kevin Joyce

Kevin Joyce

After a stint working as a senior member of IBM’s Business Analytics Division in the Boston area, Holyoke native Kevin Joyce has returned to the Pioneer Valley and taken a position at Webber & Grinnell Insurance. Joyce began his insurance career in 2005 with Phillips Insurance of Chicopee. In his five years at Phillips, he built a significant book of business comprised of property owners, manufacturers, restaurants/hospitality, contractors/sub-contractors, and technology operations. “I’m very excited to be back in the community I love, working with a great firm and clients that I’m passionate about,” Joyce said. Added Mathew Geffin, vice president of Business Development, “we are very excited that Kevin is joining the team at Webber & Grinnell. Kevin is a son of the Pioneer Valley and understands the values and needs of our business community.” As one of the largest insurance agencies in Western Mass., Webber & Grinnell currently serves more than 5,000 automobile and homeowner policyholders, and insures nearly 900 businesses throughout the region.
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Mark Goggins has joined Ostberg & Associates, the Northampton-based financial-services and insurance firm. Goggins brings more than 20 years of experience in the mortgage business with Mortgage Master and Applied Mortgage Services, as well as earlier work history with John Alden Insurance and Goggins Real Estate. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to bring Mark to our team,” said company President Robert Ostberg. “Mark’s integrity, his reputation for building and maintaining personal and professional relationships, and his deep commitment to the community will help Ostberg & Associates continue to provide exceptional service to our clients and our community.” Goggins graduated from UMass with a degree in political science. He has served as a coach with the Northampton Recreational Department and the Suburban Basketball league, and is currently on the board of Nonotuck Resource Associates.
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Monson Savings Bank has announced the following:
Carolyn Weeks

Carolyn Weeks

• Carolyn Weeks has been promoted to Branch Manager of the Wilbraham office. Weeks began her career at Monson Savings in 2007 as a part-time customer service associate while still in college. In 2009, she came back to the bank and has risen through the ranks to customer service associate supervisor, assistant branch manager, and now branch manager. She is a UMass graduate with a bachelor’s degree in business administration; and



• Anthony Jianaces has been promoted to Branch Manager of the Hampden office. Jianaces joined the bank in 2012, also as a part-time customer service associate. He has since been promoted to assistant branch manager and now branch manager. He is a registered financial representative and holds his series 7, series 66, and insurance licenses. He is a graduate of Stonehill College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. “I am extremely pleased to announce these promotions,” said Steve Lowell, president of Monson Savings Bank. “Carolyn and Anthony are both very talented and impressive young professionals who have already made significant contributions to the success of Monson Savings.”
Anthony Jianaces

Anthony Jianaces

People on the Move

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Departments People on the Move

Robinson Donovan, P.C., announced the promotion of two attorneys to Partner: Jeffrey Trapani, Esq. and Michael Simolo, Esq.

Jeffrey Trapani

Jeffrey Trapani

Mike Simolo

Mike Simolo

• Trapani, who joined the firm in 2007, concentrates in civil litigation, including insurance defense, employment law, municipal liability, business litigation, and professional malpractice. He also represents landlords in summary-process actions and housing-discrimination claims, and insurance companies in unfair-settlement claims and coverage issues. “Jeff is highly deserving of this designation,” said Nancy Pelletier, Esq., head of the Litigation Department at Robinson Donovan. “His expertise in civil litigation — both in the courtroom as well as in mediations and arbitrations — is a true asset to our firm.”
• Simolo, who joined the firm in 2009 and specializes in corporate and business counseling, estate planning, and litigation, plays a number of roles at Robinson Donovan, including supervising the organized transfer of wealth from clients to their beneficiaries. “Michael has deep knowledge of our shared practice areas and is a constant source of insight,” said Jeffrey Roberts, Esq., managing partner at Robinson Donovan. “He forms great relationships with his clients, getting to know their circumstances and helping them develop the kind of foresight that is beneficial for them in the long run.”
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Monson Savings Bank recently announced three promotions:
Robert Chateauneuf

Robert Chateauneuf

Corinne Sawyer

Corinne Sawyer

• Robert Chateauneuf has been promoted to Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer. He joined Monson Savings Bank in 2012 as assistant vice president and is a key member of the bank’s commercial-lending team. He possesses indepth knowledge of the Western Mass. small-business marketplace and is a trusted advisor to business customers. He is a member of the 2014 class of BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty, and is a graduate of UMass Amherst;
• Corinne Sawyer has been promoted to Vice President, Business Development Officer. She joined Monson Savings Bank in 2001 and was promoted to assistant vice president in 2007. She works with the bank’s business customers to optimize cash flow, financial workflow, and efficiency using the bank’s deposit, cash-management, and eBanking products. She serves on the board of directors of the East of the River Five Town Chamber of Commerce and is a graduate of Elms College;
Dodie Carpentier

Dodie Carpentier

• Dodie Carpentier has been promoted to Human Resources Officer. She joined Monson Savings Bank in 2006 as assistant branch manager and was promoted to branch manager in 2008. In 2012 she assumed a dual role as branch manager and education coordinator. With her growing interest in training and HR, she obtained certification in Supervision in Banking and Human Resources Management from the Center for Financial Training. She was awarded the position of human resources officer after an extensive search to replace her predecessor, Elaine Grimaldi, who retired last year.
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Matthew Boilard

Matthew Boilard

The local, family-owned-and-operated supplier of building supplies A. Boilard Sons Inc., announced that Matthew Boilard has joined the family business. His appointment as Sales Associate continues a legacy of family leadership, now in its fourth generation. “This company has always been a part of my life, and I look forward to adding my own outside perspective to the business,” he said. “I’m proud to have an opportunity to be part of a family business, and my goals are to grow the business and look for new opportunities to help it succeed.” Boilard is a 2011 graduate of Bentley University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in corporate finance and accounting.
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Jewish Geriatric Services has named Anne Thomas Vice President of Residential Services and Administrator of the Leavitt Family Jewish Home. Thomas brings more than 25 years of diverse experience in elder healthcare to this position. She will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Joint Commission-accredited, 200-bed, long-term-care and short-term-rehabilitation facility located in Longmeadow, and will also oversee management at Ruth’s House Assisted Living and Genesis House. Before joining the nursing home, Thomas served as the executive director and administrator of Hebrew Senior Life in Dedham, the largest provider of elder care in the Boston metropolitan area. In this role, she oversaw the day-to-day operations of more than 500 employees and 268 residents and their families, and was responsible for all aspects of financial and clinical outcomes. She also spearheaded the opening of a state-of-the-art healthcare center in the small-house model of care, which honors resident choice and quality of life. Prior to this, Thomas served as vice president/assistant administrator of Schervier Nursing Care Center, a member of the Bon Secours Health Care system, in Riverdale, N.Y.; and director of Chelsea Adult Day Health Care Center in New York City. Thomas is a member of Leading Age Massachusetts, the American College of Nursing Home Administrators, and the Assoc. of Health Care Executives. She holds a master’s degree in social work from Hunter College in New York, and a bachelor’s degree in social work from Providence College in Rhode Island. She is licensed as a nursing-home administrator and social worker, and is certified as a yoga instructor.
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Dr. Holly Michaelson

Dr. Holly Michaelson

Dr. Holly Michaelson of Cooley Dickinson Medical Group General Surgical Care was among 1,640 initiates from around the world who recently became fellows of the American College of Surgeons (FACS). Michaelson received a medical doctorate from Temple University Medical School and completed a general surgical residency at Drexel University College of Medicine. She earned board certification from the American Board of Surgery in 2005, and is the director of minimally invasive and robotic surgery at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. Michaelson has a strong professional interest in advanced minimally invasive procedures, particularly surgeries of the colon and gastrointestinal tract as well as breast surgery. She holds membership in the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. The American College of Surgeons honored new initiates during its convocation ceremony at the college’s 2014 annual Clinical Congress in San Francisco. By meeting the college’s stringent membership requirements, fellows of the college earn the right to use the designation FACS (Fellow, American College of Surgeons) after their names. An applicant for fellowship must be a graduate of an approved medical school; must have completed advanced training in one of the 14 surgical specialties recognized by the college; must possess certification by an American surgical specialty board or its Canadian equivalent; and must have been in practice for at least one year at the time of his or her application. Before admission into fellowship, the surgeon must further demonstrate ethical fitness and professional proficiency, and his or her acceptance as a fellow of the college must be approved by three-fourths of its board of regents. The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical practice and to improve the quality of care for the surgical patient.
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The Gray House inducted Teresa Spaziani to a three-year term on its board of directors at its January board meeting. Also elected were four new officers for one-year terms:
• Michael Walsh, President;
• David Chase, Vice President;
• Paul Mitus, Treasurer; and
• Candace Pereira, Secretary.
Spaziani is a quality-assurance manager at the Children’s Study Home in Springfield. She has held that position since February 2014. Previously, she was its community relations and outreach manager. Spaziani holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Western New England University, graduating magna cum laude in 2012. Walsh was the current board president and was re-elected for another one-year term. He is an adjunct instructor in Political Science at Westfield State University and a consultant and legal advisor at MIRA Associates. Chase has more than 20 years of banking experience. He is a vice president and commercial lender at Hampden Bank in Springfield. Mitus previously served as vice president. He has 25 years of banking experience and is currently a portfolio manager at Hampden Bank. Pereira has more than 10 years of banking experience. She is a commercial-portfolio loan officer for Farmington Bank in West Springfield. The Gray House is a small, neighborhood human-service agency located at 22 Sheldon St. in the North End of Springfield. Its mission is to help neighbors facing hardships to meet their immediate and transitional needs by providing food, clothing, and educational services in a safe, positive environment.
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The American Assoc. of Community Colleges has selected HCC professor emerita, alumna, and major donor Elaine Marieb for its 2015 Outstanding Alumni awards. Marieb taught anatomy and physiology at Holyoke Community College for 25 years after receiving her Ph.D. in zoology from UMass. While teaching, she enrolled in HCC’s Registered Nursing program, earning her associate degree. Her teaching and education led her to write a series of anatomy and physiology textbooks that have gone on to become international bestsellers. Last year, Marieb donated $1 million toward HCC’s Building Healthy Communities fund-raising campaign, which is supporting two building projects at the college, a new Center for Health Education on Jarvis Avenue, and the Center for Life Sciences on campus. The AACC award recognizes community-college alumni for their career achievements, philanthropic contributions, and inspirational impact.

People on the Move

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Departments People on the Move

William Crawford IV, CEO of United Financial Bancorp Inc. and United Bank of Glastonbury, Conn., announced that United Bank has recruited the following bankers from People’s United Bank to cover the Greater Springfield region:
• Dan Flynn, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Wholesale Banking. Flynn will report to David Paulson, executive vice president and head of Wholesale Banking. His primary role will be to drive numerous enterprise-wide commercial-banking functions for United’s wholesale-banking team. He will have oversight of United’s Greater Springfield commercial banking operations, as well as management responsibilities for the bank’s shared-national-credit business and all business-banking teams. Most recently, Flynn was senior vice president and market manager at People’s United Bank, primarily for Western Mass., for seven years, where he was responsible for managing and coordinating all aspects of C&I lending activities. In his previous roles at People’s United, he held similar responsibilities for managing and coordinating all aspects of a significant C&I portfolio in the Central Mass., Western Mass., and Vermont markets. Before People’s United acquired Bank of Western Massachusetts, Flynn was executive vice president and senior lender from 1989 to 2009 for the Bank of Western Massachusetts.
• Tony Liberopoulos, Senior Vice President and Commercial Banking Regional Executive. Liberopoulos, who will be directly responsible for United Bank’s commercial-banking practice in Greater Springfield, brings 27 years of commercial-banking experience, most recently holding the position of senior vice president and regional manager for People’s United Bank in Springfield. He also spent more than a decade at Fleet Bank and BayBank in various positions, including underwriting, loan resolution, and lending.
• Rick Rabideau, Senior Vice President and Commercial Banking Team Leader. Rabideau also comes to United from People’s United Bank, where he most recently served as senior vice president and team leader. He will take on a dual responsibility with United as a commercial banking officer, focusing on developing and growing commercial-banking opportunities as well as a player-coach role in leading and mentoring other teammates on the commercial team. Rabideau’s career in banking started in 1986 with Shawmut Bank, where he was a commercial banker from 1988 to 1996. He then joined First International Bank/UPS Capital, eventually ascending to senior vice president with the key responsibility of managing 10 lenders who made up the Springfield and Hartford market lending units. In 2008, he joined People’s United Bank.
• Sheryl McQuade, Senior Vice President and Massachusetts Senior Credit Officer. McQuade has more than 25 years of corporate and commercial banking experience, most recently serving as senior vice president, commercial regional leader for Berkshire Bank, where she was responsible for all commercial teams and production in Connecticut. She worked for Bank of America and predecessor banks in a variety of senior production and credit roles for the business-banking, middle-market, and corporate-banking divisions.
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Nancy Buffone

Nancy Buffone

The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce announced the election of Nancy Buffone, Executive Director of External Relations and University Events for UMass Amherst, as President of the organization. Buffone assumes leadership of the chamber following the two-year term of Lawrence Archey of Hampshire College. Julie Marcus, principal of New England Environmental, has been elected Vice President of the chamber. The chamber also announced the election of six community leaders to join the chamber’s board of directors:
• Robin Brown, Lord Jeffery Inn;
• Sean Cleary, Amherst Copy and Design Works;
• Heidi Flanders, Integrity Development;
• Katelyn Lockhart, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County;
• April Williams, J.F. Conlon and Associates; and
• Peter Vickery, Esq., attorney at law.
The chamber also acknowledged those stepping off the board after years of dedicated service to the organization:
• Kathryn Grandonico-Chiavaroli, Lincoln Real Estate;
• John Kokoski, Mapleline Farm;
• Reza Rahmani, Moti Restaurant; and
• Meredith Schmidt, UMass Campus Center.
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Christopher Neronha

Christopher Neronha

Christopher Neronha, an attorney with extensive experience in higher education, has been named General Counsel at Springfield College. Neronha will provide legal counsel and guidance to the leadership of the college and will serve as secretary to its board of trustees. He will be a member of the president’s senior leadership team. Neronha has 19 years of experience as an in-house corporate attorney, nine of those as a senior in-house attorney for Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I., where he previously was employed since 2006, as the associate general counsel and executive director of risk management. Prior to Roger Williams, Neronha was assistant general counsel and assistant secretary at National Life Insurance Co. in Montpelier, Vt., where he provided legal support for all company operations. He is an attorney licensed in the federal and state courts of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the states of Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Vermont. A graduate of Providence College with a bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, in political science, Neronha received a juris doctor, magna cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame Law School.
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FieldEddy Insurance Inc., which recently became a division of HUB International New England, LLC, a leading global insurance broker, has announced several appointments:
Olga Tracy

Olga Tracy

• Olga Tracy has rejoined the agency as the newest Personal-lines Account Manager in the Monson office. She will be responsible for educating and ensuring that clients have the proper insurance coverage;
Marylou “Lou” Rosner

Marylou “Lou” Rosner

• In the East Longmeadow office, Karen Britt has accepted a promotion to Middle-market Account Manager, Heather Fleury has been named Small-business Account Manager, and Peggy Grundstrom will be a part of the quality-control team.
The agency also recognized Marylou “Lou” Rosner upon her retirement. She leaves FieldEddy with more than 29 years of devoted customer care.
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Main Street Hospitality Group announced a new addition to its management team, appointing sommelier Dan Thomas to the position of Wine and Bar Director. Main Street Hospitality Group is a hospitality-management company based out of Stockbridge. The group owns and manages the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge, where Thomas has held the role of sommelier since 2007. Over his seven years at the inn, Thomas has expanded the wine list to include more than 400 selections and 50 half-bottle selections, with a focus on international artisan producers and local and regional wines. The Red Lion Inn was awarded the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for the 16th consecutive year in 2014. Thomas possesses an extensive knowledge of oenology and has completed the first level of the Court of Master Sommeliers.

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L. Alexandra Hogan

L. Alexandra Hogan

The Springfield-based law firm Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., announced that attorney L. Alexandra Hogan has been appointed the new vice chair of the New England division of the International Women’s Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC). In 2012, Hogan was voted in to join the organization’s board of directors. The New England IWIRC is a networking organization pursuing the goal of creating a vibrant community of restructuring practitioners from every discipline. For more than two decades, IWIRC has been connecting women worldwide through a global membership of more than 1,200 attorneys, bankers, corporate-turnaround professionals, financial advisors, and other restructuring practitioners. “IWIRC provides valuable networking opportunities and leadership roles on a global and local level,” said Hogan. “Whether members are just beginning their careers or they are looking to take their profession to the next level, IWIRC has a platform to help them get there. I am proud to serve on the board of an organization devoted to improving the professional opportunities for women in my field, and I’m excited to take my own involvement with the organization to the next level as the vice chair for the New England division.” Hogan concentrates her practice primarily in bankruptcy, litigation, and business law. She graduated from Western New England University School of Law with cum laude honors in 2008 and from Bay Path University with summa cum laude honors in 1996. For the years 2011-14, she has been selected by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star and a Top Woman Attorney. She also currently serves as vice chair of the Hampden County Bar Assoc. Bankruptcy Division. Hogan volunteers to the Financial Literacy Program for U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts and the Boston Bar Assoc. to aid high-school students in personal finance, and also provides pro bono services through the Law Consortium for Western Mass.
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Peter Hazel

Peter Hazel

North Brookfield Savings Bank announced that Peter Hazel has been hired as vice president and commercial loan officer. Hazel has more than 30 years of commercial-lending and business-development experience, including as senior vice president/business banking officer at Fidelity Bank in Gardner and vice president of Business Development and senior commercial lender at GFA Federal Credit Union, also in Gardner. He is proficient in Small Business Administration and USDA Rural Development lending programs. Hazel joins NBSB’s growing team of business-lending experts located throughout the bank’s business centers and seven branches in Central and Western Mass. The bank has been named an SBA preferred lender, with membership in the program given only to financial institutions that have a proven capability and commitment to small-business lending and strict adherence to SBA guidelines. Involved in a number of local community organizations, Hazel is a Gardner Chamber of Commerce board member and finance committee member, a Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts board member and grant committee member, a North Worcester Country Development Corp. board member, a board member and treasurer of RCAP Solutions, and a former president of the Gardner Rotary Club, where he twice received the Paul Harris Award for community service.
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Avital Levy Carlis has joined Cooley Dickinson Hospital as administrative director of the Massachusetts General Cancer Center at Cooley Dickinson Hospital and service-line development. Carlis earned a master’s in public health, with a concentration in health policy and management, from the University of California, Berkeley, and holds bachelor’s degrees in both biology and international history from the University of Rochester. Most recently, she served as director of Finance for the Mass General Cancer Center and was the administrative director for the division of Hematology and Oncology at Mass General. Cooley Dickinson and the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center have collaborated in providing cancer care since 2009. In 2015, the Mass General Cancer Center at Cooley Dickinson Hospital will open.
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Salon Herdis announced that Tara Abramowicz, a Redken creative colorist and image consultant, has joined the staff. She holds several certifications, including Redken certified hair colorist and Redken certified design and finish specialist, and sharpens her skills regularly with continuing education. She also travels and educates other hairstylists on color. “I’ve always been inspired by fashion, since I was a little girl,” Abramowicz said. “It’s great to be a part of something bigger than myself, in making people look and feel their absolute best.” Salon Herdis is an 11-year old downtown Northampton institution, providing a full range of hair and spa services to clients looking for a big-city experience in the Pioneer Valley. “The beauty industry is one of the few industries where women take the lead,” said Salon Herdis owner Linda Hannum, “and Tara is truly a leader among her peers.”

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David Greenblatt

David Greenblatt

Whittlesey & Hadley, P.C., one of the area’s largest independent accounting firms, announced that David Greenblatt, CPA, has been appointed manager, joining the firm’s healthcare practice. Greenblatt has 15 years of experience in public accounting with a specialty in healthcare, which will augment the firm’s current healthcare team that provides assurance, compliance, tax, and advisory services to Connecticut- and Massachusetts-based physicians, specialists, dentists, and related entities. Most recently, he was a manager at a regional accounting firm in Boston. Greenblatt received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Bryant University. He is a member of the Medical Group Management Assoc. and the Healthcare Financial Management Assoc.
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United Personnel announced that Dave Malloy has been named client services manager. Malloy will plan, direct, and implement business development, account retention, community relations, and marketing activities for United Personnel’s Hampden County and Northern Conn. territory. He will also assist with recruiting and placement activities within the organization. Malloy has built his operations experience in production of electronic components serving customers such as American Power Conversion. He also has coordinated retail manufacturing and distribution for various clients, including Walmart. Most recently, Malloy leveraged these operational experiences to provide business development in healthcare services. He holds master’s degrees in communication and business administration from Bay Path University. 
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The Williams Inn has announced several appointments to its leadership team:
• Greta Kipp, the inn’s new general manager, arrives from Topnotch Resort in Stowe, Vt., where she held several positions, including director of rooms, director of revenue management, and director of owner relations. She is a veteran of the U.S. Army and completed a five-year enlistment as an Arabic translator. She earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from Old Dominion University;
• Pam Knisley, the inn’s new sales manager, comes from the Wheatleigh Hotel in Lenox. Prior to her position at Wheatleigh, she was general manager/innkeeper at the Inn at Richmond and owner of I’ll Do It! Concierge Service in Pittsfield. She graduated from State University of New York at Fredonia;
• Tim Hajduk, the new food and beverage manager, joins the Williams Inn from the Embassy Suites in Waltham, where he spent five years as food and beverage manager. He began his hospitality career at Blantyre in Lenox, after which he spent 11 years in food and beverage management positions. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire.
• Other staffing changes within the inn include the appointments of Roger Gavin to maintenance manager and Adam Brassard to executive chef, and the promotions of Janine Velluci to catering sales manager and Jane Schnopps to guest services manager.
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James Leahy

James Leahy

Nancy Coley

Nancy Coley

The International Volleyball Hall of Fame in Holyoke announced it has appointed James Leahy as its new president and Nancy Coley as a new member. A lifelong resident of Holyoke, Leahy has been on the board of the International Volleyball Hall of Fame for two years and brings extensive expertise in fund-raising and operations to his role as board president. While his professional career is in the pharmaceutical industry, he is also co-director of marketing and sponsorship for the St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke Inc., a nonprofit that operates one of the largest St. Patrick Day parades in the country. He has also served on numerous other nonprofit boards, including the Holyoke Merry-go-round, the Boys and Girls Club of America, Holyoke Youth Soccer, the Westfield State University Foundation and the Greater Holyoke YMCA and Children’s Museum boards. Coley is currently the director of Admissions at St. Michael’s Academy in Springfield and was previously a member of the communications team at Holyoke Medical Center for 29 years, serving as its public relations manager. Coley’s marketing and public-relations background will be invaluable as the Hall of Fame continues to unveil its new brand and strategic direction over the next two years.
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Lou Curto

Lou Curto

PV Financial Group announced that Lou Curto, one of its top retirement-plan advisors, has earned the specialized designation of professional plan consultant (PPC). Recent regulatory changes to the qualified-retirement-plan industry have made navigating through the process more difficult for business owners. These regulations have sparked an urgency to ensure that retirement-plan service professionals have specialized training and the resources to help sponsors meet their fiduciary and prudent-practice obligations. The PPC designation was developed by Financial Service Standards to help professionals who specialize in this increasingly regulated niche. Curto sat for a two-day training class, passed a comprehensive final exam, signed off on the FSS Code of Ethics, and committed to ongoing training in retirement-plan management. Curto specializes in working with business owners to help develop retirement-savings-plan options that help ensure maximum benefit to employees.

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Robert Ziomek

Robert Ziomek

The Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield (ACCGS) have elected Robert Ziomek, director of major and planned gifts at Western New England University, to lead the organization’s Legislative Steering Committee. Ziomek was elected for a two-year term as chairman of the panel. “I am humbled to be chosen the chair of a group that is so committed to the success of the Greater Springfield business community,” said Ziomek. “The city of Springfield is going through an insurgence of new business development right now, and I’m confident this committee will continue to play a significant role in keeping our federal, state, and local officials focused on the issues that affect the Western Massachusetts business community.” The legislative steering committee identifies and researches issues of major concern to the business community, then recommends positions on them. The committee is also charged with educating members on these issues, soliciting member support, and encouraging elected officials to adopt the ACCGS’ positions. The committee has four subcommittees that perform in-depth research on specific issues: budget, workplace issues, healthcare, and education/workforce development. Ziomek is in his 10th year of service to the committee and previously served as the chairman of the subcommittee that studies workplace issues.
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Darlene Libiszewski

Darlene Libiszewski

Junior Achievement of Western Mass. recently elected new officers and welcomed new members to its board of directors. JA’s 2014-15 officers include chair Darlene Libiszewski of Chicopee Savings Bank; co-vice chairs John Boudreau of Contractor’s Edge LLC and Michael Ginsberg of Insurance Industry Consulting Services; treasurer Nicole Denette of Savage Arms; and clerk Margaret LaMotte of Paragus Strategic IT. Rounding out the executive committee are former chairmen Al Kasper of Savage Arms and Phil Goncalves of Country Bank. Junior Achievement also announced the addition of William Sepaniak of Baystate Medical, Brendan Greeley of RJ Greeley, Tracey Alves-Lear of TD Bank, Christine Quiterio of Comcast, and Jon Feeney of Smith & Wesson.
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Barry Waite

Barry Waite

Holyoke Medical Center announced that Barry Waite has been named corporate director of Human Resources. Waite, a native of Holyoke, served five years as corporate director of Human Resources for the Loomis Communities in South Hadley and seven years as regional director of Human Resources with HealthBridge Management in Concord. Previously, he served as director of Public Affairs and Strategic Communications for Baystate Health in Springfield, and as director of Communications and Marketing for Qualidigm in Middletown, Conn. “This is an exciting time for Holyoke Medical Center, as we bring a new vision and strategic plan into action. The people who work here every day, providing the excellent care that our community hospital is recognized for, are the reason I’m here,” said Waite. “In HR, we have a real impact on how that care is provided, whether the focus is on the morale of the workplace, employee benefits, or creating a healthier workplace environment for our employees — creating an environment where they can thrive and serve our patients to the best of their ability.” Waite attended Boston College and earned his master’s degree in health communications at Emerson College/Tufts University School of Medicine. Among Waite’s plans for HMC are to introduce a new employee-wellness program including an initiative for achieving a healthy work-life balance.
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Catherine Turowsky

Catherine Turowsky

Farmington Bank announced the appointment of Catherine Turowsky as vice president of Cash Management Sales and Services Representative. Turowsky operates out of Farmington Bank’s Western Mass. Commercial Services Office, located at 138 Memorial Ave. in West Springfield. Turowsky, with more than 28 years of banking experience in Massachusetts, comes to Farmington Bank from People’s United Bank, where she served as senior vice president/market manager of cash management services. She is a member of the Treasury Management Assoc. of New England and the Assoc. for Financial Professionals. In September, Connecticut-based Farmington Bank announced its plans to enter Massachusetts with the establishment of the commercial services office now open in West Springfield and two de novo hub branches planned to open, subject to regulatory approval, in West Springfield and East Longmeadow in 2015.
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Dawn Henry has been elected president of the 1,700-member Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley. The election took place at the association’s annual membership meeting held last month at the Yankee Pedlar in Holyoke. Henry is a real-estate sales agent with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Longmeadow. As president, she will oversee the association’s activities and operations, including meetings of the board of directors, and act as a liaison to the association’s various committees. She is the official spokesperson of the association on issues related to the real-estate industry and the local housing market. The other 2015 officers and directors include Louis Mayo, president-elect; Richard Sawicki Jr., treasurer; Janise Fitzpatrick, secretary; and Patrick Nolan, immediate past president. Directors include Elias Acuna, Edward Alford, Kelly Bowman, Shawn Bowman, Suzi Buzzee, Susan Drumm, Susan Rheaume, and Russell Sabadosa. Organized in 1915, the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley is a professional trade organization serving Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties.

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Carol Campbell

Carol Campbell

Dr. Howard Trietsch

Dr. Howard Trietsch

Maura McCaffrey, Health New England president and CEO, and Dr. Mark Keroack, Baystate Health president and CEO, announced that Carol Campbell and Dr. Howard Trietsch have been named to the HNE board of directors. Campbell is the president of Chicopee Industrial Contractors Inc., a company she founded in 1992. She is a member of the Board of Associated Industries of Massachusetts, the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce, the Westmass Area Development Corp., and the Women’s Fund of Western Mass. She has a distinguished record of community service and leadership, and was recognized as the 2014 Woman of the Year by the Professional Women’s Chamber. She has previously been recognized among the Top 100 Women-led Businesses in Massachusetts, as Business of the Year by the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce, as a Super 60 Business Growth recipient, and as a Paul Harris Rotary International honoree. Campbell holds several industry licenses and certifications and is a graduate of UMass. Trietsch is a full-time attending physician at Baystate Ob/Gyn Group Inc., where he has served as managing partner since 1990. He recently completed his term on the Baystate Health board of trustees. He also serves on the BHIC board and the Baycare board of directors. Trietsch is a member of many medical societies and serves on community boards including the Springfield Jewish Community Center, Jewish Geriatric Services, and the Jewish Federation of Western Mass. “Ms. Campbell and Dr. Trietsch are both accomplished professionals and exemplary stewards of our community. HNE’s mission is to improve the health status and overall quality of health of our regions,” said McCaffrey. “We are pleased to welcome them to our board and look forward to their contributions to help us fulfill our mission.”
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Gary Rivers

Gary Rivers

Northeast IT Systems Inc. announced that Gary Rivers has joined its team as a Senior Systems Engineer. Rivers received an associate’s degree in computer systems engineering from Springfield Technical Community College, and has been a business specialist throughout the Northeast. He has more than 10 years of experience in the IT field with numerous industries, including manufacturing, medical, emergency services, architecture, and engineering.
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Beth McGinnis-Cavanaugh

Beth McGinnis-Cavanaugh

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) have named Springfield Technical Community College Professor Beth McGinnis-Cavanaugh its 2014 Massachusetts Professor of the Year. McGinnis-Cavanaugh was selected from 400 nominated professors in the U.S. Last month, she and the other 30 state winners were honored at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. McGinnis-Cavanaugh, who teaches physics and engineering mechanics at STCC, is one of the principal creators of the “Through My Window” project, a multi-media engineering-education website that provides children and young teens, especially girls, with innovative learning experiences in engineering. The program, which began in 2012, is the result of a partnership between STCC and Smith College and is funded by a $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation. She has been on sabbatical this academic year to focus solely on the grant project. A printed young-adult novel, Talk to Me, will be published next month by the grant collaborative. “The goal of the Through My Window program is to expose young girls to engineering so they see engineering like they do traditionally female fields,” said McGinnis-Cavanaugh. “We hope that they see that engineering is a way to help people, impact society, and solve the really important challenges the world faces.” McGinnis-Cavanaugh is an STCC alumna who began her academic career in the 1990s. After receiving her associate degree in engineering transfer, she went on to continue her education and received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from UMass Amherst. “This award is really a validation of very hard work,” said McGinnis-Cavanaugh. “I had somewhat humble beginnings here at STCC as a non-traditional student and as a woman in engineering. I challenged myself academically and continue to do so professionally. In addition to teaching, I’m invested in my research grants and am constantly improving my knowledge of teaching and learning.”
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Westfield State University alumna Jessica Kennedy, Assistant Principal at South Middle School in Westfield, was one of eight educators to receive the Massachusetts State Universities Alumni Recognition Award for 2014. The state universities of Massachusetts honored eight of the Commonwealth’s outstanding K-12 educators who graduated from the system’s teacher-preparation programs in a ceremony held in Boston last month. Kennedy was selected by WSU for her accomplishments as a teacher and as a role model for students in service to the community. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Westfield State in 2008 and 2010. Her first teaching job was as an English teacher at Powder Mill Middle School in Southwick, where she also served as mentor teacher, team leader, and pre-advanced placement lead teacher. In 2013, she was hired as assistant principal at South Middle School.
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Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno traveled to Cambridge late last month to speak to about 100 students interested in urban renewal and economic development. The students are all graduate students at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government with experience in economic development and urban planning. They have been reviewing case studies in economic development and renewal projects that have worked and failed. Sarno spoke about economic development and Springfield’s revitalization, and provided a perspective on how to grow and sustain a city in today’s urban America. Topics included an overview of Springfield and its history, demographics, income, as well as issues relating to affordable housing, access to transportation, poverty reduction, economic development, and access to quality education.
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Karen DeMaio has been named IRA Services and Special Projects officer at Easthampton Savings Bank. DeMaio joined the bank in 2006 as a part-time IRA/Special Projects assistant. Her previous employment was with Friendly Ice Cream Corp. In her seven years at Friendly’s, she was an auditor and then became a senior marketing analyst. Prior to Friendly’s, she worked for KPMG Peat Marwick as a senior accountant. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Western New England University. DeMaio manages the bank’s IRA activities and coordinates its vendor-management program, business-continuity planning, insurance review, and unclaimed-property reporting.

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Farmington Bank announced the following:

Michael Moriarty

Michael Moriarty

• Michael Moriarty has been named Senior Vice President, Commercial Team Leader, and Regional Executive. Moriarty is a 24-year veteran of the Western Mass. banking industry. He comes to Farmington Bank from United Bank, where he most recently served as executive vice president and regional commercial executive. Moriarty is the treasurer of Human Resources Unlimited in Springfield and is a member of the board of directors of the West Springfield Boys and Girls Club and St. Thomas School in West Springfield. Moriarty received a bachelor’s degree from Merrimack College and an MBA degree from Western New England University.
Joseph Kulig

Joseph Kulig

• Joseph Kulig has been named Vice President, Commercial Lender. Kulig also has 24 years of local banking experience, and has held the position of relationship manager at both United Bank and TD Bank. Kulig is a member of the board of directors of Rebuilding Together Springfield, West Springfield Youth Soccer Club, and West Springfield Wildcats Baseball Club. Kulig received his bachelor’s degree from UMass Amherst and an MBA degree from Western New England University.
Joseph Young

Joseph Young

• Joseph Young has been named VicePresident, Commercial Lender. Young also brings to Farmington Bank more than 24 years of local banking experience. Previously a senior vice president of commercial lending at United Bank, Young is a 20-year retired veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He serves on the board of directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Westfield. Young received his bachelor’s degree from St. Leo College in Florida; and
Candace Pereira

Candace Pereira

• Candace Pereira has been named Assistant Vice President, Commercial Portfolio Loan Officer. Pereira, with nearly 10 years of local banking experience, comes to Farmington Bank from United Bank, where she most recently served as a commercial lending officer. Pereira is a member of the board of directors at the Gray House in Springfield. She received her bachelor’s degree from UMass Amherst. In September, Connecticut-based Farmington Bank announced its plans to enter Massachusetts with the establishment of a commercial-lending office and two de novo hub branches, subject to regulatory approval, located in West Springfield and East Longmeadow. With this expansion, Farmington Bank services will now be available from Hampden County to New Haven, Conn., spanning New England’s Knowledge Corridor, an interstate partnership of regional economic-development, planning, business, tourism, and educational institutions that work together to advance the region’s economic progress.
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Jean Deliso

Jean Deliso

Jean Deliso has been named a member of the 2014 Chairman’s Council of New York Life. Members of the elite Chairman’s Council rank in the top 3% in sales achievement among New York Life’s elite sales force of more than 12,000 licensed agents. Deliso has accomplished this level of achievement after 30 years in the financial-services industry. Her passion for finance and strategic planning led to the creation of Deliso Financial and Insurance Services in 2000. Deliso began her career in corporate accounting in Tampa, Fla., where she consulted with small-business owners on financial operations and maximizing performance. She has been a New York Life agent since 1995 and is associated with New York Life’s Connecticut Valley General Office in Windsor, Conn. She serves on many boards in her community, including the Pioneer Valley AAA Auto Club and Pioneer Valley Refrigerated Warehouse, and is currently chairman of the board at the Community Music School of Springfield. She is a past chairman of the board at the YMCA of Greater Springfield and a past trustee of the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts and the Bay Path College Advisory Board.
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Morrison Mahoney LLP announced that attorney Jennifer Rymarski has been elected a Partner. Rymarski, who practices in the Boston-based firm’s Springfield office, serves a wide base of clients in the arenas of medical malpractice litigation, as well as employment, business, and corporate law. Rymarski has more than 10 years of experience as an attorney and more than 15 years of experience in the legal field. She has a diverse background in medical-malpractice defense work and general business law, communications, and management. Rymarski advises healthcare clients on litigation matters and other issues involving healthcare law. She also serves as defense counsel for court cases and Board of Registration in Medicine investigations and complaints. For general business clients, she offers business advice, including dispute resolution, collections, adherence to corporate and regulatory formalities, and negotiations concerning leases, contracts, financing, and bankruptcy. Rymarski earned a bachelor’s degree from Westfield State University, a certificate of paralegal studies from Elms College, and a juris doctor from Western New England University School of Law. She is a member of the Massachusetts Bar Assoc. and the Hampden County Bar Assoc., and is also licensed to practice law in Connecticut. She serves as a board member of the Children’s Study Home. Rymarski has been named a “Rising Star” in Boston magazine for four consecutive years.
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Mary Hurley

Mary Hurley

The law firm of Cooley Shrair announced that Mary Hurley, Esq., retired first justice of the Chicopee District Court, has returned to private practice with Cooley Shrair. Hurley served 19 years as a judge, following 18 years as a practicing attorney. She was a principal with Cooley Shrair and served two terms as mayor of Springfield before accepting an appointment as a state court justice. Hurley actively serves as a member of the advisory board for the Elms College Criminal Justice Program and the College Club of Greater Springfield. Her background of community service includes work as a trustee of Elms College, the Springfield Library and Museums Assoc., Springfield College, and Holyoke Community College, as well as service on the boards of directors for such organizations as Sisters of Providence Health System, Springfield Symphony Orchestra, and Alcoholism and Drug Services of Western Mass. Inc. She is also a recipient of the Massachusetts Bar Assoc. Public Service Award. Hurley earned her J.D. from Western New England College School of Law and her bachelor’s degree from Elms College, where she also obtained a teaching certificate and an honorary doctorate.
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Patrick McCann

Patrick McCann

Robert Herchert

Robert Herchert

Tighe & Bond, a civil and environmental engineering firm, recently appointed two new members to its board of directors, Patrick McCann and Robert Herchert. McCann has more than 30 years of leadership experience in the environmental, engineering, and construction business. He joined Weston Solutions, an infrastructure-redevelopment firm with offices nationwide, in 1996 and led the company through a successful transformation from public to employee ownership. He became chief operating officer in 1997, president in 1998, and CEO from 2003 to 2013. Currently, McCann serves as board chair for Water for People, an international development organization with operations in nine countries that focuses on providing sustainable water and sanitation to some of the poorest villages in the developing world. He also serves as a board member for Harris & Associates, a West Coast construction-management and design firm, as well as the SUNY Oneonta Foundation. Herchert has nearly 50 years of leadership experience in the public and private sectors, with approximately half of those in the professional-services industry. For the past 13 years, he has been chairman of the board at Freese and Nichols Inc., an engineering, architecture, and environmental-science firm headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. He also develops and maintains client relationships, and is a Freese and Nichols representative in community and civic activities. Prior to this, he was the firm’s president and CEO for 11 years. Previously, Herchert served as city manager for the City of Fort Worth from 1978 to 1985, and as executive vice president for Texas American Bancshares from 1985 to 1990. Over the years, he has served on numerous boards to support government, business, and community initiatives, and has served on various corporate boards. In 2009, he joined the board of Terracon Consultants Inc., where he also chairs the executive compensation committee and serves on the governance committee.
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Craig Smith

Craig Smith

Craig Smith has joined Berkshire Community College (BCC) as Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the BCC Foundation. In this dual role, Smith is responsible for developing, directing, and implementing internal and external fund-raising for both the college and the foundation as well as advancing community initiatives that promote BCC’s mission, direction, and goals. Smith, who has extensive experience in capital-campaign fund-raising as well as annual and planned giving programs, previously served as managing director of the Berkshire Theatre Group in Pittsfield. Prior to that, he was the development director at the Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA in Becket. “Craig’s years of fund-raising and management experience will be a true asset to our institution, the advancement division, and the BCC Foundation,” said BCC President Ellen Kennedy. “His knowledge, coupled with his ties to the Berkshires, will certainly help him forge relationships not only with our donors and alumni, but also with our students, faculty and staff, and the community at large.” He earned a master’s degree from Assumption College in Worcester, and a bachelor’s degree from Eastern University in St. Davids, Penn.

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The Springfield-based regional law firm Bacon Wilson, P.C. announced that six attorneys have been named to the 2014 New England Super Lawyers list, and four attorneys have been named to the 2014 New England Rising Stars list. Only 5% of New England’s lawyers were honored as Super Lawyers. They were identified for their background, experience, professional achievement, and peer recognition. Rising Stars are under 40 years old or have been practicing law for less than 10 years. Fewer than 2.5% of New England lawyers were named Rising Stars. The following Bacon Wilson attorneys were honored as Super Lawyers:

Gary L. Fialky

Gary L. Fialky

Michael B. Katz

Michael B. Katz

Paul H. Rothschild

Paul H. Rothschild

Stephen Krevalin

Stephen Krevalin

Hyman Darling

Hyman Darling

Gina Barry

Gina Barry

Adam Basch

Adam Basch

Todd Ratner

Todd Ratner

Kevin V. Maltby

Kevin V. Maltby

Spencer Stone

Spencer Stone

• Gary Fialky, business/corporate;
• Michael Katz, bankruptcy and business;
• Paul Rothschild, general litigation;
• Stephen Krevalin, real estate;
• Hyman Darling, estate planning and probate; and
• Gina Barry, estate planning and probate.
The following Bacon Wilson attorneys were honored as Rising Stars:
• Adam Basch, construction litigation;
• Todd Ratner, estate planning and probate;
• Kevin Maltby, employment and labor; and
• Spencer Stone, business/corporate.
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Donna George-Ebbeling

Donna George-Ebbeling

PeoplesBank has announced the appointment of Donna George-Ebbeling as First Vice President and Credit Risk Manager. She brings more than 32 years of banking experience to her new position. George-Ebbeling’s responsibilities include all aspects of credit and loan administration as well as the development of loan policies and procedures. She also manages the credit-analysis function and oversees the commercial-loan administration area. George-Ebbeling received a bachelor’s degree in English from Fairfield University. She also holds a master’s degree in finance from UMass Amherst.
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Robinson Donovan, P.C., announced that eight of its attorneys have been named to the 2015 Massachusetts Super Lawyers list. In addition, three attorneys were named Rising Stars, a designation for attorneys 40 years old or younger or in practice for 10 years or fewer. No more than 5% of lawyers in a state are named to Super Lawyers, and no more than 2.5% are named to Rising Stars. “Super Lawyers is proud to provide visibility to outstanding attorneys,” said Julie Gleason, director of research for Super Lawyers. Added Jeffrey Roberts, the firm’s managing partner, “the number of attorneys receiving this award at Robinson Donovan highlights the quality of the firm’s lawyers and their dedication to the practice of law.” Robinson Donovan attorneys on the 2015 Massachusetts Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists, and the practice areas in which they are recognized, are as follows:
• Jeffrey Roberts, partner, estate planning and probate;
• Jeffrey McCormick, partner, general litigation;
• James Martin, partner, closely held business;
• Nancy Frankel Pelletier, partner, civil litigation: defense;
• Patricia Rapinchuk, partner, employment litigation: defense;
• Carla Newton, partner, family law;
• Richard Gaberman, of counsel, estate planning and probate;
• Kevin Chrisanthopoulos, associate, general litigation;
• David Lawless, associate, state, local, and municipal (Rising Star);
• Jeffrey Trapani, associate, general litigation (Rising Star); and
• Michael Simolo, associate, estate planning and probate (Rising Star).
Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a patented, multi-phase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates, and peer reviews by practice area. The result is a credible, comprehensive, and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys.
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The Springfield-based law firm Sullivan, Hayes & Quinn announced the following:
Meghan Sullivan

Meghan Sullivan

• Meghan Sullivan, managing partner, has been selected for inclusion in the 2014 New England Super Lawyers magazine. Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Sullivan has extensive knowledge in the areas of employment law, discrimination law, labor relations, affirmative action, OSHA compliance, personnel policy, and training. She has represented employers in numerous judicial proceedings, administrative hearings, and arbitrations in both the public and private sectors; before the National Labor Relations Board; and before state anti-discrimination agencies, the U.S. Department of Labor, in state courts, and in federal District Court. She has also conducted numerous seminars, supervisory training sessions, and management-development programs, and is a sought-after speaker for numerous organizations and entities on topics ranging from discrimination to wage-and-hour laws.
Layla Taylor

Layla Taylor

• Attorney Layla Taylor, a partner with the firm, has been selected to the 2014 Massachusetts Rising Stars list. Taylor, a partner at Sullivan, Hayes & Quinn, LLC, joined the firm in 2004. She is experienced in assisting clients with human-resource management and policy development, as well as advising both private- and public-sector clients on legal compliance and best practices in the workplace. She routinely assists employers in workplace immigration matters and in negotiating employment contracts and separation agreements;
Alice Pizzi

Alice Pizzi

• Attorney and Alice Pizzi has been selected to the 2014 Massachusetts Rising Stars list. Pizzi, a graduate of Western New England College School of Law, joined Sullivan, Hayes & Quinn, LLC in 2009 and has focused on the defense of discrimination and wrongful-employment cases filed against employers, employment litigation, employment benefits, and public-sector labor relations. Pizzi is listed on the Mass. Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) panel of sexual-harassment and prohibited-discrimination trainers who have successfully completed the MCAD’s certified program for workplace trainers.

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The Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce announced the hiring of its new Executive Director, Maureen Belliveau. She joins the chamber after two years as executive director of the Westfield Business Improvement District. Prior to that, she spent more than five years as co-owner of Optimum Health Therapeutic Massage, a small business also located in Westfield. “I am delighted to partner with the board of directors in raising the Greater Easthampton Chamber to the next level,” said Belliveau. “I am eager to get out and about within our communities and meet our members.”
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UMass Amherst has hired veteran biopharmaceutical executive and researcher Peter Reinhart to be the Founding Director of the Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS). The institute was created in 2013 with $150 million in capital funding from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) and additional contributions from the university to accelerate life-science research and advance collaboration with industry. Reinhart comes to the university from Alzehon, a Lexington, Mass. company where he most recently was the head of corporate development and new products for the firm, which is focused on brain health, memory, and aging and development of treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. Prior to that, he was chief scientific officer and then president at Proteostasis Therapeutics, and head of Neurodegeneration at Wyeth/Pfizer. He has also been an adjunct associate professor of Neuroscience at the Duke University Medical Center for the past decade and was a tenured professor at the center for nearly 13 years prior to that. Michael Malone, UMass Amherst’s vice chancellor for Research and Engagement, said hiring Reinhart is a significant milestone in developing the IALS. “His extensive experience in both academic and industrial biomedical research and training, and his passion for advancing life sciences, is the perfect background for leading the growth of the three IALS Centers.” Kumble Subbaswamy, UMass Amherst chancellor, noted that IALS is a critical part of the university’s strategy for innovation and impact in the life-sciences ecosystem in Massachusetts and beyond. “As founding director, Peter Reinhart will play a critical role in shaping and expanding our collaborations on campus with industry and with colleagues at other UMass campuses.” Reinhart said this is a position that is well-suited to his experience and skills. “Having spent significant time in large pharma, biotechnology companies, as well as in academia allows me to understand the strengths and needs of each of these organizations. This experience will be useful both in advancing alliances across the UMass campuses to combine assets and capabilities, and in utilizing such assets to develop industry partnerships.” The MLSC funding, a capital grant of $95 million, is the largest economic-development grant in the history of the UMass system and the largest grant the MLSC has awarded as part of the Commonwealth’s $1 billion, 10-year, life-sciences economic-development initiative.
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Westfield State University President Elizabeth Preston announced that Madeline Landrau and Linda Slakey have been named the newest members of the WSU board of trustees. Their appointments complete the full, 11-member board.

Madeline Landrau

Madeline Landrau

• Landrau has worked at MassMutual for nearly 20 years, most recently in the office of Community Responsibility and as Marketing Director for multicultural market development, where she is responsible for leading the development and execution of marketing and recruiting strategies to help the company reach the U.S. Hispanic and Latino markets. Landrau’s community-service efforts include past and current roles as a board member of Habitat for Humanity and vice chair at ALMMA, MassMutual’s employee resource group. Previous roles include serving as board chair of the city of Springfield’s Personnel Department, commissioner of Springfield Libraries, and member of MassMutual’s Women Business Advisory Board. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in human services at Springfield College. Landrau is the first non-student Latina to serve on Westfield State’s board of trustees.
Linda Slakey

Linda Slakey

• Slakey serves as Senior Advisor for the Assoc. of American Universities STEM Initiative and as Senior Fellow for Project Kaleidoscope for the Assoc. of American Colleges & Universities. Her career in higher education and research began when she was appointed to the faculty of the Department of Biochemistry at UMass Amherst in 1973. Her scientific work focused on lipid metabolism and vascular biology, and was funded by the National Institutes of Health, the American Heart Assoc., and the National Science Foundation. During her time there, she served as head of the Department of Biochemistry (1986-1991) and dean of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (1993-2000) and of the Commonwealth College (2000-2006). As dean of NSM and of Commonwealth College, she was active in supporting teaching and learning initiatives throughout the university. Slakey served at the National Science Foundation from 2006 through 2011 as the director of the Division of Undergraduate Education, and as a senior staff associate in the office of the assistant director for Education and Human Resources. She earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Siena Heights College and her Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Michigan.
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Tracey Gaylord

Tracey Gaylord

Easthampton Savings Bank announced that Tracey Gaylord has joined the bank as Vice President, Commercial Lending. Gaylord has more than 25 years of banking experience, primarily in commercial lending. Most recently, she was the regional vice president and commercial loan officer for Union Bank in St. Johnsbury, Vt. Gaylord obtained her bachelor’s degree from the University of Vermont in Burlington. She is a graduate of the Northern New England School of Banking, the New England School of Banking, the Stonier Graduate School of Banking, and the ABA Graduate Commercial Lending School. While living in Vermont, Gaylord had extensive affiliations with local nonprofits, including the Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium, where she continues to serve as a trustee, Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital, Northeast Kingdom Human Services, and the St. Johnsbury Chamber of Commerce.
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Holly Lawson Kresiak

Holly Lawson Kresiak

Berkshire Bank announced that Holly Lawson Kresiak has been hired as Vice President, Wealth Advisor, joining its Wealth Management team. In this position, Kresiak will be responsible for developing and maintaining personalized client relationships, irrevocable and revocable trust administration, and estate planning in Berkshire County and the Pioneer Valley. In addition, she will work with clients by providing investment management, trust administration, and asset-allocation services to help them achieve their long-term investment goals. She has 17 years of financial-management experience. Her areas of specialization are trust administration, estate planning, and client relations. Kresiak will be working out of Berkshire Wealth Management’s Berkshire County and Pioneer Valley offices located at 25 Main St., Lenox, and 1259 East Columbus Ave., Springfield, respectively. Prior to Berkshire Bank, Kresiak worked for TD Wealth Private Client Group, a division of TD Bank where she was vice president, trust advisor. She graduated cum laude from Bay Path College with a bachelor’s degree. She is also a graduate of the Cannon Financial Institute’s Trust School and holds a certificate from the American Banking Institute of Southern New England.
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Lawrence Johnson

Lawrence Johnson

Lawrence Johnson has been named Director of Non-discrimination and University Compliance at Westfield State University. He officially joins the university on Monday, Oct. 20. “Using existing funds for a position that we have chosen not to fill, we have created this new position to assure that we are doing everything we must and can do to meet state and federal requirements and provide a safe environment for everyone in our campus community,” said Elizabeth Preston, president of Westfield State University. “Our recent audit by the Mass. Office of the Comptroller suggests that a better coordinated approach to risk management through a dedicated position will build on what is already in place and will ensure we are adhering to the highest ethical standards.” The position will focus on prevention and will include identifying any risks the university may face from internal policies or changes in local, state, or federal laws, as well as designing and implementing controls to minimize those risks and reporting the effectiveness of the controls. Johnson will also provide education and training, and is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating the university’s Equal Opportunity, Diversity, and Affirmative Action Plan and initiatives to promote an inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. A lawyer, Johnson currently holds joint positions as associate dean of students at Rider University in New Jersey, and dean of students for Rider’s Westminster Choir (Music) College. He is responsible for upholding many legal areas, including Title IX, risk management, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, disability services, substance-abuse prevention, and multi-cultural affairs and community service. Johnson has worked closely with human resources to provide sexual-harassment training to all corners of the university and assisted in the development of Rider’s Title IX policy in compliance with the Office of Civil Rights’ 2010 “Dear Colleague” letter and Violence Against Women Act. In addition to his role as dean, Johnson is an adjunct professor of American Studies, where he has taught the course “Law and Ethics in Higher Education.” He has been honored as an Omicron Delta Kappa inductee and academic advisor, was the recipient of the Angel on My Shoulder award from the Black Student Union, and was on the Law School Honor Code Committee at Franklin Pierce Law Center. Johnson’s professional affiliations include memberships in the National Assoc. of College Student Personnel Administrators, the Delaware Valley Student Affairs Administration Assoc., the Delaware Valley Student Affairs Administrators Assoc., and the Assoc. of Independent Colleges and Universities of New Jersey. He holds a bachelor’s degree in American studies from Saint Michael’s College, a master’s degree in higher education administration from Michigan State University, and a juris doctor from the University of New Hampshire Law School.

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Kamari Collins

Kamari Collins

Kamari Collins was recently appointed to the position of Dean of Academic Advising and Student Success at Springfield Technical Community College by the STCC board of trustees after serving as the college’s director of academic advising since 2011. Collins began his employment with the college in 2007 as an academic counselor. Prior to his employment with STCC, he served as the director of youth and education programs at the Urban League of Springfield for several years. Collins earned both his bachelor’s degree and his master’s degree with a concentration in organizational management and leadership from Springfield College. He was named one of BusinessWest magazine’s 40 Under Forty in 2009 and currently serves as a board member of the Children’s Study Home and Urban League of Springfield Inc. and the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts education committee.
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William Hart Jr.

William Hart Jr.

John Pucci

John Pucci

Fourteen lawyers from Bulkley Richardson were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America 2015. Bulkley Richardson had the most honorees of any law firm in Springfield, with 12 of its 14 selected lawyers based in its Springfield office. Two of the firm’s honorees were also named Springfield “Lawyer of the Year” in specific practice areas. William Hart Jr. was so honored in the category of trusts and estates, and John Pucci for criminal defense, white-collar. He was also recognized in the area of criminal defense, non-white-collar. The following Bulkley Richardson lawyers were also selected for the 2015 edition of Best Lawyers:
Peter Barry

Peter Barry

Michael Burke

Michael Burke

Mark Cress

Mark Cress

Francis Dibble Jr.

Francis Dibble Jr.

Daniel Finnegan

Daniel Finnegan

Robert Gelinas

Robert Gelinas

Kevin Maynard

Kevin Maynard

David Parke

David Parke

Melinda Phelps

Melinda Phelps

Donn Randall

Donn Randall

Ellen Randle

Ellen Randle

Ronald Weiss

Ronald Weiss

•Peter Barry: construction law;
• Michael Burke: medical-malpractice law (defendants); personal-injury litigation (defendants);
• Mark Cress: bankruptcy and creditor/debtor rights; insolvency and reorganization law; corporate law;
• Francis Dibble Jr.: bet-the-company litigation; commercial litigation; litigation (anti-trust, labor and employment, securities);
• Daniel Finnegan: administrative/regulatory law; litigation (construction);
• Robert Gelinas: personal-injury litigation (defendants);
• Kevin Maynard: commercial litigation; litigation (banking and finance, construction);
• David Parke: corporate law;
• Melinda Phelps: medical-malpractice law (defendants); personal-injury litigation (defendants);
• Donn Randall: commercial litigation;
• Ellen Randle: family law; and
• Ronald Weiss: corporate law; mergers and acquisitions law; tax law.
Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as a definitive guide to legal excellence. Because it is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey in which more than 52,000 leading attorneys cast almost 5.5 million votes on the legal abilities of other lawyers in their practice areas, and because lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed, inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor. Corporate Counsel magazine has called Best Lawyers “the most respected referral list of attorneys in practice.”
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Robinson Donovan, P.C. announced that seven of its attorneys will be included in the 2015 edition of the prestigious national guide Best Lawyers in America. Robinson Donovan attorneys were included in a number of categories, with three lawyers earning additional Lawyer of the Year recognition for their practice area. Only one lawyer in each practice area in each community is eligible to be named Lawyer of the Year. The Robinson Donovan honorees include:
• Richard Gaberman: corporate law; real estate law, commercial; tax certiorari; tax law; trusts and estates (23rd consecutive year); Lawyer of the Year, real-estate law. Also previous Lawyer of the Year award for trusts and estates
• James Martin: franchise law, automobile dealerships; real-estate law, franchise
• Jeffrey McCormick: personal-injury litigation, automobile collision; catastrophic injury; civil litigation; ethics and professional responsibility; insurance; medical malpractice; premises liability; professional malpractice
• Carla Newton: family law; Lawyer of the Year, family law
• Nancy Frankel Pelletier: personal-injury law, defendants (10th consecutive year)
• Patricia Rapinchuk: employment law, management; litigation, labor and employment; Lawyer of the Year, employment law, management
• Jeffrey Roberts: corporate law; trusts and estates; also previous Lawyer of the Year award for trusts and estates
For more than 30 years, Best Lawyers has been regarded, by both the legal profession and the public, as the definitive guide to legal excellence in the U.S. The 2015 volume of Best Lawyers, the 21st edition, is based on a rigorous evaluation process that included thousands of clients, highly skilled lawyers, and law-firm representatives.
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Tina Stevens

Tina Stevens

Tina Stevens has joined Greenfield Community College as an adjunct faculty member for the academic year. She will be teaching “Principles of Marketing,” an in-depth course covering the fundamental concepts of marketing, including the hands-on preparation of a marketing plan for a local business. Stevens is the principal and creative director of Stevens 470 in Westfield, a multi-channel marketing consultancy. With more than 20 years of experience growing the agency and working with a diverse mix of clients, she has real-world experience in developing and directing marketing plans. She focuses her attention on creating successful strategies for clients and executing those solutions throughout today’s marketing channels. Stevens attended Greenfield Community College and earned an associate degree in graphic design. She received her bachelor’s degree from Westfield State University and also has a master’s degree in advertising design from Syracuse University through its Independent Study Degree Program for working professionals in the creative industry.
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The National Science Foundation (NSF) has selected UMass Amherst Professor James Kurose to serve as Assistant Director for its directorate for Computer & Information Science & Engineering (CISE). The three-year appointment begins in January 2015. Kurose is distinguished professor in UMass Amherst’s School of Computer Science, a position he has held since 2004. He has also served in a number of administrative roles, including chair of the department, interim dean, executive associate dean of the College of Natural Sciences, and senior faculty advisor to the vice chancellor for research and engagement. With Keith Ross, he co-authored the textbook Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach, which is in its 6th edition. CISE’s mission is to promote the progress of computer and information science and engineering research and education and advance the development and use of cyber infrastructure; promote understanding of the principles and uses of advanced computer, communication, and information systems in support of societal priorities; and contribute to universal, transparent, and affordable participation in a knowledge-based society.
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Attain Therapy + Fitness announced the hiring of Michael Fall, who will act as the facility Manager and treating Physical Therapist at the recently acquired facility at 65 Springfield Road in Westfield. Fall has been practicing orthopedic physical therapy for more than 30 years. He has owned, built, and subsequently sold two private practices in Connecticut. He earned a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Quinnipiac University in 1983, a master’s degree in orthopedic physical therapy in 1992, and his Ph.D. in biomechanics from the University of Connecticut in 2001. In 2013, he was accepted into the prestigious Gray Institute, where he completed two 40-week fellowship programs in applied and advanced applied functional science, and earned his fellowship in applied functional science.
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Dr. Thomas Wadzinski has joined Dr. James Bell, Dr. Amy Pelletier, Dr. Hanna Awkal, and nurse practitioner Mary Andaloro on the provider staff at Fairview Pediatrics. Board-certified in general pediatrics and pediatric endocrinology, Wadzinski will be able to provide both primary-care and pediatric-endocrinology services to his patients. Wadzinski earned both his medical degree and his Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from UMass Medical School in Worcester, and completed his pediatric residency at Baystate Medical Center. He recently completed a pediatric-endocrinology fellowship at Baystate Medical Center, including service as an adjunct research assistant professor at UMass Amherst.

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Maria Burke

Maria Burke

JERICHO, the Bureau for Exceptional Children & Adults, has announced the appointment of Maria Burke as Associate Director. JERICHO is well-known for its programs and services, begun by Fr. Robert Wagner and continued by Sr. Joan Magnani, emphasizing inclusion for all people with disabilities in Western Mass. over the past 44 years. “I am delighted that Maria has been named associate director,” said Magnani. “Working with her allows us to move forward with new strategic-planning efforts focused on how we can best serve the families and individuals living with disabilities, as well as the professional agencies and staff who care for these people in Western Mass.” Burke brings expertise in many areas of nonprofit management and a substantial fund-raising history in the region, as well as a strong personal focus on the needs and challenges facing many families and individuals living with disabilities. “I look forward to continuing this important work,” she said, “as well as expanding our reach with new partnerships, training, and networking opportunities to serve the many families who face difficulties and challenges. It will be wonderful to include new people and provide services that make life at least a bit easier for all families and providers serving the disabled.”
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The Professional Women’s Chamber, a division of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield, recently honored Carol Campbell, president of Chicopee Industrial Contractors, as its 2014 Woman of the Year. The annual Woman of the Year Banquet was held at the Castle of Knights in Chicopee. The award is presented to a woman in the Greater Springfield area who exemplifies outstanding leadership, professional accomplishment, and service to the community. The Professional Women’s Chamber promotes the status of women professionals, working to empower career-oriented women through participation in leadership, education, and networking opportunities, and striving to strengthen the positive impact of women in the business community and on the economy.
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Michael Gove

Michael Gove

Attorney Michael Gove, of Gove Law Office LLC in Northampton, recently announced that he has purchased a law practice in Ludlow and will open a second office in that community, his hometown. Gove’s 10-year-old practice concentrates on business and corporate law, real-estate transactions, and estate planning. On Sept. 2, Gove assumed ownership of Thompson & Bell of Ludlow, the business formerly operated by the late James “Jason” Thompson and his associate, Gregory Bell. Bell and Gove will work together to cover the Ludlow and Northampton offices; in addition, the Ludlow office will also handle bankruptcy and personal-injury law. Gove earned his law degree from Boston College School of Law in 2004, after graduating cum laude from UMass Amherst in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He is a member of the Massachusetts Bar Assoc., the Hampden County Bar Assoc., the Hampshire County Bar Assoc., the Connecticut Bar Assoc., the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield, and the Northampton Assoc. of Young Professionals. Gove has also served on many area nonprofit boards and presently serves as a corporator of the Horace Smith Fund, which grants scholarships for Hampden County residents pursuing a college or graduate education. He also volunteers for Cooley Dickinson Hospital and serves on the board of Best Buddies of Western Massachusetts. In 2012 and 2013, Gove was selected as a Massachusetts Rising Star by Super Lawyers, a designation earned by no more than 2.5% of lawyers in Massachusetts. Bell is a 1983 graduate of Western New England College School of Law. He concentrates in residential and commercial real estate, consumer bankruptcy, probate administration, and personal-injury law.
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Dr. Thomas Cleary Sr. was recently recognized as a William McKenna Volunteer Hero by the Mass. Dental Society (MDS), a statewide organization serving nearly 5,000 member dentists. He was acknowledged by his peers for substantial contributions to organized dentistry at both the state and local district levels. Cleary is currently a member of the MDS Council on Dental Care and Benefits, and has served as a volunteer coordinator for the Yankee Dental Congress, New England’s largest dental meeting. Within the Valley District Dental Society, he has been chair of Dental Connections, an educational program for dental auxiliaries; co-chair of the education committee; and a member of the executive committee. He is also past president of the Hampshire Dental Society. Cleary is a graduate of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (TUSDM). In addition to maintaining a dental practice in Easthampton, he is an assistant professor of operative and prosthetic dentistry at TUSDM. Several years ago, he was a member of a group of TUSDM faculty who went on a fact-finding trip to Cuba, and this summer he took part in a service mission to the Dominican Republic organized by students. He established his general dentistry practice in Easthampton in 1974. His son, Dr. Thomas M. Cleary Jr., joined him in 2008. The Volunteer Hero award is given in memory of the late Dr. William McKenna, who was a driving force behind the development of the Yankee Dental Congress and considered by many to have been a model of volunteerism within the MDS.
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Craig Johnsen

Craig Johnsen

Loomis Communities announced the appointment of Craig Johnsen as Administrator at Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing. In this role, Johnsen is responsible for administering and overseeing the day-to-day operation of the retirement community in Springfield, as well as serving as a member of the Loomis Communities Senior Leadership Team. Johnsen is a licensed nursing-home administrator with more than 30 years working with older adults. Prior to joining Loomis Communities, he served as executive director of Eastview at Middlebury in Middlebury, Vt. He holds a bachelor’s degree in long-term-care administration and has completed a graduate fellowship in strategic and financial planning with Leading Age and Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management at Harvard University. Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing offers independent-living cottages and apartments, assisted living, skilled nursing care, medical offices, and primary-care physician services, all under one roof.
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Leadership Pioneer Valley (LPV) announced that Dawn Leaks has joined the LPV team in the newly created position of Program Manager. In this role, Leaks will be responsible for managing LPV’s signature 10-month regional leadership development program and helping recruit future participants. Leaks is a certified coach and speaker and adjunct professor of Business at Bay Path University. She joins Leadership Pioneer Valley after nearly five years in communications and development at the American Red Cross Pioneer Valley Chapter. As director of communications, she was responsible for public affairs, media relations, social media, and marketing communications. In previous roles, she worked as recruiter for a mid-size public school system and an account executive for MassLive.com. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and has served on several boards of local organizations, including Next Level Development for Women of Color and Dress for Success of Western Mass. She is an active board member at the New England Public Radio Foundation Inc.
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Christopher Marini

Christopher Marini

Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. announced the appointment of Christopher Marini to the board of trustees for the Springfield Symphony Orchestra. In addition to serving on the board, Marini will also be serving on the audience development and education committee. Marini has been an audit associate with the firm for just over one year, specializing in nonprofits and HUD, reviews and compilations, and income-tax returns for individuals, nonprofits, corporations, and partnerships. Before coming to MBK, he worked for two years at a local public accounting firm. Marini earned a BBA from the UMass Amherst Isenberg School of Management and Commonwealth Honors College. He is currently pursuing his MSA at UConn. He is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Honor Society and the Massachusetts Society of CPAs.
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The Springfield Falcons announced that Andy Zilch will join the organization as the team’s play-by-play broadcaster and Manager of Broadcasting. Zilch comes to the Falcons after spending two seasons with the Greenville Road Warriors of the East Coast Hockey League. While being the voice of the team, he also oversaw media relations and served as an account executive. The St. Louis native generated several corporate partnerships and was strongly involved in the community. The majority of his donated time was spent assisting the local children’s hockey program. Prior to his time with the Road Warriors, Zilch served two years in the National Hockey League as a broadcast intern with the St. Louis Blues. He also spent time with the National Football League’s St. Louis Rams on the team’s radio network. A 2009 graduate of Lindenwood University in Missouri, Zilch entered broadcasting as the play-by-play broadcaster for the men’s hockey team on KCLC, the student radio station. He has a bachelor’s degree in mass communications with an emphasis on radio and television.
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Main Street Hospitality Group (MSHG) announced that Adam Brassard has been appointed to the position of Executive Chef of the Williams Inn. His responsibilities include all kitchen operations and menu development. Brassard’s appointment marks his return to the Williams Inn. In 2007, he began his professional culinary career as the Williams Inn sous chef. From there, he joined the Red Lion Inn as sous chef under the leadership of Red Lion Inn Executive Chef and MSHG Vice President of Food and Beverage Operations Brian Alberg. Brassard began his career as an intern in the McCann Technical High School Culinary Arts department and went on to graduate from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., in 2007. Brassard has participated in numerous farm-to-table events and food and wine festivals throughout the Berkshires, Boston, and New York. Brassard also works with the Railroad Street Youth Project, demonstrating culinary techniques to young adults; is on the advisory board of the Culinary Arts department at McCann Technical High School; and takes part in judging projects for Skills USA, a competition among technical high schools. Brassard has cooked at the renowned James Beard House in New York City, working alongside Alberg.

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Ralph Abbott Jr

Ralph Abbott Jr

John Glenn

John Glenn

Timothy Murphy

Timothy Murphy

Jay Presser

Jay Presser

Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C., an employment-law firm serving the Greater Springfield area, announced that four of the firm’s partners — Ralph Abbott Jr., John Glenn, Timothy Murphy, and Jay Presser — were listed in 2015 edition of Best Lawyers in America. In addition, Murphy was named the Best Lawyers 2015 litigation, labor and employment Lawyer of the Year in Springfield. Those honored as Lawyer of the Year have received particularly high ratings in surveys by earning a superior level of respect among their peers for their abilities, professionalism, and integrity. Best Lawyers is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey. More than 52,000 leading attorneys cast more than 5.5 million votes on the legal abilities of other lawyers in their practice areas. Lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed; therefore, inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor.
• Abbott has been listed in Best Lawyers in the categories of arbitration; employment law, management; labor law, management; and mediation. He has been a partner at the firm since 1975 and is known throughout the legal community for his work representing management in labor relations and employment-related matters, providing employment-related advice to employers, assisting clients in remaining union-free, and representing employers before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Abbott also has numerous credits as an author, editor, and teacher and a record of civic and community involvement. He has been selected by his peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers every year since 1989.
• Glenn has been listed in Best Lawyers in the categories of arbitration; employment law, management; and labor law, management. He has been a partner of the firm since 1979 and has spent his career representing management in labor relations and employment-related matters. In addition to providing employment-related advice to employers, he assists clients in remaining union-free and represents employers before the NLRB. He has extensive experience negotiating collective-bargaining agreements and representing employers at arbitration hearings and before state and federal agencies. Prior to joining Skoler, Abbott & Presser, Glenn was employed by the NLRB in Cincinnati. He has served as an adjunct professor of Labor Law at Western New England University School of Law and is a member of the American Academy of Hospital Attorneys. He has been selected by his peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers every year since 1995.
• Murphy has been listed in Best Lawyers in the categories of employment law, management; labor law, management; and litigation, labor and employment. He joined Skoler Abbott after serving as general counsel to an area labor union and as an assistant district attorney for the Hampden County District Attorney’s Office. His practice includes labor relations and employment litigation, as well as employment counseling. A native of the Springfield area, Murphy is a graduate of the Western New England University School of Law. He has also taught courses in employment law at WNEU. He is a frequent contributor to business and human-resource publications and a contributing author to the Massachusetts Employment Law Letter. He has been selected by his peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers every year since 2013.
• Presser has been listed in Best Lawyers in the categories of employment law, management; labor law, management; and litigation, labor and employment. He has more than 35 years of experience litigating employment cases and has successfully defended employers in civil actions and jury trials and handled cases in all areas of employment law, including discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful discharge, wage hour, FMLA, ERISA, and defamation. He has won appeals before the Supreme Judicial Court and the First and Second Circuit Courts of Appeals, and represented employers in hundreds of arbitration cases arising under collective-bargaining agreements. He has been selected by his peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers every year since 1991.
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Robert Belitz

Robert Belitz

Tighe & Bond, a civil and environmental engineering consultant, has appointed Robert Belitz its Chief Financial Officer. In this role, he will direct Tighe & Bond’s financial operations and priorities, as well as contribute to growth strategies consistent with the firm’s continued expansion in the marketplace. Belitz, who will provide financial management from the firm’s Westfield office, is a certified public accountant and executive with more than 25 years of corporate finance and accounting experience in professional services. He previously has served as the chief financial officer, corporate controller, and vice president of Finance for firms such as Malcolm Pirnie, Arcadis U.S., and the Hunter Roberts Construction Group. He also provided senior management for the public accounting firms of Ernst and Young LLP and KPMG LLP in New York. His prior responsibilities have included oversight and management of all financial functions, as well as developing and implementing financial plans and processes to achieve strategic and operational objectives. “Bob’s wealth of experience in our industry, and his proven ability to successfully direct financial operations, is instrumental to Tighe & Bond’s accelerating growth,” said David Pinsky, president and CEO of Tighe & Bond. “We’re thrilled that he has joined us as Tighe & Bond’s first chief financial officer.” Belitz, who earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Muhlenberg College, is a member of the New York State Society of CPAs and the Construction Financial Management Assoc. He also has participated in various finance forums with the Environmental Financial Consulting Group, Ernst and Young, the American Council of Engineering Companies, and the Design Finance Officers Group. Founded in 1911, Tighe & Bond is one of the most experienced engineering firms in New England, with offices in Pocasset, Westfield, and Worcester, Mass.; Middletown and Shelton, Conn.; and Portsmouth, N.H. With a team of more than 250 employees, Tighe & Bond provides engineering and environmental services for clients in government, industry, healthcare, education, real-estate, energy, and water/wastewater markets.
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Radius Financial Group Inc., a leading private mortgage lender in New England, has announced the addition of Kate Crogan as a Loan Officer in its West Springfield branch. Crogan brings three years of experience in mortgage lending. Most recently, she was a customer-service representative before being promoted to financial-services representative at TD Bank in Chicopee, where she was responsible for first and second mortgages, insurance, and annuities. She is currently studying business at Western New England University.
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Keith Minoff

Keith Minoff

Keith Minoff was recently selected by his peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America 2015 in the fields of commercial litigation and corporate law. Best Lawyers is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey. More than 52,000 leading attorneys cast more than 5.5 million votes on the legal abilities of other lawyers in their practice areas. Minoff specializes in business litigation and employment law. His law office is located in downtown Springfield.
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Paul Fortin

Paul Fortin

Northeast IT Systems Inc. announced the addition of Paul Fortin to its team. Fortin will be joining Joel Mollison and Brian Sullivan as a Desktop Support Specialist. In that role, Fortin is able to implement cloud-based backup systems, reduce downtime of equipment, and increase speed of repairs for clients. With this new addition, Northeast IT Systems will be able to continue its pattern of steady growth and provide solutions to a broad range of clients.
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Brattleboro Retreat President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Robert Simpson Jr., has been named by Behavioral Healthcare magazine as a 2014 Behavioral Healthcare Champion along with four other leaders in the field of mental health from across the nation. The 2014 champions were selected from outstanding nominees across the country who, according to the magazine, are making a difference in the development, delivery, and effectiveness of mental healthcare services. “True leaders create lasting impact, and our 2014 Behavioral Healthcare Champions all have an eye on the future,” said Julie Miller, editor in chief of Behavioral Healthcare magazine. “Their drive to find new and more effective ways to serve their clients is reflected not just in their own organizations’ success, but also in the progress they’ve witnessed in their communities.” The 2014 Behavioral Healthcare Champions are profiled in the July/August 2014 issue of Behavioral Healthcare magazine and were recognized at a special ceremony during the National Conference on Addiction Disorders (NCAD) and the co-located Behavioral Healthcare Leadership Summit, which was held in St. Louis on Aug. 22-26.  Simpson’s many achievements since becoming the Retreat’s CEO in November 2006 are discussed in-depth in the above-mentioned profile. Among those achievements are a complete revamp of the hospital’s admissions process that replaced a multi-channel system of patient access with a streamlined, single-access point that makes access to the Retreat’s numerous programs easier and more dignified for patients. Under Simpson’s watch, the retreat has successfully launched four specialty clinical services designed to better meet the psychiatric and addiction treatment needs of distinct populations that are typically underserved. They are the Adult Inpatient Program for people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender; the Emerging Adult Inpatient Program for young adults ages 18 to 26; the Uniformed Service Program, a partial-hospital program designed to meet the unique needs of law enforcement, firefighters, corrections officers, military personnel, and first responders suffering from PTSD and other duty-related issues including addiction to alcohol and other drugs, major depression, and domestic violence; and the Mind Body Pain Management Clinic, a treatment alternative for people experiencing chronic pain that utilizes biofeedback, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), mindfulness, and mindful movement in place of typical treatments such as medication and surgery.
During Simpson’s tenure, the Retreat has experienced tremendous growth, having increased its number of staffed beds from an average of 50 in 2006 to an average of 122 in 2014. During the same time, the Brattleboro Retreat has doubled its number of employees from approximately 400 to more than 800.

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The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts (WFWM) has named Elizabeth Barajas-Román the foundation’s new CEO. Barajas-Román has been a leader in progressive movements, including advocating at the national level for the health and rights of immigrant women and their families. Most recently, she was a manager at the Pew Charitable Trusts, where she directed a portfolio of partners that campaigned for state and federal policy change to improve government performance on issues that impact children’s health. Barajas-Román brings a background in impactful philanthropy, data-driven strategy design, fund-raising through philanthropic partnerships, and creating coalitions and mobilizing partners. “We are very excited to have Elizabeth as the new head of the Women’s Fund,” said Michelle Theroux, chair of the WFWM board of directors. “Her experience, nationally as well as locally, provides a unique perspective for the fund as we continue to grow and bring attention to the issues surrounding women, girls, and our community.” Previously, as the director of policy at the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health (NLIRH), Barajas-Román directed the organization’s Washington, D.C.-based office, where she was instrumental in expanding the visibility of NLIRH on the national stage. Barajas-Román was frequently invited to be a voice in national policy discussions in the media, at the White House, on Capitol Hill, and in target states. In addition, Barajas-Román’s leadership has been recognized by several national fellowships, including the Center for Progressive Leadership Executive Fellowship, the Rockwood Leadership Institute, and an appointment to the American Public Health Assoc. Committee on Women’s Rights. “I’m thrilled to be leading this dynamic public foundation at such an important time,” said Barajas-Román. “Women are at the center of every issue impacting families today: healthcare, equal pay and economic security, safety and freedom from violence. A Women’s Fund is able to highlight these issues, aggregate resources, and collaborate with existing community organizations to develop impactful, sustainable solutions.” Barajas-Román’s background also includes positions as a journalist, researcher, and director of policy and operations at a primary-care clinic for uninsured youth in Boston. She is a certified project-management professional, is a graduate of Oberlin College, and received her master’s degree in international policy from Harvard University.

The American Red Cross of Massachusetts announced the selection of Kim Goulette as the new Executive Director of the Pioneer Valley Chapter. With more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit administration, she succeeds Rick Lee, who retired on Aug. 6 after 30 years of service to the Red Cross. Goulette began her new role on Aug. 4. “I am thrilled to welcome Kim to the American Red Cross of Massachusetts,” said Ralph Boyd, Red Cross of Massachusetts CEO. “Kim is a successful administrator with a strong skill set in growth management, and I am confident that her steady leadership and excitement for the work of the Red Cross will effect a seamless transition and guarantee the continued success of the Pioneer Valley Chapter in delivering essential services to the community.” In her new position, Goulette will provide leadership to the local volunteers and paid employees who serve the residents of the Pioneer Valley with life-saving programs and services. “I’m honored to be selected for this key role with an amazing organization,” she said. “I look forward to working with the dedicated volunteers, employees, board members, community partners, and donors to strengthen our communities and help people in need.” Goulette most recently served as executive director of Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen and Pantry Inc. in Chicopee, where she managed day-to-day operations and worked with board members and committees to raise funds to support the work of the organization. Previously, she served as director of Employment and Community Based Day Services at Aditus in East Longmeadow, as well as regional director of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts. Goulette earned her bachelor’s degree from Franklin Pierce College in New Hampshire and serves as a Chicopee Rotarian, a member of the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce, and a board member and services committee chair at the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.

Jeffrey LaValley was recently appointed Community Outreach Manager at Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity. LaValley’s primary responsibility is the development and execution of strategies to increase awareness and financial support of the affiliate’s mission. LaValley will play a pivotal role in implanting the organization’s capacity-building efforts, specifically the 30 in 3 campaign, the affiliate’s vision to serve 30 families in three years. He also will oversee Habitat’s annual resource-development plan, including outreach efforts to foster a positive identity for the affiliate in the community. Most recently, LaValley served as executive director and director of sales and marketing for Shaker Farm Farms Country Club in Westfield. Previously, he served as associate director of donor relations for Shriners Hospital for Children in Springfield. Prior to that, he was the community-development coordinator at Noble Hospital in Westfield and director of alumni and parent relations at Keene State College in New Hampshire. LaValley received a bachelor’s degree in journalism/public affairs and a master of education in curriculum and instruction from Keene State College. He also earned a certificate in fund-raising from UMass Amherst.

Fallon Health, a nationally recognized healthcare-services organization, announced the appointment of B. John “Jack” Dill to its board of directors. Dill is President and CEO of Colebrook Realty Services Inc., a privately owned, full-service commercial real-estate firm headquartered in Springfield. Dill oversees commercial real-estate development, management, finance, brokerage, and consulting. Prior to this role, Dill was executive vice president of SIS Bancorp and SIS Bank (now TD Bank). Dill holds a Counselors of Real Estate designation and is a fellow of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. He is a founding director of the Massachusetts Housing Investment Corp. (MHIC), a nonprofit equity investor/financer of affordable housing, among other services. To date, MHIC has placed in excess of $1 billion in qualified developments. Dill is currently chairman of the Board of Springfield School Volunteers Inc., a member of Springfield Business Leaders for Education, and director of the Springfield Education Fund. Additionally, he is the current campaign chair of WFCR New England Public Radio’s 50th Anniversary Capital Campaign. Dill has held leadership roles on the boards of many organizations, including Baystate Health System and Baystate Medical Center, Mercy Medical Center, Counselors of Real Estate, Western Mass. Life Care Corp., WGBY public television, and American International College. An alumnus of Williams College, Dill pursued a P.M.D. at Harvard Business School and attended the School of Mortgage Banking at Northwestern University.

New England Promotional Marketing announced that former abc40 anchor Maggie Pereiras has joined its team. She will be contributing to the NEPM sales force and creating a cohesive social-media platform for the company while highlighting the success of its clients. Pereiras acquired her bachelor’s degree in communications with honors from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. after graduating from Minnechaug Regional High School. She began her professional career as an editor for Avon Products Inc. and then Victoria’s Secret, both in New York City. Upon returning to Western Mass., she began working as an account executive for WGGB Channel 40/Fox 6. Shortly thereafter, she transitioned from advertising sales and became the host, executive producer, and editor for abc40’s local lifestyle program, SimplyLiving. The program allowed her to sharpen her creativity and build lasting relationships with many businesses throughout the area. Once SimplyLiving had run its course, she transitioned again to become a reporter and anchor for abc40’s news team. Pereiras has a strong background in creative marketing and social media.

Brian Kane, a professor and researcher at UMass Amherst, is this year’s co-recipient of the International Society of Arboriculture’s (ISA’s) prestigious Alex L. Shigo Award for Excellence in Arboricultural Education. The award honors ISA members for enhancing the quality and professionalism of arboriculture through education. Kane is the Mass. Arborists Assoc. professor of Commercial Arboriculture at UMass Amherst. He is an ISA-certified arborist who started climbing trees professionally 25 years ago. Kane invites his students to participate in his tree research, supports them in their tree-climbing competitions, and guides them to be skilled future workers and business owners in arboriculture. ISA honored Kane at a ceremony on Aug. 3 in Milwaukee as part of the 90th annual ISA International Conference and Trade Show.

Lathrop Communities recently announced the appointment of Mauria Sirum, RN, as the new director of Wellness and Home Care. Sirum is a graduate of Vermont Technical College and Excelsior College in Albany, N.Y., and has a broad range of healthcare experience, including supervision and leadership. Early in her career, Sirum served as a CNA at Berkshire Health Systems and worked as a staff nurse and nursing supervisor for the Sisters of Providence Health System. Just prior to joining the Lathrop team, she was director of nurses at Wingate Healthcare, where she oversaw the nursing department and memory-care neighborhood. She is devoted to transparency, communication, a person-centered wellness philosophy, preventive health education, and initiatives for residents and those who care for them, as well as staff development and team building. In her spare time, Sirum serves on the board of directors for Arena Civic Theater and works as a costumer for plays in her community. Lathrop is a not-for-profit affiliate of the Kendal Corp., and manages independent-living communities in Northampton and Easthampton, serving older adults in the Quaker tradition.

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Freedom Credit Union announced the promotion of three officers within the credit union and the appointment of a new Mortgage Loan Originator.

Karen Chauvin Katsanos

Karen Chauvin Katsanos

• Karen Chauvin Katsanos has been promoted to Vice President of Human Resources at FCU. She will continue to manage the human resource and training activities for the credit union, which employs a staff of 130. Katsanos joined the credit union in 2012 and has 20 years of HR experience in several industries, including healthcare and manufacturing. She has held a number of senior-management positions throughout her career. Katsanos earned her bachelor’s degree from the UMass Amherst and has earned two master’s degrees — one in psychology from Westfield State College and the other in business administration from Western New England College. She holds an SPHR designation that she earned from the Human Resource Certification Institute. She is a board member for the Human Resource Management Assoc. of Western New England and the Ronald McDonald House of Springfield.
Cheryl Podgorski

Cheryl Podgorski

• Cheryl Podgorski has been promoted to Vice President of Operations. She joined the credit union in 2012 and has more than 26 years of operations experience in both the banking and credit-union industries, holding several senior-management positions throughout her career. In addition to her responsibilities in the credit union’s Operations Department, Podgorski has been managing Freedom’s Loan Servicing Department for the past year. She earned her master’s degree in business administration from Western New England College and holds a Six Sigma Green Belt certification. She is a past certified treasury professional through the Assoc. for Financial Professionals.



Lisa Astley

Lisa Astley

• Lisa Astley has been promoted to Branch Officer of Freedom’s Ludlow Branch. In her new position, she oversees the financial and lending operations of the branch, develops new business opportunities with individuals and businesses, and promotes financial literacy at area schools. Astley has been employed at Freedom for five years and has 12 years of experience in the banking and financial-services industries. Prior to joining Freedom, she was customer-service supervisor at Randall’s Farm in Ludlow for 15 years. Astley is currently working toward a financial services degree with the Center For Financial Training.



Antonio Sanches

Antonio Sanches

• Antonio Sanches has joined Freedom as a Mortgage Loan Originator and is responsible for real-estate origination throughout Hampden and Hampshire counties. As he helps expand Freedom’s mortgage services to its members in Hampden and Hampshire counties, he will offer his expertise in conventional, FHA, MassHousing, Massachusetts Housing Partnership’s One Mortgage, and USDA loans. He has 10 years of experience in the finance industry, including expertise in residential mortgage origination, first-time home-buyer assistance, and secondary market sales. Most recently, he was assistant vice president at Florence Savings Bank. Currently, Sanches is president of the Rotary Club of Ludlow and a corporator at the Randall Ludlow Boys and Girls Club. In June, he was named “Affiliate of the Year” by the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley.  Sanches is working at the Freedom branch on Center Street in Ludlow.
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Maria Koutroubila

Maria Koutroubila

FieldEddy Insurance announced that Maria Koutroubila has joined the firm as a personal-lines account manager. She brings more than 10 years of insurance-related experience to the position, and is a member of the National Alliance, holding the CISR designation and working toward CISR Elite designation. Koutroubila will be responsible for educating and ensuring that clients have the proper insurance coverage. As part of the personal-lines team, she will work to implement daily operations and ensure that that standard working procedures, key performance indicators, and other account metrics are achieved on a regular basis.
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Berkshire Bank announced that Thaddeus Welch III has been hired as Portfolio Research Analyst and Trader, joining its Wealth Management team. In this position, Welch will be responsible for managing all trading activities and performing fundamental, economic, and sector research to assist in generating overall investment strategies. In addition, Welch will work with clients to customize their portfolios for appropriate risk-reward allocations and to achieve their long-term goals. His areas of specialization are trading,
equity research, and portfolio management. Welch will be working out of Berkshire Wealth Management’s office at 25 Main St. in Lenox. Previously, Welch worked for Spinnaker Trust in Portland, Maine, where he was a member of the investment committee. He received his bachelor’s degree in Economics from Bowdoin College and is a CFA level II candidate.
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The Massachusetts Nonprofit Network (MNN), the statewide organization that unites and strengthens the nonprofit sector through advocacy, public awareness, and capacity building, announced that it has appointed James Ayres, CEO and Executive Director of United Way of Hampshire County, to its board of directors. “We are honored to welcome Jim Ayres, whose passion and considerable experience at the community and state level will help strengthen our state’s vast nonprofit sector,” said Rick Jakious, CEO of the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network. “MNN’s board of directors reflects the rich geographical and organizational diversity of the state’s nonprofit sector and is the voice of a strong, united nonprofit sector in Massachusetts.” Said Ayres, “the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network is an invaluable organization for promoting public policy, support, and public understanding of the not-for-profit sector. A vibrant and well-equipped nonprofit sector, in turn, profoundly impacts quality of life thoughout theCommonwealth. I’m excited to join the MNN board and to work with other statewide leaders to shape the direction of the organization.” Prior to his role at United Way of Hampshire County, Ayres served for 12 years as executive director of the Northampton-based Center for New Americans, an education and resource center for immigrants, refugees, and other limited-English speakers in Western Mass. In these roles, he has worked extensively with local and state governments, community coalitions, workforce boards, and NGOs to develop policy and programming. Ayres holds master’s degrees from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst.

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Royal LLP, a management-side only labor and employment law firm, announced the following:

Channez Rogers, Esq.

Channez Rogers, Esq.

• Channez Rogers, Esq. has joined the firm as an Associate Attorney. Prior to joining Royal LLP, Rogers worked in the general counsel’s Office at Western New England University, handling employment matters. In her role at Royal, Rogers represents companies in myriad employment-law cases in state and federal court and before administrative agencies. She also counsels companies on the multitude of state and federal employment laws impacting them, including employment discrimination and harassment, wage and hour, disability and leave, workplace safety, OSHA, affirmative action, and contract negotiations. Her other preventive work includes drafting employee manuals; preparing non-disclosure, non-solicitation, and non-compete agreements; and conducting management training. Rogers is a summa cum laude graduate of Western New England University and a cum laude graduate of Western New England University School of Law.
Crystal Boateng

Crystal Boateng

• Crystal Boateng has joined the firm as a Law Clerk. Boateng is a cum laude graduate of Mount Holyoke College with a bachelor’s degree in French and political science. She is in her final year of studies in a four-year program for obtaining her juris doctor at the University of Connecticut School of Law and her MBA at the University of Connecticut School of Business.






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Drew McNary

Drew McNary

Meredith-Springfield Associates Inc., a plastics manufacturer specializing in extrusion blow molding and injection stretch blow molding, announced the addition of Drew McNary as Director of Engineering at the Ludlow-based manufacturing facility. McNary has more than 30 years of broad-based industry experience driving the development of highly successful, market-leading consumer products, packaging, and medical devices. In his new role at Meredith-Springfield, he will oversee all technical functions and staff.
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The Berkshire Museum announced the addition of Britney Schline to the staff as Collections Manager. Berkshire Museum, a Smithsonian affiliate, holds encyclopedic collections comprised of more than 30,000 objects, including art, artifacts, decorative arts, ethnography, natural specimens, and living collections. In her new role, Schline will oversee the museum’s permanent collections as well as work closely with the exhibition team led by Maria Mingalone, the museum’s director of interpretation. “Britney’s approach to collections management is in line with our institutional goals to bring collections alive for our visitors. She has a fresh perspective on how collections can leverage the 21st-century museum as a place where people have meaningful experiences with one another around objects,” said Mingalone. “Schline also brings a passion to finding innovative means to connect our visitors to our collections and to one another, whether it is in the galleries, through special programming, on our website, or through social media.” Schline is a recent graduate of the Cooperstown Graduate Program and holds a master’s degree in museum studies. Before completing her graduate degree, she held the position of decorative arts collections assistant at the Berkshire Museum, assisting the museum in cataloguing its ceramic and Asian art collection under an IMLS grant. Most recently, she served in the collections department at the Fenimore Art Museum and the New York State Historical Assoc. Last summer, Schline was an Edward I. Koch fellow at the Historic House Trust of New York City, where she coordinated the Roof Raisers Curatorial Brigade volunteer program. She has also previously interned at Wadsworth Atheneum and the Schoharie County Historical Society.
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David Pickart

David Pickart

David Pickart, Senior Environmental Scientist at Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, has relocated to the firm’s Springfield office. In his role, he will continue to manage projects that address the identification and assessment of natural resources. Pickart will oversee the preparation and processing of permit applications to local, state, and federal environmental regulatory agencies. Additional responsibilities include growing and leading a team of environmental scientists to service existing and new clients located in Western Mass. and Central Conn. Pickart has 28 years of experience working on complex projects throughout the Northeast.
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Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) announced that Gov. Deval Patrick recently appointed Lisa Chamberlain, Managing Partner of the Chamberlain Group, based in Great Barrington, as the newest member of the MCLA board of trustees. She succeeds outgoing trustee Steve Crowe, who recently completed his term of service. Founded in 1999, the Chamberlain Group is a Massachusetts-based studio that designs and builds mimetic organs for surgical and interventional training. It is a collective of sculptors, designers, fabricators, engineers, and model makers who work collaboratively with medical-device manufacturers, leading surgeons, and teaching hospitals worldwide. A graduate of Princeton University with graduate work at Yale, Chamberlain later joined the Academy Award-winning, New York City-based design and effects studio R/GA, where she met and collaborated with Eric Chamberlain. Together, they were instrumental in building R/GA’s reputation for work in feature films, graphic design, computer graphics, and digital video. Their combined film credits include effects, opening titles, and feature campaigns for Superman, The World According to Garp, Zelig, Predator, Predator II, The Big Chill, Tootsie, Gandhi, Body Double, Ghostbusters, Judge Dredd, Eraser, and The Matrix.
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New England Environmental Inc. (NEE) announced that Michèle Grenier has joined its Amherst office as a Senior Scientist. Grenier is a professional wetland scientist, certified wetland scientist, and associate wildlife biologist, and is also OSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER certified. She has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology from Cornell University. Grenier has more than 20 years of experience in environmental consulting. Her experience includes state and federal wetland and riverfront delineation, wildlife-habitat evaluations, functions and values assessment, vernal-pool identification, and municipal, state, and federal permitting. She currently serves on the Conservation Commission in the town of Dracut. With offices in Amherst and Middlefield, Conn., NEE is a full-service environmental-consulting firm.
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Karen Curran, Financial Consultant at Thomson Financial Management, has received her CFP (certified financial planner) designation. The CFP mark distinguishes those individuals who have met the rigorous experience and ethical requirements of the CFP board, successfully completed financial-planning coursework, and passed the extensive CFP certification examination. Curran has worked at Thomson Financial since 2008 and is a registered representative, with securities and financial planning offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, member FINRA/SIPC.
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William Crawford IV, CEO of United Bank and United Financial Bancorp Inc., announced that David Reynolds Jr. recently joined United Northeast Financial Advisors, a division of United Bank, as Assistant Vice President. United Northeast Financial Advisors, located at United Bank and Rockville Bank, provides customized investment solutions to customers. As United’s newest financial advisor, Reynolds will be responsible for covering the bank’s branches in Suffield, Agawam, Feeding Hills, and Windsor Locks. He is based at Rockville Bank’s Suffield branch located at 275 Mountain Road. Reynolds comes to United Bank with more than 20 years of experience in investment and securities-related organizations, including expertise in investment-product and brokerage-industry knowledge and defined contribution, pension, and investment-product sales experience. Most recently, he was regional sales director for American United Life Insurance Co. in Glastonbury from 2007 to 2014, where he was responsible for half of the company’s New England territory, earning recognition for top-10 sales performance. From 2000 to 2007, Reynolds was regional vice president for Wachovia Bank/Evergreen Investments in Hartford, and was vice president and principal of USI Consulting Group in Glastonbury, an employee-benefit consulting firm, for 11 years. His extensive career in financial services also includes his role as vice president of Finance and treasurer for North American Holding Corp., a diversified financial-services firm.
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Kandace Kukas

Kandace Kukas

Kandace Kukas has joined Western New England University School of Law as the Assistant Dean and Director of Bar Admissions Programs. Kukas will design, administer, and oversee the law school’s bar-examination preparation efforts and activities, including teaching classes, counseling bar applicants, and working with students on an individual and group basis. The position was created to assist Western New England School of Law students with the increasingly complex process of applying to and preparing for the bar examination. Working closely with faculty, staff, and commercial bar-preparation companies, Kukas will be responsible for implementing a comprehensive bar-passage program commencing in a student’s first year of law school and continuing throughout the law-school program.
Kukas has worked in test preparation for the Kaplan and Pre-Multistate Bar Review organizations for 18 years, specifically focusing on bar review for nearly 10 years. She has created curricula for bar-preparation courses, taught bar-review programs at several law schools, and tutored and lectured in commercial bar classes. She practiced law for five years before moving into academic-support roles. Kukas received her juris doctor with honors from Suffolk University School of Law, and a bachelor’s degree in social work, also with honors, from Salem State University.
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Janet Casey

Janet Casey

At its annual meeting in June, the Professional Women’s Chamber (PWC), an affiliate of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield, elected Janet Casey President of its board of directors, serving a two-year term. Casey is the Principal at Marketing Doctor in West Springfield, a marketing and advertising agency. Before establishing Marketing Doctor, she was a senior sales account executive for LIN Media and advertising account executive for Guy Gannett Broadcasting. She is a Massachusetts delegate to Vision 2020, a national coalition united in the commitment to achieve women’s economic and social equality, and is a corporate committee member for the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts. A graduate of the UMass Isenberg School of Management, Casey has served on the PWC board since 2007, most recently as its vice president.

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Hampden Bancorp Inc. announced the following:

Robert Massey

Robert Massey

• Robert Massey has been named Chief Operations Officer. He has more than 38 years of experience in banking, most recently serving as chief financial officer, a position he had held from 2008. He began his banking career with Amherst Savings Bank in 1976. During his career, Massey has held senior positions of responsibility for financial reporting, investments, retail banking, information technology, bank operations, human resources, and auditing. He joined Hampden Bank in 1991 as its treasurer. He is a 1973 graduate of Holyoke Community College and 1975 graduate of UMass Amherst. He has served on the boards of several community organizations and is currently president of Hampden Savings Charitable Foundation, treasurer of Hampden Bank Charitable Foundation, treasurer of Nonotuck Resource Associates Inc., audit committee chairman for the Western Mass. Council of Boy Scouts of America, and a board member for the American Red Cross Pioneer Valley Chapter. Massey has been past president of the Great Trails Council Boy Scouts of America, finance officer of American Legion Post 271, and a former instructor for the Center for Financial Training; and
Tara Corthell

Tara Corthell

• Tara Corthell has been named Chief Financial Officer. She joined Hampden Bank in 2006 as vice president, finance manager. In 2013, she was promoted to senior vice president, director of finance, and she oversees the finance and accounting areas, including internal and external financial reporting, managing the accounting department, budgeting, investments, borrowings, and other finance and accounting functions. She earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting as well as a master’s degree in accounting from Western New England University. Prior to joining to the bank, she held accounting and finance positions at the Hartford Insurance Co. in Connecticut and State Street (formerly Investors Bank and Trust) in Boston. She is an active member in several professional organizations and a student mentor at Brookings Elementary School in Springfield.
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North Brookfield Savings Bank (NBSB) announced several promotions in its branches and corporate offices:
Patty Ostrout

Patty Ostrout

Laurie Wisniewski

Laurie Wisniewski

• Vice President Patty Ostrout has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Retail Banking. With more than 25 years in the financial industry, Ostrout started with NBSB in 2012;
• Operations Manager Laurie Wisniewski has been promoted to Vice President of Operations. She started as a teller at NBSB in 1985 before holding positions in accounting and other aspects of the organization. Her promotion to vice president of Operations means she is coming full circle, as she’ll be working closely again with the branches and in the deposit areas of banking;
Tammy Martin

Tammy Martin

Courtney Fitzmaurice

Courtney Fitzmaurice

• Branch Administrator Tammy Martin has been promoted to Assistant Vice President/Branch Administrator. Martin received her bachelor’s degree from Worcester State College (now Worcester State University) and has more than 10 years of experience in the banking industry. She has been at NBSB for nearly two years; and
• Credit Analyst Courtney Fitzmaurice has been promoted to Assistant Vice President/Commercial Portfolio Manager. A graduate of Worcester State University and the Massachusetts Banker’s Commercial Lending School, Fitzmaurice joined the bank in 2011. As commercial portfolio manager, she will work directly with small businesses through the expanding Business Center at NBSB, which offers a wide range of loan and deposit products for business customers. The Business Center was also recently named a preferred lender for the U.S. Small Business Administration.
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Berkshire Hills Bancorp Inc. announced that William Ryan has been appointed to its board of directors as Chairman. Ryan was formerly chairman of the board and CEO of TD Banknorth. The company also announced that Lawrence Bossidy has retired from Berkshire’s board of directors. Bossidy has served as Berkshire’s lead independent director since 2012, and previously served as chairman since 2002. Ryan is the majority owner of the Maine Red Claws, an NBA Development League basketball team affiliated with the Boston Celtics. He also serves as a trustee of the Libra Foundation and serves on the board of advisors at the University of New England.
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Cheri Mills

Cheri Mills

PeoplesBank announced the appointment of Cheri Mills as Assistant Vice President and Consumer & Business Banking Center manager at the St. James Avenue office in Springfield. She brings more than 27 years of banking experience to her new position. Mills attended Holyoke Community College and Elms College. She serves as the president of the Wilbraham Middle School PTO, registrar and volunteer coordinator for the Falcon Youth Football Assoc., and secretary/treasurer of the Morgan Memorial Scholarship Foundation.
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Baystate Health recently announced three leadership appointments for its regional community hospitals:
• Steven Bradley succeeds Chuck Gijanto as President of Baystate Franklin Medical Center and the Baystate Northern Region. Bradley has served for 14 years as Baystate Health’s vice president for Government and Community Relations and Public Affairs. He led the team that garnered state approval for Baystate Medical Center’s $300 million Hospital of the Future project, and more recently helped facilitate a resolution to a lengthy labor dispute at Baystate Franklin Medical Center. Prior to joining Baystate Health, Bradley served as regional director for what was then known as the Mass. Department of Mental Retardation, where he carried administrative, financial, and regulatory responsibilities and provided leadership to 6,000 direct and contract employees serving thousands of patients and families in the region. Bradley also served as chief of staff to state Sen. Stanley Rosenberg (D-Amherst), and has grown to know Franklin County well in that role and in his subsequent positions. He has served as selectman in the town of Pelham and as board president for the Massachusetts Public Health Assoc., and is past chair of the board of trustees for Springfield Technical Community College and the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield’s legislative affairs committee;
• Dennis Chalke has been named Senior Vice President of Community Hospitals for Baystate Health, an expansion of his current role. Chalke currently serves as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for Baystate Health, and will continue in that role in addition to his new position. In his expanded role, he will oversee the presidents of Baystate’s community hospitals and regions. He has more than 26 years of healthcare experience, having joined Baystate in 1988. Chalke holds an MBA from UMass Amherst and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Ithaca College; and
• Dr. M. Shafeeq Ahmed will continue in his role as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Medical Officer for Baystate Mary Lane Hospital, and will also serve as Acting President of Baystate Mary Lane Hospital. Ahmed’s responsibilities include leadership for inpatient and outpatient practice operations, hospital medical-staff oversight, provider recruitment, quality and patient-satisfaction program oversight, leadership development, strategic planning, and financial stewardship. He was recently named one of “100 Hospital and Health System Chief Medical Officers to Know” by Becker’s Hospital Review. Prior to his arrival at BMLH, Ahmed had served as president of the medical staff, chief of Ob/Gyn, and a member of the board of directors at the Naval Hospital at Cherry Point in North Carolina. Ahmed is also a member of the Baystate Medical Practices board of directors, and he has served as vice president of the BMLH medical staff. He completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Boston University, received his doctorate in medicine from Boston University School of Medicine, and completed his ob/gyn residency training through Tufts University at Baystate Medical Center.
Additional leadership appointments for the Baystate Eastern Region will be made at a later date, with Ahmed continuing to serve in a senior leadership role.
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Danielle Drapeau

Danielle Drapeau

Florence Savings Bank announced that Danielle Drapeau has joined the bank as a Mortgage Production Officer. Drapeau brings more than 20 years of banking experience to her new role with FSB. Most recently, she was an underwriter-officer with United Bank, located in West Springfield. Her experience includes underwriting loans that include FHA, VA, Fannie Mae, and USDA Farmers Home. FSB President and CEO John Heaps Jr. said that “Danielle is a welcome addition to our team here at Florence Savings Bank. Her expertise will provide tremendous value to us and to the customers we serve.”
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David Chase, vice president and commercial lender for Hampden Bank, was recently named a 2014 Community Bank Hero by Banker & Tradesman magazine. This honor is given to business professionals who provide outstanding service to their clients, and who have gone above and beyond for the community. Chase was recently honored at an awards gala held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Boston. A lifetime resident of Western Mass., he is actively involved with several organizations, including the West of the River Chamber of Commerce as a board member. Chase is also a board member of the Gray House, where he volunteers his time to the organization’s efforts to revitalize the community.

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Kristina Drzal Houghton

Kristina Drzal Houghton

At its recent annual meeting, the Springfield Boys & Girls Club board of directors elected Kristina Drzal Houghton as its new Chairman. Houghton has been an active member of the Springfield Boys & Girls Club’s board of directors since 2003, serving on the club’s finance, Festival of Trees, and resource-development committees. Houghton is a partner and director of taxation services for the Holyoke-based public accounting firm Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. She has extensive experience in tax-exempt organizations and unrelated business-income tax issues, as well as tax compliance and planning for closely held businesses. Her clients include those in the service, retail, transportation, medical, construction, manufacturing, education, insurance, and not-for-profit industries. Houghton received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from American International College and her master’s in taxation from Bentley College, and she has more than 30 years of experience in the area of taxation. She was a former tax manager with Coopers & Lybrand. Her professional affiliations include the AICPA and the MSCPA. She is the immediate past president of the board of the Springfield Symphony, served as the former treasurer of Spirit of Springfield, and was a troop leader for more than 12 years for the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Mass. Houghton is licensed as a certified public accountant in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
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The Columbus Blue Jackets have named Jared Bednar Head Coach of the Springfield Falcons, the club’s American Hockey League affiliate. Bednar has served as an assistant coach of the Falcons since 2012, helping the club capture consecutive division titles since his arrival. “Jared has been instrumental in the development of several of our prospects in Springfield while serving as an assistant coach, and was a big part of the team’s recent success,” said Blue Jackets Assistant General Manager Chris MacFarland. “He’s very well-respected throughout the hockey community, and we’re confident he will excel in his new role within our organization.” Bednar served as the head coach of the AHL’s Peoria Rivermen from 2010 to 2012, amassing a record of 81-63-12 over the course of two seasons. He joined the Rivermen after serving as an assistant coach with the AHL’s Abbotsford Heat during that club’s inaugural 2009-10 season.
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Susan Seaver

Susan Seaver

Florence Savings Bank, a mutually owned savings bank serving the Pioneer Valley through nine branch locations, announced that Susan Seaver has joined the bank as Vice President and Mortgage Originator, responsible for mortgage originations in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties. Seaver comes to FSB with a strong résumé of service in the banking industry. Most recently, she was vice president and mortgage officer with People’s United Bank. Her experience includes training and supporting a staff of in-house originators, and she has been a multi-year recipient of the top producer award for success in closing residential loans. Her professional activities include serving as a member of the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley, the Professional Women’s Chamber of Western Mass., and the National Mortgage Licensing System and Registry. In the community, she has volunteered with a number of organizations, including the Michael J. Dias Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Western Mass. Eldercare. In announcing the appointment, FSB President and CEO John Heaps Jr., said that “we are very pleased to have Susan join our team here at Florence Savings Bank. She comes to us with extensive banking experience. I am confident our customers will be well-served by her contributions.”
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Loomis Communities announced that Gabrielle Thomes has been appointed Director of Social Services at the nursing center at Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing. In this role, she will plan and implement social services and help individuals and their families find the correct level they need for care and recovery or, when necessary, hospice. Thomes is a licensed social worker who previously worked at Wingate in East Longmeadow.
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Joseph Malmborg

Joseph Malmborg

FSB Financial Group, the investment division of Florence Savings Bank, announced that Joseph Malmborg of Springfield has joined its team as a Financial Services Representative. In this capacity, he will work with individuals and business owners to develop strategic, long-term financial plans to help customers achieve their financial goals and objectives. Malmborg comes to FSB Financial Group with a résumé of 25 years of banking and investment-management experience. Most recently, he was an investment advisor with United Bank, where he managed and developed a $30 million investment portfolio. He is additionally a former investment advisor at Banknorth, registered investment advisor with MassMutual, and business development manager at Fleet Financial. Malmborg began his career as a branch sales manager at SIS Bank. The Westfield State College graduate is a licensed investment advisor representative with Commonwealth Financial Network, holding the Series 7 (General Securities) and Series 65 (Uniform Investment Adviser Law) licenses. He is also licensed to sell both life and health insurance. Malmborg is a past director of the East Longmeadow Chamber of Commerce. His other community activities include teaching Junior Achievement and being involved with Cursillo of Western Mass. “We are pleased to welcome Joe to our investment team. He will work closely with Jean Kelley and Nicole Domnarski to ensure that every FSB Financial Services client receives the highest degree of service and best possible investment advice in the Pioneer Valley,” said John Heaps Jr., president and CEO of Florence Savings Bank. “Joe’s extensive background and strong community involvement will make him an invaluable part of our team.”

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Dena Hall

Dena Hall

Michael Moriarty

Michael Moriarty

United Financial Bancorp Inc. announced that J. Jeffrey Sullivan, president and member of the board of directors, is leaving the company to pursue other professional interests. In addition, it was announced that Dena Hall has been promoted to Western Mass. Regional President for United Bank, and Michael Moriarty will be Executive Vice President, Western Mass. Commercial Banking Executive. “I want to thank Jeff for his commitment to United Bank over the past 12 years and his effort in helping us achieve a successful legal close of our merger,” said William Crawford IV, CEO of United Bank and United Financial Bancorp Inc. “Jeff has enjoyed a long career in banking and demonstrated a strong personal and professional commitment to Springfield and Western Mass. All of us who have had the opportunity to work with Jeff wish him well in his future endeavors.” In addition to her leading role as Western Mass. Regional President for United Bank, Hall will continue to serve as Chief Marketing Officer for the bank and President of the United Bank Foundation. She has nearly 20 years of experience in bank marketing and charitable giving. She came to United Bank in 2005 after serving as Assistant Vice President of Marketing for Woronoco Savings Bank (now Berkshire Bank) and Executive Director of the Woronoco Savings Charitable Foundation in Westfield. Hall worked previously for the Community Foundation of Western Mass. Hall was named one of the Springfield region’s top young business and community leaders by BusinessWest magazine in its inaugural 40 Under Forty compilation in 2007, and was also named the Business Woman of the Year by the Westfield Chamber of Commerce. She is a member of the board of trustees for the Baystate Health Systems Foundation as well as a member of the Westfield Re-Development Authority and the Western Mass. Corporate Funder’s Forum. She is also the chairwoman of the Capital Campaign Scheduling Committee of Greater Springfield. Hall is a graduate of UMass Amherst, the Massachusetts School for Financial Studies, and the National School of Banking and Finance at Fairfield (Conn.) University. Moriarty, who previously held the title of Senior Vice President and Regional Team Leader for United Bank for more than seven years, will take on a key role as Executive Vice President, Western Mass. Commercial Banking Executive. Prior to joining United Bank, Moriarty was Vice President of Commercial Lending for the Bank of Western Massachusetts. He also was Vice Pesident of Commercial Lending for the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency. Earlier in his banking career, Moriarty was a Bank Examiner with the Office of the Commissioner of Banks in Massachusetts. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Merrimack College and an MBA from Western New England University. He is also a graduate of the Stonier National Graduate School of Banking, American Bankers Assoc. Hall’s and Moriarty’s new roles with the company became effective earlier this month.
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Douglas Bowen

Douglas Bowen

Banker & Tradesman has named Douglas Bowen, President and CEO of PeoplesBank, a Community Bank Hero. In awarding that honor, the publication said it goes to individuals who show “an exceptional dedication to service and investment in their community.” Bowen and the others were recognized at a special reception to honor those in the industry who have gone above and beyond to better their organization and their community. Since becoming President and CEO of PeoplesBank in 2007, Bowen and his leadership team have led a culture change at the bank. That shift defined a triple bottom line for the bank: going forward, enhanced financial performance would be linked to community and employee engagement as well as environmental sustainability. The team focused on developing new and higher levels of employee engagement and involvement by creating life-work balance initiatives, a management-development program, employee-led think tanks, and employee-recognition events. PeoplesBank associates have volunteered an average of 6,000 hours each year for charitable causes, and 48 of the bank’s officers serve on the boards and committees of 115 nonprofit organizations. The bank has also donated more than $5 million to local charitable and civic organizations and financed more than $70 million in wind, hydroelectric, and solar energy projects. PeoplesBank, having built three LEED-registered offices, is also a leader in green construction. “I am proud to say that, when I look around at work, I see heroes — PeoplesBank associates doing remarkable things for our customers, the community, and our organization every day,” Bowen said in accepting the award.
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Linda Ellen Jones

Linda Ellen Jones

Linda Ellen Jones, currently the Vice President of Statutory Affairs at Alfred University in New York and a national expert in structural ceramic materials, has been appointed Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Western New England University. Jones will be the university’s chief academic officer and oversee the academic integrity of all colleges, schools, and institutes on campus. The provost is responsible for working with the deans and faculty to develop new programs, and oversees the academic-appointment process.
“I am thrilled to be joining Western New England University as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs,” said Jones. “As we all know, higher education is at a remarkable crossroads. The work in front of us is to help our students answer the questions, who do I want to be, and how do I best prepare for a future rich in possibilities? I look forward to championing a faculty and staff who understand the potential and who are willing to embrace our collective future.” Jones currently heads the New York State College of Ceramics, which is comprised of the School of Art and Design, the Kazuo Inamori School of Engineering, the Scholes Library, and the Schein-Joseph Museum. The College of Ceramics is a unit of the public SUNY system, but administered and housed by the private Alfred University. A materials scientist, Jones is recognized as a national expert in high-temperature corrosion and degradation of structural ceramic materials, and serves as a professor of materials engineering. Prior to her post at Alfred University, Jones served as Director of the Picker Engineering Program at Smith College in Northampton. She received her Ph.D. and master’s degree in fuel science, materials science, and engineering from Pennsylvania State University, and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Mary Washington College. Jones succeeds Dr. Jerry Hirsch, who is retiring after 16 years of service as the Provost of Western New England University.
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Monson Savings Bank (MSB) has announced the promotion of Terry Poloski to Mortgage Originator. Poloski joined the bank in December 2011, has more than 30 years of experience in consumer and mortgage lending, and has worked with every aspect of the lending process, including underwriting. She is not only adept at helping her borrowers obtain the right financing package, but also at assisting them with every detail along the way, said Steve Lowell, MSB president, adding, “we are extremely fortunate to have Terry on our team. She embodies the Monson Savings commitment to customer service and is highly qualified to help people find the right financing package for new homes, construction, and refinancing.” Poloski is a member of the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley.
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Steven Mitus

Steven Mitus

PeoplesBank announced that Steven Mitus, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Balise Motor Sales Co., has been named to the PeoplesBank board of directors. Mitus formerly served as a Corporator for the bank. He is a cum laude graduate of UMass Amherst, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He is also a graduate of Holyoke Community College. Mitus currently serves as a trustee of Baystate Health, where he is vice chair of the Audit Committee and a member of the Compensation Committee; as a trustee of the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, where he chairs the Audit and Finance Committee; and as a director of Health New England, where he is a member of the Compensation and Audit committees. The Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield presented him with the Richard J. Moriarty Citizen of the Year Award for his current and past community service. Mitus is also a past recipient of the Holyoke Community College Distinguished Alumni Award. He is a member of Financial Executives International, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the the Mass. State Society of CPAs.
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Ryan Leap

Ryan Leap

Easthampton Savings Bank announced that Ryan Leap has joined the bank as Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending. Leap brings to the bank more than 14 years of commercial-lending experience, most recently as Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending for Union Bank in Morrisville, Vt. He has worked as Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending for Hoosac Bank, a division of Mountain One Financial Partners, MHC, in North Adams. Prior to that, Leap was a Vice President of Commercial Lending with the Bank of Western Massachusetts in Northampton, which later became People’s United Bank. Leap earned a bachelor’s degree in economics, with a concentration in finance, from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Pa.
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FieldEddy Insurance announced the following:
Gina Clark

Gina Clark

Sara Goodreau

Sara Goodreau

• Gina Clark has been appointed Finance Manager. She will be responsible for training and supporting the finance-team members on all aspects of accounts payable and accounts receivable. Previously, she worked for several years in the finance and human-resources departments at Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C.;
• Sara Goodreau has been appointed Personal Lines Account Manager. She holds her CISR and CIC designations. Her knowledge of various computer operating systems will benefit Goodreau as a staff trainer, and she will assist with operational tasks.
Carla Dawley

Carla Dawley

• Carla Dawley has been appointed  Personal Lines Account Manager. In that role,  she will apply her knowledge in both the insurance and banking industries to provide customer service to her existing and new clients. Dawley has her P&C license and is currently working on obtaining her CISR designation.
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TD Bank has named Denise Fleming Assistant Vice President and Store Manager of the branch located at 693 Memorial Dr. in Chicopee. She is responsible for new-business development, consumer and business lending, managing personnel, and overseeing the day-to-day operations at the store. Fleming has more than eight years of banking experience. Prior to joining TD Bank, she served as a Branch Sales Officer at Rockville Bank in Enfield, Conn. Fleming is a member of the Chicopee Rotary Club and the Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce, and is a graduate of the Connecticut School of Finance and Management.
Denise Fleming

Denise Fleming

She serves as community chairperson for the Independent Transportation Network’s annual Walk for Rides and also is a volunteer driver for the nonprofit organization, which provides transportation to senior citizens and the visually impaired.
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The YMCA of Greater Springfield announced the following appointments to its board of directors:
• Fran Smith, a veteran of the newspaper advertising and circulation business for 34 years, and currently Advertising Manager at the Republican and masslive.com;
• Mark Smith, Vice President of Manufacturing & Supply Chain Management for Smith & Wesson, and previously Director with the Chicag0-based consulting firm Alvarez & Marsal;
• Dan Flynn, Senior Vice President and Marketing Manager at People’s United Bank; and
• Stacey Church, Assistant General Manager of the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield.

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Jessica Young

Jessica Young

Florence Savings Bank announced that Jessica Young has been selected as a recipient of the President’s Award for 2014. The President’s Award is an annual tradition established by the bank in 1995. It affords employees opportunities to nominate their peers for this prestigious award, which recognizes outstanding performance, customer service, and overall contribution to Florence Savings Bank. Young, a Senior Teller at the Bank’s Florence branch, joined FSB in 2011. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and liberal arts from Southern Vermont College in Bennington. The Sharon Springs, N.Y. native was nominated by her peers for “her personable, friendly, and outstanding customer service,” said Diane Gould, Senior Vice President and Human Resources Director, who added, “Jessica’s peers applauded her calm demeanor in even the most challenging situations, as well as her creative problem-solving skills.” John Heaps Jr., President and CEO of Florence Savings Bank, said, “we are very pleased that Jessica received such strong support and recognition from her peers and has won the President’s Award for 2014. Every day she demonstrates her deep knowledge of banking and dedication to our customers.”
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Todd C. Ratner

Todd C. Ratner

The regional law firm Bacon Wilson, P.C. announced that Todd Ratner, Esq. has been honored by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly as a 2014 “Excellence in the Law” honoree. This event recognizes 25 up-and-coming attorneys for their outstanding accomplishments in the legal community in 2013. Ratner is a member of Bacon Wilson’s Estate Planning and Elder Law department whose practice includes sophisticated estate-planning issues. Additional areas of practice include commercial and residential real estate together with general business and corporate law. Ratner serves on the boards of many charitable entities, including co-chair of the Alzheimer’s Assoc. Tri County Partnership, is a graduate of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield’s Leadership Institute 2007, and taught elder law at American International College. He is a frequent lecturer and has written numerous business, estate-planning, and real-estate articles. Ratner earned his JD from the Pennsylvania State University School of Law, his MBA from Boston University Graduate School of Management, and his bachelor’s degree from Babson College. With 40 attorneys, Bacon Wilson, P.C. is the largest law firm in Western Mass. The firm’s four offices are located in Springfield, Westfield, Northampton, and Amherst.
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Easthampton Savings Bank announced the following:
Holly Fuller

Holly Fuller

• Holly Fuller has been promoted to Senior Branch Officer. Fuller joined ESB in 1997 as a teller and was promoted to Customer Service Representative in 2000. She was promoted to Assistant Manager of the South Hadley office in 2006, and in 2008 was promoted to Branch Manager of the Locust Street, Northampton office. Later that year, Fuller was promoted to Branch Officer. She is a member of the Chesterfield Finance Committee and the Northampton Elks. Fuller has volunteered for Relay for Life, Big Brother Big Sisters, and the Northampton Chamber of Commerce. She has worked with area schools on various finance and budget projects;
Pamela Bronner

Pamela Bronner

• Pamela Bronner was promoted to Assistant Vice President Branch Officer. Bronner joined the bank in 2002 as a Senior Branch Officer in Belchertown. She came to the bank with 24 years of prior banking experience. She held multiple positions with Baybank, ending in Branch Manager. She was a Branch Manager for BankBoston/Fleet Bank, a Branch Officer at Florence Savings Bank, and a Branch Manager at Citizens Financial Group;
Katrina Dziedzic

Katrina Dziedzic

Katrina Dziedzic has been promoted to Assistant Vice President Branch Officer. She joined ESB as a Branch Officer in Westfield in 2007, and in 2011 was promoted to Senior Branch Officer. She had 22 years prior banking experience with Bank of America and its predecessor banks. Dziedzic has an associate’s degree from Springfield Technical Community College. She is currently a member of Kiwanis of Westfield, treasurer for Our Savor Lutheran Church in South Hadley, and treasurer for the Business Improvement District in Westfield;
Karen Craig

Karen Craig

• Karen Craig has been promoted to Senior Branch Officer. She joined ESB as Assistant Branch Manager of the Hadley office in 2001. In 2012 she was promoted to Branch Officer of the King Street, Northampton office. Craig had more than 15 years of banking experience at BayBank, BankBoston, and Fleet, where she progressed from Teller to Head Teller, Sales and Service Representative, and Senior Sales and Service Representative and Assistant Branch Manager. She is a member of the Northampton Rotary and the Northampton Chamber of Commerce; and
Susanne deVillier

Susanne deVillier

• Susanne deVillier has been promoted to Senior Branch Officer. She joined ESB as a Branch Officer in Agawam in 2010. She had 15 years prior banking experience with TD Bank, as Retail Banking Officer, at Hampden Bank as a Branch Manager, and at SIS Bank as a Retail Banking Officer. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from American International College. She is co-founder of the Down Resource Group of Western Mass., is involved in Griffin’s Friends for Children and Families, is an active board member of Blandford Ski Club, and is involved in fund-raising for various school programs.
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Loomis Communities announced the following:
JoAnne O’Neil

JoAnne O’Neil

• JoAnne O’Neil has been appointed Director of Sales and Marketing at Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing. In this role, she is responsible for educating older adults and their families on the benefits of living in a community that offers independent-living cottages and apartments, assisted living, skilled nursing care, and medical offices, with primary-care physician services, all under one roof. “I feel like I have come home because my parents lived at Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing for many years,” said O’Neil. Prior to joining Loomis Communities, she worked as Director of Resource Development at HAPHousing. She holds a master’s degree in nonprofit management and philanthropy from Bay Path College and a bachelor’s degree in public health from the UMass Amherst; and
Kristina Hontz

Kristina Hontz

• Kristina Hontz has been appointed Clinical Nurse Liaison. In this role, Hontz provides education to area physicians, hospital staff, individuals, and families on the rehabilitative and long-term care available at the Nursing Centers at Loomis House in Holyoke and Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing in Springfield. In addition, she conducts pre-admission assessments and works with Loomis Communities staff to develop new programs and services. Prior to her appointment, she was a Charge Nurse at Loomis House Nursing Center. Hontz is working on her BSN at Elms College.
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The members and board of Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Co. (MMWEC) recently elected directors and officers of the organization, which is entering its 45th year in service to the consumer-owned municipal utilities of Massachusetts. MMWEC was created in 1969 and became a nonprofit, public corporation and political subdivision of the Commonwealth in 1976, empowered to issue tax-exempt bonds to finance energy facilities for the benefit of municipal utilities and their customers.
• Paul Robbins, a gubernatorial appointee to the MMWEC Board of Directors, was re-elected by the board to his third one-year term as Chairman;
• Peter Dion, General Manager of the Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department, was re-elected by the MMWEC membership to his sixth one-year term as President of MMWEC.
Representatives of MMWEC’s 21 member municipal utilities also re-elected three directors to three-year terms on the board, including:
• James Lavelle, Holyoke Gas & Electric Department Manager;
• Philip Sweeney, Marblehead Municipal Light Department Commissioner; and
• Jonathan Fitch, West Boylston Municipal Light Plant Manager.
Additional MMWEC officers for the coming year, as elected by the board, are:
• Ronald DeCurzio, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary;
• Matthew Ide, Treasurer;
• Stephen Smith, Assistant Treasurer;
• Nancy Brown, Assistant Secretary; and
• Nicholas Scobbo Jr., General Counsel.
Other MMWEC directors, elected previously by the membership, are:
• Kevin Kelly, Groton Electric Light Department Manager;
• Gary Babin, Mansfield Municipal Electric Department Director; and
• Jeffrey Cady, Chicopee Electric Light Manager; and
• Sean Hamilton, Sterling Municipal Light Department General Manager.
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Meghan Fallon

Meghan Fallon

Springfield-based FIT Solutions LLC announced that Meghan Fallon has joined the company as a Technical Recruiter. In her new role, Fallon will be responsible for sourcing technical talent in the information technology field for FIT Solution’s client base in Massachusetts and Connecticut. She brings with her several years of staffing and recruiting experience across a wide spectrum of industries. She has a bachelor’s degree from UMass Amherst in sociology and communications.

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Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno announced recently that he has appointed Attorney Mary McNally as the new Executive Director of the Springfield Parking Authority (SPA). “Mary brings a wealth of experience with her from the Hampden County District Attorney’s Office as well as serving as the previous SPA Board Chairwoman, said Sarno. “Attorney McNally has played a pivotal role in the turnaround in the operations of the authority. I look forward to working with her in an increased capacity as we continue to utilize the SPA as an economic-development tool in downtown Springfield.” McNally has most recently served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer in the Hampden District Attorney’s Office under District Attorney Mark Mastroianni. In addition, McNally was appointed in 2010 as Chairwoman of the Springfield Parking Authority by Sarno. During her tenure, she has overseen the refinancing of authority debt and institution of the SPA Capital Improvement Plan and the SPA-funded Downtown Security Plan.  Previously, she operated a Springfield-based law practice for 27 years. “I am pleased to be named the Executive Director of the Springfield Parking Authority,” said McNally. “I look forward to the opportunity to contribute and engage the authority in the growing economic-development renaissance in the city and to serve the residents and businesses of our great city.” Springfield Parking Authority Chairman Al Chwalek said that “Mary, as Chairwoman, has done a great job leading the Parking Authority through the last two transformative years. Now, as the new Executive Director, she is poised to partner the authority with several major projects in the city.” McNally, a resident of Springfield, is a graduate of Western New England School of Law as well as Elms College. Her bar admissions include the state of Massachusetts and the U.S. District Court.
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Daniel Patrick Morrissey

Daniel Patrick Morrissey

The regional law firm Bacon Wilson, P.C. announced that Attorney Daniel Patrick Morrissey has joined its office. He will continue practicing in the areas of civil litigation, personal injury, workers’ compensation and immigration law. He currently serves as an Adjunct Professor of Spanish at Elms College, President of the Forest Park Business Assoc., and Vice Chairman of the Springfield Zoning Board of Appeals. He also is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Springfield and a past board member of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center. He received his law degree from Western New England University School of Law, a master’s degree in Spanish from Middlebury College, and his undergraduate degree from UMass Amherst. Morrissey will be based at the law firm’s Springfield office. With 40 attorneys, Bacon Wilson, P.C. is the largest law firm in Western Mass. Additionally, it boasts 65 paralegals, secretaries, and other support staff to assist with clients’ legal work. The firm’s four offices are located in Springfield, Westfield, Northampton, and Amherst.
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Steve Shaw

Steve Shaw

The Holyoke-based IT networking and consulting firm VertitechIT has named Steve Shaw Vice President. Shaw will head up marketing and communications and assist with business-development efforts for the firm, which has offices in five states. Shaw has spent 30 years in the marketing and communications industries as a television reporter, production-agency founder, and multi-media network executive. “Business IT consulting is often viewed as a commodity,” said VertitechIT CEO Michael Feld. “Steve’s experience as a communicator, entrepreneur, and business executive gives us the opportunity to brand ourselves as a unique player in the IT marketplace.” VertitechIT is a leading provider of IT networking services to the healthcare and business communities throughout the Northeast and across the country. The company recently opened its new national headquarters in Holyoke.
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Paul Mokrzecki

Paul Mokrzecki

Easthampton Savings Bank announced that Paul Mokrzecki has been named Senior Vice President of the ESB Government Banking Division. In that role, Mokrzecki will be responsible for all facets of municipal depository and lending activities. He comes to ESB with a depth of experience in municipal banking and municipal government. Prior to joining ESB, Mokrzecki spent 14 years as Senior Vice President of Government Banking at People’s United Bank, formerly Bank of Western Mass. He built an understanding for municipal banking needs by working as treasurer for the towns of Hadley and Greenfield for a combined 24 years prior to becoming a banker. “We are extremely lucky to have Paul join our team,” said ESB President and CEO Matthew Sosik. “He is highly respected in the municipal community, and he has a deep pool of contacts throughout the cities and towns in Massachusetts. His vast municipal banking experience will elevate our Government Banking division to new heights. Combining Paul’s expertise with ESB’s customer-first philosophy will be an attractive mix to municipalities looking at their banking options.” Mokrzecki has a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University and an MBA from UMass Amherst. He is a member of the Franklin/Hampshire Collectors and Treasurers Assoc., the Berkshire County Collectors and Treasurers Assoc., and the Worcester County Collectors and Treasurers Assoc. He is a past board member of the Mass. Collectors and Treasurers Assoc. (MCTA). Mokrzecki has served as an instructor at the MCTA annual school for more than 20 years. He is a certified Massachusetts municipal treasurer and a certified Massachusetts municipal collector.
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Mansour Ghalibaf

Mansour Ghalibaf

The National Restaurant Assoc. Educational Foundation recently honored Mansour Ghalibaf, owner of Hotel Northampton, as one of its 2014 Faces of Diversity American Dream Award winners. The honorees were recognized at a gala on April 29, during the National Restaurant Assoc. Public Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C. “The restaurant industry has provided opportunities for millions of people throughout the U.S., and the recipients of the 2014 Faces of Diversity award demonstrate the incredible opportunities they have been able to create as a result of working in the restaurant industry,” said Rob Gifford, executive vice president of strategic operations and philanthropy for the National Restaurant Assoc. and the National Restaurant Assoc. Educational Foundation. “We are proud to recognize the achievements of Mansour. His dedication to the industry and commitment to achieving his dream is truly exceptional.” In 1979, Ghalibaf, an Iranian immigrant, was attending college and working in a restaurant to pay his tuition when he was told he would be deported back to Tehran — at the height of the Iranian Revolution. Along with those closest to him, Ghalibaf endured a tense month under scrutiny from government officials and was on the brink of homelessness before he secured a visa to remain in the U.S. His status no longer in jeopardy, Ghalibaf pursued the American dream with dedication: he completed his college degree, got married, and continued to excel in the hospitality industry. His persistence and passion for the industry allowed him to work his way up from the kitchen to a hotel owner. After serving as general manager of the historic, 106-room Hotel Northampton for 16 years, Ghalibaf purchased the hotel and has since grown sales from $2 million to $7 million. Ghalibaf has been named Restaurateur of the Year by the Massachusetts Restaurant Assoc. and was inducted into the Massachusetts Hospitality Hall of Fame. “It is an incredible honor to receive this award, which celebrates the American dream,” he said. “Rarely do success stories come down to a sole individual, and I am so grateful for the many friends, family, co-workers, and associates — including those in the organizations that nominated and selected me for this distinction — who have been essential to my success. The hospitality industry is one place where the American dream is still within reach. We are without a doubt in the best business in the world.”
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Consolidated Health Plans (CHP) announced that Juan Campbell has joined the company to lead its sales division. In this role, Campbell will be responsible for leading new-business development of student health, special risk, and other consumer products. Campbell brings a wealth of experience in sales, operations, strategic marketing, and business-development strategies to CHP. He has more than 20 years of experience in the health-insurance marketplace serving the needs of commercial clients. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Western New England University and completed the Executive Management Program from Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. He serves on the board of directors for the Children’s Study Home and the Westmass Area Development Corp., and on the Legislative Steering Committee of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield.
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Dr. John Schreiber has been appointed President of Baystate Medical Practices and chief physician executive of Baystate Health, joining the health system’s senior leadership team. Schreiber comes to Baystate from Tufts Medical Center in Boston, where he served as Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics. He was also chief administrative officer and pediatrician-in-chief of the Floating Hospital for Children, the 100-bed primary affiliate children’s hospital for Tufts University School of Medicine.

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Westfield-based Tighe & Bond, a civil and environmental engineering firm, announced that William Hardy, P.E., has been named the growing firm’s Chief Operating Officer. In this role, Hardy will work with the firm’s management to ensure optimum service delivery to Tighe & Bond’s expanding customer base across all of its geographic locations. Hardy, who will oversee all Tighe & Bond operations from the firm’s Westfield office, has 35 years of diverse professional civil and environmental engineering experience serving public and private clients. His design portfolio includes water, wastewater, solid waste, civil, highway, bridge, environmental, and building projects. In addition to his background in operations, he is well-known for his business-development efforts that have benefited clients throughout New England, New Jersey, and Texas. “Bill’s professional expertise and recognition in our industry will be an asset as we accelerate Tighe & Bond’s next phase of growth,” said David Pinsky, the company’s president and CEO. “He brings a commitment to high-quality services that is essential to our clients and our firm’s mission. We are thrilled that he has joined our team.” Hardy earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Civil Engineering from Northeastern University. In addition, he holds an associate degree in Civil Engineering from Wentworth Institute. Hardy is a licensed professional engineer in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, and Texas. He is also active in many professional organizations, including the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Boston Society of Civil Engineers, the New England Water Environment Assoc., and the New England Water Works Assoc.
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Florence Savings Bank, a mutually-owned savings bank serving the Pioneer Valley through nine branch locations, announced the following:

Christopher Whelan

Christopher Whelan

• Christopher Whelan has been selected as a recipient of the President’s Award for 2014. The President’s Award is a tradition established by the bank in 1995, affording employees the opportunities to nominate their peers for a prestigious award that recognizes outstanding performance, customer service, and overall contribution to Florence Savings Bank. Whelan was nominated by seven different departments at the bank. Whelan, who is a Collector at Florence Savings Bank, first joined the bank in April 2011 as a Teller at the King Street office in Northampton. He attended Holyoke Community College and UMass Amherst. Whelan is a participant in the Leadership Pioneer Valley Class of 2014. He is treasurer for the Salvation Army Service Unit of Northampton, a volunteer race committee member for Cutchins Programs for Children and Families, and a member and volunteer with Northampton Area Young Professionals. John Heaps Jr., President and CEO at Florence Savings Bank, said, “we’re proud of the work that Chris does every day. His exemplary efforts on behalf of the bank and the community make him an outstanding choice for this award.”
Michael Grandfield

Michael Grandfield

• Michael Grandfield has joined the bank as Vice President/Commercial Lender. In this role, he will help oversee and further develop the bank’s commercial-lending portfolio. Grandfield comes to Florence Savings Bank with more than 25 years of banking experience, most recently as Vice President/Commercial Lender at Hampden Bank. Grandfield is a graduate of Bryant College in Smithfield, R.I., with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He earned his master’s in Business Administration from American International College. He is active in a number of community organizations. An active participant in the Agawam Rotary Club, he is that organization’s past president and is a Paul Harris Fellow recipient. He has been recognized as Citizen of the Year by the Agawam Saint Patrick’s Committee. Grandfield has also served in leadership roles for several other civic organizations, including the West of the River Chamber of Commerce and the Agawam Cultural Council. Grandfield was additionally honored as a Governor’s Points of Light recipient for outstanding volunteerism during the term of Gov. Mitt Romney.
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Dr. John Schreiber has been appointed president of Baystate Medical Practices and Chief Physician Executive of Baystate Health, joining the health system’s senior leadership team. Schreiber comes to Baystate from Tufts Medical Center in Boston, where he served as Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics. He was also Chief Administrative Officer and Pediatrician-in-chief of the Floating Hospital for Children, the 100-bed primary affiliate children’s hospital for Tufts University School of Medicine, where he was instrumental in forging clinical partnerships as part of the hospital’s collaborative-care delivery model serving four local community hospitals and patients and families in the Boston area. Earlier in his career, Schreiber served as Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota and was a faculty member of the Graduate Program in Microbiology. He played a leading role in the opening of the new University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital. “We are confident that Dr. Schreiber’s numerous achievements in teaching and mentoring the next generation of physicians in varied care settings, his nurturing of physician partnerships, his ability to support a robust clinical-research program, and in exceeding quality and safety standards will help us meet our strategic needs, the vision of our organization, and the needs of our community,” said Dr. Mark Keroack, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Baystate Health. Schreiber received his bachelor’s degree at Haverford College in Pennsylvania and earned his medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine in Louisiana. He also completed a master’s degree in public health and tropical medicine at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. He completed his pediatric residency and his clinical and research infectious-diseases fellowship at Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston. Schreiber’s research and laboratory work has been devoted to creating better vaccines to prevent devastating diseases in children. He has served on numerous professional committees for the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society, the Infectious Disease Society of America, the Society for Pediatric Research, and the American Assoc. of Immunologists, which awarded him its 2012 Distinguished Service Award. He has also authored more than 70 scholarly publications.

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Holyoke-based PeoplesBankDonna Bliznak Donna Bliznak[/caption]• Donna Bliznak has been promoted to First Vice President, Commercial Lending. Bliznak possesses more than 40 years of financial and banking experience. She joined the bank in 1990 as Assistant Vice President, Commercial Lending, and was later promoted to Vice President, Lending. She holds an MBA and a bachelor’s degree from UMass Amherst, as well as an associate’s degree from Holyoke Community College. She serves on the board of directors for the Stavros Center for Independent Living and the Northampton Chamber of Commerce;



Susan Wilson

Susan Wilson

• Susan Wilson has been promoted to First Vice President, Corporate Responsibility. Wilson joined the bank in 1998 as Marketing Manager. Most recently, she served as Vice President, Corporate Responsibility, where she was the liaison between the bank and the community. She holds an MBA from Western New England University, a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bryant University, and an associate’s degree from Bay Path College. She is a co-chair of the Western Massachusetts Funders Group and a member of the Capital Campaign Planning Committee, Associated Grant Makers, and the Grant Managers Network;
• Donna Charette has been promoted to Vice President, Finance. Charette possesses more than 25 years of financial and banking experience. She joined the bank in 1989 and has served in several positions throughout her career, including most recently as Assistant Vice President, Finance. Charette is a graduate of the Massachusetts School of Financial Studies at Babson College. She also holds an asset liability certification;
• Jeffry Kerr has been promoted to Vice President, Marketing. In this role, he will direct Retail Division marketing programs. Kerr possesses more than 25 years of banking and financial experience. He is instrumental in driving consumer acquisition and retention strategies. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts;
• Katherine St. Mary has been promoted to Vice President, Consumer Lending. St. Mary possesses more than 30 years of banking and financial experience. She joined the bank in 2005 as a Residential Mortgage Underwriter. St. Mary holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from American International College and an associate’s degree from Holyoke Community College. She also graduated from the Massachusetts School for Financial Studies at Babson College;
• Xiaolei Hua has been promoted to Assistant Vice President, Credit Officer. Hua joined the bank in 2006 as a Management Development Trainee and has served as Commercial Credit Officer and Project Management Officer. Hua holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from UMass Amherst and is currently working toward a master’s degree from the university’s Isenberg School of Management. He is a board member at the Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity;
• Erinn Young has been promoted to Assistant Vice President, Branch Manager of the Longmeadow office. She possesses more than 17 years of financial and banking experience. Young holds a bachelor of administration degree in business executive management from Bay Path College. She is the director of Cancer Free Kids Inc. and a board member of the professional advisory board for Rachel’s Table. Young also serves as a committee member at the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield and the East of the River Chamber of Commerce;
• Annmarie Hurley has been promoted to Accounting Officer. Hurley possesses more than 20 years of banking and financial experience. Hurley joined the bank in 1993 and most recently held the position of Senior Staff Accountant. Hurley holds a bachelor’s degree from Westfield State University; and
David Williams

David Williams

• David Williams has been appointed Mortgage Consultant. He will focus primarily on communities west of the Connecticut River, including Agawam, West Springfield, and Westfield. In his role, he will have a variety of mortgage options to offer customers, including refinancing and special first-time homebuyers’ programs. Williams brings more than 20 years of mortgage-lending experience to his new position, including serving as a Mortgage Origination Manager and Regional Mortgage Sales Manager at other financial institutions. Williams earned a bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University. He is an active member of the Realtor Assoc. of the Pioneer Valley.
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Health New England announced that Susan O’Connor has been promoted to Director of Government Programs. O’Connor joined HNE in 2008 as a staff attorney. She was promoted to Assistant General Council in 2009 and in 2012 to the Director of Legal Services and Assistant General Counsel for Health New England. In her new role, she is responsible for directing the Medicare and Medicaid operations for Health New England. This includes the development of the Medicare and Medicaid business strategies, ensuring alignment with the strategic goals of the company. She will be also be responsible for leading the growth of both lines of business and overseeing operations related to the government programs. Prior to joining HNE in 2008, O’Connor was Director of Legal Affairs for the Pioneer Health Group. Before establishing her career in law, she served as Program Director for Families in Crisis, an organization dedicated to meeting the needs of offenders and their families. O’Connor graduated from Clark University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Connecticut, and received her law degree from Western New England University. She is a member of the Massachusetts Bar Assoc. and the American Health Lawyers Assoc.
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Rose Gage

Rose Gage

The Gray House announced that Rose Gage has joined the agency as its new Food Pantry and Thrift Store Program Director. Gage is responsible for all aspects of the food pantry and thrift store, including client services, volunteer management, donation/inventory coordination, quality control, and documentation. She will continue to build and maintain relationships with the Food Bank, Rachel’s Table, and numerous groups and organizations that host donation drives, along with individual donors. Gage worked at Western New England University from 2005 to 2011 and at Bridgewater State University as the Assistant Director for the Community Service Center since then. She earned her bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology from Marywood University in Scranton, Penn. in 1997. In 1999, she earned a master’s degree in Agency Counseling from the same institution. For 13 years, she worked in higher education, in the areas of residence life and civic engagement. The Gray House is a small, neighborhood human-service agency located at 22 Sheldon St. in the North End of Springfield. Its mission is to help neighbors facing hardships to meet their immediate and transitional needs by providing food, clothing, and educational services in a safe, positive environment.
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Mariana Bolivar, an Assistant Professor of modern language at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA), has been elected to a three-year term as a regional delegate of the Modern Language Assoc. of America’s (MLA) delegate assembly. Founded in 1883 to strengthen the study and teaching of language and literature, the MLA serves as a platform for English and foreign-language teachers to share scholarly findings and teaching experiences. The association holds a yearly convention to discuss issues that are critical to these academic fields.

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Bay Path College announced the following:

Brian Basgen

Brian Basgen

• Brian Basgen has been chosen as Executive Director for Information Technology. Basgen is a collaborative leader with a decade of experience managing IT in both higher education and the private sector. Most recently, he was the Assistant Vice Chancellor for IT at Pima Community College in Tuscon, Ariz. He holds an MS in IT management from Trident University and a BA in history and philosophy from Flinders University;
• Phylis Gedeon has joined the college as Associate Director of Compliance. Most recently, she was the Assistant Director of the Processing Unit in Financial Aid Services at the UMass Amherst. She earned her master’s of education in higher education at UMass and brings extensive and diverse knowledge in student financial services; and
• Michael Albano has been named Associate Director of Operations, Student Financial Services for Bay Path. Albano was the Associate Director of Financial Aid at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. A graduate of Western New England University, he earned his master’s of education at Springfield College and is currently working on his doctor of education degree at Northeastern University.
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Chuck Gijanto has resigned as president of Regional Markets for Baystate Health. In this role, he serves as CEO of Baystate Franklin Medical Center and Baystate Mary Lane Hospital and is responsible for Baystate Medical Practices in the Northern and Eastern regions. His last day will be June 27. Giganto joined Baystate Health in 2008 and has done much over the last six years to engage physicians, senior leaders, employees, community members, and donors in important discussions to set strategic direction for the system’s community hospitals. He has strengthened operations; led patient satisfaction, service, and financial-improvement initiatives; overseen the medical staff development plan; fueled new programs; and recruited critical physicians and healthcare leaders to the organization.
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Becker’s Hospital Review recently released its list of the Top 100 Chief Medical Officers of Hospitals and Health Systems. That list of notable physician leaders in the nation includes Dr. Mohammed Shafeeq Ahmed, COO and CMO of Baystate Mary Lane Hospital and Baystate Health Eastern Region. Physician leaders were selected for inclusion on this list based on their healthcare experience, awards they’ve received, and their commitment to continuous improvement in safety and quality care. Many of the leaders were nominated by their peers, and the list was vetted by industry experts. Ahmed joined Baystate Mary Lane Hospital in 2003 as a practicing physician, medical director of Baystate Medical Practices – Mary Lane Ob/Gyn, and chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He has also served as vice president of the medical staff and regional medical director for the Baystate Affiliated Physician Organization. In 2010, he began serving as chief medical officer. In 2012, he also assumed the role of chief operating officer for Baystate Mary Lane Hospital and Baystate Health Eastern Region.
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Big Y Foods announced the promotion of Eric Swensen to Vice President of Center Store for the 60-store chain. Swensen will oversee all grocery, dairy, frozen food, health and beauty care, general merchandise, pharmacy, retail pricing, space management, and store brands. He will be responsible for developing strategies and tactical direction as well as planning and support for each of these departments. He will report to Michael D’Amour, executive vice president.
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Diane Dukette has joined the Sisters of Providence Health System as Vice President of Fund Development. In this role, she serves as a key member of the Sisters of Providence leadership team, is responsible for all fund-raising and development efforts, and will lead major gifts. She will also design and implement a comprehensive plan for developing key external alliances by cultivating individual and philanthropic support. She will play a key role in driving philanthropic support for key system initiatives, including the recently announced expansion of the Sr. Mary Caritas Cancer Center. Dukette returns to SPHS with more than 20 years of experience in development, strategic marketing, and fund-raising. Most recently, she served as Vice President of Development at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton.

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Jessica West

Jessica West

Easthampton Savings Bank announced that Jessica West has been promoted to Branch Officer at the Northampton Street office. West served as Assistant Manager with Eileen Hickle as Branch Officer before her retirement at the end of February. She joined the bank as a Senior Teller for the Belchertown office in 2002, was promoted to Assistant Branch Manager in Belchertown in 2008, then Assistant Branch Manager at the Northampton Street office in 2012. West graduated from Springfield Technical Community College with an associate degree in mechanical technologies, and has taken various CFT courses.
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Candace Pereira

Candace Pereira

The Gray House has inducted Candace Pereira to a three-year term on its board of directors. Pereira, a Commercial Lending Officer at United Bank since 2005, served most recently as Senior Credit Analyst following earlier positions as Senior Commercial Loan Associate and Mortgage Representative. Pereira holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts and an associate degree in business administration from Springfield Technical Community College. The Gray House is a small neighborhood human-services agency in Springfield whose mission is to help its neighbors facing hardships to meet their immediate and transitional needs by providing food, clothing, and educational services in a safe, positive environment in the North End of Springfield.
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Denise Dukette

Denise Dukette

Hampden Bank announced three new members to its Business BankingCommercial Lending group:
• Denise Dukette, Vice President, Commercial Credit Officer, joined the bank in June 2013, as Vice President and Credit Officer of Business Banking. She oversees risk management, credit underwriting, and operational support for the bank’s business-lending functions. Dukette brings more than 30 years of managerial and lending experience, having held leadership roles at commercial and community banks in the Springfield and Hartford markets, including Fleet Bank, TD Bank, and United Bank. She has managed credit departments, loan review, risk management, loan operations, and commercial lending, as well as working at a Western Mass. economic-development agency. Dukette earned a bacherlor’s degree in economics at Wheaton College and an MBA from UConn;



James Babcock

James Babcock

• James Babcock, Vice President, Commercial Lending, has spent nearly all of his 25 years in commercial lending at community banks in the Northern Conn. market, including United Bank, Simsbury Bank & Trust, and First National Bank of Suffield. His new role will include business development in Massachusetts and reaching out into Connecticut. Babcock has a bachelor’s degree from George Washington University and earned an MBA from Babson College; and






John Downs

John Downs

• John Downs, Vice President, Commercial Lending, brings more than 30 years of managerial and commercial-lending experience, having held leadership roles at community banks including PeoplesBank and Chicopee Savings Bank. Downs earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from American International College and an MBA from Western New England University.
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Michael Linton

Michael Linton

Michael Linton, Owner of Michael’s Party Rentals in Ludlow, recently graduated from the Certified Event Rental Professional (CERP) program, developed by the American Rental Assoc. (ARA), one of the party and event rental industry’s most distinguished certifications. Recipients of the CERP certification were recognized at the Rental Show, ARA’s annual trade show and convention, in Orlando, Fla. in February.
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Rick’s Place Inc. recently announced that Donald Mitchell, Director of Projects and Facilities at the YMCA of Greater Springfield and current Vice President of the Board of Directors, succeeds founding board President William Scatolini, who, along with Dan Sheehan and Glen Garvey, established Rick’s Place in memory of their friend from high school, Rick Thorpe, who died in Tower Two of the World Trade Center on 9/11. Mitchell brings enthusiasm and experience to Rick’s Place; since 2008, he operated a local nonprofit in Springfield, assisting small businesses, and has served on a state board and several nonprofit boards. Scatolini’s tenure as President of the board from 2007 to 2014 helped to establish Rick’s Place, and he will continue his involvement with the organization as a member of the executive committee. Rick’s Place, which opened in March 2007 with six youth, provides support to grieving young people and their families. Seven years later, the nonprofit has worked with hundreds of youth throughout Hampden County.

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Thomas Newton

Thomas Newton

Thomas Newton recently joined the South Hadley-based advertising and marketing firm Allen Media Inc., as a Relationship Manager. Newton has customer-service skills and a background as a marketing and sales executive, and will work directly with clients to optimize their presence in the market by applying his expertise in marketing, branding, advertising, and communications. Previously, Newton was Vice President of Marketing and Operations at Point Software Inc. in East Longmeadow; Regional Marketing and Promotions Manager at Comcast Spotlight in Bloomfield, Conn.; Director of Marketing & Promotions at Saga Communications in East Longmeadow; and other senior management positions at Charter Communications, Starz/Encore Networks, and Continental Cablevision.
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Kevin O’Donnell

Kevin O’Donnell

BerkshireBanc Investment Services, an affiliate of Berkshire Bank, announced the promotion of Kevin O’Donnell, CFP to Vice President. O’Donnell is a Financial Advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network, and started with Berkshire Bank’s trust department in April 2006 as an Investment Representative. In 2011, he was promoted to Financial Consultant/Associate Vice President at BerkshireBanc Investment Services. O’Donnell has logged more than 15 years of experience advising clients as a financial advisor at Bank of America Investments, UBS Financial Services, and Merrill Lynch. O’Donnell, who was recently named a “Top Next Gen Independent Broker/Dealer Advisor” for 2014 by REP magazine, graduated from Fairfield University’s School of Business with a BS in management, holds the FINRA Series 7, 31, 63, and 65 securities registrations, and has earned the Certified Financial Planner certification. He holds life, accident, and health insurance licenses.
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Dakin Humane Society recently welcomed two new members to its Board of Directors:
• Jean Deliso is President and Owner of Deliso Financial & Insurance Services, which specializes in comprehensive financial planning. A member of New York Life’s Chairman’s Council and a consistent qualifying member of the Million Dollar Round Table, Deliso is a 2013 Court of the Table Member and a member of the Chairman’s Council. She is a graduate of Bentley College; and
• Michael Simolo is an Estate Planning and Business Attorney at Robinson Donovan, P.C. Simolo, a graduate of Cornell Law School, has worked as an estate-planning, estate-administration, probate-litigation, and business attorney since 2003. With Robinson Donovan, P.C. since 2009, Simolo is a frequent speaker on estate-planning issues and is the president of the Pioneer Valley Estate Planning Council.
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Inspired Marketing recently announced the following changes at the Agawam-based marketing and events-planning firm.
• Jill Monson-Bishop, CIO-Chief Inspiration Officer, was recently chosen to serve on one of Springfield City Council President Michael Fenton’s new ad-hoc committees, the Workforce Development Committee;
• Stephanie Killian has been promoted to Senior Event Planner and Project Manager. She began with Inspired Marketing as an intern and has four years experience planning corporate events. Her specialties include nonprofit and corporate event management, creative marketing solutions, media planning/buying, and organization. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications with a concentration in event planning from Bridgewater State University;
• Lauren Mendoza has been hired as Executive Administrator and Event Assistant. Mendoza was previously with United Personnel and joined the Inspired Marketing team at the beginning of 2014. A graduate of UMass Amherst, she has a degree in business and management. She specializes in general project support, editing and proofing, media relations, and event assistance; and
• The 2014 Advisory Board structured to advance growth of the company includes the following board members: Michael Fenton, Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C.; David Ference, TD Bank; Nick Gelfand, NRF Real Estate; Bill Horowitz, AdviCoach Business Advisers; Regina Jasak, Jasak Independent Insurance; Scott Monson, Rock 102/Lazer 99.3; Marybeth O’Meara, Comcast; David Smith, H.L. Dempsey; Pamela Thornton, United Personnel; and Michael Weber, Minuteman Press.
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Jordan Diaz was recently named Information Technology Coordinator at Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. Diaz will be responsible for tech support, computer inventory maintenance, and software/operating system upgrades. He works with Paragus Strategic IT to keep MBK on the cutting edge of the industry’s cloud-computing management system. Previously, Diaz worked as an IT Support Technician at ServiceNet Inc. in Northampton, and has a background in customer service. Diaz attended Springfield Technical Community College and is a CompTIA-certified Network and Security Technician.
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Steve Lowell

Steve Lowell

Monson Savings Bank recently announced that Steve Lowell, President and CEO, was elected to the Steering Committee of the Mass. Financial Education Collaborative (MFEC) and presented at the first annual State House Financial Capability Day on Feb. 27. MFEC is a group of nonprofits, private institutions, government agencies, and other entities from across Massachusetts that was established by former commissioners of the legislatively mandated Mass.Asset Development Commission. This statewide network of innovative organizations works together to increase economic stability in Massachusetts through financial education, personal savings, and access to wealth-building assets such as homes, cars, college educations, and small businesses. Lowell was appointed to the Steering Committee due to his leadership in developing Monson Savings Bank’s robust financial-literacy programs, which include teaching financial literacy in area schools; providing workshops on important financial topics; developing a portfolio of products and services for children, teens, and college students; and the bank’s soon-to-be formally announced partnership with MassSaves.
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Timothy Steffen

Timothy Steffen

Tia Allen

Tia Allen

Northwestern Mutual recently promoted Timothy Steffen to Director of Recruitment and Tia Allen to Campus Recruiter. Steffen has been with Northwestern Mutual since 2010 and was previously the Director of Campus Recruitment. As Director of Recruitment, he is responsible for coordinating and managing all district network office recruiting efforts, and oversees the campus recruiter. He is a UMass graduate. Allen, who joined Northwestern Mutual in May 2012, will lead the internship and recruiting effort as Campus Recruiter. She is a graduate of Worcester State University with a degree in business administration.
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Elizabeth Beaudry

Elizabeth Beaudry

Denise Perkins

Denise Perkins

NUVO Bank & Trust Co., a locally owned, independent, small-business bank in Springfield, recently announced the promotions of Elizabeth Beaudry and Denise Perkins, both with the bank since its opening in 2008. Beaudry, formerly the Senior Commercial Credit Analyst and Information Technology Administrator, now serves as NUVO’s Commercial Credit Officer and Information Technology Officer. She will supervise and review the credit-approval process, evaluate the financial condition of commercial-loan applicants, conduct cash-flow analysis, and assist with administration and maintenance of the bank’s commercial-lending portfolio. Additionally, Beaudry will maintain administrative duties for the bank’s main network and manage day-to-day technology tasks, including all hardware, software, network, and computer-related issues. Beaudry has worked for several local banks, including Woronoco Savings Bank, Westbank, Florence Savings Bank, and Berkshire Bank. She is an alumnus of Bay Path College, where she graduated magna cum laude with a BA in business executive management. Perkins, formerly NUVO Bank’s Corporate Secretary, now serves as the Corporate Administrative Officer. She is in charge of human resources, payroll, shareholder relations, as well as the administration of the board and other corporate-related functions at the bank. With 30 years of banking experience, Perkins’ career began at the Farm Credit Banks of Springfield, and in 1987, she joined the Springfield Institution for Savings (SIS), where she developed and administered a community-relations dropout-prevention program for at-risk youth, which received national attention, as well as leading other educational collaborative partnerships for the bank. In 1994, Perkins joined the Westbank corporate offices as the Executive Assistant to the President. Perkins is an alumnus of Cambridge College, where she completed a graduate studies preparation program.
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The Old Sturbridge Village Board of Trustees recently voted unanimously to extend the contract of the museum’s President and CEO, James Donahue, through June 2017. Donahue’s leadership of the nonprofit organization has been lauded since he began in 2007, due to his ability to prompt significant performance improvements, including stabilizing attendance, increasing education field trips, and fund-raising, positioning the museum for a brighter future. Donahue led the reopening of the historic 10-room Old Sturbridge Inn and 29-room Reeder Family Lodges at the village in 2013, expanding the village’s operations to include museum, dining, retail, and lodging. Donahue was formally recognized for leadership and achievements at the 26th annual Massachusetts Governor’s Conference on Travel and Tourism this past October when he was awarded the Larry D. Meehan Award, presented by Gov. Deval Patrick.
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The Ware-based Positive Path Counseling Center announced that Gary Blanchard has been awarded the Counselor of the Year Award from the Mass. Assoc. of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselors. The award is presented annually to an addiction counselor who demonstrates excellence.

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Michaelene Cronin

Michaelene Cronin

Michaelene Cronin has been named Executive Director of the Curtis Blake Center at American International College. Cronin will play a pivotal role in developing, solidifying, and expanding center services; serve as the liaison between the center and the college; and oversee the Curtis Blake Day School, Tutorial Services, AIC Supportive Learning Services, Diagnostic Services, and a summer instructional clinic. She will be responsible for designing and implementing new initiatives in order to broaden the center’s reach and enhance and strengthen its current programming. Cronin comes to AIC from Goddard College in Plainfield, Vt., where she served as the Associate Academic Dean for Undergraduate Studies. She earned her B.A. in English from the University of Michigan and her J.D. from the University of Detroit School of Law. Cronin has been a member of the National Academic Advising Assoc., the Autism Society of America, and the Aspergers Assoc. of New England.
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Easthampton Savings Bank announced the following promotions and additions:
Emily Drapeau

Emily Drapeau

• Emily Drapeau has been promoted to Deposit Operations Officer. Drapeau joined the bank as a Teller in 1995 and was promoted to Customer Service Representative in 1997, Senior Teller in 2000, Deposit Operations Specialist in 2001, and Deposit Operations Supervisor in 2004 before being promoted to Deposit Operations Manager in 2011. She graduated from the New England School for Financial Studies in June 2012;






Stacey Laliberte

Stacey Laliberte

• Stacey Laliberte has been promoted to Project Management Officer. Laliberte joined the bank as a Teller in 2001 and held the positions of Customer Service Assistant, Deposit Operations Assistant, Teller CSR, and Project Coordinator before being promoted to Project Manager in April 2011. She graduated with an associate’s degree from Holyoke Community College and with honors from the New England School for Financial Studies in June 2012;






Michael Fitzgerald

Michael Fitzgerald

• Michael Fitzgerald has been promoted to IT Officer. Fitzgerald started with the bank in 2004 as a Systems Administrator and was promoted to IT Manager in November 2011. He graduated from the Graduate School of Banking’s Bank Technology Management School in April 2013; and





Jeffrey Hutchins

Jeffrey Hutchins

• Jeffrey Hutchins, who boasts more than 25 years of local banking and real-estate experience, has been hired as a mortgage originator. Hutchins opened Hutchins Realty in 1991, which later merged with Jones Town & Country to form Jones Group Realtors. Hutchins graduated from Babson College with a degree in Business Marketing. He also completed a Center for Financial Training Mortgage Training class. Hutchins is a member of the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley and Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System.
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MassMutual’s Retirement Services Division recently announced the following additions to its sales and client management organization:
• Jason Bouldin, based in Atlanta, joined MassMutual as Managing Director covering Alabama and Georgia. Bouldin brings more than 15 years of industry experience to the company and previously served with Great-West Financial and the Hartford;
John Cunningham

John Cunningham

• John Cunningham, an 18-year veteran of MassMutual, has been appointed Regional Sales Director covering Western Mass., Vermont, and Eastern Upstate New York. Cunningham previously served the past nine years as Regional Sales Director focused on strengthening career agency sales across the Northeast;






Lauren Drapeau

Lauren Drapeau

• Lauren Drapeau rejoined MassMutual as Regional Sales Director covering Connecticut (excluding Fairfield County). Drapeau has more than 13 years of industry experience and previously served as an Annuity Wholesaler with MassMutual before her most recent role with MetLife;




Jon Ogren

Jon Ogren

• Jon Ogren has been named Regional Sales Director covering Kansas, Nebraska, and Western Missouri. Based in Overland Park, Kan., Ogren has more than 15 years of experience in the retirement-services industry, previously serveing with the Standard and Northwestern Mutual; and





Mary Kay Zoulek

Mary Kay Zoulek

• Mary Kay Zoulek joined MassMutual as Regional Sales Director for Western Michigan. Based in Grand Rapids, Mich., Zoulek brings more than 12 years of industry experience to her new role, all of which was built serving advisors across Western Michigan. Before joining MassMutual, Zoulek served with John Hancock and Principal Financial Group.
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Janice Mazzallo

Janice Mazzallo

PeoplesBank has announced the promotion of Janice Mazzallo to Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer. Mazzallo previously served the bank as Senior Vice President of Human Resources, and has more than 30 years of human-capital-management experience, including serving as Second Vice President, Human Resources, at the Phoenix Companies in Hartford. Since joining PeoplesBank in 2005, she has partnered with management to drive change and develop strategies that achieve strong business results. She planned and directed the bank’s three-year strategic-planning process, developed human-resource programs that support a high-performance culture, and implemented a best-in-class Leadership Development Program that benchmarked Ritz Carlton Business Practices, as well as a Management Development Program. During Mazzallo’s tenure, PeoplesBank has been named a Top Place to Work by the Boston Globe on two occasions and was selected as an Employer of Choice by the Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce.
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Dmitriy Mayboroda

Dmitriy Mayboroda

Dmitriy Mayboroda recently joined the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission as a Transportation Planner. Mayboroda holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from UMass Amherst. Previously, he was a transportation intern at PVPC, working on traffic-data collection and various projects for the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority. Mayboroda will focus on assisting transportation staff with a variety of transportation-related congestion and safety-improvement projects.
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Marc Richards

Marc Richards

Marc Richards has rejoined Tighe & Bond Inc. as the engineering firm’s newly appointed Vice President of Environmental Services. A Licensed Site Professional (LSP), Richards has more than 20 years of brownfields redevelopment, environmental assessment and cleanup, hazardous-building materials abatement and demolition design, and construction management experience. He offers both public- and private-sector clients tailored expertise and solutions for complex environmental challenges. Besides LSP and Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP) services, Richards’ expertise includes oversight of environmental permitting, as well as above- and below-ground site cleanup, throughout the Northeast. His portfolio includes a wide variety of land-development projects where he has worked with stakeholders to advance improvements while protecting the environment and its natural resources. Richards earned his MS in environmental engineering from Tufts University and his BS in civil engineering from UMass Amherst. Richards is a licensed professional engineer in Massachusetts and New Hampshire and is active in the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Licensed Site Professional Assoc., the Environmental Business Council, the National Assoc. for Industrial and Office Parks, and the National Demolition Assoc. Richards will work primarily out of Tighe & Bond’s Worcester office, but his involvement will be region-wide.

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Christopher Marini

Christopher Marini

Theresa Glod

Theresa Glod

Teresa Perkins

Teresa Perkins

Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. recently hired two new Associates, Christopher Marini and Theresa Glod, and announced the promotion of Teresa Perkins. Marini and Glod will work closely with clients in the firm’s Accounting and Auditing department.  Before coming to MBK, Marini interned for two years at Pignatare and Sagan, LLC, Certified Public Accountants, and earned a BBA from UMass Isenberg School and Commonwealth Honors College. He is currently pursuing his MSA at UConn, and is a member of the Mass. Society of CPAs. Glod worked previously at PricewaterhouseCoopers in New York City, and holds a BBA in Accounting and an MS in Accounting from Western New England University. She is currently sitting for her CPA exam.  Perkins was promoted to Senior Associate in the Audit and Accounting division; she was previously a Staff Audit Associate and, before coming to MBK, was a staff accountant at Big Y Foods. Perkins is a graduate of Western New England University, earning a bachelor’s degree in 2006 and an MS in Accounting in 2009. She is currently studying for the CPA exams.
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Lori Gazzillo

Lori Gazzillo

Berkshire Bank recently announced that Lori Gazzillo has been promoted to Vice President and Director of the Berkshire Bank Foundation. Gazzillo will oversee the bank’s two foundations, one of which provides grants to nonprofit organizations in the communities served by Berkshire Bank, and the other in which the foundation administers the bank’s extensive employee volunteer program and scholarship program. Gazzillo has served for the past year as the foundation’s Assistant Director and assumed the key leadership role with the retirement of Peter Lafayette as former director after eight years of service on Dec. 31, 2013. Lafayette will continue in an advisory capacity. Gazzillo joined Berkshire Bank in July 2011 from Legacy Banks after Berkshire Bank and Legacy merged. While at Legacy, she served as Vice President of Community Relations. Prior to her banking career, Gazzillo worked for nine years at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA), overseeing the institution’s public relations. Currently she serves on the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Multicultural BRIDGE, and Berkshire Business and Professional Women. She holds a BA in Journalism from Keene State College and a M.Ed. from MCLA.
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The Westfield-based engineering firm Tighe & Bond recently promoted five employees who have demonstrated exceptional performance, client service, and leadership. Three of the five have been promoted to Associate within the firm’s stock ownership program; they are:
Briony Angus

Briony Angus

• Briony Angus, AICP, a project manager who joined Tighe & Bond’s Westfield office in 2008. Angus is an environmental and land-use planner with 15 years of experience managing development projects that require approvals from local, state, and federal regulatory agencies. A certified land-use planner, Angus is a member of the American Planning Assoc., and Chair of the Amherst Conservation Commission. Angus has a BA from McGill University and a MA in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning from Tufts University;



Susan Guswa

Susan Guswa

• Susan Guswa, P.E, a senior engineer who joined Tighe & Bond’s Westfield office in 2003. She has more than 18 years of experience, serves as a project manager and design engineer for major wastewater upgrades throughout New England, and is Tighe & Bond’s Wastewater Technical Practice Group Leader. Guswa holds a BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Duke University and a MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Stanford University. She is a member of the Water Environment Federation and the New England Water Environment Assoc., and



David Popielarczyk

David Popielarczyk

• David Popielarczyk, P.E., a senior engineer who joined Tighe & Bond’s Westfield office in 1986, and has more than 27 years of experience in the planning, evaluation, design, and construction management of water resources and wastewater projects. Popielarczyk received his BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Hartford, and a MS in Environmental Engineering from UMass Amherst.  He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the New England Water Works Assoc., the New England Water Environment Assoc., and the Water Environment Federation.
Also promoted into the stock ownership program were:
• Gary Roberts, an environmental scientist in the firm’s Westfield office; and
• Joseph Persechino, P.E., LEEP AP, a project manager in the firm’s Portsmouth, N.H. office.
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The Springfield-based regional law firm of Bacon Wilson, P.C. announced the following:
Benjamin Coyle

Benjamin Coyle

• Benjamin Coyle has been named a shareholder. He is a member of the firm’s business and corporate, estate planning and elder, litigation, municipal departments, and is a five-time recipient of the SuperLawyers Rising Stars distinction and a board member of the Western Mass. Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Coyle earned his J.D. from Western New England University School of Law and his B.S.B.A. from Western New England University.






Adam Basch

Adam Basch

• Adam Basch has been named a shareholder of the firm. He is a member of the litigation department, practices in the areas of construction litigation, personal injury, general litigation, and commercial litigation. He is the former secretary of the Hampden County Bar Association, a six-time recipient of the SuperLawyers Rising Stars distinction, and serves as a member of the Wilbraham Planning Board and the United Way Allocation Committee. He teaches litigation and business law at Bay Path College and is the author of numerous construction and general litigation articles. Basch earned his J.D. from Western New England University School of Law and his B.A. from Union College.

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Dianne Fabrocini

Dianne Fabrocini

The Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield (ACCGS) announced that Dianne Fabrocini has joined the organization as Executive Director of the ACGCS affiliate, the East of the River Five Town Chamber of Commerce (ERC5).
Fabrocini will serve as the liaison between the ERC5 and the ACCGS and will be responsible for carrying out the direction set by the board of directors. She will also work with ACCGS staff in developing membership programs, benefits, and services; producing events; and enhancing municipal relations in the five communities served by the ERC5: East Longmeadow, Hampden, Longmeadow, Ludlow, and Wilbraham. Fabrocini brings to the organization nearly 20 years of experience in marketing, public relations, and management. Most recently, she served as office manager for Vulcan Products Co. in Enfield, Conn. Prior to that, she owned Fabro & Associates, a professional sports-management company providing event planning, promotions, player representation, and contract negotiations to various clients throughout Western Mass., where she founded the Legends Celebrity Golf Classic and brought the first United Soccer League professional men’s soccer team to the region. Fabrocini also served as general manager and owner of the Springfield Sirens women’s soccer team, now known as the New England Mutiny, and held the position of regional director for the National Kidney Foundation. Fabrocini is a graduate of the University of Akron in Ohio.
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The Board of Directors of the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce recently announced new officers for 2014, led by second one-year-term president Larry Archey, Director of Facilities and Grounds at Hampshire College. Archey will be joined by Nancy Buffone, UMass Executive Director of External Affairs and University Events, as First Vice President, and Julie Marcus, Director of Marketing at New England Environmental, as Second Vice President. Other new board members include:
• Mark Ellsworth, Center for Extended Care, treasurer;
• Jerry Guidera, Spanish Studies Abroad, secretary; and
• Jim Brassord, Amherst College, at large.
Kathryn Grandonico, Lincoln Real Estate, remains immediate past president. Returning board members include Aaron Jolly, the Pub; Meredith Schmidt, UMass Campus Center; Meghan Gregoire, PeoplesBank; Felicity Hardee, attorney; Niels la Cour, UMass Planning; Reza Rahmani, Lit and Moti; Barry Roberts, EV Realty Trust; G. Christopher Blauvelt, Innovara; John Kokoski, Mapleline Farm; and Youssef Fadel, New England Promotional Marketing. The appointments were effective Jan. 1 and formally ratified at the chamber’s annual meeting at the Lord Jeffery Inn on Jan. 15. The mission of the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce is to create, maintain, and promote a vital, thriving business climate throughout the Amherst area and to initiate and support the civic, educational, recreational, and economic well-being of the Amherst area.
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Benjamin Coyle

Benjamin Coyle

The Springfield-based regional law firm Bacon Wilson, P.C. recently announced that Adam Basch and Benjamin Coyle have been named shareholders of the firm. Basch, a member of the litigation department, practices in the areas of construction litigation, personal injury, general litigation, and commercial litigation. He is a former secretary of the Hampden County Bar Assoc., a six-time recipient of the SuperLawyers Rising Stars distinction, and serves as a member of the Wilbraham Planning Board and the United Way Allocation Committee. He teaches litigation and business law at Bay Path College and is the author of numerous construction and general litigation articles. Basch earned his JD from Western New England University School of Law and his B.A. from Union College. He is a member of the firm’s business and corporate, estate planning and elder, litigation, and municipal departments. He is a five-time recipient of the SuperLawyers Rising Stars distinction and a board member of the Western Mass. Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He earned his JD from Western New England University School of Law and his BSBA from Western New England University.
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William Fontes

William Fontes

Easthampton Savings Bank announced that William Fontes has joined the bank as Vice President Commercial Lending. Fontes has more than 30 years of banking experience in commercial lending and most recently was senior vice president, commercial banking team leader at United Bank and, prior to that, a commercial banking team leader at People’s United Bank. Fontes earned his bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Massachusetts and his MBA, majoring in finance, from Bryant University.
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David Pinsky

David Pinsky

The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts recently elected President and CEO David Pinsky to its board of directors. His three-year term, serving the nonprofit organization that has been fighting hunger in Western Mass. for more than 30 years, began this month. Pinsky, who serves as Tighe & Bond’s President and CEO, has worked at the engineering firm since 1988.  He also serves on the board of directors for the American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts and the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. A professional engineer for more than 25 years, Pinsky holds an MS in environmental engineering from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a BS in civil engineering from the University of New Hampshire. He is also an active member of numerous professional societies and organizations in the engineering profession, such as the American Water Works Assoc., the Massachusetts Water Works Assoc., and the New England Water Works Assoc.
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Thomas Dowling

Thomas Dowling

Thomas Dowling, CPA, MST, was recently hired by Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. for the position of Senior Associate, where he will be responsible for guiding staff-level accountants in their duties and helping to manage the day-to-day operations of engagements. Dowling has worked in various capacities at small to mid-sized CPA firms for four years. He graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor in accountancy degree from Bentley University and continued at Bentley to earn his master’s in taxation, graduating with high distinction. He is a member of AICPA, MSCPA, and the Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Honor Society.
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Lydia Martinez

Lydia Martinez

Sarah Williams

Sarah Williams

The YMCA of Greater Springfield recently announced the addition of Lydia Martinez, Assistant Superintendent of Springfield Public Schools, to its corporate board of directors, and named Sarah Williams the new chairperson. Williams, the Vice President of Enterprise Risk Management at the Hartford Insurance, joined the YMCA of Greater Springfield board in 2011.
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Dr. Junie Baldonado

Dr. Junie Baldonado

Dr. Junie Baldonado recently joined Ludlow Family Dentistry and doctors R. Carl Szarlan, Joseph Wegiel, Frank Mitera, and Michelle Roberts in providing general dentistry to the families of Ludlow and the surrounding towns. Baldonado is a graduate of Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in Riverside, Calif. He attended NYU for his undergraduate work and majored in fine arts, while completing the pre-med requirements for entrance into dental school. Baldonado had been practicing in the Sacramento, Calif. area prior to joining the Ludlow dental practice and is now accepting new patients and in all phases of dentistry.
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M. Dale Janes

M. Dale Janes

Springfield-based NUVO Bank & Trust Co. recently announced that Chief Executive Officer M. Dale Janes was awarded the Sally Barnhart Leadership Award from the Assoc. for Community Living in appreciation for his voluntary leadership as president of the board of directors. Janes is the immediate past president and has been a member of the board of directors since 2006. He has also served on the finance and audit, investment, executive, and ad hoc committees, providing guidance throughout the purchase of a new headquarters, major renovations at the Inclusive Community Center located in Hadley, expansion of services for the medically challenged in Hampshire County, and developing a two-year strategic plan.
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Christopher Boino

Christopher Boino

Christopher Boino was recently appointed President of Western Builders, a construction management and general contracting firm, a subsidiary company of the O’Connell Companies, headquartered in Granby. Joining Western Builders as a project manager in 2013, Boino brings more than 14 years of experience in the construction industry and is now responsible for the successful day-to-day operation of the company. Boino earned his MBA from Bentley University and a bachelor of science in Construction Management from Arizona State University’s Del Webb School of Construction. Boino is a LEED-accredited professional and is a certified project-management professional. He was previously employed in the Boston area with Shawmut Design & Construction and Cafco Construction. Western Builders was established in 1975 and has successfully completed new construction and renovation projects throughout New England in the areas of academics, healthcare, and housing.

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Gomes, Dacruz & Tracy, a Ludlow-based certified public accounting firm, recently hired James Crabtree as a Tax Accountant. Crabtree has 10 years of accounting experience and is a graduate of the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst.
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The Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau recently hired two associates:

Leah MacPherson

Leah MacPherson

Luke Trahan

Luke Trahan

• Leah MacPherson will serve as Hospitality and Sales Coordinator. She will fulfill hospitality requests for incoming convention and group tours to the Pioneer Valley, manage a 25-member volunteer group that provides assistance to GSCVB member events, and recruit teams of volunteers for incoming sports tournaments and events. MacPherson is a 2013 graduate of Saint Leo University and was previously employed by Embassy Suites Tampa Airport; and
• Luke Trahan will serve as Sports Sales Manager for the newly developed Western Mass. Sports Commission. He will pursue and handle bookings for sports tournaments and events, in addition to conducting bid presentations and site inspections for sports-related business. Trahan is a graduate of the University of Hartford and was previously employed by Poyant, Brasseler USA Dental, and Expeditor Systems.
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Jody Gross

Jody Gross

Health New England recently announced that Jody Gross will take the helm as Vice President of Sales and lead the regional health insurer in developing and executing its sales and retention strategy for its commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid lines of business. In addition, Gross will be Health New England’s key contact for government regulators from the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Since 2004, Gross has served Health New England in various positions in finance and healthcare reform, first as Finance Manager and then as Director of Finance, where he provided strategic guidance for new products while ensuring profitability and marketability. As Director of Business Development, he led the design, implementation, and evaluation of products, benefits, new business lines, and value-added programs. Prior to his promotion, Gross served as Director of Government Programs, overseeing the implementation and operations of HNE’s fledgling Medicare and Medicaid lines of business, now entering their fifth and third years of service, respectively. Gross holds a BS in Finance from Bryant College, an MBA from the University of Connecticut, and Health Insurance Producers licenses in both Massachusetts and Connecticut. Prior to joining Health New England, he worked for United Health Group and Oxford Health Plans.
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Maj. Darren Mudge has been named the new officer in charge of the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center in Springfield. Mudge will oversee the center, which provides spiritual, social, and emotional assistance for men and women in a organization that is supervised by trained, commissioned officers who have undergone extensive two-year courses in residence at Salvation Army colleges throughout the U.S.
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TD Bank has promoted Adam Lahti to Assistant Vice President and Manager of the Newton Street, South Hadley branch. Lahti is responsible for new business development, consumer and business lending, managing personnel, and overseeing day-to-day operations.

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Scott Pasquale

Scott Pasquale

Berkshire Bank recently announced that Scott Pasquale has assumed the new role of Vice President and Commercial Relationship Manager. In this position, Pasquale will be responsible for the Pioneer Valley and will be based out of the East Columbus Avenue location in Springfield. Pasquale will manage commercial relationships in Western Mass., providing a high level of expertise in commercial lending.  Hewill also provide a dedicated relationship between commercial customers and Berkshire Bank’s other lines of business and financial services. Prior to coming to Berkshire, Pasquale worked for TD Bank in commercial lending and has more than 25 years of experience in the financial-services industry. Pasquale has worked for financial institutions in the Pioneer Valley and Connecticut, including UPS Capital and Glastonbury Bank & Trust Co. He attended the College of Wooster and earned a BA in Economics. Pasquale is on the board of the Western Mass. chapter of the National Tooling & Machining Assoc., which he serves as Treasurer. He also is an active participant in fund-raising for the Boy Scouts of America.
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Katherine Coolidge

Katherine Coolidge

Katherine Coolidge, a Law Librarian at Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas, LLP, was recently chosen by the American Assoc. of Law Libraries as its new Executive Board Secretary. Coolidge has a JD from the Western New England University School of Law.
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Kyle Sullivan

Kyle Sullivan

Kyle Sullivan, a Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist with the John M. Glover Insurance Agency, has been named the Western Mass. Regional Member of the Year Award recipient for BNI, an international business-networking group. The award recognizes a member who is actively involved in running the chapter and has gone beyond expectations to help other members achieve new levels of success through BNI. Sullivan, a member of the BNI Mill River Chapter in Northampton since March 2011, is currently vice president of that chapter. Sullivan has worked for the Glover agency for five years and is a third-generation insurance agent. He works with businesses to educate them about the types of risks associated with their business, helping them reduce the chances of a loss through policies. Last year, he was voted ‘most valuable participant’ by class members at the Hartford School of Insurance when he was designated the commercial lines coverage specialist. Sullivan is also part of the Leadership Pioneer Valley class of 2014, a program that trains emerging leaders from the community, including nonprofits, business, and government, through a nine-month leadership-development program, and is a new board member of Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts.
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Jules Gaudreau, President of the Gaudreau Group Insurance and Financial Services Agency in Wilbraham, was recently elected Secretary of the National Assoc. of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) and will assume the office in September 2015, serving a one-year term. NAIFA, an association that serves and represents insurance and financial advisors, has a mission to advocate for a positive legislative and regulatory environment, enhance business and professional skills, and promote the ethical conduct of its members. Gaudreau is a Chartered Financial Consultant, a Certified Insurance Counselor, and a Licensed Insurance Advisor, and works primarily in the corporate market with a focus on employee benefits, estate, and business applications of life insurance and commercial property/casualty lines. Gaudreau is also a Million Dollar Round Table member and Top of the Table qualifier. A frequent speaker, Gaudreau is a past president of both the state and local affiliates of NAIFA and, on numerous occasions, has provided both written and oral testimony to the Massachusetts Legislature and other regulatory authorities.  He has been a director of the Mass. Assoc. of Insurance Agents and was president of Independent Insurance Agents of Hampden County, as well as the Estate Planning Council of Hampden County.
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Shirley Simolari

Shirley Simolari

Keller Williams Realty of the Pioneer Valley recently added Shirley Simolari to its team. Simolari — an integral part of the startup of the newest bank in Springfield, NUVO Bank and Trust Co., where she served as Senior Vice President and Director of Creative Solutions — has an extensive knowledge of the banking industry and is licensed in both Massachusetts and Connecticut.
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Michael Buckmaster

Michael Buckmaster

Springfield-based NUVO Bank & Trust Co. announced that Michael Buckmaster, Vice President of Commercial Lending, has been appointed President of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Hampden County board of directors. Buckmaster previously held the role of president from 2007 to 2009 and will serve another two-year term. Additionally, he is on the board of directors of the Hartsprings Foundation, which is responsible for the collection of donated clothes and personal items that benefit the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Hampden County. Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Hampden County has been in operation since 1967 and is a nonprofit, nationally affiliated agency that matches children and youth to caring adult volunteers in consistent one-to-one mentoring relationships.
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Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) Senior Planner Jayne Bernhard-Armington received the 2013 Young Planner Award, which recognizes a junior or mid-level young practicing planner who has excelled in leadership, increased the impact of planning in public and private decision-making, or enhanced the American Planning Assoc. Massachusetts chapter (APA-MA). Bernhard-Armington, who specializes in housing and land-use planning, has been with the PVPC since 2008. In addition, the PVPC was selected to receive a Comprehensive Planning Award by the APA-MA. The awards were recently presented at the 2013 APA-MA/Massachusetts Assoc. of Planning Directors Annual Awards in Cambridge. The Pioneer Valley Regional Housing Plan was recognized in the Comprehensive Planning Award’s Regional category. This award was created to honor a plan, program, or process of unusually high merit.
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Jean Wyld

Jean Wyld

Jean Wyld, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Springfield College, was recently presented with the Jacob Ludes III Leadership Award during the New England Assoc. of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) annual conference. The award is named after long-time leader and supporter of the NEASC Jacob Ludes III, and recognizes volunteers within NEASC who demonstrate leadership qualities that further the goals and objectives of the association. Wyld was recognized for her committed work as chair of NEASC’s Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE). As chair of the CIHE, Wyld provides leadership for the commission in its work of developing and applying the standards for accreditation that govern the nearly 300 public and private colleges and universities in New England and abroad accredited by NEASC. She also joined the NEASC board of trustees to represent the needs of higher education in the New England region and to external groups. Wyld has served as Vice President for Academic Affairs at Springfield College since 2001. Prior to this role, she served as the Chief Academic Officer and Dean of Academic Affairs at York College of Pennsylvania, and as Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Colby-Sawyer College in New Hampshire. While at Colby-Sawyer, she was selected as an American Council of Education fellow, and served her fellowship year at Boston College.