Innovative Project

State and UMass Amherst officials broke ground recently on the $62 million Business Innovation Hub at the Isenberg School of Management. The ambitious project will add 70,000 square feet of classrooms, labs, and student spaces, including an expanded career center, advising spaces, and learning commons, as well as faculty offices to the school’s existing facilities. The project is scheduled for completion in September 2018, with occupancy in January 2019. The new addition accompanies additional renovation of select spaces within the original 1964 building and the 2002 addition named for Harold Alford. The new and renovated facilities will combine to create a single unified campus for the Isenberg School. Speakers at the groundbreaking included UMass Amherst Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy, Isenberg School of Management Dean Mark Fuller (bottom left), state Sen. Stanley Rosenberg (bottom right), UMass Building Authority Chairman Phillip Johnston, UMass trustee Henry Thomas, and Isenberg graduates Edward Shirley, Stephanie Berenson, and Martin Boyle. Above: an architect’s rendering of the new Business Innovation Hub.

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Travel into the Past

Wistariahurst, the Holyoke-based historical museum, and Brick Coworkshop, a collaborative art and design space in the Holyoke Innovation District, teamed up this spring to produce a traveling museum experience, comprised of installation space, protective cases for artifacts and objects, and a recording area where members of the community can document and share their memories. “We have a fantastic collection of objects, documents, photographs, maps, and multi-media pieces that we want people to be aware of,” said Wistariahurst Director Kate Preissler. “Our goal here is to physically take this material out into the city and use it to engage people the same ways we would at the museum. We want to interact with people who’ve never heard of Wistariahurst, those who can’t get here, and maybe even get some folks excited about history who would never before have thought that a museum was a place that would interest them.” Wistariahurst is working with several community partners and organizations to set up a schedule for the traveling museum after its debut this spring. Pictured at right: Holyoke City Historian Penni Martorell holds a ‘dandy roll’ once used to watermark paper products. At left: examples of some museum items that may travel.

Fit to Be Healthy

The annual Springfield College Fit Fest, held last week at the college’s Field House, recognizes National Recreational Sports and Fitness Day, an annual event of the National Intramural-Recreation Sports Assoc. More than 40 exhibits and activities representing Springfield College groups and area businesses addressed wellness topics including mental health, skin safety, nutrition, emergency preparedness, and healthcare. Attendees had the opportunity to receive a free chair massage, measure their body fat, participate in a functional movement screening, and learn about self-defense. Exhibitors included the Springfield North WIC Program, the Melanoma Foundation of New England, the American Cancer Society, the Springfield Department of Health and Human Services, the Boston Ski and Sports Club, and more. Pictured: 2016 Fit Fest organizers Kate (McMahon) Luscombe and Kristen Brosius, with a couple of canine companions, prepare for the festivities in the Field House.

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‘A Night of Passion’

Link to Libraries hosted “A Night of Passion” on April 5 at the Log Cabin, promoting childhood literacy with an evening of fine food and beverages. A host of area celebrities and business leaders — including Mike Mathis, MGM Springfield president and COO; Kevin Rhodes, Springfield Symphony Orchestra conductor; Spiros Hatiras, Holyoke Medical Center president and CEO; Delcie Bean, CEO of Paragus Strategic IT; Mick Corduff, executive chef and co-owner of the Log Cabin; and Amy Royal, founding partner of Royal, P.C., among others — served up their favorite food or drink, all donated by the Log Cabin and its owner, Peter Rosskothen (left, with Link to Libraries co-founder Susan Jaye-Kaplan). More than 500 people attended Link to Libraries’ biennial fund-raiser, which benefits the organization and celebrates what it has accomplished since 2008, including the donation of nearly 500,000 books to area schools and organizations, and how it intends to expand its mission in the years to come.

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Community Links

MGM Springfield President Michael Mathis recently visited the Link to Libraries warehouse in Hampden to see what the literacy program is doing and how effective it is in the Western Mass. community. Pictured, from left, are Mathis; Susan Jaye-Kaplan, Link to Libraries president; and Andrew Anderlonis, president of Rediker Software and Link to Libraries executive board member. “Having Michael come to view our organization and learn what we do in this community was an honor,” Jaye-Kaplan said. “We know the children in our community will benefit from having more corporate partners in their schools, and MGM is already vested throughout the Valley in community endeavors. We were honored to have this meeting.”

Radiothon Record

The 2016 94.7 WMAS Children’s Miracle Network Radiothon to benefit Baystate Children’s Hospital broke an all-time record last month, raising $343,377 over the three-day event. “I’m so proud of the team,” said Cumulus Springfield Vice President Craig Swimm. “We’ve been doing the Radiothon since 2002, and since then have raised $3,096,424. The entire community came together to make sure local kids in the Springfield area have top-notch medical care. 94.7 WMAS would like to thank the entire community for their gracious support.”

Outlook 2016

About 700 people attended last week’s Outlook 2016 luncheon at the MassMutual Center, presented by the Springfield Regional Chamber in partnership with the East of the River Five Town Chamber of Commerce. Among the speakers were Gov. Charlie Baker (top), whose keynote address touched on economic development, the potential for east-west rail service in Massachusetts, and strategies for tackling the state’s opioid epidemic, among other topics, and U.S. Rep. Richard Neal (middle), who discussed a number of issues facing Congress.

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Celebrate Springfield

DevelopSpringfield recently presented its fifth annual Celebrate Springfield dinner at the MassMutual Center.

Photos by Ed Cohen

This year, its Partner in Progress Award, recognizing the contributions of individuals toward revitalization in Springfield, was given to, (from left) Brian Connors, Springfield’s deputy director of Economic Development; Maureen Hayes, president of Hayes Development Services; and Ira Rubenzahl, president of Springfield Technical Community College

Vincent Maniaci, American International College; Mary Kay Wydra, Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau; Michelle Goldberg, Pioneer Valley Transit Authority; and Judy Matt, Spirit of Springfield

Some of the more than 500 attendees at the dinner

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40 Under Forty Reunion

Springfield Country Club hosted the most recent 40 Under Forty reunion on Dec. 2, as honorees from the past nine years came out to mingle, network, and enjoy the season.

Left to right: Amanda Huston (class of 2010) and Sean Wandrei (’10).

Left to right: Jeremy Casey (’13), Michelle Desmarais, and Gregg Desmarais (’15).

Left to right: Kristi Reale (’09), Alfonso Santaniello (’14), and Bill Trudeau (’08).

Left to right: Jeremy Leap (’13), Samalid Hogan (’13), Michael Gove (’07), and BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien.

Left to right: Jeff Fialky (’08), Liz Rappaport (’14), and Sarah Tsitso (’07).

Date with Destiny

Continuing a tradition of celebrating local talent in its marketing and community-outreach efforts, Florence Bank invited the public to meet renowned artist/photographer Ellen Augarten at a reception on Dec. 4 at the bank’s main branch in Florence. Augarten is a Northampton photographer and artist whose career spans more than three decades and whose body of work includes children and family portraits, and compelling Pioneer Valley images shown through the prism of double-exposure photography to add a dramatic look to each scene. Her work appears throughout each month in the bank’s 2016 calendars, which will be available shortly at each of the Florence Bank branches.

Another Exciting Chapter

The Link to Libraries Business Book Link program has a new sponsor at the Coburn School in West Springfield. Steve Mitus, executive vice president and chief financial officer at Balise Auto Group, and his wife, Moira, are sponsoring and reading to grade 4 students. Link to Libraries donates books to more than 400 sites in Western Mass. and Connecticut each year. More than 79,000 new books were distributed this fiscal year. For more information, visit www.linktolibraries.org.

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Men of the Year

As part of the Together is Better Campaign, the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts celebrated its inaugural Men of the Year Award recipients and finalists at an event last month at Twin Hills Country Club. The award honors men from the region who, in their professional or personal lives, have made significant contributions to ensure economic and social equity for women and girls.

BusinessWest Associate Publisher Kate Campiti presents the award in the ‘Legacy’ category to Robert Perry, retired partner for Meyers Brothers Kalicka

Waleska Lugo-DeJesus, director of the Healing Racism Institute of Pioneer Valley, presents the award in the ‘mid-career’ category to David Sullivan, Northwestern district attorney

State Auditor Suzanne Bump presents the award in the ‘emerging’ category to Anthony Gulluni, Hampden County district attorney

Buffy Mayo, widow of Lifetime Achievement Award winner York Mayo, talks with Sullivan, left, and Edward Nunez, assistant vice president of Business Development for Freedom Credit Union, and a finalist in the ‘mid-career’ category

Noble Ball

Baystate Noble Hospital held its 51st Noble Ball on Oct. 17 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. The Motown-themed event was co-chaired by the Queenin Family (pictured at left, from left): Jon and Lisa, Kevin and Barbara, Janine and Jay.

More than 700 guests attended the black-tie event, which featured live entertainment from two bands, silent and live auctions, a formal dinner, cocktails, dancing, and more. The 2016 Noble Ball chairs (pictured at right, from left) were Ali and Mandana Salehi, 
Serena and Marc Lichwan, and Julie and Nabil Hannoush.

Grand Old Game

The Western Mass. Relics’ Softball League is a summer recreational slow-pitch league founded in 1994 with the idea that playing ball is fun, healthy, and a good way to maintain friendships. The Relics “80s Team,” sponsored by Savage Arms, competed in the Cape Cod Senior Softball Classic in September

Standing, left to right: Ken Cook, Frank Sousa, Leo Quinn, Phil Thibodeau, Art Brockelman, Dick Hastede, Coach Ed Gagnon, and Bob Brennan; in front, left to right: Lou Massoia, Frank Bernini, Bob Schoolcraft, and Don Holcomb.

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Cutting the Ribbon

Balise Motor Sales staged a ribbon cutting and South End Celebration on Sept. 24 at its recently opened Hyundai dealership on Columbus Avenue in Springfield. At top, at the official ribbon cutting, from left: Brian Houser, general manager of Balise Hyundai; Leo Florian, president of the South End Citizens Council; Springfield Mayor Dominic Sarno; Jeb Balise; Dylan Balise; Isabelle Balise; Mike Balise; Kateri Walsh, Springfield City Councilor; state Rep. Carlos Gonzalez; Dave O’Brien, Hyundai regional marketing manager; Kim Bucci, Hyundai regional parts & service manager; and Bill Peffer, president and COO, Balise Motor Sales. At bottom, from left: Dave Zucowski, president of Hyundai North America; Mike Balise, vice president of Balise Motor Sales; and Jeb Balise, CEO of the company.

A New Chapter

Link to Libraries recently passed two significant milestones — 400,000 books donated to area schools and agencies, and 100 readers in the reading programs at those schools and organizations. A number of area elected officials and LTL officers and volunteers gathered at the company’s headquarters at Rediker Software in Hampden to mark the occasion. Top: Link to Libraries co-founder Susan Jaye Kaplan with state Sen. Eric Lesser. Bottom, from left: Stephen G. Kaplan, LTL board member; Gail Baquis, LTL Read Aloud Project director; Amy Rediker Anderlonis, marketing and public relations director for Rediker Software; Andrew Anderlonis, president of Rediker Software; Susan Bennett, the 100th LTL reader; Lesser; state Rep. Brian Ashe; Springfield City Councilor Kateri Walsh; and Chicopee Mayor Richard Kos.

Succeeding at Succession

Mike Vann, a principal with the Springfield-based Vann Group, addresses those gathered at the Student Prince & the Fort on Sept. 30 for the second installment in an ongoing lecture series sponsored by BusinessWest and the Healthcare News. Presented by Vann and his father, Kevin, also a principal with the company, the program, titled “Heading for the Exit: Business Succession Planning Realities & Process,” provided a wealth of information on the issues involved with transitioning a business. The program will be repeated on Oct. 7 at the Smith College Conference Center. Registration is at 7:15 a.m., with the program beginning at 7:30. To register, visit www.businesswest.com.

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Drink Up

Beer enthusiasts packed Court Square in Springfield on Aug. 29 for the first annual Valley Fest, which featured offerings from more than 50 breweries, plus food and live music. The event also featured a home-brewing competition; the winners were Black & Blue Brews (judges’ choice) and Footbridge Brew (people’s choice). Also paying a visit (below left, center of photo) was celebrity chef Marc Stroobandt, Stella Artois’ master beer sommelier.

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Distinguished Citizen Award

Al Kasper, right, vice president of Savage Arms, recently received the 2015 Distinguished Citizen Award from the Western Mass. Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Kasper was honored for his longstanding community involvement, leadership, and dedicated service to others. “It’s very humbling,” Kasper said of receiving the prestigious award. “The Western Massachusetts Boy Scouts are an important part of this community, and to be recognized by them is such an honor.” The Western Mass. Council presented Kasper with the Distinguished Citizen Award at a gala honoring area scouts. Pictured with Kasper is Gene Cassidy, CEO of the Eastern States Exposition, and a previous recipient of the Distinguished Citizen Award.

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Open for Business

MedExpress Urgent Care opened a new office in Chicopee on July 14. The facility, located at 1505 Memorial Dr., offers a wide range of medical services, including X-rays, minor surgery, occupational health, physicals, immunizations, medical evaluations, and treatment of colds, flu, infections, breaks, sprains, cuts, allergic reactions, and other conditions. On hand for the ceremonial ribbon-cutting ceremonies were Chicopee Mayor Rich Kos and Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce Director Eileen Drumm (center); Elizabeth Toner, aide to state Sen. Jim Welch; Ernesto Cruz, aide to state Rep. Jose Tosado; and Richard Kosiaka from Citizens Bank, as well as a host of MedExpress employees, including Becca Deleporte, Viktoriya Gladysh, Angela Faulkner, Amy Biela, Ashleigh Ouimette, Mindi Richardson, Sandy Cyr, Zuleyka Dube, Kristine Laurin, Sarah Moses, Kristina Hawley, Ed Casaldi, and Dr. Dheeraj Taranath.

Banking on College Success

The Chicopee Savings Bank Charitable Foundation recently announced its ninth annual scholarship award program. This program replaced the Chicopee Savings Bank Medallion Scholarship Program, which was established in 1976 in conjunction with the nation’s bicentennial celebration. This year, the Chicopee Savings Bank Charitable Foundation Scholarship Program awarded seven scholarships, each in the amount of $3,000, to graduating seniors from high schools within the bank’s market area. Pictured here with William Wagner, president of Chicopee Savings Bank Charitable Foundation, at the presentation ceremonies on July 23 are, from left, Juliana Vadnais, Ware Junior/Senior High School; Emily Doiron, Chicopee Comprehensive High School; Taylor Guertin, South Hadley High School; Krystian Jurkowski, Chicopee High School; Samantha Cross, Cathedral High School; Emily Sevigne, Ludlow High School; and Mihaela Sousa, Ware Junior/Senior High School.

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Welcome to the Family

Leaders from Baystate Health and Noble Hospital gathered last week to celebrate Noble officially becoming part of the Baystate family. The Westfield-based hospital will now be known as Baystate Noble Hospital and joins Baystate’s team of community hospitals in Greenfield, Palmer, and Ware. At right, Ronald Bryant (left) — who had been president and CEO of Noble Hospital and will continue as president of Baystate Noble Hospital — joins Dr. Mark Keroack, president and CEO of Baystate Health, in officially launching the affiliation. Noble has about 750 employees who will join Baystate Health’s team of 11,500 across Western Mass. The new Baystate Noble Hospital name and logo will be integrated into all signage and materials in the weeks to come.

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Breakfast Is Served

The Spirit of Springfield recently presented its World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast in downtown Springfield, marking the event’s 25th anniversary. Pictured top to bottom: Attendees wait for their pancakes on Main Street. From left, MGM Springfield President Mike Mathis, the event’s honorary chairman; Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno; Kelley Tucky, MGM Resorts vice president of Community and Public Affairs, Eastern Region; and businessman Paul Picknelly. Spirit of Springfield President Judy Matt and Springfield Police Sgt. John Delaney (third and fourth from left) with Sarno, Mathis, and members of the Springfield Police K9 Unit. Bottom left: from left, John Sjoberg, president of New England Business Machine Co.; state Sen. Eric Lesser; and Jane Albert, vice president of Development for Baystate Health.

Woman of the Year

The Professional Women’s Chamber (PWC) recently named Anne Paradis, CEO of MicroTek Inc. in Chicopee, as its 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, co-sponsored by BusinessWest, was held recently at Storrowton Tavern in West Springfield. Top: from left, Paradis receives honorary gifts from PWC board members Laurie Cassidy and Nancy Mirkin. Bottom: Paradis (top) celebrates with a group of MicroTek employees. 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. Since taking the reins in 1987, Paradis has guided Microtek to 15% annual growth, on average, as well expanding the company’s product lines and client base and creating more than 80 jobs.

Noble Cause

The 31st annual Noble Hospital 5K Run & Walk for a Noble Cause was held last month at Stanley Park. More than 600 participants walked and ran the 5K route through Stanley Park and the surrounding area. Individuals, teams, wheelchair racers, and school groups participated. Teams included students from Westfield Elementary Schools, Westfield State University, local foundations and nonprofits, businesses, and families and friends. The top male finisher in the 5k run was Robbie Crossman (15:46), while the top female time was posted by Annie Paredes (19:13).

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Celebrating Springfield

More than 700 people flocked to the MassMutual Center on March 12 for DevelopSpringfield’s Celebrate Springfield Annual Dinner. The nonprofit organization, dedicated to spurring economic development in the city’s many neighborhoods, honored three individuals — Springfield Chief Development Officer Kevin Kennedy; Jerald Jay Griffin, co-founder of the Stone Soul Festival; and Evan Plotkin, president of NAI Plotkin — for their efforts to stimulate growth and vitality in the city. Pictured: the crowd during networking hour.
From left, Steve Davis, senior trustee of the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation; Paul Silva, executive director of Valley Venture Mentors; Delcie Bean, founder and CEO of Paragus Strategic IT, and Bob Stevens, president of Stevens & Associates, P.C.
From left, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno; Jay Minkarah, president and CEO of DevelopSpringfield; Armando Feliciano, DevelopSpringfield board member and event chair; Kennedy, Griffin, and Plotkin; and Jill Monson-Bishop, mistress of ceremonies.