Company Notebook

Travelers Recognizes Sumner & Toner Agency
LONGMEADOW — The Sumner & Toner Insurance Agency was recently recognized by Travelers as one of 20 agencies in the country to receive its prestigious Insurance Agency of the Year Award. Firms are chosen based on their goals for long-term profitable growth, dedication to high-quality customer service, and commitment to Travelers. “The Sumner & Toner Insurance Agency demonstrates the highest level of motivation and commitment,” said Greg Toczydlowski, president of personal insurance for Travelers, in a prepared statement. Toczydlowski added that Travelers “truly values” the partnership they’ve developed with the local firm. Established in 1933, Sumner & Toner Insurance Agency is an independent provider of comprehensive auto, home, professional liability, and life insurance. In 2008, partners Warren Sumner and Bill Toner created a dual father-and-son family business with sons Bud Sumner and Jack Toner. The next generation of Sumner & Toner, they say, serve as the company’s sales representatives and are helping to lead the company into the 21st century.

MMWEC Redesigns
Public Web Site
LUDLOW — The Mass. Municipal Wholesale Electric Co. (MMWEC) has redesigned its public Web site with the goal of bringing greater efficiency to its Web-site management and improving content to online visitors. The Web site, www.mmwec.org, provides a “fresh and sophisticated look” at MMWEC’s history, programs, and services as well as recent news, financial reports, and information about energy assets and renewable-energy initiatives, according to MMWEC CEO Ronald C. DeCurzio. The site also features improved navigation and a search function, making it simpler for visitors to find specific information that is enhanced with graphic detail. The new site is updated using a customized content-management system, giving authorized individuals the ability to update and publish Web pages as needed from any location with Internet access. In addition, the site is search-engine-optimized to direct more users to the site based on their search-engine queries. MMWEC is a nonprofit, public corporation and political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that provides a variety of power-supply, financial, risk-management, and other services to the state’s consumer-owned, municipal utilities.

STCC, Balise Create Partnership for Students
SPRINGFIELD — Balise Motor Sales recently donated $25,000 toward the purchase of a state-of-the-art Hunter vehicle-alignment lift for the Automotive Technology Department at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC). The lift will introduce students to real-world diagnostic equipment to better prepare them for their careers in automotive technology, according to Raymond Sbriscia, chairman of the Automotive Technology Department. Sbriscia noted that the lift will be an integral part of the education and training students receive. The college also has a relationship with the Hunter Engineering Co., the manufacturer of the lift and other automotive-repair equipment. Hunter uses the STCC facility as a training and demonstration center for repair companies throughout the region and neighboring states. In return, STCC receives the latest, highest-quality equipment in the industry. Michael Balise, vice president, noted that Balise Motor Sales is always in need of talented automotive technicians who have computer and electronics training in addition to the traditional mechanical training. During the first year at STCC, students work mostly in the lab, diagnosing and fixing problems. At the end of the first year, students receive a certificate of completion. Students can then either join the workforce or continue on to the second year of study and receive an associate’s degree in automotive technology. Only 22 students are accepted into a new class, so the competition is “fierce,” according to STCC officials.

“Hackman” Retires
after 48 Years
EAST LONGMEADOW — Lee “Hackman” Breton recently retired from LENOX after a 48-year career that started out on the manufacturing floor. In 1962, Breton was credited with manufacturing the first bi-metal reciprocating saw blade entirely by hand. His career took a dramatic change in 1981 when the LENOX sales team asked him if he thought he could cut a car in half with the new Hackmaster hacksaw blades to show off their superior strength and durability. He accepted and met this challenge, which turned out to be the first of hundreds of car cuts — earning him his nickname. From that day forward, being Hackman became his full-time job. Over the years, Breton traveled the world as Hackman, demonstrating the strength and durability of LENOX Tools by cutting more than 500 cars and other items, including an oil tank truck, cargo plane, boxcar, house, armored car, and even a bus at Super Bowl XXXIIII in 1999. Rich Mathews, vice president of marketing and new business for LENOX, noted that Breton exemplified the LENOX brand with his trademark car cuts, and was always willing and able to help out the company with anything and everything. “He will forever be considered a great employee as well as the best ambassador for the LENOX brand that we ever could ask for,” said Mathews. Breton’s last day at LENOX was May 28.
Café Lebanon Celebrates
10 Years in Business
SPRINGFIELD — Nadim Kashouh, owner of Café Lebanon, recently invited customers and friends to a complimentary 10-year celebration extravaganza at the 1390 Main St. restaurant to thank everyone for their patronage over the years. Kashouh serves Lebanese and Mediterranean cuisine in what he calls “an elegant, yet relaxed atmosphere.” Café Lebanon also offers catering for weddings; showers; anniversary, birthday, and graduation parties; bereavement gatherings; holiday events; business meetings; and corporate events. Kashouh maintains a second Café Lebanon restaurant in the center of East Longmeadow at 60 Shaker Road.