People on the Move

Attorney Timothy Netkovick has joined Royal, P.C. He has more than 14 years of litigation experience and has tried nearly two dozen cases to verdict. Netkovick’s practice is focused in labor law and complex employment litigation. He also counsels companies on the multitude of state and federal employment laws impacting them, including wage-and-hour issues, disability and leave laws, workplace safety and OSHA compliance, affirmative action, and contract negotiations. His other preventive work includes drafting employee manuals; preparing non-disclosure, non-solicitation, and non-compete agreements; and conducting management training. He is a graduate of American International College and Western New England University School of Law.

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Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C. announced that Attorney Kimberly Klimczuk is among only 50 women throughout the Commonwealth named among the 2016 Top Women of Law by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. The Top Women of Law program showcases women who are shining stars across numerous legal fields. This list of elite legal female professionals will be honored at a dinner program sponsored by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, planned for Oct. 27 at the Marriott Copley Hotel in Boston. “I know that Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly has a long-standing tradition of recognizing pioneers in the legal field,” Klimczuk said. “I am honored to be included in this group of talented women lawyers throughout Massachusetts.” Klimczuk joined Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C. in 2004 and concentrates her practice in labor law and employment litigation. She became a partner with the firm in 2011. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and received her juris doctor from Duke University School of Law. Her experience includes negotiating collective bargaining agreements and advising on contract interpretation and successfully defending clients in state and federal court and before administrative agencies in a variety of areas of employment law, including wage-and-hour law, discrimination, harassment, wrongful discharge, and breach of contract. In addition, she has assisted employers in compliance matters involving the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, and drafted numerous affirmative-action plans for them. She is a frequent speaker for a wide variety of associations and organizations and, as a resident of Springfield, is an active member of the Western Mass. community.

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Greenfield Community College announced that Catherine Seaver has been named Chief Academic and Student Affairs Officer. “Catherine Seaver is a great fit for GCC,” said college President Bob Pura. “Catherine understands the joy, privilege, and the challenges of teaching and learning at a community college because she attended a community college, she has taught in the classrooms of one, and has worked in leadership positions in a community college. She understands the challenges of working in and running a tech-based business because she has worked in that environment. Catherine fits here because she gets how important relationships and community are to student success, how important the ongoing commitment to betterment and improvement is, and why it is essential that our student outcomes are comprehensive and sustainable. Catherine totally gets the importance of access, excellence, and our mission.” Seaver holds a bachelor’s degree in applied science: manufacturing engineering technology from Miami University, a master’s degree in computer information systems from the University of Phoenix, and a master’s degree in educational technology from Eastern Connecticut State University. She will complete a PhD in leadership from the University of the Cumberlands in December. Seaver worked at Manchester Community College from 2002 until this past spring. Her positions included division director for Business, Engineering & Technology; interim associate dean of Student Affairs; and department chair/professor in Engineering & Technology. While in administrative roles, Seaver taught one online or on-campus course each semester as an adjunct professor, including “Introduction to C++ Programming,” “Introduction to 3D AutoCAD,” “Object-Oriented C++ Programming,” and “Introduction to Engineering Analysis.” Prior to working at Manchester Community College, Seaver held systems-engineering, project-management, and technical-instructor positions with Hallmark IT, General Cigar Co., IKON (formerly HBM Technology Group), KTC Software Services, and Carrier Corp. “GCC’s President Bob Pura and GCC as a whole have a superb reputation throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, and beyond,” Seaver said. “I’m honored to be able to work here. When I was teaching at Manchester Community College, students would take a few classes at MCC with the intention of transferring to GCC to finish. I am very committed to community colleges. Their smaller classes and teachers focused on teaching instead of research make all the difference in student success. I was a finalist for a position at a selective four-year college that admits only 50% of their applicants. Thinking about what happens to the other 50%, I realized how much open access means to me and that I want to focus my career on community colleges. GCC is a great school doing powerful work in the community, and I look forward to being part of what GCC does so well.”

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Robinson Donovan, P.C. announced that partner Nancy Frankel Pelletier will be honored among the 2016 Top Women of Law by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. This honor is awarded to only 50 women attorneys annually throughout the Commonwealth. It recognizes and celebrates outstanding achievements made by exceptional female lawyers. The 2016 honorees will be recognized at a dinner program on Oct. 27 at the Marriott Copley Place Hotel in Boston. “When I look at the list of honorees this year, I see a group of women who are without-a-doubt trailblazers in the legal field,” Pelletier said. “I am thankful to be included among so many influential legal experts, and I want to extend my congratulations to each of them.” Pelletier exclusively practices litigation. She has no fear of taking a case to trial; however, she recognizes when it is not in the best interest of her clients, and she is equally talented at resolving conflicts outside of the courtroom expeditiously and economically. Her reputation as a litigator reaches well beyond Springfield, with a practice area extending from the Berkshires to Boston in both state and federal courts. She has also been admitted to the Hampden County Bar Assoc., the Women’s Bar Assoc. of Massachusetts, and the Federal Bar Assoc. Pelletier is a fellow at the International Association of Defense Council and a life fellow of the Massachusetts Bar Foundation. Other professional affiliations include membership to the Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Assoc., the Defense Research Institute, and civic involvement at George Washington University and East Longmeadow High School, where she provides mentoring and career job-shadowing opportunities for students. A complete list of 2016 Top Women of Law nominees can be found online at masslawyersweekly.com.

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J. Polep Distribution Services announced the promotion of Brian Neeld to Vice President, in addition to his role as chief financial officer. Neeld has been with J. Polep since 1998. Over the past 18 years, he has played a key role in the Accounting department. When he first started with the company, he held the title of accounting assistant, and worked his way up to corporate controller, a title he held for nine years, supporting the CFO. He was responsible for the production of financial reports, maintenance of accounting records, and a comprehensive set of controls and budgets. In 2014, Neeld was appointed CFO, then was promoted to vice president. Company leaders say his commitment and focus on customers, vendors, and the J. Polep team — as well as his dedication and ability to tackle complex accounting — have positively impacted J. Polep’s growth.

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Robinson Donovan, P.C. announced that attorney Jeffrey Trapani has been appointed chair of the legislative steering committee for the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce. The legislative steering committee identifies issues of major concern to the business community, researches the issues, and 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 chamber’s position. This committee also serves as the legislative arm of the East of the River Five Town Chamber of Commerce. “Jeff is not only an outstanding litigator, but a genuine leader in the community,” said Nancy Frankel Pelletier, head of Robinson Donovan’s litigation department. “We are very proud that he has taken on a leadership role at the Springfield Regional Chamber. He has an unwavering commitment to our business community, and he will be carrying on a decades-old tradition at Robinson Donovan of community service.” Trapani, a partner at Robinson Donovan, concentrates his practice in civil litigation, including insurance defense, employment law, municipal liability, business litigation, and professional malpractice. Additionally, he represents landlords in summary-process actions and housing-discrimination claims and insurance companies in unfair-settlement claims and coverage issues. He graduated, cum laude, from New England Law in Boston, where he was editor in chief of the New England Law Review. He has been recognized by Super Lawyers since 2008.

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Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C. announced that Attorney Marylou Fabbo has been named one of the 2016 Top Women of Law by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. This distinction is presented to only 50 female legal professionals in the Commonwealth each year. The Top Women of Law program highlights women who are trailblazers in their respective fields and role models for future generations of attorneys. This prestigious list of elite female legal professionals will be honored at a dinner program sponsored by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, planned for Oct. 27 at the Marriott Copley Hotel in Boston. “I am truly humbled to be recognized among so many talented women,” Fabbo said. “It speaks volumes about our firm to have two attorneys recognized this year. I look forward to celebrating the achievements of all the honorees in October.” Fabbo represents employers in employment litigation before state and federal courts as well as state and federal agencies in Massachusetts and Connecticut. She is a partner at Skoler Abbott and heads the firm’s litigation team. She has extensive experience working with employers to reduce the risk of legal liability they may face as the result of illegal employment practices. She is a frequent speaker on employment-related topics and also conducts extensive management-training and employment-practices audits. She is a published author and volunteers in the local community. Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly was founded in 1972 and reports decisions issued by all state and federal courts in Massachusetts as well as changes to court rules, verdict and settlement reports, bar-discipline notices, and other news vital to attorneys in the Commonwealth. A complete list of the publication’s 2016 Top Women of Law can be found at masslawyersweekly.com.