People on the Move
Rick Sullivan
Rick Sullivan, president and CEO of the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council, announced he will retire on Dec. 31. Sullivan came to the EDC as an already-seasoned leader in Massachusetts, and in his 11-year tenure, he focused on growing the organization and its influence with statewide leaders and policy makers. Programming has greatly expanded, and membership has doubled. Most recently, Sullivan led the EDC in publishing a white paper early in 2024, outlining where to make multi-million-dollar investments in the region, which led to a recent $70 million award through the state’s Economic Development Bond Bill. The region is now investing in food science, quantum computing, and clean tech. The award was the largest in the region’s history. A partner in a law firm early on in his career, Sullivan was mayor of Westfield from 1994 to 2007, and served as president of the Massachusetts Mayors Assoc. in 1998. Before coming on board as president and CEO of the EDC, he was chief of staff in the Massachusetts Governor’s Office in 2014 and 2015 and held leadership roles with the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Department of Conservation and Recreation. The EDC executive committee has hired Lindauer, an executive search firm with experience in Western Mass., to lead a nationwide search for the next CEO.
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Kim Brewer
Bulkley Richardson recently welcomed Kim Brewer as the firm’s controller. In this management role, she will execute all fiscal activities for the firm, including development of the annual operating budget; partnership reporting; successful collaboration with her team for billing, payables, and receivables; and working closely with firm leadership to contribute to the growth and overall success of the firm. Brewer is a graduate of Bryant University, cum laude, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She is a certified public accountant and certified medical practice executive.
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Visual Sound Productions Inc. (VSP) announced the addition of Kara Bombard as the company’s new Sales and Marketing manager. A marketing professional with a passion for brand development and community engagement, Bombard brings more than a decade of experience in strategic marketing, communications, and brand development to the growing video-production company. Bombard joins VSP following an 11-year tenure at Performance Foodservice – Springfield, where she played a key role in leading local marketing initiatives, strengthening brand visibility, and driving business growth. From 2022 to 2024, she also served as chair of Communications on the inaugural steering committee for Women of PFG, the first associate resource group launched across the national enterprise. Beyond her professional expertise, Bombard is a well-known leader in the Greater Springfield business community and dedicated to community involvement. She currently serves as president of the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield (YPS) and has been on the organization’s board of directors since 2021. Her leadership and impact in the region were recognized in 2024 when she was named to BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Saint Anselm College and an MBA from Bay Path University.
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Angela Tourville
AnnieMac Home Mortgage recently welcomed Angela Tourville as its newest branch manager, leading the expansion into Western Mass. and Northern Conn. With nearly two decades in the mortgage industry, she is on a mission to help families achieve their homeownership dreams. Her first move as branch manager was bringing industry veteran Mike Tourville (her father-in-law) on board. Together, their plan is to assemble a top-tier team of mortgage specialists, ready to serve families across Western Mass. and Connecticut. Whether it’s purchasing or refinancing, she and her network of professionals are committed to making the process smooth, stress-free, and rewarding.
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James Hagan, president and CEO of Westfield Bank, announced that Bryan Cowan has been promoted to first vice president, Finance and Investment officer at the bank’s main office location in Westfield. He oversees stress testing, works with management on the bank’s capital-management strategies, and manages the investment portfolio. Cowan has worked in the banking industry for the past 24 years, starting off his career as a teller with Westfield Bank. Over the years, he advanced within the organization as part of the Accounting and Finance department. Cowan graduated from Westfield State University in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in English. He then completed his master’s degree in finance and MBA from Northeastern University in 2014. He co-chairs the CECL committee and ALCO committee.
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Meridith Salois
bankESB recently promoted Meridith Salois to vice president, Lending Systems manager at its 241 Northampton St., Easthampton office. Salois has nearly 30 years of banking experience. She joined bankESB in 2001, working in loan servicing and collections, and moved on to become a credit analyst and, eventually, vice president, Commercial Credit Systems Management. In her new role, she will be evolving and maintaining the suite of lending information systems while supporting all aspects of commercial, consumer, and residential systems across the bank’s parent company, Hometown Financial Group. Salois has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Bay Path University and earned a certificate from the New England School of Financial Studies. She is a longtime volunteer for Junior Achievement, is the vice president of the LoanVantage user group board, and has been the education and training booth chair for Westfield Credit for Life since 2019.
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Paula Almgren, founder of Berkshire Law Group in Lenox, has been named to the Massachusetts Super Lawyers list, an honor given to fewer than 5% of attorneys in the Commonwealth. This marks the fifth consecutive year she has earned this recognition. Almgren has been in practice for more than 20 years, counseling clients in elder law and estate, trust, and tax planning and administration, as well as life care. An accredited attorney with the Department of Veterans Affairs and a graduate of Williams College and Albany Law School of Union University, she is recognized as a state expert on Medicaid as well as leveraging community resources to help older people stay in their homes. In 2020, Almgren served as president of the Massachusetts chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. She serves on the Fairview Hospital ethics committee and the Pittsfield Council on Aging. She is a member of the Alzheimer’s Partnership, the Life Care Planning Law Firms Assoc., the Berkshire County Estate Planning Council, the Massachusetts Bar Assoc., and the Berkshire Bar Assoc. She is licensed to practice law in Massachusetts.
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Lee Morrissette
Dietz & Company Architects Inc. announced that firm Principal Lee Morrissette has earned the credential of certified passive house consultant (CPHC) through Phius, a nonprofit organization dedicated to decarbonization and passive building. The Phius passive building certification standard is a rigorous energy standard that produces buildings that use 40% to 60% percent less energy than conventional structures. In order to achieve CPHC certification, Morrissette completed a comprehensive training course and a rigorous multi-part exam to prove his knowledge. Lee joined Dietz & Company Architects in 2019 and has more than 20 years of experience designing new construction and renovations for affordable housing, community and senior centers, and educational and commercial facilities. Throughout his career, he has focused on bringing sustainability and energy efficiency to his projects.
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Celebrating its 25th anniversary as Six Flags, Six Flags New England is making its largest culinary investment in park history. One key initiative includes naming Josh Streeter as the park’s first executive chef. Streeter is a Western Mass. Native with an extensive culinary background. He moved from Western Mass. to San Franscico to further his career. Shortly after arriving, he began working on a team that earned two Michelin stars. Subsequently, he taught culinary school and became head chef of a variety of kitchens, including universities, hospitals, retirement communities, bakeries, and, most recently, MGM Springfield. Streeter is looking forward to enhancing several menus, including Chop Six. He is introducing fresh, seasonal ingredients and traditional noodles, and will teach team members new cooking techniques that will elevate quality, taste, and presentation for guests. Six Flags New England is also reintroducing its flagship restaurant, Riverboat Café, after a total renovation, including a new look in the dining area, additional seating, and new kitchen equipment that will allow for new menu items and higher-quality, fresh ingredients.
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Brandon Calton
The Royal Law Firm recently welcomed attorney Brandon Calton to its team. Calton advises clients through the litigation process and provides assistance when employers are faced with difficult scenarios, such as defending themselves against claims of discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, or allegations of violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act. He holds a bachelor’s degree in government from St. Lawrence University and a juris doctorate from Roger Williams University of Law. He is admitted to practice law in Massachusetts.
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On April 5, Westfield State University inducted seven alumni and one faculty member into the Criminal Justice Alumni Hall of Fame. The event will recognize graduates for their outstanding contributions to the field of criminal justice, including law enforcement, public service, and legal advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels. This year’s alumni inductees include Melvin Arroyo, chief Probation officer in Palmer Court; Bill Chase, founder and CEO of Sound Judgment Solutions, recognized for his career as a leader and special agent for the FBI; John Deveney, NCIS special agent in Boston; Gregory Hennick, acting chief of the Provincetown Police Department; David Lambert, director of Roger Williams University’s Justice System Training and Research Institute; Michael McCabe, mayor of Westfield, former Westfield Police Department member, and Westfield State adjunct faculty; and John Moran, special agent and federal air marshal, recognized for his distinguished career and role in transforming the nation’s aviation security system after the 9/11 attacks. Alice Perry, Westfield State faculty member, former state prosecutor, and advocate of women in law enforcement, received the Dr. Victor Ascollilo Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Dr. Kate Barlow
The National Academies of Practice (NAP) announced the election of Dr. Kate Barlow as a distinguished scholar fellow in the Occupational Therapy Academy. As an associate professor in the Graduate Occupational Therapy program at American International College (AIC) in Springfield, Barlow’s areas of clinical expertise are early identification of delays and pediatric feeding. Her 25-plus years of clinical experience includes early intervention, public-school practice, community-based practice, hospital-based outpatient, and management. Members of the class of 2025 were inducted into the National Academies of Practice during the annual induction banquet and awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 15. Founded in 1981, the NAP advances interprofessional education, scholarship, research, practice, and public policy. The organization educates and informs; facilitates collaborative scholarship and research opportunities; recruits, engages, retains, and mentors its members; advocates for the value of interprofessional practice; and works to improve healthcare and policy for all.
