People on the Move
Gregg Levante
Pittsfield Cooperative Bank announced the appointment of Gregg Levante as its new president. A lifelong resident of Berkshire County, Levante brings not only a wealth of banking experience, but an understanding of the community’s needs, values, and aspirations. Levante has more than 15 years of experience in the banking industry, previously holding leadership roles in commercial lending at Berkshire Bank and NBT Bank and known for championing employee development and economic growth. He will now lead Pittsfield Cooperative Bank’s strategic initiatives focused on advancing financial prosperity, strengthening local small businesses, and investing in the future of banking. Under Levante’s leadership, the bank will continue to invest in community-first programs, continue the advancement of its digital banking capabilities, and empower team members to lead with purpose.
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Paul Duquette
Monson Savings Bank announced that Paul Duquette, a financial advisor with Osaic Institutions Inc., has joined the bank as a vice president. With more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, Duquette brings a wealth of knowledge and a client-first philosophy to his new role. Duquette is based out of the bank’s East Longmeadow location at 61 North Main St. He is dedicated to helping individuals and businesses achieve their financial goals through thoughtful, personalized strategies. With a strong belief in acting solely in the best interests of his clients, he is not tied to any mutual fund or insurance provider, allowing him to offer truly objective advice. Duquette holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Connecticut and maintains multiple securities licenses, including Series 6, 7, 26, 63, and 65, as well as a Connecticut life and health insurance producer license. His career includes leadership and advisory roles at institutions such as Wells Fargo, Citizens Securities, Santander Bank, and others, where he consistently demonstrated excellence in client relationship management and financial planning.
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Thomas Donnelly
Polish National Credit Union (PNCU) recently welcomed Thomas Donnelly as assistant vice president, commercial loan officer. With a background in financial services, strategic business development, and client relationship management, Donnelly brings a dynamic and personal approach to business banking, rooted in strong client relationships and a deep understanding of commercial lending. He holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Bonaventure University and a master’s degree in education from Springfield College. He has also completed the Massachusetts Bankers Credit Training Program and the 2025 Lender Training Program. He is based out of PNCU’s Westfield Loan Center and looks forward to contributing to the credit union’s continued commercial lending growth.
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bankESB recently announced the promotions of two longtime employees, Katherine Sordillo and Susanne deVillier, to vice president, regional branch manager. In this newly created position, deVillier and Sordillo will provide leadership and support to regions of bankESB’s retail banking network, working closely with retail branch staff in several communities to deliver exceptional customer service, drive performance, and uphold the bank’s commitment to community banking. They will also play a key role in supporting strategic initiatives focused on growth, operational excellence, and employee development. deVillier has more than 30 years of banking experience and has played a vital role in bankESB’s growth and success, particularly in Agawam, where she’s led the retail banking team at the Main Street, Agawam office since it opened in 2011. She joined bankESB in 2010 as a branch officer and over the years has been promoted to senior branch officer; assistant vice president, branch officer; and vice president, branch officer. As VP, she also served as retail sales coordinator, lending her leadership experience to other branch managers. In her new role, deVillier will oversee the bank’s Agawam, Amherst, Hadley, Northampton, Southampton, and Westfield branches, while maintaining a presence in the Agawam community, where she actively volunteers. Sordillo brings three decades of leadership experience in retail banking and customer relationship management to her new role. She joined bankESB in 2001 as branch officer of the Granby Road, South Hadley office and over her tenure has been promoted to senior branch manager; assistant vice president, branch manager; and vice president, branch officer and retail sales coordinator. She is a passionate community leader and has served as president of the South Hadley/Granby Chamber of Commerce and chairperson for Loomis Communities. In her new role, Sordillo will oversee the bank’s Belchertown, Holyoke, South Hadley, and two Easthampton branches, as well as the retail branch float team, while maintaining a presence in South Hadley.
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Lori Stickles
New Valley Bank & Trust announced the addition of Lori Stickles as vice president, Business Development and branch manager at the West Springfield office. She brings more than 30 years of banking experience, with a proven track record in retail banking, business development, and marketing leadership. Throughout her career, Stickles has led high-performing teams at several regional institutions, including United Bank, PeoplesBank, and Westfield Bank. She is widely recognized for her exceptional customer service, dedication to mentorship, and deep commitment to building lasting client relationships. She is also an active and engaged member of the community. Her current and past civic roles include trustee for the Eastern States Exposition, commissioner and chair of the Agawam Housing Authority, member of the Agawam Community Preservation Committee, and past commander of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary.
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Dani Garber-Letitia
Dietz & Company Architects Inc. announced that Senior Architect Dani Garber-Letitia has earned the credential of certified passive house consultant (CPHC) through Phius (Passive House Institute U.S.), 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, Garber-Letitia completed a comprehensive training course and a rigorous multi-part exam to prove her knowledge. She joined Dietz & Company Architects in 2021 and has more than 15 years of experience as an architect and owner’s project manager for firms in Massachusetts. As a senior architect in the firm’s Cambridge office, she manages medium to large-size construction projects specializing in renovation and modernization for multi-family housing clients and work for public school districts. In addition to managing the Cambridge office, she also serves as a mentor for junior staff and has taken the lead on organizing in-house educational and training opportunities.
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The Irish Cultural Center of Western New England (ICCWNE) announced several recent appointments to its board of directors to help to expand its programming and outreach in the community. The new board members are Lynn McCarthy, Rose Boyle, Sean Fitzgerald, and John McMahon. Established in 1999 to foster an appreciation of Irish culture in Western New England, ICCWNE aims to cultivate a connection with Ireland through the arts, culture, history, language, and heritage. McCarthy, Boyle, Fitzgerald, and McMahon are all committed to helping ICCWNE grow as a center of Irish culture and community in Western New England, including the completion of its new Community Performance Center.
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Kayla Sheridan
Kayla Sheridan, Marketing director of TommyCar Auto Group, was named one of Automotive News’ 40 Under 40. This annual program honors 40 high achievers at new car dealerships who are under 40 years old. Automotive News received nominations from across the U.S. and identified outstanding performers in a large field of high-quality talent at dealerships. This year’s honorees are a diverse group with a broad range of titles and backgrounds. They were profiled in the July 14 issue of Automotive News, the leading news source for the global automotive industry. As Marketing director at TommyCar Auto Group, Sheridan has played a pivotal role in shaping the brand’s voice, driving strategic campaigns, and deepening engagement with customers across Western Mass. and beyond.
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After nearly a decade of leadership, Jane Ralph will step down as executive director of Construct effective Aug. 29. “This was not an easy decision,” she said. “My partner and I have called Berkshire County home for years now, and I am so proud of our work at Construct. However, the past year has been a time of reflection for us. After facing some family health challenges, and looking at where things stand in the world, we have decided that being close to relatives should be our main priority, so we are relocating to Madison, Wisconsin.” Since assuming the role in 2016, Ralph has led significant growth in Construct’s services, including support to help people remain in their homes, temporary housing for families, the development of new affordable housing at Forest Springs in Great Barrington, and the county’s first co-living workforce housing at the Windflower in Egremont. Under her leadership, Construct has also expanded its housing navigation services for individuals and families facing housing insecurity. Ralph will work closely with the executive committee in the coming weeks to ensure a smooth transition of leadership and to ease the staff and board into the next phase. The board of directors has formed a search committee for a new leader and will soon post the position for potential candidates to apply.
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Christian LaPlante
Earlier this year, the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, Franklin County Community Development Corp., and Franklin Regional Council of Governments secured funding to lead the Rural Downtown Revitalization Pilot Project, a one-year initiative through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development. The pilot is designed to strengthen economic and cultural vitality and is grounded in the findings of a 2023-24 study by the BSC Group, which identified a critical need for enhanced coordination and administrative capacity for the downtown areas of Northfield, Turners Falls, and Shelburne Falls. The hiring committee, representing the participating downtowns, has selected Christian LaPlante to serve as the inaugural downtown district coordinator. He brings deep Franklin County roots and a strong background in economic and community development, most recently through his work with the city of Greenfield. In previous roles, he has managed grant programs, led placemaking and signage projects, built downtown marketing campaigns, and worked extensively with small businesses, town boards, and local creatives. Over the next year, LaPlante will work weekly in all three downtowns, engaging with stakeholders and working alongside newly formed downtown working groups comprised of local business owners, town officials, nonprofit leaders, artists, and residents. Together, they’ll identify and implement two or three stakeholder-prioritized projects in each community, while tackling ‘quick wins’ and shaping a long-term vision for shared regional success.
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Keshia Maxwell
Noella Moshi
Tech Foundry announced the hiring of two new staff members, Keshia Maxwell and Noella Moshi. Maxwell is serving as director of Tech Foundry’s new Tech Bridge program. She will develop and implement all facets of the project, including management of staff, daily operations, program design, and activities. Tech Bridge is a scholarship-based program that focuses on tech training, professional development, work experience, college exploration, and team-building, to bridge the gap between high school and future pathways. Maxwell brings nearly 10 years of experience as an educator, including several years as an elementary school math teacher. She is passionate about education and finds joy in helping students realize their true potential. She also brings 14 years of military service, including international humanitarian program management in Dakar, Senegal, where she served as a U.S. Army Bilateral Affairs officer. She holds bachelor’s degrees in Japanese language/literature and English from UMass Amherst, and a master’s degree in education from Springfield College. Moshi was hired as Tech Foundry’s new director of Engagement. She will spearhead new donor development in addition to amplifying donor, funder, and partner engagement. She has a professional background in strategy and program design. Born in Tanzania and having lived in eight countries, she brings a global perspective to her career in workforce development, including roles as an executive director and head of programs across multiple countries. Moshi holds a master’s degree in clinical science and immunology from the University of Cape Town and has completed a course in exponential fundraising at the Harvard Kennedy School. She speaks English and Swahili and serves on several boards she cares deeply about, including West Africa Vocational Education and the Livelihood Impact Fund.
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Brendan Theroux
KeyBank announced Brendan Theroux has been named relationship manager, Commercial Banking. He is responsible for providing tailored financial solutions to middle market clients and prospects across Connecticut and Massachusetts. He is based in KeyBank’s Hartford office, located at 225 Asylum St. Prior to joining KeyBank, Theroux served as first vice president, Commercial Lending, at PeoplesBank in West Hartford, Conn. He has also held leadership roles at M&T Bank, including vice president and assistant vice president of Commercial Relationship Management. He has more than 10 years of experience in commercial banking, with a strong background in relationship management, credit underwriting, and strategic business development. Theroux holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Connecticut and has earned certifications from the Connecticut School of Finance and Management and M&T Bank’s Leadership Accelerator program. An active member of the community, he serves on the board of directors and finance committee for the 4-H Center at Auerfarm Inc. in Bloomfield, Conn.
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Bay Path University announced the appointment of Megan Trinkle-Knotts as the new program director of the master of science in genetic counseling program, effective immediately. Trinkle-Knotts brings nearly 20 years of experience in clinical genetics and genetic counseling education to the role. She began her career at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, where she worked in both prenatal and pediatric practice for nearly a decade. During her tenure, she helped develop a statewide Perinatal Loss Evaluation Program, which provided customized evaluation services for families experiencing stillbirth, and she co-led a Cord Blood Collection/Genetics Consultation Initiative aimed at avoiding missed diagnostic opportunities in newborns with anomalies or life-threatening conditions. In 2015, she joined the Center for Genomic Advocacy at Indiana State University, where she played a foundational role in launching a new master’s in genetic counseling program and a Genetic Counseling Clinic focused on oncology and psychiatric genetics. In 2021, she joined Bay Path as assistant director and fieldwork coordinator, where she oversaw the development of clinical and fieldwork experiences for students nationwide. Trinkle-Knotts is an active contributor to the field through research, publications, and national leadership. She is involved with several professional organizations, including the Indiana Network of Genetic Counselors, the Genetic Counselor Educators Assoc., the National Society of Genetic Counselors, and the Indiana Maternal Mortality Review Committee. She earned her bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Indiana University and her master’s degree in genetic counseling from the Indiana School of Medicine.
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Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts (JAWM) announced the appointment of new officers and several new members to its board of directors. Comprising leaders from across the region’s business, education, and nonprofit sectors, the new board brings fresh energy and strategic insight to advance JAWM’s mission of inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. Returning board members include Terrell Joyner (chair), financial advisor at Charter Oak and founder of the Consulting Web; Lena Buteau (vice chair), vice president and Retail Administration officer at Monson Savings Bank; and Anthony Lorenzano (vice president), store manager at TD Bank. New board members include Angelo Fiore, financial advisor with St. Germain Investment Management; Robert Jones, senior vice president, Nonprofit Practice at USI; Maria LaPriore, real estate advisor at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Realty Professionals; Gregg Levante, president of Pittsfield Cooperative Bank; Stefan Sjoberg, attorney with Egan, Flanagan & Cohen; and Devan Summers, vice president, Member Services and Community Development with Luso Federal Credit Union. The board will support the organization’s mission and provide guidance in key initiatives, including financial literacy, workforce readiness, and entrepreneurship programming.
