The Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) Board of Trustees recently appointed Myra Smith to the position of Vice President of Student and Multicultural Affairs. Smith served as the college’s Vice President of Human Resources and Multicultural Affairs prior to this appointment. Since joining the college in 1978, Smith has helped transform the STCC community into one of inclusiveness that celebrates cultural diversity by creating the STCC Diversity Council and its event series, which brings national and international speakers and artists to the campus, and the STCC “Think Tank” series, which brings community leaders together to assist with the retention and graduation rate of young men of color. Smith has a BS from Springfield College and an ME from Cambridge College. She was recognized in 2010 with a Community Appreciation Award from the Business Network, earned a Women of Leadership Award from Unity First in 2007, and received a Woman of Vision Award from the Elms College Step Forward Program in 2005.
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Hyman G. Darling
The Springfield-based regional law firm Bacon Wilson, P.C. announced the appointment of Hyman Darling, CELA, as Secretary of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) 2013-14 Board of Directors. Darling began serving as NAELA secretary on June 1. As NAELA secretary, he will serve in a critical role leading NAELA toward achieving its goals while ensuring that all notices follow the NAELA bylaws or as required by law. “After serving on the Massachusetts chapter for several years and on the national board for four years, this is an exciting opportunity to serve our members,” said Darling. “Our Massachusetts chapter is the largest in the association, and the direction and advocacy of NAELA have made a tremendous difference is assisting our elders.” Darling is chairman of the Estate Planning and Elder Law department at Bacon Wilson, and he is recognized as the area’s pre-eminent estate planner. His areas of expertise include all areas of estate planning, probate, and elder law. Darling is past president of the Hampden County Estate Planning Council and also a certified elder-law attorney. In addition, he is a past president of the Hampden County Bar Assoc., teaches law at Bay Path College, and is an adjunct professor at Western New England University School of Law’s LLM program, teaching elder law. He serves on the boards of many charitable entities, including the National Planned Giving Committee of the American Cancer Society, and is former chair of the Baystate Health Professional Advisors Committee. Darling is a frequent lecturer on various estate-planning and elder-law topics at both the local and national levels. He earned his JD from Western New England University School of Law and his AB from Boston University.
••••• Werner Maiwald, Managing Director of the Renaissance Advisory Services and Financial Avisor of the Gaudreau Group in Wilbraham, achieved membership in the Million Dollar Round Table, an association of financial-services professionals. Maiwald, a qualifying member for many years, has 33 years experience in the financial-services sector. He holds numerous securities licenses, including Series 6, 33, 65, and 7, is a member of the National Assoc. of Insurance and Financial Advisors, and holds the certified fund specialist designation.
••••• ERA M. Connie Laplante Real Estate recently named Joanne Laplante the newest member of its office. Laplante has been a professional real-estate agent for 28 years.
••••• Historic Deerfield recently promoted David Lazaro to the position of Associate Curator of Textiles at Historic Deerfield. Lazaro received his master’s degree from UMass Amherst, where he studied fashion and textile history, with a concentration on European and American clothing and textiles from the 18th and early 19th centuries. Historic Deerfield’s fashion and textile collection includes more than 8,000 items from four centuries.
••••• Noble Hospital in Westfield congratulates Janette Lough-Guilmette, PTA for her selection as this year’s recipient of the Brian R. Johnson Outstanding Business Award by the Business Education Alliance. She was honored for her many years mentoring Southwick High School seniors who are placed at Noble Hospital’s Sports and Rehabilitation Center by the Business Education Alliance. These young pre-professionals work at the business of their choice as part of their graded school curriculum. Those choosing the Sports and Rehabilitation Center have an interest in health care, but it’s often their first real exposure. After their time with Lough-Guilmette, most parlay this experience to further their education. Over the years, she has launched the careers of physical therapists, occupational therapists, nurses, and physician’s assistants.
