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Agenda

By BusinessWest Staff February 7, 2017

Agenda Departments

Supper for Six

Feb. 7: Supper for Six, hosted by Women’s Way, a program of the United Way of Franklin County, will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church, 8 Church St., Greenfield. Attendees are requested to bring $5 and one or more Supper for Six bags. Light refreshments will be offered. A Supper for Six bag is a reusable grocery bag filled with non-perishable items for dinner (and, in many cases, breakfast and lunch, too) for a family of six. “Due to the generous support of our community, hundreds of families in Franklin County will receive food donations through United Way partner agencies, to help during February school vacation week, when the need for food at home is higher than usual,” said Stephanie Gale, director of Resource Development & Community Engagement at the United Way. Agencies receiving donations include Franklin County Community Meals, the Center for Self-Reliance, the United Arc, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Franklin County, and the Salvation Army. In 2016, the Supper for Six food drive gathered more than 600 reusable grocery bags filled with more than 7,000 pounds of non-perishable food items that were subsequently distributed to needy families across Franklin County. RSVP is requested for the event by e-mailing [email protected] or calling (413) 772-2168. If you cannot attend the event, you may drop off grocery bags at the United Way office, 51 Davis St., Suite 2, Greenfield on or before Feb. 9, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Heart-health Lecture

Feb. 9: Holyoke Medical Center (HMC) will host a free discussion, “Heart Health: Congestive Heart Failure,” at 5:30 p.m. in the HMC Auxiliary Conference Center. February is American Heart Month. There are more than 200,000 cases of congestive heart failure (CHF) each year in the U.S. Dr. Nirav Sheth, HMC cardiovascular specialist, will cover signs and symptoms, as well as how to help prevent CHF. This program is free and open to the public, and is part of the hospital’s community-education programming, one in a series of dozens of workshops held throughout the year to help people learn about specific health issues, wellness, prevention, and treatment. To register for this event, visit www.holyokehealth.com/events or call (413) 534-2789.

Dress for Success Tag Sale

Feb. 10-12: In keeping with its mission to empower women to be more confident in their personal and professional lives, Dress for Success is hosting a tag sale at the Eastfield Mall in Springfield to raise funds and awareness, while also working to meet the needs of women throughout the community. Customers may peruse the racks of new and gently used donated items, including suits, dresses, pants, blouses, skirts, shoes, accessories, and more. Items may be purchased by filling a shopping bag for only $25. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 10-11, and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 12. It will be staged in a temporary location two doors down from the Western Mass. Dress for Success Boutique. All proceeds will benefit Dress for Success. Volunteers are needed to staff the event. If interested, e-mail [email protected]. This event follows two years of successful tag sales, each raising thousands of dollars and engaging the help of hundreds of community volunteers.

‘I Love Wine’ at Wistariahurst

Feb. 10: “I Love Wine,” the popular annual wine-tasting event, returns to Wistariahurst from 6 to 8 p.m. Attendees can sample fine wines from around the world in the elegant atmosphere of Wistariahurst. Light refreshments will be served. Admission is $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Tickets are limited, so advance purchase is strongly encouraged. Tickets may be purchased online at www.wistariahurst.org. The event is sponsored by Historic Holyoke at Wistariahurst, and fine wines are provided courtesy of Liquors 44.

Nonprofit Board Fair

Feb. 16: The Franklin County Young Professionals Group (FCYPG), a program of the United Way of Franklin County, will host its first annual Nonprofit Board Fair in partnership with Leadership Pioneer Valley’s Leaders OnBoard program. The event will be held at Terrazza at the Country Club of Greenfield. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the fair runs until 8 p.m. Sponsored by Ramon Financial Services, Greenfield Cooperative Bank, and Franklin First Credit Union, the event is free and open to the public. RSVP is requested by visiting [email protected] or calling (413) 772-2168. “FCYPG’s first annual Nonprofit Board Fair has been at the top of our young professionals group’s list for quite some time. We are pleased to finally make it happen and support the work of exceptional local organizations here in Franklin County by helping them recruit volunteers and committee and board members,” said Stephanie Gale, director of Resource Development and Community Engagement at United Way. Currently, 15 organizations will be represented: Leadership Pioneer Valley, Friends of the Franklin County Regional Dog Shelter, YMCA in Greenfield, Franklin County Community Meals Program, New England Learning Center for Women in Transition, Stone Soup Café, Stavros Center for Independent Living, Salvation Army, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Franklin County, LifePath Inc., Franklin County Young Professionals, Center for New Americans, Children’s Advocacy Center, Friends of Children, and Montague Catholic Social Ministries. There’s still time to sign up for a table at the event by e-mailing [email protected] or calling the United Way at (413) 772-2168. “We are looking forward to this event and working with individuals and organizations to expand and strengthen their pool of volunteers, which is essential to a nonprofit’s success,” said Amy Proietti, program coordinator, Leadership Pioneer Valley, Leaders OnBoard Program. “Local residents looking for opportunities to give back to their community or make connections with area nonprofits are highly encouraged to attend the fair.”

40 Under Forty Nomination Deadline

Feb. 17: BusinessWest magazine will accept nominations for the 40 Under Forty Class of 2017 through the end of the work day (5 p.m.) on Friday, Feb 17. The annual program, now in its 11th year, recognizes rising stars within the Western Mass. community, which includes Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties. This year’s group of 40 will be profiled in the magazine’s April 17 edition, then toasted at the June 22 gala at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke. The nomination form, which can be found online HERE, requests basic information and can be supported with other material, such as a résumé, testimonials, and even press clippings highlighting an individual’s achievements in their profession or service to their community.

Wheelchair-basketball Clinic

Feb. 20: CDH Disability Resources will offer a free wheelchair-basketball clinic from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at CHD’s gymnasium at 69 Capital Dr., West Springfield. There is no cost to attend, and all participants qualify for raffles, prizes, and giveaways. The clinic will be led by Paul Weiland, a certified health and physical education teacher with an adaptive physical education certification. Weiland, Adapted Sports Program coordinator for Chapter 126 Sports & Fitness, has coached wheelchair basketball at the high-school and college levels and was part of the USA Paralympics wheelchair-basketball selection committee in 2008. He will be supported by volunteer staff, including therapeutic recreation students from Springfield College and varsity basketball players from Springfield College and American International College. “We’re thrilled to have Paul Weiland running our wheelchair-basketball clinic,” said Jessica Levine, program manager for CHD Disability Resources. “He is passionate about helping individuals of all abilities realize their full potential on the field of play and in life. Like every Disability Resources program, this wheelchair-basketball clinic enables people to focus on what they can do, as individuals and as teammates. Especially for people who are new to wheelchair basketball, this clinic will provide a great introduction along with opportunities to meet other interested players and families and to learn more about Disability Resources in general. We’re all about access and ability for kids, adults, and families in Western Mass.” For people interested in getting more involved with wheelchair basketball, in addition to the Feb. 12 clinic, Disability Resources is offering a 10-week program on Friday evenings from March 3 through May 5, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., at the Pace Gym, 69 Capital Dr., West Springfield. Players will be taught fundamental skills and game-related strategies while focusing on the values of teamwork and respect. To learn more about wheelchair basketball or to sign up for programs, contact Levine at (413) 788-9695.

‘Create at the Carle!’

Feb. 27 to March 20: The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art will offer adult art classes for people 55 and over thanks to a new grant from Aroha Philanthropies. “Create at the Carle!” is a new program for adults interested in expressing themselves through visual art. The first of a series of three workshops, this one on printmaking, begins Feb. 27 from 10 a.m. to noon, and runs for eight weeks. The cost is $90, or $76.50 for members. Teaching artist Lynn Peterfreund, who concentrates on printmaking, painting, and drawing, is offering this class for beginners or more experienced students. The goals are to learn processes, become more aware of different art styles, and learn to identify and tell one’s own stories with visual tools. Enrollment is limited to 20 participants. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to work in a community of people, sharing stories, efforts, and working spaces. I think our participants will enjoy working in the Carle’s light-filled art studio, and getting a behind-the-scenes look at our collection,” said Courtney Waring, director of education. The workshop includes a visit from artist Lyell Castonguay, who will share his woodcut technique and experiences as director of BIG INK, and concludes with an art show for friends, family, guests, and the general public to enjoy. “Create at the Carle!” is presented in partnership with Aroha Philanthropies to support the development and expansion of Artful Aging programs. The Carle was selected as one of only 15 nonprofit organizations throughout the U.S. to receive a grant from Aroha Philanthropies through its new national initiative, Seeding Artful Aging. Following printmaking, additional classes in 2017 will include guest artists teaching collage and bookmaking. For more information about the classes or to sign up, visit www.carlemuseum.org.

Caritas Gala

March 11: Plans are underway for Mercy Medical Center’s first annual Caritas Gala at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. Themed “All You Need Is Love,” the inaugural gala will raise funds to expand and enhance Mercy Behavioral Health Care’s Opioid Treatment and Addiction Recovery programs. The major goal of the project is to create a new inpatient step-down treatment program for post-detox services, giving individuals a better chance at long-term recovery. John Sjoberg and Brenda Garton-Sjoberg are the Caritas Gala honorary chairpersons. Sjoberg serves as chairman of the board for Mercy and as vice chairman of the board for Trinity Health New England. Garton-Sjoberg has served as honorary chairperson of Mercy Gift of Light. “Brenda and I are inspired by the selfless work of the Sisters of Providence, and our family has made their legacy our personal mission,” said Sjoberg. “The sisters have responded to the needs of our community for more than 140 years. But today we face a new crisis: the opioid epidemic, a problem that impacts all ages, races, and economic levels. Mercy Behavioral Health Care looks beyond the stigma of addiction and provides treatment that supports and allows people to recover.” The Caritas Gala will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception, live entertainment from the band Beantown, and a silent auction. Dinner will be served at 8 p.m., followed by a live auction and dancing until midnight. Pre-registration is required by Feb. 17. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.mercycares.com/caritasgala.

Difference Makers

March 30: The ninth annual Difference Makers award program, staged by BusinessWest, will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House. The winners, profiled in the Jan. 23 issue and at BusinessWest.com, are the Community Colleges of Western Mass. (Berkshire Community College, Greenfield Community College, Holyoke Community College, and Springfield Technical Community College); Friends of the Holyoke Merry-Go-Round; Denis Gagnon Sr., president and CEO of Excel Dryer Inc.; Junior Achievement of Western Mass.; and Joan Kagan, president and CEO of Square One. Tickets to the event cost $65 per person, with tables of 10 available. To order, call (413) 781-8600, ext. 100. Difference Makers is a program, launched in 2009, that recognizes groups and individuals that are, as the name suggests, making a difference in this region. Details on the event can be found HERE. Sponsors include First American Insurance; Health New England; JGS Lifecare; Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C.; Northwestern Mutual; O’Connell Care at Home; Royal, P.C.; and Sunshine Village.

‘Mini Golf in the Library’

April 7-8: Friends of the Holyoke Public Library will host its second annual “Mini Golf in the Library” fund-raiser on the weekend of April 7-8. Hole sponsors and event sponsors are now being recruited. At last spring’s event, more than 250 players putted their way through five levels of the Holyoke Public Library building, laughing and enjoying unique obstacles added by enterprising hole sponsors. Funds raised help the Friends of the Library support library programs and resources, especially those for children and youth. Sponsors will be publicized and thanked in local media, social media, and the library’s website in connection with this event. Logos of sponsors will be printed on the scorecard given to each player. Names of sponsors will be displayed in the library, ranked by level of sponsorship. Sponsors will be invited as guests to the Friday-evening cocktail party, with the opportunity to preview (and play through) the course. In addition to event sponsors and hole sponsors, the event planning committee, chaired by Sandy Ward, is seeking donors of in-kind services and items for a silent auction to be held during the Friday cocktail party. Hole sponsorships start at $250. Those who wish to sponsor (and decorate) one of the 18 holes are encouraged to act quickly, as holes are being sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Event sponsorships are available at five levels ranging from $250 to $1,000. An exclusive title sponsorship is possible at $2,500. For more information, visit www.holyokelibrary.org/aboutfriendsgolf.asp or e-mail Sandy Ward at [email protected].

Stan Rosenberg Helps Build a More Responsive Senate

By BusinessWest Staff January 24, 2017

Features

Man of the People

Senate President Stan Rosenberg

Massachusetts Senate President Stan Rosenberg — one of the few legislators from Western Mass. who have held that position — began his career as an aide to then-Sen. John Olver, and has served as Olver’s successor for the past 26 years. During that time, he has worked on myriad issues important to his constituents, from education funding to energy policy; from labor matters to mass transit. The common threads, he said, are the importance of continually making investments in the state’s future, and his philosophy of government as a ‘helping profession.’

A leader in the Massachusetts State House with deep roots in Hampshire County. Passionate about issues ranging from wage equity to expanding rail service across the Commonwealth. Known for his lengthy career as a legislator, including election in ’15 as president of the Massachusetts Senate.

Meet Calvin Coolidge, the 30th president of the United States.

Or, alternately, current state Senate President Stan Rosenberg, considering how remarkably those careers intersect, a century apart.

“He was a Republican, but he was quite a progressive in some ways,” Rosenberg, a Democrat, said of someone he counts as a role model; in fact, when he gives State House tours, he always brings visitors to see Coolidge’s desk, which has a home in his suite of offices. “He was involved in the minimum wage, he was involved in rail — his goal was to get rail everywhere in Massachusetts. Then the automobile interrupted the progress they’d made, and the rail system started to diminish while highways expanded.

“Well, guess what?” he went on. “It’s 100 years later, and we’re still working on the same problems. We’re still talking about pay equity. We’re still talking about rail.”

For Rosenberg, 67, whose career as a state legislator stretches back to 1986, transportation issues are matters of access and opportunity for state residents, a concept he would return to several times during his recent talk with BusinessWest.

Sen. Stan Rosenberg arrived at the State House as Sen. John Olver’s aide in 1980 and never left, succeeding Olver in 1991.

“These are 21st-century issues, whether we’re talking about transportation and connecting regions outside metro Boston, or talking about ensuring that everyone has access to higher education. Those are the kinds of issues where, if you don’t ensure availability statewide, then people’s economic opportunities get constrained.

“It isn’t just nice to have rail,” he went on, explaining that getting people back and forth to jobs means allowing them to work far from where they live, which helps fill up underused housing stock. Rosenberg was involved in efforts to secure $33 million to upgrade the Pan Am line from Connecticut to Vermont via Springfield and Northampton, as lawmakers continue to eye east-west rail service from Boston to the Pioneer Valley.

“The same with education,” he said. “If you don’t have access to quality education, you’re not going to line up with the jobs that are available. Even in the Pioneer Valley, we have vacant positions that don’t have people to fill them. The skills gap is a really big issue. The achievement gap is a big issue. We have 100,000 vacant jobs statewide, and 100,000 people looking, according to the unemployment numbers. We’ve got to match them up, and that means education, training, and retraining for opportunities.”

Two years ago, Rosenberg became the first senator hailing from Western Mass. elected president of that chamber since 1971, but he dismisses talk that his region’s issues are pushed to the side on Beacon Hill.

“There’s often a feeling about Western Mass. getting the short end of the stick, but all of the regions — north, south, and west — outside the metro Boston area have a similar feeling,” he said. “We’re not unique.”

One thing Western Mass. legislators have been adept at, he went on, is speaking with a unified voice to promote the region’s shared needs and hopefully impact policy.

“Our delegation in Western Mass. has been very nimble and adept at building coalitions to make sure, when there are opportunities, we have a seat at the table,” he said, citing a few examples, from the MGM casino opening in Springfield in 2018 — area legislators fought to ensure the region would win one of the projects — to ongoing life-sciences and research projects.

“The same thing with high-tech projects: the largest big-data center in the state is actually not in Boston; it’s in Holyoke,” he said of the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center. “Having that center there is an enormous positive for the region.”

Rosenberg also touted the partnership between UMass Medical School and Baystate Health to bring a medical-school campus to Springfield later this year, forming a sort of medical-education and research triangle between Springfield, Worcester, and Amherst.

“We keep finding opportunities to develop things that are uniquely ours while also making sure we are not left out of the discussion when planning statewide initiatives, so the Pioneer Valley gets to be the beneficiary.”

Calvin Coolidge would undoubtedly be proud. But there’s far more to Rosenberg’s personal story and career.

Through the Ranks

Raised in foster care, Rosenberg graduated from Revere High School in 1967 before attending UMass Amherst, and embracing the region he would come to represent in Boston.

“I went to school part-time and worked full-time at UMass because of my financial situation in the late ’60s and early ’70s,” he told BusinessWest. “While attending UMass, he founded and headed the Arts Extension Service and then became director of Community Development and Human Service Programs in the Division of Continuing Education.

“As a result, I started to make a lot of connections with people and became politically engaged,” he explained. In 1980, then-state Sen. John Olver asked if he was interested in working in Boston as his aide. “I left my job on a Friday, and on Monday arrived at the State House for my first day of work.”

All across the country, we’re seeing declining state appropriations and higher education driving up student charges, driving up student debt. And when graduates get into the economy, they have no disposable income, so it’s harder to stay in state.”

Rosenberg went on to serve as executive director of the state Democratic party from 1983 to 1985, and as the district director for U.S. Rep. Chester Atkins from 1985 to 1986. He then sought and won a seat on the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1986, representing Amherst and Pelham. In 1991, he won a special election for the state Senate seat being vacated by Olver, a role he has maintained for 26 years, representing 25 communities, mainly in Hampshire and Franklin counties.

While in the Senate, he has served as chair of the Election Laws Committee, the Banking Committee, and the Senate Ways and Means Committee, followed by assistant majority leader from 1999 to 2002 and Senate president pro tempore from 2003 to 2013. He was appointed Senate majority leader in 2013 and Senate president at the start of 2015.

The issues he cared about early on aren’t much different than what he prioritizes now, and reflected the mindset of his district. His interest in higher education dovetailed with the fact that the state’s flagship university is located in Amherst. With many environmentally minded residents in his district, he worked on recycling and the greenhouse-gas issue, now commonly known as climate change. And with the closings of Northampton State Hospital and Belchertown State School, social services to help people in need became a main concern as well.

“You can’t live in the Pioneer Valley without thinking about economic development, but also social justice,” said Rosenberg, who has had a personal stake in some of those issues, notably the Bay State’s first-in-the-union legalization of gay marriage a decade ago, a law he and his husband, Bryon Hefner, availed themselves of last year. “In representing that constituency, you’ve got to be prepared to work in both of those areas.”

He recognizes that businesses have concerns about employment regulations that favor workers, such as minimum-wage laws, equal-pay rules, and family-leave advances, but believes that, given enough time to adapt, companies always do. As one example, provisions of the equal-pay law passed last summer, aiming to ensure women are paid equally with men for equivalent work, don’t take effect until the summer of 2018.

“If a business or agency has time to adapt, it is clearly understood in the public-policy realm that you’ll have a very modest impact when you raise the minimum wage, for example. It may be different for individual businesses, but for the economy as a whole, there’s a very minor impact — and it’s even better when there’s warning and you can plan for it.”

Ideally, he said, the public and private sector works together for mutual benefit, as seen in the 2006 health-insurance law that provided tax credits and tools through the Health Connector to help employers ensure their employees were covered in an affordable way. “Not that there won’t be some pain in that or some dislocation in some situations, but by working together, we can minimize that pain.”

Creating a culture where the workforce has access to affordable healthcare, family leave, and other work-life benefits is critical, Rosenberg said, to retaining top talent in the state. “We have a knowledge-driven economy, and we want people to settle here, to locate their businesses here. By doing these things, we are making a difference.”

He noted that Massachusetts was among the first states, more than a century ago, to establish a minimum-wage law. “We were one of the innovators, and now it’s national practice. We have the third-highest per-capita income in the country, and by most measures, the balance between the strength of the economy and quality of life here is extremely strong.”

Providing that quality of life takes public investment, he insists, and public education is a good example. As a co-chair on the Senate Task Force on Public Higher Education and the Public Higher Education Caucus, he advocated for higher state appropriations for colleges, while holding institutions accountable for how they spend the money.

“All across the country, we’re seeing declining state appropriations and higher education driving up student charges, driving up student debt,” he said. “And when graduates get into the economy, they have no disposable income, so it’s harder to stay in state. If they don’t have disposable income, if it’s all going to pay rent and student debt, they don’t have money to go out and buy things. That hurts small businesses in particular.”

Again, it’s that concept, one of the defining ones in today’s Democratic party, that public investment benefits everyone, but Rosenberg doesn’t simply want to issue legislation from on high (well, high on Beacon Hill, anyway); he wants to engage constituents on what matters to them.

“You have to have a robust and open process for people to engage with you,” he told BusinessWest, “so they have a seat at the table and a voice in discussions that are going to affect them.”

Out and About

Rosenberg noted that each of the state’s 40 senators chairs a committee or acts in some other leadership position, and in the past two years, they have been working to “transform the organization” according to best practices of shared responsibility, shared leadership, teamwork, and engagement with constituents to identify solutions to key issues.

“We’re less hierarchical in the Senate than we used to be,” he noted. “Members are much more engaged at every level, and we’re trying to expand transparency within the body and engagement with the public.”

One concrete strategy for doing the latter is a practice known as Commonwealth Conversations. That project divides the state into nine regions, each with their own specific needs and priorities. Groups of senators spend a day in each region talking to constituents about projects they want to see accomplished, but also the community values they hold.

“We hear similarities of concern, but also differences,” he said. “Boston isn’t the Pioneer Valley, and Pittsfield isn’t Springfield, for that matter.”

Sen. Stan Rosenberg says transportation, education, and labor matters aren’t just political issues; they’re access points to a better quality of life for Massachusetts residents.

The idea, he explained, is to develop statewide policy that can be adapted for regional differences, such as meeting skills gaps that differ throughout the Commonwealth.

“For example, we’ve been rebuilding the machining industry sector in Western Mass. Not that it’s not going on elsewhere, but it’s a big priority in our area,” he said, noting initiatives from the Middle Skills Manufacturing Initiative to train manufacturing workers in Franklin County to efforts to attract the Chinese rail-car manufacturing giant CRRC to Springfield. “The pieces all seem disparate, but they’re all connected.”

Even though a heavily Democratic Legislature and a Republican governor in Charlie Baker make for divided government in the technical sense, those officials maintain strong working relationships, Rosenberg said, noting that he meets with Baker, the House speaker, the Ways and Means chair, and the minority leaders every Monday afternoon — the location rotates between their offices — to talk about current issues before the Legislature.

“Even if we don’t have a specific agenda, we always talk about the common ground we have to build solutions to the problems of the day. Those meetings reach back to Bill Weld, Billy Bulger, and Charles Flaherty, and that tradition has been maintained whether we have a unified or divided government. It really makes a difference when you’re communicating.”

There are issues that rankle one side or the other, of course, and the divisions between Democrat-dominated Massachusetts and the national arena will only grow following the improbable rise of President Trump, who seems poised to lead with the same bluster and scattershot style that proved a winner on the campaign trail — only, with the ability to do actual damage to policies progressives value, beginning with the Affordable Care Act.

“We have to be mindful of a lot of change coming out of Washington,” Rosenberg said. “I’m worried about what’s happening on the health-insurance front. We had a universal plan that was working and got disrupted by the federal plan, but we adapted. The administration signed a $53 million, five-year plan for health transformation in Massachusetts. Now, the question is, will the administration honor that commitment, or will they make so many changes in the universal federal health program that it disrupts the state program again?”

Other shifting priorities in Washington could cause disruption in the Bay State as well. When it comes to climate change, for example, Massachusetts, as a coastal state, is trying to plan for the future, including possible coastline impacts, in a “balanced but aggressive way,” the Senate president said. “Whether or not they upturn federal policies might have an impact on state policies.”

Then there’s marijuana, which is legal for medical use in 28 states and for recreational enjoyment in eight; both apply in Massachusetts. Although using the drug continues to violate federal law, President Obama’s administration took a hands-off policy when the will of the states went their own way.

“If Mr. [Jeff] Sessions is appointed attorney general, will he stick to the policies of the Obama administration, where, if it’s heavily regulated and you follow those regulations, we’ll leave you alone?” Rosenberg asked. “Or will Mr. Sessions follow federal law and say, ‘I don’t care if your voters voted for it; you can’t do it anymore’? If they do come in and start enforcing it, that could be a pretty big deal.”

Helping Profession

It’s clear that legislative matters of all kinds, and the way they impact people’s lives, are a big deal to Stan Rosenberg.

When asked what gratifies him most, though, he returned again to the work he and his colleagues are doing to, as he called it, “transform the Senate as an institution.”

After all, he told BusinessWest, it’s very easy for malaise to set in within legislative bodies. “What we’re doing in the Senate has empowered our members, and that empowerment has excited them, and that excitement leads to an enormous amount of energy around trying to produce quality legislation that moves our communities forward.

“This is a helping profession,” he went on. “Every day, you get phone calls and meetings that challenge your thinking and keep you on the cutting edge of life. Every day you find opportunities to help one person, one business, one institution, one community.”

He likens those opportunities to winning a bit of money on a scratch ticket. “And every so often, it’s like winning the lottery when you pass a big piece of legislation that affects the future of the whole Commonwealth.”

Calvin Coolidge certainly made his mark — eventually, well beyond the borders of the Bay State. For now, Rosenberg is happy to keep making a difference for his constituents at home.

“Every day, you’re presented with opportunities to be helpful,” he said. “That keeps me going.”

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

New HCC President Sees Growth Opportunities for Herself and Her Students

By BusinessWest Staff January 24, 2017

Education Sections

Christina Royal recently took the helm at Holyoke Community College. She brings with her a phrase, or saying, that she contrived and uses often as she talks about higher education and her approach to it: “it takes a village to raise a student.”

Before accepting the position of provost and vice president of Academic Affairs at Inver Hills Community College just outside the Twin Cities in Minnesota, Christina Royal first turned down an offer to become president of a school in Texas.

The stated reasons for that somewhat unusual career decision — many who have spent years working in higher education and believe they’re ready to apply for president positions yearn for that opportunity to lead their own school — speak volumes about Royal and her priorities. And also about the next school that would choose her to occupy the corner office: Holyoke Community College.

“I didn’t feel like it was going to be the best fit to get me the college experiences that I needed to prepare me ultimately to step into a college presidency and succeed,” she said in reference to job in the Lone Star State. “I’m a lifelong learner through and through, and when I look at my career to date, I tend to seek out positions where I see opportunities for growth and opportunities where I can make an impact.

“While it’s been helpful to be upwardly mobile in my career trajectory,” she went on, “it’s more important for me to feel that I can make a difference in that role and that I can learn something.”

Which says something about the provost’s job in Minnesota — and she did quite a bit of learning there, as we’ll see later — and also about the job she started on Jan. 9.

I really believe that having partnerships with business and industry and the community is essential for an institution of higher education to thrive.”

Starting with her visit to the campus on Homestead Avenue, she said she felt a “connection” — to the school, its mission, its current efforts to meet it, and the community as a whole. And the subsequent interviews and conversations with a host of constituencies, including students, faculty, and staff, only made the connection stronger.

At HCC, she saw an opportunity to forge an even stronger connection between the school and the community it serves, and thus make both stronger and more vibrant.

“I have a phrase that I’ve used often during my career — that ‘it takes a village to raise a student,’” she noted. “And I really believe that having partnerships with business and industry and the community is essential for an institution of higher education to thrive.

“Likewise, for a community with a community college to thrive, it needs to have a strong community college,” she went on. “I look at it as a bi-directional relationship and partnership.”

Royal arrives at HCC at an intriguing time for that school, community colleges in general, the ones in this state, and the four that serve this region. Indeed, those four institutions were chosen by BusinessWest as one of its Difference Makers for 2017, for their efforts to not only provide convenient, affordable access to higher education, but for becoming huge role players in regional economic-development efforts.

And, as that story goes on to note, the community colleges in this region have increasingly been working in collaboration among themselves and myriad other partners to address a host of workforce issues, including the skills gap plaguing virtually every sector of the economy.

Royal touched on some of these efforts when she talked with BusinessWest just a few days after her arrival — “nothing in this office is mine,” she said of what was in the credenza and on the walls — and noted that they fit right in with those basic criteria she was looking for in a move up the career ladder (and a college presidency) — opportunities to learn and grow professionally, and opportunities to make a difference.

As for community colleges as a whole, they are facing a host of common challenges, including enrollment — high-school graduation classes are getting smaller, and the economy is doing generally well, two factors that certainly don’t help drive individuals to community-college gates — and also financial pressures, and ongoing efforts to improve graduation rates, or ‘success rates,’ as many like to call them, because not all students are seeking a degree.

The $43 million renovation of HCC’s campus center is just one of many opportunities and challenges facing the school’s new president.

HCC is confronting these issues just as all schools are, said Royal, while it is also focused on some of its own specific challenges, including a soon-to-commence renovation of its campus center and a host of area workforce-development issues.

For this issue and its focus on education, BusinessWest talked at length with Royal about why she ultimately took this opportunity to become a college president, why she focused her career on the community-college community, as she called it, and what kind of learning opportunities she’s expecting at HCC.

Facing Stern Tests

Before getting into all that, though, Royal spent some time addressing the question often put to those putting ‘president’ on their business card for the first time — how and when did she know she was ready for that level of responsibility and challenge?

She said she recalls no specific morning when she woke up with that realization, but, rather, that it came with time, the accumulation of experience, the stockpiling of needed confidence … and confirmation from others in the industry that she was, indeed, ready to ascend to the top rung.

“I had a very well-rounded background, both in business and in higher education, that gave me a sense of the issues within higher education and the changing landscape of community colleges,” she told BusinessWest. “Given the number of college presidents that have been in these roles for many years and had started to retire, I was thinking this was a good time to be looking at pursuing one of those jobs.”

As for that accumulation of experience, it has come across the broad spectrum of higher education, starting in the private sector with CompUSA Inc. There, she provided instruction to more than 2,000 students for the Social Security Administration — and a host of other corporate clients — on various software-application programs.

From there, she went to the Beacon Institute for Learning in Florida, where, among other things, she was responsible for curriculum development, implementation, and assessment of technical training and certification programs for more than 20 colleges and universities, including Duke, Notre Dame, and Rutgers.

She then returned to her alma mater, serving from 2001 to 2006 as director of Technology-Assisted Learning in Marist College’s School of Graduate and Continuing Education in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

In early 2006, she would take a job that would eventually inspire a career-path decision. It was executive director of Distance Learning at Cuyahoga Community College (CCC) in Cleveland, a massive school with four campuses, two corporate colleges, a $270 million budget, and roughly 52,000 credit and non-credit students. She would later become assistant vice president of eLearning & Innovation in 2010, a post she would hold until mid-2013.

It was during her tenure at CCC that Royal would first earn her doctorate in education (in 2007, at Capella University’s School of Education) a pre-requisite for most high-level jobs in higher education, especially president, and later achieve that aforementioned confidence and skill set also needed to ascend to those levels.

“My college president at the time said, ‘this is not for the faint of heart, but if you’re interested in this, then I’m going to send you to an executive-leader program focused on the job and the role of the president,’” she recalled. “She went on, ‘if you’re still interested when you come, let’s talk.’”

Christina Royal says it take a village to raise a student, and this means more and stronger relationships between the college and the community.

She went, was interested when she came back, and the two did talk, she went on, adding that she considered herself ready for a presidency when there were “few surprises in the job,” and she had acquired a set of experiences that made her ready. She would cross that threshold at her next career stop — Inver Hills.

And it was also while in Cleveland, she said, that she began to focus on that aforementioned community-college community as her career ambition.

That mindset was only solidified at Inver Hills (which she chose over that Texas school), where she led a number of academic and workforce-development initiatives, including the South of the River Education Center, a workforce partnership with a host of other schools and economic-development-related agencies.

I had a very well-rounded background, both in business and in higher education, that gave me a sense of the issues within higher education and the changing landscape of community colleges.”

She told BusinessWest she has been looking at a number of president positions over the past several months, but made HCC the her main focus for a host a reasons, including geography (her family is still in the Albany area), but especially those aforementioned opportunities to grow professionally and make a difference — at the school and within the community it serves.

Grade Expectations

Since arriving on the campus during its winter intercession — students were not due back until late in January — Royal said she has taken advantage of that quiet time to meet with several of the constituencies she’ll be working with and beside.

These included staff and, later, faculty, as well as Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse, several state legislators, the school’s foundation, the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, and the other area community college presidents (through a photo shoot for the Difference Makers program).

She and Springfield Technical Community College President John Cook have already talked more than a few times, continuing a dialogue — and pattern of collaboration — forged by their respective predecessors, Bill Messner at HCC and Ira Rubenzahl at STCC, who retired within a few weeks of each other last summer. (You can read more about those collaborative efforts in the story on page A4).

Royal has also become acquainted with many of HCC’s current initiatives, and there are many of them, including:

• A $43.5 million renovation of the school’s campus center. The two-year project will change the look, feel, and orientation of the campus, and give it what administrators are calling “a new front door.”;

• The Mass. Casino Careers Training Institute, a joint effort among all the state’s community colleges to train people for careers at gambling facilities, including the $950 million MGM Springfield now taking shape in that city’s South End;

• The Cubit Building. That’s the name given to an old mill in downtown Holyoke that takes that shape. HCC will be moving its culinary-arts program into the first two floors of that structure, thus making it the anchor tenant in a building that will also feature market-rate housing and is touted as one of the keys to revitalization of the city’s Innovation District;

• TWO (Training & Workforce Options), a collaborative effort with STCC to provide training programs to help business sectors and individual companies close recognized skills gaps; and

• The school’s designation as an Hispanic Serving Institution, a federal designation from the U.S. Department of Education. Schools earn it when they have an enrollment of undergraduate full-time-equivalent students that is at least 25% Hispanic, a threshold HCC has reached. If it maintains that number for a year, it will be eligible to apply for certain grants that can be used to assist that specific constituency, Royal said.

As might be expected, Royal said one of her first priorities for the school will be to undertake development of a new strategic plan, which would be the first in decades, in her estimation.

She doesn’t expect that a new plan will yield many surprises in terms of recognized priorities, growth opportunities, and a specific strategic direction (although one never knows), but instead will provide needed affirmation of a host of agenda items.

These include the broad issues of access, enrollment, and how to grow it given the current, and lingering, challenges, and developing programs to improve students’ chances for success — whether they’re seeking a certificate, a two-year degree, or a pathway to a four-year degree.

And with that, we turn to what Royal wrote to the search committee that would choose HCC’s next president as she expressed her interest in the position.

“I have been intentional in my career about serving the community-college mission,” she said. “Growing up as a first-generation, low-income, biracial college student, I understand the community-college student and the challenges they face. Student success is most effectively achieved when an institution understands the unique support needs of students in two-year colleges.”

To further emphasize ‘unique,’ she would go on to discuss — with the search committee in that letter, and then, several months later, with BusinessWest — an initiative called the Mobile Food Pantry at Inver Hills.

As that name suggests, this program, created in partnership with a Minnesota-area nonprofit called Open Door, which has a mission to end local hunger, allows Inver Hills’ students in need of food support to receive healthy food on a bus that travels directly to the college.

And there were, and are, plenty of students in need, said Royal, adding that 60% of Inver Hills’ students were classified as low-income.

Whether HCC needs a mobile food pantry or something like it remains to be seen, said Royal, adding that it is merely one example of the ways community colleges can and should work to address the many obstacles standing in the way of students’ success.

“The reason programs like Food Pantry are important is that you cannot educate a hungry student,” said Royal in a firm, direct voice. “We do have students who are struggling, their food insecure, their housing insecure, there are transportation problems … these issues are real, and they impact their quality of focus as they try to concentrate on their studies and improve the quality of their life and the lives of their children.

“We have to look at how we’re able to address, or partner with someone who can address, some of these social-service issues that come with some of the students we serve,” she went on. “So I’ll be looking at community partnerships to address some of these issues.”

Food for Thought

As Royal noted, it takes a village to raise a student.

She is now in a leadership position within that village, and is intent on using that power and responsibility to make success less of a goal and more of a reality.

And, while doing so, she’ll be focused on creating more and different learning experiences — not only for the students, but for her as well.

That’s why she came to HCC, after all.

George O’Brien can be reached at [email protected]

Briefcase

By BusinessWest Staff January 24, 2017

Briefcase Departments

Employer Confidence Hits 12-Year High

BOSTON — Confidence among Massachusetts employers hit its highest level in 12 years during December amid the prospect of growth initiatives from the new administration in Washington and a continued strong state economy. The Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) Business Confidence Index (BCI) rose 2.3 points to 60.4 last month, a full 5.1 points higher than its level in December 2015 and the highest reading since December 2004. It marked the fourth consecutive monthly increase in sentiment among employers in the Commonwealth, where the unemployment rate recently fell to 2.9%. The November and December BCI readings mirror the post-election rally in U.S. financial markets, which have risen 5% as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to work with a Republican Congress on business-friendly issues such as tax reductions, regulatory reform, and infrastructure spending. The AIM survey showed a 5.5-point jump in confidence in the national economy last month, leaving that indicator at its highest level since 2007. “Massachusetts employers are taking the president-elect at his word that he will prioritize economic growth at the national level, especially if he is able to work with Congressional Democrats on a $1 trillion infrastructure initiative,” said Raymond Torto, chair of AIM’s Board of Economic Advisors (BEA) and lecturer at Harvard Graduate School of Design. “But employer enthusiasm is also based upon a solid economic expansion during 2016 that most analysts believe will continue in a methodical manner though the first half of 2017.” The AIM Index, based on a survey of Massachusetts employers, has appeared monthly since July 1991. It is calculated on a 100-point scale, with 50 as neutral; a reading above 50 is positive, while below 50 is negative. The Index reached its historic high of 68.5 on two occasions in 1997-98, and its all-time low of 33.3 in February 2009. The index has remained above 50 since October 2013. Almost all of the sub-indices based on selected questions or categories of employer were up in December. The Massachusetts Index, assessing business conditions within the Commonwealth, gained 2 points to 61.8, leaving it 5.5 points ahead of the same time last year. The increase in the U.S. Index of national business conditions put that figure 7.5 points higher than its level of a year ago, but still short of the Massachusetts index. It marked the 80th consecutive month in which employers have been more optimistic about the Massachusetts economy than the national economy. The Current Index, which assesses overall business conditions at the time of the survey, increased 2.2 points to 59.1, while the Future Index, measuring expectations for six months out, rose 2.5 points to 61.7. The future outlook was 5.5 points better than a year ago and higher than at any point since March 2015. The sub-indices bearing on survey respondents’ own operations also strengthened considerably. The Company Index, reflecting overall business conditions, rose 1.4 points to 60.9, while the Sales Index increased 3.2 points to 61.4. The Employment Index was the only indicator to lose ground, falling 0.2 points to 57.2. The AIM survey found that nearly 38% of respondents reported adding staff during the past six months, while 19% reduced employment. Expectations for the next six months were stable, with 37% planning to hire and only 10% downsizing. “One of the most positive results of the December survey is that business confidence is strengthening uniformly across almost every sector of the economy,” said Elliot Winer, chief economist at Winer Economic Consulting and a BEA member. “Employers both large and small, manufacturers and non-manufacturers, from the Pioneer Valley to Greater Boston, are more optimistic about their prospects than at any time since prior to the Great Recession.” The BCI Manufacturing Index jumped 0.6 points during the month and 2.6 points for the year. The overall Business Confidence Index among non-manufacturers was 63.3 compared to 56.7 for manufacturing companies. Companies in the eastern part of the Massachusetts were slightly more optimistic at 61.4 than those in the western part of the state at 57.6. AIM President and CEO Richard Lord, also a BEA member, said employers appear to be encouraged by the prospect that Trump and a Republican Congress will be able to pass their tax and regulatory agenda. At the same time, Lord said, there remains uncertainty about a possible repeal of federal healthcare reform and the future of international trade agreements that are critical to Massachusetts companies. “The only certainty appears to be uncertainty for the next six months,” Lord said. “The key will be to ensure that any tax reductions and regulatory reforms made on the national level are not obviated by state measures intended to make Massachusetts a progressive model for the rest of the country.”

Advertising Club Calls for Scholarship Applications

SPRINGFIELD — The Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts announced that its 2017 scholarship applications are now available online at adclubwm.org. Applications will also be available through guidance departments at high schools in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties, or by contacting the Ad Club at (413) 736-2582. Western Mass. seniors who plan to attend an accredited college or technical school in the fall of 2017 to study advertising, communications, marketing, or graphics arts are encouraged to apply. The scholarship must be applied against tuition and fees at the school. Candidates will be judged on academic performance; extracurricular activities; community service and/or work experience; a demonstrated interest in advertising, communications, marketing, or graphic design; personal recommendations; and a letter of introduction outlining future plans. In 2017, one $1,000 scholarship will be awarded. Completed scholarship applications and all support materials must be submitted to the Ad Club and postmarked by Friday, Feb. 24. Scholarship decisions are made by the scholarship committee of Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts, and are considered final. The scholarship will be awarded at the Ad Club’s Creative Awards show in May.

Grinspoon Foundation, Big Y AnnounceLocal Farmer Awards

AGAWAM — In partnership with Big Y, the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation (HGCF) announced the third year of the Local Farmer Awards, a program to support local farmers with projects that will help them compete in the marketplace. The awards are for equipment and physical farm improvements. “Big Y has been partnering with and supporting local farmers since we began over 80 years ago,” President and Chief Operating Officer Charles D’Amour said. “Through our partnership with the Grinspoon Foundation, we are providing one more way to help the local growers to thrive in our community.” In an effort to have the widest impact, individual award recipients a total of over $110,000 in awards. Realizing the importance of local farms in our region, Grinspoon launched these awards in 2015. The 2016 awards were distributed to 47 of the 128 applicants. The two regional Buy Local farm advocates, Berkshire Grown and Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA), will continue to provide insight and assistance. Philip Korman, executive director of CISA, noted that “we are so pleased to continue to work with everyone involved in this unique farm awards program to support the vital role family farms play in our communities.” Added Barbara Zheutlin, executive director of Berkshire Grown, “we’re thrilled about the continuation of these financial awards for farmers in Western Massachusetts to strengthen their farm businesses. This helps build the local food economy in our region.” The deadline for applying is Tuesday, Jan. 31. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit www.farmerawards.org for more information.

Greater Springfield Named 13th-least-dangerous Metro Area for Pedestrians

SPRINGFIELD — In light of Smart Growth America naming Greater Springfield the 13th-least dangerous metro area in the country for pedestrians, as well as Massachusetts ranking in the top 10 least-dangerous states for pedestrians, as part of its 2016 edition of “Dangerous by Design,” the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) is highlighting some of its collaborative efforts to make the streets of the Pioneer Valley safer for automobiles, bikers, and pedestrians. “While we are obviously happy to see Greater Springfield named the 13th-least-dangerous metro area in the United States [for pedestrians], there is clearly much more work to be done, especially on behalf of older residents, residents of color, and low-income families, who are disproportionately vulnerable as pedestrians, according to this recent report,” said Gary Roux, PVPC principal transportation planner and traffic manager. “Our regional efforts to implement complete street design into our communities will ensure our future roadways will be safe for all forms of travel.” In the pursuit of safer roadways in the Pioneer Valley, the PVPC has been actively working in partnership with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, WalkBoston, and the state Department of Public Health on Vision Zero Planning, an approach to transportation safety planning that sets a target of eliminating all serious injuries and deaths due to road traffic crashes; collaborating with member communities to apply Complete Streets design into local roads, implementing the state Department of Transportation Complete Streets funding program that promotes roadway planning that considers the safety of drivers, bikers, and pedestrians; contributing $2 million in planning and public-engagement efforts for Live Well Springfield, a community movement to support healthy and active living; and partnering with the communities of Holyoke, Springfield, Northampton, and South Hadley on bike-pedestrian visioning and planning efforts. Additionally, the PVPC has released a draft update report of the “Top 100 High-crash Intersections in the Pioneer Valley,” to help the region’s urban communities target their roadway safety-improvement efforts. A community-by-community listing of dangerous intersections is also currently being prepared to allow all 43 PVPC member communities to address their most pressing transportation-design needs.

Springfield Leadership Institute to Begin Session

SPRINGFIELD — The 2017 Springfield Leadership Institute will emphasize strategies and techniques designed to create high-energy and high-involvement leadership for middle and upper mangers who have potential to make an impact on their organization and the community, and who serve in key roles in volunteer organizations. The Institute, which begins on Feb. 9 and runs for seven consecutive Thursdays from 1 to 4:30 p.m., is directed by Robert Kleine III, dean of the Western New England University College of Business, and Jack Greeley, executive-in-residence at the university. Greeley has a strong background in management, strategic planning, and consulting to a variety of organizations. Sessions will focus on problem solving, learning to ask the right questions, and implementing creative and innovative solutions for both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Participants will actively explore best practices of leaders; analyze their own leadership, learning, and problem solving styles; and experience the synergies that result from high-performing teams. The emphasis will be on experiential activities that provide opportunities to identify, develop, and refine skill sets for effective leadership. All sessions will be held at the TD Bank Conference Center, 1441 Main St., Springfield. Upon successful completion of Leadership 2017, participants will be eligible to enroll in a free graduate course offered through the College of Business at Western New England University (subject to certain requirements). Applications must be received by Wednesday, Feb. 1. Tuition is $885 per participant. For questions about the program or the application process, e-mail Jessica Hill at [email protected].

Community Foundation Gives $1,306,600 to Nonprofits

SPRINGFIELD — The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts is awarding $1,306,600 to 78 local nonprofit organizations in the Pioneer Valley, with awards ranging from $3,700 to $30,000. The Community Foundation awards competitive grants each year, with funds targeting projects addressing community needs in arts and culture, education, the environment, health, housing, and human services for residents of Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties. Over 40 of the projects funded were supported by trusts administered by Bank of America. The Community Foundation receives and reviews grant applications on behalf of Bank of America for four charitable trusts for which the bank serves as a trustee. One award was made as part of the Community Foundation’s Challenge Program to support capital campaigns taking place in the Pioneer Valley region. The $30,000 award requires a one-to-one match. Berkshire Hills Music Academy is the 2017 Challenge Grant recipient. Other grants include $20,000 to the Center for New Americans to support the training of staff and volunteers who work annually with immigrants living in the Pioneer Valley on immigration legal issues; $25,000 to Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society Inc. for masonry repairs to the exterior of the organization’s Springfield location; $25,000 to Community Music School of Springfield Inc. for its children’s chorus music program; and $25,000 to Baystate Health Foundation Inc. for its new surgical center at Baystate Franklin Medical Center. “These grants are a tremendous investment in our community and in the nonprofits that under take this important work. We are fortunate to have generous donors and committed volunteers to make this investment possible,” said Community Foundation Senior Program Officer Sheila Toto. Grant funding comes from distributions from 38 funds established by various individuals and groups committed to supporting local nonprofits. These donors rely on the Community Foundation’s volunteers and staff to focus their funds for effective use by nonprofit agencies in the Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin county communities. Thirteen volunteer members of the Community Foundation’s Distribution Committee and 12 project reviewers carefully evaluated 109 applications for funding requests totaling more than $2.1 million.

Federal Funding Helps Area Farms Save Energy

NORTHAMPTON — Farms and rural small businesses in Massachusetts seeking to reduce energy costs or install clean energy technologies have long relied on the state Department of Agricultural Resources’ (MDAR) Mass. Farm Energy Program (MFEP) for funding and technical assistance. New funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA RD) will support the work of the MFEP. The USDA has awarded a $33,000 Rural Business Development Grant to the Center for EcoTechnology (CET), a nonprofit based in Northampton, which manages MFEP. CET will use the grant to provide timely information, funding request assistance, and technical assistance to rural farms that wish to improve their energy efficiency and reduce operating costs. MDAR Commissioner John Lebeaux will join Massachusetts elected officials, USDA RD Southern New England Director Scott Soares, and Lorenzo Macaluso of CET on Friday, Jan. 6 at 10 a.m. at Smith’s Farmstead, 20 Otter River Road, Winchendon. Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the farm’s renewable and efficiency projects. USDA funding adds to funding sources the MFEP draws on to provide help to farms, including funding from public utilities, the USDA, MDAR, municipal utilities, the Mass. Clean Energy Center, and a variety of energy-efficiency and clean-energy rebates.

State Earns Top Ranking for Public-health Preparedness

BOSTON — The Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) has recognized Massachusetts as first in the nation when it comes to preventing, responding to, and recovering from public health emergencies such as disease outbreaks, bioterrorism, and natural and man-made disasters. The findings were published in TFAH’s annual “Ready or Not?” report, which ranks all 50 states on a set of key preparedness indicators. “Our top ranking in the Trust for America’s Health report is a testament to the collaborative efforts of public-health and emergency-management agencies, hospitals, health centers, healthcare providers, community-based organizations, and residents to make Massachusetts as prepared and resilient as possible, no matter what,” said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Monica Bharel. The TFAH report ranks each state on 10 indicators, including public-health funding commitment, National Health Security Preparedness Index, public-health accreditation, flu-vaccination rate, climate-change readiness, food safety, reducing healthcare-associated infections, public-health laboratories (biosafety training), public-health laboratories (biosafety professional on staff), and emergency healthcare access. Massachusetts was the only state in the nation to receive credit for all 10 indicators.

Report Details STEM Employment in State

BOSTON — The New England Information Office of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released data on occupational employment and wages for scienc, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) occupations in Massachusetts’ metropolitan areas and divisions for May 2015. These data are supplied by the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) program, which produces employment and wage estimates for the U.S., by state, and by metropolitan area for more than 800 occupations. Among selected metropolitan areas in Massachusetts, the Boston-Cambridge-Nashua New England City and Town Area (Boston NECTA) had wages that were significantly higher than the respective national averages for three STEM occupations — computer-user support specialists ($63,840), applications-software developers ($109,540), and systems-software developers ($115,180). Leominster ($58,940) also had above-average wages for computer-user support specialists, while Pittsfield ($40,790) had wages that were significantly lower than the U.S. average for this occupation. Wages for applications software developers in the Lawrence NECTA division ($112,050) were significantly higher than the national average of $102,160. Conversely, Springfield ($94,610) had wages that were significantly below the national average for this occupation. The Boston NECTA had a combined employment of 69,990 for the three selected STEM occupations, with 49,230 of these jobs in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton NECTA division. Among the other selected areas, Worcester and Springfield had a combined employment of 2,630 and 2,450, respectively, for the three occupations.

PVPC Releases New Edition of Hiking and Biking Guide

SPRINGFIELD — Recognizing both the abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities and natural beauty within the region, as well as its unique involvement in the creation and protection of much of it, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) has released its second edition of “Pioneer Valley Trails: A Hiking and Biking Guide.” Self-published using revenue from the sale of the guide’s first edition, which has sold over 2,200 copies since 2011, the PVPC is hoping this comprehensive map of Hampden and Hampshire County’s recreational opportunities remains a popular item within the region’s many outdoor outfitters. In preparing the guide, the PVPC reached out to many cooperating entities for data and map information, including all 43 PVPC member municipalities, the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, as well as nonprofit partners such as the Trustees of Reservations and Mass Audubon. The guide includes many of the Pioneer Valley’s most popular trails, including the New England National Scenic Trail and the Robert Frost Trail for hiking, as well as the Manhan Rail Trail and Norwottuck – Mass Central Rail Trail for biking. It also includes many smaller trails spread out across the region’s cities and towns, allowing visitors and residents alike to discover new opportunities to enjoy nature. Since 1962, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission has been the designated regional planning body for the Pioneer Valley region, which encompasses 43 cities and towns in Hampden and Hampshire counties. PVPC is the primary agency responsible for increasing communication, cooperation, and coordination among all levels of government as well as the private business and civic sectors in order to benefit the Pioneer Valley region and to improve its residents’ quality of life.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff January 24, 2017

Departments People on the Move

Christopher Visser

Christopher Visser, formerly an associate attorney with the firm, was elected Partner at Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas, LLP effective Jan. 1. He joined Bulkley Richardson in 2011 and works principally in its Springfield office, where he is a member of the firm’s Litigation/ADR Department and Health Law Practice Group. Visser’s practice consists primarily of handling complex litigation with a focus in professional malpractice defense. He has represented physicians, mid-levels, nurses, and healthcare organizations in all types of medical-malpractice cases, ranging from labor and delivery cases to cancer cases. He has also successfully represented physicians before the Board of Registration in Medicine, and other healthcare providers before their licensing boards. He also has experience representing clients in insurance-coverage litigation, insurance subrogation, products liability, personal injury, trust litigation, and other civil-litigation matters. He has handled all aspects of prosecuting and defending civil-litigation actions and has represented clients in housing, district, and superior courts, as well as in federal and appellate courts. He has also represented clients in administrative proceedings, arbitrations, and mediations. Visser is a 2003 graduate of Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario. He attended Western New England University School of Law, where he was a member of the National Moot Court team, and earned his juris doctor in 2009, cum laude. He returns annually to Western New England University School of Law to mentor first-year students in the Introduction to the Legal Profession course. After graduating, he worked for an immigration firm in Hartford and a civil-litigation firm in Springfield prior to joining Bulkley Richardson. He is admitted to practice in Massachusetts and New York.

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The Gaudreau Group Insurance and Financial Services Agency recently welcomed back to its team Kate Roy, Director of Marketing. In her new role, Roy helps communicate the firm’s mission: “we help our clients discover, protect, and enhance the people, places, and things that are important to them.” Working closely with the Gaudreau Group’s strategy advisors, account managers, and President Jules Gaudreau, Roy delivers communications that help current and prospective clients understand the benefits of working with the Gaudreau Group. As a certified insurance counselor, she has a deep understanding of the insurance industry and worked for several years in the personal-insurance business, both for a large national carrier and for several agencies. “We’re excited to have Kate back on our team. Her combination of marketing expertise and in-depth insurance experience is rare, resulting in a greater ability to communicate the Gaudreau Group’s mission to a broad audience in a unique and effective way,” Gaudreau said. A graduate of Springfield Technical Community College’s teleproduction technology program, Roy has experience in several different media channels. She was featured on roughnotes.com, the online presence of Rough Notes magazine, for her expertise on digital marketing in the insurance-agency world. She is also a graduate of the Springfield Leadership Institute, has volunteered with the East of the River Five Town Chamber of Commerce (ERC5) and Minnechaug Regional High School’s Career Readiness collaboration, and is a current contributor to the Westfield Education to Business Alliance. Roy was with the Gaudreau Group previously from 2008 to 2014 in customer-service and administrative roles. Prior to her years in the insurance industry, she was a videographer and editor for a local NBC TV affiliate.

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Whittlesey & Hadley announced Lisa Wills, CPA has been elected to partner, effective Jan. 1. Wills has been working primarily with nonprofits over her 25-year career, growing her practice and navigating ever-changing regulation. Her progressive approach to complex audits has helped her build a reputation as an industry thought leader. Wills is an active member of the AICPA as well as the CTCPA. “Lisa is a talented auditor and trusted advisor to nonprofits throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts,” said Managing Partner Drew Andrews. “Nonprofits are one of Whittlesey & Hadley’s largest practice areas, so expanding our leadership team with a professional of Lisa’s caliber demonstrates our ongoing commitment to providing exceptional service to the nonprofit community.”

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HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Western Massachusetts recently welcomed Susan Barone to its senior leadership team as director of Marketing Operations. She brings extensive healthcare experience to HealthSouth, as she has worked in the Western Mass. community for 25 years as a registered nurse and has held roles in hospital operations and medical practice leadership. Barone’s area of expertise includes healthcare business development and marketing, with a vast knowledge of the area’s healthcare community. She received her nursing education from Baystate Medical Center School of Nursing, a bachelor’s degree from Bay Path University, and an MBA in healthcare leadership from Elms College.

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Jill McCarthy Payne

American International College (AIC) Professor of Criminal Justice Jill McCarthy Payne has been appointed by Gov. Charlie Baker to a two-year term on the Gaming Policy Advisory Committee, a subcommittee of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. The committee advises the Gaming Commission on matters including annual resource agenda, public safety, addiction as it relates to gambling, mitigation, and other issues. Along with Payne, committee members include two senators, two legislators, representatives from public health and labor, and Gaming Commission Chair Stephen Crosby. Payne, who resides in Springfield and represents Region B as a Springfield member, was selected by Baker because of her previous involvement with the casino project in Springfield. Appointed by Mayor Domenic Sarno, Payne served on his five-member committee that helped select MGM as the casino of choice for Springfield. In addition, and prior to her recent appointment by the governor, Payne was tapped to be a member and chair of the local Community Mitigation Committee, thereby serving dual roles at the state and local level. “I’m excited to be part of this opportunity for Springfield. Although streets are narrowed currently due to construction, upon its completion, the casino will bring a new vibrancy to downtown,” Payne said. “The MGM project itself is unique in the gaming industry because it is considered an ‘inside-out’ model, meaning that patrons will be able to visit all amenities, including restaurants and entertainment venues, without ever entering the casino itself. In addition, the casino is being built within an urban area, using the MassMutual Center, Symphony Hall, and CityStage, to become part of the fabric of the community. It is really a first of its kind.” While initial meetings have already begun in Boston, the work of the Gaming Policy Advisory Committee will begin in earnest once all facilities are open.

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Loyalty360, the professional association for customer loyalty, tapped PeoplesBank Senior Vice President of Retail Sheila King-Goodwin to present on the bank’s approach to customer engagement at the 2016 Engagement & Experience Expo in Denver. Her presentation was titled Branch of the Future: It’s Not Just About the Building, It’s Your Brand. King-Goodwin touched on a number of aspects of customer engagement, including service, innovation, and authenticity. “When they come in a branch, we really have to nail that customer experience,” she said. “We create differentiation through authenticity.”

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Kerry Bartini

Berkshire Design Inc. announced that Kerry Bartini, AIA, earned her architectural license in December and is now a registered architect in Massachusetts. Bartini has more than 14 years of experience in the architectural profession, and her expertise encompasses design and project administration for residential and commercial architectural design projects. Bartini has been a member of the Berkshire Design team for over five years. Her recent projects in collaboration with the Berkshire Design team include work on private residences throughout Berkshire County, as well as work on a new community building for Gould Farm in Monterey, the redevelopment of the former DeSisto School property in Stockbridge, and the Residences at Bellefontaine Canyon Ranch Condominiums in Lenox. In December, Bartini was honored as one of only 12 recently licensed architects from across the country who were selected to participate in the 2016 National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) Think Tank. Participants in the think tank are responsible for providing critical feedback to the NCARB regarding its mission, programs, and services. Bartini graduated from Roger Williams University in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in architecture.

•••••

Holyoke Rotary President Venus Robinson announced the selection of Helene Florio as the 2016 recipient of the William G. Dwight Distinguished Service to Holyoke Award. The selection jury, chaired by last year’s recipient, Carl Eger Jr., has chosen Florio to be the latest recipient of this coveted award. The first award was presented in 1940 by the Transcript-Telegram to Joseph Weis. Holyoke Rotary was pleased to take over presentation of the awards when the Dwight family was no longer involved in the newspaper business in the city. A native of Holyoke, Florio attended schools in Torrington and Goshen, Conn., graduating from Wamogo Regional High School in Litchfield, Conn. before coming back to this region. She attended school at the University of Miami followed by Katharine Gibbs School in Boston. Florio most recently was president of the Rotary Club of Holyoke during its centennial year. During this time, she was awarded Rotary’s highest recognition, the Paul Harris Fellowship, which acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, to the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. Paul Harris was the founder of Rotary in 1905, and the foundation was established in 1957. Florio joined the Holyoke Rotary Club in 2002, becoming the first third-generation Rotarian in the Club, and has a community-service classification within Rotary. She currently serves as executive director of the Holyoke Taxpayers Assoc., where she is also president of the board of directors. She is also vice president of the WestMass Elder Care board of directors. She has also served as president of the former Junior League of Holyoke, the Area Mental Health Center, the Holyoke Hospital Aid Assoc., and the former Holyoke YWCA. She has served on the boards of the United Way, the Holyoke chapter of the American Red Cross, Loomis Communities, and Holyoke Junior Achievement Foundation. She has lent her skills to Wistariahurst Museum Assoc. In addition, Florio is a trustee of the Mansir Fund, serving the needs of disabled children in the Greater Holyoke area. In 2009, she was elected as one of the nine local citizen volunteers to serve on the Charter Revision Committee. From CIT experience at Camp Maria Pratt as a Girl Scout to Brownie leader in Holyoke, to Ski Club and PTO, she has worked to serve children in and throughout the area. During Holyoke’s centennial celebration, she was honored as one of Holyoke’s top 100 volunteers. Florio follows in the footsteps of an aunt, Hortense Alderman Cooke, and her father, Wayne Alderman, previous recipients of this award. She will be honored at a celebration on Wednesday, Feb. 8 at the Delaney House in Holyoke. Call Deb Buckley at (413) 534-7355 for information about tickets to the dinner.

AIC Professor Jill McCarthy Payne Receives Statewide Appointment

By BusinessWest Staff January 10, 2017

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) Professor of Criminal Justice Jill McCarthy Payne has been appointed by Gov. Charlie Baker to a two-year term on the Gaming Policy Advisory Committee, a subcommittee of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.

The committee advises the Gaming Commission on matters including annual resource agenda, public safety, addiction as it relates to gambling, mitigation, and other issues. Along with Payne, committee members include two senators, two legislators, representatives from public health and labor, and Gaming Commission Chair Stephen Crosby.

Payne, who resides in Springfield and represents Region B as a Springfield member, was selected by Baker because of her previous involvement with the casino project in Springfield. Appointed by Mayor Domenic Sarno, Payne served on his five-member committee that helped select MGM as the casino of choice for Springfield. In addition, and prior to her recent appointment by the governor, Payne was tapped to be a member and chair of the local Community Mitigation Committee, thereby serving dual roles at the state and local level.

“I’m excited to be part of this opportunity for Springfield. Although streets are narrowed currently due to construction, upon its completion, the casino will bring a new vibrancy to downtown,” Payne said. “The MGM project itself is unique in the gaming industry because it is considered an ‘inside-out’ model, meaning that patrons will be able to visit all amenities, including restaurants and entertainment venues, without ever entering the casino itself. In addition, the casino is being built within an urban area, using the MassMutual Center, Symphony Hall, and CityStage, to become part of the fabric of the community. It is really a first of its kind.”

While initial meetings have already begun in Boston, the work of the Gaming Policy Advisory Committee will begin in earnest once all facilities are open.

Employer Confidence in Massachusetts Hits 12-Year High

By BusinessWest Staff January 3, 2017

Daily News

BOSTON — Confidence among Massachusetts employers hit its highest level in 12 years during December amid the prospect of growth initiatives from the new administration in Washington and a continued strong state economy.

The Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) Business Confidence Index (BCI) rose 2.3 points to 60.4 last month, a full 5.1 points higher than its level in December 2015 and the highest reading since December 2004. It marked the fourth consecutive monthly increase in sentiment among employers in the Commonwealth, where the unemployment rate recently fell to 2.9%.

The November and December BCI readings mirror the post-election rally in U.S. financial markets, which have risen 5% as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to work with a Republican Congress on business-friendly issues such as tax reductions, regulatory reform, and infrastructure spending. The AIM survey showed a 5.5-point jump in confidence in the national economy last month, leaving that indicator at its highest level since 2007.

“Massachusetts employers are taking the president-elect at his word that he will prioritize economic growth at the national level, especially if he is able to work with Congressional Democrats on a $1 trillion infrastructure initiative,” said Raymond Torto, chair of AIM’s Board of Economic Advisors (BEA) and lecturer at Harvard Graduate School of Design. “But employer enthusiasm is also based upon a solid economic expansion during 2016 that most analysts believe will continue in a methodical manner though the first half of 2017.”

The AIM Index, based on a survey of Massachusetts employers, has appeared monthly since July 1991. It is calculated on a 100-point scale, with 50 as neutral; a reading above 50 is positive, while below 50 is negative. The Index reached its historic high of 68.5 on two occasions in 1997-98, and its all-time low of 33.3 in February 2009. The index has remained above 50 since October 2013.

Almost all of the sub-indices based on selected questions or categories of employer were up in December. The Massachusetts Index, assessing business conditions within the Commonwealth, gained 2 points to 61.8, leaving it 5.5 points ahead of the same time last year.

The increase in the U.S. Index of national business conditions put that figure 7.5 points higher than its level of a year ago, but still short of the Massachusetts index. It marked the 80th consecutive month in which employers have been more optimistic about the Massachusetts economy than the national economy.

The Current Index, which assesses overall business conditions at the time of the survey, increased 2.2 points to 59.1, while the Future Index, measuring expectations for six months out, rose 2.5 points to 61.7. The future outlook was 5.5 points better than a year ago and higher than at any point since March 2015.

The sub-indices bearing on survey respondents’ own operations also strengthened considerably.

The Company Index, reflecting overall business conditions, rose 1.4 points to 60.9, while the Sales Index increased 3.2 points to 61.4. The Employment Index was the only indicator to lose ground, falling 0.2 points to 57.2.

The AIM survey found that nearly 38% of respondents reported adding staff during the past six months, while 19% reduced employment. Expectations for the next six months were stable, with 37% planning to hire and only 10% downsizing.

“One of the most positive results of the December survey is that business confidence is strengthening uniformly across almost every sector of the economy,” said Elliot Winer, chief economist at Winer Economic Consulting and a BEA member. “Employers both large and small, manufacturers and non-manufacturers, from the Pioneer Valley to Greater Boston, are more optimistic about their prospects than at any time since prior to the Great Recession.”

The BCI Manufacturing Index jumped 0.6 points during the month and 2.6 points for the year. The overall Business Confidence Index among non-manufacturers was 63.3 compared to 56.7 for manufacturing companies.

Companies in the eastern part of the Massachusetts were slightly more optimistic at 61.4 than those in the western part of the state at 57.6.

AIM President and CEO Richard Lord, also a BEA member, said employers appear to be encouraged by the prospect that Trump and a Republican Congress will be able to pass their tax and regulatory agenda.

At the same time, Lord said, there remains uncertainty about a possible repeal of federal healthcare reform and the future of international trade agreements that are critical to Massachusetts companies.

“The only certainty appears to be uncertainty for the next six months,” Lord said. “The key will be to ensure that any tax reductions and regulatory reforms made on the national level are not obviated by state measures intended to make Massachusetts a progressive model for the rest of the country.”

Stockbridge Evolves While Retaining Its Character

By BusinessWest Staff December 27, 2016

Community Spotlight Features

Community Spotlight

Chris Marsden and Stephen Shatz say the new solar farm on the town’s capped landfill will generate revenue as well as green energy.

The idea of change in Stockbridge might seem antithetical to its nature, because the town’s economy is centered on tourism driven by its quintessential New England charm.

Indeed, thousands of people flock to Stockbridge each year to frequent its quaint downtown shops or visit iconic attractions that include Tanglewood, the Norman Rockwell Museum, and the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health.

But change has taken place in the town in recent years. Some of it has been unplanned, while other measures have been carefully crafted to retain its ambience, while keeping up with the times.

“Between 1996 and 2010, our population decreased by almost 25%, and the median age went from 39 to 55, which we now think is over age 60,” said Select Board member Stephen Shatz. “Unfortunately, it’s a fact of life in Berkshire County, and even though we don’t have all of the tools we need to respond, we are trying.”

To that end, the town has taken a proactive stance to find ways to keep pace with technology and continue to provide police, ambulance, and fire services to its 1,800 year-round residents as well as its second homeowners and the 7,000 visitors who add to the population every week during the summer.

The cost for those services is high, but Stockbridge has taken a piece of seemingly useless property — its capped landfill — and put it to use in ways that will generate new income as well as green energy.

The first project is a cell-phone tower that Verizon is erecting on the southern end of the landfill. It should be completed next spring and will make a significant difference because 50% of the town has no cell service and downtown tourists are often surprised when told they have to walk uphill to use their phones.

Shatz said some businesses, including the Red Lion Inn, have put in boosters to help with the problem, but the lack of service also presents a public-safety issue as police officers and first responders need to communicate via cell phones when a problem or emergency occurs.

Shatz has been working on the issue for three years, and says town officials were pleased to have Verizon win the bid to build the cell tower.

He added that Verizon spent almost $400,000 to rebuild a 1,500-foot road to provide access to the southern end of the landfill where the new tower is under construction. Underground circuits were also installed; excavation began recently, and plans are in place to complete construction this winter and have the tower operational by April, although inclement winter weather could affect the schedule.

“Verizon has been a wonderful partner in this venture,” Shatz said, adding that Stockbridge will receive $24,000 in rent annually for the next 20 years for the land, plus half of any co-location income received from other cellphone carriers who use the tower.

The access road, which was completed in early October, made a second project possible on the capped landfill, which is also under construction.

Ameresco is building a 900,000-kilowatt solar facility and when it’s complete, the town will receive rent from the company for 20 years as well as net-metering credits.

Shatz noted that crews have been working weekends to ensure the solar facility is mechanically connected to the National Grid’s power grid by Jan. 8, which is the deadline for federal and state tax incentives.

Stockbridge Facilities Manager Chris Marsden has visited the site daily since work began in August and says the project has been complicated by regulations associated with a capped landfill.

“But the Department of Environmental Protection has been very helpful in making the positive reuse of this land possible,” he said. “They have offered us advice and information about how to proceed so we don’t damage the cap and maintain standards that have to be upheld.”

He described the reuse of the landfill as an unusual venture.

“The property couldn’t have been used for recreation or development, and was costing the town money to maintain. But we have turned it into a valuable piece of land that will generate revenue from the leases and net-metering credits, which is icing on the cake,” Marsden told BusinessWest.

Shatz added that every square foot of the landfill has been put to use.

“It’s also important to have Stockbridge become part of the effort to produce renewable energy; we’re a green community and will be the first town in the Berkshires to finish a solar project,” he said, noting that the town’s Green Committee, led by Laura Dubester, received a $140,000 state grant last year to insulate public buildings and continuously work to find funding for green projects.

New Pathways

Stockbridge has six bridges in need of major repairs, and a plan is being formulated to address the problem. Several are on Route 183, a well-traveled corridor that connects Great Barrington and Lenox, continues into Stockbridge, and runs past the main gate to Tanglewood before continuing on toward the Norman Rockwell Museum and the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health.

“Mass DOT has downgraded one of the bridges every year for the past five years and has restricted access to heavy vehicles on it,” Shatz said, explaining that the town needs six bridges because the Housatonic River runs through it, as do a number of streams.

“We’ve underfunded infrastructure in the past and are paying the price for not having banked money for it. It’s an important issue because, when a bridge fails here, it’s more than an inconvenience, it’s a loss of revenue for our cultural institutions,” he continued. “They provide employment and the tourist dollars that float the Stockbridge boat. Tanglewood alone has a $50 million economic impact on the region, which is very significant.”

A special town meeting will be held next month to authorize spending $2.6 million to repair the bridges, which would be funded through a bond.

“It will cost $1 million in engineering expenses to reconstruct three of the bridges, but we hope to do that next year,” Shatz said, adding that the town will apply for a state grant to make needed repairs to the largest bridge after the engineering report is complete, and further work will be planned for the future.

Raising revenue and cutting costs are two items that rank high on the town’s priority list, and a joint meeting recently took place with the towns of Lee and Lenox to discuss the viability of sharing a town administrator.

In late July, Jorja Ann Marsden retired from her position of town administrator after 31 years of public service. Her position was filled temporarily several months ago when Danielle Fillio was promoted from administrative assistant to interim town administrator, but the future of that position is a matter of speculation.

“There has been a fair amount of disagreement over the idea of sharing a town manager; it’s a contentious issue because some people fear the loss of Stockbridge’s identity,” Shatz said, explaining that a public meeting will be held Jan. 9 to discuss the issue. Discussion could determine whether it is on the agenda at the annual town meeting in May.

He noted that the combined population of the three towns is 12,000, and sharing a town administrator would allow them to hire a full-time finance director and a planner/grant administrator, which none of the communities can afford on their own.

Several years ago, forward-thinking town officials decided the town needed to come up with a plan for the future. To that end, a Visionary Project Committee was formed and two planning consultants were hired to help develop a set of recommendations that could be implemented over the next 20 years and possibly lead to the creation of a new master plan.

The committee issued a report in May titled “Planning a Way Forward” and presented it to the all-volunteer Planning Board.

“It’s important as Stockbridge’s last master plan was completed in 1996, and the time has come to evaluate changes that have taken place or need to be made,” Shatz said.

The report includes input from several public meetings where a wide variety of topics were discussed. Common themes included the need to improve traffic flow and parking downtown as well as to increase transportation options.

The importance of luring new businesses as well as attracting and retaining young people and families were other key elements mentioned in the report.

Planning Board Secretary Jennifer Carmichael said a public meeting was held after the report was made public. In addition, several business owners and residents scheduled meetings with the board to discuss matters that concern them.

“We’re also still getting input from town officials,” Carmichael said, noting that, when the process is complete, the Planning Board will decide how to proceed with the recommendations in the report.

But positive change continues in town. A $4 million renovation to Stockbridge Library, Museum and Archives was completed last spring, and people from nearby towns have been taking advantage of new programs and activities, along with state-of-the-art improvements that include a new multi-purpose room in the main part of the building that holds 35 people.

“The library is absolutely exquisite, and its offerings include a cooking club, book club, speaker series, and expansion of the children’s programs,” Shatz said, explaining that the library houses historic artifacts, dates back to the darkest days of the Civil War, and was started by a group of public-spirited men who believed it was central to the life of the town.

Into the Future

Although Stockbridge is a great place to live and visit, its leader say, the town lacks employment opportunities needed to attract and retain young people.

“We don’t have jobs, so we have find a way to manage our resources better,” Shatz said.

Officials are doing their best to make that happen, and hope revenue from Verizon’s cell-phone tower and the Ameresco solar farm, combined with infrastructure improvements, will help to resolve their challenges without disturbing the character that has made Stockbridge a destination people return to time and time again.

Stockbridge at a glance

Year Incorporated: 1739
Population: 1,800
Area: 23.7 square miles
County: Berkshire
Residential Tax Rate: $9.59
Commercial Tax Rate: $9.59
Median Household Income: $60,732
MEDIAN FAMILY Income: $65,469
Type of government: Town Administrator; Board of Selectmen; Open Town Meeting
Largest Employers: Tanglewood; Norman Rockwell Museum; Red Lion Inn
* Latest information available

Agenda

By BusinessWest Staff December 13, 2016

Agenda Departments

Nutcracker and Sweets

Dec. 16-18: One of Holyoke’s most beloved holiday traditions will return as the Massachusetts Academy of Ballet presents Nutcracker & Sweets at Wistariahurst. This unique, historical interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet is presented through narration and dance in the historic setting of Wistariahurst, thanks to the support of Holyoke Gas & Electric. Student dancers will perform the magical story with a local historical twist and lively choreography, in eight performances on Friday, Dec. 16 at 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 17 at 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m., and 4:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 18 at 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m., and 4:30 p.m. Seating is limited, and advance ticket purchases are required. Tickets are available online at www.wistariahurst.org, and can also be purchased in person at the Wistariahurst visitor’s center, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Seated tickets are available for $15. Children under 4 are permitted on laps at no additional charge (one child per adult). Standing-room-only tickets are available for $12. Massachusetts Academy of Ballet is a training school for students interested in pursuing a career in classical ballet. The academy also has a program for non-professional students and adults seeking ballet training and artistic education. Classes emphasize classical ballet technique, musicality, artistry, and creativity.

Tree of Love Ceremony

Dec. 17: As the holiday season approaches, the Baystate Wing Auxiliary has set the date for its annual Tree of Love ceremony. This special event, created to honor and remember loved ones, features ornaments that can be purchased, personalized, and placed on the tree with names in memory of family and friends. “There is a definite comfort in coming together with others to remember someone, especially during the holidays,” said Teresa Grove, president of the Auxiliary and Philanthropy officer for the Baystate Health Eastern Region, which includes Baystate Wing and Baystate Mary Lane Outpatient Center. The ornaments may be purchased for $5 for a single name and $10 for a family. In addition, the community is invited to be part of an event held on Sunday, Dec. 17 from 1 to 3 p.m., when the decorated Tree of Love will be displayed in the lobby located on the ground floor of the hospital. This special event will include fellowship, refreshments, and festive music by Voices of Love and Remembrance. “The Tree of Love is our annual tradition that warms our hearts as we remember loved ones and celebrate their lives,” said Carol Doyle, an auxiliary member who coordinates the event. All proceeds benefit the Baystate Wing Auxiliary, which in turn donates needed equipment and other items for the benefit of patients to the hospital. The funds from this year’s event will benefit the Baystate Wing Hospital Emergency Department expansion project. For more information about the Tree of Love or to purchase an ornament, stop in the Baystate Wing Hospital Gift Shop or call Doyle at (413) 267-9219.

Kick Open the Door — then Go Forward

By BusinessWest Staff November 29, 2016

Opinion

By Elizabeth Barajas-Román, Valerie Bassett, and Ann Bookman

As directors of organizations working to elevate women’s civic leadership, we salute Sec. Hillary Rodham Clinton on the historic and courageous campaign she led as the first woman to run for president of the United States as the nominee of a major political party.

But to come, are the highest stakes our nation has faced since its founding. How do we ensure the door of opportunity not only remains open — but opens wider — for women of color, LGBTQ people, and immigrants, as well as including low-income white and rural residents who feel left behind?

As the results of the recent election show, the majority of our elected officials do not look like the population they represent. In Massachusetts only 25.5% of the total seats on Beacon Hill are occupied by women. Throughout the history of the United States, 1,917 men have been elected to the Senate, whereas only 46 women have held this post; until now, only two of whom were women of color. In the 115th Congress, the overall number of women will remain the same, but nine new women of color, will enter Congress in 2017, three in the Senate and six in the House.

That’s why the work of our organizations is more critical than ever before. The Women’s Fund of Western Mass. fuels progress toward gender equity by funding the most promising solutions, collaborating with results-oriented partners, and by elevating the collective power of local women to take charge, and to lead with purpose. The Women’s Fund of Southeastern Mass. creates pathways for women to economic independence through funding and leading a regional agenda for change, advocacy, and education. The Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy at UMass Boston’s McCormack Graduate School has a dual mission:

• To advance the political leadership of women in both the public and nonprofit sectors, with particular focus on women of color; and

• To design and implement public policies that will advance economic security for all women and their families by raising the minimum wage, closing the wage gap, providing caregiving supports, and other critical issues.

Together, we are creating hope, higher expectations, and alliances among diverse women that are essential to helping create the America we believe in.

So where do we go from here?

Prioritize the work of organizations serving women. Organizations like ours have paved the way for significant milestones reached over the past year, including a new equal pay law. We’re also working at a direct service level to increase women’s access to financial literacy or negotiation training, building cross-sector partnerships at the community level that encourage solutions-orientated dialogue often with local businesses, and investing in research that can be used by advocates and policymakers to drive systems-level change. Organizations like ours amplify the power of women to transform their lives, and the lives of the people in their community.

Support policy advocacy efforts and train women to lead the way. Research shows that high-visibility political campaigns by women make girls think differently about their own futures: they begin to imagine they too, could one day lead. The goals for political leadership are broad: More women in elected office, appointed positions, and more women leading nonprofit organizations and grassroots campaigns. While progress on policies that impact women’s lives may be stalled on the federal level in the foreseeable future, we are optimistic about action and change on the state and local level. In fact, state and local action — coordinated across New England — is now likely to be across the most fruitful avenue for policy change; and

• Invest in cross-racial, cross-class, and cross-gender alliances. Millions of women sit at the center of several overlapping and intersecting social identities – and they suffer the related systems of oppression, domination, or discrimination that come with the territory. Investing in the visibility and inclusion of all women is the only way to ensure success. We will go forward truly together or not at all.

We celebrate the wins and learn from the losses. We rest from the recent flurry of campaigning and retool for the campaigns and social change work ahead. Most importantly, we must continue to grow a broad and diverse coalition to fight for equity and economic justice for all. Count us in.

Elizabeth Barajas-Román is CEO of the Women’s Fund of Western Mass.; Valerie Bassett is executive director of the Women’s Fund of Southeastern Mass.; and Ann Bookman is director of the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, and Clinical Professor, Department of Public Policy and Public Affairs, McCormack Graduate School.

Agenda

By BusinessWest Staff November 15, 2016

Agenda Departments

‘Diversify Your Workforce’

Nov. 17: The Western Mass. Employment Collaborative (WMEC) will present a breakfast event called “Diversify Your Workforce” from 9 to 11 a.m., preceded by breakfast and networking at 8:30 a.m. at the Delaney House in Holyoke. WMEC partners work toward the common goal of increasing employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. WMEC works across all disabilities and represents hundreds of job seekers who have the skills, commitment, and desire to enter the workforce and contribute positively to a local employer. To that end, it is partnering with the Mass. Down Syndrome Congress and its “Find Your Next Star” campaign. Attendees of the Nov. 17 event will learn ways to grow their business and meet their hiring needs. To register, visit www.mdsc.kintera.org/dywwest.

Art & Leisure Auction

Nov. 18: Combining the celebration of creativity with the generosity of giving, the United Way of Franklin County is holding its 17th annual Art & Leisure Auction beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Greenfield Community College Dinning Commons. Thanks to the generous support of local artists, businesses, and individuals, this year’s auction will feature more than 200 items, including Springfield Thunderbirds tickets; two $1,000 Southwest Airlines gift certificates; a one-week stay in Stowe, Vt.; a day trip for two to Martha’s Vineyard by private airplane; a season pass to Silverthorne Theater; gift certificates from numerous area business; handcrafted works of art; framed prints, paintings, and photographs; Tom White Pottery, fabric arts; and jewelry. Featuring state Rep. Paul Mark as guest auctioneer, the event will feature leisure items and gifts from the Pioneer Valley and beyond for live and silent auctions. The United Way Art & Leisure Auction is presented by Baystate Franklin Medical Center, Greenfield Savings Bank, Steve Lewis Subaru, WAHI/Bear Country, and the Recorder. The event will benefit the United Way of Franklin County and its 27 partner agencies. Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments are included included in the cost of admission, which is $20 per person in advance or $25 at the door. To purchase advance tickets, visit www.uw-fc.org, e-mail [email protected], or call (413) 772-2168.

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day

Nov. 19: The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the nation’s largest suicide-prevention organization, is hosting more than 350 International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day events worldwide on Saturday, Nov. 19. Survivor Day allows people affected by suicide loss to gather around the world at events in their local communities to find comfort and gain understanding. Locally, the Western Mass. chapter of AFSP will host a Survivor Day event at Westfield State University from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. All Survivor Day gatherings will include a screening of Life Journeys: Reclaiming Life after Loss, a new, AFSP-produced Survivor Day documentary that traces the grief and healing journey that follows a suicide loss over time. Additional programming at the Westfield State event will include presentations by loss survivors and mental-health professionals, as well as small-group discussions. For those who can’t attend, AFSP will also host a 90-minute online program that will include a film screening of Life Journeys, a post-screening discussion on coping with a suicide loss, and a Q&A session with online viewers. “After I lost my younger brother Raymond to suicide, I felt so alone and guilty about his death. But attending a Survivor Day event allowed me to connect with others who had lost a person close to them, and made me realize I wasn’t alone — that others understood my grief. It was incredibly healing,” said Renae Carapella-Johnson, who lost her younger brother, Raymond Carapella, to suicide in 2005. For more information about Survivor Day events, visit afsp.org. To register for the Survivor Day event at Westfield State University, contact Heather White, area director for the Western Mass. chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, at (413) 387-3770 or [email protected].

Joseph D. Freeman Bowl-a-Thon

Nov. 19: The Joseph D. Freedman Bowl-a-Thon will present its fifth annual event to benefit Camphill Village in Copake, N.Y. The event will be held from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Chicopee AMF Lanes. Last year, more than 250 attended the event, and since its inaugural in 2011, the event has raised more than $220,000 for Camphill, which is a residential village where 95 special-needs residents reside. No one has ever been charged a fee to live at the Village, nor has anyone ever been turned away for lack of funds. To learn more about the event, visit www.camphillvillage.org/bowlathon.

Girls on the Run 5k

Nov. 20: Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts will Host its Girls on the Run 5k starting at 10 a.m. at the Smith College athletic fields. The event is open to the public. The run, organizers say, is about the joy of empowering girls in grades 3-8 and celebrating their incredible achievements over the 20-session, 10-week program season of Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts. Twenty-four schools from all four Western Mass. counties coming together with their families and friends to run and celebrate their achievements. There will also be family-friendly activities and a fun warmuup. More than 250 volunteers will be running with the girls as running buddies, while numerous community members and another 85 volunteers will help organize and run the race. To volunteer or to participate in the run, visit www.girlsontherunwesternma.org, or register the day of the run starting at 8 a.m. Sponsors incude Cooley Dickinson Medical Group Women’s Health, HUB International, Holyoke Gas and Electric, Children’s Heart Center, RunReg, Holyoke Medical Center, Spoleto Restaurant, Palmer Paving, River Valley Counseling Center, and Northampton Pediatric Dentistry.

Lighting Ceremony for Trees of Love & Thanksgiving

Nov. 20: The trees in the Healing Garden at Cooley Dickinson Hospital will again be aglow this late fall and winter with lights remembering and honoring friends, family, and neighbors. Through a donation of $15 or more per individual, community members can designate a light in memory or in honor of a loved one in the annual Trees of Love & Thanksgiving. Proceeds from this annual fund-raising initiative support the purchase of equipment that enhances patient care at Cooley Dickinson. Funds raised through 2016 Trees of Love will help furnish two pediatric rooms in the hospital’s Emergency Department with murals, distraction carts, a monitoring system, and child-appropriate equipment. In addition, funds will again provide infant car beds, which are critical to ensuring the safe transport of underweight babies. This year’s fund-raising goal is $15,000. Previous Trees of Love campaigns have supported an infusion bay in the Mass General Cancer Center at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, and 3D mammography, which provides earlier detection of breast cancer. A lighting ceremony will be held Sunday, Nov. 20 at 4:30 p.m. in the Healing Garden. A reception will follow in the Kittredge Surgery Center waiting area located at the north entrance. Light refreshments will be served as the Horse Mountain Jazz Band performs. Those wishing to donate can pick up a form at the Cooley Dickinson Hospital Coffee Shop or download the form. In addition to lights on the trees in the Healing Garden, names of those being honored and remembered are posted in the corridor adjacent to the Hospital’s main lobby, in the Chapel, and at the north entrance. Trees of Love & Thanksgiving is a project of the Friends of Cooley Dickinson, formerly the Cooley Dickinson Hospital Auxiliary, and Cooley Dickinson’s Pastoral Care Department.

Agenda

By BusinessWest Staff October 31, 2016

Agenda Departments

Seminars on Memory Loss

Nov. 1: Linda Manor Assisted Living will host seminars on early memory troubles and strategies for seniors at noon and again at 5:30 p.m. Lunch and dinner will be served. Dr. Beth Warner, a geriatrician and Linda Manor’s medical director, will discuss the early signs of memory problems, causes of memory loss, what a memory-loss evaluation should include, and strategies for discussing memory loss with loved ones. She is certified by the American Medical Directors Assoc. and has completed specialized education in care and management concerns specific to older populations and long-term care. She is board-certified in internal medicine, geriatrics, and hospice and palliative care. Seating is limited. Those wishing to attend are asked to register by calling (413) 588-3316.

‘Being Mortal’ Documentary

Nov. 1: Hospice of Franklin County, in collaboration with Baystate Franklin Medical Center, is holding a free community screening of the documentary Being Mortal at 5:15 p.m. in hospital conference rooms A, B, and C. After the screening, audience members can participate in a guided conversation on how to take concrete steps to identify and communicate wishes about end-of-life goals and preferences. Being Mortal delves into the hopes of patients and families facing terminal illness. The film investigates the practice of caring for the dying and explores the relationships between patients and their doctors. It follows a surgeon, Dr. Atul Gawande, as he shares stories from the people and families he encounters. When Gawande’s own father gets cancer, his search for answers about how best to care for the dying becomes a personal quest. The film sheds light on how a medical system focused on a cure often leaves out the sensitive conversations that need to happen so a patient’s true wishes can be known and honored at the end. It underscores the importance of people planning ahead and talking with family members about end-of-life decisions. Seventy percent of Americans say they would prefer to die at home, but nearly 70% die in hospitals and institutions. Ninety percent of Americans know they should have conversations about end-of-life care, yet only 30% have done so. For more information about the free screening or to RSVP for the event, contact Andrea Johnston at (413) 773-2144 or [email protected]. The free screening is made possible by a grant from the John and Wauna Harman Foundation in partnership with the Hospice Foundation of America.

Real-estate Licensing Course

Nov. 2: Beginning Wednesday, Nov. 2, the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley will sponsor a 40-hour, 14-class sales licensing course to help individuals prepare for the Massachusetts real-estate salesperson license exam. The course will be completed on Dec. 7. Tuition is $359 and includes the book and materials. For an application, call the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley at (413) 785-1328.

Western Mass. Business Expo

Nov. 3: Comcast Business will present the sixth annual Western Mass. Business Expo at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield, produced by BusinessWest and the Healthcare News. The business-to-business show will feature more than 150 exhibitor booths, educational seminars, breakfast hosted by the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce, lunch hosted by BusinessWest, and a day-capping Expo Social. Current sponsors include Comcast Business (presenting sponsor), Express Employment Professionals, Health New England, the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, Johnson & Hill Staffing Services, MGM Springfield, Wild Apple Design, the Western Mass. Economic Development Council, Savage Arms, Meyers Brothers Kalicka, the Better Business Bureau, and the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County. The event’s media partners are WMAS, WHMP, and Rock 102/Laser 99.3. For more Expo details, see the special section in this issue or visit www.wmbexpo.com.

Bay Path University Cybersecurity Summit

Nov. 4: Cybersecurity is no longer just a technology problem — it has become a business differentiator. As the topic is discussed around the table of company boards and government task forces, the face of cybersecurity professionals is changing as well. At Bay Path University’s fourth annual Cybersecurity Summit, “The Business of Cybersecurity,” Jillian Munro will share her experiences and observations from throughout her career of the different facets of that new face, highlighting how non-traditional skills now apply in the area of cybersecurity. The summit takes place in Blake Student Commons on the university’s Longmeadow campus. Breakfast will be offered at 7:30 a.m. followed by the presentation at 8 a.m. Munro is senior vice president of Resiliency & Business Engagement for the Enterprise Cybersecurity (ECS) organization at Fidelity Investments. Fidelity is a leading provider of investment management, retirement planning, portfolio guidance, brokerage, benefits outsourcing, and other financial products and services to more than 20 million individuals, institutions, and financial intermediaries. Munro joined Fidelity in 2015 and is responsible for ensuring alignment between the firm’s business priorities and the cybersecurity agenda, as well as leading the enterprise technology resiliency program. The summit is presented by Bay Path’s Master of Science in Cybersecurity Management program, which was launched October 2013 as the first of its kind in New England. The summit is free and open to the public. To register, visit www.baypath.edu and click on ‘Events.’ For more information, e-mail Ann Cantin at [email protected].

LEEF Black and White Fund-raising Gala

Nov. 5: The Longmeadow Educational Excellence Foundation (LEEF) will host its 15th annual fund-raising gala from 6:30 to 11 p.m. at Twin Hills Country Club. The event, which will feature a black and white theme, includes food, entertainment, silent and live auctions, and raffles. This year’s entertainment will be provided by Boston’s premier party band, the Marsels. Funds raised through the gala are used to provide grants to Longmeadow teachers, providing opportunities for innovative educational and enrichment programs that go beyond the tax-supported budget. Since its founding in 2001 by a group of dedicated parents, LEEF has funded 330 teacher grant requests, totaling more than $1.2 million, to Longmeadow public schools. LEEF maintains both a sustaining fund and a permanent endowment with the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. “It is only through the generous support of our sponsors and donors that we are able to supply these grants that enhance our students’ education,” said Whitney Harrington, LEEF board member and co-chair of the gala. The platinum sponsor of the 2016 LEEF gala is North Star Recycling. Gold sponsors are Bay Path University and Green Earth Energy Photo Voltaic Group. Long-time supporters Advanced Vein Care and Collins Pipe are silver sponsors, with Playful Minds, Bacon Wilson, and Harry Grodsky & Co. as bronze sponsors. Tickets are available at $85 each. Donations for the live and silent auction are still being accepted. To donate or sign on as a sponsor or volunteer, e-mail Harrington at [email protected]. To purchase gala tickets, visit www.goleef.org or mail checks to LEEF, P.O. Box 60782, Longmeadow, MA 01106-0782.

Spaghetti Dinner to Benefit Alzheimer’s Assoc.

Nov. 8: Williamstown Commons will host a spaghetti supper from 5 to 7 p.m. at Williamstown Commons, 25 Adams Road, Williamstown. The cost is $8 per person at the door, and all proceeds from the dinner will benefit the Alzheimer’s Assoc. The supper will include spaghetti with meatballs, Italian sausage, garlic bread, dessert, and beverages. Diners may dine in or take their meal to go. Williamstown Commons, located at 25 Adams Road, Williamstown, is a nonprofit organization providing short-term rehabilitation, long-term skilled-nursing care, respite care, and hospice services.

‘Diversify Your Workforce’

Nov. 17: The Western Mass. Employment Collaborative (WMEC) will present a breakfast event called “Diversify Your Workforce” from 9 to 11 a.m., preceded by breakfast and networking at 8:30 a.m. at the Delaney House in Holyoke. WMEC partners work toward the common goal of increasing employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. WMEC works across all disabilities and represents hundreds of job seekers who have the skills, commitment, and desire to enter the workforce and contribute positively to a local employer. To that end, it is partnering with the Mass. Down Syndrome Congress and its “Find Your Next Star” campaign. Attendees of the Nov. 17 event will learn ways to grow their business and meet their hiring needs. To register, visit www.mdsc.kintera.org/dywwest.

Joseph D. Freeman Bowl-a-Thon

Nov. 19: The Joseph D. Freedman Bowl-a-Thon will present its fifth annual event to benefit Camphill Village in Copake, N.Y. The event will be held from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Chicopee AMF Lanes. Last year, more than 250 attended the event, and since its inaugural in 2011, the event has raised more than $220,000 for Camphill, which is a residential village where 95 special-needs residents reside. No one has ever been charged a fee to live at the Village, nor has anyone ever been turned away for lack of funds. To learn more about the event, visit www.camphillvillage.org/bowlathon.

Bay Path Cybersecurity Summit Taps Fidelity Investments Executive

By BusinessWest Staff October 20, 2016

Daily News

LONGMEADOW — Cybersecurity is no longer just a technology problem — it has become a business differentiator. As the topic is discussed around the table of company boards and government task forces, the face of cybersecurity professionals is changing as well.

At Bay Path University’s fourth annual Cybersecurity Summit, “The Business of Cybersecurity,” Jillian Munro will share her experiences and observations from throughout her career of the different facets of that new face, highlighting how non-traditional skills now apply in the area of cybersecurity. The summit takes place Friday, Nov. 4 in Blake Student Commons on the university’s Longmeadow campus. Breakfast will be offered at 7:30 a.m. followed by the presentation at 8 a.m.

Munro is senior vice president of Resiliency & Business Engagement for the Enterprise Cybersecurity (ECS) organization at Fidelity Investments. Fidelity is a leading provider of investment management, retirement planning, portfolio guidance, brokerage, benefits outsourcing, and other financial products and services to more than 20 million individuals, institutions, and financial intermediaries. Munro joined Fidelity in 2015 and is responsible for ensuring alignment between the firm’s business priorities and the cybersecurity agenda, as well as leading the enterprise technology resiliency program.

The summit is presented by Bay Path’s Master of Science in Cybersecurity Management program, which was launched October 2013 as the first of its kind in New England. The summit is free and open to the public. To register, visit www.baypath.edu and click on ‘Events.’ For more information, e-mail Ann Cantin at [email protected].

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff October 18, 2016

Departments People on the Move

Jay Presser

Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C. announced that, after 40 years of practicing law, Attorney Jay Presser has retired. “It has truly been an honor for me to be a part of the firm,” said Presser. “My career at Skoler Abbott has afforded me the distinct opportunity of working alongside some of the best lawyers in our region, and I know the firm’s legal reputation will continue on for many years.” Presser, who started with the firm in 1977, has more than 40 years of experience litigating employment cases in federal and state courts and before administrative agencies, including the National Labor Relations Board, the Mass. Commission Against Discrimination, and the State Labor Relations Commission. He has successfully defended employers in civil actions and jury trials and has handled cases in all areas of employment law. He has won appeals before the Supreme Judicial Court and the First and Second Circuit Courts of Appeals, and has represented employers in hundreds of arbitration cases arising under collective-bargaining agreements. In addition to his consistent track record in the courtroom, he has received numerous honors, along with more than 20 consecutive years on the Best Lawyers in America list. “As we reflect on Jay’s retirement, we look forward to the future of the firm,” said attorney Timothy Murphy. “With his help, we have assembled an excellent team of legal professionals — a legacy that Jay will leave behind for years to come.”
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The Gaudreau Group Insurance and Financial Services Agency of Wilbraham welcomed Tracy Goodman, Personal Risk Specialist, to its personal insurance team. Using the agency’s access to dozens of carriers to ensure a customized experience for each client, Goodman designs personal risk-management plans for individuals and employer groups, helping protect what’s important to them. She specializes in coverages including life, home, auto, renters, and umbrella. “Tracy takes pride in completing a thorough coverage analysis with each client, helping them to understand their coverage, feel financially comfortable, and know what to expect if they ever have a loss. She’s a valuable addition to our remarkable personal insurance team, and our clients will benefit from her unique skillset and perspective,” said Jules Gaudreau, president of the Gaudreau Group. Goodman has been in the insurance industry since 2008, with prior experience in human resources and recruiting. She is co-chair of programs for the Women Business Owners Alliance, is a volunteer and mentor with Girls Inc., conducts community outreach for the Springfield JCC’s J-Art program, and is a member of the Professional Women’s Chamber. She is a graduate of the University of Delaware and completed a semester abroad at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Beersheba, Israel. She is continuing her insurance education in the prestigious Certified Insurance Counselor program.
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Kate Phelon, executive director of the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce, was appointed by Gov. Charlie Baker to the Mass. Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative (AMC) in September. This appointment is one of three by the governor; the other two are representatives of advanced-manufacturing companies. Phelon will be part of a commission looking at the future of manufacturing in Massachusetts. “I am very honored and excited about this appointment and appreciate the state’s leadership in recognizing the role a chamber of commerce representative can have in not only formulating agenda’s for particular industries, but the outreach we have with our membership,” Phelon said. The purpose of the AMC will be to develop and implement the Commonwealth’s manufacturing agenda with the goal to foster and strengthen the necessary conditions to promote growth and innovation of manufacturing within Massachusetts. The AMC will focus on four areas: workforce development and education; technical assistance, innovation, and access to capital; enhancement of competitiveness, easing cost of doing business, and regulatory review of SMEs; and promoting manufacturing, which will include attracting a talented workforce, and expansion of in-state marketing of the supply chain. In addition, the AMC works in conjunction with President Obama’s Advanced Manufacturing Partnership, as well as with seven additional states through the National Governors Assoc. Center of Best Practices Policy Academy on Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation. Phelon attended her first full meeting of the collaborative in mid-September and learned first-hand what the subcommittees have been working on. “Right now, the subcommittees are working on a five-year strategic-planning process to develop a strategy to keep manufacturing growing, exciting, inclusive, and innovative,” she said. “I was amazed at the work that has been done by these subcommittees and am very excited to work with stakeholders in the public and private sectors.” As she gets more involved and acclimated to the work this collaborative is conducting, Phelon will share information as it becomes available and will be in contact with local manufacturers as necessary.
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Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. recently welcomed Emily Klassanos and Brian Benson to the firm as part of its next generation of talent.

Emily Klassanos

• Klassanos comes to the firm from Elms College, with previous experience as an accounting intern with a local public accounting firm. She earned a dual bachelor’s degree in accounting and marketing from Elms, where she graduated magna cum laude, with a foundation in both technical work and the creative and strategic applications of marketing and market development. Additionally, she is currently pursuing her master’s degree in accounting and financial planning, also at Elms. She is a member of Mass. Society of Certified Public Accountants (MSCPA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). In May 2015, she was the recipient of the William Donovan Award in Accounting Excellence at Elms College.

Brian Benson

• Benson began his career at MBK as an audit and accounting intern and has also earned a position as an audit and accounting associate. He also graduated from Elms College, with degrees in accounting and business management. He will begin his journey to an MBA at Elms this fall with a concentration in financial planning, followed by a graduate certificate in public accounting. His goal in pursuing a diversified graduate education is to position himself to offer a broad range of expertise to his clients as he progresses through his career. He is a member of the AICPA and MSCPA. “The culture of the firm grows and evolves with each new addition of talented young people such as Emily and Brian,” said MBK Partner Howard Cheney. “They bring vital energy to a staff that is on the precipice of evolution. As a partner, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing our next generation come into their own.”
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At the recent 2016 Mid-Year Mortgage Conference, the Warren Group, publisher of Banker & Tradesman magazine, released its annual report on the top mortgage originators in Massachusetts. Beverly Orloski, Vice President and Mortgage Consultant at PeoplesBank, finished first among all Western Mass. loan originators in the report. She was also listed as the top loan originator in the market in 2015. “What makes Bev the number-one consultant in Western Massachusetts is her ability to get the customers comfortable with the process and work with the team in the background to make it all happen seamlessly,” said James Sherbo, PeoplesBank’s senior vice president, commercial lending. Orloski said the thing she likes most about her job is working with people. “You get a certain satisfaction because you take them all the way through the process, from the time they first sit with you through their closing. That can be typically 30 to 60 days, and you’re interacting with them the whole time.” Orloski has more than 30 years of financial and banking experience. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Elms College and is a graduate of the American Bankers Assoc. Residential and Commercial Lending School. She is a member of the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley.
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Lee Dawn Daniel

Bacon Wilson announced that Attorney Lee Dawn Daniel has been selected to join the executive committee of the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys (MATA). She is currently serving her second term on MATA’s board of governors, having been appointed by MATA’s president for 2015-16, and then nominated and elected by former MATA officers to continue on the board of governors for another two-year term. “It is my privilege to continue my service to MATA by joining the executive committee,” Daniel said. “I am thrilled to be able to help promote the mission of this tremendous organization, which allows trial attorneys to gather together to share cutting-edge techniques, discuss the latest trends in the law, and improve skills so that we can continue to serve our clients and the justice system of the Commonwealth to the best of our abilities. It’s my honor to serve.” Daniel recently joined Bacon Wilson as of counsel. She is a litigator with more than 30 years of experience representing clients in matters of personal injury. She is a graduate of the Boston University School of Law and the State University of New York at Binghamton with honors, and has secured multiple million-dollar-plus settlements and verdicts throughout her career. She is based in Bacon Wilson’s Northampton location. MATA has operated since 1975, with its membership working to uphold and defend the Constitutions of the U.S. and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to assure that the right to trial by jury will be secure to all, to help people whose rights may be in jeopardy, to protect the independence of the judiciary, to promote public safety and welfare while protecting individual liberties, and to uphold the honor of the profession of law.
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Tara Cruz

DiGrigoli Salon announced that Tara Cruz has been promoted from a junior stylist to a senior stylist. She graduated from DiGrigoli School of Cosmetology in October 2014 and joined the DiGrigoli Salon Artistic Team as a junior stylist immediately after obtaining her cosmetology license. DiGrigoli Salon, located at 1578 Riverdale St. in West Springfield, has been offering professional beauty services to the public since 1987, is the official styling team for on-air personalities at WWLP-22News and 94.7 WMAS, and is a sponsor of Link to Libraries.
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Ning Jia has joined the faculty of Bay Path University, School of Science and Management, as Director of the MS in Applied Data Science program. Prior to accepting this position, she was a statistician at Affinion Group based in Stamford, Conn., and has also worked at the Hartford Financial Group and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. She has also been an assistant professor at Virginia Tech and a teaching fellow at Harvard University. Jia received her bachelor’s degree in business from Fudan University, Shanghai, China, and a Ph.D. in pure mathematics from the University of Minnesota. Her specialties are in combinatorics, biostatistics, statistical modeling, and big-data analysis.
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Timothy Cotz

On Oct. 5, the Glenmeadow community bid farewell to Timothy Cotz, who has served as president and CEO for the past 23 years. This week, in advance of the celebration, Cotz learned that $16,000 has been raised in his honor by staff, residents, and community members for the Glenmeadow Staff Education Fund, which makes scholarship funds available for employees returning to school. In addition, the largest gathering room, formerly known as Great Hall, has been renamed Timothy V. Cotz Hall. Reflecting on his time at Glenmeadow, Cotz said much has changed in the industry since he began, noting that residents are coming to the life plan community later in life, they expect more in terms of quality, and they are healthier and more active. Cotz also noted that the nonprofit itself, known for its holistic mission and innovative programs and outreach to the wider community, has greatly expanded. Once offering services only to residents, the organization now provides services to people living across the Greater Springfield area. Through such innovations as Glenmeadow at Home, the Lifestyle Pass, and Glenmeadow Learning — all programs Cotz helped found — area residents have access to services from transportation and care management to education.
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Sara Bonakdar

Sara Bonakdar has been hired as group sales manager for Pioneer Valley Hotel Group. Her primary focus is the La Quinta Inn & Suites in Springfield and Holiday Inn Express in Ludlow. She brings three years of hospitality experience to the position, having previously worked at Homewood Suites in Holyoke and Residence Inn in Manchester, Conn. “I am excited to take on a new challenge by stepping away from hotel operations and entering into direct sales,” Bonakdar said. “I feel I understand what it takes to offer a group a successful stay, and that’s what they will experience with us. Our properties offer guests an excellent value and great quality. That’s a winning combination and should make my job easy.” Connie Foster, director of Sales for Pioneer Valley Hotel Group, added that “Sara’s energy and enthusiasm makes her an excellent addition to our stellar sales team. So far, she’s shown an unending willingness to jump in and tackle new projects and revitalize some older accounts, and she’s only been in the job a month.” Pioneer Valley Hotel Group is a private, local, family-run company that owns and operates La Quinta Hotel in Springfield, Holiday Inn Express in Ludlow, Hampton Inn in Hadley, Comfort Inn in Hadley, and Hadley Farms Meeting House.
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John McClellan, Vice President of Tighe & Bond, received the 2016 Past Presidents’ Award from the New England Water Works Assoc. (NEWWA), the region’s largest and oldest not-for-profit organization of water-works professionals. The Past Presidents’ Award is presented to members of the association who authored the second-most-meritorious paper that appeared in the Journal of the New England Water Works Association during the previous year. McClellan was presented with this award for his article, “Biological Iron and Manganese Treatment: Five Years of Operating Experience in Cavendish, VT,” published December 2015. McClellan is responsible for overseeing projects for Tighe & Bond’s water-supplier clients. He is an active volunteer with NEWWA, serving on the scholarship and filtration committees. He is a member of the American Water Works Assoc. (AWWA) and the American Society of Civil Engineers. He is a former member of the AWWA academic achievement awards committee. He earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, his master’s degree in environmental engineering, and his Ph.D. from UMass Amherst. He is a registered professional engineer in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Connecticut.
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Mark Batiste

Northstar Recycling announced the appointment of Mark Batiste to its new BDR (business development representative) team in East Longmeadow. His primary objective will be to secure qualified appointments for the sales team by identifying and reaching out to potential prospects throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Batiste holds a bachelor’ degree in marketing from Bentley University in Waltham, Mass.  He spent the majority of his professional career working in the pharmaceutical industry in New York City and the past several years in Western Mass. in new-business development for a national advertising agency.
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Holyoke Mall recently welcomed Kyle Hopkins as Assistant General Manager. Hopkins previously worked as a financial analyst at Pyramid Management Group’s Corporate Office in Syracuse, N.Y. before joining the Holyoke Mall team. He also served as an intern with the Finance/Revenue Department at Pyramid Management Group before graduating from St. Joseph’s University in 2014 with a BSBA degree in finance. “We are fortunate to have Kyle join our team at Holyoke Mall to help with our continued growth and commitment to providing an enjoyable shopping experience to our customers” said Bill Rogalski, the mall’s general manager.

Kate Phelon Named to Mass. Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative

By BusinessWest Staff October 5, 2016

Daily News

WESTFIELD — Kate Phelon, executive director of the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce, was appointed by Gov. Charlie Baker to the Mass. Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative (AMC) in September. This appointment is one of three by the governor; the other two are representatives of advanced-manufacturing companies. Phelon will be part of a commission looking at the future of manufacturing in Massachusetts.

“I am very honored and excited about this appointment and appreciate the state’s leadership in recognizing the role a chamber of commerce representative can have in not only formulating agenda’s for particular industries, but the outreach we have with our membership,” Phelon said.

The purpose of the AMC will be to develop and implement the Commonwealth’s manufacturing agenda with the goal to foster and strengthen the necessary conditions to promote growth and innovation of manufacturing within Massachusetts. The AMC will focus on four areas: workforce development and education; technical assistance, innovation, and access to capital; enhancement of competitiveness, easing cost of doing business, and regulatory review of SMEs; and promoting manufacturing, which will include attracting a talented workforce, and expansion of in-state marketing of the supply chain.

In addition, the AMC works in conjunction with President Obama’s Advanced Manufacturing Partnership, as well as with seven additional states through the National Governors Assoc. Center of Best Practices Policy Academy on Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation.

Phelon attended her first full meeting of the collaborative in mid-September and learned first-hand what the subcommittees have been working on.

“Right now, the subcommittees are working on a five-year strategic-planning process to develop a strategy to keep manufacturing growing, exciting, inclusive, and innovative,” she said. “I was amazed at the work that has been done by these subcommittees and am very excited to work with stakeholders in the public and private sectors.”

As she gets more involved and acclimated to the work this collaborative is conducting, Phelon will share information as it becomes available and will be in contact with local manufacturers as necessary.

Agenda October 3, 2016

By BusinessWest Staff October 4, 2016

Agenda Departments

Northeast Training Institute

Oct. 4-5: The International Business Innovation Assoc. (InBIA), in partnership with the Assoc. of Cleantech Incubators of New England (ACTION), will host a two-day Northeast Training Institute at the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center in Holyoke. Four courses will be offered for the professional development of incubator managers or those exploring the development of an incubator or accelerator program in their community. Those who should consider attending include business incubation and acceleration professionals, university administrators and faculty in entrepreneurship, community influencers and chamber of commerce of leaders, and economic-development leaders. Join other participants from around the region for these world-recognized training programs and hear about development plans for the Holyoke Innovation District. Learn more at www.actionnewengland.org. E-mail Joan Popolo at [email protected] with any questions.

Pop-up Galleries and Street Art

Oct. 5: The Springfield Central Cultural District (SCCD) announced it is organizing a blowout for downtown Springfield from 4 to 7 p.m. The district has partnered with 1550 Main Street, New England Public Radio (NEPR), and SilverBrick Lofts to open three galleries in unexpected spaces simultaneously, which it is calling Art Stop. Between the galleries, which will have the typical artist talks, drinks, and appetizers, there will be street performances and other surprises. “We are so excited to throw a party in downtown Springfield,” said SCCD Director Morgan Drewniany. “There’s always a demand for more community-based events, and we’ve been working hard to make this something special.” The SCCD, along with organizing the curation of art in all three spaces, has hired unique buskers to encourage attendees to walk from place to place. There will be activities between the 1550 Plaza and SilverBrick Lofts ranging from student films to speed painting to acoustic, indie, and traditional fiddle music. Inside the galleries, visitors can ask the artists questions one on one and key down from their workday. Art Stop will take place on the same night as the Springfield Public Forum featuring Nancy Lublin, a global nonprofit superstar, which will begin at 6 p.m. Attendees of the gallery walk who show proof that they attended one of the Art Stops will receive a special (and artistic) gift if they attend the forum. A call for art was issued in August from the SCCD, asking local artists interested in selling their work downtown to submit proposals. Art Stop was designed to both activate underutilized community spaces with colorful art, but also create economic opportunity for artists. The Springfield Central Cultural District encompasses an area of the metro center of Springfield, and is membership-based, involving many of the downtown arts institutions. Its mission is to create and sustain a vibrant cultural environment in Springfield.

CSO Spaghetti Dinner

Oct. 5: In celebration of Mental Health Awareness Week, Clinical & Support Options (CSO) Green River House and Quabbin House Programs will host a spaghetti dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Moose Lodge on School Street in Greenfield. CSO believes that mental-health issues are important to address year-round, but highlighting them during Mental Health Awareness Week provides a time for people to come together and share stories of recovery and hope and to spread the message that your total health matters. Program Manager Kim Britt knows how important events like these are to reducing mental-health stigma. “The purpose of this event is to bring awareness and educate the community and to change individuals’ perception about mental illness,” she said. “Individuals who experience mental illness are not what the media portrays. The truth is, one in four adults experience mental illness in America each year. People who experience mental-health challenges are just like you and I. They’re able to lead healthy, meaningful, and productive lives. Although the road to recovery is a journey, recovery is possible.” Raffles, entertainment, and mental-health information will be paired with a traditional spaghetti-dinner menu. The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for kids age 3 and up, and free for children under 3. Tickets are available in advance or at the door. For questions or to purchase tickets, call the Green River House at (413) 772-2181 or Quabbin House at (978) 544-1859.

Square One Tea

Oct. 6: Chez Josef in Agawam will be transformed into a One-derland spectacular for the 11th annual Square One Tea, expected to draw 400 supporters who will celebrate the work that the region’s foremost provider of early learning and family services is providing to thousands of families throughout the Greater Springfield region. “From its humble beginnings as a small gathering in the classroom at our Main Street Children’s Center, it is amazing to see how this very special event has evolved over the years,” said Square One President and CEO Joan Kagan. “Year after year, we look forward to this wonderful opportunity to highlight the work we are doing and the impact that our programs and services have had on the thousands of children and parents who have been served by Square One. It is so gratifying to hear from our guests how much they enjoy being a part of this special day, and it’s always fun to see who is going to have the best hat.” The wearing of hats for women and men has become a great tradition, with a Top Hat Award bestowed upon the wearer of the most elaborate or unusual hat. This year’s event is sponsored by Health New England, Smith & Wesson, BusinessWest, USI, MGM Springfield, the Insurance Center of New England, WMAS, MassLive, and others. Tickets cost $60 each, and tables of 10 are available. To sign up, visit startatsquareone.org. For sponsorship or vendor information, call Andrea Bartlett at (413) 858-3111.

Workshop on Conducting a Workplace Investigation

Oct. 13: In your job, are you responsible for conducting investigations into employee conflicts? Allegations of harassment? Employee theft? If so, Royal, P.C.’s workshop on workplace investigations is for you. Recent state and federal court decisions underscore the importance of conducting thorough investigations. In this workshop, attendees will learn about such topics as selecting an investigator, conducting an effective interview, dealing with confidentiality issues, and taking interim actions. Among those who may be interested in attending are HR professionals, CFOs, CEOs, and anyone in a management position who is responsible for handling investigations. This workshop will apply to the first-time ‘investigator’ as well as the most seasoned ones. The workshop will take place from 8 to 9 a.m. at Royal, P.C., 270 Pleasant St., Northampton. The cost is $30 per person. Mail your payment and make your check payable to Royal, P.C., 270 Pleasant St., Northampton, MA 01060. Advance registration is required, and seating is limited. E-mail Ann-Marie Marcil at [email protected] to register or with any questions about this workshop.

Berkshire Healthcare Harvest Run

Oct. 15: The Berkshire Healthcare Harvest Run will be held at 10 a.m. on the scenic cross-country trails at Paterson Field House at Berkshire Community College (BCC). The event begins with a 5K trail run, including a three-person relay race for those interested, followed by a one-mile Kids’ Race at 10:45 a.m. and a free community cookout offered by Berkshire Healthcare affiliates. All proceeds will benefit the Berkshire Community College nursing program. There will be a “Round the World” dish competition among affiliates of Berkshire Healthcare Systems, including Hillcrest Commons, Williamstown Commons, North Adams Commons, Mt. Greylock Extended Care, Kimball Farms, Fairview Commons, and Linda Manor. The public is invited to sample the entries featuring foods from Germany, France, Greece, Brazil, Poland, and Mexico. Cash prizes will be awarded to the overall male and female 5K finishers and to the top three relay teams. The top three male and female finishers in seven age categories will also be recognized. Ribbons and cider doughnuts will be awarded to all one-mile finishers. Runners are encouraged to bring family members to enjoy the free cookout. Online registration is $25 for all adult racers until Friday, Oct. 14, after which it will be $30. Race-day registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at BCC’s Paterson Field House. The first 150 runners to register for the 5K will receive a free long-sleeve technical shirt. Youth T-shirts — a short-sleeve technical shirt — can be purchased for an additional $5. To register online or for further information, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/harvestrun, or call (413) 236-2185. Printable registration forms are also available. Runners may check in on the day of the race beginning at 8:30 a.m. The Harvest Run’s lead sponsor is Berkshire Healthcare Systems Inc., with additional support from Pittsfield Cooperative Bank and Berkshire Gas Co. Other race sponsors include Berkshire Orthopaedic Associates, Crescent Creamery, David H. Dunlap & Associates, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Macfarlane Office Products, MassMutual Financial Group, McKesson, the Petricca Family, Pittsfield Pipers, and the Roche Associates.

‘Not Talkin’ ’bout Your Generation’

Oct. 20: In 2016, Millennials overtook Baby Boomers as America’s largest generation. And by 2020, it’s estimated that 46% of the U.S. workforce will be millennials. With that in mind, Paragus Strategic IT will host a fun, informative breakfast session called “Not Talkin’ ’bout Your Generation,” which will address how to think young, stay relevant, and keep a business looking toward the future. Speakers will include Dr. Michael Klein, an organizational psychologist who helps businesses make effective hiring decisions, develop managerial skills, and grow trusting and collaborative teams, and author of Trapped in the Family Business; and Paragus CEO Delcie Bean, who presides over a mass of productive Millennials every day. And, as a Millennial himself, he brings some first-hand experience to the table. The event is free and will take place from 8 to 10 a.m. at Paragus, 112 Russell St., Hadley. Come by for breakfast, strong coffee, and good advice. To sign up, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/not-talkin-bout-your-generation-tickets-27725222888.

Western Mass. Business Expo

Nov. 3: Comcast Business will present the sixth annual Western Mass. Business Expo at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield, produced by BusinessWest and the Healthcare News. The business-to-business show will feature more than 150 exhibitor booths, educational seminars, breakfast hosted by the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce, lunch hosted by BusinessWest, and a day-capping Expo Social. Current sponsors include Comcast Business (presenting sponsor), Express Employment Professionals, Health New England, the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, Johnson & Hill Staffing Services, MGM Springfield, Wild Apple Design, the Western Mass. Economic Development Council, Savage Arms, the Better Business Bureau, and the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County. The event’s media partners are WMAS, WHMP, and Rock 102/Laser 99.3. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. Exhibitor spaces are also available; booth prices start at $725. For more information on sponsorships or booth purchase, call (413) 781-8600, ext. 100. For more Expo details as they emerge, visit www.wmbexpo.com.

Charter-school Debate Heats Up as Election Nears

By BusinessWest Staff September 20, 2016

Education Sections

Unequal Rights?

Bill Spirer says ballot Question 2 is about expanding charter schools in underperforming districts where students historically have had few options.

Todd Gazda stopped along the Riverwalk in Ludlow to admire the view a week ago and began talking with a senior citizen who was relaxing at the site.

“As soon as he found out who I was, he asked me what I thought of Question 2,” said the Superintendent of Ludlow Public Schools, adding that the gentleman was extremely interested in the issue.

Indeed, the question that will appear on the November ballot is significant because it is the first time in state history the public will have the opportunity to voice their opinion about school choice.

If passed, Question 2 would give the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education the authority to approve 12 new charter schools or expand existing charter schools as a result of increased enrollment every year beginning Jan. 1, 2017. Priority would be given to applicants in public-school districts that score in the bottom 25% on standardized tests two years before their application. In addition, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education would establish standards by which annual performance reviews would be judged.

The question has generated strong feelings, heated arguments, and major fund-raising campaigns: when BusinessWest went to press, proponents had raised $18 million and opponents $12 million, most of which will be spent on TV ads.

The debate began in earnest last year after Gov. Charlie Baker, who is a strong a proponent of charter schools, introduced a bill to increase their number in the Commonwealth. The Senate revamped the proposal before passing it, but it was rejected by the House, which didn’t support the changes that had been made.

Lawmakers continue to be heavily divided on the issue, but after the House rejected the bill, the Mass. Charter School Assoc., Great Schools of MA, and Democrats for Education Reform led an effort to get the question on the ballot to increase options for the 32,000 students on charter-school waiting lists.

Both sides have powerful arguments. Opponents say charter schools don’t serve the same number of English-language learners (ELL) and students with profound special needs who require costly services; the admissions process is unfair to students whose parents are not interested in their education or don’t have the skills needed to seek information or enrollment in alternate schools; the state has failed to provide the level of reimbursement promised to public schools when a student leaves their district for a charter school; building and staffing costs don’t decrease when students leave; and charter schools are not subject to the same standards as district public schools, which makes it easy for them to eliminate students with behavior problems.

Todd Gazda says the amount of money Ludlow loses every year to charter schools is more than the amount allotted to run an elementary school.

Proponents argue that they admit students by lottery and serve a diverse population; their behavioral standards are strict but fair; their academic results are higher than urban and suburban schools; they offer students in low-performing districts a chance to get a high-quality education; the funding formula does not discriminate because money allocated to each student in a district simply follows them; and they are actually public schools that are open to all students and don’t charge tuition.

But both charter- and public-school directors and superintendents agree that money is an important issue because schools across the state are grossly underfunded.

“My fear is that the debate over charter schools will divert attention from the bedrock issue of school funding in general,” said Northampton School Superintendent John Provost, referring to a study conducted last year by the Foundation Budget Review Commission, which looked at the formula used to fund public schools and found a $1 billion deficit.

The Mass. Assoc. of School Superintendents thinks the amount is closer to $2 billion, and Provost argues that the ballot question is secondary to financial problems facing all public schools, which include charters.

“I feel it’s the wrong policy to be voting on at this time,” said Provost. “Charter schools were created when the education budget was growing, but in many communities funding has been stagnant since 2008, and it’s a matter of diverting money from a pie that is not growing.”

Karen Reuter says charter schools were founded to model innovation and specialization, and were not meant to replace public schools.

Sabis International Charter School Director Karen Reuter agrees that state funding for education is inadequate. “If we could raise the bar for every student, maybe we wouldn’t have to have such an oppositional agenda,” she noted.

But she says the issue comes down to access to quality education, which makes the ballot question important.

For this edition and its focus on education, BusinessWest looks at arguments on both sides of the question and what will be at stake when voters go to the polls.

Shortchanging Students

Barbara Mandeloni, president of the 110,000-member Mass. Teachers Assoc., says $450 million diverted from district public schools to charter schools has had considerable consequences, and some schools have had to cut support services to children with special needs, while others have cut teachers or language classes and other extra curricular programs.

“Public schools represent the best of who we are and contribute to the common good; they are not about individualism, but about a shared sense of purpose and something bigger than ourselves,” she said, adding that the New England NAACP is a leader in its coalition and Black Lives Matter has called for a three-year moratorium on charter schools because, critics say, they are creating a two-tiered system that is resegregating schools.

“We need to defeat this bill, then have a conversation about funding so we can give every child the opportunity to have a broad and rich curriculum and access to resources,” she said, adding that many charter schools have discipline standards that force students with behavioral issues out.

Daniel Warwick says charter schools have a large, negative impact on Springfield’s public schools.

Springfield School Superintendent Daniel Warwick says adequate funding for urban schools has always been a problem, and they barely make the minimum net school spending needed to educate each child. And the impact of charter schools on the Springfield district has been tremendous; they lose $41 million each year to charters and are reimbursed only $6 million, but still have to educate an extremely diverse population that includes many refugees who have undergone tremendous trauma in refugee camps, as well as a large number of students with profound special needs, including some who enter the ninth grade after never spending a day in a school.

“We have the most difficult students to educate. There are a lot of English-language learners and students with special educational needs who are the most difficult and costly to educate in terms of achievement results,” he said, noting that, although charter schools say they do outreach, the percentage of high-need special-education students they serve doesn’t rival that of the sending district, which is a nuance in achievement levels that hasn’t been addressed.

He thinks equal access to education would mean that charter schools hold lotteries that include all students in their district, not just those whose parents are motivated to fill out application forms, which is often prohibitive due to language and socioeconomic barriers.

“If we are going to continue the charter-school movement, there are issues that need to be addressed, and making sure their populations match their sending communities in every way is one of them,” he said, adding that, if charter schools are not educating the most needy students, their achievement results need to be called into question.

“It’s a lightning-rod issue on either side, but from the perspective of public-school funding and student-assignment structure, it is particularly troubling because once you go to a lottery system you are dealing with a different population,” Warwick continued, noting that the demographics in the city’s magnet schools also differ, especially in terms of parent involvement.

Springfield schools had to cut $13 million from a budget this year that was already underfunded by $10 million, and the loss was increased by a $3 million shortfall from the state’s failure to reimburse them appropriately for students lost to charter schools. Another $5 million was lost to school choice, which doesn’t account for the fact that Springfield has to provide transportation for these students.

“We have had to cut direct services to kids and 56 positions from our central office,” he said, “and class sizes will continue to grow if the funding stream isn’t changed.

“If we were funded according to the findings of the Foundation Review Commission’s recommendations, we would have $25 million more this year to adequately address the students we serve,” he went on, adding that this is a social-justice issue.

Gazda agrees, and says proponents argue that Question 2 comes down to school choice.

“But when you dig deeper, the facts below the surface reveal a different picture; we are one of relatively few districts who lose very few students to charter schools, but geography does make a difference,” he explained. “Charter schools are being held up as a better alternative, and that narrative is just not true; their students don’t perform remarkably better than most public-school students.”

The state is supposed to reimburse district schools 100% of the money they lose the first year a student switches to a charter school, and 25% for each of the following four years. But not only has it cut school funding in general, it has not come close to meeting those numbers.

Ludlow lost 19 students to charter schools in FY ’16, which cost $434,878, but was reimbursed only $122,467.

“It had a marked impact on us and the things we could do. In a school system the size of Ludlow, $300,000 can go a long way,” Gazda said, adding that there is no way for local school boards to judge whether charter schools are using funds efficiently.

In addition, charter schools were originally created to have the flexibility to be innovative in creative ways and share their best practices with local school districts, which Gazda says has not happened.

“The way the system is set up is competitive and almost adversarial, because of the flow of resources away from district public schools. It has the effect of creating a tiered education system, particularly in urban areas,” he continued, noting that parents in urban areas often cannot afford to move to towns with better school systems; Ludlow has a wait list of 350 students for school choice, and the vast majority are from Springfield.

He said a single mother who wants the best for her child often views charter schools as a place where the child can be saved. “But my answer is to fully support public schools so we can change the environment in all schools.”

Northampton recently commissioned a survey of charter-school parents to learn why they were opting out of their neighborhood schools.

“It showed the charter-school population is very unique in terms of demographics; 100% of the parents said they had a college degree, the majority had graduate degrees, and their household incomes were far above the incomes of local families,” Provost said.

Last year, Northampton Public Schools received about $644,000 less from the state than in 2010. The city has 200 students in charter schools, which equates to $2 million in lost revenue each year, and although none of their elementary schools is that small, $2 million is far more than the amount appropriated to each school.

“The main impact is the loss of programs we can provide,” Provost said, adding that more than 20% of their students have disabilities.

Different Agendas

Dominic Slowey says the governor modeled his original bill on a draft ballot question put together by charter advocates.

“The majority of charter schools are in urban districts that are underperforming, and the ballot question is their last resort,” said the spokesperson for the MA Charter School Assoc. “Springfield only has room for one more charter school with 400 to 500 seats, and many cities, including Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, and Fall River, have reached their cap. In many cities, parents don’t have enough high-quality public-school options, but charter schools have worked to fill that gap and put them on an even keel with communities like Longmeadow, Wellesley, and Amherst.”

He added that charter schools have reached out to low-income African-American and Latino families, and by every independent measure, the schools have outperformed not only urban schools, but suburban schools.

There are 72 charter schools operating in the state, and the approval process is difficult, so only three to four schools a year make the grade.

Proponents also explain that charter schools are heavily regulated by the state; their finances and academic progress are monitored annually and they must continue to set new goals. In addition, they are subject to a five-year review, and if they fail to live up to their charter, they can be placed on probation or closed, which has happened to two Springfield charter schools.

Sabis International Charter School in Springfield serves children in kindergarten through 12th grade who reside in the city. It has won national awards since it was founded in 1995 and has a waiting list of 2,900 that is rigorously combed every year to ensure it is accurate, which has been done in response to arguments that the waiting lists for charter schools are outdated and inaccurate.

As at other charter schools, admission at Sabis is by lottery for the 100 kindergarten seats each year, and since its retention rate is 90%, there are few backfills.

Sabis is housed in a beautiful facility backed by Sabis Educational Systems, but Reuter says some charter schools are financially challenged and have to engage in considerable fund-raising.

“But money doesn’t guarantee positive outcomes,” she said, noting that she has served in a variety of educational settings, including a stint as a union teacher in New York City. “Education is a changing landscape with new standards and assessments, and this bill is really about whether students can access quality education. But it’s a shame that we have gotten to a place where people have to vote, because we all want the same thing: to provide the best education possible for every student.”

Historically, the school’s population has been equally divided between Caucasian, Hispanic, and African-American students, but recently the number of Hispanic students has increased, and the Asian population is growing. Its ELL population is very small, and only 14% to 16% of those students have special-education needs, but Reuter said they are seeing an increase of students with profound special needs and had to create a separate classroom setting for them last year.

“We don’t serve the same range of special-education students as public schools, but charter schools were not meant to replace public schools,” she told BusinessWest. “They were meant to model innovation and specialization.”

Its sister school in Holyoke serves children in kindergarten through grade 8, and although parents would like to see it expand to the high-school level, the city has reached its cap.

However, Reuter says graduates outperform their peers in Holyoke High School, and it’s unfair that parents and students can’t continue their education at the school of their choice.

Springfield Prep Charter School opened in Springfield last year with a kindergarten and first grade. A second grade was added this year, and founder Bill Spirer’s hope is to expand to grade 8 by the 2022-23 school year.

There are two full-time teachers in every classroom, and the school has an extended day that runs from 7:50 a.m. to 4 p.m. and a slightly extended school year. All students come from Springfield, and outreach efforts are done in English and Spanish at Head Start programs by volunteers, who also knocked on doors in the city’s South End last January distributing flyers about the school, which has a one-page application.

“Massachusetts has one of the strongest records of charter-school performance in the county, and the data in this state is really clear; charter schools are very effective, especially in urban areas where there haven’t been many good options for parents,” Spirer said, adding that his facility’s demographics mirror those in Springfield Public Schools and nine out of 10 students are from economically disadvantaged families

Richard Alcorn, executive director of Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion School in Hadley, says it provides a unique curriculum and wants to expand to a fully articulated K-12 program.

“The charter schools in Hampshire and Franklin counties really serve as alternative schools,” he noted, adding that his school serves students from 30 districts and 17.5% are from low-income families, which is lower than urban centers, but higher than the school’s host community, where 13.2% of students fall into that category.

But he agrees that funding is inadequate for all schools. “People need to step back and look at what is going on in public education. The impact of charter schools is very small and has nothing to do with the real problem of funding and what is going in terms of demographics,” he told BusinessWest.

Far-reaching Implications

Charter schools all have different missions and leadership, and serve different communities, so Spirer says they can’t be classified with the same adjectives.

“It’s a very complicated issue that has different implications for districts of different sizes. But the ballot question is still about the most underperforming districts,” he explained.

Gazda says perception is reality, and right now the narrative coming from Boston and Washington is that public schools are failing, which is not true.

“However, we need new solutions rather than garnering old ones that don’t work,” he said.

These wide-ranging observations and opinions only scratch the surface when it comes to the high levels of debate and controversy that define ballot question 2. About the only certainty is that the matter is now in the hands of voters.

Agenda

By BusinessWest Staff September 20, 2016

Agenda Departments

Classes on Elder Law, Estate Planning

Sept. 19, Sept. 26, Oct. 3: Attorney Karen Jackson, owner and senior attorney of Jackson Law, an elder-law and estate-planning firm, will teach a series of three classes highlighting the latest developments in elder law and estate planning at Holyoke Community College on three consecutive Mondays from 6 to 8 p.m.Jackson said each class is a standalone presentation; those who are unable to attend on Sept. 19 are welcome to attend one or both of the subsequent sessions.Through stories and real examples, Jackson will present comprehensive subject matter on these topics: “The Core Estate Plan,” “The Probate Process, Start to Finish,” and “Medicare, Community Care Programs, and MassHealth Planning.”In the first session, Jackson will explain each document in the core estate plan. She will discuss the problems that can occur when proper documents are not prepared before a loss of mental capacity or physical health or before sudden loss of life. She will also provide an overview of the different types of trusts that can be considered in estate planning, including supplemental needs trusts, revocable trusts, and irrevocable trusts.The second session will address the probate-court process. Jackson will discuss the different types of probate, explain how to determine which assets must go through probate after a death, and what estate planning can be done now.In her final session, Jackson will introduce the various Medicaid programs that provide community and long-term skilled nursing care in Massachusetts and the financial assistance associated with each. She will also address hot topics in Medicare law, supplemental-needs trusts, and new developments in significant elder-law issues.The cost is $85 per person and covers all three classes; participants cannot pay for individual sessions. To register, call Holyoke Community College at (413) 552-2500 or visit www.hcc.edu/bce.

Mutts & Mimosas

Sept. 25: Dakin Humane Society will present its fourth annual Mutts & Mimosas fund-raising event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Quonquont Farm & Orchard in Whately, rain or shine. Guests are encouraged to bring their dogs to the brunch, which will feature a make-your-own-mimosa bar, live music, a raffle and silent auction, apple picking, dog-walking trails, and other fun activities. The food will be catered by Seth Mias, and an optional dog meal is available for $10. Event attendees are asked to bring dry or canned cat food to support Dakin’s pet food-bank program. Tickets are $50 per person and can be ordered online at www.dakinhumane.org or by calling Event Manager Gina Ciprari at (413) 781-4000, ext. 136. “Mutts & Mimosas is such a fun and unusual gathering, and it’s become a tradition among Dakin supporters and dog enthusiasts,” said Dakin Executive Director Carmine DiCenso. “People really embrace this event because it gives them the chance to have fun with their dogs, and Quonquont Farm offers an ideal and relaxing setting. Mutts & Mimosas is a very important benefit for the homeless animals we care for, and each ticket sold helps us extend our services to more animals and their people.” Finck and Perras Insurance Agency Inc. of Florence and Easthampton is the corporate sponsor for Mutts & Mimosas. Media sponsors include 94.7 WMAS, Bear Country 95.3, the Republican, the Daily Hampshire Gazette, and the Recorder.

Spirit of the Written Word

Sept. 29 to Dec. 8: Baystate Franklin Medical Center’s Oncology Department will offer a free writing workshop, Spirit of the Written Word, for Western Mass. residents touched by cancer. The 10-week workshop will take place on Thursdays, Sept. 29 through Dec. 8 (no class on Nov. 24), from 6 to 8 p.m., at Artspace, 15 Mill St., Greenfield. Attendees are encouraged to promote their own healing and experience the therapeutic benefits of group writing. No writing experience is required, and all sharing is voluntary and confidential. Refreshments will be provided. Facilitating the workshop is Pam Roberts, a writer, artist, and certified yoga instructor who is also a breast-cancer survivor of more than 20 years. An ordained graduate of the IM School of Healing Arts in New York City, she has been leading writing workshops for people affected by cancer and loss for more than 11 years. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, Roberts found writing to be an important part of her healing process. She believes deeply in the transformative and healing power of writing within a safe and supportive workshop environment. The workshop is being sponsored by BFMC Oncology and is grant-funded by Baystate Franklin Medical Center’s Wheeling for Healing Bike/Walk/Run Event supporting cancer services at BFMC. The Spirit of the Written Word writing workshop is limited to 12 participants, and registration is required. To register, or for more information, contact Roberts at (413) 625-2402 or [email protected]. Information is also available in the Oncology Department at Baystate Franklin Medical Center.

‘Holyoke Renaissance: Rising from the Ashes’

Through Oct. 29: During September and October, Wistariahurst is hosting a new exhibit titled “Holyoke Renaissance: Rising from the Ashes.” Three area artists are showcasing architecture as art in a joint exhibition celebrating the renaissance of the city of Holyoke. The exhibit by artists Debra Dunphy, Nancy Howard, and Kristine Villeneuve-Topor features various views of the old industrial city of Holyoke and its architectural designs. Holyoke is currently undergoing a transformation that is renewing much of the downtown after suffering urban blight for decades. Works on display include local landmarks and streetscapes from around the city and are presented to shine a light on the beautiful art and architecture in the city. The exhibit will run through Saturday, Oct. 29. Gallery viewing hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. Admission to the gallery is available for a $3 suggested donation.

Northeast Training Institute

Oct. 4-5: The International Business Innovation Assoc. (InBIA), in partnership with the Assoc. of Cleantech Incubators of New England (ACTION), will host a two-day Northeast Training Institute at the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center in Holyoke. Four courses will be offered for the professional development of incubator managers or those exploring the development of an incubator or accelerator program in their community. Those who should consider attending include business incubation and acceleration professionals, university administrators and faculty in entrepreneurship, community influencers and chamber of commerce of leaders, and economic-development leaders. Join other participants from around the region for these world-recognized training programs and hear about development plans for the Holyoke Innovation District. Learn more at www.actionnewengland.org. E-mail Joan Popolo at [email protected] with any questions.

CSO Spaghetti Dinner

Oct. 5: In celebration of Mental Health Awareness Week, Clinical & Support Options (CSO) Green River House and Quabbin House Programs will host a spaghetti dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Moose Lodge on School Street in Greenfield. CSO believes that mental-health issues are important to address year-round, but highlighting them during Mental Health Awareness Week provides a time for people to come together and share stories of recovery and hope and to spread the message that your total health matters. Program Manager Kim Britt knows how important events like these are to reducing mental-health stigma. “The purpose of this event is to bring awareness and educate the community and to change individuals’ perception about mental illness,” she said. “Individuals who experience mental illness are not what the media portrays. The truth is, one in four adults experience mental illness in America each year. People who experience mental-health challenges are just like you and I. They’re able to lead healthy, meaningful, and productive lives. Although the road to recovery is a journey, recovery is possible.” Raffles, entertainment, and mental-health information will be paired with a traditional spaghetti-dinner menu. The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for kids age 3 and up, and free for children under 3. Tickets are available in advance or at the door. For questions or to purchase tickets, call the Green River House at (413) 772-2181 or Quabbin House at (978) 544-1859.

Workshop on Conducting a Workplace Investigation

Oct. 13: In your job, are you responsible for conducting investigations into employee conflicts? Allegations of harassment? Employee theft? If so, Royal, P.C.’s workshop on workplace investigations is for you. Recent state and federal court decisions underscore the importance of conducting thorough investigations. In this workshop, attendees will learn about such topics as selecting an investigator, conducting an effective interview, dealing with confidentiality issues, and taking interim actions. Among those who may be interested in attending are HR professionals, CFOs, CEOs, and anyone in a management position who is responsible for handling investigations. This workshop will apply to the first-time ‘investigator’ as well as the most seasoned ones. The workshop will take place from 8 to 9 a.m. at Royal, P.C., 270 Pleasant St., Northampton. The cost is $30 per person. Mail your payment and make your check payable to Royal, P.C., 270 Pleasant St., Northampton, MA 01060. Advance registration is required, and seating is limited. E-mail Ann-Marie Marcil at [email protected] to register or with any questions about this workshop.

Western Mass. Business Expo

Nov. 3: Comcast Business will present the sixth annual Western Mass. Business Expo at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield, produced by BusinessWest and the Healthcare News. The business-to-business show will feature more than 150 exhibitor booths, educational seminars, breakfast hosted by the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce, lunch hosted by BusinessWest, and a day-capping Expo Social. Current sponsors include Comcast Business (presenting sponsor), Express Employment Professionals, Health New England, the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, Johnson & Hill Staffing Services, MGM Springfield, and Wild Apple Design. WMAS is the event’s media partner. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. Exhibitor spaces are also available; booth prices start at $725. For more information on sponsorships or booth purchase, call (413) 781-8600, ext. 100. For more Expo details as they emerge, visit www.wmbexpo.com.

Agenda

By BusinessWest Staff September 6, 2016

Agenda Departments

‘Big Data: Unlocking the Mysteries’

Sept. 9: The Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast (EANE), in partnership with FIT Staffing, will present a seminar with Dennis Perlot, Microsoft evangelist, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. The topic will be “Big Data – Unlocking the Mysteries.” Perlot will discuss ways to protect data in the cloud, information on unstructured data searches, Microsoft’s Power BI products, and much more. This event is free to regional IT professionals and will be held at the EANE offices in Agawam. Registration is required. To register or for more information, contact Allison Ebner at [email protected] or (413) 355-5125.

STCC Founders Day

Sept. 9: Springfield Technical Community College will kick off its 50th-anniversary celebration with a Founders Day Convocation starting at 2 p.m. The event, which will honor the four founders and briefly trace the history of the college through today, will be held in the Scibelli Hall gymnasium on campus. All alumni of STCC are invited to the event, as well as students, current and former faculty and staff, current and former board members, and friends of the college. The year-long celebration will include a number of festivities and events, culminating in a birthday celebration on Sept. 11, 2017.

RVCC Golf Tournament

Sept. 16: River Valley Counseling Center (RVCC), an affiliate of Holyoke Medical Center and member of Valley Health Systems, will hold its first annual golf tournament fund-raiser starting at 10:30 a.m., scramble format. The event, hosted by East Mountain Country Club in Westfield, is presented by G. Greene Construction Co. Inc., and funds raised will enable RVCC to improve programming through staff education and technology enhancements. The cost per golfer is $100 and includes a golf cart, lunch, and dinner. There will be contests on the course which include prizes donated by Marcotte Ford and Teddy Bear Pools. There will also be a raffle and silent auction. For more information about the event, including registration, visit www.rvcc-inc.org.

Ubora, Ahadi Awards

Sept. 17: The African Hall subcommittee of the Springfield Museums will present the 25th annual Ubora Award and the seventh annual Ahadi Youth Award at a ceremony at 6 p.m. at the Michele & Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts. The Ubora Award, named for the Swahili word for ‘excellence,’ is presented to an African-American who has made a significant contribution to the greater Springfield area. The Ahadi Youth Award is presented to an African-American young person who demonstrates strong character, leadership, academic achievement, and future potential (Ahadi means ‘promise’ in Swahili). Ubora Award winner Helen Caulton-Harris is the currently the commissioner of the Division of Health and Human Services for the City of Springfield. In her many years of public service, she has played a prominent role in developing policy for the health and human-services needs of underserved populations on the local and national level. In recognition of those efforts, she has received numerous awards, including the AIDS Action Award from the Action Committee and the Rebecca Lee Award from the Harvard School of Public Health. Caulton-Harris was named Woman of the Year by the Springfield Postal Service and received the Paul Revere Award from the Massachusetts Public Health Assoc. In 2015, she selected as one of the 100 Outstanding of Women of Color from Western Mass. and Connecticut. Previously, Caulton-Harris was appointed by former Gov. Deval Patrick to both the Public Health and Food Policy Councils for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and was also appointed to the Region 1 Health Council by the Secretary of Minority Health in Washington, D.C. She is the immediate past chair of both AAA of Pioneer Valley and Holyoke Community College. She is also a past president of the Greater Springfield Chapter of the Links Inc., a life member of the Carl L. Talbot VFW Ladies Auxiliary, and a member of the Xi Xi Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, as well as GirlFriends Inc. Ahadi Award winner David Bass is entering his junior year at Putnam Vocational High School, where he has distinguished himself as an outstanding student in both the classroom and the community. He has held perfect attendance and highest honors in his first two years of high school, and currently has a 3.9 GPA. A founder and active participant in Putnam’s Intellectuals Debate Club, Bass is an outstanding public speaker and communicator, and was elected president by the class of 2018. He assisted the Putnam’s Voice outreach group with its annual clothing, canned food, and toy drives as well as neighborhood cleanups. He is also part of the Project Purple volunteer group that seeks to curtail teen drug and alcohol abuse, and a member of Hampden County District Attorney Anthony Gulluni’s 2016 Youth Advisory Board. Bass is part of Putnam’s Marketing and Real Estate program, and plans to embark on a career in real estate following his graduation. The Ubora and Ahadi Award presentations will be followed by a reception at the Springfield Science Museum, with food and refreshments provided through support from Baystate Health. Admission to the event is $15 for adults and $10 for children under 12. For more information or advance reservations, call (413) 263-6800, ext. 325.

BerkshireSPEAKS

Sept. 18: The third annual BerkshireSPEAKS will take place at 1:30 p.m. at Hevreh of Southern Berkshire in Great Barrington. This year’s event will feature six Berkshire trailblazers and visionaries sharing their inspirational stories. BerkshireSPEAKS was established to create an opportunity for the entire community to hear from local residents who have had a significant impact on the Berkshires and beyond. This year’s speakers include John Downing, CEO of Soldier On, a national organization fighting veteran homelessness; Nancy Kalodner, Berkshire Realtor, teacher, and arts supporter; Gwendolyn Hampton-VanSant, CEO and Founder of Multicultural BRIDGE; Mary Pope Osborne, award-winning author of the Magic Tree House series (130 million copies sold worldwide); John Hockenberry, author, journalist, and award-winning public radio host; and state Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli, who represents the 4th Berkshire District. A reception with the speakers will follow the presentations. Registration costs $15 online and $18 at the door. To register online, visit www.hevreh.org/berkshirespeaks.

Northeast Training Institute

Oct. 4-5: The International Business Innovation Assoc. (InBIA), in partnership with the Assoc. of Cleantech Incubators of New England (ACTION), will host a two-day Northeast Training Institute at the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center in Holyoke. Four courses will be offered for the professional development of incubator managers or those exploring the development of an incubator or accelerator program in their community. Those who should consider attending include business incubation and acceleration professionals, university administrators and faculty in entrepreneurship, community influencers and chamber of commerce of leaders, and economic-development leaders. Join other participants from around the region for these world-recognized training programs and hear about development plans for the Holyoke Innovation District. Learn more at www.actionnewengland.org. E-mail Joan Popolo at [email protected] with any questions.

Western Mass. Business Expo

Nov. 3: Comcast Business will present the sixth annual Western Mass. Business Expo at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield, produced by BusinessWest and the Healthcare News. The business-to-business show will feature more than 150 exhibitor booths, educational seminars, breakfast hosted by the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce, lunch hosted by BusinessWest, and a day-capping Expo Social. Current sponsors include Comcast Business (presenting sponsor), Express Employment Professionals, Health New England, the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, Johnson & Hill Staffing Services, MGM Springfield, and Wild Apple Design, and WMAS. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. Exhibitor spaces are also available; booth prices start at $725. For more information on sponsorships or booth purchase, call (413) 781-8600, ext. 100. For more Expo details as they emerge, visit www.wmbexpo.com.

Agenda

By BusinessWest Staff August 23, 2016

Agenda Departments

Kandinsky Exhibit

Through Jan. 15: Earlier this summer, the Springfield Museums unveiled an exhibit of prints by Russian artist Vassily Kandinsky titled “Kleine Welten (Small Worlds),” a portfolio of 12 works created in 1922 using a range of print-making techniques. The Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts is one of only a handful of public museums to own the complete series; other such museums include the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art. The exhibit will be on view in the Collins Print Gallery through Jan. 15, 2017. Known as one of the pioneers of abstract art, Kandinsky (1866-1944) lectured and wrote extensively in support of non-objective art, believing that total abstraction offers the possibility for profound spiritual expression. His paintings of 1913 are considered to be among the first completely abstract compositions in modern art history, as they made no reference to the natural world and were inspired by (and took their titles from) pieces of music. His non-representational paintings paved the way for the development of the abstract expressionist movement that dominated American painting after World War II. Kandinsky’s “Kleine Welten” portfolio exemplifies the artist’s abstract style, while also demonstrating his achievements with various print-making techniques. Though Kandinsky is perhaps best known for his paintings, this series of prints shows his mastery of lithography, woodcut, and etching.

Ad Club Networking on Connecticut River

Aug. 25: The Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts invites guests to network on the Connecticut River on the famous Lady Bea, departing from event sponsor Brunelle’s Marina in South Hadley. Guests are invited to sip on a cocktail from the cash bar, enjoy light appetizers, and take in the scenery while mingling with writers, designers, printers, agency staff, photographers, web designers, marketers, and media from Western Mass. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m., and the Lady Bea will depart at 6 p.m. from Brunelle’s Marina, 1 Alvord St., South Hadley. Guests must purchase tickets in advance by Friday, Aug. 19 by calling (413) 736-2582, visiting www.adclubwm.org/events/calendar, or e-mailing [email protected]. Ticket prices are $20 for Ad Club members, $30 for non-members, and $20 for students with valid ID.

Westfield Food Fest

Aug. 26-28: The Rotary Club of Westfield announced the second annual Westfield Food Fest, a three-day event that will feature vendors from local restaurants and food trucks, as well as entertainment from local musicians. The Rotary Club hopes this free event will draw people to the downtown area. The event will be held on Elm Street between Franklin Street and Main Street on Aug. 26 from 5 to 9 p.m., Aug. 27 from noon to 9 p.m., and Aug. 28 from noon to 6 p.m. The festival will also be broadcast live on location on WSKB 89.5 FM. Participating local restaurants include Pasquale’s, Two River Burritos, and Janik’s Pierogis. Food trucks will include Ed & Angies, Sun Kim Bop Korean, Silver Platter Gourmet, Bistro Bus, Moolicious Ice Cream, Angelo’s Fried Dough, and Ed’s Fries. A variety of local artists and craftspeople will be doing interactive, family-friendly demonstrations. The Rotary Club will sell beer and wine. For information on how to become a vendor, e-mail Jennifer Gruszka at [email protected]. Event sponsors include Westfield Bank, Westfield Gas & Electric, Forish Construction, Elm Electrical, Commercial Distributing, Mestek, Sarat Ford, Roger Butler Insurance Agency, Jerome’s Party Plus, and John S. Lane & Son Inc. This event would not be possible without the support of the city of Westfield, the Westfield Police Department, and all other city departments that help make events safe and enjoyable. For more information, visit facebook.com/westfieldrotaryclub. A complete schedule and listing of vendors, participants, and musicians will be posted soon.

Slide the City

Aug. 27: Celebrate Holyoke welcomes the return of Slide the City to Holyoke on the Saturday of its three-day event, and will once again sell discounted tickets prior to the event. In addition, the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Holyoke is partnering with Slide the City to raise money for its organization and help secure volunteers for the day of the slide. Slide the City will return to the same location along Appleton Street. Tickets are currently available at slidethecity.com, and single tickets can be purchased for $20 on the day of the event. Discounted tickets can also be found at celebrateholyokemass.com. For the second year, the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Holyoke will partner with Slide the City to recruit volunteers for the day of the event. For every volunteer signed up, Slide the City will make a donation to the Holyoke Boys & Girls Club. “The Holyoke Boys & Girls Club is thrilled to be partnering for the second year with Slide the City and the Celebrate Holyoke committee,” said Eileen Cavanaugh, president and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club. “Last year was a great experience, and we were so pleased with and grateful for the amount of volunteers that came out to support the club. I’m sure this year will be even better! We are looking forward to another fun event that allows our club to be part of Celebrate Holyoke.” Volunteers are still needed for various shifts throughout the day and will be helping with the following tasks: setup, registration tent (check pre-registered customers, take payment for new customers, etc.), slide monitors (check wristbands, help keep people moving along), cleanup, trash pickup, and loading trucks with gear and merchandise. Anyone who is interested in volunteering to raise money for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke should e-mail Cavanaugh at [email protected]. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. In exchange for their participation, volunteers will receive a Slide the City T-shirt and be provided snacks and refreshments during each shift.

Dress for Success Tag Sale

Sept. 9-11: In keeping with its mission to empower women to be more confident in their personal and professional lives, Dress for Success is hosting a tag sale in Springfield to raise funds and awareness, while also working to meet the needs of women throughout the community. In conjunction with the United Way of Pioneer Valley’s Day of Caring, Dress for Success volunteers will host the event at Eastfield Mall on Sept. 9 and 10 from 1 to 7 p.m., and Sept. 11 from 1 to 6 p.m. Customers may peruse through the racks of new and gently used donated items, including suits, dresses, pants, blouses, skirts, shoes, accessories, and more. Items may be purchased individually or by filling a shopping bag for only $25. All proceeds will benefit Dress for Success. Volunteers are needed to staff the event. If interested, contact [email protected]. This event follows several successful tag sales, each raising thousands of dollars and engaging the help of hundreds of community volunteers.

Mini-Medical School

Sept. 15 to Nov. 3: Thinking of going back to school? Baystate Medical Center’s Mini-Medical School will give area residents an inside look at the expanding field of medicine — minus the tests, homework, interviews, and admission formalities. The Mini-Medical School program is an eight-week health-education series featuring a different aspect of medicine each week. Classes this fall will include sessions on various medical topics such as surgery, emergency medicine, anesthesiology, pathology, and several others. Many of the ‘students,’ who often range in age from 20 to 70, participate due to a general interest in medicine and later find that many of the things they learned over the semester are relevant to their own lives. The goal of the program — offered in the comfortable environment of the hospital’s Chestnut Conference Center, is to help members of the public make more informed decisions about their healthcare while receiving insight on what it is like to be a medical student. Baystate Medical Center is the region’s only teaching hospital, and each course is taught by medical-center faculty who explain the science of medicine without resorting to complex terms. All classes are held Thursday nights starting at 6 p.m. and run until 8 or 9 p.m., depending on the night’s topic. No basic science knowledge is needed to participate. Each participant is required to attend a minimum of six out of eight classes in order to receive a certificate of completion. The classes run from Sept. 15 through Nov. 3, and a full listing of topics and presenters can be found at www.baystatehealth.org/minimed. Tuition is $95 per person and $80 for Senior Class and Spirit of Women members. While it is not difficult to be accepted into the program, slots are limited, and early registration is recommended by calling (800) 377-4325 or visiting www.baystatehealth.org/minimed.

RVCC Golf Tournament

Sept. 16: River Valley Counseling Center (RVCC), an affiliate of Holyoke Medical Center and member of Valley Health Systems, will hold its first annual golf tournament fund-raiser starting at 10:30 a.m., scramble format. The event, hosted by East Mountain Country Club in Westfield, is presented by G. Greene Construction Co. Inc., and funds raised will enable RVCC to improve programming through staff education and technology enhancements. The cost per golfer is $100 and includes a golf cart, lunch, and dinner. There will be contests on the course which include prizes donated by Marcotte Ford and Teddy Bear Pools. There will also be a raffle and silent auction. For more information about the event, including registration, visit www.rvcc-inc.org, or visit River Valley Counseling Center’s Facebook page. With outpatient clinics in Holyoke and Chicopee and a drop-in center in Springfield, RVCC provides comprehensive mental-health and other supportive services to individuals, families, and groups through a dedicated, multi-disciplinary team of social workers, counselors, psychologists, clinical nurse specialists, psychiatrists, and nurse practitioners. Programs include an intensive psychiatric day treatment program; teen clinics and/or school-based health centers in Holyoke, Chicopee, Springfield, and Granby; HIV/AIDS support services; the CONCERN employee-assistance program; medication services; and the Holyoke Safe and Successful Youth Initiative. For additional information, visit www.rvcc-inc.org or contact Angela Callahan at (413) 841-3546 or [email protected].

BerkshireSPEAKS

Sept. 18: The third annual BerkshireSPEAKS will take place at 1:30 p.m. at Hevreh of Southern Berkshire in Great Barrington. This year’s event will feature six Berkshire trailblazers and visionaries sharing their inspirational stories. BerkshireSPEAKS was established to create an opportunity for the entire community to hear from local residents who have had a significant impact on the Berkshires and beyond. “BerkshireSPEAKS continues to grow each year, with speakers whose passion reminds us that anything is possible,” said Toby Levine, event co-chair. “We have a fantastic program planned and look forward to an afternoon that brings the community together to share empowering ideas.” This year’s speakers include John Downing, CEO of Soldier On, a national organization fighting veteran homelessness; Nancy Kalodner, Berkshire Realtor, teacher, and arts supporter; Gwendolyn Hampton-VanSant, CEO and Founder of Multicultural BRIDGE; Mary Pope Osborne, award-winning author of the Magic Tree House series (130 million copies sold worldwide); John Hockenberry, author, journalist, and award-winning public radio host; and state Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli, who represents the 4th Berkshire District. A reception with the speakers will follow the presentations. Registration costs $15 online and $18 at the door. To register online, visit www.hevreh.org/berkshirespeaks.

Northeast Training Institute

Oct. 4-5: The International Business Innovation Assoc. (InBIA), in partnership with the Assoc. of Cleantech Incubators of New England (ACTION), will host a two-day Northeast Training Institute at the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center in Holyoke. Four courses will be offered for the professional development of incubator managers or those exploring the development of an incubator or accelerator program in their community. Those who should consider attending include business incubation and acceleration professionals, university administrators and faculty in entrepreneurship, community influencers and chamber of commerce of leaders, and economic-development leaders. Join other participants from around the region for these world-recognized training programs and hear about development plans for the Holyoke Innovation District. Learn more at www.actionnewengland.org. E-mail Joan Popolo at [email protected] with any questions.

Western Mass. Business Expo

Nov. 3: Comcast Business will present the sixth annual Western Mass. Business Expo at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield, produced by BusinessWest and the Healthcare News. The business-to-business show will feature more than 150 exhibitor booths, educational seminars, breakfast hosted by the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce, lunch hosted by BusinessWest, and a day-capping Expo Social. Current sponsors include Comcast Business (presenting sponsor), Express Employment Professionals, Health New England, the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, Johnson & Hill Staffing Services, MGM Springfield, and Wild Apple Design. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. Exhibitor spaces are also available; booth prices start at $725. For more information on sponsorships or booth purchase, call (413) 781-8600, ext. 100. For more Expo details as they emerge, visit www.wmbexpo.com.

Agenda

By BusinessWest Staff August 9, 2016

Agenda Departments

Clowning Around for Shriners Hospital

Aug. 13: The Melha Shriners announced that supporter Wendy Hart has once again organized the third annual Clowning Around for Shriners Hospital, a family-friendly event set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at VFW Post 872, 151 Point Grove Road, Southwick. Entertainment will be provided by the Shrine clowns, a traveling arcade, a photo booth, a dunk tank, and a DJ. The event will also feature a vendor fair featuring more than 40 local enterprises. “I am really excited about the opportunity to raise money for Shriners Hospital, and hope to increase the amount we raised over last year’s total,” Hart said. The event raised $2,000 for the hospital in 2015. Food and beverages will be for sale at the event. The Melha Shrine Clowns will present a skit show and spend the day mingling with children of all ages. Chris Howe, Shriner and president of the Melha Clowns, noted that “our clowns love days like this because we can help raise money for our hospital while just having lots of fun with all of the families in attendance.” Shriners Hospitals for Children – Springfield will receive 100% of the proceeds as it attempts to raise $900,000 for state-of-the-art X-ray technology (called EOS) which exposes children to a mere one-ninth of the radiation of traditional X-ray studies. For more information about the event, contact Hart at (413) 875-5743.

Oscar Hammerstein III Lecture

Aug. 17: Kimball Farms Lifecare in Lenox will host a lecture by Oscar Hammerstein III, grandson of famed lyricist Oscar Hammerstein, at 2 p.m. Those wishing to attend are asked to RSVP to (413) 637-7000 by Wednesday, Aug. 10. Hammerstein’s talk, titled “The Hammersteins: A Musical Theatre Family,” covers the century-long story of one of Broadway’s most creative and productive families beginning with Oscar Hammerstein I, described as a successful cigar and real-estate mogul who funded his theatre-building ambitions. The talk follows the family’s accomplishments through to Oscar Hammerstein II, who co-wrote the stories and words to such Broadway shows as Oklahoma!, South Pacific, Carousel, and The Sound of Music. Oscar Hammerstein III is a painter, writer, lecturer, and family historian who has devoted much of his life to studying and preserving his family’s heritage and contribution to American culture. He lectures frequently at universities, institutes, and theatrical and civic organizations on his family’s role in shaping the development of musical theatre and popular entertainment from the 1860s to the present.

Wistariahurst Summer Play Day

Aug. 20: Wistariahurst, Holyoke’s center for history, art, and culture, will host a free community event from 1 to 3 p.m., featuring lawn games, crafts, family-friendly tours, and more. Wistariahurst, the former estate of the Skinner family, includes three acres of formal gardens and grounds, a Holyoke history exhibit, an archival facility, and a preserved historic mansion. The afternoon’s activities will be inspired by the history and features of the site, including the fossilized dinosaur tracks which pave the entryway, the historically inspired rose garden, and turn-of-the-century garden parties. “As the summer season winds down, we want our gardens and grounds to be filled with families exploring and playing,” said Lisa Nicholson, program coordinator. “Dress up and have a cup of lemonade in the garden. Play a game of croquet or badminton like the Skinner family may have done.” For more information or to view a schedule of other upcoming events at Wistariahurst, visit www.wistariahurst.org.

Ice-cream Social, Open House at Linda Manor

Aug. 21: Linda Manor Assisted Living invites the community to an ice-cream social and open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Linda Manor is located at 345 Haydenville Road in Leeds. The open house will include complimentary ice-cream sundaes and tours of one of the Northampton area’s newest assisted-living communities. Linda Manor offers all-inclusive assisted living and memory care as well as the award-winning Linda Manor Extended Care Facility. For more information, or to RSVP for the event, call (413) 588-3316.

Ad Club Networking on Connecticut River

Aug. 25: The Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts invites guests to network on the Connecticut River on the famous Lady Bea, departing from event sponsor Brunelle’s Marina in South Hadley. Guests are invited to sip on a cocktail from the cash bar, enjoy light appetizers, and take in the scenery while mingling with writers, designers, printers, agency staff, photographers, web designers, marketers, and media from Western Mass. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m., and the Lady Bea will depart at 6 p.m. from Brunelle’s Marina, 1 Alvord St., South Hadley. Guests must purchase tickets in advance by Friday, Aug. 19 by calling (413) 736-2582, visiting www.adclubwm.org/events/calendar, or e-mailing [email protected]. Ticket prices are $20 for Ad Club members, $30 for non-members, and $20 for students with valid ID.

Slide the City

Aug. 27: Celebrate Holyoke welcomes the return of Slide the City to Holyoke on the Saturday of its three-day event, and will once again sell discounted tickets prior to the event. In addition, the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Holyoke is partnering with Slide the City to raise money for its organization and help secure volunteers for the day of the slide. Slide the City will return to the same location along Appleton Street. Tickets are currently available at slidethecity.com, and single tickets can be purchased for $20 on the day of the event. Those looking to purchase tickets in advance at a discounted rate can do so at Stop & Shop on Lincoln Street in Holyoke on Sat., Aug. 13, and Sun., Aug. 14, from noon to 4 p.m.; at the mayor’s office on weekdays; and at the Holyoke Farmers’ Market every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Discounted tickets can also be found at celebrateholyokemass.com. For the second year, the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Holyoke will partner with Slide the City to recruit volunteers for the day of the event. For every volunteer signed up, Slide the City will make a donation to the Holyoke Boys & Girls Club. “The Holyoke Boys & Girls Club is thrilled to be partnering for the second year with Slide the City and the Celebrate Holyoke committee,” said Eileen Cavanaugh, president and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club. “Last year was a great experience, and we were so pleased with and grateful for the amount of volunteers that came out to support the club. I’m sure this year will be even better. We are looking forward to another fun event that allows our club to be part of Celebrate Holyoke.” Volunteers are still needed for various shifts throughout the day and will be helping with the following tasks: setup, registration tent (check pre-registered customers, take payment for new customers, etc.), slide monitors (check wristbands, help keep people moving along), cleanup, trash pickup, and loading trucks with gear and merchandise. Anyone who is interested in volunteering to raise money for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke should e-mail Cavanaugh at [email protected]. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. In exchange for their participation, volunteers will receive a Slide the City T-shirt and be provided snacks and refreshments during each shift.

Mini-Medical School

Sept. 15 to Nov. 3: Thinking of going back to school? Baystate Medical Center’s Mini-Medical School will give area residents an inside look at the expanding field of medicine — minus the tests, homework, interviews, and admission formalities. The Mini-Medical School program is an eight-week health-education series featuring a different aspect of medicine each week. Classes this fall will include sessions on various medical topics such as surgery, emergency medicine, anesthesiology, pathology, and several others. Many of the ‘students,’ who often range in age from 20 to 70, participate due to a general interest in medicine and later find that many of the things they learned over the semester are relevant to their own lives. The goal of the program — offered in the comfortable environment of the hospital’s Chestnut Conference Center, is to help members of the public make more informed decisions about their healthcare while receiving insight on what it is like to be a medical student. Baystate Medical Center is the region’s only teaching hospital, and each course is taught by medical-center faculty who explain the science of medicine without resorting to complex terms. All classes are held Thursday nights starting at 6 p.m. and run until 8 or 9 p.m., depending on the night’s topic. No basic science knowledge is needed to participate. Each participant is required to attend a minimum of six out of eight classes in order to receive a certificate of completion. The classes run from Sept. 15 through Nov. 3, and a full listing of topics and presenters can be found at www.baystatehealth.org/minimed. Tuition is $95 per person and $80 for Senior Class and Spirit of Women members. While it is not difficult to be accepted into the program, slots are limited, and early registration is recommended by calling (800) 377-4325 or visiting www.baystatehealth.org/minimed.

BerkshireSPEAKS

Sept. 18: The third annual BerkshireSPEAKS will take place at 1:30 p.m. at Hevreh of Southern Berkshire in Great Barrington. This year’s event will feature six Berkshire trailblazers and visionaries sharing their inspirational stories. BerkshireSPEAKS was established to create an opportunity for the entire community to hear from local residents who have had a significant impact on the Berkshires and beyond. “BerkshireSPEAKS continues to grow each year, with speakers whose passion reminds us that anything is possible,” said Toby Levine, event co-chair. “We have a fantastic program planned and look forward to an afternoon that brings the community together to share empowering ideas.” This year’s speakers include John Downing, CEO of Soldier On, a national organization fighting veteran homelessness; Nancy Kalodner, Berkshire Realtor, teacher, and arts supporter; Gwendolyn Hampton-VanSant, CEO and Founder of Multicultural BRIDGE; Mary Pope Osborne, award-winning author of the Magic Tree House series (130 million copies sold worldwide); John Hockenberry, author, journalist, and award-winning public radio host; and state Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli, who represents the 4th Berkshire District. A reception with the speakers will follow the presentations. Registration costs $15 online and $18 at the door. To register online, visit www.hevreh.org/berkshirespeaks.

Western Mass. Business Expo

Nov. 3: Comcast Business will present the sixth annual Western Mass. Business Expo at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield, produced by BusinessWest and the Healthcare News. The business-to-business show will feature more than 150 exhibitor booths, educational seminars, breakfast hosted by the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce, lunch hosted by BusinessWest, and a day-capping Expo Social. Current sponsors include Comcast Business (presenting sponsor), Express Employment Professionals, Health New England, the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, Johnson & Hill Staffing Services, MGM Springfield, and Wild Apple Design. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. Exhibitor spaces are also available; booth prices start at $725. For more information on sponsorships or booth purchase, call (413) 781-8600, ext. 100. For more Expo details as they emerge, visit www.wmbexpo.com.

Agenda

By BusinessWest Staff July 26, 2016

Agenda Departments

‘Protecting Your Retirement Income for Life’ Workshop

July 27: Monson Savings Bank will host a complimentary SunAmerica workshop titled “Protecting Your Retirement Income for Life.” It will be presented by Mack Mikaelian, divisional vice president, SunAmerica Retirement Markets. The annuity presentation will offer strategies to help provide income for life and also help attendees determine retirement-income options they should explore. It will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Ware Fire Department at 200 West St. in Ware. It is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Mikaelian works with financial advisors throughout New England and Eastern New York. He has many years of experience in the financial-services industry and is very familiar with the topic of retirement-income planning. He is a graduate of UMass and Babson College’s MBA program. Seating is limited, and reservations are required. To RSVP, call Anna Calvanese at (413) 267-1221 or e-mail [email protected].

Lean LaunchPad Weekend

July 29-31: In today’s competitive market, startups and small businesses need all the help they can get. The Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership at Elms College will hold a Lean LaunchPad weekend to help startups identify the specific problems their products or services can solve for customers. The weekend-long workshop, titled “Creating Customers and Value,” will help businesses fail less, save money, and discover target customers and ideal business models. The Lean LaunchPad weekend course combines hands-on experience, customer interaction, and business fundamentals to entrepreneurship. Participants will dive deep into the ‘value-proposition canvas’ to understand product market fit; they will also learn how to turn ideas into statements that convince customers to buy. The events will begin with a 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. session on Friday, July 29, and run from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, July 30 and 31. The workshop will include an “Idea Jam,” a look at business pitch concepts, team formation, networking, in-depth exploration of the value-proposition canvas, hands-on development of customer-value creation, an overview of market size and customer segments, and a business-pitch competition. The facilitators for the Startup Lean Weekend will be Jeremy Casey and Rick Plaut. Casey started Name Net Worth, a software startup company, in Springfield in 2014. His background as a serial networker, commercial lender, and communicator was the springboard to his transition from corporate America to entrepreneurship. He was president of the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield (YPS), which was in its infancy when he joined. Over five years, he grew the board of directors and the membership, and has helped make YPS the top membership organization for young professionals in the region. He has conducted workshops with many high schools and colleges in the Northeast, and has mentored many startup organizations through Valley Venture Mentors, helping them get their businesses started and providing ongoing feedback as they grow. Plaut became an entrepreneur in 2009 after 30 years as a corporate ‘intrapreneur,’ developing new products, customers, markets, and businesses. Currently founding his third enterprise, he is a partner in InCommN and was a partner at Universal Quality Machine. He and his partners at InCommN teach the principles of Lean LaunchPad to entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and businesses with a need for quick growth in new markets. He also shares the tools of Lean LaunchPad and the Business Model Canvas with students at a number of local colleges, including Smith, Elms, and UMass. He is also a mentor and facilitator for early-stage startups at Valley Venture Mentors, and is a board member and mentor for a variety of early-stage enterprises. All events will take place on the Elms College campus. The cost is $250 per person or $150 for Elms alumni.

Holyoke Soup

Aug. 3: SPARK Holyoke, a program of the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce Centennial Foundation, announced its third community-based crowd-funding event, Holyoke Soup, scheduled to take place from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at the Waterfront Tavern, 920 Main Street, Holyoke. Holyoke Soup is a dinner celebrating and supporting creative projects in Holyoke. For $5, attendees receive soup, salad, and bread while listening to presentations ranging from business ideas, art, urban agriculture, social justice, social entrepreneurs, education, technology, and much more. A new element has been added to this Holyoke Soup. Several local entrepreneurs who have completed the SPARK Holyoke entrepreneurship program will be showcasing their businesses beginning at 5 p.m. Each presenter has four minutes to share their idea and answer four questions from the audience. At the end of the night, the ballots are counted, and the winner goes home with all the money raised to help fund their project. Winners come back to a future Holyoke Soup dinner to report on their project’s progress. There is no admission charge to the event, but a minimum $5 donation is requested. All proceeds go to the presenter who receives the most votes. Anyone interested in presenting an idea at Holyoke Soup may apply at www.holyokesoup.com. Call Jona Ruiz at SPARK Holyoke at (413) 534-3376 with any questions.

Celebrate Holyoke 2016

Aug. 26-28: The planning committee for Celebrate Holyoke 2016 announced the musical lineup for this year’s three-day summer festival, highlighting a diverse range of musical favorites from around the region. “We’re really excited about this year’s lineup of musical acts and are looking forward to welcoming an even bigger crowd to downtown Holyoke,” said Jenna Weingarten, Celebrate Holyoke’s executive director. “It was important to us that our lineup reflected Holyoke’s diverse community, and we’ve worked hard to make sure there’s something here for everyone to enjoy.” Music will begin on Friday night at 5 p.m. and last throughout the weekend until Sunday at 7:30 p.m. and includes the following bands and artists: Friday, Aug. 26, 5-11 p.m.: Basement Cats, Sweet Daddy Cool Breeze, Jesus Pagan y Conjunto Barrio, and Joe Velez Creacion Latin Big Band; Saturday, Aug. 27, 12:30-11 p.m.: From the Woods, Skarroñeros, Paper City Exiles, Franny O Show, Trailer Park, Pabon Salsa, Eleven, and Brass Attack; Sunday, Aug. 28., 12:30-7:30 p.m.: Dennis Polisky & the Maestro’s Men, Union Jack, Los Sugar Kings, Dee Reilly, and Ray Mason Band. Celebrate Holyoke is a weekend-long festival featuring live music, entertainment, and vendors. Last year, the festival drew approximately 15,000 people into the heart of downtown Holyoke over the course of three days. Slide the City, an internationally known, 1,000-foot slip and slide, will return to Celebrate Holyoke on Saturday, Aug. 27. Volunteers and sponsors are still needed and are critical in ensuring the success of Celebrate Holyoke. Anyone interested in being a part of this community event should call (413) 570-0389 or e-mail [email protected].

Women’s Way Backpack and School-supply Drive

Aug. 4: The 11th annual “It’s Blooming Backpacks” backpack and school-supply drive is underway by the Women’s Way, a program of United Way of Franklin County. Every August, Women’s Way and community supporters of the popular event come together at Historic Deerfield to socialize, while supporting the needs of local school-age youth. This year’s main event is Thursday, Aug. 4 from 5:30 to 7 p.m., and costs $5 to attend, in addition to bringing one or more backpacks filled with school supplies (the address location will be given at the time of RSVP). To RSVP, call (413) 772-2168 or email [email protected]. Backpacks filled with essential school supplies are distributed to children and youth throughout Franklin County via the United Way of Franklin County’s 27 partner agencies. Backpacks come to the United Way in different ways. Traditionally, an individual donor will take on the task of buying and filling a backpack. Other ways include groups of co-workers or friends collaborating on filling a few bags; companies donating supplies or empty backpacks; businesses and organizations holding school-supply drives in the workplace; asking employees, customers, and clients to donate supplies and/or backpacks (sometimes the company will buy the backpacks) and having a ‘stuffing party’; and collecting monetary donations and letting the United Way purchase backpacks and/or supplies. No matter how you participate, you will make a difference in the life of a young person. Since the first annual “It’s Blooming Backpacks” in 2005, more than 2,500 backpacks with a value of nearly $200,000 have been donated and distributed. In 2015, nearly 500 backpacks were collected. For more information, visit uw-fc.org/its-blooming-backpacks, call (413) 772-2168, or e-mail [email protected].

Mini-Medical School

Sept. 15 to Nov. 3: Thinking of going back to school? Baystate Medical Center’s Mini-Medical School will give area residents an inside look at the expanding field of medicine — minus the tests, homework, interviews, and admission formalities. The Mini-Medical School program is an eight-week health-education series featuring a different aspect of medicine each week. Classes this fall will include sessions on various medical topics such as surgery, emergency medicine, anesthesiology, pathology, and several others. Many of the ‘students,’ who often range in age from 20 to 70, participate due to a general interest in medicine and later find that many of the things they learned over the semester are relevant to their own lives. The goal of the program — offered in the comfortable environment of the hospital’s Chestnut Conference Center, is to help members of the public make more informed decisions about their healthcare while receiving insight on what it is like to be a medical student. All classes are held Thursday nights starting at 6 p.m. and run until 8 or 9 p.m., depending on the night’s topic. Each participant is required to attend a minimum of six out of eight classes in order to receive a certificate of completion. The classes run from Sept. 15 through Nov. 3, and a full listing of topics and presenters can be found at www.baystatehealth.org/minimed. Tuition is $95 per person and $80 for Senior Class and Spirit of Women members. Slots are limited, and early registration is recommended by calling (800) 377-4325 or visiting www.baystatehealth.org/minimed.

Agenda

By BusinessWest Staff July 12, 2016

Agenda Departments

Wine and Canvas Event

July 21: Charlene Manor Extended Care Facility in Greenfield will host a Wine and Canvas event from 6 to 9 p.m. During the event, an artist will guide participants through the re-creation of a selected work of art. Canvas, paint, brushes, and other supplies are provided. Registration is $20, discounted from the normal price, and includes two glasses of wine. Participants must be 21 or older. Those interested may RSVP to (413) 774-3724, ext. 248 by Thursday, July 14. Charlene Manor, located at 130 Colrain Road in Greenfield, is a nonprofit organization that provides short-term rehabilitation, long-term skilled nursing care, respite care, specialized Alzheimer’s and dementia care, and hospice services. For more information, visit www.charlenemanor.org.

Indian Motocycle Day

July 24: The Springfield Museums will present its seventh annual Indian Motocycle Day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the continuation of a long-standing tradition honoring the classic motorcycles that were manufactured in the city from 1901 to 1953. Last year, more than 1,000 people attended the event, which featured more than 60 classic Springfield-built Indians owned by local collectors. The event is sponsored by Sampson Funeral Home and AAA Pioneer Valley; the media sponsor is Rock 102 WAQY. MassMutual is the 2016 season supporter of the Springfield Museums. The museums re-established the Indian Day tradition in 2010 after a five-year hiatus. From 1970 until 2005, the event was held at the now-closed Indian Motocycle Museum on Hendee Street in Springfield, which was owned by Esta Manthos and her late husband, Charlie. In 2007, Esta Manthos donated their extensive collection of Indian motocycles, artifacts, and memorabilia to the Springfield Museums, where they are now on view in the Lyman & Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History. This year’s Indian Day will pay tribute to Augusta and Adeline Van Buren in honor of the 100th anniversary of their historic cross-country ride. In 1916, the sisters became the first women to cross the continental U.S., each on their own Indian Powerplus motorcycle built in Springfield. Along their eventful 60-day, 5,500-mile journey from Brooklyn to San Francisco, they became the first women to reach the 14,115-foot summit of Pike’s Peak. The two were inducted into the American Motorcyclist Assoc. Hall of Fame in 2002, as well as the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame in 2003. Springfield Museums is also celebrating the centennial of this groundbreaking event in its exhibit “Crossing the Country to Cross Barriers: The Van Buren Sisters Ride into History,” which will feature photographs, news articles, and rare memorabilia detailing the sisters’ courageous trip. In addition to the motorcycles on display, there will be a variety of vendors, food, and beverages, music provided by Rock 102 and a local DJ, and the awarding of trophies for the best Indians in a variety of categories. Commemorative T-shirts will be available for purchase. Anyone bringing a pre-1953 Indian will receive a free admission pass plus a commemorative Indian Day button. Exhibitors, and especially vendors, are encouraged to pre-register by calling (413) 263-6800, ext. 304. Admission to the event is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 3-17, and includes access to the Wood Museum of Springfield History and the Indian Motocycle Collection. The event is free for members or with paid museum admission.

Lean LaunchPad Weekend

July 29-31: In today’s competitive market, startups and small businesses need all the help they can get. The Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership at Elms College will hold a Lean LaunchPad weekend to help startups identify the specific problems their products or services can solve for customers. The weekend-long workshop, titled “Creating Customers and Value,” will help businesses fail less, save money, and discover target customers and ideal business models. The Lean LaunchPad weekend course combines hands-on experience, customer interaction, and business fundamentals to entrepreneurship. Participants will dive deep into the ‘value-proposition canvas’ to understand product market fit; they will also learn how to turn ideas into statements that convince customers to buy. The events will begin with a 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. session on Friday, July 29, and run from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, July 30 and 31. The workshop will include an “Idea Jam,” a look at business pitch concepts, team formation, networking, in-depth exploration of the value-proposition canvas, hands-on development of customer-value creation, an overview of market size and customer segments, and a business-pitch competition. The facilitators for the Startup Lean Weekend will be Jeremy Casey and Rick Plaut. Casey started Name Net Worth, a software startup company, in Springfield in 2014. His background as a serial networker, commercial lender, and communicator was the springboard to his transition from corporate America to entrepreneurship. He was president of the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield (YPS), which was in its infancy when he joined. Over five years, he grew the board of directors and the membership, and has helped make YPS the top membership organization for young professionals in the region. He has conducted workshops with many high schools and colleges in the Northeast, and has mentored many startup organizations through Valley Venture Mentors, helping them get their businesses started and providing ongoing feedback as they grow. Plaut became an entrepreneur in 2009 after 30 years as a corporate ‘intrapreneur,’ developing new products, customers, markets, and businesses. Currently founding his third enterprise, he is a partner in InCommN and was a partner at Universal Quality Machine. He and his partners at InCommN teach the principles of Lean LaunchPad to entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and businesses with a need for quick growth in new markets. He also shares the tools of Lean LaunchPad and the Business Model Canvas with students at a number of local colleges, including Smith, Elms, and UMass. He is also a mentor and facilitator for early-stage startups at Valley Venture Mentors, and is a board member and mentor for a variety of early-stage enterprises. The cost is $250 per person or $150 for Elms alumni.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff July 12, 2016

Departments People on the Move

Tejas Gandhi

Tejas Gandhi, the former chief administrative officer at Navicent Health in Macon, Ga. — where he led the organization through an era of positive change and restructuring, contributing greatly to its financial recovery — has been named chief operating officer at Baystate Medical Center. His appointment became effective June 13. Gandhi fills a position left vacant by Nancy Shendell-Falik, who for two years served in the dual position at Baystate Health as chief operating officer and senior vice president/chief nursing officer for Baystate Medical Center, prior to being named president of Baystate Medical Center and senior vice president of Hospital Operations for Baystate Health in October 2015. “Dr. Gandhi is a true change agent, whose culture-building skills and talents in the area of continuous process improvements will be an asset in leading Baystate Medical Center and supporting Baystate 2020, our health system’s strategic plan,” said Shendell-Falik. “His adherence to core values and accountability in all actions, as well as his advocacy of transparency, especially in his own interactions, will make him a key member of the Baystate Health family.” Gandhi, with 15 years of professional experience in healthcare administration, comes to his new position from a hospital similar to Baystate Medical Center — a 637-bed teaching hospital affiliated with Mercer University School of Medicine, a Level I trauma center and three-time Magnet designated hospital for nursing excellence nationwide. Prior to joining Navicent Health in 2013, Gandhi was employed by Virtua Health in Marlton, N.J., the largest comprehensive healthcare system in Southern New Jersey, where he helped change the overall culture to one of continuous process improvement, resulting in cost savings and key improvements for the organization. During his 10 years there, Gandhi oversaw the process-driven planning process for a new $618 million replacement hospital and regional ambulatory center, also leading successful initiatives to improve clinical safety and quality outcomes, as well as patient satisfaction and employee engagement. Gandhi attended the University of Bombay, India, where he received his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. He later received a master’s degree in industrial engineering from the State University of New York at Binghamton and a doctorate in health administration and leadership from Medical University of South Carolina.

•••••

In a visit to the governor’s Western Mass. office in Springfield recently, Gov. Charlie Baker introduced Michael Knapik, a former state senator and state representative from Westfield, as the office’s new director. Knapik will be a primary liaison between the administration and constituents and communities in Western Mass. “With more than two decades of experience representing Western Mass. constituents, Mike is exceptionally qualified to lead our Springfield office,” Baker said. “Operating the office is one of the many essential tools we use to maintain an important relationship with the people, local leaders, and municipalities of Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties.” Added Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, “Mike will be an asset to both the administration and those serviced by the Springfield office. I look forward to working closely with him in his new role to continue building upon the strong relationships our administration has cultivated in the western part of the state.” Knapik said he is “excited to join the Baker-Polito administration and begin working with people across Western Massachusetts again. Western Massachusetts has a lot to offer, and I look forward to playing an active role in our communities and the overall conversation with the rest of Massachusetts on behalf of the administration.” Knapik served Westfield and 11 surrounding communities in the state Legislature for 22 years, first as a representative from 1991 to 1994 and then as a senator from 1995 to 2013.

•••••

Kevin Maltby

Bacon Wilson announced that attorney Kevin Maltby is now president of the Hampden County Bar Assoc. (HCBA) after taking the oath of office Wednesday in front of his partners and peers at the association’s annual meeting and membership dinner at the Springfield Sheraton. “I am enormously grateful to the members of the bar association for their confidence in me, and gratified to follow in the footsteps of my partners at Bacon Wilson, including past presidents Paul Rothschild, Hyman Darling, and Michael Ratner,” Maltby said. “I consider it an honor to be counted among their ranks. So many Bacon Wilson attorneys have, over their lengthy careers, given their time and legal skills to serve the Hampden County Bar.”

Michael Katz

Michael Ratner

Paul Salvage

Also in attendance was attorney Michael Katz, who took office as chair of the bar’s Bankruptcy Section, while attorneys Michael Ratner and Paul Salvage were each honored for their 50 years of membership. Maltby has a long history of service and involvement with the Hampden County Bar Assoc. He has served on the bar’s board of directors each year since 2012. He was honored with the HCBA’s Access to Justice Pro Bono Publico Award for 2012 for his vision and implementation of the Springfield District Court Lawyer for the Day program. Additionally, in 2013, he received the Community Service Award from the Mass. Bar Assoc. Maltby is a member of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s Standing Advisory Committee on Professionalism. He has extensive jury-trial and courtroom experience, and is a former prosecutor for the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office. He is also an adjunct professor of Legal Studies at Bay Path University in Longmeadow, where he teaches litigation, advanced litigation, criminal law, and evidence. He earned his law degree from Suffolk University Law School in 2001, and his undergraduate degree, cum laude, from UMass in 1998. In 2014, he was a recipient of BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty distinction, and has been a named a Super Lawyers Rising Star for seven years, since 2009.

•••••

The Westmass Area Development Corp. board named Eric Nelson the new president and CEO of the private, nonprofit, industrial- and business-development corporation that offers master-planned land resources at Chicopee River Business Park, Hadley University Business Park, Deer Park in East Longmeadow, and the historic Ludlow Mills. Nelson succeeds Kenn Delude, who is retiring after 10 years as president and CEO of the organization. Nelson has more than 30 years of experience in site development and design and has consulted on numerous industrial and commercial site-development projects. His background also encompasses financing development and creating public-private partnership agreements. Having served as senior vice president of Westmass for the past two and a half years and with Westmass since 2011, Nelson has conducted regular meetings with industrial and business prospects interested in Westmass properties, conducted pre-development site analysis and research, headed the process of zoning and building permits, and was responsible for project budgets and grant applications. According to John Maybury, Westmass board chair, “Westmass has been fortunate to have someone of Kenn Delude’s unique skills at the helm of the organization. We are equally fortunate to have Eric Nelson, who worked alongside Kenn for the past five years, making for a smooth transition. Eric has worked closely with Kenn and is intimately involved with all of Westmass’ industrial land resources in the region and in particular the Ludlow Mills preservation and redevelopment, an exciting project which is quickly approaching $100 million in investment and represents significant economic development for the region.” Maybury said Delude would continue to provide support to Westmass and the Ludlow Mills project through the transition in a consulting role as needed. Nelson is a registered professional landscape architect and holds U.S. Green Building Council LEED AP certification. He earned his master’s degree in landscape architecture from UMass Amherst.

•••••

Madeline Presz

JGS Lifecare has named Madeline Presz executive director of Spectrum Home Health & Hospice Care. Presz is responsible for overseeing the daily operation of the home health and hospice program, including supervision of the team, financial performance, and delivery of quality care, as well as providing direct care. Presz brings 22 years of clinical experience in healthcare to this position. She is a registered nurse, certified in hospice and palliative care, gerontological nursing; and IV therapy, central line and TPN therapy. Before joining Spectrum, Presz served as executive director of the Loving Care Agency in Springfield. In this role, she was responsible for the clinical and operational programming for two pediatric and three adult home-care offices/teams. Prior to that, she served as regional director of Clinical Operations for Life Choice Hospice in Auburn. She was also a clinical director/administrator at Solamor Hospice in Auburn and a clinical director of Allegiance Hospice in Shrewsbury. Presz has also served as director of Nursing at Wingate in East Longmeadow, and she started her career as assistant director of Nursing at Chestnut Hill Rehab in East Longmeadow. Presz has a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Elms College, graduating summa cum laude, and an associate degree in nursing from Springfield Technical Community College. She is also a member of the Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society for nurses.

•••••

Mary-Beth Cooper

Springfield College President Mary-Beth Cooper has been appointed by Gov. Charlie Baker to serve on one of three special commissions created under the landmark opioid legislation signed into law earlier this year. Cooper and the other appointees to the commission were sworn in by the governor recently at the State House. Cooper will serve on the special commission to study the incorporation of safe and effective pain treatment and prescribing practices into the professional training of students that may prescribe controlled substances. This special commission is tasked with developing recommendations to ensure future prescribers have an understanding of certain fundamental issues relative to the opioid epidemic, including pain treatment, pain-treatment planning, safe prescribing practices, and prescription monitoring. The appointed commission will submit recommendations on or before Dec. 1. “I’m honored to serve on this commission, representing our outstanding healthcare-preparation programs at Springfield College,” said Cooper. “I’m excited about the diversity of the commission, which includes family members of those who have struggled with opioid use, current healthcare providers, other educators, and committed community members all wanting to be a part of solutions to the opioid crisis.” Joining Cooper as appointees to the special commission are Todd Brown, vice chairman of the School of Pharmacy at Northeastern University; Dr. Nitigna Desai, director of Addiction Psychiatry at Bedford Veteran Affairs Medical Center and director of the Substance Abuse Service Line at New England Healthcare; Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan, president and CEO of the Dimock Community Health Center; Brad Ulrich, regional vice president for Walgreens; and Joan Vitello-Cicciu, dean of the UMass Graduate School of Nursing.

•••••

Brian Risler, Farmington Bank’s assistant vice president and mortgage sales manager for the Western Mass. region, has been named 2016 Affiliate of the Year by the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley (RAPV). The announcement was made during the association’s recent annual awards banquet on June 8. The award is the highest form of recognition given by the RAPV to an affiliate member who has shown outstanding service and devotion to the organization during the past 17 months in the areas of affiliate-related association activity, community service, and business activity. Risler has served in many capacities for the RAPV, including co-chair of its Education Fair & Trade Show, which was the association’s largest and most heavily attended event of the year. Risler also served on the Government Affairs Committee of the Mass. Assoc. of Realtors (MAR), advocating for private property rights and promoting MAR’s legislative agenda and positions on key issues. As affiliate of the year, Risler was also recognized for his involvement in the community. For instance, he has been a guest speaker for HAPHousing, the largest nonprofit developer of affordable housing in Western Mass., educating first-time homebuyers on the fundamentals of residential financing and how best to advocate for themselves as consumers. At Farmington Bank, Risler has more than 16 years of experience in residential mortgage banking in Massachusetts. Risler received a bachelor’s degree in business administration and finance from Stonehill College in Massachusetts.

•••••

Elias Acuna, a real estate agent with Maria Acuna Real Estate in Springfield, has been named the 2016 Realtor of the Year by the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley (RAPV). The announcement was made during the association’s annual awards banquet held recently at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. As the highest honor given to a member, the Realtor of the Year award is bestowed upon one person who has shown outstanding service and devotion to the 1,650-member organization during the past 17 months in the areas of Realtor activity, community service, and business activity. A Realtor since 2004, Acuna serves on the association’s board of directors, finance committee, strategic planning committee, and young professional’s network committee, where he was chairman in 2015. He is a co-presenter at the bimonthly new-member orientation promoting involvement and member benefits. Acuna is a frequent technology instructor, teaching topics such as real-estate apps and social-media practices. At the state level, he is a member of the board of directors of the Massachusetts Assoc. of Realtors (MAR). He is the chairman of the Mass. Assoc. of Realtors young professional’s network committee and a member the MAR diversity committee. He participated along with 400 Massachusetts Realtors in the 2015 and 2016 Realtors Day on Beacon Hill to lobby on behalf of home ownership and private property rights. He attended the 2015 Massachusetts Assoc. of Realtors Convention and Trade Show.

•••••
Berkshire Bank announced that Kathryn Dube, first vice president, wealth business development leader, was honored by the United Way of Pioneer Valley as Volunteer of the Year for the 2015-16 season. Dube joined the United Way of Pioneer Valley board of directors in 2007 and committed to this position until 2017. As an affiliate of the United Way, she has also held other titles, such as chairperson of the allocations and impact committee, chairman of the board, and founding member of the Women’s Leadership Council in Western Mass. in 2013. The award is based upon leadership, community engagement, and core values, among other essential qualities. The United Way of Pioneer Valley granted the award to Dube on June 22 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke.

•••••

Greenfield Cooperative Bank and its parent company, Greenfield Bancorp, announced that the following seven directors were re-elected to three-year terms as directors of the bank and Greenfield Bancorp, MHC:
•Attorney Robert Carey, a principal in the Greenfield law firm of Curtiss, Carey, Gates &  Goodridge, LLP, re-elected as clerk of the bank;
• Kevin O’Neil, president of Wilson’s Department Store in Greenfield, re- elected chairman of the board;
• Keith Finan, chief financial officer of Deerfield Academy;
• Attorney Daniel Graves, owner of the Law Offices of Daniel Graves in Greenfield;
• Attorney Peter MacConnell, principal in the law firm of Bacon Wilson, P.C., re-elected as a corporator for a 10-year term;
• John Kuhn, principal in the firm of Kuhn-Riddle Architects in Amherst, re-elected as a corporator for a 10-year term; and
• Robb Morton, CPA, principal in the accounting firm of Boisselle, Morton & Associates, LLP located in Hadley, also re-elected as a  corporator for a 10-year term. Re-elected to 10-year terms as corporators of Greenfield Bancorp, MHC were Barry Roberts, president of Roberts Builders Inc.; Margarita O’Byrne Curtis, head of school at Deerfield Academy; and Douglas Clarke, retired after many years with Western Massachusetts Electric Co., now Eversource.

Farmington Bank’s Risler Honored

By BusinessWest Staff June 30, 2016

Daily News

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Brian Risler, Farmington Bank’s assistant vice president and mortgage sales manager for the Western Mass. region, has been named 2016 Affiliate of the Year by the Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley (RAPV).

The announcement was made during the association’s recent annual awards banquet on June 8. The affiliate of the year is the highest form of recognition given by the RAPV to an affiliate member who has shown outstanding service and devotion to the organization during the past 17 months in the areas of affiliate-related association activity, community service and business activity.

Risler has served in many capacities for the RAPV, including co-chair of its Education Fair & Trade Show, which was the association’s largest and most heavily attended event of the year. Risler also served on the Government Affairs Committee of the Massachusetts Association of Realtors (MAR), advocating for private property rights and promoting MAR’s legislative agenda and positions on key issues.

As affiliate of the year, Risler was also recognized for his involvement in the community. For instance, he has been a guest speaker for HAP Housing, the largest nonprofit developer of affordable housing in Western Massachusetts, educating first-time homebuyers on the fundamentals of residential financing and how best to advocate for themselves as consumers.

At Farmington Bank, Risler has more than 16 years of experience in residential mortgage banking in Massachusetts. Risler received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration/Finance from Stonehill College in Massachusetts.

Agawam Officials Look to Create Walkable Downtown

By BusinessWest Staff June 28, 2016

Community Spotlight Features

Community Spotlight

Mayor Richard Cohen and Marc Strange say the new, $8 million Agawam High School sports complex will be completed in the fall.

Mayor Richard Cohen recently unearthed a 30-year-old newspaper article that said Agawam’s Walnut Street Extension area needed to be revitalized.

The story reveals just how long that area has been a target for redevelopment, and also how current efforts may finally produce headlines of a different nature.

Indeed, the mayor said it has long been his plan to transform the area into a walkable downtown where people want to live, work, and play — and that dream may be approaching reality.

“It will take time, effort, and money to achieve, but we are moving in the right direction,” said Cohen, adding that the area has been a primary focus since 2010.

The town’s efforts received a tangible boost on April 1 when David Peters of Site Redevelopment Technologies purchased the former Games and Lanes bowling-alley property at 346-350 Walnut St. Extension. It has been a highly visible eyesore since it closed in 2001 after a fire caused extensive damage to the 30,000-square-foot building, which sits on a 2.3-acre lot.

The property was owned by Standard Uniform Corp. from 1969 through the ’80s, and in 1989, widespread groundwater contamination was discovered that spread off-site in a northeasterly direction.

The former owner worked in partnership with the Mass. Department of Environmental Protection to clean up the brownfields and spent $1.5 million on the effort, but eventually gave up; the property has been vacant for 15 years.

In the past, developers shied away from purchasing it due to the unknown amount of environmental remediation that still needs to be done. But Peters didn’t view that as an impediment.

“I’m a purchaser of last resorts; I look for environmental disasters, and although they can be costly and time-consuming to clean up, this gave me an opportunity to rehabilitate the property and the neighborhood,” he said, explaining that his work as a chemical engineer led him to create Site Redevelopment Technologies, which specializes in purchasing, cleaning, and redeveloping environmentally impaired properties.

However, before making the purchase, he did want to know how far the pollution had spread. The town had received a $50,000 grant to study the property and completed the first phase of that investigation in 2014, and after Peters sent a letter of intent stating he was interested in purchasing it, the City Council approved an additional $12,000 for the study.

Peters spent a year working closely with town and state officials to get the results, and estimates it will take another year and cost about $300,000 to complete the cleanup. But the property is already on the market, and a developer has approached him about using it as an indoor recreation area that would feature go-karts.

“This project is like a pebble thrown in a pond,” noted Marc Strange, the town’s Planning and Community Development director. “It will have a ripple affect on the entire Walnut Street Extension area. It could become an anchor development that will drive traffic and new customers to the neighborhood, especially if it is coupled with new programs like a Taste of Agawam or a block party.”

Plans Unfold

The Walnut Street Extension area is home to about 30 service-oriented businesses, retail shops, and restaurants, with a loyal customer base.

But it was clear that improvements needed to be made to transform it into a town center, and last October, the town hired the engineering firm Tighe & Bond to create a design plan that would be inviting and attractive.

The company worked with landscape architect Andrew Leonard to create several conceptual designs, and Strange said two public meetings were held with property owners in the Walnut Street Extension area to gather input on their preferences.

The majority chose an outdoor market concept, which will be reflected in the final design that is anticipated in about a month. It will include the outdoor market area, a 12-foot-wide sidewalk and 12-foot-wide island with new trees and sidewalk furniture on one side of the street, a roundabout at the end of the road, and a 10-foot-wide bicycle and pedestrian lane. Parking will be maintained on the side of the street with the narrower sidewalk, and new spaces will be added on an adjacent street.

The town was also recently awarded a $10,000 Massachusetts Downtown Initiative grant from the Department of Housing and Community Development to provide support for businesses on Walnut Street Extension.

A portion of the money was used for a June 14 workshop conducted by Christine Moynihan of Retail Visioning titled “Best Retail Practices.” It was open to the public, and six Walnut Street Extension area business owners were selected for free follow-up, one-on-one sessions, along with $350 worth of improvements made on their behalf.

In addition, the reconstruction of the Morgan Sullivan Bridge, which spans the Westfield River and runs from West Springfield into Agawam, serving as a gateway to the nearby Walnut Street Extension, will also help to revitalize the area. The $13.3 million rehabilitation project will add new traffic signals to relieve congestion and prevent the traffic jams that occur daily during rush hour.

In addition, the former Food Mart store on 63 Springfield St., which was most recently home to the Agawam YMCA, has been put to new use.

Cohen said the nonprofit vacated the structure May 31, and the next day it reopened as the West of the River Family Community Center.

“The Y’s misfortune was our good fortune,” he told BusinessWest, explaining that the community center will offer an expanded menu of more than 100 programs and will help draw more people to the area.

“We’re moving in the right direction with our dream,” he reiterated, adding that the Valley Opportunity Council plans to open an office in the building and was very helpful with the transition.

Cohen said the town will continue to seek funding to help with revitalization efforts, and will apply for a $1 million MassWorks grant to help pay for the new streetscape project that is being designed in conjunction with the Complete Streets plan, which encourages the development of safe and accessible bicycle and pedestrian traffic lanes.

Ongoing Development

Efforts are underway to make Agawam into a ‘dementia-friendly community’ in conjunction with an initiative created by Dementia Friendly America to increase awareness about the disease.

Cohen said the idea of providing ongoing education was proposed by Melinda Monasterski, and he believes it is important.

She told BusinessWest that she put together a meeting with the mayor, Strange, and officials from the senior center, library, and home-health agencies with the idea of providing the public with more education and information about dementia.

“It can be difficult to know how to interact with people who have dementia. It’s also hard for families to understand and cope with the changes that occur in their loved ones, and it can be challenging for first responders to help people with the condition during a crisis,” said the director of Heritage Hall’s dementia program, citing studies estimating that 10 million Americans will be affected by the disease over the next decade.

As a result of Monasterski’s efforts, educational sessions and support-group meetings will be held in the senior center, library, and new family center, and informational videos will be shown on the town’s website and broadcast on the public-access TV channel.

Progress is also occurring at another gateway in town; last month, the Colvest Group purchased and razed the former Agawam Motor Lodge on the corner of Suffield and Main streets. Cohen said the company has plans to redevelop the entire corner, which will make a decided difference, as the motor lodge had become a public nuisance.

Another significant project kicked off in March at Agawam High School, where construction began on a new track and sports complex. The $8.1 million project is expected to be completed in September and will include a new synthetic track and multi-purpose artificial turf field, new bleachers and electronic signage, new lighting, eight lighted tennis courts, a new baseball field, a new basketball court, upgrades to the softball fields and added dugouts, a new concession stand with room for an athletic trainer, and handicapped-accessible bathrooms. Work will also be done inside the school and will include new locker rooms and state-of-the-art bathrooms. In addition, the grounds around the complex will contain bicycle and pedestrian walkways so people can easily access different areas.

The designs were created by Milone and Macbroom of Springfield and Caolo & Bieniek Associates of Chicopee, and the construction is being undertaken by Lupachino and Salvatore of Bloomfield, Conn.

“We haven’t had a track in well over a decade and were in desperate need of new tennis courts,” Cohen said. “When the work is finished, it will be a very impressive sports campus.”

A $2.2 million upgrade to School Street Park was also completed last year. The project was done in two phases and encompasses 50 acres.

Cohen said it was the largest park project undertaken in the state in the past 25 years and offers something for everyone of any age: it boasts a water-spray park, a band shell and stage, volleyball courts, a small playground, and an additional 200 parking spots, which were all paid for with Community Preservation funds and a $1 million PARC grant.

A new dog park, built on Armory Drive with a $250,000 grant, was also finished last year and has proved to be very popular.

Infrastructure improvements are also on the agenda, and this year’s budget contains money to hire a four-person crew to maintain and repair the town’s sidewalks, which went by the wayside for a few years due to a lack of funding. In addition, the town is working with SCORE to start programs for people who want to open businesses.

But even though development is taking place in many areas, Cohen noted the town has worked to maintain open space by putting restrictions in place to preserve farmland and prevent it from ever being developed.

Solid Framework

On June 3, the mayor received notification that Standard and Poor reaffirmed the town’s AA+ bond rating, and an accompanying report states Agawam has a strong economy and strong management team, and employs good financial policies and practices.

“I’m extremely proud of what we have done, what we are doing, where we are going, and our AA+ bond rating,” Cohen said, adding that, whenever a new project is planned, the impact on taxpayers is taken into careful consideration.

“We still maintain the lowest split tax rate in the area, offer full services including free trash pickup, and are committed to elevating the quality of life,” he continued. “I want Agawam to be a place that has a lot to offer where people can afford to live.”

Revitalizing the Walnut Street Extension area will go a long way toward realizing that goal, but the mayor noted that all of the projects that were recently completed, are underway, or are in the planning stages have a synergistic element.

“The pieces dance around each other, and we are trying to put them all together,” Cohen said. “There is a lot of positive change taking place in Agawam.”

Agawam at a glance

Year Incorporated: 1761
Population: 28,976 (2016)
Area: 24.2 square miles 
County: Hampden
Residential Tax Rate: $16.18
Commercial Tax Rate: $29.98
Median Household Income: $63,682
Family Household Income: $72,258
Type of government: Mayor; City Council
Largest Employers: OMG Inc., Agawam Public Schools, Six Flags New England
* Latest information available

Agenda

By BusinessWest Staff June 28, 2016

Agenda Departments

Baystate Heart & Vascular Program Lecture, Tour

June 29: The Baystate Heart & Vascular Program will host a free community lecture and tour from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in Baystate Franklin Medical Center’s (BFMC) main conference rooms. Presenters Dr. Senthil Sivalingam and Dr. Heba Wassif will share information about the latest advances in heart and vascular care available in Greenfield. The event will include a tour of the program’s new location at BFMC. Heart-healthy refreshments will be served, and handouts will be provided. Sivalingam, a clinical cardiac electrophysiologist, will discuss slow heart rates, when it’s time to worry and seek treatment, and talking points to discuss with one’s physician. A graduate of Madras Medical College in India, he completed his internship and residency at Baystate Medical Center. He also holds a fellowship in cardiology from Tufts University School of Medicine/Baystate Medical Center, and a fellowship in cardiac electrophysiology from Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. Sivalingam joined Baystate Medical Center in 2012 and Baystate Franklin Medical Center in 2015. A non-invasive cardiologist, Wassif will discuss the risks, diagnosis, and treatment of heart disease, as well as new screening options to help improve one’s overall heart health. She received her master’s degree in public health from the Bloomberg John Hopkins School of Public Health in Baltimore, and her medical degree from Cairo University in Egypt. She served as an internal medicine resident at the University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinic and as the chief resident for the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center. She completed her cardiology fellowship at John Hopkins Hospital/School of Medicine in Baltimore and an interventional-cardiology fellowship with additional advanced cardiology training at Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School in Boston. Wassif joined Baystate Franklin Medical Center in 2015.

Centennial Motorcycle Ride

July 4-5: The Springfield Museums will host events tied to the launch of the Sisters’ Centennial Motorcycle Ride, a commemorative cross-country trip to honor the epic journey made by Adeline and Augusta Van Buren 100 years ago this summer. In 1916, the Van Buren Sisters were the first women to cross the continental U.S., each on her own Indian Powerplus motorcycle built in Springfield. During their historic trip, they became the first women to reach the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak, and reached San Francisco after 60 days of riding. In 2002, the Sisters were inducted into the American Motorcyclist Assoc. Hall of Fame, and in 2003 they were inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame. Just as Adeline and Augusta did in 1916, Centennial Ride participants will begin their ride west in Springfield. The roughly 100 motorcyclists will gather on Monday, July 4 for dinner, music, and a viewing of fireworks from La Quinta Hotel in downtown Springfield. The next day, Tuesday, July 5, riders will attend an opening ceremony at the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History at the Springfield Museums. The Wood Museum features the famous Indian Motocycle Collection, an expansive exhibit of vintage bikes, photographs, and memorabilia detailing the Springfield-based company’s proud history from its inception in 1902. Ride participants will also hear remarks from ride organizer Alisa Clickenger, Robert Pandya of Indian Motorcycle, and Wood Museum Director Guy McLain. That portion of the program will take place at 10 a.m. in SIS Hall at the Wood Museum, and is open to the public with paid museum admission. Following those opening comments, riders will be able to tour the Indian collection and enjoy a new exhibit created in honor of Adeline and Augusta. “Crossing the Country to Cross Barriers: The Van Buren Sisters Ride into History” will feature a range of photographs taken on the trip and a variety of rare memorabilia items on loan from the Van Buren family. The exhibit runs from June 28, 2016 to July 30, 2017. Adeline and Augusta will also be the honorees at this year’s Indian Day Celebration at the Springfield Museums, which is scheduled for Sunday, July 24. “We are thrilled that we’ve played a part in connecting the Van Buren family with the Springfield Museums and providing the inspiration for this new exhibit,” Clickenger said. “What a terrific way to formally start our event, by being able to bring our riders to the Springfield Museums to experience how and where our fabulous story began.” Information about the Sisters’ Centennial Motorcycle Ride on July 5-23, as well as background on the Van Buren Sisters, adventure tours for women, and additional ride routes, can all be found on the event website, www.sistersmotorcycleride.com.

Lean LaunchPad Weekend

July 29-31: In today’s competitive market, startups and small businesses need all the help they can get. The Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership at Elms College will hold a Lean LaunchPad weekend to help startups identify the specific problems their products or services can solve for customers. The weekend-long workshop, titled “Creating Customers and Value,” will help businesses fail less, save money, and discover target customers and ideal business models. The Lean LaunchPad weekend course combines hands-on experience, customer interaction, and business fundamentals to entrepreneurship. Participants will dive deep into the ‘value-proposition canvas’ to understand product market fit; they will also learn how to turn ideas into statements that convince customers to buy. The events will begin with a 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. session on Friday, July 29, and run from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, July 30 and 31. The workshop will include an “Idea Jam,” a look at business pitch concepts, team formation, networking, in-depth exploration of the value-proposition canvas, hands-on development of customer-value creation, an overview of market size and customer segments, and a business-pitch competition. The facilitators for the Startup Lean Weekend will be Jeremy Casey and Rick Plaut. Casey started Name Net Worth, a software startup company, in Springfield in 2014. His background as a serial networker, commercial lender, and communicator was the springboard to his transition from corporate America to entrepreneurship. He was president of the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield (YPS), has conducted workshops with many high schools and colleges in the Northeast, and has mentored many startup organizations through Valley Venture Mentors, helping them get their businesses started and providing ongoing feedback as they grow. Plaut became an entrepreneur in 2009 after 30 years as a corporate ‘intrapreneur,’ developing new products, customers, markets, and businesses. Currently founding his third enterprise, he is a partner in InCommN and was a partner at Universal Quality Machine. He and his partners at InCommN teach the principles of Lean LaunchPad to entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and businesses with a need for quick growth in new markets. He also shares the tools of Lean LaunchPad and the Business Model Canvas with students at a number of local colleges, including Smith, Elms, and UMass. He is also a mentor and facilitator for early-stage startups at Valley Venture Mentors, and is a board member and mentor for a variety of early-stage enterprises. All events will take place on the Elms College campus. The cost is $250 per person or $150 for Elms alumni.

Agenda

By BusinessWest Staff June 14, 2016

Agenda Departments

‘Leverage Technology to Do More with Less’

June 15: Comcast Business will present “How to Leverage Technology to Do More With Less,” part of the BusinessWest/HCN Lecture Series, at the Lyman & Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History, 21 Edward St., Springfield. Registration will begin at 7:15 a.m., followed by breakfast and a panel discussion from 7:30 to 9 a.m. The panelists — influential minds in the IT field — will discuss issues that every business IT department is being forced to deal with, including rising demands to make changes to existing systems, increasing efficiency and improving security, and how budget restrictions impact IT. Panelists include Michael Feld, CEO, VertitechIT, and interim CTO, Baystate Health and Lancaster General Hospital; Frank Vincentelli, chief technology officer, Integrated IT Solutions; and Patrick Streck, director, IT Services, Baystate Health / Information & Technology. Admission is free. To register, visit HERE or call (413) 781-8600 for more information.

Summertime Pops Concert

June 15: Shriners Hospitals for Children – Springfield will welcome the Old Post Road Orchestra for a free summertime pops performance on the hospital lawn from 7 to 9 p.m. The Old Post Road Orchestra (OPRO) is enjoying its 30th concert season as a volunteer community orchestra based in Wilbraham. OPRO’s mission is to provide quality symphonic music at convenient locations in and around Western Mass., and to offer people of all ages the opportunity to play their instruments in a friendly, community-based orchestra. This summertime pops performance will feature a guest vocalist, Anita Anderson Cooper. Trained at Westminster College and Boston University, she has worked as a professional musician, conductor, and teacher. Career highlights include solo performances at Carnegie Hall; leading roles with various opera, Broadway, and regional theater companies, and solo appearances through the Hampshire Choral Society. Recent conducting roles were with the Green Mountain District in Vermont and the Quabbin Valley Music Festival. Cooper has been a recipient of a National Endowment for the Humanities grant and studied Mozart’s music in Vienna, Austria. She currently teaches three choirs, music theory, and jazz at Amherst Regional High School; conducts the New Valley Singers in Holyoke; and is the soprano soloist for South Church, Springfield. Her Chorale recently won the WGBY television series Together in Song, and WGBY produced a special about the group. Light refreshments will be available at the concert. Lawn chairs are permitted, but alcohol, smoking, and pets are not. For more information, contact Lee Roberts at (413) 755-2307 or [email protected]. For more information about OPRO, visit www.opro.org/content/about-us.

Estate-planning Conference

June 16: Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C. announced that attorney Michele Feinstein will lead a full-day Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) symposium at the Hotel Northampton. With game-changing case decisions and new emerging regional trends, this day-long conference will provide attorneys with an in-depth update on Massachusetts estate planning. The event, running from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., will explore how the governor’s budget has potential to influence elder-law planning in conjunction with Medicaid. MCLE is a nonprofit corporation that provides hands-on educational programs and reference materials for attorneys. This continuing-education program arranges more than 250 presentations annually in a variety of in-person and online formats. Feinstein concentrates her practice in the areas of estate planning and administration, elder law, probate litigation, health law, and corporate and business planning, including all aspects of planning for the succession of business interests, representation of closely held businesses and their owners, and representation of physicians in their individual and group practices. She is a cum laude graduate of the Western New England University School of Law, and earned her bachelor’s degree and master of laws in taxation at Boston University. To register for the conference, visit mcle.org/store/cart. MCLE will offer a new-lawyers discount for attorneys who were admitted after 2013 and law students.

40 Under Forty

June 16: The 10th annual 40 Under Forty award program, staged by BusinessWest, will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke, honoring 40 of the region’s rising stars under 40 years old. An independent panel of judges chose the winners, and their stories were told in the pages of the April 18 issue. The event is sponsored by Northwestern Mutual and Paragus Strategic IT (presenting sponsors), EMA Dental, Health New England, Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, Moriarty & Primack, United Bank, and the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield. This event is sold out.

Oral Health Drive

June 18: The Women’s Way, a program of United Way of Franklin County, is holding a community Oral Health Drive from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Greenfield Town Common. The Women’s Way volunteer group will be collecting items related to oral health, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, and travel-size mouthwash, to help address the lack of access to oral-health screenings and services. Collection of items will also be accepted at various local businesses and at the United Way office, 51 Davis St., Suite 2, Greenfield, from June 1 to June 20. Some 48 million children and adults in the U.S. live in areas without enough dentists to provide routine oral healthcare. Millions more can get to a dentist but cannot afford to pay for dental care. Children without access to dental care use emergency-room services more often and face worsened job prospects as adults compared to their peers who do receive care. In Franklin County, access is even more limited for those who are low-income and receiving MassHealth dental benefits. Many dentists in the area do not accept MassHealth, and the dental benefits have been recently cut back. Just as the mouth is part of the body, oral health is a part of overall health. People cannot be healthy unless they have access to the dental services they need. Utilizing United Way’s Day of Action, the Women’s Way, working with the Health Care for All Oral Health Advocacy Task Force, is expecting to make a bigger impact in 2017 with an Oral Health Fair, in collaboration with service providers, providing services to area residents for free. “We’re very excited to be working with Health Care for All, Women’s Way, and area providers in anticipation of next year’s Day of Service. It is important to our mission and the community to ensure people have adequate access to basic dental services,” said Sandy Sayers, executive director of the United Way of Franklin County. “This year’s Oral Health Drive by the Women’s Way is just the beginning of addressing the community’s need and access to quality oral health care, as well as building awareness for next year’s Dental Fair.”

Sunbeam Social Club

June 20: Sunshine Village is introducing its Sunbeam Social Club, designed for people with memory loss and their family members. Sunshine Village has a long history of providing innovative programming for people with cognitive disabilities. Sunbeam Social Club will provide a safe, supportive, and engaging environment for people who often have fewer opportunities for socializing and fun. The debut of Sunbeam Social Club coincides with Alzheimer’s Awareness Day on Monday, June 20, the longest day of the year. The day is designed to shine a light on the millions of people living with memory disorders. The gathering will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Community Room at the Emily Partyka Central Library at 449 Front St. in Chicopee. Group and individualized activities are planned, and refreshments will be served. Volunteers from Sunshine Village’s Community Based Day Program will be on hand, as well as local professional resources. “We are thrilled to introduce the Sunbeam Social Club,” said Sunshine Village Executive Director Gina Kos. “This program is intended to provide joy to both people with memory disorders and their care partners. People with vascular dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other memory disorders are all invited to attend with their family members.” For more information or to register for the June gathering of the Sunbeam Social Club, call Sunshine Village at (413) 592-6142.

Frankel-Kinsler Classic Golf Tournament

June 20: JGS Lifecare will host its 36th annual fund-raising golf tournament, the Frankel-Kinsler Classic, at Twin Hills Country Club in Longmeadow to raise money for the purchase of a new wheelchair-accessible van and to fund employee scholarships. The Frankel-Kinsler Classic is named in memory of the late Michael Frankel, former chairman of the JGS Lifecare board of directors, and the families of Raymond and Herman Kinsler, longtime leaders and supporters, for their exemplary commitment to those served by JGS Lifecare. The Frankel-Kinsler Classic will include a barbeque luncheon at 11 a.m.; an 18-hole bramble; a pickle ball tournament; bridge, canasta or mah jongg tournaments; poolside fun; and an awards dinner ceremony. The pickle ball tournament, held at the Enfield Tennis Club, begins at 10 a.m.; poolside fun begins at noon; the shotgun start tee-off is at 12:30 p.m.; and the bridge, canasta, or mah jongg begins at 1 p.m. A cocktail reception begins at 5:45 p.m. with awards and dinner following at 6:30 p.m., with music provided by the Blood Brothers. Event sponsors include Harry Grodsky and Co. Inc., Astro Chemicals Inc., Berkshire Bank, Bolduc’s Apparel, Chicopee Savings Bank, Daniel Goodman, D.A. Sullivan & Sons Inc., Epstein Financial, Kaste Industrial Machine Sales Inc., Meyers Brothers Kalicka P.C., Michael and Martha Kinsler and family and Sue Ann (Kinsler) and David Spahr and family (in honor of Richard Kinsler), NEFCO, Simione Consultants LLC, and TD Bank. Additional sponsorships and raffle opportunities are still available. Members of the community are also invited to attend dinner at $60 per guest. For more information on the Frankel-Kinsler Classic, call Kimberley Grandfield at (413) 567-3949, ext. 1610, or e-mail [email protected].

‘Building Your Exit’

June 22, 23: The Vann Group will present “Building Your Exit: The Owner Succession Planning Process Defined,” part of the BusinessWest/HCN Lecture Series, on Wednesday, June 22 at the Student Prince/the Fort in Springfield, and Thursday, June 23 at Hadley Farms Meeting House in Hadley. Registration both days will begin at 7:15 a.m., followed by breakfast and a panel discussion from 7:30 to 9 a.m. One of the largest challenges facing business owners today is the question of how to get out of their business. These seminars will present a step-by-step breakdown of the succession-planning process and what to expect along the way, including the many benefits to transitioning business ownership. Panelists include Kevin Vann and Michael Vann of the Vann Group and Charlie Epstein of Epstein Financial Services and Epstein Financial Group. Admission is free, but RSVP is requested by June 14 for the first seminar and by June 15 for the second. To register, go HERE or call (413) 781-8600 for more information.

Agenda

By BusinessWest Staff May 31, 2016

Agenda Departments

Beer and Wine Tasting

June 5: The Junior League of Greater Springfield will present its second annual Beer and Wine Tasting fund-raising event on Sunday, June 5 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Holyoke Canoe Club. The event will include a silent auction, live music by Berkshire Hill Music Academy, and hors d’oeuvres by Lattitude. Proceeds from the event will support the Junior League’s scholarship fund. Every year, the Junior League awards a scholarship to a graduating high-school female who has exhibited exemplary leadership and community service. “There are many young women who demonstrate strong leadership skills and dedication to volunteerism,” said Shana Wilson, president of the Junior League of Greater Springfield. “We are proud to recognize one of them with a scholarship, and this event ensures that we can continue to support young female leaders for years to come.” The event is open to the public and sponsored by Sarat Ford Lincoln of Agawam and Commonwealth Packaging Corp. of Chicopee. Tickets cost $30 and can be purchased at www.jlgs.org/wine–beer-tasting-2016.html. “This event will help highlight the vitally important work the Junior League of Greater Springfield provides to the local community as well as reward a graduating high-school female for her hard work and service,” Wilson added.

‘Archetypes at Work’

June 7: The owner of both Cultivate and Nest and Beloved Earth will offer a free workshop geared toward the small-business owner or freelancer who wants to learn how to take his or her business to the next level. Terra Missildine will offer “Archetypes at Work” from 5 to 7 p.m. at Cultivate and Nest, 2 Bay Road, Suite 100, Hadley. The workshop will focus on discovering participants’ personality archetypes and exploring how they can use that knowledge more effectively in their branding and in attracting their ideal clients. “Participants will have fun and have a chance to be introspective while digging deep to discover who they really are in business and, more importantly, how they are perceived in the marketplace,” Missildine said. An experienced entrepreneur, she and her husband, David, launched Beloved Earth, a ‘green’ cleaning business, 10 years ago, and she founded Cultivate and Nest, a membership-based co-office space that incorporates a child-care component, in January. The workshop is free, but seats are limited. E-mail [email protected] to reserve a spot. For more information, visit cultivateandnest.com or contact Missildine at (413) 345-2400.

Cybersecurity Luncheon

June 8: Peritus Security Partners, Gaudreau Group Insurance Agency, and CMD Technology Group will present a cybersecurity luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Center Square Grill, 84 Center Square, East Longmeadow. The event — designed for small to medium-sized businesses faced with threats to client and employee data — will present three key elements to building a solid foundation for managing cyber risk. Peritus Security Partners will discuss the importance of building proper policies, procedures, and controls to manage cyber risk and compliance. The Gaudreau Group will discuss the importance of using cyber insurance as a tool to manage risk that cannot be practically controlled through policy or technical controls. CMD Technology Group will focus on some practical technology solutions that help reduce the risks of a cyber attack. The event will culminate with a practical discussion on current and emerging threats and how businesses can use these three strategies to protect against a data breach. Reservations are required. To register, call (413) 525-0023 or e-mail [email protected].

Charles’ Angels Walk for Diabetes Education

June 11: Three years ago, Clara Thatcher, a Hampshire Regional High School student, organized an annual walk in memory of her father, who passed away from complications with diabetes. The fourth annual Charles’ Angels Walk for Diabetes Education will take place from 8:30 a.m. to noon at Hampshire Regional High School, rain or shine. Proceeds from the walk will benefit the Cooley Dickinson Medical Group Diabetes Center, a program of Cooley Dickinson Health Care. Clara’s father, Charles Thatcher, died in 2009. In his memory, Clara, her sister, Kayla Thatcher, and their mother, Mandy Caputo, established the first Charles’ Angels Walk for Diabetes Education fund-raiser in 2013. All proceeds support diabetes education through the Diabetes Center, which teaches those living with diabetes how to best manage their health through exercise, nutrition, medications, and follow-up care. For more information, visit charlesangels.weebly.com or e-mail [email protected].

Northampton Garden Tour

June 11: Come visit eight gardens on display for the 2016 Northampton Garden Tour, a fund-raiser for Friends of Forbes Library Inc. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine. The Garden Tour aims to inspire and educate everyday gardeners with plantings in a variety of appealing and unique landscaping styles and creative use of hardscape. In contrast to the 2015 tour that was localized in the center of Northampton, this year’s tour takes participants on a scenic and varied 18-mile route to the outer reaches of the community. Tickets come with directions to this self-guided tour of gardens within easy driving distance of the library. There is no obvious, easiest route, but suggestions will be available to make the tour both safe and expedient. At each garden, there are descriptions of the plantings, and garden guides will be on hand to answer questions. The terrain of this year’s tour broadly circles Northampton, making gardens accessible by car or a bicycle ride for the recreational peddler comfortable with 20-plus miles. Tickets for the tour are $15 in advance at Forbes Library, Bay State Perennial Farm, Cooper’s Corner, Hadley Garden Center, North Country Landscapes, and State Street Fruit Store. The cost is $20 on the day of the tour at the library only. The Garden Tour also includes a raffle to win organic compost, gift certificates, garden supplies, a landscape consultation, and more. Raffle tickets are available at Forbes Library through the day before the tour as well as at one of the gardens on the day of the tour. All event proceeds benefit Friends of Forbes Library to support programs, events, and projects for the library that could not otherwise be funded. For details: on the organization, visit www.forbeslibrary.org. For more information about the Garden Tour, call Lyn Heady at (413) 584-7041.

‘Leverage Technology to Do More with Less’

June 15: Comcast Business will present “How to Leverage Technology to Do More With Less,” part of the BusinessWest/HCN Lecture Series, at the Lyman & Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History, 21 Edward St., Springfield. Registration will begin at 7:15 a.m., followed by breakfast and a panel discussion from 7:30 to 9 a.m. The panelists — influential minds in the IT field — will discuss issues that every business IT department is being forced to deal with, including rising demands to make changes to existing systems, increasing efficiency and improving security, and how budget restrictions impact IT. Panelists include Michael Feld, CEO, VertitechIT, and interim CTO, Baystate Health and Lancaster General Hospital; Frank Vincentelli, chief technology officer, Integrated IT Solutions; and Patrick Streck, director, IT Services, Baystate Health / Information & Technology. Admission is free, but pre-registration is required by June 7. To register, go HERE or call (413) 781-8600 for more information.

40 Under Forty

June 16: The 10th annual 40 Under Forty award program, staged by BusinessWest, will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke, honoring 40 of the region’s rising stars under 40 years old. An independent panel of judges chose the winners, and their stories were told in the pages of the April 18 issue. The event is sponsored by Northwestern Mutual and Paragus Strategic IT (presenting sponsors), EMA Dental, Health New England, Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, Moriarty & Primack, United Bank, and the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield. The event is sold out.

Sunbeam Social Club

June 20: Sunshine Village is introducing its Sunbeam Social Club, designed for people with memory loss and their family members. Sunshine Village has a long history of providing innovative programming for people with cognitive disabilities. Sunbeam Social Club will provide a safe, supportive, and engaging environment for people who often have fewer opportunities for socializing and fun. The debut of Sunbeam Social Club coincides with Alzheimer’s Awareness Day on Monday, June 20, the longest day of the year. The day is designed to shine a light on the millions of people living with memory disorders. The gathering will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Community Room at the Emily Partyka Central Library at 449 Front St. in Chicopee. Group and individualized activities are planned, and refreshments will be served. Volunteers from Sunshine Village’s Community Based Day Program will be on hand, as well as local professional resources. “We are thrilled to introduce the Sunbeam Social Club,” said Sunshine Village Executive Director Gina Kos. “This program is intended to provide joy to both people with memory disorders and their care partners. People with vascular dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other memory disorders are all invited to attend with their family members.” For more information or to register for the June gathering of the Sunbeam Social Club, call Sunshine Village at (413) 592-6142.

‘Building Your Exit’

June 22, 23: The Vann Group and Epstein Financial Services will present “Building Your Exit: The Owner Succession Planning Process Defined,” part of the BusinessWest/HCN Lecture Series, on Wednesday, June 22 at the Student Prince/the Fort in Springfield, and Thursday, June 23 at Hadley Farms Meeting House in Hadley. Registration both days will begin at 7:15 a.m., followed by breakfast and a panel discussion from 7:30 to 9 a.m. One of the largest challenges facing business owners today is the question of how to get out of their business. These seminars will present a step-by-step breakdown of the succession-planning process and what to expect along the way, including the many benefits to transitioning business ownership. Panelists include Kevin Vann and Michael Vann of the Vann Group and Charlie Epstein of Epstein Financial Services and Epstein Financial Group. Admission is free, but RSVP is requested by June 14 for the first seminar and by June 15 for the second. To register, go HERE or call (413) 781-8600 for more information.

Six Ways to Make Your Meetings More Memorable

By BusinessWest Staff May 17, 2016

Business Management Sections

Words to Live By

By Patricia Fripp

In a perfect world, you would have an unlimited budget to hire top keynote speakers for all your meetings and conventions. Since you don’t, here are some proven suggestions that have been successfully incorporated by many companies and associations. Adopt them into your meeting-planning process and become a hero for getting the most for your meeting dollar.

One seasoned association executive director had six days of speaking and seminar slots to fill. As part of the overall convention, instead of assigning each slot to a different speaker, she suggested to the conference committee that they maximize the contribution of a few top presenters, hiring three of them to fill three different roles. That’s how they made 1 + 1 + 1 = 9. Three speakers used in three ways equals nine slots filled.

Here’s how such a move can save your organization time and money and let you trade up to professional speakers you might have thought you couldn’t afford.

Save on Hotels and Airfare

Cutting the number of speakers will most likely reduce the total nights of lodging needed. You will definitely save on transportation — for instance, three round trips versus nine.

Speakers May Reduce Fee

Many speakers will conduct multiple presentations for the same fee and discount several days in the same location. Perhaps your prior speakers might have been more flexible if you had only thought to ask, “after your keynote, could you conduct a breakout session?” or “while you are here, could you emcee one morning?” or “could you moderate a panel?” Even, “our chairman is a bit nervous. Could you coach him on the opening of his keynote speech?”

Speakers and trainers who travel across country will frequently charge considerably less for three consecutive days at one hotel, rather than three separate dates months apart.

The Answer Is ‘No’ If You Don’t Ask

One Realtors Assoc. event organizer asked, “after your luncheon speech, could you deliver a breakout seminar on your topic and go deeper?” That thrilled the speaker, who wanted to prove he had more to offer than the 45 minutes of ideas presented in his keynote speech.

One seasoned professional speaker always makes a habit of suggesting a breakout following her keynote. One of her clients said, “well, the agenda is already slotted in. However, we’d love it if you would emcee our ‘Top Producers’ panel, the first breakout session after lunch.”

It’s Easier to Get Sponsors

Trading up to a more seasoned or bigger-name speaker makes it easier for you to get sponsors. If you have ever said, “we can’t afford your fee,” instead ask, “if we can find a sponsor to help pay for your presentation, would you be willing to have a book signing in their booth?”

Who would sponsor your event? Consider approaching the exhibitors at your conventions or whoever sells to your members or whoever wants good PR with the people in the audience. List these ‘angels’ prominently in the program and meeting audio-visual presentations.

At many conventions, the sponsor has the opportunity to introduce the speaker and handle the Q and A. Ahead of time, introduce your speakers to their sponsors, and encourage them to incorporate a couple of lines into their presentation that tie into their sponsor.

For example, one keynote speaker, in her speech to an 800-person audience at a national convention, thrilled the association, audience, and sponsor. After her opening story, she quoted the founder of her corporate sponsor, gave examples from the sponsor’s newsletters to reinforce her points, and incorporated its name in her walk-away line.

When your speakers are wise enough to feature their sponsors in their presentations, you will not have a problem getting sponsorship for future conferences.

Three Invaluable Bonuses

Having speakers on hand throughout your event gives you far greater flexibility in scheduling. In case of a last-minute speaker cancellation or no show, they can substitute. And continuity can establish a powerful connection between audience and speakers.

With six days of speaking and seminar slots to fill, our seasoned association executive director said, “we found that, when we triple-book speakers, they become even more popular, really getting to know our association members, who always enjoy their staying around longer. Our members feel they know them as friends when they can talk to them in the trade show and after-hour events as the speakers are with us for several days.”

Continuity, during an event or from year to year, means your speakers are able to notice and volunteer to help your organization in special ways you may not have considered.

More Bang for Your Buck

Many successful meeting planners are able to negotiate with their speakers for extras.

Wise speakers figure that, as long as they are there anyway and are being paid well, their time belongs to the client. Therefore, they are happy to take on extra tasks.

The next time you are planning a conference, consider the multiple ways you might incorporate your speakers’ talents. In addition to what you are engaging them to do, it doesn’t hurt to ask if the speaker would be willing to do one of these:

• Deliver one or two breakout sessions to the schedule;
• Add a partner/guest program;
• Introduce other speakers;
• Emcee part of the event;
• Moderate a panel;

Sign autographs;

• Coach company or association leaders on their presentations; or
• Appear in the sponsor’s booth to make their sponsorship more of an investment.

If your speaker does not ask how else he can serve you, perhaps you should consider continuing the search.

Patricia Fripp is a keynote speaker, executive speech coach, and sales presentation skills trainer. Meetings and Conventions magazine named her “one of the most electrifying speakers in North America.” She is virtually everywhere with her online learning platform FrippVT. Many of the courses earn continuing-education credits earned through XtraCredits.

Agenda

By BusinessWest Staff May 17, 2016

Agenda Departments

Museums10 Summit

May 16: Arts educator Patty Bode will discuss ways museums can engage with their communities and broaden their audiences in the 21st century, in a keynote address at the fourth annual summit of Valley-based collaborative Museums10. Bode’s talk, “Museums, Engagement, and Creating Social Change,” will take place at 4 p.m. at the Yiddish Book Center at 1021 West St. in Amherst. It is free and open to the public. Bode has decades of experience working with museums through hands-on practice as an educator in urban schools, community arts programs, and teacher education, with a particular emphasis on collaborating with marginalized communities. In her address, she will discuss why access to and participation in museum life is a civil and human right in our democratic society. She will also offer case studies that demonstrate ways museums have been successful in engaging a wide range of audiences across race, social class, language, sexual orientation, and religion. Currently a teacher at Springfield Conservatory of the Arts, a magnet public school, Bode is the former director of Art Education for Tufts University in affiliation with the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and was a visiting associate professor at Ohio State University’s Department of Arts Administration, Education and Policy. For more information, visit fivecolleges.edu and click ‘events.’ Museums10 is a collaboration of seven campus and three campus-affiliated museums that work together to celebrate the collections and promote the programs of its member museums to local, regional, and national visitors. Museums10 is facilitated by Five Colleges.

Mental Health and Wellness Fair

May 18: In celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month, Clinical & Support Options Inc. (CSO) will host its 14th annual Mental Health and Wellness Fair at the Energy Park in Greenfield from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Featuring CSO’s Green River House and Quabbin House Clubhouse members, the fair will be an afternoon of music, singing, poetry, and testimonials by members to highlight mental-health illness, wellness, and recovery. The fair started in 2002 in an effort to bring awareness and information to the community about mental-health illness and recovery. The event is an opportunity to dispel the stigma around mental-health illness, encourage people to seek support, and spotlight agencies available to assist. This year, the theme is “Mental Health Matters.” In addition to local community providers sharing information, there will be live music, a food vendor, and raffles, and WHAI will be on site doing a live broadcast. For more information, call the Green River House at (413) 772-2181.

Ad Club Creative Awards

May 19: Ad agencies, design firms, marketing departments, and other members of the Western Mass. and Northern Conn. creative community have submitted work for the Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts’ Creative Awards, the club’s annual recognition of creative excellence. Each year, they come together to celebrate the region’s best creative work with a festive evening of camaraderie. This year’s event — titled “Make. Believe.” — will be held at Open Square in Holyoke. The judges for this year’s Creative Awards include Kevin Grady, global head of design and communication for brand strategy firm Siegel + Gale, and Nikita Prokhorov, a freelance designer, author, and professor based in Brooklyn, N.Y. “We were really fortunate to get two judges who are at the top of their field,” said Lynn Saunders, co-chair of the Ad Club’s Creative Awards. “They held the work to a very high standard.” On May 19, the region’s creatives and guests will convene to find out which works Grady and Prokhorov deemed worthy, and to set the bar for the upcoming year of local advertising and communications. The event will feature hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, live music, a champagne toast to the local creative community, and the opportunity to rub shoulders with, and celebrate with, colleagues whose creative work will be on display. Tickets are $35 for members, $50 for non-members, and $20 for students. For more information about the 2016 Creative Awards or to purchase tickets, go to adclubwm.org or call (413) 736- 2582. This year’s Creative Awards sponsors include Andrew Associates, BusinessWest, Cecco – the Design Office of David Cecchi, Common Media, 423 Motion Inc., Marcus Printing, Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C., Milltown Productions, Six-Point Creative Works Inc., Stephanie Craig Photography, TSM Design, and WWLP-22News.

IBS Explores Value of IT

May 20: Innovative Business Systems will explore the ways IT can return more value to organizations. The lunch-and-learn session will take place at 163 Northampton St., Easthampton, from noon to 2 p.m. Ideally, every IT dollar spent should provide a return by helping to increase revenues, decrease costs, or improve efficiencies. Over lunch, participants will learn many value-driven best practices, while demonstrating how IBS best adds value through its client engagements. Topics will include how the use of automation can reduce support costs due to economies of scale, how providing streamlined access to support can improve efficiencies, what skills are required and how to staff the IT function within an organization, and disciplined project selection, management, and budgeting best practices. An open-discussion IT roundtable will be faciliated by IBS immediately following the lunch-and-learn session. To register online, visit www.for-ibs.com/news/simple-registration-form.

Storyteller Series on Women in History

May 22, June 5, June 26: Wistariahurst will host artist Tammy Denease in a series of historical storytelling performances. At each of the Sunday sessions, Denease will bring to life a woman from the past. The women featured in the series are Clo Pratt, born into slavery but self-employed after being freed; local hero Elizabeth “Mum Bett” Freeman, who successfully sued Col. Ashley for her freedom in 1781; and Bessie Coleman, “First Negro Aviatrix.” The family-friendly performances will take place in the Belle Skinner Music room at 3 p.m. on each of the days, and are free and open to the public of all ages. This series is supported in part by a grant from the Holyoke Local Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and the New England States Touring program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program and the six New England state arts agencies. Educational programming at Wistariahurst is supported by Historic Holyoke at Wistariahurst.

Garden Party

June 5: The Garden: A Center for Grieving Children and Teens will host a Garden Party fund-raiser from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Guests will enjoy live music, appetizers, and drinks. Representatives from the Western Mass. Master Gardeners Assoc. will speak about the significance and meaning of herbs and flowers. There will also be a silent auction of artist-designed watering cans. The cost is $35 per person, and all funds raised will change the life of a grieving child. For more information, contact Shelly Bathe Lenn, coordinator at the Garden, at (413) 582-5312 or [email protected].

Northampton Garden Tour

June 11: Come visit eight gardens on display for the 2016 Northampton Garden Tour, a fund-raiser for Friends of Forbes Library Inc. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine. The Garden Tour aims to inspire and educate everyday gardeners with plantings in a variety of appealing and unique landscaping styles and creative use of hardscape. In contrast to the 2015 tour that was localized in the center of Northampton, this year’s tour takes participants on a scenic and varied 18-mile route to the outer reaches of the community. Tickets come with directions to this self-guided tour of gardens within easy driving distance of the library. There is no obvious, easiest route, but suggestions will be available to make the tour both safe and expedient. At each garden, there are descriptions of the plantings, and garden guides will be on hand to answer questions. The terrain of this year’s tour broadly circles Northampton, making gardens accessible by car or a bicycle ride for the recreational peddler comfortable with 20-plus miles. Tickets for the tour are $15 in advance at Forbes Library, Bay State Perennial Farm, Cooper’s Corner, Hadley Garden Center, North Country Landscapes, and State Street Fruit Store. The cost is $20 on the day of the tour at the library only. The Garden Tour also includes a raffle to win organic compost, gift certificates, garden supplies, a landscape consultation, and more. Raffle tickets are available at Forbes Library through the day before the tour as well as at one of the gardens on the day of the tour. All event proceeds benefit Friends of Forbes Library to support programs, events, and projects for the library that could not otherwise be funded. For details: on the organization, visit www.forbeslibrary.org. For more information about the Garden Tour, call Lyn Heady at (413) 584-7041.

‘Leverage Technology to Do More with Less’

June 15: Comcast Business will present “How to Leverage Technology to Do More With Less,” part of the BusinessWest/HCN Lecture Series, at the Lyman & Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History, 21 Edward St., Springfield. Registration will begin at 7:15 a.m., followed by breakfast and a panel discussion from 7:30 to 9 a.m. The panelists — influential minds in the IT field — will discuss issues that every business IT department is being forced to deal with, including rising demands to make changes to existing systems, increasing efficiency and improving security, and how budget restrictions impact IT. Panelists include Michael Feld, CEO, VertitechIT, and interim CTO, Baystate Health and Lancaster General Hospital; Frank Vincentelli, chief technology officer, Integrated IT Solutions; and Patrick Streck, director, IT Services, Baystate Health / Information & Technology. Admission is free, but pre-registration is required by June 7. Register online HERE, or call (413) 781-8600 for more information.

40 Under Forty

June 16: The 10th annual 40 Under Forty award program, staged by BusinessWest, will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke, honoring 40 of the region’s rising stars under 40 years old. Their stories were told in the pages of the April 18 issue. The winner of the second annual Continuing Excellence Award, honoring a past 40 Under Forty honoree who has continued to build on his or her success, will also be revealed at the gala. The event is sponsored by Northwestern Mutual and Paragus Strategic IT (presenting sponsors), EMA Dental, Health New England, Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, Moriarty & Primack, United Bank, and the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield.

Agenda

By BusinessWest Staff May 3, 2016

Agenda Departments

‘Wolf to Woof’

Through May 12: In today’s society, dogs enhance the lives of millions of people in countless ways, but they are also some of our oldest friends. Ancient clues like cave paintings and burials reveal that dogs and people have lived together for thousands of years. But why have humans formed such close relationships with dogs, and not cows or chickens? “Wolf to Woof: The Story of Dogs” is the largest and most comprehensive traveling exhibition ever created on the history, biology, and evolution of dogs. The exhibit, on view at the Springfield Science Museum through May 12, attempts to sniff out the facts on dogs and explore what makes the human/dog relationship so unique. It uses the familiarity and love of these four-legged friends to explore science and biological concepts. The exhibit has four themed sections including multi-media displays, artifacts, photo murals, and dioramas of taxidermied wild canines and sculpted modern dog breeds. Additionally, interactive, hands-on components demonstrate key exhibit concepts. For example, visitors can enter a ‘howling area’ and guess what dogs are saying, test their nose against a dog’s great sense of smell, and examine fossil and genetic evidence of how modern-day dogs are descended from wolves. “Wolf to Woof: The Story of Dogs” is sponsored by United Bank. MassMutual is the 2015-16 Premier Sponsor of the Springfield Museums.

Valley Gives Day

May 3: Nearly 500 community organizations will participate in the Pioneer Valley’s 24-hour e-philanthropy event, Valley Gives — the fourth year for the event, but the first time it is being held in the spring. Valley Gives is hosted by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. Valley Gives will take place from 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Participating community organizations span the Pioneer Valley and are eligible if their work is focused on Franklin, Hampden, or Hampshire county. Organizations include nonprofits, schools and educational institutions, places of worship/religious organizations, and local community groups that can be fiscally sponsored by nonprofit organizations. Since Valley Gives began in December 2012, $5.8 million has been raised from more than 24,000 donors in support of 559 nonprofits that are doing good work in every corner of the Pioneer Valley. With nearly 500 organizations signed on to participate this May, Valley Gives is expected to add substantially to those numbers again this year.

Kentucky Derby Day

May 7: Starting at 4:30 p.m., the Colony Club in Springfield will the setting for hats, horses and hors d’oeuvres to celebrate the 142nd annual Kentucky Derby. Presented by The Gaudreau Group, with support from Northeast IT, as well as the Colony Club and host Jeffrey Lomma, the event will raise much-needed funds for Square One’s programs and services. Tickets are $35 and include big screen monitors to enjoy the race, hearty hors d’oeuvres, and a complimentary mint julep. Prizes will be awarded for the best Derby attire. Tickets may be purchased via Eventbrite or by contacting Heather at Inspired Marketing at (413) 303-0101.

‘Creating a Western Massachusetts Renaissance’

May 11: The Springfield Regional Chamber, in partnership with the Western Mass. Economic Development Council (EDC), will present a panel discussion, “Creating a Western Massachusetts Renaissance,” from 7:15 to 9 a.m. at the MassMutual Center, 1277 Main St., Springfield, sponsored by People’s United Bank. Panelists will discuss the Massachusetts economy and how communities across the Commonwealth can work together to create a broader and more robust economy. Panelists will also outline local economic-development initiatives at work in Western Mass. and how the region can capitalize on its existing assets and develop its growth engines, and the important role the healthcare sector plays in developing centers of excellence for future growth. Panelists will include John Traynor, executive vice president and chief investment officer at People’s United Bank; Rick Sullivan, EDC president; and Dr. Mark Keroack, president and CEO of Baystate Health, and the discussion will be moderated by David Hobert, the bank’s regional president. Reservations for the breakfast event are $35 and may be made online at www.springfieldregionalchamber.com or by e-mailing Sarah Mazzaferro at [email protected].

Community Enterprises 40th-Anniversary Luncheon

May 12: Richard Venne, president and CEO, invites the public to join Community Enterprises Inc. in celebrating 40 years of empowering individuals with disabilities to live, learn, work, and thrive in the community. A luncheon will be held at the Log Cabin in Holyoke from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Individual tickets are $50 per person, a reserved table for eight is $400, and tickets for clients and staff of Community Enterprise are $30. For more information about tickets, sponsoring the event, or placing an ad in the program, e-mail Krystle Bernier at [email protected] or call (413) 584-1460, ext. 120. Community Enterprises is a human-service organization that provides employment, education, housing supports, and day supports for people with disabilities. Headquartered in Northampton, it maintains 27 service locations in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, and Kentucky. Massachusetts offices include Gloucester, Greenfield, Holyoke, Pittsfield, Plymouth, Salem, Somerville, Springfield, Wakefield, and Worcester.

‘Maximize Your Website for Business Growth’

May 13, 20, 27: MarketingWorks, a series of educational programs for business owners, marketing professionals, and entrepreneurs hosted by Stevens 470 in Westfield, announced an upcoming program called “Maximize Your Website for Business Growth.” It meets weekly for three Friday mornings, May 13, 20, and 27. Customers, prospects, and associates make an immediate assessment of a business based on the content of its website. Participants in this group program will evaluate their current website and clarify the steps needed to make it the company’s most valuable marketing channel. For program details, visit www.stevens470.com/educational-programs.html or call Tina Stevens at (413) 568-2660.

Youth Mental-health First-aid Training

May 13, 20: Funded by a three-year grant by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) through the White House’s “Now is The Time” initiative, Clinical & Support Options Inc. is now offering free youth mental-health first-aid trainings to the community. The free, two-day training will be held at CSO’s administrative offices in Northampton; attendance both days is required. Youth mental-health first aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addiction challenge or is in crisis. The training is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental-health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a five-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including ADHD), and eating disorders. Identified on SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices, the training helps the public better identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses. Registration is required; e-mail [email protected] for a registration form. CSO is also available to bring this training on site to local agencies and businesses that wish to have a group of people trained for free. For more information on bringing this training to your agency or business, contact Allison Garriss, director, Business Development and Projects at CSO, at (413) 773-1314, ext. 5502 or [email protected].

‘Grieving the Death of a Child’ Workshop

May 14: The Garden: A Center for Grieving Children and Teens announced a free workshop, “Grieving the Death of a Child,” from 12:30 to 4 p.m. The workshop is open to adult parents and caregivers who have experienced the death of a child. The workshop will include a screening of the video “Helping Parents Grieve: Finding New Life After the Death of a Child,” which was produced by Paraclete Press and features real stories about families who have lost a child. The video has five parts, including knowing you are not alone, loss of hopes and dreams, death of a baby, families, and honoring and remembering. Following each section there will be a break for discussion and an activity. Parents and caregivers who have experienced the death of a child are welcome, and there are no limits on how, where, or when the child died. The workshop is for appropriate for adults only and is open to the public. It will be held at the Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice, 168 Industrial Dr., Northampton. The event is free, but registration is required. For more information, contact Shelly Bathe Lenn, coordinator at the Garden, at (413) 582 5312, or [email protected].

Mental Health and Wellness Fair

May 18: In celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month, Clinical & Support Options Inc. (CSO) will host its 14th annual Mental Health and Wellness Fair at the Energy Park in Greenfield from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Featuring CSO’s Green River House and Quabbin House Clubhouse members, the fair will be an afternoon of music, singing, poetry, and testimonials by members to highlight mental-health illness, wellness, and recovery. The fair started in 2002 in an effort to bring awareness and information to the community about mental-health illness and recovery. The event is an opportunity to dispel the stigma around mental-health illness, encourage people to seek support, and spotlight agencies available to assist. This year, the theme is “Mental Health Matters.” Local mental-health and wellness providers are welcome to present their materials and programming for free by registering for a table by calling the Green River House at (413) 772-2181. In addition to local community providers sharing information, there will be live music, a food vendor, and raffles, and WHAI will be on site doing a live broadcast. For questions or more information on how to be a part of this event, call the Green River House at (413) 772-2181.

‘Women Lead Change’

May 23: The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts (WFWM) will host “Women Lead Change,” a celebration of the Leadership Institute for Political and Public Impact (LIPPI) class of 2016, at the Log Cabin in Holyoke from 6 to 8 p.m. The event will include remarks from Mass. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, and a keynote address from Julie Chavez Rodriguez, special assistant to the president and senior deputy director of Public Engagement at the White House. WFWM will acknowledge the lieutenant governor as well as Rodriguez with a “She Changes the World” award presented to honor exceptional contribution to social change, creating economic and social equity for women and girls. More than 300 participants are expected to attend the annual celebration of graduates of the Women’s Fund LIPPI program. LIPPI is the only program of its kind in Massachusetts. Through 11 sessions over eight months, the program is designed to respond to the shortage of women stepping into leadership at all levels. LIPPI gives women the tools and confidence they need to become more involved as civic leaders in their communities and to impact policy on the local, state, and national levels. The event is open to the public with online registration at www.womensfund.net. The current graduating LIPPI Cohort represents 60% women of color, and LIPPI graduates also embody a wide spectrum of backgrounds, ethnic groups, and ages with ranges from 18 to 60. They represent the entire state of Massachusetts, from the Berkshires to Boston-area counties. Together, graduates form a strong cohort of like-minded women who support each other when they run for office, meet with policy makers, form coalitions, and get-out-the-vote efforts. The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts (WFWM) is a public foundation that invests in local women and girls through strategic grant-making and leadership development. Since 1997 the Women’s Fund has awarded more than $2 million in grants to over 100 organizations in Western Mass.

40 Under Forty

June 16: The 10th annual 40 Under Forty award program, staged by BusinessWest, will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke, honoring 40 of the region’s rising stars under 40 years old. An independent panel of judges has chosen the winners, and their stories were told in the April 18 issue. This is a sell-out event, and only a limited number of standing-room-only tickets remain. The event is sponsored by Northwestern Mutual and Paragus Strategic IT (presenting sponsors), EMA Dental, Health New England, Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, Moriarty & Primack, United Bank, and the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield. For more information, call (413) 781-8600s, ext. 100.

Agenda

By BusinessWest Staff April 19, 2016

Agenda Departments

‘Wolf to Woof’ Exhibit

Through May 12: In today’s society, dogs enhance the lives of millions of people in countless ways, but they are also some of our oldest friends. Ancient clues like cave paintings and burials reveal that dogs and people have lived together for thousands of years. But why have humans formed such close relationships with dogs, and not cows or chickens? “Wolf to Woof: The Story of Dogs” is the largest and most comprehensive traveling exhibition ever created on the history, biology, and evolution of dogs. The exhibit, on view at the Springfield Science Museum through May 12, attempts to sniff out the facts on dogs and explore what makes the human/dog relationship so unique. It uses the familiarity and love of these four-legged friends to explore science and biological concepts. The exhibit has four themed sections including multi-media displays, artifacts, photo murals, and dioramas of taxidermied wild canines and sculpted modern dog breeds. Additionally, interactive, hands-on components demonstrate key exhibit concepts. For example, visitors can enter a ‘howling area’ and guess what dogs are saying, test their nose against a dog’s great sense of smell, and examine fossil and genetic evidence of how modern-day dogs are descended from wolves.

‘125 Years Of Memories’ at Academy of Music

April 21: The Academy of Music Theatre will host a “125 Years of Memories” benefit at 6:30 p.m. in the theater. In the late 19th century, Edward H.R. Lyman, a philanthropist and Northampton native, had a vision for a new venue for culture and theater in his hometown. On May 23, 1891, the 800-seat Academy of Music Theatre opened its doors to the public for the first time, and it quickly became a favorite stop on tours of leading troupes and big-name performers. Today, the 800-seat Academy of Music has been renovated and reclaimed as a venue for live theater, as well as dance, film, music, and performing-arts education. The “125 Years of Memories” benefit will begin with a cash bar reception in the lobby, where guests will mingle and enjoy hors d’oeuvres, craft beer, and wine. In addition, silent-auction items donated by local businesses and artists will be on display. At 6:30 p.m., guests will move into the theater for a brief program, paying tribute to the Academy through the decades. Following the production, attendees will be invited onstage for the party, with musical accompaniment by jazz pianist Jerry Noble, appetizers from River Valley Market, craft beer, and wine provided by Black Birch Vineyard. Tickets for the event are $50, and can be purchased online at www.aomtheatre.com. For those who prefer to pay by check, tickets are available at the Academy of Music Theatre box office, Tuesday through Friday, from 3 to 6 p.m. Any questions can be directed to Development Coordinator Kathryn Slater at (413) 584-9032, ext. 101, or [email protected].

Spring Sip & Shop

April 28: The Arbors at Chicopee will host a Spring Sip & Shop event in honor of Mother’s Day on Thursday, April 28 from 4 to 8 p.m. at 929 Memorial Dr. More than 15 vendors will gather and display their products for sale. Items include scarves, jewelry, totes, bags, makeup, homemade lotions and soaps, and much more. The event is sponsored by Tastefully Simple, and all proceeds will go toward the Alzheimer’s Assoc. The event will feature a silent auction, raffle, passed hors d’ouvres, and complimentary sangria. The suggested donation upon admission is $5. RSVP by calling Noelle at (413) 593-0088 or e-mailing [email protected]. Walk-ins are welcome.

‘A Night of Laughter’

April 30: Smith & Wesson will host its annual live comedy show, “A Night of Laughter,” to support two local children’s charities, Shriners Hospitals for Children and the Ronald McDonald House. The event will be held at the Cedars Banquet Facility, 419 Island Pond Road in Springfield. The show will feature two comedians, Chris Zito and Tony V. Zito is a mainstay of the Boston comedy scene and made appearances on Comedy Central, USA, A&E, and NESN. He has been heard on New England radio for more than 20 years, and currently “Zito and Kera” can be heard on weekday mornings on Mix 93.1. Tony V started his comedy career in 1982 in Boston. In 1986, he was named “Funniest Person in Massachusetts” by Showtime. He has also appeared on HBO, A&E, Comedy Central, and MTV. His big-screen performances include State and Main, Celtic Pride, Housesitter, One Crazy Summer, and Shakes the Clown. The doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and the comedy will begin at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are $35 per person and include an evening of laughs, hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, raffles, and more. Tickets are now available at eventbrite.com. For more information, contact Elaine Stellato at (413) 747-3371 or [email protected].

Community Enterprises 40-Year Luncheon

May 12: Richard Venne, president and CEO, invites the public to join Community Enterprises Inc. in celebrating 40 years of empowering individuals with disabilities to live, learn, work, and thrive in the community. A luncheon will be held at the Log Cabin in Holyoke from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Individual tickets are $50 per person, a reserved table for eight is $400, and tickets for clients and staff of Community Enterprise are $30. For more information about tickets, sponsoring the event, or placing an ad in the program, e-mail Krystle Bernier at [email protected] or call (413) 584-1460, ext. 120.

‘Maximize Your Website for Business Growth’

May 13, 20, 27: MarketingWorks, a series of educational programs for business owners, marketing professionals, and entrepreneurs hosted by Stevens 470 in Westfield, announced an upcoming program called “Maximize Your Website for Business Growth.” It meets weekly for three Friday mornings, May 13, 20, and 27. Customers, prospects, and associates make an immediate assessment of a business based on the content of its website. Participants in this group program will evaluate their current website and clarify the steps needed to make it the company’s most valuable marketing channel. For program details, visit www.stevens470.com/educational-programs.html or call Tina Stevens at (413) 568-2660.

Youth Mental-health First-aid Training

May 13, 20: Funded by a three-year grant by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) through the White House’s “Now is The Time” initiative, Clinical & Support Options Inc. is now offering free youth mental-health first-aid trainings to the community. The free, two-day training will be held at CSO’s administrative offices in Northampton; attendance both days is required. Youth mental-health first aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addiction challenge or is in crisis. The training is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental-health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a five-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including ADHD), and eating disorders. Registration is required; e-mail [email protected] for a registration form. CSO is also available to bring this training on site to local agencies and businesses that wish to have a group of people trained for free. For more information on bringing this training to your agency or business, contact Allison Garriss, director, Business Development and Projects at Clinical & Support Options, at (413) 773-1314, ext. 5502 or [email protected].

‘Grieving the Death of a Child’ Workshop

May 14: The Garden: A Center for Grieving Children and Teens announced a free workshop, “Grieving the Death of a Child,” from 12:30 to 4 p.m. The workshop is open to adult parents and caregivers who have experienced the death of a child. The workshop will include a screening of the video “Helping Parents Grieve: Finding New Life After the Death of a Child,” which was produced by Paraclete Press and features real stories about families who have lost a child. The video has five parts, including knowing you are not alone, loss of hopes and dreams, death of a baby, families, and honoring and remembering. Following each section there will be a break for discussion and an activity. Parents and caregivers who have experienced the death of a child are welcome, and there are no limits on how, where, or when the child died. The workshop is for appropriate for adults only and is open to the public. It will be held at the Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice, 168 Industrial Dr., Northampton. The event is free, but registration is required. For more information, contact Shelly Bathe Lenn, coordinator at the Garden, at (413) 582 5312, or [email protected].

Mental Health and Wellness Fair

May 18: In celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month, Clinical & Support Options Inc. (CSO) will host its 14th annual Mental Health and Wellness Fair at the Energy Park in Greenfield from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Featuring CSO’s Green River House and Quabbin House Clubhouse members, the fair will be an afternoon of music, singing, poetry, and testimonials by members to highlight mental-health illness, wellness, and recovery. The fair started in 2002 in an effort to bring awareness and information to the community about mental-health illness and recovery. The event is an opportunity to dispel the stigma around mental-health illness, encourage people to seek support, and spotlight agencies available to assist. This year, the theme is “Mental Health Matters.” Local mental-health and wellness providers are welcome to present their materials and programming for free by registering for a table by calling the Green River House at (413) 772-2181. In addition to local community providers sharing information, there will be live music, a food vendor, and raffles, and WHAI will be on site doing a live broadcast. For more information, call the Green River House at (413) 772-2181.

40 Under Forty

June 16: The 10th annual 40 Under Forty award program, staged by BusinessWest, will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke, honoring 40 of the region’s rising stars under 40 years old. An independent panel of judges has chosen the winners, and their stories are told in the pages of this issue. The event is sponsored by Northwestern Mutual (presenting sponsor), Paragus Strategic IT (presenting sponsor), EMA Dental, Health New England, the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, Moriarty & Primack P.C., United Bank, and the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield.

Agenda

By BusinessWest Staff April 5, 2016

Agenda Departments

‘Poets for Life: Poets Respond to AIDS’

April 9: Patrick Donnelly, 2015-17 poet laureate of Northampton, will host “Poets for Life: Poets Respond to AIDS,” a benefit reading in support of A Positive Place (formerly AIDS Care/Hampshire County), a nonprofit organization providing a wide array of services for people with HIV in Hampshire and surrounding counties. The event will be held at 3 p.m. at the Paradise Room, Conference Center, Smith College, 51 College Lane, Northampton. The Northampton Council for the Arts and the Poetry Center at Smith College are co-sponsors of the benefit. Tickets for the event are $20 and may be purchased online at poetsforlife.brownpapertickets.com, or by phone at (800) 838-3006, ext. 1, or at the door at the event. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit A Positive Place. Those unable to attend the event can designate a tax-deductible donation through poetsforlife.brownpapertickets.com to make it possible for one of A Positive Place’s clients to attend. “In the 35 years since AIDS began, there has been not only a medical and social-service response to preventing and treating the disease, but there has also been a response from artists of all kinds, mourning the losses and celebrating the victories,” Donnelly said. “Specifically, American poets have created an entire literature of AIDS, leaving for the future an important record of this time.” Poets for Life will feature readings by award-winning poets Eduardo C. Corral, Patrick Donnelly, Michael Klein, and Joan Larkin, who will read not only from their own poetry about the epidemic, but from the work of other notable poets, living and dead. Singer-songwriter Laura Wetzler will also perform. Since 1991, A Positive Place has been providing comprehensive, confidential case management and health-related support services, filling life-saving needs for people living with HIV/AIDS in the county. Anyone living with HIV or AIDS is eligible for services regardless of level of need, health status, or ability to pay. Services are free to people living with HIV.

Not Just Business as Usual

April 14: The Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) Foundation’s Not Just Business as Usual (NJBAU) event, a networking event for business leaders in Western Mass., will be held at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The event, now in its seventh year, is a celebration of innovative thinking giving participants the opportunity to learn from business experts while raising significant funding for the STCC WORKS scholarship program. A cocktail and networking reception will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m., with dinner and keynote speakers to follow from 7 to 8:30 p.m. This year, NJBAU will host a discussion of diversity in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields with panelists Emily Reichert, CEO of Greentown Labs; Laurie Leshin, president of Worcester Polytechnic Institute; and Frank Robinson, vice president of Public Health and Community Relations for Baystate Health. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are now available. Tickets are $175 each, and sponsorships begin at $2,500 for a table for 10. For additional information or to become a sponsor, contact Christina Tuohey, STCC’s director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, at (413) 755-4475 or [email protected]. To purchase tickets online, visit www.stcc.edu/njbau.

Spring Fling at Eastworks

April 17: Eastworks on Pleasant Street in Easthampton will play host to a Spring Fling vendor event that will benefit the Easthampton Community Center food pantry. The event will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 2 p.m. The public is invited to attend. Participating vendors currently include How-Charming, Magnabilities, Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, Pure Romance, Rodan & Fields, Scentsy, Waldorf Natural Gifts – Hedge Hog Farms, Young Living Essential Oils, and Younique, with more vendors expected to be added. For more information about Spring Fling, e-mail Mary Ann at [email protected].

Spring Sip & Shop

April 28: The Arbors at Chicopee will host a Spring Sip & Shop event in honor of Mother’s Day on Thursday, April 28 from 4 to 8 p.m. at 929 Memorial Dr. More than 15 vendors will gather and display their products for sale. Items include scarves, jewelry, totes, bags, makeup, homemade lotions and soaps, and much more. The event is sponsored by Tastefully Simple, and all proceeds will go toward the Alzheimer’s Assoc. The event will feature a silent auction, raffle, passed hors d’ouvres, and complimentary sangria. The suggested donation upon admission is $5. RSVP by calling Noelle at (413) 593-0088 or e-mailing [email protected]. Walk-ins are welcome.

‘A Night of Laughter’

April 30: Smith & Wesson will host its annual live comedy show, “A Night of Laughter,” to support two local children’s charities, Shriners Hospitals for Children and the Ronald McDonald House. The event will be held at the Cedars Banquet Facility, 419 Island Pond Road in Springfield. The show will feature two comedians, Chris Zito and Tony V. Zito is a mainstay of the Boston comedy scene and made appearances on Comedy Central, USA, A&E, and NESN. He has been heard on New England radio for more than 20 years, and currently “Zito and Kera” can be heard on weekday mornings on Mix 93.1. Tony V started his comedy career in 1982 in Boston. In 1986, he was named “Funniest Person in Massachusetts” by Showtime. He has also appeared on HBO, A&E, Comedy Central, and MTV. His big-screen performances include State and Main, Celtic Pride, Housesitter, One Crazy Summer, and Shakes the Clown. The doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and the comedy will begin at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are $35 per person and include an evening of laughs, hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, raffles, and more. Tickets are now available at eventbrite.com. For more information, contact Elaine Stellato at (413) 747-3371 or [email protected].

Walk of Champions

May 1: The community is invited to come together at the Quabbin Reservoir to mark the 11th annual Walk of Champions to benefit the Baystate Regional Cancer Program at Baystate Mary Lane Hospital in Ware. Since its inception, the Walk of Champions has raised more than $662,000. All funds raised remain local to support those cared for in the Baystate Health Eastern Region at Baystate Medical Center’s Mary Lane Satellite Unit and for things such as family-support counseling, educational outreach, pastoral care, medications, state-of-the-art equipment, and the Healing Garden located in the courtyard of the hospital. Pledge forms, fund-raising resources, giving opportunities, and more are available at www.baystatehealth.org/woc for businesses, community organizations, and individuals who wish to participate.

Community Enterprises Anniversary Luncheon

May 12: Richard Venne, president and CEO, invites the public to join Community Enterprises Inc. in celebrating 40 years of empowering individuals with disabilities to live, learn, work, and thrive in the community. A luncheon will be held at the Log Cabin in Holyoke from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Individual tickets are $50 per person, a reserved table for eight is $400, and tickets for clients and staff of Community Enterprise are $30. For more information about tickets, sponsoring the event, or placing an ad in the program, e-mail Krystle Bernier at [email protected] or call (413) 584-1460, ext. 120. Community Enterprises is a human-service organization that provides employment, education, housing supports, and day supports for people with disabilities. Headquartered in Northampton, it maintains 27 service locations in Massachusetts and across the U.S.

‘Maximize Your Website for Business Growth’

May 13, 20, 27: MarketingWorks, a series of educational programs for business owners, marketing professionals, and entrepreneurs hosted by Stevens 470 in Westfield, announced an upcoming program called “Maximize Your Website for Business Growth.” It meets weekly for three Friday mornings, May 13, 20, and 27. Customers, prospects, and associates make an immediate assessment of a business based on the content of its website. Participants in this group program will evaluate their current website and clarify the steps needed to make it the company’s most valuable marketing channel. For program details, visit www.stevens470.com/educational-programs.html or call Tina Stevens at (413) 568-2660.

Youth Mental-health First-aid Training

May 13, 20: Funded by a three-year grant by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) through the White House’s “Now is The Time” initiative, Clinical & Support Options Inc. is now offering free youth mental-health first-aid trainings to the community. The free, two-day training will be held at CSO’s administrative offices in Northampton; attendance both days is required. Youth mental-health first aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addiction challenge or is in crisis. The training is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental-health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a five-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including ADHD), and eating disorders. Identified on SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices, the training helps the public better identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses. Registration is required; e-mail [email protected] for a registration form. CSO is also available to bring this training on site to local agencies and businesses that wish to have a group of people trained for free. For more information on bringing this training to your agency or business, contact Allison Garriss, director, Business Development and Projects at Clinical & Support Options, at (413) 773-1314, ext. 5502 or [email protected].

40 Under Forty

June 16: The 10th annual 40 Under Forty award program, staged by BusinessWest, will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke, honoring 40 of the region’s rising stars under 40 years old. An independent panel of judges has chosen the winners, and their stories will be told in the April 18 issue. The event is sponsored by Northwestern Mutual and Paragus Strategic IT (presenting sponsors), EMA Dental, Health New England, Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, Moriarty & Primack, United Bank, and YPS of Greater Springfield. More details on the gala will be revealed in upcoming issues.

Chamber Leaders to Attend Business Summit on Beacon Hill

By BusinessWest Staff April 1, 2016

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Regional Chamber, in partnership with the East of the River Five Town Chamber of Commerce with support from the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, will hold its popular Beacon Hill Summit on Wednesday, April 27.

Sponsored by Comcast and WWLP-TV22, the day-long event is the largest regional business summit at the State House and provides an opportunity for business and community leaders to hear from key legislators and members of the Baker-Polito administration and voice their opinions, concerns, and ideas during the day’s formal sessions and social events. This will be the second time this event is held under the new administration.

State Sen. James Welch, chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing, and his colleague, state Rep. Angelo Puppolo Jr., vice chair of the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight, will co-host the event. Senate President Stan Rosenberg will be on hand to provide insights into his first year in that role, and Treasurer Deb Goldberg has also been invited to address the attendees.

The budget will be on top of mind as the House of Representatives will be voting on its version of the budget, with it moving to the Senate shortly thereafter. With the important committee positions held by both Welch and Puppolo, topics to be addressed include healthcare, state regulations, as well as energy and the potential for a comprehensive energy bill to be drafted.

The day’s agenda will also include lunch at the Union Club with members of the region’s delegation and a wrap-up cocktail reception at the 21st Amendment.

Buses will depart the Plantation Inn off exit 6 of the Massachusetts Turnpike in Chicopee at 7 a.m., with return by 7 p.m. The all-inclusive cost is $180 and includes transportation, continental breakfast, lunch, reception, and all materials.

Reservations are required in advance by April 20 and can be made online at www.springfieldregionalchamber.com or by e-mailing Sarah Mazzaferro, member services director, at [email protected].

Agenda

By BusinessWest Staff March 22, 2016

Agenda Departments

Outlook 2016

March 29: Gov. Charlie Baker will serve as the keynote speaker at the Springfield Regional Chamber’s Outlook 2016 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the MassMutual Center, 1277 Main St., Springfield. He made his first major address to the business community at the chamber’s annual event in 2015. Presented by Health New England, Outlook is the area’s largest legislative event, attracting more than 700 guests and presenting expert speakers on local, state, and federal issues. The event is sponsored by Eastern States Exposition, MassMutual Financial Group, United Personnel, and MGM Springfield; program/reception sponsors Sisters of Providence Health System, Comcast, Eversource, and the Republican; with support from Chicopee Savings Bank and BusinessWest, and presented in in partnership with the East of the River Five Town Chamber of Commerce (ERC5). Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito have set their sights on addressing some of the Commonwealth’s greatest long-term challenges, including reducing family energy costs and improving the reliability of the energy grid through hydro- and solar-power legislation; lifting the charter-school cap; securing a 50% increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC); and curbing the opioid epidemic’s grip on Massachusetts families. Baker will be joined in the program by U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, who will remark on events at the federal level, including his insight into activities on Capitol Hill, the presidential race, and front-burner issues facing Congress in the coming months. “As a senior member of the powerful House Committee on Ways and Means and ranking member of its Select Revenue Measures subcommittee, Congressman Neal serves in a critically important capacity in Washington for our area, our state, and the entire country,” said chamber President Jeffrey Ciuffreda. Tickets are $50 for Springfield Regional Chamber members and ERC5 members, and $70 for general admission. Reserved tables of 10 are available. Reservations must be made by Friday, March 18 by visiting www.springfieldregionalchamber.com or e-mailing Sarah Mazzaferro at [email protected]. No walk-ins will be accepted, and no cancellations will be accepted once the reservation deadline has passed.

Difference Makers

March 31: The eighth annual Difference Makers award program, staged by BusinessWest, will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House. Tickets cost $60, and tables of 10 are available. To reserve a spot, call (413) 781-8600, ext. 10, or visit HERE. Difference Makers is a program, launched in 2009, that recognizes groups and individuals that are, as the name suggests, making a difference in this region. This year’s class was profiled in the Jan. 25 issue, and their stories can also be read HERE. They include Hampden County Sheriff Michael J. Ashe Jr.; Mike Balise, Balise Motor Sales, philanthropist (1965-2015); Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties; Bay Path University President Carol Leary; and John Robison, president, J.E. Robison Service. Difference Makers is sponsored by EMA Dental, First American Insurance Agency, Health New England, Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C., Northwestern Mutual, PeoplesBank, Royal LLP, and Sunshine Village.

‘Training for the Digital Marketplace’

April 1, 8, 15: Stevens 470 will host a three-week program called “Training for the Digital Marketplace: Develop Your Online and Offline Marketing Strategies” to show attendees how to maximize their marketing channels. This seminar is for business owners, marketing managers, entrepreneurs, and key marketing staff. As marketing channels continue to evolve, are you using them to maximize your business opportunities? This program covers the latest online and offline marketing channels including brand presentation, websites, SEO, advertising, social media, e-mail, and mobile technologies. During this hands-on program, participants will review their current messaging and marketing channels; learn the latest ways to use both traditional and new media channels; explore social media, online advertising, and search-engine optimization; outline plans for offline and online marketing campaigns; coordinate marketing channels to maximize their effectiveness; and determine methods for evaluating results. Each participant will complete the program by creating a specific plan for their online and offline channels that they can share and put into action with members of their business team. The program meets weekly on three consecutive Friday mornings at Stevens 470 in Westfield. Limited space is available. For details, visit stevens470.com or call (413) 568-2660.

Service of Remembrance

April 3: Baystate Children’s Hospital will hold its annual Service of Remembrance for area families who have experienced the death of a child over the past year. All family member and friends are invited to attend the event, which will be held at 1 p.m. at Baystate Medical Center’s Chestnut Conference Center on 759 Chestnut St., Springfield. It is also open to families with losses prior to 2015. Baystate Children’s Hospital staff will be in attendance at the event to remember and pay tribute to the children and families who were under their care. Families are asked to respond by March 23 with the number of adults and children planning to attend the event, as well as their child’s name, if they would like it to be read aloud during the service. Families with earlier losses are simply asked to call and register. To respond, call Deborah Levine at (413) 794-3283. The special service will include readings, music, and a ceremony of light. Families can share a photograph or other memento of their child on a ‘Table of Memories’ at the event. They may also choose to have their child’s name read aloud during the Memorial Service, regardless of whether they can attend the event. As part of the service, families will be given a piece of fabric which they can personalize in memory of their child before it is added, along with others, to create a memory quilt. The new quilt will be displayed on Oct. 1, along with 17 other quilts created in past years, at Baystate’s annual Memorial Quilt Exhibit.

‘A Night of Passion’ for Link to Libraries

April 5: They’re calling the event “A Night of Passion.” That’s a phrase that applies to both support for efforts to promote childhood literacy and a fondness for a particular food or beverage. These various passions will come together April 5 at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke at Link to Libraries’ biennial fund-raising event. Proceeds from all ticket sales will go to Link to Libraries. More than 500 people are expected to attend the event, which will be a celebration of all that Link to Libraries has accomplished since it was created in 2008 — including the donation of nearly 500,000 books to area schools and organizations — and how it intends to continually expand its mission in the years to come. As for those passions for specific foods and drinks, they will be a focus of the night, provided by a host of area celebrities and business leaders, including Mike Mathis, MGM Springfield president and chief operating officer; Kevin Rhodes, Springfield Symphony Orchestra conductor; Spiros Hatiras, Holyoke Medical Center president and CEO; Delcie Bean IV, CEO of Paragus Strategic IT; Mick Corduff, executive chef and co-owner of the Log Cabin; Amy Royal, founding partner of Royal, P.C., and many more. As for their passions, well, those are carefully guarded secrets at this point. Those who would like to experience these passions and support Link to Libraries — which supplies books to schools and other organizations across Western Mass. and Northern Conn., and promotes read-alouds that put area business and civic leaders in area classrooms — can buy tickets for $40 each by sending checks to: Link to Libraries, Attn. Karen Blinderman, P.O. Box 958, West Springfield, MA 01090. All beverages are included in the ticket price. Food and beverages are donated by the Log Cabin. Sponsors for “A Night of Passion” include lead sponsors Health New England and Rediker Software, and event sponsors Bacon Wilson, Bank of America – U.S. Trust, the Frank Stanley Beveridge Foundation, the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation, James Vinick and Moors & Cabot Investments, Monson Savings Bank, PeoplesBank, Peoples United Bank, the Springfield Falcons, and United Bank.

‘Poets for Life: Poets Respond to AIDS’

April 9: Patrick Donnelly, 2015-17 poet laureate of Northampton, will host “Poets for Life: Poets Respond to AIDS,” a benefit reading in support of A Positive Place (formerly AIDS Care/Hampshire County), a nonprofit organization providing a wide array of services for people with HIV in Hampshire and surrounding counties. The event will be held at 3 p.m. at the Paradise Room, Conference Center, Smith College, 51 College Lane, Northampton. The Northampton Council for the Arts and the Poetry Center at Smith College are co-sponsors of the benefit. Tickets for the event are $20 and may be purchased online at poetsforlife.brownpapertickets.com, or by phone at (800) 838-3006, ext. 1, or at the door at the event. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit A Positive Place. Those unable to attend the event can designate a tax-deductible donation through poetsforlife.brownpapertickets.com to make it possible for one of A Positive Place’s clients to attend. Poets for Life will feature readings by award-winning poets Eduardo C. Corral, Patrick Donnelly, Michael Klein, and Joan Larkin, who will read not only from their own poetry about the epidemic, but from the work of other notable poets, living and dead. Singer-songwriter Laura Wetzler will also perform. Since 1991, A Positive Place has been providing comprehensive, confidential case management and health-related support services, filling life-saving needs for people living with HIV/AIDS in the county. Anyone living with HIV or AIDS is eligible for services regardless of level of need, health status, or ability to pay. Services are free to people living with HIV.

Not Just Business as Usual

April 14: The Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) Foundation’s Not Just Business as Usual (NJBAU) event, a networking event for business leaders in Western Mass., will be held at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The event, now in its seventh year, is a celebration of innovative thinking giving participants the opportunity to learn from business experts while raising significant funding for the STCC WORKS scholarship program. A cocktail and networking reception will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m., with dinner and keynote speakers to follow from 7 to 8:30 p.m. This year, NJBAU will host a discussion of diversity in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields with panelists Emily Reichert, CEO of Greentown Labs; Laurie Leshin, president of Worcester Polytechnic Institute; and Frank Robinson, vice president of Public Health and Community Relations for Baystate Health. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are now available. Tickets are $175 each, and sponsorships begin at $2,500 for a table for 10. For additional information or to become a sponsor, contact Christina Tuohey, STCC’s director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, at (413) 755-4475 or [email protected]. To purchase tickets online, visit www.stcc.edu/njbau.

5K Run & Walk for a Noble Cause

April 30: Registration is now open for Baystate Noble Hospital’s 32nd annual 5K Run & Walk for a Noble Cause, being held at Stanley Park in Westfield. The race begins at 9 a.m., with registration from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. near the Children’s Pavilion. The Baystate Noble 5K is a competitive, 3.1-mile road race through Stanley Park and surrounding areas for all levels of runners, from the novice to the serious athlete. Early registration is encouraged. The registration fee for ages 13-59 is $35 through April 29 (seniors 60 and older are $25). The registration fee for ages 13-59 is $40 on April 30 ($30 for seniors). Children 12 and under participate free when accompanied by a paying adult. T-shirts in various sizes are available to registrants on a first-come, first-served basis while inventory is available. To register online, download registration materials, and read general information, visit baystatenoblehospital.org/5k. Sponsorship and vendor table opportunities are also available. For more information, visit baystatenoblehospital.org/5k or contact the Community Development Office at [email protected] or (413) 568-2811, ext. 5520.

Walk of Champions

May 1: The community is invited to come together at the Quabbin Reservoir to mark the 11th annual Walk of Champions to benefit the Baystate Regional Cancer Program at Baystate Mary Lane Hospital in Ware. The walk is a one-mile loop that allows walkers to choose the number of miles they complete among the comfortable walking terrain of the Goodnough Dike. Along the way, walkers will enjoy entertainment and refreshments, along with the peace and beauty of the Quabbin Reservoir. Since its inception, the Walk of Champions has raised more than $662,000. All funds raised remain local to support those cared for in the Baystate Health Eastern Region at Baystate Medical Center’s Mary Lane Satellite Unit and for things such as family-support counseling, educational outreach, pastoral care, medications, state-of-the-art equipment, and the Healing Garden located in the courtyard of the hospital. Overlooking the Healing Garden is the oncology suite, which provides access to comprehensive cancer care, clinical trials, and a multi-disciplinary team approach to cancer care. Pledge forms, fund-raising resources, giving opportunities, and more are available at www.baystatehealth.org/woc for businesses, community organizations, and individuals who wish to participate.

40 Under Forty

June 16: The 10th annual 40 Under Forty award program, staged by BusinessWest, will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke, honoring 40 of the region’s rising stars under 40 years old. An independent panel of judges has chosen the winners, and their stories will be told in the April 18 issue. Tickets — which cost $65 per person, with reserved tables of 10 available — are going very quickly. To order, call (413) 781-8600, ext. 100. The event is sponsored by Northwestern Mutual and Paragus Strategic IT (presenting sponsors), EMA Dental, Health New England, Moriarty & Primack, and United Bank. More details on the gala will be revealed in upcoming issues.

Agenda

By BusinessWest Staff March 8, 2016

Agenda Departments

Management Conference

March 10: The Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast (EANE) announced its 12th annual Management Conference will be held at the Springfield Marriott, with a focus on driving business performance. The full-day conference will address how managers and supervisors can create a culture of alignment, agility, and engagement to improve organizational performance. The program will feature Bruce Tulgan, an expert on leadership and management. He is the bestselling author of It’s Okay to Be the Boss, Managing Generation X, and his newest book, Bridging the Soft Skills Gap. The conference also includes breakout sessions, a presentation on “Building a Leadership Culture of Innovation and Energy” with Rich Trombetta of Innovation Is Easy, and an improv workshop by ConnectAnd about connecting your leadership to your team. The cost for the program is $325 per person, with discounts for three or more. Register and learn more at eane.org/12th-annual-management-conference or call (877) 662-6444. The program will offer 6.75 credits from the HR Certification Institute. Sponsoring the program are Johnson and Hill Staffing and the Human Resource Certification Institute.

Springfield Falcons Dr. Seuss Night

March 12: The Springfield Falcons, in partnership with the Springfield Museums and Dr. Seuss Enterprises, announced Dr. Seuss Night, to be held during a game against the Portland Pirates starting at 7 p.m. Dr. Seuss Night and the game will be sponsored by Berkshire Bank. For the first time ever, Dr. Seuss Enterprises has partnered with the Falcons and the Springfield Museums in presenting this special night to honor Theodor Geisel, a.k.a. Dr. Seuss, who was born and raised in Springfield. The Springfield Museums are preparing to open the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum in 2016, an exhibit featuring interactive activities for children and a one-of-a-kind experience that will provide a look at the man behind the drawing board. “We are excited to partner with the Springfield Museums and Dr. Seuss Enterprises in presenting this special night to honor one of Springfield’s most famous native sons,” Falcons President Sarah Pompea said. “We have been anticipating this night since the summer months and are excited to aid the launching of the new museum in support of a unique family entertainment night around a favorite children’s author.” The night will include appearances by the Cat in the Hat and Thing 1 and Thing 2 costumed characters. In addition, specialty jerseys will be worn by Falcons players and auctioned off, with proceeds donated to the Springfield Museums to help support the creation of the new museum. “We are thrilled that the Falcons are stepping up in support of our fund-raising campaign,” said Kay Simpson, president of the Springfield Museums. “It’s wonderful to have the support of one our best downtown neighbors.”

Difference Makers

March 31: The eighth annual Difference Makers award program, staged by BusinessWest, will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House. Tickets cost $60, and tables of 10 are available. To reserve a spot, call (413) 781-8600, ext. 10, or go HERE. Difference Makers is a program, launched in 2009, that recognizes groups and individuals that are, as the name suggests, making a difference in this region. This year’s class was profiled in the Jan. 25 issue, and their stories can also be read online at businesswest.com. They include Hampden County Sheriff Michael J. Ashe Jr.; Mike Balise, Balise Motor Sales, philanthropist (1965-2015); Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties; Bay Path University President Carol Leary; and John Robison, president, J.E. Robison Service. Difference Makers is sponsored by EMA Dental, First American Insurance Agency, Health New England, Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C., Northwestern Mutual, PeoplesBank, Royal LLP, and Sunshine Village.

‘Training for the Digital Marketplace’

April 1, 8, 15: Stevens 470 will host a three-week program called “Training for the Digital Marketplace: Develop Your Online and Offline Marketing Strategies” to show attendees how to maximize their marketing channels. This seminar is for business owners, marketing managers, entrepreneurs, and key marketing staff. As marketing channels continue to evolve, are you using them to maximize your business opportunities? This program covers the latest online and offline marketing channels including brand presentation, websites, SEO, advertising, social media, e-mail, and mobile technologies. During this hands-on program, participants will review their current messaging and marketing channels; learn the latest ways to use both traditional and new media channels; explore social media, online advertising, and search-engine optimization; outline plans for offline and online marketing campaigns; coordinate marketing channels to maximize their effectiveness; and determine methods for evaluating results. Each participant will complete the program by creating a specific plan for their online and offline channels that they can share and put into action with members of their business team. The program meets weekly on three consecutive Friday mornings at Stevens 470 in Westfield. Limited space is available. For details, visit stevens470.com or call (413) 568-2660.

‘A Night of Passion’ for Link to Libraries

April 5: They’re calling the event “A Night of Passion.” That’s a phrase that applies to both support for efforts to promote childhood literacy and a fondness for a particular food or beverage. These various passions will come together April 5 at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke at Link to Libraries’ biennial fund-raising event. Proceeds from all ticket sales will go to Link to Libraries. More than 500 people are expected to attend the event, which will be a celebration of all that Link to Libraries has accomplished since it was created in 2008 — including the donation of nearly 500,000 books to area schools and organizations — and how it intends to continually expand its mission in the years to come. As for those passions for specific foods and drinks, they will be a focus of the night, provided by a host of area celebrities and business leaders, including Mike Mathis, MGM Springfield president and chief operating officer; Kevin Rhodes, Springfield Symphony Orchestra conductor; Spiros Hatiras, Holyoke Medical Center president and CEO; Delcie Bean IV, CEO of Paragus Strategic IT; Mick Corduff, executive chef and co-owner of the Log Cabin; Amy Royal, founding partner of Royal, P.C., and many more. As for their passions, well, those are carefully guarded secrets at this point. Those who would like to experience these passions and support Link to Libraries — which supplies books to schools and other organizations across Western Mass. and Northern Conn., and promotes read-alouds that put area business and civic leaders in area classrooms — can buy tickets for $40 each by sending checks to: Link to Libraries, Attn. Karen Blinderman, P.O. Box 958, West Springfield, MA 01090. All beverages are included in the ticket price. Food and beverages are donated by the Log Cabin. Sponsors for “A Night of Passion” include lead sponsors Health New England and Rediker Software, and event sponsors Bacon Wilson, Bank of America – U.S. Trust, the Frank Stanley Beveridge Foundation, the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation, James Vinick and Moors & Cabot Investments, Monson Savings Bank, PeoplesBank, Peoples United Bank, the Springfield Falcons, and United Bank.

Not Just Business as Usual

April 14: The Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) Foundation’s Not Just Business as Usual (NJBAU) event, a networking event for business leaders in Western Mass., will be held at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The event, now in its seventh year, is a celebration of innovative thinking giving participants the opportunity to learn from business experts while raising significant funding for the STCC WORKS scholarship program. A cocktail and networking reception will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m., with dinner and keynote speakers to follow from 7 to 8:30 p.m. This year, NJBAU will host a discussion of diversity in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields with panelists Emily Reichert, CEO of Greentown Labs; Laurie Leshin, president of Worcester Polytechnic Institute; and Frank Robinson, vice president of Public Health and Community Relations for Baystate Health. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are now available. Tickets are $175 each, and sponsorships begin at $2,500 for a table for 10. For additional information or to become a sponsor, contact Christina Tuohey, STCC’s director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, at (413) 755-4475 or [email protected]. To purchase tickets online, visit www.stcc.edu/njbau.

Walk of Champions

May 1: The community is invited to come together at the Quabbin Reservoir to mark the 11th annual Walk of Champions to benefit the Baystate Regional Cancer Program at Baystate Mary Lane Hospital in Ware. The Walk of Champions, founded in 2006 by John O’Neill, field-hockey coach at Quaboag Regional Middle High School, began as a tribute to the compassionate care and comfort his mother received during her struggle with cancer. Since then, the Walk of Champions has grown into a collection of teams and individuals each walking for their own reason. There are friends and family members celebrating victory over cancer. Others are encouraging their loved ones in their personal fight over cancer, while others walk in memory of those who have lost their battle with cancer. The walk is a one-mile loop that allows walkers to choose the number of miles they complete among the comfortable walking terrain of the Goodnough Dike. Along the way, walkers will enjoy entertainment and refreshments, along with the peace and beauty of the Quabbin Reservoir. Since its inception, the Walk of Champions has raised more than $662,000. All funds raised remain local to support those cared for in the Baystate Health Eastern Region at Baystate Medical Center’s Mary Lane Satellite Unit and for things such as family-support counseling, educational outreach, pastoral care, medications, state-of-the-art equipment, and the Healing Garden located in the courtyard of the hospital. Overlooking the Healing Garden is the oncology suite, which provides access to comprehensive cancer care, clinical trials, and a multi-disciplinary team approach to cancer care. Pledge forms, fund-raising resources, giving opportunities, and more are available at www.baystatehealth.org/woc for businesses, community organizations, and individuals who wish to participate.

40 Under Forty

June 16: The 10th annual 40 Under Forty award program, staged by BusinessWest, will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke, honoring 40 of the region’s rising stars under 40 years old. An independent panel of judges has chosen the winners, and their stories will be told in the April 18 issue. The event is sponsored by Northwestern Mutual and Paragus Strategic IT (presenting sponsors), EMA Dental, Health New England, Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, Moriarty & Primack, and United Bank. More details on the gala will be revealed in upcoming issues.

Agenda

By BusinessWest Staff February 23, 2016

Agenda Departments

Academy of Music Historic Tour

Feb. 24: The Academy of Music will offer a free tour of the historic theater at 5:15 p.m. Led by Academy of Music Development Coordinator Kathryn Slater, the tour will provide insight into the history behind this Northampton mainstay, including details about the organization’s founder and interesting notes about the many revitalizations. Built in 1891, the Academy of Music was the first municipally owned theater in the U.S., and home to the first stock theater company in the nation, the Northampton Players, formed in 1912. For nearly 125 years, the Academy has hosted an impressive array of performers, and the building holds the tales. See for yourself the century-old hole cut in the stage floor for Houdini’s disappearing act; Cole Porter’s grandfather clock; dressing rooms used by Sarah Bernhardt, Boris Karloff, Ethel Barrymore; and more. Step on the stage and see the Academy of Music from a whole new perspective, and take in the results of the 2014 restoration that refurbished the 800-seat auditorium, which earned a Mass. Historical Commission Preservation Award. This walking-and-talking tour begins promptly at 5:15 p.m. in the main lobby and is expected to run approximately 45 minutes. Admission is free, but reservations are required, as attendance is limited to 20. Reservations may be made through the Academy of Music Box Office by calling (413) 584-9032, ext. 105, Tuesday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m., or by e-mailing [email protected].

Management Conference

March 10: The Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast (EANE) announced its 12th annual Management Conference will be held at the Springfield Marriott, with a focus on driving business performance. The full-day conference will address how managers and supervisors can create a culture of alignment, agility, and engagement to improve organizational performance. “Research shows that 60% of highly engaged employees report that their work is not aligned with company goals,” said Meredith Wise, EANE president. “By aligning employees to business priorities and equipping them with skills to quickly sense and lead change, companies can improve their organizational performance. Our conference is about managers and supervisors learning how alignment, agility, and engagement contribute to corporate performance.” The program will feature Bruce Tulgan, an expert on leadership and management. He is the bestselling author of It’s Okay to Be the Boss, Managing Generation X, and his newest book, Bridging the Soft Skills Gap. The conference also includes breakout sessions, a presentation on “Building a Leadership Culture of Innovation and Energy” with Rich Trombetta of Innovation Is Easy, and an improv workshop by ConnectAnd about connecting your leadership to your team. The cost for the program is $325 per person, with discounts for three or more. Register and learn more at eane.org/12th-annual-management-conference or call (877) 662-6444. The program will offer 6.75 credits from the HR Certification Institute. Sponsoring the program are Johnson and Hill Staffing and the Human Resource Certification Institute.

Celebrate Springfield Dinner

March 10: DevelopSpringfield will host its fifth annual Celebrate Springfield dinner event in celebration of the many accomplishments the community has achieved over the past year along with exciting new initiatives underway. The event will take place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. Festivities will include a reception with live music by the Eric Bascom Trio, auction activities, a cash bar, and hors d’oeuvres, followed by dinner, a brief program, and award presentations. The platinum sponsor this year is MassMutual Financial Group. Many other local businesses and organizations are also supporting the event as sponsors and participants. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. DevelopSpringfield will once again present its Partner in Progress Award to recognize the outstanding contributions of three individuals toward revitalization in Springfield. Honorees are selected for their leadership and ability to motivate and inspire others. This year’s honorees are Brian Connors, Springfield’s deputy director of Economic Development; Maureen Hayes, president of Hayes Development Services; and Ira Rubenzahl, president of Springfield Technical Community College. In addition to the program and award presentations, greetings will be provided by Mayor Domenic Sarno followed by Jay Ash, secretary of the Commonwealth’s Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development. Jill Monson-Bishop of Inspired Marketing will serve as mistress of ceremonies. The celebration is a benefit event; all proceeds will support DevelopSpringfield’s redevelopment initiatives, projects, and programs. More than 500 attendees, including state and city officials, leaders from the business and nonprofit communities, and local residents, are expected to come together in support of ongoing efforts to advance development and redevelopment projects, to stimulate and support economic growth, and to expedite the revitalization process within the city. Tickets are $100 per person. Registration and sponsorship information is available at www.developspringfield.com or by contacting Paige Thayer at (413) 209-8808 or [email protected]. RSVP by Tuesday, Feb. 23.

Springfield Falcons Dr. Seuss Night

March 12: The Springfield Falcons, in partnership with the Springfield Museums and Dr. Seuss Enterprises, announced Dr. Seuss Night, to be held during a game against the Portland Pirates starting at 7 p.m. Dr. Seuss Night and the game will be sponsored by Berkshire Bank. For the first time ever, Dr. Seuss Enterprises has partnered with the Falcons and the Springfield Museums in presenting this special night to honor Theodor Geisel, a.k.a. Dr. Seuss, who was born and raised in Springfield. The Springfield Museums are preparing to open the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum in 2016, an exhibit featuring interactive activities for children and a one-of-a-kind experience that will provide a look at the man behind the drawing board. “We are excited to partner with the Springfield Museums and Dr. Seuss Enterprises in presenting this special night to honor one of Springfield’s most famous native sons,” Falcons President Sarah Pompea said. The night will include appearances by the Cat in the Hat and Thing 1 and Thing 2 costumed characters. In addition, specialty jerseys will be worn by Falcons players and auctioned off, with proceeds donated to the Springfield Museums to help support the creation of the new museum. “We are thrilled that the Falcons are stepping up in support of our fund-raising campaign,” said Kay Simpson, president of the Springfield Museums. “It’s wonderful to have the support of one our best downtown neighbors.”

Difference Makers

March 31: The eighth annual Difference Makers award program, staged by BusinessWest, will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House. Tickets cost $60, and tables of 10 are available. To reserve a spot, call (413) 781-8600, ext. 10, or visit businesswest.com. Difference Makers is a program, launched in 2009, that recognizes groups and individuals that are, as the name suggests, making a difference in this region. This year’s class was profiled in the Jan. 25 issue, and their stories can also be read online HERE. They include Hampden County Sheriff Michael J. Ashe Jr.; Mike Balise, Balise Motor Sales, philanthropist (1965-2015); Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties; Bay Path University President Carol Leary; and John Robison, president, J.E. Robison Service. Difference Makers is sponsored by EMA Dental, First American Insurance Agency, Health New England, Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C., Northwestern Mutual, PeoplesBank, Royal LLP, and Sunshine Village.

‘A Night of Passion’ for Link to Libraries

April 5: They’re calling the event “A Night of Passion.” That’s a phrase that applies to both support for efforts to promote childhood literacy and a fondness for a particular food or beverage. These various passions will come together at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke at Link to Libraries’ biennial fund-raising event. More than 500 people are expected to attend the event, which will be a celebration of all that Link to Libraries has accomplished since it was created in 2008 — including the donation of nearly 500,000 books to area schools and organizations — and how it intends to continually expand its mission in the years to come. As for those passions for specific foods and drinks, they will be a focus of the night, provided by a host of area celebrities and business leaders, including Mike Mathis, MGM Springfield president and chief operating officer; Kevin Rhodes, Springfield Symphony Orchestra conductor; Spiros Hatiras, Holyoke Medical Center president and CEO; Delcie Bean IV, CEO of Paragus Strategic IT; Mick Corduff, executive chef and co-owner of the Log Cabin; Amy Royal, founding partner of Royal, P.C., and many more. As for their passions, well, those are carefully guarded secrets at this point. Those who would like to experience these passions and support Link to Libraries — which supplies books to schools and other organizations across Western Mass. and Northern Conn., and promotes read-alouds that put area business and civic leaders in area classrooms — can buy tickets for $40 each by sending checks to: Link to Libraries, Attn. Karen Blinderman, P.O. Box 958, West Springfield, MA 01090. Sponsors for “A Night of Passion” include lead sponsors Health New England and Rediker Software, and event sponsors Bacon Wilson, Bank of America – U.S. Trust, the Frank Stanley Beveridge Foundation, the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation, James Vinick and Moors & Cabot Investments, Monson Savings Bank, PeoplesBank, Peoples United Bank, the Springfield Falcons, and United Bank.

Not Just Business as Usual

April 14: The Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) Foundation’s Not Just Business as Usual (NJBAU) event, a networking event for business leaders in Western Mass., will be held at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The event, now in its seventh year, is a celebration of innovative thinking giving participants the opportunity to learn from business experts while raising significant funding for the STCC WORKS scholarship program. A cocktail and networking reception will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m., with dinner and keynote speakers to follow from 7 to 8:30 p.m. This year, NJBAU will host a discussion of diversity in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields with panelists Emily Reichert, CEO of Greentown Labs; Laurie Leshin, president of Worcester Polytechnic Institute; and Frank Robinson, vice president of Public Health and Community Relations for Baystate Health. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are now available. Tickets are $175 each, and sponsorships begin at $2,500 for a table for 10. For additional information or to become a sponsor, contact Christina Tuohey, STCC’s director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, at (413) 755-4475 or [email protected]. To purchase tickets online, visit www.stcc.edu/njbau.

5K Run & Walk for a Noble Cause

April 30: Registration is now open for Baystate Noble Hospital’s 32nd annual 5K Run & Walk for a Noble Cause, being held at Stanley Park in Westfield. The race begins at 9 a.m., with registration from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. near the Children’s Pavilion. The Baystate Noble 5K is a competitive road race for all levels of runners, from the novice to the serious athlete. The 3.1-mile course is flat out and back through Stanley Park and the surrounding residential area. A family-friendly, non-competitive walk follows the same route as the road race. Individuals, teams, wheelchair racers, and school groups are all encouraged to participate. After the race, refreshments, activities, and vendor tables will be located near registration, and awards will be given out. Early registration is encouraged. The registration fee for ages 13-59 is $35 through April 29 (seniors 60 and older are $25). The registration fee for ages 13-59 is $40 on April 30 ($30 for seniors). Children 12 and under participate free when accompanied by a paying adult. T-shirts in various sizes are available to registrants on a first-come, first-served basis while inventory is available. To register online, download registration materials, and read general information, visit baystatenoblehospital.org/5k.

40 Under Forty

June 16: The 10th annual 40 Under Forty award program, staged by BusinessWest, will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke, honoring 40 of the region’s rising stars under 40 years old. Nominations are now closed, and an independent panel of judges will choose the winners; their stories will be told in the April 18 issue. The event is sponsored by Northwestern Mutual and Paragus Strategic IT (presenting sponsors), EMA Dental, Health New England, Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, Moriarty & Primack, and United Bank. More details on the gala will be revealed in upcoming issues.

Agenda

By BusinessWest Staff February 9, 2016

Agenda Departments

‘Wolf to Woof’ Exhibit

Through May 12: In today’s society, dogs enhance the lives of millions of people in countless ways, but they are also some of our oldest friends. Ancient clues like cave paintings and burials reveal that dogs and people have lived together for thousands of years. But why have humans formed such close relationships with dogs, and not cows or chickens? “Wolf to Woof: The Story of Dogs” is the largest and most comprehensive traveling exhibition ever created on the history, biology, and evolution of dogs. The exhibit, on view at the Springfield Science Museum through May 12, attempts to sniff out the facts on dogs and explore what makes the human/dog relationship so unique. It uses the familiarity and love of these four-legged friends to explore science and biological concepts. The exhibit has four themed sections including multi-media displays, artifacts, photo murals, and dioramas of taxidermied wild canines and sculpted modern dog breeds. Additionally, interactive, hands-on components demonstrate key exhibit concepts. For example, visitors can enter a ‘howling area’ and guess what dogs are saying, test their nose against a dog’s great sense of smell, and examine fossil and genetic evidence of how modern-day dogs are descended from wolves. In addition, the weekly Museums à la Carte lecture on Thursday, March 17 will feature a talk by Eliot Rusman, president and CEO of Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation. Tickets for this lecture are $4 for the general public and $2 for members. “Wolf to Woof: The Story of Dogs” is sponsored by United Bank. MassMutual is the 2015-16 Premier Sponsor of the Springfield Museums.

Grief Through Story Workshop

Feb. 10: The Garden: A Center for Grieving Children and Teens will present a Grief Through Story workshop from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Sunderland Public Library, 20 School St. The workshop, co-hosted by the Sunderland, Deerfield, and Hatfield public libraries, is geared toward adult caregivers and community members who are interested in learning how to initiate gentle conversations with youth about death, dying, and grief. The purpose of the workshop is to use children’s literature as an effective tool in talking with children about these difficult topics. Participants will join in a guided conversation about grief and will discover resources in various mediums that can be used to facilitate these important conversations. Family members, friends, and loved ones in the lives of a grieving young person, as well as anyone interested in grief work with children, is invited to attend. The snow date is Wednesday, Feb. 17 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The event is free, and drop-ins are welcome. The Garden provides bereavement support at no cost to grieving families with young children no matter where, how, or when a death occurred. For more information about its programs, call Shelly Bathe Lenn, Garden coordinator, at (413) 582-5312.

Chocolate Fantasy

Feb. 12: Baystate Franklin Medical Center’s volunteers and members of the Baystate Franklin Auxiliary (BFA) will hold their annual Chocolate Fantasy fund-raiser from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the hospital’s main conference rooms. This year, funds raised at the Chocolate Fantasy will support the hospital’s Cardiopulmonary Department and Mental Health Unit. The event also features Valentine-related crafts and a raffle with baskets of items from local businesses. BFMC Clinical Notes, the hospital’s women’s a cappella chorus, will present a mini-concert of love songs at 12:15 pm in the main lobby. “Many local organizations and BFMC staff and volunteers have graciously and generously donated chocolate items, from chocolate-chip cookies to chocolate-covered apples to truffles and fudge, and much more,” said Sydney Ramey, chair of the Chocolate Fantasy committee. “We always invite contributors to think creatively as they consider what to send in for the sale.” A highlight of this year’s Fantasy is the raffling of an original watercolor by John Tomasetti, a member of the Old Deerfield Painting Group. The painting is on display in the BFA Gift Shop window. Raffle tickets may be purchased in the shop for $2 each, three for $5, or $10 for a baker’s dozen. The drawing will take place at the Chocolate Fantasy. For more information on the event, or to donate chocolate goodies or raffle items, contact Becky George, manger, Volunteer Services, BFMC, at (413) 773-2318 or [email protected].

Red Cross Blood Drive

Feb 16: The MassMutual Center will host its annual American Red Cross blood drive from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Severe winter weather across the nation since Jan. 1 has forced the cancellation of more than 300 blood drives, resulting in more than 9,500 donations uncollected, further depleting an already-low winter supply. In order to fulfill the need, blood products are being distributed to hospitals as quickly as donations are being collected. “The MassMutual Center is proud to hold our annual blood drive in support of the Red Cross. We are committed to serving the Springfield community and working with partners such as the Red Cross whose mission is to provide compassionate care to those in need,” said Stacey Church, general manager of the MassMutual Center. Visit redcrossblood.org or call (800) 733-2767 to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are preferred.

Informational Seminar on
Alzheimer’s, Dementia

Feb. 16: The Arbors at Chicopee will host an informational seminar on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia at 6 p.m. Ed Walters-Zucco, RN at Integra, will offer a brief presentation on the differences between the two diseases and the signs and symptoms. More than 5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. Community and resident family members will gather to learn how to cope with this statistic. Following the presentation will be a question-and-answer session and a raffle drawing. Refreshments, cookies, and cheese and crackers will be served.

Dinner, Conversation
About Race in America

Feb. 21: Blue Heron Restaurant will host “On the Bus: Dinner and a Conversation About Race in America with Julius Lester and Barry Moser.” Lester and Moser, writers, educators, and artists who currently reside in Western Mass., both came of age in Tennessee in the 1950s and 60s. Although they both rode public buses in the South, their experiences differed greatly because of the color of their skin. Their experience provides a lens through which the two will begin a discussion on race, racism, and segregation in the U.S. Local poet, author, and gallery owner Richard Michelson will moderate the discussion. Guests will be invited to pose questions to the panelists and share their own thoughts and experiences on the subject. The evening’s menu will draw from the culinary heritage of the American South. The meal will begin with a root vegetable soup served with pimento-cheese crostini. For the main course, guests will choose from a selection of chicken-fried steak with cream gravy, fried catfish with jalapeño remoulade, or squash and cheddar soufflé. Side dishes will be served family-style, and include collard greens, hoppin’ John, sautéed okra, and housemade biscuits. The meal will conclude with a slice of chess pie, a staple of Southern cuisine. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m., and the cost is $40 per person, not including tax or gratuity. The full menu is available to view at www.blueherondining.com/special-events. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling (413) 665-2102 or e-mailing [email protected].

Real-estate
Licensing Course

Feb. 22: Beginning Monday, Feb. 22, the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley will sponsor a 40-hour, 14-class sales-licensing course to help individuals prepare for the Massachusetts real-estate salesperson license exam. The course will be completed on Wednesday, March 23. Tuition is $359 and includes the book and materials. For an application, call the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley at (413) 785-1328.

Celiac Disease and
Gluten-free Diets

Feb. 24: Many people are on gluten-free diets, either due to celiac disease, gluten intolerance, or just because they think it’s healthier. The community is invited to attend a luncheon program titled “Separating Facts from Fad: Gluten-free Diets,” presented by Dr. Harbir Sawhney, gastroenterologist from Baystate Medical Practices – Mary Lane Gastroenterology from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Baystate Wing Hospital in Palmer. “Dr. Sawheny will discuss celiac disease, gluten-free diets, and all things gastrointestinal,” said Susan Fontaine, senior coordinator of Loyalty Programs at Baystate Health. “Celiac disease is a digestive disorder in which the body can’t tolerate gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and sometimes oats. According to the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, an estimated 1 in 133 Americans, or about 1% of the population, has celiac disease. “If you need to cut gluten from your diet, it may seem difficult, but there are many healthy and delicious foods that are naturally gluten-free,” said Fontaine, noting that the program will include a gluten-free bag lunch. The program is sponsored by Baystate Health Senior Class and will include lunch at no cost. Space is limited, and registration is required by calling Baystate Health Link at (800) 377-4325. For more information about the Senior Class Loyalty Program, visit www.baystatehealth.org/seniorclass.

Academy of Music
Historic Tour

Feb. 24: The Academy of Music will offer a free tour of the historic theater at 5:15 p.m. Led by Academy of Music Development Coordinator Kathryn Slater, the tour will provide insight into the history behind this Northampton mainstay, including details about the organization’s founder and interesting notes about the many revitalizations. Built in 1891, the Academy of Music was the first municipally owned theater in the U.S., and home to the first stock theater company in the nation, the Northampton Players, formed in 1912. For nearly 125 years, the Academy has hosted an impressive array of performers, and the building holds the tales. See for yourself the century-old hole cut in the stage floor for Houdini’s disappearing act; Cole Porter’s grandfather clock; dressing rooms used by Sarah Bernhardt, Boris Karloff, Ethel Barrymore; and more. Step on the stage and see the Academy of Music from a whole new perspective, and take in the results of the 2014 restoration that refurbished the 800-seat auditorium, which earned a Mass. Historical Commission Preservation Award. This walking-and-talking tour begins promptly at 5:15 p.m. in the main lobby and is expected to run approximately 45 minutes. Admission is free, but reservations are required, as attendance is limited to 20. Reservations may be made through the Academy of Music Box Office by calling (413) 584-9032, ext. 105, Tuesday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m., or by e-mailing [email protected].

Springfield Falcons
Dr. Seuss Night

March 12: The Springfield Falcons, in partnership with the Springfield Museums and Dr. Seuss Enterprises, announced Dr. Seuss Night, to be held during a game against the Portland Pirates starting at 7 p.m. Dr. Seuss Night and the game will be sponsored by Berkshire Bank. For the first time ever, Dr. Seuss Enterprises has partnered with the Falcons and the Springfield Museums in presenting this special night to honor Theodor Geisel, a.k.a. Dr. Seuss, who was born and raised in Springfield. The Springfield Museums are preparing to open the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum in 2016, an exhibit featuring interactive activities for children and a one-of-a-kind experience that will provide a look at the man behind the drawing board. “We are excited to partner with the Springfield Museums and Dr. Seuss Enterprises in presenting this special night to honor one of Springfield’s most famous native sons,” Falcons President Sarah Pompea said. “We have been anticipating this night since the summer months and are excited to aid the launching of the new museum in support of a unique family entertainment night around a favorite children’s author.” The night will include appearances by the Cat in the Hat and Thing 1 and Thing 2 costumed characters. In addition, specialty jerseys will be worn by Falcons players and auctioned off, with proceeds donated to the Springfield Museums to help support the creation of the new museum. “We are thrilled that the Falcons are stepping up in support of our fund-raising campaign,” said Kay Simpson, president of the Springfield Museums. “It’s wonderful to have the support of one our best downtown neighbors.”

Difference Makers

March 31: The eighth annual Difference Makers award program, staged by BusinessWest, will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House. Tickets cost $60, and tables of 10 are available. To reserve a spot, call (413) 781-8600, ext. 10, or visit businesswest.com. Difference Makers is a program, launched in 2009, that recognizes groups and individuals that are, as the name suggests, making a difference in this region. This year’s class was profiled in the Jan. 25 issue, and their stories can also be read online at businesswest.com. They include Hampden County Sheriff Michael J. Ashe Jr.; Mike Balise, Balise Motor Sales, philanthropist (1965-2015); Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties; Bay Path University President Carol Leary; and John Robison, president, J.E. Robison Service. Difference Makers is sponsored by EMA Dental, First American Insurance Agency, Health New England, Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C., Northwestern Mutual, PeoplesBank, Royal LLP, and Sunshine Village.

5K Run & Walk
for a Noble Cause

April 30: Registration is now open for Baystate Noble Hospital’s 32nd annual 5K Run & Walk for a Noble Cause, being held at Stanley Park in Westfield. The race begins at 9 a.m., with registration from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. near the Children’s Pavilion. The Baystate Noble 5K is a competitive road race for all levels of runners, from the novice to the serious athlete. The 3.1-mile course is flat out and back through Stanley Park and the surrounding residential area. A family-friendly, non-competitive walk follows the same route as the road race. Individuals, teams, wheelchair racers, and school groups are all encouraged to participate. After the race, refreshments, activities, and vendor tables will be located near registration, and awards will be given out. Early registration is encouraged. The registration fee for ages 13-59 is $35 through April 29 (seniors 60 and older are $25). The registration fee for ages 13-59 is $40 on April 30 ($30 for seniors). Children 12 and under participate free when accompanied by a paying adult. T-shirts in various sizes are available to registrants on a first-come, first-served basis while inventory is available. To register online, download registration materials, and read general information, visit baystatenoblehospital.org/5k. Sponsorship and vendor table opportunities are also available. For more information, visit baystatenoblehospital.org/5k or contact the Community Development Office at [email protected] or (413) 568-2811, ext. 5520.

40 Under Forty

June 16: The 10th annual 40 Under Forty award program, staged by BusinessWest, will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke, honoring 40 of the region’s rising stars under 40 years old. The magazine will continue to accept nominations for the class of 2016 until 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 12. The nomination form, which can be found at businesswest.com, requests basic information and can be supported with other material, such as a résumé, testimonials, and even press clippings highlighting an individual’s achievements in their profession or service to their community. An independent panel of judges (see profiles on page 9 of this issue) will choose the winners, and their stories will be told in the April 18 issue. The event is sponsored by Northwestern Mutual and Paragus Strategic IT (presenting sponsors), EMA Dental, Health New England, Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, Moriarty & Primack, and United Bank. More details on the gala will be revealed in upcoming issues.

Agenda

By BusinessWest Staff January 26, 2016

Agenda Departments

‘Better Angels’ Exhibit

Through July 10: In the months prior to 9/11, firefighter Peter Freund had been considering a career change after 23 years with the FDNY. One week after he perished at the World Trade Center, Freund’s family received a letter confirming his acceptance to teach high-school mathematics. Described by some as “a living saint,” chaplain Mychal Judge was the first FDNY casualty listed on 9/11, entry number 0001. His helmet was later presented as a gift to the Pope. A proud first-time uncle, firefighter William Johnston, had been looking forward to the baby shower on Sept. 30. His remains were found at Ground Zero that afternoon. These are just a few of the stories that await visitors who come to view “Better Angels: the Firefighters of 9/11,” a new traveling exhibit at the Lyman & Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History opening Tuesday, Jan. 12 and running through July 10. The exhibit features 343 portraits by artist Dawn Howkinson Siebel, one for every New York City firefighter lost in the World Trade Center attacks. Together, the images create a wall measuring 21 feet long, allowing visitors to come face to face with men who made their living running toward danger and saving lives, even at the risk of their own. Siebel, a current resident of Easthampton, was living in Colorado at the time of the attacks, but had been a longtime resident of Manhattan in the years prior. Inspired when the New York Times printed photos of all 343 fallen FDNY members, Siebel set out to paint a portrait of every firefighter lost on that fateful day. Over the next few years, she painstakingly hand-painted each portrait onto a block of charred wood. In total, the exhibit took 3,000 hours and over six years to create. In her artist statement for the exhibit, Siebel said, “these 343 firemen represent New York, the FDNY, their selfless profession, and also — in the way of heroes — the possibility that each of us may rise to the ‘better angels’ of our own nature.”

‘How to Talk to Kids About Therapy’

Feb. 9: The Garden: A Center for Grieving Children and Teens, a program of Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice that provides support to grieving young people and their families, announced a free workshop with Sarah Abel, LICSW. This workshop, titled “How to Talk to Kids About Therapy,” will take place from 6 to 7:30 pm at the Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice offices at 168 Industrial Dr. Geared toward adult caregivers, the purpose of the workshop is to provide an understanding of child therapy and to prepare parents, caregivers, and teachers to talk about therapy with kids. Participants will be able to discuss children’s behaviors and what they reveal about underlying feelings. Participants will also consider when to consult with a therapist around concerns about a child. Abel has been a psychotherapist since 1994 and aims to help families prepare their children to enter into therapy and face this vulnerable moment for both parents and children. She is a graduate of New York University School of Social Work and the Institute of Child, Adolescent and Family Studies, and completed a post-graduate fellowship in psychoanalysis at the Massachusetts Institute for Psychoanalysis. She has taught child development at Smith College School of Social Work and currently treats children, adolescents, and adults in her private practice in Northampton. This event is free, and the snow date is Thursday, Feb. 11 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. To RSVP, contact Shelly Bathe Lenn, coordinator at the Garden, at (413) 582-5312.

Heart Walk Kickoff Breakfast

Feb. 12: The American Heart Assoc./American Stroke Assoc. invites the public to the 2016 Pioneer Valley Heart Walk Kickoff Breakfast from 8 to 9 a.m. at the Delaney House, 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke. The free event includes a hot breakfast. Team captains or those interested in leading a team are encouraged to attend to receive their team-captain kits, hear a panel of guest speakers, and learn more about the Heart Walk and new 5k Run, set for Sunday, May 1 at Look Park in Florence. To attend the breakfast, RSVP by Tuesday, Jan. 26 with Traci Heath at (413) 262-3223 or [email protected]. For more information, visit www.pioneervalleyheartwalk.org.

Academy of Music Historic Tour

Feb. 24: The Academy of Music will offer a free tour of the historic theater at 5:15 p.m. Led by Academy of Music Development Coordinator Kathryn Slater, the tour will provide insight into the history behind this Northampton mainstay, including details about the organization’s founder and interesting notes about the many revitalizations. Built in 1891, the Academy of Music was the first municipally owned theater in the U.S., and home to the first stock theater company in the nation, the Northampton Players, formed in 1912. For nearly 125 years, the Academy has hosted an impressive array of performers, and the building holds the tales. See for yourself the century-old hole cut in the stage floor for Houdini’s disappearing act; Cole Porter’s grandfather clock; dressing rooms used by Sarah Bernhardt, Boris Karloff, Ethel Barrymore; and more. Step on the stage and see the Academy of Music from a whole new perspective, and take in the results of the 2014 restoration that refurbished the 800-seat auditorium, which earned a Mass. Historical Commission Preservation Award. This walking-and-talking tour begins promptly at 5:15 p.m. in the main lobby and is expected to run approximately 45 minutes. Admission is free, but reservations are required, as attendance is limited to 20. Reservations may be made through the Academy of Music Box Office by calling (413) 584-9032, ext. 105, Tuesday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m., or by e-mailing [email protected].

Difference Makers

March 31: The eighth annual Difference Makers award program, staged by BusinessWest, will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House. Tickets cost $60, and tables of 10 are available. For more information, go HERE. Difference Makers is a program, launched in 2009, that recognizes groups and individuals that are, as the name suggests, making a difference in this region. This year’s class is profiled in this issue HERE. Difference Makers is sponsored by EMA Dental, First American Insurance Agency, Health New England, Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C., Northwestern Mutual, PeoplesBank, Royal LLP, and Sunshine Village.

40 Under Forty

June 16: The 10th annual 40 Under Forty award program, staged by BusinessWest, will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke, honoring 40 of the region’s rising stars under 40 years old. The magazine will continue to accept nominations for the class of 2016 until 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 12. The nomination form, which can be found HERE, requests basic information and can be supported with other material, such as a résumé, testimonials, and even press clippings highlighting an individual’s achievements in their profession or service to their community. An independent panel of judges will choose the winners, and their stories will be told in the April 18 issue. More details on the gala will be revealed in upcoming issues.