Michael Dodge

Michael Eriquezzo

American International College (AIC) promoted Michael Dodge to provost and Michael Eriquezzo to vice president for Marketing and Communications. Dodge earned a doctor of education degree in education policy and leadership – higher education from UMass Amherst, an MBA from Eastern University, a master’s degree in student affairs in higher education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a bachelor’s degree in secondary education – English from SUNY Oswego. He previously served as executive vice president of Academic Affairs and Student Life. In his expanded role, Dodge will continue to oversee academic affairs, student life, grants, and institutional effectiveness, while also assuming responsibility for campus police operations. Eriquezzo, a graduate of the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst with a bachelor’s degree in marketing, has led AIC’s marketing team since 2020. Under his leadership, the department has expanded its community presence, launched strategic campaigns, and elevated the college’s brand locally and regionally.

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John Cook

In an email to employees and colleagues, Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) President John Cook announced that he will step down next summer, marking 10 years of leadership during a dynamic time in higher education. Cook joined STCC as its sixth president in 2016. Cook has guided the college through a time of significant transformation, including navigation of the COVID-19 pandemic. His tenure has seen the largest reserve funds in college history, and STCC has stewarded more than $100 million in capital projects and infrastructure investments, including the Richard E. Neal Cybersecurity Center of Excellence at Union Station in Springfield. Signature curricular innovation includes a novel health science degree with embedded certifications that enrolls more than 1,000 students, making it a model across the country. STCC also launched an accelerated nursing program as well as a STEM studies ‘meta major,’ welcomed Head Start to campus, developed non-credit water distribution and treatment trainings, and hosts the largest set of early college partnerships for high school students in Western Mass. STCC achieved reaccreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education in 2021 and launched “Momentum,” a new strategic plan, in 2023.

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Baystate Health announced the appointment of Michael Treash as president of Health New England, effective Oct. 6. He will report directly to Baystate Health President and CEO Peter Banko and serve as a member of the president’s council. Treash, a seasoned healthcare executive with more than three decades of leadership experience in provider-based health plans and health system integration, will oversee all operations of Health New England. His responsibilities will include strategic planning, sales, product development, actuarial services, provider relations and contracting, health services, and day-to-day operations. Treash most recently served as chief operating officer and senior vice president at Health Alliance Plan in Detroit, where he led operations, IT, PMO, supply chain, and data insights while developing and executing a multi-year data transformation strategy. His previous leadership roles include vice president of Enterprise Operations at Priority Health in Grand Rapids, Mich., interim CEO of Missouri Health Care Cooperative, chief operating officer of the Outsource Group, and executive vice president and chief operating officer at Mercy Health Plans in Chesterfield, Mo. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Western Michigan University and a master of public administration degree from Arizona State University.

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The board of directors of Big Y Foods Inc. announced leadership changes within its legal team. Michael Gold, senior vice president and chief legal officer, recently retired following more than 30 years of legal experience in both private practice and corporate counsel roles. During his 18-year tenure at Big Y, he played a pivotal role in guiding the company through significant legal and strategic milestones. Succeeding him, Big Y welcomed Richard Stamm as its new general counsel. In this role, he will be responsible for delivering legal advice and managing the legal affairs of the company across all aspects of the business, with an emphasis on strategic guidance and business counseling in the areas of compliance, commercial relationships, and corporate governance. Stamm brings more than 30 years of legal, business, and executive experience across a variety of industries and business structures. Prior to Big Y, he was immersed for 24 years within food/beverage and agriculture with Ocean Spray Cranberries, serving ultimately as its vice president, general counsel, and secretary and vice president of Cooperative Development. Most recently, he served as vice president of Operations, general counsel, and corporate secretary at Activ Surgical Inc., a med-tech, venture capital-backed, AI-focused startup. Stamm holds a bachelor’s degree in business economics from Brown University and a juris doctorate with highest honors from the University of Connecticut School of Law. He teaches an evening class each spring as an adjunct professor at UConn Law (“The In-house Counsel in a Global Market”) and is a frequent speaker on corporate governance and in-house legal strategy.

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Lianne Kudlate

MountainOne Insurance Agency announced the promotion of Lianne Kudlate to senior Personal Lines account manager, demonstrating the agency’s dedication to nurturing employee growth and recognizing internal talent. Senior Personal Lines account manager is a new, leadership-level role that recognizes team members who bring exceptional experience, knowledge, and client service to the agency. Kudlate is a respected expert in personal lines insurance, recognized for her deep knowledge of policies, endorsements, and coverage strategy. She stays current with industry trends, ensuring her clients receive the most relevant, effective, and up-to-date protection. Her experience and steady guidance have made her a go-to resource for both her clients and peers.

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Pittsfield Cooperative Bank recently announced the addition of Kaylin Choquette as vice president, mortgage loan officer. With more than 15 years of experience in the industry, Choquette brings extensive knowledge, dedication, and a proven track record of excellence to her new role. Throughout her career, Choquette has consistently helped clients navigate the home financing process with confidence and care. For the past three years, she has earned recognition as Berkshire County’s top mortgage originator, highlighting her commitment to delivering results and personalized service to every borrower. In her new position, Choquette will focus on helping homebuyers throughout the Berkshires achieve their financial goals by providing tailored mortgage solutions and guidance every step of the way. She actively volunteers in the community, including working with the Berkshire County Board of Realtors and the Westside Legends in Pittsfield to support and promote homeownership locally. Pittsfield Cooperative Bank also announced the appointment of Christoper Becker as vice president, branch manager of its Great Barrington office. He has more than three decades of insurance and banking experience, bringing a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and community commitment to the role. Since beginning a career in financial services in 1991, Becker has held a variety of leadership positions across retail banking, customer service, and branch operations. He is known for his dedication to relationship banking and team development, earning a strong reputation for helping customers achieve financial success while guiding employees toward professional growth. In his new role, Becker will oversee branch operations, lead business development initiatives, and ensure exceptional customer experience for both personal and business banking clients. He is also committed to giving back to his community through seminars and workshops.

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Command Wealth Management announced the addition of two new professionals to its growing team: Tiffany Lyman as Client Relations manager and Cristina Tatlock as Client Experience and Marketing specialist. These appointments highlight the firm’s continued commitment to providing exceptional service and building meaningful client relationships. Lyman brings more than 20 years of client service experience to her new role, including the past four years dedicated to financial services. A UMass graduate with a bachelor’s degree in hospitality and tourism management, she is known for her ability to create strong connections and deliver personalized support. Her combined background in hospitality and finance equips her to anticipate client needs and provide a seamless, thoughtful experience. Tatlock joins Command Wealth Management following a 21-year career as a science educator. She holds both bachelor’s and a master’s degrees in education with a focus in general science. Her communication skills, attention to detail, and genuine care for others make her a natural fit for her role supporting client experience and marketing initiatives. Her transition into wealth management reflects her desire to continue making a difference through the lens of financial well-being.

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Vanessa Smith

Vanessa Smith, former chief legal officer for Baystate Health, has been named the new chair of the Holyoke Community College board of trustees. Smith has served on the HCC board since 2021. She was recently reappointed by Gov. Maura Healey to a five-year term and also designated as the permanent chair. She has been serving as interim chair since former chair Robert Gilbert stepped down in November 2023. Her term runs until March 1, 2030. Smith is a lawyer with more than 35 years of legal experience. Until March, she had served as the chief legal officer for Baystate Health in Springfield for nine years. Before that, she was a partner in the Springfield law firm Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas. She started her career in Upstate New York, where she worked as a judicial law clerk and an assistant attorney general. She is a graduate of Syracuse University College of Law and holds a bachelor’s degree in French language and literature from Wells College. Over the years, her volunteer work has included serving on the boards of Friends of the Homeless, the Center for Human Development, and the Springfield Public Forum.

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The board of directors of Sunshine Village announced the upcoming retirement of Gina Kos, the organization’s longtime president and CEO, after more than three decades of leadership. Kos will step down at the end of April 2026, marking the conclusion of an era of growth, innovation, and service to individuals with developmental disabilities throughout Western Mass. Kos joined Sunshine Village in 1991 as director of Marketing and Development and, after being appointed president and CEO in 1997, guided the organization through a period of transformation. Under her leadership, Sunshine Village grew from a $6 million agency to a $17 million, nationally accredited nonprofit. Amid the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, she successfully led the organization through a safe closure and phased reopening, rebuilding services and programs to meet the evolving needs of clients and families. In addition to her work at Sunshine Village, Kos has been deeply committed to strengthening the broader community. She has served in leadership roles on numerous boards and civic organizations, including MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board, Human Service Forum, Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce, the Westfield State University board of trustees, and the Elms College board of trustees. Her extensive volunteer work and community leadership have earned her multiple honors, including recognition as one of BusinessWest’s inaugural Women of Impact in 2018, a Paul Harris honor from the Chicopee Rotary Club, and the St. Joseph Medal – Distinguished Alumni Award from Cathedral High School.

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Bay Path University announced that the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board have awarded Marie Meckel, assistant professor in Physician Assistant Studies, a Fulbright Specialist Grant. With this award, Meckel is partnering with the Wa West District Health Administration, Ghana Health Service, to launch a cervical cancer screening and prevention initiative. The project is designed to exchange knowledge, foster partnerships, and expand access to preventive healthcare in underserved communities. Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in low-resource settings, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. To address this urgent need, Meckel’s two-week project features four community outreach events offering free cervical cancer screenings, HPV vaccinations, and health education to women in remote villages. Meckel joins more than 400 U.S. citizens each year who share expertise with host institutions abroad through the Fulbright Specialist Program. Specialists are selected for their academic and professional accomplishments, leadership in their fields, and potential to build lasting international collaborations.

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Christopher Marsh

Christopher Pentedemos

Michael Ramian

Advantage Truck Group (ATG) announced three key promotions in its senior leadership team, promoting Christopher Marsh to executive vice president of Network Truck Sales, Christopher Pentedemos to executive vice president of Network Service Operations, and Michael Ramian to executive vice president of Parts Operations. Marsh will lead strategy and management of sales operations across ATG’s eight locations. He has nearly 15 years of experience in truck sales, joining ATG (formerly Tri State Truck Center) in 2011 as sales account executive and progressing to Truck Sales manager and vice president of Network Truck Sales. During this time, he increased ATG’s business with municipalities, growing existing accounts, and expanding its customer base. In 2017, Marsh completed the American Truck Dealers Academy, an intensive leadership and business training program for current and future commercial truck dealership leaders. He currently serves on the Daimler Truck Financial Dealer Council. Pentedemos is responsible for the overall management, operational efficiency, and customer experience at each service department across the ATG network. He joined ATG (formerly Tri State Truck Center) in 2005 as a bus parts expert and was an Employee of the Year Award recipient. He was promoted to Outside Parts Sales manager, where he was instrumental in building the Thomas Built Bus business, and later progressed to service manager, service director, and vice president of Network Operations. Pentedemos also championed the creation of an onsite training facility at ATG Shrewsbury to further the education and professional development of the organization’s diesel technicians. Ramian will oversee all aspects of ATG’s parts operations. In his previous role as Parts director, he led parts sales and support for the ATG dealer network, where he grew ATG’s Parts department and its onsite delivery service, establishing the company as the top parts provider in New England. He started his career with ATG (formerly Tri State Truck Center) in 2006 as a Parts counter associate and progressed to assistant Parts manager, Parts manager, and Parts director. Ramian is a recipient of the 2011 ATG Employee of the Year Award and also the 2022 Patriot Award from the Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve, an organization affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense.

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MassDevelopment announced that Kathleen McGilvray will join the agency later this month as executive vice president of Finance Programs. In this role, McGilvray will oversee MassDevelopment’s Finance Programs division — which includes investment banking, lending, growth capital, and green finance programs — and serve as a member of the agency’s executive team helping align its financing solutions with statewide economic development priorities. McGilvray comes to MassDevelopment from Opportunity Communities (OppCo), an organization working to strengthen the capacity of community development corporations, where she has served as CEO since 2023. Prior to that, she worked at Massachusetts Housing Investment Corp. from 2003 to 2023 in numerous roles, including director of Investment. She holds a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and a bachelor’s degree in economics and American studies from Tufts University.

Lisa Halbert

Doherty, Wallace, Pillsbury & Murphy, P.C. announced the hiring of Lisa Halbert as an attorney in the law firm’s Northampton office. Halbert joined Doherty, Wallace in July and brings more than 30 years of experience in representing clients throughout Western Mass. Halbert has an extensive background in elder law and estate planning, estate and trust administration (including estate-tax return preparation), special-needs trusts, asset-protection planning, residential real estate, and preparation of personal and fiduciary income-tax returns. She is available to assist clients in Hampshire, Hampden, and Franklin counties. Since 2016, Halbert has served on the board of directors for Lathrop Community located in Easthampton and Northampton, and currently serves as its secretary. She is a member of the National and Massachusetts Associations of Elder Law Attorneys, the Massachusetts Bar Assoc., the Hampshire County Bar Assoc., and the Pioneer Valley Estate Planning Council.

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Malissa Naylor

KeyBank announced that Malissa Naylor has joined the bank as vice president, Business Banking relationship manager for the Hartford and Springfield areas. In her new role, she will provide customized financial solutions such as commercial lines of credit, SBA financing, equipment financing, cash management, merchant services, and more to businesses with sales revenues between $3 million and $25 million annually. She reports to Allison Standish-Plimpton, Business Banking sales leader for KeyBank’s Connecticut and Massachusetts market. Naylor brings to KeyBank more than 15 years of banking experience, most recently as a business banker with Webster Bank. She has also held various branch-network management roles with New Valley Bank and Trust, PeoplesBank, and TD Bank. She is active in her community, volunteering with Home City Development Inc., Springfield Young Professional Assoc., Holy Redeemer Cathedral, Vision Intervention Technology Academic Learning Center, YMCA of Greater Springfield, East Longmeadow Lions Club, and numerous chambers of commerce in both Connecticut and Massachusetts.

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Nayroby Rosa

Nayroby Rosa, director of Community Engagement and Resident Services for OneHolyoke CDC, has been appointed to the Holyoke Community College (HCC) board of trustees by Gov. Charlie Baker. Her term will expire on July 10, 2027. An HCC alumna, Rosa graduated in 2010 with an associate degree in human services before transferring to UMass Amherst, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in child and youth services through the University Without Walls program. Rosa, a certified nursing assistant and home health aide, got her start in human services as a personal-care attendant for Community Enterprises, assisting patients with their daily living and transportation needs. Since then, she has worked as site director and case manager for the YMCA in Springfield, home health aide for Home Health Solutions, program specialist for HAP Inc., and resident services coordinator for Beacon Residential Management. She has been employed in her current position at One Holyoke since 2018.

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Mary Cate Mannion

Social-media platforms, like New England weather, seem to change by the minute. For that reason, Mary Cate Mannion, digital PR analyst and video producer at GCAi, was tapped to lead a panel of experts through a discussion of best practices and new innovations at New England Financial Marketing’s (NEMFA) fall conference in Worcester. Joining Mannion on the “Navigating New Media: How to Evaluate Emerging Trends” panel were Anna Baskin, content manager at Service Credit Union; Justin Roberts, vice president of Marketing for Country Bank; and Kristin Sundin Brandt, president of Sundin Marketing. “The experts were focused on metrics — specifically, the metrics that matter to your organization,” Mannion explained after the conference. “Content was also a focus, and the discussion focused on the power of these platforms for highlighting community support and corporate responsibility efforts.” Mannion was also the keynote speaker at the NEFMA 2022 Awards Show, where she presented on “What’s Old is New: How the Age-old Art of Storytelling Will Set Your Existing Media Channels on Fire.”

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Amelia Holstrom

Amelia Holstrom, a partner at Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C., a leading labor and employment law firm, was recently appointed to the Wilbraham Commission on Disabilities by the Wilbraham Board of Selectmen. The commission provides information, referrals, and technical assistance to individuals, businesses, and organizations in all matters pertaining to disability. It acts as an advocate for disabled individuals, their family members, and caregivers, and also advises and assists Wilbraham businesses and municipal officials in ensuring compliance with disability laws. Holstrom’s involvement will include promoting awareness of disability-related issues and assisting in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and state disability laws. Holstrom, who joined Skoler Abbott in 2012, defends employers against claims of discrimination, retaliation, harassment, and wrongful termination, as well as actions arising under other employment-related laws. She also frequently provides counsel to management regarding litigation-avoidance strategies.

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Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) Chair Walter Gunn announced the completion of a new five-year contract with Executive Director Kimberly Robinson, who has led the PVPC — the state-designated regional planning agency for Hampden and Hampshire counties — since October 2019. Robinson came to the PVPC after serving as executive director of the Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency in Greater Reno, Nev. for more than seven years. Additionally, she has held leadership positions for Washoe County, also of Greater Reno, as well as the city of Detroit.

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Jeffrey Gelinas

OMG Inc., a Steel Partners company and a leading manufacturer of fasteners, adhesives, and construction-productivity tools, has named Jeffrey Gelinas manager of Sales Training for its FastenMaster and Roofing Products divisions. In his new role, Gelinas will develop and manage a comprehensive sales-training program focused on reducing time to proficiency for sales personnel in both company divisions. Specific responsibilities include developing curriculum, role-specific sales training, as well as analytics for measuring program effectiveness. He will also oversee new hire training as well as advancement training for sales personnel moving into new roles. Gelinas joined OMG from Westfield Middle School, where he has been teaching science since 2007 and was on the team that helped develop the school district’s current science curriculum. In addition to the classroom work, he has also been coaching at the collegiate level, overseeing the women’s golf program at Westfield State University since 2021. He has also been actively involved in coaching a variety of teams at Westfield High School and numerous youth sports programs in Western Mass. for years. Prior to his teaching career, Gelinas held various sales positions for Tommy Hilfiger Golf, TaylorMade/Adidas, Sanofi Pharmaceuticals, and Spalding Sports Worldwide. He holds a master’s degree in education from UMass Amherst, a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Westfield State University, and an associate degree from Holyoke Community College.

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Excel Dryer Inc., manufacturer of the XLERATOR hand dryer, announced that Timothy Bates has joined its growing team as senior director of Operations. He has more than 35 years of industry experience and has spent nearly 25 years in a senior management role. Bates is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts with a degree in industrial engineering. Since starting his career as an industrial engineer, he has held various positions, each with increased responsibilities, including positions such as program manager, director of operations, and general manager/vice president at organizations like Kaman Aerospace Corp. and TigHITCO. At Excel Dryer, Bates will oversee manufacturing and warehouse operations, ensuring the facility is running in a safe, efficient, and profitable manner.

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Geoff Naunheim

United Way of the Franklin and Hampshire Region announced that Geoff Naunheim will take on the role of executive director. Naunheim, who has served as interim executive director since the departure of former Executive Director John Bidwell in April, brings five years of experience within the organization. Most of Naunheim’s tenure at United Way has been spent running its Community Investment program, a term used to describe the community-informed process of distributing community funds and creating partnerships with local nonprofits that are addressing the greatest needs of the region. Naunheim was also instrumental in developing and expanding United Way’s Diaper Bank, which distributes over 100,000 diapers a year across Franklin and Hampshire counties. Before joining United Way’s Development team in 2017, Naunheim worked in the development departments of two nonprofits focused on education and literacy. He is currently the board president of the Council of Social Agencies of Hampshire County.