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UMass Moves Up in Public-University Rankings
AMHERST — UMass Amherst now ranks among the nation’s top 30 public universities, moving up 10 spots during the past year in the 2015 Best Colleges guide released recently by U.S. News & World Report. There are more than 600 public, four-year colleges in the country, and U.S. News ranks the top 122. The Commonwealth’s flagship campus, led by Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy, earned its highest ranking ever in the prestigious national universities category. Since 2010, when UMass Amherst ranked 52nd among public schools, the university’s standing has steadily improved, reaching 40th last year before advancing to 30th for 2015, tied with four other schools. Among all national universities, public and private, UMass Amherst moved up an impressive 15 places this year, from 91st to 76th, tied with eight other schools. A Washington Post analysis of the rankings cited UMass Amherst as one of only three national universities over the past five years that have risen more than 20 steps in the overall top 100 universities, from 99th to 76th. “UMass Amherst increasingly is a destination of choice for the best students in Massachusetts and from all corners of world,” said Subbaswamy. “These rankings reflect our commitment to excellence in undergraduate education. We greatly appreciate such national recognition, and we are grateful for the increased investment in public higher education supported by our legislators and the governor. That investment is truly yielding dividends.” Led this year by the University of California Berkeley, the University of California Los Angeles, and the University of Virginia, national public universities offer a full range of undergraduate majors, plus master’s and Ph.D. programs, and are committed to producing groundbreaking research. The U.S. News rankings are based on a variety of weighted factors: graduation rate performance, undergraduate academic reputation, faculty resources, graduation and retention rate, alumni giving, financial resources, and student selectivity.

Webber & Grinnell Inducted into 2014 Circle of Excellence
NORTHAMPTON — Webber and Grinnell Insurance Agency has been inducted into the Plymouth Rock Assurance and Bunker Hill Insurance 2014 Circle of Excellence, recognizing outstanding professionalism, financial performance, and commitment to customer service by independent insurance agents during 2013. Selected from a pool of more than 400 independent agents across Massachusetts, Webber & Grinnell was one of 25 agents to receive this honor. “The Circle of Excellence is our premiere recognition and rewards program reserved for our top independent agents,” said Chris Olie, president of Plymouth Rock Assurance and chairman of Bunker Hill Insurance. “These agents are key parts of Plymouth Rock and Bunker Hill’s success. They have each worked hard to build their businesses while also providing excellent service and trusting advice to their customers.” Webber & Grinnell is one of the largest insurance agencies in Western Mass. The agency currently serves more than 5,000 automobile and homeowner policyholders, and insures nearly 900 businesses throughout the region. “As an independent agent, our goal is to provide expert service tailored to the specific needs of each client we serve,” said Bill Grinnell, president of Webber & Grinnell. “It’s always rewarding to be recognized for our hard work and dedication, and we’re grateful to receive this honor from Plymouth Rock and Bunker Hill.” Plymouth Rock and Bunker Hill are leading automobile- and home-insurance carriers serving Massachusetts. As a member of the Circle of Excellence, Webber & Grinnell will receive marketing support funds, education and training, and other initiatives designed to promote sustained success. The agency will be honored at a fall retreat.

Springfield Falcons, Columbus Blue Jackets Extend Affiliation
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Falcons and Columbus Blue Jackets are extending their affiliation through the 2015-16 season with an option for two additional years, Falcons President Sarah Pompea and Blue Jackets General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen jointly announced. The Falcons and Blue Jackets are entering their fifth season of partnership. The extension guarantees that Springfield will continue to serve as the American Hockey League affiliate and help develop top prospects in the Columbus organization through the 2015-16 season. “We are excited to continue our affiliation and strong relationship with the Columbus organization,” said Pompea. “The extension further affirms our continued commitment to the Greater Springfield community. Columbus has been a great partner, and we look forward to having continued success with them both on and off the ice.” Added Blue Jackets Assistant General Manager Chris MacFarland, who oversees hockey operations for the club’s affiliates, “the affiliation between the Blue Jackets and Springfield Falcons has been a successful and rewarding one for both clubs, and we’re pleased that the relationship will continue. The Falcons organization, under the leadership of Sarah Pompea, has been tremendous to work with, and we look forward to having our prospects continue to grow and develop in Springfield.” Since becoming the AHL affiliate of the Blue Jackets in 2010-11, the Falcons have completed some of their most successful seasons. The team has a 163-119-11-15 record over the course of the partnership. They have won back-to-back Northeast Division Championships in 2012-13 and 2013-14. Along with claiming the division title, Springfield also set new franchise records with 47 regular-season wins and a .658 points percentage, while tying a team mark of 100 points, in the 2013-14 season. Additionally, 35 current or former Falcons players have skated in at least one game with the Blue Jackets since the affiliation began four seasons ago.

UMass Among Entities to Be Caught ‘Green-handed’
EAST LONGMEADOW — Excel Dryer Inc., manufacturer of the original, patented, high-speed, energy-efficient XLERATOR hand dryer and new XLERATOReco hand dryer, announced registered projects for the third annual international Green Apple Day of Service, an initiative from the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council that brings together advocates from around the world and encourages them to take action in their communities through service projects at local schools. The Day of Service, now in its third year, provides an opportunity for students, teachers, parents, elected officials, organizations, companies, and others to transform all schools into healthy, safe, cost-efficient, and productive learning places. Projects organized by Excel Dryer this year include the installation of the Green Apple XLERATOR hand dryers at Brighton High School (part of the Boston public-school system), Angeles Mesa Elementary School (part of the Los Angeles Unified School District), and several locations throughout the UMass Amherst campus. “The green movement is here to stay, and as all facilities are looking for green and cost-savings initiatives, installing XLERATOR hand dryers or our new XLERATOReco hand dryers accomplishes both,” said William Gagnon, vice president of marketing at Excel Dryer. “We are proud to be an original seed sponsor of the Green Apple program since its inception, and encourage groups and individuals to get caught green-handed and make a difference this month by registering a Day of Service project to install XLERATOR hand dryers or XLERATOReco hand dryers at local schools.”

Coldwell Banker Among Top Charitable Companies
BOSTON — The Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage offices in Chicopee, Longmeadow, and Westfield announced that Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in New England has been ranked as one of the top corporate charitable contributors in Massachusetts by the Boston Business Journal. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage was the only residential real-estate brokerage firm to be recognized. The company was honored during the 9th annual Corporate Citizenship Summit, which was held at the Westin Copley Hotel in Boston and attended by approximately 700 guests representing a wide range of nonprofit organizations as well as local and national companies with a presence in Massachusetts. “Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage knows that supporting local charitable organizations is vital, and giving back to our communities is part of our culture,” said Pat Villani, president of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in New England. “I am very proud of our employees and affiliated sales associates who continue to demonstrate their generosity through their volunteer efforts and contributions to our charitable foundation.” Sales associates and employees raise funds for local housing-related causes by donating a portion of their sales commissions and paychecks to Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Cares, the company’s charitable foundation. They also host fund-raisers and volunteer at local community organizations. The primary purpose of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Cares is to raise funds to provide financial assistance to housing-related causes in the communities where Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage has a presence. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Cares is the New England chapter of the Realogy Foundation. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage is the largest residential real-estate brokerage company in New England. With more than 4,000 sales associates and staff in more than 80 office locations, the organization serves consumers in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Maine.

Inspired Marketing Relocates to Springfield
SPRINGFIELD — Inspired Marketing Inc., a full-service marketing agency and event-planning company, continues to grow, and has announced its relocation from the suburbs to 20 Maple St. in Springfield. This move brings the company into a larger space in the heart of the city, allowing it to be closer to a few current clients, including the Springfield Business Improvement District, Springfield Museums, Maple High/Six Corners neighborhood, Square One, and the future home of MGM Springfield. “As a homeowner in the city, I have a soft spot for Springfield,” said Jill Monson-Bishop, chief inspiration officer. “I believe we are on the brink of greatness.  I have confidence that the more young professional foot traffic we see in downtown, the quicker the city will thrive. Bringing my company downtown was a natural fit; now my team and I can walk outside for lunch or visit with a colleague in Court Square. We are thrilled to be back in Springfield!” Inspired Marketing is a full-service marketing and event-planning company started in 2011 by Monson-Bishop. It draws on marketing knowledge, resources, and local networks to help create bold solutions to reach clients’ goals. In addition, the firm is a leader in event planning, turning visions into reality for both large and small events. For more information, visit www.inspiredmarketing.biz.

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Holyoke Mall Announces ‘Magical Night of Giving’
HOLYOKE — Holyoke Mall at Ingleside will be hosting its ninth annual “Magical Night of Giving” event to help local nonprofit groups and schools raise funds for their organizations. The event will be held on Sunday, Nov. 23 from 6 to 9:30 p.m., with the orientation and ticket-distribution session held on Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 5:30 p.m. The orientation will be held at Holyoke Mall’s Guest Services Center, located on the lower level in Sears Court. The “Magical Night of Giving” is a simple and effective way for nonprofit groups and schools to raise funds for their organization. Holyoke Mall at Ingleside covers all overhead expenses, and the charity keeps 100% of each $5 admission ticket sold. The event works as follows:
• Holyoke Mall at Ingleside will print admission tickets. These tickets will be available for nonprofit groups to pick up and sell beginning Sept. 24.
• Prior to November’s event, organizations will sell these admission tickets for $5 each and keep all money earned from the sale of these tickets.
• For anyone not purchasing tickets in advance, admission tickets will also be sold the evening of the event at all mall entrances by some of the participating organizations.
• Participating Holyoke Mall at Ingleside retailers will offer special discounts that are exclusive to the “Magical Night of Giving.” The ticket is the only means to receive these special discounts between 6 and 9:30 p.m. on Nov. 23.
• Admission tickets sold also act as a raffle ticket. Prizes will be awarded, including a $1,000 Holyoke Mall gift card. The raffle drawing will begin at 8:30 p.m. the evening of the event.
Said Holyoke Mall General Manager Bill Rogalski, “this event helps to raise approximately $50,000 each year between the various organizations involved. Holyoke Mall is providing the tools for the groups to hold their own fund-raiser. It’s a simple way for nonprofit groups and area schools to raise much-needed funding for their organizations.” To reserve tickets for pickup on Sept. 24, contact Simone Enright at (413) 536-1441 or [email protected] by Friday, Sept. 19. Anyone unable to pick up tickets on Sept. 24 may make arrangements with Enright to pick them up at a later date. Call Holyoke Mall’s Marketing department at (413) 536-1441 with any questions.

Webber & Grinnell Named to Circle of Excellence
NORTHAMPTON — Webber and Grinnell Insurance Agency has been inducted into the Plymouth Rock Assurance and Bunker Hill Insurance 2014 Circle of Excellence, recognizing outstanding professionalism, financial performance, and commitment to customer service by independent insurance agents during 2013. Selected from a pool of more than 400 independent agents across Massachusetts, Webber & Grinnell was one of 25 agents to receive this honor. “The Circle of Excellence is our premiere recognition and rewards program reserved for our top independent agents,” said Chris Olie, president of Plymouth Rock Assurance and chairman of Bunker Hill Insurance.“These agents are key parts of Plymouth Rock and Bunker Hill’s success. They have each worked hard to build their businesses while also providing excellent service and trusting advice to their customers.” Webber & Grinnell is one of the largest insurance agencies in Western Mass. The agency currently serves more than 5,000 automobile and homeowner policyholders, and insures nearly 900 businesses throughout the region. “As an independent agent, our goal is to provide expert service tailored to the specific needs of each client we serve,” said Bill Grinnell, president of Webber & Grinnell. “It’s always rewarding to be recognized for our hard work and dedication, and we’re grateful to receive this honor from Plymouth Rock and Bunker Hill.” Plymouth Rock and Bunker Hill are leading automobile- and home-insurance carriers serving Massachusetts. As a member of the Circle of Excellence, Webber & Grinnell will receive marketing support funds, education and training, and other initiatives designed to promote sustained success. The agency will be honored at a fall retreat.

Freedom Credit Union Touts New Logo, Website
SPRINGFIELD — Freedom Credit Union recently unveiled its updated look with a new logo and a redesigned website. At the same time, the credit union launched its presence on social media with new Facebook and LinkedIn pages. “This rebrand is an effort for us to freshen up our image and present a more contemporary look and design across all parts of the credit union, from our website and in-branch messaging to our advertising and promotional materials,” said Barry Crosby, president and CEO. The new logo incorporates the outline of a bell, which represents the credit union’s founding as the Western Massachusetts Telephone Workers Credit Union in 1922. The new website features a more modern design with enhanced navigation and organization. Most of the information is organized within four areas — personal banking, business banking, member tools, and ‘about us’ — and the new rates page is arranged in tabs so that all credit-union rates can be accessed on one page. “Our new website also makes it very convenient for our members to apply for a mortgage or consumer loan online,” said Jeffrey Smith, Freedom’s vice president and chief lending officer. “Members can even get pre-qualified for a mortgage on our website in just a few minutes.” Members can apply for any type of consumer loan online — mortgages, home-equity loans, auto loans, personal loans, home-improvement loans, education loans, and more. On social media, Freedom has attracted hundreds of ‘likes’ on its Facebook page and numerous followers on its LinkedIn page. To access Freedom’s social-media sites, go to www.freedom.coop and click on the logos at the top of the page. Membership at Freedom is available to include anyone who lives, works, or attends a college or university in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, or Berkshire county. The organization boasts nine branches throughout the Pioneer Valley in Ludlow, Chicopee, Feeding Hills, Sixteen Acres, Springfield, Easthampton, Northampton, Greenfield, and Turners Falls. A tenth branch is slated to open in September at the Roger L. Putnam Technical Academy in Springfield.

Bauzá & Associates Joins Worldwide Partners
ENFIELD, Conn. — Worldwide Partners Inc. (WPI) has added another partner to the world’s 8th-largest full-service ad-agency network and the world’s largest network of independent ad agencies, according to Al Moffatt, president and CEO of Worldwide Partners, headquartered in Denver. Bauzá & Associates, headquartered in Enfield, Conn., specializes in multicultural marketing and is headed by principal and CEO Héctor Bauzá. Founded in 2003, the agency became an LLC in Massachusetts in 2005 and has a roster of clients including the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center of Dorchester, and the Connecticut Lottery. “What makes us attractive to clients worldwide is that we’re comprised of innovative, progressive agencies across a full range of disciplines and industries,” Moffatt said. “We’re a collaborative, bottom-up network whereby the partner agencies own us rather than us owning them. We provide the resources and the global outreach to help our partners achieve greater profits and revenue while the partner agencies work together to build each other’s business and service clients locally, regionally, and internationally. We’re an efficient, international network that is built to succeed in today’s highly competitive and fragmented marketing environment. Each partner is hand-selected for its progressive and innovative approach. In short, we have the critical mass and skills of the agency conglomerates coupled with the flexibility of the independents. We’re very happy to have Bauzá & Associates join us.” Added Bauzá, “we are honored to be a part of WPI’s tremendously successful network of independent agencies. As a smaller agency, the added muscle from WPI will help to increase the size of the projects Bauzá & Associates will compete for and expand this agency’s reach to regional, national, and global markets.” Worldwide Partners Inc., which celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2013, has more than 20 network-wide regional and international clients, including Wal-Mart Centroamerica, Caterpillar, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Group Santander, MINI, Western Digital, California Tourism, and Novartis.

Dadanco Opens New Facility in Westfield
WESTFIELD — Dadanco, a manufacturer of commercial hydronic-based heating and cooling products, including active chilled beams, induction units, and induction diffusers, announced the grand opening of its Luxton-Reed Center, with an open house to be held on Sept. 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Luxton-Reed Center is aptly named after two industry pioneers for heating and cooling technologies: professor Russell Luxton of Australia, the co-founder of Dadanco, and John Reed of Westfield, the founder of several hydronic heating companies, including Sterling Residential & Commercial Hydronics, which are divisions of Mestek Inc., the largest manufacturer of finned-tube baseboard radiation in North America. The Luxton-Reed Center (LRC) is a unique facility focused on research and development and specific high-efficiency equipment testing utilizing a thermal-scenario test chamber which accurately measures air and water flow, temperature, and capacities. The test chamber is highly configurable and can simulate actual real-life application conditions. Alongside the LRC corporate offices are several live-fire training and showcase spaces. Each space meticulously represents an actual real-world installation, including a hotel suite, hospital room, and laboratory. The hotel suite is one of the most technically complex demonstration spaces in the LRC facility, as the room features a thermal wall with glass façade which simulates outside conditions and three different types of hydronic cooling solutions, so guests get to compare and contrast without leaving the room. LRC’s main mechanical room is host to multiple high-efficiency products produced by other Westfield-based Mestek companies, including condensing cast-iron boilers from Advanced Thermal Hydronics, flexible small-duct air distribution, and reverse-cycle chiller systems by SpacePak, direct outside air systems by Applied Air, hydronic fan coils by Airtherm, and integrated control systems by HeatNet. The facility is a fully operational showroom and research center for high-efficiency indoor comfort equipment and integrated control platforms. Every room, including the offices, the classroom/training room, the videoconferencing room, and the kitchen/break room, houses various mediums of high-efficiency air-distribution equipment.

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Baystate Announces Leadership Appointments, New Name for Wing
SPRINGFIELD — With the change of Wing Memorial Hospital’s parent company from UMass Memorial Health Care to Baystate Health expected to take place on Sept. 1, Baystate Health announced leadership appointments for its Eastern Region and a new name for the Palmer hospital: Baystate Wing Hospital. As of Sept. 1, Dr. Charles Cavagnaro III, now president and CEO of Wing Memorial Hospital, will be appointed president of Baystate Health’s Eastern Region, which is comprised of Baystate Mary Lane Hospital, Baystate Wing Hospital, and the employed medical practices and medical centers in that region. As he assumes this leadership position, Cavagnaro has appointed Dr. Shafeeq Ahmed chief operating officer of Baystate Health’s Eastern Region. Ahmed will also continue in his role as chief medical officer of Baystate Mary Lane Hospital and Baystate Medical Practices Eastern Region. As president of the region, Cavagnaro will provide strategic, executive, and operational leadership for the two hospitals there, which provide inpatient medical, surgical, gynecological, and behavioral-health services; emergency services; as well as a range of primary-care and other outpatient services for about 80,000 people in that region. He will report to Dennis Chalke, senior vice president of Baystate Health Community Hospitals and senior vice president and chief financial officer of Baystate Health. Cavagnaro has served as president and CEO of Wing Memorial Hospital and Medical Centers for the past 15 years. Before that, he was Wing’s vice president of Medical Affairs. In 2013, he served as interim president of UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester. Amid a challenging financial environment, Cavagnaro and his team have led Wing to serve a greater number of patients, add hospital beds, and increase the depth and breadth of services in its health centers and outpatient practices. The hallmark of his leadership is a focus on quality and safety that led to an ‘A’ safety rating for Wing from Leapfrog Group and Top Performer status from the Joint Commission on core accountability measures. Cavagnaro is a board-certified primary-care internist in Belchertown and sees patients on a weekly basis. He is a Six Sigma and Lean Green Belt in healthcare quality-improvement processes. Cavagnar completed his residency in internal medicine at UMass Medical Center and is a graduate of Cornell University Medicine College in New York City. He is a member of the American College of Physician Executives and the American College of Healthcare Executives, and a fellow of the American College of Physicians. He was a founding member of the American Academy of Hospice Physicians, which is now known as the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. He has served as a medical examiner for District IV of Hampshire County, and as a member of the board of directors of the Pioneer Valley Chapter of the Red Cross. He presently serves on the American Hospital Assoc. Regional Policy Board for the New England Region. Ahmed was recently named one of ‘100 Hospital and Health System Chief Medical Officers to Know’ by Becker’s Hospital Review. Prior to his arrival at Baystate Mary Lane Hospital, Ahmed had served as president of the medical staff, chief of Ob/Gyn, and a member of the hospital board of directors at the Naval Hospital in Cherry Point in North Carolina. Ahmed is a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist at Baystate Medical Practices – Mary Lane Ob/Gyn in Ware, and sees patients on a weekly basis.
 Over the next several months, Cavagnaro and Ahmed will be working together as part of a larger, broadly experienced team to develop the integration strategy for Baystate Health’s Eastern Region. The name Baystate Wing Hospital aspires to honor the hospital’s more-than-100-year history, and recognize the vision and contributions of the Wing family and the countless others who have contributed their time, talents, and money to making Wing the strong community health provider it is today, while also celebrating Wing’s new affiliation with Baystate Health.

Springfield College Named College of Distinction
SPRINGFIELD — Springfield College has again been identified as a 2014-15 College of Distinction for providing an innovative, teacher-centered undergraduate education with a strong record of preparing its graduates for real-world success. Colleges of Distinction is a college guide that for the last 15 years has recognized colleges it determines to be the best places to learn, grow, and succeed. The goal of Colleges of Distinction is to provide students, counselors, and parents with information about such schools. Colleges of Distinction describes schools that take a holistic approach to admissions decisions, consistently excel in providing undergraduate education, and have a national reputation. It also gives students, counselors, and parents an unbiased look at the college-admissions process. Colleges of Distinction looks at the myths surrounding college admissions, provides tools for self-assessment, and provides insights from college-admissions professionals, high-school counselors, students, and parents. Founded in 1885, Springfield College is known worldwide for the guiding principles of its Humanics philosophy — educating students in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to others. The college offers a range of undergraduate- and graduate-degree programs in the fields of health sciences, human and social services, sport management and movement studies, education, business, and the arts and sciences. It also offers doctoral programs in physical education, physical therapy, and counseling psychology. The college is ranked in the 2014 edition of Best Colleges in the top tier of “Best Regional Universities — North Region” by U.S. News Media Group, and is designated as a premier Leadership Development Center by the YMCA of the USA. More than 5,000 traditional, non-traditional, and international students study at its main campus in Springfield and its School of Human Services campuses across the country.

NBSB Cuts Ribbons in Ware, East Brookfield, and Three Rivers Village
NORTH BROOKFIELD — North Brookfield Savings Bank recently held ribbon-cutting events at its Ware, West Brookfield, and Three Rivers Village of Palmer branches. The events took place following the bank’s merger with FamilyFirst Bank in June. “North Brookfield Savings Bank is honored to be a part of these great communities and hopes to make a positive impact for businesses and individuals for years to come,” said NBSB President and CEO Donna Boulanger. “We look forward to being ‘where it’s at’ for specially tailored financial products and services, the best customer service, community support, and fun community events.” The ribbon cuttings drew current and prospective members of the Massachusetts Legislature. State Rep. Todd Smola attended the event at the Three Rivers Village branch, state Senate candidate Mike Valanzola attended the event at the Ware branch, and state Sen. Stephen Brewer and state Rep. Anne Gobi attended the East Brookfield branch ribbon cutting. In addition to carrying the North Brookfield Savings Bank name, the three new NBSB branches feature state-of-the-art banking for residents and businesses alike, while renovations to the 40-44 Main St., Ware branch will begin shortly to provide more cutting-edge banking services and access to the business bankers at the NBSB Business Center.

Advance Welding Relocates to Springfield
WEST SPRINGFIELD — After more than 36 years of doing business in West Springfield, Advance Welding will relocate to Brookdale Drive in Springfield on Sept. 2. “As our capabilities and customer base continue to grow, this move will improve our ability to process our customers’ work,” said Advance Welding President Christopher Kielb. The company is a provider of metal-joining services to the commercial, marine, nuclear, medical, aerospace, and defense industries. Its operations and management team will remain the same. The new address is 150 Brookdale Dr., and the phone number will remain (413) 734-4544.

Country Bank Contributes $14,500 to Local Schools
WARE — Country Bank surprised 29 local schools that participate in the bank’s Savings Makes Sense School Banking Program with $500 gift cards to Staples. Each school received the donation to help cover the cost of back-to-school supplies. “We know how difficult it is for the schools to have the supplies they need when budgets become tight,” said Jodie Gerulaitis, financial education officer for Country Bank. “They are truly so grateful and appreciative of this gift.” It is reported that teachers annually spend about $250 of their own money to purchase items for their classrooms. Country Bank wanted to help teachers who do so much for their students. Country Bank serves Central and Western Mass. with 15 offices in Ware, Palmer, Brimfield, Belchertown, Ludlow, Wilbraham, Paxton, Charlton, Leicester, and West Brookfield.

PeoplesBank Supports Women Business Owners
HOLYOKE — In support of the growth and success of women business owners, PeoplesBank is partnering with WomenUpFront to host a monthly, ongoing roundtable for women who have ownership and leadership responsibility and want to grow toward $1 million in annual revenue. The WomenUpFront Roundtable provides a learning forum for owners to get out of the weeds of the day-to-day routine and look at their businesses more purposefully and strategically. The objective of the roundtable is to help accelerate women entrepreneurs transition their businesses to the next level and place their companies in a better strategic position to access new opportunities and continue to prosper. The roundtable offers a curriculum designed for the small-business owners and will begin in September. For more information on WomenUpFront and membership criteria, contact Cathy Crosky at [email protected] or (413) 822-1263.

Berkshire Bank Wins Communicator Awards
PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Bank has received two Communicator Awards from the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts (AIVA). The bank received 2014 Silver Awards of Distinction in two categories, Commercials – Banks and Annual Report – Corporation. Each year, AIVA receives more than 6,000 entries from across the U.S. and around the world, making the Communicator Awards the largest and most competitive awards program honoring creative excellence for communications professionals. Berkshire’s television commercial for banks recognized by the Communicator Awards was its “Life Is Exciting. Let Us Help” spot developed by Berkshire Bank’s marketing department. The bank’s second Silver Award of Distinction from the Communicator Award was for its 2013 annual report. Founded in 1994, the Communicator Awards are judged and overseen by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts, an organization of more than 600 leading professionals from various disciplines of the visual arts dedicated to embracing progress and the evolving nature of traditional and interactive media.

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Baystate Wins Approval for Three Determination-of-need Requests
BOSTON — The Mass. Public Health Council approved three determination-of-need (DON) requests to support Baystate Health’s efforts to modernize its facilities and improve access to, and quality and value of, healthcare for patients in Western Mass. The approved requests relate to the transfer of ownership of Wing Memorial Hospital and Medical Centers to Baystate Health from UMass Memorial Health Care of Worcester; construction of new operating rooms at Baystate Franklin Medical Center to replace aging facilities; and construction of a new inpatient pharmacy in shell space in the MassMutual Wing at Baystate Medical Center. “We’re very pleased to receive the approval of the Public Health Council for three initiatives that we expect to have a major positive impact on quality, access, and affordability of healthcare in Western Mass., and on our ability to continue to provide outstanding, high-value care for our patients close to where they live,” said Dr. Mark Keroack, president and CEO of Baystate Health. With the council’s approval in place, the transfer of ownership of Wing, announced prospectively in December 2013, is now expected to be complete in September. Wing will become an affiliate of Baystate Health, and its approximately 800 employees will join Baystate. Baystate officials expect that Wing’s proximity to Baystate’s Western Mass. network will mean improved access to doctors, cost savings, better coordination of care, and better alignment with local public-health efforts for patients in the Palmer/Quaboag region. Wing and Baystate Mary Lane Hospital in Ware will operate in close coordination with each other and with other local healthcare providers, and patients’ current options for choosing providers will not be affected. The Surgery Modernization Project at Baystate Franklin Medical Center (BFMC) in Greenfield addresses a need for contemporary facilities to replace the current ORs built in 1974, which will be renovated to relocate endoscopy services. The project, expected to begin this fall, will allow Franklin County and North Quabbin area residents to receive more healthcare services close to home, while also aiding in Baystate’s efforts to recruit additional physicians to the region. Moving the inpatient pharmacy at Baystate Medical Center (BMC) enables pharmacists to meet patients’ growing needs in a state-of-the-art, safe, and secure facility in the newest wing of the Springfield teaching and research hospital. The BFMC and BMC projects come with new community-benefit contributions from Baystate Health. BFMC’s Surgery Modernization Project will generate $228,921 per year for five years for community health-improvement projects in the Franklin County/North Quabbin region. The pharmacy at BMC comes with a community-benefit contribution of $342,146, which brings the total community benefit under the entire determination of need for the expansion of Baystate Medical Center to $13,144,765. Baystate’s Health’s community-benefit work at all of its hospitals is conducted in partnership with a wide array of community stakeholders to achieve the most inclusive process and effective outcomes possible.

Freedom Credit Union Announces $2.2 Million Springfield Expansion
SPRINGFIELD — Freedom Credit Union (FCU) President and CEO Barry Crosby announced a $2.2 million expansion of the company’s Springfield headquarters on Tuesday. Freedom will expand its facilities at 1976 Main St. to a building at 77 Boylston St., directly behind Freedom. Crosby said the company plans to relocate 26 Springfield employees to that location, along with 16 employees from Feeding Hills, and hire an additional 13 employees to staff the new building. FCU has had a presence in downtown Springfield since 1922, when it was known as the Western Massachusetts Telephone Workers Credit Union. Renovations of the Bolyston Street property, most recently home to Hampden County Physician Associates, are expected to be completed next January or February.

United Financial Shareholders Approve Executive Compensation
GLASTONBURY — United Financial Bancorp Inc., the holding company for United Bank, announced that an overwhelming majority of its shareholders voted in favor of key proposals presented at its 2014 annual meeting held on Aug. 5, including the executive compensation plan and the re-election of three key United Financial Board members. The proposal to ratify its executive-compensation plan, or say-on-pay, received 93% of the vote by shareholders. The company’s executive-compensation plan is market-based, tied to performance and aligned with shareholders’ interests. They also voted overwhelmingly (94%) to re-elect three members of the board of directors to four-year terms: William Crawford IV, CEO of United Financial Bancorp Inc. and United Bank; Michael Crowley; and Raymond Lefurge Jr., vice chairman of the board. Since the proposals required only 50% of shares outstanding to vote in favor of the proposals to pass, both vote counts underscored the tremendous support shareholders have in the company, its leadership team, and bank employees. In addition to executive compensation and re-election of board members, a proposal to approve the appointment of Wolf & Co., P.C. as United’s independent auditor received 98% shareholder approval.

Gleason Johndrow Landscaping Makes Top 100 List for Snow Removal
NORTHAMPTON — Gleason Johndrow Landscaping, a Northampton-based snow-removal and landscaping contractor, has landed a spot among the top 100 snow-removal contractors nationwide as determined by SNOW magazine, an industry publication that bestows this honor every summer based on the previous year’s revenues. Mike Zawacki, editor of SNOW, views the list as “a reflection of those contractors’ operational excellence.” “We’re thrilled to be included,” said Tony Gleason, a partner in Gleason Johndrow. “We pride ourselves each and every year on logistical process and customer satisfaction. We’re very honored and grateful to be numbered among the best contractors in the country by our peers.” SNOW has been compiling this list (to be released in an article in September’s issue) for the past 10 years and focuses on revenues and operations for contractors submitting their yearly revenues. “It’s a pleasure to see contractors on this list keep growing. It’s a testament to their continued focus on improving their operation every year,” said Zawacki, adding that “2013 was a good year for snow. It was tougher to get on this list this year because so many contractors had a great year.” Gleason and Dave Johndrow have been providing landscaping and snow-removal services since 2002, with commercial and residential clients throughout Western Mass. and Northern Conn.

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Whittlesey & Hadley Announces Expansion
HARTFORD, Conn. – Whittlesey & Hadley, P.C., one of the area’s largest regional CPA firms, announced its plan to diversify geographically and grow in size, services, and staff, beginning with a merger with Lester Halpern & Co., P.C. of Holyoke, a leading regional CPA firm providing a broad range of accounting, audit, tax, and management-consulting services to closely held business, nonprofit, and governmental sectors of Western Mass. and throughout New England. The merger became effective Aug. 1. Whittlesey & Hadley provides accounting, audit, tax, technology, and business-consulting services to clients primarily throughout the Northeast, with access to a worldwide network of resources through PKF North America. For more than 50 years, the firm has served closely held businesses, including manufacturing, construction and distribution, real estate, financial institutions, healthcare, government, and technology industries, as well as the nonprofit sector, the firm’s largest niche focus. The firm has 100 professional and administrative staff located in downtown Hartford. “We moved to a larger office space in downtown Hartford, providing us with the resources to begin our future growth,” said Drew Andrews, managing partner of Whittlesey & Hadley, P.C. “It is a common vision, philosophy, and dedication to provide a superior client experience that we are seeking when merging with CPA firms. Lester Halpern & Co. brought that to the table. This merger represents our first step in an aggressive plan to grow our services and staff throughout the Northeast, while retaining our valued reputation as having the expertise of a national firm but the responsiveness of a local firm that clients expect and deserve from its professional services partner.” Established in 1959, Lester Halpern & Co.’s 25 employees will continue to serve their client base out of the Holyoke office, while acquiring the Whittlesey & Hadley brand.

United Financial Bancorp Announces Q2 Results
GLASTONBURY, Conn. — United Financial Bancorp Inc., the holding company for United Bank, announced results for the quarter ended June 30. These results include one month of the pre-merger Rockville Financial Inc. net income, and net income of the combined entity beginning on May 1. Rockville was the legal acquirer in the merger of equals with legacy United Financial Bancorp Inc., in a transaction that closed on April 30, and Rockville changed its name to United Financial Bancorp Inc. at that time. The company had a net loss of $5.6 million, or $(0.13) per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, compared to Rockville’s net income of $3.3 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2013. Operating net income for the second quarter of 2014 was $5.8 million (non-GAAP), or $0.13 per diluted share, adjusted for $21.3 million (pre-tax) of expenses related to the merger, $4.9 million (pre-tax) net impact of the amortization and accretion of the purchase-accounting adjustments (or fair-value adjustments) as a result of the merger, and $589,000 (pre-tax) net gains on sales of securities. Operating net income for the quarter ending March 31 was $2.2 million (non-GAAP), or $0.08 per diluted share, adjusted for $1.8 million (pre-tax) of expenses related to the merger of equals between Rockville Financial Inc. and United Financial Bancorp Inc., as well as income of $268,000 (pre-tax) from net gains on sales of securities. Operating net income for the second quarter of 2013 was $4.0 million (non-GAAP), or $0.15 per diluted share, adjusted for $809,000 (pre-tax) for the impact of a branch lease-termination agreement and $561,000 (pre-tax) for termination expense related to position eliminations, as well as income of $329,000 (pre-tax) from net gains on sales of securities. “During the second quarter, Rockville Financial Inc. and United Financial Bancorp Inc. successfully completed their merger of equals. Organic earning asset growth and operating earnings results for the quarter were strong, despite including only two months as a combined organization,” said William Crawford IV, CEO of United Financial Bancorp Inc. and United Bank. “The team is intensely focused on integrating the two companies and is on target to complete the data conversion in the fourth quarter of 2014.” Earnings in both 2014 and 2013 were affected by non-operating income and expense.

HCC Gateway to College Program Tops in U.S.
HOLYOKE — The HCC Gateway to College program, which takes high-school dropouts and puts them in college classes, leads the nation in both retention and graduation rates. The spring 2014 report from the National Network of Gateway to College lists the program at Holyoke Community College number one in both fall-to-fall persistence rate (87%) and graduation rate (80%) out of all 43 Gateway to College programs for the 2011-12 academic year. The network average was 53% for persistence (otherwise known as retention) and 27% for graduation. The Gateway to College program gives second chances to high-school students who have either dropped out of school or are at risk for dropping out by enrolling them in college classes. Students earn both their high-school diplomas and college credit. HCC’s largest Gateway class ever graduated on June 9, with 26 students from Amherst, Palmer, Holyoke, and Springfield receiving their high-school diplomas. Along the way, the class of 2014 also amassed a total of 387 college credits. Since 2010, 142 students have earned their high-school diplomas through the HCC Gateway to College program.

Easthampton Savings Bank Posts Solid Quarter
EASTHAMPTON — Easthampton Savings Bank staged its quarterly directors meeting on July 16. President and CEO Matthew Sosik reported the completion of another successful quarter for the bank. “This past year represents yet another in a long string of excellent financial performances at Easthampton Savings,” he said. “Total assets were up $41.6 million from a year ago, an increase of 4.3%, while total loans increased 9% or $63.5 million.” Total loans now stand at $747.8 million. The bank’s deposit growth was $38.3 million or 5% from this time last year, with total deposits now at $840.2 million. “These continue to be challenging economic times for our region, and interest rates remain very low as a result,” said Sosik. “In spite of those conditions, the bank continues to outperform the industry.  At the same time, we have continued to invest heavily in the communities that we serve through direct charitable donations and many, many hours of community service by our staff and our directors.”

North Brookfield Savings, FamilyFirst Finish Merger
NORTH BROOKFIELD — North Brookfield Savings Bank announced that the bank’s merger with FamilyFirst Bank is now complete, effective June 1. The deal, first announced in January 2014, recently became official thanks to approval of the corporators of North Brookfield Savings Bank, the shareholders of FamilyFirst Bank, and the banks’ regulators. With the addition of former FamilyFirst Bank branches in Ware, the Three Rivers Village of Palmer, and East Brookfield, North Brookfield Savings Bank now includes seven branches in addition to the Business Center at NBSB and online-banking components. North Brookfield Savings Bank, founded in 1854, is a mutual savings bank with over $200 million in assets. The bank has received the highest Five Star Superior Bank rating from Bauer Financial for 74 consecutive quarters. The combined bank will have in excess of $260 million in assets.

Berkshire Bank Renames Mortgage Division
PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Bank announced the renaming of its mortgage-lending division to Berkshire Bank Home Lending. The line of business includes a home-lending call center, operations, servicing, and a team of mortgage-loan originators. This business line will transition Berkshire’s current mortgage-lending affiliate, Greenpark Mortgage, into the Berkshire Bank Home Lending brand. Along with its new home-lending call center and loan-servicing operations, Berkshire Bank Home Lending includes more than 90 mortgage-loan originators located in offices throughout New England and New York. Included in the business-unit rollout was the launch of a new consumer-lending website, berkshirebankhomelending.com. The new site features areas to get pre-approved for a mortgage, apply for a mortgage, and log in to check on an application’s status. It also includes helpful information on topics including mortgage-application checklists, calculators, glossary of terms, and homeowners’ insurance. “Berkshire Bank Home Lending’s goal is to provide individualized home-mortgage solutions because we know no two customers are alike,” said Kevin Inkley, senior vice president, Retail Lending. “With our network of local loan originators, competitive pricing, home-lending call center, and website, we partner with our customers to keep them informed, ensuring the highest-quality service and long-term satisfaction.”

Tighe & Bond Named a “Best Firm to Work For”
WESTFIELD — Based on the survey results of its 2014 “Best Firms To Work For” competition, ZweigWhite recognized Tighe & Bond as one of the best civil-engineering firms in the U.S. to work for. This annual awards competition is based on business-practice data collected from numerous participating firms across the country, including feedback solicited through an employee survey. ZweigWhite, a provider of management information and expertise to architecture, engineering, planning, and environmental-consulting firms worldwide, sponsors the program that recognizes the top firms leading the way in creating a workplace that inspires, motivates, and rewards employees. The competitive ranking that results is based on comprehensive evaluations of factors such as firm culture and workplace practices, employee benefits, career development and growth opportunities, compensation, performance and recognition, as well as recruiting and retention rates.  All firms that apply for this prestigious ranking and recognition are evaluated against each other, not a set standard. “ZweigWhite has recognized Tighe & Bond several times as one of the best engineering firms to work for in the nation, and it is always a significant honor,” said David Pinsky, president and CEO of Tighe & Bond. “It also exemplifies our ongoing commitment to create a working environment where all of our employees feel valued and where they can see their contribution to the overall mission and success of the firm and our clients. Our ability to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented staff is crucial to providing the high-quality, responsive services that our clients have come to expect and deserve.”

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United Financial Bancorp Announces Q2 Dividend for Shareholders
GLASTONBURY, Conn. — United Financial Bancorp Inc., the holding company for United Bank, announced that its board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend on the company’s common stock of $0.10 per share to shareholders of record at the close of business on July 28 and payable on Aug. 4. This dividend equates to a 2.97% annualized yield based on the $13.45 average closing price of the company’s common stock in the second quarter of 2014. The company has now paid dividends for 33 consecutive quarters. “This dividend is reflective of our consistent capital-management strategy, and we are pleased to continue to be in a position to reward United shareholders with another consecutive 10-cent dividend on Aug. 4,” said William Crawford, CEO of United Financial Bancorp Inc. and United Bank.

Baystate Medical Center Recognized By U.S. News & World Report
SPRINGFIELD — U.S. News & World Report has again ranked Baystate Medical Center among the nation’s top hospitals. In the 2014-15 U.S. News rankings, released Tuesday, Baystate is nationally ranked for its care in the areas of diabetes and endocrinology; ear, nose, and throat; and gynecology. Baystate is considered high-performing by U.S. News in nine other areas of medical specialty: cancer, cardiology and heart surgery, gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery, geriatrics, nephrology, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, pulmonology, and urology. For the second year in a row, Baystate was named among the top three hospitals in Massachusetts. “I’m very proud of the hard work, compassion, and commitment of the caregivers who make such an honor possible,” said Dr. Mark Keroack, president and CEO of Baystate Health and CEO of Baystate Medical Center. “Every day, they’re saving lives and changing lives for the better. I congratulate them on this wonderful recognition of the outstanding service they provide for our community, in support of our mission.” Keroack added that the honor is also a testament to the collaboration that exists among medical providers all over the region. “Without an outstanding, dedicated network of primary-care providers, without community physicians with whom we have strong and mutually supporting relationships, none of this is possible for our patients and our community.” For 2014-15, U.S. News evaluated hospitals in 16 adult specialties and ranked the top 50 in most of the specialties. Just 3% of the nearly 5,000 hospitals that were analyzed for Best Hospitals 2014-15 earned national ranking in even one specialty. “Several years ago, we committed as an organization to achieve the very highest levels of quality in the care we provide,” said Dr. Evan Benjamin, senior vice president of Healthcare Quality for Baystate Health. “This is a point of pride and an affirmation of our efforts, and we’ll continue working hard to do even better for our patients and their families.” Objective measures such as patient survival and safety data, adequacy of nurse-staffing levels, and other data largely determined the rankings in most specialties. The specialty rankings and data were produced for U.S. News by RTI International, a leading research organization based in Research Triangle Park, N.C. Using the same data, the magazine produced state and metro rankings. The rankings are available at health.usnews.com/best-hospitals and will appear in the U.S. News “Best Hospitals 2015” guidebook, available in August.

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Bay Path Is Now Officially a University
LONGMEADOW — Bay Path faculty, staff and students marked July 1 as the official first day as a university — in fact, the first women’s university in the Commonwealth. Before a crowd of more than 250 members from the Bay Path community, President Carol Leary said, “we are enthusiastic about becoming Bay Path University as it more appropriately reflects the complexity, drive, and bold dreams of this institution. Our three campuses have been expanded by a location in downtown Springfield, bringing us back to our roots, that boasts the first online college in the country exclusively for women. Soon, we will have a new location in East Longmeadow with a 57,000-square-foot building to house our programs in health science.” She noted that 19 graduate degrees, online learning communities, and athletic fields round out the picture of “today’s Bay Path.” This spring, the college secured approvals for the transition to university status from the Mass. Department of Higher Education and the New England Assoc. of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). With this approval, the board of trustees also reaffirmed the university’s mission to the education of women at the undergraduate level. Bay Path is a four-year, private university with an enrollment of more than 2,400 students at its Longmeadow campus and satellite campuses in Sturbridge and Burlington. The university offers undergraduate degrees for women, graduate degrees for men and women on campus and online, and the American Women’s College, offering accelerated degrees programs for adult women online or on campus through its One-Day-a-Week program.

Jewish Lifecare Announces Campaign
LONGMEADOW — Dr. Robert Baevsky, chair of the Jewish Lifecare board of directors, announced that Susan Kline and Stephen Krevalin, longtime volunteers for the organization formerly known as Jewish Geriatric Services, are chairing Project Transformation: A New World of Care, a $9 million capital campaign in support of several projects that will transform elder-care services at Jewish Lifecare. “Jewish Lifecare has always prided itself on being a progressive, forward-looking organization that continuously engages the ever-changing needs of the elderly,” said Baevsky. “Project Transformation: A New World of Care continues our journey of culture change and person-centered care, as we enhance, build, and expand services and facilities to improve health outcomes and enhance resident dignity, independence, and quality of life.” Both Kline and Krevalin are former chairs of the Jewish Lifecare board of directors. Kline served as chair from 2012 to 2014, during which time she led the strategic-planning process leading to Project Transformation. Krevalin served as chair from 1996 to 2000, and has served on or chaired numerous committees, including the 2012 Centennial Celebration. Both Kline and Krevalin also served on the rebranding committee, leading to the organization’s rebranding as Jewish Lifecare. “For the past two years, it has been my privilege to chair the board of directors and help shape this transformational journey,” said Kline. “As we move away from traditional models of care and embrace the small-house model of care, we will not only improve the care provided, but also enhance the dignity of those living here.” In addition to her Jewish Lifecare volunteerism, Kline has also long been associated with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, currently overseeing all HGF programs and grants in Western Mass. Krevalin, a managing partner at Bacon Wilson, P.C., and his family have given back to the Jewish Lifecare community for generations. The Project Transformation: A New World of Care campaign will support the construction of a state-of-the-art, 24-bed rehabilitation facility; renovations to the Leavitt Family Jewish Home in the small-house model of care; and other significant upgrades to the entire campus. Other funding sources will include an owner’s equity contribution and bank financing. Jewish Lifecare has engaged the architectural firm of Perkins Eastman, as well as Jude Rabig, two of the foremost experts on culture change and small-house design in the U.S., to assist in the design of the upgrades and new facility. Groundbreaking for the new rehabilitation center is expected later this fall, with construction to be completed by the fall of 2015.

Plastics Manufacturer Pioneers New Technology
LUDLOW — Meredith-Springfield Associates Inc., a plastics manufacturer specializing in extrusion blow molding and injection stretch blow molding, is pioneering the use of new technology to manufacture sustainable plastic packaging for major brands like Mrs. Dash, owned by B&G Foods. “An analysis of the Mrs. Dash packaging process revealed the need to create a more sustainable bottle,” said Mel O’Leary Jr., president and CEO of Meredith-Springfield. “While sustainable packaging has become a point of interest for manufacturers with regard to environmental benefits, significant cost savings can also be realized. Sustainable package innovation offered by advanced plastic molding technology minimizes packaging costs, which in turn reduces warehousing and transportation costs as well.” Meredith-Springfield constructed pilot molds and conducted design experiments with the objective of reducing the amount of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) used in the creation of Mrs. Dash packaging. “Manufacturers seeking more sustainable plastic packaging should look for innovative ways to reduce PET,” said O’Leary. “For Mrs. Dash, we are using the most advanced plastic molding technology to alter the amount of plastic and place PET only where it most impacts package performance.” By adjusting the weight-bearing performance of the packaging, Meredith-Springfield was able to reduce the weight of a Mrs. Dash bottle by more than 25%. The more sustainable packaging saves B&G Foods an excess of 200,000 pounds of PET resin per year and reduces related costs of optimizing other aspects of the molding and delivery process. “In reducing the weight, we carefully engineered the placement of remaining mass of plastic to go into the areas of the bottle which would maximize top-loading ability,” said O’Leary. The entire redesign resulted in a significant cost savings for B&G Foods, but required in-depth research and development. The new extrusion blow molding machine produces more than 100,000 Mrs. Dash bottles in each 24-hour production period and is capable of delivering more than 35 million units per year. “This process is a major volume addition to our evolving PET business,” said O’Leary. “It provides economies of scale with resin, packaging, and transportation purchases, so it helps lower all costs and adds to our critical mass on both extrusion blow molding and stretch blow molding capabilities.” The machine is a one-step process for making specialty PET bottles versus a two-step process used to make carbonated beverage bottles. Beverage bottles require multiple steps; first, a ‘preform’ is molded in an injection molding machine and then transferred to a reheat-stretch machine. “Our technology is the most energy-efficient method available,” said O’Leary. “It goes from plastic pellets to finished bottles on one machine.”

Holiday Inn Express Ludlow Receives Recognition for Service
LUDLOW — Pioneer Valley Hotel Group announced that its Holiday Inn Express Ludlow received recognition from InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) for service excellence among the 47 Holiday Inns and Holiday Inn Expresses in the Greater Boston region. The three-story, 71-room hotel at 321 Center St. ranked first in overall service, first in lowest percentage of guest problems, and second for overall guest satisfaction. General Manager Melissa Labonte said that “it is an honor to be recognized for the hard work my staff puts in each day. We really do believe our guests are like family. When they are here, they are home.” The hotel is located just south of the Mass Pike. Guests enjoy complimentary high-speed wireless Internet throughout the hotel, as well as Express Start breakfast in the lobby each morning. The hotel also features a fitness center, indoor heated pool, and 24-hour business center. Holiday Inn Express Ludlow is owned and operated by Pioneer Valley Hotel Group, LLC. Reservations can be made by calling (413) 589-9300 or visiting hiexpress.com/ludlowma. Group and meeting inquiries can be directed to Connie Foster, the hotel’s director of sales, at (413) 750-3106 or [email protected].

Leavitt Family Jewish Home Accredited by Joint Commission
LONGMEADOW — The Leavitt Family Jewish Home at Jewish Lifecare has earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for accreditation by demonstrating compliance with the Joint Commission’s national standards for healthcare qualityand patient and resident safety in nursing homes. The accreditation award recognizes the nursing home’s dedication to continuous compliance with the Joint Commission’s state-of-the-art standards. The Jewish Home underwent a rigorous, on-site survey on June 18. A Joint Commission surveyor evaluated the nursing home for compliance with standards of care specific to the needs of patients and residents, including infection prevention and control, leadership, and medication management. “In achieving Joint Commission accreditation, the Leavitt Family Jewish Home has demonstrated its commitment to the highest level of care for its patients and residents that goes above and beyond federal and state requirements,” said Gina Zimmermann, executive director, Nursing Care Center Accreditation for the Joint Commission. “Accreditation is a voluntary process, and I commend the Jewish Home for successfully undertaking this challenge to elevate its standard of care and instill confidence in the community it serves.” The Joint Commission’s Nursing Care Center accreditation program, formerly the Long Term Care accreditation program, was established in 1966 and accredits nearly 1,000 organizations offering nursing home services. The Joint Commission’s standards address important functions relating to the care of patients and residents and the management of nursing-care centers. The standards are developed in consultation with industry experts, providers, measurement experts, and consumers. “With Joint Commission accreditation, we are making a significant investment in quality on a day-to-day basis from the top down. Joint Commission accreditation provides us a framework to take our organization to the next level and helps create a culture of excellence,” said Stephen Roizen, administrator of the Leavitt Family Jewish Home. “Achieving Joint Commission accreditation, for our organization, is a major step toward maintaining excellence and continually improving the care we provide.”

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Meredith Corp. to Acquire WGGB
SPRINGFIELD — John Gormally, president of Gormally Broadcasting, LLC, as well as BusinessWest magazine, yesterday announced that he has signed an agreement to sell Springfield-based ABC 40/FOX 6 to Des Moines, Iowa-based Meredith Corp. The sale is subject to approval from the Federal Communications Commission and is expected to close later this summer or early fall. Gormally acquired ABC 40 in the fall of 2007 and soon began a series of significant investments in new facilities and equipment. Shortly thereafter, he launched Fox 6 Springfield, bringing a fourth TV station to the market. The sale is a reflection of a trend toward ongoing consolidation within the media industry, particularly in television. Meredith currently operates 14 local broadcast stations, including WFSB Channel 3 in Hartford and its low-power sister station, WSHM, in Springfield. Other Meredith stations are located in Georgia, Oregon, Missouri, South Carolina, North Carolina, Michigan, Arizona, Tennessee, and Nevada. Under Gormally’s ownership, ABC 40 earned numerous awards for news excellence, including News Station of the Year honors from the Associated Press in 2013 and 2014, competing against all Springfield and Providence, R.I. stations. WGGB continues to be the only commercial TV station broadcasting news in HD.

Baystate Health Announces Naming of Tolosky Center
SPRINGFIELD — To honor the leadership and achievements of President and CEO Mark Tolosky over his 22-year career, the Baystate Health board of trustees announced the naming of the Tolosky Center at 3300 Main St. in Springfield. The Tolosky Center, a regional destination for outpatient healthcare services, opened in 1998 and ignited the redevelopment of an underused former industrial area in Springfield’s North End. The area today comprises more than $200 million of Baystate Health investment and more than 455,000 square feet of space, including the Tolosky Center, the D’Amour Center for Cancer Care, the Baystate Children’s Specialty Center, the Baystate Breast and Wellness Center, and the Baystate Orthopedic Surgery Center, among other Baystate-owned and -occupied properties. Tolosky is transitioning out of his position as president and CEO on July 1, moving into a president emeritus role. He served Baystate Health and the community for 22 years, beginning in 1992 as executive vice president of Baystate Health and CEO of Baystate Medical Center. In 2004, while retaining leadership of Baystate Medical Center, he assumed the titles of president and CEO of Baystate Health. The naming of the Tolosky Center culminates a series of recognitions of Tolosky’s long tenure and contributions to Baystate Health and the community. In May, a program that has provided nearly $1 million in forgivable loans to help Baystate Health employees purchase homes was renamed the Mark R. Tolosky Baystate Neighbors Program. Also last month, the nurses of Baystate Medical Center recognized Tolosky with their Nursing Collaborative Award, a testament to his commitment to nurses, patients, and families. “During his tenure, Mark’s commitment has extended beyond the traditional definition of health,” said Victor Woolridge, chair of the Baystate Health board of trustees. “He made it a priority to forge community partnerships that improve lives, and as a result he has helped to strengthen the Western Mass. economy. He has been committed to the well-being of communities and the individuals and families within them.” Presiding over the naming ceremony for the Tolosky Center were James Sadowsky, vice chair of the Baystate Health board of trustees, and John Maybury, chair of the Baystate Health Foundation board of trustees. “My family and I consider ourselves very fortunate to be part of this amazing community,” said Tolosky. “We’ll look with tremendous pride and gratitude upon on our family name on this building, where so many patients receive the skilled and compassionate care that changes their lives for the better.” Under Tolosky, Baystate Health has developed a national reputation as a leader in healthcare quality, being named among America’s top 15 health systems and seeing its hospitals regularly included on prestigious lists of the top-performing medical facilities in the country. In the same period, Baystate Health has scaled up its charitable commitment to the communities it serves, providing hundreds of millions of dollars in community-benefit funding, and collaborating with a diverse range of partners to devise and implement new ways to improve community health each year. It also has substantially increased its economic impact, now employing 10,000 people and producing more than $2.6 billion in economic output annually, according to one recent study. Tolosky recently led Baystate Health through the largest building project in the history of the health system and region, the planning, design, and construction of the $300 million expansion of Baystate Medical Center. During tenuous economic times, he championed the need for these projects for patients, families, and the community. He also fostered unprecedented support from generous donors in the community, raising more than $23 million to make it possible. On July 1, Dr. Mark Keroack assumes duties as Baystate Health’s president and CEO.

Jewish Geriatric Launches Rebranding Campaign with New Name, Logo
LONGMEADOW — Jewish Geriatric Services Inc. (JGS) announced recently that it is launching a rebranding campaign featuring the new name Jewish Lifecare (JL), a redesigned logo and brand identity. “Two years ago, JGS celebrated its centennial. It was a time to look back at this organization’s venerable history of caring for our elders, but also an opportunity to envision the future,” said Martin Baicker, president and CEO of JL. “We challenged ourselves to develop a brand that would provide greater clarity of who we are and what we do.” In 2012, the JGS board of directors voted to move forward with the rebranding process, and a rebranding committee was formed, chaired by Susan Goldsmith, president of Marcus Printing in Holyoke. “We needed to shed limiting parts of our present brand, while differentiating ourselves from competitors,” said Goldsmith. “The name Jewish Lifecare was chosen because it encompasses so much more than just geriatrics. It provides the image of life in its entirety and the phases in which we live.” Retaining the word ‘Jewish’ in the name was important because it embodies the mission of the organization, which is rooted in the Jewish faith. The tagline, “Excellence for generations. Serving all faiths” highlights a 102-year history of excellence in the community and the broader audience of people of all faiths, she added. The icon combines the symbolism of an eternal flame and tree of life into one cohesive image. The dot on the top of the icon allows the symbol of a person to emerge, and ties in the human connection to the organization. Jewish Lifecare will phase in the new branding across all platforms and services over the next several months. “We’re introducing the world to the next evolution of an organization founded as the Daughters of Zion Home for the Aged,” said Baicker. “We have a long tradition of embracing culture change to better serve our residents, patients, and families, and we are excited to introduce the community to the next stage of this venerable organization.”
 
Country Bank Awards $80,000 in Scholarships
WARE — Country Bank recently awarded $80,000 in scholarships to 16 area high-school students at its annual Scholarship Dinner. The recipients, selected from the scholarship committees established at each location where a scholarship is awarded, each received $5,000 to help get them started in their college career and assist with the many expenses that go along with a higher education. At the event, staged this year at Teresa’s Restaurant & Alfonso Banquet Room in Ware, Paul Scully, president and CEO of Country Bank, had the opportunity to meet each of the recipients, their guests, and a representative from their high school. “It means so much to have the opportunity to meet the students and their parents when the scholarships are presented,” he said. “They have all worked very hard to get to this point, and I have no doubt that each of them will succeed in the next chapter of their lives.”

Country Bank Awards $12,000 to Carson Center 
WARE — Paul Scully, president and CEO of Country Bank, and Shelly Regin, first vice president and director of marketing at the bank, recently paid a surprise visit to the Baystate Mary Lane Community Benefits Advisory Committee (CBAC). Scully personally acknowledged the work of the CBAC and awarded the Carson Center two checks. The first, for $2,000, was a portion of the proceeds from Country Bank’s Community Series performances at the Center at Eagle Hill. The second check, for $10,000, was a direct gift from Country Bank to further the Carson Center’s provision of services for community members who are struggling with addiction. These funds were given to compliment the Yes to Life structured outpatient addiction program at the Carson Center, which was funded by Baystate Mary Lane Hospital’s determination-of-need (DON) funds last year. DON funding was made available for community health initiatives as part of the state Department of Public Health’s DON process related to capital expenditures for Baystate Medical Center’s new Emergency Department in Springfield. “We are so proud to support this important and worthwhile program, which will help so many of our community members” Regin said. “Country Bank recognizes this as an opportunity to assist the Carson Center and their Yes to Life Program, and in turn bring support to those who need it in our surrounding towns.”

MassMutual Donates $155,000 on Behalf of Financial Professionals
SPRINGFIELD — MassMutual has awarded $155,000 to eligible nonprofit organizations through its annual Community Service Awards (CSA) program. The awards are given on behalf of MassMutual financial professionals who demonstrate outstanding commitment to nonprofit organizations in their local community. New this year, MassMutual has increased its giving to include six $5,000 Silver awards in addition to its usual 10 $10,000 Gold awards and a top $25,000 Platinum award. “At MassMutual, we are proud of the significant impact our financial professionals have on their communities. What better way to encourage more of them to volunteer than to recognize those that are highly dedicated to helping others?” said Nick Fyntrilakis, vice president of Community Responsibility at MassMutual. “We are delighted to expand our program this year to honor more individuals who are making a positive difference in their communities across the country.” This year’s $25,000 Platinum Award winner is Darren Scrimpshire, a financial professional with MassMutual South Texas in San Antonio. Scrimpshire is being recognized for his work with San Antonio Fitness, Independent, & Recreational Environment (SAFIRE), a day activity center for young adults with intellectual disabilities that focuses on healthy lifestyles, continuing education, and pre-vocational skills. This year is MassMutual’s 18th year presenting Community Service Awards. Each award recognizes the many selfless hours of volunteer time and talent that MassMutual’s financial professionals put in during the year to improve their communities. MassMutual has contributed more than $1.4 million to charitable organizations across the country through its CSA program since its inception in 1996. The CSA program is just one of a variety of philanthropic programs sponsored by MassMutual in support of nonprofit organizations where its financial professionals live and work. Last year, in total, MassMutual provided nearly $8 million in philanthropic investments throughout the U.S., of which more than $900,000 supported organizations in honor of its financial professionals.

Steward Health Care, Doctors Express Announce Affiliation
SPRINGFIELD — Doctors Express has announced support for a growing trend of healthcare system partnerships with urgent-care facilities. Steward Health Care, the largest fully integrated community-care organization and community-hospital network in New England, recently announced a new clinical affiliation with AFC Doctors Express Urgent Care, the largest urgent-care provider in New England. This partnership is the first of its kind in Massachusetts and makes urgent-care centers available to Steward patients and others within the next year. Master franchisors Richard Crews and James Brennan of the local Doctors Express facilities — located in Springfield and West Springfield — commend the efforts to increase the quality and efficiency of patient care. Doctors Express has 11 locations in Massachusetts and plans to open 15 more locations in the next two years. Steward now has the largest integrated network of urgent-care providers in Massachusetts with 24 affiliated locations to be opened within the next year. Through this affiliation with Doctors Express, 45 family-practice, emergency-medicine, and internal-medicine physicians employed by Doctors Express will join the Steward Health Care Network. As part of this clinical affiliation, Doctors Express physicians will now have access to Steward’s patient portal to evaluate a patient’s clinical history prior to commencing treatment. Clinical notes from a Doctors Express visit will be communicated back to a patient’s primary-care physician or specialist for necessary follow-up. Steward patients will remain in-network while visiting a Doctors Express location. Urgent care includes some services offered by primary-care physicians, including treatment for acute illness, trauma (including minor surgical procedures), vaccinations, X-rays, medication dispensing, and more. Many patients might not take advantage of these services through primary-care practices because of inconvenient hours. “Our Doctors Express urgent-care practices are an advocate for better healthcare throughout our Western Mass. community,” said Brennan. “Not only do our physicians treat symptoms, but they also provide preventative care. We have moved urgent care far beyond the boundaries of traditional clinic care, and we look forward to more growth opportunities, from franchise development to partnerships with major healthcare systems.” Added Crews, “emergency rooms continue to be overcrowded with patients seeking non-emergency health-care. Partnerships with major healthcare providers alleviate the burden of crowded emergency rooms, and more importantly, these partnerships increase the quality of care by providing fast and efficient care during non-business hours.”

Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin Receives United Way’s Gold Award
SPRINGFIELD — Local law firm Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., serving Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut, was recognized as a Gold award recipient from the United Way of Pioneer Valley during its 2014 annual celebration. Local businesses were recognized with Gold, Silver, or Bronze awards for extraordinary support during the 2013-14 campaign. Each year, the United Way of Pioneer Valley runs an annual campaign that provides funding for local nonprofit organizations and community initiatives. Donations finance health and human-service programs throughout the region. Awards were presented at the annual celebration, which was hosted recently at Chez Josef in Agawam. “We are proud to have the good fortune to be able to give back to a community that supports our success,” said partner Steve Schwartz, who has been with the firm since its inception 45 years ago. “We are equally proud of the other contributing businesses recognized at the United Way of Pioneer Valley annual event. We accomplish more working together.” The United Way of Pioneer Valley is the regional affiliate of United Way Worldwide, a leadership and support organization and network of nearly 1,800 community-based United Ways in 45 countries and territories. United Way envisions a world where all individuals and families achieve their full potential through education, income stability, and healthy lives. For 90 years, the United Way of Pioneer Valley has been working in partnership with individuals, businesses, and organizations that advance the common good throughout the Greater Springfield community, including the 25 cities in Hampden County, South Hadley, and Granby.

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ECS Acquires Assets of Pangean-CMD
AGAWAM — Environmental Compliance Services Inc. (ECS) announced the completion of the acquisition of the corporate assets and human talent of Pangean-CMD Associates Inc. (PCMD) of Woodstock, Ga. This acquisition, the largest in ECS’s 32-year history, will drive its evolution by expanding the market areas the company serves into Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Colorado, and Utah. In addition, it will also expand the existing company capabilities in the Carolinas, Florida, and Ohio. “This acquisition now means that ECS has a national presence that combines senior think-tank engineering with self-performed field services throughout the petroleum, building-sciences, and due-diligence market sectors,” said Mark Hellstein, ECS founder and CEO. “With the addition of the passionate team from Pangean-CMD, we are better-positioned to service the upstream petroleum market.” Kevin Sheehan, ECS COO, added that “this acquisition will also provide professional growth and opportunity to employees as well as an effective tool to recruit new, talented staff.” ECS is now one of the only firms in the petroleum market that offers environmental services, compliance services, remediation, and cost recovery with in-house staff on a national basis. This strategic acquisition enables ECS to simplify the compliance and remediation process for petroleum customers while reducing their costs, essentially becoming a one-stop shop for clients. The expanded staff will also allow for boots-on-the-ground support for ECS’s existing web-based compliance-management programs. “The success of Pangean-CMD has evolved solely from our passion, our commitment to our customers, and our reputation for good, solid work,” said Darren Moore, president of Pangean-CMD. “Combining our assets will allow us to build relationships, share knowledge, and draw on the collective expertise of our co-workers to do what we have always done best: provide the best customer service and work environment possible.” Established in 1982 and headquartered in Agawam, ECS has grown to more than 20 office locations nationwide.

Lioness Magazine Aims to Raise $10K in 60 Days
SPRINGFIELD — Lioness magazine is looking to raise $10,000 in seed funding on indiegogo.com, a popular crowd-funding website. “Mainstream entrepreneur magazines are geared toward men, from their style to their content. Their publishers admit that more than 60% of their readers are males. Even though female entrepreneurship is rapidly on the rise and even though in 2013 female-owned companies generated more than $1.3 trillion, there was still no mainstream magazine for these women, until now,” explained Lioness founder Natasha Clark. Lioness launched in August 2011 and since then has been read by more than 3,000 people worldwide. Seventy-nine percent of the readers are women between the ages of 25 and 45. With the launch of the new lionessmagazine.com, the news site is able to provide daily content in addition their regular monthly magazine. “Western Mass. is a great place to live and do business, and my hope is to grow Lioness and keep it headquartered right here,” Clark said. From June 2 to Aug. 1, she is shooting to raise $10,000 in seed money to keep the magazine afloat through 2014. She has primarily been funding the company herself. Working as a program manager at the nonprofit Springfield School Volunteers, Clark — one of BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty honorees in 2010 — works on the all-female staff to bring volunteers into the school district as mentors, academic tutors, and participants in the popular Read Aloud program. When the campaign closes, Clark will transition to running the startup full-time. She thought crowd funding would be an ideal way to raise funds and educate the public about Lioness’ mission at the same time. “I love that platforms such as Indiegogo and Kickstarter give entrepreneurs like me a fighting chance to raise some capital to get our startups to the next level,” she said. “I just want to do something really awesome for women entrepreneurs around the globe, and I want to be able to do it in my hometown.” To learn more about Lioness and its Indiegogo campaign, visit igg.me/at/lionessmagazine.

Kathleen Doe Launches Creative Design Venture
NORTHAMPTON — Kathleen Doe has announced the launch of Kathleen Doe Creative Design, putting more than a decade of industry experience to work in founding her own business. The Northampton-based venture specializes in print and package design, marketing communication, and brand development, providing a complete range of creative services from concept to execution. Previously, Doe was the senior graphic designer and studio director at Stevens 470 in Westfield. She graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a B.S. in the school’s renowned Electronic Media, Arts and Communication program. She is a member of the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, the Northampton Area Young Professionals, and is on the Board of Directors of the Irish Cultural Center at Elms College.

Leadership Pioneer Valley Graduates Class of 2014
NORTHAMPTON — The 2014 class of Leadership Pioneer Valley (LPV) graduated on June 5 in ceremonies at the Smith College Conference Center. Prior to getting their certificates, the 35 participants in the 10-month program presented their accomplishments from working in six teams on issues facing the region. Each project was submitted by a local nonprofit or past LPV team. Three of the projects were continuations from prior years, and the nonprofit partners included Peace Jam of New England, STCC’s Latino Success Project, and the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. Project topics included increasing access to higher education, attracting and retaining young professionals, publicizing regional history, engaging young people in leadership, and connecting local colleges and universities to the regional food bank. Each team offered expertise and energy to make a difference on community challenges from throughout the region. Each team project afforded experiential-learning opportunities and the chance to further community trusteeship while making a real impact in the region. Teams also had to collaborate with their partners to reach their own goals and meet the expectations of the nonprofit partners. Each participant participated in day-long monthly sessions from October until May, featuring seminar-style leadership-development sessions and hands-on field experiences in communities throughout the Pioneer Valley. Through the program, they refined their leadership skills, gained connections, and developed a greater commitment to community trusteeship and cultural competency. The culturally diverse class of 35 men and women represent nonprofit, private, educational, and public organizations throughout Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties. The 2014 graduates are: Sherill Acevedo, Baystate Medical Practices; Jasmine Amegan, Westfield State University; Kerri Bohonowicz, Community Health Center of Franklin County; Amy Britt, Tapestry Health; Ronda Carter, Health New England; Christina Casiello, MassMutual; Jenny Catuogno, Gaudreau Insurance; Tammy-Lynn Chace, Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce; Eliza Crescintini, Children’s Study Home; Geoffrey Croteau, MassMutual Charter Oak Insurance & Financial Services; Nasheika Durham, YMCA of Greater Springfield; Andrew Fletcher, Holyoke Community College; Kelsey Flynn, MassMutual; Valerie Francis, Health New England; Meghan Godorov, Mount Holyoke College; Cynthia Gonzalez, Greenfield Cooperative Bank; Richard Griffin, City of Springfield’s Economic Development Department; Rachel Jones, Springfield Technical Community College; Kevin Jourdain, Sisters of Providence Health System; Diane LeBeau, Westfield State University; Yamilette Madho, Big Y Foods Inc.; Matthew Kullberg, WGBY; Rosemarie Marks-Paige, Health New England; Josiah Neiderbach, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission; Lizzy Ortiz, City of Springfield’s Office of Housing; Beena Pandit, MassMutual; Lee Pouliot, City of Chicopee; Jennifer Sanchez, Springfield Technical Community College; Isabel Serrazina, Springfield Housing Authority; Nicole Skelly, United Bank; Kyle Sullivan, John M. Glover Insurance; Colin Tansey, Specialty Bolt & Screw; Todd Weir, First Churches of Northampton; Christopher Whelan, Florence Savings Bank; and Jonencia Wood, Baystate Health.

ESB Teams Up with Pioneer Valley Habitat for Easthampton Build
EASTHAMPTON — Matthew Sosik, president and CEO of Easthampton Savings Bank, announced that the bank has become a keystone sponsor for the first Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity home in Easthampton. The bank contributed $10,000 to the East Street Habitat home. The money will go toward the costs of planning, construction, volunteer recruitment, and training. A 15-volunteer committee is already in place to plan the building of the East Street Home. “This particular build is significant because we are building two homes at once, and it is our first Women Build Initiative, which is a project designed to proactively welcome women leadership and women volunteers,” said Peter Jessop, interim executive director of the Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity. “Three of our steering committee members are from Easthampton Savings Bank, so ESB is providing more than just financial support — they are also providing leadership and volunteer capacity. This is the true spirit of the Habitat model, and we hope ESB’s commitment will inspire others to get involved.” Added Sosik, “the Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity is about building communities. Being a sponsor gives us the unique opportunity to become involved in a family’s journey towards home ownership in our community. Plus, the Women Build Initiative is a great way to empower women to get involved in the construction of a home and help a family who wouldn’t be able to build a home otherwise.” Easthampton Savings Bank has supported Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity since 2004 with contributions totaling over $31,000, while ESB employees sit on the organization’s board of directors, finance committee, and the Women Build steering committee.

Wellness Center Becomes Accredited Program for Diabetes Education
SPRINGFIELD — The Western New England University and Big Y Foods Inc. Consultation and Wellness Center was recently named an accredited diabetes-education program by the American Assoc. of Diabetes Educators (AADE). This accomplishment represents yet another step in the implementation of the ‘pharmacist as educator’ philosophy that is central to the vision of the university’s College of Pharmacy. Diabetes education is a collaborative process through which people with or at risk for diabetes gain the knowledge and skills needed to modify behavior and successfully self-manage the disease and its related conditions. These are provided by diabetes educators. “Trends show that diabetes education is moving out of the hospital and into the community, so AADE’s accreditation program was created, in part, to encourage diabetes education where the patient is seeking care,” said Leslie Kolb, program director for the AADE’s Diabetes Education Accreditation Program. “The Western New England University and Big Y Foods Inc. Consultation and Wellness Center is exactly the type of program we envisioned when we set up our accreditation program in 2009.” Kam Capoccia, associate professor and director of the Consultation and Wellness Center at 300 Cooley St. in Springfield, noted that it is one of 13 AADE-accredited programs in the Commonwealth. “This is a pharmacist-run diabetes center, and we are proud and honored to serve the community.” Added Nicole D’Amour Schneider, senior manager of Pharmacy Operations for Big Y, “the Western New England University and Big Y Foods Inc. Consultation and Wellness Center has been providing our community with excellent, patient-centered care and disease-state-management education for nearly four years. Our congratulations go out to our partners at the Western New England University College of Pharmacy for achieving this impressive accomplishment.”

Q Restaurant Opens on State Street in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD — Mayor Dominic Sarno joined other public officials and neighborhood business leaders on June 2 for a ribbon cutting to mark the grand opening of the Q Restaurant, the latest example of renewed reinvestment and revitalization along the State Street corridor. Advertised as serving “real southern barbecue,” the restaurant opened for lunch on May 19 and started serving lunch and dinner on May 26. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday. “This is another example of the city’s continuing ability to attract new investment that revitalizes neighborhoods,” said Sarno. “Not too long ago, this building was seized by the city. Now, it is back on the tax rolls, it is looking better than ever, and I’m hoping it will be an asset to the neighborhood for years to come.” Located at 890 State St., the property was purchased from the city in 2013 by Craig and Chris Spagnoli, a father-and-son team that had previously worked with the city on revitalizing foreclosed properties in the Forest Park neighborhood. The Spagnolis have invested more than $500,000 in starting the restaurant and are also planning to rehabilitate the upper floors into 15 units of rental housing. “My son Chris’s wife, Sarah, is from the South, and since we’ve been working in Springfield, we’ve always talked about how we thought a good southern barbecue restaurant would go over well,” said Craig Spagnoli. “We’re hoping Q will be a popular place for the neighborhood, for the colleges nearby, and for commuters wanting to pick up takeout on their way home.” The restaurant is located in Mason Square on the edge of the campus of American International College and a few blocks from Springfield College. It is across the street from the former Indian Motorcycle factory, and the restaurant boasts several Indian models as a tribute to the neighborhood’s manufacturing legacy.

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NUVO Bank Announces First-quarter Results
SPRINGFIELD — NUVO Bank & Trust Co. announced net income of $67,000, or $0.02 per basic and fully diluted shares for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, compared to $2,122,000, or $1.13 per basic and fully diluted shares, for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. The bank’s book value per share increased from $5.23 per share at Dec. 31, 2013 to $5.27 per share at March 31, 2014. The $2,055,000 decrease in net income primarily reflects the fact that, in the first quarter of 2013, the bank was able to fully utilize a deferred tax benefit of $2,057,000, which more than offset income before taxes of $65,000. In the first quarter of 2014, the bank had income before taxes of $111,000 and no deferred tax benefit and a tax provision of $44,000. The per-share results during the first quarter of 2014 reflect the impact of the issuance of 974,454 shares in a private offering that closed on April 30, 2013. Diluted per-share results were also impacted by the fact that, in the private offering, the bank also issued 487,227 rights along with the shares of common stock. The $46,000 increase in pre-tax income reflects increases in net interest income and non-interest income of $241,000 and $31,000, respectively, which were partially offset by a $106,000 increase in the provision for loan losses and an increase of $120,000 in non-interest expense. Total assets at March 31, 2014 were $145.0 million compared to $135.2 million at Dec. 31, 2013, which is an increase of $9.8 million (7.3%). Cash and cash equivalents increased $1.8 million (27.2%) to $8.7 million at March 31, 2014, from $6.8 million at December 31, 2013. Total loans increased $8.2 million (7.0%) to $126.5 million at March 31, 2014, from $118.3 million at December 31, 2013. Deposits increased $9.8 million (8.4%) to $125.9 million at March 31, 2014, from $116.1 million at December 31, 2013. Stockholders’ equity increased $98,000 (0.7%) to $14.7 million at March 31, 2014 from $14.6 million at Dec. 31, 2013.

Hot Table to Open Two New Stores This Fall
SPRINGFIELD — Springfield-based Hot Table, a chain of fast-casual dining locations, will expand this fall with two new stores in Hadley and Glastonbury, Conn. The Hot Table team, brothers John and Chris DeVoie, opened their original restaurant, featuring signature paninis, in Springfield’s 16 Acres neighborhood in 2007. They followed up with a store in downtown Springfield in 2009, and another in Enfield, Conn. in 2012. They are now hoping to grow upon that success by opening their fourth and fifth locations in the heart of two of the busiest shopping districts in the Hartford/Springfield region. The Glastonbury store will be located in the Griswold Shoppes on Main Street, next to Bertucci’s, and is slated to open in early September. The Hadley store will be located in a new plaza on Route 9, in front of Home Depot, and will open in November. A cross between Panera Bread and Subway, Hot Table specializes in grilled panini sandwiches that are made-to-order for each customer.  The stores also offer fresh, made-to-order salads, soups, desserts, and a variety of specialty coffees. The fast-casual style of service at Hot Table is designed to ensure that the diner has quick service and the freshest of ingredients. Each location will employ about 20 people. Hours of operation will be Monday through Saturday, from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Fair-housing Grant Expands WNEU Law Partnership with MCAD
SPRINGFIELD — Western New England University School of Law announced recently that it is expanding its partnership with the Mass. Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) through a program to train law students in the substantive and procedural issues related to fair-housing practices under federal and state law. This collaborative program will allow the university’s School of Law to expand its offerings of specialized classes, externships, and practice-based legal opportunities to train the next generation of fair-housing lawyers in Western Mass. A grant of $30,500 was made by MCAD to assist in creating the new curriculum and managing externship opportunities. The law school’s partnership with MCAD was made possible by a Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) Partnership Project grant awarded to MCAD by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. The law students participating in the program will assist in the representation of fair-housing complainants, many of whom are tenants with limited English proficiency. The program will be implemented in partnership with attorneys and staff from MCAD and the Massachusetts Fair Housing Center (MFHC), the oldest fair-housing advocacy organization in Massachusetts. “This grant from HUD will enhance our law school’s ability to positively impact fair-housing issues in cities and towns throughout Western Mass. by expanding the experiential and classroom training for law students interested in civil rights and fair-housing issues,” remarked Harris Freeman, professor of Legal Research & Writing at Western New England University School of Law. Added Commissioner Jamie Williamson, chair of the Mass. Commission Against Discrimination, “we are very excited to have the opportunity to work more closely with our partners at Western New England University School of Law. Residential segregation remains a pressing problem in Western Mass. Law students will investigate and litigate cases of housing discrimination, and will have the opportunity to work closely with indigent pro se complainants.” In light of the deeply rooted, segregated housing patterns in Springfield, Holyoke, and Pittsfield, and given the frequency of housing discrimination throughout Western Mass., this educational partnership is an important opportunity for Western New England University to serve the legal needs of Western Mass. residents. “The grant will expand our students’ ability to learn by participating in all facets of advocacy and adjudication of fair-housing claims in the housing courts, the MCAD, and with the Mass. Fair Housing Center,” said Freeman. “We are looking forward to deepening our partnerships with all three institutions and organizations.” The award and collaboration come following the 2014 Northeast Regional Fair Housing and Civil Rights Conference, which was held in Springfield in April. The conference, attended by 512 people, was co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, MCAD, HAPHousing, Western New England University, and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Easthampton Savings Bank Recognizes Employee Volunteers
EASTHAMPTON — Easthampton Savings Bank recently recognized employee volunteers at the recent Service Awards and Recognition event held at the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House in Holyoke. Three CRA Community Service Awards were given out. Paula Auclair, a mortgage loan originator in the South Hadley office, received an award for performing 149 hours of CRA activity and 658 total volunteer hours. Jeni Cutter, a training specialist in the Main Street, Easthampton office was given an award for completing 192 hours of CRA activity and 220 total volunteer hours. Lori Ingraham, AVP/controller for the bank, was recognized for performing 136 hours of CRA activity and 557 total volunteer hours. Three Community Service Awards were given out. Katrina Dziedzic, AVP branch officer in the Westfield Office, was given an award for completing 275 volunteer hours. Jessica West, branch officer for the Northampton Street, Easthampton office was recognized for performing 420 volunteer hours. Lidia Zoltowski, a teller in the Main Street, Easthampton office, received an award for completing 261 volunteer hours. Two awards were presented to board members. Dr. James Hayden, DVM, was presented with the ESB Director Community Service Award. Daniel Polachek received the ESB Corporator Community Service Award. “In 2013, employees of Easthampton Savings Bank put in over 12,000 volunteer hours. When coupled with our direct financial investment, the bank donated nearly $750,000 in money and resources throughout the communities we serve,” said ESB President and CEO Matthew Sosik. “We are proud of our employees’ commitment to their communities and wanted to recognize them for their hard work.”

Jewish Geriatric Services Elects Officers and New Directors, Presents Awards
LONGMEADOW — Jewish Geriatric Services Inc. (JGS) presented the 2014 JGS Chairman’s Service Award to Carol Kantany Casartello and Charles (Charlie) Casartello Jr., and elected officers and new directors at its annual meeting on May 20 at the Julian J. Leavitt Family Jewish Nursing Home. The Chairman’s Service Award is given annually by JGS board members to individuals who have demonstrated an extraordinary dedication to JGS and the elders and families served by the organization. Kantany Casartello has served as the clerk-magistrate of the Westfield District Court for more than 20 years. Charlie Casartello is a partner with Pellegrini, Seeley, Ryan and Blakesley, P.C. in Springfield, focusing on personal-injury litigation, workers’ compensation, and Social Security law. Their commitment to JGS and the people it serves began in 2001 when Kantany Casartello’s parents, Christopher and Jane Kantany, moved into Ruth’s House, an assisted-living residence. Kantany Casartello has served on the JGS board of directors and executive committee, as well as many other committees, including strategic planning, governance, and nominating. She coordinated and participates in an interdenominational Protestant worship service at the nursing home, and has trained and served as a Spectrum Home Health and Hospice volunteer. Charlie Casartello is a eucharistic minister for Roman Catholics at the nursing home and Ruth’s House. He has also served on the JGS rebranding committee since 2012. “It is an honor to pay tribute to Carol and Charlie for their long and varied support and service to JGS. It has been my pleasure to work with them on several projects, like the formation of the Ruth’s House Family Council, that have had a positive impact on the quality of service delivered across our service continuum,” said Susan Kline, outgoing chair of the JGS board of directors. Dr. Robert Baevsky, physician and director of Informatics at the Emergency Department of Baystate Medical Center, was installed as the new chairman of the board. Baevsky first started volunteering with JGS in 1972, and has served as treasurer and participated on numerous committees, including the medical services committee. He has also had loved ones cared for at JGS. “It is a privilege to be your next chairman and a true honor to join the ranks of those before me, who helped govern and shape JGS, and plan for a new JGS that will transform not only our brick and mortar, but also usher in a new world of care across all services,” Baevsky said in accepting the appointment. Martin Baicker, president and CEO of JGS, called it “an exciting time for JGS, a continuation of a long tradition of caring and embracing culture change that will culminate with a new name for our organization and a new world of person-centered care in more home-like, intimate surroundings, improving not only the care we provide, but also enhancing the dignity of those living here.” Other officers elected to a two-year term include Susan Goldsmith, first vice chair; Rudy D’Agostino, treasurer; and Carol Kantany Casartello, clerk. Elected to new second-year terms on the board of directors were Mark Dindas, Brad Foster, and Amy Wistreich.

F&F Store Opens in Holyoke Mall
HOLYOKE — F&F, an international, ‘of-the-moment’ fashion brand, has opened its doors in the Holyoke Mall. The brand is a British-inspired international fashion label that carries a broad range of affordable fashion for men, women, and children. F&F is the only clothing brand that is owned by Tesco, the third-largest retailer in the world. F&F is now among the top fashion brands in Europe with more than 1,600 locations worldwide. One of the latest retail brands to be represented by Retail Group of America, F&F plans to open further stores in the U.S. in 2014.

Women’s Bar Foundation Honors MassMutual, Law Firm with Pro Bono Award
BOSTON – The Women’s Bar Foundation of Massachusetts (WBF) recently honored volunteers for their service to the organization’s low-income clients. Among the recipients were MassMutual and the Springfield-based law firm Heisler, Feldman, McCormick & Garrow, P.C. for their unique partnership, which has been instrumental in the success of the WBF’s housing-court program in Hampden and Hampshire counties. This program provides legal assistance to low-income tenants and landlords who appear in these courts, unrepresented, on ‘eviction day.’ Dorothy Varon, assistant vice president and counsel at MassMutual, accepting the award on behalf of the company, said “MassMutual has long been committed to making the communities where we live and work a better place, and an important part of our participation involves donating our own talent and expertise in areas where we can make a positive difference in people’s lives. We’re grateful for the opportunity to partner with Heisler, Feldman, McCormick & Garrow, P.C., to deliver pro bono services to people who need them, and are honored to share this recognition with such an outstanding law firm.” Suzanne Garrow, a partner at the firm, said, “the members of my firm and I are so proud to be a part of the Women’s Bar Foundation’s pro bono housing court project and see this as important work toward preventing homelessness.”

TSM Design Chosen to Promote SC2 Hartford
SPRINGFIELDb — TSM Design was selected by the city of Hartford’s Development Services team to promote a 15-month contest that will result in detailed, actionable economic-development plans for the city. SC2 Hartford is an EDA grant-funded competition that invites interdisciplinary teams to produce innovative proposals and plans that maximize Hartford’s assets and address an entrenched set of issues. SC2 Hartford relies on community engagement and encourages people with distinctive skills to come together, form teams, and compete for prize money totaling $900,000. Hartford’s goal is to establish the city as the place where first-time, serial, and second-stage entrepreneurs start and grow their companies with ease. TSM Design is charged with developing effective strategies to reach a variety of stakeholders and to convert awareness into action. Individuals must register on the SC2 Hartford website, form teams, and then submit their proposals by Sept. 24. According to Stephen Cole, senior project manager of economic development in Hartford’s Development Services department, “we chose TSM Design because they are uniquely suited to communicate complex economic principles and public policy in meaningful ways to small-business owners and members of the community. The level of understanding and excitement that TSM Design brings to our project demonstrates the firm’s experience working with diverse community partners in multi-cultural communities.” Hartford is one of only three cities in the country to have won the opportunity to participate in this innovative program of the Obama Administration. Greensboro, N.C. and Las Vegas share the distinction with Hartford. “SC2 Hartford is a high-profile, game-changing initiative,” said TSM Design Principal Nancy Urbschat. “We’re honored to participate in what is now our new adopted city.”

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Hampden Bancorp Reports Solid First Quarter
SPRINGFIELD — Hampden Bancorp Inc., the holding company for Hampden Bank, recently announced the results of operations for the three and nine months ended March 31. Core net income increased by $1.1 million, or 49%, to $3.5 million for the nine months ended March 31, or fully diluted core earnings per share (EPS) of $0.65 as compared to $2.4 million, or fully diluted core EPS of $0.42, for the same period in 2013. For the nine months ended March 31, net income increased to $3.2 million, or fully diluted EPS of $0.60, as compared to $2.4 million, or fully diluted EPS of $0.42, for the same period in 2013. Core income excludes net non-core (non-recurring) charges in the nine months ended March 31, related to a proxy contest, and does not constitute a financial measure under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). This core net income, net income, and EPS represents the largest nine-month core net income, net income, and EPS performance by Hampden Bancorp since its inception. At the company’s 2013 annual shareholders’ meeting that took place on Nov. 5, Hampden Bancorp’s stockholders elected the company’s director nominees and voted against a stockholder’s proposal. The expenses associated with this proxy contest totaled $410,000 for the nine months ended March 31, 2014 and are included in non-interest expense under U.S. GAAP. There were no non-core charges during the nine months ended March 31, 2013. Net income increased $196,000, or 23.8%, to $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, or $0.19 per fully diluted share as compared to $825,000, or $0.15 per fully diluted share, for the same period in 2013. “We are pleased to deliver record basic earnings per share with an increase of 27% over the comparable quarter last year,” said Glenn Welch, president and CEO. “Year-to-date earnings per share have increased 42% over the same nine-month period in our 2013 fiscal year. Core earnings per share increased 53% for the same nine-month period. The company’s emphasis on commercial lending continues to pay dividends by providing strong loan and deposit growth. Despite the cost of our proxy contest, we have controlled expenses well, as demonstrated by the 3.7% decrease in non-interest expense quarter over quarter and 5.6% year to date. The company has and is negotiating with all major vendors to control costs. We continue to hold the line on increasing staff in an effort to remain efficient.” The company had an increase in net interest income of $1.0 million, or 7.4%, for the nine months ended March 31, 2014 compared to the nine months ended March 31, 2013. Interest and dividend income increased $757,000, or 4.2%, for the nine months ended March 31 compared to the same period last year, mainly due to an $812,000 increase in loan interest income due to an increase in average balances. For the nine months ended March 31, 2014, interest expense decreased by $284,000, or 6.8%, compared to the nine months ended March 31, 2013. This included a decrease in deposit interest expense of $526,000 due to a decrease in rates offset by an increase in the average balance of deposits. This decrease in deposit expense was partially offset by an increase in borrowing interest expense of $242,000 due to an increase in average balances offset by a decrease in rates. The net interest margin declined to 3.10% for the nine months ended March 31, compared to 3.15% for the nine months ended March 31, 2013. The provision for loan losses increased $75,000 for the nine months ended March 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, primarily due to increased loan growth.

Florence Savings Bank Begins Construction on New Hadley Branch
FLORENCE  — Florence Savings Bank, a mutually-owned savings bank serving the Pioneer Valley through nine branch locations, announced that construction has begun for a new branch location at 377 Russell St. in Hadley. When completed, this new, 3,150-square-foot branch will replace the bank’s current Hadley location at 335 Russell St. Present plans call for a fall 2014 completion date and opening. Officials from the bank, the town of Hadley, and the architectural/construction teams celebrated the official start of the construction at a May 5 groundbreaking ceremony. Wright Builders Inc. and HAI Architecture are the firms working on the design and construction of the new branch. Amenities and features of the new branch will include direct access from Route 9; a full-service teller line with state-of-the-art technology for quick cash handling; walk-up and drive-up ATMs with smart technology for easy depositing; three drive-up lanes, including a drive-up ATM; expanded private offices and a private conference room; an energy-efficient building to minimize the carbon footprint; and a comfortable waiting area with a coffee bar and free wi-fi. Toby Daniels, vice president and current branch manager of the Hadley branch, will continue in that role in the new location. Hadley customers will be able to use the existing branch until the new construction and relocation are completed later this year. “We are all very excited about this new location and upgrade,” said John Heaps, Jr., president and CEO of Florence Savings Bank. “Hadley is a very important part of our market, and we look forward to bringing this new, dynamic, state-of-the-art facility to the town.” People interested in following the progress of the construction can do so by visiting the bank’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/florencesavingsbank.

Holyoke Team Changes Name to Valley Blue Sox
HOLYOKE — Holyoke Blue Sox team officials announced recently that they have changed the name of the baseball team from Holyoke Blue Sox to Valley Blue Sox to more accurately reflect the market the team serves. “We want fans to know that we’re the Valley’s team,” said Blue Sox President Clark Eckhoff. “We’ve got dozens of great communities in our region, and by changing the name, we’re sending a more inclusive message: we want to be the Valley’s summer destination for fun, affordable, family entertainment. Added General Manager Hunter Golden, “I think one of the things that works to our advantage is that we play our games in Holyoke, so it allows us to reach a big audience, both north and south of the city.” Eckhoff bought the team last year and brought Golden on board soon after. The Blue Sox — which play their home games at Mackenzie Stadium, adjacent to Holyoke High School — will host this year’s New England Collegiate Baseball League All-Star Game on July 20.

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Friendly’s Restaurants Honored for Commitment to Easter Seals Programs
WINDSOR, Conn. — Easter Seals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut recently honored Friendly’s Restaurants with the Corporate Leadership Award. The presentation was made at a Friendly’s restaurant in Springfield on April 15. Enfield and Manchester, Conn. stores were also recognized for their fund-raising success to benefit Easter Seals programs and services. Friendly’s has been raising money for Easter Seals since 1981 through coupon promotions featuring Valentine- and Halloween-themed offers and special events. Cumulatively, the Cones for Kids campaign has raised more than $28 million for Easter Seals, supporting recreational and social programs that give children with disabilities a sense of independence and accomplishment. The staying power of the program is testament to the commitment of both Friendly’s employees and customers, the company said. This year’s campaign featured two new elements. For a $2 donation to Easter Seals, children could receive a kid’s meal served on a Friendly’s Frisbee, and for a $1 donation, guests could get a discount card good for 10% off all purchases through May 18. Friendly’s restaurants also funded the update and redesign of Easter Seals’ award-winning disability-awareness curriculum, Friends Who Care. The program gives students the opportunity to learn what is involved when someone has a disability and how they adapt to live life, go to school, or work as independently as possible. “We’re proud to partner with Easter Seals and engage our employees, restaurant guests, and local communities in our cause,” said John Maguire, CEO and president of Friendly’s Ice Cream, LLC. “We know that contributions to Easter Seals create life-changing solutions so that children with disabilities can live, learn, work and play.” Added Allen Gouse, president and CEO of Easter Seals Capital Region and Eastern Connecticut, “Easter Seals recognizes Friendly’s Restaurants’ generosity, caring, and commitment, and that is why they are so deserving of this year’s Corporate Leadership Award.”

Big Y Donates $30,000 to Wounded Warrior Project
SPRINGFIELD — Big Y Foods Inc. announced that it has donated $30,000 to the national Wounded Warrior Project 2013 Believe in Heroes campaign. Wounded Warriors of Jacksonville, Fla. is a national, non-partisan, non-profit organization founded in 2003 to honor and empower wounded soldiers. Its Believe in Heroes campaign provides financial and emotional support and tools to the more than 44,000 servicemen and women who have been wounded in recent military conflicts. Its ultimate goal is to provide assistance so that these soldiers can thrive and achieve personal and professional success. This is the third year that Big Y has been part of Wounded Warriors. To date, it has donated a total of $100,000. Through a partnership with the Acosta Food brokerage company, Big Y promoted the Believe in Heroes campaign through weekly specials in its ads and stores last fall. This initiative helped to raise the public’s awareness of Wounded Warriors’ unique and direct programs and services that meet the needs of those injured in service to their country. “Being an American-owned company, it is important for us to support our military in their fight to preserve our freedoms,” said Michael D’Amour, the supermarket chain’s executive vice president. We’re grateful to Big Y’s employee and customer families for their support of this important campaign.”

1550 Main Named Building of the Year
SPRINGFIELD — The Building Owners and Managers Assoc. (BOMA) has presented 1550 Main in Springfield with its Outstanding Building of the Year award in the Government category of the Middle Atlantic Conference. This is the second consecutive year the redevelopment of the former federal building has won the award. MassDevelopment purchased and undertook the renovation of the former federal office building in 2009 as part of a strategy to revitalize downtown Springfield. The redevelopment of 1550 Main, completed in 2010, included the creation of 130,000 square feet of office space; renovation of the central plaza with new plantings and seating; new entrances, lighting, and signs; lobby and atrium renovations; elevator modernization and replacement; restroom upgrades; and exterior envelope repairs. The building is more than 90% leased. “We are grateful and honored that BOMA has recognized our efforts to transform 1550 Main into a vibrant part of downtown Springfield,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Marty Jones. “The building has played a key role in the city’s business and arts communities and will continue to increase economic activities in Springfield.”

STCC Introduces Interpreter Program
SPRINGFIELD — The need for medical and community interpreters is rapidly increasing, and so is the demand for trained professionals in the field. The Center for Business and Technology at Springfield Technical Community College will offer a nine-week certificate program designed to prepare individuals for an entry-level career as a medical and community interpreter. The program, developed and offered in collaboration with TransFluenci, a regional leader in translation and interpretation services, will prepare new and experienced interpreters to work in hospitals, health clinics, law offices, governmental agencies, and more, following the standards and ethics of the profession. The program meets the requirements of the International Medical Interpreters Assoc. for national certification. The program is open to all languages, but students must be able to fully comprehend and communicate in both English and at least one other language. Because a selective interview is required before acceptance, students must register well in advance. The college will issue the Medical and Community Interpreting Certificate upon satisfactory completion of this program, and participants receiving the certificate will be given the opportunity to interview with Global Link Translations & Interpreting Services for potential employment as interpreters. Classes will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 to 9 p.m., starting May 28. Space is limited, and applications are now being accepted. Interested individuals should visit www.stcc.edu/wd or call (413) 755-4502 for details and registration information.

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Rick’s Auto Body Supports Link to Libraries
SPRINGFIELD — Rick’s Auto Body in Springfield recently became the latest Link to Libraries Business Book Link sponsor, with its support and contribution of more than 300 new books each year to the Baystate Academy Charter School on Franklin Street in Springfield. “Rick’s Auto Body has stepped up to offer much-needed resources and support to this school,” said Susan Landry, director of Business Book Link. “We’re honored by their support and advocacy to the Link to Libraries program. These students will be supplied with books of all genres for their school library and for their own home library throughout the next three years.” Since its inception in 2008, Link to Libraries has donated more than 225,000 new books to Western Mass. schools, nonprofits, and individuals. For more information on Link to Libraries and its childhood-literacy programs, contact (413) 224-1031 or visit www.linktolibraries.org.

ESB Gives $10,000 to Center for Health Education at HCC
EASTHAMPTON — Matthew Sosik, president and CEO of Easthampton Savings Bank, announced that the bank has made a $10,000 contribution to the Holyoke Community College Foundation for the Center for Health Education. When it opens, the facility will be equipped with sophisticated patient simulators, ranging from maternity and newborn to pediatric and geriatric, in support of nursing education. “The center will significantly expand the college’s nursing and radiologic technology programs, further allowing us to better serve the community,” said Erica Broman, vice president of institutional development and executive director of the Holyoke Community College Foundation. “It will also support the educational needs of the region through partnerships with other community colleges, local agencies, medical facilities, and K-12 schools in the region.” Added Sosik, “building healthy communities starts with education and reliable resources. An investment in this facility is an investment in our communities’ future.” Holyoke Community College will also use the classrooms in the center for outreach programs that will provide free and low-cost health-education programs for residents of Holyoke, Easthampton, and surrounding communities.

HealthSouth Opens Facility at Ludlow Mills
LUDLOW — HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Western Mass. recently celebrated its grand opening at Ludlow Mills. The $28.5 million facility consists of 53 beds and offers all private rooms. It provides rehabilitative care to patients who are recovering from stroke and other neurological disorders, brain and spinal cord injuries, amputation, and orthopedic, cardiac, and pulmonary conditions. At 74,500 square feet, HealthSouth used more than 100,000 recycled bricks and planed wooden beams from old mill buildings. The facility is part of the Ludlow Mills redevelopment project being undertaken by the Westmass Area Redevelopment Corp. The new HealthSouth is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver-certified hospital, signifying that it meets and exceeds established green-building criteria.

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FieldEddy Acquires John Pires Agency
EAST LONGMEADOW — FieldEddy Insurance, one of the largest independent insurance agencies in Western Mass., continues to expand its footprint after recently acquiring the Ludlow-based John Pires Agency. The FieldEddy network is made up of agencies throughout Western Mass., with locations in South Hadley, Monson, and Ludlow, with headquarters located in East Longmeadow. “We feel that this is a great opportunity for the customers of John Pires as well as our agency,” said FieldEddy President Timm Marini. “We look forward to delivering our top-notch service and value to these customers, which is what FieldEddy has become known for.” The transition is expected to be seamless and is already underway, he added.

Balise Collision Repair Receives Prestigious Certification
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Balise Collision Repair on Riverdale Street in West Springfield has been officially certified as a Lexus-approved repair facility. There are fewer than 25 Lexus-certified repair facilities in the U.S., and Balise Collision Repair is the only one in New England. To achieve certification status, a facility’s technicians, supervisors, managers, and office staff must complete a rigorous training program, including online classes and on-site practicums. Employees are then tested in various areas depending on their job classification. Dave Thomas, Lexus Eastern Area customer service operations manager, made the presentation to Jeb Balise, president and CEO of Balise Motor Sales. Balise cited the dedication of the staff at the collision facility.  “This is a tremendous honor for us, and all the credit needs to go to the people who work at this facility for making it happen.”

Hazen Paper Dominates AIMCAL Awards with Record-setting Seven Wins
HOLYOKE — Hazen Paper Co. was honored an unprecedented seven times with awards at the annual management meeting of the Assoc. of International Metallizers, Coaters and Laminators (AIMCAL) in Phoenix, Ariz. on March 16. The seven distinct Hazen products that merited the judges’ votes included packaging for sports equipment, drugstore and luxury healthcare, cosmetics and toiletries, a digital promotional poster for a pop/rock band, and DVD packaging. “We’re very pleased to have impressed the judges,” said President John Hazen. “Each award is validating alone. A combination of custom work we produce from the concept forward in our holographic lab and popular materials we stock to convert, as a whole they demonstrate Hazen’s versatility and exceptional ability to develop materials that ignite interest and turbo-charge sales in a wide variety of applications and markets.” Hazen received a technical award in the Nonfood category for Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x premium golf-ball sleeves and folding cartons featuring a rich, glowing finish created by transfer-metallizing film and laminating it to board, which Hazen completes in house. In addition to delivering a result that is twice as bright and reflective as foil, the surface achieves source reduction (95% less aluminum) and enhances recyclability, while improving folding, gluing, and filling operations. Hazen also received a technical award in Healthcare, Cosmetics and Toiletries for metallizing and converting setup boxes for Procter & Gamble’s Gucci Pour Homme and Made to Measure gift sets. Hazen metallized and laminated polyester with an Ultracure coating to litho paper for a luxurious package that resists fingerprints. AIMCAL judges awarded marketing honors to Hazen in multiple categories. In Retail Label, Hazen was recognized for a custom holographic label for Warner Home Video’s 75th-anniversary limited edition of The Wizard of Oz. The litho label features precisely registered custom holography as well as embossed lettering. In Healthcare, Cosmetics and Toiletries Packaging, folding cartons for Ultradent Opalescence Go Tooth Whitening System gleaned top honors for an eye-catching double-rainbow hologram and die-cut ‘bubbles’; Hazen metallized Double Rainbow holographic film and laminated it to solid bleached sulfate (SBS) to deliver a compelling package that simulates motion on the shelf. Custom holography earned Hazen the marketing award in Nonfood Packaging as well, for Pure Fishing’s Spiderwire Stealth Glow-Vis Braid, in a package for a unique fishing line. Hazen collaborated with Olympak Packaging and Printing to design a hologram, applied an embossable coating to polyester film, embossed and metallized the holograph, then laminated it onto recycled paperboard and sheeted it for printing in register. In Decorative/Display, Hazen Paper provided the digital substrate for a poster designed by Dwight Maddox for Don Miggs’ pop/rock band, miggs, to be printed on an HP 7500 Indigo digital press. Finally, in the Other category, Hazen custom holography won over the judges with an album cover for Gap Dream’s Shine Your Light, on Burger Records). Hazen created copyrighted holograms for front and back, and transfer-metallized the film to SBS, precisely registered for printing.

Mercy Home Care Receives Top Rating from DPH
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Mercy Home Care has earned a perfect, deficiency-free survey from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH). To receive such a survey, home-care agencies must successfully complete a rigorous, unannounced evaluation that includes a review of medical records, clinical procedures, staffing levels, and quality data.  Surveyors also accompany staff members on home visits and interview patients about their experience with the agency. “The very nature of such a DPH survey leaves no room for preparation prior to the arrival of reviewers. Consequently, this deficiency-free survey underscores Mercy Home Care’s daily success in providing outstanding in-home nursing and rehabilitation services to patients who are recovering from illness or injury,” said Christopher McLaughlin, chief operating officer of the Mercy Continuing Care Network within the Sisters of Providence Health System. In Massachusetts, home-care agencies are reviewed by DPH surveyors every three years. Mercy Home Care’s most recent survey took four days to complete and involved 10 home visits with different clinicians as well as intensive reviews of 20 records. “Mercy Home Care patients are at the center of a multi-disciplinary approach to care that is designed to help them maintain or regain their independence. This approach requires staff members to work as a cohesive group, and the deficiency-free survey is a reflection of the outstanding teamwork at Mercy Home Care,” said Sue Pickett, executive director of Mercy Home Care.

More Than $800,000 Given to Schools Through Big Y Education Express
SPRINGFIELD — Big Y Foods Inc. announced recently that more than $800,000 in free educational materials was awarded to more than 2,000 schools in Massachusetts and Connecticut through the grocery chain’s Education Express program. The company provided a partial list of those supplies, which included 2,236 playground balls, 975 books, 372 calculators, 97 digital cameras, 59 computer tablets, 579 musical instruments, 1,313 packs of crayons, 2,523 reams of copier paper, and 27,128 pencils. Since its inception in 1993, the Big Y Education Express Program has awarded close to $14 million in free supplies and equipment to local schools. “At Big Y, we believe it is important to support our communities and the education of our children,” said Donald D’Amour, Big Y Chairman and CEO. “The Education Express Program helps our local schools supplement their tight budgets and get items for the arts, technology, and even necessities like paper and pencils. It’s just one way we are able to give back and help our future generation receive the essential tools they need for the best education possible.” Community support was the key ingredient to the success of Education Express, and the program was a win-win for customers, he added. Customers purchased money-saving products designated throughout the stores by specially designed school-bus logo shelf tags to earn valuable merchandise points for the school of their choice.  Schools then redeemed those points for free educational supplies such as computers, art supplies, musical instruments, and sports equipment. The program was free to Big Y customers, and shoppers could track their donated point totals on their register receipt and through a Facebook app. In addition to the Education Express Program, Big Y operates the Big Y Scholarship Program, which awards 300 scholarships worth $250,000 annually to academically outstanding students in its market area. Big Y also donates food valued at more than $4.5 million to local nonprofit organizations, schools, churches, and educational programs each year.

Fallon Health Marks Milestone
WORCESTER — Fallon Health, a not-for-profit healthcare-services organization, recently celebrated a historic milestone in the growth of community-based care for seniors. With its opening of four new programs last month, the number of Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) now exceeds 100 across the U.S. PACE, which was developed in San Francisco in the 1970s, helps to keep nursing-home-eligible elders living in the community. “The story of PACE is a rarity in today’s healthcare policy environment,” said Shawn Bloom, president and CEO of the National PACE Assoc. “PACE is a common-sense approach to providing care to older people that was rigorously studied and tested and then able to become a permanent part of our healthcare system. We don’t often see successful innovations allowed to thrive and grow like PACE.” The various PACE programs bring together a coordinated team of doctors, nurses, social workers, and therapists to provide seniors with an individualized care plan that addresses each person’s unique medical care and social needs. The result is higher-quality care and more favorable outcomes compared to traditional care options. More than 90% of PACE enrollees reside outside of nursing homes. “In Massachusetts, Fallon Health is proud to have led the way in senior-care services with our PACE program, Summit ElderCare, which we’ve offered for the last 19 years,” said Richard Burke, president of Senior Care Services and Government Affairs. “Today, Summit ElderCare is the largest PACE organization in New England and the fifth-largest in the nation.” There are now 103 PACE organizations operating in 31 states. As the only health plan in Massachusetts that is both an insurer and a provider of care, Fallon Health operates its PACE program in six locations in the Commonwealth: Worcester (two sites), Charlton (two locations), Leominster, and Springfield.

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Bay Path Launches Online MS in Accounting
LONGMEADOW — Taking into consideration many of the specific challenges facing accountants and other professionals in that industry, Bay Path College recently announced the launch of a master of science in Accounting (MSA) degree designed to respond to their needs. Now registering classes for May 2014, the exclusively online MS, with one- and two-year tracks, holds no classes during the busy season for accountants, January through April. Three concentrations are offered, public accounting (tax and audit), private accounting, and forensic accounting. The curriculum of Bay Path’s MSA is also designed to satisfy the educational requirements for licensure as a CPA in over 40 states, including Massachusetts and Connecticut. In January 2014, Time magazine reported that accountants were one of the top five jobs in demand by employers, and the Department of Labor recently cited the occupation as one of the leading areas of job growth in the next decade. The American Assoc. of CPAs has shown that accountants with a master’s degree are likely to earn upward of 20% more than those with a lesser degree. Kara Stevens, who chairs the program, has years of professional experience in accounting. “At Bay Path, we understand how to teach technical accounting and what it’s like to work in the accounting industry,” she said. “Our accounting faculty have worked in the professions where students are either coming from or hope to be a part of, and that’s an important differentiator with our MSA. This makes the degree more relevant to the students’ professional goals.” For more information about the program and other graduate degrees, visit graduate.baypath.edu.

STCC Launches STEM Starter Academy
SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) has announced a new summer program that will allow incoming students a chance to get an early start on their college credits while also exploring the possibility of a career in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines. The STEM Starter Academy will allow participants to earn a $1,000 stipend; take free college courses, including the College Success Seminar “Essentials of Engineering and Math”; participate in field trips; and learn from guest speakers and STEM experts currently working in the field. To apply to the STEM Starter Academy, a student must be a Massachusetts high-school graduate from the classes of 2012, 2013, or 2014, submit an STCC admissions application for the fall 2014 semester and a STEM Starter Academy application, possess a grade-point average of 2.0 or above, and have parental consent (for those under 18 years of age). The application deadline is May 9. According to Dr. Robert Dickerman, STCC dean of the School of Math, Sciences, and Engineering Transfer, STEM graduates are in high demand. The STEM Starter Academy is an opportunity for students to gain a better understanding of the STEM field, learn about career possibilities, as well as earn college credit toward a future degree. “The goal of the STEM Starter Academy is to get students interested in STEM careers,” said Dickerman. “Students may not always think a STEM degree is for them, but we want to show them there are a lot of places that degree can take them. Being a part of the STEM Starter Academy is a phenomenal opportunity for local students.”

Monson Savings Awards Grant to Link to Libraries
MONSON — Steven Lowell, president of Monson Savings Bank, presented a community-service recognition grant to Link to Libraries. The nonprofit was awarded the foundation’s grant award for being in the top of the community-service organizations in the bank’s areas of giving. “ Support from the Monson Savings Bank Foundation not only supports our programs, but enriches the lives of the children in Ware, Palmer, Wilbraham, Hampden, and Monson,” said Janet Crimmins, president of Link to Libraries. “These are sites in which this organization distributes thousands of books each year. We are honored by the support of this bank and its staff who donate countless hours engaging with the children in their community.”

OMG Introduces RedLine AFR Roof Drain
AGAWAM — OMG Roofing Products of Agawam has introduced the RedLine AFR Roof Drain, a tool-free system that provides for maximum allowable flow for gravity-based, open-channel roof-drainage systems. The RedLine AFR mechanical seal can be activated by hand, eliminating the need for tools and significantly reducing installation time. In extreme rain events, a head of water can develop and create a pressurized flow in some roof-drain fixtures, leading to failures in the building’s plumbing system. RedLine AFR’s design, featuring the RedLine AFR Vortex Breaker, has been tested for maximum allowable flow and to minimize the danger of creating pressurized flow. The patent-pending RedLine AFR Backflow Mechanical Seal can be installed by hand, creating a perfectly symmetrical, watertight connection and preventing over-tightening or under-tightening during installation. “The RedLine AFR Roof Drain is revolutionary in that it lets contractors install watertight, maximum allowable flow drains in half the time it would take to insert new drains and a fraction of the time it would take to rework or replace the drains,” said Dan Genovese, product manager with OMG Roofing Products. “Installation is tool-free and can be done in a single turn with two fingers, increasing productivity and accuracy. More important, the RedLine AFR Roof Drain is engineered to get water off the roof at a flow rate consistent with the building’s internal plumbing system.” RedLine AFR is installed from the rooftop so as not to disrupt building occupants, and has a one-piece seamless body for strength and durability as well as a heavy-duty, cast-aluminum strainer dome and clamping ring. The 10-inch-long drain stem can accommodate most existing field conditions and can be field-cut or obtained in longer lengths if needed. An extra-large flange allows positive attachment of roof-flashing membrane, and flanges are available with TPO or PVC coatings for hot-air welding. Headquartered in Agawam, OMG Roofing Products is North America’s largest manufacturer of commercial roofing products, featuring specialty fasteners, insulation adhesives, drains, pipe supports, emergency-repair tape, edge-metal systems, and productivity tools.

Fairview Hospital Lauded for Patient Experience
GREAT BARRINGTON — Fairview Hospital has been recognized with a 2013 Outstanding Patient Experience Award by Healthgrades, a leading online provider of comprehensive information about physicians and hospitals. Fairview Hospital was one of nine hospitals in Massachusetts to receive this distinction, and the only hospital so recognized in Western Mass., ranking among the top 15% of all hospitals that were evaluated. The Outstanding Patient Experience Award recognizes the high performance of hospitals that have been evaluated by their patients in surveys collected after their discharge from the hospital by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). “Berkshire Health Systems is proud of the exceptional care that is being provided to our patients in South Berkshire by Fairview Hospital,” said David Phelps, president and CEO of BHS. “The consistent level of high-quality care that Fairview’s physicians, nurses, and staff give to their patients is clearly reflected in the survey results for which this award is based. Fairview patients repeatedly relay their positive experiences, and BHS and Fairview are committed to maintaining that level of excellence.”

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ESB Hits $1B in Assets
EASTHAMPTON — Easthampton Savings Bank (ESB) staged its quarterly director’s meeting recently, at which Matthew Sosik, president and CEO of ESB, reported that the bank’s total assets surpassed $1 billion at the end of 2013. “This past year was just the latest in a long string of years with terrific financial performance for the bank, and reaching the mark of $1 billion in assets was truly historic for us,” said Sosik. Bozena Dabek, senior vice president and CFO, reported that the bank’s assets were up $34.8 million from a year ago, an increase of 3.6%. “Easthampton Savings Bank continues to be one of the most highly capitalized banks in the area, with a capital ratio of 12.6%,” she added. Dabek noted that total loans increased $45.2 million over the last quarter. Total loans now stand at $726.1 million. She also noted that the bank’s deposits grew 4%, or $32.3 million, for the year and were up $15.4 million for the quarter. Total deposits are now $828.3 million.

Homewatch Caregivers Opens New Office in Franklin County
GREENFIELD — Homewatch CareGivers of West Springfield has opened a new office in Greenfield at 278 Main St. The owners, Peter and Judy Yaffe, have been in business for 11 years. The need for expanded home-care options in the Upper Pioneer Valley and Franklin County fit their plan of moving up the I-91 corridor from their Northampton office. “We can provide high-quality home-care options and special programs for people who want to remain in their own homes in the Greater Greenfield area,” said Judy Yaffe. “We have been working to continue the growth of our business, and in 2014, the need for our services has been affirmed. It’s time to make our vision a reality.” Homewatch CareGivers’ mission and goals encompass the philosophy of improving the quality of life for elders and their families by supporting a warm and supportive environment in the client’s home.

AIC Adds New iPad Lab, Tutoring Room
SPRINGFIELD — Flatscreen televisions and iPads may be common entertainment devices, but at American International College, students will now be using them as learning tools. Thanks in part to a Title III Strengthening Institutions Grant, the AIC Center for Academic Success has a new iPad lab and state-of-the-art tutoring room. The college celebrated the completion of the new tutoring room and iPad lab at a ceremony on Feb. 12 in Shea Library. “The newly completed tutoring room morphed from an old storage/work room up in the library into a permanent, state-of-the-art tutoring room, equipped with a 60-inch TV screen/computer and upgraded wi-fi,” said Lesley LaMarche, director of the Tutoring Program at AIC. “This allows tutors/tutees to interactively access blackboard assignments and PowerPoints during a tutoring session.” LaMarche said the room also has GoToMeeting software installed so that non-traditional and commuter students can now attend a live tutoring session from their home or elsewhere off campus and still receive access to the same information as traditional on-campus students. Susan Petrucelli, director of Developmental Education for AIC’s Center for Academic Success, said the new technology can potentially reach every student in need of academic help, regardless of their location. The new lab, funded by the Title III Strengthening Institutions Grant, is officially called the iPad Learning Lab. The Center for Academic Success through Developmental Education is the first department on campus to incorporate iPads into learning. “In addition to using this facility to engage students in developmental education, we want the iPad Learning Lab to be a resource to support learning and provide opportunities to enhance instruction,” said Petrucelli. The lab has 18 iPads that are secured to workstations. In addition, there is an Apple TV with a flatscreen monitor in front of the workstation area. There are two mobile iPads available for instructors or staff members to lead their discussions, workshops, or other scheduled events. “Although the iPad is traditionally a mobile device, for our purposes through the Title III grant, we are using this facility to demonstrate to students and faculty that technology is an important tool to transform education,” Petrucelli said. “Apple is one of the principal leaders in educational technology. The majority of the educational software used by the Developmental Education Department and other content areas at American International College will be mainstreaming toward the Apple iPad format by fall 2014.” Through the variety of applications and courses available through the Apple Store, students can receive additional support in their courses. For example, an application called Popplet helps developmental writers brainstorm ideas and organize writing through movable charts and graphs. Another application called Animated Anatomy and Physiology has the ability to provide 3-D, narrated information sessions for the different systems in the body for health science majors. “The iPads are learning tools to motivate students,” said Petrucelli. “Most students use some form of technology every day. The iPad Learning Lab has the potential to improve skill building in reading, math, and writing. It also can increase a students’ academic self-efficacy and help support their metacognitive skill development. Whether students work individually in the learning lab to increase their understanding or use the iPads as part of their course instruction, we want the students to feel excited about learning. Having access to the iPad through the Center for Academic Success, AIC students have the opportunity to work with a resource that can support their learning and be successful in college.”

Berkshire Health Systems Recognized for Breast Care
PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Health Systems’ Comprehensive Breast Center has recently been recognized as a Certified Quality Breast Center in the National Quality Measures for Breast Centers Program. This honor represents a commitment to provide the highest level of quality breast healthcare to patients.
Measuring and comparing quality performance is essential in assessing patient care and allocating resources where improvement is desired. In today’s dynamic healthcare industry, breast centers are faced with providing quality care while simultaneously keeping costs under control. A center’s staff must not only be familiar with existing standards of care, but also be aware of new advances in technology. Berkshire Health System’s Comprehensive Breast Center combines imaging and diagnostic services with a full range of breast-health services provided by a team of expert specialists. With a focus on education and support, services include state-of-the-art technology for mammography, ultrasound, and bone-density tests, with results available to referring physicians within 24 hours.
At the time of a breast-cancer diagnosis, patients are linked to the Patient Navigation Program, which continues through all phases of care and follow-up. Education, support, and extensive resources are provided so that individuals are armed with the latest information to help make informed healthcare choices. Individual needs are assessed so that care is coordinated in a timely fashion, and barriers to care are addressed. This level of commitment and support can be an invaluable resource during a frightening time in a patient’s life. A weekly ‘breast conference’ brings together a multidisciplinary team of radiologists; pathologists; medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists; plastic surgeons; and other healthcare providers. At the conference, each case is thoroughly reviewed, and a plan of care is determined with input from physicians. The center has been designated as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by American College of Radiology’s (ACR) Commission on Quality and Safety.

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Paragus IT Sets Up Shop Temporarily in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD — The staff of Paragus IT is currently operating out of an office at Harrison Place in downtown Springfield while waiting for a new, state-of-the-art headquarters to be built in Hadley. “It’s great to be part of the vibrant business culture downtown,” said Paragus CEO Delcie Bean. “Many of our clients
and friends are here, and we’re always looking to connect and network with other area businesses.” Paragus brings a staff of more than 35 technicians and business professionals into the downtown economy, and takes on new hires every six to eight weeks.  For the past two years, the company was were named in Inc.’s annual ranking of the 5,000 fastest-growing businesses. With a 546% growth rate since 2008, Paragus is the second-fastest-growing outsourced IT firm in New England. After eight years at its Russell Street headquarters in Hadley, Paragus will be moving to a new commercial office building, also in Hadley, later this year. The new space is 8,000 square feet, nearly four times the size of the former location. Bean has indicated that, if things go well downtown, he may consider maintaining a permanent satellite office there.

North Brookfield Savings Bank Named a Preferred Lender by SBA
NORTH BROOKFIELD — North Brookfield Savings Bank (NBSB) has been awarded status as a Preferred Lender for the Small Business Administration (SBA), which can mean faster loan approval for customers.
“To be awarded the SBA’s Preferred Lender status is a privilege, and we are proud to recognize North Brookfield Savings Bank for their lending performance and reputation,” said Massachusetts SBA Director Robert Nelson. “We look forward to working more closely with them and their customers now and in the years ahead.” As a member of the SBA’s Preferred Lender Program, NBSB has the authority to issue an SBA-guaranteed loan without prior SBA review and approval. Membership in the program is given only to financial institutions that have a proven capability and commitment to small-business lending, and strict adherence to SBA guidelines. “The SBA Preferred Lending designation gives us the ability to streamline our commercial-loan process, which in turn will allow us to approve and close SBA loans more efficiently,” said Anthony Piermarini, senior vice president and senior commercial loan officer. “We are proud of our membership in the Preferred Lender Program. The NBSB Commercial Lending team has worked diligently to provide loans to businesses in our community, and achieving this status demonstrates our commitment to small-business lending and our business community.” Rick Egan, NBSB vice president and commercial loan officer, will serve as the bank’s SBA loan specialist.

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FieldEddy Launches New Operating System
EAST LONGMEADOW — FieldEddy Insurance recently launched its new computer operating system, Applied Epic. The change in systems has been a 10-month, hands-on training process instituted as a way to better serve clients and optimize the day-to-day operations, said Timm Marini, president of FieldEddy Insurance, adding that Applied Epic is the insurance industry’s fastest-growing agency-management system, chosen by agencies to enhance business for growth and to build stronger client relationships. “About three years of planning comes to an end with the launch of the new Epic software,” said Marini. “The two systems that were used prior were becoming more outmoded and couldn’t seem to keep up with the level of growth and productivity that the agency is seeing. We knew it was time to research and institute a new system that would be a better fit and one that would generate high-performance results. We are happy and confident that Epic is the best and right choice for us.” All 79 employees have been expected to participate in detailed training sessions in order to be well-prepared and knowledgeable about the interface prior to the launch. The system will allow agents to streamline workflows and operational tasks, manage policies in a consistent manner to minimize risk, reduce operating expenses, and drive sustainable growth and profitability. Along with these benefits, employees in all four offices will now be using the same computer program. Prior to this, there were two different programs being used, both of which will now not be used with the implementation of Applied Epic. “It has been a significant financial investment, and I can’t wait to see the results,” Marini said. “Our focus has always been the customer, and this new program will certainly provide exceptional customer service.”

Valley Vodka Experiences Eighth Year of Growth with Record Sales
HADLEY — Valley Vodka Inc., a Western Mass.-based company founded by Paul Kozub, has experienced its eighth consecutive year of sales growth with record sales in 2013. The company’s sales increased more than 10% from 2012, said Kozub, adding that Valley Vodka also realized a 60% increase in net income for that period as it took back full distribution of all of its products. Previously, United Liquors in Braintree had distributed V-One Vodka. Valley Vodka is the parent company of the V-One Vodka brand, which was launched in 2005 with an initial shipment of 1,000 cases. Kozub started Valley Vodka with a $6,000 inheritance from his Polish grandfather. He began this journey at age 28 after leaving a successful career with TD Bank, where he was vice president of Small Business Loans. In 2010, V-One Vodka won the prestigious Double Gold medal at the World Spirit Competition in San Francisco, beating out some 256 other vodkas and adding the vodka to a list of other international honors. V-One has also won four other medals at the World Spirit Competition since 2007 and was awarded a prestigious 95 points by Wine Enthusiast magazine.

DiGrigoli School of Cosmetology Honored
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Modern Salon has named the 2013 class of Excellence in Education honorees in its annual program recognizing leadership and best practices among cosmetology schools. DiGrigoli School of Cosmetology, based in West Springfield, was chosen to represent excellence in the categories of school culture (unique programs offered to enhance the cosmetology-school experience and to foster the personal development and growth of students) and community involvement (participation in local and regional philanthropic activities that elevate a school’s position as a positive, professional contributor to the community). Hundreds of entries were submitted from cosmetology schools across North America, in eight categories ranging from marketing to placement to school culture. Honorees were determined based on school size or number of locations, with one overall honoree from all applicants named for each category. Modern Salon Publisher Steve Reiss announced the honorees during the American Assoc. of Cosmetology Schools 2013 convention in Las Vegas. Paul DiGrigoli, owner and CEO of DiGrigoli School of Cosmetology, said, “I’m extremely proud of all of our instructors and students, who contributed toward us receiving these prestigious awards. We pride ourselves on having a culture of excellence for many reasons, but I believe that one of the most important of them is that our people not only get along, they look out for each other. We always share with our students how important it is to volunteer and to contribute to our community. They have done that so well within this past year. People often ask me what makes DiGrigoli different, and I always give the same answer: expectations. When our students’ learning ability and their expectations are consistent, it allows them to absorb information and to gain knowledge at the highest level.”

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FamilyFirst Merging with North Brookfield Savings
NORTH BROOKFIELD — North Brookfield Savings Bank (NBSB) in North Brookfield and FamilyFirst Bank (FFB) in Ware have entered into a definitive agreement to combine into a single mutual savings bank. The combined bank will operate under the name and charter of North Brookfield Savings Bank. The transaction is subject to the approval of the corporators of NBSB and the shareholders of FFB as well as the approval of the banks’ regulators. FamilyFirst Bank operates three banking centers in Ware, Three Rivers, and East Brookfield. “These branch locations complement the North Brookfield branch system very well,” said NBSB President and CEO Donna Boulanger. NBSB operates four banking centers in North Brookfield, West Brookfield, Palmer, and Belchertown. All existing FamilyFirst branches will continue to operate, as will all North Brookfield Savings Bank branches. “FamilyFirst has created a customer-first culture with a strong focus on community, making this a natural fit for North Brookfield Savings Bank,” said Boulanger. “We look forward to introducing NBSB’s products and services to FamilyFirst’s customers and to supporting the local communities.” NBSB, founded in 1854, is a mutual savings bank with more than $200 million in assets. NBSB has received the highest Five Star Superior Bank rating from Bauer Financial for 74 consecutive quarters. The combined bank will have in excess of $260 million in assets. “I look forward to working with NBSB to complete this transaction for the benefit of FamilyFirst customers and employees. NBSB has a history of being committed to providing superior products and services delivered with a true personal touch,” said FamilyFirst President and CEO Michael Audette. Both banks use the same core technology providers, so the integration of the banks should be an easy transition for FamilyFirst customers. The transaction is anticipated to close in the late first quarter or early second quarter of 2014.

HMC Welcomes Donation from Holyoke HealthCare
HOLYOKE — Holyoke Medical Center announced a recent donation from Holyoke HealthCare Center in the amount of $4,810. The donation was made possible by the generosity of the center, a member of National HealthCare (NHC) and its philanthropic arm, the Foundation for Geriatric Education (TFGE). The donation will help participants in a five-day ‘boot camp’ for people recently diagnosed with congestive heart failure (CHF) that will be offered through the multi-agency Cross Continuum Team consisting of Holyoke Medical Center, Holyoke HealthCare Center, the Care Center, the Holyoke Visiting Nurse Assoc., and Renaissance Manor. The funding will provide boot-camp participants with large-number bathroom scales to weigh themselves every day. “Monitoring weight is a very important part of the self-management process for patients with CHF,” said Cherelyn Roberts, Holyoke Medical Center manager for the State Action on Avoidable Rehospitalizations Program. “Any change in weight could signal the need for medical attention, so these scales are crucial and will help patients be a stronger partner in their care. The goal is to help people avoid unnecessary hospitalizations and stay at home, where they want to be.” Holyoke HealthCare Center Administrator Thomas Accomando explained that the funding provided by TFGE was raised locally through events such as car washes, bake sales, and tag sales held at Holyoke HealthCare Center, along with personal donations. “The teams here at Holyoke HealthCare Center and NHC are proud to assist in education-related projects for our community involving the care of our elders, thus continuing the philosophy of our founder, Dr. Carl Adams,” said Accomando. Funding was also provided to Holyoke Medical Center for the purchase of a Resusci Anne QCPR torso mannequin with wireless skill recorder and carrier, a special training IV arm for intravenous insertions into elderly patients with thinner skin, and video equipment for recording educational sessions provided to Cross Continuum Team partners.

Big Y Nets 126,000 Pounds of Food for Area Needy
SPRINGFIELD — In a chain-wide effort to help the hungry within their local communities, Big Y’s fourth annual Sack Hunger/Care to Share Program brought 15,741 bags of food to local charities. Sack Hunger bags are large, brown, reusable grocery bags filled with staple non-perishable food items for local food banks. Customers purchase a Sack Hunger bag of groceries for $10, and Big Y distributes the food to that region’s local food bank. In turn, the food banks distribute the filled sacks to area soup kitchens, food pantries, senior food programs, day-care centers, as well as many other member agencies. All of the donated sacks are distributed within the supermarket’s marketing area, so every donation stays within the local community. Since its inception four years ago, more than 55,000 bags have been donated to the area’s needy via the Sack Hunger Program. This year’s endeavor ran from Oct. 31 through Dec. 31. All five food banks within Big Y’s marketing area are participating in Sack Hunger. These food banks represent more than 2,100 member agencies throughout the region. They include the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, the Greater Boston Food Bank, the Worcester County Food Bank, Foodshare of Greater Hartford, and the Connecticut Food Bank.

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Big Y Opens First Fuel and Convenience Location
SPRINGFIELD — Big Y Express Fuel and Convenience opened earlier this month at 320 Housatonic St. in Lee on Route 20, off exit 2 of the Massachusetts Turnpike. Big Y Express represents a new venture and a partnership between two long-established Western Mass. family-owned businesses, Big Y Foods Inc. and F.L. Roberts & Co. Big Y Express is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is also just several hundred feet away from Big Y’s World Class Market in Lee. The inaugural 2,000-square-foot Lee location is the result of an alliance that incorporates what Big Y officials are calling “new and unique retail design and merchandising trends.” It features the traditional F.L. Roberts product mix along with many Big Y proprietary private-brand products including grocery, snacks, and freshly made, ready-to-eat offerings such as sandwiches, hot dogs, fountain soda, freshly brewed coffee, pastries, and fresh fruit. In addition, F.L. Roberts Rewards Plus loyalty cards along with Big Y Silver Savings Club cards can be used for more discounts at the pump and on items inside the store. And Big Y’s Express Rewards silver and gold coins can be redeemed for cents off per gallon at the pump. There are eight pump positions, with regular, unleaded, premium, and diesel fuels supplied by F.L. Roberts, which is the operating partner and responsible for the 10 Big Y Express employees. Many supermarket chains throughout the country own and operate gas and convenience stores in addition to supermarket formats. Coborns in Minnesota, Giant Eagle in Pittsburgh, and KVAT in Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee all operate both formats, as does Stop & Shop locally. With its alliance with F.L. Roberts, Big Y combines the expertise of the largest independent petroleum marketer in Western Mass. with the largest independently owned and operated supermarket chain in New England. According to Big Y President and COO Charles D’Amour, “we get the best of both worlds with our Big Y Express partnership. On the one hand, we are learning about gas stations and convenience stores. On the other, we are providing our expertise in food coupled with our strong private brand to enhance the experience for our customers.” Steve Roberts, F.L. Roberts’s president, expressed the same enthusiasm for this partnership. “Two well-established companies have combined their expertise to help each other grow to better service our customers and communities.” Headquartered in Springfield, Big Y boasts 61 locations throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts and more than 10,000 employees. The fourth-generation, family-owned F.L. Roberts was founded in 1920 by Frank Roberts as an automotive-parts and tire business in the South End of Springfield. Today, the company has expanded to include other automotive specialties at nearly 60 sites with 500 employees in Massachusetts and Connecticut. The company’s network of automotive-service companies includes 26 convenience stores, 20 car washes, nine Jiffy Lubes, two truck-fueling centers, and the Whately Diner.

AIC Ranks High in Teacher Education
SPRINGFIELD — American International College has been ranked sixth among colleges in Massachusetts for providing teacher education. The rankings were published recently by the College Database, a not-for-profit organization that provides free information about education options both nationally and locally to students, parents, and other interested parties. According to the College Database list, with nearly 500 education graduates last year, AIC ranked higher in teacher education than any other Western Mass. college. “The ranking acknowledges our hard work and commitment to preparing highly effective classroom teachers, reading specialists, and school leaders,” said Esta Sobey, associate dean of Education at the college. AIC offers education programs in several areas, including early childhood, elementary, moderate disabilities, and 10 subjects on the middle/secondary level, leading to initial teacher licensure in those areas. There is also a new five-year program leading to a bachelor’s degree in an arts and science area with a minor in education after four years, and a master of Education degree with licensure after the fifth year. Sobey said the college’s education programs have expanded in recent years, not only on the AIC campus, but across the state. “We have grown to 12 sites across the Commonwealth, and in 2012-13, AIC prepared and endorsed 498 candidates for various initial and professional licenses,” she said. AIC Provost Dr. Todd Fritch said the ranking is further proof of the college’s commitment to education. “Our education programs strengthen the mission of the college by expanding opportunities for students to transform their lives and achieve personal and professional fulfillment through rewarding careers as education professionals,” he noted. “The programs offer students a mix of scholarship and practicality, as most of our professors are employed in the field, allowing them to offer a balance between theory and real-world application.” AIC external campus program sites include Buzzards Bay, East Bridgewater, Fall River/New Bedford, Greenfield, Lawrence, Marlborough, Medford, Pittsfield, Wakefield, Weymouth, and Worcester.

Senior Housing Project at Ludlow Mills Wins $300,000 Tax Credit
LUDLOW — The Westmass Area Development Corp. (Westmass) announced recently that the senior independent living project at Ludlow Mills has received an important state historic tax credit award of $300,000 from Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin. The award was critical to the project, allowing developer WinnDevelopment to move forward with financing its senior-living project at the mills. The senior-housing project will preserve historic mill building 10, in which 80 units of senior housing will be developed. The estimated total project cost is $24.5 million. Pending complete financing, Westmass is expected to convey Mill10 and the surrounding three acres to WinnDevelopment during the fourth quarter of 2014. Occupancy is expected to start about a year from now.

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HCC to Receive $20.3M to Renovate Campus Center
HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College will receive more than $20 million over the next few years to renovate its Campus Center. Massachuetts Gov. Deval Patrick announced a plan earlier this month to spend $1.8 billion on capital-improvement projects throughout the state. HCC’s share will be $300,000 in the current fiscal year, FY 2014, and an additional $20 million over the next few years. “We are most appreciative of this commitment by the state,” said HCC President William Messner in a message to the HCC community, “as it will address a critical need and be a significant step in alleviating deferred maintenance issues on our campus.” The $300,000 will be used for planning, with the $20 million to be spent on renovations and improvements. The main priority for the Campus Center project is to waterproof the building, said Bill Fogarty, vice president of Administration and Finance. The Campus Center, or G building, was the last of the original campus buildings to be constructed after HCC moved to Homestead Avenue, opening in 1981. The third floor was renovated in 2009 and turned into a center for Electronic Media Arts. The building has long been plagued by leaks, and makeshift internal drainage systems constructed from aluminum, housing gutters, garden hoses, and buckets, are evident throughout the building. “There is a serious water-infiltration issue that needs to be addressed,” Fogarty said. “We have plastic bags over expensive equipment over there. It’s ridiculous.” Beyond the waterproofing, administrators are considering a number of different options for renovations, including possible expansion. One idea is to move the Campus Bookstore from the first floor to the second floor and the Student Activities Office from the Donahue Building to be closer to the Food Court, “so we can have some synergy and build more instructonal space on the first floor,” said Fogarty. Another option is to move the HCC Welcome Center, which houses Admissions and Student Account Services, from the second floor of the Frost Building to the Campus Center. Fogarty said he favors moving the Culinary Arts program from the Frost Building to the Campus Center to be closer to HCC’s food-service operation. Expanding kitchen space would allow HCC to offer an associate degree in Culinary Arts. Currently, HCC offers Culinary Arts as a one-year certificate program.

Monson Savings Bank Is SBA Lender of the Year
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank has been named the Western Mass. “7a Lender of the Year” by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Robert Nelson, SBA district director for Massachusetts, and Anne Hunt, SBA lead lending specialist, presented Steve Lowell, president of Monson Savings Bank, with the Lender of the Year Award at the bank’s Loan Center on Nov. 18. Monson Savings earned the award by closing on more of the SBA’s flagship small-business 7a loans in Western Mass. than any other bank during the SBA’s 2013 fiscal year. The bank made these loans to a wide variety of retail, professional, and consumer-service-oriented businesses in more than 10 different industries from transportation to construction; childcare to healthcare. “This is a very exciting award for us,” Lowell said, “because it goes to the heart of our brand promise to help small businesses prosper. These are the businesses that drive our local and regional economies, and it feels great to play a role in this economic activity.” Lowell accepted the award on behalf of the entire commercial-lending and loan-servicing departments at the bank, most of whom were present at the ceremony.  “It was great for the SBA officials to come to our offices to present the award because it’s so important to recognize the people who work so hard for and care so much about our business customers,” said Lowell.

Chick-fil-A to Open Restaurant in Chicopee
CHICOPEE — Chick-fil-A will open its first restaurant in Chicopee in early 2014. To be located at 501 Memorial Dr., the 4,976-square-foot restaurant is project to open in the first quarter of the year, and create roughly 80 new jobs. The restaurant will seat 135 people and offer wi-fi, a drive-thru, and an indoor play area. As it does at every grand opening, Chick-fil-A will celebrate its arrival in Chicopee by giving away a one-year supply of free Chick-fil-A meals (52 certificates) to the first 100 adults in line on opening day. Owner/operator Robert Hewes has been selected to operate the Chicopee restaurant.

MGM Springfield, Ludlow Announce Surrounding-community Agreement
LUDLOW — MGM Resorts International announced that it has finalized the first surrounding-community agreement for its MGM Springfield proposal with the town of Ludlow. Earlier this month, members of the town’s board of selectmen unanimously endorsed the agreement. Mike Mathis, MGM Resorts Vice President of Global Gaming Development, said that “the first agreement is an important one. It has energized us, and demonstrates that, with good communication and an open mind, there is a way forward for all parties involved. We thank the Ludlow town leaders for their hard work and cooperation leading up to today.” The agreement will pay Ludlow $50,000 upfront and a minimum of $100,000 annually based on a third-party impact analysis. Collaboratively, MGM and designated surrounding communities will work to select a third-party analyst. Additionally, the agreement includes a look-back period on the first- and fifth-year anniversaries so that the actual impacts can be measured and addressed. In addition to the mitigation dollars that have been agreed upon between Ludlow and MGM, the company will contribute, through state-tax payments, to certain funds set up by the Massachusetts gaming law. Surrounding communities can go through the Mass. Gaming Commission to draw upon these funds for additional unforeseen impacts. MGM has been working with officials from eight communities to better understand their questions and concerns around the MGM Springfield project. As a result of these meetings and communications, the MGM team hopes to come to similar agreements before its application is due on Dec. 31. MGM Springfield, an approximately $800 million resort, is proposed for 14.5 acres of land between Union and State streets, and between Columbus Avenue and Main Street. MGM is seeking the sole gaming license in Western Mass.

FSB Receives SBA Award for Lending Program
FLORENCE — Florence Savings Bank has received the 2013 Western Massachusetts SBA 504 Lender of the Year by Dollars Award from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA 504 Loan Program is available to help startup and existing businesses with a wide range of activities, including working capital and to purchase, renovate, or construct real estate. The award was presented at a ceremony at the SBA offices in Boston in mid-November. We are very proud to have won this award,” said Joseph Traczynski, senior lending executive and senior vice president of FSB. “Our bank is committed to helping local business get access to the resources they need to grow and compete, and the SBA loan programs allow us to expand our lending to more businesses and help create jobs for our area.” Massachusetts small-business owners received 1,869 loans supporting $605 million from the SBA in fiscal year 2013 (Oct. 1, 2012 through Sept. 30, 2013), according to an announcement made by Massachusetts SBA Director Robert Nelson. More than 18,000 jobs were supported across the state, including 8,375 newly created jobs, as a result of SBA’s lending activity. “We are very fortunate to have lending partners like Florence Bank that are so committed to the communities they serve and utilize the SBA programs to service the needs of their small-business customers. Congratulations to Florence Bank on this award,” Nelson said. Previously, Florence Savings Bank received an SBA award for the most loans to women-owned businesses in Massachusetts. Florence Savings Bank was founded in 1873 and has nine offices in Hampshire County, as well as loan offices in Greenfield and West Springfield. The bank currently employs 200 people.

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Rockville Financial, United Financial to Merge
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Rockville Financial Inc. and United Financial Bancorp announced recently that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement in a stock-for-stock transaction valued at $369 million, based on the closing price of Rockville Financial Inc. common stock on Nov. 14. The combination will create the largest community bank headquartered in the Hartford-Springfield market, with $4.8 billion in assets, more than 50 branches, and top-five deposit market share in each metropolitan statistical area. In the merger, United Financial Bancorp Inc. shareholders will receive 1.3472 shares of Rockville Financial Inc. common stock for each share of United Financial Bancorp Inc. common stock. Upon closing, Rockville Financial Inc. shareholders will own approximately 49% of stock in the combined company; United Financial Bancorp Inc. shareholders will own approximately 51%. The merger is expected to generate approximately $17.6 million in fully phased-in annual cost savings, or approximately 15% of the expected combined expense total. Additionally, the merger is expected to be approximately 30% accretive to the standalone 2015 earnings of both entities, excluding the impact of the potential revenue-enhancement opportunities. “We are very pleased to announce the combination of these two great community banks,” said William Crawford IV, president and CEO of Rockville Financial. “This merger is a significant step in our strategy to expand our footprint. Our complementary branch networks provide both greater market density and unique franchise scarcity value. The combined company will create a top-performing New England community bank that has the scale, product depth, and efficiency to compete effectively and deliver strong returns to our shareholders and an expanded product suite to our customers.” Added Richard Collins, United Financial Bancorp’s chairman, president, and CEO, “this transaction creates value for our shareholders, customers, and employees. We are uniting two strong community banks and creating a dominant player in the New England banking market with greater competitive strength, growth potential, and profitability. United Bank has a history of growth through mergers of equals dating back to our days as a cooperative bank. It is fitting that today we announce this merger of equals and celebrate the new United Bank.” The new company will be governed by a 20-person board of directors consisting of an equal number of Rockville and United directors. The leadership team of the combined company will be assembled from both organizations with Rockville’s Crawford serving as CEO, United’s J. Jeffrey Sullivan as president, and Rockville’s Eric Newell as chief financial officer. United Financial Bancorp’s Robert Stewart Jr. will serve as chairman of the board of directors, while Raymond Lefurge Jr. from Rockville will be appointed vice chairman. Other key executive positions will be drawn from the executive management teams of both organizations. Collins will retire and provide consulting services for one year. “I am excited to join Bill Crawford and the members of our combined management team to lead the combined company,” said Sullivan. “Individually we are each very good banks; together we have the critical mass to drive efficiency and growth, to take advantage of advancements in technology, and to deliver the best banking experience for our customers.” Upon closing, Rockville Bank will adopt the United name, and the holding company will be United Financial Bancorp Inc. Trading will continue on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol UBNK. The organization will be headquartered in Glastonbury, Conn. It will maintain regional offices in West Springfield and Worcester, as well as Enfield and South Windsor, Conn.

Boston Globe Names PeoplesBank a Top Place to Work
HOLYOKE — For the second year in a row and after an independent survey by WorkplaceDynamics, the Boston Globe has named PeoplesBank as one of Massachusetts’ best employers in its Top Places to Work magazine. “The companies on our Top Places to Work list foster productivity and innovation by investing in the happiness of their employees, which cannot solely be measured in dollars and cents,” said Boston Globe Business Editor Mark Pothier. The Boston Globe invited 1,746 companies to participate, more than 76,000 employee surveys were completed, and 125 were chosen as finalists. Douglas Bowen, president and CEO of PeoplesBank, credited his employees for the bank’s second Top Places to Work award, stating, “this award is really an affirmation from our associates. The Boston Globe named PeoplesBank a Top Place to Work, but their dedication makes it a great place to work.” PeoplesBank attributed its success in being named again this year to a high-performance culture that is focused on community service, environmental sustainability, and employee engagement. According to Janice Mazzallo, executive vice president of Human Resources at PeoplesBank, the bank has created a unique culture and set of values that focus on employee development, life-work balance, and community service. “In order for people to feel engaged, they need to feel as if the company cares about them. Our associates know that that we expect them to be effective and serve customers in a professional manner. They are also clear that we care about them, their families, and the community.” The Boston Globe also noted that, out of the 125 finalists, PeoplesBank was one of 11 that improved their scores the most over last year. The Top Places to Work magazine also highlighted the positive impact of the bank’s weekly farmers’ market. “We’re a local community bank, and for us to be supporting local agriculture, that’s just very important to us,” stated Susan Wilson, first vice president of Corporate Responsibility, in the article.

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NUVO Announces Third-quarter Results
SPRINGFIELD — NUVO Bank & Trust Co. recently announced net income of $2,268,000, or 96 cents per basic share and 95 cents per fully diluted share, for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2013, compared to $514,000, or 28 cents per basic and fully diluted share for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2012. Net income was $100,000, or 4 cents per basic share and 3 cents per fully diluted share for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2013, compared to $207,000, or 11 cents per basic and fully diluted share for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2012. The bank’s book value per share increased from $4.72 per share at Dec. 31, 2012 to $5.17 per share at Sept. 30, 2013. The $107,000 decrease in net income from $207,000 for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2012 to $100,000 for the third quarter ended Sept. 30, 2013 primarily reflects the fact that the bank was fully taxable in the third quarter of 2013 with a tax provision of $67,000, while in the third quarter of 2012, the bank recognized a tax benefit of $53,000 when it was able to utilize a portion of its deferred tax benefit for federal tax purposes. Pre-tax income during the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2013 was $167,000, as compared to $154,000 for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2012. In addition, non-interest expense increased to $885,000 from $742,000, primarily due to increased personnel expense relating to new hires since Sept. 30, 2012 to service the bank’s growth. The $1,754,000 increase in net income, from $514,000 for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2012 to $2,268,000 for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2013, primarily reflects the bank’s recognition of its full $2,084,000 deferred tax asset during the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2013 in view of its continuous quarterly profitability and its successful capital raise completed April 30, 2013. As a result, the net income-tax benefit for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2013 was $1,869,000 compared to a net tax benefit of $101,000 for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2012. Pre-tax income for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2013 was $399,000, as compared to $413,000 for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2012. In May 2012, the bank was paid off in full on one non-accrual loan including $87,000 of past-due interest, which is reflected in the pre-tax income for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2012. The decrease in pre-tax income reflects an increase in non-interest expense to $2.7 million from $2.2 million, which was primarily due to an increase in personnel expense in the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2013 related to new hires, performance bonuses, and expenses related to its equity incentive plan. Total assets at Sept. 30, 2013 were $133.1 million, compared to $110.9 million at Dec. 31, 2012, which is an increase of $22.2 million (20%). Cash and cash equivalents increased $3.1 million (39.8%) to $10.8 million at Sept. 30, 2013, from $7.7 million at Dec. 31, 2012. Investment securities increased $2.2 million (50%) to $6.7 million at Sept. 30, 2013, from $4.5 million at Dec. 31, 2012. Total loans increased $14.9 million (15.4%) to $111.6 million at Sept. 30, 2013, from $96.7 million at Dec. 31, 2012. Deposits increased $14.2 million (14.3%) to $114.0 million at Sept. 30, 2013, from $99.8 million at Dec. 31, 2012. Total borrowings increased to $4.0 million at Sept. 30, 2013, from $2.0 million at Dec. 31, 2012. Stockholders’ equity increased $5.9 million (69.9%) to $14.5 million at Sept. 30, 2013, from $8.5 million at Dec. 31, 2012.

Big Y Completes Renovations at Two Stores
SPRINGFIELD — Big Y Foods Inc. announced the completion of renovations at two stores in Northern Berkshire County. Big Y recently invested more than $1.4 million in its stores at 45 Veterans Memorial Ave. in North Adams and at 1 Myrtle St. in Adams. Both stores have been serving their communities as Big Y supermarkets since 1984. This dual renovation effort began last September and included renovations in every department. In addition, in North Adams, customers have been enjoying the new pizza and sandwich shop along with many more meals to go, both hot and cold. There is a new café seating area along with a new organic section, expanded gluten-free foods, along with new areas in meat, seafood, delicatessen, fruits and vegetables, floral, dairy, olive bar, Stonewall Kitchen products, and in-store bakery, breads, and muffins. Lastly, new paint, fixtures, signage, aisle markers, and other equipment add to the new look of the market. The 27,786-square-foot Adams Big Y’s renovations include expanded deli, seafood, meat, bakery, and organic foods, along with extra space in produce to offer more fresh greens and organic items.

Skoler, Abbott & Presser Honored by Publication
SPRINGFIELD — Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C., a Springfield-based labor and employment law firm with offices in Worcester and Meriden, Conn., has been awarded a Tier 1 Metropolitan ranking in the 2014 Edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” in five areas of practice: arbitration, employment law (management), labor law (management), litigation (labor), and employment and mediation. “We are so honored to be a part of this prestigious list of firms,” said Ralph Abbott Jr., partner and attorney. “Best Lawyers is well-respected by the legal community as a valuable resource of best-in-class practices, and recognition in five areas is quite an achievement for us.” The U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” rankings are derived from a rigorous evaluation process consisting of collected client and lawyer evaluations, a peer review from leading attorneys in the firm’s field, and a review of additional information provided by law firms. A firm’s eligibility for a ranking is contingent on having at least one lawyer listed in the 19th edition of the Best Lawyers in America list for that particular location and specialty, which recognizes the top 4% of practicing attorneys in the U.S.

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MassMutual Opens Phoenix Location
SPRINGFIELD — MassMutual Financial Group recently opened a 60,000-square-foot facility in Phoenix, Ariz., giving the company its first presence in the western part of the country. In a statement, the company said it plans to employ about 400 people at the Arizona location by 2014. The Phoenix location enables MassMutual to diversify its footprint, the statement said, “allowing for enhanced for enhanced service to all U.S. policy owners and customers while further mitigating operational risks.”

Hampshire Orthopedics Joins Cooley Dickinson Practice Associates
NORTHAMPTON — Hampshire Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, also known as Hamp Ortho and HOSM, joined Cooley Dickinson Practice Associates (CDPA) last month. Joining CDPA from Hamp Ortho are 39 employees, including four orthopedic surgeons, two physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians (physiatrists), two physical therapists, and an occupational hand therapist. As the oldest provider of orthopedic care in Hampshire County, Hamp Ortho has provided treatment of musculoskeletal problems — including management of spine disorders, primary and complex joint reconstruction, trauma, sports medicine, hand and arthritis care, and pain management — since 1952. The physicians of Hampshire Orthopedics are also on the consulting staff at the student health service department of the University of Massachusetts and have served as the orthopedic team physicians for many years. “One of the first priorities now that Hamp Ortho and CDPA are joined is to expand access and services to better meet the needs of patients who need orthopedic and rehabilitative care,” said Frank Dingler, executive director of CDPA. Dr. Jonathan Fallon, an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine physician, added that “becoming part of CDPA will immediately allow the doctors at Hampshire Orthopedics and Sports Medicine to more effectively coordinate patient care and better communicate with primary-care providers.”

Money Magazine Touts Service at Citizens Bank
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Money magazine recently selected Citizens Bank as one of nation’s best banks in its 2013 list of “The Best Banks in America.” Citizens Bank was recognized for its level of customer convenience available through its 24/7 customer contact center, its banking specialists available online via instant messaging, and its network of approximately 1,400 branches and 3,600 ATMs. The best-banks feature is in the November issue of Money. “Our customers typically choose to bank with us because of how easy it is to access their accounts at their local branch, through our 24/7 customer service center, at an ATM, online, or on their mobile phones,” said Brad Conner, vice chairman of Consumer Banking for RBS Citizens Financial Group. “We are committed to making banking simple, clear, and personal, and we are proud to be recognized by Money magazine as one of the best banks in America.” In addition to a “robust presence” defined by its many branches and ATMs, Money recognized Citizens Bank’s extended branch hours that include seven-day-a-week supermarket branches.b

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Berkshire Bank Ranked Among Most Charitable
PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Bank was recently named one of the state’s most charitable companies by the Boston Business Journal at its annual Corporate Citizenship Summit in Boston. Berkshire Bank ranked fourth for its employees’ volunteer efforts, with more than 22,000 hours of service, and ranked 36th for total cash giving, with more than $1.1 million donated in Massachusetts. Berkshire joined national and international companies honored at the event, including AT&T, IBM, Microsoft, New Balance, Verizon, and Walmart. The Top Charitable Contributor award recognized Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Bank Foundation’s employee volunteer program; its philanthropic investments in the community through its charitable grants, corporate giving , and in-kind donations; as well as as its Recycle, Reuse & Renew Technology Partnership Program.

Financial Partners Raises Funds for Open Pantry
AGAWAM — Financial Partners Inc. (FPI) in Agawam recently hosted its annual food drive to help raise money for Springfield Open Pantry. The 185 employees were able to raise $8,219. Each year, FPI employees come up with new and creative ways to raise money for Springfield Open Pantry. As a technology company that provides business support to farm credit associations from coast to coast, this year FPI stayed true to its agricultural ties by introducing ‘animal herds’ as a means of fund-raising. Employees donated money to have herds of stuffed animals placed on the desks of colleagues each morning. Along with ‘herding,’ employees also sponsored a variety of raffles, a bake sale, a pitch tournament, and even a ‘best beard’ contest.

MMWEC Earns A Ratings on Power Projects
LUDLOW — Three major credit-rating agencies have affirmed the A-level credit ratings of of Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Co. (MMWEC) power supply projects. The agencies — Fitch Ratings, Standard & Poors, and Moody’s Investors — cited the financial and competitive strength of MMWEC and its municipal utility project participants. MMWEC project ratings are all in the A category, reflecting a strong and stable financial profile for the nonprofit, joint action agency that provides services to the Commonwealth’s consumer-owned municipal electric utilities.

Gove Opens Solo Legal Practice
NORTHAMPTON — Attorney Michael Gove has announced the opening of his solo legal practice under the name Gove Law Office, providing services in corporate and business law, estate planning, real-estate matters, and special education law to clients throughout Western Mass. and Connecticut. A Western Mass. native, Gove has developed a diverse practice assisting businesses owners and families in planning for the future. Gove is a 2001 cum laude graduate of UMass Amherst, where he received a BA in political science. In 2004, he earned his JD from Boston College School of Law. He is admitted to the Massachusetts and Connecticut bars, and to the U.S. District Court in both states as well. He is a member of the American Bar Assoc., the Massachusetts Bar Assoc., the Hampden County Bar Assoc., the Hampshire County Bar Assoc., the Connecticut Bar Assoc., the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield, and the Northampton Association of Young Professionals. In 2007, he was honored by BusinessWest as a member of the inaugural 40 Under Forty class, in part for his work with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission. In 2007, Gov. Deval Patrick nominated him to serve as the Connecticut Valley representative on the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, a position he held until 2012. He presently serves as a corporator of the Horace Smith Fund. Gove volunteers with the Hampshire County United Way and Cooley Dickinson Hospital, and previously served as president of the Advisory Board for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County. In 2012, he was selected as a Massachusetts Rising Star by Super Lawyers, a professional achievement earned by no more than 2.5% of lawyers in Massachusetts.

Westfield Bank Rated Outstanding in CRA Exam
WESTFIELD — Westfield Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Westfield Financial Inc., received an outstanding rating as a large institution with total assets of $1.3 billion as of March 31, during the recent Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) exam conducted by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the bank’s primary regulator. “The outstanding rating is the highest rating a bank can receive and represents the bank’s commitment to our communities in several performance areas, which includes lending, investments, and services,” said President and CEO James Hagan. The CRA is intended to encourage depository institutions to help meet the credit needs of the communities in which they operate, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. Some of the major factors that support the rating were the bank’s level of lending activity within its assessment area, the distribution of small loans to businesses and home-mortgage loans by income level of the borrower and geography, as well as community-development lending. The bank had an excellent level of qualified investments and donations totaling $7.4 million in the areas it serves during the timeframe and evaluation of the CRA exam, and exhibited excellent responsiveness to credit and community economic-development needs.

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Northeast IT Systems Expands to New Site
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Northeast IT Systems Inc. is celebrating its 10-year anniversary with a planned move to a larger space.
The business is relocating to 777 Riverdale St. in West Springfield to better serve clients. “We are currently in a 750-square-foot space with limited highway access,” said partner Joel Mollison. “Our new location offers more than 2500 square feet and easy parking, and we believe it is situated ideally at the crossroads for our customers from Worcester to the Berkshires, and Greenfield to Windsor, Conn.” Founded in 2003 by Joel Mollison, Northeast IT has grown significantly over the years, evolving by 2010 into a partnership with Brian Sullivan. Northeast IT aims to tailor technology solutions to specific client needs. Certified technicians manage technology and create unique solutions, alleviating stress while increasing productivity and return on investment. Learn more about Northeast IT Systems at www.northeastit.net.

Health New England Medicare Advantage Plan Ranks Highest in State
SPRINGFIELD — The National Commission for Quality Assurance’s (NCQA) Health Insurance Plan Rankings 2013-14 was released last month, highlighting NCQA’s rankings of the nation’s private, Medicaid, and Medicare health plans based on their combined HEDIS(r), CAHPS(r), and NCQA accreditation standards scores. Health New England (HNE) is the top-ranked Medicare Advantage HMO plan in Massachusetts and the 13th-ranked Medicare Advantage Plan in the U.S., based on the 2013-14 NCQA rankings. “HNE will continue to work hard on the measures that make up these rankings. HNE has a lot to be proud of, and these quality rankings are a testament to the high-quality care and service we provide our members,” said Peter Straley, HNE president and CEO. The Medicare annual enrollment period begins Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7. HNE expanded into certain areas of Berkshire County in 2013 and intends for the 2014 expansion to include all of Berkshire County.

Monson Savings Bank Wins Philanthropy Award for Post-tornado Work
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank recently won the Gold Community Champions Award in general philanthropy given by the New England Financial Marketing Assoc. (NEFMA). The award was specifically given for the bank’s community support following the tornadoes of June 1, 2011 and continuing through the recovery. Judging for the award was done by members of the PennJerDel Bank Marketing Assoc. in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Community efforts by banks and credit unions across New England were considered. “This award belongs to the employees of Monson Savings,” said Steve Lowell, bank president. “When I accepted the award, I told the audience that, in times of need, it is easy to write a check, and we certainly did that, but what made the difference was our employees’ compassion and commitment to our customers and community. Our employees in every branch and division were involved in the recovery in so many ways, and they also served as sounding boards and sympathetic ears for customers for months after the tornadoes.” The award ceremony was held in Framingham on Sept. 26. Patti Mitchell, chair of the NEFMA awards committee, said that “the competition for these awards was strong, and the submissions were detailed and inspiring. The winners demonstrated exceptional work. We couldn’t be more proud of everyone involved.”

Wing Reaches Goal for Hospital Cleanliness
PALMER — Wing Memorial Hospital’s Environmental Services staff recently achieved its goal of being ranked in the 90th percentile in its patient satisfaction score related to cleanliness of the hospital environment. “We have been implementing and developing new techniques from the hospitality industry that continue to change the everyday patient experience in the hospital environment,” said Matthew Ashford, director of Environmental Services at Wing. “This is a huge accomplishment for the department; a team has been working very hard to hit this mark.” Wing Memorial uses the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Health Plans Survey (HCAHPS), a nationally standardized survey, to measure how patients perceive the care they receive at the hospital. HCAHPS includes a core set of questions that can be combined with a broader, customized set of hospital-specific items. “We have put specific emphasis on patient-centered care into their daily routine, focusing on making the patient room an extension of their home by spending quality time with every patient when we are in their room,” Ashford said. “We want our patients to know that the hospital environment is not only about décor and cleanliness, but also caring staff who are an active part of their healthcare team, and we are here to help.” Janice Kucewicz, Wing’s senior vice president, added that “being in the 90th percentile means we are amongst the best. We are incredibly proud of the Environmental Services Department and all of their efforts. They are a great example of the hard work taking place throughout all of Wing.”

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STCC, HCC Sign Articulation Agreement
SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) and Holyoke Community College (HCC) signed an articulation agreement Aug. 26 that will benefit students transferring from HCC’s medical billing certificate program to STCC’s medical coding and billing specialist associate degree program. Under the agreement, credits completed in HCC’s medical billing certificate program will transfer to STCC’s program, allowing students who may have initially decided to complete the certificate program to transfer seamlessly to a degree program. According to Leona Ittleman, dean of STCC’s School of Business and Information Technologies, both STCC and HCC have offered certificate programs in the medical billing and coding disciplines for nearly 30 years. However, Ittleman said the degree program at STCC was implemented nearly 10 years ago to address increasing national standards as well as local employer needs with more comprehensive knowledge of anatomy and physiology, human disease, and pharmacology, as well as computer technology. “This agreement allows both STCC and HCC to maximize limited resources while satisfying both student and employer needs,” she explained. This new agreement is just one of several joint initiatives the two community colleges have undertaken in recent years, including Training & Workforce Options (TWO), which provides training alternatives to area employers at both STCC and HCC.
“I’m excited to work with our colleagues at STCC to provide HCC students multiple pathways into jobs in a growing industry,” said HCC Vice President of Academic Affairs Matthew Reed.

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Springfield College Awarded Grant for School Partnership
SPRINGFIELD — Springfield College was awarded an $867,000 grant from the Mass. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to fund a strategic partnership with Springfield Public Schools (SPS) to increase the number of teachers who are fully prepared and dedicated to meeting the challenges faced in high-need Level 3 and 4 SPS schools. The S3 (‘S Cubed’) program is designed to increase the pool of effective teachers in the hard-to-staff subject and specialty areas of mathematics and moderate disabilities (special education). The S3 program will serve a cohort of 25 SPS teachers who already hold their preliminary license. Teachers selected for the cohort will complete the Springfield College-approved initial licensure program to become fully certified. Grant funds will cover the cost of tuition for 24 of the graduate credits needed to complete the state licensure program. Springfield College will offer the balance of the coursework required for the master’s degree at a special rate of tuition. This innovative program includes the delivery of coursework that enables the cohort members to immediately put their learning into practice. S3 includes a value-added support system that provides each teacher with extensive, robust, on-site coaching. Springfield College Education Department faculty members will deliver coursework in the schools and provide on-site coaching to cohort members. “I am excited about being involved in this project because it enables Springfield College to strengthen its longstanding partnership with Springfield Public Schools to create a model program that has the potential to produce effective mathematics and special-education teachers who are committed to, and successful at, increasing student learning and academic achievement in the district for years to come,” said Linda Davis-Delano, Springfield College’s director of educator preparation, in describing the program. In addition to fostering more effective student learning in these priority fields, S3 incorporates elements of the district’s Springfield Effective Educator Development System, or SEEDS. This includes meeting the needs of all students, engaging families and communities, and developing professional learning communities, where teachers work together to help students achieve. “Both organizations, Springfield College and Springfield Public Schools, are deeply committed to the development and retention of highly effective, fully licensed teachers in high priority content areas and recognize the potential of the S3 Program’s innovative delivery model to support this undertaking,” said Davis-Delano.

Smith & Wesson Wins Bid to Produce Handguns for LA Police
SPRINGFIELD — The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has selected Smith & Wesson’s M&P 9 pistol as its new department-issued duty handgun, the company announced recently. The contract is for five years. The LA County Sheriff’s Department is the second-largest law-enforcement agency in the country, with 9,000 sworn deputies and 8,000 professional staff members. It provides general-service law enforcement to 43 municipalities encompassing more than 3 million people. The department had been using the Beretta Model 92. According to the Smith & Wesson press release about the contract, the department picked S&W after “rigorous testing against a wide range of competitive products” and that “the M&P pistol delivered superior results in the areas of quality and reliability.” Besides the handguns, Smith & Wesson will provide professional expertise and training to officers and the department’s armorers charged with the maintenance and supply of the department’s firearms.

Zasco Productions to Provide Display Support for Events at Big E
CHICOPEE — KMJ Video, the exclusive video-production provider of the Big E, has chosen Zasco Productions LLC to provide large-format outdoor video displays on their behalf in the Xfinity Arena. The 17-day festival, which boasted more than 1.3 million attendees last year, will serve as the debut event for Zasco’s new high-resolution, highly versatile LED video display. The ‘big screens’ will be used to deliver KMJ’s video to fans at the festival. “This is one of the biggest events in New England, so it’s a natural home for such a big piece of display technology,” said Zasco President and Owner Michael Zaskey. “The Big E has given music fans a series of outstanding shows in the Xfinity Arena every year, but audiences are demanding bigger and better productions, so it’s exciting to be part of something that will really take the visual experience to an even higher level.” The lineup for 2013 boasts veteran acts like former Eagle Don Felder and country legend Kix Brooks. The large, open-air venue inside the festival has seating for more than 6,000. Large, vibrant LED displays will enhance the viewing experience and bring each spectator closer to the stars, said Zaskey. Last month, Zasco Productions announced the acquisition of an LED display system from Oracle LED Systems of Los Angeles. The Black Widow HD9 product is a high-resolution, high-brightness display that can be used to display stunning video or graphics in any environment. The display panels are the same type as those installed permanently at outdoor entertainment destinations in Las Vegas.

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Zasco Productions Makes Key Acquisition

CHICOPEE — In business for nearly 25 years, Zasco Productions has made yet another significant equipment investment. After an exhaustive search for the best manufacturer/partner, Zasco decided to make a large purchase of indoor/outdoor display modules from Oracle LED Systems of Los Angeles. With a large inventory of LED panels in its Chicopee warehouse, the Zasco team will have more than enough stock to create two massive, 16-foot-wide video-display walls. The panels can be assembled in virtually any size or shape that creative designers can imagine. Rated at a resolution of 9mm, the system is sharp for viewing even in intimate venues. The panels boast a brightness rating of 7,000 nits, meaning they have plenty of punch for outdoor events. They are also weather resistant. “We have absolute confidence in this product because it’s obvious that it was designed by people who understand the demands of the live-event industry,” said Michael Zaskey, owner and senior technical director. “We now own bright, high-resolution displays that we can present to our clients in a simple way: the best visual value that they can put before their audience.” The popularity of giant LED displays has exploded recently because they give event planners opportunities to display video, graphics, live social-media boards, and sponsorships without the cost of huge soft goods or the challenges of projection, such as the battle to be seen against high volumes of ambient light. “We fully expect that, once people get a look at this display, it will set the standard for events across New England,” Zaskey said. “Once again, we’ve got the best technology in the hands of our team of creative professionals. Whether clients need all of our services, or just cutting-edge displays, we are ready to deliver unparalleled options and excellence.” Zasco Productions was honored as the 2007 Business of the Year by the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce. The company provides turn-key production solutions that include video, audio, lighting, rigging, and design services.

 

Women Entrepreneurs Launch Female-focused Marketing, Design Firm

NORTHAMPTON — Meghan Rothschild and Emily Gaylord recently announced the launch of Chikmedia, a marketing and design firm focused on helping women-run organizations create comprehensive marketing strategies. The two partners seek to improve marketing campaigns, target messaging, and create designs that reflect individual business personalities. Rothschild and Gaylord met four years ago through their work with a local nonprofit and have been working together ever since. “Chikmedia is a brainchild born from a casual conversation we were having one day,” said Gaylord. “We were both assisting individual businesses with marketing, PR, or design and relied on each other for professional input on the work we were
doing.” Said Rothschild, “something clicked. We immediately knew this could work, as we are both very committed to exceeding expectations. And we’re both hilarious.” The two immediately got to work on a business plan, realizing that female-run organizations were of high priority. “Women running and owning their own businesses is becoming increasingly more common,” said Rothschild. “It’s important to remember that we are a small, female-run business, so we understand the importance of finding your voice in this economy.” The pair is already working with a variety of clients, including everything from local talk shows to area authors; community nonprofits to major restaurant chains. Chikmedia recently launched its website — www.chikmedia.us —along with a Facebook page (facebook.com/chikmedia) and Twitter account (@chikmedia).

 

Holyoke Medical Center Ranks No. 1 in State for Quality of Stroke Care

HOLYOKE — The Stroke Collaborative Reaching for Excellence (SCORE), a voluntary statewide quality improvement collaborative administered by the Mass. Department of Public Health (DPH), which supports primary stroke-service hospitals, has once again ranked Holyoke Medical Center No. 1 out of 58 hospitals in the state of Massachusetts, including large teaching facilities, for stroke care. Defect-free care is achieved when a patient receives the appropriate care based on clinical guidelines. “Holyoke Medical Center is proud that our hard work and passion for providing great care was recognized by this prestigious award from the DPH’s SCORE program,” said HMC Stroke Program Clinical Manager Angela Smith. “We strive to provide exceptional care to all of our patients. This award represents that every stroke patient that comes through our doors receives the highest quality of care.” The rating evaluated adherence to 10 stroke-consensus measures and required that each stroke patient receive all 10 measures. Holyoke Medical Center had the highest score in the state. This was one of several awards the medical center received at the annual award ceremony of the American Heart/Stroke Assoc. and SCORE. The medical center also received awards for being the highest performer on the National Institute of Health (NIH) Stroke Scale, and the American Stroke Assoc. Get with the Guidelines Gold, Gold Plus, and Target Stroke Honor Roll awards for consistently exceeding quality-care benchmarks for stroke and administering the clot-busting drug t-PA within 60 minutes of hospital arrival.

 

 

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Baystate Recognized by U.S. News & World Report

SPRINGFIELD —  Baystate Medical Center has been named a “top hospital” — the third-best hospital in Massachusetts — in U.S. News & World Report’s 24th annual “Best Hospitals” ranking, recognizing hospitals that excel in treating patients who need an especially high level of care. U.S. News & World Report ranks up to 50 hospitals in each of 16 medical specialties. Only 147 out of nearly 5,000 U.S. hospitals earned national ranking in one or more of the specialties. Baystate Medical Center’s ranking, up from fifth-best hospital in last year’s Best Hospitals report, is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all Baystate employees in making quality and patient safety second to none, noted Dr. Evan Benjamin, senior vice president, Healthcare Quality, Baystate Health. “What our high ranking means for patients is that Baystate Medical Center is recognized nationally as one of the safest hospitals in the country in terms of outcomes and avoiding serious medical errors. This latest honor is just one of many national awards and recognitions Baystate Medical Center has received over the past years for its high quality of care. Providing world-class healthcare close to home in Western Mass. not only represents the fulfillment of our mission, it also helps to keep our Pioneer Valley community strong in terms of our overall health, economy, and quality of life.” Baystate Medical Center was ranked nationally in diabetes and endocrinology (29th), ear, nose, and throat (26th), and pulmonology (42nd). The hospital also was recognized as “high-performing” in cancer, cardiology and heart surgery, gastroenterology and GI surgery, geriatrics, gynecology, nephrology, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, and urology. “The mission of Best Hospitals is to help guide patients who need a high level of care because they face a particularly difficult surgery, a challenging condition, or added risk because of other health problems or age,” said Avery Comarow, U.S. News Health Rankings editor. “Patient survival and safety data, the adequacy of nurse-staffing levels, and other objective data largely determined the rankings in most specialties.” The research organization RTI International in Research Triangle Park, N.C., conducted the physician survey and produced the Best Hospital methodology and national rankings under contract with U.S. News. The magazine separately published the “Best Children’s Hospitals 2013-2014” rankings last month, where Baystate Children’s Hospital was ranked 34th in pediatric diabetes and endocrinology.

 

Falcons Earn AHL Team Business Services Award

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Falcons earned an American Hockey League Team Business Services Award recently. The team was honored as the Eastern Conference franchise with the most revenue growth in group ticket sales from the previous season. The awards recognize outstanding achievements in a variety of categories. The Falcons also won two team-achievement awards at the league’s marketing meetings in Cleveland; it was recognized for exceeding a 20% growth in group ticket sales revenue and 10% growth in per-game, full-season equivalents. “We are extremely proud of the work our front and ticket sales staff accomplished off the ice this season,” said Chris Thompson, vice president of Business Development for the Falcons. “Customer service will continue to be a high priority within the organization. The upcoming 20th anniversary season is sure to be an exciting time as we focus on increasing in-game entertainment for our fans.”

 

HMC, Language Access Network to Partner in Communication Project

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Medical Center has recently implemented the video interpreting services of the Language Access Network (LAN). The new partnership will address patients with limited English proficiency and the deaf and hard-of-hearing populations. LAN currently provides services in more than 300 medical facilities nationwide with around-the-clock access to the highest-quality trained interpreters available via its centralized video language centers. “Our mission from day one at Holyoke Medical Center has been to serve the health needs of the community in a high-quality and efficient manner,” said Rafael Mojica, manager of Community Outreach Services at Holyoke Medical Center. “The partnership with LAN will provide unique insights to improve overall patient satisfaction for the LEP and deaf and hard-of-hearing patients and help them receive the high standard of care to which they are entitled.” MARTTI (My Accessible Real Time Trusted Interpreter) is LAN’s exclusive platform for providing immediate access to high-quality interpretation resources with one-button simplicity and full mobility throughout the hospital. A revolutionary mobile device, MARTTI provides an easy-to-use, on-demand, qualified medical interpreter service using LAN’s dedicated, HIPAA-compliant, high-speed broadband network. “Patients benefit from the MARTTI device by receiving high-quality care without impediments due to language barriers,” said Andrew Panos, chief operating officer of LAN. “By providing patients with real-time video and audio interpretation capabilities in more than 200 languages, our health-provider facilities are able to improve operations, enhance financial performance, and build trusted patient encounters through clear communication.”

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Curry Printing Moves to Union Street
WEST SPRINGFIELD — After 37 years in the same location at 191 Elm St., Curry Printing has moved to 91 Union St. in West Springfield. Curry’s new location is larger and will offer better parking for its customers. Curry has continued to stay on top of the ever-changing world of digital printing. It offers full-color, on-demand printing of brochures, envelopes, posters, carbonless forms, booklets, manuals, and other time-sensitive projects. The shop also prints large-format display items such as banners, posters, and outdoor signs. An overhead door at the new location will enable indoor installation of vehicle graphics. Curry can still be reached at (413) 785-1363. The website is www.curry-printing.com.

AIC to Offer Program in Public Health
SPRINGFIELD — In an effort to address continuing and emerging health challenges, American International College has established a new undergraduate major in Public Health. Cesarina Thompson, dean of the AIC School of Health Sciences, said the program, which begins in the fall, builds on the school’s other successful health programs of Nursing, Physical Therapy, and Occupational Therapy. “The new Public Health major will prepare graduates to work in a variety of settings and engage in a wide range of health promotion, health protection, and disease-prevention activities,” said Thompson. “Even though the U.S. spends far more on medical care than any other nation, we rank well below many of its global counterparts and competitors on a number of health outcomes, including overall life expectancy and the incidence of preventable diseases and injuries.” At the completion of the program, Thompson said, it is expected that graduates will have the necessary knowledge of methods to assess population-wide health concerns and understanding related to the U.S. and other selected healthcare and healthcare-delivery systems. Students will also learn structures for and approaches to developing health policies and health-policy analysis. Other areas of study will include population health perspectives and the needs of vulnerable populations, social and behavioral theories applicable to health behavior and how these theories may be applied to address a variety of public health issues, and principles of epidemiology necessary to understand health and illness.

HVAC Supplier SpacePak Introduces AirCell
WESTFIELD — Leading HVAC systems supplier SpacePak recently announced the introduction of AirCell, a new hydronic product for commercial and residential applications. AirCell is a modular, compact, high-efficiency air handler that uses 30% less energy than traditional fan-based HVAC systems, the company said. SpacePak’s hydronic technology, the most efficient way to transfer energy for both heating and cooling, offers an environmentally friendly system that reduces the amount of CFCs used. Additionally, micro-zone design creates multiple precise, self-controlled areas to reduce energy and fuel usage. The systems were designed by Mestek Inc., a family of manufacturers of HVAC equipment and automated manufacturing machinery based in Westfield. John Baldasaro, director of Sales for the Residential Comfort Group at Mestek, explained that the SpacePak and AirCell systems offer an alternative to traditional systems that carry chemical refrigerants into the home. “Hydronic systems are more environmentally friendly because water is a better conductor of energy than air, and AirCell allows for refrigerants to remain outside of the building, cooling or heating the water that ultimately travels through the system,” he said, noting that AirCell uses variable-speed fans and an integrated control system that automatically slows fan speeds during off-peak times, reducing overall energy usage.

Mercy Again Recognized as Top 100 Value Hospital
SPRINGFIELD — For the fourth consecutive year, Mercy Medical Center has been recognized as a Top 100 Community Value hospital by Cleverley + Associates, a leading healthcare financial consulting firm. Mercy’s designation is noted in the independent organization’s recent publication State of the Hospital Industry – 2013 Edition. “Mercy Medical Center’s longstanding reputation for delivering high-quality care at a reasonable cost has once again been independently confirmed with the presentation of both the Community Value 100 and Community Value Five Star Awards,” said Daniel Moen, president and CEO for the Sisters of Providence Health System. “We are proud to be identified among the nation’s highest-scoring facilities in measures of quality of care and costs for the fourth year in a row. With an increasing focus on healthcare value and value-based purchasing of healthcare services driven by healthcare reform, providers are challenged to maximize their productivity and efficiency without sacrificing quality. These awards are further validation that Mercy Medical Center successfully meets those challenges.” The State of the Hospital Industry reports selected measures of hospital financial performance and discusses the critical factors that lie behind them.

Big Y Donates $40,000 to Red Cross Oklahoma Tornado Disaster Relief
SPRINGFIELD — In response to tornadoes that touched down recently and caused massive destruction throughout parts of Oklahoma, Big Y World Class Markets responded by hosting a donation program in all Massachusetts and Connecticut stores. Big Y World Class Markets collected donations from customer and employees for the American Red Cross disaster relief. Funds were raised through a special in-store customer/employee donation program. The community and employee donations, along with additional support from Big Y, resulted in a donation of $40,000, which will be utilized by both Massachusetts and Connecticut American Red Cross chapters in support of the ongoing relief efforts in the devastated communities and for the many people affected by the natural disaster. A formal check presentation to the Massachusetts American Red Cross was held on June 26. Donald D’Amour, CEO of Big Y Foods, presented the contribution to Rick Lee, Pioneer Valley Chapter director, and Mark Brinkerhoff, Pioneer Valley director of Community Support. “Time and time again, Big Y, its employees, and customers have shown incredible compassion and generosity toward people in need,” said Lee. “This customer donation program is one of many that Big Y has run for the Red Cross in recent years, and we are more than grateful for their continued support.”

Easthampton Savings to Build New Office in Belchertown
EASTHAMPTON — William Hogan Jr., president of Easthampton Savings Bank, recently announced the bank’s plans to build a new office in Belchertown. The bank purchased a piece of property and will be constructing a 2,500-square-foot, full-service office, with a drive-up ATM and safe-deposit boxes. It will be located less than a mile from the bank’s current location at 175 State St. The bank has leased space in Belchertown for almost 10 years. The decision to build was based on Easthampton Savings Bank’s long-term commitment to the town of Belchertown. The bank plans to have the new office open by the end of 2013.

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VizConnect Opens Headquarters in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD —  Mobile marketing technology and communications firm VizConnect Inc. recently announced the opening of its headquarters in Springfield, and the official launch of its North American operations. Recently named one of the five top technology start-ups to watch by the Boston Business Journal (June 4, 2013), VizConnect was founded in 2011 by a team of partners, including 20-year media veteran and Associated Press and Emmy award winning on-air personality Edward Carroll. VizConnect is a video-management service that will allow businesses of all sizes to easily incorporate high-definition video into print advertising and their existing social media. Businesses of all size can use VizConnect’s platform to easily leverage the power of video and a call-to-action screen to market their products and services while also interacting and engaging their target customers. “We’re thrilled to call Springfield our home,” said Carroll of the decision to keep the business in Western Mass. “We could have launched this effort from Cambridge or even Los Angeles, but it’s important to us to be part of building this community that has been so instrumental in our development.” The team of founding partners includes Paul Cooleen, president of VizConnect, a former bond trader with deep ties to Wall Street; Jim Henderson, chief information officer, chief counsel and Boston-based attorney; and Brian Dee, director of Business Development. With subscribers located around the country, VizConnect currently serves a diverse group of businesses in a wide variety of industries, including real estate, restaurants, automobile sales, sports franchises and general contracting vendors. VizConnect also counts several non-profit organizations as customers. VizConnect’s online tools are sold through a network marketing structure, further offering immense opportunities to business people interested in building their own companies. The company offers its distributors — independent business associates — an opportunity to sell and distribute this web-based program as the foundation for their own independent businesses.

Big Y Debuts Solar Array
SPRINGFIELD — Big Y Foods Inc. recently announced the completion of its new solar array at 151 Cottage St. at its Store Support Center in Springfield. This new array spreads across three acres and includes 2,178 solar panels with a 643kw DC array. Annual electrical production yield is expected to be 750,000 kilowatt hours, which will offset the company’s electrical consumption by 15% or 1 ½ months at Big Y’s corporate offices and distribution center. Real Goods Solar Energy, Western Mass Electric Company, and local contractors such as Cotton Tree Service and L&D Construction, installed the panels over the past five months. Employees and visitors can view the array’s electrical generation via a monitor in the company’s café. It is Big Y’s third solar installation in Massachusetts; at the Big Y World Class Markets in Lee and Franklin, rooftop solar arrays have been helping to offset electrical consumption since June 2012. An opening event was staged June 27 at Big Y’s headquarters, at which state and local representatives helped inaugurate the new panels. State Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Richard Sullivan, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, Center for Eco-Technology executive director John Majercak and their Green Business Services director Lorenzo Macaluso shared the podium in recognition of Big Y. The company has long been recognized as a leader in innovative energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. In collaboration with the Center for EcoTechnology (CET), a non-profit environmental organization that helps businesses improve environmental performance, Big Y began diverting food waste from landfills across the state. It began diverting food waste from disposal in the mid 1990s and today, all 61 stores recycle cardboard, paper and film plastics. More than 80% of its Massachusetts markets utilize active composting programs. In 2011, Big Y diverted more than 16,000 tons of materials from landfills. Last year, Big Y was recognized by the state for its significant accomplishments. In addition, it passed the 80% certification rate statewide to earn regulatory relief from the MassDEP Waste Ban Enforcement and earned Supermarket Recycling Program Certification. Big Y is also an inaugural participant in EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge. Other renewable-energy solutions implemented by Big Y include full building- management systems in each store to control lighting, refrigeration, and other HVAC units to insure optimal performance. This system also reduces lighting and temperatures at nighttime when the stores are closed. Other initiatives include the installation of glass doors in all dairy and frozen food cases along with electronically commutated motors to lower energy consumption. Variable speed drives on rooftop air handling units and cooking exhaust hoods, advanced refrigeration systems with reduced refrigerant charges, rooftop dehumidification units, and highly energy efficient case motors all contribute to reducing Big Y’s energy footprint. Additionally, LED lighting with occupancy sensors, pull down covers for open multideck cases and efficient lighting design continue to help the chain save over 800,000 kwh per year in energy consumption. Before the installation of their new solar array, these savings are equivalent to 1283 barrels of oil, 61,844 gallons of gasoline or 108 cars being taken off of the road. Big Y is also one of the first retailers to install electric-car-charging stations, which are currently active at four of their Massachusetts  locations — Northampton, Lee, Franklin, and Walpole.  Customers can conveniently use the chargers for free while they shop. Since installation, 482 cars have charged more than 461 hours saving more than 1,879 (kg) of greenhouse  gases and 223 gallons of gasoline. According to Gary Kuchyt, Big Y’s manager of energy and sustainability, “Saving resources is important to us as a company — not only is it good business, but it’s simply the right thing to do. I am proud to say that Big Y has been committed to conserving energy and reducing waste for over 40 years.”

ESB to Receive ‘Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve’ Award
EASTHAMPTON —  Easthampton Savings Bank announced that on July 9, it will receive the ‘Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve” award. The presentation will take place at the bank’s main office at 36 Main St. in Easthampton. The nomination was made by Darci Furr, assistant manager at the bank’s Westfield Office. Furr is a master sergeant in the Mass. Air National Guard, and has been deployed to Saudi Arabia from 2001 to 2002, and to Qatar in 2005 and 2010. Furr, whose current unit of assignment is the Force Support Squadron, 104th Fighter Wing, Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield, has served for 15 years. In her nomination Furr called Easthampton Savings Bank a “pillar of the Pioneer Valley business community, that is fully deserving of recognition due to exceptional support of military service members.” She talked about the Veteran’s Day drives that the bank has done for the past six years to collect items from employees to send to a military unit who has a member with a direct relationship to the bank. Furr also talked about her personal experience with the bank’s support of military service members. She commented that during the entire 15 years as an employee of ESB and as a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard her managers have been very accommodating to her military duty needs; including last-minute scheduling changes, extended temporary duty periods, and monthly drill weekends.  In addition, the bank voluntarily provides a pay differential for service members whose military salaries are less than that of their bank income. Furr also commented that her direct supervisor also took the time to keep in touch with Furr’s husband, who remained state side. She also added that the bank’s culture is a direct reflection of the leadership and caring guidance of Bill Hogan, the long-time president and CEO of ESB; a former Guardsman himself. Furr concluded her nomination by saying “ESB is a model employer in many ways, not the least of which is its exceptional support of military service members. Selection for the Above and Beyond Award would recognize ESB publicly for something I have known for my 15 years of employment there.”

Polish National Credit Union pledges $50,000 for new Chicopee Senior Center
CHICOPEE — In a check presentation ceremony recently at The Polish National Credit Union’s Main Street, Chicopee headquarters, PNCU pledged the second of two $25,000 donations to support the construction of the new Chicopee Senior Center on Main Street. PNCU previously donated $25,000 in 2012 for the Senior Center. PNCU President and CEO James P. Kelly made the presentation to Richard J. Kos and Ernest N. Laflamme, Jr., co-chairs of the senior center fund raising committee, and Marie Laflamme, a member of the capital campaign. “This is an effort that goes right to the heart of what the Polish National Credit Union is all about,” said Kelly. “These are our members, and this is our community, and we’re proud to be a part of it.”

Nejaime’s Wine Cellar Unveils Renovated Stores in Lenox, Stockbridge
LENOX/ STOCKBRIDGE — Nejaime’s Wine Cellars recently completed extensive expansion-and-remodeling projects at its Lenox and Stockbridge locations. Owner Joe Nejaime said ongoing grand reopenings are an opportunity for patrons to see and taste new selections the stores can now offer. “Our goal in both stores was to create a brighter and more spacious shopping experience,” he said. “The Lenox store has expanded by approximately 1,900 square feet, nearly doubling its size, and the Stockbridge store has been remodeled and rearranged to make better use of the space.” Both stores received new deli cases, freezers, and flooring, and the Lenox location will also benefit from a rehabbed parking lot. Nejaime noted that the stores’ selection of picnic items and accessories — popular among Tanglewood attendees — have been expanded as a result, as have their beer selection, high-end wines, fine whiskey, prepared foods, and specialty groceries including cheese, crackers, gluten-free items, gourmet chocolates, cookies, and other snacks, as well as gifts and accessories.

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WGGB-ABC40 Honored as News Station of the Year
SPRINGFIELD — The Associated Press (AP) and the Radio Television Digital News Assoc. (RTDNA) have announced their winners of 2013 awards competitions, and WGGB-ABC40 has been named the recipient of three Massachusetts and Rhode Island Associated Press Awards and two RTDNA Edward R. Murrow awards. For the third year in a row, ABC40 has won more AP awards than any other radio or television station in Western Mass., including taking home the prestigious “News Station of the Year” award. That award, according to the AP, recognizes “a station’s overall news commitment and service to its coverage area. In addition, ABC40 was also honored with “Best Newscast” for coverage of the Chicopee shootout last April, as well as “Best Sports Program” for Friday Football Fever. The RTDNA has also recognized ABC40 with one of the most prestigious awards in journalism, the Edward R. Murrow Award. Recently, the winners of the 2013 regional Edward R. Murrow Awards were also announced, and ABC40 was recognized with two awards, for best newscast (ABC40 News at 6:00) and best website, wggb.com. The RTDNA says that news organizations that receive the Edward R. Murrow Award exhibit the “spirit of excellence that Murrow set as a standard for the profession of electronic journalism” and recognizes work that is of the “highest quality” done by television, radio, and online news organizations from around the world. “We thank our viewers from across Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut for allowing us into their homes each and every day.  Providing them the news and information they seek daily is a tremendous responsibility that we take very seriously,” said John Gormally, general manager and owner of ABC40 and Fox 6.

MassMutual Honored for Promoting Healthy Lifestyles for Employees
WASHINGTON — The National Business Group on Health recently honored 65 U.S. employers, including Springfield-based MassMutual, for their ongoing commitment to promoting healthy work environments and encouraging workers to live healthier lifestyles. The honored employers, including 12 first-time winners, were presented with 2013 Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles awards at the Business Group’s Institute on Innovation in Workforce Well-being Leadership Summit held in Washington, D.C. “MassMutual is excited and honored to be named a Best Employer for Healthy Lifestyles for the first time this year,” said Dr. David Artzerounian, chief medical officer for the company, which placed in the ‘gold’ category. “Whether it’s providing wellness incentives, encouraging a positive work-life balance, establishing a smoke-free campus, or offering healthy meal options in our cafeteria, MassMutual takes a strong interest in our employees’ health and well-being because it’s the right thing to do and everyone is better off with better health: our employees, their families, and our company.” Now in its ninth year, the Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles awards spotlight those employers that have responded to the urgent need to improve their employees’ health, productivity, and quality of life. The underlying goal of the program is to encourage all employers to take action.

Hampden Bancorp Named One of Top 100 Public Companies in State
SPRINGFIELD — Hampden Bancorp Inc., the holding company for Hampden Bank, has been named to the “Globe 100”annual list, a ranking of the best-performing public companies in Massachusetts. Hampden Bancorp was ranked number 75 overall, and was ranked seventh on the list of performance measurement of growth based on annual revenue and profit growth for the past two years. “We are pleased to be named to the list of top-performing public companies in the state,” said Glenn Welch, CEO and president. “This is a great achievement for Hampden, and I want to thank all of our employees for working so hard to achieve these results. We will continue to build upon this success to grow the bank and enhance the value to our shareholders.” To be eligible, the company must be publicly traded for the entire 2012 calendar year on the NASDAQ, New York Stock Exchange, or American Stock Exchange and report revenue and profit for both 2011 and 2012. Companies are ranked on four criteria: return on average equity, one-year percentage change in revenue, one-year percentage change in profit margin, and 2012 revenue. Between Dec. 31, 2011 and Dec. 31, 2012, Hampden’s one-year change in revenue was 16.3%, and its one-year change in profit margin was 89.2%.

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Country Bank Donation Upgrades Radiography at Baystate Mary Lane
WARE — Country Bank recently pledged $100,000 to Baystate Mary Lane Hospital (BMLH) to help upgrade the general radiography unit located in the radiology department. The current unit is being replaced with a Phillips Easy Diagnost Elva, which provides vastly superior images, stores them electronically, and allows for easy electronic file sharing. The new technology will also reduce the use of actual film and related disposal costs. “This technology is designed to increase staff interaction with the patient at the point of care and make it easier for the patient during their procedure,” said BMLH President Chuck Gijanto. “It will also ensure easy access of the critical diagnostic images for any consulting provider, at BMLH or elsewhere. In addition to the purchase of the Phillips Easy Diagnost Evela, the current Radiology Department is undergoing other renovations, said Gijanto, adding that they are expected to be completed next month.

Noble Earns ‘A’ Rating in Hospital Safety Score from Leapfrog Group
WESTFIELD — Noble Hospital was recognized with an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Score by the Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit run by employers and other large purchasers of health benefits. The score was compiled under the guidance of the nation’s leading experts on patient safety. The first and only hospital safety rating to be peer-reviewed in the Journal of Patient Safety (April 2013), the Hospital Safety Score is designed to give the public information they can use to protect themselves and their families. “Noble Hospital is very proud of our patient-safety record. It reflects a commitment to care that is shared by everyone,” said Allison Gearing-Kalill, vice president of Marketing. “This represents our dedication to the community and to providing the best patient care possible.”

PET/CT Imaging Services to Begin at Berkshire Medical Center
PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Health Systems has announced that it is partnering with Baystate MRI and Imaging and Shields Health Care Group in launching PET/CT (positron-emission tomography/computed tomography) imaging services at Berkshire Medical Center. This sophisticated, state-of-the-art imaging service will be provided as part of the new BMC Cancer Program. PET/CT Imaging at BMC combines a PET scanner and a CT scanner into one system. The mobile unit will be at BMC once a week, on Fridays, and will initially be located at the main hospital. It will move to the Hillcrest Campus of BMC in 2014 after additional construction work is completed at that location. The PET/CT service at BMC began operations on May 3. PET/CT had been provided for the past several years at Berkshire Hematology/Oncology at its offices on Conte Drive with a mobile unit, which is being replaced by this service at BMC. PET/CT is one of the most advanced medical imaging techniques available today. It combines PET’s ability to detect increases in cell activity with the fine structural detail that CT scans provide. This revolutionary technology enables physicians to detect the presence of disease earlier and pinpoint its location with much greater accuracy than PET or CT scans alone. The PET/CT information will also feed into the treatment planning technology for radiation oncology to aid in the identification of appropriate field sizes. PET/CT scans are used primarily for the diagnosis and staging of cancer. The technology can also be used for differentiating Alzheimer’s disease from other forms of dementia.

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United Bank to Expand Longmeadow Branch
LONGMEADOW — Richard Collins, president and CEO of United Bank, announced recently that the bank will soon begin a significant expansion of its current branch located in the Longmeadow Shops on Bliss Road. “When the landlord, Grove Property Management, offered us the additional space next door to our existing branch, we jumped at the offer,” said Collins. “We have been in Longmeadow since 1997 and have been delighted by the warm reception given to us by the community. We opened our existing branch in the Longmeadow Shops in 2001. We believe that the Shops provides an excellent location for us to serve the banking needs of the Longmeadow community.” Collins said the future branch will be a financial center complete with retail banking, mortgages, commercial services, and business lending, as well as wealth-management and financial-planning representatives. “We understand the needs of the Longmeadow community,” said Jeff Sullivan, chief operating officer. “This expansion gives us the opportunity to create a new financial center that can serve all of the community’s needs in one convenient location.” According to Sullivan, the future branch will include a larger lobby, private offices, a walk-up ATM, and safe-deposit boxes. The branch expansion is anticipated to be complete by the end of the year, with a grand opening in early 2014. The present branch will remain open during the renovations. The promotion of current Longmeadow Shops branch Personal Banker Teresa Parker to the position of Springfield Region mortgage originator was also announced recently. She will work from the current Longmeadow Shops location in her new position. Personal Banker Nicole Skelly will transfer from East Longmeadow to the Longmeadow branch to fill that position.

NorthEast Solar Launches New Website
NORTHAMPTON — A new website (www.northeast-solar.com) and brand launched recently by NorthEast Solar reflects the company’s innovative approach to solar design and installation for homes, businesses, and farms, said the company’s president, Greg Garrison. “Our new brand reflects the fact that trust and a local leader is at the core of who we are and what we represent in the Pioneer Valley and beyond,” he explained. “Our leadership in the region comes from our unique solar-installation design work, but also from the fact that we live and work in the Pioneer Valley, and people know us and trust us to simplify the installation process.” The timing of the new brand parallels a rising awareness that Massachusetts is a national solar leader with strong incentive programs, he added, making solar power a cost-competitive electricity source. “If the solar industry can prove to residents and businesses across the Valley that solar is cost-effective, simple to install, and fits with the character of their town, then we will install a lot more solar.”

Tighe & Bond Moves Up in Design Firm Rankings
WESTFIELD — Last month, the Engineering News-Record (ENR) again ranked Tighe & Bond among the top 500 design firms in the nation, as it has for more than 10 consecutive years. ENR ranks companies on the previous year’s gross revenue for providing design services to domestic and international markets. This year marked a substantial bump for the firm, as it claimed the 250 spot in ENR’s 2013 report, which exceeds last year’s standing at 272. “Substantial growth across nearly all of our markets and an extension of our geographic reach drove last year’s record revenue,” said David Pinsky, president of Tighe & Bond. “We also significantly expanded our staff to provide existing and new clients with increasingly responsive and integrated services.”

Hampden Bancorp Reports Income Increase, Declares Cash Dividend
SPRINGFIELD — Hampden Bancorp Inc., the holding company for Hampden Bank, recently announced the results of operations for the three and nine months ended March 31. The company also announced that the board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per common share, payable on May 31, 2013, to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 17, 2013. The company had a $249,000 increase in net income for that nine months to $2.4 million, or $0.42 per fully diluted share, as compared to $2.1 million, or $0.35 per fully diluted share, for the same period in 2012. The company had a decrease in net interest income of $131,000 for those nine months, compared to the same period in 2012. For the nine-month period ended March 31, 2013, interest expense decreased by $175,000, or 4.0%, compared to the same period in 2012. This decrease in interest expense included a decrease in deposit-interest expense of $417,000 due to a decrease in rates, which was partially offset by an increase in borrowing interest expense of $242,000 due to an increase in balances. Interest and dividend income decreased $306,000, or 1.7%, for the nine months ended March 31, compared to the same period last year, mainly due to a $270,000 decrease in loan-interest income. The provision for loan losses decreased $100,000 for the nine-month period ended March 31, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 mainly due to a decrease in specific reserves on impaired loans and charged-off loans. For the nine months ended March 31, there was an increase in total non-interest income of $885,000 compared to the same period in 2012. Also, the company originated $31.9 million and sold $24.8 million in residential mortgage loans, compared to originations of $27.0 million and $12.9 million in sold loans for the nine months ended March 31, 2012, and there was a $218,000, or 88.3%, increase in other non-interest income, which was mainly due to an increase in mortgage excess servicing fees, and a $182,000, or 13.9%, increase in customer service fees compared to the same period in 2012. The company had a $52,000 decrease in net income for the three months ended March 31 to $825,000, or $0.15 per fully diluted share, as compared to $877,000, or $0.16 per fully diluted share, for the same period in 2012. It had a decrease in net interest income of $260,000, or 5.4%, for those three months, compared to the same period in 2012 due to a decrease in the net interest margin from 3.57% to 3.01%. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2013, interest expense decreased by $22,000, or 1.6%, compared to the three-month period ended March 31, 2012. This decrease in interest expense included an increase in borrowing interest expense of $88,000 due to an increase in balances which was more than offset by a decrease in deposit interest expense of $110,000 due to a decrease in rates. Interest and dividend income decreased $282,000, or 4.5%, for the three months ended March 31, 2013 compared to the same period last year. The company’s total assets increased $51.6 million, or 8.4%, from $616.0 million on June 30, 2012 to $667.6 million on March 31, 2013. Net loans, including loans held for sale, increased $32.4 million, or 7.9%, to $439.7 million on March 31, 2013. The majority of the loan increase was in the commercial loan portfolio. Commercial construction loans increased $12.3 million, commercial real-estate loans increased $8.4 million, and commercial loans increased $7.0 million. The company’s strategy continues to be focused on obtaining business loans.

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UMass Amherst Launches $300 Million Campaign
AMHERST — UMass Amherst recently announced the launch of a $300 million fund-raising campaign, the most ambitious in its 150-year history. Called UMass Rising, the campaign is designed to help the school reach new heights as a leader in the nation’s innovation economy, said campus officials. “With UMass rising, we are redefining the future by focusing on innovation and impact in the way we teach students, conduct research, create a diverse and inclusive community, and play a national role in fashioning a sustainable future,” said Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy. More than $163 million — roughly 60% of the goal — has already been raised, said school officials, noting that the campaign began with its ‘quiet phase’ in 2010 and will conclude in 2016.

CHD Joint Replacement Center Earns Accolades
NORTHAMPTON — Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBS) has again recognized Cooley Dickinson’s Joint Replacement Center as a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement for its work meeting strict criteria to improve patient safety and clinical outcomes. “Research confirms that Blue Distinction Centers like Cooley Dickinson demonstrate better quality and improved outcomes for patients, with lower rates of complications and readmissions than their peers,” said Dr. Tony Dodek, vice president of Medical Quality and Strategy and associate chief medical officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. Added Dr. Mark Novotny, CDH’s chief medical officer, “achieving this designation means Cooley Dickinson’s Joint Replacement Center has met objective, best-practice criteria for knee and hip replacement. For our patients, this designation reinforces Cooley Dickinson’s commitment to a high-quality, coordinated program with outcomes that are among the best in the nation.” Cooley Dickinson’s Joint Replacement Center was first recognized in 2010 among 21 facilities. For 2013, Blue Cross Blue Shield recognized eight facilities. “The healthcare market is changing rapidly, and the cost of care is continuing to rise,” said Scott Serota, president and CEO of BCBS. “It is now more important than ever to equip providers, consumers, and employers with helpful information to assist them in making important healthcare decisions.

Greater Holyoke YMCA Opens Teaching Kitchen
HOLYOKE — The Greater Holyoke YMCA unveiled its new Teaching Kitchen, located on the Beech Street side of the facility, on April 30. As a leading nonprofit strengthening the Greater Holyoke community through healthy living, the Y’s Teaching Kitchen will support families’ wellness goals and inspire a lifetime love of healthy eating. “At a time when one in three children in the U.S. are overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, developing healthier eating habits that include nourishing food is more important than ever,” said the Y’s Associate Executive Director Jennifer Gilburg. The Teaching Kitchen will include educational programming for both Y members and the community. Membership staff will be available during the grand opening to give tours of the Y. The Teaching Kitchen was funded in part by grants from the Holyoke Food and Fitness Policy Council and the United Way.

Urgent Care of Wilbraham Opens on Boston Road
WILBRAHAM — Urgent Care of Wilbraham is open and providing professional medical care without an appointment at 2040 Boston Road in Wilbraham, across from the Big Y. The facility is owned and operated by Drs. Richard Freniere and Rock Jean-Guillaume, both board-certified emergency medicine physicians. The clinic is equipped to handle a wide range of health-related issues, including aches and pains, allergies, asthma, bites and burns, bone injuries and fractures, cuts and laceration repairs, earaches, fevers, infections, pediatric illnesses, sprains and strains, sore throats, upper respiratory illnesses, vomiting and diarrhea, and other urgent illnesses and injuries.

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Urgent Care of Wilbraham Opens Its Doors
WILBRAHAM — Urgent Care of Wilbraham, PC recently opened its doors at 2040 Wilbraham Road. The facility, owned and operated by Richard J. Freniere and Rock Jean-Guillaume, both board-certified emergency medicine physicians, provides professional medical care without an appointment. The clinic is equipped to handle a wide range of health-related issues, including aches and pains, allergies, asthma, bites and burns, bone injuries and fractures, cuts and laceration repairs, earaches, fevers, infections, pediatric illness, sprains and strains, sore throats, upper respiratory illnesses, vomiting and diarrhea, and other urgent illnesses or injuries. The facility is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, www.UrgentCareofWilbraham.com.

AIM Honors LENOX with Global Trade Award
EAST LONGMEADOW — The Associated Industries of Massachusetts International Business Council (AIM-IBC) announced that LENOX, based in East Longmeadow, is one of three winners of its18th annual Global Trade Awards, which recognize Massachusetts firms, institutions, and public agencies of all sizes that have demonstrated excellence in international trade. The other winners are Millipore, in Billerica, and Kinefac, in Worcester. The three companies will be honored at AIM’s 98th Annual Meeting on May 10 at the Waltham Westin Hotel. The event will include a keynote address by Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick. Originally known as the American Saw & Manufacturing Company, LENOX, winner of the Ambassador’s Award, has been a leader in premium-performance tools such as band saw blades and power tool accessories since its founding in 1915. LENOX counts 900 employees worldwide, including over 600 in Massachusetts. Nearly half of production is exported around the world, to China and Asia, Brazil and Latin America, and Europe. LENOX has continued to grow by understanding its customers’ needs and adapting its products and services for new industries in global markets. Over the past 10 years, LENOX has invested $100 million in new capital for its only manufacturing facility worldwide, located in East Longmeadow. The company has hired more than 120 people in Western Mass. in the past two years. LENOX is part of Newell Rubbermaid, the global marketer of consumer and commercial products. “Our Global Trade Award winners are exemplary Massachusetts businesses that don’t think in terms of boundaries or borders, but in terms of opportunity,” said Richard Lord, president and CEO of AIM. “Taking advantage of all that Massachusetts has to offer positions companies like our winners for exceptional global success.”

United Bank Foundation Awards $43,000 to Area Non-profits
WEST SPRINGFIELD — The United Bank Foundation announced recently that it has awarded $43,000 to 11 non-profit organizations in the Springfield region in its most recent round of funding. The grants covered a variety of programs and initiatives throughout the Springfield area:
• The foundation awarded $10,000, to be paid over two years, to Elms College in Chicopee toward the construction of a Center for Natural and Health Sciences;
• The Gateway Education Foundation Inc., based in Huntington, received a grant of $5,000 for its “Funds for Learning Program.” The program supports school projects that fall outside of the budgets of the seven schools in the Gateway school district;
• Human Resources Unlimited Inc. in Springfield received $5,000 for its Changing Habits Transforming Lives job readiness and placement program;
• WestMass Eldercare was awarded $5,000 to fund services for low- income elders in Holyoke, South Hadley, Chicopee, and surrounding areas;
• Junior Achievement (JA) of Western Massachusetts was awarded $4,000 to expand programs in Holyoke, Northampton, and East Longmeadow;
• The Western Mass. Council, Boy Scouts of America received $3,500 for the continuation, enhancement, and expansion of the Scoutreach programs in Springfield;
• In Holyoke, the Public Library received $2,500 from the foundation to support the month-long series “Holyoke Points of View” in April;
• Springfield Partners for Community Action was awarded $2,000 for its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Earned Income Tax Credit Program for low income individuals;
• The Westfield Public Schools received $1,000 to fund the purchase of materials needed for the high school science fair and advancement to the regional and state finals.
• The foundation awarded $2,500 to World Is Our Classroom to fund the Westfield Manufacturing Education initiative at Mestek Inc., a collaboration with the Westfield Public Schools to offer fifth-grade students a hands-on application of science and technology in a real life manufacturing plant setting; and
• In West Springfield, the foundation awarded $2,500 to the high school to fund the purchase of the National Archery in Schools curriculum.
The United Bank Foundation has awarded more than $1.7 million in grants since it was established in 2005 as a permanent source of funding to benefit communities in United Bank’s market area. The Foundation board of directors meets quarterly to review requests submitted by 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in cities and towns served by United Bank branches. The foundation’s four primary funding areas of interest are education, health and human services, youth development and cultural programs. Foundation guidelines can be found online at bankatunited.com.

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V-One Founder Wins Entrepreneurship Award

HADLEY — Valley Vodka Inc., a Western Mass.-based company, announced that Paul Kozub, owner and founder of V-One Vodka, was one of three winners of the Entrepreneur of the Year award at the 2013 Nightclub & Bar show in Las Vegas. Nightclub & Bar Media Group announced the winner of the first annual Nightclub & Bar show in late March. The national awards program celebrates emerging small businesses producing innovative products for the nightlife industry. Nightclub & Bar set out to find the next big company to take off in 2013. The Entrepreneurs Program is a unique opportunity for new companies to be recognized for their outstanding innovation and awarded with a complimentary booth at the 2013 Nightclub & Bar Convention and Trade Show, which took place in Las Vegas March 19-21. Companies that qualified submitted their brand, company, product, or new innovation to a panel of industry judges for review. “This is our first event outside of the New England market, so I was thrilled to be recognized on a national level,” said Kozub. “The Nightclub & Bar Show is the largest of its kind, with over 900 exhibitors. We are very humbled to be chosen out of this elite group of companies. The three winners are shining examples of originality and innovation in today’s tough marketplace.” The winners will be profiled on nightclub.com and highlighted in the BarIQ e-newsletter. V-One Vodka was started by Paul Kozub in 2005 as a way to honor his recently deceased Polish grandfather and his entrepreneurial father, who passed away a few months after Paul graduated from college. The V-One recipe was developed in the basement of his Hadley, home. V-One is now produced exclusively by Polmos Lublin in Poland. It is the only vodka made solely from 100% organic spelt wheat, the rarest and most expensive grain in the world. Today, a small amount of this wheat is grown in Hadley, while the majority is grown in Poland. BusinessWest named Kozub a 40 Under Forty honoree in 2007.

 

Greenough Packaging Certified as Minority and

Woman-owned Enterprise

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Greenough Packaging & Maintenance, a leading regional distributor of shipping, safety, break-room, janitorial, cleaning, and facility-maintenance supplies, was recently certified as a Minority and Woman-owned Business Enterprise by the Mass. Supplier Diversity Office of the Commonwealth’s Operational Services Division. The OSD’s standard of certification is a rigorous process that includes an in-depth review of the business as well as a site inspection. The certification process is designed to confirm that the business is at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by a minority or woman. Greenough became a woman-owned business when controlling interest in the company was acquired by Sandy Cassanelli in 2003. As the majority shareholder and CEO of Greenough, Cassanelli provides strategic direction to the organization and oversees operations and accounting. “I am delighted that Greenough has been certified as a woman-owned business enterprise,” she said. “The certification will enable us to both expand our business and create new jobs as well as to better serve our customers by helping them meet their supplier-diversity initiatives.” By including woman-owned businesses among their vendors, corporations and government agencies demonstrate their commitment to fostering diversity and the continued development of their supplier/vendor diversity programs. The Mass. Operational Services Division (OSD) is the Commonwealth’s central procurement and contracting office. In 2010, Gov. Deval Patrick signed Executive Order 523, establishing a Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP) in Massachusetts. The mission of the SBPP is to support the existence and growth of small businesses by directing state spending for non-construction goods and services to SBPP-participating vendors. The OSD is responsible for SBPP development and implementation, including policies, training, capacity building, and annual benchmarks. Greenough serves customers from a broad range of markets throughout the U.S., including manufacturing, education, property management, retail, medical, food processing, fulfillment, commercial cleaning, and distribution. In addition, it provides custom-packaging and food-packaging solutions.

 

People’s United Awards $5,000 to Gray House

SPRINGFIELD — The People’s United Community Foundation, the philanthropic arm of People’s United Bank, announced that it has awarded $5,000 to the Gray House in Springfield. The Gray House, a human-services agency, encourages neighbors in transition to achieve a more stable, safe, and productive life through education and community service. The grant from People’s United Community Foundation will support the Kids’ Club after-school and summer programs, which provide a safe, caring environment where children are served nutritious meals and participate in educational and creative activities. “The Gray House is honored to receive this grant from People’s United Community Foundation and continue our partnership,” said Dena Calvanese, executive director of the Gray House. “People’s United Community Foundation’s support helps us provide children opportunities to learn, engage in constructive activities, and have fun.” Timothy Crimmins Jr., officer of People’s United Community Foundation and president of the Massachusetts Division of People’s United Bank, said the Gray House is a valuable resource in the community. “We are proud to contribute to their success,” he continued. “By working together, we can truly build a better tomorrow for kids. The Gray House enhances the early-educational experience for many local children and supports the efforts of parents and caregivers in the community.” Established in 2007, People’s United Community Foundation was formed to help support programs and activities that enhance quality of life for citizens in the communities that People’s United Bank serves. It places special emphasis on programs designed to promote economic self-sufficiency, education, and improved conditions for low-income families and neighborhoods. The funding priorities of the foundation include community development, youth development, and affordable housing.

 

NAACP Backs Casino Plan

of MGM International

SPRINGFIELD — The general membership of the Greater Springfield NAACP voted recently to ratify the recommendation of its executive committee concerning a proposed casino in Western Mass. “Given the recent statements by city officials that they intend to only put one applicant on the ballot and intend to name that applicant in the coming weeks, this is the appropriate time to release our recommendation,” the organization stated in a release. While the branch did not vote to support gaming, it did take a position that the plan advanced by MGM International provides the best opportunities for African-Americans and other communities of color to be included in construction work, professional-services contracts, and employee hiring should it be selected to build a facility in the region.

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UMass Innovation Institute Forges Links Between Research, Industry

AMHERST — The UMass Innovation Institute (UMII) is accelerating connections between private business and advanced science and technology available in campus laboratories at UMass Amherst. Its most recent initiative is a five-year strategic partnership with BASF, the world’s leading chemical company, to develop new advanced materials for the automotive, building, construction, and energy industries. The new agreement was announced this week in Cambridge. The agreement between BASF and the UMII, along with Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is called the North American Center for Research on Advanced Materials, and is expected to create 20 new postdoctoral positions at the three universities. In addition to the new agreement with BASF, the Innovation Institute, in its first year, hit an all-time high in generating $14.3 million in industry-research awards. The UMII, established in June 2011, expects to grow industrial supported research to about $30 million annually in five years and to become financially self-sustaining during this period. Additional income is anticipated from licensing and startups through the Office of Commercial Ventures and Intellectual Property. James Capistran, executive director at UMII, says his organization is well on its way to meeting the initial goals. “Our key task is to quickly and efficiently move the new technologies and scientific capabilities developed in our laboratories at UMass Amherst into the real-world economy,” he said. “We have streamlined the process so that all parties to our agreements can realize the maximum benefit in a time frame that is responsive to the markets and business cycles.” Capistran also noted that, in addition to linking the top-notch researchers and scientists at UMass Amherst to the many high-technology businesses in Massachusetts and the New England region, UMII also plays a key role in boosting the overall reputation of UMass Amherst. “A lot of people in business know we do good work, but now they know we can move rapidly when developing new ideas and products.”

 

Arbors Kids to Open

New Childcare Center

EAST LONGMEADOW — The Arbors Kids will open an additional location at 126 Industrial Dr. in East Longmeadow, across from the Post Office. This will be the company’s largest childcare center, with a host of indoor and outdoor facilities. The new complex provides a full range of programs and activities, all under one roof. The center will house classrooms with interactive smart boards, indoor basketball courts, a turf field, an arcade, a music room, a dance studio, a cafeteria, a lounge, and more. The expansive space outdoors includes an inground pool and waterslides, a basketball court, soccer fields, a baseball field, and play areas. The new childcare center and summer camp will be opening this fall, and enrollment dates will be announced soon. The Arbors Kids provides childcare services for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in a safe and nurturing environment, with a caring and professional staff. In addition, it offers summer camps and before- and after-school programs at locations throughout Greater Springfield. For more information, visit www.arborskids.com.

 

Asnuntuck, Bay Path Sign

Joint-admissions Pact

Asnuntuck Community College and Bay Path College announced that a joint-admissions agreement has been approved by the two institutions. The agreement is designed to provide barrier-free movement from the associate’s degree to the baccalaureate and graduate degrees for students enrolled at ACC. The presidents of the two schools signed the agreement at the Asnuntuck campus on March 5. Multiple opportunities will be afforded to ACC students choosing to take advantage of the agreement. Students participating in the process will receive consideration for various merit-based scholarships, they will be able to obtain jointly supported advisement, and students will be afforded early and conditional acceptance into graduate-school programs.

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Grant from MassMutual to Facilitate Local Junior Achievement Programs

SPRINGFIELD — Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts recently announced a grant from Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. (MassMutual) that will help deliver critical personal-finance skills to the next generation of Western Mass. youth. Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts was one of four JA Areas across the nation selected to receive a MassMutual grant. “We are thrilled to receive this gift on behalf of our local students,” said Jennifer Connolly, president of Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts. “MassMutual has given tangible proof of its practical commitment to giving young people advantages through financial literacy.” The grant will provide additional elementary- and middle-school programs for students in the community. JA programs help young people gain the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. Additionally, MassMutual employees will serve as JA volunteers, teaching the JA curriculum and sharing their personal and professional experiences with students. The Junior Achievement mission is a direct correlation with MassMutual’s mission to help families become more confident in their financial decisions and empower them to take control of their financial situations. According to the Council for Economic Education’s “Survey of the States 2011: The State of Economic and Personal Finance Education in our Nation’s Schools,” only 13 states require its schools to teach personal-finance skills to its students. “It is critical to teach our children the skills they need to manage their finances. Learning to make smart financial decisions early in life can help them make the transition to college and financial independence later in life,” said Nick Fyntrilakis, vice president, Community Responsibility. Indeed, college debt is a major concern for the next generation. Currently, more than 60% of all students take out loans, and the average college graduate has more than $24,000 in debt upon graduation, according to the New York Times.

 

AIC Receives Gold Award for Viewbook

SPRINGFIELD — American International College recently received the Gold Award in the print communications category from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). Lynn Saunders, Janelle Holmboe, and Scott Whitney of Florence were recognized for their work on the school’s admissions viewbook. CASE District I annually bestows its Excellence Awards on individuals and schools doing innovative work in the fields of special events, fund-raising, stewardship, volunteer engagement, alumni relations, student-alumni initiatives, advancement services, and communications. Saunders, AIC’s art director and project manager, said the messaging inspired not just the viewbook’s content, but also its visual messaging and editorial tone. “We kept in mind our target demographic and repositioned our piece to be more friendly, accessible, and true to who we are. The bold copy reinforces the visual elements and makes us stand out from many of the pieces we see from other area colleges.” Holmboe, dean of Undergraduate Admissions at AIC, said one of the goals of the viewbook was to reclaim AIC’s image by articulating what the school stands for as an institution of higher education. “We intended to underscore our egalitarian ethos, our history of catering to an underserved population, and our commitment to academic support that would ensure students’ success.” Jennifer Grossman, director of Marketing and Communications at AIC, said the viewbook was a true collaboration between both Enrollment and Marketing. “It is great to see hard work pay off, and for AIC’s accomplishments to be recognized by our peers.”

 

Armbrook Village Set

for April 1 Opening

WESTFIELD — Armbrook Village, the region’s newest senior-living community, announced that it will open its doors April 1. The facility will be managed by Massachusetts-based Senior Living Residences, with a local management team headed by Executive Director Beth Cardillo. Armbrook Village will feature independent senior apartments with concierge services, service-enriched assisted living, and a state-of-the-art Compass Memory Support Neighborhood, affiliated with Boston University’s School of Medicine’s Alzheimer’s Disease Center, featuring research-based treatment for those with memory loss. Westfield Mayor Daniel Knapik, who recently toured the facility with other civic and business leaders, said the complex will be an important addition to the local landscape. “Armbrook Village will add vitality to Westfield and our surrounding communities — not just for our seniors, but for other age groups in our local community. The more than 120 residents of Armbrook Village will make use of area amenities such as the YMCA, Noble Hospital, our shopping centers, grocery stores, and restaurants. And they will be involved in the fabric of our community through volunteering and other social and cultural pursuits.”

 

MassMutual Named a FORTUNE World’s Most Admired Company

SPRINGFIELD — Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. (MassMutual) announced that it has once again been named a FORTUNE World’s Most Admired Company in 2013 in the life and health insurance industry and in the state of Massachusetts. Ranked third overall, MassMutual is the most-admired mutual company in the life and health insurance industry category this year. The 2013 FORTUNE World’s Most Admired Company survey was conducted in the fall of 2012 among top executives, directors, and securities analysts in 57 industries. To be named to the World’s Most Admired list, a company’s overall score must rank in the top half of its industry survey. The survey assessed nine reputation drivers considered to be crucial to a company’s global success: financial soundness, long-term investment value, people management, social responsibility, use of assets, quality of management, quality of products and services, innovation, and global competitiveness. “We are honored to be a FORTUNE World’s Most Admired Company again this year, and especially proud to receive a top ranking in the social-responsibility category in recognition of our important contributions in communities across the U.S.,” said Roger Crandall, chairman, president, and CEO of MassMutual. “As a leader in an industry built on trust and accountability, we are pleased to be included among this elite list of admired companies.”

 

Monson Savings Bank Announces Winners of Community-giving Vote

MONSON — For the third year in a row, Monson Savings Bank asked the community to help plan the bank’s community-giving activities by inviting people to vote for the organizations they would like the bank to support during 2013. “We received nearly 900 votes for more than 60 different organizations doing community-service work in Monson, Hampden, Wilbraham, and Ware, where we will be opening a branch later this year,” said Steve Lowell, president of Monson Savings Bank. “We were pleased to hear from so many people. It really shows that we live in a community of concerned and committed citizens, and that feels great.” The top vote getters are:

1. River East School-to-Career Inc.

2. Homefront Equestrians

3. Link to Libraries

4. Replanting Monson Tree Committee

5. Monson Bellman Antique Fire Apparatus Club/Museum

6. Blue Star Equiculture

7. Scantic Valley YMCA

8. Greene Room Productions

9. Boy Scouts of Western Massachusetts

10. Two Town Trolley

The organizations have been notified of the good news and will be receiving checks from the bank in the next few weeks. According to Lowell, the list continues to change every year. “Just like last year, four of the 10 organizations were new to the list, and we learned about new groups that we didn’t even know were out there. That reinforces our decision to reach out to ask people for their input. We think that’s part of being a community bank.”

 

Development Proposals Sought for Allis House

SPRINGFIELD — The Sisters of Providence Health System (SPHS) has issued a formal request for development proposals involving the W.H. Allis House on the Mercy Medical Center campus. The request was initiated with the hope of creating a new use for the landmark, which was slated to be demolished to make way for construction of a $20 million medical office building at the northwest corner of the Mercy campus, near the intersection of Chestnut and Carew streets. Ground was broken for the project last October. The initiative is being developed by Carew Chestnut Partners, and under terms of a construction and land-lease agreement, Carew Chestnut Street Partners will develop and own the building. In recent weeks, discussions between SPHS and members of both public and private historicalpreservation groups have been conducted to gain input about methods for preserving the history of the building. “We remain mindful of the history of the W.H. Allis House and appreciative of the importance of effectively preserving that history, particularly as it relates to the legacy of care provided by the Sisters of Providence,” said Daniel Moen, president and CEO of SPHS. “At the same time, our ongoing role as stewards of our limited resources calls us to continue the transformation of the Mercy campus, ensuring our ability to continue to serve the needs of our community while furthering our mission.” A spokesperson for SPHS said that initial plans for this construction project called for the removal of four structures on the Mercy campus: the maintenance garage, the Mercy Hearing Center building, the St. Mary’s building, and the W.H. Allis House.  Three of these buildings are located within the footprint of the medical office building project, while the W.H. Allis House is contiguous to it. “The decision to include the W.H. Allis House in the removal plan came after lengthy discussions and careful consideration,” the spokesperson said. “This difficult decision followed an internal evaluation that determined that the structure was unsafe and unusable, could not be renovated in a financially responsible way, and could not be used for patient care nor be adequately renovated for administrative functions. These findings were further validated by an outside engineering firm that SPHS engaged to assess the structural condition of the building. Steiger Engineering Inc. also determined that the renovation of the structure would be cost-prohibitive at $6 million to $7 million and would not result in a viable medical use. However, after discussions with Springfield city officials and members of the local historical-preservation community, SPHS has agreed to re-evaluate its position on demolition of the W.H. Allis House until such time as it can be reasonably determined if restoration is not only a workable option, but will not impede ongoing transformation of the Mercy campus.” To that end, SPHS was involved in the creation of a task force comprised of SPHS leaders, Springfield city officials, and private citizens who are members of the Springfield Preservation Trust and Preservation Massachusetts, and engaged the services of Greg Farmer, a leading expert on historical preservation, to advise SPHS and the task force on appropriate methods to preserve the history of the Allis House. The Task Force began its work on Jan. 23 and is investigating alternatives to the removal of the building, primarily focused on efforts to secure the involvement of an outside party who would be willing to invest in and oversee its restoration, the spokesperson explained.