Editorial
BusinessWest launched its 40 Under Forty program in 2007 to recognize the rising stars in the 413. It’s become an immensely popular initiative that has created a somewhat exclusive club, if you will, one that now boasts 760 members.
That’s a big number, and something to bear in mind when considering a spinoff from that original program, something we call the Alumni Achievement Award, which, as that name suggests, recognizes 40 Under Forty winners who have continued to build on their résumés, both professionally and with their work in the community.
This is a far more exclusive club and, in many ways, a more notable achievement, just because of those numbers.
Which brings us to our latest AAA competition, if you will. There can be only one winner — and he or she will be announced at the 40 Under Forty gala on June 19. But we celebrate our finalists because it’s an honor just to be in that group. And these stories provide us with a great opportunity to tell more stories about individuals who continue to excel and find new ways to give back and make a difference.
Each of our finalists (see cover story) has a unique story, but there are common denominators, especially a commitment to this region and using their talents to improve quality of life here. Each story is compelling, and each finalist is certainly worthy of being the next AAA winner:
• Jeff Fialky was an associate at the law firm Bacon Wilson when he became part of the just the second 40 Under Forty class in 2008. He’s now managing shareholder, leading the firm through a time of change and challenge in that sector while also giving back to the community and, specifically, agencies and causes ranging from the Springfield Regional Chamber to Springfield Museums.
• Amelia Holstrom was an associate at the law firm Skoler, Abbott & Presser when she earned her 40 Under Forty plaque. She’s now a partner and a regional leader in this ever-changing, vitally important field of law. She is also active in the community, with groups from the Girls Scouts to Clinical & Support Options, and roles such as library trustee in Wilbraham.
• Jim Krupienski has risen to the rank of partner at the accounting firm Meyers Brothers Kalicka, where is a real leader and mentor to many young people entering the field. And he acts as a true role model for them, especially with the many ways he gives back to the community, whether it’s through his own work with the Westfield State Foundation or the Westfield YMCA, or the way he encourages the firm to support agencies ranging from the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts to Habitat for Humanity.
• Ryan McCollum is, in a word, a ‘connector.’ As the founder and owner of RMC Strategies, he coordinates political campaigns and spearheads the marketing efforts of a growing number of area agencies, businesses, and causes, many of them involving under-represented constituencies. And, since long before joining the 40 Under Forty club in 2012, and continuing through his career, he has been involved in the community, with agencies like Square One, YPS, Suit Up Springfield, and the Healing Racism Institute of Pioneer Valley.
• Orlando Ramos and his family moved around a lot when he was young. They eventually settled in Springfield, which, for him, became a home — and a passion. He’s represented the community on the City Council, and now as state representative for the 9th Hampden District. It’s been 11 years since he was presented his 40 Under Forty plaque, and over that time, he’s continually found new ways to advocate for city residents and make the City of Homes a better place to live, work, and do business.
As noted earlier, all five are worthy of the AAA award, and all five should be celebrated for all they’ve done, and all they continue to do in, and for, this region.
In 2015, BusinessWest introduced a new recognition program. Actually, it was a spin-off, or extension, of an existing recognition program — 40 Under Forty. The concept was rather simple: to recognize the individual (or individuals — there have multiple winners a few years) who has most improved upon their résumé of excellence, in both their chosen field and with their service to the community. Over the past several years, the competition for what has become known as the Alumni Achievement Award has been spirited, as it was this year. Indeed, a panel of three judges, including the 2022 honoree, Anthony Gleason III, scored nominations featuring individuals across several different sectors of the economy. The four highest scorers, the finalists for the 2023 AAA honor, are profiled here. They are: Ryan McCollum, owner of RMC Strategies; Orlando Ramos, state representative and Springfield mayoral candidate; Amy Royal, founder and CEO of the Royal Law Firm, and Michelle Theroux, executive director of the Berkshire Hills Music Academy. The AAA winner will be announced at this year’s 40 Under Forty gala on June 15 at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House.
Rothschild, then development and marketing manager for the Food Bank of Western Mass., was named to the 40 Under Forty class of 2011 mainly for her tireless work in melanoma awareness. A survivor herself, she began organizing local events to raise funds for the fight against this common killer, and launched a website, SurvivingSkin.org, and TV show, Skin Talk, that brought wider attention to her work.
