Insurance Archives - Page 29 of 40

40 under Forty Preview

By BusinessWest Staff January 4, 2011

Sections Supplements

Fifth Amendment

Nominations Sought for the Class of 2011

Since BusinessWest launched 40 Under Forty in 2007, it has recognized 160 young professionals who have made their mark across Western Mass. — not only for their career success, but their commitment to their communities. Now in year five, the 40 Under Forty program — which includes a must-read issue profiling the winners and an always-well-attended gala in the spring — has become one of the most anticipated events in the region’s business community, one that has nominees constantly setting the bar higher.

By JOSEPH BEDNAR

Jeff Fialky understands what it takes to succeed in business today.
An attorney with Bacon & Wilson, P.C., Fialky was chosen one of BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty in 2008, in recognition of his career success and community involvement. He’s one of 160 young professionals throughout Western Mass. who have been honored in this way since the program’s inception in 2007.
But as president of the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield, he’s got a clearer perspective than most on the dedication it takes to succeed at a young age, because he sees it every day in fellow YPS members.
“In this economy, there are a lot of start-up entrepreneurs, a lot of young professionals working maybe twice as hard as they’d have to work in a better economy,” Fialky said. “It’s great that we can promote some of these individuals who have distinguished themselves from their peers.”
Now entering its fifth year with a call for nominations, BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty has captured the respect of the region’s business community and continues to demonstrate that Western Mass. is home to a creative, motivated, and successful group of young business leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators — people who are redefining what it means to build successful businesses and serve their communities with whatever spare time they have left over.
“Clearly, YPS and 40 Under Forty have walked a parallel path,” said Fialky, noting that both came into being around the same time. “In that time period, YPS participants — meaning both the membership and officers and directors — have looked at 40 Under Forty with extremely high regard, as a competitive process, a reward, and a distinction in the community that is heavily sought after.”
Kate Campiti, BusinessWest’s associate publisher, is gratified to hear that 40 Under Forty has reached that kind of status in the local business community.
“It makes me proud that it’s something that people aspire to, and it does put them on the map,” she said. “It’s something they can use as a résumé builder, as a symbol of excellence.”
As the nomination process opens for the class of 2011, BusinessWest expects another flood of nominees from a broad range of careers; the 160 previous honorees have emerged from law, education, retail, health care, social services, finance, and many, many other fields. In all cases, they have been successful in business and active in civic volunteerism, the latter being a critical consideration when judging applicants.
As in the past four installments of 40 Under Forty, this year’s winners — chosen by a panel of judges comprised of area business leaders and previous honorees — will be profiled in an upcoming issue of BusinessWest (always a must-read issue) and toasted at a gala reception in the spring.
Meghan Lynch, managing partner for Six-Point Creative Works and one of last year’s honorees, said she was impressed with the wide variety of industries and positions represented by the class of 2010.
In addition, “I was happy with the amount of community support at the event,” she said. “That was a fantastic networking event, and when I left I was proud to have been a part of it. I made quite a few contacts at the event, and the winners have been really good about reaching out to one another, making time to reconnect and get to know each other afterward. I was definitely impressed with a lot of other folks, and it was certainly a very good representation of the talent in the Valley.”
The nomination form can be found on page 35 of this issue. It will be reprinted in upcoming issues as well, and may also be printed from businesswest.com. The deadline for entry is Feb. 18.
Fialky says members of YPS take the nomination process seriously, as evidenced by the healthy number of society members chosen for recognition during the past four years. The same goes for Northampton Area Young Professionals, another group that’s typically well-represented in each class.
“I personally congratulate members of YPS who are 40 Under Forty honorees every year — I send out handwritten cards — and that number has increased exponentially over the past few years,” Fialky said. “It’s terrific that both the Young Professional Society and the 40 Under Forty have walked down these same paths.”
Campiti said the ever-increasing profile of the recognition program is cultivating a healthy sense of competition among area professionals.
“I think it’s making them more competitive with each other, and it is making the young up-and-comers think about their future and plan strategically how they will position themselves. That only makes the group stronger. To win, they really have to stand out.”
Fialky also embraces the competitive aspect of the event, saying that being chosen one of the 40 Under Forty is an honor worth striving for.
“The competition raises the bar for everyone,” he said. “Some folks have submitted nomination forms for a couple of years and haven’t been elected, and that only makes them think they need to work harder in the community and from a personal-branding standpoint. I think that’s great.”

Past 40 under Forty winners

Class of 2007
William Bither III, Atalasoft
Kimberlynn Cartelli, Fathers & Sons
Amy Caruso, MassMutual Financial Group
Denise Cogman, Springfield School Volunteers
Richard Corder, Cooley Dickinson Hospital
Katherine Pacella Costello, Egan, Flanagan & Cohen, P.C.
A. Rima Dael, Berkshire Bank Foundation of Pioneer Valley
Nino Del Padre, Del Padre Visual Productions
Antonio Dos Santos, Robinson Donovan, P.C.
Jake Giessman, Academy Hill School
Jillian Gould, Eastfield Mall
Michael Gove, Lyon & Fitzpatrick, LLP
Dena Hall, United Bank
James Harrington, Our Town Variety & Liquors
Christy Hedgpeth, Spalding Sports
Francis Hoey III, Tighe & Bond
Amy Jamrog, The Jamrog Group, Northwestern Mutual
Cinda Jones, Cowls Land & Lumber Co.
Paul Kozub, V-1 Vodka
Bob Lowry, Bueno y Sano
G.E. Patrick Leary, Moriarty & Primack, P.C.
Todd Lever, Noble Hospital
Audrey Manring, The Women’s Times
Daniel Morrill, Wolf & Company
Joseph Pacella, Egan, Flanagan & Cohen, P.C.
Arlene Rodriquez, Springfield Technical Community College
Craig Swimm, WMAS 94.7
Sarah Tanner, United Way of Pioneer Valley
Mark Tanner, Bacon Wilson, P.C.
Michelle Theroux, Child & Family Services of Pioneer Valley Inc.
Tad Tokarz, Western MA Sports Journal
Dan Touhey, Spalding Sports
Sarah Leete Tsitso, Fred Astaire Dance
Michael Vann, The Vann Group
Ryan Voiland, Red Fire Farm
Erica Walch, Speak Easy Accent Modification
Catherine West, Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C.
Michael Zaskey, Zasco Productions, LLC
Edward Zemba, Robert Charles Photography
Carin Zinter, The Princeton Review

Class of 2008
Michelle Abdow, Market Mentors
Matthew Andrews, Best Buddies of Western Mass.
Rob Anthony, WMAS
Shane Bajnoci, Cowls Land & Lumber Co.
Steve Bandarra, Atlas TC
Dr. Jonathan Bayuk, Hampden County Physician Associates
Delcie Bean IV, Valley Computer Works
Brendan Ciecko, Ten Minute Media
Todd Cieplinski, Universal Mind Inc.
William Collins, Spoleto Restaurant Group
Michael Corduff, Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House
Amy Davis, New City Scenic & Display
Dave DelVecchio, Innovative Business Systems Inc.
Tyler Fairbank, EOS Ventures
Timothy Farrell, F.W. Farrell Insurance
Jeffrey Fialky, Bacon Wilson, P.C.
Dennis Francis, America’s Box Choice
Kelly Galanis, Westfield State College
Jennifer Glockner, Winstanley Associates
Andrea Hill-Cataldo, Johnson & Hill Staffing Services
Steven Huntley, Valley Opportunity Council
Alexander Jarrett, Pedal People Cooperative
Kevin Jourdain, City of Holyoke
Craig Kaylor, Hampden Bank / Hampden Bancorp Inc.
Stanley Kowalski III, FloDesign Inc.
Marco Liquori, NetLogix Inc.
Azell Murphy Cavaan, City of Springfield
Michael Presnal, The Federal Restaurant
Melissa Shea, Sullivan, Hayes & Quinn
Sheryl Shinn, Hampden Bank
Ja’Net Smith, Center for Human Development
Diana Sorrentini-Velez, Cooley, Shrair, P.C.
Meghan Sullivan, Sullivan, Hayes & Quinn
Michael Sweet, Doherty Wallace Pillsbury & Murphy
Heidi Thomson, Girls Inc.
Hector Toledo, Hampden Bank
William Trudeau Jr., Insurance Center of New England
David Vermette, MassMutual Financial Services
Lauren Way, Bay Path College
Paul Yacovone, Brain Powered Concepts

Class of 2009
Marco Alvan, Team Link Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Gina Barry, Bacon Wilson, P.C.
Maggie Bergin, The Art of Politics
Daniel Bessette, Get Set Marketing
Brandon Braxton, NewAlliance Bank
Dena Calvanese, Gray House
Edward Cassell, Park Square Realty
Karen Chadwell, Doherty, Wallace, Pillsbury and Murphy, P.C.
Kate Ciriello, MassMutual Financial Group
Kamari Collins, Springfield Technical Community College
Mychal Connolly Sr., Stinky Cakes
Todd Demers, Family Wireless
Kate Glynn, A Child’s Garden and Impish
Andrew Jensen, Jx2 Productions, LLC
Kathy LeMay, Raising Change
Ned Leutz, Webber & Grinnell Insurance Agency
Scott MacKenzie, MacKenzie Vault Inc.
Tony Maroulis, Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce
Seth Mias, Seth Mias Catering
Marjory Moore, Chicopee Public Schools
Corey Murphy, First American Insurance Agency Inc.
Mark Hugo Nasjleti, Go Voice for Choice
Joshua Pendrick, Royal Touch Painting
Christopher Prouty, Studio99Creative
Adam Quenneville, Adam Quenneville Roofing
Michael Ravosa, Morgan Stanley
Kristi Reale, Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C.
Amy Royal, Royal & Klimczuk, LLC
Michelle Sade, United Personnel
Scott Sadowsky, Williams Distributing Corp.
Gregory Schmidt, Doherty, Wallace, Pillsbury & Murphy, P.C.
Gretchen Siegchrist, Media Shower Productions
Erik Skar, MassMutual Financial Services
Paul Stallman, Alias Solutions
Renee Stolar, J. Stolar Insurance Co.
Tara Tetreault, Jackson and Connor
Chris Thompson, Springfield Falcons Hockey Team
Karl Tur, Ink & Toner Solutions, LLC
Michael Weber, Minuteman Press
Brenda Wishart, Aspen Square Management

Class of 2010
Nancy Bazanchuk, Disability Resource Program,
, , Center for Human Development
Raymond Berry, United Way of Pioneer Valley
David Beturne, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampden County
Maegan Brooks, The Law Office of Maegan Brooks
Karen Buell, PeoplesBank
Shanna Burke, Nonotuck Resource Associates
Damon Cartelli, Fathers & Sons
Brady Chianciola, PeoplesBank
Natasha Clark, Springfield School Volunteers
Julie Cowan, TD Bank
Karen Curran, Thomson Financial Management Inc.
Adam Epstein, Dielectrics Inc.
Mary Fallon, Garvey Communication Associates
Daniel Finn, Pioneer Valley Local First
Owen Freeman-Daniels, Foley-Connelly Financial Partners and
, , Foley Insurance Group
Lorenzo Gaines, ACCESS Springfield Promise Program
Thomas Galanis, Westfield State College
Anthony Gleason II, Roger Sitterly & Son, Inc. and
, , Gleason Landscaping
Allen Harris, Berkshire Money Management Inc.
Meghan Hibner, Westfield Bank
Amanda Huston, Junior Achievement of Western Mass. Inc.
Kimberly Klimczuk, Royal, LLP
James Krupienski, Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C.
David Kutcher, Confluent Forms, LLC
James Leahy, City of Holyoke and Alcon Laboratories
Kristin Leutz, Community Foundation of Western Mass.
Meghan Lynch, Six-Point Creative Works
Susan Mielnikowski, Cooley, Shrair, P.C.
Jill Monson, Adam Quenneville Roofing & Siding Inc.
, , and Inspired Marketing & Promotions
Kevin Perrier, Five Star Building Corp.
Lindsay Porter, Big Y Foods
Brandon Reed, Fitness Together
Boris Revsin, CampusLIVE Inc.
Aaron Vega, Vega Yoga & Movement Arts
Ian Vukovich, Florence Savings Bank
Thomas Walsh, City of Springfield
Sean Wandrei, Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C.
Byron White, Pazzo Ristorante
Chester Wojcik, Design Construction Group
Peter Zurlino, Atlantico Designs and Springfield Public Schools

Joseph Bednar can be reached
at [email protected]

Opinion

By BusinessWest Staff January 4, 2011

Opinion

A Taxing Situation for Businesses

Massachusetts general law allows cities and towns to tax business properties at a higher rate than residential properties even though all properties are assessed the same way, at full and fair market value. While this practice dates back to 1984, there really isn’t any factual or sound reasoning for it other than to shift some of the property-tax burden off of residents and onto business. That said, 106 of the 351 communities in Massachusetts take advantage of this option, and some of them now have a business tax rate more than twice that of residents.
One other property tax faced by businesses but not residents is a tax on ‘personal property.’ This levy is assessed on objects ranging from the dentist or hairdresser’s chair to the local variety store’s cash register, all of which is taxed at the business-tax rate.
Businesses face many other fees, taxes, and costs, ranging from their annual license to workers’ compensation insurance, unemployment insurance, and health care costs. All of these are either set or regulated on a regional or statewide basis, and therefore all would be using the same rate structure or tax table, as for unemployment insurance taxes. Let me note here that the per-employee cost of unemployment insurance is now the highest of any state. While these costs might cause an economic disadvantage to a Massachusetts business, they do not affect decisions on where to locate within the state.
Back to the local property tax that is set by an annual vote of elected officials. In the Greater Springfield area, five towns within the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield — East Longmeadow, Hampden, Longmeadow, Ludlow, and Wilbraham — all have a single rate for both business and residents. At the hearing prior to the vote, residents often speak out, as in Longmeadow this year, asking for property-tax relief, meaning a shift of more taxes onto businesses. Those boards of selectmen have consistently seen the folly in doing that and realize that any shift at all would severely burden a sector so vital to a town’s makeup.
In three other communities — Agawam, Springfield, and West Springfield — it is a different story; all three have adopted a higher business rate. One should note that these communities are surrounded by the other communities mentioned above, and many of those communities do have land zoned for business and therefore have very competitive rates.
This year, in each of the three communities with two rates, the councilors heard from the business community that this rate is important to them, especially in their efforts to survive this difficult economy, keep their doors open, and maintain jobs. As you think of these words, picture the stores that make up the fabric of the community; the barber or hairdresser you go to, where you have your car serviced, where you run to pick up that item or gift you forgot about. One other way to understand the importance of this issue is to look at the vacant storefront that once had a business in it with two to five people employed there.
At one of the hearings, it was noted that the difference in tax rates between Springfield and Ludlow, two communities joined by a very short bridge, is such that a barber on the Springfield side of the bridge would have to perform almost 200 more haircuts than his counterpart on the Ludlow side of the bridge just to pay the increased taxes due to his location. Several other examples showed that, when you break down the tax burden by the square foot of a property, those similar businesses in cities with two rates were paying more than twice as much per square foot as those in single-rate communities.
So, the question is: are local property-tax rates really important to local businesses? They certainly are when businesses make decisions about where to locate, whether to employ that extra person, often from the neighborhood, or simply whether to keep the doors open. In advocating for a fairer split of taxes, it is the business community’s hope that they can survive, prosper, and grow, and, more importantly, that other businesses will come into the city or town and expand the tax base. That way everyone, businesses and residents alike, win.

Jeffrey Ciuffreda is vice president of Government Affairs for the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield; (413) 787-1555.

People On the Move

By BusinessWest Staff December 21, 2010

Departments People on the Move

Tighe & Bond of Westfield recently promoted Christopher Bone, a Mechanical Process and Environmental Engineer, to Associate in recognition of his exceptional performance. He joined the firm in 1999 and has more than 17 years of project-management and engineering experience in providing municipal clients with innovative solutions for complicated water and wastewater challenges.
•••••
Dan Cohn has joined CornerStone Telephone Co. as an in-market Account Executive.
•••••
Hatch Mott MacDonald of Holyoke announced that Eliezer Barbosa has joined the firm as a Designer.
•••••
Linda Syniec, CPA, has joined S. Reichelt & Co., LLC. Syniec has more than 25 years of public-accounting experience, specializing in tax services for private companies and high-net-worth individuals.
•••••
Anne Mostue has joined public radio station WFCR and WNNZ as a reporter. Mostue will be based at WFCR’s Peggy and David Starr Broadcast Center in Springfield.
•••••
Massachusetts Five Colleges Inc. announced the following:
• Herbert Bernstein, Professor of Physics at Hampshire College, Amherst, has been named a Five College 40th Anniversary Professor; and
• Debbora Battaglia, Professor of Anthropology at Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, has been named a Five College 40th Anniversary Professor.
A 40th Anniversary Professorship is an opportunity for veteran faculty members within the five campuses to share their expertise with students at other schools. During the three years of the professorship, each faculty member receives a research stipend, teaches at least three courses on other consortium campuses, and gives a public lecture on his or her work.
•••••
Garvey Communication Associates Inc. of Springfield announced the following:

Caroline Scannell

• Caroline Scannell has been appointed Accounts Analyst; and

Laura Chechette

• Laura Chechette has been appointed Public Relations Analyst.
•••••
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) announced the following appointments to its Board of Trustees:
• William Dudley, Professor of Philosophy at Williams College. He has served on a range of college committees dealing with issues of educational policy, student and residential life, and diversity, and as an advisor to first-year students. He is a graduate of Williams, and earned his master’s and doctoral degrees from Northwestern University;
• Shirley Edgerton, Residential Program Director for the Department of Developmental Services of Berkshire County. In addition to this work, she is the founder of the Women of Color Giving Circle of the Berkshires, based in Pittsfield, as well as Youth Alive step dance program, which uses the arts as a vehicle to engage young women in educational and mentoring programs. She also serves as a board member for the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Herbert Lehman College at the City University of New York, and a master of Education from MCLA; and
• Susan Gold, a member of the MCLA Foundation Board of Directors. Gold is an active community volunteer with experience and expertise in development and fund-raising who has worked with a number of organizations in Berkshire County, including Northern Berkshire Health Systems, the REACH Community Health Foundation, and Images Cinema. She serves as a trustee of the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. She has served as a member and officer of the MCLA Foundation Board of Directors, and co-chair of the Foundation Board’s ad-hoc Fundraising Committee. She earned a bachelor’s degree from American University.
•••••
Leslie Lawrence has been named Director of Lending for the Western Massachusetts Enterprise Fund in Holyoke.
•••••
David Rittenhouse has joined McCormick-Allum as manager of the electrical contracting division.
•••••
Lisa Doherty, Co-founder, President, and CEO of Business Risk Partners of Windsor, Conn. has been named to Business Insurance magazine’s list of “Women to Watch 2010.” Working with producers nationwide and partnering with global specialty carriers, the firm underwrites and administers professional and management liability policies for more than 160 professions in businesses of all sizes. The annual “Women to Watch” issue profiles 25 women executives based on recent professional achievements, influence on the marketplace, and contributions to the advancement of women in business.
•••••
Brenda D. Cuoco was recently recognized at Coldwell Banker for being a top producer within the Western Mass.area. She ranked 86th for units sold in Massachusetts and seventh for units sold within Western Mass.
•••••
Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Services recently honored several area residents for their community work during its ninth annual business partnership breakfast in Springfield. Honorees were:
• Hampden County Sheriff Michael J. Ashe Jr.;
• George Burtch, Vice President for Global Integration-Games at Hasbro;
• Jim Goodwin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Center for Human Development; and
• Tim Sneed, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Career Development Institute.
•••••
Kristina Drzal Houghton, a Partner with Meyers Brothers Kalicka, has been named one of three “Women to Watch” in the 2010 Experienced Leader category by the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants, in partnership with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Women’s Initiatives Executive Committee. The annual awards program highlights the achievements of women in the certified public accounting profession in Massachusetts who have made significant contributions to the profession and their community, and who demonstrate leadership within their profession.
•••••
Charles Epstein, Founder of The 401(k) Coach Program, was named to Legg Mason Inc.’s Retirement Advisory Council, a new think tank comprised of 14 retirement-industry leaders. The council will convene quarterly and examine the major challenges facing retirement products, service providers, and the best practices observed by the industry. Participants on the council include 401(k) plan providers, brokerage/financial-adviser leaders, retirement-plan advisers, and independent contribution-industry experts. Legg Mason, headquartered in Maryland, is a global asset-management firm with $677 billion in assets under management as of Oct. 31, 2010.
•••••
Delania Barbee has been appointed Community Engagement Coordinator and Massachusetts Promise Fellow for the ACCESS Springfield Promise program. The program works to increase college aspirations, access, and success among city students. It also provides free financial-aid advising and scholarships to young people in Springfield.
•••••
Sean Capaloff-Jones is the new Manager of Member Outreach for the UMass-Five College Credit Union. He will be responsible for member development and maintaining positive relationships with the credit union’s sponsor groups. He will also guide the credit union’s financial literacy program and community-outreach initiatives.
•••••
Rebecca Wylde has joined radio station Rock 102 as host for the 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. shift.
•••••
William J. Noonan has been named Director of Security for the Springfield Museums.
•••••
Robert P. Ziomek has been named Director of Major and Planned Gifts at Western New England College in Springfield.
•••••
Theodora “Teddy” W. Woeppel has joined the Goodman Speakers Bureau as Director of Marketing and Communications. She will develop and implement all online and Web-based marketing efforts and strategies for the bureau. She will oversee print, direct mail, sponsorships, and special-event marketing to increase business opportunities among the company’s national client base.
•••••
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts announced the election of new members to its Board of Trustees:
• Amy Jamrog, Managing Director of the Jamrog Group in Northampton;
• George C. Keady III, Senior Vice President and Branch Manager of UBS Wealth Management in Springfield;
• Robert L. Pura, President of Greenfield Community College;
• Peter J. Daboul, Executive in Residence at Western New England College, Springfield, who will serve as Chairman of the foundation’s trustees; and
• Sanford A. Belden, retired President of Community Bank System, who will serve as Vice Chair.

Chamber Corners: Upcoming Events

By BusinessWest Staff December 21, 2010

Chamber Corners Departments

Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield
www.myonlinechamber.com
(413) 787-1555
n Jan. 5: Business@Breakfast, 7:15 to 9 a.m., Sheraton Springfield. Cost: members $20, non-members $30. For reservations, contact Diane Swanson, ACCGS events manager, at (413) 787-1555 or [email protected]
n Jan. 19: Professional Women’s Chamber 13th Annual Business Expo, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Max’s Tavern, MassMutual Room. Cost, Table Top: members $60, non-members $90 (includes one lunch ticket). Cost, lunch only: members $25, non-members $35. For reservations, contact Lynn Johnson PWC liaison, at (413) 755-1310 or [email protected]
n Jan. 22: West of the River Chamber of Commerce Night at the Falcons, 7:30 p.m., MassMutual Center. Cost: $10. For reservations, call Chris Thompson at (413) 739-3344 ext. 109.

Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield
www.springfieldyps.com
n Jan. 20: Third Thursday, 5 to 8 p.m., Panana’s Restaurant, Agawam. Cost: free for members, non-members $10. Includes food and cash bar.

Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce
www.amherstarea.com
See the chamber’s Web site for information on upcoming events.

Chicopee Chamber of Commerce
www.chicopeechamber.org
(413) 594-2101

n Jan. 19: Salute Breakfast, 7:15 to 9 a.m., MassMutual Learning & Conference Center, 350 Memorial Dr., Chicopee. Cost: members $18, non-members $25. For tickets, call the chamber at (413) 594-2101 or purchase online at www.chicopeechamber.org

Franklin County Chamber of Commerce
www.franklincc.org
(413) 773-5463
See the chamber’s Web site for information on upcoming events.

Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce
www.easthamptonchamber.org
(413) 527-9414
n Jan. 13: Networking By Night Business Card Exchange, 5 to 7 p.m., hosted and sponsored by Harley-Davidson of Southampton, 17 College Highway, Southampton. Co-sponsor: Puffer Printing & Copy Center. Door prizes, hors d’ouevres, host bar. Cost: members $5, non-members $15.
n Jan. 27: Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and 50th Anniversary Dinner, 5 p.m., the Delaney House, 500 Country Club Road, Holyoke. Cranberry chicken and halibut combo luncheon. Cost: members $29.95, non-members $32.95.

Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce
www.holycham.com
(413) 534-3376
n Jan. 12: Winner Circle, 5 to 7 p.m., Yankee Pedlar, 1866 Northampton St., Holyoke. Sponsored by Holyoke Medical Center; Dowd Insurance; Resnic, Beauregard, Waite & Driscoll; PeoplesBank; Holyoke Community College; and Universal Plastics.
n Jan. 19: Chamber After Hours, 5 to 7 p.m., hosted and sponsored by Homewood Suites, 375 Whitney Ave., Holyoke. Cost: members $5, non-members $10 cash.
n Jan. 25: Computer Security Seminar, 8 to 11 a.m., Mass Mutual Conference Center, Chicopee

Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce
www.explorenorthampton.com
(413) 584-1900
n Jan. 12: January Arrive @ 5, 5 to 7 p.m., Volkswagen of Northampton, 968 Bridge Road, Northampton. Cost: $10 for members.

Northampton Area Young Professional Society
www.thenayp.com
(413) 584-1900
n Jan. 30: Bowl with a Purpose, 12 to 2 p.m., Spare Time, 525 Pleasant St., Northampton. Charity fund-raiser. Teams of four to six players. Registrants can register as a team or be placed on a team. Cost: $20 pre-registered, $25 at the door. Includes unlimited bowling during the event, shoe rental, pizza, and soda. For registration information, visit www.thenayp.com

Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce
www.qvcc.biz
(413) 283-2418
See the chamber’s Web site for information on upcoming events.

South Hadley/Granby Chamber of Commerce
www.shchamber.com
(413) 532-6451
n Jan. 25: President’s Dinner, cocktails at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p. m., Willitts-Hallowell Center, Mount Holyoke College. Sponsors: premier members. Special guest speakers: TBD. Annual business meeting. Cost: $37. Check must be received by Jan. 21.

Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce
www.threeriverschamber.org
413-283-6425
See the chamber’s Web site for information on upcoming events.

Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce
www.westfieldbiz.org
(413) 568-1618
See the chamber’s Web site for information on upcoming events.

Ten points about Preparing Year-end W-2s

By BusinessWest Staff December 21, 2010

10 Points Departments

You generally must include taxable fringe benefits in an employee’s gross income. Most are subject to income-tax withholding and employment taxes. Here are some of these taxable items to include:
1. Personal use of auto. The value of an employee’s personal use of a company-provided auto should be included as income. There are IRS guidelines to determine the amount of this calculation.
2. Value of life insurance if over $50,000. To the extent that the benefit of the life insurance exceeds $50,000, an amount as determined by IRS tables is a taxable fringe benefit.
3. Memberships in country club dues or other social clubs. If these payments are strictly for personal use by the employee, they are a taxable fringe.
4. Tickets to entertainment or sporting events. The value of the tickets for personal use should be included as taxable to the employee.
5. Discounts on property or services. The taxable portion is the extent to which the discount exceeds the cost of the product (or more than 20% of the price for services charged to customers.)
However, some fringe benefits are not taxable (or are minimally taxable) if certain conditions are met. Some of these items are as follows:
6. Services provided to your employees at no additional cost to you.
7. Certain minimal fringes, including an occasional cab ride if an employee must work overtime, or meals that you provide at eating places that you run for your employees if the meals are not furnished at below cost.
8. Qualified transportation fringes. These are subject to special conditions and dollar limitations, including transportation in a commuter highway vehicle.
9. Qualified moving-expense reimbursements. Reimbursed and employer-paid qualified moving expenses paid under an accountable plan are not includible in an employee’s W-2.
10. Use of on-premisis athletic facilities. If substantially all of the use is by employees, their spouses, or their dependents, this is not a taxable fringe benefit.
You should contact your tax advisor to determine the value of the taxable items to include, or to determine whether or not certain items are taxable.

Cheryl Fitzgerald

Cheryl Fitzgerald is a senior tax manager with the certified public accounting firm of Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C., in Holyoke; (413) 536-8510.

PictureThis

By BusinessWest Staff December 21, 2010

Departments Picture This

Send photos with a caption and contact information to: ‘Picture This’
c/o BusinessWest Magazine, 1441 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103
or to [email protected]

Art & Soles
Organizers of the Art & Soles project, which brought colorful, five-foot-high sneakers to downtown Springfield, staged the official gallery opening for the celebrated footwear on Dec. 13 at 1351 Main St. Many of the artists were in attendance, as well as project coordinators and friends of the arts. At left, Evan Plotkin, president of NAI Plotkin, and Maryann Lombardi, director of Creative Economy at UMass Amherst and a program organizer, admire the works of art. Below left, Nancy Urbschat, left, owner of TSM Design and a project organizer, admires some of the sneakers along with Sue Bader, a life insurance consultant with Epstein Financial. Below, artist Misha Epstein with her sneaker, a tribute to the historic homes in the McKnight section of Springfield. A resident of that area, she called her sneaker “In My Neighborhood,” and along the bottom, the word ‘home’ appears in 23 languages.

After 5
The Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield staged their annual holiday After 5 event in Tower Square on Dec. 8. The event was held outside the Festival of Trees, giving attendees a chance to see this year’s collection and enter the raffle to win one of the dozens of entries. Far left, a visitor admires one of the trees. At left, Courtney Merrill greets visitors to the booth of Robert Charles Photography, one of the event’s sponsors.

Covering the Basics

By BusinessWest Staff December 21, 2010

Sections Supplements

Do You Need Full-replacement Insurance on Your Building?

John E. Dowd Jr.

The owners of a new company found a building on the market for an affordable price, so they bought it. Built in the 1940s to manufacture aircraft for the war effort, the metal structure had a large open space. The company occupying this space was in the software-development business, and the building was much larger than it needed, but the price made it seem like a sensible move. However, the owners got a surprise from their insurance agent about property coverage.
Insurance companies base limits of insurance on the cost of replacing a building exactly as it was before the loss. The cost of reconstructing this old building was much higher than both its purchase price and that of other suitable properties. The company did not need that much insurance, and paying the higher premium for it would have been wasteful, so the owners asked the agent for alternatives. What if, they asked, we don’t rebuild our building as it was?
After a fire or some other catastrophe destroys a building, its owners may decide not to rebuild or replace with a similar structure for a number of reasons:
• As was the case with the software company, the current building’s design may be impractical. The company bought the building because of a good price, not because of its large open space. A software developer ordinarily does not need that much space; if it were to rebuild, it would almost certainly choose a smaller building with a different layout. Also, very old buildings often include materials that builders do not commonly use today, such as plaster and lathe. Reconstruction with these materials is expensive and often unnecessary for the continued operation of the business.
• The company may decide to consolidate the operations of two locations into one. The second location may have the capacity to absorb the first one’s operations, and management may feel that it will gain efficiencies by consolidating.
• Depending on the building’s age, it may not meet current building codes. The local government may require any new buildings to meet expensive new codes.
The standard business property-insurance policy states that the insurance company will pay ‘actual cash value’ — the cost of replacing the property minus an amount for depreciation. However, it offers the option of valuing a loss at replacement cost without deduction for depreciation. A business that chooses this option will need to purchase the amount of insurance equal to the cost of replacing the building “as is.”
The company will pay the difference between the actual cash value and the replacement cost only if the property owner actually rebuilds or replaces the property, and then only if he does so as soon as reasonably possible after the loss. The policy also provides a small amount of additional insurance (typically the lesser of 5% of the insurance on the building or $10,000) to cover the increased cost of construction resulting from changes in building codes.
Businesses like the software company, which do not need an exact replacement of their current buildings, should ask their agent about adding a ‘functional building valuation’ endorsement to their policies. It establishes a limit of insurance somewhere between actual cash value and full replacement cost, and allows the property owner to replace the building with one that fulfills the same function as the old one did, but at a lesser cost.
The discussion with the agent should also include increased ‘ordinance or law’ coverage to provide additional insurance for increased costs from new building codes. With the right attention to detail, a business can get the property insurance it needs without having to waste money on unnecessary coverage.

John E. Dowd Jr. is a fourth-generation principal of the Dowd Agencies, and one of three partners at the oldest insurance agency in Massachusetts with operations and management under continuous family ownership. The Dowd Agencies is a full-service agency providing commercial, personal, and employee benefits. It has four offices in Western Mass.; (413) 538-7444.

Profiles in Business

By BusinessWest Staff December 21, 2010

Features

Success in His Chosen Field Was No Accident

Rick Recor, owner, Rick’s Auto Body

Rick Recor was recalling his early days as an entrepreneur, more than 35 years ago, when he hung out his shingle in the highly competitive world of auto-body work.
When asked if that venture, like the current operation on Pasco Road, put his first name over the door, he had to pause and think.
“You know … it was so long ago, I don’t even remember,” he told BusinessWest. “It must have, because I don’t recall ever naming it anything else. But when I look back, I don’t think it even had a name; I was doing almost exclusively wholesale at the time.”
So you might say that both Recor and his operation have made names for themselves in this business — and well outside it — over the past four decades. Indeed, by most standards, Rick’s has become one of the more well-known and established brands in the region, an accomplishment made possible by everything from heavy repeat business to a highly orchestrated billboard campaign that continues today, although on a much smaller scale than 10 years ago.
And now, as then, Recor is heavily involved with even the most minute of details involving all facets of this business, something he believes casual observers of his enterprise probably don’t know or understand.
“I’m not out on some island like Tahiti, which is what some people think,” he said. “I’m out there [in the shop] on production, every day. I look at every car before it goes off for delivery, and I look at it during the repair process, as well. I’m in here six days a week, and working hard; I have to — that’s the nature of this business.”
From very humble beginnings — a business with no name and just a few customers — Recor has grown his venture into one of the largest of its kind in the region, one with 40 employees, and maybe 100 cars in the shop at any given time. Rick’s will handle more than 3,000 jobs in a typical year.
Much has changed since those early days. “When I first started, it took two people to take a bumper off a car. That’s how much one weighed, maybe 200 or 300 pounds — they were all chrome; now, you can do it with one finger because everything is so light for fuel economy,” Ricor noted, citing just one example.
But the basics haven’t changed, he continued, listing solid customer service, attention to detail, and the need to generate business volume as just some of the things in that category.
For this, the latest installment in its Profiles in Business series, BusinessWest chronicles the winding road Recor took to this point in his life and career, and in the process gets a crash course in the auto-body business.

Scratching the Surface
As he talked about the ins and outs of his chosen field, Recor made repeated reference to a red Corvette parked in the back corner of the huge garage. Much of the front end had had been stripped off, and the hood was gone, revealing the powerful engine.
“The ‘BP’ written on the windshield stands for ‘blueprint,’” said Recor, referring to the battle plan for returning the car to its pre-mishap condition and the name of the technician who will carry it out — written next to those two letters. The BP follows the disassembly, or tear down, of the damaged portions of a vehicle, a process followed by the cataloguing, ordering, and checking of replacement parts, sequential steps that are carried out methodically to avoid having to do things twice, a very high priority given the low margins shop owners work under in this state (more on that later).
Recor said he gets involved in each of these steps and others that follow, including paint-shop work and final inspection before the car goes back to its owner, a regimen he describes as “orchestrating” each and every job that comes into the shop, including the longest and most expensive project to date — repairs to a Mercedes that totaled $68,000.
“There were more than 300 parts involved with that one job, when you count every nut and clip,” he said, adding that he inspected every step in that endeavor, as he has with every job, right down to a simple fender replacement.
Aside from the six months he was being treated for and recovering from throat cancer in 2005, this is the way it’s been for Recor since he first entered the world of auto body work after dropping out of high school in the early ’70s.
He started with sanding and taping duties for Boston Road Motors in Springfield, for which his father sold used cars. Later, he went to work for Central Chevrolet in West Springfield, where he painted cars and started the progression from employee to employer.
“I mentioned to (owner) Floyd Voke that I could paint a lot more cars if I had some people helping me,” he recalled. “He said that, if I split the ticket, split the compensation, I could hire people. So I did, I hired two people. They prepped the cars and I painted them, and I worked til 10 o’clock at night.”
After painting cars for a few other area dealers, he decided, in 1974, that it was time to go into business for himself.
He set up shop in a one-car garage behind Millie’s Pierogi on Broadway Street in Chicopee, and started doing work for a few auto dealers in the area.
He steadily added customers and, with his name now on the signs and work orders, grew the business into progressively larger garages. In 1997, he moved into a 40,000-square-foot facility on Pasco Road that was formerly home to Grossman’s Lumber. There, he now manages a truly family business.
Indeed, his wife, Mari Tarpinian, a long-time travel-bureau employee who was downsized when that industry shrank, joined Rick’s several years ago. She’s responsible for marketing and human resources, and handled most all of the myriad logistics, including the rugged permitting process, involved with getting the new digital sign now outside the business up and running.
Meanwhile, Recor’s sister-in-law, Susan, is the office manager, and his father-in-law, Leo, now in his 80s, picks up and drops off customers and “chases parts,” among other duties.
Not officially family members, but certainly critical to the organization, are the 40 or so other employees, said Recor, noting that many have been with him for two decades or more.

Framework for Success
As he gave BusinessWest a tour of the many departments within the sprawling shop, Recor would occasionally stop at a car, reach in an open window, pull the work order off the dashboard, and point to the line at the bottom of the page where it lists who referred the customer in question.
In each case, and not coincidentally — remember, he knows practically everything about each car in the garage — the words ‘return customer’ were stamped onto that line.
“Repeat business is very important in this field,” he explained while reaching into another window. “We have to generate volume, and to do that, we have to give people reasons to come back, not look somewhere else the next time.”
Elaborating, Recor said that he and all other players in this sector are continually challenged by the hourly rates that insurance companies are willing to pay for work done. Those rates average perhaps $37 per hour, he continued, and with the highly skilled workers he employs and his considerable overhead, there is literally no margin for error.
“We’re working with the lowest labor rate in the country, which makes it very hard to make a profit,” he explained. “To be profitable you have to be as efficient as possible, and you need to be as thorough as possible, because there’s no time to do anything twice.”
While discussing his business and how he handles its many challenges, Recor had to clear his throat often, and took repeated hits off a bottle of water. The dryness is one of the lingering effects of his throat cancer; another was the loss of roughly half his hearing.
He described his course of treatment and recovery as the most difficult time of his career, when he was left with no choice but to relinquish his orchestration duties and let someone else supervise the shop.
“It was hard, but you seem to forget about work when your health is an issue,” he explained. “It just not that important anymore.”
These days, work is paramount again, and, as always, Recor is singularly focused on the 60 or 70 cars that are in his shop and in various stages of repair. He said he enjoys riding his motorcycle when the weather allows, and likes to get away to New York City with Mari. But his first love appears to be his orchestrating at the shop. Which is good, because he’s at it maybe 60 hours a week.
“The best part of my job is that I still love what I do, and to me, that’s everything,” he said. “I’m usually one of the first people here, and I’m the last one to leave. I like it that way.”
Now 58, Recor said that while at various points in his career he thought about possibly expanding and opening multiple locations, he is content with his one shop.
“It’s too late in the game for me now; it’s always been my dream to be where I’m at, but it just took too long to get there,” he said, adding that the logistical difficulties of major expansion, as well as the problems he would have finding enough qualified help, have stifled those ambitions.
But looking back over 35 years, he can say that he’s certainly enjoyed this ride, and there are many miles still to travel.

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

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff December 7, 2010

Departments People on the Move

Henry J. Drapalski Jr. has been named Vice President of Business Planning and Analysis at the Center for Human Development in Springfield. In his new role, Drapalski is responsible for analyzing business operations and fiscal performance and planning future growth for the nonprofit agency.
•••••
Attorney Carol Cioe Klyman of Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., of Springfield and Northampton, has been elected as a Fellow of the Board of Regents of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC). Klyman concentrates her practice in elder law, estate planning and administration, special needs trust planning, estate settlement, guardianships, and probate litigation. ACTEC, based in Washington, D.C., is a nonprofit association of lawyers whose members are elected by demonstrating the highest level of integrity, commitment to the profession, competence, and experience as trust and estate counselors.
•••••
Hatch Mott MacDonald of Holyoke announced the following:
• Holland Shaw has joined the firm as a Senior Project Manager. As a survey manager, he will be responsible for coordinating survey projects in the region. He has more than 36 years of experience in surveying as a party chief, survey manager, and project surveyor.
• Daren Gray has joined the firm as a Senior Project Manager. He is experienced in stormwater and site design, site- and wetlands-related permitting, environmental-issue mitigation, and utilities design, permitting, and coordination.
•••••
Ellen Noonan has been promoted to Associate Vice President for Educational Enterprise and Executive Director for Extended Campus Programs at American International College in Springfield.
•••••
Carla Oleska, Chief Executive Officer of the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts, participated in the first “Women Leaders Summit: Global Solidarity for Empowering Women” in October at the United Nations in New York. She was also chosen as a Vision 2020 national delegate and met with the Congress of National Delegates in Philadelphia on Oct. 21.
•••••
Rosemary J. Nevins has joined Royal & Klimczuk, LLC of Springfield and Northampton, as Senior Counsel. She has more than 25 years of experience in labor and employment law.
•••••
Rodney C. Scott has been named Vice President in Commercial Lending for TD Bank in Springfield. He is responsible for providing portfolio management, focused on retaining and growing existing and new clients throughout Western Mass.

•••••
Holly Mott has joined Bidwell ID in Florence as an Account Coordinator. She will support client services and operations.
•••••
Attorney Megan E. Kludt has joined Curran & Berger LLP of Northampton as an Associate. She has been practicing immigration law since 2006, with experience at immigration law firms in New York City, Detroit, and Boston.
•••••

Mitcheline M. Mekal

Mitcheline M. Mekal has joined the Polish National Credit Union as Senior Vice President of Risk Management.
•••••
Kevin Nestor has joined the Feeding Hills office of Park Square Realty as a Sales Associate.
•••••
Sara E. Campbell was recently presented with the Citizen Engineer of the Year Award at the 162nd annual awards dinner of the Boston Society of Civil Engineers Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers. The award is presented to a society member or registered professional engineer for outstanding public involvement in local or national legislation, education at all levels, nonprofit volunteer organizations, community activities, and similar activities improving the image of civil engineering.
•••••
S. “Thai” Thayumanavan, chemistry professor at UMass Amherst, has been chosen as the school’s first Spotlight Scholar in recognition of his research and innovation in clean-energy science. The Spotlight Scholar program recognizes scholarly achievements and contributions of faculty members. Thayumanavan, who co-directs the Mass. Center for Renewable Energy Science and Technology, was chosen in part for his discovery of a solution to one of the biggest obstacles in the development of hydrogen fuel cells. He and colleagues Ryan Hayward, in polymer science, and Mark Tuominen, in physics, discovered a new material that improves ‘charge transport,’ a key energy-generating process for efficient and affordable hydrogen fuel-cell design.
•••••
Ana Lapinski recently joined Dietz & Co. Architects in Springfield as a licensed Architect.
•••••
Michael R. Fanning, Executive Vice President of the MassMutual Financial Group, was recently among seven life-insurance executives named to LL Global, the international trade group for the life-insurance industry.

A Documented Success

By BusinessWest Staff December 7, 2010

Sections Supplements

StenTel Keeps the Information Flowing

President Ray Catuogno

Ray Catuogno didn’t graduate high school with plans to become a court reporter. But when opportunity knocked, he ran with it, and eventually founded a company that employs about 700 people nationwide, providing transcription services for the medical, legal, law-enforcement, and insurance fields. His story is a case study in how embracing new technology, and being willing to change with the times, have continually opened doors for growth.

In the front lobby of StenTel in Springfield, several shelves are lined with decades-old typewriters, adding machines, and other outmoded devices.
One is a Dictaphone that used wax cylinders to make recordings; to erase a message and start over, the wax was simply heated and melted. Against another wall sits a Graphotype, a century-old machine that punched words onto paper from metal plates. One of the typewriters dates from the 19th century.
Among these devices, which Raymond Catuogno has collected over a lifetime in the transcription industry, is the first dictation machine he used to record court proceedings some 40 years ago. He would keypunch words onto reel-to-reel tapes, which a secretary would type onto paper. “How far we’ve come,” he said.
Indeed, Catuogno — who launched Catuogno Court Reporting in 1978 and later expanded the business to medical dictation and other fields under the name StenTel — is now president of a nationwide network of transcription services that employs the Internet and state-of-the-art communication tools to provide clients with same-day or next-day turnaround.
“We’ve grown to approximately 700 people working for the firm, across the United States,” he said. “Most of them work out of their homes, using the Internet, doing transcription for us.”
It’s a classic story of a business model that rode a wave of technological advances to grow market share. In this issue, BusinessWest examines how StenTel has continually staked out new ground on the cutting edge, and why this family business is well-positioned for the next wave of changes, particularly in health care.

Courting a Career
Catuogno’s life may have been completely different had he not taken a typing course as a teenager.
“After high school, I wanted to build skyscrapers and bridges around the world. But my father said, ‘geez, Ray, I don’t have the money to send you to college; what about joining the Navy on the GI Bill?’ I said, ‘sure, Pop, no problem, I can do that,’ and I joined the Navy.”
He ended up stationed in Key West, Fla., and because he had taken that high-school typing class, he was assigned an administrative role there. Later, his boss sent him to Newport, R.I., where he went through the Naval War College, learning about military law. After that, he returned to Florida, where he served as a court reporter for Navy court martials in Key West and similar Air Force proceedings at Homestead Joint Air Reserve Base in Miami.
“Back and forth along the Florida Keys for three and a half years … that was a really good duty,” he recalled with a smile.
After his military service, Catuogno brought his skills back home to Springfield, where he took a job as a court reporter at Hampden Superior Court, and also started picking up freelance work in courts across the region. In 1978, sensing a growing opportunity, he launched Catuogno Court Reporting, and eventually grew it to five offices, in Springfield, Boston, Worcester, Chelmsford, and Providence, R.I.
But that was only the beginning.
“Over the course of time, we ended up helping a gentleman out with medical transcription, and medical transcription was becoming a national type of business, so we started doing that, too,” Catuogno said. Transcription for insurance companies and police departments soon followed.
But medical transcription was a slower process back then, and required employees who were local.
“The way it used to be done was on tapes — cassette tapes, or even reel-to-reel tapes when we first began — and it’s changed along the way,” he said. “We went from tapes to phone dictation with 800 numbers, and then, of course, to the Internet.”
Catuogno’s son George joined the company in the mid-’80s and eventually took the reins of the medical-transcription side of the business.
“When we entered into medical transcription, we were transcribing cassette tapes for the first customers we picked up,” the younger Catuogno told BusinessWest. But even after the Internet, “we saw an opportunity to further develop that part of the business and do it well. We wanted to get the technology that would allow us to pick up and support customers anywhere in the United States, and wouldn’t be limited to the local region.
“When we went down that road,” he continued, “we saw what technology was available, and we saw an opportunity to develop our own technology.”
The breakthrough was the company’s development and patent of a system of combining audio and text in the same database, allowing doctors, police officers, or other clients to dictate information into the system and print out the transcript from the same location the next day. That technology allowed Sten-Tel to grow rapidly nationwide.
StenTel has since adopted speech-recognition technology and developed a product called Natural Language Processing, that codifies items such as problems, findings, allergies, procedures, lab tests, etc. That capability will streamline the construction of electronic medical records, which will soon be required of all medical practices in the U.S.
That federal mandate, George Catuogno said, will only make cutting-edge medical-transcription services more important, as doctors, by and large, are not going to want to keypunch their own records.
“That’s just not going to happen. In smaller markets, the low-volume guys may be willing to do that, or have their staff do some of that work,” he said, but he predicts most offices will rely on transcription professionals who can create those documents with speed, completeness, and efficiency. “In the end, time is money for these guys.”

New Opportunities
StenTel has built its client roster to more than 7,000, including some of the largest hospitals in the region, including Baystate Medical Center, Mercy Medical Center, Holyoke Medical Center, Wing Memorial Hospital, and UMass Medical Center, as well as Mass General and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.
“Police, lawyers, doctors — they use handheld recording devices, and they download those through the Internet, and thousands of reports come here daily,” Ray Catuogno said. “Transcriptionists located across the country access those reports, transcribe them in their homes, and then send them back to our mainframes.”
From his start in a one-room office on State Street, Catuogno’s Springfield operation now occupies the entire sixth floor of Monarch Place downtown. And with additional space has come new avenues for business.
“Our five New England offices are set up for attorneys to use,” he said, gesturing around the large conference room where he spoke to BusinessWest. “Lawyers come in and do arbitrations or depositions here just about every day. It gives attorneys a neutral place to go, which works well for the legal profession.”
The offices are also equipped with videoconferencing equipment, so individuals, groups, or companies can connect to some 10,000 sites around the world. “We can connect to China, Russia, Japan, South America, Europe … almost anywhere in the world.”
Like the use of StenTel offices by attorneys, this was a service that grew organically, and made sense. “It’s expensive to fly, and time-consuming,” Catuogno said. “Here, talking to someone on the TV screen, within five minutes, it’s like they’re here in the room. It’s amazing how it works.”
When asked what he enjoys most about this work, Catuogno immediately cited the relationships he has built over 45 years in the profession — with attorneys and court personnel, insurance companies and medical practices, and the public, but especially with the people his growing business employs.
“One of the things I enjoy is seeing young people come into this business and start their lives — lots of them don’t even have an apartment or an automobile — and then begin to grow,” he said. “As their lives evolve, down the road, you see them get their car, get their apartment, eventually become engaged, get married, have children, and really launch their lives.
“I call them all my family, my working family,” Catuogno continued. “I feel close to all the people here, and I love to see their successes. That’s probably my favorite part of doing this work today.”
But it’s a family business in the literal sense, too, as three of Ray’s children work in the Springfield office full-time, and another daughter, a teacher, helps out during the summer.
“That’s the exciting part,” he said. “The family being here means the business will continue for years to come and, I’m sure, become a much larger and more exciting business with all the new technologies coming on line.”
Whether it’s giving credit to the people who helped grow StenTel into a major player in transcription or proudly displaying those typewriters and dictation machines from the last century or two, Catuogno hasn’t forgotten the past as he looks to what promises to be a bright future. n

Joseph Bednar can be reached
at [email protected]

Matters of Trust

By BusinessWest Staff December 7, 2010

Sections Supplements

10 Reasons Why You May Need One — and Why You May Not

Ann I. Weber, Esq.

Perhaps you have heard a neighbor or a friend comment that they have put their house in a trust or that they have a trust that avoids probate or saves taxes. These are good reasons to have a trust, but all trusts are not alike, and there are just as many reasons not to set up such an arrangement.
Trusts can be revocable or irrevocable, for the benefit of the individual who set them up or for family members, friends, or charities. Trusts are set up by one person and managed by an individual or institutional trustee for beneficiaries.
So, you may need a trust:
To avoid probate. If your assets are held in a revocable trust rather than in your name alone, your property passes to your heirs directly without going through the expense, delay, and publicity of probate. But you don’t need a revocable trust if all of your property is held jointly with a right of survivorship with another person, and your life insurance, retirement benefits, bank accounts, and investment accounts all have beneficiaries.
To minimize estate taxes. In Massachusetts, if an estate exceeds $1 million, the estate will pay taxes on the entire amount, not just the excess. If a married couple has $2 million and leaves everything to the survivor, the tax on the survivor’s estate will be in excess of $100,000. However, if the property had been left through a revocable trust to a marital trust for the survivor, there is no tax on either estate. But if you are married with assets under $1 million or single with any amount of assets, you do not need a revocable trust for estate-tax purposes. Note: the federal estate tax returns in 2011, and revocable trusts work just as well to reduce federal taxes. For larger estates, specialized trusts such as qualified personal residence trusts or grantor-retained income trusts can also help to reduce taxes.
To protect assets for children of your prior marriage. A revocable trust can pass assets to a marital trust for a current spouse, with the property remaining at the spouse’s death going to the children. But mutual wills leaving all assets to the children also work as long as your spouse does not change his or her will after your death.
To protect a family member whose medical expenses may exceed their resources. A special-needs trust (SNT) can hold assets for the beneficiary without adversely affecting eligibility for Medicaid, MassHealth, etc. But a SNT cannot be for your own or your spouse’s benefit.
To delay distribution to your beneficiaries. A revocable trust pours over into a family trust which holds property until trust beneficiaries reach specified ages or a sufficient level of maturity. But in these days of merging financial institutions, be sure the beneficiaries can remove and replace an institutional trustee.
To provide centralized management. A trust can hold and administer property for the benefit of multiple trust beneficiaries and succeeding generations. But a limited-liability company may be more appropriate for business-property management.
To provide liquidity at death to pay estate taxes. An irrevocable life insurance trust can hold life insurance proceeds outside of your taxable estate. But if your estate is not taxable, life insurance (and the creation of a trust) may not be the best investment.
To provide financial-management services while you are living. A trustee named by you in a revocable trust can do this. But you could individually hire a trustee to do the same thing.
To make gifts to charity. A charitable-remainder trust allows you to receive annual payments from trust property, often well in excess of customary investment returns. The charity receives what is left at your death, and you receive a charitable deduction against income. But charitable gift annuities frequently work better for smaller gifts and are much less expensive to create.
To preserve some of your assets for your heirs in the event of a long-term illness. An income-only trust can own your home, and you can continue to live there or in a replacement home purchased by the trust. But do not use such a trust if you anticipate the need for nursing-home care for you or your spouse in the next five years, because the transfer disqualifies you (and your spouse, if applicable) for MassHealth nursing home benefits for five years.
So, a trust is a great tool, but only if you need it!

Ann I. Weber is a partner with the Springfield-based law firm Shatz, Schwartz & Fentin. She specializes in estate planning, elder law, and probate; (413) 737-1131.

Insurance Agencies

By BusinessWest Staff November 23, 2010

Sections Supplements

Chart of area Insurance Agencies
Ranked by Number of Agents

InsuranceAgencies BW11.10b

Incorporations

By BusinessWest Staff November 9, 2010

Departments Incorporations

The following business incorporations were recorded in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties and are the latest available. They are listed by community.

AGAWAM

DW Holdings Inc., 835 Suffield St., Agawam, MA 01001.Wladimyr Duarte, 3 Hale Road, Enfield, CT 06082. Restaurant ownership and operation.

Family Ford of Northampton Inc., 245 Springfield St., Agawam, MA 01001. John Sarat Jr., 3 Pineridge Road, Westfield, MA 01085. Auto dealership

AMHERST

Foundation for Holocaust, Genocide and Memory Studies Inc., 758 Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01002. Joseph Bohan, 123 Blackberry Lane, Amherst, MA 01002. Charitable corporation, organized to aid, support and raise funds.

CHICOPEE

Chicopee Electronics Company, 277 Grattan St., Chicopee, MA 01020. Sandy Averill, same. Sales and installation of electrical equipment.

FDAS Corp., 536 East St., Chicopee, MA 01020. Anthony Scibelli, same. Automotive transportation and used car sales.

EASTHAMPTON

J. Newsome and Sons Construction Inc., 12 Ballard St., Easthampton, MA 01027. Jeffrey Newsome, same. General Contractor

FEEDING HILLS

Anderson Family Enterprise Inc., 154 Cambridge Street, Feeding Hills, MA 01030. Edwin Anderson, Jr. same. Convenience and liquor store.

HAMPDEN

It’s All About Me Inc., 2 Somers Road, Hampden, MA 01036. Diane Merrick, 2 Somers Road, Hampden, MA 01036. Retail sales.

HOLYOKE

G & J Management Inc., 5 Whittier Circle, Holyoke, MA 01040. Ronald Munroe, same. Mail, package, and parcel delivery.

Kennedy Foods Inc., 333 High St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Yasser Hussian, same. Fast-food restaurant.

LUDLOW

K Benefit Group Inc., 60 Clearwater Circle, Ludlow, MA 01056. Jeannie Kwatowski, same. Insurance broker.

MONSON

EMC Trucking Inc., 7 Woodridge Road, Monson, MA 01057. Edward Bernat, same. Trucking and package delivery services.

Kelley Building Group Inc., 129 Palmer Road, Monson, MA 01057. Kimberly Kelley, same. Construction.

PALMER

Clyvanor Corp., 16 2nd St., Palmer, MA 01069. Stephane Blanchette, 2125 951EME Rue St., Georges QC, FF G5Y8J1. Manufacturer of roof and floor trusses.

Easrshot Technologies Inc., 493 Newton St., South Hadley, MA 01075. Edward Wall, 80 Searle Road, South Hadley, MA 01075.

SPRINGFIELD

AutoService Inc., 867 Boston Road, Springfield, MA 01119. Moshe Ronen, 24 Churchill Dr., Longmeadow, MA 01106. Auto repair.

Business Solutions Inc., 32 Dickinson St., 1L, Springfield, MA, 01108. Darnel Ali, same. Voice-over-Internet protocol and connectivity.

Capital One Building Services Inc., 47 Grand St., Springfield, MA 01108. Gideon Innis, same.

Care for our Troops Inc., 733 Memorial Ave., Springfield, MA 01089. Michele Cabral, 314 Edgewood Road, West Springfield, MA 01089. To raise funds and advocate for United State service members. Non-profit organization designed to raise funds and advocate for United States service members.

Community & Employee Benefits Group Inc., One Monarch Place, Suite 2510, Springfield, MA 01144. Lance Letourneau, same.

Entrepreneurship Institute Inc., 1500 Main St., Springfield, MA 01115. Scott Foster, 1587 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow, MA 01106. Organization designed to work cooperatively and collaboratively with UMass Amherst to develop and implement a cutting-edge academic based experience.

Global Partners PC Inc., 125 Frank B. Murray St., Springfield, MA 01103. Ronald Eckman, 4 Squire Dr., Wilbraham, MA 01095.

Hampden County Employable Garments Inc., 41 Pomona St., Springfield, MA 01108. Gymmetta Brantley, 154 Orange St., Springfield, MA 01108. Charitable organization.

Jay’s Communications Inc., 56 West Alvord St., Springfield, MA 01108. Educate consumers and business on computer design and wireless technologies on how to save money and promote growth in the Commonwealth.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Beech Hill Construction Inc., 88 Cedar Woods Glen, West Springfield, MA 01089. Construction services.

Common Ground Holding Inc., 25 Park Ave., West Springfield, MA 01089. Michael Sullivan, 174 Edgewater Road, Agawam, MA 01001. Real estate holdings.

Fuel First Elm Op Inc., 592 Birnie Ave., West Springfield, MA 01089. Ami Patel, same. Gasoline service station and convenience store.

KD Orthodontics, P.C., 232 Park St., West Springfield, MA 01089. Robert Matthews, 35 Bolles Road, Wilbraham, MA 01095. Orthodontic dentistry.

WESTFIELD

Jai Ganesh Corporation, 49 Sabrinabrook Lane, Westfield, MA 01085. Umangkumar Patel, same. Retail liquor store.

WILBRAHAM

Access to Angels Inc., 27 Brookmont Dr., Wilbraham, MA 01095. Carol Hunt, same. Consulting and communications services.

FloDesign Sonics Inc., 380 Main St., Wilbraham, MA 01095. Arthur Martin, same. Design and manufacture services and equipment sales for water purification.

WORTHINGTON

Cash is King Inc., 129 Old North Road, Worthington, MA 01098. Peter Ricci, same. Entertainment management.

Breaking Down the Numbers

By BusinessWest Staff November 9, 2010

Sections Supplements

New Tax Provisions Could Benefit Small-business Owners

Nicholas LaPier, CPA

As tax practitioners, we are often asked by our clients during tax time to help them lessen their overall tax burden. So we employ various tax strategies that apply to them and calculate their taxes. We remind our clients that we should talk often during the year so that we can better assist them with their needs.
Our job is to keep up with the ever-changing tax laws, and we can do better tax planning during the year, not after. Almost comically, I tell my clients to “contact your legislator.” Call, write, e-mail, text, blog, Facebook, or Twitter them. Our elected officials are always working on tax legislation at some point during the year, and their votes will have a direct impact on what you pay for taxes.
Both of these recommendations are important, and here is why. As for contacting your legislator, to quote John F. Kennedy, “my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can you do for your country.”
How does this apply to an article on taxation? The answer is simple: service via involvement. In the speech from which the above quote originates, he was encouraging all citizens of our country to become involved.
The economy of our country relies on the success of small business. The Small Business Administration (SBA), in its 2009 report to the president states that “half of all Americans that work in the private sector are employed in a small firm.” There are millions of small firms in America. By getting and staying involved, small businesses can and will have an impact on how they are taxed. When the small business can reduce both its own taxes and its owner’s taxes, it theoretically would have more resources available to grow the business and, ultimately, enhance the overall economy.
In 2010, there were various lobbying efforts led by businesses and business associations (or their lobbying groups). Because of this, many new tax laws were passed this year to help businesses.
However, there is a lot more tax relief needed for individuals. For example, there’s the alternative minimum tax (AMT), which, according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, could affect approximately 28 million taxpayers in 2010 unless Congress acts before the end of the year. The AMT is a second tax calculation that impacts higher-income taxpayers who itemize their deductions on Schedule A.
And let’s not forget about the Bush tax cuts from 2001 that will expire on Dec. 31, 2010, which will affect every business and individual. The 10% personal income tax bracket will go away, the marriage penalty will come back, and capital gains tax rates will increase. Congress, by not acting on this, will raise everyone’s taxes on Jan. 1, 2011. Ouch.

Recently Enacted Tax Changes
The remainder of this article focuses on the recent Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, which was signed into law by President Obama on Sept. 27. These are the highlights of this legislation:
• SBA loan limit increase. It’s no secret that, during a recession, credit for businesses is hard to obtain, if not impossible. With revenues down, many small businesses are becoming undercapitalized, and may also have a lot of cash tied up in receivables or inventories. An option available for credit has always been by way of a Small Business Administration loan, or SBA loan for short, obtainable through most banking institutions.
These loans have federal government backing that makes a favorable credit decision by your bank a lot easier to obtain. In this new legislation, the maximum lending limit for SBA loans was permanently increased to $5 million for two of its largest loan programs, the 504 and 7(a) loan. A manufacturer could qualify for up to $5.5 million in the 504 program. It also temporarily increases the more popular SBA express loans from a maximum of $350,000 to $1 million. Smaller businesses often utilize these fast-track loans with fast approval and lower fees.
• Increase in Section 179 capital acquisitions. This provision gives a company the option to expense up to $500,000 of eligible new capital equipment and furnishings purchased, if the total capital outlays are less than $2 million. This section of the federal tax code, more commonly referred to as the Section 179 deduction, was set to return to a maximum of $25,000 to write off in 2011. Congress, in expanding the total capital purchases limit to $2 million, significantly expands this favorable tax deduction to up to $4.5 million for individuals and businesses to get this benefit, according to the president’s press release on Sept. 27, when he signed this legislation into law.
• New $30 billion lending fund. This new fund was established to provide smaller banks with much-needed capital and incentives to then lend out to small businesses. According to the legislation, eligible institutions “must provide to the government a small-business-lending plan describing how the institution’s business strategy and operating goals will allow it to address the needs of small businesses in the areas it serves, as well as a plan to provide linguistically and culturally appropriate outreach, where appropriate.”
• Health-insurance deduction for the self-employed. This provision now allows a self- employed business owner to deduct the cost of their own health insurance premiums on their Schedule C profit or loss from business. These business owners were previously allowed to take this as a deduction from their adjusted gross income and reduce their taxable income only. The new provision allows for the health-insurance deduction against the self-employment tax, which could amount to a 14.13% tax savings on the premiums paid.
• $10,000 deduction for start-up costs. This provision allows for a new company to expense its startup costs of up to $10,000, if no more than $60,000 is spent. Startup costs, which typically include initial fees for attorneys, consultants, state filing fees, and other one-time setup costs, are normally capitalized and amortized over a number of years. A new company may elect to opt out of the expensing option, especially if it already has a loss for the first year.

Meet with Your Outside Accountant
Chances are you have one. If you don’t, consider getting one. The reason you’re in business is because you have a niche and do it well enough to have your own business. The reason you need an outside accountant is because they too have a niche and do it well enough to help you and your business. In other words, do what you do on a daily basis because it is what put you where you are in the first place, and use the expertise of an independent accountant or CPA to advise you on tax strategies.
Your CPA should be acutely aware of your business and keep you abreast of any new or changing tax initiatives that apply to you and your business. Your CPA should also know your banker and be able to work directly with you and them in designing lending programs that fit. Remain in contact with your CPA frequently during the year, even if it’s a quick phone call or e-mail. Even more importantly, schedule a review of your year-to-date financials well before Dec. 31 so that you will have ample time to implement their suggestions into your own personal scenarios.

Conclusion
One key to success for you and your business is to stay in contact with your accountant. He or she can be an important and reliable asset to you and your business, whether it’s by helping you with financing, business advice, or tax planning. And stay on those legislators; they may even help you with tax relief if enough businesses and individuals get involved.

Nicholas LaPier, CPA, is the principal at Nicholas LaPier CPA, P.C., located in West Springfield; (413) 732-0200; www.lapiercpa.com

The Doctor Is Not In

By BusinessWest Staff November 9, 2010

Features Sections Supplements

Medical Society Study Shows Continued Primary Care Shortages

The Mass. Medical Society recently released its annual Physician Workforce Study, showing a fifth consecutive year of shortages of primary care physicians, half of primary care practices closed to new patients, shortages in 10 of 18 physician specialties across the state, and community hospitals continuing to be the most affected by persistent physician shortages.
The 2010 study is the society’s ninth annual look at multiple aspects of the physician workforce, and builds on the previous eight years of data. The study surveys teaching hospitals, community hospitals, practicing physicians, medical directors of medical groups, and resident and fellow programs throughout the state. It is the most comprehensive examination of the physician workforce in the state done on an annual basis.
The report’s key findings include:
• The primary care specialties of family medicine and internal medicine are in critically short supply, the fifth consecutive year of shortages for these specialties;
• Ten of 18 specialties studied have been found in short supply, three more than last year;
• High percentages of primary care practices are closed to new patients: 54% of family medicine physicians and 49% of internal medicine physicians are not accepting new patients;
• Wait times for new patients for primary care continue to be long, with an average wait time of 29 days for family physicians and 53 days for internists;
• With the exception of Boston, physician shortages exist in all regional labor markets across the state;
• Community hospitals continue to be the most seriously affected by the physician shortages, with difficulty filling vacancies and retaining physicians, resulting in the need to alter services and change staffing patterns; and
• The fear of being sued remains a substantial negative influence on the practice of medicine, affecting access to and availability of physician services.
“The findings from this latest analysis,” said Dr. Alice Coombs, president of the Mass. Medical Society, “clearly show how fragile access to care for patients is across the entire Commonwealth.
“The state’s universal health care plan has improved access to care,” she continued, “but universal coverage and access can only be sustained with a strong physician workforce. As we continue to look at reforming the health care system, we must do so carefully and deliberately in all aspects, and that includes the next steps for cost control, particularly with respect to establishing a fair system of payment reform.
“A strong physician workforce is critical to delivering top-quality and cost-effective care,” Coombs went on. “If physicians think that the viability of their practices is threatened or unsustainable under a new payment system, Massachusetts may encounter further problems with recruitment and retention. And that, certainly, will affect patient care.”
Coombs said the physician workforce in Massachusetts continues to be affected by a lingering poor practice environment in the state. The Society’s Physician Practice Environment Index, a statistical indicator of nine factors that shape the environment in which physicians provide patient care, dropped 0.8% in 2009, and has fallen in 16 of the past 18 years. Since 1992, the Massachusetts Index has declined by 26.4%, significantly more than the 21.3% decline in the comparable national index. The index takes into account such factors as the cost of maintaining a practice, median physician income, liability insurance rates, and hours spent on patient care.
Here are some details on the report’s key findings:

Specialties Classified in Short Supply
The medical society’s 2010 analysis found 10 of 18 specialties studied in short supply: dermatology, emergency medicine, family medicine, general surgery, internal medicine, neurology, orthopedics, psychiatry, urology, and vascular surgery.
Over the last three years (2008-10), six specialties have been operating within tight labor market conditions in each of those years: family medicine, internal medicine, vascular surgery, urology, dermatology, and neurology.
A trend analysis over a five-year period (2006-10) shows that 11 specialties have been in short supply in at least three of those five years: family medicine, internal medicine, vascular surgery, urology, dermatology, neurology, psychiatry, general surgery, orthopedics, emergency medicine, and neurosurgery.

Primary Care Practices Closed to New Patients; Long Waits
The primary care specialties of internal medicine and family medicine continue to be under intense pressure following the establishment in 2006 of the state’s health care reform law, which resulted in some 440,000 residents being added to the insurance rolls.
A survey of physician practices showed that approximately half of primary care physicians are not accepting new patients. The percentage of family medicine physicians who are not accepting new patients has increased from 30% in 2007 to 54% in 2010 — the highest it has been in four years. The percentage of internal medicine physicians no longer accepting new patients decreased slightly from the previous year to 49% in 2010 — the same level it was in 2007.
Meanwhile, long wait times for appointments for new patients continue. For internal medicine, the average wait time increased to 53 days, nine days longer than last year’s figure of 44 days and the highest it has been in six years. For family medicine, the average wait time is 29 days, 15 days shorter than last year’s figure of 44 days.

Shortages Across the State
A regional analysis of the 18 specialties for the five metropolitan statistical areas in the state (Boston, Worcester, Springfield, New Bedford/Barnstable, and Pittsfield/Western Mass.) found that, with the exception of Boston, all regional labor markets were experiencing shortages of physicians. Critical shortages exist in Pittsfield/Western Mass. and Worcester.
In an analysis of the 18 specialties examined by the study, the percentage of practicing physicians in the four labor markets of New Bedford/Barnstable, Pittsfield/Western Mass., Springfield, and Worcester who responded that they were dealing with an inadequate pool of physicians, had difficulty in filling vacancies, needed to alter services, and needed to adjust staffing exceeded the percentage of physicians in the Boston market by at least nine percentage points.
In the four labor markets outside of Boston, more than two-thirds of the practicing physicians said there was an inadequate pool of physicians for recruiting. This characteristic was especially acute in New Bedford/Barnstable and Pittsfield/ Western Mass., where more than eight out of 10 said the pool was inadequate.

Community Hospitals Are Most Affected By Shortages
Community hospitals continue to be the most affected by the consequences of physician shortages. All (100%) of the medical-staff presidents of community hospitals reported they are experiencing difficulty filling vacancies, and 82% reported that the amount of time to recruit a physician has risen, an increase of 5% over the average of the previous eight years of the studies.
Community hospitals are also reporting the most difficulty with retaining physicians, with 64% saying retention has become harder over the past three years. However, this is an improvement from the average of the previous seven-year period, when 79% reported difficulty in retaining physicians.
Additionally, 64% of community hospitals reported that physician shortages required them to alter the services they provide, a substantial increase from 43% in last year’s study. Meanwhile, 82% of medical-staff presidents responded that physician-supply problems required adjustments in their staffing patterns, a large increase from 64% last year and the average ratio of 56% for the years 2003-09.

Professional Liability Hinders Practice of Medicine
The 2010 study once again found that medical malpractice concerns and the fear of being sued continue to have a substantial negative influence on physicians and the practice of medicine. This finding is consistent with the society’s previous workforce studies and its first-of-a-kind Investigation of Defensive Medicine in Massachusetts, released in November 2008, which showed that the fear of being sued is a serious burden on health care. Findings from the 2010 Workforce Study:
• A full 46% of practicing physicians surveyed said their practice has been altered or limited because of the fear of being sued, the same percentage as last year; and
• More than half of physicians in five specialties said they have altered or limited their practice because of the fear of being sued: neurosurgery (82%); urology (74%); emergency medicine (70%); orthopedics (70%); and obstetrics/gynecology (60%). Also, 40% or more of physicians in nine other specialties have changed their practice for the same reason: cardiology, neurology, gastroenterology, general surgery, dermatology, psychiatry, radiology, internal medicine, and family medicine.

Additional Findings
For the first time, more physicians (43%) expressed satisfaction with the practice environment than not (41%).
However, more physicians expressed displeasure with the tradeoff between patient care and administrative tasks. More than half (51%, up from 44% last year) of all practicing physicians regardless of specialty expressed displeasure with the abundance of administrative measures. Among primary care physicians, 59% expressed displeasure.

Opinion

By BusinessWest Staff November 9, 2010

Opinion

Path to Recovery Poses Many Challenges

Incumbent Gov. Deval Patrick defied the national Republican tidal wave to win a second term at the helm of a commonwealth still seeking a post-recession economic identity. Massachusetts voters also retained overwhelming Democratic majorities in both House and Senate on Beacon Hill, sent a blue delegation to a newly red Congress, and defeated a proposal to reduce the state sales tax by more than half.
The Massachusetts that Gov. Patrick surveys as he savors his accomplishment is a paradox — stronger economically and with many more growth assets than other states, yet fragile in its ability to deliver on the promise of opportunity to all citizens of the Commonwealth.
The Bay State enjoys a lower unemployment rate at 8.4% than the nation as a whole, and the $2.5 billion state budget deficit pales in comparison with the fiscal disaster in California. But the 292,300 jobless people in Massachusetts and thousands of employers struggling to hold onto their businesses are anything but sanguine about what the future holds.
The challenges facing the governor and other policymakers seeking to promote economic growth are sobering — soaring health-insurance premiums, a looming 40% increase in average unemployment insurance rates, tight commercial credit markets, consumer uncertainty, and a state regulatory system that discourages innovation while creating little public benefit. Underlying many of these challenges is a pervasive sense among employers — many of whom expressed the opinion at the Associated Industries of Massachusetts’ recent regional policy briefings — that neither policymakers nor the general public really appreciate the complexity and risk of running a business in Massachusetts.
Bay State employers have solutions to offer and look forward to participating in the debate on the future of the Massachusetts economy. AIM represents thousands of employers who stand for jobs, economic opportunity, fiscal responsibility, business formation, and a government that acknowledges that the private sector has the unique ability and responsibility to create the common wealth for the people of Massachusetts.
We look forward to working with the governor, the Legislature, and the Congressional delegation to build support for several key principles of economic recovery:
• A uniformly favorable environment for business development across all industries and all regions of the Commonwealth;
• Economic policy that balances key public investments with a competitive cost structure that keeps jobs in Massachusetts;
• Predictable, responsible, and long-term state fiscal policy;
• Well-conceived and collaborative regulation that creates measurable benefits;
• A nimble, world-class education system that provides opportunity for all Massachusetts citizens and the knowledge base for economic growth; and
• Collaboration be-tween business and government to ensure mutual success.
These principles will provide the foundation for a sustainable recovery that touches every sector of the diverse Massachusetts economy, from manufacturing to high technology to retail and hospitality.
Successful economic policy creates uniform benefit throughout the marketplace, balancing the need to invest in the future without simultaneously harming the industries of the present that employ the vast majority of Massachusetts residents.
We look forward to the challenge.

Rick Lord is president of the Associated Industries of Massachusetts.

The ‘Partnership Business’

By BusinessWest Staff October 25, 2010

Sections Supplements

NTS Takes Its Problem-solving Approach into the Greater Springfield Market

New Technology Systems (NTS), the East Hartford-based technology-solutions company, has always had a portion of the Western Mass. market, but never really a strong presence. Things are changing, with the opening of a new office in Monarch Place and an aggressive effort to grow market share by being visible and selling the company’s partnership-focused approach to doing business.

Barry Kelly says he had a simple, three-word set of instructions for Stan Bates as he was joining East Hartford-based New Technology Systems (NTS).
“I told him to go conquer Springfield,” said Kelly, who founded the technology-solutions company with his brother in 1981 and, until very recently, focused the vast majority of his time and energy on the Greater Hartford area. Over the years, he picked up several clients on this side of the border, but he never really made Western Mass. a strong priority.
Until now.
Or, to be more precise, until Bates took on the role of business development manager for NTS and started talking up Western Mass. as a potential growth area.
“He was and is very bullish on Springfield,” said Kelly, adding that he’s giving Bates the room (a new office on the second floor of Monarch Place) and the resources to be aggressive in Greater Springfield and grow market share here.
And as he sets out to conquer Springfield, he says he’s selling the company’s full roster of products and services — hardware, software, and consulting — but what he’s actually offering to potential clients is partnerships. That’s the word he chose to describe how NTS goes about its work — with all customers, but especially the SMB (small to medium-sized business) clients, or those who don’t have an IT manager, let alone an IT department.
Describing his approach with clients and potential clients, Bates says he spends time and energy getting to understand someone’s business, and, from an IT perspective, identify their “pain points,” and reduce or eliminate them.
“I really try to think outside the box with technology and find ways to help people use technology more effectively, while also keeping their costs under control,” he explained. “We had one client who had a whole bunch of laptops that he couldn’t afford to upgrade with the recession — but he needed to do something. With the latest technology in hard drives, we were able to significantly increase the performance of his laptops, but at a fraction of the cost of upgrades. That’s what we mean by working in partnership with the client.”
Kelly and Bates say these partnerships are made stronger by the relationships NTS has forged with manufacturers, vendors, and service providers, including Microsoft, HP, IBM, Dell, Intel, Cisco Systems, and many others. Products handled include everything from copiers and printers to computer networks.
Over the past few months, NTS has hosted a number of events featuring some of these manufacturers and their latest products, and more will be scheduled. They’ve been successful, said Bates, because busy business owners often need an education in the latest products that can help them do what they do better and faster than before. What’s more, after pushing most major investments, including those in IT, to the back burner during the economic downturn, many business owners and managers are ready to spend again, or soon will be ready.
“We’re seeing things picking up somewhat … people seem to have more confidence in the economy now,” said Bates, adding that there is a lot of new technology for business owners to consider as they look at their needs and their budgets and try to determine what to do next. “Besides the new operating systems and new equipment that’s much faster and better, there’s new technology that we have to educate our clients on.”
For this issue and its focus on the technology sector, BusinessWest takes an in-depth look at NTS, and why Kelly and Bates believe the timing is right for its expansion into the Springfield market.

Technically Speaking
Tracing the history of NTS, Kelly said the company got its start in the Hartford area and, like most technology-solutions companies 30 years ago, had to work hard to establish itself and grow its client list.
The venture grew largely on the strength of handling all-sized accounts, but especially the large insurance companies that give that city its identity, or ‘enterprise businesses,’ as Kelly called them. NTS still has many in its portfolio, but its bread and butter has always been small to medium-sized businesses with 100 or fewer employees.
And it is this market that Bates has essentially been hired to penetrate in the Greater Springfield area, where NTS has always had a presence — it has handled work for several enterprise businesses over the years — but not a large share of the market.
Since arriving late last year, Bates, working closely with Kelly, has expended considerable time and energy making introductions to business owners and IT managers in Western Mass., and keeping NTS visible.
For example, he secured a major role for NTS in something called the MassISS, or Massachusetts Information Security Summit, a comprehensive program outlining the state’s new information-security regulations, staged on Jan. 27.
“We brought a lot to the table for that event, and it was a major success for us,” said Bates, noting that the company was able to not only introduce itself to the business managers and IT professionals who dominated the audience, but also gain some business, on both the new security law and other matters.
The company also staged an elaborate open house in early May to mark the opening of downtown Springfield office, as well as other events to put the NTS name out and educate its target audience about what’s new in technology. However, most all of the portfolio-building work is done the old-fashioned way, said Bates, through pavement-pounding and earning the kinds of word-of-mouth referrals that bring new business to the door.
From the beginning, the company has worked with that ‘partnership’ mentality, said Kelly, as he talked about how NTS works with clients find ways to get the most out of advancing technology to work better and smarter.
And most companies need a partner to handle those assignments properly, said Kelly, noting that most very small companies don’t have a designated IT person, and even in larger businesses, IT staffs are thin, to say the least.
“You’ll have some companies with 300 employees, and they’ll have one person in IT who’s not even full-time,” he explained. “It’s pretty hard to stay on top of technology under those circumstances.”
Bates agreed, noting that companies in that category, and there are many of them, need assistance with everything from coordinating break-fix work to determining when, how, and with what to upgrade technology.
“You go in looking for the pain, saying, ‘how can I help this customer?’” he said. “Then you work the problem and essentially try to make that pain go away.”
Elaborating, Bates and Kelly said company representatives work with a company’s managers and IT directors to first identify and quantify problems, and then generate solutions. The key to successful outcomes, they said, is asking the right questions, listening carefully to the answers, and creating solutions that serve the client, not the company selling products.
“We try to get the C-level, where we can help those managers lower the cost of technology, or to the IT directors themselves, who might need a little bit of a helping hand getting their network to the next level,” said Bates. “And we approach things with the mindset of forging a long-term relationship.”
Kelly concurred, and said that a client’s representatives will have one eye on managing and reducing costs, and the other on efficiency and optimizing the technology that’s on the market. NTS works on both sides of the equation.
“IT people are all about performance, while the C-level folks are focused on dollars and cents — if it’s going to save them money, on power or cooling, for example, they’re all about that,” said Kelly. “As for the IT people, if you’re solving problems that are keeping them up at night, that’s huge.”
While helping the tech people sleep better, NTS is focused on educating clients and prospective clients about new technology, how it works, and how it can help companies with everything from sales to marketing.
“Things like digital signage,” said Bates, referring to the LCD, LED, plasma displays, or projected images that are becoming more commonplace. “People are aware of the technology, but many don’t know how they can take advantage of it. I have five or six potential clients coming in to meet with us and some professionals on that subject who will be teaching them the pros and cons of digital signage.”
The company also staged informational events like one on May 13 at the Sheraton in Springfield, where attendees were briefed on Windows 7 and learned about HP business-notebook innovations and HP client virtualization, and it has more planned, said Bates, adding that these are true win-win-win scenarios. Clients and potential clients benefit from the education they’re receiving in new technology, while NTS and the manufacturers involved gain exposure and business.

Keys to Success
Time will tell how Bates fares with his assignment to “go conquer Springfield.” For now, both he and Kelly are confident that NTS has the products, services, track record, and excellent timing needed to accomplish that mission.
And as it goes about that work, the company will take the same approach that it does with clients and that process of eliminating pain: in short, NTS is in this for the long haul.

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

Mine Your Business

By BusinessWest Staff October 24, 2010

Sections Supplements

This Unique Event Will Put Businesses in Front of Decision Makers

Mine Your Business

In 2008, the Greater Holyoke and Chicopee Chambers of Commerce commenced a search for an event that would be an alternative to the traditional trade show and typical networking event. What has emerged for 2010, and Nov. 4, to be more specific, is Mine Your Business, or what is being described as a networking and sales- building opportunity for companies across the region. Presented by BusinessWest, this unique event will give participants a chance to tell their stories in front of actual decision makers. Here’s a look at how Mine Your Business will unfold, and who will be taking part..

Peter Rosskothen says he gets some of his business at the Log Cabin-Delaney House from referrals, and still more from essentially showing people what he can do — putting on an event that prompts people to think of his venues when it’s their turn to stage a get-together.
But Rosskothen, co-owner of those Holyoke institutions, says that networking remains a big part of efforts to fill the calendars at both locations, and that’s why he does a lot of it. “It’s important to get in front of people, remind them you’re there, start new relationships, and strengthen existing ones,” he told BusinessWest.
For all these reasons, Rosskothen is a participant and strong supporter of Mine Your Business, what is being described as a networking and sales-building event slated for Nov. 4 at the Kittredge Center at Holyoke Community College. He said the gathering, presented by BusinessWest and sponsored by several area companies, including the Log Cabin-Delaney House, will give those involved a chance to not only tell their stories, but tell them to an audience of decision makers.
“And this is the audience you want to be reaching,” he said. “And that’s what makes this event different. At a trade show or a typical networking event, you get some exposure and you meet quite a few people, but you don’t generally get to see the decision makers, the people you need to be seeing.”
Here’s how it works: participating companies will send two representatives to the event — a decision maker and a top sales executive. This team will then meet a series of other teams for eight-minute discussions, or encounters, during which introductions can be made, information can be shared, relationships can be initiated or taken to a higher level, and, down the road, sales can be made.
With this sequence of events in mind, Kate Campiti, associate publisher and advertising director at BusinessWest, said that event organizers have incorporated the slogan ‘it’s where the conversation starts’ into Mine Your Business promotional efforts.
“People tend to do business with people they know and trust, people they have a relationship with,” she explained. “Relationships start when people get to know each other and come to understand their respective businesses can help one another.”
At press time, nearly two dozen companies, representing several business sectors, had signed on to take part in Mine Your Business. The list includes financial-services providers, printing companies, office-supply companies, a Ford dealer, and much more. Profiles of participating companies begin on page 21.
There is still plenty of time for companies to reserve space, however.
In addition to the Greater Holyoke and Chicopee Chambers of Commerce, Mine Your Business is being sponsored by First American Insurance, Holyoke Community College, Marcotte Ford, and Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C.
For more information or to reserve space, call the Greater Holyoke Chamber at (413) 534-3376, the Chicopee Chamber at (413) 594-2101, or BusinessWest at (413) 781-8600.

A to Z Moving & Storage Inc.
380 Union St., Suite One, West Springfield, MA 01089
(413) 736-4440
www.a-zmovers.net
A to Z can move individuals and businesses, and no job is too small or too large. A to Z can also store excess files — and a customer’s active ones — as well as providing delivery and pickup when needed them. All customers are treated with courtesy and professionalism.

ABC 40 and Fox 6 WGGB-TV
1300 Liberty St., Springfield, MA 01104
(413) 733-4040
www.wggb.com
As Springfield’s only locally owned TV stations, a commitment and access to local communities, support of viewers, and strength of programming combine to make WGGB-TV ABC 40 and Fox 6 a valuable partner to create visibility and awareness for local businesses.

BusinessWest
1441 Main St., Springfield, MA 01103
(413) 781-8600
www.businesswest.com
Founded in 1984, BusinessWest is the region’s premier business publication bringing local business news, trends, and information to nearly 30,000 readers. Published bi-weekly, BusinessWest is read by business owners, presidents, CEOs, senior managers, and professionals throughout Western Mass., and it is committed to the region’s economic health, vitality, and future.

Comcast Business Class
222 New Park Dr., Berlin, CT 06037
(413) 730-4579
www.business.comcast.com
Comcast Business Services offers Western Mass. businesses a one-stop solution for all of their communication needs. With business-class Internet, voice, and TV, companies can leverage the power of Comcast’s fiber-optic network while enjoying the convenience of one provider for all three services and 24/7 customer support.

Deliso Financial and Insurance Services
540 Meadow St., Suite 108, Agawam, MA 01001
(413) 785-1100
www.delisofinancialservices.com
After 20 years in the financial-services industry, Jean Deliso’s passion for finance and strategic planning led to the creation of Deliso Financial and Insurance Services in 2000. Deliso Financial and Insurance Services is a comprehensive financial-management agency.

First American Insurance Agency Inc.
510 Front St., Chicopee, MA 01021
(413) 592-8118
www.faiagency.com
This family-owned insurance agency is proud of its local heritage and committed to its strong principles of personal service. Founded in 1986 by President Ed Murphy, First American Insurance Agency is a proud example of the region’s powerful entrepreneurial spirit, growing to become a leading insurance agency specializing in both personal and commercial lines of coverage.

Hadley Printing
58 Canal St., Holyoke, MA 01040
(413) 536-8517
www.hadleyprinting.com
For more than 100 years, Hadley Printing has provided high-quality printing to a wide range of clients throughout the Northeast. Hadley Printing’s excellent reputation is a result of company values reflecting honesty, integrity, and a strong work ethic. Customers trust and respect Hadley Printing for high-quality work and exceptional service.

Holyoke Community College
303 Homestead Ave., Holyoke, MA 01040
(413) 552-2500
www.hcc.edu
Since 1946, Holyoke Community College has been a gateway to quality education and career advancement. Seeking to realize their dreams and aspirations, more than 100,000 students have come through the doors of the college. Today, HCC serves more than 9,000 students annually in more than 100 associate degree and certificate options, and more than 5,500 in non-credit and workforce-development courses.

Holyoke Gas & Electric/HGE.net
9 Suffolk St., Holyoke, MA 01040
(413) 536-9300
www.hged.com
Formed in 1902, HG&E is a municipally owned utility that provides electricity, natural gas, and fiber-optic Internet services to more than 18,000 customers. Its mission to customers is to provide competitive energy rates, reliable service, and excellent customer service.

INK Products
25 Grove St., Chicopee, MA 01020
(413) 594-7533
www.inkprod.com
INK Products was established in 1996 with the intent to bring businesses competitive prices on a wide variety of printing and office supplies, and to provide businesses with a source of answers to any questions regarding their supply needs. Service like this is not available at superstores or mail-order companies.

The Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House
500 Easthampton Road, Holyoke, MA 01040
(413) 535-5077
The Delaney House
1 Country Club Road, Holyoke, MA 01040
(413) 532-1800
www.logcabin-delaney.com
Beautiful settings and Old World charm have given the Log Cabin and the Delaney House a reputation as premier banquet facilities and restaurants in the Valley. Attention to detail, exclusive service, and unrivaled menus distinguish the quality options offered to customers.
Marcotte Ford
1025 Main St., Holyoke, MA 01040
(800) 842-0699
www.marcotteford.com
Marcotte Ford is a premier new Ford and used car dealer. With a friendly and helpful sales staff, highly skilled mechanics, and multiple automotive certifications, Marcotte’s mission is to make every customer a customer for life by consistently offering superb customer care, competitive prices, and a knowledgeable staff.

Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C.
330 Whitney Ave., Suite 800, Holyoke, Massachusetts 01040
(413) 536-8510
www.meyerskalicka.com
Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. is the largest independently owned and operated CPA firm based in Western Mass. Its mission is to provide professional services of superior quality and value to enable clients to achieve their goals. Every MBK client, from individual proprietorships to multi-million-dollar international organizations, receives the personal attention of one of the partners.

Moriarty & Primack
One Monarch Place, Suite 1300, Springfield, MA 01144
(413) 739-1800
www.mass-cpa.com
Moriarty & Primack, P.C. was founded in 1993 by the late Richard Moriarty and Jay Primack. At that time, each had 18 years of diversified public-accounting experience with Big Four firms. Today, many individuals on the staff have a large-accounting-firm background. The firm and its affiliates have a total professional staff of 28, of whom 17 are certified public accountants.

Northeast Security Partners
33 Sylvan St., West Springfield, MA 01089
(413) 733-7306
www.northeastsecuritysolutions.com
Northeast Security Solutions is a company driven by the goal of achieving total customer satisfaction in everything it does. It’s the only one-stop security company in the area offering mechanical and electronic security integration, saving customers time, money, and ‘buck-passing’ between suppliers.

Ondrick Natural Earth
729 Fuller Road, Chicopee, MA 01020
(413) 594-8803
www.ondricknaturalearth.com
Ondrick Natural Earth is the Greater Springfield’s most comprehensive supplier of landscaping and building stone. With an impressive inventory, a knowledgeable sales staff, and a homeowner-friendly store, Ondrick meets landscape, architectural, and building-stone needs, from wall and patio stone to natural thin stone veneers.

Peter Pan Bus Lines
P.O. Box 1776 , Springfield, MA 01102
(800) 343-9999
www.peterpanbus.com
Peter Pan is one of the largest privately owned intercity bus companies in the industry, with the most modern fleet on the road. Its new, state-of-the-art motorcoaches have changed bus travel, offering passengers amenities such as wi-fi, electrical outlets for laptops and cell phone chargers, tray tables, extra legroom, safety restraints, and more.

Telemundo
866 Maple Ave., Hartford, CT 06114
(860) 956-1303
www.zgsgroup.com
This Spanish-language, American television network is operated by ZGS Communication, a Hispanic-owned company with a profound commitment to serving the local communities where it conducts business.

Valley Engraved Gifts & Awards
120 Whiting Farms Road, Holyoke, MA 01040
(888) 226-5252
www.signature-engravers.com
Valley Engraved Gifts & Awards, a division of Signature Engraving Systems, is a privately held corporation and an offshoot of United Innovations Inc., an engineering design firm. Now the benchmark for computerized engravers, Signature has evolved to not only develop better tools and systems, but also educate the industry about personalization so they can benefit from increased margins and experience the pleasure of making their customers happy.

United Bank
95 Elm St., West Springfield, MA 01089
(866) 959-2265
www.bankatunited.com
United Bank is a federally chartered stock bank headquartered in West Springfield. The bank has been doing business in the Pioneer Valley since 1882. Today, it has more than $1.5 billion in assets and offices throughout the Greater Springfield area.

Valley Computer Works
84 Russell St., Hadley, MA 01035
(413) 587-2666
www.valleycomputerworks.com
Valley Computer Works has been selling and servicing computers in the Pioneer Valley since 1999. It offers a wide array of services for residential and commercial clients. Fueled by a growing client base and the constant expansion of its staff and facilities, Valley Computer Works has established itself as a premier computer consulting, sales, and service business.

Opinion

By BusinessWest Staff October 24, 2010

Opinion

Getting the Nation on Track for Jobs

This appears to be a good season for investment in transportation. In September, President Obama proposed to invest $50 billion in the nation’s transportation infrastructure. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has already committed $776 million to bring buses and bus facilities into a state of good repair. Combined with the $8 billion investment in high-speed rail that was part of the February 2009 stimulus package, it seems that the nation is finally putting a down payment on a 21st-century transit system.
But these sums are a pittance compared with the need. The U.S. has yet to commit the money needed to create a world-class rail system, or to stimulate a transit-vehicle manufacturing industry that today depends mostly on imports. In reports we released this week in cooperation with the Apollo Alliance and Worldwatch Institute, we estimate that a serious investment in public transit could stimulate thousands of sorely needed manufacturing jobs. To appreciate how far we are falling short, consider the example of China.
China recognizes the economic links between developing rail lines and promoting manufacturing. In 2001, it began a $132 billion rail-construction project, which is scheduled for completion in 2012. During roughly the same period, the U.S. appropriated just $19 billion for rail construction, or about one-seventh China’s level.
As part of its recession-recovery package, China committed $88 billion in 2009 to railway infrastructure, doubling its 2008 investment. The goal: to create much-needed transportation links, to generate demand for 20 million tons of domestic steel, and to create 6 million new jobs overall.
To reach the government’s goal of 1.1 million kilometers (about 450,000 miles) of railroad by 2012, China will spend a total of $292.5 billion. Of this, 13,000 kilometers will be for high-speed rail. A key benefit: China’s two leading locomotive and rail-car manufacturers will employ more than 212,000 people combined to meet domestic goals. If transportation policy is to create domestic manufacturers and permanent manufacturing jobs, a steady and predictable level of investment is needed. The U.S. lost its domestic passenger rail-car industry by the late 1980s not because of high labor costs, but because of erratic demand. Most of the countries that dominate the industry today, such as Germany and France, have wages comparable to the U.S., but they have a comprehensive strategy that allows producers to anticipate stable demand for their products.
Annual domestic demand for production of rail cars in the U.S. bounced between a low of 268 units to a high of 1,067 units during the 1970s, according to Thomas Boucher of Rutgers University. And as demand for transit vehicles waned, U.S. companies couldn’t come up with investment dollars to keep up with state-of-the-art technology.
We analyzed the job-creation potential of investment in rail infrastructure and estimate that the U.S. could gain 79,000 jobs in rail and bus manufacturing and related industries under an investment scenario sufficient to double transit ridership in 20 years. An investment at levels similar to China — $24.4 billion per year over six years — would yield 252,213 jobs, including many well-paid blue-collar jobs of the kind that have been devastated over the past decade.
Reclaiming a domestic rail industry is part of a broader need to revive competitive manufacturing. Even in its weakened state, manufacturing accounted for $1.6 trillion (12%) of U.S. GDP in 2008 — more than real estate, finance, and insurance.
Manufacturing accounts for 60% of U.S. exports and 70% of private-sector research and development funding. Yet the U.S. goods deficit with the rest of the world in 2008 exceeded $836 billion. The annual trade deficit with China alone was $266 billion in 2008, with 75% due to the manufactured-goods deficit.
A high-quality passenger-rail system is a trifecta. It would attract more riders and cut dependence on private cars — in turn reducing the carbon emissions that cause global warming. More than that, a commitment to mass transit could promote the resurgence of a major manufacturing sector that we’ve lost, reducing our trade deficit and increasing domestic jobs.

Joan Fitzgerald is professor and director of the graduate program in Law, Policy and Society at Northeastern University. Joseph McLaughlin is a senior research associate at the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern.

Doing Business as Certificates

By BusinessWest Staff October 24, 2010

DBA Certificates Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of October 2010.

AGAWAM

Dream Catchers Café
360 North Westfield St.
Kristin Wampler

Jondani
61 Oak Hill Ave.
Michael Murray

Lunatek LLC
34 Henry St.
Peter Nunnallee

Malone’s Farm & Garden Center
338 Silver St.
Ernest Malone

AMHERST

Clearwater Seafood & Grille
178 North Pleasant St.
Jason Brown

D.P. Dough
96 North Pleasant St.
William T. Rock

The Option Bookstore
Garman Dormitory
John W. Whitney

CHICOPEE

Mutt Cuts
63 1/2 Main St.
Lori Jerusik

The Living Wood
63 Woodbridge Road
Samantha Lavine

Walk-in-Technology
620 Grattan St.
John W. Cote

EASTHAMPTON

Fran’s Fine Editing
6 Cedarwood Ave.
Frances Fahey

Hair It Is
94 Union St.
Jeannie Thibodeau

Integrity Care Association Agency
2 Holyoke St.
Charles Ackerfi

Lynne’s Hair @ Salon O
163 Northampton St.
Lynn M. Dunn

Pepin Farm
491 East St.
Kenneth Pepin

Pierre J. Bechumeur Energy Consulting
11 Holyoke St.
Pierre J. Bechumeur

EAST LONGMEADOW

Alpha Waves DJ’s
84 Oak Brook Dr.
Dan Chrisis

Architecture Environment Life Inc.
264 North Main St.
Kevin Rothschild-Shea

Douglas White Electrical Services
245 Shaker Road
Mario Cardinal

Gebo’s Glass Creations
23 Hazelhurst Ave.
Brian Gebo

Happy Acres Farm
43 South Bend Lane
Ronald I Goldelein

Sleep Management Solutions, LLC
382 North Main St.
Thomas P. Gaffney Jr.

Splash Belle’s Creations
165 Mountainview Road
Mary Kossick

What’s Cooking, Kids?
41 Maple St.
Dorothy Fleishman

GREENFIELD

Celtic Heels
267 Main St.
Cara Leach

HADLEY

Hadley Dry Cleaners
206 Russell St.
Hyeryong Whang

River Valley Dental
63 East St.
Babak Gojgini

HOLYOKE

Ameerah
50 Holyoke St.
Tarek Farousi

Glamour
119 High St.
Efrain Martinez

Icky Sticky Goo Grueser Enterprises
50 Holyoke St.
William Grueser

International Laser Systems
362 Race St.
Edward Sordillo

Reyes Auto Sales
100 Main St.
Oscar Reyes

LONGMEADOW

Change in Action Inc.
PO Box 60222
Susan Choquette

Interior Inspirations
43 Benedict Terrace
Susan Green

Lisa’s Cottage Cleaning
84 Riverview Ave.
Lissa Stone

Longmeadow Stone & Restoration
115 Dover Road
James Nurse

Maid Tough Cleaning Services
1 Henry Road
Kalee Plasse

Technical-Support-for-Senior-Citizens.com
83 Hopkins Place
Thomas Johnson

NORTHAMPTON

Coffee & Heady
23 Hooker Ave.
Donald P. Coffee

The Green Cab Company
1 Roundhouse Plaza
Peter Pan Bus Lines, Inc.

PALMER

Alladin’s Services
9 Charles St.
Raymond Brodeur

C&C Services
8 Crest St.
Marie Skorupski

Maxim Archery
17 Salem St.
Shawn Doran

Voight Energy Saving Technologies LLC
365 River St.
John D. Voight

SOUTHWICK

Cupcake Consignments
272 South Longyard Road
Jodi Nylund

Moments in Time
43 Berkshire Road
Christine Caruso

SPRINGFIELD

Gus Coelho Auto Repair
390 Main St.
Augusto Coelho Jr.

Heavenly Grooming
1648 Carew St.
Norberto Crespo

Howell’s Reupholstering
75 Mulberry St.
Richard Anthony

ICC Inc.
313 1/2 Eastern Ave.
Daniel Tulloch

J Automotive
149 Rocus St.
Timothy A. Cooper

K.A.M. Technology
203 Ellsworth Ave.
Keith A. Millet

Larochelle Construction
79 Lancashire Road
Danny S. Larochelle

Lennox National Account
90 Carando Dr.
Joseph J. Gennari

Mason Square Insurance Co.
886 State St.
Chester-Chester Inc.

Max’s Catering
1000 West Columbus Ave.
Max’s Catering, LLC

Mindscape Technologies
63 California Ave.
Scott A. Dudas

NJ’s Commercial Appliance
1655 Main St.
Jose G. Barbosa

Page Convenience
500 Page Blvd.
Zahdor U. Haq

Pioneer Valley Legal Association
34 Sumner Ave.
Karen J. Murphy

Ruth Family Day Care
44 Lester St.
Ruthnie Alce

Seven Heaven Pest Control
64 Champlain St.
Wilfredo Gonzalez

T-Mobile
774 Boston Road
T-Mobile Northeast

Tax X-Press
921 Worthington St.
Jamal R. Pressley

The Tessier Law Firm
78 Maple St.
Denise R. Tessier

Tom James of Springfield
191 Chestnut St.
Walter Salyer

World Wide Communication
522 Main St.
Othoniel Rosario

WESTFIELD

Got Junk
51 Washington St.
Mark Gilmore

Mundale Farm
1714 Granville Road
William S. Florek

Paul Jandaczek
549 Russell Road
Paul Jandaczek

Pet Rescueville.com
22 Oakcrest Dr.
Barbara Lynch

Pignatare Farms
380 East Mountain Road
Maria J. Pignatare

Preferred Wood Flooring
15 Cranston St.
Chris J. Roit

Tangles
43 Union St.
Cinda Parnagian

The Grape Crusher
20 School St.
Rosanne Bonavita

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Beauty Gate Salon and Spa
1646 Riverdale St.
Konrad Chmiel

Caring Solutions LLC
680 Westfield St.
Patricia L. Baskin

Carter’s
935 Riverdale St.
Carter’s Retail Inc.

Cleanslate Centers LLC
82 Main St.
Total Wellness Centers LLC

Cutting Edge Pro Consulting
42 Chester St.
Stephen M. Sjostrom

D Berry Services
118 Pease Ave.
Donald Berry

Geraldine’s Lounge
1501 Elm St.
Ares Inc.

Jimmy Larochelle’s Finish Carpentry
164 Lower Beverly Hill
Jimmy Larochelle

Just Blaze Barber Shop
409 Main St.
Jose A. Gonzalez

Physician Care West
274 Westfield St.
Reda Ishak

Tatyana’s Hair Salon
1098 Memorial Ave.
Tatyana Yermakov

Company Notebook

By BusinessWest Staff October 24, 2010

Company Notebook Departments

Springfield College President Announces Retirement
SPRINGFIELD — Richard B. Flynn, Springfield College’s 12th president, recently announced plans to retire on Aug. 31, 2011. Flynn has served as president since March 1999. He is credited with developing and implementing a strategic plan for the college which led to transforming the campus through new construction and renovations, increasing enrollment, ensuring financial stability, enhancing academic programming, revitalizing the college’s longstanding partnership with the YMCA, expanding recreational programming, strengthening community and international relationships, and leading the most successful fund-raising campaign in the college’s 125-year history. Flynn called his decision to retire “one of the toughest decisions of my professional life.” He added that he is “deeply grateful” to the students, faculty, staff, members of the leadership team, alumni, trustees, and others who have shared their support, commitment, and dedication to the college over the years. A search firm will be selected soon to replace Flynn, and a presidential search committee will be formed, including representation from the board of trustees, faculty, staff, alumni, and student body. A new president is expected to be identified in the spring of 2011 and to take office at the opening of the 2011 fall semester, according to Sally Griggs, chair of the college’s board of trustees.

Westfield State Expansion Plans Revealed
WESTFIELD — As part of Westfield State University’s 2010 Homecoming Weekend Oktoberfest activities, the dedication of its newest academic space, the Banacos Academic Center, was staged on Oct. 23. The center honors the memory of Westfield State alum Jimmy Banacos, who was an education major and a well-liked, athletically involved student who suffered an injury on the lacrosse field that left him paralyzed from the neck down in 1970. He continued to be active in the college community after his accident and is known for his efforts connecting alumni to the university. In 1982, Banacos was awarded the college’s first honorary bachelor of arts degree. He passed away in 2005. Banacos’ family members and friends are expected to be in attendance for the dedication. The event is open to the community, as are all related Homecoming activities. The center is the home to three academic resource programs, including Westfield State’s Tutoring Center, Disability Services, and the Learning Disabilities Program. In addition to the center opening, college officials also recently announced plans to invest close to $100 million in growth to facilities and services on campus. Growth areas targeted include additional parking, an addition to the dining hall, a new residence hall, and a new classroom building. Trustees will meet in December to discuss the project in more depth. College officials will also present the recommended expansion plans to the Greater Westfield community at a neighborhood meeting as well as with the City Council in the coming weeks.

Firm Establishes Scholarship Fund
SPRINGFIELD — The law firm of Robinson Donovan, P.C. recently made a leadership gift to Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education Inc. (MCLE) in memory of a friend, former partner, and colleague, according to Jeffrey L. McCormick, managing partner of Robinson Donovan. MCLE has established the John C. Sikorski Scholarship Fund in memory of John C. Sikorski, who served Robinson Donovan for 25 years. Sikorski was a senior partner who specialized in labor and employment law. Scholarships from this fund will benefit legal services staff attorneys, private practitioners who accept pro bono cases, and other lawyers who, without financial assistance, would not be able to attend MCLE programs, including those in the areas of labor and employment law and trial advocacy. For more information about MCLE’s scholarships, visit www.mcle.org.

STCC Opens Center
for Veterans and
Service Members
SPRINGFIELD — A new lounge area was recently dedicated at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) for the approximately 250 students who are veterans or service members. The center is furnished with computers and comfortable furniture for studying or relaxing. The furnishings were donated by area businesses, particularly Balise Motor Sales, Hampden Bank, and NewAlliance Bank, as well as faculty and staff. Also available for veterans’ use is an administrative office with additional computers and adaptive technology for use by the visually impaired or hearing-impaired. A counselor is also available to talk with veterans.

Firm Sells Portion of
Wealth-management Arm
FARMINGTON, CT — Kostin, Ruffkess and Co., LLC recently announced the sale of a portion of its wealth-management business to a group of former employees of KR Wealth Management, LLC. KR Wealth Management, LLC is wholly owned by the partners of Kostin, Ruffkess and Co., LLC. Kostin, Ruffkess continues to operate KR Wealth Management, serving high-net-worth individuals, families, and businesses. KR Wealth Management clients will continue to receive the personal attention they are accustomed to and benefit from the CPA-financial advisor team relationship, which is unique to the marketplace, according to Richard Kretz, managing partner of Kostin, Ruffkess & Co.

MassMutual to Be
Honored by BBA
SPRINGFIELD — Highlighting its ongoing commitment to a diverse and inclusive legal profession, the Boston Bar Assoc. (BBA) will honor the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. (MassMutual) with the BBA’s first Beacon Award on Nov. 9 in Boston. The Beacon Award was established to recognize organizations or individuals who have had an exceptional impact in advancing diversity and inclusion in one or more of these areas: legal scholarship, recruitment and retention practices, pro bono representation, community service, legal advocacy, and legislative advocacy. The award recipient must either be located in Massachusetts or have had a significant impact in Massachusetts and/or the Greater Boston community. When the award was established several months ago, an overriding goal was to identify models of excellence to inspire continued innovative programs and initiatives. The award reception is free to members of the legal community.

Berkshire Hills Plans Acquisition
PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Hills Bancorp. Inc. recently announced plans to acquire Rome Bancorp Inc. for approximately $74 million in cash and stock. Rome has five branches and, as of June 30, about $330 million in assets. Berkshire has 46 locations in Massachusetts, Vermont, and New York, and continues to grow its business in the Utica and Syracuse markets, which have a combined population of about 1 million. Acquisition terms include 70% of the stock to be exchanged for Berkshire shares at a rate of 0.5658 share for each Rome share. The other 30% will be bought for $11.25 each.

Normandeau Communications
Moves to New Location
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Normandeau Communications, a telecommunications-solutions provider, has relocated from Florence to larger quarters at 2097 Riverdale St. in West Springfield. Principals Brett Normandeau and Kim Durand said the move was made to give the company needed room to grow and to enable it to better serve customers across Western Mass. and Northern Conn. The company also announced that it will be adding a Technology Training & Demonstration Center to provide informative seminars on ever-evolving telecommunications technology and how to apply it to help businesses operate more efficiently. The company’s phone number, (413) 584-3131, remains the same.

Court Dockets

By BusinessWest Staff October 24, 2010

Court Dockets Departments

The following is a compilation of recent lawsuits involving area businesses and organizations. These are strictly allegations that have yet to be proven in a court of law. Readers are advised to contact the parties listed, or the court, for more information concerning the individual claims.

FRANKLIN
SUPERIOR COURT
Joan Barry v. Franklin County Home Care Corp., Ari Fleet, Cambridge Integrated Services Group Inc., and American Home Insurance
Allegation: Negligence in the operation of a motor vehicle: $5,660,009.55
Filed: 8/24/10

HAMPDEN
SUPERIOR COURT
Barbara Mackenzie-Rodgers and Robert Rodgers v. Pioneer Spine & Sports Physicians and Michael J. Woods, D.O.
Allegation: Six-year delay in treatment of severe hip fracture leading to permanent disability: $115,508.24
Filed: 8/5/10

Dayna Scott v. Commerce Insurance Co.
Allegation: Breach of contract: $107,500
Filed: 8/20/10

Jeffrey Bradley v. The Golf Group Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of wages and overtime pay: $95,000
Filed: 8/20/10

Liam & Kate Reynolds, as administrators of the estate of Liam Reynolds v. Blue Fusion Bar & Grille, Tony M. Miller, Edward Taylor Newton III, and April B. Griffin
Allegation: Incident occurred inside the Blue Fusion in which Conor W. Reynolds, a 17-year-old male, was stabbed and died as a result of his injuries: $5 million
Filed: 8/11/10

Maria G. Luis v. The Seajay Group, LLC
Allegation: Cost of cleanup for previous oil contamination in home: $100,000
Filed: 8/18/10

People’s United Bank v. La Cucina de Pinocchio Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment on promissory notes: $673,140.77
Filed: 8/11/10

Phoenix Development Inc. v. Mass. Property Insurance Underwriting Associates
Allegation: Breach of insurance contract: $96,552.41
Filed: 8/11/10

T.D. Bank N.A. v. Neivar Enterprises, Thomas D. Lesperance, and Carol Balakier
Allegation: Non-payment of promissory note: $491,255.97
Filed: 8/17/10

Wall Construction Co. v. City of Chicopee and Chicopee Housing Authority
Allegation: Breach of construction contract: $10,944.09
Filed: 8/23/10

NORTHAMPTON
DISTRICT COURT
Leo Laporte Jr. v. Mill Valley Golf Links
Allegation: Injuries sustained by plaintiff after losing control of a Segway provided by plaintiff: $336,713.97
Filed: 8/19/10

PALMER
DISTRICT COURT
The Bell/Simons Company v. Al’s Heating & Cooling Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $7,791.87
Filed: 9/6/10

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Bank of Boston, N.A. v. A&T Construction Inc. and John C. Auger
Allegation: Non-payment on a small-business term loan and a line of credit: $72,277.61
Filed: 8/11/10

The McGraw-Hill Companies, LLC v. Leadership Prep Academy for Young Men Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $5,885.77
Filed: 8/11/10

Western Mass. Electric v. Canta Napoli Pizzeria Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of utility services: $5,832.99
Filed: 8/9/10

O.K. Bakery Supply Co. Inc. v. Abrantes Bakery & Pastry Shop
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $7,428.53

O.K. Bakery Supply Co. Inc. v. Elm Farm Bakery
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $7,316.27
Filed: 8/17/10

O.K. Bakery Supply Co. Inc. v. Gourmet Donuts II
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $6,210
Filed: 8/17/10

O.K. Bakery Supply Co. Inc. v. Royal Bakery
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $2,242.65
Filed: 8/17/10

Chamber corners: Upcoming Events

By BusinessWest Staff October 24, 2010

Chamber Corners Departments

ACCGS
www.myonlinechamber.com
(413) 787-1555

n Nov. 2: Springfield Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Meeting, 12 noon to 1 p.m., TD Bank Conference Center, Springfield.
n Nov. 3: ACCGS Business@Breakfast, Making Chamber Connections, 7:15 to 9 a.m., Chez Josef, Agawam. Cost: members $20, non-members $30.
n Nov. 4: WRC Food Fest West, 5 to 7:30 p.m., Crestview County Club, Agawam. Featuring 12 local restaurants, beer tasting, wine tasting, and cooking demonstrations. Cost: $25.
n Nov. 11-20: Italy Trip.
Nov. 12: ACCGS Legislative Steering Committee, 8-9 a.m., TD Bank Conference Center, Springfield.
n Nov. 17: ERC Board of Directors Meeting, 8-9 a.m., the Gardens of Wilbraham, Community Room, Wilbraham.
n Nov. 17: Women’s Partnership Meeting, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Max’s Tavern, Springfield. Cost: members $25, non-members $35.
n Nov. 17: ACCGS Ambassadors’ Meeting, 4-5 p.m., EDC Conference Room, Springfield.
n Nov. 17: Government Reception, 5 to 7:30 p.m., Storrowton Tavern, West Springfield. Cost: members $50, non-members $60.
n Nov. 18: ACCGS Board of Directors Meeting, 8-9 a.m., TD Bank Conference Center, Springfield.
n Nov. 23: WRC Board of Directors Meeting, 8-9 a.m., Captain Leonard House, Agawam.

Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield
www.springfieldyps.com

n Nov. 18: November’s Third Thursday, 5-8 p.m., Pasquale’s Ristorante, East Longmeadow. Cost: free for members, non-members $10. Includes food and cash bar.

Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce
www.amherstarea.com

n Nov. 17: Amherst Area Chamber After 5, 5-7 p.m., Cowls Building Supply, Amherst. Cost: members 5, non-members $10.

Chicopee Chamber of Commerce
www.chicopeechamber.org
(413) 594-2101

n Nov. 4: Mine Your Business, 4-7 p.m., Kittredge Center, PeoplesBank Room 303. Two-on-two meetings: your decision maker and your top salesperson meet with another local decision maker and his or her top salesperson. Sponsored by BusinessWest, Chicopee Chamber of Commerce, First American Insurance, Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, Holyoke Community College, the Log Cabin/Delaney House, Marcotte Ford, and Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. To participate, contact Gail Sherman at (413) 594-2101 or [email protected]
n Nov. 17: Salute Breakfast, 7:15 to 9 a.m., Delaney House, Holyoke. Cost: members $18, non-members $25. Sign up online at www.chicopeechamber.org

Franklin County Chamber of Commerce
www.franklincc.org
(413) 773-5463

n Nov. 6 and 7: CiderDays, Sweet and Hard, Shelburne Falls, Colrain, New Salem, and Deerfield. Cidermaking workshops, marketplace, cider salon, tastings, orchard tours, and harvest supper. Some events require tickets; others are free. See www.ciderday.org for more information.
n Nov. 19: FCCC Breakfast Series: “Greenfield Renaissance,” 7:30 to 9 a.m., Greenfield Grille, Greenfield. Moderator: Ted Carmen, Concord Square Planning & Development. Panelists: Jordi Herold, Bank Row buildings; Ed Wierzbowski, Pushkin and Arts Block; and Mark Zaccheo, 30 Olive St. Sponsors: Harmon Personnel Service and Hampton Inn & Suites. Cost: members $12, non-members $15. The public is invited.

Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce
www.easthamptonchamber.org
(413) 527-9414

n Nov. 6: 10th Annual Bowl-a-Thon, 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., Canal Bowling Lanes, Southampton. Sponsored by the Greater Easthampton Chamber Holiday Spirit Committee. Pizza, raffles, and free pizza for bowlers. Cost: $100 per five-member team. For more information or to enter, call the chamber at (413) 527-9414.
n Nov. 8: Holiday Lights Cocktail Party, 5 to 8 p.m., Venus and the Cellar Bar, Easthampton. Second annual get-together. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and cash bar. Donations accepted toward Chamber of Commerce downtown holiday lights fund.
n Nov. 10: Networking by Night-Business Card Exchange, 5-7 p.m. Hosted & sponsored by Northeast Center for Youth & Families, 203 East St., Easthampton. Door prizes, hors d’oeuvres, and host beer and wine. Cost: members $5, non-members $15.

Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce
www.holycham.com
(413) 534-3376

n Nov. 3: Valley Job Fair, 2-5 p.m., Borders/Pottery Barn entrance at the Holyoke Mall. Presented by the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce and CareerPoint. Sponsored by the Holyoke Mall at Ingleside. Cost: $200 for employers, free to all job seekers. WTCC-FM 90.7 will be broadcasting live.
n Nov. 4: Mine Your Business, 4-7 p.m., Kittredge Center, PeoplesBank Room 303. Two-on-two meetings: your decision maker and your top salesperson meet with another local decision maker and his or her top salesperson. Sponsored by BusinessWest, Chicopee Chamber of Commerce, First American Insurance, Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, Holyoke Community College, the Log Cabin/Delaney House, Marcotte Ford, and Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. To participate, contact Doris Ransford at (413) 534-3376 or [email protected]
n Nov. 18: Chamber After Hours, 5-7 p.m. Hosted and sponsored by Eighty Jarvis Restaurant, Holyoke. Cost: members $5, non-members $10 cash.
n Nov. 19: Annual Greater Holyoke Economic Development Breakfast, 7:30 a.m., Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House. Featured speaker: Jack Wilson, president of UMass and chairman of the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center. Cost: $25. Call the chamber at (413) 534-3376 for tickets, or reserve online at holycham.com

Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce
www.explorenorthampton.com
(413) 584-1900

n Nov. 3: November Arrive @5, 5-7 p.m., Smith College Art Museum, Northampton. A casual mix-and-mingle with colleagues and friends. Cost: $10 for members.
n Nov. 16: New Member Lunch, 12 noon to 1 p.m., Northampton Chamber of Commerce, Northampton. This is our chance to sit down with you and learn more about your business
and how the chamber can best serve you; to introduce you to people who are active in the chamber; and to tell you about the programs and benefits your membership helps support. A light lunch will be served. The event is free.

Northampton Area Young Professional Society
www.thenayp.com
(413) 584-1900

n Nov. 10: NAYP Dinner with a Purpose, Venus and Cellar Bar, Easthampton.
Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce
www.qvcc.biz
(413) 283-2418
See chamber’s Web site for information about upcoming events.

South Hadley/Granby Chamber of Commerce
www.shchamber.com
(413) 532-6451

n Nov. 9: Third Annual Economic Summit, 8 to 9:30 a.m., Willits-Hallowell Center, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley. Speaker: James Hartley, professor of Economics, Mount Holyoke College. Cost: $15 at the door, including full breakfast. RSVP by Nov. 5.
n Nov. 17: After 5, 5-7 p.m., Cowls Building Supply, Amherst.

Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce
www.threeriverschamber.org
(413) 283-6425

n Nov. 28: Christmas on the Common, 5 p.m., Three Rivers Gazebo. Santa arrives at 6 p.m. Sponsored by Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce. Special guests: Palmer High School Chorus and Santa Claus. Cost: Free for all kids and their families.

Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce
www.westfieldbiz.org
(413) 568-1618
See chamber’s Web site for information about upcoming events.

Company to Watch: Michael’s Party Rentals

By BusinessWest Staff October 24, 2010

Features

This Entrepreneur Certainly Has Things Covered

Michael Linton says entrepreneurship is in his blood, and he’s successfully carrying on his family’s legacy of business ownership.

It wasn’t really a question of if Michael Linton would start his own business, but when. Let’s just say it’s in his blood.
“My father has owned a business since before I was born,” the 28-year-old owner of Michael’s Party Rentals (MPR) told BusinessWest. “His father owned a separate business, and his mother owned a different business from that. And my mother’s father owned a business.”
When he and his younger brother, Ryan, started the company called Party Tent Rental in 2000, they figured it would be a good seasonal and part-time job while going to college. For the sons of entrepreneurs, the idea for the business came with their sharp attention to detail: A neighbor rented what he thought would be a tent for his daughter’s backyard high-school graduation party. What showed up was a portable carport.
“We knew of other companies offering a tent of like size for similar rates,” Michael said. “So we took a photo of one of those tents, called up the manufacturer, and ordered one. We now had a legitimate tent instead of a carport. And that’s how it started. We used our father’s pickup truck, our parents’ garage, and we did it all ourselves; we never envisioned it becoming a full-fledged business.”
But just a few years later, Michael said that he came to the realization of how much the enterprise appealed to him.
“There was always something new,” he explained, “and it was different. When I started getting into renting the tables and chairs, the calls started coming in, and there was real growth. I knew it could be a long-term business.”
So in 2003, he bought out his brother, renamed the business, and hasn’t looked back since — because there hasn’t been any time for that.
From that one tent, MPR now has more than 60 in stock, along with the necessary tables and chairs, lights, dance floors … everything one needs to get the party started.
“We’re a one-stop shop for your events,” Linton said, “from backyard gatherings to weddings to commercial affairs.”
And while the term ‘no job is too big or small’ might be tossed around by others, Linton means it, and said that his experience has put that adage to the test. Smaller, one-man businesses out there are tough competition for his operation, he said, comparing them to his humble origins.
“When I started,” he said, “I had no overhead, and I was definitely the cheapest option around. But as I grew, I realized the importance of keeping a good crew, who needed health insurance, and who needed to make a living. I had to increase my rates.”
He proudly mentions his staff whenever talking about his business, and he gives them a great deal of credit for the company’s success. They work upwards of 80 hours a week during the peak season, and Linton said that they are there to help him with those ever-changing challenges to keep things interesting.
There was the time they had to set up in the Mullins Center in Amherst at 2 a.m. for the Glen Miller Orchestra, “because that was our timeline,” he said. And for a wedding of 450 at a soccer dome in Connecticut, he said there was a unique complication.
“When we got there with three box trucks filled with equipment,” he remembered, “we realized that everything had to be brought in through a 10-by-15- foot room, with either entryway door having to be closed, otherwise the dome would deflate.”
“It took much longer than we anticipated,” he admitted, “but it’s those challenges that make me enjoy coming to work every day.”
And they’re the reason for people to rely on him to make sure everything goes according to plan. Linton said that in an industry with so much competition for the bottom line, his experience and customer service set him apart.
“A lot of places don’t deliver seven days a week,” he said, “and we don’t charge extra for Sundays. For us, it’s a regular workday. Every prospective client has access to my cell-phone number, and when they call me, I answer. Even on a Saturday night, I’ll run out there and fix something if I have to.”
Linton said he feels very fortunate to be where he is today.
When making the first steps to take over from his brother, he said, “it was difficult at 20 to approach a commercial loan officer, having no credit and no experience. But I did get lucky. At a convention I met an investor who believed in me, and he loaned me the money to get started. My parents were also very helpful in lending me financial support, as they own the building I’m in. They paid my brother’s college education, and I got free rent for a year.
“When I first started, they helped out with more than just the checkbook,” he added. “My mother went out and helped me break down tents when I didn’t have anyone else.”
While the party-rental industry is inherently seasonal, ever-entrepreneurial Linton offered his means to address that challenge. It helps that wedding plans are made during the winter months, so deposits can be taken for the following season.
But he envisions branching out into linens, china, and what he called pipe and drape — for expos and convention set-ups, all to keep his crew employed through the year. “That crosses pretty closely to what we’re good at,” he said.
Ultimately, he never forgets the people who help keep him going forward, and he knows that his success isn’t just a party of one.

— Dan Chase

Demystifying Death

By BusinessWest Staff October 11, 2010

Sections Supplements

Steps to Take from the Funeral Home Right Through to Probate

ToddRattner

Coping with the death of a loved one is difficult. Since family members and friends will be experiencing a time of emotional strain, it is important for those involved with the funeral arrangements and estate settlement to have the fundamental information necessary to perform their respective tasks.
This article will demystify the important action steps needed to ensure a smooth process of administrating and settling a loved one’s estate.

Actions Immediately upon Death
Upon the death of a loved one, there are certain actions that should take place immediately. A funeral director should be notified, and an appointment should be made to discuss funeral arrangements. These may include transfer of your loved one to another location and the decision whether to pursue burial or cremation, which has become increasingly popular.
At that time, you should request certified death certificates from the funeral director, and in the event that you require additional ones, they may be obtained through the municipality or town where the death occurred. Notification of your loved one’s death should be made to the post office, especially if the decedent lived alone; the Social Security administration; a retirement plan custodian, if any; investment professionals; an accountant or tax-return preparer; and the attorney for your loved one’s estate, among others.

Duty to Deliver the Will
Massachusetts law requires that any person having custody of a will must, within 30 days of acquiring knowledge of the death, deliver the will to the Probate and Family Court Department for the county in which the decedent lived at the time of death. However, as a practical matter, oftentimes the will is filed more than 30 days after without penalty.

To Probate or Not to Probate the Will?
Probate is the court’s supervision of the process that transfers the legal title of property from your loved one’s estate to his or her beneficiaries. The court appoints an executor as the personal representative of the estate and adjudicates the interests of heirs and other parties who may have claims against the estate.
In short, the probate process proves the validity of the will. This counters the erroneous but widely held belief that, if you have a valid will, you will avoid probate. However, not all estates need to go through the probate process.
Basically, any property held in trust or in joint names is non-probate property, so in the event that all of your loved one’s property passes outside of his or her will, there is no need to go through probate. In addition, property passing by beneficiary designations to anyone other than the estate of the decedent, such as TOD accounts, POD accounts, life insurance, annuities, retirement, and pension accounts, are non-probate property. However, if any asset is owned individually by the decedent, without a joint owner or beneficiary, or is held in trust, the asset is considered a probate asset and must go through the probate process to reach its proper beneficiary.

The Probate of the Will
To start a probate action in Massachusetts, you must petition the Probate Court, asking for the allowance of the decedent’s will and appointment of the executor. Until the executor is appointed, he or she has no authority to pay bills or distribute your loved one’s property.
In the event that the decedent did not have a will, a similar procedure is necessary to appoint an administrator with power to handle the decedent’s property. It is important to note that, if the decedent’s assets are below $15,000, a shortened procedure, called a voluntary administration, may be possible.
An executor, or administrator, as the case may be, typically engages an attorney to prepare and file the petition for probate, as well as the fiduciary bond and other corresponding legal documents. After the petition is filed, the Probate Court will issue a formal notice that needs to be published in a local newspaper and sent to all heirs. This notice alerts any creditors and other interested parties that the will has been offered for probate. If no one objects to the will or to the appointment of the nominated executor or administrator, the attorney requests the allowance of the will, the judge to sign the fiduciary bond, and the appointment of the nominated executor or administrator.
Three months after the judge signs the fiduciary bond, and the executor or administrator is appointed by the court, Massachusetts requires the filing of an inventory showing the probate estate held at date of death. However, oftentimes the executor waits until the estate-tax figures have been established to complete and file the final inventory.
Massachusetts also requires an accounting at the end of the administration of an estate that provides for all probate estate items received and distributed during the administration, income earned, and fees and expenses paid. Accounts are either prepared annually, or a single account called the first and final account is prepared at the end of administration. Typically, once the court allows the account, the executor’s liability for the estate ends.
During the probate process, the executor typically performs the following tasks:
• Identifying and inventorying estate property;
• Paying estate debts, expenses of administration, and taxes;
• Distributing property as directed by a will or state law;
• Accounting to the Probate Court or beneficiaries for the collection and distribution of probate assets; and
• Preparing estate-tax returns if necessary.

Estate-tax Returns
Executors are required to have estate-tax returns prepared if the estate assets (probate and non-probate) reach a certain threshold. Under current law, the threshold for Massachusetts estate tax is $1 million. As of now, no federal estate-tax return is required for a decedent dying in 2010. However, Congress may enact a law during 2010, and if it does, it may be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2010. Federal and state estate tax returns are due nine months after the date of death.
Many people are interested in the distribution of the estate, including creditors, a surviving spouse, government taxing authorities, beneficiaries, and executors of the estate. Individual parties may have competing interests in the probate and estate administration, so sound estate planning during one’s lifetime often facilitates the estate administration upon death and prevents the various challenges and potential disputes that may plague the unprepared.

Todd C. Ratner is an estate-planning, business, and real-estate attorney with the Springfield-based law firm Bacon Wilson, P.C. He is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and recipient of Boston Magazine’s 2007, 2008, and 2009 Massachusetts Super Lawyers Rising Stars award; (413) 781-0560; baconwilson.com; bwlaw.blogs.com

Chamber Corners: Upcoming Events

By BusinessWest Staff September 27, 2010

Chamber Corners Departments

ACCGS
www.myonlinechamber.com
(413) 787-1555

n Oct. 1: Hampden/Wilbraham Golf Classic. Hosted by the Country Club of Wilbraham. To register, contact the chamber at (413) 787-1555 or [email protected]
n Oct. 6: ACCGS October Business@Breakfast, 7:15 to 9 a.m. Hosted by the Cedars, 419 Island Pond Road, Springfield. Cost: members, $20; non-members, $30. To register, contact the chamber at (413) 787-1555 or [email protected]
n Oct. 13: ACCGS October After 5, 5 to 7 p.m. ‘Be Your Best Self’ Table Top Expo, the Mind, Body & Spirit Expo. Hosted by MassMutual Center. Cost: members, $10; non-members, $20. To register, contact the chamber at (413) 787-1555 or [email protected]
n Oct. 23: UMass vs. UNH Bus Trip to Gillette Stadium, 11:00 a.m. bus departure. Cost: ticket to the game, $20; ticket and bus ride, $40; ticket, bus, and food, $50.
n Oct. 29: Super 60 Awards Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Hosted by Chez Josef, Agawam. Keynote dpeaker: Steven Little. To register, contact the chamber at (413) 787-1555 or [email protected]

Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield
www.springfieldyps.com
n Oct. 21: Third Thursday, 5 to 8 p.m. Hosted by the Munich Haus Restaurant, 13 Center St., Chicopee.
n Oct. 23: The Down Syndrome Resource Group of Western Massachusetts ‘Buddy Walk.’ This group provides information about family support, resources, parent training, and social opportunities. Its mission is to discover, encourage, and embrace the potential of all individuals with Down syndrome. Registration for the walk to begin at 10 a.m., with coffee and light refreshments available. Two-mile walk to begin at about 11 a.m., followed by a complimentary lunch and entertainment.

Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce
www.amherstarea.com
Please see chamber’s Web site for news of upcoming events.

Chicopee Chamber of Commerce
www.chicopeechamber.org
(413) 594-2101

n Oct. 4: Checkpoint 2010, 7:30 a.m. Hosted by Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House, 500 Easthampton Road, Holyoke. Keynote Speaker: U.S. Sen. Scott Brown. Presented by the Chicopee and Greater Westfield chambers of commerce. Cost: members, $25; non-members, $30. To reserve tickets, contact the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce at (413) 594-2101 or www.chicopeechamber.org
n Oct. 20: October Salute Breakfast. Hosted by Summit View Banquet & Meeting House, Holyoke. Guest speaker: political consultant Tony Cignoli. To reserve tickets, contact the chamber at (413) 594-2101 or www.chicopeechamber.org
n Oct. 27: After 5 Business Card Swap – Speed Networking, 5 to 6:30 p.m. Hosted by the Delaney House, 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke. Limited to 24 people; registration ends on Oct. 25. Cost: members, $25; non-members, $35. To reserve tickets, contact the chamber at (413) 594-2101 or www.chicopeechamber.org

Franklin County Chamber of Commerce
www.franklincc.org
(413) 773-5463
Please see chamber’s Web site for news of upcoming events.

Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce
www.easthamptonchamber.org
(413) 527-9414

n Oct. 1: Casino Night, 7 to 11 p.m., at One Cottage St., Easthampton. Major sponsors: Easthampton Savings Bank and Finck & Perras Insurance Agency. Cost: $25 in advance; $30 at the door. See www.easthamptonchamber.org for more information.
n Oct. 13: Networking by Night Business Card Exchange, 5 to 7 p.m. Co-hosted and co-sponsored by Nashawannuck Gallery and Harry King Rug & Home, 36-40 Cottage St., Easthampton. Hors d’ouevres by Sunshine Bakery, beer and wine, door prizes. Cost: members, $5; non-members, $15.

Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce
www.holycham.com
(413) 534-3376

n Oct. 14: Fall Salute Breakfast, 7:30 a.m., at the Log Cabin, Easthampton Road, Holyoke. Sponsored by Holyoke Medical Center and Comcast. Cost: $18; tables reserved for parties of eight.
n Oct: 20: Chamber After Hours, 5 to 7 p.m. Hosted by Holyoke Children’s Museum, 444 Dwight St., Holyoke. Sponsored by All Sales Consulting, LLC. Cost: members, $5; non-members, $10 cash.

Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce
www.explorenorthampton.com
(413) 584-1900

n Oct. 6: Annual Chamber Open House, 5 to 7 p.m. Hosted by the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, 99 Pleasant St., Northampton. It’s the don’t-miss chamber event of the year. More than 300 people regularly attend. Food and drink donated by member restaurants. Cost: $10 for members.

Northampton Area Young Professional Society
www.thenayp.com
(413) 584-1900

n Oct. 14: NAYP Party with a Purpose, 5 to 8 p.m., at KW Home. Cost: members, free; guests, $5.

Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce
www.qvcc.biz
(413) 283-2418
Please see chamber’s Web site for news of upcoming events.

South Hadley/Granby Chamber of Commerce
www.shchamber.com
(413) 532-6451

n Oct. 15: Legislative Breakfast, 7:15 to 9 a.m. Hosted by the Courtyard by Marriott. Sponsored by Western Massachusetts Electric Co.
n Oct. 27: After 5, 5 to 7 p.m. Hosted by Hickory Ridge Country Club. Sponsorships available.

Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce
www.threeriverschamber.org
(413) 283-6425

n Oct. 4: Chamber Meeting, 7 p.m. Hosted by Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce office, Palmer Technology Park, Springfield St., Palmer.
Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce
www.westfieldbiz.org
(413) 568-1618

n Oct 13: WestNet After 5 Networking Octoberfest, 5 to 7 p.m. Hosted by East Mountain Country Club, 1458 East Mountain Road, Westfield. Cost: members, $10; non-members, 15. Bring plenty of business cards for exchange, and bring a gift to highlight your business. For more information, e-mail [email protected], call (413) 568-1618, or check out www.westfieldbiz.org
n Oct. 16: ‘Bring Back the 80s’ Dance, 7 to 11 p.m. Hosted by Westwood Restaurant and Pub, 94 North Elm St., Westfield. Featuring Orange Crush, the 80s Dance Party Band. Cost: $20. Prizes awarded for most authentic dressers and raffles.

Court Dockets

By BusinessWest Staff September 27, 2010

Court Dockets Departments

The following is a compilation of recent lawsuits involving area businesses and organizations. These are strictly allegations that have yet to be proven in a court of law. Readers are advised to contact the parties listed, or the court, for more information concerning the individual claims.

CHICOPEE DISTRICT COURT
NES Rental Holdings Inc. v. Alpha & Omega Construction
Allegation: Breach of contract for rental equipment: $2,789.35
Filed: 8/23/10

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT
CIT Technology Financing Services LLC v. Billups World Entertainment Inc.
Allegation: Breach of lease agreement: $54,598.34
Filed: 7/16/10

Liberty Mutual Insurance A/S/O Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. v. Kennedy, Gustafson, & Cole Inc.
Allegation: Breach of warranty and property damage caused by fire: $1,982,000
Filed: 7/21/10

People’s United Bank v. La Cucina Di Pinocchio Inc.
Allegation: Breach of several promissory notes: $673,140.77
Filed: 8/11/10

Plaza @ Buckland Hills LLC v. Emanuel Rovithis and Demetia Inc.
Allegation: Enforcement of judgment: $274,582.32
Filed: 7/23/10

Pravin Mathur v. Roy’s Towing Co. and John Burdick
Allegation: Negligence in operation of motor vehicle: $1,600,000
Filed: 8/6/10

NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT COURT
Acadia Insurance Co. v. Bishop Burner Services
Allegation: Balance due for insurance premium: $37,042
Filed: 8/11/10

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Bradco Supply v. Henderson Roofing Co.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $3,174.35
Filed: 7/23/10

Comcast Spotlight Inc. v. Brockton Fair
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $11,025.72
Filed: 7/22/10

Consumer Auto Parts v. Fini’s Auto Sales
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $5,549.60
Filed: 7/22/10

High Priority Associates Inc. v. Ilmondo Pizza
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $7,298.91
Filed: 7/22/10

Western Massachusetts Electric v. Springfield Bible Institute & Theological Seminary
Allegation: Non-payment of utility services: $10,243.93
Filed: 7/15/10

WESTFIELD DISTRICT COURT
ServiceMaster Assured Cleaning v. Big Family Adventure
Allegation: Failure to pay for cleaning services and breach of contract: $14,270.78
Filed: 7/26/10

What Financial Statement Do You Require?

By BusinessWest Staff September 27, 2010

Sections Supplements

The Bottom Line Is That Each Product Serves a Different Need

James Krupienski

Your certified public accountant (CPA) is able to assist you with many items throughout the year. As a business owner, one of the ways that you may be most familiar with is in the reporting on your annual financial statements.
There are three different levels of engagements that can be performed by your CPA when reporting on your financial statements: compilations, reviews, and audits. Deciding which you need should be based on an understanding of each level, your needs, and the needs of those with whom you will be sharing these statements. This article will help equip you to make this decision.

Compilations
Compilation engagements are the most basic type to be performed and offer no assurance regarding the overall financial activity being reported on. Your CPA will gather financial records that you provide and will assist in compiling them into a set of financial statements that are in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). While your CPA will look for obvious errors and misstatements, no testing of balances or activity will be performed. In order to make the conclusion that there are no obvious errors or misstatements, an understanding of your business and industry are required.
There are two advantages to compilation engagements, as compared to reviews and audits. First, compilation reports are allowed to omit footnote disclosures. This can save time and money, by not including disclosures that are required in standard GAAP reports, but may not be relevant to your needs or the needs of those reading the financials. Second, while your CPA generally must be independent, a compilation does not require that. The benefit of this is that, for small companies, it allows for your CPA to also assist in bookkeeping throughout the year.
These types of engagements are most beneficial for small, privately held businesses, where financials are sometimes required for equipment financing and insurance purposes.

Reviews
Review engagements are the middle level of service and provide limited assurance that the financial statements and related activity are free of error or misstatement. As with a compilation, specific testing of balances and activity are not required.
Through an understanding of your business and industry, your CPA will perform a series of analytical procedures and discuss a number of inquiries with you. These will include, but not be limited to, discussions of activity during the year, development of expectations, trending analysis and the review of various financial and industry-specific ratios. It should be noted that no audit procedures are performed during a review and that review engagements are substantially smaller in scope than an audit.
Reviews are typically best-suited for financial statements that are required by third parties, such as when applying for bank debt. Additionally, they are also common in situations with non-active owners who want greater assurance that there are no financial-statement errors.

Audits
Audit engagements are the highest level of assurance. Accordingly, they can be very expensive, depending on the size of the entity being audited. Audits provide the users with reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free of error or misstatement.
In order to complete an audit engagement, your CPA will be required to gain an understanding of your internal control environment, as well as to perform tests over account balances and activity. These tests include, but are not limited to, confirmations, observations, and review of other third-party evidence. Additionally, while audits are not designed to detect all instances of fraud or illegal acts, your CPA must consider these in audit planning.
Audit engagements are performed for many reasons. In some instances, such as not-for-profit entities, publicly traded companies, and certain employee benefit plans, audits are required by various regulations. In other instances, based on the size of the company and the nature of the business, third parties such as banks, insurance companies, or large customers may require an audit report.

Final Considerations
There are a few exceptions to the rules above that everyone should be aware of. First, even though you may engage your CPA to perform a review or compilation engagement, they can be contracted by you to perform special procedures related to certain account balances or activities. This can be particularly helpful to clients who have large inventory or accounts-receivable balances, but do not want to ultimately pay for a full audit.
Additionally, banks and other third parties are oftentimes willing to accept a compilation or review engagement, with additional procedures performed over certain areas. This provides them with added comfort over their areas of exposure, while helping to reduce your overall accounting fees.
Additionally, there are instances where you may be able to report your financial statements on a basis other than GAAP, otherwise known as an other comprehensive basis of accounting (OCBOA). The most common form of OCBOA financial statements include tax basis, cash basis, or modified accrual basis. There are two key benefits to such reporting. The first is that, depending on how information is displayed in your internal accounting records, such reporting may require fewer adjustments as compared to adjusting to GAAP. Second, there are certain disclosures, such as the consolidation of variable interest entities, which can be avoided by reporting on OCBOA as opposed to GAAP. This can be beneficial, and cost-effective, in cases where there may be two companies under common ownership, as well as in the case of real-estate holding companies.
Overall, the third parties that you deal with tend to have the final decision in directing the level of financial statement that you are required to produce in order to provide for their needs and concerns. However, being knowledgeable about the different options that are available may allow you to discuss with them their needs and concerns with an end result of saving real dollars and a lot of valuable time. Additionally, it will allow you to have a better appreciation for the services that are being performed by your CPA, as well as a better understanding of what you are receiving from them in the end.

Jim Krupienski, CPA, is an audit manager for Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C., a certified public accounting firm based in Holyoke. He provides accounting and audit services to for-profit businesses, as well as employee-benefit audit services to for-profit and not-for profit organizations. He is also part of MBK’s Health Care Services Division, providing niche accounting services to medical and dental practices in Western Mass. and Connecticut.

Mine Your Business

By BusinessWest Staff September 27, 2010

Sections Supplements

This New Event Puts Its Participants in Good Company

Mine Your Business

Kate Campiti says that one of the most important things for business owners and managers to do — and also one of the most difficult — is to get the time and attention of decision makers as they work to grow sales — and their company.
To simplify that process, at least for a few hours, Campiti, associate publisher and advertising director of BusinessWest, working in collaboration with other area business leaders and chamber officials, has put together a unique new event called Mine Your Business. That name is a play on words, but those behind this sales-building program, slated for Nov. 4, are, well, all business.
More to the point, they’re focused on providing a forum in which companies can not only make introductions, but also tell their story to the people they want to tell it to.
“That’s what separates this event from a typical trade show or business networking event,” said Campiti, noting that BusinessWest is presenting the event, to be staged at the Kittredge Center at Holyoke Community College. “Business owners and sales representatives are always striving to get in front of people who make decisions. At this event, with its unique format, they can get in front of a few dozen and make meaningful connections.
“People do business with those they know, like, and trust,” she added. “This networking event lends itself to building the relationship phase. Without that fundamental part of the equation, knowing your vendor, success is limited, and sales aren’t made or sustained.”
Here’s how Mine Your Business — which takes the main concept from an event called Speed Sales, staged in previous years, to a new, higher plane — will work:
Participating companies will send two representatives to the event — a decision maker and top sales executive. This team will then meet a series of other teams for eight-minute encounters, during which introductions can be made, products and services can be introduced or re-introduced, and possible relationships can be forged.
“Time is the perhaps the most precious commodity that business owners and managers have,” said Campiti. “This program will enable participants to use their time in a highly effective and potentially quite productive way.”
The two-on-two format effectively doubles the value of the experience provided by Speed Sales, an event conceptualized and staged the past two years by the Chicopee and Greater Holyoke chambers of commerce, said Doris Ransford, president of the Holyoke Chamber.
“It’s a very dynamic format, one in which a lot can be accomplished in eight minutes,” she said. “Companies can make a strong pitch in that time and perhaps generate solid leads that can generate sales.”
Gail Sherman, president of the Chicopee Chamber, agreed, and said that Mine Your Business will be an effective vehicle for helping area companies still trying to climb back from the effects of a deep recession that is in many ways still ongoing.
“These are still challenging times, and in this environment, companies need to remain visible,” she said. “But more than that, they need to be diligent and aggressive in the pusuit of new business. This program and its intriguing format allows them to meet all those goals.”
In addition to the two chambers of commerce, Mine Your Business is being sponsored by First American Insurance, Holyoke Community College, the Log Cabin-Delaney House, Marcotte Ford, and Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. Each sponsor has seen direct business spring from their participation in the past.
For more information or to reserve space, call the Greater Holyoke Chamber at (413) 534-3376, or the Chicopee Chamber at (413) 594-2101.

Profile in Business

By BusinessWest Staff September 27, 2010

Features

MassMutual Executive Is an Expert in Many Fields

By GEORGE O’BRIEN

Elaine Sarsynski, executive vice president of MassMutual’s Retirement Services Division and chairman and CEO of MassMutual International LLC

Elaine Sarsynski says she worked on the family vegetable farm in Hadley until she graduated from college — and she has the biceps to prove it.
She admitted that, more than three decades later, they stay toned through regular and rigorous workouts at the gym, but stressed repeatedly that the foundation was laid from what amounts to bench-pressing 50-pound sacks of potatoes and piling them into pickup trucks, among innumerable other chores.
“I don’t do it anymore, but I used to arm-wrestle boys all the time — and beat them,” joked Sarsynski, executive vice president of MassMutual’s Retirement Services Division and chairman and CEO of MassMutual International LLC. “We had five kids in our family, four girls, and we [girls] had to do whatever our brother did. That’s how it was. Farming is hard work, and I became really strong.”
But Sarsynski’s years on the farm would provide her with much more than rock-hard muscles. There would be many lessons in life and in business, she explained, noting, for starters, that her mother was the real entrepreneur in the family and transplanted some of her considerable business energy, acumen, and instincts to her children.
“She would think beyond picking squash and selling it wholesale, and about what she could do on a more retail level,” said Sarsynski. “She went around to local restaurants and supermarkets and said, ‘if I cut up that butternut squash and put it into half-pound bags, do you think that would sell?’ And they said, ‘yes.’
“Lo and behold, we became one of the first farms to pre-package vegetables,” she continued. “I only wish my mother had taken out a patent on it, because everyone does it today.”
There were many other lessons from those days peeling, slicing, and packaging that squash — “there were always eight to 12 bushels of it waiting for us when we got home from school” — or picking cucumbers, stripping tobacco, and countless other duties. They covered everything from work ethic to effective time management; from pulling one’s own weight to the necessity for diversification in the fields — and business in general.
“We had about 10 crops that we produced from spring through fall, and that was a very important lesson,” she said, “because I remember one season there was a flood, and the majority of our cucumber crop was destroyed. But because of our efforts on the other kinds of crops, we were able to pull through that summer. So I learned very early on that you don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”
Sarsynski applies this lesson and countless others from the farm to her work at MassMutual — where she manages, to one degree or another, more than 2,500 workers and 15,000 agents in Asia — and often touches on them during the many speeches she delivers, including the one she gave at a meeting of the Women’s Partnership just a few hours before she talked with BusinessWest.
She said she spoke on the subject of the glass ceiling and the extent to which she believes it still exists — “if it does, it’s much more subtle than when I started in business 30 years ago” — but also touched on matters ranging from work/life balance to the importance of financial planning, to the need for all those hoping to succeed in business to hone their public-speaking skills.
“It’s important because we must communicate well, in written form, and while speaking in front of audiences,” she explained, adding that time in front of a microphone is a key part of any individual’s brand-building work. “It’s imporant to be able to articulate your position in a calm, thoughtful way, and speaking in front of an audience is one very good way to build that skill.”
For this, the latest installment of its Profiles in Business series, BusinessWest talked with Sarsynski about everything from diversity and inclusion in the workplace to her management style — and most all things in between. And she had much to say on all those topics.

Crop Circles
The Sarsynski farm still exists, but almost all of the 70 acres are now leased out to other parties. There is a large garden at the homestead, however, in which Sarsynski will work during some of her many visits home.
It’s been more than 30 years since she’s actually worked on the farm, but she certainly hasn’t forgotten much from those days. Consider these comments when asked about the crop Hadley is perhaps best known for, asparagus, and why it carries a high price at the grocery store.
“It takes about four years before you can actually start producing a crop,” she explained. “It’s also susceptable to various diseases, so some of it may not make it till the time you harvest it. The thing I like most about asparagus, even though I don’t like picking it, is that in optimal conditions, meaning when it’s warm and moist, it can grow a foot a day. So, frequently, not only would we get up early to pick it, before we went to school, but we would have to pick it again when we came home. I didn’t like days like that.”
But while Sarsynski’s parents contually stressed the importance of meeting one’s responsibilities in the field, they were even more focused on their children’s education. The four girls would all go on to attend Smith College, while their brother would graduate from Amherst College.
“My parents did not have college degrees, but from very early on, they stressed the importance of us going to college,” said Sarsynski, who would also earn an MBA from Columbia University. “They wanted the best for us, and they stressed that a good education was the key to real success.”
Sarsynski has put her education from the farm and the classroom to good use at career stops that include stints with several financial-services giants, work as a consultant to the real-estate industry, and even two elected terms as chief executive officer of the town of Suffield, Conn.
She started out as an analyst at Morgan Stanley Realty in New York, and eventually joined Aetna, where she spent 17 years and held a number of senior management positions, overseeing segments of the company’s Investments Division and leading the Corporate Finance Department. She also served as corporate vice president of real-estate investments, and was responsible for the direction and oversight of Aetna’s $15 billion mortgage-loan and owned-real-estate portfolios.
By 1998 though, Aetna was going through some changes organizationally and philosophically, and Sarsysnki was looking for a new challenge. Actually, upon leaving the company, she took on several.
She taught real-estate finance at Columbia for a semester, for example, and, at about the same time, created the Sun Consulting Group, LLC, offering consulting services to the real-estate industry. The firm was responsible for helping Connecticut Innovations Inc. to develop and implement Connecticut’s multi-million-dollar biotechnology lending and construction-development program.
While these endeavors were demanding, they left her with more time for her family — and her community, Suffield. And during one talk with the town’s first selectman (CEO) about economic-development matters, he convinced her to apply for the soon-to-be-vacated position of economic development director for the community, which she was awarded.
She never intended to stay long, and didn’t, but in her short stint did succeed in advancing a number of projects and helping Suffield win substantial state and federal grant money. Within a year in that post, she was ready to return to the private sector, but was instead talked into running for first selectman by the man who was getting ready to leave that position.
She won the seat handily, and settled in for what would be four years of service that she found fun and rewarding, while also providing more lessons that would help her thrive in a corporate setting.
“I loved it because we had an opportunity to effectuate change,” she explained, noting that, among other things, she led the town through 9/11 and its profound impact on public safety and national security. “And I was able to continually hone my leadership skills.
“In many ways, this was more difficult than being in the corporate sector,” she continued, “because you had to have people endorse your vision, and endorse what you were accomplishing. You can be the best mayor or town selectman in the world, but you still have to be involved in the political process of being elected. So you always had to be sure you could communicate your vision and the vision of the community, articulate the positions you were bringing to town meeting in such a way that people embraced and supported them so you could get re-elected.”

Planting Seeds
Sarsynski would take these and other lessons back to the corporate world and, more specifically, Babson Capital Management LLC, a MassMutual subsidiary, where she was responsible for the Portfolio Consulting Group. In 2005, she joined MassMutual as senior vice president and chief administrative officer, responsible for corporate services, human resource management, corporate communications, community relations, and MassMutual’s strategy implementation.
In 2006, she was appointed chairman, president, and CEO of MassMutual International LLC, and became responsible for the company’s international insurance operations, including subsidiaries in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Luxemborg, Chile, and China. She assumed added responsibility for the company’s retirement-services business in 2008, and under her leadership, the division achieved its second consecutive year of at least 20% sales growth and its highest annual sales volume in history.
To hit those numbers — and lay the track for more like them — Sarsynski says she’s been applying the many lessons acquired through business school, the farm, elected office, and from those she’s worked for and with over the years.
She said that success for MassMutual or any other company begins with leadership — “it drives the performance of the entire team, and especially the direct reports” — and when asked about her style, she noted, repeatedly, that it is to lead by example.
“I set high standards, and I expect those standards to be met,” she continued. “I think I’m fair and reasonable, yet I really do demand excellence from my direct reports because this is a very competitive industry that we work within, and it’s important that we have exceptional customer service, product development, and execution. People enjoy working in retirement services because we set those high standards, and we’ve been able to achieve them over the past couple of years.”
Sarsynski said her basic philosophy with regard to professional development is to continually reach higher and set new career goals. She encourages those she directs to do the same, and to help them reach their full potential she becomes the supervisor’s equivalent of a chameleon.
“I try to see what will motivate a person to become the best he or she can be,” she explained. “So my management style, and anyone’s management style, should change depending on the audience that you have, the person that you’re dealing with, and creating that unique environment to help them excel, to help them learn, to drive them to perform to the height of their ability.
“So the way I approach my head of marketing might be different than how I approach my head of distribution,” she continued. “In every case, I give them enough rope so that they can manage their organizations, and as they excel, I give them even more rope, because my ultimate goal is to have succession plans in place for all my businesses so that I become obsolete and my successors are extraordinarily well-prepared to continue to produce the kinds of results the organizations wants.”
As she searched her memory bank for an example of how her leadership style, not to mention her farm-honed life lessons, manifest themselves, she mentioned a recent suggestion (more like an edict) that her staff members with long commutes get satellite radio in their cars so they can stay better-attuned to business news and national and international commentary on current events.
“I told them they could hear the thought leaders of the industry talking about where the markets are going and where the global world is going, what Congress is doing, and what the president is doing,” she said, adding that she considers this a better use of their time than listening to rock music or sports talk. “It’s interesting, because they all went out and got it. I believe it’s very important to use time wisely, because we only have 24 hours in a day; you have to prioritize time.”

The Root to Success
During one recent trip to Hadley, Sarsynski actually took a moment to thank her mother for stressing education early on — and also for farm lifestyle and all that it gave her.
“It was a terrific way to grow up,” she said. “I was very close to my entire family, and we learned lessons in management, in commerce, wholesale, and retail. We learned work ethic that you can only learn in an environment where you get up early and go to bed late and your livelihood depends on the produce of the farm.
“It was a very wholesome way; there was no question of whether you were going to roll out of bed at 5:30 to pick asparagus — you just did it,” she continued, adding that, while she is three decades removed from those experiences, that ‘way,’ as she called it, is still very much with her.
“It’s there in terms of work ethic, frugality, focusing on the value of a dollar, asking if we are efficiently producing work at MassMutual, and focusing on the value of the individual and achieving the mission of the team.”
In other words, Sarsynski still has the muscles she earned on the farm, but she has many other ways to show how strong — mentally and physically — she’s become.

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

By BusinessWest Staff September 13, 2010

Departments

Workers Paying 14% More for Health Insurance

WASHINGTON — American workers will pay about $4,000 to get health insurance for their families through work this year, 14% more than in 2009, according to a survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Employees’ average share of the premium costs for family coverage is $482 more than last year as economic conditions continue to push companies to pay less of the bill, the report said. Total premiums for family policies, including both worker and employer contributions, increased 3% to $13,770. “Businesses have been shifting more of the costs of health insurance to workers through premiums, deductibles, and other cost-sharing,” said Drew Altman, Kaiser Family Foundation chief executive. “From a consumer perspective, the cost of health insurance just keeps going up faster than wages.”

Executives Plan Moderate Hike in Professional Hiring

MENLO PARK, Calif. — Looking toward the final months of the year, 11% of executives interviewed for the Robert Half Professional Employment Report said they expect to increase the number of full-time staff they employ in professional occupations in the fourth quarter. Another 5% anticipate declines, resulting in a net 6% increase in hiring activity, up three points from the third-quarter forecast. Executives’ business optimism level remains high: 86% of respondents expressed at least some confidence in the growth prospects for their companies, rising slightly from 85% reported in the third-quarter survey. The number of executives citing recruiting challenges also rose, climbing from 42% in the third quarter to 47%. The Robert Half Professional Employment Report is the first quarterly executive survey of its size and scope to focus exclusively on professional-level hiring. The survey is based on telephone interviews with more than 4,000 executives from a variety of fields throughout the U.S. about their hiring plans and general level of optimism regarding the upcoming quarter. “Companies that overextended their teams are now selectively adding full-time employees,” said Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of Robert Half International. “Businesses are hiring to keep service levels high and boost morale among team members who have taken on extra work in the past few years.”

Economy Needs More Than Modest Spending

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis recently released personal income and outlays for July. Personal income increased 0.2% in July, similar to private-sector expectations, while real disposable income decreased 0.1%. Real personal consumption expenditures increased 0.2% in July and at a 1.3% annual rate from their second-quarter average. Consumer spending adjusted for inflation continues to increase at a moderate pace, according to U.S. Commerce Under Secretary for Economic Affairs Rebecca Blank. She noted that data suggests the economy continues to grow, as consumer spending accounts for 70% of GDP, although the economy is growing at a slower pace than the Obama administration would like. On a related note, many economists, including those at PNC Financial Services Group, say a boost in salaries and jobs will help grow the economy.

Businesses Offered Customer-service Training

GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Business Assoc. (GBA) and the Greenfield Community College (GCC) Workforce Development Office are coordinating customer-service trainings for local business owners and their staff members this fall. The cost is free to GBA-member owners/managers and is on a scale for the number of staff per business attending. For businesses with one to five staff members participating in training, the cost is $10 each; for six to 11 staff, $7.50 each; and for 12 or more employees, the cost is $5 each. For non-member pricing, call (413) 774-2791. The owner/manager training is slated for Sept. 27 from 8 to 10 a.m. at the GCC Downtown Center, room 121. The frontline staff training is planned for Oct. 4 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the GCC Downtown Center, room 121. Business owners can reserve space by e-mailing [email protected] with the names of the person(s) attending and the business they are representing.

Briefcase

By BusinessWest Staff September 13, 2010

Departments

Workers Paying 14% More for Health Insurance
WASHINGTON — American workers will pay about $4,000 to get health insurance for their families through work this year, 14% more than in 2009, according to a survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Employees’ average share of the premium costs for family coverage is $482 more than last year as economic conditions continue to push companies to pay less of the bill, the report said. Total premiums for family policies, including both worker and employer contributions, increased 3% to $13,770. “Businesses have been shifting more of the costs of health insurance to workers through premiums, deductibles, and other cost-sharing,” said Drew Altman, Kaiser Family Foundation chief executive. “From a consumer perspective, the cost of health insurance just keeps going up faster than wages.”

Executives Plan Moderate Hike in Professional Hiring
MENLO PARK, Calif. — Looking toward the final months of the year, 11% of executives interviewed for the Robert Half Professional Employment Report said they expect to increase the number of full-time staff they employ in professional occupations in the fourth quarter. Another 5% anticipate declines, resulting in a net 6% increase in hiring activity, up three points from the third-quarter forecast. Executives’ business optimism level remains high: 86% of respondents expressed at least some confidence in the growth prospects for their companies, rising slightly from 85% reported in the third-quarter survey. The number of executives citing recruiting challenges also rose, climbing from 42% in the third quarter to 47%. The Robert Half Professional Employment Report is the first quarterly executive survey of its size and scope to focus exclusively on professional-level hiring. The survey is based on telephone interviews with more than 4,000 executives from a variety of fields throughout the U.S. about their hiring plans and general level of optimism regarding the upcoming quarter. “Companies that overextended their teams are now selectively adding full-time employees,” said Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of Robert Half International. “Businesses are hiring to keep service levels high and boost morale among team members who have taken on extra work in the past few years.”

Economy Needs More Than Modest Spending
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis recently released personal income and outlays for July. Personal income increased 0.2% in July, similar to private-sector expectations, while real disposable income decreased 0.1%. Real personal consumption expenditures increased 0.2% in July and at a 1.3% annual rate from their second-quarter average. Consumer spending adjusted for inflation continues to increase at a moderate pace, according to U.S. Commerce Under Secretary for Economic Affairs Rebecca Blank. She noted that data suggests the economy continues to grow, as consumer spending accounts for 70% of GDP, although the economy is growing at a slower pace than the Obama administration would like. On a related note, many economists, including those at PNC Financial Services Group, say a boost in salaries and jobs will help grow the economy.

Businesses Offered Customer-service Training
GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Business Assoc. (GBA) and the Greenfield Community College (GCC) Workforce Development Office are coordinating customer-service trainings for local business owners and their staff members this fall. The cost is free to GBA-member owners/managers and is on a scale for the number of staff per business attending. For businesses with one to five staff members participating in training, the cost is $10 each; for six to 11 staff, $7.50 each; and for 12 or more employees, the cost is $5 each. For non-member pricing, call (413) 774-2791. The owner/manager training is slated for Sept. 27 from 8 to 10 a.m. at the GCC Downtown Center, room 121. The frontline staff training is planned for Oct. 4 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the GCC Downtown Center, room 121. Business owners can reserve space by e-mailing [email protected] with the names of the person(s) attending and the business they are representing.

Agenda

By BusinessWest Staff August 30, 2010

Agenda Departments

District Attorney Candidates Forum

Sept. 7: Western New England College School of Law will host a forum featuring the candidates for the office of Hampden County District Attorney at 6 p.m. in the Blake Law Center’s J. Gerard Pellegrini Moot Court Room. The event is free and open to the public. The candidates will face questions from a panel including a journalist, a local criminal attorney, and a professor from the School of Law. The forum is scheduled for approximately 90 minutes. WNEC is located at 1215 Wilbraham Road in Springfield.

CORI Board Training

Sept. 14: The Berkshire Area Health Education Center is collaborating with the Mass. Criminal Systems History Board to sponsor training on criminal offender record information (CORI) from 1 to 3 p.m. at Berkshire Hills Country Club in Pittsfield. The training is for staff of agencies who are certified to request CORI information for non-criminal-justice purposes. A $13 fee covers the cost of the venue and refreshments. To register or for more information, visit www.berkshireahec.org or call (413) 447-2417.

EANE Healthcare Conference

Sept. 16: The Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast will conduct its annual Health Care Conference from 7:30 a.m. to noon at the Publick House in Sturbridge. A panel of experts, representing insurance carriers, brokers, health care providers, and legal professionals, will discuss the challenges of the changing health-care-reform landscape. Attendees will be encouraged to ask questions of the panel. For more information on the conference, contact Karen Cronenberger at (877) 662-6444 or [email protected] .

Mountain Park Memories

Sept. 17: The Holyoke Merry-Go-Round is inviting area residents to take a trip down memory lane with an event called Mountain Park Memories, slated for 6:30 p.m. at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House. The event, a fund-raiser for the Merry-Go-Round, will capture the history and nostalgia of the amusement park located near the base of Mount Tom, which closed in the 1987 after operating for nearly a century. The program will include memorabilia, games, auctions, food stations, and music by Joe Canata & the Memories. Tickets are $45 per person. To order tickets, or for more information, call (413) 538-9838, or visit www.holyokemerrygoround.org .

Financial Pathways at Bay Path

Sept. 19: Intuition, creativity, and empathy are characteristics women can leverage to take control of and build their personal wealth. Bay Path College will continue its Financial Pathways series from 2 to 4 p.m. by examining these traits with A Purse of Your Own author Deborah Owens. Owens will highlight simple approaches to understanding investments and share the seven wealthy habits of successful women. The seminar is planned for the Blake Student Commons on the Longmeadow campus, 588 Longmeadow St. A question-and-answer session and book signing with Owens will follow the presentation. To build on the series’ philanthropic participation, attendees are asked to bring a gently used purse to the workshop as a donation to the college’s Professional Clothing Closet, which provides each undergraduate with one professional outfit as they begin their careers. Registration is required, and light refreshments will be served from 1:30 to 2 p.m. during event registration. Tickets are $10 each or $15 for two when signing up with a friend. To register or for more information, contact Mary Pajak at (413) 565-1115.

Sunday Brunch with Dr. Joy Browne

Sept. 19: Radio psychologist Dr. Joy Browne will be the guest speaker at a program, slated for noon to 3 p.m., sponsored by the UMass Amherst Family Business Center at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke. Browne’s nationally syndicated daily radio show can be heard on the WOR Radio Network weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. A licensed clinical psychologist, Browne will answer questions about family, business, and family business. For more information on the program, contact Ira Bryck at (413) 545-1537, or visit www.umass.edu/fambiz .

Rick’s Place Open House

Sept. 21: Rick’s Place recently moved into a new facility at Kids Village, 35 Post Office Park, Suite 3514, Wilbraham, and an open house is planned from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. to introduce its services to the public. Established in memory of Rick Thorpe, who died in Tower Two of the World Trade Center on 9/11, Rick’s Place provides a supportive and secure environment for grieving families. Scheduled two weeks before grand opening day, the open house will raise awareness of the work being done by staff and volunteers. For more information, visit www.ricksplacema.org .

Springfield Developers Conference

Oct. 27: The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield will be the setting for the 2010 Springfield Developers Conference, sponsored by the City of Springfield. The conference theme is “Innovate, Grow, Create … Make It Happen,” and will highlight opportunities to incorporate new technologies and innovative practices in the building, energy, and information-technology industries to improve one’s business. Exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information, contact Samalid Hogan at (413) 787-6020.

Get on Board

Oct. 28: OnBoard, a Springfield-based nonprofit, hopes to connect local organizations with individuals looking to increase their involvement in the community, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The event will take place at Center Court, where attendees will meet with as many as eight or more organizations. The meetings will be orchestrated using the ‘speed-dating’ format, with individuals spending a few minutes with an organization of their choice and, on the sound of the basketball buzzer, moving to the next. Representatives from each organization will discuss their history, mission, and goals, and what it is they are looking for in board members. Interested individuals will have the chance to explain what skills and interests they have to make a potential match. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call Elizabeth Taras at (413) 687-3144 or Brittany Castonguay at (413) 737-1131, or visit www.diversityonboard.org .

Advanced Manufacturing Competition & Conference

Nov. 16: The first highly concentrated, cluster-centric, regional manufacturing conference of its kind will be held at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. The event, called the Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competition & Conference (AMICCON), is being staged in response to growing recognition among area manufacturers and supply chain members that there is an urgent need to find and meet one another. “AMICCON was formed to identify who’s here in manufacturing, expose them to OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and procurement, and to make these introductions,” said co-founder Ellen Bemben. “The ultimate goal is to be the advanced manufacturing region in the U.S., where exotic manufacturing, such as micro, nano, and precision, meet higher specifications and tighter tolerances, and short runs are the norm.” Industry sectors to be represented at the event will include plastics and advanced materials, precision machining, paper and packaging, electronics, ‘green’/clean technology, and medical devices. Business opportunities in defense and aerospace will also be highlighted at the event. OEMs and their supply chains are being invited personally to participate. “AMICCON is a new consortium on innovation that also delivers manufacturers to innovators and new markets in order to cause new business,” said Gary Gasperack, vice president and general manager (retired) of the Spalding Division of Russell Corp. “We are very excited about introducing it to our region.” The Mass. Export Center has already produced two programs for AMICCON: an Export Experts Panel, and a seminar, “International Traffic in Arms Regulations for Defense and Aerospace Export.” For more information, visit www.amiccon.com .

Briefcase

By BusinessWest Staff August 30, 2010

Briefcase Departments

AIM’s Business Confidence Index Stumbles in July

BOSTON — The Associated Industries of Massachusetts Business Confidence Index dropped 5.2 points in July to 48.5, falling below 50 — neutral on its 100-point scale — after moving into positive territory in May and June. This is the index’s most significant monthly setback since it bottomed out in February 2009, according to Raymond Torto, global chief economist at CB Richard Ellis Group Inc. and chair of AIM’s board of economic advisors. Despite 14 gains in the previous 16 months, Massachusetts employers’ doubts about the strength and staying power of the economic recovery have been evident throughout, and those concerns are now coming to the fore, he added. Torto noted there are global as well as domestic issues in play; the fate on the euro, for example, will affect Massachusetts exports. The quarterly Massachusetts Consumer Confidence Index, released by Mass Insight, showed similar backsliding. Mostly due to concerns on jobs, the July Consumer Confidence Index fell 19 points to 61, its lowest level since last year. Torto added that weakening consumer confidence, nationally and here in Massachusetts, is a grave concern for employers because there can be no real economic recovery unless consumer spending picks up. AIM’s Business Confidence Index has been issued monthly since July 1991. Its historical high was 68.5, attained in 1997 and 1998; its low was 33.3 in February 2009. The Index was up 3.7 points from July 2009 and 4.1 over two years, but down 6.5 from July 2007. All of the sub-indices based on selected questions or respondent characteristics lost ground in July along with the main index, but there was marked variation in the magnitude of the declines. The Current Index of conditions prevailing at the time of the survey was off 2.2 points to 49.1, while the Future Index of expected conditions six months ahead plunged eight points to 48.1. The Massachusetts Index of business conditions prevailing within the Commonwealth fell 6.1 points to 41.7, but remained above the U.S. Index of national conditions, which lost 6.6 to 38.2. The Company Index, which measures survey respondents’ overall confidence in the situations of their own operations, was down 3.9 points in July to 55.0. The Employment Index held up well, edging off eight-tenths to 53.7, but the Sales Index dropped seven points to 54.4. Confidence was lower in July among manufacturers (down 4.3 to 52.5) and among other employers (down 6.2 to 44.2). Manufacturers were more likely to call current conditions for the companies ‘good’ (50% to 35%), were more positive about sales and employment, and foresaw less deterioration of conditions ahead. Respondents outside Greater Boston were slightly more confident (down1.6 to 49.5) than those within the metropolitan area (down 7.9 to 47.8). Employers of all sizes were less confident in July, with an especially steep decline among small companies. The monthly Business Confidence Index is based on a survey of AIM member companies across Massachusetts, asking questions about current and prospective business conditions in the state and nation, as well as for respondents’ own operations.

Former Mastex Site Chosen for Computing Center

HOLYOKE — After months of speculation, state officials revealed announced recently that the former Mastex Industries Inc. facility on Bigelow Street would become the site for a highly anticipated high-performance computing center. Gov. Deval Patrick, flanked by state and local officials, including Holyoke Mayor Elaine Pluta, U.S. rep. John Olver, and UMass President Jack Wilson, made the announcement, calling this “one of the most excitinjg developments in Western Massachusetts.” The project, which will entail an initial investment of $168 million, has a number of partners, including the state, UMass, MIT, Harvard, Boston University, Cisco Systems, and EMC Corp. Officials expect that the center will create only about 20 full-time positions, but that the computing capacity may eventually lure other companies and perhaps government agencies to the area.

Callaway Announces More Job Cuts at Chicopee Plant

CHICOPEE — Callaway Golf Corp. announced recently that it will substantially reduce its workforce in Chicopee over the next 12 to 18 months as it continues to expand golf ball and club manufacturing operations at its location in Mexico. The cuts are expected to leave the plant, which employed roughly 600 people as recently as the fall of 2008, with 150-200 workers. In a prepared statement, the company, Callaway cited a softness in the golf industry as one of the reasons for the move to Mexico.

Bay State Continues to Add Jobs

BOSTON — Massachusetts employers continued to add jobs for the sixth consecutive month in July, continuing a pace of growth that is well ahead of the nation’s. The state gained more than 13,000 jobs in July, while data revisions showed that employment growth in June, nearly 3,000 jobs, was far stronger than initially estimated, according to the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. The state unemployment rate held steady at 9%.

Legislation Reduces Health Care Costs for Small Businesses

BOSTON — Governor Deval Patrick recently joined legislative leaders and small business owners to sign legislation that could save small employers up to 12% on insurance premiums, increase transparency among providers and insurers, and improve the quality of health care for residents across the state. The law also makes small businesses eligible for savings on health care premiums, and will allow them to be able to pool their resources and establish cooperatives for the purpose of purchasing health insurance. As part of his efforts to control skyrocketing health care costs, Patrick has instructed the Division of Insurance to review rates from carriers using the Division’s existing authority..

Building Permits

By BusinessWest Staff August 30, 2010

Building Permits Departments

The following building permits were issued during the month of September 2010.

AGAWAM

Bondi’s Island
190 Main St.
$77,000 — Construct a truck-loading building

Heritage Hall Nursing Home
61 Cooper St.
$7,000 — Storage shed

Insurance Center of New England
1070 Suffield St.
$1,100,000 — Renovate 13,000 square feet of office space

Robert Germano
13 Maple St.
$15,000 — Renovations

AMHERST

18 Piece Chicopee, LLC
15-17 Fearing St
$6,000 — Interior renovations

Amherst College Trustees
Garman Dorm
$8,000 — Exterior renovation and porch repair

Amherst School Department
1001 South East St.
$51,000 — New roof

Grand Chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa
510 North Pleasant St.
$3,300 — Ceiling repair in party room

Miller Pollin Buildings, LLC
865 Belchertown Road
$27,000 — Installation of solar panels

CHICOPEE

200 Tillary, LLC
165 Front St.
$120,000 — Replace 522 windows

200 Tillary, LLC
165 Front St.
$35,000 — Sheetrock ceilings from first to the fourth floor

Chicopee Housing Authority
165 East Main St.
$257,000 — Strip and re-shingle roof

Chicopee Savings Bank
596 East St.
$158,000 — Interior renovation

Riverbend Medical Group
444 Montgomery St.
$265,000 — Renovate Pediatric office

EASTHAMPTON

Calvery Baptist Church
413 Main St.
$2,500 — Replace 5 windows

Interland Real Estate LLC
180 Pleasant St.
$102,000 — Create 15,000 square feet of space for a machine shop

Peter Peloquin
95 Union St.
$8,400 — Remove existing roof and replace

Robert Chunyk
51 Main St.
$3,700 — Construct new rear entry stair

Valley Programs Inc.
79 East St.
$5,000 — Enlarge window to comply with fire egress

GREENFIELD

Garden Building, LLC
361 Main St.
$67,500 — New roof

Greenfield Farmers Cooperative Exchange
275 High St.
$6,000 — Replace loading dock area roof

Mark A. Zaccheo
30 Olive St.
$1,270,000 — Renovation of commercial building

Ninos Emmanuel
226 Federal St.
$14,000 — Installation of kitchen exhaust hood and fire suppression system

Park Place Realty Trust
80 Sanderson St.
$18,000 — Replace cedar shingles with vinyl siding

Spike Segundo, LLC
25-27 Bank Row
$3,000 — Add three walls for treatment rooms and doors for tenant fit-up

HADLEY

ALDI Inc.
337-357 Russell St.
$880,000 — Construction of a new retail store

Fastenal Company
220 Russell St.
$9,000 — Minor interior renovations

Parmar & Sons Inc.
37-41 Russell St.
$8,000 — Renovating entrance and framing out offices

HOLYOKE

Christian Celebration of Baptist Temple Church Inc.
375 South Elm St.
$5,400 — Change hatchway door, add ramp, and install smoke detectors

Holyoke Mall Company, L.P.
50 Holyoke St.
$122,000 — Remodel of Bare Essentials store

Holyoke Mall Company, L.P.
50 Holyoke St.
$388,500 — Remodel of Express store

Holyoke Mall Company, L.P.
50 Holyoke St.
$99, 500 — Remodel of Megan’s Treasures store

Kmart Corporation
2201-2211 Northampton St.
$328,000 — Construction of a new Taco Bell

United Water
1 Berkshire St.
$30,000 — Construct a new locker room

NORTHAMPTON

Academy of Music
274 Main St.
$101,000 — Interior renovations

CFP Properties LLC
320 Riverside Dr.
$9,000 — Emergency repairs

Edward’s Church of Northampton
297 Main St.
$5,800 — Stair repairs

Nonotuck Mills, LLC
296 Nonotuck St.
$40,000 — Construct interior partitions and two restrooms

Smith College
1 College Lane
$25,000 — Renovate interior at Sage Hall

Trident Realty Corporation
42 Pleasant St.
$41,000 — Interior renovations at Newbury Comics

Valley Community Development Corporation
41 Locust St.
$39,000 — Create new storefront

SOUTH HADLEY

Mount Holyoke College
50 College St.
$5,000 — New ramp at Porter Hall

Mount Holyoke – Shattuck
50 College St.
$200,000 — Renovations

Mount Holyoke President’s House
50 College St.
$315,000 — Renovations

US Industrial – E-Ink
7 Gaylord St.
$320,000 — Renovations

SPRINGFIELD

AT&T Services Inc.
194 Dwight St.
$432,000 — Remove and replace roof

Baystate Medical Center
759 Chestnut St.
$10,000 — Renovate existing office space

Baystate Medical Center
759 Chestnut St.
$80,000 — Open old office space to create surgical holding area

Baystate Medical Center
1550 Main St.
$645,000 — Interior renovations of fifth floor

Baystate Medical Center
50 Maple St.
$55,000 — Interior renovations

Mason Square Health Care Center
11 Wilbraham Road
$331,000 — Renovate existing space to create exam rooms

Mass. Development
1550 Main St.
$277,000 — 3,000-square-foot office retrofit

Mass. Mutual Life Insurance Company
1295 State St.
$293,000 — Installation of support panels for thermal solar panels

Reeds Landing
807 Wilbraham Road
$15,000 — Interior renovation in arts and crafts room

Three Rivers School
26 Ridgewood Ter.
$9,000 — Re-roof

Vincenzo Amore
497 Belmont Ave.
$3,000 — Remodel of existing restaurant

Western New England College
1215 Wilbraham Road
$103,000 — Re-roof of Old Blake Law Center

WMECO
30 Cadwell Dr.
$299,000 — Office renovation and new bathroom

WESTFIELD

Splitfinger, LLC
6 Coleman Ave.
$30,000 — Exterior renovations

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Century Center, LLC
Union St.
$40,000 — Tenant fit out

Dasare Properties, LLC
191 Baldwin St.
$176,000 — Repair fire and smoke damage

Decorative Specialties International, Inc.
101 Front St.
$75,000 — Construct new entryway

Developers Diversified
935 Riverdale St.
$2,000 — Tenant fit out

Lyn Davies for Carter’s
935 Riverdale St.
$146,000 — Renovate existing retail space

Pintus
217 Elm St.
$3,000 — Renovate restaurant after fire

Town of West Springfield
135 Piper Road
$40,000 — Install replacement windows at the Water Department

Estate Planning Myths Explained

By BusinessWest Staff August 30, 2010

Sections Supplements

Knowledge of the Law Can Be Your Best Asset When Coping with These Issues

Gina Barry

Certain ideas with respect to estate planning are widely accepted, yet unfortunately, inaccurate. This article will reveal and explain the most commonly stated estate planning myths.

Myth No. 1: ‘If I have a valid will, my estate does not have to go through probate.’
Many people believe that having a will means that their estate will not have to be probated when they pass away. A will is a document that, in part, gives instructions as to the distribution of the assets in the decedent’s probate estate. The assets in the probate estate are those assets that are held in the decedent’s name alone that do not have a designated beneficiary. Thus, whether or not probate is needed is not based upon whether or not the decedent had a will; rather, it is based upon how the assets are owned by the decedent.
If the decedent left probate assets, then in order for their will to ‘speak,’ a probate estate must be opened. If all the assets held in the decedent’s name are jointly owned with a right of survivorship or have named beneficiaries, then there is no need for probate.

Myth No. 2: ‘I can give away $10,000 to as many people as I want each year, but if I give more, then I have to pay gift tax.’
This myth emanates from the gift-tax system. In 2010, the rule with respect to gift tax is that you may give up to $13,000 to as many people as you want without having to file a gift-tax return. Note that the amount that can be gifted is stated incorrectly in the myth because most people remain unaware of the ongoing increases to the allowable gift amount.
Also under the current rules, even if a gift-tax return must be filed because more than $13,000 is given to one person, the giver of the gift will not pay any gift tax until he or she has gifted more than $1 million during their lifetime. Thus, if a person has $100,000 and gives all of it away in one year to one person, they will need to file a gift tax return, but they will not owe any gift tax because the gift does not exceed the lifetime threshold.

Myth No. 3: ‘I can give away assets when I enter a nursing home and still obtain Medicaid benefits.’
When faced with a nursing home bill of approximately $8,000 per month, many people wish to obtain Medicaid benefits to pay for this care. In order to obtain Medicaid benefits, an asset limit must be met; therefore, assets valued above this amount must be reduced to the asset limit before benefits will be granted. In their efforts to reduce the excess assets, many people believe that they can gift the excess assets due to the gift-tax exclusion explained in Myth No. 2. While a person can make a gift of up to $13,000 per person in 2010 without filing a gift tax return, the Medicaid program is not governed by the gift tax rules.
The Medicaid program imposes a penalty when any assets are given away within five years of the application for benefits, except in very specific circumstances. This penalty results in being unable to obtain Medicaid benefits for at least five years after such a gift is made. Thus, a gift of any amount will typically result in a penalty being imposed even if the gift does not have to be reported on a gift-tax return.

Myth No. 4 – ‘If I need nursing home care, Medicare will pay for my care.’
In part, this myth is perpetuated due to the fact that “Medicare” sounds very much like “Medicaid,” which does pay benefits for nursing home care for approved applicants. Medicare Part A will pay for medically necessary inpatient care in a skilled nursing facility, but only following a three-day hospital stay. Medicare will pay for up to 100 days of skilled nursing care or rehabilitation services. The actual length of benefits could be much shorter than 100 days if those services are no longer required.
When Medicare benefits are paid, Medicare pays 100% of the cost for the first 20 days, but only 80% of the cost of the next 80 days. Most Medicare recipients also have Medigap insurance, which will pay the balance not paid by Medicare. When Medicare benefits are exhausted, an alternative payment source is needed to pay for ongoing nursing home care.

Gina M. Barry is a partner with the law firm of Bacon Wilson, P.C., Attorneys at Law. She is a member of the National Assoc. of Elder Law Attorneys, the Estate Planning Council, and the Western Mass. Elder Care Professionals Association. She concentrates her practice in the areas of estate and asset-protection planning, probate administration and litigation, guardianships, conservatorships and residential real estate; (413) 781-0560; [email protected].

Court Dockets

By BusinessWest Staff August 16, 2010

Court Dockets Departments

The following is a compilation of recent lawsuits involving area businesses and organizations. These are strictly allegations that have yet to be proven in a court of law. Readers are advised to contact the parties listed, or the court, for more information concerning the individual claims.

CHICOPEE DISTRICT COURT

Helena Borek v. Wholesale Kitchen Supply Co.
Allegation: Breach of contract and unfair and deceptive trade practices: $8,274
Filed: 5/11/10

FRANKLIN SUPERIOR COURT

Nike USA Inc. v. 1793 Corp.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $33,835.64
Filed: 6/18/10

Ricky Greenwald v. RTB Design
Allegation: Breach of contract and fraud arising in construction dispute between the homeowner and the designer/builder: $393,055.72
Filed: 6/1/10

GREENFIELD DISTRICT COURT

Weddingpages Inc. v. Sakura Bloom, LLC
Allegation: Non-payment of advertising services rendered: $5,324.40
Filed: 7/1/10

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT

Adam P. Clermont, Esq. v. Robinson & Donovan, P.C., et al
Allegation: Legal malpractice and breach of fiduciary duty: $150,000
Filed: 6/1/10

Clinton Mitchell Jr. v. Associated Electro-Mechanics
Allegation: Employment discrimination: $25,000+
Filed: 5/25/10

Estate of Raymond F. Bolas v. The Hartford Casualty Insurance Co. and Elizabeth Warga, Margaret Bonney, and Stephen M. Brown
Allegation: Negligence, conversion, and breach of fiduciary duty: $350,000
Filed: 5/26/10

MicMac Mechanical Insulation, LLC v. Fontaine Brothers Inc. and Federal Insurance Co.
Allegation: Non-payment of labor and materials supplied on a public construction project: $15,355
Filed: 6/3/10

Noonan Energy Corp. v. Howard Fuel Service Inc.
Allegation: Fraud and negligent representation: $89,167.40
Filed: 5/11/10

Orchard Variety Inc. v. Good Deal Auto
Allegation: Checks fraudulently cashed on closed accounts: $87,146
Filed: 6/2/10

Roberta Kerry v. Friendly Corp.
Allegation: Employment discrimination and harassment: $25,000
Filed: 5/25/10

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT

Caroline Wenck v. Warner Brothers, LLC, Allstate Asphalt Inc., and Gallagher Bassett Services Inc.
Allegation: Negligence in sidewalk construction project, causing injury: $21,005.39
Filed: 6/7/10

Carlos Casillas v. Steve Lewis Subaru Inc.
Allegation: Employment discrimination based on race, color, nationality: $25,000
Filed: 6/17/10

NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT COURT

AEC One Stop Group v. Dynamite Records
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $17,881.60
Filed: 7/2/10

Bailey Nurseries Inc. v. Keyes Perennial Farm
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $5,146.99
Filed: 6/30/10

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT

Bradco Supply Co. v. C.S. Alexander Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $10,789.04
Filed: 6/11/10

Collins Enterprises Inc. v. Niley’s Fashion
Allegation: Breach of lease agreement: $8,400
Filed: 6/10/11

National Vinyl Products Inc. v. Griswold Glass & Aluminum Co.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $7,441.65
Filed: 6/14/10

Salemi Appliance Service Inc. v. Shedd Plumbing & Heating Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment on appliances: $3,783.15
Filed: 6/11/10

Thurston Foods Inc. v. J.T.’s Bakery & Café
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $3,646.88
Filed: 6/10/10

WESTFIELD DISTRICT COURT

Capital One Bank NA v. Auto Specialties
Allegation: Non-payment of goods and services charged on a credit account: $6,861.81
Filed: 5/18/10

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff August 16, 2010

Departments People on the Move

People’s United Financial Inc. of Springfield recently named John P. (Jack) Barnes as President, CEO, and a member of the Board of Directors. Barnes was also named President, CEO, and a Director of the company’s subsidiary, People’s United Bank. Barnes has served as interim President and CEO since April.

•••••

Werner Maiwald of The Gaudreau Group, Inc. in Wilbraham has achieved membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table, the premier association of financial-services professionals. Maiwald has also earned recognition from the American Assoc. for Long-Term Care Insurance for the work he has done on the national and state level in helping to meet his clients’ needs.

•••••

Jeffrey Trant of Human Resources Unlimited in Springfield was recently named a program surveyor in the Employment and Community Services Division at the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Trant was among 23 industry experts who were selected from a candidate pool of more than 2,000 professionals across North America to participate in comprehensive training. He will conduct surveys of organizations seeking CARF accreditation. Trant has served as manager of HRU’s Lighthouse Clubhouse on State Street in Springfield for two years.

•••••

Dee Dee Mares, Managing Partner of Songline Emu Farm in Gill, recently attended the American Emu Assoc. national convention in Iowa. During the annual meeting, Mares was elected Vice President of the Board of Directors. She also serves as President of the New England Emu Assoc.

•••••

Michael Reilly has been appointed Divisional Sales Manager for the South/Central Region for Springfield’s MassMutual Retirement Services Division. He is responsible for managing the Chicago field office and the territory encompassing Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Eastern and Central Wisconsin.

•••••

lia sophia announced the following:
• Dorothy Hastings has received top honors among its Excellent Beginnings Program Achievers for sales accomplishments and professionalism; and
• Cathy Cardenuto has received top honors among its Excellent Beginnings Program Achievers for sales accomplishments and professionalism.

•••••

Jeff Ferreri has joined Peter Pan Bus Lines in Springfield as Regional Sales Manager of Charter Sales and Operations.

•••••

Florence Savings Bank announced that the following were elected to serve on the institution’s board of directors:
• Willard Plumley, proprietor of Plumley Consulting and a certified public accountant; and
• Carol Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Cooley Dickinson Hospital.

•••••

Anthony Elder, a Cambridge College graduate, recently published the book Your Intangible Assets; Five Simple Ways to Succeed. A successful businessman and life coach, Elder discusses how business professionals, entrepreneurs, and individuals can use their courage, determination, creativity, and other intangible assets to enhance their lives professionally and personally.

•••••

Molly H. O’Brien has been named Advertising Supervisor for equine health care products at W. F. Young Inc.

•••••

Borawski Insurance Agency in Northampton announced the following:
• Lynne Colesano has joined the company as Employee Benefits Director; and
• Mark Rosa has been appointed Marketing Director.

•••••

Barbara A. Baran, Business Development Officer at Holyoke Credit Union, received the 2010 Henry A. Fifield Award for Voluntary Service from the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce at its 120th annual meeting. Baran co-chairs the chamber’s Ambassadors’ Club, a group of 20 business and professional people who support and advocate for the chamber.

•••••

Robert C. Holub, Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, has been elected to a one-year term as Secretary of the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts.

•••••

Walter Tomala Jr., of TNT General Contracting of Westfield, was recently sworn in as President of the Home Builders Assoc. of Massachusetts for 2010-2011.

•••••

Nick Graveline has joined the East Longmeadow office of RE/MAX Prestige.

•••••

Attorney Gary M. Weiner has been named President of the Board of Governors of the Commercial Law League of America. Weiner is Managing Shareholder at Weiner & Lange in Springfield.

•••••

Michael J. Roy has joined Easthampton Savings Bank as the Compliance Officer.

•••••

New board members of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority include:
• Vanessa Otero, owner of a consulting firm in Chicopee;
• Michelle A. Shell, a Vice President at Strategic Advisers, a subsidiary of Fidelity Investments, and the new board chair;
• Ann Conlon Roosevelt, an environmental advocate and owner of a Cambridge real-estate firm;
• David R. Giblin, general manager of the Boston Marriott Copley Place;
• Paul J. Sacco, president and CEO of the Massachusetts Lodging Assoc; and
• Mark Erlich, executive secretary-treasurer of the New England Regional Council of Carpenters.

•••••

Mary Jenewin-Caplin has been appointed Area Agency on Aging Director for Greater Springfield Senior Services Inc. She will oversee the operation of Meals on Wheels and congregate nutrition programs, oversee the long-term care ombudsman program, and administer federal grants for community organizations that provide services to older adults.

•••••

Carol Swistak, Manager of the McDonald’s at 299 East Main St., Westfield, and Ismael Flores, Manager of McDonald’s at 2392 Main St., Springfield, were recently honored with Outstanding Restaurant Manager awards by McDonald’s USA. The awards recognize managers whose McDonald’s restaurants operate at an outstanding level and exemplify leadership following McDonald’s key initiatives. The top 10% of restaurant managers are bestowed with the honor.

•••••

Attorney Peter W. Shrair, a Managing Principal at the law firm of Cooley Shrair in Springfield, presented a seminar titled “Fraud in the Workplace: Assessment and Prevention” for the Financial Executives Institute, sponsored by the Paperboard Packaging Council in Springfield.

•••••

Andrew Crane recently received the Home Builders Assoc. of Massachusetts Legend of the Industry Award.

•••••

Stephen J. Caldeira has been named President and CEO of the International Franchise Assoc.

•••••

The Depositors Insurance Fund announced the following:
• John F. Heaps Jr., President of Florence Savings Bank, has been elected to the Board of Directors; and
• William J. Wagner, President of Chicopee Savings Bank, has been elected to the Board of Directors.
The Depositors Insurance Fund provides excess deposit insurance to 65 Massachusetts-chartered savings banks. At member banks, all deposit amounts above FDIC insurance limits are insured in full by the Depositors Insurance Fund.

•••••

Women recently named to the Leadership Institute for Political Impact include:
• Daryl Essensa and Shenandoah Sluter, both of Greenfield;
• Susan Mareneck of Leverett;
• Ingrid Brandenberg of Montague;
• Joanne Sunshower and Lori Tuominen, both of Shutesbury;
• Corinne Wingard of Agawam;
• Karen Jarvis Vance and Elizabeth Dineen, both of East Longmeadow;
• Maria Salgado, Yaraliz Soto, and Peggy Vezina, all of Holyoke;
• Wanda Banks, Kimberly Barbato, Natasha Clark, Ivette Cruz, Denise Hurst, Jennifer Kirby, Kathryn Kirby, and Haydee Lamberty Rodriguez, all of Springfield;
• Carla Doyle and Kristin Palini, both of West Springfield;
• Laura Mecham of Wilbraham;
• Virgenmina Perez of Amherst;
• Ashley Fay of Belchertown;
• Wendy Gannett of Easthampton;
• Gloria DiFulvo and Susanne Rondeau, both of Hadley;
• M. J. Adams-Pullan, Mollie Fox, and Anja Waechter-Bourbeau, all of Northampton;
• Jennifer Dexter of South Hadley; and
• Norma Adler of Hatfield.

•••••

Dr. Mark Novotny, vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, announced that several new physicians are affiliating with CDH. Novotny said the hospital seeks to grow a number of specialty services as part of a broader re-positioning. The physicians specialize in areas the hospital has targeted for growth. They include:
• Dr. Timothy Abbott, Anesthesiologist;
• Dr. Kelly Bishop-Bartolomei, General Surgeon;
• Dr. Jacob Chapman, Emergency Medicine;
• Dr. William Dean III, Neurologist;
• Dr. Julia Gates, Interventional Radiologist;
• Dr. Tae Kim, Emergency Medicine;
• Dr. Andrew King, Anesthesiologist;
• Dr. Erin Leahy, Adult Hospitalist;
• Dr. Sean Mullally, Hematologist/ Oncologist; and
• Dr. Sarah Workman, Adult-Pediatric Hospitalist.

The Small-business Health Care Tax Credit

By BusinessWest Staff August 16, 2010

Sections Supplements

Begin Planning Now to Take Full Advantage of This Opportunity

James Calnan

If yours is a small business or small tax-exempt organization and you pay at least half of the cost of single health insurance coverage for your employees in 2010, you may qualify for a new tax credit. In 2010 the tax credit can be as much as 35% (25% for tax-exempt organizations) of the premiums you pay on your employees’ behalf.

The tax credit is included in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which became law March 23, 2010 and is effective Jan. 1, 2010. The new law is intended to encourage small employers to offer health insurance coverage for low- and moderate-income workers by subsidizing premiums paid with a tax credit. Section 45R of the Internal Revenue Code was added to provide for this credit. IRS Notice 2010-44 was written to provide guidance in determining eligibility and to assist in calculating the tax credit.

Amount of the Tax Credit
The maximum amount of the credit is 35% (25% for tax-exempt employers) of a small-business employer’s premium costs in 2010. This rate increases to 50% (35% for tax-exempt) in 2014. To obtain the maximum credit, an employer must have no more than 10 full-time-equivalent employees (FTEs), and the average annual wages of its employees must be no more than $25,000.
For employers with more than 10 but less than 25 FTEs or with average annual wages of more than $25,000 but less than $50,000, the credit gradually phases out according to a formula.
For tax-exempt employers, there is an additional limitation. The maximum credit cannot exceed the sum of income and Medicare tax withheld from employees’ wages for the year and the employer share of Medicare tax on employees’ wages for the year.

Who is Eligible for the Tax Credit?
A qualifying employer must have fewer than the equivalent of 25 FTEs as defined in the act, the average annual wages of its employees must be less than $50,000 per FTE, and the employer must maintain a ‘qualifying arrangement’ under which the employer pays premiums for each employee enrolled in the health-insurance plan in an amount equal to a uniform percentage (not less than 50%) of the cost of coverage. For 2010, under transitional rules, paying 50% of the cost of single insurance coverage will satisfy this requirement.

Do Owners of the Business Count as Employees?
A sole proprietor, a partner in a partnership, a shareholder owning more than 2% of an S corporation, and any owner of more than 5% of any other corporation or business and their family members or members of their household are not considered employees for purposes of the credit. Their wages, hours worked, and premiums paid on their behalf are excluded from any calculations in determining the amount of the credit. This is significant because, in many cases, including owners would disqualify the related employer for the credit.

What is an FTE?
For purposes of this credit, an FTE is an employee that is paid for at least 2,080 hours of service, including vacations and other paid time off. So if an employee works part-time and is paid for 1,040 hours, the employee is considered a half or 0.5 FTE. The law allows three different methods for determining hours of service. To calculate the number of employee FTEs, divide the total hours of service by 2,080 and round down to the next-lowest whole number. Therefore, an employer with 25 or more employees may qualify for the credit if some of the employees work part-time.
Seasonal or temporary workers may be disregarded in determining FTEs and average annual wages unless each works for the employer more than 120 days during the taxable year; however, premiums paid on their behalf may be counted in determining the amount of the tax credit.

Determining the Average Annual Wages
To determine the average annual wages, divide the total wages (as defined for FICA purposes) paid by the employer during the year to the employees that were taken into account in determining FTEs by the FTEs for the same year, and round the result down to the nearest $1,000.

Qualified Insurance Premiums
For years prior to 2014, only premiums paid by the employer to health-insurance issuers, such as an insurance company or HMO licensed to engage in the business of insurance, are counted for purposes of the credit. Qualified health-insurance coverage plans include major medical, dental, long-term care, nursing-home care, home health care, community-based care, or any combination of the above. Also included are specific disease or illness plans, indemnity insurance plans, Medicare, and other supplemental plans.
Each type of plan must separately satisfy the qualifying arrangement requirement first before aggregating the premiums paid by the employer to calculate the allowable tax credit; i.e., at least 50% of premiums must be paid by the employer.
Finally, for taxable years beginning before 2014, the amount of the credit is limited to a percentage of the lesser of 1) the amount of non-elective contributions (premiums) paid by the eligible small employer on behalf of employees under the arrangement during the taxable year, and 2) the amount of non-elective contributions the employer would have paid under the arrangement if each such employee were enrolled in a plan that had a premium equal to the average premium for the small-group market in the state (or in an area of the state) in which the employer is offering health-insurance coverage. The secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) determines whether separate average premiums will apply for areas within a state (‘sub-state areas’) and also determines the average premium for a state or sub-state area. Revenue Ruling 2010-13 sets forth the average premium for the small-group market in each state for the 2010 tax year. This table can be accessed through www.irs.gov.

Claiming the Credit
The credit is claimed on the small employer’s annual income-tax return. Information will be forthcoming from the IRS for tax-exempt employers on how to claim the credit. It is currently contemplated that the credit will be refundable for tax-exempt employers. Small-business employers whose credit exceeds their current-year income tax can carry the excess credit back one year (except for 2010) and forward 20 years.

Devil in the Details
As with most tax benefits, there are exceptions, conditions, and other complications that can limit the amount of the credit and tax savings:
• Members of a controlled group or an affiliated service group, as defined in the tax regulations, are treated as a single employer for purposes of the credit. Therefore, all employees and all related wages of the control group must be aggregated to determine eligibility.
• The amount of the employer’s deduction for health insurance premiums must be reduced by the amount of the credit claimed in that year.
• There are specific rules as to the effect that state tax credits and subsidies for health insurance may have on the amount of tax credit allowable to the employer.
Although the rules and calculations involved are somewhat complex, the tax credits can save a small employer tens of thousands of dollars in cash flow each year, so it behooves you to do the math.

Start Planning Now
You should engage your CPA or tax advisor now to ascertain whether you might likely qualify for this in 2010. The following steps must be followed to determine whether you are eligible for the tax credit under IRS Code Section 45R:
• Determine the employees who are taken into account for purposes of the credit.
• Determine the number of hours of service performed by those employees.
• Calculate the number of the employer’s FTEs.
• Determine the average annual wages paid per FTE.
• Determine the premiums paid by the employer that are taken into account for purposes of the credit. Specifically, the premiums must be paid by an employer under a qualifying arrangement and must be paid for health insurance that meets the requirements of Section 45R.
• Determine if there are any state tax credits or premium subsidies related to the employer’s health-insurance program.
Running a pro-forma calculation now not only gives you an indication of your eligibility, but also identifies an action plan to take over the remainder of the year to maximize the tax credit, such as timing of premium payments and changing the policy relative to employer-paid premiums.
The accompanying examples of small-employer tax credits published by the IRS (see box) shows the potential savings to small employers.

Conclusion
The small-business health care tax credit could represent the largest federal tax credit ever made available to small employers. Go to www.irs.gov and search for ‘small-business health care tax credit’ to learn more about this credit, including a fact sheet, a worksheet to determine eligibility, frequently asked questions, examples of applying the rules, Notice 2210-44, and Notice 2010-13. n

James B. Calnan, CPA, is a partner with Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. in Holyoke, certified public accountants and business strategists; (413) 536-8510; www.mbkhealthcare.com

Small-Business Health Care Tax Credit Scenarios
Examples of Employers Receiving the Credit

Example 1: Auto-repair shop with 10 employees receives $24,500
credit for 2010.
Main Street Mechanic
n Employees: 10
n Wages: $250,000 total, or $25,000 per worker
n Employee health care costs: $70,000
n 2010 Tax Credit: $24,500 (35% credit)
n 2014 Tax Credit: $35,000 (50% credit)

Example 2: Restaurant with 40 part-time employees receives $28,000
credit for 2010.
Downtown Diner
n Employees: 40 half-time employees (the equivalent of 20 full-time workers)
n Wages: $500,000 total, or $25,000 per full-time equivalent worker
n Employee health care costs: $240,000
n 2010 Tax Credit: $28,000 (35% credit with phase-out)
n 2014 Tax Credit: $40,000 (50% credit with phase-out)

Example 3: Foster care nonprofit with nine employees receives $18,000
credit for 2010.
First Street Family Services
n Employees: 9
n Wages: $198,000 total, or $22,000 per worker
n Employee health care costs: $72,000
n 2010 Tax Credit: $18,000 (25% credit)
n 2014 Tax Credit: $25,200 (35% credit )

Picture This

By BusinessWest Staff August 16, 2010

Departments Picture This

Hanging with Wally

Joseph Bott, territory sales manager at the Hanover Insurance Group (left), Janet Steigmeyer, director of Human Resources for the Holyoke Chicopee Springfield (HCS) Head Start Inc., and Timm Marini, president of the FieldEddy Insurance Network, pose with Wally, the official mascot of the Boston Red Sox. The FieldEddy Insurance Network, in cooperation with the Hanover Insurance Group, sponsored Wally’s visit with the children enrolled in HCS Head Start. Head Start’s mission is to improve the lives of low-income children by providing quality, comprehensive child-development services focusing on education, health, nutrition, and mental health.

Getting a Lift

From left, Mary Meehan and Marian Poe-Heineman, both first vice president of commercial lending at PeoplesBank, join Mary Reardon Johnson, executive director of the Young Women’s Club of Western Mass., in celebrating the club’s new 2011 Kia Sedona. The van was purchased with a $21,813 donation from PeoplesBank, and will be assigned to the club’s Teen Transitional Living Program (TTLP). The TTLP serves at-risk teen mothers who cannot return to live with their families due to domestic violence, neglect, poor living conditions, or other extraordinary circumstances. The van will improve TTLP daily operations by providing residents and staff with safe and reliable transportation to and from doctor’s appointments and job training, as well as many other services critical to the success of the young mothers enrolled in the program.

Fifth Amendment

Past 40 under Forty winners

A Taxing Situation for Businesses

Do You Need Full-replacement Insurance on Your Building?

Success in His Chosen Field Was No Accident

StenTel Keeps the Information Flowing

10 Reasons Why You May Need One — and Why You May Not

New Tax Provisions Could Benefit Small-business Owners

Medical Society Study Shows Continued Primary Care Shortages

Path to Recovery Poses Many Challenges

NTS Takes Its Problem-solving Approach into the Greater Springfield Market

This Unique Event Will Put Businesses in Front of Decision Makers

Getting the Nation on Track for Jobs

This Entrepreneur Certainly Has Things Covered

Steps to Take from the Funeral Home Right Through to Probate

The Bottom Line Is That Each Product Serves a Different Need

This New Event Puts Its Participants in Good Company

MassMutual Executive Is an Expert in Many Fields

Knowledge of the Law Can Be Your Best Asset When Coping with These Issues

Begin Planning Now to Take Full Advantage of This Opportunity

Daily News

News

Contact

Departments

Events