Home Posts tagged Patricia Begrowicz

Patricia Begrowicz of Onyx Specialty Papers to Speak at Ventfort Hall on July 22

By
Daily News

LENOX — Patricia (Pat) Begrowicz, president and co-owner of Onyx Specialty Papers Inc. in South Lee, will present the history of papermaking in the Berkshires on Tuesday, July 22 at 4 p.m. at Ventfort Hall, 104 Walker St., Lenox. A tea will be served after her presentation.

Starting in the early 1800s, papermakers were drawn to the banks of the Housatonic River, where the supply of clean water was plentiful for making paper and generating the power needed to run a paper mill. Paper manufacturing has had a significant impact on the economy of the Berkshires since Zenas Crane’s first paper mill started operating in Dalton in 1801. At its peak in the mid-1800s, more than 60 paper mills were operating in Berkshire County.

While there are only three mills currently operating here in 2025, the economic impact of those mills is strong, and products produced in those three mills are shipped around the world. Begrowicz’s talk will explore the history of papermaking in the Berkshires, from the early days of making paper from cotton rags for use in the newly born U.S. to the paper of today made from natural and synthetic fibers used throughout the world.

In 2009, Begrowicz and her business partner purchased the assets of the former MeadWestvaco Specialty Paper Division and formed Onyx, which manufactures specialty papers serving a wide range of global markets, including automotive, decorative laminates, medical papers, and artist papers. She has worked in the paper industry for more than 30 years, with roles in process engineering, research and development, operations, business development, and executive management.

Tickets cost $45. Members receive a discount code for $5 off all ticket prices. Students age 22 and under are $22. Ticket pricing includes access to the mansion throughout the day of this event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Reservations are strongly encouraged as seats are limited. Walk-ins will be accommodated as space allows. For reservations, visit gildedage.org/pages/calendar or call (413) 637-3206. All tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.

AIM Elects New Officers 

By
Daily News

Patricia Begrowicz, president and co-Owner of Onyx Specialty Papers in Lee, was elected Thursday as chair of the board of directors of Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM), the statewide business association. 

A respected business and community leader in Berkshire County, Begrowicz has led the rebirth of a successful manufacturing company she acquired with a partner from MeadWestvaco during the great recession. She will become the second woman to chair the board of the largest business group in the Commonwealth and the first person from Berkshire County to lead AIM since 1953. 

Representatives of 3,400 AIM-member businesses elected Begrowicz during the association’s annual business meeting. Members also elected Donna Latson Gittens, principal and Founder of MORE Advertising in Watertown, as clerk of the corporation, and Gregory Buscone, executive vice president and senior commercial banking officer, Eastern Bank, Boston, as treasurer. 

“Our new leadership epitomizes AIM’s commitment to diversity in all its forms – racial, gender, geographic, industry and company size,” said outgoing board Chair Joanne Hilferty, president and CEO of Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries in Boston. “Pat Begrowicz is an accomplished entrepreneur and manufacturing executive who will be the perfect leader for Associated Industries of Massachusetts as it renews its commitment to helping businesses succeed.”  

Begrowicz bought the MeadWestvaco specialty papers business with partner Christopher Mathews in December 2009 and formed Onyx Specialty Papers. The company, which currently employs 150 people, provides skilled manufacturing jobs in a region that has seen many manufacturers downsize or close. Onyx produces highly engineered papers for technically demanding applications in global markets including automotive, medical filters, fine art, decorative surfaces and filtration.  

A native of New Jersey, Ms. Begrowicz earned a bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Notre Dame and a master of Science in Paper Science and Technology from Lawrence University. She serves on the boards of directors for Power Options, 1 Berkshire, the Boys and Girls Club of the Berkshires and the Berkshire Business Roundtable. She also serves on the University of Notre Dame Engineering College Advisory Council.  

“I am honored to chair the board of directors of AIM at a time when the need has never been greater for business organizations to create a sense of collective purpose among employers,” she said. “We are proud that everyone involved in the legislative or business life of Massachusetts praises the professionalism, preparation and civility that AIM shows on behalf of employers and the jobs they create.”