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People on the Move

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People on the Move
Ella Nathanael Alkiewicz

Ella Nathanael Alkiewicz

Michael Brown

Michael Brown

Cheyenne Burnham

Cheyenne Burnham

Jeffrey Hoess-Brooks

Jeffrey Hoess-Brooks

Catherine Reed

Catherine Reed

Mark Tajima

Mark Tajima

Isaac Weiner

Isaac Weiner

The Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) welcomed seven new members to its board of directors during its first meeting of 2026. Ella Nathanael Alkiewicz is founder and owner of Ella Alk Inuk LLC in Northampton. A commissioned artist, published author, and Main Street business owner, she holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Salem State University, a bachelor’s degree in journalism, a certificate in Native American studies from UMass Amherst, and a master of fine arts degree in creative writing (nonfiction) from Lesley University. Michael Brown is a financial planner with the Davis Financial Group in Hadley. He brings extensive board and nonprofit leadership experience, strong financial expertise, and long-standing involvement with chambers of commerce. He holds a PhD in English from Indiana University, a bachelor’s degree in English and Spanish from Southern Methodist University, and a financial planning certificate from Boston University. Cheyenne Burnham is Public Engagement manager for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts in Chicopee. With a background in food security and hands-on expertise in fundraising, event coordination, budgeting, and volunteer management, Burnham is particularly interested in economic development initiatives that strengthen community impact and resilience. She holds a Bachelor of Science from James Madison University. Jeffrey Hoess-Brooks, owner and Realtor at HB Real Estate, with offices in Northampton, Chicopee, and Wilbraham, joins the board with deep experience in marketing, finance, customer relations, tourism, and hospitality, along with vast knowledge of the regional real estate market. He is a graduate of Johnson & Wales University, where he studied culinary arts. Catherine Reed is executive director of Operations at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, where she has overseen major operational initiatives, including clinical systems integration, urgent care expansion, and critical COVID-19 response programs. A member of the GNCC finance committee, Reed holds an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University and a bachelor’s degree in medical technology from SUNY Fredonia. Mark Tajima is owner and partner at B. Alpha Construction LLC in Chicopee. With a strong background in construction and entrepreneurial management, his expertise includes sales and marketing, strategic planning, fundraising, and product development and expansion. Tajima studied Asian studies and French literature at Connecticut College and received a master’s degree in elementary education and conflict resolution from Lesley University. Isaac Weiner is co-owner/operator of Familiars Coffee and Tea in Northampton and Florence Pie Bar. Known for his visionary leadership and collaborative spirit, Weiner enhances GNCC’s capacity to foster coalitions and gain alignment on community-centered business development, downtown activation, and economic growth. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Trinity College in Hartford, Conn.

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Mayhew Steel Products Inc. announced that Lucy Hawkins has been named strategic account manager. With more than a decade of experience supporting manufacturing and distribution teams across customer service, operations, and sales, Hawkins will lead growth for Mayhew’s cable ties product line and help strengthen partnerships with distributors and customers. Before joining Mayhew Tools, Hawkins served as an account executive at Oliver Inc., where she was a trusted advisor to key accounts and led design projects from concept to completion. Her background also includes a role as assistant Operations manager at GDU LLC, managing supply chain operations, procurement, and vendor sourcing. Additionally, as an inside sales technical manager for Azelis Americas, she managed a sales team, drove process improvements, and contributed to significant business growth. Her extensive experience in building strategic relationships and executing projects will be invaluable to Mayhew’s cable tie business.

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Peter Pan Bus Lines announced key leadership promotions as the company looks ahead to 2026. Lauryn Picknelly-DuBois was promoted to vice president, Finance, while Peter B. Picknelly was promoted to vice president. These promotions signify the continued legacy of the Picknelly family and mark the addition of the fourth generation of family executives to lead the company. Founded in 1933 by Peter Carmine Picknelly, Peter Pan Bus Lines began as a small transportation company rooted in service and community. From those humble beginnings, the company has grown into one of the nation’s largest family-owned and -operated inter-city bus companies, delivering safe, reliable transportation across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. For nearly a century, Peter Pan Bus Lines has remained family-owned, with each generation building upon the vision, values, and resilience established by the founder.

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The WooSox Foundation recognized Jodie Gerulaitis, first vice president of Community Relations at Country Bank, during its recent fourth annual WooSox Foundation Honors Gala. She was honored for her outstanding contributions to the community, particularly in advancing education across Central and Western Mass. Gerulaitis leads Country Bank’s community relations and financial literacy initiatives, delivering education programs that empower children with essential money management skills. She also spearheads the bank’s partnership with the WooSox Foundation Most Valuable Teacher program, an initiative that celebrates and elevates educators who make a meaningful difference in students’ lives throughout the region.

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Jennifer Baril

Jennifer Baril

Berkshire United Way (BUW) announced that Jennifer Baril has been named its new director of Development. Baril has more than 25 years of fundraising experience designing and implementing results-driven programs for community service, education, and healthcare organizations. Previous positions include director of Fund Development for Health Equity Solutions, senior director of Fundraising for the Center for Human Development, senior Major Gifts officer at Western New England University, Philanthropy officer at Baystate Health, director of Development for Girls Inc. of Holyoke, and, at Smith College, assistant director of the Alumnae Fund followed by Major Gifts officer. She currently serves as board president of Holyoke’s only free after-school program, Homework House, and previously served with Volunteers in Service to America in Los Angeles. Baril earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UMass Amherst and a master’s degree from UMass Amherst’s Isenberg School of Management.

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Advantage Truck Group (ATG) has named its 2025 Pete DePina Legacy Award winners, recognizing one individual at each of its eight dealerships across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont for making an impact on their fellow employees, customers, and the company. Nick McIntire, warranty administrator, received the legacy award for ATG’s Westfield facility. The highest recognition an ATG team member can receive, this award is given annually to one team member at each of ATG’s eight locations who most embodies the values and qualities employee Napoleon “Pete” DePina was known for, including integrity and a quiet leadership grounded in humility, generosity, and selfless service to others. ATG team members were nominated by their peers for the award. Winners were presented with a monetary award that they will continue to receive as part of their profit sharing bonus each year throughout their employment with the company.

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The Applied Mortgage Team of HMA Mortgage announced that Jessica LaMothe, loan partner and member of the Applied Mortgage Team, was honored with the Rising Star Award by the Massachusetts Mortgage Bankers Assoc. at its Award Breakfast on Jan. 21. This prestigious recognition celebrates emerging leaders in the mortgage industry who demonstrate exceptional performance, dedication, and promise for continued success. The Rising Star Award was created to recognize exceptional up-and-coming association member professionals who demonstrate outstanding leadership potential, dedication to their profession, and a strong commitment to excellence. Lamothe began her professional journey working alongside Nicole Laurie, Applied Mortgage Team Operations lead, in the retail industry before being recruited into the mortgage business in 2016. In her current role, Lamothe works closely with the loan origination team to guide each homebuyer from preapproval to closing and beyond. She serves as a key point of communication among all parties involved, including homebuyers and homeowners, Realtors, attorneys, and insurance agents to ensure every transaction is seamless and exceeds expectations.

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The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) announced that Ken Comia, director of the Land Use and Environment Department, has been officially elected president of the American Planning Assoc. – Massachusetts Chapter (APA-MA). Comia previously served as vice president for four years and brings extensive experience in regional planning, sustainability, and community engagement to this leadership role. “I am honored to serve as APA-MA president,” Comia said. “Over the past four years as vice president, I’ve seen firsthand the talent and dedication of planners across Massachusetts. I look forward to working with colleagues statewide to strengthen communities, foster equity, and advance innovative planning solutions.”

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Meghan Boone

Meghan Boone

Tony Trinchini

Tony Trinchini

MP CPAs recently announced two promotions. Meghan Boone has been promoted to Audit manager with the firm. She manages audits, reviews, and compilations for small to medium-sized businesses. She also manages audits of Massachusetts charter schools (governmental entities), nonprofit organizations, and employee benefit plans. Boone, who joined the firm in 2020, holds both a bachelor’s degree in business management and a master’s degree in accounting from Westfield State University. She is a certified public accountant and a member of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants. In addition to her professional responsibilities, she is active in the community by participating in various fundraising and networking events. Tony Trinchini has been promoted to tax manager with the firm. He provides consulting and tax solutions to a diverse group of clients, including individuals, estates, trusts, partnerships, and corporations. He specializes in working with high-net-worth clients and family offices. Trinchini, who joined the firm in 2020, holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Western New England University and a master’s degree in accounting from UMass Amherst. He remains involved in recruiting and mentorship efforts with his alma maters.

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The Irish Cultural Center of Western New England (ICCWNE) announced several recent appointments to its executive committee and board of directors. President Sean Cahillane, Vice Presidents Ed Sullivan and Kevin O’Connor, Treasurer Stephanie Joyce, and Secretary Lynn McCarthy have been formally approved as the ICCWNE’s executive committee and voted in by the full board of directors. The executive committee serves as the ICCWNE’s core leadership team, helping guide major decisions, support organizational planning, and ensure smooth and effective operation. It works closely with the executive director in day-to-day operations and ensures that key decisions are made efficiently and responsibly. The ICCWNE has also elected new members to its board of directors. Hilary Sullivan and Brendan Fitzgerald recently joined the board and are committed to helping the ICCWNE grow as a center of Irish culture and community in Western New England.

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Dakin Humane Society has named Dr. Katie Spaulding medical director of its organization, according to Executive Director Meg Talbert. Recently, Spaulding worked as an infection preventionist for the Hawaii State Department of Health and served as a One Health Subcommittee member for the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists’ Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Task Force. While living in Hawaii, she spent six years working with various animal welfare organizations across the islands to provide accessible veterinary care and perform surgical sterilization for the free-roaming cat population there. She also worked as a marine animal stranding volunteer veterinarian with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Hawaii Department of Land & Natural Resources, and was hired as a veterinarian for the Marine Mammal Center’s Ke Kai Ola Hawaiian monk seal hospital. Spaulding began practicing shelter medicine at Dakin Humane Society in 2010 as the Adoption Center Veterinarian, and is particularly interested in infectious disease prevention and control, as well as antimicrobial resistance. She also has a special interest in alternative sterilization methods to traditional spay/neuter for the management of free-roaming cat populations. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology and ecology from UMass Amherst and holds a dual doctor of veterinary medicine/master of public health degree from Iowa State University/University of Iowa.

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North Brookfield Savings Bank (NBSB) announced the retirement of Donna Boulanger from the bank’s board of directors, effective Jan. 12. Boulanger’s retirement marks the end of an era of leadership, growth, and community impact that has defined her remarkable career. Boulanger has been a driving force in the bank’s success over the years, most notably during her role as president and CEO from 2008 to 2022, as the first woman to lead the bank since it was founded. Her leadership steered the bank through a transformative period of growth and strategic expansion. Under her guidance as president and CEO, the bank’s asset size more than doubled, significantly strengthening its financial standing and enhancing its ability to serve customers throughout the community. During her tenure, Boulanger led the acquisition of Family First Bank, a strategic move that expanded the bank’s footprint, enhanced service offerings, and strengthened its commitment to maintaining local banking relationships. Upon retirement from the bank, Boulanger served as chair of the NBSB board of directors. She also served on the boards of the Depositors Insurance Fund, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, and the Federal Reserve of Boston.

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Michael Fenton

Michael Fenton

Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., a regional law firm with offices in Springfield and Northampton, announced that Shareholder Michael Fenton has been named a 2025 Go To Lawyer in the field of commercial real estate by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. The annual list recognizes fewer than 40 top-tier attorneys who demonstrate excellence in their practice area and are regarded as leaders by their peers. Fenton is the only lawyer from Western Mass. to be selected for this prestigious list. Fenton, who has practiced law for more than a decade, was recognized for his extensive work in commercial real estate and finance, including tax-exempt bond financing and business planning. His passion for the field began early in his career. Fenton’s legal practice is marked by a deep understanding of title work, financing, permitting, and development — skills that make him an invaluable resource for both clients and colleagues. In addition to his legal work, he has served as a member of the Springfield City Council for more than 16 years. He currently serves as an adjunct professor of Corporate Finance at Western New England University School of Law and is actively involved in civic and nonprofit organizations, including the Conservation Law Foundation’s Legal Services Food Hub.

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The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts announced the addition of two community members, Dr. Elizabeth Eagleson and Ariana Williams, to its board of directors. Both bring a wealth of experience and a shared commitment to addressing food insecurity in the region. Other changes to the board include the appointments of Omar Irizarry as president, Stephen Speelman as vice president, and Mary McGovern as treasurer. Shannon Wilson remains as clerk. Eagleson is a board-certified internist and assistant professor of Medicine affiliated with Baystate Medical Center and Baystate Brightwood Health Center in Springfield. She provides comprehensive adult internal medicine care and sees patients at Baystate’s Brightwood location. Williams is a visionary public health strategist, nonprofit leader, grant writer, and consultant dedicated to advancing health equity through systems-level innovation. As chief of Public Health Strategy & Innovation at Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Services, she designs and implements bold, measurable initiatives that address systemic health disparities, integrate cross-sector partnerships, and strengthen community resilience. She is also the founder and CEO of Catalyst for Equity Consulting, where she helps nonprofits bridge the gap between the public health and nonprofit sectors, aligning with funding priorities, developing evidence-based programs, and driving systemic change.

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Local nonprofit community behavioral health agency Clinical & Support Options (CSO) announced the appointment of Yaw Gyebi Jr. as the agency’s internal general counsel. Gyebi is a graduate of Connecticut College and Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. He has more than 20 years of experience as an attorney and executive leader across state and federal agencies. Most recently, he served as district director at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, overseeing complex investigations, litigation decisions, and large, multi-disciplinary teams. His background also includes senior leadership and general counsel roles in Massachusetts regulatory and enforcement agencies, with deep expertise in compliance, risk management, and dispute resolution.

People on the Move

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People on the Move
Joseph Hartman

Joseph Hartman

The board of trustees of Western New England University (WNE) announced the appointment of Joseph Hartman as the university’s seventh president. Hartman will assume the role on June 1. Hartman currently serves as provost and vice chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs at UMass Lowell, where he has led Academic Affairs since 2019. In his current role, he oversees academic strategy, faculty affairs, and student success initiatives across the institution of nearly 17,000 students and 600 faculty. Under his leadership, UMass Lowell integrated academic and student affairs to better support the student experience, opened the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, developed new degrees in data science and engineering physics with the Faculty Senate, and initiated an Early College program in collaboration with the UMass system for aspiring high school students. Prior to becoming provost, he served as dean of the Francis College of Engineering at UMass Lowell, where he oversaw nearly 4,000 students and more than 115 full-time faculty. During his tenure, the college hired 54 full-time faculty; nearly tripled research expenditures; launched new degree programs in biomedical, environmental, and industrial engineering, as well as engineering management; expanded professional co-op and interdisciplinary senior design opportunities; and increased both the size and diversity of the faculty and student body. An industrial and systems engineer by training, Hartman’s research focuses on engineering economic decision analysis and applied optimization. He has published more than 100 scholarly papers and is the author of Engineering Economy and the Decision-Making Process. His research has been supported by the National Science Foundation, including a CAREER Award; the Office of Naval Research; and numerous industry partners. Hartman previously served as professor and chair of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Florida and held faculty and leadership appointments at Lehigh University, including the George N. Kledaras ’87 Endowed Chair. He has also held visiting academic positions at the University of Edinburgh and the University of Dortmund. A native of the Chicago area, Hartman earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his master’s and doctoral degrees from Georgia Institute of Technology.

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Eric Nakajima

Eric Nakajima

Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia appointed Eric Nakajima to head the Holyoke Office of Planning and Economic Development. Nakajima succeeds Aaron Vega, who has been appointed president and CEO of the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council. Nakajima, 59, is an economic development consultant. He has held policy and innovation positions with the state’s Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development and is the former director of the Massachusetts Broadband Institute. From 2020 to 2024, he was director of Government Relations for the Massachusetts Teachers Assoc. Nakajima earned a bachelor’s degree, cum laude, in political science from UMass Amherst and a master’s degree in city planning from the University of California, Berkeley. He held a year-long fellowship for working professionals at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge. The mission of Holyoke’s Office of Planning and Economic Development is business recruitment and retention, short- and long-range planning, and providing staff support to the Planning Board, Redevelopment Authority, Economic Development Industrial Corp., Licensing Board, and Tourism Advisory Committee, among other boards and commissions.

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Meghann Arnold

Meghann Arnold

Greylock Federal Credit Union announced the hiring of Vice President, Controller Meghann Arnold. As part of the Finance team, she will ensure compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and regulatory requirements, and as a strategic leader in the credit union, she will play a critical role in budgeting, financial planning, asset-liability committee participation, internal controls, audit coordination, and process improvement. Arnold, a certified public accountant (CPA), brings more than 15 years of progressive leadership in finance, accounting, and audit across both public and private sectors. She most recently served as a senior audit associate in PwC’s Asset and Wealth Management division, where she led complex, multi-entity audit engagements and advised executive teams on complex technical accounting matters, internal controls, and regulatory compliance. Arnold’s background spans investments, insurance, and banking, giving her a deep understanding of the financial services landscape.

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Vicki Baldyga

Vicki Baldyga

James Hagan, president and CEO of Westfield Bank, announced the appointment of Vicki Baldyga as retail banking officer and branch manager at its Ware office, located at 350 Palmer Road. Baldyga joins the bank with more than 25 years of banking experience. In her new role, she will be responsible for leading and managing the branch, including customer service, retail and business product sales, employee development, and overseeing general branch operations, as well as business and community development within the Ware market. Since joining the banking industry in 1999, she has held various management positions at other community banks across the local area. She holds several diplomas and certificates from the Center for Financial Training and is a 2024 graduate of the New England School for Financial Studies, completing an intensive two-year program for banking professionals. Active in the community, Baldyga is the treasurer and board member of the Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce and has served in past roles for Big Brothers Big Sisters, United Way of Hampshire County, and Crossway Clothing Outreach.

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Country Bank announced the addition of Victoria Scott and Tony Marini as retail banking officers. Each brings extensive industry experience, strong leadership qualities, and a deep commitment to customer service and community involvement. Scott brings 12 years of financial industry experience, including roles in customer service, private client banking, and wealth management. She holds advanced degrees in organizational leadership and business management as well as FINRA and insurance licensing. She is passionate about building relationships and helping customers achieve their financial goals. She has been involved with organizations including the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the United Way, and the American Heart Assoc. She looks forward to engaging with the Belchertown community. Marini joins Country Bank with 20 years of banking experience, progressing from customer service to branch leadership roles at regional institutions. He is known for his team-oriented leadership style and commitment to delivering exceptional customer experience. He is a board member of the South-Central Chamber of Commerce and was recognized with a 2020 CORE Award for exceeding customer expectations. He also contributed to community recovery efforts following the 2011 tornado, reflecting his long-standing dedication to service.

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Drew Dawson has joined the team at Eastern States Exposition (ESE) as Hooplandia general manager. In this role, he will oversee overall operations for the event and strategize leading up to festival weekend. Dawson holds bachelor’s degrees in economics and business as well as English from Lafayette College in Easton, Penn. He earned his master’s degree in sports management from East Stroudsburg (Penn.) University, and an executive certificate of completion in foundations of business planning from the University of Hartford Entrepreneurial Studies program in West Hartford, Conn. In college, he played NCAA Division I basketball for Lafayette College. He was inducted into the school’s Athletics Hall of Fame as a member of the 2000 NCAA Tournament team. Dawson’s past roles include lead assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at both Lafayette College and the University of Hartford, formerly a member of the America East Conference. He is currently an adjunct faculty member and head prep coach at Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, Conn., and founder of 3×360 Sports, a basketball-based event management and brand activation platform dedicated exclusively to the growth of FIBA 3×3 basketball. He is also a FIBA-certified coach and member of the Ireland U20 National Team coaching staff. The U20 Irish National Team advanced to the Elite Eight while finishing seventh at the 2025 EuroBasket Championships in Armenia. His other relevant experience include director of Development and program advisor with the Global Sports Academy in West Chester, Penn., and contributor to College Chalktalk through Fox Sports Digital. Hooplandia takes place June 19-21 this year, and registration is open now at hooplandia.com.

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Ted Hebert

Ted Hebert

Kathleen Bronner

Kathleen Bronner

David Rudder

David Rudder

HCC Foundation Inc., the nonprofit fundraising arm of Holyoke Community College, recently welcomed three new members to its board of directors, including two alumni. Ted Hebert, owner of Teddy Bear Pools and Spas and a 1971 HCC alumnus; Kathleen Bronner, a retired fundraising professional and a 1977 HCC graduate; and David Rudder, dean of the Division of Professional Studies at Regis College in Weston, were appointed at the HCC Foundation’s annual meeting on Dec. 9. Hebert recently completed two terms on the HCC board of trustees and has served for the past 10 years as the trustees’ representative on the foundation board. Through the foundation, he and his wife, Barbara, set up the Ted and Barbara Hebert Teddy Bear Pools Scholarship for Working Students, reflecting their passion for supporting working students who balance education and employment. Retired from full-time work in 2021, Bronner is now a fundraising consultant for small nonprofit missions both in Western Mass. and the Cape Cod area. During her career, she worked for 25 years on behalf of her alma mater, Mount Holyoke College, and also for a short time at HCC before being recruited into the healthcare field with leadership roles at the Cape Cod Healthcare and Baystate Health foundations. Rudder holds a PhD in urban affairs and public policy from the University of Delaware and brings more than 20 years of higher education leadership experience to the HCC Foundation board. At Regis College, he oversees workforce development initiatives and has secured significant grants, including a $268,000 Donnelly Workforce Development award. Previously, he spent more than a decade at Springfield College in various leadership roles, including chair of the Human Services Department and associate dean, where he led the development of the college’s first online degree programs and expanded student support services.

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Judy Nevarez

Judy Nevarez

Judy Nevarez was officially installed as the 2026 president of the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley (RAPV), a nonprofit trade association representing more than 1,800 real estate professionals throughout Western Mass. She has more than 22 years of experience as a Realtor and is licensed in both Massachusetts and Connecticut. She is highly active in the community, serving on the board of directors for Western Massachusetts CYO and as a co-founder and advisory board member of Save Our Youth Inc. In 2025, Nevarez was recognized by the National Assoc. of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) as one of the Top 250 Latino Agents nationwide and ranked among the Top 100 Latino Agents in the Northeast. Within RAPV, she has served on the board of directors since 2023 and has been an active member of several committees, including scholarship, professional development, and finance. The following individuals were installed as 2026 RAPV officers: Nikki Serafino, Keller Williams Realty, president-elect; Don Thompson, NextHome Elite Realty, treasurer; and Sue Drumm, Coldwell Banker Realty, immediate past president.

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Jeremy Casey

Jeremy Casey

SR Commercial announced that Broker/President Jeremy Casey has earned the SIOR designation, one of the most selective and respected credentials in the commercial real estate industry. SIOR, the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors, recognizes top-performing brokers who meet rigorous production standards, demonstrate strong ethical practices, and receive peer recommendations from established industry leaders. Fewer than 3,300 professionals worldwide currently hold the designation. Casey’s SIOR membership provides immediate strategic advantages for SR Commercial’s clients, including access to a global network of vetted, high-performing brokers; faster connections and collaboration on complex assignments; strengthened credibility in negotiations with institutional groups, national companies, and out-of-market partners; and validated production standards that place Casey among the region’s top performers. SR Commercial is a boutique commercial real estate brokerage based in West Springfield, serving Western Mass. and Northern Conn. The firm specializes in industrial, retail, office, and investment properties.

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Great Barrington Public Theater (GB Public) announced that Associate Artistic Director Judy Braha will join Jim Frangione at the helm as artistic director. Braha joined the GB Public artistic leadership team in 2023 as associate artistic director after two years directing for the company. She has since then been collaborating with Frangione on the selection of new work for readings and full productions in the summer season. Her impressive portfolio of credits and accomplishments strengthened GB Public’s creative programming and offered new perspectives to the body of works and events produced each year. Braha has been a career director, actor, teacher, and artist for social justice for more than four decades, with directorial credits in theaters and universities throughout New England. She is well known for having led the master of fine arts directing program at Boston University’s School of Theater, retiring in 2022 after 29 years of service at BU. Her work frequently takes on issues of human rights, with titles including To Kill a Mockingbird; Emilie, La Marquise du Chatelet Defends Her Life Tonight; Othello; I Am Lear, a devised piece on aging; and Golda’s Balcony. She also is a longtime member of the Society of Directors and Choreographers and a founding board member of Stage Source, a New England theater resource that was committed to connecting theaters, artists, and their communities.

People on the Move

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People on the Move
Victoria LePrevost

Victoria LePrevost

Pittsfield Cooperative Bank announced that Victoria LePrevost has joined the bank’s senior leadership team as chief accounting officer. She brings more than eight years of experience in public accounting to her new role, most recently serving as a senior manager in Deloitte’s Audit and Assurance practice. Throughout her career, she has worked with a wide range of clients, offering expertise in banking, securities, and capital markets. A Berkshire County native, LePrevost earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting and an additional liberal studies major in ethics and social responsibility from Bentley University. She is a certified public accountant in Massachusetts and a member of both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants. She will oversee all accounting functions of the bank, supporting its continued commitment to sound financial management and community-focused banking.

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Juliana D’Agostino

Juliana D’Agostino

Giombetti Associates announced the addition of Juliana D’Agostino as its administrative assistant. An integral part of the team, she supports scheduling, client communications, assessment logistics, and internal operations. Before joining the team, she interned as a human resources assistant at Glenmeadow, where she helped strengthen employee recognition and marketing initiatives. She also spent five years at Big Y, building strong customer relationships and sharpening her service skills. D’Agostino loves connecting with people wherever she goes. She is a graduate of Western New England University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, in psychology.

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Michael Lareau

Michael Lareau

Tolulope “Tolu” Odunsi-Nelson

Tolulope “Tolu” Odunsi-Nelson

UMassFive College Federal Credit Union announced the appointment of Michael Lareau as a new board member and Tolulope “Tolu” Odunsi-Nelson as a new associate director. Both bring extensive professional expertise and a strong commitment to serving the local community. Lareau is a veteran technology executive and entrepreneur with more than 25 years of experience in information technology, including guiding banks and credit unions through regulatory compliance and technology innovation. A graduate of Springfield Technical Community College with a degree in IT security, he has served on STCC’s IT advisory board since 2014. He has been a UMassFive member and advocate for more than seven years. Odunsi-Nelson is an attorney, educator, and advocate with extensive governance experience. She earned her juris doctorate from American University Washington College of Law and began her career as a trial attorney specializing in advocacy, compliance, and risk assessment. Her civil rights work has focused on addressing structural barriers to wealth and financial stability, an area closely aligned with UMassFive’s mission.

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Skoler Abbott attorney Marylou Fabbo has been named a Legal Luminary by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. Legal Luminaries is a new program celebrating legal professionals who have shaped the community and advanced the practice of law. She will be recognized at an event on Dec. 9 for her dedication, expertise, and commitment to justice that has made a lasting impact on Massachusetts employment law. Fabbo, senior partner at Skoler Abbott, has been with the firm for more than 30 years. Skoler Abbott represents solely employers and management in employment and labor matters. For many years, Fabbo has been recognized by Boston magazine as a Super Lawyer and has been designated as one of the Top Women in Law and as a Go To Employment Lawyer by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly.

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Attorneys Michele Feinstein and Carol Cioe Klyman, shareholders at Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., have co-authored the third edition of Massachusetts Elder Law, a definitive guide to the complexities of elder law in the Commonwealth. Published by LexisNexis, the book is an essential resource for attorneys, financial professionals, and policymakers dedicated to protecting older adults and their families. The newly released treatise provides practical, in-depth coverage of financial and medical planning, MassHealth eligibility, guardianships and conservatorships, and asset protection strategies. It offers expert commentary, forms, and step-by-step guidance for those practicing in this rapidly evolving field. Feinstein concentrates her practice in estate planning and administration, elder law, probate litigation, health law, and business succession planning, including representation of closely held businesses and physicians. Klyman focuses her practice in the areas of estate planning, long-term care planning, and special needs planning, helping individuals and families plan their affairs, minimize taxes, protect their loved ones, and navigate the complexities of long-term care and public benefits.

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Christa Douaihy

Christa Douaihy

Krista Ellis

Krista Ellis

Community Legal Aid attorneys Christa Douaihy and Krista Ellis have been recognized among Massachusetts’ top legal professionals. Douaihy, coordinating attorney for Community Legal Aid’s Housing Unit, was recognized on Nov. 18 by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly as one of the 2025 Top Women of Law. She joined Community Legal Aid in 2022 as a seasoned litigator with diverse legal experience in New York and Massachusetts. She began her career in 2008 at Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, where she advocated for the civil rights of people with disabilities in cases involving housing, employment, and family law. She went on to hone her legal expertise as a civil litigator and disability rights advocate at the Bronx Defenders and in private practice. As coordinating attorney in Community Legal Aid’s Fair Housing Unit, she specializes in eviction defense, brings lawsuits under state and federal fair housing laws, provides community education and outreach, and mentors her colleagues. She serves as an adjunct professor at Western New England University School of Law, where she teaches the “Access to Justice” course. Ellis, coordinating attorney at Community Legal Aid, was honored as an emerging leader in the law by the Women’s Bar Assoc. (WBA) at the organization’s 2025 gala on Oct. 22. The WBA’s Emerging Women Leaders in the Law Award honors women attorneys who have demonstrated professional excellence or had a significant professional achievement in their first 12 years in the legal profession, and either promote the status of women in the legal profession or contribute meaningfully to the equal participation of women in a just society. A graduate of American University Washington College of Law, Ellis has worked in Community Legal Aid’s Family Law Unit since 2019. She also recently graduated from the Massachusetts Bar Assoc. 2024-25 Leadership Academy.

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A new book aimed at empowering future homeowners has just hit the market. GET MOVING! A Personal Guide to Get You in TOP Home Buying Shape, written by Angela Tourville and Mike Tourville, is a timely guide designed to educate and prepare people for one of life’s biggest financial decisions — buying a home. GET MOVING!, its authors note, offers a refreshing, down-to-earth approach. The book walks readers through every stage of the journey — from qualifying for a mortgage to understanding interest rates, closing costs, and even the pros and cons of paying discount points. Each chapter includes insights, advice, and personal stories from a diverse range of local real estate professionals in Western Mass., including realtors, attorneys, loan officers, insurance agents, and financial planners. Their real-world perspectives add depth and authenticity, helping readers see how each piece of the process fits together. This book is also a family effort. Angela Tourville, co-author and branch manager at AnnieMac Home Mortgage, brings years of frontline lending experience and a passion for helping people achieve homeownership. Her co-author and father-in-law, Mike Tourville, adds his seasoned perspective as a writer and communicator, making the complex world of lending approachable for everyday readers.

People on the Move

By
People on the Move
Carla Cosenzi

Carla Cosenzi

TIME magazine announced the nomination of Carla Cosenzi, president of Country Nissan in Hadley, for the 2026 TIME Dealer of the Year award. Cosenzi is one of a select group of 47 dealer nominees from across the country who will be honored at the 109th annual National Automobile Dealers Assoc. (NADA) Show in Las Vegas on Feb. 5, 2026. The TIME Dealer of the Year award is one of the automobile industry’s most prestigious and highly coveted honors, recognizing the nation’s most successful auto dealers who also demonstrate a long-standing commitment to community service. Cosenzi was chosen to represent the Massachusetts State Auto Dealers Assoc. in the national competition, one of only 47 auto dealers nominated for the 57th annual award from more than 20,000 nationwide. Second-generation president of TommyCar Auto Group, Cosenzi has grown the family business through strategic expansion — adding new franchises, launching TommyCar Collision and TommyCar Towing, and making significant investments in modern, customer-centric facilities. She also established the Carla Cares program, which reviews thousands of local requests annually and mobilizes volunteers and funding across youth programs, women’s shelters, food banks, and more, giving team members ownership of the causes they champion. The group’s signature event, the Tom Cosenzi Driving for the Cure Charity Golf Tournament, held in memory of her father, is one of the largest charity golf tournaments in Western Mass. and consistently ranks among the top 10 events supporting the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Since its founding in 2009, it has raised more than $2 million for glioblastoma cancer research, with more than 90% employee participation each year. In addition, the Tom Cosenzi Scholarship, also created in her father’s memory, awards $5,000 annually to local graduating seniors.

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Steven Weiss

Steven Weiss

Attorney Steven Weiss, a shareholder at Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., a regional law firm with offices in Springfield and Northampton, is now bringing his legal expertise to a national stage. He has been elected president of the National Assoc. of Bankruptcy Trustees (NABT), the premier organization advocating for and supporting the interests of bankruptcy trustees across the country. Weiss, who has served as NABT’s first vice president, assumed the new role on Oct. 1. He has been a member of the NABT for more than two decades and is co-chair of its amicus committee, which evaluates requests for friend-of-the-court briefs to be filed in cases for which the bankruptcy profession may have an interest. He concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial and consumer bankruptcy, reorganization, and litigation. He supervises the bankruptcy, reorganization, and workout practice at Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin. He is also a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute and has been part of the private panel of chapter 7 trustees for the District of Massachusetts for 38 years. He is a graduate of Boston University School of Law.

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Country Bank announced the appointment of David Gentleman as retail loan officer. With nearly 20 years of experience in the lending industry, he brings a wealth of knowledge, dedication, and customer-first values that align with Country Bank’s mission to make a difference in the communities it serves. Throughout his 18-plus years in the financial industry, Gentleman has focused on helping customers navigate the often complex process of buying a home. He takes pride in making the experience as smooth and understandable as possible, especially for first-time homebuyers. His approach to lending is built on transparency, education, and trust, qualities that have earned him long-standing relationships and even generational referrals. He also brings a strong sense of community to his work. He serves on the board of directors for North Central Massachusetts Habitat for Humanity and the Worcester Children’s Chorus, organizations that align with his passion for affordable housing and youth development through music.

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Janice Pirog

Janice Pirog

Monson Savings Bank announced the promotion of Janice Pirog to Digital Systems manager. In her new role, she will oversee the workflow operations of digital banking products and services, while also managing and training employees within the eBanking Department. Pirog brings a wealth of experience to her new position. She has worked in the finance and banking industry for 33 years, including 23 years with Monson Savings Bank. Her deep understanding of banking operations and commitment to excellence have made her a valuable asset to the community bank. Like Monson Savings Bank, Pirog is involved in community initiatives. She volunteers her time as a reader in local elementary school classes and Rays of Hope, reflecting her dedication to making a positive impact both inside and outside the workplace.

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Jacqueline Robles

Jacqueline Robles

Holyoke Community College (HCC) Police Chief Jacqueline Robles was honored on Oct. 10 as one of ‘100 Women of Color’ during a celebration at the Bushnell Theater in Hartford, Conn. The 100 Women of Color gala and awards ceremony, sponsored by the June Archer Foundation, recognizes the contributions of women of color in leadership, business, education, government, entertainment, healthcare, and public and community service, and the impact they have made on the lives of people in Connecticut and Western Mass. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Springfield, Robles is a graduate of Holyoke High School and has been a member of the HCC Police Department for 22 years. With her swearing-in in May, she became the first Latina to serve as HCC Police chief. Since then, Robles has received a slew of honors. She was named a Commonwealth Heroine by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, recognized with proclamations at the State House from both the House of Representatives and Senate, and selected as the civil service ambassador for the Springfield Puerto Rican Day Parade. A portion of the proceeds from the 100 Women of Color event supports programs and scholarships for young women of color.

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Berkshire Money Management (BMM) announced that Brendan Bullett has joined its team as a financial advisor. He brings more than 20 years of experience helping Berkshire County residents navigate the transition from saving for retirement to retiring with confidence. Bullett’s experience and local roots enhance BMM’s ability to serve the growing number of people seeking retirement guidance in the Berkshires, especially in Northern Berkshire County. He has extensive experience leading employees of Williams College and Berkshire Health Systems into confident retirements and provided vital support to nurses and hospital staff who faced unexpected retirement transitions following the closure of North Adams Regional Hospital in 2014.

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Xiaolei Hua

Xiaolei Hua

Shadia Coley

Shadia Coley

Florence Bank announced that Xiaolei Hua has joined the bank as vice president / commercial loan officer, while Shadia Coley has been named branch manager / branch officer of the bank’s new Holyoke office set to open in 2026. Hua has 20 years of banking experience, and prior to joining Florence Bank, he held the positions of commercial credit officer, assistant vice president / portfolio manager, and vice president / commercial lending. He is skilled in business development, relationship management, financial and credit analysis, and underwriting. In his new role, he will develop, manage, and deepen client relationships while supporting the bank’s strategic growth goals. Hua holds both a bachelor’s degree in finance and an MBA from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst. He also attended the New England School for Financial Studies at Babson College, which trains banking professionals. He is a board member and finance & investment committee member for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and a board member and finance committee member for Tech Foundry. He was named to the 40 Under Forty class of 2013 by BusinessWest. Coley has more than 10 years of banking experience and previously held the positions of assistant branch manager / business specialist and branch manager. In addition to managing Florence Bank’s newest branch, she will oversee community outreach and engagement, team leadership, and coaching and customer service. Coley holds both a bachelor’s degree in business administration and an MBA with a concentration in finance from Southern New Hampshire University. She sits on the board for Dress for Success Western Massachusetts.

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Stacy Farber

Stacy Farber

Whittlesey announced that Partner Stacy Farber has been named to Forbes’ “America’s Top 200 CPAs” list for 2025. This prestigious list honors the nation’s most accomplished and trusted CPAs across various specializations and regions, recognizing those with exceptional expertise, leadership, and community service. Forbes’ editorial team selected honorees through a rigorous process involving independent nominations, direct outreach, and comprehensive editorial review. Farber joined Whittlesey in 2025 as an assurance partner, bringing more than 25 years of experience in public accounting. She provides assurance and advisory services to closely held entities in manufacturing, construction, retail, franchising, and employee benefit plans. Her prior roles as CFO and controller for privately held businesses give her an understanding of clients’ financial and operational challenges. Her professional excellence has earned her numerous accolades, including recognition as one of the Hartford Business Journal’s Top 25 Women in Business (2023) and the CTCPA Women Distinguished Service Award (2024). She is active in the Assoc. of International CPAs and the Connecticut Society of CPAs, where she serves as chair of the employee benefit plan committee and a member of the advisory council. She also previously served as treasurer and board member at Gifts of Love, reflecting her deep commitment to community service.

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Western Mass.-based author J.D. O’Brien is among 20 featured writers in this year’s Best American Mystery and Suspense short fiction collection. His story, “Outlaw Country,” follows a struggling Nashville country singer who decides the best way to get his name in lights is to commit a high-profile crime. It originally appeared in the journal Starlite Pulp and was selected for the Best American Mystery and Suspense anthology by New York Times bestselling author Don Winslow and series editor Steph Cha. The annual series features the finest mystery short fiction published in the previous year. O’Brien is the author of the novel Zig Zag, a 2023 Southwest Book of the Year.

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Dana Robb

Dana Robb

Ray Smith

Ray Smith

Pittsfield Cooperative Bank announced the promotions of Dana Robb and Ray Smith to senior vice president positions. Robb was promoted to senior vice president, Retail Banking & Operations, bringing more than two decades of experience in the financial services industry. A graduate of the 2016 Berkshire Leadership Program, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing customer experience and operational excellence within the bank. Deeply rooted in the community, he is also involved with the Dalton Community Recreation Center and serves on the board for Girls Inc. He is a 2024 graduate of the New England School of Banking. Smith was promoted to senior vice president, Marketing and Communications. He brings 30 years of experience in marketing and communications, spanning industries such as technology, consumer goods, travel, healthcare, and finance. His community involvement includes past service on the boards of the Southwestern Vermont and Williamstown chambers of commerce, as well as volunteering for Williamstown’s annual Holiday Walk. He received his bachelor’s degree in communications from Colby-Sawyer College and his master’s degree in corporate communications from Ithaca College.

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Advantage Truck Group (ATG) diesel technician Riley Sullivan has been named one of the 2025 NEXT Top Talent Award winners by the Next Generation in Trucking Assoc. This national recognition celebrates young diesel technicians and CDL drivers under age 30 who are setting a new standard for excellence, professionalism, and purpose in the trucking industry. Sullivan is one of 20 diesel technicians from across the country to be recognized with this award. Sullivan joined ATG’s shop in Westfield in 2020, beginning his career as a diesel technician through the cooperative education program at Westfield Technical Academy. Today, he not only actively mentors and guides co-ops and apprentices, but has also completed more training hours than any other technician his age across all eight ATG locations.

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Matthew Sheridan

Matthew Sheridan

Michael Johnson

Michael Johnson

Matthew Sheridan, founder and managing director of Salmon Falls Wealth Advisors, announced that Michael Johnson has joined the firm as associate director and senior wealth advisor. Sheridan and Johnson first worked together at the former A.G. Edwards & Sons office in Greenfield and have maintained a long-standing professional respect for one another. Both have extensive experience managing investment and insurance programs at local financial institutions and share a client-first philosophy rooted in trust and integrity. Salmon Falls Wealth Advisors, in partnership with LPL Financial, provides independent financial guidance and personalized strategies for retirement planning, investment management, and estate and tax planning. The firm is located at 50 State St., Shelburne Falls. Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, member FINRA/SIPC.

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Eight attorneys with Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., a multi-disciplinary law firm with offices in Springfield and Northampton, were selected for inclusion in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers in America or Ones to Watch, with two receiving the prestigious Lawyer of the Year designation in their practice areas. Carol Cioe Klyman was named Lawyer of the Year in Springfield for both trusts and estates and elder law. She was also recognized in Best Lawyers in America for her work in these fields, marking the 19th consecutive year she has received Best Lawyers recognition. Steven Weiss was selected for Best Lawyers in America for bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights / insolvency and reorganization law for the 14th consecutive year. He was additionally honored as Lawyer of the Year in Springfield for this practice area. Timothy Mulhern, managing partner, was recognized for his excellence in corporate law and tax law. Michele Feinstein was honored in Best Lawyers in America for elder law, litigation – trusts and estates, and trusts and estates. She was previously named Lawyer of the Year in trusts and estates in 2025 and has been honored annually since 2013. Gary Fentin, founding shareholder, was recognized for banking and finance law and commercial transactions / Uniform Commercial Code law. Steven Schwartz, founding shareholder, was recognized for business organizations (including LLCs and partnerships), closely held companies, and corporate law. James Sheils was honored for commercial transactions / Uniform Commercial Code law. A partner with the firm since 1985, Sheils has been recognized by Best Lawyers annually since 2015. Stephen Sobey was recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for trusts and estates.

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Kathy Martin

Kathy Martin

Glenmeadow Inc. announced that President and CEO Kathy Martin has been elected to a three-year term on the board of trustees of LeadingAge Massachusetts, an association dedicated to supporting the work of not-for-profit aging service providers. The appointment was made during LeadingAge Massachusetts’ 71st annual meeting of the membership and awards ceremony, held at College of the Holy Cross. Martin’s election reflects her commitment to advancing the mission of not-for-profit aging service providers and her leadership in reframing perceptions of aging more broadly. Western Mass. is well-represented on the LeadingAge Massachusetts board. At the same ceremony, Margaret Mantoni, CEO of the Loomis Communities, was elected chair of the board, succeeding Walter Ramos, president and CEO of Rogerson Communities, who will continue to serve as immediate past chair.

People on the Move

By
People on the Move
George Timmons

George Timmons

Holyoke Community College (HCC) President George Timmons was honored on Sept. 12 as one of 100 Men of Color during a black-tie gala at the Bushnell Theater in Hartford, Conn. The 100 Men of Color awards ceremony, sponsored by the Archer Foundation, recognizes the contributions of men of color in education, business, government, entertainment, and other industries, and the impact they have made on the lives of people in Connecticut and Western Mass. Timmons was chosen to speak on behalf of all 100 honorees as the 2025 class ‘valedictorian.’ Timmons, HCC’s president since July 2023, holds a bachelor’s degree in financial management from Norfolk State University, a master’s degree in higher education from Old Dominion University, and a PhD in higher education from Bowling Green State University. He is the first African-American man to serve as HCC president. A portion of the proceeds from the annual gala support mentorship programs and scholarships for young men of color who graduate from high school and plan to attend college.

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Polish National Credit Union (PNCU) announced that its board of directors has selected Michael Sugrue, current executive vice president, as the next president, effective Sept. 17. Following the retirement of current President and CEO James Kelly on May 31, 2026, Sugrue will assume the CEO title. Kelly’s 20-year tenure as president and CEO has driven significant growth in membership and assets, introduced innovative financial services, and strengthened community ties. Sugrue brings nearly 30 years of banking experience to his new role. Since joining PNCU in 2016 as executive vice president and chief lending officer, he has driven strategic growth and member engagement initiatives. His prior roles include positions in risk oversight, audit, compliance, community reinvestment, and as a financial institution examiner for regulatory authorities at both the state and federal levels. Sugrue holds an MBA from UMass Amherst and a graduate degree in executive banking from the ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking. His community involvement includes serving on the Holyoke Medical Center board, the Holyoke Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Effective Sept. 17, PNCU also announced the promotion of Charlotte Hansen to executive vice president and chief financial officer (CFO). Hansen brings more than 30 years of financial services experience and has been with PNCU for more than seven years, most recently serving as senior vice president and CFO. She now oversees finance and accounting, financial services, and marketing, with responsibility for financial reporting, budgeting, investments, treasury, and asset liability management. Prior to joining PNCU, Hansen was CFO and senior vice president at Bankers’ Bank Northeast and began her career in public accounting with Whittlesey & Hadley, P.C., focusing on audit and tax services for financial institutions. A certified public accountant, she holds an associate degree in accounting from Manchester Community College and a bachelor of business administration degree in accounting from the University of Hartford. She also serves on several local boards. Kirk Burnham, promoted to executive vice president of Operations/Technology, has more than 30 years of experience in financial services. Since joining PNCU in 2013 as senior vice president of Operations, he has overseen daily operations, including security, facilities, vendor management, data processing, electronic delivery systems, and the contact center, while driving technology objectives and policies. Previously, he served as vice president of Operations and chief Technology officer. Burnham holds a bachelor of business administration degree in accounting and attended the Massachusetts Bankers Assoc. School for Financial Studies and the National School of Banking. He serves on local education boards and supports financial literacy programs. David Fernandes, promoted to senior vice president of Retail, and Sherri LaPlante, promoted to Human Resource director, further bolster PNCU’s leadership with their expertise in member services and workplace culture.

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Westfield Bank announced the promotion of Kelly Pignatare to first vice president, manager of Retail Banking and Business & Government Deposit Services. Pignatare has more than two decades of banking experience, in both retail and business capacities. In her new role, she aims to drive deposit and loan growth, as well as customer service excellence, across all Westfield Bank branch locations, as well as the bank’s Business & Government Deposit Services Department, responsible for providing deposit and cash management services to commercial and municipal customers. Pignatare has served in many roles at Westfield Bank, most recently as a vice president and regional manager. In 2023, she graduated from the New England School for Financial Studies, completing an intensive two-year program for banking professionals. She is also deeply involved with the community and serves as a board member for the Pathlight advisory board and the Pioneer Valley Conference for Women, where she was chosen as a panelist for the 2025 conference held earlier this year.

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Janice Ward

Janice Ward

Berkshire Bank, a division of Beacon Bank & Trust, announced the appointment of Janice Ward as senior vice president and head of Fiduciary Services to lead the bank’s fiduciary activities, including its trust business. Before rejoining the bank, Ward was first vice president and trust officer at Greenfield Savings Bank, where she was a member of the bank’s senior leadership team, overseeing all fiduciary activities. Ward’s other prior experience includes serving as senior fiduciary officer in Berkshire Bank’s Wealth Management department based out of Lenox, and chief wealth management officer at Citizens & Northern Bank in Wellsboro, Pa. Ward earned a law degree from Western New England University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. She is co-founder and former president of the Estate Planning Council of the Berkshires.

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Thomas Osuch

Thomas Osuch

MountainOne announced the appointment of Thomas Osuch as vice president, commercial loan officer. Osuch joins MountainOne Bank with more than 18 years of experience in commercial banking. His primary focus will be to manage a growing loan portfolio, generate new business opportunities, and remain actively engaged in community and charitable organizations. Osuch is a board member of both the Weymouth Chamber of Commerce and the Hanover Chamber of Commerce. He is actively involved in Weymouth youth sports programs, currently serving as coach for Cal Ripken baseball, youth basketball, soccer, and flag football. He most recently served as vice president, commercial loan officer with Rockland Trust. A graduate of Trinity College with a degree in economics, he continued his education by earning an MBA from UMass Dartmouth.

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Jonathan Denmark

Jonathan Denmark

MountainOne announced that Jonathan Denmark, president and chief operating officer of MountainOne Insurance Agency and executive vice president of MountainOne Bank, has been named to Berkshire Magazine’s prestigious Berkshire 25 list. Now in its 12th year, the annual honor celebrates 25 individuals who have made a significant impact on the Berkshire region in Massachusetts. Denmark, president and COO of MountainOne Insurance and executive vice president of MountainOne Bank, has played a pivotal role in the company’s growth and evolution. Under his leadership, MountainOne Insurance has expanded from four offices to nine in the Berkshires and Pioneer Valley. His strategic vision and commitment to community engagement have helped strengthen MountainOne’s presence and impact throughout the region. In addition to his leadership roles within MountainOne, Denmark serves as board chair of the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority; on the mayor’s economic development council, the finance committee of the Berkshire Innovation Center, and 1Berkshire; and as vice president of administration at Congregation Knesset Israel in Pittsfield. He also a member of the Housie Shakers, a band that performs at local venues and charitable events.

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Kristen Smidy

Kristen Smidy

The Healey-Driscoll administration announced that Gov. Maura Healey has appointed Kristen Smidy as the newest member of the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Smidy is a former teacher, principal, and superintendent with nearly 20 years of experience as an educator in Massachusetts. She currently serves as associate director for Accreditation and School Improvement on the New England Assoc. of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Commission on Public Schools. Smidy joined NEASC in the fall of 2025 after almost five years as superintendent for the Gateway Regional School District in Huntington. She previously served as principal of Hampshire Regional High School and began her career as a sixth- and seventh-grade social studies teacher at Duggan Middle School in Springfield. She has served on the legislative committee for Massachusetts School Superintendents, the Connecticut Valley Superintendent Roundtable executive board, and the Massachusetts Inclusive Higher Education task force. She is a graduate of UMass Amherst and Boston University.

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The Springfield Thunderbirds announced a hire and several promotions to its business staff heading into the new season. Sophia Mackin has been hired as coordinator of Digital & Social Media, Frank Grimaldi has been promoted to director of Ticket Operations & Retention, and Steve Brousseau has been promoted to senior account executive. Mackin joins the Thunderbirds after serving as a Social & Digital Media intern with the team for the previous two seasons. She graduated from UMass Amherst in May. Grimaldi is an original staff member of the Thunderbirds front office, having been with the club since the team’s inception in 2016. He served as an account executive from 2016 to 2018 before transitioning to Ticket Operations & Retention before the 2018-19 season. He is an alumnus of Western New England University. Brousseau joined the Thunderbirds front office full-time during the 2021-22 season after spending two seasons as a game-day intern with the team. He has been recognized for his excellence, having been named a finalist for the Howdy Award this past April for outstanding customer service in the hospitality industry. He is an alumnus of Springfield College. In addition, the Thunderbirds have also appointed Andrew “Guam” McCormic as Retail Office coordinator and Ethan Vattaso as Gameday Operations assistant. McCormic served as Gameday Operations assistant last season before transitioning into his new role, where he will assist in gameday merchandise and retail sales. He is a 2025 graduate of Springfield College and will be entering his fourth season with the T-Birds organization. Vattaso, a current undergraduate at Springfield College, is entering his third season as part of the Thunderbirds’ gameday staff. He will manage the staff and oversee live entertainment elements throughout home game nights at the MassMutual Center this season.

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Donna Bishop

Donna Bishop

MountainOne Insurance Agency announced the promotion of Donna Bishop to senior vice president, Commercial Lines Operations manager. Bishop is recognized as a leading authority in commercial lines insurance and holds the prestigious certified risk manager designation. Her knowledge of insurance carriers, coverage solutions, and operational strategy has been instrumental in strengthening the agency’s commercial infrastructure. She has played a vital role in launching the small business unit and has led process improvements, including key workflow optimizations. Bishop’s leadership continues to shape the agency’s success through strategic carrier negotiations, regulatory oversight, and long-term planning.

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Julianne Fruscio

Julianne Fruscio

Chikmedia, a boutique firm specializing in marketing, public relations, branding, and design, announced the addition of Julianne Fruscio to its growing creative team as a content producer. With more than a decade of expertise in marketing strategy, social media, and brand development, she brings a proven ability to craft impactful content that drives engagement, strengthens brand presence, and fuels growth. Fruscio is a seasoned marketing director, social media influencer, and expert in content creation, with extensive experience developing innovative campaigns for major brands, including her work with Amazon and Comfrt. She specializes in brand positioning, storytelling, and creative direction, consistently producing results-driven content that captivates audiences and boosts conversions. In addition to her corporate achievements, Fruscio has built a thriving body positivity community, showcasing her talent for fostering authentic engagement and inspiring audiences. Her strengths in trend analysis, content planning, and visual production ensure that the brands she works with achieve consistent growth and lasting impact. She holds a bachelor’s degree in integrated marketing communications from Ithaca College’s Roy H. Park School of Communications. Prior to joining Chikmedia, she served as director of Marketing, Retention, and Field Services at Dominion Dealer Solutions, as well as Business Development and Marketing specialist at Excelsior Integrated.

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Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C., a labor and employment law firm serving employers in the Greater Springfield and Worcester areas, announced that one of its partners, Timothy Murphy, has been recognized once again by his peers for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America list for 2026. He is listed in three fields: employment law – management, labor law – management, and litigation – labor and employment. Focusing his practice on labor relations, union avoidance, collective bargaining and arbitration, employment litigation, and employment counseling, Murphy has been included in Best Lawyers in America every year since 2013 and was Lawyer of the Year in 2015, 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2025. Murphy is very active within the local community, sitting on boards of directors for several area organizations, such as the Human Service Forum and Community Legal Aid. He also is a member of the World Affairs Council.

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Caroline Morrissey

Caroline Morrissey

West Springfield native Caroline Morrissey has been named the first executive director of the Irish Cultural Center of Western New England (ICCWNE), bringing with her a wealth of global experience and a deep passion for Irish heritage. Morrissey, a Colby College alumna, earned her master’s degree in international administration with a policy focus from the University of Denver. She spent nearly a decade working in post-conflict zones across Africa, most recently serving with President Carter’s the Carter Center in Liberia, before returning to Western Mass. just before the pandemic. Since returning, she has been an active member of the ICCWNE’s events committee, where she founded the new book club — a now-thriving literary group that she continues to moderate monthly. In summer 2024, she took on a larger leadership role by joining the board of directors. The newly established executive director position is made possible in part through the support of the government of Ireland. Serving as the ICCWNE’s chief administrator, Morrissey will oversee daily operations, guide the implementation of the strategic plan, and expand cultural programming and community reach.

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Zeno Temple

Zeno Temple

Zeno Temple recently joined the Royal Law Firm as a legal assistant. He manages attorney calendars and deadlines; assists with litigation management, including drafting pleadings, discovery, and motions; and helps organize federal and state case files, pretrial documents, and exhibits. Temple is completing his juris doctorate at Western New England University School of Law in the evening division. He has experience as a paralegal, supporting litigation in family law and civil matters, as well as externships in state and federal agencies where he assisted with legal research, drafting, and case management. Outside the office, he is active in community service and mentoring programs.

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MountainOne Insurance Agency announced the promotion of Jennifer Smith to Senior Personal Lines account manager, a new, leadership-level role that recognizes team members who bring exceptional experience, knowledge, and client service to the agency. Smith delivers a thoughtful and client-focused approach to every interaction and has a reputation for explaining complex insurance details clearly and confidently, making her a trusted advisor to both clients and colleagues. She is also deeply committed to her community and actively supports the National Alliance on Mental Illness and mental health advocacy efforts.

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Jon Berthiaume

Jon Berthiaume

Dr. Natasha McKay

Dr. Natasha McKay

Dr. Mark Keroack

Dr. Mark Keroack

The Springfield Museums elected new members to its board of trustees at its annual meeting of corporators, held Sept. 24. The newly elected trustees are Jon Berthiaume and Dr. Natasha McKay, with Dr. Mark Keroack named board chair. Kate Kane was also named to the trustees emeriti and two new corporators were elected as well, bringing the total number of Springfield Museums corporators to 325. Former CEO of Baystate Health, Keroack has served on several local boards focused on improving the quality of life in Springfield and across Western Mass., as well as several state and national boards. During his time at Baystate Health, he expanded the reach and variety of its clinical services by overseeing the implementation of two new community hospitals, as well as growing its outpatient practices. He also provides strategic oversight for philanthropic and community benefits activities in support of the health system. Berthiaume has served in executive brand marketing leadership roles at MassMutual and eBay. In his positions, Jon has stewarded brands including American Express, Deloitte, and Walmart to focus on portfolio and architecture strategy and new brand introductions, and he has led global go-to-market activations. He is currently a board member for the Spirit of Springfield Inc. and was banquet co-chair for the 2020 National Conference for Community and Justice. He is a member of the Springfield Museums’ marketing, communications and community relations and Mi Museo committees. Since relocating to the Springfield area from New York City in 2005 to join Mercy Medical Center as a neurosurgeon, McKay has held positions such as serving on the board of directors of the Colony Club and is currently completing her second term on the board of the YWCA, where she served four years as chair of governance and two as vice president. She also serves on the board of directors of Mercy Medical Center. She has been a long-time member of the Society of William Rice, joined the subcommittee, and serves on the collections committee. Kane, a wealth management advisor for Northwestern Mutual and board chair at Elms College, has been a long-time supporter of the Springfield Museums in many different capacities. She is a former trustee, committee member, volunteer, and Society of William Rice member. She also helped organize the Museums’ ad hoc inclusion task force when she was chair, as well as helped the Museums pivot its strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among many regional awards, she was honored as a Difference Maker by BusinessWest in the inaugural class of 2009.

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BFAIR (Berkshire Family and Individual Resources) announced the promotion of Macayla Flanigan to the position of director of Learning and Employee Development. Flanigan began her journey with BFAIR as a part-time administrative assistant and has since demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership, and a strong commitment to excellence. Most recently serving as lead administrative assistant, she played a key role in advancing several agency initiatives, including chairing the wellness committee, co-chairing the IT development committee, and actively serving on the employee engagement and entertainment committees. In her new role, she will lead BFAIR’s initiatives to enhance staff training, foster professional growth, and strengthen employee engagement across the agency. A graduate of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Flanigan has also worked as a business support specialist, guiding clients in areas such as social media and podcast production, CRM management, e-marketing operations, and administrative support.

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Barney Garcia

Barney Garcia

Barney Garcia was elected as a student trustee for Westfield State University’s board of trustees for the 2025-26 academic year. Garcia is a senior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in political science with a concentration in public administration and brings a record of public service and campus leadership to the board. He recently served as a Senate fellow for Massachusetts state Sen. Adam Gomez. In 2023, he also completed a Local Commonwealth Municipal Finance Fellowship through the Massachusetts Department of Revenue’s Division of Local Services. Before transferring to Westfield, Garcia served a one-year term as the student trustee on Holyoke Community College’s board of trustees (2023-24), where he also completed an associate degree in business administration. Garcia is the co-founder and president of the Queer Straight Alliance at Westfield State. In addition, he is a commuter representative on the Student Government Assoc. and previously served on the Commuter Council.

People on the Move

By
People on the Move
Sean O’Brien

Sean O’Brien

Bay Path University announced that Sean O’Brien has been named program director for its undergraduate and graduate cybersecurity programs. O’Brien joins Bay Path with more than two decades of experience in cybersecurity, privacy, and higher education. He is the founder of Yale Privacy Lab and an associate research scholar at Yale Law School, where he has taught courses in digital security, blockchain, and artificial intelligence. He is also the creator of the zero-knowledge collaboration platform PrivacySafe and has held leadership positions at global, security-focused firms, including ExpressVPN. His work spans secure app and infrastructure deployment, bug bounty and VDP management, IAM administration, and endpoint management of cryptocurrency assets. He is a lifelong educator, delivering remote classes to large cohorts of students and professionals before joining the faculty at Bay Path University. He has successfully delivered curriculum across a wide variety of areas in IT, from the Hacking and Cybersecurity program at the Lawfare Institute to the Cybersecurity for Business Leaders program at the University of Oxford and the AI Risk Management workshops at Ivy Cyber Academy. O’Brien honed his skills in data science, threat research, and cloud computing through leadership roles at privacy-focused blockchain firms, including Tari Labs.

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William Fontes

William Fontes

Following an extensive national search, Greylock Federal Credit Union announced the hiring of William Fontes as vice president and manager of Business Banking. Fontes brings comprehensive experience in strategic leadership and vision in commercial banking. As a key member of the Commercial Lending department, Fontes will lead Greylock’s business banking team while building relationships and strengthening services for credit union members through commercial lending and business banking products. He will also provide critical leadership through strategic oversight and expansion of Greylock’s annual business development plan and goals for local markets. He joins Greylock following a 12-year tenure at bankESB, where he held the position of senior vice president. He holds an MBA in finance and entrepreneurship from Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I. His community interests include economic development, affordable housing, youth sports, and outdoor activities.

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Patrick Parker

Patrick Parker

Attorney Patrick Parker has joined the Royal Law Firm team. He is a seasoned employment litigator who has defended employers in myriad employment claims. He not only has extensive experience in the courtroom, but also regularly advises senior executives on complex issues with an eye to mitigating risk and avoiding litigation. Prior to joining Royal, Parker worked at the law firm Clifford Chance in New York. He also served as in-house counsel for UBS Americas Inc. and Merrill Lynch. He is admitted to practice in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York, and is a graduate of Northeastern University School of Law and MIT School of Management.

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Country Bank President and CEO Mary McGovern announced the promotion of three team members: Jasmine Robinson, Sam Pursey, and Sarah Yurkunas. Robinson has been promoted to Learning & Development officer. She began her financial services career at Country Bank in 2004 as a teller and has since built a 21-year career with the organization. She advanced through customer service and branch management roles before helping launch the bank’s Learning & Development department in 2016 as a founding member. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Phoenix University and is a certified facilitator in multiple professional learning programs. An active community volunteer, she regularly supports the Ware Senior Center, mobile food pantries, and school financial literacy programs. Pursey has been promoted to assistant vice president, commercial lender. With 13 years in the financial services industry and nine years at Country Bank, he brings a strong background in commercial credit and lending. After starting his career as a credit analyst at TD Bank, he joined Country Bank as a portfolio manager and grew into a lending role, where he found his passion for helping customers achieve their business goals. He is graduate of UMass Amherst with a degree in finance. Yurkunas has been promoted to assistant vice president, commercial lender. She has built her 19-year banking career at Country Bank, advancing through roles in loan servicing, credit analysis, portfolio management, and commercial lending. A graduate of Bay Path University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration & management, and Becker College with an associate degree in animal sciences, she has also completed the Massachusetts Bankers Assoc. New England School of Financial Studies program. She is actively engaged in community service, including volunteer work with Second Chance Animal Services, and was honored with Country Bank’s inaugural PFS Community Champion Award.

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Katherine Douglas

Katherine Douglas

Holyoke Community College (HCC) recently welcomed Katherine Douglas as interim vice president of Academic and Student Affairs. Douglas brings more than four decades of experience as an educator, administrator, and advocate for student success. Her career has included executive roles such as interim president of SUNY Monroe Community College and president of SUNY Corning Community College in New York State, vice president of Academic Affairs at Sussex Community College in New Jersey, and associate dean of Behavioral Sciences at Greenfield Community College. This is her second interim posting since retiring from Corning Community College in 2019. She will serve as interim vice president until the permanent vice president’s position is filled. Her HCC appointment marks a meaningful homecoming, as Douglas previously served as dean of the Division of Social Sciences from 2005 to 2008. From 2023 to July 2025, she also served on the HCC Foundation board of directors, stepping down to take the interim position as vice president. She is a three-time graduate of UMass Amherst, where she earned a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and doctorate in education.

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Joshua Moon-Johnson

Joshua Moon-Johnson

Connecticut State Community College (CT State) has appointed seven inaugural campus presidents to lead operations of its campus locations statewide, including at CT State Asnuntuck in Enfield. Joshua Moon-Johnson was named campus president of CT State Asnuntuck, CT State Manchester, and CT State Middlesex, bringing more than 20 years of experience in higher education, having held leadership roles at institutions including College of San Mateo, American River College, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and most recently West Valley College, where he was provost and vice president of Academic Affairs. At West Valley, he led initiatives to enhance academic programs, faculty support, and equitable student outcomes. A published author and advocate, Moon-Johnson has contributed to national conversations on educational equity and LGBT+ inclusion and advocacy. He holds a doctorate in higher education and LGBT studies from Northern Illinois University, master’s degrees in social sciences and market research, and a bachelor’s degree in business.

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Bulkley Richardson announced that 12 lawyers from the firm were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers in America, the most recognized law firm in the Greater Springfield area. These lawyers were recognized in 20 unique areas of practice. They include Peter Barry (construction law and education law); Kathleen Bernardo (real estate law); Michael Burke (medical malpractice law: defendants and personal injury litigation: defendants); Mark Cress (banking and finance law, bankruptcy, creditor-debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization law, and corporate law); Francis Dibble Jr. (bet-the-company litigation, commercial litigation, labor and employment litigation, securities litigation, and criminal defense: white-collar); Daniel Finnegan (administrative/regulatory law); Scott Foster (business organizations, including LLCs and partnerships); Mary Jo Kennedy (employment law: individuals, employment law: management, and labor and employment litigation); David Parke (corporate law and mergers and acquisitions law); John Pucci (bet-the-company litigation, criminal defense: general practice, and criminal defense: white-collar); Jeffrey Roberts (corporate law and trusts and estates); and Michael Roundy (commercial litigation).

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Carlos Costa

Carlos Costa

bankESB recently promoted Carlos Costa to Facilities Maintenance and Operations officer, based at its 36 Main St., Easthampton office. Costa, who has nearly 20 years of facilities experience, joined bankESB in 2006 as a maintenance specialist. With this expanded leadership role, he will oversee the daily operations of the Facilities departments for his assigned region within Hometown Financial Group’s family of banks, which includes bankESB, bankHometown, North Shore Bank, and Abington Bank, a division of North Shore Bank. He earned an associate degree in law enforcement from Holyoke Community College.

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Bacon Wilson, P.C. announced that attorney Gina Barry has been recognized in the 32nd edition of Best Lawyers in America for her expertise in elder law. In addition to this prestigious recognition, Barry has been named the 2026 Lawyer of the Year in Elder Law for Springfield. This honor is awarded to only one attorney in each practice area and community, based on the highest peer feedback. With decades of experience serving clients throughout Western Mass., Barry continues to provide exceptional legal guidance and compassionate advocacy in elder law. She is licensed to practice law in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. She is a partner and chair of the Estate Planning and Elder Law department at Bacon Wilson, and is a certified elder law attorney by the nonprofit National Elder Law Foundation.

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Dr. Amr Ibrahim

Dr. Amr Ibrahim

Muge Karabag

Muge Karabag

Amanda Davis

Amanda Davis

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) announced that three new faculty members will be joining the Trailblazer community for the college’s fall semester: Dr. Amr Ibrahim, Muge Karabag, and Amanda Davis. Ibrahim joins MCLA’s Chemistry department as a visiting assistant professor. A medicinal chemist, his research focuses on the design and synthesis of small-molecule antivirals and the use of structure-based drug design to interrogate host-virus interactions, including V-ATPase modulation and TIM-1-mediated entry. At MCLA, he will teach biochemistry and related courses while building collaborations that provide hands-on, publication-quality experiences for students. Karabag joins MCLA as a visiting assistant professor of Multimedia Journalism. She is a media scholar and practitioner with a background in broadcast journalism and digital communication. She previously worked as a reporter and news anchor for television channels in Istanbul and served as an assistant university professor in the department of New Media and Communication in Turkey. Davis is a part of MCLA’s Nursing department, where she combines her love for teaching with her years of hands-on nursing experience as a visiting assistant professor of Health Professions. She earned her master’s degree in nursing education and has served as the simulation coordinator for the MCLA Nursing program, nurse leader for the North Adams Public School System, and a medical-surgical nurse.

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Bulkley Richardson announced that Mary Jo Kennedy, partner and co-chair of the firm’s Employment Law practice, has been recognized by Best Lawyers as the 2026 Lawyer of the Year in both employment law (management) and labor and employment litigation for the Greater Springfield area. Only a single lawyer in each practice area and designated metropolitan area is honored as the Lawyer of the Year. Selections are based on particularly impressive voting averages received during the peer review assessments.

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Angela Cardenas

Angela Cardenas

Holyoke Community College (HCC) recently welcomed Angela Cardenas as chief of Operations in the Office of the President. Cardenas comes to HCC with more than 25 years of executive-level leadership experience, having served in continuously advancing roles at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for the past 17 years, most recently as senior policy advisor. As a career diplomat and public servant, Cardenas has lived and worked in numerous countries around the world, including Nicaragua, Afghanistan, Egypt, Tanzania, and the Dominican Republic. She joined USAID in 2008 as a private enterprise officer and has since worked for the agency as a land reform advisor, agriculture team leader, and education office director and coordinator of USAID’s Young African Leaders Initiative. In her role as senior policy advisor, Cardenas, who is bilingual, served as liaison to the Hispanic Assoc. of Colleges and Universities. She holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and a master’s degree in urban planning from Texas A&M University, and is pursuing a PhD in applied social justice at Dominican University. In her role at HCC, she serves as a strategic advisor to the college president and a key operational leader, directly supporting the president, the president’s cabinet, division vice presidents, and the board of trustees, and collaborating with department heads, community leaders, government entities, and other external partners to advance institutional priorities.

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Bay Path University announced the appointment of Jody Goodman as dean of Students and Engagement. In this role, she will lead efforts to enhance the student experience across multiple modalities and campuses, providing inclusive and responsive support to approximately 4,500 students, including traditional residential undergraduates, commuter students, and remote undergraduate and graduate learners at both Bay Path and Cambridge College. She brings more than a decade of progressive leadership experience in student affairs, as well as extensive academic expertise in higher education, leadership, and management. Most recently, she served as interim director of Student Engagement and Co-curricular Programming at Quinebaug Valley Community College in Connecticut. Previously, she was director of Student Success at the College of Engineering at UMass Amherst. Goodman earned an accelerated doctor of education degree in higher education from the Warner School of Education at the University of Rochester, where she also received her master’s degree in human resources management. She additionally holds a master’s degree in higher education from UMass Amherst and a master’s degree in leadership from Northeastern University.

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Candace Pereira

Candace Pereira

Windsor Federal Bank, headquartered in Windsor, Conn., announced that Candace Pereira has joined the organization as vice president, Business Development and portfolio manager. Pereira brings nearly 20 years of experience in commercial lending, having held roles as senior credit analyst, commercial lending officer, assistant vice president and commercial portfolio manager, and, most recently, vice president and commercial lender at Florence Bank. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus in management from the University of Massachusetts and is currently pursuing an MBA. Pereira is a 2017 BusinessWest 40 Under Forty honoree and has a history of heavy involvement in her community. She currently serves as treasurer of East Longmeadow High School’s Cheerleading Booster Club and is an ambassador for the Springfield Regional Chamber.

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Berkshire United Way (BUW) recently welcomed three community leaders — Stephanie Ham, Bethany Kieley, and Jennifer Kerwood — to its board of directors. Ham is an assistant branch manager and digital banking guru for Adams Community Bank. She has nearly two decades of experience in retail banking. As a member of the bank’s culture committee and ACB impact committee, she has led the annual sock drive for Morris Elementary School as well as efforts to support POPCares, the AYJ Fund, and the Alzheimer’s Assoc. Kieley is CEO of Community Health Programs and has nearly two decades of leadership experience in the healthcare field. She once served as a table captain for a United Way Women United’s Power of the Purse event and has volunteered with a food pantry in Connecticut and Literacy Volunteers of Southern Connecticut. Kerwood is director of Philanthropy at Miss Hall’s School. She has almost 30 years of experience advancing the missions and fundraising for local organizations, including Berkshire Community College and Berkshire United Way. Prior to her development career, she worked in Massachusetts government and politics. She is an appointed member of the Board of Registrars of Voters in Pittsfield and formerly served as a director and treasurer on the board for Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter Public School in Adams.

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Two new state commissioners have joined the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW). The commission welcomes Giselle Byrd and Candace Pérez, both appointees of Gov. Maura Healey. Giselle Byrd is executive director of the Theater Offensive, located in Boston, making her the first Black trans woman to lead a regional theatre company in the U.S. As a producer, she is the first transgender woman to be accepted into Through Her Lens: the Tribeca Chanel Women’s Filmmaker Program. Her documentary film debut, Giselle’s Story, directed by Susan O’Brien, was accepted into the Imagine This International Women’s Festival. Byrd also serves on the board of directors at both Callen-Lorde Community Health Center and the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art. She is also the co-vice chair of the advisory board for the Ali Forney Center, and she was recently elected vice chair of the MCSW’s program and planning committee for the FY 2026 program year. Pérez is a transformational leader, executive coach, and strategic consultant with a distinguished career spanning healthcare administration, public policy, workforce transformation, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. As founder and principal consultant of Iya of the North Consulting, she partners with executives, leadership teams, and organizations to drive meaningful change, elevate leadership effectiveness, and build inclusive, high-performing workplaces.

People on the Move

By
People on the Move
Gregg Levante

Gregg Levante

Pittsfield Cooperative Bank announced the appointment of Gregg Levante as its new president. A lifelong resident of Berkshire County, Levante brings not only a wealth of banking experience, but an understanding of the community’s needs, values, and aspirations. Levante has more than 15 years of experience in the banking industry, previously holding leadership roles in commercial lending at Berkshire Bank and NBT Bank and known for championing employee development and economic growth. He will now lead Pittsfield Cooperative Bank’s strategic initiatives focused on advancing financial prosperity, strengthening local small businesses, and investing in the future of banking. Under Levante’s leadership, the bank will continue to invest in community-first programs, continue the advancement of its digital banking capabilities, and empower team members to lead with purpose.

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Paul Duquette

Paul Duquette

Monson Savings Bank announced that Paul Duquette, a financial advisor with Osaic Institutions Inc., has joined the bank as a vice president. With more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, Duquette brings a wealth of knowledge and a client-first philosophy to his new role. Duquette is based out of the bank’s East Longmeadow location at 61 North Main St. He is dedicated to helping individuals and businesses achieve their financial goals through thoughtful, personalized strategies. With a strong belief in acting solely in the best interests of his clients, he is not tied to any mutual fund or insurance provider, allowing him to offer truly objective advice. Duquette holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Connecticut and maintains multiple securities licenses, including Series 6, 7, 26, 63, and 65, as well as a Connecticut life and health insurance producer license. His career includes leadership and advisory roles at institutions such as Wells Fargo, Citizens Securities, Santander Bank, and others, where he consistently demonstrated excellence in client relationship management and financial planning.

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Thomas Donnelly

Polish National Credit Union (PNCU) recently welcomed Thomas Donnelly as assistant vice president, commercial loan officer. With a background in financial services, strategic business development, and client relationship management, Donnelly brings a dynamic and personal approach to business banking, rooted in strong client relationships and a deep understanding of commercial lending. He holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Bonaventure University and a master’s degree in education from Springfield College. He has also completed the Massachusetts Bankers Credit Training Program and the 2025 Lender Training Program. He is based out of PNCU’s Westfield Loan Center and looks forward to contributing to the credit union’s continued commercial lending growth.

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bankESB recently announced the promotions of two longtime employees, Katherine Sordillo and Susanne deVillier, to vice president, regional branch manager. In this newly created position, deVillier and Sordillo will provide leadership and support to regions of bankESB’s retail banking network, working closely with retail branch staff in several communities to deliver exceptional customer service, drive performance, and uphold the bank’s commitment to community banking. They will also play a key role in supporting strategic initiatives focused on growth, operational excellence, and employee development. deVillier has more than 30 years of banking experience and has played a vital role in bankESB’s growth and success, particularly in Agawam, where she’s led the retail banking team at the Main Street, Agawam office since it opened in 2011. She joined bankESB in 2010 as a branch officer and over the years has been promoted to senior branch officer; assistant vice president, branch officer; and vice president, branch officer. As VP, she also served as retail sales coordinator, lending her leadership experience to other branch managers. In her new role, deVillier will oversee the bank’s Agawam, Amherst, Hadley, Northampton, Southampton, and Westfield branches, while maintaining a presence in the Agawam community, where she actively volunteers. Sordillo brings three decades of leadership experience in retail banking and customer relationship management to her new role. She joined bankESB in 2001 as branch officer of the Granby Road, South Hadley office and over her tenure has been promoted to senior branch manager; assistant vice president, branch manager; and vice president, branch officer and retail sales coordinator. She is a passionate community leader and has served as president of the South Hadley/Granby Chamber of Commerce and chairperson for Loomis Communities. In her new role, Sordillo will oversee the bank’s Belchertown, Holyoke, South Hadley, and two Easthampton branches, as well as the retail branch float team, while maintaining a presence in South Hadley.

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Lori Stickles

Lori Stickles

New Valley Bank & Trust announced the addition of Lori Stickles as vice president, Business Development and branch manager at the West Springfield office. She brings more than 30 years of banking experience, with a proven track record in retail banking, business development, and marketing leadership. Throughout her career, Stickles has led high-performing teams at several regional institutions, including United Bank, PeoplesBank, and Westfield Bank. She is widely recognized for her exceptional customer service, dedication to mentorship, and deep commitment to building lasting client relationships. She is also an active and engaged member of the community. Her current and past civic roles include trustee for the Eastern States Exposition, commissioner and chair of the Agawam Housing Authority, member of the Agawam Community Preservation Committee, and past commander of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary.

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Dani Garber-Letitia

Dani Garber-Letitia

Dietz & Company Architects Inc. announced that Senior Architect Dani Garber-Letitia has earned the credential of certified passive house consultant (CPHC) through Phius (Passive House Institute U.S.), a nonprofit organization dedicated to decarbonization and passive building. The Phius passive building certification standard is a rigorous energy standard that produces buildings that use 40% to 60% percent less energy than conventional structures. In order to achieve CPHC certification, Garber-Letitia completed a comprehensive training course and a rigorous multi-part exam to prove her knowledge. She joined Dietz & Company Architects in 2021 and has more than 15 years of experience as an architect and owner’s project manager for firms in Massachusetts. As a senior architect in the firm’s Cambridge office, she manages medium to large-size construction projects specializing in renovation and modernization for multi-family housing clients and work for public school districts. In addition to managing the Cambridge office, she also serves as a mentor for junior staff and has taken the lead on organizing in-house educational and training opportunities.

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The Irish Cultural Center of Western New England (ICCWNE) announced several recent appointments to its board of directors to help to expand its programming and outreach in the community. The new board members are Lynn McCarthy, Rose Boyle, Sean Fitzgerald, and John McMahon. Established in 1999 to foster an appreciation of Irish culture in Western New England, ICCWNE aims to cultivate a connection with Ireland through the arts, culture, history, language, and heritage. McCarthy, Boyle, Fitzgerald, and McMahon are all committed to helping ICCWNE grow as a center of Irish culture and community in Western New England, including the completion of its new Community Performance Center.

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Kayla Sheridan

Kayla Sheridan

Kayla Sheridan, Marketing director of TommyCar Auto Group, was named one of Automotive News’ 40 Under 40. This annual program honors 40 high achievers at new car dealerships who are under 40 years old. Automotive News received nominations from across the U.S. and identified outstanding performers in a large field of high-quality talent at dealerships. This year’s honorees are a diverse group with a broad range of titles and backgrounds. They were profiled in the July 14 issue of Automotive News, the leading news source for the global automotive industry. As Marketing director at TommyCar Auto Group, Sheridan has played a pivotal role in shaping the brand’s voice, driving strategic campaigns, and deepening engagement with customers across Western Mass. and beyond.

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After nearly a decade of leadership, Jane Ralph will step down as executive director of Construct effective Aug. 29. “This was not an easy decision,” she said. “My partner and I have called Berkshire County home for years now, and I am so proud of our work at Construct. However, the past year has been a time of reflection for us. After facing some family health challenges, and looking at where things stand in the world, we have decided that being close to relatives should be our main priority, so we are relocating to Madison, Wisconsin.” Since assuming the role in 2016, Ralph has led significant growth in Construct’s services, including support to help people remain in their homes, temporary housing for families, the development of new affordable housing at Forest Springs in Great Barrington, and the county’s first co-living workforce housing at the Windflower in Egremont. Under her leadership, Construct has also expanded its housing navigation services for individuals and families facing housing insecurity. Ralph will work closely with the executive committee in the coming weeks to ensure a smooth transition of leadership and to ease the staff and board into the next phase. The board of directors has formed a search committee for a new leader and will soon post the position for potential candidates to apply.

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Christian LaPlante

Christian LaPlante

Earlier this year, the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, Franklin County Community Development Corp., and Franklin Regional Council of Governments secured funding to lead the Rural Downtown Revitalization Pilot Project, a one-year initiative through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development. The pilot is designed to strengthen economic and cultural vitality and is grounded in the findings of a 2023-24 study by the BSC Group, which identified a critical need for enhanced coordination and administrative capacity for the downtown areas of Northfield, Turners Falls, and Shelburne Falls. The hiring committee, representing the participating downtowns, has selected Christian LaPlante to serve as the inaugural downtown district coordinator. He brings deep Franklin County roots and a strong background in economic and community development, most recently through his work with the city of Greenfield. In previous roles, he has managed grant programs, led placemaking and signage projects, built downtown marketing campaigns, and worked extensively with small businesses, town boards, and local creatives. Over the next year, LaPlante will work weekly in all three downtowns, engaging with stakeholders and working alongside newly formed downtown working groups comprised of local business owners, town officials, nonprofit leaders, artists, and residents. Together, they’ll identify and implement two or three stakeholder-prioritized projects in each community, while tackling ‘quick wins’ and shaping a long-term vision for shared regional success.

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Keshia Maxwell

Keshia Maxwell

Noella Moshi

Noella Moshi

Tech Foundry announced the hiring of two new staff members, Keshia Maxwell and Noella Moshi. Maxwell is serving as director of Tech Foundry’s new Tech Bridge program. She will develop and implement all facets of the project, including management of staff, daily operations, program design, and activities. Tech Bridge is a scholarship-based program that focuses on tech training, professional development, work experience, college exploration, and team-building, to bridge the gap between high school and future pathways. Maxwell brings nearly 10 years of experience as an educator, including several years as an elementary school math teacher. She is passionate about education and finds joy in helping students realize their true potential. She also brings 14 years of military service, including international humanitarian program management in Dakar, Senegal, where she served as a U.S. Army Bilateral Affairs officer. She holds bachelor’s degrees in Japanese language/literature and English from UMass Amherst, and a master’s degree in education from Springfield College. Moshi was hired as Tech Foundry’s new director of Engagement. She will spearhead new donor development in addition to amplifying donor, funder, and partner engagement. She has a professional background in strategy and program design. Born in Tanzania and having lived in eight countries, she brings a global perspective to her career in workforce development, including roles as an executive director and head of programs across multiple countries. Moshi holds a master’s degree in clinical science and immunology from the University of Cape Town and has completed a course in exponential fundraising at the Harvard Kennedy School. She speaks English and Swahili and serves on several boards she cares deeply about, including West Africa Vocational Education and the Livelihood Impact Fund.

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Brendan Theroux

Brendan Theroux

KeyBank announced Brendan Theroux has been named relationship manager, Commercial Banking. He is responsible for providing tailored financial solutions to middle market clients and prospects across Connecticut and Massachusetts. He is based in KeyBank’s Hartford office, located at 225 Asylum St. Prior to joining KeyBank, Theroux served as first vice president, Commercial Lending, at PeoplesBank in West Hartford, Conn. He has also held leadership roles at M&T Bank, including vice president and assistant vice president of Commercial Relationship Management. He has more than 10 years of experience in commercial banking, with a strong background in relationship management, credit underwriting, and strategic business development. Theroux holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Connecticut and has earned certifications from the Connecticut School of Finance and Management and M&T Bank’s Leadership Accelerator program. An active member of the community, he serves on the board of directors and finance committee for the 4-H Center at Auerfarm Inc. in Bloomfield, Conn.

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Bay Path University announced the appointment of Megan Trinkle-Knotts as the new program director of the master of science in genetic counseling program, effective immediately. Trinkle-Knotts brings nearly 20 years of experience in clinical genetics and genetic counseling education to the role. She began her career at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, where she worked in both prenatal and pediatric practice for nearly a decade. During her tenure, she helped develop a statewide Perinatal Loss Evaluation Program, which provided customized evaluation services for families experiencing stillbirth, and she co-led a Cord Blood Collection/Genetics Consultation Initiative aimed at avoiding missed diagnostic opportunities in newborns with anomalies or life-threatening conditions. In 2015, she joined the Center for Genomic Advocacy at Indiana State University, where she played a foundational role in launching a new master’s in genetic counseling program and a Genetic Counseling Clinic focused on oncology and psychiatric genetics. In 2021, she joined Bay Path as assistant director and fieldwork coordinator, where she oversaw the development of clinical and fieldwork experiences for students nationwide. Trinkle-Knotts is an active contributor to the field through research, publications, and national leadership. She is involved with several professional organizations, including the Indiana Network of Genetic Counselors, the Genetic Counselor Educators Assoc., the National Society of Genetic Counselors, and the Indiana Maternal Mortality Review Committee. She earned her bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Indiana University and her master’s degree in genetic counseling from the Indiana School of Medicine.

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Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts (JAWM) announced the appointment of new officers and several new members to its board of directors. Comprising leaders from across the region’s business, education, and nonprofit sectors, the new board brings fresh energy and strategic insight to advance JAWM’s mission of inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. Returning board members include Terrell Joyner (chair), financial advisor at Charter Oak and founder of the Consulting Web; Lena Buteau (vice chair), vice president and Retail Administration officer at Monson Savings Bank; and Anthony Lorenzano (vice president), store manager at TD Bank. New board members include Angelo Fiore, financial advisor with St. Germain Investment Management; Robert Jones, senior vice president, Nonprofit Practice at USI; Maria LaPriore, real estate advisor at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Realty Professionals; Gregg Levante, president of Pittsfield Cooperative Bank; Stefan Sjoberg, attorney with Egan, Flanagan & Cohen; and Devan Summers, vice president, Member Services and Community Development with Luso Federal Credit Union. The board will support the organization’s mission and provide guidance in key initiatives, including financial literacy, workforce readiness, and entrepreneurship programming.

People on the Move

By
People on the Move
James Barbier

James Barbier

Zonglin Li

Zonglin Li

Timothy Wang

Timothy Wang

Dietz & Company Architects Inc. announced that James Barbier, Zonglin Li, and Timothy Wang have all joined the firm in the role of architectural associate. Barbier recently earned his bachelor of architecture degree from the Syracuse University School of Architecture, where he completed his thesis exploring kinematic systems and how they can be used to create interactive facades that respond to environmental phenomena. He is also currently exploring the potential of using topological joinery to create wooden structures that satisfy design for disassembly and adaptive reuse strategies. Barbier’s experience includes internships in which he worked on log cabin homes, multi-family housing, and medical buildings. He also participated in research investigating how architecture can be used to design opportunities in low-income communities. Li interned at Dietz & Company last summer and worked at the firm during breaks throughout his final year of school. He recently graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with his bachelor of architecture degree, where his thesis focused on reimagining Penn Station through the perspective of interior urbanism and structured improvisation. He investigated how interior public spaces can operate as urban systems, merging the boundaries between circulation, commerce, and public life, and suggested areas that redefined urban movement and fostered new layers of interaction between the old and new city systems. Li also participated in the construction of Rise, Repeat, a pavilion structure exploring modular repetition and material economy through standard construction components, featured at the BuildFest 2024 Woodstock Pavilions. Wang recently earned his master of architecture degree from the University of Hartford, where his thesis focused on transforming an underutilized park in San Francisco’s Chinatown into a culture and arts center. His concept reinterpreted traditional Chinese architectural elements to match the contemporary style of the building while still making subtle gestures at the history. While completing his degree, Wang interned with architectural firms in Connecticut, where he worked on high-end residential, master planning, and K-12 educational projects.

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The Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts’ trustees of the Order of William Pynchon announced their selection of two local residents as this year’s Pynchon Medal recipients, Paul Lambert and Anthony Russo. Lambert has served as president and CEO of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra since 2022, having initially joined as interim director. He guided the organization through a period of significant challenges, resolving contractual disputes and restoring its operational stability. In so doing, he ensured that live classical music remains a part of the region’s cultural landscape. Under his leadership, the symphony has embraced cultural diversity in its programming to attract broader audiences throughout the region. Prior to joining the symphony, Lambert spent two decades at Springfield’s Basketball Hall of Fame, where he developed community engagement initiatives that connected the city’s residents, especially young people, with the organization’s programs. He continues his community involvement through the Springfield Rotary Club, where he has helped establish programs for those in need, including a monthly meal service for the region’s unhoused population. As vice president of the Agawam City Council, Russo has distinguished himself through responsive leadership and an approach to public service that extends well beyond traditional council duties. He has shown exceptional commitment to the community’s most vulnerable residents through hands-on charitable work and personal sacrifice. He donates his entire council salary to local charitable organizations and families in need, with a special focus during the holidays on ensuring no child goes without. For several years, he has made annual visits to local Toys for Tots drives, arriving with a trunk full of toys purchased with his council earnings to benefit children in need. In service to Agawam’s elderly population, Russo organized the Sand for Seniors program, personally ensuring that more than 60 residents receive sand for safe home access during treacherous winter months, while also volunteering regularly at the Agawam Senior Center for meal service and social activities. The presentation of the Pynchon Medal and celebration will take place this fall, with a date and time to be announced.

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Alexarey Overbaugh

Alexarey Overbaugh

Pittsfield Cooperative Bank announced the appointment of Alexarey Overbaugh to assistant branch manager of its Williams Street, Pittsfield location. Since joining the team in November 2021, Overbaugh has consistently brought dedication and excellence to every role. Starting as a teller at the bank’s South Street branch, she quickly became known for exceptional customer service and a strong work ethic. In March 2024, she was promoted to head teller at the newly opened Williams Street branch, where she helped establish smooth operations from day one. Now, she continues to grow professionally as the assistant branch manager, bringing leadership, experience, and a deep commitment to both team success and community service. With nearly a decade of experience in customer service and sales, Overbaugh has built a reputation for reliability, leadership, and strong client relationships. She began her career in 2015 in retail, gaining valuable frontline experience and a solid foundation in customer care.

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Natalia Castagno

Natalia Castagno

Heather Haskins

Heather Haskins

Holyoke Community College (HCC) recently added two members to its Institutional Advancement team: Natalia Castagno as assistant director of Alumni Relations, and Heather Haskins as assistant director of Annual Giving. Prior to HCC, Castagno worked at Springfield College as senior assistant director of Undergraduate Admissions and coordinator of Diversity Recruitment. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Brigham Young University and is pursuing a master’s degree in education from Springfield College. Haskins, a 2020 graduate of HCC, returns to the college after serving as Advancement Operations associate at the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. She began her HCC education at the age of 15 as a dual enrollment student from Westfield Technical Academy. After receiving her associate degree in business administration, she transferred to Bay Path University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management and marketing.

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Alera Group, a national, independent financial and insurance services firm, announced it has appointed Adam Trivilino regional director for Commercial Lines in New England. In this role, he will lead the Commercial Lines service strategy for upper mid-market and large accounts with complex insurance needs. His focus includes standardizing operations, implementing growth initiatives, and fostering stronger collaboration among Alera Group offices to enhance client service across the region. Trivilino brings a risk management mindset and broad experience in both sales and client service, having worked with the Baldwin Group, RogersGray, and other financial institutions. His appointment is one of several recent personnel moves supporting Alera Group’s broader regional integration strategy. Outside of work, he is committed to community service and has volunteered with youth organizations including Kiwanis Clubs and the Railroad Street Youth Project. Alera Group also announced that Jessica Morin has been named director of Personal Lines, New England. In this role, she is leading efforts to unify regional offices, standardize operations, and improve client segmentation, ensuring products and services are better aligned with client needs. She is also exploring new ways to enhance service delivery and drive deeper client engagement. With 15 years of industry experience, Morin brings particular expertise in managing high-net-worth portfolios. She holds several professional designations, including certified insurance service representative elite and small business coverage specialist, and is currently pursuing her certified personal risk manager certification. She is involved in her local community, having volunteered and coached for youth softball leagues.

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Al Bedini Jr.

Al Bedini Jr.

NBT Bank announced it has named Al Bedini Jr. branch manager of the bank’s office located at 331 State Road in North Adams. He has 37 years of banking experience. Most recently, he served as assistant branch manager with Greylock Federal Credit Union. Prior to that, he held roles with TD Bank and MountainOne Bank. Bedini received his education from Berkshire Community College and the University of Massachusetts. He also participated in the New England Leadership Development Program at Babson College. In addition, he holds certificates from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Active in the community, he has served on the Northern Berkshire United Way allocations committee for the past two years.

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Polish National Credit Union (PNCU) announced the promotion of Joe Pereira to vice president of Information Technology. In his new role, he will continue to lead all aspects of the credit union’s IT strategy, infrastructure, and cybersecurity initiatives. Pereira brings more than two decades of technology experience across higher education, enterprise consulting, and financial services. Since joining PNCU, he has played a critical role in advancing the credit union’s digital operations, ensuring system reliability and data security, and positioning the organization for long-term growth in a fast-changing technology landscape. Prior to joining PNCU, Pereira served as senior systems administrator at Western New England University, where he oversaw more than 120 physical and virtual servers, deployed large-scale virtualization environments, and managed systems critical to security, communication, and academic services. He also previously worked as a network engineer and technical consultant, specializing in virtual infrastructure, SQL administration, and multi-site network connectivity. He earned his bachelor’s degree in network engineering from the New England Institute of Technology in Warwick, R.I.

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Brennan LaFlamme

Brennan LaFlamme

Bill Olejarz

Bill Olejarz

Katherine Ravenelle

Katherine Ravenelle

Florence Bank recently presented its 2025 President’s Award to three staff members for exceptional service. Established in 1995, the President’s Award recognizes outstanding performance, customer service, and overall contribution to Florence Bank. Honorees are nominated by their colleagues at the bank. This year’s award recognizes Brennan LaFlamme, an IRA specialist in the bank’s main office in Florence; Bill Olejarz, an information security risk analyst, also in the main office; and Katherine Ravenelle, teller operations manager in West Springfield. LaFlamme has six years of industry experience and has served as a teller supervisor and customer service specialist. Responsible for maintaining all IRA accounts and keeping up to date on regulations, he provides IRA trainings for customers and staff. Currently working toward a degree in cybersecurity at UMass Amherst, LaFlamme is active in the community, serving as a board member for the Therapeutic Equestrian Center in Holyoke. With four years in the industry, Olejarz assesses cybersecurity risk to help protect sensitive data and systems, reviews vendor security, and works with departments to support compliance and ensure security controls are in place to reduce threats. He is skilled at third-party risk management, regulatory compliance, cybersecurity and risk reporting, security awareness training, and cross-department collaboration. Olejarz holds a master’s degree in cybersecurity management from Bay Path University, a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Western New England University, and an associate degree in computer information systems from Springfield Technical Community College. Ravenelle has 13 years of banking experience. She manages teller line operations to ensure quality service is provided while adhering to policies, procedures, and security. She handles customer transactions, account openings, and account servicing, and is skilled at customer service as well as adapting to different markets and customer needs, branch operations, and fraud prevention and detection.

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The Foundation for TJO Animals announced that Janna Brown has been named its new executive director. After a year of serving as interim director and five years as a board member, Brown is bringing her lifelong passion for animal welfare and her signature energy to the organization full-time. Before stepping into nonprofit leadership, Brown spent two decades as a meteorologist, most recently spending nine years at Western Mass News, where she became a household name. Her heart, however, has long belonged to the animals at the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center on Cottage Street, where she volunteered weekly. During her time in the spotlight, Brown helped bring visibility to TJO’s mission, with the foundation being named Western Mass News’ charity of choice, a reflection of her personal commitment to the cause.

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Country Bank announced the promotions of Katelin Sherman, David Micka, and Jason McClure to the role of credit officer. These promotions reflect each individual’s leadership, expertise, and significant contributions to the bank’s ongoing success. Sherman brings 13 years of industry experience and a strategic mindset to her role. She holds a bachelor’s degree in finance with minors in Spanish and sociology from Bryant University, as well as an MBA in entrepreneurial thinking and innovative practices from Bay Path University. Her diverse academic background and forward-thinking approach play a key role in strengthening Country Bank’s commercial credit and lending capabilities. She also co-leads the diversity, equity, and inclusion committee at Country Bank. Micka, with 15 years of experience in the financial services industry, is recognized for his analytical strengths and commitment to exceptional service. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business studies through the University Without Walls (UWW) program at UMass Amherst. He is passionate about community banking and values Country Bank’s strong commitment to the communities it serves. McClure offers over 25 years of banking experience with deep expertise in commercial and industrial underwriting. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and an associate degree in accounting and finance from the New England College of Business and Finance, as well as certification from Omega Financial Training. His technical skills and industry knowledge significantly enhance the bank’s credit evaluation processes. Together, these team members play a pivotal role in assessing credit risk and guiding sound lending decisions. Country Bank also congratulates two of its team members, Jodie Gerulaitis, first vice president of Community Relations, and Jennifer Bujnevicie, vice president of Retail Banking and regional manager, on their recent graduation from the American Bankers Assoc. (ABA) Stonier Graduate School of Banking. The ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking is the industry’s leading graduate banking program. Graduates receive both a Stonier diploma and a Wharton leadership certificate.

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Stanley Walczyk

Stanley Walczyk

Greylock Federal Credit Union’s board of directors voted unanimously to appoint Stanley Walczyk as director emeritus in recognition of his long and distinguished service to the credit union. In April, the board of directors voted to confer the director emeritus designation on Walczyk. Individuals who are appointed directors emeriti function as an advisory committee to the board of directors. Walczyk’s designation reflects a two-year term. Walczyk was board chairman from 2018 to 2023 and served on a variety of committees during his tenure. He was the president of O’Laughlin’s Home Care Pharmacy, which was acquired by and now operates as Market 32 Price Chopper Pharmacy. He was also president of the Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy and the Massachusetts Pharmacist Assoc. and a member of the National Assoc. of Retail Druggists. Walczyk was appointed as a trustee of Berkshire Community College by the governor, serving two five-year terms, and was also appointed by the governor to the Massachusetts Drug Formulary Commission. Additionally, he is a past president of the Dalton Rotary Club.

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Holyoke Chicopee Springfield (HCS) Head Start recently announced the 2025 recipient of its Janis Santos Scholarship. Three years ago, the organization launched this annual recognition, created by Santos, former CEO of HCS Head Start, to help address the shortage of early childhood teachers. Knowing the importance of supporting this profession, Santos established this scholarship to support current HCS staff, parents, and all Head Start alumni who are pursuing a degree in early education and care but may be encountering financial hardship. Santos, along with Nicole Blais, HCS Head Start’s current CEO, awarded the 2025 honor to Barbara Torres Marzan. She has been with HCS Head Start for close to four years and is currently an infant/toddler teacher. She was presented with the $2,000 scholarship to continue her studies at Springfield Technical Community College. Previous honorees include Mayra Felix, who recently completed her bachelor’s degree at Springfield College, and Notavious Andino-Galarza-Perez, who is currently studying at Columbia University.

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Olessa Stepanova

Olessa Stepanova

Longtime Boston-area TV news anchor and reporter Olessa Stepanova has joined Eversource as External Communications manager. In that role, she will help lead media engagement and storytelling across Massachusetts. With nearly two decades of newsroom experience and recent years in executive communications, Stepanova brings a relationship-first approach, journalistic instincts, and strategic perspectives to the energy industry. In her new role, she’ll serve as a media spokesperson and work closely with reporters, community partners, and public officials to communicate Eversource’s efforts to affordably advance the Commonwealth’s energy transition while ensuring safe, reliable service for customers and supporting its communities.

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Glenmeadow Inc., a provider of senior retirement lifestyle options, has selected Adetayo Olatinwo as vice president for Human Resources. She will lead the HR function, overseeing talent management, compensation, benefits, training, employee relations, and engagement, while ensuring compliance with employment law and contributing to the organization’s strategic goals and mission. She will also shape Glenmeadow’s relationships with the local secondary and post-secondary education partners to encourage senior living as a career path of choice. Olatinwo most recently served Trinity Health Of New England as Colleague and Labor Relations business partner and previously served Global Medical Response and the Mental Health Assoc. in human resources roles. She is a graduate of Western New England University and Springfield College.

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Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts (GSCWM) recently welcomed eight new and re-elected members to its board of directors, swearing them in during its annual meeting and volunteer recognition event. GSCWM’s board of directors now stands at 21 board members total, 19 adults and two girl members. The eight include Erika Dulmaine, Neliana Ferraro de Mitchell, Sara Flynn, Jennifer Hubert, Abigail Abena Mensah (Orleans Thompson), Jennifer Merton, Katie Rozenas-Hanson, and Prisha Konduru (girl member). A diverse group of community leaders and professionals, GSCWM’s board members are chosen to oversee the organization’s strategic planning, fund development, appointment of the CEO, finances, and interaction with a community that includes 6,000 girls across 186 cities and towns in Western and Central Massachusetts.

People on the Move

By
People on the Move
Jeffrey Fialky

Jeffrey Fialky

At the 19th annual 40 Under Forty Gala on June 19 at the MassMutual Center, BusinessWest announced that Jeffrey Fialky, managing shareholder at Bacon Wilson, P.C., is this year’s Alumni Achievement Award (AAA) winner. Fialky broke through on his fourth time as a finalist for the AAA, which, since 2015, has been awarded annually to the past 40 Under Forty winner who, in the minds of an independent panel of judges, has most impressively built on his or her record of professional achievement and service to the community since being named a 40 Under Forty honoree. Fialky was an associate with Bacon Wilson when he was voted to the 40 Under Forty class of 2008. Today, as managing shareholder, he is leading the firm through a time of change and challenge in that sector while also continuing to give back to community organizations and causes ranging from Springfield Museums to the Springfield Regional Chamber — which, just last week, awarded him its Lifetime Achievement Award. The other four finalists for this year’s AAA award were Amelia Holstrom (40 Under Forty class of 2015), partner at Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C.; James Krupienski (class of 2010), partner at Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C.; Ryan McCollum (class of 2012), owner of RMC Strategies; and Orlando Ramos (class of 2014), state representative for the 9th Hampden District. The Alumni Achievement Award was presented by Health New England.

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Catherine Rioux

Catherine Rioux

David Viamari

David Viamari

Monson Savings Bank announced the promotions of Catherine Rioux to the position of assistant vice president, commercial loan officer and David Viamari to the position of vice president, controller. In her new role, Rioux will continue to serve the community by educating and assisting current and prospective borrowers with a variety of financing options, including commercial and industrial loans and commercial real estate lending. She brings nearly two decades of banking experience to her role, including 12 years specifically in lending. Rioux holds a bachelor of business administration degree from Western New England University, with a major in management and a minor in communications. She is also a graduate of the New England School of Financial Studies and the Springfield Regional Chamber Leadership Institute. She was recently named to BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty class of 2025. In the community, she serves on the town of Monson’s scholarship committee, volunteers at St. Patrick’s Church, supports Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts, and is a member of the Monson Free Library finance committee. In his new role, Viamari he will be responsible for overseeing the bank’s accounting and financial reporting functions, playing a critical part in maintaining the institution’s financial health and regulatory compliance. He brings more than 15 years of experience in the finance and accounting field, including four years in banking and 11 years in public accounting. Before joining Monson Savings Bank, he served as assistant vice president, assistant controller at bankESB, managing the bank’s financial statements and regulatory reporting requirements, assisting in the monthly financial close process, and overseeing the General Accounting and Accounts Payable departments. He also supported executive leadership and the board of directors by delivering accurate and timely financial reporting. Viamari holds both a bachelor of business administration degree in accounting and a master’s degree in accounting from UMass Amherst’s Isenberg School of Management. In the community, he serves as treasurer on the board of directors for the Lathrop Home of Northampton. He is also a member of the Boston chapter of the Financial Managers Society.

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Carla Carnevale

Carla Carnevale

Monson Savings Bank announced the promotion of Carla Carnevale to Community Relations manager. In this role, she will lead the bank’s community engagement and public relations efforts. A key focus of her new role will be identifying and understanding the evolving needs of the communities the bank serves. By working closely with local organizations and residents, she will help ensure that Monson Savings Bank’s outreach and charitable efforts are aligned with the areas of greatest need, maximizing the bank’s positive impact. Carnevale joined Monson Savings Bank in July 2020 and has held several roles within the Marketing department, including marketing intern, marketing assistant, and marketing & public relations coordinator. Her dedication and creativity have played a key role in the bank’s marketing and outreach initiatives. In her new position, she will manage the bank’s community relations strategy and partnerships with community organizations. She will also serve on the bank’s community outreach and donations committee and the community reinvestment & fair lending committee, and continue her contributions as an active member of the marketing committee. Carnevale holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing & small business development from Bay Path University and will begin her studies at Western New England University School of Law in August. She is actively involved in local initiatives, including serving on the board of directors for the Cedar Ridge of Wilbraham Homeowners Assoc., being a member of the Michael J. Dias Foundation’s capital campaign committee, and volunteering her time with various local nonprofits.

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American International College (AIC) has named Rob Kearney to the position of director of Athletics, effective July 7. Kearney brings more than a decade of athletic training and leadership experience to this role and will oversee the college’s portfolio of NCAA Division II athletic programs. The appointment follows his prior tenure as assistant athletic director for sports medicine and performance, in which he oversaw a transformational restructuring of the department and rebuilt all aspects of the college’s athletic training and strength and conditioning programs. Before arriving at AIC, Kearney served as an athletic trainer at Springfield Central High School and was head athletic trainer for the men’s club ice hockey program at UMass Amherst from 2014 to 2024. He has held roles at a number of local institutions, including the Williston Northampton School, Deerfield Academy, and Palmer Public Schools. Kearney and his husband, Joey, also own and operate CrossFit Iron Legacy in East Longmeadow. Beyond his experience in athletic training and coaching, Kearney’s record includes a 15-year career of professional competition. In 2023, he finished third in the America’s Strongest Man competition and has a personal record of 961 pounds in the deadlift. He has competed in the World’s Strongest Man competition five times and the Arnold Strongman Classic three times. In 2020, he was awarded the title of Pound for Pound Strongest Man in the World by Official Strongman. Kearney currently serves on the executive board of the OUT Foundation and previously was the Massachusetts state representative for the National Athletic Trainers’ Assoc. LGBTQ+ advisory committee. He holds a master’s degree in advanced athletic training with a concentration in athletic rehabilitation and a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from Springfield College, and is a Massachusetts-licensed athletic trainer.

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Krupa Kotecha

Krupa Kotecha

The Royal Law Firm announced attorney Krupa Kotecha as its new chief strategy and advancement officer. In this role, she leads strategic initiatives centered on attorney development, operational consistency, and sustainable growth. A former Big Law attorney with expertise in compensation and employment law, she brings a business oriented, results-driven approach to both client service and firm leadership. Kotecha has advised employers on compensation design, compliance, workforce transitions, and complex disputes, while also mentoring attorneys, setting firm-wide standards of excellence, and ensuring a consistent, high-quality client experience, making her strategic insight and leadership essential to advancing the firm’s mission and long-term success.

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Sharon Czarnecki

Sharon Czarnecki

James Hagan, president and CEO of Westfield Bank, announced the promotion of Sharon Czarnecki to vice president, Business Banking manager, and CRA officer. Her responsibilities continue to include small business loan development and commercial loan portfolio management, as well as management of the bank’s Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) program. Czarnecki joined Westfield Bank 33 years ago and has served in many different roles. She started her career as a teller in 1992 and, over the years, has held positions in deposit operations, loan servicing, commercial credit analysis, and credit management. In 2007, she became the bank’s first female commercial lending officer and was promoted to assistant vice president in 2010 and to vice president in 2019. She has more than 25 years of experience with CRA and is familiar with matters of regulatory compliance. Czarnecki is a graduate of Holyoke Community College with an associate degree in business studies, and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Westfield State University. She is an integral part of her community, serving on several nonprofit boards that include the Westfield State University Foundation, the Albert & Amelia Ferst Operating Foundation, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield, and the trustees of Westfield Academy. She also serves on the finance committee for Holy Trinity Church in Westfield, where she is involved in the religious education program.

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Country Bank announced the appointment of David Thibault as first vice president, Institutional Banking. In this newly created role, he will focus on serving municipalities and nonprofit organizations throughout the bank’s footprint, bringing nearly three decades of experience in commercial and institutional banking. Thibault joins Country Bank with 26 years of industry experience from PeoplesBank, with a well-established track record of success in serving commercial, nonprofit, and government clients. He holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and engineering and an MBA from Western New England University. He is also a graduate of the American Bankers Assoc. Stonier School of Banking. He holds multiple professional certifications, including accredited ACH professional (AAP) and national check professional (NCP). Throughout his career, Thibault has demonstrated a passion for leveraging technology to improve customer outcomes. He has led initiatives such as the implementation of online banking platforms, positive pay systems, lockbox services, and remittance capture. His expertise in cash management and payment systems, combined with a strong commitment to customer service and employee development, make him an asset to the Country Bank team. Thibault is also an active community member, currently serving as secretary of the board of directors for Access Care Partners and trustee for the Massachusetts 4-H Foundation. A dedicated volunteer, he supports organizations such as 4-H and the Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce. He has participated in programs like Leadership Pioneer Valley and Leadership Springfield, serving as both mentee and mentor.

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Christina Reynolds

Christina Reynolds

UMassFive College Federal Credit Union announced that Christina Reynolds has been promoted to assistant vice president of Account Operations. She began her career at UMassFive 15 years ago as a part-time online banking specialist in the Contact Center. Since then, she has taken on a variety of roles, including positions in branches, as Card Services manager, and, most recently, as Digital and Payments manager. In her new role, Reynolds will oversee several key areas: Digital Banking (including online and mobile banking), Payments (ACH transactions, wires, and checks), Card Services (debit and credit cards), and Account Services (focused on fraud prevention, compliance, and risk management).

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Callie Flanagan

Callie Flanagan

Florence Bank recently welcomed Callie Flanagan as vice president and small business lender in the Commercial Originations department of the Florence headquarters. She has 13 years of small business lending experience and most recently worked at the U.S. Small Business Administration as lender relations specialist and Springfield branch manager. Skilled at building relationships, credit analysis, underwriting, portfolio management, and SBA lending, Flanagan has also served as a loan officer and director of lending at Common Capital. While in the latter role, she led a small lending team to achieve top lender in the state with the U.S. Small Business Administration for multiple loan products over multiple years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Fordham University and is vice chair of the Holyoke Economic Development and Industrial Corp. and a member of the Ladies’ Ancient Order of the Hibernians.

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Polish National Credit Union (PNCU) announced the promotion of Martha Brosnahan to vice president of Loan Servicing & Collections. In her new role, she will continue to lead and oversee all aspects of the credit union’s loan servicing operations. With more than a decade of service at PNCU, she has consistently demonstrated leadership and expertise in managing complex loan servicing and collections functions. Prior to this promotion, she served in the Loan Servicing department, where she played a pivotal role in developing procedures, training staff, and overseeing the servicing and collection aspects across all loan portfolios. Brosnahan began her career in financial services more than 20 years ago and has held key positions in loan operations and compliance at institutions including Connecticut River Bank. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Franklin Pierce University, and is a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking in Colorado. Her professional development also includes certifications in business management, business foundations, supervisory leadership, and value stream management.

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Jacquelyn Matthews

Jacquelyn Matthews

Queenie Miao

Queenie Miao

Sadie Woolstenhulme

Sadie Woolstenhulme

Bacon Wilson, P.C. announced that Jacquelyn Matthews, Queenie Miao, and Sadie Woolstenhulme have been accepted into the firm’s law clerk program for the 2025-26 school year. Matthews is currently pursuing her juris doctorate at Western New England University School of Law, with an expected graduation date of May 2026. Jacquelyn earned her bachelor’s degree in international relations and Arabic, along with minors in science, technology, environment, and public policy from Michigan State University in 2023. In addition to her role as a law clerk at Bacon Wilson, she is an active member of the Western New England Global Justice Clinic. Before joining the firm, Matthews participated in a summer associate program in Connecticut, served as president of Empowering Women in Law in East Lansing, Mich., and founded the International Law Students Assoc. at Western New England. She has a strong interest in corporate law and trusts and estates. Fluent in Arabic and Spanish, she spent eight weeks in Amman, Jordan in 2021 as part of the Jordan Language Academy Study Abroad Program, where she enhanced her proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking three Arabic dialects. Miao is currently a juris doctor candidate at the University of Illinois College of Law in Champaign, with graduation expected in May 2026. She will be completing her final year of law school remotely while working at Bacon Wilson. She earned her bachelor’s degree in philosophy, with a minor in legal studies, from Brandeis University in 2021. Before joining the firm, Miao served as a teaching assistant for the University of Illinois Legal Writing and Introduction to Advocacy courses. Additionally, she gained experience as a law clerk at the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and as a student attorney at the University of Illinois Immigration Clinic. A passionate animal welfare advocate, she also volunteered at a rescue ranch in Champaign, Ill. She has a strong interest in tax law. Originally from Nanjing, the historic capital of China, she is fluent in Mandarin Chinese. Woolstenhulme is currently a juris doctor candidate at Western New England University School of Law, with plans to graduate in May 2026. She holds a bachelor’s degree in American studies with a minor in religious studies from Utah State University, earned in 2020. She is actively involved in law school life as a member of the Student Bar Assoc. judicial advisory board, the Public Interest Assoc., and the Women’s Law Assoc. She also serves as a senior staff member of the Western New England Law Review and a teaching assistant in criminal law, constitutional law, and contracts. Before joining Bacon Wilson, Woolstenhulme spent several years at the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office and most recently interned for a Massachusetts Trial Court judge. She is particularly interested in litigation and family law, areas that allow her to connect directly and meaningfully with clients.

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The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission recently elected its executive committee for FY 2026, which will help guide the organization’s strategic direction and regional planning efforts from June 2025 through June 2026. Executive committee members represent communities across Hampden and Hampshire counties and bring a wide range of professional and civic experience. They include William Dwyer, chairman (Hadley); George Kingston, vice chairman (East Longmeadow); Douglas Albertson, secretary/clerk (Belchertown); Marilyn Gorman-Fil, treasurer (Monson); T.J. Cousineau, assistant treasurer (Blandford); and at-large members Peri Hall (Goshen), James Whalen (Holland), Jack Jemsek (Amherst), and Jack Luttrell (Wilbraham). The PVPC executive committee is elected annually by commission members and is responsible for guiding organizational governance and fiscal stewardship. The group also plays a key role in advancing PVPC’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy and other regional initiatives.

People on the Move

By
People on the Move
Melissa English

Melissa English

Sharon Blazejowski

Sharon Blazejowski

Joe Oliveira

Joe Oliveira

MP CPAs, a full-service certified public accounting firm offering a wide range of accounting, tax, and consulting services to clients of all sizes, announced the promotions of three directors who have consistently exceeded client expectations and helped enhance team development and growth within the firm. Melissa English, senior manager, has been promoted to director. She has been with the firm for 23 years, working with clients across a variety of industries. Her background includes managing audits, reviews, and compilations of financial statements of nonprofit organizations, employee benefit plans, and small to medium-sized for-profit businesses specializing in employee benefit plan audits. English serves on the board of trustees of several local organizations, including serving as treasurer of the Chicopee Galaxy Youth Athletic Assoc., as well as serving as audit chair of Viability Inc. She is a certified employee benefit plan specialist and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Sharon Blazejowski, senior manager, has been promoted to director. She has been with the firm for 28 years, working with clients across a variety of industries. Her background includes managing audits, reviews, and compilations of financial statements in various industries, specializing in charter schools and nonprofit organizations by performing yellow-book and single audits under government auditing standards and uniform guidance. Blazejowski takes an active role in the local community by participating in various community fundraising and networking events, including serving as treasurer of a local youth sports team. She is a certified public accountant in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants. Joe Oliveira, senior manager, has been promoted to director. He joined the firm in 2014 and has more than 20 years of experience providing consulting and tax solutions to a diverse group of clients including individuals, partnerships, limited liability companies, corporations, and trusts. He specializes in working closely with high-net-worth clients, as well as private equity firms and their owners. Oliveira is currently treasurer for the Massachusetts Service Alliance and Suffield Girls Scouts. He is a certified public account in Connecticut and Massachusetts and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants.

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Hilary Barnard

Hilary Barnard

UMassFive College Federal Credit Union announced Hilary Barnard in her new role as Human Resources manager. She comes to UMassFive with more than 15 years of leadership experience. Her recent roles include serving as HR director in both the healthcare and property-management sectors and, previously, as store director for a large retail chain. Barnard has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in e-learning and instructional design from Northeastern University. Additionally, she holds SHRM-CP credentials, showcasing her commitment to excellence as a certified professional recognized by the Society of Human Resources Management. In her new position, she is responsible for supporting a variety of human-resources operations and initiatives, including supporting the recruiting process, recognition programs, training and development, and a variety of other projects.

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Sabba Salebaigi-Tse

Sabba Salebaigi-Tse

The Royal Law Firm recently welcomed attorney Sabba Salebaigi-Tse to the team.Sabba received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Alberta in Canada; her juris doctorate from Thompson Rivers University in Canada, and her master of laws degree from the University of Connecticut. She advises and represents clients in various labor- and employment-law matters and is admitted to practice law in Massachusetts. Her professional experience includes roles as a research assistant, legal researcher, and student clinician in various legal-aid clinics. Her background in legal research and advocacy, combined with hands-on experience in client representation and legal consulting, equips her to handle complex litigation effectively. She has received several awards for her legal research and writing skills.

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Misty Lyons

Misty Lyons

Katya Krasnova

Katya Krasnova

Misty Lyons and Katya Krasnova, assistant vice presidents and mortgage officers at Greenfield Savings Bank, have both been recognized as top loan originators in Western Mass. for 2023 by Banker & Tradesman, a financial-industry publication that tracks banking and real-estate activity in Massachusetts. Lyons has been recognized as the third-ranking loan originator by dollar volume. She joined the bank in 2019 and works out of its Amherst office at 6 University Dr., covering all of Hampshire County. Krasnova is the fourth-ranking loan originator by number of loans. She joined the bank in 2016, covers Franklin County, and works out of the Greenfield office at 400 Main St. In 2023, Greenfield Savings Bank was also the number-one purchase mortgage lender in Hampshire County and, for the 22nd year in row, was the number-one mortgage lender in Franklin County, according to Banker & Tradesman.

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Jeremy Payson

Jeremy Payson

Greenfield Cooperative Bank (GCB) announced that Jeremy Payson, executive vice president and controller, has graduated from the American Bankers Assoc. Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. The Stonier Graduate School of Banking is a highly regarded, multi-year program designed to develop future leaders in the financial-services industry. Through a combination of intensive on-campus sessions and off-site coursework, graduates gain a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of banking, from commercial lending and risk management to strategic planning and leadership development. Payson’s graduation from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking underscores Greenfield Co-op’s commitment to investing in its employees and fostering a culture of continuous learning.

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Berkshire Money Management welcomed two new staff members to its Great Barrington office: Operations Support Partner Katrina Fitzpatrick and Front Office Coordinator Lusha Martin. Fitzpatrick’s goal is to continuously make Berkshire Money Management and its processes more efficient. She works closely with Chief Operating Officer Natalie Wheeler to assess company needs and identify opportunities for improvement, while and developing strategies for addressing both. Fitzpatrick is a graduate of Westfield State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business management with a concentration in finance and a minor in economics. Prior to joining Berkshire Money Management, she worked as a branch specialist at Greylock Federal Credit Union. Martin manages the daily needs of Berkshire Money Management’s Great Barrington office, welcomes clients and guests, and manages the phone lines for the Dalton and Great Barrington offices. Before arriving at Berkshire Money Management, Martin owned and operated Bakin’ Bakery in Sheffield. She also brings more than two decades of experience in office management to the team and is in the process of earning an associate degree in business careers at Berkshire Community College. She has raised funds for various nonprofit organizations, including the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and she is a member of the board of directors for Stanton Home in Great Barrington.

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Emily Leonczyk

Emily Leonczyk

The Markens Group Inc. (TMG) and ASAE, the Center for Association Leadership, announced that Emily Leonczyk recently earned the certified association executive (CAE) designation, the highest professional credential in the association industry. Leonczyk serves as executive vice president of the Markens Group, an accredited association management company based in Springfield. The designation earned by Leonczyk significantly bolsters TMG’s operational effectiveness. This prestigious credential leads to better service for association clients and stronger outcomes, such as increased membership, improved member engagement, and successful events, paving the way for TMG and its clients to achieve their strategic goals. To become a designated CAE, Leonczyk leveraged her extensive experience with association management, completed 100 hours of specialized professional development, passed a stringent examination in association management, and pledged to uphold a code of ethics. CAEs conduct ongoing professional development and activities in association and nonprofit management to maintain certification. Leonczyk holds an MBA from Drexel University. She attributes her drive, resilience, and dedication to serving others to her family, including her determined and entrepreneurial parents and brothers.

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Kim Baker

Kim Baker

Florence Bank announced it recently presented its 2024 Community Support Award to longtime employee Kim Baker. The Community Support Award was established by the bank in 1997 as a means of formally recognizing team members who are active in the community and give their personal and professional time to local nonprofit organizations. Each year, the award recipient selects an organization of his or her choice, and the bank donates $500 to that organization on the recipient’s behalf. Baker chose to support United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region. Baker joined Florence Bank in 1995 and currently serves as vice president, Commercial Loan Operations and compliance officer at the bank’s main office in Florence. She is responsible for commercial-loan compliance, including regulatory and management reporting. She holds an associate degree from Holyoke Community College, a bachelor’s degree in business management with a concentration in finance from Westfield State College, and a master’s degree in business administration from UMass Amherst. In the community, she is a member of Hatfield’s Finance Committee and the Hatfield Saint Kaz Polish Club. She volunteers for Jessie’s House, Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Cancer Connection, the Three County Fair, and the Northampton Saint Patrick’s Assoc. She also chairs United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region’s annual Ski United fundraising event.

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Morgan Bennett

Morgan Bennett

Adam Quenneville Roofing and Siding (AQRS), a locally owned residential and commercial roofing and siding company, recently welcomed Morgan Bennett as Business Development director. In this role, she will support the company in continuing to grow and develop its customer base and geographic reach. Prior to joining the AQRS team, Bennett worked for 10 years at Holyoke Medical Center, and she also worked at WWLP 22 News in Springfield. Her past roles have helped shape her approach to customer engagement and given her notable experience supporting individuals within the community. The recently created role at AQRS attracted Bennett because of her level of comfort and passion for engaging with customers. Her personal mission is to develop a strong understanding of the needs of both the residential and commercial customer base and deliver effective solutions. The Business Development director position incorporates a variety of responsibilities. Among them, Bennett will represent the company at local events, discuss options and guide customers through the decision-making process, work with industry partners to strengthen customer knowledge about the industry, assist individuals in learning so they can make the right roofing or siding decision to support their needs, and work with organizations to continue to pay forward community giving.

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Lisa Doherty

Lisa Doherty

American International College announced the appointment of Lisa Doherty as the newest member of its board of trustees. Doherty is president and CEO of Business Risk Partners (BRP), which she co-founded with her sister, Linda Boborodea, more than 20 years ago. They started BRP in 2000 to provide professional specialty commercial liability insurance for small to medium-sized companies. While BRP initially focused on businesses with up to $50 million in revenues, it has grown as a specialty insurance underwriter and program administrator and writes policies for companies of all sizes nationwide. BRP has been awarded the “best practice” distinction, meeting the rigorous standards and best practices set by the Target Market Program Administrators Assoc. Doherty has served on the board for Veritas Preparatory Charter School in Springfield since 2010. Veritas Prep is a public, tuition-free school in Springfield that prepares students in grades 5 through 12 to compete, achieve, and succeed in college and beyond. Doherty is a graduate of Brown University, where she studied economics and international relations.

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John “Jack” Williams

John “Jack” Williams

Fitzgerald Law, a business advisory law firm with four locations in Springfield, East Longmeadow, Worcester and Hartford, Conn., has announced a new hire to the firm, John “Jack” Williams. Williams is a 2023 graduate of Western New England University School of Law, where he earned his juris doctor degree with a focus in transactional law. He earned his bachelor’s degree in management, cum laude, with a minor in criminal justice from Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, N.H., where he was a member of the men’s ice hockey team, including captain, for four years. He brings experience as a law clerk and attorney at Susan M. Williams, LLC, where he focused on bankruptcy matters. He also previously interned at the Law Office of Bonnie Mangan, P.C. in South Windsor, Conn., and served as a legal assistant for many years. At Fitzgerald Law, Williams will focus on transactional matters, including commercial real estate and finance, corporate governance, and business contracts. He is licensed to practice in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

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Alba Ago

Alba Ago

Benjamin Keogh

Benjamin Keogh

Gary DeYoung

Gary DeYoung

Sarah Zaino

Sarah Zaino

Bacon Wilson, P.C. announced that Alba Ago, Benjamin Keogh, Gary DeYoung, and Sarah Zaino have been accepted into its law-clerk program for the 2024-25 school year. Ago is currently a candidate for a juris doctor degree at Western New England University School of Law, expecting to graduate in May 2025. She earned her bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, in three years from Montclair State University in 2022, majoring in political science with double minors in social work and global security diplomacy. Before joining Bacon Wilson, Ago completed a family-law defense practicum through Western New England and worked as a family law legal assistant for the current Superior Court judge in New Jersey. Keogh is currently a candidate for both a juris doctor degree and an MBA at Western New England University, with both degrees expected in May 2025. He earned his bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from Western New England University in 2022, majoring in criminal justice and minoring in accounting. Before joining Bacon Wilson, Keogh worked as a private investigator, handling a variety of cases in Vermont, Connecticut, and Central and Western Mass. He also worked for the U.S. Census Bureau in Northern Vermont. DeYoung is currently a candidate for a juris doctor degree at Suffolk University Law School, expecting to graduate in May 2025. He holds a doctor of philosophy degree in applied human development and a master of arts degree from Boston University, and he earned his bachelor of arts degree, cum laude, from UMass Amherst. Before joining Bacon Wilson, DeYoung gained experience as a judicial intern for the U.S. District Court in Springfield and served as chair of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board in Chelsea. Zaino is currently a candidate for a juris doctor degree at Western New England University School of Law, expecting to graduate in May 2025. She earned her bachelor of science degree, cum laude, from Marist College in 2022, where she also obtained her paralegal certificate. Before joining Bacon Wilson, Zaino worked as a temporary assistant clerk for the Connecticut Supreme Appellate Courts and interned with Corbally, Gartland, and Rappleyea in Millbrook, N.Y. She founded the Italian American Law Society during her second year of law school and was also a part of the real-estate practicum this past spring.

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Florence Bank announced that it recently presented its 2024 President’s Award to three staff members for exceptional service. Established in 1995, the President’s Award recognizes outstanding performance, customer service, and overall contributions to Florence Bank. Those named are nominated by their colleagues at the bank. This year’s award recognizes Kim Downing, branch manager and assistant vice president in the Chicopee branch; Michele St. Germain, senior teller and customer-service representative in the West Springfield branch; and Christina Mullen, loan servicing manager in the main office in Florence. With 38 years in the banking industry, Downing was recognized for her communication, team management, and customer-service skills. She was also saluted for her commitment to community service. She currently serves as a board member of the Therapeutic Equestrian Center and sits on the gala committee for the Boys & Girls Club of Chicopee. St. Germain has 36 years of banking experience and was saluted for her ability to quickly and effectively respond to customers’ needs, her positivity, mentoring colleagues, and communicating effectively. She was also recognized for handling customer transactions courteously and for supporting the teller operations manager and tellers to ensure efficient operations. In her role at the bank, Mullen is responsible for servicing residential mortgages and consumer loans. She was lauded for her attention to detail and ensuring that her staff provides outstanding customer service at all times. She has 34 years of experience in the industry.

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The Rotary Club of Springfield has installed Oscar Mena De Leon as its 2024-25 president, the youngest person to serve in this role. Upon graduation from Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy in 2014, he received the Outstanding Vocational Student of the Year award signed by the state Senate. He is an insurance agent with Comparion Insurance Agency, a Liberty Mutual Company. As president of the Springfield Rotary Club, Mena De Leon said he plans to concentrate on two of Rotary’s areas of focus — basic education/literacy and the environment — to help promote the well-being and success of youth in the community.

People on the Move

By
People on the Move
Hans Jung

Hans Jung

KeyBank announced that Hans Jung has joined the bank as senior relationship manager within its Connecticut and Western Mass. middle-market Commercial Banking team. In this role, he will work with companies with annual revenues from $10 million to $2 billion, offering a range of corporate finance solutions, treasury management, and liquidity solutions tailored to meet their unique business needs. In addition, Jung will work with private-equity sponsors to support their investment strategies with acquisition financing. With extensive experience advising clients and providing comprehensive financial solutions, including M&A transactions, he will support the growth and success of KeyBank’s middle-market clients and report to Matthew Hummel, market president and Commercial Banking executive. Jung brings an extensive background in corporate finance, transaction banking, trade finance, capital markets, and liquidity management, cultivated from previous underwriting, portfolio-management, and relationship-management roles with Santander Bank and Webster Bank, among others. He is committed to community involvement, actively volunteering with organizations such as the Metro Hartford Alliance, LISC, and the United Way. He also served as chairman of the Audit Commission for the city of Hartford, a board member of the Connecticut China Council, and a program committee member for ACG-CT. He is a CFA charter holder with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in finance from Boston College.

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Nicole Blais

Nicole Blais

Nicole Blais, CEO of Holyoke, Chicopee, Springfield (HCS) Head Start Inc., was recently re-elected to the Massachusetts Head Start Assoc. (MHSA) board of directors and will also serve as treasurer. MHSA serves as the voice of nearly 30 Head Start and Early Head Start programs across Massachusetts. The not-for-profit membership organization provides collaborative learning opportunities, leverages partnerships, and advocates for Head Start programs. Blais has spent most of her entire career with Head Start. Beginning in 1996 as the Parent Education and Support specialist for HCS Head Start, she was responsible for ensuring that Head Start performance standards and other regulations related to parent involvement were upheld at all times. For a decade, she developed and implemented various parent and family engagement programming — such as Parenting in the 21st Century, Men Involved in the Lives of Kids, Family Fun Nights — and other parent-driven activities; supervised a team; and began making a name for herself speaking and presenting throughout the Commonwealth as well as at National Head Start Assoc. conferences across the country. In 2012, Blais transitioned to the position of director of Community Engagement, where she spent almost another 10 years supporting the work of HCS Head Start. In this role, she identified, maintained, and grew collaborations with outside agencies and community initiatives, local media outlets, political and community leaders, and funders. The next phase of her career came when her mentor, Janis Santos, HCS Head Start’s longtime CEO, announced her retirement. In 2021, amid the pandemic, Blais began her role as CEO of the organization. Blais serves the community in other ways, including roles as a Springfield Regional Chamber ambassador and Holyoke Rotary Club member. She attended the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and did her graduate studies in nonprofit management & philanthropy at Bay Path University.

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New England Public Media (NEPM) recently announced four awards won by journalists with the organization. At the recent Health Journalism Conference hosted by the Assoc. of Health Care Journalists (AHCJ) in New York City, NEPM reporter Karen Brown earned second place in the Public Health category for her three-part series, “Safe Bet: Is Mass. Fulfilling Its Problem-gambling Mandate?” Brown is also the host and producer of NEPM’s new podcast, “The Secrets we Keep.” In addition to AHCJ’s recognition, the NEPM newsroom received accolades from the Public Media Journalists Assoc. (PMJA). The PMJA awards recognize the best in public-media journalism produced in one year from across the country. Stations competed against others with similar-sized newsrooms; NEPM competed in Division A, representing stations with 8 to 15 full-time staff. NEPM reporters Dusty Christensen and Nirvani Williams both won PMJA awards. Christensen’s investigative piece, “Records Obtained Under New Mass. Law Show Holyoke Police Dismiss Nearly All Civilian Complaints,” secured second place in the Digital Writing category, while Williams’ feature, “New Law Takes Effect, but Still Not Easy for Undocumented Immigrants to Get Mass. Driver’s Licenses,” earned first place in the Government and Democracy Feature category. Reporter Nancy Eve Cohen’s outstanding work on clergy sexual abuse was recognized by the Radio Television Digital News Assoc. (RTDNA) with a regional Edward R. Murrow Award in the Hard News category. Her story, “‘I Don’t Know Who Is Stopping This’: Advocates Urge Mass. AG to Issue Report on Clergy Sexual Abuse,” on the apparent delay in an attorney general report on what had occurred at the Springfield, Worcester, and Fall River dioceses, was honored. Cohen followed her award-winning work with “‘Another Level of Coverup’: How a Mass. Law Prevents Clergy Abuse Survivors From Getting Justice” and “Western Mass. Actor Depicts Clergy Abuse Survivor Who Rejects Church Settlement — Like He Did.” The regional Murrow Award winners are chosen from all stories in a designated region, in this case Region 10, which includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Cohen will now advance to the national RTDNA Murrow Awards competition, winners of which will be announced in August.

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Tessa Lucey

Tessa Lucey

Tessa Lucey has been appointed to the Westfield State University board of trustees. She replaces trustee and former Chairman Robert Martin, whose 10-year term ended March 1. He remained in holdover status by the governor’s office until Lucey’s appointment on May 6. Lucey has more than 20 years of experience as a compliance officer, including extensive professional experience in healthcare and higher-education compliance, operations, labor relations, policy development, program implementation, investigations, government reviews, and audits. She is currently director of Compliance Services and chief privacy officer at the University of Vermont in Burlington. Prior to this position, she was corporate Compliance officer and chief privacy officer at Hallmark Health System in Medford. Prior to her position at Hallmark Health, she was director of Compliance and chief privacy officer at South Shore Hospital in Weymouth. In addition to her bachelor’s degree in business with minors both psychology and women’s studies from Westfield State University, Lucey earned a master of healthcare administration degree from Simmons College.

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MountainOne announced the promotion of several employees in the North Adams office to new positions, acknowledging their hard work, dedication, and impactful contributions to the company. Betsy Kapner has been promoted to vice president, Marketing manager. She joined MountainOne in 2013 and has deep knowledge and expertise in marketing compliance requirements. She demonstrates an ongoing commitment to professional development and excels at meeting deadlines, collaborating effectively with colleagues, and contributing meaningfully to every project. Jessica Andrews has been promoted to assistant vice president, Deposit Compliance & Fraud Administration officer. Since joining in 2005, she has developed a deep understanding of the deposit compliance environment and helps leads the administration of the bank’s fraud-reporting platform. Her involvement in compliance projects demonstrates her leadership and commitment to MountainOne’s core commitment of regulatory accountability. Lisa Mineau has been promoted to assistant vice president, senior Human Resources Operations officer. Over her 43-year career, she has adapted to change and taken on increasingly significant responsibilities. She started as a teller at North Adams Hoosac Savings Bank and then as a customer-service representative in community banking before finding her passion in human resources in 2002. Her recently enhanced role includes oversight of payroll, benefits, and personnel administration.

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George Michelakis

George Michelakis

bankESB recently hired George Michelakis as branch officer of its 253 Triangle St. office in Amherst. Michelakis has 15 years of banking experience. He was previously a financial center manager at Berkshire Bank and, before that, a branch operations administrator at People’s United Bank. He brings an extensive background of retail banking leadership experience to his new role, where he will manage the Amherst office team while remaining engaged in the community. Michelakis has an associate degree in marketing management from Holyoke Community College and is an avid volunteer with many different organizations in Western Mass.

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Momentum: Montessori, a Life in Motion by Elizabeth Slade of Florence has been named one of the best indie books of 2024 by the Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group. Slade’s book won the historical nonfiction category in the 2024 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, the largest awards program for independent publishers and self-published authors. Published by Atmosphere Press, Momentum is a historical fiction novel based on Maria Montessori’s life. The story, inspired by her 1913 diary, is a fictional retelling of her first voyage to America. Written from Maria’s perspective to her son, Mario, the novel explores her groundbreaking achievements and personal sacrifices that would later revolutionize education around the world. For more information about Slade and Momentum: Montessori, a Life in Motion, visit egslade.com.

 

People on the Move

By
People on the Move

Ryan Gagne

Cicely Hislop

Cicely Hislop

Andrew Fleming

Andrew Fleming

D.A. Sullivan & Sons Inc. (DAS) announced the arrival of Ryan Gagne, Cicely Hislop, and Andrew Fleming into its leadership group, marking a significant milestone in the 125-year-old construction company’s history. Gagne is valued for his innovative approaches and collaborative project management and will assume the role of vice president of Construction. His master’s degree in construction management and years of industry involvement will enrich the project experience offered by DAS. Hislop is currently pursuing her MBA at UMass Amherst. She is set to play a pivotal role in enhancing DAS’s operational efficiency and project execution as chief operating officer. Fleming will undertake the role of vice president of Pre-construction. His ability to foresee potential challenges and devise effective solutions is expected to ensure the smooth execution of projects from the initial stages.

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Christopher Thuot

Christopher Thuot

Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) named Christopher Thuot vice president for Academic Affairs. Following a comprehensive national search, Thuot assumed the role on July 17. As the chief academic officer, he provides leadership for implementation of the college’s academic mission and priorities. He plays a key role in supporting the alignment of academic programs with the region’s employment needs while helping develop and sustain partnerships with transfer institutions, local schools, and government agencies. Thuot comes to STCC from Onondaga Community College (OCC) in Syracuse, N.Y., one of 30 community colleges in the State University of New York system. He served as assistant provost, providing academic leadership to eight schools, adult college programs, and the Office of Registration and Records. He helped lead development of all new degree programs, led a comprehensive program revitalization process, and served as OCC’s accreditation liaison officer. He served as project director on a number of grants. Thuot began his career at OCC as a full-time faculty member while serving as the Honors College chair, vice president of the Faculty Senate, and coordinator of General Education. He was first introduced to community colleges as a student at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, N.C. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree at the University of North Carolina Asheville and a Ph.D. in political science at Northern Illinois University.

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Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts (GSCWM) announced that the nonprofit organization’s long-time CEO, Pattie Hallberg, is stepping down at the end of 2023, after 16 years of service. The GSCWM board will oversee the process to choose Hallberg’s successor, and has engaged the search firm Find Good People to assist with the transition. “It has been my honor and a sincere privilege to lead Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts, an organization dedicated to the development of a girl’s personal leadership journey,” said Hallberg, who was named by BusinessWest to its Women of Impact class of 2020. “I am proud of the organization we are today and the impact we’ve made, working with thousands of fabulous girls and adults to further the Girl Scout mission to build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.”

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Peter Albero

Peter Albero

Peter Albero has been appointed chief financial officer and treasurer of Greenfield Savings Bank. He will be responsible for all aspects of financial operations of the bank, including internal and external financial reporting, investments, and asset and liability management. Albero joins the bank with more than 35 years in the financial industry. Most recently, he served as chief financial officer at Salisbury Bank & Trust. In addition, he has been a risk advisory consultant at Pricewaterhouse Coopers, where he designed and implemented financial and risk data reconciliations for foreign banks. For more than 26 years, he worked at Morgan Stanley in a variety of senior roles in the Financial Controller group. He is also a licensed CPA in New York. He has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Manhattan College and an MBA in finance and international business from New York University.

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Conor Carey

Conor Carey

Bacon Wilson, P.C. announced that attorney Conor Carey has joined the firm as an associate in the Litigation department. Carey earned his juris doctorate, cum laude, from the University of St. Thomas School of Law in Minneapolis in 2018 and his bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, from Westfield State University in 2015. Prior to joining Bacon Wilson, he spent a year as a judicial law clerk for Associate Justice Sabita Singh of the Massachusetts Appeals Court and also previously served as a research attorney to the justices of the Massachusetts Superior Court in Worcester. At Bacon Wilson, he will be assisting clients with their litigation needs in both civil and criminal law. He is a member of both the Hampden and Hampshire county bar associations and will be working primarily out of the firm’s Northampton office. He is licensed to practice law in Massachusetts and Minnesota.

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Soniha Nuzrat

Soniha Nuzrat

Dietz & Company Architects Inc. recently welcomed Soniha Nuzrat to the firm in the role of architectural associate, in which she will assist project teams throughout all phases of design. Nuzrat recently received her master of architecture degree from Miami University in Ohio, where she completed her thesis on evaluating cross-cultural courtyard housing for social well-being in Manhattan. As evidenced by her thesis, she has a particular interest and specializes in community-based design. This past spring, she received the AIA Medal for Academic Excellence, which is awarded annually to the top graduating students in National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) accredited degree programs. Prior to pursuing her master of architecture degree, Nuzrat earned her bachelor of architecture degree from Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology. She also worked on a variety of projects for architecture firms in Bangladesh.

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Country Bank announced that Brunilda Demiri has joined its Auditing Division as first vice president and director of Internal Audit. Before joining Country Bank, she worked as a lead auditor for the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. She has more than 14 years of experience in the industry and is currently a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors and the Certified Fraud Examiners Community. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Bentley University and is currently enrolled in Babson’s MBA program. Brunilda is also a certified fraud examiner.

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Timothy Murphy

Timothy Murphy

Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C. announced that one of its partners, Timothy Murphy, has been recognized once again by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America list for 2024. He is listed in three fields: employment law – management, labor law – management, and litigation – labor and employment. Focusing his practice on labor relations, union avoidance, collective bargaining and arbitration, employment litigation, and employment counseling, Murphy has been included in The Best Lawyers in America every year since 2013 and was Lawyer of the Year in 2015, 2018, 2020, and 2022. Murphy is very active within the local community, sitting on boards of directors for several area organizations, such as the Human Service Forum and Community Legal Aid. He also is a member of the World Affairs Council.

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Michael Laga

Michael Laga

Freedom Credit Union recently welcomed Mortgage Loan Originator Michael Laga to its Loan Production Office at 115 Elm St. in Enfield, Conn. In this role, Laga works with homebuyers to assess their financial status and credit, recommend the best loan products, and guide members through the homebuying process. Laga graduated from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst and played professional baseball for 14 years on teams including the Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Cardinals, and San Francisco Giants. Freedom’s Loan Production Office opened in Enfield in November 2022. It is dedicated exclusively to mortgage and business lending. John Santaniello, assistant vice president of Member Business Lending, also works from this office, helping businesses that are seeking loans, including term, Small Business Administration, commercial real estate, and commercial vehicle loans.

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Girls Inc. of the Valley recently welcomed two new members to its board of directors. Trishna Mudumbi and Isani Castro will join the current board to support strategic planning to map out the future of the organization. Mudumbi is an accomplished engineering leader with nearly 20 years of industry experience. She holds a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from Drexel University and a master’s degree in management from Stevens Institute of Technology. She is currently the chief engineer for Environmental and Airframe Control Systems products for the Boeing Defense Value Stream at Collins Aerospace. Throughout her career, she has focused on promoting women and underrepresented groups in STEM and beyond. Castro is an associate attorney at Doherty, Wallace, Pillsbury & Murphy, P.C. in downtown Springfield, with a focus on business and corporate law. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Manhattan College, graduating with honors. She graduated from Roger Williams University School of Law in May 2022 with her juris doctor. In her role as associate attorney, she drafts various legal documents related to intricate business needs, provides legal counsel, and manages negotiations.

People on the Move

By
People on the Move
Dr. Mark Keroack

Dr. Mark Keroack

Dr. Mark Keroack announced his plan to retire as Baystate Health CEO in July 2024 after 10 years of leadership of the region’s primary health system. The board of trustees will launch a national search for his successor. Keroack joined Baystate Health in 2011 as chief physician executive and president of Baystate Medical Practices and was appointed to the CEO role in 2014. He has had a long career in both medicine and health administration, serving in leadership roles at UMass Memorial Medical Group and the University Health System Consortium. A specialist in infectious diseases, Keroack was a leading voice during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering public-health information and partnering with public-health officials to address the crisis. The board has established a search committee and identified a search firm to help conduct a nationwide search for a new CEO. It is expected to take several months to a year to identify a candidate and finalize the next CEO. During this period, Keroack will continue in all aspects of the CEO role.

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Kaz Borawski

Kaz Borawski

The North Brookfield Savings Bank board of directors announced that Kaz Borawski has been appointed president and CEO, effective immediately. Borawski has more than 26 years of experience in industries including retail banking, investment banking, wealth management, and technology and operations at organizations such as JPMorgan Chase and MassMutual Financial Group. He has spent the last 13 years in community banking with United Bank, Merchants Bank, and Holyoke Credit Union before joining North Brookfield Savings Bank in February 2022 as chief financial officer. She holds a certificate from the New England School for the Financial Studies at Babson College, an MBA with a major in finance from Manhattan College in New York City, and a bachelor of business administration degree with a major in accounting from Baruch College, also in New York City.

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Katy Malouin

Katy Malouin

The Royal Law Firm recently welcomed attorney Katy Malouin to the team. She has more than 10 years of experience in commercial insurance defense work, primarily focused on contract analysis and legal research and writing. After obtaining her undergraduate degree, Malouin worked as a human resources information systems assistant, verifying the accuracy of professional licensure and compliance with union contracts. While in law school, she worked as a law clerk and also participated in a small-business clinic, assisting local individuals with setting up their businesses. She is passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion and has previously been involved in advising in the areas of disabilities in the workplace and neurodiversity in the workplace. Malouin holds a dual bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies and business administration from Elms College, a master’s degree in business administration from Western New England University, and both a juris doctorate and an master of law degree in elder law and estate planning from Western New England University School of Law.

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Patrick Grego

Patrick Grego

Berkshire Agriculture Ventures (BAV), a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting local agriculture and resilient food systems in the Berkshire-Taconic region, announced the appointment of Patrick Grego as its full-time Communications and Development associate. Grego comes to BAV with a background in nonprofit communications. After moving from Brooklyn, N.Y. to Hudson, N.Y. in 2021, he served as a Communications coordinator at Time & Space Limited, a community arts center in Hudson, and later as Communications assistant at the Olana Partnership. Grego has a passion for storytelling. His writing has been published in several regional newspapers, including the Times Union and Chronogram’s River Newsroom. He recently won the New York Newspaper Publishers Assoc. award for distinguished feature writing.

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Holyoke Community College (HCC) Culinary Arts Professor Warren Leigh has been named Educator of the Year by the Center for the Advancement of Food Service Education (CAFE), a national industry group. Leigh, a professional chef and restaurateur who has been teaching at HCC for 15 years, received his award June 21 at the 2023 CAFE Leadership Conference in Charleston, S.C. Leigh also received honorable mention for CAFE’s annual Community Outreach award. In receiving the Educator of the Year award, Leigh, co-chair of HCC’s Culinary Arts program, was recognized for his part in designing the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute, the college’s state-of-the-art teaching facility on Race Street that opened in 2018; reimagining the culinary-arts curriculum; creating a line-cook training program in collaboration with HCC’s non-credit business and workforce division; and pushing forward on his concept for a mobile kitchen where students could learn food-truck operations while also teaching the community about nutrition and healthy eating. Leigh holds a bachelor’s degree in food service administration from the Rochester Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in management from the University of Phoenix. He trained extensively as a chef in Germany and Switzerland. He is the owner, operator, and executive chef for Hydrangea Catering & Consulting and has worked over the years in many capacities at restaurants in Connecticut and Western Mass.

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Kyle Young

Kyle Young

Dietz & Company Architects Inc. announced that Kyle Young, AIA has been promoted to the position of senior architect. Young joined the firm in 2014 as an architectural associate upon graduating with his master of architecture degree from UMass Amherst. Now as a senior architect, he manages medium- to large-sized construction projects specializing in renovations and new construction for multi-family housing. He also serves as the firm’s AXP mentor/supervisor, supporting employees on their paths to architectural licensure.

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Eric Garcia

Eric Garcia

Freedom Credit Union announced the promotion of Eric Garcia from assistant branch officer to branch officer at its main office in Springfield. He first joined the Freedom team in September 2020 as a member services representative and, due to his potential and initiative, was quickly promoted to the role of assistant branch officer in November 2021. With this latest promotion to branch officer, he will assume responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the main branch. Throughout his tenure at Freedom, Garcia has been recognized for his outstanding contributions. He is a recipient of both the prestigious GEM Award and the President’s Award, highlighting his exceptional work ethic, commitment to excellence, genuine kindness, and positive impact on the organization.

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James Montana

James Montana

Dietz & Co. Architects announced that James Montana, AIA has completed the Architectural Registration Examination and met all of the requirements for architectural licensure in the state of Connecticut, bringing the firm’s total number of registered architects to eight. Montana joined Dietz & Co. in January and is currently participating in the design and project management of a new senior-center facility for the town of Wilmington. He holds a master of architecture degree from Wentworth Institute of Technology and has led design teams for multiple award-winning projects. Prior to working for Dietz, Montana worked for architectural firms in Massachusetts and Connecticut, where he developed a specialization in design for mixed-used commercial and residential projects. He also has experience in designing boutique corporate interiors and campus planning for higher education.

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Former Downtown Northampton Assoc. Executive Director Amy Cahillane has begun her new role as Greenfield Community and Economic Development director. She replaces MJ Adams, who retired in April. Cahillane graduated from Smith College in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in government. She then earned her juris doctorate in 1999 at Suffolk University School of Law before achieving a master’s degree in political science at the University of Washington in 2005. She worked in a multitude of roles across the Northampton community. She was a board member from 2011 to 2013 and co-president from 2013 to 2016 of the Northampton Education Foundation. The volunteer board spearheaded fundraising efforts to procure private and corporate funds to support Northampton public schools. As a participant on the Northampton Center of Arts from 2014 to 2016, Cahillane and other board members worked to provide affordable and accessible venues for a wide range of arts experiences, including performances, exhibits, arts education, and more. The board also partnered with the Northampton Community Arts Trust to reinvent 33 Hawley St. into a multi-faceted art space. In 2016, Cahillane was hired as the first executive director for the Downtown Northampton Assoc. Through strong partnerships with the local business community, city government, and downtown stakeholders, she produced various events, championed beautification efforts, and advocated on behalf of Northampton’s downtown community. She also worked as the community liaison board member for the Northampton Jazz Festival from 2019 to 2023.

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Amelia Holstrom

Amelia Holstrom

Attorney Amelia Holstrom of Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C., was named chair of the Wilbraham Personnel Advisory Board, which advises the town’s Select Board on matters pertaining to personnel policy. Holstrom, who joined the firm in 2012, is a partner at Skoler Abbott who practices in all areas of employment defense. She provides counsel to management on taking proactive steps to reduce the risk of legal liability that may be imposed as the result of illegal employment practices and defends employers who are faced with lawsuits and administrative charges filed by current and former employers. Holstrom, who was appointed to the Personnel Advisory Board by the Wilbraham Select Board, is an active participant in the Greater Springfield community. She is a member of the Wilbraham Commission on Disability, the boards of Clinical and Support Options Inc. and the East of the River Five Town Chamber of Commerce, the board development committee for the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts, and the personnel committee for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.

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Brittany Yvon

Brittany Yvon

Brittany Yvon, credit manager for OMG Inc., has been named as a Rising Star by HBS Dealer magazine in its annual Top Women in Hardware & Building Supply listing. She was selected from among a record-breaking number of nominations of up-and-coming and high-performing leaders who are making an impact in the hardware and building-supply industry. Since 2020, HBS Dealer and industry partners have promoted the role of women in the hardware and building-supply industry. Individuals are nominated by their peers and selected by a panel of judges based on their contributions and attributes that go above and beyond the call of duty. Professionals receiving the Rising Star designation have been identified as women with the potential to make a significant, positive difference both within their company and within the industry for years to come. Yvon has been with OMG for seven years and was promoted to credit manager in 2021, where she is responsible for overseeing OMG’s Accounts Receivable department, including researching customer credit reports, creating credit scoring models to predict risk, monitoring customer balances, and preparing end-of-month reports and reconciliations. She is a member of the National Assoc. of Credit Management, a certified international credit professional through the Finance, Credit, and International Business Assoc., and a credit business associate through the National Assoc. of Credit Management.

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Dan Moriarty

Dan Moriarty

Monson Savings Bank President and CEO Dan Moriarty was named Board Member of the Year at the East of the River Chamber of Commerce (ERC5) 2023 annual breakfast. Moriarty has been a member of the ERC5 board of directors for more than four years. In addition to the work he does with the ERC5, he is involved with several other community organizations. He is a strategic council member of Springfield nonprofit I Found Light Against All Odds- Lighthouse Home for Homeless Teen Girls, a board member of the Monson Home for the Aged, and a member of the Links to Libraries board of directors. He also is on the Baystate Health community benefits advisory council, a member of the Monson Free Library finance committee, and co-chair of the Monson Savings Pro-Am. He co-chairs the diversity, equity, and inclusion council of the Massachusetts Bankers Assoc. and he serves on the finance committee and as a confirmation teacher at St. Patrick’s Church in Monson. Additionally, he is a former volunteer grant scholarship reviewer for the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts and a past co-chair of the Brightside’s Golf Classic.

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Shefali Desai

Shefali Desai

American International College (AIC) announced the appointment of Shefali Desai as the newest member of its board of trustees. With a career spanning more than 30 years in the financial-services industry, including 22 years at MassMutual, Desai brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her new position on the AIC board. In her role as head of Worksite at MassMutual, she has been instrumental in driving the success of MassMutual’s Worksite business, offering voluntary benefit and executive group life solutions through employers to the mass market. Before assuming her current position at the company, Desai served as the leader of the Strategy and Analytics team for MassMutual Workplace Solutions. Additionally, she has served as the Emerging Market sales manager of the MassMutual Retirement Services Sales Division. A graduate of Babson College, Desai joined the Bucknell University Parents Board in 2022 and has been actively involved in a variety of initiatives, including new-student orientations, fostering diversity and inclusion efforts, and providing career-counseling support.

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Curran and Keegan Financial recently welcomed two additions to its team, Amy Watts Bovaird and Megan Rooney. Watts Bovaird spent more than a decade fundraising for an academic institution, nonprofits, and a trade association, sparking her interest in personal finance. In 2020, she made a career transition and pursued her FINRA Securities Industry Essentials, Series 66, and Series 7 certifications, and spent more than a year advising at a major firm. At Curran and Keegan, she is a financial advisor and is pursuing the certified financial planner certification. Rooney joined the team as a client services associate. She is a recent graduate of Mount Holyoke College, where she received her bachelor’s degree with a concentration in politics. It was during her studies that she became fascinated with personal finance and decided to venture into financial planning. She completed her FINRA Securities Industries Essentials certification as a primary step into the field, and is now pursuing the FINRA Series 7 certification.

People on the Move

By
People on the Move
Matt Garrity

Matt Garrity

Matt Garrity launched a new era for Florence Bank, taking the helm as president and CEO. He brings extensive experience as a leader and promoter of growth along with a broad base of knowledge in serving both business customers and general banking consumers. Garrity was formerly the executive vice president and chief lending officer and head of Residential Lending at Premier Bank, serving Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Indiana. He replaces Michael Lynch, senior vice president and senior commercial lender, who has served as interim president since former president and CEO Kevin Day retired on Nov. 25. In his first year — the 150th-anniversary year for Florence Bank — Garrity expects to focus on getting to know the Florence Bank staff and, over time, on growth, particularly further expansion into Hampden County, where the bank currently has three branches. John Ebbets, chair of the bank’s board of directors, said the search for a new president and CEO began in July and was led by Kaplan Partners, which broadcast the position throughout New England, parts of the mid-Atlantic, and Ohio. A pool of 125 candidates was methodically pared to two finalists, each of whom met live with the full board, which sought a leader with vision, a history of execution, and a willingness to embrace Florence Bank’s mutual culture. Garrity lived in Lee until seventh grade, when he moved to Ohio. He holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from Ohio University and chose banking as a career so he could help consumers achieve their financial goals. His first job was in consumer banking, but he quickly learned he was drawn to commercial banking and took a job as a credit analyst; he rose into leadership steadily over the years. In 2009, he was recruited to serve as chief credit officer for a mid-size bank and rescued the organization from significant financial distress and the threat of closure via a federal cease-and-desist order.

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Megan Burke

Megan Burke

The trustees of the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts (CFWM) announced the appointment of Megan Burke to the position of president and CEO (see story on page 4). Burke has been a Community Impact officer at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving for more than seven years, most recently serving as its director of Community Impact Grantmaking. Burke has more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit management, strategic planning, and philanthropy. She will begin her tenure at the Foundation on Jan. 18, succeeding Katie Allan Zobel, who moved forward in her career on Oct. 1 after navigating the pandemic and a period of tremendous growth for the foundation. Burke began her career working on international peace and security issues at the Ford Foundation and through the United Nations. She also lived in Nicaragua for several years, where her work supported the emerging LGBTQ+ movement and the development of a nationwide campaign to advance human rights. Prior to her most recent position at the Hartford Foundation, Burke led the Nobel Peace Prize-winning International Campaign to Ban Landmines, an international network of nonprofits engaged in advancing a ban on anti-personnel landmines and cluster munitions worldwide. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College and a master’s degree from Yale University.

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Michael Savitt

Michael Savitt

Excel Dryer Inc., manufacturer of the XLERATOR Hand Dryer, announced the promotion of Michael Savitt to director of Domestic Sales. Savitt has held positions with increasing responsibility over his 10 years with Excel Dryer, most recently serving as Business Development manager for North America. In his new role, Savitt will supervise the U.S. sales team, explore opportunities to support the company’s growth, and work closely with architects, distributors, and end users to identify how high-speed, energy-efficient hand dryers fit into cost-saving and sustainability initiatives. Prior to his role as Business Development manager for North America, Savitt started at Excel Dryer as a field sales manager and then became a national field sales manager. He has worked across all markets, verticals, and channels for Excel Dryer over the past decade. Before joining the company, Savitt worked at Avatar HR Solutions and Data Recognition Corp. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a bachelor’a degree in journalism and went on to receive his master’s degree in journalism at Indiana University Bloomington. He completed the “Mastering Sales: A Toolkit for Success” course at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, “Coaching for Improved Performance & Results” with Leadership Dynamics Inc., and “Effective Personal Productivity” with Leadership Management International Inc.

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Ibrahim Alkahiabri

Ibrahim Alkahiabri

Dietz & Company Architects Inc. announced the addition of Ibrahim Alkahiabri in the role of architectural associate, where he will assist project teams throughout all phases of design.

Alkahiabri holds a bachelor of fine arts degree in architecture from Savannah College of Art and Design, as well as a diploma in business and tourism from the Prince Sultan College of Business in Saudi Arabia. He comes to Dietz having worked at firms in Charlotte, N.C. and Atlanta, where he gained experience working on multi-family and single-family housing projects.

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Jake Hooker

Jake Hooker

Jake Hooker, a 2012 Northampton High School graduate, has passed the state’s bar exam and joined his father, Michael Hooker, in Hooker’s legal firm, Attorney Michael Hooker Elder Law, which serves elders and those living with disabilities. Jake Hooker is the second attorney at the firm, which also includes a Medicaid specialist, a social worker, a financial specialist, and two specialized paralegals. The practice is unique; its services extend beyond the realm of the law to provide financial and social services for elders and their families. Hooker began interning at the firm while he was attending Northampton High School and continued to assist while at Greenfield Community College and UMass Amherst, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science. He graduated from Northeastern University School of Law in 2022. While there, he completed two internships — one at Attorney Michael Hooker Elder Law and one with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services at the General Counsel’s Office, where he assisted the MassHealth Estate Recovery Unit as well as the Litigation Department.

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Alexander Pattacini

Alexander Pattacini

Bacon Wilson, P.C. announced that attorney Alexander Pattacini has joined the firm. He is a member of the firm’s Estate Planning and Elder Law department. Pattacini earned his juris doctorate with a concentration in transactional law from Western New England University School of Law, where he served as a clinician in the Small Business Clinic. He previously earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut in Storrs. Prior to joining Bacon Wilson, P.C., he interned with the Connecticut Department of Education Division of Legal Affairs, and served as legal counsel for the Connecticut House Majority Leader’s Office. He is a member of the Massachusetts Bar Assoc. as well as the Education Law Assoc. He is licensed to practice in Massachusetts and will be working in all Bacon Wilson office locations, but primarily in Springfield.

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The International Language Institute of Massachusetts (ILI) recently welcomed Italian instructor Jennie Coletta, ESOL instructor Brandon LeBlanc, Spanish teacher Kara McBride, and Spanish instructor Boris Romero. Coletta has a bachelor’s degree in Italian studies from Brown University and a master of education degree from Lesley University. As an undergrad, she studied abroad at the Università di Bologna, and later au paired for a family in Sicily. She has taught Italian at a public high school in Massachusetts, and while living in Italy, she taught English to Italian adults. LeBlanc earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Pace University in New York City and a master’s degree in history from York University in Toronto. He has taught English in Spain, social studies/ESL in Bolivia, and most recently taught adult ESL in South Carolina. McBride has one master’s degree in Spanish from Purdue University and another in teaching English to speakers of other languages from Indiana University, and a PhD in second language acquisition and teaching from the University of Arizona. She first joined an improv group in St. Louis, where she was working as an associate professor of Spanish. After eight years at Saint Louis University, she moved to Valparaíso, Chile and opened the House of English. Her business offered immersive language learning experiences such as improv workshops and mystery dinner theater. She returned to the U.S. in 2016 to work as a senior education specialist for World Learning, the international development organization that grew out of the School for International Training. While living in Washington, D.C., she joined the Washington Improv Theater. She will be teaching Spanish improv at ILI this winter. Romero has taught Spanish since 2008 in institutes and universities of Colombia, Canada, and the U.S. He earned both his bachelor’s degree in modern languages and his master’s degree in applied linguistics of Spanish as foreign language at Javeriana University in Bogota, Colombia. He is in the last stages of his doctoral dissertation related to the connection between language and culture. He speaks English, Spanish, French, and a little Italian.

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Trevor Brice

Trevor Brice

The Royal Law Firm recently welcomed attorney Trevor Brice to the team. Brice received his bachelor’s degree from Providence College and his juris doctor and MBA from Suffolk University Law School. He has regularly advised and represented clients in state and federal courts, as well as at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, and other state agencies. Brice moved to Western Mass. after working for a large company in the Boston area, work that provided him with a detailed understanding of the difficult scenarios employers face when defending claims of discrimination, harassment, wrongful terminations, and allegations of violations of FMLA. He is admitted to practice law in the state and federal courts in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New York, and New Hampshire.

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Bulkley Richardson announced that Sarah Willey has been promoted to partner in the firm’s Business/Finance Department, and Stephen Holstrom has been promoted to counsel in the firm’s Litigation Department. Willey’s practice includes a range of business services, including advising clients in business formation, mergers and acquisitions, business-succession planning, and corporate structuring of businesses in regulated industries, including cannabis. She also represents employers in a variety of matters before the MCAD, EEOC, and state and federal courts, and counsels clients in protecting and maximizing their intellectual property via trademarks, copyrights, and licensing agreements. Holstrom joined the firm in 2018 as an associate. He is a general practice litigator with a focus on medical-malpractice defense. In addition to medical-malpractice actions, he has litigated other complex tort actions, commercial cases, insurance cases, complex class actions, and education cases.

People on the Move

By
People on the Move
Shelley Bongiovanni

Shelley Bongiovanni

Devon Bunger

Devon Bunger

Bryan Fleury

Bryan Fleury

Madison Kinney

Madison Kinney

bankESB announced four recent promotions: Shelley Bongiovanni to underwriting officer, Devon Bunger to closing and post-closing officer, Bryan Fleury to secondary and system support officer, and Madison Kinney to assistant branch manager in the Amherst office. Bongiovanni, Bunger, and Fleury’s promotions coincide with the launch of Hometown Mortgage, the newly formed residential-lending division of bankESB. Bongiovanni joined bankESB in 2013 as loan specialist/underwriter and was promoted to senior loan specialist and underwriter in 2020. She is responsible for underwriting and approving loans, mentoring and training new underwriters, and monitoring construction loans through the disbursement phase at Hometown Mortgage. She has 26 years of experience in the banking industry, and prior to bankESB, she was employed by Park West Bank and Trust and CitiFinancial. She holds an associate degree in business administration from Holyoke Community College. Bunger joined bankESB in 2018 as disclosure desk specialist/closer. As closing and post-closing officer, she is responsible for managing the daily operations of the residential lending closing and post-closing/funding department at Hometown Mortgage. Before joining bankESB, she was employed by Dwyer & Sanderson as a real-estate paralegal, at Florence Bank as a loan closer, and at Greenfield Savings Bank as a post-closing quality-control specialist. She holds a bachelor’s degree in legal studies from Elms College and a lending diploma from the Center for Financial Training and is currently working toward a supervisor diploma and real-estate lending diploma, both from the Center for Financial Training. She is also a member of the Northampton St. Patrick’s Assoc. Fleury joined bankESB in 2013 as loan processor and was promoted to mortgage systems administrator and then secondary/post-closing manager. In his new role as secondary and system support officer, he is responsible for supporting the secondary market and all lending software at Hometown Mortgage. Fleury holds an associate degree in business administration from Holyoke Community College and is the president of the International Assoc. of Approved Basketball Officials Board 28. Kinney joined bankESB in 2017 as a teller and most recently held the title of teller supervisor. In her role as assistant branch manager, she is responsible for assisting with overall branch management of bankESB’s Amherst office, as well as applications for consumer and home-equity loans, as well as the employee-hiring process. She holds a certificate in human resources from the Center for Financial Training.

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Jason Tsitso

Jason Tsitso

Joseph Leon

Joseph Leon

Professional Drywall Construction Inc. (PDC), a commercial drywall company headquartered in Springfield, announced the promotion of two of its employees. Jason Tsitso was promoted from executive project manager to vice president of Operations, and Joseph Leon was promoted from project manager to executive project manager. Tsitso has been with PDC for five years, starting as a project manager and taking on increasing responsibility as a senior project manager and executive project manager. As the vice president of Operations, he is now responsible for the development and success of the staff and company. He is a graduate of Porter & Chester Institute and was named to BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty class of 2012. Leon, who holds a degree in construction management from the University of Nevada, joined PDC three years ago as a project manager. In his new role as executive project manager, he will oversee the project-management staff.

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Colleen Berndt

Colleen Berndt

Mia McDonald

Mia McDonald

Karen Korpinen

Karen Korpinen

Eric Bone

Eric Bone

Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. (MBK) recently welcomed Colleen Berndt, CPA as senior manager, as well as Mia McDonald; Karen Korpinen, MSA; and Eric Bone as associates in the Audit and Accounting department. Berndt has practiced public accounting since 1989 and holds valuable experience in both public accounting and corporate firms. She holds a bachelor’s degree from American International College and sits on the board of directors of the Colburn Keenan Foundation. McDonald has worked in public accounting since 2020 when she began as an intern with MBK. She holds bachelor’s degrees in economics and business management with a mathematics minor, accounting concentration, and anticipates completing her master of science in accounting (MSA) degree in May. Korpinen brings experience in the nonprofit field to her work in public accounting with MBK. She holds an MSA from Merrimack College and an MBA from Clark University. She serves as treasurer on the board of directors of the Northampton Parents Center. Bone brings a fresh perspective to his engagements as a recent college graduate; he holds a bachelor’s degree in accountancy with a minor in finance from Providence College and is currently pursuing his MSA with a focus in data analytics at UMass Amherst.

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Country Bank announced that Lisa Saletnik has been promoted to vice president of Business Systems Optimization. Saletnik holds an associate degree in health science from Bay Path University and graduated from the New England School for Financial Studies. She has been with Country Bank for 23 years and has extensive experience in the bank’s core systems and digital technologies. Having worked in various departments at the bank, she found her passion in the Information Technology and Innovation department in 2018. Before joining the IT department, she managed the eServices area for eight years. She has been instrumental in working with vendors and partners to continue to find the best solutions to help the bank best serve its internal and external customers.

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Rose Colon

Rose Colon

The board of directors of Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services has elected attorney Rose Colon as vice president. Colon practices in the Probate & Family courts of Western Mass. for the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. Prior to that role, she was the first Latina assistant district attorney in Berkshire County. She is also an adjunct professor at Bay Path University in its Legal Studies & Criminal Justice Department. She earned a bachelor’s degree in legal studies from Bay Path University in Longmeadow and her juris doctorate from Western New England University School of Law.

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Jean Clarke-Mitchell

Jean Clarke-Mitchell

MCLA announced that Jean Clarke-Mitchell, assistant professor of Social Work at Lesley University, has been nominated to the MCLA board of trustees. A 2000 alumna of MCLA, she is also in her second term on the college’s foundation board. Clarke-Mitchell is a licensed clinical social worker who served as the clinical director of the Elizabeth Freeman Center, and an outpatient clinician at the Brien Center for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. With more than 20 years of experience in the clinical field and more than 10 years in academia, she looks forward to participating on the board. She has an extensive resume in social justice activism and working with community organizations, including the Rights of Passage and Empowerment program as a senior mentor. She serves as a board member on Rockfort Moving Forward, Leadership Councils of Western Massachusetts, the Albany Assoc. for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, and the Massachusetts Women of Color Network. Prior to teaching at Lesley, Clarke-Mitchell taught social work and psychology at Westfield State University, Smith College, Cambridge College, and Elms College. She has worked with groups in South Africa, taught students in Ghana, and conducted presentations on healthy relationships and self-care in Jamaica. She continues to affect positive change by teaching social work full-time and continuing to develop effective social-work practitioners.

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Joe Kriesberg has been named the next president and CEO of MassINC, a non-partisan think tank dedicated to making Massachusetts a place of civic vitality and inclusive economic opportunity. Kriesberg will oversee all strategic planning, fundraising, and operations for the organization’s work across multiple disciplines, including research and civic programs, and will serve as publisher of CommonWealth, MassINC’s civic news outlet. The organization also includes the MassINC Polling Group, a for-profit subsidiary of MassINC. Kriesberg will join MassINC after nearly 30 years at the Massachusetts Assoc. of Community Development Corporations (MACDC), an organization which he has led as president and CEO for the past 20 years. MACDC is the policy and capacity-building arm of the community-development movement in Massachusetts, with 100 nonprofit member organizations across the state. As President, Kriesberg was responsible for the overall management of the agency, including financial management and fundraising, program development and implementation, policy advocacy, staff supervision, board management, and strategic planning. In his role leading MACDC, Kriesberg has been a strong advocate for vibrant communities and has advanced issues such as economic opportunity, affordable housing, and innovative development, all of which align with MassINC’s dedication to civic vitality and economic inclusion.

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Dawn Creighton has joined neba as strategic initiative consultant. The organization has a 40-year history assisting individuals with disabilities and other barriers to attain employment, establish a career path, and meet critical workforce needs and shortages. With more job openings and less candidates, Creighton will play a pivotal role in ensuring that area businesses in Massachusetts and Connecticut have a plan to fill vacancies and meet important diversity and inclusion efforts. Creighton brings more than a decade of successful partnerships with the community at large to support and develop myriad workforce-development efforts meeting and matching businesses with qualified candidates. As the former board president of Dress for Success, Creighton created the Foot in the Door program, a workforce-readiness program dedicated to helping women develop critical skills for entering and re-entering the workforce.

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Jamie Blaxland

Jamie Blaxland

Monson Savings Bank recently announced the promotion of Jamie Blaxland to Accounting manager. In her role as Accounting manager, Blaxland is primarily responsible for managing the Accounting department, which oversees the bank’s accounts payable, automated clearing house (ACH), investment bookkeeping, wires, general-ledger reconciliations, and more. Blaxland has been with Monson Savings Bank for 20 years. Prior to this recent promotion, she served as Accounting supervisor. She has worked in the bank’s Accounting department for more than 18 years and has 25 years of experience working in the banking industry. She holds several ACH certifications and is an accredited ACH professional.

People on the Move

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People on the Move
Priscilla Kane Hellweg

Priscilla Kane Hellweg

Enchanted Circle Theater’s executive and artistic director, Priscilla Kane Hellweg, has stepped down after 40 years of service, having grown Enchanted Circle from a small touring educational theater company into a nationally recognized leader in the field of arts integration. The board of directors is currently working with a consultant and staff on temporary management while studying various governance models. The organization will announce the plan by the end of the school year. Under Hellweg’s direction, Enchanted Circle has become the regional leader in the field of arts integration, working district-wide in public schools throughout Western Mass. and collaborating with more than 60 community partner organizations, developing work that bridges arts, education, and human services. She received the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network and was a finalist for Excellence in Leadership in 2018. She has received a Champions of Arts Education Award from the Massachusetts Alliance for Arts in Education and a Millennium Award from the National Guild of Community Arts Educators for her commitment to making quality arts education accessible to all. In 2016, Enchanted Circle was nominated to represent Massachusetts by the Massachusetts Cultural Council to receive the Creativity Connects Award from the National Endowment for the Arts. Its work was highlighted in the national PBS series, American Graduate, for its Shakespeare program that combats summer learning loss in Holyoke Public Schools. Enchanted Circle received the 2015 Commonwealth Award, Massachusetts’ highest honor in arts, sciences, and humanities; received the 2013 Arts and Humanities Award for Outstanding Organization from NEPR; and was named Outstanding Arts Collaborative in 2011 from Arts/Learning. Hellweg has created district-wide arts-integration initiatives to enhance academic achievement for Holyoke, Amherst, Northampton, and Westfield public schools, and has collaborated on the development of several Teacher Training Institutes with numerous partners, funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and Teaching American History grants. She has taught professional-development workshops for many district-wide school systems in Massachusetts and Connecticut, including the Wang Center in Boston, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., the History Institute at the University of Massachusetts, and the Collaborative for Educational Services in Northampton. She has been adjunct faculty at the University of Hartford, Hampshire College, and Westfield State University. She has also co-written and directed several site-based historical plays for educational and cultural tourism sites.

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Melissa English

MP CPAs recently announced the promotion of Melissa English to senior audit manager and Tim Provost to senior tax manager. English works with clients across a variety of industries, including nonprofits, manufacturers, distributors, and other small to medium-sized businesses. She is also the lead professional for the firm’s employee benefit-plan practice. She performs technical reviews of employee benefit-plan audits and is frequently called upon to assist with research regarding plan issues. Her experiences with benefit plans include working on Internal Revenue Service examinations, voluntary plan corrections, and self-corrections of plan errors. English joined the firm in 2001 and has more than 20 years of audit experience. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Westfield State University and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and AICPA’s Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center. She is very active in the community as a volunteer board member of the Down Syndrome Resource Group of Western Massachusetts and the Chicopee Galaxy Youth Athletic Assoc., of which she is also a co-founder. Provost provides consulting and tax solutions to a diverse group of clients including individuals, partnerships, limited-liability companies, corporations, and trusts. He also has experience working with international affiliates on foreign tax issues, and specializes in working with high-net-worth clients and with private equity firms and their owners. Provost joined the firm in 2008 and has more than 13 years of experience in personal and business taxation. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Westfield State University and a master’s degree in accounting and taxation from American International College. He is a certified public accountant and a member of AICPA. He is very active in the community as a volunteer board member of the West Springfield Youth Basketball Assoc. and a volunteer youth basketball coach.

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Melissa Stefanowich

Melissa Stefanowich

Country Bank announced that Melissa Stefanowich has joined its Retail Banking division. An experienced leader who has been in the retail banking industry for 14 years, she will serve Western Mass. in her new role at Country Bank. Stafenowich joins Country Bank from Westfield Bank where she was a Retail Banking officer, branch manager, and mortgage specialist. She was responsible for the leadership and management of branch service, sales, operations, and team development. She worked for Chicopee Savings Bank for eight years before it merged in 2016 with Westfield Bank. She is a supporter of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America and Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts.

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After a nationwide search, Bay Path University announced that Frank Rojas has joined the university as the new vice president of Enrollment Management. In this role, he will oversee many duties, including creating and driving the strategic vision for enrollment, overseeing all aspects of enrollment operations, executing a comprehensive enrollment plan, and identifying and employing strategies that clearly demonstrate the university’s value proposition and align with institutional goals. Rojas has extensive experience in higher education, most recently as chief operating officer and executive vice president at Los Angeles Pacific University. In that position, he led a team that successfully drove enrollment growth and increased revenue, while implementing marketing plans and strategies for an online university that also integrated a focus on student support. As an educator, he is a strong advocate in providing access to learners, including marginalized students in post-secondary higher education. During his career, he has been a results-oriented leader committed to building profitable growth and return on investment both domestically and internationally. He earned a Ph.D. in organizational development and change and a master’s degree in organizational leadership through Fielding Graduate University. In addition, he received an executive MBA through Pepperdine University and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from DeVry University.

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American International College (AIC) has appointed Michael Dodge associate vice president for Academic Affairs following a national search. Dodge has been with AIC since 2018, previously serving as dean of Student Success and Opportunity. As dean, he had oversight of the tutoring and advising programs on campus and the James J. Shea Memorial Library, and was instrumental in the success of the AIC’s Plan for Excellence (APEX) program for students, serving as director of the program. In addition, he served as the principal investigator for the U.S. Department of Education Title III Grant program. While maintaining several of his previous responsibilities, as the associate vice president for Academic Affairs, Dodge will serve as the chief of staff to the executive vice president for Academic Affairs (EVPAA), including responsibility for day-to-day operational support for all areas reporting to the EVPAA, including the schools of Business Arts and Sciences, Education, and Health Sciences. Among his many areas of responsibility, Dodge will represent the Office of Academic Affairs to internal and external constituencies to develop comprehensive and integrative structures and processes to support student success and timely graduation. In addition, he will assist in the institution’s assessment processes and support development of meaningful and measurable institution, program, and course student-learning outcomes. He will research and analyze new program proposals from concept to market. Prior to joining AIC, Dodge worked for more than a decade at UMass Amherst in a variety of teaching and administrative roles. He earned his doctorate in educational policy, leadership, and administration at UMass Amherst after first earning his master’s degree in student affairs in higher education from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and his bachelor’s degree in secondary education and English at the State University of New York Oswego.

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Western New England University School of Law Professor Jennifer Levi has been named an inaugural fellow in a new Salem State University program of the Berry Institute of Politics (IOP). Levi will share this honor with former Boston Mayor Kim Janey for the spring 2022 semester. Levi is a lawyer, professor, and nationally recognized expert on transgender legal issues who has dedicated their career to fighting for the rights of women, children, the poor, and gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) clients. Currently, Levi serves as director of the Transgender Rights Project for GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) and as professor of Law at Western New England University. Throughout their career, Levi has led legal fights for transgender equality across a range of contexts, including in the areas of family law, education, healthcare, incarceration, military service, and beyond. As rising or seasoned professionals, fellows share their knowledge, skills, and experiences with students who are exploring and pursuing careers in politics and public service. As current practitioners, fellows support students building practical skills that will supplement what they are learning through academic courses. Through one-time and ongoing engagement, fellows serve as resources and mentors to students. During their visits, IOP fellows will participate and lead both curricular and co-curricular programs.

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Evelyn Rivera-Riffenburg

Evelyn Rivera-Riffenburg

Holyoke Community College (HCC) recently welcomed Evelyn Rivera-Riffenburg as the college’s executive director of Human Resources. Rivera-Riffenburg has worked in human resources for more than 25 years. She started her career as a personnel assistant and most recently worked as director of human resources for Chicopee Public Schools. Her previous employment featured positions in human resources for the town of Amherst, Medtronic (formerly Covidien), Hot Mama’s Foods, C&S Wholesale Grocers, and Coca-Cola. She is also an adjunct professor at Bay Path University and Western New England University. Rivera-Riffenburg began her undergraduate education at HCC before transferring to Baker College, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in human resources management. She holds master’s degrees in communications and information management from Bay Path University and in organizational leadership from Southern New Hampshire University. She is a Society for Human Resources Management certified senior professional, an HCRI senior professional in human resources, and a certified K-12 Title IX coordinator.

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The New England Financial Marketing Assoc. (NEFMA) welcomed Mary Cate Mannion, a digital PR analyst for Garvey Communication Associates Inc. and producer for New England Corporate Video, as the keynote presenter for its virtual Awards Show on Feb. 11. The event featured the winners of awards for the most creative, innovative, and successful campaigns across several different financial-services categories. Mannion’s presentation, “What’s Old Is New: How the Age-old Art of Storytelling Will Set Your Existing Media Channels on Fire,” explained how brands can generate meaningful and measurable engagement while shedding all that extra budget weight of meaningless and empty impressions. Included in her presentation were best-practice examples from HarborOne Bank, Mascoma Bank, Monson Savings Bank, Needham Bank, and PeoplesBank. Mannion has worked in the Holyoke-Springfield DMA as an anchor/reporter for ABC, CBS, and FOX News affiliates; in Bismarck, N.D. as an anchor/reporter for an NBC News affiliate; and in Portland, Maine as a reporter for an ABC News affiliate. She won a Broadcaster’s Award for her work and was nominated for two Midwest Emmy Awards. She is a graduate of Emerson College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism. She is also currently a board member of the Willie Ross School for the Deaf and a member of Women in Film & Video New England.

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New England Public Media has named Deepa Krishna director of Finance and Accounting. Krishna will oversee the nonprofit media organization’s $10 million budget, working directly with internal departments as well as community funders and grantors. A licensed certified public accountant, Krishna joins NEPM from the Connecticut Airport Authority in Windsor Locks, where she served as the accounting manager for Bradley International Airport and five general aviation airports, overseeing annual budgets and managing federal and state grants for the nonprofit organization. Prior to that, she was the finance manager for Bristol Hospital and Healthcare Group. She received her master’s degree in commerce and accounting from Madurai Kamaraj University, India, and her bachelor’s degree in commerce and accounting from Mahatma Gandhi University, India.

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Colin Griswold

Colin Griswold

OMG Roofing Products promoted Colin Griswold to the position of codes and approvals engineer. In his new role, he will manage product approvals for OMG Roofing’s product portfolio as well as assist the new-product development team in addressing code and approval issues. In addition, he will work closely with OMG’s private-label customers and code and approval officials with product evaluations, developing technical product specifications, as well as maintaining code approvals and keeping abreast of technical changes and advancements in the commercial roofing industry. Griswold started with OMG Roofing Products in 2013 in the manufacturing area. Since then, he has held positions as a laboratory technician in the company’s New Product Development & Innovation department, and most recently in the Technical Services department as a technical support specialist. He is a member of the Single-Ply Roofing Industry and holds an associate degree in engineering from Springfield Technical Community College.

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Nourse Farms Inc. announced that founder and President Timothy Nourse has transitioned from overall leadership of Nourse Farms to chairman of the board of directors. He is leaving the day-to-day operational oversight in the hands of John Place, who has been promoted to CEO. Over the past 90 years, Nourse Farms has grown to be a leader in berry-plant propagation in North America and now produces more than 30 million strawberry plants in addition to 6 million raspberry, blueberry, blackberry, currant, gooseberry, elderberry, asparagus, rhubarb, and horseradish plants each year to customers around the world. Tim Nourse is recognized as a pioneer in tissue-culture propagation, having built the first lab at Nourse Farms over 40 years ago. Establishing this capability in the 1980s was a key to growth and innovation for customers around the world. Before joining Nourse Farms as chief operating officer in 2019, Place built his career in Pennsylvania at Keepsake Farm. He holds a degree in agriculture and animal science from the University of Delaware and is a highly accomplished farmer and successful business executive.

People on the Move

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People on the Move

Seth Stratton

Fitzgerald Attorneys at Law and MGM Springfield announced that attorney Seth Stratton will be leaving his position as vice president and legal counsel of MGM Resorts’ Northeast Group by mid-June to rejoin Fitzgerald as the firm’s managing shareholder. In this leadership role, he will assist the firm’s clients on a wide range of business-related matters, including corporate governance, commercial development, regulatory matters, and dispute resolution. During his time with MGM Springfield, Stratton oversaw legal affairs, regulatory compliance, and government relations in connection with the development, construction, and opening of the $950 million MGM Springfield destination resort casino in downtown Springfield. In 2019, his role expanded to serve as property general counsel and officer for two operating MGM casinos: MGM Springfield and Empire City Casino in Yonkers, N.Y. In that capacity, Stratton provided strategic oversight, management, and direction for legal, regulatory, compliance, risk, and government-affairs functions for both casino complexes and served as an officer and executive committee member for each property. He will now bring this business, development, and management experience to his work with Fitzgerald.

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Crystal Neuhauser

Crystal Neuhauser

Bay Path University announced that Crystal Neuhauser has been named vice president of Institutional Advancement, effective June 21. Neuhauser comes to Bay Path after serving as the associate vice president of Advancement at Franklin Pierce University, where she increased overall giving by 41% in 2020. Prior to Franklin Pierce, she directed advancement and development initiatives at Yale University, Quinnipiac University, and Mitchell College, and also worked within the nonprofit community sector. Her career experience spans fundraising, donor relations, alumni engagement, grants, and corporate contributions. She also served on a strategic planning subcommittee at Franklin Pierce. Neuhauser is currently working toward a doctorate of education in educational leadership at New England College. She earned her master’s degree in organizational leadership from Quinnipiac College and her bachelor’s degree in business management from Albertus Magnus College. At Bay Path, Neuhauser will serve as a member of the executive staff. In this role, she will provide strategic leadership for fundraising, including responsibility for annual giving; corporate, major and planned gifts; endowment; capital campaigns; alumni and constituent-relations efforts; stewardship; and advancement services. As a nonprofit higher-education institution, Bay Path depends on the generosity of donors to fund scholarships and important initiatives that make a difference in students’ lives.

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Rachel Rubinstein

Rachel Rubinstein

Springfield College announced that Rachel Rubinstein has been named dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, effective July 12. Rubinstein was professor of American Literature and Jewish Studies at Hampshire College for 16 years, where she also served as the dean of Academic Support and Advising for six years. She subsequently became Holyoke Community College’s inaugural vice president of Academic and Student Affairs, a position that combined two previously separate divisions. Most recently, she has been serving as senior advisor to the deputy commissioner of Academic Affairs and Student Success at the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, where she has focused on supporting initiatives in the state’s equity agenda. The child of immigrants from Mexico, Rubinstein’s scholarship focuses on migration, multi-lingualism, racial formation, and literary nationalism, as well as on pedagogies in the fields of ethnic and race studies. She is the author of Members of the Tribe: Native America in the Jewish Imagination, as well as the co-editor of Arguing the Modern Jewish Canon and, most recently, Teaching Jewish American Literature, a volume in the MLA’s Options for Teaching series. She received her bachelor’s degree in English from Yale University and her PhD in English and American literature from Harvard University.

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Nicole Domnarski

Nicole Domnarski

FSB Financial Group, the investment division of Florence Bank, announced that Nicole Domnarski, after working two years as an assistant financial advisor, has transitioned to financial advisor. She began her career in the financial-services industry 24 years ago and has been employed by FSB Financial Group for the past 10 years, helping advisors protect and preserve clients’ wealth. As a financial advisor, she will work directly with individuals and business owners to develop strategic, long-term financial plans to help customers achieve their financial goals and objectives. Domnarski is a graduate of Springfield Technical Community College and is a chartered retirement planning counselor certified by the College for Financial Planning. She is an investment advisor representative with Commonwealth Financial Network, and holds Series 6, 7, 31, 63, and 65 registrations. She is also licensed to sell both life and health insurance.

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The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts (CFWM) announced the appointment of Denise Hurst as vice president for Community Impact and Partnerships. In this redesigned role meant to deepen community engagement and drive program efficacy and representation, Hurst will oversee community investments, including grants, scholarships, and new efforts to strengthen advocacy, technical assistance, data and research, and evaluation in regional projects and initiatives. This appointment is the latest example of CFWM’s ongoing commitment to advance equity in the region by elevating community voices, cultivating new coalitions and partnerships, and advancing the organizational effectiveness of nonprofits. Hurst joins the Foundation after serving Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) as vice president of Advancement & External Affairs, where she led development for the college as the executive director of the STCC Foundation, and later oversaw marketing, communications, and government affairs. Prior to that, she was appointed regional manager of the Massachusetts State Lottery in Western Mass. by state Treasurer Deb Goldberg and has worked as site director for the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, as well as an adjunct professor at Cambridge College. She comes to CFWM with a wealth of knowledge, experience, and established networks across Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties. For more than a decade, Hurst served as an elected member of the Springfield School Committee. She led the charge to establish the Minority Caucus for the Massachusetts Assoc. of School Committees (MASC) and served as the former chair of the caucus, as well as the former vice president of MASC. Hurst has been honored with several awards, including BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty class of 2014, 2015 100 Women of Color in New England, and 2015 Top 25 Women to Watch in Western Mass., and most recently as the 2019 Woman of the Year by the Professional Women’s Chamber.

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Nancy Creed

Nancy Creed

Nancy Creed, president of the Springfield Regional Chamber, has been elected president of the Massachusetts Assoc. of Chamber of Commerce Executives (MACCE) through 2022. MACCE is a Massachusetts-based organization that offers resources and networking opportunities to its member chamber of commerce professionals across the Commonwealth. Creed has amassed more than 25 years of strategic alliance building, communications, public relations, media relations, and government and community outreach experience. She has served as president of the Springfield Regional Chamber since 2016. Prior to becoming chamber president, she served as vice president of Marketing and Communications. She holds a bachelor’s degree in magazine journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, is certified in nonprofit organization management through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management, and is a 2000 graduate of the Springfield Regional Chamber’s Leadership Institute. Creed has served in a variety of capacities on the MACCE board, including Region 1 vice president, secretary, and vice president.

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Michael Sullivan

Michael Sullivan

Julius Lewis

Julius Lewis

UMassFive College Federal Credit Union announced the retirement of Michael Sullivan, longtime board director and original founding member of the credit union, at its 54th annual meeting in March. New director Julius Lewis was also elected to the open position at the virtual event. Sullivan’s legacy extends well beyond UMassFive in the world of credit unions. While he served originally as a UMassFive board member beginning in 1982, and as the credit union board chair at UMassFive from 1986 to 1993, he concurrently held the titles of director, vice chair, and chair of Mass CUNA (1986-1998). During this time, he was instrumental in the merger of the two state credit-union leagues that eventually became the Cooperative Credit Union Assoc. (CCUA). As a thank you for his many contributions, UMassFive has dedicated the board room in its Hadley executive area as the Michael Sullivan Board Room in his honor. Newly elected board member Julius Lewis has been a member of the credit union since 2010 and, throughout the years, has helped promote UMassFive’s products and services within the local community. He is a graduate of the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, which played a major role in launching his professional career in the financial industry. He has worked as an independent financial consultant, specializing in insurance products since 2003. In 2006, Lewis created and began hosting The Lewis & Morrow Financial Hour, a weekly financial radio talk show broadcasted throughout the region and online. In 2017, he started his company, JDL Financial, and has received several awards and achievements within his profession. UMassFive welcomes his new perspectives and ideas to the board.

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Mill Town announced it has hired Dennis Robinson as the company’s chief operating officer and president of Bousquet Enterprises, a group of recreational and hospitality businesses based in the Berkshires. Beginning immediately, Robinson will be responsible for the management, operations, and financial performance of the company’s operating business portfolio. He will also oversee major capital projects related to these sites, which include Bousquet Mountain Ski Area, Bousquet Sport (formerly Berkshire West Athletic Club), the Camp by Bousquet (formerly the Lakeside Christian Camp), the Gateways Inn, and Mission Bar & Tapas. Robinson brings more than three decades of management experience to the team. Following an MBA from Harvard Business School, he spent nine years with the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority, the ownership entity of the Meadowlands and MetLife Stadium. From 1999 to 2007, he was the senior vice president of Business Operations for the NBA in New York. Upon returning to the New Jersey Sports & Expo Authority in 2008, he led facility management of Giants Stadium, Meadowlands Racetrack, Monmouth Park Racetrack, and the IZOD Center. More recently, Robinson held leadership roles at Formula 1 and was the chief of staff and acting secretary of State for the state of New Jersey from 2015 to 2017. Robinson has an undergraduate degree from Wesleyan University, where he was a varsity football player; a master’s degree in sport management from UMass Amherst; and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

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Kate Keiderling

Kate Keiderling

OMG Inc. appointed Kate Keiderling to the position of director of Human Resources and Environmental Health and Safety (HR/EHS). In her new position, she is responsible for developing and executing strategies that continue to provide a culture that is safe, healthy, supportive, inclusive, open, and creative. In her new role, she will work closely with the senior management team to plan and execute business strategies that address corporate safety, as well as effective personnel management. She is also responsible for improving the company’s current HR/EHS structure, programs, and processes as necessary to support OMG employees and business goals. She reports to Hubert McGovern, president and CEO of OMG. Keiderling joined OMG Inc. from Paradigm Precision in Manchester, Conn., where she was director of Human Resources for North America. Earlier, she spent 16 years in various HR positions with Pratt & Whitney, most recently as associate director of Human Resources for military engines. She also worked for the Travelers Insurance. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Elms College and a master’s degree in human resource development from American International College.

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Fred Mills

Fred Mills

New England’s largest healthcare-centric managed service provider and value-added reseller is positioning itself for national growth with the addition of Fred Mills as its new vice president of Sales. Mills joins baytechIT after stints as senior director of Worldwide Healthcare Alliances and Business Development for data-management provider Commvault, and director and general manager at Hewlett Packard Enterprise for Healthcare in the Americas. The effort is also part of a national sales strategy for the entire Pixel Health portfolio of companies under the direction of newly appointed Chief Revenue Officer Barbara Casey. BaytechIT was founded in 2018 as a partnership between Pixel Health and Baystate Health System. The company’s U.S.-based call center and field-services staff supports more than 150 hospitals, clinics, and independent medical practices, with more than 16,000 devices under management. The company maintains sales partnerships with Microsoft, HPE, Cisco, Hewlett Packard, Dell, and Lenovo, among others. Mills will support clients throughout the U.S. and will be based in Raleigh, N.C. He holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing and finance from the Boston College Carroll School of Management.

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Emma Redman

Emma Redman

SkinCatering Salon & Spa, located inside Tower Square in downtown Springfield, announced the promotion of its spa coordinator, Emma Redman, to its leadership team as the new salon & spa manager. Redman will oversee daily operations and social-media coordination, while leading a growing unit of nine employees. After several years in customer service at Six Flags New England, acting in local theatre productions, and working as a special-effects and bridal makeup artist, Redman began as a part-time front-desk employee at SkinCatering in 2019 and was quickly promoted to full-time spa coordinator just a few months later. In 2020, Redman’s support during the spa’s temporary closure during the COVID-19 pandemic was invaluable as she adeptly navigated the unknown to help preserve SkinCatering’s extensive client base for their return. As SkinCatering Spa evolved into SkinCatering Salon & Spa in December with its expansion in its new location on the first floor of Tower Square, Redman’s responsibilities increased, and she continued to show great leadership promise, SkinCatering owners Leanne Sedlak and Kim Brunton Auger said.