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People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff April 24, 2026

People on the Move

Jim Sullivan

Joe McMahon

The O’Connell Companies announced that President Jim Sullivan will retire from his role effective June 1, concluding a distinguished 44-year career with the organization. Chief Financial Officer Joe McMahon has been appointed president and will continue to serve as CFO. Sullivan joined the O’Connell Companies in 1982 and has played a central role in the organization’s growth and evolution. He was named president in 2019 and has overseen the strategic direction and operations of the company and its subsidiaries, including its construction, real estate development, and property management divisions. Over the course of his tenure, Sullivan held several key leadership roles, including president of O’Connell Development Group and general manager of NEFCO. His leadership spanned significant milestones in the company’s history, including large-scale project execution, ownership transition, and long-term strategic planning. Sullivan will remain actively involved with the company as chair of the board of directors, supporting long-term strategy and ensuring continuity in leadership and governance. A native of Holyoke, McMahon has more than 25 years of experience in a broad range of industries in the Boston and Western Mass. markets. As CFO, he leads the company’s financial strategy and governance, with experience in acquisitions, mergers, and organizational restructuring. A certified public accountant and graduate of Bentley University, McMahon has worked with privately held, venture-backed, and family-owned businesses. His appointment reflects a planned leadership transition and the company’s focus on continuity and future growth.

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Michelle Theroux

Peter Benton, chairman of the board of directors of Sunshine Village, announced the appointment of Michelle Theroux as the next president and CEO of the organization. She succeeds Gina Kos, who will retire at the end of April after more than 30 years of leadership. Theroux brings more than 20 years of executive leadership experience in nonprofit, healthcare, and educational organizations. Most recently, she served as CEO of Berkshire Hills Music Academy in South Hadley for more than 12 years. Her earlier leadership roles included senior management positions at the Center for Human Development as well as Child and Family Services of Pioneer Valley, where she oversaw multi-site operations and expanded clinical services. She currently serves as chair of Mercy Medical Center, is a regional board member for Trinity Health Of New England, and sits on the boards of the ERC5 Chamber of Commerce and MicroTek. She also serves as chair of the South Hadley Redevelopment Authority. Her contributions have been recognized by BusinessWest, which named her both a 40 Under Forty honoree and a Woman of Impact. Theroux holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Springfield College and bachelor’s degrees in psychology and politics from Assumption University.

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Jessica Nicklin

Holyoke Community College (HCC) announced that Jessica Nicklin has accepted the position of HCC provost and vice president of Academic Affairs. She presently serves as associate provost for Faculty Affairs and Research and a professor of Psychology at the University of Hartford, where she has worked for nearly 17 years. Nicklin earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology as well as a PhD in industrial-organizational psychology from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Albany. Soon after completing her doctorate in 2009, she received an academic appointment at the University of Hartford as assistant professor of Psychology. Since then, she has risen through the academic ranks to tenured professor, while also taking on administrative responsibilities as program director, associate dean of Student Academic Services, associate vice president for Student Success, assistant provost for Graduate Studies and Research, and finally associate provost for Faculty Affairs and Research, a position she assumed in 2023. Her role at HCC begins July 1. A distinguished scholar in industrial-organizational psychology, Nicklin’s research focuses on workplace motivation, the work-family interface, and positive psychology. She is a prolific writer, consultant, and frequent speaker, and holds certifications in academic life coaching. She has received numerous awards and honors recognizing her scholarship, teaching, leadership, and service. In 2018, her alma mater, SUNY Albany, recognized Nicklin with its Outstanding Young Alumni Award.

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Katya Krasnova

Abby LaValley

Greenfield Cooperative Bank announced the addition of Katya Krasnova as vice president, mortgage originator to its residential lending team. Krasnova brings more than 14 years of banking experience to the role, with a strong background in residential lending. A familiar face to many in the community, she has built a reputation as a trusted resource for homebuyers and those looking to refinance, known for her thoughtful guidance and commitment to helping individuals and families navigate the homebuying process with confidence. Krasnova holds a degree in economics from Chuvash State University in Russia. In her new role, she will work closely with customers across the region, supporting their homeownership goals and continuing the bank’s commitment to personalized, local service. Greenfield Cooperative Bank (GCB) also welcomed Abby LaValley as assistant vice president and branch manager of its Amherst branch office, located at 390 College St. LaValley brings more than 20 years of local banking experience to the role, having previously served as an assistant manager at two community banks in the region. Her deep knowledge of the local market and commitment to customer relationships make her a strong addition to the GCB team. A graduate of the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, LaValley holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing. In her new role, she will oversee daily operations at the Amherst branch while continuing to build meaningful relationships with customers and support the financial needs of the community.

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Baystate Winair announced that Dan Suse Jr. will assume the role of president. With a robust background in the industry and a deep commitment to customer service, he is ready to lead Baystate Winair into its next chapter while upholding the values that have made it a trusted name in the region. Suse brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role. He has been with Baystate Winair for six and a half years and has consistently demonstrated integrity and a strong work ethic. He is an ambassador with the East of the River Five Town Chamber of Commerce, showcasing his dedication to community engagement and local business development.

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Timothy Wighton

Stone House Properties LLC announced that Timothy Wighton has joined the team as a licensed real estate professional, bringing a blend of deep local heritage and extensive global leadership experience to the team. Raised in the heart of Southern Berkshire County, Wighton’s roots in the region run generations deep, with family history grounded in South Egremont, Great Barrington, and Mill River. An outdoor enthusiast since childhood, he learned to ski at Butternut the year it opened in 1964 and remains an active hiker on the trails of South County today. After a distinguished 35-year international career in clinical research and strategic leadership — which took him to major hubs like London, Brussels, Seattle, and San Francisco — he returned home to the Berkshires in 2023. He has since dedicated himself to the restoration of his 1766 home in Otis. Wighton’s background in high-stakes project management and negotiation allows him to navigate complex real estate decisions with disciplined execution and clarity. His lifelong passion for property is evidenced by his hands-on experience in home rehabilitation projects across the U.S. and Europe.

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Matthew Parise

Pittsfield Cooperative Bank announced the appointment of Matthew Parise as its new vice president, director of Facilities and Real Estate. In this role, he will oversee all aspects of facilities operations, property management, and long-term real estate planning. He will play a key role in ensuring all locations remain safe, efficient, and aligned with the organization’s evolving needs. Parise brings more than 28 years in managing building operations, leading capital improvement projects, and optimizing real estate portfolios at Beacon Bank, formerly Berkshire Bank, and Key Bank. His leadership will support ongoing efforts to maintain high-quality environments while positioning the organization for future growth.

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Charles Robertson

Greylock Federal Credit Union announced the hiring of Senior Vice President Charles Robertson, who joins the Retail Services team. He will be responsible for leading Greylock’s branch network, Contact Center, member-facing technology, and strategic retail initiatives. In this role, he will provide enterprise-level leadership across deposit growth, member retention, direct lending support, and experience optimization. Before moving back to Massachusetts, Robertson served as executive vice president and chief retail officer at Kitsap Bank in Port Orchard, Wash., where he directed the operations for the 15-branch, $1.7 billion community bank. In this role, he spearheaded the sales and service program and was responsible for executing multiple strategic initiatives including retail, mortgage, consumer lending, wealth management, business development, leading the learning and development team, and overseeing branch modernization and remodels. He is a graduate of Saint Joseph’s College of Maine and Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington.

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Alan Wosky

Belt Technologies, a manufacturer of PureSteel custom metal belt conveyor solutions, announced the retirement of President Alan Wosky after more than three decades of leadership. A Navy veteran who served as a machinist mate 1st class qualified in naval nuclear power plants, Wosky has been central to the company’s growth, innovation, and engineering excellence. He guided Belt through major advancements in precision metal belt systems, expansion into global markets, and the development of a strong technical culture that continues to define the company today. Following his retirement, Wosky’s responsibilities have been assumed by the Belt management team, with oversight from Rich Lunden, director of Engineering.

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Whittlesey announced that members of its Technology and Cybersecurity team have earned key Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) credentials, strengthening the firm’s ability to support government contractors and subcontractors across the defense industrial base. As Department of Defense cybersecurity requirements continue to evolve, these certifications position Whittlesey to help organizations navigate CMMC readiness with clarity and confidence. The following Whittlesey professionals have earned CMMC credentials: Mark Torello, certified CMMC professional (CCP); and Hadas Boyles and Carlos Ortega, CMMC registered practitioners (RP). In addition, Whittlesey’s Technology team holds a broad range of industry-recognized certifications, including CISA, CRISC, CISSP, and CEH, reflecting deep expertise in cybersecurity, risk management, and IT controls.

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Rachael Cavanaugh

Rush Insurance Group announced the addition of Rachael Cavanaugh to its team as an employee benefits associate. In this role, she will support the agency’s growing employee benefits practice, working alongside clients to deliver thoughtful, attentive service in the life and health insurance space. Cavanaugh brings a strong foundation in the insurance industry, having launched her career at Safety Insurance following her graduation from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, where she earned a bachelor of business administration degree in operations & information management with a certificate in business data analytics. During her time at Safety Insurance, she gained hands-on experience across personal and commercial underwriting, the service center, and customer representative operations, most recently serving as a personal lines analyst. Cavanaugh is currently pursuing her life and health insurance licensure and is committed to building the expertise needed to serve as a trusted resource for Rush’s clients.

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John Williams

Jacob Johnson

Monson Savings Bank announced the promotion of John Williams to branch manager of the Wilbraham branch. Williams, who previously served as assistant branch manager at the bank’s East Longmeadow location, brings more than 11 years of banking and financial services experience, strong leadership abilities, and a deep commitment to exceptional customer service. In his new role, he will oversee the daytoday operations of the Wilbraham branch, guide and develop branch staff, and advance branch growth through new deposit account relationships. He will also continue strengthening local community connections through volunteer efforts and outreach initiatives. Before joining Monson Savings Bank, Williams worked at Fifth Third Bank in Sarasota, Fla., where he served as a personal banker assisting customers with new accounts, lending, maintenance, and retirement planning. His career also includes experience with additional financial institutions, contributing to his strong operational foundation and relationshipbuilding skills. He is active in the community as a member of the Western Mass Referral Exchange (BNI Group) and regularly volunteers to support local initiatives. Monson Savings Bank also announced that Jacob Johnson has joined the bank as assistant branch manager of the Hampden branch. Johnson brings a strong background in customer-focused relationship management and financial services to Monson Savings Bank. In his role, he supports the day-to-day operations of the Hampden branch, assists with staff development, and works directly with customers to provide a full range of personal and business banking solutions. He is focused on delivering personalized, attentive service that fosters trusted, long-term customer relationships. Prior to joining Monson Savings Bank, Johnson spent six years locally with Balise Ford of Wilbraham, most recently serving as a Finance and Insurance manager. In that role, he developed extensive experience assisting customers with financing options, financial products, and relationship-based service. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Westfield State University. In the community, he and his family support the YMCA of Greater Springfield, where his children participate in youth programs, and he is a dedicated supporter of Empty Arms Bereavement Support, participating annually in the organization’s Syrup Stampede 5K to raise awareness and funds for families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss.

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Laura Townes, an Edward Jones financial advisor in Northampton, recently received the firm’s exclusive Spirit of Caring Award, designed to recognize financial advisors who exemplify the values, culture, and spirit of giving back. Townes has demonstrated unyielding dedication to giving back, which has positively impacted her clients, colleagues, and community. The award is given to only one financial advisor in each of the firm’s 334 regions and is determined by a vote of their peers. “Edward Jones is a partnership. That structure is not just financial; it’s a philosophy,” Townes said. “We work together, help each other, and all share in the rewards of working with long-term individual investors. That brings out the best in everyone. I am humbled to be this year’s recipient of the Spirit of Caring Award.” Townes was presented with the award at her Edward Jones regional meeting in Hampden.

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Sarah Murphy

Market Mentors LLC, a full-service marketing, advertising, and public relations agency, announced the promotion of Sarah Murphy to director of Operations. Having begun her career at the agency as an intern, Murphy has advanced through roles including account coordinator, traffic manager, and director of Resource Management. Throughout her tenure, she has played a key role in managing workflow, aligning resources, and strengthening project management processes across the agency. In her new role, Murphy will oversee day-to-day operations and provide senior oversight to ensure the agency is delivering at the highest level across the board. She will focus on strengthening teams, building structure and accountability, and supporting continued growth. Murphy was named to BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty class of 2021, recognizing her professional achievements and community involvement. She serves as vice president of the board of the Foundation for TJO Animals, supporting fundraising and outreach efforts for local animal welfare initiatives. She earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Lasell University.

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The Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP) announced that Rachel Heller has officially begun her role as executive director, marking an exciting new chapter in the organization’s impact on affordable housing in Massachusetts. With a track record of success and a deep and personal commitment to housing affordability across the state, Heller brings a wealth of expertise, vision, and leadership to MHP. As executive director of MHP, Heller will play a pivotal role in creating more housing opportunities, making a direct and tangible difference in the lives of thousands of families across Massachusetts. This includes leading implementation of MHP’s strategic plan. MHP is a public, nonprofit organization that expands access to affordable housing and promotes housing equity in communities across the Commonwealth. In September, after 40 years of leadership, Executive Director Clark Ziegler announced his retirement, effective at the end of March.

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Wellpoint recently recognized Steve Athas as an honoree in its Hometown Heroes program during a celebration held at Picknelly Field. In partnership with 98.5 the Sports Hub Bruins Radio Network, this initiative celebrates the contributions of individuals in public service across Massachusetts, shining a spotlight on everyday acts of dedication and kindness. For more than 50 years, including 48 years at Greenleaf Community Center in Springfield, Athas has dedicated himself to supporting youth through sports, recreation, and mentorship. In addition to his work with the Springfield Parks Department, he spent 35 years in Springfield Public Schools as a teacher and assistant principal. His lasting impact has earned him recognition in the Western Massachusetts Baseball Hall of Fame, and in 2024, the city of Springfield named a street after him.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff April 10, 2026

People on the Move

John Anz

Jack Brown

The Northampton Jazz Festival has welcomed two new board members who bring broad skills and experience in marketing, design, music production, and fundraising: John Anz, who joined in January, and Jack Brown, who came on board in January 2025. Anz is currently director of Development & Community Engagement for the Loomis Communities. An alumnus of Williston Northampton School and Trinity College in Hartford, he moved permanently to Western Mass. in 2002 from his native New York City and deeply involved himself in the local music, arts, and culture scene. He has served on several boards of arts organizations, including the Northampton Community Music Center and the South Hadley Cultural Council, including two years as chair. He has also created, produced, and presented live music in the area as co-chair of the SHOWCASE South Hadley arts and culture festival and, under JAzz Productions, produced Music Mondays Cafe at the Gaylord Memorial Library in South Hadley. After careers in college coaching and real estate management, Anz has been in the development and philanthropy fields of nonprofit fundraising for more than 20 years, including music and arts organizations such as Springfield Symphony Orchestra and Berkshire Hills Music Academy. Brown is Marketing director at the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce and the Hampshire County Regional Tourism Council. He has worked in Northampton’s cultural circles for three decades as an artist, writer, and musician, and promotes the region in his current role. He creates and executes the strategies for marketing to constituents of both organizations across all digital, social and print communications channels. Brown’s expertise also includes content creation, graphic design, and setting and analyzing marketing metrics across all channels. He is also a musician (guitarist), illustrator, and graphic designer, having earned a bachelor of fine arts degree at the University of Hartford’s Hartford Art School.

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Anthony Casabianca

Laurel Williams

Ashlie Baker

Robert Knight

Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. (MBK) announce the following new hires: Anthony Casabianca, associate; Laurel Williams, associate; Ashlie Baker, senior associate; and Robert Knight, CPA, manager. Casabianca started his career in public accounting as an administrative intern during the 2025 tax season and recently transitioned into his new role as an associate in MBK’s audit and accounting department. He brings fresh perspective to his engagements as a recent college graduate and believes customer service starts with listening to clients’ unique needs so that he can better understand their business and help them achieve their goals. Casabianca received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Springfield College and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in accounting with a concentration in forensic accounting at UMass Amherst. Williams recently joined MBK as an associate focusing on bookkeeping and taxation. In addition to her experience in bookkeeping and taxation, she also brings expertise in operations, financial planning, and customer service. Her approach to customer service combines open communication with a focus on longterm relationshipbuilding. By clarifying expectations early and staying accessible and supportive, she creates a dependable and welcoming experience for every client she engages with. Williams holds a bachelor’s degree from Boston University. Baker recently joined the team as an a senior associate in the audit and accounting department. She brings her Big 4 experience in the insurance field to her work in public accounting with MBK. From her experience, she has developed strong communication and time management skills, and brings a high level of attention to detail and experience working with complex data. She approaches customer service by listening carefully to understand the individuals needs, then following through with clear communication and a reliable completion. She views customer service as creating a positive and trustworthy experience that reflects well on long-term relationships and on the organization. Baker holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from Scared Heart University. MBK recently welcomed Knight to the firm as a manager. He practiced public accounting from 2017 to 2021, and in recent years, his professional focus has been in financial planning and tax advising for high-net-worth individuals. His experience has made him a strategic partner to individuals, helping them grow while developing thoughtful solutions to the challenges they face. Knight holds a bachelor’s degree in corporate finance and accounting from Bentley University and a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Michigan’s Stephan M. Ross School of Business. He is also a member of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants.

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Bulkley Richardson recently welcomed Joshua Weatherwax to the firm as an associate in the Business Department. “We welcome Joshua to our busy practice, where he will focus on all areas of transactional work, including mergers and acquisitions,” said Scott Foster, chair of Bulkley Richardson’s Business Department. “In addition to his law degree, Joshua’s past business experience allows him a better understating of our clients and how their businesses operate.” Weatherwax earned his juris doctorate in 2025 from Western New England School of Law, where he was an Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. scholar and CALI award recipient. He also earned a bachelor’s degree from Westfield State University in 2019 and an MBA from Western New England University in 2024.

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Kerri Jarzabski

Bay Path University announced the appointment of Kerri Jarzabski as its new dean of Retention and Advising. She brings more than two decades of leadership experience in higher education and a deep commitment to student success. Jarzabski most recently served at UMass Amherst in the Office of Student Affairs and Campus Life while completing her doctoral work. Prior to that, she spent more than 20 years at Western New England University, where she held a series of increasingly senior leadership roles, including vice president for Student Affairs. In her new role at Bay Path, she will lead the university’s efforts to strengthen retention and advising strategies across its newly unified institution (Bay Path University and Cambridge College), with a focus on leveraging data, enhancing the student experience, and supporting student success at every stage of the academic journey. Jarzabski earned her PhD in higher education from UMass Amherst. Her doctoral research focused on the first-year experience and supporting neurodivergent students, reflecting her dedication to inclusivity and holistic student support. She also holds a certificate of advanced graduate study in higher education leadership from UMass Amherst, a master’s degree in higher education: student personnel administration from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a bachelor’s degree in English literature and communications from Western New England University, where she graduated magna cum laude.

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Debbie DePaola

Freedom Credit Union announced that Debbie DePaola has been appointed branch officer for its West Springfield location. DePaola joined Freedom in 2023 as an assistant branch manager, bringing more than a decade of experience in the banking industry. In her new role, she leads the daily operations of the branch with a focus on service, efficiency, and member satisfaction. She oversees branch performance, coaches and develops staff, ensures regulatory and compliance standards are consistently met, and supports business development and community relations efforts throughout the region. A graduate of the College of Central Florida with an associate degree in business administration, DePaola has been recognized for her dedication, leadership, and commitment to Freedom’s mission. In 2025, she received the Freedom Credit Union President’s Award.

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Monson Savings Bank (MSB) announced the recipients of its 2026 President’s Award, the highest honor presented by the bank, which recognizes employees who exemplify the bank’s mission and values through outstanding customer and community service, teamwork, professionalism, and integrity. This year, two employees have been selected from peer nominations: Melanie Garcia, senior commercial loan administrator; and Terry Poloski, vice president, residential lending officer. Employed with Monson Savings Bank since November 2013, Garcia has long been a pillar of excellence within the Commercial Lending department. Chosen from 22 nominees in the non-officer/manager category, she received five heartfelt nominations highlighting her expertise, organization, communication skills, and the positive influence she brings to the team. Colleagues describe Garcia as knowledgeable, humble, and exceptionally dedicated, consistently strengthening customer relationships and enhancing the bank’s reputation. Her commitment to her role, her team, and the bank’s partners is both remarkable and inspiring. Since joining Monson Savings Bank in December 2011, Poloski has been a trusted leader within the Residential Lending department. Selected from 16 nominees in the officer/manager category, she also received five nominations, each recognizing her professionalism, compassion, and significant impact on both customers and colleagues. Poloski is described as humble, hardworking, an outstanding mentor, and a leader who consistently prioritizes the bank’s success over personal recognition. Her dedication has helped shape the strength and reputation of the bank’s mortgage department and continues to set the standard for exceptional customer care at MSB.

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Ashik Mubarak

Caolo & Bieniek Associates Inc. announced that Ashik Mubarak has officially passed all of his architectural exams and is now a registered architect, awaiting the arrival of his license. “We are proud to announce that Ashik has successfully passed his final architectural registration exam,” the firm stated. “This significant achievement marks the culmination of years of dedicated study, professional experience, and commitment to excellence in design. Ashik represents the next generation of architectural talent, bringing creativity, technical expertise, and fresh perspective to our team. We congratulate him on this outstanding accomplishment and look forward to his continued contributions to our projects and the communities we serve.”

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Ashley Menard

The Irish Cultural Center of Western New England announced the hiring of Ashley Menard as general manager of the Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub. Menard has been working in restaurants since 2002, most recently in the beverage distribution industry. She is excited to share her passion and knowledge within this new role. “I am thrilled to join the Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub as it has built a strong reputation for quality and hospitality,” she said. “I appreciate the opportunity to work alongside this team as we continue to grow and successfully meet the needs of our guests.”

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Springfield Prep Charter School, a free charter public school, announced Meghan Wagner as its new executive director starting April 1. Wagner has served as a senior operations and finance leader for more than a decade, and currently serves as the school’s chief operating & financial officer. The move comes after an extensive, months-long hiring process by the board of trustees after Springfield Prep’s founder and current Executive Director Bill Spirer, announced plans to pursue a new professional chapter early this fall. Wagner, a leader with more than 16 years of experience in public education, is celebrated for her collaborative approach to problem solving, ability to unify people, and unwavering dedication to achieving positive outcomes for students and families. Over the past decade at Springfield Prep, she has been instrumental in the school’s success, leading operations, finance, and human resources. Her contributions have been key to the school’s expansion, encompassing management of the school budget, oversight of the new school building’s construction, and leadership of critical initiatives for teachers, staff, and students. Furthermore, she has consistently empowered instructional leaders to implement student-centered, data-driven approaches to learning.

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Aaron Vega

Aaron Vega, president and CEO of the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council, has been appointed to the Holyoke Community College (HCC) board of trustees by Gov. Maura Healey. Vega attended his first HCC board meeting on March 24, and his five-year term runs until March 2031. Until the end of 2025, Vega was director of the Office of Planning & Economic Development for the city of Holyoke. From 2013 to 2021, he represented the 5th Hampden District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. He started his career in public service in Holyoke as a two-term city councilor at large. No stranger to HCC, Vega is a 1990 alumnus and received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the college in 2015. He is the son of the late Carlos Vega, the Holyoke social activist and co-founder of the nonprofit Nueva Esperanza, himself a 1971 graduate of HCC who was honored with a Distinguished Service Award at Commencement in 2004. Vega’s daughter, Courtney Joaquin, graduated from HCC in 2018. Vega’s work for Holyoke as a city councilor and director of Planning & Economic Development has also kept him in close contact with the college through the years. After HCC, Vega transferred to Keene State University, where he earned bachelor’s degrees in psychology and film studies. He spent the first part of his career as a documentary filmmaker, working for Ken Burns’ Florentine Studios. He and his wife, Debra, are the owners of Vega Yoga & Movement Arts in Holyoke. Aside from the HCC board of trustees, Vega serves on the boards of the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, Mass Humanities, and New England Public Media, and is chair of the Carlos Vega Fund for Social Justice.

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Margaret Nugent

Greenfield Community College (GCC) announced the appointment of Margaret Nugent to its board of trustees. A seasoned leader in vocational education and workforce development, Nugent brings a wealth of experience in bridging the gap between secondary technical education and higher learning. Nugent’s appointment reinforces GCC’s commitment to strengthening regional educational pathways and fostering a resilient, skilled workforce in the Pioneer Valley. As the current vocational director at Franklin County Technical School, she is well-positioned to align the college’s strategic vision with the needs of local industry. Before transitioning into education, Nugent spent two decades in the hospitality and food service industry. In the early 2000s, she began teaching culinary arts at Putnam Vocational Technical High School, sparking a passion for vocational training that led her to earn a master of education degree from Westfield State University. Over the past 15 years, she has served in diverse administrative roles, including cooperative education coordinator, adult education administrator, and grant writer.

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Two Holyoke educators were recently honored by the city and state for their work engaging students in civic learning. During a Civics Learning Week ceremony at Wistariahurst Museum on March 9, Vanessa Martinez, professor of Anthropology at Holyoke Community College (HCC), and Nicholas Cream, an Ethnic Studies and History teacher at Dean Technical High School, received proclamations recognizing their work from Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia, the state House of Representatives, and the state Senate. Martinez, a health anthropologist, is co-founder of the Springfield-based Women of Color Health Equity Collective and coordinator of Community-based Learning at HCC. In 2023, Martinez’s students began collecting stories from Holyoke residents for two oral history projects, one on the COVID-19 pandemic and another that examines living conditions in the city and their impact on public health. Those interviews have become part of the Wistariahurst Museum’s permanent archives, and those projects continue. Cream is president of the Holyoke Teachers Assoc. and an advocate for civic participation and for teachers striving to improve education in Holyoke.

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Ben Lamb

Berkshire Agricultural Ventures (BAV) announced that Berkshire-based economic development expert Ben Lamb has been appointed to BAV’s board of directors. Lamb is vice president of Economic Development at 1Berkshire, where he works to support a broad range of rural businesses and industries across the region. His local leadership roles include serving as a trustee of MASS MoCA, board vice chair for the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, clerk of the board of the North Adams Partnership, and co-founder of the NAMAzing Initiative, a community group committed to creative placemaking and grassroots economic development initiatives in North Adams. Other public service positions include four terms as a North Adams city councilor. A graduate of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Lamb holds a master’s degree from the College of Saint Rose and a PhD in higher education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His diverse professional background encompasses ecotourism, historic landscape restoration, and café ownership in downtown North Adams.

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DJ Nicki Nell

DJ Nicki Nell, president of Visual Sound Productions Inc., an entertainment and event production company, was selected to perform at the Boston Celtics game against the Atlanta Hawks on March 27 at TD Garden. The performance is part of the Celtics’ annual Pride Night celebration, an event that highlights and supports the LGBTQ+ community within the sports and entertainment space. The initiative is supported in part by the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce, whose partnership has been instrumental in shaping the evening’s programming and community impact. Nell brings prior experience performing in high-profile sports environments, including two seasons performing with the Miami Heat, further reinforcing her ability to deliver in front of large-scale, high-energy audiences. Known for her ability to read a crowd and keep the energy high, Nell brings a performance style that fits seamlessly into the fast-paced world of live professional sports.

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The Applied Mortgage Team of HMA Mortgage announced that Lindsay Barron LaBonte, branch manager and senior loan officer of the Applied Mortgage team, received the Peter V. Kocot Community Service Award from the Northampton St. Patrick’s Assoc. This recognition celebrates a chosen person who has distinguished himself or herself through substantial community service contributions in Western Mass. LaBonte was recognized for her outstanding commitment to community service and local impact. Through her leadership and volunteer efforts across Western Mass., she has consistently invested her time, resources, and voice in initiatives that strengthen families and expand opportunity. Her dedication reflects the spirit of the award: uplifting others, building meaningful partnerships, and creating lasting change in the communities she proudly serves.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff February 27, 2026

People on the Move

Lydia Dodson

Reena Lichtenfeld

Humberto Ariza

Bay Path University announced the appointments of Lydia Dodson as chief of staff to the president, Reena Lichtenfeld as vice president for Enrollment Management and Marketing, and Humberto Ariza as director of Augmented Intelligence Operations. Dodson, a skilled higher education professional with more than a decade of senior leadership experience, reports directly to President Sandra Doran. She will lead the operations of the Office of the President and serve as liaison to the board of trustees, partnering closely with board leadership to support effective governance, trustee engagement, and board communications. She will also oversee presidential communications, guide the university’s grants strategy, and coordinate government relations efforts, helping to align external partnerships and resources with Bay Path’s mission and long-term strategic priorities. Most recently, Dodson served as executive director of the Future of Work Institute & Partnerships at Massasoit Community College, where she led workforce and economic development initiatives and cultivated partnerships across education, government, and industry. Previously, she served as chief of staff and associate vice president of Strategy, Planning, and Innovation, following earlier roles in the President’s Office, including serving as primary liaison to the board of trustees. She earned a bachelor’s degree in management from Johnson & Wales University. She holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix and a doctor of education degree in higher education leadership from Johnson & Wales University. Lichtenfeld will join the executive leadership team and provide strategic leadership for enrollment management, marketing, and communications. Most recently, she served as senior vice president at RNL + Encoura, where she led Enrollment and CRM Consulting Services, overseeing organizational assessments, marketing and communication audits, and student journey optimization for institutions nationwide. Her prior roles at RNL + Encoura include Vice president, assistant vice president, and executive consultant, during which she advised colleges and universities on strategic enrollment planning, recruitment strategy, governance, accreditation, and compliance. Earlier in her career, she held senior enrollment leadership roles at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of Education and Human Development and Laureate Education. At Bay Path, Lichtenfeld will oversee undergraduate and graduate admissions, marketing, communications, and the enrollment center, leading a division of 56 professionals. She will guide the development of data-informed enrollment and marketing strategies that support the university’s mission, strengthen brand identity across all campuses and online programs, and drive sustainable enrollment growth across all modalities. She holds a doctor of education degree in higher education administration from Walden University, a master of education degree in higher education administration, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of South Carolina. Ariza brings more than a decade of experience in higher education as a scholar, academic leader, and strategist. Prior to joining Bay Path, he served at D’Youville University, where he led initiatives focused on innovation in digital learning and AI-enhanced education. He holds a doctorate in education and is a published author and researcher on AI and online learning. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in AI and hyperautomation through EUNEIZ Universidad and EBIS Business Techschool in Spain. In addition to his academic work, Ariza was a co-founder and now serves as senior advisor to a multinational AI-powered educational technology company that supports higher education institutions in Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East, regions facing some of the highest barriers to access in higher education. An internationally invited speaker and podcast host, he regularly engages faculty, academic leaders, and policymakers in conversations about the responsible, mission-aligned use of AI in education. His leadership and scholarship have been recognized with the Future Leaders Scholarship Award from the Assoc. of American Colleges and Universities. At Bay Path, Ariza will provide leadership for the university’s AI initiatives at all levels.

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Jeff Carpenter

M&T Bank announced the appointment of Jeff Carpenter as its new regional president for Massachusetts. With more than two decades of corporate and specialty banking experience, Carpenter brings deep regional knowledge, financial expertise, and a strong record of leadership to this role, reinforcing M&T’s commitment to delivering exceptional service to its customers. Carpenter has served as executive vice president, head of Specialty and Corporate Banking since 2023. In his expanded role as regional president, he will guide M&T’s regional leaders, including members of its retail banking, business banking, commercial banking, wealth management, government banking, and charitable teams, as well as leading the collaborative, Boston-based team. An active member of the Boston community, he will continue to serve on several boards, including the YMCA of Greater Boston, Just Living Communities, and the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. Prior to joining M&T Bank, Carpenter led several Capital Markets, Commercial Banking, and Credit teams at People’s United Bank, Banco Santander, and Sovereign Bank. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Bentley University.

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Janna McLaughlin

AnnieMac Home Mortgage announced the hiring of Janna McLaughlin as a new branch manager, strengthening the company’s growing presence across Western Mass. A longtime Western Mass. resident, she brings professional expertise and deep local roots to her new role. Advancing through increasingly responsible roles since 2018, McLaughlin works with buyers across the spectrum, but her specialties include helping first-time homebuyers and working with real estate investors and self-employed borrowers with DSCR (debt service coverage ratio) loans. Her knowledge of these specialized programs has made her a trusted resource for clients navigating non-traditional lending scenarios. McLaughlin concentrates her efforts in Hampshire and Hampden counties, serving clients throughout Western Mass., and is also licensed in Connecticut, South Carolina, Florida, and Virginia.

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Peter Pan Bus Lines announced the appointment of Jacob DuBois as senior director of Safety and Security, effective Feb. 1. He brings extensive experience in transportation safety and operations to his new role. He most recently served as Connecticut Division manager, overseeing daily operations while maintaining a strong focus on safety, regulatory compliance, and service excellence. Prior to that role, DuBois served as director of Safety and Security at Peter Pan Bus Lines, leading key initiatives to strengthen the company’s safety culture and compliance programs. In his new position, DuBois will oversee all aspects of Peter Pan’s safety and security operations, working closely with senior leadership to ensure the highest standards of safety, security, and regulatory compliance across the organization.

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Kyle Shepard

MountainOne Bank announced the promotion of Kyle Shepard to assistant vice president of Loan Operations and business analyst manager. In his role as AVP of Loan Operations, Shepard oversees the daily functions of the Loan Servicing department, including payment processing, escrow management, and collections. As business analyst manager, he supervises a team responsible for developing and implementing strategies and procedures that strengthen operational efficiency, enhance customer service, and mitigate risk. Shepard joined MountainOne in March 2014 as a personal banker. Over his nearly 12 years with the organization, he has advanced through a series of roles including electronic banking specialist, customer care liaison, and operations analyst. Most recently, he served as AVP, operations manager prior to his promotion. He is a graduate of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts with a degree in business administration and management, as well as an accredited ACH professional.

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Connor Phillips

Phillips Insurance has expanded its Construction Services Group with the addition of Connor Phillips as director of Surety. Phillips joins the agency from Arch Surety, the eighth-largest surety writer in the U.S., where he developed expertise in complex surety programs, including joint ventures, subcontractor default insurance, and design-build delivery. In his new role, he will lead and further develop the agency’s surety practice for contractor clients nationwide. He began his career at Arch Surety after graduating from the College of the Holy Cross with a degree in economics and statistics. While at Holy Cross, he served as captain of the Division I men’s golf team and was named a Srixon All-American. He has earned the associate in fidelity & surety bonding (AFSB) and construction risk and insurance specialist (CRIS) designations.

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Joanna Czarniecka

Greenfield/Northampton Cooperative Bank announced the hiring of Joanna Czarniecka as assistant vice president and branch manager of its South Hadley branch office, located at 487 Newton St. She joins the bank with more than nine years of local banking experience. She holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from UMass Amherst. In her new role, Czarniecka will oversee daily branch operations, develop and service relationships with existing customers, and assist new customers with loan and deposit products.

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Country Bank announced the appointments of Ted Noonan, president of Noonan Energy, as chairman of the board, and Steve Musso, former chief operating officer of FinPro, as vice chair of the board. Both appointments reflect the Bank’s continued commitment to strong governance, strategic leadership, and long-term stability. Noonan succeeds James Phaneuf, who has served as chairman of the board for the past four years. Phaneuf will continue serving on the board, providing valuable institutional knowledge and ongoing leadership support. As vice chair, Musso will support the board’s leadership and governance, leveraging his experience and perspective to advance the bank’s strategic priorities. The board also recognized Phaneuf for his 29 years of leadership and service on the board, including four years as chairman, and noted his role in guiding the bank through a period of change, growth, stability, and strategic focus.

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Taylor Robbins

The Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) board of directors announced the election of Taylor Robbins as its new board president. Robbins brings extensive business experience and team leadership, as well as a rich history with the GNCC and a deep commitment to its mission. Robbins previously served on the chamber’s ambassador committee, nominating committee, and annual meeting committee. Both Jennifer Ewers, financial advisor at Edward Jones Investments, and Doug Gilbert, vice president, commercial team leader at Florence Bank, will continue their roles as the board’s vice president and treasurer, respectively. Robbins is vice president, business banking relationship manager at M&T Bank, where she supports business owners through business lending and deposit solutions. Previously, she was business relationship manager at UMassFive College Federal Credit Union, where she maintained a loan portfolio of more than 500 businesses in the community.

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Teresa Dupere

Bacon Wilson, P.C. announced that Teresa Dupere has joined the firm as Title and Real Estate counsel, effective early November 2025. Dupere brings more than 15 years of experience in real estate law and title matters. Dupere earned her juris doctorate from Western New England University School of Law, completed the paralegal studies program at Elms College, and received her bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences with a minor in biology from UMass Amherst. She has extensive knowledge of residential and commercial real estate title examination and related matters, and will be enhancing the firm’s real estate practice with her expertise. Prior to joining Bacon Wilson, Dupere worked as a real estate attorney at a local general practice law firm, focusing on comprehensive title searches, reviewing legal documents to confirm the accuracy of title information, preparing title reports and maintaining chain-of-title records, and resolving title defects to ensure clear title prior to closing. She will work primarily out of Bacon Wilson’s Springfield office, supporting both the firm’s residential and commercial real estate departments.

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Patrick LaBelle

The Center for Community News (CCN) at the University of Vermont named Holyoke Community College (HCC) radio station manager Patrick LaBelle a Community News Champion for 2026. LaBelle is one of 150 journalism leaders from colleges across the country who will be part of the organization’s 2026 class of Faculty Champions. These individuals, who include college faculty and staff members, are being recognized for their efforts to start or expand college-led reporting programs in their region and their contribution to a national movement of student-powered community reporting. LaBelle comes from a community news background. He received his bachelor’s degree in communications and mass media from UMass Amherst and has worked for three community access media stations: Canton Community TV, Hadley Media, and Frontier Community Access Television. He is also a former DJ on WMUA 91.1 FM at UMass. Since coming on board in 2024 as manager of the HCC radio station, WCCH 103.5 FM, LaBelle has launched a number of new initiatives, including “Live From Studio B,” a series of short, in-studio musical performances modeled after National Public Radio’s Tiny Desk Concerts. He also hosts a weekly radio show on WCCH (“The Power Hour with Professor Pat,” on Tuesdays from 1 to 2 p.m.), and is adviser to the HCC Radio Club and co-host of “The Green Thread” podcast, a new, monthy series of HCC alumni interviews.

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Bulkley Richardson announced that Lisa Harty has been named vice chair of the YMCA of Greater Springfield’s corporate board of directors executive committee. Harty, an attorney at Bulkley Richardson, focuses her practice on representing healthcare professionals in medical malpractice matters. Her expertise as both a medical doctor and an attorney bolsters her ability to understand her clients’ cases to develop the strongest defense possible. The YMCA’s mission is to serve human needs in Greater Springfield by providing programs that promote lifelong personal growth and the balanced development of spirit, mind, and body for all. Throughout the 14 cities and towns in the region, YMCA members and participants are impacted by core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff January 30, 2026

People on the Move

Peter Albero

Greenfield Savings Bank (GSB) announced that Peter Albero, currently serving as chief financial officer and treasurer, will become the bank’s next president and CEO. Since joining GSB in September 2023, Albero has strengthened the bank’s financial operations and guided strategic initiatives. With more than 35 years of experience in the financial industry, he brings deep expertise and a strong commitment to community banking. Albero will succeed Thomas Meshako, who will retire in early 2026 after leading Greenfield Savings Bank with distinction. Under Meshako’s leadership, GSB achieved significant growth while maintaining its mission of serving customers and communities with integrity. Before joining GSB, Albero served as chief financial officer at Salisbury Bank & Trust. He also worked as a risk advisory consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers. For more than 26 years, he held senior roles in the Financial Controller group at Morgan Stanley. He is a licensed CPA in the state of New York and holds 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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Matt Durkee

Community Bank, a subsidiary of Community Financial System Inc. (CFSI), announced that Matt Durkee has been appointed chief banking officer, effective Jan. 2. Durkee succeeds Jeff Levy, who retired at the end of the year following a distinguished banking career. As chief banking officer, Durkee will oversee Community Bank’s banking strategy and performance across commercial, small business, and retail banking. His responsibilities will include driving balanced growth, strengthening client relationships, advancing credit and risk discipline, supporting market expansion, and ensuring alignment between banking operations and the company’s broader strategic objectives. The role also plays a central part in talent development, operational excellence, and delivering consistent value to customers and communities. Durkee joined Community Bank in 2022 and made an immediate impact, first leading the bank’s New England market and most recently serving as president of Commercial Banking. In that role, he guided commercial growth initiatives, deepened client engagement, and partnered closely with regional leadership teams to deliver strong results.

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Nina Antonetti

The Springfield Museums announced the appointment of Nina Antonetti as vice president of Advancement, effective Jan. 2. She will be responsible for strategic development, design, and direction for all philanthropic initiatives and programs in support of the museums. In addition, she will oversee the marketing and communications team, as well as special events and membership activities. Antonetti brings more than 20 years of senior leadership experience in fundraising across museums, cultural institutions, higher education, and international consulting. Most recently, she served as chief Advancement officer at the Mount, Edith Wharton’s Home in Lenox, where she inaugurated the role and held a central leadership position on multiple strategic planning and campaign task forces. Previously, she was managing director at Carter Global, where she provided governance, strategic, and fundraising counsel to major nonprofit organizations in the U.S. and Canada, including museums, cultural centers, disability services organizations, and international humanitarian institutions. Earlier leadership roles include chief Development officer at the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, Fla., and associate vice president for Corporate and Foundation Relations at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Her career also includes senior advancement and donor relations roles at Williams College Museum of Art and the Conway School of Sustainable Landscape Planning and Design, alongside a distinguished academic career at Smith College, where she founded the nation’s first Landscape Studies program and served on the faculty for 15 years. Outside her professional work, Antonetti serves on the boards of Berkshire Country Day School and the Emily Dickinson Museum, with prior board service spanning museums, libraries, and educational institutions. She holds a PhD in art history from the University of London, with a concentration in architectural and landscape history, and has an extensive record of scholarly publications, exhibitions, and public engagement projects.

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Bacon Wilson, P.C. announced that attorneys Timothy Netkovick and Ryan O’Hara have been named shareholders of the firm, effective Jan. 1. These promotions reflect the firm’s continued commitment to recognizing outstanding legal skill, leadership, and dedication to client service. Netkovick joined Bacon Wilson in April 2022 and has quickly become an integral member of the firm. His practice focuses on employment law and general litigation. He brings more than 20 years of experience in commercial litigation and employment law, advising and representing clients across a wide range of industries. He earned his bachelor’s degree from American International College and his juris doctorate from Western New England University School of Law. He regularly represents clients before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. He is admitted to practice in both Massachusetts and Connecticut state courts, as well as the U.S. District Courts for the districts of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Vermont. O’Hara joined Bacon Wilson in the summer of 2015 as an intern in the litigation department, working with Shareholder Mark Tanner. He later participated in the firm’s law clerk program during the 2016-17 academic year. Following a clerkship with Justice Jeffrey Kinder of the Massachusetts Appeals Court, O’Hara returned to Bacon Wilson and began his career as an associate attorney in September 2018. He received his bachelor’s degree cum laude from Tufts University and his juris doctorate summa cum laude from Western New England University School of Law. His practice encompasses significant experience in contract and business matters, land use litigation, personal injury and accident cases, as well as appellate matters. He is admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Federal District of Massachusetts, and the First Circuit Court of Appeals, and currently serves on the board of directors for the Hampden County Bar Assoc.

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Zach Chornyak

Dan Holmes

Jason Urso

Tighe & Bond announced the promotion of three new vice presidents. Zach Chornyak, Dan Holmes, and Jason Urso were recognized for outstanding project and client management skills, in addition to their leadership and organizational impact. Chornyak has been with the firm for more than 19 years and brings deep expertise in both horizontal and vertical infrastructure projects. Now a vice president in the Water Business Line, he has led complex, multi-disciplinary work across all of Tighe & Bond’s business lines. His project experience ranges from the rehabilitation of the historic Bridge of Flowers landmark in Shelburne Fallsto flood station rehabilitations for multiple communities, as well as capital planning and asset management initiatives. Chornyak serves as a client manager for clients throughout Western Mass. and New York, a resource manager for teams in Western Mass., and an advisory member to the firm’s board of directors. He is also active in industry associations, including the Massachusetts Municipal Assoc. and the New England Water Environment Assoc., and is a past president of the Western Massachusetts Water Works Assoc. With more than 20 years of professional experience, including nearly 19 years at Tighe & Bond, Holmes is a vice president focused on the planning, evaluation, design, and construction of public and private transportation projects. A licensed professional engineer in Massachusetts and Connecticut and a LEED-accredited professional, he brings a strong background in transportation infrastructure, roadways, culverts and bridges, public utilities, and civil/site engineering. Holmes currently serves as Business Development leader for the transportation sector in the firm’s Westfield office and is actively involved in the American Public Works Assoc., the Tri-County Highway Superintendents Assoc., and as chairman of his local Water Pollution Control Authority, demonstrating his commitment to public infrastructure and municipal leadership. Coming up on 14 years with the firm and with 23 years of experience, Urso is now a vice president in the Building Services Business Line, where he is responsible for a significant portfolio of projects, and is Client Service manager for two of the firm’s largest clients in the Building Services Business Line. As mechanical resource manager and a longstanding member of the firm’s quality management committee, he has been a consistent steward of quality in project delivery, proposal development, and in the development and maintenance of standards that helped set the foundation for the growth of the mechanical/HVAC engineering practice. Urso has been actively involved in ASHRAE (an international society for heating, refrigerating, and air conditioning professionals) for over a decade, having served in several committee roles on the local, regional, and national levels and receiving awards for his contributions. He also traveled to Sri Lanka to conduct training to ASHRAE committee members.

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Kenneth Conway

Pioneer Landscapes Inc. announced the addition of Master Gardener Kenneth Conway to its team, strengthening the company’s focus on expert horticulture, sustainable design, and client education throughout Western Mass. and Northern Conn. Conway is a long-time Western Mass. master gardener and active community educator, known for leading workshops and public programs on topics such as soil health, beneficial insects, and climateadaptive gardening. He has worked with community gardens, libraries, and local organizations to help residents build more productive, resilient gardens suited to New England’s conditions. At Pioneer Landscapes, he will lead horticulturedriven services, including garden and landscape planning, plant selection, and onsite coaching for residential and commercial clients. He will also collaborate with local partners to develop educational events and speaking engagements that promote sustainable landscaping practices across the region.

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Alexander Moore

Alexander Moore, assistant professor of Mathematics at Westfield State University, has been invited to serve as a co-chair for the Philosophy of Mathematics and Mathematics Education research group at the 16th International Congress on Mathematical Education (ICME), taking place in Prague in July 2028. As the premier global forum for the field, ICME is held every four years under the auspices of the International Commission on Mathematical Instruction. The congress brings together thousands of researchers, educators, and policymakers to exchange innovations in curriculum development, pedagogy, and assessment. The upcoming 2028 event follows the 2024 congress in Sydney, Australia, which drew more than 2,300 international delegates. Moore will lead a diverse, five-person international leadership team consisting of two co-chairs and three vice chairs. In this capacity, he will oversee the direction of the research group, co-author position papers, and serve as an editor for the resulting scholarly reports. These documents are vital to the discipline, frequently evolving into influential edited volumes and published research that drive the worldwide development of mathematics education.

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Bulkley Richardson announced that Erin Thron has joined the firm as counsel. Thron is a litigator with nearly 20 years of experience in diverse practice areas, including hospital and medical malpractice defense, mental health litigation, employment, legal malpractice, healthcare law, and commercial and business litigation. With a particular focus on mental health litigation, she advises hospitals, psychiatric units, and healthcare facilities to obtain appropriate orders for treatment and/or safe discharge for incapacitated patients. She also has significant experience handling medical board investigations and defending licensed medical professionals. Thron graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 2001 and earned a juris doctorate from Western New England University School of Law in 2006.

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Ryan Hess

Florence Bank announced that Ryan Hess, vice president / commercial team leader, has been promoted to lead the bank’s commercial lending efforts as senior vice president / chief Commercial Banking officer. Hess replaces Mike Lynch, senior vice president / senior commercial lender, who will retire in 2026 after 21 years at Florence Bank. Hess joined Florence Bank in 2023 and has 14 years of banking experience as well as a strong affinity for commercial lending and solutions. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Stonehill College in Easton and believes his skill in collaboration and leadership will continue to inform his work for Florence Bank as he manages the commercial team. Active in the community, he sits on the board for United Way of Franklin & Hampshire County and serves as a committee member for Ronald McDonald House and Make-A-Wish of Massachusetts.

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Karolina Weagle

Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., a regional law firm with offices in Springfield and Northampton, announced that attorney Karolina Weagle has been selected to the 2025 Massachusetts Super Lawyers Rising Stars list in the area of estate planning and estate administration. This is the third consecutive year she has received this designation. Weagle concentrates her practice on estate planning, estate administration, and commercial real estate, providing client-centered guidance and emerging leadership in these fields. She has quickly established a reputation for thoughtful counsel and dedication to her clients’ needs. She is a cum laude graduate of New England Law | Boston. Prior to joining Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin in 2022, she practiced at a Boston firm representing clients in litigation and criminal defense matters. Upon returning to Western Mass., she began practicing in the areas of real estate, estate planning, and estate administration. She is fluent in Polish, allowing her to serve a diverse client base throughout Western Mass.

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Dan Cannity

Hellen Muma

Mark Seifried

Local food and farming justice nonprofit organization Grow Food Northampton announced the addition of a cohort of three new members to the organization’s board of directors. The new members — Dan Cannity, Hellen Muma, and Mark Seifried — bring a diversity of personal and professional experience to the work of governing Grow Food Northampton, and a deep commitment to the values and work of the organization to both feed community members who are experiencing hunger and establish a robust and just local food system for the Greater Northampton area for the long term. Cannity has been active in social justice causes for most of his life and served as co-chair of the Northampton Policing Review commission. As a self-described foodie, he frequents Grow Food Northampton’s Tuesday and Winter markets in search of things to try. He is excited by the possibilities and community-building spaces Grow Food Northampton is creating and is proud to help support these efforts.

Muma is a public health professional and public health policy associate with the Springfield Food Policy Council, where she works to advance equitable food access and strengthen local food systems. Her work focuses on addressing systemic barriers to food access and supporting policy and advocacy efforts that center community health and equity. She earned a bachelor’s degree in public health from UMass Amherst in 2023 and a master of public health degree in epidemiology in 2024.

Raised farming alongside her Kenyan immigrant parents, Muma’s connection to food and land is deeply personal and informs her approach to public health work, which is grounded in the belief that access to nourishing food is a right, not a privilege, and that community-led solutions are essential to building just and resilient food systems.

Seifried has been an organic gardener and involved with community gardens and local farms since the 1980s. As a former restaurant operator and food pantry and soup kitchen manager, he has a passion for building community around wholesome and delicious food. He currently serves as pastor and teacher of Haydenville Congregational Church, leads a private spiritual companion practice, and is a community organizer and listening circle facilitator.

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Paragus IT, a strategic IT services firm for small to medium-sized businesses, recently welcomed Robyn Garcia as vice president of Security and Compliance, further strengthening the company’s leadership team as it continues its rapid growth. Garcia brings more than 20 years of experience across IT operations, cybersecurity, compliance, and infrastructure leadership in both public and private sector environments. In her new role, she will oversee Paragus’s security and compliance strategy, helping clients navigate increasingly complex regulatory, risk, and governance requirements — including frameworks such as CMMC and HIPAA — while advancing the company’s own internal security posture. As one of her first initiatives, Garcia will lead Paragus through its CMMC Level 2 certification, reinforcing the company’s commitment to meeting the highest standards for security and compliance in support of government contractors and regulated organizations. Most recently, she served as director of Operations at ArcLight IT, where she led company-wide operations, strategic planning, and process improvements to drive efficiency and scale. She previously held senior IT and cybersecurity leadership roles at Revolution Space, Howard Energy Partners, and Weaver Technologies. She began her career as an information systems technician in the U.S. Navy, where she worked within highly regulated and security-critical environments. Garcia holds an MBA and a bachelor’s degree in management information systems, along with industry-recognized certifications, including CISSP and CompTIA Security+. She is currently completing a master of liberal arts degree in cybersecurity at Harvard University.

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H. Scott Sanborn

Hometown Financial Group, the multi-bank holding company for bankESB, bankHometown, and North Shore Bank, and its Abington Bank and Colonial Federal Savings Bank divisions, announced the appointment of H. Scott Sanborn as its new executive vice president, chief commercial banking officer. He brings 36 years of banking experience to the role, along with a strong record of leadership, community involvement, and commercial banking expertise. He will oversee all aspects of commercial banking across Hometown Financial Group’s family of banks, including commercial lending, relationship development, and strategic growth. Sanborn, most recently with HarborOne Bank, served as executive vice president, chief lending officer. His distinguished career also includes senior leadership roles at TD Bank, Sovereign Bank, and Fleet Bank, where he helped guide business banking teams, commercial lending strategies, and regional growth initiatives. He holds a bachelor’s degree in international politics from Wesleyan University and a master’s degree in entrepreneurship and finance from Babson College. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a deep commitment to the community, serving on numerous boards and committees, including the Spirit of Adventure Council – Scouting America, New England Certified, the Metro South Chamber of Commerce, and the United Way leadership campaign and fundraising committee. He has also contributed his leadership to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and the Emerging Leaders Program at the University of Massachusetts.

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John Barros

The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA) board of directors voted unanimously to appoint John Barros interim executive director of the authority, with a start date of Jan. 14. Barros brings more than 25 years of leadership experience across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, with a career focused on economic development, equitable growth, and community impact. From 2014 to 2021, he served as chief of Economic Development for the city of Boston, where he led the creation of a newly consolidated Economic Development Cabinet focused on equity and inclusion, and advanced initiatives to create jobs, strengthen tourism, train the workforce, and revitalize neighborhoods. Most recently, he served as managing principal at Civitas Builders, a Boston-based firm focused on improving communities through responsive real estate development and strategic project execution. As interim executive director, he will oversee the MCCA’s venue portfolio and operations, including the Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center, the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center, the MassMutual Center, and the Lawn on D, while advancing the authority’s mission to drive economic impact through events and tourism.

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Rachel Heller

The Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP) board of directors announced the appointment of Rachel Heller as the new executive director of MHP. Heller, who currently serves as CEO of the Citizens’ Housing and Planning Assoc. (CHAPA), begins her new role on March 30. At CHAPA, a nonprofit organization that promotes affordable housing across Massachusetts, Heller leads organizational efforts to bring together diverse coalitions of stakeholders to stimulate the production and preservation of affordable housing, expand access to rental and homeownership opportunities, and foster diverse and sustainable neighborhoods through advocacy, planning, and community development. In her time at CHAPA, she led the creation of its Municipal Engagement Initiative, an education and technical assistance program for residents and municipalities to build diverse coalitions in support of housing development, and secured $1 million in seed funding for the creation of CHAPA’s Housing Policy Action Center. She was an advocacy lead for the MBTA Communities Act and multiple housing bond bills, served as a member of the Governor’s Housing Advisory Council, and currently serves on the Governor’s Interagency Housing and Homelessness External Advisory Council. She is known for her collaborative approach, having led, launched, convened, or supported several successful coalitions, including Our Massachusetts: Homes for a Thriving Commonwealth Coalition, the On Solid Ground Coalition, the MRVP Coalition, the Building Blocks Coalition on state budget advocacy, the New England Housing Network, and the Supportive Housing Pipeline Coalition.

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The Michael J. Dias Foundation Inc., a leader in providing safe and supportive sober housing environments for people in recovery and family support groups, announced the appointment of Patrick Carpenter as its new executive director. He brings more than 14 years of experience in institutional advancement, development, fundraising, and nonprofit leadership, as well as advocacy in the substance use disorder and addiction recovery field. In this position, Carpenter will spearhead the organization’s strategic vision, and his focus will be expanding housing capacity by completing a capital campaign to open a new women’s sober house, enhancing recovery support services, forging stronger community partnerships, and growing a donor base to combat the ongoing addiction crisis in Western Mass. Prior to joining the Michael J. Dias Foundation, Carpenter served as vice president and chief Advancement officer at WMHT Educational Telecommunications, where he successfully strengthened philanthropic support, expanded community partnerships, and led strategic initiatives that advanced the organization’s mission across public media and education. He holds a master’s degree in higher education administration with a concentration in leadership from Bay Path University, as well as a bachelor’s degree in English from Elms College.

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Holyoke Chicopee Springfield Head Start recently welcomed two new members, Monalisa Smith and Maritza Sostre, to its parent-led policy council. Across the country, Head Start organizations engage parents and community representatives to make up local policy councils, providing input and guidance on program decisions. Council members play a critical role in shaping policies, ensuring accountability, and representing the voices of the families and communities served by HCS Head Start. Their active participation helps ensure the program remains responsive, effective, and aligned with the needs of the children and families it serves. Other 2025-26 HCS Head Start policy council members include Jasarah Burgos (chairperson), Kathy Gasque (vice-chairperson), Gladys Rivera (shared governance liaison), Amber Cichowski, Cinnamon Smith, Esther Alicea, Fanny Perez, and Raven Core.

MP CPAS Announces Promotions

By BusinessWest Staff January 28, 2026

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — MP CPAs recently announced the following 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), non-profit organizations, and employee benefit plans. Boone joined the firm in 2020. She 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 Mass. 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 with family offices. Trinchini joined the firm in 2020. He 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 the recruiting and mentorship efforts with his alma maters.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff January 17, 2026

People on the Move

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

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

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

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

Kathleen Bronner

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 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

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

By BusinessWest Staff October 22, 2025

People on the Move

Michael Dodge

Michael Eriquezzo

American International College (AIC) promoted Michael Dodge to provost and Michael Eriquezzo to vice president for Marketing and Communications. Dodge earned a doctor of education degree in education policy and leadership – higher education from UMass Amherst, an MBA from Eastern University, a master’s degree in student affairs in higher education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a bachelor’s degree in secondary education – English from SUNY Oswego. He previously served as executive vice president of Academic Affairs and Student Life. In his expanded role, Dodge will continue to oversee academic affairs, student life, grants, and institutional effectiveness, while also assuming responsibility for campus police operations. Eriquezzo, a graduate of the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst with a bachelor’s degree in marketing, has led AIC’s marketing team since 2020. Under his leadership, the department has expanded its community presence, launched strategic campaigns, and elevated the college’s brand locally and regionally.

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John Cook

In an email to employees and colleagues, Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) President John Cook announced that he will step down next summer, marking 10 years of leadership during a dynamic time in higher education. Cook joined STCC as its sixth president in 2016. Cook has guided the college through a time of significant transformation, including navigation of the COVID-19 pandemic. His tenure has seen the largest reserve funds in college history, and STCC has stewarded more than $100 million in capital projects and infrastructure investments, including the Richard E. Neal Cybersecurity Center of Excellence at Union Station in Springfield. Signature curricular innovation includes a novel health science degree with embedded certifications that enrolls more than 1,000 students, making it a model across the country. STCC also launched an accelerated nursing program as well as a STEM studies ‘meta major,’ welcomed Head Start to campus, developed non-credit water distribution and treatment trainings, and hosts the largest set of early college partnerships for high school students in Western Mass. STCC achieved reaccreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education in 2021 and launched “Momentum,” a new strategic plan, in 2023.

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Baystate Health announced the appointment of Michael Treash as president of Health New England, effective Oct. 6. He will report directly to Baystate Health President and CEO Peter Banko and serve as a member of the president’s council. Treash, a seasoned healthcare executive with more than three decades of leadership experience in provider-based health plans and health system integration, will oversee all operations of Health New England. His responsibilities will include strategic planning, sales, product development, actuarial services, provider relations and contracting, health services, and day-to-day operations. Treash most recently served as chief operating officer and senior vice president at Health Alliance Plan in Detroit, where he led operations, IT, PMO, supply chain, and data insights while developing and executing a multi-year data transformation strategy. His previous leadership roles include vice president of Enterprise Operations at Priority Health in Grand Rapids, Mich., interim CEO of Missouri Health Care Cooperative, chief operating officer of the Outsource Group, and executive vice president and chief operating officer at Mercy Health Plans in Chesterfield, Mo. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Western Michigan University and a master of public administration degree from Arizona State University.

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The board of directors of Big Y Foods Inc. announced leadership changes within its legal team. Michael Gold, senior vice president and chief legal officer, recently retired following more than 30 years of legal experience in both private practice and corporate counsel roles. During his 18-year tenure at Big Y, he played a pivotal role in guiding the company through significant legal and strategic milestones. Succeeding him, Big Y welcomed Richard Stamm as its new general counsel. In this role, he will be responsible for delivering legal advice and managing the legal affairs of the company across all aspects of the business, with an emphasis on strategic guidance and business counseling in the areas of compliance, commercial relationships, and corporate governance. Stamm brings more than 30 years of legal, business, and executive experience across a variety of industries and business structures. Prior to Big Y, he was immersed for 24 years within food/beverage and agriculture with Ocean Spray Cranberries, serving ultimately as its vice president, general counsel, and secretary and vice president of Cooperative Development. Most recently, he served as vice president of Operations, general counsel, and corporate secretary at Activ Surgical Inc., a med-tech, venture capital-backed, AI-focused startup. Stamm holds a bachelor’s degree in business economics from Brown University and a juris doctorate with highest honors from the University of Connecticut School of Law. He teaches an evening class each spring as an adjunct professor at UConn Law (“The In-house Counsel in a Global Market”) and is a frequent speaker on corporate governance and in-house legal strategy.

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Lianne Kudlate

MountainOne Insurance Agency announced the promotion of Lianne Kudlate to senior Personal Lines account manager, demonstrating the agency’s dedication to nurturing employee growth and recognizing internal talent. Senior Personal Lines account manager is a new, leadership-level role that recognizes team members who bring exceptional experience, knowledge, and client service to the agency. Kudlate is a respected expert in personal lines insurance, recognized for her deep knowledge of policies, endorsements, and coverage strategy. She stays current with industry trends, ensuring her clients receive the most relevant, effective, and up-to-date protection. Her experience and steady guidance have made her a go-to resource for both her clients and peers.

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Pittsfield Cooperative Bank recently announced the addition of Kaylin Choquette as vice president, mortgage loan officer. With more than 15 years of experience in the industry, Choquette brings extensive knowledge, dedication, and a proven track record of excellence to her new role. Throughout her career, Choquette has consistently helped clients navigate the home financing process with confidence and care. For the past three years, she has earned recognition as Berkshire County’s top mortgage originator, highlighting her commitment to delivering results and personalized service to every borrower. In her new position, Choquette will focus on helping homebuyers throughout the Berkshires achieve their financial goals by providing tailored mortgage solutions and guidance every step of the way. She actively volunteers in the community, including working with the Berkshire County Board of Realtors and the Westside Legends in Pittsfield to support and promote homeownership locally. Pittsfield Cooperative Bank also announced the appointment of Christoper Becker as vice president, branch manager of its Great Barrington office. He has more than three decades of insurance and banking experience, bringing a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and community commitment to the role. Since beginning a career in financial services in 1991, Becker has held a variety of leadership positions across retail banking, customer service, and branch operations. He is known for his dedication to relationship banking and team development, earning a strong reputation for helping customers achieve financial success while guiding employees toward professional growth. In his new role, Becker will oversee branch operations, lead business development initiatives, and ensure exceptional customer experience for both personal and business banking clients. He is also committed to giving back to his community through seminars and workshops.

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Command Wealth Management announced the addition of two new professionals to its growing team: Tiffany Lyman as Client Relations manager and Cristina Tatlock as Client Experience and Marketing specialist. These appointments highlight the firm’s continued commitment to providing exceptional service and building meaningful client relationships. Lyman brings more than 20 years of client service experience to her new role, including the past four years dedicated to financial services. A UMass graduate with a bachelor’s degree in hospitality and tourism management, she is known for her ability to create strong connections and deliver personalized support. Her combined background in hospitality and finance equips her to anticipate client needs and provide a seamless, thoughtful experience. Tatlock joins Command Wealth Management following a 21-year career as a science educator. She holds both bachelor’s and a master’s degrees in education with a focus in general science. Her communication skills, attention to detail, and genuine care for others make her a natural fit for her role supporting client experience and marketing initiatives. Her transition into wealth management reflects her desire to continue making a difference through the lens of financial well-being.

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Vanessa Smith

Vanessa Smith, former chief legal officer for Baystate Health, has been named the new chair of the Holyoke Community College board of trustees. Smith has served on the HCC board since 2021. She was recently reappointed by Gov. Maura Healey to a five-year term and also designated as the permanent chair. She has been serving as interim chair since former chair Robert Gilbert stepped down in November 2023. Her term runs until March 1, 2030. Smith is a lawyer with more than 35 years of legal experience. Until March, she had served as the chief legal officer for Baystate Health in Springfield for nine years. Before that, she was a partner in the Springfield law firm Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas. She started her career in Upstate New York, where she worked as a judicial law clerk and an assistant attorney general. She is a graduate of Syracuse University College of Law and holds a bachelor’s degree in French language and literature from Wells College. Over the years, her volunteer work has included serving on the boards of Friends of the Homeless, the Center for Human Development, and the Springfield Public Forum.

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The board of directors of Sunshine Village announced the upcoming retirement of Gina Kos, the organization’s longtime president and CEO, after more than three decades of leadership. Kos will step down at the end of April 2026, marking the conclusion of an era of growth, innovation, and service to individuals with developmental disabilities throughout Western Mass. Kos joined Sunshine Village in 1991 as director of Marketing and Development and, after being appointed president and CEO in 1997, guided the organization through a period of transformation. Under her leadership, Sunshine Village grew from a $6 million agency to a $17 million, nationally accredited nonprofit. Amid the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, she successfully led the organization through a safe closure and phased reopening, rebuilding services and programs to meet the evolving needs of clients and families. In addition to her work at Sunshine Village, Kos has been deeply committed to strengthening the broader community. She has served in leadership roles on numerous boards and civic organizations, including MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board, Human Service Forum, Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce, the Westfield State University board of trustees, and the Elms College board of trustees. Her extensive volunteer work and community leadership have earned her multiple honors, including recognition as one of BusinessWest’s inaugural Women of Impact in 2018, a Paul Harris honor from the Chicopee Rotary Club, and the St. Joseph Medal – Distinguished Alumni Award from Cathedral High School.

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Bay Path University announced that the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board have awarded Marie Meckel, assistant professor in Physician Assistant Studies, a Fulbright Specialist Grant. With this award, Meckel is partnering with the Wa West District Health Administration, Ghana Health Service, to launch a cervical cancer screening and prevention initiative. The project is designed to exchange knowledge, foster partnerships, and expand access to preventive healthcare in underserved communities. Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in low-resource settings, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. To address this urgent need, Meckel’s two-week project features four community outreach events offering free cervical cancer screenings, HPV vaccinations, and health education to women in remote villages. Meckel joins more than 400 U.S. citizens each year who share expertise with host institutions abroad through the Fulbright Specialist Program. Specialists are selected for their academic and professional accomplishments, leadership in their fields, and potential to build lasting international collaborations.

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Christopher Marsh

Christopher Pentedemos

Michael Ramian

Advantage Truck Group (ATG) announced three key promotions in its senior leadership team, promoting Christopher Marsh to executive vice president of Network Truck Sales, Christopher Pentedemos to executive vice president of Network Service Operations, and Michael Ramian to executive vice president of Parts Operations. Marsh will lead strategy and management of sales operations across ATG’s eight locations. He has nearly 15 years of experience in truck sales, joining ATG (formerly Tri State Truck Center) in 2011 as sales account executive and progressing to Truck Sales manager and vice president of Network Truck Sales. During this time, he increased ATG’s business with municipalities, growing existing accounts, and expanding its customer base. In 2017, Marsh completed the American Truck Dealers Academy, an intensive leadership and business training program for current and future commercial truck dealership leaders. He currently serves on the Daimler Truck Financial Dealer Council. Pentedemos is responsible for the overall management, operational efficiency, and customer experience at each service department across the ATG network. He joined ATG (formerly Tri State Truck Center) in 2005 as a bus parts expert and was an Employee of the Year Award recipient. He was promoted to Outside Parts Sales manager, where he was instrumental in building the Thomas Built Bus business, and later progressed to service manager, service director, and vice president of Network Operations. Pentedemos also championed the creation of an onsite training facility at ATG Shrewsbury to further the education and professional development of the organization’s diesel technicians. Ramian will oversee all aspects of ATG’s parts operations. In his previous role as Parts director, he led parts sales and support for the ATG dealer network, where he grew ATG’s Parts department and its onsite delivery service, establishing the company as the top parts provider in New England. He started his career with ATG (formerly Tri State Truck Center) in 2006 as a Parts counter associate and progressed to assistant Parts manager, Parts manager, and Parts director. Ramian is a recipient of the 2011 ATG Employee of the Year Award and also the 2022 Patriot Award from the Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve, an organization affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense.

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MassDevelopment announced that Kathleen McGilvray will join the agency later this month as executive vice president of Finance Programs. In this role, McGilvray will oversee MassDevelopment’s Finance Programs division — which includes investment banking, lending, growth capital, and green finance programs — and serve as a member of the agency’s executive team helping align its financing solutions with statewide economic development priorities. McGilvray comes to MassDevelopment from Opportunity Communities (OppCo), an organization working to strengthen the capacity of community development corporations, where she has served as CEO since 2023. Prior to that, she worked at Massachusetts Housing Investment Corp. from 2003 to 2023 in numerous roles, including director of Investment. She holds a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and a bachelor’s degree in economics and American studies from Tufts University.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff August 13, 2025

People on the Move

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

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

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

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, 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

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

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

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 BusinessWest Staff July 30, 2025

People on the Move

Alissa Fuller

Florence Bank announced it recently presented its 2025 Community Support Award to Alissa Fuller, a Compliance and Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) officer since 2022. 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. Fuller chose to support the Care Center in Holyoke because she applauds its mission. She supports many other nonprofits in the region with her time, serving on the advisory council for the Ronald McDonald House of Springfield and as a volunteer for the Amherst Survival Center, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, and Community Action Pioneer Valley, where she assists with tax preparation. Fuller has 25 years of banking experience and has served in other roles, including Loan Operations manager. She oversees Florence Bank’s overall compliance program and ensures adherence to federal and state regulations as well as the CRA regulation, which requires the bank to meet the credit needs within the communities it serves, particularly in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. She has an associate degree in business administration from New England College of Business and Finance. In 2022, she obtained fair lending expert certification from Tuscan Club University.

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Julie Quink

Forbes has produced its inaugural America’s Best-in-State CPAs list, a compilation of the finest CPAs active in public practice. Those nominated were rated on a range of weighted criteria, including expertise, innovation, thought leadership, experience, and service to the community and to their profession. In the inaugural edition, there were 18 CPAs chosen in Massachusetts, with Julie Quink as one of those identified in the Western Mass. region. Quink is the managing principal of Burkhart Pizzanelli. She joined the firm in 2011 and has more than 34 years of experience in public accounting and three years of private corporate accounting experience. She is involved in the accounting and consulting aspects of the practice and manages engagements of various sizes and complexities. She also performs services related to forensic and fraud-related engagements. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Assoc. of Certified Fraud Examiners. She is licensed to practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is a certified fraud examiner. She earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Elms College. Quink serves as a member of the Baystate Health board of trustees, treasurer of the Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce, treasurer of Square One, chairperson of the school committee of Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School, a member of the finance committee of the East Quabbin Land Trust, chairperson of the board of directors for Greater Springfield Senior Services Inc., treasurer of Hardwick Rescue & Emergency Squad Inc., and treasurer of the Estate Planning Council of Hampden County. She is an adjunct faculty member in the MBA accounting program at Elms College and also serves as a trustee of Monson Savings Bank.

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After five years of service, Roberta Wilmore has resigned from her role as executive director of Make-It Springfield. Wilmore joined Make-It as its first executive director in the spring of 2020, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. She led the organization through an uncertain and challenging time and played a key role in overseeing the expansion to a new home on Bridge Street. To support the organization during this period of transition, the board has engaged Julien Abramson, an experienced organizational consultant, to provide interim support and assist Make-It in preparing for its next phase of leadership. Make-It Springfield is a community-focused art and creative center and collaborative maker space located at 286 Bridge St. in downtown Springfield. It is dedicated to providing a supportive environment that fosters creativity, innovation, and hands-on community collaboration.

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Katherine von Haefen

The Berkshire United Way (BUW) board of directors has appointed Katherine von Haefen, the organization’s director of Community Impact, as interim president and CEO. Von Haefen, who assumes this position following the departure of Tom Bernard, will retain her current responsibilities. The appointment is effective immediately and will continue to be interim while the board assesses the ongoing needs of the organization. von Haefen joined BUW as director of Community Impact in October 2021. In this role, she develops and leads region-wide convenings on topics including early childcare and early childhood education, food security, and more. She also leads BUW’s $1 million annual investment strategy for Berkshire nonprofits and played an integral role in developing the organization’s current strategic plan. She serves on the city of Pittsfield’s Preschool Partnership Leadership Committee, the Massachusetts Early Childhood Funder Collaborative steering committee, and the Berkshire Area Health Education Center board. von Haefen brings a wealth of relevant experience to the job and provides important continuity to the organization’s current efforts. She came to BUW following a 20-plus-year career at United Way of Greater Houston (UWGH), where she served as mission and strategy manager. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Ithaca College and a master’s in social work from the University of Houston.

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Judy Taylor

bankESB recently promoted Judy Taylor to commercial credit analyst officer, based at its 241 Northampton St., Easthampton office. Taylor has 14 years of banking experience. She joined bankESB in 2021 as a commercial credit analyst II and was promoted to commercial credit analyst III in 2024. Before joining the bank, she was a KPMG auditor, worked at State Street Bank as an accounting officer, and worked at Bank of America (formerly Fleet Bank) as a manager in the Financial Analysis and Reporting department. She was also employed for 20 years in various roles by the Holyoke Public Schools, with her most recent title being the district’s Communications director. In her new role, she will be underwriting bankESB’s most complex commercial loan requests, mentoring other analysts, and ensuring overall safety and soundness of the commercial portfolio. Taylor earned a bachelor’s degree in business management with a focus in accounting from Westfield State University and a master’s degree from Lesley University. She also holds a CPA license and attended the Massachusetts Bankers School of Commercial Lending, earning a certificate in credit analysis. She is a longtime volunteer for the Our Lady of the Valley weekend meals program and a member of the Southampton Cultural Council.

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Xiomara Albán DeLobato

Xiomara Albán DeLobato has been elected to the board of directors of New England Public Media (NEPM). As vice president and chief of staff for the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council, Albán DeLobato is instrumental in facilitating the growth and development of the region’s economy, focusing on the industry sector and workforce development. She has held leadership roles at UMass Amherst, Elms College, Springfield College, and the University of New Hampshire, and has worked with the offices of Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and U.S. Rep. Richard Neal. In addition to her work with NEPM, Albán DeLobato will continue to serve on various boards and committees throughout Western Mass., including the UMass Amherst campus council, Girls Inc. of the Valley, Veritas Prep Charter School in Springfield, Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District’s diversity, equity, and inclusion committee, and the Wilbraham Finance Committee. She is also a governor-appointed board member of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority and board member of the Supplier Diversity Office. She holds a bachelor’s degree in international affairs and Spanish from the University of New Hampshire and a MBA from Elms College.

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Dr. Scott Lichtenberger

Baystate Health announced the appointment of Dr. Scott Lichtenberger as its new chief operating officer. He started in that role on July 14. As COO, Lichtenberger is responsible for overseeing health system operations across Baystate Health, with direct accountability for hospital operations, nursing leadership, quality, patient safety, and systemwide operational performance. He will partner closely with senior leaders to guide operational discipline, promote a strong culture of engagement, and ensure high-quality, financially sustainable care across the organization. Lichtenberger joins Baystate Health with more than 20 years of experience in healthcare leadership. Most recently, he served as a principal in EY-Parthenon’s healthcare practice, where he led enterprise-level integration and redesign initiatives for academic medical centers and large regional health systems. His work focused on developing scalable and sustainable operational models that improved care delivery, enhanced efficiency, and drove organizational growth. Previously, Lichtenberger held senior leadership roles at Centura Health, including chief transformation officer and president of the Physician Enterprise. He has also served as partner at McKinsey & Company and chief strategy officer at University of Colorado Health. He earned his doctor of medicine degree from Indiana University School of Medicine and completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, followed by a fellowship in gastroenterology at Yale University. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Northwestern University.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff July 2, 2025

People on the Move

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Queenie Miao

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 BusinessWest Staff June 18, 2025

People on the Move

Michael Alexander

Western New England University (WNE) announced the appointment of Michael Alexander as interim president, effective July 1. Alexander served as president of Lasell University in Newton from 2007 to 2023, where he led transformative growth in enrollment, fundraising, and campus development. During his tenure, Lasell’s endowment more than doubled, graduate enrollment expanded 14-fold, and numerous facilities were constructed or renovated to enhance student life and learning. While president, he also served as CEO of Lasell Village, a unique continuing care retirement community on the Lasell campus, where residents participate in educational coursework and activities. A forward-thinking advocate for access and innovation in higher education, Alexander is the founder of Lower Cost Models for Independent Colleges, a national consortium now supported by more than 135 colleges and universities working collaboratively to drive down the cost of a private college education. During the 2023-24 academic year, he served as a Judith McLaughlin president-in-residence at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where he co-taught courses on the future of American post-secondary education and ethical leadership in higher education, while serving as a resource for Harvard graduate students. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history and literature of America, cum laude, from Harvard University; earned a master’s degree in Education from the Ohio State University; and completed all coursework toward a doctorate at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He was awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters by Lasell in 2023.

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Christopher Scott

Susan Cody

bankESB recently hired Christopher Scott as vice president, Commercial Lending, based at its 241 Northampton St., Easthampton office. Scott has 12 years of banking experience. He was previously commercial lender at PeoplesBank and, before that, credit analyst at TD Bank. In his new role, he will be responsible for developing and managing a portfolio of commercial lending relationships. He will work closely with businesses to understand their financial needs, structure customized lending solutions, and provide expert guidance on credit and banking services. He will play a key role in driving business development, fostering community relationships, and contributing to the overall growth strategy at bankESB. Scott earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from UMass Amherst. He also earned a certificate in credit analysis from TD Bank University and attended the Leadership Institute through the Springfield Regional Chamber. He is currently a board member of the American Cancer Society’s Massachusetts Golf Classic. bankESB also recently promoted Susan Cody to assistant branch manager of its 605 Granby St., South Hadley office. Cody has nearly four years of banking experience. She was hired in 2021 as a teller and was most recently a teller supervisor in bankESB’s 85 Broad St., Westfield office. In her new role, she will support daily branch operations, assist in team leadership, and contribute to delivering excellent customer service to the community. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communications and business management from Westfield State University.

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Country Bank announced the appointment of John Jahne as senior vice president and chief technology officer, a key strategic hire to support the bank’s continued growth, operational excellence, and digital transformation initiatives. Jahne brings more than 25 years of experience in technology leadership, vendor management, and enterprise operations. With a proven track record in managing high-performing technical teams and delivering cost-effective solutions, his approach aligns with Country Bank’s commitment to customer service, efficiency, and innovation. Throughout his career, Jahne has been a strategic leader on projects involving core banking conversions, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic sourcing, all while maintaining a sharp focus on cost savings and service improvements. He has also managed complex vendor relationships and negotiated high-impact contracts that improved operational performance and supported long-term institutional goals. In addition to his corporate leadership role, he previously operated his own consulting and training firm, further demonstrating his entrepreneurial mindset and depth of technical knowledge in information security, server and network infrastructure, and application engineering. Outside of his professional work, Jahne is a dedicated community leader and educator. He serves on the board of the Children’s Community School in Waterbury, Conn., supporting its mission to educate the minds, bodies, and spirits of children from urban environments. He is also a long-standing member of the Simsbury (Conn.) Technology Task Force, helping the town enhance its technology strategy and infrastructure. Within the banking industry, he contributes as a faculty member for the Connecticut School of Finance and Management, a program of the Connecticut Bankers Assoc., where he teaches technology in banking.

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Amelia Holstrom

Attorney Amelia Holstrom of Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C. was elected a library trustee at the Wilbraham Public Library. Following the election, she was selected as secretary by the board of library trustees. The board supports the library’s strategic plan and efforts to provide free and open access to information and programs. Holstrom, who joined the firm in 2012, is a partner at Skoler Abbott. She 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 is an active member of the Greater Springfield community. In addition to serving as a library trustee, she is a member of the Wilbraham Personnel Advisory Board, Wilbraham Commission on Disability, the boards of Clinical & 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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Bulkley Richardson announced that Lisa Harty, MD, JD, an attorney in the firm’s Litigation Department, has earned the prestigious NITA advocate designation, awarded by the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA). This designation recognizes attorneys who have completed a rigorous series of intensive training programs focused on advancing courtroom and litigation skills. To earn this recognition, Harty completed NITA courses in Boston, Chicago, and New York City, each offering immersive training in trial advocacy techniques. The NITA advocate program is nationally respected for its intensive instruction in core litigation areas, including perfecting trial skills, delivering persuasive oral arguments, taking and defending depositions, and mastering both written and interpersonal legal communication. NITA offers participants practical, hands-on training in trial advocacy through realistic courtroom simulations, personalized feedback, and instruction from experienced judges and litigators nationwide. Earning this designation reflects a deep commitment to ethical, effective, and client-centered advocacy. Harty’s dual training in medicine and law positions her to handle complex litigation with insight and precision.

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Yvonne Cruz

Dietz & Company Architects Inc. announced that Yvonne Cruz has rejoined the firm as a senior architect. She previously worked at Dietz & Company from 2019 to 2022. In the interim, she worked for a local engineering firm, where she participated in the design of public projects. Cruz holds a bachelor of architecture degree from Pratt Institute School of Architecture in Brooklyn, N.Y., and is a licensed architect in the state of New York. She brings more than 25 years of experience to Dietz & Company, having worked for firms in Massachusetts and New York City throughout her career. She has worked on an array of residential projects specializing in new construction and renovations of multi-family properties, and has also worked on many municipal, hotel, and restaurant projects. She brings to the firm a commitment to high-quality design and a passion for mentoring junior staff members.

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The Springfield Thunderbirds announced new front office hires to the team’s award-winning staff heading into the 2025-26 AHL season. Joe Manning and Lorenzo Stisser have been promoted to account executives in the team’s ticket sales department, while Nina Liquori and Brianna Carroll have joined the organization as inside sales specialists. Manning is entering his second season in the organization after serving as an inside sales specialist during the 2024-25 season. He also interned for the team in the 2023-24 season in the team’s sales and communications departments. He is a 2024 graduate of Springfield College, where he played three seasons for the school’s club hockey program. Stisser joins the organization full-time after serving on the team’s game night staff and the inside sales department over the past two seasons. He graduated from Springfield College this month and was a member of the school’s men’s gymnastics program. Liquori joins the Thunderbirds as an inside sales specialist after graduating from Southern New Hampshire University, where she played on the school’s women’s lacrosse team. Carroll also joins as an inside sales specialist after graduating this month from Western New England University, where she played on WNE’s women’s soccer team.

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Visual Sound Productions Inc. (VSP), which specializes in live event production, A/V services, multi-media production, and entertainment, announced the continued growth of its team with the addition of three new team members: Nathan Dunahoo, Daniel (Dan) Gil, and Christopher (Chris) Coughlin. Dunahoo joins as a creative specialist, bringing a background rooted in creative storytelling and multi-media design. His passion for compelling visual content and innovative design promises to add fresh energy to VSP’s production team. Gil, a 2019 graduate of the University of Hartford with a degree in audio engineering, comes on board as an A/V technician. With a sharp ear for sound quality and experience in both live and recorded audio environments, he is ready to help bring events to life with precision and professionalism. Coughlin, the newest member of the team, also joins as an A/V technician. A 2024 graduate of the University of Massachusetts with a degree in communications, he brings a strong foundation in media production and a drive to grow within the industry. This expansion follows the recent onboarding of Kara Bombard, who joined the VSP team earlier this season to support operations and client engagement. With the addition of these new hires, Visual Sound Productions continues to strengthen its creative and technical capabilities to meet growing demand across New England and beyond.

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April Towers

AnnieMac Home Mortgage announced the addition of April Towers to its Momentum Group team as a loan officer serving all counties in Western Mass. “April brings a deep passion for helping families achieve the dream of homeownership, backed by first-hand experience, strong community ties, and a relentless commitment to guiding clients through the mortgage process with confidence and care,” the firm stated. “April joins AnnieMac with enthusiasm for the company’s innovative spirit and industry-leading programs that set it apart from other lenders.” Known for her persistence and problem-solving mindset, the firm added, Towers is especially motivated to overcome obstacles that stand in the way of her clients’ homeownership goals.

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GZA GeoEnvironmental Inc., a multi-disciplinary firm providing geotechnical, environmental, ecological, water, and construction management services, announced that two staff professionals have earned premier wildlife biology credentials that will bolster GZA’s ability to support clients with a wide range of ecological capabilities. GZA Senior Biologist Robin Casioppo recently became a certified wildlife biologist (CWB), and Ecologist Susanna Sousa became an associate wildlife biologist (AWB), certifications overseen and awarded by the Wildlife Society. Both are based in GZA’s Springfield office and serve clients throughout New England and the nation. The CWB and AWB certifications document that the credential holders have met the society’s standards for professional experience, ethical standards, and educational attainment. The society has qualified a total of 1,900 CWBs and 400 AWBs throughout the U.S. Casioppo, who earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental biology from Plymouth State University and a master’s degree in environmental studies with a concentration in conservation biology from Antioch New England University, is a professional wetland scientist. Sousa earned a bachelor’s degree in conservation in wildlife management from Delaware Valley University, a master’s degree in environmental studies with a concentration in conservation biology from Antioch New England University, and a certified ecologist professional certification from the Ecological Society of America.

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Peter Morales

Square One, the region’s oldest and largest nonprofit organization serving children and families, recently welcomed Peter Morales to its leadership team. Morales will serve as the agency’s vice president of Operations. In this role, he will oversee Square One’s day-to-day operations, ensuring the efficient delivery of its mission and services, while playing a critical role in managing operations, optimizing processes, and ensuring the smooth functioning of internal systems and infrastructure. Prior to joining the Square One team, he served as senior vice president of Innovation and Technology and chief technology officer for Country Bank in Ware. In this role, he was responsible for driving process effectiveness, technology, security, data, and AI strategy. Morales previously held operational, technology, and strategy leadership roles at the Council on International Educational Exchange, New York University, the New York Stock Exchange, and the American Stock Exchange. He began his career developing diagnostic systems for U.S. Navy avionics, including the F-18 aircraft. He holds an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering, a master’s degree in engineering management, and a doctorate in computer science and information systems. He serves on the board of directors for the Institute for Study Abroad and the CyberAI Group. In his spare time, he mentors students through the Columbia University Justice Through Code program and master’s degree students at NYU Engineering.

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Bulkley Richardson recently welcomed three law students to its 2025 Summer Associate Program. The robust program introduces law students to the inner workings of a law firm, where they receive mentorship from lawyers ranging from firm leaders and retired judges all the way through the ranks to junior associates, and gain exposure to real-life legal matters. Sylvia Labbe is currently attending Suffolk University Law School as a trustee academic scholar, where she serves as a senior staffer on the Transnational Law Review, as well as executive board member of the Labor & Employment Assoc. (treasurer) and Intellectual Property Law Assoc. (treasurer). She was a 2024 summer associate at a Boston-area law firm. This past winter, she was honored with the title of Best Oral Advocate at the Transnational Law Review Moot Court. Labbe earned a bachelor’s degree in legal studies and political science from UMass Amherst. Gabriela Peterson, currently attending Vermont Law & Graduate School, is Head Notes Editor of the Vermont Law Review and a member of the Williams Institute moot court team on gender and sexuality law. She has held the positions of legal intern at an independent news organization and 2024 summer associate at a law firm, both in Washington, D.C. Peterson earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and political science from Monmouth College, where she received several honors for academic excellence. Devan Ravino, currently attending the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law, is a Daniel Webster scholar and member of the Moot Court, Trademarks Team, and Women’s Student Law Assoc. She interned at the Civil Bureau of the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office. Ravino majored in art history and economics, magna cum laude, at Mount Holyoke College.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff May 7, 2025

People on the Move

Katerina Cai

Yankee Mattress Co. announced the appointment of Katerina Cai as its new president. A seasoned executive with a proven track record in retail leadership and employee-owned business models, she steps into the role following the successful tenure of Trip Means, who has served as interim president since April 2024. Yankee Mattress is part of the Teamshares network of companies, a growing portfolio of employee-owned businesses across the country. Cai currently serves as president of Mass Commercial Cleaning of Florence and Sturbridge, and will now take on the leadership of Yankee Mattress in tandem. Her extensive background in retail operations, growth strategy, and team empowerment makes her an ideal fit to lead Yankee Mattress into its next chapter.

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Greenfield Cooperative Bank (GCB) announced that Mary Rawls, executive vice president – Compliance/Risk Management, BSA, was recognized as Community Action Pioneer Valley’s (CAPV) Volunteer of the Year at its annual meeting on April 11. Mary has been a steadfast volunteer with CAPV for a number of years, demonstrating an exceptional commitment to the organization’s mission to assist people who have low incomes to achieve economic stability and security. Since 2020, she has volunteered with CAPV’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, providing vital tax assistance to those in need. Additionally, her involvement with Big Brothers Big Sisters as a big sister dates back to 2017, and since 2018, she has served as a board member and finance committee member. A long-time supporter of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, she has taken on the role of team captain since 2002 and has been a member of the event planning committee since 2018. Rawls has also volunteered with the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts at its mobile locations in Greenfield and Turners Falls since 2018. She has also been a dedicated 4-H volunteer and County Horse Show secretary since 2006.

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The Springfield Rotary Club will present Robert Bolduc with a Paul Harris Award on May 15, recognizing his decades of service and commitment to the community. His work has left a deep and lasting impact, from charitable giving through his company, Pride, to his and his wife Roberta’s involvement with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra and the Center for Human Development. Now, with the creation of the Hope for Youth and Families Foundation, Bolduc’s legacy of giving continues to grow. Established at his retirement, the foundation has already launched meaningful initiatives, including school partnerships, AmeriCorps collaborations, and the transformation of the former Circle Theater into a children’s art center.

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David Loring

Pare Corp., a multi-disciplinary engineering firm, announced the promotion of David Loring to senior vice president in its Western Massachusetts Division. Loring has more than 34 years of management and engineering design experience in Western Mass. and throughout New England. Under his leadership, Pare opened its Holyoke office several years ago. He and his staff are working on a wide variety of transportation, municipal, educational, and infrastructure projects throughout Western Mass. He is currently managing a $15 million contract for the design, bidding, and construction-administration services of 15 intersections for the city of Springfield. Within the engineering community, Loring serves as treasurer for the Massachusetts Tri-County Highway Superintendents’ Assoc. He also sits on Western New England University’s College of Engineering industry advisory council and co-chairs the qualifications-based selection committee of the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies.

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Country Bank announced the addition of Lucy Sánchez to its Retail Lending team. She brings nearly two decades of experience in the banking industry and a strong commitment to community engagement. Sánchez began her career in banking in 2006 as a teller and steadily advanced through the ranks to senior leadership roles. Prior to joining Country Bank, she spent more than a decade at Freedom Credit Union, where she was recognized as Employee of the Year. A bilingual professional fluent in English and Spanish, Sánchez has long served as a trusted voice within the Latino community. She played an active role on the Latino Initiative Board and became a familiar face through her appearances in local television, radio, and newspaper campaigns. She also authored a financial-education column in Spanish for El Pueblo Latino, covering essential topics such as budgeting, credit, and retirement planning. Her commitment to financial literacy has extended into faith-based and nonprofit spaces. She has led multi-session workshops on financial education for local congregations and has served on the board of the Puerto Rican Cultural Project under the Holyoke Public Library. Her dedication has earned her recognition from Mujeres a la Vanguardia in Springfield for her leadership and community contributions. In addition to her career in banking, she is a seasoned entrepreneur with experience as a former restaurant owner and the current operator of a sewing academy.

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Wilbraham Funeral Home announced that Lori Callahan has satisfied all the requirements of the Massachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure and has been issued a license from the Massachusetts Board of Embalming and Funeral Directing. She began her career at Wilbraham Funeral Home in 2011 and has advanced from office manager to licensed funeral director. Callahan earned a bachelor’s degree in English from St. Michael’s College and an associate degree in mortuary science from North Shore Community College. She is an active communicant of St. Cecilia Church and a Commonwealth of Massachusetts notary public. She was awarded the 2024 President’s Award by the Massachusetts Funeral Directors Assoc. in recognition of her exceptional promise as a funeral service practitioner and future leader in the professional community.

Greenfield Cooperative Bank Announces Promotions

By BusinessWest Staff April 28, 2025

Daily News

GREENFIELD — Greenfield Cooperative Bank has announced several promotions:

• Brandon Lively has been promoted to executive vice president, chief technology officer. He started at GSB as a teller more than 25 years ago, and has progressively advanced through various roles. For many years, he has led the bank’s IT initiatives and will now continue to drive technological advancements in his new role;

• Jackie Charron has been promoted to executive vice president, chief banking officer. Joining GCB in 2024, Charron brought with her more than 40 years of experience in the community banking sector;

• Victor Rodriguez Sr. has been promoted to vice president, Community Engagement Mortgage officer. Since joining GCB in 2024, Rodriguez has demonstrated an unwavering passion for the community, backed by more than 20 years of banking experience;

• Matthew Donovan has been promoted to commercial lending officer. He joined GCB in 2023, bringing several years of credit experience. He has previouly served as a senior credit analyst and most recently as a commercial associate lender; and

• Ethan McCandless has been promoted to collections officer. McCandless has been with GCB since 2020, initially joining as a residential loan closer. Over the past five years, he has worked within both the residential and Commercial Lending Departments, most recently as a credit analyst.

“These promotions recognize the hard work, dedication, and significant contributions of these individuals to Greenfield Cooperative Bank,” said Tony Worden, CEO & President of the institution. “They all embody the values of GCB, and their expertise will be crucial as we continue to serve our community and grow as an organization. We are proud to have such a talented and committed team.”

Greenfield Cooperative Bank Announces Promotions

By BusinessWest Staff April 25, 2025

Daily News

GREENFIELD — Greenfield Cooperative Bank announced several promotions Thursday:

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff March 26, 2025

People on the Move

Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. (MBK) recently announced 11 promotions.

Chelsea Russell

• Chelsea Russell has been promoted to Audit & Accounting senior manager. She began her career with MBK as an intern in 2015 and has been working full-time in the Audit and Accounting department since June 2016. In her role as manager, she primarily focuses on not-for-profit, commercial, and employee benefit plan engagements. She is a member of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants (MSCPA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Russell received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Westfield State University and a master’s degree in accounting from Bay Path University. She is licensed as a certified public accountant in Massachusetts and also co-leads the firm’s community-outreach program.

Ryan Sabin

• Ryan Sabin has been promoted to Tax senior manager. He has been in public accounting since 2009, with a specialty in commercial audit and review engagements for private companies, 401(k) plans, and corporate, partnership, individual, and private foundation tax returns with a keen expertise in multi-state tax issues. He received his bachelor’s degree in business management with an accounting concentration, bachelor’s degree in economics, and master of accountancy degree from Westfield State University. He is also a member of AICPA and MSCPA.

Mallory Beauregard

• Mallory Beauregard has been promoted to Audit & Accounting supervisor. She began her career with MBK as an intern and has been a valuable member of the team since. She works on a diverse range of engagements, including not-for-profit, commercial audit, review, and compilation engagements. She received a bachelor of business administration degree in accounting from UMass Amherst and her MBA at UMass Lowell. She is also a member of AICPA and MSCPA.

Briana Doyle

• Briana Doyle has been promoted to Audit & Accounting supervisor. She serves as a supervisor in the Audit and Accounting department. She holds a bachelor of business administration degree and a master’s degree in accounting from Nichols College. She is also a member of AICPA and MSCPA.

Chris Soderberg

• Chris Soderberg has been promoted to Audit & Accounting supervisor. He is well-versed in the diverse niches that MBK offers, particularly in audit areas, where he leads pension, nonprofit, and commercial engagements. He is also skilled in managing complex individual tax returns. He graduated from Elms College with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and management and an MBA with a concentration in financial planning. He is also a member of AICPA and MSCPA.

Peter Kravetz

• Peter Kravetz has been promoted to Tax supervisor. He has been a dedicated practitioner of public accounting since 2007. He received his bachelor’s degree in business from UMass Amherst and his master’s degree in accounting from Western New England University. He is also a member of AICPA and MSCPA.

Francine Murphy

• Francine Murphy has been promoted to Tax supervisor. She joined MBK in 2013, with significant tax-preparation experience and a special focus in tax preparation for not-for-profit organizations and individuals. She will be taking on a larger leadership role with the firm’s tax-exempt clients, preparing larger 990 returns and reviewing smaller tax-exempt clients. She holds an associate degree in accounting from Holyoke Community College and recently completed her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Westfield State University. She is also a member of AICPA and MSCPA.

Samantha Calvao

• Samantha Calvao has been promoted to Tax senior associate. She began her career in public accounting in 2021 in Springfield. She specializes in taxation, audit, and assurance, with a particular focus on taxation and bookkeeping. She holds an associate degree in accounting from Holyoke Community College, a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Southern New Hampshire, and an MBA from Fitchburg State University. She is also a member of AICPA and MSCPA.

Andrea Latour

• Andrea Latour has been promoted to Tax senior associate. Her main focus lies in client bookkeeping and write-up tasks, encompassing monthly reconciliations, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, quarterly payroll returns, and tax filings (including meals and sales tax). She obtained her associate degree from the certified paralegal program at Becker College. She is also a member of AICPA and MSCPA.

Jonathan Lemoine

• Jonathan Lemoine has been promoted to Audit & Accounting senior associate. He began his career in public accounting in 2019. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business management with a concentration in accounting and a master’s degree in accounting from Westfield State University. He is also a member of AICPA and MSCPA.

Nicholas Mishol

• Nicholas Mishol has been promoted to Audit & Accounting senior associate. He holds an associate degree in business administration from Holyoke Community College and his bachelor of business administration degree from UMass Amherst. He is also a member of AICPA and MSCPA.

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Tech Foundry, the regional leader in IT workforce development and training, announced the hiring of three new staff members as well as promotions of existing staff to support the organization’s growing operations. Marie-Ange Delimon, Tech Foundry’s Community Impact manager, was recently promoted to Community Impact director. She graduated from Tech Foundry’s IT support training program in June 2021 and was quickly hired as the organization’s Workforce Development manager. In her three and a half years at Tech Foundry, she has substantially grown the organization’s employer and community partner network, streamlined the recruitment process of its IT support training, and upgraded internship and job-placement procedures. Lian Duan joined the Tech Foundry leadership team as the new director of Strategic Initiatives, where she will oversee the exploration, development, launch, management, and evaluation of new projects as well as spearheading review and continuous improvement of current initiatives. She has more than a decade of experience in STEM education and several years in management at an international education company. She holds a master of education degree in math, science, and learning technology from UMass Amherst and is currently pursuing a doctorate in the same program. Juan Torres was promoted to technical manager for the new Tech Hub in Springfield, where he will oversee daily operations. He was an essential member of the first Tech Hub team in Holyoke, where he helped support the launch of digital-literacy training, technical-support services, community workshops, and device distribution. He is also a graduate of the Tech Foundry IT Support training program, completing the program in the fall of 2023. Iman Zafar joined the Tech Foundry team as the organization’s new office manager. She graduated from George Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and women, gender, and sexuality studies. She has worked as a research assistant in the Political Science department at GW, collecting data on government elections for gerrymandering research. She previously interned for the United Nations Assoc. of Greater Boston, helping facilitate its Model UN program and conferences. Floyd Zamarripa, a recent Tech Foundry graduate, was hired as the organization’s new Career Services coordinator. In this role, he will oversee all aspects of employer engagement and job and internship placement. He is an experienced IT professional, writer, movie-theater operator, and marketing director who recently moved to Western Mass. from Springfield, Mo. with his family.

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Heather Zielenski

James Hagan, president and CEO of Westfield Bank, announce the promotion of Heather Zielenski to vice president, branch manager, and the promotion of Nicole Kirk to assistant vice president, Deposit Operations manager. Zielenski, who joined Westfield Bank 26 years ago and has served in many different roles, will continue to oversee customer service, retail and business product sales, business development, and community outreach, as well as managing general operations and employee development within the branch. She is a graduate of American International College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. In the community, she serves as a member of the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield, the West of the River Chamber of Commerce education committee, and the West of the River Chamber foundation, and also volunteers with Action Centered Tutor Services (ACTS) in Springfield. Kirk will continue to be responsible for managing her department and external vendors to ensure compliance and quality control. She joined Westfield Bank in 2010 as a part-time teller in the Park Street branch, working her way up to head teller and later to Better Banking specialist. In 2021, she transitioned into the main office Operations department as the Deposit Operations manager. Kirk obtained an accredited ACH professional certification from Nacha, recognizing her advanced knowledge of all ACH systems and processes.

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Bryan Murphy

Bryan Murphy, an attorney in estate, trust, and tax planning and administration, has joined Berkshire Law Group of Lenox as a senior associate attorney. Prior to returning to the Berkshires, Murphy worked for nearly a decade as an attorney for two Greater Boston law firms — most recently, DesRosiers & Tierney, LLC in Beverly, and, previous to that, Cushing and Dolan, P.C. in Waltham — specializing in elder law as well as estate, trust, and tax planning and administration. Murphy earned his juris doctorate as well as his master of law degree in taxation from Suffolk University Law School in Boston. He also has a bachelor’s degree in history from Western New England University, where he graduated magna cum laude.

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KB Accounting announced the appointment of Timothy Brelsford as the new director of Operations. With an extensive background in financial management and operational strategy, Brelsford is set to play a pivotal role in driving the company’s growth and innovation in the accounting industry. Brelsford brings more than 30 years of experience in the human-services and operations sectors. His expertise in streamlining processes and implementing forward-thinking solutions aligns perfectly with KB Accounting’s commitment to excellence and client satisfaction. In his new role, he will oversee daily operational activities, spearhead process-improvement initiatives, and collaborate with other department heads to ensure the company continues to meet the evolving needs of its diverse clientele.

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Norell Ferguson

Ethan Cattanach

Maryam Javanmard

Dietz & Company Architects Inc. announced the recent addition of three new employees to the firm. Norell Ferguson has joined Dietz & Company as an interior designer and is excited to explore hospitality design and dive deeper into housing and community-based projects. She comes to Dietz with more than 10 years of experience in interior design and urban planning and policy from her work at architecture firms and with local and regional governments. In addition, Ferguson is an adjunct professor at the University of Hartford and University of New Haven, where she teaches architecture, lighting, and interior-design courses. She holds a master’s degree in interior architecture from Philadelphia University and a bachelor’s degree in art history with a minor in architecture from the University of Hartford. She also earned a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Connecticut. Ethan Cattanach joins the firm in the role of architectural staff. He specializes in utilizing BIM programs and their integration into the project workflow and most recently used those skills while working for another local architecture firm with a focus on commercial manufacturing and retail. In his role at Dietz, he will be helping to manage local projects and developing project documents and detailed 3D models. Cattanach holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from UMass Amherst and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in architecture at the Boston Architectural College. Maryam Javanmard also joins the firm in the role of architectural staff, bringing more than 15 years of experience as an architect and construction manager and specializing in sustainability and regenerative design. At Dietz, she will be assisting on projects throughout all phases of design. She has an impressive academic background, with two PhDs in architecture and a master’s degree in structural engineering from universities in Italy and Iran. A certified architect in Iran, she is currently pursuing professional architecture licensure in the U.S. In addition to her work as an architect, Javanmard worked as a professor, teaching courses in architecture, sustainable design, and visual arts at Zarand Industrial and Mining College and the University of Applied Science and Technology in Iran. Most recently, she worked for a Boston architecture firm and continued to expand her expertise in life-cycle assessment and sustainable design as a Marie Sklodowska-Curie fellow at Northeastern University. She is also currently a lecturer at Roxbury Community College, teaching classes on architecture and sustainability.

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Nicole Baltazar

Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts (JAWM) recently welcomed Nicole Baltazar as its new Education Pathways director. In this role, she will be overseeing traditional, experiential, and entrepreneurial learning experiences, guiding their alignment with JAWM’s mission and objectives to meet the needs of the community. Baltazar’s responsibilities will include a particular emphasis on stakeholder engagement, especially coordinating volunteer and educational partners. This will involve recruiting, training, supporting, and recognizing these contributors. She will also manage administrative programming procedures to uphold quality standards for the organization, ensuring adherence to program models and evaluating impact to deliver high-quality educational experiences. Baltazar is director I and II qualified through the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. She holds a bachelor’s degree from UMass Amherst’s University Without Walls Program, with a concentration in early education and administration. In her previous role, she served as center director for Valley Opportunity Council in partnership with Holyoke Public Schools’ Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative.

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The Hampden District Attorney’s Office announced the hiring of Payton North as its Communications director. North previously worked as executive editor of Reminder Publishing and brings eight years of media and communication experience to her new position. While at Reminder Publishing, North rose from the role of staff writer through the ranks to executive editor, overseeing the company’s news production. Over the course of her tenure, she garnered many accolades, such as BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty class of 2024, the 2024 Western New England Young Alumni Achievement Award, the 2024 Assoc. of Community Publishers Rising Star award, and recognition among the 2023 Editor & Publisher’s 25 Under 35. North holds a master’s degree in public relations, advertising, and applied communication from Western New England University, where she also attained bachelor’s degree in journalism. In addition, she received an associate of arts and sciences degree from Holyoke Community College. She serves as a board of directors member for both the YWCA and the Spirit of Springfield.

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Nathan Boucher

James Hagan, president and CEO of Westfield Bank, announced the promotion of Nathan Boucher to commercial loan officer. He is responsible for processing and closing approved loans, while also working with the middle-market lending team on business development in the Western Mass. and Northern Conn. territories. Boucher joined Westfield Bank in 2021 as an intern in the main office and joined full-time as a data management specialist once his internship concluded. He later joined the bank’s Commercial Lending department as a commercial loan admin in 2024. He graduated from Western New England University in 2022 with a bachelor of business administration degree in finance, graduating with honors. Outside of work, Boucher coaches Westfield Youth Hockey and the Western Mass Wizards.

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Stephen Duval, a private wealth advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, has qualified for the company’s Circle of Success annual recognition program and will be honored for this achievement in 2025. To earn this achievement, Duval established himself as one of the company’s top advisors. Only a select number of high-performing advisors earn this distinction. Duval has more than 30 years of experience with Ameriprise Financial. As a private wealth advisor, he provides financial advice that is anchored in a solid understanding of client needs and expectations and provided in one-on-one relationships with his clients.

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Jessica Andrews

MountainOne announced that Jessica Andrews, assistant vice president, Deposit Compliance officer, and Fraud Administration officer, has earned the Certified Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Fraud Professional (CAFP) certification from the American Bankers Assoc. (ABA). This achievement highlights Andrews’ commitment to professional development. She successfully completed the required continuing education and passed a challenging qualifying exam. The ABA’s CAFP certification is a respected benchmark of excellence, recognizing individuals who have demonstrated advanced proficiency in combating money laundering and fraud. It ensures that certified professionals are equipped to meet the industry’s highest standards for preventing financial crimes.

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BFAIR (Berkshire Family and Individual Resources) announced the appointment of Ethel Altiery as iterim CEO, effective March 28. Altiery, who has served BFAIR for 25 years, brings extensive leadership experience and a deep commitment to the organization’s mission. She has played a pivotal role in BFAIR’s operations, most recently as chief operating officer. Her longstanding dedication to the organization, along with her comprehensive understanding of BFAIR’s programs and services, make her an ideal leader to guide the agency through this transition period. BFAIR also announced the promotion of Katrina Cardillo to senior director of Marketing and Public Relations. In her new role, she will not only continue to lead marketing and PR initiatives, but also play an important role in advancing BFAIR’s fundraising activities. Cardillo brings a wealth of experience in marketing, management, and community engagement to her expanded responsibilities. Since joining BFAIR, she has been instrumental in amplifying the organization’s mission to support individuals with developmental disabilities, acquired brain injuries, and autism.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff March 12, 2025

People on the Move

Ariana Williams

Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services Inc. (MLKFS) announced the appointment of Ariana Williams as the organization’s first-ever chief of Public Health Strategy and Innovation. Williams’s journey with MLK Family Services began in 2018 as a part-time community health worker after earning her bachelor’s degree in public health from American International College (AIC). Within nine months, she was promoted to director of Public Health, spending three years leading initiatives that strengthened community health, public-health programming, and youth development. After a brief period away, she returned in February 2023 as a grants consultant. In her new position, Williams will integrate public-health strategies into the organization’s core mission, develop new community-driven initiatives, and strengthen strategic partnerships that advance health equity. A Springfield native, she is also the CEO and founder of Catalyst for Equity Consulting, where she helps nonprofits strengthen their position in the public-health ecosystem by aligning with public-health funding, developing evidence-based programs, and driving systemic change. She has led community-based initiatives in problem-gambling prevention, gun-violence prevention, food insecurity and nutrition, and mental-health advocacy. In 2019, she led a cohort of junior community health workers, whose advocacy efforts played an instrumental role in raising the tobacco-purchase age from 18 to 21 in Springfield. Their work later contributed to the movement to eliminate flavored tobacco products, a tactic used by the tobacco industry to target youth. In 2020, she co-led Springfield’s first-ever youth mental-health advisory board, Beat the Odds, creating a safe space and platform for young people to support one another, share lived experiences, and influence mental-health policies and resources. Williams earned her master of public administration degree from Westfield State University in 2024. She is also an adjunct professor at AIC, teaching in the same public health program she graduated from. Additionally, she serves on the board of the Rise LEAP & Achieve Foundation Inc. and the board of Anti-Racism Community Organizers.

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James Hagan, president and CEO of Westfield Bank, announced the promotions of Tom Donnelly, Colin Dunn, and Craig Lacey to assistant vice president, commercial loan officer. They will continue to be responsible for managing middle-market commercial loan portfolios and driving new business-development opportunities in Western Mass. and Northern Conn. Donnelly joined Westfield Bank in 2020 as a commercial loan administrator with 10 years of experience with business development and account management. He graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree, followed by completing his master’s degree in management at Springfield College in 2013. He serves as a member of the Economic Development Council and St. Joseph Society. Outside of work, he volunteers by coaching youth sports. Dunn joined Westfield Bank in 2019 as a commercial loan administrator and quickly worked his way up to commercial loan officer. He graduated from Westfield State University in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in finance. He also completed a credit analyst apprenticeship with the Massachusetts Bankers Assoc. in 2022. Outside of work, he serves as a member of the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield and the Western Massachusetts Chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Assoc. Lacey joined Westfield Bank in 2019 as a commercial loan administrator and was then promoted to commercial loan officer. He graduated from Bryant University in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in finance. Outside of work, he serves as an ambassador for the Office of Manufacturing for Connecticut along with being a member of the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce.

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The W.E.B. Du Bois Center for Freedom & Democracy announced the appointment of John Lloyd as its interim director. A seasoned executive with more than two decades of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector, Lloyd brings a wealth of expertise in organizational strategy, financial management, and community engagement to this role. As interim director, he will oversee the center’s strategic initiatives, strengthen partnerships, and continue to advance the legacy of W.E.B. Du Bois by promoting scholarship, civic engagement, and social-justice advocacy. Lloyd is the principal of Agile Consulting Group, a management consulting practice specializing in nonprofit strategy, financial management, board development, and executive-transition services. Throughout his career, he has successfully guided numerous organizations through periods of transformation, stabilizing leadership teams and fostering sustainable growth. His interim leadership roles at organizations such as Community Healing Network, InReach, and Domestic Violence Ended have showcased his ability to enhance operational efficiency and advance mission-driven objectives. His leadership approach is deeply rooted in fostering collaboration, driving mission-driven impact, and enhancing operational efficiency to support long-term organizational success. A Massachusetts native, Lloyd holds a doctorate in organizational learning and development from the University of Pennsylvania, an MBA from Bentley University, and a bachelor’s degree from Plymouth State University. He also serves as an adjunct faculty member at Bentley, where he teaches strategic management and human dynamics in organizations. His commitment to education and leadership development is further reflected in his extensive experience in training and facilitation for nonprofit boards and executives.

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Kevin Engel

Doherty, Wallace, Pillsbury and Murphy, P.C. announced that the firm has hired a new attorney, Kevin Engel, to serve as an associate in the business practice. Engel joined the firm in October after graduating from the University of Maine School of Law, and is admitted to the Bar of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Bar of the State of Maine. He is also a member of the Hampden County Bar Assoc. and the Massachusetts Bar Assoc. Engel’s law practice includes general business and corporate law, business formation and planning, financing, mergers and acquisitions, and a variety of other business and real-estate matters. While in law school, he worked at Jackson and MacNichol, a law firm in South Portland, Maine, with a main practice in veterans’ disability law. Prior to law school, he attended Syracuse University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sports management. While at Syracuse, he worked for a soccer team in the United Soccer League in business development.

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Elizabeth Román has been promoted to executive editor for NEPM News. Román joined New England Public Media (NEPM) as managing editor in 2022 after reporting for nearly two decades at the Republican. In her new role, she will oversee NEPM’s award-winning local newsroom, ascertaining community needs, setting editorial priorities, and supervising journalists, local program hosts, freelancers, and interns. Sam Hudzik, who has led the NEPM newsroom for over a decade, will leave NEPM and the world of public media for a position in housing law in March. As executive editor for news, Román will assume oversight of the newsroom, reporting to NEPM’s vice president for content and audience strategy. Román is a graduate of Holyoke Community College and UMass Amherst. In recent years, she has also edited El Pueblo Latino, co-founded Colectivo de Medios Latinos, and appeared as a panelist on NEPM’s “The Fabulous 413” and “The Rundown with Carrie Saldo.”

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Olivia O’Connor

Monson Savings Bank recently announced the promotion of Olivia O’Connor to assistant Monson branch manager. In that role, she will provide support to her entire team and be the ‘encyclopedia’ of the Monson branch. She will also be responsible for assisting customers with banking transactions, including account and HELOC openings. O’Connor has worked in customer service for more than eight years. Prior to joining Monson Savings Bank a little more than three years ago, she worked at Rice Fruit Farm and Springfield Technical Community College as a tutor. O’Connor holds an associate degree in general studies from Springfield Technical Community college, where she earned a near-perfect grade point average. Her career in banking began in 2021 when she was hired as a customer service associate at the bank’s Hampden Branch. From there, she quickly proved herself to be a trusted and capable team member. She excelled in the bank’s branches and was promoted to CSA supervisor, then briefly served as the East Longmeadow branch’s assistant branch manager before her most recent role.

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The Big Y board of directors announced the appointment of Michael Pashko as director of Pharmacy. As director, he will be responsible for setting overall direction and goals for the Pharmacy division and the development and execution of programs, promotions, services, and operational excellence for Big Y’s 33 in-store pharmacies. He reports to Nicole D’Amour Schneider, senior vice president of Retail Operations and Customer Experience. Pashko was born into the profession of pharmacy as the son of a pharmacist, spending many days during his childhood in independent pharmacies. He was introduced to drugstore and retail operations in 2002 as a service clerk for Walgreens and, two years later, moved into pharmacy operations as a pharmacy technician. After graduating from pharmacy school in 2012, he had a strong desire to learn more about business growth and moved into pharmacy and field management. In 2022, he was promoted to director of Pharmacy and Retail Operations for 84 Walgreens locations in Massachusetts. Pashko earned a doctor of pharmacy degree from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in Boston in 2012. He is a registered pharmacist in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Illinois, along with being a certified immunizer since 2012.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff February 26, 2025

People on the Move

Marylou Fabbo

Skoler Abbott attorney Marylou Fabbo has been selected as one of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly’s Go-To Employment Lawyers for 2025. This program recognizes top lawyers across the Commonwealth who are leaders in employment law and have a history of successful representation. Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly has a long tradition of recognizing accomplished lawyers in different areas of the law. For more than 60 years, Skoler Abbott has solely represented employers and management in employment and labor matters. Fabbo has been with Skoler Abbott for 30 years. In 2000, she was named a partner, and she heads the firm’s litigation team. She has successfully represented the firm’s clients in state and federal courts and agencies in all areas of employment law. She is also the firm’s immigration expert. Fabbo has also been recognized by Boston Magazine as a Super Lawyer and has been designated as one of the Top Women in Law by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly.

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Christopher Walker

LaPier, Dillon & Associates, P.C. announced the recent hiring of Christopher Walker as tax supervisor. Walker has been working in public accounting since 2013 and brings extensive experience to the firm, especially in partnerships, corporations, trusts, and not-for-profit taxation. Walker is a certified public accountant licensed in Massachusetts. He received his bachelor’s degree with a concentration in accounting and a minor in economics at Westfield State University, and went on to achieve his master’s degree in business analytics at Bentley University. He is a member of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants. LaPier, Dillon & Associates, P.C. also welcomes Kara Stevens as an audit manager. She is the founding director of the master of science in accounting program at Bay Path University, where she is also still working as an educator. Prior to becoming a professor, she had worked in public accounting as an audit manager. She has extensive auditing knowledge serving clients in manufacturing, not-for-profit, and private sectors that require annual audits. Stevens is a certified public accountant licensed in Massachusetts. She received both her BBA and MBA in accounting at the University of Massachusetts, and received a doctorate with a concentration in finance at Pace University. She is a member of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants, the American Institute of CPAs, and the American Accounting Assoc.

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Berkshire Money Management (BMM), a financial and retirement-planning firm with offices in Dalton and Great Barrington, announced two new additions to its operations team: Sarah Curtiss and Jacqueline Ferry. As front office coordinator at BMM’s Great Barrington office, Curtiss strives to create a friendly, welcoming, and helpful atmosphere for visitors and callers alike. She brings to the team 22 years of experience in multi-tasking, customer service, and office administration developed while onboarding Snowsports instructors and managing the Reservations department at Ski Butternut. She earned her bachelor’s degree in wildlife and fisheries biology at the University of Vermont. As operations support partner, Ferry supports day-to-day operations and compliance efforts while providing key support to BMM’s chief operating officer. Before joining Berkshire Money Management, she honed her affinity for data analysis and sharp attention to detail during a seven-year tenure in program support and case management at Berkshire Health Systems. She earned master’s degrees in criminal justice and forensic psychology from Arizona State University.

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Reed Whitman

Hometown Financial Group, parent company of bankESB; bankHometown; North Shore Bank; Abington Bank, a division of North Shore Bank; and Hometown Mortgage, hired Reed Whitman as executive vice president and chief financial officer. Whitman joins Hometown Financial from Brookline Bancorp Inc., where he most recently was treasurer of the $11.5 billion holding company. Whitman brings specific expertise in community banking organizations that operate within the multi-bank holding-company structure, as well as more than two decades of experience that includes leading transformational mergers and acquisitions, balance-sheet restructuring, new business pitches, and process redesign and execution. Whitman assumed the position earlier this month, ahead of the retirement of Gilbert Ehmke, who served as Hometown Financial Group’s senior executive vice president, chief financial officer, and treasurer for nearly 10 years.

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Mary Mazza

Elizabeth Norris Neu

American International College (AIC) appointed Mary Mazza vice president for Human Resources. In this role, she will oversee all aspects of HR operations, focusing on strategies that enhance workplace culture and support employee engagement. With more than 25 years of experience in human-resources leadership, she brings a wealth of expertise to AIC. Before joining AIC, Mazza served as senior vice president for Human Resources at Farm Credit Financial Partners, where she led HR initiatives and was a member of the executive leadership team. Before that, she spent 17 years as Human Resources director for HealthSouth, now Encompass Health. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in communications from Westfield State University. AIC also appointed Elizabeth Norris Neu vice president for Finance. With more than 15 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit and education sectors, Neu brings a forward-thinking approach to financial management that aligns with AIC’s mission of access and opportunity. In her new role, Neu will focus on strengthening the college’s financial position by enhancing financial controls, processes, and efficiencies. Her efforts will ensure that AIC maximizes its resources in support of students while maintaining long-term fiscal stability. Neu most recently served as chief financial officer at Project Adventure Inc., where she played a pivotal role in stabilizing the organization’s finances and achieving break-even performance. She was also part of the team that led the organization to year-end surpluses. She also held positions as director of Development and director of Finance at Project Adventure and previously worked as a middle- and high-school science and math teacher. She holds an MBA, a master’s degree in information systems, and a certificate in nonprofit management from Boston University Questrom School of Business. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Brown University and holds a Six Sigma Green Belt certification.

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The Amherst Business Improvement District (BID) recently introduced Robert Allingham as the new Marketing & Communications manager. With a strong background in community engagement and business development, he brings a passion for fostering connections and creating marketing strategies aimed at elevating Amherst’s downtown. Allingham has spent the past few years working closely with Amherst-area businesses, supporting their growth through strategic marketing, social media, and outreach efforts. His expertise spans hospitality, education, and nonprofit sectors, all with a focus on strengthening local businesses. With an MBA from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn., he has learned to blend creative marketing with strong business strategy to drive meaningful impact. At the BID, Allingham will focus on enhancing outreach, strengthening partnerships, and promoting Amherst as a premier destination to live, work, visit, and explore. From special events to digital storytelling, he is eager to collaborate with local businesses, cultural partners, and community members to create impactful initiatives.

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Wanda Mooney

Wanda Mooney, a real-estate professional with Coldwell Banker Community REALTORS with 30 years of real-estate experience, has completed the Luxury Home Marketing training offered by the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing. This independent authority provides training and designation for real-estate agents specializing in the upper-end residential market. By completing this training, Mooney has also earned membership in the Institute, granting her access to exclusive resources and benefits that enhance her ability to market upscale residential listings. This membership allows her to connect with qualified buyers seeking properties. In addition to this achievement, Mooney is a Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Home Specialist, adding another level of premier marketing to showcase her clients’ properties at the highest level.

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Springfield Partners for Community Action, an anti-poverty agency, announced the hiring of Ramona Matos as SNAP Outreach and Enrollment coordinator. She will provide outreach services to recruit, enroll, and assist clients in recertifying for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Additionally, she will build relationships with external agencies and establish connections within the community to promote Springfield Partners’ services. Prior to joining Springfield Partners, Matos was a senior clerk for Springfield Public Schools, providing daily data entry and customer service, while assisting with any school-related issues. Prior to that, she was an outreach worker for the city’s Department of Elder Affairs, offering support and outreach services such as wellness calls and assistance with benefits. She received her associate degree in science from Holyoke Community College.

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Vincent Gaffney

Greenfield Savings Bank (GSB) announced the addition of Vincent Gaffney as vice president, senior trust officer within the bank’s Wealth Management & Trust Services division. With more than 12 years of experience in banking and trust services, Gaffney brings a deep understanding of wealth management, trust administration, and estate settlement. Prior to joining GSB, he served as vice president, trust officer at Two Rivers Bank & Trust and Hills Bank and Trust Co. He holds a juris doctorate from the University of Iowa College of Law and has built a strong career helping individuals and families navigate complex financial and estate-planning needs. In his new role at GSB, Gaffney will focus on serving customers across the region, guiding clients through estate planning, investment management, and trust administration.

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Kuhn Riddle Architects and Designers announced that three of its architects have achieved the prestigious designation of PHIUS certified passive house consultant, reinforcing the firm’s commitment to sustainable and energy-efficient design. Thom Barry, Brad Hutchinson, and Ruoqi Zhong recently completed the rigorous training and certification process required by the Passive House Institute United States (PHIUS). Passive house design principles focus on dramatically reducing energy consumption while maximizing indoor comfort and air quality. These high-performance buildings will also meet the Massachusetts stretch and opt-in energy codes. By integrating passive house principles into residential, commercial, and institutional projects, Kuhn Riddle is at the forefront of designing cutting-edge, high-performance buildings that are both environmentally responsible and cost-effective in the long term.

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L. Alexandra Hogan

Doherty, Wallace, Pillsbury and Murphy, P.C. (DWPM) announced that the firm has elected L. Alexandra Hogan as a new shareholder. Hogan, who was previously a partner with Sabella Hogan, P.C. in Springfield, became a firm shareholder as of Jan. 1. She brings extensive experience in representing businesses, receivers, insurance companies, and individuals across a variety of legal disciplines. With a strong background in business law, civil litigation, and commercial real estate, she has built a reputation providing strategic, results-oriented advice in complex legal matters. Hogan’s practice includes civil litigation, such as shareholder disputes, derivate claims, contract enforcement, employment claims, land disputes, commercial evictions, bankruptcy contested and adversary proceedings, federal and state receiverships, will contests, and fiduciary disputes. Her general business practice includes formation, contract negotiations, leases, licensing, financing, and real-estate transactions. Hogan earned her juris doctorate from Western New England University School of Law in 2008 and her bachelor’s degree in legal studies from Bay Path University. She is licensed to practice in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

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1Berkshire announced its 2025 slate of newly re-elected board members and officers, as well as the addition of new board members.These individuals will each help support the work of 1Berkshire as the region’s marketing and economic-development organization. The officers include Lori Gazzillo Kiely (chair), vice president and director of Berkshire Bank Foundation; Jonathan Butler (president), president and CEO of 1Berkshire; Colleen Taylor (vice chair), partner at Bay State Hospitality Group; Peter Stasiowski (vice chair), director of Communications at Interprint Inc.; Margaret Keller (treasurer), executive director of Community Access to the Arts; and Jesse Cook-Dubin (clerk), partner at Cohen Kinne Valicenti & Cook. New board of directors members include Cook-Dubin; Ellen Kennedy, president of Berkshire Community College; Harry Monti, president of Berkshire Life Insurance Co. (Guardian); Yina Moore, founder and artistic director of Adams Theater LLC; and Gina Puc, special assistant to the president at Williams College.

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Clare Higgins

Clare Higgins will retire in the summer of 2025 after nearly 14 years as executive director of Community Action Pioneer Valley (CAPV). Higgins assumed directorship of CAPV, the region’s federally designated anti-poverty agency, in September 2011 after serving six terms as mayor of Northampton. Higgins’s first job with a Community Action agency was as a teacher in a preschool classroom; from there, she became a staff representative for a daycare and human-services union. After that, she was the childcare teacher director for Sojourn Inc., a teen parent childcare program. There, she got her first major taste of budget management and grant and proposal writing. CAPV offers nearly 40 different programs to support individuals and families across Franklin and Hampshire counties. In 2023, the agency served more than 28,000 people in the Pioneer Valley.

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Bulkley Richardson recently welcomed Bridget Harrington to the firm as a litigation associate. Harrington earned a juris doctorate from Suffolk University Law School in 2023, where she was a content editor of the Journal of High Technology Law. She also earned a bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, from UMass Dartmouth with a double major in finance and accounting. Prior to joining Bulkley Richardson, she worked as a law clerk at a litigation firm outside Boston.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff February 12, 2025

People on the Move

Kevin Whitney

After an extensive national search, Kevin Whitney has been selected as president and chief operating officer for Cooley Dickinson Hospital (CDH), effective March 15. Whitney currently serves as vice president of Community Operations for the Mass General Brigham (MGB) Community Division. In addition, since last May, he has been serving as interim vice president, Patient Care Services (PCS) and chief nursing officer (CNO) for CDH, where he has helped advance quality and safety initiatives, enhanced nurse staffing, and accelerated recruitment and retention efforts. In his new role, he will oversee hospital operations and inpatient and outpatient clinical care, including the VNA and Hospice, budgeting, and operating performance. With more than 34 years of experience in healthcare, Whitney is a seasoned clinician and an enthusiastic, strategic, and innovative leader in both community and academic medical-center settings, with proven quality, operational outcomes, and financial performance. Prior to his current roles, he served for two years as chief operating officer for MGB Healthcare at Home. From 2017 to 2022, he served as senior vice president, PCS and CNO for Newton-Wellesley Hospital, providing strategic and operational leadership for nursing and PCS. From 2011 to 2017, he served as associate chief nurse for Surgical, Orthopedics, and Neurosciences at Massachusetts General Hospital. Prior to joining MGB, he worked at Emerson Hospital for 20 years, serving in clinical and leadership roles, including vice president, PCS and CNO. Whitney earned his doctor of nursing practice, executive leadership degree from the MGH Institute of Health Professions; a master’s degree in health care administration from Framingham State University; a bachelor’s degree in nursing from UMass Lowell; and an associate degree in paramedic technology from Northeastern University.

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Brian Regnier

John McMahon

Josh Kelly

OMG Roofing announced it has restructured its management team. Brian Regnier has been brought in as the new vice president of Sales and Marketing. He is responsible for developing and executing the division’s overall sales and marketing strategy as well as overseeing the company’s Marketing and Customer Service departments. Regnier joins OMG from Duro-Last, a well-established manufacturer of custom-fabricated thermoplastic single-ply roofing systems, where he was vice president of Sales. Earlier, he managed New England commercial sales for Beacon, the largest publicly traded distributor of roofing, waterproofing, and related exterior products in the U.S. and Canada. John McMahon was promoted to senior vice president and general manager, where he will work with Regnier and Adam Cincotta, vice president of the Adhesives business unit to drive the company’s top-level strategic initiatives. McMahon has been with OMG since 2002 in a variety of leadership roles. He was promoted to vice president of Sales and Marketing for OMG Roofing in early 2024 after spending 22 years with FastenMaster, where he most recently led the Decking business unit. Rounding out the new team is company veteran Josh Kelly, who has been named as senior vice president of the Fastener business unit and Roofing Technical Services. He will oversee the company’s primary roofing-fastener operations, which includes RoofGrip, RhinoBond, PowerGrip, OlyFlow, and the OMG Roofing technical services team. Kelly started with OMG in 1991 as a project coordinator and has held a variety of positions of increasing responsibility since then. He most recently served as senior vice president of Business Development, but has extensive experience with the company in sales, marketing, and product development, including the innovative RhinoBond system.

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Alex Leslie

MP CPAs recently announced the promotion of Alex Leslie to tax supervisor with the firm. He provides consulting and tax solutions to a diverse group of clients, including individuals, partnerships, corporations, and trusts. He specializes in working with businesses in many industries, including construction, manufacturing, and wholesale and distribution, among others. Leslie joined the firm in 2016 as an intern and started full-time in 2017. He is a certified public accountant in the state of Massachusetts. He holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst. MP CPAs also announced the promotions of two team members, Kelly Braese and Estefania Cabrera, to senior associates. Braese started with the firm as an intern in January 2022 and transitioned to full-time in June 2022 upon her graduation. She is a graduate of Western New England University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. She provides tax and consulting services to a diverse group of clients including individuals, corporations, partnerships, estates, and trusts. She is currently the chairperson of the firm’s marketing and networking committee and also takes an active role in the recruitment of students from local colleges and universities. Cabrera started with the firm as an associate in January 2020. She is a graduate of Bay Path University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting. She provides tax and consulting services to a diverse group of clients, including individuals, corporations, and estate and gift tax returns. She is currently an active participant in the firm’s social action and training committees.

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Vanessa Stratton

Polish National Credit Union (PNCU) announced that Vanessa Stratton has joined the institution as vice president of Finance. Stratton, a certified public accountant, brings more than a decade of experience in the banking industry. She earned an MBA with a focus in finance and has held several key positions throughout her career, including chief financial officer and treasurer at a community bank. Her areas of expertise include financial analysis and reporting, GAAP compliance, internal control, and investment management. In her role as vice president of Finance, Stratton will oversee PNCU’s financial operations, including financial reporting, budgeting, and cash-flow management. She will also work closely with the executive team to implement strategic financial initiatives and support the credit union’s growth.

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Kuhn Riddle Architects & Designers announced that Lindsay Comeaux Schnarr, AIA has joined its growing architectural team. Her primary architectural interest is in public spaces, and she is pleased that her first project is working on CitySpace in Easthampton, renovating an existing historic building to include a theater space and other community-use areas. Schnarr interned as a student with Kuhn Riddle from 2009 to 2011 and continued after graduation through 2014. She received her bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 2002 from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and graduated in 2011 with her master’s degree in architecture from UMass Amherst. She has been on the Amherst Design Review Board for many years, taught design as an adjunct lecturer at UMass Amherst from 2015 to 2020, co-founded the Emerging Professionals Development Program for the Western Massachusetts American Institute of Architects (WMAIA), and is a member of WMAIA’s Women in Architecture Committee.

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Jonathan Denmark

MountainOne announced the promotion of Jonathan Denmark to executive vice president of MountainOne Bank. In addition to his new leadership responsibilities, he will continue to serve as president and chief operating officer of MountainOne Insurance Agency. Denmark will celebrate 10 years with MountainOne in March. Early in his tenure as president and COO of MountainOne Insurance, he led the consolidation of MountainOne’s insurance agencies, True North Insurance and Coakley, Pierpan, Dolan, and Collins, and oversaw the rebranding of the combined agencies to MountainOne Insurance. His efforts also established a strong partnership with OneDigital for the agency’s group benefits business line. Under his leadership, MountainOne Insurance has continued to expand, acquiring three agencies, opening a new office in Stockbridge, and expanding the agency’s presence to the Pioneer Valley. Denmark’s growth strategy, coupled with his expertise and dedication, have positioned the agency as a core contributor to MountainOne’s overall success. Denmark recently assumed the role of board chair of the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority (PEDA), which oversees the William Stanley Business Park. The park, home to the MountainOne building at Silver Lake and the Berkshire Innovation Center, is poised for significant development in the coming years. Denmark’s leadership at PEDA will further align economic growth opportunities with community development in Pittsfield and beyond.

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Devan Summers

LUSO Federal Credit Union announced that Devan Summers has joined the credit union as vice president of Member Services and Community Development. With more than 12 years of experience in the financial-services industry, he brings a wealth of expertise and a strong commitment to member-focused solutions. In his new role, he will oversee member services, foster community partnerships, and lead initiatives aimed at driving growth and enhancing the member experience. “We are excited to welcome Devan to LUSO,” President and CEO Jennifer Calheno said. “His extensive experience in the financial industry and passion for community development align perfectly with our commitment to helping our members achieve their financial goals. I am confident that his leadership will play a pivotal role in our continued growth and success.”

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UMassFive College Federal Credit Union announced three recent management promotions. Brittany Ward has been promoted to senior branch manager of the UMassFive’s Hadley and UMass Amherst branches. She started her career at the credit union 10 years ago as a member service specialist. During the last decade, she has held numerous roles, including Retail Training specialist, video teller supervisor, Contact Center assistant manager, and video teller manager. For the past three years, she has served as branch manager of the Hadley branch. Eurika Boulay has been promoted to senior branch manager of UMassFive’s Northampton and Northampton VA Medical Center branches. She began her career at the credit union nine years ago as a member service specialist. Her roles have since included Northampton branch backup supervisor, Northampton VA Medical Center manager, and, most recently, Northampton branch manager. In her new new role, she will continue to ensure the delivery of high-quality member service, maintain branch compliance, and collaborate with UMassFive’s Community Outreach manager to strengthen the credit union’s presence in the Greater Northampton community. Jamie Paradee has expanded her role as Digital and Payment Services assistant manager. She began her UMassFive career in 2007 as a part-time teller at the Hadley branch before transferring to the Northampton branch as a senior teller. In 2012, she transitioned back to the Hadley branch, where she was promoted to interim branch supervisor, and then took on the role as the credit union’s first Facilities manager. In this role, she oversaw numerous branch remodels, a position that later expanded into Support Operations manager. After a brief time away from UMassFive, she returned in 2024 as a Payment Services specialist before being promoted to her current role.

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Karen Sargent

Pittsfield Cooperative Bank announced the hiring of Karen Sargent as the new assistant vice president and branch manager of its Dalton branch location. With an impressive track record in banking and a deep commitment to community engagement, she brings a wealth of experience and leadership to her new role. Sargent joins Pittsfield Cooperative Bank with more than 15 years of experience in the financial-services industry. Her expertise spans branch operations, customer relationship management, business banking, and team leadership at several regional institutions, including Adams Community, Berkshire, Citizens, and NBT banks. In her role as branch manager, she will oversee daily operations, mentor staff, and strive to ensure the delivery of exceptional service to the bank’s customers. A lifelong resident of Berkshire County, Sargent is deeply rooted in the community and has been actively involved in various local organizations. Her commitment to strengthening local ties and supporting community initiatives aligns seamlessly with the bank’s dedication to serving the region.

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Peter Rosskothen

UMassFive College Federal Credit Union (UMassFive) recently announced the addition of Peter Rosskothen to its board of directors. A seasoned business professional, he brings more than 35 years of business experience to UMassFive. He first became involved with the credit union through utilizing its business banking products and services five years ago. With an educational background in finance from the Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia, and studies in hotel & restaurant management from UMass Amherst, Rosskothen has demonstrated a wide array of skills in organizational finance, budgeting, branding, marketing, strategic planning, and community relations. Throughout his career, he has also dedicated time to volunteer work, serving as a board member for several organizations, including People’s Savings Bank, the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Springfield Visitors and Convention Bureau.

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Pioneer Valley Financial Group (PV Financial) announced that Meghan Monaghan has successfully passed her Series 66 financial exam, officially earning her the title of financial advisor. Monaghan began her journey with PV Financial in the summer of 2022 as a finance intern, where she was responsible for preparing investment proposals, reports for the Operations department, and data entry. In December 2022, she graduated from Bentley University with a bachelor’s degree in finance, concentrating in financial planning, and a minor in business management. Upon graduation, she was welcomed back to PV as a full-time client relationship manager. In this role, she worked alongside the firm’s advisors to build relationships and provide exceptional customer service to clients. She embarked on her journey of studying and taking securities-industry exams, eventually transitioning to the role of paraplanner earlier in 2024, focusing more on the in-depth planning aspects of financial services. After two years of hard work and successfully passing five exams, Monaghan earned the title of financial advisor, making her the only female financial advisor at PV.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff January 1, 2025

People on the Move

Adam Moreau

The Springfield Rocks Media Group announced the addition of Adam Moreau as a senior media advisor for Rock 102, Lazer 99.3/98.5, and the digital team. He will officially join the team in January. Moreau began his career in radio more than 20 years ago and is excited to return to his roots while also bringing more than two decades of experience in multimedia sales. His passion and expertise, beginning in radio and encompassing television and advertising agency experience, will further enhance the media group’s ability to deliver multimedia solutions to clients across the region. He will serve clients throughout the group’s regional footprint. He will be based in the East Longmeadow office and report to Scott Monson, director of Sales, who echoed the sentiments of Ekblom, emphasizing the positive impact this addition will have on the team’s innovative approach to sales and exceeding clients’ needs. Moreau is a graduate of Western New England University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus in marketing communications/advertising, as well as an MBA.

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Kelly Martins

bankESB recently hired Kelly Martins as social-media manager, based at its 36 Main St., Easthampton office. Martins earned a master’s degree in nonprofit management and philanthropy with a focus on strategic planning and implementation from Bay Path University. She joins the bank from GRATI Consulting, where she was the director of Marketing & Business Development.

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The Springfield Museums announced that President and CEO Kay Simpson received the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award from the New England Museum Assoc. (NEMA). Each year, NEMA honors an individual who has made exceptional contributions to the museum field over the course of a distinguished career. The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a professional’s commitment to excellence, leadership in the field, service to others, and support of NEMA. Simpson is an experienced and entrepreneurial president and CEO with a history of working in museums and a background in leading high-profile curatorial and education projects that garner national attention. She provides strategic direction for one of New England’s premier cultural institutions, comprised of five museum buildings, the outdoor Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, and the childhood home of Theodor Seuss Geisel. Under her leadership, the Museums opened the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum in 2017, which resulted in a dramatic increase in attendance and coverage from regional, national, and international media outlets. A strong proponent of museums as engines of economic development and urban revitalization, Simpson helped establish a cultural district in downtown Springfield and was instrumental in an inclusive public arts initiative that activated a public park that had been closed for decades. She passionately believes that museums are not only vibrant community centers for all, but also attract tourists and entrepreneurs, which in turn help communities foster new business growth for everyone’s benefit. Her service to NEMA includes her work as chair of the Education Professional Affinity Gathering and membership on the association’s board of directors.

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Alexandra Chapman

Hometown Wealth Management congratulates Alexandra Chapman on her new role as a financial advisor, offering wealth-management and investment services through LPL Financial, located at bankESB’s 36 Main St., Easthampton office. Chapman started at bankESB in 2019 as a part-time teller and transitioned to work in the Commercial Credit department shortly thereafter. In May 2022, she joined Hometown Wealth Management as Operations associate. From financial planning and investment services to insurance, she assists both individuals and businesses in developing, implementing, and monitoring strategies that help them pursue their financial goals. Chapman holds an MBA with a concentration in financial management from Husson University. In addition, she earned a certificate in small business management from Husson University.

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Jay Queenin

Jay Queenin has been appointed to the Westfield State University board of trustees. Queenin replaces trustee Madeline Landrau whose 10-year term ended March 1. Queenin has worked in the Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General as director of Intergovernmental Affairs, assistant attorney general, and chief of Administration and Finance. He also has served as assistant district attorney in the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office. For nearly 20 years, Queenin has been president and owner of Specialty Bolt & Screw (SBS) in Agawam, a privately held company founded in 1977. SBS provides inventory-management solutions to global original-equipment manufacturers and has approximately 300 employees in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Finland, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Queenin earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Providence College and a juris doctorate from Suffolk University Law School.

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Berkshire Money Management (BMM), a financial and retirement planning firm with offices in Dalton and Great Barrington, announced that Michael O’Brien has joined the team as a financial paraplanner. Most recently, O’Brien worked in the insurance industry. He has a strong background in client service and financial planning, with experience helping high-net-worth individuals protect their assets and their futures. He is a licensed property and casualty insurance agent and is currently studying for the Series 65 exam so he can advance into a junior advising role. At BMM, he is focused on supporting the director of Financial Planning and learning how to deliver personalized service to the firm’s clients. O’Brien is a former Mr. Taconic and 2024 graduate of the Berkshire Leadership Program and holds a bachelor’s degree in communications with a minor in Spanish from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

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Jenni Lanoue

Shonda Pettiford

Greenfield Community College (GCC) announced the appointment of two distinguished leaders, Jenni Lanoue and Shonda Pettiford, to its board of trustees. Their extensive backgrounds in healthcare, education and organizational leadership are expected to bolster the college’s commitment to serving its diverse student population and enhancing community engagement. Lanoue is a long-time resident of Franklin County and a GCC alumna, having graduated with an associate degree in Nursing in 2003. With nearly two decades of experience at Baystate Franklin Medical Center, she currently serves as chief Nursing officer and director of Patient Care Services, overseeing multiple nursing units and leading initiatives that enhance patient care and safety. Pettiford brings a wealth of experience in operations and communications. Currently serving as director of Operations at Five Colleges Inc., she has a strong background in strategic planning, human-resource management, and collaborative initiatives across multiple higher-education institutions. Her previous roles include CEO of Gravity Switch and director of Communications at UMass Amherst. She has served the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts as board president.

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Holyoke Chicopee Springfield (HCS) Head Start recently elected its 2024-25 Policy Council, composed of parents of currently enrolled children and members-at-large from the communities served by HCS Head Start, which may include parents of children who were formally enrolled. This group of leaders includes Amber Cichowski, Massachusetts Head Start Assoc. (community representative); Chalen Vasquez, Parkside Early Learning Center, Ludlow; Cinnamon Smith, Westover Job Corps (community representative); Dakota Bailes, Westover Head Start Center, Chicopee; Fanny Perez, Mason Square Head Start and Early Head Start Center, Springfield; Gladys Rivera, Carew Street Head Start Center, Springfield; Jeimy Diaz, Churchill Head Start Center, Holyoke; Katherine Gasque, Madison Head Start and Early Head Start Center, Springfield; Milagros Arocho Pumarejo, Robinson Gardens Head Start Center, Springfield; and Sulema Chaj, Mason Square Head Start and Early Head Start Center, Springfield.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff December 4, 2024

People on the Move

Alexandre Pereira

Sara Cafaro

Bacon Wilson, P.C. announced that two attorneys have officially joined the firm. Former law clerk Alexandre Pereira and former real-estate intern Sara Cafaro sat for the Massachusetts State Bar Exam in late July and have since been sworn in to the Massachusetts Bar as of Nov. 19. Pereira joined Bacon Wilson as a law clerk in June 2023, gaining experience across multiple legal disciplines and discovering a strong passion for elder law and estate planning. During his time at Bacon Wilson, he earned his juris doctor degree with a concentration in transactional law from Western New England University School of Law in May 2024. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration, magna cum laude, from Western New England University, achieved in 2021. Before joining Bacon Wilson, Pereira served as a legal assistant at Marta Law Offices in Ludlow, where he developed valuable expertise in estate planning and real estate. Beyond his professional pursuits, he has been an active community member, volunteering at Our Lady of Fatima Parish. He is excited to continue serving his community as Bacon Wilson’s newest associate attorney in the Elder Law and Estate Planning department. Cafaro began her journey at Bacon Wilson as an intern in the summer of 2022, working in the Corporate and Commercial Real Estate department at the Springfield office. She later transitioned to the Westfield office in the winter of 2022, continuing her practicum internship through 2024. She earned her juris doctor degree from Western New England University School of Law in May 2024. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Western New England University, completed through the accelerated 3+3 program. This innovative program allowed her to begin her law-school coursework during her senior undergraduate year, enabling her to graduate cum laude with her bachelor’s degree a year early in May 2022. During her academic career, Cafaro was recognized with several prestigious awards, including the Edward F. McBride Award and the CALI Award for Excellence in Evidence Law. She is excited to advance her career as Bacon Wilson’s newest associate attorney in the Commercial and Residential Real Estate department.

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Christopher Fager

Meghan Parnell

Florence Bank has hired Christopher Fager to serve as vice president and commercial loan officer, and Meghan Parnell to serve as vice president, credit manager, both in the Commercial Lending department. With 15 years of experience at banks in the region, Fager is skilled at commercial loan origination and analysis, portfolio management, and customer service. Over his career, he has worked with companies across all industries and has extensive knowledge with those in construction, manufacturing, nonprofits, auto dealership, logistics, dental, veterinarian, and wholesale distribution. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from UMass Dartmouth. Fager is active in the community, serving on the board of directors for the West Springfield Boys & Girls Club and Helix Human Services. He is a distribution committee member for the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts and is so well-known as a youth coach in West Springfield that many people call him Coach Fager. Parnell will lead her team in the analysis of existing and proposed commercial loans and commercial loan portfolio management and assist the senior management team with loan policy, budgeting, strategic planning, and external support systems. Skilled in commercial credit and lending, financial analysis, team leadership, process improvement, and digital strategy, Parnell has served as a chief lending officer, senior financial product manager, business lending manager, and commercial credit officer. She holds an associate degree in mathematics from Holyoke Community College and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from UMass Amherst. In the community, Parnell has served Family Outreach of Amherst, the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, Paulo Freire Social Justice Charter School, and as treasurer of the Holyoke Community College Foundation. She was named to the BusinessWest 40 Under Forty class of 2014.

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Russ Kelly

LUSO Federal Credit Union announced that Russ Kelly has joined the team as Business Development manager and senior loan originator. A native of Scotland with more than 15 years of experience in the mortgage industry in both the U.K. and U.S., he brings a wealth of expertise and a dedication to client-centered service. In addition to his role at LUSO, Kelly is actively engaged in the local community as treasurer of the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield. In this capacity, he ensures the profitability of programs and advocates for membership representation throughout the Springfield area. He is also a member and ambassador of the East of the River Five Town Chamber of Commerce, where he encourages the patronage and membership of local businesses across Western Mass.

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Noah Forrest

OMG Inc., a leading global supplier of specialty fasteners, products, and technology for commercial roofing and residential construction applications, recently named Noah Forrest senior vice president and chief financial officer (CFO). In his new role, Forrest will work with the company’s senior management team to develop financial plans, forecasts, and budgets that support the company’s long-term strategic goals. Other responsibilities include preparing and presenting financial statements and reports to the company and to Steel Partners, its owner; managing the company’s cash flow and capital investments; evaluating acquisition opportunities as they arise; ensuring adherence to financial regulations and standards; and driving a plan to advance the company’s technology road map. In addition, he will manage the company’s finance and information-technology teams and assist the president in performing his responsibilities. He reports to John Ashe, president and CEO. Forrest has more than 20 years of financial, accounting, and strategic leadership experience with Stanley Black & Decker (SBD) and Raytheon Technologies. Most recently, he served as CFO of SBD’s Smart Storage Solutions, which includes the Vidmar, LISTA, and CribMaster brands, where he drove significant profitability improvement while stimulating an increase in organic growth. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and finance with a minor in information technology from Bentley University, and an MBA from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

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Amy Royal

Amy Royal, CEO of the Royal Law Firm, is now an arbitrator with National Arbitration and Mediation (NAM), which offers access to a panel of arbitrators and mediators consisting of former judges and attorneys from many fields. NAM has been named a top provider of alternative dispute resolution services in the U.S. for more than 10 years. Along with being a NAM arbitrator, Royal is licensed to practice in the state and federal courts in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York.

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Emily Meunier

Theodores’ Blues, Booze, and BBQ announced that longtime Head Chef Emily Meunier has joined the ownership team. This transition underscores the restaurant’s dedication to culinary excellence and its commitment to nurturing talent from within. Meunier has been a driving force in the kitchen since 2009. As co-owner, she will continue to spearhead the culinary team while introducing innovative menu offerings that reflect her deep love for barbecue and bold flavors.

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Hinckley Allen recently welcomed Katie McDonough as a partner in the firm’s Corporate & Business Transactions and Trusts & Estates practice groups. McDonough brings a wealth of experience advising clients on transactions, corporate structure, business planning and risk management, and trusts and estates. She was previously a partner at Egan, Flanagan & Cohen in Springfield. McDonough counsels a range of clients, including nonprofits, educational institutions, medical and professional service firms, family-owned businesses, and individuals. She provides actionable guidance on transactions and advises on corporate governance, entity formation, employment-law issues, and other business-related legal issues, developing strategies for business growth and long-term success. Additionally, her practice involves drafting and negotiating commercial agreements, representing clients in complex civil litigation, resolving partnership disputes, and assisting with estate planning and probate processes. McDonough was named to BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty in 2020 and has been recognized for her accomplishments by Best Lawyers Ones to Watch in Corporate Law since 2021. She is an active Hampden County Bar Assoc. (HCBA) member, having served on the board of directors and various committees, including the pro bono advisory committee and the HCBA legal clinic. She is active in the College of the Holy Cross Alumni Club of the Pioneer Valley. As a military wife, she maintains involvement in the local military veterans’ community; she is also a member of the St. Thomas More Society and serves on the board of the Western Massachusetts Catholic Foundation.

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Emily Gest

Former journalist and seasoned public-relations professional Emily Gest has been hired as associate vice chancellor for News and Media Relations at UMass Amherst. This is a newly created position that replaces that formerly held by Executive Director of Strategic Communications Ed Blaguszewski, who retired in June. Reporting to John Kennedy, vice chancellor for University Relations, Gest will oversee the university’s News and Media Relations office, which includes seven writers and editors, video production, and social media. Early in her career, Gest was a reporter for the New York Daily News, where she was a finalist, with other staff, for a Pulitzer Prize. She covered breaking news, including families of 9/11 victims, as well as health, entertainment, and general features. She has also worked for the Los Angeles Times and Mother Jones magazines. As a PR professional, Gest has extensive experience working in government, higher education, healthcare, and the law. Most recently, she served as senior director of Media Relations at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. For more than a decade, she worked at Rubenstein, a strategic-communications firm based in New York City, and she was also director of Communications for the Georgia State Department of Juvenile Justice and the DeKalb County solicitor-general.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff November 6, 2024

People on the Move

Cassandra Morrey

Greenfield Savings Bank announced the promotion of Cassandra “Cassie” Morrey to senior vice president and senior Residential Lending officer. She will succeed Lori Grover as head of the Residential Lending department, following Grover’s retirement in January 2025 after a long and successful tenure with Greenfield Savings Bank. Morrey began her banking career in 2002 as a loan processor at the Bank of Western Massachusetts (now M&T Bank) and has been a valued member of Greenfield Savings Bank since 2010. With more than two decades of experience in the banking industry, she brings extensive expertise and leadership to her new role. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Morrey is deeply committed to community service. She currently serves on the boards of three nonprofit organizations: the Children’s Advocacy Center, Highland Ambulance EMS, and the Southampton Youth Athletic Assoc. basketball committee.

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Gina Vallone

Pittsfield Cooperative Bank announced the hiring of Gina Vallone to its retail banking team as a vice president and branch manager of its Dalton Avenue location. She has significant experience in branch management, financial advising, personal insurance sales and management, relationship management, and customer service. Vallone joins the bank after working for the previous 15 years at Lee Bank in its Retail and Community Banking departments. For the last five years, she has managed Lee Bank’s Pittsfield and Lenox branches. Prior to banking, she worked in personal insurance line sales and customer relations with Minkler Insurance Agency. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. She currently serves on the board of directors of the Elizabeth Freeman Center.

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Harlin Glovacki

Greenfield Cooperative Bank announced the promotion of Harlin Glovacki to branch manager of the Shelburne Falls branch. Glovacki has been a valuable member of the Greenfield Co-op team for several years. In his new position, he will oversee all aspects of branch operations. “We are thrilled to promote Harlin to branch manager,” said Lisa Kmetz, executive vice president, Retail & Security officer. “He has consistently exceeded expectations and has a proven track record of success. His dedication to providing exceptional customer service will be invaluable as he takes on this new role.”

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Country Nissan announced that Heather Petricevich has been honored as the Service Advisor of the Year for the Chris Collins Top Dog Award, recognized nationwide within the Asian League. She recently returned from Los Angeles, where she received this prestigious accolade, celebrating her exceptional customer service, expertise, and dedication to excellence in the automotive industry. “I am truly humbled and honored to receive this award,” Petricevich said. “This achievement is a reflection of the incredible support from my team and the wonderful relationships I have built with our customers. I’m passionate about providing the best service possible, and I’m grateful to work in such a supportive environment at Country Nissan.”

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Katie Woods

bankESB recently promoted Katie Woods to assistant branch manager of its 770 Main St., Agawam office. Woods joined bankESB earlier this year as a float teller supervisor. Previously, she was assistant branch manager at PeoplesBank and, before that, store operations manager at CVS Health. In her new role, Woods will assist the branch manager in reaching branch goals while striving to deliver excellent customer service and helping employees and customers unlock their potential.

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Last year, Holyoke Chicopee Springfield (HCS) Head Start announced the formation of the Janis Santos Scholarship. This recognition was created by Janis Santos, former CEO of HCS Head Start, to help address the shortage of early-childhood teachers. Last year, the first Janis Santos Scholarship was awarded to Mayra Felix, who applied with the dream of using it toward completing her bachelor’s degree. The second annual scholarship was recently awarded to Notavious Andino-Galarza-Perez, who attended HCS Head Start 15 years ago and is currently studying at Columbia University. Santos, along with Nicole Blais, HCS Head Start’s current CEO, presented Andino-Galarza-Perez with this honor at the organization’s annual Professional Development Day. Andino-Galarza-Perez said that becoming a teacher would mean he would finally be able to repay the debt of gratitude owed to those who inspired him all those years ago, and hopefully inspire the next generation to always strive to be better than the last.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff October 9, 2024

People on the Move

Moe Belliveau

After 10 years of leadership, Moe Belliveau, executive director of the Chamber of Greater Easthampton, has announced her retirement effective June 1, 2025. Under her leadership, Belliveau was instrumental in advancing the chamber’s mission of promoting economic development and enhancing business opportunities. After successfully navigating the chamber through the pandemic of 2020, she championed a number of innovative initiatives, including creating the “Mind Your Own Business” podcast, which highlights local professionals, business owners, thought leaders, and chamber members; launched the sheLEADS women’s leadership conference designed to empower women in all stages of their careers; developed the ignite professional-development conference to provide the tools and skills needed to navigate the ever-changing landscape of work; implemented the CO.STARTERS entrepreneurial program for aspiring professionals; and, most recently, opened the chamber’s WorkHub on Union co-workspace to address the needs of the region’s ‘grey economy’ and stimulate small-business job growth. The chamber’s board of directors will undertake an extensive search for her replacement.

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Daniel Naylor

Claire Greene

Dietz & Company Architects Inc. is announced the recent addition of two new employees to the firm. Daniel Naylor has joined Dietz in the role of architectural staff. He holds both master’s and bachelor’s degrees in architecture from Wentworth Institute of Technology. He brings more than 10 years of experience working for architecture firms in Massachusetts and New York on multi-family, K-12, and higher-education projects, and specializes in exterior building design and detailing. Claire Greene has also joined the firm in the role of architectural staff. She holds a master’s degree in architecture from the University of Texas at Austin and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Vanderbilt University. Most recently, she worked for an architecture firm in Brooklyn, N.Y., with a focus on residential projects. While completing her master’s degree, she interned at firms in Massachusetts and Texas.

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Sharale Mathis

Sharale Mathis, vice president of Academic and Student Affairs at Holyoke Community College (HCC), has been appointed to a national advisory board for community colleges. Mathis was invited to join the Commission on Institutional Infrastructure and Transformation of the American Assoc. of Community Colleges (AACC), the primary advocacy group for U.S. community colleges. Her three-year term began July 1 and will run through June 2027. The AACC’s Commission on Institutional Infrastructure and Transformation focuses on community-college efforts to improve student success, which includes administrative processes, infrastructure, technology, and workforce development. As vice president of Academic and Student Affairs at HCC, Mathis oversees all academic divisions, as well as student records, the registrar’s office, planning and assessment, student-success programs, library services, advising, career services, transfer affairs, admissions, and financial aid, among others. She holds a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Hartfield, a master’s degree in biomedical sciences from Quinnipiac University, and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Eastern Connecticut State University. She joined HCC in 2021 after serving as dean of Academic and Student Affairs at Middlesex Community College in Connecticut, where she previously led the STEM division as director.

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Gina Warga

Insurance for Students Inc. (IFS), an insurance agency with an office in West Springfield as well as Delray Beach, Fla., announced the promotion of Gina Warga to director of Marketing and Operations. Warga has been a valuable member of the team for more than eight years. From creating marketing materials to team support, she has exceeded internal and external client expectations. Her new role will increase her responsibilites as a valued leader at IFS. She is a licensed insurance broker and received a bachelor’s degree from Westfield State University.

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Carol Cioe Klyman

Stephen Sobey

The Assoc. for Continuing Legal Education (ACLEA) has awarded “Elder and Disability Law in Massachusetts” the top prize for outstanding achievement in the publication category of the international organization’s 2024 Best Awards. Two local attorneys, Carol Cioe Klyman and Stephen Sobey of Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., contributed to this legal treatise. Klyman and Sobey wrote four chapters for the book, published in 2023 by Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education Inc. (MCLE). The publication updates and expands on MCLE’s “Estate Planning for the Aging and Incapacitated Client in Massachusetts,” to which Klyman has contributed since 1996. Recognized in the field of elder law for 20 years, Klyman was co-editor of the Massachusetts Elder Law Sourcebook & Citator and is an editor emeritus of the NAELA Journal, the peer-reviewed publication of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Sobey joined Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin in 2017 and, among his accolades, was selected to participate in this year’s New England Fellows Institute by the American College of Trust and Estates Counsel. He has been listed as a Massachusetts Rising Star three times in the field of estate and probate law.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff September 11, 2024

People on the Move

Debbie Esposito

Greenfield Cooperative Bank (GCB) announced the addition of Debbie Esposito to its team as senior vice president, Business Banking officer. She will be instrumental in driving the bank’s growth and development within the Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden county markets. With more than two decades of experience in the financial industry, Esposito brings a wealth of expertise in business, commercial, and cash-management solutions. Prior to joining GCB, she served as vice president of Cash Management Sales for PeoplesBank and vice president, senior Treasury Management relationship manager for Citizens Bank. In her new role, she will be responsible for promoting financial solutions in partnership with Commercial Lending, Government Banking, and Retail. She will also play a key role in implementing marketing strategies to enhance brand awareness and strengthen the bank’s presence in the community. Esposito holds a bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, and marketing from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater and a nonprofit certification with a financial focus from the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. She is committed to community involvement and actively volunteers for various organizations across Western Mass.

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Robert Fraser

MountainOne announced that President and CEO Robert Fraser was elected as chair of the Massachusetts Bankers Assoc. (MBA), a one-year post that began on July 1. Fraser explained that key focus areas already in full swing for 2024-25 include creating greater awareness of the role of banks and their positive impact on communities across the Commonwealth and expanding the association’s engagement with the industry’s emerging leaders. “I am honored to have been elected to the position of chair by my peers,” said Fraser, who joined MountainOne in 2007 and has served as its President and CEO since 2014. “I truly enjoy working with our members and with the Mass Bankers professional staff team to achieve the strategic priorities for the association.”

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Country Bank President and CEO Mary McGovern recently announced the promotion of five individuals within the organization: Dale Mazanec, Jason Mourao, Tori Graffam, Crystal Mansfield, and Ashlynn Fratoni. Previously serving as vice president, Mazanec has been promoted to first vice president, Asset Mitigation. With a decade of service at Country Bank and 35 in the financial-services industry, his thoughtful approach and positive attitude make him a leader within the bank, significantly improving its asset-mitigation strategies and operations. Mourao has been appointed assistant vice president of Retail Lending Operations. Since joining Country Bank in 2019, he has excelled in bringing a fresh perspective to the loan operations team. With 10 years of banking experience as an originator, he continues to enhance his skills while pursuing further education at the New England School for Financial Studies through the Massachusetts Bankers Assoc. Graffam has been promoted to assistant vice president, BSA/Fraud. Joining Country Bank in 2020, she has demonstrated exceptional vigilance in safeguarding the bank and its customers. With more than 35 years in banking, she is respected for her deep knowledge and expertise in BSA/AML/OFAC regulations. She is a liaison, ensuring adherence to evolving regulatory requirements to protect the bank and its stakeholders. Mansfield assumes the role of Customer Experience officer. In 23 years at Country Bank, she has excelled across various roles, including sales, customer service, retail management, marketing, and data analytics. Known for her commitment to excellence and customer-centric approach, she ensures that customer voices are heard and valued throughout the bank. Her dedication was recognized with the prestigious 2023 Presidents Platinum Award. Fratoni has been promoted to Lead Audit officer. In her three and a half years as senior auditor, she has consistently leveraged her extensive audit experience to drive process improvements and efficiency gains across the organization, Her leadership in audit operations reinforces Country Bank’s commitment to operational excellence and regulatory compliance.

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John Berryhill

The Botanic Garden of Smith College recently welcomed John Berryhill as its new director. Berryhill has been serving as interim director since January as part of a career at the botanic garden that began more than 27 years ago. He brings to this role an in-depth understanding of the botanic garden, a steadfast dedication to its mission, and a strong commitment to the partnerships that are at the center of its work. Berryhill has worked in many different roles during his tenure — as a garden steward tending to the outdoor collections, as an arborist caring for the historic arboretum, and most recently as landscape curator managing the outdoor team and launching several conservation initiatives. These projects and priorities have connected Smith students to the work of the botanic garden community at both a regional and national scale. In the summer of 2022, Berryhill earned a master’s degree from Smith, making him the first Smithie to serve as director of the botanic garden. His research focused on the mountain magnolia’s vulnerability to climate change, which led to the development of a conservation collection at Smith College. He has long been a proponent of social and environmental justice being central to the botanic garden’s work. This priority has led to outreach and collaborations with local Indigenous leadership and conservation organizations, which will help shape the future direction of the Botanic Garden of Smith College.

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Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, with offices in Springfield and Northampton, was recognized by Best Lawyers as a Best Law Firm in Springfield for 2025. The firm was singled out in the fields of banking and finance law, bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization law, business organizations (including LLCs and partnerships), corporate law, elder law, trusts and estates, litigation – trusts and estates, and tax law. In addition, eight attorneys at Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin were selected for inclusion in the 2025 edition of the Best Lawyers in America for outstanding contributions to their fields. Attorney Carol Cioe Klyman was included for her expertise the fields of elder law and trusts and estates. Attorney Mark Esposito was selected by his peers in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America in the fields of commercial litigation and litigation – labor and employment. Attorney Michele Feinstein was selected by her peers as a Lawyer of the Year for trusts and estates in Springfield. She was also chosen for inclusion on the Best Lawyers in America list for her outstanding contributions to the fields of elder law, litigation – trusts and estates, and trusts and estates. Attorney Gary Fentin, one of the firm’s founders, was selected for his work in the fields of banking and financial law and commercial transactions/uniform commercial code (UCC) law. Attorney Timothy Mulhern, managing partner, was included for his work in the fields of corporate law and tax law. Founding attorney Steven Schwartz was selected for his expertise in the fields of business organizations (including LLCs and partnerships), closely held companies, and corporate law. Attorney James Sheils was included for his contributions in the field of commercial transactions/uniform commercial code (UCC) law. Attorney Steven Weiss was selected for inclusion for his work in the fields of bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization law.

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Bulkley Richardson announced that 13 lawyers from the firm were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. These lawyers were recognized in 22 unique areas of practice. They include Peter Barry for construction law, education law and healthcare law; Kathleen Bernardo for real-estate law; Michael Burke for medical-malpractice law (defendants) and personal-injury litigation (defendants); Mark Cress for banking and finance law, bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization law, and corporate law; Francis Dibble Jr. for bet-the-company litigation, commercial litigation, white-collar criminal defense, labor and employment litigation, and securities litigation; Daniel Finnegan for administrative/regulatory law; Scott Foster for business organizations, including LLCs and partnerships; Mary Jo Kennedy for employment law (individuals), employment law (management), and labor and employment litigation; David Parke for corporate law and mergers and acquisitions law; John Pucci for bet-the-company litigation, general-practice criminal defense, and white-collar criminal defense; Jeffrey Roberts for corporate law and trusts and estates; Michael Roundy for commercial litigation; and Ronald Weiss for corporate law, mergers and acquisitions law, and tax law.

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Bacon Wilson, P.C., with offices in Springfield, Northampton, Amherst, and Westfield, announced that seven of its attorneys have been recognized in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers in America, including recognition in the Ones to Watch category. They include Kenneth Albano, business organizations (including LLCs and partnerships); Gina Barry, elder law; Gary Breton, banking and finance law and business organizations (including LLCs and partnerships); Hyman Darling, elder law; Michael Katz, bankruptcy and creditor-debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization law; Tyler Humphrey (Ones to Watch), banking and finance law; and Daniel McKellick (Ones to Watch), real-estate law. Two Bacon Wilson attorneys were named Lawyer of the Year in Springfield for 2025: Breton for business organizations (including LLCs and partnerships), and Darling for elder law.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff July 3, 2024

People on the Move

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, 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 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

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 BusinessWest Staff June 19, 2024

People on the Move

Vanessa Pabón-Hernandez

The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts recently appointed Vanessa Pabón-Hernandez CEO of the philanthropic organization, effective June 17. A native of Springfield’s North End and a driven, longtime mentor of women and champion for social change and empowerment, Pabón-Hernandez succeeds Donna Haghighat in the key role for the nonprofit. Throughout her 25-year career, Pabón-Hernandez has supported women and Latinx community members, first as a marketing strategist in business for herself and later in roles that include program director for the YMCA North End Youth Center, founder of a community-based digital storytelling center, and executive producer at New England Public Media, a role she left in early June after 14 years to accept the CEO position at the Women’s Fund. Pabón-Hernandez has experience as a program developer, grant writer, mentor, facilitator, consensus builder, and storyteller. Inspired by a strong, independent mother who helped facilitate her path, she defied the odds several decades ago as a young, single mother, earning two associate degrees at Springfield Technical Community College before launching her own business as a marketing strategist for political candidates and area businesspeople. She mastered the art of storytelling to advance social change, entered the nonprofit sector, and, over 25 years, led and founded innovative programs in marginalized communities that have allowed thousands of individuals to access resources, leverage their strengths, and drive their own career paths. She has received the Unsung Heroine award from the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women and was named to BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty. She was also the grand marshal for the Springfield Puerto Rican Parade.

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Kenneth Askins

James Hagan, president and CEO of Westfield Bank, announced that Kenneth Askins has been appointed to the role of mortgage loan officer. He is responsible for the Connecticut towns of Granby, Bloomfield, West Hartford, and surrounding communities, and will be based out of the bank’s 12 East Granby Road location in Granby, Conn. Askins will develop and maintain business relationships with prospective home buyers, Realtors, builders, and colleagues. He has 23 years of experience in the mortgage industry, working as a mortgage loan officer at local competitive banks prior to joining Westfield Bank. He has been recognized as a top performer multiple times throughout his career.

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MassMutual announced that accomplished cybersecurity executive and veteran Eric Boateng has been named head of Enterprise Cyber Security. In this role, he will be responsible for leading the company’s cybersecurity and cyber risk-management strategies and safeguarding MassMutual’s information assets. Boateng most recently served as vice president of Cyber Security, Technology & Resiliency Risk Oversight for American Express. In this role, he developed and implemented the technology risk-management program strategy that included cybersecurity and risk management, while providing effective oversight and credible challenge to American Express’s information-security and technology activities. Prior to that, he held various information and cybersecurity roles of increasing responsibility at New York eHealth Collaborative, Roundpoint Mortgage, Georgia Department of Human Services, and Lockheed Martin. Prior to his career in the private sector, Boateng served two decades as an officer in the U.S. Navy, where he managed multiple IT initiatives and programs, employing industry information security risk-management frameworks and best practices for the U.S. Department of Defense. He earned a bachelor’s degree in information technology from the University of Central Florida, a master’s degree in management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a master’s degree in information technology from Carnegie Mellon University, and a professional degree as a computer systems engineer from Columbia University.

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Joyce Hampton

Elms College named higher-education executive Joyce Hampton its new vice president of Academic Affairs following an extensive search. Reporting directly to President Harry Dumay, Hampton is responsible for the strategic oversight and management of the college’s academic affairs. Her appointment is effective June 3. For 34 years, Hampton has worked at Elms College, where she has progressively risen through the academic ranks as assistant professor, associate professor, and full professor. She has served as director of English as a Second Language and International Programs, associate academic dean, dean of Student Success and Strategic Initiatives, and most recently, associate vice president for Strategic Initiatives and dean of the School of Arts, Sciences, and Professional Programs. She holds both a doctoral degree and master’s degree in education from UMass Amherst and a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Texas.

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Cathy Velez

Berkshire Bank announced that Cathy Velez has joined the bank as managing director of Retail Banking and Deposit Operations. As a senior leader, she will oversee the bank’s financial-center network, retail sales and service delivery, and branch operations. She will also direct the execution of the retail banking strategy to drive short- and long-term growth, business-line initiatives, and major divisional projects. Velez joins Berkshire Bank with more than 25 years of extensive experience in banking. Most recently, she served in multiple senior retail and private banking roles for Webster Bank.

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Sandri Energy announced the appointment of Leslie Cernak as vice president of Operations, overseeing the Heating Fuels, Commercial Fuels, and Mechanical Services divisions. With more than 36 years of experience in the fuel-oil and propane industry, Cernak brings considerable expertise to the team. Previously, she served as vice president and treasurer at Cernak Fuel Corp. in Easthampton until its acquisition by HOP Energy LLC in 2018, where she continued to contribute in compliance and legal support roles. Cernak remains deeply engaged in industry affairs and currently holds the position of events chairperson on the executive board of directors for the National Energy and Fuels Institute. She recently earned a master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Law for legal studies in energy and natural resource law. Sandri Energy also announced the promotion of Rudy Herzig to manager of HVAC, Plumbing, Sales, and Service. Herzig started with Sandri in 2003, became a licensed oil burner technician in 2004, and quickly advanced to the position of lead installer. He excels with troubleshooting heating and cooling system issues, and he takes pride in providing quality service for Sandri customers. For the past several years, he has been in a service manager support role, gaining management experience. He looks forward to growing professionally with his new role and guiding Sandri’s service department with exceptional customer service.

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bankESB recently promoted Melissa LaBonte to assistant vice president, Core Systems. LaBonte has 23 years of banking experience. She was promoted to Core Systems manager in 2018 and promoted to Core Systems officer in 2021. She joined the bank in 2001 as a teller, and over the past two decades has held a variety of roles in the Collections, Finance, and Strategic Projects departments. She has an associate degree in business administration and accounting from Holyoke Community College and earned a project management diploma from the Center for Financial Training.

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MountainOne announced that Seth Shepard has been promoted to financial advisor. In this role, Shepard determines a client’s financial objectives, offers strategic advice on products and services to meet client goals, and manages client assets through portfolio design and retirement solutions. His focus is on asset management, portfolio management, retirement planning, and college-education planning. Shepard has been with MountainOne Investments since 2022, most recently as a paraplanner. He is a member of MountainOne’s communications committee and previously served on the MountainOne 175th celebration committee. Prior to joining MountainOne Investments, he was an account manager with Girardi Distributors in Pittsfield and a football coach at Mount Ida College in Newton. He holds a bachelor’s degree in coaching and event operations from Johnson & Wales University.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff May 8, 2024

People on the Move

Doug Anderson

David Glidden, president and CEO of Liberty Bank, and the bank’s board of directors jointly announced that Doug Anderson was unanimously elected chairman of the board at its March meeting. The election of Anderson comes after the unexpected passing of longtime Chairman Mark Gingras on March 7. Gingras served as Liberty’s board chairman since 2007 and board member since 2001. Anderson’s role as a Liberty Bank corporator and board member began in April 2018. During that time, he has served on the credit risk, audit, compensation, and governance committees, and most recently as chair of the credit risk committee. He brings decades of diverse leadership experience in banking, finance, management, and operations to the role of chairman. His extensive background includes senior executive roles as president of the former Savings Bank of Manchester (SBM) until 2004 and chairman, president, and CEO of the former Open Solutions. He spent 14 years at Unisys, an international technology company, and served on the board of directors for the former New Alliance Bancshares Inc. Beyond Liberty’s boardroom, Anderson, a graduate of the University of Connecticut, has been a dedicated and generous community partner. This includes his philanthropic support and board service for many organizations and causes, such as the Connecticut Science Center, SBM Charitable Foundation, Manchester Community College Foundation, and Connecticut Foodshare. He also served as chairman of the Liberty Bank Foundation.

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UMassFive College Federal Credit Union announced new leadership for its board of directors. Jacqui Watrous has been elected as board chair, Ruth Yanka as board vice chair, and Jeremy Bentley as board secretary. Watrous has served on the UMassFive board of directors for more than seven years, including most recently as board vice chair. She holds a BBA in finance and an MBA from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst. Now retired, she previously worked at UMass Amherst for more than 30 years, having held a variety of positions in the finance and systems fields, including most recently the role of executive director of Administrative Systems in Finance. Yanka has volunteered on UMassFive’s board for more than 12 years, serving in many capacities, including board member and secretary. She holds a master’s degree in program administration from UMass Amherst and has served on the board of many nonprofit organizations in a variety of positions, from member to treasurer to president. Her work history responsibilities have always included operations, budget, and personnel. She currently holds the role of executive director, A&F Operations in Administration and Finance at UMass Amherst. Bentley first joined the UMassFive board of directors in 2022, having previously served as a volunteer on the credit union’s asset and liability management committee when he moved to the area after completing his Ph.D. in accounting from Cornell University. He currently serves as a research foundation director for the Institute of Management Accountants and in multiple positions with the American Accounting Assoc. He is also the Richard Dieter & Susan Dieter faculty fellow and an associate professor at UMass Amherst, where he teaches financial and managerial accounting and examines how accounting systems change the way people think about and report on their performance. With this transition in board leadership, Robert Harrison ends a decade-long tenure in the role of UMassFive board chair. He will continue serving as a board member of the credit union.

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Eunice Bragg

American International College (AIC) announced the appointment of Eunice Bragg as vice president for Institutional Advancement. As an accomplished fundraiser and relationship leader, Bragg brings valuable expertise in building relationships, inspiring team culture, and employing metrics to meet fundraising goals for the institution. In her new position, Bragg will oversee fundraising and stewardship relationship initiatives and will be responsible for strengthening engagement with AIC alumni and community partners. She will play a vital role in the campaign to restore Courniotes Hall, the health-sciences building damaged by fire last summer after a lightning strike. After earning a bachelor’s degree at Taylor University and completing her master’s degree in strategic fundraising and philanthropy at Bay Path University, Bragg served as director of Development at the Discovery Center (now RE-Center) in Hartford, Conn. She then assumed the role of director of Annual Giving at Hampden Hall Country Day School in New Haven, Conn. Returning to her alma mater, she became director of Major and Planned Gifts at Bay Path. She joins AIC from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where she most recently served as director of Development and Leadership Gifts.

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Whittlesey announced that its CEO and managing partner, Drew Andrews, has been included in Forbes’ inaugural “America’s Top 200 CPAs” list. Curated by Forbes’ editorial team, this list features the top CPAs in public practice across the U.S. The rigorous selection process involves independent nominations and recommendations from various CPA societies and associations. Candidates are evaluated on numerous criteria, including certifications and credentials, years of experience, industry specialization, professional achievements, community involvement, thought leadership, diversity of client base, ethical and regulatory compliance, and innovation and technology adoption. Andrews has been leading Whittlesey since 2008 and has significantly influenced its trajectory. He has grown the firm’s revenue to more than triple its original size and expanded its operations to include three offices throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts. His innovative approach has notably advanced the firm’s capabilities and strengthened client relationships. In addition, he serves a select clientele. His dedication extends beyond corporate management to personal mentorship and community involvement. He actively develops talented professionals within the firm, providing guidance and support as a mentor and coach. He is committed to philanthropy and has held prominent leadership positions on boards of several local nonprofit, business, religious, and charitable organizations, contributing significantly to community-enrichment efforts.

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Gilbert Nieves

Community Bank announced that Gilbert Nieves has been promoted to district manager. In his new role, Nieves will oversee strategy and operations for branches in Vermont and Massachusetts, ensuring administration of the bank’s financial goals and objectives, including business development. He will also be responsible for staff training, coaching, and professional development for continued excellence in customer service and operations. With more than two decades of experience in the financial industry, Nieves first joined Community Bank in 2019 as branch manager of the Springfield location. In that role, he oversaw daily office operations, including sales and customer-service activities, to ensure operational efficiency, integrity, and adherence to policies and procedures. Prior to that, he served the Springfield community in other banking and financial roles, including vice president and branch manager at Webster Bank and assistant city treasurer for the city of Springfield. Outside of the office, Nieves is an active member of the community, serving his congregation as a Bible instructor and volunteering at Springfield Public Schools. In addition, he facilitates financial-literacy workshops at the Gándara Center, as well as first-time homebuying seminars at Way Finders. He is also a member of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce and Business Network International’s Springfield chapter. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Universidad Metropolitana in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

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Fontaine Bros. Inc. announced the addition of Jason Boudreau as project executive and Mark Fulton as senior superintendent. They bring more than 40 years of combined experience working together on complex building projects throughout Western and Central Mass., Connecticut, and beyond, making them a valuable addition to the Fontaine team. Boudreau and Fulton have been working together for more than 20 years. They have successfully delivered work for notable clients such as Amherst College, Baystate Medical Center, Berkshire Medical Center, UMass Amherst, Williams College, and many others, and earned certifications from the American Society for Health Care Engineering and the International Code Council for Tall Mass Timber Buildings.

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Rachel Dionne

Polish National Credit Union (PNCU) announced that Rachel Dionne, assistant vice president and credit risk officer, has joined the board of directors of Providence Ministries. PNCU, a full-service community credit union, is committed to meeting community needs and fostering growth. The organization emphasizes community engagement through corporate leadership and volunteerism. Dionne is dedicated to community service. Her volunteer work includes more than a half-decade on the board of trustees for Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School, membership on the school’s finance committee, involvement in a youth ministry group, service on the Southampton Finance Committee, and as an eucharistic minister at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church in Westfield. She now adds the Providence Ministries board membership to her list of contributions. With nearly 35 years of experience in accounting and finance, Dionne joined PNCU in 2017. In her role, she analyzes complex commercial financial information, oversees commercial lending policies, and manages loan administration, loan servicing, and credit teams. She is a two-time graduate of American International College (AIC) with degrees in accounting and nonprofit management.

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The Center for EcoTechnology (CET), an environmental nonprofit dedicated to advancing just and resilient climate solutions, announced the appointment of Julia Riseman as its inaugural director of Philanthropic Investments. With her experience and commitment to climate-change mitigation, Riseman will help accelerate CET’s growth and impact during this decisive decade for decarbonization. Riseman brings a wealth of expertise in development strategy and relationship building, honed through her years of dedication to causes throughout the U.S. and Canada. Through consulting, she has helped organizations raise more than $350 million through her consulting firm, Riseman Consulting, and during her 14 years at the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, providing consulting services to grant-supported recipients. Prior to becoming a consultant, she was the Development director at the Center School, an independent school in Amherst, and she co-founded two nonprofit organizations, Friends of Northampton Trails and Health in Harmony, an international environmental organization working with local communities to save rainforests in Brazil, Madagascar, and Indonesia. Her strategic vision and commitment to CET’s mission is expected to propel the organization into a new era of expansion and influence. As director of Philanthropic Investments, Riseman will be instrumental in cultivating partnerships, securing funding opportunities, and fostering connections with stakeholders to fund targeted projects and further CET’s impact across a dozen states. Her leadership will play a pivotal role in advancing the organization’s strategic goals and expanding its reach across the country.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff April 24, 2024

People on the Move

Ricard Torres-Mateluna

Jillian Duclos

The Northampton Jazz Festival has welcomed two new board members who bring broad skills and deep experience in entrepreneurship, marketing, community organizing, and music from world cultures. They are Ricard Torres-Mateluna, who joined last month, and Jillian Duclos, who joined the board in September 2023. After earning a bachelor’s degree in politics at Mount Holyoke College as a Francis Perkins Scholar in 2017, Duclos became a grass-roots organizer, a driver of workforce development, and then a business owner. Now, as executive director of the Downtown Northampton Assoc., she collaborates with city leaders, downtown organizations, and community members to drive economic development for downtown Northampton and provide a safety net to local and small businesses who anchor the community. Torres-Mateluna is a brand and marketing strategist who thinks with a global perspective and seeks solutions at the local level. Over his more than 20 years in the field, he has successfully worked toward uplifting educational entities and nonprofit organizations, having worked in advertising agencies and startups — large and small, at home and abroad — run by people from all backgrounds. His current role is vice president of Marketing and Communications for the Springfield-based human services agency Viability Inc. Torres-Mateluna has been a jazz lover since childhood and is also a member of the editorial board and U.S. correspondent for Papeles de Jazz magazine in his native Chile.

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Lee Craig

Freedom Credit Union recently hired Lee Craig as its senior vice president and chief financial officer. Bringing three decades of leadership experience in credit-union operations and compliance, Craig will lend his expertise to planning, directing, and controlling Freedom’s overall financial plans and policies, accounting practices, and relationships with lending institutions and the financial community. He comes to Freedom after 23 years as CFO at MassMutual Federal Credit Union, where he was responsible for the operation’s overall financial condition, information-technology oversight, compliance management, and strategic planning. He also previously served as principal examiner at the National Credit Union Administration. A member of the Credit Union National Assoc. CFO Council and Compliance Council and a past member of Fiserv’s user advisory board, Craig served on the town of Westhampton’s Finance Committee for several years. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business management from Westfield State University.

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Reinaldo Román

Joshua Burgos

Pittsfield Cooperative Bank announced the hiring of Reinaldo Román as vice president, branch officer. In this role, he will manage the institution’s branch operations at its main office located at 70 South St., Pittsfield. Additionally, he will assist the organization with its further development of Spanish-focused materials. Román joins the bank after a successful 23-year tenure at Greylock Federal Credit Union. He has extensive experience in branch operations and management, business development, retail lending, and customer relations. He received his business administration in banking degree from Berkshire Community College. The bank also announced the hiring of Joshua Burgos as its new Business Development and Cash Management officer. In this role, he will oversee the multitude of cash transactions for the institution’s commercial customers as well as manage business deposits, real estate, and non-real-estate loans. Burgos joins the bank after working most recently at Canyon Ranch as a senior accountant. He has 10 years of experience working in financial services, having served in positions at MassMutual and Greylock Federal Credit Union. He has an associate degree in business administration from Cambridge College, a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Capella University, and will be completing his MBA from UMass Amherst this fall.

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Colin D’Amour

The board of directors of Big Y Foods Inc. announced the appointment of Colin D’Amour as senior director of asset protection. In that role, he will lead the asset protection team, develop and execute future strategies, deploy new technologies, build relationships with law enforcement and other regulatory agencies, and foster both education and growth within the department. D’Amour began working as a service clerk at Big Y Supermarkets in 1998 at age 14. From there, he held several positions, including produce clerk, warehouse selector, and construction/remodel store projects coordinator. In 2007, he accepted a commission with the U.S. Marine Corps as second lieutenant, serving with distinction and ultimately earning the rank of captain. In 2010, he was deployed to Helmand, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2014, D’Amour left active duty in the Marines and returned to Big Y by entering into its store director training program. Since then, his career has included several roles, including store director, corporate center store sales director, senior manager of procurement, and, most recently, senior director of the Big Y Express division. He was also a project manager for the expansion of the Fresh and Local Distribution Center and is a member of Big Y’s real estate and store design committees. In addition, he oversees multiple programs and initiatives with Topco, an $18 billion cooperative that provides aggregation, innovation, and management solutions to its leading food-industry members across the country. A graduate of Boston College, D’Amour holds personal decorations from his military service, including both the Navy and Marine Corps commendation and achievement medals. He is the grandson of Big Y co-founder Gerald D’Amour and son of Executive Chairman Charles D’Amour.

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Myranda Nasworthy

Garvey Communication Associates Inc. (GCAi) has expanded its digital public-relations capacity by adding Myranda Nasworthy, an experienced video producer. Armed with GCAi’s new G7x vlogging cameras, Nasworthy worked on client videos before she started at the company. She will work in GCAi’s new edit suite, including a 2024 Apple Mac Studio. She is also equipped with a 2024 Macbook Pro for remote video editing. She is already working with a new GODOX lighting kit used at GCAi’s 24th-floor studios in Tower Square to produce 10 videos for an award program. Nasworthy shot and worked on all the edits with co-producer Nate Dion. She has also worked with GCAi’s West Coast team to produce 9:16 videos for Reels and TikTok. A former associate producer of New England Public Media’s Emmy-nominated quiz show, As Schools Match Wits. Nasworthy is a summa cum laude graduate of Westfield State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in communication with a concentration in media arts & analysis. Her skill set includes operating Sony, Canon, Panasonic, and Nikon filming equipment and studio, control-room, and field equipment. She also is experienced in working with Adobe Premiere Pro, Lightroom, Dreamweaver, and Final Cut Pro.

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Monson Savings Bank announced its second annual President’s Award recipients. This year’s award has been presented to Sara Rodrigues, assistant vice president and Commercial Loan Operations officer, Bridget Bunce, Bank Secrecy Act analyst. The President’s Award is an opportunity to acknowledge those who consistently represent the bank’s mission and values through their commitment to customer service, the community, teamwork, and excellence. Rodrigues joined the Monson Savings Bank family in February 2013. She consistently represents the bank at many local events and has volunteered for numerous organizations, such as Revitalize CDC, the United Way of Pioneer Valley, and I Found Light Against All Odds. Bunce started with Monson Savings in October 2021 as a Deposit Operations administrator and was promoted to her current position in August 2023. She is always eager to lend a hand and has helped at several bank-sponsored events in 2022 and 2023.

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Jeffrey Siegel

Fierst Bloomberg Ohm LLP announced that Jeffrey Siegel has become a partner of the firm. Having earned his juris doctorate at the University of Connecticut School of Law and his master of laws in taxation at the New York University of School of Law, Siegel has more than 35 years of experience assisting individuals with their estate-planning, tax-planning, probate and trust administration, and corporate law needs.

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Paul Haible, executive director of the Peace Development Fund (PDF) for the past 20 years, announced his plans to retire on April 30. Under Haible’s leadership, PDF amplified its focus to include a broad range of social-justice issues and movements; expanded its footprint to include a regional office in San Francisco, where he was based; and increased its international scope to include funding to Haiti, Mexico, and the Middle East. He collaborated with the board to launch several initiatives engaging a range of issue constituencies, including a national environmental-justice initiative that spanned a decade, a cross-border initiative, and a national criminal-justice-reform movement. He was instrumental in creating PDF’s capacity-building program to fiscally sponsor more than 40 organizations and led PDF’s recent Indigenous Land Back work.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff March 13, 2024

People on the Move

Hannah Pimenta

Alex LaValley

1Berkshire announced the addition of two staff members, one on the Member Services team and one on the Economic Development team. In addition, 1Berkshire has also added four new members to its board of directors. Hannah Pimenta assumed the role of Member Engagement associate. In her position, she will support the director of Member Services with membership-related initiatives, special events, and the Berkshire Leadership Program. Additionally, she will work in conjunction with the 1Berkshire business office, President and CEO Jonathan Butler, the 1Berkshire Strategic Alliance board of directors, and the 1Berkshire Foundation board. Pimenta is certified in project management and has a bachelor’s degree in English and communications from MCLA. She previously worked for Berkshire Family & Individual Resources before joining the 1Berkshire team. Alex LaValley joined the Economic Development team as Economic Development associate. In this position, he will work with both the vice president of Economic Development and the deputy director of Economic Development. 1Berkshire also announced that Ari Zorn of Devine Retail Cannabis, Christian Hanson of Balderdash Cellars, Scott St. George of Berkshire Health Systems, and Dubois Thomas of Blackshires Community Empowerment Foundation have joined the 1Berkshire board of directors for 2024.

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Evan Garber

Evan Garber has been named senior consultant and vice president of A.L. Cignoli & Associates Inc. Garber, who received his master’s degree in public affairs from the UMass Amherst School of Public Policy, started working with the firm as an intern during his time as an undergraduate student at UMass studying political science and education. He attended Chicopee High School and found his first interest in history, theater, leadership, economics, and politics there. Throughout his time at UMass, he was able to refine those interests. While in college, he chaired the UMass Theatre Guild, got experience working in grassroots political campaigns, was on the student staff of the UMass Marching Band, and got his class B commercial driver’s license to work at UMass Transit. Garber will be responsible for oversight of all Cignoli client efforts. He works directly with company President Anthony Cignoli on all daily client operations, including drafting strategies, media monitoring, designing solutions that are customized to the firm’s unique clients, and contributing to the successful results of clients.

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Maybury Material Handling, a leading provider of industrial products and services to manufacturing, distribution, and warehousing customers throughout New England, announced a transition of leadership as John Maybury, who has served as president for almost five decades, assumes the role of chairperson, and his son, William Maybury, assumes the role of president. John established Maybury Material Handling in 1976, and the company began by making benches, stools, and cabinets. From there, it got into warehouse racks and shelving and now provides many automated material-handling products, including conveyors, conveyor systems, lift trucks, and more. Will has been involved in the business for as long as he can remember. From taking out the trash as a child to working in inventory to learning how to install warehouse equipment, to then coming back in 2015 and working in the Accounting department and serving as controller, he has learned the business from various points of view.

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Christine Byrne

Eastern States Exposition (ESE) announced the promotion of Christine Byrne to the position of director of Finance. She assumes this role following the retirement of Jerry Richard in December. Byrne holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in accounting from Western New England University. Her love for numbers started in high school when she took her first accounting class, and she has never looked back. She joined the ESE team last May, initially serving as assistant director of Finance. With more than 25 years of experience in accounting and finance, she brings a wealth of expertise to her new role. Prior to joining ESE, Byrne held the position of chief financial officer at Center of Hope Foundation Inc., demonstrating her commitment to financial excellence and strategic management. Byrne has also held finance and accounting roles at the Tri-Community YMCA, Howlett Lumber Co., Wing Memorial Hospital, and Court Square Group.

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Rose Colon, chair of the board of directors of Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services (MLKFS), announced the addition of the following new board members: William Davila, Byron Jones, Rania Kfuri, Dr. Yolanda Marrow, Awildo Morales, and Kimberly Robinson Williams, who will fill the Dora D. Robinson legacy board seat. Davila is vice president of Diversion, Shelter & Housing for the Center for Human Development Inc. in Springfield, as well as a licensed independent clinical social worker in Massachusetts and a licensed clinical social worker in Connecticut. Jones is a digital strategist and government contractor for the International Trade Assoc. (ITA) through Platinum Technologies (PT78) and has 19 years of business and digital strategy experience. Kfuri is a Philanthropy officer at the Baystate Health Foundation and has more than 20 years of development and related experience. Marrow is a pediatric trauma and Acute Care Surgery program manager at Baystate Medical Center and has 31 years of healthcare experience. Morales is a branch manager and Retail Banking and Security officer for Monson Savings Bank and has over 12 years of financial-services experience. Williams is Managing Partner of FDR & Associates LLC, which offers engagement with companies, organizations, and individuals committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). She has more than 27 years of experience working in HR, development, alumni relations, and DEI positions.

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Richard Greco

American International College (AIC) announced the appointment of Richard Greco as assistant vice president for Academic Affairs and Student Life. With his experience and proven success in leading teams that drive student success, Greco brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to the institution. In his new role, he will be leading efforts to integrate and align academic affairs and student life, ensuring a seamless support system for students. He will also spearhead innovative program development and foster community partnerships that provide meaning to students and community beyond the classroom. Bringing more than 25 years of management experience, both within and outside higher education, Greco previously served as dean of Liberal and Professional Studies at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) and has been a faculty member at AIC since 2012. He holds a master’s degree in biology from the University of Saint Joseph, as well as bachelor’s degrees in human biology and biochemistry from AIC and an associate degree in general studies from STCC. He is currently working toward a doctorate in public administration at West Chester University.

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The International Language Institute of Massachusetts (ILI) announced that La Wanza Lett-Brewington, Dora Tseng, and Jenni Greenhouse have joined ILI’s board of directors. Lett-Brewington led Old Dominion University’s Women and Gender Equity Center in Norfolk, Va. for nearly a decade. She is now Title IX coordinator and Affirmative Action officer for Greenfield Community College (GCC) and Berkshire Community College. A graduate of GCC and UMass Amherst’s University Without Walls and Graduate School of Education, she is known for innovative work in leadership development, diversity, equity, inclusion, conflict resolution, human-services administration, and crisis management. Tseng is access coordinator of Disability Services at UMass Amherst. In 2023, she celebrated her tenth year in the U.S., having arrived from Taiwan in 2013, and is now a permanent resident. She earned an associate degree from Greenfield Community College and a bachelor’s degree and master of education degree from UMass Amherst. As an immigrant, she is eager to share her experiences with newcomers and also continue her passionate commitment to social justice. Greenhouse moved from her home country of Colombia to Northampton in 2013, quickly enrolled in ILI’s intensive English classes, and studied at GCC. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Western New England University and an MBA from Boston University and is now senior manager of operations for Customer Support at Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, Conn. She plans to put her business and leadership skills to use in making an impactful contribution to ILI’s growth and future.

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Jacqueline Charron

Greenfield Cooperative Bank announced the appointment of Jacqueline (Jackie) Charron as its new senior vice president of Strategy & Implementation. She brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this role. With nearly 40 years in the banking industry, she possesses a track record of leadership and innovation. Charron’s focus will be on navigating the evolving CRA landscape and ensuring the bank thrives under the new regulations. Additionally, she will lend her support across various initiatives within the bank. Her deep understanding of the banking industry is expected to be instrumental in driving the bank’s continued success and reaffirming its commitment to its customers and communities.

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The Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) welcomed five new board members at its first meeting of 2024. Together, they bring to the chamber diverse experience as entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and business managers. The new board members are Jamie Cocco, Caroline Gear, Taylor Robbins, Elena Sharnoff, and Cigdem Turkomer. Cocco owns Empowered Digital Marketing and Empowered Social Media. In addition to his role on the board, he serves on the GNCC’s executive committee and chairs the ambassador committee. He brings an extensive marketing background to the GNCC, along with strong interests in building community and business development. Gear is the executive director of the International Language Institute of Massachusetts in Northampton. As executive director of a nonprofit organization, she brings to the chamber rich experience in working with a board, budgets, fundraising, and more. Robbins is a business relationship manager at UMassFive College Federal Credit Union. With a focus on commercial lending and cash management, she uses her experience in the field to offer individualized advice for business owners. Sharnoff owns B Strategic Communications and brings more than 25 years of experience in strategic communications and marketing, branding, and messaging to her role at the GNCC. She has served on che chamber’s ambassador committee for several years. Turkomer grew up in Istanbul and has spent more than 25 years creating set designs for commercial and documentary films. After studying for several years at San Francisco State University, Cigdem moved back to Northampton to open LeBonNton, which supports women artists and business owners from the U.S. and around the world.

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Derick Santos

Holyoke Community College (HCC) recently welcomed Derick Santos as its veterans-benefits and financial-aid counselor. He joined HCC on Jan. 22. Originally from Lajas, Puerto Rico, Santos holds a bachelor’s degree in computational mathematics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla., where he also worked in the Military and Veterans Services department for the university’s online campus. His father is an active-duty serviceman with the Puerto Rican National Guard. In his new role, Santos is HCC’s school-certifying official and will process all benefits for U.S. veterans and military-affiliated students. He will also counsel prospective and returning students through the financial-aid process and serve as part of the counselor on-call rotation.

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Dulye & Co. founder and President Linda Dulye, who 16 years ago established a philanthropic organization to develop and connect emerging leaders in the Berkshires and beyond, has been honored for her achievements by the Zonta Club of Berkshire County. After receiving nominations from the public, Zonta Club members voted on their final choices of Berkshire County women whose outstanding work is building a better world for women and girls. Dulye joins five other women who have made significant contributions in their fields and to the Berkshire community in receiving this annual award. They were recognized at the Zonta International Women’s Day celebration dinner on March 8.

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Robert Tyrol III

Pearson Wallace Insurance announced a new hire, Marc Membrino, and shared the achievement of current employee Robert “Bobby” Tyrol III, who has acquired his property and casualty insurance producer license. Membrino joins the team with an extensive background in the insurance industry. He moved to the Berkshires in 1979 and worked for his family-owned insurance company, which he later bought in 1989 and subsequently sold years later. Membrino’s current role with Pearson Wallace Insurance is customer service representative, in which he rates and services policies and provides help to customers. Tyrol has been with Pearson Wallace Insurance for two years. After working as an assistant golf professional at Berkshire Hills Golf Course in Pittsfield for six years, he joined Pearson Wallace Insurance in 2021 as a personal lines client manager. After receiving his insurance designation of a property and casualty producer, Tyrol has been promoted to customer service manager. He takes charge of all personal-line services for Pearson Wallace Insurance, with the goal of making customers’ experiences seamless.

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AXiA Insurance Services recognizes the recent professional achievements of two employees in its West Springfield location. Aidil Cortinhas, personal lines account relationship manager, earned the certified insurance service representative (CISR) designation. The CISR program is nationally recognized with the mission to further develop insurance-related competencies for industry customer-service representatives. Cortinhas has been with AXiA since October 2017, servicing clients’ home and auto insurance coverage. She is also a current member of the company’s team and events committee, which coordinates company employee events, and an active volunteer in AxiA Charitable Fund programs. Colin Dandy, administrative coordinator, earned his property and casualty insurance license, having passed the Massachusetts state exams. This qualifies him to now sell insurance coverage, continuing his growth track at the agency and in the industry. Dandy has been with AxiA since September 2022, after graduating high school that same year. He currently is a member of a company process/procedural committee.

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Advantage Truck Group (ATG) named its 2023 Pete DePina Legacy Award winners for Massachusetts, recognizing one individual from each of its locations in Raynham, Shrewsbury, and Westfield for making an impact on their fellow employees, customers, and the company. Gerry Avery received the legacy award for ATG’s Westfield facility. Employees were nominated by their peers for the award, and a winner was selected from each of ATG’s eight locations. 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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Sylviana Lopez

Viability Inc. announced the appointment of Sylviana Lopez as its chief people officer in Human Resources. She brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the organization, and she is expected to drive Viability’s commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. For more than two decades, Lopez has been at the forefront of solving complex problems at scale across industries from the private sector to human services, blending human-resources strategy with forwardthinking creativity. She is expected to be an asset to Viability in its pursuit of building a strong, diverse culture and strengthening its resolve to build a world in which individuals with disabilities and other disadvantages realize acceptance, inclusion, and access. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in San Juan, Puerto Rico and an MBA in human resources management from the University of New Haven in Connecticut.

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Springfield College Professor of Exercise Science Samuel Headley has been accepted as a fellow in the inaugural cohort of the Clinical Exercise Physiology Assoc. (CEPA), a recognition of his outstanding service to the field of clinical exercise physiology (CEP). Headley, currently program director of the Springfield College master’s and doctoral programs in exercise physiology, is one of the founders of CEPA and previously served as its president. Clinical exercise physiology is a branch of exercise physiology that focuses on the acute and chronic responses of both healthy individuals and individuals with chronic diseases to exercise. Headley is a well-known scholar in the field, with more than 50 peer-reviewed publications, 30 peer-reviewed abstracts, and six books or book chapters in exercise physiology. His scholarship has recently focused on the impact of exercise on patients with chronic kidney disease. During his time at Springfield College, he helped develop the college’s nationally accredited clinical exercise physiology program.

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William Pitt Sotheby’s announced that Richard Aldrich has joined the company. He will work with Steven Weisz to expand the company’s current market leadership role in commercial property sales and leasing. Aldrich has been in sales since 1971. As a real-estate broker in the Berkshires, he has become a leader in commercial property sales, leasing, and business brokerage. He has been involved with the sale of the Countryside Landscaping building in Williamstown, Camp Half Moon in Monterey, Country Curtains in Lee, and Patrick’s Pub in Pittsfield. He is currently representing the Fuel Coffee Shop and the Gorham & Norton Market.

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Michelle Muro

Dietz & Company Architects Inc. announced the addition of Michelle Muro, AIA to its staff in the role of senior architect in the Cambridge office. She holds a bachelor of architecture degree from Montana State University and is a licensed architect in Massachusetts, Vermont, New Jersey, and Kansas. She brings more than 26 years of experience to Dietz & Company, having worked for firms in Massachusetts and Colorado. Muro has worked on a variety of projects in the industrial, multi-family, commercial, retail, and sports-entertainment sectors. She has expertise in code compliance and accessibility and specializes in project management and construction administration. As such, she will be managing the construction process at the Walkling Court senior-housing development project in Medford.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff February 28, 2024

People on the Move

Donna Haghighat

Donna Haghighat, CEO of the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts, has announced her plans to retire, effective June 30. Under Haghighat’s leadership, beginning in 2017, the Women’s Fund developed innovative programs, sought out effective partnerships, increased grantmaking, grew its corporate and individual donations, and focused on racial equity and trust-based philanthropy. She was also integral in the launch of the Young Women’s Initiative for girls and young women of color in Springfield and the Greater Springfield Women’s Economic Security Hub. Haghighat has facilitated the monthly meetings of the Women Heads of Nonprofits group in Western Mass., which the Women’s Fund hosts, and has served on the state’s Community Reinvestment Fund Advisory Board and the advisory board of the Center for Social Justice at Western New England School of Law. She was appointed by Gov. Maura Healey to the Massachusetts Cultural Council this year and is a board member for WAM Theatre in the Berkshires.

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Timothy Craw

Professional Drywall Construction Inc. (PDC) announced that Timothy Craw has joined the company as vice president of Business Development and Labor Relations. With 45 years of construction experience in nearly every industry segment, Craw will be responsible for expanding the company’s footprint in all areas of the Atlantic states. Most recently, Craw was a union business agent and building trades president. In his various positions over the years, he has developed and maintained relationships with union and non-union contracts for business development and market expansion, recruited and represented union journeyman and apprentice carpenters in collective-bargaining negotiations, mediated contract conflicts, and monitored federal and state public construction projects during the planning, design, and bidding processes. Craw received the Carpenters Union Local 108 Steward of the Year Award in 2001 and the BCBCTC Edward M. Kennedy Award in 2016. He is a member of the International Foundation of Employee Benefits Plans and the Assoc. for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. A graduate of the U.S. Army Engineer School, he served six years as a sergeant in the U.S. Army.

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Andre Motulski

Florence Bank has promoted Andre Motulski to the role of vice president/controller. Motulski joined the bank’s team as assistant vice president/controller in September 2019. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Central Connecticut State University and is a Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.-commissioned risk-management examiner. In his new role, which he assumed in December, he is responsible for managing financial records, ensuring regulatory compliance, and assessing risks associated with lending and investment activities. Motulski is involved in the community, serving on the finance committee for Hampshire Regional YMCA in Northampton.

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western Massachusetts (BBBSWM) announced that Chris Thompson has been selected as the nonprofit’s chief growth officer. In this role, Thompson will be responsible for strengthening the newly merged agency’s relationship with the communities of Berkshire, Franklin, and Hampden Counties. Thompson was honored with the BusinessWest 40 Under Forty award in 2009 and is active in the local community. He currently sits on the board of Arrha Credit Union and is a former commissioner for the Western Massachusetts Sports Commission and West Springfield’s Parks and Recreation Commission. As co-founder and owner of the Westfield Starfires of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League, Thompson brings a wealth of experience to his new role in the areas of advocacy, community outreach, business development, and external relations. He will lead BBBSWM’s growth efforts in Berkshire and Franklin counties. Previously, Thompson served on the BBBS of Hampden County board of directors between 2014 and 2021. He brings with him more than 20 years of experience developing marketing partnerships and generating revenue for iconic Western Mass. brands, such as the Springfield Falcons hockey team, where he developed a comprehensive corporate partnership program, and where he led the launch of the Springfield Thunderbirds hockey club, serving as senior vice president of Sales & Strategy.

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Jeff Little

Governors America Corp. (GAC) welcomed Jeff Little as its new director of Product Management. As director of Product Management, Little’s responsibilities include aligning product strategy with business goals; driving product discovery, market research, and competitor research; driving innovation and new product development initiatives; communicating product vision and strategy to stakeholders; and monitoring and maintaining product health. Little received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Mississippi State University. He has garnered 27 years of experience in the industry, most recently as director of Product Management at Enovation Controls.

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MassMutual announced the appointment of Cindy Ryan to head of Human Resources. Ryan, who has more than two decades of HR leadership experience, will oversee and advance MassMutual’s people strategy, aligned with the company’s purpose, priorities, and aspirations. In this role, Ryan assumes oversight of MassMutual’s HR organization, which includes talent acquisition and management; total rewards; HR operations; employee relations; learning and development; and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). She will be responsible for continuing to evolve the company’s flexible, inclusive culture, supporting the holistic well-being and growth of MassMutual’s employees and attracting and retaining a talented, diverse workforce. Ryan joins MassMutual after spending nearly 25 years in various leadership roles of growing responsibility at Cigna, where she most recently served as the company’s chief Human Resources officer (CHRO). In this role, she led Cigna’s worldwide enterprise talent strategy and pandemic response, built its award-winning DEI approach, and enriched its engaged culture. Prior to her CHRO role, she served as senior vice president of HR for Cigna’s U.S. business lines, where she was responsible for talent-management strategies, employee engagement, and leadership effectiveness for the company’s health, life, and disability services lines as well as serving as the company’s chief talent officer, overseeing recruiting, learning, leadership development, and employee relations worldwide.

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Laurel Carpenter

Laurel Carpenter, associate professor of Environmental Science at Holyoke Community College (HCC), has been awarded a national fellowship focusing on STEM education at community colleges. The fellowship, from the Community College Presidents’ Initiative in STEM (CCPI-STEM), is intended for community-college faculty and administrators pursuing graduate degrees and conducting research related to STEM education and workforce development. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. Carpenter is part of a cohort of just seven CCPI-STEM fellows for 2024-25 and the only one from a college in the Northeast. Fellows are selected from a national pool of applicants, who are evaluated based on their education, STEM experience, leadership potential, community engagement, and research. A 2012 graduate of HCC, Carpenter is a wildlife biologist, chair of the HCC Environmental Studies department, co-coordinator of the HCC STEM Scholars program, and a graduate student at UMass Amherst, where she is pursuing a doctorate in education. CCPI-STEM fellows receive a $5,000 honorarium each year for two years to support their graduate studies. They also participate in professional-development activities and are paired with a professional mentor.

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Ute DeFarlo

Ute DeFarlo has been appointed director of Development by Shakespeare & Company, a nonprofit theater performance, education, and actor-training organization based in the Berkshires. In her position, DeFarlo is responsible for supporting Shakespeare & Company’s mission and vision through the development of new and expanded income streams, cultivation of the company’s donors and board of trustees, and various engagements with constituents in the Berkshire County community. Most recently, she served as director of Development for the Mount, Edith Wharton’s home, in Lenox and as Development officer at the Austen Riggs Center in Stockbridge. Her appointment marks her return to Shakespeare & Company’s Development team, which she first joined in 2004, serving as director from 2009 to 2015. DeFarlo holds a master’s degree in English and Russian language interpretation from the University of Mainz, Germany, and attended Georgetown University on a one-year Fulbright scholarship.

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O’Dell Women’s Center, Springfield’s first nonprofit women’s center, appointed Margaret Tantillo as its executive director. In her previous position as executive director of Dress for Success Western Massachusetts, Tantillo directed five distinct programs designed specifically for low-income women that resulted in hundreds of women finding gainful employment. These programs included workforce development, mentorship programming, and trainings in financial literacy, digital literacy, and dressing for the workplace. Toward the end of her tenure, she relocated Dress for Success Western Massachusetts to 45 Lyman St. as the anchor institution of the O’Dell Women’s Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization that offers low- and no-cost residency spaces to nonprofits that support its mission. Tantillo started her career working for the Girl Scouts. During her 13-year career with that organization, she rose through the ranks, started the first Girl Scout Advocacy Day at the Capitol in Hartford, Conn., and served in a senior leadership position, transitioning five independent nonprofits into one statewide organization with more than 65,000 members. Tantillo’s volunteer leadership roles in Springfield include serving on the core economic mobility hub of the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts and the coordinating committee of the Alliance for Digital Equity, and as a member of the core partners of Springfield WORKS. She earned her undergraduate degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo and her master’s degree from Springfield College.

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Geoff Rice

Market Mentors, LLC recently welcomed Geoff Rice to its team as a senior Content Marketing specialist. In this role, he applies his two decades of marketing, communications, and creative experience to every challenge, from brand launches to engaging content for websites, social media, and campaigns of all sizes. Prior to joining Market Mentors, Rice focused his talents on the health and beauty industries, and he now extends his expertise to clients from a diverse range of businesses, including manufacturing, energy, insurance, and others. He is a graduate of Colgate University with a degree in English literature.

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Berkshire Money Management congratulates Nate Tomkiewicz on becoming a certified financial planner (CFP) professional. He is also a licensed financial advisor and chartered retirement planning counselor. Tomkiewicz specializes in retirement planning and maximizing employee benefits for people who have worked hard for their money and want to pass it on to children or charity. He is skilled at identifying opportunities within 401(k), 403(b), and 457 plans. With this knowledge, he helps nurses, doctors, and other professionals in the Berkshires find opportunities they didn’t know they had. With his new CFP certification, Tomkiewicz is looks forward to tackling a broader set of challenges for his clients, including helping them reduce their tax liabilities, secure their estate for the next generation, and plan a fulfilling retirement.

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Christopher Rivers

Phillips Insurance Agency Inc. is celebrating the 20th work anniversary of Christopher Rivers, CRIS, senior vice president. Since joining Phillips in 2004, Rivers has been instrumental in growth that has made Phillips Insurance one of the largest writers of insurance and bonds for contractors in the Northeast. Rivers was recognized in January by Sentry Insurance for his 2023 production and flown to Maui to be an honorary observer at the Sentry Tournament of Champions at the Plantation Course at Kapalua, where he walked ‘inside the ropes’ with Jordan Speith, Scottie Scheffler, and Victor Hovland. Rivers has coached basketball, soccer, and baseball in Belchertown throughout the years. He and his family are strong supporters of St. Jude Hospital.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff February 14, 2024

People on the Move

Claudia Pazmany

The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce announced the resignation of Executive Director Claudia Pazmany, effective Feb. 28. Pazmany has led the chamber for the past five and a half years, growing it to over 400 members while leading it through the pandemic. The chamber will launch a search for its next executive director immediately. With Pazmany’s help, the Amherst Area Chamber has built a strong foundation with deeply rooted partnerships year after year and a dedicated staff focused on meeting the needs of its members and the business community. The chamber has hosted valuable events for members and the broader community to network, enjoy locations in the Greater Amherst area, and meet new people. Events such as Margarita Madness, the annual golf tournament, and the A+ Awards have all grown in recent years. Under her leadership, the chamber also established a diversity, equity, and inclusion task force and has advocated with local town governments on items of interest to its members. The chamber has continued its outreach to members in an effort to promote their businesses through workshops and monthly Arrive at 5 networking events. In 2023, Pazmany and Gabriele Gould from the Amherst Business Improvement District were recognized by BusinessWest as Difference Makers for their joint work on pandemic relief for small businesses.

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Liz Larson, currently director of Operations at the Amherst Business Improvement District (BID), has been named interim executive director, effective Feb. 26. Larson has been with the BID for six years and has worked closely with departing Executive Director Gabrielle Gould, creating events for the community, revitalizing downtown, and ensuring the health of the BID’s finances. She is the creative force behind the Makers’ Market at the annual Sip and Shop Stroll and the recently launched “Take a Dino to Dinner” campaign. With a background in arts administration and nonprofit management, Larson moved to Amherst with her family in 2007 and has been active in the community, serving on several boards and committees, including professional growth objectives for the public schools and the city’s Participatory Budgeting Commission. She is currently a trustee and board treasurer for the Amherst Historical Society. Prior to moving to Amherst, she spent 20 years in New York and Tokyo.

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Mary McGovern

The board of trustees of Country Bank announced the appointment of Mary McGovern as president and chief operating officer, effective April 1. She will oversee the bank’s operations and drive its strategic growth initiatives. Paul Scully, who has been the president and chief executive officer, will remain the CEO. McGovern brings more than 30 years of experience in the banking industry, making her a valuable asset to Country Bank. She holds degrees from Emmanuel College and Babson College, and her extensive knowledge and expertise have been instrumental in the bank’s success. Mary joined Country Bank in 2011 as its chief financial officer and has since been an esteemed member of the bank’s Leadership Group. McGovern recently attended the American Bankers Assoc. (ABA) Wharton Leadership Lab at the University of Pennsylvania, earning an ABA Wharton Leadership Certificate. This accomplishment further solidifies her commitment to excellence and continuous professional development.

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Emily Maher

MCLA Physics Professor Emily Maher, one of 65 scientists in the MINERvA collaboration at Fermi National Accelerator Lab (Fermilab), has published work that has been chosen as one of the “Top 10 Physics Breakthroughs of 2023” in Physics World. Over a 10-year span, the MINERvA detector recorded the interactions of neutrinos and antineutrinos, the antimatter partners of the neutrino. The physicists working on the MINERvA experiment used the data to make a groundbreaking new measurement, which was published last February in Nature. The study, led by Tejin Cai at the University of Rochester in the U.S. and Canada’s York University, shows how information about the internal structure of a proton can be gleaned from neutrinos scattering from a plastic target. The team focused on isolating the signal from neutrinos scattered off lone protons within the background of those scattered off protons bound in carbon nuclei. Their innovative approach involved simulating and subtracting the carbon-scattered signal from experimental data. This provides insights into proton structure and enhances the understanding of how neutrinos interact with matter.

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Holyoke Community College (HCC) recently welcomed Elizabeth Ollson as its manager of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving. Ollson is a 2018 graduate of HCC and also holds a bachelor’s degree in women, gender, and sexuality studies from UMass Amherst. She joined HCC’s division of Institutional Advancement in November. She came to HCC from Boston College, where she was the senior associate director of Annual Giving Programs. Prior to that, she worked at Amherst College as the Amherst Fund coordinator.

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Lisa Zarcone

Lisa Zarcone, an author, speaker, and child mental-health advocate honored in December as one of BusinessWest’s Women of Impact for 2023, has released her second book, titled The Book of Joann: A Novel Based on Her Life Story, and the Lifetime Battle She Endured with Mental Illness and published by Joshua Tree Publishing of Chicago. “The Book of Joann is a powerful story of darkness and light, defeat and victory, hope and faith,” said Zarcone, whose first book, The Unspoken Truth, is a memoir of her experiences with — and overcoming — years of abuse. Zarcone is currently the Massachusetts National Ambassador for the National Assoc. of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse. She is dedicated to spreading awareness of child safety/abuse, as well as mental illness and the stigma that surrounds it. She is committed to educating people and promoting change in a flawed system as too many children continue to fall through the cracks. She is also a public speaker, radio personality, social-media influencer, and blogger on her own website, lisazarcone.net. The Book of Joann can be found at both Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

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Dean’s Beans Organic Coffee Co. announced that its CEO, Beth Spong, has been appointed to serve on the board of the International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA), a global organization dedicated to empowering women in the coffee industry, fostering gender equality, and promoting the inclusion of women at all levels of the coffee supply chain. Now in its 20th year, IWCA is committed to creating an equitable coffee industry by empowering women in chapters serving 33 countries around the world through leadership development, strategic partnership, and amplified market visibility. Spong brings a wealth of experience with nonprofit boards and a passion for promoting equity to her new role. Under her guidance, Dean’s Beans continues to be at the forefront of advocating for fair-trade practices, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility within the specialty coffee industry. As a board member, she will contribute her expertise to further IWCA’s mission and initiatives supporting women coffee farmers, exporters, importers, roasters, and entrepreneurs.

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Amara Barbiero

The law firm of Pellegrini, Seeley, Ryan & Blakesley (PSRB) announced the appointment of Amara Barbiero as an associate attorney. Barbiero graduated from Quinnipiac University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting prior to obtaining her juris doctorate from Western New England University (WNE) School of Law. As a law student, she was awarded the prestigious CALI Award in Workers’ Compensation, given to the highest-scoring student in each law-school class. She also worked as a clinician for the WNE Small Business Clinic in Springfield. Barbiero spent four years working as a legal assistant in Connecticut before joining PSRB as a law clerk in 2021. That immersion into the practice of law has helped her develop an experience-based sensitivity to issues of equity and justice across diverse communities. She is licensed to practice law in Massachusetts and awaits her admission to the bars of Connecticut and New Jersey.

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New England Public Media (NEPM) promoted Elizabeth Román into the role of managing editor – daily and digital news. Although her title did not dramatically change, her responsibilities have evolved, and she will now take the lead on delivering daily news programming on the radio, NEPM’s website, and social-media channels. Román is continuing to focus on expanding the diversity of sources in news coverage and opportunities to create more Spanish-language news content. As the daughter of Puerto Rican parents who migrated to Massachusetts more than 40 years ago, she has intended throughout her career as a journalist to provide accurate representation of communities of color in Western Mass. She has felt empowered to do this at NEPM, and in this new role, with the addition of supervisory responsibilities, she looks forward to sharing her expertise with other journalists. Román is a graduate of Holyoke Community College and UMass Amherst. Prior to working at NEPM, she was a reporter at the Republican for almost two decades, edited El Pueblo Latino, co-founded Colectivo de Medios Latinos, and appeared as a panelist on NEPM’s “The Short List” and “Connecting Point.” She joined NEPM in 2022.

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Friends of Children Inc. (FOC) announced it has appointed new leadership at the organization. Debi Belkin, MSW, LICSW and Sarah Segura, MSW, LCSW are the new co-executive directors of the nonprofit organization that works to support children and young adults whose lives have been affected by the child-welfare system. Belkin and Segura are both current employees of the organization. Belkin has more than 40 years of experience advocating for court-involved children and adolescents in Massachusetts, including more than 30 years as a supervisor at the Department of Children and Families. She has most recently been the director of Programs at FOC. Segura has been with FOC since 2021, sharing her experience in advocacy, case management, and program development, as well as a passion for working with individuals and families of diverse cultural backgrounds. She has most recently been the CASA program manager at FOC. This new co-directorship comes after the organization’s founder, Jane Lyons, retired in July 2023.

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Jack Antkowiak

Paige Auger

Market Mentors, LLC, a fully integrated marketing, advertising, and public-relations agency, recently added two new specialists to its multi-disciplinary team. Jack Antkowiak joined the agency as a digital marketing specialist, and Paige Auger started her role as a financial administrator. As a digital marketing specialist, Antkowiak manages, reports on, and optimizes paid digital ads and SEO campaigns. This involves taking deep dives into ad performance and website analytics data to uncover actionable insights and trends that can be used to improve both campaign performance and the overall user/customer journey. A graduate of the University of Connecticut, Antkowiak combines tried-and-true best practices with a deep understanding of the target audience to build engaging and impactful campaigns. With a degree in business administration as well as management experience in accounting, Auger joined the Market Mentors finance team to handle accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing, reconciliation, and 1099 reporting. She collaborates across departments to ensure accuracy in data input and is skilled at summarizing large amounts of data and presenting meaningful information for review. A graduate of Western New England University, she received the 2017 Lawrence H. Nath Management Award.

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Following an extensive and thorough search process, Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts announced the appointment of Theresa Lynn as its new CEO. Lynn brings a wealth of experience in nonprofit leadership, having most recently served as senior vice president of the United Way of Central Massachusetts, where she focused on fundraising, communications, and some large grant-making opportunities. Her dedication to community engagement is evident through her roles as executive director for Back on My Feet, addressing homelessness and job insecurity in Boston, and executive director for ReadBoston for 14 years. She currently serves as a board member for the Worcester Education Collaborative and BioBuilder Education Foundation. Lynn holds a master of public administration degree from the Harvard Kennedy School, an MBA from Boston University, and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the College of Holy Cross. Her contributions in the community have been recognized by the Boston Celtics, who presented her with a Heroes Among Us award, and by the Boston Business Journal, which acknowledged her as a Top 40 Under 40 leader in Boston.

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Bill Mertz has been appointed Tighe & Bond’s next Transportation Business Line leader. Mertz joined the firm in 2023 with the acquisition of WorldTech Engineering. He has nearly 30 years of experience on a wide variety of roadway, bridge, transportation, and utility infrastructure projects. Throughout his career, he has overseen the financial performance, project management, and technical delivery of transportation and infrastructure projects. Additionally, he has worked on notable projects for state agencies, including the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and MassDOT, as well as local communities throughout New England. Mertz is based out of Tighe & Bond’s Woburn office. Outside of work, he serves as a member of the American Public Works Assoc. and the American Society of Civil Engineers, as well as local boards.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff January 31, 2024

People on the Move

Kimberly Howarth

Jenna Roux

The certified public accounting firm Burkhart, Pizzanelli, P.C. announced two recent additions to its professional team. Kimberly Howarth, CPA received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bryant University in 2005 and a master’s degree in accounting from Western New England University in 2007. Her prior experience includes the position of senior accountant specializing in tax preparation. She has vast experience in preparing and reviewing tax returns. In addition to working with small and mid-sized businesses to fulfill their accounting, payroll, and tax-preparation needs, she has significant experience preparing individual and trust returns, as well as probate accounting. Jenna Roux, CPA received her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Central Connecticut State University in 2012 and her master of taxation degree from University of Hartford in 2015. Her previous experience includes the position of senior accountant focusing on multi-state corporate, partnership, individual, and nonprofit income-tax returns. In addition, she has expertise in real-estate accounting practices, as well as functioning as an ‘outsourced CFO’ providing strategic consulting and support of daily financial activities.

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Frank Colaccino

Samalid Hogan

The Springfield Rotary Club presented Frank Colaccino and Samalid Hogan with Paul Harris Awards on Jan. 25 at the Student Prince Restaurant in Springfield. Colaccino, founder and president of the Colvest Group, earned a Paul Harris Award in recognition of years of outstanding service to the Springfield community and to the Rotary Club. In addition to his service and contributions to JGS Lifecare and American International College, for over 13 years Colaccino has chaired the Service Above Self Luncheon at the Basketball Hall of Fame. This event brings together more than 300 attendees from the Greater Springfield business community for a luncheon on Center Court at the Basketball Hall of Fame. The Service Above Self luncheon recognizes the charitable work of local and national honorees. Through Colaccino’s leadership, hundreds of thousands of dollars have been raised for the Basketball Hall of Fame and for Rotary grants that have been awarded to local charities. Hogan, CEO and principal consultant at Greylock Management Consulting, is the immediate past president of Springfield Rotary and its first Latina president. Under her leadership, Springfield Rotary started a corporate membership program, collaborated with Dress for Success to develop a long-term investment program for women entering the workforce, and created a Service Day with Habitat for Humanity. Her dynamic and cheerful leadership made her presidency a banner year for Springfield Rotary. Hogan’s service to her community includes board participation on the Governor’s Latino Empowerment Council, Tech Foundry, and the board of trustees of Springfield Technical Community College.

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MP CPAs recently announced the promotion of Amanda LaBonte and Jack LaBranche to senior associates at the firm. LaBonte has experience managing tax filings for high-net-worth individuals, partnerships, limited-liability companies, corporations, trusts, and estates. She also maintains the firm’s social-media presence and website maintenance. She joined the firm in August 2020. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and marketing and a master’s degree in accounting from Elms College. She sits on the Chicopee High School advisory board and works as a mentor and accounting advocate in the Springfield and Chicopee areas. She has also worked as a panelist on the business accounting panel at Elms College, where she answered questions from students and provided valuable industry insights. She belongs to the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield and frequently attends networking events in the area. LaBranche provides consulting and tax solutions to a diverse group of clients, including individuals, partnerships, limited-liability companies, corporations, and trusts. He specializes in working with high-net-worth clients and with private equity firms and their owners. He joined the firm in 2020 as an intern and transitioned to full-time upon his graduation. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Western New England University. He is active in the community as a part-time coach for West Springfield sports teams and a volunteer at a local soup kitchen, and was a past chairperson of the social action committee at MP CPAs, helping raise money for various local charities.

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Brooke Williams

Matt Baran

MP CPAs also announced the promotions of Brooke Williams to audit manager and Matt Baran to tax manager. Williams manages audits, reviews, and compilations for small to medium-sized businesses. She also manages audits of Massachusetts charter schools (governmental entities), nonprofit organizations (including yellow book and single audits), and employee benefit plans. She joined the firm in 2019 and has more than five years of experience in public accounting. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and economics and a master’s degree in accounting from Westfield State University. She is a certified public accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants. She takes an active role in the local community by participating in various community fundraising and networking events. Baran provides consulting and tax solutions to a diverse group of clients, including individuals, partnerships, corporations, and trusts. He specializes in working with high-net-worth clients and with private-equity firms and their owners. He joined the firm in 2018 as an intern and started full-time later that year. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in accounting and taxation from UMass Amherst. He remains involved in recruiting and mentorship efforts with the university.

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Bulkley Richardson announced that Stephen Holstrom and Lauren Ostberg were promoted to partner, effective Jan. 1. Holstrom is a general practice litigator with a focus on medical-malpractice defense. In addition to medical-malpractice cases, he has litigated complex tort actions, commercial disputes, insurance cases, complex class actions, and education cases. Ostberg, a key member of Bulkley Richardson’s intellectual property and technology and cybersecurity practice groups, also maintains a diverse commercial-litigation practice.

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Natalia Blank

Bay Path University announced that Natalia Blank has been elected to serve as vice president for Academic Affairs, which was effective Jan. 2. Blank will serve on the executive leadership team and work across all divisions at the university. In her role, she will articulate a clear and compelling vision for the academic enterprise that builds on Bay Path’s innovative approach to higher education, marshals the collective talents of faculty and staff in an environment of collegiality and cooperation, and use data-driven decision making and strategic thinking to optimize the student experience, from access through successful completion, as well as the academic operations of the university. After a national search, Blank comes to Bay Path from D’Youville University in Buffalo, N.Y., where she served as vice president for Academic Affairs. She joins the leadership team with nearly 20 years working in university administrative roles, including associate provost for Academic Affairs and Assessment at Norwich University in Vermont. For more than 20 years, Blank has served in various roles on both the faculty and administrative side in education. As a teacher-scholar, she has been the author of numerous publications, earned several awards and honors for teaching excellence, and has received multiple grants in support of student and faculty research. She received her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Nizhegorod State University in Nizhniy Novgorod, Russia, and went on to receive her doctorate in organic/organometallic chemistry from Dartmouth College.

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Gabrielle Gould, executive director of the Amherst Business Improvement District (BID) and the Downtown Amherst Foundation (DAF), announced she will be stepping down from her position at the BID to form a consulting business. She will continue in a leadership capacity for the DAF and its management of the Drake, the live performance venue in downtown Amherst. Her final day at the BID will be Feb. 22. Appointed executive director in August 2019, Gould’s four-plus years at the helm of the organization have been filled with notable successes, including strengthening the BID’s relationship with town government and institutional partners, teaming with the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce on COVID relief for small businesses, producing signature downtown events like the Sip & Shop Stroll and Makers Market holiday event and Fire & Ice, and conceiving and launching the Drake, the downtown’s first-ever live performance venue. In recognition of their efforts, Gould and Claudia Pazmany, the chamber’s executive director, were named Difference Makers by BusinessWest in 2023. A search for Gould’s successor will commence in the coming weeks.

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Devin Kindred

American International College (AIC) announced the appointment of Devin Kindred as director of Residence Life and Student Conduct. This appointment reflects the college’s recognition of Kindred’s commitment to delivering an exceptional student experience. In this new role, he will oversee residence education, student conduct, and housing operations at AIC. Serving as the chief housing officer for the college, he will manage the daily functions of the residence halls, supervise the professional live-in hall staff, and administer the student-conduct process. His responsibilities encompass providing support to professional and paraprofessional staff to foster a supportive living environment and maintaining a code of conduct that prioritizes the well-being and success of all students. Before assuming his new position, Kindred served as AIC’s assistant director for Residential and Commuter Student Living, managing housing operations and commuter-student relations. In addition to this role, he facilitated the Safe Zone – LGBTQ+ education series presented to more than 50 faculty and staff on campus. Before joining AIC, Kindred held positions as a residence-hall director at Sacred Heart University and residence director at Stonehill College. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in human resource management from Western New England University, and later attained his master of education in higher education leadership from Endicott College.

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Country Bank announced the recent promotions of five key team members who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and expertise in their respective roles. These promotions reflect the bank’s commitment to recognizing and developing talent within the organization. Shane Elder has been promoted to first vice president, Business Banking team lead. With more than 11 years of experience in commercial lending and eight years in commercial-lending management, he has proven himself as a valuable asset to the Business Banking department. In addition to his role as team leader, he also oversees the Cash Management Sales department. Brett LoCicero has been promoted to first vice president, Facilities and Security. With seven years of service to the bank, his expertise in managing facilities and security operations. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Nichols College and is pursuing his PMP (project management professional) certification. Justin Calheno has been promoted to vice president, Retail Lending Business Development officer. With 20 years of lending experience, including the last seven years with Country Bank, he brings a wealth of knowledge to his role. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Westfield State University and is currently attending the American Banker Assoc. Stonier Graduate School of Banking. Antonio Palano has been promoted to vice president, Retail Lending. His 15-year tenure at Country Bank showcases his commitment and dedication to the organization. Having progressed through various roles, he currently manages the Retail Lending Servicing and Operations departments. He holds an associate degree in business administration from Springfield Technical Community College and is a 2023 graduate of New England School of Financial Studies. Cuc Nguyen has been promoted to Retail Banking officer of the Paxton Banking Center. With more than 16 years of banking experience, she brings a wealth of knowledge to her new role. Her previous experience at Commerce Bank, Berkshire Bank, and DCU has equipped her with a deep understanding of front-line management and customer satisfaction. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and finance from Southern New Hampshire University.

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Sarah Morgan

Shawn Thamert

Health New England announced the recent appointment of two vice presidents: Sarah Morgan, vice president of Human Resources, and Shawn Thamert, vice president of Sales and chief growth officer. Morgan has been promoted from within the organization, where she had been serving as director of Human Resources since 2021. In her new role as vice president of Human Resources, she leads and oversees Health New England’s human-capital and organizational-development operations, ensuring that business strategies, plans, and initiatives are developed and implemented in compliance with governing regulations, internal policies, and procedures. She is also responsible for identifying and implementing long-range strategic talent management goals. Morgan joined Health New England in 2019 as assistant general counsel. She was previously a litigation associate at Bulkley Richardson in Springfield. Morgan is a graduate of UMass Amherst and earned her juris doctor degree from the Western New England University School of Law. She is currently a master’s-degree candidate in diversity, equity, inclusion & justice leadership at Tufts University. As vice president, Thamert is responsible for the strategic direction, leadership, and oversight for all sales, product-development, and marketing programs, including the Medicare line of business. He is also responsible for Health New England’s partnerships with brokers, employer groups, and community nonprofit organizations. Thamert joined Health New England as interim vice president, Sales and Marketing, in February 2023. Since then, he has focused on strategic membership growth across all lines of business. He has nearly 25 years of healthcare leadership experience, including as vice president, Market Development for Commonwealth Care Alliance, as well as senior sales positions with MultiPlan, Geisinger Health System, Jackson Health System, Humana, Highmark, and Coventry. He received his bachelor’s degree from Penn State University.

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Victor Rodriguez Sr

Greenfield Cooperative Bank (GCB) announced the appointment of Victor Rodriguez Sr. as assistant vice president, mortgage loan officer. In this role, he intends to leverage his extensive experience and expertise to guide borrowers through the homeownership journey with personalized care and local market knowledge. He will be based at the bank’s South Hadley branch. Rodriguez brings more than 20 years of banking experience. Throughout his career, he has earned accolades such as the 2022 Realtor Affiliate of the Year from the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley. Rodriguez’s passion for mortgage lending extends beyond client transactions, as evidenced by his recent role as a guest speaker at the NEFMA fall conference, where he presented on the topic “Opportunities Await: Developing a Diverse Mortgage Customer Source.”

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Peter Ruffini was installed as the 2024 president of the Realtor Assooc. of Pioneer Valley (RAPV), a nonprofit trade association with more than 1,800 members. The 108th annual installation of officers and directors was held on Jan. 11 at Twin Hills Country Club in Longmeadow. A Realtor since 1996, Ruffini is the broker/owner of RE/MAX Connections and has made a long-term commitment to RAPV and the Realtor family. Since 2021, he has served on the local board of directors at RAPV, including as secretary in 2022 and treasurer in 2023. He is involved in several committees at the association, including the government affairs, mediator & ombudsman, professional standards, bylaws & policy task force, and finance. The RAPV named him Realtor of the Year in 2015 and 2021. Ruffini served as president of the Massachusetts Assoc. of Realtors (MAR) in 2014. In addition to serving in leadership, he has been a member of the MAR board of directors since 2006. He received the MAR Private Property Rights Award in 2019 and the MAR Milton H. Shaw Distinguished Service Award in 2020. He also currently serves as chair of the Massachusetts Board of Registration for Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons and holds 11 professional designations and certifications.

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Ashley Swett

Florence Bank recently announced that Ashley Swett has been named manager of the bank’s Customer Service Center at the main office in Florence. In her new role, she will oversee the staff responsible for assisting Florence Bank customers who contact the bank via telephone or email. Swett has 16 years of industry experience and is a graduate of the New England School of Financial Studies. She holds a certificate in supervision from the Center for Financial Training. Active in the community, Swett is currently a member of the Holiday Flair in Ware, where she enjoys the annual festival and parade.

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Braman Termite & Pest Elimination announced the promotion of John McCarthy from account manager to sales director. In his new role, McCarthy is directly responsible for leading and developing Braman’s sales team while cultivating customer relationships for long-term customer satisfaction and growth. This includes developing long-range sales goals and objectives, as well as sales plans and tactics to meet and exceed those goals. McCarthy joined the Braman team in 2022 with 22 years of experience in a variety of leadership roles within the pest-control industry, including sales and service manager, branch manager, and district manager. He is a member of the National Pest Management Assoc.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff January 17, 2024

People on the Move

Matthew Nash

Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. (MBK) announced the promotion of Matthew Nash, CPA to partner. Since joining the firm in 2011, he has been an integral part of the team, focusing on audit, review, and compilation engagements and playing a pivotal role in the commercial, not-for-profit audit, and pension engagement teams. Nash earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Nichols College and an MBA from Elms College, and is a member of both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants. In his time at MBK, he has advanced from an intern to a senior manager and now to a partner. Beyond his professional achievements, Nash is deeply involved in community service. He serves as a board member and treasurer for Springfield School Volunteers and is a committee member of the Ronald McDonald House Golf Tournament.

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The board of directors of AdLib Inc., a community-based, cross-disability, nonprofit organization, announced Sally English as the new executive director. English, who holds a master of social work degree from Boston College, was eager to join the team and return to the independent-living movement. English most recently advanced in leadership at Viability Inc., supporting its Clubhouse and MOMs programs through several leadership, programmatic, and pandemic-related changes. Prior to Viability, she worked at the Boston Center for Independent Living as the director of Services. English was included in the BusinessWest 40 Under Forty class of 2019. AdLib Inc., founded in 1983, provides information and referral, advocacy, skills training, peer support, transition, representative payee, and personal-care-attendant services to people with disabilities of all ages throughout Berkshire County. As a center for independent living, it was important to the AdLib board of directors to find a leader able to embrace the philosophy of independent living, which focuses on ensuring that people with disabilities are able to live in the community with control over their own services and lives. English, who began her tenure in June, has spent the first six months with AdLib creating relationships with staff and external stakeholders, as well as improving internal systems and processes to ensure staff are supported in providing quality services to consumers. An open house will be planned for 2024.

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The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts announced the appointment of new officers to its board of directors, effective Jan. 1. Dr. Charlotte Boney, who has assumed the role of president, chairs the Department of Pediatrics at Baystate Health. The first vice president, Willette Yarbrough Johnson, is a retired educator from Springfield Public Schools, having served 38 years in a variety of capacities. She continues exploring her love of education as a member of the Coalition of Experienced Black Educators, an educational consultant group. The second vice president is Omar Irizarry, director of Cross Agency Initiatives at the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health. William Harju, treasurer, is chief financial officer at USA Hauling & Recycling, and the clerk is Shannon Yaremchak, director of Grants and Latino Economic Development Opportunities at Partners for Community, and director of Mission Advancement at New England Farm Workers’ Council. In their new capacities, the new officers will lead the Food Bank to implement innovative strategies, expand partnerships, and elevate the organization’s impact. Two new board members also began their tenure: Joesiah González, chief Philanthropy & Communications officer at Home City Development Inc., and Xiaolei Hua, first vice president of Commercial Lending at PeoplesBank.

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David Lavenburg

Bacon Wilson, P.C. announced that David Lavenburg, one of the firm’s attorneys, has been promoted to shareholder. Since joining the firm in November 2020, he has been an integral part of the firm, focusing on loan recovery, loan workouts, collection matters, restructuring, debt repayments, and bankruptcy. Lavenburg received his bachelor’s degree from Ohio Wesleyan University and his juris doctorate from Capital University of Law School in Columbus, Ohio. With more than 32 years of litigation experience, he chairs the creditor’s rights, collections, and bankruptcy practice group at Bacon Wilson. He is admitted to practice in both the Massachusetts and Connecticut state courts, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, and the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut. In the firm’s probate department, Lavenburg supports litigation needs in cases involving contests, breaches of fiduciary duty, lack of capacity, and undue influence claims. In the commercial and corporate department, he represents the firm’s clients in partnership disputes, commercial litigation, general business litigation, and commercial lease disputes. He has also been chairman of the Longmeadow Zoning Board of Appeals since 2006.

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MGM Resorts International announced the appointment of Louie Theros as president and chief operating officer of MGM Springfield, where he will oversee the resort’s daily operations and strategic direction, focused on continued employee engagement and community relations. He succeeds Chris Kelley, who recently announced his decision to pursue a new opportunity closer to family on the West Coast. Theros has been with MGM Resorts since 2015, most recently serving as vice president, legal counsel, and assistant secretary at MGM Grand Detroit. Prior to joining the company, Theros worked in legal private practice, serving as vice president of Detroit-based law firm Butzel Long, following more than 20 years as a lawyer at Dickenson Wright. He is a graduate of Vanderbilt University Law School and earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan.

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Stephanie Vincelette

Erica Gomes

bankESB recently promoted Stephanie Vincelette to assistant vice president, Human Resources Operations, and Erica Gomes to assistant vice president, Customer Care. Vincelette has 11 years of banking experience. She was previously Human Resources Operations officer and, before that, Payroll manager, and began her career in banking as a Payroll specialist. Before joining bankESB in 2012, she had five years of previous payroll and human-resources experience. With this promotion, she will continue to oversee payroll operations; will now oversee benefits operations; and will expand her responsibilities in salary administration, compensation planning, and policy management. Vincelette has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Western New England University. She holds a senior professional human resources certification. Gomes has 24 years of banking experience. She joined the Hometown Financial Group family of banks at bankHometown in 2013 as branch manager of the Killingly, Conn. office after spending more than 14 years in retail banking with Citizens Bank. She was promoted to Customer Care officer at Hometown Financial’s bankESB in 2016. In her new role, she will manage the Customer Care call center. Gomes completed coursework in accounting at the Community College of Rhode Island. She has been a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, Junior Achievement, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, and local homeless shelters, and previously served as treasurer of the Killingly Business Assoc.

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Kim Collins

Caitlin Meyer

The Springfield Symphony Orchestra (SSO) announced the recent hiring of two new staff members: Kim Collins, Audience Development and Community Engagement manager; and Caitlin Meyer, Education director. Collins will work to create community connections for the SSO and engage new audiences, while Meyer will be responsible for bringing back the hosting of SSO educational performances for public-school students as well as creating new educational programming for the organization. Collins joined the SSO in October. She most recently served as director of Member Services with the Connecticut River Valley Chamber of Commerce. In that role, she was the first point of contact for all member relations, led the ambassador team, and revised and refreshed member benefits, onboarding, and retention. She also facilitated networking and member-orientation events, as well as ribbon cuttings, and planned large events for the chamber. Collins has also been a performing artist and educator her entire life. As a flutist, she has performed with the SSO for more than 25 years and also served as the SSO’s orchestra librarian for several years. Meyer is an educational leader, music educator, and professional musician who has taught in China, Tanzania, Israel, and Australia. Before joining the SSO, she served as director of Programs for a charter school in Bridgeport, Conn., where she worked closely with the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants to build out arts-integrative, culturally responsive programs for newcomer students. Meyer also founded the Qingdao Visual and Performing Arts Educators Assoc., which has allowed students of every background in China to participate in district-wide arts initiatives as well as international travel opportunities. Prior to her work in Qingdao, Meyer was the music director at Saint Bernard School in Uncasville, Conn. for seven years.

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Luke Goodridge has joined the law firm of Bulkley Richardson as a partner. His practice will continue to focus on estate planning, trust administration, and general business-law matters. Goodridge was previously a named partner at the law firm of Curtiss, Carey, Gates & Goodridge, LLP, based in Greenfield. He will continue to maintain an office in Greenfield. He earned a bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, from UMass Amherst; a juris doctorate from the University of Connecticut School of Law, and is currently a candidate for an LLM (master of laws) degree in taxation at Boston University School of Law.

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Ashley Swett

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The Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley (RAPV) announced its annual award winners at the association’s holiday luncheon on Dec. 14 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. The Realtor of the Year Award was given to Vincent Walsh of Coldwell Banker Realty, while the Affiliate of the Year Award was given to Christine Webster, attorney at Begley & Webster LLC. A Realtor since 1992, Walsh served as president of the RAPV board of directors in 2011. He has also served on the grievance, government affairs, professional standards, and YPN committees. He continues to serve on the RAPV board of directors. Walsh has given back to the community through his involvement by being nominated for and approved by the Springfield City Council and holding the Realtor seat on the Springfield Historical Commission for nearly 12 years. He is a member of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and the USO. He is a supporter of the VFW, Habitat for Humanity, American Cancer Society, American Heart Assoc., and St. Jude Children’s Hospital. A member of RAPV since 2005, Webster has served on the affiliate-realtor and professional development committees. Webster has demonstrated significant support to the association and community outreach and volunteered in RAPV’s seminars held by the affiliate-realtor committee and the professional development committee’s “If the Realtor Had Only Known” sessions. She also provides guidance to all Realtors who seek assistance in transactions and legal questions. Her community activities include being a Westfield Zoning Board of Appeal member and serving on the finance committee at St. Mary’s Parish of Westfield. She also volunteers preparing meals for the homeless and has been involved in fundraising for schools and the parish.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff December 6, 2023

People on the Move

Lidya Rivera-Early

UMass Amherst has appointed Lidya Rivera-Early to the newly created position of executive director of Government Relations and Springfield Partnerships. Rivera-Early brings more than 25 years of leadership, development, and managerial experience to the position, most recently as director of Community Engagement at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC). She will draw on her established relationships in the public and private sectors to serve as liaison between UMass Amherst and the city of Springfield. At STCC, Rivera-Early served in various roles over the past decade, working to deepen relationships with community partners and collaborating across campus and with outside organizations on educational and career-development initiatives. She also served as a liaison between college departments and regional and statewide stakeholders and represented the college on various boards and in the community. Prior to her role at STCC, she was Section 3 program manager for the city of Springfield, where she was responsible for administrative and technical duties managing, coordinating, and administering the city’s Section 3 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Previously, she served as grants coordinator/manager for the Springfield Housing Authority, overseeing all grant-funded programs for the agency. Rivera-Early received a bachelor’s degree in human services and a master’s degree in organizational management and leadership in human services from Springfield College. She is a graduate of Leadership Pioneer Valley and is the recipient of several notable awards and honors, including the Massachusetts Latina Excellence Award. She serves on the boards of a number of community organizations, including the Healing Racism Institute of Pioneer Valley and the newly formed Dora D. Robinson Women’s Leadership Council.

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Maureen Buxton

James Hagan, president and CEO of Westfield Bank, announced that Maureen Buxton has been appointed to the role of business specialist, assistant branch manager. She will be based out of the bank’s 1342 Liberty St. location in Springfield and will assist in managing all areas of the branch, including customer service, retail and business product sales, employee development, and general operations. For the past 31 years, Buxton has worked in the banking industry, holding multiple roles in local community banks and credit unions, including branch manager and mortgage loan officer positions. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Westfield State University. Buxton is very involved in her community, serving as a chairperson on the Chicopee Parks and Recreation Commission and the Chicopee Athletic Hall of Fame Committee. She also serves as treasurer for the Cigars4Soldiers Committee and is a member of the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade Road Race Committee. In 2013, she received the President’s Award at a local community bank, a prestigious award recognizing her outstanding performance and customer service. The following year, she received the Paul Harris Honoree award from the Rotary Club of Chicopee.

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Karolina Weagle

Regional law firm Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C. announced that attorney Karolina Weagle was accepted into the 2023 Massachusetts Bar Assoc. Leadership Academy. Believing exceptional leaders are essential to the improvement of the legal profession and understanding there are few leadership training opportunities for young attorneys, the Massachusetts Bar Assoc. developed its Leadership Academy to better prepare young attorneys to assume leadership roles at the bar, both in their firms or organizations and in government. Weagle concentrates her practice in estate planning. Prior to joining Shatz, Schwartz & Fentin in 2022, she worked at a Boston firm representing clients in litigation and criminal-defense matters, and later returned to Western Mass., where she practiced in the areas of real estate, estate planning, and estate administration. She graduated summa cum laude from Westfield State University in 2015 with bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and political science. Soon after, she enrolled at New England Law Boston, where she graduated cum laude in 2018. While in law school, she made the dean’s list every semester, was awarded the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Property II in the spring of 2016, and earned the New England Scholar Award for 2015-16. She is also fluent in Polish.

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Melissa Blissett

Melissa Blissett, vice president of Family Services at Square One, has been named advisory board chair of the Springfield College School of Social Work. Her appointment follows the passing of long-time social worker and social-services advocate Dora Robinson. Blissett earned her master of social work degree from Springfield College in 2015. As a student, she served on both the advisory board and the student organization for the School of Social Work. She currently serves as an adjunct professor. At Square One, she leads a team of social workers, case managers, and support staff who provide parent education, support, and training programs through groups, home visitation, and personalized case management to help parents access whatever services are needed to be successful in their role as their child’s first teacher. Blissett joined Square One in 2014 as a supervisor in the agency’s Healthy Families and Supervised Visitation programs. In 2017, she went to work as a child and family-law division social worker for the Committee for Public Council Services in Springfield. In 2018, she returned to Square One as the assistant vice president of Family Services, and in 2021, she was promoted to vice president.

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Jasmin Mujkic

Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries named Jasmin Mujkic vice president of Retail. He is a retail executive with more than 15 years of business leadership experience, including working in three Goodwill organizations across the country. Mujkic joins Goodwill from LePrix, an e-commerce marketplace for luxury goods, where he was vice president. Prior to that, he was vice president of Retail Operations for Goodwill of Greater Washington, D.C. He has also held management positions at Goodwill of Greater East Bay in California and Goodwill of North Georgia. A native of Croatia, Mujkic began his retail career in Europe and has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Zagreb.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff November 8, 2023

People on the Move

Tracy Friedenberg

Bacon Wilson announced that Tracy Friedenberg has joined the firm as its new executive director. She comes to Bacon Wilson with more than 25 years of corporate and law-firm experience, including human resources, operations management, and information technology. She will work directly with Managing Shareholder Jeffrey Fialky across all levels of firm management in each of Bacon Wilson’s four offices. Friedenberg previously served as chief of staff for Odin Labs Inc. in New York City. Prior to that, she worked for Day Pitney LLP in Hartford, Conn. for 14 years. Her career path there advanced from project management to senior manager up to director of Technical Services and Project Management in 2020. Day Pitney is an East Coast-based comprehensive law firm with national and international reach, housing more than 300 attorneys and 13 offices throughout the Northeast, as well as in Southeast Florida. Friedenberg holds an MBA from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from the UMass College of Arts and Sciences and a bachelor’s degree in apparel marketing from the College of Food and Natural Resources. She serves as president of the board of directors for Dress for Success Western Massachusetts, a nonprofit organization that empowers women to gain economic independence.

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Amanda Sbriscia, vice president of Institutional Advancement at Holyoke Community College (HCC), has been selected for a fellowship for aspiring college presidents by the AGB Institute for Leadership & Governance in Higher Education. Now entering its fifth year, 27 college administrators from institutions around the country began their fellowships with an in-person symposium in Washington, D.C. in September. To date, 18 past participants have become presidents or chancellors of higher-education institutions, and many other participants have successfully progressed on the pathway to the presidency with commendations and new positions. The program consists of two symposia, four online workshops, attendance at the AGB National Conference on Trusteeship, and a shadowing experience with a sitting president. The institute features more than 30 higher-education expert presenters, including current and former presidents, trustees, search consultants, and other sector professionals. Sbriscia holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from Cedar Crest College, a master’s degree in higher education from Drexel University, and a doctorate in education in educational leadership from Gwynedd Mercy University. Before being hired at HCC as vice president of Institutional Advancement in 2017, she served as senior director of Advancement at Bay Path University, following her role there as director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations. Before Bay Path, she worked in fund development for the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts and as director of Annual Giving for Anna Maria College in Paxton.

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Rachel Rushing

Holyoke Community College (HCC) welcomed Rachel Rushing as director of the college’s Taber Art Gallery. Originally from Louisiana, Rushing is an interdisciplinary artist with a special interest in photography. She comes to HCC by way of Dallas, where she worked with the Nasher Sculpture Center to develop the Visitor Experiences program and manage special projects, such as the 2022 exhibition of CARNE y ARENA, a virtual-reality exhibition written and directed by Academy Award-winning Mexican filmmaker Alejandro González Iñárritu that integrates viewers into the true accounts of refugees in their journey across the southern U.S. border. Rushing also founded and co-directed Sunset Art Studios, a social-practice art gallery, residency, and studio in Dallas. She becomes only the second director since the gallery opened in 1998, succeeding founding director Amy Johnquest, who retired last spring. Her first show as Taber director was an exhibition of photographs by John Leni Marcy titled “The City on Paper: Representations of HolyoRícan Life,” which was curated and captioned by HCC students enrolled in Latinx Studies classes. The Taber Art Gallery, located off the lobby of the HCC Library on the second floor of the HCC Donahue Building, is free and open to the public Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., during regular school sessions.

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American International College (AIC) announced the appointment of Christopher Putnam as director of Institutional Assessment, Research, and Effectiveness. This appointment reflects AIC’s recognition of Putnam’s dedication, expertise, and valuable contributions to the college. In his new role, Putnam will be responsible for overseeing assessment and evaluation processes designed to measure the effectiveness of the institution’s programs and services. Additionally, he will provide leadership in research and analysis, strategic planning, and ensuring compliance with accreditation standards. Prior to assuming his new role, Putnam served as AIC’s student-success data analyst and demonstrated exemplary leadership in several key areas. This included the supervision of AIC’s New England Commission for Higher Education five-year report, a mandated periodic evaluation of the content and relevance of the college’s mission. Before joining AIC, Putnam held positions as a graduation and transfer credit specialist and manager of Student Services at Sierra College in Rocklin, Calif. He began his career in higher education at California State University (CSU) Sacramento, where he worked in admissions and records and academic advising. During his time at CSU, Putnam pursued his master’s degree in higher education leadership. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University and subsequently obtained a certificate in web programming from Cosumnes River College.

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Pamela Sandler AIA Architect recently welcomed Norman Anton, senior designer and project manager; and Amy Pulver, office manager, to its fast-growing team. Anton is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and has lived and worked in Europe and Saudi Arabia. He attended Washington University School of Architecture in St. Louis and has worked extensively in the field with carpenters, electricians, and landscape designers. Prior to joining the Sandler AIA team, he was an architectural designer at Clark and Green. He has a wide range of experience, including historic preservation, corporate interiors, retail showrooms, and residential projects. Pulver is at the helm of the firm’s mission to create spaces with joy for new and existing clients. Her duties include event planning, facilities management, project coordination, and budget planning, ensuring that the office runs smoothly so that the design team can continue to deliver unique projects to clients and grow its relationship with the community. She brings years of experience to the Stockbridge-based architecture firm. Prior to working with Sandler, she served for nearly a decade in multiple positions and departments within the town of Great Barrington, including Public Works, Planning, and most recently as executive secretary to the town manager and Select Board.

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Celia Hickson

One year after joining the Square One team as fiscal manager, Celia Hickson has been named the agency’s chief financial officer. Hickson brings 25 years of accounting and finance experience in a variety of industries. She has worked as a controller and financial analyst in the publishing, software, biotech, and nonprofit industries. She began her career at Ernst & Young, where she earned her CPA. She is a graduate of the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst. An active volunteer with Horizons for Homeless Children, she has held various leadership roles on several volunteer boards.

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After 25 years at the helm, Anne Teschner will step down as executive director of the Care Center. She will continue in that role to support succession planning with the Care Center’s board of directors to ensure a smooth transition to new leadership. The Care Center helps young mothers and low-income women resume their education wherever they left off, from HiSET preparation to an onsite college. Designed for busy mothers living in poverty, the Care Center offers childcare, transportation, counseling, food, and healthcare so that women can concentrate on their studies. During her tenure, Teschner has been instrumental in steering the Care Center through pivotal changes, establishing the organization as a leader in the realm of women’s education and empowerment. Under her leadership, the Care Center has launched visionary initiatives, such as the Bard Microcollege Holyoke and the Moving Women Forward Endowment campaign. Each year, approximately 200 young mothers and other low-income women benefit from the holistic support provided by the Care Center, based at 247 Cabot St. in Holyoke. The process of identifying the next executive director to build upon this foundation is underway.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff October 11, 2023

People on the Move

Ryan Gagne

Cicely Hislop

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

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 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

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

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

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

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 BusinessWest Staff July 5, 2023

People on the Move

Michael Fox

Michael Fox has been appointed dean of the College of Natural Sciences (CNS) at UMass Amherst, effective Aug. 15. Fox has been a member of the Virginia Tech faculty since 2012, where he currently serves as director of the Virginia Tech School of Neuroscience, the endowed I.D. Wilson Chair in the Virginia Tech College of Science, and professor at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, a research-intensive institute on the health-sciences and technology campus of Virginia Tech. After beginning his undergraduate studies at the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), Fox earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the College of William and Mary and his Ph.D. in anatomy from Virginia Commonwealth University. He completed his post-doctoral training in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at Harvard University. Throughout his career, Fox has received numerous awards and honors, including both the Jordi Folch Pi Award and the Marian Kies Award from the American Society for Neurochemistry, and has served as a counselor for the American Society for Neurochemistry, on several leadership committees for the Society for Neuroscience, and as a reviewer and chair for National Institutes of Health review panels.

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Kuhn Riddle Architects (KRA) announced the promotion of four key team members to leadership positions. Andrew Bagge has been promoted to associate/senior architect. He has a proven track record of delivering successful projects and will play a vital role in driving the firm’s design vision and fostering creative excellence. Thom Barry has been promoted to associate/senior architect. He displays outstanding leadership abilities and commitment to delivering exceptional results, and will optimize project-delivery processes and ensure the highest standards of quality and client satisfaction. Brad Hutchison has been promoted to senior architect. He shows deep attention to detail, remarkable dedication to his clients, and outstanding project-management skills. He will expand his technical proficiency and mentor staff in the latest building-science technologies and energy-efficient design practices. Karen Michalowski has been promoted to associate/senior interior designer. Her tremendous expertise in interior design, and her sensitivity and understanding of client needs and the ever-changing interiors market, will help to expand the firm’s market presence in interior design.

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Elizabeth Dougal joined Bulkley Richardson as counsel in the Trusts & Estates department, where her practice incudes preparation and administration of wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, personal-effects memorandum, durable powers of attorney, healthcare proxies, real-estate deeds, homestead exemptions, and small-business succession plans. For the past 19 years, Dougal ran a boutique legal practice providing clients with estate planning and related transactional work. She was also a consultant to estate, trust, and elder-care clients in several states through the Attorney Resource Center. She earned both a bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, and a juris doctorate from Boston College.

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Aimee Goddard

Kristina Laplante

Sara Dieters

Terry McConkey

Fifteen months after introducing its Client Advisory Team, HUB International New England announced the appointment of the personal lines directors: Aimee Goddard, director of Personal Lines – Operations; Kristina Laplante, director of Personal Lines – Sales; Sara Dieters, director of Personal Lines – Service; and Terry McConkey, director of Personal Lines – Specialty. Goddard has been in the insurance industry for over 32 years, starting her career in commercial lines before switching to personal lines in 1997. She spent 10 years of her career at Eastern Insurance, contributing to the company’s personal-lines growth and success. Having been with HUB since 2016, she has been promoted numerous times, to manager, director, regional director/senior vice president, and now to Operations director/senior vice president. With more than 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, Laplante has held various roles, providing her with extensive experience. She is committed to growing a sales team that is both customer-focused and driven to achieve results. A natural leader, her energy and enthusiasm inspires her team to strive for excellence, making them an asset to the organization. Having first started in banking, Dieters was introduced to insurance by a family friend, which proved to be an ideal fit, as she has now spent more than 16 years in the industry, including 10 years at HUB. She has been promoted numerous times over the years and is excited for this new opportunity. McConkey has worked for HUB for more than 35 years. She has held various roles in personal-lines service and leadership, including account manager, team leader, PL manager, PL specialty manager, and now Personal Lines director. She has a wealth of insurance knowledge and leadership experience and is excited to continue her positive impact in her new role. In addition, HUB congratulates the following employees who have been promoted to senior regional managers: Lisa Koehler, Partnership and Processing Teams; Patty Angell, Service and Remarket Teams; and Shirlee Capponcelli, Sales Team. Becky McLaughlin is moving into a new role as East Region director of Learning & Organizational Development.

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1Berkshire announced the promotions of staff members Benjamin Lamb and Kristen Harrington in recognition of their achievements, contributions, and dedication to the organization and its initiatives throughout Berkshire County. Lamb has been promoted to vice president of Economic Development. This promotion follows five years of work helping to build the economic-development team and expand the 1Berkshire footprint of activities and overall work. Hired in 2018 as the Economic Development projects manager, he was promoted to director of Economic Development a short time later. In his new position, Lamb will continue to lead and expand the outreach of 1Berkshire through its economic development in Berkshire County. Harrington has been promoted to Finance & Administration coordinator, a title that reflects her new responsibilities in accounting and internal operations and as property liaison. Previously, she functioned as the accounting specialist for 1Berkshire, a position she had held since 2019. She joined the Berkshire Visitors Bureau as a finance associate in 2015, and a year later, in a merger resulting in the creation of 1Berkshire, Harrington was named accounting associate.

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Country Bank announced four recent promotions. Jessica McGarry has been promoted to senior vice president, East Region Commercial Lending team lead, while Shantie Prashad, Cindy Saucier, and Blair Robidoux have been promoted to assistant vice presidents, Retail Banking. McGarry has more than 20 years of experience in the banking industry and has been a commercial lender in the Worcester market for the past 10 years, with the entirety of her career spent in a community-bank setting. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business from Nichols College, received the Forty Under 40 designation in 2014 from the Worcester Business Journal, and was a member of the Leadership Worcester class of 2015-16. She also gives back to the community, currently serving on the board of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Worcester Business Development Corp. She remains active in volunteer opportunities through various organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, Be Like Brit, and the Community Harvest Project. Prashad has more than 26 years of sales and leadership experience, most recently serving as the Retail Banking officer of Country Bank’s Park Avenue, Worcester location. She graduated from the New England School for Financial Studies in 2022 and is highly active in the Worcester community, serving on the board for the Learning First Foundation and the YWCA and as an ambassador for the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce. Saucier has more than 20 years of banking and leadership experience, serving as the Retail Banking officer of the Charlton Banking Center. She graduated from the New England School for Financial Studies in 2021, is a board member and vice chair for the Central Mass South Chamber of Commerce, and serves with various nonprofits and committees within the Charlton community. Robidoux currently leads the West Street Banking Center and has more than 17 years of experience in the retail division. She has held various roles throughout her tenure at Country Bank and graduated from the New England School for Financial Studies in 2019. Throughout her career, she has been an integral part of the community within her market. She serves on the board of the Ware Business and Civic Assoc. Country Bank also congratulates Dianna Lussier, vice president of Risk, on her recent graduation from the American Bankers Assoc., Stonier Graduate School of Banking, which is the industry’s preeminent graduate banking program. Graduates receive both a Stonier diploma and a Wharton leadership certificate.

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Karen Rousseau

Karen Rousseau, dean of the School of Health Sciences at American International College (AIC), has been recognized as a member of the Commonwealth Heroines class of 2023 by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW). This state-established body is responsible for assessing the status of women in Massachusetts and making recommendations to enhance access to opportunities and promote equality. Each year, in collaboration with state legislators, the commission acknowledges and celebrates remarkable women who have made significant contributions to their organizations and communities. Rousseau was nominated by state Sen. Jacob Oliveira as the honoree in his Hampden, Hampshire, and Worcester district. She was among 126 women across the state honored during the MCSW’s 20th-anniversary celebration at the Massachusetts State House on June 23. With a career spanning four decades, Rousseau excelled as a practicing registered nurse and has dedicated more than 30 years to nursing education. Her areas of expertise include maternal/newborn and pediatric nursing, as well as nursing management. Before holding the position of dean of the School of Health Sciences at AIC, she served as director of the Division of Nursing and contributed as a professor in both the undergraduate and RN-to-BSN programs.

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Anna Bognolo will serve as the Greenfield Public Library’s new library director beginning July 10. She is taking over for Ellen Boyer, who is retiring after leading the library since February 2012. Bognolo earned her bachelor’s degree, three master’s degrees, and a post-graduate diploma while attending the University of Rochester, the University of Toronto, the Courtauld Institute of Art in London, the Scuola Vaticana di Biblioteconomia in Rome, and Simmons University in Boston. Prior to entering the field of librarianship, she worked for Christie’s Auctioneers in London and Rome. She then spent much of her career in library services, working for nearly a decade at Springfield Technical Community College as the reference outreach and technical services librarian. In that role, she developed a sound knowledge of the Central and Western Massachusetts Automated Resource Sharing consortium’s inner workings and the services it provides to member libraries. In September 2017, Bognolo was named library and archive director at Eaglebrook School in Deerfield. She oversaw the day-to-day operation of the library, provided instructional support to students and teachers, and led the expansion of the school’s archive. She has also worked as a substitute librarian at the Jones Library in Amherst and the Greenfield Public Library, as well as in a part-time capacity at the Boyden Library of Deerfield Academy.

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Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C., a leading labor and employment law firm, recently welcomed Kelley Mantz as a summer associate. Mantz attends Western New England University School of Law and will enter her third year this fall. After graduating from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in 2019, she assisted employers of all sizes as a technical recruiter. While doing so, she worked closely with human-resources professionals to identify hiring goals and implement strategies for meeting those goals. Since entering law school, Mantz has worked for a law firm in Connecticut and participated in the Small Business Clinic, where she assisted local small to mid-sized entrepreneurs in the Springfield area with legal matters, including employment matters.

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The Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) board of directors approved a long-planned leadership transition under which President and CEO John Regan will step down at the end of 2023 and be succeeded by Chief Government Affairs Executive Brooke Thomson. To support a smooth transition, Regan will remain in the CEO role through the end of the year, and Thomson will begin as president effective immediately. During his tenure, in tandem with the leadership team and board, Regan, 62, has guided AIM’s public-policy work, served as a voice for the employer community, expanded the award-winning AIM HR Solutions business, built a comprehensive team with the skills necessary to support AIM’s 3,400 member organizations, made AIM a leader on diversity, and assured that members had access to timely support during the pandemic. He plans to pursue new opportunities as a consultant, advisor, and board member. Before joining AIM’s leadership team more than four years ago, Thomson, 44, was a member of the AIM board. In her current role, she has been responsible for designing and advancing AIM’s policy agenda and strengthening relationships with elected officials and business leaders on Beacon Hill and throughout the Commonwealth, while ensuring that employer needs are represented at every level of the public-policy-making process. Thomson is committed to expanding the progress AIM has made in diversifying its membership, reflecting statewide business-community needs, and advancing policies that support both economic competitiveness and economic opportunity for the people of Massachusetts. She previously served as vice president of Government Affairs for AT&T and is a former senior official with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff May 10, 2023

People on the Move

George Timmons

The Holyoke Community College (HCC) board of trustees voted in favor of George Timmons — currently provost and senior vice president of Academic and Student Affairs at Columbia Greene Community College in Hudson, N.Y. — as the next president of HCC. He is expected to start his term as HCC’s fifth president the last week of June. Christina Royal, who has led HCC since January 2017, will officially step away on July 14; her last three weeks will overlap with Timmons’ first three at HCC. Timmons, 61, holds a Ph.D. in higher-education administration from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio; a master’s degree in higher education from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., and a bachelor’s degree in financial management from Norfolk State University, also in Norfolk, Va. He has held his position as provost and senior vice president of Academic and Student Affairs at Columbia-Greene Community College since 2019. Before that, he worked at Excelsior College in Albany, N.Y., where he held a number of administrative positions culminating with dean of the School of Liberal Arts.

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Bethany Mauri

Jason Waisnor

Priscilla Ramos

Dietz & Co. Architects Inc. recently welcomed three new employees, all in the role of architectural staff, to the firm. Bethany Mauri earned bachelor of architecture and bachelor of building science degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Prior to joining Dietz & Co., she worked for firms in Albany, N.Y., and Connecticut, and as a freelance architectural designer. She has primarily worked on projects in the K-12 education sector but also has experience with retail and residential projects. Jason Waisnor has spent his career thus far working for architecture firms in New York City, where he focused on housing and sustainable redevelopment. He also completed work for the hospitality and gaming industries earlier in his career. He holds both bachelor’s and master’s of architecture degrees from Roger Williams University. He enjoys working on preservation projects and specializes in historic restoration, renovation/interior fit-outs, and housing projects. Priscilla Ramos earned a master of architecture degree from Hampton University and has spent a number of years working for firms in New York City in multiple market sectors, specializing in programming and spatial relationships. Project types she has worked on include single- and multi-family housing, education, and transportation. Outside of architecture, she has experience with engineering, code consulting, and work with the National Park Service.

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Zelda Harris

Western New England University (WNE) announced that Zelda Harris, currently the director of the Dan K. Webb Center for Advocacy and Mary Ann G. McMorrow professor of Law at Loyola University Chicago School of Law, has been appointed the incoming dean of Western New England University School of Law, starting Aug. 1. For more than a decade, Harris has been responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Loyola University Chicago Law School’s Center for Advocacy, including curriculum development for both the JD certificate and LLM degree programs in advocacy. Under her leadership, the school’s trial-advocacy program became nationally ranked. Prior to joining Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Harris served as a clinical professor of Law and director of the Domestic Violence Law Clinic, a multi-disciplinary clinical program, at the University of Arizona’s James E. Rogers College of Law. She also co-directed the Child and Family Law Clinic. Prior to her time at Arizona, Harris was a staff attorney in the Children and Family Justice Center at Northwestern University School of Law. She began her practice as an attorney at Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation in Alton, Ill.

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Mel O’Leary Jr.

Meredith-Springfield Associates Inc., a plastics manufacturer specializing in bottles and hollow technical articles manufactured through extrusion blow molding and injection stretch blow molding, announced that President and CEO Mel O’Leary Jr. was honored on April 13 for his two decades as a second-chance employer as part of the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office’s All-Inclusive Support Services (AISS). The award was presented by Hampden County Sheriff Nicholas Cocchi during the 24th annual AISS graduation ceremony at the Cedars in Springfield. AISS helps formerly incarcerated people in all aspects of their lives as they move from incarceration into the community. In addition to educational and employment support, it offers a comprehensive range of services, such as parenting groups, assistance accessing housing and food benefits, behavioral-health and addiction-recovery services, and support groups. In 2019, Cocchi opened AISS to anyone in the community in addition to the justice-involved population.

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Deborah Dart

Carol Campbell, president and CEO of Chicopee Industrial Contractors (CIC), announced the promotion of Deborah Dart to vice president of Operations. Dart started her career at CIC as a work-study student at Chicopee High School and has held many roles with the company. Her responsibilities include overseeing day-to-day operations and scheduling. Chicopee Industrial Contractors is a leader in relocation service and machinery installations, celebrating more than 30 years in business.

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Paul Mokrzecki

Tony Worden, president and CEO of Greenfield Cooperative Bank, announced that Paul Mokrzecki has joined the team as senior vice president of Government Banking. Mokrzecki brings more than 40 years of experience in the public and private sectors, with a focus on providing banking solutions to municipal clients. He has been responsible for establishing, growing, and maintaining Government Banking departments for two local banks in the past. He has also served as the Finance director, treasurer, and collector for the town of Greenfield, where he oversaw all aspects of financial operations. Prior to that, he was the elected treasurer and collector for the town of Hadley. He holds an MBA from UMass Amherst. He is a certified municipal treasurer, a certified municipal collector, and a member of the Massachusetts Collectors and Treasurers Assoc.

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Anthony Arevalo

Best Western Plus Berkshire Hills Inn & Suites promoted Anthony Arevalo to the position of director of Operations for Best Western Plus Berkshire Hills Inn and Suites in Pittsfield. Arevado will be responsible for day-to-day operations of all departments and ensuring customer satisfaction. In addition, he will work with General Manager Kevin Martin to increase group sales and general revenue management for the hotel. He has been a member of the team for two years, working in maintenance, front desk, and sales. Growing up in California, Arevado worked on the customer-service side of the wedding and function industry and in manufacturing of new housing developments.

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Ian Megraw

bankESB recently promoted Ian Megraw to information technology officer. Megraw joined bankESB in 2016 as a systems administrator. He has seven years of experience in banking and brings many strengths that have significantly contributed to the success of the IT department and the bank’s conversions since joining the team. He is a respected manager, strong technician, and an important part of the growing Hometown Financial Group family. Megraw earned an associate degree in Business Administration and Network Administration from John Abbott College.

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The board of directors of Big Y announced the appointment of Tenneille McFarlane-Smart as director of the newly created Project Management Office. As director, she will be responsible for all project activity across all divisions at Big Y, including Big Y Supermarkets, Big Y Express Gas and Convenience, Big Y at Fresh Acres, and Table and Vine. She will serve as a liaison between Information Resources Technology and all business units to track strategic projects centrally for visibility, prioritization, and resource allocation. In addition, she will provide guidance and support for these initiatives toward timely and successful strategic project delivery. She reports to Michael D’Amour, chief operating officer. McFarlane-Smart’s work experience expands across many different industries. In 2005, she served as associate project manager supporting new business development for J. Walter Thompson, an international advertising agency in New York City. Two years later, she moved to Voya Financial in Connecticut, where she held several roles, starting as a business analyst lead for Retirement Services IT, then a continuous-improvement change agent by 2013 and, finally, project manager for Retirement Services IT. In 2019, she joined Envision Pharma Group as a senior IT project manager before becoming chief of staff in the office of the CEO from 2021 until the present. McFarlane-Smart holds a BBA from Pace University, an MBA from Bay Path University, and a JD from Western New England University School of Law. She is licensed to practice law in the state of Connecticut. She is a certified project-management professional, a credential from the internationally recognized Project Management Institute. She serves on the executive board of directors of the Pathlight Foundation, a nonprofit that supports individuals with developmental disabilities. She also volunteers for the Connecticut Bar Assoc. Pro Bono Legal Advice Clinic.

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Florence Bank promoted Candace Pereira to the role of vice president, commercial lender. Since 2018, she has worked at Florence Bank as assistant vice president, commercial portfolio manager in the Commercial Lending department. In her new role, she will concentrate on commercial and industrial lending, as well as lending to women-owned businesses. Pereira holds an associate degree in finance from Springfield Technical Community College and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst. She is currently pursuing an MBA from Isenberg as well. She began her career in banking in 2003 and has held various roles at mutually held and stockholder-owned banks in Western Mass., in both residential and commercial lending. Recently named an ambassador for the Springfield Regional Chamber, Pereira is also a member of the BusinessWest 40 Under Forty class of 2017, and she attended the Springfield Leadership Institute. She has served on various local boards over the last several years and has also volunteered as an athletic coach in East Longmeadow, where her daughter is a student.

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Dennis Gober, a longtime executive in hospital management, has been named chief operating officer of MiraVista Behavioral Health Center. Gober served previously as CEO in Oklahoma of Cedar Ridge Behavioral Hospital, whose campus in Oklahoma City provides inpatient psychiatric and residential services to children and adolescents, and its Bethany campus, which serves the mental-health needs of adults. Cedar Ridge is part of Universal Health Services, one of the largest providers of hospital and healthcare services in the country. Gober, who holds a master’s degree in community counseling, has held several other senior-level positions, CEO for Acadia Healthcare’s Rolling Hills Hospital in Ada, Okla., which provides mental-health and substance-use services for adolescents, adults, and seniors, and division director of community-based youth services for the state of Oklahoma. As a licensed behavioral practioner, Gober also served as the Director of the Community Works’ Norman Academy Day Treatment Program leading treatment teams, and providing individual, group, and family therapy. He received a master of education degree in community counseling and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Central Oklahoma.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff April 26, 2023

People on the Move

Steven Musso

Country Bank President and CEO Paul Scully announced the appointment of Steven Musso to the bank’s board of trustees at its annual meeting. Musso joins the board with more than 30 years of experience in the banking industry. He previously served as the chief operating officer for FinPro Inc., leading consulting engagements, running the consulting operation, and building the technology division. He has extensive experience working with banks on strategic planning, interest-rate risk analysis, and other consulting and advisory services. In addition, he has worked with various bank boards and management teams in financial institutions across the country. He holds Series 63 and 79 financial-securities licenses. Country Bank also appointed new corporators: Mary McGovern, executive vice president, chief financial and operating officer; G. Thomas Wolcott, first senior vice president, commercial banking; Dawn Fleury, first senior vice president, chief risk officer; Miriam Siegel, first senior vice president, chief culture and development officer; and Musso.

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Emily Tower

Florence Bank promoted Emily Tower to the position of vice president and branch manager of the bank’s main office in Florence. Prior to her promotion, she was the assistant vice president and branch manager in the Florence branch. A graduate of the New England School of Financial Studies, Tower brings more than 15 years of banking experience to her role. She has been with Florence Bank since 2006 and has worked in the Belchertown and West Springfield offices as well.

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Eric Lesser

Bay Path University announced that Eric Lesser — attorney, educator, and former four-term state senator — has been elected to its board of trustees. Lesser was one of the original members of President Obama’s White House team. From January 2009 to July 2011, he served as special assistant to the president’s senior advisor, David Axelrod. Later, he served as the Council of Economic Advisers’ director of Strategic Planning. In 2014, Lesser was elected to the Massachusetts State Senate, representing the First Hampden and Hampshire district. As a state senator, Lesser led and served on numerous committees and commissions. He chaired the Joint Committee on Economic Development & Emerging Technologies; the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts, and Cultural Development, and the Senate Committee on Ethics. He also was vice chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation and co-chaired the Massachusetts Commission on the Future of Work. Among his many priorities, he was a key proponent of east-west rail, a leading advocate for civics education, a champion for alleviating student debt, and a national leader on the future of work. Lesser is currently a senior counsel at WilmerHale, a Boston-based law firm, where he is a member of the Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs Group. He earned his juris doctorate from Harvard Law School in 2015 and his bachelor’s degree from Harvard College in 2007.

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Dr. Sarah Haessler

Dr. Sarah Haessler, whose expertise in infectious diseases has been recognized at the local, state, national, and international levels, has been named chair of the Department of Medicine for Baystate Health. Haessler, who has served as interim chair of the Department of Medicine at Baystate since 2022, was appointed chair after a highly competitive national search. She is the inaugural female chair of Baystate Health’s largest clinical/academic department. Her tenure begins immediately. She received her medical degree from George Washington University School of Medicine and completed a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in infectious diseases at Dartmouth Hitchcock in New Hampshire. She is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in internal medicine and infectious diseases. Haessler joined Baystate Health in 2005 and since that time has held progressive leadership roles, including as the hospital epidemiologist for the health system, vice chair of the Department of Medicine, interim chief of the Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Care, and most recently interim chair of the Department of Medicine. Active in the field of academics and research, Haessler has trained and served as advisor and mentor for dozens of residents and fellows in the specialty of infectious diseases. She is currently an associate professor of Medicine at UMass Chan Medical School – Baystate. Since 2002, as either principal or co-investigator, she has completed numerous research projects and is currently co-investigator in Reducing Antimicrobial Overuse Through Targeted Therapy for Patients with Community-acquired Pneumonia.

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City of Greenfield Community and Economic Development Director MJ Adams announced her intention to retire from city service, effective May 6. Adams played pivotal roles in advancing downtown revitalization efforts, coordinating stakeholder and state assistance in creating an expansion of the I-91 Greenfield Industrial Park, helping local businesses navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, and brokering the agreement to redevelop the former Wilson’s Department Store building. Adams joined city government in December 2015 as Community Development administrator and was promoted to Community and Economic Development director in September 2018. Her prior experience includes positions with the Franklin County Regional Housing and Redevelopment Authority and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, and as executive director of Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity. The city will launch a search in the coming weeks for a new Community and Economic Development director. Adams has agreed to remain available during the transition process.

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Daniel Coyne

Barbara Fontaine

River Valley Counseling Center (RVCC) recently welcomed Daniel Coyne and Barbara Fontaine to its board of directors. Coyne is a certified addictions registered nurse with more than 10 years of experience in behavioral-health treatment. He served as director of Nursing at Swift River addiction campuses, and more recently as the director of Utilization Review on the quality team of Vertava Health. He holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from UMass, a bachelor of arts degree from Middlebury College, and a master of fine arts degree from the University of Florida. Fontaine is a certified alcohol/drug-abuse counselor with more than 15 years of counseling experience. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and creative writing from San Francisco State University and completed the Alcohol and Chemical Dependency Treatment Services Program at Boston University in 2007. She started her career in substance-abuse treatment at Gosnold on Cape Cod and also worked at Habit OpCo in South Yarmouth. She has worked at Swift River in Cummington since 2016.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff February 15, 2023

People on the Move

Peter Pan Bus Lines recently announced five major promotions in management.

Frank Dougherty

• Frank Dougherty, who started with the company as a bus driver, and has now been promoted to chief operating officer. According to CEO Peter Picknelly, Dougherty sent him a 20-page letter about everything that was wrong at Peter Pan Bus Lines more than 18 years ago. Picknelly asked him to join the team to help correct the situation. Dougherty was a driver, and he will now be leading the company.

Don Soja

• Don Soja has been named vice president of Operations. He has been with Peter Pan for more than 20 years. According to Picknelly, Soja knows all aspects of the bus company, including charters, line runs, finance, and technology. Picknelly hopes he will lead the way for decades to come.

Timothy Grabowski

• Timothy Grabowski has been promoted to vice president of Planning and Revenue Management. Picknelly said Grabowski brings a skill set that allows Peter Pan to continue strategic growth, and that he makes Peter Pan stand out among other bus companies and keeps Peter Pan moving forward.

Danielle Veronesi

• Danielle Veronesi has been promoted to senior director of Marketing. If there’s a special project, Picknelly said, Veronesi is the one to rely on, and she’s always the one to volunteer. He added that Venonesi has made a big difference in the company.

Joseph Picknally

• Joseph Picknally has been named senior director of Maintenance for Peter Pan. Picknelly said Picknally has done an exemplary job in realigning the Maintenance department, and that he has big shoes to fill in the company; Picknally’s father, Thomas, was the company’s vice president of Maintenance for decades until his passing in 2021.

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William Gagnon

Excel Dryer Inc., manufacturer of the XLERATOR hand dryer, announced it has promoted a member of the family-owned business, William Gagnon, to an executive leadership role within the company. Gagnon is now executive vice president and chief executive officer, and sits on the Excel Dryer board of directors. As a leader in the industry, Excel Dryer has accomplished many firsts spearheaded by Gagnon, including establishing the high-speed, energy-efficient category for hand dryers with the XLERATOR. When Excel Dryer initiated the process to substantiate claims and educate buyers and specifiers about how to avoid falling victim to ‘greenwashing,’ Gagnon chaired the committee to create product category rules for the hand-dryer industry with UL Environment (a business division of Underwriters Laboratories). The result of their efforts set a precedent; the rule developed was the first global standard for any industry and the first industry-consensus standard for the hand-dryer industry. Gagnon and his team then published the first environmental product declarations for their three signature products. In his new role, Gagnon will improve operational efficiency, expand the product offering through research and development, increase global awareness, and inspire employees to support the vision of the organization.

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Paul Lambert

The Springfield Symphony Orchestra (SSO) announced the appointment of the interim Director Paul Lambert to the position of president and CEO, removing Lambert’s interim status. Lambert joined the SSO as interim director in January 2022 after serving for many years as vice president of Enshrinement Services & Community Engagement at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Since his appointment to the interim director position, Lambert has overseen the return to the stage of the SSO with six classical and two pops concerts in the current 2022-23 season, the first in more than two years as a result of the pandemic. He has been instrumental in adding new individuals to the SSO board, hiring key new staff, re-engaging with the corporate and philanthropic community, and launching a comprehensive communications and marketing program to support the current season. Lambert’s professional experience includes nearly 20 years with the Basketball Hall of Fame, initially as vice president of Guest Experience and Programming, and more recently as vice president of Enshrinement Services & Community Engagement. Prior to the Hall of Fame, he served as director of Event Production for the National Basketball Assoc. (NBA). Before working in the basketball industry, Lambert enjoyed a career in the professional theater, including roles as general manager of the Cape Playhouse in Dennis for seven years and as executive director of the Westport Country Playhouse in Westport, Conn. He also served as a production stage manager for many years. Lambert serves on a number of local boards and community organizations, including the National Conference for Community and Justice, New England Public Media (where he was a board chair), the Loomis Communities, and the boards of Cape Cod Center for the Arts, the South Hadley Cultural Council, Longmeadow UNICO, and the Springfield Rotary. He is a graduate, cum laude, of Boston College, with a bachelor’s degree in English and theater.

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Valley Communications Systems Inc. announced that Edward Tremble is vacating the role of CEO and has been named board chairman. In this role, he will continue his strategic oversight and business-development efforts for the company. Tremble, who has served as CEO since 2010, will be succeeded by Michael Tremble, who has been serving as executive vice president, with Joshua Kranz assuming the role of president. In their new roles, Michael Tremble and Kranz will draw on their extensive knowledge and tenure at Valley Communications, leveraging their creative mindsets and passion to help the company further build out its solutions while identifying future areas of growth. Michael’s work over the past 11 years at Valley has helped the company grow through its strategic sales and partnership objectives. Prior to joining Valley, he served as a strength and conditioning coach both at the NCAA and professional levels. His 10-year coaching background, with a focus on individual and team growth and development, has helped guide his leadership style and approach to how he has supported Valley’s customers and employees. He is also active in the community, currently serving as a board member for Glenmeadow (board vice chair), Providence Place, and Mary’s Meadow, all nonprofit organizations focused on senior living and care. In Kranz’s 34 years with Valley, he has held numerous roles of increasing responsibility across the organization. Most recently, he served as the company’s chief technical officer, a position he will retain alongside his new role as president.

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Lori Beth Chase

Arlene Castellano

Peter Ruffini

Cheryl Malandrinos

Lori Beth Chase was installed as the 2023 president of the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley (RAPV), a nonprofit trade association with more than 1,800 members. The 107th annual installation of officers and directors was held on Jan. 12 at the Roosevelt Room at Union Station in Northampton. Chase started her professional real-estate career in 2017 and quickly became involved in serving locally. Since 2020, she has served on the local board of directors at RAPV and, in 2021, served as treasurer and chair of the finance committee. Also in 2021, she served on the Massachusetts Association of Realtors finance committee and, after the passing of Rick Sawicki in 2021, has served as the Western Mass. regional vice president, serving not only the Pioneer Valley but the Berkshires as well. In this position, she sits on the Massachusetts Assoc. of Realtors executive committee and board of directors. The following individuals were installed as 2023 officers: Arlene Castellano of Maria Acuna Real Estate as president-elect; Peter Ruffini of RE/MAX Connections as treasurer; and Cheryl Malandrinos of BHH Realty Professionals as immediate past president. Directors include Carrie Blair of Keller Williams Realty, Shawn Bowman of Trademark Real Estate, Brenda Cuoco of Brenda Cuoco & Associates, Peter Davies of Borawski Real Estate, Janise Fitzpatrick of Jones Group Realtors, Judy Nevarez of BHH Realty Professionals, Michelle Stegall of Property One, and Clinton Stone of RE/MAX Connections.

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Florence Bank announced that Vice President and Granby Branch Manager Jessica Wales has been named manager of the bank’s King Street branch in Northampton. Wales will replace Lee McCarthy, who is retiring in April after serving as manager of the King Street branch for 18 years and area manager for the bank since 2018. Since 2020, Wales has served as manager of the Granby branch. She has 26 years of banking experience and previously worked for Florence Bank from 2000 to 2011. She holds a bachelor’s degree in management from Ashworth College and is a graduate of the New England School for Financial Studies. Active in the community, she is a board member and member of the finance committee for the United Way of Franklin & Hampshire Region, and a committee member for the Western Mass Women’s Business Network and Cooley Dickinson Hospital’s Golf FORE Health Tournament. She is also an ambassador for the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce. A member of BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty class of 2014, Wales is also a past recipient of the Florence Bank Community Support Award. McCarthy worked in the banking industry for 42 years. Hired in 2004 by Florence Bank, she served as branch manager for King Street, beginning in 2004, and in 2018, she also became area manager, overseeing the King Street, Williamsburg, downtown Northampton, and Easthampton branches. For 16 years, McCarthy served on the United Way’s community investment committee.

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Kathryn Crouss

Erin Meehan

Doherty, Wallace, Pillsbury and Murphy, P.C. (DWPM) announced that the firm has elected Kathryn Crouss and Erin Meehan as new shareholders. Crouss joined the firm in May 2022. She has extensive experience in both family law and employment matters. She is a certified mediator and represents family-law clients both in court and through alternative dispute resolution methods. She is currently president-elect of the Hampden County Bar Assoc., serves on the board of Community Legal Aid, and has chaired Community Legal Aid’s Access to Justice fundraising campaign for the past two years. While a student at Western New England University School of Law, she served as editor-in-chief of the Western New England Law Review. Meehan concentrates her practice in general civil litigation and municipal law. She joined DWPM as an associate in 2014. She is a member of the board of directors of the Hampden County Bar Assoc. She earned her juris doctorate from Suffolk University Law School and her bachelor’s degree from Hobart and William Smith Colleges. She is admitted to practice in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

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Amherst College named Michael Thomas its new chief financial and administrative officer (CFAO). On the finance side, he will be responsible for all finance functions of the college, including budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, long-range financial planning, and asset, liability, and risk management. On the administrative side, Thomas will oversee facilities, health and safety, and business services (dining and auxiliary), among key operating functions. He joins Amherst from Middlebury College, where he was vice president for Administration and chief risk officer for the past two years and vice president for Finance and assistant treasurer for the previous four and a half years. He will report to and serve as a strategic partner to President Michael Elliott. His appointment is effective March 27, and he succeeds former Amherst CFAO Kevin Weinman, who became the president of Marist College in the fall of 2021. In his more than nine years at Middlebury, Thomas led all aspects of financial matters, including accounting, financial systems and reporting, budgets, debt and cash management, and endowment reporting, as well as risk evaluation, campus safety, environmental health and safety, emergency management, and land and property management. Before that, he was the controller and director of financial resources for Skidmore College (2006-13); the controller, manager of Financial Systems and Accounting, and a financial analyst for General Electric Silicones, Americas (1999-2006); and an associate at PriceWaterhouseCoopers (1995-98). He graduated from Union College with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and from the University at Albany with a master’s degree in accounting.

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Nicolle Marceau

Florence Bank promoted Nicolle Marceau to branch manager of the Granby branch. With 10 years of retail banking experience, Marceau was hired in October 2022 and has worked in the bank’s Belchertown, Amherst, and Florence branches. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Westfield State College and is certified in business banking. In the community, Marceau coaches youth sports for the South Hadley Recreation Department and will soon be a member of the Parent Teacher Assoc. for Mosier Elementary School and the Plains Elementary School Council, both also in South Hadley.

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Judith Roberts, executive director of the Literacy Project, announced her retirement at the end of June 2023 after 16 years at the helm of the educational nonprofit. The Literacy Project opened its doors in Franklin County in 1984 with co-founder Lindy Whiton. The Literacy Project classrooms in Greenfield, Orange, Northampton, Amherst, and Ware are places of respect, belonging, hope, and grit. Classes offer a warm and welcoming community for adults and out-of-school youth who need another chance at success. During Roberts’ tenure at the Literacy Project, the program has consistently been among the top three adult-education programs in the state in terms of achieving successful outcomes for more than 200 students per year. These outcomes include passing the High School Equivalency Test (also known as the HiSET or GED), moving on to community college, job-training programs, and better jobs. The Literacy Project has expanded to provide more classes during the day and evening, creating online and in-person options to meet the changing needs of the local communities it serves in Franklin and Hampshire counties.

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Nonotuck Resource Associates announced that Ryan Gaw has been promoted to director of Finance. Gaw has worked at Nonotuck since 2017. Initially hired as a staff accountant, he has also worked as a senior accountant and accounting manager before his promotion to director of Finance this month. He will now supervise accounts payable, accounts receivable, the staff accountant position, and the billing and A/R coordinator position. Gaw earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Rhode Island and his master’s degree in accounting from UMass Amherst. Nonotuck Resource Associates offers shared living, adult family care, and personalized day services for people with disabilities. Each of its services helps support its mission of providing people with disabilities a choice, a voice, and the opportunity to live authentic lives. The agency provides support and services across Massachusetts and is the largest shared-living organization in the state.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff January 18, 2023

People on the Move

Megan Lagoy

UMassFive College Federal Credit Union announced that Megan Lagoy has been promoted to assistant vice president (AVP) of Loan Operations. Lagoy began her career at UMassFive in 2012 as a call-center representative before taking on other various Contact Center roles, eventually becoming assistant vice president of the Contact Center and Interactive Teller Machine department. More recently, she held direct oversight of UMassFive’s flagship Hadley branch in the position of assistant vice president of Retail Services. Her various roles at the credit union over the past 10 years have prepared her for this transition to assistant vice president of Loan Operations.

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Girls Inc. of the Valley recently welcomed five new members to its board of directors: Nikai Fondon, George Keady, Alaina Macaulay, Cheri Mills, and Ciara Speller. These new members join the current board of directors to support strategic planning to map out the future of the organization. Fondon has worked at Marketing Doctor Inc. since January as a marketing specialist and previously worked at the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts (CFWM) as a donor-engagement coordinator and scholarship program associate for four years. She currently serves as a board member for the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield (YPS). She has been a panelist for the 2020 Girls and Racism Virtual Town Hall and has worked with Girls Inc. teens on creative writing and marketing projects. She was recognized as a Dream Maker at Spirit of Girls 2022. Keady has worked at UBS Financial Services/Wealth Management in Springfield for 39 years and, upon retirement this year, was a managing director. He has served as a board member for CFWM and Saint Michael’s College, and was a chairperson for Glenmeadow Retirement Community and Bay Path University. He has been a long-time champion for girls and friend of Girls Inc. Macaulay is the senior director for Inclusion and Strategic Engagement at UMass Amherst. She worked previously at UMass Amherst Isenberg School of Management for three years as the executive director of Diversity and Inclusion and, before that, at Elms College as the director of Diversity and Inclusion for two years. She has been involved with Girls Inc. through support of the 2020 Girls and Racism Virtual Town Hall. She currently serves as a board member for YPS and Chester Theatre Co. Mills has worked at PeoplesBank for eight years as a Business Banking manager and is currently the assistant vice president. She has been involved with Girls Inc. as a volunteer through the finance committee this past year. She also served on the corporate and community impact committee and helped secure sponsorship commitments for Spirit of Girls 2022. Speller has worked at WWLP as an evening anchor for five years. She has been involved with Girls Inc. for the past couple of years, including as the moderator for the 2020 Girls and Racism Virtual Town Hall and host for Spirit of Girls 2021. She and WWLP did the news broadcast live for Spirit of Girls 2022 on location at the Big E, where she was also a recipient of a Girls Inc. Dream Maker award. She also serves as a board member for the nonprofit I Found Light Against All Odds.

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Monte Belmonte

New England Public Media has hired local radio personality Monte Belmonte as host and executive producer of a new radio show and podcast celebrating life in Western Mass. Belmonte comes to New England Public Media (NEPM) from 93.9 the River/WRSI, where he’s hosted the popular “Mornings with Monte” since 2006. The new show and podcast will launch later this winter. Belmonte will be joined by Kaliis Smith, who also comes to NEPM from the River, where she hosted weekday evenings and was a regular guest on “Mornings with Monte.” Smith will be the show’s digital producer and will join Belmonte on air. Belmonte plans to bring some of his regular guests and popular segments to the live, daily program, along with new segments and opportunity for regular audience call-ins. The show will be available as a podcast and on YouTube. Belmonte will also have a presence at NEPM events and other station initiatives.

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After a yearlong national search, the board of directors at Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts (JFSWM) announced the hiring of a new CEO, Rabbi James Greene, who brings more than two decades of expertise in the Jewish nonprofit world from the interdenominational space of Jewish community centers (JCCs) and independent camps. JFS’s current CEO, Maxine Stein, whose vision and leadership was responsible for the agency’s unprecedented growth and expansion during her tenure, will retire at the end of January 2023. After 20 years of professional communal work, Greene sees the need for bringing core Jewish values to the work of building a stronger community and is excited by the challenge of empowering people to build better lives and growing organizational capacity to meet the needs of this unique moment at JFS. He spent nine years in the JCC movement, first as the program director at the Addison-Penzak JCC, and more recently as the assistant executive director for the Springfield JCC. In early 2020, he stepped into Jewish camping full-time as the executive director at Camp Laurelwood, where he successfully guided the agency through the pandemic, grew fundraising and grant revenue, took new programs from vision to successful execution in partnership with community agencies around the state, and oversaw the creation of a strategic vision to guide the organization into the future. Greene has a bachelor’s degree in Holocaust and Judaic studies from Florida Atlantic University, and a master’s degree in Hebrew letters rabbinic ordination from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College.