Dan Carey

EASTHAMPTON — Riverside Industries Inc. (RSI) recently welcomed three new members to its volunteer board of directors, all beginning their terms on Sept. 16. They include Dan Carey, clerk of courts at Hampshire County Superior Court; Andrew “Andy” Covington, assistant district attorney in the Northwest District Attorney’s Office; and Peter Holden, chief financial officer for the Williston Northampton School.

Andy Covington

“As we plan for the future of RSI, we will need a board of skilled and experienced members well-prepared to guide our strategic decisions” said Lynn Ireland, president and CEO of RSI, and an ex-officio member of the board of directors. “The board’s collective dedication to RSI’s mission has never been stronger. Their focus remains fixed on strategically growing the agency’s programs, diversifying revenue sources, and navigating the ever-changing landscape of federal policies which impact RSI’s primary funding sources. Each of these volunteers bring a unique and valuable set of skills to the boardroom, including nonprofit finance, local and statewide government relations, and legal matters.”

Peter Holden

RSI is a health and human services nonprofit located in downtown Easthampton, where its Day Habilitation, Community Based Day, and Transportation services are based. Individual and Group Employment Services are also central to RSI’s program and take place throughout Western Mass. in partnership with local businesses, independent schools, colleges, and universities.

RSI directly employs 143 direct support professionals and van drivers and provides services for more than 200 individuals living with disabilities throughout Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties. Its board of directors members serve three-year terms. Since its founding in 1968, RSI has also maintained a longstanding tradition of including both program participants and caregivers on its board, directly engaging its primary constituents at the highest level of strategic decision making. The RSI board already includes two parents of current program participants and a participant in the Group Employment program.

Melissa Pike, chair of the board, will conclude her term later this year. “These new members represent the next phase of board leadership here at RSI,” she said. “Their leadership and strategic decision making will ensure RSI’s success for many years to come. I’m especially grateful for their volunteer service to this organization and their dedication to strengthening the local Easthampton community.”

EASTHAMPTON — Riverside Industries Inc. (RSI) announced that four new members have joined its board of directors to help support its mission to empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live rich and full lives.

“I’m especially excited to see such a talented group of volunteers join our board as we continue in this current phase of organizational growth,” said Lynn Ireland, president and CEO of RSI. “As our organization battles through the lagging impacts of the pandemic, we are actively expanding our programs and workforce to reach new clients. I will certainly draw on the diverse personal and professional experiences of our board members in pursuit of that effort.”

All four of the new board members began their three-year term with RSI effective March 2023. They include Tara Brewster, vice president of Business Development and director of Philanthropy at Greenfield Savings Bank; Jeff Palm, partner and chief operating officer at Global Educators Inc.; Melissa Peters; Human Resource generalist for Fiducient Advisors; and Teremar Rodriguez-Vazquez, assistant general counsel at Health New England.

“Personally, I am thrilled to welcome the new members to our board and look forward to working alongside them as we address Riverside’s most pressing needs,” said Melissa Pike, who has chaired the RSI board since 2021. “Each of these new members brings a unique talent, skill, and perspective to the table. With their input, we immediately add a breadth of knowledge and technical skill that will be immensely helpful as we plot Riverside’s strategic goals for the future.

“On behalf of the board, I want to also express our gratitude to Jan Carhart, Jane Curran, and Silas Kopf, who have each concluded their service as valued members of the board,” Pike added. “All three have provided unflinching support for many years and across multiple terms on the board. We look forward to their continued volunteer involvement in other areas of RSI’s operations.”

To learn more about RSI and read new board member bios, visit www.rsi.org/news-events.