Page 78 - BusinessWest April 27, 2026

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE>>
JIM SULLIVAN
JESSICA NICKLIN
JOE MCMAHON
The O’Connell Companies
announced that President Jim
Sullivan will retire from his
role effective June 1, conclud-
ing 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 over-
seen the strategic direction and
operations of the company and
its subsidiaries, including its
construction, real estate development, and prop-
erty 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 leader-
ship spanned significant milestones in the com-
pany’s history, including large-scale project execu-
tion, ownership transition, and long-term strategic
planning. Sullivan will remain actively involved with
the company as chair of the board of directors, sup-
porting 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 West-
ern Mass. markets. As CFO, he leads the company’s
financial strategy and governance, with experience
in acquisitions, mergers, and organizational restruc-
turing. 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.
•••••
Peter Benton, chairman of the
board of directors of Sunshine
Village, announced the appoint-
ment 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 Cen-
ter for Human Development as well as Child and
Family Services of Pioneer Valley, where she over-
saw multi-site operations and expanded clinical ser-
vices. She currently serves as chair of Mercy Medi-
cal 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 Rede-
velopment 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 psy-
chology from Springfield College and bachelor’s
degrees in psychology and politics from Assumption
University.
•••••
MICHELLE THEROUX
Holyoke Community College
(HCC) announced that Jessica
Nicklin has accepted the posi-
tion of HCC provost and vice
president of Academic Affairs.
She presently serves as associ-
ate 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 psychol-
ogy 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 Ser-
vices, 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 rec-
ognizing her scholarship, teaching, leadership, and
service. In 2018, her alma mater, SUNY Albany, rec-
ognized Nicklin with its Outstanding Young Alumni
Award.
•••••
Greenfield Cooperative Bank
announced the addition of
Katya Krasnova as vice presi-
dent, mortgage originator to
its residential lending team.
Krasnova brings more than 14
years of banking experience to
the role, with a strong back-
ground 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, sup-
porting their homeownership goals and continu-
ing 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
KATYA KRASNOVA
ABBY LAVALLEY
34 << DEPARTMENTS >>
APRIL 27, 2026
with customers and support the financial needs of
the community.
•••••
Baystate Winair announced that Dan Suse Jr. will
assume the role of president. With a robust back-
ground 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 ambassa-
dor with the East of the River Five Town Chamber of
Commerce, showcasing his dedication to commu-
nity engagement and local business development.
•••••
Stone House Properties LLC
announced that Timothy
Wighton has joined the team
as a licensed real estate profes-
sional, bringing a blend of deep
local heritage and extensive
global leadership experience to
the team. Raised in the heart
TIMOTHY WIGHTON
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 Coun-
ty today. After a distinguished 35-year international
career in clinical research and strategic leadership
— which took him to major hubs like London, Brus-
sels, 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 man-
agement and negotiation allows him to navigate
complex real estate decisions with disciplined exe-
cution and clarity. His lifelong passion for property
is evidenced by his hands-on experience in home
rehabilitation projects across the U.S. and Europe.
•••••
Pittsfield Cooperative Bank
announced the appointment
of Matthew Parise as its new
vice president, director of Facili-
ties and Real Estate. In this role,
he will oversee all aspects of
facilities operations, property
MATTHEW PARISE
management, and long-term
real estate planning. He will play
a key role in ensuring all locations remain safe, effi-
cient, and aligned with the organization’s evolving
needs. Parise brings more than 28 years in manag-
ing building operations, leading capital improve-
ment 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 position-
ing the organization for future growth.
•••••
Greylock Federal Credit Union
announced the hiring of Senior
Vice President Charles Robert-
son, who joins the Retail Servic-
es team. He will be responsible
for leading Greylock’s branch
network, Contact Center,
member-facing technology,
and strategic retail initiatives.
Business W est
CHARLES ROBERTSON