Page 37 - BusinessWest August 18, 2025

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE>>
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 understand-
GREGG LEVANTE
ing 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 com-
mercial lending at Berkshire Bank and NBT Bank
and known for championing employee develop-
ment and economic growth. He will now lead Pitts-
field 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.
•••••
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 experi-
ence in the financial services
PAUL DUQUETTE
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 loca-
tion 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 Con-
necticut 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 rela-
tionship management and financial planning.
•••••
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 cli-
THOMAS DONNELLY
ent relationship management,
Donnelly brings a dynamic and
personal approach to business banking, rooted in
strong client relationships and a deep understand-
ing of commercial lending. He holds a bachelor’s
degree from St. Bonaventure University and a mas-
ter’s degree in education from Springfield College.
He has also completed the Massachusetts Bankers
Credit Training Program and the 2025 Lender Train-
ing 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.
•••••
bankESB recently announced the promotions
of two longtime employees, Katherine Sordillo
and Susanne deVillier, to vice president, regional
Business W est branch manager. In this newly created position,
deVillier and Sordillo will provide leadership and
support to regions of bankESB’s retail banking net-
work, working closely with retail branch staff in sev-
eral 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 offi-
cer 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 manag-
ers. In her new role, deVillier will oversee the bank’s
Agawam, Amherst, Hadley, Northampton, South-
ampton, 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 cus-
tomer relationship management to her new role.
She joined bankESB in 2001 as branch officer of the
Granby Road, South Hadley office and over her ten-
ure has been promoted to senior branch manager;
assistant vice president, branch manager; and vice
president, branch officer and retail sales coordina-
tor. 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.
•••••
New Valley Bank & Trust
announced the addition of Lori
Stickles as vice president, Busi-
ness 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 develop-
ment, 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.
•••••
Dietz & Company Architects
Inc. announced that Senior
Architect Dani Garber-Letitia
has earned the credential of
certified passive house con-
sultant (CPHC) through Phius
(Passive House Institute U.S.),
DANI GARBER-LETITIA
a nonprofit organization dedi-
cated to decarbonization and
passive building. The Phius passive building certifi-
<< DEPARTMENTS >>
LORI STICKLES
cation 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 complet-
ed 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 moderniza-
tion 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.
•••••
The Irish Cultural Center of Western New England
(ICCWNE) announced several recent appointments
to its board of directors to help to expand its pro-
gramming 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 help-
ing ICCWNE grow as a center of Irish culture and
community in Western New England, including the
completion of its new Community Performance
Center.
•••••
Kayla Sheridan, Marketing
director of TommyCar Auto
Group, was named one of Auto-
motive News’ 40 Under 40. This
annual program honors 40 high
achievers at new car dealer-
ships 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, Sheri-
dan has played a pivotal role in shaping the brand’s
voice, driving strategic campaigns, and deepening
engagement with customers across Western Mass.
and beyond.
•••••
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 Bar-
KAYLA SHERIDAN
People
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