Page 39 - BusinessWest August 18, 2025

CHRISTIAN LAPLANTE
People >>Continued from page 37
rington, and the county’s first co-living workforce
housing at the Windflower in Egremont. Under her
leadership, Construct has also expanded its hous-
ing 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.
•••••
Earlier this year, the Franklin
County Chamber of Commerce,
Franklin County Community
Development Corp., and Frank-
lin Regional Council of Govern-
ments secured funding to lead
the Rural Downtown Revital-
ization Pilot Project, a one-year
initiative through the Massachu-
setts 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 identi-
fied 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 coordina-
tor. 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 man-
aged 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 com-
prised of local business owners, town officials, non-
profit leaders, artists, and residents. Together, they’ll
identify and implement two or three stakeholder-
prioritized projects in each community, while tack-
ling ‘quick wins’ and shaping a long-term vision for
shared regional success.
•••••
Tech Foundry announced the
hiring of two new staff mem-
bers, Keshia Maxwell and
Noella Moshi. Maxwell is serv-
ing as director of Tech Foundry’s
new Tech Bridge program. She
will develop and implement all
facets of the project, includ-
ing management of staff, daily
operations, program design,
and activities. Tech Bridge is a
scholarship-based program that
focuses on tech training, profes-
sional development, work expe-
rience, 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
Business W est
KESHIA MAXWELL
NOELLA MOSHI
BRENDAN THEROUX
Counselor Educators Assoc., the National Society of
Genetic Counselors, and the Indiana Maternal Mor-
tality Review Committee. She earned her bachelor’s
degree in secondary education from Indiana Univer-
sity and her master’s degree in genetic counseling
from the Indiana School of Medicine.
•••••
Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts
(JAWM) announced the appointment of new offi-
cers and several new members to its board of direc-
tors. 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 prepar-
ing 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 Pro-
fessionals; Gregg Levante, president of Pittsfield
Cooperative Bank; Stefan Sjoberg, attorney with
Egan, Flanagan & Cohen; and Devan Summers, vice
president, Member Services and Community Devel-
opment with Luso Federal Credit Union. The board
will support the organization’s mission and provide
guidance in key initiatives, including financial lit-
eracy, workforce readiness, and entrepreneurship
programming.
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.
•••••
KeyBank announced Brendan
Theroux has been named rela-
tionship manager, Commercial
Banking. He is responsible for
providing tailored financial
solutions to middle market
clients and prospects across
Connecticut and Massachu-
setts. He is based in KeyBank’s
Hartford office, located at 225 Asylum St. Prior to
joining KeyBank, Theroux served as first vice presi-
dent, 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 Manage-
ment. He has more than 10 years of experience in
commercial banking, with a strong background
in relationship management, credit underwrit-
ing, and strategic business development. Theroux
holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the
Notebook >>Continued from page 38
University of Connecticut and has earned certifica-
tions from the Connecticut School of Finance and
Management and M&T Bank’s Leadership Accelera-
tor 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.
•••••
Bay Path University announced the appointment of
Megan Trinkle-Knotts as the new program director
of the master of science in genetic counseling pro-
gram, 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 India-
napolis, 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 custom-
ized 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 foun-
dational role in launching a new master’s in genetic
counseling program and a Genetic Counseling
Clinic focused on oncology and psychiatric genet-
ics. 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, publica-
tions, and national leadership. She is involved with
several professional organizations, including the
Indiana Network of Genetic Counselors, the Genetic
Ventfort Hall was granted the right of first refusal
for the off-market sale of the cottage, located on
Walker Street just a short walk from the main man-
sion. The board of directors and staff acted swiftly
to secure the property, with the official signing tak-
ing place on July 29. Ventfort Hall has developed a
multi-phase plan for the restoration, maintenance,
and reintegration of the Huss House into its opera-
tions. The vision includes transforming the property
into a short-term vacation rental, allowing it to
generate revenue for its own preservation while
offering visitors an immersive, historically resonant
experience.
Big Y Express Fresh Market
Reopens in Tower Square
SPRINGFIELD — Big Y Foods announced the
reopening of its Big Y Express Fresh Market loca-
tion at Tower Square in downtown Springfield, fol-
lowing a brief closure of just over two weeks. The
temporary closure allowed for a strategic refresh
designed to better meet the evolving needs of busy
customers. This update was driven directly by cus-
tomer feedback, with shoppers expressing a desire
for more grab-and-go and convenience-focused
options. In response, the store has been recon-
figured to feature an expanded selection of quick
meal solutions, snacks, beverages, and everyday
essentials. Shoppers will also find lottery tickets,
greeting cards, balloons, gift cards, and more, all
curated to support a fast, efficient shopping experi-
ence. The updated store hours are Monday through
Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday,
noon to 5 p.m.
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AUGUST 18, 2025
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