Page 63 - BusinessWest December 8, 2025

COMPANY NOTEBOOK>>
MassMutual, Barings Announce
Investment by MS&AD
SPRINGFIELD — MassMutual and its global asset
management subsidiary Barings announced that
MassMutual has entered into an agreement in which
MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings Inc. (MS&AD) will
acquire an 18% equity stake in Barings through its
subsidiary Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co. Ltd. (MSI),
a leading Japanese insurance company. As a result
of this transaction, MassMutual will gain a strategic
partner that shares its deep commitment to Barings’
growth and long-term success while also receiving
approximately $1.44 billion in cash proceeds. Mass-
Mutual will remain Barings’ majority owner with an
82% stake and controlling governance rights, and
Barings will also continue to manage the major-
ity of MassMutual’s general investment account
and remain core to the company’s asset manage-
ment strategy. Barings will continue to operate as
an independent subsidiary of MassMutual with no
changes to its day-to-day operations, investment
committees, processes, or strategy. As part of the
strategic partnership, MS&AD will provide growth
capital to support Barings in achieving its long-term
growth strategy. In addition, Barings will expand its
existing relationship with MS&AD through the man-
agement of assets within MS&AD’s general invest-
ment account, helping to strengthen and diversify
MS&AD’s investment portfolio and giving it greater
access to Barings’ global public and private markets
capabilities. A member of MS&AD’s leadership team
will also join Barings’ board of managers. The trans-
action is expected to close after customary closing
conditions and approvals have been finalized. Gold-
man Sachs & Co. LLC served as MassMutual’s finan-
cial advisor on the transaction, and its legal counsel
was Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP.
Cain Hibbard Merges
with Bulkley Richardson
SPRINGFIELD — Cain Hibbard & Myers P.C. and
Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas LLP announced
their merger, effective Dec. 1, creating a strate-
gic alignment of two law firms in Western Mass.
Together, the firms have increased capabilities to
deliver premium legal services across practice areas,
positioning them to better serve clients. As the larg-
est full-service law firm in the region, this merger
amplifies its impact across Western Mass. and
beyond, expanding the firm’s collective geographic
footprint to Springfield, Pittsfield, Hadley, and Great
Barrington. Clients of both firms include businesses
with operations across the Commonwealth of Mas-
sachusetts, the U.S., and abroad.
MountainOne Insurance Named
Among Top Insurance Employers
NORTH ADAMS — MountainOne Insurance Agency
has again been named a Top Insurance Employer
by Insurance Business America. This marks the
sixth time MountainOne Insurance has earned the
national recognition and the fifth consecutive year
of receiving the honor. Each year, the publication
identifies top insurance employers through a con-
fidential employee survey that assesses key areas
such as workplace culture, professional develop-
ment, benefits, DEI practices, and overall employee
experience. Organizations awarded this distinction
are recognized for prioritizing employee well-being,
adapting programs based on staff feedback, and
fostering strong career growth pathways. Moun-
tainOne Insurance has remained a standout in the
industry for its intentional approach to talent devel-
opment and supportive workplace culture. Over
the past several months, the agency has promoted
six team members across departments and intro-
duced a new leadership-level role to acknowledge
employees who demonstrate exceptional expertise,
leadership, and client service.
Feel Good Haus Opens
in Great Barrington
GREAT BARRINGTON — Feel Good Haus, a mod-
ern apothecary that aims to help people feel good
physically, mentally, and emotionally, opened at 38
Railroad St. in Great Barrington on Dec. 4. The belief
behind Feel Good Haus is rooted in the restorative
power of small, intentional rituals that can help
everyone feel good — a discovery the founder made
while working full-time, parenting two children, and
caring for both parents with stage 4 cancer simulta-
neously. Whether it’s an uplifting botanical shower,
a quiet cup of herbal tea, or a soft eye pillow that
aids sleep, the brand’s mission is to help find bal-
ance by curating the highest-quality, natural self-
care products for body, mind, and soul while con-
tributing to the Berkshires community as a wellness
destination. The retail store features makers based
in Berkshire County and Western Mass., as well as a
variety of small-batch artisans from across the U.S.
Future offerings include connection opportunities
with local artisans and open discussions around
topics such as aromatherapy, grief, menopause, and
the benefits of self-care. Because acts of generos-
ity contribute to feeling good, Feel Good Haus will
partner with community organizations through its
Gift to Give donation program, kicking off in Febru-
ary 2026 with Berkshire Pride.
Generator Supercenter of
Western Mass Opens Doors
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Generator Supercenter of
Western Mass recently celebrated the grand open-
ing of its new location at 1285 Riverdale St. in West
Springfield with a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted
by the West of the River Chamber of Commerce.
The event brought together local leaders, com-
munity members, and company representatives
to mark this milestone. Among the guests were
West Springfield Mayor Will Reichelt, Generator
Supercenter founder and CEO Matthew Metcalfe,
and several other key members of the Generator
Supercenter franchise team, all of whom joined in
celebrating the company’s expansion into Western
Mass. Generator Supercenter of Western Mass is
dedicated to providing comfort and peace of mind
to homeowners through reliable power solutions,
specializing in home standby generators. Its team
offers comprehensive services including sales,
installation, maintenance, monitoring, and repair,
ensuring customers are fully supported from start
to finish.
Momentum Group Opens
New Branch in Longmeadow
LONGMEADOW — The Momentum Group with
AnnieMac Home Mortgage announced the open-
ing of its newest branch located in the historic
Brewer-Young Mansion at 734 Longmeadow St. in
Longmeadow. The team is led by Branch Manager
Business W est << DEPARTMENTS >>
Angela Tourville, who brings expertise from both
loan processing and originating, giving her a deep
understanding of the home loan process from start
to finish. She is joined by Sales Manager Mike Tour-
ville, who is focused on building strong community
partnerships and driving growth; Prav Mathur, a
seasoned professional with more than 30 years of
lending experience and strong community ties; and
April Towers, whose dedication and compassion for
guiding families through the homebuying process
make her a valued part of the team.
Country Bank Donates $160,000
to Support Local Seniors
WARE — In response to the increasing needs of
local families and seniors affected by the recent
government shutdown, Country Bank announced
donations of $160,000 to support food insecurity
programs across Central and Western Mass. As the
bank kicks off its annual “Season of Difference”
campaign, it is donating an additional $25,000 to
both the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and
the Worcester County Food Bank. Earlier this year,
each of these food banks received $100,000 as part
of a $1 million pledge. Additionally, another $55,000
is being donated to local food pantries and $55,000
to senior centers throughout the region. The “Sea-
son of Difference” campaign highlights Country
Bank’s long-standing dedication to strengthen-
ing local communities through financial support,
volunteer efforts, and compassionate leadership.
Each year, the bank donates more than $800,000 to
nonprofits that focus on food insecurity, education,
housing, and community well-being.
PeoplesBank Increases Funding
to Address Food Insecurity
HOLYOKE — PeoplesBank announced it will imme-
diately increase funding to regional food banks,
survival centers, and food pantries to address the
growing issue of food scarcity, donating an addi-
tional $100,000 to organizations the bank has
already supported this year. The bank’s executive
leadership team, as well as associates throughout
the bank, believed that a response to SNAP benefit
disruptions and the pressures they are causing on
food banks, pantries, and families warranted addi-
tional financial assistance. PeoplesBank has already
begun to distribute grants of $5,000 to $10,000
to the following organizations: the Food Bank of
Western Massachusetts, Connecticut Foodshare,
the Care Center of Holyoke, Martin Luther King, Jr.
Family Services, Rachel’s Table, Amherst Survival
Center, Northampton Survival Center, Lorraine’s
Soup Kitchen, Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Provi-
dence Ministries – Margaret’s Table, Salvation Army
of Holyoke, Family Outreach of Amherst, Gifts of
Love, Midwest Food Bank – New England Division,
Hands on Hartford, Hartford Interval House, Jewish
Federation of Greater Hartford, and Friend to Friend
Food Pantry. Over the past year, PeoplesBank has
made donations totaling $1.8 million in Massachu-
setts and Connecticut, and $5 million over the last
three years. The bank’s associates and board mem-
bers contributed matching gifts of $55,750 in addi-
tion to the 8,500 volunteer hours they contributed
to the community.
Notebook
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