Page 33 - BusinessWest February 21, 2022

Growing Recognition
This is the second time BusinessWest has honored Flores with one of its coveted awards; he was named Top Entrepreneur for 2011 for all his community-investment work, but particularly his real-estate projects that focused on urban
shopping center, La Plaza del Mercado, on
Main Street in 1995, followed by a $3 million neighborhood medical clinic, El Centro de Salud Medico Inc., the next year. That was immediately followed by a $2 million rehabilitation of blighted, multi-family houses in the North End.
A more current project, a $38 million effort
to transform Springfield’s historic Paramount Theater, which opened in 1926, into a performing arts center — and the adjoining Massasoit building, which was constructed before the Civil War, into a boutique hotel — has run into debt issues and delays in recent years, but remains a significant part of Flores’ downtown vision.
In addition to his other endeavors, he
is president of the North End Educational Development Fund, which administers the
largest Hispanic scholarship fund in New England, providing college scholarships for underprivileged, inner-city Springfield residents — and, hopefully, starts them on their own journeys of success.
All this earned him yet another honor in 2019, the prestigious Pynchon Medal from the Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts and the Pynchon trustees. Now, being named a Difference Maker soon after NEFWC marked 50 years of service is especially gratifying.
“I feel honored and proud to have been chosen by BusinessWest as one of the 2022 Difference Makers,” he said, noting, again, that his board of directors and staff deserves much of the credit for what he’s been able to accomplish. “Our longevity and success is a direct result of their dedication
to our clients and our organization. All that I have accomplished is with the assistance of those around me.”
He also credited a number of regional business
and nonprofit luminaries; throughout a broad interview, he dropped names like Janis Santos, Dick Stebbins, Leon Pernice, Bill Dwight, Paul Doherty, Joe LoBello, and Ronn Johnson as examples of mentors, supporters, and influences.
“I needed to produce something positive, not for me or for a little group, but for all of society,” he said. “In doing that, you develop relationships.”
He’s also been willing to lend a hand — and his acumen — to other organizations. “I sit on Janis Santos’ board,” he said, referring to the recently retired leader of HCS Head Start. “It’s about the education of children. People like that ask, ‘can you give us some time and help us open some doors?’ Yes, I can.”
Or, as another example, “Sister [Mary] Caritas asked me, ‘Herbie, can you come sit on my board? I need some advice for only three months.’ And three years later, I’m still there.”
Harvest of Success
He’s still there, all right — fighting the good fight to help folks who are struggling, and raising the profile and well-being of Springfield as well.
“You might change something a little bit,” he said of his philosophy of taking on new projects. “But it’s better than nothing. If you have a vision, you have to see where it will go.”
Springfield, and its environs, are certainly better off because of the difference Herbie Flores has made over the past half-century.
“It’s our city,” he told BusinessWest. “Let’s make it better, and leave it better for the next generation.” u
Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]
“I brought life to this building;
it was a historical building, but it was empty. I
like to use old buildings because you bring b”ack the history.
renewal, housing, and other forms of economic development.
These included the Borinquen project in
the impoverished North End of Springfield, which involved the renovation
of 41 units of low-income housing, as well as six commercial spaces. The $11 million project combined federal tax credits, private- investment tax credits, Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development funds, city of Springfield HOME funds, and private financing — a
good example of the tapestry of players Flores must weave together to turn one of his visions into reality.
“I brought life to this building; it was a historical building, but it was empty,” he said. “I like to use old buildings because you bring back the history.”
About 35 years ago, Flores made his first forays into real estate through Brightwood Development Corp. (BDC), a nonprofit formed with the goal of providing housing and economic development
on the north side of Springfield. As president
and CEO of the BDC, he developed a $2.5 million
Congratulations to the 2022 Difference Makers
Tara Brewster
Vice President of Business Development, Greenfield Savings Bank
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts
Heriberto Flores
President, New England Farm Workers’ Council
John Greaney
Retired State Supreme Court Justice; Senior Counsel, Bulkley Richardson
Ruth Griggs
President, Northampton Jazz Festival; Principal, RC Communications
Ted Hebert
Founder and Owner, Teddy Bear Pools and Spas
I Found Light Against All Odds and Its Founder and CEO, Stefan Davis
Roca Holyoke and Springfield
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Congratulations
HERIBERTO FLORES, PRESIDENT/CEO
“Herbie is a friend, a leader, a mentor, a guide and most importantly, he gives so much of his time and energy to
help others. I am so PROUD to call myself “one of his children” Thank you Herbie and Congratulations.” – Lydia Martinez
Herbie, we honor you as a
BusinessWest 2022
Difference Maker. Your leadership, dedication, and commitment to the community is valued and appreciated!
“Congratulations Herbie – it is well deserved!” – Marty Walsh, US Secretary of Labor
“On behalf of the North End Community, we CONGRATULATE, HERIBERTO FLORES (HERBIE)! - Jose Claudio
“Your ability to relentlessly search for solu- tions to problems and find innovative ways to improve the world is the key to this success and many to come!” – Alexandra Freer, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico
“The Bilingual Veteran’s Outreach Centers of Mass, Inc. congratulates our Vietnam veteran brother, Heriberto Flores on his
recognition as a power leader in our com- munity for over 50 years.” – Gumersindo Gomez, BVOC Executive Director
“Congratulations Don Heriberto! You earned it. Felicidades” – Betty Medina Lichenstein
“It is privilege and honor to publicly support the deserved recognition and honoring
of Heriberto Flores. His community work and dedication has gone beyond our own Hispanic community. He has been a real leader and a public champion.” - César
R. Miranda Rodriguez, Former Chief of Staff of the Government of Puerto Rico, January2001-December2004. Secretary of Justice (Attorney General) of Puerto Rico, 2013-2016.
“It has been an honor and privilege to serve with you these many years. Your dedication and hard work in service to others has truly been inspirational.” – Dr. Mark Mullan, Board Member
Congratulations Herbie! Making a positive difference in your community, time after time after time. Well-deserved
honor.” – Daniel Sheehan, Executive Director – Association of Farm Worker Opportunity Programs, Washington, DC
BusinessWest
FEBRUARY 21, 2022 33