Page 65 - BusinessWest February 17, 2025

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experience. “We are excited to welcome Devan to LUSO,” President and CEO Jennifer Calheno said. “His extensive experience in the financial industry and passion for community development align per- fectly with our commitment to helping our mem- bers achieve their financial goals. I am confident that his leadership will play a pivotal role in our con- tinued growth and success.”
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UMassFive College Federal Credit Union
announced three recent management promo- tions. Brittany Ward has been promoted to senior branch manager of the UMassFive’s Hadley and UMass Amherst branches. She started her career
at the credit union 10 years ago as a member ser- vice specialist. During the last decade, she has held numerous roles, including Retail Training specialist, video teller supervisor, Contact Center assistant manager, and video teller manager. For the past three years, she has served as branch manager of the Hadley branch. Eurika Boulay has been pro- moted to senior branch manager of UMassFive’s Northampton and Northampton VA Medical Center branches. She began her career at the credit union nine years ago as a member service specialist. Her roles have since included Northampton branch backup supervisor, Northampton VA Medical Center manager, and, most recently, Northampton branch manager. In her new new role, she will continue to ensure the delivery of high-quality member service, maintain branch compliance, and collaborate with UMassFive’s Community Outreach manager to strengthen the credit union’s presence in the Great- er Northampton community. Jamie Paradee has expanded her role as Digital and Payment Services assistant manager. She began her UMassFive career in 2007 as a part-time teller at the Hadley branch before transferring to the Northampton branch as
a senior teller. In 2012, she transitioned back to the Hadley branch, where she was promoted to interim branch supervisor, and then took on the role as the
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credit union’s first Facilities manager. In this role, she oversaw numerous branch remodels, a position that later expanded into Support Operations man- ager. After a brief time away from UMassFive, she returned in 2024 as a Payment Services specialist before being promoted to her current role.
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Pittsfield Cooperative Bank announced the hiring of Karen Sargent as the new assistant vice president and branch manager of its Dalton branch location. With an impressive track record in banking and
a deep commitment to com-
munity engagement, she brings a wealth of experience and leadership to her new
role. Sargent joins Pittsfield Cooperative Bank with more than 15 years of experience in the financial- services industry. Her expertise spans branch opera- tions, customer relationship management, business banking, and team leadership at several regional institutions, including Adams Community, Berk- shire, Citizens, and NBT banks. In her role as branch manager, she will oversee daily operations, mentor staff, and strive to ensure the delivery of exceptional service to the bank’s customers. A lifelong resident of Berkshire County, Sargent is deeply rooted in
the community and has been actively involved in various local organizations. Her commitment to strengthening local ties and supporting community initiatives aligns seamlessly with the bank’s dedica- tion to serving the region.
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UMassFive College Federal Credit Union (UMass-
Five) recently announced the addition of Peter Rosskothen to its board of directors. A seasoned business professional, he brings more than 35
years of business experience to UMassFive. He first became involved with the credit union through uti- lizing its business banking products and services five
year’s 1 million meals, the program continues to expand its efforts to support those in need. Big Y’s Sack Hunger donation is part of its ongoing support throughout the year, including almost daily dona- tions of meat, fresh produce, and bakery products, along with grocery, frozen, and dairy items. The four regional food banks are the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, the Worcester County Food Bank, the Greater Boston Food Bank, and Connecti- cut Foodshare.
Berkshire Bank Reports 100% Employee Volunteerism in 2024
BOSTON — Berkshire Bank employees achieved a milestone in 2024: 100% participation in the com- pany’s award-winning volunteer program. In all, employees completed more than 250 company- sponsored projects that totaled more than 11,500 hours of service across Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, Connecticut and Rhode Island, as well as thousands more hours volunteering as individuals in their hometown communities. Named for the
X in its logo, Berkshire’s XTEAM employee volun- teer and giving program is a central element of its workplace culture, providing employees with an easy way to put the bank’s corporate values into
years ago. With an educational background in finance from the Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia, and studies in hotel & restaurant manage- ment from UMass Amherst, Rosskothen has demonstrated a wide array of skills in orga- nizational finance, budgeting,
branding, marketing, strategic planning, and com- munity relations. Throughout his career, he has also dedicated time to volunteer work, serving as
a board member for several organizations, includ- ing People’s Savings Bank, the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Springfield Visitors and Convention Bureau.
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Pioneer Valley Financial Group (PV Financial)
announced that Meghan Monaghan has success- fully passed her Series 66 financial exam, officially earning her the title of financial advisor. Monaghan began her journey with PV Financial in the summer of 2022 as a finance intern, where she was respon- sible for preparing investment proposals, reports
for the Operations department, and data entry. In December 2022, she graduated from Bentley Uni- versity with a bachelor’s degree in finance, concen- trating in financial planning, and a minor in business management. Upon graduation, she was welcomed back to PV as a full-time client relationship manager. In this role, she worked alongside the firm’s advisors to build relationships and provide exceptional cus- tomer service to clients. She embarked on her jour- ney of studying and taking securities-industry exams, eventually transitioning to the role of paraplanner earlier in 2024, focusing more on the in-depth plan- ning aspects of financial services. After two years
of hard work and successfully passing five exams, Monaghan earned the title of financial advisor, mak- ing her the only female financial advisor at PV.
action and help local communities. In addition, the Berkshire Bank Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Berkshire Bank, invested more than $1.7 million in local communities across its five-state footprint in 2024, including more than $450,000 from October to December. For the year, nearly 400 nonprofits benefited from foundation grants and other giving, which included more than 110 nonprofits in the last three months of 2024.
Davis Foundation Supports Local Farmer Awards
AGAWAM — The Irene E. and George A. Davis Foun- dation has become the newest lead funding partner with a contribution to the Local Farmer Awards,
a program in its 11th year providing annual grants of up to $2,500 to Western Mass. farmers, help-
ing them purchase capital equipment used as an ongoing part of farm operations. Harold Grinspoon — whose foundation, in partnership with Big Y and the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agricul- ture, and in collaboration with 15 other community funders, makes these awards possible — described the Davis Foundation gift as “a pivotal moment in our ability to help more deserving farmers.”
PETER ROSSKOTHEN
KAREN SARGENT
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at energy efficiency, making this effort a match for the college’s needs. The phased project began on Dec. 9 and is expected to be completed by early February.
Big Y Donates 1 Million Meals to Food Banks
SPRINGFIELD — Big Y’s annual Sack Hunger cam- paign provides funds for four food banks within its two-state marketing area. In turn, these food banks support local soup kitchens, food pantries, senior food programs, daycare centers, and many oth-
ers of the 2,100 member agencies they help every day. Their goal is to maximize access to nutritious food and other resources that support food security for those at risk of hunger. Throughout this past holiday season, customers and employees gener- ously supported Sack Hunger at Big Y supermarkets and Table & Vine Fine Wines and Liquors. Every
$5 donation brought 10 meals to those in need of support. Additionally, Big Y added more ways to boost their efforts with specific proceeds from the produce, floral, and meat departments, along with a portion of every one of Big Y’s family of private- label brands. Big Y’s Sack Hunger campaign started in 2010, when 740 meals were donated. With this
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