Page 9 - BusinessWest July 21, 2021

Past Alumni Achievement Award Winners:
2020
CARLA COSENZI
President, TommyCar Auto Group, Class of 2012 PETER DEPERGOLA
Director of Clinical Ethics, Baystate Health, Class of 2015
2019
CINDA JONES
President, W. D. Cowls, Inc., Class of 2007
2018
SAMALID HOGAN
Regional Director, Massachusetts Small Business Development Center, Class of 2013
2017
SCOTT FOSTER
Attorney, Bulkley Richardson, Class of 2011 NICOLE GRIFFIN
Owner, ManeHire, Class of 2014
2016
DR. JONATHAN BAYUK
President of Allergy and Immunology Associates of Western Mass. & Chief of Allergy and Immunology at Baystate Medical Center, Class of 2008
2015
DELCIE BEAN
President, Paragus Strategic IT, Class of 2008
to do with their finances, be it deposits, lending, financial planning, investment-management services, trust and estate work, and more,” he said, adding that he works with others to see that all these various needs are met.
His work covers essentially all of Western Mass., and he works with TD employees in, and customers of, more than 20 branches stretch- ing from Longmeadow to Great Barrington. It’s rewarding work, he said, noting that many of the aspects of work with high-net-worth individuals
“Gregg exemplifies the characteristics of a strong, community-based leader — vision, mentorship, hands-
on service, and a positive understanding of the strength of the local community.”
is complex and involves solving problems. “I’ve been in customer service my whole
career, so this is essentially the culmination of everything I’ve done,” he told BusinessWest. “Not many people can say, ‘I love what I do,’ but I can.”
Like all those in financial services, Desmarais said the pandemic has created a number of chal- lenges when it comes to customer service, which have forced adjustments when it comes to how
work is carried out and where. Indeed, he’s been to his office at the bank’s local headquarters at 1441 Main St. only a few times over the past 16 months.
“We’re just reinventing ourselves and figuring out new ways of doing business, like videocon- ferencing, and it’s been working out just fine,” he said.
While working to serve high-net-worth indi- viduals, Desmarais continues a long track record of service to the community, especially with Revitalize CDC. When named to the 40 Under Forty class of 2015, he told BusinessWest, “I take advantage of any opportunity to get out of my suit and tie, get my hands dirty, and give back to the community; I want to make Springfield as healthy, safe, and beautiful as it can be.”
He meant that quite literally. While he has given back in a number of ways, including as chairperson for three years during the Commu- nity Foundation’s annual Valley Gives fundraiser, as a former member of the United Way of Pio- neer Valley’s grant approval board, and service on the fundraising committee for the American Cancer Society, he is best known for his work for Revitalize CDC, where he has also risen in the ranks, if you will.
Indeed, he moved from volunteer that Satur- day a decade ago all the way to chairman of the board (a role he recently relinquished), although he remains quite active with this nonprofit group, in fundraising and also as a house captain for its rebuilding events.
During his tenure with Revitalize CDC, and
Desmarais
Continued on page 44
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JULY 21, 2021 9
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