Page 37 - BusinessWest March 2, 2026

Agenda >>Continued from page 34
return to perform. Visit holyokechamber.com to reg-
ister and secure raffle tickets.
Pickleball Tournament
March 29: Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity
(GSHFH) is hosting a high-energy pickleball tourna-
ment at the Picklr, 415 East Main St., Westfield, from
8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., bringing together players of all
skill levels for a full day of fun in support of afford-
able housing in Western Mass. The tournament is
a two-player team round robin event, with the day
divided into timed sections based on skill level to
ensure competitive and enjoyable play for every-
one. Registration is required, and tickets cost $50
per person. All proceeds from the event will benefit
Greater Springfield Habitat and its mission to build
strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter.
In addition to tournament play, attendees will have
the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets and Habi-
tat merchandise throughout the day. GSHFH is also
seeking event sponsors to help make the tourna-
ment a success. Sponsorship opportunities include
four levels: ace sponsor ($1,500), kitchen sponsor
($1,000), court sponsor ($750), and community
People >>Continued from page 35
of local banking experience. She holds a bachelor’s
degree in architecture from UMass Amherst. In
her new role, Czarniecka will oversee daily branch
operations, develop and service relationships with
existing customers, and assist new customers with
loan and deposit products.
•••••
Country Bank announced the appointments of Ted
Noonan, president of Noonan Energy, as chairman
of the board, and Steve Musso, former chief oper-
ating officer of FinPro, as vice chair of the board.
Both appointments reflect the Bank’s continued
commitment to strong governance, strategic lead-
ership, and long-term stability. Noonan succeeds
James Phaneuf, who has served as chairman of the
board for the past four years. Phaneuf will continue
serving on the board, providing valuable institution-
al knowledge and ongoing leadership support. As
vice chair, Musso will support the board’s leadership
and governance, leveraging his experience and per-
spective to advance the bank’s strategic priorities.
The board also recognized Phaneuf for his 29 years
of leadership and service on the board, including
four years as chairman, and noted his role in guiding
the bank through a period of change, growth, sta-
bility, and strategic focus.
•••••
The Greater Northampton
Chamber of Commerce (GNCC)
board of directors announced
the election of Taylor Robbins
as its new board president. Rob-
bins brings extensive business
experience and team leadership,
as well as a rich history with
the GNCC and a deep commit-
ment to its mission. Robbins previously served on
the chamber’s ambassador committee, nominating
committee, and annual meeting committee. Both
Jennifer Ewers, financial advisor at Edward Jones
Investments, and Doug Gilbert, vice president, com-
mercial team leader at Florence Bank, will continue
their roles as the board’s vice president and treasur-
er, respectively. Robbins is vice president, business
Business W est TAYLOR ROBBINS
sponsor ($500). Sponsors will receive recognition
and visibility while directly supporting affordable
housing efforts in the region. For registration details,
sponsorship information, and event updates, visit
habitatspringfield.org/pickleball.
Women’s Leadership Conference
April 2: Bay Path University announced that
award-winning journalist Gayle King will serve as
the keynote speaker at the 29th annual Women’s
Leadership Conference (WLC), taking place at the
MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield. Since
joining CBS News in 2011, King has interviewed
world leaders, political figures, and cultural icons,
ranging from Barack Obama to Billie Eilish to Elon
Musk. Her work exploring social issues, politics,
pop culture, history, and race has earned her three
Emmy Awards, induction into the Broadcasting &
Cable Hall of Fame (2018), and inclusion on TIME
magazine’s list of the 100 Most Influential People
(2019). The WLC will also feature lunchtime speaker
Michelle Poler, an entrepreneur and brand strate-
gist whose motivational philosophy, Hello Fears, has
inspired thousands to step outside their comfort
TERESA DUPERE
banking relationship manager at M&T Bank, where
she supports business owners through business
lending and deposit solutions. Previously, she was
business relationship manager at UMassFive Col-
lege Federal Credit Union, where she maintained a
loan portfolio of more than 500 businesses in the
community.
•••••
Bacon Wilson, P.C. announced
that Teresa Dupere has joined
the firm as Title and Real Estate
counsel, effective early Novem-
ber 2025. Dupere brings more
than 15 years of experience in
real estate law and title matters.
Dupere earned her juris doctor-
ate from Western New England University School
of Law, completed the paralegal studies program at
Elms College, and received her bachelor’s degree
in environmental sciences with a minor in biology
from UMass Amherst. She has extensive knowledge
of residential and commercial real estate title exam-
ination and related matters, and will be enhancing
the firm’s real estate practice with her expertise.
Prior to joining Bacon Wilson, Dupere worked as a
real estate attorney at a local general practice law
firm, focusing on comprehensive title searches,
reviewing legal documents to confirm the accu-
racy of title information, preparing title reports and
maintaining chain-of-title records, and resolving
title defects to ensure clear title prior to closing. She
will work primarily out of Bacon Wilson’s Springfield
office, supporting both the firm’s residential and
commercial real estate departments.
•••••
The Center for Community News (CCN) at the
University of Vermont named Holyoke Commu-
nity College (HCC) radio station manager Patrick
LaBelle a Community News Champion for 2026.
LaBelle is one of 150 journalism leaders from col-
leges across the country who will be part of the
organization’s 2026 class of Faculty Champions.
These individuals, who include college faculty and
staff members, are being recognized for their efforts
<< DEPARTMENTS >>
zones and unlock their full potential. She has pre-
sented to organizations including TEDx, Google,
Facebook, Wells Fargo, ESPN, P&G, and Microsoft.
Breakout sessions throughout the day are led by
top business experts and coaches. Tamilla Triantoro,
associate professor at Quinnipiac University, will
examine the impact of artificial intelligence on lead-
ership, helping leaders to deploy AI responsibly. She
has been featured in BBC, Forbes, and Fast Com-
pany. Melissa Majors, a business advisor and coach,
will lead a session that draws on her leadership
experience to address the challenges of modern
work, such as burnout, disconnection, groupthink,
and more. Additional breakout speakers include Erin
Stafford, who will share lessons on maintaining bal-
ance through the lens of a self-described “recover-
ing Type A overachiever,” and Sheree Cain-Jones,
who will draw on her lived experiences as a teen
mother, adult college student, and TEDx coach to
offer strategies for rising above perceived limita-
tions. Visit www.baypath.edu/events-calendar/
womens-leadership-conference for more informa-
tion on the conference, sponsorship opportunities,
and ticket sales.
PATRICK LABELLE
to start or expand college-led
reporting programs in their
region and their contribution
to a national movement of
student-powered community
reporting. LaBelle comes from a
community news background.
He received his bachelor’s
degree in communications and
mass media from UMass Amherst and has worked
for three community access media stations: Canton
Community TV, Hadley Media, and Frontier Com-
munity Access Television. He is also a former DJ on
WMUA 91.1 FM at UMass. Since coming on board in
2024 as manager of the HCC radio station, WCCH
103.5 FM, LaBelle has launched a number of new
initiatives, including “Live From Studio B,” a series
of short, in-studio musical performances modeled
after National Public Radio’s Tiny Desk Concerts.
He also hosts a weekly radio show on WCCH (“The
Power Hour with Professor Pat,” on Tuesdays from
1 to 2 p.m.), and is adviser to the HCC Radio Club
and co-host of “The Green Thread” podcast, a new,
monthy series of HCC alumni interviews.
•••••
Bulkley Richardson announced that Lisa Harty
has been named vice chair of the YMCA of Greater
Springfield’s corporate board of directors execu-
tive committee. Harty, an attorney at Bulkley
Richardson, focuses her practice on representing
healthcare professionals in medical malpractice
matters. Her expertise as both a medical doctor
and an attorney bolsters her ability to understand
her clients’ cases to develop the strongest defense
possible. The YMCA’s mission is to serve human
needs in Greater Springfield by providing programs
that promote lifelong personal growth and the bal-
anced development of spirit, mind, and body for all.
Throughout the 14 cities and towns in the region,
YMCA members and participants are impacted
by core values of caring, honesty, respect, and
responsibility.
MARCH 2, 2026
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