Page 7 - BusinessWest May 30, 2022

back to him.
Indeed, Benitez had been on the job for only about a month
before taking the stage at those ceremonies at the MassMutual Center — and delivering the commencement address while he was at it. Most all of the students accepting their diplomas knew that, and wanted to offer some words of encouragement.
Taking the helm just a few weeks before the end of a spring semester is highly unusual in higher education — most new presidents would prefer to start during the summer, when things are slower and they have time to ramp up, or at the start of a new school year. Benitez said he was given those options, but was also asked to consider starting in April by Board of Directors Chairman Frank Colaccino, a member of AIC’s Class of 1973 and
Hubert Benitez says his first visit to the AIC campus left him convinced that he wanted to be the school’s next president.
member of the search committee that ultimately offered Benitez the job.
And he said he jumped at the opportunity, essentially because he couldn’t wait to get started with the next chapter in both his intriguing professional career — and in the history of the school, which first welcomed students in 1885.
“That is a non-traditional start date,” he acknowledged. “Because it’s a transitional phase — we’re closing, and also start- ing a new academic year. In retrospect, I think it’s been beneficial to start when I did, because I had the opportunity to work with my colleagues during a very stressful time — an academic year is ending, we’re close to commencement, we’re close to ending the fiscal year, and now we’re preparing the budget to present to the Board of Directors for approval.
“It’s almost unheard of to start at that time, but I wanted to take up the challenge,” he went on. “And, more importantly, my colleagues were willing to welcome a new president in that time of flux.”
Benitez was anxious to start, and before that, he was anx- ious to apply, because in every way he can imagine, the school’s mission and its ongoing focus on first-generation students and those who may need a second chance to further their educa- tion reflects his own resume and his own focus within higher education.
He said that, throughout its history, AIC has created oppor- tunities for many individuals and he wants to continue and build on this mission, making the school ever-more diverse and responsive to the challenges facing both traditional and non- traditional students.
He brings to that assignment an intriguing resume. Indeed, those letters after his name, DDS, indicate that he is a dentist by trade. He had a practice for more than 14 years, but eventually decided he couldn’t see himself “taking care of toothache for the rest of my life.”
Richard F. Burkhart, CPA and Salvatore J. Pizzanelli, CPA, JD, PFS
The talented team at Burkhart Pizzanelli
Accounting
Julie M. Quink, CPA and Deborah J. Penzias, CPA
The talented team at Burkhart Pizzanelli provides
provides expertise in a full range of accounting
and financial services. Feel free to call on us at Consulting 413.734.9040.Feel free to call on us at 413.734.9040.
expertise in a full range of accounting and financial services.
201 Park Avenue, Suite 2, West Springfield, MA
201 Park Avenue, Suite 2 • West SpringfieldR, eMtAir0e1m08e9nt Plans T: 413.734.9040 • F: 413.781.5609
T: 413.734.9040 • F: 413.781.5609 • www.bppc.com www.bppc.com Tax Planning
ACCOUNTING • CONSULTING • LITIGATION • RETIREMENT PLANS • TAX PLANNING
Litigation
Please Join Us at our
melia J. Holstrom Named Partner
Breakfast Briefing Event
ongratulations to our newest partner, Amelia J. Holstrom. melia, a 40 and
ssociation ward
ithSkoler,e20
ractice on la igation, pe our complia
aw, i
actic nd se
Under Forty honoree Community Service A
Abbott & Presser sinc bor and employment l rsonnel policies and pr
nce, and separation a
Skoler Abbott Attorneys John S. Gannon and Meaghan E. Murphy will be discussing recent labor and employment
Amelia, along with her colleagues,
cases that are imaproerwtahnytetmopblouyseinrsetshsreosuignhoMuat sNseawchusetts.
England rely on Skoler Abbott for advice
Massachusetts Bar Recipient, has been 12. She focuses her
ncluding employment es review, wage and verance agreements.
handling challenging employment and
Wednesday, June 29 at 8:30 - 10 am
labor relations matters.
The Sheraton One Monarch Place, Springfield Cost is $35, includes light breakfast and parking.
To register: skoler-abbott.com/training-programs
neMonaOrcnhePMlacoenarchPlace pringfieldS,pMrAing0fi11e4ld4, MA 01144
413.737.4753
P 413.737.4753
SKOLER-ABBOTT.COM
OLER-ABBOTT.COM
BusinessWest
O S P
SK
1901477_HolstromPartnerAd.indd 1
1/23/19
10:15 AM
A
C A A w p lit h
FEATURE
MAY 30, 2022
7
4.5x5.8 Business West