Page 34 - BusinessWest November 24, 2025

JASON URBAN
long-standing commitment to
quality, safety, and innovation
across New England’s indus-
trial mechanical construction
industry. Stepping into the role
of president, DePalma brings
NICK DEPALMA
extensive experience and a deep
understanding of Notch’s opera-
tions, clients, and values. Having
served as executive vice president for the past three
years, he has played an integral role in driving stra-
tegic growth and maintaining the company’s repu-
tation for excellence in mechanical contracting.
•••••
Colonial Carpentry Innova-
tions Inc. announced the addi-
tion of Jason Urban as consul-
tant and production manager.
Urban brings more than two
decades of experience in the
custom woodworking industry,
cabinetry design, and home
improvement to the Colonial
team. Known for his strong communication skills,
organizational excellence, and steady leadership,
he has built a career centered on craftsmanship,
collaboration, and genuine customer care. Urban’s
experience includes years with Michael Humphries
Woodworking, where he worked closely with archi-
tects, builders, and homeowners. He earned acco-
lades while working at rk MILES, where he served
clients throughout the Pioneer Valley. He built his
career helping homeowners and builders alike find
creative, practical solutions that balance beauty and
durability. As a U.S. Army National Guard Veteran,
he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal
for Meritorious Service. His background instilled a
strong sense of discipline, responsibility, and team-
work — qualities that continue to shape his profes-
sional approach today.
•••••
Country Bank, a full-service financial institution
serving Central and Western Mass., announced the
appointment of Paul Whitfield as retail banking
officer. With more than two decades of experi-
ence in the financial industry, he brings a depth
of knowledge, leadership, and customer-focused
service that align seamlessly with Country Bank’s
mission to make a difference in the communities
it serves. Whitfield began his career in the financial
sector in 2001 as a loan officer for a small broker-
age in Lakeville, later expanding his expertise across
several leading financial institutions, including
Citizens Bank, Santander Bank, Bank of America,
Berkshire Bank, and Fiserv. His professional journey
has included roles as a banker, assistant manager,
manager, small business officer, and merchant spe-
HECTOR SUAREZ
cialist, each reinforcing his dedication to delivering
exceptional customer experiences. Whitfield has
served for more than 34 years as a youth basketball
and baseball coach, mentoring countless student
athletes across New England. His leadership extends
to serving on the programs committee with the
Corridor 9/495 Chamber of Commerce and previ-
ously as a committee of management member and
sub-committee chair for special events with Big
Brothers Big Sisters of Southeastern Massachusetts,
where he received the Massachusetts Governor’s
Alliance Against Drugs Award for his volunteerism.
•••••
Westfield Bank announced the
appointment of Hector Suarez
as retail banking officer and
branch manager, and Jeffrey
Lomma as business special-
ist, both at its 1342 Liberty St.
office in Springfield. Suarez,
who joins the bank with more
than 30 years of banking experi-
ence, is responsible for lead-
ing and managing the branch,
including customer service,
retail and business product
sales, employee development,
and overseeing general branch
operations. He has held various
officer and management roles
for several national banks in
the Greater Springfield area and
has been recognized through-
out his banking career for sales
and service excellence. He has
been very active with financial
literacy, most recently with first-
time homebuyer seminars for
the Holyoke Housing Author-
ity. A familiar face to customers and coworkers,
Lomma returns to the bank, where he previously
served in business development and management
roles, including in the Springfield market. In his new
role, he is responsible for servicing existing and
developing new business relationships, community
development within Springfield, and supporting
the branch as needed. Lomma originally joined
Westfield Bank in 2006, departing to be the Mem-
ber Services director for the Springfield Regional
Chamber of Commerce. He holds a bachelor’s
degree in business administration from Western
New England University and is deeply involved
with the local community, currently serving as a
board member for the West of the River Chamber
of Commerce and as treasurer and board member
of the Asnuntuck Community College Foundation.
Westfield Bank also announced the appointment
JEFFREY LOMMA
DAVID GADOUAS
Partners >>Continued from page 9
get a higher check average because I have a good pay-
roll,” he explained. “So I’ll try to do dinner entrees for
breakfast specials. Like, this weekend we have beef
brisket. And now, instead of getting steak and eggs for
$14.95, you can get smoked beef brisket for $16.95.
“We have a lot of repeat business,” he added, “and
we have people that say, ‘I can’t wait until they put out
those specials because I want to see what I’m going
to have this weekend.’”
Off the Air
Mark has taken his passion for cooking to the air-
waves in past decades, hosting a local cooking TV
show, Continental Cuisine, and a talk radio show, The
Latest Dish, as well as participating in cooking demos
and seminars for the Big E, Angy’s Tortellini, Big Y
Foods, and various clubs and organizations.
“At that time, people wanted quick meals they
could make at home,” he told BusinessWest. “People
can go to a restaurant and get chicken parm; I would
show them how to do a chicken parm or something
simple. Speed scratch cooking — that’s kind of what I
34 << DEPARTMENTS >>
NOVEMBER 24, 2025
of David Gadouas as assistant vice president and
branch manager at the bank’s 599 Memorial Dr.,
Chicopee branch. He joins the bank with nearly two
decades of banking experience. In his new role, he
will be responsible for leading and managing the
branch, including customer service, retail and busi-
ness product sales, employee development, and
overseeing general branch operations. Gadouas
has held various officer and management positions
at both community and national banks across the
local area. Throughout his banking career, he has
been recognized for his significant contributions to
employee development and advancement. He is an
alumni of Westfield State University with a bach-
elor’s degree in Mathematics.
•••••
The Wealth Transition Collec-
tive, a values-based financial
planning firm located in Holy-
oke, announced the the addi-
tion of industry veteran Kent
Griffiths, who joined the firm
in early October as head of
KENT GRIFFITHS
Investment Strategy. Griffiths
brings with him more than 30
years of experience in the financial services indus-
try, most recently from MFS, the pioneering firm
that launched the multi-trillion-dollar mutual fund
sector. During his career, he has collaborated with
thousands of financial advisors, providing market
insights and innovative investment strategies that
have enabled countless advisors and their clients to
navigate the complexities of the financial landscape.
Griffiths has lived in various parts of the U.S. before
making his home in Western Mass. Originally from
Southern California, he moved to Houston during
his early school years and attended the University
of Texas at Austin. There, he met his college sweet-
heart, Ruth Mitchell, and began a lifelong partner-
ship. The couple eventually settled in Boston before
moving to Western Mass. in 2000.
•••••
The National Assoc. of State Boards of Education
(NASBE) recently announced that Michael Mori-
arty, executive director of OneHolyoke CDC and
a longtime advocate in the movement to advance
early literacy in the Commonwealth, is a recipient
of NASBE’s 2025 Distinguished Service Award, rec-
ognizing exceptional contributions to education.
Moriarty recently completed his tenure on the Mas-
sachusetts State Board of Education after 10 years
of service, during which he chaired the state’s early
literacy subcommittee, and was a member of the
budget subcommittee and commissioner evalua-
tion committee. He was also an active member of
NASBE’s early literacy working group. Prior to chair-
ing Massachusetts’ early literacy subcommittee,
did. And then I did some more upscale stuff, because
I have some background in that too. But I wanted the
people to know that you can do this at home.”
Sue thinks her husband could have become nation-
ally known.
“Food Network was just starting to come out,
Emeril was getting popular, and I remember think-
ing I should send in a tape for Mark,” she said. “And I
never did it.”
“I could have been famous,” he said, then flashed a
warm smile at his partner. “But look at our life.” BW
Business W est