HOLYOKE — Elms College will host a day of reflection titled “What Is Spiritual Direction? Is It for Me?” on Saturday, April 6 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Decice Hall at the Marian Center, located at 1365 Northampton St. in Holyoke.

The event will include an introduction to what spiritual direction is (and what it is not), some exploration of different ways to be with God in prayer, reflection on each participant’s own sacred story, discussion of several approaches to spiritual direction, and time for both shared and personal prayer.

“This day of reflection is for people who been yearning for a deeper spiritual life, for meaning and direction in their lives, to feel closer to God, to find out what God desires for them, to explore their sacred stories in their daily lives, to find companionship on their spiritual journeys, and for a deeper prayer life,” said Virginia Collins-English, a certified spiritual director, retreat director, writer, and psychotherapist who will lead the day of reflection.

All are welcome, including those who are ‘spiritual but not religious,’ those who feel marginalized by the church, and those of all faiths.

Sponsored by the Religious Studies Department and the Institute for Theology and Pastoral Studies at Elms, this event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. To register, call (413) 265-2575 or e-mail [email protected]. Attendees should bring a bag lunch. Beverages and dessert will be provided.

HOLYOKE — The Dowd Agencies, LLC announced that David Hess has joined its staff as an insurance producer. He is responsible for writing personal, commercial, and life-insurance plans at Dowd.

“David holds a wealth of experience in the insurance field,” said John Dowd Jr., president and CEO for the Dowd Agencies. “We believe David has great potential in sales, and his experience in the industry will help him expand his sales network to bring in new business.”

Hess brings more than 14 years of experience to his role at Dowd. After graduating from UMass Amherst in 2003, he worked as an insurance agent with a local agency until his recent transition to the Dowd Agencies. He is licensed as a producer for property, casualty, life, and health insurance in both Massachusetts and Connecticut.

LEE — Berkshire Sterile Manufacturing recently reached a milestone of 100 employees. In addition, it is actively recruiting for another 11 jobs, including entry-level professional and senior-leadership roles.

Jennifer Kratovil-Moriarty, senior manager, Human Resources, said the 100-employee milestone is notable for any small business and particularly noteworthy in Berkshire County. She noted that Gov. Charlie Baker visited the facility in January to check out its expansion and success first-hand.

“I am personally excited about how we engage with young adults. We hire many interns who came to us through the Mass Life Sciences Internship Challenge,” she said, adding that students from Middlesex Community College’s Special Topics in Biotechnology program will visit today for a tour and informational discussion.

She added that “we have a global, vibrant, and professional workplace with an on-site daycare for working parents, a variety of compressed work-schedule programs, attractive insurance, a new bonus incentive program, and we listen to our employees on their needs to ensure we remain competitive.”

SPRINGFIELD —  The Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts scholarship committee announced that scholarship applications are now available online at adclubwm.org. Applications will also be available through guidance departments at high schools in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties, or by contacting the Ad Club at (413) 342-0533.

Western Mass. seniors who plan to attend an accredited college or technical school to study advertising, communications, marketing, or graphics arts and will be attending in September 2019 are encouraged to apply. The scholarship must be applied against tuition and fees at the school. Candidates will be judged on academic performance; extracurricular activities; community service and/or work experience; a demonstrated interest in advertising, communications, marketing, or graphic design; personal recommendations; and a letter of introduction outlining future plans. 

In 2019, one $1,000 scholarship will be awarded. Completed scholarship applications and all support materials must be submitted to the Ad Club and postmarked by Friday, March 29. The scholarship will be awarded at the Ad Club’s Creative Awards show in May.

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College (HCC) recently welcomed Lea Occhialini as its first ombudsperson and chief culture officer. 

Occhialini is the former faculty and staff ombudsperson at Hampshire College and mediator/trainer in the Smith College Office of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity. Prior to that, she worked as a Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court qualified mediator for the Mediation and Training Collaborative in Greenfield and helped oversee the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Face-to-Face mediation program in Holyoke, Northampton, and Greenfield small-claims courts. 

The ombudsperson/chief culture officer position is new at HCC.

“I’m excited about this,” said HCC president Christina Royal. “Although it’s very common at four-year institutions, to my understanding, this is the first time a community college in Massachusetts has had an ombudsperson.”

Occhialini has worked in the mediation field since 2013. She started at HCC on March 4.

“My job is to protect the interests of faculty and staff at all levels of the college and to promote fairness,” she said. “I assist in clarifying issues and determining options for resolving conflicts, and I also bring systemic concerns to the attention of the president, and I do this as a confidential, neutral, and independent resource.”

Occhialini holds a bachelor’s degree from Smith College, a law degree from American University’s Washington College School of Law, and a certificate in the foundations of organizational ombudsman practice from the International Ombudsman Assoc.

HOLYOKE — Turning a simple box into an unusual ‘beauty and the beast’ packaging statement, Hazen Paper Co. was honored for the second year in a row with Product of the Year honors at the annual meeting of the Assoc. of International Metallizers, Coaters, and Laminators (AIMCAL), held recently in Palm Beach, Calif.

The winning entry was a folding carton titled “The Spirit of Innovation” for prestige luxury box maker Autajon Packaging USA, which featured a three-dimensional, jewel-toned snake and a female model whose face transformed from flawless to gorgeously reptilian when the box is tilted.

The folding carton was made with precisely registered custom color-motion holography that reflects and refracts light to bring the snake’s sinuous curves to life and allows the woman’s face and eye to blaze with unexpected snake-like gleam. The box is embossed with a snakeskin pattern and finished with a soft-touch coating. Inside, a sea-green coating contrasts with the rich black exterior.

“It’s a testament to the vision and talent of the Autajon designer that this package is so visually and tactilely stunning,” said Hazen President John Hazen. “In one package, she clearly demonstrated brand-identity and brand-protection benefits that can be achieved with holography. I’m proud that our holographic artists were able to deliver on the brilliance of her idea.”

The judges were impressed with the winner’s visual impact and expert combination of registered holograms, embossing, and matte and gloss finishes. “There’s a lot of complexity,” observed one judge. “The result is a highly premium appearance,” concluded another. 

Hazen also received a “Product Excellence” award for Benefit Cosmetics’ Hoola Quickie Contour Stick packaging, created with silver Ultracure acrylic-coated metallized polyester laminated to paperboard, offset-printed in transparent and opaque colors, and embossed. Judges rewarded the package for its extensive use of embossing, halftone reproduction, tight registration, and vivid green interior. “This is a complete integration of design, metallizing, and other elements,” one noted. 

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield College announced two new grants that assist with funding for Army and Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets enrolled full-time and participating in the ROTC program at Springfield College.

The Springfield College Room and Board Grant covers on-campus housing and basic meal-plan expenses for any Springfield College Army or Air Force ROTC cadet who has earned a national or local full-tuition ROTC scholarship. Additionally, the college will offer an annual undergraduate ROTC grant of $2,500 to any cadet entering Springfield College as a first-year student who does not qualify for an ROTC scholarship. This grant is renewable for up to eight semesters at Springfield College, as long as the cadet continues in the Springfield College ROTC program. 

In a recent ceremony on campus recognizing the ROTC grants, Springfield College junior and ROTC scholarship recipient Madelyn Reppucci was recognized at an official ROTC signing and swearing-in ceremony in the Marsh Memorial Chapel. 

“This is a very special opportunity, to be able to take my oath at such a special place with so many special people here watching,” said Reppucci, who majors in elementary and special education and American studies. “Being a part of the ROTC program has been a blessing. I have enjoyed my time at Springfield College so much. I have met so many wonderful people, made so many lifetime friends already; it’s just a great place to go to college.”

Through the Army ROTC program, students have the chance to work towards a career with the Army for up to four years, where they are taking courses for college credit alongside their academic major. The first two years are voluntary basic courses with no military obligation. These courses provide students with a background on the military’s role in society and the missions of the Army, focusing on leadership, land navigation, marksmanship, military history, and basic military skills. The final two years are advanced courses with military obligation, including a five-week camp prior to the final year. These courses include leadership skills, training, personnel management, ethics, military justice, and military tactics.

Through the Air Force ROTC program, students complete a program designed to train and commission officers into the U.S. Air Force. The first two years allow students to complete the general military courses. The second two years begin with field training, leading to time as Professional Officer Corps, where students will be contracted with the Air Force.

HOLYOKE — BusinessWest launched its Difference Makers program in 2009 to celebrate individuals, groups, organizations, and families that are positively impacting the Pioneer Valley and are, as the name suggests, making a difference in this region. Tickets are still available to celebrate the class of 2019 at the Log Cabin on Thursday, March 28.

This year’s honorees are Carla Cosenzi, co-president of TommyCar Auto Group; the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts; Peter Gagliardi, president and CEO of Way Finders; Frederick and Marjorie Hurst, publisher and editor of An African American Point of View; Joe Peters, vice chairman and former president of Universal Plastics; and the Springfield Museums. They were profiled in the Feb. 4 issue.

The Difference Makers Gala begins at 5 p.m., and limited tickets are still available for $75. To reserve a spot, call (413) 781-8600, ext. 100, or e-mail [email protected]. The presenting sponsor is Baystate Health/Health New England, and other event sponsors include Royal, P.C., Burkhart Pizzanelli, P.C., Development Associates, TommyCar Auto Group, and Viability Inc.

BOSTON — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced that the state reached settlements with seven nursing homes, including Jewish Nursing Home of Longmeadow, after an investigation found “systemic failures” at the facilities that led to the death or injury of some residents.

About $500,000 in penalties were announced during a news conference Wednesday, the Boston Globe reported. The seven facilities will now be enrolled in strict compliance programs and must undergo safety and care-quality improvements.

Settlements were reached with Jewish Nursing Home of Longmeadow (which received an $85,000 fine), Oxford Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Haverhill ($180,000), Wakefield Center in Wakefield ($30,000), the Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Everett ($40,000), Beaumont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center in Westboro ($37,500), Braemoor Health Center in Brockton, and Woodbriar Health Center in Wilmington.

Synergy Health Centers, which owns Braemoor and Woodbriar, is banned from operating in Massachusetts for seven years. Synergy will pay between $100,000 and $200,000 in fines.

“Every senior has the right to quality care, and every family deserves to know their loved one is safe when choosing a long-term care facility,” Healey said. “Long-term-care facilities must be accountable to the public, and to the commitments made to residents and family members.”

SPRINGFIELD — Robinson Donovan, P.C. announced that attorney David Lawless has been named a partner at the firm.

“David has demonstrated strong leadership and commitment to our clients and our community since he joined our firm,” said Partner James Martin. “We are thrilled to welcome him to his new role as a partner in the firm, and look forward to his growing contributions.”

Lawless previously served as an investigative analyst in the Manhattan District Attorney’s office in New York City. He focuses his practice on civil litigation in federal and state courts, including employment law and litigation, business litigation, and municipal defense litigation.

A member of the American, Massachusetts, Franklin County, Hampden County, and Federal bar associations, Lawless graduated from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 2005. He was named to the Super Lawyers Rising Star list every year from 2008 to 2015.

He is active in the legal community, serving as a board member of the Federal Bar Assoc., Massachusetts chapter, and co-chair of its civil rights and new programming committees. He also serves on the board of the Northeast Center for Youth and Families.

HOLYOKE — The Dowd Agencies, LLC announced the promotion of Jennifer Lawton to vice president of Insurance Operations. Lawton, who began her career with Dowd in 2014, was formerly the agencies’ personal-lines manager.

“We’re very excited to welcome Jennifer to her new and well-deserved role,” said John Dowd Jr., president and CEO. “Of her nearly 30 years’ experience in the insurance industry, Jennifer has spent the last five lending her significant talent, expertise, and sense of dedication to the Dowd Agencies. We think Jennifer will thrive in her new position, which not only helps our organization but also, and most importantly, the clients we serve.” 

In her new position, Lawton provides leadership in the development, implementation, and oversight of systems and procedures that align with Dowd’s organizational strategic initiatives, helping to ensure the achievement of business results. She also serves as the primary advisor to the company’s senior executive leadership team on operational efficiencies.

A certified insurance service representative, Lawton received her associate degree in business from Holyoke Community College. She is the chairperson and program coordinator for Distinguished Young Women of Greater Easthampton, a scholarship program for high-school girls.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Eastern States Exposition announced that Timothy Garstka has joined ESE and will serve as the organization’s director of Sales. Garstka comes to ESE from his position at Williams Distributing in Chicopee, where he served as Sales manager and Brand Marketing manager.

He has more than 15 years of experience in strategic direction, coaching and counseling, performance management, and revenue growth, overseeing inside and outside sales professionals. His skills range from direct sales management and revenue growth to team building and training initiatives.

Prior to joining Williams Distributing, Garstka was a Field Sales manager for Molson/Coors Brewing Co. in Burlington, Vt., and worked as a salesperson for Burke Beverage in Chicopee.

“We are extremely pleased to have Tim on board at the Exposition,” said Gene Cassidy, ESE president and CEO. “His experience will bring a fresh, new approach to our year-round program of events and help bring innovative shows and events to our grounds.”

As director of Sales, he will be responsible for the oversight of the department, including the extensive number of year-round events held at ESE, Big E sponsorships and vendor/concessionaire space sales, advance ticket-sales outreach, and group sales.

“As a West Springfield native, I understand the importance of the Big E to the local economy,” Garstka said. “I am honored to be a part of this iconic organization that believes strongly in supporting local business, agriculture, and education. It’s an amazing organization with an outstanding team.”

Garstka graduated from West Springfield High School in 1991. He serves as the vice president of the East Longmeadow Baseball Assoc. and is a former board member of the Red Cross Pioneer Valley Chapter. He and his wife, Christine, are active volunteers for local Jimmy Fund events. He was also an assistant golf professional at Springfield Country Club in West Springfield and the Forest Country Club in Fort Myers, Fla.

NORTHAMPTON — Country Hyundai has been awarded the 2019 DealerRater Dealer of the Year Award and the 2019 Consumer Satisfaction Award, which recognize auto dealerships across the U.S. and Canada that deliver outstanding customer service, based on consumer reviews written on DealerRater.com.

“Car buyers have spoken and have identified Country Hyundai as the best Hyundai dealer to do business with in Massachusetts,” said DealerRater General Manager Jamie Oldershaw. “The quality and number of reviews for Country Hyundai speak volumes of the top-notch experiences they provide to customers.”

The DealerRater Dealer of the Year Awards are based on reviews by new- and used-car shoppers and those who took their vehicles into dealerships for service. Reviewers evaluated Country Hyundai on its customer service, quality of work, friendliness, pricing, and overall experience.

“We want to ensure that our customers are satisfied not only at the time of purchase, but as long as they own their vehicle,” said Carla Cosenzi, owner of Country Hyundai. “The DealerRater Dealer of the Year Award is reflective of our long-standing commitment to create exceptional customer experiences. Exceeding customer expectations is not an easy task. However, this is exactly what we strive to do every day here at Country Hyundai.” 

SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) will host a National Pi Day celebration on Thursday, March 14 that promises to be equal parts educational and delicious.

In honor of National Pi Day, students of AIC Associate Professor and Mathematics Department Chair James Sansalone will hand out pie and pencils to peers and the public while putting their mathematical knowledge to the test. Those who visit the college’s Dining Commons from 10:45 a.m. to noon will not only receive complimentary dessert but will also be challenged by the Wheel of Pi. In a competition between students and non-students, participants will spin the wheel and attempt to identify mathematical formulas that use pi, while also learning fun and historical information about one of the most famous and significant geometric constants.

Pi, represented mathematically by the Greek letter π, is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. While it has been calculated to more than one trillion digits past its decimal, pi is most commonly identified numerically as 3.14. As such, Pi Day is celebrated each year on March 14. In 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution supporting National Pi Day, encouraging schools and educators to teach students about pi and engage them about the study of mathematics.

LONGMEADOW — Bay Path University has been awarded $5,000 in grant funding support from the Charles H. Hall Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., trustee, for its project, “Impacting the Community: Fostering Social Justice Through Student Internships.” The foundation’s support will benefit Bay Path undergraduate students who are performing internships at nonprofits in Hampden County, including Square One, the Jewish Community Center, and Girls Inc., all of whom service at-risk children and youth.

Bay Path requires its traditional undergraduate students to complete a three- or six-credit internship, research project, or field-work experience, depending on their major, to ensure they have the opportunities to develop the skills and competencies that will help them launch their careers. This funding, which will cover four internships, will help relieve the financial worry that unpaid internships can bring for students. Many Bay Path students hold part-time jobs to make ends meet, and adding an unpaid internship to the mix can be stressful.

“Supporting our students as they perform their required internships not only develops leaders and underlines the importance of giving back to our local community, but also enables students to experience a sense of self-discovery and often personal transformation as they undertake their projects and interface with the nonprofit community,” said Kathryn Wiezbicki-Stevens, Bay Path’s chair of Undergraduate Psychology and director of Pre-OT Studies and Human and Health Science Programs, who oversees the project.

The Charles H. Hall Foundation was established in 2007 to support and promote educational, health and human services, religious, arts, and cultural programming for underserved populations. 

NORTHAMPTON — CommunicateHealth announced its 10th anniversary as a national consulting firm specializing in health information design.

CommunicateHealth started as a consulting practice focusing on translating health information into plain language. Co-founders Xanthi Scrimgeour and Stacy Robison started the business in their Northampton attic. “From day one, the demand for our services was off the charts. There was no one else out there doing this type of work,” said Scrimgeour. The couple quickly outgrew their attic space, eventually establishing an office on nearby Market Street.

Over the past 10 years, the company has been successfully evolving into a full-service communications shop. “We’ve brought nearly every service in house, including graphic design, website development, audience research, and usability testing,” said Robison. “All the while, we’ve kept our focus on designing simple, accessible health information.”

The mission-based company works for some of the biggest names in healthcare and public health, including health-insurance companies, health systems, patient-advocacy groups, and government. They also take on projects for local hospitals and community organizations. “Our formula is simple,” says Robison. “We write and design health information that’s easy to understand, and we test it with real people to make sure we got it right.”

CommunicateHealth’s growth is exceptional, noted Scrimgeour, as 70% of businesses fail in the first 10 years. The statistics are even more dramatic when it comes to women-owned businesses. “Only 1.7% of women-owned businesses generated revenues of more than $1 million in 2018,” she said. “CommunicateHealth broke $1 million in our third year of business. In 2018, we did over $12 million [in sales].”

CommunicateHealth is headquartered in Northampton with a second office in the Washington, D.C. area. It employs more than 65 employees across both offices.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled with our arrangement,” said Scrimgeour. “We are proud to be a part of the Northampton community and have an impact at the national level.”

SPRINGFIELD — BusinessWest is looking for nominees for its fifth Continued Excellence Award, and will accept nominations through Friday, May 3. The winner of the award will be unveiled at the magazine’s 40 Under Forty gala on Thursday, June 20.

Four years ago, BusinessWest inaugurated the award to recognize past 40 Under Forty honorees who had significantly built on their achievements since they were honored.

The first two winners were Delcie Bean, president of Paragus Strategic IT, and Dr. Jonathan Bayuk, president of Allergy and Immunology Associates of Western Mass. and chief of Allergy and Immunology at Baystate Medical Center. Both were originally named to the 40 Under Forty class of 2008. The judges chose two winners in 2017: Scott Foster, an attorney with Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas (40 Under Forty class of 2011); and Nicole Griffin, owner of Griffin Staffing Network (class of 2014). Last year, Samalid Hogan, regional director of the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (class of 2013), took home the honor.

“So many 40 Under Forty honorees have refused to rest on their laurels,” said Kate Campiti, associate publisher of BusinessWest. “Once again, we want to honor those who continue to build upon their strong records of service in business, within the community, and as regional leaders.”

Candidates must hail from 40 Under Forty classes prior to the year of the award — in this case, classes 2007-18 — and will be judged on qualities including outstanding leadership, dedicated community involvement, professional achievement, and ability to inspire. The award’s presenting sponsor is Health New England.

The nomination form is available by clicking here. For your convenience, a list of the past 12 40 Under Forty classes may be found here. For more information call Bevin Peters, Marketing and Events Director, at (413) 781-8600, ext. 100, or e-mail [email protected].

AMHERST — The online MBA offered by the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst has been ranked first in the U.S. and third in the world by the Financial Times. 

With one of the largest and most established accredited online MBA programs in the country, the Isenberg School of Management has provided online education opportunities for nearly 16 years. More than 1,100 students are currently enrolled in the program.

“The Isenberg School has established itself as an international leader in online education, offering students innovative pathways to develop advanced skills and enrich their careers,” said UMass Amherst Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy. “This world-class ranking from the Financial Times is yet another recognition of UMass Amherst’s leadership in the business world.”

The Isenberg School stood out in the Financial Times’ 2019 rankings in a number of areas. The online MBA program ranked first for increase in salary after earning an MBA, with a 39% increase; first in the U.S. for total salary; and first for percentage of female faculty, with 45%. Furthermore, the program ranked fifth in online interaction, which measures how well alumni rate interactions between students, teamwork, and availability of faculty.

“We are thrilled by the strides reflected in the latest Financial Times rankings, as they affirm that our recent investments in faculty and technology have provided a gateway for our program participants to excel,” said Tom Moliterno, interim dean of the Isenberg School. “We anticipate sustaining this momentum moving forward, as well as again demonstrating Isenberg’s online MBA bona fides as a pioneering online program.”

Isenberg’s online MBA program offers an expansive course of study, from business analytics, finance, and healthcare administration to marketing and sports management. Isenberg students come from all 50 states and around the globe, and include physicians, attorneys, entrepreneurs, C-suite executives, and scientists.

HOLYOKE — The Dowd Agencies, LLC announced that Suzanne Mlinarcik has joined its staff as a commercial account manager and marketer. She is responsible for marketing new and renewal business and managing in-house accounts.

“Suzanne has done it all in the insurance industry,” said David Griffin Sr., executive vice president and treasurer of the Dowd Agencies. “She is passionate about her work and is proud of the relationships she builds with her clients and co-workers. She’s an excellent addition to our staff, and we are excited to have her on our team.”

Mlinarcik has been an insurance professional for more than 25 years, specializing in commercial insurance and training and mentoring employees. Her career began at an insurance agency in Connecticut, where she climbed the ranks from a part-time employee to manager of the Commercial Lines department. She eventually stepped into the role of senior account manager, where she mentored new hires and managed her own client portfolio.

Mlinarcik is an active member of the motorcycle community, regularly participating in charitable events including Brightside’s Hope for the Holidays Toy Drive/Run, Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, and the Wicked in Pink Cancer Run.

SHELBURNE FALLS — Wanda Mooney, associate-broker with Coldwell Banker Upton Massamont Realtors, has been awarded the 2018 Coldwell Banker International President’s Elite. Only the top 5% of all sales associates worldwide in the Coldwell Banker system qualified for this group.

Mooney also received the 2018 Platinum Award from the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley and the Platinum Award from Coldwell Banker Upton-Massamont Realtors.

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College will host a Majors and Career Fair for students, local vocational high schools, and community agencies interested in exploring opportunities in the biomedical, architectural, civil and mechanical engineering, optics and photonics, social work, landscape and design, digital media, graphic communications, IT security, and many other STEM fields.

The Majors and Career Fair will be held Wednesday, April 3 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Scibelli Hall Gymnasium in Building 2. This event is a collaboration among the Career Development Center, the HSI-STEM Grant, and the Perkins Grant.

Representatives from academic majors, career fields, and local employers will be on hand. With a goal of raising awareness about STEM majors and careers, the fair will give attendees an opportunity to speak with employers about potential opportunities in their field.

For more information, contact Felicia Griffin-Fennell at [email protected] or (413) 755-4819.

SPRINGFIELD — Complete Payroll Solutions announced it saw more than 100% year-over-year revenue growth compared to a year ago, setting a record pace of new customer acquisitions. The momentum reflects the company’s investment in its people and processes to better serve clients.

This momentum is evidenced by several highlights from 2018, including four location openings in Wakefield, Mass., White Plains, N.Y., West Warwick, R.I., and Portsmouth, N.H.; 35 new employees across all offices and an expanded sales force with 10 additional salespeople, providing enhanced resources in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Connecticut; a new HR consulting division that delivers local, personalized HR solutions to clients; partnerships with industry leaders like BankRI, Brookline Bank, and First Ipswich Bank, along with the company’s continued relationship with Webster Bank; and the addition of iSolved, an HCM technology, to complement its existing platform, Kronos. Together, the solutions help clients with their workforce-management processes, including payroll, time and attendance, benefits, and HR to recruit, onboard, and manage employees. 

Founded in 2003 as a startup venture by owners with a long tradition in the industry, Complete Payroll Solutions now has 14 locations throughout the Northeast with 150 employees, and services over 6,000 clients across all 50 states.

“Our expanding client base is testament to the value we deliver in empowering businesses for success,” said John Pettengill, CEO of Complete Payroll Solutions. “I’m grateful for the relationships we’ve built and our dedicated team that have fueled this trajectory and secured our position as an industry leader.”

PITTSFIELD — The Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative (BFMC) received two grant awards for its newly established Community Film Fund, which is a matching fund to help local nonprofit organizations create videos for their branding, marketing, fundraising, and social media. The grants were received from the Berkshire Bank Foundation and the Feigenbaum Foundation, each in the amount of $2,500.

In today’s world, video messaging is becoming increasingly important. Wordstream, an online advertising company, states that the average user spends 88% more time on a website with video. Viewers retain 95% of a message when they watch it in a video compared to 10% when reading it in text, and an initial e-mail with a video receives an click-through rate increase of 96%.

 “Many times, this essential tool is cut from a nonprofit’s budget,” said BMFC Executive Director Diane Pearlman. “The Community Film Fund will help give a voice through video to our local organizations, as well as create jobs for professional filmmakers in our area.”

BFMC is in the process of raising $50,000 for this new initiative, which it expects to launch later this spring. BFMC is partnering with the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires to provide information to local organizations about this opportunity.

PITTSFIELD — The School of Graduate and Professional Studies at Elms College, in partnership with Berkshire Community College and 1Berkshire, will host an early-childhood-education workshop on Saturday, April 13 from 8:30 a.m. to noon in the cafeteria at Berkshire Community College.

The workshop, titled “A Glimpse at Growing Up WILD,” is free and open to the public. In this extensive training for educators run through MassWildlife, Jane McCarry, academic coordinator and advisor for the Early Care and Education program at Elms, and also a trained Growing Up WILD facilitator, will present two of the program’s activities: “Seed Need” and “Lunch for a Bear.” These hands-on activities encourage participants to move, learn to collect data, and make science-based observations, all at a preschool level. Participants in this workshop will take part in these activities and learn how to use them in childcare settings.

The primary intended audience includes people who are already working in early education at preschools or in group care who are required to obtain 20 hours of training per year, but the workshop is also open to BCC students currently earning their associate degrees in early education or a related field, prospective early-childhood-education students, and any community members who are interested in learning about Growing Up WILD.

Upon completion of the training, participants will receive a certificate of attendance confirming they have successfully completed two hours of training in Core Competency Area 5: Learning Environments and Implementing Curriculum. 

The total participants are limited to 50. For more information or to register, e-mail Kelly Zieba at [email protected].

HOLYOKE — Women leaders of prominent area institutions will be featured speakers at a spring Women’s Leadership Luncheon Series hosted by the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce at the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute.

The four-part, monthly “Leadership in Your Future 2019” series kicks off Friday, March 22 and continues on April 26, May 24, and June 28.

Each of four presenters will sit at a different table and speak on a subject of their choosing. Over the course of the four-session series, they will rotate among the tables so guests have the opportunity to hear all the presentations. 

The four presenters are Ashley Allen, vice president of Marketing for Health New England (topics: “What Is a Career?” and “Designing Your Career Destiny”); Beth DeGray, managing partner at the Log Cabin, Delaney House, and D. Hotel Suites & Spa (“Mentoring & Being Mentored”); Christina Royal, president of Holyoke Community College (“Authentic Leadership in an Age of Disruption”); and Shannon Rudder, executive director of Providence Ministries Inc. (“Building Your Coalition”).

The luncheons will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 164 Race St. in Holyoke. Lunch will be prepared and served by students in the HCC Culinary Arts program.

The series will provide an opportunity to learn from women leaders of area institutions and a chance for participants to network with their peers and gain insights on building their own careers.

The cost is $150 for all four sessions. Seats are limited. To reserve a spot, contact Jordan Hart at (413) 534-3376 or [email protected], or register online at holyokechamber.com under ‘Events.’

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. — Connecticut-based Liberty Bank announced that David Glidden will serve as its new president and CEO, effective March 18, succeeding Chandler Howard, who has led the bank since 2007.

“We extend a warm welcome to David as he joins Liberty Bank,” said Mark Gingras, chairman of the Liberty Bank board of directors. “After an extensive, nationwide search, we are confident that David’s leadership experience and remarkable achievements will lead Liberty Bank toward a future of continued growth, outstanding customer service, and community involvement.”

Glidden brings more than 30 years of industry leadership experience to Liberty Bank. Most recently, he served as regional president for the Northern New England and Upstate New York Region for TD Bank. He was responsible for managing retail banking, small-business, wealth-management, commercial, and specialty banking operations and lending services. Glidden began his banking career at Shawmut Bank’s Commercial Lending Division in Boston and joined TD Bank in 1994, embarking on a path that led to numerous positions of increasing responsibility. 

“I look forward to joining Liberty Bank and working with the team to reach new heights,” said Glidden. “Under Chandler’s leadership, Liberty built a solid foundation and continues to be a top company in Connecticut. During the next chapter of Liberty’s history, we will remain committed to helping customers handle their finances with confidence. I am proud to have the opportunity to lead the team to more successes as we continue to provide outstanding products and services, one-of-a-kind customer experiences, and unparalleled community support to the areas within our footprint.”

HOLYOKE — Whittlesey announced that Amy Richards, CPA has been promoted to manager in its Holyoke office. In this role, she is responsible for expanding and managing assurance, tax, and advisory engagements.

Richards has more than 11 years of experience providing accounting, tax, and advisory services. Over her career, she has managed client relationships, made process improvements, and analyzed data to provide actionable insights for her clients.

“We are pleased to have Amy in the role of manager,” said Steve Erickson, partner-in-charge of the Holyoke office. “As an integral member of our team, Amy has shown the initiative and dedication necessary to not only provide outstanding client service, but also develop our next generation of team members.”

Richards formerly served as a supervisor at Whittlesey. She has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Fitchburg State University and an MBA in accounting from UMass Lowell.

SPRINGFIELD — The board of directors of the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley (RAPV) recently welcomed Brendan Bailey as its new CEO.

“We are so excited to welcome Brendan to the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley. We look forward to his energy and enthusiasm to take our association to the next level,” said Kelly Bowman, 2019 RAPV president.

Bailey began his career in association management with the Raleigh Regional Assoc. of Realtors (RRAR) in Cary, N.C., a board of more than 8,000 members, where he served as chief operating officer. Prior to joining RARR, he served as policy coordinator for the American Assoc. of Colleges of Pharmacy and as a House legislative assistant in the North Carolina General Assembly. On the national level, Bailey currently serves as vice chair for the AE YPN Forum for the National Assoc. of Realtors.

“The members of the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley serve a wonderful, exciting community,” Bailey said, “and I am honored to be joining them in the work they do here.”

SPRINGFIELD — This St. Patrick’s Day weekend, MGM Springfield will bring the community together for “Be Brave & Shave,” a head-shaving event to support the St. Baldrick’s Foundation’s fight for childhood cancer research. 

Open to the public from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, MGM Springfield employees and guests can volunteer to have their heads shaved by the Salon at MGM Springfield staff in the historic Armory to raise money for this worthy cause. Conducted as an expression of courage and endearment, the act of head-shaving allows volunteers to stand in solidarity with children battling cancer, who typically lose their hair during treatment. 

“We are honored to partner with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation to help the youngest in our community battle this terrible illness,” said Alex Dixon, general manager of MGM Springfield. “Every two minutes, a child is diagnosed with cancer worldwide, so knowing that an act as simple as shaving our heads can help provide more research and ultimately, hopefully, cures for these children makes us all proud to participate.”

Since 2000, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation has granted more than $253 million for the development of childhood cancer treatments. The nonprofit continues that effort through its foundation and nationwide head-shaving events. 

Those interested in shaving or raising money can register online by clicking here, or register on site the day of the event. Group registration is also available for teams and organizations. For more information on “Be Brave & Shave” and how to donate, visit stbaldricks.org.

SPRINGFIELD — The Melha Shriners announced they have sold their property and building at 133 Longhill St. in Springfield to the Breakthrough Worship Center of Springfield, with a March 25, 2019 closing date anticipated. The Melha Shriners, the local chapter of Shriners International, supporters of Shriners Hospitals for Children, have been headquartered at the Longhill Street location for almost 60 years.

According to 2019 Melha Potentate Dan Smith, the sale of the building marks the end of an era, but the beginning of a new one.

“With our membership continuing to decline, it was not financially viable to remain in such a large building,” said Smith, noting that the Melha Shriners, who numbered near 4,000 in the late 1970s, now number few than 1,000. “We are very pleased that our buyers, and their planned use of the property, is consistent with the residential character of our Forest Park neighborhood.”

The Melha Shriners will hold a commemoration event at the Longhill property on Saturday, March 16 at 5 p.m. Complimentary tickets are available through the Melha Shrine Center office by calling (413) 736-3647 before Thursday, March 14. During the event, which will include complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a limited cash bar, the cornerstone from the 133 Longhill St. building will be removed, with the hope the Masonic Brothers left something to find. There will also be a slideshow of the history of the Melha Shriners at 133 Longhill St., and the public is encouraged to e-mail photos [email protected] before March 14.

The Melha Shriners, who were chartered in Springfield in 1898, purchased the former Dwight W. Ellis property in the late 1950s after having met around the city and occupying buildings on Sergeant Street and Worthington Street. The building on Longhill Street was dedicated on Sept. 26, 1959.

The fraternity will have temporary office space at the Clarion Hotel in West Springfield until a new, permanent location can be secured. The Melha Shriners also operate a property at the former Knights of Columbus Hall in Ware.

LONGMEADOW — At its 2019 annual meeting in Atlanta, the Assoc. of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) announced that Carol Leary, president of Bay Path University, was appointed chair of the board.

Richard Guarasci, president of Wagner College, will continue to serve on AAC&U’s board as past chair. The members also voted to appoint William Craft, president of Concordia College, as vice chair of the board. Royce Engstrom, professor of Chemistry at the University of Montana, will continue his term as treasurer.

Two new directors were also appointed to AAC&U’s board: Timothy Eatman, inaugural dean of the Honors Living-Learning Community and associate professor of Urban Education at Rutgers University Newark; and Mary Ann Villareal, assistant vice president, Strategic Initiatives at California State University Fullerton.

“It is a privilege to welcome our new board members as we work together in support of AAC&U and our president, Lynn Pasquerella,” Leary said. “The mission and goals of AAC&U, and our commitment to equity, inclusivity, and innovation, are more critical than ever as higher education grapples with the seismic shifts presented by the 21st century.”

Added Pasquerella, “it is an honor and a privilege to work with such an extraordinary group of higher-education leaders. I look forward to learning from the insights and expertise of AAC&U’s new board members as we seek to achieve our shared objective of advancing liberal education and equity as the foundations for excellence in undergraduate education in service to democracy.”

LENOX — James Wolfe has been appointed general manager of Seven Hills, a historic, 57-room boutique hotel in Lenox. Backed by 17 years of senior leadership experience in the hospitality industry, Wolfe joins the hotel in the midst of a repositioning and renovation that is slated for completion this spring. 

Wolfe comes to Seven Hills from Comfort Inn & Suites Sturbridge, where he also served as general manager. Over the course of his career, he has held general-manager positions at hotels throughout the Northeast and Midwest under the Courtyard by Marriott, Hyatt Place, and Residence Inn brands. As general manager of Newark Metropolitan Hotel in Newark, Ohio, he led the 118-room hotel through an acquisition, renovation, and grand opening.

Wolfe has also served as director of operations for Crowne Plaza and the Lofts in Columbus, Ohio, and for Sage Hospitality’s Cherry Valley Lodge and Sheraton Kansas City Sports Complex.

“We’re delighted to welcome James to the Scout family and are confident that his past experience in the Berkshires region and through the renovations process makes him the right choice to lead Seven Hills during this exciting, transformative time,” said Robin Kirk, principal and CEO of Scout Hotels and Resort Management.

SPRINGFIELD — Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts (JAWM), now celebrating its centennial anniversary, has earned a 5-Star Award from Junior Achievement USA for the third consecutive year.

“The board of directors and staff of Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts are proud to receive this recognition for working for a cause we feel passionate about — giving students knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship,” said Jennifer Connolly, JAWM president. “This recognition is a real testament to the outstanding support we receive from our board of directors, our volunteers, and our local communities.”

Junior Achievement organizations are now judged on five categories: Student Growth/Year-over-Year % Change in Contact Hours; Surplus; Cash on Hand; Debt Ratio, and Current Ratio, defined as current assets divided by current liabilities. All chapters must meet the criteria for Surplus and at least one of the two student ratios, with the level of the star determined by how many of the other three standards are met.

JAWM’s volunteer-delivered, K-12 programs foster work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial-literacy skills, and use experiential learning to inspire students to reach their potential. It provides turnkey solutions for businesses to engage students; rigorous and proven curriculum to educators for Massachusetts frameworks in English-language arts, mathematics, and social studies; and business-startup experience for teens.

In addition, Junior Achievement provides educational programming for K-12 students that supports the newly signed law by Gov. Charlie Baker aimed at giving Massachusetts students the tools they need to navigate their financial futures, including milestones like buying a home and planning for retirement. The law allows state education officials to establish standards around financial literacy, which schools could incorporate into their existing curricula in subjects like math, business, and social sciences.