SPRINGFIELD — Dress for Success Western Massachusetts will host “Breaking Down the Barriers,” its second annual half-day conference with a focus on domestic violence, its impact on women in the workforce, and new legislation affecting both survivors and their employers. The event will be held on Thursday, Oct. 11 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield.

Panelists include Elizabeth Dineen from the YWCA, Morgan Ferrarotti from MassMutual, Diana Lozano from Riverside Industries, and Pamela Thornton from the Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast. The perspective of a survivor will also be part of the discussion. The keynote speaker will be a representative from Employers Against Domestic Violence.

Tickets are $25 per person and may be purchased through www.westernmass.dressforsuccess.org. They will also be available at the door.

The target audience includes lay people, managers and human-resource professionals, and anyone interested in the topic of domestic violence. The event is open to the public, and a light breakfast is included.

According to Dawn Creighton, past president of Dress for Success (DFS) Western Massachusetts, “domestic violence impacts one in every four women, a startling statistic that DFS thinks should be brought to the forefront,” she said. She urges people to come to “Breaking Down the Barriers” to learn how to be a resource and how employers can save valuable employees.

Event sponsorships are available, and interested parties should contact Margaret Tantillo, executive director, at [email protected].

NORTHAMPTON — Astronomer and Smith College Professor Suzan Edwards will deliver the Five College Jackie Pritzen Lecture, “Ashes to Ashes, Disk to Disk” on Tuesday, Sept. 25 in Seelye Hall, Room 106, at Smith College. This event is free and open to the public.

In “Ashes to Ashes,” Edwards will explore the theme of connections — in the universe through space and time, and within the Five College consortium through collaborating institutions and departments.

Edwards arrived at Smith College in 1980. For most of that time, she served as chair of the Five College Astronomy Senate, and has more recently served as chair of the Five College Astronomy Department. She is also a member of the American Astronomical Society, the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, and the International Astronomical Union. She has published many articles, most often in the Astrophysical Journal and the Astronomical Journal. Her scientific research is on the formation of young stars and proto-planetary systems using space and ground-based telescopes.

The annual Five College Jackie Pritzen Lecture is named for longtime consortium staff member Jackie Pritzen, who worked with many different faculty groups during her 25 years at the consortium. The lectures were initiated in tribute to the central role that faculty members play in furthering cooperation among the five institutions, and to celebrate a distinguished faculty member whose scholarship, teaching, and service continue that work.

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College (HCC) is launching a pilot program to teach English-language skills to nurses from Puerto Rico so they can re-enter the workforce in Massachusetts.

The project, called the Western Mass. Pipeline for Puerto Rican Nurses, gives priority to evacuees from Hurricane Maria but is also open to other nurses from Puerto Rico who now reside in Western Mass.

The free program, supported by a $35,000 Nursing and Allied Health Pathways grant from the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, will provide 108 hours of ESOL (English as a second or other language) classes, six hours a week for 18 weeks, for up to 30 Puerto Rican nurses who want to pursue their licenses in Massachusetts.

“There is a need for more nurses in the region,” said Kermit Dunkelberg, HCC’s vice president of Adult Basic Education and Workforce Development. “At the same time, we have nurses from Puerto Rico who are already licensed, have experience, and are living here, and are not able to work in their field and typically working below their education and training because their license doesn’t apply in Massachusetts.”

The ESOL classes are designed to prepare participants to pass the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam, which will qualify them to take the NCLEX nursing exam.

The program is based on the successful Welcome Back Center at Bunker Hill Community College, one of HCC’s partners, along with MassHire Holyoke, formerly CareerPoint. Bunker Hill established the Boston Welcome Back Center in 2005 to help immigrant and refugee nurses who had earned their credentials outside the U.S. obtain their Massachusetts nursing licenses and find jobs.

“The Welcome Back Center has found that, generally, nurses from Puerto Rico don’t need to retake any coursework,” Dunkelberg said. “They need to pass the language exam, so it’s primarily an English barrier and a licensing barrier, and we’re addressing that.”

Dunkelberg said the pilot program could be expanded in the future to include other professionals, such as teachers, who may need to improve their English to get jobs in their fields. “This nursing initiative is hopefully the beginning of a wider look at licensure of people with credentials from Puerto Rico or from other countries so they can enter the workforce in Massachusetts more quickly.”

Classes are tentatively scheduled to begin by the end of September. Nurses from Puerto Rico who are interested in applying should contact Sheila Kelly at [email protected] or (413) 552-2027 for more information.

WESTFIELD — Tighe & Bond climbed six spots this year to 148th on Engineering News Record’s (ENR) 2018 Top 200 Environmental Firms ranking. ENR ranks its list of top 200 environmental firms nationally based on the percentage of their 2017 gross revenue from environmental services.

Earlier this year, Tighe & Bond moved up 19 spots to 241st on ENR’s 2018 Top 500 Design Firms ranking, up 34 spots in the past two years. ENR ranks its list of top 500 design firms nationally based on design-specific revenue from the previous year.

“Our yearly climb in this important national ranking is made possible by the ongoing trust that both our public and private clients place in us for their environmental consulting and engineering needs, as well as our dedicated, professional staff,” said David Pinsky, president and CEO of Tighe & Bond. “Our goal is to provide an expansive portfolio of engineering and environmental services to our valued clients throughout New England and New York.”

SPRINGFIELD — Fitzgerald Attorneys-at-Law announced the addition of a new partner, attorney Bradford Martin Jr.

Martin has been practicing law in Western Mass. for 39 years, with extensive experience in commercial real-estate transactions and business and corporate law. Over his career, he has been involved in real-estate projects and financings in the area and has litigated complex property issues in the Massachusetts Land Court. 

“We are very pleased to welcome Brad to our firm,” said Managing Partner Frank Fitzgerald. “Brad is an outstanding lawyer with deep ties to the region, and he brings a wealth of critical experience in areas that our clients value.”

A native of the area, Martin attended Northfield Mt. Hermon School and is a graduate of Springfield College and Western New England University School of Law. He is a member of the Massachusetts Bar Assoc. and the Hampden County Bar Assoc. and is admitted to the Massachusetts Bar, the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts, the U.S. District Court of Connecticut, the U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Tax Court.

“I am excited to join Fitzgerald Attorneys-at-Law,” Martin said. “This firm has a long track record of handling some of the region’s most complex and high-profile legal cases, and I look forward to joining my colleagues in building upon that success.”

Martin was formerly a partner at Ryan & White, P.C. and Morrison Mahoney, LLP. He serves on the board of ChildHope, a charitable organization dedicated to building and running schools in Central and South America, and is chairman of the board of Teen Challenge New England, a faith-based, nonprofit drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. He serves as a deacon at Bethany Assembly of God in Agawam.

CHICOPEE — Elms College ranks in the top 100 of Best Regional Universities – North Region in U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 Best Colleges listings.

“That Elms College continues to rank among the best colleges in the entire Northeast is a testament to the quality and strength of our academic programs,” said Walter Breau, vice president of Academic Affairs at Elms College. “We strive to prepare our students for their whole lives — academically, professionally, personally, and spiritually — through a strong liberal-arts curriculum and extensive hands-on learning opportunities, both in the classroom and beyond.”

The rankings evaluate colleges and universities on 16 measures of academic quality that education experts say are reliable indicators of academic quality. These measures are grouped into the following indicators: outcomes (including social mobility and graduation/retention rates), faculty resources (including class size, faculty salary, terminal degrees among faculty members, student-faculty ratio, and full-time faculty ratio), expert opinion (including peer assessment and guidance-counselor assessment), financial resources, student excellence (including standardized test scores and high-school class standing), and alumni giving.

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield College is once again ranked in the top tier in the category of Best Regional Universities – North Region in the 2019 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges report. For the fourth consecutive year, Springfield College is ranked in the top 30 in its category, placing 28th.

Springfield College was ranked in the A-Plus Schools for B Students category, which highlights colleges with strong academic ratings in the Best Colleges rankings that accept students with non-stratospheric transcripts.

Springfield College was also ranked 19th in the Best Value rankings that showcase colleges with high quality and a lower cost. This is the third consecutive year that Springfield College has been listed in this category. The Best Values category takes into account a college’s academic quality and net cost of attendance.

“The continuation of our top-tier ranking demonstrates that the value proposition of a Springfield College education, grounded in the Humanics philosophy, is well-regarded,” said President Mary-Beth Cooper. “I am extremely proud of the hard work, dedication, and commitment of our faculty, staff, and students to advancing the Springfield College mission. We have accomplished a great deal in recent years, and we are proud to receive continued recognition for our outstanding academic offerings and rich co-curricular life.”

The consistent ranking of Springfield College in the top tier is spurred by improved graduation rates, improved retention of first-year students, and positive feedback by peers.

“Our enrollment will continue to grow because we have a vision for how to educate and serve our students in exceptional ways,” said Cooper. “We have a strategic plan that puts students first, and we have a campus master plan that will provide exceptional learning and recreation facilities that prepare students for all aspects of personal and professional success. We are innovatively reinvigorating our academic programs and creating new ones along with ways to deliver those classes and degrees that meet the needs of 21st-century learners.”

HOLYOKE — Baystate Health and VertitechIT announced the formation of a new company to meet the increasingly complex IT needs of medical practices, clinics, and healthcare social-service organizations in the Western Mass. and Northern Conn. regions.

BaytechIT is a first-of-its-kind independent joint venture, providing monitoring and management of information-technology networks, telephony, clinical engineering support, and other IT-related consulting and engineering expertise previously unaffordable to the local healthcare community. Already serving Baystate Health, its operating medical practices, and several large and mid-sized offices and clinics, baytechIT currently has 150 clients and manages/monitors more than 16,000 endpoint devices.

“While we’re rooted in technology, baytechIT focuses on how to make IT useful and valuable to our clients. Rather than seeing IT as a cost or an imposition, we want to make it an invaluable asset woven into the fabric of a medical practice,” said baytechIT President Patrick Streck.

Added baytechIT Executive Vice President Steve Shaw, “this requires a highly specific set of skills and experience in healthcare IT that most independent practices either don’t have or can’t afford. Meeting this need will ultimately have a positive impact on patient care throughout our community.”

BaytechIT will be headquartered in Holyoke with additional offices throughout Western Mass.

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield will be host to the 24 Educare early-education center to be built in the U.S., and the only one in Massachusetts, with a groundbreaking to be held at 100 Hickory St., adjacent to Brookings School, on Monday, Sept. 17 at 10 a.m.

Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito will be joined by Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno; Educare officials; Janis Santos, executive director of Holyoke Chicopee Springfield Head Start; other representatives of the Commonwealth; local leaders in philanthropy and project funders; representatives of Springfield College and Old Hill Neighborhood Council; and other community members for the official groundbreaking of the nearly $14 million early-education school that will serve children from birth to age 5 in an all-day program.

Educare offers an early-education model designed to help narrow the achievement gap for children living in poverty and represents a national collaboration between the Buffett Early Childhood Fund and the Ounce of Prevention Fund. Currently, there are 23 Educare schools located in 15 states across the country, including urban and suburban communities.

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield College will host mental-health awareness advocates Jessie Close and Calen Pick on Thursday, Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m. in the Field House. This year marks the fifth year of the college’s newly endowed Arts and Humanities Speaker Series, made possible through the generosity of Carlton and Lucille Sedgeley. This event is free and open to the public.

Inspired by Close and Pick’s stories in 2010, actress Glenn Close (Jessie’s sister) co-founded Bring Change to Mind, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness.

Jessie Close’s own struggle with bipolar disorder and alcoholism provides the backbone to a courageous story and an enlightened perspective on the state of mental health in the U.S. She is the author of Resilience: Two Sisters and a Story of Mental Illness, published in 2016, and a speaker who shares her own journey toward the larger goal of greater understanding of the complexities and challenges of living with a diagnosed mental illness.

Pick, diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder as a young man, has been active in outreach programs for youth living with mental illness, resources that weren’t always available to him at a young age. A Montana-based artist, Pick has been developing his craft for more than 14 years. He views his artwork as an expression of the creative gifts commonly found among people living with mental illness and an important therapeutic tool for his own pursuit of a healthy and productive life.

If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to fully participate in this event, contact (413) 748-5287 to discuss your accessibility needs. Springfield College is a smoke- and tobacco-free campus.

WARE — Country Bank staff recently volunteered their time to assist the Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity build a home for a local Springfield family.

“Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity is blessed to have wonderful community partners like Country Bank who contribute the time, talent, and treasure needed to help families build strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter,” said Jennifer Schimmel, executive director for Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity.

Added Jodie Gerulaitis, vice president, Community Relations at Country Bank, “when asked to support such a meaningful cause, the staff at Country Bank was eager to help with this project. The staff was truly grateful to be a part of making the dream of home ownership a reality for Joseph and Lakery and their family.”

NORTHAMPTON — Catherine Iannucci has taken over as member advocate at Click Workspace, a co-working space in downtown Northampton. Iannucci, an Emerson College graduate, moved to Northampton this summer. She has worked at nonprofit organizations since her senior year at college and comes to Click with hopes to play an active role in her new community.

“I try to be an enthusiastic participant in any community I am living in,” she said. “There is no feeling more gratifying than enhancing your community and being an asset to those around you. Being a part of Click is a great way to do that for me. I get to meet and interact with local entrepreneurs, artists, and other nonprofits.”

Click is a nonprofit whose mission brings together creative professionals, space, and resources while producing artistic, cultural, and educational programming that celebrates and enriches the region. Iannucci can help anyone become a member at Click, and can be reached by e-mailing [email protected]. More information about becoming a member can be found at www.clickworkspace.org.

LONGMEADOW — Bay Path University recently welcomed six new faculty members.

Jennifer Stratton, coordinator of Undergraduate Education, comes to Bay Path with extensive teaching experience. Most recently, she served as district literacy coach for the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District. 

Susan Rivelli, assistant professor of Occupational Therapy in the graduate division, has more than 30 years of teaching experience, as well as extensive clinical experience in pediatrics. She joins the faculty of Bay Path after teaching in Western New England University’s inaugural Doctor of Occupational Therapy program.

Gillian Palmer, assistant professor of Management in the undergraduate division, brings her expertise in business to Bay Path University after a successful track record with the Eastern States Exposition as its business development and event coordinator. She earned her MBA from Bay Path in 2012.

Cheryl Ann Sheils, program director for the Doctorate of Nursing Practice program, comes to the university from Elms College, where she taught in the Nursing program for more than 18 years. She has presented at numerous conferences, and her articles have been published in industry journals and other publications.

Janice Berliner, program director for the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling program, has been a genetic counselor for 29 years, first specializing in prenatal genetics and subsequently in cancer risk assessment. For the past six years, she has been working at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Basking Ridge, N.J., a site that Berliner helped create and develop.

Megan Piccus, program director for Business Programs, joins the American Women’s College at Bay Path University from Pratt & Whitney, where she served for four years as dean of the Manufacturing Engineering College and senior manager of Manufacturing Engineering Discipline Health.

HOLYOKE — After the 31st Holyoke Community College Foundation Golf Classic, scheduled for Sept. 10, was cancelled due to forecasts of heavy rain, the annual golf benefit has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 16, at Springfield County Club in West Springfield.

Proceeds from the tournament will support the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute, the home for culinary-arts and hospitality-management training programs.

The HCC Foundation, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, is the nonprofit fundraising arm of Holyoke Community College. Over 30 years, the annual HCC Foundation Golf Classic has raised more than $500,000 for HCC scholarships and educational technology for HCC classrooms.

As before, the program begins with buffet lunch followed by a 12:30 p.m. shotgun start. The $185 fee includes greens fees, golf cart, lunch, dinner, and refreshments on the course.

After an afternoon of golf, participants can enjoy cocktails on the clubhouse porch and dinner, and will have the opportunity to enter raffles and bid on dozens of items, including restaurant gift certificates, Red Sox memorabilia, wine baskets, and more.

Participants can arrange their own foursomes or sign up as singles. To register or sponsor the golf tournament, visit www.hcc.edu/golf.

SPRINGFIELD — Western New England University (WNEU) received multiple recognitions in U.S. News and World Report’s 2019 “America’s Best Colleges,” an in-depth look at more than 1,800 institutions of higher education nationwide.

Along with its traditional place among the top tier of Regional Universities in the North, Western New England was included in such categories as Best Value Schools, Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs, and A-Plus Schools for B Students.

“For the second consecutive year, the fall semester started with a record number of full-time undergraduate students on campus,” said Bryan Gross, vice president for Enrollment Management. “Students, families, and our peers have taken note of the investments the university has made, like our new University Commons dining facility, increased financial aid, and better technology designed to provide students with a transformative yet affordable education.”

The U.S. News rankings focus on measures of academic excellence, with schools evaluated on hundreds of data points covering up to 16 measures of academic quality. Individual colleges and universities are compared with institutions that share similar characteristics and academic missions. Western New England ranked 68th this year among the nearly 200 institutions in the Best Regional Universities – North category.

Western New England rated even higher in the rankings of best values among regional universities. U.S. News sought to identify schools that are above average academically and cost considerably less than many other schools when financial aid is taken into account.

U.S. News also recognized, but did not rank, what it calls A-Plus Schools for B Students. These highly rated schools admit a meaningful proportion of students who do not get straight As.

“As our institution has grown, we’re seeing more and more students believe that a Western New England education is beyond their reach. In many cases, that is simply not true,” said Gross. “We are actively looking for students that bring individual strengths to the university, students with the drive and potential to thrive when provided the personal attention and unique opportunities that are hallmarks of a Western New England education.”

When it comes to Engineering programs, Western New England University was ranked among the best in the nation when it comes to institutions where the primary focus is on undergraduate education. In this category, Western New England ranked fourth in Massachusetts and 57th in the nation.

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Performing Arts Development Corp. (SPADC) said Monday it will no longer manage CityStage and Symphony Hall after its contracts expire at the end of 2018.

“It is with great sadness, but also with a sense of accomplishment, we share the news that Springfield Performing Arts Development Corp. will cease operations at CityStage and Symphony Hall at the end of 2018 after a successful run in bringing entertainment to downtown Springfield for the past 20 years,” the organization posted on its website. “We are gratified to have played a role in bringing thousands of people to enjoy a diverse offering of high-quality entertainment at CityStage and Symphony Hall. Downtown entertainment is evolving, and we are proud of the contributions we have made in making the city an entertainment destination again.”

The city of Springfield contracts for management of Symphony Hall, and the Springfield Parking Authority contracts for management of CityStage. Both entities are expected to discuss new requests for proposals for the two venues.

MGM Springfield, which currently manages the MassMutual Center, could be an option to manage Symphony Hall and CityStage. MGM is currently obligated by its host-community agreement with the city of Springfield to book and underwrite at least three shows a year at the two venues.

“Entertainment is a key component of the revitalization of downtown Springfield and the continued attraction of new visitors,” Talia Spera, executive director of entertainment at MGM Springfield, said in a news release Monday. “MGM Springfield will continue our conversations with the city leaders regarding the future of CityStage and Symphony Hall with the intent of supporting future dynamic performances in those venues.”

SPADC noted that its decision will not affect its scheduled entertainment offerings this fall.

“Thank you for being a part of this amazing run,” the announcement continued. “We will keep you updated on future management of CityStage and Symphony Hall. We expect that a new entity will be identified to manage the venues starting in early 2019.”

SPRINGFIELD — The ownership of Eastfield Mall in Springfield has appointed commercial real-estate-services firm Cushman & Wakefield to market a joint-venture partnership opportunity for the property’s mixed-use redevelopment. The 776,977-square-foot, enclosed regional shopping center sits on nearly 87 acres, providing scope and flexible zoning for a range of next-generation options.

Eastfield Mall is currently 74% leased, with in-place net operating income offering interim cash flow while a redevelopment plan is put in place. Major tenants include Cinemark, Old Navy, Hannoush Jewelers, Ninety-Nine Restaurant & Pub, and Donovan’s Irish Pub, along with a non-owned Sears box that accounts for 254,446 square feet. The mall benefits from strong real-estate fundamentals, boasting a location along heavily trafficked Route 20 and access to downtown Springfield, the Massachusetts Turnpike, and interstates 291 and 91. 

“We are working to identify a regional developer or investor interested in being part of Eastfield Mall’s bright future,” said Brian Whitmer, a member of the Cushman & Wakefield team serving as exclusive agent for the mall’s owner, Mountain Development Corp. “Springfield is in the midst of an economic revival, with substantial recent public and private investment headlined by the construction of the $960 million MGM casino, the $95 million redevelopment of historic Union Station, and the newly opened New Haven-Hartford-Springfield commuter rail line, among other developments. Eastfield Mall presents exceptional positioning for catering to growing unmet demand for lifestyle retail and new housing product.”

Whitmer noted that Eastfield Mall is well suited to become a mixed-use complex featuring a live-work-play atmosphere. “We expect this offering will attract an impressive level of interest from a diverse group of investors,” he said. “This is truly a distinctive opportunity given the many factors that support a successful repurposing.”

That sentiment was echoed by Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno. “Malls all throughout our country are reinventing and redefining themselves to be more multifaceted,” he said. “My chief Development officer, Kevin Kennedy, and I will continue to assist our Eastfield Mall to restore the glory of the past toward a successful and diverse future.”

The Cushman & Wakefield investment sales and retail specialists heading the Eastfield Mall assignment span two Cushman & Wakefield offices. They include Whitmer, Andrew Merin, David Bernhaut, Seth Pollack, and Kubby Tischler in East Rutherford, N.J.; and Peter Joseph, Brian Barnett, Steffen Panzone, Pete Rogers, and Ross Fishman in Boston.

SPRINGFIELD — As the legalization of marijuana continues to roll out in Massachusetts, attorneys at Bulkley Richardson saw an opportunity to meet the unique needs of businesses within the cannabis industry. The firm assembled a group of cross-disciplinary lawyers to form a cannabis practice group.

To help launch this new practice, Bulkley Richardson will sponsor the upcoming cannabis conference, “That Cannabis Show,” at the MassMutual Center on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 15-16. The firm’s panel will discuss from a legal perspective how cannabis is both like and unlike any other business in Massachusetts.

The Cannabis Group is led by attorneys Scott Foster, chair of the business and finance group and co-founder of Valley Venture Mentors (VVM), and Andy Levchuk, chair of the cybersecurity group and a 24-year veteran of the Department of Justice. The group also includes Ron Weiss, Kathy Bernardo, Mary Jo Kennedy, Sarah Willey, and Ryan Barry.

“When doing business in a highly regulated industry, a rapidly changing legal landscape exists that requires a team of attorneys to collaborate across practice areas,” Foster said. “Bulkley Richardson understands the unique legal needs of cannabis businesses operating in Massachusetts and has developed a comprehensive practice group to specifically meet the many challenges within the cannabis industry.”

BOSTON — Massachusetts employers were equally confident about the national and state economies during August, breaking an eight-and-a-half-year run in which they were more bullish about the Commonwealth than the nation as a whole.

The brightening view of the U.S. economy boosted overall business confidence as employers headed for the end of the third quarter. The Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) Business Confidence Index gained two points to 63.2 last month after tumbling more than five points during June and July. The gain left the Index two points higher than a year ago, comfortably within optimistic territory.

Raymond Torto, chair of AIM’s Board of Economic Advisors (BEA) and lecturer at Harvard Graduate School of Design, said the last time employers were more optimistic about the national economy than the state was during the nadir of the Great Recession in May 2009, when the AIM Massachusetts Index was 33.1 and the U.S. Index was 34.4.

“The confluence of opinion reflects gathering optimism about the U.S. economy rather than any weakness in the Massachusetts business climate,” Torto said. “The Massachusetts Index rose 1.5 points during the year, but the U.S. Index soared 4.5 points during that same period.”

The optimism about national prospects came despite persistent concerns about rising production costs generated by tariffs and other factors.

The AIM Index, based on a survey of Massachusetts employers, has appeared monthly since July 1991. It is calculated on a 100-point scale, with 50 as neutral; a reading above 50 is positive, while below 50 is negative. The Index reached its historic high of 68.5 on two occasions in 1997-98, and its all-time low of 33.3 in February 2009. It has remained above 50 since October 2013.

The constituent indicators that make up the overall Business Confidence Index were largely higher during August.

The Company Index measuring employer assessments of their own operations rose 2.4 points to 62.1, up 1.2 points from August 2017. The Employment Index gained 2.4 points to end the month at 57.0, while the Sales Index lost 0.8 points to 61.0.

The Current Index, which assesses overall business conditions at the time of the survey, rose 2.5 points to 66.1, leaving it 4.8 points higher than the year earlier. The Future Index, measuring expectations for six months out, rose 1.5 points during August, but remained down 1.0 point for the year.

Non-manufacturing companies (63.6) were slightly more optimistic than manufacturers (62.8). Companies in the eastern part of Massachusetts (65.2) were more bullish than those in the west (60.8).

“All of these numbers are well within optimistic range and reflect the views of employers operating in a state economy that grew at a 7.3% annual rate during the second quarter. The acceleration in economic growth underscored strong gains in employment, earnings, and consumer and business spending,” said Elliot Winer, chief economist with Winer Economic Consulting, LLC, and a BEA member. “Underlying economic strength is, for the moment, overshadowing a somewhat unpredictable public-policy environment.”

AIM President and CEO Richard Lord, also BEA member, said employers are driving a Massachusetts economy that remains historically strong.

“The state unemployment rate remains at 3.5%, wage and salary income surged 19.2% during the second quarter, and economic output has accelerated,” Lord said. He cautioned, however, that the escalating series of tariffs and retaliatory tariffs among the U.S. and its trading partners are starting to take a toll on Massachusetts employers.

“The thousands of member employers of Associated Industries of Massachusetts are increasingly concerned about the negative effect of current and proposed tariffs on Massachusetts companies. Particularly alarming are tariffs on raw materials, components, and finished goods coming from China,” he noted. “While we concur with the need to address China’s unfair trade practices, we do not believe that tariffs are the best strategy. Tariffs are already hurting our companies here in Massachusetts, and additional damage is anticipated by business owners and leaders.”

SPRINGFIELD — Emily Crafts has joined brand-development firm Six-Point Creative, where she assumes the newly created role of traffic manager/administrator. As such, she will be accountable for all workflow within the agency and will provide an information hub for agency projects. Her responsibilities include the scheduling of projects and allocation of resources, and she will also facilitate the internal communication of priorities, project details, and deadlines.

Crafts worked most recently as a development, marketing, and communications coordinator for the Center for Human Development in Springfield. She earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Roger Williams University and is pursuing an MBA from Western New England University.

CHICOPEE — The Greater Chicopee, Greater Holyoke, South Hadley & Granby, Springfield Regional, and Quaboag Hills chambers of commerce will collaborate to host their annual Table Top Expo on Tuesday, Oct. 2. The event will be held at the Castle of Knights, 1599 Memorial Dr., Chicopee, from 4:30 to 7 p.m.

The Expo features 120 vendor tables, which sell out each year. These include members of all five chambers and represent a broad cross-section of area businesses. From banks and event venues to specialty retailers and marketing specialists, any business that an individual or company could have a need for will be represented.

“We’re proud to be able to offer this event to our members and the public,” said Greater Chicopee Chamber President Jessica Roncarati-Howe. “It allows us to work with like-minded friends at other area chambers to extend the reach of each of our memberships. It’s exciting to see a business from Springfield connect with one from Quaboag Hills that might not otherwise have had the chance to meet.”

For the first time, the Table Top Expo will be free to the public. All are welcome to connect with businesses, interact with their representatives, and network while enjoying light refreshments and a cash bar.

Vendor tables are already selling. Participation, including one eight-foot table with a black tablecloth and inclusion in the event brochure, costs $125. Limited access to electricity is $25. Sponsorships are still available.

This event is sponsored for the Greater Chicopee Chamber by platinum sponsors Holyoke Medical Center and La Quinta Inn and Suites; gold sponsors BusinessWest, Polish National Credit Union, Holyoke Gas & Electric, and Westfield Bank; and silver sponsors Mountain View Landscaping and Reminder Publications.

To participate as a vendor, call Program Director Bobbi Mabb at (413) 594-2101, ext. 102, or visit www.chicopeechamber.org and click on the ‘events’ tab.

HOLYOKE — Jeffery Still, a registered investment advisor and licensed fiduciary based in Hadley, will teach two classes this fall at Holyoke Community College, with sessions for each topic offered both on the Holyoke campus and at the Ware location.

“Index Funds & Classic Concepts of Investing” will be offered on the Ware campus Mondays, Sept. 24 and Oct. 1, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., and on the Holyoke campus Mondays, Nov. 19 and 26, also from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

This course will look at strategies for managing stock-market volatility and expand participants’ knowledge of index funds and comprehensive investment strategies. In addition to discussing how to manage the volatile market, Still will discuss concepts of investing, investment fundamentals, implementation, and guarantees.

Still will also offer “Achieving a Financially Secure Future” on Mondays, Oct. 15 and 22, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on the Ware campus, and Mondays, Dec. 3 and 10, at the same time on the Holyoke campus.

Participants will learn how to build a strong financial foundation and create and set goals for retirement using time-tested principals of sound investing — whether or not they have started planning for the future. Still will discuss risks and options to mitigate them, what impact taxes can have on retirement savings, and what makes a tax-efficient strategy.

The cost is $49 per class. To register for one of Still’s courses, visit www.hcc.edu/courses-and-programs/personal-enrichment.

Still is a registered investment advisor, offering services through Eagle Strategies LLC of Hadley. He is also a registered representative offering securities through NYLIFE Securities LLC.

A financial planner, Still operates in the capacity of a fiduciary. He has built a successful practice in Western Mass. that focuses on working with individuals and small-business owners. For individuals, he offers investment planning, retirement planning, estate planning, and life insurance. Services for small businesses include succession planning, key-person insurance, and buy-sell agreements.

Since 2013, Still has been a member of New York Life’s Executive Council, members of which are among the most successful of its 12,000 licensed agents. He belongs to the Northampton Chamber of Commerce.

SPRINGFIELD — The third installment of the BusinessWest lecture series Future Tense, titled “Change Considerations: An Examination of Lean Process, Market Disruption, and the Future of Your Business,” will take place on Thursday, Sept. 20 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at Tech Foundry, 1391 Main St., ninth floor, Springfield.

The lecture, open exclusively to CEOs and business owners, will be delivered by Mark Borsari, president of Sanderson MacLeod. The cost is a $25 donation to Tech Foundry. Event sponsors include Paragus IT, the Jamrog Group, and Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C.

With increasingly automated business processes, AI, and machine manufacturing, lean concepts are becoming more important than ever in terms of staying competitive. Borsari will discuss change and innovation through lean concepts and focus on resulting cultural considerations. The presentation will also address already-active market disrupters that will affect business processes in various industries.

Metered street parking is available near the venue, and there are several parking-garage options nearby as well. To register, visit businesswest.com/lecture-series-2.

HOLYOKE — Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. recently welcomed two new associates to the firm’s Audit and Accounting department: Briana Doyle and Matthew Ogrodowicz, MSA.

“Briana and Matthew are perfect examples of the kind of young professional talent that can be found here in Western Massachusetts,” said MBK Partner Howard Cheney. “While they may be new to the profession, they each bring a diverse set of experiences and a wealth of potential to the table. We take pride in seeing our young professionals develop into experts, advisors, and leaders, and look forward to watching Briana and Matthew grow here at MBK.”

Doyle comes to MBK following a tax internship at a public accounting firm in Westborough. As an accounting associate, she will focus on audit engagements across a variety of industries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Nichols College.

Ogrodowicz will also focus on audit engagements. Before joining MBK, he was a bookkeeper at a Holyoke business. He holds a bachelor of administration degree in psychology from Amherst College and received his master’s degree in accounting from UMass Amherst. He recently joined the Business Development Group at MBK and serves as the treasurer of the board of Historic Holyoke at Wistariahurst and the South Hadley Farmer’s Market.

Doyle and Ogrodowicz are the latest in a new class of accounting associates at MBK. Over the course of the next several months, they will be trained extensively in audit, accounting, and taxation and will have an opportunity to bring their unique backgrounds and skill sets to bear in providing accounting work to clients.

AUBURN — On Friday, Sept. 21, Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) will offer a Sustainability Round Table at a workshop facilitated by subject-matter experts Wayne Bates of Tighe & Bond; Cristina Mendoza, solutions design lead at Capaccio Environmental Engineering Inc.; and Matt Gardner, managing partner at Sustainserv, Inc.

Achieving successes in sustainability efforts, whether small or large, can be vital to a company’s continued success. This progress must be communicated within the organization, and to external stakeholders, in order to maximize the value of sustainability efforts.

This workshop will address the ‘so what’ of sustainability — you’ve made positive change, achieved your project goals, but now, how can you leverage this investment in sustainability-related efforts? Communicating sustainable achievements increases engagement, enhances buy-in, and provides content to support continued efforts in enhancing an organization’s sustainable practices. The workshop will show attendees how to communicate these successes to maximize return on investment.

The event takes place at R.H. White Companies Inc., 49 Central St., Auburn, and runs from 7:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., with the the program beginning promptly at 8:05 a.m. The cost is free to AIM members and $100 for non-members. Participation is limited to people who maintain direct responsibility for sustainability initiatives at their companies.

Registration is required for security purposes. To register, click here. Contact Debbie Carroll at [email protected] or (617) 488-8352 with questions.

FLORENCE — Anne Griffin, founder and CEO of Charge Ahead LLC, announced she will soon begin manufacturing her first product, the Solar Foldy, designed to provide portable light and a charge fueled by solar energy to cell phones and tablets.

To raise money for the first production run of Solar Foldys, based on the prototype Griffin has developed, Charge Ahead will launch a $150,000 Kickstarter campaign on Sept. 10 (click here). Griffin hopes to bring the product to market in the U.S. by the end of the year.

A Florence-based business founded in 2013, Charge Ahead has a mission to encourage people to integrate solar power into their daily lives. While working on her prototype, Griffin sought advice and direction from Valley Venture Mentors of Springfield, the Small Business Development Center of Springfield, and SCORE, a nonprofit organization offering small-business advice.

The Solar Foldy is pocket-sized and offers a USB input for charging devices as well as four modes of light — bright light, super bright light that is two times stronger, a night-light setting, and a flashing SOS mode. The Solar Foldy provides up to 200 hours of light on a single eight- to 12-hour solar charge. It can also be charged in an outlet, if necessary.

“We have an exciting opportunity to tap into the sun’s power and take the generation of renewable solar energy into our own hands,” Griffin said, noting that natural disasters in past years inspired her to create a product that would provide light, power cell phones and tablets, and could alert first responders with an SOS mode. “I want to offer people an option to use solar power in an immediate, personal, and affordable way.”

In the future, Griffin hopes to introduce a companion product that will provide four modes of light only, with colored LED settings.

Supporters of the campaign will be offered the option to buy one Solar Foldy and send one to someone in need. For more information, visit solarfoldy.com.

AMHERST — In addition to directing the Human Testing Center at UMass Amherst’s Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS), Michael Busa is managing the new class of research relationships emerging for the state’s largest public university campus, with corporate partners in biotech and healthcare.

“It’s a new world for research academics,” said Busa, “because, even though we are a public university, when companies come to us looking for research support, they want to retain their intellectual property. There are new rules, and we now have an example of successfully navigating those new rules and relationships.”

He is referring to a recent collaboration with Novartis that will see IALS researchers use the Human Testing Center’s living-science, sleep-monitoring, human-motion, and other facilities to evaluate behavior- and movement-monitoring technologies now in development. He says it is the first of what he expects to be many “big collaborations” between IALS and biotech and healthcare firms.

Specifically for the Novartis collaboration, IALS researchers will assess the validity of a Novartis device in capturing detailed aspects of human motion and behavior such as walking, balance, and sleep. Busa, who has a Ph.D. in kinesiology and training in mechanical engineering, exercise physiology, biomechanics, and physical activity, will work with kinesiologists Katherine Boyer, John Sirard, and Stuart Chipkin; neuroscientist and sleep expert Rebecca Spencer; and 10 supporting students and staff. 

“What we offer companies like Novartis are things like expertise in areas such as study design and ways to evaluate new technologies,” Busa said. “We also go beyond consultation in that we can carry out world-class data collection and analytics, all while working hand-in-hand with businesses.”

He added that “we are not a medical school, but we can contribute expertise in a big way to the development of cutting-edge technologies that provide insight into movement and behavioral health beyond the walls of a clinic. We are really well-positioned to attract and retain this type of project. This project has real-world time-lines, and we’re going to apply academic-level rigor to real-world problems. In my mind, that is going to yield robust solutions. We’ve developed a dynamic working relationship in which UMass investigators can help Novartis solve real-world problems. Now that the word is getting out, I’m looking forward to working with other customers to show how IALS can contribute to new the development and evaluation of technologies that can have board benefit to people’s lives and health.”

SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) announced the promotion of Nicolle Cestero to senior vice president for Human Resources and chief of staff.

Cestero joined AIC in July 2011 as the associate vice president for Human Resources. Since that time, she has assumed increasing levels of responsibility and scope of duties. In 2012, she was named vice president for Human Resources and Title IX coordinator, and was promoted to senior vice president for Human Resources and Title IX coordinator in 2016.

In her new role, Cestero will continue to lead AIC’s Human Resources unit, where she has established best practices in all areas, including staff recruiting and hiring, employee relations, and succession planning. As chief of staff, she will serve as advisor to the president and will play an integral role in the implementation of AIC’s strategic plan. Cestero will oversee the college’s legal matters and support presidential and institutional initiatives to ensure project deadlines are met and targeted outcomes attained. She serves on the president’s cabinet and supports the board governance and nominating committee; the finance, pension, and insurance committee; and the compensation committee of the board of trustees.

Earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Mount Holyoke College and a master’s degree in industrial organizational psychology from the University of West Florida, Cestero received certification as a professional in human resources (PHR) and attained the designation of certified professional from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM-CP), which recognizes human-resource professionals who implement policies on strategies, serve as point of contact for staff and stakeholders, and perform operational human-resource duties.

AMHERST — The Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst announced two new directors for the Berthiaume Center for Entrepreneurship. Gregory Thomas, who brings diverse experience in corporate America, was named the center’s new executive director, while Stephen Brand, who has taught entrepreneurship at colleges and universities across the country, will serve as the new associate director.

For the past 20 years, Thomas has held various senior-level global manufacturing, finance, and control roles with Corning Inc. During the last five years at Corning, he was a strategist in the Emerging Innovation Group, focusing on bringing new products, processes, and businesses to market. He has also served as the president of the UMass Amherst Alumni Assoc. board. He will begin his new duties Oct. 1.

Thomas, whose experience includes work as a consultant to nonprofit organizations, is a prolific volunteer and an accomplished fundraiser. A 1991 alumnus of UMass Amherst, Thomas earned an MBA in finance and operations management at Clark Atlanta University. In his new role as executive director, he will have overall responsibility for the Berthiaume Center, and will work with external constituents on campus and throughout the region to develop and execute value-adding partnerships in service of the center’s mission.

Brand comes well-prepared for this ‘student-facing’ role, having taught entrepreneurship and worked closely with student entrepreneurs at Babson College, Case Western Reserve University, Olin College of Engineering, and others. At Babson, he was co-director of the Summer Venture Program and collaborated with emerging entrepreneurs in Kuwait, Egypt, and Saudia Arabia. Most recently, he was executive director of Global Learning and Development at Bay Path University.

Brand holds a bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University, a master’s degree in interactive technology in education from Harvard University, and a doctorate in management from Case Western Reserve University.

“We are so excited to have Gregory and Stephen joining the Berthiaume Center for Entrepreneurship,” said Tom Moliterno, interim dean of the Isenberg School of Management. “With a fantastic new team in place, the Berthiaume Center will continue to move forward well into the new academic year. While welcoming Gregory and Stephen, I would also like to thank the previous leaders, Bill Wooldridge and Birton Cowden, for their work to establish and grow the center since its founding in 2014.”

Thomas and Brand will join Carly Forcade, operations and student engagement specialist; Amy LeClair, office manager; and Molly O’Mara, communications, events, and constituent relations coordinator, all of whom joined the center during the past year. Bruce Skaggs, Management Department chair, serves the center as its academic coordinator, ensuring alignment of curricular offerings in entrepreneurship across the school and center. The Berthiaume Center is the entrepreneurial hub for UMass Amherst, with strong connections around the Pioneer Valley.

SPRINGFIELD — Unify Against Bullying Executive Director Christine Maiwald announced that the organization is accepting grant applications online. The organization will be awarding $15,000 in microgrants, which can be anywhere from $500 to $2,000. Paul Mitchell and its Neon product line will award an additional $1,000 grant.

“Our number-one goal is to inspire youth of all ages and to ignite their ideas as to how to prevent bullying,” Maiwald said. “We encourage parents, guidance personnel, teachers, administrators, and charity partners to also apply. Their programs must be dedicated to anti-bullying education and furthering the Unify mission: to bring an end to bullying through the celebration of true diversity.”

In addition to providing the seeds for children to come up with ideas on how to prevent bullying, Unify’s high-school students attend events and are given the opportunity to speak with younger students on the value of celebrating differences. The students are also bringing education to their younger peers in school to explain what bullying is and the effects it has on an individual.

The organization has a committee of volunteers who will select the applicant initiatives that best reflect and advance the organization’s mission. “This is the third year that Unify will be awarding grants that will educate and benefit youth from pre-school to high school and the community at large,” Maiwald noted.

WESTFIELD — An information session for Westfield State University’s master of arts programs in counseling and applied behavior analysis programs will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 26, at 6 p.m. in the lobby of the Horace Mann Center, 333 Western Ave., Westfield. Individuals interested in careers such as behavior analysts, clinicians, family and marriage counselors, and guidance or adjustment counselors should consider attending to find out how a graduate degree can help them attain one of these positions.

The Department of Psychology offers a 60-credit graduate program designed to serve the student who plans to enter the applied fields of counseling or psychology after receiving the master’s degree. The program offers four specialized tracks: school guidance counseling, school adjustment counseling (non-licensure), forensic mental-health counseling, and mental-health counseling.

Westfield State University also offers a 48-credit master of arts program in applied behavior analysis for individuals who work, or aspire to work, in a number of different settings, such as schools (including regular and special-education classrooms), business and industry, healthcare, and other community-based settings.

“Westfield State’s graduate training in counseling meets all requirements for entry licensure in school counseling and all pre-master’s content and field experience requirements for mental-health counselors,” said Robert Hayes, chair of WSU’s graduate programs in Psychology. “We particularly value small classes for technique-related courses, where graduate candidates receive outstanding individual attention, as well as group supervision during the development of their counseling skills. Counseling is both a science and an art, and our graduate training program attends to both.”

Attendees of the information session will have an opportunity to speak with faculty and members of the outreach team about the program and its application process. The $50 application fee will be waived for all attendees. To RSVP, visit www.gobacknow.com. For more information, call (413) 572-8020 or e-mail [email protected].

PALMER — A proposed $650 million water park resort, spa, and sports complex, featuring a massive year-round whitewater tubing river park, is being planned on 250 acres of land near the Palmer exit of the Massachusetts Turnpike. The complex, featuring indoor/outdoor sports facilities, a resort hotel, and two indoor water parks, aims to draw individuals, teams, tournaments, exhibitions, entertainment, and athletes from the U.S. and around the world.

Development and construction group Skanska USA has joined as project manager. The company built Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots, and has a global footprint. In the U.S., Skanska operates within the commercial property, construction, and public-private partnership arenas.

The project development team has also been announced. The Palmer Sports Group consists of Winthrop “Trip” Knox, who has been involved in the design and construction of more than 3,000 water-related facilities for water parks, resorts, and deluxe hotels, including many of the water features at destination resorts in Orlando, Fla. Knox has also received recognition for designing the luge and bobsled runs for the 1980 Winter Olympics held in Lake Placid, N.Y.

Michael J. D’Amato, also of the Palmer Sports Group, managed the construction of the later phases of the Foxwoods Resort Casino development, including the Grand Pequot Tower. A native of Connecticut, D’Amato also worked on the construction of Connecticut’s tallest building, City Place in Hartford, and oversaw many large-scale projects including the Phoenix Mutual corporate headquarters and Stamford Harbor Park.

“This destination water park, sports resort, and spa will draw visitors from throughout the Northeast,” Knox said. “The strategic location of the resort near the confluence of the Massachusetts Turnpike and close in proximity to Routes 84 and 91 will make it a convenient destination offering sports recreation to meet a growing demand for this kind of recreation.”

In addition to the spa and outdoor river ride, the complex will include an indoor hockey and basketball facility, an indoor sports bubble, a baseball complex, soccer and mixed-use fields, beach-volleyball courts, restaurants, and on-site townhomes.

“We will be working diligently with the town of Palmer and other leaders in the region to bring this game-changing project for Palmer and the Quaboag Valley to fruition,” D’Amato said. “With the recent opening of the MGM Springfield casino, this represents a synergistic project that will draw even more visitors to the Valley, making Palmer the true gateway to all of Western Massachusetts.”

WESTFIELD — The Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce, Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce, East of the River Five Town Chamber of Commerce, and West of the River Chamber invites the public to a Lunch & Learn event on Thursday, Oct. 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Storrowton Tavern Carriage House, 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield.

Rick Lord, president and CEO of Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM), will offer a barometer of the region’s business climate and the historic ‘grand bargain’ legislation that may have profound effects on business and employees.

Tickets cost $30 for members and $40 for non-members. Call (413) 568-1618 or e-mail [email protected] for sponsorship information, registration, or questions.

SPRINGFIELD — The Law Office of Christopher B. Myhrum announced that Myhrum was selected for the 2018 edition of Best Lawyers in America in the practice areas of environmental and environmental litigation.

This is the 27th year Myhrum has been selected for this honor. He has also been recognized by his peers for the highest level of professional excellence as AV Preeminent (2002 to present) and as a Massachusetts Super Lawyer (2001 to present).

LONGMEADOW — Springfield Jewish Community Center was recognized with Bay Path University’s first-ever Community Partnership Spirit Award last week. This award, established in December 2017, is bestowed upon an individual, team, or organization that has demonstrated a long-term commitment to the Bay Path community, students, and mission by playing an integral role in student success through mentorship, leadership, and fostering career development.

“Our students have benefited tremendously from the variety of opportunities they have had in working with the Springfield JCC,” President Carol Leary said. “The JCC is an incredible community partner and valuable resource. We’re proud to recognize the organization and its stellar staff for their hard work and the rich, supportive experience they offer to members of all ages.” 

The Springfield JCC was selected as this year’s award recipient from a pool of nominations submitted by faculty and staff at Bay Path throughout the spring. The process was thorough, requiring that nominations include a narrative explaining the impact of the partner on Bay Path’s mission and students. A selection committee reviewed submissions and made the final decision.

“Students from our occupational therapy, psychology, and education programs have held internships, volunteered, and engaged in service learning projects with the organization. Most recently, our master’s in occupational therapy faculty and students collaborated with the JCC Kehillah program for individuals with special needs to develop a ‘SensiPlay’ program for children with various disabilities,” Leary said. 

Michael Paysnick, executive director of the Springfield JCC; Bethany Young, director of the Kehillah program; and Deb Cohen, director of Early Childhood Services, were presented the award at Bay Path University’s State of the University Address.

“The JCC has partnered with Bay Path University for more than 30 years,” Paysnick said. “During that time, we have had the opportunity to help in the education and training of hundreds of students and, together, create programs and services that benefit our wider community. It’s been a win-win for all involved. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Bay Path, providing real-world work experience for their students.”

WESTFIELD — The Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce announced its “Of the Year” Awards for 2018. “I am so pleased with the choices our nominating committee selected this year,” said Kate Phelon, executive director. “It is never an easy decision, and I know they gave all the nominees careful consideration.”

The 2018 Business of the Year is Armbrook Village, a senior retirement community that offers, independent, assisted, and memory-care options and opened for business in 2013. Beth Cardillo, executive director at Armbrook, has been working with the senior population for more than 20 years in senior living communities.

“Beth has worked tirelessly over the past five years to make Armbrook known in the surrounding area, and it has been a joy working with her and her team,” Phelon said.

Cardillo implemented Armbrook Village’s initiative to make Westfield a dementia-friendly community, the first community on the East Coast with this distinction. Creating People Friendly Communities is its newest initiative, addressing the issue of senior bullying.

The 2018 Nonprofit of the Year is the Westfield Athenaeum, led by Dan Paquette, who became director in 2015. As a nonprofit and not funded 100% by the city, the facility must raise funds to cover gaps for overhead and operating costs. Since the Athenaeum owns the building, it is responsible for the upkeep and any upgrades.

With major renovations to the tune of $1.7 million to be completed this year, “what a great year for the Westfield Athenaeum not only to be nominated, but to be selected as the Nonprofit of the Year,” Phelon said. The renovations include the entire reference area, the Boys & Girls Library, a back entrance with a new ramp, two new bathrooms, and a new door for patrons to enter either the Boys & Girls Library or the adult library.

The 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Ann Lentini of Domus Inc., a nonprofit affordable-housing developer established in 1982. Since 1986, Lentini has dedicated her life to providing affordable housing and educational services to Westfield residents. Since its inception, Domus has developed 11 properties. Soon a 12th property will be added to the list with completion of the Mosely School Apartments, expected to open in August 2019.

Domus Inc. plays an important civic role by helping the city of Westfield meet its state-mandated quota of affordable housing. Its mission is to provide safe, affordable, decent, sanitary housing for the homeless, low- to moderate-income individuals, and people with special needs.

In addition to managing Domus Inc., Lentini, along with Kenneth White, also created the Westfield Community Education program in 2008. This program addresses adult basic-education needs to improve the lives of community members by providing GED and pre-GED preparation classes, along with individual and group tutoring programs. To date, the program has graduated more than 225 students.

The three award winners will be recognized at the Greater Westfield Chamber’s Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet on Wednesday, Nov, 21. There will be a cocktail hour from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. followed by a program from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The event will be hosted by Tekoa Country Club, 458 Russell Road, Westfield. The event sponsor is Westfield Bank, and more details will be forthcoming. To pre-register or for more information, visit www.westfieldbiz.org or call the chamber office at (413) 568-1618.

SPRINGFIELD — Brand-development firm Six-Point Creative has added MJ Hyndman-Benander as director of Client Services. In her new position, she oversees all client services for the agency, providing new client onboarding, client budget and planning oversight, key-account service, and oversight of Six-Point’s team of client advocates.

Hyndman-Benander brings to Six-Point 20 years of marketing experience working with global institutions in Manila, Philippines, for which she spearheaded high-profile events, managed international licensing agreements, and forged international alliances with blue-chip companies and entertainment giants such as Disney, Nickelodeon, and Warner Brothers. She has held marketing positions in the Philippines at BDO, Unibank Inc., Globe Telecom, SM Supermalls, and Citibank, N.A., where she received two Chairman’s Awards for programs leading to innovation and revenue contribution. Most recently, she worked for Bay Path University in Longmeadow as a recruitment and enrollment specialist for the International Graduate Admissions and Multicultural Affairs department.

Hyndman-Benander holds a bachelor’s degree in advertising and public relations from Assumption College, Makati City, Philippines, where she received a College Leadership Award.

SPRINGFIELD — Teach Western Mass (TWM) was recently ​approved as a sponsoring organization for teacher licensure ​by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to train and certify new teachers in the region through the Teach Western Mass Residency. ​TWM completed a rigorous program-approval application process that demonstrated it is able to meet all the requirements for teacher-preparation programs, ​and expects to certify 20-50 aspiring special-education and ESL teachers annually to serve in partner schools in Holyoke and Springfield.

Launched in 2015, TWM represents a network of 29 schools serving more than 11,000 students in Western Mass. Collectively, TWM and partner schools work to recruit, prepare, and support effective teachers in the region.

The TWM Residency was established in 2018 in partnership with the nonprofit education organization TNTP and funded by a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to help build high-quality, diverse teacher pipelines for hard-to-fill teaching positions.

“Here in Western Massachusetts, we’ve been working hard to improve our schools — but we need to do even more to ensure that all our students get the world-class education they deserve,” said Pema Latshang, founding executive director of TWM. “Though Massachusetts leads the nation in overall student performance, too many students are not getting the level of education they deserve, and this program has huge potential to transform access and outcomes for kids in our region.”

The TWM Residency is an accelerated, affordable alternative to traditional certification programs. The program targets recent graduates, career changers, and professionals already in the education sector, including paraprofessionals and substitutes, seeking to earn their initial teacher certification.

Once accepted into the program, participants will complete an intensive summer training and teach in classrooms under the guidance of an experienced coach. Their training is focused on the most important skills they’ll need to be successful in their first year of teaching and beyond. Only those who show that they’re on the way to mastering those core instructional skills at the end of training will be recommended for certification.

The application for the 2019 cohort launches on Nov. 1​. Aspiring teachers can apply for the program by visiting ​www.teachwesternmass.com​.

SPRINGFIELD — Ed Sokolowski, managing partner of PV Financial Group in Ludlow, will present a $5,000 donation to MHA on Thursday, Sept. 6 at 10 a.m. at MHA’s corporate offices at 995 Worthington St. in Springfield. Cheryl Fasano, president and CEO of MHA, and Peter Leonczyk, financial advisor with PV Financial Group, will be joined by MHA management, staff, and volunteers.

“At PV Financial Group, we are committed to giving back to our community and demonstrating leadership through philanthropy,” said Sokolowski. “Instead of spending money on traditional marketing efforts, we choose instead to invest dollars directly into organizations that support the future growth of our community. MHA is close to our hearts because the organization’s ideals of integrity, respect, and compassion are directly aligned with our values at PV Financial Group. While our organizations may have different clients, we believe they all deserve to be treated with the same level of care.”

Added Fasano, “Ed Sokolowski and his partners clearly demonstrate integrity by giving back to the community where they do business and where their employees live, work, and play. By choosing to support MHA and our programs to address mental health, developmental disabilities, substance use, and homelessness, they are demonstrating their respect for all members of the community and compassion for people in need. We are thrilled that PV Financial Group has made such a generous commitment to MHA.”

Fasano added that funds from PV Financial Group will be directed to the agency’s efforts to launch a new outpatient behavioral-health clinic in Springfield this January.

“We recognize that MHA is at a critical and exciting growth juncture,” said Sokolowski. “Our mantra at PV Financial Group is ‘planning with a purpose.’ We are honored to help their organization secure their future growth and expand their reach in our community.”