Tracy Friedenberg

By
Women of Impact 2025

Executive Director, Bacon Wilson, P.C.

She’s Made a Career of Giving Others the Tools to Succeed

 

Tracy Friedenberg recalls working for a tech consulting company in Holyoke (the ill-fated Data Profit) not long after graduating from UMass Amherst in the mid-’90s, and quickly discovering what she wasn’t doing — and ultimately needed to do — for a living.

She started as a receptionist and very quickly moved to office manager and then executive assistant, and over the course of that rapid advancement, she made a critical discovery.

“I realized in those moments that I really loved business,” said Friedenberg, who had designs (pun intended) on the fashion industry and being a buyer for a major retailer while in college. “But what I loved more was being on the operations side and making sure that, behind the scenes, everything ran smoothly.

“I knew very early on that sales wasn’t necessarily my thing — I wasn’t that person who was going to go out and get the clients,” she went on. “But I wanted to make sure that the organization and the people in the organization had what they needed to be successful, so the people who were practicing whatever they were practicing could do what they needed to do. And that has carried with me through my entire career.”

Indeed, it has, through a series of jobs at MassMutual, a lengthy stint at the Hartford-based law firm Day Pitney, and, since 2023, for the Springfield-based law firm Bacon Wilson.

There, she serves as executive director, a title that comes with a broad range of responsibilities — everything from day-to-day HR duties to working with other firm leaders on long-term matters, from the impact of AI on the legal profession to where the new courthouse in Springfield might go, and what they will mean operationally — and we’ll get into some of that later.

“I knew very early on that sales wasn’t necessarily my thing — I wasn’t that person who was going to go out and get the clients. But I wanted to make sure that the organization and the people in the organization had what they needed to be successful, so the people who were practicing whatever they were practicing could do what they needed to do. And that has carried with me through my entire career.”

But at Bacon Wilson, and her many other career stops, it’s not the lines on her job description that have made her a Woman of Impact, but how she has carried them out, often going what most would consider above and beyond, while also getting involved in the community at the same time.

Tracy Friedenberg has been described as a selfless, compassionate leader, one who drives organizational success but also champions the growth and well-being of those around her.
Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

“Tracy is the kind of leader who not only drives an organization forward, but also ensures that every individual within it feels seen, valued, and cared for,” said Alayna Anderson, marketing coordinator for Bacon Wilson, who nominated her for this award. “She exemplifies compassion, strength, and service in everything she does. Her heart is always in the right place — committed to making a difference for the people and community she serves.”

Reflecting on what drives her, what she’s been able to accomplish, how she’s been influenced by mentors, and how she now mentors others, Friedenberg credits her parents, Bruce, who passed away last year, and Cecilia, as well as the Springfield school system, for giving her what she’s needed to be successful.

The schools instilled in her a thirst for learning and spawned a passion for everything from business to the Spanish language, with which she can still hold her own, she explained, while her parents, both hard workers, gave her inspiration, a solid foundation, and critical lessons, especially about the need to be accountable for everything one does with and during her life.

“My parents were and are a big part of whom I am,” she told BusinessWest. “They were hard workers. They weren’t necessary knocking it out of the park from a corporate standpoint, but I always learned the value of hard work from them, doing it for yourself, and treating people the way you want to be treated.

“I learned so much from them, and especially my mom,” she went on, echoing what has become a common theme among this year’s honorees. “She made a career out of customer service — she worked for 35 years at Springfield College in the food service department. Watching my mom work and watching her get joy out of serving people and helping them … really resonated with me. She took so much pride in everything she did. It didn’t matter if she was making a coffee or cleaning a counter or counting a cash drawer; having that pride in what she did and doing it well always resonated with me.”

 

Learning Experiences

Turning back the clock 30 years to her time at Data Profit, one of many tech companies that rose and fell in the ’90s or early 2000s, Friedenberg said it was a learning experience on many levels.

“I was the executive assistant to the number two and number three individuals in charge, and I was privy to a lot of information,” she recalled. “They had filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and then it ended up being Chapter 7, and there were a lot of things going on. I would be in these difficult meetings with the leadership team; they were sitting there, and they literally had names on whiteboards, and they had to figure out who was going to be let go.

“It was at this age of 24 and 25 that I started to recognize some of the things that I knew I didn’t want to do or some of the ways I didn’t want to lead or manage,” she explained, adding that she has been shaped by every career stop and, long before that, her time in the Springfield schools and then UMass Amherst.

Tracing her career steps, Friedenberg said she moved from Data Profit to MassMutual, where she worked for nearly seven years, assuming titles ranging from College Relations manager to director of Corporate Human Resources.

“People are people, and, yes, we have work to do, and people have to be responsible and accountable for that, but we all are human, too. You can’t have people working for you and forget that they’re human beings.”

While at MassMutual, she was influenced by several managers and mentors, including one she served as an executive assistant who surprised her with a question she wasn’t really expecting.

“I had been there a few weeks … he came in one day and said, ‘where are you going to go in the company — what area do we need to move you to?’” she recalled. “I was a taken aback by that at first and said, ‘did I do something wrong?’ He said, ‘no, you have the ability to do more than this role requires, and I hired you for the company, not just this role.’

“Throughout your life, you have things that people say to you that stick with you,” she went on. “And that was one of them; that has resonated with me throughout my career. When I’ve been in a position to hire, I take a look at individuals not just for the role I’m trying to fill, which is important, but for their potential in general.”

In 2007, she began a 14-year stint with Day Pitney, a large firm with 13 offices and more than 600 employees. There, she held a variety of titles and had myriad responsibilities while gaining experience in some new realms, including work helping to manage some acquisitions and facility moves, and managing the IT Department.

Overall, she sharpened her skills when it became to being the person behind the scenes giving those around her the tools they needed to succeed.

After 15 years with the firm, she started to get “a little bored,” she said, and took on a new challenge, becoming chief of staff for Odin, a remote role that she wasn’t in long before she realized it wasn’t the right space for her.

Tracy Friedenberg says she’s long been inspired by the strong work ethic demonstrated by her parents.
Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

Ultimately, her position was eliminated, and this led to what she called the “summer of Tracy,” what she described as a period of reflection, taking her time deciding what she wanted to do next, and getting even more engaged in the community — with her daughter’s school as president of its PTO and as president of the Dress for Success Western Massachusetts board.

“I knew I wanted to be in this community again,” she explained. “I was born and raised in Springfield — I’ve lived here my whole life, and I still live here — and working in Hartford all those years, I realized how disconnected I felt from my community.”

 

Work in Progress

And it was in her role as president of Dress for Success, and specifically while leading efforts to secure a new home for the nonprofit after it was evicted from the closing Eastfield Mall, that Friedenberg ultimately started down the path to her latest career stop.

As she tells the story, she needed an attorney to review the lease for the new space on Lyman Street, couldn’t touch base with the attorney the agency had been working with, and wound up calling former Central High School classmate Dan McKellick, a shareholder with Bacon Wilson, to see if he could help. He did, and while doing so, he mentioned that the firm was looking for a new executive director.

“In her nearly two years at Bacon Wilson, Tracy has transformed our organization into the best version of itself.”

She applied, after realizing how much she missed the law firm environment, was hired, and is now, in essence, focusing on the present and future of this firm while applying lessons learned at the various stops in her career.

Perhaps the biggest of these lessons involve communication, managing change — because it is seemingly constant — and always remembering the human element of the workplace.

“People are people, and, yes, we have work to do, and people have to be responsible and accountable for that, but we all are human, too,” she told BusinessWest. “You can’t have people working for you and forget that they’re human beings.”

A story shared by Anderson in her nomination brings home this sentiment.

“I experienced the sudden and tragic loss of my partner — a loss that shook me and my community,” she wrote. “Tracy stepped beyond the role of executive director and became a source of unconditional support. She cooked meals, helped care for my home and my dog, covered my work responsibilities, managed our marketing and communications, and, most importantly, gave me the space and time to grieve.

“In her nearly two years at Bacon Wilson, Tracy has transformed our organization into the best version of itself,” Anderson went on. “She has fostered a culture of inclusivity, diversity, and warmth, reshaping the way our firm is perceived both internally and within the community. Her leadership has not only elevated our operations, but has changed the narrative of what it means to belong at Bacon Wilson.”

Jeff Fialky, the firm’s managing partner, echoed those thoughts.

“Tracy has been instrumental in continuing to shape our firm’s culture and success,” he said. “She leads with empathy, strength, and brilliance, ensuring that every challenge becomes an opportunity for those around her to grow and flourish. Her influence extends well beyond our walls — she uplifts those around her.”

When asked about her work and how it might generate such comments, Friedenberg said it comes down to keeping one eye on today, the other on tomorrow, and, most importantly, being a good listener as she manages a firm, but also a workforce that spans several generations.

“One thing that I feel so grateful for is that lots of people come and talk with me throughout the day,” she said. “They’ll come to me to talk about a concern they might have — maybe it’s with a client, or maybe it’s just something with their own personal situation in their employment or something in their personal life. Or they’ll bounce an idea off me or bring ideas to me. I feel so honored that they let me into their circle of trust.”

Not everyone gets into that circle of trust. It’s reserved for those who not only listen, but respond proactively and compassionately to what they hear.

It’s reserved, in this case, for a Woman of Impact.

Ayanna Crawford

By
Ayanna Crawford
Women of Impact 2025

 

President, AC Consulting and Media Services

Through Many Roles, She Elevates Young People — and the Entire Community

 

Ayanna Crawford, it needs to be said up front, is the model of a Woman of Impact, who has made her mark — and made people’s lives better — in numerous ways: as a public speaker helping young people find their own voice, as a community leader both locally and in legislative circles in Boston, as a media consultant boosting local businesses and nonprofits … the list goes on.

But it’s an honor she finds both gratifying and a bit humbling.

“It’s not something I look for. I’m just humbled by it, and sometimes I feel, is this really for me? Am I worthy enough? Did I do enough? Is there more that I need to do before I get recognized?” she said.

“That’s always in the back of my mind because I think about so many great leaders in our community, in our world, that have gone unnoticed or not been recognized,” she added. “But I’m grateful for the recognition. I’m grateful that someone has seen the work that I’m doing.”

To be sure, many have noticed, including LaTonia Monroe Naylor, a member of the Women of Impact class of 2024, who nominated Crawford for this year’s honor.

“Ayanna doesn’t seek recognition — she builds infrastructure: programs, relationships, and movements,” Naylor wrote. “She mentors emerging leaders, elevates marginalized voices, and constantly returns to the core question, ‘what did I do for someone else today?’”

Naylor knows Crawford well; the two of them co-founded a nonprofit seven years ago called Parent Villages, which connects families, educational institutions, and community partners to enhance learning and support systems for children. It was born from the sobering statistic that 93% of local children aren’t ready to succeed in kindergarten.

“She thought, ‘what could we do to encourage parents and families, and help their children get ready for kindergarten?’” Crawford recalled about the origins of Parent Villages, which Naylor still leads as CEO. “We did meetups and focus groups around the city at different libraries and community centers to talk to parents and families about how can we help children get ready for school.

“It has grown immensely, to the point where we’ve bought a building, we have over a million-dollar budget, we’ve got staff, we have six or seven different types of programs. It’s just flourishing,” said Crawford, who serves on the board.

But that’s only one of the ways she has demonstrated a passion for helping children. Originally interested in a broadcast journalism career, she switched to an education track at Westfield State University and became a teacher, teaching creative writing in middle school and reading and language arts in elementary school over the years.

“Ayanna doesn’t seek recognition — she builds infrastructure: programs, relationships, and movements. She mentors emerging leaders, elevates marginalized voices, and constantly returns to the core question, ‘what did I do for someone else today?’”

It was in the latter setting that she noticed many children were shy about giving presentations — some so shy, they would cry. So she asked her principal if she could conduct a mini-lesson around public speaking — which turned into an afterschool program, which soon drew middle-schoolers as well, and eventually emerged in the broader community as a still-flourishing initiative called Take the Mic.

Backed by a group of interns and volunteers, Crawford has partnered with colleges, especially Springfield Technical Community College, creating a curriculum within its College for Kids summer program, and also conducted programs in the Springfield Public Schools and an afterschool program at the East Springfield branch of Springfield City Library. In all, the program serves young people from ages 6 to 18. She also conducts workshops for adults who want to improve their speaking skills and confidence.

Ayanna Crawford says some of her priorities in her work with state Rep. Orlando Ramos include education, mental health, parks, and the environment.
Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

“About 75% of the world’s population is afraid of public speaking,” she said. “Even myself, growing up, I was afraid to as well. But there are strategies, techniques, resources, so many different things that you can use. I’ve done a lot of training myself to make sure that I’m on the cutting edge of the nuances of public speaking and making sure that not only the students have what they need, but the adults, too.”

Helping both children and adults achieve what they need — in these ways and others we’ll talk about — is a hallmark of a life of passion and purpose. It’s the life of a Woman of Impact.

 

Community Champion

When asked when she developed a passion for young people, Crawford said it’s always been there.

“I remember, when I started teaching, having students from all different socioeconomic statuses and wanting to see all of them flourish and thrive. Then, I was always the one at my schools to either help organize the open house or get the parents together, get them excited about events we had with our school, or go out in the community and talk to families about the work that we do in our school.”

Her teaching career was also the fountain from which her business, AC Consulting and Media Services, sprung. Her principal noticed she was doing a lot of community work, so she became the go-to person for connecting the school with community leaders, elected officials, and the media as well. From there, other businesses and nonprofits started asking her for help with press releases, media invitations, flyers, and other forms of marketing, and the enterprise was born.

“Our mission is to provide media and public relations services and supports to nonprofits and corporate businesses to enhance their brand awareness and client base,” she explained. “We simply are a firm that believes in amplifying the message and awareness of our clients in their communities.”

Her foray into politics, culminating with her current role as chief of staff to state Rep. Orlando Ramos, also began with her volunteer service on school PTOs, neighborhood councils, and, eventually, political campaigns. She later became chair of the Democratic City Committee for Springfield’s Ward 8, worked on Ramos’ campaign for the State House, and then joined him in that work, much of which she’s personally passionate about, especially when it comes to issues that affect young people, like education, healthcare, parks, and the environment.

An advocate for neighborhood safety, Crawford spearheaded a local Stop the Speed initiative, a public safety campaign born out of Springfield residents’ concerns about dangerous driving through residential streets. It was born out of an incident in which a vehicle her daughter was riding in was struck by a speeding car. Another passenger was in the ICU for weeks.

Ayanna Crawford took the stage at the MassMutual Center this past June as co-emcee of BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty Gala.
Photo by Underwood Photography

“It was very traumatic; it was a very serious accident. So I said, ‘what can I do to help curtail it, to stop it? I knew that the East Springfield community had done some Stop the Speed events … so I started them here in Springfield on Boston Road, particularly.”

With Ramos’ backing, she spearheaded monthly awareness events for about a year, and other legislators and community leaders, in 16 Acres and the North End, picked up the cause as well. “So, through my efforts raising some more advocacy around it, other communities decided to start doing them.”

It’s typical of the impact Crawford can have when she has a goal in mind, Naylor said. “Through this work, she’s not just raising awareness — she’s organizing, coordinating with city officials, and pushing for tangible policy solutions. Her leadership reflects a commitment to safety, accountability, and resident-led change.”

Crawford has long been committed to the revitalization of the Indian Orchard community. To that end, she has organized food truck festivals, promoted small business development, and supported entrepreneurial opportunities, creating accessible platforms for local vendors and artisans to thrive.

She also founded the annual Sylvia Barksdale Wilson Scholarship in Nursing Brunch, a program that provides scholarships for individuals going into the nursing field in honor of her mother, who was a nurse. She also founded the Literacy Champion community event held annually at the Brookings Elementary School to promote literacy and showcase local authors, and she is president of the Springfield Women in Business Club, which highlights and provides support to women entrepreneurs and executive leaders.

“Through this work, she’s not just raising awareness — she’s organizing, coordinating with city officials, and pushing for tangible policy solutions. Her leadership reflects a commitment to safety, accountability, and resident-led change.”

“From the classroom to the Capitol, from Indian Orchard streets to statewide strategy rooms,” Naylor wrote, “Ayanna is not just making an impact — she is building one and deserving of finally being recognized for what she has done to contribute to our region.”

 

Fearless and Impactful

When Crawford takes the stage at the Log Cabin on Dec. 9 to accept the Women of Impact honor, it will cap a busy year of recognition.

This past April, the Springfield Symphony Orchestra chose her as a recipient of its annual Fearless Women Awards, which are given to area women who embody bravery, advocacy, passion, perseverance, and authenticity. And in June, she co-emceed BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty Gala at the MassMutual Center.

Asked to give some perspective on her many roles in the community, she said, “I never know the extent of what I do and how it is really impacting others. I just do it because it’s important to me.” But she said she’s equally proud of her role as a mentor to her now-grown children.

“We have what we call healthy conversations with my adult children, helping them navigate through life and being an example to them. I want them to see what I’ve done, and I want to see what they can do,” she told BusinessWest. “And I have two grandsons, and I want them to also know that this is a legacy that I’m building for our family, for our community, and for folks that are yet to be born.

“Again, I’m not looking for recognition because I’ll do it regardless. I’ll continue to work to elevate voices, to elevate our community, especially women, but men, too, because I have a daughter and a son. I want men to see me as an example too; I’ve mentored young men in my lifetime as well as young women.”

And she aims to continue to be a leader, in all her different roles and maybe some she hasn’t discovered yet.

“My children keep on telling me, ‘mom, you’re getting a little older now. I think you need to slow down.’ But I’m fine. I feel like I’m just hitting my apex, where I can do this work and know I have the tools and the skill set to do it. I’ve got the training; I’ve got the wherewithal and the tenacity and the capacity.”

And now she’s got the title of Woman of Impact.

Tara Brewster

By
Tara Brewster
Women of Impact 2025

Vice President of Business Development and of Philanthropy, Greenfield Savings Bank

She Makes Purposeful Connections to Multiply the Impact of Good Works

Tara Brewster

Photos by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

Tara Brewster has told the story on many occasions about accepting her current job at Greenfield Savings Bank and being asked by John Howland, then then bank’s president, where she wanted her office. She said she didn’t want one.

“I said, ‘I’m good.’ He said, ‘what do you mean you’re good? Everybody has an office.’ And I said, ‘you expect me to be making relationships in the community. You expect me to be having meetings with people. Nobody’s going to want to come into the bank to have a meeting with me in my office. So I’m not planning on being in my office hardly ever because I’m going to be out in the community. And he was like, ‘OK, prove it.’ So for nine years, I’ve never had an office. This is my office.”

By ‘this,’ she meant the restaurant where she sat with BusinessWest for this interview — and not just that establishment, but any number of eateries and other community meeting places where she meets potential clients on financial matters, but also nonprofit leaders, as her title spans the worlds of both business and philanthropy. As does her life.

“We’re not going to fill that gap alone; we’re only one organization. But we need to be intentional and focused about the different times that we’re living in.”

“So many people don’t get out — they work their 9 to 5, they work their desk job, they have their own obligations. I feel privileged that that I’m able to create my own schedule, go where I’m needed, and be really intentional, purposeful, and independent on where I need to go and who needs me. That’s not lost on me.”

She’s especially gratified by her philanthropic role; the bank now gives away about $1 million each year to some 300 nonprofits.

Tara Brewster (center) with four of the valued mentors who have supported her for many years: from left, Chia Collins, Barbara Jones, Sidonia Dalby, and Mark GrumoliPhoto by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

Tara Brewster (center) with four of the valued mentors who have supported her for many years: from left, Chia Collins, Barbara Jones, Sidonia Dalby, and Mark Grumoli
Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

“We don’t do the big check presentation. That’s not how we roll. I like to send all the contribution checks to all the branch managers and have them make the connection and go deliver them and say hi, because it’s not about my relationship with the nonprofit; it’s about our relationship.”

Since COVID, Brewster explained, the bank’s philanthropic priorities have included healthcare, human services, housing, food security, safety, and children. “We try to look through that lens and meet the needs where we can.”

It’s especially important, she added, at a time when nonprofit funding, already a challenging landscape, is being threatened on a massive scale by federal cutbacks.

“I would like to have a conversation with senior leadership about, ‘OK, who is really being targeted? How can we allocate a little bit more funding to those groups? How can we step up a little bit more to try to support them and fill in the cracks from holes in federal funding and the decimation of their livelihoods?’ We’re not going to fill that gap alone; we’re only one organization. But we need to be intentional and focused about the different times that we’re living in.

“You know, if we didn’t have nonprofits, we would be screwed,” Brewster added, “because government — even in the best of times, with the best of leaders, who have the heart to do it — could never take care of all of the issues that exist and the needs of all the people. They haven’t figured out how to do that. So it makes the role of institutions like banks, foundations, and individuals so much more important, because they do so much.”

Those who know Brewster understand her passion for supporting the community didn’t start with her current job. She currently serves on four nonprofit boards — Cutchins Programs for Children and Families, Riverside Industries, Downtown Northampton Assoc., and Double Edge Theatre — as well as several local committees, including Community Action of Pioneer Valley, Look Memorial Park, North Star Self-Directed Learning for Teens, the David Ruggles Center, and the Treehouse Foundation.

 

She is also a top fundraiser for numerous regional events, including the Hot Chocolate Run for Safe Passage, Dancing with the Local Stars for Cutchins, and two annual events — the Mother’s Day Half Marathon and the Bed In fundraiser — for Cancer Connection, whose executive director, Chelsea Kline, is also a Woman of Impact this year; see story on page W19).

“Respected equally by business leaders, nonprofit executives, and grassroots organizers, Tara is a force multiplier for good,” wrote Ira Bryck of Helping Leaders Grow, who nominated her as a Woman of Impact. “She is present in every role she plays — mother, wife, colleague, volunteer — leading with an open heart and strategic mind. Western Massachusetts is better because Tara Brewster calls it home, and her impact continues to ripple outward through every organization, partnership, and person she touches.”

 

Road to Success

This is Brewster’s third BusinessWest honor; she was part of the 40 Under Forty class of 2009, when she co-owned Jackson & Connor, a men’s clothing store in Northampton, and a Difference Maker in 2022.

Since joining Greenfield Savings Bank in 2016, she has generated over $200 million in deposits, loans, and mortgages while shaping and expanding the bank’s annual philanthropy budget — a success on every level. But the road to her current career was a winding one, marked by early tragedy.

As a teenager, she planned on moving far away from Massachusetts and attending college in Montana, with the goal of becoming a pediatrician. But her mother was diagnosed with stage-4 ovarian cancer when Tara was just 15, a turn of events that would not only alter her plans for college, keeping her close to home, but inspire her to reach higher and serve others more purposefully following her mother’s passing.

She eventually graduated from Smith College, majoring in government and anthropology, and found her way into the men’s clothing business. She started at Taylor Men, which had a store in Thornes Marketplace, while she was at Smith, and would later be regional sales manager for seven stores in the Northeast before moving to Manhattan and working for a men’s wholesale apparel company.

Eventually, Brewster returned to Northampton and opened Jackson & Connor with a business partner; they ran the store for eight years before selling it. It was there, she told BusinessWest, that she began to understand the importance of community connections.

“Respected equally by business leaders, nonprofit executives, and grassroots organizers, Tara is a force multiplier for good.”

“I was like, ‘oh, my success is tied to the community’s success. It’s tied to others. It’s tied to me supporting you and you supporting me, and one hand washes the other.’ It was very clear. Before that, when I worked for these larger companies, in bigger cities, they weren’t very philanthropic, and they didn’t really push us to do a lot of charity work. But when your livelihood is dependent on local customers coming in and supporting you, that’s how you eat. That’s how you pay the bills. It’s how you pay your employees. I really got it then.”

After selling the store, Brewster segued into consulting before Mark Grumoli, senior vice president and commercial loan officer at Greenfield Savings Bank — who, years earlier, had helped the partners secure funding to launch Jackson & Connor when he was with Florence Bank, convinced her to become the new vice president of Business Development.

In addition to her dual role at work and her robust involvement with nonprofits outside of it, she also hosts the Western Mass. Business Show on WHMP, a radio interview program with local business leaders that she inherited from Bryck.

“Tara is a creative spirit, an entrepreneur, media mogul, and supports philanthropy,” wrote Tina Champagne, another nominator. “When there is a community need of any kind, Tara knows who to call and how to help raise funds to support those in need. She is brilliant at luring others in with her passion, care, and positive energy.”

Still, Brewster admits there’s only so much one person can do, especially someone who is widely recognized as a go-to helper.

“It’s not about being in all the rooms anymore. When I first started, I felt like I had to be at all these events, I had to meet this person, I had to go to this, I had to go to that, I had to show up. But really, it’s about being more calculated and smart about how I can actually effect change — who are the people that I need to call in, sit at a table with, connect with, strategize with?”

Sue Monahan (left), creator and director of the Mother’s Day Half Marathon, with Tara Brewster, host of Bed In for Cancer Connection.

Sue Monahan (left), creator and director of the Mother’s Day Half Marathon, with Tara Brewster, host of Bed In for Cancer Connection.

Especially, as noted earlier, at a particularly rough time for nonprofits.

“A lot of the meetings and spaces that I’m in, people are talking about ‘how are you taking care of yourself in order to be a freedom fighter and a warrior and someone who shows up and has capacity for other people and the work?’ And ‘how do you choose what’s important?’”

For one thing, Brewster would like to see more conversations between nonprofits whose clients have needs that dovetail.

“If we’re having a meeting about federal funding or food security or another need, let’s not just have it be like a siloed meeting,” she said. “Let’s have it be an integrated meeting — who needs to be in the room, who can do what, and how we can get it done? — rather than just thinking, ‘I’m me, and I have these resources,’ and ‘you’re you, and you have these resources.’ We just need to be more collaborative and more strategic than we’ve ever been going into these times.”

 

Setting an Example

Just as important as who’s making an impact now is who will follow in their footsteps, which is why Brewster values mentorship, both giving and receiving. In fact, she asked to take a photo for this story with four of her mentors, people who have helped shape her path and work.

One of them is Chia Collins, a local small business owner and volunteer. “Tara Brewster is my sister from a different mother, as she has said to me. She is truly a saint in the valley,” Collins said. “I adore moving mountains with her and for her. What nourishes her seems to be her love to connect people and to better the world. Tara is truly a force of nature.”

Brewster, like others honored in this year’s class of Women of Impact, is quick to deflect, or at least share, credit for such accolades, but said the award is still a meaningful one.

“I’m incredibly honored. It’s very humbling, and it makes you want to do more; it makes you want to keep going. To be recognized and acknowledged says, ‘OK, I must be doing something right; I must be helping people, or my impact must be having a ripple effect, so I need to keep doing it,’” she said.

“What are we here for — like, seriously, what are you here for — if not to make a difference, if not to improve someone’s life?” she added. “I want to die having left a mark, having a purpose, helping others, something other than just self-service.”

Healthcare Heroes to Be Celebrated Tonight at the Log Cabin

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Healthcare Heroes class of 2025 will be celebrated by BusinessWest and the Healthcare News at a gala tonight, Oct. 22, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Log Cabin in Holyoke.

The this year’s Healthcare Heroes, which were profiled in the Sept. 15 issue of BusinessWest and at businesswest.com and healthcarenews.com, are the Andy Yee Palliative Care Unit at Mercy Medical Center; Areliz Barbosa, clinical assistant professor and senior project coordinator at Bay Path University; Andrea Bertheaud, clinical assistant professor at Elms College; Chrissy Humason, nursing supervisor and stroke coordinator at Baystate Noble Hospital; Linda Koh, assistant professor in the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing at UMass Amherst; Cindy Leonard, infusion manager at Sister Caritas Cancer Center at Mercy Medical Center; Dr. Thomas Lincoln, physician and associate professor of Medicine at Baystate Health; and Dr. Yannis Raftopoulos, director of the Holyoke Medical Center Weight Management Program.

The Healthcare Heroes program was created in 2017 to honor the heroes working across the region’s wide, deep, and all-important healthcare and wellness sector. These leaders, innovators, and collaborators have devoted their careers to improving the quality of individual lives and the health of entire communities.

The ninth annual Healthcare Heroes program is presented by Baystate Health & Health New England and Elms College and sponsored by Trinity Health Of New England/Mercy Medical Center and Holyoke Medical Center.

J.D. O’Brien Selected for 2025 Best American Mystery and Suspense Collection

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Daily News

EASTHAMPTON — Western Mass.-based author J.D. O’Brien is among 20 featured writers in this year’s Best American Mystery and Suspense short fiction collection.

His story, “Outlaw Country,” follows a struggling Nashville country singer who decides the best way to get his name in lights is to commit a high-profile crime. It originally appeared in the journal Starlite Pulp and was selected for the Best American Mystery and Suspense anthology by New York Times bestselling author Don Winslow and series editor Steph Cha. The annual series features the finest mystery short fiction published in the previous year.

“It’s a big honor to be included in this collection alongside so many great writers,” O’Brien said.

O’Brien is the author of the novel Zig Zag, a 2023 Southwest Book of the Year that has been praised by leading crime writers and reviewers. He lives in Easthampton, where he is revising a draft of his second novel and working on a sequel to Zig Zag.

Fifth Annual Thriller 5K on Oct. 25 to Benefit Haven Teen Center

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Daily News

CHICOPEE — The Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce’s Thriller 5K, taking place on Saturday, Oct. 25, is a fun, Halloween-themed 5K run and walk open to all ages and skill levels, with participants encouraged to come in costume to add to the festive atmosphere.

Each year, the Thriller 5K benefits a different Chicopee Chamber nonprofit member. This year, half of the event’s proceeds will go to benefit Haven Teen Center, a program of the Boys & Girls Club of Chicopee and a dedicated space for teens aged 13 to 18. This drop-in membership program is designed to offer a safe, supportive, and fun environment where teens can build skills, make lasting friendships, and explore new opportunities.

Registration opens at 9:30 a.m., with the race scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. The route starts and ends at Grise Funeral Home, 280 Springfield St., with an after-party at Rumbleseat Bar & Grille, 482 Springfield St.

Picture This

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Pictured: Tracy (center) with brothers Fran (left) and Al Beaulieu, co-owners of Beaulieu Home Improvement.
Picture This

Email ‘Picture This’ photos with a caption and contact information to [email protected]

 

Giving Back to Veterans

Beaulieu Home Improvement recently announced the winner of its second annual Veterans Project: Home Renovations for Heroes. This community initiative provides essential home renovations — at no cost — to local veterans in recognition of their service and sacrifice. This year’s recipient, Timothy Tracy, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran from Springfield, will receive a brand-new roof replacement courtesy of the Beaulieu Home Improvement team.

Pictured: Tracy (center) with brothers Fran (left) and Al Beaulieu, co-owners of Beaulieu Home Improvement.

Pictured: Tracy (center) with brothers Fran (left) and Al Beaulieu, co-owners of Beaulieu Home Improvement.

 

 

Strengthening the Community

bankESB announced a contribution of $5,500 to the Hampshire Regional YMCA, supporting the organization as a signature sponsor. The donation will help the YMCA continue its mission of strengthening the community through programs that promote youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. 

Pictured, from left: Diane Carcamo of Hampshire Regional YMCA, Lauren Tabin and Robyn Michaud of bankESB, Julie Bianco, CEO of Hampshire Regional YMCA, and Jessica West of bankESB.

Pictured, from left: Diane Carcamo of Hampshire Regional YMCA, Lauren Tabin and Robyn Michaud of bankESB, Julie Bianco, CEO of Hampshire Regional YMCA, and Jessica West of bankESB.

 

Fore Good Causes

Lock and Key Realty recently hosted its fourth annual Lock and Key Golf Tournament, which raised $39,500, benefiting Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity and the Hartsprings Foundation, which supports the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program. Over the past four years, Lock and Key Realty has raised more than $110,000 to support these organizations. 

Pictured from left: Jordan Healy of Lock and Key Realty, Aimee Giroux of Habitat for Humanity, and Marc Murphy of Lock and Key Realty.

Pictured from left: Jordan Healy of Lock and Key Realty, Aimee Giroux of Habitat for Humanity, and Marc Murphy of Lock and Key Realty.

 

Pictured from left: Healy, David Parkinson of Hartsprings Foundation, and Murphy

Pictured from left: Healy, David Parkinson of Hartsprings Foundation, and Murphy

Agenda

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Agenda

Halloween Mall-O-Ween

Oct. 30: Families and children of all ages are invited to Holyoke Mall’s annual Halloween Mall-O-Ween trick-or-treating event from 4 to 6 p.m. Participating mall retailers will be handing out candy throughout the center, making it an ideal destination for little ghouls and goblins to safely enjoy trick-or-treating. Attendees can also participate in a Social Media Costume Contest. Simply snap a photo while trick-or-treating at the mall, post it on Facebook and/or Instagram, follow and tag the mall @HolyokeMall, and use the hashtag #HolyokeMallHalloween2025. Contestants must be at least 18 years old. Winners will be announced on Nov. 3 and awarded prizes.

 

yWrite Conference

Nov. 1: The yWrite Podcast will host the 2025 yWrite Conference from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Agawam Senior Center, 954 Main St., Agawam. The theme of this year’s conference is “yWrite Your Story Your Way!” Open to beginner as well as experienced writers, this in-person, all-day conference will offer guidance on a variety of topics, from memoir writing to legacy letters. Workshops include “The Jazz of Contrapuntal Poetry,” “Finding Character Voices from Your Life,” “Getting an Audience & Building Buzz,” “Writing Nonfiction,” and “Successful Query Letters.” Lunch with the keynote speaker, veteran Western Mass. journalist G. Michael Dobbs, is included in the registration fee of $79. Register at www.y-write.com or at www.eventbrite.com. Save $10 with promo code WMASS413.

 

Friendsgiving Fundraiser

Nov. 3: The Iron Horse Music Hall will turn up the volume on community with the Friendship Band Friendsgiving Fundraiser, a music-fueled party with a purpose. Two local favorites, the Friendship Band and Soul Magnets, will take the stage to raise support for the performing arts at Whole Children and Milestones, programs of ServiceNet, where people with disabilities take center stage. The Friendship Band unites musicians with and without disabilities in a shared celebration of music’s power to connect. Over the past 10 years, it has built a loyal following with its mix of originals and covers, memorable collaborations with Yo La Tengo, and standout sets at Transformance at Look Park. Joining them is Valley funk powerhouse Soul Magnets. With a horn-heavy, nine-piece lineup and a setlist that slides from funk classics to neo-soul originals, the band has fired up crowds from the Green River Festival to the Drake and Millpond Live. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $30, including fees. Both seated and standing options are available (first come, first served). Accessible seating is available at (413) 200-0425 or [email protected]. Visit ironhorse.org to purchase tickets.

 

Next Gen Summit

Nov. 5: Six-Point Strategy announced the launch of its first Next Gen Summit, a one-day retreat designed for emerging leaders in family businesses. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Venture Way in Hadley. The summit is built around the unique challenges of succession and generational leadership. Next generation leaders have the difficult task of navigating the ‘in-between’ space, shaping the future of their companies while still carrying the weight of family legacy. Participants will gain tools, frameworks, and connections to help them lead with confidence and authenticity. The event will be facilitated by three leaders with deep expertise in family business, leadership, and strategy: Meghan Lynch, CEO of Six-Point Strategy; Ira Bryck, founder and longtime director of the UMass Amherst Family Business Center; and Joshua Hornick, director of the Hornick School for Coaching. Summit highlights include “Leadership Styles” (balancing authenticity with authority), “The Power of Being Different” (why differentiation matters more than excellence), “Family-ness in Business” (using family culture as a superpower), and “Peer Learning” (shared conversations on succession and influence). The program is designed to be intimate and highly interactive, ensuring every participant has a voice. Space is limited, and early bird registration is open through Oct. 3 at a discounted rate of $395. Standard tickets are $495. For more information or to register, visit sixpointstrategy.com/nextgensummit.

 

The Clutter Doctor Inc. 25th Anniversary Event

Nov. 5: Carleen Eve Fischer Hoffman, founder of the Clutter Doctor Inc., a company that offers hands-on organizing services, announced a 25th anniversary celebration for the business, to be held from 4 to 7 p.m. at Next Level Cowork, 11 Herbert P. Almgren Dr., Agawam. The event will include light fare, refreshments, and 25th anniversary award presentations. RSVP to [email protected]. Hoffman is known for bringing humor, heart, and deep expertise to the often overwhelming topic of clutter. She has helped hundreds of clients go from chaos to calm by helping them clear physical and emotional space. Her childhood passion for organizing led to the creation of the Clutter Doctor Inc., an East Longmeadow-based business that has given her the opportunity to help clients get motivated to tackle clutter, understand the emotional side of ‘stuff,’ and learn how organization supports mental well-being. The Clutter Doctor was one of the first businesses of its kind in Western Mass.

 

Food Fest West

Nov. 13: The West of the River Chamber of Commerce announced the return of Food Fest West, a community culinary celebration, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Crestview Country Club in Agawam. This event showcases the region’s eateries, offering guests the opportunity to sample a wide variety of delicious dishes and vote for their favorite restaurant of the night. From savory bites to sweet treats, attendees will experience the best of Western Mass. cuisine, all under one roof. In addition to food, guests will enjoy a fun-filled evening featuring a silent auction, raffles, photo booth, and cash bar. It’s an ideal way to connect with friends, colleagues, and community members while supporting local businesses and restaurants. Tickets are available through the West of the River Chamber of Commerce. For tickets, restaurant participation, or sponsorship opportunities, visit www.westoftheriverchamber.com.

 

Women of Impact

Dec. 9: BusinessWest will celebrate its eighth annual Women of Impact cohort at Twin Hills Country Club in Longmeadow. Tickets cost $95 per person, and tables of 10 are available. To purchase tickets, visit www.businesswest.com/eventcalendar/womenof-impact-2025. The class of 2025, featured in this issue and at businesswest.com, includes Tara Brewster, vice president of Business Development and Director of Philanthropy at Greenfield Savings Bank; Tracy Friedenberg, executive director of Bacon Wilson, P.C.; Chelsea Kline, executive director of Cancer Connection; Ayanna Crawford, president of AC Consulting and Media Services; Rania Kfuri, vice president for Philanthropy, Sales, and Marketing at Glenmeadow; Angelina Ramirez, CEO of Stavros Center for Independent Living; Amanda Sanderson, executive director of Resilience Center of Franklin County; and Sarah Rose Stack, lecturer of Public Relations at UMass Amherst. The presenting sponsors are Country Bank and TommyCar Auto Group, and the partner sponsor is Bacon Wilson, P.C.

People on the Move

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People on the Move
Michael Dodge

Michael Dodge

Michael Eriquezzo

Michael Eriquezzo

American International College (AIC) promoted Michael Dodge to provost and Michael Eriquezzo to vice president for Marketing and Communications. Dodge earned a doctor of education degree in education policy and leadership – higher education from UMass Amherst, an MBA from Eastern University, a master’s degree in student affairs in higher education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a bachelor’s degree in secondary education – English from SUNY Oswego. He previously served as executive vice president of Academic Affairs and Student Life. In his expanded role, Dodge will continue to oversee academic affairs, student life, grants, and institutional effectiveness, while also assuming responsibility for campus police operations. Eriquezzo, a graduate of the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst with a bachelor’s degree in marketing, has led AIC’s marketing team since 2020. Under his leadership, the department has expanded its community presence, launched strategic campaigns, and elevated the college’s brand locally and regionally.

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John Cook

John Cook

In an email to employees and colleagues, Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) President John Cook announced that he will step down next summer, marking 10 years of leadership during a dynamic time in higher education. Cook joined STCC as its sixth president in 2016. Cook has guided the college through a time of significant transformation, including navigation of the COVID-19 pandemic. His tenure has seen the largest reserve funds in college history, and STCC has stewarded more than $100 million in capital projects and infrastructure investments, including the Richard E. Neal Cybersecurity Center of Excellence at Union Station in Springfield. Signature curricular innovation includes a novel health science degree with embedded certifications that enrolls more than 1,000 students, making it a model across the country. STCC also launched an accelerated nursing program as well as a STEM studies ‘meta major,’ welcomed Head Start to campus, developed non-credit water distribution and treatment trainings, and hosts the largest set of early college partnerships for high school students in Western Mass. STCC achieved reaccreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education in 2021 and launched “Momentum,” a new strategic plan, in 2023.

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Baystate Health announced the appointment of Michael Treash as president of Health New England, effective Oct. 6. He will report directly to Baystate Health President and CEO Peter Banko and serve as a member of the president’s council. Treash, a seasoned healthcare executive with more than three decades of leadership experience in provider-based health plans and health system integration, will oversee all operations of Health New England. His responsibilities will include strategic planning, sales, product development, actuarial services, provider relations and contracting, health services, and day-to-day operations. Treash most recently served as chief operating officer and senior vice president at Health Alliance Plan in Detroit, where he led operations, IT, PMO, supply chain, and data insights while developing and executing a multi-year data transformation strategy. His previous leadership roles include vice president of Enterprise Operations at Priority Health in Grand Rapids, Mich., interim CEO of Missouri Health Care Cooperative, chief operating officer of the Outsource Group, and executive vice president and chief operating officer at Mercy Health Plans in Chesterfield, Mo. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Western Michigan University and a master of public administration degree from Arizona State University.

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The board of directors of Big Y Foods Inc. announced leadership changes within its legal team. Michael Gold, senior vice president and chief legal officer, recently retired following more than 30 years of legal experience in both private practice and corporate counsel roles. During his 18-year tenure at Big Y, he played a pivotal role in guiding the company through significant legal and strategic milestones. Succeeding him, Big Y welcomed Richard Stamm as its new general counsel. In this role, he will be responsible for delivering legal advice and managing the legal affairs of the company across all aspects of the business, with an emphasis on strategic guidance and business counseling in the areas of compliance, commercial relationships, and corporate governance. Stamm brings more than 30 years of legal, business, and executive experience across a variety of industries and business structures. Prior to Big Y, he was immersed for 24 years within food/beverage and agriculture with Ocean Spray Cranberries, serving ultimately as its vice president, general counsel, and secretary and vice president of Cooperative Development. Most recently, he served as vice president of Operations, general counsel, and corporate secretary at Activ Surgical Inc., a med-tech, venture capital-backed, AI-focused startup. Stamm holds a bachelor’s degree in business economics from Brown University and a juris doctorate with highest honors from the University of Connecticut School of Law. He teaches an evening class each spring as an adjunct professor at UConn Law (“The In-house Counsel in a Global Market”) and is a frequent speaker on corporate governance and in-house legal strategy.

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Lianne Kudlate

Lianne Kudlate

MountainOne Insurance Agency announced the promotion of Lianne Kudlate to senior Personal Lines account manager, demonstrating the agency’s dedication to nurturing employee growth and recognizing internal talent. Senior Personal Lines account manager is a new, leadership-level role that recognizes team members who bring exceptional experience, knowledge, and client service to the agency. Kudlate is a respected expert in personal lines insurance, recognized for her deep knowledge of policies, endorsements, and coverage strategy. She stays current with industry trends, ensuring her clients receive the most relevant, effective, and up-to-date protection. Her experience and steady guidance have made her a go-to resource for both her clients and peers.

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Pittsfield Cooperative Bank recently announced the addition of Kaylin Choquette as vice president, mortgage loan officer. With more than 15 years of experience in the industry, Choquette brings extensive knowledge, dedication, and a proven track record of excellence to her new role. Throughout her career, Choquette has consistently helped clients navigate the home financing process with confidence and care. For the past three years, she has earned recognition as Berkshire County’s top mortgage originator, highlighting her commitment to delivering results and personalized service to every borrower. In her new position, Choquette will focus on helping homebuyers throughout the Berkshires achieve their financial goals by providing tailored mortgage solutions and guidance every step of the way. She actively volunteers in the community, including working with the Berkshire County Board of Realtors and the Westside Legends in Pittsfield to support and promote homeownership locally. Pittsfield Cooperative Bank also announced the appointment of Christoper Becker as vice president, branch manager of its Great Barrington office. He has more than three decades of insurance and banking experience, bringing a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and community commitment to the role. Since beginning a career in financial services in 1991, Becker has held a variety of leadership positions across retail banking, customer service, and branch operations. He is known for his dedication to relationship banking and team development, earning a strong reputation for helping customers achieve financial success while guiding employees toward professional growth. In his new role, Becker will oversee branch operations, lead business development initiatives, and ensure exceptional customer experience for both personal and business banking clients. He is also committed to giving back to his community through seminars and workshops.

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Command Wealth Management announced the addition of two new professionals to its growing team: Tiffany Lyman as Client Relations manager and Cristina Tatlock as Client Experience and Marketing specialist. These appointments highlight the firm’s continued commitment to providing exceptional service and building meaningful client relationships. Lyman brings more than 20 years of client service experience to her new role, including the past four years dedicated to financial services. A UMass graduate with a bachelor’s degree in hospitality and tourism management, she is known for her ability to create strong connections and deliver personalized support. Her combined background in hospitality and finance equips her to anticipate client needs and provide a seamless, thoughtful experience. Tatlock joins Command Wealth Management following a 21-year career as a science educator. She holds both bachelor’s and a master’s degrees in education with a focus in general science. Her communication skills, attention to detail, and genuine care for others make her a natural fit for her role supporting client experience and marketing initiatives. Her transition into wealth management reflects her desire to continue making a difference through the lens of financial well-being.

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Vanessa Smith

Vanessa Smith

Vanessa Smith, former chief legal officer for Baystate Health, has been named the new chair of the Holyoke Community College board of trustees. Smith has served on the HCC board since 2021. She was recently reappointed by Gov. Maura Healey to a five-year term and also designated as the permanent chair. She has been serving as interim chair since former chair Robert Gilbert stepped down in November 2023. Her term runs until March 1, 2030. Smith is a lawyer with more than 35 years of legal experience. Until March, she had served as the chief legal officer for Baystate Health in Springfield for nine years. Before that, she was a partner in the Springfield law firm Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas. She started her career in Upstate New York, where she worked as a judicial law clerk and an assistant attorney general. She is a graduate of Syracuse University College of Law and holds a bachelor’s degree in French language and literature from Wells College. Over the years, her volunteer work has included serving on the boards of Friends of the Homeless, the Center for Human Development, and the Springfield Public Forum.

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The board of directors of Sunshine Village announced the upcoming retirement of Gina Kos, the organization’s longtime president and CEO, after more than three decades of leadership. Kos will step down at the end of April 2026, marking the conclusion of an era of growth, innovation, and service to individuals with developmental disabilities throughout Western Mass. Kos joined Sunshine Village in 1991 as director of Marketing and Development and, after being appointed president and CEO in 1997, guided the organization through a period of transformation. Under her leadership, Sunshine Village grew from a $6 million agency to a $17 million, nationally accredited nonprofit. Amid the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, she successfully led the organization through a safe closure and phased reopening, rebuilding services and programs to meet the evolving needs of clients and families. In addition to her work at Sunshine Village, Kos has been deeply committed to strengthening the broader community. She has served in leadership roles on numerous boards and civic organizations, including MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board, Human Service Forum, Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce, the Westfield State University board of trustees, and the Elms College board of trustees. Her extensive volunteer work and community leadership have earned her multiple honors, including recognition as one of BusinessWest’s inaugural Women of Impact in 2018, a Paul Harris honor from the Chicopee Rotary Club, and the St. Joseph Medal – Distinguished Alumni Award from Cathedral High School.

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Bay Path University announced that the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board have awarded Marie Meckel, assistant professor in Physician Assistant Studies, a Fulbright Specialist Grant. With this award, Meckel is partnering with the Wa West District Health Administration, Ghana Health Service, to launch a cervical cancer screening and prevention initiative. The project is designed to exchange knowledge, foster partnerships, and expand access to preventive healthcare in underserved communities. Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in low-resource settings, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. To address this urgent need, Meckel’s two-week project features four community outreach events offering free cervical cancer screenings, HPV vaccinations, and health education to women in remote villages. Meckel joins more than 400 U.S. citizens each year who share expertise with host institutions abroad through the Fulbright Specialist Program. Specialists are selected for their academic and professional accomplishments, leadership in their fields, and potential to build lasting international collaborations.

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Christopher Marsh

Christopher Marsh

Christopher Pentedemos

Christopher Pentedemos

Michael Ramian

Michael Ramian

Advantage Truck Group (ATG) announced three key promotions in its senior leadership team, promoting Christopher Marsh to executive vice president of Network Truck Sales, Christopher Pentedemos to executive vice president of Network Service Operations, and Michael Ramian to executive vice president of Parts Operations. Marsh will lead strategy and management of sales operations across ATG’s eight locations. He has nearly 15 years of experience in truck sales, joining ATG (formerly Tri State Truck Center) in 2011 as sales account executive and progressing to Truck Sales manager and vice president of Network Truck Sales. During this time, he increased ATG’s business with municipalities, growing existing accounts, and expanding its customer base. In 2017, Marsh completed the American Truck Dealers Academy, an intensive leadership and business training program for current and future commercial truck dealership leaders. He currently serves on the Daimler Truck Financial Dealer Council. Pentedemos is responsible for the overall management, operational efficiency, and customer experience at each service department across the ATG network. He joined ATG (formerly Tri State Truck Center) in 2005 as a bus parts expert and was an Employee of the Year Award recipient. He was promoted to Outside Parts Sales manager, where he was instrumental in building the Thomas Built Bus business, and later progressed to service manager, service director, and vice president of Network Operations. Pentedemos also championed the creation of an onsite training facility at ATG Shrewsbury to further the education and professional development of the organization’s diesel technicians. Ramian will oversee all aspects of ATG’s parts operations. In his previous role as Parts director, he led parts sales and support for the ATG dealer network, where he grew ATG’s Parts department and its onsite delivery service, establishing the company as the top parts provider in New England. He started his career with ATG (formerly Tri State Truck Center) in 2006 as a Parts counter associate and progressed to assistant Parts manager, Parts manager, and Parts director. Ramian is a recipient of the 2011 ATG Employee of the Year Award and also the 2022 Patriot Award from the Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve, an organization affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense.

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MassDevelopment announced that Kathleen McGilvray will join the agency later this month as executive vice president of Finance Programs. In this role, McGilvray will oversee MassDevelopment’s Finance Programs division — which includes investment banking, lending, growth capital, and green finance programs — and serve as a member of the agency’s executive team helping align its financing solutions with statewide economic development priorities. McGilvray comes to MassDevelopment from Opportunity Communities (OppCo), an organization working to strengthen the capacity of community development corporations, where she has served as CEO since 2023. Prior to that, she worked at Massachusetts Housing Investment Corp. from 2003 to 2023 in numerous roles, including director of Investment. She holds a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and a bachelor’s degree in economics and American studies from Tufts University.

Company Notebook

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Company Notebook

The Big E Welcomes 1.5 Million Visitors in 2025

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Eastern States Exposition (ESE) welcomed 1,538,463 visitors to the 2025 Big E, held Sept. 12-28 in West Springfield. Guests came from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, along with international travelers from Canada, Mexico, England, and Ireland. The fair saw participants and competitive exhibitors from 26 states and two Canadian provinces, reinforcing ESE’s position as the premiere agricultural showcase in the Northeast. In addition to the long stretch of fair weather, a diverse entertainment lineup, fair foods, rides, and unique shopping experiences all worked in unison to fuel the experience for patrons. Gene Cassidy, president and CEO of Eastern States Exposition, noted that the ESE generates $1.2 billion in the local economy, mostly due to the Big E. The fair supports more than 8,000 jobs and produces $440 million in personal income each year.

 

Spruce Law to Purchase the Royal Law Firm

SPRINGFIELD — Amy Royal, founder and CEO of the Royal Law Firm, announced that she is selling the firm to Patrick Parker, owner and managing partner of Spruce Law. Going forward, the combined firm will be known as Royal Parker Spruce. Spruce Law is an Andover-based employment law firm. Parker is licensed in Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut. He has extensive legal experience, having clerked for both state appellate and federal courts, practiced at the global law firm Clifford Chance, and served in-house at Merrill Lynch and UBS. He has a law degree from Northeastern University School of Law and an MBA from MIT’s Sloan School of Management.

 

Visual Sound Productions Opens New Headquarters

SPRINGFIELD — On Oct. 2, the time came for for a historic building — which was once a church, a sign shop, and a nonprofit before being vacant for many years — to open its doors. Nicole Nell, president of Visual Sound Productions Inc. (VSP), purchased 130 Union St. in Springfield a few years ago and has transformed the long-abandoned building into the headquarters of her award-winning, multi-operational production company. The location was chosen by Nell for multiple reasons, including close proximity to large venues such as the MassMutual Center and MGM Springfield, easy access to the highway as VSP continues to serve clients up and down the East Coast from New England to Florida, and, equally high on the list of reasons, her passion for Springfield, where she was born and raised.

 

Holyoke Gas & Electric Named Utility of the Year

BOSTON — Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia was named Mayor of the Year on Oct. 3 by the Northeast Renewable Energy Coalition at the organization’s annual awards gala at Liberty Hotel in Boston. Garcia was recognized for his leadership in advancing clean energy initiatives in Holyoke and for positioning the city to be a hub for sustainable innovation. Holyoke Gas & Electric (HG&E) also won top honors at the gala, receiving the Utility of the Year award for its role in attracting clean tech industries to the city. Northeast Renewable Energy Coalition Executive Director Kristin Rode cited HG&E’s success at providing reliable, low-cost electricity sourced from the Connecticut River to serve energy-intensive industries seeking clean, green, inexpensive power.

 

Bay Path University Launches Bay Path Online

LONGMEADOW — Building on more than a decade of innovation in online education, Bay Path University has launched Bay Path Online, expanding online undergraduate degree programs to both men and women. For more than 10 years, Bay Path’s online undergraduate program, the American Women’s College (TAWC), exclusively served adult women. In contrast, Cambridge College’s online program, Cambridge College Global, was open to both men and women. Following Bay Path’s acquisition of Cambridge College in June 2024, the two programs were integrated to form Bay Path Online, marking a new chapter in the university’s online undergraduate offerings. With more than 25 online, accelerated, career-focused programs, Bay Path Online offers self-paced courses in seven-week terms, with the flexibility learners need to balance school, work, family, and other responsibilities, while also providing proactive student support in areas such as academic advising, career planning, financial aid, and mental health counseling services.

 

Spectrum Announces Investment in Fiber Broadband Network

WILBRAHAM — On Oct. 7, Charter (Spectrum) announced a nearly $50 million private investment in Massachusetts, as part of its ongoing, company-wide network evolution project. This major initiative will further enhance Spectrum’s internet services, delivering faster speeds and improved reliability for Spectrum customers across the Commonwealth. The project has been underway in Massachusetts for much of 2025, and the company expects the upgrades will be substantially complete in Massachusetts by the end 2025. Spectrum’s investment will enable the delivery of symmetrical gigabit and multi-gigabit speeds to customers in communities throughout Massachusetts, including Belchertown, Brimfield, Chicopee, Easthampton, East Longmeadow, Hadley, Hampden, Ludlow, Southampton, Wales, and Wilbraham.

 

Happier Valley Comedy Opens Dream Theater

HADLEY — Happier Valley Comedy (HVC), the only improv comedy theater in Western Mass., celebrated the grand opening of its new Dream Theater on Oct. 25. The new theater features a fully accessible stage, expanded installed theater seating, and a more professional improv stage. The new expansion is connected to Happier Valley Comedy’s existing space at 1 Mill Valley Road in Hadley. HVC worked with general contractors at Integrity Development and Construction of Amherst and architect Tom Douglas of Thomas Douglas Architects of Northampton. The grand opening event featured performances from HVC mainstage casts with musical improv, theatrical longform improv, and true storytelling. Proceeds from ticket sales contributed to the sustainable continuation of the Equity Fund, which supports BIPOC participation in HVC programming and phase two of the Dream Theater project, including more accessible seating, enhanced theatrical lighting and audio systems for a supported visual and auditory experience, and a lobby space.

 

Ohana Clubhouse Opens New Indoor Play Oasis

CHICOPEE — Ohana Clubhouse, a vibrant and imaginative new indoor play facility, hosted a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 18 at its newly renovated location at 43 Sheridan St., Chicopee. Ohana Clubhouse is more than just a playground; it’s a miniature town built for big imaginations. Children can step into the spotlight at the Palace Theater, race to the rescue from Station 17 Fire House, refuel their adventures at Grayson’s Gas, or engage in pretend play at Memere’s Market. For the littlest visitors, a dedicated and safe infant playhouse offers a gentle space for discovery. Recognizing the needs of parents, the clubhouse also features a comfortable Parent Patio, a designated area where caregivers can relax and socialize while maintaining a clear view of their children at play. A Quiet Corner provides a peaceful nook for reading and moments of calm.

 

Jerome’s Party Plus to Close After 40 Years

WESTFIELD — After four decades of dedicated service to the community, Jerome’s Party Plus, a fixture in the party rental industry, will close its doors on Oct. 31. The decision to close has been made with a heavy heart, reflecting on the cherished relationships and memories built over the years. Founded in 1985, Jerome’s Party Plus has been honored to serve a long list of loyal customers throughout the local region, from intimate gatherings, weddings, and fundraising events to college graduations, fairs, and festivals. The company has prided itself on fostering personal handshake relationships, ensuring each client, regardless of size, received the highest level of service and care. Jerome’s Party Plus will continue to operate as usual until the closing date, providing services and support to its customers throughout the local region. The company will have an online auction to liquidate its extensive inventory in early December.

 

1Berkshire Announces Winners of 2025 Trendsetter Awards

PITTSFIELD — 1Berkshire hosted its signature Celebrate the Berkshires event on Sept. 18 at the Linde Center at Tanglewood. More than 225 people were present as 1Berkshire honored the Norman Rockwell Museum for Putting the Berkshires on the Map and presented six other Berkshire Trendsetter Awards, which recognize businesses, organizations, and individuals whose outstanding achievements and commitment have strengthened the economy and helped the Berkshires grow. Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center took home the award in the Driving Visitor Engagement (Fueling Tourism to Power the Berkshires) category. Kristy Edmunds of MASS MoCA was named the Visionary of the Year (Innovation & Fortitude in Action). The Nonprofit Collaborator (Building Bridges to Move Mountains) award was presented to Zion Lutheran Church. Brett Random received the Under 40 Change-Maker (Shaping the Berkshires’ Future) award. The Breaking the Mold (Reimagining Achievement) award was given to Roots & Dreams and Mustard Seeds. The Advancing the Berkshire Economy (Innovating for a Stronger Region) award was presented to Electro Magnetic Applications Inc. Closing out the evening, the Norman Rockwell Museum was recognized as the special honoree for Putting the Berkshires on the Map in recognition of its strong foothold in the Berkshire tourism and creative economy clusters. From its home in Stockbridge, the museum has welcomed more than 6.7 million visitors and brought travelers from across the globe to experience the Berkshires.

 

Tilted Orbit Arcade Joins the Mill District’s Offerings

NORTH AMHERST — The Mill District, a regional destination known for its blend of food, fashion, and fun, announced the upcoming addition of Tilted Orbit Arcade in the historic, 4,600-square-foot Cow Barn at 113 Cowls Road. Tilted Orbit Arcade is envisioned as a community gathering space built on a foundation of play and connection. The venue will offer a curated selection of classic pinball and arcade games and a golf simulator. The space will also have a variety of snacks and foods to keep game playing energy up, as well as a selection of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The proprietor, Amy McDonough, is a long-time member of the local pinball community and the founder of the Northampton Belles and Chimes pinball team. She plans to donate beverage deposits to a local charity with whom Tilted Orbit will form a long-standing promotional relationship. The venue is expected to open in the spring of 2026.

 

Greenfield Truck and Equipment Joins Bobcat Dealer Network

GREENFIELD — Bobcat Company announced Greenfield Truck and Equipment has joined its dealer network as the newest authorized grounds maintenance equipment dealer. Located on a two-acre site at a former auto dealership, Greenfield Truck and Equipment now offers Bobcat products — including compact tractors, zero-turn mowers, utility vehicles, attachments, and more — supported by experienced sales and service teams, as well as parts, rentals, pickup, and delivery. Serving Western Mass. and nearby Vermont and New Hampshire, Greenfield Truck and Equipment, located at 39 Beacon St. in Greenfield, features a 22,500-square-foot retail showroom, full-service repair bays, and dedicated parts and rental centers. In addition to Bobcat products, the dealership carries new and pre-owned turf equipment, plows, and power equipment, as well as offering services such as chainsaw and lawnmower blade sharpening.

 

MassMutual Federal Credit Union Volunteers for Live Mutual Week

SPRINGFIELD — MassMutual Federal Credit Union (MMFCU) recently participated in MassMutual’s Live Mutual week, dedicating time to volunteer and give back to the community. Throughout the week, MMFCU staff came together to make meaningful contributions by partnering with several local organizations. MMFCU employees volunteered their time and energy at the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, where they helped sort, pack, and distribute 3,460 pounds of food to those facing food insecurity in the region. Additionally, staff collaborated with both the Dakin Humane Society and the Connecticut Humane Society, supporting their efforts to protect and care for animals. Volunteers rolled up their sleeves to assist with facility upkeep and created enrichment packages for the animals, positively impacting the lives of countless pets and their future families.

 

Monson Savings Opens Voting for Community Giving Initiative

MONSON — With the season of giving right around the corner, Monson Savings Bank (MSB) is inviting the public to submit their votes for the bank’s 2026 Community Giving Initiative. For more than a decade, Monson Savings Bank has been seeking the help of community members to plan the bank’s community giving activities. Each year, the bank encourages the public to vote for the nonprofit charitable organizations they would like MSB to support during the coming year. Everyone is welcome to cast their vote online at www.monsonsavings.bank/cgi. Voting ends at 3 p.m. on Dec. 31. Voters may provide the name of one nonprofit organization they would like the bank to donate to in 2026. The only requirements are that the organization be designated a nonprofit and provide services within MSB’s geography. The bank allows each person to vote once and pledges to support the 10 organizations that receive the highest number of votes. The top 10 vote recipients will be announced by mid-January.

 

Agreement Allows HCC, STCC Students to Live on Elms Campus

CHICOPEE — Elms College is entering into a new agreement with Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) and Holyoke Community College (HCC) that will allow students of those two community colleges to reside in residence halls at Elms. The presidents of the three colleges, Harry Dumay of Elms, George Timmons of HCC, and John Cook of STCC, ratified the shared student agreement in a signing ceremony on Oct. 8. Elms has existing articulation agreements with HCC and STCC, under which students who satisfactorily complete an associate degree program at either community college are guaranteed admission into a bachelor’s degree program at Elms. This agreement, however, is the first time Elms has opened its residence halls to students enrolled in another school. HCC and STCC students, under the agreement, are allowed to live in Elms residence halls during the school year and will pay for room and board. They are required to sign up for a campus meal plan and pay for an annual campus parking permit if they intend to bring a car on campus. Participating HCC and STCC students will be eligible to use the campus library and fitness center, participate in some student activities, and have access to campus amenities and services, including laundry facilities, WiFi, health services, and public safety, at no additional cost. The agreement is in place through June 30, 2026, but may be renewed each year if the three parties agree.

 

Hogan Technology Honored at Clearfly Summit

EASTHAMPTON — Hogan Technology announced that the company qualified for the Clearfly Summit, held this month in Santa Barbara, Calif., as one of Clearfly Communications’ top 25 partners nationwide. The Clearfly Summit is an exclusive, annual event hosted by Clearfly Communications, a leader in voice services and unified billing solutions. The summit brings together top partners for networking, strategy sessions, and recognition of outstanding performance in the communications industry. Adding to the celebration, Hogan Technology’s own Autumn Leshinski was awarded the Clearfly Cup Orders Award, one of the event’s most coveted honors. This award recognizes the partner who works most effectively with Clearfly’s orders department, demonstrating exceptional follow-through, management, and cooperation.

 

Excel Dryer Earns Award for Integrated Sink System

EAST LONGMEADOW — Excel Dryer Inc., inventor of the touchless, high-speed XLERATOR hand dryer, announced that its D|13 integrated sink system featuring the XLERATORsync hand dryer has been honored with a 2024 GOOD DESIGN Award by the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and the European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies. Founded by designers and known for crafting high-end commercial restroom fixtures in close collaboration with architects, engineers and clients, D|13 Group partnered with Excel Dryer to bring the award-winning system to life. The D|13 integrated sink system integrates high-efficiency fixtures that wash, rinse, and dry on the sink deck, eliminating water from restroom floors and providing a touchless, hygienic user experience. With customizable finishes, shapes, and dimensions, the system can be tailored to complement the design and aesthetic of any facility, making it a premier choice for high-end establishments and sustainable commercial restrooms.

 

North Brookfield Savings Bank Completes School Supply Drive

NORTH BROOKFIELD — North Brookfield Savings Bank (NBSB) announced the success of its annual Back to School Supply Drive. This initiative reflects the bank’s ongoing commitment to supporting the communities it serves by ensuring local students have the essential tools for a successful academic year. NBSB expresses heartfelt gratitude to community members, employees, and neighbors for their generosity. Thanks to these contributions, the bank successfully collected 852 school supply items and more than $700 in monetary contributions. The bank partnered with Old Mill Pond School, West Brookfield Elementary School, North Brookfield Elementary School, East Brookfield Elementary School, Warren Community Elementary School, Brookfield Elementary School, Cold Spring School, and Stanley M. Koziol Elementary School through its Back to School Supply Drive.

 

Applied Mortgage Team at HMA Mortgage Gives Back

NORTHAMPTON — The Applied Mortgage Team, a branch of HMA Mortgage, announced its participation in HMA Volunteer Day, a company-wide initiative dedicated to strengthening communities through service. On Oct. 2, the local team joined Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity for a build day in Greenfield. As a family-legacy mortgage provider since the 1980s, the Applied Mortgage Team has long valued community partnerships and believes in the power of neighbors working together to create positive change. Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity relies on volunteers for 90% of the work it takes to build each home.

Incorporations

By
Incorporations

The following business incorporations were recorded in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties and are the latest available. They are listed by community.

AMHERST

Launch Foundation Inc., 417 West St., Suite 103, Amherst, MA 01002. Brendan O’Neil, same. Charitable organization providing financial support by making distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c).

Metabone Inc., 144 Leverett Road, Amherst, MA 01002. Patrick Ryan, same. Phenotypic assays for disease modeling, drug screening, and toxicity assessment.

CHICOPEE

Little Extras Handyman Services Inc., 100 Monroe St., Chicopee, MA 01020. PJ Lupien, same. Handyman and repair services.

Luxe Glow Aesthetics Inc., 18 Beech St., Chicopee, MA 01020. Dasha Banar, same. Beauty bar.

DALTON

J&C Landscaping and Excavation Inc., 66 Elaine Ave., Dalton, MA 01226. Jason Squires, same. Landscaping and excavation services.

Revolution IT Inc., 401 South St., Suite 3, Dalton, MA 01226. Scott Kirchner, same. Information technology services.

EAST LONGMEADOW

Embracing Life’s Potential Inc., 55 Deer Park Dr., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Sarah Gale, 139 Millbrook Dr., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Nonprofit organizations providing educational activities to support the rehabilitation and education of children and adults with autism.

Luca Logistics Inc., 118 South Brook Road, East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Adrian Luca, same. Long-distance transportation.

FEEDING HILLS

Sun Bodywork Inc., 1226 Springfield St., Feeding Hills, MA 01030. Packy Tifft, same. Skincare spa service.

FLORENCE

Noah A. Goldberg Consulting Inc., 63 Florence Road, Florence, MA 01062. Noah Goldberg, same. Life coaching, somatic (body-focused) practice skills, resources, and education, one-on-one and in groups.

GRANVILLE

New England Solutions Group Inc., 7 Crest Lane, Granville, MA 01034. Raymond Goyette, same. Manufacturer’s representative agency.

GREAT BARRINGTON

Beckwith Barrow Ltd., 70 Railroad St., Suite 3, Great Barrington, MA 01230. Ardis Barrow, same. Interior design.

HAMPDEN

Scantic River Artisans Corp., 218 Somers Road, Hampden, MA 01036. Laura Salerno, 299 Wilbraham Road, Hampden, MA 01036. Nonprofit organization for the advancement of the arts by means of exhibitions, workshops, and other activities, and for the development of friendly exchanges among artists and anyone interested in the arts.

HOLYOKE

JP Tax and Accounting Inc., 30 Clark St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Joshua Pueschel, same. Accounting services.

INDIAN ORCHARD

Boundless w/Kim Inc., 32 Berkshire St., Indian Orchard, MA 01151. Kimberly Quinonez, same. Nonprofit entity dedicated to providing outpatient counseling services to individuals experiencing mental health challenges, including but not limited to depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance use.

 

Motivated By Faith Deliverance Ministries Inc., 32 Berkshire St., Indian Orchard, MA 01151. Roberto Quinonez, same. Nonprofit organization providing spiritual, emotional, and practical support to individuals in need through faith-based outreach programs, housing assistance, medical support, recreational initiatives, re-entry programs, and other community services aimed at holistic transformation.

NORTHAMPTON

Davey Consulting Inc., 217 Cardinal Way, Northampton, MA 01062. John Davey III, same. Software development.

Grandemar Hospitality Inc., 23 Main St., Northampton, MA 01060. James Casagrande, same. Restaurant.

PITTSFIELD

Bellari Corp., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Alexa Pentas, same. Business consultant.

CSI of Suffolk Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Christopher Schepis, 271 Lake Ave., St James, NY 11787. Insurance agency.

Fitch Consulting and Creative Co., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Calvin Fitch, same. The purpose of this organization includes, but is not limited to, provision of psychological services.

Futureguard Building Products Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Donald Buteau, same. Direct sales and service provider of retractable patio awnings, porch enclosure systems, fixed window and door canopies, as well as other shade solutions for homes and businesses.

International Actions for Sustainable Development Inc., 82 Wendell Ave. Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Etsri Eklou-Takpani, 14 Buswell St., Boston, MA 02215. The purpose of this organization includes, but is not limited to, supporting local governments and small and medium-sized enterprises in developing economies to create conditions for sustainable and inclusive growth; conducting institutional diagnostics, strategic planning, and implementing organizational actions to promote sustainable development; facilitating access to financing, including impact investment, to support projects that address climate change, social equity, and economic growth; promoting education and leadership for the success of sustainable development initiatives; and creating partnerships and collaborations with stakeholders across sectors to foster a more equitable, prosperous, and resilient future for people and the planet.

Prime Capital Realty Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Brandon Broussard, 6 Autumn Lane, Randolph, MA 02368. Real estate brokerage.

Sketchygoichie Draw Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Roger Andrews, 36 Jennings Way, Westport, MA 02790. Nonprofit organization organized exclusively for the purpose of art education.

SSM Concept Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Seyhan Tulum, same. Construction and building materials trade.

SOUTH HADLEY

ABC/Package Express Inc., 21 Industrial Dr., South Hadley, MA 01075. Kaitlyn Sherry, same. Delivery and storage.

Share Resources, Inc., 2 Frederick Place, South Hadley, MA 01075. Jennifer Carris Swetland, same. Provides services and resources to improve outcomes for families and children, including, but not limited to, supervised visitation, individual and family therapy, mediation, and support.

SPRINGFIELD

Alice F. Dixon’s Haven House for Women Inc., 1690 Boston Road, #1013, Springfield, MA 01129. Leroy Dixon, 111 Dayton St., Springfield, MA 01118. Women’s shelter program that provides temporary housing, counseling, and case management services.

Boudreau’s Services Inc., 359 Page Blvd., Springfield, MA 01104. Andrew Santos, same. Commercial and non-commercial vehicle inspection, repair, and sales.

EJ Transport Inc., 137 Woodlawn St., Springfield, MA 01108. Fernando Sosa Arias, same. Transportation services.

Envy Nails Spa Corp., 1777 Boston Road, Springfield, MA 01129. Kathy Mai, 113 State St., Apt. 5, Ludlow, MA 01056. Nail salon.

Evalon Inc., 20 Maple St., Springfield, MA 01103. Aarib Nawaz, same. E-commerce and telecommunication agency; authorized dealer of AT&T, Spectrum, etc.

Karsev Inc., 1350 Allen St., Springfield, MA 01118. Murat Karaarslan, 120 Oak Lane, Feeding Hills, MA 01030. Pizza restaurant.

Rosaly Cleaning Services Inc., 14 Bernard St., Springfield, MA 01109. Rosaly Gonzalez, same. Cleaning services.

Springfield Sky Athletic Club Inc., 11 Holly Hill Road, Springfield, MA 01119. Tierra Downie, same. Charitable organization that aims to increase the participation of youth in sports, mentoring, and fitness programs, particularly basketball, globally, through such activities as providing clinics, camps, health education, competition play, and to teach the fundamentals; improvement of athletic courts and facilities and providing sports equipment; and providing opportunities for youth to engage in the pursuit of team sports.

WARE

Folta Enterprises Inc., 198 Osborne Road, Ware, MA 01082. Paul Folta Jr., same. Property maintenance.

WESTFIELD

Healthcare Transportation Inc., 11 Howard St., Westfield, MA 01085. Atash Novruzov, same. Transportation of patients to and from medical appointments.

L&J Food Corp., 358 Southwick Road, #2, Westfield, MA 01085. Lovepreet Singh, 90 Sherwood Dr., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Pizza parlor.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Hoops of Honor Inc., 900 Riverdale St., Suite 199, West Springfield, MA 01089. David Torres Jr., same. Membership-based youth sports organization.

Lepine Home Care Inc., 148 Dorwin Dr., West Springfield, MA 01089. Ashley Lepine, same. Non-medical home care and case management/advocacy services to clients in their homes, assisting clients with daily living activities, including, but not limited to, personal care assistance, meal preparation, light housekeeping, companionship, and transportation.

Martone Restaurant Investment Inc., 98 Rogers Ave., West Springfield, MA 01089. Anthony Martone, same. Restaurant business to own, lease, or license facilities for one or more restaurants; operate restaurants, dining rooms, dinettes, coffee and dairy bars, and other places and facilities for purveying food, drink, and refreshment; and obtain and do business under one or more alcoholic beverage licenses, under due public authority and in conformance with law and regulations.

WILBRAHAM

Samantha Nowak Inc., 51 Glenn Dr., Wilbraham, MA 01095. Samantha Nowak, same. Financial services.

Doing Business as Certificates

By
DBA Certificates

The following business certificates and/or trade names were issued or renewed during the months of September and October 2025.

AMHERST

Creating Joyful Spaces
36 Valley View Circle
Allegra Haupt

In the Valley Orthodontics
196 North Pleasant St.
Rigali & Walder Orthodontics, P.C.

Karen’s Hair Design
29A Montague Road
Karen Alvarado

The Nathan Agencies
20 Gatehouse Road
Ronald Nathan

Rigali, Walder & Haughey Orthodontics
196 North Pleasant St.
Rigali & Walder Orthodontics, P.C.

Sweet Little Farm
260 Leverett Road
Mary O’Brien, Kevin O’Brien

BELCHERTOWN

Sir Barks-A-Lot Homemade Dog Treats
162 Barton Ave.
Suzanne Shaw

Swift River Tree & Landscape
293 North Liberty St., #2
Jeff Hatfield

HOLYOKE

Como en la Isla
214 Elm St.
Francisco Velez Vega

Franco Family Catering Services
112 High St.
Beatrice Baro Franco

A Good Mix Mobile Bar Service
355 High St.
Nicole Rodriguez

JXC
15 Lemay Dr.
Josue Colon

Marilunna Design
56 Adams St.
Marilu Medina-Cirilo

One Stop Liquor Store
161-165 Suffolk St.
Mita Patel

RBW Painting
50 Sycamore St.
Bruce White

Rosi’s Cleaning Service
25 Mount Tom Ave.
Rosa Zumba

Suffolk Tailors
358 High St.
Irma Gourde, Gladys Guyott

Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance Inc.
15 Holyoke St.
Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance Inc.

NORTHAMPTON

Dan Gough Painting
2 Conz St., #67
Daniel McGough

Davis & Daughters Consulting
69 Fox Farms Road
Emily Slotnick Davis

Familiars Coffee & Tea
6 Strong Ave.
Isaac Weiner

Hampshire House Publishing Co.
8 Nonotuck St.
O. Stan Freeman

Heavenly Nails & Spa
90 King St.
Rosio Yunga

Tarot with Myk
53 Center St.
Michael Freedman

Taylor Precision Builders
25 Edwards Square
Sam Taylor

Trait Mark
568 Burts Pit Road
Natalie Georges

SOUTHWICK

Chetcorp
8 Concord Road
Chester Sulborski

Lakewood Village Apartments
160 Point Grove Road
Lakewood Village LLC

The Launch
81 Point Grove Road
Jessica Robling

WESTFIELD

Andy’s Handyman Services
20 Jaeger Dr.
Andrew Brown

Cam’s Coffee
52 Pleasant St.
Cameron DiSanto

Columbia Manufacturing Inc.
101 South Meadow Road
Quadrant Holdings

Dan’s Tile
359 Holyoke Road
Daniel Shokov

DeGrange Electric
12 Park St.
Steven DeGrange

Didibhani Collections
71 Tannery Road
Narbada Siwa

Durkee Wealth Management
89 South Maple St.
Dacota Durkee

Elluminara
16 Union Ave.
Patricia Loehn-Beach

Friendly’s Café
291 East Main St.
Om Aadi Restaurant Westfield LLC

Priority Skin Boutique
38 School St.
Cassandra St. Jean

Sacred Embers Healing Arts
19 Meadowbrook Lane
Jaime Dubois

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Fathers & Sons Volkswagen
434 Memorial Ave.
Fathers & Sons Inc.

Gramma-Gans
126 Squassick Road
Gramma-Gans

Homewatch Caregivers
425 Union St.
Homewatch Caregivers

Istanbul Supermarket
312 Memorial Ave.
Istanbul Supermarket LLC

Nutmeg International Trucks LLC
268 Park St.
Nutmeg International Trucks LLC

Serene Salon & Spa LLC
82 Elm St.
Serene Salon & Spa LLC

Thai Shallot
2260 Westfield St.
Thai Shallot

Bankruptcies

By
Bankruptcies

The following bankruptcy petitions were recently filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Readers should confirm all information with the court.

Asante, Ezeal Kofi Uchenna
a/k/a Uchenna, Asante
70 Pinevale St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Date: 09/22/2025

Capitanio, Alyssa
1017 North St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Date: 09/25/2025

Christy, Natasha I.
67 Marmon St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 13
Date: 09/29/2025

Cotte, Lewen J.
44 Pascal Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Date: 09/26/2025

Dashnaw, Lisa M.
a/k/a Kibe, Lisa
a/k/a Murray, Lisa
55 Hillside Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 13
Date: 09/30/2025

Dremlyuga, Kori-Lin A.
a/k/a Torres, Kori Lin
191 Plumtree Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Chapter: 7
Date: 09/30/2025

Espinal, Luis M.
Valentin, Margaret Y.
51 Chapin Ter.
Springfield, MA 01107
Date: 09/19/2025

Fitzgerald Dance & Fitness
Fitzgerald, Joshua J.
Fitzgerald, Julie Marie
81 Warren Road
Brimfield, MA 01010-9755
Chapter: 13
Date: 09/30/2025

Fitzgerald, Martin P.
Fitzgerald, Amber L.
361 East St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Date: 09/29/2025

Gougeon, David
10 Lewandowski Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 13
Date: 09/18/2025

Jackowski, Edyta A.
40 Beebe Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Date: 09/24/2025

Lucey, Robert A.
77 Imperial Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 13
Date: 09/16/2025

Medina, Debbie Nicole
71 Farnum Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Date: 09/29/2025

Mendez, Jessica
1 Belden Court, Unit D3
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Date: 09/18/2025

Moore, Dawn Alyce
13 Northampton Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Date: 09/18/2025

Nagle, Jane Patricia
277 Crescent St., Apt. 2
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Date: 09/26/2025

Oseida, Fatima A.
23 Lamb St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Date: 09/23/2025

Ramos, Suzanne
110 Nonotuck Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Date: 09/24/2025

Ribeiro, Thomas M.
Ribeiro, Laurie A.
98 Vadnais St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Date: 09/22/2025

Roberson, Ricardo Kyle
115 Dwight St., Apt. 910
Springfield, MA 01103
Chapter: 7
Date: 09/26/2025

Robitaille, Jason J.
92 Alan A Dale Dr.
Becket, MA 01223-0000
Chapter: 7
Date: 09/24/2025

Rodriguez-Cotto, Maria I.
137 Dewey Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Date: 09/18/2025

Rodriguez, Jeffrey
5 Country Club Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 13
Date: 09/29/2025

Simao, Traci L.
47 Brooks Village Road
Phillipston, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Date: 09/30/2025

Smith, James Daniel
Smith, Jeannette Marie
17 North Arthur St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Date: 09/25/2025

Tyson, Enrique
29 West Hill Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Date: 09/30/2025

Vanhorne, Guinevere Arthur
Yakneane Cerone, Lesia
a/k/a Yakneane Vanhorne, Lesia
178 Florence Road
Florence, MA 01062
Chapter: 7
Date: 09/22/2025

Vega, Jacquelyn
92 San Miguel St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Date: 09/29/2025

Real Estate Transactions

By
Real Estate

The following real estate transactions (latest available) were compiled by Banker & Tradesman and are published as they were received. Only transactions exceeding $115,000 are listed. Buyer and seller fields contain only the first name listed on the deed.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

ASHFIELD

John Ford Road
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Bassett Farm RT
Seller: Itzkoff RT
Date: 09/19/25

549 Watson Road
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Thomas D. Schreiber
Seller: Cooper, Jacqueline, (Estate)
Date: 09/24/25

BERNARDSTON

16 West Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Samantha M. Smith
Seller: Corlene R. Porter
Date: 09/23/25

CHARLEMONT

766 Tea St.
Charlemont, MA 01339
Amount: $137,691
Buyer: Tom Faulkner
Seller: David A. Konopka
Date: 09/25/25

CONWAY

Roaring Brook Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $790,000
Buyer: Joshua Weil
Seller: John A. Moore
Date: 09/23/25

936 South Deerfield Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Sarah E. Ambo
Seller: Amanda L. Cleveland
Date: 09/24/25

40 Whately Glen Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $790,000
Buyer: Joshua Weil
Seller: John A. Moore
Date: 09/23/25

DEERFIELD

9 Eastern Ave.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $347,000
Buyer: Kelsey Catlett
Seller: James T. Ostendarp
Date: 09/25/25

Pine Nook Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $152,000
Buyer: Commonwealth Of Mass.
Seller: Anne D. Rogers TR
Date: 09/18/25

Pine Nook Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $151,500
Buyer: Keegan Downie
Seller: Mary A. Warner
Date: 09/15/25

River Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $152,000
Buyer: Commonwealth Of Mass.
Seller: Anne D. Rogers TR
Date: 09/18/25

GREENFIELD

292 Deerfield St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Zachary A. Pyfrom
Seller: Michael P. Sirois
Date: 09/16/25

93 Meadow Lane
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Dawn M. Capling
Seller: Pauline Parolin
Date: 09/25/25

71 Phillips St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Alexandru Teaca
Seller: Diane M. Muszynski
Date: 09/26/25

Plain Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: First Genetation Invesmen
Seller: David C. & A. L. Kirby
Date: 09/24/25

7 Prospect Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $675,000
Buyer: Prb LLC
Seller: Colin J. Hoyt
Date: 09/25/25

83 Riddell St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Mkmu Rt
Seller: Cynthia J. Gwosch
Date: 09/22/25

121-1/2 Wells St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $565,000
Buyer: 121 1 & 2 Wells St. Greenfield
Seller: Eagles Landed LLC
Date: 09/26/25

161 Wisdom Way
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $328,185
Buyer: Ronald B. Golay
Seller: Cynthia A. Gammell
Date: 09/17/25

HEATH

60 Avery Brook Road
Heath, MA 01346
Amount: $142,000
Buyer: Barbar J. Gordon
Seller: Margaret M. Sitko
Date: 09/16/25

LEVERETT

97 Cave Hill Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $598,500
Buyer: Sunflower TR
Seller: Brian J. Cook
Date: 09/24/25

MONTAGUE

102 Chestnut Hill Loop
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $780,000
Buyer: Mark Voohrhess
Seller: Robert W. Walker RET
Date: 09/22/25

11 Crescent St.
Montague, MA 01349
Amount: $299,413
Buyer: Hilary Terapane
Seller: Victoria Baldyga
Date: 09/25/25

59 Dell St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $333,300
Buyer: Cameron Rice
Seller: Donna M. Liebi
Date: 09/22/25

34 O St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Byron R. Pareja
Seller: Mirna Alvarez
Date: 09/15/25

NEW SALEM

182 Neilson Road
New Salem, MA 01355
Amount: $359,000
Buyer: Joseph J. Daley
Seller: Nicholas J. Curryand
Date: 09/15/25

NORTHFIELD

79 Caldwell Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Caleb J. Parker
Seller: Doglas R. Fish
Date: 09/26/25

231 Millers Falls Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Melissa Speros
Seller: Carolyn A. Singer
Date: 09/23/25

ORANGE

78 Cheney St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Karen Calderson
Seller: 1900 Capital TR
Date: 09/22/25

19 High St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $299,900
Buyer: Melanie P. Ogando
Seller: George Raheb
Date: 09/15/25

24 Rosemont Ave.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Scott Jackson
Seller: Elaine Wood
Date: 09/25/25

387 South Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Abdullah Usman
Seller: Torin C. Kiely
Date: 09/18/25

92 Wheeler Ave.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Thomas H. Allain
Seller: Thomas W. Donahue
Date: 09/17/25

SHUTESBURY

15 Merrill Dr.
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Lisa H. Lamothe
Seller: Talib Sadiq
Date: 09/26/25

SUNDERLAND

166 North Main St.
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Ronald C. Wetherby
Seller: Chester Mazun
Date: 09/24/25

168 North Main St.
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $474,230
Buyer: Andrew D. Clogston
Seller: Ronald A. Washburn
Date: 09/19/25

414 Russell St.
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $455,000
Buyer: Deborah A. Madden
Seller: Kipa Realy Inc.
Date: 09/15/25

WARWICK

83 Hastings Heights Road
Warwick, MA 01378
Amount: $438,500
Buyer: Alysha Bohnet
Seller: Drewes, Ronald L., (Estate)
Date: 09/26/25

WENDELL

129 Montague Road
Wendell, MA 01380
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Giovanna V. Handy
Seller: Jan M. Stiefel
Date: 09/15/25

WHATELY

7 Grey Oak Lane
Whately, MA 01373
Amount: $885,000
Buyer: Thomas Givan
Seller: Robert R. Keller
Date: 09/25/25

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

35 Danny Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $462,500
Buyer: Sean Buxton
Seller: Janet Wysocki
Date: 09/19/25

127 Forest Hill Road
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $540,000
Buyer: Sean Stevenson
Seller: Prabodh Reshamwala
Date: 09/24/25

19 Hunters Greene Circle
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $582,000
Buyer: Kailin M. Lancour
Seller: Teresa L. Toyfair
Date: 09/26/25

12 Losito Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Albert J. Grimaldi
Seller: Falardeau 2018 Irt
Date: 09/26/25

1444 Main St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: 92 Agawam LLC
Seller: Debra A. Desmond
Date: 09/23/25

268 South Westfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Nicole M. Ash
Seller: Amanda J. Robare
Date: 09/23/25

29 Valentine St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Louis F. Bonavita
Seller: Stephen K. Kousch
Date: 09/19/25

36 Woodcock Court
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $374,000
Buyer: Margarito Demirev
Seller: Joseph D. Shaer
Date: 09/26/25

BLANDFORD

134 Chester Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Paul Seymour
Seller: Donald E. Mikesh
Date: 09/19/25

3 Kaolin Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Brian Murphy
Seller: Jeremy Weaver
Date: 09/19/25

24 North Blandford Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Daniel Gnidenko
Seller: Needham 3rd, William H., (Estate)
Date: 09/26/25

63 Russell Stage Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: James K. Bergland
Seller: Bergland, Judy C. K., (Estate)
Date: 09/24/25

Sperry Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: James K. Bergland
Seller: Bergland, Judy C. K., (Estate)
Date: 09/24/25

BRIMFIELD

273 Dunhamtown Palmer Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $234,000
Buyer: Judy Bergdoll
Seller: Secretary Of Housing & Urban Development
Date: 09/19/25

CHESTER

28 Middlefield Road
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $176,403
Buyer: Yakov Kronrod
Seller: Rocket Mortgage LLC
Date: 09/17/25

9 William St.
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Angela S. Alexopoulos
Seller: Michael L. Welch
Date: 09/15/25

CHICOPEE

29 Albert St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Damon Bermudez
Seller: Christian Wiernasz
Date: 09/15/25

34 Allen St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Genevieve Construction Development Group
Seller: Brian G. Walsh
Date: 09/26/25

52 Bromont St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $540,000
Buyer: Merredith Chmura
Seller: Dgl Properties LLC
Date: 09/18/25

1275 Burnett Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Michael V. Kochneff
Seller: Heriberto Ortiz
Date: 09/16/25

357 Chicopee St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $650,000
Buyer: JustB LLC
Seller: J. & E. Real Estate LLC
Date: 09/26/25

60 Falmouth Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Constantine Pleshakov
Seller: Diane J. Pirnie
Date: 09/17/25

103 Gelinas Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Cynthia Quinn
Seller: Gaouette, Alan Leroy, (Estate)
Date: 09/17/25

84 Glendale St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Jessica A. Smola
Seller: Trina K. Garcia
Date: 09/26/25

1150 Granby Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $237,000
Buyer: OM Real Estate Holdings LLC
Seller: John-Paul Boisvert
Date: 09/24/25

32 Irene St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $298,000
Buyer: Arvind Kumar
Seller: Corinne Arnold
Date: 09/19/25

61 John St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Marina Marchuk
Seller: Jennifer Rodriguez
Date: 09/26/25

22 Keddy Blvd.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Paul A. Terkelsen
Seller: Safia Kahn
Date: 09/16/25

37 Kennedy St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Dswc Realty LLC
Seller: Antonio Reyes
Date: 09/19/25

62 Ludger Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Kyle Sylvester
Seller: Cynthia J. Feeley
Date: 09/25/25

577 Meadow St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $4,680,000
Buyer: Retail Propco Borrower LLC
Seller: Walgreen Eastern Co. Inc.
Date: 09/26/25

636 McKinstry Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Kmak LLC
Seller: Cheryl Felsentreger
Date: 09/17/25

93 Melvin St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Ryan P. Kemp
Seller: Richard Kowalski
Date: 09/24/25

1013 Montgomery St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Oleksandr Kalashnik
Seller: Dawn V. Nielsen
Date: 09/23/25

169 Montgomery St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Kellianne Iacaboni
Seller: Sareen Properties LLC
Date: 09/26/25

132 Old Lyman Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Kevin Godek
Seller: Todd R. Burger
Date: 09/22/25

552 Pendleton Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Bryce E. Benware
Seller: Daniel R. Lowe
Date: 09/15/25

721 Pendleton Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $362,000
Buyer: Ryan D. Jarrett
Seller: Richard D. Huard
Date: 09/26/25

77 Reed St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Jennifer Rodriguez
Seller: Harris Davey
Date: 09/26/25

12 Stebbins St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $173,000
Buyer: Scott Family Properties LLC
Seller: Justin E. Packard
Date: 09/25/25

105 Syrek St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Michael J. Ash
Seller: Daniel G. Forest
Date: 09/25/25

9 Union St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $259,900
Buyer: Nadejda Dombrowski
Seller: Madr, Harry J., (Estate)
Date: 09/26/25

32 Wildermere St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Ana M. Polanco
Seller: Ogonowski, Melvin P., (Estate)
Date: 09/23/25

EAST LONGMEADOW

18 Bayne St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $445,000
Buyer: Deborah Nash-Makita
Seller: Karen Amato
Date: 09/16/25

31 Favorite Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: A. Crane Properties LLC
Seller: Michael Kane
Date: 09/25/25

38 Garland Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Wesley Welch
Seller: Sydney Dugard
Date: 09/18/25

50 Gates Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Angelique M. Borrero
Seller: Joseph F. Maiolo
Date: 09/19/25

267 Maple St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Patrick Morrissey
Seller: Rachael L. Fountain
Date: 09/25/25

104 Millbrook Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $635,000
Buyer: Todd D. Barlar
Seller: Josue Keely
Date: 09/17/25

169 Mountainview Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Whitney C. Dunn
Seller: Gemma L. Dorsey
Date: 09/19/25

102 North Main St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Chloe Deangelis
Seller: Jessica E. Thomas
Date: 09/26/25

222 Pleasant St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Somsai Silisack
Seller: Jean Williams
Date: 09/19/25

15 Purves St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Nathan Auger
Seller: Galina V. Anderson
Date: 09/19/25

40 Rollins Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $676,200
Buyer: Nico Sarkis
Seller: Kathleen F. Bachetti
Date: 09/23/25

47 Young Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Catherine Moretti
Seller: Evelyn Lamon IRT
Date: 09/22/25

GRANVILLE

308 Crest Lane
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $669,000
Buyer: Timothy J. Hogan
Seller: Timothy J. Kent
Date: 09/15/25

HAMPDEN

157 Mill Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $323,500
Buyer: Carolyn M. Isham
Seller: Robert W. Shaw
Date: 09/19/25

HOLLAND

8 Heritage Dr.
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Gretchen R. Kraner
Seller: John D. Holdcraft
Date: 09/18/25

HOLYOKE

31 Alderman St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Habip O. Sulekoglu
Seller: Deena Perdue
Date: 09/15/25

344 Appleton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $630,000
Buyer: Essex Village Apartments LP
Seller: LC2 Holyoke LLC
Date: 09/24/25

7 Breton Lane
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Sergey Petlyakov
Seller: Michael J. Bolko Jr. LT
Date: 09/26/25

190 Chestnut St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $630,000
Buyer: Essex Village Apartments LP
Seller: Lc2 Holyoke LLC
Date: 09/24/25

213-215 Chestnut St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $630,000
Buyer: Essex Village Apartments LP
Seller: Lc2 Holyoke LLC
Date: 09/24/25

1357-1359 Dwight St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Quintin Fowlkes
Seller: Bushey, Doris L., (Estate)
Date: 09/25/25

270 Elm St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $630,000
Buyer: Essex Village Apartments LP
Seller: Lc2 Holyoke LLC
Date: 09/24/25

77 Elmore St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $326,000
Buyer: Nancy J. Matteson
Seller: Christine A. Janusz
Date: 09/16/25

10 Gilman St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Beverly A. Barish
Seller: Elizabeth A. Patenaude
Date: 09/18/25

381 Jarvis Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Militza J. Rodriguez
Seller: Karen Barrett
Date: 09/19/25

207 Lacus Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $310,800
Buyer: Sean T. Adams
Seller: Miller, Robert S., (Estate)
Date: 09/26/25

328 Linden St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Mindy McQuillan
Seller: Rebecca J. Foltasz
Date: 09/23/25

31 Longfellow Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: John J. Ferriter
Seller: Ryan M. Ferriter
Date: 09/24/25

31 Longfellow Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Longfellow TR
Seller: John J. Ferriter
Date: 09/24/25

240 Madison Ave. W
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Andrea L. Yurko
Seller: Kardos Morrissette Revice
Date: 09/16/25

129 Morgan St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Ryan Randall Realty LLC
Seller: Haberman, Alfred I., (Estate)
Date: 09/24/25

1855-1857 Northampton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Steven A. Carra
Seller: Vanwijak Eowsakul
Date: 09/19/25

LONGMEADOW

113 Chiswick St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $510,000
Buyer: Barbara Slabaugh
Seller: Jessica Melaas RET
Date: 09/16/25

48 Colony Acres Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $505,000
Buyer: Robert M. Chambers
Seller: Brian Collins
Date: 09/26/25

52 Coventry Lane
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $650,000
Buyer: Chun Yang
Seller: John L. Abbott
Date: 09/23/25

76 Coventry Lane
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $706,000
Buyer: Feng Zhao
Seller: James J. Flahive
Date: 09/16/25

14 Glenwood Circle
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $445,000
Buyer: Jennifer Klamn
Seller: Glenwood Circle Realty LLC
Date: 09/15/25

31 Glenwood Circle
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: Patrick Ganieany
Seller: Nancy R. Collins FT
Date: 09/19/25

425 Inverness Lane
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $835,000
Buyer: Farah Sheraz
Seller: Michael Langieri
Date: 09/26/25

22 King Philip Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $615,000
Buyer: Sean M. Brown
Seller: Sawyer-Skelton Property Mgmt.
Date: 09/22/25

65 Laurel St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $449,900
Buyer: Papken S. Hartunian
Seller: Leslie A. Haynes-Hodgins
Date: 09/15/25

41 Oak Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Thomas C. Haramut
Seller: Elizabeth M. Klein
Date: 09/26/25

123 Whitmun Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $452,000
Buyer: Vincent White
Seller: Christina M. Colello
Date: 09/16/25

109 Yarmouth St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $489,500
Buyer: Michael Chu
Seller: Christopher J. Casey
Date: 09/18/25

LUDLOW

54 Balsam Hill Road
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $900,000
Buyer: Briana L. Deslauriers
Seller: Hemlock Ridge LLC
Date: 09/17/25

118 Cedar St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Brielle Edwards
Seller: Paula C. Cordeiro
Date: 09/26/25

99 Colonial Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Jason Hamelin
Seller: Michael A. Delnegro
Date: 09/26/25

246 Colonial Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: Alexander Brady
Seller: Lydia B. Brady RET
Date: 09/19/25

288-292 East St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $980,000
Buyer: 288-292 East St LLC
Seller: 288 East Street Realty NT
Date: 09/26/25

43 Elaine Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Joseph D. McAdam
Seller: Mark D. Miller
Date: 09/23/25

106 Erin Lane
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: Weibin Wu
Seller: RM Blerman LLC
Date: 09/18/25

45 Glenwood St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $327,000
Buyer: Maria Z. Diaz
Seller: Jason Balut
Date: 09/19/25

15 Loopley St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Francia Monteiro
Seller: Bay Flow LLC
Date: 09/19/25

80 Loopley St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $363,750
Buyer: Christina Matera
Seller: Lopata, Casimir S., (Estate)
Date: 09/23/25

88 Marion Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Anthony M. Clark
Seller: Jacqueline H. Kolodziey
Date: 09/25/25

73 McKinley Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Grant Galica
Seller: Kmak LLC
Date: 09/26/25

38 Meadowlark Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $412,000
Buyer: Lauren J. Capannola
Seller: Valerie Smith
Date: 09/22/25

67 Prokop Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $329,000
Buyer: Rebekka M. Banks
Seller: Andrew J. Roxo
Date: 09/26/25

49 Valley View Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: Andrew Roxo
Seller: Adrienne Desantis
Date: 09/26/25

23 Walnut St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Kelly Laput
Seller: William Raleigh
Date: 09/18/25

MONSON

39 Bridge St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Atdriel J. Figueroa
Seller: Gerald Marlow
Date: 09/15/25

4 Crest Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Burnias FT
Seller: Jessica M. Murray
Date: 09/26/25

35 Elm St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $570,000
Buyer: Southeast Capital LLC
Seller: Tass Properties LLC
Date: 09/19/25

45 Elm St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $570,000
Buyer: Southeast Capital LLC
Seller: Tass Properties LLC
Date: 09/19/25

297 Main St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Darren Nguyen
Seller: Mahmood Realty LLC
Date: 09/26/25

196 Munn Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Adam C. Butler
Seller: Nicholas Truax
Date: 09/26/25

221 Munn Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $441,000
Buyer: Nathan J. Paulhus
Seller: Frederick L. McDonald
Date: 09/26/25

77 Old Reed Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Elizabeth M. Demma
Seller: Kurt K. Benoit
Date: 09/15/25

18 Old Wales Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $437,000
Buyer: Brandon Jenkins
Seller: Brett Hanson
Date: 09/26/25

42 Washington St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: House Hack Helpers LLC
Seller: Wicked Deals LLC
Date: 09/17/25

MONTGOMERY

90 Pine Ridge Road
Montgomery, MA 01085
Amount: $515,000
Buyer: Edward O’Brien
Seller: D. L. Fowles
Date: 09/18/25

PALMER

23 Birch St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Andrew Sprague
Seller: Michael J. Skoczylas
Date: 09/18/25

54 Bourne St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $167,000
Buyer: Revampit LLC
Seller: Richard L. Dickinson
Date: 09/19/25

188 Breckenridge St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Fumi Realty Inc.
Seller: Jean M. Tavernier
Date: 09/25/25

65 Laurel Road
Palmer, MA 01095
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Sidney Quaid
Seller: MK3 Properties LLC
Date: 09/17/25

99-105 Lawrence St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $2,857,000
Buyer: Byrnes Investment Group LLC
Seller: Heritage Housing Op LLC
Date: 09/26/25

3030 Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $389,000
Buyer: Brendan Briggs
Seller: 48 Crapo Street LLC
Date: 09/19/25

4063 Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Tyler J. Shonak
Seller: Aimee B. Fyfe
Date: 09/25/25

1083 Overlook Dr.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Adam A. Jensen
Seller: Charpentier, Normand A., (Estate)
Date: 09/17/25

2018-2020 Prospect St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Iovanni Baez
Seller: Nallett FT
Date: 09/26/25

34-36 State St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Jenny Kelly
Seller: Mr. Home Inc.
Date: 09/16/25

SPRINGFIELD

51-53 Abbe Ave.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Healthy Neighborhoods Group LLC
Seller: Myia L. Murphy
Date: 09/16/25

706 Allen St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Daniell Stephens
Seller: Pah Properties LLC
Date: 09/19/25

86 Amherst St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Frengi E. Abreu
Seller: Hyacinth Dixon
Date: 09/25/25

3 Benham St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Garrick A. Osbourne
Seller: DreamBigHomes LLC
Date: 09/18/25

39 Bronson Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Deena M. Perdue
Seller: Jill Ross
Date: 09/15/25

123 Buckingham St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Taylor A. Bains
Seller: Gregory P. Rice
Date: 09/26/25

365 Cadwell Dr.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $16,286,584
Buyer: Cars-DB5 LP
Seller: 6S T Springfield Mass. LLC
Date: 09/17/25

Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $165,500
Buyer: Jjj17 LLC
Seller: Maria I. Vazquez
Date: 09/25/25

731-733 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $515,000
Buyer: Dayairis V. Mejia
Seller: Cig4 LLC
Date: 09/19/25

153 Carver St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $282,000
Buyer: Patrick N. Lavoie
Seller: Panayota Stafilarakis
Date: 09/16/25

199 Cherokee Dr.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $279,000
Buyer: Pat T. Ngo
Seller: Joshua S. Lopes
Date: 09/17/25

619 Chestnut St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $1,970,000
Buyer: Retail Propco Borrower LLC
Seller: Walgreen Eastern Co. Inc.
Date: 09/26/25

112-114 Clifton Ave.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Samuel Carter
Seller: Avis M. Smith
Date: 09/15/25

76 Clydesdale Lane
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: James C. Wyllie
Seller: Joanne Tougas
Date: 09/25/25

97 Connecticut Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Lorraine Switzer
Seller: Lise F. Latulippe
Date: 09/16/25

4 Cuff Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Jose A. Cordova
Seller: Julissa Arias
Date: 09/26/25

28 Dayton St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Eva A. Bellucci
Seller: Adam L. Goguen
Date: 09/26/25

10 Dorchester St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Dennis A. Dominguez
Seller: Andrea J. MacGovern
Date: 09/23/25

20 Drexel St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Jose Endo
Seller: Stephen A. Hilbert
Date: 09/26/25

85 Edendale St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Saleen M. Guyette
Seller: Real Estate Investors Northeast LLC
Date: 09/19/25

18-20 Eldridge St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $298,000
Buyer: Jose E. Crisostomo
Seller: Foster J. White
Date: 09/26/25

74 Everett St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Yailin B. Rivero
Seller: Simeon P. Eustaquio
Date: 09/24/25

44 Felicia St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Viva Holdings LLC
Seller: Ashley Mills
Date: 09/16/25

101 Fenimore Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Patrick Philbin
Seller: Tasheena M. Davis
Date: 09/19/25

 

212-214 Fort Pleasant Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Girish Badgi
Seller: Tyler J. Calhoun
Date: 09/16/25

53 Freeman Ter.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $242,000
Buyer: Sonylee Soto
Seller: Tower Property Management LLC
Date: 09/15/25

250 Gresham St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $354,999
Buyer: Tina M. Burston
Seller: Post Investment LLC
Date: 09/19/25

169-171 Hancock St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Beach Castles LLC
Seller: Koala Properties LLC
Date: 09/19/25

177 Hartford Ter.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $323,500
Buyer: Kamania Gray
Seller: Keila Santiago
Date: 09/26/25

49 Hatch St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Bretta Construction LLC
Seller: Fecteau, Gerald E., (Estate)
Date: 09/23/25

116 Homestead Ave.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Isiah W. Tolbert
Seller: J&T LLC
Date: 09/26/25

62 Homestead Ave.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Maxwell A. Lemkin
Seller: Robert Bearce
Date: 09/26/25

69 Keddy St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $266,000
Buyer: Nicholas Yeomans
Seller: Precious Oise
Date: 09/26/25

59 Kensington Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $472,375
Buyer: Djonatan P. Oliveira
Seller: Tiago Costa
Date: 09/23/25

80-82 Kenyon St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $490,000
Buyer: Robinson M. Corporan
Seller: Starling D. Agramonte
Date: 09/19/25

59 Kulig St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Epidicto A. Rodrigues
Seller: Bryan K. Manijak
Date: 09/16/25

293 Laurelton St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Irma Figueroa
Seller: Miguel Nieves
Date: 09/18/25

11 Laurence St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $219,000
Buyer: Leida E. Carreras
Seller: Peros, Mary, (Estate)
Date: 09/22/25

113 Lexington St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Freehold Properties LLC
Seller: John T. Rhoades
Date: 09/19/25

42 Manitoba St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Albert Lecompte
Seller: Albert L. Eldridge
Date: 09/23/25

Mayfair Ave.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $165,500
Buyer: Jjj17 LLC
Seller: Maria I. Vazquez
Date: 09/25/25

91-93 Melrose St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Ramon Gomez
Seller: AJ Capital Inc.
Date: 09/26/25

97-99 Melrose St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $515,000
Buyer: Yoly K. Marte
Seller: AJ Capital Inc.
Date: 09/19/25

30-32 Montgomery St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Rosanny L. Gil
Seller: Ambrose Mwea
Date: 09/25/25

315 Morton St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $549,000
Buyer: Rhythm S. Patel
Seller: Homes Real Estate
Date: 09/18/25

27 Newland St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Hector R. Marchena
Seller: Round Two LLC
Date: 09/26/25

156-158 Norfolk St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $262,200
Buyer: Determination Mortgage TR
Seller: Alycar Investments LLC
Date: 09/17/25

46 Orlando St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $307,000
Buyer: Joshua D. Stephens
Seller: Jose R. Martinez
Date: 09/23/25

1026 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Arlene Medeiros
Seller: PL IRT
Date: 09/19/25

361 Parkerview St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Deborah E. Velez-Perez
Seller: Milton L. White
Date: 09/19/25

30 Parkwood St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Naylor Nation Construction LLC
Seller: Brenda J. Lopez
Date: 09/18/25

335 Peekskill Ave.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Jillian K. Perry
Seller: Jonathan A. Hagopian
Date: 09/17/25

58-60 Pendleton Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Luis H. Bustamante
Seller: 58-60 Pendleton Avenue TR
Date: 09/19/25

32 Pine Hill Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Michael B. Ortiz
Seller: Douglas Dichard
Date: 09/24/25

236 Pondview Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $209,000
Buyer: Vegiard LLC
Seller: Labonte, Walter Owen, (Estate)
Date: 09/19/25

69-71 Ranney St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $442,000
Buyer: Brahian S. Rodriguez
Seller: Elvira L. Soares
Date: 09/19/25

80 Rochelle St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Luz Rodriguez
Seller: Chelsea Rohman
Date: 09/23/25

29 Sterling St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Amber Lindenfeld
Seller: Melissa Torres
Date: 09/23/25

18 Sycamore St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Naples Home Buyers TR
Seller: Ramon Apellaniz
Date: 09/18/25

53 Thompson St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Julio S. Batista
Seller: Edward Mayers
Date: 09/18/25

142 Wachusett St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Ortega LLC
Seller: Everette W. Frye
Date: 09/24/25

11 West Canton Circle
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Eric M. Escalante
Seller: Rodrigo A. Santos
Date: 09/19/25

53 Wood End Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Christopher J. O’Connor
Seller: Katherine J. Killoran
Date: 09/26/25

15 Woodcliff St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: George R. Churchill
Seller: Monique R. Leyda
Date: 09/18/25

SOUTHWICK

83 Granville Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Ryan M. Roberts
Seller: Suzette Cennamo
Date: 09/18/25

49 John Mason Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $505,000
Buyer: Morgan White
Seller: Todd Barlar
Date: 09/17/25

10 Sawgrass Lane
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $665,000
Buyer: Mark A. Saliga
Seller: Douglas Dichard
Date: 09/24/25

11 Silvergrass Lane
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $169,500
Buyer: Natalya P. Kravchenko
Seller: Dennis Aube
Date: 09/22/25

WEST SPRINGFIELD

735 Amostown Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Raeha L. Spano
Seller: Stawiarz, Diane Louise, (Estate)
Date: 09/26/25

134 Lennys Way
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $770,000
Buyer: Christopher D. Fager
Seller: Steven F. Goluchowski
Date: 09/15/25

171 Lower Beverly Hills
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Karlie Petlock
Seller: Kathleen E. Cummings
Date: 09/25/25

259 Ohio Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Ramin P. Alamdari
Seller: Vahid Khaleghi
Date: 09/19/25

125 South Blvd.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Joel S. Canoa
Seller: Catherine L. Camarda
Date: 09/15/25

194 Windsor St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Conery Clark
Seller: Marie T. Nadeau RET
Date: 09/24/25

WESTFIELD

52 Court St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: N&D Realty LLC
Seller: Baypoint Real Estate LLC
Date: 09/22/25

54 Day Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Nicholas Bouvier
Seller: Jason J. Schrecke
Date: 09/26/25

622 East Mountain Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Natalya Deven
Seller: Norman R. Fioroni
Date: 09/15/25

20 Forest Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $249,500
Buyer: Grigore Timircan
Seller: White, Dorene A., (Estate)
Date: 09/16/25

52 Governor Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Angela Gegetskas
Seller: Governor Drive Realty LLC
Date: 09/23/25

726 Holyoke Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $313,500
Buyer: Michael Piquette
Seller: Lyman FT
Date: 09/15/25

17 Laurel Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Deanna C. Young
Seller: Michael H. Metzger
Date: 09/25/25

15 Pineridge Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Francis B. Marsh
Seller: Linda S. Williams
Date: 09/18/25

138 Sackett Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Jacqueline T. Nascimbeni
Seller: Helga M. Heiden
Date: 09/26/25

26 Saint Paul St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Natalia Zgerya
Seller: Donald Bailey
Date: 09/19/25

19 Sunrise Ter.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Kelly Carroll
Seller: Gary B. Pease
Date: 09/24/25

WILBRAHAM

35 Brainard Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Jared A. Rollins
Seller: James T. Brennan
Date: 09/18/25

5 Burt Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: JS & GS Realty LLC
Seller: Scott J. Bergman
Date: 09/26/25

3 Christopher Circle
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $652,500
Buyer: Erin H. Hundley
Seller: Mary G. Rooke
Date: 09/25/25

200 Crane Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $610,000
Buyer: Nidal A. Sholi
Seller: Hampden Homebuyers LLC
Date: 09/26/25

1 Edward St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $499,000
Buyer: Peter D. Dowd
Seller: Dingbin Chen
Date: 09/15/25

8 Fox Hill Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $635,000
Buyer: Lynette C. Haggard
Seller: Denise Lafountain
Date: 09/24/25

61 Manchonis Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $297,500
Buyer: Susan M. Potts
Seller: Justin Dufault
Date: 09/19/25

4 Pearl Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Andrew Lopriore
Seller: Frank J. Fortune
Date: 09/19/25

306 Soule Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $527,000
Buyer: Benjamin D. Premo
Seller: Scott F. Doughty
Date: 09/15/25

200 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Daniel J. Wilson
Seller: Dabrowski, Stanley M., (Estate)
Date: 09/24/25

3 Valley View Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $1,075,000
Buyer: Darius Trinka
Seller: Henry W. Kort
Date: 09/15/25

17 Wandering Meadows Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $828,000
Buyer: Timothy Wrona
Seller: Kelcie W. Knowles
Date: 09/19/25

8 Weston St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Ivan S. Kwagala
Seller: Sergio A. Dias
Date: 09/25/25

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

25 Hickory Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: David H. Shanabrook
Seller: Skyway Properties LLC
Date: 09/17/25

123 Maplewood Circle
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $835,000
Buyer: Douglas Kremm
Seller: Barbara Z. Perman RET
Date: 09/26/25

124 Pondview Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $495,000
Buyer: Karyn J. Deroy
Seller: Marvin W. Daehler
Date: 09/15/25

574 Station Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $730,000
Buyer: Nathan Kielb
Seller: John D. Barry TR
Date: 09/18/25

BELCHERTOWN

684 Franklin St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Daniel G. King
Seller: Katrina B. Couture
Date: 09/15/25

158 North Washington St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: John C. Noerr
Seller: R. D. Reynolds
Date: 09/26/25

8 Pheasant Run
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $675,000
Buyer: Richard Police
Seller: Sylvia J. Webster-Gagne
Date: 09/17/25

25 South Washington St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $485,000
Buyer: Chenyang Xu
Seller: Noah Fossner
Date: 09/25/25

CHESTERFIELD

46 Bray Road
Chesterfield, MA 01012
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Ronald M. Shaldone
Seller: Marie Kirk
Date: 09/22/25

101 East St.
Chesterfield, MA 01096
Amount: $591,000
Buyer: Jessica Humphries
Seller: Molly A. Hogan
Date: 09/26/25

CUMMINGTON

8 Luther Shaw Road
Cummington, MA 01026
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Brandon Nevins
Seller: Pruce INT
Date: 09/19/25

EASTHAMPTON

3 Admiral St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $351,000
Buyer: Lorna K. Hunt
Seller: Patricia B. Slate
Date: 09/26/25

37 Kenneth Road
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $308,500
Buyer: Ronald P. Altimari
Seller: Sharon M. Wagner
Date: 09/26/25

82 Lovefield St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $371,365
Buyer: Alexandra L. Reid
Seller: Patricia G. Dougherty
Date: 09/25/25

13 Maple St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Sarah Gonzales
Seller: Joanne G. Katz
Date: 09/26/25

37 Payson Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Andrew J. Bellotti
Seller: Marie Rohrnacjer
Date: 09/25/25

GOSHEN

206 South Chesterfield Road
Goshen, MA 01096
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Hammond Hill RT
Seller: 206 South Chesterfield Road TR
Date: 09/25/25

GRANBY

156 Kendall St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Katherine Butler
Seller: Holly Bouvier
Date: 09/19/25

HADLEY

31 Campus Plaza Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $1,200,000
Buyer: Abrr Enterprises LLC
Seller: Gleason Masonic LLC
Date: 09/18/25

121 Huntington Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Iris Properties LLC
Seller: Earle Shumway
Date: 09/23/25

124 Mount Warner Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Philip A. Verdi
Seller: Dennis A. Verdi
Date: 09/26/25

HATFIELD

152 North Hatfield Road
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Martin M. Omasta
Seller: Robert & Farieda Omasta TR
Date: 09/22/25

16 North St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Ronald P. Smirowski
Seller: Pioneer Valley Redevelopment LLC
Date: 09/26/25

NORTHAMPTON

46 Allison St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $665,000
Buyer: Jessica R. Pollack
Seller: Martha C. Martin LT
Date: 09/15/25

21 Birch Lane
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $800,000
Buyer: Russell Zomback
Seller: Paul Lenkowski
Date: 09/26/25

57 Dryads Green
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $1,045,000
Buyer: Rosalinda Chapman
Seller: Jessica Salloom
Date: 09/24/25

578 Elm St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $560,000
Buyer: Jeffrey Caron
Seller: 578 Elm LLC
Date: 09/15/25

67 Higgins Way
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $895,000
Buyer: Vivek Menon
Seller: Nova Realty Holdings LLC
Date: 09/24/25

75 Lyman Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $1,765,000
Buyer: Luke C. Brown
Seller: Maurice Willems
Date: 09/19/25

154 North Maple St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $515,000
Buyer: Deborah M. Henson
Seller: Mary E. Walsh
Date: 09/15/25

157 Oak St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Florije Marion
Seller: Teresa M. Day
Date: 09/18/25

380 South St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $455,000
Buyer: Stephen Wasilewski
Seller: Peter E. Olsen
Date: 09/16/25

78 Vernon St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Desiree Pelletier
Seller: James Quinn RET
Date: 09/25/25

SOUTH HADLEY

6 Central Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $404,000
Buyer: Michael T. Herr-Smith
Seller: Adriane L. Racine
Date: 09/23/25

24 Charon Ter.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Brayden E. Burgielewicz
Seller: Michael P. Fahey
Date: 09/25/25

26 Chileab Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Pamela Czewska
Seller: John H. Barszewski
Date: 09/15/25

10 Edgewater Lane
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $487,500
Buyer: Andrew Flanagan
Seller: Maryanne Stefanelli
Date: 09/17/25

7 Lamb St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: John Stevenson
Seller: Roger T. Duval
Date: 09/24/25

34 Ludlow Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Andre Duquette
Seller: John M. Turner
Date: 09/24/25

35 Ludlow Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $155,500
Buyer: Onstar Properties AA LLC
Seller: Sullivan, Carole J., (Estate)
Date: 09/15/25

44 Pittroff Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Cynthia C. Hansen
Seller: Dana R. Sicard
Date: 09/26/25

13 Red Bridge Lane
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $665,000
Buyer: John Mackin
Seller: Luigi Solla
Date: 09/26/25

SOUTHAMPTON

30 Gunn Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $216,000
Buyer: Ryan Nulph
Seller: Nancy Geary
Date: 09/26/25

75 Pomeroy Meadow Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Alisha R. Seney
Seller: J. C. Shumway
Date: 09/16/25

WARE

69 Aspen St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Paul Pilch
Seller: Markopoulos FT
Date: 09/25/25

3 Aspen Court
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: James Schofield
Seller: Real Estate Investors Northeast LLC
Date: 09/16/25

124 Glendale Circle
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Corby A. Wright
Seller: Anthony J. Bruso
Date: 09/19/25

182 Monson Turnpike Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $358,500
Buyer: Douglas R. Meneke
Seller: Gjl Rnl Nt
Date: 09/16/25

54 Shoreline Dr.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $720,000
Buyer: Fay A. Roux
Seller: Lawrence R. Donn
Date: 09/19/25

WORTHINGTON

196 Huntington Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $343,000
Buyer: Logan J. Demerski
Seller: Stephen T. Smith
Date: 09/26/25

Building Permits

By
Building Permits

The following building permits were issued during the months of September and October 2025.

CHICOPEE

25 Sheridan LLC
17 Sheridan St.
$30,000 — Sheetrock, trimwork

EASTHAMPTON

Calvary Baptist Church
413 Main St.
$45,000 — Roofing

Nonotuck Properties LLC
40 Maine Ave.
$17,000 — Insulate storage room and woodshop ceiling

HADLEY

First Congregational Church
102 Middle St.
N/A — Removal of original steeple and complete rebuild

National Retail Properties LP
424 Russell St.
N/A — Install two new wall signs

National Retail Properties LP
424 Russell St.
N/A — Interior millwork and finish upgrades

W/S Hadley Properties II LLC
337 Russell St.
N/A — Signs for HomeGoods

LEE

Justin Soules, Ashley Soules
925 Pleasant St.
$50,000 — Foundation for future addition at rear of building

LENOX

490 Pittsfield Road LLC
490 Pittsfield Road
$6,200 — Inspect and repair existing Pyro-Chem system

PITTSFIELD

Allendale Shopping LLC
5 Cheshire Road
$99,995 — Roofing

Berkshire Medical Center Inc.
725 North St.
$30,000 — Install new freezer, minor demolition of non-load-bearing walls for clearances, minor alterations to electrical devices, patching existing flooring and ceiling systems

Clinical & Support Options Inc.
877 South St.
$40,044 — Interior fit-out with new framing and finishes to add additional office space

Vetley Pittsfield LLC
1634 West Housatonic St.
$14,724 — Replace rooftop unit

Celebrating the Women of Impact

By
Opinion

Editorial

 

In 2019, BusinessWest created a new recognition program, one to recognize a large and significant constituency, and one whose accomplishments often went unrecognized.

We thought about calling it Women in Business, but then we decided this didn’t fit the bill, as we didn’t want to recognize only individuals’ accomplishments in the business world.

Rather, we wanted to celebrate women of achievement, women who stand out, women who go far beyond what’s in their job description, women who are making a difference. So a name came about naturally: Women of Impact.

The plan was to honor those who excel in their chosen field, or fields, as the case may be, but who are also giving back in the community, who inspire others around them, who serve as mentors to others and especially younger women, and who, as one of our honorees is fond of saying, ‘show up.’

We’ve done that, and this year’s class continues that tradition, as the stories that begin on page W4 clearly show. They are:

• Tara Brewster, vice president of Business Development and director of Philanthropy at Greenfield Savings Bank. Her passion for connecting the community and boosting nonprofits is reflected in both her career and her activities outside the bank as she asks, “what are we here for if not to make a difference?”

• Ayanna Crawford, president of AC Consulting and Media Services. Her work spans her consulting business, numerous nonprofit boards, serving the public as chief of staff to state Rep. Orlando Ramos, and a flourishing organization called Take the Mic, which gives both young people and adults the confidence they need to be public speakers.

• Tracy Friedenberg, executive director of Bacon Wilson, P.C. Early on, she decided that she wanted to serve in roles where she could help team members thrive and drive organizational success. She’s been described as “a visionary leader, compassionate mentor, and an extraordinary human being” who is actively involved in her community.

• Rania Kfuri, vice president of Philanthropy, Sales, and Marketing at Glenmeadow. Showing up has been her credo, and the continuation of a pattern set by several generations of her extended family. Showing up means excelling at work, giving back to the community, mentoring others, literally showing up at events, and convening others to help solve regional problems.

• Chelsea Kline, executive director of Cancer Connection. She understood the value of this “lean, scrappy” nonprofit when her mother accessed its services two decades ago, and today, she and her team successfully build community support for a wide array of programs that bring calm, courage, and even fun to people dealing with the harshest challenge of their lives.

• Angelina Ramirez, CEO of Stavros Center for Independent Living. For the past 35 years, she has been dedicated to this critical nonprofit that helps people with disabilities secure resources and equipment, stay in their homes, access education and job opportunities, and otherwise achieve the kind of live they desire to live.

• Amanda Sanderson, executive director of the Resilience Center of Franklin County. Inspired by her mother’s resiliency in overcoming physical and sexual abuse, she has dedicated her life to leading nonprofits, which she calls the ‘glue’ of our society, and constantly raising the bar when it comes to serving clients and acting as a convener and collaborator.

• Sarah Rose Stack, lecturer of Public Relations at UMass Amherst — just the latest chapter in a compelling story. Inspired by music teachers, she overcame poverty in childhood to excel in music and the arts, and they remain a big part of who she is. Another big part is being a mentor and the kind of teacher who can change a life, as her teachers changed hers.

We at BusinessWest congratulate the Women of Impact class of 2025 and are grateful for their powerful example and inspiring stories.

A Good Choice for the EDC

By
Opinion

Editorial

 

Aaron Vega, director of Planning & Economic Development in Holyoke, will assume the reins at the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council (EDC) in January. And he takes the helm at a very intriguing time for the region.

Indeed, many of the traditional pillars of this region’s economy, especially healthcare and higher education, are struggling and shedding jobs rather than adding them. Manufacturing is more than holding its own, but still coping with workforce issues — specifically the retirement of Baby Boomers and difficulty with replacing them. Other sectors are shrinking as a wave of mergers and acquisitions continues unabated.

Meanwhile, emerging sectors are trying to … emerge. This list includes food science, quantum computing, and green energy, with several of the businesses at the forefront of these efforts located in Holyoke.

All of this — as well as the EDC’s broad mission itself — ties back nicely to something Dave Fontaine Jr., president of the construction firm Fontaine Brothers Inc., said of this region at the recent Developers Conference in downtown Springfield.

He said of the 413, and he’s not alone in these sentiments, “it’s a great place to live … if you can make a living.”

And that’s essentially where we’re at right now in this region — trying to enable those who might want to live here for all the reasons we know about, especially quality of life, to make a living.

And while that is not Vega’s official job description, it might as well be. The EDC is charged with leading and coordinating efforts to stimulate the region’s economy, including efforts that don’t fall in traditional categories of economic development, like workforce development, entrepreneurship, and even marketing.

We’ve followed Vega’s career for nearly 20 years now, since he was a freelance film editor, yoga studio owner, and Holyoke city councilor, a package that earned him a spot in BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty class of 2010. He would later go on to serve four terms as a state representative before returning to Holyoke City Hall as director of Planning & Economic Development.

He brings to his new post connections in Boston and across the region, but also a track record for getting things done, especially with complicated projects and bringing companies to this region to get started — and, hopefully, put down deep roots.

We believe he is the right person to lead the EDC at this critical juncture and continue the work of the agency and its outgoing president, Rick Sullivan, to make this region not only a great place to live, but one where people can make a living.

Florence Bank Hires Commercial Loan Officer, Branch Manager

By
Daily News

Xiaolei Hua

FLORENCE — Florence Bank announced it has hired a commercial loan officer and a branch manager.

Xiaolei Hua has joined the bank as vice president / commercial loan officer, while Shadia Coley has been named branch manager / branch officer of the bank’s new Holyoke office set to open in 2026.

Shadia Coley

Hua has 20 years of banking experience, and prior to joining Florence Bank, he held the positions of commercial credit officer, assistant vice president / portfolio manager, and vice president / commercial lending. He is skilled in business development, relationship management, financial and credit analysis, and underwriting. In his new role, he will develop, manage, and deepen client relationships while supporting the bank’s strategic growth goals.

Hua holds both a bachelor’s degree in finance and an MBA from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst. He also attended the New England School for Financial Studies at Babson College, which trains banking professionals. He is a board member and finance & investment committee member for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and a board member and finance committee member for Tech Foundry. He was named to the 40 Under Forty class of 2013 by BusinessWest.

Coley has more than 10 years of banking experience and previously held the positions of assistant branch manager / business specialist and branch manager. In addition to managing Florence Bank’s newest branch, she will oversee community outreach and engagement, team leadership, and coaching and customer service.

Coley holds both a bachelor’s degree in business administration and an MBA with a concentration in finance from Southern New Hampshire University. She sits on the board for Dress for Success Western Massachusetts.

“Xiaolei and Shadia come to us with a wealth of experience in banking,” Florence Bank President and CEO Matt Garrity said. “With their prior experience and stellar skill sets, I am confident they will provide exceptional service to Florence Bank’s customers.”

Pittsfield Cooperative Bank Promotes Dana Robb, Ray Smith

By
Daily News

Dana Robb

PITTSFIELD — Pittsfield Cooperative Bank announced the promotions of Dana Robb and Ray Smith to senior vice president positions.

Ray Smith

Robb was promoted to senior vice president, Retail Banking & Operations, bringing more than two decades of experience in the financial services industry. A graduate of the 2016 Berkshire Leadership Program, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing customer experience and operational excellence within the bank. Deeply rooted in the community, he is also involved with the Dalton Community Recreation Center and serves on the board for Girls Inc. He is a 2024 graduate of the New England School of Banking.

Smith was promoted to senior vice president, Marketing and Communications. He brings 30 years of experience in marketing and communications, spanning industries such as technology, consumer goods, travel, healthcare, and finance. His community involvement includes past service on the boards of the Southwestern Vermont and Williamstown chambers of commerce, as well as volunteering for Williamstown’s annual Holiday Walk. He received his bachelor’s degree in communications from Colby-Sawyer College and his master’s degree in corporate communications from Ithaca College.

“These promotions highlight the incredible talent and commitment within our leadership team,” said Gregg Levante, president of Pittsfield Cooperative Bank. “Dana and Ray both exemplify what makes Co-op Bank unique, leaders who not only bring professional expertise but also a genuine connection to the Berkshires and its people. We don’t just operate here; we belong here.”

Thunderbirds, Foundation for TJO Animals Partner on Luff’s Pups Initiative

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Thunderbirds announced the inception of Luff’s Pups in partnership with the Foundation for TJO Animals. As part of this newly established initiative, T-Birds veteran forward and animal lover Matt Luff will pledge a donation of $50 to the Foundation for TJO Animals for every point he records during the 2025-26 season.

The Luff’s Pups initiative kicks off in conjunction with the T-Birds’ annual Pucks & Paws Night on Saturday, Oct. 25 as they host the Hartford Wolf Pack at 6:05 p.m. at the MassMutual Center. Fans with dogs are welcome to bring their pets to the game, with each ‘dog ticket’ directly benefiting the Foundation for TJO Animals. Click here for more information on Pucks & Paws, tickets, and rules and regulations regarding the night.

“We could not be happier to support Matt, his passion for animal welfare, and his dedication to helping TJO continue its lifesaving work,” Thunderbirds President Nathan Costa said. “When our players champion a cause that speaks to who they are off the ice, it reflects the heart of this organization. We stand with them, and we use our platform to lift that mission up in our community.”

Springfield Thunderbirds fans are encouraged to join in the Luff’s Pups pledge and donate to the Foundation for TJO Animals. A donation of just $25 can help feed up to 20 hungry animals or supply rabies vaccines for five animals.

“We are so grateful to Matt Luff for using his platform to make a difference for the animals and people in our community,” said Janna Brown, executive director of the Foundation for TJO Animals. “His generosity and compassion help shine a light on the importance of adoption, fostering, and supporting the lifesaving work happening every day at TJO. Luff’s Pups is already a success, and we are excited to be a part of it.”

American International College to Host Fall Open House for Prospective Students

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) will host its fall open house on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on its Springfield campus.

This event offers prospective students and their families the opportunity to explore all that AIC has to offer. Guests can meet faculty, learn about AIC’s wide range of academic programs, and connect with admissions staff who will provide guidance on the application process, financial aid, and scholarship opportunities. Prospective students can also apply at the open house to receive an on-the-spot decision the same day.

Visitors will also gain insight into the AIC experience — what it means to be part of a vibrant, diverse community dedicated to access, opportunity, and student success. Student leaders will also be on hand to share about the clubs and organizations they run on campus.

“We’re excited to open our doors and share the AIC experience with future students,” said Matt Sykes, director of Admissions. “This is the perfect opportunity to explore, learn, and see firsthand what makes AIC so unique.”

The event will begin at 9 a.m. in the lobby of the College’s Griswold Theatre, located at 1000 State St. in Springfield. Other activities include campus tours and lunch in the AIC Dining Commons. To learn more or to register for the fall open house, visit www.aic.edu/openhouse.

Janice Pirog Promoted to Digital Systems Manager at Monson Savings Bank

By
Daily News

Janice Pirog

MONSON — Monson Savings Bank announced the promotion of Janice Pirog to Digital Systems manager. In her new role, she will oversee the workflow operations of digital banking products and services, while also managing and training employees within the eBanking Department.

Pirog brings a wealth of experience to her new position. She has worked in the finance and banking industry for 33 years, including 23 years with Monson Savings Bank. Her deep understanding of banking operations and commitment to excellence have made her a valuable asset to the community bank.

“I’m truly honored to step into the role of Digital Systems manager and continue growing with Monson Savings Bank,” Pirog said. “This opportunity allows me to further expand my knowledge of the eBanking department and strengthen my leadership skills. Being part of a community-focused bank that values its employees and customers is incredibly rewarding, and I’m excited to contribute to our ongoing innovation and service excellence.”

Like Monson Savings Bank, Pirog is involved in community initiatives. She volunteers her time as a reader in local elementary school classes and Rays of Hope, reflecting her dedication to making a positive impact both inside and outside the workplace.

“Janice has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to our customers and our team. Her leadership in the digital banking department is invaluable as we continue to innovate and enhance our services,” said Dan Moriarty, president and CEO of Monson Savings Bank. “We are proud to have her join our eBanking department and look forward to her continued success.”

GCC Launches Early Childhood Education Apprenticeship Program

By
Daily News

GREENFIELD — Greenfield Community College (GCC) announced the launch of the Early Childhood Education Apprenticeship for Learning, Innovation, Voice & Empowerment (ECE ALIVE), a pilot learn-and-earn program aimed at addressing the childcare staffing shortage in the Pioneer Valley while diversifying and strengthening the early education workforce.

Developed by GCC’s Workforce Development division in collaboration with Early Childhood Education faculty and five local childcare providers, the program offers free, paid, on-the-job training paired with college coursework that leads to teacher certification without student debt.

“This is a game changer for our region,” GCC Dean of Workforce Development Alex Carley said. “We’re helping job seekers launch meaningful careers in early education while solving a critical workforce challenge.”

The program begins with four weeks of professional readiness training, including digital literacy, classroom readiness, and durable skills training, followed by 15 weeks of hybrid learning and hands-on experience in an early childcare setting. Apprentices will be placed in childcare centers for paid, on-the-job training supported by both college faculty and workplace mentors. Training and education costs are fully covered. The consortium of employer partners is likely to grow in the years ahead.

Participating apprentices can also earn college credit through a credit for prior learning process. The program’s curriculum aligns with both state and national teaching standards.

Funded by a three-year grant from Commonwealth Corp., the first cohort launches in January 2026, with two more cohorts beginning each fall through 2027. GCC aims to expand the model regionally.

“Our model is unique, including direct support to make connections between GCC courses and educator practice in the field. This is a crucial foundation for building a professional career in early education,” GCC Education Department Chair Peggy Martalock said.

Applications are open now. For more information, contact the ECE ALIVE coordinator at GCC Workforce Development at [email protected].

Applications Open for Food Access Infrastructure Initiative Grant

By
Daily News

ENFIELD, Conn. — Farm Credit East is now accepting applications for its Food Access Infrastructure Initiative Grant, which provides organizations with grants of up to $50,000 as they work to improve food security in the Northeast. The deadline to apply is Dec. 1.

Farm Credit East’s Food Access Infrastructure Initiative financially supports organizations such as food banks, food hubs, and other nonprofit food distribution and infrastructure organizations as they implement new projects to further food access in the Northeast. The grant funds must be used for capital projects to improve infrastructure improvements, such as expanding cooler storage or increasing produce handling functionality.

Nominees should be based in Farm Credit East’s territory — Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont — although nominees from outside the territory may be eligible if the initiative is positively impacting the rural areas of Farm Credit East’s territory.

Visit farmcrediteast.com/foodaccessgrant to learn more and apply, or email [email protected] for more information.

MassDevelopment Issues Bond to Support Mount Holyoke College Plan

By
Daily News

SOUTH HADLEY — MassDevelopment has issued a $154,750,000 tax-exempt bond on behalf of the trustees of Mount Holyoke College, who will use bond proceeds to make investments in its campus, with the goal of ensuring accessibility for all and sustainability for years to come.

Mount Holyoke’s campus renewal will respond to the existing needs of the college community and continue both its transition to geothermal energy and its residence hall renovations. The college’s geothermal exchange project, already in progress, includes the drilling of geothermal exchange wells and the purchase of heat pumps and related energy equipment.

The institution will also use bond proceeds to fund other strategic improvement projects on its campus, such as renovations to its residence halls and key academic buildings, as well as refinance previously issued debt. The tax-exempt bond, purchased by TD Bank, helped the borrower achieve a lower cost of capital.

“This is an investment in the future of Mount Holyoke College as a leading academic institution and contributor to the Western Massachusetts economy,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley, who chairs MassDevelopment’s board of directors. “Schools like Mount Holyoke play a critical role advancing our state’s workforce, and we look forward to seeing how this campus renewal project creates a more modernized, sustainable place for students to live, learn, and discover.”

Carl Ries, vice president of Finance and Administration at Mount Holyoke College, added that “the new bond will help fund MHC’s bold, multi-year comprehensive campus plan. We are consistently ranked as one of the most beautiful college campuses in America. The college is building upon that legacy by elevating our instructional and academic halls and classrooms, renovating our residence halls, and replacing our 100-year-old fossil fuel heating system with an efficient, scalable, and modern infrastructure. This is an investment in our campus, our students, and the Western Massachusetts community.”

Attorney Steven Weiss Elected President of NABT Board of Directors

By
Daily News

Steven Weiss

SPRINGFIELD — Attorney Steven Weiss, a shareholder at Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., a regional law firm with offices in Springfield and Northampton, is now bringing his legal expertise to a national stage. He has been elected president of the National Assoc. of Bankruptcy Trustees (NABT), the premier organization advocating for and supporting the interests of bankruptcy trustees across the country. Weiss, who has served as NABT’s first vice president, assumed the new role on Oct. 1.

He takes on this position at a key time for the profession. According to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, the number of bankruptcy filings in the U.S. rose 15% over the last year.

“I’m excited and honored,” Weiss said. “It’s a busy time for us in bankruptcy law, and there are not a lot of people who do what we do, so the NABT is really a great resource for the profession as a whole. I have been a chapter 7 trustee for almost four decades, and feel I have the experience to guide the organization over the next year.”

Weiss has been a member of the NABT for more than two decades and is co-chair of its amicus committee, which evaluates requests for friend-of-the-court briefs to be filed in cases for which the bankruptcy profession may have an interest.

He concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial and consumer bankruptcy, reorganization, and litigation. He supervises the bankruptcy, reorganization, and workout practice at Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin. He is also a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute and has been part of the private panel of chapter 7 trustees for the District of Massachusetts for 38 years. He is a graduate of Boston University School of Law.

Country Bank Recognized for Charitable Giving

By
Daily News

WARE — Country Bank, a full-service financial institution serving Central and Western Mass., announced that the Boston Business Journal has once again named the bank an honoree in its annual Corporate Citizenship Awards, recognizing the region’s top corporate charitable contributors. The magazine annually publishes this list to highlight companies that promote and prioritize giving back to their communities.

During this year’s celebration on Sept. 10, 99 companies qualified for the distinction by reporting at least $100,000 in cash contributions to Massachusetts-based charities last year. Collectively, they gave more than $416 million in cash contributions. This year’s honorees include companies from such industry sectors as financial and professional services, healthcare, technology, retail, and professional sports.

Country Bank employs 239 staff members in Hampden, Hampshire, and Worcester counties. Its team of Difference Makers actively promotes the bank’s mission of making a difference in their communities by volunteering for various nonprofits throughout the year.

“We are honored to be recognized by the Boston Business Journal for Country Bank’s philanthropic efforts,” President and CEO Mary McGovern said. “As a community bank, it is our mission to help make a difference in the lives of others.”

Springfield Museums Casts Spell with “Bewitched: A Haunting Evening”

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Museums invites the public “Bewitched: A Haunting Evening to Benefit the Springfield Museums,” a fundraiser blending art, enchantment, and community spirit. The event will take place this Thursday, Oct. 23, from 6 to 8:30 pm at the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum.

Guests (ages 21 and up) will enjoy tarot readings, circus performances by SHOW Circus Studio, music by DJ TJ and pianist Mark Kelso, and mystical appearances by the museum’s founders. The silent auction — which opened online on Oct. 16 — includes experiences like a private tour of the Rockefeller Estate, glass art by Josh Simpson, and low-number Dr. Seuss license plates. Tickets cost $100, and themed attire is encouraged.

The presenting sponsor of “Bewitched” is St. Germain Investment Management, with support from Baystate Health, Health New England, and other community sponsors. MassMutual is the season sponsor of the Springfield Museums.

Aaron Vega to Lead Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council

By
Daily News

Aaron Vega

SPRINGFIELD — After a nationwide search that yielded more than 100 applicants, the board of directors for the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council (EDC) named Aaron Vega, director of Planning & Economic Development for the city of Holyoke, as its new president and CEO.

“I’m very excited,” Vega said. “For me now, this role makes total sense on my trajectory, but there’s no way I was planning this. I’m astonished and very thankful to be able to do important work in my home region.”

Armed with ideas and a developing vision for the EDC, he looks forward to building relationships, fostering trust, and creating new supports and connections for all stakeholders.

“I will take what I’ve been doing in Holyoke to a bigger scale,” Vega said. “My plan is to use the first months of next year to be out there listening to mayors, planning directors, people in the business community, developers, manufacturers. Whether you do or don’t know me, you’re going to know me, and I’m anxious to talk to you next year.”

Vega is charged with carrying on the legacy of Rick Sullivan, who has served the EDC for 11 years and will work his last day in the lead role on Dec. 31. Sullivan is credited with massive economic development in the region and, in the last years of his tenure, securing $70 million in state investments for food science, quantum computing, and clean tech.

“I was part of the group that hired Rick,” said Charles D’Amour, chair of the search committee that recruited Vega as well as the executive chairman of the board of directors of Big Y Foods Inc. and a member of the EDC. “My goal in this search, from the beginning, was to find someone who could build on Rick’s leadership and legacy of work and successes. I feel very good about the process and very good about Aaron being chosen to be our next leader. Things have come full circle.”

Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia, who has worked closely with Vega for three years on matters of economic development in the city, added that “Aaron is the guy folks understand and respect and will come to the table for to work on strategy to get to an end goal. That makes him a good fit for the EDC role.”

Vega was a Holyoke city councilor for four years before he was elected in 2012 to the Massachusetts House of Representatives, serving three terms in the 5th Hampden District. Since January 2021, Vega has led the Office of Planning & Economic Development in Holyoke, where he lives with his wife, Debra, a dance teacher at Mount Holyoke College; they are both co-directors and instructors at Vega Yoga Mobile in Open Square and have four children.

The son of activist Carlos Vega, Vega grew up in South Holyoke, living briefly in New Hampshire and graduating from Mascenic Regional High School in 1988. He attended Holyoke Community College and earned a dual bachelor’s degree from Keene State College in psychology and film studies. In his first career, he worked as an editor for PBS documentaries, collaborating on several films with Ken Burns.

Top on Vega’s agenda in 2026 will be building new relationships, bringing people together, and proving that he’s action-oriented and likes to get things done. “I’m a good convener, and I have a way of getting people on the same page. Finding things we can agree on and build on is a skill set I bring to the table,” he said.

He wants to focus on supporting municipalities and their economic development officers so when the EDC invites new businesses into the area, there are mechanisms in place for assuring they can leap the hurdles of site planning, zoning, and special permitting. “We want to make sure we are inviting businesses and making the right connections so they have a smooth transition,” he said.

A second focus will be marketing the Western Mass. hub and selling the region’s natural resources, entertainment, and quality of life to businesses that visit. “You can live in a farmhouse in a hilltown and be in Springfield in 20 minutes,” he noted.

As a successful Latino in the region, Vega also wants to urge the Latino community in the region to take ownership of their cities, become elected officials, open a business, and make a home here. “My message to all young people, and definitely the Latino community, is: your home is here,” he said, musing that perhaps the region needs a youth ambassador group. “I want the youth to have a voice in the future of this area.”

Sullivan said Vega is walking into a great opportunity in the region with a hugely supportive business community, board of directors, and membership all focused on growing the Western Mass. economy. “Aaron obviously has a professional lifetime of responsibility to the region, both politically and from an economic development lens,” Sullivan said, “and I think he will do a great job.”

Indie Readery & Records to Open on North Street in Pittsfield on Oct. 23

By
Daily News

PITTSFIELD — Indie Readery & Records, located at 314 North St. in Pittsfield, announced its grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 10 a.m.

“With a strong focus on community engagement, intellectual freedom, and social justice, our business is poised to serve as a hub for those who value inclusivity and individualism,” said Emma Lenski, the store’s owner.

Indie Readery & Records is an independent bookstore that combines a curated selection of books, vinyl records, and a variety of humorous and progressive gifts. The store’s focus on offering literature that promotes social justice, equity, and freedom places a strong emphasis on liberal and progressive viewpoints. The store will serve as a community space for like-minded individuals to engage with new ideas, music, and humor, while providing a space for cultural and community events.

First Central Bible Church of Chicopee to Host Trunk or Treat Event on Oct. 29

By
Daily News

CHICOPEE — First Central Bible Church will host its annual Trunk or Treat Halloween gathering on Wednesday, Oct. 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. The event will take place at the church, 50 Broadway St., Chicopee. Attendance is free, and no registration is required.

A Chicopee-area tradition, Trunk or Treat provides a fun, safe, family-friendly evening for the entire community, with church members handing out candy from the decorated trunks of their cars.

Other highlights include Springfield Thunderbirds mascot Boomer, a Chicopee Fire Department ladder truck, Christian music from the Q 99.7, free hot dogs and bottled water (while supplies last), two bounce houses, a photo booth, and fellowship and prayer.

Members of the community are welcome to hand out candy from a decorated vehicle as space permits. Other volunteer opportunities are also available. To participate, call the church at (413) 592-5353.

Family-friendly Halloween Event Set for Oct. 25 at Forest Park Zoo

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Zoo in Forest Park’s annual Spooky Safari, a Halloween event for all ages, returns on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (advance tickets required).

Spooky Safari includes a trick-or-treat trail for kids complete with small toys, free books from Link to Libraries, and, of course, candy. Guests are also invited to create Halloween-themed crafts, complete a scavenger hunt for a chance to win prizes, and participate in up-close animal encounters. A professional face painter will be on site from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., making costumes come to life with complimentary face painting.

The event also features a virtual costume contest with prizes awarded for Funniest, Best Group, and Most Creative costumes, as voted by zoo staff. Attendees are encouraged to snap a photo at the event and post it as a comment on the designated post on the zoo’s Facebook page for a chance to be crowned a winner.

“Spooky Safari is our last big hurrah before we close our gates for the season,” said Gabry Tyson, assistant executive director at the Zoo in Forest Park. “It offers families an opportunity to visit before winter while supporting the ongoing care of the animals that live here year-round.”

Although the zoo will close to the public on Nov. 3, it remains a fully staffed and operational facility 365 days a year.

Pre-registration is required to attend Spooky Safari. No additional tickets will be sold at the door, and library passes cannot be used for this event. Registration closes on Oct. 24 at noon or when all tickets are sold. The entrance gates close at 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 25, and the event ends at 2:30 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit www.forestparkzoo.org/spooky-safari.

Berkshire Film & Media Collaborative to Host Networking Event at Indigo Room

By
Daily News

GREAT BARRINGTON — Berkshire Film & Media Collaborative (BFMC) will host a fall networking event on Tuesday, Oct. 28, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the new Indigo Room, located next door to the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington.

Following a sold-out spring event, BFMC’s fall gathering promises another inspiring evening of connection and creativity. These networking nights bring together filmmakers, crew members, post-production technicians, animators, educators, students, and media professionals from across the region to share ideas, find collaborators, and spark new projects.

“We’re excited to keep the momentum going after the success of our May event in this beautiful new space,” said Diane Pearlman, BFMC executive director. “It’s always exciting to see our regional creative community come together. Whether you’re a seasoned filmmaker or just curious about getting involved, everyone is welcome.”

Admission to the networking event is free, but space is limited to 100 guests. RSVP is required at bfmcfallnetworking.eventbrite.com by Oct. 27.

Guests can look forward to light bites and a cash bars. Donations are welcome at the door to support BFMC’s educational program, “Your Voice Through Video,” a documentary filmmaking curriculum offered in high schools across Berkshire County.

Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative creates production, workforce, and education initiatives in the film and media industry as an economic initiative for the Western Mass. region.

bankESB Commits $100,000 to Sister Mary Caritas Endowed Nurses’ Education Fund

By
Daily News

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB announced a $100,000, multi-year commitment to Mercy Medical Center in Springfield, in support of the Sister Mary Caritas Endowed Nurses’ Education Fund. This investment will help provide critical resources for the ongoing education, training, and professional development of nurses, ensuring patients in Western Mass. continue to receive the highest quality of compassionate care.

Established to honor the legacy of Sister Mary Caritas, former president of Mercy Medical Center and a lifelong advocate for accessible, high-quality healthcare, the endowed fund strengthens the hospital’s ability to recruit, retain, and advance skilled nursing professionals. Nurses supported by the fund will benefit from advanced training opportunities, certification programs, and educational scholarships that directly enhance patient care across the community.

“bankESB is proud to stand alongside Mercy Medical Center in its mission to provide exceptional healthcare close to home,” said Matthew Sosik, president and CEO of bankESB. “Nurses are at the heart of every patient experience, and by supporting their continued education, we are investing not only in the future of healthcare, but also in the well-being of families across our region.”

The $100,000 pledge underscores bankESB’s long-standing dedication to strengthening local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism, and support of organizations that make a difference in people’s lives.

“We are grateful to bankESB for this generous donation to the Sister Mary Caritas Endowed Nurses’ Education Fund,” said Susan Pettorini-D’Amico, chief Nursing officer at Mercy Medical Center. “This important fund not only allows us to recruit at local colleges and universities with paid internships, but it also supports current Mercy nurses interested in pursuing elevated certifications and licenses, as well as colleagues who want to pursue a new career in nursing.”

Fitness First Health Club to Celebrate 40 Years with Anniversary Open House

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Daily News

AGAWAM — Fitness First Health Club, a cornerstone of the Agawam community for four decades, announced a major milestone: its 40th anniversary. To celebrate four decades of commitment to health, fitness, and wellness, the club invites the entire community to a grand open house event.

The celebration will take place on Saturday, Nov. 1 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fitness First Health Club facility at 60 North Westfield St., Feeding Hills. This event is free and open to the public, a gesture of thanks to the community that has supported the club since 1985.

“Reaching 40 years is a testament to the loyalty of our members and the dedication of our staff,” said Paula Welker, co-owner and general manager. “We’ve seen generations of families improve their health here. This open house isn’t just a celebration of our health and fitness center; it’s a celebration of the community we’ve built together.”

The grand open house will feature a packed schedule of activities for all ages:

• Local vendors and partners: Explore tables from local businesses focused on health, nutrition, and well-being.

• Special class demos: Participate in or observe a variety of the club’s most popular fitness classes such as Group Power, Zumba, Yoga, and Aqua Fitness.

• Exclusive offers and prizes: Guests will have access to anniversary-exclusive membership offers and a chance to win significant prizes through raffles.

• Family pool and pizza party, 1-3 p.m.: A supervised event for families featuring swimming, games, and complimentary pizza and refreshments.

• Complimentary refreshments, chair massage, and in-body assessments.

Fitness First Health Club’s 40th anniversary open house promises to be a fun, engaging event celebrating not just the gym’s history, but a future focused on making fitness accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Deadline Is Today for Purchasing Tickets to Healthcare Heroes Gala

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Today, Oct. 17, is the deadline to purchase tickets for the ninth annual Healthcare Heroes awards gala, hosted by BusinessWest and HealthcareNews.com. The event will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 22 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. Tickets cost $95 per person, and tables of 10 are available. Click here to purchase tickets.

The Healthcare Heroes class of 2025 were introduced in the Sept. 15 issue of BusinessWest, and their profiles can be read at businesswest.com and healthcarenews.com. This year’s honorees are:

• The Andy Yee Palliative Care Unit at Mercy Medical Center;

• Areliz Barbosa, clinical assistant professor and senior project coordinator at Bay Path University;

• Andrea Bertheaud, clinical assistant professor at Elms College;

• Chrissy Humason, Nursing supervisor and Stroke coordinator at Baystate Noble Hospital;

• Linda Koh, assistant professor in the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing at UMass Amherst;

• Cindy Leonard, Infusion manager at the Sister Caritas Cancer Center at Mercy Medical Center;

• Dr. Thomas Lincoln, physician and associate professor of Medicine at Baystate Health; and

• Dr. Yannis Raftopoulos, director of the Holyoke Medical Center Weight Management Program.

The ninth annual Healthcare Heroes program is presented by Baystate Health & Health New England and Elms College and sponsored by Trinity Health Of New England/Mercy Medical Center and Holyoke Medical Center.

The Healthcare Heroes program was created in 2017 to honor the heroes working across the region’s wide, deep, and all-important healthcare and wellness sector. These leaders, innovators, and collaborators have devoted their careers to improving the quality of individual lives and the health of entire communities.

For more information, call Natasha Mercado-Santana, Marketing and Events Manager, at (413) 781-8600, ext. 100, or email [email protected].

Rays of Hope Walk & Run Toward the Cure of Breast Cancer Steps Off on Oct. 19

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Bringing more than $17.7 million over 30 years to Western Mass. in support of breast cancer care, research, and education, the Rays of Hope Walk & Run Toward the Cure of Breast Cancer will once again welcome supporters to hit the pavement on Sunday, Oct. 19, beginning at Temple Beth El in Springfield and contunuing along a scenic walk route through Springfield’s Forest Park.

Over the years, all money raised remains local to assist individuals and their families affected by breast cancer. Baystate Health Foundation administers the funds, which support treatment, breast health programs, outreach and education, the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment through the Baystate Health Breast Network, as well as support for the Rays of Hope Center for Breast Cancer Research. Rays of Hope also provides grants to various community programs throughout Western Mass. that promote whole body wellness of survivors.

“Rays of Hope is a very unique organization that Western Massachusetts is very lucky to have,” said John Maybury, the 2024-25 Rays of Hope co-chair. “Not only does it raise money for local research, but it provides a support system for survivors. There is always someone there to talk to who understands what you’re going through in a way that goes beyond what you get at the doctor’s office.”

Added Sandy Maybury, 2024-25 co-chair, “to be there, it’s truly beautiful. There is just a sea of pink at the walk where people are showing their support for their community.”

There is still time to register to walk or run at baystatehealth.org/raysofhope. Participants can choose to register as an individual or start a team, then create their own personal webpage to assist them in their fundraising efforts. While there is no minimum donation to participate, participants are required to raise at least $50 to be eligible to receive a 2025 Rays of Hope participant T-shirt.

Once they arrive at the starting lot, participants are asked to visit the registration tent, in its new location at the back of the lot, to check in and pick up their participant T-shirt. Check-in for the Run Toward the Cure will begin at 7:30 a.m., and the race will take off at 8:30 a.m. Walker registration will open at 9 a.m., and the Walk Toward the Cure steps off at 10:30 a.m.

Buses begin operating at 7:30 a.m. for runners and at 8:30 a.m. for walkers to shuttle them to Temple Beth El. Parking for runners is only at Springfield Elks Lodge at 440 Tiffany St. in Springfield. Parking for walkers is at Blueberry Hill Elementary School, Cartamundi, East Longmeadow High School, and Longmeadow High School. More details on parking can be found at baystatehealth.org/raysofhope.

For more information about this year’s Rays of Hope Walk and Run Toward the Cure of Breast Cancer, held rain or shine, call (413) 794-8001 or visit baystatehealth.org/raysofhope.

Friends of Children Inc. to Host Artisan Market on Nov. 16

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Daily News

FLORENCE — Friends of Children Inc. will host its first-ever Artisan Market on Sunday, Nov. 16 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Garden House at Look Park, 300 North Main Street, Florence.

This juried artisan event will feature 30 local creators, food vendors, and a silent online auction with a selection of local seasonal experiences to bid on. All proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit children and young adults affected by the child welfare system.

“We are excited to invite the community to learn more about our mission through this inaugural event to kick off the holiday shopping season,” said Sarah Segura, co-executive director of Friends of Children. “It’s been exciting to realize how many artisans are eager to join us for this holiday market to support the children and young adults in our programs.”

Admission is free, and there is no parking fee. Artisan items available for purchase include fiber arts, pottery, woodworking items, kiln glass, framed prints, holiday decor, jewelry, and all-natural self-care items. Push for Joy and Local Burger will be the featured food vendors.

The online silent auction will run from Nov. 5 through Nov. 23. Click here to view or bid on available items, including experiences at New England’s premier holiday season attractions, museum admissions, lift tickets to local ski resorts, and an array of handmade items from local artisans.

Alumnus Daniel Riccio to Share Journey from UMass Amherst to Apple on Oct. 30

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Daily News

AMHERST — Recently retired Apple executive and engineer Daniel Riccio Jr. will share his journey from UMass Amherst to the pinnacle of innovation at Apple at the 2025 Shirley and Ting-Wei Tang Endowment Lecture on Thursday, Oct. 30 at 4:30 p.m. in the UMass Amherst Student Union Ballroom at 41 Campus Center Way.

Riccio helped shape the last 25-plus years of Apple products and will provide exclusive insights into his days at the pioneering tech company, where he played a pivotal role in building the team, culture, and processes that delivered category-defining innovative Apple products such as the iMac, iPhone, and iPad. He will also discuss his vision for the Riccio College of Engineering at UMass Amherst and the motivation behind his transformative $50 million gift.

A reception will be held from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m., followed by the lecture at 4:30, which will include both a traditional presentation and a Q&A fireside chat. The event is free and open to the public.

Holyoke Community College Lands $300,000 RISE Grant

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Daily News

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College (HCC) received a $300,000 state grant to train low-income job seekers whose primary barrier to employment is their English language skills.

The Readiness, Integration, Skills, and Employment (RISE) grant to HCC is part of a $2.7 million package awarded recently to eight employers and organizations for English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) initiatives that also include career readiness, job training, and placement services.

The RISE grants are funded by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and administered by Commonwealth Corp. through the state’s Workforce Competitive Trust Fund. HCC was one of only two grant recipients outside the Boston area. Greenfield Community College received a $195,000 grant to train home health aides.

Overall, the grants will support the training of more than 500 residents in the state in workforce ESOL training programs and help ease the demand for ESOL services.

“We know that language is a significant barrier to employment, which is why we have focused on connecting workers with the English and skills training they need to succeed in today’s economy,” Gov. Maura Healey said. “These awards will help prepare our residents to fill open roles in one of our high-demand fields.”

HCC is partnering with three Springfield-based agencies — Way Finders, Tech Foundry, and MassHire Springfield — to provide training and career placement services for 50 individuals. HCC’s employer partners include Baystate Health, Holyoke Medical Center, Adhesive Applications, Pioneer Valley Hotel Group, and MGM Springfield, who have agreed to interview program participants.

Originally, the grant focused on people living in emergency shelters but has been expanded to also include other low-income job seekers with children below age 18.

“It’s focused on individuals who need ESOL language development, but who also might be facing barriers like inadequate housing — that’s why we’re partnering with Way Finders; or digital literacy — that’s why we’re partnering with Tech Foundry; or basic awareness about how to apply for a job — that’s why we’re partnering with MassHire,” said Kermit Dunkelberg, HCC’s assistant vice president of Adult Education and Workforce Development.

Participants will also be connected to support services that address other basic needs, such as childcare and food insecurity.

“What’s innovative about this program is that we’re taking a cohesive approach to provide services that might typically be done sequentially, like, let’s first get you into stable housing and then get you into an English class, and then start thinking about a career,” Dunkelberg added. “Now we’re trying to do that in a more integrated way to accelerate people’s ability to get into jobs.”

HCC is now recruiting for the program, which is expected to begin by the end of October. The program will include three cycles of 12-week classes over a year and a half, with both in-person and self-paced online components.

“The curriculum is designed so that people can repeat a cycle or move up into a higher level of English and continue on. We will also be educating students about other industry-specific training opportunities we offer and jobs that are out there,” Dunkelberg explained. “One possible outcome is that they might go on to do culinary training or clean energy training or healthcare training. For others, it might be getting an entry-level position at Baystate Health or MGM.”