Bankruptcies

By
Bankruptcies Departments

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

Arsenault, Michael
PO Box 292
Barre, MA 01005
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 03/23/16

Ayala, Yolanda
30 Home St., 2nd Fl.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/17/16

Belyshev, Tatyana A.
42 Charles St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/22/16

Bigby, Abimalec Mary
a/k/a Bigby, Abimalec N.
a/k/a Laboy, Abimalec Mary
76 Grattan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/30/16

Bishop, Melissa F.
14 Taylor St., 2nd Fl.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/20/16

Brown, Betty J.
a/k/a Lamper, Beth
a/k/a Lampro, Elizabeth
a/k/a Brown, Elizabeth
a/k/a Lampro, Betty
51 Toronita Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/31/16

Bryant, Michael A.
Bryant, Kathleen J.
a/k/a Bolduc, Kathleen J.
P.O. Box 3496
Amherst, MA 01004
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/23/16

Burnham, Michael John
136 Newton St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/31/16

Caracciolo, Anna
90 Westwood Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/31/16

Carrington, Vivien M.
PO Box 2124
Pittsfield, MA 01202
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/17/16

Cebula, M. Eileen
a/k/a Cebula, Mary Eileen
942 Grayson Dr., Apt 12
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/24/16

Clough, Christopher Brian
71 South Prospect St. #3
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/31/16

Cooper, Linda Mae
168 Osborne Road
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/28/16

Correa, Juan
25 Federal St., Apt. 1-C
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/24/16

Cramer, Elizabeth Bronwyn
59 Wendell St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/29/16

Czeremcha-Medas, Bozena B.
7 Tolpa Court
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/30/16

Daignault, Robert J.
Daignault, Amanda M.
a/k/a Turner, Amanda M.
227 Chapman St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/30/16

Depoutot, Joseph
113 Winton St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 03/24/16

Gaj, David P.
25 Highland Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/17/16

Gascoigne, Bonny L.
26 Terrance St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/26/16

Gates, Deirde E.
28 Barna St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 03/23/16

Genereux, Laurie A.
11 Bellevue Ave.
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/31/16

Gibson, Eve M.
a/k/a Kwatowski, Eve M.
1440 Riverdale St.
Apartment A4
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/22/16

Gonzalez, Debra M.
63 Ventura St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/22/16

Gonzalez, Iris Y.
111 Beacon Terrace
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/25/16

Haney, Tanya M.
a/k/a Flebotte, Tanya M.
a/k/a Gebo, Tanya M.
38 Monroe St., 2nd Fl.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/24/16

Jacobs, Christopher C.
2 Park Ave. Apt. E
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/30/16

James, Walter W.
James, Donna J.
a/k/a Hebert, Donna J.
312 Dickinson St.
Springfield, MA 01108-1852
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/19/16

Jeanis, Tracy B.
6 Meadow Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/30/16

Kaczmarek, Ashley M.
326 Shaker Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/30/16

Kessler, Thomas R.
906 Chicopee St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 03/31/16

Lawrence, Iris N.
99 Blueberry Hill St.
Springfield, MA 01128
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/21/16

Ledoux, John William
P.O. Box 171
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/31/16

Machanik, Judith L.
PO Box 2185
Lenox, MA 01240
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/31/16

Maldonado, Enrique
Maldonado, Julia Anna
a/k/a Kashmanian, Julia Anna
36 Saint James Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/25/16

Marchefka, John J.
2 C Mountain Road Estates
Gill, MA 01354
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/30/16

McCoy, Cathy L.
331 Rosewell St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 03/22/16

MCM Contractors Inc.
CMA, LLP
Mastaler, Michael C.
96 Athol Road
Royalston, MA 01368
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/18/16

Mena, Oscar Antonio
951 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 03/18/16

Montalban, Antonio
P.O. Box 70114
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 03/30/16

Morse, James E.
Lorow, Susan M.
229 Buck Pond Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/31/16

Myco, Linda A.
156 Suffield St., Apt
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/22/16

Nesterov, Dmitriy A.
42 Merrick St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/17/16

Pion, Lawrence G.
Pion, Mona L.
38 Howard Hepburn Dr.
Sunderland, MA 01375
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/31/16

Plouffe, Jacob J.
419 Springfield St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/30/16

Porcello, Michael V.
11 Harwich Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 03/29/16

Reed, Beau T.
33 Anthony St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 03/28/16

Reed, Brandi
a/k/a Scanlon, Brandi
76 Crane Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/31/16

Reed, Theresa M.
43 Howard St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/17/16

Rivard, Steven G.
Rivard, Sheila J.
16 Kaveney St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/30/16

Rodriguez, Frances Michelle
a/k/a Rodriguez Quinones, Frances Michelle
27 Farnsworth St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/31/16

Rousseau, Elizabeth M.
a/k/a Perez, Elizabeth Morales
55 Pleasant St.
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/31/16

Russo, Jacquelyn M.
431 Dewey St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/21/16

Sulikowski, Edward
332 Sargent St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/27/16

Swinchatt, Tara N.
28 High St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/21/16

Tierney, Katelyn G.
115 Valley Brook Road
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/17/16

Tomasauckas, Rodney R.
645 Elm St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 03/21/16

Torrey, Barker T.
54 New State Road
Montgomery, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/23/16

Tritscher, Hubert
Tritscher, Flora
20 Russell Road, Apt. C
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/31/16

Urban, Valerie Eve
a/k/a Brosseau, Valerie E.
a/k/a Baker, Valerie Eve
10 Sheffield Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/24/16

Usher, Jeffrey T.
102 Dartmouth St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/26/16

Walker, Ronald B.
67 Jefferson St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/30/16

Wysocki, Gina M.
15 Overland St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 03/24/16

Zapata, Jorge A.
165 Island Pond Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/21/16

Doing Business As Certificates

By
DBA Certificates Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of April 2016.

AGAWAM

Euro Imports
325 Main St.
Martin Radwick

Feeding Hills Wellness Center
567 Springfield St.
Sarah Stiles

Greener Image Fertilizer
15 Melrose Place
Matthew Henry

Lularoe by Melissa Gilbert
21 Mulberry St.
Melissa Gilbert

New England Home Improvement
56 Randall St.
Ivan Smirnov

Ragno Restoration
15 Federal St.
John Ragno

Raw Face Graphics
775 Springfield St.
Shellie Spencer

HOLYOKE

Easy Pic Convenience
224 Lyman St.
Aizfa Shaikh

Emmanuel Jewelry Store
311 High St.
Tai Kang

First Choice Home Health
187 High St.
Benjamin Beaulieu

Piedmont Woodcraft
10 Roosevelt Ave.
Matthew T. Johnson

Real Clean Services
161 Lower Westfield Road
Shaun Texeira

NORTHAMPTON

D2 Investments
90 Conz St.
Paul DeBettencourt

Florence Farmer’s Market
90 Park St.
Maureen Dempsey

Spirit of the Heart
47 Market St.
Nancy Rothenberg

The Antiquarian, LLC
108 Main St.
William Youngworth

The Blue Marble
150 Main St.
Cathie Walz

The Foundry
24 Main St.
Sally Noble

PALMER

Kings Crown Hairstyling
1345 Main St.
Tracy Ogoley

Palmer Mapletree, LLC
21 Wilbraham St.
John Rottman

Sandy Hill Farm
25 Alan St.
Heidi Bara

SPRINGFIELD

Home City Housing Development
261 Oak Grove Ave.
Thomas Kegelman

House Max Home
892 Carew St.
Zeeshan Ali

Interstate Friendship
475 Sumner Ave.
Taran Tiwari

Janitze Springfield
1400 Main St.
Mark Dorsey

Little Store
285 Belmont Ave.
Mohamed Ahmed

Lularoe Danielle
91 Shawmut St.
Danielle Silva

Magic Hands Cleaning
69 Harkness Ave.
Paula Yearwood

Marie’s Haitian Specialties
189 Santa Barbara St.
Daniel Cherival

Mayes Insurance Agency
1102 State St.
Mia Mayes

Mike Langone Design
170 Hartford Terrace
Michael Joseph

Moe’s Pro Gardening
72 Melrose St.
Maurice Baker

Monster Music
54 Byers St.
Jesus Hernandez

Next Step Commercial
11 Elizabeth St.
Donald Sacco

Photography by Juhn Ciano
30 Springfield St.
Rodolfo Gutierrez

Powers Auto, LLC
420 Oak St.
Adam Powers

Princess Nails
1385 Liberty St.
Ken Ve

RJP Vending
15 Dewey St.
Ryan J. Pelletier

Santiago Tree Landscape
125 Arcadia Blvd.
Harry Santiago

Sciantics Group Business
34 Front St.
Michael Budnick

Smokin Deals
1285 Boston Road
Banaras Khan

WEST SPRINGFIELD

3D Motors
44 Exposition Terrace
Glenn Dmarco

Afterglow Auto Detailing
134 Orchard View St.
Michael Joseph

AMS Floors
158 Doty St.
David Minchuk

ATI Physical Therapy
124 Myron St.
Performance Inc.

Beautiful Beginnings
69 Van Horn St.
Eileen Stewart

BMW of West Springfield
1712 Riverdale St.
Clayton Gengras

Clean House with Jessica
31 Field St.
Jessica Dziewit

Ezee Mart
83 River St.
Javed Navqu

Hampton Inn
1011 Riverdale St.
Shawna McDaniel

Incorporations

By
Departments Incorporations

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

AMHERST

Holla Magazine Inc., 441 West St., Amherst, MA 01002. Ingrid Claudia Askew, 33 Kellogg Ave. #2, Amherst, MA 01002. Non-profit organization organized for charitable purposes.
 
CHICOPEE

Jesse James Charity Inc.,  1735 Donahue Road, Chicopee, MA 01020. Casey Ostrander, same. Non-profit organization organized for charitable purposes.
 
Martinez Tree Services Inc., 882 Chicopee St., Apt. 4L, Chicopee, MA 01013. Jorge Luis Martinez, same. Construction.
 
EAST LONGMEADOW

Lucky Cat Inc., 50 Industrial Ave., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Reza Shafii, 27 Juniper Dr., Deerfield, MA 01342. Retail print and copy shop.
 
FEEDING HILLS

Leos Trucking Inc., 160 Valley Brook Road, Feeding Hills, MA 01030. Leonid Shevchuk, same. Operating specialty and dedicated services of transporting foods, commercial goods, vehicles, and other commodities via flatbed, container, and heavy hauling trailers on a for-hire basis
 
GREAT BARRINGTON

Jaisai Corporation, 179 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Howard Na, same. Dry cleaning service.
 
INDIAN ORCHARD
          
Iglesia Arca De Refugio Pentecostes, 58 Pasco Road, Indian Orchard, MA 01151. Luis Alberto Epulveda. 95 Main St., Chicopee, MA 01020. Angel Salgado, 555 South Summer St., Holyoke, MA  01104. A local church by the direction of the Lord Jesus Christ and under the leadership of the Holy Spirit in accordance with all of the Commandments and provisions set forth in the Holy Bible, the irrevocable word of God.
 
NORTHAMPTON

Jacob & Tina Chen Inc., 261 King St., Northampton, MA 01060. Yi Qiang Chen, 80 Barrett St., Apt. 11, Northampton, MA 01060. Food service.
 
Lighthouse Darkroom Inc., 111 Franklin St., Northampton, MA 01060. Sakchai (Chris) Tamma, 44 Fort St., Apt. 1, Northampton, MA 01060. A photographic arts collective, community darkroom, photo lab, education center, and gallery.
 
McCallum Dry Goods Inc., 150 Main St., Suite 310, Northampton, MA 01060. Dror Shmerling, same. Retail Sales.
 
Mocha Inc., 76 ½ Maple St., Northampton, MA 01062. Michael Dinelle, same. Equipment leasing to businesses and individuals to help with Internet visibility.
 
PITTSFIELD

Joss Management Co., 54 Alpine Trail, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Suzanne Chung, same. Restaurant managing and consulting business.
 
SPRINGFIELD

Immaculate Cleaning Service Inc., 64 Melha Ave., Springfield, MA 01104. Shukrallah Reissour, same. Cleaning services.
 
Neuro-Ophthalmology and Eyecare P.C., 159 Sumner Ave., Apt 8, Springfield, MA 01108. Erkan Mutlukan, MD, PHD, 1964 Boston Road, Wilbraham, MA 01095. Optometrist.
 
Our Journey at OD Fitness, Inc., 441 White St., Springfield, MA  01108.  Yardley Mellon, 44 Eleanor Road, Springfield, MA 01108. Exercise and fitness program.
 
WEST SPRINGFIELD

LK Express, Inc., 27 Morton St., West Springfield, MA 01089. Leonid Kukharchuk, same. Specialty and dedicated services of transporting foods, commercial goods, vehicles, general freight and other commodities via flatbed, container, and heavy hauling trailers on a for-hire basis.
 
WILBRAHAM

Om Racing Mart Inc., 5 Patriot Ridge Lane, Wilbraham, MA 01095. Rakeshkumar V. Patel, same. Convenience store.

Briefcase

By
Briefcase Departments

Leadership Pioneer Valley Seeks Class of 2017

SPRINGFIELD — Leadership Pioneer Valley (LPV) is now accepting applications for enrollment in its class of 2017. The regional leadership-development program begins in September.
LPV utilizes a 10-month, topically relevant, ever-changing curriculum designed to challenge and engage emerging leaders from all sectors of the community within the Pioneer Valley region. The curriculum consists of both classroom and hands-on, experiential learning through retreats, day-long seminars, field experiences, and team projects. To date, more than 180 individuals representing more than 82 companies, organizations, and municipalities have participated.
LPV is seeking applicants from nonprofits, businesses, and government who are eager to increase their leadership skills and take action to better the region. Applicants are considered in a competitive application process that prioritizes diversity by employment sector, geography, race, gender, and sexual orientation. Emerging leaders, mid-career professionals with leadership potential, and those looking to better the Pioneer Valley should consider applying.
In its five years running, the program has filled a critical need for a leadership program that builds a network of emerging leaders to address the challenges and opportunities of the region. Fifty-three percent of alumni have a new leadership role at work, 64% have joined a new board of directors, and 99% made new, meaningful connections.
The deadline for LPV class of 2017 applications is July 1. Applications and further information can be found at www.leadershippv.org.

State Unveils Low-cost Bachelor’s Degree Plan

LOWELL — Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito joined public higher-education leaders Thursday to announce the ‘Commonwealth Commitment,’ an innovative college affordability and completion plan to help more students achieve the dream of a college degree.
The Commonwealth Commitment, the first agreement of its kind in the nation, was signed by UMass President Marty Meehan, Worcester State University President Barry Maloney, and Middlesex Community College President James Mabry, representing the three segments of the public higher-education system, at a ceremony at Middlesex Community College. The plan commits every public campus to providing 10% rebates at the end of each successfully completed semester to qualifying undergraduate students, in addition to the standard MassTransfer tuition waiver received upon entering a four-year institution from a community college. Students who meet the program requirements will, depending on the transfer pathway they choose, be able to realize an average savings of $5,090 off the cost of a baccalaureate degree. Also, as part of the Commonwealth Commitment’s goal to increase cost savings and predictability, tuition and mandatory fees will be frozen for program participants as of the date they enter the program.
Students will begin their studies at one of the state’s 15 community colleges, enrolling in one of 24 Commonwealth Commitment/Mass Transfer Pathways programs that will roll out in fall 2016 (14 programs) and fall 2017 (10 additional programs). They must attend full-time, and must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0. After earning an associate’s degree in two and a half years or less, students will transfer to a state university or UMass campus to earn a baccalaureate degree.
“I am pleased that our higher-education leaders have worked collaboratively to create this program to decrease the cost of a college degree and accelerate on-time completion,” Baker. “Even though public higher education in Massachusetts is already a great value, the Commonwealth Commitment will make it even easier for students to go to school full-time and to enter the workforce faster and with less debt.”

Springfield Among Cities Gaining Jobs

BOSTON — Local unemployment rates dropped in 12 labor market areas, remained the same in nine areas, and increased in three areas in the state during the month of March, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported. The rates were down in all areas compared to March 2015.
A total of 14 areas added jobs over the month, with the largest gains in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Springfield, Worcester, Framingham, and Barnstable areas. The Lowell-Billerica-Chelmsford area recorded the only loss over the month. From March 2015 to March 2016, 14 areas added jobs, with the largest percentage gains in the Haverhill-Newport-Amesbury, Brockton-Bridgewater-Easton, and Barnstable areas. The Lynn-Saugus-Marblehead area jobs level remained unchanged.

Hydropower Project Upgrades Announced

WEST SPRINGFIELD — State energy officials announced more than $1 million in funding to support upgrades to hydroelectric facilities in three communities. Facilities receiving grant funding are Mini-Watt Hydroelectric in Orange, Pioneer Hydro Electric in Ware, and A&D Hydro Inc. in West Springfield. The initiatives, announced during Earth Week, are aimed at increasing Massachusetts’ clean-energy generation.
“In filing legislation for the procurement of cost-effective, low-carbon hydropower, our administration recognizes the importance of improving renewable-energy facilities to help the Commonwealth continue to lead the way on clean energy, energy efficiency, and the adoption of innovative technologies,” said Gov. Charlie Baker. “These grants to make hydropower facilities more efficient and increase hydropower production will help us meet our greenhouse-gas emissions goals and continue to increase the role of renewables in our energy portfolio.”
The upgrades, which are being funded through the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s Hydropower Program, will allow the facilities to annually produce an average of 1.2 million more kilowatt hours of renewable electricity.
“Upgrading local hydroelectric facilities further diversifies the Commonwealth’s energy portfolio, while helping to reach our ambitious greenhouse-gas emissions-reduction goals,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “Hydropower is a low-cost, clean resource that allows us to provide reliable electricity to Massachusetts residents while protecting the environment.”

Company Notebook

By
Company Notebook Departments

United Financial Announces Q1 Earnings, Dividend

GLASTONBURY, Conn. — United Financial Bancorp Inc., the holding company for United Bank, announced results for the quarter ended March 31.
The company had net income of $11.9 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, compared to net income for the linked quarter of $9.9 million, or $0.20 per diluted share. Operating net income (non-GAAP) for the first quarter of 2016 was $10.9 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, compared to $11.3 million, or $0.23 per diluted share for the linked quarter. Operating net income is adjusted for purchase accounting impacts and net gain on sale of securities.
Additionally, in the first quarter of 2016, operating income was also adjusted for Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston pre-payment penalties. The company reported net income of $13.0 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2015.
“In the first quarter of 2016, linked quarter annualized growth included a 13% increase in demand deposits, 9% growth in total deposits, and a seven-basis-point expansion in the net interest margin. Non-interest expense to average assets declined to 2.03% on an operating basis, and asset quality remained excellent. Tangible book value increased by 5% compared to the linked quarter (annualized) as we announced our 40th consecutive dividend payment,” said William Crawford IV, CEO of the company and the bank. “Given the interest-rate environment, we believe execution on the aforementioned key variables gives us the best opportunity to continue building long-term shareholder value.
“While volatile interest rates reduced mortgage-banking income and headline company profitability in the first quarter of 2016, management is focused on growing revenue centered in net interest income and core fee income,” he went on. “I remain bullish on United Financial Bancorp Inc.’s outlook for 2016 earnings and tangible book value growth.”
The report’s financial highlights include return on average assets of 0.76%, return on average equity of 7.59%, a net interest margin increase to 3.09% from 3.02% in the linked quarter, and operating non-interest expense/average assets of 2.03% for the quarter (annualized) balance sheet. Total assets at March 31, 2016 increased by $90.7 million to $6.3 billion from $6.2 billion at Dec. 31, 2015.
At March 31, 2016, total loans were $4.6 billion, representing an increase of $34.9 million from the linked quarter. Despite the typical softness experienced in the first quarter in general, total commercial loans increased by $38.5 million, or 6% annualized. Residential mortgages declined during the first quarter of 2016 by $3.6 million, reflecting the company’s strategy to reduce on-balance sheet exposure to residential mortgage loans.

Balise Kia Dealership Opens in West Springfield

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The new Balise Kia in West Springfield, located on Riverdale Street next to Balise Mazda, opened on April 14. The completely renovated, 15,000-square-foot dealership replaces the Balise-owned Mighty Auto Parts warehouse, which has been relocated to a nearby facility. The new Kia building features a customer-friendly showroom and comfortable waiting area with free WiFi. The dealership also offers a covered service drive-up for customer convenience. Bill Peffer, president and COO of Balise Motor Sales, said he’s excited to welcome a rapidly growing brand to the Balise family. “The addition of Kia, one of the fastest-growing brands in the United States, aligns perfectly with the Balise philosophy of putting the customer first,” he said. “With numerous accolades in the areas of quality, safety, and sustainability, we’re thrilled to continue serving Kia customers throughout Western Massachusetts with a high-quality product.” Construction and renovation of the facility was completed by Associated Builders of South Hadley. This is the first Kia dealership for the Balise group and will be the only Kia Motors America franchise in the Springfield Metro area.

W.D. Cowls, Beacon Communities to Partner on Third Phase of Mill District

NORTH AMHERST — W.D. Cowls Inc. announced the start of phase three of its Mill District development, with a preliminarily agreement with Beacon Communities, a multi-family housing development, management, and investment company based in Boston.
Mollye Lockwood, W.D. Cowls’ vice president for Real Estate and Community Development, initiated a relationship with Beacon Communities for what she expects will be the next phase of the Mill District.
Beacon envisions a development that will feature mixed-income rental housing and first-floor commercial/retail space for lease, all to be located on the south side of Cowls Road, across the street from the Trolley Barn, between Atkins Farms and Cowls Building Supply. The project is still in its initial stages of site due diligence, community engagement, and concept brainstorming.
With the redevelopment of the Mill District, Cowls seeks to bring back community in this less-personally connected Internet age. “So many people today don’t belong to sporting clubs, fraternal organizations, or churches like they used to. Shopping malls and huge grocery emporiums on highways have taken away community interactions that were once naturally organic,” said Lockwood. “The Mill District seeks to bring back community by creating a sense of place through a mixed-use destination, where people live, dine, recreate, buy things better bought at a store rather than on the Internet, and enjoy services such as salons and health clubs.”
For several years, Cowls has been looking for the opportunity to create a mixed-income rental community in the Mill District and has heard from its neighbors and the Amherst community that this much-needed housing would be welcomed.
“I’ve worked with the impressive principals of Beacon Communities in the past,” Lockwood said, “and the town of Amherst has admired this Massachusetts company for stepping forward to protect the town’s affordable-housing inventory by purchasing and soundly managing Rolling Green Apartments.
“We have heard and responded to the wishes of our neighbors,” she added. “Our goal is to create a high-quality community that serves a diverse income range and offers housing options that will appeal to young professionals, young families, and those who are downsizing their homes.”
While Beacon will own and professionally manage all apartments, as it does with all of its properties, the first-floor commercial/retail space will be controlled by Cowls in order to provide and ensure a diverse community gathering space with a balanced mix of restaurants, shops, and services.

Chamber Corners

By
Chamber Corners Departments

AMHERST AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.amherstarea.com

(413) 253-0700

• May 11: After 5, 5-7 p.m., Amherst Golf Club, 365 South Pleasant St., Amherst. The club will be running some fun-filled activities that evening, including a 50/50 putting contest, and attendees will receive a voucher for a free round of golf. Established in 1900, the semi-private Amherst Golf Club is owned by Amherst College and run independently by an incorporated community group of dedicated golfers. The 9-hole layout, which tests all skill levels, was designed by Walter Hatch, an assistant of the famed Donald Ross, and later renovated by Geoffrey Cornish. Cost: $10 for chamber members, $15 for non-members.

GREATER CHICOPEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.chicopeechamber.org

(413) 594-2101

• May 18: Salute Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m., Elms College, 291 Springfield St., Chicopee. Cost: $23 for members, $28 for non-members.

• May 20: Golf Tournament at Chicopee Country Club, 10 a.m. start. Cost: $125 per golfer, $600 corporate green sponsorship includes a foursome and exclusive green sponsorship.

• May 21: New York City bus trip. A day on your own in the city. Bus leaves at 7 a.m. and returns at 9:30 p.m. Cost: $55 per person.

• May 25: Business After Hours, 5-7 p.m., Loomis House, 298 Jarvis Ave., Holyoke. Cost: $10 for members pre-registered, $15 for non-members. Sign up online at www.chicopeechamber.org.

GREATER EASTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.easthamptonchamber.org

(413) 527-9414

• May 7: Downtown Cleanup Day, 8 a.m. to noon. General cleanup of downtown, the Rail Trail, Cottage Street municipal parking lot, the banks of the Nashawannuck Pond, and more. Volunteers are needed. No experience is necessary. Register at (413) 527-9414.

• May 12: Networking by Night, 5-7 p.m., Amy’s Place. To register, call the chamber at (413) 527-9414.

• May 19: Medallion Speaker Forum, noon to 1:30 p.m. “The Affordable Care Act: The Legal Twists & Turns.” Attorney Eilin Gaynor of Health New England helps employers, business owners, and entrepreneurs navigate the legalities of this important piece of legislation. Complete Payroll Services shares what it means from an accounting perspective. Space is limited for this member exclusive opportunity. Cost: $20, which includes a boxed lunch. For more information, call the chamber at (413) 527-9414.

GREATER HOLYOKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.holyokechamber.com

(413) 534-3376

• May 16: Annual Chamber Cup Golf Tournament celebrating the chamber’s 125th anniversary, Wyckoff Country Club, 233 Easthampton Road, Holyoke. Registration and lunch at 10:30 a.m., tee off at noon (scramble format), dinner following game with assorted food stations. Cost: $125 per player includes lunch, 18 holes of golf, cart, and dinner. Dinner only: $25. Awards, raffles, and cash prizes follow dinner. Corporate sponsors: Dowd Insurance, Goss & McLain Insurance Agency, Holyoke Gas & Electric, Loomis Communities, Marcotte Ford, Mountain View Landscapes, Northeast IT Systems Inc., Holyoke Medical Center, and Resnic, Beauregard, Waite & Driscoll. For reservations or sponsorships, call the chamber office at (413) 534-3376 or visit holyokechamber.com.

• May 18: Chamber After Hours, 5-7 p.m., hosted and sponsored by Quality Life Adult Day Services, 18 Elm St., Holyoke (behind the South Street Shopping Center). Join friends and colleagues for this fun and casual evening of networking. Tours of the new facility will be available. Cost: $10 for chamber members, $15 for non-members and walk-ins.

GREATER NORTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.explorenorthampton.com

(413) (413) 584-1900

• May 11: Arrive @ 5, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Coldwell Banker Upton-Massamont Realtors at Emerson Way. Arrive when you can, stay as long as you can. A casual mix and mingle with colleagues and friends. Sponsored by Greenfield Savings Bank, Lia Honda, Thornes Marketplace & Emerson Way, and Montessori School of Northampton.

GREATER WESTFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.westfieldbiz.org

(413) 568-1618

• May 2: Mayor’s Coffee Hour with Mayor Brian Sullivan, the Arbors Assisted Living Residential Communities, 40 Court St., Westfield. Event is free and open to the public. To register or for more information, call the chamber office at (413) 568-1618.

• May 9: Workshop: “What to Save and What to Shred?” at Holiday Inn Express, 39 Southampton Road, Westfield. Registration and networking at 8:30 a.m., followed by workshop from 9 to 10 a.m. Attorney Karina Schrengohst of Royal, P.C. will present an informational seminar providing an overview of state and federal record-keeping requirements. The discussion will cover which records must be saved, where records must be kept, and how long records must be retained pursuant to a variety of employment laws. Cost: free for chamber members, $30 for non-members. To register, call the chamber office at (413) 568-1618.

• May 11: After 5 Connection, 5-7 p.m., Bella Medspa, 3 Court St., Westfield. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to network, and bring your business cards. Refreshments will be served. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-members. To register, call the chamber office at (413) 568-1618.

• May 23: Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce 55th annual Golf Tournament, East Mountain Country Club, 1458 East Mountain Road, Westfield. Registration and lunch, 10 a.m.; shotgun start, 11 a.m.; cocktail hour, 4 p.m.; dinner, 5 p.m. Cost: $500 for a foursome with dinner, or register a single player for $125. Title sponsor: Alternative Health Inc. Premium gift sponsor: Westfield Gas and Electric. Ball sponsor: Westfield Gas and Electric. Cart sponsor: Westfield Bank. Goody-bag sponsor: Liptak Emergency Water Removal. Register by calling the chamber office at (413) 568-1618 or e-mailing [email protected]. Consider donating a raffle prize or a gift for the wine and spirit table raffle.

SPRINGFIELD REGIONAL CHAMBER

www.myonlinechamber.com

(413) 787-1555

• May 4: Springfield Regional Chamber Business@Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m., Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Natural History, Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield. “The Creative Economy” panel discussion with Helena Fruscio, deputy assistant secretary of Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Technology; and Jeffrey Bianchine, Holyoke Creative Economy coordinator. Sponsored by United Personnel and the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County. Cost: $20 for members in advance ($25 at the door), $30 for non-members. Reservations may be made online at www.springfieldregionalchamber.com.

• May 11: Springfield Regional Chamber Economic Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m., MassMutual Center, 1277 State St., Springfield. “Creating a Western Massachusetts Renaissance” discussion with John Traynor, People’s United Bank; Rick Sullivan, Western Mass. Economic Development Council; and Dr. Mark Keroack, Baystate Health, moderated by David Hobert, People’s United Bank. Panelists will discuss the Massachusetts economy, local economic-development initiatives, how the region can capitalize on its existing assets, the role of the healthcare sector, and more. Sponsored by People’s United Bank. Cost: $35. Reservations may be made online at www.springfieldregionalchamber.com.

• May 18: Springfield Regional Chamber Kick Off to Summer After 5, 5-7 p.m., Colony Club, 1500 Main St., Springfield. Informal, after-hours networking. Sponsored by Wolf & Company, P.C. Cost: $5 for members, $10 for non-members. Reservations may be made online at www.springfieldregionalchamber.com.

• May 24: Springfield Regional Chamber Pastries, Politics & Policy, 9-10 a.m., TD Bank Conference Center, 1441 Main St., Springfield. Featuring state Secretary of Administration and Finance Kristen Lepore. Cost: $15 for members, $25 for non-members. Reservations may be made online at www.springfieldregionalchamber.com.

WEST OF THE RIVER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.ourwrc.com

(413) 426-3880

• May 4: Wicked Wednesday, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Park Square Realty 470 Westfield St., West Springfield. Wicked Wednesdays are monthly social events, hosted by various businesses and restaurants, that bring members and non-members together to network in a laid-back atmosphere. Cost: free for chamber members, $10 at the door for non-members. For more information, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or e-mail [email protected].

• May 10: Coffee with Mayor Reichelt, 8-9:30 a.m., West Springfield Senior Center, 128 Park St. Join us for a cup of coffee and a town update from Mayor Will Reichelt. Q&A will immediately follow. For more information, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or e-mail [email protected].

• May 19: West of the River Chamber of Commerce Networking Lunch, noon to 1:30 p.m., Cal’s Wood Fired Grill, 1068 Riverdale St., West Springfield. Enjoy a sit-down lunch while networking with fellow chamber members. You must be a member or guest of a member to attend. Each attendee will get a chance to offer a brief sales pitch. The only cost to attend is the cost of your lunch. Attendees will order off the menu and pay separately the day of the event. For more information, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or e-mail [email protected].

People on the Move

By
Departments People on the Move
Arlene Rodriguez

Arlene Rodriguez

The Professional Women’s Chamber (PWC) announced that Arlene Rodriguez, Vice President of Academic Affairs for Springfield Technical Community College, has been named the PWC 2016 Woman of the Year. The Woman of the Year is presented to a woman in the Western Mass. area who exemplifies outstanding leadership, professional accomplishment, and service to the community. The award has been given annually since 1954 and is publically recognized as one of the most prestigious honors given to any citizen for distinguished service and selfless giving.

“We’re thrilled with this year’s honoree — a truly inspiring and accomplished woman like Dr. Rodriguez,” said PWC Board President Janet Casey. “She is a trailblazer amongst women and a staunch advocate for education, empowerment, and advancement, and her passion to help young people succeed is unparalleled.”

A celebration in her honor will be held on Tuesday, May 24 at 5:30 p.m. at the Carriage House, Storrowton Tavern, 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. Reservations are $55 and may be made online at www.springfieldregionalchamber.com or by contacting Kara Cavanaugh at [email protected]. At STCC, Rodriguez oversees all faculty in the academic schools at the college, and formerly was the school’s dean of the School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. She has also served as the Honors College coordinator and professor at the college, and is the first Latina vice president of academic affairs at the College.

Rodriguez grew up in New York City, spending each of her summers in Aibonito, Puerto Rico, a rural mountain town where her parents’ roots grow deep. Life in New York taught her an appreciation for an expansive, fast-paced city life with all peoples, cultures, and languages, while Aibonito showed her the importance of family, neighbors, and their stories. Born in the Bronx to parents who never finished high school, Rodriguez, the youngest of four, learned to read by reading articles aloud from the newspaper to her mother as she cooked breakfast every morning. At a young age, she developed a love for the written word, devouring everything from newspapers to magazines and classic literature. Rodriguez speaks English and Spanish, and longs to add Italian to that list. Her love of literature led her to earn three degrees in English, including her undergraduate degree from Fordham University, a master’s from Lehigh University, and her doctorate from UMass Amherst.

Rodriguez has been a journalist and a short-fiction writer. For more than 10 years, she taught English at Springfield Technical Community College. She has served as the college’s dean of the School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences from 2005 to 2015, when she was then promoted to vice president of Academic Affairs, the first Latina to serve in that position. She was recently honored with the Springfield Women’s Commission Unsung Heroine Award, was named among BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty in 2007, and was honored with the STCC Anthony Scibelli Endowed Chair in 2005.

She is a member of the YWCA Board of Directors, and serves on Springfield’s Rosa Parks Organizing Committee, the Springfield Ward 7 Democratic City Committee, the Springfield Armory Council, and the WGBY Board of Tribunes and Latino Advisory Board.

•••••

Florence Bank, a mutually owned savings bank serving the Pioneer Valley through nine branch locations, has promoted Kurt Shouse of to the position of Information security officer/cyber security administrator. Shouse joined Florence Bank in 2014 as a cyber security administrator. He earned a bachelor’s degree from UMass Amherst, as well as a master’s in cybersecurity, with a concentration in computer forensics and cyber operations. He also has earned a Global Essentials Security certification. Florence Bank President and CEO John Heaps Jr., said, “we’re pleased to promote Kurt to this expanded role with our bank. We take a very proactive stance where security and information security is concerned, and Kurt is someone whose expertise will continue to be of great value to our bank and our customers.”

•••••

Jean Deliso

Jean Deliso

Jean Deliso, CFP, from the CT Valley General Office of New York Life, recently joined a select group of agents who are authorized to offer AARP members a range of financial solutions through AARP life insurance, annuity, and long-term-care options from New York Life. To become part of this group of agents, Deliso followed a certification process established by New York Life, which includes extensive training on products and regulations, education on evaluating client needs, state licensing, and a commitment to service. AARP Services, AARP’s for-profit subsidiary, provides quality control over the certification process and training. Deliso is president and owner of Deliso Financial and Insurance Services, a firm focusing on comprehensive planning designed to help position clients for a solid financial future. Her extensive experience in several areas has helped lead to a reputation for certain specializations, such as assisting people in planning for their financial future, particularly in preparation for retirement as well as in times of transition such as divorce or widowhood. After graduating from Bentley University, Deliso spent seven years in the public accounting profession before transitioning to financial services, in which she has been working for more than 20 years. New York Life has been offering AARP-branded products to AARP members since 1994. Since then, the relationship has grown to include a portfolio of annuity products (added in 2006) and, most recently, long-term care options in 2016.

•••••

David Bohl

David Bohl

Garvey Communication Associates Inc. (GCAi) recently announced that David Bohl has been promoted to digital marketing analyst. GCAi also announced that Bohl is now the agency’s third Google AdWords qualified planner. Bohl started his career at GCAi in 2014 as a digital marketing intern. When he was hired as digital marketing assistant by GCAi in 2015, he began to develop e-mail marketing campaigns. Mr. Bohl now manages content marketing, e-mail marketing, and social-media marketing campaigns for GCAi and clients in entertainment, healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, and hospitality.

He also presented, along with Google, Carbonite, Corporate Ink, and Brandwatch, on e-mail marketing at the recent Digital Marketing Innovation Summit in Hyannis. As a Google AdWords qualified planner, Bohl is required to pass tests in the areas of AdWords fundamentals, search advertising, display advertising, and video advertising on a recurring basis. GCAi is the only agency in the region to hold the Google Partner status. Bohl is a magna cum laude graduate of Western New England University in Springfield, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in communications with a concentration in public relations. He is a member of the Advertising Club of Western Mass. and the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield, and is an associate member of the Public Relations Society of America.

•••••

van Schouwen Associates, LLC (vSA) announced the addition of Todd Lucht as art director and web developer for its business-to-business marketing team. Lucht adds extensive graphic and interactive design and creative software engineering to vSA. As the head of creative for Sounds True, a Colorado-based multi-media publisher, Lucht most recently oversaw that firm’s art direction and brand management. Previously, he supervised the art department for mortgage broker Urban Lending Group and worked with Florida-based ad agency Provident Creative. “Todd’s interactive development and design skills will enhance our programs for our many business-to-business clients,” said Michelle van Schouwen, vSA president. “His experience producing digital assets will appeal to our clients as B2B and launch marketing rapidly continue to expand.” Lucht has a master’s degree in technology management from the University of Denver and a bachelor’s degree from International Fine Arts College. He has developed asset-management websites and applications, motion graphics, and online catalogs. In addition to his work in the creative and marketing industry, Lucht played professional hockey in Russia for four years.

Agenda

By
Agenda Departments

‘Wolf to Woof’

Through May 12: In today’s society, dogs enhance the lives of millions of people in countless ways, but they are also some of our oldest friends. Ancient clues like cave paintings and burials reveal that dogs and people have lived together for thousands of years. But why have humans formed such close relationships with dogs, and not cows or chickens? “Wolf to Woof: The Story of Dogs” is the largest and most comprehensive traveling exhibition ever created on the history, biology, and evolution of dogs. The exhibit, on view at the Springfield Science Museum through May 12, attempts to sniff out the facts on dogs and explore what makes the human/dog relationship so unique. It uses the familiarity and love of these four-legged friends to explore science and biological concepts. The exhibit has four themed sections including multi-media displays, artifacts, photo murals, and dioramas of taxidermied wild canines and sculpted modern dog breeds. Additionally, interactive, hands-on components demonstrate key exhibit concepts. For example, visitors can enter a ‘howling area’ and guess what dogs are saying, test their nose against a dog’s great sense of smell, and examine fossil and genetic evidence of how modern-day dogs are descended from wolves. “Wolf to Woof: The Story of Dogs” is sponsored by United Bank. MassMutual is the 2015-16 Premier Sponsor of the Springfield Museums.

Valley Gives Day

May 3: Nearly 500 community organizations will participate in the Pioneer Valley’s 24-hour e-philanthropy event, Valley Gives — the fourth year for the event, but the first time it is being held in the spring. Valley Gives is hosted by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. Valley Gives will take place from 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Participating community organizations span the Pioneer Valley and are eligible if their work is focused on Franklin, Hampden, or Hampshire county. Organizations include nonprofits, schools and educational institutions, places of worship/religious organizations, and local community groups that can be fiscally sponsored by nonprofit organizations. Since Valley Gives began in December 2012, $5.8 million has been raised from more than 24,000 donors in support of 559 nonprofits that are doing good work in every corner of the Pioneer Valley. With nearly 500 organizations signed on to participate this May, Valley Gives is expected to add substantially to those numbers again this year.

Kentucky Derby Day

May 7: Starting at 4:30 p.m., the Colony Club in Springfield will the setting for hats, horses and hors d’oeuvres to celebrate the 142nd annual Kentucky Derby. Presented by The Gaudreau Group, with support from Northeast IT, as well as the Colony Club and host Jeffrey Lomma, the event will raise much-needed funds for Square One’s programs and services. Tickets are $35 and include big screen monitors to enjoy the race, hearty hors d’oeuvres, and a complimentary mint julep. Prizes will be awarded for the best Derby attire. Tickets may be purchased via Eventbrite or by contacting Heather at Inspired Marketing at (413) 303-0101.

‘Creating a Western Massachusetts Renaissance’

May 11: The Springfield Regional Chamber, in partnership with the Western Mass. Economic Development Council (EDC), will present a panel discussion, “Creating a Western Massachusetts Renaissance,” from 7:15 to 9 a.m. at the MassMutual Center, 1277 Main St., Springfield, sponsored by People’s United Bank. Panelists will discuss the Massachusetts economy and how communities across the Commonwealth can work together to create a broader and more robust economy. Panelists will also outline local economic-development initiatives at work in Western Mass. and how the region can capitalize on its existing assets and develop its growth engines, and the important role the healthcare sector plays in developing centers of excellence for future growth. Panelists will include John Traynor, executive vice president and chief investment officer at People’s United Bank; Rick Sullivan, EDC president; and Dr. Mark Keroack, president and CEO of Baystate Health, and the discussion will be moderated by David Hobert, the bank’s regional president. Reservations for the breakfast event are $35 and may be made online at www.springfieldregionalchamber.com or by e-mailing Sarah Mazzaferro at [email protected].

Community Enterprises 40th-Anniversary Luncheon

May 12: Richard Venne, president and CEO, invites the public to join Community Enterprises Inc. in celebrating 40 years of empowering individuals with disabilities to live, learn, work, and thrive in the community. A luncheon will be held at the Log Cabin in Holyoke from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Individual tickets are $50 per person, a reserved table for eight is $400, and tickets for clients and staff of Community Enterprise are $30. For more information about tickets, sponsoring the event, or placing an ad in the program, e-mail Krystle Bernier at [email protected] or call (413) 584-1460, ext. 120. Community Enterprises is a human-service organization that provides employment, education, housing supports, and day supports for people with disabilities. Headquartered in Northampton, it maintains 27 service locations in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, and Kentucky. Massachusetts offices include Gloucester, Greenfield, Holyoke, Pittsfield, Plymouth, Salem, Somerville, Springfield, Wakefield, and Worcester.

‘Maximize Your Website for Business Growth’

May 13, 20, 27: MarketingWorks, a series of educational programs for business owners, marketing professionals, and entrepreneurs hosted by Stevens 470 in Westfield, announced an upcoming program called “Maximize Your Website for Business Growth.” It meets weekly for three Friday mornings, May 13, 20, and 27. Customers, prospects, and associates make an immediate assessment of a business based on the content of its website. Participants in this group program will evaluate their current website and clarify the steps needed to make it the company’s most valuable marketing channel. For program details, visit www.stevens470.com/educational-programs.html or call Tina Stevens at (413) 568-2660.

Youth Mental-health First-aid Training

May 13, 20: Funded by a three-year grant by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) through the White House’s “Now is The Time” initiative, Clinical & Support Options Inc. is now offering free youth mental-health first-aid trainings to the community. The free, two-day training will be held at CSO’s administrative offices in Northampton; attendance both days is required. Youth mental-health first aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addiction challenge or is in crisis. The training is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental-health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a five-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including ADHD), and eating disorders. Identified on SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices, the training helps the public better identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses. Registration is required; e-mail [email protected] for a registration form. CSO is also available to bring this training on site to local agencies and businesses that wish to have a group of people trained for free. For more information on bringing this training to your agency or business, contact Allison Garriss, director, Business Development and Projects at CSO, at (413) 773-1314, ext. 5502 or [email protected].

‘Grieving the Death of a Child’ Workshop

May 14: The Garden: A Center for Grieving Children and Teens announced a free workshop, “Grieving the Death of a Child,” from 12:30 to 4 p.m. The workshop is open to adult parents and caregivers who have experienced the death of a child. The workshop will include a screening of the video “Helping Parents Grieve: Finding New Life After the Death of a Child,” which was produced by Paraclete Press and features real stories about families who have lost a child. The video has five parts, including knowing you are not alone, loss of hopes and dreams, death of a baby, families, and honoring and remembering. Following each section there will be a break for discussion and an activity. Parents and caregivers who have experienced the death of a child are welcome, and there are no limits on how, where, or when the child died. The workshop is for appropriate for adults only and is open to the public. It will be held at the Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice, 168 Industrial Dr., Northampton. The event is free, but registration is required. For more information, contact Shelly Bathe Lenn, coordinator at the Garden, at (413) 582 5312, or [email protected].

Mental Health and Wellness Fair

May 18: In celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month, Clinical & Support Options Inc. (CSO) will host its 14th annual Mental Health and Wellness Fair at the Energy Park in Greenfield from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Featuring CSO’s Green River House and Quabbin House Clubhouse members, the fair will be an afternoon of music, singing, poetry, and testimonials by members to highlight mental-health illness, wellness, and recovery. The fair started in 2002 in an effort to bring awareness and information to the community about mental-health illness and recovery. The event is an opportunity to dispel the stigma around mental-health illness, encourage people to seek support, and spotlight agencies available to assist. This year, the theme is “Mental Health Matters.” Local mental-health and wellness providers are welcome to present their materials and programming for free by registering for a table by calling the Green River House at (413) 772-2181. In addition to local community providers sharing information, there will be live music, a food vendor, and raffles, and WHAI will be on site doing a live broadcast. For questions or more information on how to be a part of this event, call the Green River House at (413) 772-2181.

‘Women Lead Change’

May 23: The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts (WFWM) will host “Women Lead Change,” a celebration of the Leadership Institute for Political and Public Impact (LIPPI) class of 2016, at the Log Cabin in Holyoke from 6 to 8 p.m. The event will include remarks from Mass. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, and a keynote address from Julie Chavez Rodriguez, special assistant to the president and senior deputy director of Public Engagement at the White House. WFWM will acknowledge the lieutenant governor as well as Rodriguez with a “She Changes the World” award presented to honor exceptional contribution to social change, creating economic and social equity for women and girls. More than 300 participants are expected to attend the annual celebration of graduates of the Women’s Fund LIPPI program. LIPPI is the only program of its kind in Massachusetts. Through 11 sessions over eight months, the program is designed to respond to the shortage of women stepping into leadership at all levels. LIPPI gives women the tools and confidence they need to become more involved as civic leaders in their communities and to impact policy on the local, state, and national levels. The event is open to the public with online registration at www.womensfund.net. The current graduating LIPPI Cohort  represents 60% women of color, and LIPPI graduates also embody a wide spectrum of backgrounds, ethnic groups, and ages with ranges from 18 to 60. They represent the entire state of Massachusetts, from the Berkshires to Boston-area counties. Together, graduates form a strong cohort of like-minded women who support each other when they run for office, meet with policy makers, form coalitions, and get-out-the-vote efforts. The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts (WFWM) is a public foundation that invests in local women and girls through strategic grant-making and leadership development. Since 1997 the Women’s Fund has awarded more than $2 million in grants to over 100 organizations in Western Mass.

40 Under Forty

June 16: The 10th annual 40 Under Forty award program, staged by BusinessWest, will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke, honoring 40 of the region’s rising stars under 40 years old. An independent panel of judges has chosen the winners, and their stories were told in the April 18 issue. This is a sell-out event, and only a limited number of standing-room-only tickets remain. The event is sponsored by Northwestern Mutual and Paragus Strategic IT (presenting sponsors), EMA Dental, Health New England, Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, Moriarty & Primack, United Bank, and the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield. For more information, call (413) 781-8600s, ext. 100.

Court Dockets

By
Court Dockets Departments

The following is a compilation of recent lawsuits involving area businesses and organizations. These are strictly allegations that have yet to be proven in a court of law. Readers are advised to contact the parties listed, or the court, for more information concerning the individual claims.

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT

David E. Ritchie v. Balise Ford of Wilbraham
Allegation: Unfair and deceptive trade practices in sale of vehicle: $14,589
Filed: 3/4/16

Global Tranz Enterprises Inc v. East Baking Co. Inc.
Allegation: Complaint to enforce foreign judgment: $12,152.44
Filed: 2/24/16

Petro Mirisis v. Affordable Home Repair and Scott Roth
Allegation: Failure to complete project and negligent workmanship: $50,000
Filed: 3/2/16

Santandor Bank, N.A. v. Batteries Included Inc. and Adam D. Berman
Allegation: Non-payment of promissory note: $43,034.66
Filed: 3/8/16

United Bank v. MS Motors Inc.
Allegation: Breach of promissory note: $53,000
Filed: 3/1/16

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT

David G. Rocah and Sons Inc. v. Ryco Excavating Contractor Inc. and Ryan Vlaco
Allegation: Seeking damages for purchase of replacement materials and costs for delays: $135,000
Filed: 2/10/16

Jake and Ashley Blake v. Marcotte Ford Sales and Ford Motor Co.
Allegation: Breach of warranties under Magnuson-Moss Act: $27,636.88
Filed: 3/11/16

NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT COURT

Franklin County Community Development Corp. v. Grow, LLC
Allegation: Breach of contract and failure to pay amounts due on promissory note: $25,099.33
Filed: 3/2/16

Hampton Flooring Co. Inc. v. James J. Welch and Co. Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment for labor, equipment, and materials: $24,818.60
Filed: 2/25/16

Picture This

By
Departments Picture This

Send photos with a caption and contact information to:  ‘Picture This’ c/o BusinessWest Magazine, 1441 Main Street Springfield, MA 01103 or to [email protected]

 
PicThisTravel1
PicThisTravel2

Travel into the Past

Wistariahurst, the Holyoke-based historical museum, and Brick Coworkshop, a collaborative art and design space in the Holyoke Innovation District, teamed up this spring to produce a traveling museum experience, comprised of installation space, protective cases for artifacts and objects, and a recording area where members of the community can document and share their memories. “We have a fantastic collection of objects, documents, photographs, maps, and multi-media pieces that we want people to be aware of,” said Wistariahurst Director Kate Preissler. “Our goal here is to physically take this material out into the city and use it to engage people the same ways we would at the museum. We want to interact with people who’ve never heard of Wistariahurst, those who can’t get here, and maybe even get some folks excited about history who would never before have thought that a museum was a place that would interest them.” Wistariahurst is working with several community partners and organizations to set up a schedule for the traveling museum after its debut this spring. Pictured at right: Holyoke City Historian Penni Martorell holds a ‘dandy roll’ once used to watermark paper products. At left: examples of some museum items that may travel.

Fit to Be Healthy

PicThisFit
The annual Springfield College Fit Fest, held last week at the college’s Field House, recognizes National Recreational Sports and Fitness Day, an annual event of the National Intramural-Recreation Sports Assoc. More than 40 exhibits and activities representing Springfield College groups and area businesses addressed wellness topics including mental health, skin safety, nutrition, emergency preparedness, and healthcare. Attendees had the opportunity to receive a free chair massage, measure their body fat, participate in a functional movement screening, and learn about self-defense. Exhibitors included the Springfield North WIC Program, the Melanoma Foundation of New England, the American Cancer Society, the Springfield Department of Health and Human Services, the Boston Ski and Sports Club, and more. Pictured: 2016 Fit Fest organizers Kate (McMahon) Luscombe and Kristen Brosius, with a couple of canine companions, prepare for the festivities in the Field House.

Kevin Chrisanthopoulos Named to Hampden County Bar Assoc. Board

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Robinson Donovan, P.C. announced that attorney Kevin Chrisanthopoulos has been appointed to the Hampden County Bar Assoc. board of directors.

Founded in the same decade as Robinson Donovan more than 150 years ago, the Hampden County Bar Assoc. represents the interests of lawyers in Hampden County. This volunteer organization of attorneys serves lawyers, the justice system, and the public by providing support, education, and networking opportunities. Its purpose is to maintain the honor of the profession, promote the administration of justice, and encourage overall cooperation and goodwill among the members of the bar.

“Kevin is not only an outstanding litigator, but a natural leader,” said attorney Jeffrey McCormick, a senior partner at the firm and past president of both the Hampden County Bar Assoc. and the Massachusetts Bar Assoc. “We are very proud that he has taken on a leadership role at the Hampden County Bar Association. Kevin’s steadfast commitment to the preservation of justice will make him a valuable addition to the board of directors. He will be carrying on a decades-old tradition at Robinson Donovan of bar-association service.”

Chrisanthopoulos exclusively practices litigation. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Western New England University and his juris doctor at Roger Williams University School of Law. He is also very active in his community, serving as an advisor to the board of directors for the Amelia Park Arena and Memorial Garden, past president of the Westfield Youth Hockey Assoc., assistant coach for the St. Mary’s High School hockey team, and a Massachusetts Bar Assoc. mock-trial judge. He is also a member of the Board of Bar Overseers disciplinary hearing committee and has been listed as a Massachusetts Super Lawyer since 2014.

Seminar to Address ‘Empowering Women for a Successful Retirement’

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PIONEER VALLEY — Mary Dee and Cyndi Stewart from Wealth Preservation Group Inc./WPG Advisory Group, LLC, and elder-law attorney Abbe McLane from McLane Law, will present a discussion titled “Empowering Women for a Successful Retirement” on May 9, 11, and 17.

Women face unique challenges when planning for their retirement, including longer expected lifetimes, financial impacts from divorce or the death of a spouse, and legacy planning issues. Women who are married, single, widowed, or divorced are invited to hear about what they need to know to address these issues and more.

The times and locations are as follows: Monday, May 9, 6 p.m., Westfield Athenaeum, 6 Elm St.; Wednesday, May 11, 6 p.m., East Longmeadow Senior Center, 328 North Main St.; and Tuesday, May 17, 6 p.m., Holyoke Community College, Kittridge Center/PeoplesBank Room, 303 Homestead Ave. (use parking lot D).

Reserve a seat by calling (800) 769-0735, and use reservation code WPG3.

Valley Blue Sox Host Season Kickoff Party May 5

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SPRINGFIELD — The Valley Blue Sox will host their annual season kickoff party on Thursday, May 5 at 6 p.m. at the bar at La Quinta Inn & Suites, 100 Congress St., Springfield. Admission is free.

Fans will have the opportunity to buy Sox season tickets and gear and take part in a variety of other fun activities. Free refreshments will be available, in addition to a cash bar. The Blue Sox will also raffle off various pieces of baseball memorabilia throughout the evening.

“It’s a great night of fun for Blue Sox fans, who get to start the season off on the right foot,” said Blue Sox owner Clark Eckhoff. “We’ll have lots of prizes and other giveaways, as well as giving fans the opportunity to see how things work behind the scenes.”

Fans who arrive during the first hour will also get a chance to take a special tour of the Blue Sox team offices and get a private preview of the team courtesy of the Blue Sox staff. Team mascot Paws will also be on hand for tickets and autographs.

For more information, visit valleybluesox.com.

WNEU College of Engineering to 
Host Emerging Engineers Expo May 5

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Western New England University College of Engineering will host its Emerging Engineers Expo on Thursday, May 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Alumni Healthful Living Center. The event will feature exhibits by students in the Freshman Innovation class and senior engineering capstone design projects. The exhibits will be judged by enginering faculty, industry representatives, and alumni. This event is free and open to the public.

The Emerging Engineers Expo will showcase 80 senior design projects and 42 freshman product-innovation projects. All of the exhibits feature innovative student inventions. These year-long projects are the capstone of their education and affords them the chance to apply what they have learned in the classroom to an innovative product that improves the quality of human life.

In the past, these projects have resulted in groundbreaking inventions, patents, and award-winning papers and presentations while giving students real-world experience. Those in attendance will have the chance to speak with the students behind these novel ideas and learn about their implementation.

Senior design projects are required of all graduating engineering students, including those studying biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, and mechanical engineering. For a list of all projects, click here.

Country Bank Staff Support Rachel’s Table

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WARE — Country Bank recently presented Rachel’s Table with a donation of $2,800 as part of its employee charitable giving program. The bank’s staff raised $1,400 during the month of February as part of the bank’s casual Fridays, where employees donate money weekly to dress down. A local nonprofit is voted on each month, which is supported by the monies raised from dress-down days. Country Bank matches all donations employees raise.

The mission of Rachel’s Table is to distribute donated and specially purchased foods, without charge, to agencies feeding hungry families and individuals in greater Worcester and to reduce the waste of nourishing food. The Country Bank donation will be used specifically for the Children’s Milk Fund, which buys 715 gallons of milk each week for children at 21 food pantries, group homes, day programs, soup kitchens, and shelters in Worcester.

Chamber Business@Breakfast to Focus on Creative Economy

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SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Regional Chamber’s May Business@Breakfast on Wednesday, May 4 will feature a panel discussion on the creative economy and honor local businesses and organizations. The event will take place at the Lyman and Merrie Woof Museum of Natural History, 21 Edwards St., Springfield, from 7:15 to 9 a.m.

Panelists include Helena Fruscio, the state’s deputy assistant secretary of Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Technology; Jeffrey Bianchine; creative economy industries coordinator, city of Holyoke; and Steve Porter, founder of Porterhouse Media. There will be salutes to Glenn Welch, the new CEO and president of Freedom Credit Union; and to Ronald McDonald House of Springfield for its 25th anniversary.

44 Business Capital Becomes Division of Berkshire Bank

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PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Bank completed its asset purchase transaction with 44 Business Capital, LLC of Blue Bell, Pa., and Parke Bank of Sewell, N.J., under which Berkshire Bank has acquired the business model of 44 Business Capital and certain other assets of Parke Bank’s Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a) loan program operations. 44 Business Capital is now operating as a direct small-business lending division of Berkshire Bank, reporting up through the bank’s already-established small-business line, and originating SBA loans for Berkshire Bank.

44 Business Capital has consistently been one of the top SBA originators and a market-leading provider and facilitator of SBA-guaranteed loans to small businesses in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, D.C. 44 Business Capital’s entire team, along with its leadership — Greg Poehlmann, Phil Rapone, Jeff Sherry, and Joe Dreyer — have joined Berkshire Bank.

“We are pleased to welcome the employees and customers of 44 Business Capital,” said Berkshire Bank CEO Michael Daly. “This combination increases the client offerings for both companies, diversifies our loan portfolio, and provides a valuable future growth channel.”

Added Poehlmann, senior vice president of Business Banking for Berkshire Bank and former president of 44 Business Capital, LLC, “as a division of Berkshire Bank, 44 Business Capital will continue to leverage our staff’s experience to build out an exceptional SBA lending platform that will serve the SBA’s mission on a larger scale. We are extremely excited to become part of Berkshire Bank, and look forward to establishing ourselves collectively as a major player in the SBA-lending market.”

Chamberlain Group Named 2016 Exporter of the Year

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BOSTON — The Small Business Administration (SBA) has named the Chamberlain Group the 2016 Exporter of the Year for Massachusetts and New England.

“Lisa and Eric Chamberlain are saving lives with the products they create in the medical-simulation industry,” said Robert Nelson, SBA Massachusetts district director. “They are connecting with new customers all over the globe and establishing an international distribution network throughout Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Mexico.”

Founded in 1999, the Chamberlain Group designs and builds mimetic organs for surgical and interventional training. Working in close collaboration with medical-device companies and teaching hospitals, the company creates models that address training needs for clinicians, sales, marketing, device research, and development.

In 2000, Lisa Chamberlain became a client of the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC), and her business plan for the Chamberlain Group won first prize in the UMass Five College Business Plan Competition. In 2003, the company was recognized with the Governor’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Award for spurring job creation and economic development.

Today, after 17 years in business, the company has grown to 21 employees, and it exports more than 500 products directly from its Great Barrington office to more than 50 countries worldwide.

“We are honored and delighted to be recipients of this year’s Exporter of the Year awards in the Commonwealth and the New England region,” Chamberlain said. “Eric and I have been well guided by the advice and encouragement we have received from the MSBDC and the Mass Export Center. It’s made the process of growing our business and our international reach viable, knowing we have subject experts to consult with who have our best interests at heart.”

The company was nominated by Ann Pieroway, regional director of the Massachusetts Export Center.

Continued Excellence Award Nominations Due Monday

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SPRINGFIELD — Time is running out to nominate someone for the Continued Excellence Award, as BusinessWest magazine will accept nominations through Monday, May 2. The winner of the award will be unveiled at the magazine’s 40 Under Forty gala on June 16.

Last year, BusinessWest inaugurated the award to recognize past 40 Under Forty honorees who had significantly built on their achievements since they were honored. The five finalists for that award last year were Kamari Collins, Jeff Fialky, Cinda Jones, Kristin Leutz, and the eventual winner, Delcie Bean IV.

“So many 40 Under Forty honorees have refused to rest on their laurels,” said Kate Campiti, associate publisher of BusinessWest. “We wanted to honor those who continue to build upon their strong records of service in business, within the community, and as regional leaders. Last year’s five finalists have certainly done that, and we expect this year’s nominees to be equally inspiring.”

Candidates must hail from 40 Under Forty classes prior to the year of the award — in this case, classes 2007-15. The nomination form is available at businesswest.com/40-under-forty/40-under-forty-continued-excellence-award. For your convenience, a list of the past nine 40 Under Forty classes may be found at businesswest.com/40-under-forty/40-under-forty-past-honorees.

William Fisher Leads Field Education Research in Social Work

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SPRINGFIELD — Springfield College School of Social Work Professor and Director of Field Education William Fisher is the lead author of a recently released report titled “Findings from the 2015 State of Field Education Survey: A Survey of Directors of Field Education on Administrative Models, Staffing, and Resources.”

Guided by Fisher’s leadership, this national survey of social-work field directors sought information on a number of important issues related to how field education programs are organized. The research also analyzed who is leading the programs and how the programs respond to unique student needs. Additional in-depth reports based on the findings are planned for the future.

The research was conducted with the support of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the accrediting body for social-work programs in the U.S., and the Council on Field Education, which is part of CSWE’s governance and policy-recommending structure.

CWSE has designated field education as the ‘signature pedagogy’ of social-work education, meaning that it is through field experiences and practice in the real world, in conjunction with classroom and project-based learning, that students learn to be social-work professionals.

Fisher has more than 25 years of experience in the social-work field, with emphasis in mental-health and substance-abuse counseling, community organizing, and community mental-health program development.

Northeast IT Systems Welcomes Tony Shepard to Team

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WEST SPRINGFIELD — Northeast IT Systems Inc. welcomes Tony Shepard to the team as a systems administrator.

Shepard found his initial passion with IT and electronics by building his own speaker cabinets. When the car audio craze came along, he designed and built high-end car systems. After that, he focused on computers. His favorite part of the job is the challenge. “There is always something different to do,” he said, “and you learn something new every day.”

His certifications include A+ certification, MCP certification, a license to teach in the state of Massachusetts, and certificates in electronic technology. He also has experience as Dell field engineer, IT manager, networking instructor, and systems field engineer.

When Shepard is not working, he enjoys playing drums and percussion and riding his Harley. He is also working on building old ’70s larger-scale models.

State’s Economic Growth Improves in First Quarter of 2016

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HADLEY — Massachusetts real gross domestic product grew at an annual rate of 2.3% in the first quarter of 2016, according to the Current Economic Index released this week by MassBenchmarks, the journal of the Massachusetts economy published by the UMass Donahue Institute in collaboration with the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.

In contrast, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce, national real gross domestic product grew at an annual rate of 0.5% during the same period.

Recently revised data now reveal that, in 2015, the state’s economy expanded at an annual rate of 1.4% in the fourth quarter (1.4% for the U.S.), 2.0% in the third quarter (2.0%), 4.9% in the second quarter (3.9%), and 2.0% in the first quarter (0.6%).

The pace of economic growth in Massachusetts picked up in the first three months of 2016 after slowing in the second half of 2015. Although underlying indicators were mixed, both employment and earnings recorded strong growth, and the unemployment rate fell. Payroll employment grew at a 2.0% annual rate in the first quarter, up from 0.7% in the prior quarter. Wage and salary income, as estimated from state withholding tax revenue, expanded 5.6% in the first quarter, after falling 7.0% in the final three months of last year.

The state’s headline unemployment rate — the so-called U-3 measure — stood at 4.4% in March, down from 4.9% in December, and down from 5.1% in March 2015. The U.S. unemployment rate in March was 5.0%, the same as in December, and down from 5.5% in March of last year. The unemployment rate in Massachusetts is now lower than its pre-recession low of 4.6% in 2007.

But this overall strong performance continues to mask troubling imbalances in the labor market. The broader U-6 measure of unemployment, which includes those who are working part-time but want full-time work, as well as those who are marginally attached to the labor force, is still significantly above pre-recession levels. It inched down to 9.3% in March from 9.5% in December and 9.8% in March 2015. The U.S. rate in March was 9.8%, down from 9.9% in December and 10.9% in March 2015. Prior to the recession in 2007, the U-6 reached lows of 7.1% in Massachusetts and 8.0% in the U.S.

“Spending on items subject to the state regular sales tax declined by 6.3% in the first quarter, in stark contrast to the very strong growth of 9.5% experienced in the fourth quarter of 2015. Year over year, spending is up 3.5%,” noted Alan Clayton-Matthews, MassBenchmarks senior contributing editor and associate professor of Economics and Public Policy at Northeastern University. “Most of the drop this quarter was due to spending on automobiles, which slowed after expanding strongly at the end of 2015, and also to weak spending on other taxable sales items in February.”

The Mass. Department of Revenue recorded weaker bonus payouts in February, tied to stock-market performance and corporate profits. Market fear tends to dampen business confidence and investment, and a prolonged market downturn may restrain consumer spending as well.

The MassBenchmarks Leading Economic Index suggests the state economy will continue to grow at a moderate pace over the next six months, at a 3.1% rate in the second quarter, and a 2.5% rate in the third quarter of this year. The factors weighing on the state and national economic outlook have changed little from last quarter.

One factor is the tightening labor market. As there are fewer unemployed workers and as more Baby Boomers retire, it is becoming more difficult for employers to find the workers they need. This is reflected in historically low levels of initial unemployment claims, a sign that employers are reacting to the tightening labor market by holding on to the workers they have.

Another factor is slower worldwide economic growth as China’s rapid pace of economic growth has decelerated, Japan’s economy is stalled, and Europe remains sluggish. A third is turmoil in financial markets. Although volatility in stock markets in reaction to falling commodity prices has calmed, there are remaining downside risk factors related to the fallout of weak global demand on corporate profits.

Springfield Regional Chamber After 5 to Kick Off Summer
 May 18

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SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Regional Chamber will hold a “Kickoff to Summer” After 5 on Wednesday, May 18 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Colony Club, 1500 Main St., Springfield.

Sponsored by Wolf & Company, P.C., the after-hours networking event provides an opportunity for the business community to gather and network in an informal setting. Attendees will enjoy networking, a cash bar, and hors d’oeuvres on the club’s patio under the late-setting sun.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for as low as $100. Reservations for the event are $5 for members and $10 for the general public. Sponsorships and reservations may be purchased online at www.springfieldregionalchamber.com or by contacting Sarah Mazzaferro at [email protected].

Tighe & Bond Honored for Advancing Women in Engineering

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WESTFIELD — The Connecticut chapter of the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS CT) honored Tighe & Bond as Employer of the Year during its annual awards dinner on April 14 at St. Clement’s Castle in Portland, Conn. The recognition applauded the firm’s support of WTS, and for providing ongoing opportunities to advance women in their engineering and transportation careers.

“It is an honor for our firm to receive this award, and we are thrilled that WTS CT selected us,” said David Pinsky, president and CEO of Tighe & Bond, who accepted the award on the firm’s behalf. “Our firm takes recruiting, retaining, and advancing women in engineering seriously. More than 30% of Tighe & Bond’s 270-plus employees are female, and approximately 14% of these women hold key management and/or leadership positions at our firm. Last year, more than 30% of Tighe & Bond’s new hires were female, and this year the number is even higher.”

In business for more than a century, Tighe & Bond has a long history or providing high-quality traffic engineering and transportation planning services to commercial developers and municipal, state, and institutional clients throughout New England.

For more than 18 years, WTS CT has been dedicated to advancing women in transportation. It provides a forum for transportation professionals to meet and interact, sharing experiences and expertise. Member benefits include professional development, career support, mentorship, and student outreach.

Country Bank Extends Financial Literacy to College Students

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WARE — Recently, Country Bank sponsored its first Financial Literacy Fair for college students at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Worcester. This program was a partnership with WPI’s Student Aid and Financial Literacy Department.

The event featured the Next Step, a financial-literacy exercise where college students are asked to step into their very near future by visiting 10 financially informative booths to make real-world decisions.

“Students learn about many of the next steps that they will encounter after they graduate from college,” said Jodie Gerulaitis, the bank’s financial education officer. “They learn that the decisions they make today will affect their finances in the future, such as the unexpected expenses of owning a vehicle, saving for retirement, renting an apartment, or owning a home, and how location can be a deciding factor in their finances.”

The booths the students visit include credit, housing, student loans, insurance, budgeting, fraud prevention, transportation, savings and investing, career development, and employment benefits. The goal is for students to have a better understanding of their future fiscal responsibilities. They learn about balancing a budget and making educated choices about their finances. They also learn how one financial choice can greatly impact another.

Jonathan LaFrance Wins Pitch Competition with Sergeant Shower

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HOLYOKE — Jonathan LaFrance, an MBA student from Bay Path University, took first place at last night’s awards ceremony and banquet for the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation’s Entrepreneurship Initiative, pitching Sergeant Shower, a biodegradable, two-sided, single-use, all-in-one shampoo and body-wash cloth mitt.

LaFrance convinced a panel of judges from six area banks that his pitch was the best at the event held at the Log Cabin. Jonathan Mendez, a Holyoke Community College student, took second place based on his business concept pitch for Mean Green Detergent Machine, a kiosk in stores allowing people to refill their laundry-detergent bottle. Steven Goldberg, a student at Amherst College, took third place with DineToday, a platform allowing restaurants to post discounts for off-peak reservation times.

The live event featured a student representative from each of the 14 participating local colleges: American International College, Amherst College, Bay Path University, Elms College, Greenfield Community College, Hampshire College, Holyoke Community College, Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, Springfield College, Springfield Technical Community College, UMass Amherst, Western New England University, and Westfield State University. First-, second-, and third-place winners received $1000, $750, and $500 respectively. Each student participating received $100.

The judges represented Berkshire Bank, Country Bank, First Niagara Bank, PeoplesBank, United Bank, and Westfield Bank.

The judges also identified nine winning teams as Best Exhibitors. These were selected from a pool of 56 unique companies during a ‘trade show’ portion of the evening which featured the 2016 Grinspoon Entrepreneurial Spirit Award winners. The three first-place winners (each receiving an additional award of $600) were: Connor Brown and Xavier Reed from Amherst College with Meetum, a platform for students to openly share events and activities with the college community; Misael Ramos from Springfield College with Royaume Expressions, garment decoration; and Joey Baurys and Nicolette LaPierre from Western New England University with Hemoflux, a prenatal genetic testing company.

The Entrepreneurship Initiative is one of several local initiatives supported by the philanthropy of Harold Grinspoon. For more information, visit www.hgf.org.

Greater Holyoke Chamber Slates Golf Tournament for May 16

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HOLYOKE — The Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce invites all golfers to the 48th annual Chamber Cup Golf Tournament on Monday, May 16 at Wyckoff Country Club in Holyoke.

Registration and lunch begin at 10:30 a.m., with tee-off at noon. The registration fee of $125 per player includes greens fee for 18 holes of golf, cart fees, lunch, a gift bag for each player, and an awards dinner.

A cash prize of $400 will be awarded to each division’s winning team. Prizes will also be awarded for hole in one, closest to the pin, and men and women’s longest drive. Raffle prizes include Red Sox tickets donated by Marcotte Ford, a signed official NFL football signed by Rob Gronkowski donated by Conklin Office Furniture, and a 50/50, among others.

The Chamber has openings for foursomes as well as sponsors at levels that include: Eagle ($650), Lunch ($350) and Par Plus ($150). For more details, prize donations, or to register, call Wanda Zabawa at (413) 534-3376 or visit holyokechamber.com.

Magazine Readers Select Farmington Bank as Best Community Bank

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FARMINGTON, Conn. — Farmington Bank announced it has been selected as Best Community Bank by the readers of Hartford Magazine for the second consecutive year.

The 13th annual “Best of Hartford Magazine Readers Poll,” which includes Farmington Bank’s recognition, is highlighted in the publication’s May 2016 issue, and includes categories such as best food, retail, service providers, and more.

“As a bank with more than 165 years of service to our customers and communities, we are honored to be recognized for our ongoing commitment to the people and places of Central Connecticut,” said John Patrick, the bank’s chairman, president, and CEO.

Farmington Bank is a full-service community bank with 23 branch locations throughout Central Conn. and Western Mass.

WNEU Students Focus Efforts on Mental Illness, Suicide Prevention

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SPRINGFIELD — Western New England University (WNEU) students will host their second annual Out of the Darkness Walk for suicide prevention on Saturday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting at the university’s Commonwealth Lawn. All WNEU and Springfield community members are welcome, including pets.

Students were also recently approved to start a campus chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). The NAMI campus chapters work to end the stigma that makes it difficult for students to talk about mental health and get the help they need. The NAMI clubs hold creative meetings, educational awareness events, and offer programs through partnerships with NAMI’s state and national organizations.

Out of the Darkness Walks are the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s signature student fund-raising series, designed to engage young adults in the fight to prevent suicide, the second-leading cause of death among all people ages 18-24.

“By engaging students and the community in the Out of the Darkness Walk, we raise awareness for suicide-prevention efforts, help fund research and educational programming, and help dispel the stigma on mental health,” said pharmacy major Kristy Nguyen. To register for the walk online or to donate, click here.

Balancing all the changes that happen in college can be stressful and challenging. Those challenges are even more difficult for the one in five students who also face a mental-health condition. Nearly three-quarters of mental-health conditions emerge by age 24, so many college students are facing these struggles for the first time, and may not know where to go for support.

NAMI also offers support groups and teaches friends and family of those afflicted with mental illnesses how to help their loved ones.

“I thought this chapter was important to start because I know so many people who suffer from mental illnesses, and a few of my friends and I have also lost people to suicide,” said junior Natasha Mercado-Santana, the new president of the campus chapter of NAMI. “Even if you don’t have a diagnosed mental illness, it is still important to get support, especially in college, where challenging classes, new social situations, and being away from home for the first time can all be very stressful. People don’t get help because they either don’t know where or how to get it, or because they don’t want to admit they need it. We’re trying to eliminate that stigma and guide students to the resources they need.”

Philip Chandler of Gage-Wiley & Co. Earns Financial Designation

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NORTHAMPTON — Philip Chandler, vice president of Investment Services for Gage-Wiley & Co. Inc., has earned a financial designation to better help affluent clients maintain wealth and well-being.

Chandler attended the College for Financial Planning and now holds the accredited wealth-management advisor (AWMA) designation, recognized by high-net-worth individuals as a mark of expertise.

Chandler, who holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bryant University, joined the Plymouth office of Gage-Wiley & Co. in 2012. In his practice, he focuses on providing holistic wealth-management services to individual and business clients, including risk management, financial planning, portfolio management, and insurance planning. He leads Gage-Wiley’s insurance affiliate, GWG Insurance.

Gage-Wiley & Co., led by President Christopher Milne, is an independent, boutique firm serving the wealth-management needs of individuals, fiduciaries, nonprofits, institutions, and small businesses throughout New England.

Martin Dobrow Named New England Journalism Educator of the Year

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SPRINGFIELD — Martin Dobrow, a Springfield College professor of communications/sports journalism, was named the New England Journalism Educator of the Year at the recent New England Society of News Editors 2016 Journalism Awards.

This annual award recognizes a professor at a university or college in the six-state region who is doing outstanding work to prepare journalists to lead newspaper organizations into the future. Each college in New England is entitled to submit one nomination for this honor.

“I am certainly honored, but this recognition is principally a statement about how great our students are at Springfield College,” said Dobrow. “They consistently buy into the hard work that excellent journalism requires. You see that all the time in our campus media through television, radio, and the newspaper. We have undergraduate students right now publishing in local and national media outlets from the Daily Hampshire Gazette to the Boston Globe to USA Today. We have alums who have won state and national awards in both broadcast and print journalism.”

Dobrow arrived at Springfield College in the fall of 1999. He and fellow professor Dennis Gildea have been instrumental in designing a communications/sports journalism program at Springfield College that allows students to prosper as journalists.

“Dennis and I both revel in the growth and the accomplishments of our students and alumni,” said Dobrow. “When we added two superb journalists and educators, Jody Santos and Kyle Belanger, to our faculty six years ago, we hit a whole new level. I think the best is yet to come.”

Dobrow is the author of two books, Going Bigtime: The Spectacular Rise of UMass Basketball and Knocking on Heaven’s Door: Six Minor Leaguers in Search of the Baseball Dream. He also has produced freelance work for the Boston Globe, espn.com, Sports Illustrated, and theatlantic.com.

Local Chambers Join Forces to Spotlight Regional Tourism

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HOLYOKE — The Greater Holyoke and Greater Easthampton chambers of commerce have partnered to host a Tourism Luncheon on Friday, April 29 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Log Cabin in Holyoke.

The keynote speaker, state Rep. Michael Finn, vice chair of Tourism, Arts, and Cultural Development, will discuss the effects of visitor-generated tax revenue in Western Mass. Other speakers include Mary Kay Wydra, president, Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau; Seth Stratton, vice president and general counsel, MGM Springfield; and Michael Mathis, president and chief operating officer, MGM Springfield. Discussions will focus on the region’s tourism and how it impacts the Pioneer Valley’s economic growth.

Community leaders, CEOs, managers, and sales professionals are encouraged to attend the luncheon and to join the discussion on the community’s role in tourism.

“I am very proud of the great strides our region has made over the years,” said Maureen Bellevue, executive director of the Easthampton Chamber of Commerce.

Added Kathleen Anderson, president of the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, “we look forward to sharing highlights and results, while getting the community excited about new ways we can work together to really make a difference.”

The event is sponsored by Resnic, Beauregard, Waite & Driscoll, United Bank, and Yankee Candle. Tickets cost $30 for chamber members and $35 for the public. To register, visit business.holyokechamber.com/events or call the Greater Holyoke Chamber at (413) 534-3376 or the Greater Easthampton Chamber at (413) 527-9414.

Springfield Central Cultural District Looking for Outdoor Art

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SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Central Cultural District (SCCD) has issued a call to artists for a unique placemaking opportunity in downtown Springfield. The Cultural District is searching for artists to submit their ideas and designs to beautify 20 utility boxes scattered throughout the downtown footprint.

“We had two boxes beautified in Stearns Square Park during our Springfield Under the Stars movie nights last summer, and the reception was amazing. We want to continue that momentum,” said SCCD Executive Director Morgan Drewniany.

Programs to create non-conventional murals are not new; cities such as Boston, Northampton, and Easthampton have all carried out similar beautification programs in their cities, to great success. The SCCD is funding this program by matching local businesses and organizations to artists that pique their interest.

The theme all artists are asked to adhere to is ‘unexpected beauty,’ piggybacking on the SCCD’s tagline, ‘experience the unexpected.’ Artists are invited to submit their ideas to paint the boxes to the director. The chosen artists will be paid for their time and reimbursed for materials. Applications are due Tuesday, May 3.

The Springfield Central Cultural District encompasses an area of the metro center of Springfield, and is membership-based, involving many of the downtown arts institutions. Its mission is to create and sustain a vibrant cultural environment in Springfield.

The request for proposal and more details on this program can be found at springfieldculture.org/artistresources. Any questions can be forwarded to Drewniany at [email protected] or (413) 781-1592.

Jessica Roncarati Named President of Chicopee Chamber of Commerce

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Daily News

CHICOPEE — The Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce has named Jessica Roncarati its new president. The chamber’s board of directors voted unanimously to approve her appointment, and she began work on April 25.

Roncarati, a lifelong resident of Chicopee, most recently served as executive director of the AIDS Foundation of Western Massachusetts Inc. She has held both professional and volunteer leadership positions with a number of local nonprofits, including Bay Path University, Women in Philanthropy of Western Massachusetts, Hawthorn Services, and the Springfield Museums Assoc. She is a member of Business West’s 40 Under Forty class of 2012. She is a graduate of chamber member Elms College, and received her master’s degree in nonprofit management and philanthropy from Bay Path University.

As president, Roncarati will work with the chamber’s staff and constituents to further its mission to advance economic and civil well-being for all citizens of the Greater Chicopee area. She believes her most immediate focus is to build relationships among local businesses, government, and citizens in order to promote a sense of community.

“By connecting with the chamber, businesses have the chance not only to network and advertise their services, but to make Greater Chicopee an even better place to live and work,” she said. “We have an increasingly diverse business base to build upon, and events that we collaborate with the city on, such as the Tree Lighting, Halloween Costume Walk, Block Party, and 5k Run, bring more patrons to the area each year. It’s an exciting time to be a chamber member, and I look forward to making connections that will promote our local businesses.”

Trustees Recommend John Cook as Next STCC President

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — On Monday, the Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) board of trustees recommended John Cook, vice president of Academic Affairs at Manchester Community College in New Hampshire, to succeed the retiring Ira Rubenzahl as STCC president. The state Board of Higher Education will vote on Cook’s selection in June.

Before his role at Manchester Community College, Cook served as assistant dean of faculty for Granite State College in New Hampshire. He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and anthropology from St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y., a master’s degree in community/social psychology from UMass Lowell, and a doctorate of philosophy in education (curriculum and instruction) from the University of New Hampshire.

After a national search that drew 40 applicants, Christopher Johnson, chairman of the STCC board of trustees and the 13-member presidential search committee, announced last week that four finalists were being considered to succeed Rubenzahl, who is retiring in June after 12 years at the helm.

Those finalists included Cook; Laura Douglas, provost of Des Moines Area Community College in Iowa; Kim McGinnis, dean of students for Miami Dade College Medical Campus in Miami, Fla.; and Julie White, interim provost, senior vice president, and vice president, student engagement and learning support for Onondaga Community College in New York.

M&M Consulting Names J. Jeffrey Sullivan President, CEO

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SPRINGFIELD — M&M Consulting, LLC, a New England-based risk-management advisor to financial institutions, has named J. Jeffrey Sullivan president and CEO. He succeeds Jay Friedland, who founded the company in 1996 and will now serve as chairman of the company.

M&M Consulting’s clients range from one-branch institutions to regional banks covering multiple states. The M&M team includes a wide range of subject-matter experts in strategy, technology, and operations, including attorneys, CPAs, and other certified professionals. The cross-disciplinary M&M model allows financial institutions a more cost-effective, efficient strategy to handle the increasing complexity of regulatory compliance and risk oversight.

“Community financial institutions are the lifeblood of our local economies,” said Sullivan. “As regulations become more complex and burdensome, firms like M&M Consulting can provide meaningful assistance to help these institutions survive and thrive.”

Sullivan was most recently president and COO of United Bank, a $5 billion regional bank based in West Springfield. He oversaw all facets of the bank’s operations, including enterprise risk management, retail banking operations, and the commercial and consumer lending teams. He was chief lending officer at United Bank for nine years, chaired the bank’s Community Reinvestment Act committee, and was a member of the asset and liability management committee. Prior to United, Sullivan worked for 11 years for a Chittenden Corp. subsidiary, the Bank of Western Massachusetts, and for six years in the BayBank system. A lifelong New England resident, he obtained his bachelor’s degree in economics from Amherst College and his MBA from UMass Amherst.

“Jeff’s deep background in community banking blends perfectly with the diverse skill sets of our team and will add tremendous value to the managers and the boards of directors that we serve,” said Friedland. “We understand the challenges and complexities of today’s highly regulated and low-rate environment, and Jeff will lead us in maintaining our balance of technical expertise and knowledge of strategic and operational priorities for our clients.”

Green Miles Lipton, LLP Welcomes Nicole Bercume

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NORTHAMPTON — Green Miles Lipton, LLP announced that attorney Nicole Bercume has joined the firm as an associate. She most recently was in private practice in Hadley.

After graduating from Florida Atlantic University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and management, Bercume pursued her law degree at Ave Maria School of Law. During her time there, she was a senior editor on the Ave Maria Law Review while working in various positions for Collier County.

Bercume is admitted to practice law in Massachusetts and Florida. Her areas of practice are land use, zoning and planning, landlord/tenant, real estate, business formation, estate planning, consumer protection, and personal injury.

CEO of Data Intensity Named Commencement Speaker at Bay Path

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LONGMEADOW — Kirk Arnold, CEO of Bedford-based Data Intensity, will address Bay Path University’s 2016 graduating class at its 119th commencement on Saturday, May 14 at 3 p.m. at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. More than 700 students will be awarded master’s and bachelor’s degrees.

Arnold will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters degree for her extraordinary achievements in leadership. As the CEO of Data Intensity, a high-growth provider of cloud-based services and data analytics, she is a role model for women in the exploding market of data analytics. For more than 35 years, Arnold has been an active member of the technology and business community of Greater Boston. She sits on the boards of Cramer Marketing, EnerNOC, and the Commonwealth Institute. Arnold and Data Intensity were recognized among the Boston Globe’s “Top 100 Women-led Businesses in Massachusetts” last fall. She was also inducted into Bay Path’s 21st Century Women Business Leaders Hall of Fame in 2004, its inaugural year.

Jim Trelease, author of The Read-Aloud Handbook, will also be presented with an honorary doctorate of humane letters degree for his accomplishments as an author, educator, and passionate champion of reading aloud to children. Now in its 7th edition, The Read-Aloud Handbook continues to receive national and international acclaim. Trelease dedicated much of his career to leading seminars and lecturing school groups, parents, teachers, and librarians in all 50 states on the fundamental importance of youthful reading. He was one of the most sought-after speakers on the subject of education in the U.S., a frequent keynote speaker at educational conferences, and is credited with sparking read-aloud movements across the nation. Early in his career, Trelease was also a writer and staff artist for the Springfield Daily News (now known as the Republican).

Applications Underway for 2016 Employer of Choice Award

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AGAWAM — The Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast (EANE) is currently accepting applications for the Employer of Choice award, which recognizes companies and organizations for developing workplaces that value employees, build engagement, invest in training, and reward performance. Applications are due June 24.

Employers from Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island who have been in business for at least three years and have a minimum of 25 employees are eligible. Both company size and resources are considered in the screening and selection process. Awards are given in two categories: manufacturing and non-manufacturing.

Winners view the Employer of Choice award as a cornerstone of their company credentials and often use it in recruiting and retention, grants and funding, and business development. Winners receive a professional video that spotlights the company’s achievements and is customized to reflect the organization’s targeted initiatives.

In 2015, three area businesses were selected as Employer of Choice Award recipients: Bemis Associates Inc., Big Y Foods Inc. and Cadence Inc.

“We were thrilled to see our applicants focus on employee engagement, often implementing surveys and translating the findings to mission-vision-culture strategies,” said Meredith Wise, EANE president. “Traditional benefits such as tuition reimbursement were still strong, but contemporary offerings from wellness to flexible scheduling to community service were widespread, too. We look forward to learning about more outstanding companies in 2016.”

Learn more and download the 2016 application at eane.org/employerofchoice.

BusinessWest Seeks Nominations for Continued Excellence Award

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SPRINGFIELD — As part of its 10th annual 40 Under Forty program, BusinessWest is taking nominations for its second annual Continued Excellence Award, the winner of which will be unveiled at the 40 Under Forty gala on June 16. The nomination deadline is Monday, May 2 at 5 p.m.

Last year, BusinessWest inaugurated the award to recognize past 40 Under Forty honorees who had significantly built on their achievements since they were honored. The five finalists for that award last year were Kamari Collins, Jeff Fialky, Cinda Jones, Kristin Leutz, and the eventual winner, Delcie Bean IV.

“So many 40 Under Forty honorees have refused to rest on their laurels,” said Kate Campiti, associate publisher of BusinessWest. “We wanted to honor those who continue to build upon their strong records of service in business, within the community, and as regional leaders. Last year’s five finalists have certainly done that, and we expect this year’s nominees to be equally inspiring.”

Candidates must hail from 40 Under Forty classes prior to the year of the award, in this case, classes 2007-15. The nomination form is available at businesswest.com/40-under-forty/40-under-forty-continued-excellence-award. For your convenience, a list of the past nine 40 Under Forty classes may be found at businesswest.com/40-under-forty/40-under-forty-past-honorees.