Applications Sought for ACCGS Leadership 2015 Governor Charlie

What’s
Inside:
It’s All About
You at PWC
Ladies Night
Page 7
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STANDARD
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
SPRINGFIELD, MA
PERMIT NO. 188
January
Breakfast
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Chamber
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Pages 10-11
chamberchannels
m y o n l i n e c h a m b e r. c o m
ERC5 Volunteers
Sought for
Membership Drive
Governor Charlie Baker to
Headline Outlook 2015
Massachusetts Governor Charlie
Baker will give his first major
address to the greater Springfield
business community at the
Affiliated Chambers of Commerce
of Greater Springfield’s (ACCGS)
Outlook 2015. As of press time, the
ACCGS is working with Governor
Baker on a date and location for the
event. Watch your inboxes for the
final announcement.
Presented by Health New
England and sponsored by
The East of the River Five Town Eastern States Exposition,
Chamber of Commerce (ERC5), MassMutual Financial Group and
an affiliate of the Affiliated United Personnel and program/
Chambers of Commerce of Greater reception sponsors Sisters of
Springfield, is seeking members to Providence
Health
System,
give an hour (or two, or three) to Eversource, Comcast and The
assist with the ERC’s Membership Republican, with support from
Drive on March 10, 2015 from Chicopee Savings Bank, Outlook
9 a.m. to noon at Europa Black is the area’s largest and premier
Rock Bar & Grill, 782 Center legislative event attracting more
continued on page 5 than 700 guests and presents
expert speakers on local, state
and federal issues. Area elected
officials will also be in attendance
to participate in this discussion of
front burner issues.
Baker was inaugurated on
January 8th, 2015 as the 72nd
Governor of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts.
Elected in November of
2014 on a platform of making
Massachusetts great for everyone,
Governor Baker’s arrival in the
Corner Office continues a long,
successful career in both the
private sector and public service
where he has worked hard to put
the people of Massachusetts first.
Gov. Baker is committed to
making Massachusetts a truly
great place to live, work, start
a business and raise a family.
As Governor, he has pledged to
work toward a growing economy
ACCGS Municipalities
Set Tax Rates
Applications Sought for
ACCGS Leadership 2015
Municipal officials in the six
communities directly served by the
Affiliated Chambers of Commerce
of Greater Springfield (ACCGS) and
its affiliates, Springfield Chamber
of Commerce and East of the River
Five Town Chamber of Commerce
(ERC5), have set the annual tax
rates for residential and commercial
and industrial properties for 2015.
Members of the ACCGS and
its affiliates were very active in
the tax classification hearings
held within these communities to
ensure a balance was struck in the
rates, including ERC5 Board Chair
Carmina Fernandes, ERC5 board
continued on page 17
February 2015
Applications are now being
accepted for the 2015 session of
Leadership Institute, Rethinking
Leadership: Sharpening Skills for
Organization and Community
Service, sponsored by MassMutual
Financial Group with scholarship
support from the Irene E. and
George A. Davis Foundation.
The Leadership Institute is a
unique collaboration between
the Affiliated Chambers of
Commerce of Greater Springfield
(ACCGS) and Western New
England University to teach mid
and upper level managers the
crucial thinking and problem
solving skills needed to enable
them to be effective leaders in
service to the community and in
Governor Charlie Baker
with family-sustaining jobs;
ensure that schools across
the Commonwealth provide
opportunity for every child
regardless of zip code; and make
Beacon Hill a true partner with
our local governments to create
safer and thriving communities
continued on page 8
their workplaces and designed
to develop high energy and
high involvement leadership.
"As a CEO, I know that I need
to engage my team and energize
their strategic thinking, said
John Weiss, a 2014 graduate and
president of Ormsby Insurance
Agency.
“Leadership 2014
provided me with the invaluable
opportunity to not only continue
on my own personal path of
learning, but to learn from some
of the most-respected faculty in
the region and learn from my
colleagues in the program, gain
new ideas, new perspectives and
new experiences, and be able to
bring it all back to my team, my
continued on page 5
1
HNE Delivers
Healthcare Solutions!
“...you’ve got to have trust and HNE makes that easy.”
- Jason Garand, Business Manager, Carpenters Union Local #108
“Health insurance is important to our
membership. If they get sick and can’t work,
they don’t get paid. HNE provides the best
healthcare for our local members. At the
Anniversary Members
Celebrating New Members
Every month the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce honors those members who
have continuously supported our mission throughout the years. The following
members joined in the months of January and February. Happy Anniversary!
Companies and organizations listed here have made an important investment
in their business and in the community by joining the Chamber. Do business
with Chamber members—it's good business!
30 Year Anniversary
10 Year Anniversary
Massachusetts Rehabilitation
Commission
Keystone Woods
Minuteman Pest Control
Corporate Designs NE
& a division of Design
Resource Center NE
25 Year Anniversary
5 Year Anniversary
Accounting & Tax Associates, Inc.
Fenway Golf, Inc.
Heritage Baptist Church
Hot Table, LLC
Roger L. Putnam Vocational
Technical High School
20 Year Anniversary
1 Year Anniversary
Associated Industries of Mass., Inc.
Broadway Office Interiors, Inc.
Lexington Group, Inc.
Whalley Computer Associates, Inc.
AccuTech Insulation & Contracting Inc.
Club Meadows
Comcast Spotlight
Crestview Country Club
Edward Jones
Granite City Electric
Hale Financial Planning Group LLC
Hampden Bank
Healthtrax
Residence Inn Marriott - West Springfield
Simplex Grinnell
U-Haul of Western MA & VT
end of the day you have to make a decision
15 Year Anniversary
about who you’re going to get for your health
Debra Taylor, Realtor
Interskate 91
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Olympic Electric, Inc.
Pension & Benefits Associates, Inc.
St. Germain, Amy G., D.M.D.
Westfield Bank
insurance provider. You’ve got to have trust
and that’s difficult, HNE makes that easy.”
Vol XXXIII • No. 4 • Chamber Channels (USPS681-850)
is published bimonthly with $5 of Chamber dues covering
subscription costs.
Postmaster: Send address changes to:
Chamber Channels
1441 Main Street
Springfield, MA 01103-1449
Tel: 413-787-1555
Fax: 413-755-1322
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.myonlinechamber.com
News & Advertising Deadline: 10th of every month.
Publisher: Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield, Inc.
Editor: Nancy F. Creed, IOM
Chamber Staff & Their Responsibilities
Find out more here!
Your Health Insurance Partner
Heidi, HNE Account Executive,
reviews plan details with Jason Garand.
President: Jeffrey Ciuffreda • 755-1312
Executive Assistant to the President: Kara Cavanaugh • 755-1310
Vice President, Marketing & Communications: Nancy F. Creed, IOM • 755-1309
Staff Accountant: Nancy Desmarais • 755-1308
Accounts Payable Clerk: Carrie Dzialo • 755-1307
Chief Financial Officer: Lynn Kucejko • 755-1306
Member Services Director: Sarah Mazzaferro • 755-1313
ERC5 Director: OPEN
Send any staff member email: [email protected]
Dave's Truck Repair, Inc.
1023 Page Boulevard
Springfield, MA 01104
Truck and Trailer Repair
Lisa Scheff Designs
35 Woodlawn Place
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Interior Decorators & Designers
1 Federal Street, Bldg 101
Springfield, MA 01105
Employment Services
Soldier On, Inc.
421 N Main Street, Building 6
Leeds, MA 01053
Non-profit
Tiger Web Designs
95 Lasalle Street
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Web Design Services
MOR Services, Inc
380 Westfield Street
West Springfield, MA 01089
Contractors-General
East of the River 5 Town Chamber
Board of Directors 2014-2015
Chair: Carmina Fernandes, Law Offices of Carmina Fernandes First Vice President: Dennis Lopata, Life Care Center of Wilbraham
Second Vice President: Edward Zemba, Robert Charles Photography
Treasurer: Joseph Lawler, The Gaudreau Group
Clerk: Charles Christianson, CMD Technologies
Past President: Lou Curto, Pioneer Valley Financial Group, LLC
Directors:
Jennifer Aldworth, Ludlow
Community Center/Randall
Boys & Girls Club
Elissa Langevin, Florence Savings Bank
Zelia Alves, Admirals Bank
Tony Rosa, New England Appraisers
Service
Martin Baicker, Jewish
Geriatric Services
Janet Murphy, Wilbraham & Monson
Academy
Chris Buendo, The Reminder
Barry Sanborn, ProShred Security
International, Inc.
Jill Cameron, Westfield Bank
Corinne Sawyer, Monson Savings Bank
Trant Campbell, Annino, Draper
& Moore
Kenneth Spafford, Spafford Leasing
Associates, Inc.
Torrie Dearborn, Glenmeadow, Inc.
Mark French, The Republican
Antonio Goncalves, Ideal Insurance
Agency, Inc.
Victoria Healy, HEALTHSOUTH
Rehabilitation
Ask your insurance broker or call us at 413.233.3535 • hne.com/cu
Mission Statement
HNE health plans are also available through the Massachusetts Health Connector.
143 Main Street
Springfield, MA 01105
Interior Decorators & Designers
Opportunity Services
Dr. Rock Jean-Guillaume, UMass
Medical Center
The Affiliated Chamber of Commerce of Greater Springfield, Inc. serves area
affiliated chambers, organizations, and the businesses they represent, to meet
individual and collective goals promoting prosperity for the region.
2
3
celebrating
accgs news
Our Members
by Jeffrey S. Ciuffreda—
President, Affiliated
Chambers of Commerce of
Greater Springfield
While the members
of our Legislative
Steering Committee assist in our efforts
to advocate for Chamber priorities and
positions, we can be most successful
with the support of our Chamber
members. I encourage you to get
involved in our legislative agenda. Please
feel free to contact me at ciuffreda@
myonlinechamber.com or (413) 7551312 for information on how you can
support our efforts collectively.
We can now formally refer to
Charlie Baker as Governor, having
been sworn in on January 8th,
and Senator Rosenberg as Senate
President, having been elected by
his peers and sworn in on January
7th, two major actions setting the
stage for the next two-year session
of the legislature. Representative
Bob DeLeo was reelected as
Speaker of the House.
I mention this as the Chamber’s
Legislative Steering Committee is
in the final stages of the process
of setting its agenda for the
year ahead, and it is with an eye
on the Baker/Polito economic
development plan they have
published and what is expected
to be their blueprint for going
forward. It is also with an eye
on having a Senate President
more familiar with Western
Massachusetts issues than anyone
in the last several decades, and a
Speaker of the House who has
visited here often during his six
years. Add to that a seasoned
local delegation and three new
faces (State Representatives Jose
Tosado and Carlos Gonzalez
both in Springfield, and Senator
Eric Lesser covering the ACCGS
communities of Springfield,
Ludlow,
East
Longmeadow,
Longmeadow, Wilbraham as well
as others) and a sense of optimism.
While our formal legislative
agenda will be unveiled at Outlook
where the Governor will make his
first major address in Western
Massachusetts since his swearing in,
that agenda is shaping up right now.
The budget and tax policy
committee is not expecting the
4
Governor and the legislature
to look to new taxes this year.
Therefore, the spending of the
state’s dollars must be prioritized
and the subcommittee feels
special attention should be
given to Gateway Cities to
help them address the unique
challenges they face. As well,
the committee believes local aid
to cities and towns should be
kept intact and infrastructure
dollars must be spent throughout
the Commonwealth.
The health care subcommittee
and full committee continues
to believe that the increase in
health care costs by the state,
which caused the state’s budget
to go into deficit, were a result of
decisions made in the past year
with respect to the broken down
health connector site and more
people being put onto Medicaid
than were qualified. We will
focus on that issue while also
advocating once again for waivers
to the federal Accountable Care
Act (ACA) to allow the use of
functions, such as cost factors,
to be used in determining rates
and setting those rates quarterly
rather than annually, These
factors were successfully used by
Massachusetts and helped keep
health care costs down but were
eliminated when the ACA went
into effect.
graphic design
web design
full color printing
social media
direct mail
For ALL Your Marketing Needs—
Call (413) 781-7800 • Email [email protected]
Find us onine: www.GetSetMarketing.com
Workplace issues such as use
of non-compete clauses and
ways to make the unemployment
insurance claim process more
transparent and open to employer
input will be pursued, and
the workforce development/
education committee will be
looking hard into pre k funding
as well as adult basic education,
continuing education, training
initiatives and other issues that
will help develop the workforce
of tomorrow.
Over 7,000 pieces of legislation
are expected to be filed this year
and we will be ready to make our
issues a priority.
ERC5 Volunteers Sought for Membership Drive continued—
Applications Sought for ACCGS Leadership 2015 continued—
Street, Ludlow..
Volunteers will be contacting companies within the communities
served by the ERC5 (East Longmeadow, Hampden, Longmeadow,
Ludlow and Wilbraham) to invite them to be the ERC5’s guest at its
Member Appreciation event to be held April 16, 2015 to hear more
about the benefits of joining the Chamber – it’s that easy!
Volunteers simply need access to a cell phone, be committed to
the ERC5, have an energetic personality, and a willingness to make
phone calls on behalf of the ERC5. Complimentary continental
breakfast will be provided to keep volunteers fueled throughout
the morning.
For more information or to volunteer your time and energy,
contact ACCGS Member Services Director Sarah Mazzaferro at
[email protected] or (413) 755-1313.
business and my clients.”
Since 1982, the program has developed members of the business
community for volunteer service to community organizations.
Institute alumni represent many accomplished and distinguished
leaders both in business and education, government and nonprofit
communities, including Congressman Richard E. Neal; former
Massachusetts Senator and Hampden County Clerk of Courts Brian
P. Lees; Henry Thomas, President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Urban League of Springfield; and MassMutual Financial Group Vice
President Carol Demas.
Cheryl Claprood, captain with the Springfield Police Department,
also a graduate from the 2014 program: “My main purpose for
attending was to refresh myself with managing styles and the newest
theories regarding leadership. As happens with many professions,
things were starting to become mechanical and regimented, and
I was looking for fresh ideas and new contacts so I can bring some
innovative perspectives back to the police department. I learned a
lot, met very interesting people from the community, the faculty was
thorough and knowledgeable, and I thoroughly enjoyed the class! It
made me look forward to Thursdays,” she said.
Directed by the University’s Dean of the College of Business Julie
Siciliano and Professional Educator Jack Greeley, Leadership 2015 will
challenge participants to think in new ways and to analyze their own
strengths and organizational challenges within a dynamic economy.
Taught by Western New England faculty, participants will focus on
problem solving, learning to ask the right questions and implementing
creative solutions for both nonprofit and for-profit organizations.
Participants will actively explore best practices of leaders; analyze their
own leadership, learning and problem solving styles, and experience
the synergies that come from high performing teams. Emphasis will
be on experiential activities that identify, develop and refine skill sets
for effective leadership.
“By exposing me to the faculty local experts in their field and
providing the opportunity to spend time with such a diverse group
of fellow students, Leadership Institute has given me information
and contacts that might otherwise have taken years of networking to
accumulate,” said 2014 graduate Nicole Sweeney, marketing manager
for Eastfield Mall. “Each class leads to valuable introspection which,
with the help of suggested follow up materials by each instructor, I
will be able to build upon for years to come,” she added.
The Leadership Institute runs for seven consecutive Thursdays from
1:00 to 4:30 p.m., February 12, 2015 through March 26, 2015. The
February 12 opening session will be held at the Sheraton Springfield,
One Monarch Place, Springfield, with the remaining sessions held
at the TD Bank Conference Center, 1441 Main Street, Springfield.
The program culminates with the ACCGS Beacon Hill Summit, the
Chamber’s annual trip to Beacon Hill, and a graduation ceremony and
dinner, both in April.
Tuition is $885 per participant and includes all materials,
several learning and personality inventory tools, the Summit and
the graduation ceremony and dinner. Not-for-profit organizations
interested in participating may apply for scholarship funding
provided by the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation.
Interested participants must complete an application, obtain a
letter from a sponsor supporting the application and provide written
letter of interest with background. Information and applications are
available by contacting Kara Cavanaugh at the ACCGS at (413) 7551310 or by email at [email protected]. Deadline for
applications is February 4, 2015.
5
accgs news
accgs news
Chamber Membership Can Save You
(and Your Employees!) Money
From insurance to credit cards
to advertising to a night out at the
Springfield Symphony Orchestra,
the Affiliated Chambers of
Commerce of Greater Springfield
(ACCGS) offers a multitude
of benefits to members of its
affiliates, the East of the River Five
Town and Springfield chambers
of commerce, and the employees
of these members. “Maximizing
the use of benefits offered to our
members can help reduce the costs
of running your business but also
can be promoted as part of your
own employee benefits packages–
it’s a win win for everyone,”
said Member Services Director
Sarah Mazzaferro.
and wellness offering is free
for all covered employees and
their families.
For more information, visit the
Chamber Health Coop Web site at
www.chamberhealthcoop.com.
Dental Insurance
Through our partnership with
the Chamber Insurance Trust
(CIT), businesses as small as
sole proprietorships have access
to dental insurance plans at
affordable rates. Several programs
are available from individual plans
to group plans for businesses with
two or more employees. Plans
are offered through Anthem Blue
Cross Blue Shield, Aetna and
Security Life Prime Star.
For more information, contact
CIT at (800) 953-4467.
processing and credit card/debit
card systems.
Exclusive benefits include:
• Swiped Rate – as low as 1.49%
+ $0.15 per transaction.
• Monthly Statement Fee - $7.50
• Monthly Minimum Bill - $0.00
For information, contact Rick
Rheault at (413) 543-1539.
Radio Advertising
Discounted Email Marketing
Health Insurance
Through the Chamber Health
Coop, a group purchasing program
offered by the ACCGS through its
partnership with the Massachusetts
Association of Chamber of Commerce
Executives, member businesses
with 1 to 50 employees can take
advantage of discounted health
insurance plans through Health
New England at a discounted rate
of 3.33%. (Fallon and Harvard
Pilgrim are available in the eastern
and central part of the state with
discounted rates of 2%.)
In addition to offering savings
on health insurance plans, the
Chamber Health Coop provides
wellness programs to help
employees live healthier lives
that in turn may help keep
premium costs at bay. The health
6
Automobile Insurance
Through Constant Contact,
members can save up to 25% on
Constant Contact’s entire suite of
online marketing tools, including
email marketing, online survey
and event marketing tools. The
discount is available to members
even if you already have a Constant
Contact subscription.
For information, visit www.
constantcontact.com/promo/
chamber/signup.jsp.
The Chamber Home & Auto @
Work insurance program from
Arbella Insurance Group and the
Harrington Insurance Agency
offers individuals the opportunity
to purchase automobile and
homeowners insurance at special
competitive rates.
For more information, contact
Donna O'Meally at (413) 304-3094.
Credit Card Transactions
Through our alliance with
TSYS
Merchant
Solutions,
members can enjoy a credit
card
processing
program
which can reduce the fee your
business incurs from credit card
Longmeadow, Ludlow, Springfield,
and Wilbraham. Members can
advertise in this monthly mailer
sent to new residents – great for
getting your message or special
offer in front of new customers.
As well, participants will receive
the monthly mailing list of new
residents for follow-up marketing.
For
information,
contact
ChamberMail at (888) 531-6775 ext. 3.
Direct Mail
The ACCGS has a partnership
with ChamberMail, a marketing
program targeting new residents
in East Longmeadow, Hampden,
Members who are first-time
advertisers will receive a 10%
discount (up to $1,000) on
advertising with the Chamber’s
media partner, WEIB 106.3
Smooth FM. WEIB 106.3 is
the region’s only locally-owned
commercial FM radio station in
the greater Springfield market
and boasts a listening audience
from southern Vermont and
New
Hampshire
through
western Massachusetts to central
Connecticut.
For information, contact Carol
Moore Cutting at (413) 585-1112.
Chamber Membership Can Save You (and Your Employees!)
Money continued—
It’s All About You
at PWC Ladies Night
Its All About Me!, 2 Somers Road, Hampden, will play
hostess to the Professional Women’s Chamber (PWC) bimonthly “Ladies Night” member reception on February 10,
2015 from 5-7 p.m.
Symphony Tickets
BUSINESSWEST
Through a unique partnership SUBSCRIPTION
with the Springfield Symphony
Orchestra, Chamber members
and their employees can receive
a 25% discount off adult single
tickets throughout the 20142015 Symphony season. The
discount applies to any Classical
concerts or the Symphony’s new
Jeans ‘n Classics Pop series. This
offer must be redeemed through
the Symphony Box Office at
1350 Main Street in Springfield
or by phone at (413) 733-2291.
Members must mention the
Springfield Chamber to receive
a discount.
The main contact of every
Chamber member automatically
receives a complimentary
subscription to the Chamber’s
media partner, BusinessWest, the
region’s bi-weekly business journal.
Mazzaferro says she will
continue to research best practices
in member benefits and identify
additional ways for provide cost
savings to members.
This unique boutique featuring jewelry, clothing, handbags
and accessories was started by three sisters, dedicated to
“making women feel good about themselves.”
Ladies Nights provide members with opportunities to meet
socially with other PWC members after hours. Themed nights
are incorporated adding another element to the event. What
a better way to feel good about yourself than with a night out
while building relationships!
Reservations are complimentary but required and include
beverages and refreshments. For reservations, contact Gwen
Burke at (413) 237-8840 or [email protected].
Professional
Women’s Chamber
Board of Directors 2014-2015
President: Janet Casey, Marketing Doctor
Vice President: Laurie Cassidy, West Springfield Council on Aging
Print Advertising
New Chamber members (only)
may purchase one advertisement
in the Chamber’s media partner,
The Reminder, and receive a
second one at no charge. The
Reminder is a weekly newspaper
with a circulation of more than
45,000 in Agawam, Chicopee,
East Longmeadow, Hampden,
Holyoke, Longmeadow, Ludlow,
South Hadley, Granby, Springfield,
West Springfield, Westfield and
Wilbraham distributed through
home delivery and store locations.
For more information, contact
Barbara Perry at (413) 525-6661.
continued on page 7
Treasurer: Laurette Bishop, CohnReznick, LLP
Assistant Treasurer: Nancy Mirkin, Florence Savings Bank
Secretary: Jennifer Endicott, Baystate Medical Center
Directors:
Gwen Burke, BusinessWest
Jacqueline Bangs, EMC
Diane Barnes, NorthwesternMutual
Debra Chamberland, Mount Holyoke College
Liz Cohen Rappaport, Century Investment Company
Patricia Faginski, St. Germain Investments
Jeannie Filomeno, Marcotte Ford
Kim Landry, Park Square Realty
Susan Scantlen, Hampden Bank
Kathy Tobin, Friends of the Homeless
7
accgs news
Chamber Channels ~ February 2011
Education & Employment News
The continued—
2011 Springfield Leadership Institute
Governor Charlie Baker to Headline Outlook 2015
T
“I really began to see things in a new way, to
alumni represent many accomplished
he Springfield Leadership
questionTo
my
own actions
and every
week,
Boston Business
Journal’s “Best Places
Work”
for seven
years
in aI row.
across Massachusetts.
and distinguished leaders both in
Institute (SLI) represents a
business, education, government and
37-plus-year
collaboration
leave Massachusetts
feeling energized and
eager schools
to try
Raised
in Needham, Baker would
attended
public
Over the course of his career, Gov. Baker has been a highly between
successful
non-profit communities. Graduates
the Affiliated Chambers of
ofgraduate
the Institute are the
founders
and
Commerce As
of Greater
Springfield
things we learned
about
in to
class.”
and
is
a
of
Harvard
College.
He
went
on
earn
a
Master’s
leader of complex organizations in business and in government.
a
organizing force of the Young Proand the Western New England Colfessional Society
(YPS) in SpringSchool of Business. Institute
of Business
Administration
from the Kellogg Graduate
School of
cabinet secretary under Governors William Weld and PaullegeCellucci,
own strengths and organizational
field. SLI alumni know the power of
challenges
within
a
dynamic econoeffective
leadership
and
many
Baker helped lead efforts to reform and modernize state government. Management at Northwestern University.
my. SLI is taught by Western New
attribute their success to what they
Collegeinvolved
faculty who will in
Gov. Baker and his wife, learned
Lauren,
haveInstitute.
been England
heavily
During his time as chief executive officer of Harvard Pilgrim Health
at the Leadership
The following are some comments introduce participants to emerging
endeavors.
in Swampscott,
and
Care, Baker turned a company on the brink of bankruptcy into the numerous civic and charitablefrom
theory and best practices.
past graduates. They liveleadership
A segment on “Leadership Presence”
“The Leadership Institute was a
have three children: Charlie, AJ,
and
Caroline.
nation’s highest ranked health care provider for six straight years.
transformative experience. The facul- is being added this year along with
the institute’s continued emphasis on
ty was phenomenal and they really
As a member of the Weld and Cellucci Administrations in the
Gov. Baker will be joined in
the program by Congressman
Richard
problem solving at the executive
levhelped me to develop specific strateel. Case studies have also been
gies to improve performance of our
events at the federalupdated
level,
including his
1990s, Baker helped turn a billion-dollar deficit into a surplus, create E. Neal, who will remark on office.”
for the 2011 program.
The program meets every Thurs“Oneand
of the best
of Leader-that
thepartstopics
the new Congress
a half million jobs, and enact an ambitious education reform agenda. thoughts on the 114th Congress
day from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the
ship was meeting and networking
TD
Bank
Conference
Center.
with
amazing
professionals.
I
expect
Committee
on
First asked to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services in may review . “As a senior member of the powerful House
Participants in SLI learn how to
many of them will be lifelong
more effective leaders
and how to
member of its Selectbe Revenue
Measures
1992, Baker led efforts to make Massachusetts’ social service system Ways and Means and rankingfriends.”
have the power to make an impor“I really began to see things in a
tant difference bothimportant
in the workplace
serves
more humane, cost-effective and responsive to the needs of the subcommittee, CongressmannewNeal
way, to question
my ownin a critically
and in the community. The chamber
actions and every week, I would
our state
the
entire
country,”
Commonwealth’s residents. In 1994, Baker was appointed Secretary capacity in Washington for our
and
the faculty
at WNEC
encourage
leavearea,
feeling energized
and eager and
to
you to join us for this year’s Instithings we learned about in
of Administration and Finance, overseeing a number of cost-saving said ACCGS President Jeffreytry
S.
Ciuffreda.
tute. Ask your friends, your colclass.”
“I am already utilizing my skills to leagues, your boss – it is very likely
Tickets are $50 for ACCGSwork
members
and
$70
for
general
admission.
reforms, modernizing state government and making it more efficient.
someone
you know
is an alumnus of
more effectively with board
the Institute.
members…”
Reservations
must
be
made in
Gov. Baker was recognized for his leadership and innovation by the Reserved tables of ten are available.
Leadership is not just for board
Additionally attendees report that
chairmen or CEOs ...all of us are
having
highly
qualified,
PhD.
a date and location has been finalized,
National Governors’ Association in 1998 who rewarded him with the writing and in advance. Once
instructors places the program at the leaders whether as a coach of a
youth hockey team, a member of a
highest
level.
reservations may be made online
at www.myonlinechamber.com
Distinguished Service Award.
church committee or a work team.
The 2011 Springfield Leadership
Please contact
Lynn Johnson directly
which begins
on Feb. 17, Sarah
Services
Director
Mazzaferro
at
As chief executive efficer of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care from 1999 or by contacting Member Institute,
at (413) 755-1310 or at johnwill challenge participants to think
[email protected]
more
walk-ins
will
be acceptedforand
to 2009, Baker led the company out of receivership to become the top [email protected].
in new ways andNo
to analyze
their
information.
healthcare plan in the country for member satisfaction and clinical no cancellations will be accepted once the registration date has passed.
effectiveness. During Baker’s tenure, Harvard Pilgrim was named one of
Springfield Chamber
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2010 - 2011
Juan Campbell, President,
Health New England
Affiliated Chambers of Commerce
of Greater Springfield, Inc.
Patrick Leary, Vice President
Moriarty & Primack, P.C.
Susan Chamberlain, Treasurer,
TD Bank
1441 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103-1449
Tel: 413-787-1555 • Fax: 413-755-1322
Website: www.myonlinechamber.com
Jeffrey Ciuffreda,
President, ACCGS
Timothy Murphy, Clerk,
Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C.
Board of Directors 2014-2015
President: Jeffrey Ciuffreda, Affiliated Chambers
of Commerce of Greater Springfield
Chair: Ellen Freyman, Shatz, Schwartz & Fentin P.C.
Directors: Robert Bonsall, Disability Management Services, Inc. • Barbara Campanella, Western New
England College • Thomas Creed, Berkshire Bank • Ellen Cummings, VERIZON • John Doleva,
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame • John Driscoll, Driscoll Photography • Jeffrey Fialky,
Bacon Wilson, P.C. • Janine Fondon, Unity First Direct, Inc. • Mark French, The Republican • Ellen
Freyman, Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C. • John Garvey, Garvey Communication Associates, Inc. •
Daniel Glanville, Comcast Cable Communications, LLC • Michael Gold, Big Y Foods, Inc. • James
Goodwin, Center for Human Development • Melinda Graulau, Eastfield Mall • Matt Hollander,
MassMutual Center • Joan Kagan, Springfield Day Nursery • Kate Kane, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network/The Springfield Group • Daniel Keenan, Sisters of Providence Health System • Donald
Kozera, Human Resources Unlimited • Lauri Lavell, Westfield Bank • Mary MacInnes, Pioneer Valley
Transit Authority (PVTA) • Douglas Macmillan, Macmillan and Son, Inc. • Judith Matt, Spirit of
Springfield, Inc. • Martin Miller, WFCR-88.5 FM/WNNZ-640 AM Public Radio for West. N.E. •
William Miller, Friends of the Homeless, Inc. • Karen O. Moore, Kindred Hospital Park View • Timothy Murphy, Skoler, Abbott & Presser P.C. • William Pepin, WWLP-TV 22 • Evan Plotkin, NAI
Samuel D. Plotkin & Associates • Alan Popp, Mason-Wright Foundation • Oscar Ramos, Ramos
Accounting & Tax Service, Inc. • Susan Renee - Johnson, Liberty Mutual Insurance Group • Dora
Robinson, United Way of Pioneer Valley, Inc. • Jeffrey Sattler, Nuvo Bank & Trust Company • Mary
Ellen Scott, United Personnel • J. Jeffrey Sullivan, United Bank • Meghan Sullivan, Sullivan, Hayes &
Quinn • Mike Suzor, Springfield Technical Community College • Nancy Urbschat, TSM Design Inc •
Denise Vogel, Western Massachusetts Electric Company • Mary Walachy, Irene E. & George A. Davis
Foundation • Glenn Welch, Hampden Bank • Linda Williams, Mental Health Association, Inc.
Board Members
Ellen Cummings, Verizon
John Doleva, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Directors:
Hayley Dunn, Western Massachusetts
Electric Company
Juan Campbell, Consolidated Health Plans
Mark French, The Republican
Patricia Canavan, United Personnel
Ellen Freyman, Shatz, Schwartz and
Fentin, P.C.
Jeffrey Fialky, Esq., Bacon Wilson, P.C.
Art Jasper, Johnstone Supply
Joseph Lawler, The Gaudreau Group
Patrick Leary, Moriarty & Primack, P.C.
Dennis Lopata, Life Care Center of Wilbraham
Members of the Springfield Falcons team took some time from the ice.
(From left) ACCGS Ambassador Art Jasper of Johnstone Supply entertains Steve
Savaria of Fuss & O'Neill, Inc., Janelle Goodnight of Western New England
University and her husband Paul, and Mischa Epstein of Heartfelt Fine Gifts.
ACCGS Board Chair Ellen Freyman of Shatz Schwartz and Fentin, P.C. takes to
the sidelines with Jay Minkarah of DevelopSpringfield.
Berdie Thompson and Matt Mitchell of Chicopee Savings Bank needed no
coaching to have a good time.
Douglas Macmillan,
Macmillan and Son, Inc
Judith Matt, Spirit of Springfield, Inc.
Bill Miller, Friends of the Homeless, Inc.
Martin Miller, New England
Public Radio
William Pepin, WWLP-22 News
Evan Plotkin, NAI Plotkin
Alan Popp, Mason-Wright
John Garvey, Garvey Communication
Associates Inc.
Dora Robinson, United Way of
Pioneer Valley, Inc.
Daniel Glanville, Comcast Cable
Communications, LLC
Jeffrey Sattler, NUVO Bank &
Trust Company
Michael Gold, Big Y Foods, Inc.
Kirk Smith, YMCA of Greater
Springfield
James Goodwin, Center for Human Development, Inc.
Tiffany Greene, Disability
Management Services, Inc.
Christine Phillips, United Personnel
Melinda Graulau, Eastfield Mall
Tracy Sicbaldi, Peoples United Bank
Joan Kagan, Square One
Dr. Julie Siciliano, Western New England University
Donald Kozera, Human
Resources Unlimited
Ed Zemba, Robert Charles Photography
Wolf & Company get ready to “huddle” with business and community leaders.
Mary MacInnes, Pioneer Valley
Transit Authority
Nicholas Fyntrilakis, MassMutual
Financial Group
David Parke, Bulkley Richardson
Glenn Welch, Hampden Bank
Chamber members laughing it up at the After 5 were (from left) Francie
Richardson of N.E.P.M.-New England Promotional Marketing, Mary McCarthy
of Andrew Associates and Bethany Kralovic of Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort
©2011 Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield, Inc.
Clerk: David Martel, Doherty, Wallace, Pillsbury & Murphy P.C.
Carmina Fernandes, Law Offices of Carmina Fernandes
The Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield (ACCGS) took on the NFL at its After 5 January 14, 2015 at the Sheraton
Springfield, with gold sponsor Wolf & Company, P.C., silver sponsor DevelopSpringfield and table sponsors Springfield Falcons, United
Way of Pioneer Valley and BusinessWest. Attendees called their own networking plays, celebrated new leads in the end zone and tried
their hands at football bingo and paper football.
Chair: Jeffrey Fialky, Bacon Wilson, P.C.
Vice Chair: Patricia Canavan, United Personnel
Executive Director: Jeffrey Ciuffreda, Affiliated
Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield, Inc.
Treasurer: Joseph Marullo, Berkshire Bank
Clerk: Timothy Murphy, Skoler, Abbott & Presser P.C.
Treasurer: Barbara-Jean DeLoria, United Bank
Lou Curto, Pioneer Valley Financial Group
Photos by Michael Epaul Photography
Board of Directors 2014-2015
Stacey Church, MassMutual Center
Charles Christianson, CMD Technology Group, Inc.
January After 5 Photo Gallery
Springfield Chamber of Commerce
Vice Chair: Daniel Keenan, Sisters of Providence Health System
Janet Casey, Marketing Doctor
8
6
accgs news
Patrick Leary,
Moriarty & Primack, P.C.
Arlene Putnam, Putnam Associates
Meghan Sullivan, Sullivan, Hayes &
Quinn, LLC
Mike Suzor, Springfield Technical Community College
William Trudeau,
Insurance Center of New England
Nancy Urbschat, TSM Design Inc.
Mary Walachy, Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation
More photos from the After 5 and ALL our events can found in our Flickr account:
www.flickr.com/photos/accgs
9
accgs news
accgs news
January Breakfast Photo Gallery continued—
January Breakfast Photo Gallery
Photos by Underwood Photography
The entrepreneurial spirit of the region took center stage at the
Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield’s (ACCGS)
Business@Breakfast on January 7, 2015 at Ludlow Country Club,
sponsored by Breakfast Series Sponsor United Personnel with
support from table sponsor Freedom Credit Union.
Paul Silva, executive director of Valley Venture Mentors (VVM),
discussed the region’s strong entrepreneurship with “Putting the
PIONEER Back in Pioneer Valley” while VVM alum Natasha Clark
told the story of how she took LionessMagazine.com from a local
all-digital magazine to one with global reach. Dr. Mark Keroack
of Baystate Health was introduced as its new chief executive
officer and president, and Andrews Associates was honored on its
30th anniversary.
Natasha Clark, founder of LionessMagazine.com, shares stories of her rise to the top.
10
Baystate Health president and chief executive officer Dr. Mark Keroack chats
with ACCGS Ambassador Yvonne Williams from United Way of Pioneer Valley.
Warming up before the breakfast are (from left) ACCGS Ambassador Michael
Epaul of Michael Epaul Photography, Melissa Sullivan of Michael’s Party
Rentals, Zuleika Rivera of new member Peoples Choice Real Estate Services,
and Bethany Kralovic of Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort.
Jennifer Schimmel of Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity catches up
after the holidays with Denise Gloekler of Shriners Hospitals for Children.
The Freedom Credit Union team “stands behind” its products and services.
More photos from the breakfast and ALL our events can found in our Flickr account:
www.flickr.com/photos/accgs
The team at Andrew Associates celebrates its 30th anniversary with a Chamber salute.
11
celebrating
Our Members
Springfield College Honored for
Community Service Efforts
Springfield College was named a finalist for the President’s Award for
Community Service by the Corporation for National and Community
Service (CNCS). The college was one of four finalists in the education
category and also was awarded Honor Roll with Distinction status in
the category of general community service. This nationwide designation
is part of the 2014 President’s Higher Education Community Service
Honor Roll, and recognizes institutions and their students across the
country for their commitment to volunteer service.
The award was based on data from the 2012-13 academic year, during
which more than 3,500 Springfield College students completed more
than 480,000 hours of service to the Springfield community through
volunteer work, service-learning, internships, practica, fieldwork, and
other activities.
In total, more than 760 higher education institutions were named
to this year’s honor roll. From that group, four schools were selected
to receive the President’s Award in one of four categories – general
community service, economic opportunity, education, or interfaith
community service. An additional 16 schools are named as finalists
for the President’s Award, the highest federal honor a higher education
institution can receive for its commitment to community service.
celebrating
Big Y Opens New Table & Vine Location, Makes Food Donation continued—
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tools for less.
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enjoy exclusive savings on Constant Contact’s entire suite of
online tools, including:
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you top-of-mind with your audience.
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Online Survey delivers the inside info you need to keep
your audience happy and coming back for more.
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Members of the Springfield College AmeriCorps Program and Springfield College President
Mary-Beth Cooper assist students at the Boland Elementary School in Springfield.
Big Y Opens New Table & Vine
Location, Makes Food Donation
Big Y World Class Markets has opened its newest and fourth Table
& Vine Fine Wines, Spirits and Beer location at 2035 Boston Road,
Wilbraham. The store boasts varieties of wine, 125 types of liquor
and 125 beers including craft and microbrews, including Big Y’s own
specially brewed bottled beers. In 2015, the company plans to triple
its offerings by adding 2,850 more square feet in order to offer over
1,000 wines, 500 beers and 500 select spirits in addition to chilled beer,
wine and champagne.
As well, Big Y’s 5th annual Sack Hunger/Care To Share Program
brought 19,238 bags of food to local charities. Sack Hunger bags are
large brown reusable grocery bags filled with staple non-perishable
food items for local food banks. Customers purchase a Sack Hunger
bag of groceries for $10 and Big Y distributes the food to that region’s
local food bank. In turn, the food banks distribute the filled “sacks”
to area soup kitchens, food pantries, senior food programs, daycare
centers as well as many of their other member agencies. All of the donated
12
continued on page 13
Our Members
Sign up online to get your Chamber Member Discount!
ConstantContact.com/chambermembers
sacks are distributed within the
supermarket’s marketing area so
every donation stays within the
local community. Since its inception
five years ago, over 74,000 bags have
been donated to area needy via Big
Y’s Sack Hunger Program. The Food
Bank of Western Massachusetts
was among the recipients sharing
the 176,000 pounds of food.
Carando® and Big Y® Supply National Guard
with Holiday Feast
Carando® Classic Italian Meats
showed its gratitude for the brave
men and women of Barnes Air
National Guard Base and served
the soldiers and their family members a holiday lunch in December.
Joined by Big Y®, the Massachusetts-based companies prepared
a feast of Carando premium
hams, green beans, oven roasted
potatoes, mac & cheese and
chocolate chip cookies for
the hundreds in attendance.
The meal is part of an ongoing campaign named “Carando
Cares,” which focuses on helping organizations that are making a positive difference in the
New England area.
Since it began in 2013, the
“Carando Cares” campaign has
included delivering hams to
Boston’s fire stations, serving an Easter dinner to the
children at Shriners Hospital for
Children-Boston and treating the
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maine to a baseball game and
holiday lunch.
Nancy Coley
Eastern States Exposition Honored with Best
Marketing Campaign Award
Eastern States Exposition
(ESE) was honored with the Best
Marketing Campaign award for the
2014 International Association
of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE)
Hall of Honor Communications
Awards. ESE received a total
of eight Communications and
Agriculture awards during the
annual IAFE Convention.
In addition to the Best
Marketing Campaign award,
ESE received first place for
Newspaper Ad – Black & White,
Commemorative Poster and
Overall Social Media Campaign.
Second place was awarded for
Radio Advertising and Electronic
Newsletter, Fair and Sponsor/
Partner Joint Exhibit Program
and Agriculture Photo – Fair
Agriculture Photo.
This year’s Big E marketing
campaign was the most comprehensive
to date, incorporating the power
of social media with traditional
media. At the 2014 Big E, the
official tag #BigEMoments was
introduced, along with the new
Big E Hot Spot social media hub.
The Cream Puff Man also made his
debut and was a smash hit across
local radio and news stations
throughout New England. The
success of the campaign was
clearly demonstrated by another
record-breaking year at The Big E
with overall attendance reaching
1,498,605.
Fairs from across North America
vie for awards in advertising
or promotion excellence and
agricultural events developed or
exhibited at their annual events.
Each year, a delegation from The Big
E participates in the international
convention and the Marketing
and Agriculture departments
submit entries to be judged in the
awards competitions.
There are a total of 21 award
categories for the Communications
Awards, each divided into 5
divisions by attendance, that a fair
or expo can enter. The entries are
evaluated and judged by a team of
industry leaders. These individuals
are selected from the membership
of International Association of
Fairs and Expositions, which has
over 1,200 members from around
the globe.
Questions? Call 1-855-854-8609 or email [email protected]
© 2012 Constant Contact, Inc. 12-2892
Nancy Coley
Elected to
Volleyball Hall
of Fame Board
Springfield Museums Host North American Debut
of Innovative Origami Exhibit
The Springfield Museums
has debuted a new traveling
exhibit designed to challenge the
perception of traditional origami.
Above the Fold: New Expressions
in Origami, a ground-breaking
exhibition of large-scale origami
installations by nine visionary
master folders, made its North
American debut at the Michele
and Donald D’Amour Museum
of Fine Arts last month and will
run from through April 12, 2015.
The Springfield Museums are also
hosting a related exhibit, Origami
Interpretations: Gloria Garfinkel, at
the nearby George Walter Vincent
Smith Art Museum.
Above the Fold celebrates
the extraordinar y artistic
achievements being made in the
world of contemporary origami.
Master artists Erik Demaine and
Martin Demaine (Canada/USA),
Vincent Floderer (France), Miri
Golan (Israel), Paul Jackson (UK/
continued on page 14
Nancy Coley, a member
of the Professional Women’s
Chamber, has been elected to
the board of directors for the
International Volleyball Hall
of Fame. Coley is currently the
director of admissions at St.
Michael’s Academy in Springfield
and previously was a member
of the communications team
at Holyoke Medical Center for
29 years serving as its public
relations manager.
WNEU Offers
Mini-Law School
to Community
Western
New
England
University School of Law will
open its doors to the community
with a five-week program focused
on demystifying the law. The
Mini-Law School will be held
from February 10, 2015 to March
10, 2015 on Tuesday evenings
from 6-8:00 p.m. at the Blake Law
Center Room D, 1215 Wilbraham
Road, Springfield, MA.
The program offers nonlawyers an understanding of legal
topics that impact their everyday
lives. Each class is taught by School
of Law faculty and moderated by
the Honorable Kenneth Neiman,
Magistrate Judge, U.S. District
Court, District of Massachusetts.
Blending theory and practice,
continued on page 14
13
celebrating
WNEU Offers Mini-Law
School to Community
continued—
the classes will focus on Family
Law, Health Law, Constitutional
Law, and Environmental Law.
SSO Executive
Director Leaving
for New Position,
Search Initiated
The Springfield Symphony
Orchestra has announced that
Executive
Director
Audrey
Szychulski will resign her post
with the orchestra to accept
the position of director of
development with the Colorado
Springs Philharmonic. Her
departure will be effective
March 3, 2015. The Springfield
Symphony will immediately
initiate a search process for both
a new executive director and a
development director — two
roles that Szychulski performed
during the last year.
The orchestra will continue to
operate under an interim director
as the board of trustees begins
a nationwide search for the two
vacant positions.
Our Members
celebrating
Springfield Museums Host North American Debut of Innovative Origami
Exhibit continued—
Israel), Dr. Robert J. Lang (USA),
Yuko Nishimura (Japan), Richard
Sweeney (UK), and Jiangmei Wu
(China/USA) transform paper
into breathtaking sculpture,
large-scale installations and
conceptual works that express
contemporary social, political,
and aesthetic ideas.
Origami, literally meaning
“paper folding,” has evolved
from a Japanese craft into a
highly expressive, global art form
that intersects and impacts the
realms of art and science. Today,
artists from all over the world are
folding paper into increasingly
elaborate
and
provocative
sculptural works, while scientists
and mathematicians are using
origami to unlock the mysteries of
the universe.
SAVINGS!
Brought to you by
your ACCGS
membership!
Chamber members and EMPLOYEES
can enjoy these cost-savings!

Erik DeMaine and Martin DeMaine, Kentucky Series: Together, 2012. Mi-Teintes
watercolor paper. Photo © Erik DeMaine and Martin DeMaine.


PV Financial Group Delivers Toys to the Children
of Parkside Early Learning Center
PV Financial Group teamed up with Hasbro, Inc. to provide the children of Parkside Early Learning
Center, a division of Holyoke•Chicopee•Springfield Head Start, Inc., a holiday to remember. The advising
team delivered toys to Parkside’s three classrooms.


HAPHousing
Receives First-Time
Homebuyer Grant

HAPHousing has been awarded a $60,000 grant from the
Belchertown Community Preservation
Committee to provide low and
moderate-income first-time homebuyers with down payment assistance and closing costs.
HAPHousing will design and
implement an assistance program
that provides $5,000 loans
to qualifying individuals and
families. Qualifying applicants
must be first-time homebuyers
with a household income that is 80
percent or less of the area median
income (AMI). Homebuyers
must be purchasing a home in
Belchertown and participants
must complete a first-time
homebuyer course through a HUD

14
continued on page 16
Our Members


Savings on health insurance through Health
New England, the Chamber Health Coop
Reduced fees incurred on credit card/debit card
transactions through TSYS Merchant Solutions
Up to 20% savings on home/auto insurance
through Arbella Insurance Group and Harrington
Insurance Agency
Discounted rates on brand name and generic
prescriptions!
Affordable rates on dental insurance—even if
your business only has one employee!
A 10% discount on first-time advertising on
WEIB 106.3 Smooth FM (not to exceed $1,000)
Buy One, Get One when you advertise in
Reminder Publications (new members only)
Free annual subscription to BusinessWest, the
bi-weekly business journal of western Massachusetts
Western New England University Director of International Admissions Michelle
Kowalsky, (front row, far left) traveled to Guangzhou, China, to attend the ChinaU.S. Principals Forum for the Internationalization of High School Education. This
unique gathering brought together Chinese principals and guidance counselors from
43 high schools throughout northeastern China to meet and consult with several
U.S. University representatives. The purpose was to help train the Chinese principals
and guidance counselors in how to better guide Chinese high school students through
the U.S. college application process. Kowalsky is chair of Study Massachusetts, a
consortium of Massachusetts colleges that promotes and guides international
students to study within the state.
Caring Health Center Opens Pharmacy
Caring Health Center, Inc. has announced the opening of the Caring
Health Center Pharmacy, located at its Richard M. Neal Medical
Complex facility, 1049 Main Street, in the South End of Springfield.
The pharmacy will bring much needed services to an underserved area
of the city.
The Caring Health Center offers Adult Medicine, Pediatrics, Dental,
Wellness and WIC services to the community. Adding pharmacy
services, supplying prescription and over-the-counter products, will
provide a one-stop convenience for patients. The pharmacy will be
open weekdays from 9:00 am to 5:30pm.
Up to 25% off Constant Contact email marketing
tools

25% off adult tickets to the SSO

Discounted tickets to Chamber events
For more information, contact
Member Services Director
Sarah Mazzaferro at
(413) 755-1313.
More reasons to join!
From left, Chuck Myers, Peter Leonczyk, Lou Curto, Carole Bolduc, Ed Sokolowski and Joe Leonczyk of PV Financial Group celebrate
the holidays with the children from Parkside Early Learning Center.
(From left) Pharmacy Technician Franchesca Martinez, Pharmacy Manager Chetan
Gohil and Pharmacy Technician Carla Maisonet prepare the new Caring Health
Pharmacy for its public opening.
15
celebrating
HAPHousing Receives
First-Time Homebuyer
Grant continued—
certified counseling agency to be
eligible for the loan. The $5,000
loan will be restricted to closing
costs and/or the down payment
for a home purchase, evidenced
by a promissory note and secured
by a mortgage.
FieldEddy
Insurance/HUB
International
Announces Hires,
Promotions
FieldEddy Insurance Inc.,
which recently became a division
of HUB International New
England, LLC, a leading global
insurance broker, has announced
several appointments.
Olga Tracy has rejoined the
agency as the newest personal
lines account manager in the
Monson, MA office. She will
be responsible for educating
and ensuring that clients have
the proper insurance coverage
while exemplifying the excellent
customer service for which
FieldEddy is known.
Karen Britt has been promoted
to Middle Market Account
Manager; Heather Fleury has
been named Small Business
Account Manager, and Peggy
Grundstrom will be a part of the
Quality Control team.
Our Members
celebrating
Tighe & Bond Promotes Eight Employees
Tighe & Bond recently
promoted eight employees who
have demonstrated exceptional
performance, client service, and
leadership, including four who
have been promoted to Associate
within the firm’s Stock Ownership
Program: Darleen Buttrick, P.E.;
Christopher Haker, P.E.; David
Horowitz, P.E. CSP; and Frederick
Mueller, P.E.
Buttrick, a project manager,
joined Tighe & Bond’s Westfield
office in 2005. She has 10 years
of
professional
engineering
experience as a water treatment
engineer. She is currently the
project manager for a $3 million
ultraviolet disinfection facility for
the Holyoke Water Works, which
is scheduled to begin construction
in the spring of 2015. She also is
Tighe & Bond’s technical specialist
for drinking water regulations in
the Water Practice Group.
Haker is a principal engineer
and joined Tighe & Bond’s
Worcester office in 2007. With
19 years of professional civil
engineering experience, Haker
leads the firm’s Dams and
Geotechnical Group and serves as
its technical specialist. Several of
his notable projects include the
Lot E Mixed Use Development
in New Haven, Connecticut, and
the Green River Dam emergency
response and reconstruction in
Massachusetts.
Horowitz joined Tighe &
Bond’s Westfield office in 1998
and is a project manager. He has
more than 24 years of professional
engineering experience providing
a wide range of services to Tighe
& Bond’s industrial clients,
including environmental, health
and safety audits, industrial
wastewater treatment plant
design, permitting, operations,
regulatory
compliance
and
storage tank management.
Mueller, P.E. has been with Tighe
& Bond’s Middletown office since
2006 and is a principal engineer
with 24 years of professional
engineering experience related
to wastewater, environmental
remediation, and regulatory
compliance. A municipal and
industrial wastewater process
expert, he excels at energy
conservation and management,
soil and groundwater remediation
systems, odor control, and process
control systems.
In addition to these new
associates, Tighe & Bond
promoted four other staff into
the firm’s Stock Ownership
Program as new shareholders.
This includes Benjamin Levesque,
P.E., a senior project manager in
the firm’s Worcester office; Erin
Moore, P.E., a project manager
in the Westfield office; Jonathan
Richer, P.E., a project manager in
the firm’s Shelton, CT office; and
Amy Vaillancourt, LEP, a project
manager in the Middletown,
CT office.
Our Members
ACCGS Municipalities Set Tax Rates continued—
members Charlie Christianson and Ed Ziemba,
and ACCGS President Jeffrey Ciuffreda.
East Longmeadow, Hampden, Longmeadow,
Ludlow and Wilbraham went into the ratesetting process with a single rate for both
business and residential properties, while
Springfield had a dual rate.
Here is a recap of this year’s process with
rates taking effect with bills mailed out on or
before January 1, 2015:
EAST LONGMEADOW
East Longmeadow set its tax rate at $20.72
per $1,000 of assessed value, an increase of
25 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, while
maintaining its single tax rate. The rate stayed
relatively flat from 2014 with the new rates
slightly higher than a one percent increase.
HAMPDEN
Hampden officials maintained a single rate
but set a slightly higher tax rate for 2015 than
in the previous fiscal year with a rate of $18.98
per $1,000 of assessed value, an increase of 98
cents or just over a five percent increase.
David Horowitz, P.E.
Christopher Haker, P.E.
Darleen Buttrick, P.E.
Frederick Mueller, P.E.
LONGMEADOW
Longmeadow officials joined Springfield as
an ACCGS community with a dual rate and had
the highest rate increase of the municipalities
served by the ACCGS.
In 2014, all property tax rates were set at the
same rate, $23.15 per $1,000 assessed value. For
2015, the rates vary by class. Commercial and
industrial property tax rates jumped more than
11 percent and were set at $26.13, an increase of
nearly $3.00 per $1,000 assessed value.
However, the residential property tax rate
had a much lower increase, 47 cents, with the
property tax rate set at $23.62 for $1,000 of
assessed value.
Ciuffreda noted that historically at least two
members of Longmeadow’s Board of Selectmen
have voted for a dual rate. While the ACCGS and
ERC5 strongly advocated for a single rate both
in writing and at the hearing, Ciuffreda said this
year’s move to a dual rate was not unexpected.
“However, the Chamber stands by its message
that, with only five percent of Longmeadow’s
property in the commercial and industrial sectors,
a higher business rate is paradoxical,” he added.
LUDLOW
Ludlow officials maintained its single rate and
voted in a slight increase in its tax rate with the
Select Board setting the rate at $17.29 per $1,000
of assessed value, an increase of only 9 cents.
SPRINGFIELD
Springfield was the only ACCGS community
to decrease its rates. Although maintaining
its dual rate, city officials in Springfield
acknowledged the business community by
adopting the ACCGS’s recommendations and
decreased its tax rate for commercial and
industrial properties, setting the rate at $38.77
per $1,000 of assessed value. This new rate
not only reduces the financial burden on the
business community but also freezes what the
Chamber refers to as “the gap,” which means
the business community pays additional taxes
so that the residential taxes can remain lower.
Even with the gap frozen, residential property
owners still did receive a decrease with that rate
set at $19.67 per $1,000 assessed value.
WILBRAHAM
Wilbraham maintained its single tax rate,
setting its fiscal year 2015 tax rate at $20.88
per $1,000 of assessed value, a modest increase
of 44 cents over FY 2014.
Ciuffreda noted that the Chamber fought
vigorously against any increases and was
appreciative of the Springfield City Council for
listening to its rationale and approving its rate
recommendation, as well as the select boards
in East Longmeadow, Hampden, Ludlow
and Wilbraham for approving the Chamber’s
recommendations for maintaining a single rate.
Media Partners
Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield
Olga Tracy
16
17
accgs news
ACCGS
Membership
Directory to
Hit Streets
The Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield
(ACCGS) is finalizing the production of its 2015 Membership
Directory and Community Guide.
accgs news
Chamber
Membership...
It’s Good for
Business!
Did You Know…

And...


An annual publication, the Directory lists members of the
ACCGS affiliates the East of the River Five Town, Springfield
and Professional Women’s chambers in good standing as of
December 31, 2014.
The directory is published as a four-color, hard-bound book
format with a digital interactive e-book component. The
content includes an enhanced economic development section
designed to give readers insight into the value of locating and/
or relocating a business in the region and the benefits from
the region’s quality of life. This section also focuses on the
region’s economic drivers and the critical roles healthcare,
tourism, manufacturing and higher education play in the
driving growth.
As well, the directory includes information about the ACCGS,
its affiliates and its partners, the Chamber’s role in the region
and the benefits of Chamber membership.
The person identified as the primary representative of each
member company will receive a complimentary copy of the
2015 Membership Directory and Community Guide by the first
week of March.
The directory is supplemented quarterly with an electronic
update of new members distributed via Chamber e-Channels at
no charge to members. The first quarterly directory supplement
will be emailed as part of the May issue of Chamber e-Channels
and will include all members who joined the ACCGS and its
affiliates from January 1, 2015 through March 31, 2015.
2 out of 3 consumers believe companies
who are members of the local Chamber:
 Use good business practices
 Are reputable
 Care about their customers
 Are involved in the community






Consumers are 80% more likely to
patronize the business in the future
Consumers are 73% more aware of the
company
Businesses enjoy a 68% increase in its
local reputation
68% of consumers are more likely to
eat at a chamber member restaurant in
the next few months
58% are more likely to eat at a chamber
member restaurant more often
36% of consumers are more likely to
consider buying insurance from a chamber
member company
36% are more likely to think favorably
about the chamber member insurance
company
31% are more likely to consider buying
their next car from a chamber member
company
Membership Works.
Spread the Word!
*Study conducted in 2012 by The Schapiro Group commissioned by the
American Chamber of Commerce Executives in cooperation with the
Western Association of Chamber Executives.
18
REACH YOUR BUSINESS MARKET - AFFORDABLY!
Market Your Products and Services to
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etc. throughout the
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RETURN VIA FAX TO
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CHANNELS
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No. of Issues (Price Per Issue)
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4.75” x 5”
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4.75” x 6.25”
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19
chamberevents
February 2015
4
3
ACCGS Business@Breakfast, Chez Josef, 176 Shoemaker Lane, Agawam,
7:15 a.m. – 9:00 a.m., “Hard Hats Required: The I-91 Viaduct Project,” $20
members in advance ($25 at the door), $30 general admission
ERC5 Marketing Committee, Go Graphix, 1 Benton Drive, East Longmeadow,
8 a.m. – 9 a.m.
10
4
ERC5 Membership Drive, Location: Europa Black Rock Bar & Grill,
782 Center Street, Ludlow, 9 a.m. - noon
ACCGS Business@Breakfast, Crestview Country Club, 281 Shoemaker Lane,
Agawam, 7:15 a.m. – 9:00 a.m., featuring Humorist and Motivational
Speaker Dr. Steve Sobel, $20 members in advance ($25 at the door),
$30 general admission
11
ACCGS Ambassadors Meeting, Chamber Offices, 1441 Main Street, Springfield
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
16
11
ACCGS Speed Networking, Frank Webb’s Bath Center, 145 Performance
Boulevard, Springfield, 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Cost $20 members in
advance ($25 at the door). All registrations include complimentary
admission to After 5.
ACCGS “DIY Networking” After 5, Frank Webb’s Bath Center,
145 Performance Boulevard, Springfield, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Cost $5
members, $10 general admission
Chamber offices closed for Presidents’ Day
12
18
ACCGS Ambassadors Meeting, Chamber Offices, 1441 Main Street, Springfield,
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
ERC5 Board of Directors Meeting, The Gardens of Wilbraham, Community
Room, 2 Lodge Lane, Wilbraham, 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
23
ACCGS Board of Directors Meeting, EDC Conference Room, Chamber Offices,
1441 Main Street, 8:15 – 9:15 a.m.
March 2015
3
ERC5 Marketing Committee, Go Graphix, 1 Benton Drive, East Longmeadow,
8 a.m. – 9 a.m.
Please return to Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield, Inc.: 1441 Main Street,
Springfield, MA 01103-1449 —or — FAX to (413) 755-1322
Springfield Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Meeting, TD Bank
Conference Center, 1441 Main Street, Springfield, 12:00 p.m. –1:00 p.m.
20
We want to attend the following events:
____ MARCH 4
16
ACCGS Board of Directors Meeting, EDC Conference Room, Chamber Offices,
1441 Main Street, 8:15 – 9:15 a.m.
18
ERC5 Board of Directors Meeting, The Gardens of Wilbraham, Community
Room, 2 Lodge Lane, Wilbraham, 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
PWC Headline Luncheon, Storrowton Tavern, Carriage House, 1305 Memorial
Avenue, West Springfield, featuring Tracy Noonan, Wicked Good Cupcakes,
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., $25 PWC members, $35 general admission
24
ACCGS Pastries, Politics and Policy, TD Bank Conference Center,
1441 Main Street, Springfield, 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m., $15 members,
$25 general admission
Registrant Name(s) _________________________________________________________
ACCGS Business@Breakfast, 7:15 - 9 a.m.
“Hard Hats Required: The I-91 Viaduct Project”
Chez Josef, 176 Shoemaker Lane, Agawam
$20 members in advance ($25 at door), $30 general admission
_________________________________________________________________________
____ MARCH 11
Address: __________________________________________________________________
ACCGS Speed Networking, 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Frank Webb’s Bath Center
145 Performance Boulevard, Springfield
$20 members in advance ($25 at door), members only
Includes complimentary registration for After 5
____ MARCH 18
PWC Headline Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Tracy Noonan, Wicked Good Cupcakes
Carriage House, Storrowton Tavern,
1305 Memorial Drive, West Springfield
$25 PWC members, $35 general admission
Company Name: ___________________________________________________________
Tel: ________________________________
Fax: ________________________________
Town, State, Zip: ____________________________________________________________
Contact Name: _____________________________________________________________
Check Enclosed for $ ________________________________________________________
Please charge this to my:  AMEX
 Visa  Mastercard
 Discover
Card # __________________________________________Exp. Date _________________
Signature _________________________________________________________________