GREENFIELD — The Franklin County Community Development Corporation (FCCDC) recently brought on three new employees while adding a business consultant.
Among its programs, the CDC offers financing for both start-up and existing small businesses. According to a CDC press release, Glen Ohlund was hired as lending director in March 2022. He has worked in community economic development and business finance for more than 30 years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and a master’s degree in community economic development, both obtained at Southern New Hampshire University. He is also certified as an economic development finance professional by the National Development Council.
As the new Massachusetts Agriculture Innovation Center (MAAIC) director at the CDC, Tricia Wancko provides business assistance and coordinates a network of partners across Massachusetts that help farms launch and scale-up value-added product ventures safely, legally and sustainably. She has more than 15 years of experience working at national nonprofits, with local farm and food businesses, and in hospitality. According to the release, Wancko holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Boston University and a master’s degree in food studies, along with a master’s of business administration from Chatham University’s Falk School of Sustainability.
New Communications Director Kate Lawless brings her expertise to the CDC to make sure that people understand the positive impact the organization and its programs have on the communities they serve. According to the release, she worked for print media outlets covering corporate finance, Brooklyn neighborhoods and politics before transitioning to marketing and communications roles at independent schools. She has also held leadership positions in nonprofits serving family farmers and local businesses. Lawless holds a bachelor’s degree in English from SUNY Buffalo, a master’s degree in journalism from New York University, and a master’s degree in sustainable landscape planning and design from the Conway School.
After the August departure of technical assistance provider Chris Janke, the CDC is now working with Jack Clemente to offer business counseling to entrepreneurs. According to the release, Clemente is an entrepreneur who has 35 years of experience in developing, managing and operating several businesses throughout western Massachusetts.
“The Franklin County Community Development Corporation is pleased to have these new energetic, smart and creative people join our team so we can continue offering support to the entrepreneurs and small businesses that make our regional economy diverse and vibrant,” Executive Director John Waite said in the release.