Openings available in Entrepreneurship Accelerator
GREENFIELD — There are openings in the Franklin County Community Development Corporation’s 10-week fall Entrepreneurship Accelerator.
The course covers everything residents need to know about getting a business venture started, from financial projections and entity formation to sections on insurance, legal issues, employment and marketing. Participants will be able to hear from experts and connect with fellow early-stage entrepreneurs.
This in-person class (with an occasional remote option) is held at the Franklin County CDC’s Venture Center at 324 Wells St. on Wednesdays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. between Sept. 17 and Nov. 19. Visit tinyurl.com/EntrepreneurshipAccelerator to apply or call 413-774-7204 for more information.
Bank donates $30K to Franklin County CDC
GREENFIELD — Greenfield Cooperative Bank has donated $30,000 to the Franklin County Community Development Corporation, supporting the organization’s work to empower entrepreneurs and further business development.
“We are proud to support the Franklin County CDC and their mission to foster economic and community development in our region,” Tony Worden, Greenfield Cooperative Bank’s president and CEO, said in a statement. “They have been instrumental in providing assistance to small businesses and entrepreneurs. Our donation is a way of expressing our gratitude and appreciation for their work, and our commitment to the local economy and community.”
Franklin County CDC Executive Director John Waite thanked Greenfield Cooperative Bank for its support, which will be directed to giving businesses of all types and at all stages assistance and resources to start or grow their ventures.
“We appreciate Greenfield Cooperative Bank’s investment in our local economy,” Waite said in a statement. “When small businesses have the resources they need to thrive, the whole community benefits.”
Tapestry Health has new board chair
SPRINGFIELD — Brad Riley has been appointed chair of Tapestry Health’s board of directors.
Riley brings more than two decades of experience across nonprofit and government sectors, spanning federal, state, local, tribal and territorial levels. He succeeds former Chair Jeremy Melton, who served on the board of directors for more than a decade.
Riley serves as an at-large city councilor in Easthampton, where he represents 16,000 constituents and chaired the Appointment Committee. He has also held roles on the
Ordinance and Public Safety committees, and represented western Massachusetts on
the Massachusetts Municipal Association’s board of directors and as a local
government advisory commissioner to the governor.
Presently, Riley is an independent researcher at the University of Kansas’ Center for Democratic Governance. From 2022 to 2025, Riley was a senior research associate at the National Academy of Public Administration in Washington D.C.
Riley holds a master’s degree in public policy and administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, a master’s degree in education policy and organizational leadership from the University of Illinois, and a bachelor’s degree in workplace diversity and equity from UMass Amherst. He is certified in tribal governance, applied positive psychology and diversity strategy from institutions such as Cornell University and the University of Arizona.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Brad as chair of Tapestry’s Board,” CEO Mavis Nimoh said in a statement. “Brad’s deep experience in public policy, community advocacy and intergovernmental affairs, along with his lived commitment to equity, aligns powerfully with Tapestry’s mission. Brad brings a thoughtful, strategic lens to our work as we continue to advance vital, inclusive health services across western Massachusetts.”
“I’m honored to serve Tapestry in this capacity,” Riley said in a statement. “This organization’s commitment to reproductive justice, harm reduction and health equity is critical in this moment. I look forward to supporting our leadership and community partners as we build a future where health is a human right, free from systemic inequities.”
Eight Florence Bank employees promoted
FLORENCE — Florence Bank has promoted eight team members, two of whom are Franklin County residents.
Sarah Darling of Greenfield was promoted to senior vice president; Tim Deshaies of Holyoke, Elissa Langevin of Wilbraham, Dave Limero of Whately and Erin Prickett of Springfield were named first vice president; and Kim Downing of Wilbraham, Alissa Fuller of Ware and Andrew Tulis of Northampton were elevated to vice president.
Darling joined the bank’s team in 1985 and has 40 years of banking experience. As the bank’s treasurer, she will continue to oversee financial management of the bank and its financial reporting.
With 39 years of banking experience, Deshaies manages branch operations to support the bank’s strategic goals. He will continue to manage projects, software programs, vendors and branch risk.
Langevin joined the bank’s team in 2007 and has 40 years of banking experience. As area manager and retail development director, she will continue to oversee the bank’s branch managers, providing leadership, employee development and training.
Limero joined the bank in 2015 and has 16 years of banking experience. Using his skills in project management, expense management, vendor contract negotiation and business process automation, he will continue to oversee all aspects of corporate project management, information technology, deposit operations and business intelligence.
Prickett is a 15-year employee of Florence Bank, and will continue to oversee and manage the bank’s compliance programs and digital banking initiatives, combining strategic thinking with knowledge of banking regulations and a background in digital transformation.
With 41 years of banking experience, Downing oversees the Chicopee branch and will continue to provide service to internal and external customers. This includes supporting and training her team, and handling mortgage and home equity accounts.
Fuller joined the bank’s team in 2022 and has 25 years of banking experience. She will continue to oversee Florence Bank’s overall compliance program and ensure adherence to federal and state regulations as well as the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) regulation, which requires the bank to meet credit needs within the communities it serves, particularly in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.
Tulis is a 14-year employee of Florence Bank, and will continue to be responsible for ensuring compliance with laws and regulations by developing and adhering to policies and procedures that oversee the Bank Secrecy Act program, the anti-money laundering program and Office of Foreign Assets Control compliance.
“We are thrilled to announce these well-deserved promotions,” Matt Garrity, president and CEO of Florence Bank, said in a statement. “They are all dedicated and valued team members who consistently deliver great results. They have been key assets to the bank for many years.”
Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley awards scholarships to 12 first-year students
SPRINGFIELD — The Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley marked its 51st year of supporting local college-bound students through scholarships. This year, 12 students received a total of $13,000 in scholarship funds.
Since 1974, the Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley has awarded scholarships to 506 students, distributing more than $260,000 to help further their education and career goals.
Five students were honored with memorial scholarships this year. Tess Denault and Audrey Leonard each received the Cindy Ayre Memorial Scholarship, awarded to students majoring in political science or women in business. Olivia Manganelli and Anthony Tarpey were presented with the Christine Schepps Good Neighbor Memorial Scholarship, which recognizes students for outstanding community service. Abigail Drumm received the M. Connie Laplante Memorial Scholarship, given to students majoring in education.
The 12 scholarship recipients are: Anthony Tarpey, who will attend High Point University, majoring in engineering and music; Gabriella Stirlacci, who will attend Franklin Pierce University, majoring in health sciences; Sophia Pinardi, who plans to attend Greenfield Community College before transferring to the University of Massachusetts in 2027 to major in engineering; Audrey Leonard, who will attend Franklin Pierce University, majoring in accounting/business; Ryan Ice, who will attend Bryant University, majoring in finance and real estate; Trevor Canon-Smith, who will attend the University of Rhode Island, where he will focus on real estate; Tess Denault, who will attend Westfield State University and Bentley University, majoring in business marketing and accounting; Abigail Drumm, who will attend the University of Hartford, majoring in music education and theater; Olivia Manganelli, who will attend Brown University, majoring in political science and art; Isabelle Pettengill, who will attend Clark University, majoring in psychology; Abby Peyman, who will attend Westfield State University, majoring in nursing; and Trevi Sandberg, who will attend Ithaca College, majoring in occupational therapy.
