AnnieMac Home Mortgage welcomes Janna McLaughlin as new branch manager

SPRINGFIELD — AnnieMac Home Mortgage has announced the hiring of Janna McLaughlin as a new branch manager, strengthening the company’s growing presence across western Massachusetts.

A longtime western Massachusetts resident, Janna has called Agawam home for more than 20 years. She is a proud mom to her daughter Chloe and son Jackson, and brings professional expertise and deep local roots to her new role.

Advancing through increasingly responsible roles since 2018, Janna works with buyers across the spectrum, but her specialties include helping first-time home buyers and working with real estate investors and self-employed borrowers with Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) loans. Her knowledge of these specialized programs has made her a trusted resource for clients navigating non-traditional lending scenarios.

“What keeps me going, especially in the tough moments, is seeing people’s lives change through homeownership — particularly when they didn’t think it was possible,” said McLaughlin. “Getting past barriers, finding creative solutions, and helping clients reach the finish line is what I find most gratifying.”

Nominate a 40 Under Forty alum

SPRINGFIELD — BusinessWest, a business journal covering western Massachusetts, is accepting nominations for its 12th annual 40 Under Forty Alumni Achievement Award.

Nominations are due by Thursday, April 9. They can be submitted at https://businesswest.com/40-under-forty/alumniachievementaward/alumni-achievement-award-nomination/.

The Alumni Achievement Award finalists will be profiled in the June 8 issue of BusinessWest, and the winner will be announced at the 40 Under Forty awards gala, presented by PeoplesBank, on Thursday, June 11 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield.

BusinessWest launched its 40 Under Forty program in 2007 to identify and celebrate rising stars across our region who are excelling in business and involved in the community. Launched in 2015, the Alumni Achievement Award was created to honor the 40 Under Forty honorees who have most impressively continued and built upon their track records of accomplishment.

For more information, call Natasha Mercado-Santana, marketing and events manager, at 413-781-8600, ext. 100, or email mercado@businesswest.com.

Peter D. Banko elected to AHA regional board

SPRINGFIELD — Peter D. Banko, president & CEO of Baystate Health, a $3.4 billion integrated delivery network of hospitals, physician practices, health plan and more in western Massachusetts, has been elected as an at-large delegate to the American Hospital Association (AHA) Regional Policy Board 1. In this role, Banko will contribute his extensive experience leading integrated health systems, advancing access to high-quality care and strengthening the health care workforce in support of AHA’s mission. His term runs through Dec. 31, 2028.

The AHA convenes nine regional policy boards nationwide, each meeting three times per year to discuss critical policy issues, develop recommendations and provide analysis to inform the AHA Board of Trustees during policy deliberations. The AHA is the national organization that represents and serves all types of hospitals, health care networks and their patients and communities. Nearly 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks, other providers of care and 43,000 individual members are part of the AHA.

“Serving on AHA’s Regional Policy Board is an honor,” Banko said. “I am proud to represent Baystate Health and the communities we serve, and to bring our region’s perspective to national conversations shaping the future of health care. Together, we have an opportunity to advance policies that strengthen care delivery, support caregivers and improve health for all.”

Greenfield Cooperative Bank hosts small business educational workshop Feb. 27

On Friday, Feb. 27, Greenfield Cooperative Bank will host “Come on Over to the Co-Op!,” a small business educational workshop and Q&A featuring strategic business consultant, Arian Roefs. The workshop will be held at GCB’s Northampton branch located at 67 King St. in Northampton. The interactive conversation with Roefs will help local small business owners gain clarity around strategic planning and long-term growth.

The workshop will challenge participants to think beyond tactics and ask bigger questions about what truly makes their business valuable, where growth will come from, and how to focus efforts with intention. During the discussion, Roefs will touch upon key strategic topics like defining ideal clients, creating a clear business story, spreading risk across revenue streams, and building an action timeline that gets implemented. 

“We’re thrilled to host a workshop catered to small businesses,” said Courtney Huxley, vice president and business development officer. “A conversation with Arian will have business owners thinking differently about strategy and give them practical ideas they can start using right away.”

The workshop is open to small business owners and entrepreneurs in the community. To learn more and register, visit GreenfieldCoopBank.com/events.

Tickets on sale for the 2026 Difference Makers Awards

SPRINGFIELD — Tickets are now on sale for the 18th annual Difference Makers awards gala, hosted by BusinessWest. The event, sponsored by Burkhart Pizzanelli, P.C., TommyCar Auto Group and Westfield Bank, will take place on Tuesday, April 7, from 5:30-9 p.m. at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. Tickets cost $95 per person, and tables of 10-12 are available. They can be purchased at BusinessWest.com. 

The Difference Makers Class of 2026 includes the following honorees: Ryan Alekman and Robert DiTusa, partners, Alekman DiTusa, LLC; Rachelle Hannoush, director of youth, violence prevention, and court support programs, YWCA of Western Massachusetts; Jess Miller, comedian and founder, The Kind Squad; Darby O’Brien, owner, Darby O’Brien Advertising; Julie Quink, managing principal, Burkhart Pizzanelli, P.C.; Edward Sokolowski, managing partner and wealth advisor, Pioneer Valley Financial Group; Margaret Tantillo, executive director, O’Dell Women’s Center; and Zeno Temple, founder, Just Us Movement. 

For more information, call Natasha Mercado-Santana, marketing and events manager, at 413-781-8600, ext. 100, or email mercado@businesswest.com.