Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley announces 2025 Excellence Awards recipients
WEST SPRINGFIELD — The Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley (RAPV) celebrated the outstanding achievements of its members at the annual Excellence Awards Gala. The event, held in February at the Wyckoff Country Club in Holyoke, featured excellence awards for production and participation, as well as recognition of membership milestones and Rising Star Awards. Additionally, two new awards were introduced: the Good Neighbor Award and RAPV Hall of Fame.
Carrie Blair of Keller Williams Pioneer Valley was presented with the 2025 Realtor of the Year Award. Since 2009, Blair has been an active RAPV member. She became a director on the RAPV Board in 2023. Blair’s support of fellow realtors and mentorship of peers demonstrates her dedication to the industry and community, making her a valuable asset to the real estate profession.
Margaret Bulatewicz of Liberty Bank was presented with the 2025 Affiliate of the Year Award. Bulatewicz actively serves on the Community Service Committee and donates to charitable causes. Her generous spirit extends beyond RAPV — she volunteers at the Ludlow Senior Center and supports the local nonprofit For the Love of Good Foundation, demonstrating a deep commitment to improving her community.
The evening also honored exceptional members with the newly introduced Good Neighbor Award, recognizing outstanding dedication to community service. This year’s recipient is Jennifer Tetreault of BHHS Realty Professionals.
The RAPV Hall of Fame honors individuals whose careers and contributions have left a lasting legacy on the association and the real estate industry in the Valley. This year’s inductees are Peter Davies (posthumously), Dorothy “Dot” Lortie of Landmark Realtors and Dot Lortie Realty and Don Thompson of NextHome Elite Realty.
This year’s recipients for the 2025 Rising Star Awards are Brody Trott and Diane Vadnais, both of RE/MAX Connections.
“The Excellence Awards Gala is more than a celebration — it reflects the professionalism, leadership, and community that define our membership,” said RAPV President Judy Nevarez. “We’re proud to recognize the dedication and achievements of members who continue to move our industry forward.”
Baystate Health announces new board leadership
SPRINGFIELD — Baystate Health has announced new leadership of its Board of Trustees, with Dr. Akinyele Lovelace serving as chair and attorney Tony Dos Santos serving as vice chair. Both bring extensive leadership experience and deep community connections, as well as valuable expertise in their respective fields and diverse skill sets.
“The leadership of our Board of Trustees is essential to Baystate Health’s role as a health and economic pillar for our region,” said Peter D. Banko, president and CEO of Baystate Health. “Dr. Lovelace and attorney Dos Santos possess the values, experience and community commitment we need as we continue our journey to provide compassionate, quality and accessible care, grow consistent with our strategic plan — Baystate Health 2030, and build financial resilience.”
Lovelace is a board-certified internist and partner at Family Medicine Associates in Westfield, where he leads an independent, multidisciplinary primary care practice focused on value-based care. He has been on the Baystate Health Board of Trustees for six years. In partnership with his wife, Christina Lovelace, he served as honorary chair of the Baystate Noble Ball in 2024. He is affiliated with Baystate Noble Hospital, Baystate Franklin Medical Center, Baystate Wing Hospital and Baystate Medical Center.
Lovelace earned a Bachelor of Science from Xavier University of Louisiana and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. After practicing medicine in Texas and earning a Master of Business Administration from Texas Tech University, he returned to the East Coast in 2015 to join Family Medicine Associates. Outside of his professional work, he and his wife are raising two teenage daughters in the community.
Attorney Tony Dos Santos, managing shareholder at Crear, Chadwell, Dos Santos & Devlin, P.C. in Springfield, brings more than 25 years of experience in commercial real estate, finance and business law to the board. Dos Santos has served a local municipality in various capacities including chair of both the Board of Selectman and Finance Committee, and as town moderator. He is the chair of DevelopSpringfield and the past chair of the Board of Westmass Area Development Corporation.
Dos Santos earned his bachelor’s degree from Boston College and his juris doctorate from the University of Connecticut School of Law. He has received various professional honors from Massachusetts Lawyer’s Weekly, Boston Magazine, Super Lawyers Magazine and BusinessWest.
CONTRIBUTED
PV Squared Solar featured as a stop on Greenfield walking tour with the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council
GREENFIELD — PV Squared Solar, a worker-owned cooperative based in Greenfield, was included as a stop on a recent downtown walking tour with Aaron Vega, president and CEO of the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council.
The opportunity came through PV Squared’s ongoing involvement with the Greenfield Business Association, whose leadership played a central role in inviting Vega to Greenfield and thoughtfully planning a full day of engagement with local businesses. The tour and meet-and-greet created space for on-the-ground conversations about the region’s economic landscape, challenges and opportunities.
The visit provided an opportunity to share how PV Squared’s cooperative model, long-term service approach, and regional partnerships contribute to economic resilience across Greenfield and Franklin County. During the tour, the PV Squared team highlighted several key areas where regional collaboration can further strengthen clean energy adoption and economic growth, including battery storage and resilience; workforce development pipelines, commercial and nonprofit solar deployment; and service and maintenance infrastructure.
“As a worker-owned cooperative, our goal has always been to build something that lasts, for our customers, our team, and our community,” said Brittany Hathaway, worker-owner and marketing and outreach specialist at PV Squared Solar. “It was meaningful to share how that structure translates into real economic impact here in Greenfield and across Franklin County.”
PV Squared Solar has also been named the “Best Solar Installer” and “Best Local Green Business” in the Valley Advocate’s Best of the Valley 2026 readers’ choice awards.