Member Updates

Florence Bank announced today that President and CEO John F. Heaps Jr. will retire on May 1, 2020—25 years to the day he took the top job, making him the bank’s longest-serving CEO. Heaps will be succeeded from within by Kevin Day, Florence Bank’s executive vice president. Day joined the bank 11 years ago as…

Westfield Bank has announced that The Future Fund, a philanthropic endeavor dedicated to supporting local 501c3 organizations that have a positive impact on the region’s educational, recreational, cultural, and social wellbeing, awarded more than $300,000 to 40+ organizations in western MA and northern CT in 2019. Grant recipients included the Boys & Girls Club of…

Webber & Grinnell is excited to bring on Pamela Ortiz as a Business Development Specialist working in its Holyoke branch, Ross, Webber & Grinnell. Ortiz, of Ludlow, will be responsible for business development of home and auto business in Hampden County. Most recently, Ortiz was a licensed sales producer at Allstate and a customer service…

Katherine B. Wilson, longtime President and Chief Executive Officer of Behavioral Health Network, will retire on June 30, 2020, it was announced. BHN Board Chair George Marion said the organization has named Steven Winn, Ph.D., BHN’s current Chief Operating Officer, as Wilson’s successor. Wilson was instrumental in the formation of Behavioral Health Network in 1992…

Florence Bank has pledged $7,500 to the Harmony House of Chicopee to help fund a renovation and expansion that will allow the nonprofit to improve services and care for more terminally ill individuals who live alone or lack a capable caregiver. Harmony House is currently fundraising to cover the cost of the $600,000 home renovation.…

Florence Bank has promoted Kurt Shouse of West Springfield to the position of vice president, information and cybersecurity officer. Shouse brings extensive knowledge and skills to his new role. Prior to his recent promotion, he was the assistant vice president, information and cybersecurity officer. Shouse studied at University of Massachusetts Amherst where he received his…

Bacon Wilson is pleased to announce that Jonathan A. Breton has been named as the firm’s newest shareholder. Attorney Breton has extensive experience in business law, with particular emphasis on commercial transactions including business formation, mergers and acquisitions, matters of corporate governance, and commercial loans. In addition to his experience with business law, Attorney Breton…

The Directors of The Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation announced the retirement of Executive Director Mary Walachy. Walachy has been associated with the Davis Foundation for the past 23 years and will retire in June of 2020. Upon her formal retirement in June, Walachy will continue to represent the Davis Foundation in its…

Square One, one of the region’s oldest and largest providers of early learning and family support services, has announced the promotion of two senior level executives. Dawn Forbes DiStefano has been named Executive Vice President and Heather Barrett has been named Vice President of Finance. Following a 25-year career with the YWCA of Western Massachusetts,…

Big Y has announced the appointment of Kayla M. Brackley as Employee Services Representative at the Southampton Big Y World Class Market.