Anthony J. Mercadante, CPA, Managing Partner of Mercadante & Mercadante PC, a certified public accounting firm has been elected Chairman of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for 2016-17. The announcement was made at the chamber’s Annual Business Meeting on June 16, 2016.

Mercadante, a CPA and a lifelong Fitchburg resident, became managing partner of Mercadante & Mercadante PC in 1986 at the age of twenty-seven, a family business that has continued to increase its customer base under his leadership. The success of the company, which focuses primarily on auditing and small business tax services, led to Mercadante being asked to join industry leaders on a variety of local and statewide boards. As a community activist, he has served as a director of Massachusetts Share Insurance Corp., HealthAlliance Home Health and Hospice, Rollstone Bank & Trust, the Montachusett Regional YMCA, and on the Board of Trustees for Fitchburg State University. In addition, he serves as Treasurer of the Oak Hill Country Club, member of the  Advisory Board of St. Anthony School and a past president and director of the Fay Club. He has also served as a longtime coach for Fitchburg Youth Soccer.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Commerce & Finance in 1981 and a Masters in Taxation from Bentley College in 1985.

Mr. Mercadante has served on the Chamber’s Board of Directors for several years and has held several leadership positions including Vice Chair and Treasurer. As the Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, Mr. Mercadante will work with the Board, Chamber staff, and membership to champion the Chamber in its mission to serve the region’s business community.

“As Chairman, Tony will play a significant role in advancing the Chamber’s goals and initiatives,” noted Roy Nascimento, Chamber President. “We are fortunate to have his respected leadership. We look forward to working with him to advance the interests of our members and promote North Central Massachusetts.”

He succeeds Doug Petersen, President & CEO of Workers’ Credit Union, who now moves to the position of Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Directors.

“It is an honor and privilege to have been elected Chair of the Chamber, an organization that plays an important role in the advancement of North Central Massachusetts,” expressed Mr. Mercadante, “I am excited to continue Doug Petersen’s efforts and make sure the Chamber remains a strong resource for the local business community.”

In the same election, Mark Freeman, president of Steel Fab, Inc. was voted Vice-Chairman and director Stephen Mullaney Jr., PE, president of S.J. Mullaney Engineering, Inc. was elected to the position of Treasurer.

New board members elected for a three-year term were Steve Duvarney, president of Duvarney Jewelers; Dr. Richard Lapidus, president of Fitchburg State University; Anne Leader, president of Vision Payroll; and Christopher McCarthy, president of Fidelity Bank. In addition, Lea Ann Scales, vice president of external affairs, communications, and K-12 Partnerships at Mount Wachusett Community College was elected to serve a one year term on the board.

Continuing current terms on the Board of Directors are Neil Abramson, ECI Stores; Will Aubuchon, IV, W.E. Aubuchon Company; Wayne Canty, Heat Trace Products; David Duval, Protective Services; Paul DiGeronimo, Geronimo Properties; Ken Gurge, Law Offices of Kenneth W. Gurge; Steve Rocheleau, Rocheleau Tool & Die, Inc.; Eric Shapiro, The Lexvest Group/Phoenix Park; and Deborah Weymouth, HealthAlliance Hospital.

The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the launch of a new customized market research service that will help member businesses and organizations save money by finding and reaching new prospects more effectively.   The Chamber can now help members make their existing direct-mail or telemarketing lists more efficient, analyze sales data to build a profile of their ideal customer targets, or even build a marketing list from scratch based on more than 100 data points such as  income level, geography, education,  interests, and purchasing tendencies.  This information can help local businesses in North Central Massachusetts learn more about their current customers, help them find and reach like-minded prospects, and acquire new customers.

For example, companies offering products & services for the home might benefit from knowing which families have purchased new homes or recently moved into the area.  Customized reports comparing a business’ customer profile with that of their target geographic area can provide enhanced segmentation, insight, and personalization to improve current marketing efforts.  Additional tools enable businesses to update and verify information, remove duplicates, and improve the odds of response to direct-mail offers, marketing like large companies on a small business budget.

 “We are excited to launch this new service that offers businesses greater access to potential customers.  This type of high-value market information has traditionally been out of reach for many small and mid-size businesses,”  said Roy M. Nascimento, President & CEO  “We think that access to this customized research will be a powerful tool that can give North Central Massachusetts small businesses a competitive advantage.”

Current members or businesses interested in learning more about the customized market research offered through the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce should contact Jeff Ardis, Manager of Member Services at (978) 353-7600 ext. 234 or via email at .

 

Donna DiMarzio, Owner of Curves of Leominster, was recognized as the 2015-16 Ambassador of the Year by the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce at the Chamber’s 32nd Annual Business Meeting on June 16, 2016.

Chamber Ambassadors are volunteers who assist the Chamber with outreach to existing and new members, helping them get engaged in programs and events, as well as acting as the public relations arm of the Chamber.

Mrs. DiMarzio was recognized for her consistent, dedicated support of the Chamber as well as her passion for her community.  Due to her strong efforts for her community, she has been appointed Ambassador of the Year for a second time, the first being in 2013.

“Donna DiMarzio has always been a pleasure to work with,” said Roy Nascimento, “She has been a great champion for the Chamber and community and we appreciate her support and commitment.”

As the owner of Curves of Leominster, her everyday goal is to help make women more healthy and confident with their bodies.  She teaches Zumba classes and is constantly raisings funds for Breast Cancer research.

Donna’s outreach and involvement as a Chamber Ambassador is beneficial to both the Chamber and the Leominster Curves Franchise.  Her mission to help make a healthier community makes her the perfect fit for this title.  We thank Donna for her works and are excited to see what the future holds for her in both the Chamber and the Curves of Leominster.

La Cámara Revela Nuevo Aspecto

Today the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is beginning a new chapter in our history – with a new, updated look.  We are still the same great Chamber that you’ve gotten to know – with trusted resources, a strong business network and a support system to keep your business and North Central Massachusetts moving forward!  But starting today, we have a new look – a new face to the world – that better represents who we are and where we are heading in the future.

 

Several months ago, the Chamber commissioned the development of a new logo.  The objective of the new logo design was to present a fresh, more contemporary look that was both respectful of the Chamber’s brand and history, yet reflective of the organization’s continued growth and transformation.

About the New Logo:

The new logo was created by Ladybugz Interactive, a web & marketing firm and member of the Chamber.  The new logo as well as an updated tagline were approved by the Chamber’s Board of Directors at their May meeting following a review and revision process that encompassed several months.

The new design maintains elements of the original logo, while incorporating more contemporary fonts and an updated image to reflect our dynamic regional organization.  The swirl image from the original logo – which signified regional focus, leadership and collective action – remains, but has been updated with a more modern design.  The new logo design also maintains the green color theme to relate to the business world and to reflect balance, stability, prosperity and growth.

About the Updated Tagline:

The Chamber’s updated tagline – “Building Businesses. Building Communities.” – succinctly communicates the Chamber’s principal mission of  creating a stronger, more dynamic and prosperous business sector, while speaking to the connection between a strong business sector and a healthy prosperous community.  The new tagline conveys the goals of the Chamber and its affiliates around supporting the economic advancement of the region.

We are starting the transition to the new look now – first on our website – but the transition will be gradual and we anticipate that it will take six to twelve months to fully implement the change on all of our signage and marketing materials.

Virtual Member Stickers

We are proud to have your organization as a member of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. We have created virtual membership stickers with the new logo as a digital badge to show your involvement in and support for North Central Massachusetts through participation in the Chamber. Haz clic aquí if you would like to take advantage of these new virtual stickers.

 

Your comments or feedback are always welcome.  Haz clic aquí to let us know what you think of the new look or to provide us with any comments.

The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC) recently unveiled a new logo design. The new branding features updated fonts and a new, more contemporary look to symbolize the vibrancy of the regional economic development organization and its work advancing the economy of North Central Massachusetts. The new logo is also reflective of the organization’s growth and transformation over the years while also signifying its connection as an affiliate to the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce.

“This rebranding is coming at a perfect time as we are in the process of adding new and progressive programs that will make it easier for small businesses and entrepreneurs to receive alternative loans and technical assistance from us” said Roy Nascimento, President & CEO of the NCMDC.

Along with the new logo, the NCMDC will be unveiling an upgraded website in the upcoming month. The new website will make it easier to find information on available loan programs, as well as build awareness about the region as a place to do business. The new logo, and the website redesign, were both created by Ladybugz Interactive, a marketing firm and member of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce.

The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC) is a non-profit corporation with the mission of creating jobs and improving the economy of North Central Massachusetts.  The NCMDC works in partnership with local banks, credit unions, chambers of commerce and area nonprofits to support emerging microenterprises, small businesses, and community projects with loans and business assistance.  The NCMDC is certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury under the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) program and is a micro-loan intermediary for the U.S. Small Business Administration.  Since 1996, the NCMDC has granted over $4.2 million in loans to small businesses to help grow jobs and the economy in 26 communities in the North Central Massachusetts region.

For more information about the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation’s new logo or its programs, please call 978-353-7607 or visit https://www.northcentralmass.com/doing-business-here/.