An Electronic Publication of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce
Inside this edition, you’ll discover the latest Chamber initiatives and success stories from across our region. From economic development projects and upcoming networking events to policy updates and workforce training opportunities, we’re keeping you connected to what matters most for your business and North Central Massachusetts.
June 2026
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A Leadership Training Program Produced by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Kat Deal and Christopher McDermott both recently completed their first year of the Institute for Organization Management, a four year nonprofit leadership training program at Villanova University in Villanova, Pennsylvania.
Deal, who started working at the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce in 2018 as the Events & Programs Manager, and McDermott, who started one year prior as the Public Affairs Manager, both serve the chamber community in pivotal roles.
“Having the opportunity to collectively meet with other organization professionals nationwide and bring back what I have learned to implement here in our own organization has been an incredible opportunity,” said Kat Deal. “It’s important that we continue to innovate and originate while we position our members as proactive leaders in North Central Massachusetts.”
“”IOM was a great opportunity to learn about what goes into managing a Chamber or association and expand beyond my current role,” said Christopher McDermott. “The network I gained this past July will undoubtedly prove invaluable as I build my career.”
“Institute graduates are recognized across the country as leaders in their industries and organizations,” said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s vice president of Institute for Organization Management. “These individuals have the knowledge, skills, and dedication necessary to achieve professional and organizational success in the dynamic association and chamber industries.”
Since its commencement in 1921, the Institute program has been educating tens of thousands of association, chamber, and other nonprofit leaders on how to build stronger organizations, better serve their members and become strong business advocates. Institute’s curriculum consists of four weeklong sessions at five different university locations throughout the country. Through a combination of required courses and electives in areas such as leadership, advocacy, marketing, finance, and membership, Institute participants are able to enhance their own organizational management skills and add new fuel to their organizations, making them run more efficiently and effectively.
Steven Rocheleau, president of Rocheleau Tool & Die Co., Inc. has been elected Chair of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for 2019-20. The announcement was made at the chamber’s Annual Business Meeting on June 13, 2019.
Headquartered in Fitchburg, Rocheleau Tool & Die is a third generation family owned business that makes extrusion blow molding machinery, blow molds and other related automation equipment. The company was originally founded in 1938 by Canadian immigrant Leopold A. Rocheleau as a small machine shop in the basement of his home. The company initially patented and produced a successful line of cutter grinding fixtures and sliding swivel indicator bases, but expanded over the years to become a leader in the plastics industry.
Rocheleau grew up in the family owned business, starting after completing college as a machine assembler and field service technician, eventually moving into head of sales in 1996. In 2001, he took over as President of the company as it transitioned from second generation to the third generation of family ownership. Under his leadership the company has continued to grow over the years, including expanding its presence in forty international markets and opening a second manufacturing facility in 2014 producing bottles for the dairy industry around the New England and Mid-Atlantic states.
In addition to his involvement with the chamber, Mr. Rocheleau is a member of the Plastics Industry Association, Society of Plastics Engineers, and serves as a member of the Board of Advisors at University of Massachusetts Lowell Plastics Engineering Department. A lifelong resident of North Central Massachusetts, Rocheleau serves as a member of the Capital Planning Committee in the Town of Westminster and a member of the Heritage Bible Chapel in Princeton. He attended Oakmont Regional High School before going on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania.
He has been married for 30 years to Karla (Swedberg) Rocheleau, and they have four children and three grandchildren. He lives in Westminster, Massachusetts.
Rocheleau was first elected to the Chamber’s Board of Directors in 2015 and has held several leadership positions including Vice Chair, Treasurer and has served on the Chamber’s Leadership Council. He has also served on the Chamber’s Manufacturing CEO Roundtable and its Manufacturing Taskforce. As the Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, Mr. Rocheleau 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, Steve will play a significant role in advancing the Chamber’s goals and initiatives,” noted Roy Nascimento, Chamber president & CEO. “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 Stephen Mullaney, president SJ Mullaney Engineering Inc., 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 this dynamic and respected organization that plays such an important role in supporting businesses of all sizes in North Central Massachusetts,” expressed Mr. Rocheleau, “I am excited to continue Steve Mullaney’s efforts and work to ensure the Chamber remains a strong resource for the local business community.”
In the same election, David Duval, president of Protective Services, Inc. in Lunenburg was elected Vice-Chair and director Rachel Lopez, president of Resource Management, Inc. of Fitchburg was elected to the position of Treasurer. Board members elected for a three-year term were Steve Duvarney, owner of Duvarney Jewelers in Fitchburg and Clinton; David Duval, president of Protective Services of Lunenburg; Dr. Richard Lapidus, president of Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg; Anne Leader, president of Vision Payroll in Leominster; Christopher McCarthy, president of Fidelity Bank in Leominster; Cheryl Molebash, general manager of Dixie Consumer Products in Leominster; and John O’Brien, president & CEO of Leominster Credit Union in Leominster.
Continuing current terms on the Board of Directors are Neil Abramson, CFO of ECI Stores in Leominster; Will Aubuchon, president & CEO of W.E. Aubuchon Company in Westminster; Matthew Fournier, president of Elite Construction & Design in Fitchburg; Mark Freeman, president of SteelFab, Inc. in Fitchburg; James Vander Hooven, president of Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner; Anthony Mercadante, managing partner of Mercadante & Mercadante, CPA of Fitchburg; and Henry Tessman, general manager of Great Wolf Lodge in Fitchburg.
Thomas Littlepage, AVP & Branch Manager of Workers Credit Union, was recognized as the 2018-2019 Ambassador of the Year by the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce at the Chamber’s 35th Annual Business Meeting on June 13, 2019.
Chamber Ambassadors are valued volunteers to the Chamber. They serve as a public relations branch, as well as assisting the Chamber with communications to new and existing members. Tom was voted Ambassador of the Year by his fellow Chamber ambassadors at a recent meeting. The Chamber is pleased to recognize Thomas Littlepage for his consistent support and dedication to the Chamber and the community.
“We are so grateful to Tom for his unwavering support of the Chamber and our efforts to advance the region,” said Roy Nascimento, president & CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “His passion and dedication to community involvement help make North Central Massachusetts a better place to live, work and grow a business.”
As a Branch Manager at Workers Credit Union in Leominster and active ambassador for the Chamber, Tom has played an important part in Workers’ involvement in the local community. We thank Thomas Littlepage for his helpful work and commitment. We look forward to seeing where the future takes him in the Chamber and in the North Central Massachusetts community.
Chamber members are provided with the opportunity to engage with the Mayors of Fitchburg, Gardner, and Leominster who provide updates on projects and other things happening in their Cities. These events are by invitation only, please contact Travis Condon for more details. View
Event
Future Leaders of North Central: Annual Holiday Party & Ugly Sweater Competition
December 8, 2026
Bull Run Restaurant
215 Great Rd. Shirly, MA View
Event
Connect North Central
December 11, 2026
Join us for our last Connect North Central of the year!
Friday, December 11, 2026
8am-9am View
Event
Chamber members are provided with the opportunity to engage with the Mayors of Fitchburg, Gardner, and Leominster who provide updates on projects and other things happening in their Cities. These events are by invitation only, please contact Travis Condon for more details. View
Event
Karen J. Spinelli, CPA has announced the formation of her new accounting firm, Spinelli CPA, PC with headquarters at 146 West Boylston Drive, Suite 302 in Worcester, MA.
Prior to forming Spinelli CPA, PC, Spinelli served as the Managing Partner of Robert C. Alario Certified Public Accountants, PC located in Leominster, MA. “We are pleased to launch our new accounting firm in Worcester and look forward to working with the businesses and individuals in this community,” said Karen Spinelli, CPA, Managing Partner of Spinelli CPA, PC. “I have decided to start a new firm for many reasons – primary among them is my desire to provide the best possible service to my clients. By serving as trusted advisors, we will transform our extensive experience and expertise of audit, tax and industry trends into a strategic pathway to position our clients for maximum profitability and financial success.”
The team at Spinelli CPAs has specific experience across a number of different industries and sectors and are adept at working with privately-held businesses of all sizes. Additionally, they specialize in serving non-profit organizations, construction companies and women-owned businesses.
About Spinelli, CPA, PC
Spinelli CPA, PC is a full-service accounting, tax and business advisory firm that specializes in closely held family businesses, non-profit organizations, construction companies and women-owned businesses. The firm’s client service philosophy is rooted in their dedication to providing quality services and expert financial advice through their passion for accounting and commitment to excellence.
Spinelli CPA, PC is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants (MSCPA) and is a 100% Women-Owned Business. For additional information, call (508) 365-6522 or visit www.spinellicpa.com.
Michael D. Hewitt, President and CEO of bankHometown, presented a check for $5,000 to the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC) on May 31, 2018. This donation is the second installment of a three year commitment to the corporation, resulting in a total donation amount to be $15,000.
The NCMDC is the principle resource for the region in terms of economic development, lending and financing, and implementing a multi-faceted regional economic development strategy to enhance economic development services while expanding lending capacity to accommodate the region’s unique industry mix. The Council’s mission is to plan and implement programs to create jobs and increase economic opportunity in the region.
“Hometown Bank is proud to support the important work being done at the NCMDC for small businesses. Our area is so fortunate to have these free resources and we continually encourage small businesses to take advantage,” said Christina DiRusso, Vice President of Commercial Lending at bankHometown.
The NCMDC is staffed by experienced professionals with extensive backgrounds in economic development, banking and finance, and government affairs. It also provides businesses with resources such as a real estate site finder, which provides information, tools and technical support to establish, grow, and expand their business in North Central Massachusetts.
bankHometown has served its communities since 1889 with offices in Massachusetts (Athol, Auburn, Leominster, Oxford, Lancaster, Sturbridge and Webster) and Connecticut (Putnam, Brooklyn, Killingly, Thompson and Woodstock). Depositors of bankHometown have their deposits insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for amounts up to $250,000 with amounts in excess of $250,000 insured in full by the Share Insurance Fund, a private excess insurer.
Pictured (L to R): Roy Nascimento, President and CEO, NCMDC ; Donna Daigle, AVP/Branch Manager, bankHometown; Christina DiRusso, VP Commercial Lending, bankHometown; Norman Vigeant, VP Lending, NCMDC ; Sandie Cataldo, Economic Development Manager, NCMDC; and Michael D. Hewitt, President and CEO, bankHometown.
Thursday July 19, 2018
9AM—NOON
Great Wolf Lodge
Great Wolf Road, Fitchburg, MA
Employer Cost: $75 per table
Please RSVP by July 6, 2018
To participate call or Email: Scott Percifull
(978)534-1481, X 209
Meet with several hundred job seekers from a wide variety of backgrounds and industries.
Presented by the:
North Central Career Center
Leominster, MA PH: 978-534-1481
Miembro Destacado
Custom Cleaning Service of Peabody
When the workday ends and the lights go down, Custom Cleaning Service of Peabody, Inc. gets to work. “We operate as our clients’ silent partner after business hours,” says Adam Paicos, of Templeton, who now serves as Director of Operations and oversees the company’s expansion into North Central MA. “We are not often seen, but we ensure facilities are clean, secure, and ready for business each day while serving as the eyes and ears for our clients when they are not on site.”
Discover local business stories through our Inside North Central Massachusetts Podcast series. Listen as Chamber members share their journeys, insights, and contributions to our thriving regional business community.
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