(North Central, MA) – The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the addition of Aidan Horgan to its professional staff in the position of Member Services Specialist. Mr. Horgan is a recent graduate of Fitchburg State University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor in business administration.
In his new position, Mr. Horgan will be responsible for helping raise the Chamber’s visibility and educating businesses in the region about the Chamber’s service offerings, promoting the benefits of membership and ensuring that current members enjoy maximum value for their investment.
He is a native of Princeton and graduated from Wachusett Public Schools. He currently resides in Fitchburg, where he is active in the community including serving as a school committee member and volunteering at Fitchburg Access Television. While at Fitchburg State University he was active in Moot Court, wrote for the student newspaper and also interned at Mayor StephenDiNatale’s Office in Fitchburg.
“We are excited to welcome Aidan to our team,” said Roy M. Nascimento, President & CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce.“He will play an important role in helping to support and engage our members.”
His early goals will be to expand the Chamber’s presence in communities across North Central Massachusetts and find the best ways to help members grow their business with assistance from the Chamber and its affiliates.
Existing members or businesses interested in learning more about the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce can reach Aidan at 978.353.7600 ext. 244 or via email at .
BOSTON – Mount Wachusett Community College Employee and Alumnus Lawrence NFOR was honored recently at the Black Excellence on the Hill ceremony.
“It is an honor to recognize Leominster’s Lawrence NFOR with the Black Excellence on the Hill Award. Lawrence gives back to his community in so many ways, through his work at MWCC, his service as a Leominster Library Trustee, and an Ambassador to the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, and inspires us all with his positivity and passion for the region,” said State Representative Natalie Higgins of NFOR who she nominated for the recognition.
The ceremony took place at the Massachusetts State House on Monday February 4. The goal of the awards are to celebrate Black History month and the leaders with the state’s communities that make them thrive. As such, the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus (MBLLC) presented its unique citation to leaders for their work in civic engagement, education, business, and other fields.
“Lawrence is a valued member of not only our college community, but the city of Leominster and the multiple organizations he gives his time to,” said MWCC President James Vander Hooven. “I am happy to see him recognized for all of his hard work and community service. He is an example to all of us.”
Lawrence NFOR was born in Ndu, a small town in Cameroon, West Africa. He moved to Leominster with his family in 2009 after receiving a Visa through the Diversity Visa Lottery Program.
Having already studied mathematics and computer science at the University of Buea, NFOR earned his Associates Degree from MWCC, Bachelor’s Degree from UMass Amherst, and his MBA in Accounting from Fitchburg State University. NFOR went on to build his career serving in the business office at MWCC and currently serves as the Business Manager for the college’s Access and Transition Office.
NFOR is actively involved in the Leominster community and strives to make the region a better place to work and live. He serves as a Leominster Public Library Trustee. He is an ambassador for the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and was recognized as their Ambassador of the Year for 2017 to 2018. He also serves as the president of the New England Community of Cameroon Immigrants organization and is actively involved in his church, the First Baptist Church in Westminster. He and his wife Elizabeth, a dental hygienist (also an MWCC graduate) have four children.
DEVENS – Ten students received Certified Nurses Assistant certificates from Mount Wachusett Community College at a graduation last week for a free program that pairs the certificate with continued English for Speakers of Other Languages classes.
“This is a group who is focused and committed and who are going to do great things,” said MWCC President Vander Hooven at the graduation. “You are going to be helping people in need and you are going to be working with them in ways that make them feel better… I’m very proud of you and it’s a pleasure for me to be here.”
The students from Clinton, Fitchburg and Leominster were surrounded by family and friends as they received their certificates on Wednesday, February 15 at the college’s Devens campus. This was the first group of students to complete the newly launched program. The student speakers – Jaqueline Conte, Katia Ferrari and Sarai Marcial-Rodriguez – explained the program has helped them move toward their dreams of helping people.
“We have traveled together sharing the same dream,” said Conte. “We’ve had to face many difficulties, but knowing that in the end I will be helping other people will make it all worthwhile.”
Students in the program not only put in the hours for CNA training, but also took ESOL classes two nights a week. Students said the work was tough, but worth it. The next step for students will be to take their state exam and then they will be able to work out in the community.
Everyone was a great student, said MWCC’s Associate Director of Adult Education and Training at Devens Kijah Gordan, and now they will be able to make an impact as they give back through their work.
“You being a part of our college makes it a better place. You working in the community will make it a better place, because you’re all amazing,” said Gordon at the ceremony.
This new program is operated at MWCC’s Devens campus by the MWCC Adult Education and Training Department in partnership with the College Workforce Development Office. It offers English language instruction that has been contextualized to the healthcare field in conjunction with training to prepare students for the Massachusetts Certified Nursing Assistant Exam.
MWCC received the Integrated English Language and Civics Education grant that funds the program from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in 2018. All student costs for the program are covered by the grant and matching funds from MWCC, including all the supplies and textbooks, making it free for the students. The clinical portion of the program was conducted at Life Care Center of Leominster.
Grant funds will cover 20 students a year through 2020. While many students were referred from other English language programs, interested students may also inquire directly with MWCC’s Adult Education and Training at Devens by calling 978-630-9363.
Leominster, MA, – March, 2019 – Leominster Credit Union donated 74 new blankets to area homeless shelters and charities.Twenty-four Massachusetts Credit Unions along with the Cooperative Credit Union Association participated in the 2019 Blanket Drive during the month of January. The credit unions donated a total of 1,481 blankets to the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless and other local agencies across the state. LCU has participated in the Cooperative Credit Union Association’s initiative along with area Credit Unions since 2011.
“The generosity from members, staff and board members was exceptional. A special thanks to Lorrie Brodeur and the residents from Sunrise Senior Living Center for the blankets they made and donated to the drive. Giving back to the community is an LCU core value and we are committed to helping the communities in which we live and work. We are pleased that we are able to assist so many through this blanket drive,” said John O’Brien, LCU President & CEO.
Blankets were distributed to the following area organizations: Montachusett Interfaith Hospital Network, Leominster; Ginny’s Helping Hands, Leominster; Holden Senior Center; Wheat Community Connection/ Hidden Treasures, Clinton; Sterling American Legion, McKay School, Fitchburg; Friendly House, Worcester and Leominster Emergency Management.
Founded in 1954, Leominster Credit Union (LCU) is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative with a full range of deposit, lending and other financial services. Headquartered in Leominster, Massachusetts, LCU is proud to claim nearly 50,000 members and more than $700 million in assets. LCU has seven branch locations in Leominster, Worcester, Clinton, Holden, Sterling and North Leominster with ATM services at all branch locations. 24-hour online banking services are available at www.leominstercu.com and by telephone at 800-649-4646.
Leominster, MA– Leominster Credit Union announces that Barbara A. Mahoney has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer.
Mahoney has been with Leominster Credit Union for over 15 years and most recently served as the Senior Vice President of Human Resources. In her new role, Barbara will continue to manage the Human Resources Department and Facilities Department but will now add the oversight of Information Technology (IT) and Operations to her responsibilities. Mahoney will continue to report to John O’Brien, President and CEO and serve as a member of the senior management team.
“Barbara has a firm understanding of our operations, employees and our mission, vision and values and has worked hard over the years to help build a culture of engaged and motivated employees. I am confident that she will continue to make a positive impact on our institution in her new role,” stated John O’Brien, President & CEO, Leominster Credit Union.
Mahoney is a long-time resident of Leominster and an active member of the community. She is the Chair of the Board for both the Employers Association of the Northeast and MassHire North Central Workforce Board as well as a member of SHRM and NEHRA and serves on the Foundation Committee for St. Bernard’s Central Catholic High School.
Founded in 1954, Leominster Credit Union (LCU) is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative with a full range of deposit, lending and other financial services. Headquartered in Leominster, Massachusetts, LCU is proud to claim nearly 50,000 members and more than $700 million in assets. LCU has seven branch locations in Leominster, Worcester, Clinton, Holden, Sterling and North Leominster with ATM services at all branch locations. 24-hour online banking services are available at www.leominstercu.com and by telephone at 800-649-4646.
GARDNER – Mount Wachusett Community College President James Vander Hooven, Gardner Public Schools Superintendent Mark Pellegrino, and Gardner Mayor Mark Hawke signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Monday, Feb. 11 establishing a partnership between the college and district for the college’s Gateway to College and Pathways Early College Innovation School dual enrollment programs.
The agreement will go into effect for the 2019 to 2020 school year. This will be a planning year between the college and the district to determine the exact structure of the dual enrollment programs. Students graduating in May of 2019 from either program will receive their high school diplomas from Ralph C. Mahar Public Schools, which was the previous district partner for both programs. In coming years, student’s high school degree will be from Gardner Public Schools.
This agreement will reinforce to students in the Gardner school system that college is an option. With time, middle school students will know that college classes through dual enrollment, and beyond, are within their reach because of this agreement.
“I view this as being aspirational… it’s going to keep a focus on having college be an opportunity,” said President Vander Hooven. “Over time, I believe you really are going to see significantly higher levels of students going on to college, whether it be at Mount Wachusett Community College or anywhere else in the state. This is a great opportunity for us to work with the schools here.”
The partnership marks a deepening of an already strong relationship between the college and school district, said Pellegrino at the signing Monday, explaining that about 50 percent of Gardner’s high school graduates attend MWCC. The college is a great resource for the district, as well as the students, he said, and this agreement only solidifies that further.
“To offer these programs to students while they are still in high school is a great way for kids to get a head start and it’s also a cost-saving measure for families who can save thousands on college tuition by participating in this program,” said Pellegrino who explained students will benefit from robust dual enrollment options. “It is what the state is looking for. It is what our students are looking for and what our parents are looking for. I think it’s the right thing to do… it’s a great program that is preparing students for their future.”
Both of the programs provide significant college experience as students earn their high school degree. Gardner Mayor Mark Hawke, said he was pleased to see connections between his high school and college alma mater expand.
“This is what we do in the city of Gardner every day, make sure we are able to meet our educational goals, whether it be at the elementary school and high school or at continuing education at the community college level,” said Hawke. “This is going to be a great thing for the City of Gardner and the Gardner Public School System.”
The planning process for the Gateway and Pathways dual enrollment programs will take place in the coming year.
Irish Concert with Kate Chadbourne March 10, 2019, 1:30-3:30 PM, Auditorium
Please join us at the Fitchburg Public Library (610 Main St.) on SUNDAY afternoon, March 10, 2019 from 1:30-3:30 PM in the auditorium for free concert for all ages in the Irish Tradition. The concert will be performed by Kate Chadbourne an award winning songwriter, poet and performer. She brings to her audiences the sounds of the harp, tin whistle, Irish flute, and melodeon, a deep love and knowledge of traditional Irish stories, and a warm and welcoming presence. This is a free program. Free parking is available in the lot at the corner of Boulder Drive and Newton Place. For information about this or other Library programs call 978-829-1780 or visit our website:www.FitchburgPublicLibrary.org.
Orangetheory Fitness is seeking sponsorships for Run for Opportunity event to benefit our friends at the Arc of Opportunity. Please click here to see the form and to find out more information!
(North Central Massachusetts) – The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is hosting its next quarterly Women’s Leadership Connection on Wednesday, March 6, 2019. This edition of the popular program will focus on women in manufacturing and will feature Courtney Pirosko, Vice President of Sales for AIS, Inc. and Cheryl Molebash, General Manager of Georgia Pacific – Leominster.The program, sponsored by Fidelity Bank, runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Double Tree Hotel, 99 Erdman Way, Leominster, MA.
As a young female executive at a prominent Massachusetts-based office furniture manufacturer with an international footprint, Ms. Pirosko’s brings a unique prospective built through 18 years of experience in various capacities within her field. She began her career on the dealership side in New York City as a project and account manager.In 2010, she accepted a position on the manufacturing side with Global Total Office as a Market Manager in Chicago and then in 2013 she accepted a regional management position with AIS in Chicago.She went on to be promoted to Vice President of Sales for New England and the Mid-West, which prompted her relocation back to the east coast. Her leadership and management skills have led to aggressive market growth and increased brand recognition for AIS.
Ms. Molebash serves as the plant director for Georgia Pacific’s Dixie Cutlery facility in Leominster, MA.She began a 31 year manufacturing career in Ohio with Mead Fine Paper Division, where she became a Six Sigma Black Belt, a role that then took her to Atlanta, GA to support the Beverage plant and subsequently all of the Beverage Plants in a Six Sigma Deployment role.She returned to the plant in Atlanta in the Production Manager role followed by the Plant Manager assignment. She transitioned into a global director of Business Transformation supporting Beverage and Primary Plastics global locations.
The Women’s Leadership Connection (WLC) is a program of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce that is held quarterly in September, December, March and June.The program focuses on business women empowering women in business. Core topics include professional development, career advancement as well as social and civic engagement.
Pre-registration is required and easy. Simply call the Chamber at 978.353.7600 ext. 235, email or click here to register.The cost is $35 for members and $50 for non-members.
The Good Morning North Central series is a high-profile, fast-paced and educational breakfast program geared towards executives, senior managers, professionals and business owners.Each of the programs has a business-oriented focus and features prominent popular speakers to present on topics of interest to local businesses.
The featured speakers for the March edition are Karen Munkacy, M.D. Founder, President and CEO of Garden Remedies and Edward Lambert, Jr., Executive Director of the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education (MBAE).
Karen Munkacy founded Garden Remedies in 2013. As a cancer survivor, board-certified anesthesiologist, fellowship-trained pain management doctor and former faculty member at UCLA and USC Medical Centers, Dr. Munkacy learned about cannabis medical benefits
first-hand. She became interested in the medical benefits of cannabis when she was undergoing debilitating treatment for breast cancer. She is a member of Americans for Safe Access, the largest organization of patients, medical professionals, scientists and concerned citizens promoting safe and legal access to medical marijuana. She was a leader in the successful ballot campaign for the legalization of medical marijuana in Massachusetts and as an advocate and physician, helped persuade the Massachusetts Medical Society to sponsor a physician education program.
Ed Lambert joined MBAE in January of 2019. Mr. Lambert previously served as vice chancellor for university relations at UMass Boston. He was founding director of the Urban Initiative of UMass Dartmouth where he helped organize the state’s Gateway Cities Coalition. He also taught Public Policy and Public Management and served as the Chair of the Education Policy Committee of the Kaput Center for STEM Education and Research. He served as mayor of Fall River from 1996 to 2007, and represented Fall River and Westport in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. While in the legislature, he co-chaired the Literacy Caucus in support of increased funding for Adult Basic Education and literacy programs. He also served on a national task force for the development of the 21st Century Workforce of the Urban Serving Universities. He was appointed Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation by Governor Patrick and, earlier in his career, served as the director of social services at Saint Vincent’s Home in Fall River. He earned his BA in psychology at UMass Dartmouth and his MEd in counseling at Bridgewater State College.
The cost is just $25 for Chamber members/$40 non-members and includes a breakfast buffet.Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, please contact Kathleen Deal at 978.353.7600 ext. 235, or click here to register.
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce has long been a champion of education and has been actively engaged in supporting our schools. We recognize that the quality and accessibility of public education is critical to the health and prosperity of our state and regional economy.We would, therefore, like to commend Governor Baker and our legislative leaders for looking to address education reform in this legislative session.It has been twenty six years since the state last did so, and we believe that there is no issue more critical to our state and its future.
As Beacon Hill moves forward with discussions on how to best improve our schools, the Chamber would like to present five recommendations for consideration.These proposals were developed, with input from educators, by a taskforce of employers convened through the Chamber.Much of the final report – titled Build North Central and published last month – focuses on our K-12 institutions. Public schools have a substantial impact on the skills and careers the state’s students pursue.
School Funding: Much of the discussion so far has focused on providing additional funding – of up to and over $2 billion – and adjusting the formula that the state uses to support school systems.It has been twenty-six years since the formula was first developed, so we agree that it is time to explore reforms and look to new investments into our schools. However, any new funding should be accompanied by meaningful reforms with increased focus on career readiness and greater support for underachieving school systems. Meaningful reforms should be a condition to providing additional funding.
College and Career Readiness: Reforms should encourage an emphasis on creating career pathways in the schools and promote both college and career routes.Currently, high school success rates are measured heavily by college admissions, leading to curriculums that promote college preparation over other options, such as vocational training.State leaders should look at reforms that will better align school success with workforce needs.Partnerships with schools and employers should be incentivized by the state to ensure alignment with the students’ career interests and the skills necessary to succeed in the workplace.
Expand Experiential Learning: We are staunch proponents of work-based learning which, provided alongside rigorous college-level coursework, has proven to be effective in preparing students for success academically and in the workforce.Programs such as internships, co-ops, apprenticeships strengthen the educational experience, help our schools engage local employers, and provide meaningful introductions to career opportunities.State leaders should look for ways to expand work based learning in the schools, granting every high school student access to some type of experiential learning prior to graduation.The taskforce also recommends that career introduction programs be offered in the middle school to allow exploration of potential career opportunities before they and their parents begin discussing high-school coursework.
Expand Access to Vocational Technical Education: Vocational Technical schools in our state serve as models of how to best integrate academics with career preparation.Employers value the high caliber graduates coming out of these increasingly premier institutions, who leave prepared for both college and the workforce.This, in turn, has greatly increased competition for class space, leading to long wait-lists among those seeking admission.Reforms should include increased access to high-quality vocational education, achieved through expanding our technical schools; introducing vocational-technical elements into our conventional schools; and supporting partnerships between our high schools and our community colleges to fill the gap.
High-School Credentialing: Industry-recognized credentials are often used by employers to certify that an applicant has the appropriate level of skills to qualify for a particular job.State leaders should look for ways to encourage school systems to introduce high-school credentialing courses that are linked to the demands in the labor market.Students who earn industry certifications, which are often “stackable”, are then better prepared to find high-demand, high paying jobs directly out of high school or to continue their education in a chosen career.
We support the continuing dialogue that incorporates the concerns of students, parents, employers and educators and prepares our youth to succeed and our state to excel in today’s competitive environment,
