Berkshire Bank, a leading, socially responsible community bank with financial centers in New England and New York, is proud to announce that Andrew Plumridge, an accomplished internal audit, risk management and compliance professional has joined the Company as Executive Vice President (EVP), Chief Internal Audit Officer of Berkshire Hills Bancorp and Berkshire Bank.
“We’re pleased to welcome Mr. Plumridge to the Berkshire team as chief internal audit officer. He’s a seasoned executive leader with extensive financial industry and audit experience. His proven track record helping companies navigate complex regulations and uphold the highest ethical standards will serve our shareholders well and help us to continue to advance along our journey toward becoming a high-performing, leading socially responsible community bank,” stated Nitin Mhatre, CEO.
At Berkshire, Mr. Plumridge will be responsible for leading all aspects of Berkshire’s internal audit and Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) testing programs. He will provide independent and objective assurance to management and the Audit Committee on the adequacy and effectiveness of governance and internal controls that support the achievement of organizational objectives. In addition, he will promote and facilitate the continuous improvement of controls as part of the third line of defense. Mr. Plumridge will report directly to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and administratively to CEO Nitin Mhatre.
Mr. Plumridge’s extensive career includes nearly 30 years in auditing and consulting. Most notably he spent eight years with Boston Private Financial Holdings, Inc. serving as senior vice president and general auditor. Prior to joining Boston Private, Mr. Plumridge held senior audit and consulting positions with State Street Corporation and PwC. He holds a M.B.A. with a concentration in accounting and finance from Boston University and an A.B. in Economics from Dartmouth College. Mr. Plumridge is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensed in Massachusetts, serves as treasurer for the Dartmouth Educational Association and is a volunteer with South Shore Habitat for Humanity.
The Eastern States Exposition (“Big E”) is an annual 17-day event held in West Springfield, Massachusetts. The Big E is the fourth largest fair in the United States, attracting over 1.6 million attendees in 2022. This year’s Big E will be held from September 15 through October 1, 2023. The Massachusetts Building, located on the Avenue of States, is one of the Big E’s premier attractions and provides Commonwealth businesses, non-profits, and other entities an opportunity to showcase their products and services.
Massachusetts Day (“Event”): Thursday, September 21, 2023, from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
The focus of this day is to provide a family-friendly, fun environment with games, giveaways and entertainment that showcases the very best of Massachusetts culture, agriculture, and tourism. Different from previous years, we will not be accepting exhibitors that are selling food items, goods and merchandise. We are looking for tourist attractions, agricultural commodity groups, non-profit and other organizations that would showcase Massachusetts culture, agriculture, and tourism and that will set up a booth to engage attendees with games, giveaways, and entertainment. The sale of merchandise and goods will not be permitted. If you have any questions, please reach out to Katie Rozenas-Hanson, at .
ConvenientMD presents The Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg & Leominster with sponsorship in the gymnasium of the Leominster Branch of the Boys & Girls Club.
ConvenientMD, New England’s leading urgent care provider, has announced partnerships with several local organizations to promote health and wellness in the community, including Leominster Little League, Leominster Central Massachusetts Basketball, Leominster Youth Soccer, and the Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster. ConvenientMD recently opened its newest urgent care clinic at 20 Commercial Road in Leominster.
“As a healthcare provider, ConvenientMD recognizes the importance of physical activity in maintaining good health. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to support programs that encourage kids to stay active and engaged, while also promoting mentorship and leadership development,” says ConvenientMD Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO Gareth Dickens. “We are proud to work with these outstanding organizations to help create a healthier, more vibrant community for all.”
ConvenientMD recently presented its sponsorship of The Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster. The club works in youth development with young people ages 8-18, from many economic, social and family circumstances. The Club has over 300 registered members with many more participating in the variety of programs that the club offers.
“The partnership between ConvenientMD and the Boys and Girls Club of Fitchburg, Leominster, and Gardner, exemplifies the collective efforts of both organizations to make a lasting impact on the lives of children and strengthen the fabric of our community,” said David Ginisi, Senior Director of Marketing & Development at the Boys & Girls Club. “By investing in youth development and fostering a passion for sports, ConvenientMD and the Boys and Girls Club are championing the values of resilience, determination, and teamwork, paving the way for a brighter future.”
In addition to the Boys and Girls Club, ConvenientMD is supporting the Leominster Central Mass Youth Basketball, Leominster Little League, and Leominster Youth Soccer, all non-profit organizations focused on establishing safe and fun environments for kids to be active and learn teamwork. Combined, these organizations serve more than 1,500 local children each year.
ConvenientMD Urgent Care clinics treat a broad range of illnesses and injuries – from colds, coughs, and flu, to stitches and broken bones. Additional services include COVID-19 testing, free flu shots, youth sports physicals, IV fluids, EKGs, and employer health services. The modern, comfortable facility also offers on-site labs and X-rays for quick, convenient diagnoses. With the opening of the Leominster clinic, ConvenientMD operates 39 urgent care centers throughout New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts.
Headquartered in Portsmouth, NH, ConvenientMD is a walk-in and virtual healthcare provider dedicated to delivering the best medical care and experience for patients throughout New England. By offering fast, quality care at an affordable rate, ConvenientMD is raising the bar for urgent care and reshaping the delivery of modern healthcare. Each urgent care center provides an advanced array of services—including X-rays, IVs, labs, and minor surgical procedures—as well as staff committed to following an innovative, full-service approach to satisfying patients’ demands for convenient, compassionate treatment in an urgent care setting.
Three staff members of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce were recently recognized for their years of service by the Massachusetts Association of Chamber Executives (MACCE). Diane Burnette, manager of the Johnny Appleseed Visitors Center, and Roy Nascimento, president and CEO were both recognized for twenty-five years of service within the chamber of commerce industry. Kat Deal, programs and events manager, was recognized for five years of service.
The 2023 Service Awards were awarded during the MACCE Annual Meeting held on April 13, 2023 in Northampton, Mass. MACCE Service Awards recognize and promote chamber professionals in Massachusetts who have achieved significant years of service in the chamber industry.
Deal joined the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce in 2018 and is responsible for planning and executing the many events and programs of the Chamber and its affiliate organizations.
Nascimento started his chamber career in 1998 at the Metro South Chamber of Commerce, before leading the Attleboro and New Bedford Chambers. He was selected to lead the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce in 2015.
A lifelong resident of Fitchburg, Burnette began her career with the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce in 1998 as an administrative assistant and was promoted to manager of the Johnny Appleseed Visitors’ Center in 2008. She is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations and overseeing staff at the visitor center on Route 2 in Lancaster, Mass.
“Diane, Kat and Roy are important contributors to the success of the Chamber,” said Jim Vander Hooven, president of Mount Wachusett Community College and Chair of the board of directors for the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “This recognition is well-deserved and a testament to their professionalism and dedication to our members and communities in North Central Massachusetts.”
Fitchburg, MA | Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | Visit North Central Massachusetts | Visit North Central Local Tourism | Johnny Appleseed Visitor Center | Diane Burnette | Kathleen Deal | Roy Nascimento
You will become proactive as you learn the skill of paper organizing and begin to process your paperwork in a timely manner. Grab a box of manilla folders, and gather your unfiled and unprocessed papers scattered throughout the house to join us for some training and some productivity! Once you understand the system, you can maintain the concepts throughout your life.
During this safe and non-judgmental session conducted by a professional organizer you will learn a system to follow and be led through processing as much as a laundry basket full of your paperwork, all while socializing and enjoying some snacks.
Location: Bin There Dump That, 615 South St., Fitchburg, MA 01420
$50 fee includes training, champagne toast, coffee bar, water, and snacks. Price is discounted until 7/15.
empHowered PR, a boutique public relations firm specializing in highly-tailored communications services for businesses and non-profit organizations, today announced a second location at the Worcester Idea Lab, located at 20 Franklin Street in Worcester. The business is headquartered in Leominster.
Founded in 2020 by Lauren Howe, an award-winning public relations professional with more than 20 years of experience in the healthcare, manufacturing, and non-profit industries, empHowered PR has grown to provide services to clients around the region, making Worcester an ideal location to expand its footprint.
“While we’ve always called North Central Massachusetts home, I realized we needed a location in Worcester to meet with potential and current clients closer to their locations,” said Howe. “The Worcester Idea Lab is a great place for us to work and meet with clients while also engaging with other entrepreneurs as part of Worcester’s innovation ecosystem.”
The Worcester Idea Lab, a project of the Worcester Business Development Corporation (WBDC), is a collaborative workspace for entrepreneurs and other business-minded professionals to grow their business in a central location right in the downtown district.
“The Idea Lab at 20 Franklin was constructed to give entrepreneurs a professional space to grow their business, make valuable connections, and eventually expand out to Worcester’s downtown,” said Roberta Brien, executive vice president, Worcester Business Development Corporation. “Entrepreneurs are key members of our small business community and WBDC is proud to support them at every stage of their business. We are thrilled to welcome Lauren Howe, founder of empHowered PR to our space, as her unique approach to public relations for businesses and non-profits is the perfect fit for the downtown and our other Idea Lab members.”
About empHowered PR
Founded in 2020, empHowered PR is a boutique public relations consultancy firm specializing in highly tailored communications services for businesses and non-profit organizations. Focusing on brand strategy, executive communications and thought leadership with expertise on corporate social responsibility and media training, empHowered PR partners with small businesses to global corporations to develop trusted brands focused on objectives, audiences, channels, delivery and feedback to achieve goals and reach success. To learn more, visit www.empHoweredPR.com.
Hodge recognized by fellow ambassadors for outreach, engagement efforts with chamber members in the North Central region
Beth Hodge, associate director of resource development at the United Way of North Central Massachusetts, has been named the 2023 Ambassador of Year by the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. The announcement was made during the chamber’s Annual Meeting on June 15, 2023.
Chamber Ambassadors are valued volunteers to the Chamber who serve as the face of the organization in the community. They assist the Chamber with communications to new and existing members, participate in ribbon cuttings and help connect members at various Chamber events. Hodge was voted Ambassador of the Year by her fellow Chamber Ambassadors at their May meeting.
“We are grateful to Beth for her dedication and support of our Chamber as we work to advance our goals throughout the 27 communities that comprise our region,” said Roy Nascimento, president and CEO, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “Beth has been an active member of the chamber not only in her capacity as an ambassador but as a champion of our events and many initiatives.”
In her role at the United Way of North Central Massachusetts, Hodge is responsible for engaging with business and community leaders throughout the region. She holds a bachelor’s degree in human services from Fitchburg State University and is active in the community, including volunteering at Loaves and Fishes, a food pantry in Devens, and at the No Fame Games, a division of the Highland Games Heavy Athletics.
“Being a member of the chamber and a part of the chamber ambassador program has helped me to grow not only professionally, but personally as well,” said Hodge. “Connecting with others and breaking out of my shell has significantly impacted the way I am able to interact with the North Central community, and it is an incredible feeling to be a part of something that is doing so much good for so many individuals, businesses, and other entities here.”
Fitchburg | Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce | 2023 Ambassador of Year | Beth Hodge | United Way of North Central Massachusetts
Funding to complement rising construction, labor costs
The Fitchburg Public Library announced it will receive approximately $1.5 million in additional funding from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC). The additional funding will help offset the rising construction and labor costs currently being experienced throughout the Commonwealth.
“As one of only 10 other libraries receiving this additional funding throughout the Commonwealth, we are grateful to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and our local legislators for seeing the value our renovation and construction project will bring to the community,” said Fitchburg Public Library Director Deb Hinkle. “We appreciate the MBLC’s continued support to ensure our library will remain sustainable for years to come. We are also grateful to State Senator John Cronin and State Representative Michael Kushmerek for working alongside other Massachusetts legislators to advocate for this additional funding.”
The funding, which supplements the $12.5 million total grant award from the MBLC through the Massachusetts Library Construction Program, will support the $40 million renovation, modernization and expansion of the library. Ten libraries in the state were awarded the additional funding as a result of adding 15% to the total eligible cost used to calculate the current grant.
“The Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program is pleased to partner with local communities, like Fitchburg, using state funding to make building and renovating libraries possible,” said MBLC Director James Lonergan. “In the 35 years since the program’s inception and the more than 200 communities that have benefited from it, we have not encountered circumstances like those brought on by the pandemic. The additional funding recognizes those circumstances and further supports Fitchburg’s project which will bring economic, social, cultural, and educational opportunities to every resident of the community.”.
The Fitchburg project is expected to begin later this year.
About Fitchburg Public Library
Founded in 1859 and home to one of the first children’s rooms in the country, the Fitchburg Public Library is a centerpiece on Main Street in the city, providing generations the opportunity to experience programming and services that open a world of learning. For more information visit http://www.fitchburgpubliclibrary.org/.
Grab your notebook and a pencil — this 30 minute long virtual meeting can cover any room, any space, and any interior design questions you may have! (including questions about additions and new builds!)
Have your design questions answered so you can get started! Get expert design advice! Let’s come up with a roadmap to get your project moving forward!
Interview us! Ask questions about our process, discuss specific concerns about your project, hiring a designer, anything! We’re yours for a half hour.
Appointments will be open for a limited time only, contact Joshua Allen Design to sign up!
Over 600 households to benefit from drive thanks to community collaboration
Ginny’s Helping Hand and St. Leo’s de Paul Food Pantry collected donations from the April Foods Drive. From left to right, Joe Tammaro, Betsy Tammaro and Laura Burns from St. Leo’s; Dave Bergeron from Ginny’s Helping Hand; Brandon Robbins, Ginny’s Helping Hand Executive Director; Crystal Nash from Leominster Credit Union; Judy Thomlinson, UWNCM Director of Community Impact and Missy Teken from LCU.
The United Way of North Central Massachusetts (UWNCM) recently distributed nearly $30,000 worth of food and essentials to local food pantries for their “April Foods Drive.” Running April 1- June 8, the drive provided critical supplies to 12 food pantries throughout North Central Massachusetts and is expected to feed more than 600 households.
The food drive is part of United to Feed North Central Mass, a new initiative run by UWNCM that brings together community partners to fight food insecurity in the region. Using the tagline “Hunger is No Joke,” the April drive collected twice as much worth of food as the initiative’s 2022 holiday food drive.
The drive was a true community effort, as residents donated non-perishable food through boxes hosted at nearly 40 establishments, including banks, grocery stores and libraries. UWNCM also provided family food staples such as peanut butter and oatmeal and worked with Leominster-based non-profit Growing Places to source a variety of fresh produce from local farms, ranging from carrots and potatoes to leafy greens and herbs.
Throughout the drive, volunteers picked up donated food from boxes, and on June 7-8, a dozen local pantries came to UWNCM to load their vans, many of which were completely filled. The drive sought to restock food pantry shelves during a time when many pantries are low on resources as they approach their fiscal year ends.
The Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center (MVOC), a non-profit based in Gardner, was both a participant and recipient in the drive, as they donated leftover Bombas socks from their clothing pantry and also received donated food items.
“This food drive came at a critical time in MVOC’s pantry,” says Stephanie Marchetti, Executive Director of MVOC. “Our regular suppliers have been low on shelf stable items, and since it’s the last month of the fiscal year we did not have the funds to cover this gap. The United Way stepped up, coordinated with lots of great local partners, and we can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that our veterans and their families will have what they need.”
As part of the drive, Catania Oils, based in Ayer, ran an internal food drive, collecting more than $550 worth of food donated by employees.
“One of the fundamental principles embedded in Catania Oil’s purpose statement is to make a lasting impact on the community. Our employees consistently demonstrate their willingness to support and uplift the community in various ways,” says Annemarie Abdo, Vice President of Human Resources at Catania Oils. “As a result of the tremendous effort put forth, we were able to collect a substantial amount of food, reinforcing our commitment to addressing food insecurity and supporting those in need. Moving forward, we are enthusiastic about further collaborations with the United Way, participating in their upcoming community events. By joining forces, we can continue making a positive difference and fostering a stronger, more vibrant community together.”
UWNCM will launch their next food drive in fall 2023 to provide food for the holiday season. Judy Tomlinson, UWNCM Director of Community Impact, says, “We are grateful to everyone who helped make our April Foods Drive such a success, including local companies, volunteers and generous donors, and we look forward to continuing to unite community members to feed those in need.”
The United Way of North Central Massachusetts serves the communities of Ashburnham, Ashby, Athol, Ayer, Devens, Fitchburg, Gardner, Groton, Harvard, Hubbardston, Leominster, Littleton, Pepperell, Lunenburg, Petersham, Phillipston, Royalston, Shirley, Templeton, Townsend, Westminster and Winchendon.
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce was named a finalist for the prestigious 2023 Chamber of the Year award, presented by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE).
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is one of three finalists in its category, which also includes the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development in Mansfield, Ohio, and the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce in Winter Park, Florida.
The award, sponsored by Personify, is the most prestigious and competitive recognition presented annually by ACCE. Based in Alexandria, Virginia, ACCE has more than 1,600 chambers of commerce, and related business and economic development organizations, as members, representing more than 9,000 professionals in the industry.
The Chamber of the Year award recognizes the leadership role chambers have in their communities. Those honored with the Chamber of the Year designation have demonstrated organizational strength and made an impact on key community priorities, such as education, transportation, economic prosperity and quality of life.
“This year’s finalists truly represent excellence in the chamber industry,” said ACCE President & CEO Sheree Anne Kelly. “Through their roles as community partners, thought leaders and innovative problem solvers, each has demonstrated what it means to be a catalyst for growth and regional prosperity. We congratulate them on this achievement.”
“This recognition as one of the top chambers in the country is a collective achievement and a tribute to the innovation and passion of our members and the many business leaders who support our mission to build a stronger economy and quality of life in our communities here in North Central Massachusetts,” said Roy M. Nascimento, president & CEO, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “I want to thank our staff, board leaders and all of our members for their support and commitment to the important work we do to advance the region.”
Chambers of commerce interested in vying for the award first must qualify by participating in a vigorous multi-stage process, which includes submitting a written application addressing all aspects of the organization’s operations and programmatic work. Eligibility for Chamber of the Year also includes meeting minimum thresholds around membership performance and financial management, including meeting key performance criteria on the ACCE Annual Operations Survey. Applications are scored by peer chamber executives to determine finalists. Winners are selected from among finalists based on an interview before a panel of experienced chamber professionals. To ensure the fairest competition, applicants are grouped into four categories based on annual revenue, membership, area population and other factors.
The winner of 2023 Chamber of the Year will be made on Tuesday, August 1.
Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | Worcester County | Local Businesses | Visit North Central Massachusetts | Visit North Central Local Tourism | Johnny Appleseed Visitor Center | National Chamber of the Year Award | 2023
The Chamber was saddened to hear of the passing of local business and community leader Ron Ansin. Mr. Ansin was a past Chair of the Board of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and was very active in the Chamber and community. He leaves behind a remarkable legacy of business and philanthropic leadership, helping to make North Central Massachusetts a better and more vibrant place. He was instrumental in the Chamber’s economic development programs, contributing towards important initiatives that helped to advance our regional economy and are still playing a role today. He was the first to recognize the positive impact that tourism could have locally and encouraged the development of the Chamber’s tourism efforts in North Central Massachusetts. He was also influential in the construction of the Chamber building, which opened in 2006, and numerous local students have received a helping hand with continuing their education through his commitment to the Chamber’s Annual Scholarship Program. In addition to the Chamber, Mr. Ansin also supported many local institutions ranging from the United Way of North Central Massachusetts, Applewild School, Fitchburg State University, Mount Wachusett Community College, the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts and UMass Health Alliance Hospital to name just a few. He also played a pivotal role in establishing Enterprise Bank. He touched many people’s lives in countless ways. Our deepest sympathy is with the Ansin family, and with all of those who were personally touched by his legacy.
