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.
Thank you to all our sponsors who help sponsor this past 2025-2026 program year! We are truly honored by your continued support and efforts to continue to make our community thrive! View
Event
Join us for Connect North Central
Friday, November 20, 2026
8am-9am View
Event
Joint Mayor's Meeting
December 4, 2026
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
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
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
For the eighteenth consecutive year, Leominster Credit Union was pleased to participate in Children’s Book Month, an annual event sponsored by the Cooperative Credit Union Association.
During the month of April LCU members and employees collected donations of 895 new and used children’s books. The books were distributed to the Red Raiders Lending Library program, Leominster Community Coalition and local organizations.
L-R; Erin Vasington, Red Raiders Lending Library; Kathy Hurley, LCU HR Manager; John O’Brien, LCU President & CEO; Barbara Abraham, Leominster Community Coalition; Nancy Daigle, LCU Receptionist; Rachel Terrell, LCU Executive Assistant
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 $600 million in assets. LCU has seven branch locations in Leominster, Worcester, Clinton, Holden, Sterling and North Leominster with ATM services at all branch locations. LCU also provides 24 hour banking via Mobile and Online services. Visit leominstercu.com or call 800-649-4646.
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.
From Chamber events and ribbon cuttings to community celebrations and regional highlights, stay connected with what’s happening across North Central Massachusetts. Follow us on social media for the latest photos, updates, and stories.
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