E-Newsletter
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.
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is here to help – with trusted resources, a strong business network, and a support system to keep your business and the region moving forward
(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 Stephen DiNatale’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 .
(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 
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.

Michael D. Hewitt, President of Hometown Bank Community Foundation, Inc., announced today that a contribution in the amount of $10,000 was presented to Worcester Community Housing Resources (“WCHR”) on Tuesday, April 24th, 2018.
WCHR is a not-for-profit organization providing services to low-income residents and communities throughout Worcester County. Their initiatives assist low-income, underserved populations by providing high quality, affordable housing options that meet the resident’s specific needs. Whether it’s home ownership, family apartments, elderly assisted-living or single furnished rooms, WCHR develops, owns and operates them.
In addition, WCHR works as a Community Development Financial Institution, where their Community Loan Fund provides financing for homeowners who are not eligible for a loan through other financial institutions. The organization also works with private and public partners to develop home ownership and rental housing in key neighborhood locations.
The funds provided by Hometown Bank Community Foundation will be used for direct service costs to acquire and renovate an eleven-bedroom home that will house a program for teen mothers and their children. The funds will also help with the development of the property, which will include office space for the 24-hour staff, common kitchen and living areas, parking and outdoor green space for the children to play.
Michael Hewitt said “The WCHR is providing a valuable service to those in need, and we are very happy to make a supporting contribution. As a community bank we strive to support the communities we serve.”
Hometown Bank Community Foundation, Inc. was formed in early 2016 by bankHometown, a state-chartered cooperative bank headquartered in Oxford, Massachusetts with $750 million in assets.
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.
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The producers of the UK Phenomenon “The Great British Bake Off,” are once again looking for America’s best amateur
bakers.
This is your chance to make history and be a part of this globally beloved format!
Are you ready to compete in the ultimate baking battle to be crowned the Best Amateur Baker in America?
Can you bake perfect pastries, exceptional cakes and beautiful bread?
Does someone you know create memorable baked delights for every occasion?
Are you an amateur baking genius ready to show off your skills?
If so, we are currently taking applications and would love to see you in the tent!
If you are selected as one of this year’s competitors, you will:
· Travel to England to compete in the world famous “Bake Off” tent.
· Possibly take home bragging rights as the Best Amateur Baker in America.
To be selected you must:
· Be at least 18 years old & a legal US resident
· Have not completed any formal or professional culinary, pastry and or baking training, unless it was more than ten years ago.
· Have never worked as a full-time baker, cook or chef, nor must your main source of income be derived from baking.
** Please see Application for full list of eligibility requirements
Visit WWW.BAKINGSHOWCASTING.COM to APPLY and for MORE INFORMATION
APPLICATIONS CLOSE at 11:59 p.m. PT on May 31, 2018
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.
Looking for your next opportunity? Explore current job openings from employers across North Central Massachusetts on our Jobs Board. Whether you’re starting a new career or making a change, you’ll find a variety of local positions available to help you take the next step.
CapEx Facility Services & Construction · Leominster, MA
TaraVista Behavioral Health Center · Harvard, MA
DRS Power Technology, Inc. · Fitchburg, MA
AIS · Leominster, MA