Paragus I.T. founder turns over business to employees

HADLEY — After implementing an employee stock ownership plan in 2016 that turned over 40% of the business to its employees, Paragus I.T. has recently transitioned to 100% employee ownership.

With offices in Hadley and Worcester, Paragus is a fast-growing I.T. company serving small- to medium-sized businesses. They attribute that growth partly to the ESOP model, which has proven effective in recruiting talent, improving retention, and offering a higher level of service to their clients.

The company has come a long way since it was founded by CEO Delcie Bean, when the entrepreneur was only 14 years old. Bean is also the founder of Tech Foundry, a nonprofit dedicated to providing inner city students with the skills they need to enter the I.T. field.

Not only has Paragus paid out hundreds of thousands of dollars to its employee-owners since shifting to the ESOP model in 2016, they have also grown to be the largest I.T. provider in their market, completed multiple acquisitions, expanded into a new city, and increased their headcount to more than 65 people.

After a lot of research and strategic planning, Paragus made the decision to transition to 100% employee ownership in 2024.

The move was also a strategic plan to keep local jobs and resources in the community, something that is often lost in private equity takeovers.

Part of what makes the Paragus model unique is the fact that Bean will not be stepping down as CEO and has no plans to transition out of the business.

Attorney to lead estate planning courses at HCC

HOLYOKE — Attorney Karen G. Jackson of Jackson Law in Holyoke will lead three, one-hour estate planning workshops at Holyoke Community College, beginning Thursday, April 11, from 6 to 7 p.m., with “Core Estate Planning.”

In this first session, Jackson, an elder law and estate planning attorney, will explain the importance of the will, power of attorney and health care proxy and the core estate plan.

In the second session, “De-Mystifying Trusts,” Thursday, April 18, from 6 to 7 p.m., Jackson will review the different types of trusts and how to decide if one is needed.

In the final course, “Saving Your Home from the Nursing Home Bill,” on Thursday, April 25, from 6 to 7 p.m., Jackson will explain the use of an irrevocable income-only trust to save nursing home costs. She will also explain the MassHealth rules and provide tips and traps to avoid.

Students can choose one or two classes at $39 each or register for the series for $90. To register, call 413-552-2320 or visit hcc.edu/bce.

Pazmany joins MLK Jr. Family Services as chief development officer

SPRINGFIELD — Following an eight-month search and interview process, Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Services has named Claudia DeVito Pazmany as its new chief development officer.

In this new position, Pazmany will be responsible for developing a sustainable institutional development effort to both support existing programs and expand them to serve the emergent needs of the organization’s clients. Pazmany had served as a volunteer member of the MLKFS development committee before being appointed to her new position.

Pazmany comes to MLKFS with 23 years of relationship building, strategic planning, innovative leadership, financial acumen, and visionary critical thinking, most recently serving as the executive director of the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce. Her experience includes a history of professional fundraising with a career total of raising more than $15 million in a development capacity for other location organizations including the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts and Providence Ministries.

She also serves as volunteer, Advisory Board Member, and Former Board President of CHD’s Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County, a Development Committee Member of the United Way of Franklin & Hampshire Region, and as a 2020 & 2021 E-For All Pioneer Valley mentor.

Keiter Corp. to move headquarters to West Springfield

FLORENCE — Keiter Corporation, a construction services firm located in Florence since 2008, recently announced it will relocate its executive headquarters to a 6,000-square-foot facility at 1 Interstate Drive in West Springfield later this year.

Keiter is comprised of Keiter Builders, the commercial/institutional division; Keiter Homes, the residential arm; and Keiter Properties, the real estate venture. Its pre-construction, sales and marketing, finance and administration, and operations departments will be located in the new space.

The move is prompted by growth and will allow Keiter much-needed space to collaborate with customers and partners on projects.

The new location will also help Keiter better serve clients in Hampden and Berkshire counties while continuing to serve clients in Hampshire and Franklin counties.

bankESB hires assistant VP, branch officer

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB recently hired Hector Suarez as assistant vice president, branch officer of their Sargeant St., Holyoke office.

Suarez grew up in Holyoke and Puerto Rico and has nearly 30 years of banking experience. In his new role, he will manage the Holyoke office. Prior to joining bankESB, he was a vice president, branch manager at M&T Bank, Peoples United Bank, and United Bank. Before that, he was a branch manager at Key Bank and First Niagara Bank, as well as a personal banker with Baybank, BankBoston, FleetBoston, and Bank of America.