Retired Judge
Fidnick recognized by bar association

NORTHAMPTON — The Hampshire County Bar Association on Oct. 25 honored Linda S. Fidnick, retired First Justice of the Hampshire Probate & Family Court, for her 15 years on the bench.

A portrait, presented by Hampshire County Bar Association President Attorney James B. Winston was unveiled at her retirement tribute.

HCC vice president selected for national leadership program

HOLYOKE — Amanda Sbriscia, vice president of Institutional Advancement at Holyoke Community College, has been selected for a fellowship for aspiring college presidents by the AGB Institute for Leadership & Governance in Higher Education.

Now entering its fifth year, 27 college administrators from institutions around the country began their fellowships with an in-person symposium in Washington, D.C., in September. To date, 18 past participants have become presidents or chancellors of higher education institutions, and many other participants have successfully progressed on the pathway to the presidency with commendations and new positions.

Sbriscia, 39, of Granby, holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from Cedar Crest College, a master of science in higher education from Drexel University, and a doctorate in education in educational leadership from Gwynedd Mercy University.

Before being hired at HCC as vice president of Institutional Advancement in 2017, Sbriscia served as senior director of Advancement at Bay Path University, following her role there as director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations.

Nonotuck Associates makes leadership transitions

NORTHAMPTON — Nonotuck Associates Inc. has made several leadership transitions across the organization.

Following the unfortunate passing of Executive Vice President of Operations Kitty Kelly-Curtin in July, key organizational restructuring was required to fill her significant role in the administrative oversight and leadership at Nonotuck. To fill the void, several longtime Nonotuck staffers are being promoted.

Janet Yurko, who works in the organization’s Conz Street office in Northampton has been promoted to interim vice president of residential services for western Massachusetts.

Janine Conklin, program director in the organization’s Conz Street office in Northampton, will expand her oversight to Hampshire and Franklin counties, in addition to her work in Hampden County.

Nonotuck Resource Associates offers shared living, adult family care and personalized day services for people with disabilities.

Gary Rome employee graduates from academy

HOLYOKE — Telesha Williams, sales manager at Gary Rome Kia of Enfield, recently graduated from the National Automobile Dealers Association Academy.

Williams completed a rigorous, year-long educational program focusing on six disciplines essential to successful management and leadership in the retail automobile industry.

Williams has been employed by the Gary Rome Auto Group since 2014. She has worked at both dealerships, Gary Rome Hyundai in Holyoke, and Gary Rome Kia in Enfield, in advertising and marketing, as the manager of the Business Development Center and now she holds the sales manager position at Gary Rome Kia. Williams is a graduate of Bay Path University. She earned her MBA in entrepreneurship and leadership as well as a master’s degree in leadership and negotiation.

Academy students also spend a day on Capitol Hill to meet with a member of Congress to gain insight into the lawmaking process, the importance of dealer fly-ins to Washington, D.C., and why inviting members of Congress to visit their stores can ultimately benefit dealers, their employees, and their customers.

Freedom Credit Union raises $2,700 for food bank

SPRINGFIELD — Throughout the months of July and August, Freedom Credit Union raised more than $2,700 through its annual summer food drive for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. In addition to cash donations, Freedom also collected non-perishable food items.

Since 1982, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts has helped provide much-needed food to area residents in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin and Berkshire counties. It sources its products from donations, which it distributes to participating pantries, meal sites and shelters throughout the region.

Freedom has nine branches, including in Northampton.

Big Y donates $75K to Red Cross for Hawaii wildfire relief

SPRINGFIELD — Big Y added to the collected donations from customers and employees from Aug. 21 through Sept. 6 through its traditional registers, online and myExpress check out for Hawaii Wildfire Relief.

Community and employee donations along with additional support from Big Y resulted in a donation of $75,000.

The money was donated to the American Red Cross network response to provide humanitarian relief.

FCCDC hires staffer to lead
programs

GREENFIELD — The Franklin County Community Development Corporation, which has been supporting local businesses throughout western Massachusetts since 1979, has brought on Hannah Sobel as program manager. She will lead two programs that work to strengthen the local food system and increase access to healthy food in low-income, low-grocery communities.

Sobel will work with farms and retail food businesses to secure funding and technical assistance to strengthen local agricultural economies and improve the nutrition access of low-income communities. Among its many programs, the FCCDC, based in Greenfield, administers the PVGrows Investment Fund — where community members invest in local farm and food retail businesses — and the Massachusetts Food Trust Program — a statewide initiative that provides financing to food retailers in low-income, low-grocery areas.

Prior to joining FCCDC, Sobel worked throughout the food system, from farming and urban agriculture to municipal food truck policy and nonprofit meals programs. She has an M.A. in urban and environmental policy and planning and an M.S. in food policy and applied nutrition from Tufts University.

For more information go to www.fccdc.org or call 413-774-7204.