Making News

Published: 07-02-2017 6:31 PM

Michael Skillicorn joins Grow Food Northampton

NORTHAMPTON — Local food and farm-focused nonprofit Grow Food Northampton recently hired Michael Skillicorn as director of programs.

He will manage the organization’s food access programs, and supervise others who are responsible for its community garden, Tuesday Market, and youth education programs. The director of programs is a new position and is Grow Food’s second full-time staff position.

Skillicorn worked most recently with Nuestras Raíces as the manager of the Go Fresh! Mobile Market in Springfield and Holyoke, and has a strong background in food, business and social justice.

He serves on the board of the Greenfield Center School, and previously served on the boards of the Fair Trade Federation and the Quabbin Harvest Food Cooperative. Earlier this month, he completed his course work towards a master’s degree in management through the Harvard Extension School.

Financial advisor Blatz wins Edward Jones award

NORTHAMPTON — Helen L. Blatz of the financial services firm Edward Jones in Northampton recently won the firm’s exclusive Spirit of Partnership Award for outstanding performance during 2016.

Jim Weddle, the firm’s managing partner, calls Blatz a leader in the firm and an example of what an Edward Jones financial advisor can achieve.

“Helen has reached a benchmark in her career that deserves recognition, and the Spirit of Partnership Award provides that recognition,” Weddle said.

Blatz said she is honored to receive the award. She was one of 1,119 financial advisors out of the firm’s more than 15,000 to receive the award.

Northeast Solar Receives Prestigious B Corporation Certification

Hatfield solar company meetsperformance goals

HATFIELD — Northeast Solar of Hatfield, a solar design and installation company, has become a Certified B Corporation. The award recognized Northeast Solar for using its business to address social and environmental problems while meeting the highest standards of performance, accountability and transparency.

Becoming a Certified B Corporation is a long process overseen by the B Lab, a nonprofit that certifies and supports B Corporations. Northeast Solar was closely evaluated over the month-long process. By accepting B Corp status, Northeast Solar is committing to making business decisions that have a positive impact on their employees, suppliers, community, consumers, and environment.

There are more than 2,000 Certified B Corporations representing more than 130 industries in over 50 countries with one unifying goal — to redefine success in business.

Vega honored by Home Care Alliance

HOLYOKE — Rep. Aaron Vega was named the Legislator of the Year by the Massachusetts Home Care Alliance and was honored at its annual meeting.

Vega was nominated by Holly Chafee, who is the Alliance board president and CEO of Porchlight VNA/Home Care, a home care agency that covers Berkshire, Hampden, and Hampshire counties.

Vega earned the award through his work through the “Enough Pay to Stay” initiative, legislation and a budget amendment he filed looking to provide adequate pay for home health care workers. “Home health care is becoming a more and more prevalent option,” said Vega. “It’s important that we ensure that those caring for our loved ones are treated with the proper respect and compensation. I’m honored that this association recognized our work and I look forward to future collaborations.”

The Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts is a nonprofit trade association of home care agencies that promotes home care as an integral part of the health care delivery system.

Hampton Inn wins TripAdvisor award 

HADLEY — Hampton Inn by Hilton Hadley-Amherst Area, located at 24 Bay Road in Hadley, received a 2017 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Award.

Now in its seventh year, the achievement celebrates hospitality businesses that have earned great traveler reviews on TripAdvisor over the past year.

To qualify, a business must maintain an overall TripAdvisor bubble rating of at least four out of five, have a minimum number of reviews and must have been listed on TripAdvisor for at least 12 months.

Hamel, Montalvohonored byHolyoke Chamber

HOLYOKE — Mike Hamel, owner of Summit View Banquet House and Hamel’s Creative Catering, has been named 2017 Business Person of the Year by the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce.

Hamel’s Creative Catering was established in 1990 but the Hamel family business roots go back to 1963 when his family owned and operated Hamel’s Market in South Hadley, and Edgar’s Market in the Churchill section of Holyoke.

“Mike is an exemplary model of a home-grown success story,” said Kathleen Anderson, president of the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce.

The award has been presented annually to a community-oriented business person who is innovative, possesses a high degree of integrity, and has helped the Greater Holyoke’s business community.

Harry Montalvo of Bank Easthampton was selected to receive the Henry A. Fifield Award for Voluntary Service to the Chamber. The award is named for the late Henry A. Fifield, former Amped executive and civic leader who served in leadership positions with the chamber.

Montalvo’s service includes the chamber ambassador committee, board of trustees of the chamber centennial foundation and the chamber liaison between the two chamber boards. Montalvo has also been a mentor to many of the chamber foundation’s SPARK Launch Class graduates.

Both award winners will be honored at the “Business Person of the Year and Fifield Volunteer Award” dinner on Oct. 25 at 6 p.m. at the Delaney House. Information can be found online at holyokechamber.com or by calling the chamber office at 534-3376. Everyone is invited to attend.

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