New U-Haul dealer in Hatfield

HATFIELD — Rescue Towing and Recovery at 253 West St. has signed on as a U-Haul neighborhood dealer to serve the local community.

Rescue Towing and Recovery will offer essential services like U-Haul trucks, trailers, towing equipment, moving supplies and in-store pickup for boxes. Normal business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. Customers can reserve U-Haul products at this dealer location by calling (413) 247-6074 or online at uhaul.com.

U-Haul has teamed with independent dealers to offer rental equipment to do-it-yourself movers since 1945.

ILI welcomes three new board members

NORTHAMPTON — The International Language Institute of MA announces that La Wanza Lett-Brewington, Dora Tseng and Jenni Greenhouse have joined the board of directors.

La Wanza is back home in western Massachusetts after leading Old Dominion University’s Women and Gender Equity Center in Norfolk, Virginia, for nearly a decade. She is now Title IX coordinator and affirmative action officer for Greenfield and Berkshire community colleges. She is a graduate of GCC and UMass Amherst’s University Without Walls and Graduate School of Education

Tseng is access coordinator of disability services at UMass Amherst. In 2023, she celebrated her 10th year in the U.S., having arrived from Taiwan in 2013, and is now a permanent resident. Since coming to western Massachusetts, she has earned an associate degree from GCC and bachelor and master’s degrees from UMass Amherst.

Greenhouse moved from her home country of Colombia to Northampton in 2013, quickly enrolled in ILI’s intensive English classes and studied at GCC. She earned a bachelor’s from Western New England University and an master’s from Boston University and is now senior manager of operations for customer support at Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford.

The ILI is a nonprofit language learning center in downtown Northampton.

New executive assistant at Gary Rome Auto Group

HOLYOKE — Lori Chatel of Belchertown has joined Gary Rome Auto Group as executive assistant for Gary Rome, president and CEO.

Chatel brings extensive experience in the automotive industry, having previously worked at American Honda Finance Corporation for over two decades.

As executive assistant, Chatel will perform various administrative functions and engage in projects to maximize the Rome’s time and effectiveness. She will have a key role in forging relationships with other executives and their support teams. Her additional responsibilities will include managing Rome’s schedule, prioritizing public appearances, organizing and coordinating community outreach, and planning special events.

Chatel will also serve as liaison between Gary Rome Hyundai, Gary Rome Kia of Enfield, and the new Gary Rome Car Wash Dog Wash and Detail Center.

Public Health Institute welcomes 4 board members, new officers

SPRINGFIELD — Four new members have joined the board of directors at the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts.

Amanda Lesnick is the vice president of support services at the Gándara Center, where she provides strategic, mission-focused leadership of the Prevention and Community Services Division.

Geoff Naunheim is the executive director of the United Way of Franklin and Hampshire Region. He started working at UWFH in 2017 in a community investment role before becoming executive director.

Lizzy Ortiz is a senior community health worker and care coordinator at the Community Care Cooperative ACO (C3).

Anni Zhu is the chief of staff at Way Finders, where she leads policy and advocacy efforts and manages strategic planning and special projects. Anni is an urban planner and former educator.

In addition to the new board members, PHIWM has a new slate of officers. Taking on the role of president is Luz Lopez of Breaking Oppression. Sarah Morgan of Health New England was elected vice president. Kim Robinson of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission will continue her role as clerk, and Amale Neary of the Center for Human Development will continue serving as treasurer.

New executive director at Neighbor to Neighbor

HOLYOKE — Neighbor to Neighbor has welcomed Dálida Rocha as the executive director for the organization. Rocha is an African immigrant, mother of three and a seasoned organizer and leader.

She came to Neighbor to Neighbor from Renew U.S., an organization that combines coalition building, policy development and electoral organizing to win multi-racial, working-class governing power and enact ambitious climate justice, racial justice, and economic justice legislation in states nationwide.

Prior to working with Neighbor to Neighbor, she served as the Massachusetts political director for SEIU 32BJ, which is the largest property service worker union in the nation. Rocha convened and co-chaired the Driving Families Forward coalition at SEIU 32BJ to pass the Work and Family Mobility Act that allows all qualified drivers to obtain a driver’s license regardless of immigration status.

She also served as the field director for the successful Yes on 4 for Safer Roads Campaign to uphold the Work and Family Mobility Act.

In January 2024, Rocha was appointed to the Massachusetts Board of Education by Gov. Maura Healey.