Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley’s excellence awards
WEST SPRINGFIELD — The Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley (RAPV) celebrated the outstanding achievements of its members at the annual Excellence Awards Gala in February.
The Gala’s highest honors were presented to Carrie Blair, Keller Williams Pioneer Valley, who was chosen as the 2025 Realtor of the Year; and Margaret Bulatewicz, Liberty Bank, who was named 2025 Affiliate of the Year.
Since 2009, Blair has been an active RAPV member, contributing to the Finance, RAPV Spring Conference, and Professional Development committees. She became a director on the RAPV Board in 2023, providing leadership and guidance to the organization. Blair’s support of fellow realtors and mentorship of peers demonstrates her dedication to the industry and community, making her a valuable asset to the real estate profession.
Bulatewicz actively serving on the Community Service Committee and donating to charitable causes. Her generous spirit extends beyond RAPV — she volunteers at the Ludlow Senior Center and supports the local nonprofit For the Love of Good Foundation, demonstrating a deep commitment to improving her community.
The evening also honored exceptional members with the newly introduced “Good Neighbor” Award, recognizing outstanding dedication to community service. This year’s recipient was Jennifer Tetreault of BHHS Realty Professionals.
The RAPV “Hall of Fame” honors individuals whose careers and contributions have left a lasting legacy on the association and the real estate industry in the Pioneer Valley. This year’s inductees are: Peter Davies (posthumously); Dorothy “Dot” Lortie, Landmark Realtors & Dot Lortie Realty; and Don Thompson, NextHome Elite Realty.
2025 Rising Stars were Brody Trott and Diane Vadnais, RE/MAX Connections.
ServiceNet names chief HR officer
NORTHAMPTON — Joanne Ollson has joined ServiceNet’s senior leadership team as chief human resources officer. Bringing more than 30 years of human resources experience to the role, she comes to ServiceNet following its most rapid period of growth ever, having come together with both Pathlight and River Valley Counseling Center in 2025.
Born and raised in western Massachusetts, Ollson’s first job, beginning in high school and continuing for the next eight years, was at the Belchertown State School — where she started in the kitchen before moving into recreation therapy.
Ollson completed her associate degree at Holyoke Community College, which launched her human resources career starting at the original Filene’s Basement. Learning by doing, she quickly took on some personnel duties there and returned to school to study the field in greater depth. Ollson then earned her bachelor’s in business administration and executive management from Bay Path College and later her master’s in human resource development from American International College.
Meanwhile, she was gaining further work experience, turning her focus to not-for-profit organizations — from Goodwill Industries to Bay Path College, the University of Connecticut Foundation, Noble Health Systems, Western New England University, and most recently as Chief Human Resources Officer for the Trinity Health of New England community hospitals.
Ollson has carried her commitment to people and service into her board leadership roles at Springfield Technical Community College, Employers Association of the Northeast, Ludlow Boys and Girls Club, and the Town of Ludlow Personnel Board, and volunteering to serve meals at an area homeless shelter.
HCC names provost, VP of academic affairs
HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College has hired Jessica M. Nicklin of West Hartford, Conn, as provost and vice president of academic affairs.
Nicklin, Ph.D., presently serves as associate provost for faculty affairs and research and a professor of psychology at the University of Hartford, where she has worked for nearly 17 years.
Nicklin earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology as well as a Ph.D. in industrial-organizational psychology from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Albany.
Soon after completing her doctorate in 2009, she received an academic appointment at the University of Hartford as assistant professor of psychology. Since then, she has risen through the academic ranks to tenured professor, while also taking on administrative responsibilities as program director, associate dean of student academic services, associate vice president for student success, assistant provost for graduate studies and research, and finally associate provost for faculty affairs and research, a position she assumed in 2023.
Her role at HCC begins July 1.
A distinguished scholar in industrial-organizational psychology, Nicklin’s research focuses on workplace motivation, the work-family interface, and positive psychology. She is a prolific writer, consultant, and frequent speaker and holds certifications in academic life coaching.
Libretto Cafe ready to open in Holyoke
HOLYOKE — Libretto Café, an Italian café and bakery in the historic Mill 1 at Open Square, downtown Holyoke, welcomes the community to its official grand opening celebration on Wednesday, April 15, with a ribbon cutting at 11 a.m. featuring Mayor Joshua Garcia and the Greater Holyoke Chamber. The celebration will continue until 1 p.m.
All guests attending the grand opening will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win Libretto Café coffee mugs, a can of Monsoon Roastery Coffee Beans, and a $25 Libretto Café gift certificate.
As part of the grand opening, Lebretto is hosting its first media swap. Bring books, movies, or music you’d like to rehome and add them to Libretto’s Free Library — a growing “take a book (or CD or DVD), leave a book (or CD or DVD)” space that encourages reading and celebrates physical media and the arts.
Dedicated to a “fatto a casa” (made in house) philosophy, Libretto Café offers scratch-made Italian specialties such as focaccia bread, cornetti, meatballs, supplì, and hummus, alongside Springfield’s Monsoon Roastery coffee.
Co-owners Liz LaBrocca and Tim Scott, known as “The Brain” and “The Brawn,” bring a shared passion for food and community to Libretto Café.
Libretto Café is open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., serving breakfast, lunch, and coffee. Catering services are also available, with custom menu options to suit any event.