Making News in Business, June 30

Northampton accountant Charlotte Cathro has been elected to the board of directors at the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants for the fiscal year 2022-2023.

Cathro is the founder of Cathro LLC, where she provides tax filing services for a variety of individuals and businesses, and develops year-round planning for clients. Cathro LLC is a public accounting firm in western Massachusetts that works with the full spectrum of cannabis industry companies, from law firms and consultants to cooperatives and equity applicants.

MassCPAs board of directors is a group of 19 elected members that sets policies, manages programs and oversees activities that benefit the 11,000-member organization and accounting profession in Massachusetts.

Working as an advisor to the cannabis industry since 2012 when medical use passed in Massachusetts, Cathro started her own practice where she has grown that focus with about 90% of her clients in the private sector. Her prior public accounting career included over 10 years of audit, tax and consulting services at two regional accounting firms. In addition, Cathro has a passion for animal welfare and serves on the board of directors of the Dakin Humane Society.

Assistant DA honored by the state bar association

NORTHAMPTON — Northwestern Assistant District Attorney Becky Michaels was recently honored with the Massachusetts Bar Association’s Prosecutor Award given to state or federal prosecutors for distinguished efforts in public service activities and a commitment to justice.

The MBA noted Michaels work on initiatives that seek to ensure access to justice for all, citing in particular the Conviction Integrity Committee, which reviews claims of wrongful convictions; a Hampshire County-wide restorative justice program; and the Drug Diversion and Treatment Program, which offers treatment rather than incarceration in cases where substance misuse is the primary cause of criminal behavior. Michaels is the supervisor of that diversion program.

The award was one of eight given out in a variety of categories to honorees from across the state at the MBA’s Access to Justice Celebration held June 15.

Michaels has worked at the Northwestern district attorney’s office for eight years in two stints, from May of 2012 until October of 2017, when she served as a district court prosecutor and attorney in charge at the Greenfield District Court. She left to work in the Springfield offices of Attorney General Maura Healey, returning to the Northwestern DA’s office in March of 2019, where she has since been working as an assistant district attorney in the district courts, while also taking the lead in several officewide equity initiatives.

Otto joins office of Ameriprise Financial

SOUTH HADLEY — Michael J. Otto has joined the South Hadley office of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. as a financial advisor.

He is joining Summit House Wealth Partners, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Their office is located at 551 Newton St.

Otto, a gratudate of the UMass Isenberg School of Management with a Master of Business Administration, has three years of experience in the financial services industry. Summit House Wealth Partners has served the western Massachusetts area since 1992.

Duval earns two honors

SOUTH HADLEY — For the second consecutive year, Stephen R. Duval, a certified financial planner and a private wealth advisor with Ameriprise Financial in South Hadley was named to the list of “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” published by Forbes magazine.

The list recognizes financial advisors who have demonstrated high levels of ethical standards, professionalism and success in the business. The rankings are based on data provided by thousands of the nation’s most productive advisors. Duval was chosen based on assets under management, industry experience, compliance record and best practices in his practice and approach to working with clients.

Additionally, Duval has qualified for the company’s Circle of Success annual recognition program and will be honored for this achievement in 2022.

To earn this achievement, Duval established himself as one of the company’s top advisors. Only a select number of high-performing advisors earn this distinction.

Duval is part of Summit House Wealth Partners, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Duval, who has 30 years experience with Ameriprise, graduated from UMass Amherst Isenberg School of Management with a degree in business.