Making News in Business, March 9

Published: 03-08-2023 11:54 AM

New president, VP at Northampton Chamber

NORTHAMPTON — The Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce board of directors has elected Meghan McCormick to serve as president, and Lindsay Barron Labonte to serve as vice president.

The newly elected leaders bring extensive business experience and community leadership, as well as a history with the Chamber and a deep commitment to its mission.

Both McCormick and Labonte have served on the Ambassador Committee of the Chamber, the Annual Meeting Committee, as well as the 2022 Connect Campaign, where Labonte also served as co-chair.

McCormick is a Northampton native who before becoming a realtor spent several years studying with an Olympic equestrian in Vermont, and later ran horse farms, competed in equestrian events, and trained horses and riders in Vermont, Massachusetts and Alabama.

McCormick previously served as president of the Lions Club and as board director of Northampton Youth Football League and Hamp Crew. She lives in Northampton and has two children; one is a student at Northampton High School, the other is a student at Wheaton College.

Labonte has over 15 years of industry experience at Applied Mortgage, and has been individually ranked as the top loan originator at a Western Massachusetts Mortgage Company (Hampshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Berkshire counties) by number of units for 2019, 2020, and 2021.

A core part of Applied Mortgage’s stated mission is to support the community by giving back to over 30 local nonprofit organizations through their time, talent, and treasure.

Tractor Supply completes remodel of Southampton store

SOUTHAMPTON — Tractor Supply has remodeled its Southampton store into an improved layout for convenient and accessible shopping, as well as a new customer service hub with upgraded digital tools to help customers find what they need.

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Additionally, customers can now shop from an expanded assortment of apparel, tools, hardware, pet food, animal feed and more.

With these enhancements, the Southampton Tractor Supply continues to serve the needs of homeowners, livestock and pet owners, gardeners, hobby farmers, ranchers, tradesmen and others.

Southampton Tractor Supply is located at 2 College Highway, and is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

bankESB announces new hires, promotions

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB has hired David Gadouas as assistant vice president, branch officer of the bank’s State Street, Belchertown office.

Gadouas, of Chicopee, has over 15 years of banking experience. Prior to joining bankESB, he was employed by Bank of America where he served as vice president, financial center manager. Gadouas holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Westfield State University.

Additionally, the bank recently promoted two of its employees.

Heather Dameworth, of South Hadley has been promoted to cash management and government banking administrator officer. Dameworth joined bankESB in 2021 as cash management-government banking administrator. She has over 18 years of banking experience including roles in accounting, call centers, and retail. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Lora Thayer of Westfield has been promoted to commercial loan administrator officer. Thayer joined bankESB in 2003 as a teller and was promoted to loan servicing specialist in 2006. She joined the commercial team as commercial loan administrator in 2017 and was promoted to senior commercial loan administrator in 2021.

Thayer is also a member of the Hometown Financial Group Checking Acquisition Team.

Fundamentals of Fundraising course on tap

Anyone new to or interested in the field of fundraising, development, philanthropy, or nonprofit management has an opportunity to learn from seasoned local professionals this spring.

The Western Massachusetts chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals is offering a hybrid Fundamentals of Fundraising Course held at Bay Path University in Longmeadow on Thursday, March 30 and Friday, March 31, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. The course is also available by Zoom, and includes time for networking with instructors, other participants, and AFP Western Massachusetts board members.

Participants will have the opportunity to gain valuable educational experience on a broad range of fundraising topics, and will have the opportunity to build their networks with other local fundraising professionals.

This 16-hour program will provide an overview of skills, techniques, and program components for individuals with 0 to 4 years of fundraising experience.

The modules offered include Overview of Fundraising, Developing an Integrated Fundraising Program, Marketing for Ongoing Success, Building & Sustaining Relationships, Securing the Gift, Volunteers — Partners in Fundraising, and Management & Accountability.

Registration for the course is available at community.afpglobal.org/afpmawesternchapter/home

The cost for AFP members is $350 before March 13 and $390 after March 13 and for nonmembers $450 before March 13 and $490 after March 13.

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