Kuhn Riddle rolls out new name, look

AMHERST — Kuhn Riddle Architects, an Amherst firm established in 1988 by John Kuhn and Chris Riddle, has a new name and look.

The firm is now Kuhn Riddle Architects & Designers and is headed by its second generation of leadership: Aelan Tierney (president), and principals Jonathan Salvon and Charles Roberts.

The firm worked with a Northampton-based creative studio, Transit Authority Figures, to develop a logo, signature colors, fonts, and a name that reflects the firm’s foundation, as well as its transitions, its growth, and its views toward the future.

The new Kuhn Riddle logomark is built on a simple grid using elemental shapes to create a symmetrical abstract “KR” monogram. These forms, each consisting of a quarter-circle and a triangle, face each other and together form a square. The new logomark reflects Kuhn Riddle’s dedication to smart and creative problem solving rooted in timeless foundational principles.

To complement the new logo, the firm chose deep blue and a radiant yellow: color hues that are unique, bright, and friendly.

Kuhn Riddle focuses on commercial, educational and residential projects.

bankESB hires Michelakis as branch officer in Amherst

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB recently hired George Michelakis as branch officer of its 253 Triangle St., Amherst office.

Michelakis, of Chicopee, has 15 years of banking experience. He was previously a financial center manager at Berkshire Bank, and before that, a branch operations administrator at Peoples United Bank. He brings an extensive background of retail banking leadership experience to his new role, where he will manage the Amherst office team while remaining engaged in the community.

Michelakis has an associate degree in marketing management from Holyoke Community College and is an avid volunteer with many different organizations in western Massachusetts.

New CEO at Women’s Fund of WMass

SPRINGFIELD — The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts recently appointed Vanessa Pabón-Hernandez as CEO of the philanthropic organization. A native of Springfield’s North End and a driven, longtime mentor of women and champion for social change and empowerment, Pabón-Hernandez succeeds Donna Haghighat in the key role for the nonprofit.

Throughout her 25-year career, Pabón-Hernandez has supported women and Latinx community members, first as a marketing strategist in business for herself and later in roles that include program director for the YMCA North End Youth Center, founder of a community-based digital storytelling center and executive producer at New England Public Media. She left NEPM in early June after 14 years to accept the CEO position.

Inspired by a strong, independent mother who helped facilitate her path, Pabón-Hernandez defied the odds several decades ago as a young, single mother, earning two associate degrees at Springfield Technical Community College before launching her own business as a marketing strategist for political candidates and area businesspeople.

In 2008, Pabón-Hernandez pitched the TOLD concept to WGBY Public Television, and two years later, after helping the station secure grant funding, she came on board as director of community engagement, leading WGBY’s Project TOLD and the Latino Youth Media Institute, which provided paid internships and a career pathway for Latino youth interested in a career in the media.

Cedar Chest, Grow Food Northampton join forces to battle food insecurity

NORTHAMPTON — For the third year in a row, Cedar Chest, the anchor store in Thornes Marketplace in downtown Northampton, is partnering with food and farming justice organization, Grow Food Northampton, to conduct the “Give $10, Get $10” promotion that helps community members grappling with food insecurity to afford healthy local farm foods at Grow Food Northampton’s farmers markets all year long.

Grow Food Northampton’s SNAP Match program ensures that low-income residents can more than double their purchase of nutrient-rich local produce and other farm products at Tuesday Market behind Thorne’s Marketplace from April to November, and in the winter, at the Winter Market at the Northampton Senior Center.

The “Give $10, Get $10” promotion, which began June 11, allows Cedar Chest customers to come into the store and donate $10 to Grow Food Northampton’s SNAP Match program, and in turn, receive a $10 gift card to spend at Cedar Chest.

UMassFive hires newhuman resources manager

HADLEY — UMassFive College Federal Credit Union (UMassFive) has hired Hilary Barnard as human resources manager.

Barnard comes to UMassFive with over 15 years of leadership experience. Her recent roles include serving as the human resources director in both the health care and property management sectors, and previously excelling as the store director for a large retail chain. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in eLearning and Instructional Design from Northeastern University.

In her new position, Barnard is responsible for supporting a variety of human resource operations and initiatives. This includes supporting the recruiting process, recognition programs, training and development, and a variety of other projects.