HADLEY — A 2020 Westfield State University graduate who has run Granby Community Access & Media for close to three years will be taking over as Hadley Media’s director.
The Select Board voted unanimously Wednesday to appoint Alexander LaMarche to the Hadley Media position. LaMarche replaces Drew Hutchison, who recently resigned after serving in the role since January 2017.
In addition to Hutchison, Hadley Media’s part-time production manager, John Harrison, is also leaving.
Select Board member Joyce Chunglo said LaMarche has done good things in his time in Granby, beginning as a production coordinator in 2017 before overseeing the enterprise starting in late 2019, and officially becoming its executive director last October.
Human Resources Director Jen Trovato said LaMarche was the best choice following interviews for the vacancy. “He’s done a great job over there, really building up their media presence,” Trovato said.
In seeing his work in Granby, board member Molly Keegan said LaMarche is showing ways Hadley Media can be made better.
“It certainly suggests we have a lot of room for improvement,” Keegan said.
LaMarche will start Monday, but will be splitting his time with Granby as he gradually transitions and departs.
For Hadley, LaMarche will be working 37.5 hours per week and earning a $52,054 annual salary.
LaMarche told the Select Board he is comfortable recording both hybrid and virtual meetings. Hadley Select Board just recently began meeting in a hybrid format.
In his application letter, LaMarche explained that he created a new website for Granby Community Access & Media and has used social media, including Facebook, to engage the public.
His work included coverage of more high school sports, streaming and recording almost every home game, and being recognized by the Booster Club’s banquet in May; and also doing a presentation at the Alliance for Community Media’s Northeast Regional’s annual conference in Providence, Rhode Island.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
