GCC Foundation’s new board members, officers
GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Community College Foundation celebrated new leadership and fresh perspectives on its board of directors while honoring four members who completed their six-year terms of service at an event late last year.
Departing members Deb Berryere (President), Ann Barker (Vice President), Jacqui Zuzgo, and Savitri Rambissoon were recognized for their exceptional commitment to the college and to the Foundation’s mission of supporting student success. Under their leadership, the Foundation strengthened its scholarships, endowment, and community partnerships, advancing opportunities for students across the region.
Succeeding them in leadership, the board elected James Fitzgerald as president and Jane Wolfe as vice president. Fitzgerald and Wolfe both joined the Foundation board in 2023 and bring experience in business and community service.
The Foundation also welcomed four new members whose expertise reflects the diverse strengths of Franklin County and Western Massachusetts:
- Tim Grader, a real estate investor, broker, and property manager, is the owner of Cohn & Company Real Estate and Stillwater Real Estate Services. A GCC alumnus, Grader brings a deep commitment to regional revitalization, historic preservation, and lifelong learning.
- Colleen Kucinski, executive director of The Literacy Project, has spent more than 25 years advancing educational access through leadership in higher education and philanthropy, including 18 years at GCC and eight years at the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts.
- Hannah Rechtschaffen, executive director of the Greenfield Business Association, is a leader in creative placemaking and community development. Her background includes strategic roles with W.D. Cowls and the Lindy Institute for Urban Innovation, where she built partnerships that drive local economic growth.
- Mary Siano, a social worker and civic leader, has dedicated her career to community service and advocacy. She has served on local boards and committees including the Greenfield School Committee, the Community Health Center of Franklin County, The Literacy Project, and the League of Women Voters of the Greenfield Area.
Liberty Bank Foundation awards $10K to Girls Inc.
HOLYOKE — Girls Inc. of the Valley has received a $10,000 grant from the Liberty Bank Foundation, Inc. to support the organization’s Eureka!: STEM & College Access Program for Girls.
Eureka! is a five-year program that immerses middle and high school girls in hands-on STEM learning while also fostering personal development, career exploration and college readiness opportunities. Participants attend workshops, take part in summer STEM intensives on college campuses, and gain real-world experience through externships and mentorships. With support from the Liberty Bank Foundation, Girls Inc. of the Valley will continue expanding access to this transformative program for girls throughout Hampden County and beyond.
Since its founding in 1997, the Liberty Bank Foundation has supported nonprofit organizations that empower individuals and strengthen communities across Connecticut and western Massachusetts.
First Japanese BBQ restaurant opens in WMass
HOLYOKE — Daruma Japanese BBQ opened the first Japanese BBQ establishment in western Massachusetts last month. The restaurant is located at 241 Whiting Farms Road in Holyoke.
Daruma Japanese BBQ offers an interactive dining experience where guests can grill high-quality meats and vegetables at their own tables. In addition to its signature BBQ, the restaurant features a full sushi menu.
Guests can enjoy all-you-can-eat sushi with two distinct options: a regular menu including classic favorites and a premium menu offering upgraded selections for a more elevated dining experience. The owners are also in the process of securing a liquor license, which will soon complement the dining experience.
Daruma recently donated $1,000 to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts through the Chamber Food Drive.
ConvenientMD Urgent Care opens in Hadley
HADLEY — ConvenientMD Urgent Care opened last month in Hadley at 424 Russell St.
The urgent care clinic offers an array of services, including youth sports physicals, Department of Transportation physicals, vaccinations and employer health services. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., the clinic accepts most major insurance plans — including WellSense Health Plan in Massachusetts — and offers self-pay options for those without insurance. The Hadley location is the company’s 50th clinic.
Realtor Association installs new leaders
Judy Nevarez was officially installed as the 2026 president of the Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley (RAPV), a nonprofit trade association representing more than 1,800 real estate professionals throughout western Massachusetts.
The installation took place during RAPV’s annual Holiday Celebration, which featured the Association’s 110th Installation of officers and directors.
Nevarez has more than 22 years of experience as a realtor and is licensed in both Massachusetts and Connecticut. She is active in the community, serving on the board of directors for Western Massachusetts CYO and as a co-founder and advisory board member of Save Our Youth Inc.
In 2025, Nevarez was recognized by the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) as one of the Top 250 Latino Agents nationwide and ranked among the Top 100 Latino Agents in the Northeast. Within RAPV, she has served on the board of directors since 2023 and has been an active member of several committees, including Scholarship, Professional Development, and Finance.
The following individuals were installed as 2026 RAPV Officers: Nikki Serafino, Keller Williams Realty, President-Elect; Don Thompson, NextHome Elite Realty, Treasurer; and Sue Drumm, Coldwell Banker Realty, Immediate Past President.
The 2026 Board of Directors includes: Carrie Blair (Keller Williams Realty), Quincy Clayton (NextHome Elite Realty), Kelly Page (Trademark Real Estate), Greg Dibrindisi (Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Realty Professionals), Brian Fitzgerald (Coldwell Banker Realty), Art Ferrara (Landmark Realtors), Kathleen Norton (William Raveis Real Estate), Chad Lynch (NextHome Elite Realty), and Vinny Walsh (Coldwell Banker Realty – Western MA).
The installation ceremony was attended by several special guests, including 2025 National Association of REALTORS® President Kevin Sears; 2025 Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® Director-at-Large Colleen Murphy; 2025 MAR President-Elect Kristen Keegan; National Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) Boston Vice President Luisita Pumphrey; and NAHREP Membership Director Jennifer Coa.