CET lands $375K grant to expand clean energy workforce
NORTHAMPTON — CET recently received a $375,000 investment to grow Massachusetts’ clean energy workforce. The funding, a grant from E4TheFuture, will support a workforce development program that provides comprehensive training, mentorship, and career pathways for individuals entering the building energy efficiency and decarbonization sector.
The program will pursue the U.S. Department of Labor’s Registered Apprenticeship Program for Energy Auditors, positioning participants for nationally recognized credentials and broader career mobility.
The year-long, full-time paid positions will combine classroom learning with hands-on field experience, equipping participants with the technical expertise, industry certifications, and real-world skills needed to launch long-term careers. Graduates will be offered full-time positions at CET, advancing its mission to deliver just and resilient climate solutions.
Over the next three years, CET will recruit approximately 10 participants, with a focus on candidates from underrepresented and environmental justice communities. Program graduates will help homes and businesses reduce energy use, lower costs, and improve health, safety, and resilience while contributing to the Commonwealth’s decarbonization goals.
This investment is part of E4TheFuture’s final philanthropic distribution as the organization prepares to sunset its 501(c)(3). Nearly 50 years ago, the founders of both organizations shared a friendship and vision for clean energy, and this grant represents the passing of that mission and purpose to a new generation.
Florence Bank promotes Hess to senior VP
FLORENCE — Ryan Hess of East Longmeadow, vice president / commercial team leader at Florence Bank, has been promoted to lead the bank’s commercial lending efforts as senior vice president / chief commercial banking officer. Hess replaces senior vice president /senior commercial lender Mike Lynch, who will retire in June 2026 after 21 years at Florence Bank.
Hess joined Florence Bank in 2023 and has 14 years of banking experience as well as a strong affinity for commercial lending and solutions. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Stonehill College in Easton, and believes his skill in collaboration and leadership will continue to inform his work for Florence Bank as he manages the commercial team.
Active in the community, Hess sits on the board for United Way of Franklin & Hampshire County and serves as a committee member for Ronald McDonald House and Make-A-Wish of Massachusetts.
After 42 years in banking, Lynch looks forward to playing golf, traveling, and spending time with his family and believes Hess is well-suited for his new role.
HCC Foundation welcomes 3 board members
HOLYOKE — HCC Foundation Inc., the nonprofit fundraising arm of Holyoke Community College, recently welcomed three new members to its board of directors, including two alumni. They include:
Ted Hebert, of West Springfield, owner of Teddy Bear Pools and Spas and an HCC alum from the class of 1971; Kathleen Bonner, of Granby, a retired fundraising professional and an HCC graduate from the class of 1977; and David Rudder, of Springfield, dean of the division of professional studies at Regis College in Weston.
Hebert recently completed two terms on the HCC board of trustees and has served for the past 10 years as the trustees’ representative on the foundation board. Through the foundation, he and his wife, Barbara, set up the Ted and Barbara Hebert Teddy Bear Pools Scholarship for Working Students, reflecting their passion for supporting working students who balance education and employment.
Retired from full-time work in 2021, Bronner is now a fundraising consultant for small nonprofit missions both in western Massachusetts and the Cape Cod area. During her career, she worked for 25 years on behalf of her alma mater, Mount Holyoke College, and also for a short time at HCC before being recruited into the healthcare field with leadership roles at Cape Cod Healthcare and Baystate Health foundations.
Rudder holds a Ph.D. in urban affairs and public policy from the University of Delaware and brings more than 20 years of higher education leadership experience to the HCC Foundation board. At Regis College, he oversees workforce development initiatives and has secured significant grants, including a $268,000 Donnelly Workforce Development award. Previously, he spent over a decade at Springfield College in various leadership roles, including chair of the Human Services Department and associate dean, where he led the development of the college’s first online degree programs and expanded student support services.
The HCC Foundation has an endowment of $18.9 million, the largest of all 15 community colleges in Massachusetts, due in large part to nearly 200 endowed scholarships and other funds established by alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the college. In 2025, the HCC Foundation provided more than $6 million to the college to support scholarships, academic programs, student support services, and facility improvements.
UMassFive to offer financial wellness events
HADLEY — UMassFive College Federal Credit Union is offering free financial wellness workshops this winter and spring covering topics such as managing debt, preparing for homeownership and planning for the future.
During the first four months of 2026, UMassFive will offer the following Financial Wellness topics:
- Budgeting 101: This session will provide tips on how to simplify the budgeting process. Attendees will learn how to analyze where their money is going now, how they can make changes and how to make sure that they spend and save money strategically. The sessions will take place on March 11, from 12 to 1 p.m., and on March 12, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
- Paying Down Debt: This session will provide tips on paying down debt quicker while avoiding late fees and keeping one’s budget on track. Attendees will also receive resources related to student loan repayment. The sessions will take place on Feb. 9, from 12 to 1 p.m., and on Feb. 10, from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
- Raising Money-Smart Kids: Attendees can learn how to guide their children through key financial concepts, tailored to their age and development. From teaching preschoolers the value of a dollar to helping teens manage money and save, the session will provide practical tips and strategies to build lifelong financial confidence. The next sessions are scheduled for April 7, from 5:30-6:30 p.m., and April 10, from 12 to 1 p.m.
- Guide to MassHousing and Homeownership: This in-person free workshop will take place in the credit union’s Hadley branch, where people can learn how to benefit from MassHousing’s down payment assistance and other homeownership resources. The session is scheduled for April 16, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
To view all of UMassFive’s current financial wellness webinar offerings, and to register, please visit https://umassfive.coop/resources/workshops.