Riverside Industries announces new leadership
EASTHAMPTON — Riverside Industries Inc.’s board of directors has appointed Markus Jones to serve as its next president and chief executive officer, effective immediately.
While Jones has been newly named to this leadership role, he previously served as the organization’s interim president and CEO beginning March 1. Prior to that appointment, he held the position of senior director of development and strategic operations, a role that saw him serving as the agency’s chief fundraiser and working alongside RSI’s previous president and CEO to operationalize strategic initiatives.
Jones was first introduced to the transformative power of philanthropy in his home state of Mississippi during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. It was his experience supporting volunteers in the long-term recovery efforts following that natural disaster that revealed the true meaning of philanthropy, sparking his passion for nonprofit development.
His career in the nonprofit sector now spans 20 years in support of various nonprofit missions throughout the country. He has worked as a senior front-line fundraiser in the areas of higher education, Greek Life at his college fraternity’s national headquarters (Sigma Nu Fraternity), healthcare, and private secondary education in western Massachusetts.
Jones has a bachelor’s degree in advertising from The University of Southern Mississippi and has been a certified fundraising executive since 2017.
Throughout this nine-month leadership transition, RSI’s board of directors and staff have remained committed to advancing the agency’s mission of empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through meaningful opportunities for employment, community engagement and personal growth.
During the interim leadership period Jones stewarded the completion of a nearly $500,000 construction project within the agency’s repurposed mill property located at 1 Cottage Street in Easthampton. This new space was funded through a collaborative effort, including a $250,000 grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development, private donations and RSI’s own investment.
Once operational, it will serve as the home for RSI’s Production Department, which operates as a social enterprise employing RSI program participants and financially supports its wide-ranging day program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Greenfield Coop to host small business leadership workshop
NORTHAMPTON — Greenfield Cooperative Bank invites business owners and entrepreneurs to a free small business workshop on leading through change Monday, Nov. 9, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. its Northampton branch, 67 King St.
Dave DelVecchio, chief connector at Maxady, will lead the session. He’ll cover how business owners can anticipate friction when changing operations, deal with naysayers and keep their teams moving toward long-term success.
The workshop is open to small business owners and entrepreneurs. Registration is at greenfieldcoopbank.com/events.
Florence Bank donates $45K to United Way
FLORENCE — Florence Bank recently announced a gift of $45,500 to the United Way of the Franklin and Hampshire Region. Florence Bank provided direct support of $25,000 and its employees pledged an additional $20,500 as part of the bank’s annual workplace campaign.
United Way kicked off its 2026-2027 campaign Oct. 8 with impact priorities focusing on community health and social connectedness; youth opportunity and mental health; and food and economic security.
In addition to financial support, Florence Bank team members donate their time and talents to the United Way. Ryan Hess, chief commercial banking / senior vice president, serves on the board of directors; Jenna Rahilly, chief human resources and strategy officer / senior vice president, sits on the Community Investment Committee; Chris Szol, operational servicing manager / vice president, volunteers for a number of important initiatives; and Kim Baker, commercial loan operations and compliance specialist / vice president, helped found Ski United.
In 2026, 35 partner nonprofits in the Pioneer Valley were supported with United Way grants, and last year an additional $150,000 was invested in crisis response funding to support those affected by the gap in SNAP during the government shutdown.
Northampton disability attorney gives presentation
Northampton disability attorney James B. Winston spoke Oct. 6 to the Family-to-Family program of NAMI Western Mass., the regional chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, at Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield.
His presentation, “SSI/SSDI Benefits From Application to Adjudication,” covered the Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance programs. The chapter supports people with mental health conditions and their families and friends.