Townplace Suites by Marriott opens in Hadley

HADLEY — Marriott International’s TownePlace Suites by Marriott Hadley-Amherst opened for business on March 27. The new 77-suite hotel is built for travelers looking for a place where they can settle-in, keep their routine, and easily connect to the Northampton-Hadley-Amherst area.

Located at 237 Russell St., it will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by Pioneer Valley Hotel Group of Hadley. General Manager David Ruymen and Regional Director of Sales Connie Brown lead the property management team for Pioneer Valley Hotel Group, which is co-owned by Shardool Parmar.

The new property offers studio suites with fully equipped kitchens, as well as separate living/working and sleeping areas. The suites feature full kitchens with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops, adjustable workspaces with built-in shelves and lighting, a large flat screen television, as well as luxurious new beds.

Pioneer Valley Hotel Group owns five hotels in the Pioneer Valley area. The business is owned by the Parmar family, which has been in the hotel business for over 30 years.

Gilbert promoted to VP at Way Finders

SPRINGFIELD — Way Finders has promoted John Gilbert to the position of vice president of the Real Estate Development team.

In this new capacity, Gilbert will oversee all aspects of Way Finders’ affordable housing development work throughout western Massachusetts. He will collaborate with leadership on future real estate projects and strategic planning to ensure that Way Finders continues to meet the housing needs of its communities.

In Gilbert’s previous position as real estate development project manager he implemented the “City of Homes” pilot project. City of Homes will revitalize Springfield neighborhoods through the transformation of derelict properties in receivership into quality, affordable, single and multi-family homes. These homes will be offered for purchase to first-time homebuyers, offering them the opportunity to build generational wealth for their families.

Another project he’s been a part of is a 60-unit mixed-income housing development in South Hadley (“The Clover”) slated for a construction start in summer 2025.

Prior to joining Way Finders in 2022, Gilbert worked as a Massachusetts registered architect with extensive exposure to urban infill, mixed use, and multifamily projects in Massachusetts, California, Florida, and Ecuador. He’s also an adjunct instructor at UMass Amherst.

Behavioral Health Network appoints Doutre as senior VP

SPRINGFIELD — Behavioral Health Network Inc. (BHN) has appointed Jennifer Doutre as senior vice president of BHN’s Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHC). With nearly two decades of experience in the whole-person health care and private nonprofit sectors, Doutre brings expertise in program development, operational management, and leadership to her new role.

As senior vice president, Doutre will collaborate with the executive leadership team to drive the strategic vision and goals for BHN’s health centers, focusing on improving client outcomes, enhancing service accessibility, and promoting operational efficiency.

In addition to her role at BHN, Doutre serves as an advisor at the Columbia School of Social Work, where she guides master’s in social work students in their professional development. She also serves as the secretary on the board of the Connecticut Harm Reduction Alliance, providing leadership coaching and strategic direction.

Big Y highlights regional promotions

SPRINGFIELD — Big Y is announcing the following promotions within the company:

■ Lynda A. Broadhurst, Easthampton, to supply and packaging buyer, Store Support Center.

Anita R. Giroux, Hatfield, director of IT infrastructure, Store Support Center.

Greenfield Co-op Bank to host free shredding events

Greenfield Cooperative Bank will hold two upcoming free document shredding events in partnership with Valley Green Shredding.

The events will take place on Saturday, May 10, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., at its Sunderland branch located at 18 Amherst Road, Sunderland, and at its Florence branch located at 6 Main St., Florence.

At both events, people are invited to bring up to four grocery bags or two boxes of confidential documents for secure shredding. This service is provided free of charge as a way to help individuals protect their personal information.

In addition to document shredding, Greenfield Cooperative Bank will be accepting optional monetary donations to benefit the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.

bankESB to host two free shred days

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB invites customers and members of the community to two free shred days at local offices. Events will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. (or until the truck is full) on the following dates and at the following locations. No appointment is necessary.

■Saturday, May 17: Agawam office, 770 Main St. (This event is in partnership with The Parish Cupboard who will be collecting food donations).

■Saturday, May 31: Easthampton office, 241 Northampton St. (Two trucks at this event).

Local residents can reduce their risk of identity theft by bringing old mail, receipts, statements or bills, cancelled checks, pay stubs, medical records, or any other unwanted paper documents containing personal or confidential information and shredding them safely and securely for free. A professional document destruction company will be on site in the bank’s parking lot and can accept up to two boxes of documents per person.

Holyoke Mall welcomes JD Sports

HOLYOKE — JD Sports, an athletic footwear, apparel, and accessories store, opened in the Holyoke Mall on April 19. The new store, located on the lower level near Aerie, will offer brands like Nike, HOKA, and UGG, as well as limited-edition releases.

For more details about JD Sports and Holyoke Mall, visit holyokemall.com.