PeoplesBank Named a Top Charitable Contributor

HOLYOKE — PeoplesBank has moved up the list as a top corporate contributor and is second in the state for the number of volunteer hours donated to the community, according to the Boston Business Journal. Michael Olivieri, publisher of the Boston Business Journal, noted that many companies have stayed the course despite economic pressures, and giving is part of who they are. Olivieri added that it is important to recognize leaders in corporate giving, not just in dollars, but also in terms of vision, effectiveness, and passion. At the 2009 Corporate Citizenship Summit, PeoplesBank was named #38 in the state and #2 in Western Mass. for contributions of approximately $700,000. MassMutual Financial Group (#11) and Friendly Ice Cream Corp. (#52) were the other Western Mass. companies recognized at the summit. PeoplesBank was also named #2 in the category of ‘Companies with the Highest Volunteer Hours’ and #8 in the category of ‘Most Generous Employees.’ Douglas Bowen, president and CEO of PeoplesBank, acknowledged that being recognized for community involvement “feels good, and giving back to our communities feels even better.” On an annual basis, PeoplesBank employees donate more than 6,700 volunteer hours to organizations including Habitat for Humanity, the Salvation Army, and local public schools, according to Bowen.

Bacon Wilson, P.C. Updates Web Site

SPRINGFIELD — Bacon Wilson, P.C. has launched a new Web site —

www.baconwilson.com — that presents information organized into ‘life stages,’ as well as the traditional areas of practice. The new site groups all relevant information into life stages that people can identify with — including 20s and 30s, retirees, homeowners, families, and business owners. In addition, the Web site includes a new media section that provides downloadable attorney biographies and high-resolution photos. This feature provides instant access to the information that the media needs when preparing stories, and that charitable and community organizations need when preparing marketing materials that include the firm’s attorneys as speakers and event organizers. The attorney directory also presents information with the intention of respecting users’ time by maximizing efficiency. At a glance, users can review an alphabetical list, see attorneys’ areas of practice, download a vCard or PDF, send an e-mail, see where an attorney is based, and click through to a complete biography. Also, the Web site includes an eight-year database of legal articles written by Bacon Wilson attorneys, and most are presented in downloadable and printable PDF format. Bacon Wilson, P.C. has 41 lawyers plus 65 paralegals, secretaries, and other support staff. The firm has offices in Springfield, Westfield, Northampton, and Amherst.

WCA Named to Fast Growth 100 List

SOUTHWICK — Computer Reseller News (CRN) has listed Whalley Computer Associates (WCA) on its 2009 Fast Growth 100 list. The list, made up of solution providers, resellers, outsourcing firms, and consultants, was featured in a recent issue of CRN. In other company news, the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield has again recognized WCA as a Super Sixty business for top placement in total revenue, and recognized both WCA and Affiliated Communications Solutions Partners for rapid sales growth.

MassMutual Posts Highest Sales in History

SPRINGFIELD — September marked MassMutual Retirement Services Division’s highest sales month in history, according to Hugh O’Toole, senior vice president of sales and client management. September sales totaled $979.2 million — representing the highest monthly total in the division’s more-than-60-year history, and contributing to record third-quarter sales of $1.7 billion. September’s sales results included plans under MassMutual’s fully bundled and TPA service models in defined contribution, defined benefit, nonprofit, Taft-Hartley, and PEO markets, as well as roll-in and First Mercantile’s collective investment trust product, added O’Toole.

ThinkGlobal Partners with Commerce Department

NORTHAMPTON — U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke recently announced that ThinkGlobal Inc. is one of eight firms nationwide that have joined the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Corporate Partnership Program. The program is aimed at boosting exports and solidifying U.S. jobs for small- and medium-sized U.S. businesses. The program promotes exporting through cooperative public-private sector export tools and resources provided through the department’s U.S. Commercial Service. In 2008, U.S. exports accounted for 13% of U.S. GDP. ThinkGlobal is a print and online publishing company that specializes in international business matchmaking and international student recruitment.

Bank Provides Energy Relief Program

SPRINGFIELD — For the fifth year, Hampden Bank is offering its mortgage customers an opportunity to participate in its Energy Relief Program. The program gives customers the option to make smaller, interest-only payments on their mortgages for the duration of the heating season. Senior Vice President Robert Michel said the program comes at a time when customers are looking for ways to cut back, especially in light of the current economic climate. “The one thing we know everyone will need this winter is heat, and this program helps insure that the extra cash to pay for heating this winter will be there for those who need it,” said Michel.

Perigee Restaurant and Catering Opens

LEE — Dawn LaRochelle has introduced a new culinary destination in the Berkshires — Perigee Restaurant on Pleasant Street. LaRochelle, who has also owned and operated Apogee Catering since 2007, noted that the Berkshires is the perfect venue for Perigee’s unique culinary concept, which pairs locally sourced New England ingredients with cosmopolitan recipes. LaRochelle added that the Berkshire Cuisine concept is one that is “big, bold, and global on one hand, and homegrown, focused, and local on the other.” Michael Morelli serves as executive chef at Perigee.

Parent Launches Two Business Ventures

AGAWAM — Christopher Parent, a state-licensed site professional, recently formed two business ventures involving environmental consulting and risk analysis. In partnership with John Prenosil, president of Springfield-based JMP Environmental Consulting, Parent has created Environmental Risk Advisors, LLC, which provides consulting services related to full due diligence and contaminated-property management throughout the Northeast. Also, Parent has formed Environmental Risk Analysis, LLC, which performs environmental professional reviews of state and federal databases.

Baystate Phasing Out Alcohol, Substance Abuse Programs

SPRINGFIELD — Baystate Medical Center is phasing out its alcohol and substance-abuse programs in a move that will eliminate more than 50 jobs. In an agreement approved by state officials, Baystate’s services will be taken over by Behavioral Health Network Inc., a Springfield-based nonprofit agency that specializes in substance-abuse treatment. The transfer is expected to be completed within four months. Officials at Behavioral Health Network said program staff at Baystate Medical Center would be offered employment opportunities. Behavioral Health Network operates several substance-abuse clinics and the Hope Center, a 30-bed, post-detox program in the Pioneer Valley.