Business Briefs: July 5, 2024

MassHire hosting PCA info session

GREENFIELD — The MassHire Franklin Hampshire Career Center will host an information session on becoming a personal care attendant (PCA) on Thursday, July 11, from 11 a.m. to noon both virtually and in person at 101 Munson St., Suite 210.

PCAs help individuals with physical, intellectual and development disabilities with the activities of daily living such as meal preparation and feeding, shopping, using the restroom, bathing and dressing.

Register through JobQuest or by calling the center at 413-774-4361. In-person walk-ins without registration are also welcome.

Payson graduates from ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking

GREENFIELD — Jeremy Payson, executive vice president – controller at Greenfield Cooperative Bank, has graduated from the American Bankers Association Stonier Graduate School of Banking.

The Stonier Graduate School of Banking is a multi-year program designed to develop future leaders in the financial services industry.

Through a combination of intensive on-campus sessions at the University of Pennsylvania and off-site coursework, graduates gain a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of banking, from commercial lending and risk management to strategic planning and leadership development.

“We are thrilled to congratulate Jeremy on this well-deserved accomplishment,” Tony Worden, president and CEO of Greenfield Cooperative Bank, said in a statement. “He has shown a strong commitment to professional development, and we are confident that the knowledge and skills gained at Stonier will be invaluable to our bank as he continues to grow in his career.”

Greenfield Cooperative Bank holds annual meeting

GREENFIELD — Greenfield Cooperative Bank held its annual meeting on Tuesday, June 18.

The meeting celebrated a year of strong financial performance, highlighting the bank’s capital, liquidity and profitability metrics while also showcasing the ways the bank invests in the well-being and growth of the region.

“This year’s annual meeting theme, ‘Rooted in the Community,’ perfectly embodies our core values,” Tony Worden, president and CEO at Greenfield Cooperative Bank, said in a statement. “Our success is fundamentally tied to the success of the communities we serve. By investing in local initiatives, supporting small businesses and empowering the community, we’re not just giving back; we’re building a stronger foundation for everyone.”

Greenfield Cooperative Bank’s community efforts include:

■Contributing $353,000 in donations and sponsorships to local organizations.

■Joining the American Banker Association’s #BanksNeverAskThat campaign, equipping staff with branded T-shirts, partnering with senior centers and displaying informative posters in branches to educate customers on phishing scams.

■Partnering with local nonprofits on initiatives such as Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity, the Holyoke Farmers Market, Rachel’s Table and Community Action Pioneer Valley’s VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program.

“VITA provides free tax preparation assistance to low- and moderate-income residents, ensuring they receive the tax credits and deductions they deserve,” Worden explained. “In addition to our monetary support of the program, we’re proud to have had employees take time to volunteer to help out with tax prep.”

Beyond financial contributions, in the past year, Greenfield Cooperative Bank employees volunteered at 115 organizations across the bank’s service areas.

The annual meeting concluded with the election of several corporators and directors.

The results are:

■Corporators — incumbents Christine Eugin, Elizabeth Fisk, William Pratt and Arjen Vriend; and new candidates Jodi Falk, Anthony Gleason and Susan Stark.

■Directors — incumbents Robert Underhill, Michael Tucker, William Dufraine and Tony Worden; and new candidate Dr. Khama Ennis.

The full annual report can be found at greenfieldcoopbank.com/learn/about-our-bank.

Foot care nurses embark on ‘The Chicopee Blitz’

CHICOPEE — Due to the company having numerous clients in Chicopee, a team of nurses from Greenfield-based FootCare by Nurses traveled to Chicopee on Thursday, June 13, with the goal of seeing as many patients as possible.

To serve them all, Kate Clayton-Jones, the company’s founder, decided to bring a team to get to everyone needing care in a day that was deemed “The Chicopee Blitz.”

By the end of the day, nurses had cared for 63 people in 45-minute sessions in their homes.

On one of the hottest days so far this summer, “The Chicopee Blitz” also served as a good opportunity to check on elders in their homes.

Clayton-Jones, a registered nurse, founded FootCare by Nurses in 2016 with guidance from the Berthiaume Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the Small Business Association.

She is hoping to revolutionize foot care for the elderly using evidence-based techniques she developed while earning her PhD in nursing science.

“Good foot care can improve balance, prevent falls and identify wounds before they become a bigger problem,” she said in a statement, noting that the company’s mission is prevention.

Clayton-Jones and her team work in the field, taking care of more than 1,800 patients per month.

“The goal, to keep elderly feet pain free, healthy and functioning, is a true gift for those who can’t reach or see their feet,” she said.

Since its beginning in Greenfield, FootCare by Nurses has added offices and expanded services to all of western Massachusetts, Cape Cod and the Islands, and opened an office in Fitchburg.

2 mortgage lenders recognized as top loan originators

GREENFIELD — Misty Lyons and Katya Krasnova, both assistant vice presidents and mortgage officers at Greenfield Savings Bank, have been recognized as 2023 Top Loan Originators in western Massachusetts by Banker & Tradesman, a financial industry publication that tracks banking and real-estate activity in Massachusetts.

“I am so proud of Misty and Katya,” Lori Grover, senior vice president and senior residential lending officer of Greenfield Savings Bank, said in a statement. “This is a great achievement for both of them.”

Lyons has been recognized as the No. 3 top loan originator by dollar volume. She joined the bank in 2019 and works out of the Amherst office at 6 University Drive, covering all of Hampshire County.

Krasnova is the No. 4 top loan originator by number of loans. She joined the bank in 2016, covers Franklin County and works out of the Greenfield office at 400 Main St.

In 2023, Greenfield Savings Bank was also the No. 1 purchase mortgage lender in Hampshire County and, for the 22nd year in row, was the No. 1 mortgage lender in Franklin County, according to Bankers & Tradesman.

Founded in 1869, Greenfield Savings Bank has 193 employees, and has offices and ATMs throughout Franklin and Hampshire counties. The bank operates the only trust and investment management company headquartered in Franklin County. Total assets under management, including both the bank and the investment management company, exceed $1.1 billion.

Champney’s offers live music series

DEERFIELD — Champney’s Restaurant & Tavern is offering live music on the patio this summer. The schedule is as follows:

■July 11, 6 to 9 p.m. — TJ & The Peepers.

■July 18, 6 to 9 p.m. — Debi Spyre.

■July 25, 6 to 9 p.m. — Ron Smith & The G Notes.

Additionally, Sunday morning jazz with John Wayno & Friends will be offered on July 7, 14, 21 and 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Reservations are suggested for all events by calling 413-774-5587.

Kids events on tap at Champney’s

DEERFIELD — Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit Champney’s Restaurant & Tavern on Tuesday, July 23, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Among other children’s events, the restaurant will host a reading of Jane O’Connor’s modern children’s classic “Fancy Nancy” on Monday, July 15, at 11:30 a.m.

Reservations are suggested for all events by calling 413-774-5587.