American International College recently appointed Bianca Figueroa-Santana as director of its newly-created Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging.
Figueroa-Santana previously served as the college’s assistant director of diversity education.
Said college president Hubert Benitez, “We look forward to supporting Bianca as she takes on this new and important responsibility. By continuing to work together, we will transform the AIC climate to ensure we create an environment where we all belong and can thrive.”
The creation of the new office was made possible with the assistance of two grants, one for $30,000 awarded to college by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, and another for $35,000 from the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation.
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Excel Dryer Inc., of East Longmeadow, announced the promotion of William Gagnon to the position of executive vice president and chief operating officer with a seat on the family-owned business’s board of directors.
Gagnon was most recently vice president of marketing and sales and has worked in the company for more than 20 years.
In his new role, Gagnon will “improve operational efficiency, expand the product offering through research and development, increase global awareness and inspire employees to support the vision of the organization,” the company said in a press release.
The company produces the Xlerator hand dryers.
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The Foundation for TJO Animals has named Stewart Bromberg as its new executive director. Bromberg joins the foundation with extensive senior executive experience in leadership, including directing and managing business and fundraising operations with nonprofit organizations in Western Massachusetts, Ohio, Kentucky, and Washington, D.C.
Bromberg previously served as the chief executive officer of the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts.
The Foundation for TJO Animals is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to the health and welfare of the animals at the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center. The foundation provides fundraising and granting opportunities for the center that serves the cities of Holyoke, Chicopee and Springfield. It is headquartered on Industry Avenue in Springfield.
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Victoria A. Thomas is a new member of Longmeadow Legal Associates.
She earned her law degree cum laude from Western New England University School of Law, where she served on the editorial board of the Western New England Law Review as the Senior Articles editor. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Sage College of Albany, New York.
Prior to joining the firm as an attorney, she worked there as a paralegal for two years. Thomas is licensed to practice in Massachusetts and is focusing on personal injury, real estate, and estate planning-probate administration.
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The Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley announced its annual award winners at the association’s holiday luncheon held in December at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke.
Arlene Castellano, of Acuna Real Estate, was honored as Realtor of the Year, and Victor Rodriguez, of PeoplesBank, was recognized as Affiliate of the Year.
The Realtor of the Year Award is given to a member based on association activity, community activity outside the association, and business activity.
A Realtor since 2015, Castellano has served on the associations’ board since 2020 and been a member of many committees. She recently graduated from the Massachusetts Association of Realtors’ Leadership Academy.
The Affiliate of the Year Award is based on affiliate membership and recognizes activities with the association and in community service.
A member of the association since 2015, Rodriguez is the mortgage consultant at PeoplesBank and has served on the Affiliate-Realtor and Community Service Committees.
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