New medical director joins MiraVista

HOLYOKE — MiraVista Behavioral Health Center has appointed Dr. Kenneth R. Richmond as its new medical director. Richmond, a psychiatrist and experienced leader in the field of behavioral health, brings a combination of clinical excellence, strategic vision, and unwavering dedication to patient care to MiraVista.

Richmond’s distinguished career spans nearly two decades and includes a remarkable array of leadership roles in both military and civilian settings. He served as deputy chief of the medical staff and medical director of multiple mental health clinics during his tenure in the United States Air Force, where he was recognized with honors such as the Meritorious Service Medal.

His expertise, which spans inpatient, outpatient, and telepsychiatry services, as well as public and community psychiatry, will be instrumental as MiraVista prepares to expand its offerings to include on-site, outpatient mental health services in 2025.

Richmond holds an MD from George Washington University School of Medicine and a Master’s in Organizational Leadership from Quinnipiac University. He completed his psychiatry residency and a Public Service Psychiatry Fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh, where he also served as chief resident. A Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, Dr. Richmond has also contributed to advancing mental health education and awareness through teaching, public speaking, and advocacy.

In his new role, Richmond will oversee and play a key role in the development of MiraVista's professional staff, including physicians and nurse practitioners ensuring the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based care while championing the organization’s commitment to accessible and compassionate treatment for mental health and substance use.

HCC Foundation welcomes new board members

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College Foundation Inc., the nonprofit fundraising arm of Holyoke Community College, has added four new members to its board of directors, including two alumni.

The new board members are:

Rob Cestola, of Southampton, a certified public accountant, and tax and finance consultant who serves as board treasurer for Dakin Humane Society; Dan Desrochers, of South Hadley, director of communications at Amherst College and former marketing director at Greenfield Community College; Deborah Rodriguez, of Springfield, an HCC graduate from the class of 2004, licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, and founder of FAROS counseling services; and Matt Manganelli, of Southampton, an HCC graduate from the class of 2009 and retail lending sales manager at Westfield Bank who serves on the Western Mass Mortgage Review Board for the Massachusetts Division of Banks.

New board members attended their first meeting Dec. 3.

The HCC Foundation has total assets of $25.5 million and an endowment of $18 million, the largest of all 15 community colleges in Massachusetts, due in large part to nearly 200 endowed scholarships and other funds established by alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the college. In 2024, the HCC Foundation provided more than $6 million to the college to support scholarships, academic programs, student support services, and facility improvements.

In 2023, the HCC Foundation Board of Directors was recognized by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges with the John W. Nason Award, a national honor that recognizes exceptional leadership and initiative.

UMass lands EPA grant to help beverage makers prevent pollution

BOSTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has selected the University of Massachusetts Amherst a $349,363 grant to provide technical assistance to businesses to develop and adopt pollution prevention practices in local communities.

The flagship campus will provide technical assistance to the beverage manufacturing industry in the southern New England states of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island to reduce energy, water, and toxic chemical use, and waste generation. Assistance will include site visits to production facilities to provide specific recommendations, followed by ongoing implementation support.

The University of Massachusetts Boston landed a similar grant for $350,000 to provide technical assistance to craft beverage manufacturers, including those in communities with environmental justice concerns. The project will focus on reducing toxic cleaners and sanitizers, energy and water usage, and single-use packaging.

And the University of Massachusetts Lowell has been selected to receive $349,899 to advance new developments in vapor degreasing technology have made safer alternatives to trichloroethylene possible.

Pollution prevention, also known as P2 or source reduction, is any practice that reduces, eliminates, or prevents pollution at its source prior to recycling, treatment, or disposal. Preventing pollution at the source rather than managing waste afterward is an important way to support American business’ efforts to reduce costs, while protecting communities from exposure to toxic chemicals and conserving natural resources.

GCC Foundation welcomes new board members

The Greenfield Community College Foundation has added two new members to its board of directors

Andrew (AJ) Bresciano is first vice president, commercial loan officer at Greenfield Savings Bank. He was born and raised in Greenfield, and attended Greenfield Public Schools. Bresciano is an alumnus of GCC, which he says was pivotal to his path forward in life. After GCC he attended the UMass Isenberg School of Management, and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in finance in 2004.

Charles Jacques is a tax accountant at CBIZ with over three years’ experience in public accounting. He completed his graduate degree in accounting at UMass Amherst and is currently in the process of pursuing his CPA. His interest and industry focus is supporting the nonprofit field, stemming from his passion for supporting organizations, big and small, that are changing lives and improving their communities each day. Charles lives in Montague.