BusinessWest & Healthcare News: Business & Health Talk Podcast

Cybersecurity: It’s not a matter for large companies, public utilities, and government agencies to consider. It’s a critical matter that should be a priority for businesses of all sizes. That’s the message delivered by Ivan Shefrin, executive director for Comcast Business Managed Security Services on the latest installment of BusinessTalk. In a wide-ranging discussion, Shefrin and BusinessWest Edi...

Turning employees into employers. Turning consumers into producers. Those are two of the broad goals behind creation of the Latino Economic Development Council. For the next installment of BusinessTalk,  BusinessWest  editor George O’Brien talks with Andrew Melendez, director of Operations for this agency, about its unique model and mission and the many ways it will measure success. It’s must list...

Creating opportunities to thrive. That’s the underlying goal of Springfield Works and the Working Cities Challenge Initiative. Ann Kandelis leads that program, and she is the guest on the next installment of BusinessTalk. Kandelis and BusinessWest Editor talk about Springfield Works, a $400,000 Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Grant, and ongoing work to address the needs and goals of those w...

Downtown Amherst was among the regions hardest hit by the pandemic. With more than 30,000 students, faculty, staff, and more gone from the equation, it became, in many respects, a ghost town. But it’s staging a strong comeback as the students and everyone else return and many new businesses open their doors. Gabrielle Gould, executive director of the Amherst Business Improvement District, talks ab...

The challenges facing this region’s nonprofits — and cookies. Those are two of the many subjects that  BusinessWest  editor George O’Brien and Square One President and CEO Dawn DiStefano discuss on the next installment of the BusinessTalk podcast. There are many challenges confronting nonprofits, obviously, from finding talented help to fundraising. Which brings us to … cookies — the focal point o...

BusinessWest  Editor George O’Brien has a lively discussion with Mark Rivers, event producer for Hooplandia, the giant 3-on-3 basketball tournament coming to the region next summer. The two talk about how this concept came together, how it survived three years of cancellations and delays due to COVID, and why this tournament, a production, led by the Big E and the Basketball Hall of Fame, has the...

BusinessWest  Editor George O’Brien has a lively discussion with Jeff Daley, president and CEO of Westmass Area Development Corp. about the agency’s most ambitious, project to date, redevelopment of the massive Ludlow Mills complex. Daley recounts the latest developments and talks about how the project has turned a critical corner. It’s all must listening, so join us for BusinessTalk, a podcast pr...

BusinessWest  Editor George O’Brien has a lively discussion with Ray Berry, founder of White Lion Brewery. The two talk about everything from the state of the craft brewing industry in Massachusetts to Berry’s plans to partner with former UMass and NBA star Marcus Camby  on a new and exciting White Lion in downtown Amherst. It’s all must listening, so join us for BusinessTalk, a podcast presented...

BusinessWest  Editor George O’Brien has a lively discussion with Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno. The two discuss everything from the city’s new parking garage, to COVID-relief efforts, to a number of new developments — in the city’s downtown and its many neighborhoods. It’s all must listening, so join us for BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest  and sponsored by PeoplesBank.

BusinessWest  Editor George O’Brien has a lively discussion with Jennifer McGrath, communications manager at Six Flags New England in Agawam. The two discuss everything from the pandemic and its impact on the popular attraction to a surge in tourism this summer to the latest additions at the popular amusement park. It’s all must listening, so join us for BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by Busine...

BusinessWest  Editor George O’Brien has a lively discussion with Jennifer McGrath, communications manager at Six Flags New England in Agawam. The two discuss everything from the pandemic and its impact on the popular attraction to a surge in tourism this summer to the latest additions at the popular amusement park. It’s all must listening, so join us for BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by Busine...

BusinessWest  Editor George O’Brien talks with Nate Costa, president of the Springfield Thunderbirds. The two discuss the team’s strong finish last season (an Eastern Conference championship), it’s lengthy playoff run, and how the team intends to build on all the momentum built during its surge to the top of the standings. It’s all must listening, so join us for BusinessTalk, a podcast presented b...

BusinessWest  Editor George O’Brien has a lively discussion with Eugene Cassidy, president and CEO of the Eastern States Exposition. The two talk about everything from what’s on tap for this year’s Big E, to what’s happening within the ‘fair’ industry, to the Big E’s impact on the local economy and its business community. It’s all must listening, so join us for BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by...

BusinessWest  Editor George O’Brien talks with Peter Picknelly, chairman of Peter Pan Bus Lines and president of OPAL Development. The two discuss everything from the price of diesel fuel to the housing project taking shape in Court Square. But mostly, they focus on Picknelly’s recently revealed, very ambitious plans for a new courthouse in Springfield, a project he believes will reshape the river...

BusinessWest  Editor George O’Brien talks with Hubert Benitez, the recently appointed president of American International College. The two discuss his latest assignment within academia, his goals for AIC, COVID, and the many other challenges facing colleges and universities today. It’s all must listening, so join us for BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest in partnership with Living L...

BusinessWest  Editor George O’Brien talks with Diana Szynal, the incoming president of the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce. The two discuss her new appointment, the business scene in Greater and Springfield, and the challenges and opportunities facing chambers of commerce today. It’s all must listening, so join us for BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest in partnership with L...

BusinessWest  Editor George O’Brien talks with Anthony Gleason II, president and co-founder of the Gleason-Johndrow Companies and winner of  BusinessWest’s  Alumni Achievement Award for 2022. The two talk about the phenomenal growth of his company and the many facets of his work within the community.  It’s all must listening, so join us on BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by  BusinessWest i n par...

BusinessWest  Editor George O’Brien talks with Amy Roberts, executive vice president and chief Human Resources officer at PeoplesBank. The two discuss the ongoing workforce crisis and the adjustments area business owners and managers should make if they want stand out in this marketplace and effectively attract and retain talented individuals. Her best advice?  “Meet people where they are.” It’s a...

BusinessWest  Editor George O’Brien talks with John Regan, president and CEO of Associated Industries of Mass.  The two discuss the state’s the economy and the headwinds facing it, especially the ongoing workforce crisis. They also discuss the prospects for a recession and the many issues keeping business owners up at night. It’s all must listening, so join us for BusinessTalk, a podcast presented...

BusinessWest  Editor George O’Brien talks with Charlie Epstein, senior vice president of HUB International and Epstein Financial. The two discuss his upcoming show at Holyoke Community College — Yield of Dreams — and how it brings together his twin passions — acting and educating people about not just saving for retirement, but realizing their dreams. It’s all must listening, so join us on Busines...

BusinessWest  Editor George O’Brien talks with Carla Cosenzi, president of TommyCar Auto Group. A winner of several of BusinessWest’s awards, including Difference Maker, 40 Under Forty, and the Alumni Achievement Award, all presented to those who combine excellence in their chosen field with work within the community, she talks about how those in business can achieve such balance and find ways to...

  BusinessWest  Editor George O’Brien talks with Mark Keroack, president and CEO of Baystate Health, about the fifth COVID surge, what he and his team are seeing, and what they are projecting. The numbers are rising, he said, but this surge won’t be like those that preceded it, and for many reasons. It’s all must listening, so join us on BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest in partner...

Editor George O’Brien talks with U.S. Rep. Richard Neal about the prospects for momentum on east-west rail in the Commonwealth. The congressman believes the stars are aligned on this matter, and explains why Gov. Charlie Baker’s endorsement of the project is just another of many pieces now falling into place. It’s all must listening, so join us on BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest...

BusinessWest  Editor George O’Brien talks with Andrew Michael, manager of Dave DiRico’s Golf in West Springfield. The two discuss the surge that the game — and business — of golf have seen since the start of the pandemic and its prospects for continuing in the 2020 season. They also delve into supply chain issues,  inflation, and the many other challenges facing course owners and managers. It’s al...

BusinessWest  Editor George O’Brien talks with Ted Mendoza, a capital projects manager at UMass Amherst about the school’s recently announced ‘carbon-zero’ project, a bold initiative to power the campus with 100% renewable energy within the next decade or so. The two discuss the coming steps in the process, the challenges and potential obstacles, and the hope that by reaching this ambitious goal,...