The Suspense Is Building

The writers and editors of the magazine have chosen the honorees, a solid mix of individuals and organizations that, together, continue the tradition started when Bill Ward, the now-retired director of the agency now known as MassHire Springfield, was introduced to a full house at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. The members of the class of 2022 will join this distinguished list of previous honorees; 2021: * Kristin Carlson, president of Peerless Precision * Janine Fondon, founder of UnityFirst.com and professor at Bay Path University * Harold Grinspoon, philanthropist and founder of Aspen Square Management * Chad Moir, founder and owner of DopaFit Parkinson's Movement Center * Bill Parks, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield * Pete Westover, founder and partner of Conservation Works, LLC * EforAll Holyoke 2020: * Christopher 'Monte' Belmonte, DJ at WRSI the River Radio * Ira Bryck, consultant and rormer executive director of the Family Business Center of Pioneer Vafiey * Sandy Cassanelli, CEO of Greeno Supply * Dianne Fuller Doherty, retired director of the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center * Ronn Johnson, president and CEO of Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services Inc. * Steve Lowell, president and CEO of Monson Savings Bank * Rick's Place 2019: * Carla Cosenzi, president of TommyCar Auto Group * The Food Bank ofWestern Massachusetts * Peter Gagliardi, president and CEO of Way Finders * Frederick and Marjorie Hurst, attorneys and founders of An African American Point of View * Joe Peters, vice chairman and former president of Universal Plastics * The Springfield Museums 2018: * Bob Bolduc, CEO of Pride Stores * Bob 'the Bike Man' Charland, founder of Pedal Thru Youth * Girls Inc. of Holyoke * Evan Plotkin, president of NAI Plotkin * Crystal Senter-Brown, author and adjunct faculty at Bay Path University * WillPower Foundation 2017: * Berkshire Community College, Greenfield Community College, Holyoke Community College, and Springfield Technical Community College * Friends of the Holyoke Merry-Go-Round * Denis Gagnon Sr., president and CEO of Excel Dryer Inc. * Junior Achievement ofWestern Massachusetts * Joan Kagan, president and CEO of Square One 2016: * Hampden County Sheriff Michael J. Ashe Jr. * Mike Balise (1965-2015), vice president of Balise Motor Sales and philanthropist * Big Brothers Big Sisters of Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire Counties * Carol Leary, president of Bay Path University * John Robison, president of J.E. Robis