Movers and Shakers

JOSEPH MENENDEZ has been appointed president of Saint-Gobain Abrasives. He will be responsible for all of Saint-Gobain Abrasives’ worldwide operations. He had been vice president of Saint-Gobain Abrasives North America since 2005. Previously, he was president of the company’s Grains & Powders business and was located at Saint-Gobain headquarters in Paris. He joined the company in 1987. MARK RAYFIELD has been appointed vice president and general manager for Saint-Gobain Abrasives North America, which includes locations in the United States, Canada and Mexico. He joined Saint-Gobain in 1999 and was most recently vice president of sales and marketing.

Marlboro-based Evergreen Solar Inc. has named MICHAEL EL-HILLOW as chief financial officer. He has served on Evergreen’s board since 2004 and as chair since 2005. He resigned from the board effective immediately with the announcement of his new position. Prior to his role at Evergreen, El-Hillow served as CFO at Advanced Energy Industries Inc., a Fort Collins, CO-based developer of power and control technologies, and also served as CFO with Helix Technology Corp., now Brooks Automation, of Chelmsford. El-Hillow is also a certified public accountant, and was an audit partner with Ernst & Young.

Natick-based BJ’s Wholesale Club Inc. has announced several senior management changes. FRANK FORWARD, executive vice president and CFO, will extend his tenure for another three years. LAURA SEN has been named executive vice president of merchandising and logistics, and ED GILLOOLY has been named senior vice president of marketing and membership. Forward served as executive vice president and chief financial officer of BJ’s from 1997 until May 2005, when he was named chief administrative officer. Since December 2005, he has served as BJ’s interim chief financial officer. Sen, 50, served as BJ’s EVP of merchandising and logistics from 1997 to 2003. She succeeds Paul Bass, who will retire in February. Gillooly is returning to a position he held for eleven years until his retirement in 2002. During that period, BJ’s grew from 25 to 140 clubs. Mr. Gillooly will report directly to BJ’s president and CEO. ALISON CORCORAN, formerly executive vice president of member insight and marketing, has left the company.

CytoDyn, Inc. has appointed Dr SHAN LU to its scientific advisory board. Dr. Lu, a Professor of Medicine at UMass Medical School. He is the lead inventor of the DNA-based pre-flu vaccine being developed by AITI, a wholly owned subsidiary of CytoDyn, Inc. Lu is an expert on novel vaccine development and is one of the early pioneers in the development of DNA-based vaccine technology, and is director of Nucleic Acid Vaccines at UMMS.

RICHARD WILLIAMS has been promoted to first vice president, retail lending manager at Fitchburg Savings Bank. Williams has been with FSB for more than 8 years, most recently as residential mortgage lending officer. In his new position, he will head the bank’s residential mortgage and consumer loan departments. JAMES ADAMS has been promoted to vice president, relationship manager. In his new role he will be responsible for managing and growing a commercial loan portfolio.

CHERYL CONNER has been promoted to assistant vice president and branch manager of Workers’ Credit Union’s newest Leominster branch. She joined the credit union five years ago as a financial service representative, servicing all branch locations. She was then promoted to assistant branch manager, working in both the Gardner and Fitchburg offices. Conner had previously worked 25 years in the retail industry.

Shepherd & Goldstein has hired SANDY SCOVILL as a team accountant in the firm’s West Yarmouth office. In her new position, Scovill will collaborate with other team members to provide tax, accounting and management consulting services for Shepherd & Goldstein’s corporate and individual clients. She brings over 16 years of experience to Shepherd & Goldstein, having worked as the corporate controller at Ready Rooter, overseeing all accounting functions for the company.

GLENN COULTER has been appointed CEO of the DiStefano Hair Restoration Center, headquartered in Worcester. He will develop DiStefano’s current business with emerging, complimentary technologies to expand services of hair care and restoration regionally and nationally. Coulter spent the last 32 years managing and directing a number of companies including Keene Corp., Chase & Sons and the Chase Corp. Most recently he has acted as a consultant providing business, operations, marketing, sales, engineering and cost efficiency services for manufacturers in various industries.

DEBORAH PENTA, CEO of Westboro-based PENTA Communications, has been named to the Worcester Community Action Council Inc. Board of Directors. The WCAC is the locally designated agency for the Economic Opportunity Act, and is one of 25 action agencies in Massachusetts, helping to service over 15,000 people on a yearly basis in Central Massachusetts. The WCAC provides programs in fuel assistance, food stamps, and GED preparation, in Worcester and throughout southern Worcester County. PENTA Communications Inc. has also hired MICHELLE PANAGIAN as marketing associate. She serves as the media buyer and planner, creating customized media plans. Panagian formerly worked at WLVI-TV in Boston and WCWN-TV in Albany.

CONNIE GIAMMALVO, commercial lines supervisor for Heritage Insurance Agency, Inc. recently received her Associate in Insurance Account Management designation. She has been with Heritage Insurance Agency since 1989 and is a licensed customer service representative.

MICHAEL TSOTSIS, president and CEO of Benefit Development Group, has been appointed to the board of directors of AdCare Hospital. Tsotsis founded the Worcester-based Benefit Development Group in 1976 as Fidelity Financial Planning. He is a graduate of Assumption College in Worcester.

Framingham-based MetroWest Medical Center has elected VALERIE MULVEY and JOHN FERRIE to its board of directors. Mulvey serves as Framingham’s Town Clerk, and Ferrie is a human resource vice president at Bose Corp. Mulvey, an attorney, served as a Framingham selectman from 1996 to 2000, and served as co-chair of Gov. Deval Patrick’s campaign in Framingham. She has also been a member of the Framingham Union Hospital Advisory Board. Ferrie, in addition to his human resources duties at Bose, has also provided facilities oversight, asset protection, internal communications and administration.

WILLIAM MURPHY, a mortgage broker with Worcester-based Prime Mortgage Financial, has passed the qualifying exams to earn the Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist designation granted by the CMPS Institute of Ann Arbor, MI. CMPS is a training and certifying organization created to help mortgage professionals integrate financial planning concepts into the mortgage process. CMPS designees can offer clients strategies that encompass mortgages, debt, home equity and real estate investment.

Calendar

Readers can get daily updates on business events at www.wbjournal.com

Jan. 22 (Mon.): Energy Efficiency Management Planning: Part one of a seminar series for a working energy management plan to decrease energy costs. Intended for facility managers and directors, operations personnel and purchasing staff. Sponsored by Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnership. Program runs 8:30 a.m.-noon at Quinsigamond Community College: Training & Education Center, 100 Front Street, Worcester. Cost: $99 E-mail cce@qcc.mass.edu or call 508-854-4435 for more information.

Jan. 22 - Mar. 19 (Mondays): Real Estate Sales Training: Nine-week course. Program runs 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Quinsigamond Community College’s Training & Education Center, 100 Front Street, Worcester. Cost: $199. Visit http://cce.qcc.mass.edu, e-mail cce@qcc.mass.edu or call 508-854-4435 for more information.

Jan. 22 - Apr. 2 (Mondays): AutoCAD Basics and Advanced 3D Offered 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Quinsigamond Community College’s Training & Education Center, 100 Front Street, Worcester. Cost: $495. Visit http://cce.qcc.mass.edu, e-mail cce@qcc.mass.edu or call 508-854-4435 for more information.

Jan. 23 (Tue.):Society of Manufacturing Engineers Worcester Chapter #25 Meeting: Dr. Ahmed Busnaina of Northeastern University, a world-renowned expert in nanotechnology and nanomanufacturing, presents a basic understanding of nanotechnology and how the NSF Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center for High-rate Nanomanufacturing at Northeastern University bridges the gap between scientific research and the creation of commercial products. Program runs 5:00-6:00 p.m. at WPI: Washburn Shops & Stoddard Laboratories, 100 Institute Road, Worcester. Cost: Members $10; Students free. E-mail hhhodge@charter.net or call 508-756-5059 for more information.

Jan. 24 (Wed.): Executive Luncheon - Raising Expectations and Elevating Performance: Hear best-selling author and top-rated business speaker, Dave Kurlan tell what it takes to eliminate sales hiring mistakes once and for all, accurately predict future sales revenue, and have all of your salespeople overachieve. Held at White Cliffs, 167 Main St., Northboro. E-mail roberge@salesdevelopmentspecialists.com for more information.

Jan. 24 (Wed.): Human Resources Luncheon - Overtime: Attorney Scott A. Lathrop, an employment law specialist with more than 25 years’ experience, discusses overtime. Program runs noon-1:30 PM at MassDevelopment: Devens Office, 33 Andrews Parkway, Devens. Cost: $20 chamber members in advance. Visit http://www.nvcoc.com/events.shtml, e-mail melissa@nvcoc.com or call 978-772-6976 for more information.

Jan. 24 - Feb. 14 (Wednesdays): Business Writing for Success: Improve written organization and clarity to optimize office time, precision with correspondence, identify audience-driven needs for communication - increase productivity and tone of messages. This is a target class for those new to the office setting, for employees that are unaware of their office "tone" in emails and letters - and for new small business owners. Program runs 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Quinsigamond Community College’s Training & Education Center, 100 Front Street, Worcester. Cost: $125. Visit http://cce.qcc.mass.edu, e-mail cce@qcc.mass.edu or call 508-854-4435 for more information.

Jan. 25 (Thu.): Corridor Nine Membership Breakfast: Networking session held 7:15-9:30 a.m. at Doubletree Hotel Boston/Westborough, 5400 Computer Drive, Westboro. Cost: $20 pre-registration, $25 at the door, $50 for non-members. Call 508-836-4444 or email events@corridornine.org for more information.

Jan. 25 (Thu.): Corridor Nine Legislative Panel Discussion: . Join us and your Corridor Nine Delegation to discuss the critical topics that affect your business and our communities. Program runs 7:30-9:30 a.m. at Corridor Nine Area Chamber of Commerce, 30 Lyman St. P.O. Box 1555, Westboro. Call 508-836-4444 or email events@corridornine.org for more information.

Jan. 26 - Feb. 2 (Fridays): Publisher for Beginners: Create professional publications and marketing materials - including personal correspondence. Great class for those in clubs, small businesses or planning a big event. Program runs 1:00-4:00 p.m. at Quinsigamond Community College’s Training & Education Center, 100 Front Street, Worcester. Cost: $179. Visit http://cce.qcc.mass,edu, e-mail cce@qcc.mass.edu or call 508-854-4435 for more information.

Jan. 29 - Apr. 23 (Mondays): Basic Legal Rights Everyone Should Know - Online or Classroom: Landlord/Tenant law, consumer law, bankruptcy, civil rights, criminal law, immigration issues, employment laws, family law and insurance law. Join us online starting Jan 31 at noon for 1 hour presentations - or come to the classroom setting for one-on-one questioning starting in March. Sponsored by Attorney Rebecca & Andrew Brodie. Held at Quinsigamond Community College’s Training & Education Center, 100 Front Street, Worcester. Cost: $29. Visit http://cce.qcc.mass.edu, e-mail cce@qcc.mass.edu or call 508-854-4435.

Jan. 31 (Wed.): Corridor Nine Chamber New Member Orientation: Runs 7:45-9:30 a.m. at Corridor Nine Area Chamber of Commerce, 30 Lyman St. P.O. Box 1555, Westboro. Cost: Free. Call 508-836-4444 or email events@corridornine.org for more information.

Feb. 1 (Thu.): Women’s Enterprise Forum presents "Business Plan Forum": The Women’s Enterprise Initiative (WEI) assists women in developing successful businesses by providing the opportunity for business plan critique, preparing them to launch a business idea or expand upon an existing one. All types of business plans welcomed. Program held at Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street, Newton Center. Cost: Free. E-mail tpark@newtonma.gov or call 617-796-1141 for more information.

Feb. 2 (Fri.): Stop Managing and Start Coaching Your People at Work: Instead of relying on traditional management techniques like issuing directives and devising solutions, learn how to become a coaching manager, motivating others to come up with fresh insights and to take action. Program runs 9:00 a.m.-noon at Quinsigamond Community College’s Training & Education Center, 100 Front Street, Worcester. Cost: $89. Visit http://cce.qcc.mass.edu e-mail cce@qcc.mass.edu or call 508-854-4435 for more information.

Feb. 3 (Sat.): Special Olympics Massachusetts Passion Plunge: Join new and veteran plungers for an icy dip in Indian Lake, at the 9th Annual Special Olympics Massachusetts Passion Plunge, the first time ever in Worcester! Register individually or rally a team. Flaunt your creativity in the costume parade, run headfirst into the ice water and then warm-up at the post-Plunge celebration! Open to all ages - if you are too chicken to plunge, you can still participate by signing-up as an official ‘chicken’! Proceeds benefit local Special Olympics programming. Sponsored by Special Olympics Massachusetts from 10:00 AM-2:00 PM at Indian Lake, Shore Drive, Worcester. Visit http://www.passionplunge.org, e-mail lori.frayler@specialolympics.ma.org or call 978-774-1501 x221 for more information.

Feb. 5 (Mon.): Commercial Energy Audit Seminar: This professional seminar will provide a comprehensive understanding of the commercial energy audit process, appropriate applications, knowledge of various state and federal efficiency programs and development of an energy audit report. Sponsored by Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnership; Program runs 8:30 a.m.-noon. at Quinsigamond Community College’s Training & Education Center, 100 Front Street, Worcester. Cost: $99.Visit http://cce.qcc.mass.edu, e-mail cce@qcc.mass.edu or call 508-854-4435 for more information.

Feb. 5 - Feb. 26 (Mondays): Blueprint Reading Level I: Held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Quinsigamond Community College: Training & Education Center, 100 Front Street, Worcester. Cost: $250. Visit http://cce.qcc.mass.edu, e-mail cce@qcc.mass.edu or call 508-854-4435 for more information.

Feb. 5-May 24 (Mondays through Thursdays): Health Care Career Training Preparation: This is a career preparation program for those that would like to start a health care career as either a phlebotomy technician, EKG technician or a pharmacy technician - but need help strengthening reading, writing, math and English skills first. This is the first in a 2-step program. Held at Quinsigamond Community College’s Training & Education Center, 100 Front Street, Worcester. Cost: $1200. Please call for more information Visit http://cce.qcc.mass.edu, e-mail cce@qcc.mass.edu or call 508-854-4269 for more information.

Feb. 5 - Feb. 7 (Mon.-Wed.): Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers BLS, CPR, AED - certification good for 2 years. Program runs 5:00-9:00 p.m. at Quinsigamond Community College’s Training & Education Center, 100 Front Street, Worcester. Cost: $99. Visit http://cce.qcc.mass.edu, e-mail cce@qcc.mass.edu or call 508-854-4435 for more information.

Bankruptcies

These Central Massachusetts and Metrowest businesses had bankruptcy petitions filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Worcester from December 2, 2006-January 12, 2007. Shown below are the corporate name, company location, case number, whether the filing was voluntary or involuntary, and the name and phone number of the debtor’s attorney and, if applicable, trustee.

CHAPTER 11 (REORGANIZATION)

Shrewsbury Street Development Companies, Inc, Worcester, 07-40073, voluntary, Frank Kirby, attorney, 617-269-5444