Our June Entrepreneurial Luncheon was hosted by Stanley Kowalski III

Stanley Kowalski III is a serial entrepreneur and team builder. A graduate of Western New England College, he has a BS in Mechanical Engineering. Headquartered in Wilbraham, Ma., he is Chairman of the board for FloDesign, Inc., FloDesign Sonics, SK3 Real Estate, and serves on the Board and is Vice President of FloDesign Wind Turbine Corp.

Stan was the founding CEO of FloDesign Wind Turbine Corp. During this period, he led the team that won the ICE and CEEP competition totaling $300K and subsequently total investments of $50M in 18 months. He raised a $6M series A investment from KPCB and secured John Doerr and Bill Joy on the Board. He then raised a Series B investment totaling $35M from Goldman Sachs, Vantage Point Partners and Technology Partners. During his time as CEO, the team also won an $8.3M ARPA-E grant, and several SBIR’s.

ONLY YPS Members may attend our Entrepreneurial Luncheons series
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June's CEO Luncheon Series was hosted by Pattie Hallberg
CEO of the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts

Pattie Hallberg is the CEO of the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts (GSCWM). She came to Girl Scouts to lead the merger of three councils into one organization on January 1, 2008 with 20,000 members committed to developing girls’ leadership potential throughout central and western Massachusetts. Pattie moved to Massachusetts from Northeast Ohio where she was the CEO of Invent Now Kids, Inc, a subsidiary of the National Inventors Hall of Fame. She created and led all of the educational programming and outreach initiatives for the Hall of Fame. The premier program of Invent Now Kids, Camp Invention, has grown from a local, outreach program in Akron, Ohio to a nationally recognized leader in inquiry-based, hands-on creative and inventive thinking programming. When she left the organization in 2007, camps were run in 48 states and the company had grown to a $12 million a year business in just 11 years.

In 2005, Ms. Hallberg was selected as a finalist for the Athena awards in Northeastern Ohio. This award is given to recipients for “their professional excellence, community service and for actively and generously assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence”.

ONLY YPS Members may attend our CEO Luncheons series
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"Great Golf Escape" & May's "Third Thursday" at Tekoa Country Club

Thursday, May 20th, 2010 Tekoa Country Club 459 Russell Road, Westfield, MA 01085 (Click Here for Map & Directions)

Our May Entrepreneurial Luncheon was hosted by John Hoime

John Hoime has more than 10 years experience mentoring people through holistic wellness programs to help manage chronic pain, weight issues, over infestation of yeast, hormonal imbalance, and many other life altering symptoms. An accomplished wellness practitioner, his vision and expertise in the wellness industry have not only dramatically changed his life but many others around him.

After suffering from many health issues himself, John sought an alternative approach to mainstream medical care. He found the M’lis Company, a holistic wellness company offering education, wellness products and programs to salons and spas all over the world, and decided to take responsibility for his own health. John went through an extensive detoxification program as well as a total lifestyle reform and became symptom free from the ailments that for so many years negatively altered his life. After this life-changing event he knew where his real passion lied. Staying well himself and spreading his love for health and passion for nutrition to those around him. John and his sister, Peggy, opened their first wellness center in Southwick, MA in August of 2000. In May of 2005, they opened another center in Northampton, MA. The company has since expanded to West Hartford, CT and Tucson, AZ.

ONLY YPS Members may attend our Entrepreneurial Luncheons series
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May's CEO Luncheon Series was hosted by Carla Oleska, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer of the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts

Carla Oleska, Ph.D. Chief Executive Officer of the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts has held the position since 2006. Prior to joining the Fund, Carla had a long and varied career in administration and teaching at Elms College, Chicopee, MA. She has over twenty years of professional experience in creatively addressing the needs of women and girls, specializing in the design of programs enhancing academic preparation, higher education access, and degree completion. Her work on behalf of women and girls has been recognized both regionally and nationally.

Her civic involvement includes service on numerous boards and committees, including Girl Scouts of Pioneer Valley, the Polish Center for Discovery and Learning, the Board of Directors for Community Action of Franklin and Hampshire Counties, the Hampden County Literacy Cabinet, and is co-founder of the Women’s Leadership Network .

ONLY YPS Members may attend our CEO Luncheons series
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Help the YPS "Keep Springfield Beautiful"

As part of Keep America Beautiful's Great American Cleanup, Keep Springfield Beautiful held its annual citywide Cleanup Day on Saturday, May 1, 2010 from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. Volunteers joined the YPS team and met at 9:00 A.M. at Duggan Middle School in Springfield, MA.

April's "Third Thursday" was held in the Fathers & Sons Group Showroom

Our April social event was held on Thursday, April 15th from 5:00pm-8:00pm at the Fathers & Sons Auto Group Showroom located at 989 Memorial Avenue in West Springfield.

Established in 1974, Fathers & Sons is a family-owned and operated dealer group specializing in the sales and service of new and pre-owned Porsche, Audi, Volvo, Saab, Volkswagen, and Kia vehicles as well as an extensive inventory of other quality pre-owned cars. Fathers & Sons is committed to the community and supports a variety of organizations to help build a strong Pioneer Valley. Check out their website at: www.Fathers-Sons.com.

Corporate Sponsor - Albertus Magnus College School of New Dimensions. Albertus Magnus College School of New Dimensions provides high-quality, non-traditional education leading to an Associate, Bachelor, or Masters degree. New Dimensions is designed for adult learners who have work experience and who wish to maintain their professional and personal activities while pursuing their educational goals. Please contact Jennifer Fay at jfay@albertus.edu or (860)-289-1182 (ext 24) if you are interested.

Corporate Sponsor - Bank of America Home Loans. Bank of America is Massachusetts #1 lender! Offering the best first time home buyer program available today at only 3% down, no PMI and a super low rate. Bank of America always looks forward to taking the best care of their customers and offering great rates and mortgages. Also with all our purchase mortgages comes 12 months of free buyers protection. Available for quick pre-approvals and loan scenarios by phone or e-mail. Looking forward to helping you, your friends and any of your customers and colleagues! Contact Carrie Polys at 413-787-8014.

Corporate Sponsor - Orchards Golf Club. Orchards Golf Club was crafted in 1922 from 160 acres of sloping wooded terrain in South Hadley by the legendary Donald Ross. The Orchards remains a hidden gem and you’ll find out about the Young Professional discount membership at this month's "Third Thursday event. Check out their website at: www.OrchardsGolf.com.

Community Spotlight - Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts. The GSCWM serves over 15,000 girls from 5 to 17 years old with the strong support of over 5,000 adult volunteers in 186 towns and cities in central and western Massachusetts. The Girl Scout program allows girls to discover the fun, friendship and power of girls together, while building their own personal leadership qualities. GSCWM supports girls by giving them extraordinary opportunities to explore experience and learn about their world and helps girls recognize that they are vital members of their communities. Check out their website at: www.GSCWM.org.

  Food & Cash Bar was provided by The Federal!
Sound & Entertainment was provided by special guest DJ Black Angus! 

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April's CEO Luncheon Series was hosted by John D. Judge
Chief Development Officer for the City of Springfield

John Judge was appointed Chief Development Officer for the City of Springfield, Massachusetts in 2009. In this position, he is chief architect of the development strategy for the city and oversees 6 city departments, as well as the operations of the Springfield Redevelopment Authority.

Prior to joining Mayor Domenic J. Sarno’s Administration, John was founder and president of the Judge Company, where he founded several real estate and real estate finance related ventures. And from 1997 to 2004, he served as Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston Inc.

John graduated from Stonehill College with a bachelor’s in economics and from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government with a master’s in public administration.

ONLY YPS Members may attend our CEO Luncheons series
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March's "Third Thursday" was held at the John Boyle O'Reilly Club

The YPS continue the St. Patrick's Day celebration at our March social event held on Thursday, March 18th from 5:00pm-8:00pm at The John Boyle O'Reilly Club, 33 Progress Avenue (off Cottage Street) in Springfield (Click Here for Map & Directions). Founded in 1880, the members of the John Boyle O'Reilly Club are dedicated Irish and Irish-Americans whose goal is to preserve and promote our Irish Heritage. Through our motto of Culture, Family and Tradition, we strive to carry the Club forward for future generations without forgetting our past. Check out their website at: www.JBO-Club.com

Corporate Sponsor - Country Bank. At Country Bank we offer personal service combined with a variety of products and services to simplify your life. From value-added products like our Free Checking Accounts, ATM's and online banking to our variety of Savings Accounts, Certificates of Deposit and Retirement Plans you will always get the service you expect and the convenience you need to keep up with your busy lifestyle. Check out their website at: www.CountryBank.com

Community Spotlight - Elms College Step Forward / Quest Programs.
Step Forward/Quest are comprehensive, year-round academic enrichment, cultural appreciation, fine arts, and leadership development programs for middle and high school youth of academic promise who come from economically disadvantaged and/or underserved populations. Step Forward and Quest provide students with the appropriate preparation for and access to higher education, which will ensure the completion of a higher education degree. Check out their website at: www.Elms.edu

Community Spotlight - Chicopee Chamber of Commerce.
The mission of the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce is to improve the overall business climate by uniting, guiding, supporting and speaking for those engaged in business and industry, toward the advancement of economic and civic well-being for all citizens of the Chicopee area. Check out their website at: www.ChicopeeChamber.org

Sound & Entertainment was provided by special guest DJ Black Angus! 
  This event featured Bass Ale provided by Williams Distributing!

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March's Entrepeneurial Luncheon Series was hosted by Angela Lussier

The YPS was proud to announce their new Entrepeneurial Luncheon Series on Tuesday, March 9th! Our first entrepreneur to help us kick off this series was Angela Lussier.

Angela Lussier is an award-winning speaker, author of "The Anti-Resume Revolution: The Innovative & Forward-Thinking Guide for Job Seekers and Aspiring Entrepreneurs Who Want To Do What They Love", and owner of 365 Degrees Consulting in Springfield, Massachusetts. Angela works with job seekers and entrepreneurs who are looking for creative ideas and inspiration for personal branding, marketing & PR campaigns, and figuring out their career strategy. Her advice has been featured on Yahoo!, NBC, ABC, and several career search books. Ms. Lussier is the President of Pioneer Valley Toastmasters, VP of ProSpeakers and the Springfield Speaker's Bureau, Public Relations Chair of the Women Business Owners Alliance, member of the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield, Founder of the Do What You Love Group, and one of the American Heart Association's "Leading Ladies of Western Mass" for 2010. For more information, go to www.my365degrees.com

This event was sponsored by:

ONLY YPS Members may attend our CEO Luncheons series
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March's YPS Arts Event

The YPS Arts held an event on March 4th, 2010 at 6:30 pm at Onyx Fusion Bar & Restaurant which included a wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres and a presentation from R. Michelson Galleries featuring the Secret Art of Springfield’s own Dr. Seuss and major contemporary American photographer, Leonard Nimoy. Valet parking for this event was compliments of DIF Designs.

Presented by:

March's CEO Luncheon Series was hosted by William A. Burke, III
Group President – Newell Rubbermaid Tools, Hardware & Commercial Products Group

Bill Burke, previous President of American Saw/LENOX, came to American Saw in January of 2003 when Newell Rubbermaid acquired the company. He was appointed Group President of the Tools, Hardware & Commercial Products Group for Newell Rubbermaid in January, 2008. This group encompasses the following businesses: LENOX, Irwin, Rubbermaid Commercial Products, Technical Concepts, Shur-Line, BernzOmatic, Bulldog, Ashland and Amerock.

Bill has over 27 year’s industry experience. He served as the Vice President/General Manager of the Product Service Division and the Global Vice President of Marketing at Black and Decker. In 1995, Bill received his M.B.A. from the Sellinger School of Management at Loyola College. In 1982, he received his Bachelor of Arts from Loyola College.

He lives in East Longmeadow, MA with his wife, Cindy, and four children (Hailey 15, Kelsey 13, William 11 and Christopher 9). Bill was born in Boston, MA and is a graduate of St. Sebastian CDS. He is a runner who has completed 5 Marathons, including Boston. He played collegiate Rugby. He was the Chair of two American Heart Association Walks in 2006 & 2007 and Co-Chair in 2005. He serves as a Trustee at Springfield College and is a Board Member for the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts.

ONLY YPS Members may attend our CEO Luncheons series
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February's CEO Luncheon Series was hosted by Al Kasper
President and Chief Operating Officer of Savage Arms Inc.

Al Kasper is currently the President and Chief Operating Officer of Savage Arms Inc. headquartered in Westfield Mass. With 25 years of experience in a variety of Manufacturing Companies, Al also holds a BSBA degree in accounting from Western New England College (1978) and an MBA from the University of Massachusetts (1988). Al is currently a board member for Savage Sports Corp, Junior Achievement, Wmass Chapter of APICS, East Longmeadow Educational Endowment, East Longmeadow Basketball Association and an STCC Foundation Trustee. Al currently reside in East Longmeadow along with his wife Carol and their three children.

ONLY YPS Members may attend our CEO Luncheons series
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Our First "Third Thursday" of 2010 was held at Smith's Billiards in Springfield

In celebration of National Mentoring Month, YPS supports Mass Mentoring Partnership in recognizing the hard work and dedication of current mentors and encourages more people in Western Mass to become mentors.

Thursday, January 14th, 2010 5:00-7:00 PM Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 1000 West Columbus Avenue, Springfield

January's CEO Luncheon Series was hosted by Dr. Evan Dobelle
President of Westfield State College