Corporate Partners
Our corporate partners lend their educational, financial and advisory support to the UMass Amherst Family Business Center, and are ready, willing, and able to answer your questions, either in an upcoming issue of Related Matters, at an upcoming forum, or to you directly. Feel free to contact them and mention you found them through the UMass Amherst Family Business Center.
Bulkley Richardsonis a full service law firm with offices in Springfield and Boston, Massachusetts. The firm has extensive experience in advising family businesses and in planning for the transfer, management, and conservation of family wealth. Since its founding in the 1920s, the firm has grown to be the largest full service firm based in western Massachusetts. However, with fewer than 50 lawyers, it remains a mid-sized, community-based law firm whose lawyers emphasize personal contact with clients. Ronald P. Weiss, David A. Parke, Mark D. Cress, Peter H. Barry, Scott W. Foster and Jenelle Dodds are available at (413) 781-2820.
Charter Oak Insurance and Financial Services is an award winning, growth orientated and full services financial services organization. Total assets under management surpass $2.75 billion and for the past eight years achieved an average compound growth rate of 27% per year. The firm has won MassMutual’s prestigious Chairman’s Trophy Competition each of the past eight years. Charter Oak Insurance and Financial Services provides life insurance, annuities, disability income insurance, long-term care insurance, retirement planning products, business continuity planning, executive fringe benefits and employee benefit program. The firm also specializes in Retirement and Investment planning. Charles Epstein, CLU, ChFC, FBS (413-734-6418) and Pete Novak, General Agent of Charter Oak Insurance and Financial Services (413-781-6850) are available to answer your questions.
Epstein Financial Services With over 23 years of experience, Epstein Financial Services has provided family business owners proven tools, techniques and products to help retire with greater financial security, reduce income and inheritance taxes, and transition your business to the next generation. Our uniquely effective service, The Family CFO ® Process, gives a clear picture of your financial future, with increased financial independence and reduced anxiety. Your personalized “Crystal Ball Experience ®” provides you greater simplicity, focus and balance in your financial affairs. Charles D. Epstein, CLU, ChFC, is one the first certified Family Business Specialists in America; is a member of the Top of The Table, representing the top one half of one percent of financial services professional in the world; and is one of the original founders of the UMass Amherst Family Business Center. Charles can be reached at 1-877-9FAM-CFO or 413-734-6418
.
First Niagara Financial Group Whether it's borrowing, saving, or just making it easier to manage your money, First Niagara has the banking products, services and expertise to help you make your dreams a reality. First Niagara has specialized expertise in retail and commercial banking, international banking solutions, capital markets to help you make your business a success. Our product portfolio may be our competitive advantage. But what really sets us apart is the people who’ve chosen to work here. If you’re looking for a financial partner, First Niagara is a great place to do business. If you’re looking to build your career, it’s a great place to do that, too. Our core values—Passion, Creativity and Expertise—drive everything we do. First Niagara, through its wholly owned subsidiary, First Niagara Bank, N.A., is a multi-state community-oriented bank that currently has approximately $31 billion in assets, $20 billion in deposits, 333 branches and 5,000 employees providing financial services to individuals, families and businesses across Upstate New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts. James Bzdyra can be reached at James.bzdyra@fnfg.com
Giombetti Associates In business for over 20 years with with a national/International client base of over 250 companies , Giombetti Associates is a management consulting firm known for increasing productivity and profit through people. Specialties include Leadership Development, Pre-employment Assessment, Team Building, Management Training, and Conflict Resolution. Hiring the “right” person is assured with the Giombetti’s trademarked assessment process, Performance Dynamics. Giombetti is resolute about its highest credo: “Within each individual lies untapped potential. Our job is to identify and develop this hidden talent. Once leaders emerge, effective teams evolve. Challenges become accomplishments and profitability grows.” Paul Alves, Rick Giombetti and Ross Giombetti are available at (413) 566-3863. (video of Sept 2010 presentation by Ross & Rick Giombetti)
Health New England, Inc. (HNE) is a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) licensed in Massachusetts. HNE provides for the health care of our members through personal and accountable service and delivers superior value by understanding the local needs of the community. HNE’s service area in Massachusetts includes Franklin, Berkshire, Hampden and Hampshire counties and part of Worcester county. Our main office is at One Monarch Place in Springfield. HNE has been ranked among the top health insurance plans in the United States by independent surveys. If you would like more information about HNE or any of our services, please contact Eric Harlow, Sales Manager, at (413) 233-3378 or (800) 842-4464. www.healthnewengland.com/
Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. is the region's largest independently owned accounting and consulting firm, based in Holyoke, Mass. Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. was formed by the merger of Meyers Brothers, P.C. and Joseph D. Kalicka & Company, LLP, in Jan. 2004. Both firms began service to the region in 1948. The Firm is a member of the CPAmerica affiliation of privately owned accounting firms. Through this affiliation, they have access to national firm resources with the attention of a local firm. The Firm specializes in serving closely-held family owned businesses and prides itself with providing timely and personalized service to its clients. More info at www.mbkcpa.com Kris Houghton, Kevin Hines and Howard Cheney are available at (413) 536-8510.
and our UNIVERSITY PARTNER:
UMass Amherst Continuing & Professional Education: For 40+ years, UMass Amherst Continuing & Professional Education has provided a pathway into the University for local and national businesses, for the general community, and for adult, nontraditional students in a variety of credit and degree programs and professional development courses. With a strong committment to lifelong learning and the belief that education is the key to keeping the local economy healthy, Continuing Education supports the UMass Amherst Family Business Center both in theory and in practice, continuing its tradition of bringing the University to the community.
For information on Continuing & Professional Education programs and courses:
tele: (413) 545-2414
e-mail: info@contined.umass.edu
online: www.UMassULearn.net
