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Nia Rennix, Executive Director, Central & Western Massachusetts
nia.rennix@redcross.org
(413) 233-1024
Christopher Rae, Disaster Program Manager, Central Massachusetts
christopher.rae@redcross.org
(774) 261-0581
Mary Nathan, Disaster Program Manager, Western Massachusetts
(413) 233-1017
mary.nathan@redcross.org
Tina Bussone was elected to the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross of Central Massachusetts in 2017. Tina currently is the Chair of the Heroes Among Us Event and sits on the Board Development and Engagement Committee. Tina is the Executive Director of Bowditch & Dewey, LLP, a law firm in Central Massachusetts. In partnership with the Managing Partner, Tina is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the firm with oversight of human resources, marketing and business development, accounting and information systems.
She holds an M.B.A. in Management Science from George Washington University and a B.S. in Russian Area Studies from Georgetown University. Tina is also on the Board of Directors at the Center for Living & Working, a non-profit independent living center.
Mike joined the Red Cross in 2016 and is currently Chair of the Volunteer & Mission Capacity Building Committee. Mike is also on the Northeast Disaster Team responding to fires and local disasters. In his position as VP of Emergency Planning and Electric Services for National Grid, he oversees the development and documentation of emergency response plans and the business resilience program across the US organization. Additionally, he is responsible for vegetation management, electric meter testing and labs, and the engineering / standards labs. Mike has been instrumental in coordinating the partnership the American Red Cross currently enjoys with National Grid.
Lynne was elected to the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross of Central Massachusetts in 2017. Currently she sits on the Volunteer and Mission Capacity Building and Heroes Among Us Committees. Lynne is Director of Human Resources at Saint Gobain for Superabrasives and the centralized Abrasives Supply Chain Group, North America. During her 13+ years with Saint Gobain (still referred to as Norton by many), Lynne also worked at the Northborough R&D Center, a start-up SG business on Devens and at the NA Bonded Abrasives Plants in Worcester. Prior to working at Saint Gobain, Lynne worked in the defense/aerospace and biotech industries. Though born and raised in the Metro West region, her career has geographically taken her back to family roots as both parents come from Central Massachusetts. Lynne received her BS degree from Bentley College in Marketing Management. Her volunteer work has included local/state election campaigns, Boys & Girls Club Volunteer and she served as Communications/fundraising Manager for the hockey league her son played in for several years. Lynne resides in Lancaster, MA with her husband, Michel, and son, Beau.
Brad Campbell was elected to the position of President at CMEA in September of 2017. CMEA is a HR Support organization assisting small to mid-size firms with implementation of HR laws as well as Employee Benefits and Leadership Education. CMEA was established in 1904 with a membership of 300 businesses. Previously, Brad served as the Executive Director of the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Western MA. From 2003 through 2008 and again from 2010 through August of 2017. Also served as the Administrator for the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of MA. From 2011 through August of 2017. These non-profits supported the residential construction and remodeling industry. Assisting member firms with education, legislation, health and safety and general business practices. Brad also serves as the Chairman of the board of Arrha Credit Union located in Springfield, MA.
Kim Goodnow was re-elected to the Board of Directors in 2012 and currently sits on the Philanthropy, Board Development and Engagement, and Heroes Event Committees. She has served as a Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteer and is currently a member of the Tiffany Circle of the American Red Cross, a community of women leaders locally, nationally and internationally who advance the American Red Cross mission through a focused investment of time, talent and treasure. As a long-time volunteer with the Red Cross since 2002, Kim shares her passion for service and volunteerism and introduced a pilot program at Woodmeister called Ready When the Time Comes. This pilot program allowed trained employees to respond along with the Red Cross to local disasters (fire, flood, severe storm damage) that occur during business hours. Kim is co-owner and Ambassador at Woodmeister Master Builders, re-sides in Princeton with her husband Ted and has three children. She is passionate about the American Red Cross, enjoys photography and doing anything in the great outdoors.
Brian Hamilton was elected to the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross of Central Massachusetts in 2012 and currently sits on the Board Development and Engagement Committee. Brian is Director of Healthcare and Life Sciences at Consigli Construction Co., Inc., headquartered in Milford with offices in Boston, Washington, D.C., Portland, Maine, Hartford, Connecticut and New York State. He received his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering and Master of Science degree in Manufacturing from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He is also a certified American Society for Healthcare Engineering Healthcare Construction professional. Brian lives in Auburn, Massachusetts with his wife and two children.
Tom McGregor joined the Central MA Chapter board in 2018. He currently is Chair of the Philanthropy Committee and supported the Heroes Among Us event. Tom leads the Commercial Banking team for the Central and Easter Massachusetts market. Prior to his role at United Bank, he held Commercial Banking leadership roles with Santander and Bank of America in Worcester. Involved in several not-for-profit entities, Tom is a board member/trustee for YOU, Inc., Mechanics Hall, Worcester Art Museum and the Worcester Regional Research Bureau. He is a graduate of Boston College and lives in Shrewsbury with his wife Beth and their three children. Tom has spent countless hours coaching basketball, football, baseball and soccer in the community.
Linda Russell was elected to the Board of Directors in 2015 and is just starting her 2nd term participating as a member of the Philanthropy and Volunteer Mission & Development Committees, is a Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteer and is a member of the Tiffany Circle of the American Red Cross, a community of women leaders who advance the American Red Cross mission through a focused investment of time, talent and treasure by engaging women locally, nationally and internationally. Linda holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business/Finance from Worcester State College and an MBA with a concentration in Finance from Babson College. Linda held Corporate Controller positions in several technology start-up companies in the Metro Boston area and after retiring, started a second career owning and running a small herb and tea shop. She and her husband Jim Dobson live in Boylston, MA and spend their winters in Navarre, FL where their daughter and son-in-law live.
Rich has over 25 years of marketing experience with Exsel Advertising, a family business launched in 1991 that he has grown into one of the top agencies in Worcester County. He has served on a number of boards for area not-for-profit organizations, such as Junior Achievement of Central Massachusetts, Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health and the Exchange Club of Spencer. Rich was selected as a “40 Under 40” award winner by the Worcester Business Journal.
A graduate of Nichols College with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a concentration in accounting, Rich is currently on the Board of Advisors for Nichols College and on the Board of Directors for the Chamber of Central Mass South.
Rich resides in Fiskdale with his partner, Wendy and has two daughters. He enjoys spending time on the water, golfing and volunteering with various non-profits.
Jeff was elected to the Board of the American Red Cross of Central Massachusetts in 2013. Jeff currently serves as Chair for the Central MA Chapter and sits on the Board Development and Engagement committee, Philanthropy Committee, and Heroes Among Us Committee. He is a partner and current chair of the Business Group of Mirick, O’Connell, DeMallie & Lougee, LLP, a 60-lawyer law firm with offices in Worcester, Westborough and Boston. His legal practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, equity financing, securities regulation, contract drafting and negotiating, business formation, corporate governance and general corporate and business matters. Jeff graduated with a BA from Duke University and received his JD from Boston University.
Prior to attending law school, Jeff handled major property losses as senior claim representative for Prudential Property & Casualty. In that capacity, Jeff witnessed the great work of American Red Cross volunteers as they assisted and comforted families whose homes had been damaged or destroyed by a fire. As a member of Prudential’s catastrophe team, Jeff spent several weeks in Charleston, South Carolina in the weeks following Hurricane Hugo working alongside the Red Cross and other relief agencies in the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo in 1989.
Jeff lives in Shrewsbury and is the father of two daughters and a son. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends at their lake house in New Hampshire.
Candra Szymanski was elected to the Board of Directors in 2019. She is the former Associate Chief Nursing Officer for Emergency and Psychiatric Services at UMass Memorial Medical Center, retiring in February 2021. Candra, a Registered Nurse received her graduate degree and post master’s advanced practice certificate from the University of Massachusetts, Worcester Campus. Candra currently resides in Millbury, MA. When not working or volunteering, she enjoys walking, music and reading.
Sean Teebagy is currently a medical student at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and the CEO of Sean Studies LLC (AKA Pillar Test Prep), a company devoted to helping students succeed on standardized test. Born and raised in Central Massachusetts, he is an alumnus of Shrewsbury Public High School, College of the Holy Cross, and set to graduate with a Medical Degree (MD) from UMass in 2023. As the youngest of 3 brothers, Sean attributes his commitment and leadership to his parents and their continued dedication to serving their own community. Skilled in entrepreneurship and online education, Sean has worked with the Pillar Test Prep team to help over 300 perspective medical school students achieve their goal score on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). Additionally, at UMass, Sean has focused on finding innovative ways medical students can aid front-line workers during the COVID19 Pandemic and worked with Worcester community leaders to flatten the curve. Sean recently served on the Board of Trustees of the College of the Holy Cross where he advised the college on various student affair initiatives, academic policies, and the financial health of the institution. In 2016, Sean was elected as the youngest member of the Board of Directors of the United Way of Central Massachusetts and remains involved in the impact the United Way has on the community.
Chris Olson is responsible for resilience, information governance, and IT infrastructure for MassMutual. Chris was elected to the Board of Directors in 2018. He started his career as a certified business continuity planner. During that time, he served as a committee chairman for LOMA, a faculty guest speaker for Symantec, and a featured presenter at DRJ Fall World in San Diego, and was published in the Journal of Business Continuity & Emergency Planning and Corporate Security magazine.
Carl Cameron is the Chief Operating Officer of Holyoke Medical Center (HMC). In his role, Cameron leads implementation of important changes to the institution, which includes transforming patient rooms and the expansion of the Rehabilitation unit, including Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Cardiac Rehab, and Pulmonary Rehab. Cameron most recently served as vice president of Operations and was also chief information officer at HMC.
Cameron earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Western New England University (WNEU) and a master’s degree in Information Systems from WNEU. He also earned a certificate in Lean Healthcare from the University of Michigan. Prior experience includes serving as Director of Information Technology for the City of Holyoke and at Lennox Healthcare, a long-term healthcare company with 150 nursing homes throughout the U.S.
Sheila Doiron was elected to the Board of Directors in 2012. Sheila is an active member of the Heroes Planning Committee, and has served as the on-stage co-host for the Heroes event for several years. She also facilitates her company’s ongoing Presenting Sponsorship status for the Heroes breakfast. Sheila also served as co-chair of the former Golf Classic fundraising event.
As Director of Communications and Communications for Columbia Gas, Sheila is responsible for internal and external communications, municipal collaboration, community and media relations, public and external affairs, and charitable giving. She has served in that position since she joined Columbia Gas in 2007.
Sheila holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Nichols College in Dudley, MA, and an MBA also from Nichols College.
Sheila enjoys golf, snow skiing and water sports, and she is an avid Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fan.
General Driscoll is Director, Joint Staff for the Massachusetts National Guard located at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts. He serves as the chief advisor and principal assistant to the Adjutant General. He is responsible for directing, supervising, training, coordinating the staff and assisting the Adjutant General in the deployment and coordination of programs, policies, and plans affecting over 8,000 members of the Massachusetts National Guard.
General Driscoll is a graduate of Northeastern University, where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, and American Military University where he received a Master’s Degree in Military Studies.
Mike Garreffi is the news director for WWLP-TV. Mike has served on the Board since 2013. Mike and the team at WWLP-22News and The CW Springfield support the local efforts of the American Red Cross with consistent media coverage. Mike is an active member of the Heroes Planning Committee, and has served as the Media Sponsor of the Heroes event for the past 16 years.
Lisa Grenier was elected to the Red Cross Board of Directors in 2019. She has over 20 years of experience and expertise working in the marketing, advertising and public relations industry. In her current position at Market Mentors, she is dedicated to developing new business for the agency as well as actively supporting existing client relationships.
Lisa was a behind-the-scenes supporter of the Red Cross during her 10 years with 22News, through Hometown Heroes and blood drives. Currently, Lisa also serves as a board member for the West Springfield Rotary and is actively involved in her community. She was born and raised in Springfield, and now resides in Agawam with her husband and son Tommy—when he’s not away at college.
Kevin Hinkamper currently serves as Chief Executive Officer for Van Pool Transportation in Wilbraham, Massachusetts. Van Pool provides special transportation services for students with special needs. Previous positions with Van Pool include serving as Vice President from 2003 to 2008, and as President and CEO from 2008-2017. Prior to Van Pool Kevin served in the United States Navy as a naval aviator.
Elected to the Board of Directors in 2016, Kevin resides in Wilbraham with his wife Andrea. They enjoy spending time with their two children, traveling, volunteering at their church and supporting events in the local community.
McMahon, who first joined the VA in 2011 in the finance office in Leeds, was later promoted to chief financial officer in 2013. He was instrumental in the realignment of VA clinics in Worcester and Fitchburg from Boston to VACWM, which resulted in a 45% increase in patients.
McMahon guided the facility through an unprecedented growth period of over 200 additional employees between 2014 and 2017, contributing more than $100 million to the local economy in salaries. Through his stewardship of eight sites of care and more than 1,000 employees, VACWM's economic impact exceeds $150 million, including $30 million in care coordinated with medical professionals in the community, and $20 million in ongoing construction projects.
Moving forward, McMahon said in his new role as Associate Director he will seek to expand on investing in the facilities infrastructure.
"We're here to serve America's Veterans, and we work hard to be a world-class healthcare provider, and to be a good neighbor to the community through our many partnerships," he said.
McMahon holds a Master's degree from Boston University in Management and he is pursuing an additional Master's degree in Public Health Administration from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He also serves as a Budget Officer in the Massachusetts Air National Guard.
Tim Nelson has been the Amherst Fire Chief since 2010. Chief Nelson was added to the Board of Directors in 2011. Serving as the Holyoke Fire Chief prior. Tim is known as an accomplished professional who brings the full range of knowledge and experience to Amherst. Chief Nelson was recently added to a statewide task force to lend his expertise examining ways to improve safety and security for sports stadiums, concert halls, convention centers and other places where people gather in significant numbers.
John Santoro, M.D. currently serves as the Vice Chair Department of Emergency Medicine and Associate EMS Medical Director at Baystate Health in Springfield, MA.
John has served on the Board since 2007. He sits on the EMCAB (Emergency Medical Care Advisory Board as the ARC Mass representative where he is representing the interests and function of the state Red Cross Chapter. This advisory board functions under the DPH. We review and recommend changes to the pre-hospital care services in the state.
John attended St. Bonaventure University and State University of New York Upstate for medical school. He did his residency in Family Medicine and is double board certified in Emergency Medicine and Family Medicine.
He presently resides in Longmeadow, and is active with the Special Olympics, the Springfield Thunderbirds (professional hockey team), the Falmouth Road Race, and Six Flags Amusement parks serving as their National Medical Director.
Shawn Semo is Manager of the Building Construction Division at R.H. White Construction in Auburn, MA. Shawn joined the company in 1993 as an Assistant Project Manager and has held positions of increasing responsibility during his 26-year tenure. He has served as a Project Manager, Senior Project Manager and Project Executive prior to his current role as Division Manager.
Elected to the Board of Directors in 2019, Shawn holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Construction Management from Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, MA and a Master’s of Business Administration from Nichols College in Dudley, MA where he also resides with his wife and three children.
Shawn enjoys playing all types of sports, is an avid professional sports fan as well as an enthusiastic volunteer; supporting a number of church, community and workplace fundraising events.”
Born and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts, Payton Shubrick is a proud graduate of Springfield Central High School, College of the Holy Cross, and most recently Bay Path University. The oldest of four children, Payton is a natural leader and innovative thinker who enjoys new challenges facing traditional and emerging industries. Skilled in design thinking and ideations to solve tough problems, she currently works at MassMutual as a Home Office Technology Strategist. During her time with MassMutual she has focused on fostering an innovative culture with the creation of ideation spaces that have evolved into open work spaces throughout the home office. She has also worked on multigenerational relationships, helping to support reverse meeting with our “Truth to Power” program to support understanding between senior and millennial employees. Additionally, she serves on the companies Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity committee focused on the notion of “belonging” for all employees. She continues to call Springfield home, recently starting an Adult Use Marijuana establishment and is currently doing consulting work with Smallify and Link to VR.
Jeffrey currently heads up Emergency Management and Business Continuity for ISO New England. Is this role he is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation program for the organization. Jeffrey is the former Head of the Office of Enterprise Resilience and Data Center Operations for MassMutual. Prior to MassMutual, Jeff was the Emergency Management Administrator for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts. At MIT, he was responsible for oversight of the emergency management and business continuity program and programs related to crisis management planning, preparedness, response, and disaster recovery functions at the Institute. His past experience includes two years as the Director of the City of Chicopee’s Emergency Management Department and seven years at the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), where he managed several preparedness programs including the statewide business continuity program. Jeffrey is a Certified Emergency Manager (IAEM) and a Master Business Continuity Professional (DRII). He has been certified by FEMA as an instructor and as a Master Continuity of Operations Practitioner. He holds additional certifications in chemical weapons response, Weapons of Mass Destruction, Incident Command, and Homeland Security planning. He also holds a Master’s degree in Management from the Catholic University of America. Jeff represented MIT by serving on a White House panel along with the Secretary of Homeland Security and Secretary of Education discussing Active Shooter Incident and helping to draft guidance for educational institutions. In 2016 Jeff was named a 40 under Forty award by Business West Magazine. Jeff is a native of Western Massachusetts currently residing in the City of Holyoke where he serves as Chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners and as the Emergency Management Director.