Thomas P. Bent, Jr. Bent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Government Affairs Committee Chair, Past Board Chair

Tom is the owner/president of the full service IBEW Local 103 shop serving greater Boston's leading commercial, industrial, educational, and healthcare institutions. He is a member of the: Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts; National Electrical Contractors Association; National Fire Protection Agency; and Illuminating Engineering Society of North America. He is the: Somerville representative to the Metropolitan Planning Organization; Somerville Vocational High School Advisory Board Chair; St. Catherine's Church Restoration Committee Chair; City of Somerville's Municipal Compensation Board Chair: Municipal Property Review Committee Chair; and a former Cambridge Health Alliance Joint Hospital Board Director and Somerville Housing Authority Board of Commissioners Chair. A youth hockey and soccer team sponsor, Tom and his wife Roseanne live in Somerville in a National Historic Register home. Their two daughters are graduates of Harvard, Tufts and Georgetown.

Joseph R. Bianco ’11 Central Bank
New Group Member

Joe is Vice President of Business Development for Central Bank, a full service community bank headquartered in Somerville. Joe is responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships within the business community. With more than thirty years of banking experience, Joe has the knowledge and expertise to meet your banking needs. His office is located in Davis Square. You can reach him at 617-628-4000. Established in 1915, Central Bank, the bank subsidiary of Central Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: CEBK), is a Massachusetts chartered co-operative bank operating nine full service branches in the communities of Somerville (Main Office), Arlington, Burlington, Chestnut Hill, Malden, Medford, Melrose and Woburn (two branches). Central Bank is a full service community banking operation that provides a variety of deposit and lending services—including savings and checking for retail and business customers, mortgage loans for constructing, purchasing and refinancing residential and commercial properties, and loans for small and medium size businesses and home improvements. Central Bank is a publicly traded company and has been named by the Boston Globe as one of the ‘best 100 Massachusetts Businesses’ for the years 2006, 2005 and 2004. Central Bank is a member of FDIC, Member of SIF and is an Equal Housing Lender.

David Blumsack ‘10, Rockmont Management Company, Inc.

David is the owner/president of the company that manages residential, commercial and retail buildings in the Boston Area. He is a proud member and Past President of The Somerville Kiwanis Club, Member of The Greater Boston Real Estate Board and an active resident of the city. He is a graduate of Syracuse University and lives in Davis Square.

*Ronald Bonney, Jr. ’09, Bonney Automotive Chamber Board Chair, Education Committee Chair, New Group Member

Ron is the President/CEO of Bonney Automotive, a cutting edge automotive concern. Bonney Automotive maintains and repair high value automobiles and light trucks using state of the art equipment and training. Our ASE Master Technicians use carbon reduction systems for your auto emission system, nitrogen tire fills, high speed computer tire balancing and two or four wheel alignments to improve your auto’s efficiency and make your vehicle more earth friendly. We offer all regularly scheduled maintenance services as well as general automotive repair. We also offer fleet services running scheduled maintenance programs and general repair services for area fleets of vehicles. Ron is also the principle operating Yellow Cab Association as well as ARLEX Transportation that provide courier and special needs education transportation services, as well as the Commonwealth's largest Dial-A-Ride service for the elderly and disabled. He also founded B.F.T., Inc., a realty trust, for commercial and residential property. Ron serves as Massachusetts State Chair for the Association of Community College Trustees and Co-Chair of the Bunker Hill Community College Board of Trustees. Ron is a U.S. Army veteran, and a Commissioner of the Somerville Housing. He graduated from the School of Management at Boston College and resides in Somerville with his wife Dr. Iwona Bonney and their two sons.

Irene Bremis ’10, Bremis Real Estate

Irene is a full time Massachusetts licensed professional realtor working for a family owned business with ties to the Somerville community for over the last 75 years. She has over 20 years experience and is known as a top listing agent with a solid reputation for fairness and strong negotiating skills. Irene has taught and hosted informational seminars for first time buyers, condominium conversions, landlord/tenant law and estate planning for her company as well as the city of Somerville. She has been a guest lecturer for entrepreneurial studies at Boston University, has been quoted and featured as a guest speaker regarding the real estate market, values and trends for local newspapers (Boston Business Journal, Somerville Journal, Boston Globe,) local cable, and local news, and has served as an expert witness for clients and legal counsel in court. She is a member of MLS (The Multiple Listing System), The Greater Boston Real Estate Board, The National Association of Realtors, and a notary public. She is a member of the Somerville Rotary club and an honorary member of the Somerville Lion’s Club. Irene has obtained the following professional designations: the Relo Certified Coordinator, Senior Residential Specialist, Certified Buyer Representative, Accredited Seller Representative, and most recently completed her requirements for her Certified Residential Specialist. In addition to this, Irene has served on the Board of the American Cancer Society, the Somerville Hospital, The Greek Orthodox Church, and was the Co-founder and President of the Dreams for Youth Foundation which in two years raised over $100,000 in funds which were disbursed to Somerville Youth Programs and charities. Irene resides in Somerville and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the Boston College School of Management.

Richard Brenner ’09, Central Bank
Davis Square Group Chair

Rich is a Vice President of Commercial Lending for Central Bank at 399 Highland Ave. Somerville. He has been in the lending arena for 22 years, having worked for an asset based lender in midtown Manhattan for three years prior to moving to the Boston area. He was a commercial asset based lender in Burlington, Mass for four years, a credit review analyst in Waltham, Mass for two years and a credit officer/lender in Norwood, Mass for nine years prior to joining Central Bank as a commercial lender four years ago. He has analyzed and provided loans of $10,000 to $10,000,000 to a variety of retail, wholesale, construction, manufacturing and service businesses. He has served as the BIG chair for Davis Square since 8/06.

Nancy Busnach ‘11, Busnach Associates

The President of Busnach Associates, Nancy is a goal-oriented, real estate professional with more than 25 years' experience in facilities/asset management and construction. She has a proven track record as a creative negotiator and effective manager. Nancy is a Certified Property Manager, IREM, licensed Mass. Real Estate Broker, Chair of the Somerville Redevelopment Authority, Member of Cambridge Health Alliance Board of Trustees, St. Clement Schools BOT, and member of CoreNet Global, New England Women in RE (NEWIRE). Former member of the Board of Somerville Boys & Girls Club, Past Chair of Ground Works Somerville., and Aquinas College. Nancy is a graduate of Suffolk University and was the recipient of the Chamber's 2003 Powderhouse Award for Distinguished

John W. Cole, AIA ‘11 Arrowstreet Inc.
New Group Chair

John is a principal in the international award-winning firm in Davis Square that has designed locally: Cambridge's CambridgeSide, Hotel Marlowe, University Park and Hotel @ MIT; Boston's Artists for Humanity Epicenter and the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel; Wellesley's Jewitt Arts Center and Davis Museum; Chestnut Hill's Chestnut Hill Mall; and Nantucket's The White Elephant. John specializes in planning and architecture for commercial development. His goal is to add value to his clients' properties and to enhance the communities in which they are built. Many of his projects have been cited for innovative solutions by national publications and design awards. He has led much of Arrowstreet's work abroad in South America, Europe, and Iceland. Prior to joining Arrowstreet, he was a former professional ice hockey player. He holds a B.A. from Yale and a Master of Architecture from Washington University. John received the Chamber's 2001 Powderhouse Award for Distinguished Service.

Adam Dash Adam Dash & Associates
Past Board Chair

Adam is the principal attorney at the Davis Square law firm where he is in general practice, predominately in the areas of small business law, residential and commercial real estate law, divorce, zoning and permitting. He is a member of the Massachusetts and Middlesex County Bar Association. A recipient of the Somerville Community Corporation's Hazel Hughes Award for distinguished community service, Adam is a past president of the Somerville Homeless Coalition and a member of the Davis Square Task Force. He has taught and lectured throughout greater Boston. Adam holds B.A. degrees in Economics and in Fine Arts from Brandeis and a J.D. degree from George Washington. He lives in Somerville with his wife and 2 daughters.

Pauline M. D'Aurora ‘10, Winter Hill Bank

*Rui Domingos, '09 Cambridge Portuguese Credit Union
Chamber Treasurer

Rui is CEO of the Cambridge Portuguese Credit Union (CPCU), an 80 year old not-for-profit financial institution that provides banking products and services in Somerville, Cambridge and surrounding communities. He is a member of the Massachusetts Credit Union League committees for education, financial literacy and social responsibility. In addition, he serves as Vice President of the Metro Boston Credit Union Chapter. Rui is a member of Real Solutions, a national organization committed to providing basics banking services to the unbanked and underserved segment of the United States population. Rui holds an Accounting/Management Associate Degree from Bunker Hill Community College, a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science from Bentley College and a Masters Degree from Cambridge College.

George Donnelly '09, Boston Business Journal

George Donnelly has been the editor of the Boston Business Journal since November 2000, leading the paper to several national and regional journalism awards. He has been in the Boston journalism scene for 21 years, including a stint at CFO magazine, where he was a senior editor, and the Tab newspaper group, where he was editor-in-chief of a group of 15 community newspapers. He began his journalism career as a reporter for the Somerville Journal in 1985, and he was editor of the Somerville Journal from 1987 to 1991. Donnelly came to Boston in 1981 after getting a degree in English Literature at the State University of New York at Binghamton.

William Galatis '10, Lyndell’s Bakery

*Kevin J. Gatlin ‘09, Winter Hill Bank

Douglas Greenholz  ’11, Ikea
New Group Member

*James J. Harvey ‘11, Holiday Inn Somerville

Jim is the hotel's General Manager. Over the past decade Jim has managed hotel properties in Newton and Cambridge. He is a member of the Cambridge Hotel Association, the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau and a supporter of the Cambridge Tourism Office. A graduate of Michigan State University, Jim is a member of the School of Hospitality Business Alumni Board. He is involved with mentoring students and promoting the growth of the Hospitality industry.

*John Keegan ‘09, Walnut Street Center

John is the Executive Director of Walnut Street Center, Inc. (WSC). WSC provides residential, employment, day and social supports to individuals with Intellectual Disabilities and their families. The agency employs approximately 300 people. John has worked at WSC for twenty-two years. He is a past-president of the Somerville Rotary. He is currently President of SCM Transportation’s Board of Directors and a member of the Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers Board of Directors. He holds a BS in Human Service Management from Umass Boston and an MBA from Salem State College.

*Kenneth K. Kelly ‘09
The Independent Bar & Restaurant
Vitalsite Services, Inc.
Union Square Business Group Chair

Ken is the owner of The Independent, and Precinct, both located in Union Square. He is the owner of Vitalsite Services, a consulting company that leases and zones property for wireless communication equipment, cellular antennas & towers throughout New England. He is Vice President of Union Square Main Streets which is charged with creating a vibrant neighborhood by enhancing the business district and surrounding neighborhoods through active community collaboration. Ken was born in Ireland, hold a BS in Accounting from St. Peters College, New Jersey and lives in Somerville.

Arnold J. Knox, Jr. "Chair, President & CEO Emeritus,” Past Board Chair

Bud brings over 50 years of experience as a resident and business owner. He is a former: Somerville Hospital trustee; Somerset Bank director; Greater Boston Family Services Treasurer; and Somerville Public Safety Commission Member. Bud is the: Somerville Home Treasurer and past president; Somerville YMCA Treasurer; a Somerville Kiwanis Treasurer; and a Reading Art Association Director. A U.S. Navy Veteran, he is a Bentley College grad. After many years of outstanding service during which he served as Chamber Chair, Clerk, or Staff, Bud's contributions to the Chamber and Somerville were acknowledged with the Chamber's first honorary title.

*Peter Kwass ‘09, Mt. Auburn Associates

Peter is a founding principal of the consulting firm that has worked for over 20 years in the field of economic development analysis and strategy. The firm's scope of work includes both broad-based economic development planning and focused: workforce development; commercial revitalization; small business development, and industry “cluster” development. Peter has particular expertise in formulating targeted strategies to address economic inequalities. Working at the intersections of regional and community-based economic development, he designs strategies that create economic opportunities for distressed communities and disadvantaged populations by linking them more closely to regional industries, markets, and institutions. Active in Boston's community development for over 25 years, Peter played a long-term leadership role for one of Boston's leading community development corporations, and is currently serving as president of Groundwork Somerville, a recently established public-private partnership that supports Somerville's economic development through environmental and recreational initiatives. Peter graduated from Brown and holds a Masters Degree in City and Regional Planning from Harvard's JFK School of Government.  

Rod Laurenz ‘11, Edward Jones Investments
Membership Committee Chair, Nominating &
Powderhouse Awards Committee Co-Chair

Katherine M. Light '10 Cambridge Savings Bank

*Isaac Machado ‘09 , Epstein, Lipsey & Clifford

Isaac is an attorney with the firm of Epstein, Lipsey & Clifford located at 255 Elm Street in Davis Square. Prior to joining the firm, Isaac spent over ten years with the Massachusetts Highway Department. As part of his practice, Isaac advises and represents clients in the areas of construction law, negotiating and drafting public and commercial contracts, bidding, real estate, business development and litigation. Isaac is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts and Seton Hall University Law School. His community service includes serving as a Trustee of the Cambridge Health Alliance, Board member of the Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers and the Cambridge Portuguese Credit Union, and member of the Somerville Kiwanis. Isaac, who is a resident of Somerville, also serves as an Election Commissioner for the city.

Sandra L. McGoldrick, Winter Hill Bank
Golf Committee Chair, Past Board Chair

Sandra is President and CEO of Winter Hill Bank, a community bank headquartered in Somerville and celebrating its 100th Anniversary here.  In addition to the Bank's corporate headquarters on Broadway, Winter Hill Bank has offices in Davis Square, Ball Square, Chelsea and North Reading. Sandra serves on the Bank's Board of Directors and Executive Committee. Nationally, she is on the Board of Directors of Pentegra Retirement Services and is a member of the American Banker's association and America's Community Bankers. She also served as Past President of the Financial Managers Society and Board of Director of the Massachusetts Bankers Association. Locally, Sandra currently holds numerous positions in community affiliations that include the Somerville YMCA Board and Building Committee Member; Somerville Home Executive and Renovations Committee Member; Winter Hill Community School Council Member; and a Past Corporator of the Somerville Hospital. She holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Northeastern. Sandra was the recipient of the Chamber's 2004 Powderhouse Award for Distinguished Service.

Charles J. McKenzie, CPA '09, Hamlen & Company New Group Member, Inner Belt Group Chair

Charlie has over 20 years of commercial real estate experience as the Chief Financial Officer for Hamlen & Company. Charlie is an Owner and Treasurer of Northmoor LTD. Construction Company, Inc. and Premier Worldwide Travel LLC. He has served as past executive board member of the Somerville City Club. Also he served as the Club's Treasurer and Secretary. He is a former Long Rang Planning Committee member for the Boys & Girls Club of Middlesex County. Current and past member of the City of Somerville's Municipal Property Review Committee. Charlie is an avid golfer and ardent supporter of Boys & Girls Clubs. He is a Graduate of the University of Massachusetts.

*Michelle M. Mulvena, Esq. ‘09, Moschella and Winston
Chamber Clerk, Business After Hours Chair

Michelle is an associate with the law firm of Moschella & Winston and represents clients in estate planning, administration, asset protection and Medicare and Medicaid issues, as well as probate litigation. She has conducted seminars on the topics of estate planning for individuals and businesses, long term care and Medicaid planning, and asset protection for small businesses. She is a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). Michelle is extremely active in the Somerville community as well.  She is on the Board of Directors for the Somerville Chamber of Commerce, SMC Transportation, and the Walnut Street Center’s Human Rights Committee. She also hosts the Chamber’s highly successful Business After Hours events and until recently was the one of the original co-hosts of the Somerville Cable talk show called “Talking Business.”  Michelle holds a B.A. in Political Science from Arizona State University and a J.D. from New England School of Law. In 2006, Michelle was the recipient of the Chamber’s Powderhouse Award for Distinguished Service. 

Gilda M. Nogueira ’10, East Cambridge Savings Bank

Gilda is the Executive Vice President of Retail Banking. She is clerk of the East Cambridge Savings Charitable Foundation Clerk; Somerville Rotary Club President; Cambridge YMCA Board Member; Massachusetts Bankers Association, Legal & Regulatory Committee Member; MBA Risk Management Task Force Member; Eastern Compliance Network Member; and Matignon High School Parent Group Treasurer. Gilda holds B.S. in Management from Lesley University and is a graduate of the National School of Banking - America’s Community Bankers at Fairfield University.

John L. Norris ’10, Century Bank

John has been in banking for 15 years in the City of Somerville. He is currently Assistant Branch Manager and Branch Operations and Compliance Liaison for Century Bank in Somerville, a full service commercial bank with 22 branches in the surrounding communities. Century Bank was founded in 1969 and established its first office in Somerville and specializes in small business lending and services. John has resided in Somerville for the past 32 years and is currently on the Executive Board of Directors for Society of Anzano an Italian-American non-profit organization in Somerville. He volunteers at various community events in Somerville and speaks at different

Timothy O'Malley '09, Winter Hill Bank
Broadway Group – Winter Hill District

Tim is the Bank's Business Development Officer. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Club of Middlesex County and the Walnut Street Center. He is: the past chair of the Chamber's Union Square BIG and past region chair, past president and current treasurer of the Somerville Lions Club. Tim and his wife Kathryn live in Melrose with daughter, Stephanie, who attends the Newman School in Boston.

Mernaysa Rivera Bujosa ‘11, Law Offices of Frank N. Dardeno, LLP 
Co-host “Talking Business”

James Roy '11, Cambridge Portuguese Credit Union

*Barbara Rubel '09, Tufts University
New Group member, Nominating Committee and Powderhouse Awards Committee Chair

Barbara is the University's Director of the Office of Community Relations. She has represented Tufts to Somerville, Medford and Chinatown for more than thirty years. She acts as the liaison to local government, agencies and organizations in this capacity addressing community concerns and building partnerships between the university and its communities. She is also responsible for neighborhood relations on the Medford/Somerville campus. She has served on the boards of many Somerville youth, senior, and cultural organizations. She currently serves the Community Action Agency of Somerville and SCM Transportation, Inc. as vice president of the respective boards. She is a co-founder and board member of Groundworks Somerville. She has reviewed Community Development Block Grant proposals for the city, served on the advisory board of the vocational high school and assisted with several searches in the school department. Barbara has degrees from Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and Tufts. Barbara received the Chamber's 2004 Powderhouse Award to Tufts University for Excellence in Economic Development.

Nicholas Salerno, U.S. Travel World
Past Board Chair

Frank Scimone, Individual
Past Board Chair

Rebecca J. Schrumm ’10, MetLife Financial Group

Rebecca is a financial advisor whose goal is to provide families and business owners with assistance in building their financial freedom. She has the skills, knowledge and experience required to help meet my client’s established goals. Her personal goal is to become a lifetime resource for each and every client. Licensed to sell Life & Health Insurance in Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts, she is Series 6 and 63 licensed. Rebecca is a member of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Marathon Team. She is also an avid bike-commuter whose passions include: hiking, camping, rowing, sailing, swimming, yoga, windsurfing and cross country skiing. Rebecca has a B.A. from Tufts University. She lives in Somerville with her husband Frank Moore.

Paul Trane ’10, Telecommunications Insight Group, New Group Member

Paul is Principal Consultant at Telecommunications Insight Group (TIG). TIG is a recognized national leader in telecommunications. From an owner/builder of a large metropolitan fiber optic network to negotiating cable television licenses to serving as an expert witness on telecommunications, Paul has been involved in all aspects of the modern telecommunications industry. He and TIG's client list includes some of the most recognizable names in biotechnology, government, higher education, hospitality, land development, retail, technology, telecommunications and many other market sectors. He has provided expert testimony to the United States Congress, the Federal Communications Commission, the Massachusetts Legislature, Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Energy, The New York Public Service Commission and the Rhode Island Department of Public Utilities. In addition, Paul has appeared before hundreds of municipal legislative bodies in nine states. He frequently provides comments to major media outlets. He has appeared on National Public Radio, Bloomberg Radio, CBS Sunday Morning and has been quoted extensively on telecommunications in The Boston Globe, Boston Magazine, The Boston Herald, The Boston Business Journal, The Los Angeles Business Journal, Multichannel News, Cable World, Wall Street Journal and many other trade publications. In 1997, Paul Trane was called the "father of cable television competition" for breaking the cable television monopoly and negotiating the nation’s first competitive cable franchise.

*Thomas Traugott ‘09, CRG West

*Robert Walsh ’09, Federal Realty Investment Trust
New Group Member

Bob is Vice President - Development for Federal Realty Investment Trust. In this capacity, he is responsible for the execution of all property development strategies in the Northeast region and has a proven track record of planning, negotiating and executing complex development and redevelopment projects. Prior to joining Federal Realty in 2005, Bob spent over thirty years in the real estate industry working with both public and private firms. He holds a MBA from the University of Michigan, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto, and is a member of the Urban Land Institute and National Association of Industrial and Office Properties.

William Zamparelli '09 NStar Electric & Gas Corporation

Ray Zonghetti '10, Heartland Payment Systems
Dining & Nightlife Chair

Ray has over twenty years experience in the restaurant industry. He earned his Food Service Management Professional designation from the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. He has been a Certified Instructor and Proctor for the National Restaurant Educational Foundations Serve Safe Program & The National Registry of Food Safety Professionals Food Safety Program. He was recently appointed a Relationship Manager for Heartland Payments Systems, one of America's largest full-service financial transaction processing companies. A Massachusetts Restaurant Association & National Restaurant Association member, Ray is the Chair of the: Somerville Cares about Prevention Coalition; Environmental Strategies Sub Committee; Coordinating Committee and Executive Committee. Ray lives in Somerville and over the past ten years has been involved in making over 100 local charitable events successful. As the Chamber's Dining & Nightlife Group Chair, Ray has been the recipient of numerous Powderhouse Awards for Business Interest Group of the Year.