People in Business: April 25, 2022

Pathlight, an organization serving people in Western Massachusetts with developmental and intellectual disabilities, named John Roberson as its new executive director. He will begin his duties on May 2.

Roberson brings an extensive background in leadership and operations for community-based residential programs and a passion for improving the quality of life for individuals with disabilities and special needs.

Most recently, Roberson was vice president of children and families for the Center for Human Development, where he was responsible for management of a $25 million annual budget and expansion of services with local, state and federal agencies for a division that provides housing, child development, behavioral health and court guided support services.

Prior to becoming vice president, he served in a variety of capacities including managing two large residential facilities as CHD’s director of juvenile justice programs. Previously, he was a lead treatment supervisor for the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department where he supervised treatment staff and developed treatment programs for inmates housed in the pre-release center.

Roberson is a member of the Child Welfare League of America and the American Correctional Association. He has served as a board member of the Correctional Association of Massachusetts, the Restorative Justice Collaborative of Hampden County, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Charter School of Excellence. He holds an master’s degree from Cambridge College in Springfield.

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Florence Bank recently announced several personnel changes within its retail banking team, which delivers products and services to consumers via 12 branch offices and a customer call center.

Nicole Gleason and Emily Tower were assigned to different branch locations. Candice Somar was promoted from assistant branch manager to branch manager, and Elissa Langevin’s role has expanded to include retail development director.

Gleason, of Monson, will continue to hold her title of vice president – branch manager but has moved from the Springfield branch to the West Springfield office.

Gleason studied accounting at Springfield Technical Community College and is a 2011 graduate of the New England School of Financial Studies. She is a board member for The “X” Main Street Corporation, formally Bing Arts Theater, and serves on the fundraising committee for Revitalize Community Development Corp.

Tower will continue to hold the title of branch manager-assistant vice president but has moved from the West Springfield branch to the main office in Florence. A Franklin County resident, Tower is a 2020 graduate of the New England School for Financial Studies and has worked in banking for 16 years.

Somar was promoted from assistant branch manager to branch manager-bank officer and will oversee the Springfield branch located on Allen Street. Previously, she was the assistant manager of the Hadley branch office. A former volunteer for the West of the River Chamber of Commerce, Somar has 22 years of experience in banking.

Somar lives in Springfield and is active in the community, volunteering for Revitalize CDC, Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity, Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts and Springfield Public School District’s Read Aloud and Mentoring Program.

Langevin, vice president and area manager, will oversee two additional branch offices and begin serving as retail development director. She currently oversees the Florence, Belchertown, Granby, West Springfield, Springfield and Chicopee branch offices, and the Hadley and Amherst branch offices will now report to her as well.

A Wilbraham resident, Langevin has worked for Florence Bank for over a decade, serving in various positions. Previously, she was the recipient of Florence Bank’s Community Service Award, which provides recognition to employees who are actively involved in community organizations, donating personal and professional time.

In the community, Langevin is the treasurer of and board member for the Belchertown Day School and a member of the East of the River Five Town Chamber of Commerce. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

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RIZE Massachusetts, an independent nonprofit foundation working to end the opioid epidemic in Massachusetts, announced the election of Frank Robinson, of Springfield, to its board of directors.

Robinson is vice president of public health for Baystate Health, where he is responsible for integrating clinical and community care to better serve vulnerable populations and create healthier communities. Previously at Baystate, he served as the executive director of Partners for a Healthier Community and the director of community health planning.

Robinson earned a bachelor’s degree from the state University of New York at Oswego, a master’s degree from Mansfield University in Pennsylvania, and his Ph.D. in public health from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

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Hampshire Power Corp. recently promoted Drew Houx to community energy business development manager.

Houx holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from St. Lawrence University and has focused his career to solar project development with an emphasis on risk mitigation and long-term profitability.

Previously an account executive, Houx will expand on his experience at Hampshire Power to connect energy project owners with the company.

Prior to joining Hampshire Power, Houx was an account manager at CED Greentech.