STCC Assistance Corp. chairman resigns

SPRINGFIELD The planned departure of Brian Q. Corridan from the Springfield Technical Community College Assistance Corporation will take place Oct. 31, ending more than a decade of service with the entity that created and guides the Technology Park adjacent to STCC.

Corridan has served as chairman of the STCC Assistance Corporation since it was formed in 1996. He, along with former STCC President Andrew Scibelli, envisioned a technology center that would respond to the emergence of technology-related businesses and those requiring a higher level of technology in their operations.

According to Corridan, "At the creation of the Technology Park we were all aware that we were involved in something that had never been done before establishing a technology-based business park connected to a community college. That the Park survived and has flourished for over the past 11 years is a testament to the original vision that we all shared.

"The Park now has a broad range of business concerns that represent an asset to Springfield, to the region and to STCC. These include organizations such as One Communications, the largest privately held competitive telecommunications provider in the United States, Crocker Communications, a locally owned diversified Internet and telecommunications hosting company, and national and regional companies such as Verizon and Western Mass Electric Company.

"On the other end of the spectrum are organizations like Mind Wing, a small start-up technology company, and the National Center for Telecommunications Technology, the advanced technology center that develops and pilots telecommunications and related science and math courses in high schools, community colleges and baccalaureate-degree colleges. It is a testimony to the original vision that these organizations had the confidence to be stakeholders in the Park.

"Helping shape the emergence of the Technology Park, as well as the incubator, entrepreneur center and the Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame, has been tremendously rewarding for me. It is rare to get the opportunity to participate in a vision becoming a reality at such a grand scale as with the Technology Park. That I had a small part in its development is something of which I am very proud. I had announced my intention to leave the Board when beginning my last term a year ago so I am happy to turn leadership of the STCC Assistance Corporation over to someone new.

"I know that there will be new challenges ahead for that person but I'm satisfied that we were able to put the Technology Park on the map and poised for even greater accomplishments in the future. I will continue to have a keen interest in the well-being of the Park but it's time to give someone else the opportunity to serve and to lead this vital enterprise."

Corridan has also served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of STCC, currently serves on the board of Baystate Health and its Investment Committee and is on the board of Westmass Area Development Corporation.

According to Scibelli, "It is one thing to have a vision for a particular idea, but it is a rare skill to be able to guide the myriad of practical steps necessary to see an idea like the Technology Park come to fruition. Corridan had that ability and without his intimate involvement, the Park would not have succeeded."

STCC President Ira Rubenzahl said, "Corridan is the only board chair that I have known on the Assistance Corporation and his savvy and passion for the Park will be hard to replace."

STCC Assistance Corporation Board member Edgar Alejandro said, "Corridan was able to navigate the Board through the ups and downs of the start-up and development of the Park and his leadership will be missed. On the other hand, he leaves with the Park as an established entity and with a solid foundation in going forward."

The Park is managed by Appleton Corporation, an affiliate of the O'Connell Companies. Paul Stelzer of Appleton said, "Corridan's business acumen had a lot to do with the success of the Park and he is acutely aware of the need for a technology-based business park and its unique role in Springfield and in the region. His steady hand in guiding the Park through real estate and business cycles has been exceptional."

The Park has been recognized with a number of national awards and recognitions including being named by the Economic Development Administration in 2001 for Excellence in Urban Development and then again by the International Economic Development Council for Excellence in technology park development in 2002.

In addition to his many community involvements, Corridan is the principal in the firm Corridan & Company, a full-service investment firm for all aspects of brokerage and financial services located in Springfield.