WBOA to celebrate 30 years

Date: 5/21/2012

May 21, 2012

WEST SPRINGFIELD — On June 21 at 6 p.m. at Chez Josef in Agawam, the Women's Business Owners Alliance of the Pioneer Valley (WBOA) will celebrate its 30th anniversary as well as recognize its 2012 Business Woman of the Year.

Also, during this event, the WBOA will recognize its 2012 Outstanding New Member and will name its Top Women in Business in the Pioneer Valley as well as receive a special presentation by Renate Oliver, founder of the WBOA.

"We are very excited to be celebrating this special milestone and we are thrilled that our founder can be with us to tell her inspiring story of how she started our group and grew it into what we have today," Eileen Jerome, president of the WBOA, said. "The WBOA is dedicated to supporting current and aspiring women business professionals and looks forward to future success."

Each year, WBOA members congratulate the Business Woman of the Year, the Outstanding New Member, and the Top Women in Business in the Pioneer Valley. This year the awardees are as follows: 2012 Business Woman of the Year — Freda Brown, Divorce Financial Services; 2012 Outstanding New Member — Christine Parizo, Christine Parizo Communications.

The WBOA Top Women in Business in the Pioneer Valley: Katrina Hawley and Laurie Johnson of The Pilate's Studio in Hadley; Christine Pilch of Grow My Company in Ware; Becky Caplice of Greenfield Savings Bank in Greenfield; Nancy Rose of Get at the Roots in Southwick; Maureen Sullivan of The Republican in Springfield; Monique Leyda of Bishop Technologies in Springfield; and Alysia Cosby of WEIB FM Radio in Northampton.

Carleen Eve Fischer Hoffman, 2012 chairwoman for the event, shared the momentum of this historic event and milestone. "The committee has a very exciting and inspiring event planned. Come and be treated red-carpet style while enjoying fabulous food, entertainment, and networking. With the help of our platinum sponsor, Hampden Bank, and our other sponsors and supporters, this will be an event you will not want to miss!"

This event will feature live entertainment by Jeannie Pomeroy-Murphy as well as a raffle fund-raiser offering items donated from area businesses.

A portion of the proceeds will go toward the WBOA Cheryl Reed Loan Fund, which offers low-interest loans to WBOA members for seed money, expansion, or other worthy business purposes.

For more information or tickets, visit www.wboa.org or call Hoffman at 525-7345.