Corporate responsibility. There’s a lot that goes into that two-word phrase — everything from writing checks to nonprofits to volunteerism within the community to the companies on a venture’s vendor list. And all of this makes a statement, according to Matt Bannister, senior vice president of

Through Mick Corduff’s long association with the Log Cabin, Delaney House, and D. Hotel Spa, the respected family of hospitality businesses in Holyoke, he has gleaned plenty about what customers want. Over the past year-plus, since taking

Association management — and, by extension, what the Markens Group does — can be a bit of a mystery, until Emily Leonczyk explains the many ways her company helps business

It’s hard to imagine anyone not having seen or used an Excel Dryer product, but there’s still plenty of opportunity for growth, says Bill Gagnon, executive vice president and COO at the East Longmeadow-based manufacturer and maker of the powerful, high-efficiency XLERATOR. On the next episode of BusinessTalk, Gagnon talks to BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar about Excel’s latest product advancements, its cutting-edge work with advanced air filtration, its sustainably built headquarters expansion, its intriguing contributions to worldwide relief efforts (including in Turkey following a major earthquake), and much more. It's must listening, so tune into BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest.

Forty-five years ago, Ace Precision Inc. was born in a small building in Agawam. Today, in a much larger facility, it meets the precision machining needs of clients across the aerospace, defense, and commercial spectrum. On the next episode of BusinessTalk, Plant Manager Sadiq Elias talks to BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar about that evolution, career opportunities in manufacturing, and much more. It's must listening, so tune into BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest.

A former competitive dancer who later found a passion — and skill — for DJing, Nicole Nell has forged an intriguing career, both as DJ Nicki Nell and as president of Visual Sound Productions, an award-winning, multi-operational production company. On the next episode of BusinessTalk, Nicole talks to BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar about all of that, as well as her exciting project to renovate a historic building 130 Union St. in Springfield and turn it into her

Since its inception 15 years ago, the Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club (PVRC) has achieved its mission of connecting Springfield-area residents with the Connecticut River through a robust slate of rowing, kayaking, dragon boating, and other activities — and changing the narrative around

Dave Hayes was fascinated by storms in his youth, and even more intrigued by the weather forecasts he saw on TV, and how they were quickly mirrored by the skies above him. That passion never went away, and he eventually began sharing it with the world — with surprising results. On the next episode of BusinessTalk, BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar talks with the man known online as Dave Hayes the Weather

Darby O’Brien is the dean among the local marketing and public relations professionals, and he speaks with more than 40 years of experience in that field. He’s also famous for speaking his mind, being candid any subject you want to talk about, and not caring if he ruffles any feathers while doing so. Sounds like an intriguing guest for BusinessTalk. And

Since its inception in 1976, the Center for EcoTechnology (CET) has been on the cutting edge of big issues like energy efficiency, waste reduction, and, more recently, decarbonization. On the next episode of BusinessTalk, BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar talks with Ashley