Checkwriters Interviews

He started his career at a Boys and Girls Club based in an old mill building with no AC...but despite the bare-bones facilities, the place was overflowing with kids!

Lessons learned in those early days helped Dan D'Angelo - Executive Director of the West Springfield Boys and Girls Club - revitalize his own organization by...

🏋️ Strengthening the board and his staff

⛹️‍♀️ Revamping the club's programming

🤝 Committing to an open-door policy, and...

🧙‍♂️ Mentoring the next generation of leadership!

Watch this episode to hear about a beloved community club, the kids it serves, and the devoted and enthusiastic staff who make it happen!

ABOUT DAN:

💡 Guest: Dan D'Angelo

Ever wonder how a family business can last nearly 100 years?

Curious about the HR challenges unique to manufacturing?

💡 Guest: Ed Sullivan

DOL Rule, Pregnant Workers, Remote Employees Getting Fired, and... Robots Getting Onboarded?

💡 Guest: Megan Butz

You know that teacher or professor you always remember who could captivate a class with their wisdom and experience?

Our interview with David Mersky felt just like that.

David’s firm not only advises nonprofit leaders on how to create top-notch experiences for their donors and staff, but in many cases he’s developed these leaders and helped them land the top job.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:

- Why you should never stop onboarding your team

...and more sage advice from David Mersky, Founding Partner at Mersky, Jaffe & Associates.

💡 Guest: David Mersky

Are nonprofits businesses?

They've got many of the same challenges! Finding staff aligned with their goals, building and maintaining culture, plus the added challenge of fundraising.

Our guest in this episode is Michelle Theroux - she's taken nonprofit operations to the next level by combining strategic business leadership with a mission-driven mentality. Michelle has used her expertise to turn around several struggling organizations, chaired boards in the human service and healthcare worlds, and been honored with BusinessWest's 40 under 40, and Women of Impact Awards.

As the current CEO of Berkshire Hills Music Academy - a thriving Adult Residential School with music at its core, serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities - Michelle shares valuable insight on creating culture, maintaining mission, and the art and science of fundraising in this episode of Checkwriters.

💡 Guest: Michelle Theroux

There's something about the story behind successful liquor brands that typifies the entrepreneurial spirit.

Guest-at-a-Glance

He jokingly calls himself the "grim reaper" of health insurance. But Mike Welnicki actually stands out in the employee benefits industry not because of the tongue-in-cheek comparison to the angel of death - but rather because of his relentless focus on education - both for his clients, their employees, and his own team.

He's also one of the most accessible employee benefits advisors in the industry. In fact, Mike says if you don't hear back from him fast, you ought to do a wellness check.

After 25 years in the employee benefits industry and roles in sales, service, management, and now owner, Mike Welnicki of Webber & Grinnell Insurance Agency, an Alera Group Company is an invaluable resource in the benefits world.

Listen to this episode of Checkwriters to gain insight from this industry veteran about building a benefits plan that your employees actually like, the differences of captives, HSAs, and HRAs, and his diagnosis of why costs continue to rise and what employers can do to address it.

Guest-at-a-Glance

💡 Guest: Michael Welnicki

In this episode of Checkwriters, hosts Dakota Hebert and Felicia Corbeil engage with Megan Butz, General Counsel for HR Compliance at Checkwriters. They dive into critical updates on HR compliance and the intricacies of employment law that impact both employers and employees. Megan provides a comprehensive breakdown of the Secure 2.0 Act, discussing its intent to enhance retirement opportunities for a broader class of employees and outlining specific provisions like the reduced eligibility period for long-term part-time workers.

Megan also touches on the implementation of 'de minimis' incentives under the Secure 2.0 Act, explaining the concept and its implications for employer-sponsored retirement plans. This segment emphasizes practical advice for HR professionals and business owners, aiming to clarify the application of new federal guidelines.

The conversation further explores the intersection of student loan payments and retirement contributions, an emerging issue relevant to recent graduates and their employers. Megan outlines how the Secure 2.0 Act facilitates employees' ability to manage student loans while saving for retirement, illustrating the act's broader implications for workforce management and employee benefits.

In this episode of Checkwriters, Dakota Hebert and Felicia Corbeil engage with seasoned recruiter Andrea Cataldo of Recruit 413. They dive into the evolving recruitment landscape, where traditional practices like cover letters become less common, yet the essence of a good match between employer and candidate remains critical. Andrea shares insights from her extensive experience, emphasizing the importance of chemistry in securing lasting employment relationships.

Andrea discusses the nuanced art of matchmaking in recruitment, highlighting the balance between a candidate's qualifications and the cultural fit with potential employers. She underlines the significance of not judging candidates solely by their resumes, advocating a deeper look into individual capabilities and employer expectations. This approach aims to discover the best fit, ensuring both parties' satisfaction and longevity in the employment relationship.

Furthermore, the conversation sheds light on practical aspects of recruitment, including navigating candidate interviews and the strategic use of incentives by employers. Andrea stresses the importance of mutual authenticity and the need for candidates to demonstrate genuine engagement and flexibility. She offers advice to employers on fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace, crucial for retaining talent in a competitive job market.

Guest-at-a-Glance

💡 Guest: Andrea Cataldo

In this episode of Checkwriters, hosts Dakota Hebert and Felicia Corbeil sit down with Peter and Linda Rosskothen, the entrepreneurial spirits behind Delaney’s Market. The Rosskothens share insights from their journey, highlighting the leap of faith required in business decisions. They emphasize trust and intuition as their guide through the uncertainty of hospitality entrepreneurship.

The conversation dives into the significance of adaptability and passion in the hospitality sector. The Rosskothens recount their venture into the restaurant industry, initially driven by the unique concept of Boston Chicken (now Boston Market). Their story underscores the importance of seizing opportunities and the willingness to evolve, which enabled them to navigate the industry's challenges successfully.

As the discussion unfolds, the theme of personal connection with their restaurant and hotel patrons emerges as a cornerstone of their success. From intimate wedding celebrations to innovative dining experiences, the Rosskothens’ approach to business is deeply rooted in creating memorable moments for their guests. Their commitment to quality and personal touch in every venture reflects the essence of their brand, setting a benchmark for excellence in hospitality entrepreneurship.