Public Matters - Class of 2010
Public Matters - Class of 2010
MICHAEL BACIGALUPO was the Family Child Care Program Director at Community Teamwork, Inc. in 2010. Mike served as the first full-time Director of the Spindle City Corps and subsequently brought that program to Community Teamwork, Inc. when he was appointed CTI’s Youth Service Director. He is a former board member of the Lowell Cultural Council. Issues of interest to Mike include how public policy affects the working poor in the city, how the economic vibrancy of a community effects education, and how we can maximize the viability of a community to attract and retain a socio-economically diverse resident base.
KATHLEEN CAULFIELD is a graduate of the paralegal studies department at Middlesex Community College. She has worked as a seasonal park ranger in the volunteer office at Lowell National Historical Park. Kathy was the administrative assistant to the volunteer program coordinator and interpretive division volunteer supervisor. She also worked with volunteer supervisors in the NPS’s Maintenance, Education, Administration, and Curatorial Divisions. Kathy continues her close involvement with Lowell National Historical Park on a volunteer basis one day a week. She is committed to public service and has been very involved in the planning and implementation of many city-wide festivals and events. Kathy is a resident of Lowell.
SARIN CHUN was Head Teller at Lowell Cooperative Bank in 2010. Sarin began working at Lowell Coop while she attended Lowell Catholic High School and continued to work part-time at the bank while completing her degree in healthcare administration at Stonehill College. When she was a child, Sarin and her family fled Cambodia and moved to Lowell. This experience shaped her commitment to give back to the city and according to Sarin, “molded me into the person I am today.” Among the institutions and programs that Sarin supported through her volunteer work in Lowell are: Merrimack Repertory Theatre; the Salvation Army’s Giving Tree; Lowell Transitional Living’s Holiday Craft Fair; and Alternative House’s Valentine’s Day Auction.
JAMES COBB was Vice President and Branch Manager for Eastern Bank’s 50 Central Street, Lowell Office in 2010. Jim has engaged in numerous business organizations, service clubs, and social service organizations as a means of better understanding the communities in which he is involved. He was appointed to his current position in August, 2009 due in large part to his commitment to community. He has served in various capacities for the Wilmington and Salem Rotary Clubs; the Salem Phoenix School; the Salem Chamber of Commerce; and as a director of business networking chapters for Business Network International (B.N.I.) Massachusetts. Jim is a graduate of the New England College of Finance and the New England School for Financial Studies.
PATRICIA COFFEY was the Community and Government Relations Associate in the Office of Public Affairs at UMass Lowell in 2010. Patty is deeply involved with strategic planning initiatives and community engagement projects on behalf of the university. Patty worked closely with COOL/Cultural Affairs & Special Events over several years when she coordinated the CITA Summer Teams project with the Center for Family, Work and Community. She managed a research project with students, staff, faculty, and community partners to assess the economic and social impact of the university on downtown Lowell while participating in Public Matters. She balances her professional activity with an equal personal commitment to Lowell. She holds a master’s degree in Regional, Economic, and Social Development from UMass Lowell. Patty lives in Lowell.
PAUL FONTAINE is the Facility Manager of Operations for Lowell National Historical Park. Paul has worked with a wide variety of city and community partners in the course of a more than 30-year history with LNHP. Paul’s participation in youth programs offered by the YWCA and CTI is among an extensive list of programs and projects in which he is involved. He is instrumental in the planning and implementation of extraordinarily successful annual events such as the Lowell Folk Festival, Winterfest and the Southeast Asian Water Festival. His commitment to the environment is evidenced by his longstanding work with the Lowell Canal Water Cleaners, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the Keep Lowell Beautiful Committee. Paul lives in Dracut.
SUZANNE FRECHETTE was the Lowell Director for the International Institute, an organization that assists refugee and immigrant integration into the community when she participated in Public Matters. For many years, Suzanne was Deputy Director for the Coalition for a Better Acre. Before joining the CBA, she held positions in fiscal and budgetary management for various Commonwealth of Massachusetts agencies, most notably at the Department of Environmental Protection. She has spent many years in Lowell working in the nonprofit sector. She served as the Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Lowell and as board chair of Lowell’s Rebuilding Together. Suzanne currently oversees the Home Preservation Center, CBA’s foreclosure prevention counseling program that is conducted in conjunction with CTI in Lowell and regional partners in Lawrence. She also serves on the board for the Rape Crisis Services of Greater Lowell and Lowell Catholic High School. Suzanne received her bachelor’s degree in management from UMass Boston and a juris doctorate from Suffolk University Law School. Suzanne lives in Lowell.
TIMOTHY FRECHETTE joined Lowell Cooperative Bank as a commercial loans officer in the summer of 2009. Tim has extensive business experience both as a development officer and as a self-employed business owner. Tim states that he has seen the personal and professional benefits of community involvement. He writes of the importance of encouraging employees to take on leadership roles and to actively participate in the communities served by your business. Tim volunteered for Merrimack Repertory Theatre and for the Lowell Summer Music Series at Boarding House Park among several other Lowell organizations and events. Tim is a graduate of Northern Essex Community College.
WILLIAM FYFE was the Branch Relationship Manager for Enterprise Bank’s Gorham Street Branch in 2010. Bill is a lifelong resident of Lowell and a graduate of Lowell High School and UMass Lowell with a bachelor‘s of science degree in business management. He participated as a volunteer for several Lowell nonprofit organizations, and cultural and civic events. Bill served as a member of the Executive Committee of the Lowell Association for the Blind for many years. He has assisted coaching track for both Chelmsford and later Lowell High. Bill began his career at Enterprise Bank as a Management Trainee. Bill is a Lowell resident.
BEECHER GROGAN was the Merrimack Valley Program Manager for InnerCity Entrepreneurs (ICE) when she participated in Public Matters. ICE is a nonprofit organization that promotes job creation, wealth generation, and community development by helping a diverse group of urban entrepreneurs strengthen and grow their existing small businesses. She oversees ICE’s “Streetwise M.B.A.” program. Beecher is also the founder and volunteer Director of Lucy’s Love Bus, a nonprofit organization that delivers complementary therapies such as acupuncture, massage, and Reiki to children who are undergoing cancer treatment. She became involved in community organizing when she started and managed a farmers market in her hometown of Amesbury. Beecher attended the University of Vermont and lives in Amesbury.
REV. DR. KARIMI MUMBUI was the pastor of the Kenyan Community Presbyterian Church (Ushindi) of Lowell in 2010. Rev. Karimi began working in Lowell in 2000 to serve not only his Lowell community, but the broader Kenyan community in New England as well. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Lowell-Nairobi, Kenya Sister City initiative with the goal of fostering cultural relations between the two cities; and in the establishment of the Kenyan Pastors’ Fellowship in Greater Boston. He has been a member of the Governing Board and the African Advisory Board of the Lowell Community Health Center. Rev. Karimi received his bachelor of Divinity degree from St. Paul’s University, Kenya; an MA in Religious Studies from Central Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas; and his Doctorate of Ministry (Counseling) from Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
ALLISON LAMEY was the Senior Community Development Planner for the City of Lowell’s Division of Planning and Development in 2010. In that capacity, Allison was responsible for managing the city’s annual allocation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. These funds serve Lowell’s low- and moderate-income households through public service programs, job creation and business development, infrastructure and public facilities improvements, and new affordable housing development. She was instrumental in planning and allocating new funding for the city made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Allison received a bachelor ‘s of science degree in Environmental Design and a master’s degree in Regional Planning from UMass Amherst. She is active in the Young Professionals of Greater Lowell. Allison is a resident of the city.
DONNA McINTOSH was the Executive Assistant to Lowell’s City Manager when she participated in Public Matters. She was a senior staff team member in budget planning, organizational review, and community relations. Donna coordinated the office of the City Manager and acted as his representative with city departments and at various meetings. Donna was instrumental in the implementation of the City Manager’s “blog” and promoted the use of e-based communication tools. She was also responsible for special community issues that occurred, such as the current H1N1 preparedness. Donna served on the Reilly and Sullivan PTO boards and was appointed Sullivan Middle School representative to the City-Wide Parent Council. She also was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Lowell Telecommunications Corp. Donna is a graduate of UMass Amherst with a bachelor’s degree in English. She lives in Lowell.
JONATHAN PARKER was a Park Ranger for Lowell National Historical Park in 2010. He was responsible for developing and presenting original, interpretive programming for LNHP. Jonathan was a lead member of the Environmental Management Team and editor of the Park newspaper. He was also lead photographer and graphic designer for the Division of Interpretation. Jonathan was recognized by the Chief Ranger for “self-initiating new interpretive projects [that have] raised the quality of the Park’s interpretive materials.” He served as a National Park Service EMT, CPR instructor, and wildland firefighter. Prior to his National Park Service experience, Jonathan worked for U.S. Senator Evan Bayh and managed the daily field operations for Iowa’s 4th Congressional District during the 2006 midterm election. Jonathan graduated with a degree in History from Hamilton College.
KAREN PEUGH was the Program Director of the Lowell Community Health Center’s HIV Department in 2010. Karen’s work at LCHC was recognized by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health AIDS Bureau and led to multiple pilot programs within the LCHC’s HIV Department. Karen was a key leader, organizer and collaborator of LCHC’s annual employment trainings, program managers’ retreats, and electronic medical records integration. She participated in the creation of a Sub-Saharan Faith Based Leaders program. She worked with faith-based groups to increase healthcare awareness. Karen received her Bachelor of Science Degree from UMass Lowell.
KATHLEEN REGAN was Assistant Treasurer and Branch Manager of Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union’s Lowell Branch on Merrimack Street in 2010. Kathy has many years experience in the banking field. Kathy started as the Branch Manager for their new branch in Methuen and transferred to working in Lowell at the credit union's largest and most trafficked branch. She has held a responsible role in myriad social service efforts including: Lowell General Hospital’s Cancer Walk; D’Youville Manor’s Walk-a-Thon; Methuen’s Festival of Trees; Dracut’s Food Drive; and Dracut’s Summer Concert. Kathy volunteered for the Lowell Folk Festival, for the Salvation Army’s Clothing Drive, and has been a Salvation Army Bell Ringer.
CHRISTOPHER SAMARAS was the city of Lowell’s Downtown Coordinator in 2010. Working closely with the city’s Economic Development Office and the Department of Cultural Affairs &Special Events, Chris was the city’s liaison with downtown businesses. His work focused on improving the overall quality of the downtown for businesses, residents, workers, students, and visitors. Event coordination was one of Chris’ primary responsibilities. He was involved in numerous community projects, special events, flag raisings, and outreach events. Many of these undertakings were large annual events and included the Lowell Folk Festival, Winterfest, and the City of Lights Parade. Chris received a bachelor’s of science degree from Westfield State College.
LINDA SOU was the Director Lowell Community Health Center’s Teen Coalition when she participated in Public Matters. Linda implemented the Journey to Healing program which significantly improved communication and understanding by and between Cambodian youth and their parents who were survivors of the Khmer Rouge. She created programs aimed at preventing violence, teen pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, and substance abuse. With a deep cultural understanding, Linda used evidence-based approaches to address these issues through recreational, educational, and civic engagement programs. Among these activities was “Dance 4 Peace” for which she was both organizer and participant. Linda is active with the Angkor Dance Troupe and was the co-vice president of their Board of Directors. She graduated from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and received a master’s of science degree in Human Services, Organizational Management, and Leadership from Springfield College. Linda lives in Lowell.
JENNIFER VALADAO was Operations Specialist in the Deposit Operations Department at Washington Savings Bank on Middlesex Street in Lowell in 2010. She began her employment at Washington Savings in the summer of 2008. Jennifer’s involvement in civic engagement started at a young age. She was a member of the Mayor’s Joint Youth Commission, and a member of the 1999 All-American City Delegation. She interned for both Congressman Marty Meehan and Senator John Kerry. While attending UMass Lowell, Jennifer worked as a Casework Manager for Middlesex Community College’s Out of School Youth Development Center. She is deeply involved in Lowell’s Portuguese community and lives in the city.