On September 8, 2019, Governor Charles Baker officially appointed Hector Toledo, Vice President and Branch Distribution Network Officer of Greenfield Savings Bank, to Greenfield Community College's esteemed board of trustees. One of eleven trustees, Hector will replace former trustee, Linda Melconian.

Hector joins the Board with close to thirty years of experience in banking. Before joining Greenfield Savings Bank in 2018, he held executive positions at People's United Bank, Hampden Bank and Bank of America. Raised in Springfield, he has spent the past 25 years volunteering for numerous non-profits. He is a Board member and chair of the finance committee for Baystate Health; a Board member for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts; a former Chairperson of the Board of Springfield Technical Community College; and a Board member of both the YMCA of Greater Springfield and the United Way of Pioneer Valley. Hector's hard work and dedication has made him a tremendous asset to his home city and the surrounding communities.

"We are delighted to have Hector join our Board," remarks GCC's President, Dr. Yves Salomon-Fernandez, "He is a seasoned executive who is no stranger to the community college board role. His perspectives will serve us well as we advance equity in terms of access to opportunities and outcomes in our communities."

Though new to GCC, Hector has served on boards alongside the school's former President, Dr. Robert "Bob" Pura. He is not only familiar with GCC's outstanding reputation, but is acutely aware of the life-changing impact community colleges have on the students they serve. An alum of STCC, Hector is of the first generation in his family to attend college.

"One of the greatest qualities of community colleges in this state is the automatic support and hope given to students regardless of where they come from, their ethnicity, their gender or their age," shares Hector. "Community colleges are among the few beacons of hope left across the state where people with little or no money can pursue their dreams or even just figure out what those dreams are with little to no debt. They make higher education a possibility rather than a pipe dream."

With a wealth of leadership skills, strong financial expertise, and a personal connection to the life-changing impact of community college, Hector is well-positioned to balance GCC's expectations to perform with the real needs of its students, community, and staff.

"All of us at Greenfield Savings Bank are proud of Hector Toledo's appointment to the GCC Board of Trustees," commented John H. Howland, President and CEO of Greenfield Savings Bank. "Hector's management experience and his firm support for public community colleges as an affordable quality education and pathway to a career will be an asset to the College."

Trustee Robert Cohn echoes this sentiment. "Hector Toledo will be a superb asset to our board. He is well versed in community college structures and his financial savvy as a Greenfield Savings Bank manager makes him a perfect fit. I have spent some time with Hector-- the entire board of trustees welcomes him to a wonderful board that cares deeply for the college and the community!"

# # #