ABOUT US

Our Mission

We are a Business Community Development Organization

We are a non-profit organization that helps business communities become stronger and more self-sustaining. We achieve this by educating consumers, supporting local businesses, empowering town/city leaders, and making it easy for media companies to help promote all of the above.

At Living Local 413, we are committed to building strong, sustainable business communities that enhance the quality of life for everyone. We believe that by investing in our local economies, we can create a brighter future for our communities and our world.

Consumer Programs | Business Programs | Town/City Programs | Media Company Programs

Our History

We Have Deep Roots In Western Mass

Living Local was founded in 2013 as a grassroots movement in Western Mass. Our founders recognized the importance of small businesses in our communities and the need to support them in order to create thriving local economies. Through social media and special events planning, we engaged local businesses and consumers to promote the idea of “Eat. Shop. Live” locally.

Over the years, Living Local has evolved into a non-profit organization with a mission to empower local businesses and consumers alike. We continue to provide networking opportunities, educational resources, and access to financing resources to help businesses succeed. We also work closely with town/city leaders and media companies to promote the benefits of shopping locally and supporting small businesses.

Through our efforts, we have seen firsthand the positive impact that local businesses can have on our communities. By shopping locally and supporting small businesses, we can create stronger, more sustainable economies that benefit everyone. At Living Local, we are proud to be a part of this movement, and we look forward to continuing to support our local communities for years to come.

Some Of Our Founding Members!

LocalPro

Business Resources Directory

Not all towns and cities have resources for small businesses. So it makes sense for us to partner with and provide links to the regional resources that are available on each of the city pages.

Our “How To” Partners

Living Local 413 is a non-profit organization that is focused on educating our communities about “Why” we need to eat, shop and hire locally. But it does not make sense to do that unless there is a “How” to eat, shop and hire locally.

Providing modern solutions for that is a big lift so it makes sense for us to partner with and help other local businesses and organizations to come up with really good solutions.

If your company or organization would like to partner with us to develop solutions for Eating, Shopping, or hiring locally, we would love to hear from you.

Robert E. Barkett

Robert E. Barkett

Executive Director

Phone: 413-504-2723
Email: rbarkett@livinglocal413.org

OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Robert E. Barkett is a highly esteemed figure within the local business community of Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and the wider Western MA region. Born and raised in Longmeadow, Barkett has made significant contributions to the growth and prosperity of the area, leaving a lasting impact on both the economic and social fronts.

With a keen entrepreneurial spirit and a deep understanding of business dynamics, Robert Barkett has played a pivotal role in fostering the development of the local business community. Through his innovative ideas and strategic leadership, he has founded and successfully led multiple companies, creating employment opportunities and driving economic growth in Western MA. Barkett’s visionary mindset and ability to identify emerging trends have positioned him as a sought-after advisor and mentor for aspiring entrepreneurs in the region.

Beyond his accomplishments in the business realm, Barkett is a passionate advocate for community development and collaborative initiatives. He has actively engaged with local organizations and served on various boards, lending his expertise to projects that enhance the overall well-being of Western MA residents. By fostering partnerships and encouraging cooperation, he has contributed to the creation of a vibrant and inclusive community that thrives on shared success.

Robert Barkett’s commitment to the local business community goes hand in hand with his dedication to supporting the region’s economic ecosystem. He understands the importance of fostering a supportive environment for businesses of all sizes and industries. Barkett has championed initiatives that encourage entrepreneurship, attract investment, and promote sustainable growth, thereby strengthening Western MA’s position as a hub of innovation and opportunity.

While achieving remarkable success in his professional endeavors, Barkett remains deeply rooted in his family and community. He recognizes the significance of strong relationships and actively cultivates a nurturing environment for his loved ones. His commitment to work-life balance serves as a testament to his belief that personal well-being is just as vital as professional achievements.

Robert E. Barkett’s entrepreneurial spirit, business acumen, and commitment to the local business community have made him a highly respected figure in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and the wider Western MA region. His contributions to economic growth, community development, and collaborative initiatives have left an indelible mark, inspiring others to strive for excellence and work towards a prosperous future for all.

Board Of Directors

Our Dedicated Living Local 413 Leaders

Our awesome board of directors is comprised of local business people who live right here in Western Massachusets. They are dedicated to keeping the organization focused on our goals and are here to ensure that we are truly doing great things to help our business community.

Bill Cole

Bill Cole

President

Sandra Magri

Sandra Magri

Treasurer

Nicole Preston-Cullen

Nicole Preston-Cullen

Executive Assistant

Dylan Pilon

Dylan Pilon

Director

William Collins

William Collins

Director

Charlie Christianson

Charlie Christianson

Director

Mark Ashe

Mark Ashe

Director

Paul McNamara

Paul McNamara

Director

Ramon Lorenzi

Ramon Lorenzi

Director

Sina Holloman

Sina Holloman

Director

Jim White

Jim White

Director

Open Position

Open Position

Director

Segment Committees

You cant have businesses without consumers, you can’t have towns/cities without businesses and if you have all of those and don’t tell anyone about it via the media, it won’t matter much!

The following segment committees are focused on one of our four segments described above. They are all led by a chairperson who will organize meetings and help keep the committee focused and productive. The chairperson will also report to the board of directors once a month.

Consumers Segment

Why & How should consumers spend their money (Eat & Shop) locally?  Create and improve our programs for consumers.

Open Position

Open Position

Segment Chair

William Collins

William Collins

Committee Member

Raymond Berry, Jr.

Raymond Berry, Jr.

Committee Member

Barbara Clark

Barbara Clark

Committee Member

Maureen Sullivan

Maureen Sullivan

Committee Member

Open Position

Open Position

Committee Member

Businesses Segment

What can we do to help our local business communities in Western Mass? (Hire local and B2B) Create and improve our programs for businesses.

Open Position

Open Position

Segment Chair

Roberto Nieves

Roberto Nieves

Committee Member

Nancy Mirkin

Nancy Mirkin

Committee Member

Mary Schoonmaker

Mary Schoonmaker

Committee Member

Andrew Melendez

Andrew Melendez

Committee Member

Amie Miarecki

Amie Miarecki

Committee Member

Randy Demarest

Randy Demarest

Committee Member

Jack Clemente

Jack Clemente

Committee Member

Becca Coolong

Becca Coolong

Committee Member

Dawn Creighton

Dawn Creighton

Committee Member

Open Position

Open Position

Committee Member

Open Position

Open Position

Committee Member

Towns/Cities Segment

How can towns/cities connect better with their business communities? What can we do to help make that happen? (LocalPro software platform) Create and improve our programs for towns/cities.

Open Position

Open Position

Segment Chair

Charlie Christianson

Charlie Christianson

Committee Member

Joseph Lawler

Joseph Lawler

Committee Member

Dennis Lopata

Dennis Lopata

Committee Member

Evan Plotkin

Evan Plotkin

Committee Member

Open Position

Open Position

Committee Member

Media Companies Segment

How can media companies connect better with our small and micro business communities and help those who need it? Create and improve our programs for media companies.

Mark French

Mark French

Segment Chair

Barbara Perry

Barbara Perry

Committee Member

George O’Brien

George O’Brien

Committee Member

Kathleen Plante

Kathleen Plante

Committee Member

Dylan Pilon

Dylan Pilon

Committee Member

Christine Romanko

Christine Romanko

Committee Member

Tammy Crochiere

Tammy Crochiere

Committee Member

Katie Laflame

Katie Laflame

Committee Member

Scott Greene

Scott Greene

Committee Member

Open Position

Open Position

Committee Member

Open Position

Open Position

Committee Member

Open Position

Open Position

Committee Member

Advisory Boards

A special thanks to our advisory board members. They help us decide how best to work together to support our local business community. As the leaders of our communities, they have all been extremely helpful and willing to give their time and resources to this very important grassroots movement.

State & Regional

How can we work with the state & regional organizations and how can the state and regional organizations work through us?

Tony Cignoli

Tony Cignoli

State Chair

Eric Lesser

Eric Lesser

State Senator

Brian Ashe

Brian Ashe

State Representative

Open Position

Open Position

State Representative

Open Position

Open Position

State Representative

Open Position

Open Position

State Representative

Rick Sullivan

Rick Sullivan

Economic Development

Lori Tanner

Lori Tanner

Economic Data

Allison Ebner

Allison Ebner

Employment

Scott Foster

Scott Foster

Legal/Corporate

Hope Ross Gibaldi

Hope Ross Gibaldi

Business Mentoring

Open Position

Open Position

Advisor

Big Business (coming soon!)

How can we work with big businesses and how can big businesses do good things through us?

Bryan Smithwick

Bryan Smithwick

GreatHorse

Open Position

Open Position

MGM

Open Position

Open Position

Baystate Health

Open Position

Open Position

UMASS

Open Position

Open Position

Big Y

Open Position

Open Position

Eversource

Financial & Funding

How can we work with financial institutions and funding sources. How can Financial Institutions work through us?

Dan Moriarty

Dan Moriarty

Advisor

Raymond Lanza-Weil

Raymond Lanza-Weil

Advisor

Jim Kelly

Jim Kelly

Advisor

Ward Caswell

Ward Caswell

Advisor

Alison Sawyer

Alison Sawyer

Advisor

Scott M. Graves

Scott M. Graves

Advisor

Your Living Local 413 Journey

Join Us – Be A Part Of The Solution!

We are always looking for more people who care about their business community and would like to contribute to its well-being and success. Please fill out this form and let us know why and in what way you would like to join us.