New AIM Elects

Patricia Begrowicz, President and Co-Owner of Onyx Specialty Papers in Lee, was elected today as Chair of the Board of Directors of Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM), the statewide business association.

A respected business and community leader in Berkshire County, Ms. Begrowicz has led the rebirth of a successful manufacturing company she acquired with a partner from MeadWestvaco during the great recession. She will become the second woman to chair the board of the largest business group in the commonwealth and the first person from Berkshire County to lead AIM since 1953.

Representatives of 3,400 AIM-member businesses elected Ms. Begrowicz during the association’s annual business meeting this morning. Members also elected Donna Latson Gittens, Principal and Founder of MORE Advertising in Watertown, as Clerk of the Corporation, and Gregory Buscone, Executive Vice President and Senior Commercial Banking Officer, Eastern Bank, Boston, as Treasurer.

“Our new leadership epitomizes AIM’s commitment to diversity in all its forms – racial, gender, geographic, industry and company size,” said outgoing Board Chair Joanne Hilferty, President and Chief Executive Officer of Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries in Boston.

“Pat Begrowicz is an accomplished entrepreneur and manufacturing executive who will be the perfect leader for Associated Industries of Massachusetts as it renews its commitment to helping businesses succeed.”

Ms. Begrowicz bought the MeadWestvaco specialty papers business with partner Christopher Mathews in December 2009 and formed Onyx Specialty Papers.  The company, which currently employs 150 people, provides skilled manufacturing jobs in a region that has seen many manufacturers downsize or close.  Onyx produces highly engineered papers for technically demanding applications in global markets including automotive, medical filters, fine art, decorative surfaces and filtration.

A native of New Jersey, Ms. Begrowicz earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Science in Paper Science and Technology from Lawrence University. She serves on the boards of directors for Power Options, 1 Berkshire, the Boys and Girls Club of the Berkshires and the Berkshire Business Roundtable. She also serves on the University of Notre Dame Engineering College Advisory Council.

“I am honored to chair the Board of Directors of AIM at a time when the need has never been greater for business organizations to create a sense of collective purpose among employers. We are proud that everyone involved in the legislative or business life of Massachusetts praises the professionalism, preparation and civility that AIM shows on behalf of employers and the jobs they create,” Ms. Begrowicz said.

Donna Latson Gittens left a successful broadcasting career at WCVB-TV to pursue her long-time passion for launching a boutique media and marketing firm to promote critical social issues and support mission-driven public, private, and nonprofit organizations.

Her firm, MORE Advertising in Watertown, is known as “The Agency of Change” and focuses on social marketing campaigns to promote changes in behavior and attitude. Target audiences include the underserved, low-income populations, homeless youth, minority audiences, and people suffering from substance abuse disorders, mental or physical health issues.

Ms. Latson-Gittens was appointed by Governor Charles Baker as a member of the Massachusetts Marketing Partnership. She is also a board member of The Village Bank in Newton, serves on the Executive Committee of the AIM and is a member of the Museum of African American History Leadership Advisors.

Ms. Latson Gittens holds a BA from Park University, an MBA from Northeastern University, and an honorary doctorate degree from Elms College in Springfield.  She mentors students and female entrepreneurs, has received numerous awards and is the proud owner of four Red Sox World Championship Rings for 2004, 2007, 2013 and 2018.

Gregory Buscone is Executive Vice President and Senior Commercial Banking Officer at Eastern Bank.  He is an experienced corporate banking leader, with more than 30 years of experience in the banking industry advising commercial customers in areas that include working capital lines of credit, acquisition financing, asset-based lending, owner-occupied real estate, employee stock ownership plan-related financing and specialized finance in the security alarm space.

Known for a strong commitment to building long-term relationships, Mr. Buscone brings substantial expertise in developing financing strategies for corporate growth and supporting family-owned companies in succession planning. He is experienced in serving the needs of manufacturers and wholesalers.

Mr. Buscone serves on various business boards focused on improving the economic health of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including the Financial Services Committee of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. He serves on the Board of Directors and is Treasurer at Bay Cove Human Services, the Board of Directors of BDC New England, the Board of Overseers at Newton Wellesley Hospital, and formerly served on the Board at MassEcon where he is a past Vice-Chair.

He began his commercial banking career in 1986 and previously managed middle market lending and specialized lending for Citizens Bank.

Mr. Buscone has a BA from the College of the Holy Cross and an MBA from Northeastern University.  He and his wife Megan live in Medfield and are parents of six children.

Mr. Buscone and Ms. Gittens co-chair AIM’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.

Congratulations to our new board members:

• Robert Babcock, TD Bank N.A., Worcester
• Kristin Carlson, Peerless Precision, Inc., Westfield
• Janell Dubsky, Martignetti Companies, Taunton
• Herby Duverné, Windwalker Group, Boston
• Christina Fisher, Amazon, Boston
• William Grant, Cummings Properties LLC, Woburn
• Marcelo Suárez-Orozco, University of Massachusetts, Boston

View our Entire Board of Directors Here!