Speakers

Rachel Resendes has been appointed as the new Executive Director of Damien’s Food Pantry after a comprehensive search and rigorous selection process.

Rachel has over 20 years of experience managing large-scale initiatives in various settings, including non-profit and for-profit, higher education, food and construction industries, education, and grant projects. Rachel has extensive experience handling budgets, working within FDA and DPH guidelines, staffing and personnel, and developing programs and procedures within community-based organizations.

Mrs. Resendes received her Bachelor's Degree from UMASS Amherst and her Master's and Doctorate in Business Administration at Columbia Southern University. In addition, Rachel has completed the following certifications: MTEL Communication and Literacy, MAPP, CRP/First Aid, Distinguished Researcher Certificate, Blood Born Pathogens, Serve Safe Certified, Serve Safe Allergen Certified, and an Unrestricted Licenses Contractor. 

Rachel resides in Fall River, MA, with her husband Tony and their three children, Dakota, Trent, and Troy. When not working or furthering her education, Rachel volunteers with the Fall River Youth Soccer Association, the Rotary Club of Fall River, or one of the many advisory Boards she supports. Rachel assumed her new role effective August 5, 2024.

Bristol Community College and all public community colleges in Massachusetts are now free for those who qualify. The MassEducate and MassReconnect programs allow Massachusetts residents who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree to attend one of our 15 community colleges for free, regardless of age or income. This presentation will provide an overview of Free College, why it is important to our region, program eligibility requirements, and how to enroll. You, your family members and employees/colleagues may all be eligible for this new Massachusetts benefit.

Over the past 36  years, Attorney Kenneth Fiola, Jr., Executive Vice President of the private, nonprofit corporation, Jobs for Fall River, Inc. d/b/a the Bristol County Economic Development Consulting Group (BC EDC) has worked with his Board of Directors to develop and implement a broad range of economic development policies to chart an economic development course for the future that is consistent with the strength of the social and business assets of the community and help prepare the foundation for growth in new and emerging industries.

Since he first began with the office in 1986 and 25 years as its Executive Vice President, Mr. Fiola has devoted his professional career to the implementation of a comprehensive economic development strategy that has helped Fall River strengthen and diversify its traditional manufacturing industrial base and create jobs in the life science, medical device manufacturing, health care and distribution sectors so as to create and retain jobs for Fall River residents and expand the municipal tax base.  In addition, Mr. Fiola oversees the FROED’s Low Interest Revolving Loan Fund which has provided more than $84,000,000 in low-interest gap financing loans to over 800 Fall River businesses which has leveraged more than $330 million in private investment and helped to create more than 7,000 new jobs and retain more than 13,000 existing jobs.

Throughout the course of his tenure at BC EDC, Mr. Fiola, working closely with the BC EDC Board of Directors and elected officials, has helped leverage more than an additional $500 million in private investment and secured more than $260 million dollars in grant funds and/or Tax Increment Financing to facilitate projects.

Most recently, in addition to working with the legislative delegation, the Chamber of Commerce and other business community leaders and organizations Mr. Fiola had been at the forefront of helping to secure the re-establishment of the South Coast Rail.