TBA Changes Name to Boston North Business Association

What's in name? When it comes to a local business networking group, quite a bit.

Rumored for months, the (TBA) has officially changed its name to Boston North Business Association (BNBA). Along with the new name has come a new, revamped Web site (bostonbusinessnetwork.org) and a re-dedicated focus.

The Board of Directors for the new BNBA remains the same, including President Hanson Bechat, who owns Neighborhood Parcel, an international shipping and packaging firm in Tewksbury.

According to Bechat, the old TBA never restricted membership strictly to Tewksbury businesses. In fact, many of its members were from outside Tewksbury and, as such, the name was something of a misnomer and often discouraged regional businesses from joining.

"We wanted a name that reflected where we do business," said Bechat. "That's everywhere north of (Route) 128."

The board of directors also includes Vice President Sarah Gurule, of Modern Glass, Treasurer/Secretary Robert Digilio CPA, who owns his own accounting and payroll company and ambassadors Richard Wallner of NY Life Insurance and Dennis McCarthy of Lazarus House.

According to Bechat, the emphasis of the Boston North Business Association remains unchanged. He said the group is dedicated to promoting local businesses in whatever way possible and providing frequent networking opportunities.

The group holds monthly business luncheons and after-hours mixers, as well as business expo events during the year. These events are held throughout the region. Recent events have taken place in North Reading, Andover and Methuen.

The annual membership fee for the BNBA is $150. Bechat claims that is far less than other regional business organizations and chambers of commerce.

"We want to keep it affordable for small businesses, especially in a tough economy," he said.