Meet the BV Hub Team
Executive Director
Ashley Bregman
Ashley joined the BV Hub team in Jan. 2023. Through her 15+ years as a STEM educator for both high school and community college, her passion for hands-on training has led her to become an advocate for increasing worker skills and educational experiences. Identifying and breaking down barriers to learning at every age is a core function of her work. Most recently, Ashley has been teaching natural sciences courses at Quinsigamond Community College and Southern New Hampshire University. She was also a recipient of the 2023 NISOD Excellence Award as well as the 2022 MA Commonwealth Citation for Outstanding Performance. Ashley holds a master’s degree in biomedical engineering from UConn, and a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from WPI. In her current role, she very much enjoys giving back to the community she has called home for most of her adult life.
Founder & President
Jeannie Hebert
Jeannie Hebert is the President and CEO of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce and Blackstone Valley Education Hub. She works tirelessly as an advocate and supporter for businesses in the Blackstone Valley to obtain the resources they need to grow and flourish.
Operations Director
Bob Evans
Bob joined the EdHub in the spring of 2020. He has worked in the life sciences industry for most of his work career of over 45 years, initially focusing on designing instruments for histology, cytology and molecular biology. As his career progressed he moved into marketing and new product development where he managed multinational manufacturing operations in the UK and USA. He then moved into a business development position and his last role was as a Vice President for a Polish corporation. His initial qualifications were in Electronic Engineering followed by a degree in mathematics and then an MBA. Bob has semi-retired and is enjoying his teaching role at the Edhub where he focuses on LEAN manufacturing and 3D design. Bob lives in Northbridge with his wife and has a son and daughter who also live locally. Outside of work he is a keen photographer, Vice President of the Blackstone Valley Art Association and a Photography Ambassador for the Blackstone Corridor Heritage Commission. He has also been a radio ham since he was 16 and is still active.
Technical Instructor Team
Michael Hurley
Instructor
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Michael Hurley, teacher of Advanced Manufacturing and Technology, joined the EdHub in 2018. He also teaches the same classes at Mount Wachusett Community College. Mike retired from public education in 2014 having been the Department Head of Machine Technology at Worcester Technical High School for 8 years and teacher of machine shop at Montachusett Regional Technical High School for many years previous. He holds degrees in Machine Technology and Engineering from Mount Wachusett Community College and Fitchburg State University. He has received the distinctive honor of being named the Christa McAulife Teacher of the Year from Framingham State University. Mike also served in the U.S. Navy where he was a submarine repairman. He resides in Fitchburg where he previously served as a City Councilor and is still actively engaged in volunteerism on the Planning Board and the Rotary Club.
Michael Smutok
Instructor
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Michael Smutok has been teaching Advanced Manufacturing courses at the EdHub since fall 2019. He is employed as a full time high school Technology/Engineering teacher at Uxbridge High School, where he has been teaching for 15 years. Michael is a Community Lead for the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Engineering curriculum and was named PLTW Teacher of the Year in 2019. He holds a B.S. in Technology Education from Keene State College and a M.S. in Technology Education from Rhode Island College. In his spare time, he enjoys fishing, woodworking, and spending time with his 2 children.
Roland Barrett
Instructor
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Roland is a teacher of Advanced Manufacturing at Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School in Upton, MA. He was a former student of BVT, graduating in 2013 and went to work in industry at Waters, Corp in Milford, Ma and JT Machine in Douglas, MA. He returned to his alma mater of BVT to start his teaching career in 2020. He is a DESE certified 9-12 CTE teacher and is currently pursuing his bachelor's degree in occupational education/engineering from Fitchburg State University.
When Roland is not teaching, he enjoys camping, woodworking or playing with his dogs Ruby and Olive.
Talya Stebbins
Instructor
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Talya S. Stebbins is the Advanced Manufacturing Instructor at Grafton Job Corps in North Grafton, M.A. and an Instructor at the Blackstone Valley Hub for Workforce Development. Talya has been teaching metalworking education since 2019. She has worked as a 1 st class Nuclear Welder and Shipfitter for 13 years and started her career at General Dynamics Electric Boat. Talya hashelped contribute to the making of 18 Nuclear Reactor Core Bulkheads of the Virginia Class Submarines, or the United States Navy. Talya is qualified in more than 8 types of welding techniques and specialized In more than two metalworking inspection types. At her time at Electric Boat, Talya became a multi-trade fabricator, an OJT instructor and X-Ray Welding Supervisor. As the Advanced Manufacturing instructor at Grafton, Talya works first hand with the students from start all the way through to their transition in to the workforce.
When Talya is not teaching, she likes to spend her time being active, including all sports. Talya is an avid softball player of more than 30 years and also loves to spend her time on the golf course. Talya is a published poet since 2006 and enjoys writing and reading on her days off.
