PETER S. BENTON
Peter S. Benton graduated with a BSBA (Summa Cum Laude) from Western New England University, where he was elected to membership in Delta Mu Delta, the collegiate honor society in business administration. He has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1975 and currently belongs to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants and the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants.
In 1973 he began his career with the Hartford office of Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. (now KPMG). After several years with Peat Marwick, he transitioned into the banking industry for a decade. In 1986, Peter left banking to become a principal in a Western Mass CPA firm. Then, in 1993, he became managing partner of a local CPA firm that eventually led to his founding Peter S. Benton, CPA, PC, the firm that he owned and managed since 2008.
Peter is a third generation Rotarian and has been a Rotarian for nearly 40 years. He has served in many capacities in Rotary: president of two clubs, two terms for a new Rotary club of which he was the founding president, District Governor’s Representative, District 7890 committee chairs, and other district events. Peter is a multiple Paul Harris fellow, having initially received the award in 1995.
Over the course of his career, he has generously gifted his time and talent to many local and state organizations. Having graduated from the Springfield Leadership Institute, he has served in leadership positions for the majority of these institutions. He was chairman of the board of trustees for Faith United Church in Springfield, first vice president of Massachusetts Society of Sons of the American Revolution, and served on various boards and committees for the United Way of Springfield, Western Mass Business Development Corporation, East Longmeadow Chamber of Commerce, First Congregational Church of East Longmeadow, Junior Achievement Project Business, WNEU Alumni Association, Aditus, Inc., and was an active participant coaching and managing in youth sports organizations in Western Mass.
Peter is an avid sports fan and particularly enjoys hockey and baseball. He played hockey into his early 50s and is a golfer. Peter also enjoys gardening, music, and history. He is the author of three published books: two novels, including Brownstone and Ivory, and anthology of short stories.
He has been a guest speaker for many professional organizations, authored numerous business articles, served as a seminar instructor with the Service Corp of Retired Executives (SCORE) and was adjunct faculty at Holyoke Community College.
Peter joined the Sunshine Village Board of Directors in 2012, having served as its Treasurer from 2021 to 2025. He was elected as its Chairman at the Annual Meeting in June of 2025.
He is married to Betsy Brigham Benton, retired mortgage banker and former board member of Community Resources for People with Autism. Their son Andy attends Sunshine Village’s Agawam Day Rehabilitation Program. Peter’s son Benjamin is the founder and owner of Benton Real Estate Corporation, and his son Derek is Senior Vice President of Sales for the Mid-Atlantic Region for Secure Energy.
In his own words, Peter shares why he has committed so much to Sunshine Village:
“Nearly two decades ago my son Andy, then 22, aged out of his school district. Before the actual discharge date, my wife and I began the agonizing search for an adult program in Western Mass. Fortunately, at that time Betsy was on the board of Community Resources for People with Autism (now part of Pathlight). We had familiarity with people and names, but not with actual organizations. Sunshine Village offered the best environment and opportunities for Andy’s success. That has never changed. Five years later I was invited to join the board of directors, only after meeting with the chair, Ernest Laflamme, Jr. I had met Mr. Laflamme many years before, and I was keenly aware of his and Gina Kos’, ED, stature in the community as well as the responsibility and gravity that my position on the board would entail.
I have never looked back. I not only joined a board, but a family. The culture at Sunshine Village is astonishing. In all my years associating with or being on boards of for-profit and non-profit organizations, I have never come across such a cohesive and caring group of people. The competence and commitment of the other board members is inspiring. And my experience has been extensive through the years because of the background that I have. Most of the board, senior staff, and management have been with Sunshine Village for decades – in the beginning it took a while for me to get used to being a rookie – and, by a long shot!
Still, I have grown as a person, and my son Andy has found a place where happiness, creativity, personal growth, and safety are paramount. I owe a debt of gratitude to Sunshine Village for being such a positive force in all our lives – a better home could not be found. To be a part of Sunshine Village as a board member has been one of the greatest experiences in my life – and truly transformative. Now, it is my commitment to do everything that I can as a board member to make Sunshine Village even better in the future.”
“To be a part of Sunshine Village as a board member has been one of the greatest experiences in my life – and truly transformative.”
– Peter Benton
STEPHEN C. MELNYCK, JR.
Stephen C. Melnyck, Jr. was raised in Ludlow Massachusetts and attended the local public schools. While in high school, he worked at Howard Johnsons restaurant as a dish washer and bus boy and after graduating from Ludlow High, he was employed by Smith and Wesson. He enlisted in the Air Force in November of 1966, honorably serving our country during the Vietnam War.
He joined the team at Sunshine Village in its early years as a Coordinator, transitioning clients from group homes to individual apartments. During his three-year tenure, he obtained a Master of Education specializing in Human Services from Antioch University. He fondly remembers his time with SSV, finding the work to be “both enjoyable and rewarding” and has said that “the wisdom that I gained at that time was beneficial in my business and all future endeavors.” He has worked in the financial industry for over 40 years and he currently owns a small insurance agency, Retirement Planning Associates, and has formally held certificates in Estate Planning.
Steve has practiced Kokondo Karate – which combines techniques from Karate and Jujitsu – for 14 years and this milestone allows him to provide instruction in this martial art. With all that he has done in his professional career and with many charitable initiatives, he most enjoys volunteering at the Jewish Community Center in Longmeadow – where he teaches self-defense to children on the autism spectrum.
He is also very proud of his work with Sunshine Village. Steve joined the Board of Directors in 1982 and it has been a journey that has become a big part of his life. He co-chaired the first Sunshine Village Golf Tournament in 1989 and has served as the Board’s Vice Chairman for over 25 years.
Stephen C. Melnyck, Jr. was raised in Ludlow Massachusetts and attended the local public schools. While in high school, he worked at Howard Johnsons restaurant as a dish washer and bus boy and after graduating from Ludlow High, he was employed by Smith and Wesson. He enlisted in the Air Force in November of 1966, honorably serving our country during the Vietnam War.
He joined the team at Sunshine Village in its early years as a Coordinator, transitioning clients from group homes to individual apartments. During his three-year tenure, he obtained a Master of Education specializing in Human Services from Antioch University. He fondly remembers his time with SSV, finding the work to be “both enjoyable and rewarding” and has said that “the wisdom that I gained at that time was beneficial in my business and all future endeavors.” He has worked in the financial industry for over 40 years and he currently owns a small insurance agency, Retirement Planning Associates, and has formally held certificates in Estate Planning.
Steve has practiced Kokondo Karate – which combines techniques from Karate and Jujitsu – for 14 years and this milestone allows him to provide instruction in this martial art. With all that he has done in his professional career and with many charitable initiatives, he most enjoys volunteering at the Jewish Community Center in Longmeadow – where he teaches self-defense to children on the autism spectrum.
He is also very proud of his work with Sunshine Village. Steve joined the Board of Directors in 1982 and it has been a journey that has become a big part of his life. He co-chaired the first Sunshine Village Golf Tournament in 1989 and has served as the Board’s Vice Chairman for over 25 years.