Forging new connections Berkshire Muse, a concierge service, aims to cultivate relationships and community.
Page 2
Berkshire Business Journal
Teaching for the skies
First Step Aviation takes flight at Pittsfield Municipal Airport
started her own flight school, First Step Aviation, at the Pittsfield Municipal Airport.
BY DYLAN THOMPSON
PITTSFIELD — A close call in midair changed Yulia Bougouin’s life.
In April 2009, Bougouin and her husband, Jean Yves, were flying out of Washington, D.C., in their Bellanca Super Viking. As always, Yves was at the controls, while Bougouin, who knew nothing about aviation at the time, was the passenger.
Shortly after takeoff, Bougouin had started to drift off when she was awakened by a loud bang: The plane had struck two large geese, blowing out the windshield. One of the birds — and perhaps debris from the windshield — struck Yves in the left eye, causing a gash that would require 16 stitches.
With the windshield off and wind buffeting their faces, the couple wondered if they were going to survive.
“That was a pretty scary near-death experience,” Bougouin said. “That made me
Bougouin flies a Piper Cherokee 180 over The Berkshires. Bougouin also hopes to go into high schools and present aviation to kids, especially girls.
think about how I didn’t know anything about flying [a] plane.”
Yves was able to land the plane safely, but Bougouin was shaken by the experience. She turned her attention to learning more about aviation, which eventually led to her becoming an FAA certified flight instructor.
“It’s like a switch flipped in my head,” Bougouin said of her first flight as a pilot. “I just didn’t want to stop. I wanted to keep learning, and then I just kept going… The passion just emerged.”
Now, Bougouin has taken the next step in her journey, launching First Step Aviation in February.
FLIGHT SCHOOL, Page 3
PHOTOS BY GILLIAN HECK
Yulia Bougouin has
She is committed to providing quality flight training.
Front pages
Forging connections, curating experiences
Berkshire Muse concierge service aims to fill a void
By C larenCe Fanto
LENOX — Newly arrived millennials and 20-something members of Generation Z often find themselves lonely and isolated in the Berkshires.
That was Lauren Fritscher’s experience after relocating part-time to Stockbridge in 2021, with her husband, Reid Warner, and infant son August, now 4, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The family moved to Lenox full-time in 2023.
“I had a really hard time at first,” Fritscher said during a conversation at a downtown Lenox cafe. “I wasn’t necessarily ready to leave New York City.”
After growing up in New Orleans, she had worked in the fashion industry for 15 years in New York and several years in Singapore. She’s not a typical newcomer to the Berkshires, she acknowledged.
After spending quality time at Tanglewood during her first summer, she started to feel at home, making friends and discovering a sense of community by cultivating multigenerational relationships with local residents and going on hikes.
“I fell in love with the ambiance and camaraderie at Tanglewood,” she said. As a new resident, Fritscher also developed a fondness for a slower lifestyle during the winter.
She conceived Berkshire Muse, a concierge service, two years ago to fulfill a personal need for creating community with like-minded friends. The business model also includes “adding value to existing businesses” and collaborating with cultural organizations.
“For me, it was survival mode, to create something where I could become part of the community, to acclimate and meet people here,” Fritscher said. Her idea was to create and curate events as a navigator to highlight local talent.
“It’s for locals looking for something new and interesting to do,” she said. “It’s also for visitors who want to have a fun experience.”
She has been hosting networking events for Social Circle, an
offshoot of Berkshire Muse.
“There are a lot of things you can do outdoors here on your own,” she pointed out, “but I was hearing about the need to develop social interaction and
community, more events people could share.”
The Social Circle mission — a partnership with photographer Tricia McCormack and McCaela Donovan, associate director
Leaders of Lauren Fritscher’s Social Circle, an offshoot of her Berkshire Muse social and event planning company, are, from left, McCaela Donovan, associate director of the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires, photographer Tricia
at the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires — includes bimonthly private and public gatherings at downtown venues such as the new Belvedere Lenox and Doctor Sax House boutique hotel and cafe, and a June 10 event on the terrace at The Mount.
“The passion and purpose of Berkshire Muse is to curate experiences for people and highlighting the talent here,” she said.
Fritscher, 41, launched the business in a soft opening last summer, creating “highly stylized” luxury picnics with all the fixings and high-end accoutrements for small groups, part-
nering with the existing Berkshire Picnics business.
She’s now switching into high gear for the upcoming warm-weather season.
“The company has evolved and I’m collaborating with different organizations and producing galas for the WAM Theatre and for the Berkshire Montessori school in Lenox Dale,” she said.
Another upcoming project is a Berkshire Muse partnership with Mass Audubon at Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary for a ticketed dinner, “Forage Forward” for 60 guests on May 23 to launch a series of four annual events focusing on the challenge of confronting climate change.
That event features photographer Abigail Fenton snd guest speaker Anne Therese Gennari, author of “The Climate Optimist Handbook.”
Acknowledging competition in the event planning field, Fritscher said most of those businesses focus on weddings.
“I’ll take on smaller weddings,” she said, “but I’m really giving people the opportunity to celebrate birthdays. anniversaries and dinner parties.”
When hired, she does early planning and logistics, and is onsite the day of the event to make sure everything goes smoothly. “I also offer unique services like ‘Styled Bites’ — an affordable, elevated alternative to full-service catering,” she pointed out.
Through her company, she’s also cultivating relationships with area cultural organizations, not only for galas but to support their efforts to attract younger patrons.
“We’ve become a society that’s very attached to our phones and our screens, and we don’t take the time to gather,” she Fritscher said. “We’re in a time when people need in-person connection and shared experiences.”
Finding “like-minded energy” is her goal, but “it’s not about the age, it’s about tapping into people who are ageless, with younger energy” and to “help usher in 30- to 40-year-olds who are in New York or Boston to experience our culture. But I do want to serve and provide experience for anyone.”
Information: hello@berkshiremuse.com, 917-704-7077, www.berkshiremuse.com
Clarence Fanto can be reached at cfanto@yahoo.com.
CLARENCE FANTO
Lauren Fritscher is the founder of Berkshire Muse, a concierge service. “It’s for locals looking for something new and interesting to do,” she said of her business. “It’s also for visitors who want to have a fun experience.”
McCormack, and Fritscher.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY TRICIA MCCORMACK PHOTOGRAPHY
The flight school, located at Pittsfield Municipal Airport, is dedicated to providing quality flight training. Hers is the only flight school at the airport entirely focused on training.
“Make [my clients] into safe pilots and make them enjoy it,” Bougouin said of her mission. “Every time you take off, you have that exhilaration and that feeling that you are flying above the earth.”
Bougouin, who was born in Kharkiv, Ukraine, has lived in the United States for 20 years. Growing up, Bougouin wasn’t exposed to flying, and for her, it seemed like a “fantasy world.”
“I feel incredibly lucky that I found it even though it was later in life,” Bougouin said. “I found it and I love it. That’s why I decided to make it more than just a hobby.”
Bougouin did her flight training in Great Barrington, quickly obtaining the flying bug. She had her first flight in November 2019 and started taking it seriously in 2020, eventually becoming an instructor in November 2022.
She notes that everyone knew that she was the “crazy girl.”
Bougouin started giving lessons for Lyon Aviation, something she still does, but wanted to use her business background more. Bougouin also owns Patisserie Lenox with her husband. She decided that it would be smart to open her flight school.
“It’s exciting and nerve-wracking because I know that it’s a hard business,” Bougouin said. “I’m still a woman in aviation, which is still only about 7 percent [women]. ... A lot of people would not consider taking lessons from a woman pilot, so that is a scary part.”
The flight school offers private pilot, instrument pilot and commercial pilot
training. The school also provides flight reviews, instrument proficiency check curriculum and aircraft checkouts.
“I knew it would be a tough business to compete in,” she said. “I do have confidence in my abilities and students that I’ve had left wonderful testimonials on my website.”
The plane that Bougouin uses is a Piper Cherokee 180, well known for its stability, capability and ease of flying. The plane seats four people and has low wings and a strong avionics system.
Bougouin notes that when flying a low-wing plane, “It feels more like a real plane.”
To illustrate her point, Bougouin invited this reporter and a photographer to take a flight — a spin around Pittsfield, up to Mount Greylock and back. (One would not have guessed that Bougouin was at one point in her life fearful of flying.)
GILLIAN HECK
The control panel of a Piper Cherokee 180 aircraft. The avionics system used by Yulia Bougouin, owner of First Step Aviation, is “not common for flight schools to have,” she said.
People in the Berkshires
GREAT BARRINGTON
7 honorees selected for Nonprofit Awards
The Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires, in partnership with The Berkshire Eagle, has announced the names of seven honorees receiving recognition at the eighth annual Berkshire Nonprofit Awards on May 20.
The Berkshire Nonprofit Awards recognize the accomplishments and dedication of the people who work in the nonprofit sector.
“There were many excellent nominees this year, however, the judges found consensus very easily based on the impact these honorees have had both on their organizations and in our community,” said Liana Toscanini, founder of the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires.
A panel of 22 judges from the business and nonprofit sectors deliberated via Zoom to choose honorees in each of seven categories from among 50 nominations. The honorees are:
Board Leadership: Cynthia Farr Brown, Berkshire County Historical Society
Executive Leadership: Melissa Canavan, Berkshire Immigrant Center
Samya Rose Stumo Youth Leadership: Rachael Bentz, AIRY (Arts in Recovery for Youth)
Rock Star: Lauren Smith, Fairview Hospital
Unsung Hero: Chris Ciepiela, Berkshire Horseworks
Volunteer: Pamela Conroy Breslin, Literacy Network
Lifetime Achievement: Jane Winn, Berkshire Environmental Action Team
The awards breakfast will be held from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. May 20 at the Country Club of Pittsfield. The event will feature breakfast and networking, a performance by Youth Alive, and presentation of awards.
Tickets are $50 and can be purchased online at npcberkshires.org.
GREAT BARRINGTON
Fairview listed as a top critical access hospital
Fairview Hospital has been named among the 2025 Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals by The Chartis Center for Rural Health, the 13th straight year Fairview has been so honored, according to Berkshire Health Systems.
The annual Top 100 award program honors outstanding performance among the nation’s rural hospitals based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance Index.
“The South Berkshire community expects and relies on only the highest level of care from our caregivers and staff at Fairview Hospital,” said Tony Scibelli, BHS vice president and Fairview chief operating officer. “This ongoing recognition epitomizes the commitment our staff makes each and every day for each and every patient who walks through Fairview’s doors.”
The index is the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. Leveraging publicly available data, the index is utilized nationwide by rural hospitals,
health systems with rural affiliates, hospital associations, and state offices of rural health to measure and monitor performance across a variety of areas impacting hospital operations and finance.
LENOX
Attorney Paula Almgren listed as ‘Super Lawyer’
Paula K. Almgren, founder of Berkshire Law Group in Lenox, has been named to the Massachusetts Super Lawyers list, an honor given to fewer than 5 percent of attorneys in the commonwealth. This marks the fifth year that Almgren has earned this recognition.
Almgren has been in practice for over 20 years counseling clients in elder law as well as estate, trust and tax planning and administration, and life care. She is an accredited attorney with the Department of Veterans Affairs and a graduate of Williams College and Albany Law School of Union University.
Recognized as a state expert on Medicaid as well as leveraging community resources to help older people stay in their homes, Almgren has gained a reputation for her compassion, integrity and commitment to those she serves.
Berkshire Law Group is one of the few law firms in the country that includes an RN/care coordinator working alongside attorneys, veteran and Medicaid benefits coordinators, probate, trust and estate administrators, and more.
In 2020, Almgren served as president of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Massachusetts Chapter. As a board member for two decades, she and her peers have also been instrumental in changing laws to benefit seniors, the disabled and veterans.
Almgren also serves on the Fairview Hospital Ethics Committee and the Pittsfield Council on Aging. She is a member of the Alzheimer’s Partnership, the Life Care Planning Law Firms Association, the Berkshire County Estate Planning Council, and the Massachusetts and Berkshire Bar Associations.
She is licensed to practice law in Massachusetts.
GREAT BARRINGTON
Market Match fundraiser aids farmers, SNAP recipients
Berkshire Agricultural Ventures has launched its 2025 Market Match Fund campaign, a public fundraising effort that runs during the month of April prior to the opening of the region’s outdoor farmers markets.
This year’s campaign aims to raise $30,000 from individual donors to help support Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) matching at 10 Berkshire-area farmers markets: Pittsfield, North Adams, Great Barrington, Lee, Sheffield, Stockbridge, West Stockbridge, Williamstown, Berkshire Grown Winter Market, and New Milford, Conn.
BAV’s Market Match Fund makes grants to partner farmers markets to support $1-to-$1 SNAP matching up to $30 per transaction, increasing sales for local farmers and making fresh, local food more available to low-income households who receive SNAP benefits.
BAV’s spring fundraising campaign builds on the organization’s wider, year-round effort to raise approximately $180,000 in annual funds for the program.
BAV will celebrate this community campaign and the start of the farmers market season on Saturday, May 10, with a booth at the Pittsfield Farmers Market, which is run by Roots Rising. To donate, visit berkshireagventures. org/support.
NORTH ADAMS
Malkas inducted into Women’s History Hall of Fame
In celebration of Women’s History Month in March, Mayor Jennifer Macksey inducted retiring North Adams Public Schools Superinten-
dent Barbara Malkas into the mayor’s Women’s History Hall of Fame.
A trailblazer in education and leadership, Malkas becomes the second female superintendent in the city’s history, following in the footsteps of Julia Dewey, who served from 1893 to 1895.
Since assuming the role of superintendent in 2016, Malkas has been a driving force in shaping the educational landscape of North Adams. Malkas has also served as president of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents.
Her leadership has extended far beyond the school system. She has been recognized with numerous awards, including: The Against the Tide Award from the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition; The Changing Lives after 55 Award from the Northern Berkshire YMCA; The MASS President’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Education; The Unsung Hero Award from The Berkshire Eagle for her caring leadership during the pandemic; The Zonta Club of Berkshire County Award for building a better world for women and girls; and the AASA Superintendent of the Year Award.
“As Dr. Malkas prepares for her well-earned retirement, I can think of no better way to honor her legacy than to induct her into the 2025 Women’s History Hall of Fame,” said Mayor Macksey. “Her unwavering commitment to education and the North Adams community will never be forgotten.”
PITTSFIELD
People of color can get homebuying assistance
Greylock Federal Credit Union has been approved to participate in the Lift Up Homeownership program, a special purpose credit program offered by Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston to provide financial assistance to people of color purchasing their first home. Through Lift Up Homeownership, people of color earning up to 120 percent of the area median income are eligible to receive up to $50,000 toward a down payment and closing costs to purchase their first home in New England. Participating homebuyers are required to complete a homebuyer counseling program prior to receiving a program grant.
Eligible buyers include borrowers who are Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, Hispanic, Asian, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander. Assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis To learn more about applying for homebuying assistance through the Lift Up Homeownership program and other programs Greylock offers in partnership with FHLBank Boston and other organizations, contact the Greylock mortgage department at 413236-4125.
STOCKBRIDGE
Solar project complete at Botanical Garden
Berkshire Botanical Garden has taken a significant step toward sustainability with the installation of a state-of-the-art solar panel array.
The new system, which includes 102 solar panels on the roof of BBG’s Education Building, will go online in the coming weeks.
The $121,000 project was paid for through a generous $45,132 matching grant from Tern Foundation’s TernSOLAR Challenge Grant Program. The Botanical Garden raised $45,132 from individual donations. The remainder of the project costs will be offset through a 30 percent IRS credit.
A utility interconnection agreement with utility provider National Grid will allow any excess electrical production to offset electrical use throughout the grounds and buildings. Once the panels go online, they will generate power to offset more than 67 percent of the organizations’s current electricity use, in a carbon neutral
way. The organization will realize about $13,000 in annual savings, at current electricity prices.
BOSTON
Berkshire Bank exceeds $5B goal for communities
Berkshire Bank’s Community Comeback program has exceeded its $5 billion goal to lend and invest across the company’s markets. The bank launched the multiyear program as communities emerged from the pandemic in 2021.
The impact of the Community Comeback, which has been honored nationally as an exceptional demonstration of corporate responsibility, focused on strengthening communities in four key areas: fueling small businesses; community financing and philanthropy; financial access and empowerment; and environmental sustainability.
Highlights of its results include lending more than $3.5 billion to invest in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods; more than $600 million in lending for low-carbon projects; more than 800,000 individuals impacted through financial wellness programming; 100 percent renewable electricity use since 2023; and more than $50 million in sustainable investments under management.
The program was honored late last year with the prestigious Community Commitment Award by the American Bankers Association Foundation for its positive impact on economic inclusion in Berkshire Bank’s communities.
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Farr Brown Canavan Bentz Smith Conroy Breslin
Ciepiela Winn
Former nurse opens doggie day care
By M aryjane Willia Ms
LEE — Ever since she was a little girl, Alexis Montgomery has been “obsessed” with animals.
“There were all these dog books that my mom got me, and I carried them around so much and read them so much that the bindings fell off and she had to tape them back,” Montgomery said with a laugh.
Throughout middle and high school, Montgomery volunteered at her local humane society, and she first entered college on the pre-veterinary track. However, once her grandmother died, she decided to become a nurse. Montgomery became a registered nurse and worked at Berkshire Medical Center for almost 10 years, but was contemplating a career change.
That’s when she saw a Facebook post that Renee Dodds was selling her doggy day care, Love Us and Leave Us in Lee.
“It was like it was meant to be,” said Montgomery. “I immediately called my Realtor, and I was like, ‘I have to go see if I can see it, because I brought my dog here.’”
Montgomery closed on the 915 Pleasant St. location on Feb. 13, and soft opened her new pet day care business, Hearth and Hound, a few weeks later.
“I’m hoping that it will be a place for the dogs to be safe and have fun and socialize safely … learn different things,” Montgomery said.
Hearth and Hound provides many of the same services as the previous pet business, including dog day care, as well as dog and
cat boarding and grooming. In the future, Montgomery said she plans to host training classes and pet photography sessions.
The overall layout of the facility remains the same — four large play yards, two smaller ones, five cat patios and 20 kennels that came with the building. Montgomery said she did some repairs and gave the inside a fresh coat of paint using dog-friendly colors, including light blue.
During day care, the dogs are separated into groups of 10 to 15 per person based on size and temperament.
Since there are currently three employees, the capacity is set to 20 to 30 dogs.
“Then as we fill up, then I’ll ramp up,” Montgomery said, adding that the business is still in the soft opening stage until May.
Michelle Turner, the manager, has been working with dogs most of her life, and has been training dogs professionally for more than 15 years. Team lead Mackenzie Rathbun was the manager at Shaker Hill Pet Resort and previously worked at Animal Inn, both in Pittsfield.
Each dogs’ day is tailored to them. Outside play time is weather and “dog dependent, so they can go in and out,” Montgomery said.
“We do play time, and then we have a big indoor playroom,” Montgomery said. “So if the
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ...
What: Hearth and Hound
Where: 915 Pleasant St., Lee
The basics: The business can accept up to five cats and 20 dogs for boarding. Customers can pay $50 per day for dog day care or opt for discounted 10-day or five-day packages. Halfdays, which last up to four hours for $30, are also available at any time. Overnight dog boarding is $75 per day and cat boarding is $30 per day, with pick up by 11 a.m.
Hours: Daycare is available anytime between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and boarding is seven days a week.
More info: Visit www.hearthandhoundlee.com or call 413-394-4014
weather is really nice and they want to be outside more, they can be; if it’s cold or rainy, it’s not as much outside time.”
Before signing up, every dog must come in for a half-day evaluation to make sure they are comfortable in groups and do well in day care.
“If they’re not going to enjoy dog day care, then I’m not going to take their money and say, ‘Oh yeah, bring them,’” Montgomery said.
Montgomery puts an emphasis on enrichment activities for the dogs, such as puzzle treats. In honor of national carrot day on Friday, she planned carrot-themed activities throughout the week, including bobbing for homemade carrot-shaped treats.
“It’s really important for dogs to enrich their minds as well as just play,” she said. “It actually extends dogs’ life spans. It’s very healthy for them.”
As a former nurse, Mont-
gomery is committed to infection control.
“We make sure that we use the highest quality cleaning supplies, and every surface is clean,” said Montgomery. “All the dogs are vaccinated. That’s required before they come in.”
The day care also follows Ollie’s Law, a state law enacted in December that requires all dog day cares/boarding facilities and the dogs they house to be licensed. The law, created after a Labrador retriever died at an unregulated boarding facility, establishes safety regulations and requires emergency protocols for dog day cares.
Prior to opening the business, Montgomery completed an online dog day care training course, PackPro, which also taught her how to read dogs’ body language.
“Nursing was really rewarding, and I loved it, but you can’t top playing with puppies all day,” Montgomery said.
BEN GARVER
Alexis Montgomery, a former nurse with a lifelong passion for animals, has opened Hearth and Hound, a pet day care and boarding center, at 915 Pleasant St. in Lee in the former Love Us and Leave Us location.
New owner to reopen Egremont Barn
By H eat H er Bellow
EGREMONT — The owners of The Egremont Barn live music venue and adjacent Egremont Village Inn are now under contract with a restaurant and hotel entrepreneur who is buying the entire property.
That buyer is Doug Grabe, owner of the Little Pub chain of restaurants throughout Connecticut, as well as The Surfside Hotel in Stratford, Conn.
Grabe said he is still in the inspection and licensing phase of the purchase, and that all that is going “smoothly.” The final purchase price is pending the completion of the inspection, he said.
But his plan to buy and operate both The Barn and the inn is solid, Grabe said. The Barn’s co-founder and co-owner, Jenny Rubin, will continue to book musical and other acts, as well as manage the bar and staff.
The Barn will reopen on May 14 with an open mic night, and has more lineups scheduled on the calendar, including The Wanda Houston Project on May 15.
Opening night will be “almost a barn raising, if you will,” Grabe said. “We’ll make it a nice community event to celebrate the return of the place.”
Also returning are the “same staff and same vibe,” that make the venue shine, Rubin said.
The announcement, which was first reported by the website, Music in the Berkshires, follows the shutdown of The Barn in January due to operating expense struggles in the last few years, and a search since last year for a buyer of the whole property.
Rubin and her husband Nick Keene opened The Barn in 2016, re-envisioning what was once the Robbie Burns Pub until the mid-1980s. Keene’s family had longowned the property and operated the inn.
“I am just really looking forward to the next chapter,” Rubin said, “and I think everyone is really happy in the community too.”
Grabe owns six Little Pub restaurants in Connecticut, including in Greenwich and Stratford. Little Pub’s website calls its menu “Bold, Flavorful Pub Fare,” where “Chef Tim Passaro reinvents classic comfort food with bold flavors and fresh ingredients.”
While The Barn will continue to serve food, Grabe said he is unsure exactly what that menu will look like. To eventually model the offerings on those at Little Pub, The Barn would need a larger kitch-
The Egremont Barn, shown in January 2023, closed in January due to struggles with operating expenses. A new owner, Doug Grabe, is under contract with the owners, and the venue will reopen on May 14.
en and other equipment, he said. He suggested he might also redevelop the kitchen at the inn for a restaurant.
Grabe says he and his team are experienced in hotel management, and will be phasing in upgrades to the Inn’s mechanicals, putting in air conditioning and renovating some bathrooms.
“The inn needs a little work near term,” he said, “and a little bit more work longer term.”
It will “still be a charming New England Inn, but with some more modern amenities,” he said. “It’s a beautiful space.”
Grabe said he plans “wellness programs and retreats,” and will book it out for celebrations and other events, as well as for typical shorter vacation stays.
New hotel eyes June opening
By C larenCe Fanto
LENOX — The 87-room Element Lenox Berkshires, the county’s newest hotel south of Pittsfield, is expected to open in early June for long-term and shortterm travelers.
Construction of the upscale three-story Marriott project on a hillside at 130 Pittsfield Road (Route 7/20) cost north of $30 million. Element is one of Marriott’s 32 hospitality brands.
The new hotel is pet-friendly and includes suites with kitchenettes, an indoor pool, a fitness center and breakfasts.
Posted nightly room rates for mid- and late-July start from $283 to $414, according to the Marriott.com site.
The 13.4 acre property is owned by BBL Lenox Hotel Group LLC and the hotel is managed by BBL Hospitality LLC, based in Albany, N.Y.
The site housed a Holiday Inn built in 1964, later branded as a Quality Inn and an Econolodge before renamed the Magnuson Hotel, which closed in 2017 and was demolished in 2018.
At a public hearing on Wednesday, the Select Board approved innkeeper, entertainment and all-alcoholic licenses for the main floor of the hotel.
“We’re looking forward to more hotel taxes,” said Select Board member Marybeth Mitts, a sentiment echoed by her colleagues.
Most of the town’s annual total of $4 million-plus in free cash is generated by lodging taxes added to guests’ bills.
Attorney Lori Robbins of Heller & Robbins told the board that the hotel will have a lobby pub and outdoor patio for guests, open from 5 p.m. to midnight, and a breakfast area.
It’s not intended to be a bar for nonguests, she said, adding that food will not be available, only snacks. “It will be open to the public, but they’re not marketing the bar to outside patrons,” Robbins noted.
She cited a projected hotel opening date of June 6, and noted that an outdoor dining license request will be forthcoming.
The Lenox Zoning Board of Appeals approved the hotel’s special permit and site plan in December 2022.
Besides the nearly completed hotel, the developer is building 28 residential apartments in seven new three-story buildings.
The two-bedroom units are intended for extended stays of six- to 12 months by visiting business executives; no sublets or Airbnb rentals are allowed.
The property owner has paid the Lenox Affordable Housing Trust $475,000 instead of including two affordable apartments, normally required for a multifamily residential complex of 28 units.
“I’m blessed that I have a great team,” Grabe said. “We’ve done this and this is what we do.”
Overall, Grabe says some of his plans for a place with so much “potential”
will evolve with time and with community input.
“We want to turn it into a cool destination,” he said, “that people will be proud of.”
STEPHANIE ZOLLSHAN
ELEMENT LENOX
Serving up healthy, tasty smoothies
By Dylan Thompson
The Berkshire Eagle
ADAMS — Co-owners and partners Martin Davis Jr. and Sasha Solomon have turned their health issues into a positive for the community.
Davis, who has Type 2 diabetes, and Solomon, who has dealt with asthma, have brought their vision of a healthy smoothie shop to life with We Got The Juice. The shop recently opened at 50 Summer St. in Adams.
“A lot of people have developed these diseases, so it’s just trying to figure out a way to help people,” Davis said. “We like to boost immunity in the community.”
For Davis and Solomon, who have been together for 13 years, the location feels just right.
“A lot of other local businesses have been coming in daily to support us,” Solomon said. “It feels like this is where we were supposed to be … I think we were what people were waiting for.”
The couple, who live in Pittsfield, grew tired of a lack of healthy options, igniting the idea for a shop in 2018. The couple first opened We Got The Juice in Springfield during the pandemic in May 2020.
After traveling back and forth from Pittsfield for two years, the couple wanted to find a spot in the Berkshires. Despite receiving a $7,000 grant from Pittsfield, they could not find the right location, they said. Eventually they stumbled across the Summer Street location in Adams.
“I had positive feelings about doing this before we even
opened,” Solomon said. “When we first walked in here and [saw] the space, I kind of had a picture of how it could be.”
Last year, the couple took over the spot that used to house the Corner Lunch. After nearly a
year of renovations, including redoing the kitchen, Davis and Solomon were ready to open and utilize the bigger space.
The difference from their previous shop is that they have a kitchen, allowing the couple
to expand their menu. The food options include acai bowls, salads and protein bowls. They also have smoothies, wellness shots and protein shakes.
The key to the items is that everything used is fresh, coming
from local distributors. When the weather warms up, Solomon will be heading to farms to find more mouth-watering options.
“We don’t work with frozen fruits,” Solomon said. “Sometimes, I may shop local and support other local businesses … I will be trying to get as local as I can.”
The salads are the biggest hit with customers, so far. Coffee Buzz and Berry Blast are also popular smoothies and shakes.
“We had an older woman that said she hadn’t eaten a salad in nine years, but she had our salad and she’s like, ‘It’s the best salad [I’ve] had in a very long time,’” Davis said.
The couple has a strong partnership that is helping their business thrive, they said. Most of the items have been created by Davis and Solomon through trial and error. Although the couple jokes that sometimes they butt heads, they enjoy growing their shop together.
“We’re closer to home,” Solomon said. “I have a lot of family and friends and other business people coming in and supporting us.”
With a growing customer base and summer approaching, Davis and Solomon are expecting business to be booming.
“We’re trying to prepare for it because I feel like we’re going to be busy this summer,” Solomon said. “Some people may not want to go get an ice cream cone or McDonald’s, some people may want to come over here and get an acai bowl or a fresh smoothie.”
GILLIAN HECK
Martin Davis Jr. and Sasha Solomon have opened We Got The Juice on Summer Street in Adams. “Ninetyfive percent of the time it’s fulfilling being able to work with someone you’re close with,” Davis said.
The Bookstore celebrates 50 years
By Dylan Thompson
The Berkshire Eagle
LENOX — For Matt Tannenbaum, it’s never been about the money.
Tannenbaum, 79, the longtime owner of The Bookstore & Get Lit Wine Bar in Lenox, recently celebrated the store’s 50th year in business — five decades Tannenbaum has connected with people through his love of books.
“I started it with a loan, and I knew then that I was going to be in debt, and that was OK,” Tannenbaum said. “I wasn’t trying to make money. I found something that I loved to do. … I never wanted to be a rich man, but I’m rich way beyond money.”
On a recent Sunday afternoon, The Bookstore hosted author Pamela Wick for a reading of her new book, “Honestly, She Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.” Tannenbaum and Wick split time reading two chapters of the memoir, followed by a Q&A.
“We have always been a community space,” Tannenbaum said. “We’ve always been a place where people can gather with the books they love and to have authors come. … This is what the people in the town enjoy.”
The packed crowd brought into focus the community Tannenbaum has built. Wick’s book is about her life navigating the charged political landscape of Reagan-era Washington.
It was a book many attendees were already familiar with, though Wick did sell a few books to those that haven’t read it. She gelled with her audience, making them erupt in laughter multiple times.
Matt Tannenbaum, owner of The Bookstore & Get Lit Wine Bar in Lenox, is celebrating 50 years in business. “I have this institutional knowledge and I have this knowledge about literature that I love to [share].” he said.
NO JOKE
Tannenbaum’s nearly half-century bookstore journey began on April Fool’s Day in 1976, when he purchased the store from its founder, David Silverstein.
He didn’t anticipate having such a long run.
“I didn’t give it a thought,” he admitted.
Now he owns one of the last independent bookstores in the area.
“The only thought I had was: I wish I had grown up in this town,” Tannenbaum said.
“Thirty years later, I came walking out of the store one day and I saw a guy who was probably 30 years old and he put his arm
around his child and pointed to me and said, ‘That man that you’re buying your books from, I bought my books from [him] when I was your age.’
“I became the person who I had earlier wanted to be,” he said. “That was a great moment for me when I realized that I was a part of the community.”
As the years went by, he saw generations come and go out of his shop. One of those people was Wick, who befriended Tannenbaum.
“I love being back with Matt,” she said. “It’s like coming home.”
During the pandemic, his strong relationship with the community paid off. Facing a financial cliff, Tannenbaum ran a successful GoFundMe campaign that raised more than $120,000 and kept the store alive.
Five years later, he still expresses his gratitude.
“I’m just thrilled that I’m still here,” Tannenbaum said.
Looking ahead, Tannenbaum has already found his successor. His daughter Shawnee Tannenbaum is set to take over when he is ready to relinquish the reins.
“Her children are working here already,” he said. “At 4 1/2 and 2 1/2 [years old]. [They’re] helping out at the front desk.” However, Matt Tannenbaum is still energized and motivated to continue selling books.
“I get more tired, but I love now being the old guy,” Matt Tannenbaum said. “I have this institutional knowledge and I have this knowledge about literature that I love to [share].”
GILLIAN HECK
Youth award nominees lead by example
By H anna H Van Sickle
The 8th annual Berkshire Nonprofit Awards are just around the corner which means nominations have been signed, sealed, and delivered to our volunteer judges.
Since this time last year, a pall of uncertainty has fallen over myriad facets of daily life spanning education and health care to clean energy and food access. While folks of a certain age are responding with anxiety, the next generation is rising up through action.
Across Berkshire County, local youth are acting with intention in the present with hopes of eliciting future change — as evidenced by this year’s Samya Rose Stumo Youth Leadership Award nominees. Rather than dwelling on what lies out of their control, these folks are shining their individual lights and illuminating a collective way forward for those of us brave enough to follow.
Please join me in offering three cheers for these seven service-minded individuals with a combined 30 years of service to local nonprofits — a welcome reminder that optimism is always in season.
Rachael Bentz is passionate about youth suicide prevention. At Arts in Recovery for Youth (AIRY), the skills counselor turned program manager uses their lived experience to increase community among at-risk youth — a group with which they once identified. Despite being challenged by isolation, loss and grief, Rachael has emerged as a mentor and role model for others who feel safe, comfortable, and supported opening up to them.
“Rachael’s creativity, leadership and resilience are remarkable,” says supervisor Marney Schorr, nodding to a young person who has learned to prioritize their own mental health and well being in order to go the extra mile for others.
Autumn Higa takes her work at the People’s Pantry very seriously. Driven by a
Emily is emblematic of the way in which youth can be catalysts for change,” says Isabel Filkins, college counselor, of a student who consistently leads by example.
Isabella Penna-Ward brings a holistic approach to understanding and addressing the intersection of agriculture, community, and the environment. At Roots Rising, the Williams College student’s dedication to positive social change — coupled with determination, kindness and optimism — has impacted myriad arenas since assuming her inaugural role with the nonprofit in 2018.
His ongoing research is building awareness about the importance of arts education and identifying current barriers to — and opportunities for — accessing it. “Max is modeling how research can be a key aspect of activism and how college-aged students can contribute to and shape the field,” says Lisa Donovan, faculty supervisor, underscoring the intern’s significant archive of work.
Harper Treschuk brings a team approach to her work with Greenagers at Many Forks Farm in Clarksburg. This partnership between farmer Molly Comstock and North Adams Public Schools engages school-aged youth in meaningful work that builds confidence and develops life skills.
commitment to addressing food insecurity, the volunteer and board committee member takes initiative and leads by example. She consistently pitches in to do the dirty work others avoid; maintains a clean space to present food to the public; and is a valued member of the team—to whom others often look when making decisions.
“Autumn’s quiet presence is [an excellent reminder to her peers] that someone who speaks softly can have a real voice when others are prepared to listen,” says board President Laura Gratz.
Emily Keiper excels in service to her community. At Miss Hall’s School, she shapes culture as co-head of the Admission Ambassadors and leader of Big and Big, an in-house mentoring program. Beyond campus, Emily is driven by empathy. She’s involved with Buddies Dance Program in Dalton teaching adaptive dance to kids with special needs and Purgatory Road in Pittsfield supporting area residents facing mental health challenges.
“By taking initiative in multiple roles,
“Isabella stands as a living example of the transformative power young individuals possess,” said Executive Director Jess Vecchia, calling the Youth Crew Alumni and current board member’s impact on the Berkshire community “profound and wide-reaching.” Her active role in key decision-making processes and willingness to speak at fundraising events make her an invaluable asset.
Sadiya Quetti-Goodson is a compassionate leader, visionary, and change agent. In 2022, the Howard University student proposed she travel to Ghana with the Rites of Passage and Empowerment (R.O.P.E.) program to document the biannual service learning project. While there, the R.O.P.E. alumna not only captured the scholars’ journey through photos and videos, but she also engaged with children in a local orphanage and taught math classes.
“Sadiya models excellence by using her voice, knowledge, and skills to make a difference in the world,” says Shirley Edgerton, R.O.P.E. founder, of the trailblazer determined to reach her goals.
Max Sweeney’s passion for arts education runs deep. Specifically, the MCLA student is keen on understanding how current political decisions are impacting the field. A recent internship with Berkshire Art Center, at Colegrove Park Elementary School in North Adams, positioned him to support students’ creative work.
“Harper holds students to a high standard, listens well, and is supportive of all,” says Sue Wells, summer coordinator. Wellversed in statistics, the Williams College student proved instrumental in creating systems to streamline data for future use writing grants.
Beyond this big-picture thinking that moves a nonprofit forward, Harper spent her monthlong Winter Study Program volunteering at Drury High School in North Adams. Just prior to press, the 2025 Samya Rose Stumo Youth Leadership honoree was announced.
Congratulations, Rachael Bentz!
“I am extremely honored and proud to receive this recognition and happy that — thanks to more of the population breaking down the stigma against suicide and mental health — there is continued hope for recovery,” says the up-and-coming artist of being seen by their community.
Bentz will receive their award at the 8th Annual Berkshire Nonprofit Awards on May 20 at the Country Club of Pittsfield. Join us for networking, breakfast and a step performance by Youth Alive!
Get ready to be inspired; this year’s honorees will not disappoint.
Hannah Van Sickle is an educator turned freelance writer who works with organizations to fine tune their in-house storytelling in order to take action, meet goals, and stand out.
For Sale By Owner
PHOTO PROVIDED BY NONPROFIT CENTER
Rachael Bentz has been named the winner of this year’s Samya Rose Stumo Youth Leadership Award, one of seven Berkshire Nonprofit Award honorees.
Rules must evolve as industry grows
Let’s say the quiet part out loud: Massachusetts cannabis regulation is at an inflection point. The Cannabis Control Commission, like the larger legislative apparatus around it, is being asked to evolve in ways that match the complexity and maturity of the market it governs.
That’s not an easy task. But for those of us operating on the ground, particularly the smaller, independent, or community-owned businesses, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
We see the CCC requesting studies. The Legislature introduced bills. Policy is being shaped at the margins. And while this work matters, what’s often missing is urgency. The hard truth is that many businesses are running out of time. Deliberate governance is essential, but when it comes at the cost of basic operability, it risks leaving behind the very stakeholders this industry was built to empower.
In practice, that looks like this: entrepreneurs navigating shifting regulations, opaque enforcement, and market conditions they’re structurally unprepared for. The result? Businesses, many of them family-run or funded by close-knit communities versus venture capital or traditional funding methods, are being squeezed between inconsistent oversight and brutal economic headwinds.
We should acknowledge the original vision of equity and access embedded in Massachusetts cannabis policy. But we also have to confront the present reality: the Economic Empowerment program hasn’t delivered on its promise. Today, far too many small operators are suffering not only at the hands of market forces but under a regulatory system that wasn’t built to scale or adjust as the industry matured.
This is especially clear when it comes to the basics of doing business. Take advertising: Operators are still being cited for using terms like “bargain” or “bundle.” Commonplace language in virtually every other retail sector becomes a compliance landmine in cannabis. Worse, these rules often change without warning or consistent guidance.
That kind of ambiguity doesn’t promote public health or safety. Instead, it creates fear and dysfunction. It forces operators to either play it impossibly safe or risk citations for doing the exact same thing they did last month. No other regulated industry is expected to navigate this level of shifting ground.
Licensing fees are another flashpoint. At Canna Provisions, we recently tran-
Sosne
FROM PAGE 15
flagship organizations, but to knit them together into a network where each plays a role based on its unique assets. That’s how we ensure that the next generation of successful companies comes not just from Boston or Cambridge, but from Springfield, Lowell, Fall River — and Pittsfield.
EQUITY, ACCESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Beyond funding and structure, MACP calls for a cultural shift. ESOs should be recognized and celebrated for the critical work they do, and entrepreneurs across all regions and backgrounds should have clear, equitable access to their support.
This is especially relevant in rural regions like ours. The BIC — and other ESOs in Western Massachusetts — serve entrepreneurs who might otherwise be overlooked by traditional venture ecosystems. With better coordination and investment, these organizations can help ensure that the innovation economy reaches every corner of the commonwealth.
sitioned to an ESOP, a worker-owned company, because we believe in building long-term wealth and opportunity for our team. We handed this business over to 75 employees, many of whom come from diverse backgrounds and have deep roots in the communities we serve.
But despite this ownership structure, we’re still charged licensing fees as though we’re a massive multistate operator. There’s no pathway in the current regulations that recognizes or rewards employee ownership models. If Massachusetts wants to support equitable business models in cannabis, that needs to change.
A policy shift to waive or reduce licensing fees for ESOPs is both logical and fair. These are not extractive entities. They’re built to reinvest, to stabilize, to create durable jobs. The state should be encouraging this, not treating ESOPs like corporate giants.
And it goes further. ESOPs should be eligible for medical licenses. They should be part of the patient care ecosystem, not excluded from it. The medical program itself desperately needs simplification; patients and providers alike are burdened by systems that have grown overly complex and out of sync with their original intent.
There are other fixes that could make a difference quickly, without sacrificing the values that underpin cannabis regulation:
• Raise daily purchasing limits to match states like New York and others in our region. Consumers shouldn’t be pe-
A PATH FORWARD
The MACP recommendations offer a blueprint, but they will require political will and public-private collaboration to implement. There is a lot of potential, but there needs to be a statewide agency or organization that acts as the hub for the ESOs and helps to bridge and coordinate. If the right organization is identified, and the existing ESOs are brought together in a thoughtful and meaningful way, this new network could make Massachusetts more competitive, more inclusive, and better prepared to support entrepreneurs wherever they are.
FINAL THOUGHT
The Berkshires has long been seen as outside the state’s major innovation corridors. But that perception is changing — and it should. With organizations like the BIC serving as regional nodes in a larger system, our community is not just included in the conversation about economic development — it’s helping to lead it. As state leaders consider how to build the next generation of startup infrastructure, they would do well to look west — to see what’s already working, and to invest in building on that momentum.
Ben Sosne is executive director of the Berkshire Innovation Center.
nalized for shopping local. This is a true win-win that will increase tax revenue as well as helping cannabis businesses.
• Adopt a “one badge per person” model to simplify workforce compliance while maintaining safety standards.
• Evaluate excise tax structures for businesses like ESOPs that serve broader economic development goals. (We’re still exploring this, but it’s a worthy policy conversation.)
None of these ideas are radical. They’re rooted in what the industry needs to function. Namely: fairness, clarity, adaptability. And they reflect what Massachusetts cannabis is becoming: more sophisticated, more diverse, and more aligned with the long-term health
of the communities it operates in.
One area that deserves more attention, especially from regulators and lawmakers, is the way businesses are starting to explore new digital tools like AI platforms, GPT-based systems, and other automation technologies. These innovations aren’t just buzzwords. They’re becoming critical to operational efficiency, customer education, and regulatory compliance.
At Canna Provisions, we’re actively learning about how these tools can streamline everything from training to inventory to community engagement.
But we’re also aware that many operators don’t have the bandwidth or the guidance to explore these options confidently.
This is an opportunity for the CCC and policymakers to lead. By providing clear frameworks or pilot programs for ethical, compliant AI use in cannabis, Massachusetts can once again be a national leader in forward-thinking governance.
The core idea here is simple: the industry has grown up. It’s not a novelty anymore. It’s a complex, job-creating, community-embedded sector. And the rules need to evolve to reflect that.
That means moving beyond rigid control into responsive, evidence-based policy. It means balancing safety with sustainability. And it means honoring the vision of equity by actually supporting the models, like ESOPs, that embody it.
We don’t need fewer rules. We need better ones. Smarter, clearer, fairer. Because this isn’t just about saving struggling businesses. It’s about unlocking the full potential of an industry that’s already proven it can deliver. Especially when it’s given the chance to breathe.
Meg Sanders is co-founder and CEO of Canna Provisions.
STEPHANIE ZOLLSHAN
Cannabis businesses, many of them family-run or funded by close-knit communities versus venture capital or traditional funding methods, are being squeezed between inconsistent oversight and brutal economic headwinds.
Meg Sanders Cannabis Corner
People in the Berkshires
Berkshire Health Systems has appointed Brenda Cadorette as chief nursing executive, overseeing nursing across the organization.
Cadorette, MSN RN, NEA-BC, has served as vice president of acute care and BMC chief nursing officer for the past 11 years.
“Brenda has been an exceptional nurse leader at Berkshire Medical Center for decades,” said BHS President and CEO Darlene Rodowicz.
“This new nursing leadership structure will support the alignment of best practice nursing standards and ensure that professional practice, growth, and development are consistent across the organization.”
In her new role, Cadorette will focus on creating shared governance for nursing and ensuring that nursing practice and staff development promote patient safety and patient-centered care.
Working in tandem with Cadorette, each BHS hospital will also appoint an associate chief nursing officer to focus on the hospital’s operations and lead each hospital’s nursing team.
Cadorette, who joined BHS in 1995 as a nursing assistant, has previously served as a clinical supervisor, nursing director, administrative director of nursing operations, service line administrator of nursing, and other leadership roles.
MountainOne has appointed Brenda Petell vice president, community engagement officer.
In this role, Petell leads MountainOne’s community engagement efforts across the Berkshires and South Shore, strengthening partnerships, advancing philanthropic initiatives and furthering MountainOne’s long-standing commitment to the communities it serves.
Most recently, Petell served as director of volunteer engagement at Berkshire United Way. With a background in finance, people operations and process improvement, her insights will be key in modernizing process and enhancing MountainOne’s community engagement initiatives.
Petell is poised to be named the 2025 recipient of the Girls Inc. of the Berkshires’ She Knows Where She’s Going Award. This recognition honors her ongoing work as an outstanding local female leader who serves as a role model for young women.
Included in her responsibilities, Petell will oversee MountainOne’s Community Dividend Program, coordinate corporate giving, and ensure that MountainOne’s support aligns with initiatives that reflect the company’s mission. She will also lead employee volunteer efforts, financial literacy programs and MountainOne’s storybook programming.
Headquartered in North Adams, MountainOne is the mutual holding company of MountainOne Bank, MountainOne Insurance and MountainOne Investments.
Molari Employment and HealthCare Services has named Rory Baker as its new administrative coordinator.
In this role, Baker serves as the first point of contact for applicants, screening candidates and scheduling interviews for the agency’s employment and health care divisions. Baker’s approachable nature and genuine interest in people make him a natural at putting candidates at ease as they prepare for their interviews. With a background in office admin-
istration, Baker ensures that daily operations run smoothly and efficiently behind the scenes. His keen attention to detail and commitment to service help Molari provide support to both clients and job seekers.
He is dedicated to matching the right candidates with each client’s unique needs and assisting individuals in achieving their career goals.
A trained singer and guitarist, Baker attended Berklee College of Music, where he honed his creative talents.
Founded in 1983, Molari specializes in staffing services, connecting job seekers with employment opportunities across various industries. In addition, Molari provides private and contract in-home health care services and offers health care staffing for area facilities.
For information, visit molariinc.com or call 413-499-4546.
Greylock Federal Credit Union has promoted Chris Barry of Lee to vice president, business banking officer II.
In his new role, Barry will service existing and new business members, work on business development, originate and underwrite commercial loans, and help to create and manage new products, services and classes to serve the community.
Barry began his career with Greylock as a commercial credit analyst in 2006. Beyond his professional role, Barry serves on the board of directors for the Berkshire Family YMCA, volunteers with the Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll) initiative, and is actively involved with Berkshire Agricultural Ventures.
Jewish Federation of the Berkshires has appointed Rebekah Steinfeld as its new senior development officer.
With extensive nonprofit experience and a passion for building strong community connections, Steinfeld will play a key role in advancing the federation’s mission. She will collaborate closely with the federation’s executive director and board of directors to enhance the organization’s annual campaign and major gifts program. She will focus on cultivating and strengthening relationships with donors while overseeing strategic giving initiatives aimed at securing long-term financial support for the federation’s programs and services.
Steinfeld joins the federation after more than a decade at UMass Amherst Hillel, where she served as assistant director and was instrumental in transforming student engagement. She spearheaded the development of a comprehensive Student Life Plan, driving a 160 percent increase in student involvement, and played a crucial role in donor engagement.
Based in Pittsfield, Jewish Federation of the Berkshires cares for those in need and nurtures and sustains Jewish life in the Berkshires and beyond. In 2024, its annual campaign raised more than $1.3 million from more than 1,100 donors, reflecting 11 years of continued growth.
The Berkshire Regional Office of the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center in Pittsfield has named Timothy Kiely as a senior adviser.
Kiely brings over 20 years of banking experience in Berkshire County to the Massachusetts SBDC. His background includes working with small businesses and serving as program manager for EforAll Berkshire County, where he guided entrepreneurs through a business accelerator to enhance skills
in bookkeeping and marketing.
His experience brings a wealth of knowledge to small businesses looking for resources, skills and tools to build a strong organization.
At the SBDC, Kiely provides support in business plan development, feasibility studies, financing options, cash flow analysis, and marketing strategies. He has served in various community roles, including former Berkshire Young Professionals chairman and a Coolidge Hill Foundation board director.
The Massachusetts SBDC is dedicated to helping small businesses succeed, offering no-cost, confidential one-onone assistance and educational training throughout the commonwealth.
Berkshire Family & Individual Resources has promoted Katrina Cardillo to senior director of marketing and public relations.
In her new role, Cardillo will continue to lead marketing and PR initiatives and also will play an important role in advancing BFAIR’s fundraising activities.
Cardillo brings a wealth of experience in marketing, management and community engagement to her expanded responsibilities. Since joining BFAIR, Cardillo has been instrumental in amplifying the organization’s mission to support individuals with developmental disabilities, acquired brain injuries and autism. Her innovative strategies and leadership have significantly contributed to brand awareness and community outreach.
Cardillo’s career began with @utoRevenue, where she quickly ascended to the management team and contributed to the company’s marketing and operational strategies. Following the acquisition by Dominion Enterprises, she transitioned to the corporate marketing team within the Dominion Dealer Solutions automotive division, overseeing marketing initiatives for multiple business units.
After her tenure in the corporate world, Cardillo shifted her focus to the human service sector. Over the past 12 years, she has been dedicated to supporting nonprofit organizations in Berkshire County.
Cardillo, a resident of Otis, holds a master of business administration and a bachelor of science in business administration from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
Pittsfield Cooperative Bank has promoted of Jennifer L. Parsons to senior vice president, human resources.
In her new elevated role, she will lead all aspects of the bank’s human resources strategy, including talent acquisition, employee engagement, professional development, and organizational culture.
Parsons will oversee the bank’s evolving and long-term HR strategy, focusing on recruiting top talent, strengthening the bank’s workplace culture, enhancing employee development, and ensuring the bank becomes an employer of choice within the community.
She brings more than 10 years of human resources experience and holds a Senior Professional Human Resources certification from the HR Certification Institute. She is actively involved in her community and volunteers at the Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center and has served on its board of directors since 2023, reflecting her dedication to both her profession and her community.
A Berkshire native, Parsons lives Pittsfield. She graduated from Berkshire Community College, receiving degrees in both business and hospitality administration.
Lee Bank has promoted SooJa Wha-
len to assistant vice president of consumer banking and Michele Kotek to South County area manager, and hired Emily Davis as Great Barrington branch manager. Whalen has over 25 years of banking experience, including eight years with Lee Bank, where she has previously held positions as universal banker, community banker and South County area manager. In her new role, Whalen will focus on staff development, sales and service strategy, and operational efficiencies to further enhance customer experience and banking operations.
She also serves as treasurer of the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce and is a board member of BerkShares. Originally from Lee, she now lives in Great Barrington. Kotek’s five-plus years experience in banking and more than 20 years in hospitality has built a strong foundation in creating welcoming environments and guiding customers toward their financial goals. In her new position, Kotek will continue to foster strong customer relationships, support financial success for the community, and lead the South County team with her engaging and dynamic approach. She is an active board member of the Kiwanis Club of Lee.
Davis has over 30 years of banking experience, including 22 years at Berkshire Bank and nine years at Pittsfield Cooperative Bank as AVP/branch manager. She will focus on leading the Great Barrington branch, strengthening customer relationships and developing local connections.
She also is an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Sheffield, where she has served on the board for nine years and was president for two years. She has also contributed to the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce and the town of Sheffield Finance Committee.
The Literacy Network has named Susan Harding to the part-time role of development and operations associate. Harding has with five years of experience managing fundraising databases and working with small nonprofits to increase community engagement. In her previous roles at the Shaker Museum in Old Chatham, N.Y., and Stockbridge Library Museum & Archives, Harding worked with staff, board and varied committees to implement annual appeals, execute galas and concerts, and develop creative community events. She succeeds Amy Chin, who is retiring as development and operations manager. Chin, who has spent 30 years doing database design and data analysis for local organizations, will stay on as a consultant.
In addition to her professional roles in nonprofit development, Harding has been a stay-at-home mom, an interim library director, served three consecutive terms on the Lee School Committee, and was a Lee town representative.
LitNet provides one-on-one instruction to speakers of other languages wishing to improve their English skills as well as any adult seeking help with basic education, high school equivalency test preparation, U.S. citizenship test preparation, and first-generation college support.
Cadorette
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