Berkshire Business Journal September 2025

Page 2

CEO Bethany Kieley

Berkshire Business Journal

SEPTEMBER 2025 | VOL. 4, NO. 9

Serving sweets, lifting spirits

“It’s nice to feel like

SoCo Creamery owner honored as businessman — and a civic leader

By Talia l issauer

GREAT BARRINGTON

— As a surge of customers came into SoCo Creamery on a warm summer day, Eric Bruun took a break from restocking pints of ice cream in the freezer to help manage the rush.

Bruun, who is principal owner and president of the business, has a reputation for just that sort of thing.

“He really, in just his own quiet, humble way, every day gets up and tries to figure out, ‘How can I help,’” said Betsy Andrus, the chamber’s executive director.

Known for his dedication to supporting and uplifting the community, especially youths, Bruun has been named 2025 Business Person of the Year by the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce.

The award goes to a Southern Berkshire Chamber member in good standing who is outstanding in civic and professional areas. Anyone can nominate anyone and those nominations are viewed by a com-

mittee separate from the chamber board that selects the winner.

Bruun was set to be honored during an event at 5 p.m. Sept. 10 at Catamount Mountain Resort in South Egremont.

Despite being awarded business person of the year, Bruun doesn’t see himself as a fantastic business person. Rather, he views himself as someone who knows the community dynamics well, likes to empower people and create meaningful change through collaborative ways.

“I’ve done a lot for the community, and I also happen to be a business person,” he said on why he thinks he was selected.

Bruun joined the Railroad Street ice cream store and factory around 10 years ago, and he’s been a prominent figure on that street for nearly 40 years as a journalist, a founder of community projects, and a board member for local organizations.

He has had a significant impact on Southern Berkshires, Andrus said, and she described him as a “voice of reason”

and a “moderator” in many situations.

“We all know Eric,” she said. “He’s just done so many things for the community and he’s just a very modest person, so he does things and doesn’t even really acknowledge that he’s done.”

‘IT’S JUST FUN’

SoCo Creamery, which was founded in 2004, features over 30 flavors of ice cream, in addition to sorbets. A constant favorite for the best ice cream in Western Massachusetts, it is a popular spot for summer tourists and a sponsor of community events. All the dairy used is from a family farm in Vermont and they make all their own inclusions, like cookie dough or brownie bites, from scratch.

What once started as a temporary role during a transition time turned into a long-term position for Bruun at the shop.

A decade later and Bruun frequently can be found at SoCo helping out with day-today tasks — like stocking the freezer or

making a customer’s chai tea latte.

This fall, Bruun will be leaving SoCo in the hands of Matt Scott, the former director of brand integrity and production, someone who Bruun said knows the business well and will keep it running.

“Matt was the person who made the ice cream when I first got involved, and he has a strong belief in the brand and all that sort of thing,” Bruun said.

As another busy summer comes to a close, he said he’s feeling “very frazzled” and ready to move on. He’s going to stay on the various boards, but is moving on from ice cream to spend more time with family and rest.

Bruun has loved working in the shop because all the young employees have so much energy and high spirits, and he likes the opportunity to guide them to be hardworking and kind people.

“It’s just fun,” he said. “When you’re having fun, it’s easy to do.”

STEPHANIE ZOLLSHAN

Erik Bruun, owner of SoCo Creamery in Great Barrington, has been named as the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year.

you made a difference in people’s lives,” Bruun said.

Five decades of community care

STEPHANIE ZOLLSHAN

Mary Feuer, director of Family Services, said she has watched CHP change based on what families needed over the years. “It’s just been a constant evolution and it keeps up with the times,” Feuer said. “Meeting families where they need to be.”

50 years since founding, CHP still searching for ways to meet needs

By Talia l issauer

In 1975, Dr. Thomas Whitfield noticed many children coming in for their kindergarten entrance medical exam hadn’t recently seen a doctor, so he began driving through rural towns looking for signs of young children, like diapers on clotheslines or toys in the yard, and stopping to offer care.

Fifty years later, this makeshift mobile health unit has grown into Community Health Programs of the Berk-

shires, now a federally qualified health center providing 35,000 patients a year with medical, dental, behavioral, and family services across nine locations.

Over the years, CHP has evolved based on what the community needed, but its core mission of supporting families has remained intact. To honor its community-based approach, CHP is celebrating its milestone with a yearlong anniversary campaign revolving around sharing its story and celebrating with patients.

For CEO Bethany Kieley, the 50th anniversary is an important milestone of resilience and care, and it’s important to celebrate all the little steps that got the company to where it is now.

“Being 50 years old makes it particularly impactful for us to sort of reflect on who we are and how we’ve gotten to be here and to celebrate with the community,” Kieley said.

Mary Feuer, who has been with Women, Infants and Children nutrition program and Family Services since 1991,

said she has watched CHP change based on what families needed, like having free food at offices and helping young mothers learn to drive. Through it all, she’s always been inspired by the nonprofit’s resilience during hard times.

“It’s just been a constant evolution and it keeps up with the times,” Feuer said. “Meeting families where they need to be.”

Part of what makes CHP so special, Kieley said, is the way the different branches work in a symbiotic relationship to pro-

vide well-rounded support, like how doctors screen for food insecurity and send those struggling to family services.

“I picture a venn diagram that overlaps where it’s so helpful to our caregivers on the medical health side to be able to connect their patients with the resources that family services provide,” Kieley said.

BECOMING CHP

It all started when Whitfield, who died in the ‘90s, moved to Great Barrington in 1974 and noticed a pattern of children coming to his practice seriously ill, with “spotty” immunization histories and lacking in doctor visits.

He saw a need for care dedicated to all children, even those who appeared healthy. He secured funding for free “well-child clinics” as a pilot program, and with the help of Linda Small, CHP’s first executive director, they added the Family Support Network and WIC program.

“In reflection on CHP’s success, both then and I think now, I return to Tom Whitfield’s original premise: Parents need support to be the primary caregivers of their children — whether infants or adolescents,” Small said.

The well-child exams continued on and were a way to show parents that they were doing a good job. The family center started hosting playgroups, clothes exchanges and services for caretakers that allowed parents to connect with others — programs that continue to this day.

“His most important legacy was the special interactions with those rural moms during

STEPHANIE ZOLLSHAN

Bethany Kieley, CEO of Community Health Programs, speaks at a ceremony in May 2024 to celebrate CHP’s new dental clinic in Adams. “Being 50 years old makes it particularly impactful for us to sort of reflect on who we are and how we’ve gotten to be here and to celebrate with the community,” Kieley said.

those well-child clinics and his modeling for the subsequent pediatric nurse practitioners and their supervising physicians,” Small said.

In the 1980s, the support from the Department of Public Health ended and CHP had to either close or become a Federally Qualified Health Center. It chose the latter.

“Comprehensive health care for this population had to be built

slowly and carefully, but parents responded with relief that help was available,” Small said.

Seeing a need from the community, CHP started to see adults in 2000. Since then, they’ve expanded across the Berkshires and added services like dental and women’s health.

LOOKING FORWARD

The next five years are expected to be extra difficult as health

care costs will likely increase and there will be changes in health care coverage, but Kieley said they are working hard to navigate the uncertain health care landscape.

“Getting through the next five [years] is going to be really essential,” Kieley said. “Keeping our identity intact, keeping our eye on our mission and how we can continue to serve even as we get through some significant chang-

es in the external landscape.”

Over the last year, CHP has undergone financial struggles that led to layoffs and the closing of its mobile health unit. But it is now doing better and is cautiously optimistic about its current state.

The last fiscal year ended in a surplus, and it is projecting to break even next fiscal year.

“We just have to constantly be prepared for what the next change is that’s coming at us for these next 50 years,” Kieley said.

Fueur is proud of the work CHP does to feed, educate and connect families, but there is still more that can be done. She said she would like to see family services grow even more, especially in places like Adams.

CHP continues to try to balance workloads to prevent burnout while still providing appropriate care to as many patients as they can. There is a nationwide shortage of providers and a systemic burnout problem, she added.

“There are a couple of cycles that happen there that are not positive,” Kieley said. “So we need to be as effective as we can in using the resources we have.” Looking forward, CHP is focusing on how it can increase community impact, be an excellent employer and respond to community needs. The overall goal is to expand reach and impact while prioritizing provider health and maintaining high-quality care.

Feuer hopes she’ll continue to see the long-term impact of the work she does.

“When I first started at WIC, there were moms with young kids, she said, “and now some of those kids are coming in with kids or I see them out in the community.”

SoCo Creamery

He knows ice cream isn’t go-

and adding the little things that can make someone smile is important to continue doing.

“We all impact this community with what we do,” he said. “SoCo makes people’s day.”

DEEP IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY

His work goes beyond the ice cream shop and factory; he’s still a board member/trustee for the Railroad Street Youth Project, Community Health Programs and the Community Development Corp. of South Berkshire.

Before SoCo, Bruun was a reporter for The Eagle and co-publisher of The South Advocate newsweekly, which was acquired by The Eagle. While working for former state Rep. Chris Hodgkins, Andrus said he worked to get much-needed funding to the Berkshires.

Bruun is most proud of the work he and others have done with the Railroad Street Youth Project. Although he was hesitant to get fully involved at first, he ended up being the founding board president of the initiative to support youth-inspired projects that empower young people. He is the only founding board member still on the board.

“No one imagined that initiative would become the force that it is,” Bruun said. The nonprofit has grown from a budget of $2,500 in 1999 to $1.4 million with mentoring and apprenticeship programs, a drop-in center for counseling, mediation, referrals

Founded in 2004, SoCo Creamery in Great Barrington features over 30 flavors of ice cream, in addition to sorbets.

and advocacy services, a skate park and more.

Bruun was also the founding president of Project Native and was also board president of Berkshire Waldorf School over two non-consecutive, threeyear terms. He continued writing as a freelancer and wrote several books.

He led a number of initiatives like the Great Barrington downtown revitalization project in the 1990s, the remediation of chemicals from the former New

England Log Homes Project, the Housatonic River Initiative, and the distribution of Natural Resource Damages funds, provided by General Electric for PCB contamination, to local environmental organizations

His effort to support young people has spread from co-founding the Berkshire Youth Development coalition and the Southern Berkshire Youth Coalition, which works to reduce underage substance use.

Though he sees himself as

someone who likes to connect with people, he’s been told he’s a mentor to many.

“I like to think that a lot of what I do is help people appreciate the impact of change in our community,” he said. “It’s not my goal to be a mentor, but that’s what people tell me.”

The walls of the colorful shop are filled with years’ worth of notes from customers writing their hopes and dreams, something Bruun said helps integrate the community and the shop. He

added he loves to read the notes, some of which are silly while others are serious and sentimental.

As he steps back from SoCo, he’s grateful to see the impact he has had over the years.

“It’s nice to feel like you made a difference in people’s lives,” Bruun said.

Ice cream makes people happy and that’s what motivated Bruun to keep scooping.

“Joy is part of life,” he said. “You may as well dip into it.”

STEPHANIE ZOLLSHAN

Business updates

Attorney releases book on navigating eldercare

Paula Almgren, founder of the Berkshire Law Group in Lenox, is the author of a new book, “Eldercare The Rules: Navigating the Legal, Financial, Medical, Housing and Care Maze,” published by Laurel Ridge Press.

Almgren, Pittsfield native and an attorney specializing in estate planning, elder law and life care and an accredited attorney with the Department of Veterans Affairs, draws on more than 20 years of professional experience, and a personal journey caring for her late mother, who had Alzheimer’s disease. That experience shaped her law practice and inspired her to write the book.

“Eldercare The Rules” is a roadmap for breaking down the barriers that trip up so many families and seniors.

Almgren has been named a Super Lawyer for five consecutive years, a designation earned by fewer than 5 percent of attorneys in Massachusetts. She is licensed to practice in both Massachusetts and New York.

The book is available in paperback and e-book on Amazon, tinyurl. com/3mr6n32a.

PITTSFIELD

‘Hey Neighbor!’ campaign supports city businesses Downtown Pittsfield Inc. has launched a “Hey Neighbor!” Marketing Campaign to spotlight and support downtown storefront businesses through social media and coordinated cinema and radio marketing campaigns.

The program, funded with $25,000 from MassDevelopment’s Transformative Development Initiative, awarded marketing grants to 10 for-profit businesses in downtown Pittsfield. There were four awards for businesses with one to three employees and three awards each for businesses with four to nine employees and 10 or more employees.

The businesses awarded marketing grants are Brazzucas Market, Berkshire Nautilus, Espetinho Carioca, Hot Plate Brewing Co., Marie’s North Street Eatery and Gallery, Methuselah Bar and Lounge, McNinch Restaurant Group, Otto’s Kitchen & Comfort, Thistle ‘n Thorn Floral, and Wander Berkshires.

These grantees will receive custom video ads displayed before films at the Beacon Cinema and radio advertisements aired on WUPE/WBEC FM. The “Hey Neighbor!” Marketing Campaign aims to drive foot traffic, build community awareness, and showcase the diverse stories of Pittsfield’s small business community.

For more information on the grantees, visit downtownpittsfield. com/2025/06/hey-neighbor.

PITTSFIELD Freeman Center appoints four new board members

The Elizabeth Freeman Center wel-

comes Myla Franklin, Laurie Gallagher, Christine MacBeth and Tess Sorrentino to its board of directors, according to a statement from the organization.

Franklin is a community leader and grassroots organizer with 10 years of experience in project management, advocacy and relationship building. She is currently the Community Lending Officer at Greylock Federal Credit Union.

Gallagher is an attorney who served as senior counsel for 25 years for General Electric Co. and SABIC plastics. She has served locally as interim CEO and board chair for Berkshire United Way and as a mentor at 18 Degrees.

MacBeth has over 35 years of experience working in social services and health care agencies, 15 of which were at the Brien Center where she served as president and chief executive officer.

Sorrentino is senior vice president and chief financial officer for Adams Community Bank. A 40 Under 40 honoree, she is involved in many Berkshire nonprofits, and a past volunteer of the year for St. Vincent de Paul Parish and Unico of Pittsfield.

The Elizabeth Freeman Center provided services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

NORTH ADAMS

Code Communities, classes will be held online from 5:45 to 8:45 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays running from Sept. 15 through Dec. 10.

Students will build a solid foundation in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and collaborative version control tools like GitHub. Trainees will also complete a group project. This course may especially appeal to graphic designers and aspiring app developers ready to take their careers to the next level.

Scholarships, including free course tuition, are available for those who qualify. Laptop and/or internet access can be provided if needed. For more information and to apply, visit berkshirecc.edu/developer.

PITTSFIELD

Integritus Healthcare joins with Conn. facility

Integritus Healthcare, a nonprofit organization and post-acute health care industry leader, will soon enter into a management services agreement with Geer Village Senior Community, located in Canaan, Conn. Integritus Healthcare will take on the role of management company for the Geer Village campus of services, while Geer Village will continue to own and run its programs and services, with Integritus providing oversight.

designed to protect older adults and their families from fraud, scams and money mistakes.

Through this partnership, the bank will offer Carefull’s advanced platform to help customers monitor their accounts for signs of financial exploitation, including complicated emotional manipulation schemes like romance scams.

The platform uses proprietary technology to detect unusual activity and patterns of behavior, including duplicate payments, late or missed deposits, and actions that may indicate cognitive decline.

Adams Community Bank is the first in its region to offer a solution designed specifically to protect seniors. Carefull is now available to all deposit customers, with outreach efforts through branch teams and community events.

For more information about the partnership or to access Carefull, visit secure.getcarefull.com/acb, call 413743-0001, or visit any branch branch.

PITTSFIELD

Eversource foundation gives $17K to United Way

economies

National conference set on AI in rural

1Berkshire, the Berkshire Innovation Center and the Center on Rural Innovation have announced that a national conference, “Accelerating What’s Possible: The Next Chapter for Rural Economies in the Age of AI,” will be held Sept. 10 at Mass MoCA.

This one-day event will bring together industry experts, policy leaders, rural economy innovators, and acceleration partners from across the country to the Berkshires to network, engage and set the course for the next chapter of rural economic development and innovation.

The Berkshire Tech Impact Collaborative, a coalition of 1Berkshire, the Berkshire Innovation Center, and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at BCC, began working with CORI in 2020 to assess and advance initiatives and opportunities aligned with the Berkshire Blueprint 2.0 to catalyze, amplify and accelerate the tech and innovation economy of the Berkshires.

Initial conference sponsors include Google, MassDevelopment and Compeer Financial.

For information and to register, visit tinyurl.com/3d2tth5y.

LEE

Bank foundation awards

$58K to local nonprofits

The Lee Bank Foundation has awarded $58,000 in its second grant cycle of 2025 to support 12 Berkshire-based nonprofit organizations. Grant awards ranged from $1,000 to $12,500 and will help fund initiatives addressing key community needs.

The grant recipients include AdLib, Barrington Stage Company, Berkshire Art Center, Berkshire Bounty, Blackshires, Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity, Elizabeth Freeman Center, Great Barrington Public Theater, Greenagers, Lee Youth Association, Roots Rising and Second Nature Arts.

Nonprofit organizations interested in applying for the next round of funding can find application details in the Community Impact section at leebank. com. Applications are due by Sept. 2. Organizations are eligible to receive funding once per 12-month period.

PITTSFIELD

BCC offering front-end web development course

Berkshire Community College is offering Front-End JavaScript Fundamentals, a 12-week virtual course focused on hands-on coding and user interface design.

Offered in partnership with Can

In a joint statement, Shaun Powell, CEO and CFO of Geer, and Bill Jones, president and CEO of Integritus Healthcare, noted that “the overarching goal of this partnership is to ensure and protect Geer’s longstanding legacy and commitment to high-quality care in northwestern Connecticut.”

Additionally, the executive leaders of both organizations shared that an important factor of this partnership was alignment between the not-forprofit entities, in terms of the Mission, Vision and Core Values (Integrity, Compassion, Excellence, Teamwork and Stewardship), coupled with robust campus of care offerings designed to support the increasing post-acute care and senior housing needs for the next generation of consumers.

Powell reported that he “anticipates a bright future through strong collaboration and sharing of expertise as Geer Village aims to strengthen their market position and remain the cornerstone for high-quality care options and employment for consumers and the communities it has been serving for almost 100 years.”

Over the course of the next several months, Integritus Healthcare will work alongside the Geer leadership team to support the goal of a seamless transition for residents, families and staff.

PITTSFIELD

MountainOne participates in Habitat’s Women Build

An all-female team of Mountaineers from MountainOne rolled up their sleeves to support Women Build, a volunteer initiative led by Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity. The program empowers women to take an active role in construction while advancing the mission of affordable housing in the Berkshires.

MountainOne sponsored the event and contributed a hands-on team effort in Pittsfield, where two new condominium units are taking shape. The all-women crew from MountainOne included Julie Rider, Shannon Dozier, Stacy Roman, Debra Bishop, Brenda Petell, Heidi Gingras, Jeanne Zatorski, Jennifer Smith, Samantha Leskovitz, and Renae Gamari.

Together, the group helped install decking and siding on the homes. The day’s work not only strengthened the local housing landscape but also reinforced MountainOne’s ongoing commitment to giving back to the communities it serves.

ADAMS

New bank partnership aims to protect seniors

Adams Community Bank has announced a new partnership with Carefull, a financial safety platform

Eversource Energy Foundation, a longtime supporter of United Way organizations across New England, has donated $17,000 to Berkshire United Way.

This additional financial support will help BUW further invest in the work of its nonprofit partners and the people they serve, with a focus on school and career readiness, household stability and mental health.

The donations from Eversource are collected during the company’s six-week employee and retiree annual fundraising effort.

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LENOX

Final lap for Race Brook Lodge

Family to put historic Sheffield property on the market

BY TALIA L ISSAUER

SHEFFIELD — Race Brook Lodge, an inn run by the Rothstein-Fitzpatrick family, is celebrating its final season as members prepare to sell the historic property.

Made up of 31 guest rooms, an event barn, a restaurant and a couple of lodges, Race Brook Lodge spreads across about 100 acres. It’s in need of significant investments and renovations in order to be sustainable, as the buildings range from being built in the mid1700s to the mid-1900s.

The goal is to find a buyer who will preserve the property as a community resource and continue its legacy, but that isn’t a necessity.

The decision to sell the business is rooted in Casey Rothstein-Fitzpatrick, director of vibe control, wanting to spend more time with his family — especially his two daughters. Since he took over from his father, David Rothstein, around 2015, the restaurant and hospitality business has been increasingly difficult, he said, with challenges in staffing, rising costs and declining business.

“I’ve tried a few times to release myself from this everyday grind of the hospitality world and try to delegate the management,” he said, “and each time we tried, it hasn’t worked out in some way.”

The listing is set to go up Sept. 8, and the family is hoping to transfer ownership by the end of the year. Until then, they are honoring existing commitments like weddings and events and have stopped taking new bookings past a certain point.

They are focusing on enjoying their last few months by hosting live music open to the public every Wednesday night among other community events.

“We’ll have a lot of really interesting live music programming in the fall to really savor the last few months,” Rothstein-Fitzpatrick said. “We want everybody to come and savor this time

with us and enjoy the property and enjoy what we’ve created while it’s still here.”

The inn’s restaurant, Stagecoach Tavern, was turned into a casual counter service restaurant called Trailhead Berkshires, which has an expanded menu that costumers can enjoy almost anywhere on the property. Instead of struggling to maintain the current restaurant, it’s a pop-up restaurant that is less time- consuming, cheaper to operate, and requires less staffing.

It all started in 1990 when David Rothstein, owner of the former Music Inn in Lenox, purchased what would become the main lodge as a place to settle down. He ended up renting out some of the extra rooms and eventually it became a bed-and-breakfast.

“I just wanted the barn to have some room for all my workspace,” Rothstein said, “and I thought there were a couple of rooms in it for my kids to come

visit.”

He was an architect who enjoyed redesigning and updating the spaces, which naturally led to the hospitality business. The transformation into an inn started with a few rooms and expanded over time to include multiple buildings, an event barn, and eventually taking over the restaurant.

By the early 2000s, Rothstein had begun purchasing additional buildings and expanding the property, and began hosting weddings and more professional hospitality operations.

“So the whole thing over that time just kind of snowballed into something bigger and they started doing weddings, and really bringing in more professional staff and running the restaurant,” Rothstein-Fitzpatrick said.

One of those buildings was the restaurant, which they already were working with, but decided to officially purchase it so they could do their

The owners of Race Brook Lodge are finishing their final season and are listing the She eld property for sale. Operations will continue at the lodge and at the Trailhead Berkshires restaurant before closing at the end of November 2025.

own catering. The oldest section of the Stagecoach Tavern, which first operated as a stagecoach stop in 1829, dates back to the mid-1700s.

Rothstein-Fitzpatrick was living in New York City, Greece and India and working primarily in film production and events, but when his dad was ready to move on, Rothstein-Fitzpatrick decided to give hospitality a fair shot.

He had grown up surrounded by the hospitality world — his mother, Nancy Fitzpatrick, owns the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge, which is now run by his sister, Sarah Eustis. When he was growing up, he worked there as a bellhop and decided he didn’t see himself handling daily operations and pursued his interests in creating experiences and programming.

“I never got really seriously into it, but then when I moved back here, I realized that hospitality was just in my blood in that way,” Rothstein-Fitzpatrick said. “And I dived in here.”

Moving forward, he hopes to spend more time with his family and get back to his initial interests in creating experiences, programming and events.

“That was my dream to do here, but I got mired in everyday operations and couldn’t get to that,” he said. “I would like to focus more on that, somewhere where I don’t have to also worry about all the little details of the operation of the property.”

During the final months, the family is trying to enjoy their time and the community, though it continues to be emotional.

“It’s really intense,” Rothstein-Fitzpatrick. “We’re really connected to this place, deeply and emotionally.”

PHOTOS BY STEPHANIE ZOLLSHAN

Casey Rothstein-Fitzpatrick, left, took over operations Race Brook Lodge from his father, David Rothstein, in 2015. He was expected to list the property for sale this month. “We’ll have a lot of really interesting live music programming in the fall to really savor the last few months,” Rothstein-Fitzpatrick said.

Pittsfield Co-op taps new president

By GreG Sukiennik

PITTSFIELD — Throughout Gregg Levante’s commercial banking career, he’s been able to remain in his hometown while gaining experience and responsibility.

When Pittsfield Cooperative Bank offered him the role of president, Levante, formerly a commercial banking executive at NBT Bank and Berkshire Bank, saw it as “a natural next step in my career.”

“It’s not often you find a role where you can make a meaningful impact both inside the organization and across the community,” he said.

A city native and Taconic High School graduate, Levante started his new role as president of the 136-year-old bank in July, working with its current chief executive officer, Michael Daly.

“What really stood out to me about the Co-Op was its unique position as a community-focused bank with the agility to innovate,” Levante said. “I saw an opportunity to help shape the future of a financial institution that’s deeply trusted by its customers, while also bringing fresh energy to its digital and strategic initiatives. The chance to work alongside a talented team, in a place where decisions are made with both heart and foresight, was incredibly compelling.”

“Gregg embodies everything we stand for, dedication to serving others, a strong commitment to leadership development, and a belief in the power of connection,” Daly said in the bank’s announcement.

Levante has been named president of

Cooperative

“It’s not often you find a role where you can make a meaningful impact both inside the organization and across the community,” he said.

Levante comes to the Co-Op from NBT Bank’s Pittsfield office, where he served as commercial banking relationship

manager for Berkshire County and Southern Vermont since 2020. Prior to joining NBT, he worked for nearly nine years at

Berkshire Bank in commercial banking roles, including three years as vice president of commercial lending.

Daly, the former CEO of Berkshire Bank, had been serving as the Co-Op’s president and CEO since the bank’s former top executive, Jay Anderson, stepped down for health reasons in January. Anderson served in that role for 15 years.

Levante said the opportunity to work alongside Daly again was “one of the driving forces behind my decision” to take the role as president.

“His leadership, vision, and deep understanding of financial institutions and its community made this an incredibly compelling opportunity,” Levante said. “He has been a mentor to me since my days at Berkshire Bank, and I look forward to continuing our journey together. My focus is on leading the bank forward in my current role, and I’m committed to supporting the executive team in whatever capacity best serves the organization.”

Daly will remain as CEO, Levante said.

“Mike Daly has been instrumental in guiding the bank through a period of transition and growth,” he said. “While I can’t speak to long-term succession plans in detail, I can say that we work closely together to ensure continuity and strategic alignment.”

According to the announcement, Levante will lead the bank’s strategic initiatives “focused on advancing financial

prosperity, strengthening local small businesses, and investing in the future of banking.”

“These goals reflect our broader commitment to aligning the bank’s growth with the needs of our customers, our team, and the community,” Levante said. “We’re actively working in each of these areas to ensure our initiatives are impactful, forward-thinking, and true to our mission.”

Levante is a graduate of Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, N.H., and holds a Master of Business Administration from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. A Hinsdale resident, he serves as treasurer for Berkshire Omega and the Christmas Spirit Foundation and a board member for Junior Achievement of Western MA.

He also volunteers with the Knights of Columbus, the Pittsfield Sportsman’s Club and EforAll. He has also served on the Facilities Committee of the Berkshire Family YMCA and on the Steering Committee for 1Berkshire’s Youth Leadership Program.

According to the most recently published FDIC data, as of March 31, Pittsfield Cooperative Bank reported $404,215,000 in assets.

The bank, founded in 1889, has its headquarters in Pittsfield and a total of five branch offices in Pittsfield, Dalton, Hinsdale and Great Barrington. According to FDIC filings it had 62 employees as of March 31.

PITTSFIELD COOPERATIVE BANK

Gregg

Pittsfield

Bank.

Sport shop caters to hunters, archers

By John Skavlem

PITTSFIELD — As more specialty retailers shut their doors across the region, two familiar faces are stepping in to support local outdoor enthusiasts.

Travis Delratez and Jammie Sears, former owners of Cheshire Sporting Goods, have taken over Avid Sports at 1201 West Housatonic St. to provide local residents with the equipment they need to tackle the woods, water and fields of the Berkshires.

“I just wanted to make sure people around here still have a place to go to get what they need for hunting,” Delratez said. “These stores are closing left and right, and there’s just not much left anymore.”

Since quietly opening last month, Delratez and his team have been working to transform the space into a community-focused destination for archers, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. The move from Cheshire was driven partially by size (their new storefront is double the size of their old one) but moreso by the increased visibility the Pittsfield location offers.

“In Cheshire, we were lucky if 500 cars passed our shop in a day,” Delratez said. “Here, it’s over 10,000 on West Housatonic. A traffic study was done before the move, and the numbers don’t lie.”

The new location, nestled in one of Pittsfield’s busiest corridors on the West Side, carries an extensive inventory of bows, crossbows and ammo, along with a service department for bow and firearm repairs. Major hunting brands like Ravin, PSE and Elite Archery are already on the shelves, with more to come as they scale up operations.

For Delratez, it’s not just about sales. Hunting, he says, is a deeply personal, family tradition he wants to see carried on.

“I’ve been hunting my whole life. I’ve traveled all over the country for it,” he said. “Growing up, some of my best memories were with my family in the woods.

I want other kids to have those same opportunities.”

The store supports that mission beyond its retail operation. It also has an indoor archery video shoot simulator, where customers can hone their skills in a projected range environment. “It’s like a golf simulator, but with bows,” Delratez explained. Users will be able to reserve time slots for solo practice or group sessions. The team eventually envisions hosting birthday parties and possibly even competitive shoot nights in the future.

Archery classes are also in the works, including short-format lessons designed for kids or beginners who

want to learn the basics of bow handling, safety, and form.

“There are plenty of kids and adults who are interested in trying it but don’t know where to start,” Delratez said. “So now, if your mother or father brought you down here for a half hour, we can set you up and let you shoot to show you the fundamentals of it.”

The team is also planning seasonal programming, including a Turkey Seminar this coming spring ahead of turkey hunting season. The event will offer tips and techniques for new and experienced hunters, and will even feature a few local outdoor personalities as guest speakers.

While hunting and archery will be its primary focus, the store also offers select fishing and camping gear. However, Delratez noted they are slowly phasing out some fishing inventory due to competition in the area.

“In Cheshire, we were the only place near the lake with fishing stuff. Here, everyone’s got it,” he said. “We want to focus on where we can make the biggest impact.”

The store’s layout will remain the same for now, with archery equipment on the second floor and hunting gear toward the rear of the first floor. A few things are still in flux, most notably the name. While the current signage still reads Avid Sports, plans are to update it under a new name soon.

Delratez emphasized that he’s not just trying to run a business, he’s filling a gap. With chain stores like Dick’s Sporting Goods cutting back on outdoor supplies and other local retailers shutting their doors, his shop is now one of the largest of its kind in the county.

“We’re the biggest around right now, square footage and inventory-wise,” he said. “That means we have a responsibility to be open when people need us.”

The store is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It will stay open six days a week, including Sundays during peak hunting seasons, something Delratez says is non-negotiable. “There’s nothing worse than needing something on a Sunday and having nowhere to go,” he said. “We’ve been there. We know.”

A grand opening event is also in the works, once the team is fully staffed and inventory is finalized. In the meantime, Delratez encourages locals to stop in, ask questions, and take a look at what’s new. “We’re just getting started,” he said. “But we’re here for the community. That’s what this is all about.”

The second story interior of Avid Sporting Goods on 1201 West Housatonic St. in Pittsfield.

PHOTOS BY GILLIAN HECK

Jammie Sears and Travis Delratez of Avid Sporting Goods on 1201 West Housatonic St. in Pittsfield.

Scuba shop closing after 43 years

By M aryjane Willia Ms

PITTSFIELD — For more than 40 years, AST Scuba has been Pittsfield’s gateway to the underwater world — teaching thousands of divers, selling and servicing gear and leading trips to far-off waters.

But at the end of August, owner Laurie Rock will close the doors to the North Street shop her father founded for the last time, marking the end of downtown’s anchor in the scuba world but also the beginning of a new chapter in South Carolina for Rock and her family.

The business began with Jerry Smith, a Lee native whose passion for diving took root while serving as a Navy diving gear technician from 1957 to 1963. In 1982, he opened Action Sports & Travel — later AST Scuba — to share his love with the Berkshires.

When Smith was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2017, his family rallied around him. In 2018, Rock, who purchased the Pittsfield business from him in 2014, took him, along with his wife, Jo Smith, on his dream scuba trip to the Bahamas.

“To see my dad in an environment where he wasn’t teaching — he was in his element,” Rock said. “He was just existing. He was diving with my mom. It was just absolutely beautiful. Definitely tear-jerking.”

As Jerry Smith’s health declined while living in South Carolina, Rock found herself at a crossroads.

“It occurred to me that this

whole back-and-forth with my mom being alive and time being what it is — it doesn’t stop. I knew in that moment that I wanted to be where she was,” Rock said. “I wanted to be able to celebrate and be a part of life down there with them.”

After her father died in July 2024, Rock began the process of trying to sell the business — consulting lawyers, business counselors and realtors.

However, selling such a niche

business proved to be difficult.

“I just didn’t receive sufficient interest,” Rock said. “And at a certain point, you have to recognize that a decision has to be made.”

So Rock made the difficult decision to close AST Scuba on Aug. 30 to move to South Carolina with her sister and mother — while remaining in the scuba world.

“I built a life here, and I knew I was making the right choices,

but they were hard,” Rock said about the Pittsfield and diving community. “I’m very grateful that no matter what, I’m connecting with a dive shop … So I know I’m going to continue to teach, you just can’t keep me out of the water.”

Rock and her team are working to ensure that all certifications are completed as scuba classes wrap up and all equipment services are fulfilled before the Pittsfield shop closes.

The shop held lessons for aspiring divers and instructors at the Boys and Girls Club and the YMCA pools across the street, as well as Onota Lake. It also offered specialized courses such as wreck diving, deep diving, underwater photography, videography, and diver stress and rescue.

Having grown up in the 396 North St. store, Rock said the opportunity to provide these services to the city and be a member of the community has been “humbling.”

“The amount of support in this community has been overwhelming, including in this decision,” she said. “I feel like part of a family.”

Following in her father’s footsteps, Rock has worked with the Berkshire County Dive and Rescue Team and the public safety community, while partnering with organizations like the YMCA to deliver water safety programs and host unique events like underwater Santa photos and kayak introductions for kids.

“I’d like to think I give this community a lot, but they also give a lot back,” Rock said.

The storefront is on the market, with the new occupants to be determined.

For those still seeking to obtain their diving certification, Rock recommends Ana with Kraken Scuba in Albany, N.Y.

“I’m confident she’s going to be introducing them to the underwater world, similarly to how we would here,” Rock said.

STEPHANIE ZOLLSHAN

AST Scuba closed its doors on North Street at the end of August, according to owner Laurie Rock. After the death of Rock’s father, Jerry Smith, in 2024, who founded the store as Action Sports & Travel in 1982, Rock is moving to South Carolina to be closer to her family.

Outpost outfits paddlers, pedalers

By Jane K aufman

CHESHIRE — A longtime Berkshire outdoor sports entrepreneur has opened a new seasonal rental shop across from Cheshire Reservoir, offering canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and bicycles just steps from the lake and Ashuwillticook Rail Trail.

Bicycle and boat rentals were brisk on Tuesday at the Cheshire Outpost of Berkshire Outfitters, which opened recently without fanfare.

The rental shop — two years in the making, with construction involving a full gut and rebuild starting with the floors — is the brainchild of Steve Blazejewski and his wife, Karen, who together bought the property across Route 8 from Cheshire Reservoir from William and Holly Ogden in 2021 for $295,000.

Walking into the canoe, kayak, paddleboard and bicycle rental space is a bit like stepping into a lodge one might find in the Adirondacks or out West.

Blazejewski, the founder and owner of Berkshire Outfitters, conceived of the timber-framed design and hired local carpenters to create the transformation from motorcycle shop to an outdoor enthusiast’s place to sit down or ramp up for a journey or outing.

The Cheshire Outpost isn’t just designed to satisfy the needs of the casual boater or bicyclist, but also the long-term hiker on the Appalachian Trail, with needed supplies such as dehydrated foods.

Having been a project manager for years, Blazejewski ran Berkshire Outfitters in Adams as a side business until he retired about 10 years ago. Now, running his stores is a full-time job.

The Adams store sells canoes, kayaks, bicycles, mountain and gravel bikes, cross-country and alpine skis, fly-fishing and fly-tying equipment and

backpacking equipment.

The plan in Cheshire is to open seasonally for rentals — through foliage season this year, but Blazejewski isn’t sure what the future holds.

Chris Samson, assistant manager, said opening the Cheshire Outpost makes rentals a lot simpler for both staff and customers.

“That way we don’t have to run a family of five up the side of Route 8 or

drive canoes and kayaks to the lake or pick up AT through-hikers,” he said.

“Now they can just either walk right across the road to the lake or right out the driveway onto the bike trail, or we just have the through hikers walk right to our shop, which is a quarter of a mile away.”

At the Cheshire Outpost, wooden paddles Blazejewski received for canoeing on the winning teams of the Josh

Cheshire Outpost

Address: 329 South State Road

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sunday

Contact: 413-749-7106 or www. berkshireoutfitters.com

Billings Runaground are displayed alongside canoes crafted in Canada.

He credits three 20-year-plus employees — manager Josh Chittenden, Samson, and Ron Buda — with building the business. Altogether, Berkshire Outfitters has five employees.

So, at 77, is Blazejewski skiing and canoeing?

You bet.

He enjoys alpine skiing at Mount Snow in Wilmington, Vt., and cross-country skiing with his wife at Notchview Reservation in Windsor and Prospect Mountain in Woodford, Vt.

The screensaver on his phone is a photo he took a week ago that shows the bow of his one-man canoe as the mist rose off Cheshire Reservoir.

His favorite spots to put in are the Housatonic River and Cheshire Reservoir, where he regularly sees eagles, herons, osprey, snapping turtles and muskrat.

About a year ago, a river otter made an appearance right beside his canoe at Cheshire Reservoir.

“He came right up, like whack-amole, and he looked at me with the moustache — he’s got the whiskers and everything,” Blazejewski said. “And so I paddled slowly a little bit further and two more popped up. And I’ve never seen them since or before.”

GILLIAN HECK

From left, Mel Hamilton, Chris Samson and Steve Blazejewski stand in the newly opened Cheshire Outpost, a rental shop for outdoor enthusiasts that sits near the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail and Cheshire Reservoir.

Berkshire voices

NEWS FROM THE BIC

Cultivating next generation of innovators

By A lex A nder ryA n r e B elo

Technology is exponentially proliferating, reshaping industry each year. The question is, how do we prepare students not just to adapt, but to lead? That is where the Berkshire Innovation Center’s Future Innovators program thrives.

FI is a bridge — connecting students with the life sciences, clean-tech, engineering, and advanced manufacturing sectors that anchor Berkshire County. Its purpose is clear— provide young people the exposure, skills, and confidence to excel in a world defined by technological innovation.

Over two weeks, rising sophomores in high school are immersed in a dual-focused curriculum — hard skills and human skills. On the technical side, students engage in additive manufacturing labs and apply the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control) framework from Lean Six Sigma with mentors from General Dynamics and SABIC. In groups, students design social enterprises to address both local and global challenges — ranging from food insecurity in Berkshire County to potable water in sub-Saharan Africa.

On the professional side, students build their capacity to engage in “soft skills” — or what we call human skills. Students tour BIC member companies, including Boyd Biomedical, Lenco, Tourists, SABIC, MCLA and Steiner Films, gaining unparalleled insight into industry.

Further, students enhance their understanding of the eight core human competencies— a critical tool in successfully navigating the modern workplace. Finally, through their social enterprise projects, students engage in a plethora of public speaking opportunities, pushing their self-confidence to redefine what they thought was possible.

To highlight the incredible growth students experience during just two weeks of FI, I will share the story of three young women.

They arrived nervous and uncertain about their ideas. Their first brainstorming session was quiet — hesitant nods and fragmented thoughts. But then, something shifted and clicked. They leaned into

A cohort of this summer’s Future Innovators program at the Berkshire innovation Center. The program, for rising sophomores in high school, is designed to provide young people the exposure, skills and confidence to excel in a world defined by technological innovation.

feedback. They collaborated. They built, failed, yet built again.

Their social enterprise? A system utilizing wearable technology and machine learning to track essential vitals — helping families stay connected and supportive of loved ones on their jour-

ney to safe use of drugs. By the end of the program, they stood shoulder to shoulder, presenting a slide deck that was concise, clear, and compelling — backed by a 3D-printed prototype they designed themselves. Confidence replaced doubt. The room felt it.

My path to FI was anything but traditional. Before this, I studied nuclear policy — a field obsessed with deterrence and strategic stability. It was high-stakes, high-pressure, and extremely far from a high school classroom in the Berkshires. But when I came here, I realized something profound — the same strategic thinking that shapes international security starts with education. It starts with providing young people the tools and confidence to lead.

FI gives me that chance. I keep coming back because nothing compares to watching such a shift happen — a student who walks in unsure and walks out standing tall, pitching an idea that can change a life. In that moment, I’m reminded why this matters. Not for policy. Not for theory. For people. For communities. For the future.

As FI’s lead instructor, I witnessed this transformation up close. Ten days. That is all it takes. Students arrive cautious — unsure of their voices. They leave confident, articulate, and ready to lead.

The capstone moment comes when each student steps forward to pitch their social enterprise. A room of community leaders — five to seven panelists. Guests lining the back wall.

The energy feels like a Berkshire version of Shark Tank. Students answer panelists’ questions like pros, beaming with pride. And every year, the same thought strikes me — this is what potential looks like when given a platform.

None of this happens in isolation. FI exists because of the collaborative spirit that defines Berkshire County. When business, education and community move in lockstep, programs like this do more than teach; they shape futures.

The Future Innovators program is ambitious by design. But, the outcome is clear. When students are placed in the right environment — with access, mentorship and expectations — they will rise. It is in their rise, our next generation of future innovators strengthen both their futures and our region’s innovation economy.

Alexander Rebelo the lead instructor of the BIC’s Future Innovators summer program.

To succeed here, businesses must be prepared

Running a business in the Berkshires is different from running one in Boston, Denver or New York. Here the seasons drive everything. They determine traffic, sales, staffing and whether you finish the year strong or fall short. Anyone who has lasted more than a few years in retail, restaurants, hospitality, or cannabis in this region knows this reality. And it’s a reality that is founded on a key principle: You prepare ahead of time, or you fall behind.

The most dangerous words for an operator are: “We’ll figure it out when we get there.” By the time “there” arrives (ie: foliage season in October, holiday shopping in December, ski season in January) the chance to prepare is gone. The opportunity is either captured or is missed. And unless someone has a secret sauce I’m unaware of, exactly zero Berkshire businesses can afford to miss it.

At Canna Provisions, our holi-

day season starts in July. That is not a choice, it is a requirement. We order our holiday glassware months in advance. We start mapping gift bundles while most people are still enjoying summer. That way when November arrives, our focus is not scrambling to catch up but executing what we already planned: greeting customers, training staff, and making the shopping experience worth remembering.

Every customer counts. I reminded new staff of that this week during training. The sales floor is the show, and when you’re on shift, the show is live. That means energy, focus and readiness. Walk in tired, unfed or unprepared, and the customer notices.

Two poorly served customers in a single day may sound minor. It isn’t. Those are two people you spent money and effort to bring into your business. If they don’t return, you didn’t just lose a single sale. You wasted the investment it took to get them there in the first place.

That lesson is not unique to cannabis. Any Berkshire business that pays for advertising or social media knows how expensive it is to bring

new people in the door. Letting them leave disappointed is a waste, and it costs far more to win them back later than to serve them well the first time.

Planning also applies to staffing. We have blackout dates around the holidays when vacations are not allowed, because that is when we need everyone available. Instead, we encourage our team to take time off in the springtime. That is when the county is slower, and the pressure eases.

Even our holiday party happens in January after the holiday rush. And those crucial holiday months are when your business should be locked in on customers. You’ll have time to celebrate when the snow piles up and the traffic thins out.

This approach matters because the Berkshires don’t run on a steady 12-month cycle. We live on pulses: fall foliage, holiday shopping, ski season, summer tourism. That is what makes our economy unique, and it is also what makes it fragile.

In the chambers of commerce we are part of (we are proud active members of four and counting), one topic comes up again and again: the fear of

becoming a two-season county.

Imagine a Berkshires that thrives in July and August, again in October, and struggles the rest of the year. That is not just an idle question. It is a warning. And it demands preparation now, not later.

Cannabis operators feel this pressure even more sharply. We work in one of the most difficult retail environments in the country, with margins under attack, heavy taxes and regulations that add layers of expense. That means every customer interaction is critical. Holiday bundles, seasonal promotions, community outreach, and partnerships are not extras. They are the difference between survival and collapse. But this lesson extends well beyond cannabis. Every business in the Berkshires should be reviewing its partnerships, strengthening ties in the community, and making sure people have reasons to return. Your neighbor down the street is talking to customers you may never see.

If you are not staying present and visible, you risk being forgotten. And in a seasonal economy, being forgotten can be

fatal.

The Berkshires are remarkable in every season. But natural beauty and reputation alone will not sustain a business. Leaves fall, tourists leave, and the peaks fade quickly. Turning those moments into long-term strength requires advance work and discipline.

For cannabis retailers like us, the planning has already started. For restaurants, holiday staffing will already be sorted. For hospitality, winter packages are built before the first frost. This is what preparation looks like. We talk often about the Berkshires as a four-season destination. That only matters if we run our businesses as if that is true. The county will only avoid sliding into a two-season economy if its business and arts community accepts responsibility for making it four.

The holidays are coming. Tourists are coming. Our neighbors are counting on us. We don’t get a second chance. If we want to thrive, if we want to stay four seasons strong, then we need to act like it — together.

PROVIDED BY BERKSHIRE INNOVATION CENTER

Meg Sanders is CEO and cofounder of Canna Provisions.

Meg Sanders Cannabis Corner

Teach kids financial literacy skills, too

Ray Smith Money Matters

As children head back to school, families are focused on new routines, supplies, and academic success. Yet, this season also presents a valuable opportunity to introduce and reinforce financial literacy skills.

Just as reading and math are foundational subjects, understanding money management is an essential life skill that will serve students well into adulthood. Teaching children how to earn, save, spend and give responsibly not only prepares them for future independence but also fosters confidence and smart decision-making from an early age.

Financial literacy at a young age provides long-term benefits. Students who understand the basics of budgeting, saving, and credit are less likely to develop unhealthy financial habits later in life.

They learn the value of money, how to differentiate between needs and wants, and how to set goals for both short-term and long-term priorities. With rising costs of education and living, these skills are more critical than ever to help future generations build stability and resilience.

Parents and educators can make financial literacy practical and engaging by connecting lessons to everyday

Shopping for school supplies is a perfect way to practice budgeting,

your child a set amount to spend and let them make choices, encouraging them to compare prices and prioritize what’s most important. This hands-on experience teaches trade-offs and decision-making in real time.

life. For example, shopping for school supplies is a perfect way to practice budgeting. Give your child a set amount to spend and let them make choices, encouraging them to compare prices and prioritize what’s most important. This hands-on experience

teaches trade-offs and decision-making in real time. Allowance can also be a powerful tool. Instead of simply giving children money, tie allowance to chores or responsibilities. Encourage them to divide their earnings into three jars: spend, save

and give. This simple system builds a balanced approach to money management, teaching the importance of enjoying money, planning for future goals, and contributing to causes that matter to them.

Older children and teens can take lessons a step further by

learning about banking. Opening a youth savings account introduces them to deposits, interest and goal setting. Encourage them to set savings goals for larger purchases like electronics, sports equipment or college expenses. This builds patience, responsibility and an understanding of longterm planning.

Interactive activities can also reinforce these concepts. Board games such as Monopoly or The Game of Life highlight financial choices in a fun way. Apps and online tools designed for children can make budgeting and saving more engaging while teaching real-world money management. Schools can partner with local banks or credit unions to host workshops or classroom activities, ensuring students receive consistent and practical financial education.

As families prepare for the new school year, weaving financial literacy into daily conversations and activities can make a lasting impact. By equipping children with the knowledge and confidence to handle money wisely, parents and educators are helping them build a foundation for future success.

Just as strong study habits lead to academic achievement, strong money habits will help today’s students thrive in the years ahead.

Ray Smith is the vice president and marketing officer at Pittsfield Cooperative Bank.

ISABEL PAVIA — GETTY IMAGES

notes columnist Ray Smith. Give

Stengthen board, fundraising and yourself

On the heels of the slower month of August filled with family vacations and higher-than-usual “Out-of-Office” responses, nonprofits return after Labor Day ready to dive in to what is historically a busy and critical time of year, especially for fundraising. Here in the Berkshires, September is littered with special corporate events, festivals and smaller fundraisers. Soon thereafter, 2026 planning and year-end fundraising will be in full swing. Where does professional development fit it?

Over nine years (and 200 workshops later), we have experienced firsthand how difficult it is to pull nonprofit professionals away from their work to learn something new or hone their skills. But in challenging times, we could argue that pursuing professional development is a strategic investment with potentially profound results.

Take my own example. Last fall, I signed up for a three-hour online course called Asking without Anxiety. Taught by renowned fundraising coach, Jenn Hayslett, I knew it would be well-worth my time as I sought to build the future of the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires. Using what I learned resulted in over $100,000 in gifts to NPC over the course of the next two years. Talk about a return on my investment!

I was so impressed with Jenn Hayslett’s course, she’s now on NPC’s roster of upcoming workshops. This version of Asking without Anxiety will be held Oct. 8 at the Red Lion Inn over the course of five hours. Interactive, hands-on exercises, including practice conversations, are designed to increase your skills, confidence and outcomes. A customizable training manual provides the tools and scripts you need to participate in meaningful conversations with your donors. Space is limited.

If fundraising needs keep you up at night, you might want to sign up ASAP for Writing Your Year-End Appeal Letter: A HandsOn Workshop, which will be held Sept. 25 at the Berkshire Innovation Center. Fundraising consultant Liz Albert loves helping people craft letters that actually raise money, get donors excited and attract new donors.

Many of us are guilty of putting off this annual task and frankly, we sometimes run out of things to say. Learn new skills that could really pay off, fill yourself with inspiration instead of dread, and leave with a strong working draft of an appeal. Board members are welcome to all of these workshops, in particular this four-part webinar series Empowering Berkshire Nonprofit Boards for Success.

If you think about all that lies ahead, workshops are a practical, cost-effective and energizing way to build the skills that allow you to better deliver on your mission.

What I love about this training (that takes place over four Fridays in September and October) is the flat fee for unlimited participation by senior staff and board members.

We’ve been getting a lot of requests for board training with the notion that a stronger board will be more effective in meeting the current challenges faced by nonprofits. Sponsored by Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, this series is soup to nuts including: board roles and responsibilities; financial oversight and fiscal accountability, recruitment, nominations and retention; fundraising and development; orientation and training for new board members; alternative governance models and nonprofit lifecycles. Andy Robinson is an excellent trainer and the author of six books, including “Train Your Board (and Everyone Else) to Raise Money.”

And finally, if all this talk of fundraising and boards is bringing on anxiety and Netflix bingeing, put your oxygen mask on first, as they say, and focus on your own wellness with this in-person workshop, Balancing Your Inner Fire: Prevent Burnout, Sustain Your Energy and Lead with Confidence.

Bring your water bottle to the Berkshire Innovation Center on Sept. 16 to meet health and wellness coach Samantha Anderson, who will teach you the art of energy management. Through guided journaling and group sharing, you’ll gain insight into unique energy patterns and common obstacles to true rest. Leave with a personal energy balance plan designed to prevent burnout.

If you think about all that lies ahead, workshops are a practical, cost-effective and energizing way to build the skills that allow you to better deliver on your mission. I’ve almost never regretted making time for professional development and find that it’s invigorating to get out of the office, bond with my classmates, and skill-up to give me the confidence and inspiration to better support my organization.

Visit npcberkshires.org to view the fall calendar of educational workshops and register today as many have limited attendance.

Liana Toscanini is the founder and executive director of the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires.

Financialwellnesshasbenefits youcanfeelfarbeyondyour wallet—likediminishedstress andevenbetteroverallhealth.At MountainOne,ourBerkshires-based Mountaineerstakeprideinguiding youonyourjourneytofinancial wellnesswithtop-notchcustomer serviceateverystepofyourjourney.

Liana Toscanini Nonprofit Notes

Hayslett

Anderson

Robinson

Albert

Should you consider forming a trust?

When people think about financial planning, they tend to focus on retirement planning, taxes and investments. These are all critically important pieces of a holistic plan. But one often overlooked piece is the estate plan.

A buttoned-up estate plan helps during your lifetime, with documents such as powers of attorney and health care proxies, and after your death, with the distribution of assets according to your wishes. Most people have a will , but relying on a will alone may miss important opportunities.

In fact, many Massachusetts residents — especially married couples, those who own a home, those with children from multiple relationships, and those with over $2 million in assets — could benefit from a more robust plan that includes certain trust documents.

The three biggest reasons to consider forming a trust are that they allow assets to be distributed to your heirs outside of probate, they can help effectively double the Massachusetts estate tax exemption for married couples, and they can be more flexible than relying on a will alone.

Let’s start by explaining what a trust is and how it works.

A trust is a legal arrangement governed by a written document. Think of a trust as an imaginary box. You, the grantor, put money or property into this imaginary box. You choose a trustee to hold the key and manage the assets. You also get to choose who bene-

fits from the trust.

The person or people who benefit are called the beneficiaries of the trust. They receive the assets from the box either now or in the future based on what is written into the trust document.

A common misconception is that assets in a trust are inaccessible. While this may be true for some irrevocable trusts, many revocable trusts allow you to use and manage the assets freely during your life. As the grantor, you may also be the trustee during your lifetime.

So how do you benefit from a trust? Why add this level of complexity to your estate plan?

The first benefit of a trust is that you can be ultra-specific about how your assets are distributed in the future. You can set rules around a beneficiary’s age, timing of distributions, and what happens after a beneficiary passes. This can be especially useful for blended families or people with multiple marriages. For example, a trust might allow you to leave assets in trust to benefit your second husband, and for any remaining assets after he passes to go to your children.

(formerly called an executor) who will then settle your estate. Even the simplest of probates will add some legal expense and, in any case, will be a matter of public record. Assets held in trust, on the other hand, may be invested or distributed immediately per the terms of the trust document without the involvement of the courts.

A third reason for using a trust (specifically, a credit shelter trust), and perhaps the most impactful, is that married couples can effectively double the $2 million Massachusetts estate tax exemption, thereby shielding up to $4 million from estate taxes.

Most married couples in Massachusetts with more than $2 million in assets stand to benefit from trusts.

At $2 million, the Massachusetts estate tax exemption is one of the strictest in the nation and is not portable between spouses.

estate tax exemption much lower, but it also isn’t portable. So, if a husband leaves $2 million outright to his wife, and her estate ends up being $3 million when she dies, her estate is subject to estate tax on $1 million ($3 million minus the $2 million exemption). But if he leaves the $2 million in a trust, even one which is established to benefit the surviving spouse, her estate could be just $1 million — no Massachusetts estate tax due.

Most married couples in Massachusetts with more than $2 million in assets stand to benefit from trusts. For example, a married couple with $4 million in total assets could save more than $130,000 in estate taxes with proper trust planning. And remember, the value of your estate includes real estate which brings many homeowners closer, if not exceeding, the estate tax threshold.

The second compelling reason to use a trust is that trusts can help avoid probate — a sometimes lengthy legal process through which a court validates the will and legally appoints your personal representative

Having “portability” means that a surviving spouse can take any unused portion of their deceased spouses’ estate tax exemption. In contrast to Massachusetts, the federal estate tax exemption (of about $14 million per person) is portable. This means, for example, that at the federal level, if a husband dies and leaves $5 million to his children, the “unused” $9 million of his exemption shifts to his surviving wife. She can now leave up to $23 million ($14 million plus $9 million) to her heirs without breaching the federal estate tax threshold.

Not only is the Massachusetts

While trusts may seem complex, they can be one of the most effective tools in a Massachusetts estate plan. If used wisely, they allow you to avoid probate, control how and when assets are distributed, and potentially save your heirs significant money in estate taxes.

If it’s been years since you reviewed your estate plan, or if you’ve never created one, now is a good time to consider discussing with a lawyer or financial planner whether trusts — or updating your estate plan — could benefit you.

Luke Delorme is director of financial planning at Tableaux Wealth in Stockbridge. Reach him at (413) 2642404 or Luke@TableauxWealth.com.

Luke Delorme Money Talk

Housing signals mixed in first half of 2025

new construction.

Berkshire County’s real estate market in the first half of 2025 paints a nuanced picture of the region’s economy. Overall sales volume is slightly lower, but dollar volume growth demonstrates continued resilience. The Berkshire County Board of Realtors recently released its mid-year “Market Watch Report,” providing a comprehensive look at residential, condominium, multifamily, land, and commercial sales.

RESIDENTIAL MARKET: SLIGHT DIP IN SALES, RISING DOLLAR VOLUME

From January through June 2025, 474 single-family homes changed hands across Berkshire County, a 1 percent decline compared to 477 sales during the same period in 2024. While unit sales dipped modestly, the total dollar volume rose 7 percent year-overyear, reaching $226 million. This growth suggests that prices remain strong and demand persists, particularly in certain submarkets.

Price gains have been notable: the average single-family home price increased to $477,067, up 7 percent from last year’s $444,665. Inventory also saw improvement, with an average of 428 active listings, 30 percent more than in 2024. Even with more homes on the market, the county’s absorption rate remains at just 4.55 months, below the roughly seven-month benchmark of a balanced market.

REGIONAL VARIATIONS: NORTH COUNTY LEADS THE PACK

Market performance varied widely by region. Northern Berkshire stood out with a 9 percent increase in residential sales and a 33 percent surge in dollar volume. Williamstown was a key driver, buoyed by several high-end transactions. Adams also posted gains, while North Adams lagged behind. Central Berkshire remained relatively stable, with unit sales down just 1 percent but dollar volume up 5 percent. Pittsfield and Dalton posted robust results, and Becket saw an increase in the market compared to last year, while Otis and Lenox slowed compared to 2024. Stockbridge offered an interesting contrast — only two fewer sales year-over-year but a remark-

able 46 percent increase in volume due to higher price points.

Southern Berkshire, long known for its luxury market and second-home buyers, saw the steepest decline. Sales dropped 11 percent, and dollar volume decreased 6 percent compared to last year. The slowdown was most pronounced in Monterey, New Marlborough and West Stockbridge, while Alford, Egremont and Great Barrington maintained steady activity.

Interestingly, first-quarter sales across the county were robust but flattened in the spring. Pending sales, however, suggest a potential rebound: June 2025 recorded 114 pending sales compared to 99 in June 2024.

CONDOMINIUMS AND MULTIFAMILY PROPERTIES: SMALL SEGMENTS, IMPORTANT TRENDS

While single-family homes dominate Berkshire County’s housing stock, condos and multifamily units play a critical role in addressing housing demand. Condo sales rose 3 percent countywide, with an 8% increase in dollar volume. The strongest growth occurred in Southern Berkshire, which continues to attract second-home buyers seeking lower-maintenance options.

The multifamily sector saw a 5 percent drop in sales volume but a 13percent increase in dollar volume. After a booming 2024, early 2025 brought slower sales in Northern and Central Berkshire, but Central Berkshire rallied with strong second-quarter results. Rising average sale prices reflect continued investor interest despite fewer transactions.

LAND AND COMMERCIAL SALES: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Not all sectors shared in the positive price momentum. Land sales dropped sharply, down 41 percent in units sold and 16 percent in dollar volume. The softer land market reflects both seasonality and broader economic headwinds. Rising development costs, stricter codes, and lingering uncertainty about construction financing have made it difficult for builders to deliver new housing stock at workforce price points. Market observers stress that alleviating pent-up buyer demand will require creative solutions and potentially policy shifts to incentivize

Commercial real estate also showed mixed results. While sales increased 13 percent in the number of properties transferred, overall dollar volume declined 20 percent. The national office market continues to struggle, with vacancy rates topping 21 percent and overall commercial vacancy expected to peak near 19 percent. Berkshire County’s numbers reflect these larger trends. It is worth noting that not all commercial sales are tracked in the Board’s MLS data — only those marketed publicly.

WHAT’S NEXT?

The first half of 2025 underscores a key takeaway for Berkshire County’s business and real estate communities: this is a market in transition. While residential unit sales are slightly lower, pricing power remains, and inventory has improved. Northern Berkshire is emerging as a growth leader, while Southern Berkshire faces headwinds. Multifamily and condo sectors remain vital components of housing diversity, and commercial and land markets reflect ongoing structural challenges.

For buyers, the increase in active listings provides more options than in recent years, particularly in the $250,000 – $400,000 range — the hottest segment of the market. For sellers, rising prices remain encouraging, though market conditions are becoming more balanced. Business leaders and policymakers alike will need to keep an eye on housing development opportunities to ensure that the region continues to attract talent and investment.

Berkshire County’s mid-year Market Watch Report ultimately shows that despite modest declines in sales activity, the region’s housing market remains resilient. With pending sales on the rise and continued interest in the region’s lifestyle amenities, the second half of 2025 may offer further opportunities for growth and adaptation.

Sandra J. Carroll is the chief executive officer of the Berkshire County Board of Realtors and the Berkshire County Multiple Listing Service.

GILLIAN HECK

A house was listed for sale last July in Williamstown. Northern Berkshire stood out with a 9 percent increase in residential sales in the first half of 2025, with Williamstown a key driver.

Sanda J. Carroll Real estate

Real estate transactions

Berkshire County Real Estate Transactions for June 30 to July 25.

ADAMS

Mark J. and Karen A. Bentz sold property at 17 Bob’s Hill, Adams, to Raffaele V. Bedini II and Mackenzie Zaleski, $127,919.91.

Timothy P. and Ann M. Vachula sold property at 14 Beech St., Adams, to Michael James George and Destiny Marie Baran, $297,400.

Sonya Boesse sold property at 7 Bieniek Ave., Adams, to Landon R. Murach, $275,000.

David M. Strzepek sold property at 89 Orchard St., Adams, to Sarah A. Hart, $40,000.

Yvette Stoddard sold property at 47 East St., Adams, to Keir Harris, $350,000.

Shirley A. Papas sold property at 5 Arnold Ave., Adams, to Laura C. Morgan, $295,000.

Michael William Estes sold property at 13 Summit Ave., Adams, to Steven B. Gagne Jr. and Dawn M. Harrington, $150,000.

Douglas M. Hakkinen sold property at 56-58 North Summer St., Adams, to Vural Aydin, $265,000.

Denise M. Svenconis sold property at 38 Fisk Road, Adams, to DNC Real Estate LLC, $125,000.

Thomas A. Stefanik sold property at 181 East Road, Adams, to Jared Michael Laroche and Angela E. Ziemba, $185,000.

BECKET

Jill A. and Matthew D. Connell sold property at 287 Long Bow Lane West, Becket, to Vered Bisker-Leib and Eyal Leib, trustees, Bisker-Leib Family RT, $427,500.

Erik Roland and Emily Harel sold property at 1100 Main St., Becket, to Leandra A. Kalesnik, $300,000.

Eileen Sullivan sold property at 793 George Carter Road, Becket, to Christen Mason and James Schuette, $510,000.

Stanley Lashtur sold property at 147 Otis Road, Becket, to Keelynn M. Harris and Adam L. Zamberletti, $385,000.

Pauline G. Morin sold property at 207-209 Main St., Becket, to Elieber Ribeiro De Souza, $305,000.

Viola H. Bagnaschi sold property at Gentian Hollow Road, Becket, to Gregory Rawlings, $25,000.

Michael and Diane Mkrtichian sold property at 89 Lady of the Lake Court, Becket, to Jason Warehime and Jessica C. Chautin, $430,000.

CHESHIRE

Lynn M. Larabee sold property at 358-376 West Mountain Road, Cheshire, to Christopher A. Larabee, $50,000.

Barbara J. Lamoureax sold property at 1400 Wells Road, Cheshire, to Patrick Mulcahy, $284,950.

DNC Real Estate LLC sold property at 632 North State Road, Cheshire, to Christine A. and Kathleen M. Carletta, $420,000.

Carrie Leigh Ramirez sold property at 44 Richmond St., Cheshire, to Juliet Schmidt, trustee of the Living Trust of Juliet Schmidt, and Lawrence D. Dardick, trustee of the Lawrence Dardick RVT, $272,500.

Nigel Stippa sold property at 147 Brough Road, Cheshire, to Christopher Tracy and Emily Greb, $675,000.

Anthony Michael and Jenna D. Mar-

tone sold property at Jenks Road, Cheshire, to Sean Oswain, $80,000.

CLARKSBURG

Alejandro Belalcazar sold property at 59 Carson Ave, Unit 3, Clarksburg, to Julie Boyden, $139,000.

Carlyle C. Chesbro Jr., personal rep. of Carlyle Clark Chesbro, sold property at 41 Halls Ground Road, Clarksburg, to Zachary Barbeau, $288,000.

DALTON

Joan E., William M., Christopher M., and Robert J. Everhart sold property at 82 Patricia Ave., Dalton, to Samantha A. and Michael J. Brown, $364,000.

Walter C. and Angelina M. Woodard sold property at 72 Riverview Drive, Dalton, to Carrie Rys, Edward Severance and Mary Anne Severance Rys, $340,000.

Daniel C. and Christine Zabatta sold property at 440 East Housatonic St., Dalton, to Matthew R. Kirchner, $455,000.

Leydet Properties LLC sold property at 9 Sunset Drive, Dalton, to Aylen Yazmin Cardozo and Cristian Cardoza Prieto, $230,000.

Patricia Rudd and Karen Quinn, personal reps. of the Estate of Michael W. Gaffney, sold property at 60 North St., Dalton, to Paul R. and Denise L. Collins, and Caroline J. O’Callahan, $209,900.

Bret K. Grady sold property at 49 Jarvis St., Dalton, to Sarah Dias, $300,000.

Allison W. Forsberg and Ryan J. Whitmarsh sold property at 202 Park Ave., Dalton, to Edward Nuesi and Rita Villaman, $298,000.

Joseph O. Pivero sold property at 50-52-54 Chamberlain Ave., Dalton, to Michael D. Hashim Jr., trustee, Chamberlain NT, $375,000.

EGREMONT

Barry R. Levine and Rose M. Levine sold property at 17 Second St., Egremont, to Jeffrey Paul Lavine and

Phyllis Krosnick Lavine, $650,000.

Marlene T. Carman and Susan Carman sold property at 6 Main St., Egremont, to J.M. Crane Restorations LLC, $300,000.

Simon C. Cardwell and Fiona B. Cardwell sold property at 723 Boice Road, Egremont, to Sophie Blythe Lavine and Caroline P. Platt, $995,000.

Estate of George A. Blanco sold property at 21 Hickory Hill Road, Egremont & Great Barrington, to Simon C. Cardwell and Fiona B. Cardwell, $1,450,000.

FLORIDA

Anthony F. and Joanne M. Cilfone sold property at Monroe Road, Florida, to DelRico Gomes, $18,000.

Colleen Ann Hunkler, personal rep. of Stewart V. Hunkle, sold property at 263 South County Road, Florida, to Ryan M. and Allison F. Perkins, $264,000.

GREAT BARRINGTON

Michael F. Carroll and Cara M. Carroll sold property at 12 Beacon Hill, Great Barrington, to Devon Gregor, $539,000.

Iredale Farm LLC sold property at 200 North Plain Road, Great Barrington, to Berkshire Community Land Trust Inc., $1,650,000.

Mary Carol Rudin and Vickie Lynn Shufton, trustees of Mary Carol Rudin Intervivos Trust, sold property at 7 & 9 East Mountain Road, Great Barrington, to Melvyn S. Jackson and Janet S. Jackson, trustees of Jackson Realty Trust, $1,650,000.

Peter Burghardt and Judy Burghardt sold property at 268 North Plain Road, Great Barrington, to Matthew Dodds, $240,000.

Estate of Carol E. Purcell sold property at 120 Maple Ave., Great Barrington, to Brian George and Stefi Nicole George, $685,000.

Wendy B. Tryon, trustee of trust under Will of Donald Gangemi, sold property at 34 Seekonk Cross Road, Great Barrington, to Billy Jack

Brawner III and Xanthi Toupoyannis, $800,000.

Joseph S. Roth and Barbara J. Roth sold property at 40 Russell St., Great Barrington, to Matthew James Carman and Kseniya Yarosh, $794,000.

Grant Lane Studio Homestead LLC sold property at 5 Grant Lane, Great Barrington, to Rebecca Y. Harris, trustee of KC Valley Trust, $465,000.

Richard G. Shrum sold property at 1 Christian Hill Road, Great Barrington, to LiCoMo CH LLC, $502,500.

Gift Fund VI LLC sold property at 0 North Plain Road, Great Barrington, to Kevin M. Kinne and Cathleen Lahart Kinne, $45,000.

Bruce J. Merkis and Roseann Merkis sold property at 2 Emily Court, Unit A-27, Blue Hill Commons Condominium Condominium West, Great Barrington, to Gina R. Ross, trustee of Gina Rondinelli Ross Trust, $445,000.

G & A Holdings LLC sold property at 420 Stockbridge Road, Jenifer House Commons Condominium, Great Barrington, to Blunt Property Group LLC, $1,150,000.

Matthew C. Adams and Serena Naramore sold property at 230 Prospect Street North, Great Barrington, to Diane S. Weiser and Laine Wilder, $486,000.

Estate of Mary P. Fulco sold property at 147 Hurlburt Road and 149 Hurlburt Road, Great Barrington, to Philip B. Timpane, Janis Lynn Timpane and P.R. Brook Timpane, $590,600.

Ellen K. Banner and Wendy Banner, trustees of Alcott Road Realty Trust, sold property at 300 Alcott Road, Great Barrington, to Nathanael Ehrich, $2,100,000.

Elise Ring Abrams, trustee of Revana Realty Trust, sold property at 0 Egremont Plain Road, Great Barrington, to Danielle Sugarman, $410,000.

Estate of Anita E. Coons sold property at 12 West Plain Road, Great

Barrington, to Hypotenuse Holdings LLC, $435,000.

HANCOCK

Kevin R. and Irene M. O’Reilly sold property at 37 Corey Road, Unit 83, Hancock, to Howard Greenspan, $225,000.

Robert P. and Annette Maass Ziomek sold property at 37 Corey Road, Hancock, to Jeffrey M. Fecko, $129,500.

HINSDALE

Paul F. Rodhouse Jr. and Cheri R. Rodhouse, trustees, P & C Rodhouse NT, sold property at 481 Maple St., Hinsdale, to Michelangelo Decaro and Dorothy Mukon, $339,900.

Samuel L. Taylor sold property at 83 Robinson Road, Hinsdale, to Taggart J. Roosa $260,000.

Helen Epstein, trustee of Longview RET, sold property at Longview Avenue, Hinsdale, to Ryencq Quail, $82,000.

Amy M. Zsofka, personal rep. of the Estate of Terry S. Miller, and Amy M. Zsofka sold property at 234 Ashmere Road, Hinsdale, to Amadeu and Jacqueline Almeida, $150,000. Laurie Lee Weinstein, trustee, Joanne M. Dumas RVT, and Laurie Lee Weinstein, trustee, Laurie Lee Weinstein RVT, sold property at 140 Pine Cone Lane, Hinsdale, to Michael J. Jagacki and Michelle M. Oram, $487,500.

LANESBOROUGH

Old Williamstown Realty LLC sold property at 720 Williamstown Road, Lanesborough, to Michael P., Patricia and Matthew R. Wooliver, $350,000.

Joshua Lipinski sold property at 30 Glassworks Road, Lanesborough, to Keaton J. Schott, $257,500.

E. Spencer Ghazey-Bates, successor trustee of the Minneci Family 2020 Trust, sold property at 791 Partridge Road, Lanesborough, to Pamela M. Soldato and Thomas R. Kelley, $597,000.

Real estate

Ellene Parastatidis sold property at 472 South Main St., Lanesborough, to Scott W. and Maria A. Quagliano, $150,000.

LEE

Jeanne M. Boino, personal rep. of the Estate of Virginia T. DeLugan, sold property at 120 Via Maria, Lee, to Jeremy Brown and Julie DupreyBrown, $499,000.

Christopher C. and Alisa W. Byrne sold property at 250 Valenti Farm Road, Lee, to Robert J. Brunell, $240,000.

Rosaleen N. and Thomas J, Cody, trustees of Cody FT, sold property at 15 Elk Drive, Lee, to Richard Shrum, $400,000.

John H. Vanzandt sold property at 1945 Cape St., Lee, to Brianna Bradbury, $206,000.

LENOX

Marion Louise Hare sold property at 170 Main St., Lenox, to Jam on the Cat LLC, $550,000.

Hope A. Hagler sold property at Plunkett Street, Lenox, to Stephen Ephraim Maizlish and Joyce Susan Goldberg, $105,000.

Chandrika K. Tandon sold property at 165 Kemble St., Lenox, to Michael T. Miller, trustee of Michael T. Miller Living Trust, $1,370,000.

Michael J. Shepard, trustee of Barbara J. Sibley FT, sold property at 236 New Lenox Road, Lenox, to Cameron R. Sibley, $499,500.

Joann Farrington Kulberg sold property at 9 High St., Lenox, to 9 High Street Lenox LLC, $487,500.

Robert R. and Ann K. Porawski sold property at 20 Meadow Lane, Lenox, to Hayrapet and Tatevik Sahakyants, $355,000.

Michael R. and Helaine M. Bernstein and Lola Wachsberg sold property at 18 Meadow Lane, Lenox, to Hayrapet and Tatevik Sahakyants, $253,207.

Barbara J. Cohen sold property at 5 Morgan Manor, Lenox, to William M. and Sally E. Cooksey, $396,200.

Dan and Michlyne Thal sold property at 2 Evergreen Trail, Lenox, to Maxim Bitunov and Alina Chaikina, $610,000.

Thomas R. and Victoria L. Herbert, trustees, Herbert Investment Trust, sold property at 34 Church St., Lenox, to Zaniboni Real Estate LLC, $265,000.

Thomas R. and Victoria L. Herbert, trustees, Herbert Investment Trust, sold property at 34 Church St., Lenox, to LMLT SOL LLC, $265,000.

MONTEREY

Barbara E. Antico sold property at 20 Lakeside Terrace, Monterey, to Michele D. Brown, trustee of Michele D. Brown Massachusetts Trust, $1,750,000.

Dsquared Lakehouse LLC sold property at 12 Sylvan Road, Monterey, to MTA Planning LLC, $1,087,500.

NEW MARLBOROUGH

Alan Gewirtzman and Anne Caban-Gewirtzman sold property at 16 Mill River Great Barrington Road, New Marlborough, to Mill River Rentals LLC, $427,500.

Joby Baker and Megan B. Moore sold property at 460-475 Norfolk Road, New Marlborough, to Tiana Tuttle and Erica Sellers, $1,050,000.

John Potoski and Kathleen Potoski sold property at 653 Hartsville New Marlborough Road, New Marlborough, to Frank Famiglietti and Melissa Famiglietti, $1,275,000.

David Madow and Patricia L. Salzman-Madow sold property at 570 Hartsville-New Marlborough Road, New Marlborough, to James D. Redman and Jessica D. Redman, $240,000.

Scott C. Thompson and Pamela M. Thompson sold property at 430 New Marlboro Hill Road, New Marlborough, to Michael Sunog and Melanie Sunog, $145,000.

Jenny D. Plasencia and Tinia S. Pina sold property at 1193 Norfolk Road, New Marlborough, to Gino Furio, $120,000.

Deborah Bernardini and Anthony P. Margherita sold property at 812 Canaan Southfield Road, New Marlborough, to Richard Greenblatt

and Jeanne Greenblatt, co-trustees of Laska Seltzer Realty Trust, $850,000.

Gavin Pollock sold property at 275 Mill River-Sandisfield Road, New Marlborough, to Colleen Koneazny, $15,856.24.

NORTH ADAMS

Paul J. Forbush sold property at 98-102 Veazie St., North Adams, to Gustav Executive Group LLC, $20,000.

V. Peter and Dawn A. Vadnais sold property at 38 Beech St., North Adams, to Elizabeth A. Neiderman, $300,000.

James K. Barnes II sold property at 87 Swamp Road, North Adams, to Jonathan and Shenna Spangler, $20,000.

Theresa Ramos sold property at 451 Union St., North Adams, to Darin R Lane and Jeffrey Dami, $20,000.

Stephen D. and Karen K. Andrews sold property at 581 State St., North Adams, to Birdie Lynn Ballen and Tracy Steele, $339,900.

Tammy M. and Richard G. Moon Jr. sold property at 1483-1489 Massachusetts Ave., North Adams, to Jason C. Moon, $250,000.

Ferdinand Barschdorf and Lisa A. Pascocello sold property at 68 Furnace St., North Adams, to Kristyn Ely, $145,000.

Robert and Linda O’Brien sold property at 243 Union St., Unit LL1, North Adams, to Kenneth Karman and Lori Mozilo, $410,000.

Tobe A. and Cynthia S. Cote sold property at 22 Rich St., North Adams, to Kathleen Gaffey, $237,500.

Benjamin C. Webster sold property at 1729 Massachusetts Ave., North Adams, to Tyler J. D. and Matilda L. Woodside, $195,000.

David A. and Kathleen A. Brazeau sold property at Notch Road, North Adams, to Troy and Megan Peery, $82,000.

Alan J. Righi, as appointed Commissioner, sold property at 453 West Main St., North Adams, to Kate A., Erin W. and Meghan F. Merrigan, $75,000.

Cynthia W. Temkin and Mary E. Willey sold property at 372 Reservoir Road, North Adams, to Jesse Dilego, $300,000.

Alan J. Righi, as appointed Commissioner, sold property at 82-84 Hospital Ave., North Adams, to Just Home Development LLC, $132,000.

Donna L. Felix sold property at 21 River St., North Adams, to Donald R. Miller, $246,000.

Michael J. Helsmoortel sold property at 19-23 Walnut St., North Adams, to Western Mass Rental Properties LLC, $235,000.

Gordon B. Wilson sold property at 432 Church St., North Adams, to Ian H. and Autumn E. Wilson, $140,000.

OTIS

Judith E. Simon, trustee, Judith E. Simon RVT, sold property at Route 8, Otis, to Robin Lee and Star Schrager, $80,000.

Michael J. Bova sold property at Route 8, Otis, to Carole R. Wilson, $109,900.

Gregg and Jacqueline Petrisevac sold property at 43 South St., Otis, to Fernando Emilio Lucas Lopez and Maria de Lourdes Soriano Vaquero, $315,000.

Laurie Lee sold property at 10 Windward Road, Otis, to James C. McNeill, $335,657.50.

Mark A. O’Connor and Ellen M. Shugart, trustees, John A. O’Connor FT, sold property at 51 Leisure Lane, Otis, to Kavan O’Connor, $200,000.

Rodney J. and Jennifer S. Recker and Francesca T. Sullivan sold property at 157 Pike Road, Otis, to REMLAP Rentals LLC, $875,000.

Kenneth MacKenzie sold property at 64 Pine Grove Ridge Road, Otis, to John H. and Doreen S. VanZandt, $489,000.

Jessica A. and Kevin Mancuso sold property at 26 Autumn Court, Otis, to Nessa and David Levinson, $488,500.

PERU

Raymond L. Grandchamp Jr. sold property at Curtin Road, Peru, to Russell J. Gates Jr., $65,000.

PITTSFIELD

Raghunandan Ghimire and Manita Chapagain

sold property at 22 Kathy Way, Pittsfield, to Craig and Gillian Smith, $660,000.

Salvador and Norma Velis sold property at 109-111 Lincoln St., Pittsfield, to Lim Melendez LLC, $320,000.

Rutholive Patashnick sold property at 121 West Housatonic St. and 28 East Mill St., Pittsfield, to 121 West Housi LLC, $607,500.

Meghan C. Kane sold property at 36 Newell St., Pittsfield, to Katara Mullett, $190,000.

Arlene L., James M. and Edward F. McDermott IV sold property at 1608 West Housatonic St., Pittsfield, to CW Acquisitions LLC, $490,000.

Francis J. and Patricia A. Hewitt sold property at 34 McArthur St. and Stevenson Street, Pittsfield, to Yarelis M. Fred and Brett M. Steinman, $270,000.

Larry Leavitt sold property at 57 McKinley Terrace, Pittsfield, to Francisca Annor-Baah, $349,900.

Evan J. Simonelli sold property at 69-71 Pine St., Pittsfield, to James J. Sorrentino, $260,000.

Timothy W. Dwyer sold property at 31 Kensington Ave., Pittsfield, to Kevin M. Pink, $290,003.

Linda A. Barcomb, personal rep. of the Estate of Bernadine Phillips, sold property at 24 Rose Terrace, Pittsfield, to Britany K. Sullivan, $362,500.

Amy T. Jarck, trustee, Amy T. Jarck RVT of 2002, sold property at Brookside Drive, Pittsfield, to Joel M. Cohen, trustee, Ileen S. Cohen RVT, $22,500.

Patricia Casey Riley sold property at 75 Alfred Drive, Pittsfield, to Patrick W. Mickle Jr. and Amber Mickle, $436,500.

Patrick W. Mickle Jr. sold property at 20 Hopewell Drive, Pittsfield, to Derrick Bishop, $280,000.

Kenneth M. Wheeler sold property at 250 Highland Ave. and Lakecroft Avenue, Pittsfield, to Stephane N. Sia, $297,000.

Brenda Pennels sold property at 33 Maplewood Ave., Pittsfield, to Benjamin Campsey, $161,900.

Brandon M. Lyon sold property at 106 Crane Ave., Pittsfield, to Megan Babcock, $299,600.

Selene Finance LP and Nicholas Barletta sold property at 90 Turner Ave., Pittsfield, to Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, $169,921.38.

Bernhard and Susan K. Handau sold property at 142 Jason St., Pittsfield, to Alexander Mensah and Elizabeth Arhin, $326,000.

AJ Michael Steele sold property at 60-62 Boylston St., Pittsfield, to Parkpoom Seesangrit, $242,000.

Darren M. Lee, trustee, Melinda M. Pruyne Living Trust, sold property at 137 Egremont Ave., Pittsfield, to Carly Holmes, $325,000.

Jacqueline R. Kearin sold property at 18 Evelyn Park, Pittsfield, to Justin Robert Hofmann, $275,000.

Gracemary O’Connell sold property at Churchill Street, Pittsfield, to Douglas R. McCall, $89,500.

James A. Amburn sold property at 41 Putnam Ave., Pittsfield, to Eugene Yankey and Angela

Amoah, $297,000.

Patricio F. and Deborah P. Quintero sold property at 25 Hubbard Ave., Pittsfield, to James and Michelle Amburn, $449,000.

Therese Michaud, trustee, Gaetan M. Michaud RVT of 2010, and Therese Michaud, personal rep. of the Estate of Gaetan M. Michaud, sold property at 171 Francis Ave., Pittsfield, to Sergio A. Galarza, $100,000.

Jonathan G. Pierotti sold property at 122 Strong Ave., Pittsfield, to Elyssa M. Holmes. $338,000.

Muhammad Salman Janjua sold property at 152 Strong Ave., Pittsfield, to Jonathan G. Pierotti and Charlotte Lotz, $405,000.

April R. Gardner sold property at 63 Plymouth St., Pittsfield, to Nicholas Mazzeo and Afton Theresa Murach, $241,000.

Len Kates sold property at 35 Maple Grove Drive, Pittsfield, to Kevin I. and Francine M. Klein, $286,000.

Lee Anthony Prinz sold property at 56 Pollock Ave., Pittsfield, to Paul S. and Jan M. Kearns, trustees, Jan M. Kearns RVT, $432,500.

John N.S. Philp sold property at 176 Windsor Ave., Pittsfield, to Betsy A. Gamrat, $339,900.

David W. Schilling Jr., personal rep. of the Estate of Sherry A. Schilling, sold property at 221 Lebanon Ave., Pittsfield, to Ryan M. Schilling, $240,000.

Antoinette L. Bornn sold property at 541 West St., Pittsfield, to Bonnie G. Ivins, $358,500. Daniel C. and Samantha Parker sold property at 37-39 Bel Air Ave., Pittsfield, to Tyler Tubbs, $252,000.

Darnell Clark, and Darnell Clark, personal rep. of the Estate of Roger Allen Clark, sold property at 169 King St., Pittsfield, to Robin A. and Barry C. Alexander, $180,000.

WTBY 5 Development LLC and 139 Summit LLC sold property at 9-11 Atwood Ave., Pittsfield, to Taha, Yahya and Fareed A. Siddiqui, $189,900.

WTBY 5 Development LLC and 139 Summit LLC sold property at 15-17 Atwood Ave., Pittsfield, to Taha, Yahya and Fareed A. Siddiqui, $189,900.

Lisanne Elkins-Hahn and David A. Elkins, personal reps. of the Estate of Judith A. Elkins, sold property at 1136 Barker Road, Pittsfield, to Mark N. and Michele J. Fegley, trustees, Fegley Trust Dated Sept. 23, 2011, $735,000. Andrew J. and Karrie A. Gulmi sold property at 7 Central Berkshire Boulevard, Pittsfield, to Gary and Susan Kapchinske, $360,000. Joseph and Roger Knysh, personal reps. of the Estate of Marguerite L. Knysh, sold property at 10 Victory Road, Pittsfield, to Christopher M. Knysh, $250,000.

Christian Halley sold property at 76 Oswald Ave., Pittsfield, to Corey Dietzen Bentz, $210,000.

Rita Ghai sold property at 24 Weston St., Pittsfield, to Marilyn Maison, $390,000.

Elena P. Kelsey sold property at 1 Taubert Ave., Pittsfield, to Andres Mosquera and Mabel Ramos Mendoza, $219,900.

Real estate

BKD Investments LLC sold property at 33-35 Plunkett St., Pittsfield, to Blaise and Charlotte Ngandjui, $405,000.

Nancy A. Amato, trustee of Philip M. Mogavero Irrevocable Trust of 2011, and Nancy A. Amato, trustee of Katherine A. Mogavero Irrevocable Trust of 2011, sold property at 150 Sherwood Drive, Pittsfield, to George M. Candelet, $315,000.

Henry J. and Janice L. Foley sold property at 43-45 Grove St., Pittsfield, to Luz E. Musso, $247,000.

Michelle M. Merlet sold property at 26 Highlawn Drive, Pittsfield, to Richard C. and Cynthia D. Johnson, $222,000.

Kristen Rene Jackson, trustee of John Thompson and Jacqueline Marie Cunningham Irrevocable Trust, sold property at 13 Oswald Ave., Pittsfield, to Danielle Sarabia, $227,000.

Sequel Realty LLC sold property at 47 Sadler Ave., Pittsfield, to 47 Sadler LLC, $75,000.

David M. and Jennifer Carmon sold property at 48 Third St., Pittsfield, to Patrick J. Fosty Jr., $106,000.

Faith Property LLC sold property at 881 Holmes Road, Pittsfield, to Raul Villalobos Guevara, $350,000.

Anthony M. and Lauren E. Quinto sold property at 955 Barker Road, Pittsfield, to Peter H. Carnevale and Jamie L. Tierney, $397,500. 417 North Street LLC sold property at 413-419 North St., Pittsfield, to Hurricane Properties LLC, $1,050,000.

Carlton A. Blake sold property at 97 Dorchester Ave., Pittsfield, to Navya Sri Utukuru and Bhupendra Shashikant Barde, $325,000.

Robert B. Wood sold property at 41-43 Longfellow Ave., Pittsfield, to Taylor Bartlett, $150,000.

Mark L. Baer sold property at 28 Brown St. and 32 Brown St., Pittsfield, to 28-32 Brown Street LLC, $402,000.

Michael J. and Dawn M. Giardina sold property at 110 Maple Grove Drive, Pittsfield, to Dana Clement, $310,000.

Ernest and Lois Kornn sold property at 224 Jason St., Pittsfield, to Steven and Christy Dawn Canfield, $297,900.

Matheus Pasini and Izabelle Fernandes Grigoleto Ferretti sold property at 41-43 New Hampshire Ave., Pittsfield, to Erick Javier Rios and Pamela De Los Angeles Salazar Velastegui, $325,000.

Lynn A. Disimoni sold property at 78 Winesap Road, Pittsfield, to Jacob and Gena Johnson, $365,000.

Monique A. Salmon and Tyrekee O. Gordon, personal rep. of the Estate of Deborah Nicola Salmon, sold property at 35 Deborah Ave., Pittsfield, to Jenna Revord, $300,000.

James O., Susan E., John E., and Debra E. Driscoll sold property at 303 Springside Ave., Pittsfield, to Isabella Custodio Rodrigues Sousa, $365,000.

Linda A. Rapoza sold property at 86 Asci Drive, Pittsfield, to Michelle Lynn Giannotti and Michael Joseph Mitchell, $300,000.

James L. and Lori J. Sterritt sold property at 24 Chapel St., Pittsfield, to Michael E. and Emily J. Tahaney, $320,000.

Maria Bencivenga sold property at 14-18 Westminster St., Pittsfield, to Pollen & Epstein Properties 2 LLC, $392,000.

Luciane Thibes sold property at 2-4 Cherry St., Pittsfield, to Jose Carlos Goulart, $405,000.

Washington J. Gonzalez sold property at 73-75 Lyman St., Pittsfield, to Washington J. Gonzalez and Patricia Calle, trustees, 73-75 Lyman Street Nominee RT, $182,753.29.

Amanda D. DiNicola sold property at 41 Bryant St., Pittsfield, to Corey J. Callander, $239,500.

Christopher P. Tracy sold property at 17 Leslie Drive, Pittsfield, to Cynthia Sinopoli, $348,500.

SANDISFIELD

Aileen Gibbons, trustee, Aileen Gibbons 2022 Revocable Trust, sold property at 18 South Beech Plain Road, Sandisfield, to Yasmine Danielle Kfoury, $835,000.

Sharon M. Zimmer sold property at 191 Sandisfield Road, Sandisfield, to James Anthony Ruocco and Emily Lynn Ruocco, $631,000.

Jessica A. Mancusco and Kevin Mancusco sold property at 26 Autumn Court, Sandisfield, to Nessa Levinson and David Levinson, $488,500.

SAVOY

Larry S. Davis sold property at 382 Loop Road, Savoy, to Troy M. Dean, $205,000.

SHEFFIELD

Charles R. Gillett sold property at 63 Glennana Way, Sheffield, to David T. Neale and Megan F. Neale, $680,000.

Peter D. Stiglin sold property at 1101 Barnum St., Sheffield, to Stephanie Humphrey and

Theodore Humphrey, trustees of Humphrey Living Trust, $1,250,000.

Robert J. Killiard and Mary Katherine Killiard sold property at 95 Main St. North, Sheffield, to Godofredo Cruz and Jesus Loyola Gomez, $390,000.

Estate of Hattie E. Johnson sold property at 321 Salisbury Road, Sheffield, to Salisbury Barnum LLC, $162,500.

STOCKBRIDGE

Edward C. and Barbara R. Lane sold property at 3 Willard Hill Road, Stockbridge, to Charles Roland and Elizabeth K. Kelsey, $885,000.

Linus S. Abrams sold property at 176 Old Stockbridge Road, Stockbridge, to Elaine B. Panitz, Trustee Elaine B. Panitz RVT, $660,000.

Jennifer M. W. Carmichael, trustee, 7 West Main Street NT, sold property at 7 West Main St., Stockbridge, to Jennifer M.W. Carmichael and Jacqueline W. Rupert, $660,000.

Grove Bank & Trust, trustee, Ira R. Licht Trust, sold property at 7 Church St., Stockbridge, to Eliane Lust, $450,000.

Kenneth and Francine Fabricant sold property at 66 Interlaken Road, Stockbridge, to John M. and Laura L. Cromwell, $975,000.

TYRINGHAM

Morningside Properties LLC sold property at 134 Jerusalem Road, Tyringham, to Lot 3A Jerusalem Road LLC, $600,000.

WASHINGTON

Marisa L., Jaryd M. and Alexandra R. Massaro sold property at 189 Cross Place Road, Washington, to Megan Hill and Scott Blanchette Jr., $369,500.

WEST STOCKBRIDGE

Patricia McGrath sold property at 17 Swamp Road, West Stockbridge, to Kate Coulehan, $213,000.

Mary Kornman sold property at 279 Great Barrington Road, West Stockbridge, to John Chambers Christopher and Kimberly Seelbrede, $1,350,000.

Gordon Roberts and Doris M. Peterkin sold property at 17 Stockbridge Road, West Stockbridge, to Whitney D. Wilson, $465,000.

Steven T. Kinney and Trent L. Kinney, co-trustees of S. Kinney Revocable Trust and T. Kinney Revocable Trust, sold property at 46 West Center Road, West Stockbridge, to Victoria Drozdov and Mark Drozdov, $1,195,000.

Christina Bardwell, trustee of Mati Kiin 2019 Revocable Trust and Christina Bardwell 2019 Revocable Trust, sold property at 5 Stockbridge Road, between 3 & 5 Stockbridge Road, West Stockbridge, to NMBS LLC, $500,000.

WILLIAMSTOWN

The President and Trustees of Williams College sold property at 123 Chestnut St., Williamstown, to Shahbaz Zarintash, $168,000.

Frances Ferguson Buttenheim, trustee of the Frances Ferguson Buttenheim FT, sold property at 63 Lee Terrace, Williamstown, to Jeffrey James and Katherine Marie Malanson, $530,000.

Donna L. Chenail, trustee of the Donna L. Chenail LVT, sold property at 877 Simonds Road, Williamstown, to Intra Realty and Investments LLC, $550,000.

Lori A. Dubois and Charles E. Prescott sold property at 363 Henderson Road, Williamstown, to Michael Bump and Diana L. Dobbert-Bump, $355,000.

160 Water LLC sold property at 160 Water St., Unit 302, Williamstown, to Lucia Questel, $625,000.

Kathleen Cunningham sold property at 18 Danforth St., Williamstown, to Lisa A. Maloney, $262,500.

Claudia Winant Ellet sold property at 963 Hancock Road, Williamstown, to Matthew H. and Katherine B. Foushee, $925,000.

Frederick W. and Laura R. Strauch sold property at 758 North Hoosac Road, Williamstown, to Russell Jenkins, $450,000.

WINDSOR

David J. and Donna L. Beguin sold property at 576 North St., Windsor, to Jacob J. Ziter and Yvette R. Stoddard, $435,000.

Charles and Diane Sturtevant sold property at Monahan Road, Windsor, to Justin C. I. Peterson, $3,000.

Loretta G. Allison sold property at 151 Monahan Road, Windsor, to Richard Frederick, $335,000.

FT — Family Trust

LLC — Limited Partnership

LT — Life Trust

NT — Nominee Trust

RET — Real Estate Trust

RT — Realty Trust

RVT — Revocable Trust

The real estate transactions are provided by the Middle Berkshire, North Berkshire and South Berkshire Registry of Deeds offices.

GETTY IMAGES

People in the Berkshires

Adams Community Bank has promoted Taylor Gibeau to assistant vice president, treasury management officer.

Gibeau’s advancement comes as the bank launches its newly formed Treasury Management Department, reflecting its ongoing commitment to providing products and services for businesses of all sizes.

The Treasury Management Department will collaborate closely with other departments across the bank, including commercial, retail and government banking, to deliver integrated treasury management solutions. The department will enable businesses to maximize cash flow and liquidity as well as manage risk and fraud.

Gibeau has been integral to the bank’s team for eight years, gaining treasury management and client relations experience in her previous roles. Her understanding of businesses’ needs and her consultative approach make her uniquely suited to lead this department.

“We’re excited to launch our Treasury Management Department as a key part of our strategy to better support the evolving needs of our business customers,” said Julie Fallon Hughes, president and CEO of the bank. “With Taylor’s leadership and industry knowledge, she will thrive in her new position and play a vital role in shaping the department’s success.”

For information about the bank’s treasury management services, contact Gibeau at 413-749-1121 or tgibeau@adamscommunity.com.

Pittsfield Cooperative Bank has hired Felicia Sayers as assistant branch manager of its South Street location.

Sayers brings a strong track record of supervising staff, overseeing branch operations and mentoring team members while maintaining her own portfolio of responsibilities, from opening complex account types and processing loan applications, to ensuring daily compliance and vault cash management.

She is certified in an extensive range of financial platforms and is a licensed notary Public and NMLS (Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System) holder.

Sayers most recently served as an asset quality collector at Greylock Federal Credit Union, where she facilitated a variety of teller, member service and collection-related tasks for its members in compliance with established policies, strategies and procedures.

Prior to that, she held key roles at TD Bank, where she supervised teller teams, managed vault operations, and trained new hires across Berkshire County. She has consistently been recognized for customer satisfaction and sales performance, winning multiple awards for the highest amount of sales and referrals. Outside of work, Sayers volunteers with Lenten Labor of Love building care packages for the homeless, Berkshire

Dream Center clothing drives and holiday wrapping events, Habitat for Humanity’s Women’s Build, Thanksgiving Angels fundraising, as well as numerous community events, including annual parades in north and central Berkshire County. Berkshire Community College has hired two new staff members and promoted two others.

Akinyemi Blackshear joins BCC as assistant director of marketing and communications. Originally from North Carolina, Blackshear holds a bachelor of fine arts in dance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Most recently, they served as marketing operations manager at Theory Wellness and as manager of social media accounts for the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks. They previously interned at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, an experience that launched an eight-year career in marketing.

In their free time, they enjoy choreographing and dancing, spending time outdoors and with family, experiencing local arts and occasionally birding with the Hoffmann Bird Club. Blackshear and their partner, Steven, live in Pittsfield.

Matthew Kenny joins BCC as dean of science and business. He brings 25 years of experience as a professor of biological sciences and as program coordinator and division chair of massage therapy at Columbia-Greene Community College in Hudson, N.Y.

Kenny has a strong background in program assessment, curriculum development, faculty mentorship, community partnerships and evidence-based teaching and learning practices. His leadership with Achieving the Dream at Columbia-Greene reflects his ability to build collaboration and drive student-focused, equity-centered work.

Kenny is an amateur silversmith and lover of all things gardening. He lives outside of Hudson, N.Y., with his husband, two dogs and eight chickens.

Addie VanDeurzen has been promoted to senior manager, Bridge to College. She had been the CTE linkage and concurrent enrollment coordinator since joining BCC in October 2013.

Judith Weiner has been promoted to program manager, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at BCC. She had been administrative assistant I for OLLI since joining BCC in March 2022.

Pittsfield Cooperative Bank has announced the addition of Mark McKenna as senior vice president, senior commercial lending team leader.

A native and longtime resident of the Berkshires, McKenna joins the bank’s senior management team with an understanding of the local business landscape and a passion for helping others.

McKenna brings over 35 years of experience in commercial lending, business development and relationship banking. In this new role, he will lead strategic efforts to support local businesses, expand lending services, and guide a team of lenders.

“Bringing McKenna on board is a natural fit,” said Co-Op Bank President Gregg Levante. “Not only does he bring a surplus of industry knowledge, but also a genuine commitment to supporting the people and businesses that make our community so strong.”

McKenna expressed excitement about joining the leadership team.

“This is more than a new role,” he said. “I’m honored to contribute to a bank that invests in its people and empowers growth.”

This appointment reflects the CoOp Bank’s ongoing commitment to strengthening local partnerships, fostering financial growth, and cultivating a culture within the bank and the broader community.

ExtraSpecialTeas has announced the appointment of Jennifer Abbott to executive director, effective June 1. Abbott succeeds the nonprofit’s co-founder, Cherri Sanes, who has semi-retired after 10 years of service.

Founded in 2015, ExtraSpecialTeas provides vocational services to special needs adults through two teahouse locations at 2 Elm St. in Great Barrington and 226 Pleasant St. in Housatonic.

The nonprofit supports, trains and empowers young adults with diverse learning differences, such as autism, Down syndrome and sight/hearing impairment, to learn, work and thrive in the Berkshires.

Abbott brings 40+ years of experience in the human services field to the role. Prior to joining ExtraSpecialTeas, she served as a teaching assistant, vocational instructor, day program supervisor, and a transition advisor throughout her career at the Department of Developmental Services in Connecticut.

She has served for the past nine years as assistant executive director, programs coordinator and transition coordinator at ExtraSpecialTeas.

The Brien Center for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services has appointed Bella Mironovna Guner as ethics and compliance officer. Guner brings to the role over 20 years of experience spanning child welfare, developmental psychology and higher education. Her career began in the nonprofit sector, where she dedicated 15 years to improving outcomes for children and families,

rising through the ranks from direct care staff to clinician and ultimately to director of quality improvement.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Brandeis University, a master’s degree in developmental psychology from Johns Hopkins University, and a doctorate in developmental psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park. Her unique blend of academic training and real-world application enables her to bring a systems-oriented perspective to the complex work of ethics and compliance in behavioral health.

Prior to joining the Brien Center, Guner served as associate dean for academic affairs and associate professor of psychology at Maria College, where she led curriculum development and institutional planning. She also served as adjunct faculty in the graduate psychology program at The College of Saint Rose.

In her new position, Guner is responsible for guiding the agency’s efforts in regulatory compliance, ethical standards and internal accountability. Her work supports the Brien Center’s commitment to delivering equitable, person-centered and trauma-informed care across all service lines.

The Brien Center delivers community-based behavioral health and addiction services throughout Berkshire County.

The Mass Cultural Council has appointed Thomas W. Bernard as a member of the agency’s governing body. Bernard, a resident of North Adams, was appointed to the Council by Gov. Maura Healey on July 16 as the representative for Berkshire County.

Bernard recently served as the president and CEO of Berkshire United Way. He also previously served two terms as mayor of the city of North Adams, during which he served as chairman of the Mass MoCA Commission and chairman of the North Adams School Committee.

As the commonwealth’s independent state arts agency, Mass Cultural Council is charged with bolstering the cultural sector, thereby advancing economic vitality, supporting transformational change, and celebrating, preserving, and inspiring creativity across all Massachusetts communities.

As directed by state law, council members are appointed by the governor and have demonstrated scholarship or creativity in, or distinguished service to, the arts, humanities, interpretative sciences, or local arts. Council members serve staggered, three-year terms and reside in every region of the commonwealth.

For more than 25 years, Bernard has been a professional communicator, fundraiser, administrator and leader for organizations in the cultural, education, municipal and nonprofit fields.

He is a graduate of Williams College, Westfield State University and the Berkshire Leadership Program. He was awarded an honorary doctor of public service degree from MCLA in 2022.

Jane Ralph steps down as Construct Inc. leader

The Berkshire Eagle GREAT BARRINGTON — Jane Ralph, executive director of Construct Inc., has stepped down after nearly a decade leading the South County affordable housing nonprofit.

“This was not an easy decision,” Ralph said. “My partner and I have called Berkshire County home for years now, and I am so proud of our work at Construct. However, the past year has been a time of reflection for us. After facing

some family health challenges, and looking at where things stand in the world, we have decided that being close to relatives should be our main priority, so we are relocating to Madison, Wisconsin.”

Since taking the role in 2016, Ralph has overseen notable growth in Construct’s services and reach. Under her leadership, Construct expanded support to help people remain in their homes, offered new temporary housing for families,

and developed affordable housing projects such as Forest Springs in Great Barrington and The Windflower, the county’s first co-living workforce housing, in Egremont.

Ralph also expanded the organization’s housing navigation services, offering support to individuals and families facing housing insecurity.

When she became Construct’s third executive director, Ralph was the only fulltime staff member. Today, the

organization has 11 full-time and two part-time employees.

Ralph has been a vocal advocate for fair wages, workplace equity, and a healthy work environment. She also helped grow a diverse board of directors and a network of dedicated volunteers.

“We’re all grateful for Jane’s leadership over the past nine years,” said board President Betty Farbman. “She’s led with a lot of heart and a strong commitment to our community.

Thanks to her, Construct is in a great place. We have a clear vision, a strong team, and a solid foundation to build on.”

Ralph

Ralph will work with the board’s executive committee to support a smooth leadership transition. A search committee has been formed and will soon post the position.

Gibeau

Sayers

Blackshear

Kenny

McKenna

Abbott

Bernard

Guner