1Berkshire’s announces Trendsetter Award winners at Celebrate the Berkshires event
Berkshire — 1Berkshire held its annual Celebrate the Berkshires event this year at the Pittsfield Municipal Airport. There were close to 250 people present as 1Berkshire honored The Fairbank Group for Putting the Berkshires on the Map and presented the highly coveted 2024 Berkshire Trendsetter Awards, recognizing businesses, organizations, and individuals whose outstanding achievements and commitment have strengthened the economy and helped the Berkshires grow.
In the Driving Visitor Engagement category, the Norman Rockwell Museum was the winner. The Norman Rockwell Museum welcomed What, Me Worry? The Art and Humor of MAD Magazine to the Berkshires this summer, bringing over 1,000 visitors through the museum a day.
Second Chance Composting was named Visionary of the Year. As the first and only full-scale local community-based compost operation in the Northern Berkshires, Second Chance has diverted 561,504 pounds of organic matter, including 233,396 pounds of food scraps, and has made 50 partners locally, and has also provided community events, outreach, education, awareness, and consulting services.
Marina Dominguez, the Head of the Katunemo Arts Collective, received the Under 40 Change-Maker award for working to support immigrants in building their businesses as entrepreneurs, artists, and performers. Dominguez acts as the bridge between two cultures, guiding them with a familiar language and knowledge of their culture.
The Nonprofit Collaborator award was presented to the Latinas413, a unique organization for Latina women, led by Latina women. Carmen Guevara from El Salvador is a founding board member of Latinas413, dedicating herself to advancing the organization’s mission of amplifying the voices, talents, and interests of Latinas throughout Berkshire County.
The Breaking the Mold award was given to Dri, a Berkshire-based, innovative company that has created an eco-friendly, durable umbrella focused on sustainability and conscious consumerism. In order to mitigate the worst impacts of plastic pollution and climate change, Dri builds rain umbrellas from recycled ocean-bound plastic, and has diverted over 16,000 plastic bottles from entering our oceans.
The Advancing Our Economy award was presented to Moresi & Associates for providing commercial and residential development and property management services throughout Western Massachusetts, Southern Vermont, and Eastern New York, employing more than 50 talented individuals.
Closing out the evening, The Fairbank Group was recognized as the special honoree for Putting the Berkshires on the Map in recognition of the meaningful contribution they and their businesses have made to the Berkshire economy. The Fairbank Group entities go far beyond that of a profit motive and are intrinsically aligned with the Berkshire Blueprint work. 1Berkshire was happy to honor them tonight for their ongoing commitment to our Berkshire community.
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Bizen Restaurant in Great Barrington creates the ‘Kamala Mamala Breakthrough Roll’
Great Barrington — Clearly intrigued by the Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, Bizen Restaurant has created the Kamala Mamala sushi roll. The nickname “Mamala” was affectionately given to Harris by her Jewish stepchildren, blending “Mama” and her first name. Says Bizen owner Michael Marcus, “Even though our hands are covered in sushi rice, we could not resist bringing our guests this playful sushi iteration designed for and fitting of the next president of the United States.“
The Kamala Mamala sushi roll combines the flavors that reflect Kamala Harris’ multicultural Indian and Jamaican heritage while also honoring her American upbringing. Kamala Harris has spoken about her love of food and diverse flavors, and this is what inspired the fusion elements in this roll.
The crispy, spicy chicken Katsu that reflects her father’s Jamaican heritage paired with a refreshing slice of mango to cool down the spicy aioli. Rolled in traditional sushi rice containing mixed coral-colored Masago roe, the roll is wrapped in vibrant pink soy paper that epitomizes her feminine identity and the essence of her message of unity, diversity and the breaking of barriers. Inside is a mixture of avocado, hot peppers, and spicy aioli for creaminess, and fresh coconut with a blend of tamarind flavored sauces reminiscent of her mother’s Indian heritage.
Continues Marcus, ”The Kamala Mamala Breakthrough Roll has inspired a powerful reaction from our Bizen clientele desperate for a unique symbol and solution to these turbulent times. In that spirit we have promised to donate a portion of the proceeds of this roll to the Harris campaign in the hope that it will support her vision and her election to the presidency.”
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Ray Murray Inc. welcomes Jeff Hopsicker as vice president and minority owner
Lee — Ray Murray Inc. (RMI) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Jeff Hopsicker as Vice President and minority owner.
Hopsicker has served as a member of RMI’s Board of Directors since November 2019 and he joins RMI after a decade of investment banking experience. Prior to RMI, Jeff was a Director at SMBC Nikko Americas, where he was a founding member of SMBC’s leveraged finance sales and trading franchise. Jeff started his career at Citigroup Inc., where he spent seven years in leveraged credit sales and capital markets syndicate. As a Vice President at Citi, Jeff focused on high-yield credit and debt finance, where he worked with institutional investors and helped large corporations raise capital to finance operations.
Jeff received his undergraduate degree in Public Policy from Hamilton College and completed his Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in Finance from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
RMI President and CEO Mike Hopsicker expressed his enthusiasm regarding the appointment stating, “I am elated to have Jeff join the business and look forward to helping mentor him and the next generation of young leaders. Jeff and I share a positive outlook on RMI and its role in the future of the energy industry. His familiarity with the company’s operations and finances positions him as a valuable asset moving forward. It is very satisfying to know that RMI will continue to remain a family business well into the future.”
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Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art announces five new trustees
Amherst — The board of trustees of the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art announced five new trustees, David Bittler, Shelley Isaacson, Ajuan Mance, Waleska Santiago-Centeno, and Gabe M. Wolosky. With these five appointments, the Museum now has a board made up of 15 trustees from around the country.
David Bittler is Executive Vice President of Corporate Communications for Paramount Global’s Kids & Family division, which spans content and platforms across Nickelodeon, Paramount+, Paramount Pictures and all related digital, location-based experiences, global consumer products and pro-social initiatives. He is responsible for crafting dynamic brand narratives for global, billion-dollar franchises like “SpongeBob SquarePants,” “PAW Patrol,” “Dora the Explorer,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” the “NFL Wild Card Games” on Nick, “Kids’ Choice Awards,” among others.
Shelley Isaacson is an Assistant Teaching Professor at Simmons University, the co-director for the 2025 Simmons Summer Institute in Children’s Literature, and a part-time lecturer at Tufts University. She focuses on the academic study of picture books, including the depiction of people with disabilities, the relationship between humans and the natural environment, and international and translated picture books.
Ajuan Mance is an artist, writer, and Professor of Illustration at California College of the Arts. She uses humor and bright colors in her art, illustration, and comics to explore race, gender, power, and the people and places in which they intersect. She is widely known for her portrait series “1001 Black Men,” her picture books “Living While Black” and “What Do Brothas Do All Day?,” which is inspired by Richard Scarry’s 1968 classic “What Do People Do All Day?” and celebrates Black men engaged in everyday activities in African American communities.
Waleska Santiago-Centeno was accepted to the Frances Perkins program at Mount Holyoke College where she received a B.A. in Art History. In 2016, Santiago-Centeno completed a Master’s degree in Museum Studies at Harvard University. Santiago-Centeno’s work as a librarian at the Crocker Farm Elementary School in Amherst weaves together her interests and passions around cultural heritage, children’s literature, art history, and education.
Gabe M. Wolosky is a Partner in the Tax, Advisory Services, and International Departments of Prager Metis CPAs. He has special expertise in advising art and antique dealers and collectors, as well as estates and trusts.
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Berkshire United Way welcomes seven new members to board
Pittsfield — The Berkshire United Way (BUW) Board of Directors has appointed seven new members, Arthur Milano, Beth Mitchell, Tiffany Moreno, Michael Obasohan, Timothy O’Donnell, Kristin Pedrotti, and Stephanie Storie.
Arthur Milano has over 40 years of experience in the human resources field in banking and healthcare, including 29 years as the chief human resources officer at Berkshire Health Systems (BHS). He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Northeastern University and an MBA from Sawyer Business School at Suffolk University.
Beth Mitchell is the senior director of integration at General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS). She has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Boston University and has held numerous leadership positions over her 38-year engineering career.
Tiffany Moreno is the instructional program manager for health and social assistance at Berkshire Community College (BCC). She has years of experience working as a phlebotomist and lab technician at Ellis Hospital in New York, Berkshire Health Systems and the UltraWellness Center. Moreno is in the process of obtaining her associate’s degree in psychology at BCC.
As the chief diversity officer for the City of Pittsfield, Michael Obasohan pioneered the integration and development of the city’s first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) department, and established Pittsfield’s DEI Ambassador Program. He previously held positions at BCC and MCLA. Obasohan earned a bachelor’s degree in arts management from MCLA and a higher education master’s degree in general administration from Bay Path University.
Timothy O’Donnell, a native of Pittsfield, is head of distribution sales compensation administration for the Individual Markets division at Guardian Life, where he has served in various leadership roles since 2014. He previously worked in national ad sales for many years at NBCUniversal, Inc. He is a graduate of Boston College.
Kristin Pedrotti is the senior vice president controller at Berkshire Bank and a certified public accountant. She previously held financial positions at SABIC and PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLC. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Stephanie Storie is a library associate at Lenox Library and previously held engineering positions at General Dynamics Mission Systems. She concurrently owns a small art business and is a certified birth doula. She earned her bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from Union College and a master’s degree in engineering management at George Washington University.
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Berkshire Community Radio Alliance announces a call for candidates for its Board of Directors
Great Barrington — The Berkshire Community Radio Alliance (BCRA) is pleased to announce a call for candidates to be considered for our Board of Directors. This is an opportunity to contribute during an exciting time for WBCR-lp as it develops a sound foundation for the organization, stabilizing the financial situation, and putting in place a structure that will carry the organization into the future.
Candidates for membership on the board of Berkshire Community Radio Alliance will ideally have experience or interest in the art of radio, experience in fundraising, and interest in community outreach. Board members are expected to endorse the organization’s mission and share the values that it represents, attend board meetings, and have skills in communication, listening and working toward group consensus in a way that is respectful of others. All board members are expected to become members of the organization.
The BCRA Board of Directors is both a governance and a working board. This means that, in addition to being representatives of Berkshire Community Radio Alliance, board members dedicate some of their time or resources working on organizational projects, based on their expertise and interest.
To be considered, please email nominations@berkshireradio.org with a short description of yourself and your background, a photo, any relevant links, and a paragraph on why you want to join the board. Please submit your information by October 15th. The election will be held on Saturday, October 26th at 5 p.m. at the WBCR-lp Studio at 320 Main Street in Great Barrington.
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MCLA announces MountainOne Fund to support North Adams Public School educators in obtaining permanent teaching licenses
North Adams — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) announces a partnership with MountainOne to support students, teachers and the education system in North Adams in obtaining permanent teaching licensure.
The focus of the MountainOne Scholarship Fund will be to support current North Adams Public Schools (NAPS) teachers who are teaching under an emergency license they obtained during the pandemic. The Scholarship Fund is the first of several significant contributions that MountainOne has committed to MCLA over the next five years, totaling $500,000.
The emergency license allowed those with a bachelor’s degree to start teaching and move on to a provisional license in the future. Earlier this year, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) in Massachusetts established four regional centers across the state to facilitate the transition of emergency license holders to initial licensure, including MCLA.
“This fund is centralized and localized. I think the combination of MountainOne, North Adams Public Schools, and MCLA is an example of how our local community can work together through innovative partnerships to come up with a solution that will support children and families in addition to individualized teachers,” said MCLA Associate Professor and Chair of the Education Department Dr. Margaret Clark.
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Berkshire Community College graduates of Associate Degree in Nursing Program achieve perfect pass rate
Pittsfield — Berkshire Community College (BCC) reports that all 28 of its May 2024 Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) graduates had a 100% first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) exam.
BCC’s nursing program is rapidly gaining recognition. Its Practical Nurse (PN) program was recently ranked number one in Massachusetts and number one in the United States for its fall 2023 cohort. The ranking is based on a semi-annual reporting of the percentage of graduates passing the NCLEX exam on the first attempt.
Dean of Nursing Lori Moon said the goal of BCC’s competitive nursing program is to graduate students who will provide compassionate care to their community and are dedicated to patient advocacy. “I couldn’t be more proud of our most recent ADN graduates, who worked so hard throughout their classes and labs, and just as hard to pass the exam,” Moon said. “It’s really an impressive thing for 100% of students to pass the exam on the first try. I know they’ll go on to become amazing caregivers, and our community is lucky to have them.”
For more information on BCC’s robust nursing programs, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/nursing.
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Literacy Network to open satellite office at Volunteers in Medicine Pittsfield office
Pittsfield— The Literacy Network (LitNet) is pleased to announce the opening of a satellite office at Volunteers in Medicine Berkshires’ (ViM’s) Pittsfield office. While LitNet’s home will continue to be based in Lee, this co-location pilot aims to better serve the growing need for LitNet’s free educational services in Pittsfield, where 55% of its currently enrolled learners (and nearly 100% of learners on its waitlist) reside. The satellite office will be an asset in LitNet’s attempts to recruit and train more volunteer tutors in the Pittsfield region.
The collaboration is rooted in a shared commitment to empower immigrants in Berkshire County, helping them learn English, excel in their careers, support their families, and integrate into local communities. By co-locating, ViM and LitNet will create a synergistic environment that enhances their ability to serve and support this vital community more effectively.
“The decision to share space with LitNet is driven by our mutual commitment to serve our immigrant community more effectively, “said Ilana Steinhauer, Executive Director, Volunteers in Medicine Berkshires. “By sharing our space, we create a hub of support that caters to the comprehensive needs of our clients, from health to education, under one roof.”
LitNet is expected to begin working out of ViM’s Pittsfield Center located at 199 South Street, Unit A, on Tuesdays, beginning October 8th, with the addition of Thursdays after Thanksgiving. The public is invited to an opening reception on Thursday, November 7th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Lichtenstein Gallery at 28 Renne Avenue in Pittsfield. To RSVP, email ldoherty@litnetsb.org. For more information, visit www.vimberkshires.org and www.litnetsb.org.
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1Berkshire’s Berkshire Leadership Program Class of 2025 now accepting applications
Berkshire — 1Berkshire’s Berkshire Leadership Program (BLP) is excited to announce that the 2025 class applications are open.
The Berkshire Leadership Program seeks, prepares, involves, and sustains individuals from diverse backgrounds who are committed to and competent in addressing community challenges and improving the quality of life in the Berkshires. More than 640 community-minded individuals have graduated from the program since its inception in 1997.
The Class of 2025 will kick off with a two-day retreat Friday, April 25th and Saturday, April 26th, which includes training in many facets of leadership, problem-solving techniques, and networking. The retreat is followed by weekly sessions held on Thursdays, May 8th through June 26th, focusing on areas of economic development, healthcare, tourism, creative economy, housing, and community involvement.
“The Berkshire Leadership Program is one of the most comprehensive ways to learn about the community and a great opportunity for additional professional development,” stated Christine Hoyt, 1Berkshire Director of Member Services and BLP Coordinator.
The deadline to apply for the Class of 2025 is 4 p.m. on Friday, December 20th. The cost of tuition is $800; some scholarship dollars are available. The application and a full program schedule can be found at https://1berkshire.jotform.com/242754067299165.
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Nominations open for Berkshire Community College’s ’40 Under Forty’ awards
Pittsfield — Berkshire Community College (BCC) announces nominations are now open for the annual 40 Under Forty awards, which will be held Thursday, March 27th.
40 Under Forty is an annual celebration of talented people in the Berkshires, under the age of 40, who have a deep dedication to improving the quality of life for those living and working in our community. 40 Under Forty awards honor people from all walks of life who are making a difference in the Berkshires.
To promote and engender the spirit of philanthropy, Mill Town Foundation will provide each 40 Under Forty Award winner with the opportunity to re-grant $1,000 to an eligible Berkshire-based nonprofit organization. This generous donation is intended to empower young leaders and instill a lifetime of philanthropic engagement.
To make a nomination, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/40underforty. The deadline for nominations is Wednesday, November 6th. For more information, email 40under40@berkshirecc.edu or call 413-236-2185.
