AIER names new president
Great Barrington — The American Institute for Economic Research has named political economist and private governance thought leader Edward P. Stringham as its new president. Stringham will also serve as the organization’s director of research and education.
Stringham, the K.W. Davis Professor of Economic Organizations and Innovation at Trinity College in Connecticut, is a frequent contributor to academic journals and popular media. He also serves as editor of the Journal of Private Enterprise and is a past president of the Society for the Development of Austrian Economics and the Association of Private Enterprise Education. Prior to his Trinity appointment, Stringham taught at Texas Tech University, Fayetteville State University in North Carolina, Klagenfurt University in Austria and San Jose State University in California. He is the author or editor of three books, the most recent of which, “Private Governance: Creating Order in Economic and Social Life,” was published in 2015 by Oxford University Press. A native of Brookline, Stringham received his B.A. from College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, and his Ph.D. from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.
–E.E.
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Housatonic Valley Association opens new office
Stockbridge — A sunny day greeted more than 60 attendees at an open house held Friday, May 12, to celebrate the grand opening of the new offices of the Housatonic Valley Association in the Merwin House, also home to the Berkshires office of Historic New England. HVA’s Berkshires office was previously located in South Lee.
Attendees enjoyed refreshments, the music of jazz guitarist Nico Wohl, and watching children learn about water pollution using a model that mimicked polluted water running into storm drains and then into streams.
Said HVA’s Berkshires director Dennis Regan, “HVA is excited about collaborating with Historic New England to offer public programs and displays at Merwin House that connect the river, its ecology and our local history here in the Berkshires.”
–E.E.
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New CEO for Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires
Pittsfield — The Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires Inc. has announced the selection of Joseph W. McGovern as its chief executive officer, effective Saturday, July 1. McGovern will replace current CEO Chris Jacoby, who will retire Friday, June 30, but will resume his position as a member of the board of directors.
McGovern has served as executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County in Maryland where he managed services and programs for more than 7,000 youth and over 400 volunteers. From 2010 to 2016, he was executive director of the Northern Berkshire United Way in North Adams. McGovern served as CEO of the Northern Berkshire YMCA in North Adams from 2004–2010, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield Inc. from 1994–2003, assistant director of the Catholic Youth Center in Pittsfield from 1989–1993, and worked as a youth supervisor and recreational director at the former Pittsfield Boys’ Club from 1984–1989. McGovern holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams and is a graduate of Taconic High School in Pittsfield.
–E.E.
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Bidwell House Museum receives grant
Monterey — The Bidwell House Museum has announced its receipt of a $125,000 capital grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund. The grant will allow the museum to continue work on an extensive restoration project that began in 2016.
Said the museum’s board president Rob Hoogs, “We are very grateful to Mass. Cultural Council, Governor Charlie Baker, and our local representatives Smitty Pignatelli and Adam Hinds for their support and confidence. This grant will help us enhance the museum’s visitor facilities and make the historic house universally accessible.”
–E.E.
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Salisbury Bank to hold Shred Day
Lakeville, Conn. — Salisbury Bank and Trust Company will hold a free Community Shred Day on Saturday, June 3, from 9 a.m. to noon at its Lakeville location. Each participant may bring up to four boxes of paper (paper only; no binders) for shredding.
Salisbury Bank offers Shred Day to help in the fight against identity theft. All shredded paper will be recycled. For more information, call Salisbury Bank at (860) 435-9801.
–E.E.
