Berkshire Agricultural Ventures awards $100K to local farmers markets
GREAT BARRINGTON — Berkshire Agricultural Ventures (BAV) has awarded $100,000 in grants to nine Berkshire area farmers markets to support SNAP matching programs. The grants were awarded through BAV’s newest grant fund, the Market Match Fund.
The Fund is an economic development and food access initiative that provides funding to increase the impact of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Access Program) benefits at area farmers markets. It provides funds for markets to offer a $1-for-$1 SNAP match up to $30, providing SNAP recipients a total of $60 to spend at every participating market. With continuing community support, BAV hopes to increase the $30 limit in the future.
Bolstering SNAP matching programs allows significant business growth opportunities for farmers and food producers who sell direct to consumers at these markets. Additionally, market match programs increase low-income households’ purchasing power, allowing all SNAP-eligible customers to extend their SNAP dollars while purchasing local, nutrient-dense foods.
BAV was able to provide funding to every 2022 applicant, with grants ranging from $2,000–$30,000. The following farmers markets received a grant from BAV’s Market Match Fund: New Lebanon, North Adams, Pittsfield, West Stockbridge, Lee, Great Barrington, Sheffield, Copake/Hillsdale, and Millerton.
—A.K.
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Berkshire Bounty hires first executive director
GREAT BARRINGTON — Berkshire Bounty has announced the hiring of Morgan Ovitsky as its first executive director. Ovitsky comes to Berkshire Bounty from Be Well Berkshires, a Mass in Motion funded initiative that supports equitable access to healthy food and opportunities for physical activity. As the project coordinator, she facilitated the Berkshire County Food Access Collaborative, a multi-sector collaborative platform to examine the regionally specific assets and challenges as it relates to local food access.
Ovitsky steps into leadership of the Berkshires nonprofit with a deep knowledge of the food and nutrition-related challenges facing families in the region, and her wide-ranging relationship capital in the food security world of the Berkshires will offer her a platform from which to jump into Berkshire Bounty’s role as a food rescue organization dedicated to fighting food insecurity.
A member of the steering committee for the Downtown Pittsfield Farmers Market, the Healthy Pittsfield Partnership and the Age Friendly Task Force, Ovitsky said, “I believe that access to nutritious food is a human right. Through my previous involvement in the Berkshire County food system, I have a strong understanding of the barriers and challenges of our community in accessing healthy food.”
Berkshire Bounty recently established a formal Board of Directors, an important step in ensuring that the non-profit organization will be sustainable well into the future. One of the first decisions by the Board was to hire an Executive Director.
—A.K.
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Greylock promotes seven to executive roles
PITTSFIELD — Greylock Federal Credit Union has promoted seven managers to Assistant Vice President and higher.
Matthew Tekin has been promoted to Assistant Vice President, IS Security, Audit and Infrastructure. In his new role, he is responsible for building and maintaining IT policies, procedures, and practices and developing IT security strategy to ensure member and employee information security.
Jeremy Warren has been promoted to Vice President, Programming and Project Management. His new role involves growing Greylock’s capabilities and capacity as it relates to project tracking, software and reporting technologies. He joined Greylock in 2017 as the manager of programming and project management.
John Masten has been promoted to Vice President, Compliance. His new role is to provide strategic leadership around Greylock’s compliance with state and federal laws, rules and regulations that impact operations.
Jenaye Simon has been promoted to Vice President, Operational Risk. In her new role, she provides strategic leadership for Greylock’s enterprise risk management program and ensures the safety and soundness of the Credit Union.
Shenna Brady has been promoted to Vice President, eCommerce. In her new role, she aligns strategy and leads research for digital channels and manages strategic projects for the organization.
Mark Kaley has been promoted to Assistant Vice President, Contact Center. He joined Greylock in 2008, as the manager of the Contact Center. Mark manages a team of 12 employees who are responsible for over 90 percent of the incoming phone calls to Greylock.
Michael Parrino has been promoted to Assistant Vice President, Consumer Lending. He began his career with Greylock in 2017 as a Senior Lending Officer after 24+ years at Landmark Credit Union, where he served as Chief Lending Officer.
—A.K.
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Salisbury Bank announces two promotions
LAKEVILLE, Conn. — Salisbury Bank and Trust Company recently announced the promotion of two employees.
Andrea MacArthur has been promoted to Vice President, Mortgage Advisor. MacArthur joined the Bank shortly after graduating from college in 2002. She started in the mortgage department with no prior experience and was able to learn quickly, offer ideas and suggestions, and be fluid with change. She has held several roles throughout her time with the Bank, including Loan Processor, Loan Closer, Closing Manager, Retail Department Manager and, most recently, Mortgage Advisor in the Berkshire County market. MacArthur is a 2016 graduate of the Connecticut School of Finance and Management.
Jean Stapf has been promoted to Vice President, Wealth Manager and Trust Administrative Coordinator. Stapf has been with the Bank for almost 12 years, and plays a key role in the financial management of the Wealth Advisory department. She is a 2019 graduate of the Connecticut School of Finance and Management and is currently a member of the Bank’s Leadership Development Program. Stapf’s most recent accomplishment is receiving the Certified Fiduciary and Investment Risk Specialist (CFIRS) designation upon her successful completion of an intensive three-year program.
—A.K.
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Bidwell House Museum Board President Rob Hoogs passes the baton
MONTEREY — After 12 years as President of the Bidwell House Museum Board of Directors, Rob Hoogs finished his final term on May 21 and was honored by the Board for his service.
In 2007, Hoogs worked with former Director Martha Dailey on a land history and mapping project, and then joined the Board in 2008. He was elected President in 2010. During his tenure he has guided the Museum through a capital campaign; a multi-year renovation and preservation project; the creation of the Native American Interpretive Trail; an expansion in Museum programming online and into the off-season; and the completion of a conservation restriction on 180 acres of the property. He has donated hundreds of hours of his time working with various Board committees and, along with his wife Cindy, has spent many hours working in the gardens and on the grounds.
To thank Hoogs for all he has done for the Museum, the Board made decided to name the newly renovated Carriage Barn in his honor, and presented him with a plaque on May 21.
Diane M. Austin was elected as the new Board President at the May 21 meeting. Austin spent 25 years as the Vice President of Student Affairs at Lasell College before retiring in 2019. She joined the Bidwell House Museum Board in 2017 and has been active in planning programs and fundraisers.
—A.K.
