Berkshire Regional Planning Commission announces three promotions and the appointment of Laura Brennan as assistant director
Berkshire— Berkshire Regional Planning Commission is pleased to announce the promotions of three staff members Marie Brady, Seth Jenkins, and Jaymie Zapata to Senior Planners and the appointment of Laura Brennan as Assistant Director.
Laura Brennan has been named Assistant Director of Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. Brennan’s new position will include her former responsibilities as Economic Development Program Manager at BRPC, in addition to supporting Executive Director Thomas Matuszko. Since joining BRPC in 2017, she has coordinated the Berkshire County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) process and secured Economic Development District status for Berkshire County. She oversees a Shared Economic Development Planning program through which several municipalities access part-time services. Her work at BRPC has also included developing an Outdoor Recreation Plan for Berkshire County.
Since relocating to the Berkshires in 2006, Laura has worked for Hancock Shaker Village, the former Berkshire Visitors Bureau, and 1Berkshire, and is a graduate of the Berkshire Leadership Program. She also co-chairs the annual ArtWeek Berkshires festival, a multi-day celebration of creativity in the county. She lives in Pittsfield with her husband and family.
Marie Brady has been promoted to Senior Planner in Berkshire Regional Planning Commission’s Public Health Program. Marie holds a B.A. in psychology as well as an M.S. in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. She is most passionate about substance use prevention, community health planning, and health equity and has experience with epidemiology and data. In her current role at BRPC, Marie manages two youth substance use prevention grants, develops weekly tickborne and foodborne illness dashboards, and maintains a flu dashboard throughout flu season. She has worked on various health equity and emergency preparedness projects and helped develop the Community Health Improvement Plan.
In past roles, Marie developed marketing materials for a health and wellness clinic, oversaw directors of an adventure summer camp, oversaw a team of approximately 30 individuals providing COVID-19 contact tracing efforts in South Dakota, and worked closely with South Dakota tribal communities to share data and provide support during the pandemic. Marie is most looking forward to expanding the Youth Advisory Boards to other schools and continuing to shape the health and wellness of the Pittsfield and greater Berkshire communities.
Seth Jenkins has been promoted to Senior Planner in the Community Planning Program at Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. Seth joined BRPC in November of 2021 after working as a High School Educator at Hoosac Valley High School. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the College of Wooster and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from Ball State University. To date, Seth has worked with Adams, North Adams, Williamstown, Monterey, West Stockbridge, Lee, and Cheshire on a range of projects including Master and Open Space and Recreation Plans, zoning amendments/changes, community surveys, and as part of the District Local Technical Assistance Program. With BRPC’s Public Health Program, he is helping local non-profits implement a federal grant creating a mobile Farmer’s Market to serve underserved and low-access individuals in the county with local agricultural products.
Seth’s interests have led him around the globe, from running the kitchen of a dude ranch in Colorado to teaching English in Prague. His wife, a Berkshire native, first brought him to the area to work at Jacob’s Pillow for the summer in 1999, and they have lived in the area off and on over the past 20 years. Seth is excited to work with the great diversity of Berkshire communities to learn more about the culture and history of the area and to help communities become more sustainable.
Jaymie R. Zapata has been promoted to Senior Planner within Berkshire Regional Planning Commission’s Public Health Department. In this role, Jaymie manages initiatives related to health improvement in the rural areas of the Berkshires, increasing Hepatitis C treatment, and the Gray to Green initiative, which is improving green space in Pittsfield’s Morningside and Westside neighborhoods. Jaymie draws on nine years’ worth of experience in Boston health care and research settings to inform her work in public health. Her areas of expertise include HIV care and research, LGBTQ+ populations, and issues related to aging and older adults. Advancing health equity for all populations is her passion.
Jaymie earned her bachelor’s degree in religion at Smith College before pursuing joint master’s degrees in social work and public health from Boston University. In 2022 she relocated to Western MA to accept this position at BRPC. She lives in the Pioneer Valley with her girlfriend, cat, and vegetable garden.
According to Thomas Matuszko, Executive Director of BRPC, “Our team has been strengthened in recent years by the addition of talented, dedicated, and innovative staff such as Marie, Seth, and Jaymie. We are proud to include them among the rising leadership of the Commission staff. Laura’s strong skills and networking abilities will continue to advance BRPC in her new leadership role.”
***
Berkshire Opera Festival promotes Kyra Saltman to Operations Manager
Berkshire— Berkshire Opera Festival (BOF) announces the appointment of Kyra Saltman as their new Operations Manager, which expands her role (of company manager) with the company.
Last season, as company manger, she arranged housing, travel, and other logistics for visiting artists. In addition to being an arts administrator, she is a professional cellist. As a former touring musician, she knows firsthand how grueling this aspect of the job it can be. She said, “My job was (and still is) to make our artists feel at home and as comfortable as possible so that they can focus on the show.”
Saltman is a self-proclaimed lover of opera and she has played in the pit for dozens of operas and musicals including “La Bohéme” in Muscat and Steppenwolf Theater Company’s “East of Eden”.
***
WMHT Public Media welcomes Michele Desrosiers as Vice President of Marketing and Communications
Albany— WMHT Public Media, a multichannel public communications organization serving Eastern New York and Western New England, announced the appointment of Michele Desrosiers as Vice President, Marketing and Communications.
With more than 15 years of marketing and operations leadership in the nonprofit performing arts, corporate finance and technology sectors, she will spearhead efforts to build WMHT’s regional profile, increase its public awareness and presence, and drive community engagement and partnerships.
Most recently, Desrosiers served as Vice President of Engagement Strategy for Goldman Sachs Ayco Personal Financial Management. Prior to that, as Chief Marketing Officer at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, she devised marketing strategies and campaigns to promote premium residencies such as the New York City Ballet and Philadelphia Orchestra, and major musical events including the Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival. As Managing Director of Capital Repertory Theatre, she was an integral part of the leadership team that developed a management agreement with Proctors Theatre.In addition, Desrosiers has been serving as Co-Chair of WMHT’s Community Advisory Board.
“I am thrilled to join WMHT Public Media, and excited for the opportunity to help build awareness, engagement, and impact throughout the communities we serve,” said Desrosiers.
Desrosiers has previously held marketing roles at IEEE GlobalSpec, Pitney Bowes Software, and Amsterdam Printing. She also served as Chief Marketing Officer of her own marketing consultancy, Crescendo Integrated Marketing, working with a variety of business and nonprofit clients. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California, and her Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing from National University in San Diego, CA.
***
Pittsfield Cooperative Bank names new marketing executive
Pittsfield— Pittsfield Cooperative Bank (the “Co-op”) has appointed Ray E. Smith its Vice President, Marketing Director. In his new role, Smith will manage the Co-op’s marketing efforts, media relations, and community outreach, ensuring the company’s brand and image are communicated effectively across all platforms.
Smith joins the Co-op after serving as the Administrative Director, Public Information Officer, Marketing Officer for Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) in Bennington, Vermont for the last nine years. While at SVHC, Smith received several marketing and communications awards, and was instrumental in opening up the northern Berkshire market and developing promotional fundraising materials. He has more than 20 years of experience in senior marketing and executive leadership roles in financial services, tourism and hospitality, consumer packaged goods, and manufacturing. Smith has previously served on the board of directors for the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce, Williamstown Chamber of Commerce, the Berkshire Workforce Board, the Berkshire Compact for Higher Education, and the Berkshire Creative Economy.
Smith received his bachelor’s in communications from Colby-Sawyer College in New London, New Hampshire, and his master’s in communications from Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York. He resides in Williamstown with his family.
***
Salisbury Bank’s 175 Acts of Kindness Campaign distributes $10,000 to local communities
Lakeville— Salisbury Bank is pleased to announce that in honor of the Bank’s 175-year history, our employees participated in a 175 Acts of Kindness Campaign. In total, employees gave out $10,000 in cash during the months of April, May, and June through various random acts of kindness.
A few of the ways our employees used the funds and paid it forward including taping money to packs of diapers and formula in the grocery store, paid for a pizza party for the staff of a childcare center, helped pay for a ramp for a paraplegic, and more.
***
The Berkshire Black Economic Council presents “Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Educational Workshop”
Pittsfield— The Berkshire Black Economic Council (BBEC) is proud to announce the MBE Educational Workshop in collaboration with MassHire BizWorks and the Supplier Diversity Office of Massachusetts. This workshop, designed to support Black entrepreneurs in obtaining Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certification, will take place on Friday, July 21st at the Proprietor’s Lodge in Pittsfield. Registration is now open for this free event, and all minority business owners are encouraged to attend.
The MBE Educational Workshop, scheduled from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., will feature a seminar and panel discussions led by MBE-certified businesses. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the benefits of MBE certification, including increased access to federal contracts, federal and state tax incentives, and expanded funding opportunities. Breakout groups will provide in-depth information on MBE certification requirements while additional resources for business growth and development will be made available.
“Are you a BIPOC business owner? Let’s unlock the potential of the MBE certification,” said A.J. Enchill, Executive Director at BBEC. “Come join us for the MBE Educational Workshop to learn how certification can open doors for contracting, incentives, and funding opportunities.”
Registration for the MBE Educational Workshop is required. To secure your spot, please register here: https://berkshirebec.org/programming/
The BBEC, MassHire BizWorks, and the Supplier Diversity Office of Massachusetts are dedicated to empowering Black entrepreneurs and fostering economic growth in the Berkshire region and beyond. Don’t miss this valuable opportunity!
***
CampusWorks’ ‘GivingWorks Impact Weekend’ to benefit local communities across the nation
Great Barrington— CampusWorks, a socially responsible transformation partner serving higher education, is set to celebrate its first annual Impact Weekend, “GivingWorks”, on July 21st and 22nd. This philanthropic weekend begins with a half day of employee training and professional development on Friday. On Saturday, employees will deliver over $33,000 in donations to 27 non-profit organizations and provide volunteer service in their local communities, creating a nationwide ripple of impact.
In May, CampusWorks announced its “Do-Good Grants” initiative, a program that encourages employees to apply for donations of up to $1,250 to support non-profit organizations in their local communities.
Liz Murphy, CEO and Chief Evangelist of CampusWorks said, “With this GivingWorks Impact Weekend, we can lend a hand in our local communities and create lasting change in the world around us.”
Locally, one of this year’s Do-Good Grant recipients is CATA, Community Access to the Arts, whose mission is to nurture and celebrate the creativity of people with disabilities through the arts. CATA provides over 1,800 workshops for disabled artists annually, including painting, dance, theater, singing, drumming, juggling, yoga, creative writing, and more. The CampusWorks employee who nominated this organization said, “CATA is out and about, designing workshops, and fostering creativity wonderfully. I would love to see our company donate directly to an education and arts-oriented group that is modeling inclusive programming.” To find out more information about CATA: Community Access to the Arts, visit https://cataarts.org/.
To read more about “GivingWorks Impact Weekend” and all the grant recipients, visit https://www.campusworksinc.com/campusworks-impact-weekend-to-benefit-local-communities-givingworks-2023/.
***
Berkshire Community College signs articulation agreement with Springfield Technical Community College for dental hygiene program
Pittsfield— In response to a growing need for dental hygienists in Western Massachusetts, and to help attract students to the field, Berkshire Community College (BCC) has entered into an articulation agreement with Springfield Technical Community College (STCC). The agreement stipulates that BCC students may complete all 27 credits of their general education classes at BCC and are guaranteed a transfer of those credits to STCC towards an Associate in Science in Dental Hygiene degree, provided that students have earned a minimum grade of C in all equivalent courses. Once accepted into STCC, an additional 44 credits are required to complete the associate degree.
Lori Moon, BCC’s Dean of Nursing said, “There is a shortage of dental hygienists in the Berkshires, and this is the first step in trying to respond to the needs of our community.”
To apply to BCC, visit berkshirecc.edu. For assistance, email onestop@berkshirecc.edu or call (413) 499-4660.
***
MCLA and Berkshire Innovation Center partner for MBA Program to advance graduate experience and industry workforce needs
North Adams— Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) and Berkshire Innovation Center (BIC) are partnering on the Masters in Business Administration (MBA) program to enhance and expand experiences and career connections to prepare graduates for innovation-driven careers in the Berkshires and beyond.
Through this partnership, MCLA will contribute to the BIC’s efforts to foster growth within the life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and all regional technology and innovation-based sectors by being a collaborative-synergistic shaper of the student experience.
Starting this fall, BIC will host students for ten Saturdays through the spring for MBA students. The classes will be taught online and on-site at BIC in a hybrid format. Applications for the Fall 2023 program are due by August 18th.
“To explain an MBA influenced by innovation… you could substitute the word innovation for creativity. What we’re able to do by having the classes at the BIC is that we’re allowing students to be adjacent to the creative process,” said Dr. Dennis Rebelo, Chief Learning Officer at the BIC. “To be able to spark additional thinking that conjures up new ideas that can also be socially responsible is a big win.”
This partnership allows MCLA to fulfill the critical needs of the manufacturing industry in Berkshire County on both the undergraduate and graduate level to grow and enhance the future of the county’s workforce.
An MBA information session is scheduled for July 18th at 5 p.m. at BIC in the Milltown Board Room on the second floor. To register visit mcla.edu/mba.
***
Berkshire Community College to offer water quality monitoring certificate
Pittsfield— Berkshire Community College (BCC) announces the creation of a Water Quality Monitoring Certificate Program, a new offering for the fall 2023 semester. The program, designed to train the next generation of drinking water and wastewater professionals, requires the completion of three courses totaling 11 credits.
The certificate can be completed in as little as two semesters and is “stackable,” meaning credits earned can be applied toward an associate degree in Environmental Sciences.
“Since 2019, BCC science faculty has been training staff members of Berkshire County environmental organizations to sample area surface waters, including streams, ponds and outfalls, and to analyze those samples for a number of pollutants and indicators,” said Bruce Winn, Associate Professor of Environmental and Life Sciences. “We also have been providing ongoing support for these projects, which are undertaken under contracts with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Agency (DEP).”
Winn explained that the DEP encouraged BCC to offer a certificate that would provide the state with assurances that field workers have been trained in the equipment and processes needed for these environmental projects.
A skilled workforce for the water and wastewater industry is critical for public health. Small communities, such as those in Berkshire County, often lack a municipal water system and are instead served by small public water systems or private wells. As a result, there is a need for water quality monitoring in the communities served by BCC. Adding to this need is the fact that a huge wave of retirement in the water and wastewater industries is occurring, leaving many opportunities open for the next generation of trained workers in the field.
The BCC Water Quality Monitoring Certificate can help fill this need, with graduates finding work as wastewater operators or drinking water operators in a municipality or in private industry. Other opportunities include working as a contract operator, providing water quality sampling, certification and other services to small businesses.
For more information on the program, contact Bruce Winn at bwinn@berkshirecc.edu or (413) 236-4688.
