Great Barrington Public Theater names Judy Braha as Co-Artistic Director with Jim Frangione
Great Barrington— Great Barrington Public Theater announced that Associate Artistic Director Judy Braha has been named Co-Artistic Director with Jim Frangione.
Braha joined the artistic leadership team in 2023 as the Associate Artistic Director after two years of directing and development for the company. Her impressive portfolio of credits and accomplishments strengthened Great Barrington Public’s creative programming and offered new perspectives to the body of works and events produced each year.
Founder & Co-Artistic Director Jim Frangione says, “I couldn’t have asked for a better partner to help advance the interests of the theater as we move into the next phase of growth as the region’s premiere developmental theater. Judy brings a tremendous amount of experience and value to our company and has, in just a few short years, grown and greatly enhanced GB Public Theater’s signature program, Berkshires Voices, where playwrights develop their work, leading to public readings and in some cases workshops and full productions.”
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Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum announces the upcoming departure of its executive director James Capuzzi
Adams— The Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum announced the upcoming departure of its executive director James Capuzzi, who will be leaving at the end of the year to pursue a new opportunity closer to family in New Orleans.
Capuzzi leaves behind an impressive record of stability and growth. “With reliable funding sources developed by James, the museum can look towards planning events months and even years into the future. His outreach is nearly unparalleled in the Berkshires,” said Carol Crossed, Birthplace Museum president.
The museum board also credits Capuzzi with solid planning and direction, demonstrated by the exhibits and programs he has developed, including a new special exhibit opening in May: “The Rejected Stone: Justice & the American Founding,” a collaborative effort with the Adams Historical Society that will explore Susan B. Anthony’s connection to Adams and the abolitionist themes of Moncure Daniel Conway, an American abolitionist minister, radical writer, and a prominent figure in the antebellum South.
The Birthplace Museum board of directors will look to fill his position in the coming months. A job posting will be available at www.susanbanthonybirthplace.com in the coming weeks.
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MountainOne Bank names Peter Barrow to Commercial Portfolio Manager
North Adams— MountainOne announces the promotion of Peter Barrow to Commercial Portfolio Manager.
In this role, Barrow plays a key part in supporting the success of MountainOne’s commercial lending relationships. He brings financial insight, credit analysis expertise, and thoughtful collaboration to the lending process, working closely with commercial loan officers and business clients to ensure financing solutions are well-structured and aligned with business needs. Barrow will also monitor and manage existing loan relationships to support long-term portfolio health and client growth.
Barrow joined MountainOne in January 2022 as a commercial credit analyst and was promoted to senior commercial credit analyst in October 2024. His prior industry experience includes serving as a senior financial specialist at General Dynamics Mission Systems. Barrow holds a degree in finance from Siena College. He previously served as a coach for the Adams Cheshire Police Athletic Basketball League and as assistant coach for Adams Cheshire Youth Football.
“This role gives me the chance to continue building on the fundamentals I’ve learned and deepen my work with our commercial portfolio,” said Barrow. “I’m grateful for the support of my colleagues and excited to keep growing with MountainOne.”
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Berkshire Money Management welcomes Financial Advisor PJ Gagne
Dalton— Berkshire Money Management (BMM) announces that Financial Advisor PJ Gagne, AIF® has joined the firm.
Gagne brings a grounded, values-based approach to financial planning, helping professionals and business owners in their 50s and 60s answer life’s biggest financial questions and move toward retirement with clarity and confidence. PJ specializes in guiding clients through pivotal decisions, such as when to take Social Security, how to protect their children’s future, and how to turn a lifetime of hard work into long-term financial security. His collaborative planning style helps clients understand their best-case scenarios while preparing for uncertainties.
“PJ’s ability to simplify complex decisions and help clients move forward confidently makes him a tremendous addition to our team,” said Allen Harris, Founder and CEO of Berkshire Money Management. “His expertise will support our continued growth as we expand services across the region and open our new Williamstown office.”
Gagne holds a BA in Economics from Fairfield University. He is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) and a soccer coach.
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BFAIR announces promotion of Leanne Martin to Director of Day Habilitation Services
North Adams— BFAIR is proud to announce the promotion of Leanne Martin to Director of Day Habilitation Services. In her new role, Martin will oversee the continued development and enhancement of BFAIR’s Day Habilitation Services, ensuring programs remain person-centered, innovative, and aligned with the agency’s mission.
Martin has been a dedicated member of the BFAIR team since 2014, contributing more than a decade of commitment, compassion, and leadership to the agency’s Day Habilitation programs. Since 2023, she has served as Assistant Director, where she excelled in managing daily operations, guiding staff development, and supporting high-quality program delivery.
“Leanne’s promotion reflects her exceptional leadership, strong communication, and deep understanding of both our staff and the individuals we support,” said Erin Shea, VP of Quality Compliance. “Her growth and accomplishments over the past year have prepared her well for this next step.”
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Berkshire International Film Festival announces appointment of four new board members
Great Barrington— The Berkshire International Film Festival (BIFF) proudly announces the appointment of four new members to its board of directors: Mark Belsky of Lenox, Alyson Brandt of Great Barrington and New York, Ann Lombard of Westin and Stockbridge, and Lisa Pierpont of Boston and Richmond.
Mark Belsky retired from Hand Surgery after 40 years. He served as Chairman of Orthopedic Surgery at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, where he taught residents and medical students. He co-authored 35 peer-reviewed medical articles and has lectured nationally and internationally on his interest in hand injuries. Dr. Belsky served as the hand specialist for the Boston Red Sox, Bruins, and New England Patriots. While in Boston, he served for 20 years on the Boards of Jewish Family and Children’s Services and the Newton-Wellesley Hospital. In retirement, he keeps busy as an author and has published two medical spy thrillers. He lives in Lenox with his wife Nancy and their two standard poodles. He is presently an Advisor to the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Tufts University School of Medicine.
Alyson Brandt has a 37-year history as a senior leader at various organizational performance consulting firms, leading business transformations, mergers, and startups. She has managed P&Ls, corporate strategies, and budgets, and overseen heads of multiple departments for global businesses. Her roles included EVP, President, and Managing Director at Forum Corporation, now part of Korn Ferry, Fusion Learning, and dss+, formerly a Dupont company. She has consulted and advised companies across industries including American Express, BlackRock, Deloitte, Starwood Hotels, Unilever, and GE. Aly is also involved in the Berkshires community, chairs Naked Angels Theater Company in NYC, served on a Deloitte Advisory Board, and has received numerous industry awards. She and her husband Charlie split time between the Berkshires and NYC. Aly brings a deep appreciation and long-term support for the performing arts and has been actively involved in NY theater for over 20 years.
Ann Lombard began her professional career in JPMorgan’s corporate finance department where she specialized in the technology sector. While at JPMorgan, she was an inaugural member of its Equity Research department. Next, she joined Scudder, Stevens and Clark, an investment management firm serving global institutional and government clients, to be a member of its tech sector analyst team. After a hiatus from full-time work to raise a family, she re-entered the workforce as a Research Associate at Harvard Business School. While there, she served as Project Director and Senior Researcher for a joint project between HBS and Harvard’s Graduate School of Education to develop online leadership and management courses for K-12 school principals. Ann is a graduate of Vassar College and New York University’s Stern School of Business where she was awarded a Glucksman Fellowship. She and her husband, Peter, have been living part-time in the Berkshires since 1993.
Lisa Pierpont is an adjunct professor of broadcast journalism at Emerson College as well as an AI advice columnist for Boston Magazine. She is the founder and former editor-in-chief of Boldfacers.com, a multi-media digital publication spotlighting the area’s coolest talent and personalities, and a full-service production house. Most recently, she was the editor-in-chief/group editor of Boston Common Magazine, Interiors and Weddings Boston. For the previous fifteen years, Lisa was a three-time Emmy Award-winning producer for the Chronicle show, a nightly newsmagazine on WCVB-TV, the ABC affiliate in Boston. A graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, Lisa also contributes to various publications, including the Boston Globe, Boston Magazine and the New York Times as well as freelance producing for Harvard Business School, MIT, and Fortune 500 companies. She serves on the board for the Boston Ballet, Associates of Boston Public Library, Rehearsal for Life, AI-powered Women’s Summit@MIT, and the Boston Public Art Triennial. She is married to Brant Binder, a biotech and machine-learning entrepreneur. Between them, they have six children, two French bulldogs, one pug and a pig named Kevin Bacon.
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Berkshire United Way awards over $50,000 to 15 organizations for food assistance
Pittsfield— Berkshire United Way (BUW) has awarded $51,630 to 15 local organizations to strengthen food distribution efforts in response to rising food insecurity and recent disruptions in federal assistance programs such as SNAP.
Following a thorough application and review process, BUW provided funding to: Berkshire Bounty, Berkshire Community College Foundation, Berkshire Dream Center, Berkshire Grown, Community Health Programs (CHP), First United Methodist Church, Friends of the Pittsfield Senior Center, Great Barrington Farmers Market, Pittsfield Community Food Pantry, seeing rainbows, Sonrisas, The Christian Center, The People’s Pantry, Village Food Box, and Westside Legends.
“None of our Berkshire neighbors should face hunger,” said Katherine von Haefen, BUW president and CEO. “The quick and collaborative work of our local food organizations and the generosity of our community is a powerful reminder that when we come together, we can create lasting change.”
The funding combines local donations with support from the United Response Fund, which enabled all 13 United Ways in Massachusetts to expand and stabilize food access through increased pantry capacity, direct financial relief, and culturally appropriate food options. Support BUW and food and emergency relief at www.berkshireunitedway.org/donate.
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Adams Community Bank donates $50,000 in charitable donations to support food pantries
Adams— Adams Community Bank (ACB) announces $50,000 in charitable donations to support food pantries across Berkshire County, underscoring the Bank’s ongoing commitment to strengthening local communities and addressing food insecurity throughout the region.
This donation aims to help pantries meet rising demand for essential food supplies, especially as many households continue to face increased economic pressures. The funds will be distributed directly to food pantries serving families and individuals in need across the county’s cities and towns.
“As a community bank, our mission extends far beyond financial services,” said Julie Fallon Hughes, President and CEO of ACB. “We are dedicated to supporting the well-being of our neighbors. These food pantries play a critical role in ensuring families have access to nutritious food, and we are honored to help them continue this vital work.”
In conjunction with the donation, every ACB branch is hosting a bank-wide food drive through the end of December. Community members, customers, and employees are invited to drop off non-perishable food items at any branch location.
