MASS MoCA announces leadership succession plan
North Adams — Joseph Thompson, who has led MASS MoCA since its founding in 1988, recently announced his plans to step down as director. He will stay on for the next 12 months as special counsel to the board of trustees. In this new role, Thompson will focus on institutional advancement and special projects. The board of trustees plans to conduct a search for a new permanent director, considering both internal and external candidates.
Tracy Moore has been appointed to serve as interim director following Thompson’s transition to his new role Thursday, Oct. 29. Moore, who has over 18 years of experience in contemporary art museum programming, management and leadership, joined MASS MoCA in 2019 and serves as deputy director and chief operating officer, overseeing finance and operations.
During Thompson’s tenure, the institution hosted more than 10,000 artists, working across all media. Annual visitation has grown from 60,000 in the early years of the museum to 300,000 per year (pre-COVID-19), close to 25 times the population of its hometown. The developed footprint of the 24-building factory campus has grown from 200,000 square feet in five buildings to 550,000 square feet in 17 buildings, making MASS MoCA the largest institution in the United States devoted to new art.
“I know of no other institution specifically founded with a two-fold mission to be a platform for new art, but also to use that creative energy to spark economic growth and community redevelopment,” said Thompson. “That’s a noble mission in today’s world. At the end of the day, strong, sustainable institutions are about people, values, shared passions, and a disciplined work ethic. We in the arts and culture business know how deeply and directly the arts – and creativity in general – can fuel community development and commercial vitality. MASS MoCA and North Adams demonstrate that every day. I’ve been lucky to work with so many spirited colleagues and supporters over the years who understand this dynamic deep in their bones. But that work is just getting started.”
–E.E.
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Young people complete virtual employment in Pittsfield Youth Works program
Pittsfield — MassHire Berkshire Career Center hosted a virtual community celebration Aug. 14 to honor the 26 youth participants from Pittsfield and North Adams who completed virtual work experiences in this summer’s 16th annual Pittsfield Youth Works program. Sen. Adam Hinds, D-Pittsfield, and North Adams Mayor Thomas Bernard participated in the event. This summer’s Youth Works program was significantly restructured due to COVID-19, with MassHire Berkshire Career Center pivoting to a new model to provide youth with innovative services and safe, enriching work experiences in partnership with the Commonwealth Corporation and the Berkshire Workforce Board. Youth Works is funded by the Commonwealth Corporation’s Center for Youth Development and Education under the state’s Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.
The program this summer consisted of three virtual tiers with participants receiving hourly wages or weekly stipends. In Tier 1, youth participants grew vegetables with guidance from Martha Lavally Tanner at Whitney’s Farm Market & Garden Center, developed healthy recipes, tried new physical and meditation exercises, and used their experiences to create a promotional campaign for staying well. Tier 2 participants researched and developed a social media strategy for MassHire Berkshire Career Center. Participants learned how to do a SWOT analysis, assess effective practices and generate a presentation, 30-day Facebook calendar and sample social media communications. They also received weekly interactive lessons from Williamstown Theatre Festival. Tier 3 participants completed a customer service certificate program from which they received nationally recognized credentials, employability and custodial skills training through the Goodwill Industries of the Berkshires and Southern Vermont.
MassHire provided all youth participants with work readiness training using Youth Works Strong, a virtual career development program designed by Commonwealth Corporation. Participants also engaged in virtual, self-paced and live interactive Signal Success modules and project-based learning experience,s and received group and individual case management services. All Youth Works participants engaged with professionals through “Lunch and Learns” that provided insight on the state and region’s emerging and critical industry sectors. Participants received certificates of completion and also earned work readiness credentials.
–E.E.
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Hostetler joins CHP Lee Family Practice
Lee — CHP Lee Family Practice has added a new family nurse practitioner to its clinical team. Janell Hostetler, MSN, ARNP, FNP-BC, received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from Chamberlain University in Illinois, and she is board-certified in family health by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
She is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, the Golden Key International Honour Society and the American Nurses Association. She has also served as a volunteer with the ABCCM free clinic and women’s shelter in North Carolina. She worked most recently in Boston, where she served as a nurse practitioner at Franciscan Children’s. Previously, she worked for 10 years as a registered nurse in both adult and pediatric critical care settings in Boston, Seattle, Utah, Texas, Florida and North Carolina.
As a family trained nurse practitioner, Hostetler’s clinical focus includes adult/pediatric and LGBTQIA+ care, wellness, prevention and mindfulness. In addition to her registered nursing and family nurse practitioner certification, she is certified in pediatric advanced life support, and certified basic life support. She is bilingual in English and Spanish and is committed to personalized and compassionate patient care.
–E.E.
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Bain to manage Salisbury Bank’s Canaan branch
Canaan, Conn. — Salisbury Bank and Trust Company has announced the promotion of Meaghan Bain to assistant vice president, branch manager of its Canaan branch.
Said Amy Raymond, executive vice president, chief retail banking officer, CRA Officer: “Meaghan brings with her over 14 years of banking experience and strives to provide an excellent customer experience. Meaghan has strong ties to the town of Canaan and is excited to be working in a community she considers home.”
Bain joined Salisbury Bank in May 2006, and has been working as the assistant branch manager in Lakeville and Salisbury. She will transition to her new role during the month of August.
–E.E.
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Berkshire Money Management’s Marcotte earns degree in personal financial planning
Dalton — Berkshire Money Management has announced that Zack Marcotte, CFP, has completed a course program through the College for Financial Planning, earning a Master of Science in personal financial planning. Marcotte has been working with BMM for almost 13 years, beginning his career as an 18-year-old intern.
The course program consists of research projects, weekly assignments, group discussions and hands-on case studies as well as an end-of-program case study submission. Rather than exam preparation, the curriculum focuses on practical application. Students learn via group discussions, writing assignments and case study projects.
Marcotte now also holds a Master Planner Advanced Studies designation as a result of his work. All designees have agreed to adhere to standards of professional conduct and are subject to a disciplinary process. Designees renew their designation every two years by completing 40 hours of content-specific continuing education.
–E.E.
