Stacey Gravanis Appointed General Manager of the Red Lion Inn, Stockbridge, Mass.
Stockbridge—The Red Lion Inn is pleased to announce the appointment of Stacey Gravanis as its new General Manager. With a distinguished career in hotel management spanning over two decades, Gravanis brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success to one of Massachusetts’ most cherished historic hotels.
Gravanis’s career in the hospitality industry is marked by significant achievements across various leadership roles, including Vice President and General Manager positions at prominent hotel brands. Her expertise encompasses a wide range of disciplines such as P&L management, financial reporting, team leadership, strategic planning, negotiations, communication, client relationships, business development, and operations management.
Prior to joining the Red Lion Inn, Gravanis served as the Area General Manager for Aimbridge Hospitality, where she was responsible for overseeing operations at three properties in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Gravanis also served as the Vice President and General Manager at Falcon Hotel Corporation/Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel. There, she led a team of 160 employees at a 325-room downtown property.
“Our mission is to create spaces that will enable people to connect in meaningful ways and Stacey embodies that principle,” said Sarah Eustis, CEO of Main Street Hospitality. “We are lucky and honored for her to take over as the next steward of the Red Lion Inn.”
At the Red Lion Inn, Gravanis will leverage her extensive experience to enhance the operational excellence and guest satisfaction that the inn is known for. “I am thrilled to join the Red Lion Inn and contribute to its legacy of exceptional hospitality,” said Gravanis. “This role is a unique opportunity to blend my passion for service excellence with the rich history and charm of this iconic property.”
For more information about Main Street Hospitality Group, please visit mainstreethospitalitygroup.com.
***
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts welcomes three new faculty members
North Adams— Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) is pleased to announce that three new faculty members will be joining the Trailblazer community for the College’s fall semester, Dr. Normadeane Armstrong, Dr. Mohsen Danesh, and Dr. Laura Hancock.
Dr. Normadeane Armstrong joins MCLA’s Nursing/Biology Department as a professor. She is a nurse practitioner specializing in global/public health and epidemiology, with more than 30 years of experience in academia and four decades in nursing. Her extensive career includes volunteering as a medical professional in clinics worldwide and presenting research at national and international conferences such as the International Council on Infectious Diseases and the Mayo Clinic. She has authored articles in respected journals, including The Lancet, The Journal of The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Educator, and the International Journal of Infectious Diseases. Dr. Armstrong earned her Ph.D. in international health from Touro University, holds an Adult Nurse Practitioner certification from SUNY Stony Brook, and is recognized as a Fulbright Specialist Roster Member.
Dr. Mohsen Danesh joins MCLA’s Business Department as an assistant professor. He obtained his Ph.D. in finance from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. He has a deep passion for education and helping students understand the intricacies of the field of finance. He takes a personal approach to teaching, catering and adapting his material to meet his students’ needs. Dr. Danesh’s goal is to help his students realize the utmost from their investment in higher education.
Dr. Laura Hancock joins MCLA’s Biology Department as a visiting assistant professor. She is an ecological and wildlife researcher and holds a Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass). Her research interests focus on the population ecology of wildlife, specifically, the drivers of population structuring, resource use, and distribution patterns seen across multiple spatial scales. Her work spans taxa, from invasive New England plants to threatened bats in the intermountain western U.S. In addition to research and implementing ecological conservation initiatives through work with regional nonprofits, Dr. Hancock is passionate about teaching, science policy, and science communication; she has designed and taught courses within the UMass College of Natural Sciences and has co-founded, led, and/or written award-winning pieces for science communication and science policy platforms and social media accounts. She holds an M.S. from UMass and a B.S. from Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia. She interned with the NASA DEVELOP program, served as a Biology Fellow with the National Park Service and as chief financial officer and executive leader for the UMass Amherst Graduate Student Senate, and was a 2023 National Academy of Sciences Science and Technology Policy Fellow.
***
Hildene welcomes new board members and board chair
Manchester, V.T.— Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home, proudly announces the appointment of three distinguished individuals to its board of directors, including a new chair.
Robert (Bob) Hallenbeck, named the new Chair of the Board, brings a wealth of experience in law, business strategy, and board leadership. Hallenbeck has been a board member since 2022. His passion for Hildene’s mission of promoting civil discourse, sustainability, and “values into action” approach aligns perfectly with the organization’s goals. Hallenbeck is particularly enthusiastic about the opportunities presented by the new Lincoln Hall addition to the estate.
Walker S. Kimball III, a Vermont native and UVM graduate, joins the board with an impressive background in construction and historic preservation. Currently a Senior Vice President at Bechtel Construction Company in Texas, Kimball’s expertise spans nearly five decades. His deep roots in Manchester and longstanding connection to Hildene make him a valuable addition to the board.
Megan Mayhew-Bergman, Director of Creative Writing at Middlebury College, brings her storytelling prowess and environmental advocacy to Hildene’s board. A published author and contributor to prestigious publications such as The Guardian, The New Yorker, and The New York Times, Mayhew-Bergman’s passion for bold women’s stories, giving her an affinity for Peggy Lincoln, adds a unique perspective to the board.
“These highly accomplished individuals will be instrumental in shaping Hildene’s future,” said Brian Keefe, President of Hildene. “Their diverse experiences and shared commitment to education, sustainability, and civic responsibility will drive our mission forward.”
***
1Berkshire announces the 2024 Berkshire Trendsetter Award finalists
Berkshire— 1Berkshire is excited to announce the finalists for the 2024 Berkshire Trendsetter Awards, which recognize outstanding initiatives, talented people, and innovative organizations moving the Berkshires forward. Winners will be announced at the 11th annual Celebrate the Berkshires event on September 19th at the Pittsfield Municipal Airport.
This year’s “Putting the Berkshires on the Map” honoree is The Fairbank Group, in recognition of the meaningful contribution they and their businesses have made to the Berkshire economy.
The Wanda Houston Band will play during the reception.
2024 Berkshire Trendsetter Awards categories and finalists:
Driving Visitor Engagement:
- ArtWeek Berkshires, a collaboration of the Cultural Districts of Berkshire County
- Berkshire Botanical Garden
- BerkshiresOutside.org
- The Mount
- Norman Rockwell Museum
Advancing Our Economy:
- Berkshire Innovation Center
- CDC South Berkshire
- EMA
- Alander Construction
- Moresi & Associates
Nonprofit Collaborator:
- AYJ Fund
- Berkshire Natural Resources Council
- Berkshire United Way
- Latinas413
- Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires
Under 40 Change-Maker:
- Abigail Allard
- Marina Dominguez
- Jonah Sykes
- Tarah Warner
Visionary of the Year:
- Choices Mentoring
- Roots Rising
- Second Chance Composting
- Woven Roots Farm
- Guido’s
Breaking the Mold:
- Berkshire Funding Focus
- Dri
- Let it Shine! public art partnership
- Jenny Wright
- Full Well Farm
For more information, visit 1Berkshire.com.
***
Springfield Museums announce 2024 Ubora and Ahadi Award recipients
Springfield— The African Hall Committee of the Springfield Museums is pleased to announce the recipients of the prestigious Ubora Award and Ahadi Youth Award, which will be presented at a special ceremony at the Museums on Saturday, September 21st at 6 p.m. Rosemary Tracy Woods, Executive Director of Art for the Soul Gallery, is this year’s Ubora Award recipient, and Jackson Counsel-Watkins, a 2024 graduate of Central High School who is now a freshman at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, was chosen for the Ahadi Youth Award.
Named for the Swahili word meaning “excellence,” the Ubora Award has been awarded annually since 1992 to an African American adult who has demonstrated a commitment to Greater Springfield and has exhibited excellence in the fields of community service, education, science, humanities, or the arts. Rosemary Tracy Woods is known throughout New England as a passionate advocate for social justice. In her role at Art for the Soul, Ms. Woods has championed the transformative power of artistic expression, particularly for African American and Latinx communities, Native American artists, and those with disabilities like the visually and hearing impaired. In every initiative, Ms. Woods exemplifies how art can drive meaningful social change and empowerment. Her journey is not just a career but a lifelong commitment to ensuring the arts are a vibrant and inclusive space for all.
Jackson Counsel-Watkins was selected as the Ahadi Youth Award recipient, given since 2009 to an African American student (age 19 or younger) who embodies the Swahili word for “promise” and excels both in academics and service to the Greater Springfield community. She received the news at a church service, a surprise made even more special by being surrounded by members of the community whom she has long admired. An outstanding student with a GPA of 4.0, Jackson is the co-founder of Central High School’s Black Student Union and served as its first president. In this role, she fostered an environment of inclusivity and empowerment for her peers. She served two years on the Hampden County District Attorney Youth Advisory Board. At UMass Amherst, Jackson plans to major in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with the goal of becoming a speech-language pathologist. She credits her mother with inspiring her to work hard, be kind, and help others.
The 2024 Ubora and Ahadi Awards Ceremony is open to the public; to purchase tickets or donate to the Ahadi Scholarship Fund, visit SpringfieldMuseums.org/ubora.
***
MCLA Education Department to host evening professional development event at Berkshire Innovation Center
North Adams— On Friday, September 27th at 4:30 p.m., the MCLA Alumni Association and the MCLA Division of Graduate and Continuing Education (DGCE) will gather at the Berkshire Innovation Center (BIC) at 45 Woodlawn Avenue in Pittsfield for an evening of professional development and networking.
Alumni and guests will hear from MCLA education experts and their insights on the latest trends, strategies, and innovations. “We’re starting to combine events with alumni and our current educators in the field,” said Lynette Bond, Dean of Graduate and Continuing Education at MCLA. “It’s great for everyone to have a chance to network and talk through challenges and opportunities about what’s happening in the field today.”
MCLA Associate Professor of Education Dr. Maggie Clark will present on the current and new programming at the college, while other presenters and educators will talk about developments in the field, including resources for educators working on emergency teaching licenses.
Registration is free and requested by September 16th. It includes light bites and a drink ticket. Registration and more information can be found by visiting https://www.mcla.edu/academics/graduate/index.php or by contacting alumni@mcla.edu.
