Blue Rider Stables appoints interim executive director
Egremont — Blue Rider Stables has promoted Stephanie Bergman as its interim executive director. Bergman, who has served as Blue Rider Stables’ operations manager for three years, holds a master’s degree in environmental education from the Audubon Expedition Institute at Lesley University in Cambridge and a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Michigan. She has over 20 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector and is passionate about helping charitable organizations increase their capacities through program development and evaluation, community-client relations and fundraising. Blue Rider Stables’ co-founder and former executive director Christine Sierau will now focus exclusively on program delivery in her role as head riding instructor.
–E.E.
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BCC hires new reference librarian
Pittsfield — Berkshire Community College has announced that Andrea Robare has been hired as its Jonathan Edwards Library’s full-time reference librarian and will work closely with Karen Carreras-Hubbard, its coordinator of library services, to expand information literacy and other library services across the campus.
Robare, who lives in North Adams, previously worked for 10 years as the reference and instructional librarian at Southern Vermont College. She holds a Master of Science in Information Systems in library services from the State University of New York at Albany; a Bachelor of Arts in English from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, and an associate degree in selected studies from BCC.
–E.E.
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Jacob’s Pillow receives cultural facilities, Feigenbaum grants
Becket — Jacob’s Pillow Dance recently received a $225,000 grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund to support the construction of its new dance rehearsal and event space, the Perles Family Studio, set to break ground next month and which will be the home of the School at Jacob’s Pillow and will host year-round community events and activities, professional convenings, choreographic research and technical residencies. CFF grants support projects that create jobs in construction and cultural tourism; expand access and education in the arts, humanities, and sciences; and improve the quality of life in cities and towns across the Commonwealth. The Pillow’s $225,000 award, its sixth CFF grant, is among the largest grants distributed in this round.
The Pillow reports that it has also received $10,000 from the Feigenbaum Foundation in support of its Pillow Pop-Up performances at Pittsfield’s Third Thursday events.
–E.E.
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Cyber security workshop aimed at nonprofits
Great Barrington — The Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires, in collaboration with the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, will present “Cyber Security for Small Businesses and Nonprofits” on Tuesday, Aug. 1, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Berkshire Community College’s South County Center.
The two-hour workshop, led by information technology consultant Rob Horner, will include information about the most important computer security practices, what to do if one’s computer or email gets hacked, how to secure email accounts and browsers, common types of malware and anti-malware techniques, and other tips to prevent security issues and identity theft.
The cost of the workshop is $25 for NPC and chamber members and $35 for nonmembers. For more information or to register, contact NPC at (413) 441-9542.
–E.E.
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Salisbury Bank promotes Sinchak to vice president, marketing and sales administration manager
Lakeville, Conn. — Salisbury Bank has announced its promotion of Julianna Sinchak to vice president, marketing and sales administration manager. Sinchak has worked for Salisbury Bank since 2005 and has held various positions in its retail, commercial credit and business development departments. She is a graduate of the American Bankers Association School of Bank Marketing and Management and holds a Certified Financial Marketing Professional (CFMP) designation through the Institute of Certified Bankers. She lives in Hillsdale, New York, with her husband, Patrick, and their son, Joseph.
–E.E.
