The Trustees of Reservations names John Judge new president, CEO
BOSTON — The Board of Directors of The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) recently announced the appointment of John Judge as its fifth President and CEO. Judge joins The Trustees following his role leading the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC). The appointment follows an eight-month search.
As President and CEO, Judge will oversee all aspects of management for the conservation and preservation organization, which protects and cares for more than 120 properties for the public in perpetuity. Judge will lead the organization by setting strategy, advancing programmatic goals, fostering environmental innovation, and supporting a culture of diversity, inclusion, and equity. He will also work closely with the Board Chair and Directors to develop and nurture The Trustees’ staff and ensure effective governance and leadership.
The Trustees now welcomes 2 million visitors annually, with its membership reaching more than 100,000 households, and an annual operating budget topping $40 million. During the pandemic, the organization has welcomed visitors with increased interest in being outdoors to enjoy safe, enjoyable experiences across its full range of properties: from woodlands and farms, to museums, historic sites, and public gardens.
As President and CEO of the AMC for nearly a decade, Judge’s leadership has been rooted in community-building, increasing access to and engagement with the outdoors for all people, and tackling climate change. He has longstanding expertise in conservation policy, outdoor recreational infrastructure, nature system services, and climate resiliency. He has focused on welcoming diverse and urban audiences, with a focus on creative partnerships.
Prior to the AMC, Judge was the Chief City Planning and Economic Development Officer for the City of Springfield, where he oversaw redevelopment that included commercial and industrial projects and the establishment of the University of Massachusetts Design Center. Judge received his BA in economics from Stonehill College, and his Masters of Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School. He will begin his role with The Trustees in the new year.
Since last fall, Jocelyn Forbush has served as Acting President and CEO of The Trustees, following the illness and subsequent passing of its longtime CEO Barbara Erickson. Forbush will return to her prior role as Executive Vice President of The Trustees.
Over its 130-year history, The Trustees has continued to acquire and protect special places throughout Massachusetts. In the last four years, it has added six new reservations to its portfolio, including three in the last year — Jewell Hill, Ashby; Armstrong-Kelley Park, Osterville; and Becket Quarry, Becket. Other new reservations include a merger with deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in 2019, the largest merger in the organization’s history.
—A.K.
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BCC receives grant to support certified manufacturing program
PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Community College (BCC) has received a $4,000 grant from Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation to support the enrollment of 20 students in BCC’s Certified Manufacturing Associate Credential program.
The virtual training, spanning 4–6 weeks, comprises 25 courses taught in English or Spanish. Participants gain an introduction to the field of manufacturing and, in turn, significantly increase their chances of securing entry-level positions. After completion of the coursework, students must pass an exam in order to earn a Certified Manufacturing Associate credential from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME).
According to the “Berkshire Blueprint” published by 1Berkshire, the manufacturing industry adds the highest value to the regional economy, with a gross regional product of $917 million. With an aging workforce within the industry, the replacement need will be 45 percent in the next three to five years.
—A.K.
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Berkshire Money Management adds Chelsea Smith to client care team
DALTON — Berkshire Money Management (BMM), a boutique wealth management firm, recently welcomed Chelsea Smith to its Client Care team. She will assist with client onboarding, scheduling, and assisting current clients with their service needs.
Smith is a veteran customer service professional, and prior to joining the BMM family, was an administrative assistant in a busy orthopedic office. She also spent six years as a financial services representative/assistant branch manager in the banking industry, opening personal and business accounts, IRAs, trusts, CDs, and estates, as well as processing auto, home equity, and business loans. She is a Notary Public.
Smith earned her associate’s degree in liberal arts with a concentration in business administration from Berkshire Community College.
—A.K.
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Boyd Technologies announces strategic partnership, expansion
LEE — Boyd Technologies announced that it executed a strategic partnership in its single-use assembly business with plans to invest more than $5 million to expand its cleanroom manufacturing footprint, purchase new capital equipment, and hire employees. The planned investment is already underway; the first phase of new equipment arrived in the third quarter of 2021 and will be followed by the second phase of equipment later in 2022.
Boyd provides growth services to biomedical companies that are commercializing breakthrough technologies. By leveraging these services, companies can accelerate their product design, development, and manufacturing initiatives and launch new products safely and effectively. In this case, Boyd will produce single-use bags and tube set assemblies used in biotechnology applications. These products are used in bioprocessing for drugs and therapies and medical device applications such as blood, IV, and transfusion bags.
The biotechnology market grew steadily before the COVID-19 pandemic and is now experiencing a substantial increase in demand due to the global need for vaccines and other therapies. The partnership will allow Boyd Technologies to accelerate its expansion into this market and support significant growth for the company.
“Our partnership in single-use assemblies is one of the most important partnerships in the Company’s 40-year history,” said CEO Stephen Boyd. While the company currently operates in this market, this investment represents a significant expansion of capacity and capabilities. As a result, the company is anticipating an immediate scale-up of these investments in 2022.
—A.K.
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Jack Miller Contractors announces four recent hires
WILLIAMSTOWN — Jack Miller Contractors (JMC) has hired several new members to further build its organization: Billy Rogers as project manager, Alyssa Teeple as office manager and bookkeeper, and Scott Snyder as carpenter. Jacob Charbonneau, apprentice carpenter, was also hired in the past year. Jack Miller Contractors currently employs 20 professionals in the community.
As project manager, Billy Rogers is a forward-thinking leader offering 20-plus years of construction and contracting experience on large-scale projects. Well versed in supervising all phases of construction, schedule management, and workflow planning, Rogers worked with BBL Construction Services based in Albany, New York, for eight years before joining JMC. He is a graduate of Hudson Valley Community College with an associate’s degree in applied science in construction technology.
Alyssa Teeple has been working in office management, bookkeeping, customer support, and accounts receivable since 2013. As bookkeeper and office manager at JMC she works directly with the administrative team to manage all aspects of the business including accounting, payroll, accounts payable, reconciliation, and reports.
Scott Snyder is a skilled carpenter with more than 20 years’ experience in residential construction and remodeling, with in-depth knowledge of the construction process and finish carpentry. Snyder comes to JMC most recently from Carlano Construction in Boston, where he worked for 12 years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from St. Michael’s College.
Jacob Charbonneau is an apprentice carpenter at JMC who graduated from McCann Technical School with a focus on carpentry. He has experience in framing, roofing, drywall, siding, and deck installation and he is OSHA certified.
—A.K.
