Editor’s Note: We had so much business news this week that we decided to break Business Briefs into two parts. This is the second part.
Lorraine Atwood has been named Vice President for Finance and Administration at Bennington College
Bennington— Lorraine Atwood has been named Vice President for Finance and Administration at Bennington College.
As part of the College’s leadership team, Lorraine will oversee the College’s financial operations, facilities management and planning, human resources, and information technology as well as conference services and dining services. She will also staff the Budget & Finance, Audit & Risk, Investment, and Campus Planning committees of the Board of Trustees.
Most recently, Atwood was the Vice President of Finance and Administration at Vermont Law and Graduate School. During her 22-year career, Vermont Law and Graduate School launched new revenue-generating initiatives. She recently implemented a bold strategic plan that includes expanding current programs and launching a graduate school.
Prior to her work in higher education, Atwood worked as a certified public accountant in a firm specializing in start-up and high-tech companies. She was among the second graduating class of the Vermont Leadership Institute at the Snelling Center. Atwood holds a master’s in Accountancy from Northeastern University and a bachelor’s in economics from Williams College.
“I am very excited to become part of the Bennington College community,” Atwood said. “Bennington is a very innovative school. I appreciate the opportunity to work with everyone and to move the mission forward.”
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Rev. Althea Jackson has been appointed pastor of Dalton United Methodist Church
Dalton— Rev. Althea Jackson has been appointed pastor of Dalton United Methodist Church. Rev. Jackson most recently served as pastor of New Covenant United Methodist Church in East Hartford, Connecticut.
Born in New Jersey and raised in the Boston area, Rev. Jackson was part of the efforts to integrate the Boston Public Schools through the busing programs Operation Exodus and METCO. She began her career teaching pre-school children at the private Christian school sponsored by her local church, Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church in Cambridge, Mass.
She attended Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary where she earned her Master of Divinity. She has pastored churches in Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island for the majority of her career, including churches in Fall River, Plymouth and Providence. An avid reader, she enjoys science fiction, fantasy and historical fiction and non-fiction.
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Judy Braha joins Great Barrington Public Theater (GBPT) in new role as Associate Artistic Director
Great Barrington— Long time director, actor, teacher Judy Braha joins Great Barrington Public Theater (GBPT) in new role as Associate Artistic Director. She brings strong, proven talent and a diverse portfolio of experience, most recently helmed GBPT’s hits “Mr. Fullerton” and “Things I Know to Be True”.
Ms. Braha comes aboard with an impressive portfolio of credits and accomplishments. She has been a career director, actor, teacher, and artist for social justice for over four decades. She headed up the M.F.A. Directing Program at Boston University’s School of Theater and has directorial credits in theaters and universities throughout New England.
“Judy has the strength of commitment, leadership, and passion for theater and how it affects communities that fit hand-in-glove with our founding mission and core beliefs,” Deann Simmons Halper explains. “Her artistic integrity, sense of stage esthetic and ability to make important choices that craft life from the script is a great asset to our company and growth.”
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Berkshire Country Day School teacher Ben Evans will lead the Gunnet-Shoval Family Imagination Lab located on the campus
Stockbridge— Local artist and Berkshire Country Day School (BCDS) teacher Ben Evans will lead the Gunnet-Shoval Family Imagination Lab located on the campus.
Mr. Evans is a studio potter and teaches art to students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. As an educator, he facilitates an experience-based studio, encouraging students’ curiosity about art, and, alongside them, he is always striving to “dig deeper.”
The Gunnet-Shoval Family Imagination Lab, opening in Fall 2023, integrates technology, art, and engineering, allowing BCD students in Early Childhood, Lower School, and Middle School divisions to dive into projects using 3D printers, laser cutters, woodworking, and other craft-making. “It is the intersection of what we do here at BCD, informing and inspiring imagination,” says Head of School Mary Warner.
“At BCD, more than anything else, we are student-focused”, says Warner. “The Gunnet-Shoval Imagination Lab is a natural and exciting extension of BCD’s curriculum and educational philosophy.”
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Berkshire Agricultural Ventures welcomes Martha Page to its board of directors
Great Barrington— Berkshire Agricultural Ventures (BAV), a growing nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting local agriculture and a resilient regional food system, is pleased to announce the appointment of Martha Page to its Board of Directors.
With her extensive experience in nonprofit, government, and private sector management, Martha brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to further strengthen BAV’s mission and impact across the Berkshire-Taconic region. Page joins the Board following her successful tenure as the Executive Director of Hartford Food System Inc, where she spearheaded innovative initiatives to address food security, promote equitable access to nutritious food, and foster community development. Her deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the food system will be invaluable in helping guide BAV’s strategic vision.
“I am so excited to join the Board of Berkshire Agricultural Ventures”, Martha Page said. “What they do to ensure strong farms and food businesses in this region resonates so strongly with my ongoing commitment to help build a resilient New England food system.”
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BART names director of athletics
Adams— The Berkshire Arts & Technology (BART) Charter Public School announces the selection of Richard LaRocque as the School’s Director of Athletics.
Mr. LaRocque, finishing his seventh year at BART, is a high school science teacher who has taught chemistry, anatomy & physiology, and environmental science. He is an MCLA alumnus, with a Bachelor of Science degree and a major in environmental studies and biology.
“Rich is a terrific science teacher,” states BART’s Executive Director Dr. Jay White, “and he shines as an enthusiastic member of the BART community. He has brought his love of athletics to BART as well—from organizing after-school pickup basketball, to serving as assistant coach of the boys’ basketball team, to this year serving as head coach of BART’s new interscholastic volleyball team. Rich will be a terrific Director of Athletics for BART, caring for and advancing BART sports in important ways.”
“Athletics is an essential part of BART”, says BART Assistant Principal, Marcus Hass. “Rich has a vision for BART’s Athletics, and I am confident that he will take us to the next level.”
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Ray Murray, Inc. celebrates 50th Anniversary
Lee— In 1973 Mr. Ray Murray founded Ray Murray, Inc. and began distributing gas equipment including Sherwood regulators and valves, copper, brass, cylinders, and other propane equipment products. The company started operations from Mr. Murray’s home in Stockbridge. As the business grew Mr. Murray was joined by his three sons Jim, Ray, and John Murray.
The company expanded rapidly with the addition of new employees and new products. This growth required several moves and facility expansions, culminating in the construction of RMI’s current headquarters in Lee in 2001. Over time the business evolved from primarily propane and compressed gas equipment with the addition of hearth and outdoor living products.
RMI’s rich history of growth and expansion includes the successful acquisitions of respected industry names Diversco-Prochem in 1989, McTier Supply in 2006, NRG Distributors in 2007, Best & Langston in 2015 and most recently MASDA Corporation in 2018. These acquisitions added locations, lines and employees to the RMI team.
“I look back with pride on 50 years of RMI. From our humble beginnings operating out of Mr. Murray’s home to becoming one of the leading distributors in gas equipment, hearth and grills. RMI remains committed to continuing the legacy of exceptional value added service. We have an outstanding employee team, and working together we will add new chapters to the RMI story in the coming years.” – Mike Hopsicker, President & CEO
