Southern Berkshire Chamber Names Iredale Business Person of the Year

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Jane Iredale of Iredale Mineral Cosmetics has been named the recipient of the 2011 Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce’s Business Person of the Year award. The award will be presented at a cocktail reception and tribute to Iredale on Wednesday, Sept. 14, from 5:30 to 7:30 at the Norman Rockwell Museum.

The Business Person of the Year award is given annually to a chamber member who is a role model to other business people in the community, has strong leadership qualities and maintains a positive work environment. The recipient is also honored for personal contributions to the economic, social and cultural needs of the Southern Berkshire community.

“Jane is the perfect choice for this award because of her integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and numerous personal contributions to the Southern Berkshire community that go well beyond her immediate business interests," said Chamber President Kate McCormick of McCormick, Murtagh & Marcus.

Iredale is the president and founder of Iredale Mineral Cosmetics. The company was founded in 1994 in Austerlitz, N.Y. and moved to the building it renovated at 28 Church St. in 2000.  IMC currently employs 90 people in the Great Barrington office and 60 in the field.  The company distributes into 47 countries. Its international presence is so strong that Iredale Mineral Cosmetics was recently awarded the Diplomat’s Award from the State of Massachusetts.

Iredale was the first to supply the aesthetics industry with a full line of makeup based on minerals and the first to see the potential of offering physicians a makeup that was good for the skin. 

In addition to her success with Iredale Mineral Cosmetics, Iredale is a philanthropic leader in the community. She serves on the board of The Mahaiwe Performing Arts and Shakespeare & Company.  She is a member of the Creative Economy and Berkshire Green.  She and her company have renovated four buildings on Church Street and are in the process of renovating Bryant School to serve as IMC’s World headquarters.  Three years ago, she led a volunteer effort to restore the band stand and has just put the finishing touches to Giggle Park the new children’s playground behind town hall.  “I had the idea and chose the pieces but it was my husband, Bob Montgomery, and Craig Okerstrom Lang who made it happen,” she says. 

“The Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce is honored to name Jane Iredale as the 2011 Business Person of the Year. The policies and projects she has fostered have had such a positive impact on the overall economy of south county.  Her corporate headquarters has brought renewal to part of our downtown core and she has been a generous supporter of the local creative economy and other women business owners," said Chamber Executive Director Christine Ludwiszewski.

Tickets to the Business Person of the Year cocktail reception and tribute can be purchased through the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce for $50 per person; a “Business Leaders” package costs $250, which includes two tickets and event recognition.  Reservations must be made by Sept. 1.

For more information on this event or to learn more about sponsorship opportunities, contact Ludwiszewski at 413-528-4284 or ed@rnetworx.com. For more information about the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, visit www.southernberkshirechamber.com.

(More iBerkshires coverage on Iredale Mineral Cosmetics can be found here.)