Big Brothers Big Sisters Appoints New Directors

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Big Brother Big Sisters of Berkshire County has appointed three new directors to its board: Ed Olimpo, Joan McMenemy and Terri Digrigoli.

New officers named for the board are Dan Zunitch, president, and Linda Febles, vice president

"We are pleased to welcome three outstanding local people to the board and two new officers. We look forward to working with them," said Mike Monti, outgoing president. "They bring passion, experience and an enthusiasm to the team. In addition to their organizational and leadership skills, they also bring a genuine love and concern for the residents of Berkshire County — both children and adults alike."

Dan Zunitch
Zunitch owns Business Point Systems and provides industry certifications and workforce skills teaching courses both independently and through partnerships with Holyoke Community College and Mount Wachusett Community College. Zunitch has a bachelor of arts degree in computer science from Brandeis University. He is vice chairman of the steering committee for the Pittsfield Prevention Partnership and a member of the Pittsfield Tree Watch.

Linda A. Febles
Febles, an account executive with Coakley, Pierpan, Dolan & Collins Insurance Agency Inc., has 25 years experience in the insurance industry and holds a certified professional insurance woman designation and certified insurance service representative designation and is working toward others. Febles is a past Berkshire Chapter director of Massachusetts Insurance for Women and is on the board of directors for the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce and has recently joined the board of directors for AdLib Inc. Center for Independent Living.
 
Ed Olimpo
Olimpo is a marketing and design consultant who previously worked with startups and Fortune 500 consulting firms in New York, New Jersey and Georgia prior to moving to Pittsfield. He has a bachelor of science in marketing/management from Siena College. Olimpo is also treasurer of the AdLib Center for Independent Living and a graduate of the Berkshire Leadership Program class of 2008.
 
Joan McMenemy

Terri DiGrigoli
DiGrigoli is a coordinator and case manager at the Juvenile Resource Center working with at-risk youth. She has a bachelor's degree in psychology from Worcester State College and a master's in education with a concentration in guidance from Cambridge College. DiGrigoli worked as a part-time guidance counselor at Herberg Middle School with the Key Program as an outreach tracker.

Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Berkshire County seek volunteers from all walks of life who share the common goal of wanting to help a child.

"It's easy to get involved — you don't have to change your life, you just have to make a bit of room for a new friend. It does not matter if your 17 or 70, there is always a way to help," said Monti. "The benefits of the Big Brothers Big Sisters one-to-one approach to mentoring are significant and measurable. Children matched in the program are more able to develop a positive perspective, which empowers them to make better decisions and become responsible adults who give back to their community." 
 
Anyone wishing to learn more about volunteering in Berkshire County should call 413-443-9471.
 
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berkshire County has been serving children in Berkshire County since 1969, starting out as Big Brothers of Pittsfield, then in 1987 as Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. The Mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berkshire County is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with measurable outcomes. Big Brothers Big Sisters is the only nationally affiliated agency in Berkshire County whose mission is solely devoted to mentoring. More information can be found at www.berkshirebbbs.org.

Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:23PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Albert Ingegni III tells the council about how his father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo who died at age 94 in 2020, enjoyed his many years serving the city and told Ingegni to do the same. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's not every day that a citizen is recognized for decades of service to a local board — except for Tuesday.

Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.

"It's not every day that you get to stand before the City Council in honor of a Pittsfield citizen who has dedicated 40 years of his life serving on a board or commission," he said.

"As we say that, I know that there are many people that want to serve on boards and commissions and this office will take any resume that there is and evaluate each person but tonight, we're here to honor Albert Ingegni."

The honoree is currently chair of the ZBA, which handles applicants who are appealing a decision or asking for a variance.

Ingegni said he was thinking on the ride over about his late father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo, who told him to "enjoy every moment of it because it goes really quickly."

"He was right," he said. "Thank you all."

The council accepted $18,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and a  $310,060 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program.