Patrick, Selke Top "Most Influential" Poll
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| Annie Selke [photo courtesy of Annie Selke Companies] |
The top four individuals selected by those who voted [there was a third-place tie] are, in order of voter choice, state Governor-elect Deval Patrick, Pittsfield businesswoman Annie Selke, Berkshire Economic Development Commission president Tyler Fairbank and state Senator-elect Benjamin Downing.
Governor-elect Deval Patrick
Patrick's selection as a person of local influence isn't surprising. A mere 12 months ago, most state residents had not heard of him, and Patrick's seemingly meteoric rise to political recognition and ultimately, a Governor's term, is a powerful indicator of his impact and influence on people.
His announcement last week that millions of dollars in budget cuts made by Gov. Mitt Romney would be restored and thereby buoy several Berkshire projects and entities brought him nearer and dearer to the hearts of many. There is considerable Berkshire-based hope, a lot of Western Massachusetts optimism, attached to Patrick.
Annie Selke
Selke owns and operates Annie Selke Companies from a headquarters on Peck's Road in Pittsfield.
The companies are a trio of wholesale firms: Pine Cone Hill, a bedding, accessories and sleepwear company founded by Selke in 1994 at her Stockbridge home, Potluck Studios, which features a collection of original contemporary pottery,table linens, woodenware and wooden furniture, and the Dash and Albert Rug Company, which manufactures hooked, hand-loomed,woven and braided rugs for "real life, real people, and real dogs."
Selke's rug company promotion is not in jest. According to information made available by the company, "Watching her Chumber Spaniel, Dash, and her Basset hound, Albert, drooling and lolling about on the carpet one afternoon, Annie decided that the time has come for her to create a line of rugs that were beautiful and practical. Dog-friendly. Kid-friendly. [And wallet-friendly.]"
Her companies and products are an almost constant presence in magazines such as Country Home, Better Homes and Gardens, Traditional Home, and Real Simple, and Redbook magazine and the New York Times have spotlighted at least one of Selke's companies and the products.
The April issue of Woman's Day magazine is expected to dedicate eight pages to Selke company products.
Selke company products are sold in about 5,000 retail venues and Selke has a licensed line of upholstered furniture marketed through Lee Furniture.
"She really is kind of the darling of home and women's magazines," said Jaime Kelly, marketing director for Selke Companies, Inc..
Judging by the poll results, Selke's business savvy has grabbed Berkshire region attention as well.
Tyler Fairbank
Fairbank and the BEDC received much positive media coverage during 2006 and BEDC efforts have been credited with several Berkshire County business relocations and expansions.
"I'm honored and quite frankly, humbled to see this result," Fairbank said. "This does tell me that people are very interested in business development."
Company owners have lauded Fairbank and his efforts on their behalf.
The BEDC Internet web site www.berkshireedc.com offers a comprehensive look at business in the Berkshires, why companies open in the region and the area's amenities.
Senator-elect Benjamin Downing
Downing appears to possess an energy and a sincerity that struck a chord with the voters of the Berkshire region and portions of Franklin and Hampshire counties. He was elected in November to a state senate seat held for 10 years by Sen. Andrea F. Nuciforo Jr., who opted against seeking reelection.
Nuciforo successfully sought election as the Central Berkshire Register of Deeds.
Downing is expected to be sworn into office tomorrow [Jan. 3] and will be the youngest member of a Berkshire delegation whose most tenured member has four years experience.
The support shown to him by Berkshire residents is appreciated, Downing said.
"It is humbling to be considered among a group of individuals who have already done so much for our region," Downing said.
"I am looking forward to living up to the consideration the only way I know:by being the hardest-working Senator in the Commonwealth, listening to the individuals of Western Massachusetts and making sure their voices are heard on Beacon Hill."
