Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation Elects Officers03:38PM / Wednesday, May 09, 2012
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SHEFFIELD, Mass. — The board of directors of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation elected new officers at its recent meeting.
Berkshire Taconic is the community foundation for Berkshire County, Columbia and northeast Dutchess counties in New York, and northwest Litchfield County in Connecticut.
The new chairman is Christopher Kennan, of Millerton, N.Y., a four-year member of the board. Kennan replaces local attorney Virginia Stanton Smith of Pittsfield, who will remain a member of the board and Executive Committee. Bill Dunlaevy, of Lenox, was elected vice chairman.
"Serving as chair of Berkshire Taconic’s board for the past three years has been a tremendously rewarding experience," said Stanton Smith. I" leave the position of chair knowing that the foundation is in the capable hands of Chris and Bill and I look forward to continuing to serve our community as an active board member."
Kennan is a civic leader and private investor based in Dutchess County. He is president of Townscape of Millerton and North East, a local civic beautification organization, and also serves on the advisory board of foundation's Northeast Dutchess Fund. Over the years, he has worked in both the private and public sectors, including as a legislative liaison in the administration of former New Jersey Gov. Brendan Byrne and as director of economic development for Mercer County, N.J.
He was a senior associate for 11 years to David Rockefeller Sr. in New York City, advising on non-profit and economic development initiatives. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations in New York City and received his bachelor's degree in economics from Yale University. He and his wife, Catherine, and their children live near Millerton, N.Y.
"I have admired the work of Berkshire Taconic for years and it’s a great honor for me to take this leadership role,” Kennan said, “This year marks Berkshire Taconic’s 25th anniversary. My colleagues on the board and I look forward to including more people in our work to build stronger communities throughout the region. Our communities, and the people in them, face real challenges and need thoughtful and constructive help, now more than ever."
Other newly elected board officers are Dunlaevy, Gloria Callen of Millbrook, N.Y., as treasurer, and David Rich of Lakeville, Conn., as secretary. In addition, Sarah Stack of Clinton Corners, N.Y. , has rejoined the board after having served from 2005 to 2010.
Dunlaevy is the former chairman and CEO of Legacy Bancorp and Legacy Banks, which was sold in 2011. His civic leadership includes involvement with Berkshire Community College, Berkshire Business Roundtable, Berkshire Health Systems, Berkshire Regional Competitiveness Council, The Colonial Theatre Restoration Campaign, Pittsfield Boys’ & Girls’ Club, Pittsfield Municipal Airport Expansion Task Force and Berkshire Economic Development Corp.
His business leadership includes Depositors Insurance Fund, Massachusetts Bankers Association, and Savings Bank Life Insurance Co. of Massachusetts (SBLI). Dunlaevy is a graduate of Bowdoin College, received his master of business administration from the University of Massachusetts, and graduated from Brown University's Graduate School of Banking, and the College for Financial Planning. He and his wife, Susan, live in Lenox.
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