Berkshire Museum Holds Annual Meeting
 |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Annual Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Berkshire Museum was held Monday, Sept. 22, in the museum’s theater.
The event included the election of the slate of officers: William M. Hines Jr. was elected president of the board for a fourth year. The following officers also continue to serve: Donna Krenicki, vice-president; Elizabeth McGraw, vice-president; Lydia S. Rosner, secretary; and Carol Riordan, treasurer.
Van Shields, executive director of the museum, gave a presentation titled "Transforming Lives in the 21st Century: From the Feigenbaum Hall of Innovation to World Ready Children," focused on new initiatives in education and programming under way at the museum.
“As I prepare to serve another year as board president, I am inspired by the accomplishments of the past twelve months at the Berkshire Museum,” Hines said. “From our collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution on the soon-to-open Spark!Lab to the publication of the book 'In Kindergarten' to the positive public response to the exhibition 'Butterflies,' it is clear that we are fulfilling our mission and serving the community in new and exciting ways. We have also made great strides in updating the museum with the addition of a passenger-operated elevator, improvements to conserve energy, and the renovation of our Crane Room ceiling.”
Trustees Mike Addy and Ethan Klepetar were re-elected for three-year terms. Trustee Elizabeth McGraw was re-elected for a two-year term. Trustees who continue to serve are Stephen Bayne, Jay Bikofsky, Howard J. Eberwein, Ursula Ehret-Dichter, Nancy Edman Feldman, David Glodt, Wendy Gordon, Charles Kittredge, Eric Korenman, Suzanne Nash, Jeffrey Noble, Jonathan Prince and Stacey Gillis Weber.
C. Jeffrey Cook, local attorney and former president and chairman of the Berkshire Museum Board of Trustees, was elected a Crane Honorary Life Trustee. Cook served on the board of the Berkshire Museum for 20 years, retiring in 2006. As a member of the Campaign Cabinet for the Wider Window Campaign that raised $10 million for the museum, Cook played a critical role in outreach to the business community, resulting in significant support for the campaign.
Cook is a partner in the law firm of Cohen Kinne Valicenti & Cook LLP, and has contributed to the community in many significant ways, including serving in leadership positions on the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, Berkshire Business Roundtable, 1Berkshire Strategic Alliance, and the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce. He has been active in the improvement of the Pittsfield Airport and the downtown Pittsfield revitalization effort. Cook has been a volunteer prayer leader and teacher at Congregation Knesset Israel for many years.
Michael Christopher was elected a Crane Honorary Life Trustee in 2011, having served as president, chairman and campaign chair during a 17-year tenure of leadership.
Berkshire Museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate. In association with the Smithsonian since 2013, Berkshire Museum is part of a select group of museums, cultural, educational and arts organizations that share the Smithsonian's resources with the nation.
Established by Zenas Crane in 1903, Berkshire Museum integrates art, history and natural science in a wide range of programs and exhibitions that inspire educational connections between the disciplines.
