Berkshire United Way Announces New Hires, Promotions

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire United Way has announced new hires and promotions that position the organization to expand its leadership role in the community and enhance fundraising efforts to create sustainable change in the community.  

Jennifer Kerwood has been hired as vice president of Development and Joey Esposito as coordinator of Marketing and Communications. In addition, the organization has promoted five: Nancy Stoll to vice president of Community Impact, Karen Vogel to Community Impact program manager, Jonah Sykes to Development manager, Erin Breen to Donor Database specialist and Valerie Schueckler to senior accountant.

Kerwood returns to Berkshire United Way after 15 years. She will oversee the development team that works to acquire and maintain the financial support that ensures Berkshire United Way can continue to lead the efforts for community improvement. Kerwood has a master of business administration from UMass Amherst and prior to her return to Berkshire United Way served as the director of Development and Alumni Relations at Berkshire Community College.

“We’re very excited about the new additions and growth happening at Berkshire United Way,” said Kristine Hazzard, President and CEO. “Jenn’s return is a welcome one. She’s proven herself as a leader in the community and we’re confident she’ll help diversify our funding and strengthen our impact in the Berkshires.”

Esposito will be managing Berkshire United Way’s contact with the press as well as coordinating its marketing initiatives across Berkshire County to raise awareness of the organization’s continued efforts to improve the quality of life for all in our community. Esposito is a writer and was a senior editor for the entertainment website IGN in Los Angeles, until returning home to the Berkshires and serving as trade show coordinator at Laurin Publishing.

“Joey comes to us with an eclectic background that we think will help offer a fresh pair of eyes to the way Berkshire United Way communicates with our constituents and is represented in the community,” Hazzard said.

As vice president of Community Impact, Stoll  is continuing her tenure at Berkshire United Way after serving as director of Community Impact for six years. In her new position, she will continue to oversee Berkshire United Way’s persistent efforts to improve early childhood literacy, positive youth development, and financial stability in Berkshire County. In addition, she will lead the implementation of new strategies to work with local businesses to address the financial challenges faced by their workforce.   



Stoll will be assisted by Vogel, currently in her third year with Berkshire United Way. Vogel most recently served as coordinator of Early Childhood, a function she will expand on with the hiring of a South County Liaison to lead the efforts of Chapter One: Our Towns, Our Kids, Our Future, an early literacy campaign being initiated with the communities served by the Lee, Lenox, Berkshire Hills, Southern Berkshire, and Farmington River School Districts.

Sykes has been with Berkshire United Way four years in a variety of roles, previously serving as executive assistant to the president and most recently as coordinator of Marketing and Communications. His new position as Development manager will find him supporting the development team in the planning and execution of more than 200 workplace campaigns, as well as working with the staff and board in connecting with donors, volunteers, and community advocates year round.

Breen has been a key asset to the development team for two years as a Resource Development assistant and will transition to the new role of Donor Database specialist where she will manage Berkshire United Way’s ever-growing list of businesses, donors, and volunteers that are essential to the organization’s success.

Schueckler began as finance associate with Berkshire United Way in November 2014 and will be taking on more responsibility as senior accountant, handling various financial duties, including grant reporting, to ensure the organization is compliant with the expectations of its expanding funding sources.  

      

 


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MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.

Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.

BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.

The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.

It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.

Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.  

Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street. 

The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.

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