Berkshire County Arc Names New Director of Staff Development and Training

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire County Arc has promoted Shaun Hall to the position of director of Staff Development and Training.

Hall has been a valued employee for BCArc for 18 years, most recently being honored with the 2017 BCArc Employee of the Year award. Previously he was a BCArc employment manager for 10 years, working to find employment opportunities for people with disabilities.  

Seven years ago, Hall was promoted to the new position of staff development specialist. The position's focus was to standardize the training throughout the agency. He has been instrumental in this position for the agency and grew his department to a team of three additional staff to create the Staff Development & Training Department. The department now ensures annual training plans that meet the skill requirements for all agency positions, developed an online training resource for staff development and oversees the development of electronic files for all individuals served by BCArc.  

"We are pleased to promoted Shaun Hall to this position. His dedication has helped to develop our Staff Development Department with forward momentum such as the use of online trainings and electronic files for those we serve over the past seven years," Paul S. Gavrity, vice president of Administration and Employment Services at Berkshire County Arc, said.

Hall lives in Lee with his wife and four daughters. He is involved in many community activities: Lee High School JV Girl's Assistant basketball coach, Travel & Recreational basketball and soccer coach, and is known for his fried dough at Founder's Day weekend.

Cyclists Pedal Into Berkshire Bike Month

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
06:42AM / Saturday, May 04, 2024

Berkshire Bike Path Council President Marge Cohan addresses bikers at the event. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Clad in helmets and bright colors, more than 20 people gathered in Park Square to kick on Berkshire Bike Month on Wednesday.

The month of May will be stacked with bicycle-centered events throughout the county — beginning with an eight-mile loop from the city's center that ends at Hot Plate Brewing Co.

"We have we have a lot of things going on in Pittsfield for bicycles and for safety," Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities Ricardo Morales said.

"We're not anywhere near where we should be. We have a lot of work to do."

Bike month is meant to promote the safe use of streets for anyone and everyone no matter how they are traveling, he said The commissioner is especially excited about Bike to Work Day on May 17, as he can register to be recognized for his typical commute.

He presented a proclamation to President of the Berkshire Bike Path Council President Marge Cohan. It states that the city is committed to the health of its citizens and environment, safe cycling with road bike lanes and the extension of the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, and that the Police Department encourages safe cycling by distributing lights and helmets and accompanies the city's Ride Your Bike to School event.

BBPC is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Cohan said the quarter century has been full of commitment to bike paths and bike safety throughout Berkshire County "on roads, on trails, on tracks, and on paths."

"In expanding our mission in this way we have been able to encompass all kinds of cycles and all kinds of riders," she said.

She noted that participants range from babies to 90-year-old people. Bike month includes events for all ages.