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David Bissaillon is the new owner and president of Smith Bros.-McAndrews Insurance Agency after eight years as an account executive at the Park Street agency.

Bissaillon Takes Over at Adams Insurance Agency

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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ADAMS, Mass. — David Bissaillon, new owner and president of Smith Bros.-McAndrews Insurance Agency, is happy to be on Park Street serving North Berkshire County. 
 
Bissaillon, an Adams native, said he wants to further the good work of Smith Bros.-McAndrews, or SBM, and continue to bring a personal touch to the firm.
 
"It is really exciting for me to have a chance to lead an agency that has literally been on Park Street for 100 years. I am proud of that," Bissaillon said. "You work in your career all of these years and it is exciting to have the opportunity to run your own business with good people ... we help a couple of thousand people and that is very satisfying."
 
The certified insurance counselor joined SBM in 2011 but has a total of 25 years of experience in the insurance industry. He said he had a history with longtime owner Bernie Pinsonnault, who retired after 29 years in the business.
 
"We had been friends and friendly competitors for years and when I joined he told me he was planning on retiring at some point," Bissaillon said. "We worked together for seven years and talked out some terms and I am very fortunate, thankful, and very excited about all of this."
 
Bissaillon said SBM has been operating in Adams since 1896 and for more than 100 years has provided customers with options on home, renters, auto, business, and life insurance.
 
He sees no reason to make any major changes to a business that has already stood the test of time.
 
"It has been a great agency for 100 years so I don't need to come in here and ruin that record," Bissaillon said. "Sure there are some things we may look at doing differently because this business demands it with so much more online activity and what not."
 
On a personal note, Bissaillon said he is proud to have offices on Park Street and noted his father once operated a shoe store on the same street.
 
"I am running a business on Park Street in my hometown like my family did back in the early '70s," he said. "R. Bissaillon & Sons Shoestore was on Park Street so it has all come full circle ... I am really proud to be on a Park Street running a business."
 
As a smaller insurance agency, Bissaillon said it can tailor service to each customer. He noted this personal touch is harder to come by with larger agencies.
 
"What we bring is immediate, personal, responsive service and usually when something happens with insurance someone has had a bad day," he said. "That is where we shine the most ... you can always go online and find a less expensive option but when something goes wrong and you need some help that is when it is nice to have people who know you."
 
Bissaillon added that this doesn't mean SBM cannot connect its customers to an array of insurance services. He said along with 10 other agencies in the state, SBM is part of Alliance Main Street and that gives them a bit more weight.
 
As a smaller, nimbler agency, SBM employees do not just "take orders" but can really sit down with people and help them find the appropriate insurance, he said. He noted that he often will personally visit homes and businesses. 
 
SBM offers auto and homeowners' insurance, renters' insurance, various life insurance options, and business insurance. Its partners include Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Cos., Progressive, Travelers, The Andover Companies, Liberty Mutual, Commerce, Bunker Hill, Mass Property, Nationwide and more.
 
Bissaillon said SBM has a proud history of giving back to the community which is something he most definitely wants to continue. SBM has made numerous donations over the years as well as made efforts to support education and youth sports teams.
 
He noted volunteerism is important to him personally and said SBM is and will continue to be part of the community.
 
"Because of all of that work and support in the community people get to know you and they trust you. This has always been an agency that has done a lot for the community," he said. "That is what being part of a community is all about."
 
The agency's hours are weekdays from 8:30 to 4:30 and the phone number is 413-743-1216. It can also be contacted through the website, including requesting a quote. 

 


Tags: business changes,   insurance,   Park Street,   

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Hoosac Valley High School is Moving and Shaking

There have been some major shifts within the Hoosac Valley Regional School District recently, all of which have focused on enhancing the student experience to make it a place where ALL students can find their path.
 
In 2023, Hoosac Valley High School was designated an Innovation Pathway School by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and has since restructured the Program of Studies, utilized creative scheduling, and expanded internship opportunities. Part of this transformation includes participating in a "Portrait of a Graduate" cohort alongside four other Berkshire County schools to determine a collective vision for student success, in partnership with the BARR Foundation.
 
The Innovation Pathways at HVHS are designed to give students coursework and experience in a specific high-demand industry, such as technology, engineering, healthcare, or life sciences. Currently, Biomedical Science & Healthcare and Environmental Studies have received official state IP designation. In addition to the IP designated pathways, HVHS offers programs in Engineering & Technology, Business & Entrepreneurship, Arts & Entertainment, Education, and Sports Medicine. The result is that students have an opportunity for a transformative experience – enabling them to build essential skills, gain awareness of future career opportunities, and make informed choices about post-secondary education in promising fields.
 
Principal Colleen Byrd notes, "What makes our program special is that entry into the Pathway of your choice allows a student to access Advanced Placement and dual enrollment college courses, as well as internships in the community to set them up for success after high school."
 
The Portrait of a Graduate initiative consists of a team of Hoosac educators and students who exemplify the essential skills, practices, and beliefs that define learning experiences across the district. They work to outline the competencies, values, skills, and knowledge that define our vision for student success – keeping in mind that not every student's pathway will look the same. The District's goal is to ensure that all students graduate as responsible people, prepared individuals, lifelong learners, global citizens, critical thinkers, and thoughtful communicators.
 
Another recent change district-wide in grades K-12 is the "Crew" culture. Teachers and students now have time each day to create positive connections and build authentic relationships with one another. Through Responsive Classroom at the elementary school and Crew at the middle and high schools, students and staff gather for 30 minutes each day to engage in meaningful experiences rooted in mutual and shared interests. 
The Crew block is a prioritized structure that allows staff to support all students socially, emotionally, and academically – anchoring them and promoting the Portrait of a Graduate competencies. Crew takes many forms at the high school, such as gardening, bird watching, yoga, and sports talk with visits to college games.
 
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