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NBT Will Open in Former Lenox Legacy Branch
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This new location follows the recent opening of four branches in Great Barrington, Lee, North Adams and Pittsfield. Renovations at the former Legacy Banks facility on Holmes Road are currently under way. It is anticipated that the new branch will open in the first quarter of 2012 and will offer full branch-banking capabilities, including drive-up teller service, 24-hour ATM, safe deposit boxes and night depository.
"We are excited to be expanding our presence in Berkshire County," said NBT Bank Commercial Banking President Jeffrey Levy. "The recent hiring of Daniel Kinney as Massachusetts area manager and the opening of this new office in Lenox provides individuals and businesses greater access to our unique brand of community banking and symbolizes our commitment to growth in western Massachusetts."
Levy is a member of NBT Bank's executive management team and also serves as regional president for the bank in the Capital Region of New York.
NBT Bank provides personal banking, asset management and business services. The independent community bank, based in Norwich, N.Y., has a total of 93 offices in upstate New York, Vermont and Western Massachusetts. NBT Bank's parent company, NBT Bancorp Inc., had assets of $5.5 billion as of Sept. 30, 2011.
Excelsior Printing Acquires Berkshire Information Systems
 The Excelsior Integrated management team Shawn Ouillette, left, Julianne Fruscio, Brendan Burns and David Crane. |
"For several years now, Excelsior Printing has worked with Berkshire Information Systems on various projects that mutually benefited our customers. We have grown to admire the capabilities of BIS and, especially, its people," said Excelsior Chairman David Crane. "When the opportunity arose to acquire the assets of the company and work more closely with its customers, we felt we had to act quickly. It is very exciting to establish a new company that complements our existing business and keeps important jobs in Berkshire County."
Berkshire Information Systems, a provider of fulfillment, inventory management and electronic commerce services, was founded by Andrew Chmura in 1973 in Pittsfield as Berkshire Computer Processing Center. Mr. Chmura died last June at age 69.
The new Excelsior Integrated is an independent company and continues to maintain its current customer relationships with numerous corporations, media companies and tourism offices. It plans to continue operating from BIS's facilities in Lenox Dale and from its offices in North Adams. BIS employees, about a 10, will continue in their positions.
"Our customers will now benefit from a tight integration with the capabilities or our new sister company, Excelsior Printing," said Shawn Ouillette, executive vice president of Excelsior Integrated and former BIS executive. "In the past when one of our tourism customers asked us to help them create a brochure or other marketing materials we would make suggestions of companies to work with, but ultimately had no real influence in the process. Now, with Excelsior Printing we can create integrated product offerings that allow for great value and outstanding service."
The joint capabilities of the two companies create a powerful combination from a customer's point of view, said Brendan Burns, CEO of Excelsior Printing. The newly formed company will provide customers with a streamlined solution for their marketing and business needs.
"Over the last several decades the printing industry has experienced a lot of pricing pressure due primarily to the proliferation of technology," he said. "Ultimately, this has benefited customers. What has been more difficult for customers is that they face their own competitive pressures and often need to manage three or more vendor relationships to support their marketing and business development needs."
Excelsior Integrated management will consist of Burns as chief executive officer and also as CEO of Excelsior Printing; Crane as chairman; and Ouillette as executive vice president. Julianne Fruscio is business development and marketing coordinator.
The acquisition is the latest since 116-year-old Excelsior Printing was purchased from Crane & Co. in 2005 by David Crane. It now provides printing, digital communications, mail and distribution programs. Specialty business divisions include SeedPrint, packaging for the seed industry, and Oatmeal Studios, greeting card publishing. For more information: www.excelsiorprinting.com.
Berkshire Chamber Names 2011 Quinn Award Winner
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Chamber of Commerce has named Michael MacDonald as this year's 2011 Esther Quinn Memorial Award Winner.The award was established in 1999 to honor the memory of Esther Quinn, former Chamber volunteer and advocate for volunteer efforts.
Candidates are judged on the basis of volunteer efforts rather than any measure of success in the field in which they normally are employed or the accomplishments or successes by an individual’s membership in one organization. The award is given to a person who lives or works in Berkshire County and shows enthusiasm, empathy and effort in making the Berkshires a better place to live and work.
MacDonald, a local attorney, was recognized for his commitment to community service, with a focus on reconciling the wants and needs of disparate groups and seeking mutually beneficial solutions instead of individual achievement.
"Michael has played a significant role in the revitalization of downtown Pittsfield through his good work with the Colonial Theatre, Beacon Cinema and Central Block building," said Mick Callahan, chairman of the Esther Quinn Award Committee. "I look forward to presenting this prestigious award to such a deserving person."
MacDonald has devoted his energy and resources to a variety of causes in Berkshire County and has stepped up on many occasions to lend his time and talent to local civic organizations. He has volunteered with Colonial, the chamber, the Berkshire Theatre Group, Downtown Pittsfield Inc., Berkshire County Lacrosse Club and Windsor Planning Board.
He served in varying capacities for each of these local organizations and did so with unparalleled dedication, never wavering in his commitment to see each project through to completion, no matter how complex, according to committee members.
"Michael leads by example with integrity and humor and is the first to volunteer for the most challenging tasks," said Perri Petricca, of Petricca Industries, who nominated MacDonald. "His dedication and work ethic raises the bar for all those who work with him, and his positive attitude and belief that the goal can be achieved inspires those around him."
Now in its 12th year, the Esther Quinn Award has been presented annually since 1999. The very first recipient of this prestigious award was William Wilson, former president and CEO of the Berkshire Visitors Bureau. Past award recipients include: 2000, David Klausmeyer; 2001, Dr. Gary Lamoureaux; 2002, Louann Harvey; 2003, Mick Callahan; 2004, Robert Proskin; 2005, Richard Whitehead; 2006, Ellen Ruberto; 2007, Williams Hines, Sr.; 2008, Jerry Burke; 2009, Conrad Bernier, and last year's winner, June Roy-Martin.
The Berkshire Chamber of Commerce will present the 2011 Esther Quinn Award at its annual meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 7:30, a.m. at the Crowne Plaza in Pittsfield. Tickets are $30. To register, visit www.berkshirechamber.com, call 413-499-4000 Ext. 10, or email choyt@berkshirechamber.com.
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