Legacy Banks Names New President

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Patrick J. Sullivan

J. Williar Dunlaevy
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Legacy Banks has named a new president in Patrick J. Sullivan, a Sovereign banking executive with 30 years experience.

Sullivan, 54, is expected to transition into the post over the next couple months and move to the Berkshires with his wife, Debra.

His selection is the culmination of a two-year sucession process of the leadership of Legacy Banks and Legacy Bancorp. Inc., according to J. Williar Dunlaevy, who's held the top posts for both entities for the past several years.

"Pat will be just the seventh CEO in the history of the bank and I could not be more confident that we are putting Legacy in very capable and talented hands," said Dunlaevy, 64, in a statement. "Pat Sullivan is the perfect fit for this job and the right fit for our community."

Dunlaevy will remain chairman and chief executive officer of Legacy Bancorp and Sullivan will become president of both the bank and holding company and serve on the boards of both, as well as being CEO of Legacy Banks.

Sullivan will be responsible for running day-to-day operations of the bank, while Dunlaevy will focus on overall company strategic goals, including identifying market-growth opportunities.


Dunlaevy said Sullivan was selected from "an extremely impressive candidate pool." Bank director Anne W. Pasko, chairman of the board's Governance and Nominating Committee, said Sullivan had a proven track record and "was a powerhouse performer of unquestioned integrity and is highly respected in the banking industry."

Sullivan has held a variety of executive and management positions. He joined the Pennsylvania-based Sovereign Bank in 2000 and held posts including managing director of corporate banking and CEO-New England, with responsibility for all commercial and specialty lending efforts, community banking activities for region's 255 branches and $14 billion in deposits.

He also was president and CEO of Howard Bank in Burlington, Vt., and chief operations officer of a mid-sized family distribution business, and executive vice president at First New Hampshire Bank. He holds his bachelor's degree and master of business administration from Bryant University and attended the Executive Management Program at Dartmouth College, Amos Tuck School. He has three grown children, Cara, Rory and Ashley.
 
"At this point in my career, I am looking forward to returning to my community banking roots and working to grow an institution built around talented people. Legacy fits that bill perfectly," he said in a statement. "I am enthusiastic about getting involved in the communities that we serve and hope to make a difference in social, civic and charitable causes."

Dunlaevy, 64, said he was fortunate in his 40-year career with Legacy, working his way up through the ranks. He became president and CEO in 1996 and championed a growth strategy that guided the bank through two acquisitions and brought the company public in October 2005.

"Now I look forward to beginning the transition of some of those responsibilities to a new leader," he said.
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Biz Briefs: Dream Green Expands, Marie's Closes, Advice for Retiring Docs

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

Dream Green Offers Secure Data Destruction

ADAMS, Mass. — Dream Green Recycling is now certified to destroy secure data, opening up possibilities for local municipalities and more to recycle their electronics locally.

Owners Patrick Kennedy and Kyle Danforth said this will help them reach new facilities.

"It allows us to do a lot more, municipalities, government contracts, hospitals, big corporate offices, stuff like that, where they need that badge to do the data destruction and know that, it's done the right way, and it's totally wiped out or destroyed," Danforth said.

The certification took about a year to obtain. Dream Green is one of few facilities in the New England area that has the certification, making it easier for customers to recycle their computer devices locally instead of shipping it outside the county or state.

"With us being able to do it locally reduces the carbon footprint and the emissions. A lot of people are like, 'Oh, we're recycling, but we're shipping it all the way to Rhode Island or New Jersey or out of the state.' And it's like, yeah, you're recycling, but you're really not lowering the carbon footprint because you have that tractor trailer truck or the 18 wheeler that's going over the trail and burning up all those emissions," Danforth said. "So yeah, you're recycling, but in the long scheme of things, you're creating a larger footprint trying to do the right thing," 

The team plans to expand on their certification to include on-site data destruction as well as solid state scrubbing to be able to upcycle the product.

"As we grow, we just listen to what the community lacks and try to fulfill those issues and stuff like that, help solve problems along the way. So this was someone who came to us and said something about how it was hard to do stuff with the E waste, and that's why we diversified in it," Danforth said.

Dream Green is EPA Section 608 certified, which means they are also able to handle refrigerants like refrigerators and air conditioning units.

"Our end goal is we want to be the facility like your scrap yard or your transfer station, where we are the one stop shop for recycling," Danforth said.

Kennedy agreed, "our job is to divert as much material from a landfill as possible. We try to divert as much trash from going to a landfill as possible. That's our main objective of Dream Green Recycling."

Dream Green Recycling opened in late 2023 and provides local drop-off and pickup from its locations at 15 Print Works Drive, Adams, and Downing Industrial Park in Pittsfield. It recycles mattresses, tires, televisions and more.

Marie's Closes on North Street

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Marie's North Street Eatery and Gallery closed its doors for the last time Friday, Feb. 27.

Co-owners Neil Davis and Ashley Marie announced their closure on the Facebook on the following Sunday.

"Bringing Marie's to life every day brought us incredible joy, from renovating the space, to opening a gallery, and of course, to preparing wholesome and tasty food for you, which is what we did best. We truly thank you so much for being a part of it."

The gallery held its ribbon-cutting two years ago at its space at 148 North St. The eatery and gallery had grab-and-go breakfast and lunch items.

The two had opened their eatery in the former Maria’s European Delights, paying homage to her through their name and certain menu items.

Financial Planner Specializes in Health-Care Professionals

WYNANTSKILL, N.Y. — Nate Tomkiewicz, a certified financial planner, specializes in providing fiduciary investment management and comprehensive financial planning, with a primary focus on health-care professionals within 10 years of retirement.
 
Established in May 2025, Tomkiewicz Wealth Management is a registered investment advisory firm.
 
"I founded Tomkiewicz Wealth Management to cut through the noise and provide the kind of specific, high-level guidance that health-care professionals deserve," said Tomkiewicz. "These are people who spend their careers — their lives — caring for others. My goal is to care for their financial future, ensuring they can transition from a high-stress career to a comfortable retirement."
 
After nearly a decade working in the financial services industry, Tomkiewicz founded his own firm to offer personalized, client-first experience. Tomkiewicz Wealth Management was built to address the unique complexities faced by doctors, nurses, and medical professionals who often juggle demanding careers with intricate benefit packages, including 401(k), 403(b) and 457(b) plans, he said.
 
The firm operates as a fee-only fiduciary, meaning it is legally bound to act in the client's best interest at all times. These services include strategies for retirement income, investment management, benefit optimization, tax planning, and planning for health-care costs. 
 
Tomkiewicz Wealth Management serves clients in New York's Capital Region, Berkshire County, and virtually across the country.
 
For more information visit tomkiewiczwm.com or call 518-219-7323.
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