Berkshire Bank Promotes Executive VP, Chief Human Resources Officer

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Sean Gray
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Hills Bancorp has promoted Sean Gray to executive vice president of retail banking and Linda Johnston to chief human resources officer for Berkshire Bank.

"Sean and Linda have been instrumental in developing the distinctive brand and culture of Berkshire Bank," said Michael P. Daly, president and CEO. "They have contributed to our growth as the largest locally headquartered regional bank, serving a three-state market. These promotions recognize their many contributions to building our Berkshire Bank team and enhancing our earnings strength, as well as their leadership positions in our company."

Gray was senior vice president of retail banking, with responsibilities including the development and implementation of all retail banking strategies, branch activities and expansion, pricing, consumer lending, marketing, call center operations, facilities, product development and personal lines insurance. He joined the bank in December 2006 as first vice president of retail banking. Previously, he was vice president and consumer market manager at Bank of America, responsible for the sales and service operations in the Cambridge market.

Gray earned a bachelor of science degree in finance from Bentley College. He is a trustee of the Colonial Theatre and is a board member of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce and the Berkshire Bank Foundation.


Linda Johnston
Johnston was senior vice president of human resources, overseeing and directing the company's human resources functions including compensation and benefits, performance and talent management, training, recruitment, development, executive compensation, and initiatives and practices that support the company's strategic direction.

Johnston is a key adviser to the Compensation Committee of the company's board of directors. She has been part of the Berkshire Bank team for more than 27 years.

Johnston is a member of the Society for Human Resources Management and the Northeast Human Resources Association. A lifelong resident of Berkshire County, she formerly was a director of the Berkshire Natural Resources Council and is a past co-chairman and treasurer of the Berkshire County Sportsmen for Land Preservation. She has also been a volunteer for the United Way, hospice and the American Cancer Society.
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Lanesborough Fifth-Graders Win Snowplow Name Contest

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — One of the snowplows for Highway District 1 has a new name: "The Blizzard Boss."
 
The name comes from teacher Gina Wagner's fifth-grade class at Lanesborough Elementary School. 
 
The state Department of Transportation announced the winners of the fourth annual "Name A Snowplow" contest on Monday. 
 
The department received entries from public elementary and middle school classrooms across the commonwealth to name the 12 MassDOT snowplows that will be in service during the 2025/2026 winter season. 
 
The purpose of the contest is to celebrate the snow and ice season and to recognize the hard work and dedication shown by public works employees and contractors during winter operations. 
 
"Thank you to all of the students who participated. Your creativity allows us to highlight to all, the importance of the work performed by our workforce," said  interim MassDOT Secretary Phil Eng.  
 
"Our workforce takes pride as they clear snow and ice, keeping our roads safe during adverse weather events for all that need to travel. ?To our contest winners and participants, know that you have added some fun to the serious take of operating plows. ?I'm proud of the skill and dedication from our crews and thank the public of the shared responsibility to slow down, give plows space and put safety first every time there is a winter weather event."
 
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