Berkshire Bank Appoints New Vice President, Trust Officer

03:37PM / Tuesday, September 07, 2010Print Story | Email Story

Remus Preda

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Bank has promoted Remus Preda to vice president, trust officer. Preda was also recently awarded the Certified Trust & Financial Advisor (CTFA) designation from the Institute of Certified Bankers (ICB), a subsidiary of the American Bankers Association, in Washington, D.C.

Preda joined Berkshire Bank in October 2007 as a trust officer in the bank’s Asset Management and Trust Group in Vermont. Prior to joining the company, he worked for Morgan Stanley Trust as a vice president and national liaison manager and has more than 13 years of experience in the trust and investment areas.

"Remus is a fine example of someone who takes the implications of his job very seriously. He will be a valuable asset to our customers in his new position as vice president, trust officer." Thomas W. Barney, CFP and senior vice president of Berkshire Bank. "The CTFA certification reinforces Remus’ commitment to excellence."

Preda brings considerable business development skills and sound trust and investment decisions to his new role. He earned the ABA’s Certified Trust & Financial Advisor designation after three years of advanced trust training and is one of 9,000 ICB certified members. As a subsidiary of the American Bankers Association, ICB promotes the highest standards of performance in the financial services industry by validating individuals' knowledge and expertise.

Preda is responsible for leading Berkshire Bank’s Asset Management and Trust Group in Vermont. His team specializes in providing high-net worth individuals and families with tailored investment management, retirement, estate planning, taxation and trust services, with the goal of sustaining and growing long-term wealth. In addition, Preda also works with many of the area’s leading not-for-profits in managing their endowments and planned giving vehicles.

After earning his BA from Union College and a Jurist Doctorate from New England School of Law, Preda sharpened his tax law expertise while working for the Internal Revenue Service in Boston and New York. He then joined Morgan Stanley Trust as a senior tax consultant and vice president.

Based out of Berkshire Bank’s 4912 Main Street, Manchester Center Vermont headquarters, Preda will serve clients across the Berkshire Bank Vermont footprint and beyond.

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New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:26AM / Saturday, December 27, 2025

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction.

Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.

Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.

"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."

The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.

"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.

She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.

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