image description — The board of trustees unanimously voted in favor of hiring Ellen Kennedy as the new president.

BCC Taps Ellen Kennedy As School's 7th President

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
06:44PM / Tuesday, May 22, 2012Print Story | Email Story

Ellen Kennedy, interim president, joined the BCC staff in 2008. She was not at Tuesday's trustee meeting.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Ellen Kennedy will take over as the new president of Berkshire Community College on July 1.

Kennedy, currently the interim president, was chosen by the college's board of trustees on Tuesday afternoon to replace Paul Raverta, who retired. Kennedy was the school's vice president of administration and finance and chief financial officer prior to being picked as interim president.

"I am 100 percent certain that Ellen Kennedy is the right choice for president of Berkshire Community College," trustees Vice Chairman Ross Dindio said.

Kennedy earned the vote after a search committee narrowed 38 applications down to three finalists — Kennedy; Stephen Budd, president of River Valley Community College in Claremont, N.H.; and Valerie Roberson, vice president of academic affairs at Joliet (Ill.) Junior College.

The board's recommendation of Kennedy will go before the Board of Higher Education for approval at its regularly scheduled meeting at Cape Cod Community College on June 19. Pending approval from the BHE, Kennedy will officially take the presidential post beginning July 1.

While the trustees spoke highly of the other finalists after interviewing them in May, Kennedy was chosen because of her understanding of the school, community and vision.

"She understands the mission of the college and she advocates for the students," Trustee Pamela Roberts said.

Kennedy has already made connections with government officials, the trustees, staff and students. The board members said they were more confident in her longevity and commitment to the school. Trustee Darlene Rodowicz said Kennedy can "hit the ground running" and the staff and community members have all spoken highly of her.

"I have a sense that people like to work for her," Trustee Paul Caccaviello said. "We can rely on her to have the best interests of the students in mind."

Trustees Michael Wynn and Al Ingegni listen to the other trustee's reasons behind endorsing Kennedy.

Chairwoman Susan Lombard said the only downside was that Kennedy does not have a doctorate degree. However, Kennedy will finish her graduate work shortly and erase that negative, Lombard said.

"She is the right person at the right time," Lombard said. "She sees not only the institution but the bigger community ... She definitely knows and is not afraid to make the decision to move this college forward."

Kennedy has a master of business administration from the University of Massachusetts, a master of public information from Harvard University and is completing her doctoral degree from Northeastern University.

She joined BCC in 2008 to oversee all of the business-related functions.

Tags: BCC, college administration, community college,

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Greenagers Founder Will Conklin Honored as Business Person of the Year

By Breanna Steele12:17PM / Saturday, October 03, 2026

Casey Pease of state Sen. Paul Mark's office presents William Conklin, right, with a state Senate proclamation.

EGREMONT, Mass. — The Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce honored a local businessman and nonprofit leader on Sept. 24 at Catamount Mountain Resort.

William Conklin was this year's Business Person of the Year, recognizing his work as founder and executive director of Greenagers, a nonprofit that helps youth and children engage in work in environmental conservation, sustainable farming, natural resource management, and vocational skills building.

Conklin and his family also run Sky View Farm and he is a managing partner of Konkapot Tree and Timber, a small-scale forest products business.

"If you spent any amount of time in Southern Berkshire, chances are you've heard his name, whether you realize the connection at the time or not," said board member Sierra King Watson, who emceed the event. "You might be having a conversation about farming, a new barn or structure that was built, students learning hands-on skills in sustainable agriculture, or a family that receives donated firewood to help keep their home warm through a cold Berkshire winter, or maybe you're simply talking about one of those community leaders who somehow manages to show up, support everyone, and seemingly be everywhere all at once.

"Well, one name has a way of continuously popping up, and that is Will Conklin."

Board President Mark Rulison said the region has more than 1,200 nonprofits. One in four jobs in the county is in the nonprofit sector, which ranks 27th nationally for nonprofit employment. He said the economic impact on the community is huge, thanking those who help.

For the event on Thursday, Conklin requested that as much of the food as possible was sourced locally. Most of it came from Greenagers, Sky View Farm, Indian Line Farm and Fancy Feast Supper Club, creative dinner series.

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