True North Insurance Names Two to Leadership Roles

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Holly Taylor has been appointed president and chief operating officer and Jean Stone has been named vice president of True North Insurance.

The announcement was made by MountainOne President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas Leavitt. True North Insurance is a division of MountainOne Bank.

"Holly and Jean have become recognized experts in their field of employee benefits and these appointments are reflective of their success," Leavitt said. "Together with their team, they provide a crucial service to employers, especially in light of ever-changing and complex health care regulation.'

Taylor joined True North in December 1997, and has overseen the growth of the employee benefits division into one of the area's largest group insurance agencies. Serving as vice president since 2002, she developed the agency's large group market segment and expanded administrative and compliance services. In her new position, she will oversee agency management and collaborate on strategic planning with MountainOne affiliates.

Taylor earned a bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of Rhode Island. She also holds a registered health underwriter designation and an insurance adviser license.

Among her professional roles, Taylor serves on the Broker Advisory Board to the Massachusetts Health Connector, the board of directors for the Massachusetts Association of Health Underwriters, the Broker Advisory Board to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and as the Massachusetts coordinator for National Exchange Collaborative of the National Association of Health Underwriters.


Locally, she is a long-term member of the Ecu-Health Care Board of Directors. Taylor lives in Williamstown, with her husband, Richard Lamb.

Stone joined True North Insurance in 2001, and has worked as a broker since 2002. Stone holds an insurance adviser license, as well as certified employee benefits specialist, group benefits associate and compensation management specialist designations from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

In the community, Stone serves on the Northern Berkshire YMCA Board of Directors and as chairman of its Strategic Planning Committee. She is co-chairman of the Berkshire County Kid’s Place 20th anniversary campaign and sits on teh Broker Advisory Board to Health New England. A native of Lee, Stone resides in North Adams with her husband, Craig.

True North provides employers with group insurance, including medical, dental, life, disability and voluntary benefits. Its services include strategic planning, benefits administration, compliance, work-site wellness assistance, and human resources support. The agency also handles individual insurance, including key person, disability, life and long-term care plans.

MountainOne Financial is a mutual holding company headquartered in North Adams. Founded in 1848, MountainOne Bank and its banking divisions have assets of over $775 million and provide a broad range of banking services to personal and enterprise customers.

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McCann Recognizes Superintendent Award Recipient

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

Landon LeClair and Superintendent James Brosnan with Landon's parents Eric and Susan LeClair, who is a teacher at McCann. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Superintendent's Award has been presented to Landon LeClair, a senior in McCann Technical School's advanced manufacturing course. 
 
The presentation was made last Thursday by Superintendent Jame Brosnan after Principal Justin Kratz read from teachers' letters extolling LeClair's school work, leadership and dedication. 
 
"He's become somewhat legendary at the Fall State Leadership Conference for trying to be a leader at his dinner table, getting an entire plate of cookies for him and all his friends," read Kratz to chuckles from the School Committee. "Landon was always a dedicated student and a quiet leader who cared about mastering the content."
 
LeClair was also recognized for his participation on the school's golf team and for mentoring younger teammates. 
 
"Landon jumped in tutoring the student so thoroughly that the freshman was able to demonstrate proficiency on an assessment despite the missed class time for golf matches," read Kratz.
 
The principal noted that the school also received feedback from LeClair's co-op employer, who rated him with all fours.
 
"This week, we sent Landon to our other machine shop to help load and run parts in the CNC mill," his employer wrote to the school. LeClair was so competent the supervisor advised the central shop might not get him back. 
 
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