Berkshire Bank Promotes New Vice President

01:09PM / Wednesday, February 18, 2015Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Bank has announced that Heather Lashway has been promoted to the new role of First Vice President, Retail Banking District Manager, New York and Vermont.

In this new position, Lashway will lead Berkshire's New York and Vermont branches and Regional Managers along with her continued leadership of Berkshire Banc Investment Services team.

In her new role, Lashway will have an active role in the creation and implementation of the strategic direction of sales and service initiatives for New York and Vermont marketplace. In addition, the position will provide ongoing support and guidance for the operations, staff management, and sales and customer service for branches within the district. Lashway will also be responsible for the design, implementation and support of new products and services for regional campaigns. This position reports to Tami Gunsch, senior vice president, retail banking.

“Heather’s experience will strengthen the district by providing a high level of expertise in large scale initiatives, operations efficiencies and maximizing the customers’ experience through all services dedicated to the retail market. Her strength in leadership, sales performance and communication will drive market leading performance across retail banking in New York and Vermont,” Gunsch said.

Lashway joined Berkshire Bank as vice president, regional manager-New York Region in April 2011, bringing with her 17 years of experience in retail banking. In 2013, The Albany Business Review named Lashway to the prestigious list of “Forty Under Forty” honorees. Before joining Berkshire, she was with Citizens Financial Group, where she served as senior vice president, sales manager for 225 branches in New York and Pennsylvania. Lashway earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Saint Michael’s College.

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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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