Berkshire Bank Promotes Staffer to SVP Commercial Regional President

10:46AM / Friday, October 28, 2016Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Bank has promoted Mike Ferry to senior vice president, commercial regional president, Berkshire County and Vermont.

Ferry brings more than 37 years of industry experience, 30 years of which has been spent with Berkshire Bank. Leading the Berkshire and Vermont regions for the bank since 2012, his primary focus in his position is commercial lending and ancillary products and services.

Ferry also serves in the role as president of the Berkshire Bank Foundation.

"This regional president designation reflects the important leadership role Mike will play, not only for the commercial team, but for all of our businesses - including wealth, private banking, business banking, cash management, home lending, insurance, and retail banking in support of Berkshire's focus on relationship banking," said George Bacigalupo, executive vice president of commerical banking.

Ferry holds a bachelor's degree from Saint Michaels College in Colchester, Vt. Dedicated to his community, he is currently a board member and treasurer for Berkshire County ARC, board president of the Berkshire Housing Development Corporation & Berkshire Housing Services Inc., board member and chair of the finance committee for Berkshire United Way, committee member for the Dalton Development and Industrial Commission, and a volunteer coach with the Special Olympics Massachusetts.

Ferry is located in the Commercial Lending office at 66 West St. and can be reached at 413-236-3288, ext. 3288, or mferry@berkshirebank.com.

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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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