Jacoby to Retire as Boys & Girls Club CEO

01:28PM / Friday, January 27, 2017Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Chris Jacoby, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires, has announced his retirement effective July 1.

Jacoby has served as CEO since March 2015. A search will begin shortly for a new long-term CEO to take the club into the future.

"It has been an honor to serve as CEO for our Boys and Girls Club. Working closely with staff and volunteers, it has become apparent to me, more than ever, how important this organization is to our youth, their futures, and the future of our community," said Jacoby. "When I took over as CEO, my goal was to re-establish the community's confidence in our organization and put us back on track for serving the needs of our youth. With the help of our outstanding staff and a supportive community of volunteers, I feel I have accomplished what I set out to do."

"The board expresses its tremendous gratitude to Mr. Jacoby for his leadership, vision, and commitment,” said Cynthia A. Spinola, Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires board president. "He has impacted the lives of countless youth and their families by initiating STEM activities, the Triple Play Food Program and other programming that helps children graduate from high school with a plan for the future, while developing healthy lifestyles, leadership, good citizenship, and strong character qualities.

"Under Chris's leadership the Club has increased its enrollment and developed vital partnerships with the community, business and educational institutions of Berkshire County. He has spear-headed renewed focus on resource development and fundraising to ensure that the Club has the financial fortitude to serve our youth for generations to come."

Other accomplishments during Jacoby’s tenure at the club include:

· Re-establishing strong ties to United Way, the Rotary Club, and YMCA.

· Developing a strong relationship with state Alliance and national Boys & Girls Club associations.

· Collaborating with the Pittsfield Police Department to offer their popular Ropes Course to youth as part of the Club’s Camp Russell activities.

· Conducting a successful fundraising campaign to replace the club’s outdated ice rink resurfacer, adding a new tractor for camp maintenance, and LED lighting improvements throughout the Melville St. facility.

· Establishing a "first of its kind" Transition Program for high school special needs students, in collaboration with the Pittsfield Public Schools.

"Chris brought stability, sound judgment, and a steady focus to the club, grounded in his knowledge of the community," said Board Member Bill Cameron.

Jacoby retired from the Pittsfield Public School system in July 2014 after 33 years as an educator. He was the principal of the Theodore Herberg Middle School from 2001-2014 and held positions as a teacher and a coach. Before becoming CEO of the Boys & Girls Club, Jacoby served the club for years as coach, referee, board member, and member of the Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires Alumni Association.

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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

12:05PM / Wednesday, December 24, 2025

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.

This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.

The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.

DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.

"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths.

"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."

Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.

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