Community Health Programs Names New Chief Financial Officer

Print Story | Email Story

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Community Health Programs has named Thomas Walbridge as its new chief financial officer. He will oversee the health network's budget, financial operations and planning.

Walbridge has served as chief financial officer and vice president for the Kinsley Group Inc. and as CFO for the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority; he was also director of finance and human resources at Six Flags New England. His early professional career was spent in the banking sector in Pittsfield, where he spent his childhood years. He holds a business degree from Babson College and an MBA from Western New England University.

"Tom's background in executive-level financial management, human resources and business operations suits us perfectly for the CFO position of our growing health network," said Lia Spiliotes, CEO of Community Health Programs. "We look forward to working with him and welcome him to the CHP team."


CHP finished its 2016 fiscal year with an operating surplus of nearly $700,000, on revenues of $14 million. During that year, CHP increased its patient and client numbers from 16,000 to more than 22,000, with the addition of two new practices in North Adams and other new patient outreach. During 2016, employment at CHP grew from 140 to 175 and continues to expand.

Walbridge is also the founder and operator of LuckBridge Sports LLC, a company that creates affordable, inclusive team-building opportunities for youth and coaches in the developmental and advanced instruction of baseball and basketball.

He is a volunteer in his community with youth sports programs, the American Red Cross, March of Dimes, Agawam Chamber of Commerce and Agawam Rotary. He is a marathon runner as well. He and his wife and three children live in Longmeadow.

 


Tags: CHP,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield Council OKs $15M Borrowing for Drinking Water System

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council last week approved borrowing $15 million for drinking water system upgrades, and heard a commitment from the Department of Public Works to consider solutions for the intersection of Onota and Linden Streets. 

Last month, the council supported the borrowing for the city's two drinking water plants during its regular meeting. 

Commissioner of Public Services Ricardo Morales explained that the decades-old filtration units need to be babysat "much more" than usual, and the city is due for new technology. 

Pittsfield's two Krofta water treatment plants were installed in the 1980s and are said to be beyond anticipated useful service and at risk for catastrophic failure that could result in a shortage of potable water. Krofta is a compact filtration system that Pittsfield will continue to use, with four new units at the Cleveland WTP and two at the Ashley WTP.  

"When the Krofta was built in 1980, I was there on the council, and here we are looking to repair or replace certain parts," Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren said. 

"So 40 years later, I think we need to do that." 

The full drinking water project is expected to cost $165 million over the next eight years, with $150 million for long-term construction and $15 million for near-term needs. The initial ask would fund the final design and permitting for Phases 1-3 and Phase 1 of interim updates. 

The $15 million borrowing breaks down into $9.2 million for the design and permitting, $2.4 million for the construction of Phase 1, and $1.4 million in city allowances, including owner's project manager services, land acquisition, legal fees, and contingency. 

Pittsfield's water system includes six surface water reservoirs, five high-hazard dams, one low-hazard dam, two water treatment plants, two chlorinator stations, and gravity flow from the plants to the city. It serves Pittsfield, Dalton, Lenox, and the Berkshire Mall property. 

View Full Story

More Great Barrington Stories