Berkshire Money Management CEO Earns CEPA Designation

01:46PM / Friday, July 21, 2017Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Money Management's CEO and chief investment officer Allen Harris has recently earned the Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) certification.

Harris participated in the intensive, four-day, MBA-style program — offered by the Exit Planning Institute — in Chicago. The CEPA program is the most widely accepted in the world and was specifically designed for business advisors who work closely with private companies.

"Not only is new business creation important to the vitality of the community, but so is recognizing and maximizing the value of existing companies," Harris said. "We can accomplish this by helping businesses with strategic planning--de-risking, taking action on growth initiatives. Ultimately, baby boomer business owners will look to transition ownership as they enter into their hard-earned retirement."

BMM has been helping business owners transition from ownership for years and nearly 25 percent of Berkshire Money Management clients are business owners, many of whom have an eye toward retirement and transitioning within the next 10 years, or who have already sold their business with BMM's guidance and continued support.

"It's to their benefit, and to that of our whole community, that these business owners are able to pass the torch of a strong business to the next generation," Harris said. "It ensures continued vitality."

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ServiceNet Hopes to Open Pittsfield Warming Center in Nov.

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:48AM / Thursday, October 15, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— A warming center is again planned in the First United Methodist Church for the cold months.

During last week's Homelessness Advisory Committee meeting, Erin Forbush, director of shelter and housing at ServiceNet, reported that they hope to begin operating the nighttime center in mid-November.

It would operate from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. in the church, which abuts The Pearl shelter. Forbush said the warming center would be the same program as in the past.

"Again it's a warming center, so there's no cots or beds, but it is certainly a place to come in, and we'll have a hot coffee or cocoa ready for folks," she explained.

"It will be a place to be inside and warm."

This year, ServiceNet hopes to secure full funding from the state so the warming center can open on Sundays at 5 p.m. In years past, they found that Sunday is the most challenging day for unhoused individuals because many community spaces aren't open.

The First Housing Resource Center, managed by Hearthway, opened earlier this year as a low-barrier option for people to rest and access amenities. It is open seven days a week, and Forbush said if people could come to the warming center on Sundays at 5, there would be a fuller day of coverage.

"It does still leave a little gap for Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, as spaces like the library close at five, but we know that Sundays were something that people were looking for," she said.

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