Berkshire Money Management Adviser Becomes Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor

DALTON, Mass. — Berkshire Money Management's youngest teammate has recently become a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor.

Nate Tomkiewicz, 22, who began as a BMM intern three years ago, has recently completed a rigorous course program through the College for Financial Planning, which gives him specialized skills to guide retirees through their retirement by identifying the potential roadblocks — passing assets to heirs, navigating the complex world of healthcare, Social Security —  that they may encounter.

Tomkiewicz also be able to help retirees take advantage of opportunities as they move into the next — and arguably the most important — phase of their lives.

"Nate's continuing education and emphasis on client-centered problem solving is a shining example of our business model," BMM founder and CEO Allen Harris said. "Gone are the days when clients work with us just for good service and investment performance. These are minimum standards nowadays."
 
In order to receive the CRPC designation, Tomkiewicz completed 40-plus hours of rigorous coursework that concluded with a qualifying exam. In addition to his work with the College for Financial Planning, he recently received (in December), through an accelerated degree program, his bachelor of science in business from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and became a fulltime financial adviser at Berkshire Money Management.

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.