Berkshire County Arc Names Vice President of Finance

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Blanca Durant has been promoted to vice president of finance at Berkshire County Arc.

In that role, she will oversee the accounting and finance functions of BCArc's $36 million-plus annual budget. She will also manage a complex information technology system that involves numerous state contracts, confidential client data and a network that extends beyond 40 properties across Berkshire and Hampden Counties.

"At BCArc we work hard to create opportunity for all our employees to develop," said Kenneth W. Singer, president & CEO. "Blanca started with us as a petty cash manager 21 years ago, learned everything she could, took advantage of every opportunity for growth, and has proven herself a brilliant manager and leader. Her understanding of our business has ensured BCArc’s success."


Blanca's duties will continue to include the development of the annual operating budget, preparation of all financial management reports, and tax and regulatory filings. She joined the Berkshire County Arc in 1998 as an accounting associate, became the accounting supervisor in 1999 and was appointed director of finance in 2011.

Other duties Blanca will perform as vice president of finance include to serve as point-person with the state’s public and private auditors, to be responsible for all reports required by government regulatory agencies, to oversee all contracts with the state agencies, and to hire and manage some 15 employees that comprise accounting and front-office staff

Blanca earned a scholarship to Berkshire Community College after high school in Honduras, where she was valedictorian.  She lived with a young Dalton family during school, met her future husband – they recently celebrated their 28th anniversary — learned the English language and earned her A.S. in electrical engineering. She returned to Honduras before resettling in the Berkshires to work as a bank teller before landing a job at BCArc with the help of her host family (the host mother managed the finances for BCArc at the time.)

 


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Cyclists Pedal Into Berkshire Bike Month

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Berkshire Bike Path Council President Marge Cohan addresses bikers at the event. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Clad in helmets and bright colors, more than 20 people gathered in Park Square to kick on Berkshire Bike Month on Wednesday.

The month of May will be stacked with bicycle-centered events throughout the county — beginning with an eight-mile loop from the city's center that ends at Hot Plate Brewing Co.

"We have we have a lot of things going on in Pittsfield for bicycles and for safety," Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities Ricardo Morales said.

"We're not anywhere near where we should be. We have a lot of work to do."

Bike month is meant to promote the safe use of streets for anyone and everyone no matter how they are traveling, he said The commissioner is especially excited about Bike to Work Day on May 17, as he can register to be recognized for his typical commute.

He presented a proclamation to President of the Berkshire Bike Path Council President Marge Cohan. It states that the city is committed to the health of its citizens and environment, safe cycling with road bike lanes and the extension of the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, and that the Police Department encourages safe cycling by distributing lights and helmets and accompanies the city's Ride Your Bike to School event.

BBPC is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Cohan said the quarter century has been full of commitment to bike paths and bike safety throughout Berkshire County "on roads, on trails, on tracks, and on paths."

"In expanding our mission in this way we have been able to encompass all kinds of cycles and all kinds of riders," she said.

She noted that participants range from babies to 90-year-old people. Bike month includes events for all ages.

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