LENOX, Mass. —  Beverly N. Rainey retired April 15 as executive director of Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum, returning to her home in Gaffney, S.C.  

 

In her position at the museum, Rainey reported to the board of directors, headed staff and volunteers, as well as oversaw the museum's operations, restoration projects and community outreach.

 

Board President Kelly Blau acknowledges Rainey's  successful leadership role: “Beverly brought her business talent and her diplomatic nature to Ventfort Hall just when we needed to begin a new series of restoration projects and public programs, and she's leaving us well-positioned to begin the next phase of renewal," Board President Kelly Blau said. "We will all miss her enthusiasm and humor."

 

Rainey joined Ventfort Hall in 2009 as a Front Desk Associate and Museum Shop Manager, assuming the duties of Operations Manager in 2013. She became Executive Director in 2015.

 

A Pittsfield native, Rainey began her business career in the human resources departments of Berkshire Life Insurance Company, New England Life Insurance Company in Boston and subsequently with Milliken & Company in Spartanburg, S.C.  Before returning to the Berkshires in 2007, she had entered into retail management and buying in that city, as well as co-owning a gift shop.

 

 Blau has announced that a Search Committee of the Board has been formed to start the process of finding a successor.  Meantime, Board Member Karen Spies has been appointed Interim Director.  She joined the board in 2016 as a member of the Buildings and Grounds Committee.

 

Professionally she was a business systems analyst at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, business analyst at Iredale Mineral Cosmetics, retail systems manager at Crane & Co. Papermakers and business systems manager at KB Toys.  With Bachelor and Master's degrees in Business Administration, Karen was also an adjunct instructor at Berkshire Community College and Community College of Vermont.