BMM CEO Joins South Berkshire Development Board

02:57PM / Tuesday, August 31, 2021Print Story | Email Story

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Community Development Corporation of South Berkshire (CDCSB) has welcomed Allen Harris as its newest member to the Board of Directors.

Allen, a Berkshire native and longtime resident of Dalton, was elected to serve a three-year term this week on the nonprofit's Board of Directors.

He is the Founder and CEO of Berkshire Money Management (BMM), a full-service financial management firm, located in Dalton. Allen is a professional investment management veteran who, for more than 20 years, has used his expertise to help his clients increase their investment portfolio value while protecting their wealth during economic downturns.

He has grown his company to more than 15 employees and is in the process of opening BMM's first satellite office on the corner of Castle and Main Street in Great Barrington.

"BMM's community development outreach includes nations across the globe, but the emphasis has typically been in Berkshire County. In particular, the towns near our headquarters," said Allen. "Our move to Great Barrington means we'll widen our primary target area, which we have already begun by making donations to area non-profit organizations. But a check can only go so far. The CDCSB has presented me with an opportunity to apply time, experience and physical effort to helping the southern Berkshires become an even better place."

In his personal life, Allen has a passion for philanthropy, with a particular focus on animal welfare. He has personally fostered scores of pets in his own house as he tried to find them "forever homes."

Allen is also a strong supporter of both economic revitalization and the arts in the Berkshires. He will be a member of both the Economic Development and the Marketing/Fundraising subcommittees of the board helping to move forward the CDCSB's mission to build affordable housing and support small businesses.

CDCSB Executive Director Allison Marchese welcomed Allen to the board, remarking, "Allen brings to us his immense talents as both a business leader and a caring, dynamic human.

"The CDCSB has already benefited from his generosity as the lead sponsor of our upcoming Virtual Film Fundraising event taking place on Zoom on Friday, October 8, at 7pm."

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

Save & Earn with Greylock

3.30% APY 6-month certificate. Click to learn more! Insured by NCUA.

www.greylock.org

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

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

Greenagers Founder Will Conklin Honored as Business Person of the Year

By Breanna Steele12:17PM / Saturday, October 03, 2026

Casey Pease of state Sen. Paul Mark's office presents William Conklin, right, with a state Senate proclamation.

EGREMONT, Mass. — The Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce honored a local businessman and nonprofit leader on Sept. 24 at Catamount Mountain Resort.

William Conklin was this year's Business Person of the Year, recognizing his work as founder and executive director of Greenagers, a nonprofit that helps youth and children engage in work in environmental conservation, sustainable farming, natural resource management, and vocational skills building.

Conklin and his family also run Sky View Farm and he is a managing partner of Konkapot Tree and Timber, a small-scale forest products business.

"If you spent any amount of time in Southern Berkshire, chances are you've heard his name, whether you realize the connection at the time or not," said board member Sierra King Watson, who emceed the event. "You might be having a conversation about farming, a new barn or structure that was built, students learning hands-on skills in sustainable agriculture, or a family that receives donated firewood to help keep their home warm through a cold Berkshire winter, or maybe you're simply talking about one of those community leaders who somehow manages to show up, support everyone, and seemingly be everywhere all at once.

"Well, one name has a way of continuously popping up, and that is Will Conklin."

Board President Mark Rulison said the region has more than 1,200 nonprofits. One in four jobs in the county is in the nonprofit sector, which ranks 27th nationally for nonprofit employment. He said the economic impact on the community is huge, thanking those who help.

For the event on Thursday, Conklin requested that as much of the food as possible was sourced locally. Most of it came from Greenagers, Sky View Farm, Indian Line Farm and Fancy Feast Supper Club, creative dinner series.

View Full Story