MountainOne Bank Announces Community Banking Leadership Promotions

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Pictured L to R: Lucille Weare, Randy Burdick, Jill Amato
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — MountainOne, a full service financial institution headquartered in the Berkshires with offices on Boston's South Shore, announced a new leadership structure for its retail banking operation that includes the promotion of three employees.
 
"This enhanced leadership structure in Community Banking positions us to best support our customers, our employees, and our communities via our team's deep experience in banking, management and strategic growth," said Robert Fraser, MountainOne President and Chief Executive Officer.
 
MountainOne Bank Employee Promotions:
 
Lucille Weare has been promoted to Vice President, Branch Operations Liaison and Regional Community Banking Officer. Lucille is responsible for developing and implementing policy and operational procedures throughout MountainOne's branch network.  She also manages the operational training for all frontline branch staff, as well as being the Community Banking liaison with both the Deposit Operations and IT teams. Her broadened responsibilities will now include day-to-day oversight of the South Shore branches, including human capital management. Lucille is an active community volunteer, including supporting financial literacy and outreach in Quincy Public Schools. She lives in Quincy with her family.
 
Randy Burdick has been promoted to Vice President, Regional Community Banking Officer. Randy's focus will be strategic leadership within Community Banking, operations management, sales leadership, and human capital management in the Berkshires. Randy has been recognized for supporting the strategic growth of his staff, as well as product development and sales management. He has over 17 years of experience in leadership roles in banking. Randy serves on the Board of Elder Services of the Berkshires, and lives in Cheshire with his family.
 
Jill Amato has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Marketing & Community Banking Officer. Jill joined MountainOne in 2018 as Senior Vice President and Marketing Officer, bringing with her over 15 years of marketing expertise within the financial services industry. In this role, Jill has been responsible for the strategy and oversight of all marketing programs and initiatives at MountainOne. Most recently, Jill's management role has been expanded to include the strategic direction and oversight of Community Banking for MountainOne.
 
Jill has led the strategy and development of the award-winning MountainOne brand campaign which launched in 2019. The brand, developed with MountainOne's creative partner, HATCH the Agency, earned six awards from the Service Industry Advertising Awards (SIAA) and three awards from the New England Financial Marketing Association (NEFMA) in 2020.  Jill serves on the Board of Directors of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plymouth, and serves as treasurer of the Kingston Parent Teacher Organization (KPTO). She resides on the South Shore with her husband and three children in Kingston.

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NAHA Board Accepts Director's Resignation, Unlocks Tenants Association Office

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Housing Authority Board of Commissioners officially accepted the resignation of Executive Director Jennifer Hohn and restored access to the Tenants Association office.

The board held a special meeting Thursday to vote to accept Hohn's resignation and determined that there are currently no plans to replace her.

"We didn't make any final determinations in terms of the executive session so we will schedule another meeting at another time," Chairwoman Leigh Uqdah said after returning from more than an hour session. "Day-to-day operations will continue to be managed as normal by staff."

Per their bylaws, board member Marie Harpin will continue to handle finances, and Uqdah will manage contracts.

Hohn stepped down on Oct. 8 after 24 years leading the agency. Her resignation followed rising tension between her and the NAHA Tenants Association, culminating in the scheduling of a formal grievance hearing between both parties.

The boiling point was the locking of the association's office this summer. Tenants alleged the lockout was retaliation for posting a video on social media depicting improperly functioning door alarms. Hohn claimed the office was locked for tenant safety and to stop the spread of misinformation.

Tenants Association President Corey Fortin asked if Hohn's security access had been removed. Uqdah confirmed her credentials were revoked the day she resigned, meaning she can no longer monitor security cameras remotely.

Jennifer Barbeau, a former city councilor who was liaison to the Housing Authority, asked when the board met to discuss Hohn's severance package. Uqdah stated that Hohn did not have one.

The board also accepted the resignation of Commissioner Richard Lavigne, though they will vote officially on the matter at their next meeting.

The open portion of the meeting was brief, with nearly an hour and a half spent in executive session. Before entering executive session, the board opened the floor to tenants.

"The tenants requested an opportunity to talk to the board," said Uqdah. "It has been quite a while, but we have decided to honor that."

Fortin, who posted the original video to social media, was the first to speak. He was clear in his request: unlock the office door.

"Let's cut straight to the chase tonight. The former resigned Director Jennifer Hohn ordered the office locked," he alleged. "She is gone. The lockout is a direct violation, and the board has a duty to end that tonight."

He cited federal and state laws that mandate the tenants association be provided with office space, including computer and network access.

"We are here with a direct administrative demand. We demand that the board vote tonight to unlock the doors," he said. "Do not let a resigned director's illegal action remain the board's ongoing liability. Open our door tonight, and let us get back to work."

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