Berkshire Workforce Board Elects New Board Officers

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. MassHire's Berkshire Workforce Board recapped successes of FY24, honored individuals and elected Board Officers for FY25 during its annual Board Meeting.
 
The Board of Directors of the MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board (BWB) convened virtually at the BWB Annual Board Meeting on June 6, 2024, to discuss workforce strategies and reflect on the successes of the past year.
 
Elected Board Officers for FY25:
  • President/Chairperson: David Moresi, Moresi & Associates
  • Vice President: Michael Taylor, City of Pittsfield
  • Vice President: Christopher Smith, Hillcrest Educational Centers
  • Treasurer: James Brosnan, Northern Berkshire Vocational School District
  • Assistant Treasurer: Beth Petropulos, MountainOne
  • Youth Council Co-Chairs: Bryan House, 18 Degrees, Doug McNally, FrostHollow Associates
  • Secretary: Chelsea Tyer, Mativ/Neenah
  • At-Large: Albert Ingegni, Salisbury Estate
The BWB recognized the following individuals for their tireless commitment toward enhancing the region's skilled workforce:
 
  • Monique Blake, Miraval Resort – Board Member of the Year. Monique has dedicated her time providing numerous career readiness opportunities for Berkshire County youth including hosting internships, summer work experiences and participating in career fairs. She is a member of the BWB's Youth Council and is committed to building the future workforce pipeline within the region's Hospitality sector.
  • Kristina Farina, Monument Mt. Regional High School – Educator of the Year. Throughout the past five years serving as Principal, Kristi has led the development of an integrated career readiness system at Monument and has helped to enhance internship opportunities and career pathways to ensure all students have necessary career development upon graduating from high school. 
  • Chelsea Tyer & Glen Reinhold, Mativ – Manufacturer of the Year. Mativ is committed to enhancing the current and future workforce pipelines in Manufacturing. This year, Mativ's employees volunteered their time at career fairs, hosted workplace tours, participated in career speaker series, attended job fairs, supported new hires with On-the-Job training funds and supported the BWB's efforts with Manufacturing Month.
In FY24, together with its regional partners and the MassHire Berkshire Career Center, the BWB provided over 3,000 youth in grades K-12 with an array of career awareness, exploration and immersion experiences, worked with 800 Berkshire County businesses in supporting their workforce needs, and implemented eleven Modified and seven Certified Nursing Assistant training programs for 142 individuals embarking on a career in the Healthcare sector. Additional programs, services and accomplishments can be found at www.masshireberkshire.com.   
 
BWB staff and Board Members recognized outgoing Chair, Eva Sheridan, for her steadfast and strong leadership the past eight years. 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Police Suspect No Foul Play on DOA at Wahconah Park

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Police Department suspects no foul play in the death of an individual found on Wahconah Park's property on Monday. 

Police Lt. Cheryl Callahan confirmed that a person was dead on arrival when police were called to 105 Wahconah St. around 5:30 p.m. on Monday, July 6. 

"The party was identified, and there is no foul play. The medical examiner's office did accept the body," she reported on Tuesday when contacted by iBerkshires. 

Police were unable to specify where on the property the body was found and did not identify the person. Behind the ballpark and parking lot is a park and swampy area. 

If evidence pointing to foul play were discovered, that information would come from the detective bureau, Callahan said. 

This is not the first time a deceased person has been found on the property. 

Three years ago, human remains were found near the swampy area behind the park by a city employee who was cutting brush. The remains were later identified as 43-year-old Luis Lopez-Lopez. 

The Wahconah Park grandstand is currently being demolished following its condemnation in 2022, and the site is not currently in active use while the city plans for a $15 million rebuild. 

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