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. 
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BVNA Nurses Raise Funds for Berkshire Bounty

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Massachusetts Nursing Association members of the Berkshire Visiting Nurses Association raised $650 to help with food insecurity in Berkshire County.
 
The nurses and health-care professionals of BVNA have given back to the community every holiday season for the last three years. The first year, they adopted a large family, raised money, bought, wrapped and delivered the gifts for the family. Last year, they sold raffle tickets and the money raised went to the charitable cause of the winner. 
 
This year, with food insecurity as a rising issue, they chose to give to Berkshire Bounty in Great Barrington.
 
They sold raffle tickets for a drawing to win one of two items: A lottery ticket tree or a gift certificate tree, each worth $100. They will be giving the organization the donation this month.
 
Berkshire Bounty seeks to improve food security in the county through food donations from retailers and local farms; supplemental purchases of healthy foods; distribution to food sites and home deliveries; and collaborating with partners to address emergencies and improve the food system. 
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