Co-op Bank Promotes Vice President, Commercial Lending

04:01PM / Thursday, March 06, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield Cooperative Bank (Co-op Bank) announced the promotion of Sierra King Watson to Vice President, Commercial Lending.

In her new commercial role, Watson will spearhead efforts to support local businesses, delivering tailored business banking and lending solutions to help foster growth and strengthen the regional economy.

Watson, a member of the Co-op Bank team, has built a strong reputation for her personalized approach to commercial lending, working closely with business owners to understand their goals and challenges.

With fifteen years of banking and lending experience, Watson has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and expertise in structuring financing packages to support a wide range of business needs — from real estate and equipment loans to lines of credit and business expansion funding, stated a press release.

"Sierra's promotion is a well-earned recognition of her exceptional work ethic, strong client relationships, and commitment to our values as a community bank," said Mike Ferry, SVP, Commercial Banking. "Her ability to combine financial expertise with a genuine understanding of our local business community makes her a perfect fit for this elevated role."

In her new position, Watson will continue to develop and expand the Bank's commercial lending portfolio. She will also play a role in shaping new lending initiatives and enhancing processes at Pittsfield Cooperative Bank.

A Berkshire county native, Watson resides locally with her husband and family. She has been actively involved in various community organizations including the Southern Berkshire Chamber Board of Directors where she is serving her second year as president.

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Pittsfield Council Revisiting DEI Office Restructure

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:11PM / Tuesday, October 13, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The conversation about the DEI office renaming that was halted by a charter objection will resume on Tuesday.

The City Council will discuss a request from Mayor Peter Marchetti to restructure the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

It proposes to rename the DEI office to the Office of Equity, Access, and Opportunity and merge the Human Rights Commission and Affirmative Action Committee into an Equity, Access and Opportunity Commission.

The Ordinance and Rules Subcommittee supported the changes in August, and in September, Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham delayed the vote with a charter objection.

Pittsfield's City Code prohibits charter states that "if a single member present objects to the taking of the vote, the vote shall be postponed until the next meeting of the city council." It also stipulates that at least four members must object if it is an emergency measure.

Cunningham also submitted a petition, which was referred to O&R under Rule 27, to replace the DEI Office and the Human Rights Commission with an equity, access, and opportunity coordinator in the Department of Community Development, with formal complaints and Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action functions assigned to Human Resources.

At the last meeting, he spent more than an hour querying the mayor and chief diversity officer about functions and effectiveness of the department, wanting more quantitative data. Cunningham proposed an ordinance that he says keeps Pittsfield's commitment to equity, access, and opportunity, "refocuses it on measurable results for our residents, and delivers it at a fraction of the current cost."

Under this petition, the equity, access, and opportunity coordinator would be a $60,000 to $80,000 per year position.

The DEI Office's fiscal year 2027 budget was about $200,000 after cuts during budget season; $106,700 for the chief diversity officer and $58,000 for the administrative assistant. The coordinator would be appointed by the director of community development and the mayor.

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