Tom Bernard Appointed to Mass Cultural Council

07:53AM / Thursday, July 24, 2025Print Story | Email Story

BOSTON — Mass Cultural Council announced the appointment of Thomas W. Bernard of North Adams as a member of the Agency's governing body.

Bernard was appointed to the Council by Governor Maura Healey on July 16, 2025. Bernard recently served as the President and CEO of Berkshire United Way. He also previously served two terms as Mayor of the City of North Adams and as Chair of the North Adams School Committee.

"I'm so excited to welcome Tom to the Council," said Marc Carroll, Mass Cultural Council Chair. "His experience working with Berkshire County decision-makers – as both a municipal elected official and a leader in philanthropy - will be invaluable to my colleagues and I on the Council as we continue to work to support creative communities in all corners of the Commonwealth."

As the Commonwealth's independent state arts agency, Mass Cultural Council is charged with bolstering the cultural sector.

As directed by state law, Council members are appointed by the Governor and have demonstrated scholarship or creativity in, or distinguished service to, the arts, humanities, interpretative sciences, or local arts. Council members serve staggered, three-year terms and reside in every region of the Commonwealth.

"Mass Cultural Council is gaining a true asset in Tom," said Michael J. Bobbitt, Executive Director, Mass Cultural Council. "As we continue to build cross-sector partnerships and advance municipal support and investment for the arts, Tom's leadership and guidance will be critical to expanding the creative sector not only in the Berkshires, but all across the state."

"Through my work in North Adams and throughout Berkshire County, I know firsthand how a commitment to arts and culture can be transformative for a community and a region," said Bernard. "I look forward to getting right to work with Chair Carroll, Michael, my Council colleagues and the staff team to further advance the sector and uplift the power of culture."

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North Adams Housing Authority Hires MassNAHRO to Lead Executive Director Search

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
02:22PM / Saturday, October 31, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Housing Authority (NAHA) board of commissioners voted to utilize MassNAHRO's Executive Director Search Services for its own director search.

Before the unanimous vote Thursday to retain MassNAHRO (Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials) services, Chairwoman Leigh Uqdah noted that NAHA is already an affiliate of the organization.

"They have been doing executive director recruitment searches for public housing authorities that they represent," she said. "They follow all of the Massachusetts laws, they advertise, they screen, they involve the tenants in their process. I think it is in our best interest to secure their services."

Longtime director Jennifer Hohn resigned earlier in October, following rising tension between her and the NAHA Tenants Association, culminating in the scheduling of a formal grievance hearing between both parties.

The commissioners promoted Director of Operations Lisa Labonte to interim director.

The service will cost $5,500, and MassNAHRO will work directly with the commission to set up a screening committee.

Lillian Zavatsky, city councilor and liaison to NAHA, spoke during the open forum and encouraged the board to avoid a permanent internal promotion. This was in reference to a letter she sent to the commissioners several weeks ago.

"I think that it is really important that the search is open and transparent, and there is a direct role for tenant participation," she said. "Not just after a decision is made, but throughout the process ... I also said I do not support an internal candidate. I do not support the director of operations being promoted to the director. There are older issues here, and she has been part of it. I think a lot needs to change here."

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