Berkshire Innovation Center Appoints New Board Members
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — As it enters its seventh year of operations and builds on a year of expanding regional partnerships and statewide recognition, the Berkshire Innovation Center (BIC) announced the appointment of four new members to its Board of Directors: Linda Clairmont of Berkshire Community College, Christopher Montferret of General Dynamics Mission Systems, Richard Glejzer of the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, and Chris Ferrone of PrestoArt.ai.
"I'm excited to welcome these leaders to the Board," said James Kupernik, Chair of the BIC Board of Directors. "Each brings experience, perspective, and a collaborative spirit that will help the BIC continue strengthening connections between employers, educational institutions, and the broader innovation ecosystem."
The appointments come at a moment of continued momentum for the BIC, including its recent selection as a Massachusetts Tech Hub awardee supporting cluster-based economic development in priority sectors. As the organization expands its role in driving regional growth, the Board additions reinforce its commitment to aligning industry, education, and innovation across Berkshire County.
"Our mission is clear," said Ben Sosne, Executive Director of the Berkshire Innovation Center. "We drive economic growth by helping companies grow and create high-quality careers here in the Berkshires. That means supporting existing employers as they expand, helping new companies embed and scale locally, and ensuring our region is connected to the broader Massachusetts innovation economy. Linda, Christopher, Chris, and Richard each represent critical parts of that ecosystem, and their leadership will help us continue building durable pathways from education to industry."
About the New Board Members
Linda Clairmont serves as Executive Director of Workforce and Community Education at Berkshire Community College, where she leads regional workforce development and lifelong learning initiatives. She previously served as Mayor of Pittsfield, bringing significant executive leadership experience in municipal government and economic development. In her current role, she provides strategic leadership across program design, enrollment, marketing, and grant development, advancing innovative non-credit training opportunities that connect job seekers with employers and respond directly to evolving industry needs.
Christopher Montferret is Vice President of Strategy and Business Development for the Maritime and Strategic Systems Line of Business at General Dynamics Mission Systems. With more than 35 years of experience across engineering, quality assurance, program management, and business development, he leads a business development organization supporting U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and other strategic customers across a substantial advanced technology portfolio.
Chris Ferrone is Vice President of Business Development at PrestoArt.ai, where he leads growth strategy for an AI-driven design platform. With more than three decades of entrepreneurial and executive leadership experience across technology and manufacturing, Ferrone has long been an advocate for innovation in the Berkshires and has served on the BIC Finance Committee since 2022, providing fiscal oversight and strategic guidance.
Dr. Richard Glejzer serves as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA). A higher education leader with more than twenty-five years of experience, he advances academic initiatives that connect liberal arts education with applied learning, workforce readiness, and regional industry partnerships.
The BIC also extends its gratitude to Ellen Kennedy (Berkshire Community College), James Birge (Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts), and David Valicenti (Cohen Kinne Valicenti & Cook LLP) as they conclude their service on the Board. The organization is grateful for their leadership and contributions during a period of foundational growth for the center.
