BUSINESS BRIEFS: 1Berkshire annual meeting; Trolley station donated to North Chatham Free Library; BCC’s program reaches milestone; MountainOne acquires McClure; PS21 awarded grants – The Berkshire Edge

1Berkshire closes out 2024 with a successful annual meeting 

Berkshire— 1Berkshire held its 2024 Annual Meeting at Barrington Stage Company (BSC) on Thursday, December 12th. Over 200 attendees were present to hear about the economic development, membership, and marketing accomplishments that 1Berkshire achieved throughout this past year and to get a sneak peak into what 2025 will hold for the organization.

The meeting opened with a warm welcome from Alan Paul, BSC Artistic Director, and his remarks were followed by those from the presenting sponsor, General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS). Brenda Burdick, GDMS Director of Marketing and Strategic Communications, spoke about the company’s deep connection to the Berkshire community. Following the business portion of the Annual Meeting, Pat Begrowicz, President of Onyx Specialty Papers, introduced keynote speaker Brooke Thomson, President & CEO of Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM).

Jonathan Butler, President and CEO of 1Berkshire, started his remarks by thanking the staff of 1Berkshire for their work on current and future initiatives. He reported on the financials, followed by the successes of the membership, marketing, and economic development work. He thanked the 1Berkshire investors for their continued support and referenced their loyal contributions.

Lori Kiely, Berkshire County Regional President for Berkshire Bank and Managing Director of the Berkshire Bank Foundation, addressed members from her role as Chair of the 1Berkshire Alliance Board of Directors. Kiely called the business meeting to order, and began by acknowledging the changing slate of directors.

The membership renewed a term of three years for each of the following Directors: John Bissell, Greylock Federal Credit Union; Barbara Guido, Adams Community Bank; Vicki Saltzmann, The Clark Art Institute; Betsy Strickler, Solastra Strategies; Colleen Taylor, Bay State Hospitality Group; Sue Kristjansson, Berkshire Gas; and Alfred Enchill, Elegant Stitches.

The membership voted in new Board Members Gina Puc, Special Assistant to the President, Williams College; Jesse Cook-Dubin, Partner, Cohen Kinne Valicenti & Cook; Harry Monti, President, Berkshire Life Insurance Company (Guardian); Ellen Kennedy, President, Berkshire Community College; Yina Moore, Founder and Artistic Director, Adams Theater. Each was appointed for a three-year term.

The membership renewed the following slate of officers for a two-year term: Lori Kiely (Chair), Berkshire Bank; Jonathan Butler (President), 1Berkshire; Colleen Taylor (Vice-Chair), Bay State Hospitality Group; Peter Stasiowski (Vice-Chair), Interprint; Margaret Keller (Treasurer), CATA; and Jesse Cook-Dubin (Clerk), Cohen Kinne Valicenti & Cook, LLP

The Annual Meeting also allowed 1Berkshire and its membership to thank outgoing Board Members for their service to the 1Berkshire Alliance Board of Directors: Riad Maher, MLCC Properties; Danielle Gonzalez, Williams College; Leigh Davis, Construct, Inc.; C. Jeffrey Cook, Cohen Kinne Valicenti & Cook; and Richard Pollard, Guardian Insurance.

Before closing the meeting, Kiely and 1Berkshire Director of Membership, Christine Hoyt, honored Butler’s 10 years of service as President of 1Berkshire, presenting him with a special award.

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North Chatham longtime resident and former president of Historical Society George Vollmuth donates trolley station to North Chatham Free Library

North Chatham, N.Y.— For 75 years, the old Trolley Station on County Route 32 housed the North Chatham Firehouse until modern demands prompted the decision to build a new facility. 

In 2001, George Vollmuth purchased the building with the intention of renovating it to create a home for the North Chatham Historical Society.  Once restored to its former glory, it was rededicated with an open house in 2012, and this year, Vollmuth donated the Trolley Station to the library. “My hope is that in giving the Trolley Station to the North Chatham Free Library, it will give the space new life and allow the history of the hamlet to continue to be seen, told and celebrated,” said Vollmuth.

Library Board President Kim Grethen expressed her gratitude, saying, “Through George’s extraordinary and magnanimous gift, we have gained sorely needed meeting space that is ADA compliant and makes every program accessible for our entire community.”

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Berkshire Community College’s medical coding and health information management program reaches 10-year milestone 

Pittsfield— Berkshire Community College (BCC) recently celebrated the 10-year anniversary of its Medical Coding and Health Information Management (HIM) program. 

Two adjunct faculty members, Laurie Vilord and Marsha Estabrook-Adams, received the “HIM Team Excellence Award – 2024 for Collaboration” award, presented by Maryellen Osborne of the Massachusetts chapter of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA.)  The award recognized Vilord and Estabrook-Adams for working together to enhance the curriculum of the medical coding and HIM certificates in order to meet rigorous guidelines established by AHIMA through its Professional Certification Approval Program (PCAP.)

The evening provided an opportunity for BCC administration, faculty, tutors, alumni and current students to share their stories. “The energy in the room was palpable. All of these medical coders and HIM professionals, in the field or in the program, met to share their professional experiences and dreams. Together, we have so many ideas to move forward on that will bring our program to the next level,” Vilord said. “I am thrilled to be a part of this certificate program at BCC.”

The Medical Coding and HIM program, which debuted in fall 2014, was conceived by Berkshire Health Systems and workforce development staff at BCC. The group worked together to develop the medical coding certificate, the health information management certificate and an associate degree in business with a HIM major. To date, there are approximately 150 graduates of the combined certificate and associate degree programs. For more information about the program, visit www.berkshriecc.edu/medical-coding.

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MountainOne Insurance acquires McClure Insurance Agency

North Adams— MountainOne Insurance Agency is excited to announce its recent acquisition of McClure Insurance Agency in West Springfield and Wilbraham. This is MountainOne Insurance’s second acquisition in the Pioneer Valley this year.

For over 100 years, the family-owned McClure Insurance Agency has offered insurance products to fit the needs of families and businesses. McClure Insurance Agency, as part of MountainOne, will now offer customers many enhanced services, including the addition of Group Employee Benefits, Life Insurance, Long-Term Care Insurance, Medicare products, and in-house claims services. Customers also have access to many new insurance carriers, widening their options for coverage at highly competitive rates.

Agency principal Mark McClure and the McClure Insurance Agency staff will remain with the agency, ensuring stability for their clients. They will also maintain both office locations at 103 Van Deene Avenue in West Springfield and 2361 Boston Road in Wilbraham.

Learn more about MountainOne Insurance, products, and offerings at www.mountainone.com/insurance.

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PS21 awarded two grants from the New York State Council on the Arts

Chatham, N.Y.— PS21 announced that it has been awarded two grants from the New York State Council on the Arts, totaling $134,000 over the next two years.

The first grant provides crucial general operating support, and the second is for the residency program, which allows PS21 to bring artists to PS21 for extended periods, and to provide them housing, technical resources, and a peaceful setting to develop and incubate new work.