1Berkshire Announces Winners of Esther Quinn Award

BERKSHIRE COUNTY, MA – For the first time, the Esther Quinn Award presented to a member of the Berkshire community who is involved in several volunteer efforts and continues to make the Berkshires a better place to live and work, will go to TWO recipients, Linda Gaspardi-Febles of MountainOne and Denise Richardello of MCLA.

1Berkshire is happy to carry on the tradition of the Esther Quinn Award, now in its 18th year. The award will be given out at the next 1Berkshire Good News Business Salute at Berkshire Hills Country Club on April 26th at 7:30 AM. 1Berkshire saw heightened interest in the Award this year, reflected in the number of quality applications received.

“I would like to begin by congratulating Linda and Denise, I cannot think of two more deserving and dedicated professionals to give this award to. I was happy to head up the committee that for the first time was able to give out this award to not 1 but 2 worthy candidates” stated Mick Callahan, Chair of the Esther Quinn Award Committee and 1Berkshire Board member.

Linda Gaspardi-Febles is Vice President of Business Insurance at MountainOne. As Vice President, Linda manages an extensive portfolio of business clients, providing risk management strategies and insurance protection plans. Linda is active with many community organizations, currently serving as Chairman of the AdLib Board, as well as a Board member for 1Berkshire, Berkshire County Kids Place, and The Brien Center. She is a Corporator for the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Foundation and a member of Berkshire Business and Professional Women. Linda also earned the Dr. David B. Kagan Award for Community Service from the Pittsfield Rotary in 2013.

Denise Richardello has over 25 years of experience in leadership at MCLA. In her position as Executive Vice President, Denise focuses work with community leaders, government officials, local and statewide education leaders and major donors to create partnerships to broaden access to the high quality public liberal arts education, which MCLA offers. Along with serving on several statewide boards, Denise volunteers and o for a variety of local boards including 1Berkshire, Berkshire Regional Employment Board, LEVER Entrepreneurship and Innovation Board and the North Adams Partnership Board.

“Our committee was very pleased with the quality of applicants who were nominated this year, a real tribute to Esther Quinn and to the long history of this Award which was first presented in 1999,” he continued.

I am so proud that in its first year as a 1Berkshire driven award, we are able to give this award to two such worthy recipients who are actively giving back to the Berkshire community as volunteers in so many ways,” added Jonathan Butler, CEO of 1Berkshire. “They truly personify this award,” he stated.

To join in the award ceremony, you can attend the April 26th Good News Business Salute. Tickets can be purchased at 1berkshire.com/good-news-business-salute-4.

About 1Berkshire
1Berkshire is a county-wide organization focused on economic development and promotion of the region as a preferred place to visit, to live, and to grow a business. It provides programs that connect businesses with each other and with potential customers, as well as works to develop future leaders and support entrepreneurs. For more information, visit 1Berkshire.com.