1Berkshire held its 2025 Annual Meeting at The Adams Theater on Thursday, December 4, 2025. 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 2026 will hold for the organization.

The meeting opened with a warm welcome from Yina Moore, owner of The Adams Theater. Her remarks were followed by those from the presenting sponsor, General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS). Chris Montferret, Vice President, Maritime & Strategic System Strategy & Business Development, spoke about the company’s continued growth in the region. Following the business portion of the Annual Meeting, Jonathan Butler, 1Berkshire President and CEO, introduced keynote speaker JD Chesloff, President & CEO of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable. 

“It was truly an honor to have JD Chesloff present for our membership and speak to some of the critical issues impacting businesses throughout Massachusetts,” said Butler. “The Massachusetts Business Roundtable is a key partner for 1Berkshire and so many of our member businesses, providing us with key data and clear direction around advocacy on the issues that influence business and competitiveness in the Commonwealth.”

Lori Kiely, Foundation Director and Berkshire County Regional President for Berkshire Bank, and Berkshire Bank Board Chair, addressed members from her role as Chair of the 1Berkshire Alliance Board of Directors and kicked off the business portion of the meeting. Kiely called the 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: Tyler Fairbank, The Fairbank Group; Lori Kiely, Berkshire Bank; Peter Stasiowski, Interprint; Anastasia Stanmeyer, Berkshire Magazine; Kristen Van Ginhoven, Project Sage/Arts Consultant; Shaun Cusson, Hillcrest Educational Centers; and Brenda Burdick, General Dynamics Mission Systems.

The membership voted in new Board Members Jim Mancall, Berkshire Community College; Jennifer Falk, MASS MoCA; and Robin Sher, The Clark Art Institute. Each was appointed for a three-year term.

The Annual Meeting also allowed 1Berkshire and its membership to thank outgoing Board Members for their service to the 1Berkshire Alliance Board of Directors: Vicki Saltzman, The Clark Art Institute; Sue Kristjansson, Berkshire Gas; Kat Lockridge, Classical Tents & Party Goods; Ellen Kennedy, Berkshire Community College; and Mary Skorupa, Onyx Specialty Papers.

Following Kiely, Jonathan Butler, 1Berkshire President and CEO, started his 1Berkshire updates by thanking the staff of 1Berkshire for their work on current and future initiatives. He presented an overview of the key highlights from 2025.

Highlights from the year include:

  • 10th Anniversary of 1Berkshire
    • As 1Berkshire approaches its 10th anniversary, it clarified its identity, values, and goals in order to more fully tell its story. The rebrand shows the maturation and experience 1Berkshire now commands in its work in economic development and destination marketing.
  • Office Move to North Street in Pittsfield
    • 1Berkshire moved within Pittsfield, selling its building at Central Station on Allen Street in August 2024, and moving to Crawford Square on North Street in January 2025. The office renovations and signage are nearly complete.
    • An official Open House was held in September to welcome members and neighbors to see the new headquarters. 1Berkshire members are encouraged to contact the office to reserve the conference and meeting spaces.
  • Small Business Succession, Transition and Exit Planning (STEP)
    • STEP was created from a full year of planning and working with a coalition of partners to map out needs, opportunities, and assets to support business succession as a means to prevent closures from retirements and to help businesses build resiliency planning and exit plans.  The pilot program launched in 2025, including a summit about employee ownership models.  Looking to 2026, 1Berkshire is focusing on compiling  resources to scale the program and offer additional technical assistance and support, leveraging both direct service and digital tools.
  • Success Stories – Business Consultations – 100+ annually
    • Red Shirt Farm: 1Berkshire committed to working with Red Shirt Farm on its farm store plans, from an economic development site visit, to direct technical assistance, to helping with crowdfunding planning and execution. After 3+ years, Red Shirt officially opened its new farm store in 2025, a testament to the often long runway it takes for meaningful success to come to fruition in the small business world.
    • Rural Youth Leadership Program: Lani Willmar joined the EconDev team as the ERC fellow in July, and immediately secured a new grant to support the launch of the Berkshire Inspiration Lab, a storytelling initiative that deploys two regional youth in interviewing, documenting, and broadcasting the stories of underrepresented founders and entrepreneurs in the Berkshires. 
    • Belong Berkshires opened with a soft launch in May 2025 as a multi-faceted program to help engage, attract, and retain new members to the regional community. Beginning with a digital community launched on LinkedIn, Belong Berkshires aims to facilitate intentional collisions and bond building that create a sense of belonging, community, and authentic participation in the Berkshires. In 2026, Belong Berkshires will incorporate in-person events that bring together new transplants with long-time residents, and also provide curated opportunities, newsletters, and resources.
  • NEW 1Berkshire.com Launched and New Branding Announced
    • The new website demonstrates the organization’s growth over the last 10 years
    • Highlights the new 1Berkshire  logo and brand colors
    • It will help 1Berkshire tell its story in a clear and concise way with impactful metrics, imagery, calls to action, and blogs.
    • It also creates a user experience for businesses and residents to understand and utilize all the programs, events, and support offered by 1Berkshire
    • Prioritizes 1Berkshire’s 3 focal areas:  Membership, Economic Development, and Marketing
    • Provides a clearer pathway for users to find the information they need. 
    • 1Berkshire began rolling out  its new logo and brand back in the fall but the Annual Meeting served as the official launch of the new brand.

The Annual Meeting was made possible through the generous support of the following sponsors: General Dynamics, Berkshire Heath Systems, North Adams Regional Hospital, Gateway Fiber, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Smith Bros-McAndrews Insurance, Adams Community Bank, KB Accounting, Hillcrest Educational Centers, BFAIR, GVH Studio, Inc., AccessPlus, Gemini Creative, and Organization Ink.