We are excited to have five new Board Members joining us, for 2018, their energy and ideas are sure to add a lot to our active board dynamic. Please join us in welcoming them.
Dr. James Birge, President, MCLA
Dr. James F. Birge has worked in higher education for more than 30 years. After serving as the executive vice president and interim president at Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia, Birge was recruited to become the fourth president at Franklin Pierce University in 2009. While at Franklin Pierce, Birge and his leadership team secured the largest single donor gift in University history, the largest planned gift in history, and four of the six largest annual fund contributions in history.
Birge holds a Ph.D. in leadership studies from Gonzaga University, an M.Ed. in guidance and counseling from Plymouth State University, and a B.S. in elementary education from Westfield State University.
Margaret Keller, Executive Director, CATA
Margaret Keller is Executive Director of Community Access to the Arts (CATA), a nonprofit arts organization that nurtures and celebrates the creativity of 650 people with disabilities across Berkshire County. In 2016, CATA became the first nonprofit in Berkshire County to receive NEPR’s Art & Humanities Award.
Margaret received her B.A. from the University of Virginia and her Master’s degree in English from the University of Chicago. In 2001, Margaret was chosen by the Chicago Tribune as one of the most influential people in arts and culture in the city. She has been on advisory boards for the Chicago History Museum and the Center for Public Intellectuals and serves on the advisory committee for the Lenox Educational Enrichment Foundation at Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.
She lives in Lenox with her husband, the writer Brendan Mathews, and their four children.
Mindi Morin, General Manager, Canyon Ranch
Mindi joined Canyon Ranch, Lenox in the fall of 2016. Prior to her arrival in Lenox, Mindi had worked in various Fairmont Hotels for just over 16 years in San Francisco, Vancouver, B.C., Jasper Alberta, Pittsburgh and Washington D.C.
She fell in love with the business at a young age as her parents ran very successful restaurants and Bed and Breakfasts in Nova Scotia. Par the course, Mindi’s decision to obtain a B.S. in Hospitality and Tourism from California State University was a very one.
Moving to Lenox and having the opportunity to live in such an amazing community and continue her passion for a luxury brand has made for a very easy transition.
Jill Sasso Curtis, Dean of Community Engagement, Education and Workforce Development, BCC
Over the course of her career, Jill Sasso Curtis has held leadership roles in the private, public and nonprofit sectors. She’s held management roles at Fortune 500 companies and in higher education. She came to the Berkshires in 2012 as an executive team member at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health.
In March of 2017, Sasso Curtis joined Berkshire Community College as the Dean of Community Engagement, Education, and Workforce Development. She is a member of the board of directors of 3HO Foundation International, a global nonprofit dedicated to supporting the teaching and practice of Kundalini Yoga.
Sasso Curtis holds a B.A. degree from Ohio Wesleyan University and an MBA in International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. She lives with her husband and two teenage sons in Stockbridge.
Alan LeBihan, Vice President of Operations, Unistress Corporation
Alan LeBihan is the Vice President of Operations at Unistress in Pittsfield. He brings 30 years of operations leadership experience in manufacturing, engineering, design, and quality of medical devices, consumer and industrial products. Alan is expert at leading a systematic approach to operations based on customer requirements, engineering excellence, and world-class execution. Trained as a 6 Sigma black belt and in lean manufacturing principles, he has successfully implemented operational improvement initiatives across multiple industries. Mr. LeBihan holds a bachelor of business from Rutgers University.
Alan is married to his wife Holly, and together they have 3 adult children. Spending time with family enjoying the outdoors is their family’s passion. From hiking to kayaking and cycling they enjoy their time with nature.
Also, let’s give a big thank you to our Board Members who are stepping down. We thank you for your commitment to creating a better community in the Berkshires for all of us:
- Megan Whilden, Executive Director, The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at BCC
- Tad Ames, President, Berkshire Natural Resources Council
- Jonah Sykes, Marketing & Communications Manager, BCC
- Denise Richardello, Executive Vice President, MCLA
- John Toole, L.V. Toole Insurance Agency
- Alice Maggio, Executive Director, BerkShares
- Michele Kotek, VP of Lodging Operations, Main Street Hospitality Group
- Mick Callahan, President, M. Callahan, Inc.