June 13, 2016
Press Release – To be released immediately
Contact: Heather Boulger (413) 442-7177 x150
Berkshire County Regional Employment Board, Inc.
BCREB Honors Area Businesses and Elects FY2017 Officers
Onyx Specialty Papers & Lenco Industries recognized
Eva Sheridan from MountainOne Financial elected President of BCREB, Inc.
June 9, 2016, Pittsfield: The Berkshire County Regional Employment Board, Inc. (BCREB) held its annual meeting on June 9th. As a state certified High Performing Workforce Board, the BCREB highlighted several accomplishments including training in healthcare and manufacturing, employer outreach and engagement, rapid response services to assist those impacted by company closings, and more collaborative efforts in meeting the demand for more highly skilled workers.
During FY2016 the BCREB leveraged over $2.9 million which assisted 347 companies to train over 560 individuals, placed 450high school students in internships, assisted more than 3,300 students in college and career readiness activities, and Berkshire Works provided employment services to 3,900 job seekers and 321 employers. This investment of public funds is a critical piece of the economic and workforce development strategy of BerkshireCounty.
SenatorDowning was recognized for his decade of workforce advocacy, and assisted PresidentEva Sheridan in honoring participants and companies involved with the BCREB Manufacturing Grant (Onyx Specialty Papers, Lenco Industries, BerkshireCommunity College Participant Shaun Smith, and McCann participant Alex Giesser)
Stephen Boyd and Rod Jane from the Berkshire Innovation Center provided an overview of manufacturing activities and programs that the BIC is implementing.
In other business, the Board of Directors elected the FY2017 officers which include:
President:Eva SheridanMountainOneFinancial
Vice President:Michael SupranowiczHillcrest Educational Centers, Inc.
Vice President:Albert Ingegni, IIIBerkshire Health Care Systems
Youth Council Chair:Doug McNallyFrosthollow Associates
Treasurer:James BrosnanMcCannTechnicalSchool
Asst. Treasurer:Daniel WalshUnion Retiree
Secretary:Robert KeeganCrescent Creamery
MA WIB Association LiaisonJohnLipaLinden Consulting
The Board voted on the Workforce Business Plan for FY2017 which can be found on its website The BCREB oversees and implements workforce development activities in the region. The Board serves as a conduit for federal and state workforce development funds, and is composed of private sector business people, labor, education, and community leaders.
Senator Downing & BCREB President Eva Sheridan
Senator Downing, Tony Genzabella from Onyx, BCREB President Eva Sheridan
Senator Downing, BCC Trainee Shaun Smith & BCREB President Eva Sheridan
McCann Supt James Brosnan, McCann Trainee Alex Giesser and McCann Instructor
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