The Colonial Announces Newly Appointed Board Member

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Pittsfield – The Colonial Theatre announced today the appointment of Jodi Kennedy to its Board of Trustees. Kennedy is general manager of global communications for SABIC Innovative Plastics. She has more than 20 years of experience developing and leading internal and external communications strategies in manufacturing, financial services and technology corporations.

“The Colonial is off to a great start. Now that we’ve transitioned from a construction project to capital campaign fund raising and an actively programmed theater, we are eager to expand the skills and talents of the dedicated advisors who are helping us realize success. Jodi Kennedy is an outstanding community member who is enthusiastic about The Colonial Theatre’s future. She is dedicated to ensuring that the Colonial remains a treasure for all of the people of Berkshire County,” said Gary Scarafoni, President of The Colonial Board of Trustees.

“The Colonial Theatre navigated the always challenging path through the renovation process largely because of the dedication and perseverance of an enthusiastic group of community volunteers. The mission of this performance center will always be to serve the people of the Berkshires. To do that effectively we need to continually attract community representatives who will effectively represent our communities and advocate for the long-term success of the theater. We are so pleased to announce this wonderful new addition to our Board of Trustees,” said Colonial Executive Director David Fleming.

Kennedy joined SABIC Innovative Plastics from Textron in October 2007. In her current role, she is responsible for leading SABIC Innovative Plastics’ global communications team in developing, executing, and managing all internal and external communications strategies worldwide, including public relations, crisis communications, advertising, internal communications, corporate social responsibility, digital communications, and industry trade shows. Kennedy is also responsible for leading the company’s branding efforts and managing major communications initiatives with and across other SABIC businesses and SABIC corporate headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Prior to joining SABIC Innovative Plastics, Kennedy was the director of internal communications for Textron, a $13 billion global multi-industry company with approximately 40,000 employees in 32 countries serving the aircraft, industrial and finance sectors. In this role, Kennedy led various communications efforts across the business. Most notably, she led communications for Textron's business transformation that is resulting in improved business performance. Prior to Textron, Kennedy held numerous roles of increasing responsibility in media relations and investor relations with large corporations including American Power Conversion and Fleet Financial Group (now Bank of America). She began her career as a television news reporter and anchor at WJAR-TV in Providence, R.I. and WLTZ-TV in Columbus, Ga.

Kennedy earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science from the University of Connecticut. She conducted post-graduate studies in broadcast journalism at both Emerson College and West Virginia University, and completed the Executive Leadership Program, Thunderbird, at the Garvin School of International Management.
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Former Harry's Supermarket Under Construction for Restaurant

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Construction is underway to transform the former Harry's Supermarket into a restaurant

Late last month, the Conservation Commission greenlit some tree pruning on the property. New windows and a new door can be seen in the front of the building. 

"It's a substantial renovation that's currently underway here," Brent White of White Engineering said, speaking on behalf of the applicant and owner, Huajie Zhu. 

A fire gutted the longtime Wahconah Street supermarket in 2023, and the following year, Zhu purchased the property for $460,000 two years ago to build a restaurant with hibachi in the existing footprint of the more than 100-year-old building. 

White explained that the project has been ongoing for over a year, and the Community Development Board granted the property a waiver to reduce the minimum required number of parking spaces so that additional spaces aren't needed.  

He noted that, looking at the site plan, there is very little room to do so. A mirror will be installed near the sharp turn on Bel Air Avenue to alleviate traffic concerns. 

Pruning will be done on trees in the southeast corner of the existing paved parking lot, as a number of branches are hanging over. The new owners also intend to patch, sealcoat, and re-stripe the parking lot. 

A fire tore through the building less than an hour after the supermarket closed for the day three years ago. An automatic sprinkler system is required for the new use. 

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