Swift Endorses Bech for Congress

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Nathan Bech and former acting Gov. Jane Swift
PITTSFIELD — The region's best-known Republican, former acting Gov. Jane M. Swift, has endorsed GOP candidate Nathan Bech in his run for the 1st Massachusetts District.

Bech, of West Springfield, is seeking the seat U.S. Rep. John W. Olver, D-Amherst, has held the seat since 1991. (Olver will contend against Democrat Robert Feuer in a primary in September; Bech will face the winner.)

Swift sought to unseat Olver in 1996 after serving as Berkshire County's state senator for three terms. She came up short in a tight race but went on to become to become lieutenant governor in 1998 and later acting governor on the resignation of A. Paul Celucci.

The Williamstown resident  spoke in support of Bech at an event in Pittsfield on Monday night.

Bech, who will be 34 next month, operates a property management business founded by his parents and served in Iraq and Afghanistan as an Army officer. The self-described moderate launched his campaign in May.


Swift spoke on behalf of Bech in the hometown of the late Silvio O. Conte, the last Republican to hold the 1st Mass. seat.

Swift is the honorary co-chairman for presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., in Massachusetts and his chief education adviser. She is rumored by sources within the Republican Party to be a top pick for secretary of education should McCain win in November.

"Nathan is very, very fortunate to be running with John McCain at the top of our ticket," said Swift.

For more information about further events and Bech's progress in the congressional race, visit www.nathanbech.com. Bech will be in Pittsfield on Thursday, June 19, for the 3rd Thursday events.
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Pittsfield Cooperative Bank CEO Steps Down

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — After 15 years at the helm, Jay Anderson, chief executive officer of Pittsfield Cooperative Bank, is stepping down for health reasons.  
 
During his tenure as CEO, Anderson, 59, nearly doubled the bank's asset size to $400 million during a period of record profitability in multiple years.
 
"I have been privileged to lead the Pittsfield Cooperative Bank and support the economic growth of this community," Anderson said. "I have full confidence that the bank will continue to thrive in the years ahead."
 
Board Chairman John Martin thanked Anderson for his leadership and his expansion of the bank's management team and the bank’s reputation, particularly in commercial lending.
 
The board is in the process of hiring a new CEO and Martin said he expects to make an announcement in the near future about a successor. 
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