Chamber honors Mick Callahan, Sandy & Marci Plumb

12:00AM / Friday, December 05, 2003

Mick Callahan with his wife, JoanspView Slide Show

WILLIAMSTOWN - The Berkshire Chamber of Commerce presented two awards for outstanding community service and volunteerism at its 92nd Annual Meeting on Thursday at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute in Williamstown.

Mick Callahan, president of Callahan Companies, was presented the 2003 Esther Quinn Award, given for outstanding community service. He was chosen for his personal participation and corporate generosity.

Callahan's list of involvements is numerous. He serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committees for the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Berkshire Visitors Bureau.

He is a Board Member of the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority, Kid's Place, Outdoor Advertising of America and the Coolidge Hill Foundation. He also serves on the Advisory Board for the Pittsfield Enterprise Center. Callahan plays a key role in shaping the economic landscape for Berkshire County as a member of the Governor's Regional Competitiveness Council.

He also gives time to Boy Scouts of America, the United Way, Alzheimer's Association, Habitat for Humanity, Berkshire Medical Center, American Cancer Society, Downtown Inc., and Hancock Shaker Village. Callahan was also the recipient of the distinguished Governor's Outstanding Volunteer Award and the Ray Vahue award, the billboard industry's top national marketing honor. He was also inducted into the Billboard Hall of Fame.

William R. Wilson, president & CEO of the Berkshire Visitors Bureau, presented the award. He was the first recipient of the Esther Quinn Award in 1999.

Sandy and Marci Plumb

Sandy and Marci Plumb, owners of the Holiday Inn Berkshires in North Adams, received the 2003 Francis H. Hayden Memorial Award. The Hayden Award is given annually to a Northern Berkshire County resident who has made a significant contribution to the economic, social and/or cultural improvements within the communities of Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Florida, New Ashford, North Adams, Savoy and/or Williamstown.

Together, they have spent countless hours volunteering for the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, MASS MoCA, the Williamstown Theatre Festival, the United Way and the tourist booths in North Adams and Williamstown. Sandy has been a lifelong resident of Berkshire County and Marci has made her home here for nearly 25 years.

At a crucial time in North Adams economic history, they invested in a downtrodden property, which has, over time, contributed directly to the economic revitalization of North Adams.Their investment helped turn the city around. They have also been major contributors to several organizations, including MASS MoCA, the North Adams Steeplecats, Baystate Games and the Fall Foliage Parade.

Eric Rudd, an artist and entrepreneur, presented the award. He is a past Hayden Award recipient.
New board elected

David Kalib, vice president secretary general counsel for Berkshire Life Insurance Company of America, presented the 2004 slate of directors for the Chamber. Angelo Stracuzzi, Greylock Federal Credit Union and George Whaling, Whaling Properties, will hold a one-year term expiring in 2004.

Kalib also presented the following individuals who will hold a three-year term expiring in 2006: Robert Allessio, Berkshire Gas Company; Osmin Alvarez, Boxcar Media, LLC; Conrad Bernier, The Pittsfield Cooperative Bank; Dona Beck, Banknorth Massachusetts; John Law, Hoosac Bank; James Kolesar, Williams College; Brad Svrluga, Berkshire Capital Investors; John Martin, Jr., Martin & Oliveira, LLP; Steven Pierce, Legacy Banks; and Judy Sheehan, Brown Packaging, Inc..

Kalib also presented the appointees for a one-year term on the Board of Directors, expiring at the annual meeting in 2004. They are: James Zilinski, Berkshire Life Insurance Company of America; Dave Reinhart, MeadWestvaco; Linda Berard, Sheffield Plastics, Inc., A Bayer Company; Tyler Fairbank, TUV America, Inc.; George Smith, Smith, Watson & Company; and Pete Lopez of GE Plastics.

During the business portion of the meeting, Kalib announced the following officers and Council Vice Chairs for the 2004 Board of Directors:

Chair of the Board, John Martin, Jr., Martin & Oliveira, LLP; Chair Elect, Sandra Zink, Interprint, Inc.; Treasurer, Conrad Bernier, The Pittsfield Cooperative Bank; Assistant Treasurer, Dona Beck, Banknorth Massachusetts; Clerk, Michael McDonald, Cain Hibbard Myers & Cook, P.C.; Assistant Clerk, F. Sydney Smithers, Cain Hibbard Myers & Cook, P.C.; and Council Vice Chairs, Ellen Bernstein, Berkshire Media Consulting, George Whaling, Whaling Properties, John Law, Hoosac Bank, Bart Raser, Carr Hardware and Dr. Mary Grant, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

Steven Pierce

In his outgoing remarks, Steven Pierce highlighted the role the Chamber has played in the Pittsfield Municipal Airport project. "The Chamber has been a leader in its ongoing support of the Pittsfield airport improvement project. With the issuance of the Environmental Impact Report, the public comment period runs until December 22nd. The Chamber has been leading an effort to generate letters of support for the airport project and now has almost 300 letters of support from the business community. I encourage anyone here who has not yet sent a letter to do so before the deadline of December 22nd," commented Pierce.

He continued, "This is a project which will impact all of Berkshire County, not just Pittsfield. The proposed improvements are critical to restoring the safety aspects of the airport to minimum FAA standards. The improvements will benefit existing businesses that depend on the airport to remain competitive and will preserve jobs for the Berkshires.

The improvements are also critical for future economic development efforts and the potential to attract business to the Berkshires such as the redevelopment of the former GE site, now known as the William Stanley Business Park of the Berkshires. New businesses and new jobs help all of Berkshire County whether they're in Pittsfield, Great Barrington or North Adams. Whether it's economic development or anything else we consider important, we need to think of the Berkshires as one region and speak with one strong voice."

John Martin

John Martin, Jr. took the podium as the new Chair of the Berkshire Chamber Board of Directors. "Over the course of the last year we have made significant progress with our Strategic Plan. We have become a clearinghouse and a facilitator of economic advancement," Martin commented in his incoming remarks.

He continued, "When support from the business community was needed to keep the Airport Improvement Project on track, the Chamber took the lead role. When Representative Larkin wanted to introduce his laptop initiative, he collaborated with the Chamber's Education and Government Relations Councils. When Governor Romney selected a forum to announce the formation of his Regional Competitiveness Council, he chose a Chamber luncheon. The Berkshire Chamber of Commerce has stayed close to the pulse of every recent economic issue and we will continue to do so. In 2004, we look forward to the further advancement of the Chamber's economic development goals."

David Bissaillon, president & CEO of the Berkshire Chamber, thanked outgoing Chair Steve Pierce. Bissaillon commented, "The role of our Chair is very demanding, especially in terms of the time commitment that we ask of that person. Not once, over the past 12 months, has Steve not been there when we needed him to guide us in some way or to attend yet another Chamber meeting or represent the organization."

He added, "We are looking forward to working with John Martin in 2004; and if the last 3 weeks is any indication of the effort John will be putting forward, then this organization can clearly look forward to being well served under his administration. The Berkshire Chamber continues to move forward in a significant way due to the visionary leadership of our Board of Directors. This group represents the leadership of some of the best companies we have in Berkshire County. Because of their support, we are able to do things that most Chambers only hope to achieve."

This year's annual meeting and holiday reception was sponsored by Legacy Banks and Quality Printing Company. Raffle prizes donated by Danny O Art, Keith Emerling Photography, Mt. Williams Greenhouses, Follwell's Roses 'n Blooms, Iredale Cosmetics, Guido's Fresh Marketplace, and Rory's Chocolates were also given away.