Adams Town Administrator Jonathan Butler is taking over as the president of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Chamber of Commerce has named Adams Town Administrator Jonathan Butler as its new president.

Butler will start his new role on Sept. 2, filling the role vacated by Michael Supranowicz, who resigned in January.

 

"I've never made it a secret in Adams that my passion is for development in the Berkshires. I come from an economic development background. After five years in Adams, we've had a lot of success and I've learned a lot," Butler said following the announcement.

 

"I've always kind of seen this position as an opportunity to do a lot of things I am passionate about on a countywide scale."

 

Butler spent much of his time as administrator focused on revitalizing Adams' downtown.

 

He headed an effort to brand the town as a "hub of recreation." He ushered in streetscape projects on two main roads, was a driving force in the proposed Berkshire Scenic Railway expansion to North Adams and brought the Thunderbolt Ski Museum to the Adams Visitor's Center. Under his leadership the town created multiple parks, cleaned up blight and furthered progress on the redevelopment of the large-scale projects in the Mausert Block and Greylock Glen. 

 

"Being a town administrator, I have always prioritized development. Economic growth in Adams has been my highest priority," Butler said. "A lot of the things I've done in Adams will translate to a countywide scale."

 

The 32-year-old said he is "fond" of what the chamber does for businesses and when the position opened, he felt it was a good platform to make a bigger impact.

 

"It really just seemed like something that would be a great opportunity for me," Butler said.

 

Butler is a 2000 graduate of Hoosac Valley High School and went to college at Franklin Pierce University. He is a candidate for a master's degree from Suffolk University in public policy and political science. 

 

While earning most of his credit prior to taking the job in Adams, Butler secured a job as an legislative and policy director for state Sen. Benjamin Downing. That led him to the job in Adams.

 

"Growing and retaining the next generation of leadership is not just a Berkshire Chamber strategy, it's essential for the continued prosperity of Berkshire County. [Butler] not only understands that completely, he embodies it: his career represents an ideal example of the opportunities that exist here for those willing to invest in themselves and embrace responsibility," said Berkshire Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman Peter Stasiowski.

 

The Adams Board of Selectmen is expected to name a search committee and begin the process of finding a replacement. Butler said he will be helping to create a "smooth transition" to the next administrator. Butler had already told the board that he was not looking to re-sign another contract and as recently as last month warned them that he would be willing to start a new job before his contract expires next June.

 

"We are going to name an interim town administrator, who is a department head and will watch things," Butler said.

 

Meanwhile, June Roy-Martin will continue as interim president of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce.

 

The chamber made the announcement Wednesday morning during its monthly Good News Business Salute, which celebrated milestones by Pittsfield Co-Operative Bank,  Berkshire United Way, Berkshires Jazz Inc., StoneHouse Properties LLC, and Moments House Inc.