Finalists Selected for Lever Berkshire Intrapreneur Challenge

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Finalists have been selected for Lever's Berkshire Intrapreneur Challenge, which will take place Sept. 23 at the Lever Innovation Summit at the Berkshire Innovation Center in Pittsfield. 
 
The winner will receive a $25,000 Lever Innovation Grant to continue developing their idea.
 
While many Lever Challenges focus on startups, the Intrapreneur Challenge will showcase employees at established Berkshire companies who innovate from within, using the tools of entrepreneurship to develop new products and services that will yield revenue growth and create jobs. 
 
"Our Intrapreneur Challenge finalists are truly exceptional—their work serves as an example of why the Berkshires are a hotspot for innovation," said Lever's Head of Innovation, Brent Filson. 
 
The Berkshire Intrapreneur Challenge will take place on the first day of Lever's Innovation Summit, which will also offer keynote speeches from CEOs and state officials, panels on rural innovation and diversity, equity, and inclusion, networking opportunities, and more. To learn more or RSVP, visit leverinc.org/innovation-summit-2021. 
 
Berkshire Intrapreneur Challenge Finalists
 
Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, Stockbridge
Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to serving people and communities in realizing their full potential through the transformative wisdom and practice of yoga. Kripalu is the largest yoga retreat center in North America. Kripalu is developing a plan to bring its sourdough bread and other signature baked goods to local and regional markets, with proceeds being used to bring Yoga to underserved communities.
 
The Chamberlain Group, Great Barrington
The Chamberlain Group designs, develops, and manufactures high-fidelity mimetic anatomy for surgical and interventional training, research, device development, and marketing. They are developing a door silencer, initially designed to address hospital noise pollution, that acts as a soft barrier between the colliding metal parts of the door latch mechanism to reduce the noise of a closing door. 
 
Shire City Herbals, Inc. - Pittsfield
Since 2010, Shire City Herbals has handcrafted certified organic, infused Apple Cider Vinegar tonics, including their signature Fire Cider. Shire City Herbals is developing an incubator program to assist other local female-led consumer brands with eCommerce management and marketing, as well as production, warehousing, and fulfillment services.
 
JM Spartan Training LLC, Pittsfield 
JM Spartan offers a broad spectrum of training opportunities surrounding emergency preparedness, situational awareness, and workplace violence to businesses, organizations, schools, and financial institutions.  JM Spartan Training, LLC is developing an enhanced training platform through the use of technology and gamification.
 
Wellness Concepts Inc., Great Barrington
Wellness Concepts is a certified woman-owned business, delivering science and evidence-based, scalable well-being solutions that create sustainable behavior change for corporate clients and their employees.  Wellness Concepts is developing a cohesive, user-friendly platform designed to house and seamlessly deliver a la carte programming and to further our mission for corporate well-being access, engagement, and impact.

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Pittsfield Veteran Turns 102

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Mayor Marchetti presents Salatino with a proclamation recognizing his service and contribution to the community. Salatino will turn 102 on Nov. 27. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A city resident and veteran was recognized this week as he closes in on his 102 birthday this month.

On Tuesday, Anthony "Tony" Salatino Jr. was honored during the City Council meeting for this impressive milestone. He was born on Nov. 27, 1922, in Polia, Calabria, Italy, and came to Pittsfield in 1937 with his older brother to join their father.

"I am very honored to be here tonight," he said to a room full of community members, friends, and family before they erupted into applause.

Mayor Peter Marchetti said Salatino experienced challenging times during the Great Depression but always focused on building a strong foundation for his family. He joined the Army in 1943 and after completing training in Virginia, was stationed in England and France for about three years.

Marchetti said he hoped to present Salatino with the proclamation on Veterans Day, the prior day, but it didn't work out.

"I don't think I've ever stood next to someone who was 102 years-to-be," the mayor said.

The Pittsfield High graduate was a corporal and medical technician at Headquarters Medical Corps and received an honorable discharge in 1946.

"In 1947, Tony's many years of hard work paid off when he was able to bring the rest of his family from Italy to Pittsfield, Mass., and provide them with a home," Marchetti read from the proclamation.

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