Pittsfield Business UAT to be Highlighted on National Television

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mayor Tyer announced that United Aircraft Technologies, Inc. (UAT), a Pittsfield business, will be featured on Veteran's Playbook on Destination America.
 
In the fall of 2020, the City of Pittsfield provided UAT with $300,000 in Economic Development Funds to help relocate to Pittsfield, create new jobs, testing equipment and software and to develop a new internship program.
 
"I am so thrilled to see the success UAT continues to achieve as they grow their operations, adding
more jobs to our local economy," said Mayor Linda M. Tyer. "UAT sets an example for other veterans looking to explore entrepreneurship as part of their next chapter following their service in the armed forces. My administration is always ready and willing to help new and current entrepreneurs who want to start or expand their business in Pittsfield."
 
United Aircraft Technologies, Inc. is a veteran, minority, and female led business that created a new class of clamp for aircraft wiring designed to reduce weight, improve safety, and simplify maintenance while incorporating augmented reality and artificial intelligence. The military-grade thermoplastic clamps are interconnecting, ergonomic and do not require the use of other hardware such as screws or bolts, resulting in a clamp that is up to 65 percent lighter than existing products.
 
This innovation was created by Daryian Rhysing, a veteran who served 14 years as an aircraft electrician for the US Army and Navy. He was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome after years of installing metal clamps on the wiring of Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters. Following his service, Daryian attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and developed a thermoplastic interconnecting wire fastener. Based on that premise, Daryian and his wife, Evaguel Rhysing, founded United Aircraft Technologies, Inc. in Troy, NY in 2017.
 
"UAT is deeply grateful for the support and partnership of the City of Pittsfield. The investment they made in our mission has enabled us to grow and develop innovative technology that will impact both the aerospace and transportation industries," said Evaguel Rhysing, CEO of UAT. "It was exciting to share our story centered around Daryian's veteran journey, specially alongside people and organizations who have been with us since the beginning. There are so many more we couldn't get featured, but we hope that our message of taking that leap of faith continues to be heard across the entire entrepreneurial community."
 
Veteran's Playbook is a show that conveys stories of United States veteran entrepreneurs with the hope to inspire other active military and veterans to consider business ownership as a viable path to success and fulfillment.
 
"I'm honored to be able to share my story and share a season with other veterans who have walked a similar path as me," said Daryian Rhysing, CTO of UAT. "I want to continue to show other veterans, they are not alone."
 
UAT will be featured on episode 4 of Veterans Playbook on Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 8 p.m. on Destination America. There will be a repeat airing on Thursday, Oct. 26 at midnight EST (prime time for Central, Mountain, and Pacific time zones).
 
The Veteran's Playbook will also be available on Discovery Plus, Amazon Prime Video, and Pluto TV. 
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Pittsfield City Council Weighs in on 'Crisis' in Public Schools

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff

A half-dozen people addressed the City Council from the floor of Monday's meeting, including Valerie Anderson, right.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — After expressing anger and outrage and making numerous calls for accountability and transparency, the 11 members of the City Council on Monday voted to support the School Committee in seeking an independent investigation into allegations of misconduct by staff members at Pittsfield High School that have come to light in recent weeks.
 
At the close of a month that has seen three PHS administrators put on administrative leave, including one who was arrested on drug trafficking charges, the revelation that the district is facing a civil lawsuit over inappropriate conduct by a former teacher and that a staff member who left earlier in the year is also under investigation at his current workplace, the majority of the council felt compelled to speak up about the situation.
 
"While the City Council does not have jurisdiction over the schools … we have a duty to raise our voices and amplify your concerns and ensure this crisis is met with the urgency it demands," Ward 5 Councilor Patrick Kavey said.
 
About two dozen community members attended the special meeting of the council, which had a single agenda item.
 
Four of the councilors precipitated the meeting with a motion that the council join the School Committee in its search for an investigation and that the council, "be included in the delivery of any disclosures, interim reports or findings submitted to the city."
 
Last week, the School Committee decided to launch that investigation. On Monday, City Council President Peter White said the School Committee has a meeting scheduled for Dec. 30 to authorize its chair to enter negotiations with the Springfield law firm of Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas to conduct that probe.
 
Ward 7 Councilor Rhonda Serre, the principal author of the motion of support, was one of several members who noted that the investigation process will take time, and she, like Kavey, acknowledged that the council has no power over the public schools beyond its approval of the annual district budget.
 
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