BCC Announces New Staff, Promotions

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) announces the addition of four staff members, two promotions and a title change.   
 
New Staff 
Lori DuBois joins BCC as EDP System Analyst III – LMS Administrator in the Division of Teaching and Learning Innovation. Originally from Maine, DuBois earned her BA in Psychology with a minor in Education from Colby College and a MS in Library Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Most recently, she was a customer support specialist and trainer for the ed-tech company Springshare. Previously, she was a reference librarian and instruction coordinator at Williams College. At BCC, DuBois will be managing the learning management system and supporting faculty in their use of instructional technologies. 
 
Michelle Mellace joins BCC as Administration and Finance Division Manager. Mellace brings over 20 years of experience in contract management and 18 years in public purchasing. Most recently, she served as the Money School Coordinator at the Elizabeth Freeman Center, where she coordinated their financial independence program and provided comprehensive support to participants. Previously, she was Program Manager at General Dynamics Mission Systems and Chief Procurement Officer for the City of Pittsfield. Mellace holds an MBA from the University of Massachusetts Isenberg School of Management and a bachelor of science in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.  
 
Jessica (Jess) Pemble joins BCC as Administrative Assistant II for Workforce Development and Community Education. She was most recently Senior Administrative Assistant for Charter Communications (Spectrum)'s Western Massachusetts and Eastern New York technical operations management teams. Pemble brings over 18 years of experience in office administration, management support, data analysis and events coordination. She resides in Dalton with her two sons, Jaxson and Logan, who keep her spare time busy with sporting events and local children's theater shows. She enjoys playing golf, exploring new hiking trails and spending as much time as possible with family. 
 
Thomas Weeks joins BCC as Network/Systems Administrator. He brings extensive expertise in IT, encompassing servers, switches, applications and cybersecurity. Before joining BCC, Weeks was the IT Manager at Berkshire Sterile Manufacturing. Previously, he was the Associate Director of IT at a performing arts theater in New York City. Together with his wife Shannon and their dog Reese, Weeks relocated to Pittsfield two years ago and has been enjoying the natural beauty of Berkshire County. In his leisure time, he is an avid kayaker and paddleboarder, and he also enjoys building furniture and engaging in restoration projects. 
 
Promotions 
Kelsey Breault is now Director of Payroll & Budget Management. She was previously Payroll Manager, a position she held since joining BCC in April 2024. 
 
Tom Warner is now the Senior Network & Data Warehouse Administrator. He was previously Network & Systems Administrator. Warner has been with BCC since July 2012. 
 
Title Change 
Abby Powers is now Interim Student Engagement and Communications Specialist. She was previously Administrative Assistant – Student Engagement, a position she held since April 2021. 
 

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Pittsfield Council Preview: Councilor Privacy & Halting Berkshire Gas Work Permits

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Tuesday, the City Council will see requests to protect their own safety when it comes to sensitive information, and to deny work permits from Berkshire Gas due to "substandard" conditions. 

A request to remove councilors' addresses from city documents and websites and replace them with "70 Allen Street" to improve safety will be referred to the Ordinances and Rules subcommittee. Councilors' addresses, city email, and phone numbers are currently available on Pittsfield's staff directory page. 

The petition was submitted by Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren, Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham, Ward 4 Councilor James Conant, and Ward 7 Councilor Katherine Moody. 

The councilors explain in the meeting packet that they want elected officials to have the option to replace their home addresses on all city documents and websites, including Pittsfield Community Television, with the City Hall address. 

Recently, the City Council approved Ward 6 Councilor Dina Lampiasi's request to amend City Council Rule 1C. Rule 1C requires individuals to disclose their name, address, and the subject they wish to address the council about on a sheet before the open microphone portion of meetings.

Lampiasi asked to only require a person's name and municipality. 

"I don't think that submitting a street address is really appropriate," she explained to the O&R subcommittee earlier this month. 

"It feels invasive, and there are some safety concerns for folks." 

President Earl Persip III wants Berkshire Gas to correct safety and access issues before Pittsfield allows them to do additional work on city property. 

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