Daly Announced as CEO of Pittsfield Co-op

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Michael Daly
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield Cooperative Bank has named Michael P. Daly its chief executive officer. A friend and customer of the institution since the 1980s, Daly will help develop strategies for ongoing success.
 
"Pittsfield Cooperative Bank appreciates Mike's willingness to step in and assist us," said Board Chair John J. Martin Jr., partner at Martin Hochberg & Cianflone. "We look forward to his help in creating and executing a thoughtful plan for the future and continued profitability." 
 
A Pittsfield native and Berkshire resident, Daly said he is motivated to step out of retirement because of his deep roots and friendships in the community and at the bank.
 
"This arrangement wouldn't be happening if it wasn't in Pittsfield, Mass., and with Pittsfield Cooperative Bank," Daly said. "I have had a long history with the bank, and I am thrilled to return and build on the success of this community bank."
 
It was announced last week that Jay Anderson, CEO for 15 years, was stepping down for health reasons.  
 
Previously, Daly was chairman, president and CEO of Berkshire Bank in Pittsfield. He began his career there in 1986 as a commercial lender. The bank went public in 2000. In 2002 he ascended to president and CEO. During his 16-year tenure, he grew the bank from approximately $1 billion in assets to a company with over $12 billion in assets.
 
"I loved my time at Berkshire," Daly said. "I will always be grateful to my board members and all of the employees for what we shared and accomplished in the community." Now, he said, "The chance to return to my hometown with a community bank is a really compelling opportunity."
 
Co-op Bank is one of the oldest cooperative banks in the commonwealth of Massachusetts and has $400 million in assets. With a capital ratio of 16 percent it is one of the strongest in Massachusetts, and has achieved record earnings four out of five of the last fiscal years. Last year, Pittsfield Co-op commemorated its 135th anniversary with a new logo, website, branch signage, branch location, deposit and lending promotions, and digital infrastructure and technology.
 
"The spirit of a community bank is its connection to employees, local customers and the community," Daly said. "That's what I'm looking forward to most."

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Pittsfield Council OKs Underground Fiber Network

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — More underground fiber internet cables will be installed in Pittsfield. 

On Tuesday, the City Council approved Gateway Fiber's request to install an underground fiber network infrastructure within the city's right-of-way.  

The company was given the go-ahead for an aerial network last year alongside Archtop Fiber, marking the beginning of construction with a ribbon-cutting at the Colonial Theatre. Gateway Fiber will offer subscription plans ranging from $65 to $150 per month, depending on speed. 

Wards 3 and 4 will see the most work in the first phase, according to an underground fiber deployment plan.  Fourteen streets in Ward 4 will see underground fiber deployment; 13 streets in Ward 3.  

Ward 4 Councilor James Conant voted in opposition for personal reasons, as he signed up for Gateway Fiber briefly last year and said he had poor service and poor communication from the company. 

Some councilors and community members appreciated bringing competition to Spectrum internet services. Ward 5 Councilor Patrick Kavey pointed out that it costs about $90 per month for 500 megabytes per second with Spectrum, and that all three fiber services that have come to Pittsfield are cheaper. 

Operations Manager Jennifer Sharick explained that they were seeking approval for underground fiber deployment as part of the next phase in Pittsfield. The city was found to be a "very" viable community for underground fiber. 

Gateway Fiber, she said, originally served a community of 250 residents outside of St. Louis, Mo. 

"Following the pandemic, we saw the need, and what people need for fiber and reliable internet service to bring residents and businesses the opportunity for connectivity," Sharick said. 

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