BCC Announces New Staff Members, Promotions

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Budzn and Quadrozzi

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) announces the addition of two new staff members and two promotions. 

New staff

Mary Budzn joins BCC as Alumni Relations and Philanthropy Manager. Originally from Cincinnati, OH, she earned her bachelor of fine arts degree in theatre arts from Boston University. A Lenox resident, she has lived in the Berkshires since 2018, when she moved to the area to work for Shakespeare & Company’s training department, which led to her career in development. Most recently, she worked for Bard College at Simon’s Rock in various roles, including Advancement Services Associate, Annual Giving Manager, student advisor and adjunct teacher. At BCC, she will focus on supporting the Alumni Association and creating opportunities for meaningful alumni engagement. From an early age, Budzn has been passionate about singing and acting, and she values being a part of the rich and caring community of artists in the Berkshires. Her hobbies include Irish studies, poetry, traditional Chinese medicine and antiquing. 

Darcy Quadrozzi joins BCC as Administrative Assistant II for Humanities, Behavioral & Social Sciences. With 25 years of experience, she arrives from Guardian, a life insurance company. There, she held several different roles, including Senior Learning Specialist and New Business Supervisor. She lives in Pittsfield with her husband Dave and two sons. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, listening to music, watching movies, going to the theater and dancing. Darcy also loves going on Maine vacations with her husband, watching the Boston Celtics with her son Liam and going to listen to her son Owen’s band play. 
 

Promotions 

Alicia Ginsberg is now Director of EEC Career Pathways Grant/Initiatives. She had been the Senior Special Program Coordinator - Early Childhood Career Pathway Grant Coordinator. She joined BCC in 2019. 

Jonathan Herforth is now a Maintainer II. He had been a Maintainer I since joining BCC in May 2023. 


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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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