Berkshire Museum Announces New Chief Development Officer

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Museum is set to welcome Lori Eastman as its new Chief Development Officer.
 
Eastman has spent her career at private liberal arts colleges, including the last 25 years at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY, which she also attended as an undergraduate. At Skidmore, she served as the Associate Vice President and Chief of Staff in the college's Office of Advancement, where she acted as a frontline fundraiser, building relationships with donors and prospects, overseeing staff and teams engaged in fundraising, and managing larger fundraising projects. Before that, she spent ten years working at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, as a Director of Annual Giving, Special Gifts Officer, and an Assistant Director of Alumni Relations.
 
"What interests me most about joining the staff of the Berkshire Museum is the chance to work with the museum's current supporters, as well as prospective donors and volunteers, and to help them all learn about the progress and momentum happening at the museum," Eastman said.
 
The museum is currently undergoing a renovation, that is slated to be completed in Spring 2026. The work underway on the first floor will bring new exhibits and a children's activity center, along with other spaces and an upgraded aquarium to their doors, something Eastman herself is eager to see finished.
 
"It is incredibly exciting for the museum to have this moment to build on its past strengths and accomplishments, and to prepare for the future,"  Eastman said.
 
Berkshire Museum Executive Director Kim Bush Tomio spoke about her eagerness to see Eastman join the staff.
 
"The museum is thrilled to have Lori join our team," said Bush Tomio. "Her wealth of experience as a fundraiser, personal connection with the Berkshires, as well as support for our mission, were instrumental in our choice. We look forward to having her be a part of our community."
 
Lori Eastman's selection was the culmination of a competitive nationwide search for a Director of Development, led by Arts Consulting Group (ACG). ACG is a leading provider of hands-on executive search, interim management, revenue enhancement, strategic planning and community engagement, and facilities and program planning and research services for the arts and culture industry. 
 
Eastman is set to start at the museum on Monday, Aug. 18.

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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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