Berkshire Money Management Employees Earn Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional Designation

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DALTON, Mass. — Berkshire Money Management (BMM) announced that Sarah Curtiss, Front Office Coordinator, and Carla Cowdrey, Office Support Specialist, have each earned the Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional (FPQP) designation. 
 
The FPQP designation provides a foundation in personal financial planning for professionals who support advisory teams and client relationships. The training covers core areas of financial planning—retirement, investments, insurance, tax, and estate planning—giving designees the skills to analyze client information and support holistic planning.  
 
"Berkshire Money Management is committed to supporting and encouraging professional growth, providing team members with opportunities to expand their knowledge, skills, and credentials in service of our clients," said Allen Harris, Founder and CEO of BMM. "Sarah and Carla play an essential role in the client experience, and earning the FPQP® designation reflects their dedication to delivering thoughtful, high-quality support to both our clients and advisory team." 
 
Curtiss joined BMM in 2024 and is based in the Great Barrington office. In her role as Front Office Coordinator, she is often the first point of contact for clients and visitors. Known for her warmth, organization, and multitasking skills, she helps create a welcoming experience while also supporting the firm's social media efforts, scheduling appointments, and more. She lives with her son, Ethan, and their dog, Jeff. 
 
Cowdrey has been in BMM's Dalton office for four years, where she is known for her organization, reliability, and care for others. As the Office Support Specialist, she is a go-to resource for both clients and colleagues. She plans to use the skills gained through the FPQP program to perform paraplanning tasks, such as shepherding clients through the Social Security sign up process, in support of the firm's financial planning team. She and her husband Ryan have four children, and a golden doodle named Odie. 
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Pittsfield, Central Berkshire Get Life Science Grants

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield and the Central Berkshire Regional School District are among 400 organizations getting $12.3 million for education and workforce development. 
 
The announced disbursement was made on Thursday in Waltham for the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center's Education and Workforce Development Grant Program.  
 
A total of 68 awards will support more than 400 public schools, colleges, and non-profit organizations across Massachusetts through four tracks: Elementary and Secondary Education, Out-of-School Time (OST), Post-secondary Education and Training, and "Gamechanger" matching grants.
 
The Pittsfield Public Schools and Central Berkshire will receive $36,000 and $17,843, respectively, in Elementary and Secondary Education Grants. These are two of 23 grants totaling more than $2.4 million to support more than 170 public schools.
 
The funding will provide hands-on/applied learning for students in Grades 3-12 while supporting professional development for teachers and the purchase of life sciences equipment, materials, supplies, and technology.
 
The Berkshire Innovation Center is getting $24,000 in Out-of-School Time Grants. It is one of 21 nonprofit organizations receiving nearly $600,000 total to provide life sciences programming beyond the traditional school day.
 
Together, these investments are designed to expand access to hands-on life sciences education, OST learning opportunities, industry-aligned certificate and degree programs, and transformational workforce development initiatives that strengthen the life sciences talent pipeline and prepare learners for careers in the life sciences. 
 
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