Cohen Kinne attorney Jesse Cook-Dubin was elected president of Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. at the organization’s annual meeting on May 5, 2016. Jesse succeeds outgoing president Kate Maguire, CEO and Artistic Director of Berkshire Theatre Group. Other new officers elected include Chris Mills of General Dynamics, vice president; Scott Kirchner of Mad Macs, vice president of administration; David Irwin of Adelson & Co., treasurer; and John Valente of the Beacon and Triplex Cinemas, clerk.

Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. is a nonprofit organization with over 200 members, representing a majority of the businesses and cultural institutions in downtown Pittsfield, as well as some of the area’s large employers located outside the downtown footprint. Its mission is to foster the on-going growth and vitality of downtown Pittsfield, Massachusetts through vision, leadership and advocacy and to position downtown as the creative and business hub of the Berkshires for the benefit of all.

On May 14, at Downtown Pittsfield Inc.’s annual meeting, Jesse announced a five-year strategic plan to make the center of Pittsfield safer and more appealing to a broader range of people. It is the latest in a line of successful strategic plans for the organization, built upon the 2010-15 plan that was recently completed.

The 2016 plan is built upon four strategies, each of which has an active task force of volunteers working on it: making sure that the public feels and is safe; increasing foot traffic; telling Pittsfield’s story; and improving the cleanliness and attractiveness of the downtown area. “With a strong, walkable urban core, we can attract 20- and 30-somethings, we can slow our loss of population, we can fill positions for our large employers,” Jesse said.

More information about Downtown Pittsfield, Inc.’s strategic plan is available on Downtown Pittsfield, Inc.’s website, The Berkshire Eagle, and in Jesse’s editorial for the June 2016 edition of Berkshire Trade & Commerce.

Berkshire United Way honored Cohen Kinne partner Jeff Cook as this year’s recipient of the Robert K. Agar, Jr. Volunteerism Award at their Live United Community Celebration on April 12, 2016. Held at the Berkshire Hills Country Club, the Live United Community Celebration focused on Berkshire United Way’s investments, results, and partnerships in the Berkshires.

Since 1965, Berkshire United Way has annually selected a “Volunteer of the Year,” a local volunteer committed and dedicated to the ideals of volunteerism. Beginning in 1984, a conscious decision was made to reposition the Agar Award as an honor open to any person in Berkshire County who represents the spirit of volunteerism and is always ready, willing, and able to respond to people in need.

In presenting this award, John Bissell, John Bissell, President and CEO of Greylock Federal Credit Union said, “Jeff is a lion among community volunteers. He is constantly willing to shoulder and lead the toughest challenges facing our community…..In addition to his own personal efforts, Jeff has set the standard in his own firm strongly encouraging every employee to engage in community service.” For more information, please visit the Berkshire United Way website.