BOSTON, Feb. 2, 2023
/PRNewswire/ -- Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: BHLB), the
parent company of Berkshire Bank, a leading socially responsible
community bank with financial centers in New England and
New York, announced the
election of Karyn Polito to the
Board of Directors of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary
Berkshire Bank effective February 2,
2023. Ms. Polito brings broad expertise in both the public
and private sector including as Lieutenant Governor of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts and
as Principal of Polito Development Corporation. Upon her election
Ms. Polito was appointed to the Risk Management, Capital and
Compliance and Corporate Responsibility and Culture committees of
the Board.
"We are pleased to welcome Karyn to our Board of Directors,"
said Chairperson David M. Brunelle.
"Karyn is a champion for our communities. She brings a diverse set
of skills and experiences as an owner of a commercial real estate
development company and as the former Lieutenant Governor of
Massachusetts that will complement
and strengthen the composition of our Board."
"Berkshire will benefit from
Karyn's decades of experience working at the intersection of
business and government. She will help us enhance our customer
focus, community impact and advance our vision of becoming a
high-performing, leading socially responsible community bank,"
added Berkshire Bank CEO Nitin
Mhatre.
"I've watched Berkshire evolve
and grow into a well-respected, socially responsible,
community-orientated institution at the forefront of meeting the
financial needs of its customers and communities. I look forward to
working alongside the Board and leadership team to leverage my
network, relationships, and experience to take Berkshire to even greater heights," stated Ms.
Polito.
About Karyn Polito
Ms. Polito is an experienced
businessperson, attorney and government leader who is currently
Principal of Polito Development Corporation, a commercial real
estate development firm. Ms. Polito was the 72nd
Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts from 2015 to 2023. During her
time as Lieutenant Governor, she was an advocate for women's
empowerment and a champion for renewable energy, climate
adaptation, workforce development, housing, and the innovation
economy. She helped increase aid to local communities and
spearheaded efforts to expand offshore wind and educational
opportunities to careers in science, technology, engineering and
math for women and students. Prior to serving as Lieutenant
Governor, Ms. Polito was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and a
Partner at Milton, Laurence &
Dixon, LLP. Ms. Polito holds a Bachelor of Science from
Boston College and a Juris Doctor from
New England Law. She is a lifelong resident of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts where she lives with
her family.
ABOUT BERKSHIRE HILLS
BANCORP
Headquartered in Boston, Berkshire Hills Bancorp (NYSE:BHLB) is
the parent of Berkshire Bank. Founded in 1846, the Bank's
vision is to be a high-performing leading socially responsible
community bank. It empowers the financial potential of its
stakeholders by making banking available where, when, and how it's
needed through an uncompromising focus on exceptional customer
service, digital banking, and positive community impact. Providing
a wide range of financial solutions through its consumer banking,
commercial banking and wealth management divisions, the Bank has
approximately $11.7 billion in assets
and a community-based footprint of 100 financial centers in
Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Named one of America's Most
Trusted Companies 2022 by Newsweek, Berkshire is also listed in the Bloomberg
Gender-Equality Index and a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality.
To learn more, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and
LinkedIn.
Investor Relations Contacts
Kevin Conn, SVP, Investor Relations &
Corporate Development
Email: KAConn@berkshirebank.com
Tel: (617) 641-9206
David Gonci, Capital Markets
Director
Email: dgonci@berkshirebank.com Tel: (413) 281-1973
Media Contact:
Gary
Levante, SVP, Corporate Responsibility &
Communications
Email: glevante@berkshirebank.com Tel: (413) 447-1737
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SOURCE Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.