Daily News

Berkshire Bank Expands Wealth Management Team

PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Bank announced the expansion of its Wealth Management Group with the appointments of Elizabeth Gore to senior vice president, trust operations and compliance, and Janice Ward to senior vice president, wealth advisor and senior fiduciary officer.

Gore is a graduate of New England School of Banking at Williams College with a degree in trust banking. She has more than 35 years of banking experience, 28 at Berkshire Bank. In her new role, she will oversee all aspects of operations and compliance for the Wealth Management team and the department’s trust accounting system. She is also responsible for fiduciary and tax work, preparation of annual probate accountings, implementing disaster-recovery policies, and assisting auditors. She currently manages the Lenox Wealth Management Office, assisting clients on a daily basis.

Ward received her juris doctor from Western New England University and is licensed to practice law in both Massachusetts and New York. She also obtained her designation as a certified financial planner in 2011. She began her career with Berkshire Bank in 2012 as a wealth advisor and senior fiduciary officer. In her new role, she will oversee various fiduciary activities, including executor and trustee services and financial-planning activities throughout the Berkshire Bank Wealth Management footprint. She will also continue to serve as wealth advisor to a select group of clients, and now serves as president of the newly formed Berkshire County Estate Planning Council Inc., which took the place of the previous Estate Planning Council.

“Berkshire Bank is firmly committed to providing wealth-management and fiduciary services in its growing markets but based here in Berkshire County,” said Thomas Barney, first vice president, wealth advisor. “Liz and Jan bring seasoned experience and exceptional skills to our clients and great leadership to our group. The Wealth Management team is proud of their accomplishments and pleased with their continued success.”