John Rose

PITTSFIELD — Greylock Federal Credit Union announced the hiring of John Rose in the position of vice president, Consumer Lending.

“Greylock is happy to welcome John to our Consumer Lending team. His experience driving product growth, building teams, and expanding market presence aligns with our current goals. He’s an excellent addition to Greylock Federal Credit Union,” said Tara McCluskey, senior vice president, lending officer.

Rose will provide strategic leadership and management of all consumer loan products and lending operations at Greylock, including direct and indirect auto lending, credit cards, and personal loans.

“I am honored to join Greylock Federal Credit Union and be part of an organization that leads with purpose. Greylock’s focus on community engagement and delivering thoughtful financial solutions reflects a strong vision for supporting its members,” Rose said. “I look forward to helping build on that foundation and driving continued success for the communities we serve.”

Rose brings almost 20 years of consumer lending experience to Greylock. For nearly 10 years, he worked at Rhinebeck Bank, where he served as senior vice president, Consumer Lending, leading a multi-channel division that included auto, home equity, and personal loans; mortgages; and credit cards.

PITTSFIELD — A total of 47 bins of paper — equaling five tons — were shredded as part of Greylock Federal Credit Union’s annual Shred Day on May 16. The event, hosted in collaboration with Berkshire United Way (BUW), raised $3,028 toward local initiatives and saved approximately 35 mature trees.

“On behalf of Berkshire United Way, I want to extend our sincere thanks to Greylock Federal Credit Union for organizing this year’s Shred Day. Offering this free service provides accessibility and meets a huge need in our community,” said Katherine von Haefen, president and CEO of Berkshire United Way. “We are especially grateful to Greylock for directing donations to us and to all the community members who gave generously. BUW thrives on deep partnerships like this and believes these collaborations truly strengthen our community.”

Residents brought boxes of personal documents to BUW’s parking lot in Pittsfield, where VitalShred securely disposed of the materials. Partnerships such as Shred Day are integral to the credit union’s mission and commitment to supporting the community.

“We look forward to this event every year,” said Christina Walker, marketing project officer at Greylock, who helped facilitate the event. “It’s an opportunity to provide our community with a safe and secure way to dispose of personal documents and support our friends at Berkshire United Way.”

Kaci Nowicki

PITTSFIELD — Greylock Federal Credit Union announced the promotion of Kaci Nowicki to vice president, Asset Quality and Real Estate.

“We’re proud to promote Kaci into her new role, where she will help guide Greylock’s credit risk direction and strengthen our long-term portfolio performance, drawing on her deep institutional knowledge, strong credit judgment, and proven experience navigating complex risk and lending environments,” said Tara McCluskey, senior vice president, lending officer.

As VP of Asset Quality and Real Estate, Nowicki will oversee underwriting and asset quality across Greylock, set risk standards, and align teams to support growth, new lending programs, and secondary market expansion. She will work closely with senior leadership to build scalable credit systems, improve risk governance, and position Greylock for future opportunities while leading teams.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue supporting Greylock’s community‑driven mission,” she said. “In my new role, I look forward to expanding access to homeownership across our communities even further while also developing additional resources and tools to better support our members at every stage of their journey. Above all, I want our members to feel confident turning to Greylock for guidance, knowing we are truly on their team, committed to their success, and invested in helping them achieve their goals.”

Nowicki began her career with Greylock in 2013. She serves on the board of directors for Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity, Berkshire Coalition for Suicide Prevention, and the newly established Footprints Family Foundation Inc.

Tara McCluskey

PITTSFIELD — Greylock Federal Credit Union announced the promotion of Tara McCluskey to senior vice president, lending officer.

“Over Tara’s almost 30 years here, she has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to both our members and our community. Her passion, paired with her extensive mortgage expertise, will truly enable her to be a vital contributor to the senior leadership team,” said Jodi Rathbun-Briggs, chief growth officer. “I have no doubt Tara will continue to make a meaningful impact, bringing both strategic vision and heartfelt dedication to her new role.”

McCluskey will be accountable for enterprise‑wide lending strategy and growth plans, portfolio performance, regulatory compliance, and leadership development across mortgage lending, consumer lending, asset quality, and community development. She will balance growth, risk management, operational excellence, and mission delivery while fostering collaboration, accountability, and innovation.

“I am so grateful for this opportunity and for the trust Greylock Federal Credit Union has placed in me,” she said. “Serving our members and supporting the communities we call home has been my passion for almost 30 years, and I look forward to continuing that work with even greater purpose.”

JamieEllen Moncecchi, senior vice president, chief administrative officer, noted McCluskey’s commitment to caring for the community. “Tara has always brought a passion for our community to her work at Greylock. She really cares about our members and about helping them achieve their goals. We are all so happy to have her more deeply involved in leadership at the credit union.”

McCluskey has deep experience in housing and community development, with a focus on expanding access to affordable homeownership. She has led the creation of multiple community development loan programs that remove barriers for low- and moderate-income households and for Black and African-American borrowers, and she spearheaded Greylock’s accessory dwelling unit lending program to help increase local housing supply and support stable neighborhoods. She serves on the board of directors for Elder Services of Berkshire County.

Jodi Rathbun-Briggs

PITTSFIELD — Greylock Federal Credit Union announced the promotion of Jodi Rathbun-Briggs to chief growth officer.

“Jodi is respected across the country for building transformational community development programs,” said John Bissell, Greylock president and CEO. “With her deep experience in lending and risk management, she is the perfect person to guide Greylock in providing a best-in-class member experience and keep the credit union on a path of sustainable growth,”

In her new role, Rathbun-Briggs will serve as executive leader for enterprise growth strategy, helping to drive growth, revenue expansion, and market penetration across lending, deposit, retail, branch, and digital channels. She will oversee business banking, consumer and residential mortgage lending, retail services, digital experience, branch network performance, loan servicing, facilities, and community development portfolios.

“Every decision we make at Greylock Federal Credit Union starts and ends with our members,” Rathbun-Briggs said. “In this role, I’m looking forward to listening — really listening — to what our members need, and building the products, services, and experiences that help them buy their first home, grow their business, or simply feel more financially confident. Growth means nothing if it doesn’t translate directly into better outcomes for the people we serve.”

Rathbun-Briggs began her career with Greylock in 2010. She currently serves as treasurer for Common Capital, a community development financial institution that provides access to loans, and on the 1Berkshire Foundation board of directors.

“At a time when Greylock is growing, having Jodi advance into the role of chief growth officer is strategic to our ongoing success, internally and externally. We know her thoughtful leadership and immense experience will greatly benefit our teams and our community,” said JamieEllen Moncecchi, senior vice president, chief administrative officer. “This is an exciting moment for all of us on the leadership team.”

PITTSFIELD — Greylock Federal Credit Union is offering free workshops in May to help the community better understand budgeting and ways to prevent becoming the victim of a financial fraud or scam.

On Wednesday, May 20 at 6 p.m., “Basic Budgeting,” presented via Zoom, will help attendees set up a spending and saving plan, identify challenges, and create short and long-term financial goals and steps to achieve them.

“Frauds & Scams” will be offered in person on three different dates: Tuesday, May 26 at 2 p.m. at Becket Town Hall, 557 Main St; Wednesday, May 27 at 1:30 p.m. at the Guthrie Center, 2 Van Deusenville Road, Great Barrington; and Thursday, May 28 at 1 p.m. at Washington Town Hall, 8 Summit Hill Road. These workshops will host a discussion and include specific examples of frauds and scams, along with helpful tips to protect oneself and one’s finances online.

For more information about these and other workshops and to register, visit www.greylock.org/cec.

PITTSFIELD — With food insecurity continuing to rise, Greylock Federal Credit Union has allocated a $50,000 donation to support local food pantries.

Recipients include Berkshire Bounty, Berkshire Food Project, Berkshire Community College (BCC) Campus Cupboard, Berkshire Dream Center, People’s Pantry, and Pittsfield Community Food Pantry.

“Food is a basic need that we all share. That’s why our board and senior leaders wanted to allocate a special contribution to support the work of our local food pantries,” said Jamie Moncecchi, senior vice president, chief administrative officer. “It’s our hope that this funding will help to ease the strain and allow more families and individuals in our communities to access the resources that they need.”

This donation comes in the wake of Greylock’s recent allocation of $100,000 to 10 nonprofit community partners whose missions focus on a range of human services.

Berkshire Bounty, BCC’s Campus Cupboard, and People’s Pantry all focus on distribution of rescued, locally sourced, and donated foods. Other selected organizations help to alleviate social isolation through varied meal offerings. Berkshire Food Project serves hot meals five days a week, and Pittsfield Community Food Pantry offers grab-and-go meals from its food pantry kitchen. Berkshire Dream Center has a restaurant-style soup kitchen, as well as a market and mobile food pantry.

“At a time when needs are increasing across our community, this gift was nothing short of a miracle,” said Katelynn Miner, founder and executive director of Berkshire Dream Center. “Our partnership with Greylock is not just support — it’s a shared vision and truly foundational to the work happening at the Berkshire Dream Center. This investment came at a critical moment, helping us meet the growing demand we’re seeing across the Morningside community and throughout Berkshire County.

“It’s partnerships like this that remind us we’re not doing this alone and make it possible for us to keep showing up, serving others, restoring hope, rebuilding lives, and helping others realize their dreams,” Miner added. “Everyone deserves to dream again, and we are so thankful to Greylock for helping others begin to dream again with us.”

The collective impact of the six organizations is significant in the lives of community members. Pittsfield Community Food Pantry delivers to 500 families each week, and the Berkshire Food Project prepares 200 meals a day. According to 2024 impact reports on their websites, Berkshire Bounty collected 621,000 pounds of food to serve 16,080 people, and the Berkshire Dream Center served 15,568 people. In 2025, People’s Pantry stocked 33,000 fridges with eggs.

“I am so grateful to receive this grant from Greylock. The Berkshire Food Project has recently experienced an increase in numbers similar to last fall,” said Matthew Alcombright, executive director of Berkshire Food Project.

“We rely on community support and sponsorship to continue our 40-year tradition of providing a no-cost, no-questions-asked, homemade-from-scratch lunch, five days a week, to combat food insecurity and social isolation in our community,” he added. “This grant will certainly be put to good and prudent use. We are so fortunate to have Greylock Federal as one of our close community partners and cannot thank them enough for helping to carry out our mission in a dignified and professional manner.”

PITTSFIELD — As part of its ongoing commitment and support of community partners, Greylock Federal Credit Union is awarding 10 nonprofits with gifts of $10,000 each, totaling a $100,000 contribution to the nonprofit sector.

The recipients include Elder Services of Berkshire County, Louison House, Childcare of the Berkshires, Volunteers in Medicine Berkshires (VIM), Arts in Recovery for Youth (AIRY), Soldier On, Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood, Our Community Table, UCP of Western Massachusetts, and Berkshire Pride.

“At Greylock, we know that the challenges and opportunities that we face are larger than we can tackle on our own, and we are grateful to have wonderful partners,” John Bissell, president and CEO. “Together we can nurture the health of our local economy and community — that’s what it means to be financially inclusive. We invest in these partner organizations so they can do their work investing in the people of our community.”

In light of current events, Greylock’s leadership recognized the importance of awarding funds to organizations dedicated to providing human services.

“We know that this year and next will be extremely challenging for nonprofits,” said Jamie Moncecchi, senior vice president, chief administrative officer. “We know that this award will be put to good use, providing essential resources, care, and support for the well-being of our community.”

Ilana Steinhauer, executive director of VIM, acknowledged current challenges. “This generous support from Greylock comes at a critical moment,” she said. “It allows us to respond to emerging needs and ensure that patients who might otherwise fall through the cracks can continue to access high-quality care. Greylock has been an important partner in strengthening the health of our community, and this gift reflects a shared commitment to care without compromise.”

Each year, Greylock gives charitable contributions to more than 300 501(c)(3) nonprofits that apply for grants and sponsorships annually.

“We are so thankful for all our nonprofits in our community. We know the needs are growing rapidly,” said Jennifer Connor Shumsky, assistant vice president, Community Support & Events. “To have more funding to disperse is fantastic. I am so grateful that we’ve been able to give an additional gift to help our local economy.”

Amy Hall, president and CEO of Child Care of the Berkshires, was delighted to receive the unexpected gift from Greylock. “What a wonderful surprise,” she said. “This support will make a meaningful difference in our ability to serve and strengthen families through our Family Center program. Thank you.”

Investing in community partnerships aligns closely with Greylock’s vision to be “the face of financial inclusion for the communities we serve,” and its values to care, educate, and inspire.

“I am so proud of the work we do here at Greylock,” Moncecchi said. “Supporting these vital organizations is key to supporting the Berkshires. Whether it’s AIRY helping youth at risk of suicide or Elder Services making sure our seniors have a hot meal each day or VIM caring for our immigrant neighbors, we believe strongly in giving back. This is one of the most powerful ways that Greylock can help the people of our community.”

Charles Robertson

PITTSFIELD — Greylock Federal Credit Union announced the hiring of Senior Vice President Charles Robertson, who joins the Retail Services team.

“Charles is a fantastic addition to Greylock’s Retail Services. He has more than 25 years of banking experience and a proven track record of leading and building teams, executing strategy, and delivering exceptional business results,” said Michael Stoddard, executive vice president. “We are happy to have him back in Western Massachusetts, lending his skills and expertise to Greylock Federal.”

Robertson will be responsible for leading Greylock’s branch network, Contact Center, member-facing technology, and strategic retail initiatives. In this role, he will provide enterprise-level leadership across deposit growth, member retention, direct lending support, and experience optimization.

“I am incredibly honored to join Greylock Federal Credit Union and return home to Western Mass., where I was born and raised. After spending the last 20 years in the Greater Seattle area, being back home is a personal milestone,” he said. “Greylock’s commitment to financial inclusion and community empowerment deeply resonates with my own personal values, and I look forward to working alongside this dedicated team to help ensure our members achieve their financial goals and dreams and strengthen our local communities for all of us.”

Jamie Moncecchi, senior vice president, chief administrative officer, said Robertson’s addition to the Greylock team is timely.

“This is a great moment in time for Charles to join Greylock,” Moncecchi said. “We have many important initiatives and opportunities for growth on our horizon. His extensive leadership and results-driven experience will be powerful assets to the entire Greylock team.”

Before moving back to Massachusetts, Robertson served as executive vice president and chief retail officer at Kitsap Bank in Port Orchard, Wash., where he directed the operations for the 15-branch, $1.7 billion community bank. In this role, he spearheaded the sales and service program and was responsible for executing multiple strategic initiatives including retail, mortgage, consumer lending, wealth management, business development, leading the learning and development team, and overseeing branch modernization and remodels.

He is a graduate of Saint Joseph’s College of Maine and Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington.

PITTSFIELD — April is Financial Literacy Month, and for Greylock Federal Credit Union, this means an opportunity to share its collection of free financial literacy tools and resources to support individuals of all ages.

“We live and breathe financial literacy every day, but during this month, it’s deeply personal to us, so we want to bring special attention to the entire package of Greylock’s on-demand resources, products, and tools,” said Roberta McCulloch-Dews, vice president of Marketing. “From our interactive Banzai tools and calculators to our hybrid classes and workshops, and our content, there’s something for everyone.”

Greylock’s Money Mindset blog at greylock.org offers expert advice and helpful tips for numerous financial goals and challenges. Recent blogs include “How to Build an Emergency Fund,” “5 Tips to Improve Your Credit Score,” and “Don’t Let Debt Get You Down.”

Greylock’s video content offers another pathway for education. The credit union’s social media channels offer timely, relatable, and humorous takes on important topics.

“We have a lot of fun educating people in our community,” said Jeff Lowenstein, a certified credit union financial wellness coach at Greylock’s Community Empowerment Center (CEC) located inside the branch at 75 Kellogg St. in Pittsfield. “We hope the silliness of our reels helps people feel that Greylock and our coaching team are accessible and approachable. Financial literacy can be simple and even fun.”

Greylock offers three free classes and workshops this month. To learn more and register, visit greylock.org/cec.

“Prepare-se para Comprar uma Casa” will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 6 at the CEC. Presented in Spanish, the workshop aims to support individuals who are ready to purchase a home. They will have the opportunity to discuss the process and meet with Spanish-speaking professionals.

Another first-time homebuyer class, also offered in Spanish, is “Clase Para Compradores de Vivienda por Primera Vez.” This in-person workshop will be held on Monday, April 27 at 5:30 p.m. at the CEC.

A third free workshop on estate planning will be held on Wednesday, April 29 at 6 p.m. via Zoom. The class is designed to help people consider how to best protect loved ones.

PITTSFIELD — Greylock Federal Credit Union reported a strong balance sheet, robust capital position, and impressive earnings for 2025 during its 91st annual meeting held on March 24.

Total assets equaled nearly $1.7 billion at year end. Net income finished at $17.8 million for 2025, including the one-time benefit of $6.8 million of net proceeds from the Employee Retention Credit program, which was created by the federal government under the CARES Act to offset some of the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on organizations across the country.

“Our regulatory capital ratio increased from 12.21% to 12.91%, well above the level considered well-capitalized by our regulators. This leaves us in a very healthy capital position,” Executive Vice President Michael Stoddard said.

Stoddard reported loan growth of $25 million, or 1.9%, during 2025. This growth was reflected across nearly every major loan category, as total loan balances exceed $1.3 billion. On the funding side, deposit balances increased $49 million, or 3.6%. At the end of 2025, Greylock deposit balances equaled $1.4 billion.

“As we look ahead into 2026, our capital, liquidity, and loan quality are at very strong levels. Our balance sheet is well-positioned to manage various potential interest rate environments and economic scenarios,” he added. “Our board of directors and our experienced management team are committed to meeting our members’ financial needs while keeping the credit union in great shape for the long term.”

President and CEO John Bissell highlighted Greylock’s longstanding commitment to community, describing the symbiotic relationship between members and the credit union as an economic ecosystem.

“Greylock thrives because we understand that our collective success is deeply rooted in the shared soil of our regional economy and our community,” he said.

“Credit unions give member deposits an opportunity to grow. We turn those deposits into small business loans and mortgages. We provide auto loans, including $4 million last year for our members with credit challenges who would otherwise be subjected to high-cost, subprime lending for their transportation needs,” Bissell went on. “When members pay back their auto loans, their home loans, their small business loans, Greylock then invests that money into member benefits: personal and digital services, fraud protection, and financial education.”

Also at the annual meeting, three incumbent directors were re-elected to Greylock’s board: Jerry Burke, Sheila LaBarbera, and Ty Allan Jackson.

Immediately following the annual meeting, Greylock’s board of directors met to elect the officers. Peter Lopez was reelected chairperson, Kelly Krok was reelected vice chairperson, Krystle Blake was reelected secretary/financial officer, and JamieEllen Moncecchi was reelected assistant secretary.

“As always, we are fortunate to have a dedicated and talented board of directors,” Bissell said. “We appreciate their willingness to serve. Under their stewardship, Greylock will continue to grow and thrive.”

PITTSFIELD — Greylock Federal Credit Union achieved the $1 million mark in down payment assistance in 2025, the impact of which totaled more than $1.2 million, benefiting 42 households in the Berkshires.

“This is really exciting news,” said Tara McCluskey, vice president, Mortgage Originations. “We’re so proud of the work we’ve done and the progress we’ve made. In 2020, when this partnership started, we facilitated $265,000 in down payment assistance. To break a million is a huge achievement.”

Down payment assistance (DPA) is funded through partnerships with Federal Home Loan Bank’s Lift Up Grant, Equity Builder Grant, and Housing Our Workforce programs; MassHousing DPA, De Mayo Grant; and others. The funds are available to income-eligible buyers and can bolster a down payment or help cover closing costs.

In 2025, 62% of Greylock mortgages were made to first-time homebuyers. Greylock leads the Berkshire County mortgage market with 23% market share, nearly double that of the next competitor. This market share dominance reinforces brand strength and the trust that credit union members and the Berkshire community have in Greylock.

“The pool of funds is limited, but we’re getting ready to go into a new grant season,” McCluskey said. “It’s an excellent time to work with Greylock on a mortgage, whether you’re a first-time buyer or looking to grow into a larger home. Reach out to us — we’re here to help.”

For more information, visit greylock.org/mortgage.

PITTSFIELD — Greylock Federal Credit Union enters the new year with another 5-Star Superior rating from BauerFinancial, the nation’s premier credit union and bank rating firm. A 5-Star Superior rating indicates that Greylock Federal is one of the strongest credit unions in the nation, excelling in areas of capital, loan quality, stability, and more. This marks the 35th consecutive quarter that Greylock Federal has earned this top rating.

“Because credit unions put their focus squarely on their membership, they are perfectly positioned to provide the specialized support that is unique to their niche,” said Karen Dorway, president of BauerFinancial. “Credit unions, like Greylock Federal, invest in the success of their members one at a time. By fostering these relationships, they accomplish two goals: they are typically highly capitalized, and they are accountable to their members.”

Since its founding in 1935, Greylock Federal has invested in the success of its membership for 91 years, an impressive tenure that is still going strong today.

“It’s an honor to start 2026 with this commendation,” said John Bissell, president and CEO of Greylock Federal Credit Union. “The BauerFinancial 5-Star rating provides our 106,000 members with a high degree of confidence that Greylock is built to last. Even as our credit union continues to grow, we remain totally focused on building deep and lasting local relationships. Our member service is what sets us apart.”

PITTSFIELD — Greylock Federal Credit Union will present two free financial literacy workshops on Wednesday, Jan. 21.

Greylock, in conjunction with its partner, GreenPath, will offer the free webinar “Setting and Reaching Financial Goals in 2026” from 3 to 4 p.m.

Greylock will then host “Avoiding Financial Crisis” from 6 to 7 p.m. via Zoom, a class designed to help people develop a budget, build up savings, minimize debt, and carefully weigh risk.

For more information about these workshops and to register, visit www.greylock.org/cec.

Meghann Arnold

PITTSFIELD — Greylock Federal Credit Union announced the hiring of Vice President, Controller Meghann Arnold, who joins the Finance team.

“We are excited for Meghann to join our organization, as she brings over a decade of experience in public accounting,” said Michael King, senior vice president, chief financial officer. “With expertise in accounting operations and policy, Meghann will help drive efficient operations and timely reporting. In addition, she’ll lead our budgeting and forecasting processes, while performing important financial analysis.”

As part of the Finance team, Arnold will ensure compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and regulatory requirements, and as a strategic leader in the credit union, she will play a critical role in budgeting, financial planning, asset-liability committee participation, internal controls, audit coordination, and process improvement.

“We’re thrilled that Meghann has joined our leadership team,” said JamieEllen Moncecchi, senior vice president, chief administrative officer. “Her experience, knowledge, and interests align purposively with Greylock’s mission and current initiatives. We’re happy to welcome her to Greylock and look forward to her many contributions.”

Arnold, a certified public accountant (CPA), brings more than 15 years of progressive leadership in finance, accounting, and audit across both public and private sectors. She most recently served as a senior audit associate in PwC’s Asset and Wealth Management division, where she led complex, multi-entity audit engagements and advised executive teams on complex technical accounting matters, internal controls, and regulatory compliance. Arnold’s background spans investments, insurance, and banking, giving her a deep understanding of the financial services landscape.

“Throughout my career, I’ve been drawn to organizations that make a real impact,” Arnold said. “Joining a community-focused, member-owned credit union allows me to apply my technical expertise in a space where financial stewardship directly benefits local families and businesses. I’m excited to support a mission that aligns with both my professional values and my personal commitment to this community.”

PITTSFIELD — Greylock Federal Credit Union is hosting a food drive to support local food pantries. All donations, which may be dropped off at any branch location through Dec. 31, will be matched with a monetary donation by the credit union.

“We recognize that these are incredibly challenging times for so many in the Berkshires and beyond. At Greylock, we believe in showing up for one another in meaningful ways,” said Rachel Mabee, vice president, Culture and Brand. “If you have a little extra in your pantry or can pick up an extra item while shopping, please consider donating at one our branch locations. Every contribution helps make sure our neighbors have enough to eat. A food drive is a simple but powerful way we can collectively care for our community.”

Donations may include unexpired, non-perishable canned and boxed foods. For a list of branch locations, visit greylock.org/locations.

PITTSFIELD — During the months of November and December, Greylock Federal Credit Union will host free community workshops on the topics of home purchasing and ownership and estate planning.

On Monday, Nov. 3 from 5:30 to 8 p.m., “First-time Home Buyers” (in Spanish) will help participants understand the steps of buying a home. Spanish-speaking professionals who can assist with the process will be onsite at the Greylock Community Empowerment Center (CEC), 75 Kellogg St., Pittsfield. Presenters will include, but not limited to, real estate agents, a mortgage originator, an insurance agent, a home inspector, and an attorney. Refreshments and childcare will be available for this hybrid class; Zoom is also an option.

A similar offering on Tuesday, Nov. 18, “Preparing for Home Ownership,” targets first-time buyers looking to purchase a home over the next two years. The class covers budgeting, building a strong credit history, insurance requirements, renting versus owning, and owning a single-family home versus a duplex. This class is offered on Zoom from 6 to 7 p.m.

A Spanish version of “Preparing for Home Ownership” will be available on Monday, Dec. 1 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the CEC with a Zoom option.

Greylock’s final class of the year is an estate planning webinar on Tuesday, Dec. 9 from 6 to 7 p.m. via Zoom. The workshop will gude attendees through necessary considerations after death. Participants will learn how to put their financial affairs in order and ways to protect their loved ones from dealing with extra costs, barriers, and frustration.

For more information and to register, visit www.greylock.org/cec.

PITTSFIELD — This October, Greylock Federal Credit Union is participating in Cybersecurity Awareness Month, an annual global initiative by the National Cybersecurity Alliance committed to helping communities through education and empowerment.

This year’s campaign focuses on “Stay Safe Online with the 4 Core” to help online users stop, look, and think to recognize and avoid scams and frauds, and to build confidence and awareness around steps everyone can take to protect themselves.

Throughout October, Greylock will share simple, powerful actions to help members strengthen their cybersecurity. The 4 Core actions include fortifying accounts with strong, complex passwords and a password manager; enabling multi-factor authentication; avoiding threats by updating all software; and recognizing and reporting scams.

“Frauds and scams are alive and well, and they are impacting all financial institutions, not just Greylock,” Fraud and Loss Prevention Officer Mystie Ford said. “In addition to the 4 Core actions, my best advice is to ignore unknown numbers. Delete texts from people you don’t know. Don’t answer the call. If it’s legit, they will leave a voicemail, and if you’re concerned, call us or whichever business is being impersonated.”

In addition, Greylock members are strongly encouraged to sign up for Digital Banking and eDocument services, which securely encrypt information and require multi-factor authentication to access.

“Remember, there is never a reason to give out your online banking credentials, and we’ll never ask for them,” Ford said. “We will also never ask you to click on a link. Frauds and scams are notorious for causing false urgency — if you’re being told to act now, be suspicious. Take a moment to stop and think about it.”

Amit Behal, Greylock’s senior vice president, chief information officer of Information Technology Services, believes cybersecurity is a shared responsibility.

“Protecting Greylock members and employees is fundamental to our work, every day, all year long, and it extends to helping protect our entire community,” he said. “Our participation in Cybersecurity Awareness Month is just one way we hope to empower everyone with actionable steps and accessible tools to make being online safer.”

To learn more and take part in Cybersecurity Awareness Month, follow Greylock Federal Credit Union on social media and at greylock.org. For more information, visit greylock.org/fraud.

PITTSFIELD — This September and October, Greylock Federal Credit Union will host four free community workshops on the topics of insurance, avoiding debt, building credit, and Medicare.

On Monday, Sept. 15, “Insurance Basics” (in Spanish) will be offered via Zoom from 5:30 to 7 p.m. This informative session, led by licensed staff from the Greylock Insurance Agency, will focus on auto coverage and include a Q&A session for other insurance-related topics.

On Wednesday, Oct. 1, “Avoiding the Gift of Debt” will be held via Zoom from 6 to 6:45 p.m., and will outline strategies to avoid debt during the holiday season.

On Monday, Oct. 6, “Credit Ability: Build a Strong Credit History” (in Spanish), a hybrid workshop, will help participants understand the need to build credit, the significance of credit scores, ways to establish credit, and how to use credit wisely. Participants are welcome to join in person from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Greylock Community Empowerment Center, 75 Kellogg St., Pittsfield, or join via a Zoom option.

On Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 6 p.m., a virtual workshop, “Preparing for Medicare 101 and Open Enrollment Changes 2025,” will help prepare recent retirees and those looking to retire in near future. This event is presented in partnership with Elder Services of Berkshire County.

For more information and to register, visit www.greylock.org/cec.

Amy Ganci

PITTSFIELD — Greylock Federal Credit Union announced the hiring of Vice President, Business Banking Officer Amy Ganci, who joins the credit union’s Business Banking team.

“Amy’s holistic approach to serving small business will serve our community well. I am pleased to have her positive energy and deep knowledge base at Greylock Federal Credit Union,” said Jodi Rathbun-Briggs, senior vice president, chief lending officer. “Our current and future members will enjoy having her as a trusted advisor for commercial lending and business banking needs.”

As part of the Business Banking team, Ganci will originate and underwrite commercial loan products and collaborate on business development activities, serving as an advisor for Greylock’s members by providing insight and support to small businesses. She will interface with loan applicants, act as account officer for existing credit union relationships, and manage all aspects of business development.

“I am very excited to share my positive nature of helping people. I am truly a people person,” Ganci said. “I love to connect, hear their stories, and get a true sense and understanding of how I can add value to enlist and align Greylock’s mission to their mission.”

Ganci has nearly 25 years of experience in business banking; her most recent role was vice president at PeoplesBank, where she managed a robust portfolio of client relationships, developed new relationships and expanded existing ones, and worked closely with branch partners to provide solutions to both new and existing clients.

An active participant at her church and children’s schools, Ganci holds an associate degree in business from Greenfield Community College and has completed extensive coursework in business/financial management, psychology, and sociology from Westfield State University.

“What excites me most is joining a truly mission-driven organization,” she said. “I am thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful team and to be able to continue supporting the businesses and communities we serve.”

William Fontes

PITTSFIELD — Following an extensive national search, Greylock Federal Credit Union announced the hiring of William Fontes as vice president and manager of Business Banking. Fontes brings comprehensive experience in strategic leadership and vision in commercial banking.

“Bill’s extensive commercial lending experience and approach to understanding and meeting the needs of businesses made him the perfect choice for the job. His depth of expertise and leadership will be a tremendous asset to the communities we serve,” said Jodi Rathbun-Briggs, senior vice president, chief lending officer.

As a key member of the Commercial Lending department, Fontes will lead Greylock’s business banking team while building relationships and strengthening services for credit union members through commercial lending and business banking products.

“The entirety of my 30 years in commercial banking has been invested in Western Massachusetts’ community banks, supporting the needs of local business of all sizes and types,” Fontes said. “I enjoy providing customized financing for a variety of commercial banking needs, and my customers appreciate my ability to understand their needs and challenges, as well as my ability to deliver productive financial solutions.”

Fontes will also provide critical leadership through strategic oversight and expansion of Greylock’s annual business development plan and goals for local markets.

“Bill joins us after a remarkable 12-year tenure at Easthampton Savings Bank (bankESB), where he held the position of senior vice president. During his time at bankESB, Bill managed to create a relationship-driven and diverse portfolio,” Rathbun-Briggs said. “Bill has successfully led a large team of lenders and has extensive experience in commercial lending. His approach to meeting the members’ needs and his passion for coaching those around him to be their best selves were compelling reasons we knew Bill was the right fit for the job.”

Fontes holds an MBA in finance and entrepreneurship from Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I. His community interests include economic development, affordable housing, youth sports, and outdoor activities.

“I am excited to integrate my experience with Greylock’s mission,” he said. “Small businesses require customized commercial solutions to maintain optimal efficiency and reach strategic goals. We have the community commitment, resources, and team to deliver a high-quality experience for our members.”

Stanley Walczyk

PITTSFIELD — Greylock Federal Credit Union’s board of directors voted unanimously to appoint Stanley Walczyk as director emeritus in recognition of his long and distinguished service to the credit union.

In April, the board of directors voted to confer the director emeritus designation on Walczyk. Individuals who are appointed directors emeriti function as an advisory committee to the board of directors. Walczyk’s designation reflects a two-year term.

“I’m truly honored to continue my service with the Greylock board as director emeritus, and I extend my deepest gratitude to my fellow directors on this distinguished appointment. Since joining the board in 2011, it has been a privilege to contribute to the stewardship of Greylock and its preservation as one of our region’s long-serving financial institutions,” Walczyk said. “I look forward to this next chapter of service to our members and the credit union’s continued innovation.”

Greylock President and CEO John Bissell reflected on Walczyk’s service to Greylock. “I would just like to extend a few words of appreciation to Stan for all that he has done for Greylock. Through the years, he has generously shared his time and talents toward the stewardship of the credit union, and we are truly grateful for his continued service as director emeritus.”

Peter Lopez, board chair, shared similar sentiments. “I’m honored to have served with Stan, and I personally appreciate the many insights and perspectives that he has shared throughout his board service. We look forward to his continued involvement with the board as an esteemed advisor and director emeritus.”

Walczyk was board chairman from 2018 to 2023 and served on a variety of committees during his tenure.

He was the president of O’Laughlin’s Home Care Pharmacy, which was acquired by and now operates as Market 32 Price Chopper Pharmacy. He was also president of the Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy and the Massachusetts Pharmacist Assoc. and a member of the National Assoc. of Retail Druggists.

Walczyk was appointed as a trustee of Berkshire Community College by the governor, serving two five-year terms, and was also appointed by the governor to the Massachusetts Drug Formulary Commission. Additionally, he is a past president of the Dalton Rotary Club.