Speakers James R. Loughman & Matthew R. Farkas present on the importance of the Prudent Investor Rule with the backdrop of the effect of the interest rate changes on the bond sector.

Join us Wednesday, September 11, 2024, 8:30am Breakfast; 9:00am - 10:30am program at the Berkshire Hills Country Club, 500 Benedict Road, Pittsfield, Mass.

RSVP below. Thank you!

Members: Free; Non-Members: $40.00. Payable in advance via PayPal (button below) or check to BCEPC c/o Donna Turner, Smith Watson & Company, 7 North Street, Suite 205, Pittsfield, MA 01201.

RSVP Marianne Fresia Here.

James R. Loughman is a senior associate at Donovan, O’Connor & Dodig, LLP, with offices in North Adams and Pittsfield, Massachusetts, as well as Bennington, Vermont. A graduate of Amherst College and the University of Virginia School of Law, he has been with the firm since 1992, and is licensed to practice law in both Massachusetts and Vermont. A member of both the Massachusetts and Vermont Chapters of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, James’ practice areas include estate and Medicaid planning and probate matters. He also serves on the Boards of a number of civic organizations, including the Adams Board of Library Trustees, the Adams Historical Society and the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum, as well as the St. John Paul II Parish Council.

Matthew R. Farkas is a seasoned investment professional with over 18 years of industry experience and a proven track record of guiding clients toward their financial objectives. A cornerstone of the firm’s Investment Committee, Matt specializes in designing and implementing high-quality fixed income portfolios. Since joining St. Germain Investment Management in 2014, he has been instrumental in shaping the firm’s fixed income approach. Prior to St. Germain, Matt played a pivotal role in laying the foundation of a successful Pittsfield-based RIA, where he served as Vice President/Portfolio Manager. He also held the position of Investment Officer at Berkshire Bank Wealth Management, honing his portfolio management skills. His strong academic foundation, including a Master of Science in Investment Management from Boston University and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from St. Michael’s College, complements his extensive industry experience. Matt holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, a globally recognized standard of excellence in the investment profession. This rigorous credential signifies a deep understanding of investment analysis, portfolio management, and financial ethics. As a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Boston, Matt is committed to maintaining the highest professional standards.

Join us for this live seminar! Charitable Planning 2024 and Beyond.

Date: May 15, 2024; Time: 12:00pm registration/lunch; 12:30: presentation

Location: Proprietor’s Lodge, 22 Waubeek Rd, Pittsfield, Massachusetts

Presenter: Pamela R. Green, Esq., Smith Green & Holmes

During this presentation we will discuss a variety of issues related to charitable planning including:

• how to properly draft charitable bequests in Wills and Trusts;

• best ways to leverage IRAs for charitable gifts and bequests;

• how donor advised funds can simplify planning and accomplish more complex charitable intentions;

• charitable remainder trusts; and

• estate administration issues relative to charitable bequests.

 We will also honor the memory of Virginia Stanton Smith.

RSVP to Marianne Fresia (button below). Free for Members! Non-members: $40. Pay via PAYPAL or mail a check: Donna Turner, Smith Watson & Company LLC, 7 North Street, Suite 205, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Thank you!

Presenter Biography

Pamela R. Green is a partner in the law firm of Smith Green & Gold, LLP in Pittsfield, Mass., where she concentrates her practice on sophisticated trust, estate and tax planning, estate administration, elder law and real estate. Pam was named to Boston magazine’s “Super Lawyers Rising Stars” list in 2013-2016 and was part of the inaugural class of young professionals named as “Berkshire County 40 Under Forty,” presented in 2016 by Berkshire Community College. Pam volunteers her time as vice-chair of the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority board of directors, general counsel for the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, and is the past board chair of the Berkshire County Estate Planning Council. She is a magna cum laude graduate of Western New England University School of Law, where she served as managing editor of the law review. Pam is also a cum laude graduate of The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where she earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in world politics.

Event Sponsor

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

Join us for this Seminar with Brad S. Papalardo, Senior Vice President, Chief of Government Affairs and Counsel at the Massachusetts Bankers Association (MBA).

Topic: Estate Tax Update

Date/Time: Wednesday, February 28: 8:30am breakfast; 9:00 speaker.

Where: Courtyard by Marriott, 70 Pittsfield Road, Lenox (Across from Lenox Commons)

Sponsor: Lee Bank

Brad S. Papalardo, Esq. Biography

Brad S. Papalardo is Senior Vice President, Chief of Government Affairs and Counsel at the Massachusetts Bankers Association (MBA). In that role, he is responsible for the execution of the Association’s state and federal legislative & regulatory efforts and agenda, managing MBA’s trust program, directing its financial education outreach, and serves as the manager and treasurer of Massachusetts Bankers PAC. Before joining MBA, Brad worked on Beacon Hill as the Chief Legal Counsel to the Majority Leader in the House of Representatives and prior to that role was General Counsel & Chief of Staff to the House Chair of the Joint Committee on Financial Services. Brad started his legal career as a Prosecutor with the Essex District Attorney’s Office.

RSVP to Marianne Fresia (button below). Free for Members! Non-members: $40. Pay via PAYPAL or mail a check: Donna Turner, Smith Watson & Company LLC, 7 North Street, Suite 205, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Thank you!

We’re back! Join us for this live seminar: “Should I Stay or Should I Go? Waiting for the Imminent Recession That Has Yet to Happen” on September 13th. Registration & breakfast begin at 8:00am; program runs 8:30am - 10:00am. Bring a colleague at no charge: if they join BCEPC, they will have membership for the remainder of this year and 2024!

Presenter Kenneth J. Entenmann, CFA®, Chief Investment Officer & Chief Economist at NBT Bank, will discuss his views on how the Federal Reserve’s policy will impact the equity and fixed income markets and the potential for recession. Ken will also address how sticky inflation will be and its effects on the markets.

Our event sponsor is Berkshire Place, Pittsfield’s only Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC).

RSVP to Marianne Fresia (button below). Free for Members! Non-members: $40. Pay via PAYPAL or mail a check: Donna Turner, Smith Watson & Company LLC, 7 North Street, Suite 205, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Thank you!

Biography

Kenneth J. Entenmann, CFA®, Chief Investment Officer & Chief Economist, NBT Bank

Ken Entenmann is Senior Vice President, Chief Investment Officer and Chief Economist at NBT Wealth Management. Ken has more than 35 years of investment management experience and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. He earned his B.S. in Applied Economics and Business Management from Cornell University and his M.B.A. from the University of Rochester’s William E. Simon Graduate School of Business Administration. In his current role, Ken oversees more than $9 billion in assets under management and administration in trust, custody, retirement, institutional and individual accounts.

Event Sponsor

Join us for this live seminar: Taking Control: Planning for Incapacity, Dispelling Myths, and Avoiding Pitfalls on June 13 at The Residences at 89 South, 89 South Street, Pittsfield. 8:00 check in; 8:30 program.

Presenters

Jennifer Carpenter of Cain Hibbard & Myers. Read bio here.

Mary Courtney of Courtney, Lee & Hamel. Read bio here.

RSVP to Marianne Fresia (button below). Free for Members! Non-members: $40. Pay via PAYPAL or mail a check: Donna Turner, Smith Watson & Company LLC, 7 North Street, Suite 205, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Thank you!

We’ll then take July and August “off” and come back with another in-person seminar on September 13.

Lisa M. McCormack, Judicial Case Manager, and Clement Ferris, First Assistant Register, will discuss real life case studies and options regarding such matters in an informative open discussion at this April 26, 8am - 10:30am seminar at the Hilton Garden Inn, 1032 South Street, Pittsfield.

RSVP to Marianne Fresia (button below). Free for Members! Non-members: $40. Pay via PAYPAL or mail a check: Donna Turner, Smith Watson & Company LLC, 7 North Street, Suite 205, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Thank you!

Our Presenters

Lisa McCormack has served the public for the past 8 years as the Judicial Case Manager with the Berkshire Probate and Family Court.  Prior to her appointment with the Court, Lisa worked as an attorney in the Litigation Department at Cain Hibbard and Myers with a diverse practice focusing on health law.  She is a graduate of Western New England University School of Law and received her bachelor’s degree from Smith College.

Clem Ferris First Assistant register of Berkshire Probate and Family Court December 1999 to present.

Presenters: Chuck Leach, President, Lee Bank and Timothy W. Suffish, CFA, SVP, Head of Equities, October Mountain Financial Advisors. (Biographies below)

Given the volatile year so far, Chuck and Tim will provide an update on the global capital markets. 2022 has seen dramatic moves from virtually all asset classes and investors are in search of stability in a world that has not provided much in recent years. Equities, bonds, commodities, real estate and inflation will all be discussed.

RSVP Deadline: September 13. RSVP to Dan Stanyon (button below). Free for Members! Non-members: $35. Pay via PAYPAL or mail a check: Donna Turner, Smith Watson & Company LLC, 7 North Street, Suite 205, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Thank you!

Chuck Leach, President, Lee Bank

Chuck has been president and CEO of Lee Bank since 2015, and his experience in banking, investing and wealth management stretch back to 1999.  He previously worked as senior vice president of wealth management and chief investment officer at Berkshire Bank Wealth Management (2007-2015) and, earlier, was vice president/senior portfolio manager at TD Bank Wealth Management Group (2002-2007). He was vice president of the Gilder Technology Group and the Telecosm Fund from 1999-2002.

 Chuck earned his M.B.A. from the Peter F. Drucker Graduate School of Management, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, Calif. (1999), and his B.A. from Colby College, Waterville, Maine (1991).

Timothy W. Suffish, CFA®, SVP, Head of Equities, October Mountain Financial Advisors

Tim joined St. Germain as an analyst and investment manager in 2004.  He was promoted to Senior Vice President and elected to the Board of Directors in 2008.  Tim also serves on the investment committee. Previously, he was Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager for Banknorth Investment Management Group. There, he managed $200 million of equity and fixed income assets. His clients were foundations, endowments, educational institutions and high net-worth individuals.

 Tim was formerly an Investment Consultant for Fidelity Investments in Boston, serving 401(k) clients with assets up to $150 million. Tim received a BA in Mathematics from The College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA, followed by an MBA and a Masters in Accounting from Northeastern University in Boston.

The seminar speaker for this event is Pam Green from Smith Green & Gold on the topic of Estate Planning for Blended Families. It will be at the Country Club of Pittsfield, 639 South St, Pittsfield, MA. A full breakfast is included.

Seminar Topics

• How to draft wills and trusts to avoid unfair results

• Helping clients choose the right fiduciaries

• Navigating beneficiary designations

• Estate tax considerations

A partner in the firm of Smith Green & Holmes of Pittsfield, Pam Green has been admitted to practice law in Massachusetts since 2005 and concentrates her practice in the areas of sophisticated trust and estate planning, estate administration, and residential real estate transactions.  As part of her probate and estate planning practice, she provides advice and guidance on matters including the use of trusts for estate and gift taxes and advance long term care planning. Pam believes strongly in providing compassionate, thorough advice to clients coping with the long-term illness of a loved one, or loss of a family member.  Pam also enjoys working with first-time home buyers and people looking to buy their dream home in the Berkshires.

Pamela earned her law degree at Western New England College School of Law and earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in World Politics from The Catholic University of America.  Since moving to the Berkshires in 2005, Pam has been active in the community.  She has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation since 2016, and presently serves as Vice-Chair of the Board.  She has also been a member of the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority (PEDA) Board of Directors since 2012, also presently serving as Vice-Chair of that Board.  She has also served on the Hancock Shaker Village Audit Committee since 2014 and the EforAll Berkshire County Advisory Board since 2019.  Her past service included ten years as the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum’s General Counsel and Special Events Manager and Chair of the Estate Planning Council of Berkshire County from 2016 - 2019.

RSVP to Dan Stanyon (button below). Free for Members! Non-members: $35. Pay via PAYPAL or mail a check: Donna Turner, Smith Watson & Company LLC, 7 North Street, Suite 205, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Thank you!

Presenter: Hy Darling, Esq.

Topics for this presentation include:

• How to decant a Trust

• How to modify a Trust

• How to provide for non-judicial settlement agreement as well as filing a petition in court to modify the Trust or terminate it.

There will also be discussions relative to the termination of Charitable Trusts; what language to include in Trusts that are being written now to allow future Trusts to be amended; and more.

Biography:

Hyman G. Darling is a principal at the law firm of Bacon Wilson, PC in Western Massachusetts. He has been with the firm for over thirty years and concentrates in the preparation of estate planning documents, elder law, estates and taxes, guardianship, conservatorship, special needs planning, and adoptions. Attorney Darling is a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association and is a former President of both the Hampden County Bar Association and Hampden County Estate Planning Council. He is on the adjunct faculty at Western New England University School of Law and Baypath University. He is a member of many civic and professional association including the Planned giving Committees of the American Cancer Society and Baystate Medical Center. He is an active member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), formerly serving as President, and he has lectured at both local and national NAELA programs and has published and spoken for the Massachusetts Bar Association.

RSVP to Dan Stanyon (button below). Free for Members! Non-members: $35. Pay via PAYPAL or mail a check: Donna Turner, Smith Watson & Company LLC, 7 North Street, Suite 205, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Thank you!

Speakers: Lisa McCormack of Berkshire Probate and Family Court and Pamela Green of Smith Green & Gold, LLP.

McCormack will address judicial remedies in the absence of a POA or HCP including conservatorships and guardianships. 

Green will address:

• How to plan in advance for incapacity by utilizing durable powers of attorney and health care proxies. 

• Key provisions to include in a durable power of attorney, as well as some of the pitfalls to avoid in drafting them. 

• Relevance of living wills, MOLSTs and other advance directives. 

RSVP to Dan Stanyon (button below). Free for Members! Non-members: $35. Pay via PAYPAL or mail a check: Donna Turner, Smith Watson & Company LLC, 7 North Street, Suite 205, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Thank you!

Speaker: Sharon Coe, Mountain One and Simon Muil, Berkshire Bank Insurance.

Location: Holiday Inn, One West St., Pittsfield, MA (the former Crowne Plaza).

Please RSVP by October 4, 2019

Sharon & Simon will help unlock the mystery of various long term care insurance options and how they may help with long term care needs. They will address the emotional, physical and financial challenges encountered by families when a long term care need arises, and outline benefits of LTC insurance programs, and the interaction with traditional health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid benefits. You will learn basic eligibility guidelines for public benefits and claim criteria for private LTC insurance policies. Ultimately, the program is designed to help estate planning professionals identify various Long Term Care Insurance, Life Insurance, and Annuity programs that will benefit your client’s long term financial and estate plans.

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Presenter BIos:

Sharon Coe, a Licensed Insurance Broker, joined MountainOne Insurance in 2013, is certified in Long-Term Care, and has over 23 years of experience in the insurance industry. As Account Executive, she provides personal service to clients in order to match them with the best insurance solutions to meet their individual needs, as well as providing ongoing annual reviews. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. In the community, she is a member of Berkshire Business and Professional Women, and has been a member of the Berkshire County Estate Planning Council since August 2017.    Sharon is a native of Pittsfield, Ma where she resides with her husband Tim, and their two children.

Simon Muil has worked with Berkshire Insurance Group for nearly 10 years providing long term care, disability and life insurance solutions across New England and New York. He also works with local businesses on their employee benefits programs. Prior to Berkshire Insurance Group, Simon worked as regional manager for a progressive Medicaid small employer health insurance premium assistance program. 

Originally from England, he has lived in Berkshire County for 20 years. He currently resides in Pittsfield with his family, and is involved in a number of local boards and commissions.

Our first seminar of 2019!

Speakers: Christine Provost and Tracie Kester of First American Title Insurance Company

Christine and Tracie will lead us through the following discussions:

• Continuation of title policy coverage and estate planning transfers

• Avoiding bad joint tenancies 

• Avoiding problems with trusts

• Deeds under powers of attorney

• Gifting and self dealing issues with POAs and trusts

• Formal vs. informal probates and real estate

• When we can accept a deed from the heirs

• Deeds of distribution

Sign up today!

RSVP re: seminar to Dan Stanyon (button below) - Non members, please pay $35.00 via PAYPAL or mail check in advance to Laurie Swint, Brazee & Huban CPAs, 55 Wendell Ave, Pittsfield, MA 01201.

The Impact of New Tax Law Changes on Charitable Giving, Estate & Income Taxation

Event Topics & Speakers:

Charitable Giving: Peter Taylor, President, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

Estate Taxation: Trevor Forbes, President & Chief Investment Officer, Renaissance Investment Group

Income Taxation: Martin Huban, III, CPA, Partner, and Laurie Swint, CPA, Partner. Brazee & Huban

Wednesday, September 12, 2018;
Registration & Breakfast: 8:00
William Kirchick, NAEPC Member Benefits: 8:15
Presentations and Q&A: 8:30 – 10:30

Location: Cranwell Spa & Golf Resort, 55 Lee Rd, Lenox - Harvest Barn (Across the street from main facilities, look for “Meadow View” sign).

RSVP re: seminar to Dan Stanyon (button below) - Non members can pay $35 in advance via Paypal OR mail check in advance to Laurie Swint, Brazee & Huban CPAs, 55 Wendell Ave, Pittsfield, MA 01201.

A presentation by Berkshire County’s own Assistant Register of Probate, Clement Ferris, Jr., outlining common mistakes made throughout the probate administration process and how to avoid them. Followed by an open question and answer period during which probate administration questions may be raised for discussion.

This will be a breakfast with registration starting at 8:00am; the speaker will begin at 8:30am. The program will end by 10:00am.

Location: Country Club of Pittsfield. RSVP re: seminar to Dan Stanyon - Non members can pay $35 in advance via Paypal HERE.

Hyman Darling, Esq., Shareholder, Bacon Wilson, PC, and President of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, will talk to us about Estate Planning for Medicaid/ MassHealth and share legislative and tax updates.

Join us at the Country Club of Pittsfield for breakfast between 8:00 am - 8:30 am. The presentation and Q & A will run from 8:30 am - 10:00 am.

This event is free to members and $20 for non-members. Fee can be paid at the door, mailed in advance to Laurie Swint, BCEPC Treasurer, c/o Brazee and Huban, CPAs, 55 Wendell Ave., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Or you can pay via paypal by clicking on the PayPal button on this page.

RSVP to Dan Stanyon