Board of Trustees

Tom Bernard, Chair

Email: [email protected]

Professional Expertise: Tom brings over 25 years of leadership experience across the cultural, education, municipal, and nonprofit sectors. He previously served as the President and CEO of Berkshire United Way and served two terms as the Mayor of North Adams. His background includes leadership roles at Smith College, MCLA, and MASS MoCA, and he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Public Service from MCLA in 2022. The son of public school teachers, Tom values civic engagement and regional collaboration.

Alison Bost, Vice Chair

Professional Expertise: Alison is the former Deputy General Counsel of Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP. Her 23-year legal career includes representing clients in complex litigation, appeals, and labor and employment matters. She has extensive experience in legal ethics and professional responsibility and served as Vice-Chair of her firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Alison served as Vice-Chair of her firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee and currently serves on the Board of Child Care of the Berkshires.

Keith Finan, Treasurer

Professional Expertise: Keith recently served as the Head of Operations & CFO at Deerfield Academy, following 25 years as the Associate Provost at Williams College. He possesses deep expertise in finance, operations, and organizational planning specifically tailored to the needs of schools and non-profit institutions. Keith applies his extensive experience in institutional finance and planning to ensure BART remains fiscally sound and operationally resilient.

Steve Simon, Secretary

Professional Expertise: Steve is a veteran of the magazine and newsstand industry with over 30 years of executive experience and multiple successful business ventures. He launched his career as the first manager of the Newsstand Division of Borders Books and Music before developing several other ventures within the industry.

George Ambriz

Professional Expertise: Dean of Enrollment Services at Hudson Valley Community College with nearly 20 years in higher education at Hispanic and Minority-Serving Institutions. His career spans student affairs leadership on both the West and East Coasts, providing a broad national perspective on enrollment services. Fluent in Spanish, George is dedicated to expanding access to higher education and supporting diverse student populations.

Jordan DeGaetano

Professional Expertise: Higher education professional specializing in Success Coaching for students with documented disabilities and first-generation college students. Her research interests include Appreciative Advising, Universal Design, and the development of holistic student support systems.

Dr. Laurie Gordy

Professional Expertise: VP of Academic Affairs at Berkshire Community College with 30 years of experience in higher education administration. Her work focuses on curriculum assessment, educational equity, and the intersections of race, class, gender, and sexuality. Dr. Gordy has spent her career promoting college access and equity.

Marcel Kouame

Professional Expertise: Experienced computer scientist and information security auditor with specialized expertise in cloud engineering and platform architecture. She has served in Vice President and managerial roles for major institutions including Thomson Reuters FX, NY Life, and BNY Mellon. Marcel is a proud BART parent and is commitment to mentoring youth in the tri-state area.

Kelli Kozak

Professional Expertise: Executive Assistant to the President at MCLA with 25 years of marketing and events management expertise. She previously served as the VP of Community Engagement for MountainOne Bank. Kelli is a proud BART parent and long-time volunteer. She expertly fosters strong local partnerships and engagement.

Dr. Catherine McKeen

Professional Expertise: Faculty member at Bennington College, former Associate Provost at Southern Vermont College, Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning at Southern Vermont College, and Associate Dean at MCLA, Dr. McKeen brings 20+ years of teaching experience in academic leadership and teaching. She is a widely recognized scholar and co-author of The Routledge Handbook of Women and Ancient Greek Philosophy. 

Gina Puc

Professional Expertise: Special Assistant to the President, Director of Community Relations, and Secretary to the Board of Trustees at Williams College. She previously held the role of Vice-President for Strategic Initiatives at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA). She previously worked for over a decade as a college admissions officer, promoting access to higher eduction. A dedicated community leader, she maintains active roles on various local boards and committees.