Team Group: Board of Directors

Kelly has over 30 years of experience in development and fundraising, and has held leadership positions at Volunteers in Medicine, Berkshire Country Day School, Indian Moutain School, Kripalu and, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation since moving to the Berkshires in 2001.  She currently serves as the Director of Development at Community Health & Wellness Center, a federally qualified health center with sites in North Canaan, Winsted and Torrington, CT. 

Kelly was first introduced to Berkshire Pulse when her daughter, Emma, began dancing at age 5.  During Emma’s time at Pulse, Kelly served on the board for several years. She then took a 10-year break before returning in 2024.

Kelly resides in Sheffield with her husband, Ken, and Emma, when she is not away at college. 

Gail Belmuth has 30 years of experience in communications and marketing for a wide range of corporate, political, and nonprofit clients. Currently, she runs a communications consultancy, with a focus on helping organizations through major transformations, including mergers and acquisitions, automation and digitization, and other drivers of rapid expansion.

Gail’s current and recent clients include Marsh McLennan, CVSHealth, Novartis, Montefiore Medical Center, Siemens, Xerox, Alcoa, International Rescue Committee, Accenture, ITT/Xylem, Deloitte and Ingersoll Rand. Gail is the former global chief communications officer for International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. She also served in leadership roles at several global communications agencies, including Burson-Marsteller. 

Early in her career, Gail worked with reforming governments in the former Soviet Union and Latin America. She graduated from Brown University with a degree in Russian Studies and moved to the Berkshires from New York in 2015. Since moving to the Berkshires, Gail also served as Director of Advancement for Volunteers in Medicine Berkshires. 

Gail was introduced to the magic of Berkshire Pulse through her daughter, Cecelia, who was a tap and African drumming student here throughout middle and high school.

Melissa was born and raised in southern California and pursued dance as an undergraduate at California State University, Long Beach. She first came to the Berkshires in 2015 to intern at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in Becket. After her internship, she decided to stay in the region, working first at the Pillow, then at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington. Currently, Melissa serves as the Executive Director of the Berkshire Immigrant Center in Pittsfield. She holds a Master of Science in Arts Administration from Boston University. In addition to her professional work, Melissa volunteers with Latinas413, a group dedicated to empowering Latina women in Berkshire County, and continues to nurture her passion for dance by performing in local choreographers works and as the founder and artistic director of her own dance company, the Melissa Martinez Project.

An entrepreneur, radical innovator, SUPERSTORYTELLER and motivator with 27 years of experience in visual computing technologies, complex software technologies, content creation, entertainment venues and production and business modeling that enable insights, solutions and strategies for leadership at the CEO level.

Dr. Jerome F. Errico is a Board Certified Chiropractic Physician practicing in Lenox, Massachusetts. He holds a bachelor of science degree in biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; a doctoral degree in chiropractic from New York Chiropractic College; a master’s degree in human nutrition from the University of Bridgeport in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and is certified in hypnotherapy from the American Hypnosis Association. Dr. Errico is also a Consulting Gerson Physician, having studied the Gerson Therapy for nutritional oncology under Charlotte Gerson at the Gerson Institute in San Diego, California. 

Charles Ferris has been a practicing attorney in Massachusetts and New York for 35 years. After graduating from St. John’s School of Law he served as a law clerk to the Justices of the New York Supreme Court. He then served as a Litigation Associate in the New York City offices of Weil Gotshal & Manges, where he represented major corporations, banks and brokerage companies in complex lawsuits throughout the United States. Following that position he served as Assistant General Counsel to Bank Hapoalim where he was responsible for a large portfolio of commercial loan transactions and in-house litigation and labor law matters. He then served as Counsel to Sotheby’s and Sotheby’s International Realty, before opening his own practice in Berkshire County in 1993.

He obtained a Masters of Law (LL.M.) from New York University, and has taught law courses at New York School of Law and Western New England School of Law. He has served as a member of Great Barrington Rotary since 1995, and has been a member of its Board of Directors, Fund Raising Committee and Scholarship Committee for more than 10 years. He was a founding member and former Chairman of the Eagle Fund, which raises money for grants that foster academic excellence and enhanced educational experiences in the Southern Berkshire School District as well as a Grant Committee member of the Janet Fund, a privately endowed fund which provided funds for projects in the Southern Berkshire School District. Since 2008 he has also been a member of the Board of Directors of Berkshire Pulse, a not-for-profit corporation in Great Barrington which provides dance and performing arts classes for children and adults.

Lori Flynn is a Human Resources Executive with more than 20 years of experience with multi-national organizations, having held key leadership roles with prominent businesses including Crane Currency, Annie Selke Companies, SABIC and Covestro. Lori holds a Master’s degree in Organizational/Industrial Psychology from Springfield College and is deeply committed to fostering people-centric, engaging and dynamic workplaces. Lori most recently expanded her community involvement by joining Chesterwood’s Advisory Council in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

Lori is a lifelong resident of Pittsfield, and enjoys a good book, traveling, gardening, and painting. Together with her partner John Ryall, she treasures spending time with their families including three grandsons, creating meaningful moments and memories.

Laurie Freedman began her dance training as student and later as assistant to renown modern dancer Jane Dudley. Laurie earned a BA in dance from Bennington College and MFA in Dance, Arts Administration, and Video-Production from Tisch School of the Arts at NYU. Laurie was invited to Israel to join the prestigious Batsheva Dance Company in Tel Aviv. She lived Israel for 18 years, performing and touring with the company, as well as creating original choreography and teaching dance for performing arts venues throughout the country.

Upon returning to the USA, Laurie was invited to direct the dance program at the Millbrook School. She later developed a digital video program for the arts department, served as technical director of the theater and interim director of the school’s Holbrook Art Center. Laurie has received various grants and awards for her work in dance and video production. She serves on the Board of Directors of Berkshire Pulse and CTSBTV.

1948-2024

Dear Friends,

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the recent passing of Alan Glackman, a beloved board member and treasurer of Berkshire Pulse. 

Alan, alongside his wife Benés, was a long-time friend, donor, and unwavering advocate of our organization. Professionally, Alan was a trusted and highly-experienced CPA. His volunteer work outside of Pulse included being an active member, board member, and treasurer of the Great Barrington Rotary Club, further demonstrating his dedication to community service and leadership. 

However, it was Alan’s love of dance, as well as his tireless efforts to provide advancement opportunities for youth, that best showcased his remarkable generosity and vision. He could be seen in the audience at every Spring Performance Celebration, and also served as Chair of Pulse’s Tuition Assistance Program which more than doubled under his leadership. 

“Alan’s contributions as a friend and member of the BOD over the last 15 years is a part of everything Pulse is today. He was present and supportive through all of the trials and tribulations of building our studios and growing our organization. I will always remember his joy and his deep sense of pride and fulfillment after every performance. His kind and generous spirit will always be honored in all that we are and endeavor to be.” – Bettina Montano, Berkshire Pulse Founder and Artistic Director.

The entire Berkshire Pulse community mourns Alan’s loss, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, most especially his wife Benés. His deep commitment and kindness touched the lives of many, and his impact on our community will be felt for years to come. 

Sincerely,

Gail Belmuth

President, Board of Directors

September 19th, 2024

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Employment
Sobel, Glackman & Sobel, P.A. – 1971 to September 15, 2006
Admitted as a partner in 1978. Became Managing Partner in 1993.
Accounting, auditing and tax partner. Industry experience includes construction, manufacturing, retail, leisure, restaurant and professional practices including legal and medical.
Alan S. Glackman, C.P.A., P.C. – September 16, 2006 to present

Education
Graduate of Florida Atlantic University, B.S. from the College of Business and Public Administration, June 1970.
Successfully passed all parts of the Uniform CPA Examination in November 1975. MEMBER
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants

Boards and positions
Great Barrington Rotary Board Member and Treasurer
Great Barrington Rotary Student Assistance Fund and Treasurer
Berkshares Board Member and Treasurer – 2007-2013
Berkshire Pulse Board Member and Treasurer – Since 2013

Claudia M. Gold, MD is a pediatrician and writer who practiced pediatrics for over 20 years and now specializes in early relational health. She has over 3 decades of clinical experience in a wide variety of communities and currently as an infant-parent consultant at Volunteers in Medicine, Berkshires.  She was on the faculty of the UMass fellowship in Early Relational Health for ten years. Her new book is Getting to Know You: Lessons in Early Relational Health from Infants and Caregivers ( Teachers College Press, March 2025.) In addition to 3 other books she co-authored, with renowned infant researcher Ed Tronick, The Power of Discord: Why the Ups and Downs in Relationships are the Secret to Building Intimacy, Resilience, and Trust ( Little, Brown Spark 2020). Dr. Gold speaks frequently to a variety of audiences including parents and professionals both in the US and around the world.