A Note from Our Board President - Pete Mirante

Katrina Cardillo • July 27, 2026

A Note from Our Board President - Peter Mirante

Dear Friends of BFAIR,

What a season it has been. As I look back over these past few months, I keep coming back to the same word: momentum. Whether it was our incredible staff traveling to Washington, D.C. and the State House to advocate on behalf of the people we serve, our Self-Advocacy Group hosting yet another successful fundraiser, or the generosity of our community at BFAIR in Bloom, I am reminded again and again why this organization means so much to the Berkshires and beyond.

I also want to take a moment to speak directly to a topic many of you have been asking about. The BFAIR Board of Directors has been engaged in conversations regarding a merger with UCP of Western MA, with the shared goal of strengthening the services, stability, and long-term impact we can offer the individuals and families who count on us. These conversations are still in progress, and as we move forward in the direction of a merger, Randy Kinnas has been appointed CEO of both BFAIR and UCP of Western MA. As more information becomes available, we are committed to sharing it with our staff, families, and community partners in a timely and transparent way. In the meantime, please know that our mission, our values, and our dedication to the people we support remain unchanged and unwavering.

None of the work you'll read about in this issue happens without the extraordinary people who make up the BFAIR family, our staff, our board, and above all, the individuals and families we are privileged to serve.

Thank you for your continued trust and partnership.

With gratitude,

Pete

Board President, BFAIR

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BFAIR Names Theresa Denette, MBA, as Chief Operating Officer

By Katrina Cardillo • August 18, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contacts: Katrina Cardillo Senior Director of Marketing & PR BFAIR 771 South Church Street North Adams, MA 01247 413.664.9382 kcardillo@bfair.org www.bfair.org BFAIR Names Theresa Denette, MBA, as Chief Operating Officer Tues. Aug. 18, 2026 (North Adams, MA) — BFAIR announced today that Theresa Denette, MBA, has been named the organization's permanent Chief Operating Officer (COO), following her tenure in the role on an interim basis since earlier this year. The appointment reflects Denette's proven leadership and the confidence BFAIR's board and executive team have in her ability to guide the organization's operations going forward. Denette has spent nearly 25 years with BFAIR, steadily advancing from Assistant Program Director to a series of senior leadership roles spanning Day Services, Quality Assurance, Clinical Services, and agency-wide Operations. Throughout her career, she has been a driving force behind program growth, operational quality, and organizational innovation. "Theresa has proven, time and again, that she is the right person for this role," said Randall Kinnas, Chief Executive Officer. "Her deep institutional knowledge, steady leadership, and genuine dedication to the individuals and families we serve have already made a real impact across our organization. I'm confident that with Theresa in this position permanently, BFAIR is exceptionally well-positioned for continued growth and excellence in the years ahead." Denette holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from Westfield State College, an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University, and a Graduate Certificate in Human Resources from Fitchburg State University. She serves as President of the Board of Directors for the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition and is a member of the McCann Business Technology Advisory Board. She lives in Clarksburg with her husband and children. ###