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Berkshire Bank Boosts Wealth Management Leadership

Amisha Mehta Assistant Editor September 4, 2015

Berkshire Bank Boosts Wealth Management Leadership

The bank, which has offices in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and Vermont, has added some familiar faces to the top team of its wealth arm.

US-based Berkshire Bank has made five senior appointments to its wealth management team.

Richard Bleser, who has served as senior vice president portfolio manager since joining the bank in 2010, has been appointed senior vice president and chief investment officer.

Jason Edgar, who joined Berkshire as senior portfolio manager last year from Enterprise Investment Advisor, will now become senior vice president, wealth portfolio manager and regional leader for New England. 

Mary Ellen Cologero has been appointed senior vice president, wealth portfolio manager and regional leader for New York. With over 25 years' investment experience, she joined the team as a senior portfolio manager from Key Bank where she served as senior vice president and senior portfolio manager. She will work alongside Bleser and Edgar on the bank's investment portfolio.

Berkshire's wealth advisor and senior fiduciary officer, Janice Ward, who joined the bank in 2012 from Greenfield Savings Bank, will assume additional role of first vice president. She works primarily with trust and estate clients, oversees fiduciary activities, and focuses on financial planning.

Lastly, Elizabeth Gore, who has spent over 20 years in Berkshire's trust business, has been appointed to first vice president, trust operations and compliance. She has 34 years of banking experience and currently manages the Lenox Wealth Management Office.

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