LENOX, Mass. — Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC) has appointed F. Sydney "Syd" Smithers as its new Board of Directors Chair. 

 

Smithers, a retired Berkshire County real estate attorney with over 50 years of experience, previously served on the BNRC board for 10 years and rejoined last year.

 

John Mancia, a BNRC board member since 2018, was appointed Vice Chair. Mancia recently retired from a 30-year career in senior management at Elsevier, the world's largest science and medical publisher.

 

BNRC also welcomes Karen Ross and Steve Cunningham to the board. 

 

Ross, a Pittsfield native and long-time BNRC volunteer, previously served on the board and holds a PhD in higher education administration. 

 

Cunningham brings experience in renewable energy and agriculture, having spent the last 15 years running an organic vegetable farm in New Marlborough.