Becket, MA
September 02, 2010
John Anz
Director of the Annual Fund and Alumni Relations
(413) 623-8991, ext. 111
John Anz recently joined the Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA following
eight years as Director of Alumni Relations at The Williston
Northampton School in Easthampton, MA. While at Williston, John built
a robust and global alumni program while playing an integral role in
the successful completion of a $36 million comprehensive campaign. Originally from New York City, John also graduated from Williston Northampton before moving on to Trinity College in Hartford, CT., majoring in philosophy. A member of Trinity’s high-powered squash team, John eventually returned to his alma mater to coach this top-ranked program. John also sits on the board of
directors and development committees for a number of non-profit
organizations dear to his heart. He lives in Easthampton with his wife
Brenna, son Bennett, and daughter Teagan.
Sharon "Shaz" Atwell
Camp Becket Food Service Director
(413) 623-8991, ext. 154
Born in South Africa, Shaz Atwell received a teaching diploma in home economics from the University of Natal, taught at an all girls' school and ran cookery schools before moving to the United States in 1990. In the U.S., she became an Incredible Edible Instructor at Frost Valley YMCA, and was promoted to Food Service Director. Shaz joined Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA in 2002 as Food Service Director. Nutrition and special diets have always been of great interest to Shaz and she takes great care to ensure that the Camp Becket menus are well balanced and nutritionally sound. Outside of Camp Becket, Shaz presents at the Camp Food Service Conference at Lake George and is on the conference’s planning committee. She is married to Jim Atwell with the BCCYMCA maintenance department and has two children who are campers.
Dan Berg
Program Director, Camp Becket
(413) 623-8991, ext. 153
“Each and every day brings something new that you didn’t see coming and that’s why I like this job. It’s dynamic,” says Dan Berg, Program Director since 2008 for Camp Becket. A 14 year veteran of Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA, Dan has graduated from camper, Counselor, Assistant Program Director, Frontier Village Director, and Inter-Departmental Liaison. He has been the Director of both the Fall Foliage Family Camp and Becket Family Camp, as well as worked for the Outdoor Center and Winter Camp. As Program Director, Dan’s responsibilities include hiring the Program Staff, overseeing Afternoon Activities, All Camp Events, Tripping Programs, ordering store items, and much more. Dan’s favorite things to do at camp are sitting on the Business Office porch and watching camp in action and taking the occasional golf cart ride. Dan is also an active Accreditation Standards Visitor for the American Camp Association.
Jim Brown
Chief Operating Officer and Travel & Service Programs Director
(413) 623-8991, ext. 105
Jim Brown is the Chief Operating Officer and Travel & Service Programs Director at the Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA. After graduating from St. Lawrence University, Jim began his YMCA career managing Angolan refugee programs for the YMCA in Zambia. From there, Jim moved to the Tokyo YMCA to be the Program Director, eventually leaving to direct the YMCA Camp Erdman in Hawaii. In 2000, Jim returned to the mainland, applying his international and YMCA professional experience at Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA. Outside the YMCA, Jim lived in Alaska for three years, training sled dogs at Denali National Park. Jim and his wife, Fumiko, a Japanese Instructor at Amherst College, have two children, Kai and Hana.
Chris Burke
Executive Director, Camp Becket
(413) 623-8991, ext. 103
Chris Burke joined the Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA in 2007 as Camp Becket for Boys Executive Director following leadership positions with YMCA Camp Lincoln and YMCA Camp Coniston. What attracted Chris to Camp Becket was the strong focus on community, the rustic traditional setting, the emphasis on value based camping, and the character building experienced by the campers. Chris and his wife Katie, son Colin, daughter Grace and dog McKenna are delighted to live right at camp and be an active part of the BCCYMCA community. Prior to his YMCA career, Chris worked for the Marriott as well as the Houston Independent School District. He holds a bachelor of science from Penn State University in recreation and park management.
Phil Connor
Chief Executive Officer
(413) 623-8991, ext. 104
In 2004, Phil Connor, a 30 year YMCA professional, became the CEO of Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA. Phil’s dedication to BCCYMCA was instant – the day he signed his contract with the BCCYMCA, he made a special trip to the Berkshires to provide leadership in the aftermath of the Chimney Corners Camp Dining Hall fire. Phil’s climb up the YMCA ladder included tenure as Chief Executive Officer of the Muskegon Family YMCA , Executive Director of YMCA Camp Pendalouan and Executive Director of YMCA Camp Warren. A native of Melbourne, Australia, Phil has a bachelors degree in education, specializing in Physical Education and studied Outdoor Pursuits at the University of Calgary in Canada . Phil’s wife Mary Jo serves as a nurse at Chimney Corners Camp and their children Sarah and Sam have been campers. Phil’s oldest son Andrew led the summer 2009 ICEP New Zealand trip and is a group leader for the Berkshire Outdoor Center. When he’s not leading this top rated YMCA, you might find Phil horseback riding, soccer refereeing, piloting a small aircraft or leading a sing-a-long around a camp fire at Camp Becket or Chimney Corners.
Shannon Donovan-Monti
Executive Director, Chimney Corners Camp
(413) 623-8991, ext. 102
Since she was six years old, Shannon Donovan-Monti has spent her summers at camp. A Midwestern native, Shannon hales from Minneapolis, Minnesota (ya sure). After spending a year at the University of Montana-Missoula, Shannon transferred to the University of Wisconsin - Madison where she earned a bachelor of arts in English Literature and Women’s Studies. A YMCA camping professional since 1990, Shannon joined the Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA in 1997 as the Executive Director of Chimney Corners Camp for Girls. Shannon is the mom of Chimney Corners camper Bridget Monti and is married to the Chimney Corners Food Service Director, Mik Monti. Shannon invites parents, campers and friends to contact her anytime of the year to answer questions or give a camp tour.
Steve Hamill
Berkshire Outdoor Center Executive Director
(413) 623-8991, ext. 107
Steve has over ten years experience working in the education field, most recently in outdoor education in the Berkshires and the Adirondacks. After a period of classroom teaching, Steve joined the BCCYMCA Team in 2001. Steve holds a bachelor’s degree in science and a graduate diploma in education from the University of Wollongong, Australia. Steve particularly enjoys skiing, hiking, mountain biking, and traveling.
Lynn Hover
Registrar and Office Manager
(413) 623-8991, ext. 116
Lynn (Draper) Hover has a long history with Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA and is the Administration Center's Office Manager and residential summer program Camp Registrar. Starting as a Chimney Corners camper in 1975, Lynn spent ten summers progressing through the leadership steps to administrative staff in 1983 and 1984. In the fall of 1987, Lynn took on the year-round camp registrar position in the camp's then winter office in Framingham, MA. Lynn earned an associates degree from Springfield Technical Community College. A resident of Lee, MA, Lynn and her husband Randy have three boys who all attended Camp Becket as campers and leadership participants.
Emily King
Chimney Corners Camp Program Director
Winter Camp Director
(413) 623-8991 x 140
In 2002, Emily King joined the BCCYMCA family as Program Director for Chimney Corners Camp. Throughout her tenure, she has sustained and built upon the strong reputation of Chimney Corners Camp. The Apple Blossom Farm, the culinary arts and the sewing programs are just a few of the now favorite additions Emily has established to compliment the many activity options at Chimney Corners. In 2006, Emily created and directed Winter Camp as an opportunity for summer campers to reconnect during the winter months. Emily received a bachelor of science in business administration from Bowling Green University and lives at camp with her dog Sara.
Linda Laston
Accounting Clerk
(413) 623-8991
A self-proclaimed “local yokel”, Linda Laston has lived in the Berkshires her entire life and has been the Accounting Clerk for Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA for six years. A graduate of Berkshire Community College, Linda is responsible for accounts payable, payroll and support toward human resources and finance. Linda has four children, including a former Chimney Corners Camper and ICEP tripper, and two sons serving in the US Army.
Jai Marchinton
Travel and Service Program Coordinator
(413) 623-8991, ext. 178
Jai Marchinton, a Melbourne, Australia native, is the Travel and Services Program Coordinator for the Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA. He began his affiliation with BCCYMCA when he served as host for ICEP Australia participants in 2005 and 2006. In his role as ICEP leader, Jai arranged service projects at the Royal Children's Hospital and took his group surfing at his favorite beach. In his home country, Jai served the Carlton YMCA working with inner city youth, Camp Manyung and Purple Soup - an organization that runs adventure programs for seriously ill kids. In 2006, he was selected to attend the YMCA World Council in Durban, South Africa, as one of two young Australian representatives. As Program Coordinator in the Travel Service Program, Jai hires and trains twenty-nine trip leaders annually, and organizes the logistics for six domestic and eight international trips. During the summer it is Jai's role to communicate with leaders, YMCA partners and parents to ensure safe and successful experiences for everyone. Educating people about our global community and cultural diversity is what motivates Jai and is one of his favorite things about his role with the Travel Service Program.
Brenda Marsian, CFRE
Chief Development Officer
(413) 822-7950
As Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA looks to new strategic approaches to fund-raising, it is turning to Brenda Marsian, Chief Development Officer for guidance. Prior to joining BCCYMCA in 2009, Brenda was Director of Development for eight years at Springfield College where she provided leadership to a successful $40 million campaign. A Certified Fund-raising Executive, Brenda was a consultant with Ketchum, Inc. and managed major gifts for Western New England College, University of Connecticut and Northfield Mount Hermon School. She holds a master of arts in communications from the University of Hartford and a bachelor of arts in English from Western New England College. She and her husband John Kaufhold have a son Shawn who they hope will one day attend Camp Becket.
Mik Monti
Chimney Corners Camp Food Service Director
(413) 623-8991, ext. 127
Mik Monti has been a part of the Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA community since 1997. Best known for his highly-acclaimed clam chowder and other culinary masterpieces, Mik leads the Chimney Corners Food Service team and provides great meals to the campers and guests at CCC. Before moving to Becket, Mik was a part of the Food Service Team at Camp Jewell in Colebrook, CT where he met his wife, Shannon, and where his daughter, CCC camper Bridget Monti, was born. Mik grew up in Meriden, CT and studied commercial art, telecommunications and music in Boston. Mik worked in restaurants in Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts for over 25 years but also dabbled in other lines of work including lead singer in a successful rock band and a cheese maker at the Old Chatham Sheepherding Company.
Kim Raftery
Stewardship and Advancement Services Specialist
(413) 623-8991, ext. 127
Kim Raftery arrived in March in the newly established Stewardship and Advancement Services Specialist position. With twelve years of progressive non-profit operations and development experience in higher education and health care, Kim will be instrumental in streamlining our database software system, and ensuring the accuracy and accessibility of alumni, prospect and donor records for the operational needs of the YMCA. Kim has a bachelor of science in regional planning and mass communications from Westfield State College and was previously the Advancement Services Manager at her alma mater and the Development Operations Coordinator for Northern Berkshire Healthcare. While at Northern Berkshire Healthcare, she coordinated the $12 million CARE Capital Campaign for North Adams Regional Hospital. An equestrian, Kim has also worked as the secretary for the Town of Stockbridge Planning Board. She lives in Pittsfield with her husband and step-daughter.
Martha Sloper
Accountant
(413) 623-8991, ext. 114
Martha Sloper came to Becket-Chimney Corners in March of 2008 to take on the position of Accountant. She is in charge of accounts receivable as well as doing deposits, reconciliations, and journal entries and maintaining the fixed asset and petty cash accounts. After graduating from Wellesley College with a degree in Sociology, Martha spent several years in retail management. During this time she went back to school and obtained an MBA with a concentration in accounting from Western New England College. She then held several different positions in both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, starting out as a Staff Accountant and working up to positions as Accounting Manager and Director of Finance. She is married to Ted Sloper and they have two grown daughters and four grandchildren. The two oldest grandchildren attended Becket Day Camp for a week this past summer, coming from Seattle and Boston to experience camp.
Sarah Strull
Program Director
(413) 623-8991, ext. 121
Sarah Strull is a Chicago native who joined the BCCYMCA team in early 2008. As the Program Director for the Berkshire Outdoor Center, her job is a perfect blend of indoors and outdoors, routine and last-minute excitement that keeps her on her toes all year long. A life-long camping enthusiast, Sarah attended Aurora University (formerly George Williams College), earning her masters in recreation administration, so she could pursue her life-long passion of outdoor recreation. Her role includes recruiting, hiring and training seasonal staff, supervising two full-time program coordinators, and managing one of the largest challenge courses in the Northeast and always with a smile.
Steve Turner
Property Director
(413) 623-8991, ext. 109
Property Director, Steve Turner, is in his third year at BCCYMCA. Previously, Steve was the Maintenance Supervisor at Miss Hall's School in Pittsfield for sixteen years, a maintenance manager at The University of Hartford, and a caretaker at Berkshire Country Day School in Lenox. Steve has a bachelors degree from Salem State College and lives in Lenox with his wife Sue, who is a teacher at Lee Elementary School. They have three grown children.
©2010 Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA. All Rights Reserved.
748 Hamilton Road, Becket, MA 01223
Tel: (413) 623-8991 | Fax: (413) 623-5890