(PITTSFIELD, Mass.) – Catherine Burton Deely has been named board chair of Berkshire Creative, succeeding Kevin Sprague. In addition to overseeing the organization’s programs and operations, Deely will continue to serve as one of three Berkshire Creative representatives on the board of 1Berkshire, the new, collaborative economic development effort of Berkshire Creative, the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce and the Berkshire Visitors Bureau dedicated to helping retain and attract jobs to the Berkshires.

“Cathy’s fresh, experienced leadership will help us ensure that we continue to stimulate new job growth and economic opportunity in the region,” said Berkshire Creative board Chair Emeritus Nancy Fitzpatrick.

“Cathy’s impressive track record in the areas of economic development and marketing is an invaluable asset,” says 1Berkshire CEO Stuart Chase.

“The Berkshires has always been known as a place and economic environment defined by creativity in the arts and business and the public that enjoys and benefits from creative production.  I look forward to engaging with our partners and community leadership to promote, support and help invigorate the creative economy through our work with everyone in the Berkshires,” said Cathy Deely.

A graduate of Boston University and Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Business, Deely brings to her new position an avid passion for the arts and professional experience that crosses all sectors- corporate, government and non-profit.  She began her career in Washington, DC with several members of Congress starting with then Congressman Ed Koch, and has held executive marketing positions at the Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum in Boston; for the Mayor of Los Angeles as the city’s first economic development marketing director; for Citibank’s corporate bank in California as Vice President of Corporate Affairs. She consults on corporate reputation building through community leadership, nonprofit strategic marketing and media training.

Currently, Deely serves on the boards of Berkshire Children & Families, 1Berkshire and the marketing committee of Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., in addition to her role on the board of Berkshire Creative.  Prior, selected board trustee service includes the Norman Rockwell Museum, Southern Berkshire Literacy Network, Multiple Sclerosis Societies of Rhode Island and Southern California and The Los Angeles Arts Loan Fund

Deely is a resident of Pittsfield with her family serving as active businesspeople and members of the Berkshire community based in Stockbridge and Lee, for well over five generations.

In 2009, Deely produced “Made in the USA at Pete’s Motors” a 24/7 public art installation in a vacant auto dealership in Great Barrington, MA.

Berkshire Creative represents the interests of over 6000 people directly engaged in the creative economy in the Berkshires. The mission of Berkshire Creative is to stimulate job growth and economic opportunity in the region by sparking innovative collaborations between artists, designers, cultural institutions and businesses.  Learn more and connect with resources by visiting berkshirecreative.org.