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By Sarah Marques, DLE Communications Intern, Senior at Marist College
DLE member Jay Ogle advocates connecting with people through acts of purpose.
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Jay grew up in San Diego and several east coast cities. He moved to the Berkshires with his family at the age of 14 and has resided there on and off for 25 years. Nearly two years ago, he joined the DLE community to expand his networking opportunities, as he transitioned into his new role as Assistant Vice President, Business Development Officer with Adams Community Bank.
“One thing that the DLE has made available for folks who are active participants is the opportunity to take the purposeful step of engaging with new people,” he explains.
Jay attended the DLE’s first Listening Session in July 2023 with Mayor Pete Marchetti of Pittsfield, MA, who at the time was a candidate for the office. “It was very eye-opening. I was a participant in a conversation where my feedback actually mattered,” Jay reflects.
From that conversation came a professional growth opportunity for Jay. He was asked by Pete, during his first month in office, to serve on the Pittsfield Mobile Home Rent Control Board.“The Mobile Home Rent Control Board establishes rules and regulations for mobile homes and mobile home parks as a way of regulating tenants and issuing orders,” Jay explains. Among his board responsibilities is to set standards for mobile home park accommodations and tenant evictions.
Jay and Pete had crossed tracks in the past, sharing volunteer roles on the Pittsfield Parade Committee and the Pittsfield Citizens Academy. Jay credits their shared civic interests, combined with their interaction at the Listening Session, with percolating a new role. “Pete and I spoke the ‘banker’ language from our careers in finance. I suspect that is where he recognized that my experience could add value to the board.”
Jay is excited for this next step in his career path. He is proud of his role in local government and looks forward to bringing new perspectives to Pittsfield’s City Hall.