Dave Mixer

Founder & Chairman

Dave founded Mill Town in the fall of 2016. He is passionate about improving the quality of life in Berkshire County through innovative and impactful action.

Dave has extensive experience in startup investing and entrepreneurial activity across the globe. He has spent the past 30 years as an entrepreneur and venture capital investor. He was a founding partner of Columbia Capital, a Washington D.C. based venture capital and private equity firm focused on media and internet infrastructure technology investments. Dave also led the founding of Point Judith Capital, Middleland Capital, and several international venture capital firms.

He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Union College in Schenectady, NY and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Dave is a native of Dalton, Massachusetts.

Tim Burke

CEO & Managing Director

Tim joined Mill Town upon the company’s formation in 2016. He is responsible for the overall management of the firm and team. He sources and leads business and real estate investments, and partners with entrepreneurs on concept exploration and company formation. Tim works closely with Mill Town’s operating businesses and portfolio companies. He also works with community organizations to support the firm’s local involvement.

Tim has over a decade of financial, operational, and management experience. Prior to Mill Town, Tim spent seven years in the biotech industry in Cambridge, MA in a variety of finance, planning, and operational roles, most recently with Biogen. Tim began his career in the Financial Leadership Program at United Technologies Corporation.

Tim holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Corporate Finance and Accounting from Bentley University and an MBA from Bentley’s Graduate School of Business. He is a native of Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

Jon Millburg

Director of Construction

Jon joined Mill Town in 2020. He is responsible for all construction development within Mill Town’s property portfolio and manages the maintenance of Mill Town’s commercial properties.

He has extensive experience in the construction industry. Beginning his career as a carpenter, graduating to foreman, and ultimately site supervisor. In 2007 he shifted to the finance world, working at State Street Bank for 5 years. In 2014 he returned to the construction arena when he began a new career as a project manager in the solar industry for six years. During this time he managed solar installations in the residential, commercial, and utility scale markets.

Jon received his bachelor’s degree in economics from UMASS Amherst in 2003 and his MBA from UMASS Boston in 2014.

Emily Dominik

Corporate Controller

Emily joined the team in 2019. She manages Mill Town’s finance and accounting activities. Her responsibilities include reporting, financial planning, accounting, and investment analysis.

Emily brings over seven years of experience in accounting and finance, predominantly in the hedge fund and private equity space. Prior to Mill Town, Emily held roles at global banks Citigroup and State Street in Boston, MA where she ultimately worked as a Financial Reporting Officer. Emily holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Boston University, and an MBA from Middlesex University of London.

Karen Sinopoli

Operations Controller

Karen has over 15 years of experience in the finance industry. Prior to Mill Town, Karen spent over a decade in the banking industry overseeing financial reporting and accounting operations for several Massachusetts banks. She began her career as an auditor for a public accounting firm.

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from The Pennsylvania State University, and is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst Isenberg School of Management (Master of Science in Accounting). Karen is also a Certified Public Accountant. She is a native of Pittsfield.

Emily Gabriel

Design Director

Emily joined the Mill Town team in 2020. She is primarily responsible for the aesthetic vision and corresponding design decisions tied to various projects including but not limited to hospitality, commercial, and community projects alike. Emily is passionate about creating beautiful and functional spaces that are inviting to all. She hopes that her forward-thinking design concepts will further uplift the community to have spaces to be enjoyed together in the Berkshires for years to come. Emily brings over ten years of design experience. Prior to Mill Town, Emily held five different roles over the course of eight years at The Annie Selke Companies. Most recently as VP of Design + Product Development.

Emily holds a Bachelor’s Degree of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Emmanuel College in Boston, MA. She is a native of Pittsfield Massachusetts.

Kirsten Rocca

Paralegal

Kirsten joined Mill Town in March of 2021, with over 25 years of extensive paralegal experience. Kirsten is an accomplished, self-motivated professional. She is capable of handling large caseloads and projects, providing legal, administrative, and billing support to assist in delivering the highest quality of legal representation.

Prior to Mill Town, she has worked with Michael E. MacDonald, both in his capacity as Vice President and General Counsel to Unistress Corp., as well as, in his private practice and community endeavors. Born and raised in Lanesborough, Kirsten’s family has resided in Lanesborough for six generations and growing. When she is not working or with Ralph and their six children, she can be found donating her time in the community, antiquing, hiking, kayaking or simply enjoying The Berkshires.

Rick DiGrigoli

Director of Facilities

Rick joined the Milltown team in 2021. He manages the Milltown’s facilities and is project manager for construction.

He has 30+ years of experience in residential and commercial construction from the ground up. Starting in 1988 as a marketing and sales consultant. In 1992 he moved to the field as carpenter and framing foreman before settling in as construction supervisor in 1998. In 2008 he started to specialize in excavation and underground infrastructure before finally settling into facilities management in 2013.

Jared Renzi

Marketing + Content Coordinator

Jared joined Mill Town in the fall of 2021. He is responsible for various print + digital marketing initiatives, from concept to completion, across Mill Town’s operating business portfolio.

Prior to Mill Town, Jared lived and worked in Nashville, TN as a Creative Services Associate for an agency specializing in franchise and multi-location marketing. He also brings extensive freelance experience as a photographer and multimedia designer with projects in the outdoor, sport, F+B, and financial industries.

Jared holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts. He is a native of Richmond, Massachusetts.

Caitlin Grizey

Senior Financial Analyst

Caitlin joined the Mill Town team in 2021. She is primarily responsible for financial planning, analysis and financial reporting across the operating business portfolio. Caitlin began her career in hospitality management before transitioning to finance. She brings 13 years of combined experience in business management and hospitality, agriculture and e-commerce finance.

Caitlin holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and an associate’s degree in business from Berkshire Community College. She is a native of Cheshire, Massachusetts.

Andy Wrba

Program Manager

Andy is a native of Berkshire county and a fixture of the local music community. His first project with Mill Town was in 2019 when he curated the music schedule for Yo-Yo Ma’s Day of Action in Pittsfield. Now as Program Manager, Andy oversees community programming and partnerships for Mill Town Foundation and curates the music programs for Bousquet Summer Concert Series, Lenox Jazz Stroll, Gateways Inn, and Mission in Pittsfield MA where he has hosted his Monday Night Jazz residency since 2011. Andy formed the Berkshire Jazz Collective in 2012 and is an original member of Barefoot Truth.

Andy holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Studies from Westfield State College in Westfield, MA. He is a native of Pittsfield MA.

Kelsey Kurowski

General Ledger Accountant

Kelsey brings over 10 years of experience in the accounting industry, primarily in the small business operations and tax sector. She joined the Mill Town team in 2022 and is predominantly responsible for monitoring and implementing best practices across all operating entities to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the financial statements.

Kelsey holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Although much of her career was spent living in Los Angeles, she is now happily settled back in her native town of Cheshire, Massachusetts.

Alex Lussier

Accounts Payable Analyst

Alex joined Mill Town in August of 2022. He is primarily responsible for full-cycle AP oversight and analysis for the company’s operating business portfolio. Previously, he held various financial roles spanning multiple professional fields, including environmental remediation and special education.

Alex holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He is a native of Pittsfield, MA.

Max Scherff

VP of Hospitality Operations

Max joined the team in the fall of 2022 and brings more than twenty years of experience in the hospitality industry. From stand-alone restaurants to luxury hotel properties, Max has focused on enhancing guest experience and driving financial results.

Prior to joining Mill Town, Max was Area General Manager for Main Street Hospitality, overseeing properties including the iconic Red Lion Inn. Other positions include Hotel Manager for Canyon Ranch, F+B Director for the Omni Shoreham in DC and Director of Venues for Starwood at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco.

A resident of Lenox, Max serves on the board of Riverbrook as well as the Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club and is an avid supporter of CATA.

Vicky Layden

HR Business Partner

Vicky joined Mill Town in November 2022. Her primary role is to provide insight on employee relations, coaching & development, and performance management.

Prior to Mill Town, Vicky worked in business development and operations in the staffing industry for 8 years. Most recently, she provided HR management and guidance in the manufacturing industry for Spectrum Plastics Group, overseeing locations in Pittsfield, MA, as well as Glens Falls, NY.

Vicky holds a Professional in Human Resource Certification. She is a resident of Pittsfield.

Harrison Ackerman

Sr. Business Analyst

Harrison joined Mill Town in December 2022. He is responsible for evaluating existing investment performance, exploring new opportunities, and making recommendations to expand Mill Town’s portfolio.

Previously, Harrison led the Research & Evaluation team at Interise, a national nonprofit in the small business-led economic development field.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science & International Affairs from Northeastern University, with minors in Social Entrepreneurship, Economics, and History. He is a resident of Stockbridge, MA.

Rebecca Weeks

Director – Blueprint Property Group

Rebecca co-founded and leads Blueprint Property Group, a wholly-owned property management company which oversees all of the firm’s real estate properties. She has experience in managing an extensive and diverse portfolio of properties and overseeing projects large and small. Rebecca supports Mill Town on development projects and capital improvments to our asset portfolio. She joined the team in 2018.

Courtney Buffi

Assistant Property Manager

Courtney joined Blueprint Property Group in 2020. She is responsible for the marketing and leasing of our apartments. Courtney is also responsible for tenant communications, managing apartment turnovers and many other of the day-to-day operations. She began her property management career in 2016. Courtney enjoys watching and participating in the transformations of the properties in or portfolio.

She is a native of Dalton and now resides in Pittsfield.

Steve Carlson

Maintenance Lead

Steve joined Blueprint Property Group in 2019. Steve is responsible for the maintenance in our properties. He has been in property management for 15 years, and previously worked for Crescent Creamery for 19 years.

Steve is a native of Pittsfield.

Elio Casucci

Maintenance Technician

Elio joined Blueprint Property Group in 2021. Elio assists in maintenance of our properties with focus in construction. Elio has a long history in property management and construction. Elio is a native of Lenoxdale.

Food + Beverage

Jeremy Berlin

Executive Chef

Jeremy is joining us after a 4-year run as Executive Chef at Blantyre where he became well-acquainted with the fine dining scene here in the Berkshires. Prior to his arrival in the Berkshires, Jeremy spent time building a diverse and deep breadth of experience in a range of culinary enterprises to include several years with Gordon Ramsey, LA’s Church & State Bistro, and NYC’s Fleur De Sel and Le Bernardin to name a few.