Board of Directors

Southern Mass Credit Union appoints two new directors

Pamela A. Bourgault and Mark Sylvia were appointed by the board to fill the unexpired terms of directors Patricia Mis and Edward Murphy.

Ms. Bourgault is a detective with the Fairhaven Police Department. Following her graduation from Old Rochester Regional High School and Barnstable County Police Academy, she was a police officer from 1986 through 1992 for Acushnet. Since 1992, she has been a police officer and most recently a detective with the Fairhaven Police Department.

During her career, Ms. Bourgault has been recognized for excellence in performing her duties as a police officer and for her active community involvement. She was the recipient of the Mother's Against Drunk Driving "Officer of the Year" award while with the Acushnet Police Department; was the Standard Times Year 2000 "Fairhaven Woman of the Year;" a 2010 recipient of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women "Unsung Heroines of Massachusetts;" and a 2010 recipient of the "Irene C. Monahan Historic Leadership Award for Lifetime of Achievement."

Ms.Bourgault lives in New Bedford with her family where she is actively involved in the community. Since 2006 she has been a member of the New Bedford Regional Airport Commission and is currently a member of the Greater New Bedford Allies for Health and Wellness, Inc.

Mr. Sylvia is currently the Commissioner for the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) where he oversees the development and implementation of policies and programs regarding the Commonwealth's energy supply and where he represents Massachusetts as a director on the boards of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Inc., the National Association of State Energy Officials (Northeast Region), and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.

Previously, Mr. Sylvia was the director of DOER's Green Community Division. Prior to joining the DOER in February 2009, he was an official in Plymouth town government for over a decade, including serving as assistant town manager and acting town manager, before becoming town manager in 2005.

Mr. Sylvia is a graduate of Fairhaven High School and earned a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in public administration from The American University in Washington, D.C. He resides with his family in Fairhaven, where he served on the School Committee for six years and currently is town moderator.

He is actively involved in the community as vice president of the Fairhaven Improvement Association, a board member of the Thomas Livesey Memorial Club and board member of the Fairhaven High School Alumni Association.

Chairman Darmofal said "Southern Mass Credit Union wishes to thank directors Patricia Mis and Edward Murphy for their dedicated service to the credit union for the past several years. Directors Mis and Murphy were dedicated volunteer directors and exemplified the credit union philosophy of people helping people.

"We are extremely pleased to welcome to the SMCU Board of Directors Pam Bourgault and Mark Sylvia," Darmofal said. "Both Ms. Bourgault and Mr. Sylvia are actively involved in the Fairhaven and New Bedford communities and will bring additional insight and work/community expertise to the board. Their addition to our board will be invaluable in the credit union's mission to provide excellent financial service to its members as we expand our footprint throughout the SouthCoast."