Interfaith Social Services announces new board appointments

Bernard DaSilva of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Named Board President

Interfaith Social Services recently elected new officers and voted in a new member at large to their Board of Directors. Board member Bernard DaSilva, Director of National Financial Systems at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, was elected president for a two-year term, ending in 2020.

Interfaith is a multi-service agency located in Quincy. They offer emergency food assistance, mental health counseling and a homelessness prevention programs to residents of the South Shore.

DaSilva, a native of St. Vincent & the Grenadines who now lives in Brockton, has been with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts for more than 30 years. In his current role, he is responsible for the financial systems and stewardship of billions of dollars in financial transactions between Blue Cross Blue Shield plans nationwide. DaSilva holds a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University and an MBA from University of Phoenix. He was introduced to Interfaith through a Blue Cross volunteer program and has served on their board since 2013.

“I recognized at a very young age the struggles and hardships of the less fortunate who are unable to provide some of the basic necessities for themselves,” DaSilva said. “I was drawn to Interfaith because their programs provide groceries, counseling and homelessness prevention services for thousands seeking assistance.”

During his term, DaSilva aims to ensure that Interfaith has the funding to meet the current and unexpected needs of clients, as well as assess operations and services to seek improvements.

Interfaith’s board has also elected new officers for 2019. Gabriel Arato, of Quincy, will serve as first assistant president. Jay Marvin, of Hingham, was elected second assistant president. Tom Dineen, of Hingham, will serve as first assistant treasurer and Stephen Greene, of Quincy, was elected second assistant treasurer.

Terrel Harris, of Braintree, was also voted onto the board as a member at large. Harris is a former broadcast journalist and served in Governor Deval Patrick’s administration as Communications Director for Massachusetts’ Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.

If you are interested in joining the Board of Directors:

Interfaith Social Services invites members of the public interested in joining the Board of Directors to contact Executive Director Rick Doane at [email protected] or 617-773-6203 ext. 17.