Michael Berg to Step Down After 55+ Years Leading FAMILY
Deputy Director Paul Rakov Named Successor
Kingston, NY — April 22, 2026 — After more than five decades of service to the community, Family of Woodstock announced today that Executive Director Michael Berg will step down from his role at the end of September 2026. Berg has led the organization for the majority of its 55-year history, helping guide its mission of assisting people with “any problem under the sun.”
Under Berg’s leadership, Family of Woodstock has grown into a vital community resource across Ulster County, providing crisis intervention, housing support, food assistance, domestic violence services, clothing, childcare, and a wide range of services designed to help individuals and families navigate difficult moments in their lives. For generations of residents, Berg has been a steady and trusted advocate for neighbors in need.
To celebrate Berg’s extraordinary tenure and the impact of Family of Woodstock during his leadership, two community events are being planned this fall. The first will take place at The Colony in Woodstock on Sunday, July 19 from 1-5pm, just steps from the organization’s original 24/7 emergency hotline— the service that launched the agency in 1970. A second celebration will be held on Saturday, September 26 from 5–9 p.m. at the Diamond Mills Resort in Saugerties. Details for both events are being finalized by a committee of staff, board members, and volunteers.
“Family has never been about me—it’s about the work we do,” said Berg. “And that work is vital to the community. We’ve seen many changes over the years, but the one constant has been how important it is for a community to step up, particularly in hard times, and support those most in need. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together and confident that Family will continue this mission for decades with help from our community.”
Board President Evelyn Clarke stated that Berg’s retirement is bittersweet. “Michael has poured his heart and soul into this agency. His impact on our community cannot be understated. We wish him well and are so thankful for all that he’s done to lead Family for more than 50 years. The Board will continue to honor Michael’s legacy of service to those in need of assistance throughout Ulster County.”
The agency’s Board of Directors also announced that Deputy Director Paul Rakov will succeed Berg as Executive Director.
A Woodstock native, Rakov joined Family of Woodstock in 2024 and has been working closely with Berg during the transition while leading the agency’s fundraising and communications efforts. His family has lived in Ulster County since 1932, and he is a graduate of Onteora High School.
Before joining Family, Rakov built a career in marketing and public relations, working with national companies including Circuit City Stores, boutique marketing agencies, and regional organizations such as the Ulster County Development Corporation and TechCity.
“Paul has deep ties to the area and a genuine commitment to this community,” Berg said. “Over the past few years, our staff has already come to respect his leadership. I have total confidence in his abilities, and I know Family will be in very good hands.”
Rakov said stepping into the role is both a professional milestone and a deeply personal honor.
“I’ve known Family of Woodstock my entire life,” he said. “It’s woven into the fabric of this community and continues to uphold the values and ideals that inspired its founding. I’ve been continually impressed by our staff’s dedication to the people we serve, and I’m honored to help lead Family into its next chapter.”