bt 0316 optimized

JACK TENNEY Business People
VERMONT
Extra Pointoting is the big March deal, right? March 2016, Volume 32, Number 10

New Hampshire, Iowa, Nevada, 2The University of FEATURES
and South Carolina are history and Vermont 2 A Study in Green and Gold
by the end of March, not only will all From lawyer to university president.

Vthe results of town meetings be in, but 8 Peak Experiences
nationally a ton of primary elections The Charests have been to the mountaintop.
will also be in the books.
12 Earth, Fire, & Water

A couple of things to consider on the subject of Joy and satisfaction through creating.
voting.
8Petra Cliffs DEPARTMENTS
The right to vote is not an obligation to vote, but the 12The Shelburne 16 An Entrepreneur’s Perspective
right does come with obligations. Jury duty for one: To Craft School 18 Ribbon Cutting
serve on a jury one must be a registered voter. And, if 19 New Business
called, one should not try to avoid serving, although, — Mergers & Acquisitions
in truth, many do. Serving on a jury causes economic 23 Faces & Places
hardships for hourly workers and many employers,
especially small-business owners. Business People Vermont

Voting rights have evolved, of course. Originally, FORMERLY BUSINESS DIGEST OF GREATER
voters and, therefore, jurors were male landowners. BURLINGTON
Over the years, the right to vote (and sit on juries) was
extended to male non-landowners including former ©2016 Mill Publishing Inc.
slaves, although in some states only if your grandfa- All rights reserved.
ther was a citizen. By the time many African American
males cleared the grandfather hurdle, women had won Publisher Jack Tenney Business People–Vermont (ISSN 1523-6781) is published
the right to vote. monthly by Mill Publishing Inc., 237 Commerce St. Ste.
General Rebecca 202, P.O. Box 953, Williston, VT 05495-0953. Periodical
Poll taxes, rigorous testing, picture IDs, and other Manager Awodey postage paid at Williston, Vt., and additional mailing
voting rights suppression tactics have been employed offices. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any
to keep “certain” people away from the voting booth Managing Virginia portion without written per­m­ ission of the publisher
and the jury box. (Certain people have been champi- Editor Lindauer is forbidden. Postmaster: Send address changes to
oned for years by organizations like NAACP.) Simmon Business People–Vermont, P.O. Box 953, Williston,
VT 05495-0953. Editorial material and photographs
Voting age was lowered in 1971 from 21 to 18 on Editor Edna Tenney are solicited and should be mailed to the Editor,
the theory that if you were expected to fight for your Business People–Vermont, P.O. Box 953, Williston, VT
country, you should be allowed to vote. Even though Advertising Larry Brett 05495-0953. Telephone: (802) 862-4109. Advertising
women were not expected, or even allowed, to fight, Sales Christine rates available upon request. Subscription rates:
they, too, were granted the right to vote (and sit on Niquette $30 one year. Printed in U.S.A. Email: business@
juries if registered). BusinessPeopleVermont.com for general inquiries, and
Photographers Brad Pettengill [email protected] for press releases.
In this election campaign to date, much has been
said about religion and the importance of appealing Andy Duback
to evangelicals. Now, I haven’t cracked a Baltimore
Catechism in a few decades, but I distinctly remember Copy Editor Jane Milizia
learning that my church believed the age of reason was
7. That meant that by the time children were 7 years Cover Photo Andy Duback
old they were capable of committing a mortal sin (a sin
so bad you would go to hell).

Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said
there was a special place in hell reserved for young
women who didn’t support other women. So, maybe
girls, upon reaching the age of reason, should be
allowed to vote (and sit on juries).

BUSINESS PEOPLE–VERMONT • MARCH 2016 1

COVER STORY
THE UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT

A Study
in Green
and Gold

From lawyer
to university
president

by Will Lindner

ANDY DUBACK

Since 2012 when Tom Sullivan was
named president of The University of
Vermont, he has launched two major
initiatives: 1) a strategic action plan to
attract high-caliber students, ensure
affordable tuition, attract and retain
talented faculty and staff, and modernize
buildings and classrooms; and 2) a $500
million comprehensive campaign.

2 BUSINESS PEOPLE–VERMONT • MARCH 2016

homas Sullivan’s job — depends upon recruiting students from “Our facilities in the college of engi-
the presidency of The other states, other regions, other nations. neering and in the physical sciences
University of Vermont Facing competition from so many other are not acceptable,” he says. “Some of
— is an extraordinarily excellent schools makes that difficult. the labs are substantially worse than
heavy lift. He gives no Further ratcheting up the pressure for labs students are coming from in high
recruitment is the comparatively scant school.”
Thint of that in conversa- financial allocation UVM receives annu-
tion: His tone is one of ally from the state. Sullivan addresses For this problem, the remedy is
enthusiasm and a profound commit- this subject diplomatically, but it’s a real- already underway. UVM has broken
ment to higher education. He does, ity UVM contends with. ground on the largest capital project in
sometimes, impart a sense of urgency. its history: a “STEM Complex” of state-
“Only 3 percent of the UVM oper- of-the-art facilities for science, tech-
The university is an anchor for the ating budget comes from the State of nology, engineering, and math. The
state, a repository for Vermont’s social, Vermont, which is 49th in the nation buildings are to open in stages, con-
cultural, democratic, and, very impor- in educational appropriations per stu- cluding in 2019.
tantly, economic aspirations. Yet it dent full-time equivalent. Only New
navigates in stormy seas. The northeast- Hampshire is below us.” Half of that In summary, the steps outlined in
ern United States, and especially New allocation is set aside for scholarships the plan are designed to attract a high
England, Sullivan explains, is the most and financial aid for Vermont students. caliber of students, while ensuring an
competitive environment for colleges Sullivan is on board: UVM is a land-grant affordable tuition, particularly for the
and universities. university with a duty to equalize edu- Vermonters among them; similarly
cational opportunities for the state’s cit- attract and retain talented faculty and
While, as an institution governed izens. Nevertheless, half of 3 percent is staff to enhance the university’s appeal;
by the Land-Grant College Act of 1862 a somewhat forlorn 1.5 percent. modernize outdated buildings and
(authored by Sen. Justin Morrill of classrooms; and identify savings and
Vermont), its foremost duty is to pro- Sullivan arrived at UVM in July efficiencies to help make these things
vide an educational resource for the 2012. In a comparatively short time, he, happen.
sons and daughters of Vermont — stead- with the support of UVM’s trustees, has
fastly remaining, the act says, “accessi- launched two major initiatives respond- As president and chief executive
ble to all, but especially to the sons of ing to these challenges. The first is a stra- officer of The UVM Health Network
toil, where all of needful science for tegic action plan. Its four “pillars” flirt and chief executive officer of The UVM
the practical avocations of life shall be with academic jargon, using terms like Medical Center, John Brumsted, M.D.,
taught …” — there is a dwindling pool of “Promoting a culture of ... excellence,” appreciates this approach. “I have found
those students. but the detailed bullet points more can- Tom Sullivan to be a great partner with
didly identify the university’s needs. An whom to explore a wide range of oppor-
“In the mid-2000s, the state was grad- example is improving the infrastructure tunities that are possible because of the
uating about 7,000 students from its high for scientific research. While the plan strong relationship between the UVM
schools each year,” Sullivan says. “Now is a tempered, professionally worded
that figure is closer to 5,000, one of the document, Sullivan is more direct in Medical Center and Health Network and
lowest totals in the country. And it’s conversation. the university,” he says.
been going down for 18 years.”
The second major initiative of the
Thus, the university’s viability Sullivan administration is a $500 mil-
lion, fund-raising “comprehensive
ANDY DUBACK campaign.”

Wanda Heading-Grant is vice president for human resources, “You can put the strategic action plan
diversity, and multicultural affairs, and Tom Gustafson is vice and the comprehensive campaign right
president for university relations and administration. up next to each other,” says Sullivan.
“One is the vision and goals, and the
other is the mechanism to finance it.
In our situation we have to have private
philanthropic support. We are late to
that game, quite frankly.”

UVM was founded 225 years ago,
in 1791, and its generations of gradu-
ates represent a relatively untapped
resource. Yet the campaign’s early suc-
cess is impressive: $270 million raised so
far. “Our goal is to close the campaign in
the summer of 2019,” says Sullivan, “so
as I remind my friends and colleagues:
‘Three and a half years to go, and we’re
gonna get it done!’”

Karen Meyer, a veteran of govern-
ment service, having worked for then-
Rep. James Jeffords and in Madeleine
Kunin’s gubernatorial cabinet, says what
Sullivan won’t. “He has a huge job; an
enormously complex job.”

Meyer’s resume also includes

BUSINESS PEOPLE–VERMONT • MARCH 2016 3

BY REAP CONSTRUCTION COVER STORY Sullivan was raised by parents who
THE UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT expected high achievement. Born in
DON’T FOLLOW 1948, he grew up in Amboy, Illinois,
THE HERD 10 years of employment at UVM in where his father had played high school
top-level executive and community football against another local youngster
Unique build-to-suit relations posts, under three former named Ronald Reagan. Thomas was the
opportunity in the presidents. (A 1970 UVM graduate, she youngest of five children, all of whom
heart of Richmond refers to herself as “a little girl from were expected to become doctors or law-
I Virginia, who came and never left.”) yers. “My father was a trial attorney,”
Serving now on the UVM Foundation he says, “so that was my path, too, from
Restored historic barn board, Meyer is closely involved with college into law school.”
with modern amenities the comprehensive campaign. These
experiences provide her a perspective Yet Sullivan was captivated from
I on Sullivan’s duties. an early age by teachers who revealed
Post-and-beam and to him the power, the importance, and
barn-board accents “UVM is a big corporation with about the adventure for the mind and spirit
a $630 million budget, a very involved of education. He dutifully attended
I faculty, 10,000 adolescents camped in Drake University in Iowa, and then
Flexible sizes from your backyard, and whopping financial Indiana University Law School. But he
responsibilities.” had a plan: He would practice law with
SF to , SF commitment and passion, and then
of energy-efficient In Meyer’s estimation, Sullivan is take that experience into a career in
commercial space the right person at the right time for the education.
university. His lengthy administrative
I resume, a distinguished 25-year teach- After earning his law degree (magna
Small office spaces available ing career, and a curriculum vitae that cum laude, 1973), he clerked for two
lists scores of academic publications and years in Miami with Federal District
I honors, earn him persuasive cachet, she Judge Joe Eaton, whom he considers an
Close to believes. important mentor. That service brought
Burlington & Montpelier him extensive experience in antitrust
with easy access to I-89 “The fact that little UVM undertakes and complex litigation, which he took
a $500 million comprehensive cam- to the U.S. Department of Justice, where
I paign, which we all absolutely know he tried corporate and security fraud
High-visibility we’re going to be successful in reach- cases in federal court. After two years,
Route location ing, is absolutely due to Tom’s style,” he switched sides, becoming a litigator
she says. “He’s comfortable with a really for a Wall Street law firm.
FOR LEASING INFORMATION wide range of people, and he has a quiet
confidence that instills confidence in Then, in 1979, he made his move,
-- the rest of us.” becoming an associate professor (and
WillisBarn.com eventually a professor) of law at the
University of Missouri in Columbia. “I
4 BUSINESS PEOPLE–VERMONT • MARCH 2016
ANDY DUBACK

Sharon Reich Paulsen is chief of staff and senior counsel to the
president; Gary Derr, vice president for executive operations; and Mara
Saule, chief information officer and dean of university libraries.



COVER STORY
THE UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT

thought I would do that for the rest of

my life,” he says.

But in 1985 he moved on to

Washington University in St. Louis,

where he soon got his first taste of

administration, accepting an offer

to serve as associate dean at the law

school. From 1985 to 2012, when he

came to Vermont, he held deanships at

Washington University, the University

of Arizona, and the University of

Minnesota — including an eight-year

provostship at Minnesota. For the most

part, he kept his hand in the classroom.

The appeal of academic administra-

tion, he explains, is that “you are called

upon to be more visionary and really

shape and define and move an institu-

tion forward.”

Sullivan was enjoying a sabbatical at

New York University in 2012 when he

came into UVM’s sights as a candidate

for the presidency. Coincidentally, he

had recently visited UVM for a nephew’s

graduation in mechanical engineering.

And there was another link: Sullivan’s

wife, Leslie, a native of Long Island, was

a member of the UVM Class of 1977.

“She was wildly enthusiastic about

the possibility of returning here,” he

recalls.

Leslie enjoyed a 30-year career in

institutional money management in

New York City and Minneapolis, where

she met Sullivan, who had lost his first

wife to cancer in 2001. They were mar-

ried in 2008.

Now, the two, and their companion

Sully (part Australian shepherd/part

border collie) are fixtures on the UVM

campus, where the university provides

them with a house. Leslie serves on

the boards of the Vermont Symphony

Orchestra, Burlington City Arts, and the

Humane Society of Chittenden County.

They are both, Sullivan says, patrons

of the arts — and dedicated bikers and

hikers.

Vermont is struggling to keep its

young people in the state, training

them and supporting businesses and

industries that need that next genera-

tion of educated, well-prepared employ-

ees. Sullivan believes the university is

at the very nexus of that effort; he cites

recent innovations at the university

specifically crafted to promote those

objectives. There’s a lot riding on their

success, he says, before closing his door

and getting back to work. •

6 BUSINESS PEOPLE–VERMONT • MARCH 2016

Innovation and creativity is what keeps us competitive.
Experience is what makes us good.

In our committment to offering the best In addition to our wide array of printing,
solution for your print project we are increasing mailing & finishing services, we offer:

our online presence and capabilities. • Variable data printing
• On-demand digital printing
Visit our new web site: • Short-run, overnight services
• Custom digital cutting
www.CatamountColor.com • Banners, posters & signs
• Event & festival signs
As always, online quote requests are • Trade show graphics
available --and soon, clients can take advantage • Window graphics
• Backlit displays
of our new online ordering form.
This easy to use, integrated process will save

you time and money.

Check out our online galleries to view some of
the products we’ve created.

And, subscribe to our online newsletter
to receive information about
upcoming promotions.

A division of the Offset House

www.catamountcolor.com
802.878.4440

89 Sand Hill Road • Essex, Vermont 05451

FEATURE STORY
PETRA CLIFFS

BRAD PETTENGILL Peak The Charests
have been to the
mountaintop

Experiences
by Keith Morrill

In 2012, Andrea and Steve Charest bought Petra Cliffs Climbing
Center & Mountaineering School, the Burlington business that

had employed them almost since its beginnings in 2000.

8 BUSINESS PEOPLE–VERMONT • MARCH 2016

ndrea and Steve Charest’s relationship is In the intervening years, they have performed just about
perhaps more adventurous than the average every task required to operate the business, from washing
marriage. At its best it’s a climb up a sheer holds to cleaning bathrooms, from instructing climbers
cliff; at its worst, an expedition fraught with indoors to guiding them outdoors, from organizing outdoor
near-death experiences and grievous injury. and youth programming to managing the books.

AThese aren’t the byproduct of marital strife, All the while, Steve pursued a vigorous course of study

but rather the Charests’ personal and profes- through the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA),

sional pursuits, the sometimes natural consequences of lives obtaining certifications as a rock and ski guide. He need only pass

spent clinging to rock faces, skiing mountainsides, and other- the exam required to become a certified alpine guide in order

wise dedicating themselves to outdoor adventure. to achieve the AMGA’s highest designation, that of American

Experienced and accom- Mountain Guide. That rank

plished outdoor athletes will allow him to legally work

and guides, the Charests wherever the International

are the owners of Petra Federation of Mountain

Cliffs Climbing Center & Guides Associations (IFMGA)

Mountaineering School in permits.

Burlington’s South End. During this time the

Petra Cliffs was opened Charests experienced their

in 2000 by Chip Schlegel, but most harrowing adventures

Andrea and Steve have been outdoors. Every hardcore

fixtures at the center since outdoor enthusiast is accus-

soon after it belayed its first tomed to being bruised and

climber. Steve came aboard at scraped, and most seem to

the end of 2001 as an intern have that one story about

while he was pursuing his the time Mother Nature

degree in outdoor education almost killed them. For

at Johnson State College.  Steve, it came in 2009, when

He was supposed to stay he was leading a ski tour at

only a year — until he grad- Thompson Pass in Valdez,

uated — but Schlegel liked Alaska.

Steve’s work so much that “We spaced out because it

he offered him employment. was a bit snowier,” he says,

Steve agreed to work through “and I happened to find the

the summer, but, come fall, he weak spot.” The snow frac-

found no compelling reason to tured around them, and they

leave. “Every time I’ve had an were soon caught up in an

opportunity to ask that ‘What avalanche that spanned a

is the next thing?’” explains mile and a half. Fortunately,

Steve, “Petra Cliffs always Steve and his two compan-

seems to provide a good rea- ions were at the edge of the

son for me to stick around and avalanche, and when the

continue my education.” snow stopped, the first skier

In mid-2002, just a few BRAD PETTENGILL was untouched, while Steve

months after the start of was only partially buried,

Steve’s internship, Andrea with his head and arm free.

came on board. She was The third skier was com-

a chemistry major at The pletely buried. Steve and the

University of Vermont with Sarah Fox, youth programs coordinator, and other skier were able to dig
the intention of becoming a Craig Morrill, events coordinator and climbing her out in under 15 minutes,
high school science teacher. instructor, are two of the three full-timers. and miraculously she only
Her work-study gig at the
suffered a twisted ankle.  

UVM climbing wall had roped Andrea’s incident came

her into Vermont’s climbing in 2011, during a rock-climb-

community, which was how she ended up volunteering at Petra ing expedition to Indian Creek in Utah. After a few days, the

Cliffs. She soon discovered that she preferred rock time to lab crew’s hands were too shredded and raw, so they switched to

time and switched majors, graduating in 2005 with a degree mountain biking. On a hostile trail known as Porcupine Rim,

in psychology.  Andrea took a nasty, head-first spill off a drop-off and broke

About a year after they started working together — April her neck, sustaining an avulsion fracture. Fortunately, there

3, 2003, to be exact — Andrea and Steve hit the slopes of Jay was no damage to her spinal cord.

Peak on their first date. The lift tickets still hang prominently Neither incident slowed the Charests or quelled their pas-

on the wall of their home in Bolton. They assured Petra Cliffs sion for the outdoors. In the year following Andrea’s injury,

management that their personal relationship wouldn’t affect she says, she felt the strongest she had ever been as a climber,

their work, and following their marriage on August 12, 2006, and they were looking to push their professional lives in a

the Charests cemented their commitment to their professional new direction.

and personal lives. “We were talking about what was next in our life — whether

BUSINESS PEOPLE–VERMONT • MARCH 2016 9

DON’T GET CAUGHT WITHOUT FEATURE STORY
COVERAGE FOR YOUR BOAT. PETRA CLIFFS

Call me today for a quote. it was going to be completely uprooting
and figuring out where we were going
Insure your boat — hook, line, and sinker — with Allstate next, or what was next for us at Petra
Boat Owners Insurance. Cliffs,” she says.

Walter Hausermann After much debate, they decided to
(802) 878-7144 reach out to Mike Anderson, who had
bought the business in 2005, and see if
18 A Maple Street he had any interest in selling. The tim-
Essex Junction ing was perfect for Anderson, who was
[email protected] interested in stepping away from the
business. He asked the Charests to make
See you at the Boat show March 4-6. BOAT INSURANCE an offer, which he accepted in what
Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Jct. Steve describes as near-record time. By
the end of 2012 they were the owners of
Insurance subject to availability and quali cations. Allstate Insurance Company: Northbrook, IL. © 2009 Allstate Insurance Company 68763 Petra Cliffs.

10 BUSINESS PEOPLE–VERMONT • MARCH 2016 As new owners, they were dedicated
to maintaining the community feel of
Petra Cliffs as a place where anyone can
come and have a sense of belonging.
Customer Lisa Bresler says they have
achieved that goal.

“I have known many faces that have
come and gone at Petra,” says Bresler,
“but one thing has always remained
— the welcoming excitement you are
greeted with when you enter the door. I
believe Andrea and Steve create a com-
munity that encourages folks of all abil-
ities. Their warm, genuine way attracts
like-minded employees. No matter if it’s
the gym or a course, I feel like you are
going to get that experience.”

The challenge for the Charests is to
keep that community vibe while push-
ing Petra Cliffs into the future. To that
end, they decided to home in on three
essential elements: the climbing cen-
ter, the mountaineering school, and the
youth summer camp.

They gave the gym a face-lift, add-
ing new climbing walls in an unused
corner, upgrading safety measures,
remodeling the facilities and flooring,
and streamlining the membership pro-
cess. They broadened the offerings of
the mountaineering school with the
aim of expanding it further when Steve
achieves his IFMGA guide status. They
have cultivated and nurtured their youth
programs, including a summer camp
leading roughly 500 kids on climbing,
hiking, kayaking, and other outdoor
adventures over a 10-week period.

Over the years, John Limanek and
his family seem to have partaken in
all that Petra Cliffs has to offer, start-
ing with his son’s 10th birthday party
16 years ago. Since then, he says, both
his sons, Taylor and Thompson, have
become regulars, joining the Petra Cliffs
climbing team, participating in climbing

competitions at the center, attending the BRAD PETTENGILL addition to their standard programming,
summer camp programs, and even work- Andrea and Steve are also able to man-
ing there in high school and college. Tim Farr, membership/staff age the Bolton Adventure Center and the
manager and instructor Smuggs Ice Bash, plus work on the “pro
“They had great mentors at Petra and guide, also coordinates staff” at St. Michael’s College’s wilder-
Cliffs who taught them their climbing the Smuggs Ice Bash. With ness program.
skills, but just as importantly, many him is Skadi, a greater
of their life skills,” says Limanek. Swiss mountain dog. Still the Charests have their eyes on
“They loved the people at Petra Cliffs more and hope to expand their offer-
and always said that they never met a ings. For example, they’d love to add
climber they didn’t like.” He adds, “Steve a café and workout facilities and yoga
and Andrea have been great role mod- programs, but feel they have maxed out
els for our sons,” pointing out that both the potential of their current location.
of his children now live in Bozeman, The hope is to move to a larger build-
Montana, and are avid outdoorsmen who ing that would double or triple their
maintain relationships with the Petra current size, although they admit it is
Cliffs community. difficult to find affordable warehouse
space in Vermont. A larger space would
To keep all of these programs going, allow them to cater to the needs of a
Andrea and Steve employ 25 to 40 staff- wider community, something that is
ers, depending upon the season. They important to them. “It doesn’t matter
include three employs who work nearly if you’re young or old, abled or differ-
full-time hours: Sarah Fox, youth pro- ently abled, we can do a program for
gram coordinator; Tim Farr, whom the you,” says Steve.
Charests describe as a jack-of-all-trades;
and Craig Morrill, who is part front-desk “We pride ourselves on mak-
manager, part event coordinator, part ing climbing accessible to everyone.
marketer. “We make people wear many Whether it be their first time getting
hats,” says Andrea. up the birthday-party wall, or whether
it be their first ice climb, or climbing a
“Those are the kinds of people we peak in Alaska — those are the kinds of
look to surround ourselves with,” adds opportunities we want to have people
Steve.
say, ‘Wow! That was life-changing!’” •
It’s one of the reasons that, in

Is Your Company Offering EV charging has many
EV Ready? benefits: increase employee
satisfaction, improve productivity,
and establish your brand as a
green leader

ChargePoint 2 CT4000 charging Power Management options help World class support has you
stations are right for businesses cut installation costs and double covered from site planning to your
and municipalities that want to the number of parking spots ongoing care and management,
offer charging to employees, served. including phone support for you
customers, and visitors. and your drivers.

Cummings Electric is the ChargePoint Reseller 11
for the state of Vermont

For every CT4000 dual port charging station we install,
Cummings Electric will donate $200 to Spectrum Youth Services

INDUSTRIAL • COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL
80 Ethan Allen Drive, S. Burlington, VT www.CummingsElectric.com
802-658-1292

BUSINESS PEOPLE–VERMONT • MARCH 2016

FEATURE STORY
THE SHELBURNE CRAFT SCHOOL

In 2010, The Shelburne Craft School
asked Sage Tucker-Ketcham to
paint a cow for a fundraiser. By
December, she was offered the
job of executive director.

BUSINESS PEOPLE–VERMONT

Ea&rWtha,tFeirre,

Joy and satisfaction through creating

12 BUSINESS PEOPLE–VERMONT • MARCH 2016 by Virginia Lindauer Simmon

age Tucker-Ketcham’s heritage is as “Green Virginia, where I went to high school.
Mountains” as it gets: 10 generations on one “When I graduated, my mom said to me, ‘You can go any-
side, 14 on the other. Her mother’s family has
roots in Cabot, Essex Center, and St. Johnsbury. where in the world you want,’ and I said, ‘I just want to go
Her father’s side hails from the Wallingford area, back to Vermont.’” She returned to attend Goddard College.
(Her mother came back a couple of years later and settled in
SEssex Junction, and Huntington, which got its Charlotte, where she still lives.)
name from his ancestors in the Hunt family. Her
father’s side is keeper of the Ketcham Book, a handwritten Tucker-Ketcham left Goddard after a semester and headed
account of every generation, begun in the 1700s and handed for Burlington College. “I studied, dropped out, got a job at
down to the eldest male. [design firm] JDK — kept dropping out and going back, doing
part-time classes when I was working.”
“It’s really neat,” she says. “I’m in there, hand-written in.
They’re very protective of it.” At JDK she was quickly promoted to traffic manager. “I was
the youngest at that time to work upstairs as an employee and
Tucker-Ketcham is, herself, protecting another kind of not an intern.” After a year, she was “very inspired” to return
heritage. For the last five years, she has been executive direc- to art school.
tor and advanced painting instructor of The Shelburne Craft
School, founded in 1938 by Rev. J. Lynwood Smith as a project It was 2000, and Tucker-Ketcham was 21, when she left
in the Trinity Episcopal Church rectory. In 1945, it was incor- for the Maine College of Art in Portland to study painting
porated as a nonprofit to be a space for artists and artisans. and teach art classes to children in a community center in
Cape Elizabeth.
The Craft School operates from a historic property at 64
Harbor Road. Its five venerable buildings include one-time After graduation in 2003, she returned to Vermont, landing
housing for railroad workers, says Tucker-Ketcham. “The site a job as Greater Burlington YMCA’s site director at Thatcher
consists of three properties gifted at three different times.” The Brook Elementary School in Waterbury. She was also teaching
red building in front, originally a harness shop, was bought freelance for the Y at Burlington City Kids and Burlington
from Henry W. Tracy for $1; the parking lot was gifted by City Arts.
Electra Havemeyer Webb after she moved the blacksmith shop
to the Shelburne Museum. Then Tracy sold to the school the At age 25, with a business loan from Chittenden Bank,
buildings in the back. Tucker-Ketcham opened an art gallery and education space,
Studio STK, on North Street. She was concurrently teach-
Throughout its history, the Webb family has supported and ing at Burlington College as an adjunct and doing graduate
encouraged the Craft School and its programs. Aileen Osborn study through a low-residency graduate program at the Fine
Webb, a potter and advocate of the American Craft Movement,
and founder of the School for American Crafts People at the BUSINESS PEOPLE–VERMONT
Rochester Institute of Technology, was of particular impor-
tance in turning the school into a space for artists and artisans Sarah Sprague is a youth and adult
to work, learn, and educate community members. instructor in beginning metal and stained
glass, and college instructor.
Marshall Webb, woodlands manager and special projects
coordinator of Shelburne Farms and a member of the Craft BUSINESS PEOPLE–VERMONT • MARCH 2016
School board, is Aileen Webb’s grandson. “Her whole life was
dedicated to crafts and better international communication
through crafts,” he says.

“Her ultimate goal was a world at peace, and she thought
inner peace was a good beginning. She believed that every-
one, no matter what their background, could find meaning
in using their hands and getting joy and satisfaction out of
creating something.”

In 2004, the Craft School, by then a treasured Shelburne
institution, expanded and rebranded to become the Shelburne
Art Center, and moved to a building on the Shelburne Village
Green, which allowed space for a larger gallery and special
events, plus representation of nationally respected artists and
craftsmen. Unfortunately, five years later, the economic down-
turn necessitated a downsizing and return, in 2009, to the
Harbor Road property. Tucker-Ketcham was hired in 2010; in
2011 the school’s name returned to its original: The Shelburne
Craft School; and in 2015, it was designated a Vermont Craft
Center for excellence in craft education.

Tucker-Ketcham’s background seems uniquely formed to
guide her into the job. “I was born in Randolph, and my mother
raised me as a single parent,” she says. Her mother’s grandfa-
ther was caretaker at the Bostwick estate in Shelburne. Dunbar
Bostwick was the son-in-law of J. Watson and Electra Webb.

“My mother and I traveled around the state a lot,” says
Tucker-Ketcham. “We left Vermont for Toronto when I was
10, then we moved to London, England, and then to Reston,

13

FEATURE STORY BUSINESS PEOPLE–VERMONT the job.
THE SHELBURNE CRAFT “At the time, the Craft School was in
SCHOOL Ryan Cocina (left) is woodshop
a pretty tricky space, financially and
Arts Work Center of the Massachusetts assistant and instructor, physically,” says Tucker-Ketcham. “I was
College of Art in Provincetown-Cape up for the challenge. I started the next
Cod. and Chris Ramos, woodshop day, December 2.”

In 2007, she married David Parsons, manager and instructor. The school was about $52,000 in the
a native of Shelburne whom she had hole, she says. “I looked at the numbers,
met at 19 while traveling in Europe. and would like to get involved. I have no looked at the books, looked at all the
“We became really good friends,” she idea what this is; it’s a great place. I have filing cabinets. The first six months, I
says, “and found ourselves at one point, lots of experience, been teaching art a wanted to sit on the ground and read
both being single and decided to date, number of years, and would like to help.” all the notes — there’s so much good
and then married.” They live in South here, it needed to be found again and
Burlington with their son, Kingsley She was hired on the spot. Three simplified.”
Parsons, age 2 1/2. weeks into her new job, when she
phoned Boardman to report she was In 2013, the campus was completely
Wanting to focus on graduate school, updating the website, Boardman said, converted to natural gas. A zero-interest
Tucker-Ketcham closed her business “Congratulations. You’re the new direc- loan from Green Mountain Credit Union,
and took a job at Close to Home, her fam- tor. You’re going to get a call tonight. I in partnership with Vermont Gas, helped
ily’s business, then in Williston. Three just resigned.” finance it. It was paid off just this year.
years later, encouraged by Parsons to
take time off to focus on her painting, Sure enough, Stephen Selin, presi- Half of the $52,000 deficit repre-
she left Close to Home to work in her dent of the board, asked her to come in sented personal loans given to the cen-
studio full time. “I’ve been really fortu- the next day and talk about her taking ter by community members, which were
nate to have a lot of art sales through the completely forgiven, she says.
years,” she says.
The difficult part was having to let
Enter The Shelburne Craft School in go of staff, leaving Tucker-Ketcham
2010, then still known as the Shelburne and one part-time helper for a couple
Art Center. “I got a phone call from Holly of years. She restructured the resi-
Boardman, the director of the Shelburne dent artist program, which had largely
Art Center at the time, asking me to required managing the studios, then
paint a cow for a fundraiser we were hired managers to oversee the studios
doing. She let me use the front space.” as employees.

The Craft School was trying to “We’re now on social media. We
get things going again, says Tucker- made cuts [in the marketing budget]
Ketcham. “As I’m painting the cow — and invested in the people who work
I’m semi-nosey — I heard that they here, and in the last couple of years,
were hiring an office manager. I piped we’re at six part-time employees and
up and said, ‘I’m not working right now myself and have about 20 instructors
— subcontractors.”

Tucker-Ketcham brought the Craft
School into the 21st century, says Webb,
particularly by improving the Web
presence and the ability to register and

14 BUSINESS PEOPLE–VERMONT • MARCH 2016

BUSINESS PEOPLE–VERMONT

Mikayla Johnson, studio 38 YEARS OF SUCCESSFUL VERMONT BUSINESS SALES
assistant and instructor, works
in the ceramics studio. 210 College St, Suite 202, Burlington, VT 05401
(802) 495-0917
donate money online.
www.VermontBusinessBrokers.com
In 2015, the red building at the
FREE, NO OBLIGATION OPINION OF BUSINESS VALUE THROUGH MARCH 2016
road was repainted and reinsulated.

“Financially we’re doing great. We’re

not swimming in money — we need

an endowment and some bigger cush-

ion, but our operating and day-to-day

expenses are covered.”

Of importance is that an ongo-

ing relationship has been forged with

Shelburne Community School over the

years, as a resource for arts education

the school doesn’t have. Each school

year, 120 students participate in a proj-

ect the school calls arts and citizenship.

“Our primary piece is their work

with our eighth-graders,” says Allan

Miller, the middle school co-principal.

“Students go over to the Craft School to

explore creative media we don’t have DISTINCTIVE CATERING
YOUR STAFF WILL LOVE
here — the facility to work with the

woodshop; metalworking creating jew-

elry or little soldered pieces of metal;

stained glass; pottery on the wheel; and

sometimes even use their artists for big-

type canvas painting. It’s a choice pro-

gram. We expect every eighth-grader

to go through it, but they go over there Show your staff your appreciation with the gi of
good food! Our catering service offers a variety of
independently. It’s a chance to be a dishes that will please every palate and meet any
dietary restriction with the convenience of
young adult and say, ‘What can I do? per person pricing Perfect for all of your
business needs
What can I create?’”
Check out our customizable menu at healthylivingmarket com or call
“I look at the Craft School two ways,” us at to speak to one of our catering specialists

says Tucker-Ketcham, whose eye

remains on tying the past to the future.

“We offer our own programming, but we

own everything you need for these disci-

plines, and we take good care of it. When

we’re not using the studios or equipment

for ourselves, we want to use this as a DORSET ST SOUTH BURLINGTON VT • HEALTHYLIVINGMARKET COM •

resource.” • BUSINESS PEOPLE–VERMONT • MARCH 2016

15

CONTRIBUTED COLUMN each mentoring partnership is unique.
Participants may also enjoy and bene-
APenrEspnetrcetpivreeneur’s fit from helping each other in ways not
defined by the program. A young men-
tor might help an executive choose a
new cell phone, or an executive might
share tips on how a new entrant can
advance his/her career.
by Christopher Loso • Train both parties for their roles.

TMentoring with a twist Junior participants need training in how
raditional mentoring is an to confront and challenge more senior
effective way for an expe- participants, while senior participants
rienced employee to offer It’s important to remember that must learn how to be receptive to these
guidance to a less expe- reverse mentoring is a two-way street. challenges.
rienced employee. Many It gives senior executives an opportu- • Review relationships regularly to
organizations sponsor nity to stay up to date with the latest ensure they are on track. It’s all too easy
such programs that aim technologies and workplace trends. It for both junior and senior participants
to build strong talent and increase their helps junior employees see the larger to fall back into a hierarchical pattern
competitive edge. However, technology picture of their ideas and glimpse mac- of behavior. Ongoing review can estab-
advancements have created a twist to ro-level management issues. It expands lish a pattern of effective “upward”
traditional mentoring. multi-generational engagement and learning.
reduces conf licts between genera- • Start small. Developing safe and
Today, because it’s common for a tions in the workplace, increasing reten- positive reverse mentoring relationships
young, entry-level employee to have a tion rates for younger employees. can be challenging. It’s best to start with
better understanding of technology a small pilot program, then use pilot par-
than his/her experienced colleague, Below are some tips to help ensure ticipants as guides for rolling out the pro-
many organizations are turning men- that a reverse mentoring relationship is gram on a wider scale.
toring upside down. An emerging phe- successful for your organization: As employers look for ways to bet-
nomenon called reverse (or reciprocal) ter manage their increasingly age-di-
mentoring gives younger employees • Make the perfect match. Reverse verse workforce, reverse mentoring
a chance to teach senior executives mentoring involves two people with just might be the start of something
about innovative business methods extremely different experiences, back- big. The practice could pave the way
such as trends in social media, con- grounds, and cultures, so creating the for a new standard of open dialogue in
sumer culture, and unconventional ideal partnership is vital. Choose men- business stretching far beyond technol-
operations. tors with good social skills who have the ogy. Ideally, learning and information
confidence to interact with and teach sharing would cross all lines of seniority
A growing number of companies senior management. and responsibility. After all, advancing
have created reverse mentoring pro- yourself in today’s volatile economy is
grams — luminaries like Cisco, Hewlett • Set a level playing field. Start with all about lifelong learning. Creating a
Packard, British Petroleum, Johnson & an orientation session. It should give the 360-degree dialogue between genera-
Johnson, Accenture, IBM, and Procter mentors and mentees an opportunity to tions may be one of the most effective
& Gamble. These programs have helped interact with each other as individuals mechanisms for learning.
them expand brands and boost profits. in a supportive environment. This sets •
The concept is not new; Jack Welch the stage for the whole program and in Christopher Loso is vice president of Loso’s
championed the idea when he was CEO time helps transform from traditional Professional Janitorial Services, Inc. in
at General Electric. hierarchies. South Burlington, www.lososjanitorial.
com, and former executive at Booz Allen
• Be very clear about specific goals. Hamilton and Deloitte Consulting.
Clarity about the broad organiza-
tional goals will help participants
take the process seriously. However,

Michael Coburn - Agency Owner
The Coburn Agency
802-658-7800

1134 South Brownell Rd
Williston, VT 05495
[email protected]

Call me for the protection you need 110431
and the service you deserve.

© 2014 Allstate Insurance Co.

16 BUSINESS PEOPLE–VERMONT • MARCH 2016

POMERLEAU Stern Center for Language and Learning
Professional Learning Opportunities
R eal E state
Orton-Gillingham|Classroom Educator
For Lease in St. Albans Course and Practicum
Space available for lease in the St.
Albans Shopping Center: 2,500, June 20-23, 2016 | 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
3,500, 4,000, and 8,000 SF. Current Williston, Vermont
tenants include: U.S. Post O ce,
Planet Fitness, Rite Aid, 14Th Star Orton-Gillingham
Brewing Co., Sherwin Williams, Associate Level Course and Practicum
Video King, People's United Bank,
and more. July 11-14 & July 18-20 | 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Williston, Vermont
For Lease in Essex Center
6,000 SF of o ce space available in Receive workshop updates by subscribing to our
the heart of Essex Center. Can be one email list:
large suite or split into 2,500-3,000 SF
To learn more and to Register
suites. Turnkey! Direct access o
Vermont Route 15. Great visibility, please visit, www.sterncenter.org
great signage, ample parking. Great or by calling 802-878-2332

location near outlet center and Stern Center for Language and Learning
Vermont Route 289 (Circ Highway). 183 Talcott Road, Suite 101, Williston, Vermont

Please call Brian Waxler at 802.863.8217 x 22
for more information on these properties.

802.863.8210

www.VermontRealEstate.com

Office | Retail | Industrial | Land | Mu ti-Family | Investment

www.norrisinc.com 1-800-370-3473 [email protected] Our priority is people,
our focus is real estate.
Super motivated sellers!
FOR SALE
106 Highpoint Center, Colchester, VT
Four-story 18,720 SF multi-tenant o ce
building for sale. 75% long-term leases in
place. Balance is vacant so ideal for
owner/user. Lots of windows, good east
views of the mountains. Easy to nd, just o
of I-89, Exit 16. One mile from Burlington.
FOR SALE
19 Roosevelt Highway, Colchester, VT
Three-story 24,900 SF multi-tenant o ce
building right at I-89, Exit 16. On-site parking
and grounds part of a PUD. Floors break up
into 8300 SF each with some vacancy. Good
a ordable space that o ers good amenities
and exibility. One mile to Burlington.
FOR SALE OR LEASE
48 Green Street, Vergennes, VT
New listing! Stand-alone, 7,000 SF, brick
building with on-site parking lot.
Well-appointed property with attention to
small details. Ability to subdivide into smaller
tenant spaces. Conveniently located within
Vergennes downtown.
FOR SALE
142 Gould Road, North eld, VT
4,000 SF former schoolhouse, renovated into
an o ce building on .83 acre. Ideal for
redevelopment or owner/user. Country
setting. Lots of windows, on-site parking and
septic. Short drive to Norwich
campus.

redstonevt.com

D E PA R T M E N T S Howard Center CEO, and Paul Dettman,
Burlington Housing Authority executive
director.

Ribbon Eli Gould, president of Ironwood &
Cutting Precraft in Brattleboro, hosted a rib-
bon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the
The member-owners of the 150 kW completion of the first phase of a proto-
Boardman Hill Solar Farm in West typing and testing facility for the green
Rutland held a ribbon-cutting and building industry. The advanced practice,
Renewable Energy Credit retirement testing, and integration shop represents
party. The project was designed, installed, the first loan funded by the Windham
and commissioned by Aegis Renewable County Economic Development Program,
Energy. It was the first community solar established upon the closure of Entergy
array in Vermont that fulfills the “Vermont VY. The facility, on O’Bryan Drive, will
Grown, Vermont Green” mission of com- build on 20 years of linking native lum-
plete member-ownership, democratic ber and custom prefab manufacturing,
management of ongoing operations, allowing sister companies to add high-
and retirement of the Renewable Energy value jobs.
Credits generated by the solar farm.
The Rutland Community Cupboard
Howard Center hosted an open house opened its new location at 65 River St. in
for its new residential program, Avenue 7, Rutland with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
designed for young adults ages 18 to 28 Cutting the ribbon were Darren Childs,
with an intellectual disability or autism. board president, and Kelly Giancola,
The program is offered in partnership executive director, at the celebration
with the Burlington Housing Authority hosted by the Rutland Region Chamber
and will provide housing and support for of Commerce. The Community Cupboard
individuals who will eventually transi- serves individuals and families in need
tion to independent living. A ribbon-cut- of food. All food items are free. The orga-
ting ceremony was held with Bob Bick, nization also offers monthly cooking
demonstrations with samples and recipes
plus fresh bread and frozen meat when
available. It’s open Monday, Wednesday,
and Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Tuesday
and Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. 747-6119;
www.rutlandcommunitycupboard.org. •

Moving? Phil Keene and Rob Maguire, the owners of the Appliance Depot in Rutland, cele-
brated the store’s new location at 439 U.S. 7 North with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Don’t miss a single issue of your favorite, Appliance Depot offers new and clean, ready-to-use appliances. Pictured, from
100% local, business-to-business magazine. left: Dave Correll, Bill Ackerman, Marlene Cenate, Dave Allaire, Kathy Mallette,
Update your address today. Keene, Maguire, Tom Terenzini, Christopher LaFlamme, Angela LaFlamme, Paul
Call, write or visit: Crossman, and Tom Donahue.
www.BusinessPeopleVermont.com/moving/

Business People
VERMONT

Your Monthly Business-to-Business Magazine Since 1984
P.O. Box 953, Williston, VT 05495

802-862-4109

18 BUSINESS PEOPLE–VERMONT • MARCH 2016

D E PA R T M E N T S D E PA R T M E N T S Palmer. Jed Dousevicz of V/T Commercial
represented the seller.
New Business MAceqrugiesritsio&ns

Mad River Distillers

Mad River Distillers has opened a retail Courtney Tabor and Ashley Hudson have Burlington Furniture Co. leased 38,548
shop/tasting room at the corner of Main bought the Four Seasons Community Care square feet for its store and warehouse
and St. Paul streets in Burlington, the facility in Northfield. John Beal of Vermont at 747 Pine Street, Burlington, from
former location of Hempest. The tast- Business Brokers was the broker. Cresta Cooper Nedde LLC. Doug
ing room will offer Mad River Distillery’s Nedde of Nedde Real Estate brokered
hand-crafted spirits and complementary the lease. Pictured, from left: Nedde;
products. The shop will also hold cocktail Mark Binkhorst and Julia Binkhorst,
classes and other events. The Waitsfield Burlington Furniture Co.
company was founded by John Egan,
Maura Connolly, and Brett Little. Meg Queen City Dry Goods leased a facility at Peak Physical Therapy and Performance
McGovern of Donahue & Associates rep- 450 Shunpike Road, Williston, from LJCT Training of Williston has merged with
resented the landlord, and Brad Worthen Brown Properties LLC. Esther Lotz was The RehabGYM of Williston, Colchester,
of V/T Commercial represented the the listing broker. Pictured, from left: Matt and Barre The announcement was made
tenant. Pictured are Mimi Buttenheim, Renna, Queen City Dry Goods, and Leon by Sharon Gutwin, PT, owner of The
the company president, and Alex Brown, LJCT Brown Properties. RehabGYM, and Susan Dodge, MSPT, owner
Hilton, general manager. 137 St. Paul St.; of Peak Physical Therapy. Peak Performance
www.madriverdistillers.com. Sports will continue to offer performance
enhancement classes, personal training, Vo2
Connecticut River Farmers’ max testing, RMR testing, and yoga in South
Watershed Alliance Burlington until RehabGYM’s new facility is
built in 2017.

Farmers and agricultural leaders from Burton Snowboards leased 3,000 square Bill Orleans, the owner of PP&D Brochure
feet for its new retail store at 162 College Distribution, announced the purchase
Vermont and New Hampshire have Street, Burlington. Jed Dousevicz of V/T of Valley Vacation Coupons from Tom
launched the Connecticut River Farmers’ Commercial represented Burton, and Yves Shampnois. The coupon program was
Watershed Alliance, a regional initia- Bradley of Pomerleau Real Estate repre- established over 20 years ago. PP&D will add
sented the landlord. coupon distribution to many of Vermont’s
tive aimed at protecting water quality in highway welcome centers and rest stops,
Vermont and New Hampshire. Paul Doton, Lori Sullivan leased 1,700 square feet at 20 the Church Street Marketplace kiosk, and
Kimball Ave., South Burlington, from Alan the Waterfront Information Center.
a dairy farmer from Barnard, was instrumen-

tal in launching the group. The kickoff was
held at Norwich Farms, a recent addition to
Vermont Technical College.
•

BUSINESS PEOPLE–VERMONT • MARCH 2016 19

MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

Welcome To Our Most Recent
Featured Business

802-862-4109 www.BusinessPeopleVermont.com.featured.business/walker.html

Maple Root LLC purchased property
at 77 Vermont Avenue, Colchester, from
Frederick H. Raab and Rebecca A. Raab
of Green Mountain Radio Research
Co. Broker Esther Lotz represented the
sellers. Pictured, from left: Martha Roy,
Steven Chase, and Rod Lindsay II, all of
Maple Root.

Maple Leaf Farm Associates leased the
entire 16,000-square-foot free-standing
building at 786 College Parkway, Colchester,
for administrative offices and an expansion
of the services it provides in Underhill.
Tony Blake and Chris Sherman of V/T
Commercial assisted the landlord, Fanny
Allen Holdings, and the tenant.

Little Lakers Academy leased 3,600
square feet of commercial space for its
daycare operations at 73 Prim Road,
Harborview Plaza, Colchester, from 4
Helena Drive Associates. Rick Harrison
of J.L. Davis Realty represented the
landlord, and Kendra Kenney of Donahue
& Associates represented the tenant.
Pictured, from left: Harrison, Nadia Dacres
of Little Lakers Academy, and Kenney.

Ramen Concepts leased 2,500 square feet
of retail space at 144 Church St., Burlington,
from Alan Palmer. Jed Dousevicz of V/T
Commercial represented the tenant, and
Dave Kelly of Highpoint Realty repre-
sented the landlord.

20 BUSINESS PEOPLE–VERMONT • MARCH 2016

La Minita Corp., a coffee importer, leased
2,500 square feet at 110 Riggs Road,
Hinesburg, from Renewable NRG Systems.
Tony Blake and Chris Sherman of V/T
Commercial assisted all parties.

Ryan Goslin, DDS, bought a 2,990-square-
foot medical office condominium at 75
Talcott Road, Suite 20, Williston, from Karen
Parolin, DMD. Rick Harrison of J.L. Davis
Realty represented the seller.

Ark-La-Tex Financial Services dba
Benchmark Mortgage leased 1,100 square
feet of office space at 15 Brickyard Road,
Essex Junction, from G&R Investments LLC.
Rick Harrison of J.L. Davis Realty assisted
both parties.

National Business Equipment leased a
3,045-square-foot office space at 78 Ethan Cheryl and Marshall Learned have sold Yipes! Auto Accessories to Steve and Terri
Allen Drive, South Burlington, from Baisel Ferreira of Big Game Inc. John Beal of Vermont Business Brokers represented the
Real Estate LLC. Rick Harrison, J.L. Davis Learneds. Pictured, from left: the Learneds and the Ferreiras.
Realty, assisted the owners, and Esther
Lotz, Broker, assisted the tenant. VBT Bicycling Vacations and Country Atlas Acupuncture leased 1,000 square
Walkers leased 14,859 square feet of office feet at 127-129 Bank St., Burlington. Yves
Cabrera Properties LLC bought a 2.5-acre space at 426 Industrial Ave., White Cap Bradley of Pomerleau Real Estate was the
commercial land parcel at Lot 15, Corporate Business Park, Williston, from White Cap listing and leasing agent.
Drive, Essex, from Forestdale Heights LLC. Ventures LLC. Rick Harrison of J.L. Davis
Rick Harrison of J.L. Davis Realty repre- Realty was the leasing agent, and Yves Radio Broadcasting Services Inc. leased a
sented the sellers, and Patrick O’Brien rep- Bradley of Pomerleau Real Estate was the 2,000-square-foot office space at 336 Water
comforting.resentedthebuyers.
listing and leasing agent. Tower Circle, Colchester, from Coburn

One-of-a-kind selection. happy customers. that’s the wendell’s way.

W Next to Costco!

WN LL’
e

BUSINESS PEOPLE–VERMONT • MARCH 2016 21

Janitorial Services SaniGLAZE MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

• Floors, Windows, Carpets, Upholstery, New Tile and Grout Without Replacement! Partnership LLP. Rick Harrison of J.L.
Construction Clean-up, Steam Cleaning, • Restores tile and grout to “like new” condition. Davis Realty, assisted the tenant, and
Disinfecting, Graffiti Removal • Rejuvenates tile luster and grout brightness Steve Donahue of Donahue & Associates
• Daily and weekly cleaning • Keep facilities sanitary and clean with less assisted the owner.
• Fully insured & bonded maintenance
• Well-trained, experienced, uniformed crews • Eliminates the need to replace existing tile
• Free estimates

A Local, Family-Owned and Operated Business Since 1982 • www.northlandjanitorial.com

NORTHLAND JANITORIAL 878-3899COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL • A FULL-SERVICE COMPANY Toll Free 1-800-570-3899

The #1 Leader of Custom-Built Sun Ray Nedde Real Estate has completed a 150
Central Vac Systems in the State kW solar project at its new location, 747
Fire & Security Pine St., Burlington. The grid is on the
Installation & Service for Residential and rooftop of the building to serve tenants
Commercial Systems VERMONT’S MOST TRUSTED ALARM COMPANY including Nedde, Burlington Furniture Co.,
Fire . Intrusion . Access . CCTV . Low-Temp . Carbon Monoxide and Body Resolution. Encore Renewable
Convenient . Reliable . Clean . Lifetime Warranty Sales, Installation, Service, & 24 Hr. Monitoring Energy was consultant on the project,
“You will wonder what you ever did without it.” and Peck Electric installed the panels.
AUTHORIZED DEALER Pictured, from left: Louise Anair, Vermont
Free In-Home or Business Estimates Economic Development Agency; Doug
www.vtcentralvacuum.com [email protected] Nedde, Nedde Real Estate, and Jeremy
www.sunrayvt.com Farkas, Murphy Sullivan Kronk.
802-878-7800
802-878-9091 The Vermont Framing Co. leased 1,269
1 Market Place, Essex Junction, Vermont square feet at Kilburn & Gates, 308 Pine
1 Market Place, Essex Junction, Vermont St., Burlington, to expand its current space.
22 BUSINESS PEOPLE–VERMONT • MARCH 2016 Yves Bradley of Pomerleau Real Estate
was the listing and leasing agent.

Aspen Dental leased 3,500 square feet
in the Route 302 Plaza in Berlin. Yves
Bradley of Pomerleau Real Estate was
the listing agent, and Monique Ward of
Adirondacks Retail Consultants was the
leasing agent.

Make-A-Wish Vermont leased 1,685
square feet for its headquarters in the
Maltex Building, 431 Pine St., Burlington,
from The Maltex Partnerships. Yves
Bradley of Pomerleau Real Estate and
Linda Letourneau of Redstone were the
listing agents.

The Intuitive Companies, a captive insur-
ance provider, leased 1,043 square feet at
60 Main St., Burlington. Yves Bradley of
Pomerleau Real Estate was the listing and
leasing agent, and Brad Worthen of V/T
Commercial assisted with the listing. •

D E PA R T M E N T S Benchmark Senior Living (The Arbors at Design for Good initiative leader; Barbara
Shelburne) and, most recently, LCB Senior Hollingdale, Gardener’s Supply Co., initia-
Faces & Places Living (The Residence at Quarry Hill). She tive representative; Coberline Brownell,
is licensed dually as a clinical social worker Champlain College, education chair; Katie
Kelly Frederick was named executive direc- and nursing home administrator. Rutherford, HMC Advertising, member-
tor of Technology for Tomorrow, replacing ship co-chair; Carolyn Crowley, Discover
Eli Harrington, who was interim executive. Gateway Children’s Museum, membership
Harrington will remain active on a part-time, co-chair; Evan Deutsch, Oxbow, program-
ongoing basis. Frederick was the director ming co-chair; Jamie Lucia, Solidarity of
of the Imaginarium Children’s Museum in Unbridled Labor, programming co-chair;
Plattsburgh, N.Y. and Deanna Kerley, AIGA Vermont com-
munications director.
Scott Kennison joined Green Mountain
Valley School as head equipment manager. Tara Graham Rick Vincent
A Green Mountain Valley School graduate,
he spent time on the U.S. Ski Team and was The University of Vermont Medical Center Matt MacNeil George Philibert
a two-time 1st Team NCAA All-American at and The University of Vermont Medical
The University of Vermont. Group appointed Rick Vincent vice pres- Matt MacNeil was named director of evalu-
ident, finance, and chief financial officer. ation and outcomes at the Howard Center.
The Visiting Nurse Association of Vincent was vice president, finance for the He was director of program evaluation and
Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties Medical Group and interim vice president, outcomes for Howard Center’s child and
named Tara Graham executive direc- finance for the Medical Center. family services. George Philibert, founder
tor of hospice and palliative care. She and president of GHP Advisors PC, was
replaced Gay Rogers. Graham has worked The Vermont chapter of the American named to the board of directors. Howard
closely with the VNA in various leadership Institute of Graphic Arts announced the Center’s street outreach team was honored
positions, such as executive director of election of directors. Jeffrey Harkness of
HARK is president; Alaina Kunkle, Off the
Common, vice president, membership;
Joannah Ralston, Insight Design, trea-
surer; Lyn Severance, Harvey | Severance,

OVER 28 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE BUSINESS FOR SALE
SPECIALIZING IN
An outstanding opportunity
Acquisitions | Development | Brokerage An established trade/service business. Clients include over
1,600 loyal customers. Strong cash ow. This is a great
For Lease For Lease opening to expand your existing business into a new
market, or to start your own company at low risk.
10,000–47,000± SF of Colchester Flexible mix of office, manufacturing,
warehouse space with 13 loading and warehouse space in Williston Please call Kim Wichert at 802.658.3300
docks, 35' clearance, ample parking, from 6,000–66,060 SF located near for more information.
and flexible floor plans near I-89 Exit 16. Taft Corners and I-89 Exit 12.
POMERLEAU
747 Pine Street, Burlington, Vt. · 802.651.6888
R eal E state
NeddeRealEstate.com
802.863.8210
23
www.VermontRealEstate.com

Office | Retail | Industrial | Land | Multi-Family | Investment

BUSINESS PEOPLE–VERMONT • MARCH 2016

"Working with Esther Lotz, commercial real estate FACES & PLACES
broker, we found manufacturing space in Essex for
our single-cup operation." by the International Downtown Association
Bruz Brown, for its nationally recognized work in the
Facilities Manager, downtown Burlington area. Rep. Peter
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Welch received the Energy Leadership
Award from the U.S. Energy Association and
www.estherlotz.com Johnson Controls for his “exemplary lead-
ership in instituting and advancing energy
Enhancing Orthopaedic Care in the Northeast Kingdom efficiency in the United States.”

Kerrin McCadden won the inaugural
Vermont Book Award from the Vermont
College of Fine Arts for her collection
of poetry titled Landscape with Plywood
Silhouettes.

Kerrin McCadden Harriet Williams

John Bartlett Linda Tarr-Whelan

Dr. Dougald MacArthur, Dr. Daniel O’Neill. The Visiting Nurse Association of
Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties
NAlpine Clinic, one of the premier orthopaedic and sports medicine groups in announced the appointment of three mem-
bers to its board: Harriet I. Williams, Ed.D., of
the Northeast, to provide comprehensive orthopaedic and sports medicine care to the Dress for Success Burlington; John Bartlett
Northeast Kingdom. of the Vermont Student Assistance Corp.; and
Orthopaedics are widely recognized for outstanding results in joint replacement, Linda Tarr-Whelan, BSN, MS, FAAN, an inter-
trauma, and the treatment of sports injuries. To schedule an appointment, please call: national expert and senior advisor to gov-
ernments and corporations. VNA appointed
NORTH COUNTRY ORTHOPAEDICS former board chair Jim Madison of Test
802.334.4175 | 8:30 am–4:30 pm Monday–Friday | northcountryhospital.org/ortho America to the honorary board. Officers
81 Medical Village Drive, Suite 1 | Newport, VT 05855 elected were John Maitland, Downs Rachlin
Martin, chair; Frank Harris, Keurig Green
THE ALPINE CLINIC Mountain, vice chair; Sandy McDowell,
603.823.8600 | 8:00 am–4:30 pm Monday–Friday | thealpineclinic.com Vermont Information Technology Leaders,
treasurer; and Barbara Martin, Community
College of Vermont, secretary.

T A nC c Fine artist and typographer Claire Van
Vliet received the second Herb Lockwood
thealpineclinic.com Prize, recognizing “artists who produce
significant work in the areas of visual arts,
music, writing, drama, dance, film, and fine
woodworking.”

24 BUSINESS PEOPLE–VERMONT • MARCH 2016

Stowe’s Commodities Natural Market Have Justice-Will Travel, a nonprofit in the evaluates states for the rate of new entre-
was voted the Best Market in the first Northeast Kingdom. Marcia Merrill, CPA, of preneurs and start-up density.
Stowe Reporter “4393” Awards. “4393” refers Montgomery & Merrill PC, was elected to a
to the height of Mount Mansfield. The fourth term as chair.
market was also named by the State of
Vermont as a Vermont Sustainable Grocery TruexCullins announced that Matthew
Environmental Leader. Bushey, AIA, LEED AP, was promoted to
associate principal of the firm.

Garrott Kuzzy Katrina Howe Kevin DeCausemacker Penny Overton

Matthew Bushey John Kiernan Kevin DeCausemacker and Penny
Overton joined Vermont Federal Credit
Garrott Kuzzy joined Green Mountain John Kiernan, P.E., joined Otter Creek Union as business leaders. DeCausemacker
Valley School as Nordic director, and Engineering as senior project engineer. He was at the Vermont Economic Development
Katrina Howe is coach. Kuzzy, a Middlebury has over 20 years of water and wastewater Authority, and works from the Burlington
College grad, has competed on the World engineering experience. branch. Overton was with People’s United
Cup and at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Bank. She works at the Milton office.
Howe, a UVM graduate, was a member of Sarah Richards was promoted to partner at
the U.S. biathlon development team and Gallagher, Flynn & Co. Promoted to direc- Technology for Tomorrow announced
part of the Maine Winter Sports Center tor were CPAs Kelly Murray and Lisa Keller. the addition of two members to its board
Olympic development program for six years. of directors: Jacquie Dragon, senior vice
president and director of human resources
The Vermont Commission on Women Vermont ranked Number 5 in the nation at Merchants Bank, and Karl Swanke, with
hired Hannah Elle Myers as executive for business start-ups, according to the 25 years of volunteer service for various
staff assistant. Myers was staff attorney for Kauffman Index of Startup Activity, which charitable organizations.

Direct Design, in conjunction with New
England Federal Credit Union, received

BUSINESS PEOPLE–VERMONT • MARCH 2016 25

Concerned about FACES & PLACES

Your 2015 Tax Return? two national marketing awards: a Diamond
Award from the Credit Union National
Want to Potentially Association marketing and business devel-
REDUCE Your Taxes? opment council for NEFCU’s recently reno-
vated Shelburne Road branch, and a Silver
See us for a tax checkup today! for a separate in-branch display.

Time is critical. Don’t delay! Louise Gibbs joined WestView Investment
Advisors as a financial services coordina-
15 Treat yourself to a second opinion tor. She is a recent graduate of St. Michael’s
on your investment portfolio. College with a bachelor of arts in business
economics and minors in business and
Serving the public with two political science.
enrolled agents —
America’s Tax Experts.

EAs are the only federally licensed tax
practitioners who specialize in taxation
and also have unlimited rights to
represent taxpayers before the IRS.

Stephanie Babcock, Visit our website for a wealth of nancial and tax information.
Enrolled Agent www. eStrategicWealthCoach.com

Strategic Wealth Coach, LLC Since 1986

One Marketplace, Suite 23, Essex Junction • 802-878-6155 Bob Hudson, Certi ed Financial Louise Gibbs Joan Carter
Planner™ & Enrolled Agent

Securities & SIntrvaetsetgmiceWnTtaexAaldPtvhlaiVsnCoSnorRiayncFgShieSn,rLeavrnLiAvccCiedicasvielsoissSneoeoerrrtvmeeoirdceewemdtsnh,tberhIdoenrruocogF.urhdIgcNohoVeRnSSstAtRrnroaoaFltntlieendogdaiScnbeIcWyrPiaTCVelaaSSxlRtehArFvdCiinvcoiaecansec,c.hIin,aLlc.SL,eCar.vRiecgeiss,tIenrecd. Investment The Vermont Arts Council named Joan
Carter director of administration. She was
controller at Spruce Peak Realty. Carter
succeeds Elaine DuFresne, who recently
retired.

SUBSCRIBE NPI announced the addition of Dana Taylor
as an intern. He is a junior in Champlain
$30 for one year (12 issues) College’s computer networking and cyber-
$45 for two (24 issues) security program.

plus sales tax based on your mailing address Dana Taylor Seth Jensen
$14.99 iPad subscription available at Apple News
Lamoille County Planning Commission’s
Name __________________________________________________ Barnes Camp restoration project was named
_______________________________________________________ Project of the Year by the Northern New
England Chapter of the American Planning
Company ________________________________________________ Association. Seth Jensen, the commis-
Address _________________________________________________ sion’s senior planner, managed the project
and received the award on behalf of the
_______________________________________________________ partners.
_______________________________________________________
Phone __________________________________________________
or email _________________________________________________

P.O. Box 953, Williston, VT 05495 • (802) 862-4109 Andrew Brewer of Onion River Sports
in Montpelier, Marc Sherman of Stowe
Order online at www.businesspeoplevermont.com/subscribe Mercantile, Trudy Trombley of Truly
26 BUSINESS PEOPLE–VERMONT • MARCH 2016 Trudy’s Boutique in Stowe, and Todd
Keyworth of Harborside Harvest Market in

North Hero were recognized as America’s
Retail Champions by the National Retail
Federation.

Burlington City Arts announced
placement of a banner in City Hall Park
featuring an award received by longtime
Burlington area musicians Rick and the
Ramblers, Best Western Swing Song
from the Academy of Western Artists. It
was made public at a closing reception
of an exhibition of photographs by Rick
Norcross, the group’s leader.

Vermont Law School alumnus David
Mears, ’91, commissioner of the Vermont
Department of Environmental Conservation,
returned to VLS to lead the environmental
and natural resources law clinic. He suc-
ceeds Doug Ruley.

Kara Danaher Casey Douglass 800 HINESBURG ROAD

Sarah Harrington Real Estate at KW SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT
Vermont announced the addition of Kara
Danaher and Casey Douglass to the team. Ground Floor Space Available
Danaher, a Vermont native, was a teacher. $6.00 – $7.00/SF NET
Douglass, a licensed physical therapist,
recently became a Realtor. Up to 15,000 Sq. Ft. Available

The Permanent Fund for Vermont’s IDEAL SPACE FOR:
Children selected Alyson Richards as chief Engineering — Light Assembly — Electronics — Storage —
executive officer. Richards was deputy chief Fitness Center — Service — Research — Data Processing —
of staff for Gov. Peter Shumlin.
Back Office — Education and Training

Champlain Valley Agency on Aging 462 Shelburne Road, Burlington, VT Robert Bouchard
announced the appointment of Rachel Lee 802-660-6805
Cummings as deputy executive director and
Sarah C. Wool as director of development

BUSINESS PEOPLE–VERMONT • MARCH 2016 27

FACES & PLACES directors of the board were announced. Rutland Regional Medical Center
Elected to three-year terms were Jim welcomed Louis B. Myers, M.D. Board-
and communications. Cummings was the Girardin and Cathy Stadecker, Burlington; certified in internal medicine, Myers is
founder of Armistead Senior Care, and later, Dirk Elston, St. Johnsbury; and Betsy a nocturnist in the hospital medicine
RLC Guardianship. Wool was director of Bloomer, Rutland. Victoria Young is chair; program. He was in private practice in
development and outreach for LCB Senior Barbara Wessel, vice chair; Ginny Roth, Virginia. Ryan Brass, M.D., a Certified
Living and The Residence at Shelburne & secretary; and Perez Ehrich, treasurer. Levels I and II Firefighter, joined the emer-
Otter Creek Senior Living. gency department.
Benjamin Cadwallader Mark Rosalbo
Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman NFP insurance broker and consultant Samantha Wendel Nicole Andreson
Realty announced that Dana Valentine announced that Mark D. Rosalbo joined its
joined the firm as a Realtor. She has over 10 South Burlington team as an account execu- Nicole Andreson, a lawyer with the
years’ experience throughout northwestern tive for personal and commercial insurance. firm Dinse, Knapp & McAndrew, was
Vermont. He has more than 20 years’ experience and
was with Liberty Mutual. elected to The American Law Institute.
Kathryn Huggett, Ph.D., was named inau- Chuck Alexander joined Four Seasons
gural director of the Teaching Academy Sotheby’s International Realty as direc- Ten attorneys with the firm were selected
at The University of Vermont College of tor of marketing. The Montpelier native has
Medicine. She succeeds Ann Guillot, M.D., worked for advertising agencies in New York for inclusion on the 2015 New England
professor of pediatrics and director of pedi- City, Boston, and, most recently, in Portland, Super Lawyers list: Ritchie Berger, W.
atric nephrology. Huggett was with the Maine. Scott Fewell, Karen McAndrew, Jeffrey
Creighton University School of Medicine. McMahan, Brian Murphy, Jeffrey Nolan,
Mark Langan, Linda Cohen, Molly
The Vermont Symphony Orchestra’s gov- Langan, and Austin Hart. David Gurtman
erning board of directors announced that and Andy MacIlwaine were named 2015
Benjamin Cadwallader was named exec-
utive director. He was education programs New England Rising Stars. •
manager at the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Charles Smith has been acting execu-
tive director since May. Officers and new

Fast, personal • Local Business Brilliant Fleet Owners, Managers,
service by a local • Quick Response Talent, and Dispatchers
• Full, Personal and Vibrant
payroll processor Customized Service Careers. by Burlington Communications
you can trust. • Confidential and
Convenient STAFFING SERVICES Vermont’s Only Statewide Two-Way Radio Network!
Serving Vermont • Full Tax
Management 110 Kimball Ave. Suite 250 Two-Way Radio
Companies Since 1990 S. Burlington, VT 05403 Unleashed!
802 864-5900
The Complete Payroll Service Talk to One
www.spherion.com or Everyone
www.accuritepayroll.com
800 834 7092
www.BurlingtonCommunications.com

www.fleetwave.biz

See you at
the boat show
March 4-6!

Champlain Valley Expositition
Essex Junction, Vermont

BOAT INSURANCE
Walter T. Hausermann
(802) 878-7144 [email protected]

28 BUSINESS PEOPLE–VERMONT • MARCH 2016

At Northwestern Occupational Health, we know a healthy workforce is vital
to the success of any business. Working closely with employers to understand
their occupational health requirements, we develop customized plans from our
full array of services to meet the needs of employers and their workforces.

Pre-employment 35 participants showed
screening reduces the measured improvements over
the course of 12 weeks!
number of injuries.
Total combined Combined cholesterol
150%One company saw a weight loss decreased by
decrease in injuries when
compared to a company that 331 601
didn’t offer the same type of pre- pounds points
employment functional exam.

Monday–Friday:
8 am–4:30 pm

Cobblestone Health Commons Call us at 524-1223
260 Crest Road, Suite 101 or visit Northwestern.org
St. Albans, VT 05478

Expanded Mortgage Options!

New mortgage products
Offerings with up to 100% financing*
Local mortgage options

Work with our local mortgage team: www.mbvt.com/mortgage

|MBVT.com

The Merchants Bank Mortgage Team (NMLS #417082) L to R: Dan Pitner #885096, Deb Terrill #198799, Ray Morvan #20353, Dick Ploof #194725, Holly Sheltra #194910
*Loan offer is subject to credit approval.