Current News

Targeted Vermonters with Deceptive Marketing, Conducted Business Without Authorization

Vermont Business Magazine On July 31, 2019 the Department of Financial Regulation issued a cease and desist order against four entities and one individual alleged to be violating state law by deceptively marketing and soliciting unlicensed health insurance to Vermonters.

Vermont Business Magazine If you want to see the future of Vermont’s economy, look no further than the state’s local food industry. With 50 percent growth from 2006-2016, Vermont entrepreneurs are starting new specialty food businesses and creating a name for Vermont products across the US and beyond. Specialty food manufacturers transform high-quality ingredients into products like chocolates, freshly prepared foods, and specialty meats. Increasingly, customers are demanding sustainability as well as fine craftsmanship and quality. Several Vermont businesses are stepping up to the challenge to increase the sustainability of their operations by participating in the new Green Specialty Foods Cohort.

The cohort is an initiative of the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), in partnership with Efficiency Vermont, to support environmental excellence in Green Mountain State businesses.

Vermont Business Magazine The Community Health Centers of Burlington (CHCB) announced today that Chief Executive Officer Alison Lyndes Calderara, MEd, has stepped down from her position after more than two decades of various leadership roles within the organization. Prior to her position as CEO, Calderara’s work with CHCB included policy development, patient relations and operations, community communications and collaborations, recruitment, federal programs management, and grant development.

A statement issued by the CHCB said Calderara has always been a committed spokesperson for the transformative Federally Qualified Health Center model of care and played an integral role in the growth and evolution of CHCB’s programs and services throughout her career.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Democratic Party announced today that it has hired a new executive director, Scott McNeil. McNeil previously led the North Dakota Democratic Party since July 2017. Before moving to North Dakota, McNeil successfully managed Suzanne Bump’s campaign for Massachusetts State Auditor and then served in her office as an external affairs assistant.

In edition to managing a statewide campaign, he has also worked on multiple congressional races around the country, serving in the roles of Regional Field Director and Field Director. McNeil is a Cum Laude graduate of George Washington University with a bachelor's in political science. 

VDP photo of Scott McNeil.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General TJ Donovan announced today the results of the “Landlord Restoration Program,” which helped landlords restore lead paint conditions in rental housing to further reduce childhood exposure to lead poisoning. A detailed presentation with Q&A will be held at Burlington City Hall, Contois Auditorium, at 5 pm on Wednesday July 31.

Vermont Business Magazine Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR), based in New Orleans, today reported second quarter 2019 earnings per share of $1.22 on an as-reported basis and $1.35 on an adjusted basis (non-GAAP). The year-to date earnings decrease for the Entergy Wholesale Commodities division reflected an accrual of $29 million of tax expense, which resulted from the sale of Vermont Yankee in January 2019. Entergy sold the Vermont nuclear power station in Vernon to NorthStar Group Services for the purpose of decommissioning the plant. VY went offline in December 2014.

"Our results for the quarter keep us well-positioned to achieve our full-year financial guidance," said Entergy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Leo Denault. "With a track record of success, clarity in our vision, and confidence in our strategy going forward, we are raising our 2020 and 2021 adjusted EPS outlooks and narrowing our adjusted EPS ranges across our forecast period."

Vermont Business Magazine Nicole Mace will be stepping down as the Executive Director of the VSBA in November of 2019 to join a law firm in Burlington where her practice will focus on general education and special education law. While the Board is sad to lose such a talented and qualified leader we are happy that she will continue to serve Vermont's students and schools in her new role.

Vermont Business Magazine Northern Vermont University has launched a master’s degree program in leadership studies that starts this fall, geared to early- and mid-career professionals interested in effecting significant change through their careers. Applications are being accepted now. Unlike more conventional leadership programs, NVU’s leadership studies program integrates required core courses and electives in each course, and every course is five credits instead of the usual three- or four-credit courses. The curriculum runs through fall, spring and summer. The program can be completed in a year for full-time students and two years for part-time students.

Vermont Business Magazine Runamok Maple, a maker of all-natural, organic maple syrup produced from maple trees located along the northwest slopes of Vermont’s Mount Mansfield, is pleased to introduce its brand-new Coffee Infused Maple Syrup to its unique collection of pure, infused, smoked, and barrel-aged maple syrups. Runamok Maple’s full line of delicious maple syrups is available for online purchase at runamokmaple.com, and can be shipped nationwide and to a variety of international locations.

Vermont Business Magazine Whether it’s a cabin in the woods or a beachside bungalow, vacation homes come in all shapes, sizes and locations. IPX1031, a Fidelity property exchange company, took a close look at vacation home destinations across the country to find which cities and towns have the most vacation homes. They also analyzed the overall percent of vacation homes in every state. Northern New England came in as the top three states: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire.

Vermont Business Magazine The OneCare Vermont Board of Managers has selected Vicki Loner, current OneCare Vermont Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, to serve as the Chief Executive Officer. Loner will replace Kevin Stone who has served as interim CEO since late January and will be retiring to Cape Cod.