Current News

It takes a carefully crafted team of more than 1,200
employees to keep the resort operations at Okemo Mountain running smoothly
12 months out of the year. A dedicated workforce of professionals who are
experts in their fields fill a variety of positions that include indoors
and outdoors, full-time and part-time.
Okemo's Vermont student workforce is an integral part of the overall operation. But, when the local school systems do not share the same
holiday vacation week as the rest of the eastern states, Okemo's Human
Resources team "kicks into action" to fill those much-needed positions.
Remo Paul, Co-op Coordinator at the River Valley Technical Center
worked closely with Crystal Stokarski, Okemo's Director of Human Resources
to develop a program where students could work in a number of service
related positions at Okemo and gain experience while on the job. These

The Vermont Chamber is pleased to present the Top Ten Economic Development Initiatives for 2003. Printed on a double-sided card, the recommendations present the legislative priorities of the Vermont business community in an accessible format, addressing: Permit Reform, Workforce Development, Recruiting and Marketing, Telecommunications, Cost of Doing Business, Infrastructure, Business Assistance, Financing Incentives, Energy, and Tax Policy.
Chris Barbieri, Vermont Chamber President, stated “As we crafted the Top Ten we consulted with many voices within Vermont business community, recognizing that working together strengthens the business agenda for the entire state of Vermont.” As the legislative session moves into full swing, job creation continues to grow as a bi-partisan priority.

General Manager Gary Thulander announced
today that the Equinox Resort & Spa has been named one of the World’s 500
Greatest Hotels by Travel & Leisure Magazine. The Travel & Leisure 500
is composed of the 500 hotels that have received the highest overall
scores from the 2002 World’s Best Awards survey, taking into consideration
rooms/facilities, location, service, restaurants/food and value. “We are
thrilled to be recognized as one of the elite properties in the World,”
commented Thulander. “This award is a testament to our incredibly
dedicated staff. Over the past year we have worked very hard to upgrade
our amenities and deliver a memorable resort experience to our guests.
It’s gratifying to see those efforts recognized in the form of this award.
It’s all part of our goal to be the number one resort in the Northeast.”

Peter Crosby, chairman of the Vermont Bankers Association announced that Christopher D'Elia has been appointed to the position of president of the VBA. D'Elia replaces Timothy Hayward who left the VBA after 18 years of service to become Chief of Staff for Governor Jim Douglas.
D'elia most recently served as commissioner of the Vermont Department of Economic Development. During his two year tenure as commissioner, he was responsible for overseeing the economic development efforts for the state of Vermont, facilitating a partnership of public and private organizations associated with economic development as well as acting as a liason between the business community and the Dean administration. Prior to his commissioner's post, D'Elia was executive directorof the Vermont Economic Progress Council, of Workforce Education and Training at Vermont Technical College, and executive director of the Lamoille Economic Development Corporation.

The Vermont Interpreter Referral Service (VIRS) is
celebrating ten years of providing interpreting services for Vermonters.
The Vermont Interpreter Referral Service was founded October 1,1992. It
has grown steadily as awareness of the Service, its effectiveness, and the
implications of the landmark federal legislation, Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA), also enacted in 1992, have grown.
VIRS provides state-wide interpreter and CART referral services for
American Sign Language (ASL)/English interpreting assignments in settings
such as governmental, mental health, medical, legal, employment,
educational, civil and recreational. VIRS serves all Vermonters, both
hearing and deaf, in need of securing a sign language interpreter.
VIRS also provides advocacy for deaf clients, training opportunities for
interpreters and serves as an informational resource throughout the state.

A University of Vermont Extension day-long workshop offers farmers the
opportunity to develop cross-cultural understanding and management skills
for employing a Hispanic workforce.
Scheduled for February 25 at the
Burlington Sheraton, the conference will cover such topics as
"Understanding the Implications of Culture," "Issues Related to Managing a
Multi-cultural Workforce," "Immigration Reform--Implications for Dairy
Farm Employers," and "What I Learned Over the Years on my Farm," a
presentation by a veteran dairy farmer. Presenters include Tom Maloney,
Cornell University applied economics and management specialist; Rick
LeVitre, University of Vermont dairy herd management and farm labor
management specialist; Dr. Miguel Morales, a California-based labor
consultant; and John Mueller, a western New York dairy farmer.
Taking part in the day's activities is a valuable investment for any

Green Mountain Power Corporation (NYSE:GMP) today announced consolidated earnings of $1.98 per share of common stock, diluted, in 2002 compared to consolidated earnings of $1.85 per share, diluted, in 2001. Reduced power supply expenses, declines in other operating expenses and lower interest and preferred stock dividend costs more than offset reduced operating revenues in 2002, compared to 2001.
"Year-end financial results for 2002 were strong," said Christopher L. Dutton, President and Chief Executive Officer, “and we anticipate similar earnings for 2003. We are particularly pleased to have an opportunity to achieve these results without the need for an increase in rates for our customers."

Culminating an effort that began almost as soon as Ethan Allen, Inc. announced the closure of its Island Pond Division in August, 2001, the new plant of a new company, Island Pond Woodworkers, Inc. will be formally opened on February 15th. The new business will manufacture custom furniture and cabinetry. It has secured its first major order, study carrels for Middlebury College and has several other opportunities in various stages of negotiation.
The plant closure idled 125 workers in a town with only 1,300 residents. It was a potentially devastating blow to the economy of an already economically disadvantaged area of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. Led by four former Ethan Allen workers, Don Maiolo, Sylvie Ming, Barbara Testut and Bruce Wilkie, who form the management of the new enterprise, the former Island Pond Division workers raised funds and worked tirelessly to promote the idea of a new business that would use their talent for creating fine furniture.

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations renewed its accreditation of Retreat Healthcare after
conducting an extensive on-site survey in January.
Founded in 1951, the Joint Commission is dedicated to continuously
improving the safety and quality of the nation's health care through
voluntary accreditation. "Achieving accreditation demonstrates Retreat
Healthcare's commitment to provide high quality care" says Mary
Cesare-Murphy, Ph.D., executive director, Behavioral Health Care Program,
Joint Commission.
Rick Palmisano, CEO of Retreat Healthcare, expressed pride in the survey
results, and in the vital role that everyone within the organization plays
in working to meet these standards of excellence. "The Joint Commission's
renewal of accreditation once again confirms our hard work and reflects
the significant effort we make on a day-to-day basis at all levels of our

Ann Clark, Ltd., manufacturer and wholesaler of cookie cutters handcrafted in Vermont, has hired Richard H. Mihlrad of Wells, Vermont to be their Director of Sales and Marketing. Mihlrad will be responsible for both the wholesale and promotional products divisions for the company.
Ann Clark, Ltd. is a 12-year old company founded by Artist Ann Clark. The company produces cookie cutters made from tin and copper along with cookie and frosting mixes, animal treat mixes, cookie baking kits and the children’s cookbook “With Mommy’s Help” written by Ann Clark. Products are manufactured in their Rutland, Vermont factory and shipped nationwide and internationally to gift stores, pet shops, gourmet stores and direct mail cataloguers.
Over the last decade Richard H. Mihlrad has directed the sales and marketing efforts for giftware manufacturers such as Vanmark, Character Collectibles, Jacob’s Musical Chimes, Herdoo’s, and The Brass Butterfly.

The Vermont International Business Council (VIBC), a standing committee of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, is accepting nominations for the 2003 Exporter of the Year. Given to a company that has contributed significantly to Vermont’s international trade stature, the prestigious Exporter of the Year award recognizes the hard work, performance, innovation, and vision Vermont companies display when competing in the global marketplace.
Elements of exporting may include: the direct sale of products and services; creating jobs in the international sector; marketing Vermont as a destination for overseas visitors; increasing foreign student enrollment at Vermont’s educational institutions. Companies may nominate themselves. Parent companies, subsidiaries, and/or divisions of other companies are eligible.
Criteria used in consideration of this award include:
• International trade marketing strategies
• Overcoming barriers (legal, cultural, linguistic)

Agency of Commerce and Community Development Secretary Kevin Dorn has announced the appointment of Bruce J. Hyde, Fayston, as
Vermont's new Commissioner of Tourism and Marketing.
"Bruce brings hands-on skills to the job. He has operated the Hyde Away
Inn and Restaurant since 1987 and represented Washington-Addison District
1 in the Vermont Legislature between 1994 and 2000. In addition to his
experience in the business community, tourism industry and Vermont
government, he brings a commitment to efficiency, professionalism and
improving the bottom line for Vermont businesses and taxpayers," Dorn
said.
Commissioner Hyde has also served on local boards including the Sugarbush
Chamber of Commerce, the board for the Mad River Valley Senior Citizens,
Inc. and Evergreen Place, Inc.
"I completely support Governor Douglas' pledge to make Vermont State