Current News

The University of Vermont Board of Trustees today approved President Daniel Mark Fogel’s appointment of Jane E Knodell as provost and senior vice president.
"I couldn't be happier that Dr. Knodell has accepted the position of Provost and Senior Vice President," noted UVM President Daniel Mark Fogel. "During her time in the interim role, she has shown the leadership skills, creativity, and high level of energy necessary to succeed in this challenging job, while proving to be an exceptional colleague and team member. I am grateful to have Jane as a partner in addressing the many challenges ahead, and the University is fortunate to have such a talented individual leading our academic enterprise."
Knodell, who had been serving in that capacity since July of 2009 on an interim basis, emerged as one of two finalists last month from an internal search process that took place during the fall semester.

The Board of Directors of Brattleboro Memorial Hospital has announced the appointment of Steven R Gordon of Newton, Massachusetts, as the new President and Chief Executive Officer. The appointment will be effective in early March of next year, according to Kirsten Beske, Chair of the BMH Board of Directors. Gordon will be replacing Barry Beeman who announced his intentions to retire from the position at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital earlier this year. Gordon brings more than 25 years of experience in health care and hospital management to BMH.

US Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) Tuesday announced that a budget package soon to be introduced in the Senate includes a year-long extension of the pilot programs in Vermont and Maine that are moving heavy trucks off state secondary roads and onto the Interstate highway system.
The provisions are sponsored by Leahy and Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who also authored the pilot programs currently in effect in Vermont and Maine, which expire this month. Leahy is the second most senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and both Leahy and Collins also serve on the panel’s transportation subcommittee.

Governor-elect Shumlin announced today that Elizabeth Miller will be the next Commissioner of the Department of Public Service. The DPS represents the public interest in matters regarding energy, telecommunications, water and wastewater.
Shumlin made the Miller announcement in Montpelier this morning and then traveled to Rutland in the afternoon to announce that Megan Smith would become the state's next Tourism & Marketing Commissioner.
Of Miller, Shumlin said, ‘There will be no better advocate for the public’s interests than Liz. She will work tirelessly for the citizens and ratepayers of Vermont. I have laid out several ambitious goals for my administration, such as delivering broadband to every last mile by 2013 and developing a successful renewable energy economy. Liz is an incredibly bright, talented and energetic individual who will be instrumental in helping to achieve these goals. ‘

They’re known for building things and powering things, and as co-chairs of the fifth annual Go Red for Women Luncheon, Melinda Moulton, CEO of Main Street Landing, and Mary Powell, CEO of Green Mountain Power, will build on the spirit of camaraderie of nearly 400 women to power up the fight against heart disease in the state of Vermont.
The fifth annual Go Red for Women Luncheon is set for Wednesday, Feb. 16, at the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center. There will be educational sessions, health screenings, a silent auction, moving stories from heart disease survivors, a keynote speaker, and a heart-healthy lunch.
Powell said the Go Red for Women Luncheon is an event she’s long wanted to be a part of, and her schedule permitted it this year.

Sugarbush Resort raised the curtain Friday on a revitalized Lincoln Peak base area, showcasing two buildings that will serve as integral parts of a $10 million project designed to strengthen the resort’s commitment to lifelong learning of snowsports.
Sugarbush president Win Smith hosted an official opening of the two recently completed structures ‘ ‘The Schoolhouse’ and ‘The Farmhouse.’ A wide range of local business leaders, politicians and
contractors that worked on the project joined Smith at the ceremony.
Devoted to ski school and family-friendly guest facilities, the two new buildings are part of Phase 2 of
the Lincoln Peak revitalization; the other component being an upgrade of 2.5 miles of snowmaking
pipe servicing both Lincoln Peak and Mt. Ellen.

A judge in Virginia has ruled a key provision of the sweeping health care bill championed by President Obama and passed by Congress earlier this year is unconstitutional. The provision would require that all individuals have health insurance starting in 2014. However, this ruling will not hold up the implementation of the health reform plan in all its other provisions in 2011. It is likely that the US Supreme Court ultimately will rule on the insurance requirement provision before 2014.
Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy was critical of the process by which the court acted on this matter.

Governor-elect Shumlin announced today several appointments that will make up his health care reform team. Steve Kimbell will assume the role of Commissioner of BISHCA, Harry Chen will become the newly appointed Commissioner of the Department of Health, Susan Besio will remain in her role as Commissioner of the Department of Vermont Health Access and Anya Rader Wallack will lead the health care reform efforts as Special Assistant to the Governor.

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc., (NASDAQ: GMCR), a leader in specialty coffee and coffeemakers, on Thursday announced its fiscal 2010 fourth quarter and year-end results for the thirteen weeks and fiscal year ended September 25, 2010. Annual sales were nearly $1.4 billion and net income was almost $80 million.
Performance Highlights
Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2010
* Net Sales up 73% over 2009
* GAAP EPS of $0.20; Non-GAAP EPS of $0.221
* GAAP Net Income up 92% over 2009
Fiscal 2010
* Net Sales up 73% over 2009
* GAAP EPS of $0.58; Non-GAAP EPS of $0.701
* GAAP Net Income up 46% over 2009
Restated Financial Results

Rick Fleming of Fleming Oil in Brattleboro, Vermont, was named the new President of the Vermont Fuel Dealers Association. The VFDA Executive Board unanimously elected Fleming to the volunteer leadership post at their annual winter meeting. Rick succeeds Peter Bourne of Bourne’s Energy in Morrisville. Bourne will remain on the VFDA Executive Board.
"Rick is a respected leader in the fuel industry. VFDA members and staff are fortunate to have Rick accept this important role," said Matt Cota, VFDA’s Executive Director.
Fleming also serves on the Board of the New England Fuel Institute (NEFI) and the Petroleum Marketers Association of America (PMAA). As President of the Vermont Fuel Dealers Association, Rick will help guide an organization that represents nearly 300 companies that are in the business of keeping Vermonters warm.

Philip Conroy, Jr., Ed.D. has been appointed president of Vermont Technical College by the Vermont State College's Board of Trustees following a six-month nationwide presidential search. Dr. Conroy comes to Vermont Tech from Mount Ida College in Newton, Massachusetts, where he serves as vice president of enrollment management and marketing, responsible for admissions, financial aid, marketing, publications, the web site, public relations, and retention related activities.
Conroy, who has served in a variety of roles at Mount Ida since 1997, is an internationally recognized expert on higher education management, particularly in the areas of strategic enrollment management and institutional advancement.

Governor-elect Shumlin named Keith Flynn as the Commissioner of Public Safety today.
‘Keith’s experience on the front lines of law enforcement as well as in the judicial system give him the knowledge, insight and perspective that’s necessary to be a great Commissioner of Public Safety,’ said Shumlin. ‘I am deeply grateful to Keith for his willingness to tackle the challenge of making Vermont a safer place to live, work and raise a family.’