Current News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Robert Meyer
Rob Meyer, AIA named Regional Chair of NECARB

Gubernatorial Appointments
> Made in September and October
> Montpelier, Vt.- Governor Jim Douglas today released the list of
> appointments made in September and October, 2005.
> Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council
> David O'Brien, Bennington
> Patrick Martin, Rutland
> Vermont Board of Architects
> Janet Stackpole, Burlington
> Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities
> Harriet Hall, Newport
> Vermont Enhanced 911 Board
> Heather Dale Porter, North Hyde Park
> Vermont Center for Geographic Information
> Kevin Behm, South Burlington
> Laurence Becker, Middlesex
> Michael Gilbar, East Barre
> Dana Dean, Randolph
> Vermont Housing Finance Agency
> Bartlett Frisbie, Colchester
> Natural Resources Board
> Elizabeth Wilkel, Walden
> New Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board

BURLINGTON, Vt.--This winter, Champlain College is launching an online MBA that turns the traditional MBA curriculum on its ear.
While many institutions are scrambling to incorporate real-world applications into their MBA curricula, the Champlain MBA was designed from the ground up on the following premise: the challenges faced at work are truly intertwined with what is learned in class. This intentional integration is at the heart of Champlains innovative program, according to program director Dr. Don Haggerty.
The Champlain MBA is designed specifically for career-minded people looking to benefit from integrating their coursework with their work-based challenges, he said. This integrated process will form the core of a students learning and will serve as a springboard toward better job performance. Integration can be applied across many career fields and industries, such as marketing, accounting and health care.

Cabot Creamery, Hartford Chambers Ottmann Take Top Industry Awards
MANCHESTER, Vt. A total of 312 attendees came away from the 2005 Vermont Travel Industry Conference (VTIC) with new knowledge, new contacts and new strategies for marketing their businesses. In addition, Cabot Creamery received the first ever Governors Award for Tourism Marketing Excellence and industry veteran Gayle Ottmann of the Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce was honored as the 2005 Vermont Travel Person of the Year.

JAN MARINELLI JOINS CHITTENDEN BANK AS DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
Burlington, VT John W. Kelly, President and CEO of Chittenden Bank announces the hiring of Jan Marinelli as Chittenden Banks new Director of Community Development Services.
Every year through the Chittenden Community Fund, the Card for Kids Program, Socially Responsible Banking, sponsorships and donations, Chittenden invests well over $1 million in programs and projects that support our Vermont community. Marinelli will oversee these programs and help Chittenden continue to invest in Vermont and its people.
We are thrilled to have such talent in this very important role at Chittenden said Kelly. Chittenden has been a part of Vermont for 100 years and one of our main goals is to be sure we give back to the communities where we have all chosen to live and raise our families Kelly continued.

Mary Alice McKenzie joins Paul Frank + Collins to lead Employment + Labor practice

VEDA BOARD APPROVES $2.6 MILLION IN BUSINESS
PROJECT FINANCING STATEWIDE
Montpelier, VT A Bennington manufacturer will add almost 100 new jobs within three years and a growing Essex Town company will acquire its own facility with financial assistance approved by the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) Board of Directors. The Directors approved loan financing requests of $2.6 million to support business development projects totaling $7.8 million statewide.
It is gratifying to all of us to see businesses investing in solid growth and good-paying jobs in Vermont, and VEDA is pleased to help these companies achieve their goals, said Jo Bradley, VEDAs Chief Executive Officer.
Projects approved by the VEDA Board are:

Council Authorizes Tax Incentives To Create Snowshoe Manufacturing Jobs In Vermont

MONTPELIER -- The Vermont Economic Progress Council recently approved almost a quarter-million dollars in tax credits to a Williston firm that plans to manufacture snowshoes in Vermont.
The council approved an application from TSL USA, LLC at its meeting on October 27th, 2005, after the firm presented plans to manufacture aluminum and plastic snowshoes in Williston, Vermont and distribute their products worldwide.

The company was authorized for $241,925 in payroll, research and development and workforce development tax credits to add new jobs and invest in research and development and employee training and education. The company was also considering sites in Clinton County, New York.

Morrisville,VT - In the world of candles, consumers have a hard time finding truly natural candles, even in large natural chain stores and food cooperatives. Most candles contain synthetic dyes, fragrances and additives. Add to that, many candles are encased in plastic materials, which conflicts with the ultimate purpose of creating and selling natural products. The folks at Way Out Wax Vermont Naturals (WOW-VN) think differently. That means using natural material in their packaging, not just in their products.

Burlington, VT John W. Kelly, President and CEO of Chittenden Bank announces the hiring of Jan Marinelli as Chittenden Banks new Director of Community Development Services.
Every year through the Chittenden Community Fund, the Card for Kids Program, Socially Responsible Banking, sponsorships and donations, Chittenden invests well over $1 million in programs and projects that support our Vermont community. Marinelli will oversee these programs and help Chittenden continue to invest in Vermont and its people.
We are thrilled to have such talent in this very important role at Chittenden said Kelly. Chittenden has been a part of Vermont for 100 years and one of our main goals is to be sure we give back to the communities where we have all chosen to live and raise our families Kelly continued.

Montpelier, VT USA Risk Group announced today its expansion of its Burlington offices. They have recently hired two experienced captive insurance account managers, Jenny Denison and Judy McNally to assist in the continued captive growth of the Group.
With the two new hires, the Burlington office will be taking new office space in the Gateway Plaza office building at 30 Main Street, Suite 450 in Burlington effective December 12th.
USA Risk Group is a leading alternative risk service provider with offices in Arizona, Bermuda, BVI, Cayman Islands, New York, South Carolina, Vermont, and USVI. Business Insurance recently named USA Risk Group the 2nd largest independent captive manager and 7th largest in the world. Further details on USA Risk Group are available at www.usarisk.com.

GEER Sound & Communications Only Vermont Company to Earn Highest AV Industry Certification
One of 3 in New England and 65 in the World
Milton, VT - December 9, 2005 GEER Sound & Communications today announced that it is the only company in Vermont and one of only three in New England to earn Gold Level certification in the Certified AudioVisual Solutions Provider (CAVSP) Program. GEER Sound earned the highest certification level because at least 75% of its employees are Certified Technology Specialists.
The Certified AudioVisual Solutions Provider (CAVSP) Program is the industry standard certification program for companies in the professional audiovisual industry. It is administered by InfoComm International® and the International Communications Industries Foundation (ICIF).